86 Perfea Love gives Boldnefs S E R M. pre/ towards the mark for the prize of the high VIII. calling of God in Chri /l yefus. To underítand this fubjet the better, it is to be remember'd, that perfection in love is really perfeEtion in all religion and all virtue, for love is the fulfilling of the law. Our whole obedience to God is comprehended in love to him, as the root and principle of it. And that this is the true fenfe of our facred author, will appear from what he fays in the 5th chapter of this epiftle and the 3d verfe, This is the love of God that we keep his commandments.: not only it is the belt evi- dence of our love; it is the thing itfelf. And in the 2d chapter and 5th verfe, Whofo keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perje -led. Our love to God is that du- tiful and affectionate refpel we owe him as the moral governor of the world, which certainly, therefore, implies obedience, or doing fincerely and conflantly what we know he requires. And for charity, or the love of our neighbour, St. Paul teaches us, that it directly includes all the duty we owe him, not only the offices of beneficence and n.ercy, but of juílice, fidelity, and whatever elfe is required from one man to another ; for he fays, Rom. xiii. 9. For this, thou fhalt not 4
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