The Mighty Christ the Saints Help, Part 3
The Mightineſſe of Chriſt in his Birth will further appear.
Firſt, In the ſubject of it, not only a Woman, but a Virgin, ſo wonderfull a thing that it was given for a ſign unto unbelievers divers hundred of years before it was accompliſhed, even a ſign of Gods own chooſing among all the wonders in the depth, and in the height above, Iſa: 7.11.14. The Virgin bearing this Son againſt the common order of Nature, without a man, whence he is called The ſeed of the Woman; this Mary thought a thing impoſſible, when it was told her by the Angel, and ſaid, How ſhal this be ſeeing I know not man? Luke 1.34.
Secondly, In the time of it, when the three Monarchies of the Aſſyrians, Perſians, and Grecians were ended, and the Romans entred into the fourth, which was greater and mightier than the former; this Mighty One the Lord Jeſus Chriſt durſt ſhew himſelf in his loweſt and weakeſt eſtate, when the world was at the higheſt and ſtrongeſt, and then begin to build up a Kingdome.
Thirdly, In the Concomitants of it; divers remarkable things accompanyed his Birth, which ſpeaks forth his Mightineſſe. As
Firſt, The meſſage of the Angel to the Shepherds, Luke 1.10, 11. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which ſhall be to all People; For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Saviour, which is Chriſt the Lord.
Secondly, The praiſings of the Hoſt, the Shepherds they glorified and praiſed God for what they had heard and ſeen; but men of the earth are not ſufficient for this thing, and therefore a Quire is ſent from Heaven to rejoyce and ſing praiſes to the Moſt High for this Heavenly and unſpeakable gift, Luke 2.13. Suddenly, there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Hoſt praiſing God. Theſe extraordinary praiſes ſpeak the perſon born to be ſome great and Mighty One.
Thirdly, The homage of the Wiſe men, That they ſhould come to tender their homage and ſervice to this Infant, and not unto Herod, nor Aguſtus Caeſar, of whoſe greatneſſe no doubt they had heard (but did not eſteem nor regard it in compariſon of this late born King of the Jews) ſpeaks Chriſt to be a Mighty One; eſpecially if we conſider
Firſt, The quality of their Perſons; if becauſe foreign, Wiſe men, is uſually taken in the worſt ſenſe, for men practiſing Magical and unlawful Arts, it ſhould be underſtood ſo in this place; it ſhews forth the more of the Mightineſs and Power of Chriſt, when men that had been of ſuch a profeſſion become ſuch profeſſors of Chriſt of any among the Gentiles, as to come and do homage to him: howſoever, foraſmuch as they were (as is moſt likely, not of the meaner ſort, nor yet perſons of ordinary and common gifts, but men of learning, underſtanding, wiſdome, and of high eſteem among the People; it holds forth the greatneſs and excelleny of Chriſt, that ſuch ſhould come ſo early, and ſubmit themſelves to him
Secondly, The greatneſs of their pains, without doubt it was a long and tedious journey they took, although we cannot tell exactly how far they came, becauſe the particular term from whence (at which divers have diverſly conjectured) is not to be found in Scripture, onelyonly it is ſaid (with an foreign, Behold, prefixed, as a matter of admiration, that they ſhould come, and come ſo far) They came from the Eaſt to Jeruſalem, and ſurely they would not have undertaken ſuch a journey with regard to an ordinary common perſon.
Thirdly, The reality and fulneſſe of their homage; it was not in word, and in tongue onelyonly, but in truth and in deed; we do not read of any thing they ſaid to him, but of what they did, and that was much, they firſt gave themſelves an oblation to this great King, and then made offering of their gifts; For they fell down and worſhipped him, and when they had opened their treaſures, they preſented unto him Gifts, Gold and Frankincenſe, and myrrhe, Matth. 2.11. They would not have tendered ſuch large homage to a mean one.
Fourthly, The eminent appearing of God for their direction to him, and preſervation in returning; a Star did lead them to the very place where he was for it is ſaid, Math. 2.9. Lo, the Star which they ſaw in the Eaſt went before them till it came and ſtood over where the young Child was. And for their preſervation, God did warn them in a dream, that they ſhould not return to Herod, and they departed into their own Countrey another way.
Fourthly, The dread of the Mighty, even of King Herod and all Jeruſalem with him, for it is ſaid, When Herod the King heard theſe things (viz: of one born King of the Jews, and of perſons come to worſhip him) he was troubled, terrified, yea, he ſhaked with fear, (Mat. 2.3.) ſo that Chriſt was a Mighty One in his Birth.
Eighthly, Chriſt is a Mighty One in his Deſcent, even after the fleſh.
Firſt, In reſpect of his ſtock in general, for he was deſcended of the Patriarchs, he was of the ſtock of Abraham, that Mighty One; the Jews counted it a great priviledge above what the Gentiles had, That they had Abraham to their Father, that they were of his ſtock, branches of that root, Chriſt was alſo a ſon of Abraham.
Secondly, In reſpect of his Tribe out of which he ſprang, Judah; for it is evident that our Lord ſprang out of Judah, and it is as evident alſo, that Judah was the mightieſt Tribe, both according to Jacobs, and Moſes bleſſing of him, Gen: 49.8. Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren ſhall praiſe, thine hand ſhall be in the neck of thine enemies, thy fathers children ſhall bow before thee, Judah is a Lyons whelp, &c. Deut. 33.7. Let his hands be ſufficient for him, and be thou an help to him from his e…emies. Judah was Standard-bearer in the foremoſt Quarter as the children of Iſrael encamped about the Tabernacle, Numb: 2.3. And Judah's Standard (Lyon-like) marched in the firſt place, as they marched towards the Land of Canaan, Numb: 10.13, 14. and of this mighty Tribe was Chriſt, yea, he was the Mighty One of this Tribe, The Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, Rev: 5.5.
Further, Judah was the Royal Tribe, the Royalty of a Kingdome appertained to it, Gen: 49.10. The Scepter ſhall not depart from Judah, &c. The Kings and Rulers deſcended from thence; and this ſpeaks the mightineſſe and exeellency of Chriſt, that he was of this Tribe, hence Mr. Perkins ſaith, That Chriſt was the moſt excellent and notable One that ever was, deſcending of the eternall Father, as he is the Son of God, and as he is man deſcending of the Patriarchs, and of the renowned Kings of Judah. And it is ſtoried that it remaineth regiſtred in the Jews Talmud it ſelf, That Jeſus of Nazareth crucified, was of the blood-royal from Zorobabel of the houſe of David; ſo that he is a Mighty One in his Deſcent.
Ninthly, Mighty in his Name; Iſaiah prophecying of him, ſaith, Ch. 9.6. His Name ſhall be called Wonderful, Councellour, the Mighty God, the Everlaſting Father, the Prince of Peace, Jeſus, for he ſhall ſave his people from their ſins, Immanuel, the Word of God; his name ſpeak forth his excellency and might, not that there is any might and virtue in the bare name it ſelfe, as conſiſting of ſo many letters, as ſome have fondly conceited, that the bare name of Chriſt uſed, had power to drive away the Devil, and that the name of Chriſt written and carried about with them, was of efficacy to keep them from danger, but his name declare his nature, for as his name is, ſo is he; it is not with Chriſt in this reſpect as with ſome who had names contrary to their natures, and diſpoſitions to hide their weakneſſes, and wickedneſſes, as the Impius named Pius; the Coward, Leo; the Cruel, Clemens; the Oppreſſor, Innocentius, the Earthly-minded, Celeſtinus.
Tenthly, Mighty in his Titles, I ſhall name a few; The Captain of Salvation, Ruler in Iſrael, The Conſolation of Iſrael, The Horn of Salvation, The Deliverer, The Power and wiſdom of God, The Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, Lord, The Lord frequently. It is divers hundred times ſimply and abſolutely aſcribed unto Chriſt, The Lord of the Harveſt, The Lord of the Vineyard, The Lord of the Sabbath, The Lord our Righteouſneſſe, The Lord of Life, The Lord of Glory, Lord of Lords, King of Kings.
Eleventhly, He was a Mighty One in his Preſentation, which though in it ſelf, it was but for his Parents to do for him after the cuſtom of the Law, in which reſpect he was but as others, yet that two ſuch eminent perſons, both of ſingular ſanctity among the Jews, ſhould (by the ſpecial direction of the Spirit) come into the Temple at that time when Jeſus was there in his mothers arms, and acknowledge, and declare him publickly, with great affection and thankſgiving to be the Meſſias and Saviour of the world, doth ſpeak him to be ſome Mighty One, Luke 2. from the 22. to the 40. verſ.
Twelfthly, Mighty in his Baptiſme, which though in it ſelf, it was but ordinary, with water by John in Jordan, both as, and where others were, and by him alſo by whom others were baptized, yet it was attended with three wonders; For ſtraightway coming up out of the waters, the Heavens were opened unto him, and the Spirit of God deſcended like a Dove and lighted upon him, and there came a voice from Heaven, ſaying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleaſed, Matth. 3.16, 17.
Thirteenthly, Mighty in his faſting, ſo mighty that he faſted forty dayes and forty nights, Matth. 4.2. And it was not a partial, but a total abſtinence from natural food, for in thoſe dayes he did eat nothing, Luke 4.2. Neither was he hungry all that time (for ſo much is neceſſarily implyed, Matt. 4.2. When he had faſted forty dayes and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And Luke (having ſpoken of the forty dayes, the time of his faſt) ſaith, When they were ended, he afterward hungred. Moſes indeed faſted the ſame ſpace of time, but there was this conſiderable difference between Chriſt and Moſes in this reſpect: Moſes faſted on the Mount, where he was eminently aſſiſted, and ſatisfied by his beſt and greateſt friend, The Lord, Exod: 34.28. Chriſt in the Wilderneſſe where he was violently aſſaulted, and troubled by his worſt and mightieſt adverſary the Devil, Matth. 4.1, 2. This is enough to manifeſt his mightineſſe in this particular.
Fourteenthly, Mighty in his Tranſfiguration, which was a glimpſe of his Glory, he was transfigured before the Diſciples, And his face did ſhine as the Sun, and his rayment was white as the light; ſo exceedingly glorious was he, Peter was ſo affected with it, as he deſired the continuance of it, he ſaid unto Jeſus, Lord it is good for us to be here, if thou wilt let us make here three Tabernacles, &c. Math. 17.2, 3, 4, 5.
Fifteenthly, Mighty in the Teſtimony which is given of him.
Firſt, The Teſtimony of himſelf, I am one that bear witneſſe of my ſelf, John 8.18. And he did teſtifie of himſelf, that he was a mighty One, That he was the ſon of God, Greater than the Temple, greater than Solomon, That he had overcome the world, That if a man had kept his ſaying, he ſhould never ſee death, &c. and his own teſtimony is true. But foraſmuch as Solomon ſaith, Prov: 27.2. Let another man praiſe thee, and not thine own mouth, a ſtranger, and not thine own lips. I ſhall conſider chiefly what others witneſſe of him.
Secondly. The Teſtimony of the Father who ſent him, bare witneſſe of him, The Father hath teſtified from Heaven that he is his beloved Son, Matth. 3.17. Lo a voice from Heaven, ſaying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed. The Authour to the Hebrews noteth, that when God bringeth in the firſt begotten into the world, he ſaith, And let all the Angels of God worſhip him, Ʋnto the Son (ſaith he) Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever, Heb. 1, 6, 8. The Father teſtifie of him as of a mighty One.
Thirdly, The Teſtimony of the Spirit, I ſhall inſtance only in that to John by Viſion, Rev: 1.12, 13, 14, 15, 16. I ſaw ſeaven golden Candleſticks, and in the midſt of the ſeven Candleſticks one like unto the Son of man, cloathed with a Garment down to the foot, and girt about the Paps with a Golden Girdle, his head and his hairs were white like Wool, as white as Snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire, and his feet like unto fine braſſe, as if they burned in a Furnace, and his voice as the ſound of many waters. And he had in his right hand ſeven Stars, and out of his mouth went a ſharp two edged ſword, and his Countenance was as the Sun ſhineth in his ſtrength, This was a Viſion of the Son of God, The mighty One.
And according to this Viſion are thoſe ſeven Titles of Chriſt, given to him by the Spirit, mentioned in the 2d. and 3d. Chapters of the Revelation.
Theſe things ſaith he that holdeth the ſeven Stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midſt of the ſeven Golden Candleſticks, Rev: 2.1.
The firſt and the laſt, which was dead, and is alive, verſ. 8.
Who hath the ſharp Sword with two edges, verſ. 12.
The Son of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine Braſſe, verſ. 18.
That hath the ſeven Spirits of God, and the ſeaven Stars, Rev. 3.1.
That is holy, that is true, that hath the Key of David, he that openeth, and no man ſhutteth, and ſhutteth, and no man openeth, verſ. 7.
The Amen, the faithfull and true Witneſſe, the Beginning of the Creation of God, verſ. 14. All which ſpeak forth the mightineſs of Chriſt
Fourthly, The Teſtimony of faithfull men, as the Teſtimony of the Prophets, of John who was a man ſent from God on purpoſe to beare witneſs of him; whoſe teſtimony of him is recorded, John 1.15.32, 33, 34. The teſtimony of the foure Evangeliſts, as alſo of the Apoſtles, who have all ſpoken of him, as of a Mighty One; And it were eaſie (if needfull) to add the Teſtimony of other Ancient Writers, of Generall Councels, of holy Martyrs, and many eminent Confeſſors of Chriſt, who do agree in their Teſtimony with thoſe fore-mentioned.
Fifthly, The Teſtimony of Angels, thoſe glorious Creatures did teſtifie of him, as of a Mighty One, ſo they teſtified of him.
To Joſeph, Math. 1.20, 21. While he thought on theſe things, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dreame, ſaying, Joſeph, thou ſon of David, feare not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the holy Ghoſt. And ſhee ſhall bring forth a ſon, and thou ſhalt call his Name Jeſus; for he ſhall ſave his people from their ſinnes.
To Mary, Luke 1.30, 31, 32, 33. The Angel ſaid unto her, feare not, Mary, for thou haſt found favour with God; And behold, thou ſhalt conceive in thy wombe, and bring forth a ſon, and ſhalt call his Name Jeſus, he ſhall be great, and ſhall be called the Son of the Higheſt, and the Lord God ſhall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he ſhall reigne over the houſe of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdome there ſhall be no end.
To the Shepheards, Luke 2.10, 11. The Angel ſaid unto them, feare not; for behold, I bring you good tydings of Great joy which ſhall be to all people; for unto you is borne this day, in the City of David, A Saviour which is Chriſt the Lord.
Sixthly, The teſtimony of Enemies, and the teſtimony of Adverſaries, is of greateſt validity.
The Jews themſelves teſtified that he was a Mighty One, Joh. 11.47, 48. The chiefe Prieſts, and the Phariſees gathered a Councel, and ſaid, What do we? for this man doth many miracles; If we let him thus alone, all men will beleeve on him; ſo likewiſe, John 12.19. The Phariſees ſaid among themſelves; Perceive ye, how ye prevaile nothing; behold the world is gone after him. Joſephus the Jew, who was borne not long after Chriſt, writeth; There was at this time One Jeſus a wiſe man, if it be lawfull to call him a Man, a worker of moſt wonderfull miracles, and a Maſter, and Teacher of all ſuch men as are willingly content to embrace the truth. Yea the Jews do grant, and record Chriſts miracles, and make mention of many wonderfull workes which Jeſus did that are not written by our Evangeliſts; As the Authour of the book call'd Proofes of Chriſtianity, obſerveth.
The very Turkes give this teſtimony of him, That he was a great Prophet, Mighty in word, and deed; and that the Jews did evill in crucifying of him.
Yea the Devils themſelves confeſſed, and acknowledg'd him to be a Mighty One; For they came out of many, crying out, ſaying, Thou art Chriſt, the Son of God, Luk. 4.41. So verſ. 33, 34. A man which had a ſpirit of an uncleane Devil, cryed out with a lowd voice, ſaying, Let us alone, what have we to do with thee, Thou Jeſus of Nazareth? art thou come to deſtroy us? I know thee who thou art, The holy One of God.
Sixteenthly, Mighty in ſame, he is of Great fame; In the dayes of his fleſh as ſoone as ever he began to preach, and work miracles, his fame went thorowout all Syria; In what Land, or Country ſoever he was, his fame ſpread abroad in all that Country; his fame was not onelyonly ſpread thorowout all the Land of Iſrael, but alſo into many other Nations of the world, by the Preaching of the Apoſtles; for he ſent them into all Nations, into all the world, Math. 28.19. Mark 16.15. (Repentance, and remſſion of ſin being to be preached in his Name among all Nations, beginning at Jeruſalem) and they accordingly went, and made him knowne where ever they came, and the word of the Lord mightily prevailed, and his fame hath ſpread abroad ever ſince; It hath of late ſpread in New-England, and other parts, ſo that his Name is Great in the world, his fame is gone into all Lands, even the fame of him as of a Saviour, a deliverer, a Mighty One.
Seventeenthly, Mighty in his Attendance; Not onelyonly men, Diſciples, but the Angels alſo miniſtred unto him; The Angels declared his Conception, and birth, and attended him; when borne, an Angel appeared to direct Joſeph, for his preſervation, Math. 2.13. Saying ariſe, and take the young child, and his mother and flee into Egypt, &c. When he had been tempted of the Devil, Angels came and miniſtred unto him, Math. 4.11. When he was in his ſufferings, there appeared an Angel unto him from heaven ſtrengthening him, Luk. 22.43. At his Reſurrection an Angel from heaven came, and rolled back the ſtone from the doore of the Sepulchre, and ſate upon it, and declared his Reſurrection to the Women, Math. 28.2, 5, 6. Yea two Angels in white ſate, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jeſus had layen, John 20.12. When he aſcended two Angels attended him, Act. 1.10. When he ſhall come againe, he ſhall come attended with his Mighty Angels, 2 Theſ. 1.7. For he ſhall come in his Glory, and all the holy Angels with him, Math. 25.31. And when he ſhall ſit upon the throne of his glory, thouſand thouſands ſhall miniſter unto him, and ten thouſand times ten thouſand, and thouſands of thouſands ſtand before him, Dan. 7.10. Rev. 5.11.
Eighteenthly, A Mighty One in holineſs, and righteouſneſs, ſo holy, as he is called, by way of eminency, The holy One, Act. 3.14. The holy one of God, Luke 4.34. None ſo holy as he; ſo righteous, as he is called alſo the righteous, 1 Joh. 2.1. The juſt, Act. 3.14. Righteous before God; The Lord calls him his Righteous ſervant, Iſa. 53.11. Righteous alſo before men, even Enemies; Pilate who condemned him, did a little before pronounce him a Juſt perſon, Math. 27.24. he took water, and waſhed his hands before the multitude, ſaying, I am innocent of the blood of this Juſt perſon; And Judas who betrayed him, cleared Chriſt, and accuſed himſelfe, ſaying, I have ſinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood, Math. 27.4.