Selected quad for the lemma: kingdom_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
kingdom_n church_n word_n world_n 3,040 5 4.5870 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A23635 New-Englands choicest blessing and the mercy most to be desired by all that wish well to this people cleared in a sermon preached before the court of election at Boston on May 28, 1679 / by James Allen ... Allen, James, 1632-1710. 1679 (1679) Wing A1028; ESTC W13883 18,844 19

There are 2 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

established And as was well hinted by a worthy person in his Election Sermon less will undoe us here this is but a little Boat then in greater Kingdomes I do not think errors of the mind can be compelled but by light and Reason or that any can be forced to be of another mind they must be drawn not driven that heartily close with Christ and embrace Religion But if any under pretense of Religion will endeavour the subversion of that is true and so esteemed by those in Authority such endeavours ought to be prevented by them and powerfully obviated I am perswaded that all the people of God are agreed in the end that injury at least ruine should be hindred Authoritatively the greatest doubt is about the means what is the best way to overthrow the designs of those that are Enemies and fundamentally so to the welfare of this People and it is high wisdome the choise of the fittest means to the end it is very hard to say what that is they can best judge of it that hear all the Circumstances of a Case That I would humbly commend is when you cannot all agree upon the way use condescendency to each other that you may agree vis unita fortior That which is done with greatest Concurrence you may expect most of Gods presence with and will be most effectual though in it self it may seem most contemptible 2. Let them have your countenance and encouragement that is by your Example and Authority maintain and uphold the true worship of God 2 Chron. 17.6 7 8. Jehoshaphat was commended for his care that all places might have a faithful teaching Minister see ver 9. how the Lord was with them Neb. 13.11 Nehemiah he took care that the house of God it might not be forsaken by withdrawing necessary supports for those that attend the service of God oyle there must be to maintain the Lights They are duties of necessity not liberty of Justice not Charity so fall under your Cognizance 2. The matters of men are also your care and therein you are with God when there is due execution of Justice if it be speedy Impartial as our Fathers were such have been in these places that could not by friendship or flattery or bribery be turned out of the way of right Judgement but have judged for the Lord Jer. 22.15 19. as Josiah was commended for it and it was well with him and his People ver 3 4. Jer. 5.1 and Righteousness exalts a Nation Prov. 14.34 the contrary evil is its Reproach Justice saith the Philosopher is all virtue A word to the Reverend Elders much may be done by you Fathers and Brethren that the gracious presence of God may be continued with this People If we be so with God as those that went before us he will be with us as he was with them One Jehojadah of how much use was his Faithfulness to God in the matters of his worship 2 King 12.2 1. Endeavour the like agreement and union in promoving the Truths of the gospel It was promised to gospel times Isai 52.7 8. That those who brought the glad Tydings of the gospel should lift up their voice together and sing together this the Apostle Rom. 10.15 applyes to the Ministers of the Gospel and I believe it had as eminent a fulfilling in those faithful and pretious Elders that were first planters of the Churhes here as ever since the primitive times in exalting together the reign and government of Christ in his Church and though in some Circumstances they differed for in those things is the greatest difference among the godly yet they agreed in the substance and manifested it in that Platform of Discipline which was published as the Judgement of the Ministers of New-England asserting the Authoritative Rule of the Elders with the liberty of the Brethren Though the Judgement of the best should not be looked upon as Scripture Canons nor bind any further then it is found agreeing with the Word of God by which it ought to be tryed yet I think I may safely say that is a clearer Judgement of the mind of God in the Scripture in that matter then can be expected in this next generation I should rather suspect my own Judgement in the Scriptures then theirs about that Case 1. Considering how singularly they were qualified for that discovery Ezek. 43.11 though it is true in improvements of natural light that may be encreased by industry and those that stand upon others shoulders may see further then they did upon whose shoulders they stand but it is not so in spiritual things the further knowledge of which depends upon Revelation Eph. 1.17 and the humble the Lord teacheth Psal 25.9 Rev. 4.1 2 3. In that glorious discovery is Gods glorious inthroning himself in the midst of his Church affording gracious supplyes and protection to them is manifested to John when prepared by an heavenly Extasie which was the Theater in which he did behold it When we find a Company of men more holy humble and diligent then those were something more may be expected 2. They were free from outward Temptations to please men having a people ready to receive what should be made known to them upon their serious searching out the mind of God in his word besides the Conflicts and agitations from abroad to put them upon their fuller examination of it by the word of God and to weigh it in the ballance of the Sanctuary 3. We shall not find in Scripture or other Histories of the Church that the next Age after any considerable progress in Reformation did go beyond the first but the contrary Judg. 2.10 there have been gradual declinings till that light hath almost been extinguished then the Lord hath raised a new spirit of Reformation to whom he hath given revealed more of his will further knowledge of his truth Nay we may read of some of the Lords faithfull servants that their first wayes have been the best 2. Chron. 17.3 So with Solomon our Lord Jesus blames the Ephesian Church for forsaking their first love and where love decayes light doth not increase in practical Truths Rev. 2.5 This was New-Englands glory and design they came not hither to assert the prophetical or Priestly office of Christ so much that were so fully owned in Old England but his kingly to bear witness to those truths concerning his visible Kingdome the maintaining of these lyes much with you I am perswaded that the truth concerning the Kingdome of Christ is that word of Christs patience that the Phyladelphian Church is commended for Rev. 3.10 and hath that gracious presence of Christ promised to it that they shall be kept from the hour of temptation coming upon the whole world 1. It is that Christ suffered for John 18.37 This cause was written upon his Cross Chap. 19.19 2. His Kingdome is as yet a Kingdome of Patience therefore the word concerning it must be a word of patience Rev.
Trajan c. they would not be fit for this People if they are not pious Solomon saith wisdome with an Inheritance is good that is most true here or it is good I mean that he be an heir of glory be truly gracious other qualifications must not be severed from but seasoned with the fear of God It is true every godly man is not fit to be a Ruler and as true no ungodly man is They that are not true to God can never be so to the main Interest of this his People All other qualifications without this will make them but the more dangerous Enemies to the People of God Be sure then you chuse friends of God if by them you would expect a manifestation of his friendship to you It is true the best are subject to infirmities that may be personal disadvantages but they will be faithful to the interest of godliness 3. When you have chosen them know that you are with God in a right and regular carriage to them and in the way to have him with you and us 1. If it be a good choice of holy men bless God for it and take it as a pledge and token of his favour to you and his presence with you Isai 1.26 Ezek. 34.24 If otherwise there is no Reason to complain of any but your selves therefore you should humble your selves before God as deserving such a Judgement and for your sinfulness in chusing it 2. Follow them with your prayers God may be with them as he hath been with those before them if you would pray more for them and complain less of them you would be better People and would find them more a blessing to you If their missing it further your prayers that is the best way to rectifie their proceedings 1 Tim. 2.1 2. whence you were solemnly exhorted to it the last year by a faithful Servant of Christ 3. obey them though this or that form of Government is mans creature yet Magistracy is the Lords Ordinance and their authority in those places is from God therefore Rom. 13.1 2. Christians were bound for conscience sake to obey evill ones when got into place much more when good 1 Tim. 6.1 and a further obligation you have then other people to ready obedience they are of your own choice Remember when you chuse them they are men you chuse not Angels but men of like infirmity with other good men in this world therefore expect not too much but you ought to think that all will not be done that ought to be But also know when you have chosen them they are gods by office Psal 82.6 and in the exercise of that to be obeyed though only in the Lord. 2. A word to those that are and may be our Rulers Honoured in the Lord much may be done by you to obtain and maintain the presence of God with this People One faithfull man on the Bench may stop the gap and prevent Gods going out at it or enemies coming in Ezek. 22.30 Psal 106.23 I would humbly commend to you that which is your main duty in which you ought to walk with God in that station and do your part God may be with you and so with this People It is direction given by divine Oracle God the Father and the Son by the Spirit spake it 2 Sam. 23.3 A Scripture hath been improved profitably among you upon this occasion by a worthy Servant of God now with the Lord as a direction in the choice of such that may be a blessing to a People and to them chosen how to carry it that the People over whom they are may have the gracious presence of God among them and continued with them not only a promise they should have such a Ruler but a precept what they should be that are Rulers of Israel More particularly 1. The care of the People of God and the things of God is in a great measure committed to you as you engage your Authority for the protection and defence of these so you are with the Lord and he will be with you and his People by your means 1. For the People of God these are dear to God and as the Apple of his Eye Zech. 2.8 as he is sensible of the least wrong done to them so of every kindness and favour shewed to them you are as the visible covers to these Eyes their outward defence under God lyes upon you as it is a special favour to Gods people to have such as fear the Lord over them so is it an high honour to be over such a People and the Lord further manifests his kindness to Rulers when they are spirited and raised up to be Saviours upon Mount Zion it is both a manifestation of it and a sign of more Zech. 12.5 6 8. when God will make Jerusalem a burthensome stone to all that heave at them then shall their Rulers be encouraged to stand by them as being strong in having a people in Covenant with God to stand for so the God of that Covenant To these the Lord promiseth great success as fire is to the wood laid upon it in the Hearth c. so shall they be to their Enemies they shall prevail against them Let Gods out-casts dwell with you and your Countenance and Favour be extended to all that truly fear the Lord though in some Circumstances they may not be of your mind when they carry it without just offence 2. Care of the things of God his worship that is also incumbent on you as Rulers defence of and encouragement in the practice of godliness and matters of worship I am far from thinking Magistrates in New-Testament times have nothing to do with either the restraining or encouraging outward acts of men referring to the first Table The commended Examples in Old-Testament times that were moral actions are for our Instruction as well as moral precepts where those actions were not extraordinary As those about the worship of God and religious observation of the Sabbath that then were under divine Institution as to that time and mode of Service There is the same obligation to the care of the Lords day now and Institutions of Christ in the New-Testament But to wave the dispute of it what is the duty is the greatest difficulty and made the darker by the various apprehensions of worthy and excellent men I shall not undertake decision of that Case but shall endeavour to hold forth so much light for your direction in it you may be with God act in Integrity and Evangelical Perfection And know you that the Lord will not withdraw because of Infirmities and weaknesses where there are not wilful miscarriages of his Servants 1. Defend them that are the most pretious things of this people then liberty to enjoy the Ordinances of God in their purity you must use your Authority for their defence not only from open but secret Enemies And what ever tends to the ruine and overthrow of the Churches here