2 54 An lmmble Enquiry into the Infinite Wijdom ofGod oufnefs of Government, if the highefl: fin and provocation that our Nature \Vas capable of, and which brought confu~ fion on the wholeCreatwn below, fhould for ever go unpu· ni{hed? The firfi exprefs Intimation that God gave bf his Rightoufnefs in the Government of.Mankind, was his threat~ ning apunifhment equal unto the demerit of difobedience, if man ihou'd fall into it. In the dpy thou eatefl thereof thou jhalt die. If he revoke and difannul this fem.ence, how :tl1all .,. the Glory of his Righteoufnefs in the Rule of all be made known? But how this punifhment fhould be undergone, which confiiled in mans eternal Ruine, and yet man .be eter– nally faved, . was a work for Divine Wifdom to contrive. This therefore was neceffary unto the Honour of Gods Righteoufnefs, as he is the fupreme Governour and Judge of all the Earth. C 3. It was neceffary that Satan fhould be jufl!J defpoiled of his Advantage and Power over Mankind unto the Glory of ·God. For he was not to be left to triumph in his fuccefs. And inafmuch as man was on his part rig,htful!:J given up un– to him, his deliverance was not to be wrought by an AB: of ahfolute Dominion and Power, but in a way of Jufl:ice and lawful Judgment; which things fhall be afterwards fpoken unto. · Without thefe things the recovery ofmankind into the Fa– vour and unto the Enjoyment of God was utterly imp0ffible on the account~}[ the concernment of the Glory ofhis Divine . Perfecrions in ourSin and Apofiafy. · How all this might be effeB:ed; how the Glory of the · Holinefs and Rig,hteoufnefs of God i~ his Law and Rule, and in the primitive confiitution of our Nature might be repajred; how his Goodnefs~- Love;Grace and Mercy might be rrianifefi– ed and e·xalted in this work of the Reparation of Mankind, ·was left unto the care and contrivance of btjinite TJ!ddom. From
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