Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition to the doctrine of the Socinians : in several sermons on Col. I, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 verses / by the Reverend Tho. Manton.

VSES.

I. Let us more deeply be possessed with the Majesty of our Redeemer: He is the Creator of all things, of Angels as well as Men, and so more excellent than all the Men in the World, whether they excel in power or holiness, which the Psalmist ex∣presseth thus, fairer than the children of men, Psal. 45.29. But also then the most excel∣lent and glorious Angels, he is their Creator as well as ours, head of principalities and powers, as well as of poor worms here up∣on Earth. Surely the representing and ap∣prehending of Christ in his glorious Ma∣jesty, is a point of great consequence.

1. Partly, to give us matter for praise and admiration, that we may not have mean thoughts of his Person and Office; he is a most glorious Lord and King, that hold∣eth the most powerful Creatures in subje∣ction to himself. If Christians did know and consider how much of true Religion consists in admiring and praising their Re∣deemer,

they would more busie their minds in this work.

2. Partly, To strengthen our Trust, and to fortifie us against all fears and discourage∣ments in our service. When we think of the great Creator of Heaven and Earth, and all things visible and invisible, Angels, Men, Principalities, &c. Surely the brightness of all creature-glory should wax dim in our eyes; Our God is able to deliver us, Dan. 18. and will, as he did by his Angel. This was that which fortified Stephen, Acts 5.55, 56. He saw Iesus standing at the right hand of God. It is easie for him who made all things out of nothing to help us. See Psal. 121.2. My help standeth in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. The Almighty Creator, Ruler and Governour of the World, what cannot he do! As long as I see those glorious monuments of his power standing, I will not distrust he can afford me seasonable help by his Holy Angels through the intercession of his Son who hath assumed my Nature.

3. Partly, To bind our duty; all Crea∣tures were made by him and for him, there∣fore we should give up our selves to him, and say with Paul, Acts 27.23. His I am and him I serve. His by Creation and re∣demption, therefore every thing we have

and do, ought to have a respect to his glory & service. There is •• variety of Creatures in the World, of different kinds and different excellencies: In the whole and every kind there is somewhat of the glory of God and Christ set forth. Now this should strike our hearts? shall we onely who are the per∣sons most obliged, be a disgrace to our Lord both Creator and Redeemer, when the good Angels are so ready to attend him at his beck and command, and that in the meanest services and ministries. Shall poor worms make bold with his Laws, slight his doctrine, despise his benefits ? Heb. 2.2, 3. If the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation.

4. And lastly, to make us more reverend in our approaches to him, for he sits in the Assembly of the Gods, the holy Angels are round about him. Psal. 138.1. Before the Gods will I sing praise to thee: That is, in the presence of the holy Angels; 1 Cor. 10.10. Eccl. 5.6. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, neither say thou before the angel that it was an Error. The Angels in hea∣ven observe our behaviour in Gods wor∣ship; what vowes we make to God, what promises of obedience. But above all, there

is our glorious Redeemer himself, Heb. 12.28, 29. with what reverence and godly fear should we approach his Holy Pre∣sence.

II. Use. Is to quicken us to Thankfulness for our Redemption; that our Creator is our Redeemer. None of the Angels did humble himself as Christ did do, to do so great a piece of service, and yet he is far a∣bove them. There is a congruity in it, that we should be restored by him, by whom we were made: but he made the Angels as well as men, but he did not restore them. No, they were not so much as in a condi∣tion of forbearance and respite: he assum∣ed not their nature, he created all things, but he redeemed mankind. His delights were with the sons of men; he assumed our nature, and for a while was made a lit∣tle lower then the Angels, Heb. 2.9. We cannot sufficiently bless God for the Honour done to our Nature in the person of Christ, for it is God incarnate that is made head of Angels, Principalities and Powers. God in our nature, whom all the Angels are cal∣led upon to adore and worship. The de∣vil sought to dishonour God, as if he were envious of mans happiness, Gen. 3.8. God doth know that in the day that ye ••at thereof

ye shall be a•• Gods. And he fought to de∣press the nature of man, which in innocen∣cy stood so near to God, now that his hu∣mane nature should be set so far above the Evangelical, in the person of Christ, and be admitted to dwell with God in a personal Union; this calleth for our highest love and thankfulness.

III. Use. Is an encouragement to come to Christ for sanctifying and renewing Grace. I have three Arguments.

1. The Person to whom we come: To whom should we come, but to our Crea∣tor, God infinitely Good, Wise and Po∣werful. The creation sheweth him good, and whatever is good in the Creatures, is wholly derived from his goodness: It is but like the odour of the sweet Ointments, or the perfume that he leaveth behind him where he hath been, Iam. 1.19. He is in∣finitely wise when he created and setled the World. He did not jumble things in a Chaos and confusion, but setled them in a most perfect order and proportion. Which may be seen, not only in the Fabrick of the World, but in the disposition of the parts of Mans Body; yea or in any Gnat or Fly. Now cannot he put our disordered souls in frame again? If the Fear of God be true

Wisdom, to whom should we seek for it, but from the Wise God? His Infinite Power is seen also in the Creation, in raising all things out of nothing. And if a Divine Power be necessary to our Conversion, to whom should we go, but to him who cal∣leth the things that are not, as though they were, Rom. 4.17. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that per∣tain unto life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1.7.

2. From the work it self, which is a new Creation, which carrieth much resemblance with the old; Eph. 2.10. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Iesus unto good works. 2 Cor. 4.6. For God who command∣ed the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts to give the light of the know∣ledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ. It is such an effect as comes from a Being of Infinite Power, Wisdom and Goodness; that man may be in a capacity to love, please and serve God. What was lost in Adam, can onely be recovered by Christ.

3. From the relation of the Party that seeketh it. Psal. 119.73. Thine hands have made me, and fashioned me, give me under∣standing that I may learn thy commandments. We go to him as his own Creatures. This plea hath great force because of Gods good∣ness

to all his Creatures. Not onely the Angels, but every worm and fly, had their being from Christ; there is a great variety of living things in the World, but they are all fed from the common fountain: there∣fore we may comfortably come to him for life and quickning, Ioh. 1.4. We need not be discouraged by our baseness and vileness, for the basest worm had what it hath from him. 2. That Christ as Creator beareth such Affection to man as the work of his hands: Is it good unto thee that thou shouldst despise the work of thy hands? Iob 10.3. Artificers when they have made an excellent work are very chary of it, and will not destroy it, and break it in pieces, Iob 14.15. Thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. As Creatures, beg re∣lief and help; if you cannot plead the co∣venant of Abraham, plead the covenant of Noah. 3. God forsakes none of the faln creatures, but those that forsake him first; 2 Chron. 15.2. The Lord is with you while you be with him, and if ye seek him he will be found of you, but if ye forsake him he will for∣sake you. 1 Chron. 28.9. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake ••im he will cast thee off for ever. 4. Especially will Christ be good to man seeking after him for Grace, that we may serve and obey

him. For he is no Pharaoh, to require brick, and give no straw. Creating Grace layed the debt upon us, and his redeeming Grace provideth the power and help that we may discharge it. Now when we ac∣knowledge the debt, and confess our im∣potency to pay it, and our willingness to return to our duty. Will Christ fail us? A conscienc•• of our duty is a great matter, but a desire of grace to perform it is more: Therefore come as creatures earnestly desir∣ing to do their Creators will, and to pro∣mote his Glory. God will not refuse the soul that lyeth so submissively at his feet.