Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. By his Relative Goodness, or that of his Benefits. Though the Excellency of his own Nature, wherein there is a combination of Goodness, must needs ravish an apprehensive Mind; yet a reflection upon his imparted Kindness, both in the Beings we have from him, and the support we have by him, must enhance this Estimation. When the Excellency of his Nature, and the Expressions of his Bounty are in conjunction, the Excellency of his own Nature, renders him estimable in a way of Justice, and the greatness of his Benefits renders him valuable in a way of Gratitude: The first ravisheth, and the other allures and melts: He hath enough in his Nature to attract, and sufficient in his Bounty to engage our Affections. The Excellency of his Nature is strong enough of it self, to blow up our Affections to him, were there not a Malignity in our hearts, that represents him under the Notion of an Enemy; therefore in regard of our Corrupt State, the consideration of Divine Largesses, comes in for a share in the Elevation of our Affections. For indeed 'tis a very hard thing, for a Man to love another, though never so well qualified, and of an eminent Virtue, while he believes him to be his Enemy, and one that will severely handle him; though he hath before received many good turns from him: The Virtue, Valour, and Courtesy of a Prince, will hardly make him affected by those, against whom he is in Arms, and that are daily pilfered by his Soldiers, unless they have hopes of a Reparation from him, and future security from injuries. Christ in the Repetition of the Command to love God with all our mind, with all our heart, and with all our Soul, i. e. with such an ardency, above all things which glitter in our Eye, or can be Created by him, considers him as our God^*. And the Psalmist considers him as one, that had kindly employed his power for him, in the eruption of his love, Psal. 18.1. I will love thee Oh Lord my strength; And so in Psal. 116.1. I love the Lord because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. An esteem of the Benefactor, is inseparable from gratitude for the received Benefits: And should not then the unparalleled kindness of God, advance him in our thoughts, much more than slighter Courtesies do a Created Benefactor in ours? 'Tis an obligation on every Mans Nature, to answer Bounty with gratitude, and Goodness with love.