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And that He and the rest of the Apostles were not deceived nor judged amiss in this matter, the mighty power of the SPIRIT, which wrought continually in them and with them, abundantly testifi∣ed. This was sufficient not onely to sa∣tisfy them, but to satisfy the rest of the world, that Jesus, as they said, was alive,
and made the Lord of all: who was rea∣dy at hand on all occasions to bear wit∣ness to this Truth when they preacht it, that he would give Eternall Life unto his followers. This power of the SPI∣RIT going along with them was a thing so notorious, that the Pagans in some places cried out, the GODS are come down to us in the likeness of men; and could scarce be restrained from doing divine honours to them. xiv. Act. 11, 18. And whereas there had been some won∣derfull things heretofore done among the Jews, if we may believe themselves, they now all ceased; as if God had transferred all power on earth into the Apostles hands. For they tell us, there were Ten Signs in the House of the Sanctuary * 1.1, which never failed: as, that no woman ever miscarried by the smell of the flesh that was burnt upon the Altar; no fly was ever seen in the House; nor did the flesh of the Sanctuary ever stink; nor the rain ever extinguish the fire; nor the greatest winds hinder the smoak from ascending in a straight pillar towards heaven; &c. But forty years before the Sanctuary was destroyed, all these Mira∣cles ceased; according to that of the Psal∣mist, (which they apply to this busi∣ness * 1.2,)
We see not our signs, nor is there any prophet to tell us how long. lxxiv. 9. When the veil of the Temple was rent in sunder, God, who dwelt in the Holy place, left his habitation, and went out at that breach to return no more thither. All the wonders were now without those doors, in the open streets, in every house, in the whole world. Which was a nota∣ble sign that Jesus was Christ, and alive from the dead, by whose power the A∣postles professed to doe all their wonder∣full works.
By these they proved that he was ex∣alted at God's right hand, and sate, as he said he would, on the throne of his Glo∣ry. And their proof was the stronger, be∣cause there was no great thing done (as formerly there had) but onely what was wrought by their hands; who reigned now with him as so many Princes, and sate on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. xix. Matth. 28. xxii. Luk. 30. They were supreme Governours (whose office it is to judge) in the Church under our Lord Christ, it plainly appea∣red by the mighty power wherewith their Gospell was accompanied. Which came, as St. Paul tells the Thessalonians, not
in word onely, but in power and in the Holy Ghost. That is, in Miraculous works, and in extraordinary gifts, which brought along with them a full assurance: insomuch that he left it to them to tell the world what manner of men they were among them. And if any enquire what was the effect of it, he tells us, that they were perswa∣ded by this miraculous power, to turn from idols, to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thess. i. 9, 10. This was the fruit of their labours and travels, to convince a number of people, by wonderfull opera∣tions upon the sick, nay upon the dead, and by gifts of the Holy Ghost, that Je∣sus was raised from the dead, and posses∣sed of Eternall life in the heavens; from whence he will come to bestow it upon the faithfull; whom he will never susser to perish, but rescuing them from de∣struction, make them ever happy with himself.
And whosoever afterward revolted from this Faith, I may adde, and set them∣selves to oppose it, the Apostles shewed their power (which was a great witness
to Christianity) as much in their plagues and punishments, as in the cures they wrought upon others. It may well be thought, that those in the Corinthian Church who did not believe the Resur∣rection, were reclaimed from their errour by that Letter which St. Paul wrote to them; for we hear nothing of it more in the next Epistle. But some there were in other places that obstinately persisted in their folly; and not contented to disbe∣lieve what the Apostles taught in this matter, contradicted and blasphemed it. Two of them are named in the 2 Tim. ii. 17, 18. Hymeneus and Philetus, who taught that the Resurrection was past, and conse∣quently denied the rewards of the Life to come. The occasion of their erring thus from the faith seems to have been this, that the Apostles often speaking of a spirituall resurrection from a state of sin to the life of godliness, (Rom. vi. Col. iii.) which they supposed all Chri∣stians had already felt; these men fansied there was no other, affirming the resur∣rection was past, and none to come. If they had onely doubted of it, the Apo∣stle, it is like, would not have so sharp∣ly punished them, no more then he did the Corinthians: But they blasphemed, as
he expresly tells us of Hymeneus, 1 Tim. i. 20. that is, reproached this Doctrine as a foolish opinion; and reviled, it is like, the Apostles who were the prea∣chers of it. And therefore he inflicted on them the most grievous punishment, by delivering them up to Satan: which was not so little as merely banishing them the Christian Society, but turning them over to the power of the Devill, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as unto a publick Executioner, to torture and scourge them. They are the words of St. Basil * 1.3, with whom agree divers o∣thers of the ancient Doctours; who think the Apostle speaks of surrendring such persons into his hands, that he might in∣flict bodily diseases or pains upon them, to humble and bring them down to sub∣mit to the Apostolicall doctrine, when they felt the miraculous effects of their Authority. For that's the reason this punishment is called delivering up to Sa∣tan; because it visibly appeared by some plagues on the body, that they were faln under his power, by being thrown out of the Church. He was as a common Galoer and Executioner in a City or Kingdome; the Apostles as the Magi∣strates and Governours, (as was said be∣fore,)
sitting upon thrones to judge and pass sentence on men: either by giving the Holy Ghost to those who sincerely believed; or by delivering those to be tormented and set on the rack by this Evill spirit, who blasphemed the Christi∣an Religion. There was then no other power in the Church to correct and pu∣nish them for so high a crime; and this being done by the power of our Lord Je∣sus Christ, (as you reade 1 Cor. v. 4.) was a notable testimony of the SPIRIT to the truth of Christianity, and bad all men beware how they spake evill of this holy Doctrine: especially of this fundamentall part of it, that the Lord Jesus will give us everlasting life, and raise us up at the last day. The terrible execution which they saw done upon those who subverted this foundation of all piety, was a great means to confirm all Christian people in the faith: and to make them reverence those who had this mighty power, either to give men ease, or to torment them; to restore men to life, or to strike them dead; to give them, as was said before, the gifts of the Holy Ghost, or to put them into the possession of the Devill.
There is a great deal of difference, it is observed by Tertullian * 1.4, between an An∣gel of Satan sent to buffet a man; and be∣ing delivered up, or put into the possession of Satan himself. To the former St. Paul himself was, by the Divine permission, obnoxious for his exercise. 2 Cor. xii. 7. The latter was the punishment of blas∣phemers, and other horrid offenders, for their cure. But both served to give a testimony to our Saviour, and to settle the hope of immortall Life. For by the Angel of Satan which buffeted, that is, disgraced and vexed St. Paul, a great ma∣ny ancient Writers * 1.5 understand those troubles and sore afflictions, all sorts of injuries and reproaches which infidels and wicked men, by the instinct of some of the Devil's agents, tormented the Apostle withall. Alexander the Coppersmith, (saith St. Chrysostom,) who did St. Paul so much mischief, Hymeneus and Philetus, all those that set themselves against the Gospell, cast him into prison, beat him, drove him out of their cities, were Ministers of Satan, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because they did Satan's business: who by such instruments laboured all he could to dis∣hearten the Apostles, and hinder the free
course of the Gospell. Here now appea∣red the mighty power of Christ, which rested, as the Apostle speaks, or took up its dwelling in them. 2 Cor. xii. 9. They were never so strong as when they were thus afflicted. Then they mightily pre∣vailed, and advanced the Kingdom of Christ, by whose powerfull grace they endured all hardships and distresses cou∣rageously: and demonstrated they had a strong and immovable hope of being with him in that blessed place, unto which St. Paul was rapt just before this Messenger of Satan, as we render it, raised such a terrible storm of persecution against him. By that glorious sight he was fortified a∣gainst it; and, standing as firm as a rock himself, confirmed others in that faith, which made him so invincible, that he gloried and took pleasure in all those in∣firmities, and reproaches, and necessities, and persecutions, and distresses, which that Angel of Satan stirred up against him: ver. 9, 10. That was all the Devill got by his ill usage of him, which onely gave the Apostle matter of glory. For when our Saviour pleased not to grant his desire of having this Angel removed, but onely told him his grace should be sufficient for him; immediately he adds,
that he would gladly glory more then ever in his afflictions. Which plainly shews, both what he meant by that Angel of Sa∣tan; and how much hereby the Christi∣an Religion was promoted, and the Souls of believers strengthened in the faith. They might easily believe he had been in the third heavens, when they saw him so much superiour to all the power on earth, and the powers of the air too; who conspired to beat him down and op∣press him. All the art in the world could not so declare the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the un∣utterable words St. Paul heard, (which the impious Cainites and Gnosticks * 1.6, in a Book of theirs called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, con∣cerning St. Paul's ascent, pretended to relate,) as this inexpressible power of Christ residing in him, and supporting him under the greatest miseries; which declared those words remained still im∣printed in his Mind.
And that other power of Christ, where∣by the Apostle delivered up high offen∣ders to Satan, (that he might inflict plagues and diseases or aches and pains on their bodies,) as evidently shewed what a great Minister he was in Christ's Kingdom; and how credible the Doctrine
was which he preached to them. For he was ready to revenge all disobedience with remarkable punishments; and al∣ledges this power as a proof of his autho∣rity, in the next Chapter, 2 Cor. xiii. 2, 3, 4. If I come again, I will not spare, since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me.
He is not weak indeed towards you, but is mighty in you: (having given by me exceeding great demonstrations of his power and my Apostleship, xii. 12.) Yet since you are not convinced, it seems, by what you have seen already, and desire a farther proof that Christ speaks in me, you shall have it; I will not spare you; that is, I will punish you, and make you know it to your cost. For though Christ was crucified through weakness, (i. e. according to his mor∣tall condition which he assumed for our sake,) yet he lives by the power of God, which raised him from the dead, and gave him all power in heaven and earth. You ought not therefore to contemn one because he is weak, i. e. afflicted, as you are apt to do me; for Christ went this way to glory: and though we also are weak in, or with, him, i. e. suffer for his sake, which is no more then he did; we shall live with
him by the power of God toward you; that is, make you feel, that as he is a∣live, (i. e. mighty and strong now that he is raised from the dead,) so are we also by the power of God, which we shall make use of for chastising your in∣solence.Which plainly shews, that these Apostolicall censures had most migh∣ty effects; which demonstrated Christ was alive, and wrought most powerfully in these his Ministers. By whom as he gave miraculous gifts, so he miraculously punished offenders; and never more ter∣ribly then when they were in such a weak (that is, afflicted) condition, that it tempted some people to contemn them. Then they shew'd their power, and made it appear that, as he, who was crucified, li∣ved; so did they, who were persecuted and despised: being armed with divine weapons or engines, which were mighty through God to batter down the stron∣gest holds; subverting the pitifull rea∣sonings of such as Hymeneus and Philetus, and making every proud conceit stoop, which advanced it self against the Chri∣stian Doctrine. 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. This they did by the power I am speaking of, which baffled all opposers, and made them crouch as so many captives to these Mini∣sters
of Jesus Christ. Who in their exter∣nall conditino were mean, and exposed to the scorn and contempt of all the world; but so mighty and great by this authority, that the Apostle saith, (ver. 8.) it had not been vanity, if he had boasted of it more then he did. For this Aposto∣licall Rod, as he calls it 1 Cor. iv. 21 * 1.7. was like the rod of God in the hand of Moses. It did miraculous things by in∣flicting terrible punishments, for which no cause but his heavy censure appeared, on those who contradicted and blasphe∣med: and was as sensible a sign of the presence of God in the Church, as the things which the rod of Moses did were of his presence with the ancient Israelites. Great fear came upon the whole Church, and upon as many as heard these things, says St. Luke, (Act. v. 11.) when he relates how the other great Apostle by this rod struck Ananias and Sapphira dead.
For
hereby they learnt two things, * 1.8 saith Asterius: both that our Saviour was God; and that the teacher of his laws had Angels attending on him, who were ready to execute his pleasure. He would have the lame man walk, and presently that grace came. He thought
good to punish these sacrilegious per∣sons, and the punishment in an instant was inflicted. These things were suffi∣cient to astonish the most stony hearts; and to perswade them firmly 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that they were not words of deceit which the Apostle spake, but that God was certainly with him, and that the mystery which he preached was true and holy.
O the wonderfull power of our Lord Christ, to whom all things in heaven and in earth and under the earth do bow and obey! whose Ministers had so large an Authority, that Angels were ready to wait upon their word! Great is his power, which by such weak instruments brought such mighty things to pass. His Apostles, say the Gentiles, * 1.9 were men of no account, mean fishermen and such like ru∣stick people. True; and we adde more∣over, that they were unlearned, illiterate, poor, vile, ignorant and despicable. But this is no disparagement to them; it is their glory and peculiar praise, that such men as these appeared more illustrious then the whole World. For these idiots, these rusticks, these illiterate men, were too hard for the wise, and overcame the mighty, and
perswaded the rich and great to submit to their authority. Great therefore was the power of the Cross; for these things were not done by any humane strength. Consider a little. A fisher-man, a tent-maker, a publi∣can, an obscure illiterate man coming from Palestine, a far distant country, encounter with the Philosophers at their own doors, with the Rhetoricians, with the ablest spea∣kers, and in a short time put them all down: though infinite dangers opposed them, and nature fought against them, and length of time and old customes mightily resisted them, and Daemons also armed themselves, and the Devil mustered up his forces, and moved all things; Kings, Rulers, People, Nations, Cities, Barbarians, Grecians, Philosophers, Rhetoricians, Sophisters, O∣ratours, Laws, Judgment-seats, all man∣ner of Punishments, a thousand sorts of deaths. But all these were no more able to stand before the breath of these poor Fisher∣men, then the small Dust before the blast of powerfull Winds.
How came it about that the weak thus overcame the strong? that twelve naked men not onely encountred, but vanquisht those that were so well armed? If you should see twelve men unskilled in warlike affairs,
and not onely unarmed, but weak in body, attack an infinite host of well-disciplin'd and well-appointed souldiers, and, receiving a thousand darts, should not be wounded, nor have any harm, but should take some of their opposers prisoners, and kill others, and disperse all; would any one think this was done by humane means? And yet the trophee's of the Apostles are far more admi∣rable. For it is not so strange for a naked man not to be wounded, as for an obscure; an illiterate person, a fisher-man, to baffle so much wit and eloquence: and not to be hindred in their preaching, neither by their own small number and poverty, nor by the dangers they met withall, nor by the prepossession of custome, nor by the austeri∣ty of the things they commanded, nor by daily deaths, nor by the multitude of those that were in errour, nor by the dignity of those that miss-led them.
Who would not admire that mouth of St. * 1.10 Paul by which Christ was preached; and a light broke forth more amazing then lightning, and a voice more terrible, even to Devils, then any clap of thunder? This voice brought them bound like slaves, this purged the world, this cured diseases, and threw out wickedness, and introduced the
truth. What good was there which was not done by that mouth of his? It drove away devils, it unloosed sins, it stopt the mouth of tyrants, it silenced the tongues of Phi∣losophers, it brought the world near to God, it perswaded Barbarians to Christian wise∣dome, it set all things in order on earth, and had a power also in heaven; binding whom it would, and loosing there, according to the power given him. As a lion let loose among a company of foxes, so did he fall upon the societies of Daemons and Philoso∣phers: and like a thunderbolt struck through all the armies of the Devill; who was so a∣fraid of him, that he trembled at his sha∣dow, and ran away if he did but hear his voice. He delivered the incestuous Co∣rinthian to him, being far distant from the place; and again he snatcht him out of his hands, being perfectly acquainted with his devices. And in like manner he taught others by the same severity, not to blas∣pheme.
But let us not content our selves merely to admire him; let us not onely be asto∣nisht at him: let us imitate and follow him. What though we cannot doe such miracles as the Apostles did? and there is no hunger and other miseries to be endured?
(the times being peaceable and quiet, God be blessed:) yet there is their piety and the holiness of their life to be transcribed, which was no less admirable. And this is the noblest conflict; this is the syllogism which cannot be contradicted; this by our Works. Should we discourse never so ex∣cellently, but live no better then others; we gain nothing. For unbelievers do not mind what we say, but what we doe; say∣ing, Do thou first of all follow thine own words, and then perswade others. For if thou tellest us of millions of good things in the other world, but art so intent up∣on the things of this, as if there were no other; we believe thy works rather then thy words. For when we see thee greedy to snatch other mens goods, bitterly bewai∣ling thy friends deceased, and in many o∣ther things offending, how shall we believe thee that there is a Resurrection? Thus unbelievers are hindred from being Chri∣stians.
And therefore having seen how glorious our Saviour is, * 1.11 being instructed in his Re∣ligion, and made partakers of so great a gift, let us lead a life agreeable to our princi∣ples; that so we may injoy those good things which Christ hath promised. For He there∣fore
appeared, not onely that his Disciples might behold his glory in this world, as they say they did, (i. Joh. 14.) but also in the world to come: For, I will, saith he, that where I am, they may be, and see my glory. And if he appeared so illustriously here, what shall we say of his glory there? O happy, thrice happy they, more happy then can be expressed, who shall be thought wor∣thy of that glory! Which if we should be so unhappy as not to see, better had it been for us, if we never had been born. To what purpose do we live and breath; what are we, if we miss of that Light? if we may not be permitted then to see our Lord and Master? If those who enjoy not the light of the Sun, lead a life more bitter then death; how miserable will their condition be who are deprived of that light? This loss will be punishment sufficient: though this is not all they must expect. For being banished from this Light, they shall not one∣ly be cast into outer darkness; but there burn perpetually, and miserably consume, and gnash their teeth, and suffer a thousand o∣ther miseries.
Let us awake therefore, let us look about us, let us use our utmost endeavours, that we may enjoy the happiness Christ designs
for us; and be far remote from the river of fire, which runs with great noise before the dreadful tribunall. Into that if we fall, there is no redemption. And therefore let us purify our life, let us make it bright and shining; so that we may have boldness of access to the blessed sight of our Lord, and obtain the promised good things, through the grace and loving-kindness of Christ Je∣sus; by whom and with whom to the Fa∣ther and the Holy Ghost be glory world without end. Amen.
Pirke Avoth cap. v.
Talmud Bab. in Joma apud Raimund. p. 297.
Homil. in princip. Proverb. p. 439.
L. de Pu∣dicitia, c. xiii.
S. Chry∣sostom. Theodo∣rer. Pho∣tius apud Oecumen. Ambros. Theophy∣lact.
Epiphan. Haeres. xxxviii.
Vid. S. Chryso∣stom. in loc.
Encom. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
S. Chry∣sost. Hom. iii. in 1 Co∣rinth.
Id. Ho∣mil. ult. in Ep. ad Roman.
Id. Homil. xii. in Jo∣han.