30 MEDITATIONS A is the most ineffable effect of divine wisdom and grace. Where are our hearts and minds if we can see no glory in it? 1 know in the contemplation of it, it will quick- ly overwhelm our reason, and bring our understanding into a loss: but unto this loss do I desire to be brought every day; for when faith can nomore act itself in corn- ND DISCOURSES. prehension, when it finds the object it is axed on too great and glórions to be brought into our minds and ca. pacities, it will issue (as we said before) in holyadmira- tion, humble adoration, and joyful thanksgiving. to and by its actings in them, doth it fill the soul with joy unspeakable andfull ofglop. CHAPTER V. THE GLORY OF CHRIST IN HIS LOVE. IN the susception and discharge of the mediatory of- fice by the Son of God, the scripture doth most emi- nently represent his love, as thesole impelling and lead- ing cause thereof. Gal. ii. 20. ., Who loved me, and gave himselffor me. i John iii. 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. Rev. i. 5. Unto him that loved us, and washed us front our sins in his own blood," &e. Herein is he glorious, in a way and manner incom- prehensible: for in the glory of divine love, the chief brightness of glory dolls consist. There is nothing of dread and terror accompanying it, nothing but what is amiable and infinitely refreshing. Now, that we may take a view of the glory of Christ herein by faith, the nature of it must be inquired into. 1. The eternal disposing cause of the whole work wherein the Lord Christ was engaged by the susception of this office, for the redemption and salvation of the church, is the LOVE OF THE FATHER. Hereunto it is constantly ascribed in the scripture. And this love of the Father acted itself in his eternal decrees, before the foundation of the world. Eph. i. 4. and afterwards in the sending of his Son to rendenniteffectual, John iii. 16. Originally, it is his eternal election of a portion of man- kind to be brought unto the enjoyment of himself, through the mystery of the blood of Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit. 2 Thess. ii. 13, 16. Eph. i. 4 -9. 1 Pet. i. 2. This eternal act of the will of God the Father, cloth not contain in it an actual approbation of, and compla- cency in the state and condition of those that are elect- ed; but only designeth that for them on the account whereof, they shall be accepted and approved. And it is called his LOVE on sundry accounts. 1. Because it is an act suited unto that glorious ex- cellency of his nature, wherein lie is love; fir God is lobe, 1 John iv. 8, 9. And the first egress of the divine properties must therefore be in an act of communica- tive love. And whereas this election being an eternal. act of the will of God, can have no moving cause but what is in himself; if we could look into all the treasures of the divine excellencies we should find none where- unto it could be so properly ascribed as unto love,. Wherefore, 2. R is stiled Love, because it was freeand undeser- ved, as unto any thing on our part. For whatever good is done untó any altogether undeserved, if it be with a design of their profit and advantage, it is in an act of love, and can have no other cause. So is it with us in respectof eternal election. There was nothing in us, nothing foreseen, as that which from ourselves would be in us, that should any way move the will of God unto thiselection? for whatever is good in the best of men is an effect of it. Eph.. i. 4. Whereas therefore it tends unto our eternal good, the spring of it must be love. And, 3. The fruits or effects of it are inconceiveable acts of love. It is by multiplied acts of love, that it is made effectual. John iii. 16. Jer. xxxi. 3. Eph. i. 3 -6. I John iv. 8, 9, 16. This is the eternal spring which is derived unto the church, through the mediation of Christ. Wherefore that which put all the design of this eternal love of the Father into execution, and wrought out theaccomplish- ment of it was the LOVE of THE SON, which we inquire after; and light may be given unto it in the ensuingob- servations. 1. The whole number or society of the elect, were
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