We  need  not  therefore  difcourfe  on  this  part  f  the
fubje£l :  it  is  generally  allowed  by  all,  except  deifta
and  atheills,,  that  «  Chrift  is  come  in  the  ilefii :"  though
numbers  contend  that  he  could  not  have  come  in  any


84  On  the  Deity  of  Christ.     Essay  VI.
other  wny -,  which  rentiers  the  language  of  infplration
unmeaning,  if  not  abfurd  :  while  others  deem  him  a
mere  creature  of  fome  fupra-angelic  nature,  and  only
called  God  in  confequence  of  his  mediatorial  exaltation.
But  the  idea  of  a  creature^  however  exalted,  being  ad-
vanced to  divinity,  is  fo  repugnant  to  all  rational  princi-
ples, as  well  as  to  the  declarations  of  Jehovah,  that
"  he  knows  no  God  befides  himfeif,  and  will  not  give
"  his  glory  to  another  j"  that  it  will  not  be  neceffary  to
difcufs  the  fubject  before  us  with  any  particular  refer-
ence to  thefe  di(lin61:  opinions  :  as  it  fully  anfwers  the
purpofe,  if  we  can  evince  that  our  Redeemer  is  by  na-
ture "  God  over  all  blefled  for  evermore.'*  At  prefent
I  fliall  adduce  a  few  felecL  arguments,  in  dire61:  proof  of
tliis  point ;  leaving  fome  other  things,  that  belong  to  the
fubje6t,  to  be  difcufled  in  the  fubfcquent  eflay.
