Bates - BT775 B274 1675

T41 15:1)e »Xt1 ul) of tteZíbitte2ttttíbutt , Ch. VIII. to us, yet we renewed as of hoftility againft H im every day. And it was the worn kind of hofti i ty [tom. 1. 30; arifing from the hatred of God, and that for his Holi- nefs his moft amiable Perfection : yet then in his Love He pitied so. The fame favour beftowed on an Enemy, is morally more valuable than given to a Friend. For 'tis Love that puts a price on Benefits : and the more undeserved" they are, the more they are endeared. john 4. to. by the Affeétion that gives them. Here is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and fent his son to be a Propitiation for our Sins. We were Rebels againft God, and at enmity with the Prince of Life, yet then He gave Himself for us. It will further appear that our Salvation comes from pure favour, ifwe confider Mannot only as a rebelli- ous enemy to God, but impotent and obstinate, with- out power to resift Junice, and without affe&ion to defire Mercy. Sometimes the intereft of a Prince may induce him to (pare the guilty, he maybe compell'd to pardon, whom he cannot punifh. The multitude is the greaten Potentate. The sons ofZerviah were too _Prong for David : and then 'tis not pity, but policy to fufpend the judgment. But our condition is defcribed Rm g.6. by the Aponle, that when we were 'inners, and with- outflrength, then Chrifl dyed for us. Man is a defpi- cableCreature, fo weak that he trembles at theappear- ance of a Worm, and yet fo wicked that he lifts up his head againft Heaven. How unable is he to encounter with offended Omnipotence? How easily can God de- nroy him, when by his foieWord he made him ? Ifhe unclafps his hand that fuports all things, they will pre- fently relapfe into their firft confufion. The whole world of finners was fhnt up, utterly unable to repel or avoid his difpleafure : And what amazing Love is it sm. 24.9. to fpare Rebels that were under his feet ? When a man

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