Chap 19. An Expojition upon the Book of JOB. Vert t4,_^ 245 1?hortm, he oft refrejhedme, and was not afhamed of my chaise. Many friends come about us when we have a crowne of comfirt or ofhonour upon our heads, or when we have our garments of praife and j q uponour backs, but when we are in fackcloath, or weare a chaise, then to appe.are with us or for us, argues ftrength as well as truth of love. True and ftrong love bath thefe five things in ìr. Fir(i, It is not weakened by time it never waxeth old ; true love, the older it growes the fironger and frefher it growes. We fay, rime ù a great rater, it confumes all things ; but Eternitie cannot eate out true love, either to God or man. True love fhall be old, but it never waxeth cold, nor vanifheth away. Secondly, True love is not hindred by'remoteneffe of place, love knowes no local' d:ftances ; A friend in the farthefi parts of the world, is as neere to reali affection, as he that iodgeth under the fame roofe, and eases bread withus every day. We may Toone remove out of the fight, but we cannot, removeout of the minde of a friend indeed.. Thirdly, True friendffiip or love is fruitful] fincere afie- Ction will put it felfe forth, and bud into aetion, it dothnot rift at the tongues end, or confine is felfe to fine expreffions, and complements, but it makes appearance or may be feene at the fingers ends, and is laborious in workes and offices of friendfhip. As faith, fo love without workes is dead, and as that faith which juftifies, fo the love ofa juft perfon is juftified byworke. Hence the beloved Difciple mingles, or makes up ííís counfell about this duty with a dehortation and an exhorta- tion ( 7.ehn 3,. ES. ) Brethres,let ua not live in wordor in tongue, but is deed , and in truth ; That is, let our deeds fpeake the truth ofour love ; it is an eafiematter to fay, but it is a great matter todoe or to deed our love. Much love maybe expreffed by the tongue, but aetions are thecompleature of love. There may be aboundance of love labour in lip-labour, but where love la- bours truely at the lips, it will not withdraw the labour of the Land, of of the whole man for his good whomwe love. Fourthly, Truth ofai%lion is full bf compaf ion, forrow- iteg the forrowes, and being aftlifted in the afflictions of thofe we love; it is fo farre from departing from thofe that are bnurr-
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