A26796:322
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. There is a fixed Contrariety in the corrupted nature of Man to the Holy Nature and Will of God; For which he is not only unworthy of his Love, but worthy of his wrath. We are opposite to Him in our Minds, Affections and Actions: A strong Antipathy is seated in all our Faculties. How unqualified were we for his Love? There is infinite Holiness in Him, whereby He is eternally opposite to all Sin, yet He expressed infinite Love to Sinners in saving them from Misery.
2. There is a fixed Contrariety in the corrupted nature of Man to the Holy Nature and Will of God; For which he is not only unworthy of his Love, but worthy of his wrath. We are opposite to Him in our Minds, Affections and Actions: A strong Antipathy is seated in all our Faculties. How unqualified were we for his Love? There is infinite Holiness in Him, whereby He is eternally opposite to all Sin, yet He exprest infinite Love to Sinners in saving them from Misery.
3. There was not the least spark of Love in Man to God:1 notwithstanding his infinite Beauty and Bounty to us, yet we renewed acts of hostility against Him every day.2 And it was the worst kind of hostility arising from the hatred of God, and that for his Holiness his most amiable Perfection: yet then in his Love He pitied us. The same favour bestowed on an Enemy, is morally more valuable than given to a Friend. For 'tis Love that puts a price on Benefits: and the more undeserved they are▪ the more they are endeared by the Affection that gives them. Here is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, 3and sent his Son to be a Propitiation for our Sins. We were Rebels against God, and at enmity with the Prince of Life, yet then He gave Himself for us.