Prayer and praise, a two-fold tribute to be payed by all loyal subjects to their supream and subordinate soveraign a subject entred upon April 23, 1661, being the day of the solemn inauguration of King Charles the II and finished the Lord's Day following / as it was delivered to the Church of God at Great Yarmouth by John Brinsley ...

The Second SERMON, April 28, 1661.

PSAL. 72.15.

Prayer also shall be made for him continually, and daily shall he be praised.

THese words (as you lately heard) may be looked upon two wayes, Literally and Mystically. Literally, as relating to King Solomon; Mystically as relating to King Iesus. With the former of these I have done. It now remains that I come to the latter, to look upon the words as relating unto Christ; of whom King Solomon was a Type.

That he was so, I presume it will not be questioned by any who un∣derstand the meaning of his Name. Solomon, Pacifious, Peaceable▪ So we find it expounded, 1 Chron. 22.9. where the Lord giveth unto David the reason of imposing this Name upon this his Son: Behold (saith he) a Son shall b•• born unto thee, who shall be a man of rest▪ and I will give him rest from all his Enemies round about: For his Name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his dayes. Such a Prince was he; a Prince of peace, of a peaceable disposition, and under whose Government the Land had peace. And herein was he a Type of Christ, whom we find described to be such a Prince, having this Name given unto him, Esay 9.6. His Name shall be called, The Prince of Peace; Shir Shalom, the mystical Solomon. To which we may

joyn that other name which was given unto Solomon, and that also by God himself; Who sending by the hand of Nathan the Prophet, called his name Iedidiah, that is, beloved of the Lord, as we have it, 2 Sam. 12.24, 23. Which Name, how fitly it agreeth unto Christ, we may learn from that Voice from Heaven, which was heard at his Baptism; saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Matth. 3.17. This is Ies••s Christ the true Solomon.

And being so▪ well may this Psalm (as the 45th, being much of the s••me ••••ture an•• kind, withou•• co••••roversy h••••h) be conceived to have an ••ye at h••m. So it is agreed by all Ch••istian ••xpositors▪ Howev••r, some of them have made it a Question, whether it have an eye at Solo∣mon at all, there being in it many expressions so highly Hyperbolical, as that they cannot conceive how they should agree to him, or any Mortal man whatever; yea, diverse of those whom we account to be the best Interpreters, by their manner of Interpretation (applying it only to Christ), may seem to have thought little lesse: yet that it hath a respect unto Christ, and chiefly unto Him, it is on all hands agreed.

And so shall I look upon this passage in it, which I have now in hand. Which acquaints us with a two-fold Tribute due (as unto Solomon, so) unto Christ: Prayer and Praise▪ Prayer, [Prayer also shall be m••de for him continually.] Praise. [And daily shall he be praised.] Be••in we with the former.

Prayer also shall be made for him continually]. Wherein again (as be∣fore I did), I shall take notice of those two particulars: The Tribute it self, Prayer; And the Time, when and how oft it is to be payed, Con∣tinually▪ Touch upon them severally.

[ 1] 1. The Tribute it self, Prayer. [Prayer also shall be made for him.]

* 1.1But what? Prayer made for him, for Christ? How can this be? What, doth he stand in n••ed of our Prayers? that men upon Earth should make prayers for him being in Heaven? Here t••e Iew•• fall foul upon us Christians, and jear us, tha•• we should expound this Psalm concerning our M••ssia; who if he be (what we believe him) God, how then can this passage agre•• unto him, that prayers should be made for him? What, pray for our God? Prayers are to be put ••p to him, not fo•• him.

For answer to this: True it is, as it is with Saints and Angels,* 1.2 so much more with Iesus Christ, he being ascended into Heaven, and sit∣ting at the right hand of his Father, Crowned with Honour and Glory, having all Power given to him in Heaven and Earth; He is far from needing the assistance of men, or any other Creature••. He needeth not our prayers; we have need, and that continuall need, of his, of his Intercession, which he maketh for us (as the Apostle tells us), Rom. 8.34. But he hath no need of ours, no more then the greatest Mo∣narch upon Earth hath to receive an Alms from the poorest Peasant. But though he hath no need of them, as to his own person; yet his Kingdom hath, his Church, which is as it were a part of himself, his Body▪ whereof he is the Head. He is the Head of the Body, the Church, Col. 1.18. his Mystical Body. Which in re••ard of the near relation it hath to him, is called sometimes by his N••••e; as 1 Cor. 12.12. As the Body is one, and hath many members, &c. So is Christ. And again, Gal. 3.16. Now to Abraham, and to his Seed were the promises made, &c. which Seed is Christ; meaning the Mystical Body of the Church, whereof Christ is the Head, and his Elect People the Members. Now though he being the Head, is out of the reach of our prayers, so as that they should be made for him: yet so are not his Members here upon Earth. And up••n that account prayers may fitly be said to be made for him, being made for his Kingdom.

For which all hi•• Subjects are to pray: So they are taught by Him himself in that Patern and Form of prayer which he hath left them▪ After this manner pray ye, Hallowed be thy Name, thy Kingdom come, Matth. 6.10. The Kingdom of God, the Government whereof is committed to Jesus Christ as Mediatour; this are his Subjects to pray for. His Kingdom, his Kingdom of Grace, his Kingdom of Glory; which are not properly two Kingdoms, but two different states of the same King∣dom: And for both these are prayers to be made.

1. For his Kingdom of Grace, his Church upon Earth▪ which is [ 1] visible, invisible. Visible in the Nations of the World; Invisible in the hearts of his Elect People: Both these are Christians to pray for.

1. For his visible Kingdom; for which they are chiefly to ••eg two things, Preservation, Augmentation, both which are to be effected by the Power of Christ.

1. Preservation, that it may be continued here upon Earth; which it shall be to the end of the Wo••ld, being defended and maintained by the power of Jesus Chris•• against all the Enemies of it, whether Men or Devils. So he tell•• Pe••er in that known Text, Matth. 16.18. [Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock will I build my Church, and th•• Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.] Upon this Rock, not the rock Confessing, but Confessed; not upon Peter, but upon that Confession which he had then made, ver. 16. Thou art Christ the Son of the living God, upon this Rock (••aith he) I will build my Church; as I have already laid the foundation of it, so will I ••arry on the building, upholding and preserving it, so as the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against i••; that is, all the pow••r and policy of Satan and his Instruments, (alluding to the custom of antient times, w••••rein the Gates of Cities were the chief places of strength, and the ••••sual meeting places for the holding of Councels), let them plot, and contrive, and attempt what they will; yet shall they not so far prevail against the Church as to destroy it, to extirpate and root it out from off the Earth: still Christ will have a visi∣ble Kingdom here upon Earth. And for this are all his Subjects ••o pray, that this his Kingdom may be thus continued. Which whilst they do, they may be said to make prayers for him.

2. And a•• they are to pray for the Preservation, so for the Augmen∣tation; as for the continuance, so for the increase and inlargment of this Kingdom of Christ, that his Kingdom may come, that his S••••pter may be lifted up, his Government advanced, his Church inlarged, that it may be made a glorious Church. So it shall be in the latter dayes: For which we have many promises, and those very clear and full. As (among other) that of the Prophet Esay, Chap. 2. ver. 2, 3. (repeated by the Prophet Micah in the same terms, M••e. 4.1.) It shall come to passe in the last dayes, that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be esta∣blished in the top of the Mountains; and shall be exalted above the Hills, and ••ll Nations shall flow unto it. [In the last Dayes], in the Gospel-times, the dayes of the Messiah, the last Age of the World; [The Mountain of the Lords House], the Church, whereof Moun•• Sion, upon which the Temple was built, was a Type; [Shall be established in t••e top of th•• Mountains, and exalted above the Hills]▪ it shall be settled and exalted, being in the spiritual glory of it advanced far above all secular States and Kingdoms in the World. [And all Nations shall flow unto it]▪

••••ws and Gentiles out of all parts of the World shall by whole Flocks and Sho••ls come in and joyn themselves to the Church▪ embraci••g of the Gospel, and submitting the••selves to the Government of Christ. And (as it there followeth, ver. 3. M••••y People shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord▪ to the House of the God of Iac••b, and he will teach us of his wayes, and we will walk in his path••.

This shall the People of the Iews do, as (among many other) that Text of the Prophet Hosea clearly fore-telleth it, Hos 3.4. The Chil∣dren of Israel shall abide many dayes without a King, and without a Prince, and without a Sacrifice, &c. (having neither any form of a Common∣wealth amongst them, nor yet the exe••cise of their Religion in that way and manner that formerly they had.) Afterward•• they shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their King; the true Messiah, the son of David, according to the Fl••sh, and of whom David was a Type. They shall seek after him and shall submit to his Govern∣ment, taking and ••••knowledging him for their King. Th••y shall se••ve the Lord the••r God▪ and David their King (as the Prophet Ieremy hath i••), I••r. 30. v••r. 9. And as the Iews▪ so the Gentiles; they shall also come in like manner. So the Prophet Esay most plainly fore-telleth it, Esay 60. where setting forth the glory of the Church under the Gos∣spel in the abundan•• access of the Gentiles, he bidd••th her arise▪ v••r. 1. [Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord i•• risen upon th••••. And ver. 3, 4. he tells her▪ And the Gentiles shall come to thy Light, and Kings to the brightness of thy coming. •• Lift up thine E••es round about and s••e, all they gather themselves together, they come to thee. And so he goeth on, ver. 9. Then thou shal•• se••, and fl••w tog••th••••▪ ••nd thine heart shall fear and be inlarged▪ bec••••se the 〈…〉〈…〉 of the Sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.] Such and so great should the confluence of People from all par••s of the World be that should joyn themselves to the Church, that it should be a matter of great admiration and wonder to them that should behold it. So he sets it forth, ver. 8. where ••e bring in the Church speaking after that manner▪ Who are these tha•• fly as a Cloud, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the Do••e•• to their Windows? Like as Clouds, which come oft-times from ••emote quarters, ••eing driven swiftly by the Wind or, as D••v••s or Pigeons▪ that flye in great Flocks, and with much speed to their Dove-coa••••▪ such incomes should there be to the Church, which should be wonderfully

augmented and increased. A prophecy which as yet hath not had the full accomplishment, so as it shall have in the time appointed. There is a day a coming when the Scepter of Christ shall be advanced: In that day shall the Branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious; so saith the Prophet Esay, Chap. 4. ver. 2. speaking of the Messiah, whom we find sometimes called a Branch, the Branch, as Zach. 3.8. I will bring forth my Servant the Branch. And again, Chap. 6. ver. 12. Behold the man, whose Name is the Branch; meaning the promised Messiah, springing from the root of Iesse, and from whom all spiritual Graces and Blessings do spring, as leaves, and blossoms, and fruits do from the Branch. Of this Branch it is there said, it shall be beautiful and glori∣ous. And so it shall be in that day, viz. when the Church shall be increased and inlarged as it shall be, all Nations being brought under the Government of Jesus Christ. Hereof God the Father maketh a Pro∣mise to his Son, Psal. 2.8. Ask of me, and I will give thee the Heathen for thi••e Inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession; Not only the Iews, but the Gentiles also. And this promise (as already in part it is, so) it shall be fully made good to him in the latter dayes, viz. after the destruction of Anti-christ. So we find it foretold, Rev. 11.15. where we read of a gratulatory Acclamation made by the People of God at that great alteration and change that should be made in the Church. And the seventh Angel sounded, and there were great Voyces in Heaven, saying; The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall Reign for ever and ever. The Roman Anti-christ being destroyed, now the Kingdom of Christ shall be inlarged; his visible Church shall be like an Empire, spreading through the World, and lasting to the end of it.

Thus it shall be, the Kingdom of Christ upon Earth shall be a glori∣ous Kingdom, his Church shall be setled and established, and it shall prosper and flourish, it shall be made a praise in the Earth. And for this are all that profess themselves the Subjects of Christ to pray. So they are called upon by the Prophet Esay, Chap. 62. ver. 67. Ye that mak•• mention of the Lord keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the Eart••.

And this whilst they do, they may truly be said to make prayers for Iesus Christ, whose Body this is, and whose Glory is so much con∣cerned in it. The Churche's Exaltation is his Exaltation: Behold my Servant (saith the Lord, speaking of the Messiah, his Son Christ, whom he calleth his Servant 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in regard of that great Service which he was to do in working of the Redemption and Salvation of his Elect People,) shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very High, Esay 52.13. So he is already in his Person, being set at the right hand of God his Father in the heavenly places, Far abov•• all Principality and Power, and Might and Dominion, Eph. 1.20, 21. And so he shall be in his Kingdom, his Church, which he governing with so much prudence and wisdom as he doth, and shall do, it shall be exalted, and He exalted in its Exaltati∣on.

Thus is God said to be exalted and lifted up, by doing great things for his Church and People against his and their Enemies. So the Prophet Esay hath it, Esay 33. The Lord is exalted, for He dwelleth on High, He hath filled Zion with Iudgment and Righteousness. And again, ver. 10. Now will I arise (saith the Lord), now will I be exalted, now will I lift up my self. So he is said to be, when he manifesteth his Power and Goodness in shewing any special favour to his Church and Peo∣ple, and executing any signal Judgments upon his and their Enemies. Now his Name is exalted, as the same Prophet hath it, Esay 12.4. where exciting the People to bless God for his great mercies to his Church, In that day (saith he) shall ye say, Praise the Lord, ca•••• upon his Name, declare his doings among the People, make mention that his Name is exalted. And thus is the Name of Christ exalted in the great things which he doth for his Church; this being a manifestation of his Soveraignty, he is thereby honoured and glorified. And upon this account are his Subjects to pray for him; which we find the Psalmist doing, Psal. 18.46. The Lord liveth, and blessed be my Rock, and let the God of my Salvation be exalted.

2. And as they are thus to pray for his visible Kingdom, ••o for his [ 2] Invisible, his Spiritual Kingdom, which is not outwardly visible to the Eye; but is set up in the hearts of men. So our Saviour tells the Pharisees, Luke 17.20. where they demanding of him, When the Kingdom of God should come; He answered them, and said, The King∣dom

of God cometh not with Observation. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, with out∣ward pomp and shew, It••••ut observari possit, so as the glory of it may be discerned by every vulgar Eye, as it is with secular Kingdoms. But it is inward and spiritual, set up in the hearts of men. So it followeth in the next verse, Neither shall they say, ••oe her••, or ••oe there▪ for behold the Kingdom of God is within you. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Not only among you, (as it is where the Gospel is preached, which is the Scepter of Christ's Kingdom), but within you, in the hearts of the Faithful. There doth Christ set up his Scepter, ••uling and governing by his Word and Spirit. Now upon this account again are all his Subjects to make prayers for him; that his Kingdom may thus come, and that both to themselves and others.

1. To themselves, that Christ may enter and take a full possession of their hearts. These are the Gates, those everlasting Doors, which the Psalmist calleth upon to lift up their heads, that the King of Glory may enter in, Psal. 24.7, 9. which however it may be understood literally of the Gates of the Temple, and metaphorically of the Gates of Heav••n, which were set open to receive Christ at his Ascension thither; yet may it mystically be applyed to the hearts of men, who being the Temple of God, (as Believers are called, 1 Cor. 3.16.) their hearts are as Gates and Doors to let Christ in to their Souls. And these Gates are they to lift up and set open, earnestly desiring that Christ may enter, and take up his dwelling there, ruling and reigning there till ••he hath put all his Enemies under his Feet, that so they may have a more sweet and full Communion with this their Lord and Sa∣viour.

2. And as they are to do this for themselves, so for others. For this cause Paul tells his Ephes••••ns, that he bowed his knees to the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ on their behalf, That he would grant unto you (saith he) according to the riches of his Glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith. And this are Christians to beg for their Brethren as the cho••sest mercy, that the Kingdom of Christ may thus come unto them, that his Sc••pter may be set up in their hearts, that so they may become his true Loyal and Obedient Subjects. The number whereof being increased and multiplyed, it will tend much to the honour of this their King. So Solomon tells us it d••th to a Temporal Prince; In the ••••ltitude

of the People, i•• the Kings honour, Prov. 14.28. And so it doth to this our Spiritual Soveraign. And upon that account it is to be prayed for on his behalf: Thus are the Subjects of Christ to pray for him, that hi•• Kingdom of Grac•• may come.

2. And as his Kingdom of Grace, so of Glory; that he may come [ 2] in his Glory. Thus he shall come; The Son of man shall come in th•• Glory of his Father with his Angels, (so he himself tells his Disciples)▪ Matth. 16.27. Come like a glorious King. So he shall do at the las•• and great day, Then shall he come in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory (as we have it), Matth. 24.30. And this coming of his, as it shall be glorious to himself, the glorious appearing of the gre••t God, and of our Saviour Iesus Christ, (as the Apostle calleth it, Tit. 2.13.) a ful manifestation of his transcendent Glory, so shall it be joyous to his Subjects, who are bid then to look up, and lift up their heads, (viz▪ those who shall be alive at tha•• his coming), Luke 21.28. When thes•• things begin to come to pass, (viz. when they should see the signs of his coming there spoken of) then look up, and lift up your heads, for your Redemption draweth nig••; Your full and perfect Redemption, when you shall be for ever freed and delivered out of the hands of all your Enemies, and have a full enjoy••ent of all those blessings which I have purchased and prepared for you. Then Christ being glorious in him∣self, he shall be glorified in his Saints. So the Apostle sets it forth▪ 2 Thess. 1.7, 10. When the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels, &c. He shall then come to be glorified in his Sain••s, and to be admired in all them that believe. So he shall be, when mani∣festing the fulness of his Glory unto them, he shall make them par∣takers of the same glory with himself. Such shall that his Coming be.

And for this all his Subjects do, or ought to wait. So Paul saith his believing Corinthians did, 1 Cor. 1.7. Ye come behind in no Gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (saith th•• Original), the Revelation, meaning his second coming, when his Glo∣ry should be fully manifested to them, and to the World. And the like he saith of his Thessalonians, 1 Thess. 1.10. Being turned from Idols to serve the true and living God, they waited for his Son from Heaven. Which he prays for them, that they might still do, and that with Pati∣ence, 2 Thess. 3.5. And the Lord direct your hearts into the Love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

And whilst they thus waite for it; they are also to wish it, to pray for it. So the Spirit and the Bride are said to do, Rev. 22.17. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. The Church, which is Christ's Bride, by the motion of the Spirit working such a desire in the hearts of true Believers, earnestly▪ wisheth and prayeth for the coming of Christ. And this are all that hear of it to do; And let him that heareth say, Come. So did Iohn himself, who having received from Christ an intimation and assurance of his Coming, that he would come, and that quickly, he saith Amen to it, closing up this Book of his with this affectionate Ap∣precation; He which testifieth these things, saith, Surely I come quickly; Amen, even so come Lord Iesus. Thus are the Subjects of Christ's Kin∣dom to make prayers for him.

[ 2] 2. And this they are to do Continually. There is the second parti∣cular: of which but a word, time not giving way for inlargements, my purpose being to finish the Text at present.

And great Reason there is why they should do so; why the•• should pray for him Continually.

* 1.31. This doth He for them, being a continual Intercessor on their behalf, He ever liveth to make Intercession for them, Hebr. 7.25.

2. They have need thus to pray for him upon their own account, that he who hath begun to take up his lodging in their Souls, may continue to dwell there; That as he hath begun the good work in them, so he may go on to perform and perfect it till his appea∣ring.

3. Again they have need so to do upon the Churches account, which being beset with so many and great Enemies, who are continually at work, being unwearied in their endeavours for the damage and preju∣dice of it, and of all the true members thereof, (your Adversary the Devil, as a roaring Lyon walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8; and so do his Instr••ments), it hath need of a continuall Guard to pro••ect and defend it. But leaving the Doctrinal part, I shall passe to Application: which I shall direct (as before) onely two wayes, by way of Reprehension, Exhortation: I shall be brief in both.

* 1.4Is this a Tribute which is due unto this King, how is it then that it is with-held from him? Which it is not only,

1. By h••s open and professed Enemies, who will not own and ac∣knowledg his Soveraignty. Such were the Iews, We have no King but Caesar (say the chief Priests unto Pilate), Ioh. 19.15. And the rest of the People, being of the same mind; in stead of praying for him, they pray against him: They cryed out, Away with him, away with him, Crucify him, (as the former pa••t of that verse hath it). And as it was with the Iews, so was it then, and at this day is with many, the greatest part of the Gentiles, with whom we find the Psal∣mist contesting about this their Rebellion, Psal. 2.1, 2, 3. Why do the Heathen rage, and the People imagine a vain thing? The Kings of the Earth set themselves, and the Rulers take Counsel together against the Lord, and against his Anointed; saying, Let us break their bonds as••nder, and cast away their Cords from us. Thus was David oppo∣sed by his Enemies, both before his coming to the Crown, and after. And thus i•• the Lord Jesus (of whom David was a Type,) opposed; the gr••atest part of the World being Enemies to him, and to his Kingdom, the destruction whereof they desire and endeavour. But leaving them,

2. Are there not some, and too many, who go for his Subjects, guilty of the like disloyalty? Such as have taken the Name of Christ upon them, professing themselves to be Christians, yet are they far from praying for this their Soveraign, as they ought to do. It may be they say, and that as oft as any other, Thy Kingdom come, but they mean it not, they do not unfeignedly desire it▪ which if they did, they would not oppose his Government as they do. His out∣••ard Government in his Church; and his inward Government in them∣selves. They s••ut the Doors of their Souls, that this King of Glory may not enter in: They will not endure that Christ should set up his Scepter in their hearts, they will not have him to rule over them, in them: They will not be governed by his Laws. Let not such call themselves his Subjects.

3. And others there are, who, though they do not utterly refuse to pay this Tribut•• to this their Soveraign; yet they are remiss, and careless in it, not praying for him Continually, as they ought to do. They are no•• so affected with the state and condition of his King∣dom as they ought to be, so as to be earnest in seeking the pe••ce, welfare, and prosperity of the Church. So long as it goeth well

with the State wherein they live▪ as for the Church they little ••e∣gard it. So was it not with the People of God in Babylon, whose affection to Hi••rusalem we have se••t forth, Psal. 137. ver. 5, 6. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue ••leav•• to the roof of my mouth; If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Thus were they affected with the sad sta••e of the Church, and the decay of God's true Re∣ligion, more then with all their own private Concernments. This it was that lay nearest their hearts, sate upon their spirits, so as they had it in continual remembrance. How is it then that so ma∣ny, who professe themselves Christians, should be so little affected as they are with the sad state and condition of the Church at this Day? They do not remember it, and the interest of Christ in it; if at all, yet not so affectionately and constantly as th••y ought to do.

4. To these I may add, such as do not pray for the second coming of Christ: No, they are far from joyning with the Spiri•• and the Bride in saying, Come Lord Iesus. This is a thing which they do not firmly believe, that he will come. However, they hope that he will not come quickly, saying in their hearts wi••h that evil Servant, Matth. 24.48. My Master ••••layeth his com∣ing. In the mean time giving themselves to sensuality and luxu∣ry; Nay, their defire is that he may never come. And so in stead of praying for him, they pray against him: And surely it can be no otherwise with some, with many, even with all obstina••e and rebellious Sinners, such as will not have Christ to Reign in them, and over them here. To all such will this se••ond com∣ing of Christ be a dreadfull coming; When the Lord I••sus shall be rev••aled from Heaven with his mighty Angels, in flaming fi••e taking Vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ. Who shall be punished with everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his Power (as the Apostle sets it forth, 2 Thess. 1.7, 8, 9.) Oh! this will be to them a dreadfull coming. A•• the beholding of which, they shall do what St. Iohn saith of the ••ings of the Earth, and the gre••t men, and the rich men, and the ••hief Captains, &c. viz. all such as have been En••m••es to Ch••••st

and to his Kingdom, Rev. 6.15. They shall hide themselves in the the Dens, and in the Rocks of the Mountains, saying to the Mountains and to the Rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the f••ce of him that ••i••teth upon the Throne, and from the wrath of the La••••▪ And as they shall then deprecate and pray against his coming, so it cannot be that they should now apprecate and pray for it. But turn it into a word of Ex∣hortation.

Which let it be directed to all and every of us,* 1.5 who professe our selves to be Subjects unto this Soveraign; let not us be wanting in this our Duty, in paying this Tribute unto him, in praying for him, and that cont••nually, that his Kingdom may come▪ and that power, that he may reign and prosper. So it is fore-told that he shall do, Jer. 23.5. Behold the Dayes come (saith the Lord), that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and pro••••er, and shall execute Iudgment and Iustice i•• the Earth. In his Dayes Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely▪ And this is his Name whereby he shall be called, The Lord ou•• Righteousnesse. Which that it is meant of Jesus Christ, i•• not to be questioned, that being ••oo high •• Titl•• to be given to any but him, to be called, Iehovah T••idkenu, The Lord our Right••ousnesse. He is this King, the King of his Church, under whose Government (it being a righ••eous Government,) this his Kingdom shall pro••per. And for him for us pray, as David doth for his Son Solomon, in that T•••••• fore-ci••ed, 1 Chron. ••2. ••••▪ that he may pro••••••••, and build the House of the Lord▪ that the work of the Lord may prospe•• in hi•• hand; that his Church, through his powerfull and gracious Govern∣ment of it, may not onely be continued, but inlarged; that it may be established and made a praise in the Earth. That what is here in this Psalm said of Solomon, and his Govern∣ment in a literall sens••, may be made good in a mysticall ••nd spiritu••ll sense in the Government of Christ▪ That he judging the People with Righteousnesse, and th•• Poor with Iudg∣men••; The Mountains may bring Peace, and the li••tl•• Hills by ••ighteousness••, ver. 2, 3. That in his Dayes the Righteous may flourish, and that there may b•• abundance of P••ace so long 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Moon ••ndur••th, ver. 7. That he may have Dominion f••o•• S••a

to Sea, and from the Rivers to the ends of the Earth, ver. 8. That they which dwell in the Wildernesse may bow before him, and that his Enemies may lick the Dust, ver. 9. Thus was it don•• to King Solomon, and so shall it be done to King Iesus: for which let us daily pray.

2. And whilst we pray, that he may thus come to his Church in generall, beg we the like for our selves in particular▪ that he may come unto us, come into our hearts, taking a full possession of them, dwelling and ruling there, that so we may be happy and blessed under his Government, being blessed with all spirituall Blessings in heavenly places (or things) in him, and have a more sweet and full Communion with him in his Kingdome of Grace here, and in his Kingdome of Glory here∣after.

3. For which also let us pray, that that may come, that our eyes may see this our King coming in his Glory. Which whilst we continually wait for (as we ought to do), let us in like manner pray for it, that he may hasten his coming, come quickly. Surely I come quickly; Amen, even so come Lord Iesus. Thus pray we for ••im.

[ 2] 2. And whilst we pray for him, let us also praise him, (of which but a word): This is the other Tribute which is due unto this our Soveraign; and let it be given to him. So it was in his state of Humiliation here upon Earth; when he went, in that mean Garbe, riding into Ierusalem upon an Asse, (as we have the story, Matth. 21.) the People, many of them, received and entertained him with the like solemnity as Princes in their Co∣ronations usually are (and as our dread Soveraign lately was in passing thorow his Royal City); some spreading their Garments in the way, other's cutting down Branches from the Trees, and strowing them in the waye •• And the multitude that went before, and tha•• followed, cryed, saying, Hosannah to the Son of David, Blessed is he that cometh in the Name ••f the Lord, Hosannah in the highest. And so it is, and ever shall be, in his state of Exaltation: where Angels and Saints beholding him sitting upon his Throne are said to fall down before him, w••r∣shipping and praising of him. So St. Iohn saith he saw it, and heard it, Revel▪ 5.11, 12, 13. And I beheld and heard the voice of

many Angels round about the Throne, and the Beasts and Elders, &c. saying with a loud Voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power, and Riches, and Wisdom, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Blessing. And ev••ry Creature which is in Heaven, and on the Earth, &c. heard I saying, Blessing, Ho∣nour, Glory, and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Here is the Churche's Accla∣mation, whe••ein the rest of the Creatures joyn with them, and to which the four Beasts (or living Wights, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) say, Amen, ver. 14. And herein let us joyn in consort with them▪ thus blessing and praising this our Soveraign, giving unto him all possible Honour and Glory.

This is he worthy to receive: So it is there by that Quire decla∣red, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Honour, and Glo∣ry, and Blessing, ver. 12. And so he must be acknowledged to be by us, both in respect of what he is in himself, and what he is to us. In himself he is a King, a great King, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, (that is the Name which is said to be written on his Vesture, and on his Thigh, Revel. 19.16.) The blessed and only Potentate, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto (so the Apostle describeth him), 1 Tim. 6.15, 16. Such is his Greatnesse. And such is his Goodnesse, his goodness to us, which he hath already many wayes expressed; as in leaving the bosome of his Father, coming down from Heaven, abasing himself to take our Náture upon him, in that Nature doing and suffering what Justice re∣quired at our hands, Rede••ming us to God by his Blood, Revel. 5.9. All which call for this Tribute to be payed unto him by all those who have an interest in him. As also doth his Con∣tinuall Intercession, which he maketh for us, sitting at the right hand of his Father: And the preparations which he hath made for us, being gone before to prepare a place for us, that we may not only be with him, beholding his Glory, but also be made partakers of it▪ To which I might add, The righteousnesse and graciousnesse of his Government; The Righteousnesse of it, The S••epter of thy King∣dom is a Scepter of Righteousnesse, Hebr. 1.8. The graciousnesse of it, in admitting all that will to come unto him, Him that cometh

〈…〉〈…〉, I will in no wise cast out, Joh. 6.37. And inviting all that feel the need they have of him to come unto him, promising them what they can desire. Come unto me ye that are weary and he••vy laden, and I will give you rest, Matth. 11.28. Upon these and many other ac∣counts is this our King to be blessed and praised.

And, that Daily, [And daily shall he be praised]▪ Inasmu••h as he daily loadeth us with his Benefits, giving us every day new experi∣ences of his goodnesse, in bestowing upon us so many Blessings both Temporal and Spiritual▪ all which call for a grateful acknowledg∣ment. But here I am fallen into a large Field, wherein I have no time to expatiate: And therefore shall commend what hath bee•• spoken to the blessing of God.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Object.
• * 1.2

  Answ.
• * 1.3

  Reas.
• * 1.4

  Use 1.
• * 1.5

  Use 2.