This,--that the graciousness which Christ showed at that marriage feast
is neither more nor less than the boundless love of God, who could not
live alone in the abyss, but must needs, out of His own Divine Charity,
create the universe, that He might have somewhat beside Himself whereon
to pour out the ocean of His love, which finds its own happiness in
giving happiness to all created things, from the loftiest of rational
beings down to the gnat which dances in the sun, and for aught we know,
to the very lichen which nestles in the Alpine rock.
This is the character of God, unless Scripture be a dream of man's
imagination. Thus far you may know God; thus far you may see God as He
is; and know and see that He is just with the justice of a man, only more
just; merciful with the mercy of a man, only more merciful; truthful with
the truthfulness of a man, only more truthful; gracious with the
graciousness of a man, only more gracious; and loving? That we dare not
say: for if we say so much, the Scripture commands us to say more. The
Scripture tells us that the whole absolute morality of God is summed up--
as our own human morality ought to be--in His Love.
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