First, the Rise and spring of it is to be considered. It came forth from the Eternal mutual consent and counsel of the Father and the Son, Zech. 6. 13. The Counsel of Peace shall be between them both. It is of Christ the Branch, of whom he speaks. He shall build the Temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory. And shall sit and rule upon his Throne; and shall be a Priest upon his Throne, and the Counsel of Peace shall be between them both. That is, between God the Father, who sends him, and himself; There lay the Counsel of Peace making between God and Man in due time accomplished by him who is our Peace, Eph. 2. 16. So he speaks, Prov. 8. 30, 31. 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 the Earth, and my delights were with the Sons of men. They are the words of the ⟨p. 208⟩Wisdom, that is, of the Son of God. When was this done? Then I was with him. Why before the Mountains were settled, whilst as yet he had not made the Earth nor the Fields; That is, before the creation of the world, or from eternity, v. 25, 26. But how then could he rejoice in the habitable parts of the Earth? And how could his delight be with the Sons of men? seeing as yet they were not? I answer, It was the Counsel of Peace towards them before mentioned, in the pursuit whereof he was to be sent to converse amongst them on the earth. He rejoiced in the fore-thoughts of his being sent to them, and the work he had to do for them. Then, with his own consent and delight was he fore-ordained unto his work, even before the foundation of the world, 1 Pet. 1. 20. and received of the Father the Promise of eternal life, even before the world began, Tit. 1. 2. That is to be given unto sinners, by way of Forgiveness through his blood. So is this whole Counsel expressed, Psalm 40. 7, 8. Whence it is made use of by the Apostle, Heb. 10. 5, 6, 7. Then said I, lo I come, in the volume of thy Book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will O God. Thy Law is in the midst of my heart. There is the Will of the Father in this matter, and the Law of its performance. And there is the Will of the Son, in answer thereunto; and his delight in fulfilling that Law which was prescribed unto him.
First, the Rise and spring of it is to be considered. It came forth from the Eternal mutual consent and counsel of the Father and the Son, Zech. 6. 13. The Counsel of Peace shall be between them both. It is of Christ the Branch, of whom he speaks. He shall build the Temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory. And shall sit and rule upon his Throne; and shall be a Priest upon his Throne, and the Counsel of Peace shall be between them both. That is, between God the Father, who sends him, and himself; There lay the Counsel of Peace making between God and Man in due time accomplished by him who is our Peace, Eph. 2. 16. So he speaks, Prov. 8. 30, 31. Then I was by him as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight; rejoycing alwayes before him. Rejoycing in the habitable parts of the Earth, and my delights were with the Sons of men. They are the words of the ⟨p. 208⟩Wisdom, that is, of the Son of God. When was this done? Then I was with him. Why before the Mountains were setled, whilst as yet he had not made the Earth nor the Fields; That is, before the creation of the world, or from eternity, v. 25, 26. But how then could he rejoyce in the habitable parts of the Earth? And how could his delight be with the Sons of men? seeing as yet they were not? I answer, It was the Counsel of Peace towards them before mentioned, in the pursuit whereof he was to be sent to converse amongst them on the earth. He rejoyced in the fore-thoughts of his being sent to them, and the work he had to do for them. Then, with his own consent and delight was he fore-ordained unto his work, even before the foundation of the world, 1 Pet. 1. 20. and received of the Father the Promise of eternal life, even before the world began, Tit. 1. 2. That is to be given unto sinners, by way of Forgiveness through his blood. So is this whole Counsel expressed, Psalm 40. 7, 8. Whence it is made use of by the Apostle, Heb. 10. 5, 6, 7. Then said I, lo I come, in the volume of thy Book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will O God. Thy Law is in the midst of my heart. There is the Will of the Father in this matter, and the Law of its performance. And there is the Will of the Son, in answer thereunto; and his delight in fulfilling that Law which was prescribed unto him.
