And if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in
this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Having already removed the prejudices against public spirit, or the
love of our neighbour, on the side of private interest and self-
love, I proceed to the particular explanation of the precept before
us, by showing, Who is our neighbour: In what sense we are required
to love him as ourselves; The influence such love would have upon
our behaviour in life; and lastly, How this commandment comprehends
in it all others.

I. The objects and due extent of this affection will be understood
by attending to the nature of it, and to the nature and
circumstances of mankind in this world. The love of our neighbour
is the same with charity, benevolence, or goodwill: it is an
affection to the good and happiness of our fellow-creatures. This
implies in it a disposition to produce happiness, and this is the
simple notion of goodness, which appears so amiable wherever we meet
with it. From hence it is easy to see that the perfection of
goodness consists in love to the whole universe. This is the
perfection of Almighty God.

But as man is so much limited in his capacity, as so small a part of
the Creation comes under his notice and influence, and as we are not
used to consider things in so general a way, it is not to be thought
of that the universe should be the object of benevolence to such
creatures as we are. Thus in that precept of our Saviour, Be ye
perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect, {26}
the perfection of the divine goodness is proposed to our imitation
as it is promiscuous, and extends to the evil as well as the good;