fed to our Fathers, and remembred his holy Covenant; that he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies, might ferve him without Fear, in Holinefs, and Righteousness before him all the days of our Life. a. Bleffed be the God, and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who hath bleffed us, and chofen us, in him, before the Foundation of the world; and predeftinated us unto the Adoption of Children, by Jefus Chrift, to himself, according to the good pleasure of his Will, to the Praife of the Glory of his Grace, wherein he hath made us Accepted in the Beloved: And wherein he hath abounded toward us, in all Wisdom and Prudence, 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 Fulnefs of times, he might gather together in one all things in Chrift, both which are in Heaven, and which are on Earth, even in him. The NATURE of CHRIST. Chrift is God. b. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Luke 1.73, 74, 75 (a) Eph.1. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10. (b) Joh. 1. 1. All All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. a. Jefus Chrift, he is Lord of all; the one Lord, by whom are all things, and we by him; who is over all, God bleffed for ever. By whom alfo God made the Worlds. . b. By him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, visible and invifible; whether they be Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers: all things were created by him, and for him. c. And he is before all things, and by him all things confift: Who upholdeth all things by the Word of his Power. d. This is the Beloved Son of God, in whom he is well pleased: the only Begotten of the Father; who proceeded forth, and came from God; the Brightness of his Glory, and the exprefs Image of his Perfon: in whom dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead, bodily. e. As the Father hath Life in himself, fo hath he given to the Son to have Life in himfelf. f. He and his Father are One. He is in the Father, and the Father in him. Joh. 1.3. (e) Joh. 5. 26. All things 1 Cor. 8. 6. Rom. 9. 5. Heb. 1. 2. (c) Col. 1.17. Heb. 1. 3. Joh. 1. 14. Joh. 8. 42. Heb. 1. 3. (f) Joh. 10. 30. Joh. 14. 11. that that the Father hath are his: and what things foever the Father doth, these alfo doth the Son likewise. a. He faid alfo that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. b. He is the first, and the last: it is he that liveth, and was dead, and behold he is alive for evermore; Jefus Chrift, the fame yesterday, and to day, and for ever. For thus faith God unto the Son, Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a Scepter of Righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdom. c. Great is the Mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Chrift; in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wifdom, and Knowledge. d. Jefus knew all Men, and needed not that any fhould testify of Man; for he knew what was in Man. He knew from the beginning, who they were that believed not, and who fhould betray him. And, when any reasoned within themselves, he perceived their Thoughts, For it is he that fearcheth the Reins, and Hearts. a. We are fure that he knew all things; and by this, we believe, that he came forth from God. b. All Power was given unto him, in Heaven, and in Earth: and the Works that he did bore witness of him; for the Winds, and the Sea obeyed him. With Authority and Power he commanded the unclean Spirits, and they obeyed him. And there are alfo many other wonderful things that Jefus did, which none other Man did. c. He had power on Earth to forgive Sins; and who can forgive Sins but God only? d. As the Father raifeth up the Dead, and quickneth them; even fo the Son quickneth whom he will. e. And he gave his Difciples Power, and Authority over all Devils, and unclean Spirits, to caft them out; and Power to heal all manner of Sickness, and all manner of Disease. f. We can do all things, through Chrift, which strengtheneth us; and, without him, we can do nothing; who is able even to fubdue all things unto himself. a. It is he that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth; and hath the Keys of Hell, and of Death. b. This is He that is Holy; He that is True; Jesus Christ the Righteous; who will give unto every one according to their Works. c. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light; the Resurrection, and the Life; who giveth Grace, and Peace, and Eternal Life. d. This is the true God, even the Son of God, Jefus Chrift; whom his Difciples worshipped, while he was with them in the World, and, after he was carried up into Heaven; when the Father glorified him, with the Glory, which he had with him, before the World was. e. And they preached, baptized, and blessed in the Name of Jefus Chrift: they prayed to him, and thank'd him; and from him they expected Grace, Mercy, and Peace, and all other fpiritual Bleffings, and Gifts. (a) Rev. 3. 7. Rev. 1. 18. (b) Rev. 3. 7. (c) Job. 14.6. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Rev. 2. 23. Joh. 14. 27. Joh. 15. 28. (d) 1 Joh. 5. 20. Mat. 28. 17. Mat. 20. 20. Joh. 17. 12. Luk. 24. 51,52. Joh. 17. 5. (e) Acts 9. 27. Acts 2.38. 1 Tim. 1. 2. As 7. 59. 1 Theff. 3. II. I Tim. 1.12. Eph. 1. 3. Eph. 4. 8. 1 Tim. 1. 2. 1 a. Thefe |