3. Infinite wisdom also requires that justice and righteousness (under the name of mercy we comprehend free and rich grace) may meet, and peace and righteousness may kiss each other, Psa. ⟨p. 304⟩85.11. Hence all these Attributes of glory must come forth, that a Throne may be set up and a Psalm may be sung, Rev. 5.12. and the thousands of thousands may cry, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13. And every creature which is in heaven (saith John) and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Hence 1. there is no conflict between mercy and justice (as Arminius saith) nor any natural desire in God to have all Angels and men saved, which is hindered by justice. Job sayeth truly, c. 23. v. 13. He is of one (mind) and who can turn him? (from this end which he intends, as if he could not compass it to another end) and what his soul desires (in saving or destroying) even that he doth. 14. For he performeth the thing that is decreed for me (and all creatures, and his decrees are most free, Eph. 1.11.) and many such things, or many the like things are with him. Therefore it pleased his most free, sovereign and absolute Counsel to bring forth to Angels and men,1 to heaven and earth, to sea and to all creatures, the glory of justice, truth, mercy, peace, grace, power, wisdom, Rev. 5.13. and in Christ the decreed and appointed Mediator, the Lamb fo•e ordained, as Peter, 1 Pet. 1.20. to be slain, and who agreed to the decree, and in an eternal compact took the burden upon him, to fulfil that of Psal. 85.10. Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other. 11. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and Righteousness shall look down from Heaven. So that in this transaction, the Father and the Son and Spirit, let out to men for their salvation the glory of all th•se Attributes.
3. Infinite wisedome also requires that justice and righteousnesse (under the name of mercy we comprehend free and rich grace) may meet, and peace and righteousnesse may kisse each other, Psa. ⟨p. 304⟩85.11. Hence all these Attributes of glory must come forth, that a Throne may be set up and a Psalm may be sung, Rev. 5.12. and the thousands of thousands may cry, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisedome, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13. And every creature which is in heaven (saith John) and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Hence 1. there is no conflict between mercy and justice (as Arminius saith) nor any naturall desire in God to have all Angels and men saved, which is hindered by justice. Job sayeth truely, c. 23. v. 13. He is of one (minde) and who can turn him? (from this end which he intends, as if he could not compasse it to another end) and what his soul desires (in saving or destroying) even that he doth. 14. For he performeth the thing that is decreed for me (and all creatures, and his decrees are most free, Eph. 1.11.) and many such things, or many the like things are with him. Therefore it pleased his most free, soveraign and absolute Counsell to bring forth to Angels and men,1 to heaven and earth, to sea and to all creatures, the glory of justice, truth, mercy, peace, grace, power, wisdom, Rev. 5.13. and in Christ the decreed and appointed Mediator, the Lamb fo•e ordained, as Peter, 1 Pet. 1.20. to be slain, and who agreed to the decree, and in an eternall compact took the burden upon him, to fulfill that of Psal. 85.10. Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteousnesse and Peace have kissed each other. 11. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and Righteousnesse shall look down from Heaven. So that in this transaction, the Father and the Son and Spirit, let out to men for their salvation the glory of all thse Attributes.
- 1The harmony of the Attributes of God in the declaration of mercy, truth, justice, &c. is sweetly made out by this Covenant.
