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

The Second Opinion is, That God by his Absolute Dominion and Prerogative, might have released the Sinner from Punishment without any Satisfaction. ⟨p. 224⟩For as by his Sovereignty He transferred the Punishment from the guilty to the innocent; so He might have forgiven Sin, if no Redeemer had interposed. From hence it follows, that the Death of Christ for the Expiation of Sin was necessary only with respect to the Divine Decree.

The Second Opinion is, That God by his Absolute Dominion and Prerogative, might have releas'd the Sinner from Punishment without any Satisfaction. ⟨p. 224⟩For as by his Sovereignty He transfer'd the Punishment from the guilty to the innocent; so He might have forgiven Sin, if no Redeemer had interposed. From hence it follows, that the Death of Christ for the Expiation of Sin was necessary only with respect to the Divine Decree.

3. The Third Opinion is, That considering God in this transaction as qualified with the Office of Supreme Judg and Governor of the World, who hath given just Laws to direct his Creatures in their Obedience, and to be the rule of his proceedings with them as to Rewards and Punishments, He hath so far restrained the exercise of his Power, that upon the breach of the Law, either it must be executed upon the Sinner, or if extraordinarily dispensed with, it must be upon such terms as may secure the Ends of Government: and those are His own Honour, and public Order, and the Benefit of those that are governed. And upon these accounts 'twas requisite, supposing the merciful design of God to pardon Sin, that his Righteousness should be declared in the Sufferings of Christ. I will distinctly open this.

3. The Third Opinion is, That considering God in this transaction as qualified with the Office of Supreme Judg and Governor of the World, who hath given just Laws to direct his Creatures in their Obedience, and to be the rule of his proceedings with them as to Rewards and Punishments, He hath so far restrain'd the exercise of his Power, that upon the breach of the Law, either it must be executed upon the Sinner, or if extraordinarily dispenst with, it must be upon such terms as may secure the Ends of Government: and those are His own Honour, and publick Order, and the Benefit of those that are governed. And upon these accounts 'twas requisite, supposing the merciful design of God to pardon Sin, that his Righteousness should be declared in the Sufferings of Christ. I will distinctly open this.