Keeping his commandments
But some may possibly ask, "Does not the apostle say, This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments (1 John 5:3)?" Yes. And this is the love of our neighbor also, in the same sense as it is the love of God. But what would you infer from this? That keeping the outward commandments is all that is implied in loving God with all your heart, with all your mind, and soul, and strength (Mark 12:30), and in loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39)? That the love of God is not an affection of the soul, but merely an outward service? And that the love of our neighbor is not a disposition of heart, but barely a course of outward works?
To mention so wild an interpretation of the apostle's words is enough to refute it. The plain, indisputable meaning of that text is this. This is the sign, or proof, of the love of God, of our keeping the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:38), to keep all the rest of his commandments. For true love, if it is once shed abroad in our heart, will constrain us to do so, since whoever loves God with all his heart cannot but serve him with all his strength.
1771 text
5. But some may possibly ask, Does not the apostle say, This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments? Yea; and this is the love of our neighbour also, in the same sense as it is the love of God. But what would you infer from hence? That the keeping the outward commandments is all that is implied in loving God with all your heart, with all your mind, and soul, and strength, and in loving your neighbour as yourself? That the love of God is not an affection of the soul, but merely an outward service? And that the love of our neighbour is not a disposition of heart, but barely a course of outward works! To mention so wild an interpretation of the apostle’s words, is sufficiently to confute it. The plain indisputable meaning of that text is, This is the sign or proof of the love of God, of our keeping the first and great commandment, to keep all the rest of his commandments. For true love, if it be once shed abroad in our heart, will constrain us so to do: since whosoever loves God with all his heart, cannot but serve him with all his 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 18 in the 1771 Works. John 3:8.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.