A body of divinity by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read '8. The justice of God' and '9. The mercy of God'.
(i) God cannot but be just;
(ii) God's will is the supreme rule of justice;
(iii) God does justice voluntarily;
(iv) Justice is the perfection of the divine nature;
(v) God never did nor can do the least wrong to his creatures;
(vi) God’s justice is such that it is not fit for any man or angel to expostulate with him, or demand a reason of his actions.
Then Watson teaches us that God's justice runs in two channels:
(i) in rewarding the virtuous;
(ii) in punishing offenders.
Secondly we read Watson's chapter on the mercy of God. Initially Watson lays down twelve positions:
(i) It is the great design of the Scripture to represent God as merciful;
(ii) God is more inclinable to mercy than wrath;
(iii) There is no condition, but we may spy mercy in it;
(iv) Mercy sweetens all God’s other attributes;
(v) God’s mercy is one of the most orient pearls of his crown;
(vi) Even the worst taste God’s mercy;
(vii) Mercy coming to us in a covenant is sweetest;
(viii) One act of mercy engages God to another;
(ix) All the mercy in the creature is derived from God, and is but a drop of this ocean;
(x) As God’s mercy makes the saints happy, so it should make them humble;
(xi) Mercy stays the speedy execution of God’s justice;
(xii) It is dreadful to have mercy as a witness against any one.
Then Watson explains the qualifications or properties of God's mercy:
(i) God's mercy is free;
(ii) God's mercy is an overflowing mercy;
(iii) God's mercy is eternal.
What grabbed me
I found this paragraph convicting: '‘God’s ways of judgement are sometimes secret, but never unjust.’ The Lord never afflicts his people without a cause; so that he cannot be unjust. There is some good in the godly, therefore the wicked afflict them; there is some evil in them, therefore God afflicts them. God’s own children have their blemishes. ‘Are there not with you, even with you, sins against the Lord?’ 2 Chron 28:10. These spiritual diamonds, have they no flaws? Do we not read of the spots of God’s children? Deut 32:5. Are not they guilty of much pride, censoriousness, passion, worldliness? Though, by their profession, they seem to resemble the birds of paradise, to fly above, and feed upon the dew of heaven; yet, as the serpent, they lick the dust. And these sins of God’s people do more provoke God than others. ‘Because of the provoking of his sons and daughters.’ Deut 32:19. The sins of others pierce Christ’s side, these wound his heart. Therefore is not God just in all the evils that befall them? ‘You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore I will punish you for your iniquities.’ Amos 3:2. I will punish you sooner, surer, sorer, than others.'
If we complain that evil people prosper while we as good people suffer, we have certainly underestimated our sinfulness.
Next week's reading
Read '11. The unity of God' and '12. The trinity'.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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