A26804:334
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.
3. The Wisdom of God directs all the Operations of his Attributes; that orders the Dispensations of Mercy, and the Inflictions of Justice. When the Apostle had considered the astonishing Economy of Providence with respect to the Jews and Gentiles, he breaks forth, O the Depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom 1and Knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways past finding out! That so great a part of the World live in Darkness, and die in Darkness, and go to their Fathers where they shall never see Light, and the Day-spring from on high visits other Nations, is according to the Counsel of his Will.
3. The Wisdom of God directs all the Operations of his Attributes; that orders the Dispensations of Mercy, and the Inflictions of Justice. When the Apostle had considered the astonishing Oeconomy of Providence with respect to the Jews and Gentiles, he breaks forth, O the Depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom 1and Knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways past finding out! That so great a part of the World live in Darkness, and die in Darkness, and go to their Fathers where they shall never see Light, and the Day-spring from on high visits other Nations, is according to the Counsel of his Will.
4. God does afford assisting Grace to Sinners, which if they improved, he would not desert them. The Gospel is the Ministration of the ⟨p. 338⟩Spirit, to illuminate, excite and persuade Sinners not to forsake their own Mercy. He strives with them, he woes and waits to be gracious, till by their obstinate Resistance they quench his holy Motions. 'Tis true, he dispenses Grace in different degrees, for he is the Master of his own Favours: but tho effectual converting Grace is not bestowed upon all, yet there is common Grace, that has a tendency to Conversion, which if humbly and thankfully improved, such is the most free and excellent Goodness of God, Men would receive further Supplies. But they are careless and opposite to his gracious Operations, therefore the Spirit is most righteously withdrawn from them. He that in Luxury has wasted his Estate, 'tis just he dies in Poverty. Besides this, 'tis very considerable, that Men shall be condemned at the last Day not for