It is no small part of this mystery, that the good should oppose, and that it should be their duty to oppose, that which had become necessary for man’s salvation!  And that the wicked should be engaged to do that which was requisite for this end!  And that their enmity against God and the Redeemer, should excite and influence them thereto!

But though every thing relating to this matter is too deep for us.  Deity had no embarrassment.  To omniscience all was easy and obvious.  The great Supreme needed only to sit at helm, superintend and overrule the lulls of apostate creatures, to effect the purposes of his grace!  Need only to permit man freely to follow his own inclinations!  “The wrath of man would thus be made to praise God;” and the designs of mercy be accomplished!  The greatest good be occasioned by the greatest evil!  God glorified, and sinners saved!

The mystery of redemption was veiled, till atonement had been made for sin.  That satisfaction was to be made to divine justice, by the sufferings of a divine person, remained a hidden mystery, till explained by the event.  This was necessary.  Had the enemy been able to penetrate the design, these things would not have been done.  Satan would not have instigated, nor his adherents crucified the Lord of glory.

The powers of darkness were laboring to subvert and destroy; they vainly thought to defeat the purposes of grace; but were made instrumental in their accomplishment.  “The wise were taken in their own craftiness; the purposes of the froward carried headlong; but the divine purposes stood, and God performed all his pleasure!  Oh, the depths of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

II.  Another thing which our subject suggests to our consideration, is the way of God with man.  God hath provided a savior, and offered salvation—­he hath pointed out the way of duty, and commanded us to walk in it—­allured us thereto by promises, and barred up the way to destruction by threatenings.  Those who enjoy the gospel, have life and death set before them.  But no constraint is laid upon them—­they choose for themselves, and the consequences follow.

Though the best services of fallen man are imperfect, and mercy offered in Christ his only hope, he hath reason to expect saving mercy while seeking it in the way of duty, and only while thus seeking.  When we “keep consciences void of offence, toward God and men, then are we satisfied from ourselves,” and expect the approbation of our judge.  When we act differently, we are condemned of ourselves, and tremble to approach the enlightened tribunal.

These views are natural—­they are written on the heart or conscience, by the creator’s hand, and indicate what we may reasonably expect from him who knows our hearts—­from him who is moral governor of all worlds.

As we know ourselves to be free agents, and as we possess only delegated powers, we are certainly accountable for the use which we make of those powers.  The duties which rise out of such a situation, and the consequences which will follow, according to the manner in which we act our parts, need not to be pointed out—­they lie open to every eye.