Bates - BT775 B274 1675

78 3tjcpacnuonpof ttjeZit ític 2tttttd,utcV, Mercy the fweet, tender, and indulgent Attribute, had never appear'd. But now the Wifdom of God is emi- nent in the accord of both there Attributes. God is equally glorious, as equally God in preferving the authority of his Law by an af of Juftice upon our surety, as in the exercife of Mercy by remitting the punifhment to the Offender. And 'tis no lefs honourable to God's Wifdom to re- ftore Man with infinite advantage. 'Tis a myflery in Nature, That the corruption of one thing is the gene- ration of another ; 'tis more myflerious inGrace, that the Fall of Man lhould occafion his more noble Refli- tution. Innocence was not his lafl End,hisfupreme feli- city tranfcends the irfi. The holinefs of Adam was perfect, but mutable: But Holinefs in the Redeemed though in a lefs degree !hall be victorious over all Temptations : for they are join'd to the Heavenly Adam in a ftri& and inviolable union. And thofeGra- ces are ailed by them, for the exercife of which there was no objects and occafiotts in innocence. As Com- paffion to the miferable, Forgivenefs of injuries, For- titude and Patience, all which as they are a mat live- ly refemblance of the Divine Perfe&ions, fo an excel- lent ornament to the Soul, and infinitely endear it to God. And the Happinefs of our renewed Bate ex- ceeds ourprimitive Felicity. Whether we confider the nature of it, 'tis wholly fpiritual, or the place of it, Heaven theSanEtuary of Life and Immortality, or the conftitution of the Body which !hall be cloathed with Celeflial qualities: But this will be particularly dif- cufled in its proper place. Thefe are the efeels of infinite Wifdome, to the production of whichSin affords no caufality, but hath meerly an accidental refpe&. As the .Apoflle interprets Rem. ;. 4. the words of David, Againfi thee only have Ifinned, that Chap. V. a Pet. 2. 20. Pct. 4.14.

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