constraint but willingly for as the Apostle Phil. 2. observes he made himselfe so yea when worldly honour was offered him for the people would have made him a King Joh. 6.15 he refused it this was great self-denial to lay aside a crowne when he had it and to refuse it when it was offered speakes him one Mighty in this Grace Fourthly His patience he had greatest patience in greatest sufferings others were not so patient in lesser sufferings as he was in greatest The Prophet Isaiah sets him forth in his great sufferings and withall declares his incomparable patience Isaiah 53. which he ushers in with a yet yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he openeth not his mouth when he was reviled reviled not againe when he suffered he threatned not patience was perfect in him he was strengthened with all might unto All patience and long suffering with joyfulness yea the patience of Christ in his most grievous sufferings was so absolute that in all that his enemies tongues and hands could say or do this Servant of God did not sin so much as in word but offered the sacrifice of prayer and supplications with the sacrifice of himselfe for his persecutors he was Mighty in this Grace Fifthly His zeale he was earnest and fervent in Spirit against all evil and for that which was good he did cry aloud he spared not but lifted up his voice like a Trumpet and shewed the people their transgression he was full of zeale against the sins of the Scribes and Pharisees freely denouncing woes against them Math. 23. He was full of zeale against the prophanation and prophaners of the Temple he overthrew the money-changers and the seats of them that sold doves and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessell thorow the Temple Mark 11.15 16. Yea be made a scourge of small coards and he drove them all out of the Temple and said to them that sold doves take these things hence make not my fathers house an house of Merchandize And his Disciples remembred that it was written The zeale of thine house hath eâ—ten me up Sixthly His wisdome and understanding he was of quick and great understanding when he was but twelve yeares old all that heard him questioning and answering the Doctors were astonished at his understanding and Answers Luk. 2.47 He was wiser than all his Enemies they could never entangle him in his talke when he answered to any thing it was with such wisdome as they durst not ask him any more Questions and no man was able to answer him he was of so great understanding that he knew all mâ—n and needed not that any should testifie of man for he knew what was in man Joh. 2.24 25. Yea he knew their very thoughts Math. 12.25 Luke 6.8 He had as the School-men speak both Cognitionem matutinam verspertinam both a morning and evening knowledge he knew things in their Causes as well as in their natures and effects Seventhly His faithfulness was great without the least leaven of hypocrisie there was no guile found in his mouth neither was there any in his Spirit he was faithfull to his father he did his work and glorified his Name on Earth was faithfull to his Disciples he made knowne unto them all things that he had heard of his father Joh. 15.15 He acquainted them with sufferings as well as the Glory that should follow he reproved them for their evils as well as comforted them in their troubles he was faithfull to all doing good unto all men as he had opportunity Nineteenthly A mighty one in his works he was mighty in deed excellent in working his works as himselfe said did beare witness of him that he was some mighty one sent from God he hath declared his strength among the people His works were of two sorts First Spirituall and heavenly relating to the souls and spirits of men Secondly More externall and visible relating to the bodies of men and others and he was mighty in hoth sorts His works relating to the soules of men were chiefly First His preaching and teaching in which he was mighty even in his first Sermon on the Mount The people were astonished at his doctrine for he taught them as one having Authority and not as the Scribes Math. 7.28 29. Being in Galilee he taught in their Synagogues being Glorified of all He came to Nazareth and taught and all bare him witness and wondered at the Gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth he came downe to Capernaum and taught and they were astonished at his doctrine for his word was with power see Luke 4.14 15 16 22 31 32. To these may be added the Officers answer to the chiefe Priests and Pharisees when they said unto them Why have you not brought him Never man spake like this man Joh. 7.45 46. Neither did the word of Christ returne unto him void but did exceedingly prosper in the thing whereto it was sent many beleeved on him Joh. 4.41 Joh. 7.31 8.30 10.42 12.42 Secondly His Praying having received the spirit of Grace and Supplication without measure he must needs be mighty in prayer and so he was In the dayes of his flesh he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears Heb 5.7 Sometimes he prayed long Luke 6.12 He continued all night in prayer to God sometimes he prayed more earnestly Luke 22.44 and alwayes successefully For as a Mighty Prince he had power with God and ever prevailed God made him a King then bid him ask Ps 2.6 7 8. and indeed he prayed like a King like a mighty One as one in joynt Commission with his Father as one hath well observed John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am Thirdly His Baptizing John and Christs Disciples could but Baptize with water in his name he the master only was and is mighty to baptize with the holy Spirit This was that great and wonderfull thing which was made known to John that Christ should do which he was to observe as that wherein Christ excelleth all others as is manifest in the record of John John 1.32 33. John bear record saying I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a Dove and it abode upon him and I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit and upon this account John preferred him before himselfe Mat. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire He plainly declared him to be a mighty one in this respect This was that which he promised and
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 First 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 according 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 were 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 did 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 the 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 râ—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 peâ—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 indâ—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 Tenthly 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
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
notwithstanding their great watch of Souldiers and great stone which they rolled to the door of the Sepulchre so that by his Resurrection from the dead he is declared to be the Son of God with power Rom. 1.4 And that he hath satisfied the Justice of God and discharged the debt which he undertook to pay to the full being taken from prison the Grave in which the strength of sin and Gods wrath did for a time as Cords hold him and therefore the Apostle proclaims a mighty victory at Christs Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.54 55 56 57. And indeed then Christ appeared victorious his Resurrection being the beginning of his Exaltation Twenty-sixthly He is mighty in his Ascension not onely in that he ascended on high into heaven upon which account the Apostle magnifies him Heb 4.14 Seeing we have a Great High Priest that is passed inro the Heavens Jesus the Son of God but he ascended as a Mighty One Blessing the Disciples as he parted with them and they worshipping him Luke 24.50 51 52. The Angels also apppeared and attended Acts 1.10 Twenty-seventhly He is mighty in his Session he is set down on the right hand of God The Apostle speaks of him as of a Mighty One in this respect Heb 8 1. We have such an High Priest who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens And in this respect he is far above any of the Angels for God never said to any of the Angels Sit on my right hand Heb 1.13 And thus he is far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come Ephes 1.20 21. To which agreeth the words of Peter 1 Pet 3.22 Who is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject to him Twenty-eightly He is mighty in his coming again and that in three things especially First In the signs of his coming the Lord will give notice to the world of his coming by strange terrible and dreadful signes publick signes such as all shall see and observe for there shall be signs in the Sun and in the Moon and in the Stars and in the Earth and in the Sea The Sun shall be darkened and the Moon shall not give her light the Stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken the Sea and the waves shall roar the Nations shall be distressed and perplexed mens hearts failing them for fear c. Math. 24.29 with Luke 21.25 26. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory Secondly In the manner of his coming he shall not come then as he did at first not as a sheep to the slaughter as a Sufferer but as a Conquerour and Deliverer from all sin and punishment he shall not come in meannesse and weaknesse but in Majesty and Power triumphing over Sin Death and Devil He shall come in glory in his own glory and in his Fathers and of the holy Angels Luke 9.26 He shall come with all his holy Angeâ—s and Saints attending on him Matth. 25.31 1 Thess 3.13 Thirdly In the end of his coming viz to shew his might and greatnesse more than ever he did to take his kingdome and to reign before his Ancients all others gloriously to judge the quick and the dead 2 Tim. 4.1 Utterly to destroy wicked and ungodly men according to that of Paul 2 Thess 1.7 8. He shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Fully and eminently to save his faithfull servants For he was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Heb 9.28 Then shall he sit on his own Throne and all overcomers with him Rev 3.21 Thus have I demonstrated the mightiness of Christ in many particulars I shall add a few more to shew the super-excellency of this Mighty One the Lord Christ First He is mighty and righteous he is no Tyrant shewing forth his mightinesse in barbarous and unjust actions like the worlds Mighty Ones whose course is usually evill and their force not right Jerem 23.10 He doth not by his might overthrow right but he alwayes worketh yea he loveth righteousnesse Psal 45.7 Though he may in some great and strange works go besides the ordinary path and course of providence yet he never goeth out of the way of righteousnesse the most terrible things which he will do shall be in righteousnesse true and righteous are and shall be all his judgements for a Scepter of Righteousnesse is the Scepter of his Kingdom Heb 1.8 And being thus cloathed with righteousnesse he excels the Mighty Ones of the Earth Secondly He is mighty and mercifull The mighty ones of the world are commonly cruel and fierce but for one to be mighty and mercifull is rare such an one is Christ might and mercy dwell together in him he hath a mighty yet a tender heart and though he be well able to cut off his strongest stoutest Adversaries yet he is ready to forgive and receive them graciously It is observable all the mighty works of Christ were merciful works not wrought in malice and revenge but in love and good will to men not for their hurt but for their good and therefore it is said He went about doing good Acts 10.38 Thirdly He is mighty and meek mild and humble not like the Mighty Ones of this world who are for the most part of proud and scornfull spirits and of fierce countenances but he is meek and lowly in heart Math 11.29 Yea though he be very high and mighty yet hath he respect to the lowly and unto that man will this Mighty One look that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at his word yea with him will he dwell that is of an humble spirit It was the excellency of Moses that he was mighty and yet meek none on earth so meek as he in his day but Christ is both mightier and meeker too I shall conclude this with that rarity and wonder which Zachary mentions Zach. 9.9 Rejoyce greatly O daughter of Zion Shout O Daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee he is just and having salvation lowly and riding upon an Asse and upon a Colt the Foale of an Asse Fourthly He is mighty and wise some who are great in power are not eminent in wisdome but Christ is great in wisdome as well as in strength and therefore he is said to be by the Apostle The Power of God and the Wisdome of God 1 Cor. 1.24 Fifthly He is mighty and patient long-suffering and slow to anger it is not so much for the mean and weak to be patient as
made David Solomon Cyrus and others mighty to do the worke of God in their severall generations and it is that which makes Christ so Mighty for being anointed with the holy Spirit above others he became mightier than all others The Lord anointed him King in which respect he is in a peculiar manner called Gods Anointed Psal 2.2 and thence it is that he is so mighty to rule both able to save and to destroy The Lord anointed him to preach good tidings unto the meeke and sent him to binde up the broken-hearted Isa 61.1 with Luke 4.18 and thence it was that his words were with such power and efficacy And the Lord anointed him Priest and so he was Mighty to offer up himselfe without spot to God and his blood also Mighty and effectuall to purge the Conscience from dead workes according to the words of the Apostle Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the Eternall Spirit offered himselfe without spot to God purge your Conscience from dead workes to serve the living God And Peter in his Sermon Act. 10.38 gives this very account of Christs might and mighty workes viz. That God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him And himselfe saith Joh. 8.29 He that sent me is with me the Father hath not left me alone And thus through the Spirit of the Lord resting upon him even the Spirit of might according to what was prophesied of him Isa 11.2 he is Mighty 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 onely 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