A26786:408
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.
3. The best Works of Men are imperfect, allayed with the mixtures of Infirmities, and not of full weight in the Divine Balance. If God should strictly examine our Righteousness, 'twill be found neither pure nor perfect in his Eyes, and without Favour and Indulgence would be rejected. And that which wants Pardon, cannot deserve Praise and Glory. He shows Mercy to thousands that love him, and keep his Commandments. If Obedience were meritorious, it were strict justice to reward them. The Apostle prays for Onesiphorus, who had exposed himself to great danger for his love to the Gospel, The Lord grant he may find Mercy in that day. The Divine Mercy gives the Crown of Life to the Faithful in the day of eternal Recompenses.
3. The best Works of Men are imperfect, allayed with the mixtures of Infirmities, and not of full weight in the Divine Ballance. If God should strictly examin our Righteousness, 'twill be found neither pure nor perfect in his Eyes, and without Favour and Indulgence would be rejected. And that which wants Pardon, cannot deserve Praise and Glory. He shews Mercy to thousands that love him, and keep his Commandments. If Obedience were meritorious, it were strict justice to reward them. The Apostle prays for Onesiphorus, who had exposed himself to great danger for his love to the Gospel, The Lord grant he may find Mercy in that day. The Divine Mercy gives the Crown of Life to the Faithful in the day of eternal Recompences.
II. The meritorious Cause of our obtaining Heaven, is the Obedience of Jesus Christ comprehending all that he did and suffered to reconcile God to us. From him as the eternal Word we have all benefits in the order of Nature, for all things were made by him, and for him, ⟨p. 351⟩as the incarnate Word, all good things in the order of Grace. What we enjoy in Time, and expect in Eternity, is by him. To show what influence his Mediation has to make us happy, we must consider;
II. The meritorious Cause of our obtaining Heaven, is the Obedience of Jesus Christ comprehending all that he did and suffered to reconcile God to us. From him as the eternal Word we have all benefits in the order of Nature, for all things were made by him, and for him,