"God's mercy is free. To set up merit is to destroy mercy. Nothing can deserve mercy, because we are polluted in our blood; nor force it. We may force God to punish us, but not to love us. 'I will love them free-
ly,' (Hos. 14:4). Every link in the chain of salvation is wrought and interwoven with free grace. Election is free: 'He has chosen us in Him, according to the good pleasure of His will,' (Eph. 1:4). Justification is free: 'Being justified freely by His grace,' (Rom. 3:24). Salvation is free: 'According to His mercy He saved us,' (Titus 3:5). If God should show mercy to such only as are worthy, he would show none at all.
"God's mercy is an overflowing mercy; it is infinite. 'Plenteous in mercy,' (Psa. 86:5). 'Rich in mercy,' (Eph. 2:4). 'Multitude of mercies,' (Psa. 51:1). The vial of wrath drops, but the fountain of mercy runs. The sun is not so full of light as God is of mercy. God has morning mercies: 'His mercies are new every morning,' (Lam. 3:23). He has night mercies: 'In the night His song shall be with me,' (Psa. 13:8). God has mercies under heaven, which we taste; and in heaven, which we hope for."
