THE GLORY OF CHRISTAS GOD-MANDISPLAYED, BT A Survey of the Visible Appearances of Christ as God, before his Incarnation. DISCOURSE I. SECTION I. An Historical Account of these Appearances.. SINCE the Socinian doctrines have been effectually refuted by many learned writers, especially in the last century, it is now, 1 hope, confessed almost universally in the British islands, that our blessed Saviour had a real existence long before lie appeared in flesh and blood, and dwelt among men. It is also generally acknowledged that he often appeared in a visible manner under the patriarchal and mosaical dispensations, assuming the names, and sustaining the character and persoq of the great and blessed God. Yet it has been a matter of contest in these latter years, as well as in the ancient daysof Arius, whether Christ in his com- plex person, include godhead or not: or whether he be nothing else but a creature or a mere contingent being, and is onlycalled God, as sustaining and representing the character and person of one who is infinitely above him, even the great and eternal God. This is the great and important question of the age. Now that this matter maybe determined with more evidence and certainty, let us first trace out the account which the Old Testament gives us of the various seasons and occasions on which God, the Lordl,, the Lord God, Jehovah, the Almighty, the God of Abraham, &c. is said to appear amongst men, with a few remarks on him in passing; and afterward we shall he ea- * Let the unlearned reader take notice, that there are two Hebrew words, viz. Jehovah and Adon or Adman, both which our translators render Lord. The first, viz. Jehovah, signifies the eternal or unchangeable, and has been sufficient- ly proved tobe trie proper name of the great God, the God of Israel, peculiar to him and incommunicable to creatures ; and it is written always in capital let- ters LORD, for distinction sake, Thou whose name alone is Jsnovaw art the Most High over ail the earth ; Ps. Ixxxüi. 18. though it had been much better if the liebrew name. Jehovah itself had been always written in our English bibles, that the hearer might distinguish it as well as the reader. The Other name, viz. Adon or Adonai is also translated Lord, and written in small letters, because it is not the proper name of the great God; it signifies his lordship or dominion, and is not so peculiar nor incommunicable. Now let it be observed, that in almost every place which I have cited to show the various appearances of the Lord to men, it is the name Jehovah is used, which the reader will find distinguished by capital letters in the English bible.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=