7. That which all these things tend unto and centre in, is that horrible jjrofaneness of life — that neglect of all Gospel duties — that contempt of all spiritual graces and their effects, which the generality of them that are called Christians, in many places, are given up unto. I know not whether it were not more for the honour of Christ, that such persons would publicly renounce the profession of his name, ratlier than practically manifest tlieir inward disregard unto him.
That by these and the like means Satan doth yet attempt the ruin of the church, as unto its building on the everlasting rock, falls under the observation of all who are concerned in its welfare. And (what- ever others may apprehend concerning this state of things in the world) liow any that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity — especially such as are called to declare and represent him unto men in the office of the ministry — can acquit themselves to be faithful unto him, with- out giving their testimony against, and endeavouring to stop what lies in them, the progress of this prevailing declension from the only foundation of the church, I know not ; nor will it be easy for them- selves to declare. And in that variety of conceptions which are about him, and the opposition that is made unto him, there is nothing more necessary than that we should renew and attest our confession of him — as the Son of the living God — the only rock whereon the church of them that shall be saved is founded and built.
" Pauca ideo de Christo," as Tertullian speaks ; some few things concerning the person of Christ, with respect unto the confession of Peter, and the promise thereunto annexed — wherein he is declared the sole foundation of the church — mil be comprised in the ensuing discourse. And He who hath ordained strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, as he hath given ability to express these poor, mean contemplations of his glory, can raise by them a revenue of honour unto himself in the hearts of them that do believe. And some few things I must premise, in general, unto what I do design. As,
1. The instances which I shall give concerning the use and con-
44 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
sideration of the person of Christ in Christian rehgion, or of him as he is the foundation whereon the church is built, are hut few — and those perhaps not the most signal or eminent which the greater spiritual wisdom and understanding of others might propose. And, indeed, who shall undertake to declare what are the chief instances of this incomprehensible effect of divine wisdom ? " What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell ?" Prov. XXX. 4. See Isa. ix. 6. It is enough for us to stand in a holy admiration, at the shore of this unsearchable ocean, and to gather up some parcels of that divine treasure wherewith the Scripture of truth is enriched.
2. I make no pretence of searching into the bottom or depths of any part of this " great mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh." They are altogether unsearchable, unto the hne of the most enlightened minds, in this life. What we shall farther comprehend of them in the other world, God only knows. We cannot in these things, by our utmost diligent search, " find out the Almighty unto perfection." The prophets could not do so of old, nor can the angels themselves at present, who " desire to look into these things:" 1 Pet. i. 10-12. Only I shall endeavour to represent unto the faith of them that do believe, somewhat of what the Scripture doth plainly reveal — evidencing in what sense the person of Christ is the sole foundation of the church.
3. I shall not, herein, respect them immediately by whom the divine person of Christ is denied and opposed. I have formerly treated thereof, beyond their contradiction in way of reply. But it is their conviction which I shall respect herein, who, under an out- ward confession of the tinith, do— either notion ally or practically, either ignorantly or designedly, God knows, I know not — endeavour to weaken the faith of the church in its adherence unto this founda- tion. Howbeit, neither the one sort nor the other has any place in my thoughts, in comparison of the instruction and edification of others, who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
CHAPTER III.
The Person of Christ the most ineffable Effect of Divine "Wisdom and Goodness — Thence the next Cause of all True Religion- — In what sense it is so.
The person of Christ is the most glorious and ineffable effect of divine wisdom, grace, and power ; and therefore is the next founda- tion of all acceptable religion and worship. The Divine Being itself
THE CONSTITUTION OF CHRIST'S PERSON. 45
is the first formal reason, foundation, and object of all religion. It all depends on taking God to be our God ; which is the first of his commands. For religion, and the worship performed in it, is nothing but the due respect of rational creatures unto the divine nature, and its infinite excellencies. It is the glorifying of God as God ; the way of expressing that respect being regTilated by the revelation of his will. Yet the divine essence is not, in itself, the next and immedi- ate cause of religious worship. But it is the manifestation of this Being and its excellencies, wherewith the mind of rational creatures is immediately affected, and whereby it is obhged to give that reli- gious honour and worship which is due unto that Being, and neces- sary from our relation thereunto. Upon this manifestation, all creatures capable by an inteUigent nature of a sense thereof, are indispensably obliged to give all divine honour and glory to God.