The newness of this precept did not consist in this, that men were commanded to love one another; for this was an old precept, both of the law of Moses, and of nature. But it was new in this respect, that it was to imitate a new, and, till then, unheard-of example of love; it was to love one another, as Christ had loved us.
And if men are to know that we are disciples of Christ, by our loving one another, according to his example; then, if we are void of this love, we make it plainly known we are none of his disciples.
7. There is no principle more acceptable to God, than an universal fervent love to all mankind, wishing and praying for their happiness; because there is no principle that makes us more like God, who is love and goodness itself, and created all beings for the enjoyment of happiness.
The greatest idea that we can frame of God is, a being of infinite love and goodness; using infinite wisdom and power for the common good and happiness of all his creatures.
The highest notion therefore that we can form of man is, when we conceive him as like God in this respect as he can be; using all his finite faculties, whether of wisdom, power, or prayers, for the common good of all his fellow-creatures: heartily desiring they may have all the happiness they are capable of, and as many assistances from him, as his condition in the world will permit him to give them.
And, on the other hand, what a baseness and iniquity is there in all instances of hatred, envy, spite and ill will; if we consider, that every instance of them, is so far acting in opposition to God, and intending mischief and harm to those creatures, which God favours, and protects, and preserves, in order to their happiness? An ill-natured man amongst God’s creatures, is the most perverse creature in the world, acting contrary to that love, by which himself subsists, and which alone gives subsistence to all that variety of beings, that enjoy life in any part of the creation.
8. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them.
Now, though this is a doctrine of strict justice, yet it is only an universal love that can comply with it.
As we have no degrees of spite or ill-will to ourselves, so we cannot be disposed towards others as we are towards ourselves, till we universally renounce all instances of spite and ill-will, even in the smallest degrees.
If we had any imperfection in our eyes, that made us see any one thing wrong, for the same reason they would shew us an hundred things wrong.