to make others feare you while you reverence him 4. Serve with feare Oh strange must Kings serve yea sure it s not so strange as true you are the Judges of the Earth and therein his servants Many controversies will come before you and you are to decide them according to Law encourage your selves in that thanklesse worke of judging that its part of your service to Godward Prov. 29. 4. The King by judgement establisheth the Land but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it Let Jehosaphats counsel be acceptable to you 2 Chron. 19. 6. Take heed what you doe for ye judge not for man but for the Lord who is with you in the judgement You had need of good men about you both in Court and Council This was Davids resolution Psal 101. 6 7. My eyes shall be upon the faithful in the Land to dwell with mee and he that walketh in a perfect way shall serve me It is recorded of Ahaziah 2 Chron. 22. 3. that he walked in the wayes of the house of Ahab for his Mother a Daughter of Omri was his Counsellor to do wickedly Kings must do right to others they must releive the oppressed then surely they themselves must be far from oppression Ezek. 46. 18. The Prince shall not take of the peoples inheritance by oppression to thrust them out of their possession Your great service lies in this to be a terrour to evil works an avenger to execute wrath on the wicked to scatter them and bring the wheele upon them but to encourage them that do well that they may live a peaceable and quiet life in all godlinesse and honesty 5. Rejoyce with trembling You have your burdens and so your joyes more then others You have your Gardens and Orchards your Parkes and Pleasures your Musicks and Recreations we envy you not in these much comfort may you have in them all onely take in this Caution rejoyce with trembling you arâ— never so apt to miscarry as in the highth of your joyes Job feared his sons when Feasting and you know whose brand it is to Feast without feare Jude v. 12. 6. Lastly Kisse the Son kisse him with a kisse of love Osculo dilectionis and that with all sincerity kisse him with a kisse of honour and obedience Osculo subjectionis as Samuel kissed Saul 1 Sam. 10. 1. kisse him with a kisse of confidence as here in the Text Blessed are all they that put their trust in him Kisse him with a kisse of Devotion Osculo Devotionis for he alone is worthy of all love subjection faith and worship CHAP. X. Opens the 3. Pos That setting up of Government and Governours is for the good of the World 1. In that it keeps men in Order 2. In that it gives propriety 3. It promotes increase of what we possesse 4. Brings in Peace 5. It is set up when God fitts some and brings in others to consent 6. This is for the good of all ranks of men 7. Good to them in their whole life 8. That Governours due it is to be honoured Vses YOu have heard that Kings reigne by Christ and so are his creatures Government is of his making it s his Ordinance and so as it is from him is good None so good as Christ and what he makes that is also good cannot be bad hence followes your third Position That The setting up of Government and Governours is notably for the good of the World Rom. 13. 4. He is the Minister of God to thee for good 1 Pet. 2. 13. its called mans creature both because its an Ordinance for man for man as he is a reasonable creature and Secondly It s an Ordinance wherein God acts and draws forth Reason to the highest acts and ends it s that which is in especial manner for the good of man of mankind that will farther appeare in that 1. Government is set up to keep the World in order order is Vniuscujusque rei debita collâ—câ—tio the due setting of things and persons in their proper place and keeping them there In an Army when every Commander is where the General appoints and every Souldier in that ranke and file where the Commander appoints and accordingly moves that Army is said to be in order Now Government doth that to the World that order doth to an Army Men are apt to be out of their due place and station and to move unduely now government rightens them We read a sad Story Judg. 17. 6. There was no King in Israel but every man did that which was right in his own eyes There was no King but many Tyrants Kings rule by law Tyrants by will and so do all rule where there is no government and then every man is a Tyrant his lust his law nay a Divel Homo homini daemon Anarchy is worse then Tyranny better a bad government then none at all Ipsa quidem Tyrannis est tolerabilis prae Anarchia saith Beza Tyranny is tolerable when weighed with Anarchy Now to take away this disorder and to keep every man in his place is government set up for it is the application of rules of reason to things times and persons It is an honest binding men to their good behaviour 2. Persons set and kept in order enjoy propriety Without government all things are common and community makes a War of every man with every man what is common is mine as well as his and his as well as mine and therefore if another enjoy that I like if it cannot be divided and I like and lacke it I will fight for it with him and so he with me but government ends this War and makes what was common before to be proper now what belonged to all before to be peculiar to some now and so prevents that War we now speake of it divides unto every man his inheritance and maintains him in it It was Gods government that divided the Land of Canaan to the children of Israel and gave them every one their lot or else there would have been as much fighting among themselves about it as there was to dispossesse the Amorite the Canaanite the Hivite and the Perizzite 3. Government promotes the increase of what we properly have Interest is that which drawes forth all men they will not sow to have others reape nor build to have others possesse and dwell there But let it be their own and then they think no labour too much no cost too great what is every bodies is no bodies and Commons we see are wasted when inclosures which are worse ground are more improved Government makes me call this or that my house my land my state and being mine I like and love it and do what I can to improve it 4. Government protects your peace Pax est tranquillitas ordinis You heard of order before and now we tell you of the tranquillity of it which is peace What dismal stormes would arise in every Country
of God that his people have a bit of bread that they have meat for their mouths and drink to quench their thirst but when it s added He is ever mindful of his Covenant His Covenant and his mindfulnesse of his Covenant and so giving them meat renders this common path of providence this so giving them meat to be truly wonderful v. 6. He hath shewed his people the power of his works How few are there that take notice of the works of God and fewer that take notice of God in his works But this is the favour that he shewes his people not onely his works but the power of them their Verity and Judgement Truth Vprightnesse and Stedfastnesse as it is v. 7 8. Vision is the glory and light of life he lives most like a man not that eates and drinks most sleeps and sports most but he that with the acting eye of Reason sees most of things and their difference He lives most like a Christian that by faith seâ—th him that is invisible makes a reall presence of things absent and an evidence and trâ—e enjoyment of things hoped for our present and after-happinesse is in vision by faith here really and truly but more hereafter when we shall see him face to face and know as we are known 1 Cor. 13. 12. Daniel and John the greatly beloved Prophet and Disciple were both much honoured with Visions and Revelations our Saviour commends Abraham for that he saw his day and rejoyced Joh. 8. 56. Those who are Abrahams seed cannot but eye Christ and rejoyce in the dawning of his day if God have an hand to work surely we must have an eye to see an heart to believe and a tongue to praise him God doth not work little things for his people it stands not with his love and their condition and when he doth great things we must meet him and them with great observation I have heard an Ambassador residing here should write home that he lived in a Land of wonders well noteing how great turns passed on us and how little blood was shed about them then if strangers see so much we should see more Doubtlesse God hath revived his works of old made his arme bare commanding and creating deliverances for us How often hath he brought us to the gates of death and then said return return ye children of men How many and mighty malicious and prosperous have our enemies been and yet how destroyed How little and low how despised and nothing have your Councils Armies Allyes your all been and yet God hath remembred us in our low estate He hath not been weary of doing us good although we have soon been weary of serving him There is a voyce in the râ—d saith the Prophet and surely mercies deliverances and salvations have their voyce also and the greater any danger or deliverance is the louder is the voyce Oh! that we could heare so as to love and learn righteousnesse Oh! that we were wise to read Gods works out of his word his providences in his prophesies Dan. 12. 10. The wise shall understand Thus to understand him will be our wisdome When the Devil tempted our Saviour it was by shewing him the World and the glory of it But behold here a better vision the glory of the world and worldly Kingdomes and the fall of them Mountains tumbling down and Vallyes filled up high things brought low and low things exalted How many and mighty precious and seasonable have been the returns of fervent righteous faithful prayers They were made in former Ages but are answered Now our fore-fathers had the honour to sow and we the blessing to reape the fruits of their prayers Oh! the riches of the grace of God that hightens our mercies by steeping them in blood Our Adoption Reconciliation Redemption Remission of sin and salvation is by the precious blood of Jesus the glorious truths of the everlasting Gospel come to us dyed in his blood who was the great Martyr and in the blood of many his servants and Martyrs Rev. 6. 9. Our present Liberty Peace and Enjoyments did they not cost the dearest blood of many valiant Worthies Oh! let not let not the blood of Christ his Martyrs and Souldiers condemn us Let it not be said God stretched forth his hand to a foolish and gainsaying people that the Oxe knoweth his owner and the Asse his Masters crib and that we know not care not consider not when God works such glorious things When David had the water of the Well of Bethlehem brought to him he poured it out before the Lord because it was the blood of these men Oh! that now your hearts might rebound these mercies to Heaven whence they came in humble thankfulnesse and watchful obedience seeing they are the blood of your brethren When the time of performing great promises and prophesies drew nigh God raiseth up Daniel's spirit to search Oh! that we might be praying and searching praying and reading praying and inquiring and not giving over till we come to some understanding of these blessed mysteries Now to help you in this search to informe your understanding to be instrumental to draw forth and establish your faith about the great works of this latter Age is the scope of this insuing Treatise The Lord in much mercy blesse you and it together that those good ends may be obtained Chap. 2. Handleth these eight Propositions FIrst that God delivers his prophesies in the way of a promise 2. New-Testament Promises are set forth in Old Testament language 3. That both prophesies and promises are to be taken in the largest extent 4. That they admit of divers degrees seasons and manners of fulfilling 5. That under one person or thing named the 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 punishment on the adversaries of his Church is subordinate to the performance of his promise to his people 8. That the time of fulfilling Prophesies and Promises and working great changes is at or before the coming of Christ Before we come to the particulars which we intend to insist upon give me leave first for the better understanding of the matter and the Scriptures produced to lay down these eight Considerations God delivers his Prophesies in the way of a Promise Prophesies are the foretelling of things that shall come to passe in their proper times God cannot speak to his Saints but in away of love his foreteling things to come tells you how he loves them Our God is a God of power and grace and promises are the engagements of both The Father worketh and Christ worketh for his peoples special good and you have them both at work in performing prophetical promises The prophesie of Christ his coming in the flesh it s in the way of a promise
Isa 53. 1. Who hath believed our report The speech relates to the Prophet in his time but not onely to the Prophet for it agrees to Christ as appears John 12. 38. I shall conclude this position with what I learned many years a goe from transcribed Notes of a precious servant of Christ now at rest The least degree of the performing a promise being manifested the promise therein may be truly said to be performed although not in the highest extent of it Whereupon it is remarkable how in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles when any personal thing or individual act is mentioned as that in Mat. 2. 17. the place above named about Rachel the holy Ghost useth a word which signifies accomplishment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken But when promises are mentioned which have reference to the Church as Acts 2. 16. then it s thus expressed This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he doth not say it was fulfilled but it was spoken it had a true performance but not the accomplishment That under one person or thing named a whole series both of persons and things is to be understood See this plainly in the great promise Rom. 9. 7. In Isaac shall thy seed be called In the eight verse of the same Chapter The children of the promise are counted for the seed When we read of the enemies of the Church which sometimes are called Hornes by them he means all the powers that are pushing at Jesus Christ and his interest The Vial on the Throne of the Beast mentioned Rev. 16. 10. although it meane eminently the City of Rome yet withal it may take in all those places wherein the superstitions of Antichrist have been more especially exercised as Bishops Palaces Cathedrals Monasteries Priories Deanes and Chapters houses and such like places God performes his promises in these latter dayes in a way of proportion and correspondency with his former glorious workings for his people Thus most expresly Hagg. 2. 5. its said According as I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt so my spirit remaineth among you where its plain that God engageth himselfe to them now when they were building of the Temple according to his dealing with them when they were to be delivered out of Egypt Thus in the Visions of the Prophet John Antichrist is called Egypt and their waters are turned into blood and that by the wittnesses Rev. 11. 6. in correspondence with what God did by Moses Exod. 7. 19. Israel in Egypt cryed Exod. 2. 23. and so do the souls under the Altar Lord Lord how long holy and true dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth Rev. 6. 10. He drowned the Egyptians in the red Sea Exod. 14. 27. and now hath his wayes it may be Sea-fights to drown his enemies as it was in the years 1588 and 1639 and at other times since I shall conclude this position with that saying of the Prophet Micah 7. 15. where God promiseth to his Church his goodnesse in these words According to the dayes of thy coming out of the Land of Egypt will â— shew unto him marvelous things That the inflicting of judgement on the adversaries of the Church is subordinate to the performance of his promises to his people The shaking vengeance on the Nations is but to make way for the good of Gods people Gods creatures are precious to him as he is their Creator and surely he would never destroy them but in relation to a greater farther and better good then their destruction can be evil This is plain in Isa 10. 12. The visiting of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks is in a way of inflicting judgement on him but it s brought in as subservient to the performing of his whole work on Mount Sion that was the maine thing driven at That the time of fulfilling prophesies and promises and working great turnes is at or before the coming of Christ Thus in Hag. 2. 6. I will shake the heaven when is that it follows immediatly The desire of all Nations shall come The coming of Christ in the flesh was eminently the fulfilling of many prophesies and promises as you may read in the constant course of the Gospel His coming then likewise produced great turnes and changes Mat. 2. 3. Herod the King was troubled and all Jerusalem with him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Herod and Jerusalem the King and all the people are troubled He troubles the chiefe Priests and Pharisees and Counsels John 11. 47. what doe we doe This man doth many Miracles And when Christ shall come again you shall have more turnes All the promises are in him and for him no marvel then if their performances and his appearance come together The down-fall of the Man of sin is the making good of many promises but that is said to be by the brighâ—nesse of his coming 2 Thess 2. 8. Then shall that wicked one be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his coming Chap. III. Shewing the meaning Doctrines and Method of Hag. 2. 6 7. Hag. 2. 6 7. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts Yet once and it is a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry-land 7. And I will shake all Nations â—and the desire of all Nations shall come and I will fill this house with glory saith the Lord of Hosts Heb. 12. 26 27. Whose voyce then shooke the earth but now he hath promised saying Yet once more I shake not the earth onely but also Heaven 27. And this word yet once more signifieth the removing of â—hings that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain HAving laid down these eight propositions in general we shall now pitch down on this Scripture to which all these propositions give light Here in these words of the Prophet Haggai you have a prophesie by way of a promise God foretells by his servant Haggai what shall come to passe namely great turnes and changes and withal engageth about them by way of a promise that he will effect them I will shake and that 's your fiâ—st rule He calls the Church-state under the Goâ—pâ—l by the name of a Temple and an house which is the language of the Old Testament to speak out Gods way of worship but here it hath a farther extent even unto Gospel-worship and administrations and that is according to the second Prop. Shaking of heaven and earth doth not onely meane the commotion in these natural bodies and the alterations therein but also these words hold out the change in the great Political bodies of Church and State and so according
commands to serve God they may make our services to be more safe in the practice but not more righteous in themselves Gods command is a sufficient warrant and its high presumption for any to interpose therein to corrupt or crosse his service 8. Unjust persecution and prosecution of the good and quiet of the Land cracks authority They are to be terrour to evil doers and then their authority comes forth in the power of it but they must not be terrours to those that doe well nor strengthen the hands of the wicked and sad those whom God would not have sadded This will never stablish any government Christs interest is in his people the best way for Princes to maintaine their interest is to fall in with Christs interest His people are his annointed ones and they must doe them no harme Zach. 12. 3. Jerusalem is a burdensome stone all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces though all the people of the world be gathered together against it 1. See the cause of the great turns that have been among us Former ages cannot parallel our stories you know how God hath set up his Throne for Judgement and called the great and mighty ones to the barre and cut them off And oh that now these who yet remaine would turn their eyes hither and see though it be late first see the true cause that cracked all former greatnesse and be humbled confesse their sins in their desolations and if they cannot see their fins as cross to God let them abhor them as enemies to their own State Oh! that they would accept of this counsel To breake off their sins by righteousnesse and their iniquities by turning to the Lord that so if possible there may be a return of their tranquillity Suffer I beseech you yet once more a word of admonition the Lord make it precious healing balme to you 1. Watch over your hearts in lawful things and with all keeping keep your hearts therein It s lawful surely to eate and drink and for you to eate of the fat and drink of the sweet yea to feast your selves daily But t is not lawful to feed without feare Jude 12. Eccles 10. 16. Wo unto thee oh Land when thy Princes eate in the morning It s lawful to eate but not to eate unseasonably Prov. 31. 4. It s not for Kings O Lemuel it s not for Kings to drink wine or Princes strong drink least they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgement of any of the afflicted it s not for Kings so to drink as their drinking shall make them light and frollick so as to forget the law the afflicted and their cause Math. 11. 8. They that weare soft cloathing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wearing them daily are in Kings houses But we read withal Zach. 1. 8. I will punish the Princes of the Kings children and all that are cloathed with strange apparel If the softnesse of their apparel betoken a greater softnesse of their temper it is not their being in Kings houses shall save them from punishment Strange apparel Jun. Indumento alienigenarum apparel in imitation of strangers people of another Nation when they frame themselves into the garbe of a Conquering people whether Egyptian or Babylonian and testifie their spirit by their habit Omnes qui exoticis vestibus levitatem animi prodebant Drufius Such who betrayed the levity of their minds by their phantastical apparel Probabile est saith Calvin Aulicos stulta affectatione mutasse vestes Its likely the Courtiers out of a foolish imitation changed their garments I would our Courtiers were not guilty of new fangled fashions and garish garments paintings and powderings spots of beauty and naked breasts opening their shop-windows as if their modesty were put to saile You may questionlesse sometimes relaxe your minde from your serious and weighty employments and follow your Recreations and Pleasures but take heed of being lovers of pleasure that will make you poor men Prov. 21. 17. and to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God will render you worse then poor even wicked men beware your pleasures be not your masters for then you will serve diverse lusts as well as pleasures Tit. 3. 3. Malus si regat servus est tot dominorum quot vitiorum One saith If an evil man rule he is servant of so many Masters as he hath vices Look on the pleasures of the flesh as the bane of your spirits and your Courtly pompe to be but so much pageantry When Agrippa Acts 25. 23. is said to come with great pompe it s in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a great phancy great pompe is no more Worthy is the record of that great and good Courtier Moses Heb. 11. 25. who chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season 2. Beware of covetous self-love the canker of publick places Exod. 18. 21. The men there to be chosen Rulers must be hating covetousnesse When Samuel would deter the people from a King 1 Sam. 8. 11 12. He pleads He will take your sons for himselfe for his horsmen to run before his Chariots to care his ground to reap his Harvest it s all His His His wicked Princes pretend publick transactions and necessities when the maine is to fill their own Coffers they spare neither their own children nor strangers bnt exact their Customes from them Math. 17. 25. But exceeding terrible is that of Jeremiah to such Jer. 17. 11. He that getteth riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his dayes and at his end shall be a foole 3. Exalt not your selves unduely for that will bring you down Prov. 16. 18. Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a full proud speeches gestures carriages should be abhorred by you It s one thing to keep a due distance another thing to be proud It s one thing to maintaine your place and another thing to be haughty It was the fault of good Hezekiah that his heart was lifted up I but it was his great commendation that he humbled himselfe for the pride of his heart Be not wise in your own eyes but give eare to the wisdome of the Ancient and the petitions of the poor 4. Anger and malice misbecome any wise man much more a Prince Irasuror brevis est Anger is a short madnesse and malice is illwill continued and both should be banished from you How famous was Moses for his government and yet the meekest man of all the earth Perit judicium quando res transit in affectum you will lose your judgement when your affections are distempered Eccl. 7. 9. Anger resteth in the bosome of fools and folly should be far from them that govern How ill did Sauls anger become him when he calls Jonathan the son of a perverse rebellious woman 1 Sam.
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