Last of all, the use of this point shall be this, that if it 1be the glory of God to be merciful, then labour to imitate his mercy, for every excellent thing that is glorious is worthy to be imitated, therefore imitate God in this, so the scripture would have us, be you merciful as your heavenly father is merciful; and so again Col. 3. as the elect of God put on tender mercy, that is, if God be merciful, be you merciful likewise, and so Ephes, 1. forgive one another, And why? as dear children, be you followers of God, &c. he is so, therefore be you so, make this use therefore of Gods being merciful, be you merciful as he is merciful, that is consider the miseries of others, and wherein you may be helpful to them, and be ready to show them mercy upon any occasion. As it is the glory of God to show mercy, so, (as Solomon saith) it is the glory of a man to pass by an infirmity, that, is to pass by the faults of others, to show mercy to them, to forgive them, and not to take things in the worst sense, this is acceptable to God, for mercy pleaseth him far better then Sacrifice, all the duties that you perform to God, though you serve him in all the parts of his worship, yet put these and showing of mercy unto men together, and he esteemeth mercy to man before all, for Isay 58. 6. when the people had fasted and performed those duties to the full, yet notwithstanding God makes this exception, Is this the fast that I have chosen? is it not to break every yoke, to relieve the oppressed, to show mercy, &c. therefore (my brethren) be ready to show mercy, for in so doing you shall imitate God, that is it which indeed makes you good men, every man would be a good man, now goodness standeth in this, to be merciful, for goodness is but a relative term, and it standeth in conformity with the chiefest good. So carry your selves therefore that you may be counted good men, that you may have a good eye, which is nothing but this, to be ready to do good to those whom you see in misery, herein your goodness consisteth, all that you do without it ⟨p. 36⟩is not accepted, whatsoever goodness you do unto men if it be without mercy, if it proceed not from that, as it is said of love, if you give your body to be burned, and yet have not love, it is nothing.
Last of all, the use of this point shall be this, that if it 1be the glory of God to be merciful, then labour to imitate his mercy, for every excellent thing that is glorious is worthy to be imitated, therefore imitate God in this, so the scripture would have us, be you merciful as your heavenly father is merciful; and so again Col. 3. as the elect of God put on tender mercy, that is, if God be merciful, be you merciful likewise, and so Ephes, 1. forgive one another, And why? as dear children, be you followers of God, &c. he is so, therefore be you so, make this use therefore of Gods being merciful, be you merciful as he is merciful, that is consider the miseries of others, and wherein you may be helpful to them, and be ready to shew them mercy upon any occasion. As it is the glory of God to shew mercy, so, (as Solomon saith) it is the glory of a man to passe by an infirmity, that, is to passe by the faults of others, to shew mercy to them, to forgive them, and not to take things in the worst sence, this is acceptable to God, for mercy pleaseth him far better then Sacrifice, all the duties that you perform to God, though you serve him in all the parts of his worship, yet put these and shewing of mercy unto men together, and he esteemeth mercy to man before all, for Isay 58. 6. when the people had fasted and performed those duties to the full, yet notwithstanding God makes this exception, Is this the fast that I have chosen? is it not to break every yoake, to relieve the oppressed, to shew mercy, &c. therefore (my brethren) be readie to shew mercy, for in so doing you shall imitate God, that is it which indeed makes you good men, every man would be a good man, now goodness standeth in this, to be merciful, for goodness is but a relative terme, and it standeth in conformity with the chiefest good. So carry your selves therefore that you may be counted good men, that you may have a good eye, which is nothing but this, to be ready to do good to those whom you see in miserie, herein your goodness consisteth, all that you do without it ⟨p. 36⟩is not accepted, whatsoever goodness you do unto men if it be without mercy, if it proceed not from that, as it is said of love, if you give your body to be burned, and yet have not love, it is nothing.
- 1Last use.
