[2.] Over and above this common kindness, there is a more entire special love and kindness towards believers in Christ. This may be admired rather than expressed : Ps. xxxvi. 7, ' How excellent is thy loving-kindness, 0 God ! ' This is unto admiration, his common kind- ness, his preservation of man and beast. This is the fruit of his eter- nal love : Jer. xxxi. 3, ' With everlasting love have I loved thee, and
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therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee;' and this is ex- pressed in blessing them with special and saving benefits in Christ. The effects of his special kindness do all relate to life and godliness, and are conveyed to us through the conduit of Christ's merit and intercession, in and by whom he doth fulfil in us all the good pleasure of his goodness, 2 Thes. i. 11, 12. Now this special kindness must needs be a mighty encouragement to the saints to come to him (since he loveth them with such a free and special love) for all that mercy they stand in need of. The former speaketh the goodness of God to all his creatures ; this to themselves in particular ; both together a notable support ; yea, though we have not yet any experience of the goodness of God, yet since there is such a thing as self-inclination in God to do good to his people, and, besides this, a readiness to express his love to all his creatures, more especially to every one, without re- spect of persons, that cometh to him : Ps. Ixxxvi. 5, ' For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon thee.' Take the cause, and you do not know what you may find. It may be your portion and lot.
3. The proofs and demonstrations of this loving-kindness.
[1.] He hath given evident proof and infallible demonstration of it in Christ : 1 John iv. 12, ' In this was manifested the love of God to- wards us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world that we might live through him.' The cause or first motive was love ; his means was the sending of Christ to be a propitiation ; his end, life spiritual and eternal. This is such a glorious instance and manifesta- tion of the love of God, that poor creatures are encouraged to draw nigh to God for such mercy as they stand in need of. It is a hidden love ; here is a convincing proof and real demonstration by so glorious an effect and fruit of it. It was not a well-wishing love only, nor a love concealed, but manifested, and that by a signal proof.
[2.] The instances of God's loving-kindness to others ; so that ' according to thy loving-kindness,' will be according to that grace and mercy which thou art wont to show to others of thy servants. All that have had to do with God will assure you that he is a gracious God, full of kindness and mercy. There are examples of it, 1 Tim. i. 16 ; and Eph. ii. 7, ' That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus/ Instances of God's loving-kindness towards others have a peculiar fitness and efficacy to convince us how exceedingly gracious God is, and so to draw us to the same fountain of grace for pardon and life to ourselves. These examples do more than the doctrinal declaration, because they do not only show that mercy and grace may be had, but that it hath been attained unto by those who in all respects did judge themselves, and were really unworthy of it, as unable to lay hold of it, and to make good use of it afterwards, as we ourselves. The ice is broken, the ford ridden before us ; therefore we may venture our salvation and acceptance with God upon the same grace.
[3.] His former love to ourselves. At first he took us with all our faults, and betrothed us unto himself, in loving-kindness and tender mercy, Hosea ii. 19 ; and therefore he will still do us good, freely
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and bountifully, and so we may answer all objections from God's wonted goodness towards us. When he hath entered into covenant with us out of his love and bounty, we may well expect that upon the same terms he should keep covenant. The continuance is more easily believed and asked than the beginning and first grant: Ps. xxxvi. 10, ' 0 continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee, and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.' When by experience we have found what it can do for unworthy creatures, we may the better expect it should help us on all occasions.
4. The end why God exerciseth it ; which is his glory, even the glory of his grace and loving-kindness ; that that might be acknow- ledged and exemplified by those that are partakers of it even to be altogether glorious : Eph. i. G, ' To the praise of his glorious grace, wherein he hath accepted us in the beloved ; ' that it may be owned and esteemed as free and liberal, and working of its own accord. We only cross God's end when we do not plead it, admire it, and esteem it highly, and improve it for our comfort ; for this is God's end in the whole business of our salvation from first to last, that men and angels might be excited to set forth the praises of his rich mercy and free grace. And here is a new encouragement to ask gracious supplies of God, according to his loving-kindness, or upon the account of that attribute, even that his grace may be more esteemed and exalted in our hearts : Ps. cix. 21, ' But do thou for me, 0 God the Lord, for thy name's sake ; because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.' It concerneth him in point of his chief honour and glory to do good to his people ; that he may be known, and owned to be a good and a gracious or loving God.