Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XXII. 347
here to, and rest in him alone, for his own sake ; and
to seek, adhere to, and take pleasure in nothing, but
only so far as it is conformable to his will, as it may
be referred to his glory, or be useful to our own sal-
vation, to that of our neighbour, or to the good of
the church—we may then be assured, that the num-
ber of those who love God from the bottom of the
heart is much smaller than we imagine. There must
be no thoughts nor designs in the mind, no desires
nor motions in the will, no business nor actions in
the life, but what must have the love of God for
their principle, and his glory for their end,
'* 38. This is the first and great commandment.'*
The greatest sins are those which are committed
against the love of God, because this is the first and
great commandment. And it is so, 1. In antiquity,
being as old as the world, and engraven in our very
nature. 2. In dignity, as directly and immediately
respecting God. 3. In excellence, being the commandment
of the new covenant, and the spirit of the
divine adoption. 4. In justice, because it alone
renders to God his due, prefers him before all things,
and secures to him his proper rank in relation to
them. 5. In sufficiency, being sufficient of itself to
make men holy in this life, and happy in the other.
6. In fruitfulness, because it includes all the other
commandments, and is the root of them all. 7. In
virtue and efficacy, because by this alone God reigns
in the heart of man, and man is united to God. 8.
In extent, leaving nothing to the creature which it
does not refer to the Creator. 9. In necessity,
being indispensable. 10. In duration, as being
never to be discontinued on earth, and to continue