Motives to thew mercy. d eadfu`ll fears. Now when you fee others that are Uncle: dreadfull and - grievous temptations, know, the way that' God requires is, that you ihould be mercifull to them, and he hays therefore Comforted you, delivered you from your friricuall afflictions, that you might help to deliver them : --- And fo in bodily dittreffe, fouie of you have been poore heretofore, the Lord bath helped you,and given you eitates ; whether you shave been poor or not, God bath given you effaces plentifully, certainly, it's not for your felves onely , but that you might Comfort thofe that want Comfort It's one part of Gods end in this, in making a difference between one man and ano- ther. A fecond motive that I would add, It's a mighty eafe_ to thofe that are in ar`liic }ion to Confider, Though I be in aílliCi- ons, in straights, and in the depth of poverty , yet the Lord bath taken care for me, the Lord bath given the Grace of his Spirit to his Saints to be mercifull to thofe that are in of lidi- on, and the Lord layes weight upon them, and gives great char-2,e to them to exercife the Grace of mercy ; furely the Lord bath a care of me, though I want, yet the Lord doth therefore indue his Saints with the Grace ofmercy, that they might help me in my mifery ; And I befeech you,doe not dif- courage the hearts of thofe that are in mifery , that they may not make their moane to God, faying, O Lord,haft thou made fuch a difference between me and others, and is there no care of me at all ; haft thou given charge to none to look upon me, to pitty me, to help me ; when thou (halt look upon the for - rows and miferies of thy Brethren, and art mercifull towards them, then they will acknowledge, if they be Gracious, Gods goodneffe, that the Lord hath been pleafed to take care over them, and iecretlyto, give thee a Charge and a Command to pitty and help them ; Therefore be mercifull. Againe Hereby thou ¡halt honour God exceeding much, God accounts it his honour when his fervants doe Communi- cate of his gòodneffe ; It is a fpeciall part of the honour of God to be Communicative ; it's the honour of his Saints. In the 14 Pro. 3 t, He that op rye f f Teth the poore, reproach his 379
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=