q2 LA 'Declaration óf the Glorious M y s T F R x confideration of the infinite diftance between the divine nature and their own, which allowed of no meafures between them ; fo as unto the event God himfelf bath declared that in his own way fuck a reprefentation was need- ful unto that end of the manifeflation ofhimfelf, which he defigncd. For, 6. All this is done in the perfon of Clorif. He is the coinpleaie image and perfecî reprefentation of the divine being and excellencies. I do not fpeak of it abfolutely, but as God propofeth himfelf as the objefd of our faith, troff and obedience. Hence it is God as the Father, who is fo pecu- liarly reprefented in him and by him, as he fays ; He that lath feen the Son, bath feen the Father elfo, John xiv. 9. Unto furls a reprefentation two things are required. (t.) That all the properties of the divine nature, the knowledge whereof is neceflàry unto our prefent obedience and future bleffednefs, be expreffed in it, and mani- felted unto us. (2.) That there be therein the nearefi approach of the di- vine nature made unto us whereof it is capable, and which we can re- ceive. And both thefe are found in the perfonof aryl, and therein a- lone. In the perfon of Chrift we confider both the conflitution of it in the union of hie natures, and the refpect:of it unto his work of mediation, whichwas the end of that constitution. And, (t.) Therein, as fo confidered, is there a bleffed reprefentation made unto us of all the holy properties of the nature of God ; of his wifdom, his power, his goodnefs, grace and love, his riglite- oufnefs, truth and holinefs, Isis mercy' and patience. As this is affirm- ed 'concerning them all in general, or the glory of God in them, which is feen and known only in the face of Chrifl; fo it were eafy to manifeft the fame concerning every one of them in particular, by exprefs teflimonies Of fcripture. But I (hall at prefent confine myfelf unto the proofs of else whole affertion which do enfue. (2.) There is therein else molt incomprehenftble approach of the divine nature made unto ours; fuel, as all the imaginations of men did ever igfi- nitely fall fhort of; as bath been before declared. In the affiosption of our stature into perfonal union with himfelf, and our cognation unto God there- by, with the union which believers obtain with him thereon, being one in the Father and the Sots, a5 the Father is in the Son, and theSon in the Father, John xvii. 2o, 21. there is the neareft approach of the divine being, unto us, that the nature of things is capable of. Both theft ends were de- f giied in thofe reprefentations of God, which were of humane invention : but in both of them they utterly failed. For inflead of reprefenting anyof the glorious properties' of the nature of God, they debafed it, dilhonoured it, and filled the minds of menwith vile conceptionsof it. And inftcad of bringing God nearer unto them, they put themfelves at an infinite moral di- fiance from him. But my defign is the confirmation of our affertion from the fcripture. Col. i. 15. He is the image of the invifable God. This title or propertyof invifible, the apoflle here gives unto God, to Phew what need there was of an image or reprefentation of him unto us, as well as of one in whom he would declare the counfels of his will. For he intends not only the abfa- lute invif,'bility of his e/Ience, but his being unknown unto us in himfelf. Wherefore, as was before obferved, mankind was generally prone to make vifi'ble rcprefentations of this invifible God, that in them they might con- template on trim, and have him prefent with them, as they foolifhly ima- gined. Unto the craft of fatan abufing this inclination ofmankind, idola- try owesits original and progrefs in the world. Howbeitneceffary it was that this
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