MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY IN PASSION WEEK: WEDNESDAY by JOHN BYROM

"JUSTICE demandeth satisfaction"—Yes;
And ought to have it where injustice is:
But—there is none in God—it cannot mean
Demand of justice where it has full reign:
To dwell in man it rightfully demands,
Such as he came from his Creator's hands.

Man had departed from a righteous state,
Which he at first must have, if God create:
'Tis therefore call'd God's righteousness, and must
Be satisfied by man's becoming just;
Must exercise good vengeance upon men,
Till it regain its rights in them again.

This was the justice, for which Christ became
A man, to satisfy its righteous claim;
Became Redeemer of the human race,
That sin, in them, to justice might give place.
To satisfy a just and righteous will
Is neither more, nor less, than to fulfil:

It was, in God, the loving will that sought
The joy of having man's salvation wrought:
Hence, in his Son, so infinitely pleas'd
With righteousness fulfill'd and wrath appeas'd:
Not with mere suff'ring, which he never wills,
But with mere love that triumph'd over ills.

'Twas tender mercy—by the church confess'd,
Before she feeds the sacramental guest;
Rememb'ring Him, who offer'd up his soul
"A sacrifice for sin, full, perfect, whole,
"Sufficient, satisfactory"—and all
That words—how short of merit!—can recal.

And when receiv'd his body and his blood,
The life enabling to be just and good,
Off'ring, available thro' Him alone,
Body and soul, a sacrifice her own:
From Him, from his, so justice has its due;
Itself restor'd,—not any thing in lieu.

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