EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS. 177 ted for, and inclined to. Well, what shall be the result Why, do this and live ; life is promised to obedience, and that such a life as, both for the present and future condition of the creature, was accompanied with every thing needful to make it blessed and happy. Year this life having in it the eternal enjoyment of God, God him- self, as a reward, was exceedingly above whatever the obedience of man could require as due, or have any reason to expect, on any other account, but merely of his goodness. There wasprovision in that covenantfor the preserva- tion and manifestationof the glory of God, whatever wbs the event on the part of man. This was provided for in the wisdom and righteousness of God. Did man con- tinue in his obedience, and fulfil the terms of the cove- nant 1 all things were laid in subserviency to the eter- nal glory of God in his reward. In this would he for ever have manifested and exalted the glory of his holi- ness, power, faithfulness, righteousness, and goodness. As an almighty Creator and Preserver, as a faithful God and righteous Rewarder, would he have been glorified. On supposition, on the other hand, that man by shl and rebellion should transgress the terms and tenor of this covenant, yet God had made provision that no detri- ment to his glory should ensue. For by constituting a puni$hment, proportionable in his justice to that sinand demerit, he had provided that the glory of his holiness, righteousness, and veracity in his threatenings, should be exalted, and that to all eternity. God would have lost no more glory and honor by the sin of man than by the sin of angels, which in his infinite wisdom and righteousness is become a great theatre of his eternal glory. For he is no less excellent in his greatness and severity, than in his goodness and power. Wherefore, we may now return to our former inquiry. All things being thus excellently and admirably dis- 8
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