VAE-EUGE-TUBA OR The Wo-Ioy-Trumpet Sounding the third and greatest woe to the Antichristian world but the first and last joy to the Church of the Saints upon Christs exaltation over the Kingdomes of the World UNFOLDED IN A SERMON before the Honourable Houses of COMMONS assembled in Parliament at their late solemne Fast May 26. 1647. By G. HUGHES Minister of the Gospell in Plymouth Published by Order of the House PROV 8.15 By me Kings reigne and Princes decree justice OBAD. V. 21. The Kingdome shall be the Lords LONDON Printed by E. G. for Iohn Rothwell at the Sunne and Fountaine in Pauls Church-yard 1647 Die Mercurii Maii 26. 1647. ORdered that Sir John Bampfyld doe from this House give thanks to Master Hughes for the great paines he tooke in the Sermon he preached this day at the intreaty of this House at St. Margarets Westminster it being the day of publique Humiliation and to desire him to print his Sermon and he is to have the like priviledge in printing of it as others in the like kind usually have had H Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. I doe appoint John Rothwell to print my Sermon George Hughes TO THE HONOURABLE THE House of COMMONS now Assembled in PARLIAMENT Honourable and Renowned Patriots IT was a pretty Rhetoricall straine of words though scarce reasonable unlesse as a Paradox may be made with Moralists or Divines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Longin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To fall in great matters is a Generous and Noble sinne It is but a conceit that the height of materials whereabout the slip was should innoble sinne False coinage upon Lead will be as high Treason as that upon better mettall and Treason upon Gold as base as that upon Brasse In the Oracles of God where we have words not inferiour to mens but wisdome and truth farre above them We are thus taught Slips in highest things are the greatest faults and a fall in Heaven fouler wickednesse than a stumbling on earth Sinnes draw the highest aggravations from the Greatnesse of God against whom and the height of place wherein they are committed The Angels which left their first station and man that sinned in Paradise have felt the truth of this Zeale for God and you and his Church most Noble Worthies wil make his your friends reckon little of their lives to keep you that are in Highest places from such high transgression By the grace given to me when I was called by you to speak from God to you for you to God in the day of your soules affliction I had this in my greatest desires to keepe you that are in highest places and mannaging the highest matters of God from sinne against him I therefore as became a Minister of Christ desired to use all plainnesse in setting out the Kingdome of our Lord unto which all States must how that would be prosperous and in pointing at such sinfull irregularities which render God an enemy irreconcileable and such States thereby eternally miserable In all which the Judge of spirits knows I intended not either by matter or form of speech to be spatter such an Honourable Judicatory with false charges or make a Parliament vile among the people I have learned better of Christ by Gods grace my aime was onely to be a faithfull Remembrancer of you from God of the fatall diseases whereunto such Politique Bodies may be subject in their members that a timely care may be had of purging your selves least death ensue I hope your hearts are as willing to beare such plainnesse as God would have them in commanding it Never was there a more fatall character upon the State of Israel then that bitter speech of Idolatrous Amaziah to Ieroboam against honest Amos The Land is not able to bear his words Amos 7.10 When States cannot beare sound words from God spoken in his Name or not so beare them as obediently to answer Gods mind in them the doom of Elies sonnes will cleave to them 1 Sam. 2.25 The God of all grace keepe off such a curse of an Impatient hardned spirit from you and give you the blessing of a boared eare and a softyeelding-obedient heart so shall ye prosper Vpon your Order of acceptance of these poore labours and for publishing the same I have been obedient to your desire and now in all humble duty and thankefulnesse doe present that to your eyes of which your eares have tasted I have made a few additions for clearing some passages which straits of time then shut out I hope none will be loosers by them The height of my ambition is 2 Cor 3.3 that by this Inke-worke the Spirit of the living God would write the Name of the Lord and his Christ upon this Parliament and upon the people of the Land that ye may be the Lords State ruling for Christ and he in you as one Party and they the Lords people the lot of his Inheritance And now having done my worke with you I shall by the good will of our God returne to my place and there labour for you to helpe on the work of Righteousnesse Truth and Peace in your hands My suit to the Thron of grace is and shall be the Aversion of all those Woes sounded by this Trumpet upon the wicked and the Accomplishment of all those Woes sounded to the Church that Christ may be fully exalted in these united Kingdoms and reign that the Churches of the Saints also may sing and alwaies rejoyce in their Lord whose these Kingdomes are and all in your daies and by your power mannaged graciously in the band of our Lord. By whose command I must signe my selfe Your Honours most humble and faithfull servant in the Kingdom of Christ GEORGE HUGHES THE WOE-JOY TRUMPET Revel c. 11. v. 15. And the seventh Angel sounded the Trumpet and there were great voices in Heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever THe Text is the Gospell of reinthroning God in Christ over the Kingdomes of this world after the great apostacy finished Tidings fit to be published to all States 2 Thes 2.3 that they may heare and feare and honour the Lord and his Christ and not perish in the day of his exaltation All fastings will be as Ahabs humblings untill this be done The title of this Trumpet seems crosse to the nature of the event here mentioned It is stiled the third wo-Trumpet Revel 11.14 V. 15 16 17. The event is Christs taking the Kingdoms of this world and the triumphant song of the Saints celebrating this conquest of their Lord with prayses How can these suit Very well if we distinguish the subjects severally concerned in it which eminently are two 1. Antichrist with all his creatures and confederates and all the wicked enemies of the most holy God and his Saints unto these onely it is a Wo-trumpet and the event is the
towards others so that go verning and governed as they concurre to make up Kingdomes are here the subject of this reforming change 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The specification of these Kingdomes sets them out more fully they are the Kingdomes of the world so that what the world signifieth must give us the speciall nature of the Kingdomes mentioned and that is used in a three fold acception 1. As opposed to Heaven the superiour Globe Matth. 4.8 and so it must note Earthy Kingdomes States and Polities 2. As opposed to God to Christ to Grace as the whole world lieth in wickednesse so it holds out wicked Kingdomes and States formerly ruled by the wicked one 1 Iohn 5.19 3. As opposed to particular regions or climates and so it must signifie the universe even all the Kingdomes of the earth there are none excepted in the text All these acceptions must be admitted here and being so taken the present subject cannot be doubted The sound of this seventh Trumpet then must needs utter things touching the Church in this life and the Lords resuming power over his enemies here beneath before the last judgement To the second The right stating of this change is not of small moment for which purpose these particulars must be declared 1. The terms of it 2. The nature of it 3. The time of it 4. The exercise of it 5. The stability of it when once the Lord hath made it 1. Every change or motion supposeth necessarily two termes one from whence the change beginneth the other whereunto it is made In the Text but one of these is named and that the last the Lord and his Christ yet the other must needs be implied out of whose hands and power these must must be taken First then the Lords that did King it over these Kingdomes of the world were the Devil in chiefe Rev. 1◠1 7 12. Revel 17.1 and his vicegerents the two beasts the Romish Antichrist in speciall whose state is shadowed by the whore who sate upon many waters that is ruled over many people These onely gave laws to the States and Nations of the world revel 13.15 and required tribute from bodies and soules of men and would set their marks upon every creature or kill those that did refuse it Of whose reign it may be noted 1. Revel 12.9 The Devill was the father or authour of it in full 2. Revel 18 13. Tyranny over bodies and soules the onely rule of it 3. Revel 13.8 Idolatry most odious was the onely tribute to their King 4. Revel 19.20 The end of all this government is Hell and perdition into the lake of fire they and all their vassals are thrown from these cruell Lords are the Kingdomes taken 2. The terme unto which this change is made is named in the Text our Lord and his Christ Two words are here absolute Lord and Christ and two relatives Ours and His all would be understood in their propriety 1. Lord here is equivalent to Jehovah and notes God in his primitive acception of Lordship not derived For indeed there is a Lord borne and derived a mediating Lord which is the Lord Jesus stiled afterward the Lords Christ Psal 110.1 but here it must note that Lord which said to Davids Lord sit thou on my right hand c. God the Father more punctually who is absolutely Lord of Lords 1 Cor. 13.24 and King of Kings to whom also the mediating Lord must give up his Kingdome when his worke is done Revel 14 6 7. that God whom the everlasting Gospell holds out to be feared to be glorifined to be worshipped 2. The relative denoting him is Our If it be inquired who were these correlates to God the King the answer must be supplied from those great voyces before which speak these words The voyces say Our Lord and the same afterward utter his prayse and sing his triumph for taking to him his great power to reigue now these were the 24 Elders the usuall representative body of the true Church so that the true Church of Christ on earth is the correlate unto the Lord the King who are bold to stile him our Lord And it not a vaine addition in this place where it is prophesied that the Kingdomes of the world are taken into his power and become his How the Church is his by election by creation by purchase by calling by covenant and by profession is not now my purpose to relate they are known things in the Gospell but the ground of the Emphaticall use of it here is the thing needfull to declare Now indeed that appeares to be that God not simply or abstractively considered in himselfe but concretely and relatively known with his peculiar ones reassumes these Kingdomes and now sheweth himselfe thus to reigne that is God so known so believed so worshipped as among his chosen and true seed the Kingdomes are become the Lords as he is our God dwelling with us and worshipped by us not as misconceived by the world For it might be said he ruled in the times of Antichrists reigne and that the worshippers of Antichrist did and doe acknowledge God and Christ as some lukewarme advocates will plead for them but is it God so known so believed on so worshipped as by the true Church who cals him ours The Sunne sheweth the contrary It is a falsified corrupted misbelieved God that Papists boast of In this concrete sence Moses writes of God triumphing over the Churches enemies Deut. 32.31 Their rocke is not as our rocke the enemies themselves being Judges Did not many of Israels enemies know and confesse the same Rock or God for essence as Israel did Yea doubtlesse but they turned the glory of the incorruptible God into Images and base resemblances and so made him a Rock distinct from Israels by false worship In which respect Moses sings God with us and worshipped by us is farre above yours he that hath ruled and destroyed your Gods and you as your selves can witnesse O how sweet a thought is this the Lord no way but as the Churches Lord known and served by them takes possession of the Kingdomes of the world The Saints cannot be low if as theirs onely God be thus exalted 3. The next term absolute which denotes the Soveraigne power to which these Kingdomes are delivered is Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which notion the person and the unction must be carried 1. The person here intended is the Sonne of God manifested in the flesh Psalm 45.6 Heb. 1.8 of whom it is said Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever so that it is one God in both expressions that takes unto him this power yet so interpreted God in the Mediator God truely God sweetly God sutably held out for ruling these Kingdomes even God and man 2. The Vnction of this person is that which the name peculiarly holds forth and with an emphasis in this
and we may expect 3. Quoad ezercitium Dominii by exercising this power and right over these Kingdomes that are become his and this Lordship he doth exercise severall waies 1. By a powerfull turning of the hearts of Princes from darknesse to light Mojestatem red dit visibilem in ipsis regibus corda fernando c. Brightman in text causing them to consider the things of God which they had not heard and so to shut their mouthes from gainsaying Christ and thrice exalt him in their hearts of such a reformation-change the Lord seems to speake in that Gospell promise I will make thy Officers peace and thy Exactors righteousnesse Isay 52 13 14 15. when peace shall rule and righteousnesse exact then the Kingdom is the Lords 2 By a powerfull restraint upon others not truly called chained up by the devill Revel 20. 2. Psalm 149.8 and binding Kings Princes and Nobles as with fetters that they shall not any longer hinder the Lord from taking Thrones and ruling Thus the Kingdomes of the world universally become the Lords The King that is not converted shall be restrained Thus farre appeares the nature of this Reformation-change To the third 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the time of this change the voyces speak as of the time past saying they are or were become the Lords the time is expressed in this verb also But now where to state this time is the diffioulty mens thoughts running divers waies It hath been determined to be while time the measure of the creatures in their changes lasteth but the speciall point of that time is now desired when those Kingdoms begin to be the Lords For the discovery whereof I shall propose some help from these considerations 1. This seventh Angell is said to sound the third Wo-trumpet which certainly did call for execution of vengeance upon the Kingdome of Antichrist whose Scepter made all the Kingdoms of the earth stoop unto him who had subscribed to his name and worshipped him This was done by breaking the yoke of that Romish Tyran the Pope off from the neck of those States in which very moment the Lord tooke possession of those Kingdomes from which by his great power he drove out that strong one the devil in that man of sin So that this Trumpet seems to contemporize with all the Vials poured out upon States formerly under Antichrist dashing in pieces the great Abettors and turning others to be serviceable unto Christ For however at all times God kept his secret ones within the Territories of Babel who ceased not in all ages to witnesse to his truth yet all this while the States and Kingdomes worshipped the beast So then the time of change of Kingdoms must be eminent and from that instant that any State returned to subjection unto Christs Scepter in the Gospell after the great apostacy seems to begin the sound of the seventh Trumpet for then was it woe to that Antichrist and his vassals but joy to Christ and his Saints Now no hard thing is it to looke back so farre as to finde out that point of time wherein Thrones began to be possessed by Christ and to entertain the Gospell The Histories of Germany Saeveland Denmark England Scotland c. may help us to know this time when our Lord took these States from the Prince of darknesse ruling in that sonne of perdition 2. This Reformation-change is graduall and is carried on in severall portions of time from the turning of the first Kingdom to the finishing of the mystery of God That the meaning of this Trumpet-sound should be a graduall susception of Gods power to reign I am perswaded to believe from the course of the events we see some Kingdoms delivered but not all yet which are expected to be resumed by Christ from that Roman Apostate Now as God performs his prophecies so are we to understand his meaning in them and it is the best help we have rightly to conceive the Prophets speaking of Christ to come by seeing him come and fulfilling what was written of him I take it the same help is to made use of concerning the prophesies of these times and those to come of which the book of the revelations is full So that if we see the Lord hath taken Kingdomes of the world from Antichrist we have the truth of this Trumpet-sound and if yet more Kingdoms are still under vassallage to him this sound declares woe unto them abiding in that slavery but good tidings to Gods hidden ones there that the Lord will in his time take the prey out of the Dragons mouth and rule himselfe And if so then it must be a graduall change from the taking of the first Kingdome to the resuming of the last which we see is partly done in many States and in greater part yet to be accomplished One word yet seems to crosse this interpretation of the time Dub. Reuel 10.7 it is said In the daies of the voice of the seventh Angel when he shall begin to sound the Trumpet even the mystery of God shall be finished c. And if in the beginning of his sound all Kingdoms are changed together and Gods mysterie finished then it cannot be the time mentioned but it must be wholy to come To satisfie this scruple Sel. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3 16. two expressions here must be opened 1. The mysterie of God which notion is of various use sometimes it notes the secret way of God by manifestation of his Sonne in the flesh c. to make himselfe communicable to his creatures so to effect godlinesse in them and save them Col. 2.3 This is the generall use of it so is it called the mysterie of God of the Father and of Christ Sometimes it is of speciall signification and that two waies Eph. 3.6 1. It notes this secret good will of God toward all the Gentiles to bring them into fellowship with himselfe from the first preaching of the Gospell to them by the Apostles Rom. 11.25 16. to the last by any Ministry 2. It dictates this secret grace of God unto Abrahams seed the Jewes for the bringing them in after their long abdication to an ingrafting into Christ In this last sence it is surely taken and yet I think not excluding the other speciall signification nor the generall in both for as much as that is finished in these 2. When he shall begin to sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the passage that begets the doubt therefore the right reading of it must be inquired and surely it is not necessary so to read it when he shall begin to sound but vety properly when he shall sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in such lie instances 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apoc. 1.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will spue thee out not onely begin to do it 2 Kings 4.1 and so is it read by good Interpreters as one word in the future tence
and are the Subjects of Reformation though not the adequat subjects of true Conversion The understanding of the true state of Reformation as well as the visible state of Kingdomes which already are become the Lords will sufficiently cleare this inference 1. Reformation is a terme not freequently used by our Translators I remember it but twice 1. Reformation and in two different acceptions 1. As respecting the matter or object about which Reformation is And in this sense mainely is the word translated from the Apostles expression to be understood as the consideration of the context will make cleare Heb. 9.1 10. The spirit there labours to convince the Hebrews that by the Messiah Gods mind was the whole Jewish Tabernacle must be throwne downe that is their Church frame in all externall Ordinances He describes the Tabernacle with the adjoyned ordiances and services which saith he were imposed untill the time of Reformation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of what Surely not of hearts but of that Church frame and ordinances which were but figures for that time present putting those which were true spiritual heavenly in their places The word here rendred reformation signifieth A thorough-righting of all things in the Church in order to eternall life This Christ did by removing things shaken of God that is all shadow-workes formerly in the Church in Priest-hood heb 10.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sacrifice and other services all ineffectuall to life and by establishing things unshaken the true image-works of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lively drawne Priest-hood Sacrifice services c. by which men might certainly be brought to God and live This perrectification of Christs then is of meanes tending to heaven that men might see the right line directing unto God in the right use of which they may be saved It is a Reformation for hearts indeed but not of hearts for this reformation may truely be in a Kingdome and is where the true Priest-hood of Christ Sacrifice and spirituall services are set up and maintained though hearts for the most part may not be savingly converted to God by them The point of time in the Text evidences this to be an ordinance-reformation not an heart one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a singular for it was a single speciall time even the space of laying this Church-frame by Christ in his Apostles and no longer the whole worke of this reformation was dispatched then but the time of heart-reformation is in all ages therefore those times are not that nor this worke that Kingdomes then are reformed after Christ when his true ordinances are established and submitted unto and false Antichristian constitutions are driven out though few hearts in truth may be changed to God by them 2. Reformation in our use respects the person or subject in whom the power of God may be manifest for changing the man according to his mind revealed in former ordinances thus we read it used by our Translators If ye will not be reformed by these things c. In the letter it is read Levit. 26.23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If ye will not be chastised to me by these things c. That is if by these meanes your hearts be not turned to me So that here the reformation of the man must be intended And that wee know may be two wayes 1. In truth when Christ is formed truely on the Soule 2. In shew when the outward man conformes to these constitutions of God Kingdomes may be so reformed as to yeeld outward obedience to the Scepter of Christ though few hearts have the true Image of God imprinted on them And thus indeed doe Kingdomes become the Lords when they abhorre the lyes of Antichrist and cleave to the truth of Christ though but in outward deportment 2. Kingdomes of the world are said to bee the Lords but indeed they neither have beene nor are 2. Kingdomes nor shall be all by true conversion yet they must be by Reformation No Kingdome that ever was called the Lords on earth had all Saints in it nor ever shall if Christ have prophesied truely That the last day shall find men as the Flood found the world in Noahs daies Marth 24.36 37 c. yet surely shall Kingdomes be the Lords and that must be by Reformation as declared not by true saving conversion And to say that such a Kingdome of Christ England is I suppose is consonant to the voyce of this Trumpet 2. If Kingdomes must be our Lords that is Chiefe States Kingly and Ruling Powers this teacheth us States and worldly Powers Christ will make use of to set up his glory Corol. 2. they are not utterly inconsistent with his spirituall designes Antichrist indeed had them and made use of them for his owne purpose but therefore Christ will not utterly refuse them Psal 82.6 God himselfe was the Author of these orders of men thereby purposing to make one helpfull to another for reaching his owne glory And Satan in this as other things was Gods Ape to make use of them but his enemy to corrupt Princes and great men of the earth to increase his owne Kingdome therefore perswaded he them to give their power to the Antichristian Beast Revel 17.13 and to make poore subjects by their Tyrannicall persecutions to doe so too that they might be damned together But now in the restitution of all things the Lord Christ re-possesseth these Principalities againe as a needfull order of men instituted by God though corrupted by Satan and makes use of them for his high and spirituall ends to finish his worke upon the earth 1. By putting into their hearts to ruine that great Enemy of grace the mysticall Babilon the Mother of Harlots and of all abominations as well as all spirituall and carnall wickednesse Revel 17.16.17 So it is written The Kings shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and eate her flesh and burne her with fire For God hath put it into their hearts to fulfill his will c. 2. By making them shields of the earth a defence unto his ordinances and people Psal 47.9 Isay 49.23 1 Tim. 2.2 and nursing Fathers and Mothers to his Saints that under them and by them godlinesse may be perfected in his Churches If these Scepters be our Lords doubtlesse they are so not as Lords but as Servants ministring for him which he would not owne were they not appointed of God and so needfull to helpe on his worke among men But Christs worke is heart-worke Obj. what can Princes doe to ward that For answer Sol. let it be considered 1. All Christs work is not heart-worke much of it is upon the outward man by restraint and otherwise in this the power of the word may be instrumentall being made the Lords 2. Gods outward ordinances were intended to make way to mens spirits his Rod as well as his Word Mic. 6.9 the Preacher hath
which if allowable as there is no doubt the scruple is gone for then the sence is that in the daies of this Angels sounding not in the beginning but within the compasse of them the mystery of God shall be fulfilled which is included in the former state of this time Or if you read it when he shall begin to sound we know that expression doth not alwaies note the entrance of a State but the continuance of it as beginning to reigne with our Tongue is to reigne in the Hebrew There is yet another reading of this with the context which from a conjunction of finishing the mysterie of God with the Angels sounding seems reasonable it is thus The Angell that stood upon the Sea and Earth swore by him that liveth for ever and ever that Time shall he no more that is the time of the Papall Antichristian Monarchy and of the former persecuting enemies of the Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ed. Compher Bez. But in the daies of the voice of the seventh Angel when he shal sound the Trumpet and the my sterie of God he finished then time shall be that is the time of Christs triumph and his Saints prosperity and joy so that thus this 7th verse is part of the Angels oath concerning the not being and the being of time though the latter be not expressed in the 7th verse yet it is an Ellipsis or defect not unusuall in a continued speech this being so taken However a sufficient reply is made to the doubt in the former interpretation if this reading be not allowed This compleating of Gods mysterie is not to be expected in the instant of beginning this sound but in the daies of its duration the end whereof will accomplish all the will of God concerning his Churches among Jewes and Gentiles here on Earth To the fourth particular which is the exercise of this Reformation after these Kingdomes are become the Lords and his Christs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He shall reigne or Ring it The Lord in his Christ deems it not enough to be a King but to act the King in the Dominions which he takes as his own It s the blurre of creatures to be Kings in place and shew and yet not to King it nor be able to act aright Christ Kings it in truth where he hath the Throne Two Queries will be put in 1. Q. 1. What is his acting as King 2. Q. 2. How he acts it To the first A. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mic. 5.2 Matth. 2.6 Revel 12 5. Jer. 3.15 Jer. 23.4 5 6. He acts the Pastor or the good Shepheard in feeding providing good pasture for the Kingdomes which he rules such Kings God promised his people when he would doe them good but above all this King to rule them I will set up shepheards over them which shall feed them and they shall feare no more nor be dismayed neither shall they be lacking saith the Lord. Behold the daies come saith the Lord I will raise unto David a righteous branch c. This is the King Christ who shall save his Kingdomes and make his people dwell safely He scatters not his flock nor drive them away nor hurries them nor hunts them with dogs as former Lords did but acts the good shepheard and they go in and out by his voyce John 10 9. and finde pasture 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isai 31.22 He Acts the Lawgiver this is the work of a King so is it promised to be the acclamations of Kingdomes made the Lords The Lord is our Iudge the Lord is our Lawgiver the Lord is our King he will save us They acknowledge and he doth it He gives Laws holy and good even all the righteous commands of his Father concerning mans way to eternall life no unrighteous decrees nor bitter grievances nor oppressing edicts but Statutes and Ordinances by which they may live Thus he Kings it sweetly 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He acts the Iudge in all these Dominions and divideth equally to all according to their wayes He condemnes the Lie and justifieth the Truth He commendeth the good and smiteth the evill doer He judgeth righteously between the fat and the leave Cattell Ezek. 34.20 hee breaks the oppressor and saves the innocent ones Thus hee was acknowledged before Jehovah is our Judge and thus it is prophesied of him He shall execute judgement and justice in the earth He calleth not light darknesse Jer. 23.5 nor darknesse light Hee justifieth not the wicked for reward neither condemnes the righteous Isa 11.4 With righteousnesse shall he judge the poore and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth c. Thus hee reignes in his repossessed Kingdomes To the second An. 2. How hee Acts thus in his regained kingdomes whether in his own person againe manifested in the flesh or in and by such persons whom he ma use for this work I conceive not by his visible but spirituall presence this is most likely to be done in such Vice gerents as he shal make choice of I propose these considerations to be weighed 1. There is no necessity of understanding this relative He concerning his owne person visibly considered for God himselfe hath been said to reigne in his Ministring Rulers and their Kingdomes have been stiled Gods so long as his feare hath been upon them Obad v. 21. Psal 22.28 Ps 71 1 2 c. and his Law ruled in them So Davids and Solomons kingdome was the Lords and hee reigned in them and by them This hath been the Language of God to owne the kingdomes of his servants and their government as directed by him Nay sometimes to reigne Dan. 4 32. when his enemies are upon the Throne why it should not bee here I finde no forcing reason 2. If the sound of this Trumpet be already begun as the truth of the event already past in some degree may perswade then some Kingdomes are Christs already and he reignes though hee be still at the right hand of the Father by those Rulers whom hee sets up His are the Kingdomes Psal 75.7 because he orders Kings and States by his Lore and that so still he may doe without his own visible appearance on earth is more then probable because it is so in sight already 3. Not one circumscribed Kingdome is said here to be the compasse of his Territories but all the Kingdomes of the earth to be his Now if hee should appeare on earth his visible presence cannot bee in all Kingdomes His body can be but in a place fit for a body therfore is it at the right hand of God and cannot be every where present as Ubiquitaries senselesly have dreamed Or if he be eminently present in one Region as a mighty Monarch by his Deputies ruling all other Provinces Yet then he must be said to reigne in others And how much safer it is to let him alone at Gods right hand and