Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A58514
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The true conduct of persons of quality translated out of French.; Véritable politique des personnes de qualité. English
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Rémond des Cours, Nicolas, d. 1716.
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1694
(1694)
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Wing R958A; ESTC R14388
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62,565
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216
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Weather-beaten Vessels into that Port of Happiness he has promis'd us and that which ought particularly to touch us to the quick is that a pure and disinterested Charity was the Foundation of all that he did for us that God who found in himself the never flowing Fountain of his own Felicity needed none of the impotent Company of his Revolted Creatures yet he with God-like Mercy was willing to unite himself to our Nature and to suffer Death for Sinners worthy of the deepest Lashes what Tenderness what Love was visible in that God who did in some sort humble himself to save us How proper is this Motive to affect generous Minds and how difficult is it when we think seriously of the Benefits we have received from our Lord how difficult is it I say to refuse him a Heart to which his Title is so antecedently Just Ah! if we are so sensible of the good Offices which are done us where commonly the Actors look asquint on their own Interest what Acknowledgment ought we not to pay for so many Gratuitous Bounties as Jesus Christ has conferr'd on us only because he lov'd us This adorable Saviour has given us in his Life and Death a perfect Model of all the Virtues which can lead us up to that Immortal Crown he designs us and he is desirous that we should not deviate from his Steps but yet surveying our Weakness he has promis'd us a Reinforcement of his own Succours with which we need not decline to combat those formidable Enemies that have vow'd our Destruction Let us charge then with Confidence under so great a Leader we may well be undaunted under so good a Master let us inviolably imitate the Brightness of his Example and that our Wills may not be biass'd by the publick Obliquity of the 〈◊〉 let us judge of things as he judg'd of 'em let us pronounce that those Riches Pleasures and Honors which he despis'd do not deserve our constant Attendance on 'em let us believe also that the Sufferings which he lov'd to that heighth as to die upon a Cross are less to be fear'd than wish'd for and let us remember that the way which he march'd to his Glory that is now Triumphant is not surcharg'd with the Gaiety of Flowers but yet looks Graceful tho 't was dy'd with Blood and water'd with Tears LXXX Of Death AFter having propos'd my Thoughts about what we are to do and what we are to avoid whilst we wander in this Lower Region methinks 't is pat to the purpose to say something of Death which gives the finishing Stroke and is the most important Moment of fleeting Life I know very well that the Separation of the Soul from the Body can be no Friendly Parting and that the most resolute Minds cannot behold it without some Discomposure that borders upon Fear nevertheless I do not think it is so hard a Task as some fearful Souls who multiply their Terrours imagine 't is to bid the World adieu with the same Generosity with which we liv'd in it indeed why should we dread the Passage thro' this Streight that has been open'd by other Columbus's so many Ages ago Is it not better with Bravery to stand the Shock of that Danger which we know before-hand is unavoidable and from which not the subtlest of all Mankind by any evasive Tricks can bolt the Hope of Happiness which is assur'd to us if we die with holy Dispositions to be capable of it ought sooner to quicken us to search for Death than to increase our Fear of losing Life If we are jealous that we shall be rack'd with some painful Agony let us reflect that often 't is light eno ' or at least that 't is quickly adjourn'd and if the Severity of God's Judgments frights us the Blood of Jesus Christ shed for our Salvation and the infinite Love which he has for Souls that have cost him so dear ought to still our Fears and inspire us with much Confidence of Reconcilement If we are just which yet a Man ought not to persuade himself that he is let us hope he will breath immortal Love on us and crown those Works which are the Results of his own Grace and if we are Sinners let us not despair of his Mercy seeing that knows no Bounds and that the Scripture tells us that a broken and a contrite Heart he will not despise The Grace of such a happy Repentance which we ought to ask with Faith Humility and Perseverance is eno ' to give us new Life after Death Nevertheless it must be own'd that those who neglecting the Obligations of their Religion degrade themselves by immersing their Lives in sensual Fruitions have reason to apprehend Death as a King of Terrours for besides that their Ruine is certain if they are catch'd unawares by it which God knows is too often as we are assur'd by our Redeemer put case a Distemper should leave such Men some Dregs of Time to think upon their Salvation either they flatter themselves that it will not prove mortal and so stop short even in the Tendency to a Preparation for a dying hour or if seeing themselves at the last Gasp they desire to receive the Sacrament to huddle up a mispent Life commonly 't is more the Effect of a slavish Fear than any Fruit of a true Conversion they do not sincerely renounce the Pleasures of the World nor abandon the Objects of their criminal Passions which they have always doted on with so much vehemence for that Love fortifi'd by long Custom has branch'd it self in their Hearts with such stubborn Roots that it must be only a Miracle of Grace that can divorce such a cemented Acquaintance and will God vouchsafe this extraordinary Grace to those who for so many years have impudently violated and contemn'd his holy Laws The surest Means then to be arm'd against the Fears of Death is for Gentlemen to prepare themselves by a pure and innocent Life timely to draw off from that which one day they must part withal for ever to reflect often that in that critical Moment where Eternity begins the Pleasures of Sense expire a Veil is drawn over all human Greatness every glistering temporal Advantage is vanish'd Lastly they have no more to do but to persuade themselves convincingly that there is no other Bottom to stay their Consolation upon but the Remembrance that they have lov'd God and that they have serv'd him with an invariable Stedfastness in spight of the over-bearing Corruption of a profligate Age. FINIS THE CONTENTS I. AN Honest Man Page 4 II. Honoring of Parents Page 10 III. The Importance of Education Page 12 IV. What a Young Gentleman ought to Learn Page 15 V. What ought to be the Scope of his Studies Page 19 VI. To make a right Use of Knowledge Page 21 VII What a Man is to do for his Relations Page 23 VIII To be subject to the Laws of the Country Page 24 IX The Duty of Allegiance