Thirdly, We have the production of this Plant, I will raise him up. Hell will endeavour to keep him down; the Devil and his Angels will endeavour to smother him, when he sets his head above ground: So we find Satan sends Herod, and Herod sends the Bloody Dragoons to murder him, when he came into the world: But let hell do its utmost, as it hath done in all ages, and is doing this day, to smother that plant, up it will be; I will raise him up, and therefore he shall prosper. But then again,
Fourthly, We may notice here, for whom, or for what end, for whose use and benefit it is: I will raise up for them a Plant of Renown. Who these are, you will see by casting your eye on the former part of this chapter; it is for the Lord’s flock, his oppressed heritage, that are borne down by wicked rulers, civil and ecclesiastic: I will raise up for them a Plant of Renown, and he will be their deliverer.
The doctrine that naturally arises from this first clause of the verse, is in short this, “That Christ is a Plant of Renown, of God’s raising up, for the benefit and advantage of his people, or for their comfort and relief in all their distresses; he is a Renowned Plant of God’s raising up.”
Now, in discoursing this doctrine, if time and strength would allow, I might,
First, Premise a few things concerning this blessed Plant.
Secondly, I might enquire, why he is called a Plant of Renown?
Thirdly, Speak a little to the raising up of this Plant.
Fourthly, For whom he is raised up.
Fifthly, For what end. And then,
Lastly, Apply.