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

First, Let us consider the adversative particle, not only the Apostles, but every believer also.

First, Let us consider the adversative particle, not onely the Apostles, but every believer also.

¹Obs. That Christ in his Mediatory-Office had respect to the meanest and weakest believer as well as to the choicest and most eminent. Even as the High-priest was to pray for all the people, the poorest as well as the greatest; so doth Christ regard the soul of the most contemptible believer, as well as of such who are more conspicuous. This might be represented in that custom amongst the Jews, when the soul of every man, whether rich or poor did pay the same ransom, Exod. 30.12. Though among men, there be poor and rich, learned and unlearned, yet in respect of Christ and grace, there is no such difference. To this purpose notably the Apostle, Gal. 3.28. There is neither Jew or Greek, b•nd or free, but all are one in Christ Jesus. Christ in his Mediatory works looks upon all as one: Even as it is with Gods providence in this universe. It's fully intent upon every one creature. There is not the lest worm or fly, but Gods providence preserveth it as well as it doth the most glorious Angel, and as it is said usually, Gods providence is so intent upon all the whole Word universis, as if he did not attend singulis to every particular, and yet on the other side, it's so ⟨p. 525⟩incumbent on singulis, as if it were not to the universis: Even thus it is with Christ, his care and love is so indulged to any one believer, that you would think there were no other believers, you would think his thoughts were not upon the Church in general, but on this particular, and yet at the same time Christs inspection •nd watchfulness is so over the whole Church, that one would think, that he had not time or leisure to mind the condition of every private Christian.