A26796:603
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.
3. Holiness is the Condition on which our future Blessedness depends. Electing Mercy doth not produce our Glorification immediately, but begins in our Vocation and Justification, which are the intermediate Links in the Chain of Salvation. As Natural Causes work on a distant object, by passing through the medium. God first gives Grace, then Glory. 1The everlasting Covenant that is sealed by the Blood of Christ, establishes the connection between them. Blessed are the pure in heart, 2for they shall see God. The exclusion of all others is peremptory and universal: Without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. The Righteousness of the Kingdom is the only way of entering into it.3 A few good actions scattered in our lives, are not available, but a course of Obedience brings to Happiness.4 Those who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for Glory, and Honour, and Immortality, shall inherit eternal life. This is not a mere positive Appointment, but grounded on the unchangeable respect of things. There is a rational convenience between Holiness and Happiness, according to the Wisdom and Goodness of God, and 'tis expressed in Scripture by the natural ⟨p. 314⟩relation of the Seed to the Harvest, both as to the quality and measure.5 What a man sows that shall he reap, We must be like God in purity, before we can be in felicity. Indeed, 'twould be a disparagement to Gods Holiness, and pollute Heaven it self▪ to receive unsanctified Persons as impure as those in Hell. 'Tis equally impossible for the Creature to be happy without the favour of the Holy God, and for God to communicate His favour to the sinful Creature. Briefly, according to the Law of Faith, no wicked Person hath any right to the Satisfaction Christ made, nor to the Inheritance he purchased for Believers.