The Generation of Seekers, Treatise 2 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
II. PETITION.
Thy Kingdom come.
THis and the following Petitions are all ſubordinate to the firſt, and may be lookt on as means conducing to that as their End. You may remember, that the firſt Petition had two branches: 1. That God would ſanctify himſelf. 2. That wee might be enabled to ſanctify him. This ſecond Petition, Thy Kingdom come, ſeemes chiefly to relate as a means to the firſt branch of the firſt Petition: then God ſanctifies himſelf when hee takes to him his great power and raignes, I ſay chiefly though not ſolely. The 3d. Petition relates moſt properly as a means to our ſanctifying God: then do we indeed ſanctify him, when we do his will ſincerely and univerſally. And the 3. latter Petitions are, for Advantages, and Abilities to what wee pray for in the former Petitions. This Petitions then, as having the moſt immediate tendency to the promoting of Gods glory is fitly put in the next place, and fitly precedes the third, for till Gods Kingdom come, his will cannot be done as it ought to bee. Gods people will never be a willing people till the day of Gods power. I ſhall obſerve the ſame Method in this and the reſt, as in the firſt.
Explicat. [Kingdom] the Kingdom of God is either 1. Generall whereby the rules the whole world: of which ſee Pſal. 47. 2. 7. Zech. 14. 9. hee is in this reſpect called the King of the Earth: So, the King of Nations Jer. 10. 7. King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6. 15. by this God doth powerfully, irreſiſtibly and eternally govern all the world. This Kingdom even the Heathen-Monarchs have been forced to acknowledge. As Nehuohadnezzer, Dan. 4. 34, 37. and Darius, D…n. 6. 26. They confeſs it to be over all and to be everlaſting. By this hee orders all affaires on Earth, ſets up and puls down Kings and Monarchs at his pleaſure, Prov. 8. 15, 16. Pſal. 75. 6, 7. and 107. 40. hee poureth contempt upon Princes, and cauſeth them wander in the wilderneſs where there is no way. Thereby hee diſpoſeth Crowns and Kingdoms, puniſheth the wicked, preſerveth the righteous: this is ordinarily called the Kingdom of his power and providence, extending to all things in the world, though chiefly converſant about the rationall creature.
2. Speciall over his Church, in which reſpect hee is called the King of Jacob. Iſa. 41. 21. of Sion Jer. 8, 19. of Saints Rev. 15. 3. By this he rules the affairs of his Church, gathering, governing and defending it, carrying on his people by his grace till hee compleat them in glory▪ Only know, That though we thus diſtinguiſh; the Kingdom of God is one and the ſame, and is rather ſo diſtinguiſhed to our capacity, than in the things themſelves: for the ſame acts of government may in divers conſiderations relate to his general and ſpecial Kingdom, though the diſtinction may well be retained for our better underſtanding: Now this ſpeciall Kingdom, is either,
1. Inchoate (if I may uſe that word) begun, in this life, commonly called the Kingdom of grace: which conſiſts in thoſe acts of government which God exerciſeth over his elect in this world, by certain means of his owne appointment, as the Miniſtry, Word, Sacraments, conjoyned with the efficacy of his Spirit, whereby hee converts, and governs them, bringing them on in grace, till hee hath prepared them for glory: in which reſpects ſometimes the Goſpel, Word and Miniſtry, ſometimes the Church militant are figuratively called the Kingdom of God. Or,
2. Conſummate in the life to come, called the Kingdom of glory, in which God immediately communicates glory to his people▪ governing them, not by means, as here but by himſelf immediately, and wherein obedience is not ſo much their work as their wages, and themſelves are not ſo much ſubjects as Kings, partaking with God in endleſs glory and happineſs.
Now here the Kingdom of God in its whole latitude, both generall and ſpeciall and this both in grace and glory muſt needs be meant; becauſe (as I hinted) they are but one and the ſame, though diverſly conſidered. Though chiefly, I conceive, the Kingdom of grace, in order to that of glory is here intended: yet even Gods generall Kingdom is not excluded, for each of theſe is ſubordinate to other.
1. The Kingdom of power and providence is neceſſary to the founding and managment of the Kingdom of grace: God could not gather a Church to himſelf out of the world, nor preſerve it in, nor deliver it from the evill of the world, if hee had not an overruling hand in the grand affairs thereof: The Church and people of God are diſperſed over the world, and are to be gathered out of all Nations: To this end, the Goſpel is to be preached, and publiſhed, a Miniſtry inſtituted &c.
Now ſuch is the oppoſition that is in mans nature, to this work, and ſuch the influence of Sathan upon the children of diſobedience, that this could never be effected without the influence of Gods generall Kingdom: hee muſt order the great mutations in the world to the gathering and building of his Church, as in that Deut. 32. 8. when the moſt High devided to the Nations their inheritance, when hee ſeparated the Sons of Adam, hee ſe… the bounds of the people according to the number of his people Iſrael: i. e. he ſo diſpoſed of other Nations into their Inheritances, as was moſt for the advantage of his own peculiar people: or, Hee had a ſpeciall reſpect to his owne people in his generall diſpoſals of others. Thus it muſt be in this caſe. To this purpoſe preſecuters muſt be cut off, Chriſtian Magiſtrates raiſed up, Kings and Potentates of the world muſt be rebuked for his Prophet's and people's fakes, Pſal. 105. 14. Hee muſt overturn, overturn, overturn, One Monarchy muſtEzek. 21. 27. ſucceed another, and that again muſt be tranſlated to a third, and that to a 4th. Nation, and all this to make way for the Stone Dan. 2. 45.cut out of the Mountain without hands which muſt break all in pieces: Thus God makes his owne deſign of all men, and Kingdoms, and tranſactions that are in the world, not by policy or an after-game, but by overruling the grand affairs of the world, which is his generall Kingdom. So that this Kingdom is undoubtedly included in this Petition.
2. For the Kingdom of grace there is no doubt but it is here chiefly intended; both in it ſelf, and as a means to the Kingdom of glory. God hath appointed the Means as well as End: Faith, Repentance, Sanctification, new obedience are the condition of our raigning with him in glory Luk. 15. 5. John 3. 36. For the effecting of theſe, the Goſpel muſt be preached, 1 Cor. 1. 21. Nor can the Goſpel effect them without the Spirit's efficacious concurrence. Now this (in part at leaſt) is the Kingdom of grace when the word not only runs, but is glorified, when God by his Spirit ſo goes out with his Meſſengers that Sathan fals from heaven as lightning, the works of the Divell are deſtroyed, and poor ſouls reſcued from him, and tranſlated into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God: and that this may be, is undoubtedly the import of this Petition.
3. Then, for the Kingdom of glory, as being the end and conſummation of both the former, it muſt need be included, ſince hee that wills the means wils the end; nor is it only intended obliquely or by the By, but directly and ultimately, as being the conſummation of mans happineſs: ſo that the coming of the Kingdom of Providence in ſubordination to the Kingdom of Grace, and of this in order to the Kingdom of Glory, and of this again as the End and complement of both, is the ſcope and import of this Petition.
[Come]. How can it be ſaid to come in any ſenſe? I Anſwer; Wee are not ſo to underſtand it, as if it ſhould remove or be removed from another place; but, as wee ſay, The Sun comes into the houſe, meaning not the body but the beams of it; ſo for the Kingdom of God to come, is, that in its effects and power it be extended to, us, that wee may feel the day of his power, that as it is Rev. 11. 17. hee would take to him his Kingly power and reign; That hee would ſo order the affairs of the world, as it may appear, and men may acknowledg, There is a God that reigneth in the earth, and ſo as may tend to his Churches advantage. What the fuller import of this word is, will be ſhewed in the Application, Now, had wee deſigned a full handling of things, many Obſervations would flow from the particulars coucht' in this Petition: as, That God hath a Kingdom: That this Kingdom comes to places and people: That to have it come is a deſireable mercy: That prayer is a ſpeciall means for the procuring of it. &c. But I ſhall (as I promiſed) content my ſelf to reſolve the Petition it ſelf into a Doctrinall Propoſition, which take thus.
Doctr. 7 The coming of Gods Kingdom ſhould be the joynt Petition of the whole, and the particular of every member of the Church. As they doe rejoyce that God doth, Rev. 11. 17. and 19. 6. ſo they ſhould pray, that God may reign; that hee will ſhine forth in his glory, and exert his power for the ſpreading of his Kingdom into all the world. It were eaſy (were it neceſſary) to produce Scripture-precepts and examples for the confirmation of this point: but this were but to light a candle in the Sun ſhine; I ſhall briefly reſolve a two-fold Query, and then apply it.
Queſt. 1. To what purpoſe is ſuch a Petition? Can wee imagine, it will come ſooner or later for our prayers? nay, Is it not every where (in generall at leaſt)? and therefore what need to pray for it?
Anſw. This is but the cavilling of Carnall Reaſon, and indeed ſuch as would, if it were hearkned to, ſoon make us leave off praying at all: for wee may, at the ſame rate, argue about any thing wee pray for: Either God hath determined, it ſhall be or not: if hee hath decreed it ſhall bee, then our prayers are needleſs; if not, they are vain and ineffectuall: but know, vain man, that our prayers are nevertheleſs required (as was ſhewed in anſwering the like cavill againſt the former Petition) in order to the effecting of what God hath decreed: And for this in particular,
1. Shall not Gods Children hereby teſtify their love to God? Is it not an expreſſion of our loyalty, when wee heartily pray for the proſperity of our Soveraign, and for the ſpeading and flouriſhing of his Kingdom? But.
2. What room for ſuch a cavill when wee have an expreſs command, and injunction in this ſtanding pattern? When wee have Scripture-precept and pattern for our obedience, and imitation? And promiſes to encourage us: ſuch as that, Luke 11. 13. hee will give his Spirit (by which hee manageth his Kingdom) to them that ask him?
Queſt. 1. Why, or upon what account, ſhould this be the Petition of Gods children? To hint but a Reaſon or two.
Reaſ. 1. In order to the accompliſhment both of the former and following petition: for neither will men ſanctify the name of God, nor yield obedience to the will of God, till they feel the power of God, and hee ſet up his Kingdom of grace in their hearts: Then is Gods Name ſanctified, when both the Godly celebrate his power and Kingdom, as Rev. 11. 17. and 19. 6.▪ and the wicked are forced to acknowledg it, as Dan. 4. 34, 37. and 6. 26▪ when hee executes judgment in the earth, reſcuing the oppreſſed from the power of the oppreſſour &c. And then will Gods Will be done by men when by his grace hee overpowers their wills, and brings them into complyance with his owne.
2. Wee are therefore to pray for the coming of Gods Kingdom, both upon the account of that advantage that will accrue to us by its coming, and of our inability to goe to it, without its coming to us. For the advantage of it, you will better diſcern it when wee more particularly unfold it in the application: meanwhile conſider but that Scripture Rom. 14. 17. The Kingdom of God is not in meat and drink, but in righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghoſt: There are three grand benefits accruing from Gods Kingdom, which would afford an ample field of diſcourſe but I forbear: what greater honour think you can God confer upon us then to take us into the Relation, and inveſt us which the priviledges of ſubjects in his Kingdom of grace and glory? But then wee cannot goe into this Kingdom, and therefore have need to pray it may come to us▪ John 6. 44. No man can come to mee (ſaith Chriſt) except the Father draw him. i. e. none can accept mee as Lord and Saviour—So that the ſenſe (in part) of this Petition may be this▪ Lord I and all the world are averſe to thy Kingdom, loath to have Chriſt …ign over us, wee ſhall never yield except thou conquer and overpower our wils by thy grace and Spirit. O let thy power come upon▪ us and others, let it be the day of thy power, that wee may become a willing people, Pſam. 110. 3.
Uſe. Make this Petition your pattern (that's the only uſe I ſhall make of each Petition) conform your prayers to this platform; let us unanimouſly beg, and let it be the hearty and enlarged breathing of every gracious ſoul that Gods Kingdom may come. Pray that (as it is promiſed Pſal. 2. 5, 8.) God will ſet his King upon his holy Zion, that hee will give unto Chriſt, the Heathen for his inheritance, and the utmoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſion: for (as I ſhould have told you) Jeſus Chriſt is the diſpenſer of Gods Kingdom, eſpecially that of grace: ſee John 5 22, 23.
Mot. 1. Conſider but how advantagious the coming of Gods Kingdom will be to your ſouls, families, towns, and Nation: doe but think (for I ſhall not run into particulars), what are the benefits that flow from the moſt prudent and pious adminiſtration of an Earthly Kingdom: thoſe in a larger meaſure will accrue (in a Spiritual ſenſe) from the coming of Gods Kingdom unto you. Infinite and unſpeakable are the benefits of a Government rightly managed, both as to the preventing of evils and the procuring of good things, but none comparable to the Kingdom of God: hence righteouſneſs, peace, plenty, proſperity, defence, ſafety, unity, and (which reſults from all) unſpeakable joy and comfort. But I leave this to your owne meditation: Study Pſal. 72. which relates to Chriſt as well as to Solomon, and thoſe many propheſies which foretell and promiſe this Kingdom, and the coming of it; and predicate the exceeding benefits and advantages of it.
2. Then may you hope it ſhall come to your comfort, when it is the breathing of your ſouls that it may come: 'tis promiſed to the upright that they ſhall ſee the King in his glory. Iſa. 33. 17. They that like Simeon, wait for the conſolation of Iſrael, may ſing his ſong when Chriſt is revealed in the Goſpel Luk. 2. 25, 29. One well diſtinguiſhes betwixt the being and the coming of Gods Kingdom amongſt a people: it is every where (eſpecially where the Goſpel is preached▪) even amongſt the wicked, but it comes to the faithfull on Earth, to the Saints in heaven: where it, is 'tis in power and juſtice; where it comes, 'tis in love and mercy: it may be amongſt us, and yet leave us in the Sea to ſuffer ſhipwrack: where it comes, it brings us to a haven: but (whether there be ground enough for this diſtinction or no) wee may diſtinguiſh of its coming: To ſome, it comes againſt their will, and they wilfully withſtand it as Luk. 19. 14. To others, beſides their will; and they neglect it, unleſs it pleaſe God to open their eyes to ſee, and incline their hearts to embrace it: but to others, begging and ſeeking after it; and theſe may certainly rejoice, and lift up their heads. As a King's coming to the Throne is matter of fear and terrour to Rebels, but of joy and comfort to truely loyall ſubjects. Though, I muſt needs tell you, that even ſuch deſires and breathings after the Kingdom of God, ſpeak that God is already beginning his Kingdom in ſuch ſouls.
3. 'Tis the ſumme of what wee can or need to ask for our ſelves or others: As what we ask in reference to God is included in, and reducible to the firſt Petition; ſo what for our ſelves to this: As our bleſſed Saviour reduced Gods Ten-words (ſo the Hebrew calls the Ten Commandments) to two, and the Apoſtle reduces both to one Gal. 5. 14. ſo might all the following be reduced to theſe two, and both to this one; for by the powerfull and effectuall coming of Gods Kingdom, in all the branches of it, both the name of God is ſanctified, and wee receive a confluence of all good things temporall, ſpirituall, and eternall. Tell mee, what more would any ſerious Chriſtian deſire for himſelf or others, but that hee might here be a child of grace, and hereafter an heir of glory? This is the ſumme of Davids Petition, Lead mee by thy counſel, and receive mee into glory Pſal. 73. 24. Should God put you to your Choice as hee did Solomon, What more would the truely wiſe ſoul deſire, than that God would ſo order his providences that hee might be brought into, and built up in the Kingdom of grace, and at laſt reign with God eternally in the Kingdom of glory? And this is the import of this Petition.
For direction, I ſhall give the very ſame generalls in this and the following, as in the firſt.
Direct. 1. Labour to get a cleare, and diſtinct underſtanding what is implyed and included in this Petition: and here (as in all the reſt) 1. Something is acknowledged. 2. Something Petitioned.
1. Something acknowledged. As 1. That, God is abſolute and univerſall Soveraign of the world. This is clearly implyed: wee aſcribe a Kingdom to God, and ſuch a Kingdom as wee deſire might come to us and all the world. So that in conformity to this Petition wee may confeſs, and enlarge upon the Soveraignty of God, the juſt title hee hath over all the Kingdoms in the world, that all are to ſtoop to his Scepter, and ſubmit to his government; as alſo that hee hath that power to command all creatures into obedience, that hee hath both the foreign and foreign, pow…r and right to govern all creatures. To this purpoſe borrow Davids words, 1 Chron. 29. 11.—Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord; and thou art exalted as head above all—or Pſal. 145. 13. Thy Kingdom, O Lord, is an everlaſting Kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. So Jer. 10. 7, Dan. 4. 34. and 6. 16. &c. And here is a large field field of amplification upon the grounds of Gods right to this Kingdom, as his Creating all things, Rev. 4. 11▪ Subſtentation Hebr. 1. 3. Providence and proviſion for all his creatures, Pſal. 145. 16. and eſpecially his purchaſing a peculiar people to himſelf by the blood of his Son, 1 Cor. 6. 20. Beſides, wee may occaſionally amplify upon the excellent properties of this Kingdom, as the amplitude, equitableneſs, abſoluteneſs, righteouſneſs, and perpetuity &c. of it: which will yield infinite matter of glorifying God.
2. Here is alſo couch't an acknowledgment, that naturally wee are not in or under the Kingdom of God, that wee cannot of our ſelves come to it being Slaves of Sathan, rebels, children of diſobedience Eph. 2. 2. and 5. 7. that wee are blind and cannot ſee it John 3. 3. Sathan having blinded our minds left the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt who is the image of God ſhould ſhine into us, 2 Cor. 4. 4. Alſo our wils rebellious, ſaying as they Luke 19. 14. Wee will not have this man reign over us: That wee are utterly indiſpoſed and unwilling to take upon us the yoak of Chriſt, being wholly led captive by Sathan at his will: And here again is matter to enlarge upon, in conſeſſing and bewayling our owne and others averſeneſs to the Kingdom of God, in all our powers and faculties, together with the cauſes and hainouſneſs of it.
3. Here wee implicitly acknowledg that all means are ineffectuall for the promoting of Gods Kingdom, till God himſelf take to him his great power and reign, in as much as this Petition is not only to be put up by thoſe who have not the Goſpel (they indeed will not, cannot pray it) but by thoſe eſpecially who have the means whereby God promotes and exerciſes his Kingdom. Here then, wee confeſs with the Apoſtle 1 Cor. 3. 6. that Paul may plant, Apollo water—; That except the Father draw us wee cannot come to Chriſt, John 6. 44. That Gods arme muſt be revealed before we or others ſhall beleeve the report Iſa. 53. 1. So that here we may take occaſion to amplify upon the great oppoſition that's made againſt God and his Kingdom; that Sathan with all his might endeavours to keep the world in blindneſs and rebellion; even hee who is the Prince of the power of the air Eph. 2. 2. Who is called principalities, and powers, the Ruler of the darkneſs of this world, Spiritual wickedneſs in high places, Eph. 6. 11. And then that the great Potentates of the world, for the generality of them, ſet themſelves againſt this Kingdom in the power of it, as Pſal. 2. 1-5. Of whom wee may complain as the Apoſtles, Acts. 4. 26. 27. And beſides all this, there is a party within every man naturally as oppoſite to this Kingdom as darkneſs to light; So that hence wee may acknowledg that it muſt be infinite power, wiſdom, goodneſs &c. that muſt begin and carry on this Kingdom in any ſoul, or place in the world. Wee may take up the words of good Jehoſhaphat, 1 Chron. 20. 12. Wee have no might againſt this multitude.
2. Something Petitioned: And the particular Petitions couch't under this general, may be, either 1. Privative, for the removall of impediments, or 2. Poſitive, relating to the three fold Kingdom of God.
1. Privative: wherein wee deprecate hindrances, that God will ſubdue all his enemies. Now though the oppoſers of Gods Kingdom be infinite, yet they all ſight under one General, and that is Sathan; ſo that the thing wee are chiefly to pray againſt is the Kingdom of Sathan; which is indeed a very ample Kingdom, hee being call'd the God of this world, The Prince of the power of the aire, and (as Eph. 6. 11.) Principalitie and power.—So Rev. 9. 11. He is the King of that black Armado that warre againſt the Saints, called Abaddon Apolliôn. Wee are therefore to beg that this dragon the old Serpent the Divell and Sathan may be bound, Rev. 20. 2. That hee may fall from heaven as lightning Luk. 10. 18. that Jeſus Chriſt may ſo come as to deſtroy the works of the Divell 1 John. 3. 8. Now this kingdom of Sathan hath divers branches (as it were ſo many Provinces) or it is founded and upheld ſeverall wayes, hath many pillars; all which wee muſt pray againſt. For inſtance,
1. His power and influence upon man by reaſon of corrupt nature. Here hee keeps Garriſon Luk. 11. 21. This ſtrong man armed keeps hold in man, and this Hold fortified, hath bulwarks, walls as high as Heaven, hath its foreign: ſtrong-holds, imaginations or reaſonings and2 Cor. 10. 4. high things, that exalt themſelves againſt the knowledg of Chriſt; by this advantage men are held and led Captive by Sathan at his will &c. Now here is an ample field of prayer to pray down the power of corruption, and to begge that wee and others may be reſcued and fnatcht' from the power of darkneſs, and tranſlated into the Kingdom of Chriſt, Col. 1. 13. that the weapons of his Miniſters warfare may be mighty through his power &c. 2 Cor. 10. 4.
2. The groſs Errors, Deluſions, Idolatry and Superſtition which raigns in the world, is that whereby Sathan holds a great part of the world under his vaſſalage. Where the true God is not known, the Divell cauſes himſelf to be own'd and worſhipt as God. What were all the Heathen Oracles but Diabolicall deluſions? 'Tis lamentable to read ſome relations of the poor Indians, how the Divell deludes and tyrannizes over them, appearing in viſible ſhapes, and commanding worſhip from them. And what is the Turkiſh Mahomet with all his impoſtures, but an Inſtrument rais'd by Sathan to propagate his Kingdom? What are the Popiſh pretended miracles, but powers, and ſigns and lying wonders after the … of Sathan, 2 Theſſ. 2. 9? And what is the Pope himſelf, but a Head rais'd by the Divell to oppoſe the true head Jeſus Chriſt, therefore …tly called Anti-Chriſt? It would be endleſs to reckon up the artifici…s of this nature whereby Sathan founds and upholds his Kingdom: well, it is our part to pray down theſe and the like: to put that in ſuit, Pſalm 97. 7▪ Confounded be all they that ſerve graven images—that it may be amongſt all thoſe Idolatrous Nations as it was at Epheſus, Acts. 19. 19. that they may diſcover, and …aſt away their deluſions: that God will ſhortly trample Sathan under foot in all the world, Rom. 16. 20.
3. The influence that Sathan hath on the great ones of the world; to ſet them in oppoſition to Gods Kingdom. Rev. 2. 13. Sathans feat is ſaid to be at Pergamos: now Bullinger (as I remember) gives a twofold Reaſon, why Sathans ſeat is ſaid to be there. 1. Becauſe this City for ſuperſtition and Idolatry exceeded moſt Cities in Aſia. 2. Becauſe the Lievetenant or Subſtitute under Domitian (Authour of one of the ten Perſecutions) inhabited there, and butchered the poor Saints of God. Surely, where wicked men, enemies to God and his Kingdom, have power, and precedency in a Nation, Sathan may be ſaid to reign there. Theſe are great Mountains before God's Zerubbabels, Zech. 4. 7. Whereby doth Sathan more hinder the advancement of Gods Kingdom, than by intereſſing himſelf in the great Ones of the world, and interweaving his intereſt with theirs? Hath not the ſecular power in almoſt all ages of the Church been engag'd againſt the Goſpel, either as to the preaching, or as to the power and practiſe of it? How, have the moſt faithfull of Gods meſſengers been ſilenced, impriſoned, baniſhed &c. and the ſerious and truely pious Chriſtians ſuffered grievous things from the hands of the wicked Magiſtracy? What then? muſt wee pray down Magiſtracy, or Magiſtrates, if wicked? Far be it from us? 'Tis Gods Ordinance, they are God's ſubſtitutes; Curſe not the King, no not in thy thought, Eccl. 10. 20. No but earneſtly pray that they that are great may bee good, that Kings may become Nurſing-Fathers, and Queens Nurſing-Mothers to the Church, Iſa. 49. 23. that, as they rule by God Prov. 8.—ſo they may rule for him. Pray that prayer for them, 1 Tim. 2. 2.
Theſe are three of the grand pillars of Sathans Kingdom; for the pulling downe ofJudg. 16. 30. which wee muſt bow our ſelves with all our night in prayer, that Gods Kingdom may be erected upon the ruins of Sathans. More might be added, but I proceed.
2. Poſitive Petitions are here included. And theſe I ſhall reduce to that three-fold Kingdom of God, which I hinted in the explication. viz. the Kingdom, 1. of Power and providence. 2. of Grace. 3. of Glory.
1. Then in reference to Gods generall Kingdom of power or providence; ſomething (in compliance with this Petition) is to be beg'd: though (as I hinted) this Kingdom is not ſo properly prayed for in it ſelf conſidered as in that it relates to God's ſpeciall Kingdom. So that we muſt pray,
1. That God will ſo order the great mutations and tranſactions in the world, as that it may appear, that He is abſolute Lord and Soveraign over the world: that hee will exert his abſolute power and ſoveraignty. Here, though wee muſt beware of charging God fooliſhly, as if hee were unjuſt or imprudent in the managment of the world's government; yet wee may (in imitation of the Prophet, Jer. 12. 1.) humbly plead with the Almighty, why; ſeeing hee hath the regiment of the world, the wicked are ſuffered to take root and proſper &c? Such a plea you find Job 24. 1.—Wee may pray that God will in his owne time make it explicit to all the world, that hee reigns over the nations, and that there is one God and his name one. And,
2. That God will ſo manage the affairs of the world, as may tend to the increaſe and happineſs of his Church? that by the Kingdom of his providence, hee will make way for the Kingdom of his grace, and fit men for the Kingdom of glory: To this purpoſe may you plead thoſe promiſes Pſal. 2. 8. Iſa. 66. 20.—that the Goſpel may run and be glorified.
2. In reference to the Kingdom of grace (which I take to be properly meant here), our Petitions, in conformity to this; may reſpect either, 1. The means of it. 2. Or the efficacy of thoſe means: or 3. The amplification and increaſe both of the means, and of the efficacy of thoſe means.
1. As to the means of promoting this Kingdom, they are many: the principal are theſe.
1. The pure adminiſtration of the Word and Sacraments; which is therefore called the Kingdom of God, Matth. 12. 28. and the word of the Kingdom, Matth. 13. 19. Mark. 4. 15. becauſe of its ſpeciall tendency to the promoting of Gods Kingdom: therefore wee are earneſtly to pray for the ſpreading of theIſa. 9. 2. Goſpel: that light may ariſe to them that ſit in darkneſs, and in the region of the ſhadow of death: that labourers may be thruſt out into the harveſt Matth. 9. 38▪ and that hee will not ſuffer them to be thruſt out: that thoſe hee …mployes in this work may open their mouths to ſpeak the Goſpel with all boldneſs notwithſtanding the threatning of malicious ones, Act. 4. 29. ſo that the word may run and be glorified, 2 Theſſ. 3. 3. That the faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpel may have Liberty, Countenance, and Maintenance, that God will give the word, and great may be the number of thoſe that publiſh it: &c. This (let men think what they pleaſe) is the way to bring the Kingdom of God into, and promote it in, a Nation: and when Gods faithfull meſſengers are ſuſpended, ſilenced, caſt out; and dumb dogs that cannot bark are ſet over the flocks, then doe a Nation put away the Kingdom of God from them.
2. Diſcipline rightly and duely diſpenſed:See Commenius in his Treatiſe preſented to our King. Then doth the Kingdom of God come, when the government is layd upon Chriſt's ſhoulder; and hee hath, what is due, allowed to his officers: In oppoſition to which there are two extrems very much infeſting the Church: The one is foreign or foreign. An uſurpation of the Miniſters of Chriſt upon the civill Magiſtrates office, aſſuming and arrogating to themſelves a Lordly domination, inflicting P…ecuni…ry or Corporall mulcts and penalties, bringing down the Cenſures of Chriſt to the promo…ing of their owne humour and Intereſt, proſtituting them to their owne ambitious ends &c. This turns Chriſt's Kingdom into a worldly Kingdom, whereas himſelf hath told us, His Kingdom is not of this world; and, in ſtead of the Kingdom of God, ſets up the power and pride and domination of men. The other extream, is foreign, the Civil Magiſtrates intruding into the affairs of the Church, ordering all in it, as to perſons, forms and adminiſtration, according to his pleaſure; modelling Eccleſiaſtical government, as may be moſt ſubſervient (not to the ſalvation of ſouls, which is its proper end, but) to his civill Intereſt. I am far from denying the Magiſtrate his juſt power,See Jus divinum regiminis Eccleſiaſt. and the Author of Engl. Popiſh Cerem: and I think (were things duely and impartially conſidered) they that are charged to be moſt niggardly towards the Magiſtrate in ſtating his power about Eccleſiaſtical affairs, would be ſound leaſt guilty; and thoſe that pretend to be moſt liberal, would be found guilty of the greateſt encroachments upon it (for indeed they but give it with one hand that they may receive it again with the other). Now, did each keep their due ſtation, and in their ſtation proſecute the great ends for which God hath ſet them in thoſe ſtations, it would be an effectuall means to promote the Kingdom of God: whereas theſe Uſurpations and encroachments of each upon other, ſet up man to the dethroning God, and hindering the propagation of his Kingdom. I could here break out infinitely, in complaining of the ſad effects of theſe things in Nations and Kingdoms, eſpecially where theſe intruſions and encroachments are mutual; where each gives, that hee may receive, and is bountifull to the other, that hee may have the ſame meaſure back again; Where men thus deal and ſhare power and honour among themſelves, God muſt needs ſuffer in his honour and Kingdom; but I had rather you and I ſhould turn in to God, and complain to him, who only can redreſs theſe grievances: this is unqueſtionably a part of the import of this Petition, To pray for a Diſcipline moſt agreeable to the Scripture, and moſt effectually conducing to the ends of Diſcipline, ſuch as may put ſin to ſhame, and bring Sinners to repentance; ſuch a Diſciplin as was exerciſed in the primitive and pureſt times, which was then moſt effectuall for its end; when the civill Magiſtrate not only ſtood neuter to it, but was oppoſite againſt it. This would be a ſingular means to the promoting of Gods Kingdom.
3. (Which hath been already toucht' upon) A pious Magiſtracy: that Kings and Potentates may caſt their Crowns at Chriſt's feet, and ſet them upon his head. Oh, if the civill powers did (as they ought to doe) ſeriouſly proſecute the Intereſt and honour of God in the world, there would be no need of diſputing that vexed and perplexing Queſtion about the Magiſtrates power in Churchaffairs: then, as hee would not arrogate what is not due, ſo hee would not abuſe what God hath allowed him. What need then have wee to put in ſuit ſuch promiſes as thoſe Iſa. 49. 23. Rev. 11. 15. &c. Then, I conceive, the Kingdoms of the world would be the Kingdoms of the Lord and his Chriſt, when the Kings of the Earth, and the body of the Magiſtracy kiſs the Son, and ſubmit to his Crown and Scepter. Though I can ſee little ground for that which ſome dream of, a perſonall viſible reign of Chriſt on earth; yet this is doubtleſs within the Compaſs of the promiſes, and ſhould be the matter of our prayers, That Chriſt may reign in his Vicegerents. Wreſtle then with God that the Magiſtracy of the world may be ſuch as they are deſcribed, Rom. 13. 4. Wee ſhould (like the primitive Church) travel in birth for a manchild i. e. a truely Chriſtian Magiſtracy, as that Text is commonly interpreted, Rev. 12. 2. that they may be ſuch as David reſolves to be, Pſam. 101. per tot. Then would the Kingdom of God come.
2. The ſecond head of Petitions relating to the Kingdom of grace, are ſuch as reſpect the efficacy of thoſe means whereby it is promoted, eſpecially the ſpiritual means: briefly, that God will attend his Word and Ordinances with his Spirit, that hee will make Doctrine and Diſciplin ſuccesfull for their proper ends, the gathering and edifying of his Church: that men may from the heart obey the word delivered to them, Rom. 6. 17. that the weapons of our warfare may be mighty through God, 2 Cor. 10. 4. that not only a wide but effectuall door may be opened, 1 Cor. 16. 9. O… pray, that it may be the day of Gods power, and his Arm may be revealed.
3. The third ſort relates to the amplification and ſpreading of the means, and that in their power; that the Kingdom of God may be both extenſively and intenſively increaſed, and the Goſpel may gain both in heighth and breadth: A precious promiſe (amongſt many other) is that, Iſa. 54. 2. Lengthen thy cords, and ſtrengthen thy ſtakes: there's both extenſion and intenſion, and a promiſe it is (though at firſt view it may ſeem a command) as plainly appears by the following Verſes. Well, pray wee that this K…ngdom may ſpread, and gain upon the Kingdom of Sathan, that thoſe that are yet rebels may become ſubjects; thoſe that are ſu…j…cts in profeſſion, may be ſuch in reality; and thoſe that are in reality ſo, may walk more anſwerable to their Duties and Priviledges. Thus I have touch't upon the Petitions relating to the Kingdom of grace.
3. As to the Kingdom of glory many things might be mentioned: In ſhort theſe three things more eſpecially.
1. That God would ſo promote the work of grace in our owne and others hearts, that wee may be fitted for the Kingdom of glory: That wee may come on to perfection, and may in our hopes and preparations look for and haſten towards the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 2 Pet. 3. 11.
2. That hee will compleat the number of his elect: and cauſe the Goſpel to have a ſpeedy paſſage and effect, that for the Elects ſake the dayes may be ſhortened, Nations may be born in a day Iſa. 66. 10. Wee ſhould in this ſymbolize which the ſouls under the Altar Rev. 6. 10. long to ſee the King in his glory, and Son the perfection of beauty▪
3. (Which followes) That hee will haſten the Coming of Chriſt: that wee may obtain full redemption, and may be poſſeſſed of the unfading Crown of glory. This wee may breathe out in the language of Paul, 2 Cor. 5. 2-9. Phil. 1. 21. or of Saint John. Rev. 22. ult. Come Lord Jeſus, come quickly. Thus I have helped your underſtanding as to the matter of this Petition, which is the firſt Direction. The other reſpects the frame of your hearts in praying this Petition.
Direct. 2. Labour to frame your hearts to the Petition, as well as the Petition to the pattern: Ask with a ſuitable frame of Spirit; which chiefly conſiſts in theſe two things.
1. A heart inflamed with deſire to ſee the King in his beauty: to ſee Jeruſalem a quiet habitation, and the praiſe of the whole earth: Your hearts muſt outcry your voices, and your affections be much larger then your expreſſions. And why ſhould wee not be thus inflamed? Is there a more deſireable mercy, if I may call that a mercy which is indeed a confluence of all mercies? whether you conſider this Kingdom as to the perſonal and particular advantages it brings to your ſelves and other individual perſons, or the benefits that come along with it to Towns, Nations, and Kingdoms, there is not a more deſireable thing in the world: meditate then on the excellencies and advantages that attend the coming of this Kingdom, till you hearts be inflamed with holy breathings after it; then give vent to thoſe pantings of hearts in prayer; ſuch prayers are highly pleaſing and acceptable to God.
2. A frame of heart reſolved both to ſubmit to it, and promote it in your capacities: What notorious diſſimulation, and damnable hypocriſy is it, dayly to pray, Thy Kingdom come—; yet ſet our ſelves to oppoſe and hinder the propagation of it? You are deeply guilty of this who live in manifeſt diſobedience to the Goſpel, will not be inſtructed, nor ſubmit to the unqueſtionable power of the Miniſters of the Goſpel: viz. to be reproved, admoniſhed, exhorted, by them: you that wallow in ſin, are ſold as Slaves to ſin and Sathan, and will not take Chriſt's eaſy yoak and light burden upon you: With what face can you pray ſuch a Petition as this? How many that are mighty zealous to have this form dayly repeated in Church or Pulpit, and yet are notorious enemies both to this and other Petitions, when it comes to the practiſe of what is here prayed for? For ſhame, never plead for the repetition of this pattern of prayer, while the world may read in your lives a viſible contradiction to each Petition in it.
'Tis worſe then a Judas kiſs, thus to deal with Chriſt; to pray that his Kingdom may come, and yet to doe our utmoſt to oppoſe it: either leave praying, or begin to practiſe up to what you pray for, in this Petition, elſe you doe but in effect pray for your owne damnation. This Kingdom will come in juſtice and Terror to all its oppoſers. So much to this Petition.