April 30, 2012

John Collinges (1623–1690) on God's Love and Hate in Different Respects

1. As love stands opposed to hatred, and wrath, and Enmity. Considering man as Gods creature, he was not hated of God, God hateth not the work of his own hand; but considering him as a lapsed creature as degenerated into the Plant of a strange Vine, after that God had created him a generous, noble plant, so he because the object of God's wrath, hatred, and Enmity. We were Children of wrath by nature saith the Apostle, Eph. 2.3. God is angry with the wicked every day. How Suitable, to us now is it, to have a Saviour? That is Love, and who hath Loves, considering the aversion in the holy Divine Being, from Mankind as rebellious Seed, a Seed of Evil-doers? Who could have suited us to have become a Saviour unto us, but one who had a kind propension, and inclination to us, inclining him to the great work of mans Redemption, and Reconciliation to God, especially also considering that there could be no remission of sins without blood, no reconciliation without the reconcilers Death, he had need have loves that should die for his Friend, and he much more who should die for Enemies that were by his death to be made friends.
John Collinges, The Intercourses of Divine Love Betwixt Christ and his Church (London: Printed by T. Snowden, for Edward Giles Bookseller in Norwich, near the Market-place, 1683), 156. [some spelling updated]

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