340               The Deity of Jeſus Chriſt                  Sect, VI

                              CHAP. III.

           As Objection from John xvii. 3. anſwered.

ONE of the principal arguments in favour of the Socini-
as hypotheſis, is formed on thoſe words of our Lord
' This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true
'  God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent.'—' Nobody
'  queſtions, ſays Crellius, but that by the true God, muſt be
' underſtood the Supreme God. When, therefore, Jeſus
' Chriſt repreſents his Father to us, as the only true God ;
'  it follows, that none but the Father is the Supreme God.'
Before we return a direct anſwer, it may not be improper
to make a few general remarks. Let it, then be here obſer-
ved, That as our Lord may be conſidered, either in a ſtate of
the loweſt humiliation, or in a ſtate of the higheſt glory; ſo he
is variouſly repreſented to us according to theſe two very dif-
ferent conditions. Accordingly he aſſumes, in reference to the
former, ſuch characters as expreſs his abaſement; and, with
a view to the latter, ſuch as denote his exaltation. In the
time of his humiliation, he calls himſelf ' the Son of man,'
much more frequently than ' the Son of God." but, after he
was glorified, his apoſtles conſtantly call him. ' the Son of
'  God;' hardly ever, ' the Son of man.' before his reſur-
rection, his diſciples thought they ſaid a great deal in this
confeſſion of their faith, ' Thou art Chriſt, the Son of the li-
'  ving God :' but, their light increaſing with his glory, when
they ſaw him riſen from the dead, one of them ſaid, ' My
'  Lord, and my God!' When Jeſus taught his diſciples to
pray, he gave them an admirable pattern of devotion in what
is called, ' The Lord's prayer ;' yet in that excellent direc-
tory, the name of Chriſt is not once mentioned. But when
the Redeemer is juſt leaving the world, and is going to be
glorified, he ſays to his diſciples; ' Whatſoever ye ſhall aſk
'  the Father in my name, he will give it you.' And, after
his exaltation, the church places her hope of Divine acceptance,
in devotional ſervices, entirely in his interceſſion; addreſſing
her prayers and praiſes to the Father, through the hands of
her Divine Saviour only. Unto Him be glory in the church,
                                                                                              by