Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. This Attribute of Goodness renders him more lovely than any other Attribute. He never requires our Adoration of him so much, as the strongest or wisest, but as the best of Beings: He uses this chiefly, to constrain and allure us. Why would he be feared or worshipped, but because there is forgiveness with him^*? 'Tis for his goodness sake, that he is sued to by his People in distress,^† For thy goodness sake, O Lord. Men may be admired because of their knowledge, but they are affected because of their goodness: The will in all the variety of Objects it pursues, centres in this one thing of good as the term of its appetite. All things are beloved by Men, because they have been bettered by them, or because they expect to be the better for them. Severity can never conquer enmity, and kindle love: Were there nothing but wrath in the Deity, it would make him be feared, but render him odious, and that to an innocent Nature. As the Spouse speaks of Christ,^* s• we may of God: Though she commends him for his Head, the excellency of his Wisdom, his Eyes, the extent of his Omniscience, his Hands, the greatness of his Power, and his Legs, the swiftness of his Motions, and ways to and for his People, yet the sweetness of his Mouth, in his gracious Words and Promises closes all, and is followed with nothing but an Exclamation, that he is altogether lovely, Verse 16. His Mouth in pronouncing Pardon of Sin, and justification of the Person, presents him most lovely. His Power to do good is admirable, but his Will to do good is amiable: This puts a gloss upon all his other Attributes. Though he had knowledge to understand the depth of our necessities, and power to prevent them, or rescue us from them, yet his knowledge would be fruitless, and his power useless, if he were of a rigid Nature, and not touched with any sentiments of kindness.

2. This Attribute of Goodness renders him more lovely than any other Attribute. He never requires our Adoration of him so much, as the strongest or wisest, but as the best of Beings: He uses this chiefly, to constrain and allure us. Why would he be fear'd or worshipt, but because there is forgiveness with him