Magna Charta ecclesiæ universalis the grand charter issued out and granted by Jesus Christ for the plantation of the Christian faith in all nations ... / by George Lawson ...

Sect. 3.

I will not say much of the first commissi∣on expressed in these words, Ver. 18. All power in heaven and earth is given unto me. Wherein he signifies that he had large power, and it was given him; where we must consider, 1. Power given. 2. The par∣ty to whom it was given. 3. The donor, or the Donation of it from the Donour.

In the power we may observe, 1. The nature and quality of it. 2. The measure of it.

1. For the nature and quality of it, it is spiritual and divine; for Christ said, My kingdom is not of this world, John 18. 36. That is, its no secular power like that of the Princes of the world; its far more excellent and above it in respect of the subjects, the laws, the judgments, the end thereof. The subjects besides Angels are men considered in a spiritual notion, and as capable of an eternal estate. The Laws also are spiritual, and bind not only Angels, but the immor∣tal souls and consciences of men. Such are the judgments which determine and accord not only temporal but eternal punishments and rewards. The end in respect of all loyal and obedient subjects, is eternal peace and felicity: for God gave

Christ power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as he had given him, John 17. 2.

2. The measure of this power is exten∣sive, and intensive. Extensive in respect of the territory which is very large, even the whole world; whereof there be two parts, heaven and earth; so that it extends to all places, and all things, and so is universal; yet the principal subjects are Angels in hea∣ven, and men on earth, both intellectual and immortal creatures. Intensive: for its (all) power; one may have some power, or all power on earth, and none in heaven, or some, or all power in heaven, and none on earth; but this is all power in heaven, all power on earth, all power on both; so that Christ is over all persons, in all causes supream Governour, without any created superiour, without any competitour, with∣out any partner; its all in the highest de∣gree invested and inherent in one. This is concernig the power.

2. The person invested with it is Christ; For all power (saith he) is given to me: it was not given to any Angel, or Angels, nor to any Monarch, or Monarchs of the world, but to Jesus of Nazareth, a man nearer to God then any of the Princes of the earth,

or any Principalities and Powers of hea∣ven; one more beloved of God, and who had done a greater service than any other; for he had humbled himself at his Fathers command so low as to be a servant, and a servant obedient unto the death of the Cross; therefore he, and none other, was thus highly exalted, and received a name above every name.

3. The Donour was God the Father. As none but Christ was capable, none was worthy of this transcendent power, ac∣cording to that universal acknowledgment of Saints and Angels; Rev. 5, 10. The Lamb slain was worthy to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And as he was only worthy, so God his Father alone was able to give so great power: for it was given; which implies, that Christ as man had it not of himself: it was not an original and primitive, but a delegate and derivative power. 2. He was no usurper, he did not glorifie himself; he had a fair and clear title by donation from the universal, supream, and eternal Soveraign, who might justly dispose of it as he pleased; he was de∣creed to this place from of old, designed to it from his Birth and Conception, and

began to act in it after his Baptism. But upon his resurrection he was declared more solemnly to be King and Priest. The words of the decree and patent were these, Psal. 2. 7, 8. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee: for then God set him his King upon his holy hill of Zion, & gave him the hea∣then for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. And as by these words he was made King, so by the same he was made Priest: for so we read, Heb. 5. 5. He glorified not himself, nor took upon him to be high Priest, but he was made such by him who said, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. This day is the day of resur∣rection; and for God to beget him that day, was not only to raise him from the dead, but to create him universal King and Priest: When he was ascended into heaven, he was set at the right hand of God, took more full possession of his Kingdom, and by oath was confirmed an eternal Priest▪ and from that time began to exercise his universal power, to command the Angels, and to rule over men.