SECTION III.
GOD'S GOODNESS MANIFESTED IN MAN'S HAPPINESS.
In the preceding Section, we endeavoured to portray God's goodness as imaged in man's goodness, the latter being but a reflection of the former: we sought to display the goodness of God, as seen in men acting under His influence and by His guidance. Now, however, we wish to contemplate the Divine goodness, exhibited in man not as an actor but as a receiver. We wish to consider man's mind and heart, and his state and condition, as a part of the great works of God's spiritual universe,—made by Him, and sustained and blessed by Him. In the first Chapter of this work, treating of God's works in the Material Universe, we had occasion rather, perhaps, to admire God's wisdom and power than His goodness, because we were contemplating for the most part inanimate objects, in the construction of which wondrous intellect and skill were shown. But in the present Chapter, treating of God's Spiritual Works, and particularly in this Section of it, God's goodness comes more especially into observation, because we are treating of animate and conscious beings, and of the highest of them all, man; and such beings are the proper objects of the Divine love, because they alone can feel and be affected by it. Therefore, here chiefly it is, that God's love and goodness are seen manifested,—namely, in endeavoring to make man happy, and to fill with joys and blessings the life which He has bestowed upon him: for Love ever desires to see its object happy.
Contemplate, then, the joys and delights with which
