The cynosura, or, A saving star that leads to eternity discovered amidst the celestial orbs of David's Psalms, by way of paraphrase upon the Miserere.

The Application.

Let every one examine his life from the time he had the use of reason, and I am confident he will find many tyes of obli∣gation to this great mercy; nay amongst the mass of Christians, I believe there is none but ranks himself a favourite in order to his largesses of mercy: For his love is constant, and knowes no change, this great and good God hath persisted for an infinity of time in the perpetual resolution of gratifying us with his gifts, his enflam∣ed heart hath entertained a continual soli∣citude without any truce for our good. Witness the Prophet Jeremy who sayes that God hath loved us with an everlasting Charity: His love is eternal, having alwayes de∣creed to enrich us with his favours; St. Paul proclaims it, that he hath loved us before the World was framed. It is disinteressed, without any advantage to himself or hope of re∣turn on our parts: No other motive than the superabundance of his goodness; like a fountain which runs over, his natural good∣ness throwes blessings on all Creatures. Plutarch speaking of love, sayes, it takes any

occasion be it never so slight, to oblige the beloved; he wants no baits, nor snares, carrying about him the matter of his own bondage: So God's love ne∣ver takes leave of a Sinner; nay where Man's impiety extorts as it were from him the darts of his Justice, he seems presently to relent, and promises (as he did after the Deluge) to do so no more; so that his love being eternal, unchangeable, and devest∣ed of all self ends, what can we ask of God that issues not from his mercy, wherefore let us with holy David cry have mercy on us O God, according to the multitude of thy mercies.

Amen.