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(to children): — Mercy is here compared to a building.

I. THE BUILDER. Strangers when they visit this great metropolis, and see some of its remarkable buildings, such as St. Paul's Cathedral, for instance, very naturally ask, "Who was the builder of this beautiful edifice?" The answer would be, "Sir Christopher Wren."

1. A wise builder.

2. A mighty builder.

II. THE NAME OF THE BUILDING. The house of mercy.

1. A very beautiful name.

2. A most just and proper name. Every little child who goes to the door of this House of Mercy, and asks admittance, is instantly received; and, when admitted, that child receives from Him who raised the building the choicest mercies — the mercy of pardon, the mercy of acceptance, the mercy of adoption, the mercy of holiness, and of a title to heaven.

III. THE FOUNDATION OF THE BUILDING. Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

IV. THE APARTMENTS OF THE BUILDING.

1. The storeroom, containing precious food. The bread of life, etc. Also medicine for the sick and diseased. The balm of Gilead, etc.

2. The wardrobe, containing the robe of righteousness, the garments of salvation, etc.

3. The armoury (Ephesians 6:13-17).

4. The library, containing books of history; books of doctrine; books of promises; books of threatening (these are all bound in black, and are very dreadful-looking books, though of great importance); books of precepts; books of songs, and oh, what beautiful songs! the songs of David, and other sweet singers of Israel; books of prophecy; and books of experience, such as the Psalms, Lamentations, and Job.

V. THE EXCELLENCIES OF THE BUILDING. It is —

1. Ancient.

2. Large.

3. Commodious.

4. Beautiful.

5. High.

6. Durable.If you look at a building in this city which is ten years old you will see that it shows the effects of the elements upon it; it hears traces of the frost and smoke and rain. But there is no change in this beautiful building. It is very commodious. There is every comfort within these walls for every one without exception. It is filled with light. It is warm. There is no cold winter within that noble edifice.

VI. THE INHABITANTS OF THE BUILDING.

1. All forgiven.

2. All sons and daughters of the living God.

3. All beautiful — no deformity there.

4. All happy.

VII. THE ROAD TO THE BUILDING. Every one who enters is convinced of three things: —

1. That he is a sinner.

2. That he is in danger of hell.

3. That he will never be saved till he enters this Building of Mercy.

VIII. THE DOOR OF THE BUILDING. The righteousness of Christ — what He did, became, and suffered.

IX. THE SERVANTS EMPLOYED TO INVITE SINNERS TO ENTER THE BUILDING.

(A. Fletcher, D.D.)

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KJV: For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

WEB: I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them."