05.24. In what the wondrous goodness of God
In what the wondrous Goodness of God is manifested.
1. In creation. There is no other perfection of the Divine nature so eminently visible in the whole book of the creatures as this is. His goodness was the cause that He made any thing, and his wisdom was the cause that he made every thing in order and harmony. Here the goodness of God shines with a glorious lustre. All the varieties of the creatures which he hath made are so many beams and apparitions of his goodness. It was great goodness to communicate being to some things without himself, and to extract such a multitude of things from the depths of nothing, and to give life and breath to some of these creatures. Divine goodness formed their natures, beautified and adorned them with their several ornaments and perfections, whereby every thing was enabled to act for the good of the common world. Every creature hath a character of Divine goodness upon it. The whole world is a map to represent, and a herald to proclaim, this amiable perfection of God. But the goodness of God is manifested especially in the creation of man. He raised him from the dust by his almighty power, and placed him in a more sublime condition, and endued him with nobler prerogatives, than the rest of the creatures. What is man’s soul and body but like a cabinet curiously carved, with a rich and precious gem inclosed in it ! God hath made him an abridgment of the whole creation : the links of the two worlds, heaven and earth, are united in him. He communicates with the earth in the dust of his body, and he participates with the heavens in the crystal of his soul. He has the life of angels in his reason, and that of animals in his sense. Further, the divine goodness is manifested in making man after his image, in furnishing the world with so many creatures for his use, in giving him dominion over the works of his hands, and making him lord of this lower world.
2. In our redemption by Jesus Christ. O what astonishing goodness was it for the great and glorious God to give his only begotten Son to the death for such vile rebels and enemies as we all are by nature ! The goodness of God, under the name of his love, is rendered as the only cause of our redemption by Christ, John 3:16. ’ God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ This is an inexpressible so, a so that all the angels of heaven cannot analyse. None can conceive or understand the boundless extent and dimensions of it. God gave Christ for us to commend his love, and set it off with an admirable lustre. God commended his love towards us (saith the apostle), in that while we were yet enemies, Christ died for us.’ O what an expensive goodness and love was this ! Our redemption cost God more than what was laid out on the whole creation. ’ The redemption of the soul is precious,’ says the Psalmist. We are not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.’ Here God parted with his richest jewel, and with the eternal delight of his soul. This cost Christ dear. The Sun of righteousness behoved to be eclipsed, and must vail the beams of his Divine glory. He made himself of no reputation, took upon him the form of a servant, and was found in the likeness of sinful flesh. He did not appear in worldly pomp and magnificence, attended with a splendid retinue, and faring deliciously, but in a mean and low condition, without a settled dwelling-place, and was exposed to poverty and reproach. He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. The last scene of his life was most painful. Upon the very apprehension of his last sufferings it is said, ’ he began to be sorrowful,’ as if he had been a stranger to grief till then. He endured with unparalleled patience all that wrath and misery that his people deserved to have suffered for ever in hell. 0 what a dreadful deluge of wrath and fiery indignation fell from heaven upon our Ark, of which that of Noah was only but a type ! He was bruised and ground to powder as it were in his agony in the garden. O how did his innocent soul boil under the fire of Divine wrath ! His blood brake through every pore of the vessel, by the extremity of that flame. God spared not his own Son, but dealt with him in extreme severity. He paid the utmost mite of satisfaction for his people’s sins that justice could demand. 0 what admirable love and goodness is manifested here !
3. In his providential conduct and government. Here we must distinguish a twofold goodness of God, common and special.
(1.) There is God’s common goodness, which is common to all the creatures. ’ God is good to all,’ says the Psalmist. All the creatures taste of his goodness. He preserves them in their beings, continues the species of all things, concurs with them in their distinct offices, and quickens the womb of nature. ’ O Lord, thou preservest man and beast,’ says David. He visits us every day, and makes us feel the effects of his goodness, in giving us rain and fruitful seasons,’ and filling our hearts with food and gladness. He waters the ground with his showers, and every day shines with new beams of his goodness.
(2.) There is a special goodness of God to his own people, whom he privileges with spiritual and saving blessings. His goodness to them is truly wonderful, in pardoning their iniquities, healing their spiritual diseases, sanctifying their natures, hearing and answering their prayers, bearing with their infirmities, accepting their imperfect services, supporting them under and delivering them from temptations, solving their doubts, directing and guiding them in their difficulties.
4. The goodness of God will be most signally manifested at the last day. It is laid up in heaven, Psalms 31:19. ’ Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee ; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!’ 0 who can tell how great goodness is laid up there ? In heaven they shall have full draughts of his goodness, even as much as they can hold. There, God will be all in all to them, and communicate himself to them immediately, without the intervention of ordinances.