A26796:613
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.
I will take a more distinct view of the Precepts of Christ as they are set down in that excellent abridgement of them by the Apostle. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all Men, 1teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live Soberly, Righteously, and Godly in this present world.
Here is a distribution of our duties with respect to their several Objects, our selves, others, and God. The first are regulated by Temperance, the second by Justice, the third by Godliness. And from the accomplishment of these is formed that Holiness without which no man shall see God.
1. In respect to our selves; we must live soberly. Temperance governs the sensual appetites and affections by sanctified reason. The Gospel allows the sober and chaste use of pleasures, but absolutely and severely forbids all excess in those that are lawful, and abstinence from all that are unlawful, that stain & vilify the Soul, and alienate it from converse with God, and mortify its lust to spiritual delights. By sensual complacency Man first lost his Innocence and Happiness, and till the flesh is subdued to the spirit, he can never recover them. The carnal mind is ⟨p. 318⟩enmity against God. 1Fleshly lusts war against the Soul. Therefore we are urged with the most affectionate earnestness, to abstain from them, by withdrawing their incentives, and crucifying our corrupt inclinations. In short, the Law of Christ obliges us, as to deal with the body as an enemy, (that is disposed to revolt against the Spirit) by watching over all our senses, lest they should betray us to temptations, so to preserve it as a thing consecrated to God, from all impurity, that will render it unworthy the honour of being the Temple of the Holy Ghost.