X P R E F A C E . .1 have mentioned theftfew things which belong unto theprorrrife andpre' didions ofour bleffed Saviour, Mattlt xvi. IS. theplace inJi d on, to thew that the church without any diladvantage to the truth, may bepref'rvad without fuchgeneralaffemblies, which in the following ogcsproved the molt, pernicious engines for the corruption ofthe faith, w'arfw.p and manners of it. Teafrom the beginning they werefofar from being the only way ofpre- ferving truth, that it was almoe confantly prejudiced 6y the addition of their authority unto the confirmation of it. Nor was there any oneofthem wherein the my/tery of iniquity did rat work unto the laying of f me robbifh in the foundation of that fatal apq/facy, which afterwards openly enfued The Lord Chrill himfeibath taken it upon him, to build his church on this rock of his perfon, by truefaith of it and in it. hefends his holy f irit to bear tefimony unto him, in all the bleffedeffetls ofhis power and grace. He continuethhis word with thefaithfulminfry ofit, to reveal, declare, make known; and 'vindicate this facred truth unto the convitlion ofgain- foyers. He keeps up that faith in him, that love unto him, in the hearts of allhis elect, as fhall not be prevailed againft. Wherefore, although the oppofitions unto thisfacred truth, thisfundamental article of the church and chrfran religion, concerning his divneperfora itsconfrtution and a fe, as the humane nature conjayned fubjtantially unta it, andfubfifteth in it, are in this haf age entreateed; although they are managed under fogreat a variety of forms, as that they are not reducible to any heads of order; although they are promotedwith more fuktilty and fpeciauspretences than in formerages; yet if we are not wanting unto our duty, with the aids ofgracepropaf d unto us, we(hall finallytriumph in this caul?, and tranfmitthisfacredtruth to unto them thatfucceed us in the profe an ofit. Cha This perfora of Chr, which is the foundation whereon the church is alt, whereunto all forts of oppofztions are endeavoured and de- figned, is the mot ineffable effeli of divine gaadnefs and wifdom, whereof we treat in the nextplace. But-herein when I!peak of the conftitution of the perfora ofChrift, I intendnot hisperin abfolutely as he is the eternal fan ofGod. He was truly, realy, compleatfy a divine perfn from eternity, which is included in the notion of his being theSon, andfo dfinit from the Father, which is his compleat perfonality. His being fo was not ä vo- luntary contrivance or effeil ofdivine wifdam and goadncfs, his eternal ge neration being a necejjary internal all of the divine nature in the perfora of the Father. Ofthe eternal generation of the divine perfon ofthe San, thefiber wri- ters of. the ancient church, did con /lantly 'affirm that it was firmly to be believed, but as unto the manner ofit not to be enquired into. ScrutatorMaje- ítatis abforbetur à gloria, was their. rule. And the curious diffuses ofAlex- ander and Arius about it, gave accafion unto that many-headed marfter of the Arian herefy which afterwards enfued. For when once men of /hbtle heads, and rnfanelifaed hearts, gave up themfelves to enquire into things infinitely, above their underfanding and capacity, being vainly puffed up in their fefby minds, theyfell into endlefs diviftons among tbemflv,s, agreeing only unto an oppofition of the truth. But tbo//e'' who contented then f Ives to be wife untofobrtety, repreffed this impious boldnef. To thisprrpofe [Peaks LaEìan- tius, lib. e,.. de vera fapient. Quomodo igitut procrcavit? Nec feiri à quo_ quàtn poffunt, nec narraci opera divina, fed tarnen facrx litera docent ilium Dei (ilium,Dei elfe fermonem. How thereforedid theFather beget the Son? Theft divine works can be known ofnone, declared by none. But the holy writings teach wherein it is determined, that he is the Son of God, that he is the Word of God.. landAmbrofe de fide ad Gratirnum. Qui ro abs te, quando out quomodo putes filium elï`e gehecatutam ? Mi:ii eriins impof ibile eft fcire
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