_I_ FIND that the goodness of God to his people is diversely
expressed in his word, sometimes by the word grace, sometimes by the
word love, and sometimes by the word mercy. When it is expressed by
that word grace, then it is to show that what he doeth is of his
princely will, his royal bounty, and sovereign pleasure. When it is
expressed by that word love, then it is to show us that his
affection was and is in what he doeth, and that he doeth what he
doeth for us with complacency and delight. But when it is set forth
to us under the notion of mercy, then it bespeaks us to be in a
state both wretched and miserable, and that his bowels and
compassions yearn over us in this our fearful plight.