Two Treatises, Treatise 2 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Of Chriſts Kingly Office.
SECT. I. Proving that Chriſt is a King.
HAving before handled the Prieſtly and Prophetical Offices of Chriſt, I ſhall now treat of his Kingly Office. And in this method I ſhall proceed. 1. To prove Chriſt to be a King. 2. Lay down Reaſons why Chriſt is a King. 3. To repreſent our Duty to Chriſt as our King.
1. To prove Chriſt to be a King, there1. Chriſt is proved to be a King by Scripture Prophecies and the accompliſhment of them. Praeficerem Regem meum Meſſiam populo meo Iſraelitico, ut illi nomine meo imperaret. Vatablus. are many Prophecies extant, particularly Pſal. 2. 6. Yet have I ſet my King upon my holy Hill of Sion. This plainly declares Chriſt to be King of his Church. The Prophet Iſaiah calls him the Prince of Peace, Iſa. 6. 8. And to diſtinguiſh Chriſt's Government from all other Kings whatſoever, he ſets forth the perpetuity of Chriſt's Government, ver. 7. Of the increaſe of his Government and Peace there ſhall be no end. Further, I'le cite the ſame Evangelical Prophet, propheſying of Chriſt's Regal Government, and the great Security we ſhall obtain thereby, Iſa. 32.Quod ſi vere dictum fuit de Ezechia, multo magis de Chriſto, quem optimum ac potius unicum refugium habemus in his procellis, quibus nos agitari neceſſe eſt quamdiu in hoc mundo verſamur: quoties ergo torremur aeſtu, ſub ejus umbram nos recipere diſcamus. Calv. 1, 2. Behold a King ſhall reign in Righteouſneſs, and Princes ſhall Rule in Judgment, and a Man ſhall be as a hiding place from the Wind, and a cover from the Tempeſt, as Rivers of Water in a dry place, as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land. This King, this Man is Chriſt who ſhall judg righteous Judgment, who ſhall abundantly ſecure, protect and preſerve his people from the violence of their malicious Adverſaries. When Herod enquired of the chief Prieſts and Scribes where Chriſt ſhould be born, they gave their anſwer out of the Prophet Micah c. 5. 2. But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thouſands of Judah, yet out of thee ſhall he come forth unto me, that is to be Ruler over Iſrael, whoſe goings forth have been from of old, from everl…ſting. Upon this Anſwer given from this Scripture by the chief Prieſts and Scribes, Herod ſuppoſed that a King ſhould be born to depoſe him; therefore he barbarouſly murdered the young Children. In that Text two things are principally obſervable.
1. Chriſt's Incarnation, out of theſe Words, Thou Bethlehem (i. e.) out of thee ſhall Chriſt come; there Chriſt was born. Though Chriſt's Mother and Joſeph her eſpouſed Husband did not live in Bethlehem; yet God by his Providence ſo ordered it, that Joſeph and Mary came at that time to Bethlehem, to be taxed▪ and there Mary brought forth Chriſt. Prophecies of Chriſt ſhall not want accompliſhment, but many have been already, others ſhall be fulfilled in their ſeaſon.
2. Here's evidently ſet forth Chriſt's Kingly Office—He is called the Ruler over Iſrael. The People would have made Chriſt a King, at that time he refuſed it, and went his way, John 6. 15, 16. Chriſt's Kingdom was Spiritual, not of this World. The People bleſt himJoh. 18. 36. Hoc dicit Chriſtus refellens laeſae Caeſaris Majeſtatis & affectati Regni criminationem, R… gem ſe eſſe prof… tens, ſimul ac negans, ut qui Rex quidem eſſet, verum eâ gubernationis ratione, quae prorſus à Regum hujus mundi imperio differat, nempe quae eſt Eccleſiae ſuae Caput. Beza. as a King, Luk. 19. 38. Bleſſed be the King that cometh in the Name of the Lord, Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Higheſt. Chriſt being demanded of Pilate whether he was a King, anſwers, John 18. 37. Thou ſayeſt that I am a King, and for this cauſe came I into the World, that I ſhould bear Witneſs unto the Truth. Inſomuch as Pilate wrote a Title, Jeſus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. And notwithſtanding the Chief Prieſts importun'd Pilate to alter the Title, and Write—He ſaid I am the King of the Jews; Pilate was peremptorily reſolved againſt all alterations, John 19. 22. What I have Written I have Written; he would ſtand to what he had writ, and would not blot any thing out.
SECT. II. Why Chriſt muſt be a King.
NOw there are many Reaſons to beSect. 2. Why Chriſt muſt be a King. 1. Chriſt is 2 King to appoint Laws and Statutes. alledged why Chriſt muſt be a King. Three only I ſhall inſiſt upon.
1. That Chriſt might appoint Laws and Statutes, which ſhould direct his People, and bind their Conſciences to the Obedience of the ſame. Chriſt alone is the Lord of our Conſciences; what he commands is of abſolute Authority, not to be diſputed, but obeyed. But as for the Popes Canons and other obtruded Inventions againſt the Law of Chriſt, they are of no eſtimation; only the Law of Chriſt is authentick, and all other Laws muſt be in Subſerviency and Subordination to the Law of Chriſt. Wherefore the Pope hath preſumptuouſly invaded Chriſts Kingly Office, by pretending himſelf to be the Head of the Church, and Chriſts Vicar, and ſo making Laws to bind the Conſcience. But Chriſt is the only Head; he is called foreign, with a demonſtrative Article, he and no other is the Head, as the Apoſtle mentions, Col. 1. 18. And all other Heads and Rulers muſt yield ſubjection and Homage unto Chriſt; they muſt Reign for Chriſt, as they Reign by Chriſt; Prov. 8. 15, 16. By me Kings Reign and Princes decree Juſtice; By me Princes Rule, and Nobles, even all the Judges of the Earth.
2. Chriſt is King to Rule and Govern,2. Chriſt is King to Rule and Govern and Command Obedience to all his Laws. 1. Chriſts Kingdom is Spiritual. and Command Obedience, and keep his Subjects in Obedience to his Laws: But we muſt know that the Kingdom of Chriſt is a Spiritual and an Eternal Kingdom.
1. Chriſts Kingdom is Spiritual, he is King of his Church, and Rules and Governs the Spirits of Men. It was a curious Queſtion of the Apoſtles, Acts 1. 6. Lord wilt thou at this time reſtore the Kingdom to Iſrael? They fancied a Temporal Kingdom and Earthly Preferments; but Chriſt checks their curioſity in asking, and miſtake in fanſying outward Dignities and Honours to themſelves, by any Temporal Government of Chriſt. For Chriſt ſaid unto them, v. 7. It is not for you to know the times and the ſeaſons, which the Father hath put in his own Power. There are many that oppoſe Chriſts Kingly Office: The Jews ſay, Chriſt ſhall be an Earthly King, and bring them again into their old inheritance, the Land of Canaan, and ſettle them there, and bleſs them with abundance of Earthly Bleſſings. The Papiſt deny Chriſts Kingly Office, for they make the Pope Head and Supream Judge in matters of Spiritual Cognizance. And another ſort there are who ſay there ſhall be a Perſonal Reign, and Chriſt ſhall deſtroy all Monarchies, and live Gloriouſly on Earth with his Saints. But Chriſt himſelf plainly overthrows theſe Opinions by his own Words, John 18. 36. Jeſus anſwered, My Kingdom is not of this World; If my Kingdom were of this World, then would my Servants fight, that I ſhould not be delivered to the Jews, but now is my Kingdom not from hence. Chriſt by his Kingly Authority appointed Church Government,1 Cor. 12. 28. and appointed Church Officers and Church-Cenſures; And that dreadful Sentence of Excommunication rightly given is an Ordinance of Chriſt. Chriſt hath left his Church deſtitute of nothing conducing to the Right Government thereof.
2. Chriſts Kingdom is Eternal, and this2. Chriſts Kingdom is eternal. is a Kingdom of Glory. All other Kingdoms ſhall have their Periods: But the Kingdom of Chriſt ſhall never have an end. The Kingdom of Chriſt is an everlaſting Kingdom, and his Dominion is from Generation to Generation; and this KingdomDan. 4. 3. 2 Pet. 1. 11. is called the Everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt: By which Scriptures (not to name any farther Proof) it evidently appears that the Kingdom of Chriſt laſteth to all Eternity; when all Kings ſhall yield up their Scepters to Chriſt, and all earthly Monarchies ſhall fail (which I believe will not be till the day of Judgment) Chriſt ſhall Reign (though I cannot underſtand perſonally on Earth, yet) I believe eternally in the Heavens.
3. Chriſt is King to Protect, Defend3. Chriſt is King to protect, defend and preſerve his Church. and Preſerve his Church from the Violence and Out-rage of Enemies both Corporal and Spiritual. Chriſt hath promiſed his Preſence to his Church, Matth. 28. 20. Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the World. The perpetuity of Chriſts preſence is a preſervative from the fury of Enemies: Although Enemies may make Bulworks and raiſe Batteries againſt the Church, yet they ſhall not be able to prevail againſt her. Chriſt told Peter, Matth. 16. 18. Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it. Papiſts hence claim an infallibility of Peters Chair, and that he was chief Biſhop of Rome, (which none of them could ever prove to this very day, not ſo much as he was ever at Rome, much leſs chief Biſhop there.) But Ambroſe, Chryſoſtome and others of the Learned Fathers, underſtand by the Rock, not Peter's Perſon, but the Profeſſion of Peter's Faith; It's ſaid, Super hanc petram, non ſuper hunc Petrum, for Chriſt built his Church upon the Faith, and not upon the Perſon. Learned Expoſitors as Lyra, Hugo de ſancto Victore, Ferus, all theſe, though of the Romiſh Party, expound the Rock to beBp. Morton's Appeal▪ L. 2. Cap. 17. meant Chriſt, as a Reverend and eminently Learned Prelate declares. Let the worſt of Enemies put forth their rage to the utmoſt, and in their Malice and Fury endeavour the Deſtruction of the Church; yet the Church ſhall prevail againſt them. The Church is under Perſecution, but like a Vine it thrives by bleeding. What's the reaſon, but becauſe God is the Protector and Defender of his Church, Chriſt is the King of it? There are many comfortable promiſes for the preſervation of the Church. One is Iſa. 4. 5. Ʋpon all the Glory Diligent…r not andum eſt quia monemur non aliter gratiae Dei nos fore participes, quam ſiejus imaginem geſtemus, ac in nobis reluceat cjus gloria. Calv▪ſhall be a defence.—By the Glory is meant Gods People, for they are his Glory, and are made Partakers of his Glory: God firſt makes them Glorious, and then accounts them his Glory, and upon them the Lord will be a defence or covering. Another Promiſe is Iſaiah 27. 2, 3. In that day ſing ye unto her a Vineyard of Red Wine, I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment leſt any hurt it, I will keep it Night and Day. There are two things eſpecially prejudicial to a Vineyard: The one is drought and want of Water to refreſh it: The other is a violent breaking in either of Man or Beaſt, to pluck off the …rapes and deſtroy the Branches; againſt both, God promiſeth his Gracious Protection: God waters it and keeps it; his refreſhings and defence are abundant ſecurity. A third Promiſe (to name no more)Non tantum eſt Ignis adverſarios terrens & devorans ſi acceſſer…nt prop…s, ſed & murus qui & undiquaque tegit. i… Zech. 2. 5. For I, ſaith the Lord, will be unto her a Wall of Fire round about, and I will be the Glory in the midſt of her. Here's a wonderful Protector: A Wall of Fire is ſuch an impregnable defence, as Enemies dare not venture thorough it: And God by his preſence makes his Church Glorious: And not one of theſe Promiſes but have partly already, and ſhall further be accompliſhed in the days of the Goſpel: Witneſs all Ages wherein the Church hath ſuffered Perſecution, and notwithſtanding Fire and Sword, the Goſpel hath flouriſhed and the Church prevailed. Thoſe famous Waldenſes, Wicklevites, Lollards, and others of later date bare Teſtimony to the Truth, maugre all the violent oppoſitions of their Adverſaries. Chriſt is King, and will go on conquering and to conquer. Some he bends and makes them willing and obedient Subjects to his Scepter, Pſal. 110. 3. Thy People ſhall be willing in the day of thy power, or more ſuitable to the Original, a people of willingneſs. Others Chriſt breaks to pieces: Pſal. 2. 9. Thou ſhalt break them with a Rod of Iron, thou ſhalt daſh them in pieces like a Potters Veſſel. Thoſe who yield not to Chriſts Government, but oppoſe it, ſhall be broken in pieces. Whatever Potentate ſets himſelf in oppoſition to Chriſt, ſhall ſurely be broken to pieces. Chriſt will maintain, defend and protect his Church; though it be a little Flock and deſpiſed by the World, yet Chriſt will protect them, and preſerve them from the outrage and violence both of Corporal and Spiritual Enemies.
SECT. III. Concerning our Duties to Chriſt our King.
3. FArther yet to inlarge concerning3. Our Duties to Chriſt as our King. the Kingly Office of Chriſt. The laſt particular is to inquire into our Duties. Duties are incumbent on us unto Chriſt as our King. Amongſt many Duties which might be named, I ſhall only inſiſt on two, viz. Prayer and Obedience.
1. For Prayer, we muſt make our addreſſes1. We muſt pray to Chriſt. to Chriſt, and prefer our Supplications in his name. We have Promiſes to rely on, John 16. 23. Verily I ſay unto you, Whatſoever ye ſhall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. With Chriſt we are promiſed all things, Rom. 8. 32. Whatever we want, we muſt go to Chriſt for; he is a great King and able to help us; and a High-Prieſt full of Bowels of Compaſſion, touched with the feeling of our Infirmities, Heb. 4. 15. But in an eſpecial manner, we muſt pray, that the Kingdomes of Sin, Satan, and Antichriſt may be utterly deſtroyed, and the Kingdom of Chriſt may be advanced. We muſt make it our grand Petition, That Chriſts Kingdom may come (i. e.) The Kingdom of Grace here and the Kingdom of Glory hereafter; That Chriſt may Reign and Rule in our Hearts, that he may be Glorified in us and by us, and that the Kingdoms of the World may become the Kingdoms Rev. 11. 15.of the Lord and of his Chriſt. Chriſts Kingdom is an Holy Kingdom, and he Rules in Righteouſneſs; we ſhould labour after Holineſs, that we may be conformable unto Chriſts Kingdom. We muſt not only take Chriſt for a Prophet to inſtruct us, and a Prieſt to Sacrifice for us, but for a King to Reign and Rule in us.
And there's a ſecond Duty incumbent2. We muſt Obey Chriſt. on us which is Obedience: As Loyal Subjects, we ſhould be obedient and ſubmiſſive to the Laws of Chriſt: His will is a binding Law, and his command ingageth ready and chearful Obedience. Our Conſciences are at Chriſts command, for he is the Lord and Commander of them. As it is our duty to obey Temporal Governours (for ſo we are commanded in the Word of God, and the fifth CommandmentRom. 13. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 13. 17. expreſly obligeth us to obey our Superiours) So we muſt above all yield obedience unto Chriſt. Even the greateſt Earthly Governours themſelves muſt acknowledge Chriſt above them: Even the greateſt Powers on Earth, which will acknowledge no Earthly Power above them, yet muſt acknowledge themſelves ſubordinate unto Jeſus Chriſt, and yield Obedience and Subjection unto him. All Rule and Authority muſt be imployed for Chriſt and not againſt him. Wherefore the Turks which ſet up that gr…at Impoſtor Mahomet, and prefer him before Chriſt, and the Pope who pretends himſelf to be Chriſt's Vicar, and takes Chriſts Office out of his Hand, in commanding and forcing the conſciences of Men, theſe do abominably, and highly derogate (what in them lies) from the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt: But Chriſts Kingdom ſhall ſtand for ever, when Antichriſt and his Kingdom ſhall periſh.