The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• Introduction
• Of the Nature and Qualification of Religion, In Reference to Civil Society, &c.
• §i.
• §2.
• §3.
• §4.
• §5.
• §6.
• §7.
• §8.
• §9.
• §10.
• §11.
• §12.
• §13.
• §14.
• §15.
• §16.
• §17.
• §18.
• §19.
• §20.
• §21.
• §22.
• §23.
• §24.
• §25.
• §26.
• §27.
• §28.
• §29.
• §30.
• §31.
• §32.
• §33.
• §34.
• §35.
• §37.
• §38.
• §39.
• §40.
• §41.
• §42.
• §43.
• §44.
• §45.
• §46.
• §47.
• §48.
• §49.
• §50.
• §51.
• §52.
• §53.
• §54.

§29.

The Kingdom of Christ implies no Temporal Sovereignty. It is furthermore to be considered, whether the Doctrine of Christ, which unites our Hearts under the Obedience of Christ by the Faith, does not, by vertue of this Union, constitute a certain Sovereignty resembling the Sovereign Power of our Civil Governments? To this we answer in the Negative; as it may plainly appear, to those, that will duely consider the Nature and Qualifications, which are in the holy Scripture attributed to the Kingdom of Christ, and the Kingdom of Heaven here upon Earth. It is without question, that the Union of the Believers under Christ, their King, ought to be considered as a Kingdom or Empire, but such a one as is not of this World, and consequently of a quite different nature from that Sovereign Power, which is exercised in a Civil Government. Christ is there the King, who having withdrawn himself from our sight, has as it may be said, settled his Court in Heaven. His subjects are dispersed throughout all parts of the World, where the Christian Doctrine is taught and received by the Believers, who, by the intrinsick Vertue of this Doctrine, are confirmed in their Faith, and made proof against all the Temptations and Malice of this World. The Civil Power does not reach this Kingdom; true Piety being not to be implanted by Human Force, which is insufficient to procure God’s Grace, or raise those inward Motions which are chiefly acceptable to God Almighty; and without which, all our exterior Actions, that may be enforced by a Civil Authority, are to be deem’d vain and fruitless. For, the Kingdom of Christ being a Kingdom of Truth, it requires no Civil Power or Force; For, Truth, by the help of the Christian Doctrine, and with the assistance of God’s Grace, does gently insinuate it self into the Hearts of Men, and the Rewards or Punishments, which those are to receive, that either accept or despise this Doctrine, are reserved for the Life to come. He that will be pleased to examine those several Passages, where mention is made of the Kingdom of Christ, or the Kingdom of Heaven, may soon be convinced, that not any thing is to be met withal there, which has the least resemblance to a Civil Power or Sovereignty. Those that expect to enter into this Kingdom, must qualifie themselves by Repentance.116 It is spoke of Christ himself, that he went about preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven.117 The Virtues and Qualifications which Christ requires in those, that will enter into his Kingdom, and consequently be blessed with eternal Salvation, have but little relation to the Qualifications of a Subject in a Civil Government. In that Kingdom every one is called great, or the least, according to his Proficiency in the Christian Doctrine, and according to his Obedience or disobedience to it.118 We are commanded first to seek the Righteousness of this Kingdom.119 The great Mystery of this Kingdom is the powerful operations of the Word of God.120 In this Kingdom are not only suffered those that are Foreigners to it, but also its Enemies, which is against the Maxims, of a Civil Government.121 The Keys of this Kingdom are contained in the Doctrine of Remission of Sins.122 And what is taught us concerning Precedency in the Kingdom of Heaven, is quite contrary to what is practised in a Civil State.123 It is allowable by the Civil Constitutions, for every one to pursue his Right, but, in the Kingdom of Christ, he is counted an ill Subject, who will not remit a Trespass to his Brother.124 The Kingdom of Christ is also of the little Children.125 Those that are employed in this Kingdom have different Tasks, and undergo different sorts of Hardship, and yet their Reward is the same.126 This Kingdom is taken from those that refuse it,127 whereas it is a Maxim of Temporal Sovereigns, to force such as are refractory to Obedience; and this was the reason, why, after the Jews had despised it, it was offered to the Gentiles.128 He that will enjoy the Benefit of this Kingdom must not be sloathful.129 The richest find always the easiest Reception in a Civil State, but the rich Man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Christ.130 He is accounted a good Subject in a State, who is industrious, and gathers Riches by all lawful ways and means; but this is reckoned as superfluous in the Kingdom of Heaven.131 One of the chiefest Motives which induced Mankind to enter into Civil Societies, was, to preserve themselves and their Possessions; But Christ says: Whoever he be of you, that forsaked not all that he hath, he cannot be my Disciple.132 And lastly of all, he says: The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, lo here, or lo there, for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.133 It would be superfluous to alledge more for the proof of it, all the rest being most of them the same in Substance.

[116.]Matt. 3:2, 4:17.

[117.]Matt. 4:23, 9:35.

[118.]Matt. 5:19, 7:21.

[119.]Matt. 6:33.

[120.]Matt. 13:21, 31, 33, 44, 45, 52.

[121.]Matt. 13:24, 47.

[122.]Matt. 16:19.

[123.]Matt. 18:1ff., 20:21ff., 23:8; Mark 9:33, 34; 10:42.

[124.]Matt. 18:23ff.

[125.]Matt. 19:14; Mark 10:14.

[126.]Matt. 20:1.

[127.]Matt. 21:43.

[128.]Matt. 22:2.

[129.]Matt. 25:1.

[130.]Matt. 19:23; Mark 10:23; Luke 12:33.

[131.]Luke 12:31.

[132.]Luke 14:33.

[133.]Luke 17:20, 21.