DOCT.* 1.1 That the condition and State of Iesus Christ before his incarnation, was a state of highest, and most unspeakable delight and plea∣sure; in the enjoyment of his Father.
Iohn tells us, he was in the bosom of his Father: to lye in the bosom is the posture of dearest love,* 1.2 Joh. 13.23. now there was leaning on Iesus bosom one of his Disciples, whom Iesus loved: but Christ did not lean upon the Fathers bosom, as that Disciple did on his, but lay in it: and therefore in Isa. 42.1. the Father calls him mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth, which is vari∣ously rendred, the Septuagint quem suscepit, whom my soul takes, or wraps up: others complacuit: one that highly pleases, and delights my very soul: and 2 Cor. 8.9. he is said in this estate, wherein I am now describing him, to be rich: and Phil. 2.7. to be equal with God, and to be in the form of God, (i. e.) to have all the glory, and ensigns of the Majesty of God, and the riches which he speaks of, was no less, then all that God the Father hath, Joh. 16.15. all that the Father hath is mine: and what he now hath in this his exalted state, is the same he had before his humiliation, Ioh. 17.5. now to glimpse out (as we are able) the unspeakable felicity of that state of Christ, whilst he lay in that blessed bosom; I shall consider it three ways, nega∣tively, positively, and comparatively.
Let us consider that state negatively, by removing from it all [ 1] those degrees of abasement, and sorrow, which his incarnation brought him under: as First, he was not then abased to the condition of a Creature, which was a low stoop indeed, and that which upon the matter undid him, in point of reputation; for by this (saith the Apostle) he made himself of no reputation, Phil. 2.7. it emptied him of his glory: for God to be made man, is such an abasement as none can express: but then not only to appear in true flesh; but also in the likeness of sinful flesh, as Rom. 8.3. O what is this!