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
A DISCOURSE OF Christ's Second Coming AND The Purging of his Kingdom In Two SERMONS on Matth. xiii 41. Thâ— Son of Man shall send forth his Angels and shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that â—ffeâ—d and them that work Iniquiâ—y By SAMVEL TOMLYNS A. M. Preacher of the Gospel at Marleborough LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercer's Chapel 1695. FOR MY Much Honoured Friend Sir William Ashurst Knight Alderman of the City of LONDON YOU were lately so signally Instrumental in Reforming the Manners of the City of London in your late Mayoralty that I have thought it proper to dedicate to you this small Treatise concerning Christ's purging and cleansing his Kingdom from all scandalous Persons and Workers of Iniquity It is a great Reproach to Christianity that so many pretend to it that enervate in Principles contradict and subvert its great Designs How uncomely is it to be Clay Members under a Golden Head for carnal Creatures to claim Relation to a spiritual and heavenly King God promises to lay all Sion's Borders with pleasant Stones Isa 54.12 Sanctius in his Commentary conceives the Holy Ghost alludes to those Stones that did divide and distinguish one Man's Land from another in a common Field And so this great Truth it taught by this Promise That the Church and its true and genuine Children should be distinguished from the rest of the world not by ordinary and common things but by pleasant and precious Stones It is the precious and saving Knowledge of God in Christ precious Faith in him a precious Divine Nature received from him that puts a difference between the Church and the World Notinâ— and Speculative Knowledge a cold and barren Profesâ—es a Form of Godliness a Name to live a Lamp of Prâ—â—esion are low and mean things to distinguish between tâ— Church and the World The Lord Jesus Christ will â—â—â—â—ly appear and sit on the Throne of his Glory it 〈◊〉 then brand Persons with eternal Infamy and Ignominy 〈◊〉 be disowned as no Members to be disclaimed as no Sâ—â—jects of Jesus Christ to be plucked up as Tares to be 〈◊〉 away as dross cast away as bad Fish and winnowed any as Chaff to be found such as have lied to Jesus Chriâ— and have woefully cheated and deceived their own Sâ—â—â— It concerns us therefore to look well to it that we experience the Fellowship of Christ's Sufferings and know 〈◊〉 power of his Resurrection Phil. 3.10 These are 〈◊〉 iâ—portant and most necessary things to have our Lusts killed and our Souls quickned Rom. 6.5 6. Col. 3.1 Rom. 6.13 1 Pet. 2.24 to have our Old Man nailed to the Cross of Christ the the Body of Sin may be destroy'd that a may no more serve Sin and to be plâ—â—â—d in the likeness of Christ's Resurrectionâ— so that we rise with him yield our selve to God as those that are alive from the dead live 〈◊〉 Righteousness and seek the things that are above sâ— Christ will recognize us as his Members and acknowledge us as his Subjects and we shall not be turned out of the House of God but stay and abide in it for ever and when others burn with the Tares in the Furnace we seal shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of our Father If this small Treatise may contribute any thing to your spiritual Good and eternal Salvation it will be very greatful and acceptable to June 1â—th 1695. Your Affectionate And Humble Servant Samuel Tomlyns THE Purging of Christ's Kingdom Mat. xiii 41. The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and them that work iniquity IN the words we have 1st A Subject spoken of and that is The Son of man 2dly We have what is related and affirmed concerning this Subject viz. That he shall send forth his Angels 3dly For what end Answ To gather out of his Kingdom to Purge and Cleanse it Some have no Right to be in Christ's Kingdom they are a Dishonour and a Reproach to it they lye to Jesus Christ they cheat and deceive their own Souls 4. Who they are that shall be gather'd out of Christ's Kingdom rooted out of his Fields driven out of his House Answ All Things or all those that do offend and them that work iniquity They are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 meer Stumblingblocks They offend grieve and trouble those that are in Christ's Kingdom they prejudice those that are without possess their Minds with hard and bad thoughts of Christ's Kingdom and so hinder them from entering into it from embracing the Christian Religion and from subjecting themselves to Christ's Yoke 〈◊〉 Government And all they that work â—â—quity and so serve Christ's Enemies 〈◊〉 undoe and destroy their own Souls The woâ—â— may be handled as a Doctrinâ— Proposition I. Doct. The Son of Man shall send foâ— his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kâ—â—dom all things that offend and them that wâ— iniquity 1. I shall consider the Subject spoken 〈◊〉 the Son of Man Who is meant by the 〈◊〉 of Man Answ Jesus Christ He that â— called the Son of God Joh. 9.35 Dost thâ— believe on the Son of God Yea he is style the only begotten Son Joh. 3.16 Joh. 1. â— God hath many Adopted Sons Many Sâ—â— are led to Glory by the Captain of Salvatiâ—â— Heb. 2.17 But God hath but one begottâ—â— Son He is therefore by way of Emphâ—â— and Excellency call'd his own Son Rom. 5. â— God spared not his own Son but gave him 〈◊〉 to the Death This Son of God in the Tâ—â— is named the Son of Man He that was 〈◊〉 Son of God from Eternity became the 〈◊〉 of Man in time He that was the Brightâ—â— of his Father's Glory was veiled and clouâ—â— with a Humane Nature This was as coâ—â— Sackcloth and as a Dark-Lanthorn abâ—â— the Son of Righteousness He that made 〈◊〉 things was made Flesh 1 Joh. 1.2.4 â—e that was the Creator debased himself and stooped to become a Creature Which was more than if the Ocean had been lessen'd â—o a Drop or the Sun had joined a petty or â—im Lamp to it self or the greatest Emperor â—n the World had been made a Worm to be rush'd and bruised to redeem Worms from Destruction He that was the Head of Anâ—els lay under the Feet of Sinners This Title The Son of Man deserves furâ—her to be considered For 1st It seems 〈◊〉 look back on the Old Testament and to be borrow'd from Dan. 7.13 I saw in the night â—â—isâ—ns and behold one like the Son of Man â—ame with the clouds of heaven and was brought 〈◊〉 before the ancient of days This is a Proâ—hecy of Christ's glorious Exaltation and â—scension into Heaven The Father then â—noured him and said Sit thou on my rightâ—nd till I make thy foes thy foot-stool Ps 110.1 The New Testament explains the Old Testament and the old Testament confirms
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
hoâ— great and mighty a King is Jesus Christ that threatens so powerful and victorious a King as Death is How long hath Death reigned and how large an Empire hath it had in the World it is said Rom. 5.14 Death reigned from Adam to Moses yea we may extend the duration of its Kingdom further it hath reigned from the Fall of the first Adam to this day and how many conquered Subjects hath it had 1 Cor. 15.22 in Adam all died Death is such a King as shakes its Black Rod over and brandishes it 's sharp and glittering Sword against the whole World it hath threatned arrested and cut off the Greatest Kings and Conquerors it hath been very Terrible to them that by Oppression Violence and Cruelty caused their Terrour in the Land of the Living Ezek. 32.23 none of the Kings of the World can prevent the Fatal stroke of Death on themselves much less can they divert it from their Subjects but Christ is such a King as combates with Death and overcomes it he tasted Death indeed himself once Heb. 2.9 but it was to abolish it 2 Cor. 1.10 he became a Subject to it for a time that he might swallow it up for ever and be a Lord over the dead to raise them up Rom. 14.9 and rescue them from this Enemy And how strong yet how sweet are these Words of Christ I will be the plague of death I will be a Discase yea a mortal Disease to kill Death it self and Grave I will be thy destruction Christ fulfills his threatning when he seeks out the Dust of his People and forms it up into a Body this defeats and disanuls the Victory of the Grave that it may be said O Grave where is thy victory though thou didst corrupt putresie and dissolve our Bodies thâ—â— thou didst devour our Flesh and crumble it into Dust and take away the very shape of a Body yet we have new Bodies formed and organized again and when these Bodies shall receive their Souls and be quickened by them then it may be said O death where is thy sting 1 Cor. 15.55 What haâ—â— thou gotten by stinging and killing our Bodies behold they are alive again Theâ—e is a Day when the Lord will make upâ—â— Jewels Malachy 3.17 And then God's Jewels are made up when immortal Souls shall be joined to and set in the Rings of Glorious Bodies Christ is such a King as will conform all his Subjects to himself both is Soul and Body When he regenerates the Soul then it bears the Image of the second Adam when he raises the Body this is â—s proper Regeneration to be begotten and born from the dead as Christ was Col. 1 1â— Revel 1.5 When old Adam's Tenour is out and quite abolished when Christ bâ— his Spirit quickens the Body Rom. 8.11 then it bears the Image of the Heavenly Adam and is held of him 1 Cor. 15.49 Saints are the Children of God as they are the Children of the Resurrection Luke 20. â—6 This is a new Ground and Reason why they should be called the Children of God the Seed of Christ When Saints awake out of the Dust they shall be satisfied with God's likeness Psal 17.15 When they are begotten again into a lively Hope 1 Pet. 1.3 4. they bear God's Image in their Souls but when they shall be raised or be begotten from the dead then they shall also bear Christ's Image in their Bodies and so shall be satisfied with the Image of Christ as an Everlasting Father O what a precious Merby What an incomparable Priviledge is this that Jesus Christ will not forget or reject our Dust for ever but seek it out and form it up as an Habitation for our Souls and an everlasting Temple for his Spirit to dwell in 8thly Jesus Christ is such a King as will gather and draw up all his sincere Subjects to him to be with him for ever 1 Thes 4.17 As he receives their Souls in a dying Hour Psal 49.15 Acts. 7.59 so he will come again to revive their Bodies and then he will receive their whole Man to himself John 14.3 What wonderful Grace and Kindness is this that where the Master is there the Servant shall also be John 12.20 That the Sheep shall for ever dwell with the great Shepherd and all the Subjects of this Glorious King shall abide with him and see his Glory so as to share in it and partake of it John 17.24 2 Thes 2.14 Christ the King is the Harbinger and Forerunner of his Subjects Hebr. 6.20 He is gone into another World to choose an Eternal Inheritance for his Brethren Psal 47.4 He shall choose our Inheritance for us And Christ by interceeding with his Father that his People may be with him doth prepare a Place for them John 17.24 John 14.2 3. Christ's Intercession is so powerful that it cannot be deny'd I would now give you some Counsels and Directions that you may stay and continâ—e in this Kingdom and not be gathered 〈◊〉 of it and deprived of the Blessedness and Glory of it 1st O come forth and see King Solomâ—â— Cant. 3.11 This King Solomon is King Jesus he hath made him a rich and gloriâ—â— Chariot to ride forth in and to visit Kingdoms Nations and People The Gospel as preached in the World is the Spirituâ—â— Chariot that Christ sits in and the whâ—â— Horse he rides on Rev. 6.2 The Church in her Ministers may be and is comparâ—â— to the Horses in Pharaoh's Chariot Cant â— 9 The Church by her Ministers do's drâ—â— Jesus Christ about the World O consider this the Gospel is not fixed to one Nation the Chariot of Christ is moving and may quickly pass by us and be gone from us It is a great Mercy that Christ's Chariots come to us that he appears among us O slight not the Opportunity neglect not the Day of Grace Come sorth from your Ignorance and Night of Darkness come forth from your slight low and contemptible Thoughts of Christ O fix the Eye of your Minds on him look with a steady Eye on Christ John 6.40 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We should contemplate the Son our Minds should dwell on him we should not content our selves with seldom and transient Glances on Christ but our Thoughts should be conversant about Christ Do we not need Christ Is he not absolutely necessary for us Must we not wander if Christ doth not guide us and fall if he doth not support us and be a Prey to Satan if he doth not guard and protect us Must we not famish if he doth not feed us and perish if he doth not fold us And be Friendless and Harbourless at last if he doth not receive us How will you look Death or the Judge in the Face if you do not first see Christ and his Salvation O view and look well on Christ Is there any thing in him to be disliked to be excepted against Is he not altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 Whatever is desireable
that they shall bow at the Feet of the Church and worship God at her Feet as her Disciples and Children Revel 3.9 And we cannot be subdued to Christ if our Iniquities are not subdued Micah 7.19 Christ cannot rule over us if Sin do reign in us the Law of Christ and the Law of Sin are contrary and inconsistent 6. We must openly own and avow Christ and most strongly engage our selves to him 1. We must openly own confess and avow Christ It is prophesied of Egypt That there should be an Altar to the Lord in the midst of the Land and also a Pillar at the Border to declare to all That Egypt was converted to and become a Worshipper of the Lord Isa 19.19 Those that stood with the Lamb on Mount Zion had their Father's Name written in their Forehead Rev. 14.1 Cyprian saith That when Christians were apprehended they did not deny but confess'd themselves Christians always to the danger and sometimes to the loss of their Lives 2. We must most solemnly and strongly engage our selves to the Lord. It is said That the Egyptians should swear to the Lord Isa 19.18 and so as it were take an Oath of spiritual Allegiance to Christ Psal 119.106 I have sworn and I will perform it that I will keep thy righteous judgments Another remarkable Expression we find Isa 44.5 One shall say I am the Lord 's another shall subscribe with his hand to the Lord. Converts should as it were draw Indentures and give it under Hand and Seal That they would be the Lord's Servants That they would not start recoil or go back from him Jer. 50.4 5. Let us join our selves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten As a bought a redeemed People they are devoted and consecrated as First-fruits to God and the Lamb never to be alienated or put to a common use any more Revel 14.4 7. We must daily grow in Grace and be adding new Cubits to our spiritual Stature 2 Pet. 1.5 The new Creature must as a Tree spread and strike its Roots deeper into our Souls Hos 14.5 The Water that Christ gives us must as a Well spring up higher and higher in our Souls John 4.14 Worldly Men are still coveting more Earthly Treasure to add House to House and to join Field to Field that they might be placâ—â— alone in the Earth Isa 5.8 And is theâ—â— not more reason that we should add Grace to Grace one degree of Grace to another that Christ and the new Creature might be placed alone in our Souls without Rivâ—'ss Competitors or Enemies By growth iâ— Grace we pass and get farther into Christ's Kingdom we have an abundant Entrance into it we press even into the very Heart and Centre of Christ's Kingdom and do not stay in the Out skirts and Borders of it God hath promised to Christ the encrease and enlargement of his Kingdom Isa 9.7 with Zech. 9.10 And 〈◊〉 we restrain and straiten the Kingdom of Christ As this Stone grows and fills the Earth without Dan. 2.35 so it should increase and sill the Soul within It was prophesied of Christ That he should reign and prosper Jer. 23.5 That he should ride forth conquering and to conquer Revel 6.2 Let these Prophecies be fulfilled in thee do not stint stop or bound Christ's Kingdom in thy Soul 8. We must be diligent active industrious Servants Trade with Christ's Talents improve his Stock increase his Pounds Our Lord that is gone into a far Country yet hath disposed his Goods hath bestowed Gifts on his Servants and enjoined every one his Work Mark 13.34 with Luke 19.13 15. Christ would have no idle no lazy no droneish Servant in his House All these Talents and Gifts are bestowed that we might act for Christ enlighten and draw in others to Christ promote and advance his Kingdom and encrease the number of his Subjects Our Candle of Knowledge should tind and light many other Candles Our Fire of Love and Zeal should warm and inflame many others While the Church gave a Character of Christ's Worth a Description of his Beauty Cant. 5.9 10 11 12 13. the Daughters of Jerusalem apprehended and conceived that he was some extraordinary Person one transcendantly Excellent that she had such fervent Love to him and did so earnestly enquire after him And this so wrought on them that their Hearts did burn with desires after Christ and they would seek him with the Church Cant. 6.1 We should say as the godly Jews Cant. 8.8 We have a little sister that hath no breasts What shall we do that is to promote a Marriage between Christ and her in the day she shall be spoken for and be wooed to be espoused to Christ The Church promises she would cause Christ's Name to be remembred in all Generations that is by the preaching of the Word and thereby bringing forth a Holy Seed to continue and perpetuate Christ's Name in the World Psal 72.17 His name shall be continued for ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jinnon that is his Name shall have Sons Thou art concerned in and bound by this Promise Every true Member of the Church is obliged by it to do what he can to propogate Christ's Interest to promote his Kingdom and continue his Name in the World 9. We must be willing to suffer for the Kingdom of God 2 Thes 1.5 The Apostle John joins the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ Revel 1.9 but Paul joins the Kingdom and Glory of God 1 Thes 2.11 First we must pass through the Kingdom and Patience of Christ before we pass into the Kingdom and Glory of God We cannot enter into and continue in the Kingdom of Christ but the World will hate and persecute us John 8.14 I have given them thy word and they have received it and the world hath hated them Saints suffered so freely so willingly so joyfully for the Kingdom of Christ that the World was amazed Cyprian tells us That Christians when their Enemies offered to apprehend them they did not resist when they asked them of their Religion they did not tell a Lye or deny their Faith they took joyfully the spoiling of Goods Heb. 10.34 rejoyced that they were counted worthy to be beaten for Christ Acts 5.41 If they were to be offer'd up to confirm the Faith of others and to evidence their own Faith they did rejoyce Phil. 2.17 They endured exquisite Torments with such undaunted Courage and such unrelenting Spirits that Natural Men would rather have denied things clear by mathematical Demonstrations than have exposed themselves to such Tortures As * In his Preface to his Disputations on Thomas Aquinas Medina truly affirms 10. You must lead Holy Lives your Light must shine before Men Matth. 5.16 you must hold forth the Excellency Power and Efficacy of the Word in your Actions Phil. 2.6 when Paul had asserted his Faith that he did believe a Resurrection of the just and the unjust he presently declares the Fruit
of this Truth Acts 24.15 16. In this I exercise my self to keep a Conscience void of offence both toward God and man he did act and practise according to this Truth it had a prevailing Influence on his Heart a commanding Anthority over his Actions you must much converse with God here Psal 139.17 when I am awake I am ever with thee and how fitly do those Two Expressions agree Devid was ever with the Lord on Earth and Paul saith Christians should be ever with the Lord in Heaven 1 Thes 4.17 there must be a walking with God on Earth Gen. 8.24 Enoch walked with God and God took him and why did God take him and for what End was it not to walk with him in Heaven Rev. 3.4 those that had not defiled their Garments should walk with Christ in white we must shine as lights in this world Phil. 2.15 that hereafter we may shine a the sun in the king dom of our Father Matth. 13.43 Jesus Christ must be glorified in us now John 17.10 I am glorified in them that we may be assured he will be glorified and admired in us hereafter 2 Thes 1.10 when he will be revealed from Heaven he will be glorified in his Saints and be admired in them the believe Christians must not be like the Heathen Philosophers Athenagoras in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Apology for the Christians charges theâ— that they sought and aimed at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Art of Words but not a Demonstration of Works but he saith that Christian Handicrafts-men and Old Women that could not discourse for their Religion did yet demonstrate its Excellency in their Works When they were beaten they would not strike again when they were wronged in their Estates they would not go to Law they would pray for them that persecuted them and love those that hated them 11. Consider how great Guilt you will contract and what hateful and abominable Creatures you will be if you reject the Word of the Kingdom and enter not into it Christ bid his Disciples to shake off the Dust of their Feet against such Luke 10.9 10 11. for a Testimony against them They that refuse the Gospel of the Kingdom and turn away from the King of Glory are such unclean Creatures that Christ's Ministers were not to defile themselves or their Feet by carrying away any of their Dust but to shake it off and leave it as a witness there that Christ's Ambassadors had been there had preached to them and been rejected by them This very Dust should remain with them to testifie and give in Evidence against them in the great Day that they would not open their Ears to Christ speaking in his Ministers but obstinately hardened their Hearts both against the Master and the Servants against the Lord and his Subjects Tasâ— heed therefore that you reject not him that speaks from Heaven Be jealous over your own Souls that you receive not the Doctrine of Grace the Word of the Kingdom in vain 2 Cor. 6.2 as the Highway the stony and thorny Ground did Let Christ's Word root in your Hearts shine and reign in your Lives Do not think to blind your Eyes stupifie your Consciences and cheat your own Souls with an outside Religion Great was the Sin of Ananias and Saphira that pretended to devote the whole Price that they sold their Land for to the Service of Christ and his Church yet kept back part of it and so lied to God and tempted the Holy Gâ—oâ—â— Acts 5.3 9. O do not dare to tread in their Steps Will you tempt Christ and his Spirit whether they are omniscient Or try whe ther you cannot put a Fallacy or Cheat oâ— them Will you make a costly and dangerous Experiment whether they cannot find out your base Metal your counterfeit Coin your hypocritical Services Though you pretend to know God Hos 8.2 yet without sincerity Christ will not approve and know you Matth. 7.23 Let not Christ's Word be received only into your Memories but let Christ himself be entertained in your Hearts to order your Affections and direct your Conversations If you do not opeâ— to Christ your Hearts below he will not 〈◊〉 pen to you his Heaven above 4. Use For Caution Take heed you do not rashly judge and hastily pass a Censure on the Kingdom of Christ and on the Church of God Turks Jews and Heathens that see the loose and wicked Lives of some Christians do presently condemn all Christians as if there were no sincere Piety powerful Religion or Beauty of Holiness among them and thereby take an advantage to reproach Christ himself and to reflect on his Gospel as if it did allow and he did approve such things When as Christ loveth Righteousness and hates Iniquity Psal 45.67 He forbids all Sin he dislikes and abhors all Iniquity Matth 22.10 11. Friend how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment Christ hath spoken plainly enough Except a man be born again unless Men repent and be converted John 3.3 5. Matth. 18.3 they cannot enter into the kingdom of God That without Holiness Men shall not see God Hebr. 12.14 These Instructions and warnings of Christ are plain yet many presume and thrust into the Church of God and give the Lye to Jesus Christ as if they should live in Glory though they be dead in Sin and see God though they are â—oid and utterly destitute of Holiness But â—â—ere will shortly be an end of all their Preâ—â—â—ptions and ungrounded Confidences of 〈◊〉 their deceitful and treacherous Hopes and those that stumble at the seandalous Persons that are in the Church let them wait but a little and these Spots shall be washed off from the Face these Wens these gangreen'd Limbs shall be cut off from the Body of the Church this Dross shall be pâ—â— away for ever Jesus Christ hath a shaip Sickle to cut those Tares Rev. 14.14 An Ax to hew down those barren Trees a Fan to purge his Floor a Furnace 〈◊〉 unquenchable Fire to burn up the Chaff Matth. 3.12 The Goats and the Sheep go in the same Pasture in the Day-time bâ— when the Evening comes there is a Separation the Goats go to their Penn and â—e Sheep to their Fold So Jesus Christ when he comes to judge the World shall separate the Goats and Sheep Matth. 25.31 32 Though they are now in the same visible Church yet Jesus Christ shall part them and set the Sheep on his Right-hand and the Goâ— on his Left Christ will disown Hypocrites and exclude them out of his Glory He wilâ— own the Sincere and call them to inherit 〈◊〉 Kingdom Matth. 25.34 Do not rashly judge those to be related to Christ that will be rejected by him They that Feign that Flatter that Lye to Josus Christ will be detected and abhorred by him his Eyes wil be as a flaming Fire to discover them and his Wrath will be as a consuming Fire to bum them up But then the true Church of Christ shall be as a Bride adorned for her Husband Revel 21.2 She shall shine with beautiful Holiness and glorious Righteousness and be without spot and wrinkle Ephes 5.25 26 27. mete to be presented and fit to be married to Christ and to be an Object of his Love for Christ to rejoice in and delight himself with to Eternity Then shall there be no more a pricking Briar a wounding or piercing Thorn no stinking Weeds no empty Vines no barren Fig-Trees in the Garden of God Nothing shall any longer desorm or defile the Church The People of the Church shall be all righteous the Branch of God's planting the Work of his Hands that he may be glorified Isa 60.21 The Image of God shall be fully drawn on them the Law of God shall be perfectly transcribed into them no Fooesteps of Sin shall remain on them no dross of Corruption shall cleave to them they shall be transformed by the perfect renewing of their Minds Then they will appear as Trees of Righteousness Isa 61.3 and bear all pleasant Fruits and the chief of Spices Cant. 4.13 14. And those that have flourish'd in God's Nursery below for a time they shall at last be transplanted into and so grow in the Heavenly Paradise for ever FINIS Advertisement These BOOKS are Published the Author of this Book 1. THE Great Duty of Christiâ— to go forth without the Caâ— to Jesus Set forth in several Sermâ— on Hebr. 13.13 2. Supplication to the Sovereâ— Judge The Duty of the best Mâ— Set forth in several Sermons 〈◊〉 Job 9.15 3. A Discourse in several Sermâ— on the 1 Peter 3.19 By which also went and preached unto the Spirits Prison