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

Thus it is here, No power or works are judged great but what are temporal, visible, and in civill outward things, we are apt more to look upon Alexander the great, or Constantine the great, because of their civill power, then Christ who is the King of Kings and Lords, transcending all these, but in a spiritual way, 1 Tim. 6.15. Christ hath this magnificent Title, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords: It's observed by Drusius a Learned man, that those Titles were usually given to the great Kings of Persia, then which there were none assumed more to themselves then they did, yet the Apostle attributeth this to Christ to inform us, that as God hath exalted Christ above all earthly power, so we should magnify and glorify him accordingly, certainly if we Christians did put forth our faith and meditations about the greatness of this power, it would work great joy and confidence in us; It would work an holy fear and trembling: The Apostle Eph. 1. Phil 2. Col. 1. is even transported with the expressions about it. Now this power of Christ is no where more glorious then in sanctifying and preparing an holy people for himself; To give them of the same Spirit with him, They that were dead and noisome in sin to make them live in holiness and to adorn them with all the graces of his Spirit; Oh then let not the people of God be dismayed or discouraged with the apprehension of their own weakness and impotency; how can they love God, bear afflictions, die in hope and comfort; Alas! thou thinkest on thy own weakness and not Christs power, Remember Of his Fullness thou art to receive; A thirsty man need not doubt whether the whole Ocean hath water enough to revive him: Christ we read gave wonderful power to his Disciples and other believers to work miracles; This amazed and astonished all the world, but certainly this power of changing mens hearts and reforming their lives, is far above this: To open the eyes of the mind is more then to give bodily sight, to say Ephatha to the heart is more then to say so to the ear; To raise from the death of sin is more then to command out of the grave: Austin said, To make a man holy is more then to create a world.

Thus it is here, No power or works are judged great but what are temporall, visible, and in civill outward things, we are apt more to look upon Alexander the great, or Constantine the great, because of their civill power, then Christ who is the King of Kings and Lords, transcending all these, but in a spirituall way,