The Exposition. There be two things here enjoined us to seek▪ Gods kingdom, and righteousness: and of both these Christ saith, First seek, that is, before all, and above all worldly things, let your principal1 care and endeavour be, to procure these unto your selves. By kingdom of God is here meant, a state and condition of man in this life, whereby in Christ he enjoys the favour of God, and hath right to everlasting life. This very estate of man is in Scripture called the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of heaven, because whosoever is in this estate, hath sure right and interest to Gods glory in heaven, and God here rules in him, as a king ruleth in his kingdom. The kingdom of God is only one, and2 yet it hath two degrees; the first in grace, and the second in glory. The kingdom of grace, is that spiritual regiment which God exerciseth in man, or in his Church, by his word and spirit in this life; and it is the first step or entrance into Gods heavenly kingdom. The kingdom of glory, is the full fruition of immediate fellowship with the blessed Trinity, by means of Jesus Christ in the highest heavens, after this life. Now both these degrees are here understood by the kingdom of God. The second thing to be thus sought for, is his righteousness, that is, the righteousness of God, and not as some translate it, the righteousness thereof, that is, of Gods kingdom; for the words will not bear that translation. And the seeking of Gods righteousness is here added for ⟨p. 395⟩special cause; to let us see by way of explication, when we have obtained for our selves the kingdom of God: for Gods kingdom stands in righteousness, and then doth God rule in man, when he makes him3 partaker of his righteousness. Now by righteousness of God▪ we must here understand, the obedience which Christ our mediator performed for us, in fulfilling the law, and in his sufferings. This is the very ground-work and foundation of Gods kingdom among men: hereof Paul speaketh oft, Rom. 1. 17. For by it, that is, the Gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith▪ and Rom. 3. 21, 22. Now is the righteousness of God made manifest, &c. and 2. Cor. 5. 21. God made him to be sin for us, which knew no sin, that we might be made 4the righteousness of God in him. And it is so called for divers respects;
The Exposition. There bee two things here inioyned vs to seeke▪ Gods kingdome, and righteousnesse: and of both these Christ saith, First seeke, that is, before all, and aboue all worldly things, let your principall1 care and indeauour be, to procure these vnto your selues. By kingdome of God is here meant, a state and condition of man in this life, whereby in Christ he enioyes the fauour of God, and hath right to euerlasting life. This very estate of man is in Scripture called the kingdome of God, and the kingdome of heauen, because whosoeuer is in this estate, hath sure right and interest to Gods glorie in heauen, and God here rules in him, as a king ruleth in his kingdome. The kingdome of God is onely one, and2 yet it hath two degrees; the first in grace, and the second in glorie. The kingdome of grace, is that spirituall regiment which God exerciseth in man, or in his Church, by his word and spirit in this life; and it is the first step or entrance into Gods heauenly kingdome. The kingdome of glorie, is the full fruition of immediate fellowship with the blessed Trinitie, by meanes of Iesus Christ in the highest heauens, after this life. Now both these degrees are here vnderstood by the kingdom of God. The second thing to be thus sought for, is his righteousnesse, that is, the righteousnesse of God, and not as some translate it, the righteousnesse thereof, that is, of Gods kingdome; for the wordes will not beare that translation. And the seeking of Gods righteousnesse is here added for ⟨p. 395⟩speciall cause; to let vs see by way of explication, when we haue obtained for our selues the kingdome of God: for Gods kingdome standes in righteousnesse, and then doth God rule in man, when hee makes him3 partaker of his righteousnesse. Now by righteousnesse of God▪ wee must here vnderstand, the obedience which Christ our mediatour performed for vs, in fulfilling the law, and in his sufferings. This is the very ground-worke and foundation of Gods kingdome among men: hereof Paul speaketh oft, Rom. 1. 17. For by it, that is, the Gospel, the righteousnesse of God is reuealed from faith to faith▪ and Rom. 3. 21, 22. Now is the righteousnesse of God made manifest, &c. and
- 1What Gods kingdom here is.What Gods kingdome here is.
- 2Gods kingdom in two degrees.
- 3Gods righteousness is Christs obedience.Gods righteousnesse is Christs obedience.
- 4Why it is so called.