§. 62. Of manifesting Christs Divine Generation.
Quest. 3. HOw can the limitation of This day, to the time of Christs Incarnation, stand with Christs eternal Generation, set out under this phrase, I have begotten thee.
Answ. In Scripture, matters are then said to be done, when they are manifested to be done. Whereas (Heb. 8. 13.) by bringing in a new Covenant, the former is said to be made old; the meaning is, that it is manifested to be old. But more pertinently to our present purpose, Christ at the moment of his conception is said to be called the Sonne of God (Luk. 1. 35.) because then he began to be manifested so to be. In this sense this high transcendent prophesie, Unto us a childe is born, unto us a Sonne is gi∣ven, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, &c. (Isa. 9. 6, 7.) is to be taken.
This manifestation of Christs Divine Generation in set and certain times, by vi∣sible and conspicuous evidences, doth no whit cross or impeach the eternity and incomprehensibleness thereof. For to declare and manifest a thing to be, presuppo∣seth that it was before it was manifested: neither doth it necessarily imply any be∣ginning of that before: no more then those phrases, Before the mountains were brought forth, thou art God (Psal. 90. 2.) Before the hils I was brought forth, Prov. 8▪ 25.
The full meaning therefore of the Apostle in alledging this testimony (Thou art my Sonne, this day have I begotten thee) may for perspicuity sake be thus paraphra∣sed: as if God the Father had thus said to God the Sonne, Thou, and thou alone, art my true proper Son, not by grace or adoption, but by nature and eternal generation: and now I do in this last age of the world declare thee so to be by thine Incarnation, Doctrine, Works, Resurrection from the dead and Ascension into Heaven: whereby it manifestly appeareth that thou infinitely dost surpass all the Angels in Heaven.