Ephes
.
2.
Verse
4th
.
But
God
who
is
rich
in
mercy
,
for
his
great
love
wherewith
he
loved
us
.
THE
Apostle
in
the
fore-going
Verses
,
lays
down
a
five-fold
Character
that
is
agreeable
to
the
condition
of
all
men
,
while
they
continue
in
a
Natural
condition
,
First
,
They
are
dead
in
trespasses
and
sins
;
As
a
man
that
is
dead
in
respect
of
his
body
can
contribute
nothing
for
the
restitution
of
the
life
of
his
body
:
So
those
that
are
dead
in
respect
of
their
Sins
,
they
can
contribute
nothing
for
the
resurrection
of
their
Souls
;
there
is
no
Reasonable
man
will
look
for
Health
and
Strength
in
the
Grave
.
Secondly
,
They
walk
according
to
the
course
of
the
world
;
that
is
,
they
love
to
travel
in
the
broad
way
where
there
is
most
company
;
here
they
conform
themselves
to
the
multitude
.
It
is
a
certain
sign
of
a
Corrupt
heart
,
when
men
think
that
any
action
may
pass
for
Current
coin
,
if
they
follow
therein
a
General
Custom
.
Thirdly
,
They
obey
Satan
.
All
men
whiles
they
continue
in
a
state
of
Nature
,
they
walk
according
to
the
Prince
of
the
Air
.
Fourthly
,
They
fulfill
the
desires
of
the
flesh
,
and
they
live
after
the
Flesh
,
not
after
the
Spirit
,
they
live
as
they
list
,
they
follow
their
own
corrupt
Imaginations
.
Fifthly
,
They
are
the
Children
of
Wrath
,
they
deserve
to
be
tormented
in
Hell
for
ever
,
and
they
are
every
moment
lyable
to
fall
under
the
wrath
of
God
;
and
this
is
the
Condition
of
all
Men
and
Women
by
Nature
:
But
,
saith
the
Apostle
,
God
who
is
rich
in
mercy
,
for
the
great
love
wherewith
he
loved
us
:
Then
he
proceeds
to
shew
the
Dignity
and
Privilege
to
which
those
that
belong
to
the
election
of
grace
in
due
time
do
attain
through
Christ
.
The
Mercy
of
God
is
the
main
thing
to
which
I
will
speak
at
this
time
,
and
the
Doctrine
is
this
,
That
God
is
exceeding
Merciful
,
or
,
There
are
riches
of
Mercy
in
God
.
And
this
does
signify
Readiness
in
God
to
succour
the
creature
in
distress
;
God
has
Compassion
without
any
Passion
;
and
here
I
shall
give
you
divers
particulars
that
God
is
exceeding
Merciful
;
I
shall
begin
with
the
first
,
That
God
is
Merciful
.
And
this
will
appear
if
we
consider
that
his
Mercy
is
of
a
spreading
nature
;
the
whole
world
is
a
large
Volume
written
within
and
without
with
Characters
of
Mercy
;
the
mercy
of
God
is
over
all
his
works
,
he
openeth
the
hand
of
Liberality
and
supplieth
the
want
of
every
Creature
;
't
is
Mercy
that
calls
down
seasonable
showers
of
Rain
to
refresh
the
Thirsty
ground
;
't
is
Mercy
that
sends
the
Sun
,
with
a
load
of
Blessings
,
from
one
end
of
the
world
to
the
other
;
't
is
Mercy
that
cloaths
the
Fields
with
Grass
,
the
Vallies
with
Corn
,
and
the
Spring
with
Flowers
.
2.
It
appears
that
God
is
Merciful
,
because
he
looks
upon
Mercy
as
his
Glory
;
when
Moses
desired
to
have
a
sight
of
Gods
Glory
,
God
passed
by
him
and
proclaimed
,
The
Lord
,
the
Lord
God
,
merciful
and
gracious
,
long
suffering
,
and
abundant
in
goodness
and
truth
,
keeping
mercy
for
thousands
,
forgiving
iniquities
and
transgression
and
sin
;
God
looks
upon
Mercy
as
the
choicest
thing
that
belongs
to
his
Crown
;
Men
oftentimes
would
be
glad
if
they
could
find
an
opportunity
to
revenge
and
inflict
their
malice
on
them
they
have
a
Controversie
with
:
but
God
he
deals
with
sinners
in
a
contrary
way
,
he
looks
upon
it
as
his
Glory
to
pass
over
transgressions
iniquities
and
sins
.
3.
It
will
appear
that
God
is
exceeding
Merciful
,
if
we
consider
that
he
Delights
in
shewing
Mercy
,
he
doth
not
willingly
afflict
the
Children
of
men
,
Judgement
is
his
Strange
work
,
Acts
of
Severity
they
are
in
a
manner
forced
from
God
,
he
doth
not
punish
till
he
is
provoked
by
our
sins
,
but
Acts
of
Mercy
are
performed
by
him
with
Delight
,
because
they
are
most
suitable
to
his
disposition
;
as
the
Bee
that
gives
Honey
naturally
,
but
it
does
not
sting
but
when
it
is
forced
;
he
had
rather
Quicken
and
make
alive
,
than
Kill
and
destroy
;
God
had
rather
hold
up
,
than
overturn
and
make
desolate
;
Justice
never
takes
place
unless
it
be
to
revenge
the
quarrel
of
abused
Mercy
,
like
to
the
Prince
described
by
the
Poet
;
thus
God
is
swift
to
Reward
,
but
slow
to
Punish
.
It
is
remarkable
,
God
was
longer
in
destroying
One
City
,
than
in
building
the
Whole
world
,
he
created
the
World
in
six
days
,
but
he
was
seven
days
in
accomplishing
the
destruction
of
Jerico
;
God
had
rather
glorifie
his
Mercy
in
Saving
of
Sinners
,
than
in
the
Punishing
of
them
.
Ezekiel
;
3.11
.
Say
unto
them
,
As
I
love
,
saith
the
Lord
God
,
I
have
no
pleasure
in
the
death
of
the
wicked
,
but
that
the
wicked
turn
from
his
way
and
live
:
Turn
ye
,
turn
ye
from
your
evil
ways
,
for
why
will
you
dye
O
House
of
Israel
?
Here
you
see
that
God
doth
not
delight
in
the
destruction
of
Sinners
,
the
Confirmation
of
it
is
with
an
Oath
,
and
there
is
an
Use
of
Exhortation
,
Turn
ye
,
turn
ye
,
why
will
ye
dye
O
House
of
Israel
?
God
he
professeth
that
he
hath
no
pleasure
in
the
death
of
a
Sinner
.
And
if
it
be
Objected
as
it
is
in
the
1.
of
Proverbs
,
and
the
26.
Verse
,
I
will
laugh
at
their
Calamity
,
I
will
mock
when
their
fear
cometh
,
I
answer
,
the
Death
of
a
Sinner
may
be
considered
two
ways
,
as
it
is
an
Act
of
Justice
to
punish
a
wilfull
breach
of
the
Law
,
and
then
he
doth
delight
in
the
Death
of
a
Sinner
,
but
otherwise
he
doth
not
delight
in
the
Sinners
destruction
.
4.
It
appeareth
that
God
is
merciful
,
because
he
oftentimes
suffers
other
Attributes
to
be
at
a
loss
when
he
shews
mercy
,
namely
his
Justice
and
Faithfulness
.
First
in
his
Justice
,
it
doth
often
darken
that
in
pardoning
wilful
sinners
;
Wicked
men
are
apt
to
think
that
God
doth
not
take
notice
of
their
evil
ways
,
therefore
they
confidently
walk
on
in
vain
courses
,
and
because
God
is
slow
in
Punishing
,
therefore
they
are
bold
in
Sinning
.
Secondly
,
God
oftentimes
seems
to
forget
his
faithfulness
,
by
shewing
mercy
,
3.
Jonas
4.
there
Jonas
is
sent
with
this
Message
,
Yet
forty
days
and
Nineve
shall
be
destroyed
,
but
take
notice
,
they
believed
the
words
of
the
Prophet
,
and
accordingly
proclaimed
a
solemn
Fast
,
and
they
humbled
themselves
greatly
before
the
Lord
;
but
what
follows
?
God
gave
a
Commission
to
the
Angel
to
put
up
his
Sword
,
and
so
they
were
delivered
from
ensuing
dangers
.
God
had
sent
a
threatning
message
to
King
Ahab
by
his
Prophet
,
but
because
he
humbled
himself
,
God
repented
of
the
evil
he
thought
to
bring
upon
him
.
So
in
the
18.
of
Jerem
.
the
7
and
8
Verses
,
At
what
instant
I
shall
speak
concernning
a
Nation
,
and
concerning
a
Kingdom
,
to
pluk
up
,
and
to
put
down
,
and
to
destroy
it
;
if
that
Nation
against
whom
I
have
pronounced
,
turn
from
their
evil
,
I
will
repent
of
the
evil
that
I
thought
to
do
unto
them
.
And
because
this
place
of
Scripture
is
so
excellent
to
the
purpofe
,
I
shall
crave
a
little
time
to
insist
on
it
.
First
,
There
are
special
times
wherein
God
will
punish
sinners
,
for
those
Iniquities
that
are
committed
amongst
them
.
Secondly
,
The
time
will
come
wherein
God
is
resolved
to
punish
a
people
,
but
yet
he
will
not
strike
,
till
first
he
speaks
and
gives
a
timely
warning
,
at
what
instant
I
shall
speak
concerning
a
Nation
,
to
pluck
up
,
and
destroy
.
And
,
Thirdly
it
is
observable
,
That
when
a
people
turns
from
their
evil
ways
,
and
repent
of
their
evil
doings
,
whereby
they
have
provoked
God
to
anger
,
he
will
repent
him
of
the
evil
he
thought
to
do
to
them
.
But
it
may
be
objected
,
Doth
God
alter
his
Decrees
?
there
is
no
such
matter
;
You
may
see
in
the
6.
of
Zacharie
,
and
the
1.
Verse
,
there
the
Prophet
sees
four
Chariots
coming
forth
from
between
the
two
Mountains
of
Brass
;
the
four
Chariots
signifie
Angels
sent
forth
into
the
world
,
to
shew
unto
men
several
dispensations
of
God
;
and
the
two
Mountains
of
Brass
,
do
signifie
the
firmness
and
stability
of
Gods
Decrees
;
the
Decrees
of
God
are
unchangeable
;
Men
often
repent
of
their
actions
,
because
of
some
inconveniency
that
is
in
them
,
but
now
God
,
by
vertue
of
his
Omnisciency
,
having
a
full
sight
of
all
things
that
shall
come
to
pass
,
he
cannot
repent
,
so
as
to
condemn
his
own
righteous
counsels
,
and
therefore
you
have
it
in
the
23.
of
Numbers
,
and
the
19.
Verse
,
God
is
not
a
man
,
that
he
should
lye
,
nor
the
Son
of
man
,
that
he
should
repent
:
hath
he
said
,
and
shall
he
not
do
it
?
or
he
spoken
,
and
shall
he
not
make
it
good
?
God
is
infinitely
wise
in
all
his
determinations
,
and
it
were
blasphemy
to
think
that
God
will
disapprove
that
which
he
hath
decreed
originally
.
God
is
said
to
repent
in
Scripture
in
his
Attributes
,
and
seeming
to
imitate
mens
actions
he
is
said
to
repent
,
but
the
Acts
of
God
they
are
eminent
Acts
of
God
,
they
stand
like
the
Laws
of
the
Medes
and
Persians
,
that
alter
not
:
God
sometimes
willeth
indeed
a
Change
,
but
never
changes
his
Will
,
and
to
this
purpose
saith
St.
Bernard
,
God
doth
sometimes
change
a
Sentence
he
hath
pronounced
,
but
never
changes
the
Counsel
he
hath
decreed
.
And
thus
much
for
the
fourth
particular
,
God
doth
often
shew
mercy
to
the
seeming
loss
of
his
Justice
and
Faithfulness
.
5.
It
appears
that
God
is
merciful
,
because
he
invites
sinners
to
accept
of
Life
and
Happiness
,
as
it
is
in
the
11.
of
St
Matth
.
and
the
28
Verse
,
Come
unto
me
all
ye
that
labour
,
and
are
heavy
laden
,
and
I
will
give
you
rest
;
and
in
the
55.
of
Esay
,
and
1.
Verse
,
Ho
,
every
one
that
thirsteth
,
come
ye
to
the
waters
,
and
he
that
hath
no
money
:
come
ye
,
buy
and
eat
,
yea
,
come
,
buy
Wine
and
Milk
without
money
,
and
without
price
.
And
oh
that
sinners
would
but
take
notice
of
the
bowels
of
Christ
,
that
are
yearning
towards
them
!
how
often
,
through
the
foolish
obstinacy
of
a
perverse
heart
,
have
you
refused
the
offers
of
Grace
,
Life
,
and
Salvation
!
and
yet
behold
a
door
of
mercy
is
set
open
,
and
you
are
solemnly
invited
to
enter
in
;
if
God
were
not
merciful
,
he
would
not
knock
at
the
doors
of
sinners
hearts
so
as
he
doth
.
6.
He
doth
not
only
give
Invitations
to
sinners
,
but
he
doth
exercise
a
great
deal
of
patience
and
forbearance
towards
them
,
he
patiently
waits
upon
them
during
the
time
of
their
Impenitency
,
and
yet
bears
the
wrong
that
is
done
to
him
.
If
a
man
had
the
meekness
of
all
the
Angels
in
Heaven
,
and
all
the
Saints
on
Earth
,
and
did
sit
in
Gods
place
but
for
one
hour
,
he
would
soon
turn
the
world
to
ruine
and
desolation
,
as
St.
Cyprian
speaks
.
The
patience
of
God
is
greatly
to
be
wondred
at
,
if
we
consider
that
God
is
acquainted
with
all
the
sins
of
all
men
in
the
world
,
his
patience
doth
not
proceed
out
of
Ignorance
,
he
knoweth
the
hearts
of
all
his
Creatures
,
and
takes
notice
of
their
wicked
actions
,
there
is
nothing
hid
from
him
,
he
knows
the
secrets
of
all
hearts
;
and
further
,
he
doth
not
only
know
the
wickedness
that
is
in
the
world
,
but
he
hates
it
,
and
he
hath
power
enough
to
revenge
it
;
't
is
not
for
want
of
power
,
that
he
doth
exercise
so
much
patience
.
And
thus
much
for
the
demonstration
of
the
Point
,
I
shall
only
make
some
Uses
,
and
so
conclude
.
Use
1.
Is
to
the
people
of
God
,
Oh
be
perswaded
,
and
prevailed
with
,
by
the
riches
of
mercy
that
are
in
God
.
There
are
divers
.
Seasons
of
Mercy
.
1.
There
is
Preventing
mercy
.
God
finds
his
people
in
a
state
of
Nature
with
other
men
,
he
finds
them
Children
of
Wrath
,
and
he
makes
them
Vessels
of
Honour
,
He
comes
to
them
when
they
are
not
able
to
Pitty
themselves
.
That
is
Preventing
mercy
;
and
then
there
is
2.
Pardoning
mercy
.
God
is
willing
to
pass
by
the
Iniquities
of
his
People
;
though
they
have
been
full
of
reproachings
and
backslidings
against
him
,
yet
he
is
willing
to
take
and
receive
them
again
;
God
doth
so
forgive
,
as
that
they
shall
be
fully
delivered
from
Condemnation
.
All
the
Afflictions
that
do
befall
the
Children
of
God
in
this
life
,
are
not
in
regard
of
the
satisfaction
of
Gods
Justice
,
but
to
Purify
them
,
as
he
is
pure
.
Thirdly
,
There
is
Directing
mercy
in
God
.
He
will
not
let
his
People
to
take
a
step
in
the
dark
;
he
will
be
to
them
a
Piller
of
fire
,
leading
them
in
the
wilderness
of
this
World
.
4.
There
is
Providing
mercy
in
God
.
He
will
certainly
provide
for
his
own
Children
,
he
will
give
them
such
a
portion
of
Outward
things
,
as
he
knows
to
be
most
needful
for
them
;
he
will
give
them
what
they
want
,
though
not
always
what
they
wish
;
rather
than
Gods
Children
shall
want
,
he
will
cause
Water
to
come
out
of
the
stony
Rocks
,
and
the
Clouds
to
rain
down
Bread
in
the
Wilderness
,
and
will
not
fail
to
give
them
a
seasonable
Supply
in
all
times
of
their
need
.
5.
There
is
Protecting
mercy
in
God
.
He
leads
them
to
their
Chambers
of
Preservation
,
in
the
midst
of
Ruine
and
Desolation
.
6.
There
is
Crowning
mercy
in
God
.
Oh
often
meditate
upon
that
.
He
will
put
a
Crown
of
never-fading
Blessedness
on
his
Childrens
heads
,
they
shall
have
an
exceeding
,
surpassing
,
eternal
weight
of
Glory
;
they
shall
have
a
Sea
of
Honey
,
for
every
Crum
of
Gaul
.
How
happy
will
it
be
for
them
,
when
they
shall
be
laid
up
in
the
sure
imbracing
arms
of
Jesus
Christ
,
when
they
shall
never
have
sin
in
their
souls
,
nor
sin
in
their
presence
.
2.
Observe
the
Malignant
nature
of
Sin
,
that
can
cause
Wrath
in
the
bosome
of
a
Merciful
God
.
Were
it
not
for
Sin
,
God
would
be
continually
smiling
upon
his
Creatures
.
Certainly
never
an
Arrow
that
is
shot
against
us
in
a
way
of
Suffering
,
but
we
have
shot
it
up
in
a
way
of
Sinning
.
Labour
therefore
to
receive
those
Mercies
from
God
,
which
may
draw
your
hearts
nearer
to
God
.
God
is
most
liberal
in
bestowing
great
mercies
,
that
with
earnestness
of
soul
we
shall
beg
of
him
;
As
for
mercies
of
the
left
hand
,
they
are
mercies
that
the
best
of
Gods
Children
may
want
,
and
the
worst
of
sinners
may
have
;
therefore
take
heed
of
murmuring
;
God
is
merciful
,
therefore
we
are
not
to
murmure
at
his
Docrees
;
God
is
not
to
give
an
account
of
any
of
his
Actions
to
his
Creatures
.
I
remember
that
of
Austin
,
As
none
can
lawfully
comprehend
,
so
none
can
justly
reprehend
the
Justice
of
God
.
2.
Do
not
murmure
at
the
Laws
of
God
.
Men
are
subject
to
think
that
Gods
Laws
are
too
strict
and
precise
,
or
too
narrow
,
they
would
have
it
a
broader
way
:
but
remember
,
that
the
Laws
that
we
are
bound
to
make
our
rule
to
walk
by
,
are
the
Laws
of
a
merciful
God
,
and
there
is
none
of
them
but
it
is
for
the
Glory
of
the
Creator
,
and
God
of
the
Creature
to
keep
.
3.
Do
not
murmur
at
the
Providence
of
God
.
Faith
and
Patience
,
Humility
and
Heavenly
mindedness
,
these
are
most
sweet
in
time
of
Affliction
;
and
though
God
be
exceeding
merciful
,
yet
we
must
take
heed
that
we
abuse
not
this
Mercy
,
as
Tertullian
speaks
,
Mercy
improved
will
open
the
surest
,
so
Mercy
abused
will
pull
down
the
sorest
Judgement
;
the
Mercy
of
God
,
if
we
lay
hold
of
it
by
Faith
and
Repentance
,
it
will
appear
our
sweetest
Friend
,
but
if
we
neglect
it
,
it
will
become
our
greatest
Enemy
;
if
Mercy
be
thy
Accuser
at
the
Last
Day
,
who
wilt
thou
have
an
Advocate
for
thee
?
That
Fury
that
doth
arise
from
Abused
Mercy
it
is
dreadful
and
intollerable
,
that
Mercy
thou
neglectest
now
in
the
time
of
thy
health
,
if
thou
shalt
continue
therein
;
none
shall
be
more
dreadfully
tormented
in
Hell
than
they
that
have
trifled
away
the
choicest
opportunity
of
Mercy
.
Oh
,
seeing
God
doth
lead
thee
with
Cords
of
Love
,
let
Mercy
prevail
with
thee
to
return
unto
the
Lord
,
for
if
the
White
Flag
be
drawn
in
,
the
Bloody
Flag
will
be
set
up
,
and
if
the
Spirit
of
Grace
be
neglected
,
it
will
turn
to
a
Rod
of
Iron
at
last
,
and
break
thee
in
pleces
like
a
Potters
Vessel
.
And
so
much
shall
serve
for
this
time
.
FINIS
.