affections, whereby we may enjoy him ; and bodily powers also, whereby we may serve and glorify him. These no other creature on earth possesses. Hence man has been called a religious animal; because he alone has those capacities which fit him for religious exercises. Now for what end were these peculiar faculties conferred upon us? Was it that we might exercise them upon earthly things ? On earthly things indeed we may employ them in subserviency to God : but it was in order that we might know him, and serve him, and enjoy him, that they were imparted to us ; and, if not so employed, they will ultimately prove a curse to us, rather than a blessing. It were better to have been born idiots or beasts, than to have been endowed with such high faculties, unless we improve them for the honour and glory of our God. Hence then this may well be called " the first and great commandment," because it is that, for the observance of which all our faculties were conferred upon us.
It may also be called the first commandment,]
2. Because, till we obey that, it is not possible that we should obey any other —
[We are told in Scripture, that whatever knowledge we may possess, whatever faith we may exercise, whatever works we may perform, or whatever sufferings we may endure, it will be all of no account whatever, if it proceed not from a prin- ciple of love d. This is true, even as far as man is concerned ; we must have love to him, if ever we would be accepted of God. But much more must we have love to God; because without a regard for his authority, and a zeal for his glory, every thing we do, however good it may be in itself, is a mere selfish act; originating from our own will, and tending to the advancement of our own honour. Love to God is ne- cessary to constitute a religious act ; and without it our very best actions are no better than splendid sins.
But further, this may be called the first commandment,]
3. Because obedience to it tends to the utmost perfection of our nature —
[If the joints of our limbs were dislocated, they must all be replaced in their sockets before our bodily powers could be restored. So it is with respect to our souls. All our faculties and powers have been deranged by sin, and rendered incapable of those exertions which constitute the duty and felicity of man. But let love to God once pervade them all, and they will all be reduced to order, and enabled to discharge the
d 1 Cor. xiii. 1—3. l2