Page:Harmony of the divine attributes displayed in the redemption and salvation of sinners by Jesus Christ.pdf/32

(32) think you of this wonder ? Mercy and Truth meet together, that they might go forth together, like two pages, to follow you, believer, through all the steps of your wilderness journey; Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Here is a piece of work, that Mercy and Truth have met together, for, even to be sent forth as leaders and followers of poor elect sinners, till they be out of all hazard. In Emmanuel's land, where glory dwells; See Psal. Ixi 7. but then, as Mercy and Truth have met together, to pursue their proper work, so Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other for pursuing of their's. Well, say you, what is the work of righteousness and Peace ? You have a word in the last verse of this Psalm, where our text lies, ‘ Righteousness shall 'go before him, and set us in the way of his steps Divine righteousness displaying itself in Christ Jesus, the Son of Righteousness, goes before him to prepare his way, and bring us to God, and to our duty, and to be sure, whenever righteousness goes before, Peace will follow after; ' for the fruit of righteousness is peace, whether it be imputed or implanted: Here then the work of righteousness and Peace kissing each other, is to bring in these blessed effects in their order ; we consider them as divine perfections in the text, and in these effects, righteousness leads the van, and Peace comes up in the rear. 3. These Attributes conspire harmoniously, they meet together and kiss each other, for this reason, that by their meeting together, they may concert the dissolving of some unhappy meetings. These opposite like Attributes of God meet together, that some intimates may be separate, and sad and sinful agreements may be broken Up, Isa. xxviii. 15 'there is a sad meeting and agreement we read of. We have made a covenant with death, and with hell, are we at agreement. Why, is not this the case of all men by nature ? Yea ; but how is this sad and miserable meeting dissolved ? See verse 16. Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation Judgment also will lay to the line, and Righteousness to the plummet. Well, when judgment and righteousness mercifully meet in Christ the sure foundation, what will be the effect? It