Fourthly, because for the very present, in this life they have the state of Kings: They have the state of Kings in this life, I say. For, first they appear clad in purple. The Romans knew who was King, when they saw the man clad in purple Robes: Christians have royal Garments, Garments of Salvation; the righteousness of Christ doth cover them, which so soon as they put on, they are saluted for Kings in Heaven. Secondly, they have the attendance of Kings, a great train and guard about them; no King like any of them, that is not one of them; for they have the Angels for their guard, and as ministering Spirits to them, Psalm 34. and 91. Hebr. 1.14. Thirdly, they have the dominion of kings, and sovereignty and power of Kings: and so, first, the whole world is their kingdom, in which they reign: they are heirs of the world, Rom. 4. and so our Saviour saith, They inherit the earth, Matthew 5. Fourthly, their own hearts are as a large Kingdom, in which they sit and reign, governing and ruling over the innumerable thoughts of their minds and affections, and passions of their harts: among which they do justice, by daily subduing their unruly passions, and wicked thoughts, which, like so many Rebels, exalt themselves against the obedience should be yielded to Christ the supreme Lord and Emperor; as also by promoting the weal of all those saving graces which are placed in their hearts, nourishing and lifting ⟨p. 295⟩up all good thoughts, and cherishing all holy desires and good affections; conscience being, by commission, the chief Judge for their affairs of this whole Kingdom. Fifthly, it is something royal; and, which proves them to be Kings, they have a regal supremacy. A King is he that judgeth all, and is judged of none: such a one also is every spiritual man said to be, 1. Cor. 2. ult. Sixthly, they prove themselves Kings by the many conquests they make over the world and Satan, sometimes in lesser skirmishes, sometimes in some main and whole battles.
Fourthly, because for the very present, in this life they haue the state of Kings: They haue the state of Kings in this life, I say. For, first they appeare clad in purple. The Romans knew who was King, when they saw the man clad in purple Robes: Christians haue royall Garments, Garments of Saluation; the righteousnesse of Christ doth couer them, which so soone as they put on, they are saluted for Kings in Heauen. Secondly, they haue the attendance of Kings, a great traine and guard about them; no King like any of them, that is not one of them; for they haue the Angels for their guard, and as ministring Spirits to them, Psalm 34. and 91. Hebr. 1.14. Thirdly, they haue the dominion of kings, and soueraignty and power of Kings: and so, first, the whole world is their kingdome, in which they raigne: they are heirs of the world, Rom. 4. and so our Sauiour saith, They inherit the earth, Matthew 5. Fourthly, their owne hearts are as a large Kingdom, in which they sit and raign, gouerning and ruling ouer the innumerable thoughts of their mindes and affections, and passions of their harts: among which they doo iustice, by daily subduing their vnruly passions, and wicked thoughts, which, like so many Rebels, exalt themselues against the obedience should be yielded to Christ the supreme Lord and Emperor; as also by promoting the weal of all those sauing graces which are placed in their hearts, nourishing and lifting ⟨p. 295⟩vp all good thoughts, and cherishing all holy desires and good affections; conscience beeing, by commission, the chief Iudge for their affairs of this whole Kingdome. Fiftly, it is something royal; and, which proues them to be Kings, they haue a regall supremacy. A King is he that iudgeth all, and is iudged of none: such a one also is euery spirituall man said to be, 1. Cor. 2. vlt. Sixtly, they prooue themselues Kings by the many conquests they make ouer the world and Satan, sometimes in lesser skirmishes, somtimes in some main and whole battels.
