A26796:587
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.
Briefly, the Law Justifies only the Perfect, and condemns without distinction all that are Guilty. So that to pretend Justification by the works of it, is as unreasonable, as for a man to produce in Court the Bond which obliges him to his Creditor, in testimony that he owes him nothing. Whoever presumes to appear before God's Judgment-Seat in his own righteousness, shall be covered with confusion.
Briefly, the Law Justifies only the Perfect, and condemns without distinction all that are Guilty. So that to pretend Justification by the works of it, is as unreasonable, as for a man to produce in Court the Bond which obliges him to his Creditor, in testimony that he ows him nothing. Whoever presumes to appear before God's Judgment-Seat in his own righteousness, shall be covered with confusion.
2. By the Righteousness of Christ. This alone absolves from the Guilt of sin, saves from Hell, and can endure the trial of God's Tribunal. This the Apostle prized as his unvaluable treasure, in comparison of which, all other things are but dross and dung: that I may be found in him; 1not having mine own Righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the Faith of Christ, the Righteousness which is of God by Faith. That which he ordained, and rewarded in the Person of our Redeemer, he cannot but accept. Now this Righteousness is meritoriously imputed only to Believers. For depending solely upon the Will of God as to its being and effects, it cannot possibly be reckoned to any for their benefit and advantage, but in that way which he hath appointed. The Lord Christ who made Satisfaction, tells us, that the benefit of it is communicated only through our Believing. God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, 2that whosoever believes on him should not perish. As all sins are mortal in respect of their guilt, but death is not actually inflicted for them, upon the account of the Grace of the New Covenant: so all sins are venial in respect of the Satisfaction