A brief commentary upon the CIII Psalme with the severall axiomes or doctrines therein conteined [sic], and uses thereupon inferred.

Uses.

Seeing this Attribute belongs to our use especially in the exercise of it (whereof Da∣vid speaks afterwards) I shall therefore here be the briefer.

For our Instruction. 1 If God be mer∣cifull to sinners repenting, then certainly much more is He tenderly affected towards them, who having already repented of their sinnes, and mortified the works of the flesh by the Spirit of Christ (into Whom they are engraffed by faith) serve Him diligently in holinesse and righteousnesse, and bring forth plentifull fruit, whereby He is glorified.

2 We see how it comes to passe, that sinne doth not presently damne, but that there is hope in Israel notwithstanding sinne. If Gods punishing justice should strictly take place, there could be no hope. But God is mercifull, and out of His mercy ac∣cording to the prescript of His wisdome He so remits of His justice, that there remains certain hope of salvation to all that repent, though worse then Manasseh, the Jewes, Act. 2. (who notwithstanding Christs inno∣cency, the excellency of His doctrine, fre∣quency greatnesse and goodnesse of His miracles, crucified Him) &c.

3 We see also the true cause of damnati∣on. It is not want of mercy in God to deli∣ver men, and so to save them: but they are wanting to themselves in that they will not walk in the waies to which God in his wis∣dome hath annexed and restrained His shew∣ing mercy, lest His justice should be con∣temned.

This reproves 1 Such as do not carry them∣selves as becomes this mercy of God; viz. either

• despairing
• presuming

of it.

Despaire as it is in it self a great sinne, so it is also to man very dangerous. It is great in it self, as being (which many other sinnes 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

which he could not hinder) may be of a harsh disposition, which can never in this life be quite remoyed, yet by the powerfull grace of God it may be so farre rectified, that a man shall have a mercifull heart, and in the generall course of his life exercise it, though he can not so expresse it in speech and counte∣nance as others can. But he that gives way to such a disposition, without grieving for it, and labouring to mortifie it, is not like our heavenly Father. For He is mercifull; and so must we be, if we will be His children, Lu. 6.36. Much lesse are they like Him, who contrary to their naturall inclination draw upon themselves a habit of cruelty by fre∣quent acts out of self-love, pride &c.

Here is also Comfort 1 for them, who groan under the burden of their sinnes. See ver. 3. Doct. 2. Consol.

1 Against the cruelty of men. If they re∣fuse to pardon us, when we have offended them (though we duly crave pardon of them) or if they punish us altogether undeserved∣ly, not for any offense or fault of ours, and that beyond all moderation, without all mer∣cy; and if others also have no compassion of us being so used: yet let this comfort us, that there is mercy with God. And as the mercy of men can not procure our salvation,

so neither can their cruelty hinder it, God be∣ing mercifull unto us.

Let this also exhort us 1 To labour that we may be partakers of this mercy.

Motiv. 1 Otherwise we are undone for ever. 2 If we truly seek it, we shall not seek it in vain. 3 This is able to relieve all our miseries &c.

Meanes, Repentance.

2 To be mercifull toward others. This be∣longs chiefly to the exercise of mercy: Yet something may be said briefly of the inward affection.

Motiv. 1 The externall acts of pardoning them that have injured us, relieving them that are in misery &c if the heart be void of mercy, are not acts of mercy, but of some other principle, what ever it be, from whence they proceed, perhaps of vain-glory, cow∣ardlinesse &c and therefore shall not onely faile of the reward promised to the mercifull, but be punished as hypocriticall at least, if not otherwise sinfull. 2 If we have the in∣ward affection, though for want of power or opportunity we can not exercise the out∣ward act, God will in this case accept and reward the will for the deed.

Meanes. 1 Seeing Christ is full of grace, of Whose fulnesse we all receive grace for

grace; it is necessary that being taken out of the wild olive we be graffed into Him the true olive tree. 2 Seeing Christ communi∣cates by His Spirit, Which is therefore cal∣led the Spirit of grace; let us labour to be endued with it. 3 By the grace of His Spi∣rit exercise mercy, that by frequent acts the habit may be gotten and confirmed.

3 To give unto God the glory of His mercy.

Motiv. 1 God, working all things for Himself, hath revealed this, as all the rest of His Attributes to us in His word and works, that we may glorifie Him. 2 Holy men in Scripture every where shew us example: David especially in this book of Psalmes. 3 It is most just: seeing the mercy of God is the fountain of all the good we have or hope for. That eternall glory and happinesse is prepared for us, that Christ was sent to me∣rit and procure it, the Spirit to apply it, the word and other ordinances, which the Spirit useth to this end &c. is all the work of mercy.

Meanes. 1 Meditate of the excellency of Gods mercy, as it is described in the word. 2 Observe the sweet operations thereof in thy self and others.

Notes

• Instr.
• Repr.
• Consol.
• Exhort.