Scriptures, or any part of them, but puts such an interpreta-
30 ON CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. [BOOK I.
is willing to detain iis, but wishes us rather to press on ; and, instead of weakly clinging to temporal things, even though these have been put on and worn by Him for our salvation, to pass over them quickly, and to struggle to attain unto Himself, who has freed our nature from the bondage of temporal things, and has set it down at the right hand of His Father.
Chap, xxxv.— The fulfilment and end of Scripture is the love of God and our neighbour.
39. Of all, then, that has been said since we entered upon tlie discussion about things, this is the sum : that we should clearly understand that the fulfdment and the end of the Law, and of all Holy Scripture, is the love of an object which is to
Ije enjoyed, and the love of an object which can enjoy that other in fellowship with ourselves. For tliere is no need of a command that each man should love himself. The whole temporal dispensation for our salvation, therefore, was framed by the providence of God that we might know this truth and be able to act upon it; and we ought to use that dispensation, not with such love and deli'dit as if it were a f^ood to rest in, but with a transient feelin!]^ rather, such as we have towards the road, or carriages, or other things that are merely means. Perhaps some other comparison can be found that will more suitably express the idea that we are to love the things by which we are borne only for the sake of that towards which we are borne.
CiiAi'. xxxwi.— That interpretation of Scripture ichich builds rts up in love is not perniciously deceptive nor mendacious, even though it be faulty. The interpreter, however, should be corrected.
40. Wioever, then, thinks that he understands the Holy
Scriptures, or any part of them, but puts such an interpretation upon them as does not tend to build up tliis tw^of old love of God and our neiglibour, does not yet imderstand tliem as he might. H', on tlie otlier hand, a man draws a meaning from them that may be used for the building up of love, even thougli lie does not happen upon tlie precise meaning which the author whom he reads intended to express in that place, liis error is not pernicious, and he is w] lolly clear from the charge of deception. For there is involved in deception the iiiltiilioii to say what is false; and