[2.] Faith is required ; for receiving of Christ is made equivalent with believing : John i. 12, ' To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believe in his name.' Now what is receiving of Christ ? To entertain him to the end for which he was sent of God ; or, in short, to own him as lord and king; as is explained by the apostle, Col. ii. 6, ' As ye have there- fore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.'
3. The law of commerce between^ this sovereign and these subjects (for all kingdoms are governed by laws). Now the law of Christ is the gospel or new covenant, which is both a rule of duty to show what is due from us to Christ, and a charter of grace to show what we may expect from him upon account of his merit and mercy, if we be duly qualified ; therefore the whole design of the gospel is to bring us to an humble submission and obedience to Christ's healing and saving methods ; all the doctrines, precepts, and promises of the gospel tend to this. The gospel is not only a promise, but a law : Eom. iii. 27, called a ' law of faith ; ' and requireth not only confidence, but obed-
SERMON UPON LTJKE XIX. 14. 107
ience : 2 Thes. i. 8, ' In flaming fire, taking vengeance on tliem that know not God, and obey not the gospel;' 1 Peter iv, 17, 'What shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God ? ' It is not enough to profess the gospel, but we must obey the gospel. Some of the precepts of the gospel are mystical, such as believing in Christ : 1 John iii. 23, ' And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ.' Some moral, viz., the primitive duty we owe to God : 1 Cor. ix. 21, 'Being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ.' Not aw/xo9 but evvo/xo'?.
4. Rewards and punishments.
[1.] For punishments. Though the proper intent and business of the gospel is to bless, and not to curse, yet, if men wilfully refuse the benefit of this dispensation, they are involved in the greatest curse that can be thought of : John iii. 19, ' This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil ; ' Heb. x. 29, ' Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith ye were sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of grace ? ' It will be more grievous to sin against our remedy than our bare duty. More aggravating circumstances aro in it ; and there- fore, the more it increaseth our torment, not only on God's part inflict- ing, but on our part reflecting upon our sin and ingratitude.
[2.] Ee wards. The privileges of Christ's kingdom are exceeding great.
(1.) For the present, pardon and peace are obtained, both in the way of justification ; as, Rom. v. 1, ' Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.' And also of sanctification : Gal. vi. 16, ' As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.' This is the entertainment God giveth to the obedient soul, and the fruit of Christ's internal government.
(2.) Hereafter, eternal happiness, or an immutable state of glory : Mat. XXV. 34, ' Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' That is the consummation of the kingdom of God ; and it shall be the portion of all those that obey Christ, how despicable soever their condition be in this world : James ii. 5, ' Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him ? '
II. That in all reason this kingdom should be submitted unto —
1. Because of the right which Christ hath to govern. He hath an unquestionable title by the grant of God : Acts ii. 36, ' Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.' And his own merit and purchase : Rom. xiv. 9, ' For to this end Christ both died, and rose again, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living ; ' which should silence and quiet all rebellious motions. Hath not God a right to dispose of you : and shall Christ lay down his life to be head of the renewed estate, and at length be deprived of
108 SERMON UPON LUKE XIX. 14.
that honour, and that merely by the rebellious obstinacy of the creature ? There can be no hope of exemption. His we must be, whether we will or no. Our consent and willingness doth not add to the validity of his title, only aggravateth our sin if we refuse or prove unfaithful, or maketh our obedience acceptable if we be sincere in it. Now God is tender of his grant, and Christ of his acquired right and purchase, that he may not lose the fruit of his death and sufferings.