See here, 1. To how great a degree a good man will be merciful; he has
not only a compassion for the human nature under its greatest
abasements, but he regards even the life of his beast, not only because
it is his servant, but because it is God's creature, and in conformity
to Providence, which preserves man and beast. The beasts that are under
our care must be provided for, must have convenient food and rest, must
in no case be abused or tyrannised over. Balaam was checked for beating
his ass. The law took care for oxen. Those therefore are unrighteous
men that are not just to the brute-creatures; those that are furious
and barbarous to them evidence, and confirm in themselves, a habit of
barbarity, and help to make the creation groan, Rom. viii. 22. 2. To
how great a degree a wicked man will be unmerciful; even his tender
mercies are cruel; that natural compassion which is in him, as a man,
is lost, and, by the power of corruption, is turned into
hard-heartedness; even that which they will have to pass for compassion
is really cruel, as Pilate's resolution concerning Christ the innocent,
I will chastise him and let him go. Their pretended kindnesses are only
a cover for purposed cruelties.