A26796:684
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. Examples by a secret and lively incentive urge us to imitation. The Romans kept in their houses the Pictures of their Progenitors to heighten their Spirits, and provoke them to follow the Presidents set before them. We are touched in another manner by the visible practice of Saints, which reproaches our defects and obliges us to the same Care and Zeal, than by Laws though holy and good. Now the Example of Christ is most proper to form us to Holiness, ⟨p. 363⟩it being absolutely perfect, and accommodate to our present state.
3. Examples by a secret and lively incentive urge us to imitation. The Romans kept in their houses the Pictures of their Progenitours to heighten their Spirits, and provoke them to follow the Presidents set before them. We are toucht in another manner by the visible practice of Saints, which reproaches our defects and obliges us to the same Care and Zeal, than by Laws though holy and good. Now the Example of Christ is most proper to form us to Holiness, ⟨p. 363⟩it being absolutely perfect, and accommodate to our present state.
1. 'Tis absolutely perfect. There is no example of a mere man, that is to be followed without limitation. Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ, saith the great Apostle. Nay, if we would unite the Excellencies of all good Men into one, yet we might not securely follow him in all things: for his remaining defects might be so disguised by the Virtues to which they are joined, that we should err in our imitation. But the Life of Christ was as the purest Gold, without any allay of baser metal. His conversation was a living Law. He did no sin, neither was any guile found in his mouth. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, 1separate from sinners. He united the efficacy of example with the direction of Precepts; his actions always answered his words. Christianity, the purest Institution in the World, is only a conformity to his pattern. The universal command of the Gospel, that comprises all our duties is, to walk as Christ walked.