Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice.

Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice.

Too much mercy... often resulted in further crimes which were fatal to innocent victims who need not have been victims read more

Too much mercy... often resulted in further crimes which were fatal to innocent victims who need not have been victims if justice had been put first and mercy second.

When all thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view I'm lost,
read more

When all thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view I'm lost,
In wonder, love and praise.

Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?

Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?

Mercy stood in the cloud, with eye that wept
Essential love.

Mercy stood in the cloud, with eye that wept
Essential love.

Hate shuts her soul when dove-eyed mercy pleads.

Hate shuts her soul when dove-eyed mercy pleads.

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the read more

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this scept'red sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute to God himself,
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.

It is noble to grant life to the vanquished.
[Lat., Pulchrum est vitam donare minori.]

It is noble to grant life to the vanquished.
[Lat., Pulchrum est vitam donare minori.]

Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God,
My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.

Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God,
My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.