any other. For instance, suppose that man, with all his descendants, had been consigned to misery : the justice of God would have appeared ; and his truth also would have been seen : but it would not have been known that there existed in the Deity any such attribute as mercy ; or that, if it did exist in him, it could ever find a fit scope for exercise : since the exercise of it must, of necessity, involve in it some remission of the rights of justice, and some encroach- ment on the honour of the law. On the other hand, if free and full remission of sins had been granted unto man, it would not have been seen how such an act of grace could consist with the rights of justice and holiness and truth. But, in the method of sal- vation which the Gospel reveals, not only are these perfections reconciled with each other, but all of them are exceedingly enhanced and glorified.
That I may keep as clear as possible of my former subject, I will now confine myself to three of the Divine attributes — justice, mercy, and truth ; and shew how a tenfold lustre is reflected upon them in the Gospel salvation, beyond what could ever have beamed forth in any other way.
Justice, as I have said, would have been seen in the condemnation of the human race. But what shall we say of it as exhibited in the Gospel ? Behold, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is " God over all," puts himself in the place of sinful man, and undertakes to endure for man all that the sins of the whole world had merited. But what will justice say, when it finds our sins transferred to him f Will it venture to seize on him ? Will it exact the debt of him ? Will it draw forth the sword against him, who is " Jehovah's Fellow11?" Methinks the sword, stretched out, would fall from the hand of justice, and refuse to execute its appointed work. But, no : sin is found on our incarnate God. True, it is in him only by imputation : yet, being imputed to him, he must be made answerable for it', and must himself endure all
h Zech. xiii. 7. ' Isai. liii. 7. Bishop Lowth's Translation.