A26796:589
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.
That Christ becomes an effectual Mediator, there must be the consent of both parties. As God hath declared his by laying the punishment of our sins on Christ; so Man gives his, by submitting to the Law of Faith. And the great end of Preaching the Gospel is, to overcome the obstinacy of Men, and reconcile them to God, and their happiness: We are Ambassadors for Christ; and pray you in Christs stead, 1to be reconciled to God. With this difference, Christ furnished the means, they only bring the message of reconciliation. Now Men are with difficulty wrought on, to ⟨p. 304⟩comply with the conditions of Pardon by Christ.
That Christ becomes an effectual Mediator, there must be the consent of both parties. As God hath declared his by laying the punishment of our sins on Christ; so Man gives his, by submitting to the Law of Faith. And the great end of Preaching the Gospel is, to overcome the obstinacy of Men, and reconcile them to God, and their happiness: We are Ambassadours for Christ; and pray you in Christs stead, 1to be reconciled to God. With this difference, Christ furnisht the means, they only bring the message of reconciliation. Now Men are with difficulty wrought on, to ⟨p. 304⟩comply with the conditions of Pardon by Christ.
1. Upon the account of a legal Temper that universally inclines them to seek for Justification by their own Works. This is most suitable to the Law, & light of nature; for the tenor of the first Covenant was, Do and live. So that the way of Gospel-Justification, as 'tis supernatural in its discovery, so in its contrariety to Mans Principles. Besides, as Pride at first aspired to make Man as God, so it tempts him to usurp the honour of Christ to be his own Saviour. He is unwilling to stoop, that he may drink of the Waters of Life. Till the Heart by the weight of its guilt is broken in pieces, and looses its former fashion and figure it will not humbly comply with the offer of Salvation for the Merits of another. And 'tis very remarkable, that upon the first opening of the Gospel, no Evangelical Doctrine was more disrelished by the Jews, than Justification by imputed Righteousness. The Apostle gives this account of their opposition, that being ignorant of God's Righteousness,