Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

forth his glory: which they can do no otherwise than by exhibiting, in
actions, those virtues derived from the perfections of God. And those
actions must be founded on some prescription or rule. What our blessed
Lord calls the "first and greatest commandment," must be the law in
question; namely, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength." The very
nature of man's creation must show that this was the law or rule of life by
which he was called to act. This law is suited to the nature of an
intelligent being; and as man was made in the image and likeness of God,
this law was suitable to his nature; and the principles of it must have been
impressed on that nature.
God gave man a law; the spirit of which was, "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul," &c. This was plain, simple, holy,
just, and good. 1. It was plain,—so that it could not be mistaken. 2.
Simple,—so that it could not perplex nor confound by distinctions and
subtleties. 3. Holy,—totally free either from sin or imperfection. 4.
Just,—as requiring no obedience but what the creature owed to its
Creator. And, 5. Good,—as it led to the continual perfection of the
creature, and secured its increasing felicity.
The first positive precept God gave to man was given as a test of
obedience, and a proof of his being in a dependent, probationary state. It
was necessary that, while constituted lord of this lower world, he should
know that he was only God's vicegerent, and must be accountable to him
for the use of his mental and corporeal powers, and for the use he made
of the different creatures put under his care. The man from whose mind
the strong impression of this dependence and responsibility is erased,
necessarily loses sight of his origin and end, and is capable of any species
of wickedness. As God is sovereign, he has a right to give to his creatures
what commands he thinks proper. An intelligent creature without a law
to regulate his conduct is an absurdity; this would destroy at once the idea
of his dependence and accountableness. Man must ever feel God as his
sovereign, and act under his authority, which he cannot do unless he have
a rule of conduct. This rule God gives; and it is no matter of what kind it