[1] See note [1] from outline "Needless Stripes," page 18.
[2] If in an affliction we would pour forth to God such
acceptable prayers as may obtain comfort in our crosses and
deliverance from all our calamities, we must confess our
sins, and humbly acknowledge that we deserve to be
overwhelmed with much more heavy plagues and punishments.
And so the Lord will excuse us when we accuse ourselves,
remit our sins when we remember them, and absolve us from
punishment when in all humility we acknowledge that we have
justly deserved the fearfullest of His plagues. For if we,
who have but a little of the milk of mercy, are moved with
compassion when either our sons or our servants acknowledge
their faults, and offer themselves of their own accord to
suffer that punishment which they have deserved, how can we
doubt that God, whose love and mercy towards us are
infinite and incomprehensible, will be pitiful and ready to
forgive us when He sees us thus humbled?--_Downame,_ 1644.
[3] 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 your enemy. None might touch the Ark but the
priests, who by their office were more holy: none may touch
the ark of God's mercy but such as are received to be holy.
He that sins because of mercy shall have judgment without
mercy. Mercy abused turns to fury (Deut. xxix. 19, 20).
"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 a holy mercy; where it
pardons, it heals.--_Watson,_ 1696.