It will be for ever esteemed a miracle of God's providence, that he should have made the captivity or wicked sale of Joseph, by means of so many windings, perplexed mazes, and strange occur- rences, issue at last in his own exaltation and the preservation of his brethren, who impiously sold him. But if any one, though en- dowed with the tongues of angels and of men, should attempt to describe this mystery of divine wisdom, whereby it is evident that God exalts his own name, and not only recovers his former honour, but even raises it, manifests his justice, preserves in- violable his right and dominion in pardoning sin, wherewith he is highly pleased and incredibly delighted (and unless this heavenly discovery, a truly God-like invention, had intervened, he could not have pardoned even the least sin), he must feel his language not only deficient, but the eye of the mind, overpowered with light, will fill him with awe and astonishment. That that which is the greatest, yea, the only disgrace and affront to God, should turn out to his highest honour and glory; that that which could not be permitted to triumph without the greatest injury to the justice, right, holiness, and truth of God, should find grace and pardon, to the eternal and glorious dis- play of justice, right, holiness, and truth, — was a work that requu-ed infinite wisdom, an arduous task, and every way worthy of God.
Finally, Let us constantly contemplate in the mirror of this truth the holiness of God, whereby '• he is of purer eyes than to behold evil," in " whose presence the wicked shall not stand," that we our- selves may become more pure in heart, and more holy in life, speech, and behaviour.
E-^D OF VOL X,
EDINBUIlOn ; raiNTRD IIV JOIIKSTINE and Ul'NTKR.
Princeton Theoloaical ,fev;,'"f,7,,, Ll^^im^^^
1 1012 01196 0863
Date Due
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