Thirdly, Institution of a thing, Mat. 19.8.
Fourthly, Of the Fall, John 8.44.
Fifthly, Of the Creation, Joel 2.2.
But none of these meant here: not the First, nor Second; for before Abra∣ham was, he was, John 8.58. not the Third, Fourth, nor Fifth; for he himselfe created all things, John 1.3.
There is another from the beginning, which is higher than all these, name∣ly from the beginning of eternity, which wanting beginning, implyeth he was before all beginnings, Prov. 8.23.
Doct. And because there cannot be two Eternals, but one Eternall, and that is God; therefore he also is Eternall, God with the Father, and Holy Ghost.
This is not to be omitted, because it is plain, but to be preached, because it is certaine; especially since some of late have been so far bewitched by Satan, as to seal the contrary with their blood.
First, This is proved, first, by the Names and Titles given to him. 1. Very God, 1 John 5.20. Rom. 9.5. 2. Jehovah, Exodus 3.2, 4, 6. 3. Saviour, Mat. 1.21. which none is but God, Isa. 43.11. Hos. 13.4. And who was able to save us from sin by satisfying Gods wrath, but God?
Secondly, By the Essentiall Properties of the God-head agreeing to him. 1. Knowing the heart and reines, Rev. 21.23. yea all things, John 21.17. 2. Omnipotency, John 5.19. 3. Omnipresence, Mat. 18.20. John 3.13. 4. Eternity, John 8.58. & 17.5. 5. And here equa∣lity with his Father, without Sacrilege, Phil. 2.6.
Thirdly, By his works of, First, Power, 1 Creation, Heb. 1.2. Col. 3.16. and that for his glory. 2. Providence, Heb. 1.3. 3. Mira∣cles, John 14.11.
Secondly, Grace, 1 Election, John 13.8. 2 Redemption, Gal. 3.13.
Thirdly, Giving of the Spirit, John 4.10. John 7.39.
Fourthly, Giving of eternall life, John 10.28. Rom. 6. ult.
Fourthly, By the Worship ascribed to him, 1. Prayer, Acts 7. ult. 2. Faith in him, for else how could we call on him? Rom. 10.14. John 1.12. Jer. 17.5. Taketh no place in him, but contrary, Psal. 2.12.
Ʋse 1. To confute all those Blaspemous heresies, whereby Satan hath la∣boured to overthrow the Truth of the God-head of Christ; as that of the Ce∣rinthians, Ebonites, Arians, which taught him onely to be pure man, to have no being before the Virgin Mary, or at most before the Creation.
Secondly, To Terrifie all such as are Enemies to his Kingdome, Psal. 2.12. Luke 19.14, 27.
Thirdly, To Comfort all such as are Christs, John 10.28. Ps. 23.1. Isa. 43.1, 2. because they were elected in Christ, Eph. 1.4. and our life is hid with him, Col. 3.3. Therefore it is both sure and unchangeable, for he is so.
Fourthly, To exhort us to worship him, Mat. 28.9. as an Eternall God, God from the beginning; Moses reproved the Israelites for worshipping new Gods, Deut. 32.17. Gods whom their Fathers did not know, but him they knew and worshiped; Moses himselfe, Deut. 33.16. Jacob, Hos. 12.4. Gen. 48.15, 16. Abraham, Gen. 22.11, 12.
Now his Worship consisteth in the duties of Faith and Repentance, for those are the parts of Gods Worship which he hath revealed to us, and re∣quireth of us.
First, In the Duties of Faith, John 14.1. and here
First, Dost thou receive any thing from God? receive it in the sight of thine own unworthinesse in thy selfe, and so thou worshipest him, through whom God doth accept thee, and powreth his blessings upon thee, Eph. 1.3. for none but God could receive them for us from all eternity.
Secondly, Dost thou give any thing to God? offer up any obedience? do