MERCY, Misericordia. This is a Virtue that inspires us with Compassion for our Brethren, and which inclines us to give ‘em Assistance in their Necessities: That the Works of Mercy may be acceptable to God, and may purchase eternal Life for us, as Christ has promised us, it is not enough that they proceed from a natural Principle of Humanity, but they must be performed for the Sake of God, and upon supernatural Motives. In Scripture Mercy and Truth are commonly joined together1, to shew the Goodness that precedes, and the Faithfulness that accompanies the Promises; or else a Goodness, a Clemency, a Mercy that is constant and faithful, that does not deceive, and which is followed by Works. Mercy is also taken for those Favours and Benefits that we receive either from God or Man. It is taken for Probity, Justice, Goodness. Merciful Men, in Hebrew, Charidim, are Men of Piety and Goodness2. Finally, Mercy is often taken for giving of Alms.
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