An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 21. When God hath chosen to save Man by way of a Mediator, and by his Sacrifice and Merits, as that way in which his Wisdom, Love, Holiness, Mercy and Justice are eminently glorified, it seemeth to me too bold Presumption to dispute, Whether he could not have saved us otherwise, and pardoned Sin without a Saviour? as it would be to dispute, Whether he could not illuminate the Earth without the Sun? He wanteth not Power to do whatsoever is meet for God to do; but all the question is, Whether it be meet, supposing Man's Nature and Sin to be what they are?

§. 22. God did illuminate the World without the Sun, till the Sun was made: But it was the imperfect World, and before the perfecting of his Work: And so God did save Man without an Existent Mediator, (unless God may be called a Mediator between himself and us, which is a harsh Phrase). But it was before the Work of our Salvation was brought to maturity; for the Cure of Man is perfectest at last.

§. 23. We must take great heed, that in considering of the parts of our Redemption by Christ, we look not all at one and over-look the rest, nor set not those Works of Christ in opposition which must be taken in conjunction: But his Incarnation, Obedience, Contempt of the World, Victory over Satan, Suffering, Resurrection, Ascension, Glory, Intercession, Reign, Raising the Dead, Judgment, glorifying his Church, must be all conjoined, though not confounded.