The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Of that which the Scripture by excellency termeth, The Kingdom; and of the Church of Gods Elect.

Of that which the Scripture by excellencie termeth, The Kingdome; and of the Church of Gods Elect.

OF the three great Arms or Branches of¹ Christs Kingdom, two have been already opened: His general Government of the World, whereby he swayeth all things, and the favours which in the Largess and Royalty of his Prophetical Office, he bestoweth upon the Church in general the bad among them aswell as the good; all sworn unto him, and called by his name, and all for the Elects sake, being so many steps and stairs to lead those whom God hath chosen, to far more eminent and surpassing Graces, now to be spoken of in this third part, which the Scripture is wont to call, by way of excellency, ^dThe Kingdom, ^eThe Kingdom of God, or ^fThe Kingdom of his Son, and ^gThe Kingdom of Heaven. For though the same, as we have showed, be specially spoken of the Reign of the Messiah when he came into the World, yet for the truth and substance, it holdeth in all times from the beginning: that being Citizens of that Kingdom, we have as it were, a Heaven here on Earth, and Heaven indeed hereafter: for in it are all the glorious things which God communicateth with his people.

OF the three great Armes or Branches of¹ Christs Kingdome, two haue beene alreadie opened: His generall Gouernment of the World, whereby hee swayeth all things, and the fauours which in the Largesse and Royaltie of his Propheticall Office, he bestoweth vpon the Church in generall the bad among them aswell as the good; all sworne vnto him, and called by his name, and all for the Elects sake, being so many steps and stayres to leade those whom God hath chosen, to farre more eminent and surpassing Graces, now to bee spoken of in this third part, which the Scripture is wont to call, by way of excellencie,