Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 2.pdf/93



HEN it is said in Scripture that the Lord loveth one thing more than another, it is not to be understood as applicable to any extraordinary putting forth of love on the part of the Divine Being; for He, being perfect and immutable, cannot love more at one time than another. This kind of expression is entirely referable to the mode and measure of reception which the unalterable love of God meets with in human minds.

While the love of God is the same to all and in all, extending alike to all the families of mankind, without the slightest shade of partiality; this very love, which makes no distinction itself, is variously and differently received. Thus, some receive much of this love, and feel the most ecstatic delight to follow its dictates. Others, again, receive it with less warmth of feeling and devotion; others still less, and some pervert it in themselves, debase their noble powers, and turn their glory into shame. Now all these differences of reception of the divine love of God, by the human race, are, in the language of Revelation, described by the Lord loving the good, and being angry with the wicked every day. Love to the Lord, and to goodness and virtue, opens heaven to the soul of man, and forms an inward conjunction between God and man; this conjunction is expressed by the Lord loving us: while the