It appears indeed, at first sight, that the love here inculcated, is to be confined to those of our own community k : but other passages in the same chapter prove, that it is to be extended even to strangers1 ; and our Lord's illustration of it shews, that it must reach even to our enemies"1.]
Having, though very imperfectly, ascertained its meaning, let us proceed to inquire, II. Wherein it resembles the foregoing command- ment—
It is like the former,
1. In extent —
[The duty of loving God comprehends every action, word, and thought that relate to God : and as the first four com- mandments are contained in that, so every thing relating to our neighbour is included in the love which we should bear towards him. St. Paul enumerates not only the prohibitions of adultery, or murder, or theft, or perjury, as implied in this commandment, but even that prohibition which relates to the inmost emotions of the soul, "Thou shalt not covet"." There is not a disposition of the mind towards our neighbour, which is not either a violation of this commandment, or a positive compliance with it ]
2. In excellence —
[What can be more excellent than love to God? It is the brightest ornament and perfection of our nature. Such is also the love of our neighbour. View it as it manifested itself in the Apostle Paul ; and contrast the exercises of his mind with the selfishness which obtains in the world : how beautiful the one ! how deformed the other ! Let us only suppose all per- sons as studious to advance the interest of others, as they are to promote their own : let us suppose them as kind, as candid, as forbearing, as forgiving towards others, as they would wish others to be towards themselves : what a world would this be ! it would be a very heaven upon earth Truly, the com- mendation bestowed upon a compliance with this command- ment0, amply attests the mind of God respecting it — ]
3. In importance —
[Without the love of God, all that we can possess is of no value. The same also may we say respecting the love of our neighbour. On it, no less than on the former, do the law and the prophets depend p: without it, all our pretences to the
k Lev. xix. 18. ' Lev. xix. 33,34. m Lukex. 29, 36, 37.
" Rom. xiii. 9, 10. ° Jam. ii. 8. p Matt. 22—40.