notwithstanding their great watch of Souldiers and great stone which they rolled to the door of the Sepulchre so that by his Resurrection from the dead he is declared to be the Son of God with power Rom. 1.4 And that he hath satisfied the Justice of God and discharged the debt which he undertook to pay to the full being taken from prison the Grave in which the strength of sin and Gods wrath did for a time as Cords hold him and therefore the Apostle proclaims a mighty victory at Christs Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.54 55 56 57. And indeed then Christ appeared victorious his Resurrection being the beginning of his Exaltation Twenty-sixthly He is mighty in his Ascension not onely in that he ascended on high into heaven upon which account the Apostle magnifies him Heb 4.14 Seeing we have a Great High Priest that is passed inro the Heavens Jesus the Son of God but he ascended as a Mighty One Blessing the Disciples as he parted with them and they worshipping him Luke 24.50 51 52. The Angels also apppeared and attended Acts 1.10 Twenty-seventhly He is mighty in his Session he is set down on the right hand of God The Apostle speaks of him as of a Mighty One in this respect Heb 8 1. We have such an High Priest who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens And in this respect he is far above any of the Angels for God never said to any of the Angels Sit on my right hand Heb 1.13 And thus he is far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come Ephes 1.20 21. To which agreeth the words of Peter 1 Pet 3.22 Who is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject to him Twenty-eightly He is mighty in his coming again and that in three things especially First In the signs of his coming the Lord will give notice to the world of his coming by strange terrible and dreadful signes publick signes such as all shall see and observe for there shall be signs in the Sun and in the Moon and in the Stars and in the Earth and in the Sea The Sun shall be darkened and the Moon shall not give her light the Stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken the Sea and the waves shall roar the Nations shall be distressed and perplexed mens hearts failing them for fear c. Math. 24.29 with Luke 21.25 26. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory Secondly In the manner of his coming he shall not come then as he did at first not as a sheep to the slaughter as a Sufferer but as a Conquerour and Deliverer from all sin and punishment he shall not come in meannesse and weaknesse but in Majesty and Power triumphing over Sin Death and Devil He shall come in glory in his own glory and in his Fathers and of the holy Angels Luke 9.26 He shall come with all his holy Angeâ—s and Saints attending on him Matth. 25.31 1 Thess 3.13 Thirdly In the end of his coming viz to shew his might and greatnesse more than ever he did to take his kingdome and to reign before his Ancients all others gloriously to judge the quick and the dead 2 Tim. 4.1 Utterly to destroy wicked and ungodly men according to that of Paul 2 Thess 1.7 8. He shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Fully and eminently to save his faithfull servants For he was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Heb 9.28 Then shall he sit on his own Throne and all overcomers with him Rev 3.21 Thus have I demonstrated the mightiness of Christ in many particulars I shall add a few more to shew the super-excellency of this Mighty One the Lord Christ First He is mighty and righteous he is no Tyrant shewing forth his mightinesse in barbarous and unjust actions like the worlds Mighty Ones whose course is usually evill and their force not right Jerem 23.10 He doth not by his might overthrow right but he alwayes worketh yea he loveth righteousnesse Psal 45.7 Though he may in some great and strange works go besides the ordinary path and course of providence yet he never goeth out of the way of righteousnesse the most terrible things which he will do shall be in righteousnesse true and righteous are and shall be all his judgements for a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of his Kingdom Heb 1.8 And being thus cloathed with righteousnesse he excels the Mighty Ones of the Earth Secondly He is mighty and mercifull The mighty ones of the world are commonly cruel and fierce but for one to be mighty and mercifull is rare such an one is Christ might and mercy dwell together in him he hath a mighty yet a tender heart and though he be well able to cut off his strongest stoutest Adversaries yet he is ready to forgive and receive them graciously It is observable all the mighty works of Christ were merciful works not wrought in malice and revenge but in love and good will to men not for their hurt but for their good and therefore it is said He went about doing good Acts 10.38 Thirdly He is mighty and meek mild and humble not like the Mighty Ones of this world who are for the most part of proud and scornfull spirits and of fierce countenances but he is meek and lowly in heart Math 11.29 Yea though he be very high and mighty yet hath he respect to the lowly and unto that man will this Mighty One look that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at his word yea with him will he dwell that is of an humble spirit It was the excellency of Moses that he was mighty and yet meek none on earth so meek as he in his day but Christ is both mightier and meeker too I shall conclude this with that rarity and wonder which Zachary mentions Zach. 9.9 Rejoyce greatly O daughter of Zion Shout O Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having salvation lowly and riding upon an Asse and upon a Colt the Foale of an Asse Fourthly He is mighty and wise some who are great in power are not eminent in wisdome but Christ is great in wisdome as well as in strength and therefore he is said to be by the Apostle The Power of God and the Wisdome of God 1 Cor. 1.24 Fifthly He is mighty and patient long-suffering and slow to anger it is not so much for the mean and weak to be patient as
THE MIGHTY CHRIST THE Saints Help OR A cleer Discovery of the MIGHTINESSE and Excellency of CHRIST in all things of and concerning him from the first Promise of him to his last Appearing and Kingdome With Application thereof to the severall States and Conditions of Men. BEING The Substance of severall Sermons preached at Northwalsham in Norfolk upon PSAL. 89.19 I have laid Help on One that is MIGHTY By RICHARD BREVITER M. A. a poor Labourer in Christs Vineyard Commended by divers Ministers of Jesus Christ in LONDON Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed Garments from Bozrah this that is Glorious in his Apparel traveling in the Greatnesse of his strength I that speak in Righteousnesse Mighty to save Isa 63.1 LONDON Printed by M. S. for Henry Cripps at the first Shop in Popes-head-Alley next to Lombard street 1662. TO ALL The FRIENDS and ENEMIES of our LORD JESVS CHRIST especially in England Scotland and Ireland FOR Christs and your sake this plain Treatise which about two years since was composed for a more private use is now by the importunity of divers of the LORDS Servants held forth to publick view And though a sense of my own weaknesse and great unworthinesse might have deterred me from this undertaking yet the excellency weightiness and suitablenesse of the Subject to your present conditions which will I hope make way in your hearts for its entertainment hath encouraged me to present it to your considerations It s chief design and aime is to lift up the SON OF MAN who both in his Person Merit Spirit Ordinances and Servants is by more than ordinary unbelief profanesse superstition persecution and abounding of all sorts of iniquity so greatly despised and rejected of men yea to the great reproach of Christianity of those that in words professe to magnifie him above all How it will be accepted and of what benefit it will be to you who as yet are his ENEMIES in your minds by wicked works Col. 1.21 I know not This I can say in all the Reproofs Cautions Counsels and Exhortations I have had it in my heart earnestly to desire to be instrumentall to deliver some of your souls at least from perishing in your disobedience and rebellion against CHRIST For though you say peace and safety while you walk in the imaginations of your own hearts yet great is the danger that you are in through your provoking this MIGHTY ONE against you How easily and suddenly can He break you with his rod of Iron and dash you in pieces like a Potters Vessel as Psalm 2. And what though through his patience and long-suffering you should walk many years in the wayes of your hearts and in the sight of your eyes yet know you must at last and how soon you cannot tell appear before the Judgement Seat of this Mighty One that you may receive the things done in your bodies according to what you have done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5.10 And what account will you then be able to give to him of all your pride covetousness and some of you of your cursing swearing deceit drunkenness malitiousnesse uncleannesse contempt of his Ordinances persecution of his Servants and other high and horrid wickednesses scarce to be paralelled among the worst of Heathens O fear and tremble before the true and living GOD against whom you have sinned trust not in your power policy friends honours estates and such like worldly enjoyments which will not profit nor help at all in the great day of the wrath of the Lamb Prov 11.4 I shall leave with you Luthers Caution to some in his dayes viz Take heed you be not found among those roaring haughty Gentlemen and Heaven-breakers who do resist the Holy Ghost and Gods Word and boast of their own strength and ability And further in the spirit of meeknesse love and pity I beseech you so to consider and lay to heart the things that are here following written touching the GREAT KING OF THE WHOLE EARTH as to humble your selves under his Mighty hand to trust in his mighty name and to be obedient to his holy will that your sins and transgressions being blotted out you may in the end be made partakers of his Heavenly Kingdome and Glory AMEN And You the FAITHFVL and precious servants of the LORD especially the least and weakest of the flock who are fearing and ready to faint under the weight of present pressures and apprehension of future troubles For your furtherance and joy of faith in this Wilderness I have set my selfe to demonstrate the MIGHTINES and ENGAGEMENT of CHRIST to HELP you in all Conditions And though I may truly say I have not told you one halfe of the Greatness of his power and wisdome yet I hope what is here in much weakness displayed before you shall become mighty through God in some measure to support and comfort you in your several solitudes and sufferings here below such being the portion here of all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus 2 Tim 3.11 Acts 14.22 Which that it may be I entreat you not cursorily to reade as the manner of most is but seriously to weigh and carefully to hide in your hearts the words of truth contained in this Book And because I would not detaine you from the perusal of what followeth I onely yet earnestly beseech you by all the help you have received from Christ by all the consolation you have in him and by all the hope you have of future Glory through him that you give all diligence to walk more worthy of that grace wherein you stand by being more serious spiritual humble and holy in all manner of conversation especially now when you are made to eate the bitter fruits of former wantonness Oh sin no more lest worse things come unto you O love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ not in word and in tongue the common and onely sacrifice of most that are called Christians but in deed and in truth In a word be very faithfull to him make his work your business his commandements your Rule his life your example his SPIRIT your HELP his name your refuge and his glory your end And if you do these things you shall never fall Now what is here humbly offered for common good may by a blessing from on high be of some use for the turning of the feet of some sinners from the wayes of wickedness and for the strengthening the weak hands of some Saints in the work of righteousness to continue therein unto the end to the Glory and praise of this MIGHTY ONE the LORD JESUS CHRIST is the prayer of Your souls friend and servant RICHARD BREVITER From my Study in Norwich this 2d of the 4th Moneth June 1662. WE who desire the Exalting of our LORD JESVS CHRIST that MIGHTY ONE on whom the LORD GOD his father and ours in him hath laid HELP having observed the holy end and scope of these Sermons on Psal 89.19 Blessing
is a King and that is an office which speaks might and power a King notes Supremacie in respect of others 1 Pet. 2.13 but Christ is not onely a King and mighty in that regard but also a Mighty King a King above all other Kings he is a King higher than the Kings of the earth Psal 89.27 The Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 Lord of Lords and King of Kings Rev. 17.14 He is a mighty King First In himselfe and that especially in two things First In majesty and glory excellent majesty is upon him The Psalmist singing of him and his kingdome saith Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most mighty with thy glory and thy majesty and in thy majesty ride prosperously c. Psal 45.3 4. See a â—lymspe of his glory in his Type Soâ—â—mon The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel and bestowed upon him such Royall majesty as had not been on any King before him in Israel yet behold a Greater than Solomon is here for Solomon in all his Glory was not arrayed like unto Christ of this Glory the Apostles had a sight according to the words of Peter We were eye-witnesses of his Majesty for he received from God the Father honour and Glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent Glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased and this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy Mount 2 Pet. 1.16 17 18. And Paul stiles him even him that was crucified The Lord of Glory 1 Cor. 2.8 Secondly In wisdome and understanding he was and is greater and above all others both men and Angels in understanding There was excellent Wisdome found in Daniel but there was more and more excellent in Christ God gave Solomon wisdome and understanding exceeding much and largeness of heart even as the sand that is on the Sea-shore and Solomons wisdome excelled the wisdome of all the children of the East Country and all the wisdome of Egypt for he was wiser than all men and all the Earth sought to him to heare his wisdome which God had put in his heart 1 Kings 4.29 30 31. 1 Kings 10.33 But behold a Greater than Solomon is here in this respect Math. 12.42 Even he in whom are hid all the Treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2.3 The very wisdome of God 1 Cor. 1.24 Secondly He is Mighty in his Subjects two things considerable in his Subjects which speak forth his Mightiness First Their Mightiness his Subjects are Saints and Nations and both sorts are mighty his Saints are excellent ones Subjects of the highest ranke they are Kings and Priests being advanc'd to that Dignity by himselfe Rev. 1.6 Men of other spirits redeemed from among men who have all Earthly things under their feet such as regard not Silver nor yet delight in Gold The Law of the mouth of their King being better to them than thousands of Gold and Silver as also men of valiant and couragious spirits for the honour of their King upon Earth not loving their lives unto the Death Rev. 12.11 The Nations of the Earth also are full of Mighty Ones men of high degree and all the Kings Princes Potentates Rulers chiefe Captaines Great Lords all the Mighty men of Valour all the Worthies and men of Renowne and all the wise and Honourable ones of the Earth are his Subjects the excellency and mightiness of the Subjects speak forth the mightiness of the King how mighty must he needs be who have all the mighty Kings and Princes of the world under him Secondly Their multitude he hath more Subjects than any if Solomons Subjects were so great a people that could not be numbred nor counted for multitude how great and numerous or rather innumerable are Christs Subjects who are all people Nations and Languages Dan. 7.14 And these are not onely his Subjects in respect of the Right and extent of his Dominion but also in respect of their submission and obedience to him for all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.14 27. Yea all kingdomes shall resolve into his kingdome The joyfull sound of the Seaventh Angel and the great voices in Heaven which John heard proclaimed the largeness and amplitude of the kingdome of this King saying The kingdomes of this World are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever and if in the multitude of people is the Kings Honour Pro. 14.28 then surely he is a mighty and honourable one that hath such multitudes under him Thirdly He is mighty in his Rule and Administration both towards his loyall Subjects and desperate Enemies The Administration of Christ towards his faithfull ones is chiefly in two things in both which he appeares to be Mighty First Preservation for he preserveth the faithfull even all them that love him he is mighty to save and defend them against all the mighty ones that rise up against them he hath been and is a strength to the poore a strength to the needy in distresse a refuge from the storme a shaddow from the heate when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storme against the wall The Psalmist singing of him and his kingdome saith He shall deliver the needy when he cryeth the poore also and him that hath no helper he shall save the soules of the needy he shall redeeme their soules from deceit and violence Psal 72.12 13 14. And for this reason the Prophet Zephany calls upon Zion to sing and rejoyce The King of Israel even the Lord is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is Mighty he will save Zeph. 3.14 15 17. And this is the confidence of his Subjects The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he will save us Isa 33.22 And he is not onely mighty to save their bodies from destruction but to save their soules from sin and death for that was the reason which the Angel gave Joseph before Christ was borne why he should be called Jesus Math. 1.21 Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins And in this he is mightier than all other Kings who cannot deliver any of their Subjects soules none of them can by any meanes redeem their Subjects nor yet their own soules but stand in need of this Mighty One to save them Secondly Remuneration he is not unrighteous to forget the worke and labour of love which any of his Subjects do shew towards his Name but will give reward unto his servants the Prophets and to the Sâ—ints and them that feare his Name small and great and his Reward is great becoming such a Mighty King to bestow he will plentifully reward all his faithfull constant Followers and his reward is First Everlasting life This Christ promised to his self-denying
his Glorious Name for his so assisting his faithful servant herein and finding the Matter according with what the Author hath well expressed in this his Epistle doe therefore heartily joyne with him therein in what he hath written to all the Friends and Enemies of our LORD JESVS CHRIST James Nalton Minister of Leonards Foster Lane Thomas Brooks Robert Bragge William Adderley H Jessey THE MIGHTY CHRIST THE Saints Help PSAL. 89.19 I have laid help upon One that is Mighty THe precedent Psalm contain a mournful complaint to the Lord powred out in a way of prayer This especially the former part of it is a pleasant Song of praise The subject of it is the Lord. The things which he mentions as most sweetly refreshing his own soul and most eminently conspicuous in the Lord towards his people are his mercy faithfulness and power First His mercy Vers 1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever So vers 2. I have said mercy shall be built up for ever Secondly His faithfulness vers 1. With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulnesse to all Generations vers 2. Thy faithfulnesse shalt thou establish in the very Heavens both manifested in his Covenant which he made with David and his seed vers 3. I have made a Covenant with my chosen I have sworn unto David my servant thy seed will I establish for ever and build up thy Throne to all Generations Thirdly His power vers 6. Who in the Heaven can be compared to the Lord who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord vers 8. O Lord God of Hosts who is a strong Lord like unto thee manifested by his works of First Creation vers 11. The Heavens are thine the earth also is thine as for the world and the fullnesse thereof thou hast founded them Vers 12. The North and the South thou hast created them Secondly Providence vers 9. Thou rulest the raging of the Sea when the waves thereof arise thou stillest them shewed Partly towards his enemies in their destruction vers 10. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces as one that is slain thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arme Partly Towards his people in their salvation vers 16 17 18. In thy name shall they rejoyce all the day and in thy righteousnesse shall they be exalted for thou art the glory of their strength and in thy favour our Horn shall be exalted for the Lord is our defence and the holy One of Israel is our King The Psalmist having spoken largely of the power of God returns to that with which his heart was most affected The precious Covenant of God made with David expressed vers 3. and shews at large the particulars of it what great things God would do for him and how great and mighty he would make him and for a confirmation of faith in this great promise of God the Psalmist declares First The Original of Davids power and authority viz that it was from God from Heaven he was no Usurper nor Obtruder neither of mans nor his own but of Gods exalting for so God saith I have exalted one chosen out of the people I have found David my servant with my holy Oyle have I anointed him So Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy Hill of Sion Peter and the other Apostles speaking of Jesus before the Council said Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour And therefore the Lord challengeth a peculiar propriety in David above all the Kings of the earth calling him his King My King Secondly The Lords discovery of it before he did it And to whom Not unto the Princes of this world but unto his holy One Samuel who anointed David in the midst of his brethren 1 Sam. 16.1 3 13. By some the word is translated in the Plural Number Sanctis tuis to thy holy Ones to wit the Prophets Samuel and Nathan one of which anointed David and the other fore-told of the perpetuity of his Kingdome 2 Sam 7.12 13 14 15 16. Yea the Lord spake the same thing to his holy One David by the mouth of his servant Nathan 2 Sam 7.17 According to all these words and according to all this vision so did Nathan speak unto David From the discovery of it we may First Observe That it hath been Gods way of old when he hath had any great and remarkable thing to do for or upon a people to reveal it unto his servants the Prophets Amos 3.7 Surely the Lord will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets More particularly Secondly Observe That the discovery of Gods exaltation of Christ his True and Great Holy One sanctified and seperated above his fellows was first made to his Holy Ones Thirdly The manner of discovery thereof and that was by vision God in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers sometimes but rarely by Oracle it being a wonderfull condescention on Gods part and more than ordinary honour to the person to whom he so spake this honour God put upon Moses as he told Aaron and Miriam With him will I speak mouth to mouth Numb 12.8 Sometimes and more commonly In visions and in dreams Numb 12.6 It was in vision God spake to his Holy One when he made discovery of his Grace Then thou spakest in vision to thy Holy One. Here are two things chiefly to be enquired into First The mercy provided and that is a King not a mean weak one unfit for the Throne but a Mighty One I have laid help upon One that is Mighty if it be askt Who is this King the 20. vers is in answer I have found David my servant with my holy Oyle have I anointed him Of him the Lord hath spoken saying By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistims and out of the hand of all their enemies 2 Sam. 3.18 It is both David the son of Jesse and Christ the son of David according to the flesh who was also Davids Lord of whom David especially in his Kingly Office was a Type and Shaddow who is also called David Hos 3.5 And Ezekiel prophesying of the Kingdome of Christ a long time after David the son of Jesse was fallen asleep having served his Generation according to the will of God saith I will set up one shepherd over them even my servant David I the Lord will be their God my servant David a Prince among them Ezek. 34.23 24. Again David my servant shall be King over them my servant David shall be the Prince for ever Ezek. 37.24 25. This is that David that liveth for ever the Lord Christ that Mighty One mightier and higher than all others as the Lord hath promised vers 27. Also I will make him my first-born higher than the Kings of the earth which words agree exactly to the Lord Christ who is said
the children of Israel slew Jude 10.11 Reasons why the Lord doth lay in a sufficiency of help for his people Reason 1. From that All-sufficiency and perfection of power which is in the Lord every thing as it is in Essence and Being so it is in act and operation and according to this Maxim the Psalmist sings of the Lord Psal 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power As also Psal 86.10 Thou art great and dost wondrous things so that the Lord being Allmighty and All-sufficient in himself for him to lay in a sufficiency of help for his people is but to act according to himself Reason 2. From that height of affection which is in the Lord towards his people they being his peculiar treasure above all people his sons and daughters the people of his love this Moses mentions as the cause of that sufficiency of help which the Lord afforded to them in Egypt Deut. 7.8 Because the Lord loved you c. hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of Bond-men from the hand of Pharoah King of Egypt This is also recorded Jer. 31.3.9 as the reason of the great things God will do for Israel I have loved thee with an everlasting love For I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is my first-born Reason 3. From his exceeding tenderness of his own Name lest that should suffer upon this account the Lord oft spared his people Ezek. 20.9.14.22.44 I wrought for my Names sake that it should not be polluted before the Heathen So God will help sufficiently fot his Name sake lest the enemy who is alwayes ready to blaspheme should reproach him and either say God would not help his people according to their need and so the glory of his goodness should be somewhat darkned or else he could not and so the glory of his power should be eclipsed with this Argument Moses pleaded with God to help and save his people Numb 14.13 14 15 16. Deut. 9.26 27 28. I shall add no more to the confirmation of that which the Saints of the most High have so much experienced in their severall Generations And leave also the improvement of all to Gods faithful Ones in their various conditions and hasten unto a more strict and particular consideration of the words which will afford these two Observations First That Christ Jesus is a Mighty One Secondly That the Lord hath appointed this Mighty One to be for an help to his people First Christ Jesus is a Mighty One The Psalmist singing of him saith Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most Mighty Psal 45 3. Isaiah prophecying of him saith His Name shall be called Wonderful Councellour The Mighty God Isaiah 9.6 The Angel declaring unto Mary his Mother what manner of Son he should be saith He shall be great and called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his father David c. Luke 1.32 John also testifying of him according to the Revelation of him which God gave unto him calleth him Allmighty Rev 1.8 I shall forbear to add more particular places the whole Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament being a large proof of this thing Mighty is a word of large Extent and of various Acceptation Sometimes it is taken Generally for any eminent excellent One that is greater than others so it is used Gen 10.8 where it is said of Nimrod He began to be a Mighty One in the earth i. e. One great and famous excelling others and in this sense Christ is a Mighty One greater than others In all things having the preheminence as the Apostle speaketh and as shall be shewed at large Sometimes it is taken particularly and specially First For one that is rich and wealthy thus it is used Ruth 2.1 where it is said Naomi had a kinsman of her husbands a mighty man of wealth Also 2 Kings 15.20 The rich man is usually called mighty in this respect Christ is a Mighty One he is a rich wealthy One and that both in respect of 1. Spiritual and Heavenly things he is so rich That in him dwelleth all the fullnesse of the God-head bodily He hath more of the Spirit than others being full of all grace wisdome and knowledge yea full of Unsearchable Riches according to that of Paul Ephes 3.8 That I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ 2. All other things for he is heir of all things Heb. 1.2 All corn wine wool and flax all the beasts of the Forrest and the Cattel upon a thousand hils all the Fowls of the mountains and every thing that moveth in the waters are his yea the earth is his and the fullnesse thereof the round world and all that dwell therein Psal 24.1 See what an inheritance his father hath given him Psal 2.8 Secondly For one that hath power and strength strong men are mighty men and in this sense Christ is a Mighty One being full of power and strength The Apostle speaking of him saith 1 Cor. 1.24 Christ the power of God Thirdly For one that is exceeding valiant that doth most vigorously put forth and act his strength such an one is said to be a mighty man of valour full of courage in this sense also Christ is a Mighty One he hath not onely strength but he doth mightily exert and put it forth so that he makes his power to be seene the very spirit of Might doth rest upon him Isa 11.2 which he doth shew forth in all his workes Fourthly For one that hath rule and Authority he is a Mighty One and thus Christ is a Mighty One First He is Mighty in regard of the extent and universality of his power and Authority as to the subject of it it is over all for God hath put All things in subjection under his feet he hath left nothing that is not put under him he hath First All in the Church under him All Ordinances all offices all gifts all Administrations all consciences under him Eph. 1.22 He hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Secondly All in Heaven under him he said of himselfe Math. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and it is said 1 Pet. 3.22 that he is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and powers being made subject to him so that all in heaven is under him the Father onely excepted who did put all things under him 1 Cor. 15.27 Thirdly All in Hell under him the Devils themselves being subject unto him Fourthly All in this world under him He hath all principality power might and Dominion under him he hath power over all the Kings and Kingdomes of the world therefore he is said to be the Prince of the Kings of the Earth and to be Lord of Lords and King of Kings Rev. 1.5 17.14 Fifthly All in
onely called an High Priest frequently and once Heb 10.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Great Priest but he is also stiled A Great High Priest Heb 4.14 Though under the Law there was an High Priest yet never was any called Great High Priest but Christ and though the Pope assume to himselfe the Title of Pontifex Maximus the greatest High Priest yet it doth of right belong to Christ Thirdly In the perfection of his Nature an High Priest without sin without infirmity whereby he is by the Apostle distinguished from and exalted above all other Priests Heb 7.26 27 28. Such an High Priest became us who is holy harmlesse undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the Heavens who needeth not daily as those High Priests to offer up sacrifice first for his own sins then for the peoples the Law maketh men High Priests which have infirmity but the word of the Oath which was made since the Law the Son who is consecrated for evermore He is a merciful faithful tender sympathizing High Priest Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way and is able to succour them that are tempted Heb 2.17 18. Fourthly In the eminency of his order he is a Priest not after that common way that others were the order of Aaron and so but such an one as they but after a special and more excellent order peculiar to him alone the order of Melchisedec that great and mighty man King of Salem unto whom even the Patriarch Abraham that Mighty One gave the tenth of the spoil even he that met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings and blessed him which speaks him greater than our father Abraham for as it is said Heb. 7.7 Without all contradiction the lesse is blessed of the better or more excâ—llent this the Spirit of God advancing Christ above all others mentioneth both in that famous prophecy of his Kingdome and Power Psal 110.4 saying The Lord hath sworn and will not repent Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec As also six several times in the 5 6 7. Chapters of the Epistle to the Hebrews as it were delighting it self in the rehearsal of the exaltation and excellency of Christ in this respect Fifthly In the solemnity of his Ordination different from the Ordination of other Priests which was without so much ado for they were made without an Oath but he with an Oath and that of God himself according to that of the Psalmist Psal 110 4. Minded also by the Apostle Heb 7.21 The Lord sware and will not repent Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melcbisedec and surely it is some great and weighty matter which causeth the Most High to swear Sixthly In the performance of his work which did consist chiefly in four things First To make satisfaction and reconciliation for the sins of the people and this Christ did and he so did this marvellous work as shewed his mightinesse therein First He did it to the uttermost and that in respect First Of the nature and measure of it in it selfe it was a full perfect satisfaction wanting nothing Heb. 10.14 By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified So that there needs none of the works nor sufferings of any other to contribute any thing to it and if God at any time Visit the transgression of his children with the rod and their iniquity with stripes It is not in reference to any further satisfaction of his justice but in order to their Sanctification Secondly Of the extent and largeness of it as to the subjects that partake of this grace and they are not a few but many For he gave his life a Ransome for many Math. 20.28 Mark 10.45 Not the Jews only but the Gentiles also he reconciled both unto God in one body by the Cross and came and preached peace to them that were afar off and to them that were nigh Ephes 2.16 17. And thus the world partake of it according to that of Paul 2 Cor. 5.19 That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himselfe yea The whole world 1 John 2.2 He is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world yea it extends unto All things for so it is written Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the blood of his Crosse by him to reconcile all things unto himself By him I say whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven Secondly He did at once not by many but by one offering and this speaks him a Mighty One upon this very account the Apostle prefers him and his sacrifice before all the Levitical Priests and their sacrifices of their sacrifices he saith The Law can never with those sacrifices which they offered yeer by yeer continually make the comers thereunto perfect but in those sacrifices there is a Remembrance again made of sins every yeer for it is not possible that the blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sin Heb. 10.1 3 4. And again vers 11. Every Priest standeth daily ministring and offeâ—ing oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sin but of Christ he speaks otherwise not as of one weak but mighty a sufficient Priest and Sacrifice For by one Offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified He offered but one offering and that was enough Thirdly He did it in no ordinary way not by killing of others but by dying himself by making and offering himself a sacrifice for sin according to that in Heb 9.26 Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Other Priests to make attonement for sins offered other things in sacrifice he himself he was the Priest and sacrifice too he the just suffered for the unjust that he might bring us to God this is wonderful no more need to be added to manifest Christs mightiness in the performance of this part of his Priestly work Secondly To pray and intercede for the people and this Christ doth for he being come an High Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle did not by the blood of Bulls and Goats and Calves as other Priests did but by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb 9.11 12 24. And this he doth to purpose and with eminent successe obtaining eternal redemption for his faithful ones for his blood being of such great merit and vertue and he having such great interest and favour in Heaven his prayers and intercessions are very prevalent as a Prince he hath power with God his Father always hearing him John 11.42 Neither is he so much a Petitioner to beg blessings for Believers upon the account of meer mercy but having merited and purchased them by his
First His Apprehension and taking they came forth as to a Mighty One that would not have been apprehended Judas came and with him a great multitude with swords and staves from the chief Priests and the Scribes and the Elders Mark 14.43 And at that time the mightiness of Christ was seen for when one that was about him smote the servant of the High Priest and cut off his right ear he did but touch his ear and healed him Luke 22.50 51. And which is more they that went about to take him were smitten down with one soft word of his mouth for as soon as he had said unto them I am he they went backward and fell to the ground John 18.6 Secondly His Tryal his Accusation and charge was That he was a perverter of the Nation and forbad to give Tribute to Caesar saying That he himself is Christ a King Luke 23.2 And the questions which the Governour and others put to him were according to it Art thou the Son of God Art thou the King of thâ— Jews Art thou a King his Charge was as of a Mighty One and his Answer was as of a Mighty One For when the High Priest asked him and said unto him Art thou the Christ the Son of the blessed he said I am that is the Son of God not by Adoption as others but by Nature for unlesse this had been the meaning of his answer they could not have condemned him of blasphemy but they took it as granted nor did he deny it that he made himself such a Son of God as was equall with God so there was God standing in the Congregation of the Mighty those earthly gods did judge him and he which sheweth that he was a Mighty One judgeth them or at least declareth himself to be that Judge which was to judge them and all men too for to that purpose was his Answer Jesus said I am and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven Mark 14.62 And when he was asked Whether he was a King he denyed it not but confessed it in these words My Kingdome is not of this world John 18.36 Thirdly His Condemnation he was condemned as a Mighty One his Accusation and the cause of his Condemnation was set up over his head written This is Jesus the King of the Jews Math. 27.37 Mark saith The King of the Jews Mark 15.26 Luke This is the Kiâ—g of the Jews Luke 22.38 John Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews John 19.19 The main thing regarded was That he took upon him to be King of the Jews And it is to be observed that God did so over-rule the heart and hand of Pilate that instead of noting some Crime he sets down a most glorious and worthy Title and this Superscription was wrought in three Languages viz Hebrew Greek and Latine The end of which was as Mr. Perkâ—ns noteth that the Passion of Christ and also the publishing of his Kingdome and Gospel might spread all over the world and Pilate would not be prevailed with by the chief Priests to change the Title to that he said I am King of the Jews but said What I have written I have written John 19.21 22. Fourthly His Death in which his mightinesse shines forth First In the Concomitants of it as the conversion of the Thief the darkning of the Sun over all the Land from the sixt to the ninth hour the rending of the Vail of the Temple in twain the Earth-quake the rending of the Rocks the opening of the Graves the rising of many bodyes of Saints which slept the conviction and confession of the Centurion with his Souldiers That he was the Son of God some great and mighty One that fell that day Math 27.51 52 54. Mark 15.33 Secondly In the vertue and efficacy of it which I shall briefly hint in three particulars First It is of a purchasing vertue for by and through it he purchased a pâ—ople Acts 20.28 And an inheritance for them Ephes 1.7 11. Which no cerruptible thing as Silver and Gold could obtain 1 Pet. 1.18 Secondly It is of a pacifying vertue For by it he hath made an Attonement and Reconciliation for sin Rom 5.10 Heb. 2.17 Which the blood of Bulls and Goats could never do Heb 10.4 11. Thirdly It is of a purifying vertue It purgeth the Conscience from dead works to serve the living God Heb 9.14 Yea It cleanseth from all sin 1 John 1.7 which no Sope nor Nitre can effect Jer. 2.22 Twenty-fourthly He is mighty in his Burial some degree of glory did break forth in Christs Burial he had an honourable Burial He made his Grave with the rich in his death Isa 53.9 Joseph of Arimathea not onely a good man and a just but also an honourable Councellour together with Nicodemus a Ruler of the Jews who brought a mixture of Myrrh and Aloes about an hundred pound weight took the body of Jesus and wound it in Linnen Cloaths with the Spices and laid it in a Sepulchre hewen out of the Rock a new Sepulchre where never man was laid before that which was wonderful in his Burial was that they who were fearful to confesse him when living were bold to own him when dead and to be buried for Joseph of Arimathea who was a Disciple but secretly for fear of the Jews John 19.38 yet went in boldly unto Pilate and craved the body of Jesus Mark 15.43 And Nicodemus which at the first came to him by night had courage to appear at his Burial though he was condemned and crucified as a great Malefactor this the Evangelist John noteth John 19.39 Twenty-fifthly He is mighty in his Resurrection which doth appear in that First He rose at all and it is a wonderful thing for the dead to rise Secondly He rose soon he did not lye many yeers in the Grave he did not as Mahomet who promised the Sarazins after eight hundred years to re-visit them but within three dayes for he said unto the Jews Destroy this Temple speaking of the Temple of his body and in three dayes I will raise it up and accordingly he rose the third day which was as short a time as might be for had he not been dead some such like distance of time some would not have believed that he was dead at all Thirdly He rose against utmost humane opposition though his enemies did whatever they could to hinder it the chief Priests and the Pharisees make an Address to Pilate about this saying Sir We remember that that Deceiver said while he was yet alive After three dayes I will rise again command therefore that the Sepulchre be made sure untill the third day And Pilate answered their desire for he said unto them ye have a watch go your way make it as sure as you can so they went and made the Sepulchre sure sealing the stone and setting a watch Math. 27.62 63 64 65.66 Yet Christ rose
he hath undertaken to do by his own Power is really to dishonour him Fourthly To all Despisers and Contemners of Christ For though he is mighty yet he is despised and rejected of men This was and is the sin of the Jews they so far despised him that they denyed him and desired a murtherer to be granted unto them Acts 3.14 And they call him at this day in contempt Talvi the hanged man and his Disciples The followers of the hanged man And this evil is common among the Gentiles also yea multitudes of those that name the name of Christ are guilty of this iniquity so vile and abominable are many as to despise him in their hearts and works whom in words they professe to honour as their Prince and Saviour The very Turks will condemn such Christians for it is said They suffer no man to blaspheme Christ but honour him and speak reverently of him though they do exceedingly vilifie Christians for being so unlike to him The greatness and danger of this evil the Apostle sets forth in his Epistle to the Hebrews Chap 10. vers 28 29. He that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much soarer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God Wherefore then are ye not affraid to despise and speak against this mighty One. Vse 4. Of TERROR to the wicked For if Christ be so mighty where shall the sinner and ungodly the Enemies of this Mighty One appear 1 Pet. 4.17 18. Surely they shall be broken in pieces like a Potters Vessel Psal 2. they shall perish and be as the fat of Lambs they shall consume into smoak shall they consume away Psal 37.20 for they will not be able to stand before this mighty One when he cometh to judge the earth in righteousnesse it will be ill especially with these First The Refusers of his Grace those that now make nothing to refuse him and his grace that speaketh from Heaven shall not be able to escape the severity of this Mighty One against them for despising the riches of his goodnesse Rom 2.3 4. for they that have slighted his greatest love must look to endure his fiercest wrath One main end of his coming in great power and glory is to punish such 2 Thess 1.7 8 9. He shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Secondly The Opposers of his Reigne For this Mighty One will not spare neither will he have pity nor have mercy on them His fury against such is fully set forth in the Parable recorded Luke 19.27 where he saith But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me He speaks it not of such that gladly would though sin prevails but of them that would it not Thirdly The Oppressors of his servants For though men now count it a small matter which God calls a mighty sin Amos 5.12 To afflict the just and oppresse the poor and say that God regards it not yet this Mighty One will arise and take vengeance for them and that to purpose for he shall break in pieces the Oppressor Psal 72.4 yea he shall cut him in sunder and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matth. 24.49.51 Fourthly The Scoffers at his coming For those that now mock and scoffe saying Where is the promise of his coming as those in 2 Pet. 3.3 4. they shall find that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is no devised fable Chap. 1.16 but a real yea a powerful appearance against them to their destruction as Isa 5.28 29. Who may abide the day of his coming And who shall stand when he appeareth Malachi 3.2 This Doctrine speaks terror more especially to the great and mighty Ones of the Earth for against them will Christ appear with greatest indignation He shall strike through Kings in the day of his wrath and he shall wound the heads over many Countreys Psal 110.5 6. Yea he will be so terrible to them that they shall not know how to endure him but seek by any means to hide themselves from him Revel 6.14 15 16. The Kings of the Earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men and every bond-man and every free-man hid themselves in the Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains and said to the Mountains and Rocks fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb for the Great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand And CHRIST will be MOST TERRIBLE TO THEM Reas 1. Because it is a just and righteous thing that he should be so seeing they are not onely most of them against him for not many mighty not many noble are called 1 Cor. 4.26 but they are often his greatest Enemies do most despise and reject him and oppose his Kingdome and Power hence saith the Psalmist The Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take Councel together against the Lord and against his ANOINTED Psal 2.2 The Great men have altogether broken the Yoke and burst the Bonds Jeremy 5.5 And Christ accepteth not the persons of Princes nor regardeth the rich more than the poor but will render to every one according to his works they that offend most against him must look to suffer most from him Reas 2. Because it is to his honour for by this he gets himselfe a great name of strength and power having and exercising Dominion over the mighty he is the more feared and glorified of men The Prophet Isaiah tells us Chap 2. That the day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is proud end lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and he shall be brought low upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are high upon all the Oaks of Bashan upon all the high mountains and upon all the high hills that are lifted up and upon every high Tower and upon every fenced Wall upon all the Ships of Tharshish and upon all pleasant Pictures and the loftinesse of man shall be bowed down and the haughtinesse of men shall be made low and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day vers 12 13 14 15 16 17. Christ doth therefore ingage with the Mighty because he shall be exalted in their fall especially Quest If Christ be such a Mighty One why do the wicked live become old yea are mighty in power flourish and prosper in the world and go so long unpunished Answ Dost thou not know that the wicked are reserved to the day of destruction they shall be
50.33 34. Therefore though you be not affraid of them yet be affraid of Christ their King who in the midst of them is Mighty to save them and to destroy you Ye mighty ones of the world who intend mischief against Christs Servants know that he will one day arise and say as that Great Prince Ahasuerus to Queen Esther when she had told him of the Design of wicked Haman against her and her people Esther 7.5 Who is he and where is he that durst presume in his heart to do so and then like Haman you will be affraid before this King and his people whom now you despise Oh that you would consider the danger you are in which you may easily apprehend from those precious though dreadfull words of Christ Matth. 18.6 Whoso shall offend one of these little Ones which beleeve in me it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Therefore lift not up your horn lift not up your horn on high though you be never so high and mighty Christ this Mighty One is now the Judge having all power in his hands he putteth down one and setteth up another Ps 75.5 7. and he avengeth the evil which is done unto his Servants Vse 6. Of EXHORTATION 1. To Christs Enemies 2. To his Servants First To his ENEMIES Submit subject your selves to him strive not with a Mighty man saith one surely it cannot be safe to strive with this Mighty One. Your security lyes in submission not in opposition in kissing the Son not in kicking against him Therefore O ye sinners ye mighty ones lay down all your weapons and your selves at his feet The men of this world desire peace with those that are mightier than they Luke 14.31 Acts 12.20 Learn of them to humble your selves under the mighty hand of Christ who is a King against whom there is no rising up as Prov 30.31 What the Lord speaks in faithfulnesse and with affection to the Kings and Judges of the Earth I may say to them and all others 〈◊〉 stand out against this Mighty One Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with trembling kisse the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little Blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2.10.11 12. And if you be in such danger of perishing when his wrath is kindled but a little what will ye do when the great day of his wrath is come Rev 6.17 the day that shall burne as an Oven and all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be stubble and the day that cometh shall burne them up that it shall leave them neither root nor branch Mal. 4.1 And whosoever thinkes either to prevaile against him or to escape from him they imagine a vaine thing For First By WISDOME and POLICY shall no man prevaile against him God turneth the wisdome of the wise into foolishness he leadeth Councellours away spoiled and maketh the Judges fooles Job 12.17 What Great and deepe policie did Saul use against David a Type of Christ to keep him from the Kingdome he set him over the men of Warre and when he saw that all Israel loved him in a way of subtilty he proffered him his Daughter thaâ— she might be a snare unto him and he â—â—sired no dowry but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines for he thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines 1 Sam. 18. and oft-times he sought to kill him both by open war and privately but notwithstanding all his policy he lost his kingdome and his life too and David possessed the kingdome What deeper policy could Herod have used to destroy Christ when he came into the World or the Jewes to hinder his Resurrection yet could not prevaile verifying the words of Solomon Pro. 21.30 There is no wisdome nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD Secondly And by STRENGTH shall no man prevaile 1 Sam 2.9 He is mighty in strength who hath hardened himselfe against him and prospered he will lead Princes away spoiled and overthrow the Mighty yea the Couragious among the Mighty shall flee away naked in the day that he ariseth You that are strong have you an Arme like him or can you thunder with a voice like him Know that it is altogether in vaine to strengthen your selves against Christ for by reason of his Highness and Mightiness you shall not be able to endure Thirdly Neither will RICHES profit in the day of his wrath Pro. 11.4 For though the rich mans wealth is his strong City and as an high wall in his own conceit Pro. 18.11 yet it cannot preserve him from perishing by the hand of this Mighty One so that there is no way to escape but by a hearty submission to the Son of God Neither let the Greatest and highest of the Earth thinke themselves too Great and High to stoop to him to whom every knee shall bow Rom 14.10 11. for it is no weakness nor baseness but true mightiness and nobleness of spirit to be willing to be overcome by and to him yea the Greatest honour attainable here consists in fullest subjection and serviceableness to this Mighty One The consideration of which should cause strangers and enemies freely to submit themselves unto him as Psal 18.44 Psal 66.3 Besides he hath power to forgive sins past and to make Rebels Favourites in the Court of Heaven Psal 68.18 and he waites that he may be thus gracious to them 2 Pet. 3.9 Yea though he be a Mighty One the King of Glory who could destroy the strongest in a moment yet he knocks yea he condescends to stand and knock at the doore of their hearts desiring to enter in that he might do them good Rev 3.18 19 20. Therefore Open to the King of Glory that he may come in Psal 24.9 10. and rule in you and over you for ever And as you have been much in rebellion against him be much in subjection to him Secondly To CHRISTS SERVANTS If Christ be Mighty First Feare him O ye his Saints feare not man nor any of the sons of man that shall dye that are as grasse but feare this Mighty One the Lord that liveth for ever Isa 51.12 13. He that hath all power both in Heaven and Earth Math. 28.18 let him be your feare let him be your dread Isa 8.13 and not the Mighty or rather weak ones of the world that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do Luke 12.4 The Prophet Jeremiah advancing the true and living God above all Idols saith to the house of Israel Be not afraid of them for they cannot do evil neither also is it in them to do good Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee O Lord thou art great and thy name is great in might who would not