25
Jul

Thomas Watson (1620-1686) on Divine Mercy

   Posted by: CalvinandCalvinism   in God is Merciful

Watson:

THE MERCY OF GOD.

The next attribute is God’s goodness or mercy: mercy is the result and essential of God’s goodness, Ps, xxxiii. 5. Ps, cxiv. 64. So then this is the next attribute, God’s goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters, when they styled him Good and Great; both these meet in God, Goodness and Greatness, majesty and mercy.

God is, 1. Essentially good in himself. And 2. Relatively good to us. They are both put together, Ps. cxix. 68. ‘Thou art good, and dolt good.’ This relative goodness is nothing else but his mercy, which is an innate propensity1 in God, to pity and succor such as are in misery. Concerning God’s mercy.

1st, I shall lay down these twelve positions, 1. It is the great design of the scripture to represent God as merciful. This is a loadstone to draw sinners to him, Exod. xxxiv. 6. ‘The Lord merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness’ &c. Here are fix expressions to set forth God’s mercy, and but one to set forth his justice: who will by no means clear the guilty, Pf. lvii. 10. ‘God’s mercy, is far above the heavens,’ cviii. 4. God is represented as a King and a rainbow was about his throne. Rev. iv. 23. The rainbow was an emblem of mercy, the scripture doth oftener represent God in his white robes of mercy than with his garments rolled in blood; oftener with his golden scepter, than his iron rod.

Position 2. God is more inclinable to mercy than wrath. Mercy is his darling attribute, which he most delights in, Mic. vii. 13. ‘Mercy pleases him.’ It is delightful to the mother, faith Chrysostom, to have her breasts drawn: so it is to God, to have the breasts of his mercy drawn, Isa. xlvii. 4. ‘Fury is not in me;’ that is, I do not delight in it. Acts of severity are rather forced from God, he doth not afflict willingly. Lam. iii. 33. The bee naturally gives honey, it stings only when it is provoked; God doth not punish till he can bear no longer, Jer. xliv. 22. ‘So that the Lord could bear no longer, because of the evil of your doings.’ Mercy is God’s right hand, that he is most used to; inflicting of punishment is called God’s strange work, Isa. xxviii. 21. He is not used to it. And when the Lord would shave off the pride of a nation, he is laid to hire a razor, as if he had none of his own, Isa. vii. 20. ‘He shall shave with a razor that is hired.’ ‘He is slow to anger,’ Psal. ciii. 28. ‘But ready to forgive,’ Psal. Ixxxvi. 5.

Position 3. There is no condition, but we may spy mercy in it: when the church was in captivity, she cries out, ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,’ Lam. iii. 22. Geographers write of Syracuse in Sicily; it is so situated, that the sun is never out of sight. In all afflictions we may see the sunshine of mercy. That outward and inward troubles do not come together, is mercy.

Position 4. Mercy sweetens all God’s other attributes: God’s holiness without mercy, and his justice without mercy, were terrible. When the water was bitter, and Israel could not drink, Moses cast a tree into the water, and then they were made sweet. How bitter and dreadful were the other attributes of God, did not mercy sweeten them! Mercy sets God’s power on work to help us; it makes his justice become our friend; it shall avenge our quarrels.

Position 5. God’s mercy is one of the most orient pearls of his crown: it makes his Godhead appear amiable and lovely: When Moses said to God, ‘I beseech thee show me thy glory;’ the Lord answered him, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will show thee mercy’ Exod. xxxiii. 19. God’s mercy is his glory; his holiness makes him illustrious; his mercy makes him propitious.

Position 6. Even the worst taste of God’s mercy; such as fight against God’s mercy, taste of it: the wicked have some crumbs from mercy’s table; ‘The Lord is good to all,’ Psal. cxlv. 5. The sweet dew drops on the thistle, as well as the rose. The diocese where mercy visits is very large: Pharaoh’s head was crowned though his heart was hardened.

Position 7. Mercy coming to us in a covenant is sweetest: it was mercy that God would give Israel rain, and bread to the full, and peace, and vi6lory over their enemies. Lev. xxvi. 4, 5, 6. But it was a greater mercy that God would be their God, ver. 12. To have health is a mercy, but to have Christ and salvation is a greater mercy; this is like the diamond in the ring, it casts a more sparkling luster.

Position 8. One act of mercy engages God to another. Men argue thus, I have shown you kindness already, therefore trouble me no more: but, because God has shown mercy, he is more ready still to show mercy; his mercy in election makes him justify, adopt, glorify; one act of mercy engages God to more. A parent’s lave to his child, makes him always giving.

Position 9. All the mercy in the creature is derived from God, and is but a drop of this ocean: the mercy and pity a mother has to her child is from God; he that puts the milk in her bread, puts the compassion in her heart: therefore God is called ‘The Father of mercies,’ 2 Cor. i. 3. because he begets all the mercies in the world. If God has put any kindness into the creature, how much kindness is in him who is the Father of mercy?

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 fruits 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 x. 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, and will not lift up my head.

Position 11. It is mercy staves the speedy execution of God’s justice. Sinners continually provoke God, and make ‘the fury come up in his face,’ Ezek, xxxviii. 18. Whence is it God does not presently arrest and condemn them? It is not that God cannot do it, for he is armed with omnipotence, 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. It is dreadful to have mercy witness against one: how sad was it with Haman, when the queen herself accused him? Esth. vii. 6. So, when this queen of mercy shall hand 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 escapes hell, when mercy draws up the indictment. I might show you several species or kinds of mercy; preventing mercy, sparing mercy, supplying mercy, guiding mercy, accepting mercy, healing mercy, quickening mercy, supporting mercy, forgiving mercy, correcting mercy, comforting mercy, delivering mercy, crowning mercy: but I Shall speak of the qualifications or properties of God’s mercy.

1. God’s mercy is free. To set up merit is to destroy mercy: nothing can deserve mercy, because we are polluted in our blood; nor force it; we may force God to punish us, not to love us, Hos. xiv. 4. ‘I will love them freely.’ Every link in the chain of salvation, is wrought and interwoven with free grace. Election is free, Eph. I. 4. ‘He has chosen us in him, according to the good pleasure of his will.’ Justification is free, Rom. iii. 24. ‘Being justified freely by his grace.’ Salvation is free, Titus iii. 5. ‘According to his mercy he saved us.’ Say not then, I am unworthy; for mercy is free: if God should show mercy only to such as are worthy, he would show none at all.

2. God’s mercy is an overflowing mercy; it is infinite, Ps. lxxxvi. 5. ‘Plenteous in mercy,’ Eph. ii. 4. ‘Rich in mercy,’ Psal. li. 1. ‘Multitude of mercies.’ The vial of wrath doth but drop, but the fountain of mercy runs. The sun is not so full of light, as God is of mercy: God has morning mercies, Lam. ii. 24. ‘His mercies are new every morning;’ and night mercies, Palm xlii. 8. ‘In the night his song shall be with me.’ God has mercies under heaven, those we taste of; and in heaven, those we hope for.

3. God’s mercy is eternal, Psal. ciii. 17. ‘The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.’ It is repeated twenty-six times in one Palm, ‘His mercy endures for ever:’ Palm cxxxvi. The fouls of the blessed shall be ever bathing themselves in this sweet and pleasant ocean of God’s mercy. God’s anger to his children lasts but a while, Palm ciii. 9. ‘But his mercy lasts for ever.’ As long as he is God he will be showing mercy; as his mercy is overflowing, so ever flowing.

Use 1. Of Information. It shows us how we are to look upon God in prayer, not in his judge’s robes, but clothed with a rainbow, full of mercy and clemency; add wings to prayer. When Jesus Christ ascended up to heaven, that which made him go up thither with joy was, ‘I go to my Father;’ so that which should make our hearts ascend with joy in prayer, is, ‘We are going to the Father of mercy, who fits upon the throne of grace;’ go with confidence in this mercy; as when one goes to a fire, it is not doubtingly, perhaps it will warm ye, perhaps not.

Use 2. Believe in his mercy, Palm lii. 8. ‘I will trust in the mercy of God for ever.’ God’s mercy is a fountain opened, let down the bucket of faith, and you may drink of this fountain of salvation. What greater encouragement to believe than God’s mercy? God counts it his glory to be scattering pardons; he is desirous that sinners should touch the golden scepter of his mercy and live. And this willingness to show mercy appears two ways:

1. By his entreating of sinners to come and lay hold on his mercy, Rev. xxii. 17. ‘Whosoever will, come, and take the water of life freely.’ Mercy woos sinners, it even kneels down to them. It were strange for a prince to entreat a condemned man to accept a pardon. God says, Poor sinner, suffer me to love thee, be willing to let me save thee.

2. By his joyfulness when sinners do lay hold on his mercy. What is God the better whether we receive his mercy, or not? What is the fountain profited, that others drink of it? Yet, such is God’s goodness, that he rejoices at the salvation of sinners, and is glad, when his mercy is accepted of. When the prodigal son came home, how glad was the father? and he makes a feast, to express his joy: this was but a type or emblem, to show how God rejoices when a poor sinner comes in, and lays hold of his mercy. What an encouragement is here to believe in God? He is a God of pardons, Neh. ix. 17. Mercy pleases him, Mic. vii. 18. Nothing doth prejudice us but unbelief. Unbelief slops the current of God’s mercy from running; it shuts up God’s bowels, closes the orifice of Christ’s wounds, that no healing virtue will come out. Mat. xiii. 58. ‘He could do no mighty works there, because of their unbelief.’ Why does thou not believe in God’s mercy? Is it thy sins discourage? God’s mercy can pardon great sins, nay, because they are great, Psal. xxv. 11. The sea covers great rocks as well as lesser sands; some that had an hand in crucifying Christ, found mercy. As far as the heavens are above the earth, so far is God’s mercy above our sins, Isa. lv. 9. What will tempt us to believe, if not the mercy of God.

Use 3. Of caution. Take heed of abusing this mercy of God. Suck not poison out of the sweet flower of God’s mercy: do not think, that because God is merciful, you may go on in sin; this is to make mercy become your enemy. None might touch the ark but the priests, who by their office were more holy: none may touch this ark of God’s mercy, but such as are resolved to be holy. To sin because mercy abounds, is the devil’s logic. He that sins because of mercy, is like one that wounds his head, because he has a plaster: he that sins because of God’s mercy, shall have judgment without mercy. Mercy abused turns to fury, Deut. xxix. 19, 20. ‘If he bless himself, saying, I shall have peace though I walk after the imaginations of my heart, to add drunkenness to thirst, the Lord will not spare him, but the anger of the Lord, and his jealousy, shall smoke against that man.’ Nothing sweeter than mercy, when it is improved; nothing fiercer, when it is abaft; nothing colder than lead, when it is taken out of the mine: nothing more scalding than lead, when it is heated. Nothing blunter than iron, nothing sharper, when it is whetted, Psal. ciii. 17. ‘The mercy of the Lord is upon them that fear him.’ Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not. God’s mercy is an holy mercy; where it pardons, it heals.

Q. What shall we do to he interested in God’s mercy?

Ans. 1. Be sensible of your wants. See how you friend in need of mercy, pardoning, saving mercy. See yourself orphans; Hos. xiv. 3. ‘In thee the fatherless finds 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. li. I. ‘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. ciii. 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 has treasures of mercy; prayer is the key that opens these treasures; and in prayer, be sure to carry Christ in your arms; all the mercy comes through Christ; 1 Sam. vii. 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 has 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.

Use 4, It exhorts such as have found mercy, to three things:

1. To be upon Gerizzim, the mount of blessing and praising. They have not only heard the King of heaven is merciful, but they have found it so: the honey-comb of God’s mercy has dropped upon them; when in wants, mercy supplied them; when they were nigh unto death, mercy raised them from the sick-bed; when covered with guilt, mercy pardoned them, Psal. ciii. 1. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.’ O how should the vessels of mercy run over with praise! 1 Tim. i. 13. ‘Who was before a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy.’ I was bemiracled with mercy; as the sea overflows and breaks down the banks, so the mercy of God did break down the banks of my sin, and mercy did sweetly flow into my soul. You that have been monuments of God’s mercy, should be trumpets of praise; you that have tasted the Lord is gracious, tell others what experiences you have had of God’s mercy, that you may encourage them to seek to him for mercy, Psal. Ixvi. 16. ‘I will tell you what God has done for my soul;’ when I found my heart dead, God’s Spirit did come upon me mightily, and the blowing of that wind made the withering flowers of my grace revive. O tell others of God’s goodness, that you may set others a blessing him, and that you may make God’s praises live when you are dead.

2. To love God. Mercy should be the attractive of love; Psal. xviii. 1. ‘I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.’ The Hebrew word for love, signifies love out of the inward bowels. God’s justice may make us fear him, his mercy may make us love him. If mercy will not produce love, what will? We are to love God for giving us our food, much more for giving us grace; for sparing mercy, much more for laving mercy. Sure that heart is made of marble, which the mercy of God will not dissolve in love. “I would hate my own foul, (says St. Augustine) if I did not find it loving God.”

3. To imitate God in showing mercy. God is the Father of mercy; Show yourselves to be his children, by being like him. St. Ambrose says. The sum and definition of religion is, Be rich in works of mercy, be helpful to the bodies and fouls of others. Scatter your golden seeds; let the lamp of your profession be filled with the oil of charity. Be merciful in giving and forgiving. ‘Be ye merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.’

Thomas Watson, A Body of Practical Divinity (Berwick: Printed by and for W. Gracie, also for J. Rennison, Bookseller, Berwick, 1806), 1:101-107. [Some reformatting; some spelling modernized; italics original; footnote mine; and underlining mine.]

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1Original: “Propensness.”

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