A26796:302
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 Spirit of God is the alone Instructor of the Spirit of Man in these Mysteries, so as to produce a Saving Belief of them. That Knowledge is more clear and satisfying, that we have by his Teaching, than by our own Learning. The Rational Mind may discern the Literal Sense of the Propositions in the Gospel, and may yield a naked assent to the truth of them; but without supernatural irradiation by the Spirit of Life, there can be no transforming and saving Knowledge and Belief of them. And as the vast expansion of Air that is about us, doth not preserve Life, but that part which we breath in, so 'tis not the compass of our Knowledge and Belief (though it were equal to the whole revealed Will of God) that is vital to the Soul, but that which is practised by us. The Apostle saith,1 Though he had the understanding of all Mysteries, and all Knowledge, and all Faith, yet if it were not joined with Love, the Principle of Obedience, it were unprofitable. There is the same difference between the Speculative Knowledge of these Mysteries, and that which is Affectionate and Operative, as between the wearing of Pearls for Ornament, and the taking of them as a Cordial to revive the fainting spirits.
The Spirit of God is the alone Instructer of the Spirit of Man in these Mysteries, so as to produce a Saving Belief of them. That Knowledg is more clear and satisfying, that we have by his Teaching, than by our own Learning. The Rational Mind may discern the Literal Sense of the Propositions in the Gospel, and may yield a naked assent to the truth of them; but without supernatural irradiation by the Spirit of Life, there can be no transforming and saving Knowledg and Belief of them. And as the vast expansion of Air that is about us, doth not preserve Life, but that part which we breath in, so 'tis not the compass of our Knowledg and Belief (though it were equal to the whole revealed Will of God) that is vital to the Soul, but that which is practised by us. The Apostle saith,1 Though he had the understanding of all Mysteries, and all Knowledg, and all Faith, yet if it were not joyned with Love, the Principle of Obedience, it were unprofitable. There is the same difference between the Speculative Knowledg of these Mysteries, and that which is Affectionate and Operative, as between the wearing of Pearls for Ornament, and the taking of them as a Cordial to revive the fainting spirits.