Gospel Conversation, Sermon 3
SERMON III.
JOHN, 18. 36.
Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, My Kingdom is not of this world.
WHAT this Kingdom of Chriſt was, and how different from the kingdoms of this world we have already opened unto you. The fourth Uſe which we are to proceed in, is, If the kingdom of Chriſt be not of this world, then of all diſpoſitions, a worldly ſpirit is moſt unſutable to thoſe who profeſs themſelves to be of the Kingdom of Chriſt. Certainly, then ſuch as are Beleevers, that are come under the Kingdom of Chriſt, they muſt not be of earthly hearts: We find the Apoſtle in the Epiſtle of the Epheſians, doth rank Covetouſneſs, and Uncleanneſs together, and ſaith of them both, in the 5. Chapter, 3. Verſe, Let it not be once named among you, as becometh Saints: So that a covetous heart after the things of the world, it is ſuch a diſpoſition, as it ſhould ſcarce be named among Saints no more than whoredom, they ſhould abſtain from it, as from whordom, as it becometh Saints. It is the moſt uncomly thing for a Saint of God, one of the Kingdom of Chriſt to have a covetous heart for the things of the world, that poſſibly can be. As it becomes them; it doth not become you; And Luther that was a great man for the promoting of the Kingdom of Chriſt, he is bold to profeſs it; That of all ſins, he was ſcarce ever tempted to that ſin, he found nothing tending almoſt that way; though it's true, there's no ſin, but we have the ſeeds of it in our hearts; but yet he found his ſpirit moſt above that worldly ſin, becauſe he was ſo much taken up with Jeſus Chriſt. And indeed, the more any ſoul is taken up with the excellency of Chriſt, and with the glorious things of His Kingdom, the more vile will the things of the world be to them. We look not at the things that are ſeen (ſaith the Apoſtle) they are not things to be looked at, But at the things that are not ſeen. And in the 6. of the Gal. 14. ver. The Apoſtle Paul, that was the great man for the promoting of Chriſt in the world, and the ſetting up of His Throne; he profeſſes, That he was crucified to the world, and the world was crucified to him: That is, he look't upon the world, but as a crucified thing. What eſteem would you have of a man that is hanging upon a gallows? All the world was to him no otherwiſe, was a thing crucified to him, and he was crucified to the world, the world cares not for me, and I care not for the world, I am quit with it that way, and do as much ſlight, and contemn the world, and trample it under foot, as the world ſlights and contemns me, and tramples me under foot. This ſhould be the diſpoſition of a Chriſtian that is under the kingdom of Chriſt: for now it is to converſe with things of another nature: And therefore you find that Chriſt, He ſaith of thoſe that are given to Him by the Father, They are given unto Him out of the world: John, 17. 6. I have manifeſted thy Name to the men whom thou haſt given me out of the world. No men have Chriſt manifeſted unto them, but thoſe whom the Father doth give Him out of the world: Saith the Father, Here's ſo many of the world, And there are a ſelect company that I wil take out of this rude heap and maſs of man-kind; and I'le give them to thee: Take them, and manifeſt thy ſelf unto them. If this be ſo, that thoſe that come under Chriſt's Kingdom, are given unto Him out of the world, then though they live in the world, they ſhould not live as of the world.
Secondly, They are choſen out of the world, John, 15. 19. And they are delivered from the world by Chriſt. Gal. 1. 4. And they are oppoſed to the children of the world. Luke, 16. 8, ſpeaking of divers ſorts of people; and makes the diſtinction between one and another: The Lord commended the unjuſt ſteward becauſe he had done wiſely: For the children of this world are, in their generation, wiſer than the children of light: Theſe two are oppoſed one to another, the children of this world and the children of light are quite contrary one to another; for indeed one is in the kingdom of darkneſs, and the other in the Kingdom of light, in the Kingdom of the dear Son of God; you muſt be children of light, others are children of the world; it becomes a child of the world to follow after the things of the world; but not the children of light: You are choſen out of the world, that you may be the light of the world. So the Scripture ſpeaks of the Saints, That they ſhould be the light of the world: Philippians, 2. 15. Now if they have as worldly hearts as others, how can they be the lights of the world? Oh! many that are Profeſſors of Religion, they are indeed but dark lanthorns, they have a candle in them, have ſome kind of knowledg, but by their worldly Converſations they are made but as dark lanthorns, that the light of knowledg and profeſſion that they have is ſo darkned by it, as none can ſee the beauty and excellency of Jeſus Chriſt ſhining through them.
Thirdly, Surely it is a very unbeſeeming diſpoſition in one that is under the Kingdom of Chriſt to be worldly: for he is appointed to be one that ſhall judge the world another day, In 1 Cor. 6. 2. The Saints ſhall judge the world. Now there ſhould be a great deal of difference between Judges, and thoſe that are judged by them: if they be of the ſame diſpoſition that the world is, why ſhould any be choſen out of the world to judge them? Now all the Saints if they do beleeve themſelves to be brought into the Kingdom of Chriſt, they ſhould look upon themſelves as thoſe that are appointed by God hereafter to judge the whol world, and therefore they ſhould not live ſo as the men of the world do, but as Judges, very preciſely and ſtrictly according to rule.
4ly It is required of them that they ſhould hate their own lives in this world, John, 12. 15. Now if the Saints ſhould be ſuch as ſhould ſee ſo much excellency in the Kingdom of Chriſt as to hate their very lives in this world, then ſurely to look upon all things in this world as contemptible as hateful in compariſon: it is not meant Hate their lives, that is, Abſolutely, but in Compariſon: when any comfort or preſervation of their lives in this world, comes in the leaſt competition with the furtherance of the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt: They ſhould look upon the comforts of their lives as a hateful thing, and look upon the very preſervation of their lives as a hateful thing; ſhall I make my life comfortable with any hindrance unto the Kingdom of Chriſt? Oh 'tis that that my ſoul ſhould abhor, and ſo ſhould I preſerve my life with doing any thing that may be any prejudice to the Kingdom of Chriſt, I ſhould look upon the very ſuggeſtion to ſuch a thing as that that my very ſoul doth abhor, And we find in Scripture that it's made an argument of apoſtaſie, of one that's falling off from the profeſſion of Chriſt to imbrace the world, as it is ſaid of Demas in the 2 of Tim. 4. 10. Demas (ſaith Paul) hath forſaken me, but what is it that hath made Demas to forſake me? he hath imbraced this preſent world. So look upon many of your Profeſſors of Religion, ſuch vsus have been very forward in former times, and Oh nothing but Chriſt in their mouthes, they afterward begin to decline, and wax worſer and worſer, but obſerve them, they imbrace this preſent world, it is becauſe of ſome honors and eſteem, ſome comforts, riches, & eſtates that they would have, or live at eaſe in this preſent world, they cannot endure the hatred of the world. So it was with Demas, when he began to hear Paul, he perceived that it was a great excellency to be one of Pauls followers, Paul, he wrought miracles, and Demas (I ſay) thought it an excellent thing to follow Paul; but after he had followed Paul a while, he found that he was perſecuted, and he ſaw there was no preferment came in by Pauls preaching, nothing but blows and impriſonments; and ſcorns, and contempt, then Demas begins to bethink himſelf better, and thinks he was miſtaken; I had thought that this Paul would have been a great man in the world one day, and that by my following of him I ſhould get great matters to my ſelf, but when he ſaw that all men were ſet againſt Paul, and nothing but perſecution was like to betide him, and his Diſciples; Demas begins to bethink himſelf, And is it not better for me to keep my credit, and eſteem in this world; ſo Demas leaves him to ſhift for himſelf: and therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Demas hath forſaken me, and imbraced this preſent world. This may be written upon every Apoſtates grave, Here lies an Apoſtate that hath forſaken Jeſus Chriſt, and hath imbraced this preſent world. But obſerve it, and look upon thoſe that were forward in Religion, and now are not; and ſee whether they have not more worldly hearts than before, and give themſelves up to honors, and pleaſures, and profits; Therefore it's exceeding unbeſeeming the Saints to have worldly hearts, they will certainly Apoſtatize, if their hearts take deep root in the earth. If you find your ſpirits ſo glewed to the things of the world, that you know not how to part with them, that you know not how to live in a place, and not to have your neighbors love and reſpect, and to honor you, and to have the countenance of the times in which you live; Do you find your hearts thus cleaving to the things of the world, like the Serpent, that duſt you eat, and upon your belly you go? Know that thou haſt a worldly heart, & thou art like to be an Apoſtate from the Truth of God ere long. In the 2. of Titus, 12. the Apoſtle ſaith, That the grace of God that hath appeared to all men, teaches them to deny all worldly luſts. Oh my brethren! let's labor to walk worthy of our Calling into the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt. 1 Theſſ. 2. 12. There the Apoſtle with a great deal of earneſtneſs ſpeaks to the Theſſalonians, exhorting them, that they would, Walk worthy of God, who hath called them into his Kingdom, and Glory. Are you converted to Chriſt? you are called into this Kingdom; walk worthy of Him: And mark his earneſtneſs in the verſe before, As you know, how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, (as a father doth his children.) We comforted you, in ſhewing you the excellency of the Kingdom of God, and the Priviledges of this Kingdom; we exhorted you, and we charged every one of you, as a father doth his children; And what did he exhort, and charge them to? it was this, That they would walk worthy of God, who had called them into his Kingdom, and his glory. Oh! 'tis a great mercy that God hath revealed any thing of the Kingdom of his Son unto you, walk worthy of it, as it becomes thoſe that are called to be the Subjects of ſuch a glorious Kingdom as this is; and above all things, have a care, and let me warn you of this worldlineſs in the hearts of the Saints: Namely, of a crafty, cunning ſubtilneſs in the things of this life; there is nothing more unbeſeeming a Chriſtian, than a crafty cunning ſubtilneſs for the world: many men bleſs themſelves in this, and they take abundance of content to think, that by their craft and cunning ſophiſtry, they can fetch about things, circumvent others, & ſo provide for themſelves in this world: (I ſay) there is nothing more unbeſeeming a Chriſtian, than to be crafty and cunning in circumventing others, and providing for themſelves in the matters of this world. In 1. Cor. 2. 12. ſaith the Apoſtle, We have not received the ſpirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, it is that we have received. There is many men (you may plainly ſee that) they have the ſpirit of the world, that's thus: I have many times wondered at it; ſome men, come and ſpeak to them about any matters of the Kingdom of Chriſt, they ſpeak ſo fooliſhly and childiſhly, either they muſt hold their peace, and ſay nothing, or elſe if they do ſpeak they diſcover ſo much ignorance, and childiſhneſs that a man would wonder where the underſtandings of ſuch men are that have liv'd ſo long a time in the world as they have done, and heard ſo much of Religion, and when one hears them ſpeak ſo, one would wonder how theſe men ſhould have underſtanding to live in the world: but now, theſe in the buſineſſes of the world they are as worldly politick, no man can out go them there, they can foreſee all kind of dangers in any miſcarriage, and can judge of twenty things together in their thoughts, and compare one thing with another, ſee further into the world than other men; ſo that a man would wonder ſometimes (I ſay) when one hears them ſpeaking of Religion, whether theſe men have any wit or underſtanding? but when one follows them in the things of the world, you ſhall ſee them as witty, as underſtanding, as judicious, and as cunning as any men (almoſt) can be: they have received the ſpirit of the world, and they are led by the ſpirit of the world, the god of this world hath taken poſſeſſion of them, and it's that that makes them ſo: but they have not received the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt, they may ſay quite contrary to the Apoſtle; ſaith the Apoſtle, we have not received the ſpirit of the world, but the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt: they may ſay, we have not received the Spirit of Chriſt, but of the world: it's true, Chriſt would have us ſo long as we live in the world, to be as wiſe as ſerpents, yet innocent as doves; the wiſdom that is for the promotion of the Kingdom of Chriſt it is a wiſdom that hath an upright plaineſs in it, and is according to the ſimplicity of the Goſpel; indeed when they have to deal with wicked men, they may exerciſe a natural wiſdom, to avoid the dangers of perſecution, or to avoid the circumventing of wicked men; but when they have to deal with ſpiritual things, there the wiſdom is that that holds forth a ſimplicity of the Goſpel, that is carried on with plaineſs and ſimpleneſs of heart. The Hebrews have the ſame word that ſignifies a naked man, and a cunning ſubtil man. You ſhall find where it's ſaid of Adam and Eve, they were naked, nakedneſs of ſpirit and ſubtilty may ſtand together, they ſignifie the ſame thing, to ſhew what kind of ſubtilty ſhould be in thoſe that are the People of God, it ſhould be that that may ſtand with a naked ſpirit, ſo as if God would diſcover the ſecrets of all their hearts to all the children of men, that they ſhould not be aſhamed to have all their ſecrets to be opened to them: But now, the cunningneſs, that is, the cunningneſs of the ſerpent, is ſuch a cunningneſs, as men (if they were but laid open) would quickly be aſhamed of. And ſo much of the fourth uſe, that it is unbeſeeming thoſe that are of the kingdom of Chriſt, to have the ſpirit of the world, becauſe Chriſts kingdom is not of this world.
5. Ʋſe. Hence we ſee the reaſon of the meanneſs of the outward condition of the people of God in this world, why is it that Chriſt hath ſo ordered things that the people of God ſhould be ſo outwardly poor in this world? My Kingdom is not of this world (ſaith Chriſt) Therefore, why ſhould any that come under my kingdom look for great things in this world? they muſt look to have their comfort and glory in things that concern my Kingdom, and not in the things of this world: in Pſal. 73. 12. Behold! thoſe that are ungodly proſper in this world, (ſaith the Scripture.) As for men that are godly and come under the Kingdom of Chriſt, they muſt look for a proſperity that is beyond this world; God gives the earth to the children of men, and to the men of the world: Let them proſper ſaith God, here's their portion, here's all that they are like ever to have. But now for the people of God, they muſt not look to proſper outwardly in this world; John, 16. 33. In the world, you ſhall have trouble (ſaith Chriſt.) Chriſt does tell His Diſciples plainly beforehand, That in the world they ſhall have trouble; never make account to have eaſe and proſperity here below in the world; Certainly you ſhall have trouble, this is not your kingdom; and therefore John, in the 1. of Rev. 9. ver. There he ſtiles himſelf in writing to the Churches: Your Companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom and patience of Jeſus Chriſt. Obſerve it, John that was ſuch an Eminent Member of the Kingdom of Chriſt; when he ſpeaks unto others that are brought into the kingdom of Chriſt, ſaith he, … John, who alſo am your Brother, and Companion in Tribulation, and in the kingdom, and patience of Jeſus Chriſt: Theſe two may well ſtand together, to be of the Kingdom of Chriſt, and companions of men in the Kingdom of Chriſt, and in Tribulation: yea, mark how the Kingdom of Chriſt is ſet in the middle, Companion in Tribulation, and then Kingdom, and then patience; So that trouble, and afflictions are on both ſides (as it were) of the Kingdom of Chriſt. And it's very obſervable here, John he doth not to get himſelf credit, ſay, I John that was the Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt, I John, that was the beloved Diſciple of Jeſus Chriſt, I John, that was a Kinſ-man of Jeſus Chriſt: no, but I John, your Companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom, and patience of Jeſus Chriſt. If you would be the Companion of the Saints in the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, you muſt be willing to be their Companion in Tribulation, and in the patience of Jeſus Chriſt. So things are ordered by Chriſt, that the Saints ſhould be in Tribulation, live in trouble in this world. When any of you that are godly ſhall meet with croſſes, and afflictions, (the briers and thornes which ſpring out of the world ever ſince it was curſed by God) the very thought of this Text may be a means to quiet your hearts, and not to have any riſings in your boſomes againſt the diſpenſations of God towards you: Do not I deſire to fear the Lord, and follow Him in all His waies? and yet, how doth the Lord croſs me in this world? Theſe murmuring, and repining thoughts will be; yea, it may be ſince the time that God wrought upon me by His Word, I am more afflicted than before; Is not God diſpleaſed with me? it may be I am not in the right way becauſe of theſe afflictions. Oh take heed of theſe temptations, let my text come into your minds, and anſwer all theſe temptations: Chriſt ſaith, His Kingdom is not of this world: ſince the time I was called out of darkneſs by the Miniſtry of the Word, no mervail though I meet with afflictions more than before, for I am tranſlated into another Kingdom, which is not of this world; it pleaſes the Father to make Chriſt (who is my Captain) to be perfect through ſufferings: Heb. 2. 10. For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many ſons unto glory, to make the Captain of their ſalvation perfect through ſufferings: It's an excellent Scripture to quiet the hearts of the Saints in the midſt of their ſufferings. [It became Him] (ſaith the Text) for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many ſons unto glory, to make the Captain of their ſalvation perfect through ſufferings: The Captain of your ſalvation, yea, your King, that is the King of glory, yet He was made perfect through ſufferings. Now you muſt go the ſame way that He did. Now if you muſt enter into a full poſſeſſion of this glorious Kingdom through ſufferings, why ſhould you murmur? Luke, 24. 26. Ought not Chriſt to have ſuffered theſe things, and to enter into His Glory? It's a ſpeech of Chriſt Himſelf. So I ſay concerning you: Ought not you to ſuffer firſt, and then to enter into your glory? Why ſhould not you come to the fulneſs of the glory of that Kingdom that is prepared for you; as Jeſus Chriſt your Head came to the fulneſs of the glory of His Kingdom? It was by ſuffering. Remember His Kingdom is not of this world.
6. Vſe. Here's the reaſon why the wicked hates the Saints. Why? they love their own: John, 15. 19. If you were of the world, the world would love you; but you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you; you are tranſlated into another Kingdom, and therefore their ſpirits are bitter againſt you, and their tongues as ſharp as two edged ſword; you come to live by other Laws than they do; they know no other Law but the Law of the Land where they live but you have other Laws that they do not underſtand the authority of, you have other rules for your conſciences than they have; their conſciences can yeeld to this, or that, according as may ſerve for their worldly ends; but now your conſciences are ſubjected to another authority, you cannot have your conſciences yeeld up and down as they can, and thereupon they think it to be …outneſs in you, but God knows it to be otherwiſe: And they wonder at this, they underſtand not the reaſon of this, and therefore it is that they malign you, they hate you with a perfect hatred, you are Rebels againſt their kingdom, they are under the kingdom of Satan, but you are brought under the kingdom of Chriſt, and ſo do Rebel againſt that kingdom. We hate Rebels. It's true, in ſome ſenſe all the Saints are Rebels, that is, they do rebel againſt the kingdom of Satan, and the powers of darkneſs, and if any thing ſhould be enjoyed by men, yet if it be againſt the Kingdom of Chriſt, they cannot but rebel in a ſenſe, that is, their ſpirits muſt needs be againſt it, and whatever they ſuffer, they cannot ſubmit to it; they do not rebel againſt lawful authority, but againſt the kingdom of darkneſs, and the power of darkneſs; and therefore it is that the world doth ſo much hate them: When you come into the kingdom of Chriſt you live upon other principles, and have other ends, you are a kind of ſeparated people from the world; and we know there is nothing more odious to the world, than that we ſhould be a certain kind of ſeparated people from them; the world would have all to be like themſelves, and for any kind of people to make a profeſſion as if they were call'd out of the world, and live after another kind and faſhion, and have other ſort of hopes, and comforts, and ends, and rules by which they live; Oh this the world cannot endure: ſo long as Paul was in the world, and liv'd as the men of the world, they loved him, and he was a man of authority among them, but when he was called out of the world, then a peſtilent fellow, then ſeditious; this ſeparation from the world it cannot be born, there is nothing more provokes the world than ſeparation from the world, and therefore no mervail though the people of God be hated in the world, and looked upon as the ringleadees of ſedition: they are ſeparated from the world, and tranſlated into another kingdom, into a kingdom that is not of this world.
7. Ʋſe. From hence may appear the wickedneſs of the world, that they ſhould reject Chriſt and His Kingdom. That they ſhould not … it, that's not ſo much wonder; but that they ſhou… … it, and perſecute it, and reject it; there appears their wickedneſs.
You will ſay, How doth it appear? From my Doctrine it appears thus: If Chriſts kingdom be not a kingdom of this world, it would do men no hurt at al, it no way would hinder any lawful comforts or honors here in this world; it is not oppoſite unto the kingdoms of the world, that is, ſo as to hinder any thing that is good in the world, the kingdom of Chriſt may be ſet up, and the world need be never the worſe for it. Indeed, it doth oppoſe the wickedneſs of the world, but it doth not oppoſe any thing that they dare ſay themſelves to be good Herod perſecuted Chriſt, becauſe he heard a King of the Jews was born: But it was without cauſe; Jeſus Chriſt He did not come to take the Kingdom of Herod away from him: The Kings of the Earth (the text ſaith) they conſpire together, and are engaged againſt Chriſt: it is their wickedneſs; Chriſt, He doth not envy them or their Kingdoms, they may live and be the Kings of the earth ſtill, and yet the kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt may go on; the truth is, that the kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt doth not intrench upon any Civil Liberty of men, and it's their hatred to it, that makes them think it cannot ſtand with Civil Peace; the kingdom of Chriſt may be ſet up, and Civil Liberty maintained. You may have your eſtates ſtill, and yet have the kingdom of Chriſt, and you may be in place of Rule and Government, and have outward honors ſtill, and yet be of the kingdom of Chriſt. It's true, if you be brought into the kingdom of Chriſt; perhaps God may call you ſometimes to ſuffering, but then it is ſo as you will be willing to it, you ſhall never be call'd to ſuffering, but you ſhall ſee cauſe to be willing to it, you ſhall have as much good by what you ſuffer, as you hav… … of outward comforts: but this I ſpeak, that the kingdom of Chriſt intrenches not upon any Civil Liberties of men: they may enjoy all their lawful comforts, their Eſtates, their Rule, their Government: and yet the Kingdom of Chriſt may flouri… ▪ Now what a wickedneſs is this? When as Chri… would come and ſet up His Kingdome without any prejudice at all unto the worldly Kingdoms, and yet they cannot endure it: You would account that an ill neighbour if you ſhould come and live by him and no way prejudice him, and yet for all that he would malign you, becauſe you do but live by him; thus it is with the world, they do malign Jeſus Chriſt for living but by them; indeed if a neighbor comes and will intrench upon your ground and liberties, you cannot bear it; Jeſus Chriſt doth not do it: One would wonder ſometimes why wicked men ſhould be ſo oppoſite againſt men when they come under the Kingdom of Chriſt more than before: I appeal to you, when God converts a wife to be under the Kingdom of Chriſt, Doth that take her off from ſubjection to her husband? let me aſſure you, it makes her to acknowledge her husband to be Lord more than before; indeed if when the wife were converted it did take the wife from ſubjection to the husband, then there were ſome reaſon why the husband ſhould ſtorm at it; but when the more the wife is under the Kingdom of Chriſt, the more doth ſhe acknowledg the authority of of her husband over her: and ſo for ſervants, I confeſs if the bringing of them by the Word under the kingdom of Chriſt, did take them off from their obedience to their Maſters and Miſtriſſes, then there were ſome ground to oppoſe them from going to hear the Word; but when your conſcinece tell you that the more they go to hear the Word, and are wrought upon by the Word they are the more obedient to you, why ſhould you hate them then? why ſhould you ſo malign Chriſts Kingdom when as Chriſts Kingdom would help you? I appeal to the conſciences of divers Maſters, You have one ſervant that is prophane; another cannot lie in his bed in the morning but he muſt come to …ar the Word; now if you had Truſt to commit to one of them, ſo that your whol Eſtate lay upon it, Which of theſe two would you truſt? your conſciences would tell you that that ſervant that is come under the Kingdom of Chriſt were rather to be truſted▪ ſo that you would truſt him in a caſe of great truſt; and … your conſcieaces tell you that you hate that ſervant more than the other. Now here's the wickedneſs of men, that they do hate the Kingdom of Chriſt though the Kingdom of Chriſt doth not intrench upon them. Oh let Chriſt alone with his Kingdom, and do not oppoſe Him, He will not oppoſe you in any thing that you can deſire as a rational man.
And for the outward Government: Chriſt would have no man to be compel'd to it, but thoſe that are convinced that it is the beſt way; He gives no ſuch rules to force any man; if you think the Government is to ſtrickt for you, that you cannot live under it; indeed there may be ſomething uſed as a natural help, ſome outward, means uſed to take men off from their wantonneſs and wilfulnes: but now if it appear that you deſiring to know which is the beſt way, and endeavoring to know, and after your deſires, and endeavors you cannot be convinced that this is the way that you ſhould walk in; Chriſt gives no rules to compel you; but if you belong to God, He is content to ſtay till the Word and Spirit …all convince you to come under His Government; Oh! why ſhould you be againſt it then, when it forces you not to come into it? Oh! be not ſuch an enemy to the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, but let thoſe that beleeve another way is the way wherein they come moſt under the Kingdom of Chriſt, and enjoy … …ommunion with Chriſt, let them alone in that way eſpecially, when they live peacable with you, and are every way uſeful as much as your hearts can deſire in all civil things, living neighborly, lovingly, and faithfully with you in all things; why ſhould you malign them becauſe you know there is ſome other way wherein they may enjoy more ſweet communion with Jeſus Chriſt than your ſelves do? That's the ſeventh Uſe, which ſhews the wickedneſs of the world in oppoſing the Kingdom of Chriſt, when as it is not of this world, it is not that that doth intrench upon their worldly priviledges.
8. Ʋſe, Hence this Kingdom, if it be not [of] this world, then it doth not depend upon … world; become of the world what will, the Kingd… of Chriſt will go on. Men are afraid, Oh! if the Enemies ſhould prevail, and overcome and take away our Civil Rights, Oh then the Kingdom of Chriſt, what will become of that? Let us not be too ſolicitous about that, for the Kingdom of Chriſt is of another world, there is no ſuch dependance of the Kingdom of Chriſt upon the Kingdoms of this world, but though they were broken, the kingdom of Chriſt would ſubſiſt. We indeed ſhould labor to preſerve our Civil Liberties as much as we can, yea and our Civil Liberty in exerciſe of Religion in a War-like way, and I ſhould wonder that any ſhould miſtake in that, when as this hath been ſo declared from the beginning of the War to this time, that we may fight for the Civil Liberty we have to the peacable practice and profeſſion of our Religion, ſo far we may, and that hath been the ground of our War: had we indeed liv'd in ſuch a Country, as the Chriſtians in … primitive times, where the Governors and the gener…ty of the Country had been againſt it, then indeed the taking up of Arms, might have been very queſtionable; but now when we live in ſuch a place where our Civil Laws are for the protection of us in the practice of our Religion, if any will come and diſturb us, we may take up Arms becauſe we have a right to the profeſſion of it, by the Laws of the kingdom, … have to our Houſes, Lands, and Eſtates, (but that by the way:) But that's the thing I aim at in this uſe: that though our Civil Right ſhould be loſt, yet the kingdom of Chriſt would go on for all that: Heb. 12. 28. this is a kingdom that cannot be ſhaken. At thoſe times when the Magiſtrates were the greateſt enemies unto the kingdom of Chriſt: yet even then the kingdom of Chriſt went on as fully as ever it hath done ſince that time; but the Magiſtrates may be helps, and there is a promiſe that Kings ſhall be nurſing fathers, and Queens nurſing mothers to the Church, but yet ſo it fell out that at the firſt when the Church was in its infancy, that it did thrive as much when Magiſtrates and Civil Power was againſt it as ever it hath done ſince, and thereby Chriſt would ſhew us that His Kingdom doth not depend upon this world, but the Kingdom of Chriſt doth ſtand and will ſtand, and it doth and will prevail to the end of the world, The gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it, it ſhall be more than conqueror; and this is a great comfort to the Saints.
9. Ʋſe. If the kingdom of Chriſt be not of this world, but of another; then hence we collect the abſolute neceſſity of living by faith, Chriſtians had need then have a principle of faith to live by, for their greateſt good is in things that are beyond this world, their very King that they obey is a King that cannot be ſeen by the eye of ſence; nor by the eye of reaſon, they had need have an eye of faith to behold their King in his glory: The Throne of this King of Saints is not a viſible Throne to be ſeen by the eye of ſence, and reaſon but by the eye of faith.
The Priviledges that we ſpeak of, are …ot to be ſeen and enjoyed by ſence and reaſon, but by faith,
And ſo the Ordinances of this Kingdom, and the Laws and Statutes of it, they are Spiritual, and muſt have faith to cloſe with them, and all the comforts of this Kingdom muſt be drawn in by faith, therefore it is of abſolute neceſſity that the Saints ſhould exerciſe much faith in their lives, that they ſhould live continually by faith; As the Apoſtle ſaith in 2 Cor. 5. 7. For we walk by faith, and not by ſight; It is not by Sight we walk; indeed all the good things that there are in the kingdoms of the world they are ſeen by ſence and reaſon, reaſon and ſence is enough to order us in the matters of the kingdoms of this world: but now the kingdom of the Son of God that we are tranſlated into, it's a Spiritual, an Heavenly kingdom, ſo that the Saints muſt walk by faith, and not by ſight: therefore my brethren labor to ſtrengthen faith, and act your faith, and live upon faith, exerciſe faith in all your waies, make much of grace and faith or you will never have much good in the Kingdom of Chriſt, but that grace will help you comfortably to enjoy, and ſpiritually to improve all the good things in the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt to an everlaſting advantage.
10. Ʋſe. If the Kingdom of Chriſt be not of this world, then the greater mercy to thy ſoul, that ever thou waſt brought under this Kingdom of Chriſt: Oh! thou maieſt look back unto thy former time, and know that thou hadſt a worldly heart, worldly apprehenſions, thy ſpirit was worldly, altogether for things of the world, taken with the pomp, and glory, and the pleaſures of this world: How comes it to paſs that thou ſhouldeſt have a Heavenly Kingdom reveal'd to thee? Whence was it that ever Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be known to thy ſoul, that was ſo worldly, ſo droſſie, ſo earthy a ſoul? thou waſt as deep rooted in the world (it may be) as any, and yet that the Lord ſhould cull thee out of the world, and reveal ſuch a Kingdom to thee, that is ſuch a myſtery as the Princes of the world have not known, that thou that art a poor creature ſhouldeſt come to underſtand the …alities of Chriſt, that the wiſe and learned men of the world have not known: Oh! the Free Grace of God to thee, and not unto the world! As Judas, (not Iſcariot) ſaid, How is it that thou revealeſt thy ſelf to us, and not unto the world? how comes it to paſs that ſuch wiſe men, that bear ſway in the world, they have very poor, and low, and mean, and contemptible thoughts of the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt? they look upon it but as a meer notion, and a conceit of men, and the rather becauſe they ſee but a few poor people that are but of mean parts that do imbrace ſuch a way, upon that they contemn it; and through the worldly wiſdom that they have, they come to undervalue it. Oh! then bleſs God that ever he ſhould chuſe ſuch a poor weak wretch as thou art, for to make known the things of the Kingdom of Chriſt unto; and therfore of al men, you rich covetous men they are hardeſt to be wrought upon by the Miniſtry of the Word. When Chriſt Himſelf was preaching, it is ſaid in Luke, 16. 14. That the Phariſees who were covetous, they derided Him; they blew their noſes at Him, for that's the meaning of the Original. Like as a man that ſcorns and derides another ſnivles in the noſe; that's the propriety of the word, that is here tranſlated derided. Oh! a worldly heart is hardeſt brought unto the Kingdom of Chriſt: therefore bleſs God ſo much the more, that hath brought thy ſoul to underſtand the myſteries of Chriſts Scepter, that hath tranſlated thee into another Kingdom.
11. Ʋſe. If the Kingdom of Chriſt be not of this world: then they are rebuked that do ſeek to make the Kingdom of Chriſt a worldly Kingdom. I might name very many ſorts of men that do this: I will ſpeak but of Three or Four.
The firſt is the Papiſts, thoſe that are Popiſhly affected; all their way is under the name of honoring of Chriſt, to raiſe up a worldly Kingdom; and therefore they make the Pope to be as an Emperor of all the world, as the King of Kings; and their Cardinals, and many of their Biſhops to be Princes, and all in a worldly pomp, and they carry it on, and maintain it by a worldly policy, and by worldly means, and worldly weapons, and therfore ſtir up the Kings of the earth to root out all thoſe that are againſt them: theſe underſtand not the Kingdom of Chriſt.
Secondly, Such as would conform the Government of the Church meerly to worldly Government; that becauſe worldly men may by their prudence order things as they pleaſe in Common-wealths, ſo as ſhall be moſt ſutable to them: therefore they falſly think, that the Kingdom of Chriſt muſt be ſo too; that it muſt be ſuted to every Country: whereas the truth is, there is but one way of the Government of Chriſt in all the world. The great Argument of the Prelates was, Indeed ſay they, in ſome places there may be another Government, where there is an Ariſtocracy in the Civil Government; but where there is Monarchy, there muſt be a Biſhop. Now certainly that's not the way of Chriſt, to ſute himſelf in his Government, to the Government of the world. But the Government that was in the primitive times, muſt be ſtill.
Thirdly, Such kind of men as think that the ſucceſs of the Goſpel, and the Ordinances do depend upon worldly things; as now, upon outward pomp: except there be ſome outward pomp go along with the Goſpel; As now, Great preferments of thoſe that are the Preachers of the Goſpel, they think the Goſpel will be contemn'd elſe, and except the Ordinances be carried on in an outward pomp: They conceive that all will be deſpiſed: except there be Magnificent Temples built and beautified, and except brave Gold and Silver Chaliſes, the Sacrament would be deſpiſed; and except they have their Altars, and Rails about them: with all their heatheniſh vanities, Chriſt is not worſhiped. But this is to look upon the Kingdom of Chriſt as the Kingdoms of the world; but Oh no! the kingdom of Chriſt prevails where there is but little of the world with it. I remember I have read of one Boniface a Martyr, that being asked, whether it were lawful to give the Wine in the Sacrament, in a wooden Challis; ſaith he, There was a time (indeed) when the Church had wooden Challiſes, and golden Prieſts; but now, the Church hath golden Challiſes, and wooden Prieſts. No queſtion, in the primitive times, they had very mean things in the Lords Supper, and all things were carried in a very low way to a worldly eye; but (ſaith he) though their Challiſes were wooden, the Prieſts were golden: and ſo the Goſpel did prevail. Oh! it's the ſpiritualneſs of things that makes the kingdom of Chriſt to prevail; many think that the Goſpel cannot prevail, except it hath abundance of gingles of mens wit, and tongues, and ſuch kind of ſchool-boy-vanities as theſe are, but the Goſpel never prevails by ſuch things; but that which the world calls fooliſhneſs, that is made the power of God, and the wiſdom of God to Salvation: They have carnal hearts that think that the outward pomp, and glory of the world ſhould be ſuch a furtherance to the Goſpel, as if it ſhould not thrive without it.
Laſtly, Thoſe that think that the Goſpel and the promoting of Chriſts kingdom depends wholly upon humane policy and ſtrength, theſe do make the kingdom of Chriſt to be but as a worldly kingdom.
The laſt Ʋſe is this: If Chriſts Kingdom be not of this world, then it teaches us all for to labor to further a kingdom of Chriſt as diſtinct from the world, it is a great Point that I am ſpeaking of, about furthering the Kingdom of Chriſt as diſtinct from the kingdoms of the world. Chriſt himſelf profeſſes that he came into the world to witneſs to this truth: and therefore certainly we ſhould do ſo likewiſe. It is in the very next words to my text, when Chriſt had ſaid his Kingdom was not of this world, Pilate ſaid to Him, Art thou a King then? Jeſus anſwered, Thou ſaieſt I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cauſe came I into the world, that I ſhould bear witneſs to the Truth. Truth, Pilate asked Him what the Truth was? but he ſaid not for an anſwer: but certainly the Truth that Chriſt means here, is the Truth of His Kingdom. Oh my brethren, it is a matter of ſo great conſequence, that it is a ſpecial end why Chriſt came into the world, why He was born, that he ſhould witneſs to this Truth. Then certainly we ſhould account it a great end of our lives to ſet to our ſeal to this Truth of the Kingdom of Chriſt, as diſtinct from the world, let this be a great engagement on our ſpirits, to further the preaching of the kingdom, further it as many waies as you can, improve your Eſtates, improve your Credits, your Eſteem, your Places for the kingdom of Chriſt; and then, Oh how comfortable will your death be! though you ſhould not live here to enjoy all the priviledges that the Saints in other ages ſhall have in the kingdom of Chriſt; yet when you die your death ſhall be but a paſſage of you into the glorious Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, for there's a Kingdom of Chriſt beyond this world, though Chriſt will rule Spiritually while this world laſts: but when men are taken off from this world yet they do but go into the Kingdom of Chriſt. In 2 Peter, 1. 5, 6. &c. with which I will conclude, and beſides this, giving all diligence, Ad to your faith vertue, and to vertue, knowledg; ad to knowledg temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godlineſs, and to godlineſs brotherly kindneſs, and to brotherly kindneſs charity; for if theſe things be in you and abound, they make you that ye ſhall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledg of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: And ſo he goes on further in his exhortation; and in the 10. verſe, Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence, to make your calling and election ſure: for if ye do theſe things you ſhall never fall: for ſo an entrance ſhall be miniſtred unto you abundantly into the evelaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jeſus Chriſt. Chriſt is here a King, He rules in his Church in a ſpiritual way: but when this world is done, He ſhall be a King, and if you be now godly you ſhall have an abundant entrance into the everlaſting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jeſus Chriſt: Mark, when a Beleever dies, he goes into the Kingdome of Jeſus Chriſt, he goes but from one adminiſtration of it to another, but ſtill he is in the ſame Kingdom of Chriſt: here's the difference between the death of the men of the world, and the death of the Saints: the men of the world they are of the world, and they are under the kingdom of darkneſs, and when they die they go to the kingdom of darkneſs: and the Saints they are now under the kingdom of Chriſt ſpiritually, and when they die they go to another adminiſtration of the kingdom of Chriſt, and the more godly men are, the more abundant entrance ſhall they have into the everlaſting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jeſus Chriſt.
Now ſuppoſe his Excellency, that hath done ſo much ſervice for the kingdom, when he ſhall come, What an entrance will be made for him into the City? Every man that is a free ſubject may come freely into the City, no body may wrong him, and he ſhall enjoy the Liberty of the City; but he hath not that Abundance Entrance into it as a man that hath done much for the kingdom we live in. So now, every godly man or woman, if they have but the leaſt degree of grace, they ſhall come into the Kingdom of Chriſt, I but thoſe that are powerfully godly, burning and ſhining lamps, and have been very active and faithful to the death; when they die, the Gates of Heaven ſhall be ſet wide open, and they ſhall have an Abundant Entrance into the Everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jeſus Chriſt.
FINIS.