II. Point. Wherein doth this blessedness of the meek consist? namely, in their inheriting of the earth. And this is a great happiness, for a man to be Lord of the whole earth. But how can this be true? sith many of Gods dearest servants, have been strangers on this earth, thrust out of house and land, and constrained to wander in mountains, and deserts, afflicted and miserable, yea destitute of convenient food and raiment, Heb. 11. 37, 38. Ans. The meek are here called Inheritors1 of the earth, not for that they always have the possession thereof; but first, because God gives a meet and convenient portion of the earth,2 either to them, or to their posterity: thus he dealt with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they had sufficient for themselves, and a promise of great possessions, which their posterity did enjoy. Secondly, if it fall3 out, that meek persons die in want, or banishment; yet God gives them contentation, which is fully answerable to the inheritance of the earth: so Paul saith of himself, and other Apostles, mthey were as men having nothing, and yet possessed all things: meaning through contentation, with the peace of a good conscience. Thirdly, the meek have this inheritance,5 in regard of right, being the members of Christ, who is Lord of all. Hence Paul saith to the believing Corinthians, nall things are yours, whether it be Paul, or Cephas; or the world, things present▪ or things to come, all are yours, and ye Christs. Fourthly, the meek are made kings 7by Christ, and after the last judgement, they shall rule and reign with ⟨p. 18⟩him for ever[…] •eu. 5. 10. And in these two last respects, the meek are more properly said to be the inheritors of the earth. Object. Yet here it will be said again, that wicked and carnal men are oftentimes the greatest Lords of the earth, as Nimrod in his time, and the Turk8 at this day. Answ. The right unto the earth is two-fold; Civill and Spiritual: Civill right is that, which stands good before men, by their laws an• customs; and in regard thereof, men are called Lords of such lands,9 as they have right unto in the Courts of men: and so the Turk at this10 day, is a mighty Lord of a great part of the whole world. Spiritual 11right is that, which is warrantable and approved with God himself;12
II. Point. Wherein doth this blessednes of the meeke consist? namely, in their inheriting of the earth. And this is a great happinesse, for a man to be Lord of the whole earth. But how can this be true? sith many of Gods dearest seruants, haue beene strangers on this earth, thrust out of house and land, and constrained to wander in mountaines, and desarts, afflicted and miserable, yea destitute of conuenient foode and raiment, Heb. 11. 37, 38. Ans. The meeke are here called Inheritors1 of the earth, not for that they alwaies haue the possession thereof; but first, because God giues a meete and conuenient portion of the earth,2 either to them, or to their posteritie: thus hee dealt with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, they had sufficient for themselues, and a promise of great possessions, which their posteritie did enioy. Secondly, if it fall3 out, that meeke persons die in want, or banishment; yet God giues thē contentation, which is fully answerable to the inheritance of the earth: so Paul saith of himselfe, and other Apostles, mthey were as men hauing nothing, and yet possessed all things: meaning through contentation, with the peace of a good conscience. Thirdly, the meeke haue this inheritance,5 in regard of right, being the members of Christ, who is Lord of all. Hence Paul saith to the beleeuing Corinthians, nall things are yours, whether it be Paul, or Cephas; or the world, things present▪ or things to come, all are yours, and ye Christs. Fourthly, the meeke are made kings 7by Christ, and after the last iudgement, they shall rule and raigne with ⟨p. 18⟩him for euer〈…〉 •eu. 5. 10. And in these two last respects, the meeke are more properly said to be the inheritours of the earth. Obiect. Yet here it will be said againe, that wicked and carnall men are oftentimes the greatest Lords of the earth, as Nimrd in his time, and the Turke
- 1How the meek inherit the earth.How the meeke inherit the earth.
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- m2. Cor. 6. 10.
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- n1. Cor. 3. 21, 22.
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- 8A twofold right to earthly things.
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- 10Civill:Ciuill:
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- 12Spiritual.Spirituall.
