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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61224 Some thoughts concerning the life to come with a brief account of the state of religion as it is now in the world. Stafford, Richard, 1663-1703. 1693 (1693) Wing S5138; ESTC R37589 43,947 90

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SOME THOUGHTS CONCERNING The Life to Come WITH A Brief Account Of the State of Religion As it is now in the World LONDON Printed in the Year 1693. THE PREFACE TO THE READER OF making many Books there is no end said the wise Solomon in his time which hath been since fulfilled in such a degree and to such a measure that through the multitude of Books the intended Good and Benefit of them hath been lost and defeated For when the Great Truths of GOD have come forth and been published People have not distinguished discerned and known them from the ordinary Imaginations and Sayings of other meer Humane Writers But they have remained hidden and not understood Psal 106. 7. Acts 7. 25. by the Men of this World and by the outward Worshippers Yea they have not been Understood by many of the real Servants of GOD They having not been so diligent as in Duty they ought to seek Acts 15. 17. and enquire out after all the Appearances and Manifestations of his Truth in the World In every Nation and so in every Sect or Party however it is called or named he that serveth GOD and worketh Righteousness which is a general and comprehensive Speech and doth include Obedience to all the Words of His Law is accepted with Him Acts 10. 34. To each Person which doth this GOD affords the Knowledge of Himself and of the Things which pertain to his Kingdom So that out of the Writings of the People of the several Opinions and Persuasions among us if that Foundation in them here mentioned doth stand sure somewhat of GOD and of his Truth may be sought after and also had by the godly honest and understanding Reader But this is to be attended unto that as between the Miracles of Moses and the Inchantments of the Magicians there is that manifest diversity That the one does not only much exceed the other but the first do carry that Power Evidence and Demonstration along with them that the Magicians themselves are forced to confess and acknowledge This is the Finger of GOD Exod. 8. 19. So likewise there is not only a manifest diversity between the Imaginations Subtlety and Sophistry of Satan which have also an outward likeness unto and imitation of Truth and the certainty of the Words of Truth themselves or what Job calls right Words Chap. 6. 25. But further there is observed to be a continued Vein of Holiness and a Spirit of the Fear of the Lord which runs throughout the Writings of some Men more than others Here again these are exceeded by others also who are yet mightier and greater than they in the Kingdom of God and in the dispensation of his Gospel For there is a real difference between what is meerly pious and devotional or those common things which are universally known and obvious already and the making known the Great Truths of God or those new Things which he doth declare Before they spring forth I tell you of them Isa 42. 9. Which God doth tell an● declare unto Mankind by some particular Saint or Servant of his Now whether I my self shall fall under the same Imputation which I here tacitly reprehend in other Writers or whether I do here bring forth out of my Treasury such Things new and old which in themselves are indeed worthy to be made publick or whether yet further I do not express out those Truths of God which as it is my Duty to write speak and make known so it is the Duty of the People of this my Generation to read hear and receive into their knowledge Rom. 1. 28. I refer all this to the spiritual man who judgeth all things 1 Cor. 1. 15. in this mean while as it will be yet more clearly discerned and determined by God and his Saints at the last Day It hath been observed of John the Evangelist that in his Gospel he doth set down and mention what was omitted by the other three Evangelists for whereas they all repeat and confirm the same things he doth record that as to which they are silent so it hath been and shall be my constant Method and Resolution only to publish those useful Truths and weightier Matters of the Law which have been hitherto omitted see Mat. 23. 23. in the Books and Sermons of other Writers and Preachers And tho' I have already employ'd the Press proportionally for one of my Circumstances Condition and Years yet I shall never be so voluminous as Origen of old who is reported to have made six thousand Books or as Tostatus and Richard Baxter of later Times But as I hope to be accepted of Him who comes quickly and his Reward is with him to give to every man according as his Work shall be Rev. 22. 12. I know that the Goodness and Worth thereof doth lie not so much in its quantity as its quality as a little Diamond is of more value and estimation than a much greater common Stone so I had rather speak five or a very few Words with knowledge and understanding that by my Voice I might teach others also which may be unto Men to edification exhortation and comfort than ten thousand Words in useless Notions or rather Imaginations in meer smooth Language or in vain-jangling and matters of doubtful disputation the former of which do divert and turn aside the Mind from the one thing needful and the latter do rather minister unto strife than unto godly edifying This small ensuing Treatise is an essay and endeavour to the only good and right end of seeking the present Peace and future Welfare of men and women I do therein write unto them of the common Salvation The Contents and subject Matter thereof may be apprehended from the Title-Page Where the Failings Defects Infirmities the Sins and Errours of the People are spoken of This is for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness And tho' perhaps there may not be altogether that exactness of Art Method and Connexion whereof some Scribes have been more curious and careful than of the Substance of the Things they have delivered yet herein we have a great part of the Scripture for our ensample which was given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for things which make us wise unto Salvation that the Man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all Good-works albeit it is not like unto Discourses framed by Art and Man's Device SOME THOUGHTS Concerning the Life to come c. Behold now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 John 3. 2. COncerning this thing of future and endless Life I have great thought and searching of Heart My Soul doth shrug within me when in my Bed I think upon it throughly Now I am as yet in this Life but when that Moment shall come in which I must be dislodged from