A26796:165
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. Its Beauty and Loveliness. 2. The Reward that attends it. And both these Arguments are ineffectual to work upon him.
1. Its Beau•y and Loveliness. 2. The Reward that attends it. And both these Arguments are ineffectual to work upon him.
1. The Beauty of Holiness, which excels all other created Perfections, it being a conformity to the most glorious Attribute of the Deity, doth not allure him; For, Unusquisque ut affectus est ita judicat; Man understands according to his Affections. The renewed Mind can only see the essential and intimate Beauty of Holiness.
Now in fallen Man the clearness of the discerning power is lost. As the natural Eye till 'tis purged from vicious qualities, can't look on things that are bright and sublime, and if it hath been long in darkness, it suffers by the most pleasing Object the light: so the internal eye of the Mind, that it may see the lively lustre of Holiness, it must be cleansed from the filthiness of carnal Affections, and having been so long under thick darkness it must be strengthened, before it can sustain the brightness of things spiritual. Till it be prepared, it can see nothing amiable and desirable in the Image of God.
Now in faln Man the clearness of the discerning power is lost. As the natural Eye till 'tis purged from vicious qualities, can't look on things that are bright and sublime, and if it hath been long in darkness, it suffers by the most pleasing Object the light: so the internal eye of the Mind, that it may see the lively lustre of Holiness, it must be cleansed from the filthiness of carnal Affections, and having been so long under thick darkness it must be strengthned, before it can sustain the brightness of things spiritual. Till it be prepar'd, it can see nothing amiable and desireable in the Image of God.