A26796:628
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.
Add further, that God hath ordained in the Gospel Repentance, and Faith, which are humbling Graces, to be the conditions of our obtaining Pardon. By Repentance we acknowledge that if we are condemned, 'tis just severity, and if we are Saved 'tis rich Mercy.1 And Faith absolutely excludes boasting. For it supposes the Creature guilty, and receives Pardon from the Sovereign Grace of God, upon the account of our Crucified Redeemer. The benefit, and the manner of our receiving it was typified ⟨p. 325⟩in the miraculous cure of the Israelites by looking up to the Brazen Serpent. For the act of seeing is performed by receiving the Images which are derived from the objects: 'tis rather a Passion then an Action; that it might appear that the healing Virtue was merely from the Power of God, and the Honour of it entirely his. In short, God had respect to the lowliness of this Grace, in appointing it to be the qualification of a Justified person: for the most firm reliance on Gods Mercy, is always joined with the strongest renouncing of our own Merits. Briefly, to excite humility in us, the Gospel tells us, that the Glorious reward is from rich bounty and liberality.2 The gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. As the Election of us to Glory, so the actual possession of it proceeds from pure Favour. There is no more proportion between all our Services and that High and Eternal felicity; than between the running a few steps, and the obtaining an Imperial Crown. Indeed not only Heaven, but all the Graces that are necessary to purify and prepare us for it, we receive from undeserved Mercy. So that God crowns in us not our proper Works, but his own proper Gifts.
Add further, that God hath ordained in the Gospel Repentance, and Faith, which are humbling Graces, to be the conditions of our obtaining Pardon. By Repentance we acknowledge that if we are condemned, 'tis just severity, and if we are Saved 'tis rich Mercy.1 And Faith absolutely excludes boasting. For it supposes the Creature guilty, and receives Pardon from the Sovereign Grace of God, upon the account of our Crucified Redeemer. The benefit, and the manner of our receiving it was typified