The gold on the mercy-seat is intrinsic, and so proper divine righteousness; the brazen altar is governmental righteousness in connection with sin. Both answer to the character of acceptance in Christ. God has in the cross judged and put away sin. He has dealt with sin so that we are free. But then in Christ’s death God was perfectly glorified, and the reception before the throne is in the perfection of this. Christ is there in consequence of this and we are there in him—the righteousness of God in him. This is not dealing with sin, but what God delights in—can and must delight in. No doubt the blood on the mercy seat is witness of the putting away of sin according to the exigencies of divine perfection; but there is more than this—Christ is sitting there. On the brazen altar sin is righteously dealt with; on the golden throne divine righteousness is delighted in