(17) 1. The first remarkable period is this, they meet together at the council table of the covenant of redemption from all eternity, before ever the foundation of the world was laid, are ever the morning stars sang together, Mercy and Truth met together, righteousness and peace kissed each other, for the council of peace did then meet Zech. vi. 13 and all was concerted by infinite wisdom, how Mercy should be magnified, Truth cleared, righteousness vindicated, and Peace concluded, and all in Christ, who according to the tenor of that covenant whereof the covenant of grace is but a transcript) was to give his soul an offering for sin and then was to see his seed and the pleasure of the Lord to prosper in his hand. Then it was that this pleasant meeting in him was first constitute, as you may see Prov. viii.30, 31. he being set up from everlasting ere over the earth was; God in all his glorious perfections was delighted in him and in him his delights were with the sons of men. This was a grand meeting at which the time and place of all the subsequent meetings were concerted, and all the other particulars we are to mention are but the result of this, and as it were emanations therefrom; for it is a meeting that never dissolves, tho' in several periods it appears like a new meeting unto me. Therefore2. Another remarkable period is their meeting together in the garden of Eden after man had made himself naked and obnoxious to the flaming sword of dine justice. Mercy comes walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the guilty pannel being examined in open court; behold, Mercy and Truth meet in the happy sentence that was pronounced 'The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent,' Gen. iii.15. Behold righteousness and peace kiss one another in the righteous vengeance that was to execute upon the devil and his works in order to effectuate a happy peace betwixt God and man. This meeting was gradually cleared up under the Old Testament: and in legal sacrifice. 3. Another remarkable period is their meeting together at Bethlehem Ephrata upon Christ's incarnation, Micah v.2,4,5,&c.
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