90 Power conimunicated unto the 0Jfice of CIJrift for even before hislncarn~tion, fentor deligned by the Father to infirufr it, to communicate Spiritual and faving Light unto · it. So he teil:ified concerning himfelf unto the Jews, /;efore Abraham was I am, Joh. 8. 55. Which as it invincibly proves his eternal preexiil:ence unto his Incarnation, fo it is not only intended. .He was fo before Abraham, as that the Care of tile Church was then and alwaies from the Beginning on him. And he difcharged tpis Office four waies. . 1. ByPerfonal Appearances in the likenefs of Humane Na 4 ture, in the ihape of a man as an Indication of his future In· ' carnati~n ; and under thofe appearances inil:rucring the Church~ So he appeared untoA!Jraham, to Jaco!J, toMofis, toJofuah, as I have proved elfewhere. ·And thofe peculiar Appearances of the Perfon of the Son for the InfiruClion of Believers, area full demonfiration that theca~e and work of' it were commited unto him in a peculiar manner. And I am not Without thoughts, · alt~ough I fee fome difficulty in it, That .the whole OldTeflament wherein God perpetually treats ,with men !Jy an aj{umption of Humane AJfeffions unto him.f'elf; fo to draw us with the cords ofaman, proceededfrom the Perjon ofthe Son,.in a Preparation for, andproffleel of his future Incar– nation. 2. By th~· Mini.ftry 4 of Angels. ~pon his undertaking to be theMedtator for tfie Church w1th God, the Angels were ina· peculiar manner put into dependance on him, even as he became a new and immediate Head unto the whole Creation. This belonged unto .that efpecial Glory which he had with the Father !Jefore the world was, whereof we have treated before. All things were to be an~w gathered into,an Head in him, !Jot}; which are in Hea7.Jen, and which are on Earth, Ephef. I. 10. And he became the firft-!Jorn cf e,very 'Creature, Col. I. I)· the Lord and ~roprieto~ of them. Hence the whole Minifiry of Ang~ls was fubordmate unto ' him· "
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