love of God are vainq. We may have the most eminent gifts, and appear to exercise the most distinguished graces, and after all be " nothing" in the sight of God, if we be not under the influence of this Divine principle1-. By this we fulfil the law8 ; and therefore the want of it must constitute us transgressors of the deepest die ]
We may learn from hence,
1. How much we need a Saviour —
[Ignorant people not only reject the Gospel, but cut off also one half of the law, omitting what relates to God, and retaining only the duties of the second table. But we will suppose for a moment, that our duty to God is of no conside- ration ; and that our duty to our neighbour comprehends all that we need regard ; yet who will venture to rest his hopes upon this ground, that he has fulfilled his duty ? Ah ! we must be ignorant indeed, if we do not see that we have violated this commandment every day of our lives, and that " our mouths must be stopped as guilty before God."
Put away then, my beloved brethren, your delusive hopes ; and look for mercy through the merits of Him who fulfilled the law for you. It is through his vicarious sufferings that your selfishness must be pardoned1; and through his obedience alone that you must find acceptance with God u.]
2. How we may best approve ourselves to him who
has become our Saviour —
[The fulfilling of this law is that which Christ regards as the most acceptable expression of our regard for Him. He has enforced it by new motives, and exemplified it in a new manner, and has taught us to consider our obedience to it as the best evidence of our sincerity. Behold, then, ye professors of religion, what ye have to do : get your self-love mortified, and your love to others strengthened and increased. Get your hearts enlarged towards enemies as well as friends ("for if ye love your friends only, what do ye more than others ? "), and " let your love to them be without dissimulation." There is in- deed a peculiar love due to "the household of faith;" but though it should be superlatively exercised towards them, it should not be confined to them exclusively. Every human being should have an interest in your regards; and towards all, you should do as you would be done unto. Let this be the invariable rule of your conduct ; so will you adorn your holy profession, and glorify your Father that is in heaven.]
i 1 John iv. 20. r 1 Cor. xiii. 1—3. s Gal. v. 14.
f 2 Cor. v. 21. u Rom. v. 19.