12. He is renowned for his Authority and Dominion. It is great, and extends far and wide, whether in heaven above, or in the earth beneath: And his dominion reaches “from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth:” And all the kings of the earth are but his vassals.
Thus, I say, Christ in every respect is renowned.
But here, to keep by the phraseology of the text, He is a renowned Plant: Wherein is he renowned?
First, I say he is renowned for his Antiquity: “I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was,” &c. All the plants in the higher and lower gardens of God, they are but just upstarts in comparison of him: Angels and Arch-angels, and the greatest Seraphims are but of yesterday, in comparison of this Plant. He is renowned for his Antiquity, for he is, “The Ancient of days, and the Everlasting Father,” Isaiah, 9th chapter.
N.B.—Here he was desired to conclude his Discourse, in respect the Work in the Church was over, and that he might give way to another Minister that was to preach the Evening Sermon.
SERMON II.
Ezekiel, xxxiv. 29.
And I will raise up for them a Plant of Renown.