Bates - BT775 B274 1675

146 3t)CPutnamet tbt Otbtne 2ittttbtttee Ch. V i, their Pallions, but knowingly and proudly defpifed the Command, their Prefumption was inexpiable, no Num. 5.30. Sacrifice was appointed for it. And the Gofpel, though tub. ,o.26, the Declaration of Mercy, yet excepts thofe who fin. 27, 28, 29. the great Tranfgreffion againft theHolyGhoft. Now of fuch a nature was the Sin ofthe Rebellious Angels, i1.3 it being a contemptuous violation of Gods Majefty, and therefore unpardonable. Befìdes, they are whol- ly fiirituál Beings, without any allay of fleth, and fo fell to the utmolt in evil, there being nothing to fuf- pend the intirenefs of their Will : whereas the Humane Spirit is more flow by its union with the Body. And that which extremely aggravates their fin is, that it was committed in the (taleofperfe&Happinefs. They defpifed the fullfruition ofGod : 'twas therefore con- gruows _ to the Divine Wifdom, that their final Sen- tence thould dependupon theirfirfl Eleecián : whereas Mans Rebellion, though inconceivably great, was a- gainft a lower Light and lefs Grace difpenfed to him. 3. They finn'd without a tempter, and were not in the fame capacity with Man to be re(lor'd by a Saviour. John. 8, The Devil is an original Proprietor in Sin, tis of his onn , Man was beguiled by the Serpents fubtilty : as he fell by anothers Malice, fo he is recovered by a- nothers Merit. 4. The Angelical Nature wasnot entirely loft :My- riads of bleflèd Spirits ftill continue in the place of their Innocency and Glory, and for ever afcribe to the Great Creator that incommunicable Honour, which is 241.103. due to Him, and perfeftly do his Commandments. But all Mankind was loft in Adam, and no Religion was left in the lower world, Now although in thefe and other refpeas it was molt confiftent with the Wifdom and Juftiee of God, to egnclude them under an irrevocable Doom, yes

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=