Had he passed through this world,
without a pang, and left it in the trium-
phal chariot of heavenly hosts, without
one sensation of human infirmity ; just
dwelling among us, as the light of the
world, and sanctifying the earth by the
mere fact of his presence— even in this
there is a length, a breadth, a depth, a
height — in the love of Christ, which pas-
seth knowledge ; which we can never ap-
preciate, until we behold " the glory
which he had with the Father before the
world was."

Speaking in his character of " the wis-
dom of God," (Proverbs viii.) he declares
" The Lord posseased me in the be^n-



SERMON IIL 27

ning of his ways, before his works of old:
I was set up from everlasting, from the
beginning or ever the earth was : when
he prepared the heavens I was there;
when he established the clouds above;
when he strengthened the fountains of
the deep; when he gave to the sea his
decree, that the waters should not pass
his commandment; when he appointed
the foundation of the earth, then was I
by him, as one brought up with him, and
I was daily his delight, rejoicing always
before him." And the beloved Apostle
John, following up this sublime retro-
spection, continues, " In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God." He
could not be exalted by the homage of
man. Perfect in his own nature,
perfect in felicity, perfect in glory,
" Can man be profitable unto God, as he
that is wise may be profitable unto him-
self !" Nor could his glory be diminished
by the annihilation of the whole human
race : — " Look unto the heavens and see,
and behold the clouds, which are higher
than thou : if thou sinnest, what doest
thou against him ? or if thy transgres-
sions be multiplied, what doest thou
unto him ? If thou be righteous, what
givest thou him ? or what receiveth he of

c ^



28 SERMON !!!.
