Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

3. His Sovereignty is managed according to the rule of Goodness. Some Potentates there have been in the World, that have loved to suck the blood, and drink the tears of their Subjects, that would rule more by fear than love,^* like Clearchus the Tyrant of Heraclia, who bore the figure of a Thunderbolt instead of a Sceptre, and named his Son Thunder; thereby to Tutor him, to terrify his Subjects. But as Gods Throne is a Throne of Holiness, so it is a Throne of Grace. Heb. 4.16. A Throne encircled with a Rainbow. Revel. 4.23. In sight like to an Emerald. An Emblem of the Covenant, that hath the pleasantness of a green colour, delightful to the eye, betokening Mercy. Though his Nature be infinitely excellent above us, and his power infinitely transcendent over us, yet the Majesty of his Government is tempered with an unspeakable Goodness. He acts not so much as an absolute Lord, as a gracious Sovereign and obliging Benefactor. He delights not to make his Subjects slaves. Exacts not of them any servile and fearful, but a generous and cheerful obedience. He requires them not to Fear or Worship him so much for his power as his Goodness. He requires not of a rational Creature any thing repugnant to the Honour, Dignity, and Principles of such a nature; not any thing that may shame, disgrace it, and make it weary of its own being, and the service it owes to its Sovereign. He draws by the cords of a man; his Goodness renders his Laws as sweet as Honey or the Honey Comb to an unvitiated Palate, and a renewed mind. And though it be granted, he hath a full dispose of his Creature, as the Potter of his Vessel, and might by his absolute Sovereignty inflict upon an innocent an eternal torment, yet his Goodness will never permit him to use this Sovereign right to the hurt of a Creature, that deserves it not. If God should cast an innocent Creature into the furnace of his wrath, who can question him? But who can think, that his Goodness will do so? Since that is as infinite as his Authority? As not to punish the sinner, would be a denial of his Justice, so to torment an innocent, would be a denial of his Goodness. A man hath an absolute power over his Beast, and may take away his Life, and put him to a great deal of pain; but that moral virtue of Pity and Tenderness would not permit him to use this right, but when it conduceth to some greater good, than that can be evil;