The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal

are beloved. Expressions of kindness are always pleasing
and acceptable unto us, though the person should be
otherwise mean and contemptible; but to have the love
of one who is altogether lovely, to know that the glorious
Majesty of heaven hath any regard unto us, how must it
astonish and delight us, how must it overcome our
spirits, and melt our hearts, and put our whole soul into
a flame! Now, as the word of God is full of the
expressions of his love towards men, so all his works do
loudly proclaim it. He gave us our being, and, by
preserving us in it, doth renew the donation every
moment. He hath placed us in a rich and well-furnished
world, and liberally provided for all our necessities. He
rains down blessings from heaven upon us, and causes
the earth to bring forth our provision. He giveth us our
food and raiment, and while we are spending the
productions of one year, he is preparing for us against
another. He sweetens our lives with innumerable
comforts, and gratifies every faculty with suitable
objects. The eye of his providence is always upon us, and
he watches for our safety when we are fast asleep,
neither minding him nor ourselves. But, lest we should
think these testimonies of his kindness less
considerable, because they are the easy issues of his
omnipotent power, and do not put him to any trouble or
pain, he hath taken a more wonderful method to endear
himself to us: he hath testified his affection to us by
suffering as well as by doing; and because he could not
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