words are plesant as the hony cōb sweetnes to y◠sowl health to the bones which causeth thē to desire that they may dwel in his howse al their dayes to behold his bewty and alwayes they say Let the Bewty of the Lord our God be vpon vs. His other staff Bands conserveth the brotherhood of his people wherby they ar lincked togither in love labouring to be al of one mind one suffring with an other loving as brethren living growing togither as one tree or staff in his hand This brotherhood the Saincts are al exhorted to love and endevour to keep the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace being clothed with the bowels of mercies kindnes humblenes of mind meeknes long-suffring forbearing forgiving one an other even as Christ forgave them and above al these things having Love which is the bond of perfectnes 10. Sometimes God bringeth vnto his faith and church the governours great men of the earth whose authoritie and scepters are a great help to the conservation of true religion and outward peace of his people by their defence of the just and punishment of evil-doers These notwithstanding their high places yet are to have no haughty harts nor lofty eyes but behave themselves and compose their sowles like weyned childrē learning dayly from the ministerie and book of God to fear the Lord to keep al the words of his law that their harts be not lifted vp above their brethren They are with them to begin end the publick worship of God they may not take of the peoples inheritance nor thrust them out of their possession they are to conteyn as wel themselves as their subjects in the obedience of Christ to be foster fathers and nourses of the church vnto which they have brought their glorie and their honour expecting a better and an eternal glory with al Saincts in the kingdome of God For there is a covenant between them and their subjects that they wil be the Lords people yea thēselves are the foremost to make it to order al things in their kingdomes according to Gods word As that good king Iosiah in the assemblie of al his people both great and smal first covenanted himself to walk after the Lord and to keep his cōmandements his testimonies and his statutes with al his hart and with al his sowl that he would accomplish the words of the covenant written in Gods book and then caused al that were found in Ierusalem and Benajamin to stand to the same 11. But because in times of worldly peace many wil presse to enter into the church for cōpany favour or fashion sake which otherwise would never regard the same being profane idolatrous or irreligious the children of this world therfore care must be had that no such vnclean wicked persons be accepted For though the gates be open that the righteous nation which keepeth the faith may enter in yet seing it is sayd that the way shal be caled holy the polluted shal not passe by it that Ierusalem shal be holy no strangers shal goe through her nor a Canaanite be any more in the howse of the Lord of hosts ther must be seen in them the seed and foundation of religion before they be received namely repentāce fiō dead works faith towards God For this was the voyce of the crier that proclaymed the kingdom of heaven which they that obeyed wer baptised vnto remission of syns the residue were rejected as a viperous generation the same thing also Christ made the beginning and groundwork of his kingdome saying Repent and beleev the Gospel Vntil therfore such willingly receiv and confesse the truth renouncing their former evil wayes promising submissiō meeknes obediēce in the faith of the Gospel vntil the wolf have learned to dwel in peace with the lamb the leopard to lie with the kidd the bear to feed with the kow and the Lion to eat straw like the bullock we may not admitt them into communiō with vs for what part hath the beleever with the vnbeleever but refuse their proffered and pretended service as the fathers of Israel answered the like intruders It is not for you for vs joyntly to build an howse vnto our God but we our selves togither wil build it vnto the Lord God of Israel And as there were porters in the fowr winds or quarters of Gods ancient howse evē porters set that none that was vnclean in any thing should enter in and diligent watch and ward was kept at the gates of Ierusalem for fear of enemies so in this new and Christian Ierusalem though the gates therof be never shutt yet is ther such watch to be kept that no no vnclean thing may enter into it neyther whatsoever worketh abominatiō or lies but they which a◠written in the Lambs book of life 12. The Saincts being thus gathered as a people that shal dwe◠by themselves and not be reckne◠among the nations for that the ar chosen out of the world separated from the same and being builded as a citie compact togither in it self and growing vp in Christ the chief corner stone vnto an holie Temple in the Lord are made the habitation of God by the spirit and do dwel alone in safetie in a land of wheat and wine also their heavens do drop the deaw For the graces of God by his word and spirit are as a river of water of life clear as chrystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the lamb whose streames make glad this citie of God and moisten the trees planted in this gardein Yea God himself dwelleth here is in the middes of it therefore it shal not be moved As the good husbandman he purgeth every fruitful branch in this vine that it may bring forth more fruit for this his vineyard is before himself not let out to others he keepeth it watereth it every moment least any assayl it he keepeth it night day from injurie of enemies making the barres of the gates strong and in it self he setteth peace and this not in one but in al the churches of the Saincts amids whom he walketh visiting and knowing theyr works and all their wayes which churches though they be many in number yet are they one in vnitie To them al he hath given one faith order and canon to be kept for ever vnto the worlds end to every of them a like power and grace And as he guided his ancient Israel the twelv tribes by day in the pillar of a clowd by night in a pillar of fyre to giv them light that they might goe both by day night so hath he created according to his promise vpon every place
that we feel in this world when for his sake we are killed al the day long are counted as sheep for the slaughter doe bear about in our body the dying of the Lord Iesus and are alwayes delivered vnto death for Iesus sake that the life also of our Lord Iesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh these serve for furtherances of our sanctification by being partakers of his holines and make vs as sacrifices and a prey for the ravenous fowles whiles we liv strangers here on earth the land that is not ours as did Ahrahams seed Thus ar we named the Priests of the Lord and hav authority in every place to offer incense vnto his name and a pure offring both we and our works our spiritual sacrifices being acceptable vnto God in Christ Iesus 17. To illustrate and seal vp more assuredly our communion with Christs Priesthood We ar washed with water for a signe assurance of the forgivnes washing away of our syns and to be as the laver of our regeneration new birth wherby we ar also baptised into his death and buried with him by baptisme that like as Christ was raysed vp from the dead by the glory of the Father so we also should walk in newnes of life our old man being crucified with him that the body of syn might be destroyed and our selves be dead to syn but alive to God in Iesus Christ our Lord whom by this symbol we have put on and doe bear his name vpon vs with the name of the Father and of the holy Spirit And after this Christ often feedeth our sowles with his own body blood which was broken powred out for our sakes figured out vnto vs by bread wine hereby cōfirming the former grace of remission of syns and a further growth in Christ continually into whom we ar incorporate have so neer a communion with him vnder these visible earthly elements which we looking past by the eye of faith seeing and feeding vpon Christ have our life by him doe dwel in him he in vs and shal by him be raysed vp at the last day vnto life eternal 18. Having seen how Christ being our Prophet informeth vs in al the wisdome of God and by the Law sheweth vs our syn wretchednes by the Gospel our justice happines and being our Priest Sacrifice hath by himself purged vs frō al syn given vs the gift of justice and sanctitie to present vs pure blamelesse before God his Father it remayneth that we also consider how he conserveth and mainteyneth this our blessed state against al enimies by his mighty power and soveraignty which as Lord and King he hath over al. 19. This soveraigntie is set forth by divers titles of honour and dignitie given him in the scriptures as when he is named Messiah the Governour Captaine or Fore leader the Ruler that is having dominion right and authoritie to govern and guide his people Michael the great Prince the Captaine of the Lords host a mayster or Commander to the peoples a Potentate or Mighty one the king of kings Lord of Lords and Prince of the kings of the earth the Lord of all vnto whom is given al power in heaven in earth an everlasting dominion honour and kingdome that al peoples nations and languages shal serv him And he the true Melchisedek king of Salem shal reign as king in justice and sit as Prince of Peace vpon the throne of David vpon his kingdome to order it to stablish it with judgement with justice frō henceforth even for ever 20. This kingdome of Christ is no earthly Monarchie nor of this world but spiritual and heavenly and therfore is more mighty then the kingdoms of the earth able to beat down break in peeces grind to pouder al adverse power and domination whither of this world or the spiritual wickednesses which are in the high places 21. Therfore also is the manner of administring this kingdom no◠worldly nor pompous but a◠Christ the king himself came vnto vs poor and riding vpon an asse◠and he the Lion of the tribe o◠Iudah the root of David was fo◠to see to like a killed Lamb s◠menageth hee his kingdome stil◠neyther by an army nor a Power but by his Spirit that it cometh not with observation for men to say Loe here or loe there but is with in vs wielded by the spiritual scepter of his word the Gospel of the kingdom and by the almighty working of the Spirit and therefore conteyneth in it mysteries or secrets that can not be vnderstood but by the gift of God 22. Our Lord himself hath subdued and dayly subdueth al his foes the world he hath overcome syn he hath condemned and put-away Death he hath abolished the Divil that had the power there of he hath destroyed neyther shal these or any of these ever have dominion over him but he shall reign til he hath put all his enemies vnder his feet and death and hel be cast into the lake of fyre 23. This his power regiment he cōmunicateth with his Saincts two manner of wayes First by applying vnto them for their benefit and salvation al that himself hath done and doeth as the Lord sayth by his prophet I wil camp about mine howse against the army against him that passeth by and against him that returneth no oppressor shal come vpon them any more And as for their sakes Christ sanctified himself so for their comfort he overcame the world to take away their syns did he appear when in himself ther was no syn for the children of the people Israel standeth this Michael the great prince fighteth against the Dragon and casteth him out of heaven wher now is salvatin and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ the accuser of the Saincts being cast down Wherfore the Lord being king the earth may rejoyce and the multitude of the yles be glad because he preserveth the soules of his Sainctes he wil deliver them from the hand of the wicked hee will judge the people of God in justice and his poor with equitie that the mountaynes the hils shal bring peace to the people by justice and in his dayes the righteous shall flourish and abundance of peace shal be so long as the moon endureth For the charets being cut off from Ephraim and the horse from Ierusalem the bow of the battel shal be broken and he shal speak peace vnto the natiōs but in y◠mornings he wil destroy al the wicked of the land smiting the earth with the rod of his mouth and slaying the wicked with
creditors These were to be wel intreated like brethren not overruled with crueltie they wer to be dismissed in the seventh or at furthest in the fiftith year called the Iubilee And when they went out they were to be liberally rewarded with their maisters goods Of the latter sort were the hethens either bought with price or conquered by battel which remayned servants alwaies theÌ„selves and their seed after theÌ„ Servitude especially bondage is a judgment of God vpon the world for syn inflicted vpon Chams posteritie as a curse yet is the curse by Christ taken away in whom the bond the free ar one And this was the case of many strangers in Israel as of the Gibeonites the offspring of CanaaÌ„ vpon whom their fathers curse for outward slaverie was inflicted which they cheerfully vnderwent and had Gods favour and blessing vpoÌ„ their sowles they serving him and he continewing theÌ„ though Saul sought to root them out punishing all Israel for their injurie The like was also to be seen in others of that progenie whom Solomon subdued vnder servile tribute whose children remayned among the Israelits after the captivitie of Babylon as did also the Nethinims of Gibeon and wer named the sons of Solomons servants When such bondmen ar brought to the faith of the Gospel their civil servitude is not therby at an end no not though they hav beleeving maisters but they ar stil to giv honour and do service even hartily as to the Lord and not to men 〈◊〉 they serv the Lord Christ in that estate and ar his freemen therfore they should not care for this yoke yet if they may be free they should vse it rather The maisters ar to do vnto their servants that which is just and equal knowing that they also hav a maister in heaven they may chasten theÌ„ but not oppresse them nor contemne their judgement when they coÌ„tend with theÌ„ Thus servaÌ„ts notwithstaÌ„ding their freedom in the faith ar to be in subjection and humble themselves vnder the haÌ„d of their governours they are to obey in labour and attendance in service at home or abroad in peace or in war and both maister and servant ar to keep communion togither in their holy faith wherin is no respect of persons without oppression fâ—awd murmuring or debate til they end their dayes in peace and come to the place appointed for al the living wher smal great do lodge togither and the servant free from his maister 6. This much of families which being wel ordered and conjoyned in the faith of Christ are as litle churches so caled by the Apostle and ought to hav care whatsoever be done in others that Gods true worship be continewed in them The secoÌ„d sort of humane societie is in Policies or Commune weals which may be diversly coÌ„stituted lesser or greater vnder suÌ„dry sorts of govermeÌ„t As many families coÌ„pact togither in one tribe many tribes in one nation or Kingdome many kingdomes in one Empire these menaged by one or by many by Princes Sâ—natouis Iudges Kings or Kaesaâ—s as God shal dispose the publick states see best For al powers are of God what soever be their names titles dignities or formes of regiment and when or howsoever they be altered at the discretion of man in respect wherof they ar caled â—â—mane creations or ordinaÌ„ces they ar to be submitted vnto for the Lords sake And this though they be vnbeleevers how much more if they also beleev hav brought their glorie to the Church of Christ and have their portion in the holy land 7. These magistrats if they be freely chosen of the church must be of their brethren men of wisdome and good conscience who must judge al causes aright govern the people in justice and in the fear of God whom the Commons are to honour submit vnto and reverence in deed word and gesture as to the Lord for the word of God is committed vnto them and they therfore ar caled Gods This subjection is due vnto al whither vnto the King as to the superior or vnto the Governors as they that ar sent of him It must be both openly secretly even of conscience not for fear of wrath onely The coÌ„munion of the faith is not a cause why eyther princes should forsake their place titles or dignities or the people shake off their subjection For seing Magistracie is stil Gods ordinance none ar meeter to execute it to hav his word and sword coÌ„mitted to theÌ„ to carie his titles to judge in his coÌ„gregatioÌ„ then his own servants furnished with his spirit And seeing it is stil his ministerie for the good of his people the punishmeÌ„t of malefactors praise of weldoers none caÌ„ better performe this dutie be noursing fathers mothers of Christs church then Christians Kings ar not to cast away but bring their glorie honour to IerusaleÌ„ as the gentiles do their riches theÌ„selves to minister therevnto 8. In which ministration they both mainteyn and conserve the true religion of God according to his word reforme things amisse in themselves and their subjects as is before touched and also mainteyn civil peace by executing mercie and judgment justifying delivering the poor and needy and beating down the oppressor Such magistrates are eyes to the blind feet to the lame fathers to the poor whose cause when they know not they seek out diligently breaking the jawes of the vnrighteous man plucking the prey out of his teeth And as their sword preserveth peace at home so it resisteth injuries from abroad that they are not onely ornameÌ„ts of coÌ„mune weals but their safety and strength vnder God and may wel be caled as the Prophets name them the Shields of the world For which cause all Christians as they may by Pauls example be partakers of the benefit of their lawes politick so do they ow homage service and subiectioÌ„ vnto theÌ„ should allow them maintenance pay them tributes and other like duties in recompence of their cares labours and employments that so mutual peace and concord in the coÌ„munion of the Saincts may all manner wayes be conserved 9. There remayneth yet an other sort of civil duties among the Saincts general vnto al maried or vnmaried bond or free magistrate or subject which are love mercy relief kindenes courtesie and many other the like sociable actions at al times to be performed of al persons as there is occasion and according to their power and place For Christians are to have care of those that labour among them aâ— over them in the Lord and admonish them that they have them in singular love for their works sake
the breath of his lips woūding kings treading down peoples in the day of his wrath Therefore the poor shall committ themselves vnto him and triumph in his salvation saying The Lord is king for ever and ever the hethen are destroyed forth of his land the kingdomes of this world are our Lords and his Christs and he shal reign for evermore 24. Secondly he cōmunicateth with his Saincts this grace to be Kings also with him and to reign on earth that as himself sitteth ruleth vpon his throne is a Priest vpon his throne and the counsell of peace is between them both so they whom he hath made kings Priests vnto God his Father being a kingly priesthood even a kingdom of Priests and an holy nation having part in the first resurrection the second death may hav no power over them but being the Priests of God and of Christ and reigning with him the terme of yeres limited at last whē they have overcome may sit with Christ in his throne even as he overcame sitteth with his Father in his throne 25. This spirituall kingdome wherby the Saincts reign on earth is first over their own syns and corruptions for they are careful to be vpright with God and to keep themselves from their wickednes and the Lord subdueth their iniquities that syn shal not have dominiō over them because they are freed from it and made servants vnto God having their fruit in holynes and the end everlasting life And this victorie whereby they overcome themselves is greater thē al earthly conquests according to the true proverb He that is slow to anger is better then the Mighty man he that ruleth his own spirit is better then he that winneth a citie Secondly it is over the world which also they set themselves against as knowing that it lieth in wickednes the wisdom thereof is foolishnes cometh to naught the pleasures of it are vanitie and vexatiō of spirit the sorowes of it work death and the amitie thereof is the enmitie of God therefore flee they the corruption that is in the world through lust walking before God as strangers pilgroms on earth not loving the world nor the thinges that are in the world which have neyther satisfying nor fruit in thē but being crucified vnto it it vnto them they keep thēselves vnspotted of it free frō the bondage servitude of the same they vse it as though they vsed it not they bear with patience al the reproches injuries that it offreth yea though they be made the gazing stock as the filth of the same yet are they more then conquerours through him that loved thē and do fulfil that which is written All that is born of God overcometh the world this is the victorie that overcometh the world evē our faith Thirdly the conquest of the Saincts is over Satan himself the prince of this world and worker of all mischief Him also they resist stedfast in the faith and doe overcome him by the blood of the Lamb by the word of their testimonie and love not their lives vnto the death so that wicked one fleeth from them and toucheth them not for they keep themselves because they are begotten of God who wil tread that adversary vnder their feet shortly with him shal be destroyed the last enemy Death And as now the Saincts doe reigne with Christ on earth by faith and patience so then having judged the world and even the Angels they shal reign with him in glory in heaven for evermore 26. To teach vs this Communion with Christ we have in the scripture many doctrines similitudes as that he will make his church a roller a new threshing instrumēt having teeth for to thresh the mountayns and bring them to powder make the hils as chaff that he giveth strength and power to his people making their horn yron their hoofs brasse themselves as his bewtiful horse in the battel that they shal be as the mighty men which tread down their enimies in the myre of the streets in the battel for the Lord of hosts shal defend them they shal devowr and subdue their foes That Christ shal make his children Princes throughout all the earth as himself hath many Crowns vpon his head so will he cōmunicate them with his Saincts as the crownes of his figure Iesus son of Iehozadak the high Priest were to Helem Tobijah and others for a memorial in the tēple of the Lord. That as Christ is the head corner stone vpon which whosoever fal shal be broken on whomsoever it fal it shal grinde them to powder so Ierusalem his church shall bee made a heavie stone for al people al that lift it vp shal be torne though al the people of the earth be gathered togither against it That as Christ shal crush the nations with a scepter of yron and break them in peeces like a potters vessel so he that overcometh and keepeth his works vnto the end to him will he give power over nations he shal rule them with a rod of yron that as potters vessels they shal be broken even as he received of his Father so will he give to that man the morning starre 27. To illustrate this Cōmunion between our Saviour and vs we have the similitude of an humane bodie the mēbers wherof by their due joynts and synewes ar joyned to the head receiv from it life and motion and government in al the actions and affayrs so Christ is the head of the body of his church communicateth with al the Saincts his members life and grace and al good things for their conservation Also of a vine or Olive tree whose branches ar made partakers of the juice sap and fatnes that is in the root stock so we abiding in Christ the true vine doe by the juice moysture of his grace live and bear fruits to the prayse of God Agayn as the husband and wife ar not two but one flesh the first woman builded of the rib of man was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone and so did love live togither partaking ech with others wel fare in like manner are we joyned to the Lord made one spirit he that made vs is our husband and we are maried to him in faith wherevpon he nourisheth cherisheth vs for we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones and this is a great Secret as the Apostle sayth which they that would behold had need be caried in Spirit as was Iohn to a great an high Mountain there to be shewed this Spowse adorned with the