thing of us above our strength; so that we only are to blame, if we fail in our duty to Him: that, therefore, He will exercise the most impartial justice on all men, according to their deservings, without respect of persons; for, as St Paul assures us, God will " render to every one according to his works; to them indeed who, according to patience in good works, seek glory, and honour, and incorruption, (He will render) eternal life; but to them who are contentious, and obey not the truth, but give credit to iniquity, (He will render) wrath and indignation," Rom. ii. 6. That " He will not judge according to the sight of the eye, nor argue according to the hearing of the ear, but will judge in justice," Isa. xi. 3; and that " He will not accept of any person, nor receive any gift," Deut. X. 17.
Q. 11. What do you mean by infinitely merciful?
A. I mean that God has the most tender compassion for the miseries of His creatures, knowing their frailty and their weaknesses, and is most desirous and ready to deliver them from them; " He wills none to perish, but that all should come to repentance," 2 Pet. iii. 9. " For, as T live, saith the Lord, I will not the death of a sinner; but rather that he should turn and live," Ezek. xxxiii. 11. Hence " the Lord is gracious and merciful, patient and plenteous in mercy: the Lord is sweet to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works," Ps. cxliv. 8; and " His mercy endureth for ever," Ps. cxxxv. Yea, in the midst " of anger He will remember mercy," Hab. iii. 2. For "as a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear Him; for He knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust. . . . But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity to eternity, upon them that fear Him," Ps. cii. 13. Hence, "Thou hast mercy upon all, because Thou canst
