A26796:113
The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…
The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ, or, Discourses wherein is showed how the wisdom, mercy, justice, holiness, power, and truth of God are glorified in that great and blessed work / by William Bates.The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ, or, Discourses wherein is shewed how the wisdom, mercy, justice, holiness, power, and truth of God are glorified in that great and blessed work / by William Bates.
London: printed by J. Darby for Nathaniel Ranew and Jonathan Robinson and Brabazon Aylmer, 1674
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.
2. 'Tis Culpable. The formality of Sin consists in its opposition to the Law, according to the definition of the Apostle, Sin is a transgression of the Law. Now the Law requires an entire rectitude in all the Faculties. It condemns corrupt inclinations, the originals as well as the acts of Sin. Besides, Concupiscence was not inherent in the humane Nature in its Creation, but was contracted by the Fall. The Soul is stripped of its native Righteousness and Holiness, and is invested with contrary qualities. There is as great a difference between the corruption of the Soul in its degenerate state, and its primitive purity, as between the loathsomeness of a Carcass, and the beauty of a living Body. Sad change! and to be lamented with tears of confusion.
2. 'Tis Culpable. The formality of Sin consists in its opposition to the Law, according to the definition of the Apostle, Sin is a transgression of the Law. Now the Law requires an entire rectitude in all the Faculties. It condemns corrupt inclinations, the originals as well as the acts of Sin. Besides, Concupiscence was not inherent in the humane Nature in its Creation, but was contracted by the Fall. The Soul is stript of its native Righteousness and Holiness, and is invested with contrary qualities. There is as great a difference between the corruption of the Soul in its degenerate state, and its primitive purity, as between the loathsomness of a Carcass, and the beauty of a living Body. Sad change! and to be lamented with tears of confusion.
That the Sin of Adam should be so fatal to all his Posterity, is the most difficult part in the whole order of Divine Providence. Nothing more offends carnal Reason, which forms many specious Objections against it. I will briefly consider them.
Since God saw that Adam would not resist the Temptation, and that upon his Fall, the whole race of Mankind, which he supported as the foundation, would sink into ruin, Why did he not confirm him against it, was it not within his Power, and more suitable to his Wisdom, Holiness, and Goodness?