A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

But more particularly:

(1.) There is Confidence established by that, that his is the Kingdom. God's Kingdom is either Universal, over all Men or Things; or particular and special, which notes his Relation to the Saints, to those which have given up themselves to his Government, to be guided by him to everlasting Glory: and both these are grounds of Confidence.

(1.) There is Confidence established by that, that his is the Kingdom. God's Kingdom is either Vniversal, over all Men or Things; or particular and special, which notes his Relation to the Saints, to those which have given up themselves to his Government, to be guided by him to everlasting Glory: and both these are grounds of Confidence.

1. His Universal Kingdom over all Persons and Things in the World. This Kingdom is an absolute Monarchy, with a plenary Dominion and Propriety grounded upon his Creation of them. There is a two-fold Dominion, Dominium Jurisdictionis, and Dominium Proprietatis: The one is such as a King hath over his Subjects; the other, ⟨p. 510⟩such as a King hath in his Goods and Lands: The latter is greater than the former. A King hath a Dominion of Jurisdiction over his Subjects, to command and govern them; but he hath not such an absolute propriety in their Persons, as he hath in his own Goods and Lands; He may dispose of them absolutely at his own Pleasure, but his Jurisdiction is limited. In short, We must distinguish of his Dominion, as a Ruler, and as an Owner. But both these, they concur in God, and that in the highest degree, for God is Owner as well as Ruler; he made all Things out of Nothing, therefore hath a more absolute dominion over us, than any Potentate or King can have, not only over his Subjects, but his Goods; And can govern all Things, Men, Angels, and Devils, according to his Pleasure. It is more absolute, than any Superiority in the World, and more universal, as comprising all Persons and Things; God hath right to be King, because he gave being to all things, which no Earthly Potentate can. Therefore the Author must be owner; All other Kings are liable to be called to account and reckoning by this great King, for their Administration; but God is Absolute and Supreme.