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
In the time of his Ascension Luke 24.52 These carriages of the Generality of the people declare his mightiness Secondly In the carriage of his Enemies even in their worst carriages viz. First Their persecutions for that he was so persecuted of the Mighty Ones of the world was because they lookt upon him as a Mighty One and were afraid of him lest he should become mightier then they and indeed persecution of any person or party do usually arise from feare in the persecutors lest such a person or party should prevaile against them It was evidently so in the persecutions of Christ as soone as he was borne he was persecuted by Herod that Mighty One he sought to destroy him and it was from feare for hearing of one born King of the Jeweâ— and some coming from farr to worship him being led to him in an extraordinary way he was troubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very much terrified and all Jerusalem with him It is also said Mark 11.18 The Scribes and the chiefe Priests sought how they might destroy him For they feared him because all the people were astonished at his doctrine And when some told the Pharisees what things Jesus had done Then gathered the chiefe Priests and the Pharisees a Councel and said what do we for this man doth miracles if we let him thus alone all men will beleeve on him and the Romanes shall come and take away both our place and Nation and from that day forth they took councel together for to put him to death Joh. 11.46 47 48 53. And History tells us of some Emperours who have been so troubled with the Feare of one King Jesus taking away their Crownes as they have sought the destruction of the whole lineage of David so that it is apparent that the very persecutions of his enemies spake him to be a Mighty One one whom they durst not let live Secondly Their Combinations and confederacies against him there were and are combinations of the mighty against him yea strong Combinations against him First A Combination of all Interests both civil ecclâ—siasticall and military as is evident in the words of Peter and John recorded Acts 4.25 26 27. Lord thou art God which hast made Heave and Earth c. who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said Why did the Heathen rage and the people imagine vaine things The Kings of the Earth stood up and the Rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together with Luke 19.47 The chiefe Priests and the Scribes and the chiefe of the people sought to destroy him thus all sorts of Interests were ingaged against Christ Secondly A Combination of all they have which may be reduced to three heads First A Combination of powers and strength For both Herod and Pontius Pilate and the chiefe Priests and others joyned their severall powers and Authorities against him and as it was then so it was to be afterwards as is manifest by the Angels explanation of Johns Vision to him Rev. 17.12 13 14. The ten Hornes which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no kingdome as yet but receive power as Kings one houre with the Beast These have one minde and shall give their power and strength unto the Beast These shall make warre with the Lambe And this John saw yet more fully Rev. 19.19 I saw the Beast and the Kings of the Earth and their Armies gathered together to make warre against him that sate on the Horse and against his Army Thus the powers and forces of the world combine against Christ Secondly A Combination of policy and Councel The Enemies of Christ consulted together with one Consent and were confederate against him They consulted together how to intangle him in his talke how to apprehend him how to put him to death how to conceale his Resurrection Math. 22.15 Math. 26.3 4. Math. 27.1 Math. 28.12 Of this the Psalmist speaks The Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take Councel together against the Lord and against his Anointed Psal 2.2 Thirdly A Combination of purses they had all one purse against him this is evident in his Apprehension for the chiefe Priests and Captaines covenanted to give Judas money Luke 22 4 5. As also in his Resurrection being apparent to the Souldiers who also declared it to the chiefe Priests they spared no cost to prevaile with the Souldiers to conceale the same They gave large money to them to stop their mouths from publishing the Truth and to open them to tell a lie Math. 28.11 12 13. Thirdly A Combination against him and all of him They combined against his person to put him to death as a Malefactor against his Doctrine to keep or cast it out as error against his servants to root them out of the Earth as evil doers against his Kingdome to suppresse that as some hurtfull dangerous thing As their hatred was of the whole kind viz. Christ and those that were Christs so they combined against him and all of him both persons and things that the name of Christ might be no more in Remembrance And that they durst not deale with him singly but thus combined together against him is a plaine demonstration of his mightiness Thirdly In the carriage of his servants towards him as First Their confidence in him In all their difficulties dangers and distresses relating both to soule and body he is their confidence for supplyes succours and salvation neither is he the confidence of some onely but of all his servants not of the Jews onely for many yea many thousands of them have beleeved on him Acts 20.21 but also and especially of the Gentiles according to the prophecy of him Isa 11.10 He shall stand for an Ensigne of the people to it shall the Gentiles seeke which the Apostle explaines and calls a Trusting in him Rom. 15.12 In him shall the Gentiles trust and thus he is the Confidence of all the ends of the Earth and of them that are a far off upon the Sea and how mighty must he needs be that is the sole trust and confidence of all the truely wise holy and faithfull ones among men Secondly Their Confession of him As the Lord requireth confession with the mouth as well as faith in the heart Rom. 10.9 10. so the servants of Christ are not satisfied that they beleeve on him onely in secret as their Prince and Saviour but by their profession proclaime him to be so on the house-top being neither ashamed nor afraid to confesse him before men that others might also know and acknowledge him with them And as Confession of him is as Luther saith Virtus virtutum et summum ac difficillium opus the most excellent and difficult worke and that which some beleeevers have not been able to do Joh. 12.42 So
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
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
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
Disciples Mat. 19.29 My sheep heare my voice saith Christ and follow me and I Give unto them eternall life and they shall never perish Joh. 10.27 28. And for this end his father gave him power over all flesh that he should give eternall life to as many as he hath given him Joh. 17.2 Eternall life is a rich reward but here 's not all the reward of the righteous they might have everlasting life though with trouble and distraction and therefore he gives them together with everlasting life Secondly Everlasting joy and rest for though they have sorrow and trouble here and for a season be in heaviness through manifold Temptations yet their sorrow shall be turned into joy into everlasting joy which none shall take from them Their trouble shall be turned into rest and quietness and assurance for ever for the Lord Christ will recompence Tribulation to them that trouble his servants and to them that are troubled rest when he shall be revealed from Heaven with all his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God 2 Thes 1.6 7 8. And that his reward may be full together with everlasting life and rest he gives Thirdly Everlasting honour and glory they shall not have life and peace in a low estate but they shall be exalted to honour they shall not rest upon the Dunghil but upon the Throne for this is his promise Rev 3.21 To him that overcometh will I grant to set with me in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne Christ shall be King over Israel and they shall be next unto him at that great day when all Nations shall be gathered before him he shall separate them one from another he shall set the Sheep on his right hand but the Goats on the left Then shall the King say to them on the right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world Mat. 25.32 33 34. His reward is a Kingdom a Kingdome which cannot be moved and thus Christ is a mighty King in his rule and administration towards his servants Secondly Christ is mighty in his rule and administration towards his enemies which doth principally consist in two things both manifesting his mightinesse First Cohibition and restraint for when his enemies come forth full of fury and rage with full purpose of heart to destroy his people he put his hook in their Nose and his Bridle in their Lips so that they cannot act all the evil that is in their hearts though they do exert and put forth some hatred and wrath yet not all For the remainder of wrath he restraineth So that no more of their malice wrath and cruelty do or shall break forth then what he sees in his wisdom and faithfulness to be expedient and profitable for his servants to endure and this his administration do not extend only to the meaner sort of people but the high and mighty to the Kings of the Earth For he cuts off the Spirit of Princes so that their hands cannot perform their enterprize The Psalmist speaking of the beauty and glory of Sion saith Lo the Kings were assembled they passed by together they saw it and so they marvelled they were troubled and hasted away fear took hold upon them there and pain as of a woman in travel Psal 48.4 5 6. The King of Sion took away their spirit and courage yea this extends to the very Devils whom when he was in the flesh he restrained from hurting and tormenting and it is because of this part of the blessed rule and administration of Christ in Heaven that men and Devils whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil have not torn and devoured the whole flock of Christ upon Earth Secondly Destruction for as his hand shall be known towards his servants so his indignation towards his Enemies whom he will destroy though never so many and mighty The Psalmist prophecying of him and his administration towards his enemies saith Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a Potters vessel Psal 2.9 And Isaiah saith He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked Isa 11.4 Paul tells us That he shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God c. Yea the mightiness and severity of Christ in this respect is notably set forth by himself in the close of the Parable of the Noble-man Luke 19.27 But those mine enemies which would not that I should Reâ—gn over them bring hither and slay them before me And the one and greatest part of the Book of the Revelation do but acquaint us with the woes plagues and vials of wrath which he will poure forth upon his enemies the sum of all is Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and the Beast was taken and with him the false Prophet these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with Brimstone and the Remnant were slain with the sword of him that sate upon the Horse which sword proceeded out of his mouth and at last the Devil was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where the Beast and the false Prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever Rev 18.2 19 20 21. 20.10 So mighty and terrible will Christ be in the destruction of his enemies and thus he appears to be a mighty King Secondly Christ is a Mighty Priest far above all other Priests his mightinesse is manifest in this respect in several particulars First In the Dignity of his Person which I consider only with relation to his Priesthood for the Apostle being about to treat of Christ as a Priest first sets down the mightinesse and excellency of his person and the manner of his expressing particulars as who being the brightnesse of his glory c. and upholding all things by the word of his power do plainly shew that they have relation to what follow namely his Priest-hood therefore the Apostle to give evidence of his sufficiency for that great function doth first declare his power and greatnesse and speaking of his mightiness afterward as a Priest he layes much of it on the Dignity of his person Heb 4.14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God he is a mighty Priest in that he is the Son of God The same Apostle magnifies Christ the High Priest above those that the Law made upon this account Heb 7.28 The Law maketh men High Priests which have infirmity but the word of the Oath which was since the Law maketh the Son And he is the more excellent High Priest in that it is the Son who is made Secondly In the peculiarity of his Title he is not
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
persecution famine nakedness peril sword but in all these things they are more than Conquerours through him that loved them Rom. 8 33 34 35 37. And of this priviledge of the Lords people the Prophets have spoken eminently to be enjoyed in the Reigne of this Mighty One. David Psal 72.7 saith In his dayes shall the righteous flourish and abundance of peace so long as the Moone endureth Isaiah saith Behold a King shall reigne in righteousnesse and Princes shall rule in Judgement and a man shall be an hiding place from the winde and a covert from the Tempest c. Isa 32.1 2. Jeremy saith Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous branch and a King shall reigne and prosper In his dayes Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name whereby he shall be called The LORD our Righteousnesse Jer. 23.5 6. And to this agreeth also the Prophesie of Ezekiel which saith I will make with them a Covenant of peace and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the Land and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness and sleepe in the woods They shall be safe in their Land and shall know that I am the Lord when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them out of the hands of those that served themselves of them and they shall no more be a prey to the Heathen neither shall the beasts of the Land devoure them but they shall dwell safely and none shall make them afraid Ezek 34.25 27 28. Thirdly It shewes us the aggravation of the evâ—l of unbeliefe were Christ a meane weak one there might be some plea for unbeliefe the unbeleever might excuse himselfe saying I was afraid to trust him I durst not commit my soule body name estate and concernments into his hand but when a soul refuseth to beleeve on him who is declared and manifested as well by work as word to be so mâ—â—hty in every respect it is inexcusable The men of Nineveh who repented at the preaching of Jonas and the Queene of the South who came from the uttermost parts of the Earth to heare the wisdome of Solomon shall rise up in the Judgement with such and condemne them seeing a Greater than Jonah and Solomon is with them The Evangelist John mentioneth the wonderfull workes which Christ did among the Jewes as the Aggravation of their unbeliefe Joh. 12.37 Though he had done so many miracles before them yet they beleeved not on him Thence Christ is said to Vpbraid the Cities wherein most of his mighty workes were done because they repented not it being a greater evil in them not to repent than in others amongst whom Christ did not shew himselfe so mighty To heare and not to beleeve on Christ the Mighty Lord who speakes from heaven is that which makes unbeliefe to be such a mighty sinne Heb. 12.25 Fourthly It discovers a ground for the Saints Expectation of great things The Saints are in expectation of perfect Redemption and most glorious salvation to be wrought for them by Christ and there is good ground for it for besides the promise of God who is faithfull here is the Ability of Christ who is Mighty to performe the Fathers will Great ones use to be active The Mighty Kings and Princes of the Earth do not alwayes sit still only waite for opportunities for great and weighty undertakings This Mighty One the Lord Christ though he hath done great and marvellous things will shew himselfe yet more glorious than ever for he hath yet but begun to shew his servants his Greatness and his Mighty hand onely he waites till the set time be come and then he will arise and redeeme Israel from all his iniquities and troubles Psal 130.8 The Disciples of Christ who saw his might and power in the dayes of his flesh became expectants of great things to be done by him We trusted said the two Disciples speaking of Jesus of Nazareth a Prophet mighty in deed and word that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel Luke 24.19.21 The Apostles when Christ was assembled together with them asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore againe the kingdome to Israel Acts 1.4 6. His Answer was no check to their expectation but a reprehension of their over-curious affectation to acquaint themselves with the particular time in which they should behold the glorious accomplishment of so certaine a blessing And seeing this Mighty One is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Heb 8.1 his servants may expect that he will appeare in the presence of God for them yea that he shall appeare the second time without sin unto their evident and everlasting salvation Heb 9.28 Paul speaking of himselfe and other faithfull followers of Christ saith Phil. 3.20 21. Our conversation is in heaven from whence also we looke for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himselfe Fifthly For the discovery of false Christs The true Lord Christ hath told us that in the last dayes there shall arise false Christs as well as false Prophets Math. 24.24 And this doctrine doth informe us how to know them from the true The true Christ is thus mighty and it follows that others who are not so mighty whatsoever they may pretend are not the true Christ Therefore when false Christs shall arise and shall come and say I am Christ beleeve them not neither go after them but labour to know their power and not their speech onely 1 Cor. 4.19 for the kingdome of God is not in word but in power vers 20 whether they be mighty as the true Christ is And though they should shew signes and wonders to deceive you try whether they be equall with this Mighty One who thought it no robbery to be equall with God For though some may boast themselves and their mouths speak great swelling words of vanity yet their deficiency and insufficiency for such things as he did speak them to be false Christs and deceivers As there never did heretofore so there never will any one arise in every respect so mighty as Christ by which he may be knowne to be the true Christ from all others Vse 2. Of conviction to false worshippers who neglect and slight this Mighty One. First To the Jews who do not beleeve that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ the Messiah that was promised and the main plea which they have for their unbelief is because he did not appear to be so mighty as become the Saviour of the world he came not in worldly glory he had no stately Palace was not cloathed in Purple did not fare deliciously he was not in form and fashion like the mighty ones of the earth and therefore they expect and look