A learned and excellent treatise containing all the principall grounds of Christian religion. Set downe by way of conference in a most plaine and familiar manner. Written first in French by maister Mathew Virell, after translated into Latine: and now turned into English for the vse of our country-men.

The second petition.

Thy kingdome come.

Theoph.

Let vs passe ouer to the second petition.

Matth.

* 1.1 It is this; Thy kingdome come. Now in it wee desire of God, that the knowledge of his Maiestie being giuen vnto men, he will cause all to be gathered in the Church. For in it hee raigneth by the scepter of his word, and by the power of his spirite.

Theoph.

That I may the more easily come to the true meaning of this petition, I doe first demaund of thee wherefore that rule and dominion which God exerci∣seth ouer his Church, is called his kingdome: after I will aske thee, concerning the word, Come.

Mat.

That rule is called by the name of kingdome, for the likenesse it hath with earthly kingdomes.

Theoph.

* 1.2 Wherein standeth that likenesse?

Mat.

In foure heads or principall pointes, namelie because in the Church there be

1 One king.

2 Subiects.

3 Lawes.

4 Gouernors, who as in earthly kingdomes, haue the charge to see to the keeping of those lawes. For, in the Church there is one king, namelie Iesus Christ which of his father is appointed the Lord in it, to rule and gouern it, which is confirmed by the words of the Angell to Marie; The Lord God will giue vnto him the * 1.3 seat of his father Dauid: & he shal reign ouer the house of Iacob for euer, & there shalbe none end of his king∣dome. Therfore the kingdome of God, & the kingdome of Christ, is one and the selfe same. The faithfull be the people of this kingdome, whom Christ hath redeemed with his death, & set free frō the tyranny of the deuill,

that hee might deliuer them vp to his own kingdome, to become his subiects. The lawes of it, are the word of God, wherein all things be commanded and declared, that appertaine both to the humble seruice and obedience of that King, and to the concord of the Citizens or subiects. The officers which are special∣ly occupied about this kingdome, are the ministers of the word, or pastors, vpon whom this charge is laide, that they preach the word, and see to the keeping of those lawes. Who also (as the Apostle speaketh) * 1.4 haue in readinesse vengeance against all disobedience.

Theoph.

I haue heard the agreement of the kingdom of God with the kingdome of men: but I desire to vn∣derstand the difference betweene them.

Matth.

1 First, all things in the kingdome of God are spirituall, namely the King himselfe, his glory, pow∣er, subiects, lawes, reward, punishments of the re∣bels. Hereupon Christ saide vnto Pilate; My king∣dome * 1.5 is not of this world.

2 Secondly, Christ requireth no such thing of his subiects, as earthlie Kings are wont to aske: but con∣trariwise doth continually enrich them with his owne gifts and spirituall riches.

3 Thirdly, he maketh them all partakers of his kingly dignitie, which earthly kings cannot do.

4 Fourthly, he doth not only command, as other kings do, but giueth vs his owne spirite, which putteth power into vs, whereby we are made able to yeeld our hūble & dutiful obedience vnto his commandements.

Finally, all other kingdomes be subiect vnto altera∣tion and change, but this kingdome is inuincible and shall endure vntill the last comming of Christ.

Such is the kingdome of God and of Christ, which indeede (as hath bene said) is not to be referred but to the rule, which he exercise ouer his beloued children, and those that be receiued into the Church.

Theoph.

Who therefore hath the rule ouer the vn∣beleeuers and wicked?

Matth.

The Deuill: and for that cause, he is cal∣led

the Prince of this world; * 1.6 yet notwithstanding, the Lord hath the chief power both ouer the vnbeleuers, and ouer their Captaine, which by his just iudgement hath made them subiects to that vnbeleeuing tyrant, to the end they may bee vexed and tormented of him according to their deserts, for as much as they haue refused to obey Christ, that is a most louing and mer∣cifull king. Moreouer, that kingdome of Sathan hath immortall hatred against the kingdome of Christ; the head (I say) of that kingdome, namely Sathan and his souldiers, whom he stirreth vp to make outward war against the kingdome of Christ, while he in the meane time assaulteth it within. For, both of them labour and striue with all their might, to spoile and sacke that kingdome of Christ. But they do it in vaine: for, how much the more furiously they seeke to ouerthrow it, so much the more do they helpe it forward: & at length pull vpon themselues extreme destruction.

Theoph.

We haue beene long inough in the exposi∣tion of the kingdome of God, let vs go forward to the other member. What meaneth that word; Let it come, or let it approch?

Matt.

* 1.7 The office of a good king standeth in two spe∣ciall things.

1 First to rule his subiects, namely such as yeeld him fidelitie and obedience, to keepe in peace, defend, handle mercifully, and louingly, and redeeme them if they be taken captiues.

2 Secondly, to punish the rebels, and to destroy & throw down the enemies of his kingdom. When ther∣fore wee desire of God that his kingdome may come, we do as if we prayed, that he would encrease the nū∣ber of beleeuers, enlarge his Church euerie day, more and more heape vppon it his giftes, and settle it with right order. And contrariwise, that he would cut off all the enemies of it, ouerthrow their counsels, destroy their purposes, & that the defēding of the Church may beeuery day encreased, til at lēgth it come to the high∣est perfection. Howbeit that shal not be before the day

of iudgement, at what time al his enemies being ouer∣come, he shal make them his foote stoole. And then (as the Apostle saith) hee shall deliuer vp the kingdome to God the father, that is, he shall reigne quietly without * 1.8 any rebelliō and resistance, & we shal liue peaceably in him, being deliuered frō al feare & trouble of enemies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The exposi∣tion of the 2. petition.
• * 1.2

  Of the king∣dome of God.
• * 1.3

  Luc. 1. 32.
• * 1.4

  2. Cor. 10. 6.
• * 1.5

  Ioh. 18. 36.
• * 1.6

  The king∣dome of Sa∣than.
• * 1.7

  How the kingdome of God cō∣meth.
• * 1.8

  1. Cor. 15. 24.