Two dissertations, I. Concerning the end for which God created the world. II. The…

PLACES of scripture from whence it may be argued, that communication of good to the creature, was one thing which God had in view, as an ultimate end of the creation of the world.

PLACES of scripture from whence it may be argued, that communication of good to the creature, was one thing which God had in view, as an ultimate end of the creaon of the world.

1. ACCORDING to the scripture, communicating good to the creatures, is what is in itself pleasing to God: and that this is not merely subordinately agreeable, and esteemed valuable on account of its relation to a further end, as it is in executing justice in punishing the sins of men; which God is inclined to as fit and necessary in certain cases, and on the account of good ends attained by it: but what God is inclined to on its own account, and what he delights in simply and ultimately. For tho' God is sometimes in scripture spoken of as taking pleasure in punishing men's sins, Deut. 28. 63. "The Lord will rejoice over you, to destroy you". Ezek. 5. 13. "Then shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my •ury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted". Yet God is often spoken o• as exercising goodness and showing mercy, with delight, in a manner quite different, and opposite to that of his executing wrath. For the latter is spoken of as what God proceeds to with backwardness and reluctance; the misery of the creature being not agreeable to him on its own account. Neh. 9. 17 "That thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness". Psal. 103. 8. "The Lord is merciful & gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy".