A26796:222
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. He must be God, that he might deliver his Counsels with more authority and efficacy than any mere Creature could. He must be a Teacher sent from Heaven that reveals to us the Will of God concerning the way thither, and the certainty and excellency of that state. Now Christ is the original of all Wisdom, 'tis not said the Word of the Lord came to Him, as to the Prophets; He is the Fountain of all Sacred Knowledge. The Son came from the Bosom of the Father, 1the Seat of his Counsels and Compassions, to reveal those Secrets which were concealed from the Angels, in that Light which is inaccessible. And 'tis God alone can teach the Heart, and convince the Conscience, so as to produce a saving Belief of the Heavenly Doctrine, and a delight in the discovery, and a resolution to follow it wherever it directs.
1. He must be God, that he might deliver his Counsels with more authority and efficacy than any meer Creature could. He must be a Teacher sent from Heaven that reveals to us the Will of God concerning the way thither, and the certainty and excellency of that state. Now Christ is the original of all Wisdom, 'tis not said the Word of the Lord came to Him, as to the Prophets; He is the Fountain of all Sacred Knowledg. The Son came from the Bosom of the Father, 1the Seat of his Counsels and Compassions, to reveal those Secrets which were concealed from the Angels, in that Light which is inaccessible. And 'tis God alone can teach the Heart, and convince the Conscience, so as to produce a saving Belief of the Heavenly Doctrine, and a delight in the discovery, and a resolution to follow it wherever it directs.
2. 'Twas fit he should be Man, that he might be familiarly conversant with us, and convey the Counsels of God in such a way as Man could receive. All saving Truth comes from God, and it follows by just consequence, that the nearer he is to us the better we are like to be instructed. Now there are two things which render sinful man incapable of immediate converse with God.