A26796:650
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.
Thus the wisest of the Heathens dishonoured the Deity by their false imaginations, and instead of representing him with his proper Attributes, drew a picture of themselves. Besides, their impious fancies had a pernicious influence upon the lives of Men: especially the denial of his Providence; for that took away the strongest restraint of corrupt nature, the fear of future Judgment. For humane Laws do not punish secret crimes that are innumerable, nor all open, as those of persons in power, which are most hurtful: Therefore they are a weak instrument to preserve Innocence and Virtue. Only the respect of God to whom every heart is manifest, every action a Testimony, and every great Person a Subject, is of equal force to give check to sin in all, in the darkness of the night, and the light of the day, in the works of the hand, and the thoughts of the heart.
Thus the wisest of the Heathens dishonoured the Deity by their false imaginations, and instead of representing him with his proper Attributes, drew a picture of themselves. Besides, their impious fancies had a pernicious influence upon the lives of Men: especially the denial of his Providence; for that took away the strongest restraint of corrupt nature, the fear of future Judgment. For humane Laws do not punish secret crimes that are innumerable, nor all open, as those of persons in power, which are most hurtful: Therefore they are a weak instrument to preserve Innocence and Virtue. Only the respect of God to whom every heart is manifest, every action a Testimony, and every great Person a Subject, is of equal force to give check to sin in all, in the dakrness of the night, and the light of the day, in the works of the hand, and the thoughts of the heart.
2. Philosophy is very defective as to Piety, in not enjoining the Love of God. The first and great Command in the Law of Nature, (the order of the Precepts being according to their dignity) is, Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy Heart, Soul, and Strength. 'Tis most reasonable that our Love should first ascend to ⟨p. 343⟩