July 10

With loving-kindness have I drawn thee. - Jeremiah 31:3.

THERE is everything attractive in the goodness of Cod, and we may observe the loving-kindness of God under four aspects, each of which is peculiarly attractive and powerful.

First, It is undeserved; and undeserved kindness is very attractive and powerful, that is, when its recipient has no claim upon the giver, and when the boon is entirely of pure favour. What right to support and wages has a servant who has run away from his master? What right to the protection of his sovereign has a subject who has become a rebel and a traitor? By sin we had forfeited every favour from God, and rendered ourselves unworthy of the least of all his mercies. It is therefore of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Secondly, It is disinterested kindness; and this is very attractive and powerful, when it tends to the advantage of the person receiving it, and not to the profit of the giver. A perception of selfishness in the exercise of beneficence will destroy all its influence. There is very little benevolence that will bear examination. Men are perpetually looking towards their own reputation or honour; but what could God look for from us? “Can a man,” says Elihu, “be profitable unto God?” “Our goodness,” says David, “extendeth not to thee.” God is exalted above all blessing and praise, and as he was happy without the fallen angels, so he would have been happy without us.

Thirdly, It is magnanimous; and therefore exceedingly attractive and influential. If a man had the liberty and life of an adversary at his disposal, and he should save his life and restore his liberty, and bestow an estate upon him, surely this would be very winning; and what should we think of the wretch who would not be drawn by it to love and praise his deliverer and benefactor? “The soul,” saith the Scriptures, “that sinneth shall die.” We were under the law and under the curse; we were entirely in its power; and while we were waiting for condemnation, he stretched out his sceptre and said, “Touch and live.” “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hard is the heart that does not feel this.

Fourthly, It is costly and expensive kindness; and on this account most attractive and powerful. Zeleuchus, in order to save one of his son’s eyes, consented to lose one of his own; and what should we think of that son who could ever view a father so devoted to him without emotions of attachment? But, be it observed, this was for a child. When Edward III. took Calais, he consented to spare the place on condition that six of the principal citizens should surrender themselves for execution; and would have forgot his humanity but for his queen, who threw herself at his feet, implored him, and obtained the lives of the noble victims who had offered themselves to save the lives of their fellow-citizens, their friends, their relations, their wives and their children.

There cannot, however, be produced an instance in which a man has sacrificed himself knowingly for his adversary. Oh, this remains to be displayed. No, it does not-it was displayed on Calvary; and God commendeth his love towards us, “in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend; but while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”