Page:Harmony of the divine attributes displayed in the redemption and salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ.pdf/23

                               (23)

and sinful meetings, but here is an infinitely holy meetling. Holiness to the Lord is the motto of it. A meeting of holy saints and holy angels is not such a holy meeting as this meeting of the holy Attributes of God to advance the great design of infinite holiness: All the holy meetings that ever were or will be, are the result of this, land the effect of some portion of holiness sent from it, for all holiness issues from it. Here Mercy and truth meet together in a holy manner, Righteousness and Peace salute each other in a holy way, and greet one another with a holy kiss. 4. It is a happy meeting, all happiness and blessings flow from this meeting : Christ the meeting place is the center of all spiritual blessings, Eph. i. 3. Many unhappy meetings have been in the world since sin entered into it, and sinful unholy meetings are always miserable and unhappy meetings, but this holy meeting must, be a happy meeting, and this holy kiss must be a happy kiss. If Mercy and Truth had not met together, we had never met w;th God, if righteousness and peace had never kissed each other, we had never got a kiss of the fair face of the Son of God, nor never been taken into the divine embraces. 5 It is a free meeting, Mercy and Truth met together freely, without being constrained, righteousness and Peace kissed each other freely, without being forced. No motive from without could ever take place to move God to call this meeting from eternity : it was according to his own purpose and grace, which is given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Tim. i.9. Free sovereign grace is the original of the meeting. It is also such a free assembly, where every member mighty freely speak, and not one to interrupt another, as is usual in meetings among men, where some cry one thing, and some another, in a confused manner, like that assembly, Acts xix. 32. where it is said. The assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not where fore they were met together, and some cried one thing, and some another. No,-this meeting is free in opposition both to all constraint and compulsion from without, and to all confusion and commotion from within- where sovereign free