The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-wealth,…The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-vvealth,…

5. The Common-wealth is in reference and subordination to that: the Church is not for the Commonwealth, but the Common-wealth for the Church. Hence a Common-wealth is made glorious, when it becometh holy and Christian, as jewels, which they say have their being at first in the sea, yet have more affinity with the heavens, whose colour they represent; so a State when once become the Church of God, doth more depend on heaven, from whence it hath it's original, then on the earth, in which it liveth. And then do all Governors contradict this principle, when they make the Scripture subordinate to State-ends or policies: Thus Jeroboam makes the worship of God subordinate to the outward peace of the Kingdom; and this hath been the fatal miscarriage of many Governors; they have not consulted what God and his Word speaketh, but what are the maxims and principles of State. If therefore your hearts and affections be for the Common-wealth, how much more ought it be for the Church, seeing God made the world at first, and doth still preserve it, because of his Church that is in it? and if Christ thought not his own blood too much to give for the ransom of it, how much less should we judge our pains and thoughts too much for it? Psal 2. There is a forcible exhortation to all the governors of the earth, to receive Christ, and to submit to his government, ⟨p. 9⟩let none think himself too great to be in Christs yoke; nay, this is the end why God hath given greatness and power to men, that they might serve his Church; and therefore he suffers her to be in a weak and indigent estate: when the Lord promiseth, that Kings and Queens shall be nursing fathers, and nursing mothers, it supposeth the Church to be like a poor helpless orphan: now when we speak thus of helping the Church of God, we mean not in such a manner, as they in Popery plead for the outward dignity and carnal privileges, as also unlawful authority, which are not of Christs kingdom; but we speak of the people of God, the Ordinances, the true Doctrine, and the wholesome discipline thereof; we desire this to be established and promoted by you.

5. The Common-wealth is in reference and subordination to that: the Church is not for the Commonwealth, but the Common-wealth for the Church. Hence a Common-wealth is made glorious, when it becometh holy and Christian, as jewels, which they say have their being at first in the sea, yet have more affinity with the heavens, whose colour they represent; so a State when once become the Church of God, doth more depend on heaven, from whence it hath it's originall, then on the earth, in which it liveth. And then doe all Governours contradict this principle, when they make the Scripture subordinate to State-ends or policies: Thus Jeroboam makes the worship of God subordinate to the outward peace of the Kingdom; and this hath been the fatall miscarriage of many Governours; they have not consulted what God and his Word speaketh, but what are the maximes and principles of State. If therefore your hearts and affections be for the Common-wealth, how much more ought it be for the Church, seeing God made the world at first, and doth still preserve it, because of his Church that is in it? and if Christ thought not his own bloud too much to give for the ransome of it, how much lesse should we judge our pains and thoughts too much for it? Psal 2. There is a forcible exhortation to all the governours of the earth, to receive Christ, and to submit to his government,