The Jews to this very day expect it, as a thing carnal, and temporal, visible, outwardly glorious, wherein, in all manner of pleasure, they shall bear rule over the nations at their will ; such another thing of all the world as the popedom, which the Gentile, or idolatrous worshippers of Christ set up for his kingdom: and of some such thing it may be supposed the apostles themselves were not without thoughts, until they had conversed with the Lord after the resurrection ; Luke ix. 46. Acts ii. 6. Neither are all amongst us free from them at this day.
Those who with any simplicity profess the name of Christ, do generally agree, that there are three parts of it.
(1.) First and principally ; in that which is internal and
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spiritual, in and over the souls of men, over spirits both good and bad, in reference unto the ends which he hath to accora- phsh upon them. Of that which is direct and immediate upon the hearts and souls of men, there are two parts.
[1.] That which he exerciseth towards his elect, who are given unto him of his Father, converting, ruling, preserving them, under and through great variety of dispensations in- ternal and external, until he brings them unto himself: 'He stands and feeds them in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God ;' Micah v. 4. * Even he who is the ruler of Israel ;' ver. 2. ' He is exalted and made a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel, for the forgiveness of sins;' Acts v. 31. * He makes his people a willing people in the day of his power;' Psal. ex. 3. Sending out his Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth, and making his word and ordinances 'mighty through God, to the pull- ing down of strong holds in their hearts, casting down ima- ginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God ; and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of himself;' 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. He takes pos- session of their hearts by his power, dwelling in them by his Spirit, making them kings in his kingdom, and bringing them infallibly into glory. Oh, that this rule, this kingdom of his, might be carried on in our hearts ! We busy our- selves about many things, we shall find at length this one thing necessary: this is that part of the kingdom of Christ, which we are principally to aim at in the preaching of the gospel: 'We preach Christ Jesus the Lord;' 1 Cor. iv. 5. Him to be Lord and King though others have had dominion over us : they are the grains of Israel which the Lord seeks for in his sifting the nations by his word, as well as by his providence; and we are in the work of the gospel to 'endure all things for the elect's sake;' 2 Cor. ii. 10.
[2.] In the pov/er which he exerciseth towards others, to whom the word of the gospel doth come, calling, convincing, enlightening, hardening many, who yet being not his sheep, nor of his fold, he will never take to himself: but leaves to themselves, under aggravations of condemnation, which they pull upon themselves by the contempt of the gospel; 2 Cor. ii. 16. Heb. x. 29. He sends his Spirit to convince even the perishing 'world of sin, righteousness, and judgment ;' John
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xvi. 8. He sendeth ' sharp arrows into tbe very hearts of his enemies,' Psal. xlv. 5. making them stoop, bow, and fall under him : so bounding their rage, overbearing their lusts, leaving them without excuse in themselves, and his people, oftentimes not without profit from them : with some dealing even in this life more severely, causing the witnesses of the gospel to torment them by the preaching of the word; Rev. xi. 10. yet giving them up to strong delusions, that they may 'believe lies, and be damned;' 2 Thess. ii. 11, 12. &c. [3.] In carrying on of this work towards the one and the other, he puts furth the power, rule, and dominion, which he hath of liis Father over spirits, both good and bad.
1st. 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,' ver. 14. appointing them to behold the face of his Father, ready for his command on their behalf. Matt, xviii. 10. attending in their assemblies, 1 Cor. xi. 10. and to give them their assistance in the time of danger and trou- ble. Acts xii. 9. 'destroying their adversaries,' ver. 23- with innumerable other advantageous administrations, which he hath not thought good to acquaint us withal in particular, that our dependance might be on our King himself, and not on any of our fellow-servants, though never so glorious and excellent; Rev. xxii. 9.
2dly. For Satan, as he came to ' bind the strong man armed, and to spoil his goods,' Matt. ii. 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 ' principa- lities and powers of darkness, making an open show of them in his cross, and triumphing over them,' Col. ii. 15. he continues overruling and judging him and them, in their op- position to his church, and will do so until he bring them to a full conquest 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,