A26796:61
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. To declare God's Sovereign Right in all things. In the quality of Creator he is Supreme Lord. Man enjoyed nothing but by a derived title from his Bounty and Allowance, and with an obligation to render to him the Homage of all. As Princes when they give estates to their Subjects, still retain the Royalty, and receive a small rent, which though inconsiderable in its value, is an acknowledgement of dependence upon them. So when God placed Adam in Paradise, he reserved this mark of his Sovereignty, that in the free use of all other things, Man should abstain from the forbidden Tree.
1. To declare God's Sovereign Right in all things. In the quality of Creator he is Supreme Lord. Man enjoyed nothing but by a derived title from his Bounty and Allowance, and with an obligation to render to him the Homage of all. As Princes when they give estates to their Subjects, still retain the Royalty, and receive a small rent, which though inconsiderable in its value, is an acknowledgment of dependance upon them. So when God placed Adam in Paradise, he reserved this mark of his Soveraignty, that in the free use of all other things, Man should abstain from the forbidden Tree.
2. To make trial of Mans Obedience in a matter very congruous to discover it.1 If the Prohibition had been grounded on any moral ▪ internal evil in the nature of the thing it self, there had not been so clear a testimony of God's Dominion, nor of Adam's Subjection to it. But when that which in it self was indifferent, became unlawful merely by the Will of God, and when the Command had no other excellency, but to make his Authority more sacred, this was a confining of Man's liberty, and to abstain was pure Obedience.
2. To make trial of Mans Obedience in a matter very congruous to discover it.1 If the Prohibition had been grounded on any moral internal evil in the nature of the thing it self, there had not been so clear a testimony of God's Dominion, nor of Adam's Subjection to it. But when that which in it self was indifferent, became unlawful meerly by the Will of God, and when the Command had no other excellency, but to make his Authority more sacred, this was a confining of Man's liberty, and to abstain was pure Obedience.