A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

For the better understanding of this place, two questions must be handled: First, how far forth doth Christ give this his power unto men? Answ. Christs Sovereign and general power over the whole world is not indeed given to any creature, nay it is incommunicable, and cannot be conveyed from the person of Christ to the person of any creature man or Angel: this truth we must hold of all Christs offices, they are only in the person of Christ, and cannot pass from him to any other. II. Quest. How then doth Christ say truly, that he will give him that overcometh, power over nations. Answ. Not that his Sovereign power is actually given to the creature; but because the creature being in Christ, hath the fruit & benefit of this power in his salvation. And this power is in them two ways: First, hereby Christ makes all his servants (being his members) partakers of his glory in heaven, whereas the whole world besides is condemned in hell: and therefore we are said to ^(b)be raised up together, and made to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. And again he saith, The ^(c)saints shall judge the world, not i• giving sentence upon them; but as witnesses and approvers of Christ his sentence: For the elect shall first receive the sentence of absolution, and then being taken up into the clouds shall sit with Christ, and there approve of the just condemnation of all the wicked. Secondly, by this power he enableth those that be his, in their own person to overcome all the enemies of their salvation. His meaning then is this, as if he had said, Howsoever my Sovereign power over all creatures in my self, cannot be derived to any other; yet by virtue of this my power, I will exalt them that overcome, to partake of my glory: and will give them power in themselves over their sins, over death, hell, the world, and all the enemies of their salvation.

For the better vnderstanding of this place, two questions must bee handled: First, how farre foorth doth Christ giue this his power vnto men? Answ. Christs Soueraigne and generall power ouer the whole world is not indeed giuen to any creature, nay it is incommunicable, and cannot bee conueyed from the person of Christ to the person of any creature man or Angell: this truth wee must hold of all Christs offices, they are onely in the person of Christ, and cannot passe from him to any other. II. Quest. How then doth Christ say truly, that hee will giue him that ouercommeth, power ouer nations. Answ. Not that his Soueraigne power is actually giuen to the creature; but because the creature being in Christ, hath the fruit & benefit of this power in his saluation. And this power is in them two wayes: First, hereby Christ makes all his seruants (being his mēbers) partakers of his glorie in heauen, whereas the whole world besides is condemned in hell: and therefore we are sayd to