tiles. And, had it not been for the strong prejudices of the Jews, and the erroneous conceptions of the Gentiles, which the Apostles had to combat, it is probable, that the whole of their epistles would have been solely occupied, in delineating the practical effects of love to God, and to our brethren of mankind, and its glorious consequences in the future world. And, as it was the great aim of the Apostles themselves, in their writings and personal ministrations, to illustrate the numerous bearings of Christian Love, so they gave solemn charges to their successors in the work of the ministry, to make all their instructions subservient to the promotion of the same important object. Almost the whole of the epistles addressed to Timothy and Titus, which relate to the duties and the objects of the Christian ministry, has a reference, not to the discussion of metaphysical questions in theology, which "are unprofitable and vain," but to the illustration, and the inculcating of those practical duties which flow from the spirit of love, and to the counteracting of those proud, malignant, and speculative dispositions, which are opposed to the meekness and benignity of the gospel of peace.

I might also have shown, by numerous quotations, that, in the general epistles of Peter, James, and John, the same grand object to which I have been adverting is steadily and uniformly kept in view. The first epistle of John is almost exclusively devoted to the illustration of the love of God and of man; and on this theme, in which his soul appears to be almost entirely absorbed, he expatiates with peculiar energy and delight: "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer hath [the principle of] eternal life abiding in him. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God! Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is

a liar; for he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen ?" It is recorded, by some ancient authors, that when this Apostle was grown old, and unable to preach, he used to be led to the church at Ephesus, and only to say these words to the people, "Little children, love one another." Such was the importance which this venerable Apostle attached to love, as the grand and governing principle in the Christian system.

Finally, the procedure of the last judgment will be conducted on evidence, deduced from the manifestations of love. At that solemn period, when the present economy of Divine Providence shall come to a termination; when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the great globe on which we tread shall be wrapt in flames; when the Archangel shall descend, and sound an alarm with "the trump of God;" when the graves shall open, and give forth their dead; and when all the generations of men, "both small and great," shall stand before the throne of God; the eternal destiny of all the millions of mankind will be unalterably determined, on the ground of the manifestations which have been given of the existence and the operation of the principle of love, and of the affections and conduct to which it is opposed. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him shall be assembled all nations. Then shall he say to them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto "And, though you had no opportunity of performing these offices to me in person, yet, inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto "Then shall he also say to them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed; for I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it

me.

me."

not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal." For every one shall be rewarded according to his works.-Such is the importance which will be attached to the influence of this holy affection over the human mind, at that "day of dread, decision, and despair;" for it is quite obvious, that every action here specified in relation to the righteous, is an effect of the love of God and of man presiding in the heart; and, therefore, if we shall ultimately be found destitute of this holy principle, we cannot expect the reward of the faithful, nor have boldness in the day of judgment."

Thus it appears that it is the great end of all the historical facts, the religious institutions, the devotional writings, the moral maxims, the instructions of the prophets, the warnings, exhortations, promises, and threatenings, comprised in the Jewish revelation, to illustrate and enforce the law of love in its references both to God and to man-that it is explained and illustrated in the various instructions delivered by our blessed Saviour, and enforced by his example-that its numerous bearings and modifications are displayed in the writings of all the Apostles, and in their instructions to Christian teachers—and, that its existence in the heart, and its operation in active life, will form the decisive test of our characters at the final judgment.

SECTION VIII.

On the practical operation of Love, and the various modes in which it should be displayed towards mankind.

WE have already seen, that love is a most noble and expansive affection. It is not like a blazing meteor which dazzles the eye for a few moments, and then vanishes from the sight. It does not consist merely in a few transient emotions, and fruitless wishes for the good of others. It does not waste its energies in eloquent harrangues on the beauty of virtue, in theorising speculations on the

principles of morals, in framing Quixotic schemes of philanthropy, or in weeping over tales of fictitious wo. It is a substantial and an ever active principle; its energies are exerted for the purpose of communicating happiness to every rank of sensitive and intellectual beings, and the moral world, as it actually exists, is the grand theatre of its operations. I have already endeavoured to illustrate some of the modifications of this affection, in its relation to God; and in the preceding sections of this chapter, have occasionally adverted to some of its benignant effects in reference to man. It may, however, be expedient, in this place, to enter a little more explicitly into the practical operation of benevolence, and the various modes by which its influence may be manifested in relation to our brethren of mankind.

*

The grand object which love proposes to accomplish is the communication of happiness. And, in order to stimulate and direct us in its operations, the character and agency of God are set before us as our examplar. There is not a more amiable, attractive, nor comprehensive idea of the Divine Being any where to be found than that which is exhibited by the Apostle John, in three words-GOD IS LOVE. He is the eternal, uncreated Source of felicity, from which flow all those streams of joy which gladden the hearts of angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim; and whatever portion of happiness, sensitive or intellectual, is enjoyed by man on earth, and by all the subordinate tribes of animated nature, is derived from the same inexhaustible fountain. For the purpose of communicating happiness, he called the material universe into existence, to serve as an immense theatre, on which his benevolence might be displayed to countless orders of sensitive and intelligent creatures; and all the perfections of his nature may be considered as so many agents employed for the execution of this noble design. Impelled, as it were, by this essential and characteristic affection of the Divine Mind, all the attributes of Deity are incessantly operating throughout the immensity

*See page 85-95.

of creation in the view of the inhabitants of all worlds. His Omnipotence is employed in supporting the worlds already created, and in bringing new systems, and new orders of beings into existence; and his Wisdom, in devising, selecting, and arranging those means which are requisite for accomplishing the plans of benevolence. Towards those wretched beings who have abused his goodness, and wandered from happiness, his Mercy is proclaimed; and his Patience and forbearance are long exercised, in order to lead them to repentance, and to the paths of felicity. His Justice, conjoined with his power, is exercised for the purpose of restraining the efforts of malevolence, for preventing the inroads of anarchy and confusion, and for preserving the order and happiness of the intelligent creation. In this view, all the judgments, however dreadful and appalling, which have been inflicted on the workers of iniquity in every age, have had a tendency to accomplish the purposes of benevolence, in reference to the universal system. For, the general good of God's universal empire, considered as one whole, must be viewed as the great end which benevolence is accomplishing, and the partial exclusions from happiness, which now happen in the case of certain classes of moral agents, must be regarded as necessary arrangements subservient to this important end. His infinite Knowledge, extending to all events, past, present, and to come; and his Omniscient eye, piercing into the secret purposes of every heart, surveying the various tribes of men, and the circumstances of all the worlds which float in the immensity of space, and comprehending the remotest consequences of all actions throughout infinite duration, enable Him, in every instance, to form those arrangements by which the objects of benevolence may be accomplished on the most extensive scale, and by which the everlasting happiness of the holy and intelligent system may be most effectually secured.

For the purpose of displaying his love to the moral intelligences of our world, he has given us a revelation of his character and will; he has exhibited his law as a law of love; he has promised the agency of his holy Spirit, to produce in us those dispositions which his law requires; and he has given the most affecting display of his love, in the mission of his Son into the world. "In this," says