Part 142

t foundation of the church, in answer to [Auto-modernized] his everlasting counsels, Zechariah 2:8-9, "Thus says [Auto-modernized] the Lord of hosts, After the glory has [Auto-modernized] he sent me to [Auto-modernized] the nations which spoiled you;" and "I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts has [Auto-modernized] sent me." He who is sent calls [Auto-modernized] himself "The Lord of hosts," and affirms that he will destroy the nations by the shaking of his hand; who can be no other but God himself. That is, it was the Son of God, who was to be incarnate, as is declared in the next words: "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, says [Auto-modernized] the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts has [Auto-modernized] sent me to [Auto-modernized] thee," verses 10, 11. He promises [Auto-modernized] that he will dwell in the midst of the people; which was accomplished when "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," John 1:14; which was the time of the calling of the Gentiles, when many nations were to be joined to [Auto-modernized] the Lord; and those that were so called were to be his people: "They shall be my people." And yet in all this he was sent by the Lord of hosts: "Thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts has [Auto-modernized] sent me to [Auto-modernized] thee." Wherefore, with respect to [Auto-modernized] his susception of his offices towards the church, the Lord of hosts in the person of the Son is said to be sent by the Lord of hosts; that is, in the person of