A26796:280
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.
The simple Speculation of this glorious Mystery will be of no profit without a real belief of it, and a cordial acceptance of Salvation, upon the terms which the Divine Wisdom prescribes. The Gospel requires the Obedience of the Understanding, and of the Will; unless it obtains a full possession of the Soul, there is no saving efficacy derived from it. And such is the sublimity and purity of the Object, that till Reason is sanctified, and subdued, it cannot sincerely entertain it. I will therefore ⟨p. 128⟩distinctly consider the opposition which carnal Reason hath made against it, and show how just it is, that the Humane Understanding should with reverence yield up it self to the Word of God, that reveals this great Mystery to us.
THe simple Speculation of this glorious Mystery will be of no profit without a real belief of it, and a cordial acceptance of Salvation, upon the terms which the Divine Wisdom prescribes. The Gospel requires the Obedience of the Understanding, and of the Will; unless it obtains a full possession of the Soul, there is no saving efficacy derived from it. And such is the sublimity and purity of the Object, that till Reason is sanctified, and subdued, it cannot sincerely entertain it. I will therefore ⟨p. 128⟩distinctly consider the opposition which carnal Reason hath made against it, and shew how just it is, that the Humane Understanding should with reverence yield up it self to the Word of God, that reveals this great Mystery to us.
The Apostle tells us, that Jews and Gentiles conspired in the contempt of the Gospel.1 Reason cannot hear without great astonishment, for the appearing contradiction between the terms, that God should be made Man, and the Eternal die. The Jews esteemed it an intolerable Blasphemy, and without any Process of Law were ready to stone the Lord Jesus,2