A26796:126
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.
1. That God bestowed on Man an excellent being, and a happiness that might satisfy his nature, considered as humane, or holy. But he perverted the favours of God, to his dishonour, and this doth not lessen the goodness that gave them. 'Tis unreasonable to judg of the value of a Benefit, by the ingrateful abuse of the receiver, and not from its own nature. 'Tis a chosen Misery that is come upon Man, and not to be imputed to any defect of the Divine Goodness.
1. That God bestowed on Man an excellent being, and a happiness that might satisfie his nature, consider'd as humane, or holy. But he perverted the favours of God, to his dishonour, and this doth not lessen the goodness that gave them. 'Tis unreasonable to judg of the value of a Benefit, by the ingrateful abuse of the receiver, and not from its own nature. 'Tis a chosen Misery that is come upon Man, and not to be imputed to any defect of the Divine Goodness.
2. God is infinitely Good notwithstanding the entrance of Sin and Misery into the World. We must distinguish between natural and voluntary agents. Natural agents have no power to suspend their acts, but are entirely determined, and their Operations are ad extremum virium, to the utmost of their efficacy. If there were infinite degrees of Heat, there would be no Cold, it being overcome by the force of its contrary. But God is a wise and free ⟨p. 48⟩Agent, and as he is Infinite in Goodness; so the exercise of it is voluntary, and only so far as he pleases.
2. God is infinitely Good notwithstanding the entrance of Sin and Misery into the World. We must distinguish between natural and voluntary agents. Natural agents have no power to suspend their acts, but are entirely determin'd, and their Operations are ad extremum virium, to the utmost of their efficacy. If there were infinite degrees of Heat, there would be no Cold, it being overcome by the force of its contrary. But God is a wise and free ⟨p. 48⟩