Secondly, for instruction; and so this doctrine should work in us a great impression of desire to show forth the fruits of mercy with all tenderness and sincerity: and to this end we should show, that we desire in practise to obey this doctrine as near as we can; I say, we should show it, by accepting the exhortations of others that move us for any works of this kind. 2. Cor. 8.17. especially we should strive to answer the expectation of our Teachers herein, & willingly give our selves first to the Lord, & then to them; suffering them to direct our works herein with all readiness,1 2. Cor. 8.5.24. and to this end we should use all good means to stir up our selves to good works of this kind all our days: and therefore we should plough up the fallow ground of our hearts, by prayer and confession of our natural barrenness herein, and indisposition, Hosea 10.12. and withal, think much of all the motives might stir us up hereunto: And so we should think of the matchless pattern of Gods mercy, and in particular of his mercy to us, Mat. 5. Luk. 6. as also of the worth of mercy; it is better than sacrifice, Mat. 9.13. and of the original of it; God is the father of mercies, 2. Cor. 1.3. and of the use of it; it proves us to be the true brethren, and true neighbours, Luke 10.37. and of the great profit of it; for they that are merciful shall obtain mercy, Mat. 5.7. and to give to the poor is but to lend to the Lord: and so there is no usury can be so gainful, as this of laying out of our estates for the relief of the poor. Thus of the right bowels of mercy.
Secondly, for instruction; and so this doctrine should worke in us a great impression of desire to shew forth the fruits of mercie with all tendernesse and sinceritie: and to this end wee should shew, that wee desire in practise to obey this doctrine as neere as we can; I say, we should shew it, by accepting the exhortations of others that move us for anie workes of this kinde. 2. Cor. 8.17. especially we should strive to answer the expectation of our Teachers herein, & willingly give our selves first to the Lord, & then to them; suffering them to direct our workes herein with all readinesse,1 2. Cor. 8.5.24. and to this end we should use all good meanes to stir up our selves to good workes of this kinde all our daies: and therefore we should plow up the fallow ground of our hearts, by praier and confession of our naturall barrennesse herein, and indisposition, Hosea 10.12. and withall, thinke much of all the motives might stirre us up hereunto: And so wee should thinke of the matchlesse patterne of Gods mercy, and in particular of his mercy to us, Mat. 5. Luk. 6. as also of the worth of mercy; it is bettter than sacrifice, Mat. 9.13. and of the originall of it; God is the father of mercies, 2. Cor. 1.3. and of the use of it; it prooves us to be the true brethren, and true neighbours, Luke 10.37. and of the great profit of it; for they that are mercifull shall obtaine mercy, Mat. 5.7. and to give to the poore is but to lend to the Lord: and so there is no usury can be so gainful, as this of laying out of our estates for the reliefe of the poore. Thus of the right bowells of mercie.
- 1Motives to be pitiful.Motives to bee pittifull.
