Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.

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.

Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so;
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.

Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so;
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.

'Tis vain to flee; till gentle Mercy show
Her better eye, the farther off we go,
The read more

'Tis vain to flee; till gentle Mercy show
Her better eye, the farther off we go,
The swing of Justice deals the mightier blow.

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

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

Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see: That mercy I to others show, read more

Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see: That mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me.

Mercy often inflicts death.
[Lat., Mortem misericors saepe pro vita dabit.]

Mercy often inflicts death.
[Lat., Mortem misericors saepe pro vita dabit.]

The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it read more

The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

The mercy that was quick in us but late,
By your own counsel is suppressed and killed.
read more

The mercy that was quick in us but late,
By your own counsel is suppressed and killed.
You must not dare for shame to talk of mercy;
For your own reasons turn into your bosoms
As dogs upon their masters, worrying you.