Bates - BT775 B274 1675

inContribing it's lacbcinption. and expofed his beloved Son to theSword ofhis Juflice, Chap XI. to turn the blow from us. What alonithing goodnefs is it, that God who is the Author and end of al! things, fhould become the means of our Salvation ? and by the loweft abatement? What is fo worthy ofadmirati- on as that the Eternal fhould become mortal, that be- ing inthe formof God, he fhould take on him the form of a Servant, that the Judge of the World fhould be condemned by the guilty, that he fhould leave his Throne in Heaven to be nailed to theCrofs, that the Prince of Life fhould tafle of Death? Thefe are the great Wonders which the Lord of Love hath perform- ed, and all for fnful, miferable and unworthy Man, who deferved not the leaft drop of that Sweat and Blood he fpent for him : and without any advantage to him- Pelf, for what content can be added to his felicity by a curled Creature ? infinite Love, that is as ad- mirable as faving! Love thatpaffeth Knowledge! and is as much aboveour comprehenton as defert. In natural things, Admiration is the effect ofIgnorance, but here 'tis increafed by Knowledge. For themore we under- ftand the excellent Greatnefs ofGod, and the vilenefs of Man, the more we (hall be inftru&ed to admire the glorious wonderoffaving Mercy. A deliberateadmira- tion fpringing from our molt ariftwi thoughts, is part `) & of the tribute and adoration we owe to God, who fo ftrangel yPaved us from the Wrath to come. And the molt humble acknowledgements are due for it. WhenDavid told Mphibofbeth, that he fhould 2 SAM. 9. 7,e. eat bread with him at his Table continua lly, he bowed himfèlf, and Paid, What is thy Servant, that than fhouldes`l look on filch a dead Dog as I am ? fpeech furl ofgratitude, and humility; yet he was ofa Roy- al extra&on, though at that time in a low condition. With a far greater fenfe ofour unworthinefs, we fhould C c reflect `93

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