A26805:287
Sermons upon death and eternal judgment
Sermons upon death and eternal judgment by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1683
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
2. Not only the pardon of our Sins, but the acceptance and rewarding of our services with eternal Glory is upon the account of our Saviour's complete Righteousness. There are defilements in the persons, and defects in the works of the Saints. Their most holy and fervent Prayers are perfumed by the Incense of his Intercession,1 and so become grateful to God. Our best Virtues are mixed and shadowed with imperfections; but in him all Graces were conspicuous in their consummate degrees. Our Obedience, supposing it perfect, is of no desert: When we have done all, we are unprofitable Servants: but his Obedience was infinitely meritorious by the union of the Deity with his humane Nature, and is ⟨p. 134⟩the foundation of the excellent Reward. Not that his Merits derive a value to our Works to make them worthy of eternal Glory: as some noble Mineral infused into Water, that is in it self without taste or efficacy, gives it a medicinal tincture and virtue; for this is impossible, since the infinite Dignity of his Person, and his most perfect habitual and actual Holiness, that are the fountains and reasons of his Merits, are incommunicable to our persons and works. For this would render us equal to our Saviour, and our works to be divine as his. But the active and passive Righteousness of Christ is so satisfactory and meritorious, that God is pleased graciously to reward with the Crown of Life the mean services of those who are by a lively and purifying Faith united to him.
2. Not only the pardon of our Sins, but the acceptance and rewarding of our services with eternal Glory is upon the account of our Saviour's compleat Righteousness. There are defilements in the persons, and defects in the works of the Saints. Their most holy and fervent Prayers are perfum'd by the Incence of his Intercession,1 and so become grateful to God. Our best Vertues are mix'd and shadowed with imperfections; but in him all Graces were conspicuous in their consummate degrees. Our Obedience, supposing it perfect, is of no desert: When we have done all, we are unprofitable Servants: but his Obedience was infinitely meritorious by the union of the Deity with his humane Nature, and is ⟨p. 134⟩