Divine considerations treating of those things which are most profitable, most necessary and most perfect in our Christian profession by John Valdesso.

CONSID. XI.

In what manner Gods being just, doth redound to the profit of them, that by revelation be∣lieve in Christ.

ALL the Perfections which the holy Scripture attributeth to God; seem even according to humane wisdome, to redound to the benefit of man, except it be one, which seems to re∣dound to his damage: forasmuch as it is be∣neficiall to a man, that God should be omni∣potent, liberall, wise, faithfull, bountifull, mer∣cifull, and pitifull; but it seems not beneficiall to him, that he should be just. For God being just, and man unjust, he finds not how to be a∣ble to save himself in Gods judgement.

The goodnesse of God is so great, that being willing that this perfection of his, which seems to us to redound to the damage of man, should no lesse redound to his benefit, then all the other; he did determine to execute upon his own Sonne all the rigour of that Justice, which he ought to have executed upon all men for all their impieties and sins, to the intent that men holding this truth for certain, that God hath executed the rigour of his justice on his own Sonne, may know that it is as beneficiall to them, that God is just, as that he is mercifull; it being certain, that administring Justice he cannot fail to save them, they having accepted

for their own, that Justice which was execu∣ted on his own Sonne.

Whereby I understand and assure my self, that God revealed unto the Saints of the old Testament, That his justice ought to be execu∣ted upon his own Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and therefore they might certainly hold, that it was no lesse favourable for them, that God should be just, then mercifull; together with all the other perfections, that are attributed un∣to God.

Furthermore I understand, that those men which are not assured by revelation, that God hath executed on Christ the rigour of his Ju∣stice, do alwayes fear the judgement of God, and it is grievous unto them that Justice is in God; for they do not find how to be able to satisfie it.

From this fear superstititions grow, scruples grow, and ceremonies grow: From all which we are free, that are come by revelation unto the knowledge of Christ, being certain that God being just, he will not twice punish.

Let us believe the Gospel, which doth certi∣fie us, that we were punished in Christ; and in this let us assure our selves, knowing that God is Just, and that we have been already punished on the Crosse in Jesus Christ our Lord.