A26806:26
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.
The Divine Goodness to Angels and Man in their Original Purity, was Grace: for although the Image of God shining in them was attractive of his Approbation and Acceptance, yet they deserved no Benefits from him: there is such an infinite Distance and Disproportion between God and the Creatures, that they cannot by a common Right claim any thing as due from his Majesty. Besides, he is the productive and conservative Cause of all their active Powers, and the Efficacy of them.
The Divine Goodness to Angels and Man in their Original Purity, was Grace: for altho the Image of God shining in them was attractive of his Approbation and Acceptance, yet they deserved no Benefits from him: there is such an infinite Distance and Disproportion between God and the Creatures, that they cannot by a common Right claim any thing as due from his Majesty. Besides, he is the productive and conservative Cause of all their active Powers, and the Efficacy of them.
The creating Goodness of God is eclipsed in the Comparison with his saving Grace. The first supposes us without any Deserts of his Favour, but this supposes our exceedingly bad Deserts: The first was free, but this is merciful and healing Grace. Mercy revives and restores us when deservedly miserable. This Grace and Mercy is of so pure a Nature, that the most tender humane Inclinations to relieve the Afflicted, are mixed with Self-interest, compared with the Mercy of God towards us. Our Bowels relent, and Affections are melting ⟨p. 17⟩at the sight of Persons in deep Misery. But there is an inward and unvoluntary Constraint of Nature that excites such feeling Resentments: and our Compassion is moved by Reflection upon our selves, considering that in this open State we are liable to many Disasters and wounding Sorrows: but God is infinitely free from all disturbing Passions, and exempted from all possible Evils. To represent the immense Love and Mercy of God in its endearing Circumstances, and to demonstrate his Readiness to forgive, we must consider what he has done in order to his pardoning Sinners.