A26806:133
Sermons upon Psalm CXXX, ver. 4 but there is forgiveness with thee, that thou…
Sermons upon Psalm CXXX, ver. 4 but there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayst be feared / by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1696
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. The Pardon of Sins gives us a regular Title to all temporal Blessings, ⟨p. 117⟩and the truest Sweetness in their Fruition. God is the universal and absolute Proprietary of all things in this World, being made by his creating Power, and continued by his preservative Power. By our rebellious Sins we were under a just Deprivation of them. Now the Pardon of Sin takes off the deadly Forfeiture, and restores the Use and Benefit of temporal Blessings to us. 'Tis true, God by his general Bounty affords Supplies to his Enemies; The Sun rises with his cheerful Light, and the Rain falls upon the Just and Unjust; and wicked Men have a civil right to their Possessions: but they are not the Gifts of his special Love to them. The Prodigal was first pardoned, and then entertained with a Feast. The Love of God gives a cheerful Tincture to all his Benefits. 'Tis emphatically said, God, even our own God, shall bless us. As he is pleased to value and accept the meanest Service that is mixed with our Affections to him: A Cup of cold Water that comes from the Spring of Love, shall have its Reward: So his Love raises the Price of every Blessing. The Psalmist having set forth the Riches, and Prosperity, and Peace of a Kingdom, breaks forth, ⟨p. 117⟩Happy is the People that are in such a case. But he presently revokes it, and ascends with a Gradation of Light and Force; Yea, happy is that People whose God is the Lord; who are in a State of Divine Favour. Temporal Blessings, if they are not the Gifts of God reconciled to us in the Redeemer, are Snares that alienate the Hearts of Men from God, and foment their Lusts, and prepare them for final Destruction. The rich Man had his good things here; and was tormented after his sensual Fruitions. A rebellious Sinner is spared for a time, and punished for ever. The King of Sodom was rescued from Captivity by Abraham, and reserved for Destruction by a Shower of Fire and Brimstone.
1. The Pardon of Sins gives us a regular Title to all temporal Blessings, ⟨p. 117⟩and the truest Sweetness in their Fruition. God is the universal and absolute Proprietary of all things in this World, being made by his creating Power, and continued by his preservative Power. By our rebellious Sins we were under a just Deprivation of them. Now the Pardon of Sin takes off the deadly Forfeiture, and restores the Use and Benefit of temporal Blessings to us. 'Tis true, God by his general Bounty affords Supplies to his Enemies; The Sun rises with his chearful Light, and the Rain falls upon the Just and Vnjust; and wicked Men have a civil right to their Possessions: but they are not the Gifts of his special Love to them. The Prodigal was first pardon'd, and then entertain'd with a Feast. The Love of God gives a chearful Tincture to all his Benefits. 'Tis emphatically said, God, even our own God, shall bless us. As he is pleased to value and accept the meanest Service that is mix'd with our Affections to him: A Cup of cold Water that comes from the Spring of Love, shall have its Reward: So his Love raises the Price of every Blessing. The Psalmist having set forth the Riches, and Prosperity, and Peace of a Kingdom, breaks forth,