Vol. 2

;486 ST. LUKE.has not so much as read it,though he has had sufficientability and opportunity to do it?" 27. And he, answering, said, Thou shalt lovethe Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with allthy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thymind; and thy neighbour as thyself."Our heart and our time ought not to be dividedin the love of God. Whatever is in man, and belongsto him, ought to be referred ultimately thereto.We must love our neighbour, as we love ourselves,when we love God and ourselves only for God'ssake. Christ does not command the love of ourneighbour, till after he has commanded and explainedthe love of God, without which the rule which hegives would be false. If the love of God be not theprevailing principle and motive, in the use we makeof our mind, our will, our senses, talents, health,strength, &c. we are deficient in the observation ofthis precept." 28. And he said unto him, Thou hast answeredright :this do, and thou shalt live."Do this in me, O Lord, and then I shall do itcause me to live, and I shall live: for without theeI can do nothing, (John xv. 5.) ; and it belongs tothee to make me perfect in every good work, doingin me thyself that which cannot be well-pleasing inthy Father's sight but through thee alone : (Heb.xiii. 2L) To live without charity is not properlyliving ; and charity itself does not live long withoutgood works. True piety does not consist in knowledge,but in practice; and that knowledge of whichwe make no use, will serve only to our condemnation.