[ 1594] The exceeding love of God to Mankind admirable.
IT is reported of a certain Merchant in London, that he made much of a poor Cobler that dwelt near him, and did as good as maintain him, though he were a Papist in the matter of his Religion, yet this unthankfull Fellow went about to betray him to death; but the Merchant having escaped his hands, meerly out of love to his Soul, used all means to be Friends with him again, and invited him to his house: All this would not do, his heart was so embitter∣ed, that he would shun the way of him, and not so much as look at him; It fell out so at length,* 1.1 that he met him in such a narrow lane, that he could not balk him, but must needs talk with him, The good Merchant takes him to him, tells him he was glad he had met with him, and wondred that he was grown so strange! What, said he, do you think me your Enemy? If I were, Could I not crush you with a word speaking? Alas, I am not offended with you, if you be not with me, and, for all your treachery against me will forgive and forget it; These kind words were no sooner spoken, but the Cobler melted into tears, and falling down upon his knees, confessed his villany, and repenting of it, told him; This love of yours shall bind me to you for ever, to serve you in all that I may or possibly can: This Popish Cobler is the heart of every child of Adam, this Royall Merchant is the great God of Heaven,* 1.2 this narrow lane is the streight of Conscience beset with sins and curles, this kind behaviour is the tender of Grace; Let us not then be worse to our poor Souls then the Cobler was to his, but break our hearts by Repentance, and sorrow for our sins, that ever we should offend so good a God, so gratious and loving a Master, and with Saul to David, say; Where shall a Man find such love, as to spare his Enemy when he had him in his hand, and to be content to cut off onely a lap of his garment, to correct him here in this World with some temporary Iudgment, when he might have cut his throat, and cast him into Hell-torments for evermore.