"You talk of speak of sovereign decrees. God has no sovereign decrees; God's decrees are all paternal. The decrees of a despot are meant to clip the subject's wings; those of the Father are meant to expand the wings. Why are you forbidden to be selfish? Because selfishness locks the soul. Why are you commanded to love? Because love is liberty. Why are you commanded to be compassionate? Because compassion is power. Why are you commanded to sympathize? Because sympathy is the heart's soaring. The commands of your Father break the cage and set you free."

George Matheson.