of the PERSON of CHRIST. 131 It is therefore evident onall thefe confiderations that all mankind as unto any endeavours of their own, any thing that can be fancied as potable for them to defign or do, mutt be left irreparable in a condition of eternal mifery. And unlefs we have a full conviction hereof, we canneither admire nor entertain the myftery ofthe wifdom of God in our reparation. And therefore it bath beenthe defign offaran in all ages, tocontrive prefumptuous notionsofmess fpiritual abilities, to divert their minds from the contempla- tion ofthe gloryofdivine wifdom and grace, as alone exalted inour recovery. We are proceeding on this fuppofrtion, that there was a condecency unto theholy perfection of the divine nature, that mankind Mould be refuted, or fome portion of it recovered unto the enjoyment ofhimfelf ; fo angeli- cal nature was preferved unto the fame end in thofe that did not fin. And we have ¡hewed the general grounds whereon it is impofiìble that fallen man fhould rettore or recover himfelf. Wherefore we mutt in the next place enquire what is neceffary unto fuch a refforation, on the account of that concernment of the divine excellencies in the fin and apoffafyof man, which we have fated before. For herebywe may obtain light, and an infight into thegloryof that wifdomwhereby it was contrived and effeâ- ed. And the thingsfollowing amongothers may beobferved unto that end. t.) It was required that there fhould be an obedience yielded unto God, bringing more glory unto him, than difhonour did arife and ac= crew from the difobedience of man. This was due unto the glory of divine holinefs in giving of the law. Until this was done, the ex- cellency of the law as becoming the holinefs of God, and as an effect thereof could not be made manifeft. For if it were never kept in any in- fiance, never fulfilled by any one perfon in the world, how fhould the glory ofit bedeclared? how fhould the holinefs ofGod be reprefented byit? how fhould it beevident that the tranfgreflion of it was not rather from fome defect in the law it felf, than from any evil in them that fhould have yielded obedience unto it ? Theobedience yielded by the angels that food and finned not, made it manifeft that the tranfgreflion of it by them that fell and finned, was from their own wills, and not from any unfuitable- nefsunto their nature and fate in the law it felf. But if the law given un- to man should never be compliedwithal in perfect obedience by any one whatever, it might be thought that the law it felf was unfuited unto our nature, and impoffible to be complied withal. Nor did it become infinite wifdom to give a law, whofe equity, righteoufnefs and holinefs fhould ne- ver be exemplified in obedience i thould never be made to appear, but in the punifhment inflicted on its tranfgrelfors. Wherefore the original law of perfonal righteoufnefs was not given folely nor primarily that men might fufFer juftly for its tranfgreffion, but that God might be glori- fied in its accomplithmenc. If this be not done, it is impoffible that men fhould be reffored unto the glory of God. If the law be not fulfilled by obedience, man mull fufFer evermore for his difobedience, or God mutt lofe the manifeftation ofhis holinefs therein. Betides, God had reprefen- ted Iris holinefs in that imageofit, whichwas implanted on our nature, and which was the principle enabling us unto obedience. This alto was re- jeded by fin, and therein the holinefs of God defpifed. If this be not re- fared in our nature, and that with advantages above what it had in its firlt communication, we cannot be recovered unto the glory of God. a.) It was neceffary that thediforder brought into the rule and govern- ment ofGod by fin and rebellion Ihould be rectified. This could no other- wife be done but by the infliction of that punifhment, which in the un- alterable ruleand fiandard of divine jufticewas due thereunto, The dif million
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