· ·ofall tl5e Cvunfels ofGod. d~- fels in the falvation of the Church. And up thepillars ofthe Earth, qr fupport this . which otherwife with the Inhabitants of it · fin have been di!folved. And thofe by whom his vine Preexifience in the form ofGod, antecedent unto his .I!}f>~J;\s:. nation is denyed, do what lies in them exprefly t~~e,~it.~ him'ofall that Glory which he had witQ. the Father b~;te· the world was. So we have herein the whole ofour defigli~ In the Beginnint3 of Gorls waies liefore his works ofOld; tqat is in his Eternal Counfe1s with refpefr unto the Children of men or the SanCtification and falvation of the Church, the Lord poffe.!fed, enjoyed the Son as his eternal Wifdom, .in and with · whom they were laid, in and by whom they were to be ·accompliihed, wherein his delights were withthe Sons ofmen. · . 2. Thatthere was an ineffable 'Delight between the Father and the Son in this his Setting up or exaltation. I was, faith he,d.:ry&his delights, re}O)'Cing, always !Jefo.re him. It is not ab– folutely the mutual eternal delight of the Father and the Son, arifingfrom the PerfeCtion ofthe fame Divine Excellencies in each Perfon that is intended. But refpefr is plainly had unto the Counfels ofGod, concerning the falvation of mankind by him who is his Power and Wifdom unto that end. This Com1fel of Peace was originally between Jehovah and the Branch; Zech. 6. I 5· or the Father and the Son as he was to be incarnate. For · therein was he (ore-ordained !Jefore the Foundation of the Ttforld, I Pet. I. 20. Namely, to be a Savi~ our and deliverer, by whom all the Counf("Is of God were to be accomplifhed; and this by his own Will and concurrence . · · in Counfel with the Father. And fuch a Foundation was laid of the falvation of the Church in thefe Counfels of God as tranfacred between the Father and the Son, ·that it is faid; that eternal Life was promijed!;~fore the World !Jeg,an, lit.1.2. G For
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