A65285:398
A Body of Practical Divinity
A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Position 10. God's Mercy as it makes the Saints Happy, so it should make them Humble: Mercy is not the Fruit of our Goodness, but the Fruit of God's Goodness. Mercy is an Alms that God bestows; they have no cause to be Proud that live upon the Alms of God's Mercy, Job 10.15. If I be righteous yet will I not lift up my head: All my Righteousness is the Effect of God's Mercy, therefore I will be humble, I will not lift up my Head.
Position 11. It is Mercy stays the speedy Execution of God's Justice: Sinners continually provoke God, and make the fury come up in his face, Ezek. 38.18. Whence is it God doth not presently Arrest and Condemn them, it is not that God cannot do it, for he is armed with Omnipotency, but it is from God's Mercy: Mercy gets a Reprieve for the Sinner, and stops the speedy Process of Justice. God would by his Goodness lead Sinners to Repentance.
Position 11. It is Mercy stays the speedy Execution of God's Justice: Sinners continually provoke God, and make the fury come up in his face, Ezek. 38.18. Whence is it God doth not presently Arrest and Condemn them, it is not that God cannot do it, for he is arm'd with Omnipotency, but it is from God's Mercy: Mercy gets a Reprieve for the Sinner, and stops the speedy Process of Justice. God would by his Goodness lead Sinners to Repentance.
Position 12. 'Tis dreadful to have Mercy witness against one: How sad was it with Haman when the Queen herself accused him, Esth. 7.6. so when this Queen of Mercy shall stand up against a Person, and accuse him. It is only Mercy that saves a Sinner, now how sad to have Mercy become an Enemy; If Mercy be an Accuser, who shall be our Advocate? The Sinner never scapes Hell, when Mercy draws up the Indictment.