3. It is infinite. 4. It is incomprehensible.

1. It is without beginning: That which was before the world was,
is without a beginning, but the love of Christ was before the
world.

This is evident from Proverbs the eighth, "his delights," before
God had made the world, are there said to be, "with the sons of
men." Not that we then had being, for we were as yet uncreated;
but though we had not beings created, we had being in the love and
affections of Jesus Christ. Now this love of Christ must needs,
as to the fullness of it, as to the utmost of it, be absolutely
unknown to man. Who can tell how many heart-pleasing thoughts Christ
had of us before the world began? Who can tell how much he then
was delighted in that being we had in his affections; as also, in
the consideration of our beings, believings, and being with him
afterwards.

In general we may conclude, it was great; for there seems to be
a parallel betwixt his Father's delights in him, and his delights
in us. "I was daily his delight,--any my delights were with the
sons of men" (Prov 8:22,30,31). But I say, who can tell, who can
tell altogether, what and how much the Father delighted in his
Son before the world began? Who can tell what kind of delight the
Father had in the Son before the world began? Why there seems to
be a parallel betwixt the Father's love to Christ, and Christ's
love to us; the Father's delight in Christ, and his delight in
us. Yea, Christ confirms it, saying, "As the Father hath loved me,
so have I loved you, continue ye in my love" (John 15:9). I know
that I am not yet upon the nature of the word eternal; yet since,