because mercy is the attribute in which God peculiarly de- lights ; and because he desires to impress our minds with right apprehensions of it.
God first, in general terms, declares himself to be " merciful and gracious ;" by which we are to understand, that he is ever ready to pity the miserable, and relieve the needy. He is in his own nature prepense to love and kindness, and forward to exercise his benevolence, whenever he can do it in consistency with his other perfections.
The first-fruit of his mercy is " long-suffering." And how long did he bear with the antediluvian world ! for the space of one hundred and twenty years did he wait, to see if by the ministry of Noah he could turn them from their evil ways. What can we conceive more insufferable than the conduct of the Israelites hi the wilderness ? they were always murmuring and rebelling against God, who had done such great things for them : yet did he bear with them forty years. But we need not look back to the Antediluvians or the Jews : what monu- ments have we ourselves been of his patience and long-suffer- ing ! How have we provoked him to anger every day of our lives ! yet we are here at this moment on praying ground, instead of being, where we most richly deserve to be, in the very depths of hell.
Nor has he merely borne with us : he has shewn himself also " abundant in goodness and truth." He has been doing us good from the first moment of our existence to this present hour. He has " made his sun to shine, and the rain to descend upon us," and " given us fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." But he has done infinitely more for us than this : for he has given his only dear Son to die for us, and " his good Spirit to instruct us," and has been calling us by the ministrations of his servants to receive all the blessings both of grace and glory. Many " great and precious promises also has he given us ;" not one of which has he ever falsified, or shewn the least reluctance to fulfil.
Moreover, this kindness of his extends to the latest gene- rations ; for he is " keeping mercy for thousands" that are yet unborn. One reason why he bears with many proud rebels is, that he has mercy in reserve for many who are to proceed from their loins, who would never be brought into existence, if he were to execute on their offending parents the judgments they deserved. Who can tell? he may have " kept mercy" for some of us to this present hour ; and the time may now be come, wherein he shall make us willing to accept it. Would to God it might be so !
But the completion of his mercy is seen in his " forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin." Search the sacred records, and see what sins he has forgiven ! what sins before