ideas that so widely prevail as to the nature of the Fear of God. And having thus ascertained the vast importance and inestimable value of the Fear of God, independently of the frequency of its occurrence, have we not seen sufficient proof that it is one of the most prominent subjects in the Word of God? None who understand this subject, or will take the pains to examine it, can for a moment doubt that the importance the Scriptures attach, and the prominence they give, to the Fear of God, supply one clear and conclusive proof of the truth of the principle—that every subject in that Divine Chart, as far as it practically concerns us, is prominent in proportion to its importance. CHAPTER IX. LOVE TO GOD. LOVE TO MAN. "Love is the fulfilling of the law." THE two subjects we next propose to examine, in proof and illustration of the principle of Divine Truth, that every subject is prominent in proportion to its importance, are such that their value cannot be questioned by any but the avowed atheist, and, therefore, it would be needless to adduce any lengthened proofs of the importance of "Love to God" and "Love to Man," which is so abundantly evident from the nature of the subjects themselves, and the plain declarations of Scripture. "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.-And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.-On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."* Matt. xxii. 37-40. Love to God is not only very strongly enforced as a duty of solemn and binding obligation, but very great are the blessings promised by God to those that love Him. "Know, therefore, that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations."* St. James affirms-The Lord hath promised the crown of life to them that love Him.+ St. Paul-"That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." And St. John, in his First Epistle, so describes this subject as to invest it with the deepest importance and most endearing interest.§ What prominence, then, does "Love to God" occupy in the Word of God? Viewed as a distinct command, it evidently occupies a very prominent place, as will be seen from the following passages, in addition to those we have already given :-Ex. xx. 6. Deut. v. 10; vi. 5; x. 12; xi. 1, 13, 22; xiii. 3; xix.9; xxx. 6, 16, 20. Joshua xxii. 5. Judges v. 31. Neh. i. 5. Ps. v. 11; xviii. 1; xxxi. 23; xl. 16; lxix. 36; lxx. 4; xcvii. 10; cxix. 132; cxxii. 6; cxlv. 20. Is. lvi. 6. Dan. ix. 4. Mark xii. 30-33. *Deut. vii. 9. 1 Cor. ii. 9. 1 John iv. and v. 1-3. Luke x. 27. Rom. viii. 28. 1 Cor. viii. 3. Phil. i. 9. See First Epistle of St. John and Rev. ii. 4. If we would form any adequate idea of the great prominence "Love to God" occupies in the Holy Scriptures, we must take into consideration that it is very frequently included under the term "fear God." This is very evident, as will be seen from an examination of the following passages and their contents, where we shall find our whole duty to God is frequently summed up in that of "Fear God;" while in the context the term "Love" is employed to express our duty to our neighbour :— Compare Lev. xix. 18, 32, with v. 34; and Deut. x. 12, 15, with v. 20; also, 1 Pet ii. 27, with Prov. xxiv. 21; See, also, Mal. iii. 16, 17, and iv. 2-4. It is very desirable that we should perceive the comprehensive sense in which the expression "Fear of God" is employed in Scripture; for it not only springs from Love to God, as we have already seen, but very frequently includes Love to God; and, in addition, that reverential fear, that frame of mind, and disposition of heart, which so become us in our approaches to God; but which are not necessarily associated with that of "Love to God;" and the want of which is so painfully manifested by many, who, at the same time, profess to love God. If these two subjects are carefully examined, in their relative connection, and correctly understood, they will be found to supply a very convincing proof that every subject, as far as it practically concerns us, is prominent in proportion to its importance. The next subject which claims attention is "Love to Man." "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." This includes our whole duty to man, and, therefore, is styled by our Lord, "The Second Commandment." And we can know very little of the state of society, and the character and history of our race, and not feel the urgent necessity of being very frequently reminded of an injunction which all are so prone to violate, or so backward to fulfil. Many who would tremble, openly and avowedly to set at naught the first and great commandment, "Love to God," frequently express themselves in terms in direct violation to that Divine injunction, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself;" and almost in the very words so strongly reprobated in Scripture "Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work."* It seems very needful that we should be very frequently reminded of our duty to man: to love him as ourselves: and a few passages will be sufficient to shew how very strongly this precept is enforced, and the vast importance the Scriptures * Prov. xxiv. 29. |