The Last Judgment, Tract · Doctrine 19
Ver. 37. Then ſhall the righteous anſwer him, ſaying, &c.
Doct. XIX is this That they that are of a true merciful ſpirit to the Saints of Chr…ſt…n their a…cted eſtate, are in a juſtified eſtate. They are rig…teous ones, …ſa…. 112.9. Iſa. 57.1 2 Cor 9.9, 10.
For opening of which, let me ſhew, 1. How it does appear that they are in a juſtified eſtate, or righteous, as they are here ſtyled. 2. Why it muſt needs be ſo. 3. The Uſes.
For the firſt: It does appear that they are in a juſt fied eſtate, or righteous; 1. In that Mercy is a fruit of Righteouſneſs, 2 Cor: 9.10 Phil: 1.11. Pſal: 37.21. 2. In that it is a mark of Election, Coloſſ. 3.12. and Elect ones are juſtified ones, Rom. 8.30. 3. In that it is a pledge of our happineſs, Prov 14.21. Now there are none happy that are not righteous. 4. In that it is a pledge of our honouring of God, I…rov. 14.31. and none can honour him truly but juſtified ones. 5. In that it is a pledge of uprightneſs, Iſa. 57.1, 2. and n…ne are upright but juſtified ones, Luke 18.6. In that merciful ones ſhall obtain mercy, M…tth. 5.7. Now none obtain mercy from God but juſtified ones: ſee …ſal. 18.25. 7. In that merciful ones rejoyce againſt judgement, Jam. 2.13. and none can do thus but juſtified ones. 8. In that it makes us like to God, Luke 6.36. and none can bear his image but juſtified ones. 9. In that mercy argues the goodneſs of a mans condition, Pſal. 37.23, 26. and no man can be called a good man, but he that is in a juſtified eſtate. 10. In that Mercy is a pledge of Gods mercy to us in the forgiveneſs of our ſins, for we cannot be of a merciful ſpirit to others, till his mercy ha… prevented us.
Q. 2. Why muſt it needs be ſo, that they that are of a merciful ſpirit are in a juſtified eſtate?
Anſ. 1. Becauſe it is a fruit or Faith, by which alone we are juſtified, Rom. 5.1. 2. Becauſe it is a fruit of that wiſdome that cometh from above, Jam: 3.17. 3. Becauſe it is that that God is well pleaſed with, Heb: 13.16. Mic: 6.8. 4. Becauſe it is that that is the ſtability of a Chriſtian, Iſa: 32.8. 5. Becauſe it is that that is a mans exaltation and honour, Pſal. 112.9. A mans Juſtification is ſo, Luke 18.14. 6. Becauſe it is that whereby when we die we enter into peace, Iſa. 57.1, 2. 7. Becauſe it is that that Chriſt will own at the laſt day. 8. Becauſe it is that that evidenceth the truth of our Religion, Jam. 1.27.
Ʋſe 1. for Information: 1. We ſee that works of Sanctification are good evidences of our good eſtate before God: if they evidence a juſtified eſtate, they evidence a good eſtate. 2. We ſee what great encouragement we have to be of a merc…ful ſpirit, and to love mercy; for, if works of mercy be done from right grounds, for right ends, and in a right manner, they argue that we are in a juſtified eſtate, Mic. 6.8. 3 We ſee how unwearied we ſhould be in doing good, and ſhewing mercy, for there is not a better argument of our integrity and righteouſneſs then that is, Gal 6.9. 4. We ſee what hope we may have of ſome of our forefathers that lived in time of Popery, who were very boun…iful and merciful to the poor; for though ſome did what they did thinking to merit by it, as they were taught, yet it is to be hoped that ſome were of a better ſpirit. 5. We ſee that all they that do not bring forth fruits of mercy and good works, whatever pretence they make, or whatever they ſay of their Faith, yet they are not juſtified in the ſight of God, Jam. 2. 6. We ſee how good the Lord is to thoſe that the Lord is pleaſed to be…ow a ſpirit of mercy upon; he gives them in a comfortable pledge of their juſtified eſtate. 7. We ſee who they be that Churches may ſafely ad…it into their Fellowſhip: if we ſee men and women of a merciful ſpirit, we may without fear admit them, for this …rgues a juſtified eſt…te. 8. We ſee who we ſhould deſire to make our …oſome friends, and our intimate acquaintance, merciful men. 9. We ſee what an high price the Lord ſets upon works of mercy, in that he reckons of merciful men as righteous ones. 10. We ſee how amiable and precious the Lords mercy ſhould be to us, ſeeing he prizeth our mercy ſo highly, which is but a fruit of his, Pſal. 36.7.
Ʋſe 2. for Humiliation: 1. That there are ſo few merciful men, Mic 7.1, 2. Pſal. 12.1. 2. That thoſe that are, are ſo little ſet by.
Ʋſe 3. for Exhortation: 1. To prize merciful men, as …d d…es. 2. To lay it to heart when ſuch are taken away, Iſ…. 57.1. 3. To joyn in fellowſhip with ſuch. 4. To love mercy, Mic. 6.8. 5. To bleſs the Lord when he makes us of a merciful ſpirit. 6. To remember to ſhew mercy, Heb. 13.16. 7. To delight to ſee others merciful. 8. To be afraid of an unmerciful ſpirit. 9. To follow after mercy, Prov. 21.21. 10. To bear with frailties, if this be found in Brethren.
Ʋſe 4. for Conſolation: 1. Againſt the corrupt cenſures and …ard thoughts of men: a ſpirit of mercy argues integrity and righteouſneſs. 2. Againſt the unbelief of our own hearts; unbelief may here ſtop its mouth. 3. Againſt evil tidings; ſuch a man as is merciful need not be afraid of them, Pſal. 112.7.