Chronological History of Popes Intolerable Usurpations, History · Book 1 · Chapter 3

Chronological History of Popes Intolerable Usurpations · History · Book 1 · Chapter 3

p. 26BOOK II. CHAP. III.

III. My Third Propoſition is, That the Supream Government of the Church after Chriſts Incarnation, under the Goſpel, was and is vested in Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, God and Man, only as he is the King (not Priest or Prophet) thereof, and as it is His KINGDOM. And that his Prieſtly and Prophetical Office are united to his Kingly, as the first, highest in dignity, order; not his Regal to his Prophetical or Kingly Office.

BEcauſe this is of very great Conſequence, and may ſeem ſtrange to Uſurping Pontifs, and other Prelats, who appropriate the Soveraign Spiritual Juriſdiction Government over Chriſts kingdom, Church to themſelves, as united to his Prieſtly and Prophetical, not Regal Office, and ſo derived wholly and immediately to themſelves by Chriſt, as Biſhops, Prieſts; not to Kings, by, from, and under whom they will not claim nor exerciſe it, as a flower of Chriſts Crown, though delegated to Kings, his ſole Vice-royes upon Earth, not Popes or Prieſts, who are no Kings; I ſhall fully demonſtrate its verity by pregnant Scripture-proofs.

1. It is generally aſſerted by all Divines Old and New; Pontificans and Proteſtants, That King David and Solomon, (both of themaa1 Sam. 16. 1, to 14. 2 Sam. 2. 4. c. 5. 3. 17. c. 12. 7. Pſ. 80. 2 Kings 1. 14. 33. to 49. 1 Chron. 29. 22, 23, 24.1 Sam 16:1–142 Sam 2:4Ps 802 Kgs 1:142 Kgs 1:33–491 Chr 29:221 Chr 29:231 Chr 29:24 anointed by Gods ſpecial p. 27command, to ſit upon Gods throns, to be Kings for the Lord their God, … his people Iſrael, to do Juſtice and Judgement, to reign over, rule … in the fear of God, and to eſtabliſh them for ever; as likewiſe to prepare, build, conſecrate a moſt …, and holy Temple for him under the Law; were both lively Types of Chriſt; ccPſal. 45. …Ps 45… by God with the oyl of gladneſſe above his fellowes, as the ſon and ſeed of David, to be the Soveraign King (as God incarnate) over his Church, Saints under the Goſpel, which he redeemed, built, ſanctifyed with his own blood, adorned with all ſaving graces, and in which he ſhould ſit, rule as King and Soveraign Lord for ever, to govern, rule, help, protect, ſave, glorify it for eternity.

2ly. That Chriſts comming in the fleſh to rule,… reign in and over his People for ever, is alwayes prophecied of, and promiſed in the Old Teſtament, under the Title and Office of a King, not Prieſt or Prophet; and that he ſhall ſit upon the Throne of David his Father to govern them as a King, not Prieſt; Witneſſe I ſay 32. 1, 2. ch. 16. 5. & ch. 9. 6, 7, 8. Behold a KING ſhall raign in righteouſneſſe, and Princes ſhall rule in Judgement: and a man ſhall be as an hiding place from the Wind, and a covert from the ten poſt: as rivers of waters in a dry place, as the ſhadow of a great rock in a weary land. And in mercy ſhall his Throne be eſtabliſhed, and he ſhall ſit upon it in truth in the Tabernacle of David, Iudging and ſeeking Iudgement, and haſting righteouſneſſe: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Sonne is given, and the Government ſhall be upon his ſhoulder, and his name ſhall be call: Wonderfull, Counſellor, the Mighty God, the everlaſting Father, the PRINCE of Peace: Of the increaſe of his Government and peace there ſhall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order, and to eſtabliſh it with judgement and with juſtice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of Hoſts will perform this. Iſay 33. 22. Forthe Lord is our Iudge, the Lord is our Law giver, the Lord is our King, he will ſave us. Jer. 23. 5, 6. The dayes come ſaith the Lord, that I will raiſe … avid a righteous branch, and a King ſhall reign and proſper, and ſhall execute Iudgement and Iuſtice in the Earth. In his dayes Judah ſhall be ſaved, and Iſrael … dwell ſafely, and this is his name wherewith he ſhall be called, the Lord our righteouſneſſe, &c. Ezek. 27. 22, 24, 25. And they ſhall be no more two Nations, neither ſhall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. And David my ſervant ſhall be King ever them, and they all ſhall have one Shepherd, and they ſhall alſo walk in my judgments, and obſerve my ſtatutes, and do them. And they ſhall dwell in the Land which I have given unto Jacob my ſervant wherein your Fathers have dwelt, and they ſhall dwell therein even they and their children, and their childrens children for ever, and my ſervant David ſhall be their Prince for ever. Hoſea 3. 5. & ch. 13. 9, 10. Afterward ſhall the children of Iſrael return and ſeek the Lord their God, and David their King, and ſhall fear the Lord and his Good…eſſe in the latter dayes. O Iſrael thou hast … thy ſelf, but in me is thy help; I will be thy King, where is any other that may ſave thee in all thy Cities? Jer. 33. 15, 16, 17. chap. 8. 19. ch. 9, 10. In thoſe dayes and at that time will I cauſe the branch of righteouſneſſe to grow up unto David, and he ſhall execute judgement and righteouſneſſe in the Land. In thoſe dayes ſhall Judah be ſaved, and Jeruſalem ſhall dwell ſafely, and this is the name wherewith he ſhall be called, The Lord our righteouſneſſe; For thus ſaith the Lord, David ſhall never want a man to ſit upon the Throne of the houſe of Iſrael. Is not the Lord in Zion, is not her King in her? The Lord is the true and living God, and an everlaſting King, or King of eternity, Micah 2. 13. Their King ſhall paſſe before them, and the Lord on the head of them, cap. 4. 7, 8, 9. I will make her that was caſt off a ſtrong nation, and the Lord ſhall reign over them in mount Sion from henceforth for ever: Unto thee ſhall it come, even the firſt Dominion, the Kingdom ſhall come to the daughter of Jeruſalem. Now why doſt thou cry out aloud, Is there no King in thee? Zach: 9. 9. Rejoyce greatly O daughter of Sion, ſhout O daughter of Jeruſalem, Behold thy King cometh unto thee, he is is iuſt, having ſalvation, lowly, and riding upon an Aſſe, and upon a Colt, the fole of an Aſſe. Actualy fulfilled at Chriſts triumphant riding into Jeruſalem, and crying … to the Son of David, bleſſed is the King of Iſrael, and bleſſed be the kingdom of our Father David, John 12. 12. Mat. 21. 1▪ …, 14. Mat. 11. 1. to 12. Lu. 19. 29. to 47.John 12:12Matt 21:1Matt 21:14Matt 11:1–12that cometh in the name of the Lord, Hoſanna in the highest; as all the four Evangeliſts record. Zech: 14. 9. 16. And the Lord ſhall be King over all the earth, and in that day ſhall there be One Lord, and his name One. And it ſhall c…me to paſſe, that every one that is left of all the Nations that came against Jeruſalem, ſhall even go up from year to year to worſhip the King, the Lord of Hoſits. To which I ſhall p. 28ſubjoyn theſe prophecies of King David himſelf concerning the Kingſhip and kingdom of Chriſt, Gods Son, of his ſeed. Pſalm 2. 6, 7, 8. Yet have I ſet my King upon my holy Hill of Sion. I will declare the Decree; the Lord hath ſaid unto me, Thou art my ſonne, this day have I begotten thee: Ask of me and I ſhall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the Earth for thy poſſeſſion; Thou ſhalt break them with a rod (or Scepter) of Iron, &c. …ſalm 10. 16. The Lord is King for ever and ever, &c. Pſalm 29. 10, 11. The Lord ſitteth King for ever: The Lord will give ſtrength u… to his people, the Lord will bleſſe his people with peace. Pſalm 24. 7, 8, 9, 10. Lift up your Heads O ye Gates, and be ye lift up ye everlaſting doors, and the King of Glory ſhall come in; Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battel, The Lord of Hoſts he is the King of Glory &c. Pſalm 47. 6, 7, 8. Sing praiſes to God, ſing praiſes, ſing praiſes unto our King, ſing praiſes; For God is the King of all the earth, ſing ye praiſes with underſtanding. God reigneth over the Heathen, God ſitteth upon the Throne of his Holineſſe. Pſalm 96. 9, 10, &c. & 98. 6, 9. & 99 1, 2. O worſhip the Lord in the beauty of holineſſe, fear before him all the earth. Say among the Heathen, that the Lord reigneth, the world alſo ſhall he eſtabliſh that it ſhall not be moved, he ſhall judge the world uprightly. With trumpets and ſound of a Corn it make a joyfull noiſe before the Lord the King, &c. For he cometh to judge the earth, with righteouſneſſe ſhall he judge the world, and the people with equity, More eſpecially Pſal. 95. 3. & 99, to 2. The Lord is a great God, and a Great King above all Gods. The LORD REIGNETH, let the people tremble: The Lord is great in Sion, and high above all people. The KINGS ſtrength alſo loveth judgement, thou doſt eſtabliſh equity, thou executeſt judgement and righteouſneſſe in Jacob. Pſal. 149. 2. Let Iſrael rejoyce in him that made him, let the children of Sion be joyfull in THEIR KING: Let them praiſe his name in the Dance, &c. Pſalm 89. 18. 34, 35, 36, &c. For the Lord is our defence, and the holy one of Iſrael is our King, Alſo I will make him my firſt-born, higher then the Kings of the earth. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I ſworn by my holineſſe that I will not lie unto David, His ſeed (King Jeſus) ſhall endure for ever, and his Throne as the Sunne before me, It ſhall be Eſtabliſhed for ever as the Moon and as a faithfull witneſſe in heaven. In all theſe Texts of ſacred Story (to omit others) Chriſt is ſtill prophecyed of, and promiſed to his Church only, under the ſtile of a King, Lord or Great King of the Seed of David, ſitting upon his Throne, righteouſly judging and reigning over his people as a King, and he is ſometimes ſtiled David their King (he being a Type of Chriſt) his Supream government of them being attributed, annexed only to his Kingſhip, not to his Prieſthood or Prophetical office, as it was in King David his Father, and the forecited kings.

3ly. That as the Scripture prophecied of, and promiſeth Jeſus Chriſt in the fleſh under the Title of a King; ſo it ſtiles the Church and Saints he ſhould reign over under the Goſpel, a kingdom, wherein and over which he ſits and reigns as a King for ever. This is evident by all the laſt recited Texts; and thoſe I ſhall adde unto them. 2 Sam: 7. 13. 29. 1 Chron: 28. 7. I will eſtabliſh his kingdom for ever; 1 Chr. 29. 11. Thine, O Lord, is the greatneſſe, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the praiſe; for all in the heaven and in the earth is thine, thine is the kingdom, O Lord, & thou art exalted as head, above all, (as a King, not Prieſt or Prophet) both riches & honor come of thee, and thou reigneſt overall, and in thin: hand is Power and Might, to …ake great and to give ſtrength to all, Pſal. 103. 19. The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven, and his kingdom ruleth over All: Yea the contemplation and diſcourſe of the Glory and excellency of Chriſts everlaſting kingdom over his Church and Saints, is thus prophecied of by David, as one principal part both of their and all other Chriſtians duty and felicity upon earth. Pſal: 145. 10, 11, 12, 13. All thy works ſhall praiſe thee, O Lord, and thy Saints ſhall bleſſe thee; they ſhall speak of the Glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power, to make known to the Sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious maieſty of his kingdom: Thy kingdom is an everlaſting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth through all Generations. In purſuance of which duty, King David himſelf penned two ſpecial Pſalms of praiſe, Pſ. 45. 1. My heart is inditing a good matter, I ſpeak of the things I have made for the King &c. Gird thy ſword (not Peters or the Popes keyes) upon thy thigh, O moſt mighty, with thy glory and thy majeſty; and in thy majeſty ride prosperouſly becauſe of truth and meekneſſe, &c. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the Scepter of thy kingdom p. 29(not Peters keyes) is a right Scepter. Thou loveſt righteouſneſſe, and hateſt wickedneſſe: therefore God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladneſſe above thy fellows, Hearken (O daughter) and conſider, &c. So ſhall the King greatly deſire thy beauty, for he is thy Lord, and worſhip thou him. The King daughter (… the Church) is all glorious within, &c. She ſhall be brought unto the King, (Chriſt Jeſus) in rayment of needle work, they ſhall enter into the Kings paſſage, &c. To which he addeth many Pſalms of like nature, eſpecially two begenning thus: Pſal: 97. 1 The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoyce, let the multitude of the … (and ours amongſt others) be glad thereof. Pſalm: 99. 1. The Lord reigneth, let the earth tremble, &c. The Prophet Daniel preſents us with this excellent deſcription and prediction of Chriſts Kingdome, Dan: 2. 41. And in the dayes of theſe Kings ſhall the God of heaven ſet up a Kingdom which ſhall never be deſtroyed, and the Kingdom ſhall not be left to other people, but it ſhall break in pieces and conſum: all theſe Kingdome, and it ſhall ſtand for ever: Thus farther illuſtrated Dan: 4. 3. How great are his ſignes? how mighty are his wonders? and his dominion is from Generation to Generation. Upon which conſideration King Nebuchadnezzer himſelf upon his reſtauration to his underſtanding and kingdom, ver. 34, 35, Bleſſed the moſt high, and praiſed and honoured him who liveth for ever; whoſe dominion is an everlaſting dominion and his Kingdom from Generation to Generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing, and he doth according to his will, in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and who can ſay unto him, what doeſt thou? King Darius thus ſeconded him, Dan: 6. 26. He is the living God and ſtedfast for ever, and his Kingdom that which ſhall not be deſtroyed, and his dominion that which ſhall be even unto the end. He delivereth and reſcueth, &c. Dan. 7. 13, 14, 27. I ſaw in the night Viſion, and behold one like the ſonne of man (Chriſt Jeſus) came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the antient of dayes, and they brought him near before him; and there was given him Dominion, Glory, and a Kingdom that all people, nations and languages ſhall ſerve him; his Dominion is an everlaſting Dominion, and his Kingdom that which ſhall not be destroyed: An the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatneſſe of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven ſhall be given to the people of the Saints which are of the moſt high; whoſe Kingdom is an everlaſting Kingdom, and all Dominions ſhall ſerve and obey him. To which the Prophet Micah ſuperadds this prophecy, ch. 4. 7. I will make him that was cast farr off a strong Nation; and the Lord ſhall reign over them in Mount Zion, from henceforth even for ever.

All theſe memorable Prophecies and Promiſes in the Old Teſtament, were particularly applied to Chriſt and ratified by the Angel Gabriel when ſent by God to the Virgin Mary with the bleſſed Tydings of our Saviours miraculous conception by the over-ſhaddowing of the Holy Ghoſt in her womb, thus recorded by St. Luke in the New Teſtament, Luc. 1. 21, 31, 32, 33. Behold, thou ſhalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Sonne, and ſhalt call his name JESƲS; He ſhall be great, and ſhall be called the Sonne of the Higheſt, and the Lord God ſhall give unto him, the Throne of his father David, an he ſhall reign over the Houſe of Iſrael for ever, and of his Kingdom there ſhall be no end. All theſe recited memorable Prophecies, promiſes applied to Chriſt himſelf, his Reign, Kingdom, Kingly Office in the New Teſtament, Lu. 1. 32, 33. Hebr. 1. 7. to 14. 1 Cor. 15. 25. 2 Pet. 1. 11. infallibly reſolve, That all Spiritual Dominion, Rule; Power, Judicature and Juriſdiction over the Church and members thereof, are actually veſted in Chriſt by God the Father & for ever inſeparably annexed only to his Regal, not Prieſtly or Prophetical Office; and that he exerciſeth this Supream Lordſhip and Dominion over them only as a King ſitting in his Regal throne, reigning over, giving Lawes to, judging, rewarding, puniſhing them, as they are his Kingdom, Subjects, who ſerve and obey him as their King; whoſe Kingdom and Soveraign Dominion over them is an everlaſting Kingdom, Government, Dominion, which ſhall never be altered nor deſtroyed, nor the rights thereof invaded by his Prieſtly Office, nor any Apoſtle, Pope, Biſhop, Prieſt, or Uſurpers whatſoever.

4ly. Upon this account, we find theſe ſecondary Prophecies recorded in the Old Teſtament, that not only all Nations, but their very Kings, Princes, Kingdomes ſhould obey, ſerve, and do him homage with all humility as their Soveraign King and Lord, by, from, and under whom they hold their Crowns, and whoſe p. 30…, Miniſters they are. Hence is that memorable prophecy of … David …, on … throne he is ſad to ſit. Pſal. 68. 24, 29. 32. They have ſe…n thy going O God, the going of my God, my King, in the Sanctuary, &c. Kings …all bring preſents unto thee; Sing unto God ye Kingdomes of the earth, O ſing praiſes unto the Lord. Pſal: 72. 4, 9, 10, &c. a meer prophecy of Chriſt and his Kingdom under the perſon o… King Solomon his predeceſſor, and type; Give the King by Judgement, O God, and thy righteouſneſſe unto the Kings Sonne; He ſhall judge thy people with righteouſneſſe, &c. He ſhall have Dominion alſo from ſea to ſea, and from the River unto the en…s of the earth; They that dwell in the wilderneſſe ſhall bow before him, and his … ſhall li…ke the duſt: The Kings of Tarſhiſh and of the Iſles ſhall bring preſents, the Kings of Sheba and Seba ſhall offer Gifts: Yea all Kings ſhall fall down before him, and …hem by their examples and authority) all Nations ſhall ſerve him. … 102. 15, 16. The heathen ſhall fear the name of the Lord, & … Kings of the earth thy glory Pſal. 138. 4, 5. All the Kings of the Earth ſhall praiſe thée, O Lord, when … hear the words of thy mouth; yea, they ſhall ſing in the praiſes of the Lord, for great is th… glory of … Lord: Whence King David exhorting all celeſtial, terreſtrial, and then the rational … as to praiſe the Lord, Pſal. 14. 8. begins thus with Kings: verſe 11. Kings of the earth and all people, Princes & all Iudges of the earth, &c. Let them praiſe thy … of the LORD, for his name alone is excellent, his glory is above the earth and heaven. Iſay 41. 1, 2. Keep ſilence before me O Iſlands, &c. who raiſed up the righteus ma… from the eaſt, and called him to his foot, gave the Nations before him, and made him Rule over Kings; he gave them as duſt to his ſword, and as driven ſ…ubble to …. Iſay 49. 7, 23. Kings ſhall ſee and ariſe, Princes alſo ſhall worſhip, becauſe of the Lord, that is faithfull, and the holy one of Iſrael. Kings and Quéens ſhall bow down to thee, with their faces towards the earth. Iſay 52. 15. He (Chriſt with his …) ſhall …rinkle many Nations, THE KINGS ſhall ſhut their mouths at, (or rather before) him; for that which hath not been told them ſhall they ſee, and that which they had not heard ſhall they conſider. Iſay 60. 3. 10, 11, 16. chap. 62. 3. The Lord ſhall … upon thee, and his glory ſhall be ſhewn in thee, The Gentiles ſhall come to thy light, and KINGS to the brightneſſe of thy riſing; THE KINGS of the ſons of ſtrangers ſhall come unto thee; unto thee the riches of the Gentiles, and THEIR KINGS ſhall be brought; The Gentiles ſhall ſee thy righteouſneſſe, and ALL KINGS thy glory.

Hence the Royal Pſalmiſt David upon this conſideration, that God in deſpite of all heathen people, Kings and Rulers of the earth, ſhould ſet up his Sonne Jeſus Chriſt, … KING upon his holy hill of Zion (which cannot be removed, but ſtandeth fact for ever) to whom he had given the Heathen for an Inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſsion; concludes with this admonition to them, to ſubject themſelves to his Royal Scepter and Government:aaPſal. 2. ….Ps 2 Be wiſe now therefore O YE KINGS, be inſtructed ye JUDGES of the earth; Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoyce unto him with trembling; Kiſſe the Sonne (a Ceremony uſed bybb… Subjects, f…datories to Kings & Soveraign Lords, when they kneeled down before & ſwore Homage and Fealty to become their Men and Vaſſals from that day forwards of life, limb, or terrene honour; and to be true, faithfull, bear faith and true allegiance to them, continued in England till this day) leſt he be angry and ye periſh from the way, when his wrath is …: but a little; Bleſſed are all they that trust in him. In all theſe Prophecies of Chriſts kingdome and Government under the Goſpel in the Old Teſtament, Chriſt … and ſet forth only as a KING and Soveraign Lord, reigning and … over his …ubjects as a King, not as a Prieſt or Prophet; and his Church ſtiled deſcribed … by the Name of a Church, (never once uſed throughout the Old Teſtament) but only of a KINGDOM, or ofcc…. Mount Zion, or Jeruſalem, dd….THE CITY OF GOD, where the Houſe of the Lord ff….was built, his publike worſhip ſetled by David and Solomon, the Metropolis of all Kings of the ſeed of David, where they were crowned, reigned, and gave Judgement, as Kings; whence it was ſtiled gg….THE CITY OF DAVID, for there were ſet THRONES OF JUDGEMENT, even THE THRONES OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID: and the CITY OF THE GREAT KING (in relation to Chriſt himſelf) whence the Church under the Goſpel … likewiſe ſtiled, The City of the living God, and deſcribed in all her glory, under the … of A CITY, (Rev. 21. 13. to the end; and ch. 22. 1, to 27.) wherein his Subjects ſerve and worſhip him as their LORD, GOD, KING, and p. 31ſhall REIGN WITH HIM FOR EVER AND EVER; All which conſidered, infallibly demonſtrate, the Supreme Rule and Government of the Church on earth under the Law, to be veſted only in, and exerciſed by the Kings, and Soveraign Rulers of Gods people; not in & by the High Prieſts or Levites; and under the Goſpel in & by Chriſt himſelf only as KING and Supream Lord thereof, as it is his kingdom; not as a Prieſt or Prophet: and that his reign, Dominion, Juriſdiction in and over it is for ever appropriated to his Regal, not Pontifical or Prophetical office.

5ly. As the Angel told Mary a little before Chriſts Conception, the Grandeur, ſtability & perpetuity of his kingdom: So the Wiſemen which came to Jeruſalem to worſhip him, being the firſt-fruits of his Kingdom and Church under the Goſpel, inquired after him only as a King: ſaying, Where is he that IS BORN KING OF THE JEWS? for we have ſeen his Star in the Eaſt, and are come to worſhip him; Whereupon he Chief Prieſts and Scribes being aſſembled by King Herod to inform him where Chriſt ſhould be born; anſwered, At Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the Prophet: And thou Bethlehem art not the leaſt among the PRINCES of Judah, &c. for out of thee ſhall come A GOVERNOR, WHO SHALL RULE MY PEOPLE ISRAEL: where theſe Wiſemen finding him with Mary his mother, they fell down and worſhipped (not his mother Mary with an Impera filio, Monſtra te eſſe matrem; Jube benedicere, &c. as Popes and their diſciples daily pray unto her even now in their Offices, Primers, Maſs-books ſet forth by Papal authority) but the aaMat. 2. 3. 4. 5, 16. &c.Matt 2:3Matt 2:4Matt 2:5Matt 2:16Babe, & when they had brought forth their gifts, they offered unto him Gold, Frankincenſe, and Myrrhe; On which placebbDe Stella & Magis▪ p 265▪ Edit: Pamelii. Saint Cyprian firſt, and others after him, have this obſervation; In auro REGEM, in thure Sacerdotem, in myrrha Incorruptibilem; quamvis pa…sibilum demonstrat. In loco humili & ſupellectile vili REX Regum, & DOMINUS Dominorum invenitur, recognoſcitur, & ab aliis adoratur. And although Chriſt never claimed nor exerciſed any temporal Authority over the Kingdom of David (to which he was born heir, as Herod feared) but only over his Spiritual kingdom, which he affirmed, ccJohn 18. 36. c. 19. 12. to 32.John 18:36Not to be of this world; yet he owned himſelf to be A KING; and ddJohn 19, 20, 21, 22. Lu 23. 37, 38. Mat. 27 37. Mar. 15 26John 19:20John 19:21John 19:22Matt 27:37Mark 15:26Pilate himſelf poſitively profeſſed it; (though the Jews would not) by demanding of them (when they cried out, to have him crucified) ſhall I crucifie your KING? and fixing this written Title on his Croſſe (which he would not alter at the high Prieſts importunity) in Hebrew, Greek and Latin;—JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS; to evidence his Kingſhip (over his Kingdom the Church) which none of the ee1 Cor. 2. 8.1 Cor 2:8Princes of this world (then) knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord (or King) of glory; ggMat. 11. 8, t… 14. Mar. 11. 15 16, &c. Lu. 48, &c. John 12. 1… 14, 15, 16. c. 2. 17.Matt 11:8Mark 11:15John 12:1as the Apoſtle, and Pſalmiſt ſtile him:) yea the very multitude of people proclaimed him a King, when he rode into Jeruſalem in regal Triumph, ffPſ. 24. 7, 8, 9, 10.Ps 24:7Ps 24:8Ps 24:9Ps 24:10by ſtrowing their garments and bough… of trees in the way, ſinging with a loud voice; Hoſanna, Bleſſed be the King, and kingdom of our father David that commeth in the name of the Lord, Hoſanna in the higheſt. After which he went into the Temple, and threw out them that bought and ſold therein, overthrew the Tables of the money-changers, and them that ſold Doves; by virtue of his Regal, not Sacerdotal power.

6ly.hhLu. 1. 45, 4… c. 8. 25. It is very obſervable, that Jeſus Chriſt whiles on earth, was moſt uſually ſtiled both byiiMat. 9. 28. … 13. 51. Lu. 9. 54 c. 11 1. c. 17 4. c. 24. 34. John 13. 13. c. 14. 5… 8, 12. Acts 16. 24.Matt 9:28Matt 9:13Matt 9:51John 13:13Acts 16:24 Mary his Mother,kkMat. 14. 28. 30. c. 17 4. Lu. 33, 38, 49 John 6. 68 c. 1…. 6, 9. 13, 36, 37. c. 21. 7, 12, 15, 16, 17. & 21. Acts 2. 36. c. 10 4. 14. 36. c. 11 8. c. 12. 17. 1 Pet: 2. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 1. 3.Matt 14:28Matt 14:30John 6:68Acts 2:361 Pet 2:11 Pet 2:3 all his Diſciples, (eſpecially byllLuke 2. 11. and infinite other Texts.Luke 2:11 Saint Peter) and by all ſorts of perſons who addreſſed themſelves unto him by petition or otherwiſe, Lord, the Lord, my Lord, our Lord, and his other Titles of Jeſus, Saviour, Chriſt, &c. are very ſeldom mentioned throughout the New Teſtament, by Angels, Saints, Evangeliſts, Apoſtles, or any others, but with this addition: mmLuke 2. 11. Phil: 2. 9, 10.Luke 2:11Chriſt the Lord, Jeſus our Lord, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, our Lord and Saviour, Lord God, &c. every tongue of nnLuke 12. 17. Mat: 3. 21. Mar: 5. 10, 11, 12.Luke 12:17Angels, Saints, yea ofooMat: 7. 21. 22. c. 25. 11. Lu. 6. 46. c. 23. 25. Devils and damned ſpirits, confeſſing, that Jeſus Chriſt is Lord, Lord of all, Lord and Chriſt, Lord both of quick and dead: which Title manyppJohn 13. 13. 14.John 13:13John 13:14 Hypocrites, and the fooliſh Virgins reiterated, ſaying, Lord, Lord open, &c. Which Appellation Chriſt himſelf reſolved to be true;qq1 Cor. 8. 6.1 Cor 8:6 You call me Lord & Maſter, ſo I am; his Father having put all things in ſubjection under his feet, eſpecially his redeemed ones, who profeſſe this as an Article of their faith; (r) But unto us there is but one Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom are all things, and we by him: Now this Title Lord, (attributed to Chriſt in its eminenteſt p. 32ſenſe) denotes only his Regal Dominion, Lordſhip, and Soveraignty over them in and under the Goſpel as their KING, as the penitent Theefs ſpeech to him on the Croſſe,aaLuke 23. 42.Luke 23:42 LORD remember me when thou commeſt into THY KINGDOM; the Apoſtles queſtion to him,bbActs 1. 6.Acts 1:6 LORD wilt thou at this time reſtore the KINGDOM to Iſrael? Saints Pauls concluſion,cc2 Tim. 4. 18.2 Tim 4:18 THE LORD will preſerve me to his HEAVENLY KINGDOM, with St Peters, dd2 Pet. 1. 11.2 Pet 1:11For ſo an entrance ſhall be ministred unto you abundantly into THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF OUR LORD and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, and our Saviours own aſſeverations,eeMat. 7. 21. c. 21, 22.Matt 7:21 Not every one that ſaith LORD, LORD, ſhall enter into the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, but he that doth the will of my father which is in heaven, neceſſarily evince.

7ly. After our Saviours reſurrection and aſcention; when God his Father highly exalted him, and gave him ffMat: 28. 18.all power both in heaven and earth, his Soveraign Regality and Dominion in and over his Church and Kingdom, are frequently ſet forth in theſe tranſcendent expreſſions decyphering only his Regal, not Prie…tly or Prophetick Offices and Adminiſtrations; gg1 Tim: 6. 14, 15. Rev: 1. 5. c. 17. 14. c. 19. 16.Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is the only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, the Prince of the Kings of the earth; whom God the father of glory hath ſet at his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principalities and powers, and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in the world to come, and hathhhEpheſ: 1. 18, 19. put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to his Church, which is his body:iiCol. 1. 10, to 20.Col 1:10–20 The fullneſſe of him that filleth all in all; Goa hath (by the extraordinary greatneſſe of his mighty and glorious power delivered us from the power of darkneſſe and tranſlated us into the kingdom of his dear Sonne, who is the firſt-born of every creature; For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, viſible and inviſible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for him. And he is the head of the body the Church, who is the beginning, the firſt-born from the dead, that in (or among…) all things he might have the preeminence: For it pleaſed the Father that in him all fullneſſe ſhould dwell: Compared with his other Goſpel titles, ThoukkRev. 15. 3.Rev 15:3 King of Saints, and the united praiſes, llRev: 4. 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, c. 5. 11, 12, 13, 14, c. 19. 4. Rom. 17. 36.proſtrations, acclamations, of the Angels, with the four beaſts, and the 24. Elders, and all the Saints and Redeemed ones before Christ who ſitteth on the throne, before whom they all fall, worſhip, and caſt down their Crowns, ſaying, Worſhip and honour, and thanks and glory, and power be unto him that ſitteth upon the throne for ever and ever; worthy art thou O LORD to receive glory and honour; for thou haſt created all things, and for thy pleaſure they were and are created: All theſe recited Texts reſolve, that Chriſt is Supream head of his Kingdom the Church, not in his Prieſtly, Propheticall capacity or office, but only in his Regal, and reigns in it as a King, Lord, not as Prieſt or Prophet.

8ly. As in the Old ſo in the New Teſtament, the Church Militant as well as the Triumphant, is uſually ſtiled mmMat: 6. 33. c. 21. 42, 43. Mat: 10. 14.the Kingdom of God, thennMat. 3 2. c. 4. 12: c. 5. 19. c. 10. 11, 12. c. 18. 24, 31, 33, 47, 52. Heb. 1. 4.Matt 3:2Heb 1:4 Kingdom of heaven, Chriſts Kingdom. ooMat: 13. 41. Luke 1. 33. 1 Theſſ. 1. 11. Col. 1. 13. Rev: 1. 9. Mar. 20. 21. Lu. 23.Luke 1:331 Thess 1:11Col 1:13my Kingdom, his Kingdom, thepp2 Pet: 1. 11. ever laſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt;qqHeb. 12. 28.Heb 12:28 a Kingdom which cannot be removed, &c. The very Goſpel it ſelf, rrMat: 13. 11, …3. Lu. 8. 1. 10 Heb: 10. 8. Rom: 1. 16.the Goſpel, word, and myſteries of the Kingdom; yea Mat: 13. 44, 47. Mar: 10. 15. Luc. 4. 43. c. 9. 2, 11, 60, 61. c. 10. 9. c. 11. 20. c. 16. 16: c. 18. 17. Acts 20. 25. c. 28. 31. 1 Kings 4. 20.Luke 4:43Acts 20:251 Kgs 4:20ſhall the Kingdom of God, and heaven it ſelf;ttMat: 25. 34. c. 5. 3. 10. Jam: 2. 5. Lu: 23. 29. The mighty power of God to ſalvation, & ſcepter of his Kingdom. His SaintsuuLu: 22. 30. 2 Kings 2. 11. Rev: 22. 5. Rom: 9. 11. Mat: 19. 28. c. 15. Rev: 3. 11. Rev: 4. 2, to 10. c. 5. 7, 13. c: 6. 16. c: 7. 15, 17. c: 22. 3.2 Kgs 2:11 ſhall (eat, drink, ſit, reign with him in his Kingdom. He ſits and reigns for ever in his Church as a King on a Royal throne, clothed with royal Majeſty and glory; His rewards are all Regal; A crown of righteouſneſs, of glory, thrones, Inheritances in his kingdom, reigning with him as Kings, royal Robes, Honour, Glory. His puniſhments Regal; Excluſion from his kingdome, everlasting death, infernal chaines, destruction from the preſence of the LORD, and from the Glory of his POWER, His judging of quick and dead at his appearance and comming; Yea all his adminiſtrations Regal, in preſcribing Lawes to his Church, reſcuing them from the power of Satan, Hell, and all other Enemies; protecting them from all evils; treading Satan under their feet; Guarding them by his Mighty power unto ſalvation in his heavenly kingdom: compared with this fulfilling of the procies p. 33xxMat: 13 38. 1 Tim: 4, 8: Jam: 1. 12: 1 Pet: 5: 4: Rev: 2: 10:yyRom: 3: 20: 4: Mar: 19: 28:zzLuke 12: 32: Mat: 15: 34:Luke 12:32**1 Cor: 6. 9, 10. c. 15. 50. Gal. 5. 21. Eph: 5. 5. Mat: 25. 41, to 46. 1 Pet: 3. 19. 2 Pet. 2. 4. 2 Theſſ: 1. 9. Lu: 19. 27Gal 5:212 Pet 2:4of Chriſts kingdom in the Old Teſtament, thus recorded (as accompliſhed) in in the New; Rev: 11. 15. There were great voyces in heaven, ſaying, The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdom (not Church) of our Lord and of his Chriſt, and he ſhall reign for ever and ever. Rev: 12. 10. And I heard a loud voice ſaying in heaven, Now is come the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of his Chriſt. 1 Cor: 15. 24, 25. Then cometh the end, when Chriſt ſhall have delivered up the Kingdom to God the Father, when he ſhall have put down all rule, and all authority and power; for he muſt reign till he ſhall put down all enemies under his feet. All and every of theſe Texts and conſiderations joyntly and ſeverall demonſtrate more clearly then the Morning Sunne; That Chriſts Government of his Kingdom the Church under the Goſpel, is only Kingly and Monarchical, (as even aaDe Romano Pontif. l. 5. c. 1. See Dr: Crakenthorp of the Popes Temporal Monarchy, c. 1. Alvarus Pelagius De Planctu Eccleſ. l. 1. Art: 13. Gratian Diſt. 15, 22, 69, 96.Sir 50:1Bellarmin himſelf, and moſt Pontificians profeſſe, argue; grounding the Popes Univerſal Monarchy upon it) not Pontifical or Prophetical; and that the Supreme Government thereof is for ever intirely annexed to his Regal, not Prieſtly or Prophetical Office; and theſe Offices of his united to his Regal Office as Supream, not his Regal to his Sacerdotal or Propheticall, as ſubordinate to them.

This being an unfallible Goſpel-truth, not hitherto ſo fully cleared, and inſiſted on by the Oppugners or Aſſerters of Popes Univerſal Monarchy, as was neceſſary, which induced me to expatiate in its probation. The ſecond and ſole Queſtion will be; Whether Chriſt himſelf did ever delegate by any Commiſſion recorded in Sacred Hiſtory all his Regal Power and Juriſdiction, or any branch thereof, to Saint Peter, or any other Apoſtles, Biſhops, Presbyters, Evangeliſts, or Miniſters of the Goſpel? Or whether they or any of them ever juſtly claimed, enjoyed, exerciſed this his Royal Dominion, Office, Government in or over his Church on earth? If yea; as moſt Popes and their Paraſites confidently affirm, (without the leaſt ſhadow of Scripture or Verity;) let them produce the Commiſſion or Texts, to evidence it to every mans **2 Cor. 4. ….2 Cor 4conſcience in the ſight of God, and to all Kings, Kingdoms, Nations in the world: If not (as ſhall be evidenced in the enſuing Chapters paſt all contradiction;) I and they may then ſafely cry out mightily with a ſtrong voyce, as the Angel prophetically doth;bbRev. 18, 2, 3 4, 21.Rev 18:2Rev 18:3 Babylon the great (Rome) is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of Devils, and the hold of every foul ſpirit, and a cage of every unclean and hatefull Bird: Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her ſins, and that ye receive not of her Plagues: with violence ſhall ſhe (and her triple-crown'd Pontif) be thrown down (from the pinacle of her uſurped, ſuper-tranſcendent power) and ſhall be found no more at all.

Before I take leave of this Propoſition, to avoid mistakes, and clear up the Truth, it will be neceſſary to diſtinguiſh: 1. The ſeveral ſorts of Chriſts kingdomes. 2ly. What kind of Kingdom his Church is. 3ly. How and in what manner he reigns and governs in it, as King and Soveraign Lord over it?

For the 1. It isaaSee Auguſtin De Civit: Dei, l. 20. c. 9. l. 7. c. 7 &c. Homil: in Johan: 115. Bucerus de Regno Chriſti, Dr Crakenthorp of the Popes Tem…ral Monarchy c. 2, 3. Bellarmin. de Pontif. Rom. l. 5. c. 4. generally agreed by Fathers, Pontificians and Protestants, that Jeſus Chriſt hath a three-fold kingdom, ſet forth in the premiſed Scriptures, if ſtrictly pryed into. The firſt is, a Kingdom of power, and abſolute Dominion, which extends it ſelf not only to all Men and Angels, butbbPſal. 103. 19. 21, 22, 23. Pſ. 145. 9, 10, 11, 12. Pſ: 148. 1. to 14. Pſ. 135. 5, 6, 7. Pſ. 9. 4. 3, 4, 5, 6. Phil: 2. 15, 16. Rom: 51. 36. Col. 1. 16, 17, 18. Rev. 4. 10. c. 11, 13. John 1. 1, 2.Ps 103:19Ps 103:21Ps 103:22Ps 103:23Ps 145:9Ps 145:10Ps 145:11Ps 145:12Ps 135:5Ps 135:6Ps 135:7Ps 9:4Ps 9:3Ps 9:5Ps 9:6Col 1:16Col 1:17Col 1:18Rev 4:10John 1:1John 1:2 likewiſe to all other unreaſonable and inanimate Creatures whatſoever in heaven, earth, and under the earth, yea to the very Devils themſelves; This Kingdom belongs unto Chriſt principally as he is God, and the Creator of all things, which comes not within the Verge of our preſent Diſcourſe; however Popes ſeem to uſurp it. The 2. is a Kingdom of ccRev: 5. 9, 10. c: 3, 4, to 17. c. 14, to 6. c. 15. 47. c: 2▪ 15. Mar: 6: 10. 13.meer purchaſe, or Grace, confined properly not to Angels or Mankind in general; but to ſuch as are truly elected, called, juſtifyed, ſanctified, redeemed, ſaved by Chriſts precious blood; yet in the largeſt ſenſe extended to the good Angels, and all viſible Members of the Church Militant profeſſing the name and goſpel of Chriſt, as his Subjects; though not actually regenerated, juſtified, ſanctified, ſaved: Of this Kingdom there are two diſtinct parts: the one Triumphant in Heaven: over which no Pope or Mortals on earth can pretend the leaſt Kingſhip or Dominion; the other Militant upon Earth; the latter in its largeſt extenſion comprehending all who bear the name of Chriſtians, whether good or bad, regenerate or unregenerate: This is the Kingdom of Chriſt of which the Pope as Chriſts Vicar General, and Peters fictitious Succeſſor pretends himſelf the Supream and ſole Governor. The 3d. is the Kingdom p. 34ff1 Cor: 15. 24. &c. Mat: 25. 31, to 46. c. 13. 43. c. 24. 30, 31. Jam. 2. 5.Jas 2:5of Glory, not really different from the former, long ſince begun, and encreaſing every day more and more, by new additions of departed Saints thereto, which kingdom ſhall be fully compleated, when all the Elect ſhall be gathered, the Church militant united to the Church triumphant & actually glorified with Chriſt in the kingdom of heaven.

For the 2d. It is aſſerted by Fathers, and moſtaa…han de … de Poteſt: … c. …. Romaniſts themſelves, as well asbbSee Dr: Rainolds & others, on Pſal: 11…. Bp. Jewels Defence, part 6. p. 713. Proteſtants, that this Kingdom of Chriſt is meerly Spiritual, Not any temporal kingdom upon earth, as the Jewes, ſome groſſe Milenaries, Popes and their Paraſites fancy; over which Chriſt never actually reigned, or ſhall reign as a Temporal King and Lord, even in all temporal things; for which we find no warrant in Scripture or Fathers. Hence Thomas ccDoctrinalis Fidei, Tom: 1. l. 2. Art. c: 3. c. 76, 77.Waldenſis himſelf (though a grand Advocate for the Popes Supremacy) layes down and proves at large theſe 4: Concluſions, 1. Regnum temporale Judaeorum ſub Jeconio excidium accepit, neque amplius Judaecorum aliquis, vel de jure, vel de facto illud obtinuit 2. Regnum illud Judaeorum terrenum, cum figura fuit Regni aeterni, & ſpiritualis Chriſti debuit omnino in adventu eius ceſſare, quemadmodum et ſacrificia. 3. Regnum temporale quod in Prophetarum ſcriptis, MESSIAE promiſſum eſt, non eſt Regnum Carnale et Terrenum, ſed Spirituale, quo per Fidem in Cordibus ſuorum Regnat. 4. Quod ex verbis quae Chriſtus dixit coram Pilato (Tu dicis quod Rex ſum ego) non poteſt colligi, quod ipſe fuerit Rex Terrenus de Facto vel de Jure. And Gen. 49. 10. proves, That the temporal Scepter ſhould depart from Iudah, when Chriſt the true Shiloh came into the world.

Alvarus Pelagius (the ddDe Planctu Eccleſ: l. 1. Art. 10. to 68.grand aſſertor of the Popes Univerſal Kingſhip in and over Chriſts kingdom the Church, and all earthly Kings, Kingdoms too) informs us; That the eeLib: 1. Art: c: 61.kingdom of Chriſt hath various acceptations in Scripture; 1. It is taken for Chriſt himſelf. 2ly. For the ſacred Scripture, or Gospel of Chriſt. 3ly. For the Church of Chriſt, divided into two Parts: Militant on earth, triumphant in heaven: yet there are not two kingdoms in the Church, but one kingdom; becauſe both end in one, and there is but one King of both, and one Spirit reigns in both Churches, but diverſly; for in the Church of Travellers it reigns by faith, in the Church of the bleſſed by open viſion. This Church therefore is but One for the unity of its end and beginning, but it is diſtinguiſhed by reaſon of the diverſity of the ſtate: Yet this kingdom comprehends, not only the Elect, but alſo all the holy Angels, for there is but one City and Kingdom of God conſtituted out of holy Angels and men; as he proves out of Auguſtine, and Gratian Diſtinct: 10. & 59. That Chriſt ever challenged or enjoyed any temporal kingdom upon earth, he offers not the leaſt proof out of Scripture or Fathers; in which ffDe Pontifice Romano l. 5. c. 4, & Recognitio ejuſdem, p. 33, 35.Cardinal Bellarmin himſelf confeſſeth, he could never find that Christ had any ſuch kingdom after moſt diligent ſearch, but only a kingdom in and over his Church, which is not temporal but spiritual.

For the 3d. All antient, and moſt modern Divines of all ſorts aſſert, that Chriſts immediate Government in and over his Spiritual Kingdom the Church, is Spiritual not Temporal; and that principally ggEpheſ0 3. 16, 17. Gal: 2. 20. 2 Tim: 1. 14. Rom: 8. 1. c. 5. 17. 21. 1 Cor: 3 16. Rev: 19. 6, 7. Lu: 13. 14, 27. Col: 3. 15. Bucerus De Regno Chriſti. Dr. Rainolds on Pſal. 110.Ps 110in and over the ſouls, ſpirits, conſciences, wills, hearts, affections of his elect Saints, in which he dwells, lives, rules, reigns by his Spirit, and Grace. And this his Spiritual Government is neither communicated, nor transferred by Jeſus Chriſt to any King, High Prieſt, Prieſt, Biſhop, Pope, or other Mortal whatſoever; but reſides in Chriſt alone the King of Saints; as an incommunicable, unſeparable part and prerogative of his Regal, not Sacerdotal or prophetical office. But more of this in the two next Propoſitions.