atom. ts.;$, jja.43. z.4. 4/ 2 Comfortable Preferuatiue.r again'? defperation. í ifhing his young, nor man with receiuing nourifhment and fleepe, becaufe it is their nature to beeexercifed in thefe aSions; and therefore Peeing mercie is ofGodseffence,it is not painefull and troublefome to exercife it towards all repentant finners, bee their finnes neuer fo many and hai- rrous,nomore then it is troublefome toexercife his iuflice, inpunifhing ofthofe whoare obflinate and rebellious : nay it is not onelynot troublefome and painefull,but alto plea_ fart anddelightfullfor God to £hew mercie vnto all thofe who truely turne vnto him ; and contrariwife it fhould bee troublefome and irkfome, (if I may fo fpeake, ) for God not to fhew and exercife his nature, and mercie, towards repentant (inners; for as theeie is delighted withfeeing,and tobee ref}raitied there-from is grieuousvnto it;as theeare is delighted with hearing, and is much molefled, ifitbeflop- ped; and as eueriepart andfacultie ofthe bodie and foule are delighted in exercifingtheir feuerall a&ions and funuions, and are much vexed and cumbred, if by any tneanes they fhouldbeehindred; fo is the Lord delighted,andwell plea, fed, in (hewing and exercifing his owne nature, andattri- butes;as his power, andprouidence,in gouerning the world; his iuflice,inpunifhing wicked,obftinate, and rebellious fin- ners; and hismercie inpardoning, and remitting the finnes _ofthofe, who areof a humble fpirit, and broken heart, and are wearie of this intollerable burthen, defiring nothing more, then tobee eafedand freed from it. Andnot thus to exercife his nature, and attributes, wouldrather (that I may fpeake after the manner ofmen) bee vnto the Lord tedious and troublefome. Ofthis pleafure and delight, which the Lord taketh in pardoning repentant finners, the Prophet Micha fpeaketh, chap. 7.10.18. who (faith hee) is a qod lik unto thee,that taZeth awaymiquitie, andpaileth by tranfgreffion oftheremnant ofhis heritage?he retameth not hiswrath for euer,becaufemer.,. ciepleafethhim. So theProphet Danid, Pfa1m.I:y,Ii faith, that the Lord is delighted in them that feare him and attend vpcn his mercy ; men as thoughhe reioycedm%ach,to. hauean oc- ,eaIon offered, .of exercifing his .tnercie and ,goodneffe to.- w .rd5
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