affright and terrisie the Workers of Iniquity that they as vile and worthless Creatures shall be cast away Matth. 13.48 the bad Fish shall be cast away as those that God hath no esteem of Love to oâ— Delight in they have cast away the Law of the Lord Isa 5.24 and now they themselves shall be cast away they would not put away the Lusts of their Hearts the Evil of their Doings and now therefore they must be put away as Dross Psal 119.119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the Eaâ—â— as Dross But this is not all the Tares shall be cast into a Furnace of unquenchable Fire Matth. 13.12 It is honourable to be Trees for Fruit but it is disgracefull and reproachful to be Trees for Fuel Hay serves for Food to Cattel but Tares do serve only to heat the Oven and to burn in the Furnace O how dreadful is this for to be cast into a Furnace heated by the Anger and Fury of God Can we imagine how terrible that Fire is which is kindled by incensed Justice and blown up by the Breath of an angry God a Fire that will indeed devour all that is pleasant and coniume all that is sweet and gratefull in Life yet leave still a Being to feel Misery and endure Eternal Torments We should be amazed to see a Wisp of Straw a Bundle of Tares to hold out one day and not be consumed but this is a great Miracle of the Power of God to uphold and preserve Sinners to be an eternal Mark for God to shoot at an eternal Footstool for him to tread on Eternal Vessels for him to drop his Wrath and pour out his Fury into The Evil of Sin doth not consume is not expiated by all the Torments of the workers of iniquity and so their Misery cannot abate their Punishments cannot lessen nor the Fire go out they suffer from God and hate him they endure Blows and Wounds from him and blaspheme him for them they Rebelled against God they suffered Sin and Satan to Rule in them and now full sore against their Wills God will Reign over them with an out-stretched Arm and Fury poured out Ezek. 20.33 they would not come under Christ's Pastoral Rod Ezek 20.37 but they must be forced to fall under Christ's Iron Rod Psal 2.9 their Sin did grieve God and God's Sentence and the Execution of it will eternally sting and vex them Oh it is dreadful for Sinners to be preserved in being for their hurt to have an immortal Existence that they may feel an immortal Punishment Misery and Torment If Christ that was a green Tree Luke 23.31 that was full of the vital Sap of Holiness and Righteousness and did continually abound in spiritual Fruit had yet such a Fire of Wrath burning against him and kindled on him when as Evil Fruits were only hanged on him by imputation but did never grow in or on him what must dry Trees expect that are destitute of the Life of God and did never bear Fruit to Christ what an everlasting Furnace what an Eternal Fire will be their Portion Christ could pass the Cup from him by his drinking of it Mat. 26.42 but workers of iniquity shall drink of the Cup of God's Fury yet it shall never pass from them but stay at their Lips and be suck'd and soak into their Souls 2. Use I would now put you on the Search Trial and Examination of your selves Are you truly Members of and sincere Subjects in this Kingdom of God Are you such as shall stay in the Kingdom of God or such as shall be gathered out of it There is a great deal of difference between treading in God's Courts Isaiah 1.12 and growing in God's House or being planted and flourishing in God's Courts Psal 92.13 those that only tread in God's Courts may not stay in his House John 8.35 but may be driven out of it Hos 9.15 I will drive them out of my house I will love them no more but those that are planted by God and are green Olive-Trees in the House of God they shall never wither or be rooted up Psal 52.8 they trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever and mercy will follow them all their days Psal 23.6 and mercy will be built up for ever Psal 89.2 It is worth the while to enquire what we are and whose we are that we may not flatter and deceive our own Souls In a Family there are Sons and Servants John 4.35 in a Great House there are Vessels of Gold and Silver and Vessels of Wood and Earth in great Cities as in Rome of old they did distinguish the Inhabitants into two sorts the Advenae or Strangers the Cives or Citizens that were born and bred there O consider Are you Titular or Real Are you Transient or Abiding Subjects in Christ's Kingdom Are ye rescued and delivered from the adverse Prince and contrary Kingdom Men are born under the Law of Sin Rom. 8.2 and under the power of Satan Acts 26.18 the God of this World is their Father John 8.44 the Prince of this World is their King Oh therefore ask this serious Question Is the Prince of the World cast out of your Hearts John 12.31 now shall the Prince of the World be cast out And are you pluckt out of his Paw rescued out of his Kingdom Col. 1.13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Father hath by a strong hand by a mighty arm pluckt and snatched his Redeemed from the Power of Darkness Ignorance and Sin are Darknesses and Satan is the Power and Prince of Darkness he rules Men by their Ignorance and Lusts and therefore he is stiled the ruler of the darkness of this world Ephes 6.12 Ignorance and Sin have a strange Power over Souls as if they were rightful and lawful Powers and Satan's Kingdom is grounded and built on them Sinners know not what they do whither they go whom they serve and hence it is they do so readily and willingly yield themselves to obey the Commands of these Enemies that hoodwink them and hurry them on to Destruction Are your Eyes opened Are Satan's Snares and Sin 's Bonds broken Are you turned from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God Acts 26.18 are you made free from the law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 darkness did chain the Egyptians in their Places that they did not remove or go about Exod. 10.22 23. but when the Light returned then they were set at Liberty to walk about and work so have you known the Truth of Christ and been made free by it John 8.32 Is the Veil of Ignorance drawn off from your Minds And are the Chains of Lust fallen off from your Wills A Veil is a Restraint and Bondage on the Eye Those that do not see the Evil of Sin will not fly from it they that behold not the Excellency of the Kingdom of God will not press into it 2ly Are you translated
yet so is it here John 6.53 54 55 56 57. we here eat the flesh and drink the bloud of the Son of Man in this Life and in Heaven to all Eternity we shall feed on the delicious Fruits of Christ the Tree of Life Rev. 2.7 4thly In Christ's Kingdom is Liberty John 8.36 If the Son doth make you free thâ—â— you shall be free indeed Christ reigns to destroy the reigning Power of Sin and Satan to cast the Prince of this World out of his Throne and Kingdom John 12.31 Nâ—â— shall the Prince of this World be cast out Christ reigns to tumble down the God of this World from his Heaven Luke 10.18 Isâ—â— Satan falling as Lightning from Heaven Christ breaks this oppressour to pieces Psal 72.4 he bursts the Yoke of Sin snaps in sunder the Snares of Satan and delivers from the bondage of Corruption 5thly In Christ's Kingdom is safety This great Shepherd keeps his Sheep and watchâ—â— over his Flock in this Night of Time in this Wilderness of the World John 17 1â— While I was with them in the World I kept theâ— in thy Name and none of them is lost Saines are said to be preserved in Christ Jesus Jude 1. Christ guards his Flock and is a wall of fire round about them Zech. 2.5 no Lion shall be there nor any ravences Beast shall go up thereon it shall not be found there but the Redeemed shall walk there Satan that roaring Lion shall not prey on Christ's Lambs or Sheep they shall be as safe as if there were no Beasts of Prey about them they shall lye down safely in the wilderness and sleep securely in the woods Ezek. 34.25 Satan shall not be there to hurt them because their Shepherd is still with them to save them Psal 23.4 Thou art with me in the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no evil thy rod and thy staff they comfort me continually As David when a Shepherd did fight with a Lion and Bear and slew them to rescue a poor Lamb of his Flock 1 Sam. 17.34 35 36. so Christ did once in his own Person encounter with and destroy Satan Heb. 2.15 and he doth by his Spirit and Grace in his Members daily sight with him and foil him 1 John 2.14 ye are strong and have overcome the wicked one Christ stands feeds and keeps his Flock in the strength of the Lord Micah 5.4 and so this one Shepherd is stronger than all the Beasts of Prey whether they be wicked Men or evil Spirits as he is omniscient he understands all the difficulties and dangers of his Sheep and as he is omnipotent he can rescue save and preserve them Tho' this great Shepherd hath a numerous Flock scattered through the World yet he knows all his Sheep and doth hear all their Cries and Prayers Psal 72.12 14. He shall deliver the needy when he crieth the poor also and hiâ— that hath no helper He shall redeem their Sâ—â— from deceit and violence and precious shall they blood be in his sight Spiritual Enemies 〈◊〉 attempt against the People of God by Pâ—licy or Power yet Christ frustrates theâ— Adversaries in both he redeems the Souls 〈◊〉 his People both from Fraud and Violence no earthly King can know every Subjectâ— or hear the Cries and Petitions of all that are oppressed 5thly Jesus Christ strengthens and enâ—bles his True Subjects to obey him as Chrâ—â—â— dwells in their Hearts by Faith Ephes 3.17 so he strengthens his People Phil. 4.13 〈◊〉 can do all things through Christ that strengâ—â—â—â— me I will put my Spirit into them and 〈◊〉 them to walk in my statutes Ezek. 36 2â— Christ gives Influences Aids and Assistanâ—â— for every Act of Obedience because he is 〈◊〉 a Natural Head that communicates Spâ—â—â— to his Subjects as Members and as a Roâ—â— that derives Sap to all his Branches Tâ—â— Subjects of Earthly Kings have no such neeâ— of them or dependance on them 〈◊〉 strength to yield them Obedience But iâ— was prophesied of Christ Psal 72.6 〈◊〉 shall come down like rain on the mowen grâ—â— as showers that water the Earth This Scripture teaches us how great a Dependance Christ's Subjects have on him and how precious a Benefit they receive by him the â—owen Grass cannot spring and grow withâ—â—t Rain from Heaven so Christ's Subjects cannot spring up in Holiness or bring forth any Fruits of Righteousness except they have a Rain of Influences a Shower of gracious Communication from the Lord Jesus Christ Every Subject of Christ is a dry ground Isa 42.3 and needs watering from that River yea from that Fountain of Grace that is above in Christ We cannot take one step in the way towards a Blessed Eternity but leaning on Christ Cant. 8.5 the Church cometh up out of the wilderness and travels towards the Heavenly Canaan leaning on her beloved Ezek. 45.17 the King there spoken of was to provide and prepare all Sacrifices as Burnt-Offerings Sin-Offerings and Thank-Offerings for the People his Subjects By this King I understand Christ as he did give himself for us a Lamb for a burnt-offering John 1.29 as a sin-offering 2 Cor. 5.21 so he furnishes us with Thank-Offerings he kindles Love in our Hearts by his own Beams he circumcises our Hearts Col. 2.11 cuts off the filthy foreskin of sinful inordinate Self-love that did hinder and intercept our Love to God and it is by vertue of our Marriage-Union with him that we bring forth Fruits to God Rom. 7.4 all the fruits of righteousness are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God Phil. 1.11 6thly Jesus Christ receives the Souls of 〈◊〉 Subjects at last as he committed his owâ— Soul at death to the hands of the Father Luke 23.46 so now he hath merited and â—â—tained this Honour to be the Receiver aâ—â— Guardian of departing Souls Acts 7 5â— Stephen called upon God saying Lord Jeâ—â— receive my Spirit he called upon God tâ— it was through Christ the Mediator God would not receive but reject and abâ—â—â— our Spirits were they not joined to 〈◊〉 accepted in and had access to him throâ—â—â— Christ Oh how desirable a King is Jeâ—â— Christ that will be a Friend to us when 〈◊〉 forsake us or can do nothing for our Soâ—â—s Oh what a Trust doth Jesus Christ undertâ—â—e to keep departed Souls till the last day and then restore them to glorious Bodies Oâ—â— departing Souls must fall into the hands 〈◊〉 an angry Sin-revenging God were theâ— not such a gracious King in whose Hand we might deposite and trust them 7thly Jesus Christ is such a King that 〈◊〉 conquer and destroy Death 1 Cor. 15 â—â— he threatens it Hos 13.14 O death I will 〈◊〉 thy plague O grave I will be thy destruction here is a promise in the Verse to the Sainâ—s I will ransom them from the power of the grâ—â—â— I will redeem them from death and this promise is joined with a threatning against Dearâ— and the Grave How wonderful
into the Kingdom of Christ Col. 1.14 We are born in Satan's Kingdom as our Country and Natural Soil but by Grace we are led forth as a Colony into the Kingdom of Christ which is to a natural Man a strange Land and a new Soil But how are Men translated into the Kingdom of Christ surely it is by effectual Calling and Regeneration We are called as rational Creatures and we are regenerated as corrupt and impotent Creatures God is said to call us to his Kindom and Glory 1 Thes 2.12 Except a Man be born again he cannot see he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3.3.5 He cannot see or understand that there is such a Kingdom or be willing to enter into it or be fitted to enjoy the Benefits and Blessings of it As Children must be born to be the Subjects of Earthly Kings so Men must be re-born to be the Subjects of the Heavenly King This is for the Honour and Glory of Christ's Kingdom that none can pass into it but by Regeneration Those that are the genuine and true Citizens of Zion and Members of the Church are said to be born there Ps 87.4 6. Those that God writes up as Citizens of Zion are such as are born there God's Register and the Church's Roll or Catalogue do many times much differ The Church owns those for her Children that God doth not acknowledge for his Sons and Daughters The Church takes in those that God will turn out God will repute none his Jewels call none his own but they that are born again of his Word and Spirit Mal. 3.17 1 Pet. 1.23 John 3.6 And indeed How can Men possibly be Subjects in God's Kingdom except they have spiritual Minds converted Wills heavenly Affections A vain Mind a carnal Heart will only flatter and lye to Christ Matth. 3.2 Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand Men cannot be Subjects in or Heirs of the Kingdom of God without Faith and Repentance The good Seed are the Children of the Kingdom Matth. 13.35 Those that receive the Word are begotten by the Word of Truth John 1.18 that have it rooted in their Souls spreading and prevailing in their Hearts these are good Seed Jesus Christ doth not only sow Doctrinal Truths but living Christians He begets Sons and Daughters to God by the Word they are changed by and born of the Word and so are called Seed That Word is styled the Good Word Heb. 6.5 and they that are born of it are therefore called Good Seed Divine Chrysostom a Grecian Orator in one of his Orations derides the Folly of the Grecians that did call that one Man's Statue which was carved to resemble and set up to the Honour of another There was no new carving of or alteration in the Statue but only the Title of it was changed And do Men so easily pass out of the Kingdom of Satan into the Kingdom of Christ only by the changing of a Name No there must be another kind of Alteration There must not only be a new Name but a new Heart a new Nature Ezek. 36.26 2 Pet. 1.4 O descend into your Hearts What Experience have you of the Work of the Spirit in dethroning Satan and inthroning Christ in your Hearts destroying the Kingdom of Sin and exalting the Kingdom of God Consult your own Souls about this Can you be totally ignorant of it if such a change hath been made in you Doth not every one take notice of publick Revolutions in Government if one Prince dye or be deposed and another succeed and be set up in his Place And hath there been so great a spiritual Revolution in thy Soul hath Satan been cast out and hath Christ entred to dwell and rule in thy Heart and hast thou no knowledge of it Hast thou no experience of a new light set up in thy Mind a new Byass put upon thy Will new Motions raised in thy Affections towards spiritual and supernatural Objects 3dly Are the Laws of this Holy King and of this Heavenly Kingdom writ in thy Heart according to that promise of the new Covenant Jer. 31.33 I will write my laws in their hearts and put them into their inner parts This is the Glory of Christ that he writes his Laws in the Table of the Mind and Will 2 Cor. 3.3 His Subjects not only know but love and ask his Laws Their Obedience to them is not forced or feigned but they obey from the Heart Rom. 6.17 They delight in the Law of God according to the inward Man Rom. 7.22 God's Subjects are thus described That the Law of God is in their Hearts It is not an urging Letter without but a vital Principle within Psal 37.31 The law of his God is in his heart and Isa 51.7 Hearken unto me ye that know righteousness the People in whose heart is my law Christ plants such Dispositions such Inclinations as are suitable and agreeable to the Law of God and may be styled a counter pâ—â—t of it and do answer to it Psal 119.112 I have enclined my heart to perform thy Statutes always even to the end This is a writing that doth exact and ennoble the Table thâ—â— is the Subject of it And this is an high Act of Grace when God doth not only write his Laws to us but in us Do you approve allow delight in the Laws of God Do your Souls break for the Longings yee have to and after them that they might be more revealed to you and impressed on you Psal 119.20 4thly Are you led by the Spirit of the King Rom. 8.9 14. If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his As many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Seâ—â— of God This is a wonderful and a great Mystery that the Spirit of the King is in his Subjects and they all make but one mystical Body and the Spirit is as the Soul that animates this Body Were ever King and Subjects so nearly linked united related to each other Christ is not only a politick Head that gives Laws but as a natural Head that giveth Life The Spirit that influenced Christ acts them the Spirit that resides in Christ dwells also in them The People of Christ must needs therefore be a free and willing People Do not the Members of the natural Body without Regret or Reluctancy obey the Dictates of the Head How powerful yet how easie and sweet is the Government of the Head over the Members Christ's Spirit doth not only teach and direct but powerfully bend and encline the Will to walk yea to run in the way of God's Commandments Psal 119.32 Saints do not desire the way to Heaven to be made broader but their Hearts to be made larger to have their light and love encreased The Spirit is styled A Spirit of Revelation Ephes 1.17 A Spirit of Life Rom 8.2 A Free Spirit Psal 51.12 A Spirit that makes us free and forward in our Obedience We are not only
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
his body of his flesh and of his bone As Eve was taken out of Adam as to her human Nature so we are taken out of Christ as to our new and divine Nature Water and Blood came out of Christ's Side John 19.34 The Blood of Christ is the meritorious Cause of our new State of Justification and the Water signified the Spirit that gives a new Nature in Sanctification And how Honourable is it for Subjects to be so nearly related to the King of Glory And how sweet easie and gentle is Christ's Government over his Children over his Brethren over his Spouse and Members Surely Christ will not carry a hard a heavy a rigorous Hand over those that are so near and dear to him He shall spare the poor and needy Psal 72.13 And as a Shepherd shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with young Isa 40.11 Was there ever such an Honour put on a Flock as that they should be Members and Brethren and Children of the Shepherd 2. Christ's Subjects are nearly related to each other and this is a most sweet Truth as well as a great Mystery They are not only Fellow-Servants in the same House and Fellow-Citizens in the same City of God but they are Brethren in the same Family and Members of the same Body and animated or influenced and acted by the same Spirit and therefore have the greatest Obligations laid on them to love each other to seek one another's Good and promote one anothers Welfare Shall Brethren clash with one another or Members fight against each other He that for Christ's sake is hated of his Father Mother Brethren Sisters he doth by virtue of his Interest and Union with Christ recover a hundred fold more Kindred and Relations Elder Christians are as his Fathers and Mothers younger Christians are his Brothers and Sisters Mark 10.29 30. yea as his Children to serve and cherish him O what a blessed Kingdom is this when the Subjects are so endeared to each other that they have not only sold their Lands to relieve their spiritual Brethren Acts 2.4 5. Acts 4.34 but have also jeoparded and hazarded their Lives to preserve the Lives of their Holy Kindred Rom. 16.3 4. Aquilla and Priscilla laid down their Necks exposed themselves to the greatest Dangers to preserve the Life of Paul Rahab ventured her own Life to preserve the Spies that were the People of God Joshua 2.15 4thly If we consider the great Benefits that we receive from Christ's Kingdom 1. He heals washes refines anoints his Subjects A Governour is called a Healer Isa 3.6 7. Jesus Christ as a King is a Healer a Physician to his whole Kingdom and to all his Subjects Matth. 9.12 Our Souls are diseased weak feeble ruined and woe be to us if this Ruine be not under Christ's Hand Never was there such a Physician that dy'd to provide a Remedy to recover and restore his Patients By his Stripes we are healed yea by his Death we live If a King that is but a political Head be the Breath of his Subjects Nostrils Lam. 4.20 much more is Christ the Breath of our Nostrils as he is a natural Head that gives Life and continual influences of Grace 2. Jesus Christ washes John 13.8 Except I wash thee thou hast no part with me that is in the eternal Inheritance in the Kingdom of Glory None washes so powerfully as Christ he can wash away a Backsliding Revolting Rebellious Whorish Heart he can wash away our Spiritual Leprosie and Plague-Sores he can wash our Aethiopian Skin and our Leopard Spots Jer. 13.23 3. Jesus Christ Refines Mal. 3.23 and there is no such Refiner as Christ no such refining sire as Christ's is A Refiner or his Fire cannot change Iron Brass Tin or Lead into Gold and Silver but Christ by separating our Dross from us renders us precious and makes us Vessels of Gold and Silver 2 Tim. 2.20 4. Jesus Christ anoints his Subjects Ezek. 16.9 And I anointed thee with Oil. This is an Allusion to the sweet-smelling Oils that Persons were purfiied with Esther 2.12 The Graces of Christ's Spirit are fragrant and cause us to smell sweet in the Nostrils of God and Man Saints are called Christians because they partake of Christ's Ointment 1 John 2.20 27. You have an unction from the Holy One that is from Christ As the Mediator is anointed himself so he is styled Christ and as we are anointed by this Anointer so we are called Christians And this is peculiar to Christ's Subjects that they are all anointed and partake even of the unction of their King If we have not the unction of the Spirit of Christ he will not own us to be Subjects in his Kingdom or to be Members of his Body Rom. 8.9 If aâ— man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Christ's Unction doth purisie us from Sin consecrate us to God teach us the sublime Truths and wonderful Mysteries of the Kingdom of God 1 John 2.20.27 The Prophets were anointed 1 Kings 19.16 and they by the unction of the Holy Ghost were Seers 1 Sam. 9.9 They did see sarther and know more than others From hence I conceive the Phrase is borrowed That the anointing teacheth us and Christ by anointing us fits and exalts us to be spiritual Kings Rev. 1.5 6. He hath made in Kings Saints do command and rule their own Spiri's govern their Thoughts order and bound their Affections curb restrain and keep under their Passions and as of old Wrestlers were anointed * Fabius Agonisticon that the Hand of the Adversary might slip off from them and take no fast sure hold of them to throw them so Christ by anointing us with his Spirit Satan is defeated he is disappointed he cannot fasten on us and have Advantages against us first to throw our Minds to the Earth and then to cast our Souls to Hell 2dly In Christ's Kingdom we have Rest Matth. 8.11 Many shall come from the east and west and sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of God Souls travel up and down traverse the Earth to and fro disquiet themselves in vain and weary themselves to no purpose they never come to sit down till they press and get into the Kingdom of God and here is a most honourable rest to sit in the Throne with Christ Rev. 3.21 3dly In Christ's Kingdom is a Feast but in Satan's Kigndom Souls famish starve and perish with thirst Luke 22.29 30. that you eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom God makes a Feast in his Holy Mountain Isa 25.6 Saints have the first Course in this World and so it is a Dinner Matth. 22.4 they shall enjoy the second and third Courses in Heaven and so it is the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb Rev. 19.9 Did ever any Shepherd feed his Flock with his own flesh and blood Is there any that is a Pastor and a Pasture too
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
Vassals for 〈◊〉 service among the Vessels of Honour the are for God's use As this exalts Christ 〈◊〉 he rules among his Enemies Psal 110.2 Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies so th◠advances Satan that he also rules among 〈◊〉 Enemies that he can retain his Prey kee◠his Captive preserve his Subjects fast and close to him among his Enemies even where God and Christ rule and Saints do yield obedience That he can maintain an interest for himself where the Light shines Grace beams the Laws of Christ are proclaimed and the danger of rebelling against them is openly declared That yet his Soldiers will not leave his tents nor his Subjects cast of his yoke nor renounce their obedience to him 2. Satan is content and willing that many of his Children should creep into and be joined to the Church that they may be more secure that now they may slatter themselves that they are safe from danger and may bless themselves in the hope of a Place in God's Kingdom and a Portion among his Sons and Daughters How many do betake themselves to the Church as a City of Refuge as a Sanctuary to preserve themselves from Destruction though they go on in their wickedness God by Jeremiah complains Jer. 7.12 That the prosane Jews did use the Temple as if it were a Den of Robbers as Robbers do spoil Travellers and then retreat to their Dens as places of safety and security so they did steal murther commit Adultery swear falsely and then come and stand in the Temple offer some Sacrifices and then conclude a Compensation was made to God for all the wrong they had done him that now they were deliver'd liver'd from the guilt they had contracted and secured from the punishment they had deserved So Augustine in his 22d lib. de Civitate as I remember speaks of many Christians in his time That though they did lead lend and loose lives yet they thought they should be saved at last because they believed the true and right Doctrine And how many in these days do cast their cold and formal Prayers their blind and heartless Devotions into the scale to ballance and weigh down all their gross and notorious Wickedness Thus is a false Notion of the Church and Kingdom of Christ a great Means and a mystical Instrument to uphold Satan's Throne and keep the Crown on his Head The Name of Christianity encourages many to persist in the practice of Iniquity without fear of Misery Destruction 3. Satan brings Men into the Church that they may doe him more service in the Church than they could doe out of it The Tares did draw away the Sap and Strength of the Earth from the good Corn did entangle and harle about the Wheat pull it down keep it low hinder its growth and flourishing so Satan's Children in the Church they aspire to and reach after the highest places they grasp the Honours and Prosits that were design'd for better Men they keep the sincere People of God low they pull them down and lay such under them they will hardly allow them a place and subsistence in the Church they traduce and reproach them as Puritans Praecisians Fanaticks that make the Way to Heaven narrower and the Yoke of Christ heavier and the Commands of Christ stricter than indeed they are They think they call Men to hard services and bind heavy burdens on them when Christ gives larger allowances and Men may go to Heaven without such strictness without so much adoe without keeping so strict a rein on the flesh without continual curbing of their lusts and denying their natural appetites and inclinations and when these Men have advantages on their side and carnal Rulers that will comply with them they are ready to persecute they are forward to execute Penal Laws and persecute those of the same Nation City Neighbourhood to the utmost that they may ruine and undoe them as in Abraham's Family Ishmael persecuted Isaac Gal. 4.29.30 It is now they that are born after the flesh persecute those that are born after the spirit Calvin would say That a Man need go no farther than Geneva to be persecuted I have heard that some profane Ones in that City would in contempt and hatred of Calvin call their Dogs Calvin This holy Man chose rather to leave Geneva and to go into voluntary exile to Strasburg in Germany than to admit loose and profane Men to the Table of the Lord. The Tares do much mischief to the good Corn and much service to Satan by being in the same Field the same Church with the sincere and upright Servants of Christ But those that Satan hath thus and for these Ends introduced into the Church vailing their Enmity against Christ and his People under the name of Christianity these the Good Angels will separate and gather out of the Church that they may suffer for mocking of Christ for hating and hindering his People 3dly Let us consider how meet and fit Good Angels are for this Work to which they are designed and in which they are employed 1. They excell in Judgment Wisdom and Understanding To be Wise as an Angel of God was grown to a Proverb in Israel 2 Sam. 14.20 My lord the king is wise as as angel of God As the Angel that destroy'd the Egyptians First-born could observe and distinguish between the Israelites Houses that had Blood sprinkled at the Door of them and the Egyptians Houses that had no Blood sprinkled on them though it were in the midst of the Night So the Angels of God do know and will understand who are sprinkled with the Blood of Christ and so must stay in Christ's Kingdom and who are not and so must be gathered out of Christ's Kingdom and destroyed They will discover those that have escaped the Observation of Pastors and have deluded them with their fair Pretences They will be able to wash off the Paints and pull away the Veils of Hypocrites and so will pull them out of the Kingdom of Christ They know that they were not sent forth to minister to the Wicked but to the Saints Heb. 1.14 that Hypocrites were no part of their charge that they did not attend on them and therefore can distinguish and mark them out to be gathered out of the Kingdom of Christ 2. The Angels do excell in Strength Bless the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength As Nebuchadnezzar employ'd the most mighty Men in his Army Dan. 3.20 to bind Shadrach Meshach and Abed-nego and to cast them into the Fiery Furnace so the Angels are the mightiest Soldiers in God's Host the most valiant of his Army and these he charges to reap the Tares to bind them in bundles and to cast them into an Eternal Furnace Mat. 13.30 39 42. The Angels are strong and mighty Reapers Can the Tares stand before the Hook or withstand the Sickle of these mighty Reapers Can the Tares hinder themselves from being bound up in bundles and cast
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
all ye workers of iniquity That Phrase all ye workers of iniquity is emphatical Christ will pass the same Doom on workers of iniquity in the Church as he doth on those that are out of the Church He is no Respecter of Persons he hates Iniquity where-ever he finds it Such as turn aside into crooked Paths in the Church shall be led forth with the workers of iniquity They shall be joined to them ranked with them Psal 125.5 shall be accounted of the same Body shall receive the same Sentence and feel the same or rather worser Punishments O how will this vex and perplex proud Hypocrites that have thought themselves for many Years to be Members of God's Family and that they have had much acquaintance and long converse with Christ to hear him to reject them as utter Strangers to him and that he never knew them O what a wounding and killing Word will this be to them Surely Strangers shall not dwell with God or inherit with his Children they that have served Sin in God's House John 8.34 35. will be discovered and cast out God that saith Ye are not my people and I will not be your God Hos 1.9 doth also threaten Hos 9.3 They shall not dwell in the Lord's land The Lord's Land is for the Lord's People If those that were not the Lord's People should not dwell in the Lord's Land that was but an Earthly Canaan much less shall they dwell in the Lord's Land that is a Heavenly Country and Canaan 4thly They that be gathered out of Christ's Kingdom shall be deprived of the best Good of True Happiness they shalt not tast of Christ's Supper they shall not sit in his Throne they shall not feast at his Table in his Kingdom or partake of his Glory To have no part with Christ John 13.8 is threatned as the worst and greatest Evil And not to tast of his Supper Luk. 14.24 On the other hand To see Christ's Glory John 17.24 to sit with him in his Throne Revel 3.24 to sit with him at his Table and to eat and drink with him in his Kingdom Luk. 22.30 is promised as the chiefest and best Good But ye workers of iniquity O what will ye do in the Solemn and Great Day and in the day of the Feast of the Lord Hos 9.5 Your present Pleasures and Delights will cease your Banquet will end and be removed Amos 5.7 you will Famish And when others seast you will be slain with Thirst Hos 2.3 When others shall drink of the River of God's Pleasures Psal 36.8 yea drink abundantly at the Fountain of Life You will roar and howl when others shall sing and rejoyce Job complains Job 9.25 That his Days did slee away they saw no Good But workers of iniquity will more dreadfully and dolefully complain That Millions of Years do pass over them yet in them all they see no Good 5thly Those that are gathered out of Christ's Kingdom are without hope of ever returning to it or being let in and received into it for ever Luk. 13.25 When once the Master of the House is risen up and hath shut the Door he will never rise up again to open it then it will be too late to knock or plead for Admission the Bridegroom hath done Wooing the great Shepherd will call no more the gracious Physician will practise no more the Ladder which joins Heaven and Earth together will be drawn up and all Treaties of Peace will be at an end As when God did shut the Door of the Ark Gen. 7.16 Noah was included and his Family and all the rest of the World were excluded though they did cry never so bitterly groan never so deeply plead never so earnestly yet they could not be admitted they could not be received the time of God's Patience was at an end and the Day of his Wrath and Vengeance was come So Christ will not be entreated will not relent as Sinners hardned their Hearts in time so Christ will harden his Heart to Eternity as they had no love for Christ so he hath no Bowels to yearn towards them no Bosom to receive them Their Condition was once hopeful but now it is desperate Isa 5.2 The Hands of Christ were once stretched out Prov. 1.24 to allure and receive them but now the Arms of Christ will be stretched out to punish them They did their own and Satan's Will in time and they must now suffer God's Will to Eternity They were once invited and importun'd earnestly to come into his Kingdom but then they shall be violently thrust out of it and everlastingly debarr'd from it There is a vast difference between these two Expressions Luke 14.23 Compel them to come us and that in Luke 13.28 And you your selves thrust out They that have wearied the Patience and slighted the Grace of God shall be eternally cut off from seeing of him and conversing with him Mercy will issue in Severity and Patience will end undeterminate in Fury 6. Those that are gathered out of Christ's Kingdom shall behold the Happiness Feast and Glory of the Saints of God and gnash their Teeth for envy and rage seeing what others enjoy and they themselves are deprived of Luke 13.28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God and you your selves thrust out This shall heighten the Saints Felicity to see the Misery and Torments of the Damned Isaiah 66.24 They shall go forth and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me for their worm shall not die neither shall their Fire be quenched thus Esau and other Reprobates shall eternally serve Jacâ—b and the other Elect the misery of the Damned shall cause them more to admire the Mercy extended to them their weepings and howlings shall heighten Saints Songs Praises and Thanksgivings Psal 58.10 The righteous shall rejoyce when he seeth the vengeance so on the other hand this shall encrease and heighten the Misery of the Workers of Iniquity that they shall see the Feast the Honour the Glory of the Saints that they are deprived of 2 Kings 7.1 2. Elisha prophesieth of a sudden plenty the very next day in Samaria where they had been under a long and grievous Famine A Lord in Samaria would not believe it the Prophet tells him that yet he should see it but should not eat thereof So Sinners now will not believe what Rest what Honour what a Feast Saints shall enjoy when they sit down with Abraham Iaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of God Matth. 8.11 but yet they shall one day see it but shall not share in it nor partake of it O how will their Hearts fret and rage to see those that they have so much despised hated and abhorred to sit in the Throne when they shall be made Footstools to enjoy the greatest Plenty when they shall lye under eternal Penury and want of all Good 7. This may
on his Holy Hill of Zion Psal 2.4 5 6. And Christ did reign over his Enemies full fore against their Wills They designed and endeavoured to break Christ's Bands in sunder but Christ did break them with his Rod of Iron and dash them to pieces as a Potter's Vessel Psalm 2.9 The Jews persecuted Christ's Apostles and Servants and sent many of them to Heaven on this Message and Errand to tell Christ how the Jews are bent against his Kingdom and would not have Christ to reign over them Luke 19.14 yet Jesus Christ did gather subdue and convert many of their Nation to be his Subjects and as for the Body of the People that continued in their Unbelief and Disobedience this Glorious King sent forth his Armies that is the Romans and destroyed them and bunt up their City Mat. 22.7 And at the last Day he will severely sentence and punish the Rebellious Luke 19.27 As for these mine enemies that would not have me to rule over them bring them before me and let them be slain in my presence Though they do not allow Christ a Throne in their Souls yet Christ will erect his Tribunal and sit 〈◊〉 Judgment on all that oppose and stand oâ—â— against him Where Grace doth not reign Justice will reign If Christ doth not coedemn and execute Sin in us he will condemâ— and execute us Either Satan's Works and Lusts must be crushed and destroyed in us or we must be cut off and perish for ever Those that Christ doth not prune he will fell those that he is not a refining Fire to he will be a consuming Fire if the Old Man be not pierced and wounded by Christ's Arrows the Souls of Men must be Christ's Mark and feel the edge and point of his glittering Sword If Christ doth not rule to save Men he will rule to destroy them The Civil Law mentions some Malefactors that are called * Vid. Paciamin 1 Lib. institut Tit. 12. Sect. 6. Servi Poenae such as were condemn'd to row at the Oar or to dig in the Mines because they did not obey the Law and live honestly they were subjected to hard Service and did live miserably So those that are not Subjects to Christ as a King shall be Servants of Punishment they shall serve the Glory of God's Power and Justice in their eternal Misery and Sufferings 5thly Consider the Nature and Advantages of the Kingdom of Christ There are sweet Fruits of the Kingdom of Grace and there are enriching Benefits of the Kingdom of Glory It was prophesied of Christ as a King That Men should be blessed in him and Nations should call him Blessed What a Glory is this to Jesus Christ that Men are blessed and shall bless themselves in this King that ever they were conquered by the Sword of his Word that ever they were brought under the Scepter of his Grace They shall rejoyce that ever they were bound with the Cords of his Doctrine and Laws and subjected to the Yoke of his Government They call their King Blessed that is raised above the reach and rage of all his Enemies and is now victorious and triumphant over them that reigns so righteously so peaceably so prosperously that dethrones Sin and Satan and inthrones God in the Souls of Men that preserves his People from sinking into an extremity of Misery and exalts them to possess an eternal Felicity They call him Blessed that hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him and that hath the Key of Hell and Death Matth. 28.18 Rev. 1.18 that hath such an unbounded Empirt and so large and such an extensive Kingdom hath power over all Flesh that he might give eternal Life to as many as the Father hath given him John 17.2 and is made Head over all things to the Church Ephes 1.22 that nothing may hinder the Salvation or obstruct the Happiness but all things may promote the Good and Welfare of the Church 1st Consider who Jesus Christ is He 〈◊〉 God's Righteous Servant Isa 53.11 and he Well-beloved Son Matth. 3.17 Is it not better to be in the Kingdom of God's Righteous Servant than to be under the power of a wicked hardned obstinate Rebel Is it not more desireable to be translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son Col. 1.13 than to be at the beck and command of God's bitter Enemy and implacable Adversary Christ the Son of God by nature grants the Privilege of Adoption to all his Subjects John 1.12 This is such a Mercy as no Son of an earthly King vouchsafes to his Subjects 2dly Jesus Christ reigns to do Right to God and to establish his Throne in the Souls of Men. He was designed to raise up those that fell off from God and sunk into Ruine Isa 49.6 Christ is God's Servant to raise up the Tribes of Jacob and to bring back those that were gone astray from God Isa 49.5 and to restore such as were alienated from God Isa 49.6 Christ retrieves recovers God's Right he establishes his own Throne by Justice and Judgment Isaiah 9.7 and he is said to execute Justice and Judgment in the Earth Jer. 23.5 Christ executes Justice in restoring and giving back to God that which is his own and he executes Judgment in destroying Satan's Works and Lusts 1 John 3.8 in mortisying the vile Affections of Sinners This was one great Benefit of the Jubilee that the Servant returned to his Family Levit. 25.10 He that was alienated from his Father and served Strangers now returned to do his Duty and rendered Obedience to his Parents Even so Jesus Christ restores Men to God's Family and grants unto them as a great Favour and Privilege that they may serve him without slavish Fear of Destruction in Holiness and Righteousness all the Days of their Lives Luke 1.74 75. Yea Christ restores the Creatures unto God The Subjects of Christ use them purely they did not feed and fuel their Lusts with them but receive them with thanksgiving as their Father's Goods and Gifts and use them to strengthen and support them in the Lord's Work and Service It is a great perverting abusing inslaving the Creatures when they victual Satan's Garrisons and feed his Soldiers But then the Creatures are rescued from Bondage when they nourish God's Priests and feed his Worshippers 3dly Those that are in Christ's Kingdom are nearly related to him and to each other 1. They are nearly related to Christ They are his Seed and Children Isa 53.10 He shall see his seed Behold I and the Children whom God hath given me Isa 8.18 Jesus as a second Adam as an everlasting Father begets them Isa 9.6 He is made Sanctification to them 1 Cor. 1.30 They receive of his fulness Grace for Grace Jâ—â—s 1.16 They are Christ's Brethren Psal 22.22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren He is not ashamed to call them Brethren Hebr. 2.11 They are the Lamb's Wife Rev. 19.7 They are the Members of Christ Ephes 5.30 We are members of
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
all meets in Jesus Christ and there is nothing in him but what is lovely what may kindle Love draw Hearts captivate Souls If you dislike any thing in Christ if you harbour any Prejudice cherish any Objection against him it is because Satan hath blinded your Minds and cast a Veil over your Hearts 2 Cor. 4.4 5. 2dly O run to Jesus Christ Isa 55.5 Thâ—â— shalt call a nation thou knowest not and people that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God because of the holy one of Israel that hath glorified thee O will you not run to him who is the Seat of Beauty the Fountain of Honour the Treasury of all spiritual Riches the Subject and Centre of Life Will you not run to the Captain the Author the Wells of Salvation Hebr. 2.10 Hebr. 5.9 Isa 12.3 O will you not fly from Sin Satan and Eternal Death by running to Christ Is there any shadow from scorching Heat but Christ's Cant. 2.2 Any Wing to cover you from Birds of Prey but his Psal 36.7 Any Fold to protect you from Beasts of Prey bâ—â— Christ's Fold John 10.9 He that enters by me that is into the Fold shall be saved 〈◊〉 Sinners can give no Reason why they wilâ— Dye Ezek. 18.31 surely they can give â— Reason why they should not run to Jesâ—â— Christ That Text Isa 55.5 affords cogent Arguments mighty Reasons why we should run to him 1. God is his God If ever we would have any comfortable Knowledge of God any honourable Relation to God any sweet Communion with God we must run to Jesus Christ God is only to be found and enjoyed in Christ Will you cut your selves off Will you estrange your selves for ever from God Will he not be a satisfying and an everlasting Portion when all other Comforts fail all other Friends forsake all our Lamps are put out 2. God the Father hath glorified him He hath exalted him And shall we depress debase him and keep him still in a state of Humiliation Hath the Father given him a Throne in Heaven and shall we deny him one in our Hearts Are Angels Principalities and Powers made subject to him 1 Pet. 3.32 and shall we lift up our selves against him Do the noblest Creatures worship at his Footstool and execute his Commands and shall we reject his Yoke affront his Authority and trample his Laws under our Feet Is Christ glorified and will you despise and slight him Is not a glorified Redeemer worthy of our Love Praise and Obedience Shall vile and dunghil Objects draw away our Affections and a glorified Saviour be denied our Hearts Would we not commend our Spirits to him at last and shall we not give our Hearts to him now Prov. 23.26 Shall our last Act be our first Gift to Jesus Christ Wilt thou commend thy Soul to Christ only when thou canst keep it no longer in the Body Is it not dreadful for a Glorified Christ with his Omnipotent Arm to fall on thee for Destruction Is it not desirable that a Glorified Christ by his Almighty Power should draw thee up to him for Salvation 3. Kiss the Son Psal 2. last this is a spiritual Act of Homage 1 Sam. 10.1 Samuel did anoint and kiss Saul thereby recognizing his Authority and obliging himself to Obedience and Subjection to him as his Sovereign The Promise is the Mouth of Christ and Faith is the Mouth of the Soul and when the Mouth of Faith is applied to the Mouth of Christ in the Promise then we give Christ a spiritual Kiss when Christ speaks and offers himself we should come in with our Amen of Faith 2 Cor. 1.20 to the word of him who is the Amen and the faithful witness Rev. 3.14 our Obedience and Subjection to Christ should not be seigned or forced but begin in a faithful and loving Kiss to him that is Love it self Cant. 3.5 when Christ applies his Words and Promises of Grace to us then he kisses us with the kisses of his Mouth Cant. 1.2 when we apply our Mouth of Faith to Christ's Word of Grace when we sincerely declare our Assent and Consent to it then we kiss Christ 4. We must press into the Kingdom of Christ as it were force a Passage into it and take it by violence Luke 16.16 Matth. 11.12 we must have a Room a Place in Christ's Kingdom he must reign over us or else Sin Death and the Devil will reign over us We must enter into Christ's Palace or be shut up in his Prison we must press into Christ's Kingdom that we may avoid a future eternal Storm of Vengeance Those that are hungry and famishing will force into a place where there is Plenty of Bread Poor necessitious Soldiers will storm will break into a rich City with the hazard of their Lives and shall we not be urgent to get into Christ's Kingdom where there is a Royal Feast a sweet Rest unsearchable and eternal Riches if you are not Christ's you will be Satan's Do you not fear to see God's frowning face to feel his punishing hand to drop into the bottomless Pit to be cast into the Lake that burns with Fire and Brimstone for ever Be not cold or indifferent whether you get into Christs's Kingdom or no. Do not content your selves with loose hopes ungrounded and presumptuous Confidences lukewarm and lazy Endeavours It is said the Gentiles should fall down to the Church and make Supplication to her that is to prevail with her to be admitted and received by her into the Kingdom of Christ it is further foretold Zech. 8. last That ten men of all Languages of the Nations should take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew and so is a True Believer and a spiritual Worshipper and say we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you They would not be put by they would not be shaken or cast off they resolved they would join themselves to the Church of God and not be excluded kept or thrust out It is said the Gentiles should flow as waters to God's Holy Mountain Is 2.23 and should fly as clouds and as doves to their windows Isa 60.8 this expresses serious earnest and spiritual Violence 5. That you may be thus Earnest you must desire Christ to cast chains of Light and Love about you to subdue conquer and overcome you Isa 45.14 it is promised that the Gentiles should come over aâ—â— come after the Church in Chains Christ must fasten those Chains on and about the Souls of Sinners and draw them that they may run after him Cant. 1.4 though Christ's Name be as a fragrant Ointment Cant. 1.3 as a strong perfume though there be a drawing Beauty Excellency Treasure Love in Christ yet all these will not prevail without an Almighty and drawing Arm such is out averseness and perverseness It is prophesied of Christ That he should subdue the Peoples and the Nations under the Feet of the Church Psal 47.3 so
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