The Pattern of Wholesome Words, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII. Of the Regall office of Christ.
HItherto of the priestly office of Christ, his regall office followes. And heere first I will plainly lay downe the principles, and proue them: and then for more euidence methodically for explication shew the parts of his office heerein: and lastly make vses of all.
There are seuen things to bee beleeued concerning Christ, which belong to his regall office.
First, that he ouercame sinne, death, the graue, and hell, and rose againe from the dead, and ascended into heauen, and sitteth at the right hand of God in maiesty.
That he is risen from the dead, these places are euident to keepe in our memories, Rom. 1.4. And declared mightily to be the Sonne of God, touching the spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead.
Rom. 4.25. Who was deliuered to death for our sinnes, and is risen againe for our iustification.
1. Cor. 15.54. Then shall bee brought to passe the saying that is written, Death is swallowed vp into victory.
Ioh. 20.12. And saw two Angels in white, sitting the one at the head, the other at the feet, where the body of Iesus had laien, &c.
Mark. 16.6. But hee said vntounto them, be not afraid, ye seeke Iesus of Nazareth, which hath been crucified: he is risen, he is not here, behold the place where they put him, &c.
14. Finally, hee appeared vntounto the eleuen, as they sate together, and reproued them of their vnbeleefe, and hardnesse of heart, because they beleeued not them which had seene him, being risen vp againe.
2. Tim. 2.8. Remember that Iesus Christ made of the seed of Dauid, was raised again from the dead, according to my Gospell, &c.
That hee ascended into heauen, these places may suffice to proue it, Mark. 16.19. So after the Lord had spoken vntounto them, he was receiued into heauen, and sat at the right hand of God.
Luk. 24.51. And it came to passe that as he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried vp into heauen.
Act. 1.9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken vp; for a cloud tooke him vp out of their sight.
Ephes. 4.8.9.10. Wherefore hee saith, when he ascended vp on high: hee led captiuity captiue, and gaue gifts vntounto men.
Now in that he ascended, what is it, but that hee had also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth.
Hee that descended, is euen the same that ascended farre aboue all heauens, that he might fill all things.
That hee sitteth at the right hand of God, these places proue, Mark. 16.19. So after the Lord had spoken vntounto them, hee was receiued into heauen, and sate at the right hand of God.
Heb. 1.9. VntoUnto which also of the Angels said he at any time: Sit at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy foot-stoole, &c.
Heb. 8.1. Now of the things which wee hauehave spoken, this is the summe, that we hauehave such an high Priest that sitteth at the right hand of the throne of the maiesty in heauen, &c.
Eph. 1.20.21. Which he wrought in Christ when hee raised him from the dead, and set him at his right hand in the heauenly places.
Farre aboue all principalities and power, and might, and dominion, and eueryevery name that is named, not in this world onelyonly, but also in that that is to come, &c▪
Colos. 3.1. If yee then bee risen with Christ, seek those things which are aboue, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.
2. That Christ who purchased the Church by his blood, is appointed of God to be the King, and head of the Church, and Prince ouer the people of God, hauing all power in his owne hands, Psalm. 2.6. Euen I hauehave set my King vponupon Sion mine holy mountaine.
Matth. 28.18. And Iesus came and spake vntounto them saying, All power is giuen vntounto mee in heauen and in earth.
Ioh. 13.3. Iesus knowing that the Father had giuen all things into his hands, and that hee was come from God, and went to God.
Colos. 1.18. And he is the head of the body of the Church, he is the beginning and the first borne of the dead, that in all things hee might hauehave the preeminence.
Reuel. 19.16. And he hath vponupon his garment, and vponupon his thigh a name written: The King of kings, and Lord of lords.
3. That he is likewise appointed to bee the law-giuer to the Church, and the Iudge of the whole world, Iam. 4.12. There is one law-giuer, which is able to saue and to destroy: who art thou that iudgest another man?
Ioh. 5.22. For the Father iudgeth no man, but hath committed all iudgement vntounto the Sonne.
27. And hath giuen him power also to execute iudgement, in that he is the sonne of man.
Act. 10.42. And he commanded vsus to preach vntounto the people, and to testifie that it is he that is ordained of God, a iudge of quicke and dead.
Act. 17.31. Because hee hath appointed a day, in the which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse, by that man whom he hath appointed, whereof he hath giuen him an assurance vntounto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead, &c.
2. Tim. 4.1. I charge ye therefore before God, and before the Lord Iesus Christ, which shall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing, and in his kingdome, &c.
4. That his gouernment extends to the people of all nations, Psalm. 2.8. Aske of me, and I will giuegive thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the endes of the earth for thy possession.
Matth. 28.18. And Iesus came and spake vntounto them, saying: All power is giuen vntounto mee in heauen and in earth, &c.
Phil. 2.10.11. That at the name of Iesus should eueryevery knee bow, both of things in heauen, and things in earth, and things vnderunder the earth.
And that eueryevery tongue should confesse, that Iesus Christ is the Lord, vntounto the glory of God the Father.
5. That his kingdome is not of this world, but a spirituall and celestiall kingdome, Ioh. 18. 36. Iesus answered, my kingdome is not of this world; if my kingdome were of this world, my seruants would surely fight, that I should not be deliuered to the Iewes; but now is my kingdome not from hence.
Rom. 14.17. For the kingdome of God is not meate, nor drinke, but righteousnesse, and peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost.
6. That hee will bee with his people to the end of the world, Matth. 28.20. Teaching them to obserue all things, whatsoeuer I hauehave commanded you: and loe I am with you alwaies vntill the end of the world, Amen.
7. This his kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome, Luk. 1. 33. And hee shall raigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdome shall be no end.
Heb. 12.28. Wherfore seeing we receiue a kingdome which cannot be shaken, let vsus hauehave grace, wherby we may so serue God, that wee may please him with reuerence and feare.
Dan. 2.44. And in the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heauen set vp a Kingdome, which shall neuer be destroyed, and this kingdome shall not be giuen to another people, but it shall breake and destroy all these kingdomes, and it shall stand for euer.
Dan. 7.14. And he gaue him dominion, and honour, and a kingdome, that all people, nations, and languages should serue him; his dominion is an euerlasting dominion, which shall neuer be taken away, and his kingdome shall neuer be destroyed, &c.
Against this last principle may bee obiected the words of the Apostle, Obiection.1 Cor. 15.24. Then shall be the end, when hee hath deliuered the kingdome vp to God, euen the Father, when he hath put downe all rule, and all authority, and power. And therefore after that time it seemes hee shall raigne no more. For answere thereunto, we must know,Solution. that Christ shall not then cease to raigne, but only cease to raigne after the same manner he doth now. That manner of administration, which hee now vseth in gathering and preseruing his Church shall then cease, there shall be then no need of it.
Thus of the principles.
Now for the explication, that wee may more distinctly conceiue of this office of Christ, as King, we must consider of foure things in it.
1. The victory ouer the enemies, that opposed his title.
2 His kingly glory, with which he was qualified, and prepared for gouernment.
3. His taking of possession of the kingdome.
4. His administration, after he had possession.
For the first, Christ fought for his kingdome, and most victoriously ouercame the Diuell, sinne, death and hell, and rescued his subiects from their thraldome, 1. Cor. 15.54.55. Colos. 2.15. Heb. 2.14. And this victory hee accomplished, and proclaimed in his resurrection from the dead.
For the second: the Regall glory of Christ consisted in two things: the first was the glorification of his humane nature. And the second was his triumph ouer his enemies.
The glorificatiō of his humane nature contained, 1. the deposition of all the infirmities accompanying our nature, which hee vndertooke for our sakes; so as now hee ceased to hunger, or thirst, or bee weary, or feele any paine, or griefe, nor could he suffer any more, or die.
2. The perfecting of his humane nature, with all the degrees of celestiall gifts and endowments could possibly befall a created nature, both in body and mind. His very body was glorified, surpassing the Sunne in the firmament, for splendor and brightnesse.
Now for the triumph of Christ, he acted it two waies:
1. In those frequent manifestations after his resurrection for the 40. dayes hee was pleased to abide on earth.
2. In that most glorious ascension riding in the chariot of triumph vp into heauen, leading with him captiuity captiue.
The third thing is, his taking possession of his kingdome, and this he did, when he sat downe at the right hand of the Maiesty of God, and was exalted aboue all that is named, and had power ouer all things giuen him of his Father.
The fourth thing is, his administration of the kingdome, of which hee is now possest; and this hath in it foure things:
1. The calling and gathering together both of Iewes and Gentiles belonging to the election of God, Rom. 8.30. Ephes. 4.11. 12. Esa. 11.11.12.
2. The prescribing of lawes, as the onelyonly law-giuer of the Church, and this he doth when hee propoundeth vntounto his subiects the rules both of beleeuing, and liuing by the word and ministry of the same, adding thereunto the work of the Spirit, writing his lawes vponupon their hearts, Iam. 4.12. Ier. 31.33. 2. Cor. 3. 17.18.
3. The donation of gifts, inabling men to the Kingdome of God, Ephes. 4.8. Philip. 1.29.
4. The execution of Iustice, and so he doth iustice,
1. Amongst his owne subiects, and so he doth them Iustice,
1. In iustifying them from their sins, in acquitting them and pronouncing them absolued from all the sentences of Gods iustice giuen out against them.
2. By distributing rewards among them, both in spirituall and temporall things.
3. By keeping them in their bonds, and preseruing them in the feare of God, and a iust course of life.
2. Against his enemies, whom he either restraines, or subdues: hee restraines them, by setting them their bounds, which they may not passe; by infatuating their counsels, and by being a wall of brasse about his owne. He subdues them either by conuerting them, and so making them come in, and doe him homage, or else by confounding them, which he begins partly by outward iudgements, partly by induration, as deliuering them vp to a reprobate sense, and accomplishing it in their miserable ends, casting them into vtter darkenesse.
This administration of his kingdome he executes, partly in this life, and partly in the world to come: the one is his kingdom of grace, the other of glory; what is but begun here, is fully made compleate in that other world.
The Vses of the Regall office of Christ follow,
And those are partly for Instruction, partly for Consolation.
First, for Instruction, and wee should learne,
1. To ascribe all glory, and dominion to him for euer, wee should so admire the greatnesse and maiesty of our King, as our hearts should bee most affectionately moued to his continuall praises: Let the people praise thee, O God, yea, let all the people praise thee; O sing praises to our God, sing praises, sing praises with vnderstanding, Psal. 47.6.7. Reuel. 1.5.
Reuel. 5.12.13.14. Saying with a loud voice, Worthie is the Lambe, that was killed to receiue power, and riches, and wisdome, and strength, and honour, and glory, and praise.
And all the creatures, which are in heauen, and on the earth, and vnderunder the earth, and in the sea, and all that are in them heard I saying; Praise, and honour, and glory, and power be vntounto him, that sitteth vponupon the throne, and vntounto the Lambe for euermore, &c.
And to this end wee should learne
2. To pray, that God would giuegive vsus the spirit of wisdome and reuelation, that the eies of our vnderstanding may bee enlightned to discerne the working of his mighty power, which hee wrought in Christ; when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his owne right hand in heauenly places farre aboue all principalities, and powers, and eueryevery name that is named, not onelyonly in this world, but also in that which is to come; & hath put all things vnderunder his feete, and made him head ouer all things belonging to the Church, Ephes. 1.17. to the end.
And with all we should stirre vp our selues
3. To pray daily, that his kingdome may come, that the people that yet are in darkenesse, may be conuerted; and that his glory may shine more and more in those, that hauehave submitted themselues to his Scepter: and to this end, that the ordinances of his kingdome, especially the preaching of the Gospell may run with power, and mightily conquer and enlarge the bounds of his kingdome; and that all opposite kingdomes may be subuerted, as is that of Anti-Christ, especially that his kingdome of glory may be hastened vponupon vsus.
And for our owne parts wee should eueryevery one be ready,
4. To send our Lamb to the Ruler of the earth, Isai. 16.1. to tender our homage, and offer our seruice, & testifie our aleageance with all humilitie, and thankefulnesse vntounto this King of Kings, the Lord our mighty Redeemer, and throughout the course of our liues.
5. To bow at the name of Iesus, and to feare him, that is a great King aboue all gods, and hath a name aboue all names: to confesse his soueraigntie, and submit to his gouernment, and to tremble before him, and to thinke of him with all reuerence, Phil. 2.9.10 11. Psalm. 2.10.11.
6. And to come willingly at all the times of the publike assembly of his armies in holy beauty, we should all flock to the colours of the King, and neuer giuegive ouer the care of assembling our selues in the courts of our God; but with al gladnesse go vp to the house of the Lord, the courts of the King, the place of his holy presence, where he sits in his throne amongst vsus, Ps. 110.3.
7. To seeke to Christ in al our necessities, seeing hee is so exalted, that now he is able to help vsus in all times of need according to the riches of his glory.
8. To be tender, and zealous for the glory and honor of Christ: shall not our hearts rise at the dishonour of our King?
9. To obserue whatsoeuer he commands, in nothing refusing him, that speaketh from heauen, Mat. 28.20. Teaching them to obserue all things, whatsoeuer I hauehave commanded you, &c.
Heb. 12.25. See that ye despise not him, that speaketh; for if they escaped not, which refused him, that spake on earth: much more shall we not escape, if wee turne away from him, that speaketh from heauen, &c.
10. To seeke those things that are aboue, where he sitteth at the right hand of God, and to hauehave our conuersation in heauen, since as subiects of his kingdome wee are freemen of the new Ierusalem, the Metropolis of his kingdome.
Philip. 3.20. But our conuersation is in heauen, from whence also we looke for the Sauiour, euen the Lord Iesus Christ.
Col. 3.1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seeke those things which are aboue, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, &c.
11. To dwell securely, as acknowledging wee hauehave secure protection in his seruice, and not to be afraid of any feare, Ier. 23. 5.6. Behold, the daies come, saith the Lord, that I will raise vntounto Dauid a righteous branch, and a King shall raigne and prosper, and shall execute iudgement and iustice in the earth.
In his daies Iuda shall be saued, and Israel shall dwell safely, and this is the name whereby they shall call him; The Lord our righteousnes, &c.
12. To carry our selues, as the seruants of the King. His subiects should differ in their manners from all other nations; and his seruāts should order themselues so, as may become his honour. And thus wee should alwaies resist to our power the kingdom of darkenesse, and set our selues to ouercome the world, and as conquerours to denie our selues in the affection to the profits, and pleasures, &c. of the world: and liue out of the feare of the disgrace of the world, knowing it is honor enough to be such a Kings seruants; and out of feare euen of death it selfe, as knowing our deliuerance by the victory, which our Sauiour had ouer death; and the assurance that he will come againe, and make our vile bodies like to his glorious body.
And as this may teach men in general, so there be diuers things to bee vrged from hence vponupon particular persons: as
First, Kings, Iudges, and Rulers of the people should take notice of this, and do their homage, and bring their presents to this King of al Kings, Psalm. 68.29. and seeing they are but his Vicegerents, they should bee learned in the Lawes of his kingdome, and get wisdome to carry themselues so, as may become those that represent his person, not daring to oppose the gouernment of Christ, or to set themselues to oppresse his subiects, Psalm. 2.10.11.
Secondly, Ministers should especially stirre vp themselues to mind this great worke of separating men from the world, to the kingdome of Christ.
Thirdly, priuat Christians must take heed of iudging one another: for all iudgement is committed to the Sonne, and hee is the onelyonly supreme Iudge and Lawgiuer; and therefore the Apostle Iames inferres, wee ought not to iudge our brethren.
Fourthly, such as hauehave parted with their friends by death, must not sorrow for them that are gone, as men without hope, seeing the kingdom of God is come vponupon them, and they are with the Lord, and their dead bodies shall Christ bring with him in his comming, therefore they should not shame the gouernment of Christ by the ignorance heereof, but comfort themselues with these things, 1. Thes. 4.13.
Secondly, this may serue for wonderful consolation to the godly, and that two waies,
1. The children of Zion may reioyce in their King, Psal. 149. 2. Let Israel reioyce in him, that made him, and let the children of Zion reioyce in their King. If they consider their wonderfull happinesse, in being subiect to such a King, as
1. Was chosen and appointed by God himselfe immediately, Psalm. 2.6.7.8. Euen I hauehave set my King vponupon Zion mine holy mountaine.
2. Was qualified with gifts aboue all his fellowes, euen aboue all the men on earth, or Angels in heauen, Psalm. 45.2.
3. Is independant: his subiects are not charged with supporting or defending him, but he defends and maintains them, Isaiah 9.7.
4. Is alwaies present with his subiects, Matth. 28.20. And loe, I am with you alway vntill the end of the world, Amen.
5. Is head of all principalities and powers, and hath all honour and power giuen him in heauen and earth, rules ouer all nations, people, and languages, Col. 2.9. Dan. 7.13. 14.27.
6. Cannot die, but liues for euer.
2. They ought exceedingly to reioyce, if they consider the priuiledges they hauehave in being subiects in the Kingdome of Christ: for thereby
1. They hauehave the fauor and presence of God with them; his couenant of peace, and his sanctuary with them, Ezech. 37.26.27.
2. They hauehave great dignitie, they are made Kings themselues, a roiall Nation: they are Princes of the people, euen all the people of the God of Abraham, Reuel. 1.6. 1. Peter 2.9.
3. They hauehave roiall entertainement, and are daily feasted of their King, daily banquets in the Word and Sacraments, Christ supping with them, Reuel. 3. yea, giuing his owne body for meate, and his own blood for drink, Isa. 25.6.
4. They dwell safely, and find shelter and succour in all distresses, Isaiah 25.4. Ezech. 34.25. Michael the great Prince standeth for the children of the people, Dan. 12.1.
5. Their King is exalted to the supremest honour, and therefore is able to preserue them wonderfully; and promised before hee was exalted, that he would prouide them a place, Iohn 14.2.