28. God's creating the world, is used as an argument, to shew the nations of the world the reasonableness of forsaking all other gods, and worshipping the One true God only. Rev. xiv. 7. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him, and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (See also Acts xiv. 15. and Rev. x. 6.)—The work of creation is spoken of as the distinguishing work of the Supreme only Living and True God, shewing him to be alone worthy to be worshipped; as in Jer. x. 6-12. “Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord, Thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O king of nations? for to thee doth it appertain. Jehovah is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power; He hath established the world by his wisdon, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion."

29. But the creation of the world is ascribed to JESUS CHRIST, in John i. 3. Col. i. 16. Heb. i. 10. It is ascribed to him as being done by his power, as the work of his hands, Heb. i. 10. And his work in such a manner, as to be a proper manifestation of his greatness and glory; and so as to shew him to be God, John i. 1-3. Is the creation of the spiritual, intelligent world, consisting of angels, and the souls of men, and the world of glory, a peculiar work of the Supreme God? Doubtless it is so. Neh. ix. 6. Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone. Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host: And the host of heaven worshippeth Thee.” Psalm civ. 4. "Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." And the creation of the spiritual and intelligent world, in every part of it, is also ascribed to Christ. For it is said, John i. 3. "The world was made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." And to him is expressly ascribed the creation of the invisible world, and of the angels in particular, even the very highest and most exalted of them; and all the most glorious things in the invisible heaven, the highest and most glorious part of the creation of God. Col. i. 16. "By him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible," (these include the invisible things on earth, as well as in heaven, even the souls of men ;)" whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him."

§ 30. Preserving the creation, is spoken of as the work of

the One only Jehovah, Neh. ix. 6. "Thou, even Thou, art Jehovah alone. Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host; the earth, and all things that are therein; and Thou preservest them all." Isa. xl. 26. "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number. He calleth them all by names, by the greatness of his might; for that he is strong in power, not one faileth." Job xii. 7—10. "But

ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of Jehovah hath made this? in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind." See also Psalm xxxvi. 6, 7.

But the preservation of the creation is also ascribed to Christ; Heb. i. 3. "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power. Colos. i. 17. "By him all things consist.'

31. Governing the creation, is another thing often spoken of as the peculiar work of God; as in Isaiah xl. 21. to the end. There, governing the world is the manifest peculiar work of him to whom none is like and none equal. And, in Isaiah xlv. 1-13. governing the world, bringing to pass revolutions in nations, &c. are spoken of as the peculiar works of Him who is Jehovah alone. See 2 Chron. xxix. 11, 12; and Psalm xxii. 28; xlvii. 2, &c. But Christ is often, in the New Testament, spoken of as the Governor of the world, is prayed to as such, and spoken of as He whose will disposes all events.

Sitting as king in heaven, having his throne there, and governing the universe for the salvation of his people, are spoken of as peculiar to the supreme God. But, how often and eminently are these things ascribed to Christ! His having his throne in heaven; being exalted far above all heavens; thrones, dominions, &c. being made subject to him; being made head over all things to the church, &c.

§ 32. Judging the world is another thing spoken of as peculiarly and distinguishingly belonging to the Supreme God. Psalm 1. 1-7. "The mighty God, even Jehovah, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Our God shall come; a fire shall devour before him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people: And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; for God

See I Sam. 2, 3, 10. Job xxi. 22. Psalm xi. 4, 5. lxxv. 6, 7. lxxxii. 1, 8. Judg. xi. 27. Psalm xciv. 2.

is Judge himself. Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against thee. I am God, even thy God." This 50th Psalm begins thus: EL ELOHIM JEHOVAH, "The God of gods, Jehovah; or the Most Mighty God, even JEHOVAH." Who can believe that these three most magnificent names of the Deity are thus united, to signify any other than the Supreme God?*

But it is apparent, that Christ is abundantly spoken of as eminently the Judge of all nations, of all degrees, quick and dead, angels and men. We are particularly and fully instructed, that it is his distinguishing office to judge the world, John v. 22; 2 Tim. iv, 8; Rev. xix. 11; and many other places.

33. Destroying the world at the consummation of all things, is spoken of as a peculiar work of God; Psalm cii, even of Jehovah, ver. 1, 12, 16, 18, 21, 22; the Creator of the world, ver. 24, 25, 28. See also Psalm xcvii 1—6. and Neh. i. 4, 5, 6. Jer. x. 6, 7, 10. Psalm xlvi. 6; civ. 32; cxliv. 5. Isa. Ixiv. 1, 2, 3. Job ix. 4-7. But this is spoken of as the work of the Son of God, Heb. i, latter end.

34. The wonderful alterations made in the natural world, at the coming out of Egypt; the giving of the law, and entrance into Canaan; are often spoken of as the peculiar works of God, greatly manifesting the divine majesty, as vastly distinguished from all other gods; such as, dividing the sea; drowning Pharaoh and his hosts there; causing the earth to tremble, the mountains to quake at his presence, the heavens to drop, the bills to skip like rams and lambs; Jordan being driven back; the sun and moon standing still, &c.

But these were infinitely small things in comparison with what shall be accomplished at the end of the world, when the mountains and hills shall be thrown into the midst of the sea; and not only some particular mountains shall quake, but the whole earth, yea, the whole visible world, shall be terribly shaken to pieces. Not only shall Mount Sinai be on fire, as if it would melt, but all the mountains, and the whole earth and heavens shall melt with fervent heat; the earth shall be dissolved even to its centre. And not only shall the Red Sea and Jordan be dried up for a few hours, in a small part of their channels, but all the seas, and oceans, and rivers through the world shall be dried up for ever. Not only shall the sun and moon be stopped for the space of one day;

See also Psalm ix. 7, 8. 1 Chron. xvi. 25, 26–33. Psalm xcvi. 4,5-13. Also Psalm xcviii.

but they, with all the innumerable mighty globes of the heavens, shall have an everlasting arrest, an eternal stop put to their courses. Instead of drowning Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, the devil and all the wicked shall be plunged into the eternal lake of fire and brimstone, &c.

The former kind of effects were but little, faint shadows of the latter. And the former are spoken of as the peculiar, manifest, glorious works of the Supreme One only God, evidently manifesting his peculiar majesty and glory. But the latter are the works of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as is evident by Heb. i. 10-12. It is here worthy to be remarked, that--though the scripture teaches, that Christ's majesty shall at the last day appear to be so great in his coming in power and great glory, yet-it is said, when these things shall be, God alone should be exalted, in opposition to men and to other gods, Isa. ii. 10. to the end.

35. The work of salvation, is often spoken of as peculiar to God. It is said, the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord, Psal. xxxvii. 39; and that salvation belongeth unto the Lord, Psal. iii. 8. Jonah ii. 9. God's people acknowledge him to be the God of their salvation, Psal. xxv. 5. xxvii. I. and Isa. xii. 2. Saving effectually is spoken of as his prerogative, Jer. xvii. 14. "Heal me, and I shall be healed: save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise." Psal. Ixviii. 20. "He that is our God, is the God of salvation, and to the Lord our God belong the issues from death."

Salvation is spoken of as being of God, in opposition to men, and to all creature helps, Jer. iii. 23. "Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: Truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel." Psal. Ix. 11. "Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help (Heb. salvation) of man." Ver. 16. "I Jehovah am thy Saviour." Psal. cxivi. 3, 5, "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom is no help (or salvation.) Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God." Salvation in or by any other is denied, Isa. lix. 16. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. Therefore, his arm brought salvation unto him, and his righteousnes it sustained him."

It is spoken of as his prerogative, to be the rock of salvation, to be trusted in by men. "Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." See Psal. xcv. 1. Ixii. 2. "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence." Ver. 5-9. My soul, wait thou on God alone, for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation:

he is my defence, I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie.— To be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity."*

It is said, that there is no other Saviour besides the One only Jehovab; Isa. xliii. 3. "I am Jehovah thy God, the Saviour of Israel;" xliii. 11. "I, even I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no Saviour." See Isa. xlvii. 4. liv. 5. and xlv. 15. "O God of Israel, the Saviour." Ver. 21. to the end; "I Jehovah, and there is no God else besides me.Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else." Here observe, that this is given as a reason why all nations in the world should look to him only for salvatjon, That he only was God; taking it for granted, and as an universally established point, that none but God could be a Saviour. And here salvation is claimed as the prerogative of the One only God, and therefore exclusively of a secondary and subordinate God. It follows, "I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear. Surely shall one say, In Jehovah have I righteousness and strength. Even to him shall men come, and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory." Hosea xiii. 4. "Yet I am Jehovah, thy God from the land of Egypt: and thou shalt know no God but me; for there is no Saviour besides me."

God is so completely the only Saviour of his people, that others are not admitted to partake of this honour, as mediate and subordinate saviours: Hos. i. 7. And therefore, the heavenly hosts, in giving praise to God, ascribe salvation to him, as his peculiar and distinguishing glory; Rev. xix. 1. "I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God."

§ 36. But nothing is more evident, by the express and abundant doctrine of Scripture, than that Jesus Christ is most eminently and peculiarly the Saviour of God's people, and the Saviour of the world. In John iv. 42. his very name is Jesus, Saviour. He is spoken of as the Author of eternal salvation,

* See Deut. xxxii. 4. 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. Psal. xviii. 2. 2 Sam. xxii. 1, 2, 31, 32. Psal. xviii. 2, 30, 31, 46. Isa. xxvi. 4. Heb. i. 12.