The divine life in three treatises

3. God is called Good, as he is the Fountain of all the Creatures ⟨p. 66⟩happiness, and as he is bountiful and gracious and ready to do good, and as he is the felicitating end and object of the soul.

And this Infinite goodness must have these effects upon us. 1. It must possess us with a superlative Love to God. This blessed Attribute is it that makes us Saints indeed, and maketh that Impression on us, which is as the Heart of the New Creature. It is Goodness that produceth Love. And Love is that Grace that closeth with God as our Happiness and End, and is the felicitating enjoying Grace. Without it we are but as sounding brass, or tinkling Cymbals, whatever our gifts and parts may be▪ 1 Cor. 13. Love is the very excellency of the soul, as it closeth with the infinite excellency of God. It is the very felicity of the soul, as it enjoyeth him that is our felicity. Most certainly the prevailing Love of God, is the surest evidence of true sanctification. He that hath most Love, hath most Grace; and is the best and strongest Christian: and he that hath least Love, is the worst or weakest. Knowledge and faith are but to work our hearts to Love; and when Love is perfect they have done their work, 1 Cor. 12. 31. and 13. 8, 9, 10, 13. Teaching and distant Revelations will not be for ever; and therefore such Knowledge and Faith as we have now, will not be for ever. But God will be for ever Amiable to us, and therefore Love will endure for ever. The goodness of God is called Love, and as God is Love, so he that dwelleth in Love doth dwell in God, and God in him, 1 Joh. 4. 16. The knowledge of Divine goodness makes us good, because it maketh us Love him that is good. It is Love that acteth most purely for God. Fear is selfish, and hath somewhat of aversation. Though there be no evil in God for us to fear, yet is there such good in him that will bring the evil of punishment upon the evil; and this they fear. But Love doth resign the soul to God, and that in the most congruous acceptable manner. Make it therefore your daily work to possess your souls with the Love of God. Love him once, and all that he saith and doth will be more acceptable to you: and all that you say or do in Love, will be more acceptable unto him. Love him and you will be loth to offend him: you will be desirous to please him: you will be satisfied in his Love. Love him and you may be sure that he Loveth you. Love is the fulfilling of his Law,