Thou tellest my Wandrings put thou my Tears into thy Bottle Are they not in thy Book Psal 56. 8. As he doth take Knowledge of every least Sin and Error so likewise will he make up abundantly to us for all the Sorrow and Hardship we have sustained for him A Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought on his Name Mal. 3. 16. in which is recorded all the Reproaches they endured from the wicked and also every right Work they have done with all the particular Circumstances thereof The Apostle advises Look to your selves that we lose not those things which we have wrought but that we receive a full Reward 2 John 8. So the like Admonition may be given to those who are as yet unconverted and in a State of Sin that they defer not one Moment longer to turn unto the Lord their God For besides the Danger of being cut off in their Sins and the Doubtfulness of gaining God's Favour and Acceptation but if they should obtain yet they deprive themselves of a greater Reward Though the long and habituated Sinner may be saved that is only when he turns from all the Sins which he hath committed and doth that which is lawful and right yet it will be as by Fire that is with Difficulty However he shall suffer Loss That is it would be better for him throughout all Eternity if he had never continued in such a Course of Sin What Fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed Rom. 6. 21. There is no Benefit and Advantage in them So likewise Time slides away such Opportunities are irrevocably lost which might be improved to a blessed Eterntiy So much might be done in the mean while towards building up a Mansion in the Heavens The Foundation may in due time be laid and upon this he may build Gold Silver precious Stones Wood Hay Stubble He may wisely contrive and do the best Works Every Man's Works shall be made manifest for the Day shall declare it 1 Cor. 3. 13. The Light shall shew of what Kind it is and how it hath been wrought all along even when it was in Beginning and so till the Finishing thereof It shall be strictly examined and surveyed as Gold in the Fire which purges away the Dross when the pure Metal remains and appears more excellent If any Man's Work abide which he hath built thereupon he shall receive a Reward 1 Cor. 3. 14. If he hath been employed about enduring things here is another Promise and Confirmation hereof What Need of such abundant Mention and giving so full Assurance concerning a Reward Why have we not a good God who giveth us now all things richly to enjoy May we not do something for him by way of Gratitude and Thankfulness for former Mercies without Expectation of any thing more Where is our Love and Ingenuity that we cannot act by the Principles of an excellent Nature but must be led on by Mercenariness Our Want and imperfection call for something more than we have already But then we should desire somewhat which is worthy It is Narrowness of Spirit and Ignorance of Mind to run so greedily after worldly and present Recompence or to imagine more therein than really is It is base Selfishness to do nothing but for the Sake of Profit in Case we are somewhat sufficient before But seeing that most have not and they must live by Labour and the Blessing and the Promise is For thou shalt eat the Labour of thine Hands happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee Psal 128. 2. there it may be honestly sought after and had In every thing there is Trial What is Man that thou shouldst try him every Moment And nevertheless it is further so ordained that the Servant of God may approve himself therein and yet not be in Necessity of falling There are the Wages of Iniquity and Unrighteousness the Gifts of Satan which are offered and had upon unlawful Means if they will decline from the Law of the most High consent unto some Evil and so fall down and worship the Author thereof Whereas if they would keep their Integrity continue whole and stedfast in his Covenant God hath annexed further unto that a precious Promise and exceeding Reward Who hath first given to him and it shall be recompenced to him again For of him and through him and to him are all things Rom. 11. 35 36. He hath first furnished us with Means and enabled with Power to perform whatever we do He hath given Knowledge Strength Inclination and Impulse It is done by his assisting and working Grace and at his Command and Requiring If I may use such a plain and common Phrase least it should be said God is any thing beholden to his Creatures he doth give them such an overabundunt Requital even before we had done what was our Duty to do And what he is pleased to add further is infinitely-beyond our deserving neither could we have any Expectation thereof unless himself had foretold us By Faith Boasting is excluded for Faith is the Gift of God and also it apprehends things unutterable and so exceeding great that it is no more Vertue and Excellency to receive them than stooping down to the Ground to take up a Diamond or going half a Mile for a Bag of Gold and to have it for our Pains The Prize set befors us doth yet exceed our utmost Endeavour after it So that the having an Eye unto the Recompence of Reward doth quite stop our Mouth and take away all manner of Boasting For it is evident when such exceeding great and precious Promises will scarce move us to Obedience and where they do yet not to perform it continually much less should we have done such as is commanded if we had no Promises at all Even in those things which we think we need not do as in Free-will Offerings and what we would do of our own Accord There is a secret Hope and Expectation that God would take notice thereof And a Thought doth arise at least a Doubt and Staggering whether if we were assured that he would not requite it but yet accept and be well-pleased with it then the Tryal would be whether we would still do the same only out of Love and Thankfulness admitting it would further expose us to present Inconveniences and Trouble Our Nature is either averse or sluggish that we have need of something to conquer and stir us up first to bring us in and then to quicken us in the right way To move us to begin and then to keep us continually in doing Now to him that worketh is the Reward reckoned not of Grace but of Debt Rom. 4. 4. So it is of one Man from another as may be gathered from Vers 2. For if Abraham be justified by Works he hath whereof to glory but not before God If one labours for another he is not beholden to him for Wages
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
have not I do not say could not accomplished and brought to pass How it will be all done suddenly and at an instant by the pouring out of the Spirit upon us from on High may be seen in Page 295. As also that there will be an end of all Wars and of all Persecution is shewed in Page 285 288. which will be a very great Good to Mankind So that the â—…king known these things will tend â—…re to the real Benefit of Man than spending their Money for that which is not Bread and their Labour for that which satisfieth not or consuming so much time in other and vain Things I need not say much more by way of Preface and Introduction But here I shall only add this further That according as God is now pleased to accompany and Seal these Truths with the droppings and distillings of that same Spirit which hereafter he will pour out And according as that self-same Spirit giveth Understanding for it is too common that the Works and Things of God are not understood Psal 106. 7. Acts 7. 25. for these things are Spiritually discerned As also there is a need of a distinguishing Judgment as to discern and know which are the real Truths of God from the Imaginations or Sayings of other meer Humane Writers Again According as the following Words of Truth do approve themselves to the Hearts and Consciences of the Real and Inward see Rom. 2. 29. and not so much to the Nominal and outward Christians And according as Care Endeavour Industry and Diligence are used in the publishing and making them known so accordingly they will meet with Acceptance or Rejection from the World THE CONTENTS CHAP. I. THE Introduction to the following Book Page 1 CHAP. II. Wherein that Proposition is at large discussed That People are not forced and compelled to the Obedience of God but they are left herein to their own Free Choice or Refusal p. 15 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 p. 118 CHAP. IV. Therein it is discoursed of that false Thought in the Hearts of many People That if they should submit Presently unto the Obedience of God they shall be losers and disappointed of so much Pleasure and Conveniency in the mean while They shall miss of so much imagined Happiness and fall into Vexation Trouble and Misery p. 183 CHAP. V. Herein sundry things are written against them who will not be persuaded by nor live according to Words and also against following the Multitude p. 244 CHAP. VI. It is made known in the general from the Scriptures of Truth without any Reflections on Particular Nations or Governments that at length there will be an end of all Wars p. 285 CHAP. VII As also that there will be an end of all manner of Persecuting the Servants of God p. 288 CHAP. VIII Towards the end of Time and in the latter Days All the Inhabitants of the Earth will be turned and brought over unto God Which will be done and accomplished by the Pouring out of the Spirit upon us from on High p. 295 CHAP. IX A Paraphrase on some of the most Remarkable Verses of Psal 18. Shewing the Design and Connexion of that whole Psalm p. 310 Whereunto is subjoyned the shutting up and Conclusion of the whole Book p. 314 Practical Discourses OR AN Earnest Call to all the Inhabitants of the Earth to turn immediately unto the Lord their God As the same is opened and alledged from what is written Psal 18. 43 44 45. Thou hast delivered me from the Strivings of the People thou hast made me the Head of the Heathen A People whom I have not known shall serve me As soon as they hear of me they shall obey me The Strangers shall fade away and be afraid out of their close Places CHAP. I. The Introduction IF all Mankind of all Generations and Countries were now summoned together and there was a Voice that could reach them all as God will at the last Day gather all Nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat and will plead with them there Joel 3. 2. By his own Power and uttering forth his Voice It would be proper to preach and make known these Words unto them But in the mean time he hath shewed the Way and he doth require it of us under the Danger and Penalty of Disobedience that all we should publish the Word Psal 68. 11. which he hath given us as far as we can And he hath so ordered that the still Voice of his Spirit should be sent forth into the Hearts of many People All things are to be done as far as he hath pointed out and put into our Power All we should help whatever we can towards the Furtherance thereof for the Work of the Lord is common and should be the joint Endeavour of all his Servants Ever since the World began and down until this Time and what futher remains on the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence and the violent take it by Force According to our Ability we ought severally to the utmost of yea and beyond our Power to be continually doing the Will of God bring Glory unto his Name to further and carry on with all our Might and Diligence the common Salvation to endeavour by all Means possible yea our selves are to act and suffer an holy Violence that People may be more brought over and added unto the Lord. As God is to be loved with all the Soul and with all the Strength and with all the Heart and with all the Mind So all things we have or can do are to be laid out and resolutely put forth without any more Intermission or Weariness than what is absolutely necessary and requisite in his Service and doing good unto others None are to be idle but as we are warned of so ought we to avoid to our utmost that we fall not under the Doom of the unprofitable Servant For behold I come quickly and my Reward is with me to give to every Man according as his Work shall be Rev. 22. 12. And we having but a short Time might learn this Wisdom from the Serpent to improve this our Time to the utmost Advantage to oppose and destroy his Kingdom to turn People from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God and to recover those that are already taken captive at his Will As he walketh about seeking whom he may devour so is the Will of the most high God that his Servants should run to and fro that knowledge may be increased Dan. 12. 4. that many may be converted and saved And when each Person is converted then he is to strengthen his Brethren and to endeavour what lieth in him that others may be converted also and so on The like Care and Endeavour is to be used and spread abroad that all Men may be saved and come to the
carnal Considerations or worldly Inducements no present Motive nor yet a like Danger and Inconvenience did hinder or excuse with him but he immediately went to Jerusalem Undoubtedly all these did for the best and God was well pleased with them He did accept and reward them more than those who seek out for Excuse and Delay or such who first refuse to hear his Gracious call or if they do at any Time hear or it is made known unto them yet they will not yield unto it The Word of Exhortation stands continually for all People both young and old to hear and read it The Spirit and the Bridegroom say always come There is one knocking at the Door of their Hearts for Admission God is ready at all Times to set up his Kingdom within us his Law is already written in our Heart and inward Parts He sends his Prophets rising up early and sitting down late Who being dead speak yet unto us in their Writings There are constant Dictates of Mind to serve and obey our Maker There are Examples of those who do it in our Age and Circumstances of Life There is hardly a Chapter or Verse throughout the whole Bible but some way or other calls and stirs us up The Scripture is opened and alledged The Word preached in the several Congregations throughout our Land and in all the Nations of the World are a Sermon to us also For we are the same Creatures and stand in the very same Relation to the great God over all as those several Persons who hear such and such Truths with their outward Ears We might also know and hear more than we do and those who hear and understand are to declare it unto us to acquaint their Neighbours and Kinsfolks and they to others So that the Word of God might dwell richly and have free Passage among us There is a sufficient Call and Warning to all People in their several Generations and Ages of Life God now commandeth all Men every where to repent because he hath appointed a Day in the which he will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given Assurance unto all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead Acts 17. 31. As every one knows Christ to be a Saviour so there is the same Notice conveyed that he is to be our Judge And as God shall bring every secret thing into Judgment all the Actions of our Lives for each single Day will be called to account So it will be demanded why such and such did not come when they were called as they sensibly knew by a powerful Conviction over their Spirits when it was inculcated over and over to Day if ye will hear his Voice harden not your Heart When they might have considered more and more and themselves did find that the more they did consider the more they were pressed instantly to close with Christ and therefore they did put off considering their Wayes They might at such an Opportunity have heard God's Word which would have urged them to have turned from their evil Ways and therefore they would not attend to them They might at such a Day and by such Means have learned the Knowledge and Fear of the Lord but they would not His Statutes were laid before them but they would not let the Ears hear which were made to hear nor the Eyes see which were ordained for that End And further when the Thoughts thereof did recur to the Mind they would put them far away When God rises up and enters into Judgment how shall Men answer for such things And whosoever now looketh upon or hears what is written in these Lines and he is convinced of the Truth and Sincerity of them but if he should go away and not comply with the Purport thereof or be willingly ignorant or take no notice for fear he should be brought over unto God more suddenly than he otherwise intended how will he give account to the Judge of all Men for the same Even to that God who knows all his Thoughts and Imaginations concerning this or any other matter who will reprove and set the things he hath done in order before him even from the Time he had the Beginning of the Knowledge of Good and Evil unto the Day of his Death God knows all things but we know not as God knoweth and therefore we are so puzzled and distracted in things pertaining to him He seeth all things in Heaven and Earth and under the Earth at one Sight and knoweth all things to the utmost as they are known But we now see one thing and then another in order and Succession of Time as he shews them unto us Those Things which are more hidden and invisible he reveals them by his Word and Spirit and still we know nothing perfectly and comprehensively And it may be all confined to things pertaining to us Men which is not the Ten Thousandth Part of the things to be known nor yet one Half of what doth immediately relate unto and concern us The Sum and Comprehension of all is to know God and his Law our Duty to him in each particular and when we do vary from it It may be observed that the whole Scripture which is called the Lord's Book may be all reduced to this Besides the natural imprinted Knowledge God is there more discoverd to us by the History of the Creation of the World his Manifestations unto his Servants that worshipped and feared him his wonderful Works that he did from Time to Time the Descriptions given of him in sundry Places and also the Commandments enjoyned to the Sons of Men. The Law was given by Moses unto which he added much Exhortation to the Observance thereof So did David and the Prophets whose Writings were to press People unto Obedience and a Reproof of Transgression Which last was an orderly Declaration of Matter of Fact and according to Truth how People did turn aside from the Commandments delivered unto them It was a Telling of or Declaration unto the House of Jacob their Sins and Transgressions Which was expressed in general or more particular Terms but yet so plainly that every Offender might understand himself was spoken of and called upon for to amend his Doings There is a strong Sense and Obligation upon the Heart of Man to keep the Law of his Creator and he is sensible of as much every Time he is put in Remembrance thereof As on the other hand he is troubled with Shame Regret and Condemnation when he thinks of and more especially when he is told of his Sin and Error This proceeds from the Consciousness of having offended God and from the Fear of his Anger and Judgment A secret Thought doth arise from Ignorance or Unbelief that either God doth not see or not take notice of such evil Deeds and will not require for them But such an one brings their Sin to Remembrance and makes it recorded before God which
In this Case the more usual VVay is to try all Means to obtain a Reprieve or Forgiveness and if that cannot possibly be had then indeed the former Resolution was the more excusable But if it might have been obtained unless for such provoing Attempts or they would use them of set Purpose here it is the very Heighth of Folly and Madness For they wilfully bring upon themselves such Evil and Misery under which they smart only for a slight and sudden Humour which soon passeth away and for which they are condemned by all understanding Men. Thus it is as concerning Offences between Man and Man But yet it is ten Thousand times more unreasonable as to Sins against God For do we provoke the Lord to Jealousie Are we stronger than he If any are perversly resolved against him they will see and feel who will repent of it first God or themselves The Lord will not spare him but then the Anger of the Lord and his Jealousie shall smoak against that Man and all the Curses that are written in this Book shall lie upon him and the Lord shall blot out his Name from under Heaven Deut. 29. 20. All this may be done at this present time even when he knows not or is not sensible thereof But now it would be better if he were sensible of as much because then he might fear and tremble submit and then endeavour to be reconciled unto him in the mean while Lay hold of his Strength and make Peace with him who saith Fury is not in me Isa 27. 4. But if this be neglected what will the poor Creature do when the Anger and Jealousie of the Lord which before did smoak to give VVarning shall burn out with fiery Indignation to consume the Adversaries when all the Curses that are written in this Book and now lie against him shall be actually executed upon him For behold the Day cometh that shall burn as an Oven and all the Proud such as will not submit in the mean while yea and all that do wickedly shall be Stubble and the Day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts that it shall not leave them Root nor Branch Mal. 4. 1. Let them at present he never so great in their own Opinion or many for Number Yet when the Earth and all the Works thereof shall be burnt up they shall be likewise devoured in the general Conflagration What is a single Potsherd to stand before him when he shall sweep away with one Beesome of Destruction all the Generations of the wicked since the World began Thou carriest them away as with a Flood they are as asleep Psal 40. 5. Thus we evidently perceive of those Generations whereof one cometh another goeth and the single Persons flourish and grow up again They are cut down at any Time or wither And in the mean time By thy Wrath are we troubled Vers 7. It is now revealed from Heaven We now and then perceive some Glimpses thereof and we do startle and fear Those who are farthest off and most exempted from this Wrath yet they commonly have most Thought and Apprehension thereof As again to whom it is most due and threatned by reason of their evil Deeds they do what they can to shut out the Sense and Knowledge thereof For otherwise it would press in so hard and close upon them that then they must not continue in Sin Even in those who fence and harden themselves most yet ever and anon a sudden Flash of divine Vengeance darts into their Minds which strikes them with Dread and Horror and by the trembling and Astonishment it gives it doth sufficiently convince there is one mightier than they Our God indeed now keeps Silence and is out of Sight as also he forbears in this Time of Tryal yet he hath declared and made known that he is angry with the wicked every Day Psal 7. 11. who again Day by Day transgress against him For they speak and do those things against God which they dare not do against their fellow-Creature But when Man hath finished his Time of sinning the Number of the Days of Transgression are accomplished and God comes to reckon for them altogether For the Destruction of the Transgressors and of the Sinners shall be together Isa 1. 28. Then whatever he thought or did as concerning this almighty Judge when the things concerning him have an End then the most mad and prophane Wretch that ever trod on the Earth will be forced to take up Julian's Confession and Acknowledgment Vicisti Galilee and in another Sense then the Prophet spake in O Lord thou art stronger than I and hast prevailed Jer. 20. 7. Why thus much may be clearly discerned in the mean while for let Man consider himself or who made him his Flesh is as Grass which grows up towards withering His Breath is in his Nostrils and who breathed it in he can take it out whensoever he will His Strength is confined to such a Degree beyond which he cannot do more His Stature bodily Dimension and every thing he hath is limited to such a Size And certainly he who hath determined him on every Side hath Power over him Who made all Men he can do more to such a single Person than one Man or Thousands can do to another There is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy As he doth good so he can punish He can do both in a greater Degree and more eminent Manner than any of the Sons of Men can do one to another Even to the utmost that we are capable to receive and to endure For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my Ways higher than your Ways and my Thoughts than your Thoughts Isa 55. 9. This is brought in to confirm his Promise of Pardon and Acceptation Vers 7. So again is his Punishment and Requital He can contend and be wroth so long even just till the Spirits shall fail before him and the Souls which he hath made Which also he can uphold and continue yet longer to sustain his Vengeance as long as himself is pleased to inflict the same His Loving Kindness is better than Life for it extends yet further so likewise the Power of his Anger is more to be dreaded than Death for it is even beyond that Upon all Respects God's Displeasure and Punishment doth exceed Man's Displeasure and Punishment and consequently it is more to be feared and more Care ought to be taken that it be avoided The several Actings and Obligations towards God rise greater and higher than to the best and greatest of Men for God is more than all So neither is that Rebellion and Contempt to be used towards him which Men will not admit of from one another God is greater than Man Yea all Nations before him are as the Drop of the Bucket He will keep the Feet of his Saints and the wicked shall be silent in Darkness for by Strength shall no Man prevail
7. In like manner he doth consider all the ways of the wicked and takes in what measure of abomination and evil deserving is therein and also how much is to be allowed unto Satan's Temptation Now the Serpent was more subtle than any Beast of the Field which the Lord God had made Gen. 3. 1. And so he continues still to be more cunning than the children of Eve as they are merely such without the assistances of the Grace and Spirit of God from above and he befools them Now again they might from the Wisdom and Word of God know his devices and so escape yea and frustrate them The Lord looketh down from Heaven upon the children of Men he considereth all their ways and understandeth all their works whither good or evil with whatsoever doth belong to them to reward pardon or punish He now sits above and takes notice of them in order as they are done But he hath reserved to himself the Power and appointed a Day to Judge of all and to distribute unto every one according to his works This is the alone Prerogative of God above which he hath kept in his own power For he alone searcheth the heart and knoweth all things whereas we do only perceive a little in a false and imperfect manner by doubtful report and mistaken observation And then we cannot throughly apprehend a thing wherein many are concerned so that we can give no perfect Judgment and Determination But the Lord will rehearse it when he writeth up his people He hath a Book of all Nations Families and single Persons with the account of time and place they stood here on the Earth as also he notes the things that they have done The Scripture makes frequent mention of this particular summing up of our deeds and that our God doth take regard of them and will bring every secret thing into Judgment even the most hidden passages of our Life Thou hast set our iniquities before thee our secret sins in the light of thy countenance Psal 90. 8. Each single one for why not one as well as another nay every wrong thing and turning aside even our errors and misdeeds which we pass over for Inadvertencies and small Neglects those which we suddenly act and do not much mind our selves Thus much is signified from what is written Who can understand his errors Cleanse thou me from secret faults Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me Then shall I be upright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression Psal 19. 12 13. Here the several degrees and diversities of sin are specified by the words Errors secret Faults presumptuous Sins and the great Transgression A consciousness that God doth even now search us and is acquainted with all our ways and then that we must pass into a strict Examination and Judgment is apt to raise doubtful and despairing thoughts in our mind How strange is it that any People should be heedless and unconcerned about those things whereof they must be called to an account If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquities O Lord who might stand And he might do so if he pleased but then in his sight no man living will be justified For no man hath been so watchful circumspect and inoffensive in his Life and Conversation but hath in several instances transgressed against or despised the Lord his God and as himself hath regret and vexation afterwards as he looks back so he would tremble to have them set in order before him By thy wrath are we troubled Psal 90. 7. And again we are comforted blessed be his Divine Majesty because that same word which speaks of God's Displeasure and Indignation against Sin doth likewise assure us of his Reconciliation and Pardon Thereby is to be seen a mixture of his Justice and Mercy And it is observable That where are expressions even to terrifie and cast down there is somewhat close by said to give hope and comfort and to lift up again where is Reproof and Threatning there either commonly goes before or succeeds presently after an invitation to return and a promise of forgiveness So we have the very same assurance and certainty that God is to be Reconciled unto the World through Jesus Christ either to the multitude in general or to single persons For God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved And he came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance This is as evident and clear as that God was ever angry with the World or with any single Man for his sin and wickedness But this withal is to be considered That if the World will be saved in and through Jesus Christ they must in the mean while submit to his Scepter and Kingdom obey his Laws and observe his Sayings For as heretofore they have not gave heed unto nor been governed by them which hath occasioned his Wrath and sore Displeasure Psal 2. 5. so to avoid that and obtain his mercy and favour they must now do what heretofore they left undone and ought to have done and refrain from what they were forbidden and yet heretofore they did Leave off all manner of Transgression and Disobedience and henceforward perform all Duty and Service Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little Blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2. 12. Submit and be reconciled unto him lest you miss of that Path of Life which he leads in He knows if you despise him and you must take him for a Guide and Saviour to follow him whether soever he goeth For ye were as Sheep going astray but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls 1 Pet. 2. 25. Without this actual Returning and Amendment there is no Salvation and Mercy If men will not do what is first required it is vain to talk of or hope for Pardon and Forgiveness if they will not perform the necessary foregoing Conditions and Qualifications they have no lot nor share in this matter not one good thing doth belong to them not one Iota or Tittle of God's Mercy precious Promises and comfortable Truth is applicable to them until they do indeed begin the work of Repentance God is not their Father nor doth he look with an Eye of Goodness and Compassion upon them till they are indeed returning and coming unto him And indeed when one doth really arise and is coming towards God then our Heavenly Father may see him yet a great way off and go out to meet him Luke 15. 20. Love and Forgiveness are kindled at the very same moment when his resolutions are of going home and these do happily meet together The end of telling People their Transgressing is because many times they are blinded and insensible of them Indeed they may know a little slightly and confusedly but another may
thus as it shall be with him in the things to come Envy thou not the Glory of a Sinner for thou knowest not what shall be his End Neither do thou Pity and be grieved at the poor and low Estate of God's Faithful People for thou dost not discern how Graciously he will be pleased to deal with them at the last When the Lord comes to rehearse up his People and to make Restitution and Dispensation of all things then this Man shall be pronounced Blessed and another Accursed though this last whilst he lived he counted himself an Happy Man and the other's Life was esteemed Madness and his End without Honour Our Reason and Understanding can fetch in things afar off and make them seem all one as if they were near We can conceive of things Future as if they were already Present That as we know we should do and as even then we shall verily and indeed wish we had done That we should so behave our selves in the midst of our Trial as we shall desire we had done when we come to an Account and it shall be rendred to every one according to his Deeds We are upon our Good Behaviour all this mean while And as it was said to Cain immediately before his Wicked Fact so it is told to every one of us before we enter upon the Actions of our Life If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted and if thou dost not well Sin lieth at the door Gen. 4. 7. Accordingly from Time to Time we are to lay hold of every Opportunity for well-doing and as carefully avoid the Occasions of all manner of Evil. This is repeated over again for indeed it had need be as often inculcated as Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy doth repeat over and over again to the Israelites God's Law for them to observe and do it To write the same things over again unto Good Minds is not Grievous but to them it is Safe And though it may seem nauseous and irksome to the Evil and Ungodly so it would be but once to mention what they have no Mind to know and no Heart to do All is comprised in the Observation of God's Law and it is of Absolute and Indispensable Necessity so that it can never be pressed or repeated too much We should have it always in our Remembrance and as it should be written and ingrafted in us so it should stir up and be continually sensible in our Minds that we may know how to act and have wherewithall to answer every Temptation and drawing aside to Evil and also have that which would quicken and actually stir us up unto Good The World makes enquiry and seems to be desirous after Good and when it is pointed out and shewed unto them they will not accept and imbrace it This is not the sort they would have or it is too High and Excellent for them through Ignorance they do not desire it They are for abundance of Corn and Wine or for Carnal and Sensual Pleasure but for the Light of God's Countenance for that Gladness he puts into the Heart for Spiritual Joy and Eternal Peace These things the Worldly Man knoweth not neither doth he apprehend the just Worth and Excellency in them But a little outward Mirth in the midst whereof the Heart is Sorrowful or sudden Flashes of Rejoycing which end in Darkness this is what he doth catch and seek after A Thousand or Ten thousand repeated Acts of this Nature do not make up the True Happiness for each is unsatisfactory at the very time it is interrupted and all determined at last In Truth None is to be blamed for endeavouring to make his Life as Comfortable as he can for passing on these few and evil Days of his Pilgrimage with the lesser Trouble and Sorrow But in the mean while great Heed and Care should be taken as to the Means whither Sinful or not and so whither several parts of Duty are not left undone upon this Pretext If we do fulfil all Righteousness and walk in all the Commandments of the Lord Blameless If we do take heed to our ways that we Offend or Sin not in God's Name let us rejoyce our selves as much as we will If we Sanctifie the days of our Feasting and use our utmost Watchfulness and Circumspection that we Sin not nor Curse God in our Hearts Job 1. 5. because he doth not allow it to be so with us always then we are to Praise our God and we may give way unto Honest Mirth and Cheerfulness And so in the other extream Condition If in Cold and Nakedness Hunger and Thirst we can Bless our God and be contented let us trust him further whither he will not bring us to True and Enduring Happiness Whilst others are busied and conversant only about the Present let us look out to the End Nay Let us secure that and then let the Present take care for the things of it self Shall we make it an Article or Doubt Whither we shall immediately set upon the keeping of God's Commandments for fear of losing so much Pleasure and Ease in the mean while and subjecting our selves to Pain and Irksomness Know we not that if it were so our God will abundantly make up for all by his Recompence at the last as he doth give an Earnest by the Sweetness and Comfort we perceive even now For if we consider that Approbation of Mind that strong Consolation and lively Hope and take in one thing with another we have more Good now than possibly could be attained by any Variation or Disobedience It is both agreeable and satisfactory to our Nature if we reflect upon it according to Truth and without its Corruption for God who made us and knoweth our Frame hath fitted his Laws and Commandments accordingly What the Apostle saith I had not known Sin but by the Law for I had not known Lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not Covet Rom. 7. 7. So in not a much unlike manner it may be applied That if we did throughly know the very Nature of Sin and Lust we should not so much give way or consent unto either for that which led our Forefathers into the Transgression is the same that doth entice us at this very day The Woman saw that the Tree was good for Food and that it was pleasant to the Eyes and a Tree to be desired to make one Wise Gen. 3. 6. Here was an Imagination of Good Pleasure and of bettering ones present State and this prevailed to yield unto the Temptation Now if more of each sort of all these three were to be had by keeping within that Station and Bounds God hath set then a meer Selfish and Wise Man knoweth what he hath to do Nay there is each of this sort to be had in the other Trees of the Garden God hath already sufficiently provided for the well-being of Mankind in the lawful use of those things he hath given and it is
it is now supposed in the days of his Flesh then indeed it is vain to go into the Sanctuary and it is no profit to walk Mournfully before the Lord of Hosts and constantly to keep his Ordinances according to the surmise of the Prophane Sinners in Mal. 3. But surely his Word and Promise those many immutable things in which it is impossible for God to Lie for the Reward to those who diligently seek and serve him all these may be more surely trusted unto than what is only imagined in the vain false and wicked Minds of Men. This may be sensibly perceived as a manifest token and forerunner of a greater loss that their Ungodliness at this present time comes to nothing at all It hath a regret at the several times it is practiced which is more bitter than the imagined tediousness of Religious Duty and they do again falsly hope that it will be passed over in Forgetfulness or Excuse A Book of Remembrance is written Mal. 3. 18. That it may be discerned between them who serve God and who serve him not And so between those wha do it more or less with the several Circumstances belonging thereunto Though there is now the same Event to him that Sacrificeth or Sacrificeth not yet the Judge of all the Earth shall do Right Though a Sinner doth Evil an hundred times and his days be prolonged yet surely I know it shall be well with them which fear God which fear before him Eccles 8. 12. In that day there is none but would be of the Lord's Jewels if they might and they would be willingly spared by him as a Man spareth his own Son that Serveth him But then they must endeavour to please and find acceptance with him in the mean while for if there should never so much be done in things pertaining to God and he should not like nor accept thereof it profiteth nothing As again if he is well pleased with our Sacrifices and Works we have the utmost that we can desire on this side of Heaven for we have the earnest and assured hope of his Favour and Reward That we may not Serve him with Doubt and Ignorance we are to take heed that We do all things according to the Pattern in his Word As Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle for see saith he that thou make all things according to the Pattern shewed to thee in the Mount Heb. 8. 5. For this is according to his express Command and also it is agreeable to the Duty of a Son or Servant to do according as it is Commanded and directed unto him or they know assuredly such the continual Employment which their Father or Master would have them to do But when Men choose their own ways Isa 66. 3. it is in God's Sight and Estimation as Cutting off a Dogs Neck or as Offering Swines Blood which is an Abomination and doth displease him yet more Or if they do a great multitude of meer Acts of outward Religion yet when these Works come to be examined of what sort they are instead of a Commendation and Reward it may be demanded of them Who hath required this at your Hand to tread my Courts Isa 1. 12. 'T is not the Much speaking of the Heathen nor yet The Superstition of Jew or Papist nor those several kinds of Worship to the One God or Many that are observed by the several Nations of the World which makes God to hear or accept thereof But known unto God are the Works of all Men and it is left unto him how he will be pleased to deal with them accordingly As Bodily Exercise profiteth nothing so outward Services are little available but the Heart is that which God looks unto and with what Mind they are done It must be with an intention to please him and to please him only Thereby shutting out all Custom and Conformity to the World Rom. 12. 2. Unless before they are agreed in a Right thing In things pertaining to God no respect must be had unto Men For God will not give his Glory unto another nor any part of his Worship to Men of the same Likeness with our selves And yet how common is it in the World to do thus and thus in Religion because those which have the Reputation of Great Learned and wise Men do the fame Whereas we do not understand nor consider throughly that these have provoked God to Jealousie and Displeasure with their Inventions and now he suffers them to err from the right way For seeing they were not contented with that Rule which God had given them but despised it for the seeming plainness and Simplicity thereof And they would find out something which should seem outwardly more Wise and make a greater shew than a true and Spiritual Worship doth It pleased God to let a poor and mean People Serve him and be Saved after this manner but the others are left still to go on in their own ways in which they mistake and Perish God is the same still His Thoughts are not as our Thoughts He hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confoudd the Wise and God hath chosen the Weak things of the World to confound the things which are Mighty and Base things of the World and things which I are Despised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to naught things that are That no Fleshk should glory in his Presence 1 Cor. 27 28 29. See that whole Chapter Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath and behold every one that is Proud and abase him Job 40. 11. That he may cut off all occasion of Boasting There is no obliging of God with any thing exabundant or with doing more than is commanded for we have all sinned and come short of that nor yet should we presume to do besides what is required for he doth disown and is displeased with all that Any thing that savours the least of Pride is an Abomination to God and so what would make any pretence to Merit or deserving all this is rejected by him Man was at first the work of God's own Hands Yet I had planted thee a noble Vine wholly a right Seed How then art thou turned into the Degenerate Plant of a strange Vine unto me Jer. 2. 21. For since that every Imagination of the Thoughts of his Heart was only Evil continually Gen. 6. 5. Man hath been so universally Corrupt throughout that till he is Renewed again after the Image of him who Created him which in Righteousness and true Holiness he stands not only distinguished from but as it were in perfect contrariety unto God Said our Saviour to one of his Disciples Get thee behind me Satan thou art an Offence unto me for thou Savourest not the things that be of God but those that be of Men Matt. 16. 23. As if the things which did savour of Men were a Stink and evil Smell and a Smoak in his Nose
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