Chapter 35.—The Fulfillment and
End of Scripture is the Love of God and Our Neighbor.
39. Of all, then, that has been
said since
we entered upon the discussion about things, this is the
sum: that we should clearly understand that the fulfillment and
the end of the Law, and of all Holy Scripture, is the love of an
object which is to be enjoyed, and the love of an object which can
enjoy that other in fellowship with ourselves. For there 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 delight as if it were a good to rest in, but with a
transient feeling 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.