320 An Expofition upon S i r. It is taken here not a&ively, for that love wherewith we love him (as if our conftancy were called in que- ftion, as Auguffine and .elmbrof a think ) but paflìvely, for that love wherewith the faithful are beloved ofChrift, as if the fenfe ofthat could be (haken out of their hearts. That this is the meaning, may appear by the end of the 37. and 39. verfes, which expound it of Gods love to us. AIIo, it appears by that which goes before our Text, for Paul had (poken ofChriflslove to us, wit - neffed by his dying for us, riling again, fitting atjhe right hand of God, and makingrtqueftforus; all which pro - veth his great love toward the ele&. T i M. How may it be further known, that thefenfe of Chri fls love is here to be un- derflocd? S i L. By Paulo fcope, which is to comfort teleevers, who would have no comfort of Chrílts love,except they felt it, as Rom.5.5. Again, it is the fenfe and perfwafion of Chrifts love, that Satan by croffes faits to wren from us. T t M. Whatlearn we from hence? S i r. A good leffon, which is this : the Godly muff make reckoning to have the perfwafion of Gods love al- faulted and fore ( haken. The reafon is,becaufe it is a notable advantage to Satan, and hurt to Gods children, to doubt of Gods love to them. For then Satan n ay bring in impsfency,defpair, dulneffe in Gods fervice, difobedience, l000fneffe of manners, and all iniqui- ty,which we arekept from by the fenfe of Gods love,quickning our love, and caufing CO hope in him well and con - ftantly. T i M. What is the ore of tkir point ? S i L. It warmth the beleevers to arm themftivesagain(t this affault, la- bouring by all means to fettle their hearts more and more in the affurance of Gods love, holding Taft that truth, that Gods love ismolt conftant,and no- thing in the world can be of fuch force as to hinder it, much lefle to pluck it away, fo as finne and fecurity be taken heed of. This was Paul: perfwafion for his part, verfe 28. and pray tinto God Chap. $; that ye alto may be thus perfwaded,and ftrivemightily,fòr it. T i M. blow (hew us particularly -what things they be which be contrary to our perfta- fionofGods love? S t t. They be either croffes and ca- lamities whereof he rthearfeth feven or enemies,whereofhe mentioneth nine in number. T L M. Shew us the meaning of theft ca- lamities in particu'ar ? S s L. Firft, by tribulation, is meant every thing which pre(feth or wring - eth, to wit, any vexation. Secondly, by anguilh, is meant fraightneffe of place properly, but (by a Metaphor) perplexity of ntinde, when one knowes not what to do. An example hereof we have in Jrhofaphat, 2 Chron. zo. 12. Thirdly, by perlecution,is meant fome extreme violence offered by Tyrants and wicked men, to our goods , name, perfon, or life. Fourthly, by famine,is meant hunger,through want of vi &uals to fuflaain our life. Fiftly, na,redneffe, lignifìes want of apparel and cloathing to cover and defend our bodies from cold. Sixtly,by peril, is meant dange- rous,difireffes, which put aman in pe- rill and jeopardy, fuch as Paul recko- neth,2 Cord i. 25, 26. and Heb. i i . 36, 37. Laftly, by fword, is meant !laugh- ter,cruel tormenting, death, or puni(h- ment by barbarous favage bloud -fhed, as happened to Abel, the Prophets, and Chriff,and holy Martyrs. Ti M. What obferve you in this partira. lar rehearfing of calamities ? S i L. Firft, what heavie and hard things the godly are fubjeEt unto for their profeflion fake, others have felt thefe things, and we muff prepare for them. Secondly,the Apoltle by recko- ning tip the moll bitter things, would teach us,that feeingthefe things cannot put out the fenfe of Gods love, neither any elle in the world can do it. For what can go beyond thefe for fmart or flame ? T i it. But how is it proved by the Apof ie , that the faithful! are fubje£t unto the fwordand bloodyflaugl. tern for the,Gofpelo fake? Si L. Seeing Chrilifuffe red forevill servants, why should not see fu6 fet for a good Lord? we hedpra fit by his :itfferioes, he an have no profit by our {of. fions. Ambrofe.
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