Christ's mercies

  "A mother that has a sick child that is difficult to deal with will not therefore cast it away. And shall there be more mercy in ourselves than in God, who planted the affection of mercy in us? But for further demonstration of Christ's mercy too all broken people, consider the names of love and family Christ has taken upon himself such as husband, nursing mother, shepherd, brother etc. which he will discharge to the utmost as assigned by his Father and his own voluntary undertaking. Consider the names used to describe him of the mildest creatures, like the lamb and hen to show his tender care; consider his very name Jesus, a Savior, given him by God himself; consider his mission, which is that he should 'heal the broken-hearted,' Isa 61:1

 At his baptism the Holy Ghost sat on him in the shape of a dove, to show what he should be a dove-like, gentle mediator. See the gracious manner of executing his mission. As a prophet, he came with blessing in his mouth, 'Blessed be the poor in spirit' etc. and he invited those to come to him whose hearts felt the most guilt, 'Come unto me, all you that are weary and heavy laden.' Matt. 11:28 How did his heart yearn when 'he saw the people as a sheep without a shepherd!' Matt. 9:36. He never turned any back again that came to him, though some went away of themselves. He came to die as a priest for his enemies. In the days of his flesh he dictated a form of  prayer to his disciples, and put petitions to God into their mouths, and his Spirit to intercede in their hearts; and he now makes intercession in heaven for weak Christians; and shed tears for those that shed his blood.

  So, he is a meek King; he will admit mourners into his presence, a king of poor and afflicted persons; as he has beams of majesty, so he has a heart of mercies and compassion; 'a prince of peace,' Isa. 9:6. Why was he tempted, but that he might aid those that are tempted,' Heb. 2:18. What mercy may we not expect from so gracious a mediator, that took our nature upon him that he might be gracious. He is a physician good at all diseases, especially at the binding up of a broken heart; he died that he might heal our souls with a plaster of his own blood, and by that death save us.  Richard Sibbs, 1645.