A26796:533
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. A dependence of Order. His Abasement and Sufferings were to precede his Majesty and Power: ⟨p. 274⟩As in Nature things pass from a lower state to Perfection. This Order was necessary. For being originally in the form of God, it was impossible he should be advanced,1 if he did not voluntarily descend from his Glory, that so he might be capable of exaltation. He was first made a little lower than the Angels and after raised above them.
1. A dependance of Order. His Abasement and Sufferings were to precede his Majesty and Power: ⟨p. 274⟩As in Nature things pass from a lower state to Perfection. This Order was necessary. For being originally in the form of God, it was impossible he should be advanced,1 if he did not voluntarily descend from his Glory, that so he might be capable of exaltation. He was first made a little lower than the Angels and after raised above them.
- 1Cui nihil ad augendum fastigium superest, hic uno modo crescere potest, Si se ipse submittat, securus magnitudinis suae. Plin. Panegyr.
2. A dependence of efficacy. Glory is the reward of his Sufferings. This is expressly declared by the Apostle. Christ humbled himself, and became obedient to the Death of the Cross, 1wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a Name above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; The mark of that homage that all creatures pay to him. This exaltation is correspondent to the degrees of his abasement. His Body was restored to Life and Immortality, and ascended on a bright Cloud, God's Chariot, being attended with Angels, and the everlasting Gates opened to receive the King of Glory: He is set down at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in Heaven: this signifies that Divine Dignity to which He is advanced,