An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Thirdly, Christ comforteth us, by informing of us of his Sovereignty and ¹conquest over the world. So that both Devils, and his Instruments are but Lions in his hand, and so he lets them loose, and pulleth them off, as he pleaseth. If our enemies were equal, or superior to Christ in power, then we might justly be left without comfort; but what Christ spake to his Disciples, belongs to all, I will not leave you, John 14. 18. I will not leave you comfortless, Orphans, in the original: your condition is as good, as if Christ were here corporally upon the earth, and should speak to thee to be comforted. Would not this rejoice thee in thy afflictions, if Christ himself should come to thee and say, Be of good comfort, I am with thee, I will support thee? Now Christ giveth his Spirit to be a Comforter in his room. That as Tertullian calleth the Spirit, Vicariam vim, (Lib. de praescript.) in respect of Doctrine; so also it is in regard of comfort; and wherein can it more be manifested then in teaching of us, that the world is conquered by Christ? John 16. 33. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Faith maketh us behold this conquest over principalities and powers, as also over all adversaries: so that thou art to receive comfort, because there is no argument of discouragement; but it may be answered from Christ; and if thou art dejected, it is because thou hast low thoughts of Christ; Thou doest not judge of him, as he is.

Thirdly, Christ comforteth us, by informing of us of his Sovereignty and ¹conquest over the world. So that both Devils, and his Instruments are but Lions in his hand, and so he lets them loose, and pulleth them off, as he pleaseth. If our enemies were equal, or superiour to Christ in power, then we might justly be left without comfort; but what Christ spake to his Disciples, belongs to all, I will not leave you, John 14. 18. I will not leave you comfortlesse, Orphans, in the original: your condition is as good, as if Christ were here corporally upon the earth, and should speak to thee to be comforted. Would not this rejoyce thee in thy afflictions, if Christ himself should come to thee and say, Be of good comfort, I am with thee, I will support thee? Now Christ giveth his Spirit to be a Comforter in his room. That as Tertullian calleth the Spirit, Vicariam vim, (Lib. de praescript.) in respect of Doctrine; so also it is in regard of comfort; and wherein can it more be manifested then in teaching of us, that the world is conquered by Christ?