1. That Christ is true God, for otherwise he could not have such an absolute power. It is proper to his divine nature, though, as it is a gift, his W'hole person God-man be invested with it. He is called the only God, not excluding the Father, who subsisteth with him in the same essence, but including the Son : Isa. xlv. 22, 23, ' I am God, and there is none else : 1 have sworn by myself ; the word is gone out in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall
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bow, and every tongue shall swear ;' which is applied to Christ, Rom. xiv. 11, and Phil. ii. 9-11. He is called the great God ; the supper of the Lamb is called ' the supper of the great God/ Ilev. xix. 17 ; ' the true God,' 1 John v. 20. It sliould fortify christians against those abominable opinions wherein the godhead of Christ is questioned.
2. Observe that Christ as mediator hath power over all flesh. All kings and monarchs have certain bounds and limits, by which their empire is terminated ; but God hath set Christ higher than the kings of the earth. He is the true catholic king ; his government is unlimited : Ps. Ixxxix. 27, ' Also I will make him, my first born, higher than the kings of the earth ;' Mat. xxviii. 18, ' All power is given unto me, both in heaven and in earth ;' and Dan. vii. 14, ' There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him : his dominion is an ever- lasting dominion, which shall not pass away ; and his kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed.' There is some difference about the extent of Christ's mediatory kingdom.
[1.] It is not only confined to the elect. We must distinguish between Christ's power and his charge. He hath a power given him over all ; but there are some given to him by way of special charge, which is given for the elect, as to all spiritual ends, to rescue them from the power of Satan, as in this verse. As Joseph in Egypt ; the power of all the land was made over to him, though his brethren had a special right in his affections. The kingdom of Christ, as merely spiritual and inward, is proper to the elect ; that kingdom where Christ hath no other deputy and vicar but his Spirit ; but for his judiciary kingdom, that is universal : Ps. ii. 8, ' I will give thee the heathen for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession." There is a reign over mankind, and those that do not subject themselves to Christ as a redeemer shall find him as a judge. Therefore, in Ps. ii., the judiciary acts of his power are only mentioned, ' breaking them with a rod of iron,' and 'vexing them in his hot displeasure.' He is lord over them in power and justice as God's lieutenant : they shall pay him homage and subjection as king of the world, or else they shall perish. He overruleth them as rebels, but he reigneth in the church as over voluntary subjects.
[2.] It is not confined to the church and things merely spiritual , This kingdom is as large as providence ; and in the exercise of justice and equity magistrates are but his deputies. Christ is Seo-TroTTj? Kal Kvpco<;, ' the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.' He is ' king of nations,' Jer. x. 7 ; ' king of saints,' Rev. xv. 3 ; ' head over all things to the church,' Eph. i. 22. Supreme and absolute in the world, but head to the church. He hath a rod of iron to rule the nations, and a golden sceptre to guide the church. In the world he ruleth by providence ; in the church, by his testimonies: Ps. xciii., 'The Lord reigneth;'" Ps. xxiv. 1, 'The earth is the Lord's.' And then, ver. 4, ' Who shall dwell in his holy hill ?' I confess there is a question whether magistrates be under Christ as mediator ? whether they hold their power from him ? But I see no reason why we should doubt of it, since all things are put into Christ's hands ; and that not
132 SlfiKMONS UPONT JOHN XVII. [SeR. IL
only by an eternal riglit, but given to him ; which noteth his right as mediator. Christ hath a right of merit, as lord of all creatures. He is ' lord both of the dead and living,' Kom. xiv. 9. The whole crea- ture is delivered up to Christ, upon his undertaking the work of redemption ; he hath a right of executing the dominion of God over every creature. Christ, the wisdom of the Father, saith, ' By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles; even all the judges of the earth,' Prov. viii. 15, IG, And expressly he is said to be ' ruler of the kings of the earth.' Eev. i. 5.
Use 1. Comfort to God's children. All is put into the hands of Christ. A devil cannot stir further than he giveth leave ; as the devils could not enter into the herd of swine without Christ's leave, Mark viii. When thou art in Satan's hands, the devil, is in Christ's. Neither angels, nor principalities, nor powers can hurt. The reins of the world are in a wise hand : ' The Lord reigneth, though the waves roar,' Ps. xcix. 1. It was much comfort to Jacob and his children to hear that Joseph did all in Egypt. It should be so to us that Jesus dotli all in heaven. He holdeth the chain of causes in his own hand. It will be much more for thy comfort at the last day. A client conceivetli great hope when one formerly his advocate is advanced to be judge ot the court. Thy advocate is thy judge. He that died for thee will not destroy thee. Thy Christ hath power over all flesh, to damn whom he will, and save whom he will.