This is the highest and clearest description of the eternity of God to which words in human language can possibly reach. But it undoubtedly will be ob jected by Unitarians, that " this language does not refer to Jesus Christ at all." Well, it does refer to the Creator who formed the earth and the world, who was the Creator,

and it only remains to prove in order to settle this question. It must, we think, be admitted, that the Creator was from eternity to eternity, according to the words of the text. Then we have found one being that has eternally existed. But a question of some importance on this point is, Who was the Creator? We answer, God was the Creator of all things. This we trust we shall be able to prove. We find that the Almighty has said, "I am the Lord that maketh all things, that stretcheth forth the heavens alone, that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself." Isa. 44:24. Again. "For thus saith the Lord, that created the heavens, God himself that formed the earth and made it; I am the Lord, and there is none else." Isa. 45:18. It is certainly clear that he who formed the earth possessed underived existence, because he is said to be "from everlasting to everlasting." This perhaps a Unitarian would admit. But we ask again, Who was the Creator? We answer again: It was that person in the trinity whom we call Jesus Christ. This we also can readily prove. "For by him were all things created, that are in the heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or pow

ers: all things were created by him, and for him: anđ he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Col. 1:16, 17. " And thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands." Heb. 1:10. "All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:3. These last three texts are all spoken in reference to the Lord Jesus, as the reader may see by consulting his Bible. If, then, we have succeeded in proving that the Creator of all things had an existence from eternity to eternity, we have proved also that Jesus Christ has the same underived existence in respect to his divine nature, and consequently our first proposition is sustained. But it is objected, "that Jesus Christ is not in any sense self-existent, because he made the world, and so on, by delegated power." Now this objection defeats itself, from these considerations.

(1.) Creative power is an inherent attribute of the self-existent and eternal God, and he cannot delegate his attributes.

(2.) If Jesus Christ did it for him, and he was not truly God himself, then it follows that Jesus Christ created himself, "for he created all things that are created," and there can be but one uncreated being in the universe.

(3.) It contradicts the Bible, for that (as we have shown from Isaiah) proves that the Creator did it by himself ALONE. If Jesus Christ created these things, and he was not truly God, then Jehovah did

Hear him again,

“I am

it not, as he says he did. the LORD that maketh all things, that stretcheth forth the heavens alone, that spreadeth abroad the earth BY MYSELF.” If the works of creation and the language which the inspired writers use in respect to Christ, do not prove his self-existence, we can certainly have no proof of any self-existent being in the universe. We have now proved that Jehovah created all things, and the Lord Jesus created all things, and it follows that they are one in nature, that is, that Jesus Christ in his divine nature is God, or there are two Almighty, Self-existent Creators! which is an absurdity.

2. God by the mouth of the prophet speaks of the Messiah as possessing uncreated existence. "But thou Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old; even from EVERLASTING." Mich. 5:2. This corresponds precisely with what the Lord Jesus says of himself "I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of death and hell." Rev. 1:17, 18. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the ALMIGHTY. Rev. 1:8. Here is testimony that Jesus Christ is (in some sense at least,) the FIRST and the LAST; that is, he is the fountain of all created existence, and in him is the final consummation of time and things. Jeho

or it is not so.

vah applies to himself the titles of "first and last,” and says beside him " there is no God." Isa. 44:6. If, then, the terms first and last, when applied to Jehovah, prove his uncreated existence and eternity, what do the same terms prove when Jesus Christ applies them to himself-and teaches us that He is the First and the Last? God also testifies, as we have just seen, that Christ is one "whose goings forth have been from of old, even from everlasting.” Now, shall we believe that his " goings forth have been from everlasting,” from the countless dates of eternity, or shall we not? It is either as God has said, How then must it appear, to see a man, a finite man, rise up and say, "Jesus Christ is not unoriginated,” that is, "he is not from eternity in his existence?" But, alas! how this sounds when it comes from a Christian, and a professed minister of Jesus Christ!! Is it possible that believers in the truths of revelation shall use the same language in relation to the character of Christ that infidels do? and both agree that there was never any incarnation of the Divine Being? From the foregoing remarks and quotations from the holy book of God, it is evidently proved that Jesus Christ in his divine nature is uncreated, and if uncreated his existence is eternal, and if his existence is eternal he is God. Then to his name be ascribed Glory, Power and Dominion forever and ever.

CHAPTER III.

A brief view of the worship which is addressed to our Lord Jesus Christ, and which acknowledges him to be God.

"THOU whose all providential eye surveys,

Whose hand directs, whose Spirit fills and warms
Creation, and holds empire far beyond!
Eternity's Inhabitant august!

Of two eternities amazing Lord!

One, past ere man's or angels had began!
Aid, while I rescue from the foe's assault"
The holy worship of thine only Son,
Who from Eternity was God with thee!
Aid thou my pen while I shall now describe,
"A theme forever, and for all, of weight,
Of moment infinite! but relished most,

By those who love thee most, who most adore."

If the Bible proves that Jesus Christ is worshiped on earth and in heaven as God, certainly this must end all dispute as it relates to the Godhead of the adorable Savior. We are expressly forbidden by the Almighty Jehovah, to fall down and worship any thing in heaven or in earth, or in the waters under the earth, save himself alone. This idea is as clearly set forth on the pages of inspiration, as it is that there is any God at all. And it is as clearly shown by the same book that Jesus Christ is worshiped as God, as it is that Jehovah is thus worshiped. The man who reads the volume of divine truth and does not see this must shut his eyes:

3

"And bold with joy, Forth from his dark and lonely hiding place.