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
constraint but willingly for as the Apostle Phil. 2. observes he made himselfe so yea when worldly honour was offered him for the people would have made him a King Joh. 6.15 he refused it this was great self-denial to lay aside a crowne when he had it and to refuse it when it was offered speakes him one Mighty in this Grace Fourthly His patience he had greatest patience in greatest sufferings others were not so patient in lesser sufferings as he was in greatest The Prophet Isaiah sets him forth in his great sufferings and withall declares his incomparable patience Isaiah 53. which he ushers in with a yet yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he openeth not his mouth when he was reviled reviled not againe when he suffered he threatned not patience was perfect in him he was strengthened with all might unto All patience and long suffering with joyfulness yea the patience of Christ in his most grievous sufferings was so absolute that in all that his enemies tongues and hands could say or do this Servant of God did not sin so much as in word but offered the sacrifice of prayer and supplications with the sacrifice of himselfe for his persecutors he was Mighty in this Grace Fifthly His zeale he was earnest and fervent in Spirit against all evil and for that which was good he did cry aloud he spared not but lifted up his voice like a Trumpet and shewed the people their transgression he was full of zeale against the sins of the Scribes and Pharisees freely denouncing woes against them Math. 23. He was full of zeale against the prophanation and prophaners of the Temple he overthrew the money-changers and the seats of them that sold doves and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessell thorow the Temple Mark 11.15 16. Yea be made a scourge of small coards and he drove them all out of the Temple and said to them that sold doves take these things hence make not my fathers house an house of Merchandize And his Disciples remembred that it was written The zeale of thine house hath eâ—ten me up Sixthly His wisdome and understanding he was of quick and great understanding when he was but twelve yeares old all that heard him questioning and answering the Doctors were astonished at his understanding and Answers Luk. 2.47 He was wiser than all his Enemies they could never entangle him in his talke when he answered to any thing it was with such wisdome as they durst not ask him any more Questions and no man was able to answer him he was of so great understanding that he knew all mâ—n and needed not that any should testifie of man for he knew what was in man Joh. 2.24 25. Yea he knew their very thoughts Math. 12.25 Luke 6.8 He had as the School-men speak both Cognitionem matutinam verspertinam both a morning and evening knowledge he knew things in their Causes as well as in their natures and effects Seventhly His faithfulness was great without the least leaven of hypocrisie there was no guile found in his mouth neither was there any in his Spirit he was faithfull to his father he did his work and glorified his Name on Earth was faithfull to his Disciples he made knowne unto them all things that he had heard of his father Joh. 15.15 He acquainted them with sufferings as well as the Glory that should follow he reproved them for their evils as well as comforted them in their troubles he was faithfull to all doing good unto all men as he had opportunity Nineteenthly A mighty one in his works he was mighty in deed excellent in working his works as himselfe said did beare witness of him that he was some mighty one sent from God he hath declared his strength among the people His works were of two sorts First Spirituall and heavenly relating to the souls and spirits of men Secondly More externall and visible relating to the bodies of men and others and he was mighty in hoth sorts His works relating to the soules of men were chiefly First His preaching and teaching in which he was mighty even in his first Sermon on the Mount The people were astonished at his doctrine for he taught them as one having Authority and not as the Scribes Math. 7.28 29. Being in Galilee he taught in their Synagogues being Glorified of all He came to Nazareth and taught and all bare him witness and wondered at the Gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth he came downe to Capernaum and taught and they were astonished at his doctrine for his word was with power see Luke 4.14 15 16 22 31 32. To these may be added the Officers answer to the chiefe Priests and Pharisees when they said unto them Why have you not brought him Never man spake like this man Joh. 7.45 46. Neither did the word of Christ returne unto him void but did exceedingly prosper in the thing whereto it was sent many beleeved on him Joh. 4.41 Joh. 7.31 8.30 10.42 12.42 Secondly His Praying having received the spirit of Grace and Supplication without measure he must needs be mighty in prayer and so he was In the dayes of his flesh he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears Heb 5.7 Sometimes he prayed long Luke 6.12 He continued all night in prayer to God sometimes he prayed more earnestly Luke 22.44 and alwayes successefully For as a Mighty Prince he had power with God and ever prevailed God made him a King then bid him ask Ps 2.6 7 8. and indeed he prayed like a King like a mighty One as one in joynt Commission with his Father as one hath well observed John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am Thirdly His Baptizing John and Christs Disciples could but Baptize with water in his name he the master only was and is mighty to baptize with the holy Spirit This was that great and wonderfull thing which was made known to John that Christ should do which he was to observe as that wherein Christ excelleth all others as is manifest in the record of John John 1.32 33. John bear record saying I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a Dove and it abode upon him and I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit and upon this account John preferred him before himselfe Mat. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire He plainly declared him to be a mighty one in this respect This was that which he promised and
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
Christ did not many mighty works in his own Countrey because of their unbelief Math. 13.58 If thou dost not beleeve that he can and will help thou canst not expect he should help Secondly When they set about any work without his call The Lord hath been wont to help in those things he hath called his Servants to as might easily be made manifest in Moses Josuah Gideon David and others but when his People have run and he sent them not they have been without his help in such undertakings When the children of Israel would invade the Land of Canaan without Gods call they were smitten and discomfited Numb 14.44 45. And though Josiah was a good man yet going to fight against Pharaoh Necho contrary to the mind of God he dyed for it 2 Chron 35.20 21 22 23. They that act without Christs call are like to act without his help Thirdly When they undertake any work though never so good and excellent in at self in their own strength without engaging him to their help he helps them not as in the case of Peter it was a good work and much conducing to the honour of Christ which Peter undertook but trusting to his own strength Christ left him to miscarry in it John 13.37 38. Fourthly When the eyes of his people are upon some other besides him or when they joyn some other with him to help then he usually leaveth both him that helpeth and him that is holpen to fall together Isa 31.3 The Lord was Israels help when he was their God alone and none other with him Deut 32.12 The LORD alone did lead them and there was no strange God with him When the Spouse shall lean upon Christ her Beloved and upon other Lovers also then Christ withholdeth his help from her Fifthly When they have any sinister ends and aims in what they do for though the work be good yet if a mans end be bad Christ doth not usually further him in it as when a man in Preaching Praying or any part of Religion seeks not so much Christs honour as his own praise and profit he cannot expect neither doth he ordinarily receive such help from the Spirit of Christ therein They that seek not Christs things but their own shall not prosper Jer 10.21 Haggai 1.4 6 9. Sixthly When they refuse to be holpen by him Christs Servants are sometimes more especially in great dangers and straits and stand in need of his help and though Christ shew himself willing and ready to save and deliver them yet such is the folly and untowardnesse of their spirits that they will none of his help but rather chuse to suffer through walking in the wayes and imaginations of their own hearts than to be delivered in their hearkning to his counsel and submitting to his will and then no wonder Christ helps not this was the frame of spirit and sad condition of Jerusalem which Christ lamented over Jerusalem was in danger Christ would have holpen her but she would not Christ lets her alone and the issue is sad Matth. 23.37 38. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as an Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings and ye would not behold your house is left unto you desolate Quest What shall Gods people do when Christ helps not First Seriously consider and lay it to heart as a matter of greatest concernment and trouble to us So did Joshua when the Lord withheld his help from Israel Joshua 7.6 8. Josuah rent his cloathes and fell to the earth upon his face before the Ark of the LORD untill the even-tide he and the Elders of Israel and put dust upon their heads and Joshua said Alas O Lord God wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us would to God Hebr O that we had been content and dwelt on the other side Jordan Oh LORD what shall I say when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies We should look upon it as that wherein both God and his People suffer God suffers in his name when he doth not help his people His and their enemies blaspheme his name Sometimes they cast dirt upon his power saying The Lord cannot help nor save sometimes upon his goodnesse and mercy The Lord will not help sometimes upon his Truth and Faithfulnesse The Lord hath forgotten his people Hence saith Joshua What wilt thou do for thy great name And his people they must needs suffer when he with-draws his hand they are endangered and trampled upon by their enemies and the suffering of Gods Name and the distresses of his Servants must not seem a light thing in our eyes Nehemiah's frame and carriage under such a dispensation is worthy of imitation When he heard that the Remnant that were left of the Captivity were in great affliction and reproach that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates thereof burnt with fire he sat down and wept and mourned certain dayes and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven Neh 1.3 4. And this is that which Jerusalem lamented with much bitterness of spirit Lament 1.15 16. The Lord hath troden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me he hath called an Assembly against me to crush my young men the Lord hath troden the Virgin the Daughter of Judah as a Wine-presse For these things I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the Comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me It 's just matter of mourning and lamentation when the appointed helper and Saviour doth not help nor save Secondly They should diligently search out the cause and reason why Christ helps not For if the Lord cease to help his People there is some cause for such a dealing as there is for what evil soever the Lord bring upon them Ezek. 14.23 And when the Lord slacks his hand concerning the help of his Servants it s their present work and duty to look narrowly about them and in them to find out the cause thereof When the Lord denyed Israel his help against the men of Ai he told them the cause of it There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee O Israel and commanded and directed them to seek and they found it out Achan was taken and the Silver and the Garment and the wedge of Gold his Sons Daughters Asses Sheep Tent and all that he had and they stoned him and burned them with fire Joshua 7. This was part of Jobs work in his affliction to find out the cause of it and that he might know it he begs of God to shew him wherefore he contended with him Job 10.2 Thus did David also in his distresse Psa 22.1 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me why art thou so far from helping me And we find the Faithful in their
in the earth so that when a Mâ—ghty Spirit of Prayer goes forth to engage Christ to help he is not far from the help of his People Fourthly When they beleeve on him strongly when Gods servants have reacht out an hand of faith towards him he hath lifted up his hand to help them Abraham beleeved strongly and the Lord did help him greatly Jehoshaphat Asa David and others relyed on the Lord and were holpen in the time of their troubles the three servants of God mentioned Dan 3. were of great faith and Christ helped them so that the fire burnt them not neither could the flame kindle upâ—n them yea as many as ever came to Christ for help either for body or soul especially all such as were of great faith received it and surely when the People of God stagger not at the Promise of help but are strong in faith notwithstanding many difficulties and natural impossibilities before them the Performance thereof is at hand Rom. 4.20 Fifthly When they walk before him faâ—thfully nor doing their own nor others but his will When the Servants of God of old did walk in their integrity serving their Generations according to the will of God he helped them and made their wayes prosperous but when they did put forth their hands unto iniquity the LORD was not with them There is none can expect that God should meet them in a way of mercy and help but such as work righteousnesse and all such may Isa 64.5 they can confidently pray for help in time of need as David did Psal 119.173 Let thine hand help me for I have chosen thy precepts Christ promised and gave forth his help to his servants when they were working his work in the simplicity and sincerity of their souls see his promise Math. 28.19 20. Go ye teach all Nations baptâ—zing them in or unto the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world So also Luke 21.12 13 14 15. See likewise his performance of his good word to them in their Preaching Disputing Writing Gal 2.8 Acts 6.10 Acts 11.21 2 Cor. 10.10 And certainly as many as shall be faithfull to him in the work whereunto he calls them shall receive a sufficiency of help to carry them through it Sixthly When they use appointed means dil gently doing neither more nor lesse nor any other thing than what God requireth of them When the Lord of old had a urpose to help and save his People in an eminent way he was wont to set them about doing something and sometimes that which was very unlikely as to outward appearance to further his intended work yet when they were diligent in it they were wonderfully helped as might be shewn at large so when Christ is in the way of the help and salvation of his people he requireth something that might seem a weak foolish thing for them to do which may seem in their eyes to be rather to their hurt than help yet they ought to be found using of it and therein may expect Assistance from him When there was want of wine at the Marriage in Cana of Galilee the Mother of Jesus said unto the servants Whatsoever he saith unto you do it which then they did they were helped by him John 2. When the Disciples despairing of success having toiled all the night and taken nothing had given over fishing for that time and were washing their Nets he said to Simon Lanch out into the deep and let down your Nets for a draught at his word they did so and when they had this done they inclosed a great multitude of fishes Luke 5.4 5. Seventhly When enemies speak proudly act highly and seem to bear down all before them being most secure and confident in their wayes then Christ is not far from the help of his People The Lord hath said by the mouth of his Prophet Isa 59.19 When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a Standard against him It was so of old when Pharaoh was most proud and confident and said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw the sword my hand shall destroy them then the Lord appeared for the help of his People against Pharaoh and all his Host Exod. 15.8 as he did in Jehoshaphats time when multitudes came against them 2 Chron 20. as also in Nehemiah's dayes when the Adversaries said They shall not know neither see till we come in the midst among them and slay them and cause the work to cease Neh 4.11 12 15. And as it was heretofore so it shall be hereafter For when Babylon saith in her heart I sit a Queen and am no widdow and shall see no sorrow Then shall Christ the King of Sion throw her down with violence like a great Milstone into the Sea never to rise again destroying her in a day Rev 18.7 8.21 and so free his Servants from all their oppressions when men and Devils are raging Christ will be helping Thus I have answered the Question by these seaven Particulars which I desire may be considered joyntly for when these things concurre when both the case and carriage of Gods People as also of their Enemies is or shall be as hath been mentioned help is at hand they may then look up and Lift up their heads for their Redemption draweth nigh as Luke 21.28 Quest. What VSE should we make of this Answ I. It is for Our INSTRVCTION in Four Things First It shews the Original and first cause of Gods Servants help namely the LORD For as their affliction so their help cometh not forth out of the dust but from above from the most High God And as it is the choice priviledge of Gods People to find help in time of need so it is their duty and great advantage to know and consider from whence it cometh And this Doctrine is an help to them therein this did David Psal 121.1 2. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help My help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth whosoever be the Instruments whatsoever be the means help is from God alone all Saviours and Salvations are from him To this agreeth part of the Levites confession of Gods goodnesse to Israel Nehem 9.27 According to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them Saviours who saved them out of the hand of their Enemies Secondly It shews a sufficient ground and reason of the faith and hope that is in the Saints for help from Christ in time of need He is mighty to help but that is not all it is the will and ordination of God that he should help He was both anointed and appointed thereunto Isa 42.1 6 7. 61.1 2 3. Not onely anointed and enabled but appointed also
28.29 This did David Psal 74.22 saying Arise O God plead thy own cause As also Luther who was wont to say when the Cause of God was low in his hand It is Gods Cause let him look to it Sixthly Commit YOUR OWN CAUSE to him Other Mighty ones may be neglect and condemn your Righteous Cause this Mighty One the Lord Christ who is higher than the highest regardeth and pleadeth the Cause of his People yea he will throughly plead their cause In confidence of this grace of God the Church of old resolving to be quiet under the present dispensation committed her cause to the Lord as appears from those words recorded Micah 7.8 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him untill he plead my Cause and execute judgement for me he will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousnesse then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me Where is the Lord thy God When Davids enemies digged pits for his soul and rejoyced over him wrongfully and devised deceitfull matters against them that were quiet in the Land and opened their mouth wide against him saying Aha aha our eye hath seen it He committed his cause to the Lord Psal 35.22 23. This thou hast seen O Lord keep not silence O Lord be not far from me stir up thy selfe and awake to my judgement even unto my cause my God and my Lord. Thus did Jeremy also when his enemies devised devices against him Jeremy 11.20 20.10 11 12. Let then the upright Ones of the earth when they are oppressed and wronged by the wicked of the world be of good cheer and not faint in their minds but commit all to the Lord Jesus Christ who is Mighty to clear and justifie them and to take vengeance for them Seventhly Commit your WORK to him All your work and way especially your difficult work wherein you most need his help look for it God hath appointed him to be an help and he is free to help yea to work all your works in you and FOR you Isa 26.12 Eighthly Commit your CONDITIONS to him Yea let all both the Wicked and the Righteous both Sinners and Saints commit their conditions to him I. SINNERS Commit your Conditions to him that you may not perish in your iniquities he onely can help you First There is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby you can be saved Acts 4.12 Neither is there need of any other forasmuch as he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Heb. 6.7 And therefore hasten away from the Devil world and your own selves and all vanities lest they be your ruine and commit your Conditions to him and you shall find help and healing of all your wounds and in the end everlasting life Acts 13.38 39. Secondly Are you laden with sin so that you cannot look up with any confidence or cheerfulnesse of spirit Psal 40.12 Despair not do not say There is hope as Jer 2.25 Christ hath both power to forgive and destroy sin his blood can cleanse from all sin Mat. 11.28 1 John 1.7 9. His Spirit can crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts Rom. 8.11 13. Thirdly Are you ignorant of the way of salvation Do you sit in great darkness God hath given him to be a Light to the Gentiles to open the blind eyes Isa 42.6 7. and he can make you that are darknesse light in the Lord as those in Eph 5.8 him self hath said That he is the light of the world and he that followeth him shall not walk in darknesse but shall have the light of Life John 8.12 Fourthly Are you the Devils Captives and Slaves to do his will Jesus Christ can deliver you from that servitude also he can turn you as he hath others from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26.18 to be his Servants and Sons blessed for ever Yea however it is with you he can help you therefore to day while it is called to day while he tenders his help and salvation do not neglect it lest hereafter when you call and cry to him for it he refuse to hear you at all Heb 2.3 3.7 11. Prov 1.22 23 24. II. SAINTS Commit your Conditions to him also your most afflictive Conditions Cast all your burthens upon him according to that word Psal 5.22 Cast thy burthen upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee I. Commit your OVTWARD CONDITIONS to him all your bodily concernments and troubles As First Your Reproach he is mighty to roll it away Jos 5.9 And he will assuredly bring forth the righteousnesse of his people as the light and their judgement as the noon day Psal 37.6 Secondly Your Poverty and low estate as it is said Psal 10.14 The poor committeth himself to thee thou art the helper of the fatherlesse It is the work of this Mighty One to deliver the needy when he cryeth the poor also and him that hath no helper Psal 72.12 Thirdly Your oppressions and persecutions he can deliver from them he can and will burst every band and take off every yoke and also break in pieces the oppressor Psal 72.4 II. Commit your INWARD SPIRITVAL Conditions to him First All the troubles and burthens of your spirits which are most heavy and hard to bear as it is written A wounded spirit who can bear Prov 18.14 Make use of the arm of Christ which he stretcheth out for your help your souls support and salvation and come to him according to his gracious invitation all you that are weary and heavy laden and he will give you rest Mat. 11. at the end and you shall find help in every time of need Heb 4. Secondly Are you such as the Devil tempteth and thrusts sore against that you might fall Commit that condition to Christ that he may be your helper therein forasmuch as he is appointed of God and in that himself hath suffered being tempted is able to succour them that are tempted Heb 2.18 And to keep you from falling Jude 24. Thirdly Have you been overcome by the Tempter Still look unto Christ who is mighty to recover you out of the snare of the Devil to raise you up again 1 Joh. 3.8 Fourthly Are you men and women of sorrowfull spirits and full of heavinesse Lye at the feet of him whom God hath sent to comfort all that mourn to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse Isa 61.2 3. Fifthly Do you find a Combate within you the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh so that you are hindred from doing the good you would Gal. 5.17 and sometimes brought into captivity to the Law of sin that you even cry out like wretched undone men Who shall deliver us from the body of this
death Rom 7.19 23 24. Commit this condition to Christ also who is able to subdue your corruptions and to set your souls above your lusts and to make you as he did Paul victorious over all evil so that you shall say with him in the like condition We thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom 7.25 1 Cor 15.57 USE Put your selves into Christs service There are TWO THINGS usually discourage souls from Christs worke the Mightinesse of Christ to help doth encourage against both First DIFFICVLTY Christs service is apprehended to be hard and difficult and the soul that is sometimes somewhat inclined to it doth ordinarily put it off with these or the like arguings I cannot perform it if I should undertake it if I should profess Christ I shall not hold fast my profession but dishonour him by apostacy if I should name his Name and not depart from iniquity I had better make no mention of him I know I shall never be able to pray as others do nor so to learn nor understand the Mysteries of the Kingdome nor to deny my self and forsake all for Christ and therefore I had as good abide aâ— I am and not mind things that are TOO high and HARD for me You know what Answer Christ made to his Disciples in the like case Math. 19.26 With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible And though of your selves as of your selves you are not sufficient for the least of those things 2 Cor. 3.6 yet through the help of Christ you may perform them all he can make the dullest to understand and the weakest mighty to do his will and it is his work to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees and to make them that are of a fearfull heart bold and strong yea he performeth all things for his Servants And thus through Christ strengthning of them they experience his burthen to be light and his yoke easie Mat. 11.29 Therefore let not the thoughts nor fears of difficulty hold any off from Christs service seeing he is so able to help Secondly The other Discouragement DANGER He that engageth in Christs work heartily and throughly exposeth himself to danger as some men count danger his Name Liberty Estate and Life it self is in danger of being lost and the consideration of these things keeps off many from professing and serving Christ according to his pure and glorious Gospel But to Answer But what though dangers be many and great it is enough to encourage to his work that Jesus Christ is a Great One and a Saviour mighty to help and deliver in and out of dangers it was dangerous in the eyes of men for Shadrach Meshach and Abednego not to worshâ—p the Golden Image which Nebuchadnezzar the King sat up as the generality of the people did for they were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace and yet they were safe there having the Son of God with them who did so keep them that they had no hurt Dan 3. It was dangerous for Daniel contrary to the Kings Decree to pray three times a day his Windows being open in his Chamber towards Jerusalem for he was cast into the Lions den and yet he was safe there God sent his Angel and shut the Lions mouths so that no manner of hurt was found upon him Dan 6.10 It was dangerous also for Esther to go in to the King contrary to Law And yet it made way both for her own and her peoples preservation and safety It was dangerous likewise for the Apostles and primitive Saints to preach and practise contrary to the commands of the Rulers and customes of the people And yet Jesus Christ being with them according to his promise to help and strengthen them in their work they did wonderfully prevaile and prosper as in Acts 4.18 19 20 29. Acts 5.17 18 19 20-28 29-38 40 41 42. Therefore let not feare of danger hinder any from yeelding up themselves to the service of Christ And you that are so carefull to avoyd danger consider that you bring your selves into the greatest danger by declining his work While you seek to save your selves you loose your souls and selves While you study to escape the danger of mans hatred and wrath you fall into danger of the displeasure of the most high God yea into danger of eternal Damnation Math 16.25 26. Mark 8 34-38 VSE of CAVTION Take heed you do not abuse this Doctrine of the help of Christ. First That you be not idle and negligent It was never the purpose of the Father in his Appointment of Christ to help nor yet of Christ in his willingness and readiness thereunto to exempt his people from any duty but to strengthen and encourage them against every difficulty therein Christs help is not to indulge the flesh but to quicken the dull spirits of his servants Yea the Doctrine of the help of Christ is so farre from being a principle of loosness and slothfulness as that it engageth and worketh up the soules of those that do understand it aright unto a faithfull vigorous and cheerfull performance of the will of God And indeed Christs help doth suppose as his peoples weakness so their willingness and diligence The help of another doth imply that he that is holpen is exercised and doing what he can in his businesse And therefore when Christ is helping be you a working lest you provoke him to anger through your slothfulness for the same Lord Jesus Christ who helpeth the weak and willing will condemne the slothfull servant Math 25.26 This is not spoken to deject those that are grieved and would grieve more for their own slothfulness Secondly That you do not lâ—mit Christ It was the Jewes fault of old for which God was so angry with them They limited the holy one of Israel Psal 78. therefore do not limit this Mighty one and his help at all First Not to MEANS that either he must help by this or that means by this or that person or persons or else not at all This is too usuall among men Naaman will prescribe meanes and limit Elisha to them to accomplish the cure of his Leprosie He was wroth and said Behold I thought he will surely come out to me and stand and call upon the Name of the Lord his God and stroke his hand over the place and recover the Leper Are not Abana and Pharpar rivers of Damascus better than all the Rivers of Israel may I not wash in them and be clean 2 Kings 5.11 12. This was also Moses's fault God bade him speak to the Rock and he neglected that and instead thereof he smote it twice Numb 20.8 11. And surely iâ— is very dishonourable to Christ and unbecoming Saints to limit him to means that can help by what he pleaseth and hath usually holpen and saved his people by weak and foolish things and things