A26796:793
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. They were without Authority and Power. Other Religions were established in several Nations, by persons of the greatest Eminency and credit among them. That of the Persians by Zoroastres, that of the Egyptians by Hermes, that of the Grecians by Orpheus, that of the Romans by Numa, all Kings or of great Reputation for their Wisdom and Virtue; and they were received without contradiction. For being correspondent to the corrupt inclinations of Men, it was not strange that the Princes had either capacity to invent them, or power to plant them. And in later times Mahomet opened a way for his Religion by his sword, and advanced it by his Conquest. Now 'tis no wonder that a Religion so pleasing to the lower appetites that gives licence to all corrupt affections in the present Life, and promises a sensual Paradise suitable to beasts in the future, should be embraced by those who were subject to his arms. But the Apostles were meanly born and educated, without credit and reputation, destitute of all humane strength, and had only a Crucified Person for their leader. Christianity was exposed naked in the day of its birth, without any shelter from secular Powers.
1. They were without Authority and Power. Other Religions were established in several Nations, by persons of the greatest Eminency and credit among them. That of the Persians by Zoroastres, that of the Egyptians by Hermes, that of the Grecians by Orpheus, that of the Romans by Numa, all Kings or of great Reputation for their Wisdom and Vertue; and they were received without contradiction. For being correspondent to the corrupt inclinations of Men, it was not strange that the Princes had either capacity to invent them, or power to plant them. And in later times Mahomet opened a way for his Religion by his sword, and advanced it by his Conquest. Now 'tis no wonder that a Religion so pleasing to the lower appetites that gives licence to all corrupt affections in the present Life, and promises a sensual Paradise suitable to beasts in the future, should be embrac'd by those who were subject to his arms. But the Apostles were meanly born and educated, without credit and reputation, destitute of all humane strength, and had only a Crucified Person for their leader. Christianity was exposed naked in the day of its birth, without any shelter from secular Powers.