A26804:26
Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions
Sermons preached on several occasions by William Bates.Sermons preach'd on several occasions by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Jonathan Robinson, 1693
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. Sin is a Rebellion against the Sovereign Majesty of God, that gives the Life of Authority to the Law. Therefore Divine Precepts are enforced with the most proper and binding Motive to Obedience, I am the Lord. He that with purpose and pleasure commits Sin, implicitly renounces his Dependence upon God, as his Maker and Governor, over-rules the Law, and arrogates an irresponsible Licence to do his own Will. This is expressed by those Atheistical Designers, who said, With our Tongue we will prevail, 1our Lips are our own: who is Lord over us? The Language of Actions, that is more natural and convincing than of Words, declares that sinful Men despise the Commands of God, as if they were not his Creatures and Subjects. What a Dishonour, what a Displeasure is it to the God of Glory, that proud Dust should fly in his Face, and control his Authority? ⟨p. 11⟩He has ten thousand times ten 2thousand Angels that are high in Dignity, and excel in Strength, waiting in a Posture of Reverence and Observance about his Throne, ready to do his Will: How provoking is it for a despicable Worm to contravene his Law, and lift his Hand against him? It will be no Excuse to plead the Commands of Men for Sin: for as much as God is more glorious than Men, so much more are his Commands to be respected and obeyed than Mens. When there is an evident Opposition between the Laws of Men and of God, we must disobey our Superiors, tho we displease them, and obey our Supreme Ruler. He that does what is forbidden, or neglects to do what is commanded by the Divine Law, to please Men, tho invested with the highest Sovereignty on Earth, is guilty of double Wickedness; of Impiety, in deposing God; and ⟨p. 12⟩Idolatry, in deifying Men.
1. Sin is a Rebellion against the Soveraign Majesty of God, that gives the Life of Authority to the Law. Therefore Divine Precepts are enforced with the most proper and binding Motive to Obedience, I am the Lord. He that with purpose and pleasure commits Sin, implicitely renounces his Dependance upon God, as his Maker and Governour, over-rules the Law, and arrogates an irresponsible Licence to do his own Will. This is exprest by those Atheistical Designers, who said, With our Tongue we will prevail,