The Mighty Christ the Saints Help, Part 5

The Mighty Christ the Saints Help · Part 5

p. 60His 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 p. 61fleſh 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. p. 6211. 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 accordingly accompliſhed to, and upon his Diſciples, to the aſtoniſhment and amazement of all, Acts 1.5. with Acts 2. from 1. to 13. verſ.

Fourthly, His conference; he had many conferences with very acute and ſubtil adverſaries, and he overcame them all, with the chief Prieſts and the Elders, Math. 21. They could not anſwer him, verſ. 27. with the Diſciples which the Phariſees ſent unto him with the Herodians, after they had taken council how they might intangle him in his talk; the iſſue was, when they had heard his anſwer to their ſubtil Queſtion, they marvelled and left him, and went their way, Matth: 22.22. The ſame day the Sadduces came and put a Queſtion to him, and when the multitude heard his anſwer, they were aſtoniſhed at his Doctrine, verſ. 33. The Phariſees hearing that he had put the Sadduces to ſilence, gathered together, and one of them which was a Lawyer, asked him a queſtion, which he anſwered, and when the Phariſees were gathered together p. 63he asked them a queſtion, and no man was able to anſwer him a word, neither durſt any man (from that day forth) ask him any more queſtions, verſ. 34. to the end of the Chap: The Ruler of the Synagogue fell upon him with great indignation becauſe of his healing on the Sabbath day, whom when he had anſwered, all his adverſaries were aſhamed, and all the people rejoyced for all the glorious things that were done by him, Luke 13, 15, ad 18. And conferring with the Lawyers and Phariſees about his healing on the Sabbath day; it is recorded, They held their peace, they could not anſwer him again to theſe things, Luke 14.4, 6. We may ſee alſo how mighty he was in his conferences with the Jews, John 8. and 10. Chapters; and alſo with the Devil, the ſubtilleſt enemy, whoſe ſeveral Temptations he anſwered by Scripture; and the concluſion of all was, The Devil leaveth him, and behold Angels came and miniſtred unto him, Mat. 4.1. ad 11. verſ. More need not be added to ſhew that he was mighty in Conference.

Secondly, He was mighty in his works reſpecting the bodies of men, and others which will appear in ſeverall particulars.

Firſt, In the nature and kind of them his works were not common, and ordinary, p. 64but ſpecial and extraordinary; and therefore it is ſaid, He did mighty works, wrought miracles and wonders among the people, works above, and beyond the conſtituted order of Nature, and he wrought not only mighty works as they are diſtinguiſhed from the common works of others, but as they are diſtinguiſhed from the mighty works and miracles of others, therefore the people aſtoniſhed, cryed out, What wiſdome is this that is given him, that even ſuch mighty works are wrought by his hands? Mark. 6.2. He caſt out Devils; we never read of any before Chriſt, that caſt out Devils, (though ſome other miracles they did) therefore when he caſt out a Devil, the multitudes marvelled, ſaying, It was never ſo ſeen in Iſrael, Matth. 9.33. He opened the eyes of one born blind, and (as the man ſaid) Since the world began it was not heard, that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind, John 9.32. He healed ſuch diſeaſes as other Phyſitians could not, the woman that had the iſſue of blood twelve years, after ſhe had ſuffered many things of many Phyſitians, and had ſpent all that ſhe had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worſe; ſhe did but come behind Jeſus and touch him, and ſtraightway the fountain of her blood was dryed up, and ſhe felt in her body p. 65that ſhe was healed of that plague, Mark 5.25, 26, 27, 28. When the Lunatick child, whom the Diſciples could not cure, was brought to Chriſt, he rebuked the Devil, and he departed out of him, and the child was cured from that very hour, Mat. 17, 15, 16, 18. He did among the people the works which none other did, John 15. 24. and he is a mighty One that can do that which others of great skill and power cannot do.

Secondly, In the multitude of them, he did many mighty works, many miracles, others before wrought a few, Moſes a few, Elijah and Eliſha a few by anothers power, but Chriſt wrought many, healed multitudes of ſick perſons, all manner of ſickneſſes and diſeaſes among the people. If I ſhould enumerate the miracles written which Jeſus did, they would appear to be many, and yet he did many more than are written, it is ſaid John 21.25. at the cloſe of the hiſtory of the life of Chriſt, There are alſo many other things which Jeſus did, the which if they ſhould be written, every one, I ſuppoſe that even the world it ſelf could not contain the Books that ſhould be written. Of thoſe things which are written that he did, moſt of them are wonders, or elſe have wonders in them (as I have in part, and ſhall further make to p. 66appear) Now if we count him a mighty one, that doth a few great things in his life time, now and then a wonder, how mighty muſt he needs be, whoſe miracles are more than all the other actions of his life? the multitude of his miracles ſpeak him to be a mighty One, according to that of the people, recorded concerning him, John 7.31. Many of the people believed on him, and ſaid; When Chriſt c…meth, will he do more miracles than theſe which this man hath done?

Thirdly, In the variety of them, not a multitude of miracles of one kind, as to heal multitudes of one diſeaſe only, but he healed all manner of ſickneſs and all manner of diſeaſe among the people.

foreign, Diſeaſes, as blindneſs, witheredneſs, lameneſs, fevers, dropſies.

foreign, Languiſhings, weakneſſes, conſumptions, diſeaſes which are not ſo painful, as waſteful of the body.

foreign, Tortures, wracks, aches, convulſions, palſies, lunacy, painful diſeaſes; and he did not onelyonly heal all diſeaſes, but he alſo raiſed the dead, caſt out Devils gave ſight to the blind, rebuked and ſtilled the winds, turned water into wine, walked on the Sea, fed thouſands with a few Loaves, and it cannot be ſaid of Chriſt, he was only exc…llent and eminent in ſome one thing, p. 67but he was mighty in every thing; the variety of his miracles is a very cleer demonſtration of his mightineſſe.

Fourthly, In the celerity and ſpeedineſs of them; he did them ſwiftly, ſuddenly, he healed diſeaſes immediately, when he bad them ariſe, they aroſe preſently; the Evangeliſts have obſerved and recorded it, as that which adds glory to Chriſts miracles of healing, and other works, that he did them ſo quickly; many being healed the ſame Hour that he undertook their cure in, as is evident, Math. 8.13. Math. 9.22. Math. 17.18. The blind immediately received ſight, the lame immediately roſe up and walked, the crooked were immedately made ſtraight, Devils came immediately out of thoſe that were poſſeſſed, he ſtilled the winds on a ſudden, he curſed the fig-tree, and it preſently withered away; yea, it is ſaid, In the ſame Hour he cured many of their infirmities, plagues, and of evil ſpirits, and unto many that were blind, he gave ſight, Luke 7.21. Chriſt did not take a week, month, or half a years time to heal in, (as others do and yet famous) but what he did, he did quickly, and how mighty an One muſt he needs be, who works miracles ſo ſpeedily?

Fifthly, In the facility of them, they were eaſie.

p. 68Firſt, In reſpect of the Agent, Chriſt himſelf, his mighty works were not hard nor grievous, but eaſie to him, he did them without pain, or toyl to himſelf, for he did ordinarily heal and work other miracles by ſpeaking a word or two, by touching of perſons, difficulties were not difficulties to him, but were his paſtime and pleaſure; for it was his delight, and his meat to do the will of him that ſent him; he is a mighty One who doth ſuch mighty things ſo eaſily.

Thirdly, In reſpect of the ſubject upon whom he wrought any wonderfull works, when he healed others, he did not (as the manner of other eminent ones is) put them to great, nor yet to any pain in order to their cure, but forthwith freed them from their preſent pains, yea, their very healing was without pain, which ſets up his mightineſſe above mans.

Sixthly, In his conſtant fitneſſe and readineſſe to do them, when ever he had any call, however he did ſeem to be diſtracted with much buſineſſe, he was alwayes ready and prepared for the work he was called to; he never ſent any away uncured, unhealed, never excuſed himſelf, ſaying, I am now buſie, come ſome other time; he did not ſo much as make any delay to do for them, p. 69according to their deſire (only he ſometimes took occaſion to try, and commend the faith of ſome) no time was untimous to him, when people came to him. After he had been teaching his Diſciples upon the Mount (without queſtion ſome conſiderable ſpace of time) when he was come down great multitudes followed him, & he healed the Leper, the Centurians ſervant, and Peters wives mother, and having ſpent the day in working, when the Evening was come, they brought unto him many that were poſſeſſed with Devils, and he did not ſo much as defer it till the morning, but he then caſt out the ſpirits with his Word, and healed all that were ſick, Matth. 8.16.

Seventhly, In the viſibility and publickneſſe of them, many of his works being wrought before multitudes, he was not of a cowardly and fearfull ſpirit, he did not chooſe to work them in a corner, or in ſome private place (though he wrought ſome privately as he had occaſion) but openly in the chief publick places, in Cityes, as Corazin, Bethſaida, yea in Jeruſalem, that great and famous City, in the Synagogues, and in the Temple, whether the Jews alwayes reſorted, ſee Matth. 21.14. In the preſence of the Scribes and Phariſees, Luke 5.21, 25. Even when the Scribes and Phariſees p. 70were watching him, Looking round about them all, he ſaid unto the man which had the withered hand, Stretch out thy hand, and he did ſo, and his hand was reſtored whole as the other, Luke 6.6, 10. He oft healed and caſt out Devils in the preſence of the multitude, he turned water into wine publickly at a marriage feaſt in Cana of Galilee. And to this agreeth Peters deſcription of him to the Jews in his exhortation to them, Acts 2.22. Ye men of Iſrael hear theſe words, Jeſus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by Miracles, wonders, and ſignes, which God did by him in the midſt of you, as ye your ſelves alſo know.

Eighthly, In the opportuneneſs and ſeaſonableneſs of them, being alwaies ſuitable to occaſions offered, as may be ſeen in ſome inſtances; in the miracle of feeding five thouſand and more with five loaves and two fiſhes, it was when they were hungry, for they had continued with Chriſt three dayes, when they had nothing to eat, and when they were in the Wilderneſſe, and could not tell how to get any, and it was when it was evening, and the time to return paſt, then Chriſt works a miracle, Math. 14.15, 16, &c. Math. 15.32, 33. He rebuked the winds and the ſea, it was when there was a great tempeſt in the ſea, inſomuch that the ſhip was covered with waves, yea, the waves p. 71did beat into the ſhip, ſo that it was now full, and the Diſciples were in jeopardy, Math. 8.24. Mark 4.37. Luke 8.23. He raiſed Lazarus, it was when ſome of the Jews ſaid, Could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind, have cauſed that even this man ſhould not have dyed? and after Lazarus had been dead four dayes he turned water into wine, it was when they wanted wine, when the mother of Jeſus ſaid unto him, They have no wine, John 2.3.

Ninthly, In the ſubjects of them.

Firſt, In the largeneſs & unlimittedneſs of them; he wrought his miracles almoſt upon all ſorts and kinds of Creatures, as Devils, Men, Beaſts, Fiſhes, Sun, Earth, Aire, Water, Stones, Trees, as might be ſhewed, which plainly manifeſt that all Creatures were in his power. And Chriſt Jeſus was (if I may ſo ſay) indifferent upon what Creature he wrought his miracles, whether upon Man, Beaſt, or Devil, Sea, or Land, ſtrongeſt or weakeſt, it was all one to Chriſt, his power was not bound to this or that particular ſubject, but did extend it ſelf to all the Creatures, to the living as well as the dead; to the mightieſt, reſiſting, raging Devils, as well as to the moſt feeble, fearful, and ſubmitting men and women.

Secondly, In their unrulineſſe in themſelves, and towards others, as the Winds, p. 72the Seas yeelded to him, which made the men marvel, ſaying, What manner of man is this, that even the Wind and Sea obey him? Math. 8.27. Yea, Legions, many fierce unruly Devils ſubmitted themſelves to him, ſuch as no man could bind, no not with Chains, neither could any man tame; though they were unruly in r…ſpect of others, yet not unruly when Chriſt came to deal with them, which ſhews Chriſt to be a Mighty One.

Thirdly, In their utter indiſpoſition unto his works; he wrought his miracles of healing upon pe…ſons that had their diſeaſes a long time; he healed a woman that had an iſſue of blood twelve years; he healed another woman that had a ſpirit of infirmity eighteeen years; as alſo a man that had an infirmity thirty eight years; theſe by the long continuance of their diſeaſes were the more unfitted for healing; he gave ſight to a man that was born blind, greatly ind…ſpoſed to the receiving of fight; he cured a man that had Devils a long time, Luke 8.27. He raiſed Lazarus when he had been dead four dayes, altogether indiſpoſed to live again; and the greater indiſpoſition is in the ſubject unto the work, the greater is the power of the Agent that performeth it.

p. 73Tenthly, In the perfection and compleatneſſe of them, what he did, he did perfectly; The man ſick of the Palſie, aroſe, took up his Bed and went before them all, inſomuch that they were all amazed, Mark 2.12. As many as touched the hem of his garment were made perfectly whole, Math. 14.36. He rebuked the Winds and the Sea, and there was a great calm, Matth. 8.26. He reſtored the mans withered hand whole as the other, Matth. 12.13. He filled five thouſand men, beſides women and children, with five Loaves and two Fiſhes, and they took up of the fragments that remained, twelve Baskets full, Matth. 14.19, 20, 21. He healed the man that had an impediment in his ſpeech, and he ſpake plain, Mark 7.35. The woman that was bowed together was made ſtraight, Luke 13.13. He turned water not only into wine, but into good wine, John 2.10. The perfection of the work ſpeaks forth the might and excelency of the Agent.

Eleventhly, In the conſtancy of ſucceſs; he ever brought to paſs what he undertook, he was no fooliſh builder who began, and was not able to finiſh: The hands of other m…ghty ones have not been able ſomtimes to perform their enterprize; the Diſciples ſometimes could not cure the diſeaſed, but Chriſt healed all that were brought; we never heard of any thing too p. 74hard for him, but whatſoever he did, proſpered; and indeed Chriſt never doubted of ſucceſs in his undertakings; he ſaith to the Leper crying to him, Lord, if thou wilt thou canſt make me clean, I will, be thou clean. Chriſt did not tell them that came to him, That he would do the beſt he could, or the like, but he forthwith healed them all; ſurely he is a Mighty One who is conſtantly ſucceſſeful in great undertakings.

Twelfthly, In the faith of thoſe upon whom, and for whoſe ſake he wrought his works, they did beleeve that he was able to do them for them, and ſo they magnified him by believing. If thou wilt, thou canſt make me clean, ſaith the Leper, Matth. 8.2. But ſpeak the word only, and my ſervant ſhall be healed, ſaith the Centurion, at which Chriſt marvelled, ſaying, I have not found ſo great faith, no not in Iſrael, Matth. 8.10. The woman with the iſſue of blood ſaid within her ſelf, If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I ſhall be whole, Math. 9.21. The men of Geneſaret beſought him, That their diſeaſed might only touch the hem of his Garment. Chriſt ſaith to the wom…n of Canaan, O woman, Great is thy faith. They had ſuch faith as put them upon the uſe of any means to bring their ſick to him; ſometimes that unuſall way of coming in at the p. 75top of the houſe, ſo they brought the man ſick of the Palſie, Luke 5.18, 19, 20. When Jeſus ſaw their faith, he ſaid unto him, Man thy ſins are forgiven thee.

Thirteenthly, In the time of their performance, it was the time of his humiliation, when he was in his loweſt eſtate, when he was (if I may ſo ſay) at the weakeſt; before he was glorified, he wrought Miracles, ſome when he was apprehended, ſome when he was on the Croſſe, ſome when he died: when he was weake he was ſtrong, and if he were ſo Mighty in his abaſement, in the day of ſmall Things? how mighty is he now he is in glory?

Fourteenthly, In his ſoleneſs, and helpleſneſs in the effecting of them, he did them by his own hand, and power, he did them alone, and of the people there was none with him to help him, and indeed he needed not the help of any man, for though they were great, and mighty works which he undertooke, yet his own Arme was ſufficient for the performance of them; ſo mighty was he as to effect that alone, and of himſelfe, which others with all their helpers could not.

Fifteenthly, In the meaneneſs of the meanes by which he wrought them, as by a word of his mouth, as God did his works p. 76in the beginning ſo Chriſt did his; God ſaid, Let there be light, and there was light; let there be a Firmament in the midſt of the waters, and there was ſo; ſo Chriſt to the ſicke, Take up thy bed, and walke, and he did ſo; he ſaid to the Seas be ſtill, and they were ſo: to the Devils, come out, and they came out; to the dead, come forth, and they came forth; ſometimes by a touch of his hand, ſometime by the patients touching but the Hem of his Garment; he made the blind man to ſee by anointing his eyes with clay, Joh. 9. And with ſuch like inconſiderable meanes he wrought wonders. The meanneſs of the meanes ſpeak forth the mightineſs of the Agent.

Sixteenthly, In the Effects, in Generall, the good of them upon whom they were wrought; the miracles of ſome tended to the hurt of others, as thoſe of Moſes upon the Egyptians; Elijahs, 2 Kings 1. Peters, Acts 5. It is a very conſiderable difference between the miracles wrought by Chriſt, and thoſe wrought by others, that Chriſt never hurted, nor deſtroyed others by his workes; he came not to deſtroy mens lives, but to ſave them; And it is a greater thing to ſave than to deſtroy.

More particularly; we finde that many marvelled; Many beleeved on him when they p. 77ſaw the miracles which he did, Joh. 2.23. When he had raiſed Lazarus, many of the Jews which had ſeene the things which Jeſus did, Beleeved on him, Joh. 11.45. When Chriſt came into the Ship, and the winde ceaſed, they that were in the Ship, came and worſhipped him, ſaying, Of a Truth, thou art the Son of God, Math. 14.32, 33. So when the Centurion, and thoſe that were with him, watching Jeſus, ſaw the Earth-quake and thoſe things that were done, ſaid, Truly this was the Son of God, Math, 27.54. In a word, God was glorified, Math. 9.8. Math. 15.31. Luke 7.16. Luke 23.47. And Chriſt was glorified of all, Luke 4.15. And this was the End of God in ſending his Son to worke miracles, that his Son might be glorified; according to the words of Chriſt, when he heard that Lazarus was ſicke, Joh. 11.4. This ſickneſs is not unto death, but for the glory of God: That the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Seventeenthly, In his ſelf-deniall, and humility in his mightieſt workes; for the weake to be humble is not much as for the mighty to be humble, ſuch as heale all diſeaſes, caſt out Devils, and do many wonderfull workes; to be humble in theſe things is to be mighty, ſuch are mightier in this, then in all the reſt of their mighty acts; ſome who p. 78have been mighty to worke miracles, have not attained to be humble, and ſelf-denying in their greateſt performances; And herein was the excellency, and mightines of Chriſt to be ſeene, that he did more, and greater works than any, and yet was more humble, and ſelf denying than any; which doth further appeare.

Firſt, In that he did not ſeek his own honour and Glory, Joh. 8.50. When he had wrought a miracle, and the people would have taken him by force to have made him a King, he departed into a Mountaine himſelfe alone, Joh. 6.15. Yea he did rather obſcure, than ſeek his own Glory, in that he charged divers whom he healed, that they ſhould tell no man, Math. 8.4. Mark 7.36. Mark. 8.26. Luke 8.56. What ever other ends Chriſt might have in this prohibition, it plainly ſpeaks that he was not deſirous of vainglory.

Secondly, In that he ſought not his own profit, he did none of his mighty workes for money, he had no deſigne to enrich himſelfe by his workes, he ſought not Theirs, but them, he did not ask them, what they would give him, and he would heale them; he did not ſay for ſo much I will heale thee of thy Leproſie; for ſo much I will caſt out the uncleane Spirit, &c. Chriſt had an heart free from the deſire and p. 79love of money, and we never reade that ever he received any from any man for any thing he did; This Mighty One was above gifts, and Rewards from men.

Twentithly, Mighty in his Victories, he had many Adverſaries, and met with much oppoſition, yet he overcame All, ſo he ſaith of himſelfe, Rev. 3.21. To him that overcometh, will I grant to ſit with me in my throne, even as I alſo Overcame, and am ſet down with my Father on his Throne.

Firſt, Over the World, the world was an enemy to him, and hated him becauſe he did teſtifie of it, that the workes thereof are evil, and did all manner of evil againſt him, they would faine have deſtroyed him, that he might have been no more, and to that end they condemned, killed, and buried him, and then they thought they had overcome him, but he was not deſtroyed, for he roſe againe, and now liveth, being ſet downe at the right hand of the throne of God, and ſo he became victorious over all their hatred, malice, and perſecution; ſo much he told his Diſciples to comfort them in their Tribulation in the world, Joh. 16.33. In the world ye ſhall have tribulation; but be of good chear, I have overcome the World.

Secondly, Over ſin, not his (for he was p. 80without ſin) but ours; ſin was an enemy to him, and came againſt him in its ſtrength, viz. the Law, for the ſtrength of ſin is the Law, and did condemne him, ſo that he died for our ſins, ſin did its worſt, but could not deſtroy him, for he endured, and overcame it, according to that in 1 Pet. 3.18. For Chriſt hath once ſuffered for ſins, the Juſt for the unjuſt, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the fleſh, but Quickned by the Spirit; Sin indeed was in the world, and reigned like a Mighty King over all unto Death; but Chriſt came, and caſt downe ſin from its Throne, and brought it into Captivity, yea by his death he overcame it; he put away ſin by the ſacrifice of himſelfe, Heb. 9.26. And as for ſin in reſpect of himſelfe, he kept it at a great diſtance from him, and would not let it come neere him; he ſtood like a Mighty One farre above it, keeping it under; for the Law of his God was in his heart, and none of his ſteps did ſlide; he was holy, harmleſs, undefiled, and ſeparate from Sinners, Heb. 7.26.

Thirdly, Over Death, that Mighty Adverſary, by death he overcame Death, like a Mighty victorious one he brake through Death, it being not poſſible that he ſhould be holden of it, Act. 2.24. And being raiſed from the Dead, dieth no more; Death hath no more Dominion over him, Rom. 6.9. So that according p. 81to what is prophecied of him, He hath ſwallowed up Death in Victory, ſo that now we may ſay, O death, where is thy ſting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15.54, 55.

Fourthly, Over the Devil, that Mighty One, whoſe principall aime, and deſigne was againſt Chriſt; But he overcame that Wicked one, and that through Death, Heb. 2.14. For as much as the children are partakers of fleſh and blood, he alſo himſelfe likewiſe took part of the ſame, that through Death he might deſtroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil; yea he triumphed over him, according to that of the Apoſtle, Col. 2.15. ſpeaking before of his blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was againſt us, and nailing it to his Croſſe, ſaith, Having ſpoiled principalities and powers, he made a ſhew of them Openly, triumphing over them in it.

Further, Chriſt is not onelyonly Mighty in the victories which his right hand have gotten over theſe Mighty Lords, who have devoured ſo many, but alſo in the victories which he will get over them hereafter, for theſe his enemies are up againe againſt him, and he will be victorious over them. The Pſalmiſt ſings of him prophetically, Pſal. 45.3, 4, 5. Gird thy ſword upon thy thigh, O moſt mighty; with thy glory and thy Majeſty; and in thy Majeſty ride proſperouſly, becauſe of p. 82truth, and meekneſs, and righteouſneſs, and thy right hand ſhall teach thee terrible things; Thine arrows are ſharp in the heart of the Kings enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. And in this poſture John ſaw him, Rev. 6.2. And I ſaw, and behold a white horſe, and he that ſate on him had a bow, and a Crowne was given unto him, and he went forth Conquering, and to Conquer.

The world is up, and Chriſt will never leave till he hath overcome it, till he hath brought in the Generality of men, viz. Jews and Gentiles to be ſubject to him, to be one ſheepfold under him the Great Shepheard and Prince, whom the Lord hath ſet over them; according to the prophecies of him, Ezek 34. & 37 Chapters, And as for his deadly enemies that will not that he ſhould reigne over them, he will ſlay them with the breath of his lips, Rev. 19. from the 11 verſe to the end, John ſaw him in a warring poſture with the Beaſt, and the Kings of the earth, and their Armies, which were gathered together to make warre againſt him, and the iſſue was, The Beaſt was taken, and with him the falſe Prophet that wrought Miracles before him, theſe both were caſt alive into a Lake of fire burning with Brimſtone, and the Remnant were ſlaine with the ſword of him that ſate upon the horſe, which ſword proceeded out of his mouth.

p. 83Sin is up againſt him, now he is in heaven; Idolatry is up in the Nations of the world, Antichriſtianiſme is up, prophaneſs is up, ungodlineſs, and unrighteouſneſs is up in the earth, and the Lord Chriſt will not ceaſe working till he hath rooted out ſin, till he hath deſtroyed all the workes of the Devil; And according to what is prophecied of him, Iſaiah 42.4. He ſhall not faile nor be diſcouraged, till he hath ſet Judgement in the Earth.

The Devil is up alſo, and hath great wrath againſt him, and all his, and however he may for a time prevaile to the deceiving of the Nations, yet he ſhall be overcome in the end, Rev. 20.9, 10. Fire came downe from God out of heaven, and devoured the Nations, and the Devil that deceived them was caſt into the Lake of fire and brimſtone, where the Beaſt, and the falſe Prophet are, ſhall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Secondly, Mighty in his Offices, which are three, King, Prieſt, Prophet.

Firſt, He 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 onelyonly 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. p. 8489.27. 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 …lymſpe of his glory in his Type So…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 eyewitneſſes 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, p. 85he 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 p. 86of 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 onelyonly 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: p. 87The 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 p. 88from 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 onelyonly 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 S…ints, and them that feare his Name, ſmall and great; and his Reward is great, p. 89becoming 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 heres 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, p. 90together 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 p. 91his 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 p. 92the 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 Re…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, p. 93and 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 p. 94a 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 onelyonly called an High Prieſt frequently, and once Heb: 10.21. foreign, 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 p. 95Prieſts 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 exc…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, & p. 967. 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 p. 97any 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 p. 98all 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 offe…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.

p. 99Secondly, 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 blood) as a mighty Advocate he plead for them in a way of Juſtice. And upon this, the ſervants of God may, and do bear themſelves in caſe of ſin, according to that heart-unholding word, 1 John 2.1. My little chil…n, theſe things write I unto you, that ye ſin not, and if any man ſin we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Christ the Righteous. Upon this did that good woman (that we read of in Hiſtory) p. 100bear her ſelf, who (being charged and accuſed, and much put to it by the Devil) ſaid, Though I cannot anſwer thee, my Advocate can: meaning Chriſt. And the Apoſtle did apprehend ſo much of the mightineſſe of Chriſt in his performance of this part of his Prieſtly work, as that he layes the ſtreſs of his peoples eternal ſalvation upon it, Heb. 7.25. Wherefore he is able to ſave them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them.

Thirdly, To offer up the gifts and ſervices of the people, Heb: 5.1. & 8.3. And this Chriſt doth alſo, and that powerfully and effectually, for he doth not take the prayers, praiſes, and ſpiritual ſervices of his people, and barely offer them up to the Lord, but by and through him preſenting them, they are acceptable to God, 1 Pet. 2.5. His very preſenting the perſons and performances of his people (unworthy and imperfect in themſelves) is ſufficient to make them acceptable to God; and therefore he is mighty in that part alſo of the work … a Prieſt.

Fou…ly, To bleſſe the people, Numb: 6.23, 24, 25. This alſo Chriſt doth, and in this he is migh…ier than all other Prieſts which were before him, which is evident in that

p. 101Firſt, He bleſſeth more than they; they bleſſed but a few in compariſon of thoſe he bleſſe, they but the Nation of the Jews at the moſt, they but one Nation, he all the Nations of the world, both the Jews and the Gentiles alſo, according to the promiſe of God of old to Abraham ſo often repeated, That all the Nations of the Earth ſhould be bleſſed in him. And for this end did God ſend him according to the words of Peter to the Jewes Acts 3.25.26. Ye are the children of the Prophets, and of the Covenant which God made wite our Fathers, ſaying unto Abraham, and in thy ſeed ſhall all the kindreds of the earth be bleſſed: Ʋnto you firſt, God having raiſed up his Son Jeſus, ſent him to bleſſe you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities. And Paul tells the Galatians, That Christ hath redeemed them from the curſe of the Law, being made a curſe for them, that the bleſſing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jeſus Chriſt, Gal. 3.13, 14.

Secondly, He bleſſeth with more and more choice bleſſings than any other Prieſt; he bleſſeth not onelyonly with bodily, but with ſpiritual, and with all ſpirituall bleſſings, with bleſſings for this life, and all eſtates and conditions therein, and with bleſſings for the life to come.

p. 102Thirdly, He bleſſeth more eminently than they; he doth not only wiſh bleſſed, but make bleſſed; he doth not only pray for a bleſſing for his people, but he doth authoritatively pronounce them bleſſed.

Seventhly, In the unchangeableneſs and everlaſtingneſs of his Office, when the Lord made him a Prieſt, it was for ever; The Lord hath ſworn, and will not repent; thou art a Prieſt for ever after the order of Melchiſedec. And by this alſo doth the Apoſtle exalt Chriſt above all other Prieſts, Heb: 7.22, 23, 24. They truly were many Prieſts becauſe they were not ſuffered to continue by reaſon of death, but this man becauſe he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Prieſt-hood, wherefore he is able to ſave, &c.

Thirdly, Chriſt is a mighty Prophet; this plainly appears by the words of the Diſciples to himſelf, inquiring about the things which came to paſſe in thoſe dayes, Lu…e 24.19. which they ſaid to be, concerning Jeſus of Nazareth, which was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. His mightineſs in this reſpect is manifeſt.

Firſt, In his Original; for though all other true Prophets be of Gods raiſing up, and ſending, yet he more eſpecially; it is peculiarly prophecyed of him, Deut. 18.15. p. 103The Lord thy God will raiſe up unto thee a Prophet from the midſt of thee. He is a Prophet of Gods ſpecial ſending, he ſent him in a more eminent way than he did others, he ſent him immediately from himſelfe; Nicodemus exalting him above others, ſaith, John 3.2. We know thou art a teacher come from God. He came from God otherwiſe than other Prophets did; it is ſaid of him alone, That he came out from God, even from the boſome of the Father, where he was.

Secondly, In his Qualification; he came out from God, and he came throughly furniſhed for the diſcharge of this Office, even with the whole mind of God, and with a ſufficiency of power to make it known; the Lord ſpeaking of him ſaith, Iſa: 42.1. Behold my ſervant, &c. I have put my ſpirit upon him, he ſhall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles; and himſelf ſaith. Iſa. 61.1, 2. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, he hath anointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek; he hath ſent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, &c. He was full of the Spirit, and of power by the Spirit of the Lord.

Thirdly, In his Commiſſion, and his Commiſſion is anſwerable to his Qualification, God gave him largely of his Spirit, and he gave him a large Commiſſion, abundance p. 104of teaching-power, and abundance of teaching-work; See both his Qualification and his Commiſſion, Iſa. 42.1.6, 7. I have put my Spirit upon him, —I will keep thee, and give thee for a Covenant of the people, for a Light of the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, to bring out the Priſoners from the Priſon, and them that ſit in darkneſſe out of the priſon-houſe. As alſo Iſa. 49.6. He is not only Gods ſervant to raiſe up the Tribes of Jacob and to reſtore the preſerved of Iſrael, but ſaith God, I will alſo give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my ſalvation unto the end of the earth. He is the great Prophet, he hath the grand Commiſſion, the whole work of teaching and ſaving ſouls is committed unto him alone, and he hath undertook it; he is the Lord of the Harveſt, and all other faithfull Teachers they are but his ſervants and labourers; he is the chief Shepherd, all others are inferiour to him, being appointed by him to feed the Flock of God; in a word, the Father ſent him, and gave him all power both in Heaven and Earth; and he ſendeth others, even all that are ſent; Mat: 28.18, 19, 20. Jeſus came and ſpake unto them, ſaying, All power is given unto me in Heaven, and in Earth, Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, &c.

p. 105Fourthly, In his Execution and exerciſe of this Office; his teaching was, and is with power and authority upon the conſciences of men wonderfully convincing of ſin and righteouſneſſe, he is a teacher that openeth both the Scriptures and underſtandings too, Luke 24.32, 45. He doth not only propound truth to men as others do, but he makes them ſtoop to it, which none elſe can do: his Miniſtration is with ſuch power and efficacy as that he puts the Law of God into the minds of his people, and write it in their hearts, and this is the ſole prerogative of him who is both King, Prieſt, and Prophet as hath been ſhewn.

Fifthly, In the Command of God concerning him, viz. to heare him; God at ſundry times and in divers manners ſpake in time paſt unto the Fathers by the Prophets, and his Command to the people was to heare them, but God hath in theſe laſt dayes ſpoken unto us by his Son, that Great Prophet, who is greater than all the Prophets which were before him (he being the ſubſtance of all their Teſtimony) and he hath commanded, that we ſhould heare him. This the Voice out of the cloud uttered, ſaying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed; Heare ye him; yea, this is the ſpeciall and ſtrict command of God, Act. 3.22. p. 106A Prophet ſhall the Lord your God raiſe up unto you of your brethren, like unto me, Him ſhall ye heare in all things, whatſoever he ſhall ſay unto you; and not onelyonly ſo, but the ſeverity of God is, and will be towards all thoſe that reject, and deſpiſe his words; for every ſoule that will not heare that Prophet ſhall be deſtroyed from among the people, Act. 3.23. Therefore he ſaith, See that ye refuſed not him that ſpeaketh; for if they eſcaped not, who refuſed him that ſpake on Earth, much more ſhall not we eſcape, if we turne away from him that ſpeaketh from heaven, Heb. 12.25. This is his commandement, that we ſhould beleeve on the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Joh. 3.23. Surely he is a mighty Prophet, whom the Lord doth ſo ſtrictly charge the people to heare. I thought to have enlarged upon this ſubject, by inſerting ſome of the ſpeciall predictions, precepts, ptomiſes, and inſtructions of this Prophet, but what hath been already mentioned is ſufficient for the preſent deſigne, viz. to demonſtrate his mightineſs in th…s office alſo.

Twenty-ſecondly, In the Carriage of others towards him.

Firſt, In the carriage of the generality of the people as

Firſt, Their recourſe to him; we reade not that any of the Patriarchs, Judges, p. 107Kings, Prophets, or Apoſtles were ſo followed, and flockt to as he was; As ſoone as he was borne, we reade of wiſe men who came a great journey, from the Eaſt to Jeruſalem to worſhip him; and as ſoone as he began to teach, and worke miracles, ſuch multitudes followed him, that he was fain to goe up into a Mountaine to teach his Diſciples, Math. 5.1. and as ſoone as he was come downe Great multitudes followed him, Math. 8.1. He was ſeldome without multitudes who attended to ſee his miracles, and to heare his wiſdome, and the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; ſometimes there was ſuch an innumerable multitude of people gathered together, that they trod one upon another, Luk. 12.1. When he was in Capernaum, in Simons houſe healing, all the City was gathered together at the doore; And riſing up early a great while before day, he went into a ſolitary place, & Simon having found him, ſaid unto him, All men ſeek for thee, Mark. 1.33, 37. Sometimes he was ſo thong'd, that they could not bring the ſicke nigh unto him in an ordinary way, that neither his mother, nor brethren could come at him, Luke 8.19. When the Apoſtles gathered themſelves together unto him, to give him an account of ſome matters, he p. 108called them into a deſart place to reſt a while, for there were many coming, and going, and they had no leiſure ſo much as to eate; And though they departed into a deſart place by Ship privately, the people ſaw them departing, and many knew him, and ran a foot thither out of all Cities, and out-went them, and came together unto him; And when he came into the Land of Geneſareth, & came out of the Ship, ſtraightway they knew him, and ran through that whole Region round about, and began to carry about in beds thoſe that were ſick, where they heard he was, and whither ſoever he entred, into Villages, or Cities, or Countries, they laid the ſick in the ſtreets, and beſought him that they might touch, if it were but the border of his garment, Mark 6.30, 31, 32, 33, 53, 54, 55, 56. This carriage of the people ſpeak him forth to be o…e from whom they expected great things.

Secondly, Their marvelling, and wondring at his Doctrine, and Workes, and that not ſeldome, once or twice onelyonly but often, they often marvelled, they often wondred, they were often amazed, they were often aſtoniſhed, as might be ſhewne, and as it was often in reſpect of time, ſo it was much, and great in reſpect of meaſure. p. 109It is ſaid, Mark 6.51. when Chriſt went up unto his Diſciples into the Ship, the winde ceaſed, and they were ſore amazed in themſelves beyond meaſure, and wondred; when the Damſel which was dead aroſe and walked, they which beheld it were aſtoniſhed with a great aſtoniſhment, Mark 5.42. foreign, they were in an extaſie, in a great extaſie, they were not themſelves for the time; ſo when he healed the man which was deafe and dumbe, they that ſaw it were beyond meaſure aſtoniſhed.

Thirdly, Their Rejoycings, and Acclamations; As he did ride into Jeruſalem, a very great multitude ſpread their garments in the way, others cut downe branches from the trees, and ſtrawed them in the way, and the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cryed, ſaying, Hoſanna to the Son of David, bleſſed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hoſanna in the higheſt, Math. 21.8, 9. So likewiſe when he had anſwered the Ruler of the Synagogue, cavilling at him for healing on the Sabbath day, it is ſaid, All the people Rejoyced for all the Glorious things that were done by him, Luke 13.17.

Fourthly, Their beſeechings, the great and mighty ones beſought him, Jairus one of the Rulers of the Synagogue, fell at his feet, and beſought him greatly to come and lay his p. 110hands on his little daughter, Mark 5.22, 23. The Centurion came beſeeching him on behalfe of his ſervant, Math. 8.5, 6. Yea a certaine Noble man, foreign, Joh. 4.46, 47. Some Princely mighty one went unto him, and beſought him that he would heale his Son, for he was at the point of death; yea this was the carriage of the very Devils towards him, Math. 8.31. Mark 5.12.

Fifthly, Their worſhipping; Many of thoſe that came to him, fell downe at his feet, and worſhipped him, the Ruler of the Synagogue, and others, both good and bad worſhipped him all along, In his Infancy, Math. 2.11. In his Man-age oft, After his Reſurtection, Math. 28.9. 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 p. 111ſoone 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 Jewe…, and ſome coming from farr to worſhip him, (being led to him in an extraordinary way) he was troubled foreign, 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 p. 112combinations of the mighty againſt him, yea ſtrong Combinations againſt him.

Firſt, A Combination of all Intereſts, both civil, eccl…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 p. 113thou 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 p. 114Prieſts) 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 onelyonly, but of all his ſervants, not of the Jews onelyonly (for many, yea many thouſands of p. 115them 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 onelyonly (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 it attributes power to Chriſt, and ſpeakes him forth to be a Saviour, and a great One.

p. 116Thirdly, Their ſufferings for him, which follow their confeſſion of him; how have they been reproached, perſecuted, and hated of all men for his Name ſake, They have had trials of cruel mockings, ſcourgings, of bonds, impriſonments, have been ſtoned, ſawen aſunder, ſlaine with the ſword, have wandred about in ſheep-skins, and goat-skins, in deſarts, mountaines, and in dens, and caves of the earth, Heb. 11.36, 38, 38. And not onelyonly thoſe that firſt truſted in Chriſt, but all the faithfull in their ſeverall Generations have been ready to be bound and to dye, yea many have died for Jeſus ſake: we reade not of ſuch ſufferers for any cauſe, either for number, conſtancy or cheerfulneſs, as the Martyrs of Jeſus, nor yet of any ſufferings greater than what they endured for Jeſus ſake; Surely he is ſome Mighty One for whoſe ſake ſuch an innumerable company of Saints have ſuffered ſuch grievous things with joyfulneſs.

Twenty-thirdly, He is Mighty in his own ſufferings, that he who was God ſhould ſuffer at all, was a marvellous thing, and a wonder, which was and could be onelyonly by aſſuming a nature to whom it was poſſible to ſuffer; his Mightineſs in his ſufferings is manifeſt.

F…rſt, In the kinds of his ſufferings, his ſufferings were of all ſorts, the Cup which p. 117he dranke of had all kind of bitterneſs in it, diſgrace, poverty, paine, temptations, and whatſoever is hard to be endured.

Secondly, In the ſubject of his ſufferings, he ſuffered in every part.

Firſt, In his ſoule, as himſelfe ſaid, Math. 26.38. My ſoule is exceeding ſorrowfull, even unto death.

Secondly, In his body, in every part thereof, in all the ſenſes thereof.

In his hearing, by their reproaches, and crying, crucifie him.

In his ſight, by their ſcoffing, and ſcorning geſtures.

In his ſmell, by his being in that noyſome place Golgotha, Math. 27.33.

In his taſt, by his taſting of vinegar mingled with gall, which they gave him to drinke, Math. 27.34.

In his feeling, by the thornes on his head, blows on his cheekes, ſpittle on his face, the ſpeare in his ſide, and the nailes in his hands.

Thirdly, In his Name, by reproach, and ignominy.

Fourthly, In his eſtate, and goods, they crucified him, and parted his garments, caſting lots, Math. 27.35.

Thirdly, In the meaſure of his ſufferings, it was good meaſure, heaped up, preſſed p. 118downe, and running over, he ſuffered a great deale of every kind.

Much diſgrace, and ſhame; when he was teaching the Phariſees derided him, when he was diſcourſing the people ſaid, thou haſt a Devil.

When they apprehended him, it was with diſgrace, they came with ſwords, and ſtaves, as againſt a thiefe.

When they did condemne him, it was to be crucified, a ſhamefull death; and they preferred a murderer before him, when they had condemned him, they ſtripped him, and put on him a Scarlet robe, they put a Crowne of thornes upon his head, and a reed in his right hand, and they bowed the knee bef…re him, and mocked him, ſaying, Haile King of the Jewes, Math. 27.28, 29.

When they crucified him, it was between two theeves, eſteeming him the chiefe, and worſt of malefactors. And when he was on the Croſſe, they that paſſed by, reviled him, wagging their heads, ſaying, thou that deſtroyeſt the Temple, and buildeſt it in three dayes, ſave thy ſelfe. Likewiſe the chiefe Prieſts mocking him, with the Scribes, and Elders, ſaid, he ſaved others, himſelfe he cannot ſave, &c. Math. 27.39, 40, 41, 42.

And when he was dead, they called him, that Deceiver.

Great poverty, as ſoone as he was borne, p. 119he was laid in a Manger, Luke 2.7. Himſelfe ſaid, Math. 8.20. The Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Great paine; It is ſaid, Being in an Agony, he prayed more earneſtly, and his ſweat was as it were Great Drops of blood falling downe to the Ground, Luke 22.44. And himſelfe ſaith, My ſoule is exceeding ſorrowfull, even unto death; he was ſcourged, ſmitten, buffetted, and at laſt crucified, (that lingring, painfull death) the large meaſure of his ſufferings, as well as the ſeverall kinds, are mentioned, Iſa. 53.

Fourthly, In the efficient Cauſes of his ſufferings, both principall, and Inſtrumentall, he ſuffered from the Mighty.

Firſt, From his Father, the Almighty God, he ſpared him not, it pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him, he hath put him to griefe, Iſaiah 53.10.

Secondly, From his foes, and they are Mighty Ones; he ſuffered from the Devil that Mighty One.

From men, and that of all ſorts and ranks, both people, and Rulers, both meane, and mighty, eſpecially the Mighty Ones of the Earth; from Pontius Pilate the Governour, that Mighty One; from Herod, that Great one, Tetrarch of Galilee, and his men of warre, & from the chiefe Prieſts, Scribes, and Phariſees, and all the Elders of the p. 120people, as well as from the people themſ…lves, ſee Acts 4.26, 27.

Thirdly, From his Friends, from his own Countrymen, the Jewes, they would have him crucified, therefore ſaith Pilate to him, Joh. 18.35. Thine own Nation, and the chiefe Prieſts have delivered thee unto me; yea from his neereſt friends, Peter ſhamefully denyed him; Judas his own ſervant, one of the Twelve, a Diſciple in Ordinary, betrayed him, and all his Diſciples forſooke him, and fled, Math. 26.56.

Fifthly, In the perſons for whom he ſuffered, Meſſiah was wounded, bruiſed, and cut off, but not for himſelf, it was for others, and they ſtrangers, ſinners, enemies, Chriſt ſaid when he was taken of the Souldiers, If ye ſeek me, let theſe go their way. Chriſt was willing that the hurt which ſinners had done to God, and the debt which they owed to him ſhould be ſet upon his ſcore, and put upon his account, and …he Apoſtle m…ntions it as a remarkable thing, That Chriſt dyed for the ungodly, Rom: 5.6. The juſt for the unjuſt, 1 Pet. 3.18.

Sixthly, In his willingneſſe and readineſſe to ſuffer; he was free and willing to undertake th… wo…k of mans Redemption; when he cometh into the world he ſaith, Sacrifice and Offerings thou wouldſt not, but a body p. 121hast thou prepared me; then ſaid I, Lo, I come to do thy will O God, Heb: 20.5, 7. Its the expreſſion of one breaking out with joy to do the thing; he was free alſo in the carrying of it on, as appears by his own words, Luke 12.50. I have a B…ptiſme to be baptized with, and how am I ſtraitned till it be accompliſhed. The Cup which my Father hath given me, ſhall I not drink it? John 18.11.

Seventhly, In the end of his ſuffering; which was matter of greateſt weight and concernment, as the averting of Gods wrath the procuring of his favour, the freeing from all evil, and bringing ſouls to God for life and ſalvation; now how mighty an One muſt he needs be that endured ſuch a large meaſure of all kinds of ſufferings in all parts, from all ſorts of perſons? and that freely and willingly to procure mercy and favour for ſinners, and enemies to himſelf.