Shepard - Houston-Packer Collection BV4500 .S43 1657

fora time ofL1lerty. I9_ the Prince himfeif to come amongfl them, but keep kim out of the kingdome, they call of his so-vernmcnc and his kingdome. 2. When the whole foul clofeth with the whole will of the Lore; for ifa people (hall receive a f-r.nce anaongft them, but he (hall make nh wholCome Laws cogoverne them but will he led by their own wiLs and lulls, they pull down his kingdome. 3. When the whole foul thus clofeth with the will of Chriíl by vertue of the power and Spirit of Chri : for ifa people fbmrt to the will of their Pr iuce, but ';is not by vertue of his authority over them, command of them, and helps hehach given them for that end, but it is by reafon ofTome forreign power, that underhand eaccu- rageth them to yield, this is poor fubjediion. 4. When the foul thus fubmits to Chrifi's will for the Lords ends, denying its own wifedome or will, and is led by the Lord to his end : for if a people (hall fubmit to their Prince, but'ris to fet up other princes, he is call off from his throne. When a man fhall ferve Cod, and be under his government becaufe it is profitable or ho- nourable, it fuits his own end, this is poor fervice in the Lords account. r. I fay then, the foul is under the inward kingdome or goverment ofClirift, when the whole foul gives en- tertainment to the Lordof Lords, the Lord hirrflfwith all his traine, in and by the Gofp,ell of grace, the royal'. fword and Scepter of Chrifts kingdome ; for when Chríit himfelfis thus received, the kingdome ofGod is come to that foul, and entred into that heart; and hence Zr!ark, 1. 14, 15. the Gofpel is called the Gofnel of the kingdome, and when Johnand Chriíl preachedbeleive and repent, for the kingdome of God is at hand. Under which word is comprehended much, but principally Chrifi Jefus ready to enter the fouls of his people ; and hence:9bn preach- ed Chriíl. Now 'tis faid, thole that were effeaually wrought upon, Matt. it. 12 that the kingdome ,f heaven didfuffer violence, and the violent rake it by farce; fo that the k ingdome of God is come into the hearts of all the eta of God, when the foul des a holyviolence, and the Lord do's draw the heart to an entertainment ofthe Lord. himfelf; Many difficulties there be between them and Chrifi, andyet they break through all. This is the condition ofail men by nature, they are C 2 grangers m. 3.

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