Centuries of Meditations

65

How can God be Love unto Himself, without the imputation of self-love? Did He love Himself under any other notion than as He is the lover of His beloved there might be some danger. But the reason why He loves Himself being because He is Love, nothing is more glorious than His self-love. For He loves Himself because He is infinite and eternal Love to others. Because He loves Himself He cannot endure that His love should be displeased. And loving others vehemently and infinitely all the love He bears to Himself is tenderness towards them. All that wherein He pleaseth Himself is delightful to them: He magnifieth Himself in magnifying them. And in fine, His love unto Himself is His love unto them, and His love unto them is love unto Himself. They are individually one, which it is very amiable and beautiful to behold, because therein the simplicity of God doth evidently appear. The more He loveth them, the greater He is and the more glorious. The more He loveth them, the more precious and dear they are to him. The more He loveth them, the more joys and treasures He possesseth. The more He loveth them the more He delighteth in their felicity. The more He loveth them, the more He delighteth in Himself for being their felicity. The more He loveth them, the more He rejoiceth in all His works for serving them: and in all His kingdom for delighting them. And being Love to them the more He loveth Himself, and the more jealous He is lest Himself should be displeased, the more He loveth and tendereth them and secureth their welfare. And the more He desires His own glory, the more good He doth for them, in the more divine and genuine manner. You must love after His similitude.