Love is the fulfilling of the law
Yet you lack one thing, whoever you are, who, to a deep humility and a steadfast faith, have joined a lively hope, and thereby in good measure cleansed your heart from its inbred pollution. If you will be perfect (Matthew 19:21), add to all these love, and you have the circumcision of the heart. Love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:10), the end of the commandment. Very excellent things are spoken of love. It is the essence, the spirit, the life of all virtue. It is not only the first and great command, but it is all the commandments in one.
Whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are amiable or honorable; if there is any virtue, if there is any praise, they are all comprised in this one word, love. In this is perfection, and glory, and happiness. The royal law of heaven and earth is this: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:30).
1771 text
11. Yet lackest thou one thing, whosoever thou art, that to a deep humility, and a stedfast faith, hast joined a lively hope, and thereby in a good measure cleansed thy heart from its inbred pollution. If thou wilt be perfect, add to all these charity; add love, and thou hast the circumcision of the heart. Love is the fulfilling of the law, the end of the commandment. Very excellent things are spoken of love; it is the essence, the spirit, the life of all virtue. It is not only the first and great command, but it is all the commandments in one. Whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are amiable or honourable; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, they are all comprized in this one word, love. In this is perfection and glory and happiness: the royal law of heaven and earth is this, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 17 in the 1771 Works. Romans 2:29. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 1 January 1733.
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