Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

5. A sense of the Divine Goodness, would mount us above the World. It would damp our appetites after meaner things, we should look upon the World not as a God, but a Gift from God, and never think the Present better than the Donor. We should never lie soaking in muddy Puddles, were we always filled with a sense of the richness, and clearness of this Fountain, wherein we might bath our selves: Little petty Particles of good would give us no content, when we were sensible of such an unbounded Ocean. Infinite Goodness rightly apprehended, would dull our desires after other things, and sharpen them with a keener edge, after that which is best of all. How earnestly do we long for the presence of a Friend, of whose good will towards us, we have full experience?

5. A sense of the Divine Goodness, would mount us above the World. It would damp our appetites after meaner things, we should look upon the World not as a God, but a Gift from God, and never think the Present better than the Donor. We should never lie soaking in muddy Puddles, were we always fill'd with a sense of the richness, and clearness of this Fountain, wherein we might bath our selves: Little petty Particles of good would give us no content, when we were sensible of such an unbounded Ocean. Infinite Goodness rightly apprehended, would dull our desires after other things, and sharpen them with a keener edge, after that which is best of all. How earnestly do we long for the presence of a Friend, of whose good will towards us, we have full experience?

6. It would check any Motions of Envy. It would make us joy in the prosperity of good Men, and hinder us from envying the outward felicity of the Wicked. We should not dare with an evil Eye, to censure his good Hand^*, but approve, of what he thinks fit to do both in the matter of his Liberality, and the Subjects he chooseth for it. Though if the disposal were in our hands, we should not imitate him, as not thinking them Subjects fit for Bounty; Yet since it is in his hands, we be to approve of his actions, and not have an ill will towards him for his Goodness, or towards those he is pleased to make the Subjects of it. Since all his Doles are given, to invite Man to Repentance