way to live for ever more because he liveth we shall live also But on the other hand if Man should be separated from and disowned by God he would thereupon become vile abject and vain But now the Lord saith Them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall le lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2. 30. The Men that have transgressed against me shall be an abhorring unto all flesh Isa 66. 24. For he knoweth our Frame he remembreth that we are but dust He hath so made all Men that as himself saith All their Excellency that is above the other Creatures is of me The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour So contrariwise that Man who is without God in the World There is not so pitiful and vile a Creature in the World no not the most ugly Toad as he is For whereas the Beasts perish he shall after Death rise up to everlasting shame and contempt Dan. 12. 2. Our Text is chiefly to be understood of the Natural Man alienated from the Life of God and who hath not the knowledge of God But it cannot be so truly said that the Godly Man is disquieted in vain For he can and also doth cast his Disquiet and Sorrow upon God And he hath that Faith and Consideration that if he heapeth up Riches he knoweth who shall gather them that is to say that is Besides providing for his own and those of his own house 1 Tim. 5. 4. The Poor shall gather them both in his Life-time and also after his Death Every Man walketh in a vain shew This is to be understood of every Natural and Ungodly Man as he is busied only about Earthly things Certain it is that the Natural and Ungodly Man doth more walk in a vain shew than the Spiritual and Godly Man doth for he hath some certain proposed end and is conversant about real things even the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God whilst the other is only employed about vain things which cannot profit nor deliver for they are vain All this World is but vanity so that all they must necessarily walk in a vain shew who do not terminate their thoughts and doings beyond this World who do not in Mind and Heart enter within the vail where indeed and only is the substance of things hoped for For the Creature was made subject to vanity not willingly but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope Rom. 8. 21. From hence it may be truly gathered that the Creature which is now made subject to vanity is in hope to be translated changed and delivered into a more real and much better state of things And then Man who now on this Earth walketh in a vain shew will abide that is to say such who shall be accounted worthy Luke 21. 36. in a glorious and substantial State For so it stands according to the method and appointment of God that Vanity is in order to Reality the Figure or Shew goes before the thing Figured and Shewed And Perfection is to succeed Imperfection and Mortality will be swallowed up of Life and Incorruption is to follow after this state of Corruption here And so likewise Eternity is to succeed Time Thus the Works of God are worthy of himself For as the Psalmist saith Remember how short my time is Wherefore hast thou made all Men in vain Now if God should have made all Men and all things in vain this would not have seemed with reverence be it spoken and conceived so befitting an alwise God for it is an essential part of Wisdom not to do things in vain But when he doth things first in a vain state in order to lead and raise them up from thence into a substantial state this raiseth the highest admiration of the Wisdom of the Agent O Lord how glorious are thy works in Wisdom hast thou made them all It is now an usual thing with Artificers or Builders first to draw the Plat-form or Model of what they intend to build and make In like manner it may be conceived that he who built all things now he who built all things is God did create the Heavens and the Earth and all the things that therein are as a Plat-form or Model of the new Heavens and the new Earth which he will make If we could now have such lively Thoughts and Apprehensions of the new Heavens and new Earth and of the things contained therein as we shall then have a sence and feeling and open sight thereof in the future state all one as we now have of the things in this present state then by reason of the so much exceeding Greatness Duration and Reality of those future things we should be otherwise affected and concerned as to them then now we are Even whilst our Body is on this Earth our Conversation would be in Heaven and our Mind would be always there And like as Strangers and Pilgrims when they are from â—ome in another Country their mind runs still or for the most part on home even whilst they are in the strange and distant place In like manner if we did confess our selves to be Pilgrims and Strangers on the Earth Heb. 11. 13. Our Thoughts Mind and Desire would be wholly taken up about Heaven and Futurity Who then much minds the Figure or Picture when he hath before him the thing Figured or Pictured Then it will appear that the things which are now visible are as the Figure or Shew and only what things are now invisible they are the Realities While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are Temporal but the things which are not seen are Eternal It may now be so brought to pass by the Word of Faith which we Preach which speaketh of those things that be not as though they were and warns of things not seen as yet Heb. 11. 7. That the things which now are not seen might be rendred intelligible unto our Souls all one as the things now sensible are to our outward senses But People are so settled on the lees and sunk down and immersed into sensuality and the cares and concernments of this Life that they are not altogether so much and so continually thoughtful about the other as they should be Here again our Duty to God and care for our Immortal Soul teaches rather to renounce things present as much as possible that we may think and act more after the things to come It is Sin and Sensuality that do now eclipse overshadow as with a Cloud and darken the Soul and hinders from the sight and light of the suture eternal things Although we do Daily yea every Hour and Minute press nearer and nearer unto them The more we think of those suture eternal things the more we are convinced of the vanity and littleness of all present things These are now heightned in expectation and imagination but when we know
the utmost of them then they do clearly appear to be vain They are not only vain but also they soon pass away so that the vanity is also infolded in the transitoriness of them It they were real and substantial good things yet they ought not to be much esteemed or sought after because they do soon pass away and come to nothing Hence doth appear forth the truth of the following words Surely they are disquieted in vain For People are disquieted about things which properly should not disquiet them at all and also the matter and cause of their grief so soon passeth away that upon this account it should not disquiet them All Sorrow and Disquiet should be indeed turned into Sorrow and Disquiet for Sin We should walk softly all the residue of our Years in the bitterness of our Soul because we have sinned against the Lord the Habitation of Justice the Hope of our Fathers and this only would not be to be disquieted in vain according to what is written Now I rejoyce not that ye were made sorry but that ye sorrowed to repentance for ye were made sorry after a godly manner that ye might receive damage by us in nothing For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of but the sorrow of the world worketh death For behold this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort what carefulness it wrought in you yea what clearing of your selves yea what indignation yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge in all things ye have approved your selves to be clear in this matter 2 Cor. 7. From all which it appears that Godly Sorrow or such Sorrow which arises towards God because of having sinned against him is not Sorrow or Disquiet in vain for it produces all these real good Effects aforementioned But the Apostle there saith The sorrow of the world worketh death So all Sorrow which arises meerly from the things of this World is to be disquieted in vain As it is elsewhere written Notwithstanding in this rejoyce not that the Spirits are subject unto you but rather rejoyce because your names are written in Heaven So this should be the standard and measure of all our Sorrow and Vexation to be sorry or vexed only for such things which hinder our going and entrance into Heaven and that is Sin committed or Sin remaining unpardoned or the oppositions temptations and hindrances of Satan Hear what Jesus Christ saith Let not your heart be troubled ye believe in God believe also in me So let not thy Soul be vexed or disquieted within thee altho' thou art in Prison or Poverty or in pining Sickness or near to Death it self For all these put together cannot make thee utterly miserable unless God hath forsaken thee and withdrawn his Mercy and Loving-kindness from thee But be thou troubled and disquieted in good earnest Weep and Howl for your miseries that shall come upon you If thou art in a state of Sin and it hath dominion over thee for this will really consign thee over and sink down into everlasting Punishment All our rejoycing and disquiet should hence be according as we apprehend from true signs and evidences whether God be in favour or is displeased Isa 59. 15. with us As aforementioned Man and all things seperated from God is the meerest and utmost vanity So here if it was not in Relation to God there is nothing in all the World worthy to be disquieted about no more than it becomes a Man to groan or cry for the scratching of a Pin. In truth considering the perpetual Flux of time which is always carrying and forcing us off from the Stage of this Earth however we take it in good or evil part whether we are pleased or displeased thereat yet away we must So that it is not much matter in which of the two tempers of Mirth or Sorrow Contentment or Vexation we are in But this ought to be most minded and cared for whether we Sin or not and how much good we do for this is not to be concerned or disquieted in vain in that it doth tend to realities in the end They that have done good shall come forth to the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil to the Resurrection of Damnation Wherefore Brethren give all diligence to make your Calling and Election sure Heaven is so exceeding and eternal a good that it can never be made too sure off Here as Solomon saith In the multitude of counsellors there is safety holds true in things pertaining to future and endless Life all one as in things of this present Life In the multitude of Godly Books and Sermons there is safety in order to instruct or exhort or put in mind of any thing to make sure of that blessed Place The Wisdom of God hath said and ordained For precept must be upon precept precept upon precept line upon line line upon line here a little and there a little Isa 28. 10. And as the Scriptures were given by inspiration of God to make us Wise unto Salvation so every thing which is truly opened and alledged from thence as I do this day in what I write and publish unto the World doth also pertain and help to the same great and good end But this is one difference between the formal Worshipper and the real Christian The first thinks it an easie thing to make sure of Heaven and that it is presently done like Saul who did say to Samuel Blessed art thou of the Lord I have performedâ— the Commandment of the Lord So such are apt to flatter and deceive their own Souls as if they were fit for Heaven And like the Young Man in the Gospel All these have I kept from my youth up what lack I yet As to both of which the answer of God by his Son and Prophet doth point out somewhat further and more to be done What meaneth then this bleating of the Sheep in mine ears and the lowing of the Oxen which I hear What mean those unmortified Sins and carnal Passions and Lustings after evil things And so it ye were indeed perfect and fit for Heaven ye would sell all that ye had and give to the poor Ye would part with all the Guilt and Corruption that is in your Nature not only the actual breakings forth of Sin but even the inclinations and tendences to Sin or Evil for as long as there remain any of them in the Body in the Sight and Acceptation of God ye are not fit for Heaven For flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither shall in any wise enter into it any thing that defileth As long as we are on this Earth which is the place of warfare and waiting No people are absolutely fit for Heaven but still there is somewhat more and further to be done for it As long as we have time so there is space given us for Repentance Rev. 2. 21. And to
Surely every Man walketh in a vain shew Surely they are disquieted in vain He heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them Psal 39. 6. UPON my inward and most retired Thoughts when I get out from the Hurry Business and Company of the World there doth Naturally recur and arise to me this Subject of Meditation of the Vanity of Man What the holy Ghost here speaketh by the Mouth of David is twice â—rought and ushered in by this Adverb of Confirmaâ—ion surely thereby intimating and giving us to understand that the more we know and consider of it â—he more it doth appear to be so namely That Man â—s vain he walketh in a vain shew and he is disquieted â—n vain In the Margent opposite to the Word vain shew it is an Image From whence it may be truly thought that as an Image now differs from the thing whereof it is an Image or Representation so Man in this present state of things differs from what he will be in the future state of things Yea as much as a reality doth exceed and is more than only the Image Figure Shew or Representation thereof So much will Man in the future state of things exceed Man in this present state of things As it is written The holy places made with hands are the figures of the true Heb. 9. 24. So it may be believed and so it will be found that the Heavens and the Earth which now are yea the whole visible Creation and all things contained therein made by the Hands of God his handy work Psal 19. 1. All these are the Figures of the True even of which himself saith The new Heavens and the new Earth which I will make Isa 66. 22. And then all this present state of things is but a Figure of that true future state of things which God will certainly bring in So that Man at present is but a Figure or shew of what Man will be Somewhat alike to this the Scripture faith 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 If one had only seen the Figure or Shew of a thing and had never seen the real thing whereof it is a Figure or Shew he would not then so perfectly apprehend what the real thing it self was although he might guess at and think concerning it Hence it is that we are so puzzled and at a stand concerning futurity We know not what it is and yet we have great thought and searching of Heart concerning it We see indeed some likeness thereof but not the thing it self For we know in part and we Prophesie in part For now we see through a Glass darkly And so we have some faint and imperfect guesses before hand concerning futurity but as to the thing it self It doth not yet appear what we shall be But this we believe that it will be better and more real than the state we are now in That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance Prov. 8. 21. And so as much as Substance doth exceed Vanity so much will the future state of things exceed the present state of things After that Solomon the Wisest of Men had taken a survey of the whole lower Creation this is the Epiphonema and Burden of his Song Vanity and Vexation of Spirit All is Vanity And here in our Text the Father of Solomon or rather the holy Ghost by the Mouth of David saith Surely every Man walketh in a vain shew Every Man even the most Rich or Prosperous Man as Solomon and David were for they speak of their own Experience as well as from the truth as it is in others Although they heap up riches according to the following words which is reckoned the Principal and most Substantial end of Life yet still they walk in a vain shew The word Walk denotes the constancy thereof and that it is so for the most part even throughout the course of this Life There is a parallel alike place unto this in Psal 62. 9. Surely Men of low degree are vanity and Men of high degree are a lie to be laid in the balance they are altogether lighter than vanity Which is the most diminutive kind of expressing it Certain it is as to the past time of our Life It is all but vanity for as we consider throughly and look back upon it then it all appears as a Dream when one awaketh and almost all one as if it had never been Even the present is but just perceived and hasteth away As to the outward Good or Evil Pleasure or Pain we have it is soon over and we are gone Our Bodies like brittle Glass or withering Hay can be soon broken and dashed in pieces and are always Perishing and Dying And we do all fade as a leaf Isa 64. 6. We are as a Bubble Shadow or Dream or by whatever may be conceived the utmost vanity of things By vanity is meant what either sâ—rves to no purpose or else seems to serve to no purpose and in this latter sence Man is vanity For though he was Created to Serve and Glorify God which is a great and real end yet many do neglect this and then they are vanity and it is fulfilled in such what is written Nevertheless Man being in honour abideth not but is like the Beasts that perish And who do really answer that same good end Yet through the hidden Mystery of the Kingdom and also because they are conversant about unseen things they also for the Flesh is the same of a Saint as of a Sinner seem as vanity Certain it is that separated from God Man is the meerest vanity that ever was Yet I had planted thee a noble Vine wholly a right Seed that is in his relation and tendency unto God his Creator but if he is one separated from him then he is turned into a degenerate Plant of a strange Vine Jer. 2. 21. Now a degenerate Plant or a strange Vine elsewhere called wild Grapes Isa 5. 4. A wild Olive Tree Rom. 11. 17. All these serve to no Goodness and bring forth no good Fruit. Even so where Man turns away from and becomes forgetful of God he also serves to no Goodness or Fruit at all but is a lump of Flesh just enlivened A breathing clod of Clay a Sink and Receptacle of Filth and Flegm a Seed plot of Stink and Corruption a walking piece of Earth Our Text saith He walketh in a vain shew or an Image So he may be stiled a vain walking Statue of Earth How should the consideration of these things perswade Man to engage his heart to approach unto me saith the Lord Jer 30. 21. And for our Soul to follow hard after him and to cleave unto him Unto him shall the gathering of the People be Gen. 49. 10. Even so our Spirits should be gathered up and United to the Father of Spirits This being the
alike Reasons as the Jews did reject and not receive the Words of Christ Herein we shall have boldness in the Day of Judgment which will be fear and shame and confusion of face to them in this matter Because as he was so are we in this present World Namely because that in my Preaching and Writing I have so learned from him my Lord and Example whose steps herein I follow I do also teach the way of God in truth neither care I for any Man for I regard not the person of Men Mat. 22. 16. For if I yet pleased Men I should not be the Servant of Christ Wherefore holy Brethren partakers of the heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and high Priest of our Profession Christ Jesus Who was faithful to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithful in all his house Heb. 3. 1 2. And so I do make it my sincere and actual endeavour to be faithful to that God who appointed me to the Ministry of his Word by his having enabled me and given me a knowledge thereof and by putting words into my Mouth and so I make it my endeavour to be faithful in all the Ministration thereof He that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully Jer. 23. 28. Moreover it is required in Stewards that a Man be found faithful 1 Cor. 4. 2. And because I have not shunned to declare unto the People of this my Generation and Country all the the counsel of God But in the things I have written unto them I have mentioned some Scriptures which other Preachers and Scribes have omitted Mat. 23. 23. Therefore they reject and receive not that part of the Word of God which hath been committed to my Ministration Speaking evil of me Who for this their falshood and Partiality Mal. 2. 9. Stubbornness and Rebellion shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead Thirdly Seeing that all things here on Earth are vain and Man the chief inhabitant thereof walketh in a vain shew How should this Knit and Unite our Hearts up unto God himself and also towards the future state of things for all there is Reality and Substance God himself is the most real and substantial being that can be for he created all things and now upholds them by the Word of his Power If any thing is real God himself is much more so and so likewise are all the things pertaining to his Kingdom in Heaven The Creature was made subject to vanity God made all things on this Earth so vain to the intent to draw off our Desires and Affections yet more from the things of this World to fix and set them on himself and the things above that in our earnest continued seeking after Earthly things they are Enemies to the Cross of Christ who mind Earthly things we may meet with this kind of Check and Reproof from our Creator O ye Sons of Men How long will ye turn my Glory into shame how long will ye love vanity and seek after leasing Selah Psal 4. 2. Importing that whilst the Sons of Men do love vanity and seek after leasing So long they turn the glory of God into shame In that hereby they do quite pervert the very design and order of things For whereas God designed his own Glory in making Man a reasonable Creature that is one capable to seek after himself and the things of the other and better World But by loving vanity and seeking after leasing Man doth degenerate himself And being made in Honour he abideth not When it would be for the Honour and Glory of God if he did pursue the right end but by not doing or intending that he doth properly turn the Glory of God into shame For it would be a shame if an alwise God should make reasonable Creatures for no better and higher an end than to love vanity and seek after leasing Whereas here the fault is in the Creatures themselves and in no wise in God who Created them In like manner every act of Sin doth turn the Glory of God into shame for the same Reason because it is a perverting of things from what he first made and designed them for he Created Man to serve God and do Good and not that he should Corrupt himself by committing Sin and Evil or by loving vanity and seeking after leasing Vanity is displeasing unto the Lord as Sin and Evil is For this is the Will of God even your Sanctification that not so much as Vain thoughts should lodge within ye Jer. 4. 14. And that People should not speak vanity Psal 12. 2. nor trust in vanity Isa 59. 4. Much less commit or do the same But as we are commanded Not to touch the unclean thing So we are to refrain from all vain things as much as it is possible to do in this vain World which passeth away According to the Exhortation which speaketh on this wise If ye then be risen in Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the Right hand of God Set your affection on things above not on things on the Earth For ye are Dead and your Life is hid with Christ in God When Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in Glory Beloved when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common Salvation it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you and put you in mind of the vanity of all things of this World that People should not forsake God and depart from the Faith once delivered to the Saints nor go aside from the Truth out of Love to this present World but that ye should Love God more and the World not at all For if any Man loveth the World the love of the Father is not in him So Witnesseth and Exhorteth RICHARD STAFFORD a Scribe instructed in the Law of God and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ LONDON Printed in the Year 1700. And are to be Sold unto such who will receive the love of Truth that they might be Saved Advertisement THese are to give notice That I have several other Practical Sermons or Discourses of mine own Composing lying by me in Manuscript Which if they who have the Plenty or Competency of this World's Goods would According to their several Ability Acts 11. 29. Thus Consecrate some part of their gain and substance unto the Lord Micah 4. 13. So as to be ready to distribute and willing to Communicate towards the outward Labour and Charge of the Printing and Publishing of them it would be for the Glory of God in making known his Truth Isa 38. 19. 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 they would be rewarded by God in the Life that is to come And I say unto you Make to your selves Friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness that when ye fail they may receive you into Everlasting Habitations Luke 16. 9. 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 tbe 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 Profitablsi unto Men Titus 3. 8.