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Kingdom of Christ, a peaceable Kingdom. [ 956]
A Captain sent from Caesar unto the Senators of Rome,* 1.1 to sue for the prolong∣ing of his Government abroad; understanding (as he stood at the Coun∣cill-chamber-door) that they would not condiscend to his desire, clapping his hand upon the pummel of his sword; well, said he, seeing you will not grant it me, this shall give it me. So when the Citizens of Messana, despising Pompeys juris∣diction, alleadged ancient orders in old time granted to their Town, Pompey did answer them in choller; what, do you prattle to us of your Law, that have swords by your sides?* 1.2 And thus it is that Mahomet dissolveth all Arguments by the sword, and thus all Tyrants and Potentates of the World end all their quarrels, and make their Enemies their foot-stool by the sword: But the Scepter of Christs Kingdom is not a sword of steel, but a sword of the Spirit; He ruleth in the midst of his Ene∣mies, and subdueth a People unto himself,* 1.3 not by the sword, but by the word; for the Gospel of peace is the power of his arm to Salvation.