VHR.7, Ephefians,Chap.e. 89 ofthe devill, holding us under the curfe ; from the power ofour con- fcience jufily condemning us, from the power offinne, commanding as King, how much more is this to be extolled e This mercy was not (hewed to the Angels, creaturesmore excellent then ourfelves. Should one fct us free from the ftate of Villenage, or ranfome us from the Gallies, we could not thinke our felves thankfull enough to them ; much leffe can we ever be thankfull enough for this benefit. It fhould flirre up fpirituall joy : Looke, Ira. 44. 23. where the infen- fible creatures are called upon to rejoyce, for the redemption of Gods people, when theywere redeemed from Babel; the joy did putthem intoan extafie, they knew not whether they were afleepe or awake. Let us pray to God tomove the fcalesfromour eyes, and take the vaile from our hearts,which will not let usrejoyce in foexcellent mercy. It followeth: Through his blood.] Obferve, what it is by which wee are ranfomed,even the bloodofChrift;This was it,which in the bloud of all the Sacrifices was prefigured : We are redeemed, faith Peter, notwith filver orgold, but with the blood yChriff, a lambe undefiled. When any are captive here and there, we have but two waies ufually, by which we redeeme them ; The fief is by force of armes, when we powerfullyrefcue them, the other is bycourfe ofj urfite,, when we fend fome ranfome,and byway ofchange fet them free. Now it is in vaine todifputc what God might have done by abfolute power; for God may out ofhisabfolute foveraignty, not havepunifhed Adams fin, both becaufe it wasagainft himfelfe, not others, to whom he is tyed to doe juflice; and efpecially, for that the demonflration of his revenging juflice fpringeth not from the neceffity of his nature , but from his voluntary difpofition, as well as the giving life perpetual!, to obedience for acertaine fpace performed ; And finally, becaufe God is able, werehe pleafed to fhew this power, to turne it tohis glory; which mens impotency not attaining, maketh them that they cannot alwaies with juftice forgive, even that in which themfelvcs are tref- paffed : Yet feeing God bath determined that his juflice (hall take her revenge, if by breach of covenant fhe be wronged, hee can-. not but execute punifhment, neither may he fet us free from the fame, but fo as wronged juflice may receive fatisfaElion. Againe, we know which maketh the Scripture fay, it wasmeete and neceffary that Chrift fhould be confecrated, through fuffering, that he fhould fuller, and fo enter his glory ; See, Luke 24.26.Heb.2.i7. Death corporali and fpirituall, fuch as is a punifhment of Gnne, but not finfull. Defertion, not in regard of union and fuftentation, butof confolation. Impreffionofwrath, deathbeing made as ferviceable for our good, and the feareofit being taken away by himwho bath farted it for us, andfwallowed it up into vidiory. We know that he hath by way of ranfome redeemed us, as being the fitteft way, both to deliver us, out of his grace, freely, and yet to Phewhimfelfe juft, info juffifyingor redeemingofus; See, Rom. 3, f 25. For further opening this point: Marke two things. a. What I 3 is Yfea< rot with-draw that voluntary cove'aant,who doubtethbut that had the creature kept his Innocency a thoufand yeares, God was free to have annihila. fed him ?
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