George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 4, 15th edition.

[156] universal being, to love God seemed to in-

chap. VI.} 1754.

clude love to all that exists; and was, therefore, in opposition to selfishness, the sum of all morality, the universal benevolence comprehending all righteousness.¹

God is the fountain of light and knowledge, so that truth in man is but a conformity to God; knowledge in man, but ‘the image of God's own knowledge of himself.’ Nor is there a motive to repress speculative inquiry. ‘There is no need,’ said Edwards, ‘that the strict philosophic truth should be at all concealed from men.’ ‘The more clearly and fully the true system of the universe is known the better.’ Nor can any outward authority rule the mind; the revelations of God, being emanations from the infinite fountain of knowledge, have a certainty and reality; they accord with reason and common sense; and give direct, intuitive, and all-conquering evidence of their divinity.²

God is the source of happiness. His angels minister to his servants; the vast multitudes of his enemies are as great heaps of light chaff before the whirlwind. Against his enemies the bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at their heart, and strains the bow.³ God includes all being and all holiness. Enmity with him is enmity with all true life and power; an infinite evil, fraught with infinite and endless woe. To exist in union with him is the highest well-being, that shall increase in glory and joy throughout eternity.