2. That he had a being at the time of the creation that is also clear: for it is said in the beginning was the word, John 1.1. that is when Christ set himself to create all things, the word beginning signifies many things; but chiefly the beginning of all time, especially when it is put absolutely without any limitation to the matter in hand. So John 8.44. The Devil was a murderer from the beginning, that is almost as soon as created, Matth. 19.4. He that made them at the beginning made them male and female. So Heb. 1.10. And, Thou in the beginning hast laid the foundations of ⟨p. 82⟩the Earth, and in many other places. Therefore Christ had a being when the World and all creatures were made, visible and invisible: So Prov. 8.22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the Earth was. When there was no depths, I was brought forth: when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled; before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the Earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the World. When he prepared the heavens I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the Sea his degree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundation of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him: Rejoicing in the habitable parts of his earth, and my delights were with the sons of men. There the wisdom of God or the eternal Word describeth the Antiquity of his person, all the question is what this wisdom is, that is there spoken of.
2. That he had a being at the time of the creation that is also clear: for it is said in the beginning was the word, Iohn 1.1. that is when Christ set himself to create all things, the word beginning signifies many things; but chiefly the beginning of all time, especially when it is put absolutely without any limitation to the matter in hand. So Iohn 8.44. The Devil was a murderer from the beginning, that is almost as soon as created, Matth. 19.4. He that made them at the beginning made them male and female. So Heb. 1.10. And, Thou in the beginning hast layed the foundations of ⟨p. 82⟩the Earth, and in many other places. Therefore Christ had a being when the World and all creatures were made, visible and invisible: So Prov. 8.22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. The Lord p•ssessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the Earth was. When there was no depths, I was brought forth: when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled; before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the Earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the World. When he prepared the heavens I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthned the foun•ains of the deep: When he gave to the Sea his degree, that the waters should not pass his commandement: when he appointed the foundation of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoycing always before him: Rejoycing in the habitable parts of his earth, and my delights were with the sons of men. There the wisedom of God or the eternal Word describeth the Antiquity of his person, all the question is what this wisdom is, that is there spoken of.
