he has for his children obliges him to take care of them. He has promised us his protection — he will then be as good as his word. Sooner shall the heavens and the earth be destroyed than that the man should perish who places his confidence in God.
[Examine your heart, and see whether your confidence be worthy of the goodness of God, and the merits of Jesus Christ.]
“ Thou art my God; my lot is in thy hands.” — Psalm xxx.
“ Throw yourself upon him; he will not withdraw to let yon fall.” — St. Austin.
TWENTY-FIFTH DAY. — ON THE LOVE OF GOD.
1. God has loved us to such a decree as to give us his only Son. Had he anything better he would have given it to us; is it not buying our love too dearly, to purchase it at such a rate? A trifling bounty from a fellow-creature is entitled to our love. Why, then, shall we not love a bounty that is infinite? What! doth its being infinite render it less amiable?
2. God has strictly enjoined us to love him. Is a commandment rigorous which orders us to love what is infinitely worthy of our affections? He commands us to love him with all our heart. Is a heart so small as mine too much for a God so great? But in saying all, he admits of no exception. Whatever share I give him, if I give him not all, I give him nothing.
3. If eternity could have an end, the torments of the damned in hell, even to the day of judgment, would not be too much to obtain this heavenly love. There is not one of these miserable souls that would not think itself happy, provided, after ages of suffering, it could love that infinite beauty. We can love God if we please; every moment invites us to it.
