as the world endureth in that outward polity and forme of gouernment established by the word 1. Corinth 15. It lasteth for euer euen so long as God is God in the most gracious and glorious regiment thereof in heauen these outward meanes ceasing What is the place of this Kingdome There are two places the one is this world where the Church is militant fighting against her enemies the other is heauen where the Church is triumphant raigning for euer What are the offices and officers of this Kingdome The offices and officers besides these that were temporarie and extraordinarie as Prophets Apostles Euangelists are these following The first office is teaching and that officer is called a Doctor The second is exhorting and that officer is called a Pastor The third office is ruling and that officer is called an Elder in the Church of England he is called a Bishop The fourth office is distributing and that officer is called a Deacon The fifth office is shewing mercie which officer is called a widow These are all set downe Rom. 12.7.8 The questions that are betweene the reformed Churches concerning these offices and officers I of purpose spare to handle being both vnfit to debate them and loth to offend onely I wish that such controuersies might be ended by Councels and that the peace of the Church might be kept Who is the Deputie or Vicar of this King There is no one person Christs Lieutenant for wee renounce the Pope who is Antichrist but we acknowledge euery King in his Kingdome the supreme Gouernor in all causes and ouer all persons aswell ecclesiasticall as ciuill next and immediatly vnder Christ which Prince hath authoritie to substitute ecclesiastical Magistrates according to the word for the polity of the Church in the exercising of iurisdiction visitation of Churches and ordination of Ministers which persons in England are called Bishops What are the properties or qualities of this Kingdome It is spirituall not worldly and exercised vpon the conscience wherein it differeth from the ciuill state Thus we see what Gods kingdome is How Gods Kingdome commeth now we are further to enquire how Gods Kingdome is said to come namely 1. When it is erected or established where before it was not 2. When it is enlarged and increased where before it was 3. When it is repaired or restored from some former decayes 4. When it is perfected and accomplished fully of each something First How Gods Kingdome is erected Gods Kingdome is erected and set vp generally and specially generally when it is entertained by publike consent in a countrie or Kingdome and that is when the Magistrate by law doth establish the worship of God according to the word and execution is done accordingly and when the Ministers in their ministerie teach and minister the word and worship of God established Specially the Kingdome of God is established or erected when men by the word of God are conuerted to the faith and outwardly make profession thereof Thus Gods Kingdome is set vp Hovv Gods Kingdome is enlarged Secondly Gods Kingdome is enlarged both when there are new subiects made when as before they were enemies that is to say when there are added to the Church such as shall be saued or when they that are ordained to life euerlasting beleeue as also when the former subiects are confirmed and bettered that is when such as are within the Church and doe beleeue grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ Hovv Gods Kingdome is repaired Thirdly Gods Kingdome is repaired from two great ruines and downefals especially the one of doctrine the other of manners and they are both of them vniuersall and particular for there are some which depart totally from the whole doctrine of the saith of Christ as when a Christian becommeth a Turke and some depart onely from some particular doctrines as they in the kingdome of Antichrist Againe there are some which being baptized and professing Christ powre out themselues afterward to all manner of licentious wickednes others fall into some particular sinnes as adultery with Dauid Now if a man recouer againe from false doctrine as from Turcisme or Papisme that repayre is dogmaticall but if a man recouer by repentance from lapse into sinne that repaire may be called morall all which kindes both of Apostacie and backsliding and of repairing and restauration may sometime befall a whole kingdome or common-wealth aswell as particular families or persons Hovv Gods Lastly Gods Kingdome is perfected and fully accomplished at two times Kingdome is perfected The first time is the day of a mans death the second time is the last and general day of iudgment The day of death is the speciall perfection of this kingdome in the subiect that dieth for then grace is perfected and consummated The day of iudgement is the generall perfection of this kingdome in all the subiects thereof which shall either die or be changed suruiuing at that day The speciall perfection of this kingdome is the glorie of the soule only in sanctification and saluation the generall perfection of this kingdom is the glorie both of bodie and soule of the whole man which then shall perfectly according to the measure be sanctified and glorified Thus we see how the kingdome of God commeth Hauing now deliuered the meaning of this second petition it followeth according to the order propounded to speake of the contents thereof in the supplication deprecation and thanksgiuing and first of the supplication which is the third generall The things which wee aske at Gods hands in this petition 3 The supplication of the second petition 1 Tim. 2.3 1. Godly Magiâ—tâ—ates further Gods kingdom are these following the first concerneth the Common-wealth viz. 1. Godly Magistrates for whom the Apostle willeth to pray teaching that it is a thing good and acceptable in the sight of God our Sauiour so to doe and the Wiseman forbidding to curse the King and the rich on the contrary signifieth that wee should pray for them and blesse them for the negatiue includeth the affirmatiue and contrarily for Magistracie is an excellent meanes to further the kingdome of Christ Esay 49.23 and therefore they are compared to nursing fathers and nursing mothers by the Prophet for as parents doe both beget and bring vp their children so godly Magistrates doe erect and maintaine the faith and true religion by the sword hence it is that the Kings and Queenes of England are intituled Defenders of the Faith which is the most royall part of the title royall 2 Godly lawes 〈…〉 fâ—ther Gods kingdome 2 Wee pray in this petition that the godly Magistrates may makâ— godly lawes and establish the whole truth of the word and see that both the tables of the Commadements be obs rued for the Apostle in the former place to Timothie expressâ—th the substance of the Magistrates dutie which is to procure that the subiects may leade a peaceable and quiet life in
forth as that they shall not hurt vs but become seruiceable to vs. After peace followeth ioy in the holie Ghost 3 Ioy spirituall a part of Gods kingdome arising from righteousnes and peace for being once through faith made partakers of the righteousnes of Christ and qualified with the manifolde graces of Gods spirit and being at peace with the Creator and the creatures 1. Pet. 1. Rom. 5. then we reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and glorious receiuing the end of our faith which is the saluation of our soules whereby also wee reioyce in the afflictions which befall vs for Christs sake These are the principall things we pray for in this petition appertaining to this life The last iudgemâ—nt â—thereâ— Gods kingdome some thing also appertaining to the life to come is here desired namely the speedy comming of Iesus Christ to iudgement and so the perfecting of the number of the elect the resurrection of the bodie and the euerlasting ioyes of heauen so in the Apocalyâ—s the Spirit and the Bride say Come come Lord Iesus Apoc. 21. come quickly And this may suffice for the supplication The thâ—ngs which wee pray against follow in the next place to bee handled 4 The deprâ—cation the 〈◊〉 of this petition which may bee gathered out of the supplication and are to be handled according to the order there vsed and in the first place things concerning Magistracie Anarchie hindereth Gods kingdâ—me Iudg. 19. 1. Anarchie which is want of Mâ—gistrates whence issueth disorder and confusion that euery man may do what him listeth a fault taxed in the Common-wealth of Israel whereby it commeth to passe not onely that the second table of the Commandements concerning iustice and equitie is transgressed example whereof is brought of the Leuite whose wife was abused vnto death but that the first table also is violated which respecteth the kingdome of God Iudg. 18. as the example of Micah and his idolatrie teacheth For it is a thing that the diuell would wish principally that Magistracie were abolished and therefore hee hath inspired that diuellish doctrine into the confused heads of the Anabaptists who take away all rule and authoritie and all superioritie among men for if hee could compasse that then the feare of punishment being abandoned and the hope of rewards taken away which are the two sinewes of the Common-wealth he might easily prostitute men women and children to all impious and dishonest behauiour whereby the kingdome of God should be banished out of the world Hence it is that the light of nature teacheth that it is better to haue a Tyrant than no King for nature is not so extinct in any man no though he were an Atheist but he would if not of loue to order and ciuilitie yet in policy prescribe lawes to his subiects wherby peace may be maintained and some forme of moderation least the bruite beast should controll man to whom nature hath prescribed and limited a compasse as wee see labour in the Pismire chastitie in the Turtle curtesie in the Elephant and the like in other creatures and although a Tyrant might doe and suffer much impietie and iniquitie yet some good must needes proceed from him though he were neuer so great a monstâ—â— of men in regard whereof Tyrannie is better than Anarchie there being some order in the one and none in the other 2. Next vnto Anarchie is Tyrannie Euill Magistrates hinder Gods kingdome when euill Magistrates are in place which seeke by all meanes to erect and set vp the kingdom of Satan in Gentilisme Mahometisme Papisme or Atheisme or any other superstition and heresie whereby persecution is â—aised against the true worshippers of God and true religion Toleration of strange religion and worship hindreth Gods kingdome or else when there is a Toleration of many Religions whereby the kingdom of God is shouldered out a doores by the diuels kingdome for without question the diuell is so subtill that hee will procure through the aduantage of mans naturall inclination to false doctrine and worship more by thousands to follow strange Religions than the truth of Gods word wherfore the Magistrates should cause all men to worship the true God or else punish them with imprisonment confiscation of goods or death as the qualitie of the cause requireth Here notwithstanding a doubt ariseth how it is lawfull to pray against the euill Magistrates 1. Tim. 2.2 when as the Apostle doth wish prayers to bee made for Heathen Princes and Magistrates which then were persecutors The answere is very easie that we may pray for their saluation and conuersion but against their tyrannie and persecution for it is not vnlawfull to pray for the Turke Pope and Spaniard that they may be conuerted and saued but it is lawfull also to pray against their proceedings against the truth that God would discomfit them in battel bridle their corruption abate their pride asswage their malice Psal 68.1.2 and confound their deuices Thus wee see the Prophet prayeth against the enemies of the Church Iudg. 5.31 Psal 83.9.10 Thus also did Deborah and Barak pray that all the enemies of God might perish as Sisera perished and so in another Psalme prayeth the Prophet 3. Lastly Euill lavves hinder Gods kingdome Dan. 6. wee pray against all wicked and irreligious lawes and statutes that God would hinder the making of them or at the least the execution of them such as was the law made against Daniel that contained a mouths Atheisme that no man for thirtie daies should worship any God but the proud King such as was that which Haman procured to be made and ratified against the Iewes Hester 3. that all the true worshippers of God should be destroyed slaine such as were enacted in the time of the bloodie persecutions by Heathen Emperours that whosoeuer said he was a Christian should bee put to death for by such lawes the very foundation of Gods kingdome is shaken and greatly endangered Againe in the second place wee pray against certaine sinnes and enormities incident to the Ministerie which are these Ignorant Ministers hinder Christs kingdome Malach. 3.7 Hosea 4.6 1. Ignorance for ignorant and vnlearned Ministers pine the soules of men being not able to teach and instruct the people committed to their charge the Priests lips should preserue knowledge and the law should bee required at their mouthes and the Lord he refuseth such Priests as refuse knowledge for they are the lights of the world and therefore they must haue light in them whereby they may giue light they are the salt of the earth and therfore must haue fauour in them to season withall wherefore by law established in this land none ought to bee admitted into the Ministerie but such as can render a reason of their faith in Latine and can teach the Catechisme allowed by law containing the summe of Christian religion so as the people may vnderstand and at their ordination haue authoritie
labour These are the specialties of disobedience In the third place is Selfe-will Peeuishnes Repining Selfe-will opposed to Gods will Grudging Murmuring Complaining Discontentment Frowardnes all which containe seuerall circumstances of one and the same sinne when men will not become seruiceable to Gods prouidence but will choose what they list themselues as though they knew what were best for them thereby controlling Gods wisedome and causing it to yeeld to their wilfull corruptions for this sin the diuell did calumniate Iob but Iob proued him a lyer Iob. 2 5.10 being content to receiue euill at Gods hands aswell as good howsoeuer there appeared in Iob though he be propounded as a patterne of patience to the Church a little spice of impatiencie Iam. 5.11 In the fourth place followeth Backwardnes in obedience and wearines of well doing Backwardnes opposed to Gods will Mal. 1.13 the fault which the Prophet Malachy reproued in his time when men say it is a wearines and suffe at the paines and cost of Gods seruice which in those dayes was a fault more tolerable than now by how much Gods seruice was more chargeable and painfull than it is now in regarde of the outward ceremonie the yoke of the ceremoniall law being intolerable as the Apostle speaketh Act. 15 10. Gal. 6.9 This sinne the Apostle preuenteth by admonition in the Galathians vsing an argument for the purpose In due season we shall reape if we faint not therefore let vs not be wearie of well-doing In the last place followeth hypocrisie Hypocrisie opposâ—d to Gods will or a false and dishonest heart when men purposing to liue in sinne neuerthelesse make shew outwardly of godlines and honestie for aduantage sake Mat 15. and Esay 29. Christ calleth it drawing neere with the lips and remouing the heart farre off a sinne so odious in Gods sight as that it seemeth he hath assigned it a speciall place in hâ—ll because Christ ioyneth the euill oppressing Mat. 24.51 and drunken seruant together with the hypocrite and dissembling mocke-God in the portion of such a punishment where is weeping and gnashing of teeth This may suffice for the deprecation The thankesgiuing of this petition 5. The thanksgiuing which is the last thing to be considered in this petition may easily be collected out of the supplication and deprecation for we blesse God that he hath bestowed vpon vs and others his seruants these graces following First conuersion Secondly obedience to the law in godlines righteousnes speciall obedience and faithfulnes in our callings Thirdly submission Fourthly cheerefulnes and fifthly sinceritie And againe we praise God for that he hath preuented and mortified in vs and other his children the contrarie sinnes as first obstinacie or impenitencie and infidelitie secondly disobedience to the law in vngodlines vnrighteousnes rebellion and vnfaithfulnes thirdly selfe-will fourthly backwardnes fifthly hypocrisie This shall be sufficient for this petition and so for those petitions which directly concerne God in his glory and the meanes thereof his Kingdome and will Now follow the prayers which directly concerne our selues both in regarde of matters temporal for the body and also of matters spirituall for the soule from which order vsed by our Sauiour Christ there is offered vnto vs this instruction that our good dependeth vpon and issueth from Gods glory and is a necessarie consequent thereof or thus when men are carefull to glorifie Gods name to aduance his Kingdome and to obey his will then our daily bread and all other good followeth thereupon and contrarily when men dishonor God hinder his Kingdom and transgresse his commaundements thence issueth all woe and miserie This doctrine is the summe of the law in the promises and the threatnings annexed to the obedience or disobedience thereof Deut. 28. Leuit. 26. Deut. 27. The summe of this doctrine is expressed by Moses largely in Deuteronomie especially Cap. 28. And the Lord commaundeth Moses to cause sixe Tribes to proclame the blessing and promises to obedience vpon mount Gerizim and other sixe Tribes to stand vpon mount Eball to pronounce the curse to the disobedience of the law the which two mountaines were two strong witnesses as it were to the people of their consent to obey and to receiue the promise or else disobeying of the curse of God deseruedly to befall them Christ teacheth that the Kingdome of God and his righteousnes hath all temporall blessings annexed thereto Mat. 6.33 and the Apostle Paul saith Godlines hath the promise of this life 1. Tim. 4.8 and the life to come and by Christs speech to the man that was sicke of the palsie Mark 2.5 he doth plainly signifie that sinne is the cause of all sicknes and the remission of sin the meanes of remouing the curse which doctrine yeeldeth a profitable vse for the time of Gods iudgements vpon vs that then we are assured that the cause is sinne and therefore wee are carefully to enquire what sinnes raigne most and to assure our selues that those sinnes are the greatest cause and that there is no reason wee should thinke that Gods iudgements shall be remoued till those sinnes bee reformed this especially concerneth the Magistrates who may with the sword and authoritie and the Ministers who by the power of their Ministerie may worke conuersion and reformation that the curse may cease from the land And this is the doctrine and vse which groweth from the order of the three first petitions concerning Gods glorie before the three latter respecting our good Now these three latter petitions admit this distribution also for they respect blessings temporall or spirituall the petition which is made concerning temporall blessings is this Giue vs this day our daily bread Concerning the order of this petition for things temporall before the other two which intend things spirituall 1 Order of the fourth petition this question may bee mooued viz. Whether temporall blessings are first to be asked in prayer or else why should Christ prescribe this order of prayer for things temporall before spirituall To which question or doubt answere may be made in this manner following The order of the fourth petition reprooueth our Corruption First Christ rather signifieth vnto vs our corruption telling vs what wee doe than instructeth vs in our dutie teaching vs what wee should doe although this latter ariseth from the former for a reproofe of our fault implieth an intimation of our dutie For first wee should seeke for the pardon of our sinnes then after and in the second place for daily bread Mat. 6.33 so Christ expressely teacheth yet we contrarily doe seeke earthly things more a great deale and in the first place the reason whereof is for that wee liue by sense and not by faith whereas we should as the Apostle saith liue by faith 2 Cor. 5.7 and not by sense and so this order reproueth our corruption and teacheth vs our dutie which is not to make worldly things our