It is the incommunicable name, expressive of the incommunicable nature of the Godhead. It signifies the peculiar manner of the divine existence, which is in, and of itself, underived, and independent. O how happy is it for thee, that there is mercy in the self-existent Godhead, and that every perfection in it will be for ever exalted, even justice itself, for the exercise of mercy. May the Holy Spirit teach thee more of its nature, and make thee daily more acquainted in thine experience with its free grace and free gifts.

MERCY is that perfection in Jehovah, which disposes him to save miserable sinners: not a blind mercy, such as infidels dream of--but consistent with the honour of his law, and exercised to the glory of its holy precepts, and of its just sanctions: therefore," mercy and truth are so often mentioned together in Scripture. God will not show any mercy to sinners, but such as tends to establish his truth. Not one of his words can be' broken; nor can one tittle of them ever fail. He will be justified in all his sayings, and clear when he is judged. He will be true

and just, whenever he is merciful: his mercies being all covenant mercies, and all given in, and through Christ Jesus. All men are by nature children of wrath; and only they who are chosen and called in Christ Jesus, are saved from wrath. These are vessels of mercy. His mercy is to them the love of a tender parent to his miserable children. He pities them, and determines to save them from their sins; in due time he quickens them, gives them eyes to see, and hearts to believe his love to them in Jesus, as the apostle witnesses-"God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us, together with Christ."

But for what reason and upon what account, is he merciful to them? His mercy has no motive, but his own will. The objects of his mercy are corrupt fallen creatures, deserving his wrath, even as others; and therefore he does not deal with them upon the footing of desert. If he showed them mercy for any unforeseen works of theirs, because he knew they would repent and believe

the gospel, and walk worthy of it, mercy would then be turned into justice, and would lose both its name and its nature. Whereas he saith unto Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. It is from mine own freedom and sovereignty, that I have mercy on any sinners. The cause is in myself, and not in them. I have compassion, on whom I will. It is from mine own mere love, that I have determined to be gracious to them; and my love has determined to save them, and the way also in which I will save them. I have appointed the end, and the means at the same time. Of mine own motion and good will I have resolved to give my Son for them, and my Spirit to them, that they may repent and believe the gospel, and walk worthy of it, and so I may bring them through my tender mercies to eternal salvation. If this was not the case, how could the description be true, that mercy is FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING. The mercy of God knows no variableness, nor shadow of turning. It is

always the same. His fatherly heart ever entertained thoughts of mercy towards them: for when he shows them mercy, it is said to be according to the eternal purpose, which he had purposed in Christ Jesus-not for their merits, but for his mercies' sake-not for what they have any claim to, but for his own name's sake. He gives all from mercy, and he would have all the glory returned to the mercy of the giver. What he gives, that he continues, and according to covenant engagements. Covenant mercies are sure mercies. "I will make an everlasting covenant for you, says he, even the sure mercies of the beloved." They have already been made sure to him. He is now in full possession of every promised mercy. And he has received them, not as a private person, but as the head of the body, the church. He keeps them for the use of his church-members. And as sure as the crown is upon his head, so surely will it be upon every one of their heads for they are in the same covenant with him, whose sure mercies reach from eternity to eternity. O what a view is here

open to the eye of faith! Mercy always purposing, and in due time bestowing its free blessings upon sinners-mercy, without beginning, and without ending. The holy

Spirit often calls upon us to behold it in this light: for he has not celebrated any of its divine properties, so much as this. It is frequently the noble subject of thanksgiving in the Psalmist's hymns. He has dedicated the 136th entirely to the praise of mercy; and going through the works of nature, providence, and grace, he ascribes them one by one to that mercy, which endureth for ever. O happy, thrice happy objects of it! What was in the heart of the Father of mercies towards you from everlasting will be so to everlasting. His sure mercies are yours. His compassions towards you fail not. Whatever you want for your successful walk, he has promised to give you. Be not discouraged then. He will supply all your wants, not for your sakes, but for his mercies' sake. Are you sensible of your unworthiness? That's well. Mercy is for such. It can have no glory, but from such as you. Trust it, and