A26796:320
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.
2. A Conformity in Disposition hath a mighty force to beget Love. Resemblance is the common Principle of Union in Nature: Social Plants thrive best when near together: Sensitive Creatures associate with those of their kind. And Love which is an affectionate Union, and a voluntary Band, is best caused by a Similitude in inclinations. The Harmony of Tempers is the strongest and sweetest tie of Friendship.
2. A Conformity in Disposition hath a mighty force to beget Love. Resemblance is the common Principle of Union in Nature: Social Plants thrive best when near together: Sensitive Creatures associate with those of their kind. And Love which is an affectionate Union, and a voluntary Band, is best caused by a Similitude in inclinations. The Harmony of Tempers is the strongest and sweetest tye of Friendship.
3. Love is an innocent and powerful charm to produce Love:1 'tis of universal Virtue, and known by all the World. None are of such an unnatural Hardness, but they are softened and receive impression from it. Now there are none of these inducements to incline God to love Man. The first quality he was utterly destitute of: Nothing excellent or amiable was in him: Nothing but Deformity and Defilements. The Love of God makes us amiable, ⟨p. 153⟩but did not find us so. Redemption is a free Favour▪ not excited by the worth of him that receives it, but the grace of him that dispenses it;2 Herein God commended his Love to us, that while we were Sinners Christ died for us. Our goodness was not the Motive of his Love, but his Love the original of our goodness.
3. Love is an innocent and powerful charm to produce Love: