From Miscellanea, Meditations, Memoratives

There be two feet whereon God walketh on the hearts of men. Mercy and truth which a sinner must fall down with Mary and kiss, that in respect of God’s Justice we may retain fear, and in regard of his Mercy conceive hope. For all the ways of God are Mercy and Truth: mercy that we may not despair, and truth that we may not presume… Because God is merciful, wilt thou build a nest of sin, as the psalmist saith, upon his back: thou can’st not sever his mercy from his justice, and then justice will sentence. Is God a just God, a terrible God, into whose hands it is a horrible thing to fall? Thou can’st not separate his justice from his mercy: she will proclaim ‘the mercy of God is higher than all his works’, his mercy exalteth herself above his judgements: ‘for he wills that all men to be saved.’ He that can that he will [sic], will not the death of one sinner, but that he may turn from his wickedness and live for ever; he offereth mercy to all, but never useth his justice but upon necessity.

— from Miscellenea, Meditations, Memoratives

• Elizabeth Grymeston (c. 1563–1604) was an English poet and Catholic who wrote only one work during her lifetime, Miscellanea, Meditations, Memoratives, which was published posthumously in 1604. Written as an address to her only living son Bernye as a spiritual guide she left him in case she did not have the opportunity to raise him properly in the faith, the book was an instant success, going through several editions when it was published. Her life was marked by suffering at the hands of her mother in part because of her Catholic beliefs at a time in England when it was illegal to be Catholic.