Matthew Poole and continuators on John 15:9

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love .

What our Saviour before called an abiding in him, and his words abiding in us, and a bearing and bringing forth much fruit, he here calleth a [illegible: 1 letter]ontinuing in his love, tho indeed this phrase also may be interpreted by a continuance in the favour of God and Christ, in that state of love into which God hath put the souls of those who are his true Disciples: But I had rather interpret it of that love wherewith they loved Christ, than that wherewith Christ loved them. So the former words are an Argument to perswade perseverance, or a continuance in those acts of holiness by which men alone can shew their true love to Jesus Christ, from Christs love to them which he there expresseth; As the Father hath loved me, so I have loved you; where the particle as, is onely a note of comparison, but doth not denote an equality; onely signifieth truth and greatness; As truly and sincerely as the Father loveth me; Or I have loved you with a great love, bearing some proportion to the love wherewith my Father loveth me; the Fathers love to Christ is Eternal, Immutable, Constant, full, and perfect, Wise, and Iust, free in all these respects; Christ loveth his people as the Father loveth him: this ought to ingage them again to love him, and so to walk, as they may continue in that state of favour into which his goodness hath advanced them.