Shepard - Houston-Packer Collection BV4500 .S43 1657

_:`:-µ .a:z;txs.c.._...:.e:..::'-`K- We ,: A roholeibme Caveat you that are profperous, and becaufe the Lord is good to you, therefore you think the Lord likes well of your wayes. No greater plague then for the Lord to give a reran peace inhis finme, or if the Lord begins to afic thee in thy nart;e, or eftate begin to be Matted, and thou anti fee Gods hand on thee, and knowefl it, and yet thou =mainefe unhunibl.ed, this is a figne thou art under the bondage ofthy fin. Vfe 5. For examination, whether We do, or when a people do call offthe government of the Lord and de- Amy his kingdome ? it's needful! to know the fin, that we may preventthe mifery ; and 'ris certain, let New. England be watchful, and make lure here, to advance the Prince ofpeace, and to keep the right and government in his hand, and you (hall have theblefi;ng of God and his Ordinances, peace and mercy in your times, and continued toyour children ; for his I,tngdome is an ever- lafling kingdom, andofthe encreafe of his kingdome there is no end: and on the contrary, if New- England call off the government from over them. and refufe his fervice, theLord will then take the kingdome from yau, and ' you (hall then know the want of what now ye enjoy, Now becaufe Chrifis government or 1. Inward. Kingd.ome is 4; S in Church: a. Outward ? in State. '1 (hall let you know i. when the inward kingdoms ofChrifl is (et up, and when 'tis razed dpwn, which I fhall do by giving you a briefe view of the nature of it, and wherein it cor fits, and fo you may the better Judge of your own hearts in this particular. As Satan hath an inward kingdome in the hearts of thofe that are with- 'out, fo the Lord Jefizs hath an inward kingdome in the hearts ofall his Saints, Col. r . 13. Bleffed be god (faith the Apoftle) which bath tranflated us from darkneffe to light, and from the porter of Satan into the kingdome of his dear f une, which; is very fpirituall, little teen, a man may be under all outward government, and yet naught here; and therefore attend : this inwardkingdome therefore confifis infour things, or when the whole foul fubmits it fella) God in thefe four particulars. t. When the whole foul gives entertainment unto the Lord hiinfelf to come into it v for if a people (hall fay they are under filch agovernment, and yet will not admit

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