Now let me tell you, it is a spiritual Kingdom, not such as comes with Observation. Jesus Christ, when he was inaugurated into the Throne, when he was to sit down at God's right-hand, how doth he manifest it? He gives Gifts, as Princes use to do at their Coronation, but they are spiritual Gifts, Eph. 4. 8. And he sent abroad Ambassadors, poor Fishermen, they and their Successors, to go and treat with the World, 2 Cor. 5. 19. Indeed they had a mighty Power with them, as becoming such a great King, as was under the Veil of Meanness and Weakness, it was carried on in a spiritual manner. And still he doth administer his Kingdom, not by Force; he rules not by the Power of the Sword, but by his Word and Spirit, so he governeth his People. The Publication of the Gospel is a sending forth the Rod of his Strength, Psal. 110. 2. And the Holy-Ghost, as Christ's Viceroy, he governeth them, and administereth all things that are necessary to his Kingdom; he doth it by the Holy-Ghost, as his Deputy. The Father chooseth a sort of Men, gives them to Christ; the Son dieth for them, that they may be Subjects of his Kingdom, and he commits them to be governed and ruled by the Holy-Ghost: He useth the Ministry of Men, and so unites them to Christ; and Christ brings them to the Father, by his Intercession committing them to his Care and Love; and by a ⟨p. 193⟩final Tradition at last, which is the last Act of Christ's Mediatorial Kingdom, 1 Cor. 15. 24. he shall deliver them up to the Father. The Spirit, blessing the Ministry of Men, works Faith, by which we are united to Christ; and Christ intercedes for us, and will bring us to God again. And in this spiritual manner is this Kingdom carried on. So that if we would enter into this Kingdom, we must go to God the Father, and confess we are Rebels and Traitors, but desire he would not enter into Judgment with us, but seek to be reconciled to God the Father. Now as God bade the Friends of Job to go to Job, chap. 42. 8. So God sends us to Christ, in whom alone he is well-pleased with the Creature: If we go to the Son, he refers us to the Spirit, to be reclaimed from our Impurity and Rebellion. If we go to the Spirit, he refers us to Moses and the Prophets, Pastors and Teachers; there we shall hear of him in Christ's way, and there we feel the Rod of Christ's Strength, the Efficacy of his Grace put into our Hearts.
Now let me tell you, it is a spiritual Kingdom, not such as comes with Observation. Jesus Christ, when he was inaugurated into the Throne, when he was to sit down at God's right-hand, how doth he manifest it? He gives Gifts, as Princes use to do at their Coronation, but they are spiritual Gifts, Eph. 4. 8. And he sent abroad Embassadors, poor Fishermen, they and their Successors, to go and treat with the World, 2 Cor. 5. 19. Indeed they had a mighty Power with them, as becoming such a great King, as was under the Vail of Meanness and Weakness, it was carried on in a spiritual manner. And still he doth administer his Kingdom, not by Force; he rules not by the Power of the Sword, but by his Word and Spirit, so he governeth his People. The Publication of the Gospel is a sending forth the Rod of his Strength, Psal. 110. 2. And the Holy-Ghost, as Christ's Viceroy, he governeth them, and administreth all things that are necessary to his Kingdom; he doth it by the Holy-Ghost, as his Deputy. The Father chuseth a sort of Men, gives them to Christ; the Son dieth for them, that they may be Subjects of his Kingdom, and he commits them to be governed and ruled by the Holy-Ghost: He useth the Ministry of Men, and so unites them to Christ; and Christ brings them to the Father, by his Intercession committing them to his Care and Love; and by a ⟨p. 193⟩final Tradition at last, which is the last Act of Christ's Mediatorial Kingdom, 1 Cor. 15. 24. he shall deliver them up to the Father. The Spirit, blessing the Ministry of Men, works Faith, by which we are united to Christ; and Christ intercedes for us, and will bring us to God again. And in this spiritual manner is this Kingdom carried on. So that if we would enter into this Kingdom, we must go to God the Father, and confess we are Rebels and Traitors, but desire he would not enter into Judgment with us, but seek to be reconciled to God the Father. Now as God bade the Friends of Iob to go to Iob, chap. 42. 8. So God sends us to Christ, in whom alone he is well-pleased with the Creature: If we go to the Son, he refers us to the Spirit, to be reclaimed from our Impurity and Rebellion. If we go to the Spirit, he refers us to Moses and the Prophets, Pastors and Teachers; there we shall hear of him in Christ's way, and there we feel the Rod of Christ's Strength, the Efficacy of his Grace put into our Hearts.
