Uses.

Here then 1 we see there is in God infi∣nite mercy or loving-kindnes,* whereby men may be invited to fear Him.

2 Seeing the subject or object of this mercy is limited to a certaine qualification, we may learn that God is so mercifull that He also doth not neglect His justice whereby he hates sinne.

3 Seeing this qualification is the fear of God; we see to whom, and to whom onely this mercy belongs.

4 It appeares how naturally miserable the condition of men (even of them that fear God) is, to need such mercy; and how happy in obtaining it. The least degree of Gods mer∣cy shewed to such is excellent; because it proceeds from His second love, & is a pledge of greater following. But the greatnesse of it we have here illustrated by a comparison; not fully, but as the nature of the world will afford, wherein the greatest height is that Page  221of the heaven above the earth, that being the highest part of the world, this the lowest.

The limitation of Gods mercy to them that fear Him, reproves them, who,* though they fear Him not, yet presume of His mercy.

On the other side it affords singular comfort to them who truely fear Him.* Whatsoever good they lose, or whatsoever evil they suffer for this cause, it is all nothing to this Mercy. It comforts them also against the greatnesse of their former sinnes, if they now truely repent and fear God: For how great soever they were, they can not be so great as Gods mercy. Likewise against whatever calamities or af∣flictions they can suffer. For though they have not alwaies the sense of Gods mercy, He sometimes for a while hiding His face from them, either to try them (as in the hi∣story of Job) or to make them (before haply not sufficiently esteeming it) desire and seek it more earnestly being absent, and love and delight themselves in it the more being reco∣vered &c: yet it is most certaine, that Gods mercy is exceeding great towards them, and wil so appeare to them in due time.

Lastly this should exhort us 1 To feare God,* that we may be qualified to be par∣takers of His mercy.

Page  222 2 To imitate our heavenly Father, that as He is kind to all Psal. 145.9. Mat. 5.45. but more exceedingly to them that feare Him, so should we study to doe good unto all, but especially to them which are of the hous∣hold of faith, to them that feare God.