Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

either for the good of man which is the end of the Creature, or for the good of the poor beast it self, to rid him of a greater misery: None but a savage nature, a disposition to be abhorred, would ⟨p. 717⟩torture a poor beast merely for his pleasure. 'Tis as much against the nature of God, to punish one eternally, that hath not deserved it, as it is to deny himself, and act any thing foolishly, and unbeseeming his other perfections, which render him Majestical, and adorable. To afflict an innocent Creature for his own good, or for the good of the World, as in the case of the Redeemer, is so far from being against Goodness, that it is the highest Testimony of his tender Bowels to the Sons of men. God though he be Mighty, withdraws not his Eyes, i. e. his tender respect from the Righteous, Job 36.5, 7, 8.9, 10. And if he bind them in Fetters, 'tis to show them their Transgressions, and open their Ear to Discipline, and renewing commands in a more sensible strain, to depart from iniquity. What was said of Fabritius, you may as soon remove the Sun from its course, as Fabritius from his honesty; may be of God, you may as soon dash in pieces his Throne, as separate his Goodness from his Sovereignty.

either for the good of man which is the end of the Creature, or for the good of the poor beast it self, to rid him of a greater misery: None but a savage nature, a disposition to be abhorr'd, would ⟨p. 717⟩torture a poor beast meerly for his pleasure. 'Tis as much against the nature of God, to punish one eternally, that hath not deserved it, as it is to deny himself, and act any thing foolishly, and unbeseeming his other perfections, which render him Majestical, and adorable. To afflict an innocent Creature for his own good, or for the good of the World, as in the case of the Redeemer, is so far from being against Goodness, that it is the highest Testimony of his tender Bowels to the Sons of men. God though he be Mighty, withdraws not his Eyes, i. e. his tender respect from the Righteous, Job 36.5, 7, 8.9, 10. And if he bind them in Fetters, 'tis to shew them their Transgressions, and open their Ear to Discipline, and renewing commands in a more sensible strain, to depart from iniquity. What was said of Fabritius, you may as soon remove the Sun from its course, as Fabritius from his honesty; may be of God, you may as soon dash in peices his Throne, as separate his Goodness from his Sovereignty.