Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-06-15

ing of the iaw.n For all the law is full
filed in one word, even in this,-thou shalt
love thy neighbor as myself"
We observe here then in the lst place,
that the rule by which we are to walk, is
settled; it is according to the scriptures"
tits not great men, nor worldly wealth, nor
corrupt practices, nor education, nor tradi-
ton, nor the commandments of men, that
is TO guide US, but the scriptures of truth.
And in the I'd place, the scriptures give
as a lava holy lava just and good law
"a perfect law - the law OF liberty - the
afoyal law n--ihe law of Jesus Christ, and
it is the law of love, lit teaches and en-
Joins with all the authority and sanction of
law, to love our neighbors, be they rich or
poor, high or low, bond or free, Jew or Gem
tile = persons of every state and nation,
irrespective Of color, or condition, Gas our
selves" And it is law without repeal,
like its Divine Author, athe same yester-
day, before time was, to-day, while time
rolls on. and to-morrow," when lime shall
be no more. In fact, il is rather carried
higher and further by Jesus Christ than
made less important 10 as from its antiqui-
ny. Il is royal in its precepts the duty it
requires of US is noble & excellent; nothing
but what is for our interest as men, our honor
and happiness as Christians, and what tends
to the perfee,ing and ennobling Of our ma
lures. And it is royal in its rewards. True,
our I" work Of love,n even, can merit no
wages, but our royal Lord and Master will
not let us 60 unrewarded here nor hereafter.
Yes, Christ isaroyal Master,-obedience
to his law is a royal service, and o how
royal is that reward which makes as kings
and priests unto God on earth, and crown
ed kings and princes with God in heaven.
II, then, Eye fulfil the royal law according
to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neigh
Dor as myself, we do #ell.n But pretence
of observing this royal law, when it is in
terrupted with partially, will not excuse
men in any unjust proceedings. Love is
obedience TO every command God has given
in his word. The reason is, love is the
fruit of the spirit, and comprises every spe-
cies of holy affections. Hence, says St.
Paul, e The fruit Of the spirits love-" from
whence flows "joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness." Love
disposes men to repent Of sin Ito believe
in Christie submit to Providence" TO dc
Justly, 10 love mercy, and walk humbly with
Cod This is doing welk And " II thou
doest well shalt thou not be accepted, and
4 if thou doest not well, sin lies at the door
And, says our text, If ge ful6l the roya
law,n &c. But,
Whom are zoe to anderstand by on
neighbor?
/ That IS meant By loping our 'aeighbor
What Is the measure prescribed for hi
i lore2
What are the obligations zoe are unde1
as Christians to lope our neighbor as our
fselres7
These are so many considerations claim
ing our attention.
/. Ifho Is my ,reighbor?
This is an important enquiry, and i
which we reply, Our country is the world
our.neighhors are all mankind" Every on
to whom we may be helpful II is true tina
, the Jews, like the majority of the presen
day, esteemed only those their neighbor
who were of their own nation and religion
and comprehended ia their own narro'
circle. They had no dealings with the Sa
maritans. Yea, they would not SO much q
keep company with one Of another nation
They looked with scorn upon the GENTLE
aud wholly refrained from intimate convers'
: Of eating with them. But no such instru'
. tons as these were given them by the Go
of heaven, the universal Parent Of all maj
!, kind. And in Leviticus, IS: IS, to whic
our Lord had a manifest reference when !
said, "thou shalt love thy neighbor as III,
SELF and to which some reference may
had in our. text, the children of thy pc
and Thy neighbour seem to be e
pressions of the same extent. lis indee
: commanded 10, the same chapter. X wi
there written, ssthoa shalt not aTenge, n
!, lbear any grudge against the children Of u
people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor
thyself: am the Lord. And It asirang