Question 47

Is love to God inclusive of all the duties of the first table?

Yes. It is the first and great commandment,^b

And is love to our neighbour inclusive of all the duties of the second?

Yes. The second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,^c

Is the whole law then fulfilled in love?

Yes. For love is the fulfilling of the law,^d

Is there in him every thing that is lovely?

Yes. How great is his beauty,^f

And will he return our love?

Yes. I love them that love me,^g

And reward it?

Yes. For eye hath not seen what God hath prepared for them that love him,^h

And in earnest desires after him?

Yes. My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee,^j

And in sorrow for his absence?

Yes. Why hidest thou thyself,^k

And in an unfeigned submission to his providential will?

Yes. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth,^l

And in a conscientious obedience to all his commands?

Yes. This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments,^m

And in a due resentment against whatsoever offends him?

Yes. Do not I hate them that hate thee, and am I not grieved with those that rise up against thee?ⁿ

And upright and sincere?

Yes. Grace be with them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity,^p

And strong and vehement?

Yes. I am sick of love,^q

And supreme and superlative?

Yes. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me,^r

And constant and abiding?

Yes. Keep yourselves in the love of God,^s

Should we seek the good of others?

Yes. Charity seeketh not her own,^u

And lend a compassionate ear to their complaints?

Yes. To the afflicted pity should be shown,^v

And supply their necessities?

Yes. We should not withhold the poor from his desire, nor cause the eye of the widow to fail,^w

And reprove their sins?

Yes. Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour,^x

And pray for them?

Yes. Pray one for another,^y

And even venture our lives for them if it be necessary?

Yes. We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren,^z

And as we love ourselves?

Yes. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,^bb

Should we love them as sincerely?

Yes. Let us not love in word, but in deed and in truth,^cc

And as fervently?

Yes. Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves,^dd

And as constantly?

Yes. Let brotherly love continue,^ee

Doth it hence follow that we . should do to others as we would be done by?

Yes. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even unto them,^ff

Is it a test of our discipleship?

Yes. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another,^hh

Is it placed at the top of the Christian graces?

Yes. The greatest of these is charity,ⁱⁱ

And is it a grace that will continue and accompany us to heaven?

Yes. Now abideth charity,^jj