and windings in it, as will always lead them
round that enter in it. And so they are, after the longest progress and
search, but just where they were, always beginning, and never coming
nearer the beginning of his duration, because it is the beginning of all
things that hath a beginning but hath none itself.

Now he that was thus blessed from everlasting, who dwelt in inaccessible
light and glory, which no man hath seen, nor can see, infinitely removed
from all human capacities and senses,--he, I say begins to be manifested in
the fulness of time. And to make himself visible, he takes on our
flesh,--and all for this purpose, that he who was the substantial life in
himself, and the eternal life, in an essential and necessary way, might
become life to poor dead sinners, and communicate to them eternal life.
And truly it was no wonder that all ages were in the expectation of this
from the beginning of the world since it was first promised,--that the
inhabitants of heaven were in a longing expectation to see and look into
this mystery, for there is something in it more wonderful than the
creation of this huge frame of heaven and earth, God's footstool! The
thunder, how glorious and terrible a voice! In a word, the being, the
beauty the harmony, and proportion of this huge frame, is but a visible
appearance of the invisible God. But in taking on our flesh, the Word is
more wonderfully manifested, and made visible, for, in the first, the
Creator made creatures to start out of nothing at his command, but in
this, the Creator is made a creature. He once gave a beginning of being to
things that were not. Being before all beginning himself, he now takes a
beginning, and becomes flesh, that he was not. And what is it in which he
was manifested? Is it the spiritual nature of angels? But though that far
excel ours yet it is no manifestation of him to us, for he should still be
as unknown as ever. Is it in the glory, perfection, and power of the
visible world, as in the sun, and lights of heaven? But though that have
more show of glory than the flesh of man, yet it makes not much to our
comfort,--there would not be so much consolation in that manifestation.
Therefore, O how wisely and wonderfully is it contrived, for the good of
lost man that the Son of God shall be made of a woman, that the Father of
spirits shall be manifested in the lowest habit of our flesh, and the
lower and baser that be in which he appears, the higher the myster