A26796:795
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.
so he was pleased by a few artless impotent persons to confound the wisdom and overcome the power of the World.
3. The great sudden and lasting Change that was made in the World by the Preaching of the Gospel, is a certain Argument of the Divine Power that animated those mean appearances, and that no instrument is weak in Gods hands.
1. The greatness of the Change is such, that it was only possible to Divine Power. 'Tis a great Miracle to render sight to the Blind, but 'tis more miraculous to enlighten the Dark mind, to see the truth and beauty of Supernatural Mysteries, when they are disguised under reproach & sad representations, and effectually to believe them; especially when the inferior appetite is so contrary to Faith, 'Tis a prodigy to raise the Dead, but 'tis more admirable to sanctify an habituated sinner. For in comparing the quality of those Miracles, that is the greatest in the performing whereof God is discovered to be the absolute Lord of the greater Nature: Now the intellectual Nature is superior to the corporeal. Besides, there is no contradiction from a Dead body against the Divine Power in raising it; on the contrary, if any sense were remaining, it would ardently desire to be restored to the full enjoyment of Life: but corrupt Nature is most opposite to renewing Grace. Now these marvellous effects were produced by the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Heathens. The glorious light of Truth scattered the thick and terrible darkness of ⟨p. 448⟩Ignorance and error that was so universal. The Gospel in its power and the quality of its effects, was like those words, Let there be Light, which the Eternal Word pronounced upon the confused Chaos, and infused a Soul and Life into the World. The clear knowledge of God in his Nature, and Glorious Works of Creation and Redemption, of the duty of Man, of the future state, was communicated to the meanest understandings. And in proportion to the Light of Faith, such was the measure of Piety, and Holiness. Idolatry that had Number, Antiquity, Authority of its side, was entirely abolished. The false Deities were cast out of the Temple: and the Cross of Christ was planted in the Hearts of Men. Accordingly the Apostle tells the Thessalonians; For they themselves show of us,