A26796:330
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.
1. It was most decent that the first Breach of the Divine Law should be punished, to secure Obedience for the future. Prudent Lawgivers are severe against the first Transgressors, the Leaders in Disobedience: He that first presumed to break the Sabbath, was by Gods command put to Death. And Solomon the King of Peace, punished the first attempt upon his Royalty with Death, though in the person of his Brother.
1. It was most decent that the first Breach of the Divine Law should be punisht, to secure Obedience for the future. Prudent Lawgivers are severe against the first Transgressors, the Leaders in Disobedience: He that first presumed to break the Sabbath, was by God•s command put to Death. And Solomon the King of Peace, punisht the first attempt upon his Royalty with Death, though in the person of his Brother.
2. The Malignity of their Sin was in the highest degree: For such was the clearness of the Angelical Understanding, that there was nothing of Ignorance and Deceit to lessen the voluntariness of their Sin; 'twas no mistake, but Malice: They fell in the light of Heaven, and rendered themselves incapable of Mercy. As under the Law, those who sinned with a high hand; that is,1 not out of Ignorance or Imbecility to please their Passions, but knowingly and proudly despised the Command,2 their Presumption was inexpiable, no Sacrifice was appointed for it. And the Gospel, though the Declaration of Mercy, yet excepts those who sin the great Transgression against the Holy Ghost. Now of such a nature ⟨p. 158⟩was the Sin of the Rebellious Angels, it being a contemptuous violation of Gods Majesty,3