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

1. In regard of his eminency and dignity, for he is exalted above every name, any thing that hath the greatest fame and glory either in this world or that to come, Col. 1.18. That he might have the preeminence in all things. So that we should account nothing great in comparison of Christ: All the great men with their great power that in their generations have made such wonderful changes in the world, in respect of Christ, should be but as a Mole-hill to the vast Heavens: As God hath set him above every Name, so should we: We read of some Christian Emperors and great Lords that they would not be called Domini Lords, as being too great a Title, only Domni, by diminution, yea, it's said of Augustus, in whose Reign Christ was born, that he prohibited himself to be called Dominus. Some make a peculiar Providence of God in this, because then Christ came into the world, who was the Lord of the world, The world was made by him, and in this particular there is a great difference between a natural head, and this mystical, for a natural head doth not make the other parts of the body, but is made proportionably with them, only this mystical head makes all his members, he doth not only give nourishment but create their very being: It's true, Christ in the state of his humiliation was a little lower, or as the word is to be interpreted for a little while ⟨p. 46⟩lower then the Angels, Heb. 2. But after this he was lifted up above all principality and power, and certainly this is a wonderful thing, that so great part of the world should set up that Christ as their God in whom they believe, that was crucified, dead, and buried, and though now ascended into heaven, yet we see him not with bodily eyes, neither is his Kingdom and power after an earthly and pompous administration, yet for what a long season, with so many thousands and millions of men, rich men, great men, Learned men, Kings and Emperors of the world, hath he been worshipped, This showeth the Name God hath given him: Only the Apostle, Rom. 2. tells us of many that blaspheme this Name of our God, by reason of the wickedness of Christians; You who profess your selves Christians, and yet live in beastly and brutish lusts, you keep off Heathens and Pagans from coming in to own Christ.