A26796:368
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.
he could frame a more Glorious World, but the Love of God cannot in a higher degree be expressed. As the Apostle to set forth how sacred and inviolable Gods promise is, saith,1 that because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself; so when he would give the most excellent testimony of his favour to mankind, he gave his Eternal Son, the Heir of his Love and Blessedness. The giving of Heaven it self with all its Joys and Glory, is not so perfect and full a demonstration of the Love of God, as the giving of his Son to die for us.
he could frame a more Glorious World, but the Love of God cannot in a higher degree be exprest. As the Apostle to set forth how sacred and inviolable Gods promise is, saith,1 that because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself; so when he would give the most excellent testimony of his favour to mankind, he gave his Eternal Son, the Heir of his Love and Blessedness. The giving of Heaven it self with all its Joys and Glory, is not so perfect and full a demonstration of the Love of God, as the giving of his Son to die for us.
According to the rule of common esteem, a greater Love was expressed to wretched Man, than to Christ himself: for we expend things less valuable for those that are more precious; so that God in giving him to die for us, declared that our Salvation was more dear to him then the life of his only Son. When no meaner Ransom than the Blood Royal of Heaven could purchase our Redemption, God delighted in the expense of that sacred Treasure for us. It pleased the Lord to bruise him. 1Though the Death of Christ absolutely considered was the highest provocation of God's displeasure, and brought the greatest guilt upon the Jews, for which Wrath came upon them to the uttermost; yet in respect of the end, namely the Salvation of Men, 'twas the most grateful Offering to him,