A manuali [sic] of divine considerations delivered and concluded by ... Thomas White ; translated out of the original Latine copie.

7. Meditation. Of Gods Love to Man.

1. COnsider, that nothing is more naturall, more reasonable, more due, then that he who loveth, should be beloved again: but to Gods love, whether in affection or effect, that is to say, in the commu∣nication of himself, or his goods, there is not any thing compara∣ble.

2. For his affections, they are as great as himself, since whatsoever he applies himself to love, he em∣braceth it with all himself, and with all the whole necessity of his Es∣sence. His love is also most free in the beginning of his affection, seeing we as then were nothing, nor could it any wayes be thought wherein we could be profitable to him. And in fine, that very love in him, was the vigour, the opera∣tion,

and the communication of those goods which we possess.

3. Again, it was he who be∣stowed upon us all good, not one excepted. First of all, he made us his image and likeness: that as he is the very Fountain and universall state of all Being; so we by our un∣derstanding, should be a kind of Store-house, & Compendium of all Being too. As he, by his will and good pleasure, absolutely governs all things; so we also should use all externall things for our own profit, the most holy Virgin his Mother not excepted; that the Elements, and their Inhabitants, the Heavens, and the holy Spirits that govern them, should serve us, and that nothing should hurt our souls, in which part we are amiable, but our selves; and our selves ought not, although the whole world, and whatsoever is in it should fall away to nothing.

4. Last of all, he was in no wise sparing of himself; but as the Church sings with Saint Thomas,

In birth, he made himself our dear. Eating, he gave himself for chear. In death, himself our Ran∣some is: And reigning he himself's our bliss.

5. Adde moreover, that he did not bestow all these things in com∣mon, being careless of thee, but he designed them for thee in person, pointing out thee by name. Thee he did know, better then thou dost thy self? Thee he loved; to thee he communicated the riches of his goodness; to thee he made himself servant.

Conclude, that thy spirit ought to fall into an extasie as thou consi∣derest these things, and that the mar∣row of thy soul, and thy very life should breath it self forth into flames, and violent throbs of love towards him that loveth thee so much.