The Mighty Christ the Saints Help, Part 7
Reaſons why Chriſt is a Mighty One.
Reaſ. 1. For the Fathers Glory, that the Father might be glorified in the Son; for as it had been a diſparagement and diſhonour unto God to have ſent a weake, inſufficient one, ſo it is the Fathers glory that he hath ſent a Mighty One, one like unto himſelfe, able to ſave to the uttermoſt all them that come unto God by him, Heb. 7.25. It is the Fathers glory to have ſuch a Son, ſo Mighty a one, and that not onelyonly becauſe he himſelfe did glorifie him on earth, but becauſe others alſo did glorifie him becauſe of his Son; for when the people, even the multitude ſaw the mighty works, and miracles which he did, they marvelled, and glorified God, Math. 9.8. Math. 15.31. Mark 2.12. Luke 5.26.
Reaſ. 2. For the Sons glory, that Chriſt might be honoured as well as the Father; Chriſt himſelfe gives this reaſon why the Father made him ſuch a Mighty One, Joh. 5.22, 23. The Father Judgeth no man, but hath committed all Judgement unto the Son, That all men ſhould honour the Son, even as they honour the Father; and by this the Father drawes the thoughts and hearts of men to the Son, ſo as they receive and entertaine him as the Redeemer of the world; For Chriſt being a Mighty one, and ſufficiently manifeſting and evidencing himſelfe to be The Chriſt, the Son of the Bleſſed, by doing the Works which none other man did, neither could do, many beleeved on him, and became followers, and honourers of him.
Reaſ. 3. Becauſe of the worke which God hath ſent him to do, which was hard worke, beyond the skil and ſtrength of men and Angels to performe, for it was to redeeme a weake, captivated, curſed people from the power of Sin, World, Death, and Devil, (thoſe mighty Adverſaries) and to raiſe them up unto a participation of his holineſs, and glory. It is Requiſite there ſhould be a proportion of ſtrength in every Agent to the work which he hath to do, that if the worke be difficult, the Agent ſhould be ſtrong; And it hath been the uſuall way of the moſt wiſe God to ſuite perſons to things, who though he hath, and doth ſometimes make uſe of weak ones for Great, and weighty, and difficult ſervices, yet doth alwayes make them mighty, and ſufficient for the work whereunto he calls them; he did ſo with Gideon, David, and others: And thus it was, and is with Chriſt, for being ſent to ſave, he was and is therefore mighty to ſave; being ſent to redeeme, he is a ſtrong Redeemer, that he may thoughly plead his peoples Cauſe, and diſquiet, and confound all their enemies. The Spirit of God in the Prophets ſpeaking of the great work of Chriſt, in the execution of his Regal and Prophetical Offices, makes mention of his mightineſs and ability thereunto, Iſa. 42.1, 4. Behold my ſervant whom I uphold, I have put my Spirit upon him, he ſhall bring forth Judgement to the Gentiles. He ſhall not faile, nor be diſcouraged, till he hath ſet Judgement in the Earth, Micah ſpeaking of him as the Ruler in Iſrael, ſaith, He ſhall ſtand, and feed in the ſtrength of the Lord, in the Majeſty of the Name of the Lord his God, and they ſhall abide; for now he ſhall be great unto the ends of the Earth, Mic. 5.4. The Apoſtle alſo treating of his Prieſtly Office, ſaith, That he through the Eternal Spirit offered himſelfe without ſpot to God, Heb. 9.14.
Queſt. Whence is it that men deſpiſe and oppoſe this Mighty One?
Anſ. 1. It is through that Enmity which is in their hearts againſt him. God hath according to his word, Gen. 3.15. put Enmity between the Serpent, and the Woman, and their ſeed; and from this Enmity as from a curſed root proceeds that evil fruit of oppoſition againſt Chriſt, which will not ceaſe, till the Enmity be aboliſhed; This very account doth Chriſt himſelfe give of his enemies oppoſition againſt him, in one of his parables, Luke 19.14. His Citizens hated him, and ſent a Meſſage after him, ſaying, we will not have this man to reigne over us.
Secondly, It is through the ignorance that is in them, not knowing him whom they perſecute; It was ſo with Paul, when Chriſt ſpake to him, ſaying, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? He ſaid, who art thou Lord? and the Lord ſaid, I am Jeſus; he knew not Chriſt, Act. 9.4, 5. And thence it is that he ſaith (ſpeaking of his being a perſecuter and injurious) I obtained mercy, becauſe I did it ignorantly in unbeliefe, 1 Tim. 1.13. From hence it was, even from their ignorance, that the Princes of this World did ſo oppoſe, and perſecute him in his Perſon, they knew not the wiſdome of God, for had they knowne it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory, 1 Cor. 2.7, 8. And himſelfe gives the ſame reaſon of his ſuffering, and perſecution in his Members, Joh. 16.2, 3. He ſaith to his Diſciples, They ſhall put you out of the Synagogues, yea the time cometh that whoſoever killeth you, will thinke he doth God ſervice; and theſe things will they do unto you, becauſe they have not knowne the Father nor me.
Thirdly, Through unbeliefe; for though they heare of his Mightineſs, and power, yet they do not beleeve the report thereof, (though not one halfe of the greatneſs and power of Chriſt have been told them) but the words of them that declare it, ſeeme to them as Idle tale… and they beleeve them not; and then no wonder they deſpiſe, and reject him: They do not beleeve his Omniſciencie, but ſay concerning their actions, How doth he know? can he judge through the darke cloud? Job 22.13. and ſo they become bold to ſpeak and act againſt this Mighty One; like thoſe whom the Prophet complained of to the Lord, Pſal. 94.5, 6, 7. They breake in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thy heritage; they ſlay the widdow, and the ſtranger, and murther the Fatherleſs; yet they ſay, The Lord ſhall not ſee, neither ſhall the God of Jacob regard it. Or if they do beleeve that he is Mighty, yet they do not beleeve that he will be ſo ſevere, and terrible to his enemies, as many conceive, and ſpeake, giving no heed to what is written concerning him, eſpecially Pſal. 2.9, 12. Pſal. 72.4. Pſal. 110.6. Iſa. 11.4. 2 Theſ. 1.7, 8, 9. Thus, falſely concluding in their own ſpirits, that there is no great danger in oppoſing him, they readily venture thereupon to their own deſtruction.
Fourthly, Through confidence in their own ſtrength, thinking of themſelves more highly than they ought to thinke, they are carried forth to undertake more than they are able to performe. The Mighty Ones of the Earth do conceit, & conclude within themſelves, that they have a ſufficiency of counſel, and ſtrength, to e…nter with this Mighty One. Pharaoh that mighty one was ſo confident in his own ſtrength, that he ſcorn'd, and oppoſed the Almighty; for he ſaid, Who is the Lord, that I ſhould obey his voice, to let Iſrael go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Iſrael go, Exod. 5.2. Likewiſe Sennacherib King of Aſſyria, truſting to the multitudes of his Chariots, &c. ſent a challenge to the living God, exalted, and lifted up himſelfe on high, even againſt the holy One of Iſrael, Iſa. 36.18, 19, 20. Chap. 37.23. When men are confident to overcome, they are bold to oppoſe.
Fifthly, Through their putting afarre off the day of his wrath, and vengeance; they take boldneſs to rebell againſt him: And though they heare of his Indignation, and furious rebukes to be poured out upon them, yet they ſee that through his patience, & long-ſuffering, there is reſpite; and ſo like Pharaoh, they harden their hearts againſt him; they ſay, as they, Ezek. 12.22. The dayes are prolonged, and every viſion faileth; and becauſe ſentence againſt themſelves, and other evil workers is not executed ſpeedily, in ſtead of ſubmitting unto him againſt whom they have ſinned, the…r hearts are fully ſet in them to do more evil, Eccl: 8.11. and at length become mockers, and ſcoffers at him, and his word, ſaying, Where is this Mighty one? where is the promiſe of his coming? where is his kingdome, and power, and glory? and thus become abuſers, and perſecutors of his ſervants upon the Earth.
Sixthly, Becauſe they are afraid he will take away their deare enjoyments from them, their power, pompe, pleaſures, profits: If Chriſt would be with them as a ſojourner, and ſtranger, and not meddle with their matters, they would let him alone; but they feare he will be a Prince, & a Judge amongſt them, and drive them from their ſtations, and pull them downe from their ſtate, Iſa. 22.19. and therefore they thinke it wiſdome to oppoſe him betimes. When Tiberius the Emperour of Rome, ſent to the Senate, and required that the Image of Chriſt might be ſet up in the Capitol; They returned Anſwer, that if that were ſet up, all the other Images of their Gods muſt downe. Poteſtas Chriſti non eſt privativa, ſed cumulativa, The power of Chriſt doth not deprive men of any good, but conferrs, and multiplies bleſſings upon the heads of all thoſe that ſubmit to it, It being the readieſt way for Kings, Princes, and Potentates of the world to reigne long, and ſafe, to ſet their Thrones beneath the Throne of this Mighty One, whom God hath made and exalted Lord over all. But for as much as the high and honourable ones of the earth are afraid he ſhould bring them into contempt, and ſhame, they deſperately oppoſe this Mighty One.
Seventhly, Becauſe of the preſent ſeeming meanneſs, & contemptibleneſs of this Mighty One. The Prophet Iſaiah ſpeakes of him as one deſpiſed and rejected, upon this account, Iſa. 53.2, 3. He hath no forme nor comelineſs; and when we ſhall ſee him, there is no beauty that we ſhould deſire him: he is deſpiſed, and rejected of men. Though Chriſt's doctrine and works among his own Countrymen, were even to aſtoniſhment; yet becauſe he had ſuch a meane outſide, a meane trade and kindred, he was without honour among them, Mark 6.3, 4. Chriſt is without outward ſplendor, and worldly glory, and therefore he is both lightly eſteemed by the worlds Mighty Ones, and greatly oppoſed.
Ʋſe 1. Of Information.
Firſt, It informes Gods people, what manner of Saviour they have; ſome, yea many who call Chriſt Lord, know not how great he is; I may ſay to ſuch, in honour to Chriſt, what Pilate ſaid in contempt of him, to the Jews, John 19.14. Behold your King, behold your Saviour, what a great and a Mighty One he is! your Saviour is more than another Saviour, he is the chiefe of ten thouſand, farre excelling all the worlds Saviours: Among all the Gods of the Heathen, and among all the wiſe and mighty Ones of the Nations, and in all their Kingdomes, there is none like unto him.
Secondly, It informes us of the ſafe and happy condition of thoſe that are Chriſt's; they do indeed dwell on high, being built upon the rock which is higher than they, and all their enemies; ſo that we may ſay to the righteous, that it ſhall be well with him in the moſt perilous times, (Iſa. 3.10, 11.) and though they be as ſheepe in the midſt of wolves, yet being in the hands of their great Shepheard, this Mighty One, they are ſafe, yea ſo ſafe, that none can harme them; For, ſaith Chriſt, I give unto them eternal life, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any man pluck them out of my hand; my father which gave them me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand. I and my Father are one, Joh. 10.28, 29, 30. Paul alſo ſpeaking of their ſafe and bleſſed eſtate, ſaith, Rom. 8.1. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus, who walk not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit. Though there be many indictments, and accuſations brought in againſt them, yet no condemnation; but being in him, and walking in him, they are free, and ſafe, and feare no evil: Hence the bleſſed Apoſtle ſends a challenge to all the enemies of Gods Elect, ſaying, Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? it is God that juſtifieth; Who is he that condemneth? It is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen againe, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh interceſſion for us. Nay, they are not onelyonly ſafe in tribulation, diſtreſſe, perſecution, famine, nakedneſs, peril, ſword, but in all theſe things they are more than Conquerours through him that loved them, Rom. 8 33, 34, 35, 37. And of this priviledge of the Lords people, the Prophets have ſpoken eminently to be enjoyed in the Reigne of this Mighty One. David, Pſal. 72.7. ſaith, In his dayes ſhall the righteous flouriſh, and abundance of peace ſo long as the Moone endureth. Iſaiah ſaith, Behold a King ſhall reigne in righteouſneſſe, and Princes ſhall rule in Judgement, and a man ſhall be an hiding place from the winde, and a covert from the Tempeſt, &c. Iſa. 32.1, 2. Jeremy ſaith, Behold, the dayes come, ſaith the Lord, that I will raiſe unto David a righteous branch, and a King ſhall reigne and proſper: In his dayes Judah ſhall be ſaved, and Iſrael ſhall dwell ſafely, and this is the name, whereby he ſhall be called, The LORD our Righteouſneſſe, Jer. 23.5, 6. And to this agreeth alſo the Propheſie of Ezekiel, which ſaith, I will make with them a Covenant of peace, and will cauſe the evil beaſts to ceaſe out of the Land, and they ſhall dwell ſafely in the wilderneſs, and ſleepe in the woods; They ſhall be ſafe in their Land, and ſhall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hands of thoſe that ſerved themſelves of them; and they ſhall no more be a prey to the Heathen, neither ſhall the beaſts of the Land devoure them; but they ſhall dwell ſafely, and none ſhall make them afraid, Ezek 34.25, 27, 28.
Thirdly, It ſhewes us the aggravation of the ev…l of unbeliefe: were Chriſt a meane, weak one, there might be ſome plea for unbeliefe; the unbeleever might excuſe himſelfe, ſaying, I was afraid to truſt him, I durſt not commit my ſoule, body, name, eſtate, and concernments into his hand; but when a ſoul refuſeth to beleeve on him, who is declared and manifeſted as well by work as word to be ſo m…hty in every reſpect, it is inexcuſable. The men of Nineveh, who repented at the preaching of Jonas; and the Queene of the South, who came from the uttermoſt parts of the Earth to heare the wiſdome of Solomon, ſhall riſe up in the Judgement with ſuch, and condemne them, ſeeing a Greater than Jonah and Solomon is with them. The Evangeliſt John mentioneth the wonderfull workes which Chriſt did among the Jewes, as the Aggravation of their unbeliefe, Joh. 12.37. Though he had done ſo many miracles before them, yet they beleeved not on him; Thence Chriſt is ſaid to Ʋpbraid the Cities wherein moſt of his mighty workes were done, becauſe they repented not, it being a greater evil in them not to repent, than in others amongſt whom Chriſt did not ſhew himſelfe ſo mighty. To heare, and not to beleeve on Chriſt, the Mighty Lord, who ſpeakes from heaven, is that which makes unbeliefe to be ſuch a mighty ſinne, (Heb. 12.25.)
Fourthly, It diſcovers a ground for the Saints Expectation of great things; The Saints are in expectation of perfect Redemption, and moſt glorious ſalvation to be wrought for them by Chriſt; and there is good ground for it; for beſides the promiſe of God, who is faithfull, here is the Ability of Chriſt, who is Mighty to performe the Fathers will. Great ones uſe to be active. The Mighty Kings and Princes of the Earth do not alwayes ſit ſtill, only waite for opportunities for great and weighty undertakings. This Mighty One, the Lord Chriſt, though he hath done great and marvellous things, will ſhew himſelfe yet more glorious than ever; for he hath yet but begun to ſhew his ſervants his Greatneſs, and his Mighty hand; onelyonly he waites till the ſet time be come, and then he will ariſe, and redeeme Iſrael from all his iniquities and troubles, (Pſal. 130.8.)
The Diſciples of Chriſt, who ſaw his might and power in the dayes of his fleſh, became expectants of great things to be done by him; We truſted, ſaid the two Diſciples, (ſpeaking of Jeſus of Nazareth, a Prophet mighty in deed and word) that it had been he which ſhould have redeemed Iſrael, Luke 24.19.21. The Apoſtles (when Chriſt was aſſembled together with them,) asked of him, ſaying, Lord, wilt thou at this time reſtore againe the kingdome to Iſrael, Acts 1.4, 6. His Anſwer was no check to their expectation, but a reprehenſion of their over-curious affectation, to acquaint themſelves with the particular time, in which they ſhould behold the glorious accompliſhment of ſo certaine a bleſſing. And ſeeing this Mighty One is ſet on the right hand of the throne of the Majeſty in the Heavens, (Heb: 8.1.) his ſervants may expect, that he will appeare in the preſence of God for them; yea that he ſhall appeare the ſecond time without ſin, unto their evident and everlaſting ſalvation, (Heb: 9.28.)
Paul ſpeaking of himſelfe and other faithfull followers of Chriſt, ſaith, Phil. 3.20, 21. Our converſation is in heaven, from whence alſo we looke for the Saviour, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; who ſhall change our vile body, that it may be faſhioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to ſubdue all things unto himſelfe.
Fifthly, For the diſcovery of falſe Chriſts; The true Lord Chriſt hath told us that in the laſt dayes there ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſts, as well as falſe Prophets, Math. 24.24. And this doctrine doth informe us how to know them from the true; The true Chriſt is thus mighty; and it follows that others, who are not ſo mighty, whatſoever they may pretend, are not the true Chriſt. Therefore when falſe Chriſts ſhall ariſe, and ſhall come, and ſay, I am Chriſt, beleeve them not, neither go after them; but labour to know their power, and not their ſpeech onelyonly, (1 Cor. 4.19.) (for the kingdome of God is not in word but in power, verſ. 20:) whether they be mighty, as the true Chriſt is. And though they ſhould ſhew ſignes and wonders to deceive you, try whether they be equall with this Mighty One, who thought it no robbery to be equall with God. For though ſome may boaſt themſelves, and their mouths ſpeak great ſwelling words of vanity, yet their deficiency and inſufficiency for ſuch things as he did, ſpeak them to be falſe Chriſts, and deceivers. As there never did heretofore, ſo there never will any one ariſe in every reſpect, ſo mighty as Chriſt, by which he may be knowne to be the true Chriſt, from all others.
Ʋſe 2. Of conviction to falſe worſhippers, who neglect and ſlight this Mighty One.
Firſt, To the Jews who do not beleeve that Jeſus of Nazareth is the Chriſt, the Meſſiah that was promiſed, and the main plea which they have for their unbelief is, becauſe he did not appear to be ſo mighty, as become the Saviour of the world: he came not in worldly glory, he had no ſtately Palace, was not cloathed in Purple, did not fare deliciouſly, he was not in form and faſhion like the mighty ones of the earth; and therefore they expect and look for another that is Mightier than he. Seeing this is the ſtone they ſtumble at, how eaſily might it be removed, if they did conſider him from firſt to laſt? and in every reſpect he would appear to them ſo mighty as they would not look for another, but know and acknowledge him to be their Prince and Saviour; And indeed, the works of Chriſt did declare him to be the Meſſiah. John hearing of his works ſent two of his Diſciples, and ſaid unto him, Art thou he that ſhould come, or do we look for another? Chriſt ſends an Anſwer to convince them; and the Argument he uſeth is a Catalogue of his mighty works (being ſuch works as are proper to the Meſſiah) viz: The blind receive their ſight, and the lame walke, the Lepers are cleanſed, and the deaf heare, the dead are raiſed up, and the poor have the Goſpel preached to them, Math. 11.2, 3.4, 5. With this Argument Chriſt proved himſelf ſent of God, in his ſpeech to the Jews, John 5.36. The works which the Father hath given me to finiſh, the ſame works that I do, bear witneſs of me, that the Father hath ſent me. And by this the people were convinced, John 6.14. Then theſe men when they had ſeen the miracle that Jeſus did, ſaid, This is of a truth that Prophet that ſhould come into the world.
Secondly, To the TURKS, who worſhip Mahomet, and neglect Chriſt, who is far mightier than he; if the moſt mighty be to be acknowledged, honoured, and adored as Lord, then Chriſt and not Mahomet is to be worſhipped.
Thirdly, As alſo to the idolatrous PAGANS, and Heathens, who worſhip and ſerve the creature more than the Creator, who is bleſſed for ever; as the Sun, Moon, Stars, Birds, Beaſts, creeping things, the works of the hands of this mighty One, (Rom: 1.25. 2 Kings 17.16.) Nay images of Silver, Gold, Wood, and Stone, the work of mens hands; what are theſe vanities to this mighty One, that they ſhould be worſhipped, and he neglected? (Pſal… 115.3, 4, 5, 9.)
Ʋſe 3. Of REPROOF, eſpecially
Firſt, To all Ʋſurpers of the power and authority of this Mighty One; ſuch as make ſo bold with this mighty One, as to ſtep up into his Throne, and to exerciſe that power which is proper to him onelyonly; as to take upon them to give pardon of ſin unto men; to make Laws to bind the conſciences of men in the worſhip of God, contrary to the Laws of this mighty One, &c. (Mic: 6.16. Iſa. 33.39.) As it is the honour of the Kings and Princes of the Earth to be Chriſts Miniſters to encourage the executing of the Laws which he hath made and eſtabliſhed, (as of Cyrus, Ezra 1.1, 2. of Darius, Dan. 6.1.—7.—12. and Artaxerxes, Ezra 7.23.) So it is a great indignity and affront to this mighty One for his profeſſed ſervants to diſanul, alter, or change their Lords Laws, and of their own heads to form, conſtitute, and impoſe other in their ſtead, upon his Subjects; (as King Jeroboam did, 1 Kings 11.28▪ —34. King I…ri, and Ahab, Mic: 6.16.) This is not to be Stewards, miniſtring in his Name, but to be Lords ſitting upon his Throne, and to make void the Power and Authority which he hath received of his Father, (as Mat. 15.2.—6.—9. Luke 19.27.) As this is an evill to which the mighty ones of the earth are moſt inclined, ſo it will by this Mighty One be leaſt endured; for though he advance ſome to honourable ſervices under him, yet he will permit none to wear his Crown; and as for thoſe that have aſſumed his Power and Authority, let them know aſſuredly, that he will recover it out of their hands in due time, foraſmuch as he is mighty to do … ▪ (Pſal. 12.5.)
Secondly, To all Reſiſters of his power; Chriſt is undoubtedly the Higheſt Power, ordained of God, to whom every ſoul ought to be ſubject; Whoſoever therefore reſiſteth this power, reſiſteth the Ordinance of God; and they that reſiſt ſhall receive to themſelves Damnation, Rom: 13.1, 2. Beſides, all Oppoſition againſt this Mighty One, is in vain, and to no purpoſe; for the creatures power proves weakneſſe, when exerciſed againſt him, ſeeing he can do with the ſtrongeſt of his Adverſaries, as the Potter with his veſſel, according to the prophecy of him, Pſal. 2.9. Thou ſhalt daſh them in pieces like a Potters Veſſel. He is mighty in ſtrength; who hath hardned himſelf againſt him, and hath proſpered? (Job 9.4.) Yea, which is more, The Creatures ſtriking againſt him is the breaking of its ſelfe; For whoſoever ſhall fall on this ſtone, ſhall be broken; but on whomſoever it ſhall fall, it will grinde him to powder, Math. 21.44. In a word, to fight againſt this Mighty One, is to fight againſt God, and do we provoke the Lord, are we ſtronger than he? 1 Cor. 10.22.
Thirdly, To all pretended Aſſiſters of this Mighty One; who are ſo bold as to take upon them of their own brain to make additions to him, and to adde Coadjut…rs, & Helpers to this Mighty One, (thereby imputing weakneſs and inſufficiency to him) who is able of himſelf, without the help of any other to accompliſh all his undertakings. This is the known fault of the Church of Rome, who (as Doctor Gouge hath obſerved in his Expoſition of the Epiſtle to the Hebrews) add to all the Offices of Chriſt; as to his Kingly Office, they add a Viceroy, an Head, as it he were not able to govern of himſelf; To his Prophetical Office, they add a Great Prophet, who coyneth new Articles of Faiths and ſo to turn out thoſe that Chriſt hath eſtabliſhed in his Church; To his Prieſtly Office, they add other Prieſts, to offer up (as they ſay) true, real, Propitiatory Sacrifices for thee quick and the dead; To his Mediation and Interceſſion, they add the Mediation and Interceſſion of Angels and Saints in Heaven; To his Ordinances they add others, as Orders, Penance, Extream Unction, &c. Theſe Additions derogate from the mightineſs, honour, and glory of Chriſt; whereas there is no need of theſe, Chriſt being ſufficient without theſe: That known Phyloſophycal Axiome is alſo true in Divinity, Fruſtra fit per plura, quod fiat per pauciora, It is in vain to do that by more, which may be done by fewer. And the Apoſtle Paul dehorts the Saints at Coloſs, from all other things but Christ, upon the account of his fullneſs, and ſufficiency for them, Col: 2.8, 9, 10. Beware leſt any man ſpoil you through Philoſophy, and vain deceit, after the Tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: For in him dwelleth all the FƲLNESSE of the Godhead bodily; and ye are COMPLEAT in him, who is the Head of all Principallity and Power. I have read that when Auguſtus Caeſar deſired the Senate to joyn two Conſuls with him for the carrying on the Government of the State; the Senators anſwered, That they held it a diminution to his Dignity, to joyn any with ſo incomparable a man. To pretend to aſſiſt Chriſt in the work which he hath undertaken to do by his own Power, is really to diſhonour him.
Fourthly, To all Deſpiſers and Contemners of Christ: For though he is mighty, yet he is deſpiſed and rejected of men; This was, and is the ſin of the Jews; they ſo far deſpiſed him, that they denyed him, and deſired a murtherer to be granted unto them, Acts 3.14. And they call him at this day in contempt, Talvi, the hanged man; and his Diſciples, The followers of the hanged man. And this evil is common among the Gentiles alſo; yea, multitudes of thoſe that name the name of Chriſt are guilty of this iniquity: ſo vile and abominable are many, as to deſpiſe him in their hearts and works, whom in words they profeſſe to honour as their Prince and Saviour: The very Turks will condemn ſuch Chriſtians, for it is ſaid, They ſuffer no man to blaſpheme Chriſt, but honour him, and ſpeak reverently of him, though they do exceedingly vilifie Chriſtians for being ſo unlike to him. The greatneſs and danger of this evil the Apoſtle ſets forth in his Epiſtle to the Hebrews, Chap: 10. verſ. 28, 29. He that deſpiſed Moſes Law, dyed without mercy under two or three witneſſes; of how much ſoarer puniſhment ſuppoſe ye, ſhall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God? Wherefore then are ye not affraid to deſpiſe, and ſpeak againſt this mighty One.
Ʋſe 4. Of TERROR to the wicked.
For if Christ be ſo mighty, where ſhall the ſinner and ungodly (the Enemies of this Mighty One) appear, (1 Pet. 4.17, 18.) Surely they ſhall be broken in pieces like a Potters Veſſel, (Pſal. 2.) they ſhall periſh, and be as the fat of Lambs, they ſhall conſume, into ſmoak ſhall they conſume away, (Pſal. 37.20.) for they will not be able to ſtand before this mighty One, when he cometh to judge the earth in righteouſneſſe; it will be ill, eſpecially with theſe;
Firſt, The Refuſers of his Grace; thoſe that now make nothing to refuſe him (and his grace) that ſpeaketh from Heaven, ſhall not be able to eſcape the ſeverity of this Mighty One againſt them, for deſpiſing the riches of his goodneſſe, Rom: 2.3, 4. for they that have ſlighted his greateſt love, muſt look to endure his fierceſt wrath. One main end of his coming in great power and glory, is, to puniſh ſuch, 2 Theſſ. 1.7, 8, 9. He ſhall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; who ſhall be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction from the preſence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
Secondly, The Oppoſers of his Reigne: For this Mighty One will not ſpare, neither will he have pity, nor have mercy on them. His fury againſt ſuch is fully ſet forth in the Parable recorded, Luke 19.27. where he ſaith, But thoſe mine enemies which would not that I ſhould reign over them, bring hither, and ſlay them before me. He ſpeaks it not of ſuch that gladly would, though ſin prevails: but of them that would it not.
Thirdly, The Oppreſſors of his ſervants: For though men now count it a ſmall matter (which God calls a mighty ſin, Amos 5.12.) To afflict the juſt, and oppreſſe the poor, and ſay, that God regards it not; yet this Mighty One will ariſe, and take vengeance for them, and that to purpoſe, for he ſhall break in pieces the Oppreſſor, Pſal. 72.4. yea, he ſhall cut him in ſunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there ſhall be weeping and gnaſhing of teeth, Matth. 24.49.51.
Fourthly, The Scoffers at his coming: For thoſe that now mock and ſcoffe, ſaying, Where is the promiſe of his coming? (as thoſe in 2 Pet. 3.3, 4.) they ſhall find that the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt is no deviſed fable, (Chap. 1.16.) but a real, yea, a powerful appearance againſt them, to their deſtruction, (as Iſa. 5.28, 29.) Who may abide the day of his coming? And who ſhall ſtand when he appeareth? Malachi 3.2.
This Doctrine ſpeaks terror more eſpecially to the great and mighty Ones of the Earth: for againſt them will Chriſt appear with greateſt indignation; He ſhall ſtrike through Kings in the day of his wrath, and he ſhall wound the heads over many Countreys, Pſal. 110.5, 6. Yea, he will be ſo terrible to them, that they ſhall not know how to endure him, but ſeek by any means to hide themſelves from him, Revel: 6.14, 15, 16. The Kings of the Earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief Captains, and the mighty men, and every bond-man, and every free-man hid themſelves in the Dens, and in the Rocks of the Mountains; and ſaid to the Mountains and Rocks fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that ſitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the Great day of his wrath is come, and who ſhall be able to ſtand? And CHRIST, will be MOST TERRIBLE TO THEM;
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe it is a juſt and righteous thing that he ſhould be ſo, ſeeing they are not onelyonly moſt of them againſt him, (for not many mighty, not many noble are called, 1 Cor. 4.26.) but they are often his greateſt Enemies, do moſt deſpiſe and reject him, and oppoſe his Kingdome and Power; hence ſaith the Pſalmiſt, The Kings of the Earth ſet themſelves, and the Rulers take Councel together againſt the Lord, and against his ANOINTED, Pſal. 2.2. The Great men have altogether broken the Yoke, and burst the Bonds, Jeremy 5.5. And Chriſt accepteth not the perſons of Princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor, but will render to every one according to his works; they that offend moſt againſt him, muſt look to ſuffer most from him.
Reaſ. 2. Becauſe it is to his honour: for by this he gets himſelfe a great name of ſtrength and power; having, and exerciſing Dominion over the mighty, he is the more feared and glorified of men. The Prophet Iſaiah tells us Chap: 2. That the day of the Lord of Hoſts ſhall be upon every one that is proud, end lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up, and he ſhall be brought low, upon all the Cedars of Lebanon that are high, upon all the Oaks of Baſhan, upon all the high mountains, and upon all the high hills that are lifted up, and upon every high Tower, and upon every fenced Wall, upon all the Ships of Tharſhiſh, and upon all pleaſant Pictures; and the loftineſſe of man ſhall be bowed down, and the haughtineſſe of men ſhall be made low, and the Lord alone ſhall be exalted in that day, verſ. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Chriſt doth therefore ingage with the Mighty, becauſe he ſhall be exalted in their fall eſpecially.
Queſt. If Christ be ſuch a Mighty One, why do the wicked live, become old, yea are mighty in power, flouriſh, and proſper in the world, and go ſo long unpuniſhed?
Anſw. Doſt thou not know, that the wicked are reſerved to the day of deſtruction? they ſhall be brought forth to the day of wrath, and then Chriſt will repay them what they have done, according to that in 2 Pet. 2.9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations, and to reſerve the unjuſt unto the day of Judgement, to be puniſhed.