THE KIXGDOM OF CHRIST, &C. 423
2 Sam. xxiii. 3, 4. The hand of the Lord hath been wonder- fully exalted in all these things ; but yet should we rest in them, should they not be brought into an immediate sub- serviency to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, the Lord will quickly distinguish between them, and his own peculiar de- sign, and say, ' In the days of these changes' I will do so, and so ; speak of them, as if he had nothing to do with them. The carrying on of the interest of Christ, is his peculiar aim ; he of his^^goodness make it ours also.
Observation 2. Among all the designs that are on foot in the world, there is none that hath either stability, fixedness, or final success, but only the design of God concerning the kingdom of Christ.
Other branches may be set, but the branch of the Lord only prospers." The likeliest appearances of other under- takings, are but as the glorious rising of the sun in the morn- ing, quickly clouded. The interest of Christ is like Joseph, Gen. xlix. 23, 24. Ofttimes the archers shoot at it, and grieve it ; but in the close the bow thereof abides in strength ; and therefore this is the issue of all these dispensations, that the kingdoms and nations are at length to be possessed by the Lord Christ," his sheaf standing up, and all others bow- ing thereunto.
And unto the consideration of these things, in the midst of all the tumults in the world, doth God effectually recall his people, and withal tells them, how he will carry it on, in the words of my text : ' And all the trees,' &.c.
In the words three things are to be observed.
First, The works that God ascribes to himself.
And that he sets down under a twofold similitude : of pulling down the ' high tree,' and setting up the * low tree :' and of drying up the ' green tree,' and making the ' dry tree' to flourish. And both these similitudes are coincident, serving only in this redoubling, for the clearer illustration of that, which they shadow out.
Secondly, There is the issue that God will carry this out unto in respect of others : ' All the trees of the field shall know.'
Thirdly, A particular assurance that the Lord gives for
" Hag. ii. 6, 7. Heb. xii. 26, 27. Isa. viii. 9, 10, ix. 7. xlvi. 10. liii. 10. Psal. xxxiii. 11. Prov. xix. 21. xxi.30. Job xxiii. 13. " Isa. Ix. 12, 13. Rev. xi. 15.
424 THE ADVANTAGE OF
the accomplishment of all this, from the engagement of his name : ' I the Lord/ &c.
First, For the first, the expression of the work of the Lord may be taken two ways: 1. Strictly and properly; 2. Largely, and by the way of analogy and proportion.
L In the first way you may consider,
(1.) The tree that is to be cast down and withered, and that is the ' high tree,' and the ' green tree ;' a tree that in their eyes had both beauty and vigour, high and green: this was the Judaical kingdom, admired and delighted in by the Jews. This, says God, I will reject; as also he will many a tall Eliab, that even some Samuels may think to be his anointed.
(2.) The tree that is to be exalted and made to flourish, and that is the ' low tree,' the * dry tree,' contemptible for growth; it is low, useless for fruit, it is dry. And this is the spiritual kingdom of the Messiah, contemned, despised ; this, says God, I will exalt, carry on, and make glorious ; for though the interest of Christ and the gospel may seem low, and dry for a season, in comparison of the glory of other flourishing interests, yet, in the issue, it shall be ex- alted above them all.
2. As taken more largely, and by the way of analogy ; and so,
(1.) The high and the green tree are the things of the most glorious appearance in the world ; persons and states, that seem to be exceedingly suited for the work that God hath to do ; that are in the greatest probability to be emi- nently instrumental in his hand : but alas, says God, these I will pull down and cause to wither. Perhaps you will think it strange, that a mighty monarchy, a triumphing pre- lacy, a thriving conformity, should all be brought down ; but so it shall be, ' Every mountain shall be made a plain.'
(2.) The ' low tree,' and the ' dry tree,' are things, per- sons, assemblies, outwardly weak and contemptible, such as wise men do verily believe that God will never use ; they will not understand, that such Moses's shall be deliverers, but cry, Who made them judges and rulers?" But even these will God exalt and cause to flourish : ' Every valley shall be exalted.'
° Eiod. ii. 14. Acts vii. 25.
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Two observations flow from hence, which I shall insist upon.
I. In the carrying on of the interest of Christ and the gospel, God will work wonderful providential alterations.