An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Thus much may suffice for the Doctrinal information about this truth: Let us ¹in the next place take notice, what is comprehended in this expression, Father of mercies. For this is a box of ointment to be opened and bestowed upon poor souls; and while this glory of God doth pass by, we can see but the back parts of it.

1. 1What is implied in Gods being called the Father of mercies.

First, When he is said to be the Father of mercies, this implieth, That he only giveth mercies, and receiveth none. So that as the father giveth being to the child, but receiveth nothing of the child: Thus God he is the Father of mercies, because he is absolutely sufficient in himself; he needeth nothing from any, because then there would be a superior to God. And this consideration may greatly aggravate the glorious Nature of God in being merciful, in that he himself is like the Sun giving light, but receiving none at all. We cannot say of Angels, they are the Fathers of mercies, because though they be ministering spirits to serve us. An Angel was sent to comfort Christ, yet they need mercy as well as we. The river needs the spring, but the spring is the last, and needeth not the river; and so Angels and men they need mercy every way, but God he needeth none, only he ⟨p. 142⟩is the giver of all, It being more blessed to give than to receive, even in this sense.

First, When he is said to be the Father of mercies, this implieth, That he only giveth mercies, and receiveth none. So that as the father giveth being to the child, but receiveth nothing of the child: Thus God he is the Father of mercies, because he is absolutely sufficient in himself; he needeth nothing from any, because then there would be a superiour to God. And this consideration may greatly aggravate the glorious Nature of God in being mercifull, in that he himself is like the Sun giving light, but receiving none at all. We cannot say of Angels, they are the Fathers of mercies, because though they be ministring spirits to serve us. An Angel was sent to comfort Christ, yet they need mercy as well as we. The river needs the spring, but the spring is the last, and needeth not the river; and so Angels and men they need mercy every way, but God he needeth none, only he