of the PERSON of 4HRIST,, 89 them. And fome things are to be premifed unto the confirmation of our affertion. x. It is granted, that there may be a falfe pretence of love unto Chrift. And as thispretence is ruinous unto the fouls of them in whom it is, fo it ofttimes renders them prejudicial and troublefomeunto others. There ever were and probably ever will be, hypocrites in the church. And a falfe pretence oflove is of the effential form of hypocrify. The first great act of hypocrify, with refpeâ unto Chrift, was treachery wailed with a double pretenceof love. He cried hail Mafier, and kii edhim, who betrayed him. His words and actions proclaimed love, but deceit and treachery were in his heart. Hence the apoftle prays for grace on them who love the Lord efus, tváp,3m íçí i without diffimulation or doubling, without pretences and aims at other ends, without a mixture of corrupt affe&ions i that is fincerityy, Ephef. vi. 24. It was prophefied of him, that many who 'were strangers unto his grace,.fhould lie unto him, Pfal. xviii. 44. wun7+ 17) '3]) feignedly fxabmit or yield feigned obedience unto lain]. So is it with them who profefs love unto him, yet are enemies of his Crofs i whofe end is defirutlion, woofe God is their belly, woofe glory is in their passe, who mind earthly things, Phil. -iii. 18, 59. All, that are called chriflians in the world, do, by owning that denomina- tion, profefs a love unto Jefus Chrift. But greater enemies, greater Haters -of him he bath not among the children -of men, than many of them are. This fallly pretended love, is worfe than avowed hatred. Neither will the 'pretence of it ftand men in head at the lift day-. No other anfwer will be given unto the plea of it, be it in whom it will, bit Depart from vne, Inever knewyou, you workers ofiniguily. Whereas therefore he him- feif bath prefcribed this rule unto all who would be efteemed his difciples, ifyou love me, keep ny commandments,we mayTafely conclude that all who live in a neglect of his commands, whatever they pretend or profefs, love him not. And the fatisfaftion which men, through mach dark- nefs, and inany corrupt prejudices, have attained unto in the profeffion of diriftian religion, without an internal 'fincere love unto Chrift himfelf, is that which ruins religion and their own fouls. -2. As there is a falle pretence oflove unto Chrift, fo there is, or May, be a falfe love unto him alfo. The perfons in whom it is, may in fome ineafure be fincere, and yet their love unto Chrift may not be pure, nor fincere, fuck as anfwers the principles and rules ofthe gofpel. And, as many deceive others, fo fome deceive themfelves in this matter. They may think that they love Chrift, but indeed donot fo. And this I lliall manifeft in fome few inftances. (x.) That love is not fincere and incorrupt, which proceedeth not from, which is not a fruit of faith. Thofewho do not firft really believe on Chrift, can never fincerely love him. It is faith alone that worketh by lovetowards Chrift and all his - faints. If therefore any do notbelieve with that faith which unites them unto Chrift, which within purifies the heart, and is outwardly effeftual in duties of obedience; whatever they may per- fuade themfelves concerning love unto Chrift, it is but a vain delufion: Where the faiths of men is dead, their love will not be living and sincere. (2.) That love is not fo, which arifeda from falfe ideas and reprefen- tations that men make of Chrift, or have made of him in their minds. Men may draw images in their minds ofwhat they molt fancy, and then doteupon them. So fome think of Chrift only as a glorious perfon exalted in heaven at the right hand of God, without farther apprehenfidns of his Z natures
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=