7.  This  statement  of  the  influence  which
the  doctrine  has  upon  the  soul,  would  be  in-
complete, if  we  did  not  add ;  it  insures  the
love  of  brethren.     We  need  not  return  upon
2


26  GOD  IS   LOVE.
our  track,  to  show  that  love  is  the  same  in  all
its  actings.  John,  our  teacher,  reiterates  the
lesson,  that  right  feelings  towards  God  will
produce  right  feelings  towards  man.  "  He
that  saith  he  is  in  the  light,  and  hateth  his
brother,  is  in  darkness  even  until  now."
"We  know  that  we  have  passed  from  death
unto  life  because  we  love  the  brethren."
And  it  is  connected  thus  with  the  cross
(3  :  16.)  "  Hereby  perceive  we  the  love  of
God,  because  he  laid  down  his  life  for  us ;
and  we  ought  also  to  lay  down  our  lives  for
the  brethren."  And  this  effect  of  a  renewal,
which  reinstates  in  us  the  image  of  Gocl,  is
traced  up  to  its  unfailing  cause  :  (5:1.)
"  Whosoever  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  Mes-
siah is  born  of  God :  and  every  one  that  lov-
eth  him  that  begat,  loveth  him  also  that  is
begotten  of  him."  Fellow-disciples  are  our
Father's  children,  and  brethren  of  Jesus.
This  is  enough  to  secure  fellowship.  The
new  nature,  of  love,  flows  interchangeably,
and  constitutes  communion.
8.  Behold,  my  brethren,  the  holy  stream
which  circulates  around  the  eucharistic
table ;  love  in  God  to  believers — love  in
believers  to  God — love  in  brethren  to  bre-


GOD  IS  LOVE.  27

thren ;  all  comprised  in  the  higher  law,  God
is  love.  We  are  in  the  spot,  of  all  others,
where  such  affections  may  be  best  awakened
and  promoted ;  for  we  are  at  the  cross.
