Two dissertations, I. Concerning the end for which God created the world. II. The…

THAT the glory of God is the highest and last end of the work of redemption, is confirmed by the song of the angels at Christ's birth. Luk. 2. 14. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good-will towards men". It must be supposed that they knew what was God's last end in sending Christ into the world: and that in their rejoicing on the occasion of his incarnation, their minds would be most taken up with, and would most rejoice in that which was most valuable and glorious in it; which ⟨p. 70⟩must consist in its relation to that which was its chief and ultimate end. And we may further suppose, that the thing which chiefly engaged their minds, as what was most glorious and joyful in the affair, is what would be first expressed in that song which was to express the sentiments of their minds, and exultation of their hearts.

THE glory of the father and the son is spoken of as the end of the work of redemption, in Phil. 2. 6,—11. very much in the same manner as in Joh. 12. 23, 28. and 13. 31, 32. and 17. 1, 4, 5. "Who being in the form of God,—made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross: wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name, &c.—that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,—and every tongue confess, that Jesus is the Lord, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER". So God's glory, o• the praise of his glory, is spoken of as the end of the work of redemption, in Eph 1. 3, &c. "Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him.—Having predestinated us to the adoption of children,—TO THE PRAISE OF THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE". And in the continuance of the same discourse concerning the redemption of Christ, in follows in what the same chapter, God's glory is once and again mentioned as the great end of all. Several things belonging to that great redemption are mentioned in the following verses: such as God's great wisdom in it, ver 8. The clearness of light granted through' Christ, ver. 9. God's gathering together in one, all things in heaven and earth in Christ, ver. 10. God's giving the christians that were first converted to the christian faith from among the jews, an interest in this great redemption, ver. 11. Then the great end is added, ver. 12. "That we should be TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY, who first trusted in Christ". And then is mentioned the bestowing of the same great salvation on the gentiles, in its beginning or first fruits in the world, and in the completing