Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	according_a	heart_n	lord_n	1,002	5	3.6719	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93755	A sermon on I Chron. 29, 18 and now published, because of the exceeding usefulness of this subject, unto all Christians of every perswasion or denomination whatsoever ... : wherein also is shewed what it is to teach for hire, and divine for money, and that objection is answered, which some do frame ... against that maintenance ... which true gospel ministers ought to have in these dayes under that dispensation / by Richard Stafford.	Stafford, Richard, 1663-1703.	1697 (1697)	Wing S5132; ESTC R42863	20,007	24

as they By chance drop in to hear the word Preached with Authority and Life an inclination to accept of Gods terms to Arise and be Saved Yea whatever least good in their Mind towards the Lord God at any time doth appear forth Either by Word or Act on or such like here again as it is said Take with you Words and turn to the Lord and say unto him H●s 14 2 so this very same form of sound Words may be here fitly and appositely used O Lord God of Abraham Is ac and of Is ael our Fathers keep this for ever in the Imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy People and prepare their hearts unto thee So prepare their heart that those Strangers and Unconverted may at length be Actually brought over unto God As I have acquainted ye with the Reason of my choosing this Text so by what hath been hitherto opened and explained concerning the drift and design of our intended Discourse thereon ye may know and perceive the usefulness of this Subject for in the order and course of my Ministery I would only insist upon Useful Subjects which doe come within those three Ends of Preaching or Propheysing 1 Cor. 14 3 The Apostle Paul there Writes of speaking unto Men to Edification and Exhortation and Com o t for in the sequel and connexion of this our Sermon it may appear that if the things of God and of his Kingdom are kept for ever in the Imagination of the Thoughts of the heart of thy People they will be Edified yea and Exhorted to what Even to what is expressed in the following Verse To keep thy Commandments thy Testimonies and thy Statutes and to do all these things 1 Chron. 29 v. 19. Which God hath made known in his Revealed Word and as these things are alwayes kept in the heart and done accordingly there will be comfort to the Man or Woman who doth so which comfort if it be true and sound and well grounded as here it is it is a precious Sign Token and fore runner of Eternal Salvation Happiness and Blessedness These Words O Lord Ged of Abraham c. Are part of David's Prayer and Thanksgiving when Himself and the People offered willingly towards the Building of the Temple as you may find by reading over this whole Chapter of the 1 Chron 29. which shewed forth a Good Mind and a good Work towards God It is saidinthe verse immediately foregoing the Text I know also my God that thou triest the heart and hast Pleasure in Vprightness As for me in the Vprightness of my heart Sirs this is most excellent Divinity and carries along with it excellent matter of Instruction for ye I have willingly offered all these things and now I have seen with joy thy People which are present here to offer willingly unto thee This same Phrase of Offering willingly is repeated over no less then five or six times in this chapter Whereby is shewn forth that exceeding stress the Holy Ghost which acquaints us with the Mind and Will of God doth lay thereon and how it is delighted therewith Hereby also we are taught and Instructed that whatever we do in the worship Service and Work of the Lord We should be sure to doe it all Willingly In the Worship of God or Hearing his Word or waiting on him in his Ordinances we are to perform it willingly This is contrary to those in Amos 8 v. 5. Who say When will the new Moon be gone that we may sell Corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth Wheat And who said also Behold what a weariness is it Mal. 1 v. 13. Unto whom the Worship of God is in Nature of a task or drudgery and they complain of the length and tediousness thereof because themselves find no delight therein through their own Unsanctified and Unrenewed Natures And when they come to it it is as it were of necessity for they think of God as an hard Master who hath rigorously and peremptorily imposed it and they use it to Preserve their Souls as they imagine from Hell fire This is the manner of the wordly Worshippers and of the Multitude who go to the Church or Congregations according to custom or just to pacify and satisfie Natural Conscience But there is another Mind far different from this in the true Saints and servants of the Lord. Thy People shall be willing in the day of thy Power Psal 110 v. 3. And so they are willing in the day of his Grace and forbearance What they do in Order to God either in acts of Worship or other things They doe it not Grudgingly or of Necessity and as it were a forced business but willingly and with all their heart My heart is towards the Governours of Israel that offered themselves willingly among the People Bless ye the Lord Judges 5 v. 9. The same Rule holds of all the Duties and things pertaining to God and Religion as of Alms-giving Every Man shall Give as he is able according to the Blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee Deut. 16. v. 17. Every Man according as he He purposeth in his heart so let him give not Grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful or willing Giver 2. Cor. 9. 7. And so God loves a cheerful Worshipper God loves a cheerful and willing Servant Thou shalt rejoyce before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Deut. 12. v. 18. Thou shalt serve the Lord thy God with joyfulness of heart for the abundance or Sufficiency of things which he gives thee So that not only the Chapter out of which we have taken the Text but also the Paralel places of Scripture doe confirm the same Word that People should offer themselves willingly to the Service of the Lord. Remember and carry away with you this Adverb willingly And so they should come willingly to the place of Hearing his Word I have oftentimes thought that if I had a settled Congregation of mine own in a great and Populous City the Lord grant and Effect this my Desire notwithstanding there are many Adversaries I would cause these Words to be written in Great Capital Letters at the door of the Assembly He that hath Ears to hear let him hear Which doth also imply that he that will not may stay away Because that every thing in Order to God or pertaining to Religion should be free and willing and people should perform it of their own Accord of a Voluntary Motion of their own for this have I learned and found from out of the Scriptures of Truth that with such kind of Sacrifice or Worship God is well pleased and also he is Glorifi'd therein The Jews did Offer willingly towards the Building of the Temple but now we are told under the Gospel that the most High dwelleth not in Temples made with Hands as saith the Prophet Heaven is my Throne and Earth is my Footstool Acts. 7. v. 47. For where

ever two or three are Gathered together in his Name God is the midst of them and he is served acceptably equally and all one upon the Sea-shore or in an open Field or in the Room of an House as what is called Churches or Steeple-Houses notwithstanding the contradiction of Ignorant Zealots herein who in this retain that relick and remainder of that Popish Maxim Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion for they doe not love that whom they Ignorantly Worship should be declared unto them nor what they are Ignorantly zealous for That the Truth hereof should be laid open and Manifest unto them For as Christ according to the Flesh was laid in the Manger of a Stable so his Word is often more Simply and Purely Preached in places that seem mean to the outward Eye then in finer Buildings Though here to pursue the like Reasoning with that of David Lo I dwell in an House of Ceder but the Ark of God dwelleth with in Curtains 2. Sam. 7. v. 2. So I can in no wise approve of in my Mind I speak here after my judgment and also I think according to the Spirit of God That where some of the Substantial and Rich People have dwelling House and Rooms of their own altogether or Sufficiently large for the number of People that they should save and prefer the●● it may be for Entertainments and making provision for the flesh and in the mean while suffer the Word of the Mi●● High God to be Preached in an Old and Rotten Barn 〈◊〉 profess seriously that when I have seen this it hath been matter of secret Indignation and vexation to me for 〈◊〉 would have nothing done on this Earth by the Inhebitants thereof which should in the least savour or make shew of Enmity against or despising of the Great and I●●●sible God whose Word is there Preached and whose Worship is there used I do again speak after my Judgment i● would seem better if the Members of the Respectve Congregations did offer willingly to make the place just decen● without Sumptuousness on the one hand or Sordid meaness on the other It was a good Mind and Resolution when David said unto Araunah Nay but I will surely it buy of thee at a pria neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God 〈◊〉 that which hath cost me nothing 2. Sam. 24. v. 24. A● the same should be drawn forth into Example and Imitatio● by the other Saints and Servants of God they should in 〈◊〉 wise content themselves to serve God with a Religion which hath cost them nothing I say and I will prove it 〈◊〉 our of the Scriptures of Truth that even day labourers 〈◊〉 Vine-dressers yea the poorest and meanest of the People should no wise content themselves to serve God with a Rel●gion which cost them nothing Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth Eph. 4. 28. From hence it appears that those in the Ordinary and most mean Employments are to dispose and Give in Alms what is more then satisfieth themselves Even this Command extends to those who were so Poor as they before were forced to steal to serve their own necessities And so from the Reason of that General and Indefinite Command to all People Thou shalt not appear Empty before the Lord thy God and in their Offerings every one was to do according to their several Ability They that could not goe to the Price of a Lamb were to give a Turtle or two young Pigeons and by what is said in the Gospel of her that cast in two mites into the Treasury which makes a farthing from the like and same proportion and Analogy of things It may be surely gathered That the Lord doth require and Expect that All High and Low Rich and Poor who serve him should Minister somewhat unto him of their Substance and should serve him with that which costs them something whither it be a farthing Penny twelve pence or more Each Person according to his Ability Whatever is more then the necessity and conveniency of his Family should be cast into the Offerings of God to be distributed or expended towards the Place where his Worship is called on for the maintenance of his Ministers for the relief of his Poor Saints and Servants for Good works as is the Publishing or Propogation of his Eternal Truth or such like It is Observable that though the Apostle Paul did Breach the Gospel freely in divers places and he saith himself He robbed other Churches taking wages of them to do you service 2. Cor. 11. 8. Yet he all a long speaks and pleads for the lawfulness and justifiableness to accept of and receive the free Offerings of Christian People for his Preaching and Ministery of the Gospel Who goeth to Warfare any tims at his own charges Who planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the milk of the Flock If we have sown unto you Spiritual things is it a great matter that we shall reap your carnal things If others be partakers of this Power o-over you Are we not rather Nevertheless we have not used this Power but suffer all things lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ Do ye not know that they which Minister about Holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers at the Altar Even so hath the Lord Ordained that they which Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel But I have used none of these things 1. Cor. 9. 11 12 13 14. By which last Speech and his aforesaying we have not used this Power but suffer all thinge lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ is shewed forth his own good mind that he sought the furtherance of the Gospel and the good of souls more then his own private Ends or Gain And so where any one will not forbear Preaching though nothing be ministered to him for the same and they that are taught is the Word do not communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Gal. 6. 6. Which would be according to the Apostolical Rule nevertheless he doth not matter or regard or at least not so much as desist refrain or be less diligent in that God Duty whither he hath any thing for it or not this is a certain sign and Evidence that such a one doth not Teach 〈◊〉 hire nor Divine for Money Micah 3 11. That is he doth 〈◊〉 make it his Principal Ultimate or only End for this is the thing here Reproved it being no sin as appears from the afore quoted place out of the Corinthians if it be not necessarily required but only freely offered and willingly contributed by the People He that doth put a difference and shew a difference Eze● 22. 26. Or doth well distinguish he doth rightly Teach i● the

nature of the things of God and pertaining to his Kingdom If I were but Righteously or equally dealt withal by my Kindred according to the flesh there would be 〈◊〉 need for me to make publick an Intimation of this nature But their doings towards me have confirmed the Truth 〈◊〉 that Old Observation that if any one in a Family doe serv● God more then Ordinary he shall be sure to be oppressed Crushed kept under hatches and be destitute afflicted and tormented by them As to offer willingly is highly acceptable and pleasing in the sight of the Lord so to prevent Anticipate or be before hand even before any one doth ask or intimate This an Instance of Offering willingly and it is God like for thou preventest him with the Blessings of Goodness Psal 21. 3 Even before a Prayer or Desire is Offered for and in behalf of them And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear Isa 65. 24. For as one Rightly Observes It doth resemble the Deity and it is God like to do free ready and soon acts of Beneficence When we read such places of Scripture as this following they doe not stand Recorded for nothing but for our Admonition and Instruction upon whom the Ends of the World are come The Inhabitants of the Land of Teman brought Water to him that was thirsty they Prevented with their Bread him that fled Isa 21. 14. Mark here again this Word prevented for such as was thirsty or fled here did not ask for it but the others did imagine and apprehend that the others might have need and occasion of it and so they were ready before hand to meet and supply them with it Like as Melchisedech brought forth Bread and Wine to Abraham as he was returning from the Slaughter of the Kings And so on the other worse hand Amalek is cursed and punished because he met not the Children of Israel with Bread and Water as they came through and from out of the Wilderness From what is written Because that he remembered not to shew Mercy Psal 109. 16. We learn that where we can do any act of Good Kindness or Compassion to one another whither it be to Friend or Enemy and we doe it not the Lord when he comes to enter into judgment and we are to receive for the deeds done in the Body will impute that as sin to that man or woman who refused neglected or omitted it For though now it be reckoned as a matter indifferent and it is commonly said they doe him no harm if they doe him or her no good yet in this case The not doing of Kindnesses when it is in our Power for to do them is indeed doing hurt or injury because of the real harm injury or loss which such a one Sustains for want of having that Kindness done for him As was before mentioned My heart is towards the Governours of Israel that Offered themselves willingly among the People so if we may so speak after the manner of Men The Heart of God is towards such of his Servants and Creatures that Offer themselves willingly to do such and such Things for his Glory Worship and Service and be doing Good unto Men or who are for what links these three together Glory to God in the Highest Peace on Earth and Good will towards Men and each one in his Vocation and place doth Offer out himself willingly towards the things that make for the same Here again is another Real Act and Instance of Offering willingly when they can and doe bereave their own Soul of Good to doe good for others which again will be a doing Good to their own Soul at long run for the Merciful Man doeth Good to his own Soul Prov. 11. 17. I mean when People are contented to suffer Hunger or pinch their own Belly for once or twice to feed and supply that which hath more often wanted it when for all out of their obedience to the command of God they will bring that Bread and Water which they do almost want themselves Like the Widow of Zarephath who had but an handful of Meal and a little Oyl in a Curse 1. Kings 17. 12. And yet out of that she was to Sustain and feed Elijah the Prophet of the Lord which she did and had no lack Sirs here is some Trust of God in these things When thou hast but a little thou dost Give diligence Gladly to Give freely and Offer willingly of that little and thou canst not only say so in outward Words but trust that the Lord will provide a little more against the time and when that same little is gone And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee For thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee Psal 9. 10. O taste and see that the Lord is good Blessed is the Man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him The Young Lions do lack and suffer hunger But they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Psal 34. 8 9 10. And such of his Saints do not fear to be Impoverished or come to want through the Service of God but they Offer willingly and do things not Grudingly or of Necessity even in the Expensive part of Religion and they indeavour to save or trust that the Lord who teacheth to profit will make it up as much unto them another way So far we have shewed of this Excellent Duty of Offering willingly as we shewed the Coherence of the Text upon the Residue of the Chapter for the same thing of Offering willingly is intended and meant therein all one as what is said in the following Words To keep the Commandments the Testimonies and Statutes of the Lord for that they should Offer willingly towards the Worship and Service of God is also One of his Commandments and Testimonies and Statutes But here it holds true as to both People are for Offering willingly and for keeping the Commandments the Testimonies and the Statutes of the Lord sometimes only and not alwayes They are for doing it now and then but not for ever and therefore in Opposition unto this Corrupt Nature of theirs whose goodness is as the Morning cloud and as the early dew it soon passeth away As also to help and supply this defect and failure of theirs David here Prays by the Spirit O Lord God of Abraham Isaac and of Israel our Fathers keep this for ever in the Imagination of the thoughts of the hearts of thy People and prepare their heart unto thee There is another Paralel and alike Scripture unto this in Deut 5. 29. O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandments alwayes Observe this Adverb alwayes for it is the same in Signification with that of our Text keep this for ever in the Imagination of the thoughts