A26786:401
The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…
The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in several discourses / by William Bates.
London: printed for Brabazon Aylmer, 1691
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I. The designing, the preparation, and actual bestowing of the Heavenly Glory is from the Mercy of God. This will appear by considering,
1. That it is absolutely impossible that a mere Creature, though perfect, should deserve any thing from God. For enjoying its being and powers of working from his Goodness, the product of all is entirely due to him. And the payment of a Debt acquires no Title to a Reward. He is the Proprietary and Lord of all by Creation. Hence 'tis clear that in the order of distributive Justice nothing can be challenged from him.
1. That it is absolutely impossible that a meer Creature, though perfect, should deserve any thing from God. For enjoying its being and powers of working from his Goodness, the product of all is entirely due to him. And the payment of a Debt acquires no Title to a Reward. He is the Proprietary and Lord of all by Creation. Hence 'tis clear that in the order of distributive Justice nothing can be challenged from him.
2. Besides, such is the infinite Perfection of God in Himself, that no benefit can redound to him by the Service of the Creature. When you have done all, ⟨p. 347⟩say you are unprofitable Servants, for we have done but what we ought to do. The neglect of our duty justly exposes to punishment, but the performance of it deserves no Reward, because no advantage accrues to God by it. Who hath first given unto him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? He challenges all Creatures even of the highest order. To speak strictly therefore, When God crowns the Angels with Glory, he gives what is merely his own, and does not render what is theirs. If he should leave them in their pure Nature, or deprive them of their Being, he were no loser, nor injurious to them. For what Law binds him to enrich them with Immortal Glory, who are no ways profitable to him, or to preserve that being they had from his unexcited Goodness. No Creature can give to him, therefore none can receive from him by way of valuable Consideration.