A brief commentary upon the CIII Psalme with the severall axiomes or doctrines therein conteined [sic], and uses thereupon inferred.

2 Doctrine. His kingdome ruleth over all.

1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 His kingdome.]* 1.1 This word, as it belongs to men, may be taken two waies. 1 for the kingly power it self 1 Sam. 13.13. 2 for the object of this power, that is, the countrey, Ester 3.8. together with the inha∣bitants, Psal. 79.6. So is the kingdome of God also taken 1 for the power, Psal. 145.11, 13. 2 for the place, Galat. 5.21. Here it is taken the former way; as appeares by the following effect of ruling, which is not an effect of the place but of the power.

2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 over all.] This word comprehends all creatures actually existent. Yea further, Gods kingdome extends to all things possible to be: which with His word He can make either to be or not to be, to be after this or any other manner. Nay lastly, even sinnes

also are subject to Gods power: He can at His pleasure either hinder or permit them; direct them to their object (Ezek. 21.21.) and end; determine them for the time (when they shall be, and how long they shall conti∣nue) and for the greatnesse, to what height they shall grow; and finally, either remit or punish them.

That Gods kingdome is over all,* 1.2 see 1 Chron. 29.11, 12. 2 Chron. 20.6. Psal. 135.6. This Nebuchadnezzar learnt by experi∣ence Dan. 4.34, 35. And it appeares also in that God gave unto Christ the Mediatour all power in heaven and in earth, Mat. 28.18. He hath given also unto all men all the pow∣er they have, Rom. 13.1. It appeares also in that He is sayd to be a great King above all gods, Psal. 95.3. Now there are called gods (to omit idoles) Angels, Hebr. 1.6. out of Psal. 97.7. Kings, judges, and magistrates, Psal. 82.1, 6. If therefore God be King above all these most potent creatures, then doubt∣lesse above all other also.

The Reason of Gods dominion 1 in re∣spect of all things actually existent,* 1.3 is foun∣ded 1 in the creation of all, Psal. 24.1, 2. Neither did He create them of any matter prepared by another, but of mere nothing: for He created them onely by His word, and

created them wholly. And therefore He hath the first and chief right over all creatures, ha∣ving no partner with Him in His dominion; and this dominion is over all creatures, and over the whole creature, and all that is in it. 2 In the preservation of them, which is as it were a second creation, or the continuation of their essence by an univocall influx of the same every moment of their duration, Act. 17.28. Hebr. 1.3. Hence all creatures so long as they are in being are necessarily subject to His dominion, nor can by any meanes be withdrawn from it. Both these Reasons or foundations of Gods dominion over all things existent are joined Nehem. 9.6. 2 In respect of things possible, in as much as all that possibility is founded in His power, whereby He can at His pleasure either pro∣duce them into act, or leave them still in the wombe of nothing, Rom. 4.17. 1 Cor. 1.28. 3 In respect of sinnes, because He is Lord over the creatures, of which & by which they are committed, and because He Himself onely is the Lawgiver against Whom they are com∣mitted, Psal. 51.4. Jam. 4.12.

[Object.] But it may be objected, that God often complaines of men being rebellious and ca∣sting away His yoke &c. Isa. 1.2. & 65.2, 3. &c. Jer. 5.5. whence it may seem that howso∣ever

He hath right, yet de facto His kingdome doth not rule over all.

[Answ.] I answer, Gods dominion being founded (as was shewed before) in the creatures per∣petuall dependence upon Him both for es∣sence and operation, it is no more possible that any creature should withdraw it self from under Gods dominion, then that it should be able to act or subsist of it self with∣out dependence upon Him. The rebellion therefore of wicked men and angels against God, though it violate the rule, which He hath prescribed them to walk by, yet doth not diminish His dominion over them. For (as Anselme elegantly illustrates it) Gods will (and so His dominion) compasses man about as the heaven compasses about the earth, that he can no way get out of it: but as the fur∣ther a man goes from one part of the heaven, the nearer he drawes to the other; so the fur∣ther one departs from Gods commanding will, the nearer he comes to His punishing will.

Uses.

We see then 1 That no creature is sui juris lord of it self.* 1.4 Some men indeed have some∣times thought so, as Pharaoh Exod. 5.2. So Psal 2.2, 3. & 12.4. And the conversation of many among us plainly shewes that they

think so; whilest they follow whatsoever pleases them, and refuse whatsoever stands not with their liking, notwithstanding the pre∣cepts, admonitions, threatnings &c. of God in Scripture. But that all men and all crea∣tures are subject to Gods dominion, as it is manifest to all (Christians especially) so these men also shall at last feel. For if they will not now in the day of grace be subject to Gods fatherly dominion, they shall one day be sub∣ject to His masterly dominion; and when He bids them, Depart into everlasting fire, shall not be able to refuse or disobey.

2 That no creature can have dominion over another, unlesse it be derived from God, Who hath the supreame dominion over all, Rom. 13.1. Whence both magistrates should learne so to carry themselves in their govern∣ment, as being to give an account to God the chief Lord, and people so to yeeld obedience to them as to Gods vicegerents upon earth, from Whom and for Whom they governe.

This reproves all such as goe about any way to diminish Gods dominion. So they,* 1.5 who by refusing to obey His commande∣ments do (as much as in them is) withdraw themselves from under His dominion. Would they vindicate themselves into absolute liber∣ty and be altogether their own men subject to

none other? That is impossible: For every man obeys either righteousnesse and God, or unrighteousnesse and the devil, Rom. 6.16. They therefore who will not obey God, do voluntarily yeeld themselves slaves to the devil. Nor can they so shake off Gods domi∣nion, Who is able to subdue all things unto Himself, and when He shall visit His house, will say, Those Mine enemies, which would not that I should reigne over them, bring hither, and slay them before Me, Luk. 19.27. See Ezek. 20.33. So they who account all they have so fully their own, that they may doe therewith what they list. What spend∣thrift is there among us, that will not be rea∣dy to say, I hope I spend nothing but mine own? (And yet it were well, if some of them did not by borrowing or stealing spend that which is other mens.) So covetous men, they think they are absolute lords of all that they have (1 Sam. 25.11) otherwise how chance they will not lay out those goods according to the owners will? So they, who abuse the creatures; which surely are Gods creatures, He hath made them: nor shall any man goe unpunished, that shall usurp or use them otherwise then according to His will. The stone out of the wall shall cry &c. saith the Prophet Habakkuk ch. 2.11, 12. So the crea∣tures

out of the gluttons and drunkards bel∣ly shall cry, Woe to them that rise up early in the morning to follow strong drink &c. Isa. 5.11, 12.

On the other side,* 1.6 this may comfort all Gods faithfull subjects against whatsoever can happen to them. If they be in perill by sea, the sea is subject to the kingdome and dominion of God, Psalm. 93.3, 4. & 107.29. Jer. 5.22. If they be in danger from men, see 2 Chron. 32.8. Isa. 40.15, 17. If from the devil, Hebr. 2.14. Rom. 16.20. 1 John 4.4. If from death and the grave, Hos. 13.14. Phil. 3.21. 1 Cor. 15.

Lastly,* 1.7 this should exhort us 1 to humble our selves before the supreame King and Lord of all. When Job seemed to trust too much to His innocence or righteousnesse, E∣lihu endeavoured to reduce him to due hu∣mility by this argument Job 36. & 37. And God Himself especially, chap. 38. & 39. & 40. & 41. The successe see chap. 40.3, 4, 5. & chap. 42.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

2 To obey and honour Him. Motiv. 1 He is most worthy of our honour and obedience, Revel. 4.11. 2 He is most able to reward His faithfull subjects, and to pu∣nish rebels. 3 Consider the example of the Angels, vers. 20. of this Psalme; yea of the

unreasonable creatures, yea of those without sense or life, Psalm. 148.5, 6. And if He will have any thing done by them, though contrary to the inclination of their particular nature, they straightwaies obey. The sunne stood still for the space of a whole day, Jos. 10.13. went backward, 2 Kings 20.11. The heaven gives or withholds raine, Jam. 5.17, 18. The water stands as a wall, Exod. 14.22. Jos. 3.16. beares Christ walking upon it, Mat. 14.25. The fire, though most extreamly ardent, singed not a haire of the three children walking in the middest of it, Dan. 3.27. The earth swal∣lowed up Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, Numb. 16. The hungry lions hurt not Da∣niel shut up all night with them, Dan. 6.

3 To trust in God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Expl.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  Instr.
• * 1.5

  Repr.
• * 1.6

  Consol.
• * 1.7

  Exhort.