Discourses on various important subjects, nearly concerning the great affair of the soul's eternal…

1. It shows a more abundan•• goodness in the Giver, when he shows kindness without any Excellency in our Persons or Actions that should move the giver to Love and Beneficence. For it certainly shows the more abundant and overflowing Goodness, or Disposition, to communicate Good, by how much the less Loveliness or Excellency there is to entice Beneficence: The less there is in the receiver to draw good Will and Kindness, it argues the more of the Principle of good Will and Kindness in the Giver; For one that has but a little of a principle of Love and Benevolence, may be drawn to do Good, and to show Kindness, when there is a great deal to draw him, or when there is much Excellency and Loveliness in the Object to move good Will; when he whose Goodness and Benevolence is more abundant, will show Kindness, where there is less to draw it forth; for he don't so much need to have it drawn from without, he has enough of the principle within […] move him, of it self. Where there is most of the principle, there it is most sufficient for itself; and stands in least need of something without to excite it: For certainly a more abundant Goodness, more easily flows forth, with less to impel or draw it. Than where there is less; or which is the same Thing, the more any one is disposed of himself, the less he needs. From without himself, to put him upon it, or stir him up to it. And therefore his Kindness and Goodness appears the more exceeding ⟨p. 52⟩great, when it is bestowed without any, Excellency or Loveliness at all in the receiver, or when the receiver is respected in the Gift, as wholly without Excellency: And much more still when the Benevolence of the Giver not only finds nothing in the receiver to draw it, but a great deal of Hatefulness to repel it: The abundance of Goodness is then manifested, not only in flowing forth without any Thing extrinsic to put it forward, but in overcoming great Repulsion in the Object. And then does Kindness and Love appear most Triumphant, and wonderfully Great, when the receiver is respected in the Gift, as not only wholly without all Excellency or Beauty to attract it, but altogether, yea infinitely vile and hateful.

1. It shews a more abundan•• goodness in the Giver, when he shews kindness without any Excellency in our Persons or Actions that should move the giver to Love and Beneficence. For it certainly shews the more abundant and overflowing Goodness, or Disposition, to communicate Good, by how much the less Loveliness or Excellency there is to entice Beneficence: The less there is in the receiver to draw good Will and Kindness, it argues the more of the Principle of good Will and Kindness in the Giver; For one that has but a little of a principle of Love and Benevolence, may be drawn to do Good, and to shew Kindness, when there is a great deal to draw him, or when there is much Excellency and Loveliness in the Object to move good Will; when he whose Goodness and Benevolence is more abundant, will shew Kindness, where there is less to draw it forth; for he don't so much need to have it drawn from without, he has enough of the principle within move him, of it self. Where there is most of the principle, there it is most sufficient for itself; and stands in least need of something without to excite it: For certainly a more abundant Goodness, more easily flows forth, with less to impell or draw it. Than where there is less; or which is the same Thing, the more any one is disposed of himself, the less he needs. From without himself, to put him upon it, or stir him up to it. And therefore his Kindness and Goodness appears the more exceeding