is a King and that is an office which speaks might and power a King notes Supremacie in respect of others 1 Pet. 2.13 but Christ is not onely a King and mighty in that regard but also a Mighty King a King above all other Kings he is a King higher than the Kings of the earth Psal 89.27 The Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 Lord of Lords and King of Kings Rev. 17.14 He is a mighty King First In himselfe and that especially in two things First In majesty and glory excellent majesty is upon him The Psalmist singing of him and his kingdome saith Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most mighty with thy glory and thy majesty and in thy majesty ride prosperously c. Psal 45.3 4. See a â—lymspe of his glory in his Type Soâ—â—mon The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel and bestowed upon him such Royall majesty as had not been on any King before him in Israel yet behold a Greater than Solomon is here for Solomon in all his Glory was not arrayed like unto Christ of this Glory the Apostles had a sight according to the words of Peter We were eye-witnesses of his Majesty for he received from God the Father honour and Glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent Glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased and this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy Mount 2 Pet. 1.16 17 18. And Paul stiles him even him that was crucified The Lord of Glory 1 Cor. 2.8 Secondly In wisdome and understanding he was and is greater and above all others both men and Angels in understanding There was excellent Wisdome found in Daniel but there was more and more excellent in Christ God gave Solomon wisdome and understanding exceeding much and largeness of heart even as the sand that is on the Sea-shore and Solomons wisdome excelled the wisdome of all the children of the East Country and all the wisdome of Egypt for he was wiser than all men and all the Earth sought to him to heare his wisdome which God had put in his heart 1 Kings 4.29 30 31. 1 Kings 10.33 But behold a Greater than Solomon is here in this respect Math. 12.42 Even he in whom are hid all the Treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2.3 The very wisdome of God 1 Cor. 1.24 Secondly He is Mighty in his Subjects two things considerable in his Subjects which speak forth his Mightiness First Their Mightiness his Subjects are Saints and Nations and both sorts are mighty his Saints are excellent ones Subjects of the highest ranke they are Kings and Priests being advanc'd to that Dignity by himselfe Rev. 1.6 Men of other spirits redeemed from among men who have all Earthly things under their feet such as regard not Silver nor yet delight in Gold The Law of the mouth of their King being better to them than thousands of Gold and Silver as also men of valiant and couragious spirits for the honour of their King upon Earth not loving their lives unto the Death Rev. 12.11 The Nations of the Earth also are full of Mighty Ones men of high degree and all the Kings Princes Potentates Rulers chiefe Captaines Great Lords all the Mighty men of Valour all the Worthies and men of Renowne and all the wise and Honourable ones of the Earth are his Subjects the excellency and mightiness of the Subjects speak forth the mightiness of the King how mighty must he needs be who have all the mighty Kings and Princes of the world under him Secondly Their multitude he hath more Subjects than any if Solomons Subjects were so great a people that could not be numbred nor counted for multitude how great and numerous or rather innumerable are Christs Subjects who are all people Nations and Languages Dan. 7.14 And these are not onely his Subjects in respect of the Right and extent of his Dominion but also in respect of their submission and obedience to him for all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.14 27. Yea all kingdomes shall resolve into his kingdome The joyfull sound of the Seaventh Angel and the great voices in Heaven which John heard proclaimed the largeness and amplitude of the kingdome of this King saying The kingdomes of this World are become the kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever and if in the multitude of people is the Kings Honour Pro. 14.28 then surely he is a mighty and honourable one that hath such multitudes under him Thirdly He is mighty in his Rule and Administration both towards his loyall Subjects and desperate Enemies The Administration of Christ towards his faithfull ones is chiefly in two things in both which he appeares to be Mighty First Preservation for he preserveth the faithfull even all them that love him he is mighty to save and defend them against all the mighty ones that rise up against them he hath been and is a strength to the poore a strength to the needy in distresse a refuge from the storme a shaddow from the heate when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storme against the wall The Psalmist singing of him and his kingdome saith He shall deliver the needy when he cryeth the poore also and him that hath no helper he shall save the soules of the needy he shall redeeme their soules from deceit and violence Psal 72.12 13 14. And for this reason the Prophet Zephany calls upon Zion to sing and rejoyce The King of Israel even the Lord is in the midst of thee thou shalt not see evil any more The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is Mighty he will save Zeph. 3.14 15 17. And this is the confidence of his Subjects The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he will save us Isa 33.22 And he is not onely mighty to save their bodies from destruction but to save their soules from sin and death for that was the reason which the Angel gave Joseph before Christ was borne why he should be called Jesus Math. 1.21 Thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins And in this he is mightier than all other Kings who cannot deliver any of their Subjects soules none of them can by any meanes redeem their Subjects nor yet their own soules but stand in need of this Mighty One to save them Secondly Remuneration he is not unrighteous to forget the worke and labour of love which any of his Subjects do shew towards his Name but will give reward unto his servants the Prophets and to the Sâ—ints and them that feare his Name small and great and his Reward is great becoming such a Mighty King to bestow he will plentifully reward all his faithfull constant Followers and his reward is First Everlasting life This Christ promised to his self-denying
his Glorious Name for his so assisting his faithful servant herein and finding the Matter according with what the Author hath well expressed in this his Epistle doe therefore heartily joyne with him therein in what he hath written to all the Friends and Enemies of our LORD JESVS CHRIST James Nalton Minister of Leonards Foster Lane Thomas Brooks Robert Bragge William Adderley H Jessey THE MIGHTY CHRIST THE Saints Help PSAL. 89.19 I have laid help upon One that is Mighty THe precedent Psalm contain a mournful complaint to the Lord powred out in a way of prayer This especially the former part of it is a pleasant Song of praise The subject of it is the Lord. The things which he mentions as most sweetly refreshing his own soul and most eminently conspicuous in the Lord towards his people are his mercy faithfulness and power First His mercy Vers 1. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever So vers 2. I have said mercy shall be built up for ever Secondly His faithfulness vers 1. With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulnesse to all Generations vers 2. Thy faithfulnesse shalt thou establish in the very Heavens both manifested in his Covenant which he made with David and his seed vers 3. I have made a Covenant with my chosen I have sworn unto David my servant thy seed will I establish for ever and build up thy Throne to all Generations Thirdly His power vers 6. Who in the Heaven can be compared to the Lord who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord vers 8. O Lord God of Hosts who is a strong Lord like unto thee manifested by his works of First Creation vers 11. The Heavens are thine the earth also is thine as for the world and the fullnesse thereof thou hast founded them Vers 12. The North and the South thou hast created them Secondly Providence vers 9. Thou rulest the raging of the Sea when the waves thereof arise thou stillest them shewed Partly towards his enemies in their destruction vers 10. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces as one that is slain thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arme Partly Towards his people in their salvation vers 16 17 18. In thy name shall they rejoyce all the day and in thy righteousnesse shall they be exalted for thou art the glory of their strength and in thy favour our Horn shall be exalted for the Lord is our defence and the holy One of Israel is our King The Psalmist having spoken largely of the power of God returns to that with which his heart was most affected The precious Covenant of God made with David expressed vers 3. and shews at large the particulars of it what great things God would do for him and how great and mighty he would make him and for a confirmation of faith in this great promise of God the Psalmist declares First The Original of Davids power and authority viz that it was from God from Heaven he was no Usurper nor Obtruder neither of mans nor his own but of Gods exalting for so God saith I have exalted one chosen out of the people I have found David my servant with my holy Oyle have I anointed him So Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy Hill of Sion Peter and the other Apostles speaking of Jesus before the Council said Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour And therefore the Lord challengeth a peculiar propriety in David above all the Kings of the earth calling him his King My King Secondly The Lords discovery of it before he did it And to whom Not unto the Princes of this world but unto his holy One Samuel who anointed David in the midst of his brethren 1 Sam. 16.1 3 13. By some the word is translated in the Plural Number Sanctis tuis to thy holy Ones to wit the Prophets Samuel and Nathan one of which anointed David and the other fore-told of the perpetuity of his Kingdome 2 Sam 7.12 13 14 15 16. Yea the Lord spake the same thing to his holy One David by the mouth of his servant Nathan 2 Sam 7.17 According to all these words and according to all this vision so did Nathan speak unto David From the discovery of it we may First Observe That it hath been Gods way of old when he hath had any great and remarkable thing to do for or upon a people to reveal it unto his servants the Prophets Amos 3.7 Surely the Lord will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the Prophets More particularly Secondly Observe That the discovery of Gods exaltation of Christ his True and Great Holy One sanctified and seperated above his fellows was first made to his Holy Ones Thirdly The manner of discovery thereof and that was by vision God in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers sometimes but rarely by Oracle it being a wonderfull condescention on Gods part and more than ordinary honour to the person to whom he so spake this honour God put upon Moses as he told Aaron and Miriam With him will I speak mouth to mouth Numb 12.8 Sometimes and more commonly In visions and in dreams Numb 12.6 It was in vision God spake to his Holy One when he made discovery of his Grace Then thou spakest in vision to thy Holy One. Here are two things chiefly to be enquired into First The mercy provided and that is a King not a mean weak one unfit for the Throne but a Mighty One I have laid help upon One that is Mighty if it be askt Who is this King the 20. vers is in answer I have found David my servant with my holy Oyle have I anointed him Of him the Lord hath spoken saying By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistims and out of the hand of all their enemies 2 Sam. 3.18 It is both David the son of Jesse and Christ the son of David according to the flesh who was also Davids Lord of whom David especially in his Kingly Office was a Type and Shaddow who is also called David Hos 3.5 And Ezekiel prophesying of the Kingdome of Christ a long time after David the son of Jesse was fallen asleep having served his Generation according to the will of God saith I will set up one shepherd over them even my servant David I the Lord will be their God my servant David a Prince among them Ezek. 34.23 24. Again David my servant shall be King over them my servant David shall be the Prince for ever Ezek. 37.24 25. This is that David that liveth for ever the Lord Christ that Mighty One mightier and higher than all others as the Lord hath promised vers 27. Also I will make him my first-born higher than the Kings of the earth which words agree exactly to the Lord Christ who is said
THE MIGHTY CHRIST THE Saints Help OR A cleer Discovery of the MIGHTINESSE and Excellency of CHRIST in all things of and concerning him from the first Promise of him to his last Appearing and Kingdome With Application thereof to the severall States and Conditions of Men. BEING The Substance of severall Sermons preached at Northwalsham in Norfolk upon PSAL. 89.19 I have laid Help on One that is MIGHTY By RICHARD BREVITER M. A. a poor Labourer in Christs Vineyard Commended by divers Ministers of Jesus Christ in LONDON Who is this that cometh from Edom with dyed Garments from Bozrah this that is Glorious in his Apparel traveling in the Greatnesse of his strength I that speak in Righteousnesse Mighty to save Isa 63.1 LONDON Printed by M. S. for Henry Cripps at the first Shop in Popes-head-Alley next to Lombard street 1662. TO ALL The FRIENDS and ENEMIES of our LORD JESVS CHRIST especially in England Scotland and Ireland FOR Christs and your sake this plain Treatise which about two years since was composed for a more private use is now by the importunity of divers of the LORDS Servants held forth to publick view And though a sense of my own weaknesse and great unworthinesse might have deterred me from this undertaking yet the excellency weightiness and suitablenesse of the Subject to your present conditions which will I hope make way in your hearts for its entertainment hath encouraged me to present it to your considerations It s chief design and aime is to lift up the SON OF MAN who both in his Person Merit Spirit Ordinances and Servants is by more than ordinary unbelief profanesse superstition persecution and abounding of all sorts of iniquity so greatly despised and rejected of men yea to the great reproach of Christianity of those that in words professe to magnifie him above all How it will be accepted and of what benefit it will be to you who as yet are his ENEMIES in your minds by wicked works Col. 1.21 I know not This I can say in all the Reproofs Cautions Counsels and Exhortations I have had it in my heart earnestly to desire to be instrumentall to deliver some of your souls at least from perishing in your disobedience and rebellion against CHRIST For though you say peace and safety while you walk in the imaginations of your own hearts yet great is the danger that you are in through your provoking this MIGHTY ONE against you How easily and suddenly can He break you with his rod of Iron and dash you in pieces like a Potters Vessel as Psalm 2. And what though through his patience and long-suffering you should walk many years in the wayes of your hearts and in the sight of your eyes yet know you must at last and how soon you cannot tell appear before the Judgement Seat of this Mighty One that you may receive the things done in your bodies according to what you have done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5.10 And what account will you then be able to give to him of all your pride covetousness and some of you of your cursing swearing deceit drunkenness malitiousnesse uncleannesse contempt of his Ordinances persecution of his Servants and other high and horrid wickednesses scarce to be paralelled among the worst of Heathens O fear and tremble before the true and living GOD against whom you have sinned trust not in your power policy friends honours estates and such like worldly enjoyments which will not profit nor help at all in the great day of the wrath of the Lamb Prov 11.4 I shall leave with you Luthers Caution to some in his dayes viz Take heed you be not found among those roaring haughty Gentlemen and Heaven-breakers who do resist the Holy Ghost and Gods Word and boast of their own strength and ability And further in the spirit of meeknesse love and pity I beseech you so to consider and lay to heart the things that are here following written touching the GREAT KING OF THE WHOLE EARTH as to humble your selves under his Mighty hand to trust in his mighty name and to be obedient to his holy will that your sins and transgressions being blotted out you may in the end be made partakers of his Heavenly Kingdome and Glory AMEN And You the FAITHFVL and precious servants of the LORD especially the least and weakest of the flock who are fearing and ready to faint under the weight of present pressures and apprehension of future troubles For your furtherance and joy of faith in this Wilderness I have set my selfe to demonstrate the MIGHTINES and ENGAGEMENT of CHRIST to HELP you in all Conditions And though I may truly say I have not told you one halfe of the Greatness of his power and wisdome yet I hope what is here in much weakness displayed before you shall become mighty through God in some measure to support and comfort you in your several solitudes and sufferings here below such being the portion here of all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus 2 Tim 3.11 Acts 14.22 Which that it may be I entreat you not cursorily to reade as the manner of most is but seriously to weigh and carefully to hide in your hearts the words of truth contained in this Book And because I would not detaine you from the perusal of what followeth I onely yet earnestly beseech you by all the help you have received from Christ by all the consolation you have in him and by all the hope you have of future Glory through him that you give all diligence to walk more worthy of that grace wherein you stand by being more serious spiritual humble and holy in all manner of conversation especially now when you are made to eate the bitter fruits of former wantonness Oh sin no more lest worse things come unto you O love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ not in word and in tongue the common and onely sacrifice of most that are called Christians but in deed and in truth In a word be very faithfull to him make his work your business his commandements your Rule his life your example his SPIRIT your HELP his name your refuge and his glory your end And if you do these things you shall never fall Now what is here humbly offered for common good may by a blessing from on high be of some use for the turning of the feet of some sinners from the wayes of wickedness and for the strengthening the weak hands of some Saints in the work of righteousness to continue therein unto the end to the Glory and praise of this MIGHTY ONE the LORD JESUS CHRIST is the prayer of Your souls friend and servant RICHARD BREVITER From my Study in Norwich this 2d of the 4th Moneth June 1662. WE who desire the Exalting of our LORD JESVS CHRIST that MIGHTY ONE on whom the LORD GOD his father and ours in him hath laid HELP having observed the holy end and scope of these Sermons on Psal 89.19 Blessing
long waiting That an Hebrew child that ruleth over the blessed Gods commandeth me to leave this Habitation and out of hand to get me to Hell but yet do you depart in silence from our Altars which caused Augustus after much musing to returne to Rome and to build there an Altar in the Capitall with this Inscription as Nicephorus affirmeth Ara primogeniti Dei The Altar of Gods first begotten Son But I passe by these things and shall speak of him onely as he is prophecied of in the holy Scriptures according to which he will appeare to be a very Mighty One First In that he was prophecied of at all for the Prophets for the most part foretold of great things to come to passe Great changes and alterations in the world Great deliverances Great prosperity Great Judgements and desolations Great Warres Famines Pestilences as also of Great and Mighty Persons Families Cities Nations as of the five Mighty Monarchies the Man of sin that mighty one who opposeth and exalteth himselfe above all that is called God 2 Thes 2.4 the Mighty Beast whom the world worship saying Who is like the Beast who is able to make warre with him Rev. 13.4 The Great Whore that sitteth upon many waters and the false Prophet that worketh Miracles so that Christ is a Mighty One being One prophecied of Secondly In that he is prophecied of by all the Prophets in their severall ages and generations Gods holy Prophets which have been since the world began have prophecied of him Luk. 1.70 As Christ was in the way with the two Disciples going to Emaus beginning at Moses and All the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himselfe there was somthing in Moses and all the Prophets concerning him And this doth accord with what he minded his Disciples of which he had formerly spake to them That all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalmes concerning him Luk. 24 27 44. Philip having seene Jesus speakes of him with Great affection to Nathaniel as of a Mighty One upon this very account We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph Joh. 1.45 And Peter told the Jews that God shewed by the mouth of All his Prophets that Christ should suffer Acts 3.18 And speaking of Christ to Cornelius and those with him saith To him give All the Prophets witness c. Acts 10.43 Surely he is a Mighty One of whom all the Prophets have spoken Thirdly In that All of Christ is prophecied of not onely his sufferings and the glory which should follow in the Generall but his coming the time the Tribe out of which he should spring his birth the place thereof his offices workes particular sufferings death resurrection Ascention session and coming againe and whatsoever else was and is to be fulfilled in him and by him is spoken of in the Prophets And certainly he is no Ordinary Person whom the Spirit of God did so carefully predeclare in all things belonging to him Fourthly In that he is the summe and All of the Prophecies for what are they but Christ in his Sufferings and Glory they having all some reference and tendency unto him yea all the Great things prophecied of as the Conversion of the Jews the coming in of the fulness of the Gentiles the pulling downe high and lofty things the establishing of Justice and righteousnesse in the Earth the powring out of more abundance of the Spirit and all other Great things are in a subserviency unto him and have a speciall reference to his exaltation and kingdome Fifthly In the Matter of the prophecies concerning him which I shall reduce to these three heads First What he shall be and have Balam prophecying of Israels happiness saith His King shall be higher then Agag and his kngdome shall he exalted out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion Numb 24.7 19. The Psalmist speaking of Christ saith That he shall have the Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession Psal 2.8 He shall be exalted extolled and be very high Isa 52.13 He shall have a portion with the Great and divide the spoile with the strong Isa 53.12 He shall not onely be Ruler in Israel but also Great unto the ends of the Earth Micah 5.2 4. Yea he shall be King over all the Earth Zach. 14.9 Secondly What he shall do He shall judge the poore of the people he shall save the children of the needy and shall breake in pieces the Oppressor Psal 72.4 He shall rule in the midst of his Enemies he shall Judge among the Heathen he shall fill the places with the dead bodies he shall wound the Heads over many Countreys Psal 110.2 6. 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 He shall reigne and prosper and shall execute Judgement and Justice in the earth He shall build the Temple of the Lord and he shall beare the Glory and shall sit and rule upon his Throne Zach. 6.13 He shall overcome the Beast and the Kings of the earth Rev. 17.14 19.19 20. These and other mighty things are spoken of Christ that he should do Thirdly What others shall be and do towards him Unto him shall the Gathering of the people be Gen. 49.10 To him shall the Gentilâ—s seeke Isa 11.10 The Kings shall shut their mouths at him they shall be dumb and not dare to speak in his presence Isa 52.15 They that dwell in the Wilderness shall bow before him and his Enemies shall lick the dust The Kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall bring presents the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts yea all Kings shall fall downe before him and all Nations shall serve him Psal 72.9 10 11. At his Name every knee shall bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth and every tongue shall confesse that he is Lord Phil. 2.10 11. All which speak Christ to be a Mighty One Fifthly He is a Mighty One in the expectation of the people First In the expectation it self he was one lookt for before his coming the people were in expectation of him and the expectation of the people is not ordinarily of mean and ordinary persons like themselves but of great and mighty ones of such as some way or other excell others Secondly In the nature and manner of their expectation it was not a faint and dull but a strong and earnest expectation they did expect him and expect him much they did expect him with desire and longing according to his own words to his Disciples I tell you that many Prophets and Kings have desired to see those things which ye see and to hear those things which ye hear Luke 10.24 Therefore when God sent any one into
In the time of his Ascension Luke 24.52 These carriages of the Generality of the people declare his mightiness Secondly In the carriage of his Enemies even in their worst carriages viz. First Their persecutions for that he was so persecuted of the Mighty Ones of the world was because they lookt upon him as a Mighty One and were afraid of him lest he should become mightier then they and indeed persecution of any person or party do usually arise from feare in the persecutors lest such a person or party should prevaile against them It was evidently so in the persecutions of Christ as soone as he was borne he was persecuted by Herod that Mighty One he sought to destroy him and it was from feare for hearing of one born King of the Jeweâ— and some coming from farr to worship him being led to him in an extraordinary way he was troubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very much terrified and all Jerusalem with him It is also said Mark 11.18 The Scribes and the chiefe Priests sought how they might destroy him For they feared him because all the people were astonished at his doctrine And when some told the Pharisees what things Jesus had done Then gathered the chiefe Priests and the Pharisees a Councel and said what do we for this man doth miracles if we let him thus alone all men will beleeve on him and the Romanes shall come and take away both our place and Nation and from that day forth they took councel together for to put him to death Joh. 11.46 47 48 53. And History tells us of some Emperours who have been so troubled with the Feare of one King Jesus taking away their Crownes as they have sought the destruction of the whole lineage of David so that it is apparent that the very persecutions of his enemies spake him to be a Mighty One one whom they durst not let live Secondly Their Combinations and confederacies against him there were and are combinations of the mighty against him yea strong Combinations against him First A Combination of all Interests both civil ecclâ—siasticall and military as is evident in the words of Peter and John recorded Acts 4.25 26 27. Lord thou art God which hast made Heave and Earth c. who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said Why did the Heathen rage and the people imagine vaine things The Kings of the Earth stood up and the Rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together with Luke 19.47 The chiefe Priests and the Scribes and the chiefe of the people sought to destroy him thus all sorts of Interests were ingaged against Christ Secondly A Combination of all they have which may be reduced to three heads First A Combination of powers and strength For both Herod and Pontius Pilate and the chiefe Priests and others joyned their severall powers and Authorities against him and as it was then so it was to be afterwards as is manifest by the Angels explanation of Johns Vision to him Rev. 17.12 13 14. The ten Hornes which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no kingdome as yet but receive power as Kings one houre with the Beast These have one minde and shall give their power and strength unto the Beast These shall make warre with the Lambe And this John saw yet more fully Rev. 19.19 I saw the Beast and the Kings of the Earth and their Armies gathered together to make warre against him that sate on the Horse and against his Army Thus the powers and forces of the world combine against Christ Secondly A Combination of policy and Councel The Enemies of Christ consulted together with one Consent and were confederate against him They consulted together how to intangle him in his talke how to apprehend him how to put him to death how to conceale his Resurrection Math. 22.15 Math. 26.3 4. Math. 27.1 Math. 28.12 Of this the Psalmist speaks The Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take Councel together against the Lord and against his Anointed Psal 2.2 Thirdly A Combination of purses they had all one purse against him this is evident in his Apprehension for the chiefe Priests and Captaines covenanted to give Judas money Luke 22 4 5. As also in his Resurrection being apparent to the Souldiers who also declared it to the chiefe Priests they spared no cost to prevaile with the Souldiers to conceale the same They gave large money to them to stop their mouths from publishing the Truth and to open them to tell a lie Math. 28.11 12 13. Thirdly A Combination against him and all of him They combined against his person to put him to death as a Malefactor against his Doctrine to keep or cast it out as error against his servants to root them out of the Earth as evil doers against his Kingdome to suppresse that as some hurtfull dangerous thing As their hatred was of the whole kind viz. Christ and those that were Christs so they combined against him and all of him both persons and things that the name of Christ might be no more in Remembrance And that they durst not deale with him singly but thus combined together against him is a plaine demonstration of his mightiness Thirdly In the carriage of his servants towards him as First Their confidence in him In all their difficulties dangers and distresses relating both to soule and body he is their confidence for supplyes succours and salvation neither is he the confidence of some onely but of all his servants not of the Jews onely for many yea many thousands of them have beleeved on him Acts 20.21 but also and especially of the Gentiles according to the prophecy of him Isa 11.10 He shall stand for an Ensigne of the people to it shall the Gentiles seeke which the Apostle explaines and calls a Trusting in him Rom. 15.12 In him shall the Gentiles trust and thus he is the Confidence of all the ends of the Earth and of them that are a far off upon the Sea and how mighty must he needs be that is the sole trust and confidence of all the truely wise holy and faithfull ones among men Secondly Their Confession of him As the Lord requireth confession with the mouth as well as faith in the heart Rom. 10.9 10. so the servants of Christ are not satisfied that they beleeve on him onely in secret as their Prince and Saviour but by their profession proclaime him to be so on the house-top being neither ashamed nor afraid to confesse him before men that others might also know and acknowledge him with them And as Confession of him is as Luther saith Virtus virtutum et summum ac difficillium opus the most excellent and difficult worke and that which some beleeevers have not been able to do Joh. 12.42 So