The Sermon Before the House of Lords

IT is this day ordered by the Lords in Parliament, that Mr. HENDERSON, who preached this day before the LORDS in Parliament, is hereby thanked for the great paines he tooke in his Sermon; And is desired by their Lordships to print and publish the same, which his not to be printed or reprinted by any, but by Authority under his own hand.

Jo: Browne Cler Parliament.

p. 1A SERMON PREACHED Before the Right Honorable House of LORDS.

36 Jesus answered, My Kingdome is not of this world: if my Kingdome were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Iewes. But now is my Kingdome not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a King then? Iesus answered, thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I borne, and for this cause came I unto the world, that I should beare witnesse of the truth: every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.

IT is acknowledged, and universally confessed, that Justice or Righteousnesse is a noble and most excellent vertue. When the di◊pute was betwixt Justice and Fortitude, Righteousnesse and Courage, whether of the two should have the first place, both of them being most noble Vertues, Justice was preferred, because Courage without Justice, is of nouse; but if all men were just, there should be no need of Courage or Fortitude. This Justice is a constant and perpetuall will of giving p. 2unto every one his due, it rendreth to the inferiour what is due to him; to the equall, what he ought to have; and to the superiour, but most of all to God, and to his Sonne Jesus Christ, who are supream, what belongeth to them. There be in these dayes many complaints of the want of military skill and courage for the truth and cause of God; but the complaint of the want of Justice is more just: For if all men were just, the former complaint would be silenced. And there be many complaints of inferiors, of equals, and of superiors, that they receive not that which belongeth unto them: but the Sonne of God, who is supream and soveraigne above all, may more justly complaine, that he getteth not his right: which is the greatest injustice in the world, and the cause of so great injustice amongst men. And therefore the cause of the great wrath of God, which to deprecate and to turn away, we are humbled before God, and doe afflict our souls this day. Oh that the conclusion might be, a resolution in all, according to their places and callings, to render unto Christ his own right.

p. 2This parcell of Scripture containing the answer of Jesus Christ unto Pilate, before whom hee witnessed a good confession, holdeth forth his right: for being accused by Pilate of the highest degree of ambition, sedition, and rebellion, and indeed of no lesse then laese-Majestie: he desendeth himselfe by discovering the causes of these Tragedies, and by revealing the mysteries of his Kingdome, confessing that he was indeed a King; but withall, shewing that his Kingdome needed not to be formidable either to Pilate, to his master Tiberius, or to any in authority, because his Kingdome was not of this world. This he maketh manifest, from the common condition and manner of earthly Kingdomes, and Kings, which have their Souldiers and Guards that fight for them, and defend them from violence, but he maketh not use of any: this being the end of his Kingdome, that the truth of the Gospel may prevail and reigne in the hearts and lives of men, against the tyranny of darknesse and lies. Nor should it seeme any thing strange, that hee hath so many adversaries, and his Kingdom findeth so great opposition p. 3in the world, there being so few whether of the Church or State, that submit themselves to be captived and ruled by the truth: none are subjects of his Kingdome to obey his voyce, but such as by regeneration are the children of the truth, which is parallell to what he saith, Matth. 11.19. But wisdome is justified of her children.

There be four principall points aimed at in the Text: First, the dominion and soveraignty of Christ, My Kingdome.

Secondly, the condition and quality of the Kingdome of Christ, negatively expressed, as best serving his present intention: My Kingdome is not of this world.

Thirdly, the end and use of his Kingdome, that the truth may have place among the children of men for their salvation and eternall happinesse, To this end was Iborn, and for this cause came I unto the world, that I should be are witnesse unto the truth.

Fourthly, the subjects of the Kingdome of Christ, such as heare the voyce of Christ, and obey his will: Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voyce.

p. 3The knowledge of the first is necessary, that the Son of God may have his due, and we may be humbled for not rendring it unto him.

The knowledge of the second is necessary, that Kings, Princes, and great ones in the world may have what is due unto them, lest from their unjust suspitions, and evill grounded jealousies, they become enemies to the Kingdome of Christ, and that they may be humbled for lodging any such thoughts or fears in their hearts.

The third is necessary to be knowne, that we may have the benefit intended for us in the Gospel, and be humbled, that we have not endeavoured as we ought, to find the comfort and power of the truth in our hearts and lives.

And the fourth is necessary, that wee may henceforth shew ourselves to be the children of truth, and willing subjects of the Kingdome of the Sonne of God.

That Jesus Christ is not onely our Prophet, revealing unto us the whole will of God, by the Law discovering unto us our p. 4sinne and wretchednesse, and by the Gospel righteousnesse and life: and our Priest, by himselfe offered in a sacrifice, purging us from sin, and arraying us with long garments, clean and white, which is the righteousnesse of the Saints: but that as our supream Lord and King, by his mighty power, and soveraignty, he ruleth in us, and over us, & conserveth and maintaineth our blessed estate thus revealed and purchased, against all enemies, is a truth as necessary for us to know, but never enough acknowledged, so very much insisted on in Scripture, as may appeare: