A64003:66
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…
A treatise of Mr. Cottons clearing certain doubts concerning predestination together with an examination thereof / written by William Twice ...A treatise of Mr. Cottons clearing certaine doubts concerning predestination together with an examination thereof / written by William Twisse ...
London: printed by J.D. for Andrew Crook, 1646
AN EXAMINATION of a Treatise written by Master Cotton, for the clea… › Question 1: QUESTION. 1.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
but in that he brings it to pass this way, there is good reason for it, as we shall well perceive, if we take the end of God aright, namely, to manifest his glory in doing good to man in the highest degree, and that in the way of mercy mixed with justice. This end doth necessarily require a permission of sin; again, it doth require satisfaction, as by the death of Christ; and thirdly, it doth require faith and repentance, that so he may do him good, by way of reward; and lastly, a glorious salvation, which is the doing of him good in the highest degree. And as mans salvation is not the end of Gods actions, so neither is the glory of Christ, as he is man, the end of Gods actions; for such a glory inherent can but be a created glory, and no created thing can be the end of Gods actions; but only God himself: For, as he is the chief efficient of all, so must he be the supreme end of all: and as he is most lovely, and most good; so must he necessarily love that most which is most lovely, even himself, and aim at his own glory in all.
but in that hee brings it to passe this way, there is good reason for it, as wee shall well perceive, if wee take the end of God aright, namely, to manifest his glory in doing good to man in the highest degree, and that in the way of mercy mixt with justice. This end doth necessarily require a permission of sin; again, it doth require satisfaction, as by the death of Christ; and thirdly, it doth require faith and repentance, that so hee may doe him good, by way of reward; and lastly, a glorious salvation, which is the doing of him good in the highest degree. And as mans salvation is not the end of Gods actions, so neither is the glory of Christ, as hee is man, the end of Gods actions; for such a glory inherent can but bee a created glory, and no created thing can be the end of Gods actions; but onely God himselfe: For, as he is the chiefe efficient of all, so must hee bee the supreme end of all: and as hee is most lovely, and most good; so must hee necessarily love that most which is most lovely, even himselfe, and aime at his owne glory in all.