Again, here offereth it self to our view the admirable contexture of justice and mercy, the unspeakable contrivance of Redemption and salvation by the Gospel. There seemeth to be a kind of conflict between the Attributes of God, as St. Bernard hath observed;1 Justice and Truth resolved to punish sin, Moray and Grace resolved to save sinners. No created wisdom could have found out a way to effect this, so to sever the sin from the sinner, that Justice might satisfy it self upon the one, and Mercy magnify it self upon the other. This could not be done, but by such a Mediator and Surety as might be both able and willing to suffer the wrath of God, and having so done, victoriously to rise up and triumph over Hell and Death. All this is sound in the Lord Jesus. In him man suffered, In him God conquered. His sufferings valid for satisfaction of Justice, and impetration of favour, and by the infinite dignity of his Person, made applicable to the persons of all that should believe· Grace given unto them, that they may believe and consent to their own Salvation. ⟨p. 20⟩And thus all parties are satisfied, and all willing· God satisfied by the obedience of his Son,2 This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Christ satisfied with the salvation of his body, He shall see the travel of his soul, and shall be satisfied. Believers satisfied with their pardon and inheritance, When I awake, I shall be satisfied with thine Image. God willing to pardon sinners, Christ willing to Redeem sinners, and sinners made willing by the Spirit of the Father and the Son to enjoy the benefit of so great a redemption, and to obey the precepts of so holy a Gospel. And thus Mercy and Truth are met together, 3Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. All the Religions that ever were in the world could never show so glorious a temperament of exquisite Justice, of most gratuitous Mercy, of unsearchable wisdom, as is revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Again, here offereth it self to our view the admirable contexture of justice and mercy, the unspeakable contrivance of Redemption and salvation by the Gospel. There seemeth to be a kinde of conflict between the Attributes of God, as St. Bernard hath observed;1 Iustice and Truth resolved to punish sin, Moray and Grace resolved to save sinners. No created wisdom could have found out a way to effect this, so to sever the sin from the sinner, that Iustice might satisfie it self upon the one, and Mercy magnifie it self upon the other. This could not be done, but by such a Mediator and Surety as might be both able and willing to suffer the wrath of God, and having so done, victoriously to rise up and triumph over Hell and Death. All this is sound in the Lord Iesus. In him man suffer'd, In him God conquered. His sufferings valid for satisfaction of Justice, and impetration of favour, and by the infinite dignitie of his Person, made applicable to the persons of all that should believe· Grace given unto them, that they may believe and consent to their own Salvation. ⟨p. 20⟩And thus all parties are satisfied, and all willing· God satisfied by the obedience of his Son,2 This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Christ satisfied with the salvation of his body, He shall see the travel of his soul, and shall be satisfied. Believers satisfied with their pardon and inheritance, When I awake, I shall be satisfied with thine Image. God willing to pardon sinners, Christ willing to Redeem sinners, and sinners made willing by the Spirit of the Father and the Son to enjoy the benefit of so great a redemption, and to obey the precepts of so holy a Gospel. And thus Mercy and Truth are met together, 3Righteoutness and peace have kissed each other. All the Religions that ever were in the world could never shew so glorious a temperament of exquisite Iustice, of most gratuitous Mercy, of unsearchable wisdom, as is revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- 1Ser. 1. in annuntiat. B. Mariae.
- 2Joh. 13.31, 32. Matt. 12.18.17.5. 2 Pet. 1.17. Isa. 53 11. Psal. 17.15.32.1, 2.
- 3Psal. 85.10.
