A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

First, When the chief end is not intended, but secondary ends, intermedious ends; Yea when those things which should be but means are intended as ends, when we make a wilderness a Canaan, a Tabernacle, the Temple, the Inn, a Dwelling place. A secondary end which a man is to intend is the salvation of his own soul, the principal and most noble is the glory of God. It is true, God hath so inseparably conjoined his glory, and mans salvation together, that one cannot be divided from the other: Therefore it is too rigid of some, who press this as a duty upon Christians, to be willing to be damned for Gods glory; That we are to will our destruction, so that God may be glorified thereby, for we are to seek for immortality and glory; It would be a sin to will our damnation, only this is a subordinate end, Gods glory is the principal: Neither is a Christian anxiously to perplex himself with this Question, Whether they love Gods glory, or their own salvation best? Some timorated consciences, and tender spirits have been apt to judge themselves hypocrites in this thing, thinking they serve God only for Heavens sake, for their own ends and safety, not for Gods glory, which yet is a greater good, and more to be preferred then the salvation of the whole world; better all men be damned, then God not be glorified. But it is not good for a Christian to put such Questions to his soul; Neither was that a wise wish of one, who desired there were neither Heaven or Hell, that so he might know whether he served God purely for himself or no. Though these things are to be granted, yet on the other we must also yield, That the glory of God is the ultimate end, and our salvation in subordination thereunto; Not that they are to be divided or opposed, for Subordinata non pugnant, onely one is less principal, and the other more principal; But how corrupt is the wills intention herein? How many will Heaven as a place of Salvation, but not as a place of Gods glory; they desire Salvation as it freeth from Hell torments, but not as it is a perfect sanctification of the whole man for the enjoyment of God? Here thy intention is sinful and incomplete, when thou intendest Heaven and happiness, thou art to desire all of it, not some parts of it.

First, When the chief end is not intended, but secondary ends, intermedious ends; Yea when those things which should be but means are intended as ends, when we make a wildernesse a Canaan, a Tabernacle, the Temple, the Inne, a Dwellingplace. A secondary end which a man is to intend is the salvation of his own soul, the principal and most noble is the glory of God. It is true, God hath so inseparably conjoyned his glory, and mans salvation together, that one cannot be divided from the other: Therefore it is too rigid of some, who press this as a duty upon Christians, to be willing to be damned for Gods glory; That we are to will our destruction, so that God may be glorified thereby, for we are to seek for immortality and glory; It would be a sinne to will our damnation, only this is a subordinate end, Gods glory is the principal: Neither is a Christian anxiously to perplex himself with this Question, Whether they love Gods glory, or their own salvation best? Some timorated consciences, and tender spirits have been apt to judge themselves hypocrites in this thing, thinking they serve God only for Heavens sake, for their own ends and safety, not for Gods glory, which yet is a greater good, and more to be preferred then the salvation of the whole world; better all men be damned, then God not be glorified. But it is not good for a Christian to put such Questions to his soul; Neither was that a wise wish of one, who desired there were neither Heaven or Hell, that so he might know whether he served God purely for himself or no. Though these things are to be granted, yet on the other we must also yeeld, That the glory of God is the ultimate end, and our salvation in subordination thereunto; Not that they are to be divided or opposed, for Subordinata non pugnant, onely one is lesse principal, and the other more principal; But how corrupt is the wils intention herein? How many will Heaven as a place of Salvation, but not as a place of Gods glory; they desire Salvation as it freeth from Hell torments, but not as it is a perfect sanctification of the whole man for the enjoyment of God? Here thy intention is sinfull and incompleat, when thou intendest Heaven and happiness, thou art to desire all of it, not some parts of it.