On Thy Justice
“Justice and judgment are the iLabitation of Thy throne.” — Ps. ‘Lssxix. 14.
The Justice of God is “His Holiness in exercise.” Let us rej)air to the spot marked out as the scene of its most awful manifestation. In the depths of a by-past eternity, the summons was heard, “Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the man who is my fellow!” That mysterious commission has been fulfilled! The Shepherd has been smitten! Myriads of condemned spirits could not have borne to God’s inexorable rectitude so awful a testimony, as when, on the cross of Calvary, one lone voice sent up the wailing cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
My soul, rejoice! Justice, which ere while demanded the execution of a righteous doom upon millions lost can now unite with Mercy in sheathing the avenging sword, and exulting over myriads redeemed. The Law which brought in a whole world “guilty before God,” can exult with Mercy in seeing its every requirement obeyed, its every demand fulfilled; the Lawgiver Himself “the Just and yet the Justifier;” unloosing every chain of condemnation, and pronouncing, “Not guilty!” “O Law!” says Luther, “I drown my conscience in the wounds, blood, death, resurrection, and victory of Christ.”
Wondrous thought! — Justice, the very attribute which excluded the sinner, the first to throw open a door of welcome, proclaiming that infinite merit has cancelled infinite demerit — infinite holiness has covered infinite sin! While “Justice and judgment are the habitation of His throne,” provision has been made whereby, in perfect consistency with every principle of His moral government, “mercj and truth raay go continually before his face.”
Reader, it is well for thee often and devoutly thus to dwell on the inflexible justice of thy God. It will magnify to thee the riches of His grace, the glories of redemption, the preciousness of Jesus! If the sinner is to be saved, “judgment must be laid to the line, and righteousness to the plummet!” “The Sinless One must be condemned,” says Lefevre, “if he that is guilty is to go free. The Blessing must bear the curse, if the cursed are to be brought into blessing. The Life must die, if the dead are to live!” “In prayer in the evening,” says Henry Marty n, “I had such near and terrific views of God’s judgment upon sinners in hell, that my flesh trembled for fear of them. I flew trembling to Jesus Christ, as if the flames were taking hold of me. Oh, Christ will indeed save me, or else I perish!”
My soul! take hold of that touchingly simple assurance to which Justice has appended its seal, “Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish!”
“I^ot perish!” and Justice, and a God of justice, proclaiming so great salvation — safety from the terrors of a violated law — rest from the accusations of a guilty conscience — calmness in the prospect of death — Grace here — Glory hereafter! Oh! what more can the sinner need, or the sinner’s God bestow!
“I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE AND SLEEP; FOB THOU, LORD, ONLY MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY I”