Behold then how replete this passage is with,
1. Instruction to the ignorant —
[Men differ much about the way of salvation: but this passage clearly determines who is right. That plan of salvation, and that alone, is right, which is carried into effect in perfect consistency with all the attributes of God. But there is no way that provides for the honour of God's truth and righteousness, but that which is revealed in the Gospel, the way of salvation by faith in Christ. Nothing but Christ's obedience unto death ever did, or ever could, answer the demands of law and justice : nothing but Christ's completion of that work in the quality of our Surety could enable the sinner to say to the supreme Gover- nor of the universe, " Avert thy wrath from me ; for I have already endured it in my Surety; and give me everlasting glory, for I, in the person of my Surety, have fulfilled all righteousness, and perfectly obeyed thy law." But the Believer may adopt this language ; since God himself has said, that " Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us, that we, who had no righteous- ness, might be made the righteousness of God in him." Let the uninstructed bear this in mind, and " determine to know nothing" as a ground of hope towards God, " but Jesus Christ, and him crucified."]
2. Terror to the presumptuous —
[It is surprising what a measure of confidence some will
express, ^ Rora. X. 8, g. ' Isai. xlv. 21. ^ Rom. iii. 25, 26.
* Eph. ii. 17. " Isai. iv. 5.
288 PSALMS, Lxxxv. 9, 10. [393.
express, notwithstanding neither their principles nor their conduct at all accord with the Scriptures of Truth. But we must declare to all, that both in the foundation of our hope, and in the super- structure built upon it, " Mercy and truth must meet together, and righteousness and peace must kiss each other." We have before shewn, that no one perfection of the Deity will display itself at the expense of another : all must unite and harmonize in every work of his : it is as impossible for God in any one in- stance to violate his righteousness or truth, as for him to cease from his existence. In us also must those graces which corre- spond with his perfections be found in united and harmonious exercise : we must be just and true, and merciful and kind : yea, it is by our conformity to the Divine image in righteousness and true holiness, that we must judge of our state before him : for, however accurate our views of his Gospel may be, it is a cer- tain truth, that " without holiness no man shall see the Lord : " " Truth must spring out of the earth, if ever righteousness shall look down from heaven'."]
3. Consolation to the timid —
[It is frequently amongst those who truly " fear God " a matter of doubt and anxiety, whether God can pardon them : they see their manifold imperfections in so strong a light, that God appears to them bound, as it were, in justice, to banish them from his presence, yea, and bound in truth also to execute his threatenings upon them. But let such persons view God, not as he is in himself, but as he is in Christ Jesus. There it is that he must be seen as a God of love and peace. There it is that the drooping penitent may behold him " as a reconciled God, who will never impute to him his trespasses''." Yes, in Christ Jesus, " God is not only merciful and kind, but faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- righteousness'." Dismiss then your fears, ye trembling saints; and put your trust in Him, who has in so wonderful a way re- moved all the obstacles to your salvation. The veil of the tem- ple was rent in twain on purpose to shew you, that henceforth there is free access to God for every sinner upon earth, and that all who approach him in that new and living way, by faith in Christ Jesus, shall surely find acceptance with him. If God will be just in punishing the ungodly, he will be no less just to his Son in pardoning all who plead the merit of his blood : and if he will be true in executing his threatenings, he will be no less true in fulfilling his exceeding great and precious promises. Only rely on them, and plead them at a throne of grace, and you shall never, never be disappointed of your hope.]