The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

1. The first spring or cause of this Union, and of all the other causes of it, lieth in that eternal compact that was between the Father and the Son, concerning the Recovery and Salvation of fallen mankind. Herein among other things as the effects thereof, the Assumption of our nature, (the foundation of this Union) was designed. The nature and terms of this Compact, Counsel, and Agreement, I have declared elsewhere, and therefore must not here again insist upon it. But the Relation between Christ and the Church, proceeding from hence, and so being an effect of infinite Wisdom, in the Counsel of the Father and Son, to be made effectual by the Holy Spirit, must be distinguished from all other Unions or Relations whatever.

1. The first spring or cause of this Ʋnion, and of all the other causes of it, lieth in that eternal compact that was between the Father and the Son, concerning the Recovery and Salvation of fallen mankind. Herein among other things as the effects thereof, the Assumption of our nature, (the foundation of this Union) was designed. The nature and terms of this Compact, Counsel, and Agreement, I have declared elsewhere, and therefore must not here again insist upon it. But the Relation between Christ and the Church, proceeding from hence, and so being an effect of infinite Wisdom, in the Counsel of the Father and Son, to be made effectual by the Holy Spirit, must be distinguished from all other Ʋnions or Relations whatever.

2. The Lord Christ as unto the nature which he was to assume, was hereon predestinated unto Grace and Glory. He was [Greek or Hebrew] fore-ordained, predestinated, before the foundation of the World; 1 Pet. 1.20. That is, he was so as unto his Office, so unto all the Grace and Glory required thereunto, and consequent thereon. All the Grace and Glory of the Humane Nature of Christ, was an effect of free Divine preordination. God chose it from all Eternity, unto a participation of all which it received in time. Neither can any other cause of the Glorious Exaltation of that portion of our nature, be assigned.