otten Son into the world. And he that loveth is born of God, and
knoweth God, but we love God, because he loved us first, and if God so
loved us, we ought also to love one another." 1 John iv. This is the very
substance of the gospel, a doctrine of God's love to man, and of man's
love due to God, and to them who are begotten of God, the one declared,
the other commanded. So that much of the gospel is but a new edition or
publication of that old ancient fundamental law of creation. This is that
paradox which John delivers, "I write no new commandment unto you, but an
old commandment, which you had from the beginning; again, a new
commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and you, because
the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth," 1 John ii. 7, 8. It
is no new commandment, but that primitive command of love to God and men,
which is the fulfilling of the law; and yet new it is, because there is a
new obligation superadded. The bond of creation was great, but the tie of
redemption is greater. God gave a being to man, that is enough. But God to
become a miserable man for man, that is infinitely more. Fellow creatures,
that is sufficient for a bond of amity. But to be once fellow captives,
companions in misery, and then companions in mercy and blessedness, that
is a new and stronger bond. Mutual love was the badge of reasonable
creatures in innocency. But now Jesus Christ hath put a new stamp and
signification on it; and made it the very differential character and token
of his disciples, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if
ye love one another." And therefore, when he is making his latter will, he
gives this testamentary commandment to his children and heirs, "A new
commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved
you, that ye also love one another." New indeed! For though it be the same
command, yet there was never such a motive, inducement, and persuasive to
it as this: "God so loved that he gave me, and I so loved that I gave
myself, that is an addition more than all that was before," John xiii. 34,
35.

There is a special stamp of excellency put on this affection of love, that
God delights to exhibit himself to us in such a notion. "God is love," and
so holds out himself as the pattern of this. "Be ye followers of God as
dear children, and walk in love," Eph. v. 1, 2. This is the great virtue
and property which we should imitate our Father in. As God hath