The Communicant's Companion (continued)
IV. Here we must be admiring the mysteries and miracles of redeeming love.—They that worshipped the beast are said to wonder after him, so must they that worship the Lamb, for he hath done marvelous things. We have reason to say that we were fearfully and wonderfully made; but without doubt, we were more fearfully and wonderfully redeemed. We were made with a word, but we were bought with a price: stand still, then, and see the salvation of the Lord, see it with admiration. Affect thyself, my soul, with a pleasing wonder, while thou art seeing this great sight. The everlasting gospel is here magnified and made honorable, let it be so in thine eyes; call it the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Let us take a view of some of the marvelous things which are done in the work of our redemption.
1. The contrivance of the salvation is marvelous.—It would have for ever puzzled the wisdom of angels and men, to have found out such a method of salvation as might effectually satisfy God's justice, and yet secure man's happiness; save the life of the law-breaker, and yet maintain the honor of the law-maker. This is that mystery which the angels desire to look into, and of which the most piercing eye of those inquisitive spirits, that see by the light of the upper world, will not be able to eternity to discern the bottom. O the depth of this hidden wisdom!
2. The purposes of God's love concerning it from eternity are marvelous.
—Be astonished, O my soul, at this, that the God who was infinitely happy in the contemplation and enjoyment of himself and his own perfections, should yet entertain thoughts of love towards a remnant of mankind, and towards thee amongst the rest, and design such favors for them, such favors for thee, before the worlds were! "How precious should these thoughts be unto us, for how great is the sum of them!"