You must therefore practise this eternally praise-worthy vertue , if you will be blessed ; for it is impossible to get into my Fathers favour , if you be not furnished and armed with mercie .

You cannot ascend to the top of felicity , before you have left sinne , this heav●e and intolerable burthen , I say , before you have received pardon , and absolution for your faults , which you can never obtaine , before you have forgiven your brethren their offences ; before you have shewed your selves favourable and willing to assist them ; In a word , before you have ex●ended and practised on them all sorts of mildnesse , clemencie , and meekenesse , which they shall stand in neede of , for I say vnto you , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Blessed are the mercifull , for they shall obtaine mercie .

We reade words like unto these , Luke 6.36 . Be yee mercifull , as your Father is mercifull : And againe after , forgive and it shall be forgiven unto you ; give and it shall be given unto you : And Eccl. 4. Be mercifull to the Orphans , be unto them a father , and to their mothers a husband , and then yee shall be the obedient sonnes of the most high , who will yet more liberally distribute unto you his great mercie : And Pro. 11. The soule that doth good , shall be exceedingly filled and replenished .

It is a principle flowing from our nature , that we must not doe to another what we would not have done to our selves , from which principle is derived that golden sentence of Christ . Luk. 6. With what measure you mete , it shall be againe measured unto you . And Iames 2. Condemnation without mercie shall fall on them that have not used mercie , and mercie is glorified against condemnation . Blessed then are the mercifull , for they shall obtaine mercie .

In which words by Gods assistance , which wee to this end implore , wee will consider , 1. Who be these mercifull . And 2. The reason why they are termed blessed .

And first , let us heare the sacred voyce of the eternall Sonne of God , the Redeemer of our soules , saying in the first part of our Text , Blessed are the mercifull , as if he had said , O how great and altogether incomparable , and incomprehensible are the favours , blessings , and graces laid up for them that shall practise the works of mercie , they shall be Citizens of heaven , the Angels companions , and shall eternally enjoy and ●ossesse in heaven , those b●atitudes which eye hath not seene , eare hath not heard , and that are not entred into the heart of man ; and this is the recompence that God hath prepared for them which practise mercie .

Now that we may the better know the definition of this word , Mercifull , which is the concrete , or conjoyned , we will fir●t consider it in its abstract , as the Philosophers speake , to wit , Me●cie , which is commonly defined to be , A hearty griefe ▪ or a sorrow , for anothers miserie , whom we assist and helpe with all our power .

The object of it , is , the miserie and affliction of other , which makes her produce these gracious and pittifull effects , because shee is unable to behold the sore , without applying the remedie .

God being one , cannot suffer any kinde of division , there be no qualities nor accidents in him , but all things are essentiall in him , the Scripture to represent him unto us , doth describe him all justice , and all mercie , so by reason of the fore-going maxime , wee cannot say , that mercie is one of his parts , seeing that being one , hee is indivisible ; but wee will more properly say , that he is Mercie it selfe , and therefore the faithfull that shall bee mercifull , that shall practise the works of charity , of clemencie , and meekenesse , may undoubtedly beleeve that they are the sonnes of the most high , who hath communicated unto them a ray or sparke of his insinite grace , and mercie , that so they may thereby resplend and shine with the same light with their heavenly Father , tread upon his steps , and be made like him as much as may be , Be mercifull ( saith Iesus Christ ) as your heavenly Father is mercifull , Luke 6.36 .

Mercie , said an ancient Doctor , est fidei ornamentum , it is the ornament of faith , for faith sheweth her selfe by her fruits , which are pious and charitable works , and as trees are never so faire to behold , as when they are loaden and covered with fruits ; so faith never appeareth so glorious , as when she is adorned and crowned with the sweet and delightfull fruites of mercie ; Hee called it againe s●lutis domicilium , the retreate and lodging of salvation , b●cause that when sinners shall be called to give account of their actions before God , when God shall aske them , the reason of their administration , as that Lord in the Gospell , then the shortest and safest remedie , is to flye to his mercie , and to aske him forgivenesse .

Salomon that wise King , counselleth us to make a carcanet of mercie , to put it about our necke , and that in this habit and ornament wee shall make the accesse of heaven free to our selves , finding grace before God , and men : and indeed it is one of the most pretious stones , and that is fit to beautifie and adorne the crowne of perfection it selfe .

Wee will therefore compare it to the Oppall stone Irius , which represents the same colours that appeare in the Raine-bowe , so the mercifull makes all sorts of graces and blessings to shine upon his forehead , and to appeare in his actions ; this Oppall stone Irius is greene , red , and white , the greene colour represents unto us that Hope which we have to finde grace before the soveraigne Iudge of our soules and bodies ; The red colour represents unto us the pure blood of Christ , shed upon the Crosse , to obtaine this grace for us , she also denoteth unto us the rednesse of our sinnes , according to the Prophets phrase , Though our sinnes were as red as scarlet , they shall be made as white as snowe , Isa. 1.18 . and the white colour figureth unto us the divine justice , covered , ●nd overcome by the whitenesse of his mercie , as it is noted in the Rainebow ▪ that his white colour covereth , and exceedeth the red if faire weather to be follow ; They marke besides that this Oppall easeth the paines and labours of women with childe , so mercie lighteneth much the mise●ie and griefe of the afflicted .

We will here make no di●ficulty to u●e in this place the fabulous inventions of the Poets , following the example of Salomon , who tooke of Hiram ( though a Pagan ) all the wood , and stones needfull for the building of the temple .

They usually describe Mercury ( the messenger of the imaginary Gods ) with a wand in his hand , composed of hornes of plenty , wreathed with serpents , they also give him wings , with which he with incredible celerity , flyes whether soever he is sent .

In this fable wee see a remarkable morall , which is , that it is a symbole of the Mercifull , who quickly and without delay takes pitie of the miserie of others , according to this axiome , no lesse common then true , Bis dat , qui cito dat , he giveth twice , that giveth speedily . Secondly , he lives in all pl●nty and abundance , because , that God blesseth him in all his goods , as the Psalmist speaketh , Hee hath given largely to the poore , his righteousnesse remaineth for ever , his horne shall be exalted in glory , and he shall have whereof to lend , all the dayes o● his life . Psal. 112.9 .

Th● serpent useth once a yeare to cast off his skinne , to assume another , that thereby he may be more healthfull and faire ; so those who are mercifull leave , and cast off their wealth and substance , in favour of them that need it , that so they may appeare faire in the eye of the most high , give your almes , and all things shall bee cleane vnto you , putting off the old man .

But that we may walke in the sacred pathes of the holy Scripture , let us compare Mercie to the Serpentine rod of Moses , that faithfull servant of God , for if this had done many miracles in Egypt , that hath done as many wonders in the world : If this was called the finger of God , that is an excellent vertue , that maketh us come neare to God ; but contrarily if the rod hath turned the waters into blood , Mercie turneth the blood of wrath into the water of mildnesse , and mansuetude ; If that hath caused darknesse , this bringeth light , if that wounds , this cures ; In this they agree , that as the one divided the red Sea , to deliver the people from Pharaohs slavery , so the other maketh us passe the red waters of Gods divine justice , to shunne the devils seizing of us , and to come to the Sanctuarie of caelestiall goodnesse , according to the sense of the beati●ude described in our Text , Blessed are the mercifull , for they shall obtain mercie .

O happy and infinitely glorious ( therefore ) sh●ll those be , that use mercie towards their afflicted brethren , who open the bosome of liberality , and reach out the hands of goodnesse and compassion , to draw them to them , there and thereby to shelter them , from the miseries and calamities that compasse them about ; for when the soveraigne Iudge of our soules and bodies , sh●ll come to keepe his Assises , when hee I say shall come accompanied with thousand millions of Angels , who are the Heraulds and great Officers of his divine Iustice , when heaven and earth shall shake before his face , when all the elements , and all the creatures together shall quake for feare in his presence , when hee shall judge by an eternall decree the living and the dead , among all the most grievous and notable reproaches whereu●to the wicked shall be subject , that of cruelty shall be the most remarkable , he will not then so much taxe them of having beene theeves , drunkards , murtherers , fornicators , as of not having beene pi●tifull to the poore and needie ; Math. 25.42 . Goe ( will he say ) ye cursed into everlasting fire , prepared for the deuill and his angels , for I was hungry , and ye gave me not to ●ate , I was thirstie , and ye gave m● no drinke , I was naked , and you clothed me not , I was in prison , and ye visited me not .

But contrariwise hee will alter his voyce , when speaking to his Elect , with a sweet , smiling , and gracious co●ntenance , hee will pronounce this favourable sentence of congratulation , Math. 25.34 . Come ye blessed of my Father , possesse the inheritance prepared for you before the foundation of the world , for I was ●ungrie , and ye gave mee to eate : I was thirstie , and you gave mee drinke : I was naked , and you have cloathed mee : I was in prison , and you have visited mee .

The end , and center of the law of God , in the second Table , is this , Thou shalt love thy neighbours as thy selfe : in these few words , wee see all the offices , all the duties , and all the services which we owe to our neighbour , to wit , to love him as we love our selves , for as no man is so unnaturall ( unlesse hee hath lost the use of reason , and be ready to precipitate himselfe into despaire ) that would in his neede , for his good , refuse himselfe any thing that sh●uld be in his power : so likewise , let us represent to our selues , that our neighbour is our other selfe , and that to refuse him any needfull thing , yea , not to prevent him in his wants and incommodi●ies , is a sinne in him that is infected with it , which makes him unworthy to be compared or placed among the Pagans and Infidels , for they helpe one ano●her with all their might : but with a great deale of reason and justice we may say , ●hat he is farre worse then a brute beast , for we may obserue and marke , that those of th● same kinde helpe , and succour one another ; As we read in Plinie , that when a great and heavie Elephant is fallen , being for his heavinesse not able to rise , s●●ing specially they have no joynts in their legges , his fellowes doe then assemble and raise him up with their snow●s .

It is noted , that when Stagges intend to swimme over some swift River , they gather thems●lues together ; and because their heads laden with such great hornes , would make them sinke , they lay them on the hinder parts the one of the other , and because the foremost hath no place to leane his upon , every one in his turne supplieth that place , and what should wee not doe although we had no naturall affection ; would not the very beasts accuse us of cr●elty , and barbarousnesse , if being all to passe together the vast and deepe Ocean of this temp●stuous life , in hope once to arrive in the delightfull Haven of salvation ; If , I say , feeling our heads laden with so many miseries , imperfections , and calamities , we did not mercifully assist and ease one another , and so wee should not accomplish the Apostles command , saying , Beare ye one anothers burthens , that you may fulfill the law of Christ .

St. Chrysostome with his golden mouth as his name importeth ) tells us in generall , that all men represent unto us but one body , whereof the greatest and most honourable are like th● braine , the eyes , the mouth , and the eares , and that so orderly according to their dignities , they possesse and take their place ; and neverthele●se , there is so great an affinity betweene all th●se different members , that they all helpe and succour one another ; the eye helpeth the foot , and the foot serveth the eye ; the mouth is serviceable to the hand , and the hand to the mouth ; and besides , that experience teacheth us , that if there be the least ach in the head , the face becommeth pale , the eyes often times flow with teares , and all the other members participate of her paines , according to the proverb , Quando caput dolet , caetera membra aolent . If the foot chance to tread upon a thorne , and to be pricked by it , the eye though farre distant seekes presently the place offended ; the backe stoopes , the hands runne to the place , and all the members in generall are attentive and carefull of the easing hereof : Alas ! let us remember that wee are members of the same body , that wee owe our helpe and assistance one to another ; when we see any in affliction among us , let us not stay so much to know the cause of his griefe , but that we may runne to apply the remedy to it , and to helpe him out of his wants and incommodities , and then by these actions w● shall testifie , that we are the children of God , who saith , Math. 10.42 . That if we give to the poore , a glasse of cold water in his name , hee will hold it as done to himselfe , so much doth hee delight in the holy and pious workes of mercie : Blessed ( saith hee ) are the mercifull .

Mercie is compared to a tree , planted in the fruitfull ground of the hearts of the faithfull , that is watered by the wholesome waters of blessing and grace , which the holy Ghost continually distilleth thereon , and upon which the Sunne of righteousnesse continually shineth , that so at all times he may beare abundantly the gracious and delectable fruits of charity , compassion , and meekenesse .

This tree is divided into three branches , which we see is set forth unto us , Luke 6. whereof of the first sheweth us , that wee must not rashly judge of our neighbour , but that wee judge of him charitably .

The second teacheth us , that we must liberally dist●ibute , and dispose of our faculties in favour of the needy , that thereby wee must partake of their miserie , and sigh with them in their afflictions .

The third and last branch , is , to forgive our enemies , and cast away from us all desire of revenge .

Saint Luke in the Chapter before cited , after hee had exhorted us to bee mercifull , as our heavenly Father is mercifull , divideth this mercie into three kindes , as we have already shewed , saying , first , 1 Iudge not , and ye shall not be judged . 2 Give , and it shall be given unto you . 3 Love your enemies , and ye shall be the children of the most high , for he is kinde unto the unkinde , and to the wi●ked .

Let us a while attentively consider the three offices and duties of the mercifull , but rather let us practise them heartily , that we may be recompensed with the felicity promised unto us .

Blessed are the mercifull , for they shall obtaine mer●ie .

The corruption of this age is come to that height , that it seemeth that the best discourse that men can finde , is to speake ill of one , to detract from another , & to judge so hardly of the best actions , that one might think them voyd of reason , and of the feare of God , and to be partakers with the devill , in vexing and slandering the life of those , who are good examples to all , and the subj●ct ●f tha●ksgiving to all them that feare the Lord ; and therefore the holy Ghost admonisheth u● in this first kinde of mercie not to be rash in our judgements , least we suffer the paines , and incu●re the rigours of Talions law .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Iudge not , that ye be not judged . Math. 7.1 .

Wee must then observe these maximes in judging the actions of others , that if they be manifestly good , wee praise and imitate them , that those that did them may be encouraged to continue , and that the wicked leaving their wicked wayes , may follow them , for examples move more then rules or precepts .

If in all likelihood they may bee thought evill , neverthelesse we must practise and conferre on them the works of charity , and construe them favourably , seeing that it is God alone who searcheth the hearts , and who trieth the reynes and thoughts , and who is onely able to judge of our good , or bad intentions , for now Satan transformeth himselfe into an Angell of light , and hypocrites ( his imitatours ) doe so perfectly counterfeit the just , that it is altogether impossible to discerne truth from falshood , Satan hath made them so deceiptfully crafty .

On the other side , the just doe sometimes commit actions , which seeme to be evill , and notwithstanding are in themselues very good , though they doe not appeare to bee such , as when Christ was found alone speaking with the Samaritane , but it was to teach her the way of Salvation .

When hee delighted in the kisses of Mary Magdalene , who was so impudent in her life , and manne●s , in so much that the Pharisie that had invited him was offended at it , yet the end and the answer which Christ gave them made them thinke otherwise , when speaking to the Pharisie , he said , Ioh. 11.2.12.3 . Simon , seest thou this woman ? I entered into thine house , and thou gavest mee no water to wash my feete , but shee hath washed my feete with teares , and wiped them with the haires of her head . Thou gavest me no kisse , but shee since the time I came in hath not ceased to kisse my feete . Thou diddest not annoint my head with oyle , but shee hath annointed my feete with pretious oyntment . Wherefore I say unto the● many sinnes are forgiven her , for shee loved much , to whom a little is forgiven , he doth love a little . And he said unto her , thy sinnes are forgiven thee , Luke 7.44 , &c.

Iesus Christ ( take this example more ) did often eat with Publicans and sinners , but it was purposely to convert them , and yet the Scribes and Pharisies that envied him , did not interpret it so , for they called him a glutton , a wine bibber , a friend of Publicans and sinners , Math. 11.19 . Behold how the best and wholesomest meates are converted into ill humors by ill disposed stomacks , whence comes the proverb , Ictericis omnia videntur esse slavia , all things seeme yellow to them that have the Iaundize , the wicked measure other by themselues , and thinke that all imitate them in doing ill .

The second branch of this divine tree , is , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Give , and it shall be given unto you , that is , that Iesus Christ by these words exhorteth us , to distribute freely , and liberally of our meanes to the poore , assuring us to hold it as done to himselfe , and that he will repay it a thousand fold unto us , by giving ●s eternall life . Make you friends , saith hee , Luke 16.9 . with the riches of iniquity , that when ye shall want , they may receive you into everlasting habitations .

Iesus Christ Math. 19.21 . speakes thus to a young man , that asked him what he should doe to inherite eternall life , after he had bidden him keepe the commandements , he saith moreover unto him , If thou wilt be perfect , goe sell all that thou hast , and give it to the poore , and then thou shalt have treasure in heaven .

One of the chiefest lawes which God commanded and recommended to his people Israel , was to be mercifull to the poore , and needy , as we reade Deut. 15.7 . If one of thy brethren with thee be poore , within any of the gates of thy land , thou shalt not harden thine heart against him , nor shut thy hand from thy poore brother , but thou shalt open thine hand unto him , and shalt lend him sufficient to sustaine his needs and wants , and let it not grieve thine heart to give it unto him , for because of this the Lord thy God shall blesse thee in all thy works , and in all that thou puttest thine hand to . And Prou. 28.27 . Hee that giveth unto the poore shall not lacke , but hee that hideth and shutteth his eyes from him , shall have many cu●ses .

It is a wonder to see and behold the admirable effects , and workes of the Almighty , that which commonly makes those to abound in wealth , that bestowe largely upon the poore , like a good spring or fountaine , which the more it is emptied , the more it overflowes in the excellencie of her waters ; so the more the f●ithfull gives to the poore , the more God sendeth his graces and blessings upon his wealth , so that the almes which hee gives are like seede fallen into good ground , which yeeldeth a hundred for one .

It is like a little piece of leaven among a great deale of dowe , which raiseth , and maketh it to encrease , and therefore the Wiseman exhorteth us , to give the first of our fruits to the poore , and that the rest will make our Barnes to overflow with plenty and abundance .

The widdow of Sarephta , 1 Kings 17. making a Cake for the Prophet Elijah , with a little meale and some few drops of oyle , which onely were left unto her in that extreame famine , desiring rather to obey the Prophet , then to satisfie her owne hunger , and that of her owne sonne : but how can we produce this example without admiring this her incomparable charity , to see the love of her selfe , the naturall affection shee bare to her deare , onely , and welbeloved child , give place to the pittie and compassion shee had a Stranger , for the Prophet asking her something to eate , shee answered , I have but a little oyle , and a little meale , which my sonne and I will eate , and after wee shall die , shewing unto us , that the hopes of recovering any else-where would be vai●e , and yet mercie passeth through all these difficulties , shee makes a Cake for the Prophet ; but where is the ●ecompence ? it followeth immediatly , as the shadow the body , that is , that during that extreame famine , shee wanted no meale , and her oyle was never dried up .

Mercifull effects are commonly followed by those which are miraculous ; as we have already shewed , and as we could yet more largely shew , if wee did not feare to be too tedious ; but let us see how God delighteth so much in mercie , that besides that hee rewardeth it in this world with many temporall blessings , hee doth also showre downe on the mercifull , his ●ternall and spirituall graces .

In the 29. Chapter of Ecclesiasticus , Lay up thy treasure according to the comman●ement of the most high , and it shall be more profitable to thee then gold , shu● up mercie in thy Cabinets , and it will draw thee out of all affliction , the bounty of every one b●ing shut up in him , a● in a purse shall conserue his grace , as the apple of the eye , and at the end will give the reward unto ●very one . And Dan. 4. The Prophet speaketh thus to Nabuchadonosor the King , Dan. 4.27 ▪ O King , take my counsell , breake off thy sinnes by iustice , and thy iniquities by being mercifull unto the poore . And Luke 11.41 . Give almes of what you have , and behold all things shall be cleane unto you .

But because many seeke precautions , going about to practise the workes of charity , I will give my opinion upon this matter , that is , that we must not be like Martha , curious to bee informed of so many things , but as Iesus Christ , before whom there is no regard of persons , but maketh his Sun equally to shine both on the just , and on the unjust , and maketh his raine to fall upon the good and bad , the Sunne shineth as well upon mud and dirt as upon Roses on the valleyes , as on the mountaines ; the raine falleth as well upon the rocks and sands , as upon the good and fertile ground : so the mercifull wheresoever he seeth any calamity , he partaketh of it , and applieth the beft remedie to it that possibly he can .

Intention is the levell and square wherewith all our actions are measured . It is the rule to measure them ; the touchstone to know their value : Havens and Harbours receive as well the broken and torne pieces of a shipwrack , as a great and rich lading in a good vessell ; the earth which is the mother and cradle of all mortall men , receiveth equally Lazarus , and Dives , Irus , and Cyrus , Diogenes , and Alexander .

So the mercifull must alwayes propose this object to himselfe , to obey Gods Commandement , in assisting the poore , and in comforting and consolating the afflicted , without searching further if he be worthy or not of your compassions , if it be his lazinesse , or his folly that have made him miserable ; these things are not to be examined by you , it belongeth to God to judge of it , and to you to obey Gods holy ordinances .

Iesus Christ being here on earth , exercised his charity on all those that asked it of him : He fed severall times great multitudes : Hee healed the sicke : He made the lame walke , the blinde see , and that at the first request , without further enquiring .

Mercie is the banke and haven of miserie , if thou receive the unworthy , after thou shalt entertaine the worthy : Abraham making an Hospitall of his tent , received therein all Strangers indifferently that came to him ; and in practising this courteous and bountifull hospitality , hee received Angels into his house : St. Paul , Heb. 13. biddeth us forget not hospitality , for some have lodged Angels , not knowing it . When thine enemie is hungry , give him to eate , and to him that asketh give , saith Christ .

Saint Math Chap. 4. The devill seeing that Christ was hungry , asked him if hee were the Sonne of God : you likewise when you see the poore languishing and starving at your doores , succour him quickly , and aske him not if he be the child of God , if he be an honest man and worthy of your almes , because that Christ saith , Math. 10.41 . He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet , shall receive a Prophets reward .