CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Before we gather our doctrine, Let us Theologically explicate this Text;¹ Christ saith he hath all power given him, From whence three corrupt Opinions have been by some in a seeming way established.

1. 1The Text vindicated against

1. The blasphemous doctrine of the Arians, ¹What Christ hath (say they) is given him, Therefore he is, Deus constitutus, Deus creatus, Deus datus, not Deus natus, how can he be of the same nature with God, who hath all he hath given him in time. But this is answered, first, If Christ speak here of his divine nature, then though not as God yet as the second person he is of the Father, and so ⟨p. 36⟩not in time, But from all Eternity had with his person all those divine properties communicated unto him. for therefore he is called the Son because begotten of the Father. But secondly, If the Text speak not of his nature but the office or reward rather of his Mediatorship, then that power and glory which is here said to be given him, may well be understood of that Mediatory power and honour God vouchsafed to him, and although by reason of the personal Union all honour and glory was due to him, yet God had so ordered it that he should not have the manifestation of it, till he had suffered and run through the whole course of his active and passive obedience; Therefore many understand this power here said to be given Christ only in respect of manifestation, for in Scripture-language Haec aliquid dicitur fieri, quando incipit patefieri, as God said, This day have I begotten thee, Act. 13.33. upon Christs Resurrection, because then he was truly manifested to be the Son of God.