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* 1.11. IF unreasonable Creatures doe shew mercy to their young ones, it condemneth the cruelty of those Harlots that make away their young children, or lay them in the streete, and leave them; they adde to their filthinesse cruelty, and are to be, ranked among those vile sinners, Rom. 1.31. that are without naturall affections. Also the Storke and* 1.2 Hart shew mercy to their old
Dammes and Sires, condemning churlish children, which are cruell to their old Parents.
From the wicked:
2. If the mercies of the wicked be cruell, then never trust to their mercy, for there is no assurance thereof: pray to God that we fall not into their hands. Zede∣kia's eyes were pulled out, so were Sampsons: they rip up women with child, they burne and destroy where they get the upper hand.
3. We may ghesse at a sound professor by his mercy; many have great blazes, but no mercies: pride, and pompe, and belly-cheere, and vanity takes up their hearts and purses: they are much for curiosity, but little for mercy: but a good man is mercifull. Psal. 37.
1. He considers the poore and needy; he judges wise∣ly of their estates. Psal. 41.1.
2. He hath thoughts to doe them good, hee devises how to be liberall. Isaiah 32.
3. He considers his owne ability. Acts 11.29.
4. He considers his brothers necessity. Rom. 12.
5. Hee lookes to his relation; beginning at his center, and working toward his circumference: as first,* 1.3 the houshold of faith. Gal. 6.13. Secondly, our families. 1. Tim. 5.8. Thirdly, our Country-men. Psalme 122.8. Fourthly, the stranger: we must do good to all, using di∣scretion in our doing good. Psal. 112.
[Vse 5] Fifthly, is God mercifull? this should teach us:
1. To praise God for his mercy. Psal. 136.1. a∣bove all mercies for our redemption: this mercy was promised, Luke 1.72. and in tender mercy performed. Luk. 1.78. by this mercy we that were blinde and igno∣rant are holpen by Christ, who is our wisedome: we that were guilty are justified by him he is our righteousnesse: we that were polluted, have him for our holinesse, we that were captives have him for redemption. 1 Cor 1.30.
2. We should imitate God by being mercifull, Luk.
6.36. the more mercy, the more like God.
3. We are to be humble, because wee need mercy; for we are poore, and neede mercy. Rev. 3.17. wee are transgressors and neede mercy. Isaiah 48.8.
4. We should labour for those qualifications, that we may be under the promises of mercy, and be assured of mercy. As these following.
1. To confesse our sinnes, and forsake them. Prover. 28.13.
2. To feare God: his mercy is on them that feare him. Luke 1.50.
3. To love God: hee shewes mercy to them that love him Exod. 20.6.
4. To trust in God, then mercy shall compasse us, Psal. 32.10.
5. To thinke on good things, then wee shall have mercy. Prov. 14.22.
6. To be mercifull, then we shall obtaine mercy. Matth. 5.7.
7. To keepe close to the rule of Gods word. Galat. 6.16.
From the un∣reasonable creatures.
The young Hart carries water in the mouth to give the old one, D Bartas saith.
Among them.