Matt. V. 7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtam
mercy.
THERE can be no doubt but that every Minister should set forth the pecuhar doctrines of the Gospel with frequency and firmness. If he lay not the found- ation well, he can never hope to have his labours crowned with success. On the other hand, it becomes him very earnestly to inculcate the necessity of a Christian temper : and, if he be not attentive to this, he must expect, that, whilst his people are filled with head-knowledge, they will dishonour their profession both by their spirit and conduct. Our blessed Lord, throughout this whole discourse, shews us the import- ance of cultivating holy and heavenly dispositions : and, at the same time that he corrects the false no- tions which were entertained respecting the nature of his kingdom, declares unequivocally, that it is the practical Christian, and he only, that is truly blessed.
In considering the declaration before us, let us in- quire,
I. Who are they that answer to the character in tlic text —
Love has respect to men universally, whatever their condition be ; but mercifulness has respect to them as objects of pity and compassion. Now "the merciful " man sympathizes with persons in affliction, and desires to relieve them. He looks with an eye of pity,
1. Upon those who are bowed down under their troubles —
[If their trials be of a temporal nature, he longs to render them such service as their necessities require. Are tiiey labour- mg under bodily diseases? he will rejoice to procure for tlicm all necessary aid* Are they oppressed with poverty, or in em- barrassed circumstances ? he will deny himself in order to impart
^ Job XXX. 25.