A Way to Zion Sought out and Found for Believers, Treatise · Objection 6 – Objection 7
Objection from Rom. 14 17.
The Kingdome of God is not meat and drink, but righteousnesse, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost: Whence some argue, The Kingdome of God standeth not in outward, Ordinances, but in inward enjoyments. Answer.The Objection from Rom. 14.17. concerning the spirituality of Christs Kingdome, answered.
1 I would aske, whether the Apostle mean there by meat and drinke, Gospell Ordinances, or some other thing? The Chapter speaketh not a word of Ordinances. But by meat and drinke is meant, Either the difference of meats under the Law; as Ver. 2. He that is weak eateth herbs, which they eat not in the Supper; or the meat sacrificed to Idols, which it was lawfull for them to buy in the Shambles, and eate, and yet some forbare, as vers. 24, 25.
2 Whether by Righteousnesse be meant, our Righteousnesse, or Christs? If Christs, whether his Righteousnesse imputed to us only, or inherent in us also? Whether to be made righteous by him only, as Rom. 5.19. or to doe Righteousnesse, and fruits of Sanctification also; as 1 Joh. 2. ult? If this Righteousnesse be meant, whether it be inward only, and no outward Righteousnesse at all to be acted by our bodies? I… any outward, which is established, and which is abolished by Scripture?
3 I would aske, whether he that rejoyceth that the Word of God goeth forward, and others walke in the Truth, doe not rejoyce in the Holy Ghost, as well as he that rejoyceth in his owne feelings and assurances? according to 3 Joh. 3, 4.
4 I affirme, in some sence, The Kingdome of God doth consist in meat and drinke, in these outward things, 1 Cor. 10.32 Whether yee eate or drinke, or whatsoever you doe, doe all to the glory of God. Now, the glory of God is part of his Kingdome, and Paul saith, If meat make my brother to offend, I will eate no meat while the world standeth, rather then my brother shall offend, 1 Cor. 8. ult.
5 Consider, whether by this Argument, preaching, and conference, and instruction, and words of prayer, and praise, and confessing of Gods goodnesse, and Christs love, and witnessing to God, and declaring our Judgements, our Experiences, &c. be not as cleerly taken off, as other ordinances, 1 Cor. 4.20. saith the Apostle, The Kingdome of God standeth not in WORD, but in power. You see, there is as little of the Kingdome of God in word, as in meat and drinke. Why doe they use any words at all, concerning God, or Christ, or the Gospell, seeing it standeth not in word, but in power? And their word is not power upon mens hearts, as Mr. Saltmarsh confesseth; And yet any man may see, the preaching of the Gospell is called, the WORD of the KINGDOME, Mat. 13.19.
6 And therefore, the meaning must be, The Kingdome of God consisteth not only, or principally in these, either in word, or meat, and drinke, &c. as John 12. He that beleeveth on me, beleeveth not on me, &c. (i. e.) not only; And, Labour not for the meat that perisheth, (i. e.) only, or principally; so it is here.
Doctrine of Baptisme, pag. 11. To bring signes or ceremonies into the Kingdome of God, if rightly understood is to act against Christ glorified.
I answer; Is not his preaching, or the writing this Booke signes and ceremonies, and so no part of the Kingdome of Christ? Nay, doth not this make directly against the Scripture? for what are the Letters, and Sillables, but signes of Spirituall things contained in them, or under them? So that by this tenet, the Scriptures themselves are no part of Righteousnesse, or of the Kingdome of Christ; if rightly understood: But that is false; for therein is the Law of Christ revealed contained, and the minde of God set downe.
And saith he, pag. 16. Paul knew right well, that not any outward thing was of any account in the Kingdome of God.
Then not these mens preachings, or testifying to God; for that is outward, and but outward: Nay, Pauls preaching was not of the Kingdome of God, it seemeth; for that was outward. This also maketh for the over-throw of the Scriptures of the New Testament; for much of it was Pauls preachings. And (saith he) If there be faith and the Spirit, they are sufficient to the Kingdome of God, without any outward Ceremony whatsoever.
I answer; a Ceremony is a command of God, to be observed in its time; so that Faith, without any worke at all to appeare before men. And the Spirit without any fruit to appeare before men, is suffi…nt. See if here be not loosenesse maintained by this Doctrine, though I cannot say, it was this mans intention.
Pag. 21. He saith, The Kingdome of God is onelyonly in spirit in the Saints; The Kingdome of God is within you, Luke 17. The Kingdom of God is righteousnesse, &c. Rom. 14.
Here he acknowledgeth, 1 Exception.that the Kingdome of Christ is the Kingdome of God, contrary to his pleading in his exceptions; And marke it, it is Righteousnesse, as well as peace; and that is, in conversation, as well as in affection: The Grace of God teacheth that; to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live righteously, &c. Tit. 2 12. And that within you, is among you also: for it was not within the Scribes and Pharisees that opposed Christ, no otherwise then among them; the Saints being among them: for it is spoken to them, Luk. 17.20, 21.
Pag. 21. He saith, The Kingdom of God commeth not without observation, as loe here, or loe there.
If he meane Churches, and Societies, as he seemeth, he may as well exclude Saints, unlesse he will take in all the men of the world to his Kingdome; for if it be in the Saints, it must be here and there. But Christ meaneth, it commeth not with that outward pomp of the world, as the Pharisees imagined. He saith, The lightening is a glory without figure, so shall Christs revelation, and comming in spirit be, Mat. 24. As the Lightening, &c.
I answer; The Lightening is visible; all the world may see it, and it carrieth the figure of fire. And withall, I wonder if Christ be not revealed in Spirit to some that walke in the use of ordinances.
Objection from 1 Tim. 4.8.
Bodily exercise profiteth little; But Godlinesse, &c. and all outward things are bodily exercise, as Baprisme with water, the Supper, &c. Answ.Objection from 1 Tim. 4.8. concerning bodily exercise, answered.
1 Doth this Scripture say, That by bodily exercise is meant Gospell ordinances? I finde no such word, nor any thing to maintaine it from the circumstances of the place.
2 You may plainly see, it is bodily exercise, opposed to godlinesse wherein there is nothing of God: Now there is something of God in his owne appointments: God meeteth his people in his way, Isa. 64 5. Th…u meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousnesse, to such as remember thee in thy wayes. And will any man say, that no outward ordinance is called godlinesse? If they doe, consider that place, 1 Tim. 3.16. and there you may see preaching to the Gentiles, is a part of the Mystery of Godlinesse: And so by bodily exercise here, may be meant, things that are meerely of man, having no warrant from God, as appeareth, ver. 7.
3 Consider, if in this place bee not meant the exercise of men against the Gospell of Christ, in a backsliding Antichristian way, as ver. 1, 2, 3.
4 O…der, if hee doe not here meane bodily exercise onelyonly of it selfe; the meer forme without God, and the power, according to 2 Tim. 3.5. Having a forme of godlinesse, denying the power thereof, &c.
5 Take it in their sense, he doth not say it profiteth nothing; but profiteth little: So that it maketh nothing for them.