Doct. 4. To our love we should joyne mercy, which lookes only unto the good that is to be done. Reas. 1. Because true love is by this meanes made most manifest, when it is shewed unto those which cannot give us thankes. 2. Because in this we doe imitte our heavenly Father, who is the Father of mercies. 3. Because the same benefit is greater, when it is bestowed upon one that is in misery, then when it is bestowed upon another. Use. This may serve to reprove those, which seeme to love such men only, from whom they may expect something. Doct. 5. Together with our love and mercy we should joyne courteousnesse.
Reas. 1. Because true love and mercy proceeding from the enlargement of the heart, fits and disposeth the whole man for the doing of good. 2. Because a benefit bestowed in a rough and harsh manner, doth in some sort cease to be a benefit. Vse. This may serve to admonish us, more and more to lay aside all severity, and to have a care to beautifie that good which we doe, in the manner of doing it. Doct. 6. Christians should not render evill for evill, or railing for railing.
This is gathered out of the 9. verse. So Rom. 12.17. and Matth. 5.39.
Reas. 1. Because the railing or ill-doing of another, doth not loose the bond, or take away the duty of our love.
2. Because this is to be overcome of evill. Rom. 12.21.
3. Because this derogates from Gods fidelity, and takes that, which belongs unto him, out of his hands, Rom. 12.19. Prov. 22.23.
Use. This may serve to reprove those men, that are easily provoked, and when they are provoked by any injury, thinke that they may doe any thing, and so give themselves liberty to exercise all kind of revenge: and that they doe not this from the hatred of sinne, but from too much love of themselves, it doth sufficiently appeare by this, that when more hainous and grievous offences are committed against God,
