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…

Secondly the glory of Gods remunerative justice in the highest degree possible, both in respect of the reward, the greatest that possibly could be deserved (for that hypostatical union could not be deserved) and that is the glorification of the humane nature of Christ, both in respect of his glory absolute, and of his glory relative, as by whom salvation is procured to others: as also in respect of the desert, the greatest I think that possibly could be, to wit, the humiliation of the Son of God to the death of the cross in way of obedience to his Fathers will. There is also a glory of God that appears in Christ, not in several, as a sole means thereof, but in common with other means jointly concurring thereunto: and that is the glory of God in the way of mercy mixed with justice, in saving sinners for the obedience of Christ. The glory of God in all these several ways was in the first place intended by God before ought else, prioritate rationis, in priority of reason; and afterwards the congruous means to these several ends, as the ends them selves did bespeak, were intended by him: for ratio mediorū petitur à ratione sinis; the reason of the means is taken from the reason of the end. But all this is nothing to show that the incarnation of the second person, or advancement of the man Christ, should be before the consideration of mans fall, or Christs humiliation. Yet let us examine that which followeth, delivered by way of proof of that which no man, that I know, makes question of.

Secondly the glory of Gods remunerative justice in the highest degree possible, both in respect of the reward, the greatest that possibly could be deserved (for that hypostaticall union could not be deserved) and that is the glorisication of the humane nature of Christ, both in respect of his glory absolute, and of his glory relative, as by whom salvation is procured to others: as also in respect of the desert, the greatest I thinke that possibly could be, to wit, the humiliation of the Sonne of God to the death of the crosse in way of obedience to his Fathers will. There is also a glory of God that appeares in Christ, not in severall, as a sole meanes thereof, but in common with other meanes joyntly concurring thereunto: and that is the glory of God in the way of mercie mixt with justice, in saving sinners for the obedience of Christ. The glory of God in all these severall wayes was in the first place intended by God before ought else, prioritate rationis, in prioritie of reason; and afterwards the congruous meanes to these severall ends, as the ends them selves did bespeake, were intended by him: for ratio mediorū petitur à ratione sinis; the reason of the meanes is taken from the reason of the end. But all this is nothing to shew that the incarnation of the second person, or advancement of the man Christ, should be before the consideration of mans fall, or Christs humiliation. Yet let us examine that which followeth, delivered by way of proof of that which no man, that I know, makes question of.