A26796:52
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. Of admirable Goodness: For by his Supremacy over Man he might have signified his Will merely by the way of Empire, and required Obedience. But he was pleased to condescend so far as to deal with Man in a sweeter manner, as with a Creature capable of his Love, and to work upon him by rewards and punishments, congruously to the reasonable Nature.
1. Of admirable Goodness: For by his Supremacy over Man he might have signified his Will meerly by the way of Empire, and requir'd Obedience. But he was pleased to condescend so far as to deal with Man in a sweeter manner, as with a Creature capable of his Love, and to work upon him by rewards and punishments, congruously to the reasonable Nature.
2. Of Wisdom to secure Man's obedience: For the Covenant being a mutual engagement between God and Man, as it gave him infallible assurance of the reward to strengthen his Faith, so it was the surest bond to preserve his Fidelity. 'Tis true the Precept alone binds by virtue of the authority that imposes it, but the consent of the Creature increases the Obligation; It twists the cords of the Law, and binds more strongly to Obedience. Thus Adam was God's servant, as by the condition of his nature, so by his choice, accepting the Covenant, from which he could not recede without the guilt and infamy of the worst perfidiousness.
2. Of Wisdom to secure Man's obedience: For the Covenant being a mutual engagement between God and Man, as it gave him infallible assurance of the reward to strengthen his Faith, so it was the surest bond to preserve his Fidelity. 'Tis true the Precept alone binds by vertue of the authority that imposes it, but the consent of the Creature increases the Obligation; It twists the cords of the Law, and binds more strongly to Obedience. Thus Adam was God's servant, as by the condition of his nature, so by his choice, accepting the Covenant, from which he could not recede without the guilt and infamy of the worst perfidiousness.