repented the Lord that he had made Man upon the Earth and it grieved him at his Heart Gen. 6. 5 6. But after that the Lord smelled a sweet Savour and the Lord said in his Heart I will not again curse the Ground any more for Man's sake for the Imagination of Man's Heart is evil from his Youth neither will I again smite any more every thing Living as I have done Gen. 8. 21. This was said upon Noah a Righteous and Perfect Man his building an Altar unto the Lord and offering burnt Offerings on that Altar So that we see and find that it fares better with the wicked World for the sake of the Righteous And after the same similitude of things we may conceive that when the Lord hath been long and sore displeased with the Heathen of former Generations who were at Ease under which word Heathen are comprised all those who know not or who obey not the Lord when the Earth was much corrupâ—ed by reason of their Transgression which did sit heavy â—pon it so that it became as a Smoak or Stink in his Nostrils When the House of Israel dwelt in their own Land they defiled it by their Ways and by their doings Their way was before me as the uncleanness of a Removed Woman Ezek. 30. 17. After God hath born with this a long time then comes and succeeds the Righteous Generation who build an Altar and offer Burnt Offerings on that Altar which like Frankinsence and Myrrh doth take away all the former Stink that the Lord doth smell a sweet Savour from them whereupon he doth abate and mitigate somewhat from that intended Punishment which he had before thought to lay and inflict on the wicked World That he will not stir up all his Wrath nor yet pour on them all and the utmost Evil which he had before purposed to have done Though withal by seeing the exceeding Goodness of the one compared with the Exceeding Sinfulness Evil and Provocation of former Generations it is necessary that some Punishment and Vengeance be actually inflicted on them For the day of Vengeance is in mine Heart Hereby is denoted the futurity thereof and that it is to succeed after the other and the Year of my Redeemed is come Isa 63. 4. Which being expressed in the Present Tense though it is spoken of after the other yet in order of time it will be before that to which agrees the Gospel And the Dead in Christ shall rise first Thess 4. 16. For it is the day of the Lord's Vengeance and the Year of Recompences for the controversie of Sion Isa 34. 8. What is this controversie of Sion It is even the Lord's Controversie with the Inhabitants of the Earth That all both Jew and Gentile Heathen and all other People of every Nation Country and Language and of every Generation should obey him the Lord their God And here it comes to pass that some do Obey him and some do not from whence it is appositely stiled Recompences in the Plural Number there being two sorts of them that is to say a Recompence of Good to those that shall be found to have Obeyed him and a Recompence of Evil to such who have not Obeyed him For the Lord God of Recompences shall surely requite Jer. 51. 56. To all People of every Country Kindred and time one of these two ways So that in short if People do not Obey God it is a Controversie which will be decided to their own Misery as themselves will find in the day of the Lord's Vengeance But if they do obey him unto which knowing the Terrors of the Lord we perswade Men it will be abundantly made up to them in the Resurrection of the Just in the Year of Recompences for the controversie of Sion This Controversie the Lord hath been pleading with Men and Women by his Word and Spirit by his Prophets Son Jesus Christ Apostles Evangelists Pastors and Teachers Ministers and Servants ever since Man was first Created on the Earth The same lot hath fallen unto me from the Forty third Forty fourth and Forty fifth Verses of the Eighteenth Psalm which I have here endeavoured to Handle Faithfully and Truly according to the Grace and Knowledge according to the Ability and Measure which the Lord hath given and committed unto me according to the proportion of Faith and according to that distribution of Spiritual Qualifications and Endowments which was allotted and here I stand in my Lot Dan. 12 13. to me a single Creature What I write unto others I write unto my self also that I may be found obedient in all those things whereunto I exhort others And whilst the desire of my Soul is to this and the same is the endeavour of my Hands it is a well-grounded hope and assurance that both my self and my Works may be accepted of the Lord. If the Lord who hath the residue of the Spirit Mal. 2. 15. doth stir up others also in like manner as he hath done mine This may somewhat prepare and make way for the Vniversal Reformation of the Lives and Manners of Men. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament and they that turn many to Righteousness as Stars for ever and ever But thou O Daniel shut up the Words and seal the Book even to the time of the End Many shall run to and fro and Knowledge shall be increased Dan. 12. 3. 4. So that after all these Words also may be shut up and this Book may be Sealed until the appointed time draws near and is actually come when God will indeed bring the same to pass even at the time of the End in the very last days and shutting up of all When Christ the Son of David the root and off-spring of David the Bright and Morning Star shall be delivered from the hands of all his Enemies and from the strivings of the People when his Enemies shall be made his Foot-stool and shall be cast out as the dirt in the Street when all his Members Disciples and Followers shall be delivered from the Hand of Saul See the Title of Psalm 18. that is in a Spiritual Signification from the Devil that like as Christ their Head was preserved from and not overcome by his Temptations so he stall see the Travel of his Soul and be satisfied for in that himself hath suffered being Tempted he is able to Succour them that are Tempted Heb. 2. â—8 Whom he doth accordingly so Succour and Preserve in the hour of Temptation and in the day of Trial till at length they become Conquerors and they are delivered from the hand of all their Enemies and from the hand of the Tempter CHAP. IX A Paraphrase on some of the most Remarkable Verses of Psalm 18. Shewing the Design and Connexion of this Psalm Whereunto is Sub-joined the shutting up and the Conclusion of this whole Book SO that in that day the words of this Song may be spoken unto the Lord I will
Practical Discourses On Sundry TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE Wherein is shewed and made known The absolute Necessity for all People TO Turn Immediately Unto the Lord their GOD. By RICHARD STAFFORD formerly a Batchelor of Arts of Magdalen-Hall in Oxford LONDON Printed and are to be Sold by Ralph Simpson at the Harp in St. Paul's Church-yard 1695. To the Courteous READER THE Subject of this ensuing Book A Call to all the Inhabitants of the Earth to turn immediately to the Lord their God is Great and Good Even what all the Words and Preaching that have ever came forth into the World in all the several Generations and Countries have endeavoured at For Christ also hath once suffered for Sins the Just for the Vnjust that he might bring us to God 1 Pet. 3. 8. Besides the Sufferings of Christ The End and Intent of all the Words which Christ spake or made known and so it is the same of all the Transactions which have ever passed between God and Man are that he might bring us to Himself who is God Though this hath been indeed effected of some few Peculiar People of the several Generations yet it hath not been of the Multitude and Generality of Mankind Notwithstanding God was manifested in the Flesh and put to Death in the Flesh but quickned in the Spirit for this alone End and Purpose How can it then be expected that one who is born out of due Time and the least of all in the Kingdom of God can by publishing a few words more accomplish so great a thing when all the Books and Preaching in the World have not yet done it Especially when the Word it self which was made Flesh and dwelt among us Full of Grace and Truth who spake as never Man spake did not so bring it to pass that all should though some did believe on him Far be it therefore from me to expect or imagine That this little Book or Treatise of mine will ever have so great an Effect But it is only offered as another Mile to be thrown into the Treasury of Divine Truths It is the Thoughts of one single Creature which have arose in his Mind whereby himself is actually perswaded to God and good things and to turn unto the Lord Immediately Luke 12. 36. As Paul conferred not with Flesh and Blood but immediately went to Jerusalem So for my part I would utterly lay aside all Carnal and Worldly Considerations and immediately give up my self to the Guidance of the Lord as he leads me in the way to Jerusalem that is above whithersoever that way goes And I do desire that these same Thoughts may be published and made known abroad Out of this Hope and Expectation If Peradventure the God of all Truth who perswadeth us throughout our Life in all the several Circumstances and Conditions thereof That we may be able to perswade other Men and Women by the very same Thoughts wherewith our selves are perswaded of God He fashioneth the Hearts of the Sons of Men alike Psal 33. 15. and it is commonly seen That by what one is perswaded another under the like Thoughts and Circumstances is Perswaded also And if the like things were made known unto and believed by the mixt Multitude and generality of Mankind as is to the elect People and real Servants of God in all outward Likelihood and Probability They would also be brought over unto God To this alone End and Purpose are these Words laid before Men that whosoever will may read And for such who will not read the Saying among the Latins is Pertinaciae nullum Remedium Posuit Deus So we the Ministers of his Word cannot tell what to say to it Nor do we know how to help and remedy it though we would never so fain But we can only warn such Behold ye Despisers and Wonder and Perish Such are in real danger to fall under the same Doom as the Sons of Eli and Amaziah did Notwithstanding they bearkned not unto the Voice of their Father Because the Lord would slay them 1 Sam. 2. 25. But Amaziah would not hear for it came of God that he might deliver them into the hand of their Enemies 2 Chron. 25. 20. And so it is They that will not Hear Read and Receive the Words of Instruction Knowledge and Reproof It is a certain foregoing sign that such will be punished with everlasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his Power It is commonly alledged that there is no new thing under the Sun and there is nothing said especially in Books but what hath been said before for my part I would endeavour somewhat further in what I publish to the World which as yet is not so clearly made known in other Books and Sermons or otherwise I would not publish at all Or at least I would seek out acceptable Words and that which is written may be upright even Words of Truth Eccles 12. 10. If Words or rather Sentences of Truth are indeed brought forth Although they be without Method and Connexion as there are very many of this sort in the following Treatise yet they are never the less worth for want of that All one as pieces of Gold or so many Pearls are not the less valuable although they be not linked and chained together Again Although my writing here is not with enticing words of Mans Wisdom nor yet according to the exact Rules of Oratory But things are expressed so plainly that they may be understood by the meanest Capacity Nevertheless God is more glorified and the Reader may be more edified hereby then in what is called more Learned and Polite Discourses It was both a puzling and also a sudden Question of Pilate What is Truth To me it seems to be the expressing forth the Nature of things as they are with the Connexion between themselves and how they pertain to us Men. Things are again divided into Visible and Invisible Present or Future Now the present and visible things soon pass away and are but little But the great Object of what is commonly called Divine Truth which is the subject of the ensuing Book is only invisible and future things which are the only thing needful even the greatest and nearest Concern All things are Gods for he created them and the principal Matter here insisted on throughout the whole is what God requires of Man with a Word of Exhortation to enforce him the more to the Obedience and Observance of the same and more especially what God will do unto us Men and Women the reasonable Inhabitants of this Earth both hereon in the latter days and also after that they are gone off from this Stage of the middle part of the World As to that great Controversie which the Lord hath had for so many Generations past and foregoing concerning their universal Obedience to Himself their God Psal 50. 7. which all the words that ever came forth and were made known in the World heretofore
had upon foregoing means Here it behoves to learn diligently and to know exactly what are the true and right means for want of which so many do miscarry in their Designs and Enterprises as our selves do perceive afterwards which if throughly known before the thing might have been accomplished And also we must understand what means are Just or not lawful or unlawful for we are to confine our selves only unto the first and avoid the other For I the Lord love Judgment I hate Robbery for Burnt-offering and I will direct their work in Truth Isa 61. 8. His work is perfect for all his ways are Judgment a God of Truth and without Iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32. 4. And therefore we are to refrain from all manner of sin nor to use any indirect Art or Guile But if any such is offered or suggested it is to be looked upon as a Temptation of Satan to hinder or delay the Work and to make us part with our Integrity There is near the same Connexion and Establishment of all things throughout the whole Creation and as we see the good things of the Earth are had by Wisdom honest Labour and Diligence So we are to have Grace and Knowledge that we may obtain the heavenly good things and so seek diligently after them The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence and the violent take it by force Only he who now letteth will let untill he be taken out of the Way 2 Thess 2. 7. And as he hinders all that he can so we should watchfully observe his Devices in order to frustrate and defeat them When we have fully heard what promotes and helps us forward to eternal Happiness this we are to do with all our Might and Power and also we should decline what hinders or resolutely work contrary to that Even from the Resistances of Satan we may get Strength and advance further It may be so over-ruled and ordered that the Light which he would seek to put out may shine yet more abroad that the Truth which he would stifle or wrap up may be yet more displayed that all his Devices may fall back upon himself and he may lose by what he thought would promote his Kingdom So they shall make their own Tongue to fall upon themselves all that see them shall flee away Psal 64. 8. for it would be a strange and marvellous thing that if People were fully sensible that such an in visible Enemy who acts by visible Instruments would deprive and hinder them of so much good and deceive into Evil and Misery and yet they should give way unto him Is there an Instance of this to be found in common Life That Men should hate their Friends and love their Enemies especially when the last appear barefaced as such Indeed when there is Disguise Flattery and concealing it may be after that Manner but it cannot so be when they openly design nothing but Death and Destruction and to defeat them of such an exceeding Good and Reward And yet such are all the Methods of Satan of whatever Nature and Kind they be whether direct Opposition or keeping back whether it be by way of Excuse or Imagination as indeed all Excuses might at first be suspected by Christian Knowledge and discerning because we are forewarned in the Word of God that they keep off from coming unto him and into the Way of his Commandments Those invited to the great Supper did all with one Consent begin to make Excuse Luke 14. 18. Now it is plain and obvious and understood by any one that where People shift and would excuse themselves there is an Unwillingness But the Phrase of the obedient Servant is I will run the Way of thy Commandments Psal 114. 32. which denotes Readiness and Speed in the same The several Actions and Passages of our Life do either lead towards Heaven they are a standing still or a going backwards They either increase our Reward or they do nothing towards it or they render us liable to Punishment Now the standing still and doing nothing sinks down to the place of unprofitable Servants for it is contrary to the Will of our Master who would have us to be trading to his use He seems to be gone afar off that he may require an Account though even now he standeth at the door and is near to every one of us He hath withdrawn himself out of our sight and yet he beholds what we do though we do not so much regard him because we see him not In all things pertaining to God it is left to us whether we will freely and willingly do the same or leave them undone The Law given us was ordered to be written in a Book and now it may be seen whether Men will take notice and do thereafter As for that Law engraven in the Heart it may be either stifled through Sloth or Negligence or it may be cherished and furthered by giving heed thereunto and acting accordingly and seeking further into it God might have put into Man as strong an inclination to Read in his Book as he hath a Natural Desire to behold the Light of the Sun and the same constant steadiness to observe the Words of his Law as to Eat Drink and Sleep and observe the common Rules and Measures of Life He might have given such a lively Sense of his Promises and Threatnings as any King now doth of his Rewards and Punishments so that all People should have been equally yea infinitely more concerned to have the one and eschew the other He might have so inculcated and enforced his Commands that they should be had in continual remembrance and there should have been the like constant Care and Caution to keep them as to preserve our selves in Health and as we avoid bodily Hurt or Sickness The like watchfulness might have been in all as is now in some peculiar People Even the Multitude and Generality might be led with the same bent and inclination to live always according to his Statutes as now they have to follow their own ways His Laws are set before us by his Servants the Prophets Dan. 9. 10. And in the phrase of another who spake by the same Divine Spirit Whether they will hear or whether they will forbear Ezek. 2. 5. which denotes liberty and freedom of Obedience or Refusal As God did formerly suffer all Nations to walk in their own ways so now having made known his Mind and Will they are further proved whether they will receive the knowledge of it and do thereafter He hath discovered himself so far to the World by what is already revealed and made known that they should seek after him yet further His Truth is thus far manifest to the generality of Mankind that they also should learn and enquire after it That the residue of Men might seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles upon whom my Name is called saith the Lord who doth all these things Acts 15. 17. Still there
tending towards Good or procuring Loss and Evil to themselves Every one Desires good to himself and would avoid evil Hurt and Inconveniency As he is a Man of Understanding and Prudence to let him Judge and do according to the most likely Way to obtain the one and avoid the other See I have set before thee this Day Life and Good and Death and Evil I call Heaven and Earth to record this Day against you that I have set before you Life and Death Blessing and Cursing Therefore choose Life that thou and thy Seed may live Deut. 30. 15. VVhoever reads or hears these Lines whether thou examinest them in thy Closet or by a casual View whether this Book be read to thee by another or few or many be present To each Man or VVoman singly I do apply my self and I call the Angels to witness that these things be set home to thy Heart that this doth not turn for a Testimony against thee and when such things were laid before thee thou wouldst not mind but refuse Thou Man or VVoman of whatever Rank or Degree of whatever Age State or Condition of Life young Men or Maidens yea and Children that can in the least apprehend what I say I speak to you all severally and joyntly even in this very Moment of Time in this very Instant now even in the same Day that this is declared unto you I speak to every one of you in the Prophet's Phrase BEHOLD YOVR GOD. And I do most humbly and earnestly intreat of his divine Majesty which he is more ready to do than I to ask him O Lord God Almighty behold thy Sons and Daughters that from this Hour and Day they may take thee for the Lord their God consecrate themselves entirely and universally unto thy Service improving this and all their remaining Days for every Opportunity to do good and carefully watch against and eschew all Occasions of evil Hence forward to mind nothing but God and the things pertaining to him how they may most please and be accepted with him If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them Yea blessed is he that readeth or they that hear that they may know these VVords and immediately without any Delay keep and observe the things written therein CHAP. III. That Surmise and Imagination is spoken unto whereby some People think that they have so grievously offended God that they dare not come unto him THe second Hindrance which keeps People off and was proposed to be spoken unto in the Beginning of this Book is that some imagine that they have so grievously offended God that they dare not come unto him The first Example of this we have in our Father Adam And the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him where art thou And he said I heard thy Voice in the Garden and I was afraid because I was naked and I hid myself Gen. 3. 9 10. A Consciousness of his Guilt and Disobedience did make him keep off yea and unwilling to approach unto God when he was called Perhaps he thought that God knew not his Transgression but would discern it by some outward Sign when he came somewhat nearer VVhereas God both saw and heard them talking under the Tree in the midst of the Garden and did more clearly discern their Temptation and Sin than he could inquire and be informed afterwards But he came and would examine the matter after the Manner of Men. Both to vindicate his Justice and also to manifest that he yet continued his Grace and Familiarity to our Nature For even in the Curse and Punishment pronounced Mercy is intermixed A most precious Promise is conveyed into what may seem a terrible Sentence It shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Heel Gen. 3. 15. Thus Mercy rejoyceth against Judgment and even overcometh it at last And whereas it is said I will greatly multiply thy Sorrow and thy Conception In Sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the Days of thy Life Vers 16 17. Here also is somewhat released of the pronounced Punishment for God who is sovereign doth not execute in so severe a Degree as his VVords did seem at first to import for though indeed there is Trouble Pain and Sorrow in our coming into and Continuance in this VVorld yet blessed be God it is not altogether so continually grievous as what might have been expected when the VVords first proceeded forth Thus is the Lord merciful and gracious even when he is righteous and just And as his Mercy is over all his VVorks so it comes in as a Balm to mollifie his Vengeance God first calls upon our sinful Parents to shew that he had not quite cast them off and that they should not languish under a perpetual Separation from their Maker He finds out a Method of Reconciliation and Accommodation Tho' withal he ordained them and us a Punishment yet we may truly say the Lord hath punished us less than our Iniquities do deserve Hence we may learn and be encouraged that if we have not heretofore obeyed the Voice of his Commandment yet still we ought to come when he calleth us and it shall not be worse but better for us Thus saith the Lord behold I frame evil against you and devise a Device Return ye now every one from his evil Way and make your Ways and your Doings good And they said there is no Hope but we will walk after our own Devices and we will every one do the Imagination of his evil Heart Jer. 18. 11 12. VVhen People have committed much already their Conscience is accused of Sin and they are sensible how that they are obnoxious to God's VVrath and Punishment and fearing they shall one Day suffer under it they think it the same if they suffer for much as for little and so they fall from one VVickedness to another Nay with some there is a most strange and horrid Imagination as Persecutors and such like who conceiving an Hatred and Enmity against God but dreading withal he will be stronger than they when they come to meet him and therefore they take Advantage in this Time of Trial and Forbearance as it were out of foregoing Revenge to act stubbornly rebelliously and contemptuously against him as eveâ— they can It is written in the Revelations of those who gnawed their Tongues for Pain and blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their Pains and Sores and repented not of their Deeds Rev. 16. 10 11. Some again did give Glory to God for his Judgments The first Sort whilst they were yet in the VVay did provoke him yet more who at length was too hard for them and hath delivered them over unto the Tormentors Like as we have known or heard of some desperate condemned Rebels who might have their Pardon if they would sue and make Supplication for it but they would not through Stubbornness or a pretended Bravery and therefore they did all the Mischief they could before they died
in that Book which we are now required to believe and they are much beyond what Words do express of them Here it is said simply God is good to Israel A plain Assertion but himself will manifest and shew particularly that he is transcendently good to his People both as to what he doth for them at present and what he hath further provided for them Even what the World are apt to esteem less I mean those spiritual Blessings in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus which are in Preparation and Order to those great things to come The sensual Man doth tast and perceive how sweet and desirable it is to gratifie the Flesh which hinders from discerning the things of the Spirit But he that is spiritual doth exceedingly relish the Knowledg and Meditation of the most high and he doth more esteem of the Light of God's Countenance and the Gladness which he puts into the Hearts of his People than what arises from the full Enjoyment of Corn and Wine In a more especial manner God is good to such as are of a clean Heart that is when it is cleansed from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit when it is freed from Sin and Ignorance when it comes out from among the Pots Psal 68. 13. when it is lifted up from the Earth and disintangled from the Affairs of this Life then it doth also clearly know and perceive the Goodness and Loving Kindness of the Lord. Those who were heretofore alienated through wicked Works come to be acquainted with God when once such wicked Works are truly repented of and forsaken Who were by reason of them slavishly afraid but when once they are assured of actual Forgiveness and Pardon then they are in Peace Who were kept off by wrong and false Apprehensions and Prejudices when they know him truly and certainly they find nothing but Loveliness and Excellency in him If they ever came to Repentance they will be really sensible and actually perswaded of thus much at last But why will they not suffer themselves to know and be assured of thus much at first What need of departing away from our God Isa 59. 13. when we might abide well with him all the mean while and if we go away we must return again or be eternally miserable Why should we provoke or make him our Enemy when there is no need of it at all Is he worthy to be sought unto at last and not at first also Though many go astray and return there may be indeed more Joy and Welcom at first yet it will be better with those who continually serve God Neither transgress they at any Time his Commandment or in as few Instances as possible Son thou art ever with me and all that I have is thine Luk. 15. 31. The whole and continued Current of God's Favour is upon these God will proportion his Reward according to Mens Deeds For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels and then he will reward every Man according to his Work Mat. 16. 27. The Labourers in Mat. 20. came all as soon as they were called Neither did they stand idle a Moment longer and so they received equal with those who bore the Burden and Heat of the Day But in this Christian Nation none have that Excuse of not being called or hired For every one in every Place may come to the Knowledge and Service of God as soon as they will It is unnatural to be unmindful of the Rock that begat thee and to forget God that formed thee especially when we more lately sprung up from him and the Sense of him was fresh and perceptible in our tender Years and his new Workmanship So we conclude that it is most acceptable to retain and increase that Knowledge which we had from the beginning to remember and abide continually by the Root from which we spring to be ever mindful that we are Plants of our heavenly Father's planting to be Branches of his Vine to be purged by him and be growing up in him till we bring forth Fruit to derive our Sap and Fatness from him and as we partake thereof from him so to be glad and rejoyce therein to hear of the loving Kindness of the Lord early in the Morning my Soul shall make her Boast thereof and be glad To recount youthly Experiences of divine Favour wherein is to be had more real and lasting Satisfaction than in all the Vanity and Folly of our first Years How sweet is it to recollect Through thee I have been holden up ever since I was born Thou art he that took me out of my Mother 's Womb. My Praise shall continually be of thee and so it hath ever since my Tongue could speak plain or I did conceive the Words which I uttered forth Thou art he with whom I have been acquainted in the Days of old That is no Confinement whose Heart is enlarged and whose Understanding opened to conceive of the great things of God and Eternity Whilst others thought of hungry and insipid Recreations or the short and empty Delights of Sin His Body was at Liberty to go here and there but kept off from what would occasion Weariness and hasten Destruction He did glorifie his God thereby and not make it an Instrument of Sin unto Iniquity He did preserve it in due Health Strength and Sobriety by declining those things which naturally bring on Weakness and Diseases And then by living under the continued Sense and Apprehension of a good God He is just so as a reasonable Creature should be for he can rejoyce in the God of his Salvation Be thankful and take Comfort in the things before him Men may live with the same Content and Freedom under his Government as Subjects under a lawful and an excellent Prince and Children under a good and loving Father God is infinitely and essentially good and also loving to Mankind for he doth actually communicate forth his Benefits unto them That he is so in his own Nature none can deny nor have the least Doubt But is he so as pertaining to us Why we taste and find it so The more any one partakes of the divine Nature and Approaches unto his Likeness he is carried out with the more earnest Desire of doing good to his Brethren and Fellow-Creatures and he actually doth the same according to the Power and Opportunity put into his Hands Now this is a manifest Token of the infinite Goodness of the Godhead because he hath put such a Spirit and Mind into his Servants to do the very same His Goodness doth as much exceed that of the greatest Saint on Earth or of that Person who was ever most beneficial unto the World as the whole Sea doth exceed a single Drop 'T is God who doth manifest and shew forth one Ray of his Goodness and Truth through such an individual Creature and cause him to do whatever he doth Here we are in the Dominion of the Prince of
us than with them who flourish and encrease most in worldly Goods May we not more surely rely upon God's infallible VVord that it shall be well with us than the vain and deceitful Promises of others or our own Imaginations in our own Designs and Enterprizes for we know by experience that we are often beguiled and mistaken as to both but the Lord never said to the House of Jacob Seek ye my face in vain Neither is he wanting as some are apt to doubt to make good his Promises at the present time But they do err in misapprehending of them for the great and precious Promises are yet a far off And now the Divine Goodness is only engaged so far as to give us all things pertaining to Life and Godliness to preserve Health and Strength of Body and he puts Grace and Consolation into the Soul that we may Perform And if we are at any time cast down yet we should not then be so discouraged as to neglect utterly and leave from Duty In the name of God let us go on and take whatever we shall meet withal for the time is short and hasteneth away VVnither we Rejoice or Rejoice not whether we Laugh or Mourn whether we are in good plight and steadfastness of Mind or are heavy and cast down It all goes on and we flie away And whatever is done here it is for Eternity Either it passes into Condemnation or it makes way for Repentance There is one Event to him that Sacrificeth or him that Sacrificeth not and this is found so by daily Experience But the same word of Truth saith That we must appear before the Judgment Seat of Chist to receive for the things we have done whether they be Good or Evil. It is certain that the Lord God of Recompences shall surely requite Jer. 51. 56. And this will much exceed both as to the delightful or tormenting Nature whatever is esteemed so here The Acts are suddenly over and so the Joy or Sorrow of of them is suddenly slipt by And indeed it is strange that a reasonable Creature should be so much concerned as to that fugitive thing of Joy or Sorrow but his care and sollicitation should be to what it tends at last Nothing is so good as to be truly desirable and nothing is so bad but what may be endured And therefore the first is not to be eagerly catched after but to be carefully avoided if it should lead and beguile into Misery and likewise the other may be chosen and submitted unto if it makes for and increases our Crown and Reward I mean as to the Delights and Pleasures of Sin so of the seeming pain and trouble of Duty The first are nevertheless to be abstained from the others to be willingly undertaken if they help unto good in the latter end And tho this may seem harsh and uncouth at first yet it is both Practicable and easie to him who is exercised therein It is thus by custom and continuance and afterwards it grows up into Delight and sincere Satisfaction Notwithstanding all vain fears and surmises anxious care or sinful distrust yet by thus doing he shall have more Happiness yea and be sensible of less Misery even as to this present time than possibly the one can be had or the other avoided by all Irreligion or the pretended wisdom and caution of any Disobedience Much more might be said as to this Point But as the truth may be cleared so again the force and perswasion thereof may be lost by multiplicity of words and therefore it is convenient to add no more upon this particular Head of Discourse especially there having been so much demonstrated in the fore-cited Book of Happiness and as to the several Heads of Good and Evil there treated of so that he who will not perceive nor be convinced by what hath been already said neither would he be perswaded if ten thousand words were more added to the same purpose CHAP. V. Herein sundry Things are written against them who will not be perswaded by nor live according to Words and also against following the Multitude BUT why do I mention this In vain is the Pen of the Writer or the Tongue of the Speaker for some obstinate and stubborn Souls do therefore refuse it They will not be tied and confined to live according to Words either they will be despisers or stubborn not to mind at all or practice just contrary or otherwise Indeed one would admire by what kinds of method Satan's Kingdom doth stand by what slender Threads he holds Men Captive at his will for do but once examin and touch them and they will fall and snap asunder Those Imaginations which he puts into the Hearts of Men and Women and thereby works in them with all deceiveableness yet when they are once known they are presently confuted The falshood and danger of them are so clearly laid open that themselves may see it and so they need not miscarry through all his Delusions if they would but receive the knowledge of the Truth that they might be Saved Amongst the several things which Satan Who deceives the whole World Rev. 12. 9. doth suggest and each Man keeps close in the deep of his Heart That aforementioned is a common and generally received Imagination which they hug and hold fast And to confirm them the more therein they will have a seeming excuse for it because so many go about troubling Christians with Words and there is such a multitude of words in the World such hold it the better way once for all to reject them and not to be limited or confined to live according to Words But they should do well in the first place to consider what it is they thus set at naught and cast off even what they shall not prosper nor be blessed in Their root shall be as rottenness and their blossom shall go up as dust because they have cast away the Law of the Lord of Hosts and despised the word of the holy one of Israel Isa 5. 24. These are the words which they will not be guided by nor give heed unto They refuse obedience and subjection unto Almighty God just like their fore Fathers A stubborn and rebellious Generation that kept not the Covenant of God and refused towalk in his Law Psal 78. 10. They rebelled against the words of God and contemned the Counsel of the most High Psal 107. 111. Now these words of God are contained in Scripture which is his Statute-Book for his government of the World All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. As saith another Apostle For the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of Man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 21. At this the People are so impatient and will not be governed by it which is downright Disobedience and manifest Sin and shall receive a due Punishment thereof for Sin is the transgression
shall fall therein Hos 14. 19. The VVise and Prudent know the difference between vain words Exod. 5. 9. those there were not so tho a Proud Ignorant and Ungodly Pharaoh did call them so and the words of Truth and Duty the VVise and Prudent know the difference between what words pertain to real Instruction and what words are of empty Speculation what serve unto Godliness or tend unto vain Jangling what is good unto the use of Edifying or ministers only unto Idleness and Vanity But Sinners do contrariwise in all these They chuse and are employed in the worse instead of the better And though they make their boast not to regard nor live by Words yet they are acted by Thoughts which Thoughts are made up of Evil and Vanity Falshood and Folly And even all their Thoughts might be uttered and written in Words as themselves know what they think and by what they are guided which they could speak forth or set down and then they become words But if these did appear in like manner how ridiculous and foolish and vain would they be Destroy thou them O God let them fall by their own Counsels Cast them out in the multitude of their Transgressions for they have rebelled against thee Psal 5. 10. Which is accordingly fulfilled for they go on in their own Counsels till they fall and are Destroyed and they are intangled in the multitude of their Transgressions till they actually drop into Punishment and Misery The Holy Ghost calleth them a Rebellious People which walketh in a way that is not good after their own Thoughts Isa 65. 2. This is the Question and Controversie which the Lord hath with the Inhabitants of the Earth whether they shall do according to his revealed Will and Commandment or go after their own Thoughts Indeed they are for the last because it hath a shew of Pride Humour and Conveniency but this is their Reward and utmost they will have for it will never attain to any real and lasting Good And when a single VVorm of the Earth shall prefer and follow his own will against that of the great Lord of the VVorld it doth Provoke the Lord to Anger conninually Isa 65. 3. As if their own Thoughts were better than God's Thoughts They will strive for Masterdom and have their own Imaginations and Sayings above the VVill and Commandment of God This is plain Walking contrary to him to which is threatned that he will bring seven times more Plagues upon them according to thiir Sins Lev. 26. 21. And again it is further added Then I will walk contrary also unto you in Fury and I even I will chastise you seven times for your Sins Verse 28. If ye walk contrary c. Their manner of doing is expressed in the Present Tense For now is the time of their Trial but how God will deal with them is Future for it shall be rendred accordingly As also to prove in the mean while whether they will be reformed from their Sin and Iniquity and do according to his Law Indeed all People do one or the other Either they live according to what is contained or directed in the word God or according to what is thought and Imagined in the Hearts of Men. VVhich as aforesaid might be expressed forth in words so it is near the same thing Or the Men are led by the Temptations and Suggestions of Satan which also as they appear to the Mind in an intelligible manner so they might be spoken forth But none will plead outwardly for them and therefore the Question in short turns upon this Point VVhether we shall go according to Divine or Human VVords for all People High and Low Rich and Poor are guided continually by one or the other VVhich of the twain is our bounden Duty and which is the best and also which is the wisest way for the attainment of Good and Happiness that hath been largely before demonstrated There is Line upin Line Line upon Line Precept upon Precept Precept upon Precept Here a little and there a little Isa 21. 10. throughout the whole Book of God And yet more in quantity and number of words hath been delivered from the Tongue and Pen of his Saints of the several Generations since the World began So much hath been said and done to make this appear unto the ungodly and disobedient in order to restrain them from the Error of their ways that if it was all written as indeed a great deal thereof is I suppose that a Man's whole Life would not suffice to Read it Nay they seem to reject it because of that seeming multitude of words touching this Matter yet themselves go according to their own Thoughts though these are more than what do occurs to their Mind concerning Goodness and Duty They are acted and led by the multitude of their own Thoughts and they do not refuse to go according to them for all their vast number Like Brute Beasts made to be taken and destroyed They follow the Herd not knowing whether they go for they perceive not when they are pressing on to be Killed and Destroyed And there are also to be found too many called Reasonable Creatures who remain altogether as Ignorant when they are in the way to Death and Hell The way of Ungodliness and Sin leads directly to it and yet too many continue therein without fear They have the Multitude and Fashion on their side and they are for doing what the most do especially those of the Richer sort They are for going according to the course of the World though they should be condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11. 32. And they think it good to swim with the Stream not knowing that it tends to the bottomless Pit Satan who deceiveth the whole World Rev. 12. 9. hath found out this device to blind them in his and their own Deceivings so called 2 Pet. 2. 13. For they imagine that they do not Err because they have so many of their side however they shall fare as well as the most and they shall be in the same condition with others according to whom they do in this present World To do as others do is one Thought by which the Men of this World act and it is here expressed forth in words So it is the same principle of Action which they hold unto tho it be not spoken out or written But to do barely as others do without regard had to Good or Evil Duty or Sin to what is Commanded or what is Forbidden is Transgression and Folly now which ends in Punishment and Misery hereafter Alas such do not consider there is a great God over all who now looketh from Heaven upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth and considereth all their Works who hath given a Law for them to live by and he is to judge and render to every Man according to his Deeds If People did consider throughly and would do acccording to the Most they should do according to
all this long Fight and Controversie with the Inhabitants of the Earth wherein the Lord did Fight against them with the Sword of his Mouth even that two edged Sword which is called the Word of God And these Rebels did again fight with him with all their Vngodly deeds which they have Vngodly committed and with all their hard Speeches which ungodly Sinners have spoken against him Jude 15. Yet after all God hath the better and upper Hand Though they did as it were Murder his own Divine Majesty in putting to Death his Prophets Son and Servants God hath raised up his Son already and he will also raise up all them again and bring them along with him Alive to Judgment when When he will tread down his Enemies in his Anger and Trample them in his Fury Isa 63. 3. and He will slay them Luke 19. 27. serving them as they did his Anointed and his Chosen ones Still the Lord liveth and Blessed be my Rock and let the God of my Salvation be Exalted The Psalmist goes on to speak in the Person of Christ who must Reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his Feet It is God that avengeth me and subdueth the People under me He delivereth me from mine Enemies yea thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me Which was eminently fulfilled when those that rose up against him lifted him up upon the Cross and afterwards God lifted him up from the Grave wherein they had put him into the highest Heavens in his Ascension and sitting now at his Right hand where he is now lifted up infinitely above all his Enemies Thou hast delivered me from the violent Man who is as contrary to the Meckness and Gentleness of Christ as a Wolf is to a Lamb. But here God the Everlasting Shepherd who brought again the Lord Jesus from the Dead did deliver and restore this Lamb of God safe again from out of their Mouth after they had taken him and with wicked Hands Crucified him Therefore will I give thanks unto thee O Lord among the Heathen and sing Praise unto thy Name Great deliverance giveth he to his King who in that day in reality and very deed shall be King both of the Jews and also of the Gentiles yea of all the Earth and to his Anointed which is the very Christ to David and to his Seed for evermore By which last word the Son of David is included of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came and also all the Seed and Children whom the Lord hath given him from the Beginning from thenceforth and for evermore in the most Universal comprehensive and extensive Signification throughout all the Earth and to the end of Time from thenceforth throughout all Eternity Which is here so expressed for our Understanding and Apprehension For there is no passing throughout all Eternity for into that is an entrance and in that is a continuance but no going through any part of what is without Succession of days or ending of time but like God himself the Ancient of days abideth continually the same And they sung a new Song saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and open the Seals thereof for thou wast slaâ—n and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall Reign on the Earth Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honour and Glory and Blessing And every Creature which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that is in them heard I saying Blessing and Honour and Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Rev. 5. 9 10 12 13. After this I beheld and lo a great Multitude which no Man could number of all Nationt and Kindred and People and Tongues stood before the Throne and before the Lamb cloathed with white Robes and Palms in their Hands and cried with a loud Voice saying Salvation unto our God which sitteth upon the Throne and to the Lamb Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving and Honour and Power and Might be to our God for ever and ever Amen Rev. 7 9 10 12. FINIS Practical Books Written and Published by Richard Stafford OF Happiness Wherein it is fully and particularly manifested That the greatest Happiness of this Life consisteth in the Fear of God and keeping his Commandments in opposition to the Pleasures of Sin or the pretended conveniency of Disobedience Rules and Directions for the prevention of and Recovery out of Sickness A Discourse against Partial Obedience Or that dangerous Deceit so universal amongst them who call themselves Christians of keeping some of the Commandments of God and neglecting others Some Thoughts of the Life to Come With a brief account of the state of Religion as it 〈◊〉 now in the World The great Benefits of Christ to all that Believe on and Obey him Being a Treatise on Hebrews 2. 15. VVherein it is shewed and made known how People may be freed and delivered from that slavish fear of Death whereby they are subject to Bondage throughout their Life-time And also how they may be saved and preserved from the Evil and Danger of Death when it shall approach nigh and come actually upon them An earnest Call to all the Inhabitants of the Earth to Turn immediately to the Lord their God