A26796:505
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. That Anger and Love are consistent at the same time, and may in several respects be terminated on the same subject. A Father resents a double affection towards a rebellious Son; he loves him as his Son, is angry with with him as disobedient. Thus in our lapsed state God had compassion on us as his creatures, and was angry with us as sinners. As the injured party he laid aside his anger, but as the preserver of Justice he required satisfaction.
1. That Anger and Love are consistent at the same time, and may in several respects be terminated on the same subject. A Father resents a double affection towards a rebellious Son; he loves him as his Son, is angry with with him as disobedient. Thus in our laps'd state God had compassion on us as his creatures, and was angry with us as sinners. As the injured party he laid aside his anger, but as the preserver of Justice he required satisfaction.
2. We must distinguish between a love of goodwill and compassion, and a love of complacency. The first is that which moved God to ordain the means, that without prejudice to his other perfections he might confer pardon and all spiritual benefits upon us: the other is that whereby he delights in us being reconciled to him, and renewed according to his Image. The first supposes him placable, the latter that he is appeased. There is a visible instance of this in the case of Job's Friends. The Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, 1My anger is kindled against thee, and thy two Friends; because ye have not spoken of me the things that are right, as my Servant Job. Here is a declaration of God's anger, yet with the mixture of Love: for it follows, therefore take unto you now seven Bullocks, and seven Rams, and go to my Servant Job, and offer up for your selves a burnt-offering, and my Servant Job shall pray for you, for him will I accept. He loved them when he directed the way that they might be restored to his Favour; yet ⟨p. 261⟩