resteth; so that I will seek no further. Zeph. 3. 17. when the earth was founded, Christ was with his Father as his daily delight, sport∣ing, or laughing, alwaies before him, risum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 acconsilium, Prov. 8. 30.
In whom I am well pleased]
The beloved, in whom he hath made us accepted, Eph. 1. 6. Gods Heptsibah, so the Church is called, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 62. 4. the dearly beloved of his soul, Jer. 12. 7. Or (as the Se∣ptuagint render it) his beloved soul, over whom he rejoyceth, as the bridegroom over his bride, Isa. 62. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he will rest in his love, as abundantly well pleased, he will joy therein with singing. So well thinketh God of his Son Christ, and of us thorow him; as some of the Ancients rendered this word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, In quo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sensi. So (after Irenaeus) Tertullian, Cyprian and Augustine in∣terpret it. And yet, as well as he thought of his only Son, he spa∣red him not, but delivered him up for us all, Rom. 8 32. whereupon St Bernard thus cries ont, O quantum dilecti, prae quo filius ipse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non dilectus, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 neglectus? God so loved his Son, that he gave him all the world for his possession, Psal. 2. but he so lo∣ved the world, as he gave Son, and all, for its redemption. One 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this an 〈◊〉〈◊〉, an excesse of love, a miracle of mercy, a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 without a sicut. God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 loved the loved, so infinitely, so 〈◊〉〈◊〉, so incomprehensibly, as that there is no similitude in nature, whereby to expresse it. Abraham (Gods friend) shewed his love to him, in not withholding his only Son Isaac: but what was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Christ? or what was Abrahams love to Gods? He did that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and voluntary, that Abraham would never have done, but upon a command. Besides, Isaac was to be offered up after the manner of holy sacrifices; but Christ suffered, after the manner of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And yet further, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was in the hand of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and compassionate father: but Christ died by the wicked hands of barbarous and blood-thirsty enemies; that thereby he might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the enmity, and reconcile us to God: so making peace, and pa∣ving us a new and living way, with his blood, to the throne of grace, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he hath made us accepted in the beloved, Ephes. 1. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saw the features of his friend Ionathan, in lame Mephibosheth, and therefore loved him. He forgave Nabal at Abigals interces∣sion: and was pacified toward 〈◊〉〈◊〉, at 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iacobs house, for Iosephs sake: Shall not God do us much more for Jesus sake? Ioseph was well pleased with his brethren, when they brought Benjamin: Bring but the childe Jesus in our