That this is the true idea of the love of God is clear from the Holy Scriptures. In the Gospel of St. John it is thus described: "_For this is the charity of God, that we keep his commandments_." It is not said: The love of God is in a delightful feeling that possesses one without any effort on his part. {96} That would be very pleasant and very easy. No; that is not said. But the meaning of what is said is, that the love of God is in the will and determination to keep his commandments. In another place it is said in plain terms: "_He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me_." As much as to say: If your mind and will are directed to me in such a way that you keep my commandments, don't be worried or afraid, you do most truly love me. Now this ought to console any one who really and truly wants to love God, for we see that it lies in his power to do so. He need not go into raptures of fervor. He need not fly in the air in an ecstasy. He need not see visions or work wonders. He need not practise extra ordinary fasting or austerity, or spend whole nights in prayer. He need only have a determination, let him feel well or ill, that he will honestly and sincerely act so as to be agreeable to God, and he loves Him. Let him go on acting in that way and he will soon love Him exceedingly, far more than any thing in this world. {97} Another argument that proves conclusively that this is the true love of God, comes from this very command of our Lord Jesus Christ: "_Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind_." The love of God is commanded. Now God commands nothing impossible, nothing, in short, which is very difficult to set about. As he is a God of infinite goodness and love, the bare idea of such a thing is wholly repugnant to right reason and common sense. If He had commanded us to exercise a sensible love--one of feeling--we might justly complain and say: I cannot fulfil it; that is a thing beyond my control. We have to set about a practical love--keeping his commandments, that is a business we can give our mind and attention to, as we would to farming, building, doctoring, or any other business. If a man will set about the business of practically acting according to the will of God, he will add every day to his stock of love and to his merit in heaven. This is a rich mine; it is inexhaustible; out of this mine is drawn the pure gold of charity to God, richer and more abundant than all the mines of California or Australia. {98}