laid waste and the posterity that expected succession into the riches and honours of their fore-Fathers are little better then Noble Vagabounds I meddle not with the proceedings in that case but sure I am In all God is just God hath begun in England but he will not end there I dare not presume to set down times measures meanes and modes of things which the Father hath reserved in his own hand onely this I say waite but a while and it may be you shall see The Incestuous house of Austria the Emperour King of Spain France and the rest of the ten Kings of Europe which have given their power to the Beast to come tumbling down and if they fall surely many more will fall with them their Creatures and their Followers their Courtiers and their Flatterers cannot stand but must come down and with them many more I perswade my selfe that those whom God hath set now in power over us do seriously weigh what Christ hath done and will do how he is yesterday and to day the same for ever for ever just and jealous against all wickednesse and ungodlinesse and that this doth and will work upon their hearts and cause them to be humble before God and much in prayer to be watchful over themselves and theirs and others and to study to do the work of Christ put into their hands not negligently but faithfully not to please men but Christ CHAP. XX. Concludes with shewing How the twelve Positions formerly handled instruct us in our Turns and Changes WE have opened twelve Positions and divers things in them I shall conclude with a very breife instruction teaching us what we may learne from every one of those Positions concerning our present Turns Pos 1. All power is in Christ power to raise or depresse Kingdomes and Nations as well as particular persons and its little lesse then blasphemy to exclude him from our Turns If they be for good he is the Author and preserver of them If we have Plenty after scarcity Liberty after bondage Peace after war Oh thank him him I say for those blessed changes But what if we experience the contrary darknesse instead of Light feare instead of Safety evil instead of Good yet in these evils Christ is to be owned Isa 45. 7. I forme light and create darknesse I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things and Amos 3. 6. Shall there be evil in the City and I the Lord have not done it Christ then hath his work in City or National good or evil Pos 2. All the Kings of the earth reigne by Christ Kings are the greatest persons of the earth and cause the greatest Turns and Changes either to good or evil How is our feare and sorrow turned into hope and joy when righteous men are exalted to government and what mourning when wicked ones Prov. 29. 2. How much of the increase of wickednesse is abated by their power care and example and what great cause have Saints to blesse God when he makes Rulers nursing fathers and to rule for him as they rule by him Pos 3. Government is set up for the good of the World and nothing causeth more considerable changes then that doth it reduceth lawlesse ones to a rule ruleth and boundeth excessive desires and actions brings in trade and wealth improvement of creatures and increase of peace Pos 4. Government in the frame of it is apt to change and doth not that reach us Government is a comprehensive word relating to Princes and people and so all change when Governments change Laws Places Offices Rewards Times and Persons all change Pos 5. Kings and Princes have abused their power that is a sad change a change of what should be best to worst of power to abuse of it of Kings to Tyrants of Princes to Oppressors Pos 6. Sins of Princes tend to break their power Here is change upon change Change of Manners by sin and change of Wholnesse and Soundnesse to a breach Power cannot break but many things break with it and many things cannot break but it makes great alteration Pos 7. Princes being wicked people grow wicked too a woful change indeed and much to be lamented Princes that should rule become slaves and that to the worst of masters their own Lusts people that should be under command to become unruly and unruly by them that should better order them Pos 8. Abuse of power and wickednesse of people adapt to Civil War Those in power complain of the people and the people of them in power and we have just cause to complaine of both It s a sad case that turnes the soul to a wearinesse of the good it doth possesse and to a loathing its own peace Pos 9. Civil Wars cause fatal Turnes They turne and overturne all Turnes are in the bowels of that one our many years sad experience hath taught us we were full but soon emptied we were high but brought low we were in safety but soon rapt into feare Oh that our hearts might turne after all these Turnes upon us Pos 10. We fall out one with another and our neighbours fall out with us both How do they laugh at us and seek to raise themselves out of our ruines Is it not hard when those you thought would help you at best are Neuters stand still and look on Truly we may thank our selves for putting them on that temptation Had we kept together Pos 11. They would have been as formerly But now they are in armes their War-ships rigged and manned and now the Seas must be as bloody by a Forreigne War as our Land had been by a Civil Dreadful Turns and Changes when both land and sea are bloody And surely Christ Pos 12. will inquire after all that blood whose blood how much blood for what cause by whom in what manner and when it was shed The Judge of All shall appeare in his righteous judgement and then wo be to the wicked crafty cruel great ones of the World CHAP. XXI Shews the Turns that befal Nations from the consideration and working of Christ as King of Saints in 12. Sections 1. Jesus Christ is King of Saints 2. He hath this honour upon his sufferings 3. He puts forth his power as King of the World for his Saints over whom he is King in a special manner 4. He must have more visible glory in this World 5. All governments will prove bitter that Christ may be embraced as sweet 6. Christ pours out a mighty spirit of prayer on his people which he will answer 7. He shall have a willing people in the day of his power 8. Some of the Kings shall be among that willing people 9. Christ having great works to do will notably stir up the spirits of Princes and people 10. The great work of the last dayes shall be to exalt holinesse and righteousnesse 11. Saints shall have Conquests over their adversaries 12. These Turns shall be by degrees
1. Take notice of the exceeding riches of Gods love to Christ and in him to us He loves and gives and gives no lesse then all not some but all power Power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rightful power priviledged power Christ hath the highest and the sweetest Title He hath all by gift The Father gives and gives to him immediately nothing intervenes between the Father and Christ In all his giving to us Christ comes between he is the Mediatour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the middle person but in this gift to Christ none comes between him and the Father 2. Learne hence the Father is fully satisfied in that he hath laid all power on Christ he will never question Christ his Title he is as he would have him to be All power would cracke the creatures shoulders Christ alone is able to beare it Men under a little power how do they pride pranke and wanton it But behold Jesus Christ altogether lovely and lovely in his power The power is given him not onely of heaven or over the things in heaven but it s given him in heaven The power is the most glorious power and it s given him in the most glorious place for so the words may be read not onely all power in heaven is given me but all power is given me in heaven Men receive their Commissions here on the earth Christ takes it in Heaven 3. Doubtlesse as it is Isa 53. 10. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand he wants nothing to effect it He hookes the unruly Leviathans restrains the cruelty and oppression of their power and turnes their vanity to his Fathers glory power shall not alwayes be in the hands of the wicked the Saints shall rule for Christ is the greatest Saint 4. Christ returnes alI to the Father He receives all power from him and shall returne it all to him 1 Cor. 15. 24. He delivers up the Kingdome to God even the Father The Kingdome is Christs power in the whole frame and body of it but that he delivers up to his Father and for the present he will sacrifice all the unjust powers of the earth to his Fathers justice and cause goodnesse to arise with greatnesse and peace with power Let me adde one word to exhort you 1. To flocke about Christ in love to come where the power is and Loe here is all power were Christ powerlesse or weak I would never invite you to him Heb. 7. 25. He is able and able to save and to save to the utmost Oh why hang you backe why linger so long are you unwilling to be happy doe you love your weaknesse that you run not to his power What is scattered elsewhere is centered here It s a Christian art rightly to abstract all earthly powers all are but ciphers till Christ put a figure to them Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts Now who can give so much as he that hath All and is it not our wisdome to have him to friend Let me bespeake you as Balak said to Balaam Num. 22. 37. Am not I able indeed to promote thee to honour So is not Christ able indeed to pay all thy debts to heale all thy diseases to protect thee from dangers and to inrich thee with fullest enjoyments Oh! come come stay no longer let that which can command invite you namely his power 2. â—â—me and wellcome but come with resolvednesse to be wholly at his disposal Ordinary and common observance will not suffice All power doth challenge all love and all subjection from all hearts Oh! let Christ have all bring your Lamb to him for he is worthy How little is your all to his your largest compasse is in your thoughts and desires Oh bring them to him let him be in all your thoughts and the onely desireable one to you He demands your hearts you have his already your hearts and therein your all what is heartlesse is nothing Let your hearts then and with your hearts your feare and hope and faith and joy attend him 3. Tremble you wicked ones though the mighty of the earth Against whom have you exalted your selves how will you deale with him that hath all power all power to punish as well as reward your power is his and he must not suffer his power in your hands to be abused Your mountains and your hills cannot cover you from the power of his wrath who makes Rivers of brimstone and everlasting burnings for you and prepares Tophet of old 4. The Lord Reigneth let the earth be glad Feare not your Summer and Winter your Seed-time and Harvest your Sun to shine and raine and dews to fall your dayes and nights provisions and protections for all power is his and honour him to whom all power is given CHAP. IX Shews Pos 2. That Kings reigne by Christ 1. They are or are not by him 2. He blesseth or blasteth them in Government 3. What wisdome or power they have they cannot put forth without him 4. Continuation and succession is from him 5. Bad Kings as well as good are from him Vses for Instruction and Exhortation CHrist hath all power as we shewed in the former Chapter and as he hath all so he gives all It s his glory to communicate he hath of the best and he giveth of the best All Kingly power is given to him and he gives all power to men whence followes this second Position The Kings of the Earth they reigne by Christ this is set down in so many words Pro. 8. 15. By me Kings reigne and Princes decree justice v. 16. By me Princes rule and Nobles even all the Judges of the earth I observe three things from those words 1. That the several ranks of Governours are from him both the supreame and the subordinate Magistrates not onely Kings but Princes also rule by him not onely Kings and Princes but Nobles and Judges 2. I observe in the highest act of power that Kings and Princes put forth that therein they are but Christs Substitutes To make Lawes and Decrees to decree that which is right and for publicke good is one of their highest and most noble acts of power but that they cannot doe without him I observe thirdly That the particular execution as well as the decree is from Christ to bring down this or that Decree or Law to this or that person or case the application of the Law to those whom it doth concerne even this is from Christ for all the Judges of the earth are by him Judices sunt qui inter litigantes jus dicunt Judges are they that declare what is Law among those that are at variance and these Judges and their sentences are here referred to Christ you will more fully apprehend this Position by the five passages following 1. That Kings are or are not by him They have not onely their being from him as they are men but as they
flattery is it both of dead and living to count their memory blessed who were so crooked and cursed in their courses 3. Judge not of men or causes to be good by the greatnesse of them that own them and follow them When Christ was in the world Joh. 7. 48. the question was Have any of the Rulers or Pharisees believed on him any of your great wise men No I warrant you they know better they are more wise then so v. 49. but this people this poor people giddy people nay cursed people that know not the Law Luke 23. 35. The Rulers derided him and Luke 24. 20. Our chiefe Preists and Rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and to be crucified You must not make the great ones of the earth your example for then you will follow wickednesse 4. Undeceive your selves about the true value of earthly powers The Trappings of power are not so good as we count for because power it selfe may be so soon and grossly abused Grace grace is most desirable which is proper and active to correct these abuses and cannot serve to these wicked inversions 5. Lastly is it any undue inference that seeing Kings have abused their power to call upon those who take their places on them to be circumspect very circumspect what hath been may be again what hath been abused may be abused Mistake me not I am far from bespattering those whom I am bound to honour surely Gods great deliverances and his peoples blood are fresh upon their hearts and will raise up a redoubled consideration in them how to honour God and serve their present generation in the management of publick affairs CHAP. XIII Proceeds to the sixth Pos which shews That abuse of power tends to the breaking of power which is apparent 1. When those in power indulge their lazinesse 2. VVhen they take no account of under-Officers 3. VVhen they rule by will 4. VVhen they look not after excâ—â—ution of good Laws 5. But are unjust And 6. Sinfully conformable to neighbour Princes 7. Vndue enterposal in the things of God And 8. Persecute those who are good Vses GOvernments you heard were apt to change yea to change from good to bad and from bad to worse and that brings in a breach Sin and sorrow are inseparable companions if sin goe before sorrow will follow after To be clothed with power is an honour but to abuse power is a sin and such a sin as will make way for ruine desolation and destruction Hence your sixth Position The sins of Princes whereby they abuse power carry a tendency with them to breake their power All their power is from Christ and all sin is against him and surely he will never maintaine his own power in a way against himselfe As Princes have power over other men so they sin in that power they sin as they are men and they sin as they are men in place as Princes Now their Princely sins are those that break their Princely power as thus 1. Indulging of a lazie spirit tends to break their power They gladly accept of the honour revenues and observance of their places but transferre the care to others Corona curarum nidus A Crown is a nest of cares they love the Crown but will not undertake the care They are too nice and delicate they must not misse their meals their naps their sports no not for a publick good No wonder then if God cause that to passe from them which they so put away from themselves and make that over to others in the honour which they long before made over to them in the worke and service 2. When Princes take no account of their Ministers it tends to break power I know its impossible Princes should performe all their duties in their own person They have much lieth upon themselves and they have more to transferre to others Its a wasting sin to put off what is inherent in themselves and t is no lesse to transferre to others and take no account of them They must have their Ministers that 's granted but their Ministers must be accounted with or else all will fall It keeps them in due awe and order to think they must to an audit give account of their stewardship Places and justice will be bought and sold publick treasures exhausted publick negotiations slighted and what care they when they know they shall be let alone How unworthily may men betray their trust dishonour their Prince and wrong the Nation yea do it boldly when they know they shall goe unexamined and so unpunished Princes devest themselves of their highest power by this neglect and its jusâ— they should fall short of the reverence they expâ—ct in the hearts of those who are under them 3. When will is Law then down goes rule Non debet Princeps dominari sed Ratio The Prince that is the Prince in his will should not beare sway but Reason Government hath no such enemy as self-willednesse never do Princes lose so much of their power as when they exalt their will against Law they think they gain but then they lose most 4. Neglect of looking after the execution of good Laws much infeebles their power Kings should be living laws Reges vivae leges their carriage so regular as to command imitation and their care great to see good laws executed Execution makes good Laws alive and good Laws well executed makes Kings live for their power is advanced in their execution and neglect herein is fatal and ruinous to them 5. Injustice tumbles down Chairs of State Prove 16. 12. The Throne is established by righteousnesse but Mic. 7. 3. It s doing evil with both hands when the Prince asketh and the Judge asketh for a reward When that is acted which we read of 1 Sam. 8. 14. when the oppressed cry and are not eased when might overcomes right it s a woful victory and such an one as they shall have no cause to triumph in for Christ will cause them to vomit up all their sweet morsels and to repent of their unjust dealings 6. Sinful conformity to neighbour Nations doth no good It displeased God and his servant Samuel when the people cryed out Make us a King 1 Sam. 8. 6. and the great argument was they would be like other Nations So verse 6. Give us a King to judge us and verse 5. Make us a King to judge us like all the Nations When we conforme to their pride their fashions their excesse their wantonnesse will not this undermine us 7. Undue interposal in the things of God will pull down the powers of men God hath reserved it for his own wisdome power and holinesse to give the Law of his worship His teare is not to be taught by the precepts of men or made good by their powers The patterne of the Tabernacle and Temple is to be fetched from God alone we are not tyed to waite for mens
cum rebus humanis ut meliora placeant plurimis Such is the disposition of humane affairs that the best things ever please fewest W. Gr. The Contents of the Book CHAP. I. SHeweth the occasion and Scope of this Treatise CHAP. II. HHandleth these eight Proposals 1. God delivers his Prophesies in way of a Promise 2. New-Testament Promises are set forth in Old-Testament language 3. Both Prophesies and Promises are to be taken in the largest sense 4. That both Prophesies and Promises admit of divers Degrees Seasons Manners of fullfilling 5. That under one Person or things named a whole Series both of persons and things is to be understood 6. God performes his Promises in these latter Ages in a way of proportion to his former glorious workings 7. The inflicting of judgement on the Adversaries of his Church is subordinate to the performance of his Promises 8. That the time of fullfilliug Prophesies and working great changes is at or before the coming of Christ CHAP. III. SHeweth the Meaning Doctrines and Method of Haggai 2. 6 7 8. CHAP. IV. HAndleth this Doctrine In the great Turnes of Ages God dispenseth himselfe in the way of a Promise 1. This holds out God as a Father 2. Exalts the honour of Christ the Son 3. Honours God in the person of the Spirit 4. Makes notably for the security and improvement of grace 5. Notably confounds the men of the World 6. Greatens our estate Vse 1. of Instruction shewing 1. In great Turnes are great wants 2. It shewes the vanity of the creatures 3. That Gods wayes are in the deeps Vse 2. of Exhortation to search out the Promises of the latter Age. The Motives are six 1. This renders you children of wisdome 2. It s a blessed preservative against the infection of sin 3. It advanceth your faith and love 4. It s proper to conquer difficulties and discouragements 5. It s apt to make you watchful and dutiful 6. It advanceth your heart in praises CHAP. V. SHeweth that when Christ is about to performe his Promises he causeth Changes in Natural bodies How 1. Jesus Christ hath given a being and constant course to Heaven and Earth 2. He maintaines what he hath given 3. The creatures thus made and maintained are at his becke 4. That it is his pleasure they should sometimes step aside from their ordinary constant course 5. Christ governes them in all their turnings aside 6. That these turnes carry the nature of Signes yet favour not Astrological Predictions Why because 1. This is the beginning of taking to himself his great power 2. By this meanes he speaks to all the World 3. By this way of working he minds us that the creatures are not in that state he intends for them 4. By these turns in Natural bodies he knows how to draw forth spiritual actings in his people Vse 1. of Instruction 1. To see Christs excellency 1. In that he causeth these turnes 2. In that he can doe more 2. It s a vain thing to set against Christ 3. It s easie hence to conceive the Promises of this life shall be performed Vse 2. of Exhortation 1. To consider Christ in all these Changes 2. To feare before him 3. To advance your faith 4. To exalt him above man or meanes CHAP. VI. SHeweth the change of Angels and this Doctrine That Jesus Christ in the great turning Providences imployes the ministration of Angels For clearing of which Doctrine take notice of these nine things 1. Jesus Christ God-man is head of Angels 2. Angels are to serve him not in his person alone but in serving of his Saints 3. Angels are to serve Christ and his Saints in the destruction of their enemies 4. Angels are to have more apparent declaration made of their service toward Christ and his world 5. Angels are brought in in the visions and so in the execution of those visions 6. Angels have worke deputed to them concerning Kingdomes and Nations 7. Angels and Saints shall be joyned together hereafter and therefore they are conjoyned in the worke here 8. Christs last dispensations are his greatest wherein he useth Angels 1. In the working of his wisdome 2. When he takes to himselfe his great power 3. Vpon more immediate administration of Saints 4. Shewing forth his unchangablenesse 9. Christ must have his Angels as well as the Dragon his Vse 1. of Instruction 1. To see Christ his excellency who is far above Angels because they are but his servants where Heb. 1. is breifely opened Vse 2. Of Exhortation 1. To behold those glorious works 2. To draw forth your faith and love 3. To provoke you to come forth in the service of these latter dayes to be fellow-servants with the Angels CHAP. VII COntains the shake of Kings for four Reasons because 1. They make the great turnes in the Earth 2. They pretend to be exempt from mans power 3. Dealing with them is a compendious way of dealing with the world 4. They are decked with all worldly power and seem to be the fittest match for Christ Vse of Instruction to see that there is 1. A meanesse in their Majesty 2. That the management of particular places must be reckoned for 3. He will surely account with meaner men 4. It s lawful to appe ale from Princes to Christ 5. Judicial proceedings against Princes is stamped with remarkable Characters of Christ Vse of Exhortation 1. to meditate on these dealings of Christ 2. to give unto Christ the honour due to his Name CHAP. VIII SHewes Pos 1. All power is given to Christ in Heaven and Earth Where observe 1. All power is in Christ 2. All power is his due upon the taking of our nature 3. though it be his due 't is rightly said to be given to him 4. Jesus Christ hath had but little honour of all his power 5 Christ will exalt himselfe in such turnes upon Kings as that they shall honour him in their consciences Vse 1. Of Instruction to teach us 1. the riches of Gods love to Christ 2. that the Father is fully satisfied in the power laid on him 3. the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in Christs hand 4. Christ returnes all his power to the Father Vse 2. of Exhortation 1. To flocke about Christ in love 2. to come with resolvednesse to be at his disposal 3. tremble ye wicked ones though the mighty of the Earth 4. The Lord reigneth let the earth be glad CHAP. IX SHewes that Kings reigne by Christ 1. They are or are not by him 2. He blesseth or blasteth them in the worke of Government 3. What wisdome or power they have they cannot put forth without him 4. the continuation or succession of them is from him 5. Bad Kings as well as good are from him where observe 1. Good men may be bad Kings 2. the badnesse of Kings is not from Christ for 1. It s not by his command 2. It s not by his working 3. He doth not stirre them up to any
wickednesse 4. though Christ be no cause of their badnesse yet he permits it 5. In permitting them he puts forth a righteous judgement 6. He orders their badnesse for good Vse of Instruction 1. that their being Creatures of Christs making stamps Authority on them 2. When we rise against Government we rise against Christ 3. Ascribe the good of Government to Christ 4. Hence take a ground of patience under evil Governours 5. Christ must needs be glorious Vse of Exhortation in sixe passages out of Psal 2. 1. To be wise 2. To be instructed 3. to be in feare 4. To serve him 5. to rejoyce with trembling 6. To kisse the Son CHAP. X. OPens that setting up of Government is for the worlds good as appears 1. In that it is set to keep the world in order 2. Persons so set and kept enjoy propriety 3. Government promotes the increase of good things in our propriety 4. Government protects your Peace 5. Setting up of Government is when God makes some men able and willing to manage Publicke Affairs and draws others to consent and subject 6. This is notably for the good of not some but all ranks of men 7. It s extensive to the whole life of all those men 8. There is honour due to them who are thus set up for Government Vse of Instruction to shew 1. That God is a faithful Creator 2. Rulers had need be of much wisdom and publicknesse of spirit Vse 2 of Exhortation 1. To esteem them highly 2. To make honourable mention of them 3. To speak to God for them 4. To submit to every Ordinance 5. To testifie our thankfulnesse by service in person and in purse CHAP. XI UNfolds that Governours and Governments are apt to change which these six things will further informe you in 1. Governours change by death and in their manners while they live 2. Manners and forms of Government as well as Persons are liable to change 3. People change in their mindes and conditions 4. Change of Governments Governours and People causeth change of Laws 5. they change in their league and trade with Neighbour Nations 6. Jesus Christ King of Kings makes a change on Governours and Governments by sending Plague Sword or Famine on them Vse of Instruction 1. Lesser bodies will change 2. See the creatures vanity Vse of Exhortation to Princes 2. To exalt righteousnesse 2. To be little in their own eyes To All. 1. to raise up your hearts to minde things above 2. to be content in these turnes 3. to contend to have the change for better CHAP. XII SHews that Kings abuse their power for 1. they serve themselves more then others 2. they turn the power which should be for good to the hurt of others 3. Power was set against Christ in his person when he was on Earth 4. It is against Christ and his interest Now. 5. the power of Kings is given up to Christs enemies Vse of Instruction to see 1. the foundation of turns on Kingdoms viz. Departing from the right ends 2. How little Kings deserve the name of Sacred 3. Judge not of men or causes to be good by the greatnesse of them that follow them 4. Vndeceive your selves about the true value of earthly powers 5. that those in power be circumspect CHAP. XIII SHews that abuse of power tends to the breaking of power which is apparent 1. When those in power indulge their own lazinesse 2. When they take no account of under-officers 3. When they rule by will 4. When they look not after the execution of good Laws 5. When they are unjust 6. When they sinfully conform to neighbour Princes 7. When they persecute those who are good 8. When they interpose unduely in the things of God Vse 1. of Instruction to see the cause of great turns among us Vse 2. of Admonition to Princes 1. Take heed of your hearts in lawful things 2. Take heed of coveteous self-love 3. Exalt not your selves unduely 4. Anger and malice misbecome a Prince 5. Forget not the kindnesse of others to you 6. Look that your Courtiers prove not flatterers CHAP. XIV PRinces being wicked people grow wicked too because 1. Wickednesse in men of high place is misrepresented to the people 2. Wicked Princes leave good Laws unexecuted and sin unpunished 3. Then wickednesse comes to be established as by a Law 4. Because of the Priests of the Nation 5. People are migtily led by example Vse 1. To shew how much Rulers have to answer for 2. To shew that examples move much 3. To take notice of the wickedness in us 4. See how just it is to suffer from Princes when we grow sinful by them CHAP. XV. THat abuse of power and wickednesse of people adapt to Civil war How abuse of power works on good mens spirits How wickedness adapts See it thus 1. Pride in Princes produceth pride in people 2. Pride introduceth luxury 3. Luxury introduceth poverty 4. Poverty makes people discontented 5. Discontented people meditate their pressures 6. Pressed people hardly pay for any publick uses 7. People grow weary of their Trades 8. They feare more then they feel 9. There be Incendiaries that augment their fears 10. These incendiaries have many followers Vse 1. To Princes to consider their abuse of power 2. To people who complain of Wars yet are the cause of them 3. To admire Gods goodness that we have no more Civil Wars CHAP. XVI SHews that Civil Wars produce fatal Changes for 1. Then Government is destroyed 2. Equity and Laws are not then to be heard 3. Then Religion and devotion are stifled 4. Learning and Trading fall down dead 5. A rich people is made poor and a strong people weake 6. No safety to any then 7. Plantations are nipt in the bud 8. The victory of Civil Wars is much to be lamented Vse 1. Admire Gods goodnesse that we are a Nation 2. Consider how much we are engaged to those in power by whose care it comes to passe that Wars break not forth 3. Look on some inconveniences as eligible when they prevent what is fatal 4. It should be far from us to promote a Civil War CHAP. XVII NEighbour Princes fall off from us or come forth against us when we are in Civil War which is opened thus 1. God hath bounded and limited all Nations in their Territories 2. Confederacy is as needful for a Nation as a Person 3. It s of great concernment what and with whom confederacy is concluded 4. Islands have more liberty of choice as to their confederates then those that live in a Continent 5. We may have cause to break with those with whom we have been confederate 6. It s possible some may break unjustly from us 7. Those with whom we are in League may be devoured by their adversaries 8. It s possible notwithstanding confederacies abroad we may be disjoynt at home 9. This distraction tempts your friends to shake you off 10. It
opportunes your confederates to become your enemies Vse 1. See how little help there is in men 2. See what wickednesse is incident to Nations as well as persons 3. Take hence one argument more against your Civil War 4. Learn it s a curious work to manage affairs in Civil Wars 5. Admire Gods providences towards us who hath busied our Neighbour Nations CHAP. XVIII OPens that unkind and unjust dealings of neighbour Nations produce forreign Wars as thus 1. The pride and lust of ruling men cause these hard dealings 2. Those who are great would be great alone 3. These great leaders obtain many followers 4. They conclude they have a fit season for their rage 5. A people under present pressures are exceding sensible 6. They resolve if they recover to do to others as others thought to have done unto them Vse 1. To see the spreading of sin that it reacheth Nations as well as persons 2. Nations as well as persons are liable to trouble upon trouble 3. God is appealed unto in War 4. To admire again Gods goodness to us CHAP. XIX SHews that Jesus Christ will deale in severity with the Kings of the Earth because 1. Kings are in covenant with their people and break their Covenants 2. In this dealing Christ appears no respecter of persons 3. In this dealing Christ makes his wisdom out-shine King-craft 4. Christ is to overcome Satan in his territories Vse 1. Reade the sinfulness of Kings in Christs severity 2. See the impartial and unspotted holiness of Jesus Christ 3. See what to expect and to what to refer our present providences CHAP. XX. COncludes with shewing how the twelve Positions formerly handled instruct us in our present Turns and Changes CHAP. XXI SHews the great Turns on Nations arising from the consideration of Christ as King of Saints set forth in twelve Sections 1. Jesus Christ is King of Saints as well as King of the World 2. Christ hath his high honour upon his sufferings 3. Christ puts forth the power he hath as King of Nations for his people to whom he is King of Saints 4. Jesus Christ shall have more visible glory in this World 5. Bitternesse is mingled with all Governments that Christ may be sweet 6. Christ pours out on his people a mighty spirit of prayer which he in his Government as King of Saints returns full answer to 7. Jesus Christ shall have a willing people in the day of his power 8. Some of the Kings of the Earth shall be among this willing people 9. Christ having great work to do stirs up the spirit of Princes and people 10. The great work of the latter days shall be to exalt holinesse and righteousnesse 11. Saints shall have notable Conquest over their enemies 12. These things shall be by degrees CHAP. XXII COntains the Vses of that Doctrine that Christ is King of Saints 1. Vse of inviting Instruction discovering 1. Christs excellency 2. The properties of his Kingdom 3. The glory of his Saints 1. Christ his excellency in four things 1. His right and Title which is the justest being 1. By Election 2. By Donation 3. By Birth 4. By purchase 5. By Conquest 2. His Qualifications are greatest 3. His Administrations are the highest 4. His Communications are the largest 2 The Properties of his Kingdom being 1. Spiritual 2. Vniversal 3. Eternal 4. Bringing in perfect peace 3. The glory or excellency of his Saints for 1. They shall be more Saints 2. They shall live safely 3. their enemies shall be ruined 2. Vse of Exhortation 1. to know him 2. to fear him â— to trust in him 4. to embrace him with love 5. to be like to him 6. to glorifie him 7. to be obedient to his laws where you have 1. the six Laws of Nature with Gospel-light 1. Peace is to be sought 2. Stand to your Covenants 3. You must be thankful 4. Serve one another 5. Be merciful and forgive 6. Reproach not one another 2. You have many Gospel strains set out to highthen your obedience THe Appendix shews Astrological Predictions to be frivilous and impious where these five things are granted 1. that the Stars have a powerful ruling excellency 2. that by their light heat and motion they work great alterations in the Aire 3. that having this power over the Aire they do diverâ—â—y affect compound bodies 4. Scripture speaks plainely that they are for times and seasons 5. that there may be some present Predictions about weather and such things But two things are denyed 1. that Stars have any power over the Reason or Will of man to necessitate or inforce them 2. that Astrologers can rightly pretend to foretell such things as depend on mans will or are any way contingent and this appears by seven Arguments 1. Such Predictions are derogatory to Gods prerogative of fore-knowing 2. Such predictions are crosse to the word of God 3. We reason from the Nature of the Stars 4. We reason from the Nature of Art 5. We argue from that part of Astrology that is about weather 6. these Predictions are derogatory to the excellency of Man 7. VVe reason from the Nature of contingent things Object But many things they foretell come to passe Sol. 1. Not so many as they brag of 2. Not from any causing virtue in the Stars 3. Blind men sometime hit the white so may Astrologers 4. their coming to passe is a strong argument against them 5. It may come to passe in a way of judicial vengeance Vse 1. to the professors of the Mathematicks 2. to their Disciples dehorting them from Figure-casting Σεισμος Μεγας OR Heaven and Earth shaken CHAP. I. The Introduction shewing the occasion and scope of the insuing Treatise THe works of the Lord are great sayeth the Psalmist sought out of all them that have pleasure therein When God is working we must eye him and when his works be great we must be searching them out and not soon weary but taking pleasure both in the works and search Gods works to us of this Nation have been honourable and glorious as it is verse 3. and his righteousnesse enduring for ever No marvel then if they be taking with the minde and hearts of his people who entertaine them with the highest esteeme and most joyful admiration verse 4. He hath made his wonderful workes to be remembred the Lord is gracious and full of compassion I appeale unto your consciences that read whether the grace and full compassion of God have not made his works wonderful among us Now God will not have his works written in the sand he makes his works wonderful and his wonderful works to be remembred and surely his people cannot forget them they are ingraven on their hearts and they cannot but remember them v. â— He giveth meat to them that fear him He is ever mindful of his Covenant Consider v. 5. the malice and rage of adversaries and we cannot but reckon it among the wonderful works
to the third proposition are to be taken in the largest extent Again observe this promise and prophesie of Haggai receives according to what is laid down in the fourth proposition sundry degrees of fulfilling It was truly performed when Christ was born into the world then Angels and Men Heaven and Earth were moved but this is not all for the Author to the Hebrews tells us of another shaking at another coming of Christ when we shall receive a Kingdome that cannot be moved Heb. 12. 26. Besides when the Prophet Haggai names the Temple and the House he meanes all the frame of worship and not barely the Fabrick and building that was reared up When he names Zorobabel and Joshua he meanes not onely those two particular persons but all governours and deliverers of Gods people in several places and ages are included which is the direction that the fifth proposition gives us Moreover the great and glorious alterations that God will make in these last dayes is here expressed by a phrase relating to Gods wonderful dealing with his people Israel we finde Exod. 19. 18. at the appearance of God on Mount Sinai it s said the whâ—le mount quaked greatly and when God appears to make these turnes he is said by the Prophet here to shake heaven and earth which agrees fully with the sixth proposition The shaking of all Nations here what doth it meane else but the execution of vengeance on the Nations thus plainly in v. 21. 22. of this 2. Chap. where the shaking of heaven and earâ—h is repeated v. 21. and expounded v. 22. by this phrase I will overthrow the throne of Kingdomes and I will destroy the strength of the Kingdomes of the Heathen but for what end v. 23. It was to exalt Zorobabel to be as a Signet it was to make way for his Churches good which was the lesson taught in the eight proposition Lastly the time of these great turnes is plainly expressed to be at the coming of Christ Christ is yet to come in the judgement of all one way or another and all his comings produce notable changes as the eight proposition shewed And thus having brought down what was spoken in general in the propositions to this particular prophesie of Haggai I shall onely adde one word about the coherence of these two verses with the former part of the Chapter and then descend to the explication of the words It 's plain v. 2. and 3. that Zorobabel Joshua and the people were under discouragement about building of the Temple we build a Temple say they but what is it a poor meane frame Solomons Temple was a stately Edifice but this is nothing to that were it not better for us to give over then to goe forward with such a work Now in the fourth and fifth verse God calls upon them 1. To be strong be strong be strong 2. To worke and not give over 3. To be confident and not feare Now the Arguments are three 1. I am with you v. four 2. My Spirit shall remain among you v. five 3. I will shake Heaven and earth for you and the desire of all Nations shall come and fill this house with glory v. 6. 7. So then these words are brought in as an argument to take off their feare and render them confident to strengthen them in the work God called them unto Thus they cohere with the former words let us now proceed to explication of them we shall begin with those words Thus sayth the Lord of Hosts Thus sayth The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated Sayeth it denotes in Scripture phrase five things 1. To declare the minde by speaking Dixit 1. locuâ—us est to expresse our thoughts or motions of heart by words so Gen. 20. 5. speaking of Sarah she even she her selfe said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is my Brother that is she uttered so much in speech or words that another might understand and thus God spake by his Prophet 2. It 's put to hold out a speaking before hand what shall come to passe afterward Dixit 1. prophetavit He said that is he prophesied and a word so spoken is a prophetical word thus Gen. 41. 54. the seven yeares of dearth began according as Joseph had said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dixerat that is according as he had prophesied 3. It signifies a speaking to ones selfe a speaking in a way of thought or meditation Dixit 1. cogitavit He saith that is he thought he sayth in himselfe Our thoughts are our communication with our selves when we are serious in meditation of our own hearts or wayes we are said to return to our hearts and to speak in our hearts thus 2 Sam. 21. 16. Goliah the Giant thought to kill David the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 et dicebat percutere He said he would kill him that is he spake so to himselfe it was the language of his thoughts 4. To say is to speak with authority to speak by way of command Dixit 1. imperavit He said that is as much as he commanded so Jonah 2. 11. The Lord spake to the Fish that is he commanded it 5. And lastly to speake is not barely to declare ones minde to think or to command but it holds out such a speaking wherein the speaker engageth himselfe dixit 1. promisit he said that is he promised it and so it 's taken here Thus saith the Lord of hosts that is Thus promiseth the Lord of Hosts that phrase viz. the Lord of Hosts we shall not open here onely now draw these 2. Observations That the Lord in all ages dispenseth himselfe to his people by way of a promise so here That when his people are under discouragement and feare he strengthens them by holding forth himselfe to be the Lord of Hosts I will shake I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I Jehovah who have my being of my selfe and give being to my word of promise I who have all creatures and times in my power and disposal I even I will shake All refer this shaking to God but some refer this to God in the person of the Father as Hierom. Gâ—oâ—g Eden and so they make the meaning to be I that am the Father of Jesus Chrisâ— and in him your Father and the Father of mercies I will shake the Heavens But the Author to the Hebrews refers it to Christ and so I that is I that am Emanuel King of Kings and Lord of Lords who was dead but am alive and now live for evermore I who am the brightnesse of my Fathers glory and the expresse image of his person who have seven eyes and seven hornes all-seeing and all-working power I that have made and hold up the pillars of the world I will shake The Author to the Hebrews adds an expression shewing that this shaking was done suddainly and with ease It s but a word speaking it
friendly phrase anâ— I will shew thee things that must be hereafter Freinds unbosome secrets one to another These secrets of the Lord are with them that feare him By thus conversing with these Revelations we come to be immediatly in the Spirit Rev. 4. 2. It s a blessed preservative against the infection of sin Our mindes are apt to wantoâ—nesse and giddinesse Oh! but how doth the consideration of Jesus Christ set forth in his seven eyes and seven hornes Rev. 5. 4. his providence and his power cut off this wanton giddinesse It s a great evil to backslide in heart Oh! but eying these promises keeps the minde intent on God the minde thus set sweetly invoaks the heart and holds it to a re-ingagement of better behaviour Formality is one of the great evils that besets us which is when we act on low grounds common custome and example and with low spirits Let these promises dwell richly in you and you will be higher We are never worse then when we are earthly-minded now nothing is so proper to work off that as to be moulded by these Gospel-prophesies and promises This is a way to advance your life of faith and love God opens his bosome secrets in dearest love in these promises and this is mighty to cause a rebound of love in your souls He gives you great and precious promises and your faith receives them Oh then let your faith work by love and love by faith and both be fixed on this blessed object of God in his promises To live by faith is to have faith acted in our present lives and that according to the promises of the present age To love is actually to close with God as the cheife and most sutable good and this he appears to be in his promises Behold here a proper course to Conquer difficulties and discouragements The best of Saints have their ebbings and damps their heart-divisions and heart-contractions Turne oh turne to the promises and then it will be full Sea with you the light and heat there will easily expel your dumps and damps and at once unite and enlarge you I am sure you would be watchful and dutiful and I am sure also that this trading with promises will keep you waking and working Shall I minde you how apt you are to nod to grow secure and carelesse and is it not from hence that you forget the promises of this latter age did you weight them well you would finde how much work lyeth on you and lyeth undone It s a good thing to give thanks to praise is pleasant and comely and doth there not lie a sweet hidden vertue in Gospel-promises to promote this work The Revelations of these latter times by the Prophet John how is it interwoven with Saints praises with Church-praises Rev. 4. 8 9 10 11. Thou art worthy to receive glory and honour Rev. 7. 12. Blessing Glory and Wisdome and Thanksgiving and Honour and Power and Might be unto our God for ever and ever Rev. 11. 17. We give thanks to thee Lord God Almighty which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned Rev. 15. 3 4. They sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb saying Great and marvelous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes O thou King of Saints who shall not feare thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name Rev. 16. 5. Thou art righteous O Lord who art and wast and shall be because thou hast thus judged Rev. 19. 1. Alleluja Salvation Glory and Honour and Power unto the Lord our God for true and righteous are his judgements To conclude then you must be a praysing people as well as a praying people converse more with God in his promises and you cannot but be praysing of him CHAP. V. Sheweth that Christ being about to performe his promises causeth alterations in the Natural bodies of Heaven and Earth which is thus demonstrated FIrst Christ hath given a being and constant course to Heaven and Earth 2. He maintains that being 3. The creatures thus made are at his beck 4. It s his pleasure that sometime they should step aside from their ordinary constant course 5. Christ governs this turning aside 6. These Turns carry with them the nature of Signes Four Reasons added and Uses I will shake the Heavens and the Earth the Sea and the dry Land These words according as was laid down in Chapter three being taken Grammatically and properly they afford this observation That When Christ is about to performe his prophetical promises he causeth alteration in the bodies and natural courses of Heaven Earth Sea and dry Land Heaven and Earth in their prime and litteral signification hold out that great frame that God in the beginning formed out of nothing Now in this great Fabricke are the alterations we speak of I should not have pitched on this observation but that I finde the holy Ghost in all the eminent turns to make some impression and mention this way It was a great turne reduced all the world to eight persons but then you know the windows of Heaven were opened and the fountains of the great deep broken up and the raine was upon the Earth Gen. 7. 12 13. To turne Israel out of Egyptian bondage was a great turne and then the Red Sea must be dryed up Exod. 14. 16. At the giving of the Law Exod. 20. 8. there are thundrings and lightnings and the voyce of a Trumpet and the mountain smoaking Israels preservation in the Wildernesse was a whole continued series of Turnes and then we read of a Pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire Num. 14. 14. they had water out of the Rocke followed them 1 Cor. 10. 4. and Mannah rained down Exod. 16. 35. So in the New Testament at the birth of Christ there is a Star which is callep His his Star in the East Mat. 2. 2. At the death of Christ Mat. 27. 51. The earth quakes and rocks rend and the graves were opened At the sending of the Spirit Acts 2. 2. suddainly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty winde and Acts 4. 31. When they had prayed the place was shaken When Paul and Sylas must be delivered out of prison Acts 16. 26. suddainly there was a great Earthquake Now to cleare this observe 1. Jesus Christ hath given a being and a constant course of operation to Heaven and Earth Sea and dry Land John 1. 3. All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Prov. 30. 4. He ascends up to Heaven and descends he gathereth the winde in his fist he binds the waters in a garment and establisheth all the ends of the Earth Psal 104. 2. He covers himselfe with light and layes the beames of his chambers in the waters He maketh clouds hit Chariots and rides on the wings of the winde Psal 19. 4 5.
yet if you weigh things in a Sanctuary Ballance you will finde such actings and workings as faith can rise up unto although sense cannot And when God will worke more of his great works by them then he will highthen our faith to apprehend them more Doth Christ in these great turnes use the ministration of Angels then surely he himselfe is far above them the Lord is above the servant and he to whom the administration is is above them that minister above them then he is and above them in these turnes for Heb. 1. 2. He is said to make the worlds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 secula the several ages of the world Mr. Dixon in his Commentary on the place saith he calletâ— it the worlds for the variety of times and ages and fleeces of the creatures one succeeding another You wrong Jesus Christ if you converse not with him in all these inferiour motions he is the primum mobile the first mover and other things move after him The whole first Chapter to the Hebrews sets forth the excellency of Christ far above that of Angels which here I shall give you a briefe account of Take notice How he gives the full due to Angels the full due of their glory It s granted they are the sonnes of God as Adâ—m is said to be Luke 3. 38. in that they had their immediate being from him and accordinly sang unto him and shâ—uted for joy Job 38. 7. They have an excellent name which implyes an excellent nature Names are put to expresse the natures of things and excellent names to excellent things among which Angels are to be rankâ—d Thâ—y are His Angels of him and for him and therefore excellent They are spirits having a simple uncâ—mpounded being and therefore an excellent being They are as flames of fire of lightning that speedily execute his will ministring spirits as v. 14. But now Jesus Christ hath by inheritance obtained a far more excellent name then they they are made very good but he is made far better He is so a Son as they are not a Son by way of eminency he is a Son and first bâ—gotten which they are not He is appointed heir of all things which the Angels are not but even they are part of his possession given to be his servants He is the brightnesse of the Fathers glory so are not Angels Angels hold forth much of God but they are not the Character of his Person as Christ is They are used in the government of this world but he upholds all things by the word of his power Truth it is they do much service and do it cheerfully and vigorously but they can never do that service that Christ doth He by himselfe purged our sin which is a worke too great for them he takes his place where they cannot they may stand about the Throne and waite the pleasure of God but he sits down at the right hand of his glory He is God and they are but â—â—eatures and owe him for their being v. 7. as do the Heaven and Earth v. 10. In regard of his humane nature He hath the oyl of gladnesse above his fellows and so loves righteousnesse and hates iniquity more then Angels He hath a Throne and that for ever and its honour enough for Angels to waite about it Many are the enemies of this Throne and Kingdome but God will make them his footstoole Thus you see Angels are but Ministers although glorious Ministers Christ is more glorious then they Let me adde one word more to exhort you 1. To draw your eyes to behold these glorious workes It s a curious study to search into Gods providences he imprints much of himselfe upon them and that by his choice servants his Angels 2. Let no discouragement seize upon you as to the Times Measures Methods Instruments of these things God hath his own houshold servants which he can and will imploy at his pleasure 3. And shall not this afford some elevation of your hearts in love to God when he doth on your behalfe imploy his best attendance 4. Lastly let it mightily provoke all the servants of God his precious Worthies to come forth and goe on in the service of these latter times It s no worse businesse you are called forth unto then Christ puts his Angels about Oh! then let not your hands hang down nor your knees be feeble Study what worke is put into your hands and do it with all your might Are you called to counsel or to act at home or abroad by Sea or by Land Oh! lift up your heads and rejoyce that God hath counted you worthy to be under-powers in these transactions value it as your happinesse to have been in his hand Let not the thoughts of danger or difficulty discourage you you are about Angels worke and you should have Angels spirits you have their help and you shall have a reward not inferiour to their condition I should now according to the opening of the words as we have spoken of the inhabitants of heaven and their shaking so proceed to shew the shaking of the Inhabitants of that part of the earth that is called a Continent as also the shaking of the inhabitants of the Sea and the inhabitants of Islands but these things I shall not handle now but hasten to what I intend in this Book CHAP. VII Opens the shake of Kings and Princes because 1. They make the great turns in the Earth 2. They pretend exemption from mans power 3. Dealing with them is a compendious way of dealing with the Nations 4. Being decked with worldly glory they seem to be Christs match Vses of Instruction and Exhortation HEaven as you heard Cháp 3 denotes by a Metaphor the highest things Thus when the Prophet Moses speaks of the high walls of a City Dâ—ut 1. 28. He tells them of a City walled up to heaven It is the language of the Prophets to compare a Kingdome to a World and what is highest in a Kingdome to what is highest in the World Satan is called 2 Cor. 4. 4. The god of this World and when he was in the highest of his â—ffâ—ctual working in the children of disobedience when he wrought so in them that they exalted him as a God by worshipping of him when he had his heathenish Priests Altars Sacrifices Feast-dayes in the time of the Emperours as Jehovah God had his among his people Israel then is Satan said to be in Heaven because in so great hight in the World Rev. 12. 7 8. The Dragon is said to be in heaven in regard that he was exalted and observed as a God But when his Tempels Idols and Altars were demolished he is there and then said to be cast out of heaven The heathenish Kings and Princes that were most forward and shining in this hellish heaven are called Stars Isa 61. 15 16. When God brings Israel out
of Egypt which he did by dividing the red Sea v. 15. when he makes them a people distinct and separate from the Egyptians none in-bodyed with them he made â—hem eminently his Sion and people v. 16. This his work is expressed by two phrases Planting Heavens and laying the foundation of the Earth that is he will make them a Common-wealth a Kingdome a World Politique Isa 65. 17 18. When Jehovah erects Jerusalem a rejoycing and her people a joy which shall be in the latter age of the world it s said 17. Behold I create a new Heaven and a new Earth In like manner when the high or low things of a Nation are destroyed it is expressed by the destruction of the high or low things of the World Isa 34. 4. speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem he saith All the host of heaven shall be disolved that is all those high things of Jerusalem shall be laid low so the destruction of Samaria Hos 10. 8. and so here I will shake the Heavens that is I will sâ—ake the high things and persons of Kingdomes Nations and Common-wealths Note then Jesus Christ will shake the Kings Princes Nobles and glorious ones of the World Isa 34 5. When the sword comes down on the people of his curse to judgement it s said The Heavens shall be rowled together like a scrâ—wle that is the most high things or persons shall be contracted confused covered with shame discoloured scattered consumed as a leafe from the tree Daniel speaking of the Tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes and what he should do against the people of Israel Dan. 8. 10. its said It waxed great against the host of Heaven and it cast some of the host and the Stars to the ground So will Christ do with the high and mighty ones of the Earth He is the watcher and the holy One that numbers and weighs Kingdomes Dan. 4. 13. and 5. 26. They think themselves exempt from mans scrutiny are they therefore from Gods They make their nest in the Stars and say in their hearts Who shall plucke them down shall not Christ Let us see what grounds conclude us into this principle that Christ will thus deale with them These are the men that make the turns on Earth therefore Christ will shake them Let them be as Lucifer sons of the morning on the rising hand yet he will overturne them that make these turnes Isa 14. 12 13. It s spoken of Babylon How art thou cut down that didst weaken the Nations Verse 16. Is this the man that made the Earth to tremble that did shake kingdomes verse 17. That made the world as a Wildernesse and destroyed the Cities thereof that open'd not the house of his prisoner Take notice of five passages there 1. They change governments and Christ will change them They shake the Kingdomes v. 16. and Christ will shake them 2. They weaken the Nations v. 12. and Christ will weaken them 3. They destroy Cities and make the world as a Wildernesse v. 17. for their lust and pleasure and God will destroy them and leave their habitations desolate 4. They hold the people in a flavish feare They v. 16. make the earth to tremble Christ will amaze and terrifie them 5. They did not let the prisoner loose homeward v. 17. Christ will imprison them at home and make his people insult over them Is this the man or these the Kings that made the earth to tremble that did Tyrant it over my people that took them prisoners and kâ—pt them prisoners for their sakes I will arise They pretend to be exempt from mans power Mr. Hugh Broughton observes from Nebuchadnezzar his golden Image that Christ in profane eyes is a base stone and heathen Kings goodly mettal Who is the Lord was Pharaohs proud question that I should obey his voyce and it was as wicked a conclusion of his I know not the Lord neither will I let Israel go What infectious acclamation was that which flye-blowed Herod Acts 12. 12. The voâ—ce of God and not of man and is it not now grown into a position Qui summum in civitate imperium habet quicquid is fecerit impune â—sse Whosoever hath the supreame power whatsoever he doth is not to be punished Now it s most proper for Christ to deale with them to shake them thorowly whom men either dare not cannot or will not meddle with Dealing with them is a compendious way of dealing with the Nations they relate unto the ready way to shake Nations is to shake their Kings They are the Shepherds and if you strike them the sheepe will be scattered when God was angry with Israel the ready way was to move David against them 2 Sam. 24. 1. Thou art worth ten thousand of us 2 Sam. 18. 5. Kings are the light of their people the way to darken them is to put out their light Lam. 4. 20. people breath much in their Kings stop his breath and you stop theirs They are decked with all worldly pompe and glory and therefore in the judgement of flesh and blood the fittest match for Christ Eccl. 2. 8. I gat me Silver and Gold the peculiar Treasures of Kings I gat me Men-singers and Maid-singers the delight of the sonnes of men Psal 82. 6. Ye are Gods and all of you the children of the most high Acts 25. 23. King Agrippa comes with great pompe and Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 5. 19. Whom he would he slew and whom he would he kept alive whom he would he set up or plucked down their excellent majesty dazles us poor low ones Dan. 4. 36. But it s not so with Christ who comes against these Goliahs these Champions and Cheiftains of the world and tumbles them down First will Christ shake Kings and Princes then let us see a meanesse in their majesty and lownesse in their highnesse They are above other men but under Christ others account to them and they must account to him Sensual men see nothing in them but pompe and power but men that live by faith and weigh them in the ballance of the Sanctuary see Christ shaking of them see them falling down and Christ mounting up Christ alone is Rex Catholicus the Catholique King to whom that King that assumes that name and all others must be accomptable 2. Learne also that management of particular places and powers must be reckoned for when Christ comes to shake them he shakes them not considered simply as Men but as men in Office as men dignified with place and power as Kings and Princes Oh! how great will that day and worke be when the Emperour must answer for his Provinces and the extreame cruelty and oppression of the Protestant party what a hideous cry of blood in so many years War will be heard against him when Germanies teares and desolations shall be turned into a vial of wrath upon him How much hath the King of Spain to answer for the blood of
Indians and English in the West-India All his golden Mines will never be so sweet as the vengeance will be bitter Let his cursed cruel Inquisition be as precious to him as his right eye yet God will plucke it out God will cast it down He will no more beare with an Inquisition in Spain then with an High-Commission Court in England I wish that France and Savoy would consider of their Massacres and if they do not all the world shall acknowledge Christ his just shaking-devastations in many years war and other wayes of vengeance on them 3. Will Christ account with Princes and shake them then surely meaner men shall not escape Magistrates Ministers Counsellers Captains Parents Masters look about you Christ is on his circuit hath began his Audit look well to your accounts Princes are not too great nor you too little for him to account withal he will deale punctually he will not shuffle over things with you Hearken he calls venite ad judicium Come to judgement what can you answer for your times and talents your meanes and mercies your deliverances and salvations your covenants and engagements Are you yet more holy heavenly watchful faithful fruitful will your relations blesse God for you for your counsel instruction reprehension exhortations prayers and examples Can you say you are free from the blood of your people children souldiers and servants If they perish is it on their own account you having freed your souls in the faithful discharge of your duty 4. In all oppression from powers its a just ground for people to appeale to Christ whose Office it is to supervise their actings and to shake them Exod. 2. 23. Israel sighed by reason of their bondage and their cry came up to God we tread on wormes and goe over where the hedge is lowest It s no new thing for might to oppresse right but if men cannot have right on earth there is none can hinder a man from looking to heaven it was a notable appeale of David from King Saul to Jehovah 1 Sam. 24. 15. The Lord be judge and judge between me and thee and plead my cause and judge me on thee its emphatical that thrice he repeats the word judge The Lord be judge and judge between me and thee and judge me out of thy hand How pathetically doth the same David addresse himselfe to God Psalm 35. 23. Stir up thy selfe and awake to my judgement unto my cause my God and my Lord. Evigila expergiscere watch and arise and surely he will do so I remember what Mr. Henry Burton a late Martyr told me that being in trouble before the highest powers and having appealed to the King and finding no redresse he expressed himselfe thus Well I appeale to the King of Kings and so may we in like cases Learne farther that judicial proceedings against Princes is stamped with remarkable Characters of Christ on them for he shakes them Thus in the prophesies of John Revel 6. The sixe Seales containe the several steps of plaguing the heathenish Roman Empire At the opening of the first Seale v. 2. there appears a white Horse Christ riding on the word of truth and going on Conquering and to Conquer heathenisme The second Seale and red Horse shews the bloody wars that Christ raiseth against them The third Seale and black Horse denotes scarcity of bread by which Christ afflicts them The fourth Seale and pale Horse includes warres famine plague and all which Christ brought in upon them Upon opening the fifth Seale you have the cry of the Saints under their persecutions which Christ heares attentively The sixth Seale utterly ruines the heathenish Empire the great day of Christ his wrath being come upon it so that it was not able to stand The opening of the seventh Seale presents you with a Vision of seven Angels with seven Trumpets and they relate Christs his shaking and ruinating the Empire while Christian and no marvel seeing it became Arrian and persecuting Totus Mundus Arrianus The foure first Trumpets sound the fatal ruine of the Westerne Empire when Christ stirred up the Goths and Vandals in four incursions upon it The fifth and sixth Trumpet which are two of the Vae Tubae the woe Trumpets they sound out Christ his shaking of the Easterne Empire in that he gives passage to Mahomet and his company in the fifth Trumpet and in the sixth Trumpet to the Turkes We read in Rev. 16. 1. of seven Vials which contain Christ his shaking the Kingdome of Antichrist for they are the last plagues on the Beast Thus you see eminent Characters of Christ his judging all his adversaries even from Johns time to this very day both his Heathenish and Antichristian enemies To those who are in high place of power I beseech them to suffer a word of exhortation from one who daily prays for them Oh! how good is it for men to meditate on Christ and his shaking on Christ and his accounting with them think not because you have Sword and Counsel Armies and Navies that now your mountaine is so strong it shall never be moved They once thought so who are now shaken out and the entertainment of such thoughts again will be the ready way to a repeated shaking T is true God hath blessed you with a series of good successes and by them turned others out of their seats and placed you in I hope and heartily wish that their sinnes their crying sinnes may never be found among you for if they be Christ can raise up others to shake you out as he raised up you to shake others The good God forbid that ever that day should arise among us But rather of the riches of his mercy grant your establishment by Judgement and Righteousnesse that so you may be called repairers of our breaches the restorers of paths to dwell in Much of the impetuous violence of the streames of wickednesse would be dryed up by the due consideration of Christ his coming to shake Princes are great Masters and subjects are their servants and Col. 4. 1. Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Let all that know and feare God give unto Christ the honour due unto his Name In that he shakes Kings and Princes he is decked with glory and sets up his Throne for vengeance Thus the Church doth Rev. 5. 12. Worthy is the Lamb to receive power and riches and wisdome and strength and honour and glory and blessing CHAP. VIII Shewes 1. That All power is in Christ 2. It s his due upon taking our nature 3. Though it be his due yet is it given to him 4. Though it be his due and given him yet he hath little glory of it 5. He will exalt himselfe in great Turnes to take up his glory by them Vses of Instruction and Exhortation KIngs and Princes are the greatest persons and the
shaking of these tall Cedars is one of the greatest works in the world that which notably holds forth Jesus Christ I shall therefore indeavour to open the shaking of these earthly powers both from the consideration 〈…〉 Jesus Christ and that both 1. As King of the World 2. As King os Saints Secondly of these great persons and that both in regard of 1. Themselves 2. Their Relations All which we shall cast into several positions to be handled in the chapters following The consideration of Christ as King of the World gives you a very faire account of the turnes in these latter Ages which that you may the better understand we shall lead you on by twelve several Positions all of them contributing some thing to the right and religious understanding of these turnes Now the first Position is this All power is given to Christ in Heaven and Earth Math. 28. 18. Dan. 2. 44. The God of Heaven sets up Christs Kingdom and the Kingdome shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all those Kingdomes and it shall stand for ever Christs power it so resides in him that it cannot be translated It s a conquering power for it breakes in peices and it enjoyes the fruit of such conquests for it stands for ever This we shall open in five passages 1. That all power is in Christ it is in him as in the proper seat of it He is the first fountaine of all power and all the power in all the creatures flowes from him their power is but a drop of his Ocean the highest and best kinde of power dwells in him He is the first borne of every creature His power is extensive to all creatures and times all creatures are either in heaven or in earth and his power reacheth both Col. 1. 16. By him were all things created that were in Heaven and Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers And Jer. 10. 7. Who would not feare thee Oh King of Nations Psal 22. 28. The kingdome is the Lords and he is Governour among the Nations All earthly powers have their periods their rise and fall their beginning and ending but it s not so with Christs power for Heb. 1. 8. It s spoken to him Thy throne oh God is for ever and ever 2. All power was Christ his due upon the taking of our nature So much is wrapped up upon the assumption of our flesh that thereupon all created power was to be under him Suppose man had not fallen nor Christ suffered yet if he take our nature to himselfe upon this all power in all creatures must be under him Heb. 2. 6. When he bringeth in the First begotten into the world he saith and let all the Angels of God worship him Observe he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the First borne Christ as taking our nature had a being in the counsel of God and was before any creature was and by that priority and firstnesse of being he hath a preeminence above all creatures whatsoever Col. 1. 18. In all things he must have the pereeminence The first begotten under the Law had a priviledge above all his brethren he had the rule and the double portion So hath Christ he hath the rule of all creatures he guides them to their end and indeed they are all his portion given unto him as the First begotten Againe observe the text mentions God the Fathers bringing Christ into the world which was when at his exhibition in the flesh he manifested it to the world that he was his onely begotten Son And observe lastly that upon this taking of our flesh the Angels which are the highest ranke of creatures are subject to him nay with the highest subjection namely that of adoration now if Angels the highest of creatures surely all other creatures much more 3. That though this power were his due yet it is rightly said to be given to him in that its a power falls on him as in our nature not considered onely as second person Now being thus in our nature the Father is greater then he Joh. 14. 28. I goe unto my Father for my Father is greater then I and he is in that regard lesse then the Father The Father gives all to Christ and Christ returnes all to the Father Dare est dominium transferre John 3. 35. The Father loveth the Sonne and hath given all things into his hand giving is a transferring out of love and the Fathers love is so great he cannot give him lesse then all v. 34. He give the spirit to him but not by measure Joh. 10. 39. God the Father gives all his elect chosen ones to Christ and he gives him worke to do for them Joh. 17. 4. I have finished the worke which thou gavest me to doe Joh. 5. 26 27. He hath given to the Sonne to have life in himselfe v. 27. and he hath given him authority to execute judgement also because he is the Son of Man In regard of all creatures He hath power given him over all flesh Joh. 17. 2. The Government is laid upon his shoulders and he rules among the Nations Dan. 4. 21. 4. Jesus Christ hath had but little glory of all his power Joh. 1. 11. He came to his own and his own received him not How many are there in the world that never heard of Jesus Christ how many that are professed enemies against him and among all that beare his Name how few live indeed by him How many thousands are there in the Synagogue of Antichrist that although they beare his Name being called Christians and make profession of him yet in workes deny him Look upon the great ones of the Earth who have that power of his derived unto them that others have not yet how great strangers are they unto him Nay looke among those who pretend to Reformation and to be adversaries to all superstitions yet how little do they take notice of his power put forth in the World or give him the praise of it 5. Christ will exalt himself in such great various turnes on Kings as shall extort acknowledgement from their consciences that he is above them and make them confesse This is the hand of Christ upon us whose Vassals we are Our Crownes and Scepters are more his then ours He He is the Lords Annointed All powers of earth are immediately and fully given to him and not to us We poor worms struggle for this earth but heaven and earth and all power are his and we are but his underlings Isa 10. 12. I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks Let us conclude this with the confession of Nebuchadnezzer Dan. 4. I Nebuchadnezzar extol the King of heaven all whose words are truth and his wayes judgement and those that walke in pride he is able to abase
are Kings as they are Kingly men he sets them up and then they are Kings and pulls them down and then they are as other common men 1 Sam. 15. 1. The Lord sent Samuel to annoint Saul to be King of his people there he is set up there he is a King but v. 23. because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord He hath also rejected thee from being King there he is pulled down He gave the Kingdome power and strength and glory to Nebuchadnezzar made him King of Kings Dan. 2. 3. But he un-kings him yea un-mans him too Dan. 4. 25 31 32. Oh King Nebuchadnezzar to thee it is spoken The Kingdome is departed from thee there he is un-kinged and v. 32. They shall drive thee from men and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the feild there he is un-manned He annointed Hazael King over Syria and Jehu over Israel 1 King 19. 15 16. Yea all the Kingdomes of men are solely at his disposal and he giveth them to whomsoever he will Dan. 4. 32. 2. He either blesseth or blasteth men in the worke of Government Upon Him is first and resteth the spirit of wisdome and understanding of counsel and might to judge and reprove with all Isa 11. 2 3. and Dan. 2. 21. He giveth wisdome to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding and again Dan. 4. 16. Let his heart be changed from mans and let a beasts heart be given to him When Saul was annointed King over Israel 1 Sam. 10. v. 16. It s said of him Thou shalt be turned into another man and v. 9. God gave him another heart He doth not say a new heart a holy heart but another heart a heart differing from the heart he had while he was a private person then he minded his fathers Asses and family-occasions but now he had another heart a heart for government a heart for publicke affaires and their management Jesus Christ divides wisdome and folly among the Grandees of the world Solomon was the wisest Prince that ever was But his sonne Rehoboam was not so he was but a little removed from a foole Eccles 10. 16. They are men or children according as he makes them 3. What wisdome and power they have they cannot put forth without him Sometime they appeare stronger then men another time weaker then children Now none so wise as they and by and by none so foolish and all according as Christ enlargeth or contracteth them They assume power to make or unmake to establish or null Lawes but sure they are wofuly out if they leave him out Grant they are the high ones yet sure he is higher then they we deny not but they have an Image on them that makes them better then other men but still they are but men and he is better then they It s his prerogative to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Law-giver Jam. 4. 12. and he gives law to them and they cannot without him lay law on their people He is one there is one Law-giver and the onely one there is no more They cannot make Laws without him but he doth without them Let their hearts meditate high and great things yet their hearts are in his hand Prov. 21. 1. and he turns them as seemeth him good 4. Their Continuation and succession is from him 1. Sam. 15. 28. The Lord hath rent the Kingdome of Israel from thee this day and hath given it to a neighbour of thine that is better then thou This Solomon acknowledgeth 1 King 3. 7. Oh Lord my God thou hast made thy servant King instead of David my father How much of King craft is laid out to settle and perpetuate governments on heires and successors but how little can this pretend to without Christ Dan. 5. 26 27. He is the great Numberer and Ponderer Belshazzars Kingdome was numbered and finished he was weighed in the ballance and found wanting This King David knew well 2 Sam. 5. 12. He perceived not that men so much nor that Joab or Abner but that the Lord had established him King over Israel Hence is that conclusion from wise Daniel Chap. 2. 21. He changeth times and seasons he removeth Kings and setteth up Kings 5. Bad Kings as well as good reigne by Christ Christ had in especial manner the visible administration of the Kingdomes of Israel and Judah and their Kings were anointed by him but how few good among them all Now because this may seeme a hard saying give me leave to open it in these sixe passages 1. Good men may be bad Kings their grace makes them good but it s their gifts and the acting of them fits them for their Kingship David was a good man a man after Gods one heart but when out of pride he numbered the people in that he was no good King for it brought a plague upon them 2 Sam. 24. Hezekiah was a good man but in vaine ostentation shewing the Ambassadors of the King of Babylon his Treasure in that he was no good King 2 King 20. Asa was a good man but when he imprisoned the Seer and oppressed some of the people in that he was no good King 2 Chron. 16. 10. 2. The badnesse of men or of Kings is not from Christ though we say bad Kings reigne by him yet we do not say their badnesse is by him we abhor the thoughts of making him the author of sin who is the holy One of God 1. All his Commandements are right his Statutes pure his Law perfect there is not the least hint there to warrant any wickednesse but still that which is contrary is commanded He commands no wickednesse 2. It s far from the heart of Christ to worke any wickednesse in their hearts you must father your sin somewhere else Christ will never own it accuse accuse as you have just cause your selves your wicked corrupt natures but you must acquit him 3. Neither doth Christ stirre up unto any wickednesse his spirit is a holy spirit and no inviting or encouraging men to sin comes from that spirit 3. Though he is no cause of their badnesse yet they could not be and so not be bad but that he suffers it If it were the absolute Decree of God that there should be no bad men nor Kings sure there should be none Its impossible any thing should be so against his will for then he were not happy in himselfe and so not God But surely all grant it s his will to suffer it to permit it to be and is there not something more though sin be evil yet is it not good that sin have a being God would not so much as suffer sin in the World but that he knows how to produce good out of it and may not he will the production of good and is it not to worke like himselfe to bring good out of evil Gen. 50. 20. Ye thought evil against me saith Joseph to his Brethren that
sold him but God meant it unto good to save much people alive and when Joseph made known himselfe to his Brethren Gen. 45. 5. he saith Be not greived nor angry with your selves that ye sold me hither for God did send me before you to preserve life 4. That Christ shewes himselfe to be righteous when Kings and Princes are wicked He doth righteously punish sin with sin Ephraim is given to Idols let him alone and I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredome nor your spouses when they commit Adultery God may give places and power to wicked men and not grace and then they will become more wicked and fill up their measure suddainly God may be angry with a people for their sin and so give them a King in his wrath Hos 13. 11. I gave them a King in mine anger Gods anger is his justice whereby he burnes against sin and what he gives in justice is with respect to their sin Now he gave them a King in his wrath let that King be never so vile yet God that gave him is righteous I and righteous in that giving of him 5. That Jesus Christ is gracious as well as rightcous and orders all the badnesse of Kings for good Acts 4. 27 28. Herod and Pontïus Pilate with the Gentiles and people of Israel are gathered together against Christ but it s to doe what Gods hand and câ—unsel had determined before to be done Cyrus is a Heathen King and knows not Gâ—d Isa 45. 4. Yet for Jacob my servants sake and Israel mine elect I have even called thee by thy name and Isa 44. ult Cyrus he is my shepherd and shall performe all my pleasure saying to Jerusalem thou shalt be built and to the Temple thy foundation shall be laid 6. Though all Kings reigne by Christ yet Christ reignes much more in those who are good then in those who are bad He puts his spirit into them that are good to make them good he gives them the spirit of wisdome counsel and the feare of the Lord. He layes his Law upon them and draws them forth in obedience to it He stirres them up to what is good and holds them on in that goodnesse He gave Solomon wisdome to goe in and out before that great people and he wiseth Princes for their places and makes their actings acceptable both to God and men 1. Kings reigne by Christ It is not then so much their rich apparrel their sumptuous Pallaces their Royal attendance that instamps their Majesty on them as this that they are Christs creatures for this World they beare his Image of power and government on them and that is their great Majesty They are his ordinance Rom. 13. reigne by him and this subjects and keeps mens spirits under Oh! thanke Jesus Christ that you have no more insurrections against those in place and power mens minds are it may be ready enough to breake out but there is something of Christ stops them 2. We cannot rise against government but we rise against Christ Alas who are they that be in power but men like our selves that we rise against them Nay but they have a Commission which we have not a resistance is not so much to them as God Rom. 13. 2. is and alwayes was good Scripture Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation or judgement wherefore you must be subject not onely for wrath but also for conscience sake v. 5. 3. Ascribe the good of government to Jesus Christ All their wisdome justice mercy and goodnesse is extracted from him when you eat of the fat and drink of the sweet when you enjoy your houses and lands your shops and ships your pâ—ace and plenty exalt him for it That you can lie down and rise up and walke abroad it s of his goodnesse and ingrave his Name on it and returne his praise to him 4. Do bad as well as good reigne by him learne hence a ground of patience and contentation Nothing calmes the heart so much as to revolve things on God regularly David says Psal 39. 9. I was dumb and opened not my mouth because thou didst it When Aaron lost both his sonnes that which made him hold his peace was that God would be sanctified and glorified God had done it Lev. 10. 3. That which made Job not to charge God foolishly and kept him from the sin of impatience it was that the Lord had given and taken away and the like was that in old Eli 1 Sam. 3. 18. when heavy things were denounced against him and his house he said It is the Lord let him do whatever he please 5. How glorious is that Christ by whom Kings reigne how poorely doth all their splendor resemble his glory while they rule others he rules them Oh! that we could see him he is not onely their governour but their Maker fall down and adore before him They must bring in an account of their government and you may appeale from them to him as you heard before He is most absolute and by his Decree things are and shall be to eternity How doth it greive Princes to feele old age come upon them to be subjected to aches paines and diseases and that they and their honour must part and lie in the dust Oh! then admire and for ever praise him whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome and of whose government there is no end I shall conclude this Position with a word of exhortation to Princes taken out of Psal 2. 10. 1. To be wise and understand by whom you reigne away with your contesting against Christ and fall in with his ends and interests that will be your wisdome indeed a single portion of wisdome should not content you you are to study and to rule and a great deale of wisdome is required to a little rule you have many snares and temptations in your places and you need abundance of wisdome to guard you from those snares you are to govern others yea many others as well as your selves Be wise now therefore O ye Kings 2. Be instructed ye Judges of the Earth God hath his word and his rod for you as well as others and its wisdome to learn by both Deut. 17. 19. you must read to keep you humble that your hearts be not lifted up above your brethren and if you heare not that voyce of the word behold a speaking rod and him that appointed it Heare heare and learn yea learn righteousnesse 3. Feare feare before him It s not below you O Kings it will not argue a pusillanimous spirit to feare God Exod. 18. 21. Jethro's Justices were able men men able for government yet fearing God The lesse you are under the feare of men the more should you walke in the feare of God This feare would be a sweet bound to your power and will and trust God
walke after the flesh in the lust of uncleannesse that despise government 2 Pet. 2. 10. 2. Make honourable mention of them in the same place they are reckoned presumptuous and self-willed who feare not to speake evil of dignities Exod. 22. 28. Thou shalt not revile the gods nor curse the Ruler of thy people I could heartily wish that men would not think their tongues their own but cease from this cursing and reviling When Joseph was Governour of Egypt his brethren call him Lord and surely we should not speak slightly of those from whence we expect our publick good and protection How unreasonable is such railing it onely foames out your own discontent and tends to boile up an undue rage in them that hear you it profits not them that be over you but rather exasperats them against you and turns those thoughts that should be for you against you 3. Let me exhort you to speak to God for them 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. It s the Apostles exhortation there he well knew how backward we would be unto it and th erefore he saith I exhort and that with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a first of all and marke his variety of expressions Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of thanks must be for all in authority and all little enough did you know their duties and their difficulties you would not cease praying for them v. 2. It s for your good that you may lead a quiet life pray you more and they will rule better It may be they had not miscarried so much nor so often if you had helped them by your prayers v. 3. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour and no marvel since they are those that he sets up for the good of the World Happly they are not so good as they should be neither are you but be good in this to pray to make them better They were bound to pray in Pauls time when you might reckon so many Magistrates as there were so many were their enemies and are we not more bound now when our Magistrates are our friends God hath not dealt so with other Nations nor with us in this Nation heretofore Never was there a Magistracy that did openly and professedly engage for the good of all that truely feare God as now there is Oh! cover their infirmities in love and pray for them for they beg your prayers Cyrus inserts it into his Decree Ezra 6. 10. that they might pray for the life of the King and I am confident that nothing would be more acceptable then your fervent prayers and let them never want them 4. Submit your selves to everâ— ordinance of man for the Lords sake All men desire to rule but few know how to submit God sets them to order and our duty is to be under their ordering It is possible some of their ordinances may crosse our particular interests and our spirits shall we therefore not submit it may be for a publick good that they decree and if they order so they doe their duty and our duty is to submit though it be our particular losse If we would look up and consider for whose sake we are to submit it would much releive us It s for the Lords sake the Lord requires our submission to them for his sake submit it may be your spirits rise when you think of the men you are to submit too and that the time was that there was not so much difference between them and you and you little thought to be so at their commands I but know it s to God more then to them and I hope it will be no hard thing to submit to him to God 5. Lastly testifie your thankfulnesse for the good you enjoy by your service both in pâ—rson and purse as occasion may call you boggle not at the word service they serve you more then you serve them The greek Proverbe is true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is one servant of the house and that is the Master their government is but an honourable service and will you not serve them that serve you Grumble not too much at publick Taxes and Impositions governments cannot be carried on without them they contribute what is more precious for your safety then you doe for their government Rom. 13. 7. Render to all their dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custome to whom Custome CHAP. XI Vnfolds the fourth Position That Governments are apt to change wherein is set down 1. Governours change by death or other wayes 2. Forms of Government change 3. People change 4. Lawes change 5. Leagues and Trade change 6. Christ makes change by his judgements and providences Vses WE should be too bad if we did not acknowledge the good of Government but withal we should be too foolish if we ranke not that good in its due place Governments are good but still they are creatures and all the goodnesse of creatures is mutable Hence this fourth Position Governments and Governours being creatures of this world are apt to change Governments are Gods Ordinance and so shall stand but stand as creatures and creatures of this world and so as the World changeable It s the transcendent property of Christ to be unchangeably good creatures not so and this will be manifest many wayes 1. Governours change by death or in their manners They are men as well as others and so come under that Statute law wherein all mon are appointed once to die Their breath is in their nostrils and if God cast it out all their power on earth cannot retaine it Nay sometime by their luxury riot and intemperance they dig their own graves and shorten their lives nay sometime they die while they live either deposing themselves or else being deposed by others from their government and so they out-live their pompe and power Now the change of Governours makes great change in governments what troubles have been in the vacancies of Princes and what turmoile about Successors but suppose they live yet they may change their manners How good are many at first and how bad at latter end 2 Chron. 24. 2. Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the dayes of Jehojadah but vers 17. and 18. when he was dead he hearkened to the Princes of Judah and left the house of the Lord. 2. Manners and Forms of government as well as persons are liable to changes Israel was first ruled by Judges then Kings then by Strangers Rome Roma septicollis seven-hilled Rome more various in her government then hills witnesse their Kings Consuls Dictators Emperours c. How oft doth Soveraigne power change from One to more and from more to One again and the change happily not from what is unlawful to that which is lawful but from what is lesse convenient to what is more I think not government by a King to be unlawful nor yet the government by a single
CHAP. XII Opens the fifth Pos That Kings abuse their power for 1. They serve themselves more then others 2. They turne their power that should be for the good to the hurt of others 3. It was against Christ in his person 4. It is against Christ in his interest 5. It s given up to Christs enemie Vses WE have heard that Kings reign by Christ and that Government is set up for the good of men But now we come to shew the unhappy inversion of power againg Christ and of government against those for whose good it was intended Hence your fifth Position Kings and Princes have in all Ages grossly abused their power The first King we read of is Nimrod Gen. 10. 10. His Kingdome began at Babel but what was he v. 8. He was a mighty one that 's true Kings are mighty ones but where in the earth and for the earth for earthly and sensual things v. 9. He was a mighty one but a mighty Hunter not so much of beasts as of men Saul was the first King of Israel and what he was we all know Now that they have thus abused their power I shall shew these five wayes 1. They serve themselves more then others Government and Governours you heard was set up for others and their good and to turne it to one person or family is a palpable abuse How sad is it when their double portion of these outward things which should enâ—ble them to be more useful and beneficial to others is imploy'd and laid out mainly to gain friends and servants to their own lusts and interrsts Those who have been most popular pretending love to their Country how wickedly have they interwoven their self-interests when they have good successe in publick enterprises how do they sacrifice to their own nets applauding their own wisdome and power You shall finde them sometimes affable and courteous but is it not to inhaunce love and power to themselves by the repute of their wisdome birth and eloquence Iâ—geniosi sed nequam facundi sed malo publico witty but wicked eloquent but to publick damage and thus they abuse their power by their corrupt selfe-seeking 1 Sam. 8. 11. It s said He will appoint for himselfe He that is Saul and such as he was will appoint for themselves But David who was after Gods own heart in government as well as otheâ—wayes and those who be like David they they I say will not seek themselves but the good of others and now methinks I finde my hope enlarged for those who sit at the sterne of this Common-wealth that they being eminently and remarkably raised up by God will seeke the honour of him who thus raised them 2. They turn their power that should be for the good to the hurt of others God never intended power to oppresse power to crush the weake and innocent but to help and releive them But I would daily observation and experience both in this and former ages did not proclame the miserable abuse of power Read over your Chronicles and there you will finde that made good which was spoken by Cato Censâ—rius Reges omnes esse de genere bestiarum rapacium All Kings are akin to ravenous beasts who prey and devour they are great in power and powerful in oppression 1 Sam. 8. 13 14 15 16 17. They shall take your Daughters your Feilds your Seed your Servants your Sheep and what is this taking but unjust taking and unjust taking is oppression and oppression an abuse of power 3. The greatest powers were against Christ in his person while he was upon earth Acts 4. 26. The Kings of the earth stand up and the Rulers are gathered togegether against the Lord and against his Christ No sooner was Christ born but Herod seekes his life and he is faine to be carried into Egypt when he comes forth to preach and work miracles the Scribes and the Pharisees and the Rulers of the people set against him call him Bel zebub the Prince of Devils and though he professed his Kingdom not to be of this world but came in a low emptied condition yet he is held forth as an enemy to Caesar Joh. 19. 12. If thou let this man goe thou art not Caesars friend and so you know how he was condemned and abused by Herod and Pontius Pilate Thus was government turn'd against him who set it up 4. Kings and Princes have been bitter enemies against Christs interest and people When Gods Israel was in Egypt there arose a new King Exod. 1. 11. that set Task-masters to afflict them with heavy burdens that their souls served with rigour Burdens Taxes Masters Hardship Servitude is the best that Kings can afford the Israel of God When they come into Canaan Sihon King of the Amorites will not suffer them to passe thorow his border but gathers all his people to fight them The Kings of Jerusalem Hebron Jarmuth Lachish and Eglon made war with the Gibeonits because they made peace with Israel Josh 10. 3. It was Jeroboam the King the son of Nebat that sinned and made Israel to sin 1 Kings 14. 16. And against whom were all those bloody persecutions under the Heathenish Emperours but against the Christians the servants and worshippers of Christ If any evil befel them they make the Christians the cause of it and then Christianos ad Leones carry these Christians to the Lyons let them devour them it was enough to make a man guilty if he were a Christian Bonus vir Caius sed Christianus Caius was a good man but a Christian and thus is power inverted against Christ and his interest in his people 5. Kings and Princes give up their power to Christs enemie can there be a greater abuse Rev. 17. 17. The ten hornes the ten Kings of Europe they agree and give their kingdom to the Beast to receive laws from his lust and to serve his designes Rev. 16. 14. The froggs which are the spirits of Devils goe forth to the Kings of the earth and Rev. 17. 2. The Kings of the earth commit fornication and are drunk with the wine of the great whore and thus you see power abused 1. See here the foundation of turnes and changes upon kingdomes and governments they are departed far from their right ends become corrupt and abominable so that the Lord cannot â—uffer them Are these the powers that I set up saith God did I ever intend they should be against me and mine did I set them up to pride themselves in their lusts and to oppresse those that are better then themselves Surely no. I will now arise saith the Lord and overturn overturn overturn them 2. See how little they deserve the name of Sacred Majesty who were so profane and mindelâ—sse of holy things that keep up Religion not out of conscience but custome not that God may have his homage and men Gods blessing but out of State-policy to keep men in awe how grosse
20. 30. and as little will it become Princes now 5. Forget not the kindnesse of others to you and your engagements and promises to them Rulers must be men of truth Exod. 18. 2â— True in performing their promises It s a brand on King Joash that he remembred not the kindnesse that Jehojada had done unto him but slew his son Zechariah Prov. 17. 7. Excellent speech becometh not a foole much lesse does lying lips a Prince Ingratitude and unfaithfulnesse is bad in any but worse in a Prince who have wherewith to reward good service but do not 6. Look well that your Courtiers and Counsellers prove not flatterers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 flatterers are Crows Prov. 26. 28. A flattering mouth worketh ruine How many such mouthes are about great ones and how much do they worke their ruine 1 Kings 22. 12. All the Prophets prophesied saying Goe up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper but that prosperity was his death v. 37. for the King died It s the unhappinesse of great ones that they have few to speak truth to them men rather seeke to please the humour of great men or to serve themselves upon them then to speak plaine and faithfully to them CHAP. XIV Vnfolds the seventh Position That Princes being wicked people grow wicked too because 1. The power and place of Princes present wickednesse under another hue 2. Then good Laws are not executed 3. Then wickednesse is established by a Law 4. Because then the Preists fall in 5. People follow examples of great ones Vses ALI sin is of a spreading nature and the sins of Princes are most spreading their sins undoe their power as you heard I and their people too as appears in the seventh Position Princes being wicked people grow wicked too Prov. 29. 12. If a Ruler hearken to lyes all his servants are wicked he will not want those that will feed a lying proud uncleane humour in them A wicked King makes a wicked Court the Court infects the City and the City the Country and one Country another Sin is an epidemical plague and soon spreads the infection and the strongest infection is from the highest powers as appears Because 1. Wickednesse in men of high place is misrepresented to the people it comes to them in another dresse and under another hue then indeed it hath people are so foolish to conceit all well that great ones do Joh. 7. 48. Do any of the Rulers believe they thought unbeliefe no sin because the Rulers believed not Pride in Princes is lookt on but as Statelinesse their Luxury living freely their Wantonnesse Court pleasure and merriment and their Oppression their praerogative What we would abominate coming from meaner persons we fall down and magnifie in them We read 2 Kings 3. 36. whatsoevor the King did pleased the people and if he do wickedly that will please them too and they are ready to fall in with their wickednesse 2. Wicked Princes leave Gods Law unexecuted and wickednesse unpunished and this layes the rains on the neck of the peoples lusts what are laws to them if not executed who would not be during in sin when he can escape free Under-Magistrates move according to the nature and motion of the Supreame If his motion be irregular theirs will prove excentrical if the one sell places the other will sell justice None look after Magistrates and they as little look to their unde officers and so all wickednesse hath a free course 3. Because we finde wickednesse established then as by a law and that opens all the fountains of hellish deeps and makes a deluge of sin to drown men in When wickednesse gets the Throne and mischeife is framed by a Law then as it is verse 21. wo be to the souls of the righteous and the blood of the innocent Honor virtutis praemium Honour should be the reward of virtue but when it is misplaced and become the reward of villany not virtue when prophanation of holy times and things shall be ushered in with his Majesties declaration and book of sports now he is scarce a good subject reputed that is not a good dancer and sporter then When roguish Stage-players shall passe as his Majesties servants who dares hinder the actings of their wickednesse and will not people follow it faster then they can act yes and it may be out act them too yes surely 4. Because of the Preists of the Nation It hath still been in all times like Prince like Preist Kings had their Bishops Bishops their Chaplains Chaplains their Friends and acquaintance to cry up his sacred Majesty his blessed memory and happy reigne when if sifted we shall not finde much truth in any of their assertions Ahab had his Prophets crying Goe up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper when God neither commanded the going up nor promised the prosperity Will it not promote ungodlinesse when the Leaders of the people cause them to erre and commend such bad examples to them like Prince and like Preist and Hos 4. 9. like Preist like people 5. People are mightily led by example and no example so potent as that of great ones men affect to please them hoping they may by their greatnesse do for them or fearing if they conforme not to them it may prove their prejudice Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis all the World is moulded by the example of their Kings What shoales of Drunkards will wallow in their mire and reele in your streets when the Prince loves bottels of Wine Good God! how will men stretch their wits to invent new oaths and curses when the Prince is a Blasphemer wickednesse seems to come off with a grace from these Grandees and how punctually will gracelesse ones follow their perverse wayes 1. How much have sinful Rulers to answer for not onely their own sins but other mens also how many sons of Bâ—lial do they bring forth by their example and multiply guiltinesse on their own accounts Princes implead people for faction sedition tumults and riots and not without cause But may not people indite them for bad example for setting the blurred coppies that they write after and may not Princes blame themselves for making the people first wicked and then rebellious Again see 2. Examples move much plus movent quam miracula yea more then miracles Miracles are cause of present wonder But are soon forgotten examples are repeated and daily before us Example is a short way to good or evil Oh! then look about you whoever you are that are above others Magistrates Ministers Captains Parents and Masters of Families you of all others should be burning and shining lights holding out the word of truth in your godly conversation to your people and souldiers Husbands Parents Masters obseve your duty in your dignity and so deport your sâ—lves as your Consorts Children Servants may see their rule in your actions 3. Take notice People what great wickednesse is
us a world of iniquity and misery is incumbent on us by our wars at home and abroad and the hand of the Rulers of the earth hath been deep in all this is there none to look after them yes sure consult with the last Position and that will tell you Jesus Christ will deale in severity with the Rulers of the Earth 1 Chron. 16. 21 22. He suffered none to doe his people wrong but reproved Kings for their sakes Psal 76. 11 12. He looseth their loynes and strickes them thorow cuts off their spirits and casts contempt on Princes Job 12. 21. He profanes their glory and spoiles all their excellency and layes their honour in the dust Isa 20. 23. He bringeth the Princes to nothing he maketh the Judges of the earth as vanity they seemed the most stable beings on earth having all that flesh and blood could contribute to maintaine them but he brings them to nothing Isa 3. 14. The Lord will enter into judgement with the Ancient of his people and the Princes thereof for ye have eaten up the Vineyard the spoile of the poor is in your houses Jer. 34. 21. Zedechiah King of Judah and the Princes will I give into the hands of their enemies and into the hand of them that shall seeke their life and into the hand of the King of Babylons Army Isa 41. 25. I have raised one from the North and he shall come upon Princes as upon Morter and as the Potter treadeth clay Rev. 19. 17 18. The fowles of Heaven are gathered unto the supper of the great God that they may eate the flesh of Kings and the flesh of Captains This his dealing manifesteth him to be King of the World and the Author of the great Turns and Changes here beneath Dan. 2. 20 21. Blessed be the Name of God for ever for Wisdome and Counsel are his and he changeth the times and the seasons He removeth Kings and setteth up Kings See the Reasons for this dealing of Christ 1. Kings are in covenant with their people and their great Trustees 2 Kings 11. 17. Jehoiadah made a Covenant with the King and the people But how little they keep their covenants experience sadly tells us They covenant to maintaine wholesome Laws and the just Rights and Liberties of the Subject but how little are either regarded by them afterward They covenant to make the safety of the people and not the fulfilling of their wills the greatest Law but how little is that minded when the least income of their interest shall indanger publick good when they are in competition Now Jesus Christ he is The Amen the true and faithful witnesse and hates all unfaithfulnesse they think they may play fast and loose they see none to put their bonds in suite I but Christ in that case will enter an action against them and cast them and make them pay all costs and charges 2. Now in this his severe dealing with earthly Rulers Christ appears no respecter of persons Job 39. 14. He accepteth not the persons of Princes nor regardeth the rich more then the poor he is as exact in government as he is in teaching Luke 20. 21. Thou teachest rightly and acceptest no mans person and 1 Pet. 1. 17. He judgeth every man according to his works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without respect of persons He values not those gingles and trappings of power greatnesse and honour Righteousnesse with him shall be owned in the least and lowest but wickednesse shall not be spared in the greatest 3. By this dealing Christ makes his Wisdome to out-shine their King-craft and carnal Policy Isa 11. 2. The spirit of wisdome understanding and counsel rests on Christ not onely is in him but in him as the proper place of them they rest in him Rulers have all the advantage of breeding and example to make them subtile they have all that the strongest wits can present them with Their interest makes them serious their malice quick-sighted and their experience setled in their way This is their businesse they make it their â—â—rke to mind and follow it Psal 2. 2. â—he Kings of the earth set themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—unt Simul faciunt stare they make it stand together Vires omnes studia conatus conferunt in Dominum saith Vatablus They employ all their forces studies and endeavours against the Lord The people they rage and imagine a vaine thing they are led by passion and phantasie which things are soon gone but your Kings and Princes proceed more sollidly The Rulers take counsel together but for all this solid working you know what follows verse 4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision 4. Christ is to overcome Satan in his own Territories as he counts them Not onely shall Christ overcome him in spiritual regiment over the souls and consciences of men but Christ must drive him out of the World also out of his hold in the Earth Rev. 11. 15. The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reigne for ever and ever Satan in 2 Cor. 4. 4. is stiled the God of this world but Christ must ungod him 1 Cor. 15. 24 25. He must put down all rule and authority and power and surely Satans rule shall not stand but he will pull it down 1. Read the sinfullnesse of Kings through Christ his severity surely they must be out of measure sinful whom Christ thus brings his wheele upon God knows I am no enemy to Governours nor Governments nor to that by way of a King yet I think Kings are and have been the worst rank of men in the World Read your own Chronicles and you will finde you may write all your good Kings in a small Ring Corruptio optimi pessima The corruption of the best is worst Kings should be best and they have the best of Power Pleasure and Revenues but how wofully is all corrupted and so much Christ his dealing with them tells you and you should learne it thence 2. See the impartial and unspotted holinesse and righteousnesse of Jesus Christ He will not spare sin where ever he finds it He hath vials full of wrath to pour out when they fill up their measures of sin When they ripen their sins to the harvest he will command his Angel to put in the sickle Christ can suffer them in their wickednesse and yet have no defilement to himselfe Laesa patientia fit furor Patience abused turns into rage he will abundantly recompence his patience and longsuffering with the amazing strictness of his just proceedings 3. See what to expect and to what to refer the providences of our present age Is it not a shaking thought to recal how the talest Cedar that grew amongst us who was greene and spread his branches far is felled to the ground The greatest Family among us
WE have seen Christ on the Throne and the World under his feet and what he works as being Lord paramount of the earth Let us now raise our thoughts and hearts unto a farther consideration and behold the Turns of the World from Christ as King of Saints and that your thoughts may be more collected I shall represent you in this Chap. with twelve Sections Sect. I. Jesus Christ is King of Saints as well as King of the World God the Father glories in this that he hath set him his King upon his holy hill Psal 2. 6. Let the Kings set against him and seek to break his cords all their power and malice cannot in the least unsetle him Psal 110. 4. He sweares and will not repent God the Father is fully satisfied in the great glory put on Christ so as he will never have a recoyling thought concerning it It s the blessed burden of the Song of Moses and the Lamb Rev. 15. 3. Just and true are thy ways oh thou King of Saints And let wise and holy Daniel tell you what work this makes Dan. 2. 44. His Kingdome shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdomes and it shall be for ever Sect. II. Jesus Christ hath this high honour of being King of Saints upon his sufferings The 22. Psalm is a Psalm of Christ and his sufferings as appears from v. 1. to 22. The meek shall eate and be satisfied and the Kingdoms of the Nations shall worship yea the fat ones upon earth v. 25. shall eate and worship and the ground you have v. 28. The Kingdome is the Lords and he is Governour among the Nations Phil. 2. 7 8 9. He made himselfe of no reputation though he were in the forme of God yet he took on him the forme of a servant thus he humbled himselfe but God highly exalted him and upon this follows a Name above every Name the bowing of every knee to him and the confession of every tongue That he is Lord. It is a proper honour due unto him from these his sufferings that is such an honour as had not accrewed to him if he had not suffered Jesus Christ had experience of many Turnes in his sufferings Now his glory shall correspond with his sufferings and not be in one straine or streame but in diverse Turnes and alterations Sect. III. Jesus Christ puts forth His power he hath as King of the Nations for his people to whom he is King of Saints 1 Chron. 16. 20 21. When they went from Nation to Nation from one Kingdome to another People He suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes He must be King of the World that he may be their King that in their wanderings he might help them and if Kings oppose them he as King of Kings will reprove them Rev. 12. 16. The earth helps the woman The world helps the Church Christ makes the Goths and Vandales break the Arrian faction by which the Dragon sought to carry away the Church Isa 43. 14. Thus saith the Lord your Redeemer For your sakes I have sent to Babylon and have brought down all their Nobles Jehovah considered as the Redeemer and holy One of Israel puts forth his power as he is King of Nations and makes it subservient to that power he hath as he is the Redeemer of his people He sends to Babylon and brings down all their Nobles there he appears King of Kings but it s for their sakes for Israels sake there he appears the holy One and their Redeemer the Redeemer of his holy ones Sect. IV. Jesus Christ shall have more visible glory in this world then ever hitherto he hath had the glory of this relation of being King of Saints His Subjects appeare in this world as Saints they here shine as lights in a dark world and the world hates them because they are Saints holy ones because by their holinesse they convince and condemn the world and do they appeare for Christ and will not Christ appeare for them They appeare for him visibly upon earth before men and Christ will take to himselfe his great power and Dan. 7. 22. Time shall come when the Saints shall possesse the Kingdome He had a government over Israel so as he had not over other Nations and the Nations knew it Exod. 14. 25. Let us flee say the Egyptians from the face of Israel for the Lord fighteth for them Deut. 32. 31. Their Rock is not as our Rock even our enemies themselves being judges And surely Christ shall again appeare to have the government of Saints and Saints shall know it more and their enemies too when he shall be revealed from heaven to take vengeance on them that know not God and 2 Thes 1. 10. shall come to be glorified in his Saints and admired in all them that believe Thus Rev. 15. when Christ sends his last plagues in which are filled up the the wrath of God on his Churches enemies then is Christ honoured v. 3. as King of Saints Sect. V. Bitternesse doth and shall mingle with all Governments among all Nations that so Christs Government may be rendred sweet Look on Governments by single Persons or by Councils in Kingdomes or in Common-wealths look on this or that form of Government whatsoever it be you will finde so much weaknesse and wickednesse so much corruption self-seeking and undue exaltation of themselves breaking forth as that men will be weary of it To maintaine their pride you will finde men apt to oppresse to maintaine their oppression you will finde them dextrous either to straine or new coyne Laws and so far from removing heavy burdens that they will lay more on Observe observe narrowly and you will meet with such undue biassings in them that rule to their friends kindred relations and interests that due deserving worth cannot mount to preferment Look on the right or left hand you will finde no helper oh how wellcome will Christ be in such a conjunction of affairs When he was to be borne into the world he stay'd till men had made void his Law till the Pharisees by their glosses and traditions had made the word of God of no effect and when he shall come to take the Kingdome to himselfe is shall be when men have corrupted and so inbittered all rule and government Israel must be under hard Task-masters that make them serve with rigour before Moses and Aaron can be hearkned unto Rev. 17. 13 14. The ten Hornes that is the ten Kings of Europe give their power and strength to the Beast and make war with the Lamb that is the condition of Governours before Christ come But the Lamb shall come and overcome them for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and they that are with him as called and chosen and faithful Sect. VI. Christ pours out on his people a mighty spirit of prayer which he in his government as King
Kingdome is spiritual Rom. 14. 17 Not in meat and drinke but righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost Princes may beare rule over mens persons and estates but Jesus Christ over mens consciences He imprints his Law upon them and gives them power to reflect both on that Law and their own wayes by it he accuseth or excuseth lets terrour or peace into the conscience as seemeth good to him His Commands and Promises carry a blessed spiritualnesse with them and so do his Rewards When you serve him it must be in spirit and truth when you pray it must be in the spirit Jude v. 20. and when you heare it must be what the spirit sayeth to the Churches Rev. 3. 6. If you take on you to preach it must not be with the entising words of mans wisdome but in demonstration of the spirit and with power Col. 2. 4. and if you sing it must be spiritual Songs making melody with grace in the heart to the Lord Col. 3 16. In a word you are as lively stones built up a spiritual house an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. and verse 9. Ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him that hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous light I beseech you therefore Brethren by the mercyes of God that ye present your bodies a lively Sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. 2. His Kingdome is Vniversal over all Saints in all places and ages He is yesterday and to day and the same for ever he ruled Israel of old and he rules his people now his administration was unto them outward and visible and shall it not be so again in the latter dayes Amos 2. 9 10 11. I destroyed the Amorite before them I brought them up from the land of Egypt and led them forty years through the Wildernesse to possesse the land of the Amorits and I raised up of your sons for Prophets and of your young men for Nazarites saith the Lord. He brought up he led he destroyed he raised he did all then and will do all hereafter Rev. 11. 15. The Kingdomes of the world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and his Christ not now one Kingdome or Nation as then not this or that Kingdome and no more but the Kingdomes of the world are become his he shall not alwayes be crouded into a corner of the world but as it is v. 1. 7. He shall take unto himselfe his great power and reigne and reward his servants the Prophets and the Saints that feare his Name both small and great here and there and everywhere 3. Thy Throne oh God is for ever and ever Heb. 1. 8. the heavens perish and waxe old as a garment and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy years shall not faile His Kingdome then is Eternal Dan. 2. 44. The God of heaven hath set up a Kingdome which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdome shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdomes and it shall stand for ever It shall not be destroyed by any adverse power nor shall it decay of it selfe but it shall break all adverse power and it shall stand for ever and as it is an eternal Kingdome so it determineth men to an eternal state Rev. 1. 18. I live for evermore Amen and have the keyes of Hell and Death wherefore Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Math. 10. 28. 4. Lastly his Kingdome brings in perfect peace and liberty Isa 9. 6. He is the everlasting father and Prince of peace Isa 24. 23. The Lord shall reigne in mount Sion and in Jerusalem before the Ancients gloriously not onely reigne in heaven but in Sion and that gloriously Isa 25. 8. He shall swallow up Death in Victory and the Lord will wipe away teares from all faces and the rebuke of the people shall he take away from all the earth for the Lord hath spoken it Death teares rebuke shall be taken away what safety and hapinesse must then follow Isa 52. 13. Behold my servant shall dwell confidently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high Isa 60. 19. 20. The Sun shall be no more thy light by day neither for brightnesse shall the Moon give light unto thee but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy glory and the dayes of thy mourning shall be ended Rev. 21. 4. There shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neiiher shall there be any more paine for the former things are passed away 3. The third and last thing that we learne from hence that Christ is King of Saints is the excellency of his Subjects and the glory of his holy ones 1. Christ is King and the holy One of God and his Saints shall be more Saints shall appear to be his holy ones Sanctity shall be more exalted in them then ever yet our eyes have seen Joel 3. 17. Then shall Jerusalem be holy and there shall no strangers passe thorow her any more Zach. 14. 20. In that day shall there be upon the bels of the horses Holinesse to the Lord yea every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holinesse to the Lord of Hosts and there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts 2. They shall live in safety Isa 60. 18. Violence shall no more be heard in thy Land wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt call thy walls salvation and thy gates praise Joel 2. 18. In that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the feild and with the fowles of heaven and I will breake the Bow and the Battel ouâ— of the earth and will make them to lie down safely 3. Saints enemies shall be brought to ruine Zach. 10. 11. The pride of Assyria shall be brought down and the Scepter of Egypt shall depart away It is usual to expresse the enemies of the Church by the names of the old grand enemies Assyria and Egypt and you see what shall become of them they shall be brought down and depart away Isa 14. 2. The house of Israel shall possesse strangers in the land of the Lord for servants and for handmaids and they shall take them captive whose captives they were and they shall rule over their oppressors Rev. 20. 7 8 9. Satan shall goe out to deceive the Nations which are in the four quarters of the Earth Gog and Magog to gather them together to battel But fire shall come down from God out of heaven and
dispenseth himselfe by the way of a promise Gen. 9. 13. Gen. 17. 4. Reas 1. This holds out God as a Father Reas 2. Exalts the honour of Christ the Son Reas 3. Honour God in the person of he spirit Joel 2. 28. Reas 4. Makes for the advantage of Gods people 2 Cor. 7. 1. Reas 5. confounds the men of the world Reas 6. greatens our estate Use 1. of Instruction Great turnes have great wants That God then withers the arme of flesh Psal 76. 5. Gods wayes are in the deep Use 2. To search the promises Dan. 2. 28. Moti 1. This renders you children of wisdome Mot. 2. Preserves against sin Mot. 3. Advanceth your faith and love Mot. 4. Conquers difficulties Mot. 5. Makes us watchful and dutiful Mot. 6. Promotes the praise of God Doct. Christ workes alterations in the natural bodies of heaven earth Christ gives a being to all creatures Maintains what he hath given They are at his beck They sometime step aside from their ordinary course Chirst guides those steppings These turnes have the nature of signes Signes Rememorative Demonstrative Prognostical Practical Reas 1. Christ begins to take his power Reas 2. Speakes to all the world Reas 3. Creatures are not in that estate he intends Rom. 8. 22. The creatures groaning opened Gen. 1. 26. Reas 4. Christ draws out spiritual actings Use 1. See Christs excellency It s vain to oppose Christ It s easie to believe promises of this life shall be performed Use 2. of Exhortation 1. Consider Christ in all the creatures Fear before Christ Expect great things Rom. 4. Praise Christ Angels called Heavens Job 15. 15. How Angels are changed Heaven shaken when Christ takes our nature At Christs birth At Gospel preaching 1 Pet. 1. 12. Angels changed when God reveals new things to them Omnis locutio Dei ad angelos est illumiâ—atio When they have new imployment Doct. Angels minister in these Turnes For 1. Christ is head of Angels Math. 26. 43. Dan. 7. 10. Angels are to serve Christ in â— members Heb. 1. 14. Psal 91. 11. In destruction of enemies Angels are to have honour of their service Angels are in the vision and so in the execution Angels have kingdome worke They shall be coâ—joyn'd with Saints hereafter and so Now. Christ being upon his greatest worke useth his best servants Christ must have his Angels as well as Satan hath his Object Sol. 1. Use of Instruction Use 1. Christ is far above Angels Heb. 1. opened V. 4. V. 6. V. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 V. 2. V. 6. V. 2. V. 3. V. 8. 7. and 10. V. 8. V. 13. Use of Exhortation 1. To behold these works 2 Not to be discouraged 3. Rise in love 4. Come forth to be fellow servants with these Angels 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heaven meanes hâ—gh things Rev. 12. 7 8. Isa 61. 15 16. Isa 65. 17 18. Isa 34. 4. Doctr. Christ shakes Kings and Princes Reas 1. Kings make great turnes Isa 14 12. 13. Reas 2. They seeme exempt from mans power Reas 3. Dealing with them is a way to deale with Nations Reas 4. Kings seeme to be Christs match Use 1. 1. There is a meanesse in their majesty 2. Management of particular places must be reckoned for 3. Christ will surely account with meaner men 4. We may appeale to Christ 5. Judgements on Kings have characters of Christ on them Rev. 6. 2 3 4 5. V. 2. V. 3. 4. V. 5. 6. V. 7. 8. V. 9. V. 12. Rev. 8. 2. Rev. 16. 1. Use 1. of Exhortation To meditate on Christ and his shaking 2. Give Christ the honour due to him Pos 1. All power is given to Christ 1. All power is in Christ 2. His due upon the taking of our nature 3. All power is rightly said to be given Christ 4. Christ hath had little glory of all his power 5. Christ will exalt himselfe so as Kings shal confesse his power Dan. 4. 37. Use of Instruction See Gods love to Christ 2. The Father is fully satisfied that all is in him 3. The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper Use 2. Exhort 1. To invite to love Christ 2. To be at his disposal 3. Let wicked ones tremble 4. Let the Earth be glad Psal 97. 1. Pos 2. Kings reigne by Christ Prov. 8 16. For 1. They are or are not by him 2. Christ blesseth or blasteth in goverment 3. Kings cannot put forth their power without him 4. Continuation and succession is from him Bad Kings as well as good reigne by Christ Good men may be bad Kings 2. The badnesse of Kings is not from Christ 3. Yet he suffers them to be 4. Christ is righteous in thus suffering them Hos 13. 11. 5. Christ â—s gracious as well as righteous 6. Christ reigns more in those who are good then in those who are bad Use 1. For Instruction Christ stamps a majesty on them 2. To rise against them is to rise against Christ Rom. 13. 2. 3. Ascribe the good of government to Christ 4 A ground of patience under bad Rulers 5. Christ is more glorious then all Kings Use 1. of Exhortation Psal 2. 10. 1. To be wise 2. To be instructed 3. To feare 4. To serve 1 Pet. 2. 14. Prov. 20. 26. 5. To rejoyce with trembling 6. To kisse the Son Pos 3. Government is for the Worlds good 1 Pet. 2. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. It keeps the world in order Persons so kept enjoy propriety 3. Government promotes increase 4. Protects our peace 1 Tim. 2. 2. 5. When God fits some and makes others consenting 6. This is for the good of all ranks of men 7. In their whole lives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 2. 2. 8. Honour due to governours Use 1. for Instruct 1. God is a faithful Creator 2. Governours need wâ—ldome and publick spirits Use 2. Exhort 1 To esteeme them highly 2. Make honourable mention of them Gen. 42. 10. 3. To speak to God for them 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. 4. To submit to every ordinance of man 5. To serve in person purse Pos 4. Government is apt to change 1. Governours change 2. Forms of government change 3. People change 4. Laws change 5. Leagues and Trade change 6. Christ changes them by his judgements on them Use of Instruction 1. Surely lesse bodies will change 2. See the creatures vanity Psal 118. 8 9. Use 2. of Exhort 1. To governours to look after true wisdome and righteousnesse 2. To be little in their own eyes 3. To have our Treasures in Heaven 4. Cast off quarrelling passions at these Turns 5. Contend that the change may be for the better Pos 5. Kings abuse their Power Gen. 10 10. 1. They serve themselvs more then others 2. They turn their power to the hurt of others 3. The Powers were against Christ in his person 4. They have been enemies to Christ his people 5. They give up their power to the beast Use of Instruction 1. See
the ground of the turns upon Kingdomes 2. Kings little deserve the name of Holy 3. Judge no cause by great followers Joh. 7 48 49. 4. Learne the true value of earthly Powers 5. Let those that rule be circumspect Pos 6. Sins of Princes break their Power As 1. A lazy spirit 2. Not accounting with their Ministers 3. When will is Law Greg. in Moral 4. Not executing good Laws 5. Injustice 6. Sinful conformity to neighbour Nations 7. Undue interposal in the things of God 8. Persecution of the good and quiet Use 1. of Instruct See the cause of our turns Use 2. of Admonition 1. Watch the heart in lawful things 2 Tim. 3. 4. 2. Beware of self-love 3. Exalt not your selves unduely 4. Anger misbecomes you 5. Forget not others kindnesse to you 2 Chron. 24. 22. 6. Look that followers prove not flatterers Pos 7. Wicked Prince wicked people Reas 1. Wickednesse in Princes comes in another dresse Reas 2. Good Laâ— are not exâ—cuted Reas 3. Wickedness is established as by a Law Psal 94. 20. Reas 4. Because of National Priests Reas 5. People are led by example Vse 1. Rulers have much to answer for 2. Examples move much 3. Wiâ—kednesse is in â—ur 〈◊〉 4. It s just that we suffer from Princes Pos 8. Abuses in Princes people adapt to Civil War 1. It doth so with good men 2. It s so in bad men 1. Pride in Princes produceth pride in people 2. Pride brings in Luxury 3. Luxury begets poverty 4. Poverty discontent 5. Discontented people meditate on their pressures 6. Then payments for publick use are cryed down 7. People grow weary of their Trades 8. They feele much but feare more 9. There be mauy Incendiaries 10. These Incendiarys have many followers Vse 1. To Princes 2. To people Vse 3. To all to admire God in his goodnesse Pos 9. Civil wars cause ruinous Turnes 1. Government is then destroyed 2. Laws are then silent 3. Religion is slaine 4. Learning and Trading fall 5. It makes a rich people poor 6. No safety to any 7. Plantations are nipt in the bud 8. Victories of civil wars are much to be lamented Vse 1. Admire Gods goodnesse 2. Consider how much we are engaged to those now in power 3. Look on some inconveneinces as eligible 4. Promote not civil war Pos 10. Neighbours fall from or upon us 1. God hath bounded Nations Acts17 26. 2. Confederacy is needful for a Nation 3. It s of great concernment what and with whom confederacy is made 4. Islands have more liberty in choice of their confederacy â— We may 〈◊〉 with 〈…〉 7. Our 〈…〉 adveâ—sariâ—â— 8. 〈…〉 â—e 〈…〉 9. This disjunction tempts your confederates to shake you off 10. It opportunes them to become yâ—ur enemies Vse 1. See how little hope or help in men 2. See the wickednesse incident to Nations 3. An argument against Civil war 4. It s a curious worke to manage publick affairs 5. Admirâ— God in his providences Pos 11. Vnjust dealings cause forreigne wars 1. The pride and lust of ruling men cause unjust dealings 2. Men desire to be great alone 3. Great Leaders obtain many followers 4. Our distraction is their season 5. An oppressed people are very sensible 6. They resolve to retaliate Vse 1. See the spreading nature of sin 2. A Nation is liable to trouble uâ—on trâ—â—b 3. War is an appeale to God 4. See here Gods goodnesse Pos 12. Christ deals in severity with Kings Isa 20 23. Reas 1. They break covenant with their people Reas 2. Christ appears no respecter of persons Reas 3. Christ his wisdome exceeds their king-craft 〈…〉 Reas 4. Christ is to overcome Satan in his own Territories Vse 1. See the sinfulnesse of Kings in Christ his dealing with them Vid. Chap. 10. 11. 2. See his impartial holinesse 3. Learne to what to refer our present providences How the Positions formerly handled conclude about our present Turnes and Changes 1. Jesus Christ is King of Saints 2. He is so upon his sufferings 3. He puts forth his power as King of the World for his people to whom he is King of Saints Rev. 12. 16. Isa 43. 14. 4. Christ shall have more glory in this World 5. All Governments have their bitternesse that Christs Government may be rendred desirable 6. Christ poureth on his people a spirit of prayer Psal 76. 3. 7. Christ shall have a willing people 8. Some Kings shall be among this willing people 9. Christ shall mightily stir up his people to be active 10. Righteousnesse shall be exalted in Kingdoms 11. Saints shall have Conquests over their enemies 12. These things shall be by degrees 1. Vse of Instruction 1. Christs Title 1. By Election 2. By Donation Psal 2. 8. 3. By Birth 4. By Purchase 5. By Conquest 2. Christs qualifications greatest Col. 2. 9. Col. 2. 3. Psal 45. 7. 3. Christs administrations highest Joel 2. 20 21. 4. Christ his communications are largest Properties of Christ's Kingdome 1. It is spiritual 2. It s Vniversal 3. It s Eternal 4. Brings in perfect peace 3. The excellency of Saints 1. They shall be more Saints 2. Saints shall live safely 3. Their enemies shall be ruined 2. Vse of Exhortation 1. To know him 2. To feare him 3. Trust in him 4. Embrace him with love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. We must be like him 6. We must glorifie him Psal 45. 1. V. 3. 4. 7. Christ must be obeyed in his Laws 1. Peace is to be sought 2. Stand to your Covenants 3. You must be thankful 4. We must serve one another 5. We must be merciful and forgive 6. Reproach not one another Which is when men 1. accuse fasly 2. Disclose causlesly 3. Aggravating unduely 4. Blaming the intention We repreach about good 1. When we deny it 2. Hiding the grace of others 3. When we lessen them 4. By coldly commending 7. Law against pride 8. Law to be just 9. Deale well with the means of your peace 10. Enemies must be opposed Joh. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 17. 2 Pet. 1. 4. Eph. 2. 10. Col. 1. 9. Eph. 1. 17. V. 18. Rom. 12. 2. Eph. 3. 19. Eph. 6. 24. Math. 5. 6. Acts 9. 31. Acts 16. 31. Rom. 4. 18 20. Phil. 4. 4. Eph. 4. 29. Eph. 4. 4. Col. 4. 6. Jam. 3. 2. 1. 26 27. Jam. 1. 22. Mat. 16. 24. Tit. 2. 14. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Phil. 2. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Joh. 5. 35. Phil. 2. 15. Math. 5. 16. Joh. 15. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 58. Phil. 1. 11. 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7. Rom. 6. 17. 1 Cor. 10. 31. Col. 3. 17. Col. 3. 22. 23. Levit. 10. 3. Joh. 4. 24. Eph. 6. 18. Eph. 3. 12. Eph. 6. 18. 1. Pet. 2. 1. 2. Act. 17. 11. Luke 8. 15. Heb. 2. 1. Heb. 13. 16. Phil. 1. 29. Jam. 1. 4. Rom. 5. 3. Math. 5. 11. 12. Col. 1. 11. 1 Pet. 4. 16. 1. Stars have a ruling excellency 2. Stars worke alteration in the Aire 3. Stars affect diversly the compound bodies 4. Stars are for Times and Seasons 5. There may be som e present predictions 1. Stars have no power over the Reason or Will 2. Men can not from Stars make Predictions about contingent Arg. 1. It s derogatory to Gods providence Things contingent what Agr. 2. From Gods word Arg. 3. from the nature of the Stars Argu. 4. From the Nature of Art Argu. 5. From that part of Astrology that concerns weather Arg. 6. from the excellent frame of Man Argu. 7. From the nature of Contingent things Obj. What they foretel comes to passe Sol. 1. They have not so many experiences 2. They come not from any causing virtue in the Stars 3. They may have their doubtful termes applied to some events 5. It may come to passe in vengeance Vse 1. To professors of the Mathematicks Vse to those who are learners of Astrology Against figure-casting 1. It s hard to know the momeut of Birth 2. They make an Image of heaven in a table houses for the Stars 3. They pretend to shew in what houses the Stars are 4. To tell you who reigned when you were born 5. What aspect the other planets have 6. Hence pretend to strange Predictions
laid it onely on his shoulders Psal 2. 6. He hath set his King on his holy hill set him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to pour out I have annointed and set him by my eternal counsel and decree yea the Father hath passed it with an oath Psal 110. His swearing is to be extended not onely to his Priestly but also to his Kingly Office so that he will never repent of his choice His right is then by the best Election 2. He hath right by Donation and that is a right with the highest love All power is given to him Math. 18. in heaven and in earth Aske of me and I will give thee the Heathen His Kingdome is all of love The Father loves and gives him the Kingdome The Son loves the Father and us and gives himselfe to us with command to love him and one another he calls us his little flock and assures us It is the Fathers good pleasure to give us the Kingdome also 3. He hath his right by Birth it is his Birthright So he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the First-borne of every creature Col. 1. 16. v. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the First-borne from the dead Psal 2. 7. Thou art my Son and then follows the inheritance and possession v. 8. I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Inheritance is the portion of a Son and his inheritance hath present possession with it although his father live for ever 4. Christ hath his right by Purchase He layes down a considerable price for his Kingdome Isa 53. 10. He makes his soul an offering for sin and then follows He shall see his seed and prolong his dayes that is having poured out his soul his blood as a drink-offering to his Father he shall prolong the dayes of his Kingdome and the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand 5. Lastly his Conquest gives it him 1 Cor. 15. 25. He must reigne and put all his enemies under his feet he must reigne and his enemies must be destroyed yea he destroyes that which destroyeth all namely Death he then lives and reignes reignes and conquers and justly reignes because he justly conquers Equity is surely attractive and none hath more of that then Christ and therefore unto him should we look 2. Christ hath not onely right but the most incomprehensible qualification for his Government Here on earth many have right who have not wisdome to rule Christ hath superlatively all right and all qualification He is the wisdome and power of God 1 Cor. 1. 24. In him dwells all the fullnesse of the Godhead bodily All treasures of knowledge are hid in him His anointing is with oyle of gladnesse above his fellows He hath the spirit but not by measure and that spirit resting on him Isa 11. 2. all which shew the person of Christ to be most heavenly and that with which we should most be taken 3. Christs Administrations are the highest and purest Rev. 15. 3. His wayes are just and true Psal 85. 10. Here mercy and truth meet together righteousnesse and peace kisse each other He is most absolute accountable to none but his Father He rules by will and justly too because his will is a Law what is Tyranny in the Creature is Equity in Christ His exalting his will to be our Law is righteous in him and good to us for Men to do so is to intrench on his prerogative and render themselves obnoxious to his vindictive power He makes the Subjects he rules over Psal 149. 2. Let Israel rejoyce in him that made him Let the children of Zion be joyfull in their King Their King is their Maker and therefore requireth the most observance from them 2 Cor. 10. 5. Every thonght is to be under a happy captivity to the obedience of Christ Let Tyrants be never so crafty and cruel they may restraine the body and gag the tongues of men but they cannot reach their thoughts But Christ layes his dominion there leaves us not one thought to be at our own disposal but requires all to come under him It is for the poor low governments here to be tied to Time and Place Christ rules over all all persons and things allwayes He makes all and preserveth what he hath made and orders righteously that which he hath preserved He hath gladium justitiae the sword of Justice by which he cuts up vice and defends his own people and he hath gladium belli the sword of War to destroy his incorrigible enemies Let them gather together he will scatter them let them make their nests in the Stars yet thence he will plucke them down Let them lay their plots deep and magnifie themselves to do great things yet he will turn their wisdom into foolishnesse and their plots to the advance of his own designes 4. Christs Communications are the largest 1 Joh. 5. 20. He hath given us understanding to know him that is true Men may propound something for your knowledge but they cannot give the understanding but Christ triumphs in this to give wisdome to the simple and knowledge to them that have no understanding Phil. 1. 29. Vnto you it s given on the behalfe of Christ not onely to believe but also to suffer for his sake Acts 5. 31. God hath exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and remission of sin When he left the World he bequeaths no worse legacy to his Disciples then what himselfe had enjoyed Joh. 14. 27. Peace he leaves with them yea his peace to relieve their troubled and fearful hearts Eph. 4. 8. and 1◠When he ascends up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men Verse 12. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the worke of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. To all that love his appearance and that have fought the good fight and kept the faith he as a righteous Lord and Judge hath laid up and will give a Crown of righteousnesse Now summe up all to give knowledge and faith and so all other graces to give repentance and remission of sins grace and gifts gifts to men and those men to his Church and hereafter a Crown of righteousnesse What are if these are not large Communications Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts and shall not the consideration of Christ his bountiful giing make us desirously longing after that Title of true honour to be called his friends We have seen King Jesus upon the Throne and his Throne all glorious we have seen his Right his Qualifications Administrations and Communications Let us now in the second place veiw the Properties of his Kingdome 1. His