Gods free mercy to England presented as a precious and powerful motive to humiliationGods free mercy to England presented as a pretious and powerfull motive to humiliation

1. The greater the person is we sin against, the greater the sin; as to offer an affront to a King, is a greater offence than to injure a common Gentleman.

2. The better the person is against whom we sin, and the more good we expect from him, or have received from him, or the more need we have of him, the greater is the offence to offer wrong unto him. Now mercy is the greatest and chiefest of Gods attributes. In themselves Gods attributes are all equal, but in regard of our necessities, as oil swims above all other liquors, as the Eagle is the chief of birds, the Lion of beasts, gold of metals, so mercy is the chief of all Gods attributes, and therefore to sin with mercy must needs be a horrible sin. Mercy is an attribute that we all stand in need of; the best of men need mercy as well as the worst of men. Mercy it is the best friend we bave, & indeed the only friend in Gods bosom to plead for us, it is the only Orator, and Ambassador to intercede ⟨p. 31⟩for us, it is the only fiery chariot to carry us up to heaven. When Justice pleads against us at Gods bar, we have no refuge but to his Mercy-seat. And therefore to abuse so dear a friend as mercy, and so great a friend as mercy, and such a precious friend, and such a necessary friend, must needs make us ashamed, if not past shame, and must needs provoke God to anger, though he be full of mercy; especially if we consider the superlative mercies that God hath bestowed upon England; for this is another rule in Divinity: The more elevated, and the mo•e distinguishing any mercy is, the greater the sin, to abuse it to sin. Corruptio optimi pessima, the best things abused, prove the worst sins.

2. The better the person is against whom we sin, and the more good we expect from him, or have received from him, or the more need we have of him, the greater is the offence to offer wrong unto him. Now mercy is the greatest and chiefest of Gods attributes. In themselves Gods attributes are all equall, but in regard of our necessities, as oyle swims above all other liquors, as the Eagle is the chiefe of birds, the Lion of beasts, gold of metals, so mercy is the chiefe of all Gods attributes, and therefore to sin with mercy must needs be a horrible sin. Mercy is an attribute that we al stand in need of; the best of men need mercy as well as the worst of men. Mercy it is the best friend we bave, & indeed the only friend in Gods bosome to plead for us, it is the only Orator, and Embassador to intercede