on the top whereof was a strong Fort which the Jebusites kept by force from Israel till Davids daies who after tooke it and fortified it and called it Davids Cittie 1 Chron. 11.4 Neere unto which was mount Moriah 2 Chron. 13 1. Neh. 11.1 Isa 52 1. Ioel 3.17 Psal 78.68 Isa 2.3 Isa 60.14 Heb. 12.22 Rev. 14.1 where Solomon after built the Temple Wherupon Jerusalem was called the holy Cittie and Sion named the holy mountaine which God loved and from which the the Law should come forth and thence a type and figure of Christs Church 3. The settlement of this King in his Throne yet have I set my King how great soever the oppositions made by wicked men be yet his throne is firmely established The results of all which are these which I shall present in this order Observ 1 Christ the second person of the Trinitie is by the designation of his Father appointed to be King of his Church a King to rule and governe all those whom hee hath redeemed to be a people for himselfe Observ 2 The Kingdome of Christ shall overtop the plots of wicked men and be established firmely notwithstanding all their oppositions Observ 3 The Church of God where Christ sitts and reignes as King must be a holy Church These are the three mayn branches which spring from this stock the three mayn streames which flow from this fountaine The first Christ the second person c. Observ 1 For the better understanding of which wee must know there is a twofold Kingdom of God the one generall termed the Kingdome of power and providence wherby Dan. 4.35 as God the Creator he governs the world and all things in it The other speciall wherby as God the Redeemer hee exerciseth an administration of rule and government over the elect by a speciall name called the Kingdome of Christ in which he dispenses to his children both grace and glory Whence though the division be usuall into the Kingdom of grace and the Kingdom of glory yet they are not two Kingdomes but parts of one and the same Kingdom of Christ When therfore wee speake of Christs Kingdom wee meane not that which he hath by nature the government of which is universall over all the world and doth agree to him as hee is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God coessentiall with the Father But that Kingdom which he hath by speciall designation from his Father and which is appropriated to him as he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and man God with us cloathed in our flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ the mediator and which he dispences as he is the governour and head of that people which he hath by his own bloud purchased to be a peculiar people unto God from the rest of the world This the Scriptures set forth plentifully unto us in those severall expressions of giving all things into Christs hand of committing all judgment to him of Crowning him of putting all things under his feet Into whose hand hath he given all things that concerne the Church into the hand of Christ to be dispensed by him he loveth him and hath given all things into his hand Iohn 3.35 To whom hath he committed all Judgment to the Son to him he hath committed the dispensing of that power which belongs originally to himself the Father judgeth no man Iohn 5.22 but hath committed all judgment to the Son Who is the crowned King of Gods people Christ under him all things are put in subjection he hath Crowned him and put all things under his feet Heb. 2.7 See what a glorious description of Christs designation to this Kingdom we have Isa 9.6 7. unto us a child is borne unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called wonderfull couneellour the mightie God the everlasting father the Prince of peace of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with Iudgment with Iustice from henceforth even for ever Hee who is God the Son the second person in Trinity the child borne for our Redemption upon his shoulder is the Government laid as he first bare upon his shoulder his Crosse so now he beares the government of his Church upon his shoulder which he purchased by his Crosse He is not only Christ the Saviour but also Christ the Lord Luke 2 1◠set upon the Throne of his father David for ever In the further opening of which poynt I shall first shew you the quality of this Kingdome of Christs Secondly the grounds and reasons why God would not governe his people in the generall way as he governs all the world but would have such a solemne administration of a Kingdom by Christ First The quality of Christs kingdom the quality of Christs Kingdom as Samuel when he annoynted Saul King told the people the manner of the Kingdom so wee are here to inquire the manner and quality of the Kingdom of Christ The Scriptures set it forth under two notions first that it is a Kingdom in us Secondly a Kingdom over us Christ reigns in us Christ reigns over us Christ reigne in us Dan. 7.13 1 Christ reignes in us this is that which was typified in Daniels vision I saw in the night Visions and behold one like the son of man and there was given him Dominion and glory and a Kingdom that all people and nations and languages should serve him what kind of Dominion and Kingdom was this in which all nations languages should serve Christ not an earthly Kingdom no that Kingdom which was given to the son of man in that vision it was a spirituall kingdom the seting up of the Scepter of Christ in our hearts my Kingdom is not of this world it is in the world but not of the world Iohn 18.36 it is a government erected in the hearts of Gods people The Kingdom of God is within you every holy heart is Christs throne where he sits Luke 17.21 the forces of the Gentiles shall come in unto him Isa 60.5 In former times Christs Kingdom was confined to Iudea but since Christs comming the Gentiles are called the forces of the Gentiles the maine strengths and greatest parts of the Gentiles at some time or other shall acknowledge Christ That was the voyce of the seaventh Angell that sounded Revel 11.15 the Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of Christ those kingdoms which were but kingdoms of this world earthly kingdoms that knew none but an earthly King and yeilded no obedience but an externall obedience now become the kingdoms of Christ submit themselves to the Gospel of Christ advance his Scepter among them and yeild obedience to his lawes it is true all persons of all nations receive not Christ as King but there is no
is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the high and spreading power of the kingdom of Antichrist is a mighty impediment to the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ The way then to set up Christs Kingdom is to pull downe Antichrists there is a promise that Christs shall stand for ever but Antichrists shall have a fall and that the raising of Christs to its highest pitch shall be by the ruines of Antichrists After the prophecy of the fall of the whore Rev. 18. Rev. 19. Rev. 20. and the destruction of the beast followes the description of the glorious Kingdom of Christ It is with those two Kingdoms as with the scales in the ballance when the one goes down the other goes up or as it was with the houses of Saul David the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker 2 Sam. 3.1 but the house of David stronger and stronger the Kingdom of Christ goes up by Antichrists going down that waxeth stronger and stronger as this waxeth weaker and weaker Beware then of the connivence at Popery tollerations of Idolatry false worship downe with these cast Antichrist out of his saddle wherein he has sate too fast among us that Christ may better get up into his Stirrup to ride about conquering his enemies And let all you doe in these particulars be done 1. With faithfull resolutions to lay downe all your own ends and interests and to seek Gods glory 't was the Apostles complaint All men seeke their owne things Phil. 2.21 but no man the things of Iesus Christ So t is still we more seeke our owne things then those that belong to Christ and his Kingdome this should be the maine aime of every of us whatsoever falls to our selves to looke to this to doe our duty to Christ if that be not proposed first as our main end we shall never prosecute it cordially they are the prime principles of Christianity to deny our selves and take up the Crosse and follow Christ Mark 8.34 If these things be not first resolved on to lay downe our selves and to be contented with Christs Crosse and Christs yoake and that forme of Christs government which he has set downe in his Word and not what our selves fancie and to suffer what he will have us and to follow him whether he will carry us we shall doe little for the setting up of his kingdome while our thoughts are turn'd wholly on our selvs and our own interests and raising our owne fortunes wee easily forget Christ and fetting up his Kingdome 2. With zeale to God Ratione rerum agendum est non libidine Salv. de gub RescuÌ„re causa cum causa ratio cum ratione confligat Aug. de util cred In causa religionis nobis nihil ex arbitrio nostro indulgere licet sed nec eligere q od aliquis ex arbi rio suo in duxerit Teri. not to do things in a formall way only as willing to comply with the greater and leading part swim with the stream go with the crowd but to doe every thing you doe out of love and zeale to the cause you take in hand as being Gods cause When you goe about to reforme the House of God to doe it not because you are offended with this or that or this or that pleases your humour better but because God is offended with it or God is pleased with it that you may say truly as David and Christ both spake The zeale of thy house hath eaten me up not my owne humour but zeale to Gods glory and the glory of Gods House that there is in the heart a * Ignis quidam flagran assimi amoris Aug. Rom. 12.11 Nen me dâ—seret Deus si nihil fingâ— si offiâ—io ducor si veritatem amo si amiciriam diligo si multum metuo ni fallor Aug de util â—red fire of burning love kindled and flaming in you to God and his cause When you goe on in any other service to God to doe it with fervencie Be fervent in the spirit serving the Lord that will go thorow with the work God will not forsake you in it when done not out of formality but out of zeale and sincerity to Gods cause 3. With unity of affections as minding the same thing nothing more hinders the advancement of Christs Kingdome and Causes then divisions among his people The wicked unite themselves strongly against Christ Gebal and Ammon and Amaleck against Israel Herod and Pontius Pilate made friends that they might oppose Christ The multitudes all against the Apostles the Princes set themselves and take counsell together against the Lord and his anointed they unite themselves that there may bee no peace to Gods Church Vnitatem procurant ne pax sit How should Gods people unite themselves for Christ and goe on as the Israelites did to revenge the sin of the Benjamites Knit together as one man as we pretend to have the same head Iudges 20.11 and the same causes so we should have the same heart and the same ends A Kingdome divided against it selfe cannot stand if the Subjects of Christs Kingdome be divided 't is the way to ruine the cause and pull downe the Kingdome All the Citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem should be like the Citizens of an earthly City that is compacted within it selfe Ierusalem is a City compacted within it selfe Psal 12â— 3 stand close to one another in honest causes Psal 133.1 Gen. 45.24 Exod. 2.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 2.1 'T is pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity Brethren must not fall out by the way Fellowes must not be at variance The Spirit of God descended upon the Disciples when they were with one accord together in one place Peace among our selves is a means to advance righteousnesse in the world there is a sweet conjunction of these noted in Scripture Righteousnes and Peace have kissed each other follow peace and holinesse Psal 85.10 Heb. 12.14 Heb. 7.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ciem Al. Str. l. 5 Christ is said to be King of Righteousnesse and King of peace as 't is said of Numa he erected a Temple of Faith and peace peace among your selves will be a meane the better to advance faith and holinesse in the Church If we would doe great things for Christ we must be like-minded of one accord Phil. 2.2 of one minde as division is a work of the flesh while one sayes I am of Paul another I am of Apollos are ye not carnall 1 Cor. 3.3 Concâ—rdia res parvae creseunt discordia magnae dilabuntur Gen. 15.10 11. Psal 80.6 so it layes us open to great inconveniences discord drawes ruine upon great undertakings the ravenous birds came downe upon Abrahams Sacrifices when divided Priam and his sonnes laught at the divisions of the Grecians Thou makest us a strife unto our Neighbours and our enemies laugh among themselves Single Christians may doe something towards the
Die Mercurii 26. Octobris IT is this day Ordered by the House of Commons That Sir Francis Knollis doe returne thanks from this House to Doctor Temple for the great paines he took in the Sermon he preached at the entreaty of the said House at St. Margarets in the City of Westminster this present day of publick humiliation and that he be desired to print his Sermon And it is Ordered that no man shall presume to print it but he who shall be authorized under the said Doctor Temple 's hand writing H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. I appoint SAMUEL GELLIBRAND to print my Sermon THO. TEMPLE CHRIST'S GOVERNMENT In and over his PEOPLE Delivered in A SERMON Before the Honourable House of COMMONS At their late publick and solemne Fast Octob. 26. 1642. BY Thomas Temple D. D. and Minister of the Church of Battersea in Surrey Published by Order of that House PSAL. 97.1 The Lord reigneth let the earth rejoyce let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof LONDON Printed for SAMUEL GELLIBRAND at the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard 1642. To the Honourable House of COMMONS assembled in PARLIAMENT BEing called to this service by your command I could not think of a fitter subject more seasonable to the times and your places then this touching the Kingdom of Christ first to set before you the chiefe employment God cals you to and the duty lies upon you in it that is to study all the waies by which Iesus Christ may be best setled in his throne and his government most spread throughout these parts of the world where your work lies Secondly to hold out unto you the great encouragement to so great a work in which you are sure to meet with so great oppositions to let you know God himself will carry it on and Christs government shall be established notwithstanding the rage of people and the plots of Princes against the Lord and his Annointed If you go on in this cause with upright hearts there is no reason your spirits should faint or your hands slacken in fear of the issue you are on a rising side and in a work that will improve it self And indeed you have need of encouragement even from heaven to go on in the work of reformation of the Chuch and of establishing Christs government amongst us where the endeavours of many are so mighty to oppose it and their tongues so malignant to disgrace it But while your hearts are faithfull with God resolve to goe on with Gods work knowing you must passe through evill report as well as good report 2. Cor. 6.8 They who are called to great works must be willing to sacrifice all estate credit life in the cause of God so we keep faith and peace with God and doe not shipwrack a good conscience it matters not much what else we lose If Christ carry you through the work here he is all-sufficient to reward you hereafter The Lord make all great mountaines that lie in your way Iac. 4.7 to the setting up of the Kingdom of Christ as plaines before you Rev. 2.2 and in the end reward your works and your labour and your patience So praies From my Study in Battersea Nov. 6. 1642. The unworthiest of the servants of Christ in the work of the Lord THOMAS TEMPLE A SERMON Preached before The Honourable House of COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT At the publick Fast Octob. 26. 1642. PSAL. 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion THis second psalme is an exact description of the Kingdome of Christ as it was prophesied of by David who was himselfe a type and figure of Christ in his Kingdome and the Father of him according to the flesh which as it appeares out of the frame of the whole psalme so we finde this Psalme clearly expounded of Christ and his Kingdome by the Apostles in the new Testament First where mention is made of the Heathens rage and the Kings of the earth bandying against the Lord and his Annoynted v. 1.2 this is by the whole Colledge of Apostles and Disciples expounded of Christ Act. 4.25.27 Secondly where it is said thou art my son this day have I begotten thee v. 7. this is also plainly expounded of Christ not of his birth as it seemes to be meant upon the first view but of his resurrection from the grave which is as it were a new begetting Act. 13.33 A fit subject of our meditations as in all other so especially in these times Christ as he stands to us in this relation of a King we are all willing to looke upon Christ as he stands in the relation of a Priest offering himselfe in sacrifice for our sins so desiring him as a Saviour to save our soules wee lesse delight to eye him as a Prophet revealing Gods will to us little careing to know him but wee commonly hate to thinke upon him as a King as not easilie subjecting our selves to be governed by him I shall therfore crave your attention while I unfold to you this peice of Scripture The Psalm consists of three main parts First it sets forth the mad and furious councells and attempts of wicked people against Christ Act 5.39 affectasse ferunt regnum celeste gigantes who feare not to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 like the old Giants fighters against God himselfe their rage and malice is bent even against the God that made and redeemed them why doe the Heathen rage Ver. 1.2 and the people imagine a vaine thing The Kings of the earth set themselves the Rulers take councell together against the Lord and against his Aancynted Secondly it sets forth Gods establishment of Christ in his Kingdom notwithstanding all the attempts of wicked men against him yet nothing shall overthrow his Kingdome but on the other side be shall breake his enimies in peices yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion 3. ver 6. It conteynes an exhortation because wee cannot overthrow Christs Kingdom therfore to entertaine it in our hearts to serve him and feare him as wee seare to be destroyed and desire to be blest Be wise now therfore ver 10. O yee Kings be instructed yee Iudges of the earth serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with trembling The words of my text you see are the second part of this Psalme and have their dependance upon the former that notwithstanding all the machinations of wicked people God will have a King to rule in his Church which no power of man shall ever overthrow I shall observe to you three particulars out of this Scripture the King his Throne his Settlement in his Throne 1 The King as ver 7. Jesus Christ God the Son the second person in Trinitie God over all blessed for ever 2. his Throne where hee sitts or his Kingdome where hee reignes with the qualification of it his holy hill of Sion Mount Sion was a high mountaine in Jerusalem
discharge of their duty to God but there is no noble enterprize to be waded thorow so as to doe any great matter for the setting up Christs kingdome in the midst of so great enemies and so great oppositions if it be not undertaken with united strengths of many To close this point I shall adde some few meditations as strong allectives to draw you up both to crowne Christ in your owne hearts and to help to set up the Kingdome of Christ abroad in the world 1. The honourablenesse of this subjection to Christ there is no service to the service of a King what then to him who is King of Kings but further God will make it an honourable service by stamping a speciall honour upon them who in serving God honour him Them that honour me 1 Sam. 2.30 I will honour 't is a word out of the mouth of God if any man serve me him will my Father honour 't is a word out of the mouth of Christ Ioh. 12.26 And if you put the question which Ahasuerus put to Haman What shall be done to the man whom the King will honour What shall the honour be wherewith Christ will honour those that be his subjects Rev. 1 6 Ma. 25. Rev. 2.10 the Scriptures tells us he will make us Kings and there is a Kingdome provided for them and a Crowne to be set on their heads What subject has such a Lord Kings doe much for their Servants but they never set a Crowne upon their heads Pharoah made Ioseph the greatest in the Kingdome according to thy word shall all the people be ruled yet he reserved the Soveraignty to himselfe Ben 41.10 in the Throne I will be greater then thou but Christ casts his owne Honour upon us makes us Kings not to reigne for a yeere or a day but to reigne with him for ever and ever Let the force of this motive be that which Balak put to Balaam Rev. 22.5 let nothing hinder thee from comming to me for I will promote thee to very great honour Num. 22.16 Let nothing keep us from comming in to Christ for hee will promote with very great honor all those who come into this subjection to become servants of Christ 2. The profitablenes of this subjection Iob. 21.15 't was the profane question of wicked persons What is the Almighty that we should serve him and what profit shall we have if wee pray unto him And the wicked conclusion of a rebellious people It is vaine to serve God and there is no profit that we have kept his ordinances Gods people know Mal. 3.14 there is no such service as the service of Christ no such promises 1 Tim. 4.8 no such gaine as in godlinesse Godlinesse is great gain and hath promises of this life and of that to come If ever wee expect things by promise from God so as to have a blessing in them and not a curse we must serve Christ in the wayes of godlinesse that has the promise of this life as well as of that to come All blessings come where Christs Kingdome comes Mat. 6.33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First seeke Gods Kingdome and his righteousnesse and all other things shall be added to you they shall be cast in as an overplus to the bargaine Behold my servants shall eat but ye shall be hungry my servants shall drink but ye shall be thirsty my servants shall rejoyce but ye shall be ashamed Es 65.13 my servants shall sing for joy of heart but yee shall cry for sorrow of heart and howle for vexation of spirit That 's the preheminence Gods Servants have above Gods enemies they have a greater portion of outward blessings even in this life onely where God for some particular reasons sees fit to alter the course of his ordinary dispensations But then further in the life to come he that is the servant of Christ receives not only the advantage of his service here but withall a glorious reward of it hereafter hee who hath his fruit unto holinesse shall have his end ever lasting life Rom. 6.22 Let the force of this motive be that which Abner proposed to the men of Israel why they should crowne David and receive him for their King because the Lord hath spoken of David saying by the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hands of the Philistines 2 Sam. 3.18 and out of the hands of all their enemies So here crowne Christ in thy heart receive him as thy King labour to advance his Kingdome among others because God hath said by him hee will save thee and all the Israel of God from their sins from the Devill from hell Set a crowne upon Christs head here in thy heart he will crowne thee with all temporall blessings in this life and set a crown of glory a crown of immortality on thy head in the life to come 3. The necessity of this subjection to Christ and of setting in to the work of advancing Christs Kingdom in the world in case we would not be miserable in this life and that to come No blessing upon a Land where Religion and Christs Kingdome flourish not 't was when Obed Edom entertained the Arke of God 2 Sam. 6.11 that God blest him and all his house Religion is the mother of all blessings like the Heavens it has an influence upon all things here below it bindes all blessings together as it is said of Minerva's Buckler made by Phydias he wrought it so artificially that having set his owne name in the midst of it it could never be taken out without breaking the whole frame All blessings are bound up in Religion and the Gospel and Christs government among us if you take away these you break the whole frame of blessings If the Palladium be once lost Troy is lost steale away Christ and the Gospel and Religion from us we are lost and all blessings lost Without that we shall have a curse in all we enjoy I will curse your blessings Mal. 2.2 God curses those things to us which we enjoy not in the blessing of the Gospel Woe to them sayes God when I depart from them Hos 9.12 If ever Christ depart from us 't will be woe to us When the Arke of Gods presence was taken from the Israelites then Ichabod the glory of Israel departed The Arke of Gods presence 1 Sam. 4.22 his presence in his ordinances in the Gospel if that be taken from us the glory departs from England no more glory no more blessing 'T is the reason of the dissolution of States and Kingdomes Religion first fals before the Common-wealth fals The Kingdom of Iudah lasted longer then the Kingdom of Israel because Religion and the worship of God was more carefully preserved there 2 Chro. 26.2 When the messengers of God were mockt and his words despised and his Prophets misused that is when Religion
give it footing more and more every day though the Revelation be obscure in many things yet this we may gather out of it clearly that when the vialls begin to be powred out the truth shall grow up to the confusion of its enemies as on the other side wee see severall effects of Gods providence against the Kingdome of Satan and Antichrist that where we see the false Religion hath received some blowes we may assure our selves a further ruine will certainely follow as they said of Haman If Mordecai be of the seed of the Iewes Hest 6.13 before whom thou hast begun to fall thou shalt not prevaile against him but shalt surely fall before him If Religion be of the seed of Christ the daughter of God false Religions that once begin to fall shall not prevaile but shall surely fall before it Vse 1 It discovers the folly of those that set themselves against Gods people and Gods causes let them take heed what they doe such set themselves against Christ and his Kingdome and their attempts shall not prosper Iob 9.4 Hath any man hardned himselfe against God and prospered I must say to such as Abijah did to Ieroboam Ye think to withstand the Kingdome of the Lord 2 Chr. 13.8 Let us not thinke we shall be able to withstand the Kingdome of Christ hee is able to breake through all oppositions hee can crush his enemies thou shalt breake them with an iron rod thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessell Ps 2.9 the Lord at thy right hand shall strike thorow Kings in the day of his wrath Ps 110.5 Kings that be his enemies It was part of Moses Song touching the enemies of Israel the people shall heare and bee afraid Exod. 15.14 sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina the Dukes of Edom shall be amazed trembling shall take hold of the mighty men of Moab the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away feare and dread shall fall upon them for the Lord reignes for ever and ever Because Christ reignes such shall be the end of all his enemies however they may flourish for a time Oh! feare to oppose Christ in his Gospel in his people in his causes Isa 45.9 Woe unto him that strives with his Maker let the potsheards strive with the potsheards of the earth Let man strive with man and Prince fight with Prince that 's but dashing one earthen pitcher against another but let us take heed of ingaging Christ against us woe to him that strives with Christ 't is dangerous setting our selves against his Kingdome or his people or his causes lest as in this mountaine in Gods Church the hand of the Lord shall rest so Moab all the enemies of Christ be troden downe under him as straw is trodden downe for the dunghill Isa 2â— 10 Vse 2 Here 's matter of great encouragement to those that with upright hearts side with Christ and set in to advance his Kingdome they shall prosper in the worke We must not be troubled though we finde great enemies and great oppositions let us not value religion and the cause of Christ any whit the cheaper because so much set against The Romanes held their land about the City of Rome at as deare a rate when Hanniball besieg'd it as they did before Prize Religion as high in times of trouble as in times of peace Wee must not look only at the present proceedings our spirits must not rise or fall onely as wee see a floud or an ebbe in the handling of Gods causes but consider the end as David speakes of the upright man Psal 31.37 mark his end the end of that man is peace Whatever the present condition should prove to bee of Christs Kingdome yet the end of it will be peace and happinesse to Gods people At Cannae the Romanes went to congratulate the Consul that fled from the battaile because hee signified thereby that the state of things was not yet so desperate but he durst live We should not despaire of the state of Gods Church and Religion though we should see them brought to great straits It may be we shall not see the prosperity of Gods Church in our dayes yet here 's comfort enough to know the work shall go on It is a worke in Christs hand and a worke God takes pleasure in Isa 53 10 and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Rev. 1.16 Christ who holds the stars in his Right hand the Angels of his Church to preserve them does certainly hold the Church it selfe for whose good his Ministers are in his right hand to preserve her whatever oppositions be made against her At Antioch if I mistake not the Ecclesiasticall story sayes there being an Earth quake wherby many houses fell and the people terrified with it being ready to forsake the city one had a vision that he faw a man comming to him who commanded him to write upon every house Christus nobiscum Christ is with us stay here and so it ceased thus we should do when we consider the tottering estate of religion remember Christ is with us be not affrighted forsake it not if God be for us who can be against us if Christ be in the ship with us it cannot sink But especially it may be high encouragement to you Honourable and beloved you are they that must help up Christ into his Kingdom in the midst of these great oppositions that are now made against it we the Ministers of God can but encourage strengthen you as the Prophet Haggai and Zachary Gods Prophets were with the Princes helping them Ezr. 5.2 helping them with their prayers and helping them with their instructions touching Gods will and helping them with their exhortations to stirre them up but the work is chiefly yours you are to encounter Christs enemies the sword of justice is put into your hands to cut down all oppositions If your hearts be upright with God that your consciences assure you you seek Gods glory and the advancement of Christs Kingdom not your selves nor your own ends you have as much encouragement as can be you go on in a work that shall be carried up against all oppositions Heb. 11.27 Should visible means faile yet as there is an invisible God who may be seen by the eye of faith so there are also invisible means the power of Christ shall rest upon those that work his works and stand up faithfully in his causes Should you be left fewer then you are yet if you can but resolve when others forsake Christ to say truly Lord we will never forsake thee and do it not only say it some have said it and yet with Peter gone away and deserted the cause there is then no reason why you should fear Christ can work by few as well as by many Christ when men faile will tread the wine-presse alone when the day of vengeance comes Isa 63.3 4.