The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

2. Words of declaration: All power is given me both in heaven and earth. About these words we may enquire, both about the sense of them, and about the end or use of them: For the sense, had not he all power before and from eternity as God? Or if it be meant of a power communicated to the Humane Nature, how is it that he had it not from his Incarnation? The answer is, that he speaks of a power he had, both as God and man, and such a power as he had not before, because this is the power he obtains as Redeemer of the world, and the price was not laid down actually, till he had given himself as a Sacrifice for sin, and had humbled himself to the death, even the death of the Cross. Now he had ⟨p. 471⟩purchased the inheritance of the Nations, now he might lawfully send them to take possession for him; and if he were resisted, he might win his own by a spiritual conquest: of this power is spoken, Psal. 2. 8. and 110. 1. Isaiah 49. 6, 8, 9. Dan. 7. 13, 14. Phil. 2. 9, 10. Now for the end or use of this declaration of Christs patent or power, it might serve for perpetual use both to the Apostles, and all Teachers of the Gospel, and to their hearers too. To the Apostles this declaration was necessary, because of the greatness of the things they were charged to proclaim to the world: for he had need to have a name above every name, that should in his name offer & give eternal life to the world, and should challenge all the world to come under, and do homage to him, and should send such a message in his doctrine, as should subdue every high thing, and should lay all mankind, as it were, at his foot. And though the conquest of the Nations might seem an impossible work, yet they need not doubt to go about it, seeing they are sent from him that hath all power. And the like comfort may all faithful Ministers gather from hence against all the difficulties of their work; they serve him that hath all power. And so in general this is a doctrine of admirable comfort to all true Christians of any degree, that will be persuaded to serve the Lord Jesus; they cannot serve a better Master. No master hath such power to prefer them: He hath all power on earth, but if he did it not here, yet he hath all power in heaven, they shall be sure of preferment in another world.