A Body of Practical Divinity

Use 1. As an Argument against Despair, see what a great Encouragement here is to serve God; he shows Mercy to Thousands. Who would not be willing to serve a Prince that is given to Mercy and Clemency? God is represented with a Rain-bow round about him, Rev. 4.3. An Emblem of his Mercy. Acts of Severity are rather forced from God; Justice is his strange Work, Isa. 28.21. Therefore the Disciples who are not said to wonder at other Miracles of Christ, yet did wonder when the Fig-tree was Cursed and Withered, because it was not Christ's manner to put forth acts of Severity. God is said to delight in Mercy, Mic. 7.18. Justice is Gods Left Hand, Mercy is his Right Hand: God useth his Right Hand most, he is more used to Mercy than Justice, pronior est Deus ad parcendum quam ad puniendum. God is said to be slow to Anger, Psal. 103.8. But ready to Forgive, Psalm 86.5. This may encourage us to serve God. What Argument will prevail, if Mercy will not? Were God all Justice, it might Fright us from him, but his Mercy may be a Lodestone to draw us to him.

Use 1. As an Argument against Despair, see what a great Encouragement here is to serve God; he shews Mercy to Thousands. Who would not be willing to serve a Prince that is given to Mercy and Clemency? God is represented with a Rain-bow round about him, Rev. 4.3. An Emblem of his Mercy. Acts of Severity are rather forced from God; Justice is his strange Work, Isa. 28.21. Therefore the Disciples who are not said to wonder at other Miracles of Christ, yet did wonder when the Fig-tree was Cursed and Withered, because it was not Christ's manner to put forth acts of Severity. God is said to delight in Mercy, Mic. 7.18. Justice is Gods Left Hand, Mercy is his Right Hand: God useth his Right Hand most, he is more used to Mercy than Justice, pronior est Deus ad parcendum quam ad puniendum. God is said to be slow to Anger,