THE Doctrine of the Cross OR THE DUTY OF Christian Suffering As it is Necessary and Subservient in order to the Obtaining Eternal Salvation Delivered in a SERMON on Matth. 13. 20 21. By RICHARD STAFFORD Ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations and I appoint unto you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me Luk. 22. 18 19. Confirming the Souls of the Disciples and exhorting them to continue in the Faith and that we must through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God Acts 14. 22. Causa non Poena facit Martyrem Cyprian LONDON Printed in the Year 1697. ADVERTISEMENT THese are to give Notice That I have several other Practical Sermons or Discourses of mine own Composing which contain many Precious Truths lying by me in Manuscript Which if they who have the Plenty or Competency of this World would be ready to distribute and willing to contribute towards the outward Labour and Charge of the Printing and publishing of them it would be for the Glory of God and for the Edification and Benefit of his Church and people and consequently it would be a good Work in such persons who shall be helpful and any ways assistant herein for which same they would be Rewarded by God in the Life that is to come Charge them that are rich in this world that they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on Eternal Life 1 Tim. 6. 17 18 19. This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain Good Works these things are good and profitable unto men Titus 3. 8. TO THE READER WHilst I was in the course of my Ministry as if I had spoken Prophetically or rather by way of anticipation on the Lords day foregoing I had Occasion to mention how that when Eldad and Medad did Prophesie in the camp Joshua the Son of Nun the servant of Moses one of his young Men answered and said my Lord Moses forbid them I did thereupon Remark in these very words Those who now a days get their living by the Trade of Preaching do think and talk after the like manner it is Pity such an one should be suffered the Justices of the Peace and civil Magistrates should forbid him which Temper and Disposition is coutrary unto that of Moses and of Paul in Numbers 11. 28 29. Phil. 1. 15 16 17 18. 19. and it seems to have been literally fulfilled in the same following week for as I have good Reasons to believe and understand that he was put in mind and Instigated so to do by some of the outward and wordly Priesthood for there is also a wordly Sanctuary Heb. 9. 1. and a wordly kind of Religion at this day Behold there came a sudden and Vnexpected order from the chief Man of the Parish to the owner of the House wherein I Preached forbidding my Preaching or Prophesying any more in that place But when I told my hearers thereof I said and promised that for my part I would fear no more nor be dismayed nor be lacking Jer. 23. 4. But if he had continued in forbidding which Blessed be God for changing his heart he did not I would have came to the House nevertheless at the time appointed and there have appeared in Person for a sign and witness Expecting whither only two or three would have came to enquire whither the Word of the Lord was Preached there or not And if any one besides would have lent a Room elsewhere or if any People would have stood by as Jesus sat on the Well Joh. 4. 6. and did there talk the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God with the woman of Samaria And as it shall be said in the day of Judgment that He taught in our streets Luk. 13. 26. which was either when the People would not admit him or Ministers into their Houses for Christ teaches by his Ministers at this day or perhaps they did choose to Teach in the streets on Purpose for the more Publick manner and Notification thereof that it might turn to them for a Testimony Luk. 21. 13. and for the sake of commonly a Greater concourse of People Or as Paul went to the Sea shore where Prayer used to be made and several resorted unto him and there he sat down and spoke unto the People Even so I had thought purposed and resolved within my self in some place or other or some way or other even in the most orderly manner as the necessity of such a case would have permitted to read out of my written Roll. Jer. 36. 6. from whence note that Reading of Sermons is both lawfull and acceptable with God and also to haue spoken without book such words as the Lord and his Spirit had put into my Mouth and furnished me withall And though what doth exceed common Apprehension or what is somewhat unusual is Esteemed by the mixt Multitude and Generality of People for Madness or Crasiness which would have con firmed the Reproach that hath been so common in the Mouths of many People and perhaps some of mine Adversaries would have been glad of my shewing such an occasion thereof yet this is to think and talk after the manner of Men for notwithstanding that Reproach yet what is exactly according to the method of God and the Scriptures of Truth in such a case I ought to have done it nevertheless and to have left the Issue and Event to God who would have rehearsed up the same and have rolled off that Rebuke from his Servant and Minister in the day when he writeth up the people It is a certain rule and always to be observed that when we are in the way of Duty we ought in no wise to leave that undone Out of fear of the Reproach of Men and in being afraid of their revilings Isa 51. 7. or for their several kind of sayings let them be what they will But the Proof and Tryal of this did not come so far for as Jacob said to Laban God hath seen mine Affliction and the labour of mine hands and Rebuked thee yester night Gen. 31. 42. so altho' he did send such an order perhaps in a fit of Passion the wrath of Man worketh not the Righteousness of God yet probably upon second thoughts and consideration of the exceeding Peril and Danger of hindering the word of the Lord it being no less then shuting out of Heaven in as much as God will not suffer them to Reign with him in Glory who would not have him reign over them here on Earth by his word and those whom He ordains and appoints for the Preaching and Ministration thereof for indeed unless I was sent and ordained by God I could no more Preach nor yet make and compose Sermons then I can
more to the Peace of my Conscience that when I have been at my Father's Table I do on purpose here relate and make known what Lord hath done for my Soul And he hath put a new Song in my mouth even praises unto our Lord Many shall see it and fear and trust in the Lord. Psal 40. 23. That they who shall hear or read this may learn and remember from such a poor and mean Example as now writeth this whom God hath carried through and preserved all along He brought me also out of an horrible Pit where in a Litteral sense Men did ride and trample over mine Head and out of the miâ—ry Clay although the deliverance is not yet through and perfect for I hope that he will set my feet upon a Rock and establish my Goings But this I do the more willingly rehearse to encourage others to have Faith in God and to trust in God as they are serving him faithfully and truly in that Work he hath sent them here on Earth for to do The Sixth Chapter of Daniel throughout is mighty full pertinent and express to this purpose where the Devil had a mind to raise Persecution against Daniel Which the Great God over all suffered to prove his Servant And thereupon Satan frames a Device to affrighten Daniel from praying unto God by threatning him with the Lions Den. But when Daniel knew that the Writing was signed he went into his House and his window being open in his Chamber towards Jerusalem One would think he might have shut it then and Prayed softly to himself and lock'd his Chamber door that none should see or hear him to give the least Information But Boldness and Trust and the Fear of God made him to do thus For it is here Recorded He kneeled down upon his Knees three times a day and Prayed and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime Ver. 10. Well what is the Consequent hereof He is put in the Lions Den yea and taken out of it again alive safe and sound The Text going going on to add in an observable manner So Daniel was taken out of the Lions Den and no manner of hurt was found upon him because he believed on his God Ver. 23. Mark and remember the reason hereof for it is worthy to be written in Letters of Gold BECAVSE HE BELIEVED ON HIS GOD. The Promises of present Comfort Stay and Support and also of the future Recompence are so full and many throughout the whole Book of God which are annexed to the sustaining any Loss or Suffering for his sake his Word and Worship that we may be perswaded of them and embrace them yea and act accordingly if all along we do according to the revealed Will of God and we see to it that our matters are good and right Sam. 15. 3. so that if we fall into them and thus come in for Sharers and Partakers both of the present and future Benefits which God that cannot lye hath promised to them that Suffer or are Persecuted for his sake his Name or Word In all this and the like the Spirit of God and of Glory resteth on us and let us not be ashamed but let us glorifie God on this behalf 1 Pet. 4. 16. Sirs Mistake not nor yet deceive your selves The way to Heaven is the very same as it was in the Days of Old or antient Times No Cross no Crown no reigning with God hereafter unless we Suffer for him here The Scripture is express to this Purpose But if ye be without Chastisement whereof all are Partakers then are ye Bastards and not Sons Heb. 12. 8. Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution 2 Tim. 3. 12. Whosever even in these days will strictly and universally observe all his Laws and Directions who is fully resolved to keep a good Conscience in all things Who will reprove Sin in his Brethren and Neighbours according to what is commanded in Levit. 19. 17. and do this indefinitely without Respect of Persons not thinking that rich People sin more excuseably than others nor yet are they allowed to transgress but they ought to obey the Word of God all one as the Poor yea and reprove them sharply Not mincing or softning the Matter as the Reproof of old Eli was to his Sons for which the Holy Ghost saith He restrained them not But whosoever is zealous for his God and will approve him to himself only and not as unto Men such even in our hypocritical Times shall endure Persecution or Reproach and other worldly Losses and Inconveniences But as for those that seem to be Religious and make a fair shew in the Flesh who may observe some of the Laws and Directions of Christ but not all of them and who are for keeping a good Conscience in some things but not in all things who are for pleasing and flattering rich People and walk according to the course of this World and in the way of the Multitude and they are of that Pharisaical Temper as to justify themselves before men Luk. 16. 15. and they make it their Chiefest care to seem outwardly Religious and Righteous such indeed and the like may as the false Prophets were of old to whom a wo was pronounced for this Reason Be well spoken of by all men or at least by the Generality of the world although they will not be well thought of by the Saints of the most High for these know and discern their Hypocrisie and partial Goodness The reason why the several Churches and the People of different Perswasions at this day have external Rest and free Liberty of outward worship is because they consent and partake with other Men's Sins and because they do not stand up and are zealous for all the Commandments of God But if they once did thus or if they did but once begin to Reprove Spiritual wickedness Sin Iniquity Transgression and Hypocrisie in High Places the Devil would quickly go out again to make war with them which keep the Commandments of God Rev. 12. 17. And he would raise Strife Opposition and Persecution against them For the nature of that Infernal Spirit is not changed nor doth cease at this day noâ— yet hath God ty'd him up as appears by those manifold Transgressions and mighty Sins which are now done abroad in the world It is reported of Ambrose who was a Saint and Servant of God in his Generation that in his journeying he came to an Inn where calling for the Inn-keeper and beginning to discourse with him by the way the Talk of people was then more Divine serious and edifying than it is now a days when the Inn-keeper told him he had never any Affliction in his Life Ambrose thereupon immediately remov'd his Quarters from that House concluding within himself that such an one was no good Man nor yet had the favour of God He judged otherwise than the world judgeth now for they would look upon this
to much more than Vanity with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak Psal 12. 2. in the Margent there for a double heart is an heart and an heart That is one heart in one sort of Company and another in another But what doth all this tend unto Or what will be the hurt and ill consequent of it It is so much Sin in the mean while and will be punishment hereafter according to what the Spirit of Truth saith The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaketh proud things Ver. 3. As it was said the more any one knows of God and the more like any one is unto God the less regard he hath to Man So this stands upon Reason for the Less must give way unto and be swallowed up by the Greater One that is afraid of the roaring and devouring of a Lion is not altogether so much afraid of the humming of a Stinging Bee And so one who is afraid to stand in the Mouth of and then to hear the Report of a Cannon loaden with Powder and deadly Bullet yet he is not altogether so much afraid of a Popgun Even so it is here should not his Excellency make us afraid Should not the infinitely exceeding Greatness of God over Man make us much more fear God than Man and so accordingly all they do as much fear him proportionably who know and apprehend him by Faith But say what thou wilt on this Subject here is one Objection against it still for it is evident that the Generality of People fear Man more than God because the Punishment of Man is present and sensible but the wrath of God is future and invisible Indeed the wrath of God in this Life is intelligible and a little sensible and perceivable but people do make a shift to harden and render themselves insensate against it Nevertheless consider the thing throughly take the wrath of God as it will be in the length severity and duration thereof and then it is as much more to be feared than the Wrath and Displeasure of Man whose Fury soon vanisheth into nothing and the utmost he can do is to kill the Body which is only to break the Husk or Shell but not to touch the Man himself as the vast Fabrick of the World doth exceed in Dimension the Bulk of one single Man When the Soul shall depart from the Body then the judgment written Psal 149. 9. to be executed the vials of wrath will be then poured out Then is it that the Souls of the Sinners and of the Guilty will have a more terrible and lasting apprehension of the dreadful Majesty and Presence of God in coming near to them in judgment Mal. 3. 5. and Punishment than the Israelites had of the appearance of his Angel on Mount Sinai or as the consternation and fear we are now in amidst the most dreadful Thunder and Lightining in an horrible Tempest or Earthquake For then the Soul will be Magor missabib Terrour round about all shivering and exceeding trembling and quaking when also the tormenting Passions shall be stretched out to the utmost and she will fear as much as is posible to fear What shall I say more Even this The more we fear God in this Life the less we shall slavishly fear him in that which is to come with that kind of fear which gendreth Bondage which only will be the Portion of the Sinners Wicked and Ungodly Vpon whom he shall rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest This shall be the portion of their Cup. Psal 12 6. And we cannot fear God greatly in this Life as Obadiah did That is above and more than all things besides unless we know and apprehend him by Faith And this is the victory that overcometh the World even your faith 1 John 5. 4. This is the very Reason why some Elect People The Lord add unto them how few soever they be an hundred fold do fear God more than Man even their Faith for such believe that he is the Great Law-giver able to save and to destroy that as he doth good so he can punish That he can and also will where he hath threatned so inflict worse and more terrible and evil things than what Man now doth in his utmost rage and malice But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear Fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into Hell Yea I say unto you fear him So I say again and testify the same over and over fear God more and fear Man less and then ye will not be of that kind of Hearers who when Affliction on Persecution ariseth for the Words sake immediately they are offended Which Temper and Disposition the Lord having shewed unto me by his Spirit that most People are of accordingly he hath directed and put the foregoing Words into my Mouth to fill and make up what is yet lacking and wanting in them even the inward qualifications of Boldness and Trust on God the Spirit of Knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Let therefore the Spirit of the Lord rest upon us and let himself give unto us the Spirit of Wisdom and Vnderstanding whereby we shall be enabled to trust on him the Spirit of Counsel and of might therein is included Courage and Boldness the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Repent and do the first Works that none of those things afore-spoken of be found wanting in ye lest your Souls be not set in order before ye die and they go out of these Bodies as to which the time approacheth near and is just at hand As for my part rather than go out all my Days in a course of Perfunctory outward Worship or Worldly Prosperity I had rather be ranked among the number of those to whom Christ shall say at the last Day Ye are they which have continued with me in my Temptations and I appoint to you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed to me Luke 22. 28 29. And I would to God that your Minds have been worked into such a good and resolved frame by the things that have been spoken unto you out of the Book of the Lord that ye will also avouch your selves unto Christ who is the word so that he who doth it for the Words sake doth it for Christ's sake Lord I am ready to go with thee both into Prison and to Death Ver. 33. And then there is assured and well-grounded Hope if this firm constant mind be in you for Peter who said and boasted this his Faith did fail and himself did flag and deny when it came to an upshot and Trial that such Men and Women who are willing to continue with Christ in his Temptations it is said in the Plural Number for the manifold kind of them will inherit the Kingdom which he hath appointed It is better if the will of God be to suffer it so far to die in a Prison upon a Bed of Straw and from thence go to Heaven than to be cloathed in Purple and Fine Linnen and to fare sumptuously every day Luke 16. 19. or to die on a Damask Bed in a Palace and to go to Hell FINIS