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The rushing winds from memory lift the vail, | But mercy is above this sceptered sway,
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.

And in each flash his sins, like specters pale,
Freed from their dark abode, his guilty breast,
Shriek in his startled ear, "Death is not rest!"
MRS. HALE.

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SHAKSPEARE.

How would you be

If He, which is the top of judgment, should
But judge as you do? O think on that!
And mercy then will breathe within your lips,
Like man new made.
SHAKSPEARE.

The greatest attribute of Heaven is mercy.
BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.

O mercy, heavenly born! Sweet attribute!
Thou great, thou best prerogative of power!
Justice may guard the throne, but joined with
thee,

On rocks of adamant it stands secure,
And braves the storm beneath.

SOMERVILLE.

Though nature her inverted course forego,
The day forget to rest, the time to flow,
Yet shall Jehovah's servants stand secure,
His mercy, fixed, eternal, shall endure;
On them her everlasting rays shall shine,
More mild and bright and sure, O sun! than
thine.

BISHOP LOWTH.

Mercy descends

From Heaven, and o'er the penitential heart,
Rent by the agonizing pangs of guilt,
Spreads the soft blessings of internal peace.
HAYES.

Did not mercy temper wrath, Eternal ruin would o'erwhelm mankind. HAYES.

Though waves and storms go o'er my head,
Though strength, and health, and friends be

gone;

Though joys be withered all and dead,

And every comfort be withdrawn;
On this my steadfast soul relies-
Father, thy mercy never dies.

J. WESLEY.

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All crimes shall cease, and ancient frauds shall fail;

Returning Justice lift aloft her scale;

Mankind are all pilgrims on life's weary road, Peace o'er the world her olive wand extend,

And many would wander astray,

In seeking eternity's silent abode, Did mercy not point out the way!

And white-robed Innocence from heaven de

scend.

POPE.

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212 MIND-MINISTERING SPIRITS-MINISTERS-MIRACLES.

Mind's command o'er mind, Spirit's o'er spirit, is the clear effect And natural action of an inward gift Given of God.

BAILEY.

It is sure,

Stamped by the seal of nature, that the well Of mind, where all its waters gather pure, Shall with unquestioned spell all hearts allure.

Wisdom enshrined in beauty; O! how high The order of that loveliness.

PERCIVAL.

High walls and huge the body may confine, And iron grates obstruct the prisoner's

gaze,

And massive bolts may baffle his design,

And vigilant keepers watch his devious

ways:

The insate mind, but from without supplied,
Languishes on a weak, imperfect food;

If sustenance more spiritual be denied,
With flames consuming on itself 'twill brood.
BRYDGES.

[See also THE SOUL-IMMORTALITY

REASON.]

MINISTERING SPIRITS-(See

ANGELS.)

MINISTERS-(See PASTORS.)

MIRACLES.

Yet scorns the immortal mind this base A miracle, with miracles inclosed,

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Is man; and starts his faith at what is strange? What less than wonders from the Wonderful, What less than miracles from God can flow?

YOUNG.

What is a miracle? 'Tis a reproach,
'Tis an implicit satire on mankind;
And while it satisfies, it censures too.
YOUNG.

To common sense, great nature's course proclaims

A Deity: when mankind falls asleep
A miracle is sent, as an alarm,

To wake the world, and prove Him o'er again
By recent argument, but not more strong.

YOUNG.

Say which imports more plenitude of power,
Or nature's laws to fix or to repeal?
To make a sun, or stop his mid career?
YOUNG.

O what a scale of miracles is here!
Its lowest round high planted in the skies;
Its towering summit lost, beyond the thought
Of man or angel!

YOUNG.

All we behold is miracle; but seen So duly, all is miracle in vain.

COWPER.

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