第64章

Thetimebetweentheascensionandthegeneralresurrectioniscalled，notareigning，butaregeneration；thatis，apreparationofmenforthesecondandgloriouscomingofChristatthedayofjudgement，asappearethbythewordsofourSaviour，“Youthathavefollowedmeintheregeneration，whentheSonofmanshallsitinthethroneofhisglory，youshallalsositupontwelvethrones“；*andofSt。Paul，“Havingyourfeetshodwiththepreparationofthegospelofpeace“；*(2)andiscomparedbyourSaviourtofishing；thatis，towinningmentoobedience，notbycoercionandpunishing，butbypersuasion。AndthereforehesaidnottohisApostleshewouldmakethemsomanyNimrods，huntersofmen；butfishersofmen。Itiscomparedalsotoleaven，tosowingofseed，andtothemultiplicationofagrainofmustard-seed；byallwhichcompulsionisexcluded；andconsequentlytherecaninthattimebenoactualreigning。TheworkofChrist’sministersisevangelization；thatis，aproclamationofChrist，andapreparationforhissecondcoming；astheevangelizationofJohntheBaptistwasapreparationtohisfirstcoming。

Again，theofficeofChrist’sministersinthisworldistomakemenbelieveandhavefaithinChrist：butfaithhathnorelationto，nordependenceatallupon，compulsionorcommandment；butonlyuponcertainty，orprobabilityofargumentsdrawnfromreason，orfromsomethingmenbelievealready。ThereforetheministersofChristinthisworldhavenopowerbythattitletopunishanymanfornotbelievingorforcontradictingwhattheysay：theyhave，Isay，nopowerbythattitleofChrist’sministerstopunishsuch；butiftheyhavesovereigncivilpower，bypoliticinstitution，thentheymayindeedlawfullypunishanycontradictiontotheirlawswhatsoever：andSt。Paul，ofhimselfandotherthethenpreachersoftheGospel，saithinexpresswords，“Wehavenodominionoveryourfaith，butarehelpersofyourjoy。“*

Anotherargument，thattheministersofChristinthispresentworldhavenorightofcommanding，maybedrawnfromthelawfulauthoritywhichChristhathlefttoallprinces，aswellChristiansasinfidels。

St。Paulsaith，“Children，obeyyourparentsinallthings；forthisiswellpleasingtotheLord。“*And，“Servants，obeyinallthingsyourmastersaccordingtotheflesh，notwitheye-service，asmen-pleasers，butinsinglenessofheart，asfearingtheLord“：*(2)

thisisspokentothemwhosemasterswereinfidels；andyettheyarebiddentoobeytheminallthings。Andagain，concerningobediencetoprinces，exhorting“tobesubjecttothehigherpowers，“hesaith，“thatallpowerisordainedofGod“；and“thatweoughttosubjecttothemnotonlyfor“fearofincurringtheir“wrath，butalsoforconsciencesake。“*(3)AndSt。Peter，“Submityourselvestoeveryordinanceofman，fortheLord’ssake，whetheritbetotheking，assupreme，oruntogovernors，astothemthatbesentbyhimforthepunishmentofevildoers，andforthepraiseofthemthatdowell；

forsoisthewillofGod。“*(4)AndagainSt。Paul，“Putmeninmindtobesubjecttoprincipalities，andpowers，andtoobeymagistrates。“*(5)TheseprincesandpowerswhereofSt。PeterandSt。

Paulherespeakwereallinfidels：muchmorethereforewearetoobeythoseChristianswhomGodhathordainedtohavesovereignpoweroverus。HowthencanwebeobligedtoobeyanyministerofChristifheshouldcommandustodoanythingcontrarytothecommandofthekingorothersovereignrepresentantoftheCommonwealthwhereofwearemembers，andbywhomwelooktobeprotected？ItisthereforemanifestthatChristhathnotlefttohisministersinthisworld，unlesstheybealsoenduedwithcivilauthority，anyauthoritytocommandothermen。

Butwhat，maysomeobject，ifaking，orasenate，orotherso