For he shall have judgment without mercy; shall be judged according to the rigour of the law, by pure justice without any mixture of mercy. That hath showed no mercy; that hath been cruel and unmerciful to his neighbour here. And mercy rejoiceth against judgment; either,
1. The mercy of God rejoiceth and glorieth over judgment, being as it were superior and victorious in relation to those that show mercy, to whom the promise of obtaining. mercy is made, Matthew 5:7. Or rather:
2. The mercy of men, i.e. of those that deal mercifully with others; their mercy having the mercy and promise of God on its side, need not fear, but rather may rejoice, and as it were glory against judgment, as not being like to go against them. Objection. Is not this to make some ground of glorying to be in men themselves, contrary to Psalms 143:2 Romans 4:2 ? Answer. Mercy in believers is an evidence of their interest in God's mercy, which prevails on their belief against his justice; and so its rejoicing against judgment, is not against it as overcome by itself, but by God's mercy. Thus both senses are included.