actions in themselves, do even for the present fill their hearts with
joy, who rightly perform them. But much more do they fill our hearts
with joy, as they are evident signes to assure us, that we are indued
with Gods saving graces, and as they do, being fruits of a lively faith, as∣certaine
us of our future reward, and the fruition of Gods presence, where
there is fulnesse of joy for ever more. Yea the godly man, gives with more
joy and thankfulness of heart, then the other receives the same, as e∣nough
can hear me witness; Yea Seneca an Heathen can testifie the
same: for he defines a benefit, to be an action proceeding from love,
yeilding joy both to him that receiveth it, and much more to him that
yeildeth it.
Sixteenthly, The inward habit of goodness and mercy in our hearts,
exercised in the outward actions of liberality & bounty by our hands,
makes us to resemble God himself; and that in such an attribute, as
he delightetls above all others to stile himself withall. For howso∣ever
he is infinite in glory, power, and all perfections: yet most usu∣ally
in the Scriptures, he is called a God of mercy and compossion, and
hereby principally, he maketh himself known unto Moses, desiring to see
him, Exod. 34. 6. Nor can we in any thing resemble God more, then
in this grace: and therefore it is our Saviours exhortation, that we be
mercifull, as our heavenly Father is mercifull, Luke 6. 36. Now God
gives to all richly to injoy, 1 Tim. 6. 17. Yea, blessed be God, saies the
Church, that daily ladeth us with benefits, that crowneth us with loving
kindness, and compasseth us about with new songs of deliverance, Psalm 103.
and 36
Therefore seeing mercy and goodness do make us above all other
graces to resemble God, and then the creature 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to greatest per∣fection
and blessednesse, when he is the likest, and cometh nearest un∣to
to the excellency of the Creator. And seeing we professe our selves to
be children of our gracious and glorious God: and we can no way grace
our selves so much, as by resembling our heavenly Father, in those
attributes wherein he most shineth and excelleth: and nothing
maketh us more like him, then mercy and compassion: let us hearken
unto our Saviours injunction, and imitate our Father in being beutifull
as he is. These are some of the spiritual blessings and benefits
which God hath promised for reward to the mercifull in this life: it
would take up too much time to mention the many more that might
be added; therefore I will leave them, and so procced to those that are
eternall, & concern the life to come, which I would have you especially
mind: yea if it be possible, pluck up all your senses into your ••ars, that
you may the more mind, and better remember; for it is enough to
ravish any Christian soul, and to make him to stretch his estate upon the
tenters, that he may be the more liberall, in relieving Christs poore mem∣bers;
for the greater the liberality, the greater the recompence of reward,
Phil. 4. 17. 18.