A26796:398
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.
I have more particularly discoursed of this Advantage by the New Covenant, in regard the Glory of God, and the comfort of true Christians is so much concerned in it. For if Grace and Free-Will are put in joint commission, so that the efficacy of it depends on the mutability of the Will, which may receive or reject it, the consequence is visible, that (which is impious to suppose) the Son of God might have died in vain. For that which is not effectual without a contingent condition, must needs be as uncertain, as the condition on which it depends. So that although the Wisdom of God so admirably formed the design of our Salvation, and there is such a connection in his Counsels, yet all may be defeated by the mutability of Mans desires. And the most sincere Christians would be always terrified with perplexing jealousies, that notwithstanding their most serious Resolutions to continue in their ⟨p. 200⟩Duty, yet one day they may perish by their Apostasy. But the Gospel assures us, that God will not reverse his own Eternal Decrees: And that the Redeemer shall see the travel of his Soul, 1and be satisfied: and that Believers are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation.
I have more particularly discours'd of this Advantage by the New Covenant, in regard the Glory of God, and the comfort of true Christians is so much concern'd in it. For if Grace and Free-Will are put in joint commission, so that the efficacy of it depends on the mutability of the Will, which may receive or reject it, the consequence is visible, that (which is impious to suppose) the Son of God might have died in vain. For that which is not effectual without a contingent condition, must needs be as uncertain, as the condition on which it depends. So that although the Wisdom of God so admirably formed the design of our Salvation, and there is such a connexion in his Counsels, yet all may be defeated by the mutability of Mans desires. And the most sincere Christians would be alwaies terrified with perplexing jealousies, that notwithstanding their most serious Resolutions to continue in their ⟨p. 200⟩Duty, yet one day they may perish by their Apostasie. But the Gospel assures us, that God will not reverse his own Eternal Decrees: And that the Redeemer shall see the travel of his Soul,