REDEMPTION, as one has said, was no afterthought with our God; it was His purpose from the beginning. By the work of redemption He prepares the richest glory for His own blessed name, and the fullest joy for His creatures. “The morning stars sang together," it is true,” and all the sons of God shouted for joy," when the foundations of the earth were laid; but the shoutings of grace when the new creation is finished by the bringing forth of the Head Stone, will be louder still. Never were such music and dancing in the house before, as when the poor prodigal had returned, and been revceied as one alive from the dead. Never had such affections been awakened within him before. Never had the father's treasures been brought forth till then: till then the fatted calf, the ring, and the best robe had been laid up; and never had the father himself so full a joy in his child as when he fell on his neck and kissed him. And so is it in the wondrous ways of our God. Creation brought forth the resources of His love, and wisdom, and power, and heaven on high was glad through all its order, and earth smiled beneath, the fair witness of His handy-work; but redemption has drawn forth still richer treasures that were lying hid in God-has awakened still more adoring joy and praise " in the presence of the angels," and has given new and diviner affections to the children of men.
Everything is to stand in grace. Love was of old, because God is love, and love was therefore made known in the work of creation, and that by communicating goodness and blessing. But love has found a fuller scope for expressing itself in the work of redemption, in bringing grace and showing mercy: and this is its new character (see 1 John 2:8). Grace, the source and power of redemption, is “the glory that excelleth "—the light that shined from heaven in converting grace and power round Saul of Tarsus, was " above the brightness of the sun at mid-day." Grace is the fullest, and indeed the only worthy expression of the unsearchable riches of divine love. The heavens will rejoice in grace (Rev. 5:11, 12); and Israel, as representing the joy of the earth, will, in the end, triumph in it also (Isa. 40:1; 61:10; Zeph. 3:14, 15). J. G. B.