only doe their worke in a right manner and to a right end Fourthly and lastly the Scriptures declare that Christ shall reigne in the world and in the Nations of the world To instance in a few in the second of Daniel the 44. verse The God of heaven will set up a Kingdome which shal never be destroyed which shal stand for ever And this Kingdome which is called the stone hewne out of the Mountaine shal destroy and breake in peeces all the remaining powers of the other foure Monarchies So in the 11. of the Revelation 15. vers The Kingdomes of this world shal become the Kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ And else-where it is said His Dominion shal be from Sea to Sea and that he should have the utmost parts of the earth for his possession And in Esaiah the second and Micha the fourth there are promises that his Kingdome called the Mountaine of the Lord should be set upon the top of the Mountaines Surely these and many more Scriptures have somewhat of speciall concernment in them that relate to this Kingdome of Christ Obj. But you will say Iesus Christ himselfe when he was on earth denyed and resused an earthly Kingdome Joh. 18.36 for he saith My Kingdome is not of this world Answ T is true that Christ did then deny and refuse an earthly Kingdom for then was his comming in his humiliation rather then in his exaltation and to purchase a Kingdome rather then to possesse it The time when Christ spake those words was at his departure out of the world It is more then probable that Christ will come in great power and glory as the Jewes did expect him to call and redeeme them Mar. 24.30 Luk. 21.2 Mark 13.26 Zach. 12.10 Rev. 1.7 but he told the Jewes elsewhere and at another time That they should see him and say Blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord Luk. 13.35 Let us take heed that we doe not over-looke Christs exalted state on earth as the Iewes did formerly his state of Humiliation but I doe observe that many people in these dayes doe stumble at three things 1 That the Saints should rule and governe the world but is there not all the reason in the world they should seeing that the world is upheld for their sakes also that they have been Sufferers in times past and are Conquerers of some parts of it at present and doth not Christ promise that he that over commeth and keepeth his works unto the end to him will be give power over the Nations Rev. 2.26 Object But some will say The weapons of the Saints anciently were faith teares prayers and patience and they did then rather choose afflictions and persecutions then make resistance and seek to reign over others Answ It s true that faith teares prayers c. are the best weapons and with these the Saints doe cheifly warre But yet it is as true that the Saints may lawfully fight for wee read that they are to have a two edged sword in their hands Psa 149.6 as well as the high prayses of God in their mouthes and in another place we read that they that lead into captivity meaning the Roman party should be led into captivity themselves But you will say by whom Rev. 13.10 Surely by the Army of the Lamb who are called and chosen Rev. 17.14 and faithfull There is a Generation of new upstart Courtiers that would beg the Saints for fooles and deale with them as Ziba did with Mephibosheth and by false wayes get what appertaines unto them out of their hands Or as a cunning fellow that would come to a rich man and tell him it is hard for him to go to heaven with all that riches and this he doth that he may dispossesse him of his riches that so he himselfe may have them but I hope the Saints are more wise then to be cheated out of their rights and priviledges by a generation of men who would have Saints to be their slaves who are themselves slaves to Satan 2 Some stumble at present proceedings and at the dealings of God in these dayes Saying we have neither precept nor example for what we do I will not speake particularly and largely to this point yet I would stirre up and provoke people to look upon the hand of God which is so evidently and eminently exalted lifted up though as the Prophet said of some They will not see but yet they shalsee and shal be ashamed But let us peruse a few Scriptures instead of many that might be produced that justifie this to be no other then the hand of God in the 110 Psal 5. verse The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through Kings in the day of his wrath So it is in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in gentibus So in the 149. Psal 7 and 8. verses there judgement is said to be executed in the Nation and thein Kings to bee bound with chaines and their Nobles with fetters of iron So in Rev. 19.18 The foules of the aire were called to eate the flesh of Kings of Captaines and of mighty men c. So in Isay it is prophesied That Kings should shut their mouthes and bow before Christ and his Church What are all these Scriptures to be understood allegorically No sure it is more then probable that in the same manner as Christs great and wicked enemies opposed him and destroyed his people they shall be opposed and destroyed 3 Many stumble at this That meane men are exalted and the great and noble ones laid aside and not made use of But if the Scriptures be searched and considered this will not appeare any new or strange thing In the 21 of Ezek. 26. Thus saith the Lord God remove the diadem and take off the Crowne this shall not be the same exalt him that is low and abase him that is high So in Dan. 4.17 The most high said Nebuckhadnezar ruleth in the King dome of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will and setteth up over it the basest of men Also in Psa 113.7 8. God is said to raise up the poore out of the dust and to lift the needy out of the dunghill that hee may set them up with Princes Is this so strange unto men what have we not examples enough to wipe off this aspersion What were Moses Josuah Gideon Jephtha Saul David and many others were they not mean men and not tramed up or educated either for Civil or Military imployment who would have thought a Thresher as Gideon was a Keeper of his fathers Asses as Saul was or a poor Sheepheard as David was should be sit to lead rule such a people and Nation as Israel was Let us not then looke so much upon men for the Lord seeth not as man 1 Sam. 1. 6 7. for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart And the reason why God exalts
and those he deceived But so much for the exaltation of Christ as Mediator Fifthly Jesus Christ is exalted in his Generation above all others for who saith the Prophet shall declare his Generation That is though Christ be killed yet who shall or can be able to tell the number of his Progeny and Posterity and the Branches that shall grow out of this Stem and Root Note that there is a double Generation belonging to Christ and a double booke wherein this two-fold Geneneration is recorded 1 His naturall Generation shewing from whom he came according to the flesh This Matthew calls Mat. 1.1 The Booke of the Generation of Jesus Christ c. According to his Fleshly Generation he was of the Bloud Royall and next to the Crowne if he had claimed it as some conceive and why should Herod command him whilst he was but yet a Childe to be killed but that he feared he that was next Heire would have put him besides the Crowne 2 His Spirituall Generation or his Off-springe who are his blessed Seed called 1 Per. 2.61 Rev 13 8. 21.27 A royall Generation a Generation of Kings Princes and Priests whose names are written in the Lambs book of life Sixtly and lastly Jesus Christ is exalted above all in Dominion and Government and of this his Dominion Government and Kingdome the Scriptures doe amply testifie and clearly speake Esa 6.9 22.21 For as Ioseph who was a Type of him was Governour in all the Land of Aegypt so Christ governes all the Nations of the earth Psal 105.22 Psal 67.4 22.28 And as God sent Ioseph into Aegypt to teach the Princes of Aegypt so hath God sent his Sonne Jesus into the world to teach and rule the Princes of the earth Be wise therefore ye Princes and obedient to him ye Iudges of the earth You may more particularly consider this Kingdome of Christ as being divided into three parts A Coelestiall A Spirituall and A Terrestriall 1 For the Coelestiall or heavenly part I desire you to turne to two speciall places which speake thereof 2 Tim. 4.18 Luk. 22.16 many more I might name but I intend not to insist upon that part yet be not unmindfull that there is a Crowne and a Kingdome prepared for those that love Christ Jam. 1.12 2.5 and that waite for his appearance 2 For the Spirituall part of his Kingdome which concerns us to know here observe these soure things 1 The word of the Kingdome which is sometimes called the Gospel Mar. 4.23 Mat. 13.11 and sometimes the Mysteries of the Kingdome of Heaven the Gospel is the Law by which Christ doth rule and governe the Subjects of his Kingdome 2 There be the Keepers of the Kingdome which is Skil Mat. 16.19 and power to open the Gospel and to open and shut the doore of the Church of Christ according to his will the keyes that were committed to Peter was nothing else I suppose but a Cal and power as the first Minister to preach the Gospel unto the Gentiles 3 There be the Subjects of this Kingdome Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.7 Act 11.26 and those are called in the New Testament Beleevers Saints Christians the redeemed and called of God 1 Cor. 1.24 Rom. 16.16 or Churches of Saints all which words imply that they must be in Christ and have grace who are members and subjects of this Kingdome and not all the riffe-raffe as we speake of the world 4 There be Officers belonging to this spirituall part of the Kingdome which the King of Glory hath left and appointed as Apostles Evangelists Prophets Pastors Teachers and the like Ephes 4.11 5 And lastly there is the seate of this spirituall Kingdome the subjects of this Kingdome are seated and placed in the heart of their Soveraigne and Saviour Jesus Christ Cant. 8.6 As Paul said of the Philippians Phil. 1.7 that he had them in his heart so may Christ say much more of his Members that he hath them in his heart and that he hath borne them from Eternity This Kingdome especially the Word of it is also seated in the hearts of Beleevers as Christ said The Kingdome of God is within you Luk. 17.21 So the Apostle saith The Kingdome of God was in the Romans in righteousnesse peace Rom. 14.17 and joy of the Holy Ghost Thus having ended the second part of Christs Kingdome I now come to the last part which is Christ reigning on Earth and over the World there are severall things disputable herein as 1 Whether Christ shall come and reigne in his owne Person and humane Nature upon the earth and 2 If he doth reigne who shall reigne with him whether all the Saints or whether those only that suffered under Antichrist or whether the people of the Iewes only But in regard these questions are controverted we 'l come to those things which are without controversie concerning this point and they are four 1 That Iesus Christ hath a right to all the Kingdoms of the world as it is said in the 1 Cor. 10 chapter The earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof and in Psal 72.8 He shall have dominion from sea to sea c. One speciall place besides that I conceive is applicable to Christ it is in the 21. of Ezekiel 27. verse I will overturne overturne overturne it and it shall be no more untill he come whose right it is and I will give it him Here are three overturnings answerable to the three parts of the City in the Revelation and all these overturnings are to bring Christ the right Heire to his possession 2 The Lord hath power to dispose of the Kingdomes of the earth to whomsoever he pleaseth as it is said in the 4th of Daniel the 17. vers That the most high is in the Kingdome of men and he giveth it to whomsoever he will So in the fifth of Daniel 21. and in Psal 75.7 God is the Iudge he putteth down one and setteth up another And who can or dare say to the Lord What dost thou 3 Jesus Christ accounts no men so worthy and so fit to rule his Kingdome under him as his Saints therefore he makes promise thereof to them And the Kingdome and Dominion and the greatnesse of the Kingdome under the whole heaven Dan. 7.27 shall be given unto the Saints of the most high c. and know you not saith the Apostle Paul that the Saints shall judge the world And Christ said unto his Apostles though poore Fishermen Ye shall sit upon twelve Thrones i Cor. 6. i 2 judging the twelve Tribes of Israel You know among men if a man be exalted to Honour Office or place he will preferre his owne friends and Servants especially if they be fit men and can manage those places even so doth Christ who findes places for his people and fits them for those places and indeed none are so fit to manage any worke as the Saints for they
suffering In this Exaltation there be also three particulars 1 His Coronation Thou crownedst him with glory and honour 2 His Institution Thou didst set him over the workes of thy hands 3 His Dominion which is universall Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet Note that Christs humiliation is set down comparatively but his exaltation is set down superlatively Thus much for the division of the words The Text explained now I come to the explanation of them and therein consider the nature of them and the meaning of them 1 In their nature they are an answer to the question in the sixt verse What is man that thou art mindefull of him or the sonne of man that thou visitest him 2 The meaning of the words is either literall or mysticall The literall meaning is this that God did at first make man Adam a little lower then the Angels The words in their literall sense applyed to Adam in respect of nature and mortality but hee crowned him with glory honour and dignity and put all the Creatures under him and made him as Soveraign Lord over them all Gen. 1.27 28. The mysticall and spiritual meaning of the words is this The words in their spirituall sense applyed to Christ That Jesus Christ as man or mediatour was made a little lower in respect of his humane nature and his state on earth and in a little while lower then the Angels But yet God the Father did exalt him above all creatures and gave him soveraignty and dominion over the works of his hands and did put all things under him and under his feet Q. But what doth that expression of putting all things under his feet signifie A. 1 It signifies a low subjection Luke 7.38 2 It signifies a through and perfect subjection as when people are overcome made slaves 1 Sam. 12.31 2 Kings 9.33 Q. Why are all things said to be put under Christs feet and yet wee doe not see them put under his feet A. They are virtually and potentially put under his feete but not actually and apparantly that is Christ is Lord and Soveraigne over all persons and things already by right though yet many doe oppose and withstand him and doe not submit subjugate themselves to him As David was the true anointed King of Israel when yet hee was persecuted and forced to flye for his life Having thus opened the words there arise these two main and speciall Observations or Doctrines from them That Christs way as man to exaltation Doct. 1. was by humiliation The Text holds forth this Doctrine clearly that he was first made lower then the Angels then set over or above them so it is said in the 110. Psalm the 7. vers That hee did drinke of the Brooke in the way that is he suffered death before he lifted up the head or was exalted Q. Wherein did the humiliation of Christ consist A. 1 In taking upon him the nature and forme of his own Creature man Heebeing in the form of God saith the Apostle thought it no robbery to be equall with God But made himselfe of no reputation and tooke upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men Heb. 2.16 And being found in the fashion of a man he humbled himself It is further said He took not on him the nature of Angells but he tooke on him the seede of Abraham or the nature of the seed of Abraham which was great humility for the Son of God to become the sonne of man and for the eternal Majesty to be cloathed with (d) Christs humane nature was subiect to hunger thirst weariednes c. humane frailty and mortality 2 Christs humiliation did consist in his subjection to mans miserable condition as to (e) 2 Cor. 5.21 become sinne and a (f) Gal. 3.13 curse for man-kind to come under his own law and to be judged by his own justice and liable to his owne wrath Oh what a low degree of humility was this for Christ to yield to (g) Act. 8.33 a death much more to the (h) Phil. 2.8 death of the Crosse which was so shamefull miserable and cursed 3 Christs humiliation did consist in his buriall and in (i) Isa 53.9 making his grave with the wicked For the Lord of Heaven to be covered with his owne earth and the God of glory to be coop'd up in a dark Cave must needs declare his great humility or humiliation Quest What was the nature of Christs humiliation or what kinde of humiliation was it A. 1 It was a voluntary humiliation in respect of himselfe For no man did move or perswade Christ hereunto neither did God his Father force him unto it But Christ testifies thus of himselfe (k) John 10.17 18. I lay downe my life No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my selfe I have power to lay it down And in another place he saith to his (l) Heb. 10.9 Father I come to thy will O God 2 Christs humiliation was a necessary humiliation in respect of his Creatures that were to be reconciled and saved For if hee had not undergone that state of humiliation the whole Creation had perished and been lost for ever For as the Apostle m Heb. 8.3 said It was of necessity that Christ should have somewhat to offer So may wee say that it was of necessity that this man Christ did offer himself for there was no other fit to doe it 3 It was a grievous humiliation such a humiliation that there was never knowne on earth the like either before or since This did not only reach the body but the soule of Christ for hee cryed out in his (n) Mat. 26.38 Mar. 14.34 Agony My soule is exceeding sorrowfull There be 7 or 8 words in that 53. of Isa that sets out this humiliation of his As that he was despised rejected striken smitten afflicted oppressed bruised and tormented all distinct words and aggravating his humiliation and sufferings 4 Christs humiliation was an efficatious humiliation even upon the inanimate creatures for the Sunne was vail'd and ecclipsed and covered and hid his face the whole heavens mourned and put on sackcloath So that there was o Luke 23.44 darknesse over all the earth the earth did p Mat. 28.51 quake and the rockes did rent These senflesse things did expresse a kind of sympathy with their Creator in his great sufferings 5 Christs humiliation was an advantagious humiliation both to himselfe and to his Creatures To himselfe that hee came to have a body and Generation to honour and obey him To his Creatures a hat all of them have a benefit thereby for his humiliation was their exaltation his death their life and his condemnation their preservation and salvation Ob. But bad all the creatures some benefit by the humiliation sufferings of Christ Ans Yes doubtless all the Creatures in earth in heauen For
the publique good for their own private Act. 19.24 25. and personall interests and of this sort there is not a few who like Demetrius and his fellow Tradesmen cry out that their Trade and Profession is gone if such things shall be tolerated and such and such Acts passed But wofull is that Profession or occupation that is maintained by the corruptions of the people Having put Magistrates and Ministers upon selfe-examination let us now come to speake a word to the common sort of people Nay what I shal further speake in this Use concerns all Consider then 1 Whether you do prefer your owne righteousnesse before the righteousnesse of Jesus Christ for of all Selfes this is the most dangerous and that rocke which most men split and undoe their soules at This was that which did undo the people of Israel of old Ro. 9.31 32. and this is that which is like to be the bane of many professors Oh! therefore I beseech you consider the impurity imperfection and insufficiency of your own righteousuesse to justifie or save you and looke upon that free and full righteousnesse of Jesus Christ and exalt it by beleeving on it And submitting to it 2 Examine your selves whether you doe preferre Christs will or your own wills Oh how eager are many in these dayes for things that are not in the Scriptures and to set up Institutions which Christ hath not appointed Aske what is the wil of God and then what reason you have to obey it Gods will carries reason with it why it should be obeyed for it is good because God commands it Oh say then as Christ said not my wil but thine be done and as Paul Lord what wilt thou have me to do Thus much for the second Use Use 3. The third Use is an use of Incouragement to althose that endeavor to exalt Jesus Christ more particularly to you that are in Authority who may say as Samuel hitherto hath the Lord helped us 1 Sam. 7.12 and with David 2 Sam. 7.18 Oh Lord God what is my house that thou hast brought me hitherto You may call England Jehovah shammah as the Church in Ezekiel the last verse the Lord is there Hee that will rightly and impartially looke may see that the Lord is not yet departed and so long as he abides among a people there is no fear but great hopes notwithstanding the greatnesle of their sins that hee will prosper and carry on his own work in their hands Object But you will say How shall we know that the Lord is yet with us and not departed from us Answ Among many other signes of the Lords presence with you Consider these few 1 That you yet doe those things which are for his glory your late actions and your very late Acts testifie this however prejudiced and discontented men would make those things your sins which God I beleeve accounts and approves of as acceptable services done for his glory 2 Surely God is with you for his people are with you You have all or most of the Congregations of Saints in the Nation with you and for you And note this that whensoever God doth depart from any Authority Power or People God doth first take away the hearts of his people from them that they neither approve of them joyn with them nor pray for them This we find in Samuel who left Saul and came no more to see him 1 Sam. 14.35 and what followed within a very little time after 1 Sam. 28.16 the Lord also departed from Saul and became his enemy I hope I may say of you as it was said of Judah Hos 11.12 That you yet rule with God and are faithfull to the Saints 3 This is a signe that God is with you that the Lord puts a spirit of zeal in some of you for a perfect Reformation and also a spirit of assurance that God will carrie on the Worke of your hands 4 The concurrence of Gods Providence in effecting those great things which you have undertaken both in this land and in Ireland doth bespeake the Lord to be with you The heavens smile and the earth laughs and rejoyces at the execution of Justice yea some do observe that the Lord hath shewed himself more gracious to this land in externals since you have appeared and acted for him of late so impartiallie and couragiously however some as the Prophet speaks will not see the hand of the Lord that is so evidently lifted up Esa 62.11 5 And lastly This is a sure sign that the Lord is yet with you because you have decreeed and don nothing against the Saints of God nor imposed any thing upon their consciences though you have beene frequentlie moved thereto Remember stil those many Sermons that you have had to stir you up to be kind to the Lords little ones they are as you once excellently heard the interest of Nations and God wil deale well or ill with you as you favor them or frown upon them therefore look upon the Saints next Christ as your safest and strongest sanctuarie Give me leave I beseech you to put you in mind to be tender also to some tender consciences who peradventure cannot subscribe and submit to your power and authoritie favor them and be not provoked against them though some would stir you up thereto who peradventure have no other ends but to weaken your hands and to make you more odious to the people Object But some will say though God hath been hitherto with us and yet abides amongst us yet we have many grounds to fear that the Lord may leave us and that there wil be a stop in the work now in our hands Ans Sure the Lord hath not put you upon a worke that hee means to lay aside for it is temple-worke and such a Temple-work as hath not bin undertaken by any before The work you are upon tends to set up Jesus Christ to pul down Antichrist fear not therefore but go on for the Lord wil prosper you Obj. But peradventure some others wil say sin remains stil among us and God is provoked now as much as ever how then can the work go on Ans God sometimes takes occasions from the sins of men to shew mercie to them and to spare them I have time onely to name you a few places Gen. 8.21 Esa 57.17 Hos 2.13 14. Joh. 20.25 Obj. But that which doth most trouble us herein is to know whether the witnesses be slaine yea or no Ans 1. Suppose the witnesses were not slaine yet it is an honor to be a witnes to Christ and to suffer Martyrdome for his sake and in his cause 2 If they be not slaine yet the time of their slaying and being dead is but short but 3 It is more then probable yea I am very confident that they are slaine and have been a slaying all the time and reigne of Antichrist now Christ begins to take his great power