Mercy, by love, allows us to fail to a degree and the degree we fail is the degree we fall; and the degree we fall, is the degree we die; and die we must, as we lose sight and feeling of God, who is our life. Our failing is dreadful; our falling is shameful and our dying is sorrowful; but in all this, the sweet eye of pity and love is never lifted from us, nor does the working of mercy cease.
