A systeme or body of divinity consisting of ten books : wherein the fundamentals and main grounds of religion are opened, the contrary errours refuted, most of the controversies between us, the papists, Arminians, and Socinians discussed and handled, several Scriptures explained and vindicated from corrupt glosses : a work seasonable for these times, wherein so many articles of our faith are questioned, and so many gross errours daily published / by Edward Leigh.

Quest. Whether mercy and justice be equal in God, and how can he be most just and most merciful?

Answ. Mercy and Justice may be considered ad intra, as they are essential pro∣perties in God, and so he is equally just as well as merciful. 2. Ad extra, as he puts himself forth into the outward exercise of mercy and punishment. In this latter sense, we must distinguish between this present time, where mercy triumphs against judgement, Iames 2. 13. and the day of judgement, that is a time of justice and retribution to the wicked; and so David speaking of this present time, saith, All thy ways are mercy and truth, Psalm 25. and that of the Schools is true, Re∣munerat ultra condignum, punit infra.

Gods justice and mercy are both infinite and equal in him, * 1.1 onely in regard of man there is an inequality: For God may be said to be more merciful unto them that are saved, then just to them that are damned; for the just cause of damnation is in man, but of salvation is wholly from God. In himself and originally they are both equal, and so are all his attributes; but in respect of the exercise and ex∣pression upon his creatures and abroad in the world, there is some difference. Mr. Bolton on Prov. 18. 14. Justice seeks a fit object, Mercy onely a fit occasion; Ju∣stice looks on those which deserve, Mercy onely on those which need.

1. We should believe this point, labor to be fully perswaded in our hearts that Gods mercies are great and many; he hath preventing mercies; how many sins hath he preserved thee from? 2. Sparing mercies▪* Lam. 3. 22▪ behold Gods se∣verity* 1.2 towards others, and mercy toward thee. 3. Renewing mercies. 4. Par∣doning mercies. He is willing and ready to help us out of misery; therefore we should praise him for this attribute: How excellent and desirable a thing is mer∣cy? therefore give him the glory of his mercy.

2. It is full of comfort to a childe of God, he need not be dismayed with any thing, not his imperfections, since the devil himself cannot hurt him; for God is more merciful to help him, then the devil can be malicious to hurt him.

3. We should be encouraged to seek to him for mercy, seeing there is so great store of it in him. There is an infinitenesse of mercy in God, so that whatever* 1.3 my sins have been, if now I will turn, he will accept me; if I strive to turn he will enable me; therefore I will now run to him * 1.4 for mercy, I will fall down before the throne of justice, and confesse I have deserved wrath, and nothing but wrath, but will cry to him for mercy.

The great motive to draw sinners to repentance, is Gods mercy, Isa. 55. 7. Acts 2. 38, 39.

This will 1. Keep men from despair, Psal. 130. 4▪ and carnal confidence, Isa. 55. 1. 1 Cor, 1. 29.

2. It lays the greatest obligation on men, Tit. 2. 11. and gives the clearest satis∣faction, Rom. 4. 16.

3. It is the great aim of the Scripture to draw men by mercy, Exod. 34. 6. Neh. 9. 17. Luke 15. 20. Isa 65. 20. Ier. 31. 20.

4. It is the aim of providence, and all Gods dispensations, Psal. 145 9.

4. Those that have and do seek, should give him the glory of his mercy, and take comfort themselves in the confident hope of finding mercy. Praise him for* 1.5 his mercy to others, and he will give thee some comfortable hope of finding it thy self.

5. We should be merciful like God, to our selves and brethren, their souls and bodies, imitate his mercy, be you merciful to the afflicted and distressed, shew* 1.6 mercy freely and constantly, and then we shall obstain mercy, Mat. 5. 7.

6. We should labor to be qualified for mercy.

1. Confesse our sins, and forsake them, Prov. 28. 13.

2. Fear God, his mercy is on them that fear him, Luke 1. 50. Psal. 103, 11▪ 17, 18.

3. Love God, he shews mercy to them that love him, Exod. 20. 6.

4. Trust in God, then mercy shall compasse us, Psal. 32. 10.

5. Think on good things, then we shall have mercy, Prov. 14. 32.

6. Keep close to the rule of Gods word, Gal. 6. 6.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Etsi omnes homines Deus damnaret uno excepto, tamen adhuc major esset misreecordia quam judicium, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quia nullunt sit judi∣cii divini effe∣ctum nisi propter merita eorum qui damnantur: at miscricordia nullainvenit meritita. Chamier. tomo 3. lib. 7. ••▪ 8▪ Misericordia & Iustitia Dei ••••se & quatenus in Deo sunt, partes sunt▪ respectu effectorum & objectorum major est miscricordia. Wendelinus.
• * 1.2

  ••••l. 3. 17. God will spare his in all their weaknesses and services, spa∣ring mercy in some respects is as great as pardoning mercy.
• * 1.3

  Matth. 18. 30.
• * 1.4

  The Papists seek to the Virgin Mary, and other Saints, Maria mater gratiae, mater miscricordiae, Tu nos ab hoste protege & horâ mortis suscipe.
• * 1.5

  Psalm. 106. 3. Luke 1. 46, 60.
• * 1.6

  Luke 6. 36.