The divine life in three treatises

6. In the way of Redemption, man is brought to more earnest and frequent addresses unto God, and dependence on him: Necessity ⟨p. 94⟩driveth him: And he hath use for more of God, or for God in more of the ways of his mercy, then else he would have had.

6. In the way of Redemption, man is brought to more earnest and frequent addresses unto God, and dependance on him: Necessity ⟨p. 94⟩driveth him: And he hath use for more of God, or for God in more of the wayes of his mercy, then else he would have had.

7. Principally in this way of saving miserable man by a Redeemer, there is opportunity for the more abundant exercise of Gods mercy, and consequently for the more glorious discovery of his Love and Goodness to the sons of men, then if they had fallen into no such Necessities. Misery prepareth men for the sense of mercy. In the Redeemer there is so wonderful a discovery of Love and Mercy, as is the astonishment of men and Angels. 1 Joh. 3. 1. [Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!] Eph. 2. 4, 5. [God who is rich in Mercy, for his great Love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us by Christ Jesus: for by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of your selves, it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast] Tit. 3 3, 4. For we our selves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, &c. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his Mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost] Never was there such a discovery of God as he is Love, in a way of Mercy to man on earth, as in the Redeemer, and his benefits.