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Furthermore; the mercy of the Lorde our God, is (as S. Chrisostome saith) both generall, and speciall. It is generall, in sup∣plying the present wants, both of the iust and vniust. It is speciall, in succouring the iust onely.
It is likewise temporary, (saith he) in spa∣ring the wicked for a time: and it is euerla∣sting,
concerning the euerlasting saluation of the godly; not only in choosing, but al∣so in regenerating, in iustifying, and in glo∣rifying them.
Also; King Salomon, as we reade in his booke of Wisedome, after some mention made of Gods almighty power, vttereth these speeches following in praise of his loue and mercie, saying; Thou (ô Lord) hast mercy vppon all, for thou hast power ouer all, and makest as though thou sawest not the sinnes of men, because they should amend. For, thou louest all the things that are, and hatest none of them whō thou hast made: For, thou vvouldest haue created nothing that thou hadst hated. And, how might any thing endure, vnlesse it were thy will? or, howe coulde any thing be preser∣ued, except it were called of thee? But thou sparest all, for they are thine, ô Lord, which art the louer of soules. And * for that thou art Lorde of all thinges, it causeth thee to spare all things.
And, not much vnlike to this saying of Salomon, is the confession of Esdras vnto the Angell, which was sent to instruct him, where hee saith; I knovve (Lord) that the most High is called mercifull, in that hee
hath mercy vppon them which are not yet come into the world. And, that he hath pit∣tie on those that walke in his Lawe. And, that hee is patient: for hee long suffereth those that haue sinned, as his creatures.
And, that hee is liberall, for hee will giue as much as needeth. And, that he is of great mercy; for hee ouercōmeth in mercy, those that are present, those that are past, & them that are to come. For, if hee were not a∣boundant in his mercies, the world coulde not continue▪ nor they that haue the pos∣session thereof.
He pardoneth also; for if he gaue not of his goodnesse, that they which haue doone euill, might be releeued from their wicked∣nesse, the ten thousand part of men should not remaine aliue.
And, if hee beeing Iudge, forgaue not those that be healed with his word, & tooke away the multitude of their sinnes, there should be very fewe people left, among an innumerable multitude.
Chrisostome
Wisd. 11. 20 21, 22, 23.
Wisd, 12, 16
2, Esdr. 7. 62 63, 64. &c.
2, Esdras, 7. 68, 69, 70.