"Mercy is a commiserating of another man's misery in our hearts,      or a sorrow for another man's distress, 

or a heart-grieving for another man's grief, arising out of an unfeigned love unto the person afflicted.

                                              

Or more plainly: mercy is a pitying of another man's misery                with a desire and endeavor to help him to the uttermost of our ability. 

 

Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful," that is, blessed are they that show mercy to others out of a deep sense of the mercy of God to them in Christ.

Blessed are such who show mercy out of love to mercy,                      out of a delight in mercy;                                                                  blessed are such as show mercy out of love and obedience to the God of mercy. 

Blessed are such as show mercy to men in misery, upon the account of the image of God, the glory of God that is stamped upon them; blessed are such as extend their piety and mercy, not only to men's bodies, but also to their precious and immortal souls. 

Soul mercy is the chief of mercies." Thomas Brooks, 1600s.