A26796:306
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.
CHAP. VIII.
The Mercy of God is represented with peculiar advantages above the other Attributes. 'Tis eminently glorified in our Redemption in respect of its freeness and greatness. The freeness of it amplified from the consideration of the original and object of it. God is perfectly happy in Himself, and needs not the Creature to preserve or heighten his felicity. The glorious reward conferred upon our Saviour doth not prejudice the freeness of his love to Man. There was no tie upon God to save Man. The Object of Mercy is Man in his lapsed state. 'Tis illustrated by the consideration of what he is in himself. No motives of love are in him. He is a rebel impotent and obstinate. The freeness of mercy set forth by comparing him with the fallen Angels who are left in perfect irremediable misery. Their first state, fall, and punishment. The Reasons why the Wisdom of God made no provision for their recovery.
Although all the Divine Attributes are equal as they are in God, (for one Infinite cannot exceed another) yet in their exercise and effects, they shine with a different glory. And Mercy is represented in Scripture with peculiar advantages above the rest. 'Tis God's natural off-spring, he is styled the Father of Mercies. 1'Tis his dear Attribute, that which he places next to himself, He is proclaimed the Lord God Gracious and Merciful. 2'Tis his delight, Mercy pleases him. 'Tis his Treasure, he is rich in Mercy. 'Tis his triumphant Attribute, and the special ⟨p. 147⟩matter of his Glory,3