He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Ver. 27. With all thy heart, and, &c.] Serviendum Deo toto corde; id est, amore summo, more vero, ore fideli re omni: Hoc non sit verbis. Marce, ut ameris, ama. (Martial.)
Here some weak Christians are troubled, as conceiting that they love their children, friends, &c., better than God. But it is answered, 1. When two streams run in one channel (as here nature and grace do) they run stronger than one stream doth. When a man loves God and the things of God, grace is alone; nature yields nothing to that. 2. We must not judge by an indeliberate passion. (Dr Sibbs on 1Co 2:9) The love of God is a constant stream; not a torrent, but a current, that runs all our lifetime, but runs still, and without noise, as the waters of Shiloh and of Nile, nullas confessus murmure vires, that runs smoothly. (Claudian.)
With all thy strength] That is, saith a divine, in our particular places. A magistrate must execute justice for God's sake, &c.