A treatise of Mr. Cottons clearing certain doubts concerning predestination together with an examination…A treatise of Mr. Cottons clearing certaine doubts concerning predestination together with an examination…

God doth not propose one thing before another in time, all things are at once present with him: But the things purposed by God, God ¹doth order them one for another, and so is he rightly said to purpose one thing in order before another. Now in order of things, God hath first purposed the glorifying of himself, yea, and the glorifying of himself in Christ too, before he presupposed the fall of man, and humiliation of Christ; as may appear, &c.

God doth not propose one thing before another in time, all things are at once present with him: But the things purposed by God, God ¹doth order them one for another, and so is he rightly said to purpose one thing in order before another. Now in order of things, God hath first purposed the glorifying of himselfe, yea, and the glorifying of himselfe in Christ too, before he presupposed the fall of man, and humiliation of Christ; as may appeare, &c.

1. 1Answ.

1. I will first take into consideration the doubt proposed. Here are four things mentioned: and the Question is made touching ¹the priority of the two first in respect of the two latter, and that in the thoughts (or intention) of God. And withal I conceive the incarnation of the Son of God is considered in reference to the fall of man. And the advancement of the man Christ in reference to his humiliation. Of the Priority of each in respect of his correlative proceeds the doubt. I think good to consider them apart. As touching the first couple, the incarnation of the Son of God, and the fall of man: I should answer at the first dash, that there is no order between them at all: My reason is this, All order in intention hath course only between the means and the end: But between these two there is no such reference as between the means and the end. The proposition is without question;