302        The Deity of Jeſus Chriſt         Sect. V

monly gave to their God; whether to diſ-
tinguiſh him from all his creatures, or to
contraſt him with the gods of the Heathen,
or to expreſs his infinite perfections.-Be-
ſides, this Angel appropriates theſe adora-
ble names to himſelf on ſuch an occaſion,
as rendred it of the laſt importance to Mo-
ſes and the choſen tribes that he ſhould not
aſſume them. For he takes them at a time
when he cannot poſſibly do it, without im-
poſing on him to whom he ſpeaks; ſo im-
poſing on him, as to betray him, and the
Iſraelites in general, into idolatry : and this
alſo when Moſes was careful not to be de-
ceived ; when he drew near to ſee who it
was that appeared to him; and at a time
when it was of the utmoſt conſequence for
him to know, by whoſe authority he was to
ſpeak to the people of Iſrael, and who it was
that ſent him.

Again: He who reveals himſelf to Mo-
ſes, not contented with thoſe names which
the God of Abraham had uſually taken,
and by which he made himſelf known to
the patriarchs, gives himſelf a new name.
Now, admitting that a creature might, on
ſome occaſions, lawfully aſſume one, or
more, of the names of God; yet, certainly, no
creature can give himſelf a new name of
God, with whatever powers he may be inveſt-
ed, or to whomſoever he may ſpeak. For
                                                            God