with_o it_o from_o eternity_n this_o expression_n do_v not_o comport_v with_o a_o eternal_a divinity_n but_o of_o the_o human_a nature_n he_o faith_n that_o jesus_n christ_n take_v it_o upon_o he_o that_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v in_o time_n save_v this_o only_a the_o opposition_n be_v exact_a our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v as_o true_o god_n as_o he_o be_v man._n the_o word_n form_n in_o this_o place_n include_v the_o nature_n who_o form_n it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o term_n st._n paul_n use_v here_o whence_o be_v derive_v the_o name_n of_o the_o anthroponorphites_n of_o old_a they_o be_v so_o call_v because_o they_o attribute_v a_o human_a form_n to_o god_n the_o form_n say_v we_o not_o mere_a appearance_n only_o they_o believe_v that_o god_n real_o have_v a_o body_n eye_n ear_n hand_n and_o passion_n and_o in_o a_o word_n that_o he_o be_v the_o original_a of_o our_o nature_n so_o true_a it_o be_v that_o the_o word_n form_n do_v not_o always_o imply_v mere_a appearance_n but_o that_o which_o must_v determine_v the_o sgnification_n of_o it_o be_v as_o we_o have_v already_o observe_v the_o sense_n st._n paul_n put_v upon_o it_o in_o the_o sequel_n if_o you_o demand_v why_o he_o make_v use_v of_o this_o word_n instead_o of_o say_v simple_o be_v god_n for_o will_v not_o this_o have_v be_v much_o more_o explicit_a than_o to_o say_v be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n i_o may_v answer_v that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o unjust_a piece_n of_o criticism_n to_o desire_v a_o precise_a knowledge_n why_o a_o sacred_a author_n make_v use_v of_o one_o word_n rather_o than_o another_o but_o without_o be_v reduce_v to_o this_o answer_n we_o have_v one_o more_o exact_a to_o the_o question_n we_o can_v inform_v you_o why_o st._n paul_n say_v of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n rather_o than_o that_o he_o be_v god_n 1_o because_o indeed_o he_o be_v god_n by_o way_n of_o image_n he_o be_v the_o image_n of_o the_o invisible_a god_n say_v st._n paul_n he_o be_v the_o brightness_n of_o his_o glory_n the_o express_a image_n of_o the_o person_n of_o god_n his_o father_n the_o father_n as_o you_o see_v possess_v his_o godhead_n by_o way_n of_o principle_n source_n and_o original_a whereas_o the_o son_n have_v his_o divinity_n by_o way_n of_o emanation_n derivation_n and_o by_o way_n of_o image_n he_o be_v a_o perfect_a and_o a_o live_a image_n of_o the_o live_n god_n be_v it_o permit_v i_o to_o express_v myself_o in_o any_o other_o language_n but_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n i_o will_v say_v with_o tertullian_n god_n of_o god_n light_a of_o light_n or_o with_o st._n gregory_n bishop_n of_o neocaesarea_n surname_v thaumaturgas_n the_o true_a son_n of_o a_o true_a father_n invisible_a from_o the_o invisible_a incorruptible_a of_o the_o incorruptible_a immortal_a of_o the_o immortal_a eternal_a of_o the_o eternal_a these_o famous_a doctor_n live_v before_o the_o nicene_n council_n so_o that_o we_o can_v accuse_v these_o expression_n for_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o violence_n or_o superstition_n of_o the_o follow_a century_n we_o have_v allege_v these_o fragment_n of_o pure_a antiquity_n only_o to_o show_v by_o these_o what_o kind_n of_o image_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v now_o forasmuch_o as_o he_o be_v god_n in_o this_o manner_n it_o be_v very_o proper_a and_o natural_a for_o st._n paul_n to_o say_v who_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n the_o second_o reason_n why_o the_o apostle_n express_v himself_o thus_o be_v because_o by_o the_o form_n of_o god_n which_o he_o attribute_n to_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n he_o insinuate_v somewhat_o more_o than_o the_o mere_a divine_a nature_n for_o this_o word_n denote_v the_o majesty_n and_o if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v the_o pomp_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n we_o shall_v be_v convince_v of_o this_o truth_n if_o we_o will_v make_v use_n of_o the_o light_n which_o the_o other_o member_n of_o the_o opposition_n afford_v we_o to_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n and_o in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n imply_v not_o only_o to_o be_v possess_v of_o the_o human_a nature_n but_o to_o be_v clothe_v with_o those_o infirmity_n which_o constitute_v the_o external_n form_n as_o it_o be_v thereof_o so_o that_o we_o see_v that_o st._n paul_n when_o he_o say_v that_o our_o saviour_n be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n he_o will_v thereby_o not_o only_o intimate_v to_o we_o that_o christ_n be_v god_n but_o that_o he_o have_v the_o appearance_n and_o the_o majesty_n of_o a_o god_n surround_v with_o glory_n worship_v by_o the_o angel_n dispose_v of_o the_o creature_n be_v in_o this_o state_n he_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v make_v man_n and_o to_o expose_v himself_o to_o our_o infirmity_n the_o word_n form_n make_v use_v of_o in_o both_o the_o member_n of_o the_o opposition_n serve_v only_o to_o make_v it_o the_o more_o express_a and_o emphatical_a the_o three_o proposition_n be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n do_v not_o think_v be_v robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a with_o god_n this_o proposition_n have_v two_o part_n the_o first_o be_v he_o do_v not_o think_v it_o robbery_n that_o be_v he_o do_v not_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v any_o usurpation_n and_o as_o we_o conceive_v that_o there_o be_v a_o figure_n call_v diminution_n in_o these_o word_n when_o god_n say_v in_o the_o three_o commandment_n that_o he_o will_v not_o hold_v he_o guiltless_a instead_o of_o say_v that_o he_o will_v hold_v he_o guilty_a in_o a_o high_a degree_n that_o take_v his_o name_n in_o vain_a in_o like_a manner_n we_o say_v that_o st._n paul_n when_o he_o say_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o think_v it_o robbery_n say_v in_o effect_n that_o he_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o most_o just_a thing_n to_o make_v himself_o equal_a with_o god_n the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o proposition_n be_v to_o make_v himself_o equal_a with_o god_n jesus_n christ_n stand_v upon_o equal_a ground_n with_o his_o father_n it_o be_v in_o the_o original_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thing_n equal_a with_o god_n which_o may_v be_v be_v not_o express_v thus_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n without_o a_o particular_a design_n even_o to_o teach_v we_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v essential_o equal_a in_o all_o thing_n with_o god_n for_o though_o to_o speak_v proper_o there_o be_v no_o different_a thing_n in_o god_n and_o that_o his_o essence_n be_v most_o perfect_o one_o and_o simple_a yet_o our_o way_n of_o conceive_v of_o it_o do_v multiply_v it_o we_o common_o imagine_v that_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n be_v very_o different_a thing_n st._n paul_n intend_v to_o teach_v we_o that_o our_o saviour_n be_v perfect_o equal_a with_o god_n say_v that_o he_o think_v it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a with_o god_n that_o be_v not_o only_o in_o holiness_n in_o power_n in_o goodness_n in_o glory_n but_o in_o whatsoever_o else_o be_v the_o root_n and_o bottom_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n 2.9_o col._n 2.9_o in_o he_o dwell_v all_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n bodily_a the_o plural_a number_n therefore_o seem_v very_o emphatical_a in_o this_o place_n join_v we_o now_o both_o these_o member_n of_o the_o proposition_n together_o again_o and_o then_o consider_v it_o thus_o whole_a and_o entire_a it_o import_v thus_o much_o that_o our_o lord_n who_o be_v full_o acquaint_v with_o his_o own_o right_n make_v no_o difficulty_n to_o equalise_v himself_o with_o god_n he_o think_v it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a with_o god_n which_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a and_o literal_a explication_n of_o the_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n on_o what_o occasion_n do_v our_o saviour_n thus_o express_v himself_o concern_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o divine_a nature_n some_o very_a orthodox_n interpreter_n make_v st._n paul_n say_v that_o jesus_n christ_n will_v not_o have_v think_v it_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a with_o god_n which_o afford_v a_o meaning_n somewhat_o different_a from_o that_o of_o the_o ordinary_a version_n which_o say_v that_o christ_n think_v it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a with_o god_n both_o these_o meaning_n the_o one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o suppose_v the_o divinity_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o we_o see_v no_o necessity_n to_o depart_v from_o our_o version_n and_o so_o much_o the_o less_o because_o it_o change_v nothing_o in_o the_o original_a the_o sense_n it_o offer_v we_o and_o which_o we_o have_v pursue_v engage_v we_o to_o show_v on_o what_o occasion_n our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n attribute_n to_o himself_o a_o equality_n with_o god_n to_o reduce_v ourselves_o to_o some_o compass_n we_o will_v confine_v our_o discourse_n to_o the_o one_o half_a of_o a_o chapter_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o which_o little_a compass_n we_o shall_v meet_v
of_o st._n matthew_n 11.27_o matt._n 11.27_o all_o thing_n be_v deliver_v unto_o i_o of_o my_o father_n he_o add_v to_o show_v that_o he_o have_v receive_v this_o power_n because_o he_o be_v the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n and_o no_o man_n know_v the_o son_n but_o the_o father_n neither_o know_v any_o man_n the_o father_n save_o the_o son_n we_o shall_v have_v occasion_n once_o more_o to_o speak_v of_o this_o matter_n but_o we_o proceed_v now_o to_o a_o more_o particular_a enquiry_n wherein_o the_o worship_n we_o owe_v to_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n do_v consist_v there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o that_o genuflexion_n and_o bow_v of_o the_o body_n be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n but_o they_o extend_v yet_o further_o they_o signify_v all_o the_o worship_n we_o owe_v to_o the_o godhead_n this_o be_v the_o signification_n they_o have_v in_o the_o prophet_n whence_o they_o be_v take_v i_o have_v swear_v by_o myself_o that_o unto_o i_o every_o knee_n shall_v bow_v 45.23_o isa_n 45.23_o say_v god_n by_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n all_o the_o kind_n of_o adoration_n be_v express_v in_o this_o manner_n of_o speak_v prostration_n of_o the_o body_n humiliation_n of_o soul_n and_o even_o the_o total_a annihilation_n of_o man_n all_o this_o be_v due_a to_o our_o lord_n i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o the_o bowing_n or_o prostration_n of_o the_o body_n because_o that_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o worship_n and_o to_o speak_v proper_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o sign_n and_o a_o variable_a one_o too_o of_o the_o true_a adoration_n for_o we_o may_v adore_v without_o kneel_v the_o church_n of_o old_a pray_v stand_v for_o some_o time_n so_o that_o we_o shall_v add_v no_o more_o concern_v the_o adoration_n of_o the_o body_n save_v only_o this_o that_o we_o owe_v our_o body_n to_o jesus_n christ_n as_o to_o that_o god_n who_o have_v create_v it_o as_o for_o the_o soul_n which_o be_v the_o true_a principle_n of_o worship_n let_v we_o conceive_v all_o the_o way_n whereby_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o adore_v god_n all_o these_o she_o owe_v to_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n this_o be_v that_o we_o must_v prove_v by_o scripture_n that_o we_o may_v not_o assert_v any_o thing_n with_o relation_n to_o this_o mystery_n without_o the_o information_n of_o this_o infallible_a guide_n sacrifice_n and_o trust_v or_o confidence_n honour_n god_n as_o sovereign_n in_o sacrifice_n we_o offer_v all_o to_o god_n in_o trust_n and_o confidence_n we_o expect_v all_o from_o he_o under_o the_o old_a law_n god_n reserve_v this_o double_a honour_n to_o himself_o there_o be_v no_o sacrifice_v but_o to_o he_o no_o trust_v or_o confide_v but_o in_o he_o all_o this_o be_v transfer_v to_o our_o saviour_n as_o to_o sacrifice_n we_o can_v now_o look_v for_o any_o other_o than_o that_o of_o prayer_n since_o the_o time_n of_o bloody_a sacrifice_n be_v cease_v the_o sacrifice_n of_o prayer_n be_v much_o more_o worthy_a of_o god_n than_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o ancient_a sacrifice_n this_o new_a sacrifice_n we_o owe_v to_o our_o lord_n st._n stephen_n die_v after_o have_v offer_v up_o this_o sacrifice_n to_o our_o saviour_n lord_n jesus_n receive_v my_o spirit_n cry_v that_o first_o martyr_n it_o be_v with_o this_o sacrifice_n that_o st._n paul_n begin_v his_o christian_a race_n for_o ananias_n in_o declare_v to_o he_o what_o he_o be_v to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o obey_v he_o who_o have_v stop_v he_o on_o his_o way_n to_o damascus_n say_v 11.16_o act_n 11.16_o why_o tarry_v thou_o arise_v and_o be_v baptize_v and_o wash_v away_o thy_o sin_n by_o call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o entrance_n of_o the_o proselyte_n into_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v by_o circumcision_n by_o baptism_n and_o by_o sacrifice_n circumcision_n be_v now_o cease_v so_o that_o there_o remain_v nothing_o necessary_a for_o st._n paul_n admittance_n but_o baptism_n and_o sacrifice_n and_o according_o he_o be_v baptize_v and_o for_o his_o sacrifice_n he_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n this_o piece_n of_o worship_n be_v so_o essential_a to_o christianity_n that_o the_o christian_n be_v describe_v in_o several_a place_n by_o those_o that_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o time_n be_v come_v that_o whosoever_o call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v save_v 1.2_o act_n 2.21_o joel_n 2.31_o 1_o cor._n 1.2_o word_n quote_v from_o the_o prophet_n joel_n and_o apply_v to_o our_o saviour_n in_o joel_n they_o plain_o belong_v to_o god_n and_o what_o do_v st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n think_v of_o when_o they_o apply_v they_o to_o our_o lord_n if_o he_o be_v not_o god_n st._n peter_n upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o pentecostal_n miracle_n say_v that_o that_o be_v a_o fulfil_n of_o the_o word_n of_o joel_n and_o st._n paul_n to_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n ground_n his_o discourse_n upon_o these_o word_n whosoever_o shall_v call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v save_v 14._o rom._n 10.13_o 14._o how_o then_o say_v he_o shall_v they_o call_v upon_o he_o in_o who_o they_o have_v not_o believe_v and_o how_o shall_v they_o believe_v in_o he_o of_o who_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v and_o how_o shall_v they_o hear_v without_o a_o preacher_n this_o therefore_o show_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o we_o be_v to_o call_v upon_o jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o call_v upon_o he_o as_o god_n confidence_n or_o trust_n be_v the_o second_o branch_n of_o divine_a worship_n god_n and_o god_n alone_o be_v the_o hope_n of_o israel_n the_o hope_n of_o david_n the_o hope_n of_o all_o the_o saint_n under_o the_o old_a law_n not_o because_o god_n at_o that_o time_n do_v not_o make_v use_n of_o any_o mean_n to_o deliver_v his_o people_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a there_o be_v temporal_a deliverer_n there_o be_v moses_n gideon_n david_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o these_o be_v only_a instrument_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n they_o lift_v up_o their_o eye_n to_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o their_o deliverance_n and_o therefore_o say_v to_o god_n thou_o alone_o be_v my_o trust_n and_o my_o rock_n if_o our_o lord_n jesus_n have_v only_o be_v a_o second_o cause_n in_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n have_v he_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o creature_n send_v to_o save_v we_o we_o need_v not_o make_v any_o difficulty_n to_o say_v there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o more_o ado_n about_o he_o than_o about_o those_o deliverer_n of_o old_a neither_o will_v the_o name_n of_o our_o saviour_n appear_v every_o where_n with_o that_o divine_a magnificence_n as_o it_o do_v in_o the_o gospel_n why_o how_o be_v it_o that_o the_o gospel_n honour_n christ_n neither_o more_o nor_o less_o than_o god_n be_v honour_v under_o the_o old_a law_n christ_n be_v the_o hope_n of_o the_o new_a israel_n see_v what_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n 15.12_o rom._n 15.12_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o root_n of_o jesse_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o he_o shall_v the_o gentile_n trust_v he_o be_v therefore_o the_o hope_n and_o confidence_n of_o the_o gentile_n he_o be_v the_o hope_n of_o all_o christian_n if_o in_o this_o life_n only_o we_o have_v hope_n in_o christ_n 1.1_o 1_o cor._n 15.19_o 1_o tim._n 1.1_o say_v st._n paul_n we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a christ_n be_v call_v our_o hope_n paul_n a_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n by_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n our_o saviour_n and_o of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n our_o hope_n so_o st._n paul_n begin_v his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n elsewhere_o christ_n be_v call_v the_o hope_n of_o glory_n or_o the_o glorious_a hope_n let_v we_o add_v to_o this_o 1.27_o col._n 1.27_o all_o those_o passage_n which_o enjoin_v we_o to_o place_v our_o faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o all_o those_o that_o forbid_v we_o to_o put_v our_o confidence_n in_o the_o creature_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v a_o demonstration_n capable_a to_o convince_v we_o that_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n be_v god_n bless_v for_o ever_o why_o be_v all_o this_o honour_n put_v upon_o he_o why_o because_o he_o be_v god_n we_o have_v no_o other_o reason_n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o we_o sacrifice_n to_o he_o because_o he_o be_v god_n we_o put_v our_o confidence_n in_o he_o because_o he_o be_v god_n this_o reason_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n wherefore_o god_n have_v give_v he_o a_o name_n above_o every_o name_n that_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v 2.9_o phil._n 2.9_o because_o jesus_n christ_n be_v god_n and_o because_o he_o have_v empty_v himself_o for_o this_o complicate_v cause_n a_o name_n above_o every_o name_n have_v be_v give_v unto_o he_o we_o must_v
of_o a_o woman_n here_o we_o have_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o son_n of_o a_o woman_n and_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n god_n be_v manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n but_o there_o be_v no_o passage_n where_o this_o opposition_n be_v more_o distinct_o set_v forth_o than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o on_o a_o day_n set_v aside_o by_o the_o church_n for_o a_o memorial_n of_o our_o saviour_n humiliation_n who_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n say_v st._n paul_n though_o it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a with_o god_n but_o make_v himself_o of_o no_o reputation_n or_o empty_v himself_o as_o the_o word_n in_o the_o original_a signify_v the_o design_n of_o these_o word_n be_v to_o oblige_v the_o philippian_n to_o humility_n and_o charity_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o of_o great_a force_n to_o engage_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o two_o virtue_n than_o the_o example_n of_o jesus_n christ_n they_o know_v what_o pass_v when_o our_o saviour_n 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with_o god_n yet_o he_o empty_v himself_o and_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n and_o be_v make_v in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n these_o word_n furnish_v we_o with_o two_o great_a subject_n for_o our_o meditation_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o eternal_a divinity_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o empty_v of_o himself_o in_o his_o incarnation_n in_o order_n to_o a_o thorough_a explication_n of_o the_o word_n which_o concern_v the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n we_o must_v first_o consider_v the_o literal_a sense_n and_o then_o search_v as_o far_o as_o the_o weakness_n of_o our_o understanding_n will_v permit_v into_o the_o doctrine_n therein_o contain_v the_o literal_a sense_n of_o these_o word_n present_v we_o with_o three_o proposition_n the_o first_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v before_o that_o he_o be_v make_v man_n the_o second_o that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n before_o ever_o he_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o man_n the_o three_o that_o he_o think_v it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a to_o his_o heavenly_a father_n these_o be_v the_o three_o proposition_n st._n paul_n express_v here_o very_o clear_o the_o first_o be_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v before_o that_o he_o become_v man_n who_o say_v st._n paul_n be_v or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n do_v empty_v himself_o or_o be_v make_v man_n that_o which_o be_v not_o can_v abase_v itself_o or_o become_v man._n a_o truth_n which_o be_v prove_v at_o the_o very_a proposal_n of_o it_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o guess_v wherein_o the_o soundness_n of_o st._n paul_n reason_v do_v consist_v if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o exi_v before_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n this_o way_n of_o argue_v can_v have_v no_o foundation_n but_o this_o that_o christ_n pass_v from_o one_o condition_n to_o another_o from_o a_o state_n of_o glory_n to_o a_o state_n of_o abasement_n and_o in_o so_o do_v have_v set_v a_o example_n wherein_o a_o mixture_n of_o humility_n and_o charity_n invite_v or_o rather_o force_v christian_n to_o a_o imitation_n a_o doctrine_n true_o worthy_a of_o st._n paul_n but_o what_o sense_n shall_v we_o make_v of_o it_o if_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o our_o saviour_n before_o his_o birth_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n be_v not_o in_o a_o more_o glorious_a state_n than_o be_v that_o which_o he_o enter_v upon_o by_o his_o nativity_n shall_v we_o allow_v ourselves_o to_o suppose_v that_o jesus_n christ_n begin_v to_o exist_v by_o his_o conception_n in_o the_o womb_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n can_v we_o in_o this_o case_n be_v able_a to_o say_v that_o he_o humble_v himself_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n humility_n consist_v in_o step_v down_o low_o now_o that_o which_o be_v not_o can_v descend_v nor_o consequent_o humble_v itself_o he_o be_v therefore_o before_o that_o he_o empty_v himself_o by_o his_o temporal_a nativity_n this_o be_v a_o truth_n so_o clear_o assert_v in_o scripture_n that_o the_o opposite_a error_n can_v be_v entertain_v by_o any_o but_o those_o who_o either_o open_o or_o secret_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o divine_a book_n i_o will_v not_o go_v about_o to_o quote_v all_o the_o passage_n we_o find_v there_o to_o prove_v the_o pre-existence_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o will_v take_v up_o too_o much_o of_o our_o time_n nevertheless_o for_o confirmation_n of_o the_o proposition_n we_o be_v about_o we_o shall_v put_v you_o in_o mind_n that_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o that_o he_o be_v in_o heaven_n before_o ever_o he_o ascend_v thither_o this_o pre-existence_n will_v appear_v very_o evident_o by_o a_o set_a of_o gradual_a proof_n draw_v from_o the_o scripture_n concern_v it_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v before_o john_n the_o baptist_n though_o he_o as_o his_o forerunner_n be_v bear_v before_o he_o hear_v we_o the_o deposition_n of_o this_o illustrious_a witness_n 1.30_o john_n 1.30_o this_o be_v he_o of_o who_o i_o say_v after_o i_o come_v a_o man_n who_o be_v prefer_v before_o i_o for_o he_o be_v before_o i_o nay_o what_o be_v more_o our_o saviour_n be_v in_o moses_n his_o time_n who_o be_v so_o many_o age_n before_o john_n the_o baptist_n for_o be_v it_o not_o say_v that_o the_o isralite_n contemporary_a with_o that_o great_a law_n giver_n do_v tempt_v christ_n neither_o let_v we_o tempt_v christ_n say_v our_o apostle_n as_o some_o of_o they_o also_o tempt_v 10._o 1_o cor._n 10.9_o 10._o and_o be_v destroy_v of_o serpent_n when_o moses_n refuse_v to_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o pharaoh_n daughter_n and_o forsake_v the_o court_n of_o egypt_n to_o follow_v the_o divine_a call_n the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n inform_v we_o 11.26_o heb._n 11.26_o that_o in_o so_o do_v he_o prefer_v the_o 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earth_n what_o therefore_o can_v st._n paul_n thought_n be_v in_o speak_v thus_o must_v we_o not_o look_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v the_o most_o imprudent_a of_o all_o man_n in_o make_v our_o saviour_n so_o great_a in_o case_n he_o be_v not_o god_n at_o this_o rate_n we_o must_v not_o leave_v to_o our_o apostle_n not_o so_o much_o as_o common_a sense_n we_o be_v agree_v that_o he_o abhor_v the_o religious_a worship_n of_o the_o creature_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n own_o that_o he_o set_v the_o creature_n upon_o the_o altar_n this_o therefore_o engage_v we_o to_o declare_v either_o that_o st._n paul_n be_v a_o madman_n or_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v indeed_o god_n bless_v for_o ever_o neither_o will_v the_o enemy_n of_o his_o divinity_n be_v ever_o able_a to_o justify_v the_o apostle_n wisdom_n by_o say_v that_o the_o man_n who_o he_o make_v so_o great_a be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a man_n let_v he_o be_v a_o angel_n let_v he_o be_v more_o than_o the_o angel_n if_o he_o be_v a_o creature_n he_o be_v infinite_o below_o god_n let_v we_o conceive_v a_o creature_n as_o glorious_a as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o creature_n to_o be_v there_o will_v still_o be_v a_o infinite_a difference_n between_o it_o and_o the_o creator_n we_o can_v without_o the_o great_a imprudence_n say_v of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v equal_a to_o the_o creator_n it_o will_v be_v utter_o absurd_a to_o make_v a_o god_n of_o this_o creature_n however_o advance_v or_o dignify_v this_o be_v the_o honour_n put_v upon_o st._n paul_n by_o those_o who_o affirm_v that_o this_o jesus_n who_o glory_n he_o exalt_v so_o extreme_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o mere_a creature_n and_o who_o do_v this_o st._n paul_n speak_v to_o to_o the_o philippian_n that_o be_v to_o christian_n that_o have_v be_v either_o jew_n or_o heathen_n how_o untoward_o do_v our_o apostle_n go_v about_o to_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o vocation_n if_o jesus_n christ_n have_v not_o be_v god_n he_o have_v to_o do_v with_o people_n who_o be_v apt_a enough_o to_o take_v offence_n at_o this_o truth_n these_o christian_n that_o before_o have_v be_v jew_n be_v persuade_v from_o their_o infancy_n that_o it_o be_v a_o crime_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n for_o any_o man_n to_o make_v himself_o equal_a with_o god_n they_o have_v be_v instruct_v that_o for_o a_o like_a piece_n of_o insolence_n the_o chief_a of_o the_o angel_n have_v lose_v himself_o together_o with_o his_o whole_a faction_n this_o be_v the_o very_a creature_n that_o of_o all_o other_o be_v near_a to_o god_n and_o yet_o because_o he_o aspire_v to_o a_o great_a nearness_n he_o be_v cast_v headlong_o into_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n they_o know_v that_o the_o first_o man_n fall_v into_o disfavour_n with_o his_o creator_n for_o have_v affect_v to_o be_v as_o god_n they_o have_v be_v conversant_a in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n where_o they_o have_v be_v inform_v that_o god_n detest_v nothing_o more_o than_o pride_n which_o make_v man_n forget_v the_o meanness_n and_o lowness_n of_o his_o nature_n among_o other_o passage_n they_o have_v not_o forget_v the_o description_n the_o prophet_n isaiah_n make_v of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n 14.12_o isa_n 14.12_o how_o be_v thou_o fall_v from_o heaven_n o_o lucifer_n son_n of_o the_o morning_n etc._n etc._n for_o thou_o have_v say_v in_o thy_o heart_n i_o will_v ascend_v into_o heaven_n i_o will_v exalt_v my_o throne_n above_o the_o star_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n i_o will_v ascend_v above_o the_o height_n of_o the_o cloud_n i_o will_v be_v like_o the_o most_o high_a yet_o shall_v thou_o be_v bring_v down_o to_o hell_n the_o exhortation_n of_o the_o prophet_n against_o idolatry_n have_v make_v such_o a_o impression_n on_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o the_o time_n that_o st._n paul_n write_v this_o epistle_n that_o there_o be_v no_o sin_n which_o they_o do_v more_o abhor_v and_o detest_v than_o this_o we_o know_v what_o happen_v when_o pilate_n undertake_v to_o put_v some_o shield_n into_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v say_v to_o take_v they_o away_o from_o thence_o because_o the_o people_n be_v offend_v to_o see_v the_o face_n of_o the_o roman_a caesar_n upon_o they_o herod_n also_o have_v erect_v trophy_n in_o that_o holy_a place_n can_v not_o appease_v the_o tumult_n but_o by_o show_v they_o that_o no_o human_a figure_n be_v find_v in_o they_o it_o be_v notorious_a also_o what_o happen_v when_o herod_n have_v the_o boldness_n to_o place_v a_o eagle_n over_o the_o gate_n of_o the_o temple_n history_n be_v full_a of_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o tenderness_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o respect_n to_o idolatry_n at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o christianism_n we_o must_v here_o distinguish_v the_o time_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o jew_n as_o by_o a_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n run_v mad_a after_o idol_n neither_o do_v they_o begin_v to_o be_v wise_a in_o this_o point_n till_o after_o the_o 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