§. 25. Of Christs word of power.
THe particle translated word, is not in the Greek, that whereby Christ the Sonne of God is oft set out; especially by n 1.1 St Iohn both in his Gospel and Epistle, but o 1.2 an other, which importeth a command: in which sense it is used, Luk. 5. 5. for Christ is herein resembled to an absolute Monarch, who at his word hath what he will done: He needs no more but command. Thus it is said, Psal. 33. 6. By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made: and in way of exposition it is added (v. 9.) He spake and it was done: he commanded and it stood fast.
Yet further, to amplifie this soveraignty of Christ, the Apostle addeth this epi∣thete, p 1.3 of power, which after the Hebrew manner is so expressed, to shew the pre∣valency of Christs word; nothing can hinder it, it is a most mighty word. For the Hebrews use to set out a surpassing excellency, and an exceeding vileness of things by q 1.4 substantives. Thus the most mighty r 1.5 voice, s 1.6 arm, t 1.7 hand, and u 1.8 rod of the Lord is stiled a r 1.9 voice, s 1.10 arm, t 1.11 hand u 1.12 rod of power: and the mighty Angels, x 1.13 Angels of power. Yea to amplifie the almightiness of Gods power, it is stiled y 1.14 a power of might. On the other side, to set out the excessiveness of evil, the most wicked spi∣rits are called z 1.15 spirits of wickedness, and most rebellious men, a 1.16 children of disobe∣dience. Thus we see what the emphasis of this Hebrew phrase is, which sets out the irresistible power of Christs word, whereby he supports and disposeth all things.
And that such is the power of Christs own word, is evident by this b 1.17 reciprocal particle HIS: for it hath not relation to the Father, as it hath in this phrase, c 1.18 his person: but it reflecteth upon Christs own person. The Greek makes an apparent distinction by a different spirit over the head of the first letter: Our English oft maketh a difference, by adding to the reciprocal word this particle own: as if here it had been thus translated, by the word of his own power, or by his own word of power.
Thus is the royal function of Christ set out to the life.