2. By liis joyfulncss wlien sinners do lay man." Notliing sweeter tlian mercy, when li<Ai\ on liis mercy. Wliat is God the bet- it is improved, — notliing fiercer, when it is tor whether we receive his mercy or not? abused; nothinj^ colder than lead, when it What is the fountain ])n»fited, that others is taken out of" the mine, — nothing' more drink of it? Yet, such is Cod's goodness, scalding than lead, when it is heated; no- tiiat he rejoiceth at the salvation of sinners, ' thing blunter than iron, nothing sharper
and is glad when liis mercy is accepted of. When the prodigal son came home, how glad was the father? and he makes a feast, to express his joy ; this was but a typ^» or emblom, to shew how Cod rejoiceth when a poor siinier comes in, an<l lays hold of his •nu'rcy. What ati encouragement is here to believe in Cod? lie is a Gotl of par- (h»ns, Nell. ix. IT. Mercy pleaseth him, Mic. \-\i. 18. Nothing dotli ])rejudicc us but uiibelief. Unbelief stops the current of (lod's mercy from running; it shuts up God's bowels, closetli the orifice of Clirist's wounds, that no healing virtue will come out, Mat. xiii. 58 , '• lie could do no migh- ty works there, because of their unbelief" Why dost thou not believe in (iod's mercy ? Is it tliy sins discourage ? God's mercy can ])ardon great sins, nay, because they are great, I's. xxv. 1 1. The sea covers great rocks as well as lesser sands; some that had an hand in crucifying Christ found mercy. As far as the heavens are abo\'e the earth, so far is Cod's mercy above our sins, Isa. Iv. 9. What will tempt us to be- lieve, if not the mercy of Cod !
Use o,'/. Of cauti*>n. Take heed of abus- ing this mercy of ( lod ! Suck not jioison out of the sweet (lower of Cod's mercy ! Do not tiiink, that because Cod is merciful, yon may go on in sin ; this is to make mercy become your enemy. None might touch the ark but the priests, who by their office were more holy; none may touch this ark of God's niei'cy, but such as are resolved to be holy. To sin because mercy abounds, is the devil's lofric. He that sins because of mercy is like one that wounds his head because he hath a plaster ; he that sins be- cause of Cod's mercy, shall have judgment without mercy. Mercy abused turns to fury, Deut. xxix. 19, 20., '• If he bless him- self, saying, I shall have peace though I walk after the imaginations of my heart, to add drunkenness to thirst, the Lord will not spare him, but the anger of the Lord, and his jealous}^, shall smoke against that
when it is whetted. Ps. ciii. 17., " The mercy of the Lord is upon them that fear him." Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not. Cod's mercy is an holy mercy ; where it pardons it heals.
Qi'KST. JV/utt shall we do to he interested in (iod's merry ?
Ans. J. Be sensible of your wants. See how you stand in need of mercy, pardoning, saving mercy. See yourselves orphans : llos. xiv. 3., " In thee the fatherless find- eth mercy." Cod bestows the alms of mer- cy only on such as are indigent. Be empti- ed of all opinion of self-worthiness. God pours the golden oil of mercy into empty vessels.
A. 2. Go to Cod for mercy, Ps. li. 1., " Have mercy upon me, O God !" Put me not off with common mercy that reprobates may have ; give me not only alcorns but pearls ; give me not only mercy to feed and clothe me, but mercy to save me ; give me the cream of thy mercies ; Lord, let me have mercy and loving-kindness ! Ps. ciii. 4., " Who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies." (iive me such mercy as sjK'aks thy electing love to my soul ! O j)ray for mercy ! God hath treasures of mer- cy ; j)rayer is the key that opens these trea- sures : and in j)rayer, be sure to carry Christ in your arms; all the mercy comes through Ciirist: 1 Sam. vii. 9., "Samuel took a suekiiifj land) ;" carry the lamb Christ in your arms, — go in his name, — present his merits, — say, " Lord, here is Christ's blood, which is the price of my pardon ! Lord, shew me mercy, because Christ hath pur- chased it !" I houffh God may refuse us when we come for mercy in our own name, yet not when we come in Christ's name : plead Christ's satisfaction, and this is such an argument as God cannot dtnv.
Use Ath. It exhorts such as have found mercy, to three things : I. To be upon Ge- rizzim, the mount of blessing and praising. They have not only heard the King of hear
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OF THE TRUTH OF GOD.