Use 1. This may serve to comfort us against the afflictions of this life; for although the faithfull receive no reward from this world, by reason of the iniquity of men, but hatred, disgrace, contempt, and persecutions: yet they may rest well contented in this, that they shall not only receive an ample reward in the life to come, but also they shall receive it in some sort in this life present, Matthew 5.10,12. & 19.29.
2. To exhort us to labour to increase in piety, for as much as this labour is not in vaine, but hath its reward even in this present world, 1 Corinthians 15. last.
Doctrine 8. This happinesse consists in being made partakers of the everlasting kingdome of God.
By the kingdome of God is meant properly that condition into which the faithfull are translated by their effectuall calling: now seeing there are no degrees of this condition, this kingdome is distinguished into the kingdome of grace, and the kingdome of glory. Into the kingdome of grace, because the preaching and ministery of the Gospell is the efficient cause thereof, therefore the Gospell it selfe is called in Scripture the kingdome of God, and because the Church is the proper subject of this state and condition, therefore the Church is also called the kingdome of God; and because spirituall grace hath the chiefe part in this condition, therefore that also is called the kingdome of God, Romans 14.17. but most properly the condition it selfe is the kingdome of God. And it is compared to a kingdome rather then to a Democracy or Aristocracy, or any other society.
Reason 1. Because of the dignity and splendour which it hath.
2. Because the rule or governement is in the power of one. For although it is called sometimes the kingdome of God, sometimes the kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ, as in this place; yet they are not made two Kings as touching the essence, but thereby it is shewed that he hath a singular charge in this kingdome.
3. Because the lawes and edicts of this society are altogether Kingly and Monarchicall; the seales also, and all things that pertaine to this government, beare the effigies as it were, or image of one King.
Vse 1. This may serve to comfort the faithfull, who should think with them selves, and often call to minde, unto what a great happinesse they are called. For that which David said heretofore, 1 Samuel 18.23, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a Kings sonne in law? that may all the faithfull say of themselves in respect of this kingdome, that it is not a light thing to be made Citizens of this kingdome, and especially seeing we are poore and vile creatures, the greater will our comfort be, when we consider the glory and eternity of this kingdome. The glory is such that the kingdomes of David and Solomon, even in the greatest glory that ever they had, were but imperfect representations and shadowes as it were of this kingdome. For they were but types of it. So great is the glory of this kingdome, that all the Citizens and Subjects thereof are in some sort Kings, Apocalypse 1.6. The eternity is such, that neither in whole nor in part is it lyable unto an end, or any essentiall change. Compare all the kingdomes of the Persians, Medes, and Grecians, all which are abolished; this kingdome of God alone continues for ever.
2. To reprove those, that professe themselves Christians, and yet live so as if they were under no lawes, & did acknowledge no King. For as this is reckoned as the cause that the Israelites did runne into all kind of wickednesse, because there was no king in Israel, but every one did that which was right in his owne eyes, Iudges 17.6. & 18.1. So also do these men as it were proclaime, that they neither acknowledge Christ nor God for their King, while they do that which seemes right in their own eyes, not caring whether it do please God, or displease him. Such men must expect that sentence of Christ, which is laid downe, Luke 19.27. Those mine enemies which would not that I should reigne over them, bring hither and slay them before me.
3. To exhort all to seeke this kingdome of God above all other things, according as Christ bids us; first seeke the kingdome of God. And not only the happinesse of those that are admitted to be partakers of this kingdome, but also the misery of all those that are excluded from it, should be an argument to perswade hereunto: for there are two spirituall kingdomes, and every man must needs be a subject of one of them: the kingdome of light and the kingdome of darknesse; the kingdome of righteousnesse and grace, and the kingdome of sinne; the kingdome of God, and the kingdome of the Devill, who is called the Prince of this world. All those that are excluded out of the kingdome of God, of grace and salvation, are necessarily included in the kingdome of the Devill, sinne and darknesse; and deservedly doth this befall all unbeleevers and impenitent men, according to that commination, Deuteronomy 28.45.