Page:Harmony of the divine attributes displayed in the redemption and salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ.pdf/3

 un-made himself, if God had a mind, for the praise of his own glorious grace to make him up again by a new creation in Christ Jesus, there must be a more glorious not only solemnity yet ; not only a council of the adorable trinity, but a grand meeting of all the attributes of God, consult their own glory that was married, and reconcile their own interest, and seemingly contradictory claims ; for the sin of- man had brought real confusion among all the creatures of God, on earth; yea, and a seeming war among all the attributes of God in heaven, concerning the execution of the sentence of the law upon mankind, the transgressor thereof. Some of these attributes, such as Mercy, saying, if the sentence of death be executed upon them how shall I be glorified ? Others, such as Truth saying, if the sentence be not executed, how shall I be glorified. It is not to be expected that such opposites can meet together! Or if they meet, that they will agree together cordially, Yea, tho' it be beyond the expectation of men and angels, yet behold it is here celebrated with a song, ' Mercy and truth are ' met together, righteousness and peace have killed ‘ each other; This Psalm consists of prayer, of faith, and an answer of peace. First the church prayer, from the beginning to the 8 verse, where they are praying for the removal of many tokens of God’s displeasure they were under, notwithstanding of their return out of the Babylonian captivity. 1. The answer of peace that is made to their prayer, from verse 8 and downward, we have heard the Psalmist listening and waiting for the answer; ' I will hear what God the Lord will speak. The answer itself in general is peace, he will speak peace to his people,’ &c. If he give not outward peace, yet he will suggest inward peace, speaking that to their hearts by his Spirit, which he had spoken to their ears by his word, whatever other sort of peace and prosperity they enjoyed, when at length the children of the captivity, after a great deal of toil, had gained a settlement in their own land, yet peace with God, and spiritual prosperity under the Messiah's kingdom, was the great thing here Promised and prophesied of; and that is a peace that A2 man, and by his knowledge man my righteous servant.