The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

The First thing that offers it self to Consideration is, the compass of the Divine Wisdom, in taking occasion from the Sin and Fall of Man to bring more Glory to God, and to raise him to a more excellent state. Sin in its own nature hath no tendency to good, 'tis not an apt medium to promote the Glory of God: so far is it from a direct contributing to it, that on the contrary 'tis the most real dishonour to ⟨p. 84⟩Him.¹ But as a black ground in a Picture which in it self only defiles, when placed by Art, sets off the brighter colours and heightens their beauty: So the evil of Sin, which considered absolutely, obscures the Glory of God, yet by the disposition of his Providence, it serves to illustrate his Name, and to make it more glorious in the esteem of reasonable Creatures.² Without the Sin of Man there had been no place for the most perfect exercise of his Goodness. O felix culpa q•ae tantum & talem meruit habere Redemptorem. Happy fault not in it self, but by the wise and merciful Counsel of God to be repaired in a way so advantageous, that the Salvation of the Earth is the Wonder of Heaven, the Redemption of Man ravishes the Angels.

The First thing that offers it self to Consideration is, the compass of the Divine Wisdome, in taking occasion from the Sin and Fall of Man to bring more Glory to God, and to raise him to a more excellent state. Sin in its own nature hath no tendency to good, 'tis not an apt medium to promote the Glory of God: so far is it from a direct contributing to it, that on the contrary 'tis the most real dishonour to ⟨p. 84⟩Him.¹ But as a black ground in a Picture which in it self only defiles, when plac'd by Art, sets off the brighter colours and heightens their beauty: So the evil of Sin, which considered absolutely, obscures the Glory of God, yet by the disposition of his Providence, it serves to illustrate his Name, and to make it more glorious in the esteem of reasonable Creatures.