the Gospell to torment them by the Preaching of the word Revel. 11. 10. Yet giving them up to strong delusions rhat they may believe lyes and be damned 2 Thess. 2. 11 12. c. 3. In carrying on of this work towards the one and the other he puts forth the Power Rule and Dominion which he hath of his Father over Spirits both good and bad being made head of Principalities and Powers and exalted farre above every name in Heaven or Earth being made the first borne of every creature and all the Angells of God being commanded to worship him Heb. 1. 6. and put in subjection under his feet he sends them forth and uses them as ministring spirits for them who shall be heires of salvation v. 14. appoynting them to behold the face of his Father ready for his command on their behalfe Math. 18. 10. Attending in their Assemblies 1 Cor. 11. 10. And to give them their assistance in the time of danger and trouble Act. 12. 9. Destroying their adversaries v. 23. With innumerable other advantagious Administrations which he hath not thought good to acquaint us withall in particular that our dependance might be on our King himselfe and not on any of our fellow servants though never so glorious and excellent Rev. 22. 9. 2. For Satan as he came to bind the strong man armed and to spoyle his goods Mat. 12. 29. To destroy him that had the power of death Heb. 2. 14. And being made manifest to this end that he might destroy his works 1 Ioh. 3. 8. In the soules of men in this World 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. So having in his own person conquered these Principalities and Powers of darknesse making an open shew of them in his crosse and triumphing over them Col. 2. 15. He continues overruleing and judging him and them in their opposition to his Church and will doe so untill he bring them to a full conquest and subjection that they shall be judged and sentenced by the poore creatures whom in this world they continually pursue with all manner of enmity 1 Cor. 6. 3. And this looketh to the inward substance of the Kingdome of Christ which is given him of his Father and is not of this world though he exercise it in the World to the last day a Kingdome which can never be shaken nor removed the Government of it is upon his shoulders and of the increase of it there shall be no end 2. That Rule or Government which in his word he hath appoynted and ordained for all his Saints and chosen ones to walk in to testify their inward subjection to him and to be fitted for usefulnesse one to another Now of this part the Administration is wrapt up in the Lawes Ordinances Institutions and appoyntments of the Gospell and it is frequently called the Kingdome of God That Jesus Christ doth not rule in these things and is not to be obeyed as a King in them is but a late darknesse which though it should spread as a cloud over the face of the heavens and powre forth some showres and tempests yet it would be as a cloud still which will speedily scatter and vanish into nothing And this is that whose propagation as the means of carrying on the former spirituall ends of Christ which you desire strength and direction for this day c. Men may gather together unto Christ and say with heads full of hopes poore soule and eyes fixed on right hand and left Lord wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdome to Israel Take you his answer and be contented with it It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power but doe you ask work faithfully I know in this thing it is farre easier to complaine of you for not doing then to direct you what to doe the Lord be your guide and give you straw where ever Bricks are required of you 3. In the universall judgement which the Father hath committed to him over all which he will most eminently exercise at the last day rewarding crowning receiving some to himselfe judging condemning casting others into utter-darknesse Ioh. 5. 22 27. Act. 2. 36. Rom. 14. 9. Act. 17. 31. And of this universall righteous judgement he giveth many warnings unto the world by powring forth sundry vialls of his wrath upon great Nimrods and oppressors Psal. 110. 6. Mich. 4. 3. Rev. 19. 11 12 13. And in the holding forth these three parts of the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus doth the Scripture abound But now whether over and beyond all these the Lord Christ shall not beare an outward visible glorious rule Setting up a Kingdome like those of the World to be ruled by strength and power and if so When or how it shall be brought in into whose hands the Administration of it shall be comitted upon what account whether he will personally walk therein or no whether it shall be clearely distinct from the Rule he now bears in the world or only differenced by more glorious degrees and manifestations of his power Endlesse and irreconcileable are the contests of those that professe his name This we find by wofull experience that all who from the spirituality of the Rule of Christ and delight therein have degenerated into carnall apprehensions of the beauty and glory of it have for the most part been given up to carnall actings suited to such apprehensions and have been so dazeled with gazing after temporall glory that the Kingdome which comes not by observation hath been vile in their eyes Now because it is here fallen in my way and is part of the vision at which the Prophet was so much troubled I shall give you some briefe observations of what is cleare and certain from Scripture relating hereunto and so passe on It is then certain 1. That the Interest of particular men as to this Kingdome of Christ is to look where the universall concernment of all Saints in all ages doth lye This undoubtedly they may attaine and it doth belong to them now certainly this is in that part of it which comes not by observation Luk. 17. 20. But is within us which is Righteousnesse Peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. This may be possessed in a dungeon as well as on a Throne What outward glory soever may be brought in it is but a shadow of this this is the Kingdome that cannot be moved which requires grace in us to serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly feare Heb. 12. 28. Many have failed in gasping after outward appearances never any failed of blessednesse who made this their portion Oh that this were more pursued and followed after Let not any think to set up the Kingdome of Christ in the World while they pull it down in their own hearts by sinne and folly in this let the lines fall to me and let my Inheritance be among those that are sanctified yet 2. This is certain that all
the mighty waves of the Sea Now from these tossed with the windes of Commotions Seditions Oppressions Passions doe flow the Governments of the World the spirit of God moving upon the face of those Waters to bring forth those formes and frames of Rule which he will make use of 2. Unto v. 9. he describes them in order as to their nature and kind one of them being then ready to be destroyed and the other to succeed untill the utter desolation of them all and all power rising in their spirit and principle I shall not passe through their particular description nor stay to prove that the fourth Beast without name or speciall forme is the Roman Empire which I have elsewhere demonstrated and it is something else which at this time I aime at This is that which troubles and grieves the spirit of Daniel in the midst of his body He saw what worldly powers should arise by what horrible tumults shakings confusions and violence they should spring up with what fiercenesse cruelty and persecution they should rule in the World and stamp all under their feet 3. Their end and destruction is revealed unto him from v. 10. unto 12 13. And this by the appearance of the Antient of daies the eternall God in judgement against them which he sets out with that solemnity and glory as if it were the great judgement of the last day God indeed thereby giving a pledge unto the World of that universall judgement he will one day exercise towards all by the man whom he hath ordained Act. 17. 31. And this encreaseth the terror of the vision to have such a representation of the glory of God as no creature is able to beare God also manifests hereby his immediate actings in the setting up and pulling down the powers of this World which he doth as fully and effectually as if he sate upon a Throne of judgement calling them all by name to appeare in his presence and upon the evidence of their waies cruelties and oppression pronouncing sentence against them Be wise therefore O yee Kings be instructed yee Iudges of the earth serve the Lord with feare and rejoyce with trembling He changeth the times and seasons Dan. 2. 21. He ruleth in the Kingdome of men and setteth over it whom he pleaseth cap. 5. 21. And this is the first thing in this vision at which the Prophet was perplexed 2. There is the approach of the Lord Christ unto the Father with his entrance into his Kingdome and Dominion which is everlasting and passeth not away v. 14. This being the end of the vision I must a little insist upon it not that I intend purposely to handle the Kingdome of Christ as Mediator but only a little to consider it as it lies here in the vision and is needfull for the right bottoming of the Truth in our intendment Various have been the thoughts of men about the Kingdome of Christ in all Ages That the Messiah was to be a King a Prince a Ruler that he was to have a Kingdome and that the Government was to be on his shoulders is evident from the Old Testament That all this was and is accomplished in Iesus of Nazareth whom God exalted made a Prince and a Saviour is no lesse evident in the New But about the nature of this Kingdome its Rise and manner of Government have been and are the contests of men The Iewes to this very day expect it as a thing carnall and temporall visible outwardly glorious wherein in all manner of pleasure they shall beare rule over the nations at their will such another thing of all the world as the Popedome which the Gentile or Idolatrous worshippers of Christ set up for his Kingdome And of some such thing it may be supposed the Apostles themselves were not without thoughts untill they had conversed with the Lord after the resurrection Luk. 9. 46. Act. 2. 6. Neither are all amongst us free from them at this day Those who with any simplicity professe the name of Christ doe generally agree that there are three parts of it First and Principally in that which is internall and spirituall in and over the soules of men over spirits both good and bad in reference unto the ends which he hath to accomplish upon them of that which is direct and immediate upon the hearts and soules of men there are two parts 1. That which he exerciseth towards his Elect who are given unto him of his Father converting ruling preserving them under and through great variety of dispensations internall and externall untill he brings them unto himself he stands and feeds them in the strength of the Lord in the Majesty of the name of the Lord his God Mich. 5. 4. Even he who is the ruler of Israel v. 2. He is exalted and made a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel for the forgivenesse of sinnes Act. 5. 31. He makes his people a willing people in the day of his power Psal. 110. 3. Sending out his holy spirit to lead them into all truth and making his word and Ordinances mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds in their hearts casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts it selfe against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of himselfe 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. He takes possession of their hearts by his power dwelling in them by his spirit making them Kings in his Kingdome and bringing them infallibly into glory Oh that this Rule this Kingdome of his might be carried on in our hearts we busy our selves about many things we shall find at length this one thing necessary this is that part of the Kingdome of Christ which we are principally to aime at in the Preaching of the Gospell We Preach Christ Iesus the Lord 1 Cor. 4. 5. Him to be Lord and King though others have had Dominion over us They are the graines of Israel which the Lord seeks for in his sifting the Nations by his word as well as by his providence and we are in the work of the Gospell to endure all things for the Elects sake 2 Cor. 2. 10. 2. In the power which he exerciseth towards others to whom the word of the Gospell doth come calling convincing enlightning hardning many who yet being not his sheepe nor of his fold he will never take to him selfe but leaves to themselves under aggravations of condemnation which they pull upon themselves by the contempt of the Gospell 2 Cor. 2. 16. Heb. 10. 29. He sends his spirit to convince even the perishing world of sinne righteousnesse and judgement Ioh. 16. 8. He sendeth sharp Arrowes into the very hearts of his enemies Psal. 45. 5. making them stoop bow and fall under him so bounding their rage overbearing their lusts leaving them without excuse in themselves and his people oftentimes not without profit from them with some dealing even in this life more severely causing the witnesses of
Gospell then to suppose that Jesus Christ will take to himselfe a kingdome by the carnall sword and bow of the sonnes of men The raising of the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down and the setting up the decayed places of it Act 15. 16. is done by his visiting the people with his spirit and word v. 14. It is by the powring out of his Spirit in a covenant of mercy Isai 59. 21. Thus the Lord sets up one Shepheard of his people and he shall feed them even saith he my servant David he shall feed them and he shall be their shepheard and the Lord will be their God and my servant David a Prince among them Ezek 34. 24 25. he brings in the kingdome of his son by making the children of Israel seek the Lord their God and David their King and to feare the Lord and his goodnesse Hos 3. 5. Who now can fathome the counsails of the Almighty who hath searched his bosome and can by computation tell us when he shall power out his spirit for the accomplishment of these things This then is the last thing in this vision whose consideration brought the Prophet into so great perplexity and distresse of spirit 3. There is the means that Daniel used for redresse in that sad condition where unto he was brought by the consideration of this vision He drew neere to one of them that stood by and asked him the truth of all this This also was done in vision There is no mention of his waking before his making this addresse but the vision continuing he drawes nigh in the same manner to one of them that stood by one of those Angels or holy ones that stood ministring before the throne of God who was commissionated to acquaint him with the mind and will of God in the things represented to him This then is the remedy he applies himselfe unto He labours to know the mind and will of God in the things that were to be done this it seems he pitched on as the only way for quieting his greived and troubled spirit and hereupon 4. He is told and made to know the interpretation of the things so farre at least as might quiet his spirit in the will of God not that he is clearly instructed in every particular for he tels them in the close of the chapter that he had troublesome thoughts about the whole his cogitations troubled him and his countenance changed v. 28. but having received what light God was willing to communicate to him he enquires no farther but addresses himselfe to his own duty Take then from the words thus opened these propositions some whereof I shall doe little more then name unto you Observe 1. In the consideration of Gods marvellous actings in the world in order to the carrying on of the Gospell and interest of the Lord Jesus Christ the hearts of his Saints are oftentimes filled with perplexity and trouhle They know not what will be the Issue nor some times what well to doe Daniel receives a vision of the things which in part we live under and if they fill his heart with Astonishment is it any wonder if they come close to us and fill us with anxious perplexing thoughts upon whom the things themselves are fallen 2. Observe the only way to deliver and extricate our spirits from under such perplexities and entanglements is to draw nigh to God in Christ for discovery of his will so did Daniel here he went to one of them that ministred before the Lord to be acquainted with his will otherwise thoughts contrivances will but farther perplex you like men in the mire whilest they pluck one legge out the other sticketh faster in whilest you relieve your selves in one thing you will be more hampered in another Yea he that increaseth wisdome increaseth sorrow the larger the visions are the greater will be their troubles untill being consumed in your own feares cares and contrivances you grow uselesse in your Generation those who see only the outside of your affaires sleep securely those who come neigher to look into the spirits of men Rest is taken from them and many are not quiet because they will not the great healing of all is in God Observe 3. When God makes known the interpretations of things it will quiet your spirits in your walking before him and actings with him This was that which brought the spirit of Daniel into a settlement How God reveales his mind in these things by what means how it may be known by individuall persons for their quiet and settlement how all Gods Revelations are quieting and tend to the calming of mens spirits not making them foame like the waves of the Sea should be handled on this observation but I begin with the first When John received his book of visions in reference to the great things that were to be done the alterations that were to be brought about though it were sweet in his mouth and he rejoyced in his imployment yet it made his belly bitter Rev. 10. 9 10. it filled him with perplexity as our Prophet speaks in the middest of his body he saw blood and confusion strife and violence it made his very belly bitter Poore Jeremiah upon the same account is so oppressed that it makes him break out of all bounds of faith and patience to curse the day of his birth to waxe quite weary of his imployment chap. 15. Our Saviour describing such a season Luk. 21. 26. tels us that mens hearts shall faile them for feare and for looking after those things that are comming upon the earth they will be thinking what will become of them and what will be the Issue of Gods dispensations fearing that the whole frame of things will be wrapt up in darknesse and confusion Hence our Saviour bids his Disciples not be troubled when they heare of these things Math. 24. 6. intimating that they will be very apt so to be Now the Causes and occasions which are the Reasons of the point arise First from the greatnesse and astonishablenesse of the things themselves which God will doe even great and terrible things which men looked not for Isai. 64. 2 3. when he coms to make his name knowne to the nations that his Aduersaries may tremble at his presence doth terrible things quite above beyond the expectatiō of mē which they never once looked for no wonder if their hearts be surprized with amazement It hath of late been so with this Nation all professors at the beginning of these dayes joyned earnestly in that prayer Isai. 63. 17 18 19. Chap. 64. 1. God in answere hereunto comes down and rents the heaven and the mountaines flow downe at his presence according to the desire of their soules yet withall he doth terrible things things that we looked not for How mapoor creatures are turned back with Astonishment and know not how to abide with him When our Saviour Christ came in the flesh who had been the desire
A SERMON PREACHED TO The Parliament Octob. 13. 1652. A DAY Of Solemne Humiliation Concerning the Kingdome of Christ AND The Power of the Civile Magistrate about the things of the Worship of God By JOHN OWEN OXFORD Printed by Leonard Lichfield Printer to the Vniversity for Thomas Robinson Anno Dom. 1652. DAN. 7. 15. 16. I Daniel was grieved in my Spirit in the middest of my body and the Visions of my head troubled me I came neere to one of them that stood by and asked him the Truth of all this so he told me and made me know the interpretation of the things WHAT there is of concernment for the right understanding of these words in that part of the Chapter which goes before may be considered in the opening of the words themselves and therefore I shall immediately attend thereunto There are in them 4 things considerable 1. The State condition which Daniel the pen-man of this Prophecy expresseth himselfe to be in wherein he hath companions in the dayes wherein we live He was griev'd in his spirit in the middest of his body 2. The cause and means whereby he was brought into this perplexed frame of spirit The Visions of his head troubled him 3. The Remedy he used for his delivery from that intangled condition of spirit wherein he was He went nigh to one of them that stood by and asked him the truth of all this 4. The Issue of that application he made to that one that stood by for redresse He told him and made him know the interpretation of the things All these I shall breifly open unto you that I may lay a foundation for the truth which the Lord hath furnished me with to hold out unto you this day In the first the person spoken of is Daniel himselfe I Daniel he beares this Testimony concerning himselfe and his condition was that he was greived in his spirit The person himselfe was a man highly favoured of God above all in his Generation so richly furnished with Gifts and Graces that he is once and againe brought forth as an Example and instanced in by God himselfe upon the account of eminence in Wisdome and Piety Yet all this preserves him not from falling into this perplexed condition Dan. 1. 17. 20. Ez. 9. 24. Ch. 28. 3. Now as the principall worke of all the holy Prophets which have been since the world began Luk. 1. 70. 1. Pet. 1. 10 11 12. was to Preach set forth and declare the Lord Jesus Christ the Messias who was for to come so some especiall concernments of his Person Righteousnesse and Kingdome were in especiall manner committed unto them respectively His Passion and Righteousnesse to Isaiah the Covenant of Grace in him to Jeremiah to this Daniel most eminently the great works of the Providence of God in the shaking and overturning of Kingdomes and Nations in a subserviency to his Kingdome with the Revelation hereof for the consolation of the Church in all ages did the Lord honour him of whom we speak For the present he describes himselfe in somewhat a perplexed condition His spirit minde and soule was greived sick troubled or disquieted in the middest of his body that is deeply neerely closely it sets out the greatnesse of his Trouble the anxiety of his Thoughts within him like David when he expostulated with his soule about it Ps. 43. 5. why art thou so sad my soule and why art thou so disquieted within me he knew not what to say what to doe nor wherewith to releive himselfe He was filled with sad thoughts sad Apprehensions of what was to come to passe and what might be the Issue of the things that had been discovered unto him This I say is the frame and temper he describes himselfe to be in a man under sad Apprehensions of the Issues and events of things and the dispensations of God as many are at this day and upon that account closly and neerly perplexed 2. The cause of this perturbation of minde and spirit was from the visions of his head The visions of his head troubled him He cals them visions of the head because that is the seat of the internall senses and phantasie whereby visions are received So he cals them a dream v. 1. and visions of his head upon his Bed yet such visions such a dreame it was as being immediately from God and containing a no lesse certaine discovery of his Will and minde then if the things mentioned in them had been spoken face to face he writes them by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost v. 2. for the use of the Church I shall not take the advantage of going forth unto any discourse of dreames visions Oracles and those other diverse wayes and manners Heb. 1. 1. of revealing his minde and will which God was pleased to use with his Prophets of old Numb. 12. 6 7 8. My aime lies another way it sufficeth only to take notice that God gave him in his sleep a representation of the things here expressed which he was to give over for the use of the Church in following Ages The matter of these visions which did so much trouble him falls more directly under our consideration Now the subject of these perplexing visions is a representation of the foure great Empires of the World which had and were to have Dominion in and over the places of the Churches greatest concernments and were all to receive their period and destruction by the Lord Christ and his revenging hand And these three things he mentions of them therein 1. Rise 2. Nature 3. Destruction 1. V. 2. he describes their Rise and Originall it was from the strivings of the foure Winds of the Heavens upon the great Sea he compares them to the most violent uncontroleable and tumultuating things in the whole Creation Winds and Seas what waves what horrible stormes what mixing of heaven and earth what confusion and destruction must needs ensue the fierce contest of all contrary Winds upon the great sea Such are the Springs of Empires and Governments for the most part amongst men such their Entrances and Advancements In particular such were the beginnings of the foure Empires here spoken of Warrs Tumults Confusions Bloud Destruction Desolation were the seeds of their greatnesse vastitiem ubi-fecerunt pacem vocant Galgac apud Tacit. Seas and great Waters doe in the Scripture represent people and nations Rev. 17. 15. The waters which thou sawest where the Whoore sitteth are people and multitudes and nations and tongues as Waters they are unstable fierce restlesse tumultuating and when God mingleth his judgments amongst them they are as a sea of glasse mingled with fire britle uncertaine devouring and implacable It is a demonstration of the soveraignty of God that he is above them Psal. 93. 3 4. The floods have lifted up ô Lord the floods have lifted up their voyce the floods lift up their waves The Lord on high is mightier then the noyse of many waters yea then
Nations whatever which in their present state and Government have given their power to the Dragon and the Beast to oppose the Lord Christ withall shall be shaken broken translated and turned off their old foundations and constitutions into which the Antichristian interest hath been woven for a long season God will shake the Heavens and the Earth of the Nations round about untill all the Babylonish rubbish all their originall ingagements to the man of sinne be taken away This I have fully demonstrated elsewhere All those great Warres which you have foretold wherein the Saints of God shall be eminently ingaged are upon this account 3. That the civill powers of the World after fearfull shakings and desolations shall be disposed of into an usefull subserviency to the Interest Power and Kingdome of Iesus Christ hence they are said to be his Kingdoms Rev. 11. 15. That is to be disposed of for the behoofe of his interest rule and Dominion of this you have plentifull promises Isai 60. and elsewhere when the nations are broken in opposition to Syon their gain must be consecrated to the Lord and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth Mich. 4. 15. Even Iudges and Rulers as such must Kisse the Sonne and own his Scepter and advance his waies some think if you were well setled you ought not in any thing as Rulers of the Nations to put forth your power for the interest of Christ the good Lord keep your hearts from that apprehension Have you ever in your Affaires received any encouragement from the promises of God have you in times of greatest distresse been refreshed with the testimony of a good conscience that in Godly simplicity you have sought the advancement of the Lord Christ doe you believe that he ever owned the cause as the head of his Church Doe not now professe you have nothing to doe with him had he so professed of you and your affaires what had been your portion long since 4. Look what Kingdome soever the Lord Christ will advance in the World and exercise amongst his holy Ones the beginning of it must be with the Iewes they are to be caput Imperii the head and seat of this Empire must be amongst them these are the Saints of the most High mentioned by Daniell and therefore in that part of his Prophesy which he wrote in the Chaldean Tongue then commonly known and spoken in the East being the language of the Babylonish Empire he speaketh of them obscurely and under borrowed expressions but coming to those visions which he wrote in Hebrew for the sole use of the Church he is much more expresse concerning the people of whom he spake The Rod of Christs strength goes out of Syon and thence he proceeds to rule those that were his enemies Psal. 110. 2. All the promises of the glorious Kingdome of Christ are to be accomplished in the gathering of the Gentiles with the glory of the Jewes The Redeemer comes to Syon and to them that turne from transgression that great transgression of unbeliefe in Iacob Isai. 59. 20. Then shall the Lord rise upon them and his glory shall be seen upon them the Gentiles shall come to their light and Kings to the brightnesse of their rising Isai 60. 2 3. I dare say there is not any promise anywhere of raising up a Kingdome unto the Lord Christ in this World but it is either expressed or clearely intimated that the beginning of it must be with the Iews and that in contradistinction to the Nations so eminently in that glorious description of it Mich. 4. 7 8. I will make her that halted a remnant and her that was cast a farre off a strong Nation and the Lord shall reigne over them in Mount Syon from hence forth even for ever and thou O Tower of the flock the strong hold of the Daughter of Syon unto thee shall it come even the first Dominion the Kingdome shall come to the Daughter of Ierusalem When the great hunter Nimrod set up a Kingdome the beginning of it was Babell Gen. 10. 10. when the great Shepheard sets up his Kingdome the beginning of it shall be Syon so farther it is at large expressed Mich. 5. 7 8. Nothing is more cleare to any who being not carryed away with weake carnall apprehensions of things present have once seriously weighed the promises of God to this purpose what the Lord Christ will doe with them and by them is not so cleare this is certain that their returne shall be marvelous glorious as life from the dead When then Euphrates shall be dryed up Turkish power and Popish Idolatry be taken out of the world and these Kings of the East are come when the seed of Abraham being multiplied like the starres of Heaven and the sands of the Sea shore shall possesse the gates of their enemies and shall have peace in their borders we may lift up our heads towards the fulnesse of our redemption but whilest these things are or may be for any thing we know a farre off to dream of setting up an outward glorious visible kingdome of Christ which he must beare rule in and over the world be it in Germany or in England is but an ungrounded presumption The Jewes not called Antichrist not destroyed the Nations of the World generally wrapt up in Idolatry and false-worship little dreaming of their deliverance wil the Lord Christ leave the world in this state set up his Kingdome here on a mole-hil 5. This is a perpetuall Antithesis and opposition that is put between the Kingdoms of the World and the Kingdome of Christ that they rise out of the strivings of the winds upon the Sea he comes with the clouds of Heaven They are brought in by commotions tumults warres desolations and so shall all the shakings of the Nations be to punish them for their old opposition and to translate them into a subserviency to his interest The comming in of the kingdome of Christ shall not be by the Arme of flesh nor shall it be the product of the strifes and contests of men which are in the world it is not to be done by might or power but by the spirit of the Lord of Hosts 2. Zech. 4. 6. great Warres desolations alterations shall precede it but it is not the sonnes of men that by outward force shall build the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven adorned as a Bride from Christ fitted and prepared by himselfe certainly the strivings of men about this businesse shall have no influence into it It shall be by the glorious manifestation of his own power and that by his spirit subduing the soules of men unto it not by the sword of man setting up a few to rule over others Hence it is every where called a creating of a new heaven and a new earth Isa 65. 17. a work doublesse to difficult for the wormes of the earth to undertake There is nothing more opposite to the spirit of the
he gave at first who faithfully discharged the trust committed to them not that I suppose them bound to the Mosaicall rules of penalties in reference to transgressions and offences against Gospell institutions but only that a duty in generall is incumbent on them in reference to the Church and truth of God which they should faithfully discharge of which afterward This then being the occasion of those promises and their accomplishment being as before in a peculiar manner poynted at upon the shaking calling and new moulding of the Kingdomes and Nations of the World which had given their power to the Beast and thereupon framed a new into a due subserviency to the interest of Christ here is not the least shadow or colour left for the turning off and rejecting the sweetnesse of all these promises upon an account of their being meerely metaphoricall and shadowing out spirituall glories neither their beginning nor ending neither their rise or fall will beare any such glosse or corrupting interpretation 3. As to the matter of these promises I shall only assert this in generall that the Lord ingageth that Judges Rulers Magistrates and such like shall put forth their power and act clearly for the good welfare and prosperity of the Church This is plainly held out in every one of them hence the Kingdoms are said to serve the Church that is all Kingdoms they must doe so or be broken in pieces and cease to be Kingdoms and how can a Kingdome as a Kingdome for it is taken formally and not materially meerely for the individualls of it as appears by the threatning of its being broken in pieces serve the Church but by putting forth its power and strength in her behalfe Isai 60. 12. and therefore upon the accomplishment of that promise they are said to become the Kingdoms of the Lord Christ Rev. 11. 15. because as Kingdoms they serve him with their Power and Authority having before as such and by their power opposed him to the utmost They must nurse the Church not with dry breasts nor feed it with stones and Scorpions but with the good things committed to them Their Power and substance in protection and supportment are to be ingaged in the behalfe thereof hence God is said to give these Judges Rulers Princes Kings Queenes to the Church not setting them in the Church as Officers thereof but ordering their state in the world Rev 11. 15. to its behoofe In summe there is not any one of the promises recited but holds forth the utmost of what I intend to assert from them all viz. that the Lord hath promised That the Magistrates whom he will give own and blesse shall put forth their power and act in that capacity wherein he hath placed them in the World for the good furtherance and prosperity of the truth and Church of Christ they shall protect them with their Power feed them with their substance adorne them with their favour the priviledges wherewith they are intrusted they shall break their forcibly oppressing adversaries and take care that those who walk in the truth of the Lord may lead a peaceable life in all Godlinesse and honesty If then you are such Magistrates as God hath promised as woe be unto you if you are not know that he hath undertaken for you that you shall performe this part of your duty and I pray that you may rule with him therein and be found faithfull 2. The Second ground that I would poynt unto as a bottome of your actings in this thing ariseth from sundry undoubted principles which I shall briefly mention and the First is That the Gospell of Jesus Christ hath a right to be Preached and propagated in every Nation and to every creature under Heaven Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings Rev. 17. 14. The Nations are given to be his inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth to be his possession Ps. 2. 8 9. He is appoynted the Heir of all things Heb. 1. 2. God hath set him over the works of his hands and put all things in subjection under his feet Ps. 8. 7. And upon this account he gives commission to his messengers to Preach the Gospell to all Nations Math. 28. 19. Or to every creature under Heaven Mark 16. 17. The Nations of the World being of the Father given to him he may deale with them as he pleaseth and either bruise them with a rod of Iron and breake them in pieces as a Potters vessell Ps. 2. 9. He may fill the places of the Earth with their dead bodies and strike in pieces the heads of the Countries Ps. 110. 6. Or he may make them his own and bring them in subjection unto himselfe which towards some of them he will effect Rev. 11. 19. Now the Gospell being the rod of his power and the Scepter of his Kingdome the grand instrument whereby he accomplisheth all his designes in the world whether they be for life or for death 2 Cor. 2. 16. he hath given that a right to take possession in his name and authority of all that he will own in any Nation under Heaven And indeed he hath in all of them some that are his peculiar purchase Rev. 5. 9. Whom in despight of all the World he will bring in unto himselfe To have free passage into all Nations is the undoubted right of the Gospell and the Persons of Christs goodwill have such a right to it interest in it that look from whomsoever they may claim protection in reference unto any other of their most undoubted concernments amongst men of them may they claime protection in respect of their quiet injoyment and possession of the Gospell 2. That where ever the Gospell is by any Nation owned received embraced it is the blessing benefit prosperity and advantage of that Nation They that love Syon shall prosper Psal. 122. 6. Godlinesse hath the promise of this life and is profitable unto all 1 Tim. 4. 8. The reception of the word of truth and subjection to Christ therein causing a people to become willing in the day of his power entitleth that people to all the promises that ever God made to his Church they shall be established in righteousnesse they shall be farre from oppression and for feare and terrour they shall not draw nigh unto them whosoever contends against such a people shall fall thereby no weapon that is formed against them shall prosper every tongue that shall rise against them in judgement they shall condemne for this is the inheritance of the servants of the Lord Isai. 14. 14 15 17. To the prosperity of a Nation two things are required 1. That they be freed from oppression injustice cruelty disorder confusion in themselves from their rulers or others 2. That they be protected from the sword and violence of them that seek their ruine from without And both these doe a people receive by receiving the Gospell 1. For the first they have the promise of God
that they shall have Judges as at the first Isa 1. 26. Such as in justice and judgement shall beare rule over them and among them as the first Judges whom he stirred up and gave to his ancient people Their Officers shall be Peace and their Exactors righteousnesse Isai. 60. 17. even the very Gospell which they doe receive is only able to instruct them to be just ruling in the feare of the Lord for that only effectually teacheth the sonnes of men to live righteously soberly and Godly in this present World Tit 2. 12. 2. And for the second innumerable are the promises that are given to such a people whence the Psalmist concludes upon the consideration of the mercies they doe and shall enjoy happy is the People whose God is the Lord Psal 144. 15. The glorious God will be to them a place of rivers and broad waters in which no Gally with oares nor gallant Ship shall passe by the Lord will be their redeemer Law-giver King and Saviour Isai 33. 21. It will interest any people in all the promises that are made for the using of the Church to thresh break destroy burthen fire consume and slay the enemies thereof so farre shall a people be from suffering under the hands of oppressors that the Lord will use them for the breaking and destruction of the Nimrods of the Earth and this blessing of the Nations doe they receive by the faith of Abraham 3. The rejection of the Gospell by any people or Nation to whom it is tendred is alwaies attended with the certain and inevitable destruction of that people or Nation which sooner or later shall without any help or deliverance be brought upon them by the revenging hand of Christ When the word of Grace was rejected and despised by the Jewes the messengers of it professedly turning to the Gentiles Act 13. 46. and chap. 28. v. 28. God removing it from them unto a Nation that would bring forth fruit Math. 21. 43. As it did in all the World or among all Nations for a season Col 1. 6 With what a fearfull and tremendous desolation he quickly wasted that people is known to all he quickly slew and destroyed those Husbandmen that spoyled his vineyard and let it forth unto others that might bring him his fruit in due season Hence when Christ is tendred in the Gospell the Judges and Rulers of the Nations are exhorted to obedience to him upon paine of being destroyed upon the refusall thereof Psal 2. 12. And we have the experience of all Ages ever since the day that the Gospell began to be propagated in the World The quarrell of it was revenged on the Jewes by the Romans upon the Romans by the Goths Vandalls and innumerable barbarous Nations and the vengeance due to the Antichristian World is at hand even at the doore The Lord will certainly make good his promise to the utmost that the Kingdoms and Nations which will not serve the Church even that Kingdome and those Nations shall utterly perish Isai. 60. 12. 4. That it is the duty of Magistrates to seeke the good peace and prosperity of the people committed to their charge and to prevent obviate remove take away every thing that will bring confusion destruction desolation upon them as Mordecai procured good things for his people and prosperity to his kindred Esther 10. 4. And David describes himselfe with all earnestnesse pursuing the same designe Ps 101. Magistrates are the Ministers of God for the good universall good of them to whom they are given Rom. 13. 14. and they are to watch and apply themselves to this very thing v. 6. And the reason the Apostle gives to stirre up the Saints of God to pray amongst all sorts of men in speciall for Kings and those that are in Authority to wit that they may in generall come to the knowledge of the faith and be saved and in particular discharge the duty and trust committed to them for on that account are they to pray for them as Kings and men in Authority is that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse honesty 1 Tim: 2. 1 2 3 4. It being incumbent on them to act even as Kings and men in Authority that we may so doe they are to feed the people committed to their charge with all their might unto universall peace and welfare now the things that are opposite to the good of any Nation or people are of two sorts First such as are really directly and immediatly opposed to that state and condition wherein they close together and find prosperity In generall seditions tumults disorders In particular violent or fraudulent breakings in upon the respective designed bounds priviledges and enjoyments of singular persons without any consideration of him who ruleth all things are of this kind If Nations and rulers might be supposed to be Atheists yet such evills as these tending to their dissolution and not being they would with all their strength labour to prevent either by watching against their commission or inflicting vengeance on them that commit them that others may heare and feare and doe so no more 2. Such as are morally and meritoriously opposed to their good and wellfare in that they will certainly pluck down the judgements and wrath of God upon that Nation or people where they are practised and allowed there are sinnes for which the wrath of God will be assuredly revealed from heaven against the children of disobedience Sodom and Gomorrah are set forth as examples of his righteous judgement in this kind And shall he be thought a Magistrate to beare out the name authority and presence of God to men that so he and his people have present peace like a heard of Swine cares not though such things as will certainly first eat and devoure their strength and then utterly consume them doe passe for currant seeing that they that rule over men must be just ruling in the feare of the Lord the sole reason why they sheath the sword of justice in the bowells of Theeves Murtherers Adulterers is not because their outward peace is actually disturbed by them and therefore they must give example of terrour to others who being like minded yet are not yet actually given up to the practice of the like abomination but also yea principally because he in whose stead they stand and minister to the World is provoked by such wickednesse to destroy both the one and the other And if there be the same reason to be evidenced concerning other things they also call for the same procedure To gather up now what hath been spoken considering the Gospells right and title to be propagated with all its concernments in every Nation under heaven the blessing peace prosperity and protection wherewith it is attended when and where received and the certain destruction and desolation which accompanies the rejection and contempt thereof considering the duty that by Gods appoyntment is incumbent on them that rule over men