His proceed in the same page is to except against that
revelation of the wisdom of God which I affirm to have been made in the
person and sufferings of Christ, which I thought I might have asserted
without offence. But this man will have it, that “there is no wisdom
therein, if justice be so natural to God, that nothing could satisfy him
but the death of his own Son.” That any thing else could satisfy divine
justice but the sufferings and death of the Son of God, so far as I know,
he is the first that found out or discovered, if he hath yet found it out.
Some have imagined that God will pardon sin, and doth so, without any
satisfaction at all; and some have thought that other ways of the
reparation of lost mankind were possible, without this satisfaction of
divine justice, which yet God in his wisdom determined on; but that
satisfaction could be any otherwise made to divine justice, but by the
death of the Son of God incarnate, none have used to say who know what they
say in these things. “But wisdom,” he saith, “consists in the choice of
the best and fittest means to attain an end, when there were more ways than
one of doing it; but it requires no great wisdom to choose when there is
but one possible way.” Yea, this it is to measure God, — things infinite
and divine, by ourselves. Doth this man think that God’s
ends, as ours, have an existence in themselves out of him, antecedent unto
any acts of his divine wisdom? Doth he imagine that he balanceth probable
means for the attaining of an end, choosing some and rejecting others?
Doth he surmise that the acts of divine wisdom with respect unto the end
and means are so really distinct, as the one to have a priority in time
before the others? Alas, that men should have the confidence to publish
such slight and crude imaginations! Again: the Scripture, which so often
expresseth the incarnation of the Son of God, and the whole work of his
mediation thereon, as the effect of the infinite wisdom of God, — as that
wherein the stores, riches, and treasures of it are laid forth, — doth
nowhere so speak of it in comparison with other means not so suited unto
the same end, but absolutely, and as it is in its own nature; unless it be
when it is compared with those typical institutions which, being appointed
to resemble it, some did rest in. And lastly, whereas there was but this
one way for the redemption of mankind, and the restoration of the honour of
God’s justice and holiness, as he is the supreme lawgiver and governor of
the universe; and whereas this one way was not in the least pervious unto
any created understanding, angelical or human, nor could the least of its
concerns have ever entered into the hearts of any (nor, it may be, shall
they ever know or be able to find it out unto perfection, but it will be
left the object of their admiration unto eternity); — if this author can
see no wisdom, or no great wisdom, in the finding out and appointing of
this way, who can help it? I wish he would more diligently attend unto
their teachings who are able to instruct him better; and from whom, as
having no prejudice against them, he may be willing to learn.