thence to say hee reignes by his spirit in the Kingdomes of the world I leave unto Christian reason to judge 4. It seemes to reason a very great derogation from the glory of our Lord in his Christ to suppose him to leave the right hand of the Majesty on high to come here and sway an earthly Scepter whether in one or all Kingdomes of the world for heaven now is his Throne and the earth his Foot-stoole and if he should turne his Foot-stoole to a Throne it were very strange However that from Heaven hee shall visibly appeare to judge the quick and dead Acts i. 11. Acts 3.21 Acts 17.31 though not to dwell here in an earthly state with the Saints the Scriptures doe affirme And this account may suffice concerning the manner of his Reigne in the Kingdoms of this world To the fifth and and last thing 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 33.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 17.2.5 Eph. 3.21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and last thing about this Reformation-change which is the stability of it we are now come For ever and ever shall this King reigne The phrase here seemeth synonomous with that Hebrew expression to generation and generation and throughout all generations Sometimes the word is used simply for ever without repetition and then frequently notes absolute eternity but in this kind of doubling many times lesse onely duration of some ages or an aeviternity as it is called The Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth an Age or Generation among other things and so here doubled in the plurall to ages of ages is the continuance of the ages or generations of this world so that such is the stable duration of this reigne of Christ over these Kingdomes even so long as the ages of these doe continue Three things are carried in this expression 1. Progresse in his reigne from age to age He shall goe forward prosper and grow in his Government 2. Immutability of State so shall he King it that these Kingdomes shall not change their Lord nor any more retreat to Antichrist as in the great Apostacie when once the Lord hath resumed these Kingdomes 3. Eternity of duration so long as these Kingdomes last even for that ever and ever our Lord and his Christ shall reigne making friends or keeping under slaves Then the end of the Mediators Kingdome shall come and God that was from everlasting shall rule to everlasting in whom the hope of all Saints shall be perfected So farte to the state of this Reformation-change The third and last generall to be held out is the certainty of all this Revelation what that is that we may have a sure ground for faith to worke upon concerning these matters which I shall labour by some speciall considerations about the context to make cleare 1. From the Author of this Revelation it is our Lord himselfe in his Christ so it is said in the entrance of this Book The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him to shew unto his servants Revel 1.1 Now God cannot deceive nor be deceived if he be the Author Infallibility is upon the word There is one name mention'd in the doxologie of the Church upon this Revelation peculiar unto God which must satisfie reasonable creatures concerning the truth of this event if spoken by God Rev. 1.4 Rev. 11.17 It is He that is and Hee that was and He that is to come It is He that can alwayes say I am If hee had not been from eternity if he bee not now or if he should not be to eternity just cause there might bee of mistrusting his Revelation but if hee was to make all things that have been and if he bee to make things that are and if hee shall bee to make all things to come in his owne time there can bee no ground of suspecting him Thus the Church looketh on him and is comforted Indeed were hee of yesterday and must hee cease againe his Revelation could not over-value the Delphick Oracle but this is his strong reason to be believed as God He was and is and is to come 2. The meanes of revealing this is not despicable it was by an Angel Heb. 1.14 whether so in Nature as a ministring Spirit sent out for comforting Gods chosen in this matter as I rather conceive Rev. 3.1 c. or so onely in Office and then a Man a speciall Messenger or Minister expressed in this vision as it may be Yet it is Gods owne meanes of his owne sending to declare and therefore none of a doubtfull call that hee should bee suspected by John it is com to us and he had it from Christ this whole vision 3. The clearnesse of the Revelation adds more strength to its certainty Isa 8.19 It comes not like a whispering or muttering of seducing spirits out of the earth but sounded with a Trumpet from heaven 1 Cor. 14.8 and Gods Trumpet giveth surely a distinct sound that wee may understand his minde in it and sute our selves to his will So it did in declaring wrath and warre against sinners Amos a. 6. Hos 8.1 Zech. 9.14 that they might beleeve and tremble and returne So also in revealing his grace in Christ towards his people the Trumpet sounds it that poore soules might heare and beleeve and be comforted A trumpet-Revelation then from God needs not to be suspected A loud eminent distinct discovery doth God make of these visions that as they are sure in themselves so they might bee surely knowne and received by his Church 4. The sweet gratulations and doxology of the Church recorded in the context Rev. 11 16 17 must conclude the certainty of the event It is incredible that God would give a vision of praise to mock himselfe withall and that hee should receive blessing for that which is not nor was sure ever to be The certainty of praise argueth undenyably the certainty of this gracious event 5. The experience of so many Kingdoms and States already delivered from the yoke of Antichrist and returned from that great Apostasie to entertain the true Gospell of Gods Son may perswade that the residue of the promise to be performed is as sure as that part already accomplished in these 100 yeares past which wee see with our eyes Experience therefore should strengthen faith and breed an assured hope in Gods people of the Lords more glorious appearing to take more Kingdoms of the world into his power that they may mightily strive to it and patiently wait for it This hope shall not make us ashamed Thus the doctrine is opened and confirmed The Use followes 1. To inform us in some truths depending Use 1. their Corolaries doe issue from the sound of this Trumpet opened unto us 1. If Kingdoms of the world shall have such a Reformation-change as to be taken from Antichrist subdued to our Lord and his Christ then it must follow Corol. 1◠Kingdoms may be
no more selfe-power nor ordinance-power than the Prince God makes the Word effectuall and so he hath done the Sword upon a Manasseh-spirit 3. The Rod for the fooles back is Gods ordinance Prov. 19.29 as well as the Word to the obedient eare who so denyeth either sinneth against that light of nature Rom. 2.12 whereby the Gentiles were condemned But Christ did not make use of them Obj. nor his Apostles at the laying of the foundation of the Gospell the Kingdomes of the world were then against him how should they be helpefull now I returne thus 1. Sol. Our Lord made use of them before that time and owned these Kings and Kingdomes by whom his name was exalted Psal 18.1 c. and no where hath be since rejected his owne ordinance 2. At that time of Christs comming in the flesh God by his Prophets had fore-told the state of enmitie which the great Roman Monarchy and all the Kingdomes of the earth with him should expresse against his Some therefore no marvell he made no use of them at that time for it was one time given to the Devill to rule in them Act. 41 27 22. and to provoke them to crucifie the Lord of glory which Gods counsell determined to be done but with more righteous and gracious thoughts than they intended 3. That was not the time wherein God had appointed to take to himselfe his great power and to raigne but now the time is come that he hath taken Kingdomes to rule in and by them and make his lawes their lawes 4. In that very time of Christ and his Apostles would I but require this ought not the Casers and Nero himselfe to have advanced the Lord and his Christ and have used their power to bring their subjects in obedience to him and to have ruled by his truth Shall not God laugh them to scome and they perish in his wrath because they did not I believe they will have no advocate for them If so then let Christians argue de jure what Rulers ought to have done then not de facte what they did and if it were the Magistrates dutie then to rule men to God in Christ it is no lesse now And sinfull practice is no good president against Divine right 3. If this Trumpet sound the greatest Woe upon all Kingdomes under the Devill and Antichrist and the greatest Joy to the Kingdomes under God and Christ this is rightly inferred Corol. 3. The best Crisis or judgement of Kingdome Weale or Woe it by the Lord that swayeth over them If Satan if Antichrist if wicked Lords cursed is that State If God if Christ if holy Princes and Governours blessed is that Kingdome O the wickednesse of Machiavillian O the folly of humane policy Germany hath its interest and Spaine and France and England theirs one in alies another in treasures another in hearts of Subjects c. And suppose all these kept at any time or possible to be kept have they secured any Kingdome or can they that it shall not perish at the breath of Gods mouth How hath God befoâ—led the counsells of the wisest Politicians in all ages and yet are we seeking for Kingdomes safetie and glory within the creatures Spheare To have one Lord in Christ our King were a prospering and securing wisedome beyond all under the Saline Did ever a Kingdome keeping its Imerost in God perish Obedience to the Lord and his Christ in all his discoveries is the laving-interest of any Common-Wealth Psal 144.15 Sapores King of Persia to constintius the Emperor Isay 14.12 Obad. v. 4. O blessed are the people whose God is the Lord What though Monarchs of the Earth write themselves Brothers of the Sunue and of the Moone fellow of the Starres yet heare what the most high saith O Lucifer sonne of the morning how art thou cut downe And though thou set thy nest among the Starres thence will I bring thee down What can a mount to the Starres helpe poore creatures when the breath of the Lord bloweth them downe againe One true interest in out Lord and his Christ would prosper and perpetuate a Kingdome and honour Princes above the Satrres of such would the most high say Yee are Gods and Sounes of the must high Psal 82.6 of such Kingdomes no end should be but of perfection Let us then judge of our Wealth by how much we are the Lords and of our Woe by so much as we are not his or refuse him These are the Corolaties 2. Use 2. If this Trumpet sound forth joy onely to the holy people and the Kingdomes that are our Lords and so farre indeed as they are the Lords the wofull sound of it must concerne the Kingdomes which are not his and all Polities so far as they are not Christs so that well may a lamentation be taken up by them and for them Is there not cause when Christ owne's not State nor States him It 's true that in the execution of all the dreadfull Woes upon the Romish Babel when the Kings and Merchants of the earth are bemoaning her desolations Saints are called to rejoyce over her Revel 18.20 Rejoyce over her thou Heaven and ye Holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged you on her But when Immanuels Land shall in any part break Christs yoke resist their Lord provoke him to displeasure and themselves to wasting who can refraine from teares It calls a dead Grand-mother out of her grave to weepe Jer. 31.15 Rachel was heard weeping in Jeremiahs time and would not be comforted Why For her children once owned by God had sinned and were not Jadah was Immanuels Land and upon like grounds England may if this State will not suffer the Lord to King it over them Isay 8.18 as they once refosed an Assyrian Lord a dreadfull Oppressor the Rod of Gods anger may have commission to passe thorow and goe over and stretch his wings to the breadth of our Land This will be grievous when the iron Scepter of wicked Tyrants shall teach us how sweet the Government of Christ was which wee have despised Symptoms of this wofull sound are the graduall declinations of a people or State from the Lords Rule That the people have gone a Whoring from God by spirituall and corporall uncleannesse and the little cause of Englands rejoycing in it By M. T. Case on Hos 9.1 ye have heard sufficiently declared in the morning for our humiliation I confesse I hould have wondred at such severe prophesying against this kind of filthinesse what the reason of it might be but that I see so many characters of uncleane hearts visible on their bodies and have beene certainly informed of most abominable Incests in severall parts of the Kingdome and especially in the Countie of Kent not farre remote Sir A. â— complained of it where the sonne hath married his Fathers wife and as is beleeved she was with child by him while his
place the ground of this name is the annointing which he received above his fellows Heb. 1.9 Acts 10.38 so it is said God did annoynt Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with powers which Unction notes his setting apart and enabling for the worke of severall Offices towards the Kingdomes of his possession These were 1. Priestly Psalm 110.4 which was especially to reconcile soules to God and so these Kingdomes were taken under a reconciling head which were before commanded to enmity against God 2. Propheticall Deut. 18.15 wherein he was to reveale Gods will fully and savingly and so these Kingdomes were to come under a saving Teacher who before were seduced by the false Prophet to destruction 3. Regall Psalm 2.6 whereby he was to give laws to these regained Polities and set his order among them which before were ruled by the beast to miserable confusion All these make up that Christ whose Kingdomes these are made at this time and the exercise of their offices must be during the Churches imperfection in this life 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 2.26 Luke 9.20 The relative term specifying this Christ is His that is Jehovahs the Lords Christ the Christ of God It is his Christ not ours eminently declaring the Authour of this Unction this note may perswade not to read Lord and Christ by apposition as if it were the Lord Christ but as distinct things united and terms differently signifying in this place Never thelesse this relative addition gives honour unto Christ 1. Nothing his Authority or Sovelaignty Now that is Gods Jehovah owns this Christy that none despise him 2. Teaching his truth and infallibility in all his administrations so that none may mistrust him 3. Shewing his irresistability in regard of all the Potentates in the world that none might contend with him This relation onely gives warrant unto poore soules to rest wholly upon this Annointed because he is Gods unlesse he be Gods Christ he must not be imbraced by creatures and being his must not be resisted Q. Are there then two heads consorted in the translation of these Kingdomes because God and his Christ are coupled A. Not so but one head onely specified in this conjunction the Lord and his Christ here is as much as the Lord in his Christ or by his Christ taking to him this power over States to make them Christian God in the Mediator makes not two Lords corrivals but one graciously disposed to rule Kingdomes unto life John 5 22. John 12.49 50 therefore the Judgement Law and Rule of the Father and Sonne is punctually said to be one We have seen the terms of this change To the second 2. the nature of this change I have termed it a Reformation-change and I conceive properly in that these Kingdomes are said to become our Lords 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now this same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be made notes some change de nove new that was not before for if they were the Lords before in the sence here meant they could not reasonably be said now to be made or become his Q. But were not all these Kingdomes the Lords that made them and set the bounds of them from the first of their being How then can they be said to be made his now A. Surely this question can be satisfied onely by the right stating of the present change carried in that terme made the Lords Now this in its use hath a double acception 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gen. 1.3 Sometimes it notes esse simplex the simple making or being of a thing which before was not as in the creation God said Let their be light and it was make In this sence it cannot here be meant for these Kingdomes were made before of God and so were his works 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 7.4 Sometimes it notes esse relativum a relative being as the wife is said to be made her husbands she was before in the being of a woman but not of a wife so these Kingdomes were made before the beast and false Prophet did usurpe them but then onely were they made Antichristian Facta sunt i. venerum in Christi porestarem myrannidi diaboli ministrorum ejus erepta Bâ—z now this making in the Text is the change of that relation of these Kingdomes from that Antichristian usurpation and tyranny unto the government of the Lord and his Christ so that now they are made the Lords by Reformation which were his creation before And this new worke is done by God in Christ these waies 1. Quoad resuseeptimem Patentie by resuming the power into his hand which he seemed to have layd aside 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Revel 11.17 when he suffered Satan in Antichrist to domineer over these Kingdomes and rule them unto perdition so it is said in the Churches song Thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast raigned that is now he did manifest himselfe that in what those Lords had dealt proudly he was above them and his permission was no approbation of them in their tyranicall usurpations 2. Quoad vindicias juris by vindicating his right to these Kingdomes which the Devill in Antichrist had denied according to his old vaunt All these are mine and to whom I will I give them Luke 4.6 That horrible practice of the Pope in usurping Crowns and taking upon him to dispose them at his pleasure is a full proof of this Now God at this time breaks out the Lyons teeth makes the nations angry and taketh these Kingdomes as a spoyle for Christ Psalm 2.8 to whom at first God had given them A double right is that which God now vindicates whereby these Kingdoms are called his 1. Ius paternitatis a right of paternity concerning all them that he had given unto Christ which were his seed indeed and whom as he had redeemed Isay 55 5. so now he calleth to the participation of life in Christ This right is peculiar to some onely in these Kingdomes 2. Jus Dominii a right of Lordship which is his due as well over slaves as children So though he convert not savingly all these states yet he makes them take his Laws serve his turne set up his Ordinances and worke his will though in sincerity perhaps they mean not so Now this is reformation in its measure though it reach not to the truth of conversion So God moved Cyrus Nebuchadnezzar Darius c. Psal 72.10 11. Psal 2.9 of whom yet it cannot be said they were converted And such a right is promised to Christ also in the Gospel times by which he shall use his Iron Rod as well as his Golden Scepter No hope that all in all Kingdomes should be truely converted but that all shall be subdued Rev. 19.16 c. made slaves if not friends not able to resist the power of the Lords is that which Scriptures speak
and we may expect 3. Quoad ezercitium Dominii by exercising this power and right over these Kingdomes that are become his and this Lordship he doth exercise severall waies 1. By a powerfull turning of the hearts of Princes from darknesse to light Mojestatem red dit visibilem in ipsis regibus corda fernando c. Brightman in text causing them to consider the things of God which they had not heard and so to shut their mouthes from gainsaying Christ and thrice exalt him in their hearts of such a reformation-change the Lord seems to speake in that Gospell promise I will make thy Officers peace and thy Exactors righteousnesse Isay 52 13 14 15. when peace shall rule and righteousnesse exact then the Kingdom is the Lords 2 By a powerfull restraint upon others not truly called chained up by the devill Revel 20. 2. Psalm 149.8 and binding Kings Princes and Nobles as with fetters that they shall not any longer hinder the Lord from taking Thrones and ruling Thus the Kingdomes of the world universally become the Lords The King that is not converted shall be restrained Thus farre appeares the nature of this Reformation-change To the third 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the time of this change the voyces speak as of the time past saying they are or were become the Lords the time is expressed in this verb also But now where to state this time is the diffioulty mens thoughts running divers waies It hath been determined to be while time the measure of the creatures in their changes lasteth but the speciall point of that time is now desired when those Kingdoms begin to be the Lords For the discovery whereof I shall propose some help from these considerations 1. This seventh Angell is said to sound the third Wo-trumpet which certainly did call for execution of vengeance upon the Kingdome of Antichrist whose Scepter made all the Kingdoms of the earth stoop unto him who had subscribed to his name and worshipped him This was done by breaking the yoke of that Romish Tyran the Pope off from the neck of those States in which very moment the Lord tooke possession of those Kingdomes from which by his great power he drove out that strong one the devil in that man of sin So that this Trumpet seems to contemporize with all the Vials poured out upon States formerly under Antichrist dashing in pieces the great Abettors and turning others to be serviceable unto Christ For however at all times God kept his secret ones within the Territories of Babel who ceased not in all ages to witnesse to his truth yet all this while the States and Kingdomes worshipped the beast So then the time of change of Kingdoms must be eminent and from that instant that any State returned to subjection unto Christs Scepter in the Gospell after the great apostacy seems to begin the sound of the seventh Trumpet for then was it woe to that Antichrist and his vassals but joy to Christ and his Saints Now no hard thing is it to looke back so farre as to finde out that point of time wherein Thrones began to be possessed by Christ and to entertain the Gospell The Histories of Germany Saeveland Denmark England Scotland c. may help us to know this time when our Lord took these States from the Prince of darknesse ruling in that sonne of perdition 2. This Reformation-change is graduall and is carried on in severall portions of time from the turning of the first Kingdom to the finishing of the mystery of God That the meaning of this Trumpet-sound should be a graduall susception of Gods power to reign I am perswaded to believe from the course of the events we see some Kingdoms delivered but not all yet which are expected to be resumed by Christ from that Roman Apostate Now as God performs his prophecies so are we to understand his meaning in them and it is the best help we have rightly to conceive the Prophets speaking of Christ to come by seeing him come and fulfilling what was written of him I take it the same help is to made use of concerning the prophesies of these times and those to come of which the book of the revelations is full So that if we see the Lord hath taken Kingdomes of the world from Antichrist we have the truth of this Trumpet-sound and if yet more Kingdoms are still under vassallage to him this sound declares woe unto them abiding in that slavery but good tidings to Gods hidden ones there that the Lord will in his time take the prey out of the Dragons mouth and rule himselfe And if so then it must be a graduall change from the taking of the first Kingdome to the resuming of the last which we see is partly done in many States and in greater part yet to be accomplished One word yet seems to crosse this interpretation of the time Dub. Reuel 10.7 it is said In the daies of the voice of the seventh Angel when he shall begin to sound the Trumpet even the mystery of God shall be finished c. And if in the beginning of his sound all Kingdoms are changed together and Gods mysterie finished then it cannot be the time mentioned but it must be wholy to come To satisfie this scruple Sel. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3 16. two expressions here must be opened 1. The mysterie of God which notion is of various use sometimes it notes the secret way of God by manifestation of his Sonne in the flesh c. to make himselfe communicable to his creatures so to effect godlinesse in them and save them Col. 2.3 This is the generall use of it so is it called the mysterie of God of the Father and of Christ Sometimes it is of speciall signification and that two waies Eph. 3.6 1. It notes this secret good will of God toward all the Gentiles to bring them into fellowship with himselfe from the first preaching of the Gospell to them by the Apostles Rom. 11.25 16. to the last by any Ministry 2. It dictates this secret grace of God unto Abrahams seed the Jewes for the bringing them in after their long abdication to an ingrafting into Christ In this last sence it is surely taken and yet I think not excluding the other speciall signification nor the generall in both for as much as that is finished in these 2. When he shall begin to sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the passage that begets the doubt therefore the right reading of it must be inquired and surely it is not necessary so to read it when he shall begin to sound but vety properly when he shall sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in such lie instances 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apoc. 1.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will spue thee out not onely begin to do it 2 Kings 4.1 and so is it read by good Interpreters as one word in the future tence
and are the Subjects of Reformation though not the adequat subjects of true Conversion The understanding of the true state of Reformation as well as the visible state of Kingdomes which already are become the Lords will sufficiently cleare this inference 1. Reformation is a terme not freequently used by our Translators I remember it but twice 1. Reformation and in two different acceptions 1. As respecting the matter or object about which Reformation is And in this sense mainely is the word translated from the Apostles expression to be understood as the consideration of the context will make cleare Heb. 9.1 10. The spirit there labours to convince the Hebrews that by the Messiah Gods mind was the whole Jewish Tabernacle must be throwne downe that is their Church frame in all externall Ordinances He describes the Tabernacle with the adjoyned ordiances and services which saith he were imposed untill the time of Reformation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of what Surely not of hearts but of that Church frame and ordinances which were but figures for that time present putting those which were true spiritual heavenly in their places The word here rendred reformation signifieth A thorough-righting of all things in the Church in order to eternall life This Christ did by removing things shaken of God that is all shadow-workes formerly in the Church in Priest-hood heb 10.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sacrifice and other services all ineffectuall to life and by establishing things unshaken the true image-works of heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lively drawne Priest-hood Sacrifice services c. by which men might certainly be brought to God and live This perrectification of Christs then is of meanes tending to heaven that men might see the right line directing unto God in the right use of which they may be saved It is a Reformation for hearts indeed but not of hearts for this reformation may truely be in a Kingdome and is where the true Priest-hood of Christ Sacrifice and spirituall services are set up and maintained though hearts for the most part may not be savingly converted to God by them The point of time in the Text evidences this to be an ordinance-reformation not an heart one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a singular for it was a single speciall time even the space of laying this Church-frame by Christ in his Apostles and no longer the whole worke of this reformation was dispatched then but the time of heart-reformation is in all ages therefore those times are not that nor this worke that Kingdomes then are reformed after Christ when his true ordinances are established and submitted unto and false Antichristian constitutions are driven out though few hearts in truth may be changed to God by them 2. Reformation in our use respects the person or subject in whom the power of God may be manifest for changing the man according to his mind revealed in former ordinances thus we read it used by our Translators If ye will not be reformed by these things c. In the letter it is read Levit. 26.23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If ye will not be chastised to me by these things c. That is if by these meanes your hearts be not turned to me So that here the reformation of the man must be intended And that wee know may be two wayes 1. In truth when Christ is formed truely on the Soule 2. In shew when the outward man conformes to these constitutions of God Kingdomes may be so reformed as to yeeld outward obedience to the Scepter of Christ though few hearts have the true Image of God imprinted on them And thus indeed doe Kingdomes become the Lords when they abhorre the lyes of Antichrist and cleave to the truth of Christ though but in outward deportment 2. Kingdomes of the world are said to bee the Lords but indeed they neither have beene nor are 2. Kingdomes nor shall be all by true conversion yet they must be by Reformation No Kingdome that ever was called the Lords on earth had all Saints in it nor ever shall if Christ have prophesied truely That the last day shall find men as the Flood found the world in Noahs daies Marth 24.36 37 c. yet surely shall Kingdomes be the Lords and that must be by Reformation as declared not by true saving conversion And to say that such a Kingdome of Christ England is I suppose is consonant to the voyce of this Trumpet 2. If Kingdomes must be our Lords that is Chiefe States Kingly and Ruling Powers this teacheth us States and worldly Powers Christ will make use of to set up his glory Corol. 2. they are not utterly inconsistent with his spirituall designes Antichrist indeed had them and made use of them for his owne purpose but therefore Christ will not utterly refuse them Psal 82.6 God himselfe was the Author of these orders of men thereby purposing to make one helpfull to another for reaching his owne glory And Satan in this as other things was Gods Ape to make use of them but his enemy to corrupt Princes and great men of the earth to increase his owne Kingdome therefore perswaded he them to give their power to the Antichristian Beast Revel 17.13 and to make poore subjects by their Tyrannicall persecutions to doe so too that they might be damned together But now in the restitution of all things the Lord Christ re-possesseth these Principalities againe as a needfull order of men instituted by God though corrupted by Satan and makes use of them for his high and spirituall ends to finish his worke upon the earth 1. By putting into their hearts to ruine that great Enemy of grace the mysticall Babilon the Mother of Harlots and of all abominations as well as all spirituall and carnall wickednesse Revel 17.16.17 So it is written The Kings shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and eate her flesh and burne her with fire For God hath put it into their hearts to fulfill his will c. 2. By making them shields of the earth a defence unto his ordinances and people Psal 47.9 Isay 49.23 1 Tim. 2.2 and nursing Fathers and Mothers to his Saints that under them and by them godlinesse may be perfected in his Churches If these Scepters be our Lords doubtlesse they are so not as Lords but as Servants ministring for him which he would not owne were they not appointed of God and so needfull to helpe on his worke among men But Christs worke is heart-worke Obj. what can Princes doe to ward that For answer Sol. let it be considered 1. All Christs work is not heart-worke much of it is upon the outward man by restraint and otherwise in this the power of the word may be instrumentall being made the Lords 2. Gods outward ordinances were intended to make way to mens spirits his Rod as well as his Word Mic. 6.9 the Preacher hath