A Body of Practical Divinity

Answ. 1. Be sensible of your wants. See how you stand in need of Mercy, pardoning, saving Mercy. See your selves Orphans; Hos. 14.3. In thee the fatherless findeth Mercy. God bestows the Alms of Mercy only on such as are indigent. Be emptied of all Opinion of Self-worthiness. God pours the golden Oil of Mercy into empty Vessels.

2. Go to God for Mercy, Psal. 51.1. Have Mercy upon me, O God! Put me not off with common Mercy that Reprobates may have: Give me not only Acorns, but Pearls: Give me not only Mercy to feed and clothe me, but Mercy to save me; give me the Cream of thy Mercies; Lord! let me have Mercy and Loving kindness: Psal. 103.4. Who crowned thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. Give me such Mercy as speaks thy electing love to my soul. O pray for Mercy! God hath Treasures of Mercy; Prayer is the Key that opens these Treasures: and in Prayer be sure to carry Christ in your Arms; all Mercy comes through Christ; 1 Sam. 7.9. Samuel took a sucking Lamb. Carry the Lamb Christ in your Arms, go in his Name, present his Merits, say, Lord! here is Christ's Blood, which is the price of my pardon: Lord, show me Mercy, because Christ hath purchased it. Though God may refuse us when we come for Mercy in our own Name, yet not when we come in Christ's Name: Plead Christ's Satisfaction, and this is such an Argument as God cannot deny.

2. Go to God for Mercy, Psal. 51.1. Have Mercy upon me, O God! Put me not off with common Mercy that Reprobates may have: Give me not only Acorns, but Pearls: Give me not only Mercy to feed and clothe me, but Mercy to save me; give me the Cream of thy Mercies; Lord! let me have Mercy and Loving kindness: