tinExpoftion of the C ß A P. Ib and Goodnefs by temporary Operation. And thushe becomesthe brightneffotitis Father's glory, and the expreß image ofhis perfon ; namely by the receiving his glorious Nature from him, the whole and all ofit, and exprefúng him in his works of nature and grace unto his creatures. . 3. Becaufe in thedi#enfation and conned of Grace, God bath determined, that all communication ofhimfelfunto us, than be by the Son, asincarnate. This the whole Gofpel isgiven to teftifie. So that this truth hash its foundationin the veryfitlfifience of the Perfon ofthe Deity, is confirmed by the Order andOperation, and Voluntary Difpofi- ¡ion in theCovenantofGrace. And this difcovers unto us, firft, The Necefty ofcoming unto God by Chrift. God inhimfelfis faid tobe in thickdarknefs, as alfo to dwell in Light, whereunto no creature can approach; which expreffions though feeming contrary , yet teach us the fami thing, namely the infinite diffance of the Divine Nature from our apprehenfrons and conceptions ; no man having fern Godat any time. But this God, invifible, eternal, in- comprehenfibly glorious, hath implanted fundry charallers ofhis Excellencies, and leftfootfieps of his bleffed Properties on the things that he bath made, that by the Confideration and Contemplation of them, wemight come to Come fuch Acquain- tance with him, as might encourage us to fear and ferve him, and to make him our utmoft End. But thefe Exprefons of God in all other things, betides his Son Chtilt Jefits,are all ofthanpartial, revealing only fomethingofhim, not All that is neceffary tobeknown, that we may liveunto him here, andenjoy himhereafter ; and obfeure, not leading us unto any perfect ftable knowledge ofhim. And hence it is, that thofe whohave attempted to come unto Godby thelight of that manifeftation which he bath made ofhimfelf, anyother way than in and by Chrift Jefus, have all failed and come fhóvt ofbwglory. But now the LordChrift being the Brightneffofbisglory, in whom his gloryChines out of theimmenfiDarkneßthathis Nature is enwrapped in unto us, and beams out of that inacceffible light which he inhabits; and the expreflimage of boo Perfn, reprefenting all the perfeótionsofhis Perfön, fullyand clearlyunto us, rn , him alone, can weattain afaving Acquaintance with him. On this account he 'tells Philip, 141.14. 9. He that bathfeen me, he pathPeen the Father the reafon ofwhich affertion, taken from the mutual inbeingofFather' and Son, and his expreflion ofhis mind and glory, he afferts in the next'verfes. He then is the onlyway andmeans ofcoming unto the knowledge and enjoyment.of God ; bccaufe in andby him alone, is he fully and perfe6tly expreffed unto us. lAnd therefore, this, fecondly, is our greatGuide anddi- re&ion in all our endeavours after an acceptable acrefi untohim. Would wecome to that acquaintance with the Nature, Properties, and Excellencies ofthe Father, which poor, weak,finite creatures are capable of attaining in this world, which is futticient that we maylove him, fear him, ferve him,. and come unto the enjoyment ofhim wouldwe know his Love andGrace, would we admire his Wifdom and Holineß; let us labourto .come to an intimate,and near acquaintance with his Son Jefus Chrift, ìa whom all thefe things dwell in theirfshteß, andby whom they are exhibited, revealed, Unfolded unto us. Seek the Father in theSon ; outof whom, not one Property of the Divine Nature canbe (avingly apprehended, or rightly underftood ; and in whom they areall expired to our faith andsfpiritual contemplation. This is our Wifdom, to abide in Chrift, &o abide with him, tolearn him, and in him we (hall learn, fee and know the Father alto. ÆÇrnv vs 7d 4,67a 70 P4.41tTt d'ueápemr. iuo. Unto the Defcription of the Perfon,. the Apoftle returns untoan Affertion of the Power, ofChrift the Son ofGod, and therein makeshis Tranfition from the Kingly and Prophetical, unto his Sacerdotal Office on all whichhe intends afterwards to inlarge his Difcourfe. He before, that by him the Worlds were created ; whereunto as a farther evidence of hisglorious Power, and ofhis continuance toad fuitably unto that begin- ningofhis exercife ofit, he addes, that he alfo abides to uphold, or ruleand di§ofeofall things, fomade byiaim. Forthe Explicationofthefe words, two thingsare to beenquired after; Firlt, How, or in what fence Chrift is laid to uphold or rule all things. Secondly, How he doth it by the Word ofhispower. aítwr is taken-by Expofitors in a double fenfe, 2nd accordinglyvarioufly rendred in 7ranflations. Somerender it by upholding, rnpporting, bearing, carrying. And.thefe fup- pofe it to exprefs that infinite Divine Power, which is exerted in the confervation of the Creation, keeping it from finking into its Original of confafion and nothing. Hereof
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