EVERLASTING FATHER. 587 And when theTitle of Father is added to this Epithet ; it is the higheft Declaration, which Language can ex- prefs, of the true and proper Divinity of the LORD REDEEMER. Both the Prophets would have retailed Nonfenfe, and of courfe prophefied falfely, and all the Church of GOD molt have believed a Lye; if CHRIST had been denominated the EVERLASTING FA- THER, without a Reference to his own eternal Divi- nity. And it fèems probable, that force of the divine Names and Offices are applied interchangeably to the refpettive Perfons in the Godhead, on purpofe to de- monftrate their refpettive Equality, and their mutual Content and Energy. They coöperate in all their Con- fents ; and they content in all their Co'dperations. But, alas ! how few are there, who ufe the Words, without abufing the Senfe ! How many, who do call, have no more Title to call,, upon Chrift, as the Ever- baiting Father, and as their Father, than the Beafts that perifh, or even the Devils in Hell ? He is the Father of ihefe by Creation; and he is juft fo much and no more to every unregenerate Man. Sinful Men have indeed more of his Favor ; becaufe they are lifted up above the Beans, and do not yet participate the Mifery of Devils. They are fpared awhile ; while all Heaven dries out, How long! To him, who believeth in Jefus ; to him, who de. fires to know him, and the Power of his Refurrellion ; to him, who counteth all things but Dung and Lofs, that he might win Chrift ; to him, and to him alone, is the great Redeemer become a FATHER EVERLASTING. He is the ANTIENT OF DAYS,Th decreeing the Chriftian's Salvation defcripfzinus, ejt frmpliciter a'ternum ; quicquid auteur præter ipfum exiflit, non e, refpeEtu ipftus, æternunt. MAI MON. Port. Mof h Pocock. p. 167. * Rev. vi. so. t Dan. vii. az. Superltitioufly fond as the Greek Church is of Futures and Embellifhments, the Donors of it would not willingly allow any Reprefentation of GOD the Father, as the Romaniits pourtray him, in the Form of an aged Man: For the Figure of the ANTIENT
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