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SERMON X.

TH

1 JOHN iv. 16.

GOD is Love.

HAT the Reader may apprehend, and conceive worthy notions of the ever-blessed GOD, and in his heart be fuitably affected towards him; is the defign and end of the following difcourse.

If it be asked, What is God? The holy Scriptures exprefly declare to us, that God is a Spirit (a), infinite (b), eternal (c), invisible (d), unchangeable (e), and incomprehenfible (f), in his being and perfections.

-GOD (c) Deut. (e) Mal, iii. 6.

(a) John iv. 24. (b) Pfal. cxlvii. . xxxiii. 27. (d) 1 Tim. i. 17.

Job. xi. 7.

(f)

GOD is infinite in knowledge, wisdom, and power; omnifcient, and omnipotent: GOD is also infinite in his moral perfections, fuch as holiness, juftice, goodness, and truth: And he is infinitely blessed,

and glorious in being fo. This is that adorable Being whom we call GOD; who was from eternity, and will be to eternity the fame: Who never had a beginning, and never can have an end; with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning *. This Moft High GOD is the Creator, Poffeffor, Difpofer, and Lord of heaven and earth, and of all things which are therein, both of men and angels, of what order, rank, and condition foever; for they are all the work of his hands, for whofe pleasure they are, and were created t. And this God is Love.

! Love is an affection, or motion in the heart, ftiring up a perfon to wish another well, and feek to do bim good: But it is not only a defire to communicate, and feek another's good; but an affection alfo, difpofing and inclining the foul towards fome good difcovered to us in another, and acknowledged by us: Whence arifes an ardent and ftrong defire of being united to it; but the highest degree and perfection of love is that, whereby the beloved object is wholly poffeffed, and fully enjoyed; in which

Jam. i. 17.

+ Rev. iv. ult.

the

the foul is completely fatisfied, and rests itself with the highest complacency and delight: But this love cannot fubfift between any two objects, unless there is a perfect agreement, fuitablenefs, and likeness be twixt them,

Now it is certain that GOD cannot love every thing. That which is contrary to the effential glory and perfection of his divine nature, he cannot love: Because GoD cannot change, nor cease to be what he is. Therefore faith Paul, God cannot deny himself: He cannot deny himself to be GOD, the only living and true God; who is holy and bleffed for evermore, Amen. Therefore he cannot love any finful or rebellious creature, whether Angel or man, that faith in his heart, I will be equal to the Moft High*; I will be as God. Such rebellion, together with all moral evil, injuftice, lying, and uncleannefs, GoD cannot but hate, and infinitely abhors: Therefore the creature that is under the power and government of devilish pride, and carnal abominations, GoD cannot love as fuch. Wherefore he faith, I the Lord bate evil; and again, thou hateft all the workers of iniquity †; for thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and canst not Look upon evil. Hence he putteth away all the ungodly of the earth like drofs; therefore faith the Pfal

Ifa. xiv. 14.

+ Pfal. v. 5. + Hab. i, 13.

mist,

mift, I love thy teftimonies.-Thus we fee what GOD cannot love.

We obferve further what it is that God can, may, and doth love. It is manifeft that the object of GOD's love, in the abstract, is moral righteousness; fuch as holiness, justice, goodness, and truth: As it is written; let him that glorieth, glory in this, that be understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord who execute loving kindness, judgment, and righteoufness in the earth; for in these things I delight, faith the Lord*: And again, the righteous Lord loveth righteousness, bis countenance doth behold the upright. Hence he faith again, know this, that the Lord hath fet apart him that is godly for himself .-- -Thus every one that is righteous, and doth righteousness, is beloved of GoD: For as GOD neceffarily hates all unrighteoufnefs and fin; fo, on the contrary, he cannot but love righteousness and true holiness: It is according to the effential perfections of God's unchangeable being, and nature, to hate the former, and alfo to love the latter. Therefore it is certain that. Gop cannot love any rational creature whatsoever, where his own moral image and likeness is not found, without any mixture, or contrariety : For, altho' creatures change, yet GoD changeth not, nor can change.

It

• Jer. ix. 24.

+ Pfal. xi. 7.

+ Pfal. iv. 3.

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