hands agreed And so shall I look upon this passage in it which I have now in hand Which acquaints us with a two-fold Tribute due as unto Solomon so unto Christ Prayer and Praise Prayer Prayer also shall be mâ—de for him continually Praise And daily shall he be praised Beâ—in we with the former Prayer also shall be made for him continually Wherein again as before I did I shall take notice of those two particulars The Tribute it self Prayer And the Time when and how oft it is to be payed Continually Touch upon them severally 1. The Tribute it self Prayer Prayer also shall be made for him But what Prayer made for him for Christ How can this be What doth he stand in nâ—ed of our Prayers that men upon Earth should make prayers for him being in Heaven Here tâ—e Iewâ— fall foul upon us Christians and jear us thaâ— we should expound this Psalm concerning our Mâ—ssia who if he be what we believe him God how then can this passage agreâ— unto him that prayers should be made for him What pray for our God Prayers are to be put â—p to him not foâ— him For answer to this True it is as it is with Saints and Angels so much more with Iesus Christ he being ascended into Heaven and sitting at the right hand of his Father Crowned with Honour and Glory having all Power given to him in Heaven and Earth He is far from needing the assistance of men or any other Creatureâ— He needeth not our prayers we have need and that continuall need of his of his Intercession which he maketh for us as the Apostle tells us Rom. 8.34 But he hath no need of ours no more then the greatest Monarch upon Earth hath to receive an Alms from the poorest Peasant But though he hath no need of them as to his own person yet his Kingdom hath his Church which is as it were a part of himself his Body whereof he is the Head He is the Head of the Body the Church Col. 1.18 his Mystical Body Which in reâ—ard of the near relation it hath to him is called sometimes by his Nâ—â—e as 1 Cor. 12.12 As the Body is one and hath many members c. So is Christ. And again Gal. 3.16 Now to Abraham and to his Seed were the promises made c. which Seed is Christ meaning the Mystical Body of the Church whereof Christ is the Head and his Elect People the Members Now though he being the Head is out of the reach of our prayers so as that they should be made for him yet so are not his Members here upon Earth And upâ—n that account prayers may fitly be said to be made for him being made for his Kingdom For which all hiâ— Subjects are to pray So they are taught by Him himself in that Patern and Form of prayer which he hath left them After this manner pray ye Hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come Matth. 6.10 The Kingdom of God the Government whereof is committed to Jesus Christ as Mediatour this are his Subjects to pray for His Kingdom his Kingdom of Grace his Kingdom of Glory which are not properly two Kingdoms but two different states of the same Kingdom And for both these are prayers to be made 1. For his Kingdom of Grace his Church upon Earth which is visible invisible Visible in the Nations of the World Invisible in the hearts of his Elect People Both these are Christians to pray for 1. For his visible Kingdom for which they are chiefly to â—eg two things Preservation Augmentation both which are to be effected by the Power of Christ. 1. Preservation that it may be continued here upon Earth which it shall be to the end of the Woâ—ld being defended and maintained by the power of Jesus Chrisâ— against all the Enemies of it whether Men or Devils So he tellâ— Peâ—er in that known Text Matth. 16.18 Thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church and thâ— Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Upon this Rock not the rock Confessing but Confessed not upon Peter but upon that Confession which he had then made ver 16. Thou art Christ the Son of the living God upon this Rock â—aith he I will build my Church as I have already laid the foundation of it so will I â—arry on the building upholding and preserving it so as the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against iâ— that is all the powâ—r and policy of Satan and his Instruments alluding to the custom of antient times wâ—â—rein the Gates of Cities were the chief places of strength and the â—â—sual meeting places for the holding of Councels let them plot and contrive and attempt what they will yet shall they not so far prevail against the Church as to destroy it to extirpate and root it out from off the Earth still Christ will have a visible Kingdom here upon Earth And for this are all his Subjects â—o pray that this his Kingdom may be thus continued Which whilst they do they may be said to make prayers for him 2. And aâ— they are to pray for the Preservation so for the Augmentation as for the continuance so for the increase and inlargment of this Kingdom of Christ that his Kingdom may come that his Sâ—â—pter may be lifted up his Government advanced his Church inlarged that it may be made a glorious Church So it shall be in the latter dayes For which we have many promises and those very clear and full As among other that of the Prophet Esay Chap. 2. ver 2 3. repeated by the Prophet Micah in the same terms Mâ—e 4.1 It shall come to passe in the last dayes that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and â—ll Nations shall flow unto it In the last Dayes in the gospel-Gospel-times the dayes of the Messiah the last Age of the World The Mountain of the Lords House the Church whereof Mounâ— Sion upon which the Temple was built was a Type Shall be established in tâ—e top of thâ— Mountains and exalted above the Hills it shall be settled and exalted being in the spiritual glory of it advanced far above all secular States and Kingdoms in the World And all Nations shall flow unto it â—â—ws and Gentiles out of all parts of the World shall by whole Flocks and Shoâ—ls come in and joyn themselves to the Church embraciâ—g of the Gospel and submitting theâ—selves to the Government of Christ. And as it there followeth ver 3. Mâ—â—y People shall go and say Come ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the House of the God of Iacâ—b and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his pathâ— This shall the People of the Iews do as among many other that Text of the Prophet Hosea clearly fore-telleth it Hos 3.4 The Children of Israel shall abide many dayes without a King
and without a Prince and without a Sacrifice c. having neither any form of a Common-wealth amongst them nor yet the exeâ—cise of their Religion in that way and manner that formerly they had Afterwardâ— they shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their King the true Messiah the son of David according to the Flâ—sh and of whom David was a Type They shall seek after him and shall submit to his Government taking and â—â—knowledging him for their King Thâ—y shall seâ—ve the Lord theâ—r God and David their King as the Prophet Ieremy hath iâ— Iâ—r 30. vâ—r 9. And as the Iews so the Gentiles they shall also come in like manner So the Prophet Esay most plainly fore-telleth it Esay 60. where setting forth the glory of the Church under the Gosspel in the abundanâ— access of the Gentiles he biddâ—th her arise vâ—r 1. Arise shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord iâ— risen upon thâ—â— And ver 3 4. he tells her And the Gentiles shall come to thy Light and Kings to the brightness of thy coming â— Lift up thine Eâ—es round about and sâ—e all they gather themselves together they come to thee And so he goeth on ver 9. Then thou shalâ— seâ— and flâ—w togâ—thâ—â— â—nd thine heart shall fear and be inlarged becâ—â—se the 〈…〉 of the Sea shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Such and so great should the confluence of People from all parâ—s of the World be that should joyn themselves to the Church that it should be a matter of great admiration and wonder to them that should behold it So he sets it forth ver 8. where â—e bring in the Church speaking after that manner Who are these thaâ— fly as a Cloud 〈◊〉 as the Doâ—eâ— to their Windows Like as Clouds which come oft-times from â—emote quarters â—eing driven swiftly by the Wind or as Dâ—vâ—s or Pigeons that flye in great Flocks and with much speed to their Dove-coaâ—â— such incomes should there be to the Church which should be wonderfully augmented and increased A prophecy which as yet hath not had the full accomplishment so as it shall have in the time appointed There is a day a coming when the Scepter of Christ shall be advanced In that day shall the Branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious so saith the Prophet Esay Chap. 4. ver 2. speaking of the Messiah whom we find sometimes called a Branch the Branch as Zach. 3.8 I will bring forth my Servant the Branch And again Chap. 6. ver 12. Behold the man whose Name is the Branch meaning the promised Messiah springing from the root of Iesse and from whom all spiritual Graces and Blessings do spring as leaves and blossoms and fruits do from the Branch Of this Branch it is there said it shall be beautiful and glorious And so it shall be in that day viz. when the Church shall be increased and inlarged as it shall be all Nations being brought under the Government of Jesus Christ. Hereof God the Father maketh a Promise to his Son Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thiâ—e Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Not only the Iews but the Gentiles also And this promise as already in part it is so it shall be fully made good to him in the latter dayes viz. after the destruction of Anti-christ So we find it foretold Rev. 11.15 where we read of a gratulatory Acclamation made by the People of God at that great alteration and change that should be made in the Church And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great Voyces in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall Reign for ever and ever The Roman Anti-christ being destroyed now the Kingdom of Christ shall be inlarged his visible Church shall be like an Empire spreading through the World and lasting to the end of it Thus it shall be the Kingdom of Christ upon Earth shall be a glorious Kingdom his Church shall be setled and established and it shall prosper and flourish it shall be made a praise in the Earth And for this are all that profess themselves the Subjects of Christ to pray So they are called upon by the Prophet Esay Chap. 62. ver 67. Ye that makâ— mention of the Lord keep not silence and give him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the Eartâ— And this whilst they do they may truly be said to make prayers for Iesus Christ whose Body this is and whose Glory is so much concerned in it The Churche's Exaltation is his Exaltation Behold my Servant saith the Lord speaking of the Messiah his Son Christ whom he calleth his Servant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in regard of that great Service which he was to do in working of the Redemption and Salvation of his Elect People shall deal prudently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very High Esay 52.13 So he is already in his Person being set at the right hand of God his Father in the heavenly places Far abovâ— all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion Eph. 1.20 21. And so he shall be in his Kingdom his Church which he governing with so much prudence and wisdom as he doth and shall do it shall be exalted and He exalted in its Exaltation Thus is God said to be exalted and lifted up by doing great things for his Church and People against his and their Enemies So the Prophet Esay hath it Esay 33. The Lord is exalted for He dwelleth on High He hath filled Zion with Iudgment and Righteousness And again ver 10. Now will I arise saith the Lord now will I be exalted now will I lift up my self So he is said to be when he manifesteth his Power and Goodness in shewing any special favour to his Church and People and executing any signal Judgments upon his and their Enemies Now his Name is exalted as the same Prophet hath it Esay 12.4 where exciting the People to bless God for his great mercies to his Church In that day saith he shall ye say Praise the Lord caâ—â— upon his Name declare his doings among the People make mention that his Name is exalted And thus is the Name of Christ exalted in the great things which he doth for his Church this being a manifestation of his Soveraignty he is thereby honoured and glorified And upon this account are his Subjects to pray for him which we find the Psalmist doing Psal. 18.46 The Lord liveth and blessed be my Rock and let the God of my Salvation be exalted 2. And as they are thus to pray for his visible Kingdom â—o for his Invisible his Spiritual Kingdom which is not outwardly visible to the Eye but is set up in the hearts of men So our Saviour tells the Pharisees Luke 17.20 where they
upon the Churches account which being beset with so many and great Enemies who are continually at work being unwearied in their endeavours for the damage and prejudice of it and of all the true members thereof your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5.8 and so do his Instrâ—ments it hath need of a continuall Guard to proâ—ect and defend it But leaving the Doctrinal part I shall passe to Application which I shall direct as before onely two wayes by way of Reprehension Exhortation I shall be brief in both Is this a Tribute which is due unto this King how is it then that it is with-held from him Which it is not only 1. By hâ—s open and professed Enemies who will not own and acknowledg his Soveraignty Such were the Iews We have no King but Caesar say the chief Priests unto Pilate Ioh. 19.15 And the rest of the People being of the same mind in stead of praying for him they pray against him They cryed out Away with him away with him Crucify him as the former paâ—t of that verse hath it And as it was with the Iews so was it then and at this day is with many the greatest part of the Gentiles with whom we find the Psalmist contesting about this their Rebellion Psal. 2.1 2 3. Why do the Heathen rage and the People imagine a vain thing The Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take Counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed saying Let us break their bonds asâ—nder and cast away their Cords from us Thus was David opposed by his Enemies both before his coming to the Crown and after And thus iâ— the Lord Jesus of whom David was a Type opposed the grâ—atest part of the World being Enemies to him and to his Kingdom the destruction whereof they desire and endeavour But leaving them 2. Are there not some and too many who go for his Subjects guilty of the like disloyalty Such as have taken the Name of Christ upon them professing themselves to be Christians yet are they far from praying for this their Soveraign as they ought to do It may be they say and that as oft as any other Thy Kingdom come but they mean it not they do not unfeignedly desire it which if they did they would not oppose his Government as they do His outâ—ard Government in his Church and his inward Government in themselves They sâ—ut the Doors of their Souls that this King of Glory may not enter in They will not endure that Christ should set up his Scepter in their hearts they will not have him to rule over them in them They will not be governed by his Laws Let not such call themselves his Subjects 3. And others there are who though they do not utterly refuse to pay this Tributâ— to this their Soveraign yet they are remiss and careless in it not praying for him Continually as they ought to do They are noâ— so affected with the state and condition of his Kingdom as they ought to be so as to be earnest in seeking the peâ—ce welfare and prosperity of the Church So long as it goeth well with the State wherein they live as for the Church they little â—egard it So was it not with the People of God in Babylon whose affection to Hiâ—rusalem we have seâ—t forth Psal. 137. ver 5 6. If I forget thee O Jerusalem let my right hand forget her cunning If I do not remember thee let my tongue â—leavâ— to the roof of my mouth If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy Thus were they affected with the sad staâ—e of the Church and the decay of God's true Religion more then with all their own private Concernments This it was that lay nearest their hearts sate upon their spirits so as they had it in continual remembrance How is it then that so many who professe themselves Christians should be so little affected as they are with the sad state and condition of the Church at this Day They do not remember it and the interest of Christ in it if at all yet not so affectionately and constantly as thâ—y ought to do 4. To these I may add such as do not pray for the second coming of Christ No they are far from joyning with the Spiriâ— and the Bride in saying Come Lord Iesus This is a thing which they do not firmly believe that he will come However they hope that he will not come quickly saying in their hearts wiâ—h that evil Servant Matth. 24.48 My Master â—â—layeth his coming In the mean time giving themselves to sensuality and luxury Nay their defire is that he may never come And so in stead of praying for him they pray against him And surely it can be no otherwise with some with many even with all obstinaâ—e and rebellious Sinners such as will not have Christ to Reign in them and over them here To all such will this seâ—ond coming of Christ be a dreadfull coming When the Lord Iâ—sus shall be revâ—aled from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fiâ—e taking Vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ. Who shall be punished with everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his Power as the Apostle sets it forth 2 Thess. 1.7 8 9. Oh! this will be to them a dreadfull coming Aâ— the beholding of which they shall do what St. Iohn saith of the â—ings of the Earth and the greâ—t men and the rich men and the â—hief Captains c. viz. all such as have been Enâ—mâ—es to Châ—â—st and to his Kingdom Rev. 6.15 They shall hide themselves in the the Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains saying to the Mountains and to the Rocks Fall on us and hide us from the fâ—ce of him that â—iâ—teth upon the Throne and from the wrath of the Laâ—â— And as they shall then deprecate and pray against his coming so it cannot be that they should now apprecate and pray for it But turn it into a word of Exhortation Which let it be directed to all and every of us who professe our selves to be Subjects unto this Soveraign let not us be wanting in this our Duty in paying this Tribute unto him in praying for him and that contâ—nually that his Kingdom may come and that power that he may reign and prosper So it is fore-told that he shall do Jer. 23.5 Behold the Dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall reign and proâ—â—er and shall execute Iudgment and Iustice iâ— the Earth In his Dayes Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely And this is his Name whereby he shall be called The Lord ouâ— Righteousnesse Which that it is meant of Jesus Christ iâ— not to be questioned that being â—oo high â— Titlâ— to be given to any but him to be called
Prayer and Praise A Two-fold TRIBUTE TO BE Payed by all Loyal Subjects TO THEIR SUPREAM AND Subordinate Soveraign A Subject entred upon April 23 1661. being the Day of the solemn Inauguration of King Charls the II. and finished the Lord's Day following AS It was delivered to the Church of God at Great YARMOUTH By Iohn Brinsley Minister of the Gospel there LONDON Printed for Iohn Tuthill Book-seller in Yarmouth 1661. TO All the Loyal Subjects OF Their Supream and Subordinate SOVERAIGN IN THE Town of Great Yarmouth GRACE and PEACE Much esteemed in the Lord WHat signall Testimonies of your real and cordial affection to your dread Soveraign King Charls the second you have lately given as at his happy Restauration to the exercise of his Regal Government in this and the Neighbour-Nations so now again on the day of his Royal Coronation my Eyes and Ears among many others have been witnesses And according to my bounden Duty it hath been my desire and endeavour to powre some Oyl upon this flame by making choice of such Subjects to preach upon at those Seasons as I apprehended to be very sutable to those Solemnities The former of which entred upon June 28 1660. and afterwards prosecuted in diverse Sermons was that of the Psalmist Psal. 118.22 23. where we find mention made of a Stone which being first rejected was afterwards advanced The Stone which the Builders refused is become the Head-stone of the Corner This is the Lord 's doing and it is marvailouâ— in our Eyes Which how fitly it agreed as to David in a Metaphorical and to Christ in a Mystical sense so also to our dread Soveraign aptly expressing the great and wonderful Change as of theirs so of his Condition as also what use they who hear of the one and behold the other are to make of both I then shewed you The other is this of the same Pen which writing after the like manner giveth an account to the World of a two-fold Tribute that should be paid to King Solomon as the Shadow and to King Jesus as the Substance viz. Prayer and Praise Both which being due from all Subjects to their lawful and Gracious Soveraigns are not to be detained but readily yielded And so let thâ—m be by you as unto Jesus Christ your Supream so to his Servant your subordinate Head and Governour under Him Which that they may be I do here present you all with what some and many of you lately heard touching the latter of these wanting leisure to transcribe the former desiring that it may make a deep impression upon your Spirits so as being minded of this your Duty you may approve your selves truly Loyal Subjects unto both Thiâ— that you may do shall be the prayer of him who iâ— Your Servant in the Lord Iohn Brinsley From my Study May 3 1661. Prayer and Praise A Two-fold TRIBUTE TO BE Payed by all Loyal Subjects TO THEIR SUPREAM AND Subordinate Soveraigns PSAL. 72.15 Prayer also shall be made for him continually and daily shall he be praised AS this whole Psalm by the greatest part of Orthodox Expositors is so this parcel of it which I have now singled forth as sutable to the present solemnity may be looked upon two wayes 1. Literally thâ—n Mystically Literally as relating to King Solomon Mystically as relating to King Iesus of whom Solomon was a Type And both these wayes shaâ—l I through â—od's assistance in the handling of it look upon it Beginning with the former The Literal sense look upon the words as relating to King Solomon So doth this whole Psalm as we may take notice from the Title of it where we find it inscribed Leselomo Ipsi Selomo to or for Solomon that is a Psalm or a Prayer for him A prayer composed and made by David for that his Son who was to succeed him in his Kingdom The last prayer of that kind that he made for him or any other So much is hinted to us in the Epiloguâ— the close and conclusioâ— of it where it is said The Prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended Intimating that this was the last of those set and solemn prayer which was composed by David not long before his Death and by him left as a Depositum a Legacy for his son Solomon to whom he wished all the blessings that Heaven and Earth could affoard him And so looking upon these words which I have now read we may take notice from them of a two-folâ— Tribute which as it is due so it will readily be payed by all Loyal Subjects to a gracious Soveraign viz. Prayer and Praise Prayer for him Prayer also shall be made for him continually Praise of him And daily shall he be praised Deal we with these two severally beginning with â—he former Prayer also shall be made for hiâ—â—ontinuallâ— Wherein we may take notice of two particulars Quid and Quando The Tribute it self which is to be payed and the time when and how oft it is to be paid The Tribute itself Prayer The time when and how oft it is to be payed Continually Briefly of each 1. For the Tribute it self that is Prayer Prayer is a Tribute due from every man to all men So it is upon a Christian account as the Apostle chargeth it in that known Text 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhâ—rt therefore saith he that first of all Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All kinds of Prayers made for all kinds of men according to their occasions and necessities of what Nation State Quality or Condition soever Be they Jews or Gentiles Christians or Pagans good or bad Friâ—nds or Enemies rich or Poor publick or private persons Prayer is â— common Tribute due unto all But among all in a special manner to â—ingâ— and Princes Them the Apostle maketh mention of in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For Kings and all that arâ— in Authority Rulers and Governours Supream and Subordinate To â—hem belongeth this Tribute after a â—â—â—cial maâ—ner So King Dâ—â—iâ—â— looked upon it who making and sending forth a Decree for the advancing and furthering of the great work which the Jews had then in hand the rebuilding of the Temple at Ierusalem he taketh order that they should be accommodated and furnished with all such things as were requisite for the due administration of their publick Worship and Service expecting that they should pay this Tributâ— unto him and his remembring them in their prayers So we find it Ezra 6.10 That which they have need of c. let it be given them day by day without fail That they may offer Sacrifices of a sweet savour to the God of Heaven and pray for the life of the King and of his Sons This may all Kings and Princes expect and look for as a Tribute due unto them from their Subjects And this Christians are willingly and readily to pay to them Yea though they be such as deserve no such Tribute from them by
she departed fully satisfied finding the reality of his worth far exceeding the report which at her departure she acknowledged as we find it 1 King 10.6 c. And she said unto the King It was a true report that I heard in mine own Land of thy Acts and of thy Wisdom Howbeit I believed not the words untill I came and mine Eyes have seen it and behold the half was not told mâ— thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the Fame which I heard Blessed be the Lord thy God which delighteth in thee to set thee on the Throne of Israel because the Lord loved Israel for ever therefore made he thee King to do Iustice and Iudgment And she gave the King an hundred and twenty Talents of Gold and Spices very great stoâ—â— and precious Stones Thus was he honoured praised and blessed of others And so he was of his own Subjects who being as I said blessed in him blessed him Even as he speaking of good Wife who is wise and careful in ordering the businesse of her Family saith Her Children rise up and call her blessed her Husband also and he praiseth her Prov. 3â— 28 So did his Subjects unto him feeling the benefit of his wife and righteous Government they called him blessed daily praising of him Thus was this Tribute payed unto him And so let it be by us to our Royal Soveraign And that upon a double account the Vertues which are eminent in him and the Benefits which we have received from him His vertues which are truly praise-worthy Such is the Patience which he hath shewen in bearing of so many so great so long continued Sufferings as during his so many years exile he hath had experience of And such is his Constanâ—y in adhearing to God's true Religion Notwithstanding his case was much like unto David's who complaining unto King Saul of his hard Usage from his malicious Enemies saith They have driven me out this day from abiding in the Inheritance of the Lord saying Go serve other gods 1 Sam. 26.19 Being by their means driven and kept out of his own Land where he enjoyed the Ordinances of God freely he was forced to wander from place to place from Country to Country to have his abode in Idolatrous Nations By which doing of theirs they did as much in them lay force and compel him to turn Idolater And even such hath been the condition of this our dread Soveraign and that for many years together yet through the good providence of God watching over him he hath continued constant to his Religion as David did To these add his Sobriety and Temperance wherein he is exemplary to his Subjects setting a Copy for them to write after As also his Moderation and Meekness which he hath declared by granting such indulgence to consciences truly tender which he would not have pressed under the burden of offensive unnecessary observances as by desiring and endeavouring an accommodation of differences that there might be as to matters of lesser concernment a Christian compliance amongst persons of different perswasions To which annâ—x his Lenity and Gentlenesse in not taking all just advantages against all such as by whom he hath unjustly suffered To all which add the Zeal which he hath shewen against those Epidemical Sins of Swearing and Drunkenness which through too much indulgence have been sorife in this Nation These and other the like Vertues they call for this Tribute to be payed unto him And so do all those blessings and benefits which since his return we enjoyed under his Government For which let him under God be praisâ—d And oh that the Lord may so blesse him for the future that he may yet be made a greater blessing unto his People in this and the Neighbour-Nations that they sitting quietly under his shadow may enjoy the Gospel of peace and the peace of the Gospel haviâ—â— all the Ordinances of God continued to them with Liberty and Purity That so they being blessed in him may blesse God for him giving unto God as the Authour and to him as the Instrument the praise and honour which is due unto both But I want time to prosecuâ—e what I have only propounded And so shall take leave of the Literal sense of the words in the Text as relating to King Solomon It remains that I should look upon them in their Mystical sense as relating to King Iesus of whom Solomon was a Type But this I shall adjourn to the next Occasion The Second SERMON April 28 1661. PSAL. 72.15 Prayer also shall be made for him continually and daily shall he be praised THese words as you lately heard may be looked upon two wayes Literally and Mystically Literally as relating to King Solomon Mystically as relating to King Iesus With the former of these I have done It now remains that I come to the latter to look upon the words as relating unto Christ of whom King Solomon was a Type That he was so I presume it will not be questioned by any who understand the meaning of his Name Solomon Pacifious Peaceable So we find it expounded 1 Chron. 22.9 where the Lord giveth unto David the reason of imposing this Name upon this his Son Behold saith he a Son shall bâ— born unto thee who shall be a man of rest and I will give him rest from all his Enemies round about For his Name shall be Solomon and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his dayes Such a Prince was he a Prince of peace of a peaceable disposition and under whose Government the Land had peace And herein was he a Type of Christ whom we find described to be such a Prince having this Name given unto him Esay 9.6 His Name shall be called The Prince of Peace Shir Shalom the mystical Solomon To which we may joyn that other name which was given unto Solomon and that also by God himself Who sending by the hand of Nathan the Prophet called his name Iedidiah that is beloved of the Lord as we have it 2 Sam. 12.24 23. Which Name how fitly it agreeth unto Christ we may learn from that Voice from Heaven which was heard at his Baptism saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Matth. 3.17 This is Iesâ—s Christ the true Solomon And being so well may this Psalm as the 45th being much of the sâ—me â—â—ture anâ— kind withouâ— coâ—â—roversy hâ—â—h be conceived to have an â—ye at hâ—m So it is agreed by all Châ—istian â—xpositors Howevâ—r some of them have made it a Question whether it have an eye at Solomon at all there being in it many expressions so highly Hyperbolical as that they cannot conceive how they should agree to him or any Mortal man whatever yea diverse of those whom we account to be the best Interpreters by their manner of Interpretation applying it only to Christ may seem to have thought little lesse yet that it hath a respect unto Christ and chiefly unto Him it is on all
demanding of him When the Kingdom of God should come He answered them and said The Kingdom of God cometh not with Observation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with outward pomp and shew Itâ—â—ut observari possit so as the glory of it may be discerned by every vulgar Eye as it is with secular Kingdoms But it is inward and spiritual set up in the hearts of men So it followeth in the next verse Neither shall they say â—oe herâ— or â—oe there for behold the Kingdom of God is within you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not only among you as it is where the Gospel is preached which is the Scepter of Christ's Kingdom but within you in the hearts of the Faithful There doth Christ set up his Scepter â—uling and governing by his Word and Spirit Now upon this account again are all his Subjects to make prayers for him that his Kingdom may thus come and that both to themselves and others 1. To themselves that Christ may enter and take a full possession of their hearts These are the Gates those everlasting Doors which the Psalmist calleth upon to lift up their heads that the King of Glory may enter in Psal. 24.7 9. which however it may be understood literally of the Gates of the Temple and metaphorically of the Gates of Heavâ—n which were set open to receive Christ at his Ascension thither yet may it mystically be applyed to the hearts of men who being the Temple of God as Believers are called 1 Cor. 3.16 their hearts are as Gates and Doors to let Christ in to their Souls And these Gates are they to lift up and set open earnestly desiring that Christ may enter and take up his dwelling there ruling and reigning there till â—he hath put all his Enemies under his Feet that so they may have a more sweet and full Communion with this their Lord and Saviour 2. And as they are to do this for themselves so for others For this cause Paul tells his Ephesâ—â—ns that he bowed his knees to the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ on their behalf That he would grant unto you saith he according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith And this are Christians to beg for their Brethren as the choâ—sest mercy that the Kingdom of Christ may thus come unto them that his Scâ—pter may be set up in their hearts that so they may become his true Loyal and Obedient Subjects The number whereof being increased and multiplyed it will tend much to the honour of this their King So Solomon tells us it dâ—th to a Temporal Prince In the â—â—ltitude of the People iâ— the Kings honour Prov. 14.28 And so it doth to this our Spiritual Soveraign And upon that account it is to be prayed for on his behalf Thus are the Subjects of Christ to pray for him that hiâ— Kingdom of Gracâ— may come 2. And as his Kingdom of Grace so of Glory that he may come in his Glory Thus he shall come The Son of man shall come in thâ— Glory of his Father with his Angels so he himself tells his Disciples Matth. 16.27 Come like a glorious King So he shall do at the lasâ— and great day Then shall he come in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory as we have it Matth. 24.30 And this coming of his as it shall be glorious to himself the glorious appearing of the greâ—t God and of our Saviour Iesus Christ as the Apostle calleth it Tit. 2.13 a ful manifestation of his transcendent Glory so shall it be joyous to his Subjects who are bid then to look up and lift up their heads viz those who shall be alive at thaâ— his coming Luke 21.28 When thesâ— things begin to come to pass viz. when they should see the signs of his coming there spoken of then look up and lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigâ— Your full and perfect Redemption when you shall be for ever freed and delivered out of the hands of all your Enemies and have a full enjoyâ—ent of all those blessings which I have purchased and prepared for you Then Christ being glorious in himself he shall be glorified in his Saints So the Apostle sets it forth 2 Thess. 1.7 10. When the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels c. He shall then come to be glorified in his Sainâ—s and to be admired in all them that believe So he shall be when manifesting the fulness of his Glory unto them he shall make them partakers of the same glory with himself Such shall that his Coming be And for this all his Subjects do or ought to wait So Paul saith his believing Corinthians did 1 Cor. 1.7 Ye come behind in no Gift waiting for the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith thâ— Original the Revelation meaning his second coming when his Glory should be fully manifested to them and to the World And the like he saith of his Thessalonians 1 Thess. 1.10 Being turned from Idols to serve the true and living God they waited for his Son from Heaven Which he prays for them that they might still do and that with Patience 2 Thess. 3.5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the Love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ. And whilst they thus waite for it they are also to wish it to pray for it So the Spirit and the Bride are said to do Rev. 22.17 The Spirit and the Bride say Come The Church which is Christ's Bride by the motion of the Spirit working such a desire in the hearts of true Believers earnestly wisheth and prayeth for the coming of Christ. And this are all that hear of it to do And let him that heareth say Come So did Iohn himself who having received from Christ an intimation and assurance of his Coming that he would come and that quickly he saith Amen to it closing up this Book of his with this affectionate Apprecation He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen even so come Lord Iesus Thus are the Subjects of Christ's Kindom to make prayers for him 2. And this they are to do Continually There is the second particular of which but a word time not giving way for inlargements my purpose being to finish the Text at present And great Reason there is why they should do so why theâ— should pray for him Continually 1. This doth He for them being a continual Intercessor on their behalf He ever liveth to make Intercession for them Hebr. 7.25 2. They have need thus to pray for him upon their own account that he who hath begun to take up his lodging in their Souls may continue to dwell there That as he hath begun the good work in them so he may go on to perform and perfect it till his appearing 3. Again they have need so to do