II. We may proceed, then, to consider the curse from which He has redeemed us. According to the text it is the curse of the law, the curse described in verse 10, where we read, ‘As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.’ It is most important to bear this well in mind, for the word ‘curse’ is so connected in common conversation with that which is vindictive and merciless that there is danger of our losing sight of the fact that the curse of God is the calm, deliberate, and even merciful result of the just judgment of a merciful God. There is no cruelty in the maintenance of a righteous law, for the maintenance of law is essential to the happiness of a people. Thus the strict execution of law is consistent with the most true and tender affection.. David, as the king, was compelled, in the maintenance of law, to banish Absalom after the murder of Ammon; but all the while David loved him, and his ‘soul longed to go forth unto Absalom.’ So we have heard of judges moved to tears of tender pity while passing sentence on some unhappy criminal whom the law compelled them to condemn. In such a case there was no cruelty in the law, nor any want of mercy in the judge. The sentence on the sinner was the necessary and righteous condemnation of the sin. Parliament was not cruel when it passed the law; the jury was not cruel when it found the culprit guilty; the judge was not cruel when he condemned the criminal to death; and the Queen was not cruel when she signed the warrant for the execution. Whatever was done by any one of the parties concerned was done simply because the maintenance of law is essential to the preservation of life and order throughout the land. Just so it is with the curse of the law in the government of God. There is no cruelty in God’s law, or God’s execution of its sentence. The law—it is holy, just, and good; a perfect law, without a fault. And the Judge—He is holy, just, pure, spotless, and merciful. He willeth not the death of a sinner, and has no pleasure in the death of him that dieth; and the curse is not the result of anything vindictive or unmerciful in Him. It is just like David’s sentence on Absalom, rendered necessary by the claims of a righteous government, and the necessity of maintaining law.