the â—ew Daniel prophesied of the Coming of 〈◊〉 Son of Man and the New Testament â—â—lares Christ to be that Son of Man that â—s foretold to come into the Worldly Christ is styled the Son of Man with â—pect to what he was to doe in Purging Church and Judging the World The rase here points at the great Exaltation of â—ist and the Glory put on Him The of Man should send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all 〈◊〉 offend and work iniquity This is a gâ— and glorious Work to purge and 〈◊〉 his Kingdom to put away Dross to 〈◊〉 up Weeds to banish the Workers of Inâ—â—â— out of his Kingdom to confine them to 〈◊〉 proper place and cast them into the â— nace and shut them up in the Prison 〈◊〉 evidences that Christ hath a higher 〈◊〉 than a Humane Nature and that 〈◊〉 doing of this great Work he will pâ—nour and Glory on the Humane Naâ— which he was humbled and abased 〈◊〉 hath appointed a Day to Judge the 〈◊〉 by the Man that he hath 〈◊〉 Act. 17.31 and hath given Christ â—â—rity to execute Judgment because 〈◊〉 Son of Man Joh. 5.27 that is 〈◊〉 the Son of God did stoop did 〈◊〉 empty and abase himself to be the 〈◊〉 Man and to suffer and die in this 〈◊〉 therefore God will put Honour on 〈◊〉 mane Nature and exalt it to try the censure the Actions of Men and 〈◊〉 them to their Eternal Place He 〈◊〉 sentenc'd at the Tribunal of Mâ—â— arraign the whole World before 〈◊〉 ment-Seat The Son of Man is 〈◊〉 nently dignify'd when he shall 〈◊〉 his Angels and by them shall purgeâ—â— and cleanse his Vineyard 2. I shall now apply my self to open what is affirm'd of the Son of Man It is said He shall send forth his Angels 1st Observe The Angels are called Christ's Angels 2dly The Work they are employed in viz. To gather out of his Kingdom those that have neither Right or Fitness to conâ—inue there 3dly The Fitness of the Angels to that Work 1. This is Honourable to Christ that the Angels are call'd the Angels of the Son of Man Here we may observe That our Humane Nature is so exalted in Christ that it is Lord over the Angels doth commissionate send forth and employ them on his Errands and in his Service 1 Tim. 3.16 It is said to be part of the Mystery of Godliness that God manifested in the Flesh was seen of Angels They saw him first debased and made lower than themselves Heb. 2.7 Thou â—ast made him a little lower than the Angels That He might be capable of Sufferings and feel the Edge of God's Sword and drink the Wine of his Wrath. This was matter of Wonder That the Lord of Angels should in the form of a Servant be subjected to the â—age and fury of Men. And then the Angels saw him exalted and lifted up by God very much above them and this did greatly astonish them That he entred into Heaven Angels Principalities and Powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. ult When he was but a Babe in the Manger then the Angels of God were called to pay their Homage and perform their Adoration to him Heb. 〈◊〉 When he brought the First Begotten into 〈◊〉 World he saith Let all the Angels of Gaworship him And if they adored him lying in the Cradle much more may we thirâ—â— they will worship him sitting on the Throâ—â— Mat. 25.3 When the Son of Man shall coâ— in his glory and all the holy Angels wâ—â— him then shall he sit on the Throne ofâ— Glory When the Son of Man shall thuâ— on the Throne of his Glory the Angels 〈◊〉 be ready to give their Attendance to renâ—â— their Obedience in gathering elect Meâ—bers to their Head in presenting Criminâ—â— to his Bar and in executing his Sentence 〈◊〉 them in these following Scriptures Mat. 24. â— Luk. 19.27 Mat. 13.42 The Angels the gather the Elect to their Kingdom bâ—â— Offenders before their Judge and cast 〈◊〉 Tares into a Furnace of unquencheable Fiâ—â— 2 I shall a little dwell on the Work asenâ—â— to the Angels in the Text They shall gâ—â— Men out of Christ's Kingdom 1. This is veâ—â— observable That those whom Men-Angâ— do gather into the Church into the Viâ—â— Kingdom of Christ those Spirit-Angeâ— shall gather out of it The Officers 〈◊〉 Pastors are called the Angels of the Church The Seven Stars are said to be the Angels the Seven Churches Rev. 1.20 So we read 〈◊〉 the Angel of the Church of Ephesus Smyrna and Pergamos in the 2d of the Revelations And what is the work of these Men-Angels They gather Souls into the Church and they bring in many Hypocrites among the Sincere Mat. 22.10 Christ's Servants go forth into the High-ways and gather together unto the Feast as many as they find both Bad and Good so the Net gathers and encloses Fish of all kinds both good bad Mat. 13.47 The Good Fish are the Upright and the Bad Fish are those that are Unsound and meerly Nominal and Titular Christians But there shall be a Separation when the Net is drawn to the shore then Spirit-Angels shall gather these bad Men out of the Church which Men-Angels did gather into it Men may be imposed on and be deceived but Angels will not be cheated and deluded What doth it advantage Hypocrites to blind the Eyes of Pastors They cannot cast a Mist before or put a Veil on the Eyes of Angels Those that are passable Pieces and current Coin among the Saints will yee be discovered to be reprobate Silver and counterfeit Coin by the Angels They will know those that Ministers cannot discern 2. Good Angels will gather out of Christ's Kingdom those that Bad Angels do gather into it Mat. 13.25 While men slept an enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way Who is this Enemy Christ in Mat. 13.39 tells us it is the Devil What are the Tares Christ erpounds this of the Children of the wicked one Mat. 13.38 The Field of Christ is the Universal Visible Church spread through the World Mat. 13.38 The same that is call'd the Kingdom of Christ in the Text iâ— the World in Mat. 13.38 It is not to be understood of the World at large but the Cultivated the Manured the Tilled part of the World and that is the Universal Visible Church spread through many Nations of the World So that it is plain from this Scripture that Satan brings and sows many of his Children in the Church But is it 〈◊〉 strange improbable and almost incredible that Satan should bring Men into the Church Is not this a dangerous Place for his Subjects to be in May he not lose them Answ Satan doth bring many into the Church with a deep Design and for politiâ—â— Ends. 1. Satan counts this for his Hoâ—â—â— and Glory to have Subjects Servants and Children of his even in the Church a well as without That he has
into a Furnace of unquenchable Fire Though wicked Men are many a huge multitude and great in power and high in authority here in this world yet their numbers strength or force cannot secure or protect them from these mighty Reapers But who are those that shall be gathered out of the Kingdom of Christ This is for Christ's Glory If the whole Church is the Kingdom of Christ it is his Dominion and this is farther for his Honour that he will purge this Kingdom of his that the Beauty Purity and Holiness of it may appear As Jesus Christ is fairer than the Children of Men Psal 45.2 So the Church is to appear as the fairest among Women 1 Cant. 8. The Church is styled the Mountain of Holiness Jer. 31.23 and vastly differs from the Kingdoms of the World that are called Mountains of Prey Psal 76.4 That Society that is set forth as the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 25.1 and is indeed the Suburbs of Heaven should not be clogged with foolish Virgins and be defiled with the Workers of Iniquity Wicked Men and Hypocrites are called Dross Psal 119.119 Reprobate Silver Jer. 6.30 Brass Tin Iron and Lead Ezek. 22.18 And what doth such base Metal do among the Vessels of Gold and Silver 2 Tim. 2.20 Should not Christ's Floor be cleansed from Chaff Mat. 3.12 Should not bad Fish be pluck'd out of the Net and cast away Mat. 13.47 48. What should those do in God's House that are not Sons of God John 8.35 but are Children of Satan John 8.44 and Servants of Sin John 8.34 What should they do among the Guests at the Feast that have neither Appetites nor Wedding-Garments Mat. 22.10 11. Can carnal Creatures partake of spiritual Blessings Men are born Flesh John 3.6 and spiritual Blessings are to be enjoyed in Heavenly Places Ephes 1.3 Can Earthly Men and Women inherit a Heavenly Country Hebr. 11.16 they whose Thoughts and Hearts dwell on Earth Luk. 21.35 they that pant after the Dust of the Earth Amos 2.7 they that mind Earthly Things only Phil. 3.19 that seek nothing higher than what they shall eat what they shall drink wherewithal they shall be cloathed Mat. 6.31 32. Can these live in the pure and sine Air of spiritual Comforts Delights and Enjoyments Can dead Creatures converse with the living God Can those that wear fordid and filthy Garments present themselves with acceptance before a God that is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity Hab. 1.13 An Hypocrite shall not come before him Job 13.16 The Foolish shall not stand in his sight Evil shall not dwell with him God hates all the Workers of Iniquity Psal 5.4 5. What should profane Ones do in the Mountain of Holiness Jer. 31.23 What should the Unrighteous do in the Habitation of Justice What should corrupt and stinking Creatures do in the Mountain of Myrrh and in the Hill of Frankincense Cant. 4.6 Such gangreen'd Members must be cut off from the Body Such Spots must be washed away out of the Face of the Church But more particularly I shall address my self to consider the Words in the Text The Angels shall gather out of Christ's Kingdomâ—d things that offend and them that work iniquity 1. The Angels shall gather out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is all the Scandals all the Stumbling blocks all that offend others and obshâ—â— their entring into the Kingdom of Châ—â— It is sad to be in the Church only as Sunbling-blocks to disgrace the Faith to reproaâ—â— the Doctrine of Christ to stop or cool otheâ— in the way everlasting to turn them out oâ— the Paths of Holiness and to hurry theâ— headlong to destruction How do the 〈◊〉 Examples of some influence and learn others one Man 's wicked Life and Doâ—â— infects another's If some Neighbours aâ—â— Drunkards are Swearers are Whoremastâ—â— are Lyars are Sabbath-breakers neglâ—â—â— Prayer in their Families do not instraâ—â— their Children or restrain their Servaâ— from Wickednesses if they are Mockâ—â—s Religion Scoffers at Godliness and Hâ—â— of Good Men that will not run with 〈◊〉 to the same excess of Riot 1 Pet. 4 4â— These evil Precedents do easily and quiâ—â— prevail on others It was grown to a 〈◊〉 verb in Israel Ezek. 16.44 As is the 〈◊〉 so is her Daughter So I may say As is 〈◊〉 Father so are his Children as is the â—ster so are his Servants as is the Neighbour so are his Companions and those that converse with him Ezek. 20.18 21. God said to the Children Walk ye not in the statutes of your Fathers neither observe their Judgments Yet they walked not in God's Statutes nor observ'd his Judgments but persisted in a conformity to the evil Practices of their Parents that were so powerful that they had the force of Statutes Judgments and binding Laws How hard how rare is it to cast off or desist from a vain Conversation delivered by Tradition from Forefathers and Neighbours 1 Pet. 1.18 How pernicious fatal and destructive are such Scandals For 1. Such do teach others the way of Sin and Wickedness Jer. 2.33 Therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways When Christians ought to teach Transgressors Psal 51.13 by their Doctrines and Examples God's ways for their Conversion and Salvation they teach wicked Ones their own corrupt ways for their destruction 2. Such do justifie the Wicked of the World in all their lewd Practices Ezek. 16.51 Thou hast justified thy sisters in all thine abomination which thou hast done 46 48. Samaria was her Sister and Sodom and these Sisters Jerusalem had justified by her Abominations O that those that pretend to be Christ's Subjects should justifie his open and profess'd Enemies and approve the Heathen World in all their Drunkenness Lyings Injustice and Adulteries 3. Such do comfort Sinners in their ungodly Practices Ezek. 16.54 That this mayest bear thine own shame and mayest be confounded in all that thou hast done in that thou art a comfort to them If so be those that are not of the Church but Strangers and Enemies to it do see Christians roul in Filthiness and drink in Iniquity like Water How will they be encouraged to and comforted in their sinful Practises Such will conclude there is no danger in their ways or judgment towards their Persons but that they may sin without fear of punishment or dread of vengeance 4. How great a Scandal is it when those that profess themselves the People of God and pretend to be of the Church shall out goe and outstrip Heathens in their Wickedness Jer. 5.28 They overpass the deeds of the wicked that is of the wicked Heathen Ezek. 5.6 She hath changed my judgments 〈◊〉 wickedness more than the nations and my statute more than the Countries that are round about 〈◊〉 Ezek. 16.48 God confirms this truth with aâ— Oath As I live saith the Lord God Sodoâ— thy sister hath not done she nor her daughter as thou hast done Ezek. 16.51 Neither 〈◊〉 Samaria committed half of thy sins How horrible
thrust into the Stable again or to be entertained only in an out Room Will a Master reward a Servant that only wears his Livery but doth not his Work 2dly Jesus will look into the Souls and see through all outside Shews and Appearances Isaiah 11.3 Jesus judgeth not according to the sight of his eyes nor reproveth according to the hearing of his ears Jesus Christ doth not stop or stay on the surface and outside of things neither doth he receive Intelligence and Information from others that may be mistaken themselves and so might deceive and abuse him but he hath a Window into the Breasts and Bosoms of Sinners he searcheth the Hearts he trieth the Reins he weigheth the Spirits of Men he detects inward Poverty Emptiness and Filth Matt. 12.44 he finds it out if the House be empty of Grace and destitute of the Spirit at best but swept from grosser Sins and Crimes and garnished with Morality and a Form of Godliness but rather it was swept and garnished and fitted for the return of the unclean Spirit into it Matt. 12.45 Christ discerned the House of the Soul to be swept from all spiritual Good and garnished in Satan's Eye with ungodliness and unrighteousness Christ will discover those that make a fair Show of Religion that have a Name to live that yet they are really dead Rev. 3.1 he looks through the beautiful Sepulchre and Tomb and seeth the Filth and Rettenness of a carnal and dead Heart underneath The Jews did account that Men were defiled by touching or walking over a Grave and therefore when a Grave was sunk and did not appear Luke 11.44 they used to go forth in the Day before their Festivals and cast Lime or Chalk on them and so by whiting the ground to give notice of a Grave that Persons might not come near it and be polluted by it A Learned Man doth think that Jesus Christ alludes to this Custom when he calls the Hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees graves that did not appear but he by his Reprooss and Discoveries of them did white them that so Persons might know them beware and take heed of them There is not the closest Hypocrite in the World but Christ can find him out and white him Isaiah 11.3 Christ is of quick understanding or of quick scent and smell as it is in the Hebrew in and about the Fear of the Lord he doth wind he doth scent Hypocrisie though it be veiled and cloaked over with a beautiful Shew of Religion and Righteousness If you are Hypocrites and think to blind Christ's Eyes with a specious Form of Godliness without the Power of it you are guilty of a kinded Blasphemy If you think that Christ may be couzened with your Cased Pieces and doth not know your counterfeit and brass Money Rev. 2.9 I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not 〈◊〉 are the Synagogue of Satan It is no less than Blasphemy for thee so to think to put a Fallacy and Cheat on Christ who knoweth all the hidden things and will bring to light all the deep Counsels of it 1 Cor. 4.5 he will lay open all the secret Lusts all the corrupt and base Ends that insluenced and swayed Men under a Profession of Religion and the practice of some outward Duties 3dly Men may call Christ Lord and yet repeat and act over all the Indignities that were offered to Christ by the unbelieving Jews that were his Enemies they Crowned Christ but it was with Thorns they put a Scepter into his hand but it was a Reed they saluted him and said Hail King of the Jews but all this was but in mockery and derision for they smote Christ on the head Matt. 27.29 30. and are not many nominal and outside Christians guilty of the same things in a Mystery their hearing some Sermons now and then with a wandring and roving Mind with a drousie Ear their repeating some Forms of Prayer in a cold and heartless manner without Understanding or Faith without inward Groans spiritual Wrestlings and Importunities their owning some Doctrinal Points of Religion and practising some just things as to the Matter of them is the Reed they put into Christ's Hand some outward Acknowledgments they make of his Lordship and Dominion over them but in the mean time they Crown Christ with Thorns by their Oaths Curses and Lies they smite Christ by their Drunkenness their Uncleanness their scorning at Godliness their Reproaching them that will not profane the Lord's Day as they do and will not neglect God's Worship in their Families as they do and will not run with them to the same Excess of Riot drink in Iniquity and roll in Filth and Uncleanness as they do they take no care to engage their Hearts to Christ to keep them with all diligence to watch over their Tongues to order their Conversations aright and spend their Time well As the Jews were incensed against Christ Isaiaha◠24. they pretended he did forbid to pay Tribute to Caesar and would justle him out of his Throne when as the true Cause of their Controversie with and Enmity against Christ was that he would thrust Satan out of his Throne and did forbid Sinners to pay Tribute to their Lusts So Men now are enraged against Christ for the same Reason because his Holy Will crosses their cornat wills his Commands clash with their Lus◠and he restrains them from the Pleasures of Sin that are so sweet to them and calls theat to Purity and Strictness in Religion which is so bitter and unpleasing to them Will Christ accept of Honour in Words when it is joyned with Reproach in Deeds Wist verbal Friendship be regarded when accompanied with real Enmity Will Christ repute those his Subjects that serve his Enemies and gratifie Satan and their own Lusts Shall pretended Obedience bring Men unto Heaven and real Disobedience not throw them to Hell Shall a Lye ingratiate Men with God and true Impiety not render them odious to God 4thly Consider Jesus Christ will set up his Kingdom in the World and at last Rule over you whether you will or no As none can hinder the rising of the Sun or obstruct the blowing of the Wind so all the opposition and rage of the World shall not hinder the rising of the Son of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 and of the Glory of the Lord Isa 60.1 nor obstruct the blowing of the Wind of the Spirit Acts 2.2 This mighty rushing Wind filled the World with the Doctrine of Christ as that Wind at Pentecost filled the House where the Apostles of Christ were sitting Though Kings and the great Men of the World did join their Counsels and unite their Strength and Force to keep down Christ's Kingdom and to suppress the beginnings of it yet he that sate in the Heavens did laugh at all their Policy and Power and had all their Attempts and Endeavours in derision and did prevail notwithstanding all their Malice to set his King