1. We suppose, in this case, conscience to be awakened unto a sense of sin, and of apostasy from God thereby. These things are now generally looked on as of no great concernment unto us — by some made a mock of — and, by the most, thought easy to be dealt withal — at time convenient. But when God fixeth an apprehension of his displeasure for them on the soul — if it be not before it be too late — it will cause men to look out for relief
2. This relief is proposed in the Gospel. And it is the death and mediation of Christ alone. By them peace with God must be obtained, or it will cease for ever. But,
3. When any person comes practically to know how great a thing it is for an apostate sinner to obtain the remission of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified, endless objec- tions through the power of unbelief will arise unto his disquietment. Wherefore,
4. That which is principally suited to give him rest, peace,, and satisfaction — and without which nothing else can so do — is the due consideration of, and the acting of faith upon, this infinite effect of divine msdom and goodness, in the constitution of the person of Christ. This at first view will reduce the mind unto that con- clusion, " If thou canst believe, all things are possible." For what end cannot be effected hereby ? what end cannot be accomplished that was designed in it ? Is any thing too hard for God ? Did God ever do any thing like this, or make use of any such means for any other end whatever? Against this no objection can arise. On this consideration of him, faith apprehends Christ to be — as he is indeed — the power of God, and the wisdom of God, unto the salvation of them that do beheve ; and therein doth it find rest with peace.
54 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
CHAPTER IV
The Person of Christ the Foundation of all the Counsels of God.
Secondly, The person of Christ is the foundation of all the counsels of God, as unto his own eternal glory in the vocation, sanctification, and salvation ' of the church. That which I intend is what the apostle expresseth, Eph. i. 9, 10: " Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth ; even in him." The " mysteries of the will of God, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself" — are his counsels concerning his own eternal glory, in the sanctification and salvation of the church here below, to be united unto that above. The absolute original hereof was in his own good pleasure, or the sovereign acting of his wisdom and will. But it was all to be effected in Christ — which the apostle twice repeats : he would gather " all things into a head in Christ, even in him" — that is, in him alone.
Thus it is said of him, with respect unto his future incarnation and work of mediation, that the Lord possessed him in the beginning of his way, before his works of old ; that he was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was : Prov. viii. 22, 23. The eternal personal existence of the Son of God is supposed in these expressions, as I have elsewhere proved. Without it, none of these things could be affirmed of him. But there is a regard in them, both, unto his future incarnation, and the accomplishment of the counsels of God thereby. With respect thereunto, God " possessed him in the beginning of his way, and set him up from everlasting." God possessed him eternally as his essential wisdom — as he was always, and is always, in the bosom of the Father, in the mutual ineffable love of the Father and Son, in the eternal bond of the Spirit. But he signally possessed him " in the beginning of his way " — as his wisdom, acting in the production of all the ways and works that are outwardly of him. The " beginning of God's ways," before his works, are his counsels concerning them — even as our counsels are the beginning of our ways, with respect unto future works. And he " set him up from everlasting," as the foundation of all the counsels of his will, in and by whom they were to be executed and accomplished.
So it is expressed : (verses 80, 31 :) " I was by him, as one brought
THE PERSON OF THE SON FROM EVERLASTING. 55
up with him ; and I was daily his dehght, rejoicing always before him; rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men." And it is added, that thus it was before the foundation of the world was laid, or the chiefest part of the dust of the earth was made — that is, [before] man was created. Not only was the delight of the Father in him, but his delight was in the habitable part of the earth, and among the sons of men — before the creation of the world. Wherefore, the eternal prospect of the work he had to do for the children of men is intended herein. In and with him, God laid the foundation of all his counsels con- cerning his love towards the children of men. And two things may be observed herein.