Arg. VII. This doctrine is further confirmed, by the general unanimous consent and affirmation of those best able to judge. (1.) They assert it. Job, a man of great wisdom and integrity, "not his like in all the earth," Job 1: 8. and none so sorely afflicted; yet, says Elihu to him, by way of counsel (as what himself would do in like case), "I will ascribe righteousness to my maker," chap. 36: 3. and "surely God will not pervert judgment," chap. 34: 12. "God is known (that is, he is known to be God) by the judgments which he executeth," Psal. 19. 6. "The Lord is upright; there is no unrighteousness in him," Psal. 92: 15. "He loveth righteousness, and hateth iniquity. The sceptre of his kingdom is a right sceptre," Psal. 45: 6, 7. "Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne," Psal. 97: 2. Deut. 32: 4. That "true and righteous are his judgments," is the voice of those in heaven, Rev. 19: 2. (2.) They submit to it, even then when most provoked by men's injurious dealings with them for his sake; and when the Lord's own hand hath been most severe towards them. “Aaron held his peace," Lev. 10: 3. "It is the Lord," saith Eli, "let him do what seemeth him good," 1 Sam. 3: 18. Hezekiah also, "Good is the word of the Lord,” 2 Kings 20: 19. Yea, they have done thus, when by the light of natural reason they could see no reason for it; witness Job; who, when plundered of all, because he feared God, and eschewed evil," and could justify himself to the height, as to any hypocrisy; yet, says he, “ I will make supplication to my judge," Job 9: 15. Look on our Lord and Saviour himself, and see his confession: "Our fathers cried unto thee, and were delivered; but I, though day nor night I am not silent, thou hearest me not." How does he close his complaint? Not, Thou dealest more hardly with me, who less have deserved it; but, "Thou art holy," Psal. 22: 2, 3, 4. Jeremiah, indeed, began to object, because the " way of the wicked prospered, and they were happy that dealt treacherously:" but he presently bethinks himself, withdraws his plea, and yields the cause: Righteous thou art, O Lord, when I plead with thee," Jer. 12: 1. I might instance the suf frages of wicked men, and of the most obdurate among them, whose consciences, at times, have enforced their confession of this truth; and the testimony of an adversary

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As

proves strongly. Pharaoh subscribes to it: "The Lord is righteous, I and my people are wicked," Exod. 9: 27. also doth Adoni-bezek, and Saul, Judges 1: 7. 1 Sam. 24: 17. 19. (3.) the saints triumph in the righteousness of God, as well they may, and call upon others to do the like: "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice,". Psal. 93: 97.

99.

"Let

"O let the nations be glad, and sing for joy; for thou shalt judge the people righteously," Psal. 92: 4. the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad before the Lord: for he cometh to judge the earth," Psal. 96: 11. 13. &c. And hence it was that Paul, and the rest of them, though the present sense of their sufferings was grievous, yet they gloried in them, and rejoiced greatly in hopes of that glory and "crown of righteousness, which God, as a righteous judge, had prepared for them," 2 Tim. 4. 8.

Arg. VIII. The righteousness of God is yet farther illustrated, by the issue and event of his darkest dispensations. "The consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness," Isa. 10: 22. and nothing else shall be in it. “ His people, though long under oppression, he brought them forth at last, with the greater substance. His leading them about in the wilderness, as it were in a. maže, forty years together; and bringing them back to where they had been many years before; yet proved it to be the right way, Psal. 107: 7. and it was for "their good in the latter end," Deut. 8: 16. David's long persecution by Saul, made him the fitter for the kingdom, and adapted him for the office of principal secretary to the great King; opportunely acquainting him with all the affairs of the heavenly state and council, that are fit to be known upon earth: and by his hand and experience they are confirmed to us; and this among the rest. "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest; and teachest him out of thy law," Psal. 94: 12. We see it also by the end the Lord made with Job; "he brought him forth like gold," and doubled his blessings upon him, Job 43: 12. The basket of good figs were sent into captivity for their good, Jer. 24: 5. Paul's afflictions turned to his salvation, Phil. 1: 19. Even the temptations, sorrows, and sufferings of Christ himself, which were such as never were known by men, were intended, and accordingly did, perfect and enable him for his office of mediator: "Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like

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unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself. hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted,". Heb. 2: 17, 18.

Arg. IX. Another great instance and evidence of the righteousness of God appears in the manner of his procedure in reference to the elect. Those precious souls, whom he loved from everlasting, and determined to bring to glory: yet, having sinned, not one of them shall enter there, without satisfaction made to his justice; even those he will not justify, but so as to be just in doing of it, Rom. 8: 3. 3:26. The mercy-seat being sprinkled with blood, Lev. 16: 14. was evidently a shadow of it; for the glory of God does not consist only in shewing mercy, but to do it in such a manner as not to clash with his justice. It is a part of his name and glory, that "he will by no means clear the guilty," Exod. 34: 7. but who then shall be saved, since all the world is found guilty before God?" Rom. 3:19. Yea, there is yet a way to shew mercy (which is ever adorable,) and therein is shewn the manifold wisdom of God, as well as his righteousness, in the contriving a way for " mercy and truth to meet together," Psal. 85: 10. which was done by transferring the guilt of his chosen ́upon another, who was able to bear it, and to give a more adequate satisfaction to his justice, than they ever could have done by their personal sufferings: this also was typified by the law of the scape-goat: "And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats, one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scape-goat. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scape.goat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scape-goat into the wilderness. And he that let go the goat for the scape-goat, shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp." Lev. 16: 8. 10. 26.

Arg. X. Consider especially that great instance of Christ himself, the first elect, and head of all the family; and the compact made with him; who, though he were a son, "His beloved son, in whom his soul delighted:" yet if he will undertake for sinners, he must stand in their

stead. "All their sins must meet upon him," and he must It was bear the punishment due unto them, Isa. 53: 4, 5. not "possible that cup should pass from him:"no," though he sought it with strong cries and tears;" and that of him who was able to save him from death, who also loved him as his own soul: he was not, he might not be released, until he had paid the utmost mite. For although grace is perfectly free to men, in pardoning and saving of them; yet justice must be satisfied, and Christ was abated nothing. This last unparalleled instance of incomparable justice doth highly illustrate the point in hand, namely, "That our great and sovereign Lord cannot but do right."

Inferences from the Righteousness of God.

Infer. 1. May this doctrine prove an eternal blast to the vain and presumptuous confidence of impenitent sinners, who, "because vengeance is not speedily executed, have their hearts fully bent and set in them to do evil," Eccles. 8: 11. Because the Lord (at present) holds his peace, they think he is like themselves, Psal. 50: 21, &c. Let them certainly know, that he is able to deal with them: and, further, that his righteousness obligeth him to vindicate himself: he will by no means clear the guilty, nor be always silent: though slow, yet sure; and strikes home at last, Psal. 2: 9." He will arise to judgment, and set their sins in order before them," and reckon with them for all the hard speeches which they, ungodly sinners, have uttered against him: the sight whereof shall strike their trembling souls (notwithstanding their stoutness now) with horror and amazement; and make even all their bowels ready to gush out. "He will wound the hairy scalp (the proud and presumptuous head) of every one that goes on in his wickedness," Psal, 68: 21. "A dart shall strike through his liver," Prov. 7: 23. and down with him to hell, the nethermost hell, in a moment. Why then will you run against the thick bosses of his bucklers?" Job 15, 26. “and set briers and thorns in array against a devouring flame?" Isa. 33: 14. Can dried stubble dwell with "everlasting burnings?" Did " ever any harden himself against God and prosper?" Job 9: 4. No, nor never shall. Where will

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his hope be, when God taketh away his soul! Job 27: 8. Therefore take up betimes, leave off, and know that he is God, Psal. 46: 10.

Infer. 2. Let this doctrine for ever vindicate the holy and good ways of God (both those he walks in towards us, and those he commands us to walk in towards himself,) from all those senseless imputations of harshness, moroseness, nicety, preciseness, or whatever else the profaneness or ignorance of men can tax them with: for, as it is said, so it is found by the certain and sober experience of all that fear him (and against such experience no reason is to be admitted;) I say, it is a general infallible experiment, that all the ways of wisdom are pleasantness to him that walks in them," Prov. 3: 17. which argues, that those who think otherwise, are ignorant of them, and therefore not competent judges. It is granted, indeed, that those whose hearts are in these good ways of God, have their steps too often turned aside, and go haltingly in them: but, in truth, the fault is not in the way, but in the men. There is some

fracture in their bones, dislocation of joints, or evil tumor; something is out of order, and needs looking to. A cripple will limp in Solomon's porch, on the smoothest pavement, when one that is sound in his limbs will walk with delight on rougher ground. The law, and our hearts, were once at perfect agreement; the discord came in by our free-will deviations, and swerving from our first make. Therefore admit not the least motion that looks but awry on the commands or disposements of God; but justify them to the height, and take shame to yourself, as Paul himself did, "The commandment is holy, but I am carnal," Rom. 7: 12. 14.

Infer. 3. If the Lord cannot but do right, then let us all (and every one) take heed of sin, which the holiness and justice of God are so inexorably bent against: he will not pardon without satisfaction. Yea, beware of little sins (little, I mean, in esteem with men, or in comparison of some others.) Your nearness to God will not excuse you; for, you have I known, [therefore] you will I punish," Amos 3: 2. Even Moses, his servant, for once speaking unadvisedly, was shut out of Canaan, Numb. 20: 10. 12. and though he would fain have gone into that good land, and solicited the Lord much about it, as if he would have