[3.] In caiTying on of this work toAvards the one and the other, he puts forth the power, rule, and dommion, which he hath of his Fa- ther over spirits, both good and bad.
\st. Being made head of principalities and powers, and exalted far above every name in heaven or earth, being made the " first-born of every creature," and all the angels of God being commanded to worship him, Heb. i. 6, and put in subjection under his feet; — he sends them forth, and uses them as ministering spirits for them who shall be heirs of salvation, verse 14, — appointing them to behold the face of his Father, ready for his commands on their behalf. Matt. xviiL 10, — attending in their assemblies, 1 Cor. xi. 10, and to give them their assistance in the time of danger and trouble. Acts xii. 9, de- stroying their adversaries, verse 23, with innumerable other advanta- geous administrations, which he hath not thought good to acquaint us withal in particular, that our dependence might be on our King him- self, and not on any of our fellow-servants, though never so glorious and excellent, Rev. xxii. 9.
'^dly. For Satan, as he came to bind the strong man amied, and to spoil his goods. Matt. xii. 29, — to destroy him that had the power of death, Heb. ii. 14; and being made manifest to this end, that he might destroy his works (1 John iii. 8) in the souls of men in this world, 2 Cor. x. 4, 5 ; so, having in his own person conquered these principalities and powers of darkness, making an open show of them in his cross, and triumphing over them. Col. ii. 15, he continues over- ruling and judging him and them, in their opposition to his church, and Avill do so until he bring them to a full con([uest and subjection, that they shall be judged and sentenced by the poor creatures whom in this world they continually pursue with all manner of enmity, 1 Cor. vi. 3.
And this looketh to the inward substance of the kingdom of Clirist, which is given him of his Father, and is not of this world, though he exercise it in the world to the last day; — a kingdom which can never be shaken nor removed. " The govennnent of it is upon his shoulder, and of the increase of it there shall be no end."
(2.) That rule or government which in his word he hath appointed and ordained for all his saints and chosen ones to walk in, to testify their inward subjection to him, and to be fitted for usefulness one to
THE JIAGISTRATE's POWER. 373
another. Now, of this part the administration is wrapped up in the laws, ordinances, institutions, and appointments of the gospel, — and it is frequently called " The kingdom of God." That Jesus Christ doth not rule in these things, and is not to he oheyed as a king in them, is but a late darkness, which, though it should spread as a cloud over the face of the heavens, and pour forth some showers and tem- pests, yet it would be as a cloud still, which "will speedily scatter and vanish into nothing.
And this is that whose propagation, as the means of carrying on the former spiritual ends of Christ, you desire strength and direction for this day. Men may gather together unto Christ, and say, with heads full of hopes, poor souls, and eyes fixed on the right hand and left, " Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" Take you his answer, and be contented with it, " It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power," Acts i. 6, 7, — but do your work faithfully. I know in this thing, it is far easier to complain of you for not doing, than to direct you what to do. The Lord be your guide, and give you straw wherever bricks are required of you !
(3.) In the universal judgment, which the Father hath committed to him over all, which he will most eminently exercise at the last day ; — rewarding, crowning, receiving some to himself; judging, con- demning, casting others into utter darkness, John v. 22-27; Acts ii. SG; Rom. xiv. 9; Acts xvii. 8L And of this universal, righteous judgment he giveth many warnings unto the world, by pouring forth sundry vials of his -wrath upon great Nimrods and oppressors, Ps. ex. 6; Mic. iv. 3; Rev. xix. 11-13. And in the holding forth these three parts of the kingdom of the Lord Jesvis doth the Scripture abound.
But now, whether over and beyond all these the Lord Christ shall not bear an outward, visible, glorious rule, setting up a kingdom like those of the world, to be ruled by strength and poAver ; and if so, when or how it shall be brought in, — into whose hands the admi- nistration of it shall be committed, and upon \v^hat account, — whe- ther he will personally walk therein or no, — whether it shall be clearly distinct from the rule he now bears in the world, or only differenced by more glorious degi'ees and manifestations of his power, — endless and hreconcilable are the contests of those that profess his name. This we find, by woful experience, that all who, fi:om the spirituality of the rule of Christ, and delight therein, have degenerated into carnal apprehensions of the beauty and glory of it, have, for the most part, been given up to carnal actings, suited to such apprehensions; and have been so dazzled A\itli gazing after temporal glory, that the kingdom Avhich comes not by observation hath been vile in their eyes.