A26796:688
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. Humility in strictness hath no place in God: He requires the Tribute of Glory from all his Creatures. And the Son of God had a right to Divine Honour upon his first Appearance here below. Yet He was born in a Stable, and made subject to our common imperfections. Although He was ordained to convert the World by his Doctrine and Miracles, yet for the tenth part of his time he lived concealed and silent, being subject to his Mother and reputed Father,1 in the servile work of a Carpenter. And after his solemn investiture into his Office by a Voice from Heaven, yet he was despised and contemned; He refused to be a King, and stooped so low as to wash his Disciples feet. All this he did to instruct us to be meek and lowly, to correct our Pride,2 the most intimate and radicated corruption of Nature. For as those Diseases are most incurable, which draw nourishment from that food which is taken for the support of Life; so Pride that turns virtuous actions which are the matter of praise into its nourishment, is most difficultly overcome. But the Example of the Son of God, in whom there is an union of all Divine and Humane Perfections, debasing himself to the form of a Servant, is sufficient, if duly considered, to make us walk humbly.
1. Humility in strictness hath no place in God: He requires the Tribute of Glory from all his Creatures. And the Son of God had a right to Divine Honour upon his first Appearance here below. Yet He was born in a Stable, and made subject to our common imperfections. Although He was ordain'd to convert the World by his Doctrine and Miracles, yet for the tenth part of his time he lived concealed and silent, being subject to his Mother and reputed Father,1 in the servile work of a Carpenter. And after his solemn investiture into his Office by a Voice from Heaven, yet he was despised and contemned; He refused to be a King, and stoopt so low as to wash his Disciples feet. All this he did to instruct us to be meek and lowly, to correct our Pride,2 the most intimate and radicated corruption of Nature. For as those Diseases are most incurable, which draw nourishment from that food which is taken for the support of Life; so Pride that turns vertuous actions which are the matter of praise into its nourishment, is most difficultly overcome. But the Example of the Son of God, in whom there is an union of all Divine and Humane Perfections, debaseing himself to the form of a Servant, is sufficient, if duly considered, to make us walk humbly.