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

So when we consider how near we have been to destruction, and how often God hath spared us, when he might have destroyed us; let us lift up our voices and weep for our sins against such a God. Observe how Mephibosheth was affected with Davids mercy, in 2 Sam 9. David had cause to be revenged upon the house of Saul, but he freely showed kindness to Mephibosheth, restoring him all his fathers lands, and causing him to eat bread at his Table continually. And this Mercy did so melt his heart, that he cries out, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead Dog as I am? O let the contemplation of Gods love towards us, make us to loath our selves for our abominations, and say, What am I, a dead Dog, an impure Swine, an unclean Leper, that the Lord my God should do so much for me! Beloved in the Lord, it is my comfort that I preach this day to those that are Noble and ingenuous. My humble suite is, That you would appear to be such indeed and in truth. An ingenuous spirit is more wrought upon by love, than fear. This Fast might have been in blood, the Land might have been in confusion this day. Let the goodness of God drive you to repentance. Let the love of Jesus Christ constrain you to obedience. There is a constraining power in love. Though a stubborn and slavish spirit is more wrought upon by judgements than mercies; yet a gracious and godly heart is more wrought upon by mercies than judgements. And indeed in its own nature, Mer•y works more powerfully, more kindly, more inwardly and deeply than judgements.

So when we consider how neare we have beene to destruction, and how often God hath spared us, when he might have destroyed us; let us lift up our voyces and weepe for our sins against such a God. Observe how Mephibosheth was affected with Davids mercy, in 2 Sam 9. David had cause to be revenged upon the house of Saul, but he freely shewed kindnesse to Mephibosheth, restoring him all his fathers lands, and causing him to eate bread at his Table continually. And this Mercy did so melt his heart, that he cryes out, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest looke upon such a dead Dog as I am? O let the contemplation of Gods love towards us, make us to loath our selves for our abominations, and say, What am I, a dead Dog, an impure Swine, an uncleane Leper, that the Lord my God should doe so much for me! Beloved in the Lord, it is my comfort that I preach this day to those that are Noble and ingenuous. My humble suite is, That you would appeare to be such indeed and in truth. An ingenuous spirit is more wrought upon by love, than feare. This Fast might have beene in blood, the Land might have beene in confusion this day. Let the goodnesse of God drive you to repentance. Let the love of Jesus Christ constraine you to obedince. There is a constraining power in love. Though a stubborne and slavish spirit is more wrought upon by judgements than mercies; yet a gracious and godly heart is more wrought upon by mercies than judgements. And indeed in its owne nature, Mery workes more powerfully, more kindly, more inwardly and deepely than judgements.