ROMISHUNITY OPPOSED TO THE GENIUS OF THE GOSPEL. 403 7. This political unity does not well accord with the nature and genius of the evangelical dispensation. Our Saviour affirmed that " his kingdom is not of this world," John xviii. 36; and St Paul tells us that it consists in a spiritual in- fluence upon the souls of men, producing in them virtue, spiritual joy, and peace, Rom. xiv. 17. It disavows and discountenances " the elements of the world," by which worldly designs are carried on and worldly frames sustained. Gal. iv. 3, 9; Col. ii. 20. It requires not to be managed by politic artifices or "fleshly wis- dom," but by simplicity, sincerity, plaindealing, 1 Pet. ii. 1. As every subject of it must "lay mide all guile and dissimulation," so espe- cially the officers of it must do so, in conformity to the apostles, who " had their conversation in the world" (and prosecuted their design) "in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God;" not " walking in craftiness," or " handling the word of God deceitfully," &c. -2Cor. i.12, ii. 17, iv. 2; 1 Thess. ii. 3, 5. It needs not to be supported or enlarged by wealth and pomp, or by compulsive force and violence; for " God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound thewise, and theweak things of the world to confound the mighty, and base, despicable things," &c., "that no flesh should glory in his presence." -1 Cor. i. 27-29; James ii. 5. And, " The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God," &c. -2 Cor. x. 4. It discountenances the imposition of new laws and precepts, beside those which God has enjoined, or which are necessary for order and edification, derogating from the liberty of Christians and from the simplicity of our religion.Matt. xv. 9; Col. ii. 8, 20, 21; Gal. iv. 10. The government of the Christian state is represented [as] purely spiritual; administered by meek persuasion, not by imperious awe; as an humble ministry, not as stately domination ; for the apostles themselves did not " lord it over men's faith," but " co-operated to their joy," 2 Cor. i. 24. They did "not preach themselves, but Christ Jesus to be the Lord; and themselves their servants for Jesus' sake," 2 Cor. iv. 5. It isexpressly forbidden to them to " domineer over God's people," 1 Pet. v. 3; Matt. xx. 25, 26. They are to be qualified with gentleness and patience; they are forbidden to " strive," and enjoined to be " gentle toward all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." 2 Cor. vi. 4; 1 Tim. iii. 3 ; 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25; Tit. ii. 2. They are "to convince, to rebuke, to exhort, with all long-suffer- ing and doctrine."1 Chrys. Isid.; 2 Tim. iv. 2. 1 Episcopus pr Best volentibus, non nolentibus. Hier. Ep. iii. adNepo;.
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