A26796:290
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.
'Tis true, the Understanding is a rational Faculty, and every act of it is really or in appearance grounded on Reason. But there is a wide difference between the proving a Doctrine by Reason, and the giving a reason why we believe the truth of it. For instance, we cannot prove the Trinity by natural Reason; and the subtlety of the Schoolmen, who affect to give some reason of all things, is here more prejudicial than advantageous to the Truth: For he that pretends to maintain a point by Reason, and is unsuccessful, doth weaken the credit which the Authority of Revelation gives. And 'tis considerable, that the Scripture in delivering supernatural truths, produce God's Authority as their only proof, without using any other way of arguing: But although we cannot demonstrate these Mysteries by Reason, yet we may give a rational account why we believe them.
'Tis true, the Understanding is a rational Faculty, and every act of it is really or in appearance grounded on Reason. But there is a wide difference between the proving a Doctrine by Reason, and the giving a reason why we believe the truth of it. For instance, we cannot prove the Trinity by natural Reason; and the subtilty of the Schoolmen, who affect to give some reason of all things, is here more prejudicial than advantageous to the Truth: For he that pretends to maintain a point by Reason, and is unsuccessful, doth weaken the credit which the Authority of Revelation gives. And 'tis considerable, that the Scripture in delivering supernatural truths, produce God's Authority as their only proof, without using any other way of arguing: But although we cannot demonstrate these Mysteries by Reason, yet we may give a rational account why we believe them.
Is it not the highest Reason to believe the discovery that God hath made of Himself, and his Decrees? ⟨p. 135⟩For he perfectly knows his own Nature and Will; and 'tis impossible He should deceive us: This Natural Principle is the Foundation of Faith. When God speaks, it becomes Man to hear with Silence and Submission. His naked Word is as certain as a Demonstration.