DISCOURSE III. ß3O ber his former exaltation andglory in general, as frequently to mention it, and to plead it sometimes in prayer to his Father ;" particularly in John xvii. 5. I am not so fond of this representation of things as to per- suade myself that my readers will readily receive such a strange alteration of scenes passing over the soul of our blessed Lord ; especially if they have never accustomed their understandings to indulge any pinion different from the common track: Yet I can declare solemnly, that after my best searches into the word of God, I can see nothing unscriptural, absurd or dangerous in such a representation and I am well assured it gives the highest honour to our blessed Redeemer for this surprizing instance of his obedience to his Father, and condescending love to mankind : Nor is there any thing we can imagine that will set his admirable self- denial and humility, andhis inimitable love in a nobler light; or more aggrandize the love of the Father in parting with such a Son out of his bosom, and confining him to such a state of union to a body and such amazing humiliatiòn. Objection IV. " Is it not said frequently in the New Tes- tament, that Christ was exalted to glory and honour, and to the .government of all things after his resurrection, as a reward of his sufferingsand death ? Now if the human soul of Christ in its pe-existent state, being in union with the divine nature, had glory and happiness before the world was, and might be em- ployed in-most glorious works, even at the creation of the world, and afterwards in the works of providence ; then how can this excellent Spirit be said to be exalted as a reward of his suffer - ings, by having the government of the world given to him after his resurrection, or by being advanced to glory and honour and happiness in heaven ì" Answer I. I have already shewn, thathow great and glorious soever the powers of Christ were before his incarnation, yet he might he made governor not only of the church, or of God's chosen people the Jews, during all former ages of his pre-exist- ent state, and thus he was called the king of the Jews; but after his sufferings he was advanced to sovereignty over all na- tions, and made head over all things, and all nations of mankind for the church's sake ; Eph. i. 22. Il. What affairs he transacted, and what honours he receiv- ed during his pre-existent stateamong the children of men, was, for the most part, in his Father's name, and as sustaining the character and person of God his Father : Now since his suffer- ings and death heis advanced to receive these honours in his own name, as well as raised to a government of much larger. extent. Before the creation he had no honour from creatures, and after the creation he had not such sublime and distinct honours paid
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