A26796:390
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.
'Tis from hence that the Apostle challenges all Creatures in Heaven and Earth, with that full and strong persuasion, that nothing could separate between Believers,1 and their Happiness. For I am persuaded that neither Death nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. His assurance is not built on the special Prerogatives he had as an Apostle, not on his rapture to Paradise, nor Revelations, nor the Apparition of Angels, for of these he makes no mention; but on that which is common to all Believers, the Love of God declared in the Word, and shed abroad in their hearts. And 'tis observable that the Apostle having spoken in his own person, changes the number, I am persuaded that nothing shall separate us, to associate with himself in the partaking of that blessed Privilege, all true Believers, who have an interest in the same Love of God, the same Promises of Salvation, and had felt the sanctifying work of the Spirit, the certain proof of their Election. For how is it possible that God should retract his merciful purpose to save his People? He that chose them ⟨p. 195⟩from Eternity before they could know Him, and from pure Love (there being nothing in the Creature to induce Him) gave his Son to suffer Death for them, will He stop there, without bestowing that Grace which may render it effectual? What can change his Affections? He that prevented them in his Mercy, when they were in their pollutions, will He leave them after his Image is engraven upon them? He that loved them so as to unite them to Christ when they were strangers, will He hate them when they are his Members? No: His loving kindness is everlasting,2 and the Covenant that is built on it, is more firm than the Pillars of Heaven, and the Foundations of the Earth. This supported David in his dying hours, that God had made with him an everlasting Covenant, ordered in all things and sure, 3for that was all his Salvation.
'Tis from hence that the Apostle challenges all Creatures in Heaven and Earh, with that full and strong persuasion, that nothing could separate between Believers,