Page:Harmony of the divine attributes displayed in the redemption and salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ.pdf/24

(24) grace is the master conveener, there can be no compassion ,and where the God of order is the great manager there could be no confusion, and where the God of peace was all in all, there could be no dissention. Therefore, 6. It is a harmonious meeting, whatever different claims and pretensions the members of the meeting seemed to have, yet they harmoniously concur in advancing one another’s honour and glory, and hence, as they mutually meet together, so they affectionately embrace one another; there was no discord at this affembly, no proper variance or striving for state, but gloriously conspire with joint hearts and hands, to glorify each other in the salvation of a company of sinners by Jesus Christ. The divine effence is undivided, and as there are three that I bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Spirit , and these three are one. So the Attributes of God,, however manifold to our apprehension, yet there is no division among them, they are all one, and their conspiring together in Christ for our redemption, is called manifold wisdom of God; The manifold perfections of God meet together in one, with one content and with one heart. Behold Mercy and justice in one another's arms: and so close is the embracement, that they are just one: Tho’ it is a full meeting, and all parties present yet there is no war, no jar, no diffention, no dissention, but all harmony and concord, and love and affection: it is the most peaceable meeting that ever was. And yet, 7. It is a bloody meeting and never was, and never will there be such a bloody meeting in heaven or earth, the mercy-seat must be sprinkled with blood, Mercy, cannot be vented without blood, Truth cannot be cleared without blood, Righteousness cannot be vindicated without blood, and Peace cannot be purchased without blood; "without shedding of blood there is no remission, no mercy to be vented, no peace to be proclaimed, Christ hath made peace by the blood of his cross, Col. i. 20.—A bloody husband hast thou been unto me, said Zipporah; but O how much more may Christ say, a bloody meeting hath this been unto me! Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, Isa. Ixiii. 1. Why, what is the matter that this garment is dyed with blood?