The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural…

1. The Matter and Design containeth the most wonderful expression of the Wisdom of God, that ever was made to man on earth. All is mysterious, yet admirably fit, consistent and congruous, as is before declared. That a world which is visibly and undeniably fallen into wickedness: and misery, should have a Redeemer, Saviour and Mediator towards ⟨p. 269⟩God! That he should be one that is near enough to God and unto us, and hath the nature of both: that he should be the second Adam, the Root of the Redeemed and Regenerate: that God should give all mercy from himself, from his own bounty and fullness, and not as unwilling be persuaded to it by another; and therefore that the Redeemer be not any Angel or intermediate person, but God himself: that thus God come nearer unto man, who is revolted from him, to draw up man again to Him: that he lose not the world, and yet do not violate his governing Justice: that he be so merciful, as not to be unrighteous, nor permit his Laws and Government to be despised; and yet so just, as to save the penitent renewed souls: that he give man a new Law and conditions of salvation, suitable to his lapsed guilty state; and leave him not under a Law and conditions, which were fitted to the innocent: that he revealed himself to the apostate world in that way, which only is fit for their recovery, that is, in his admirable love and goodness, that so love might win our love, and attract those hearts, which under guilt and the terrors of condemning justice would never have been brought to love him: that guilty souls have such evidence of God's reconciliation to encourage them, to expect his pardon, and to come to him with joy and boldness in their addresses; having a Mediator to trust in,¹ and his Sacrifice, Merits, and acceptable Name, to plead with God: that Justice and Mercy are so admirably conjoined in these effects: that Satan, and the world, and death, should be so conquered, in a suffering way, and man have so perfect a pattern to imitate, for self-denial, humility, contempt of honour, wealth and life, and exact obedience, and resignation to the will of God, with perfect love to God and man: that the world should be under such an universal Administrator, and the Church be all united in such a Head;

1. The Matter and Design containeth the most wonderful expression of the Wisdom of God, that ever was made to man on earth. All is mysterious, yet admirably fit, consistent and congruous, as is before declared. That a world which is visibly and undeniably fallen into wickedness: and misery, should have a Redeemer, Saviour and Mediator towards