A Clear APOLOGY AND Just Defence OF Richard Stafford For Himself With a Rehearsal and further Explanation of what he hath done concerning National Affairs But truly I am full of Power by the Spirit of the Lord and of Judgment and of Might to declare unto Jacob his Transgression and to Israel his Sin Hear this I pray you ye Heads of the House of Jacob and Princes of the House of Israel that abhor Judgment and pervert all Equity They build up Zion with Blood and Jerusalem with Iniquity The Heads thereof judge for Reward and the Priests thereof teach for Hire and the Prophets thereof divine for Money yet will they lean upon the Lord and say Is not the Lord among us none evil can come upon us Micah 3. 8 9 10 11. But Judgment shall return unto Righteousness and all the Vpright in heart shall follow it Psal 94. 15. All the Words of my Mouth are in Righteousness there is nothing froward or perverse in them They are all plain to him that understandeth and right to them that find Knowledge Prov. 8. 8 9. Printed in the Year 1690. TO THE READER A Preface may seem unusual and impertinent before an Apology But it is necessary to advertise the Reader somewhat before lest when he comes to see such serious Truth applied so exceeding close and forceably He be frightened quite away that he cannot endure to see what here is Published And there will arise a secret Prejudice why I should not seek out smooth Things and Soft Words as do others but the Land is not able to bear all these Words Why then doth the Land act and commit such Things which are here spoken of with more Peace and Gentleness than they are done Indeed I am naturally averse from tormenting the Minds of Men and also I do understand what becomes Education Civility and Custom of the world as do others But it being my Duty and Business according to the Grace and Knowledge intrusted with me to endeavour to turn People from Iniquity unto Righteousness I ought or otherwise I am not faithful in my Office to use the most cogent Arguments and to press them with the utmost force and power which I can The Words of the Wise are like Nails fastened by the Master of Assemblies so whoever doth not drive the Nail of Exhortation home to the very head and fasten it as much as he can on every side He doth the Work of the Lord deceitfully It is gross Ignorance and foolish Imagination to be frightened at Words for they do express Things which have been or are now transacting and passing on or shall be hereafter and these not the bare Picture and visible Representation of them we should indeed fear and endeaevour to avoid VVe think it better and more safe to read of a pitcht Battel a bloody Sea-fight a consuming Fire Plague or such like than to be in the midst thereof yea We would willingly know thereof and be shewed the way how we may keep out escape and prevent such evil things So likewise every one doth desire to hear and know of Good Things and how themselves may obtain and partake thereof It is the same yea more Danger and Loss to be willingly Ignorant of what is contained in the Word of God For as sure as things were first made are now upheld have their beginning and end increase and decrease and every Thing is according to its Nature and Kind and moves and goes on as we now see with our bodily Eyes we look upon and our Hands handle and we conceive in our minds so the same Word will be to every tittle fulfilled as we are warned and foretold of But the Heavens and the Earth which are now by the same Word are kept in store reserved unto Fire against the Day of Judgment and Perdition of Ungodly Men 2 Pet. 3. 7. It is the worst sort of Vngodliness not to like to receive God into their knowledge It is Rebellion which is as the Sin of Witchcraft and Stubbornness which is as Iniquity and Idolatry to reject the Word of the Lord 1 Sam. 15. 23. as was said to Saul the King for even the Kings and Judges of the Earth do commit Rebellion against God We will here assert the Government of God over all Nations and Rulers come what will of it to my weak and frail Person as themselves must acknowledge cannot gain-say the same Nor yet do they well to be angry with one who is a Worm and no man a Reproach of men and despised of the People for as they are Reasonable Creatures Themselves would not have destruction come upon them at unawares and notwithstanding the secret excuse they have now every man in the deep of his Heart yet then they will think it hard but just to be condemned for what they knew not but might have known if they would If they will Still Despise and Wonder and Perish it is to themselves If they think such an one is mad only because he would prevent their own Misery then indeed their Eyes are darkened that they see not It happens here according to Christ's Method and Prediction that they which see not might see and they which see might be made Blind John 9. 39. Poor and Ignorant People do discern the Truth when it is hidden from the Wise and Prudent whom it most concerns In the latter dayes they shall consider it perfectly VVhen for Despising will be Anguish and sad Reflection for Stubbornness Pain and Misery VVhatever kind of reception these VVords shall meet with in the world The best Apology for them is their own Truth and Signification A Clear APOLOGY and Just Defence of Richard Stafford for himself c. THe Word Apology in common apprehension seems to presuppose fault or inferiority and doth often come by way of Excuse mitigation or begging Pardon Whereas the Compiler of these following Lines is not conscious to himself of any Crime or Offence he hath done to his own Nation And also as he stands in the rank of Creatures hâ— will not acknowledge so much of the other as the Pride of Man and Arrogancy of Tongues would imagine and speak forth But to get out from the Perplexity and Labyrinth of Words and Persons come we to Things and we would no otherwise consider the several Thoughts Words and Actions of mankind but with relation to them Indeed we cannot know as God knows for that we may take the more notice of it it is thrice asserted and repeated The Lord looketh from Heaven He beholdeth all the Sons of Men from the place of his Habitation he looketh upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth He fashioneth their Hearts alike He considereth all their Works Psal 33. 13 14 15. whether Good or Evil to Reward or Punish And give to every Man according to his Ways whose Heart thou knowest for thou even thou only knowest the Hearts of all the Children of Men 1 Kings 8. 39. This
is the alone Prerogative of God for He knoweth all things and searcheth the Heart that not the least Thing can be hid or concealed from him Whereas we only perceive a little according to the exact Truth but much more 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 we can give no perfect Judgment and Determination God hath taken the like method for the exercise and administration of his Kingdom and Dominion over Men as our Kings and Governours over their several Countries And he hath a Book for his Government over all the Nations and Families of the Earth high and low rich and poor together as our Statute and Common Law is for England and their civil canon or municipal Laws for other Nations His Word is given unto Mankind to be a Rule for their Actions and a Law for them to live and be governed by and from that we are allowed and commanded to Reprove all manner of Sin and Transgression as any one now doth Lev. 19. 17. take notice or speak of what is done contrary to the Government and Laws of this Nation which is esteemed no fault but rather commendable and a Duty The same is and ought much more to be in things pertaining to God and so likewise would be if there was amongst us the like Zeal for and Knowledge of him that is invisible who fills Heaven and Earth with his Presence as now there is regard for the Son of Man whom we see to be little and to fade as a Leaf But this is to be understood for the Fear and Instruction of some and for the Comfort of others That God is not confined to the Imaginations and Sayings of Men If some speak smooth things and prophesie Deceits and others too hard Speeches and mistaken Applications The Judge himself will not ratifie what they say but condemns whom man absolves as again acquit whom man condemns For he cometh for he cometh to judge the Earth He shall judge the World with Righteousness and the People with his Truth Psal 96. 13. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the dead were judged out of those Things which were written in the Books according to their Works Rev. 20. 12. This according to the Decree of the Eternal and unchangeable God is as certain and True as if it were already past and fulfilled As Judges and Justices of Gaol delivery do try Prisoners by the statute Book of this Realm at those Assizes which are holden twice a year so at this general Grave delivery which is to be kept once for all The dead Bodies of all People of every Place and Generation since Man was Created on the Earth shall arise and we shall all be judged by Christ and his Saints according to those Words written in the Bible And this according to the plain and common sence and understanding of the same Words Behold in this they are not just I will answer all mine Accusers and Enemies that God is greater than Man and so much do his Laws exceed theirs Wherefore do I mention that God is greater than Man In comparison of him the Nations are as a drop of a Bucker and are counted as the small dust of the Balance It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the Earth and the Inhabitants thereof are as Grashoppers We shall find and know that He bringeth the Princes to nothing He maketh the Judges of the Earth as Vanity Notwithstanding the People have more regard to them because they are seen and their utmost Power is known then they have to Almighty God who is not seen and whose Punishment is threatned But though God is not seen yet his Works are And how Great must He be who built this vast House of the World and created all things therein What is the Wrath of a Worm of five or six foot long to the * Isa 59. 15. Displeasure of Him who hath Heaven for his Throne and the Earth for his Footstool What is a single Individual or an Assembly of Men who dwell in Houses of Clay that they should when met in Council as yet exalt themselves to do according to their own will notwithstanding Gods Commandment to the contrary If not to speak Exod 9. 17. out because they profess that they know God but in Works deny him yet to think and act Marvellous things against the God of Gods Dan. 11. 36. And in this they are worse then him here spoken of or Pharoah for he knew not who was the Lord that he should obey him What is abomination of Heart they imagine to be bravery of mind that they can and are for doing things otherwise and as it were hinder that his will be not done here on Earth Which argues the exceeding sinfulness of sin with the infinite guilt and demerit thereof and it shall be punished with proportionable Condemnation Misery They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression They speak loftily They set their Mouth against the Heavens their Tongue walketh through the Earth therefore his People return hither and Waters of a full Cup are wring out to them Psal 73. 8 9 10. By the height and breadth and depth of such kind of Transgression we may judge of the length of future Torments Whose Thoughts were thus exalted to Heaven their Souls shall be thrust down to Hell Shall not God search this Luk. 10. 15. out for He knoweth the secrets of the Heart the innermost Thoughts and most hidden Imaginations Even now he looks down from the Habitation of his Holiness and is not far from every one of us for at this very moment He both sees and hears all that we are talking of or doing in our Houses and several places of abode And so He hath done all along of this Generation of Men now living as He did of those before we were born We read of Him in his Word for the Lord your God is God of Gods and Lord of Lords a great God a Mighty and a Terrible which regardeth not Persons nor taketh Reward Deut. 10. 17. We have a sence and aw and dread of Him upon our minds we may know and perceive his Laws written in our Hearts and inward Parts by laying open our Conscience as in his sight and by communing with our own spirit when we are for a little while silent in our Chamber and somewhat freed and separated from the Things of this World All these wayes God doth shew and manifest himself unto Mankind so that they are without excuse This may be thought proper to instruct and convert Heathens or the neighbouring Nations which do grovel in the darkness of Popish ignorance but doth not seem so applicable to our own Countrey where the Scriptures are read and preached in a known
2 Kings 9. 11. A short question and exactly agreeable to the Language of the proud men of these dayes Again we read of one who sent Letters unto all the People who are at Jerusalem and to Zepheniah the Son of Masaiah the Priest and to all the Priests to put them in mind whereas they were Officers in the House of the Lord for every man that is mad and maketh himself a Prophet that thou shouldst put him in Prison and in the Stocks Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anâ—thoth which maketh himself a Prophet to you Jer. 29. 25 26 27. But it may be afterwards seen in the following Verses what is pronounced on Shemaiah the Nehelamite because he thus taught Rebellion against the Lord. Again it is written The Prophet is a fool The Spiritual Man is mad for the multitude of thine Iniquity and the great Hatred Hos 9. 7. Here is added the very reason of throwing out such a false Reproach viz. Multitude of Iniquity and Great Hatred for sin when it is committed doth leave guilt behind And when it comes to be reproved and manifested that is stirred up And then there is Conviction Shame Fear and Anguish of Spirit all which are very troublesome and disquieting and thence doth arise an hatred and enmity against such who do this Office Saith our Lord and Saviour The World hateth me because I Testifie of it that the Works thereof are evil Joh. 7. 7. But they deserve more to be hated who do the evil then Christ who Testifieth of it Blessed are ye when Men shall hate you and when they shall separate you from their Company and shall reproach you and cast out your Name as evil for the Son of Mans sake for doing so as we have him and them for an Example In the like manner did their Fathers unto the Prophets Luk. 6. 22. 23. Blessed are they which are persecuted for Righteousness sake Blessed are ye when Men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake Mat. 5. 10 11. for being faithful in that Ministry to which he hath called us Here it is most comprehensively expressed and extends unto all manner of evil and falshood which the utmost wit and malice of limited Creatures can invent and speak forth And therefore if such an one it of a sound mind and clear understanding I speak of my self and of the Things which I have written touching the King It is a contradiction and abominable lie to say he is non compos Mentis But yet a malicious and false imputation may be cast and endeavoured to be fastened on any one And also what is a little new or unusual or doth somewhat exceed common apprehension may seem to the vulgar sort yea and be called by them madness but this is so trivial that it is sufficient answer only to take notice of such an Ignorant Calumny I am liable to be represented as one of different Notions because of a different shape by reason of my personal Deformity and Lameness whereby I do vary somewhat from the rest of mankind But the Lord is the Maker of us all And he who fashioned me in the Womb and took me out of my Mother's Bowels might have so formed them who either have already or shall reproach me in this wise They are to remember that themselves also are in the Body subject to sickness from within to Hurt and Casualty from without I was not born so for mine own Sin nor for my Parents but that the Works of God should be madâ— manifest And it may be the more remembred I hope not for a Witness and Testimony against them that such an one came down to the place of the whole Assembly of this Nation with the Truth which God bad shewed unto his Servant and with his Staff in his Hand He had no other Gen. 32. 10. Weapon and would not have had that but he went Halting as did the Patriarke whose words are here made use off And this will be a further sign and token that they cannot pretend Ignorance of the man or his business in the day of Recapitulation of all things But the greater strangeness is imagined to be within me I have written the great things of thy Law but they were counted as a strange thing Hos 8. 12. said the Prophet in his time and within the compass of this year the like imputation hath been cast upon my particular Person for what I have brought out of the same Book of Scripture But to cause the Reproach offered by them to cease and to turn their own reproach upon them Dan. 11. 18. I will tell any one that thinks so where the strangeness of all lieth even in Mans Transgression Either the not observance of what is commanded or doing those things which are contrary to the Laws of God and Truth In Transgressing and Lying against the Lord and departing away from our God speaking oppression and revolt conceiving and uttering from the Heart words of falshood By not doing of Righteousness but forsaking the Ordinance of their God nor taking heed to the Ordinances of Justice It is Mens strange kind of actions which do draw and necessitate from my Tongue and Pen what may seem strange kind of expressions For I do only speak of them according to their very nature and as they are done But more especially when the Thoughts of their Heart come to be revealed and those secret imaginations are made known by that Word which is a discernes of the Thoughts and intents of the Heart there must be yet more strange kind of expressions odd pastages uncouth uncommon they know not what to make off or term them If one should mention how they fret themselves and are apt to curse their God and their King It would pass for an hard saying when all this is far worse in them that do it then in those who only take notice thereof in order to admonish them to stand in aw and Sin not All the strangeness is in themselves and accordingly the Spirit who searches all things and speaks the very Truth calls them strange Children Psal 144. 11. For nothing can be more strange then that Man should be Disobedient to his God that the Children which the Lord hath brought up should rebel against him But further they must be known and also spoken forth in order to the casting down Imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every Thought to the Obedience of Christ When these Imaginations and Thoughts are clearly and truly brought out to publick view they quite fall to the Ground and never rise again I appeal to any one who knows Truth and can apprehend common sence that in the several things I have published to the World I have all along delivered my self in plain common obvious familiar and intelligible Expressions I have spoken
Tongue and they boast of their understanding thereof But yet the Prophet saith peremptorily of his time when they had the same priviledges Therefore my Pâ—ople are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge Isa 5. 13. He doth elegantly hint of the sottish ignorance of former his own aâ—â—â—â—ccessive Generations Have ye not krown Have ye not heard Hath it not been 〈◊〉 you from the beginning Have ye not understood from the Foundations of the Earth Isa 40. 21. And then doth as it were point him out in the following verse It is He c. So it is said further down There is no knowledge of God in the Land Hos 4. 1. And what Paul witnesseth of his time Some have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame 1 Cor. 15. 34. The same is affirmed at this very day The chief and who call themselves the wise Men of this Nation in this they are found wanting They have not the knowledge of God This is the manner of the People of England that dwell carelesly that say in their Hearts We are and none besides us Here is a secret disowning of God above Or if they acknowledge him by a few acts of outward Worship yet they confine all to that But they have not to do with him in common actions and general course of their Life Here they conclude they are lest to themselves who is Lord over us some others will have respect unto God in little trivial concerns But for those of Greater Moment They do not take counsel of him that walk to go down into Egypt and have not asked at my Mouth Isa 30. 1 2. They have first invaded this Nation which occasioned and raised Wars in the Neighbouring Kingdoms But they did not seek out of the Book of the Lord whether such enterprises at first were just and lawful Why Ramoth in Gilead was ours before 1. Kings 22. 2. and under the subjection of the same King of this Nation And though now it be in danger to fall into the hands of the King of Syria yet they should have done well at the very beginning of all to have enquired at the Word of the Lord. verse 5. and then all this might have been prevented at the very first rise And now the Land is moved and divided and by reason of the sores thereof it shaketh yet it may be made up and healed by our God Now Vrim and Thummim are ceased neither have we Warrant for additional Immediate Revelation But God hath given us his standing Word in the Bible which was confirmed by Signs and Miracles and divers Giffts of the Holy Ghost whereby God himself did bear witness to it and did enact and confirm it as a Law and Direction to our fore-Fathers and to us their Children and to our Posterity for evermore He hath shewed thee O Man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and love Mercy Mic. 6. 8. By this way and method of Righteous and prudent accomodation Ireland might be sooner recovered and utterly disentangled from out of the hands of the French King then by all the Multitude of Men and Horses Ships and Carriages the several Instruments of Death and Cruelty all which only make a meer noise and outward shew but there is nothing more in it besides Destruction and Mischief But our Goâ—ernoâ—â—â—ate not Governed by the Law of the most High God and so they do not walk Humbly with him They do not consider that in the Thing wherein they deal Proudly he is above them they do not consult aright for his Glory nor will they obey him so far that he may direct their work in Truth They have set up Kings but not by me They have made Princes but I knew it not Hos 8. 4. which hath been particularly shewed with such Evidence and Demonstration of Divine Truth that the sinners resort only to their old accustomed method of stubbornness despising and bare contradiction but still it remains firm and unanswerable And this hath been already done in two distinct Sessions of Parliament in two short Printed Festimonies of Truth the first entituled a Supplemental Tract of Government c. bearing date Jan. 4. 1689 90. The second Things Plain and Weighty referred to the consideration of both Houses March 25. 1690. That peace and Happiness Truth and Justice Religion and Piety may be established among us for all Generations For themselves 〈◊〉 â—ay in the same words in the place where they are assembled every morning before their solemn consultations and therefore it may seem strange unless an unseen Enemy did blind their Eyes and Hearts or hinder from discerning or turn them aside from the Truth that when God hath shewed them a way in his Word and left the means in their Power yet they did not go the right way to preserve make better and perpetuate the Government nor to Restore Peace nor make Wars to cease all which by the direction of Gods Word will be done to the end of time and to the ends of the Earth when they sball fear the Name of the Lord from the West Isa 59. 19. and other Nations will also do the same as they have from this understanding People a right example And further there is the Promise of God that future Generations shall * Psal 102. 28. â—ct â—2 5. Continue what we have happily begun It is only to order things and to establish them with Judgment and with Justice from hence forth even for ever To observe and do according to those Laws Rules and Directions which the Lord hath shewed and appointed in his Word and then there would be continued peace and firm settlement throughout these three Kingdoms which are united one to another and the like might be successively estaâ—lished throughout the whole Earth Let us â—â—â—e come and fix upon the sure Foundation of Righteousness But otherwise there will be confusion disturbance and unsetledness of Times with the manifold evils and Inconveniences thereof now in this place besides the Wrath of God which hereafter cometh upon the Children of Disobedience If People will go on still in their own Wayes and according to their own Thoughts this is Sin Iniquity and Transgression all which the Lord God of Recompences shall surely requite None calleth for Justice nor any pleadeth for Truth they trust in vanity and speak lies They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity they hath Cockatrice Eggs and See Isa 59. throughout weave the Spiders Web. He that eateth of their Eggs dieth and that which is crashed breaketh out into a Viper What is done by way of Violence Humour and Stubâ—ornness will recoyl with greater force and smart upon themselves notwithstanding they die as other men and we see nothing as yet to befall them Again sometimes it is here seen that what they would suppress doth rise up with greater strength and danger against them Or if with much subtlety and contrivance
out one single Truth And then opposite to Truth and Reason are Falshood and Imagination We may evidently perceive that all things are Gods and that his Word is perfect and true for that speaks of every thing according to its Nature either in express Words or just Consequence though this is many times hidden and not discernable which belong to mankind from the greatest to the least except what may be known from our selves and the most common observation So all is but vain and deceitful Words which do not spring up nor may be gathered from this ground of Truth This is left as a standing Rule to try the Doctrines whether they be of men or no. And we may further know Truth by the Understanding which is given us for Truth if it be clearly apprehended hath a full conviction over the Heart and Conscience Notwithstanding the shifts and tricks the disputing and crafty eluding â—et there doth remain a firm perswasion in the mind which cannot be â—â—t off When the Spirit of the mind suggests to the man This is the verâ— Truth it is exceeding dangerous to resist or do despite to that to be â—â—â—bborn against or despise it to forget or be willingly Ignorant And hence we may learn to take a judgment and estimation of the Wisdom of man's Words fine Flourishes smooth Language or of notional unnecessary things which may delight a little but perish in the Reading there is nothing in them and it is all blown away as Chaff But more especially are we to take heed of the Leaven of the Pharisees which they mingle amongst and thereby corrupt the Bread of Life viz. their several kind of Glosses Distinctions and their own Inventions meer human Expositions and Traditions Many ignorant People give more regard to the Opinions and Sayings of such a Rabbi or Teacher than to what Christ the Prophets and Apostles speak or even what God himself speaketh by them Indeed there was at first appointed a Peculiar and distinct Office of Men to turn his People away from Iniquity Mal. 2. 6. and to turn them to Righteousness Dan. 12. 3. But instead thereof They strengthen the Hands of Evil-doers that None doth return from his Wickedness Jer. 23. 14. And either conceal or flatter them in Unrighteousness and sooth them up in the committing of those things of which God hath said The Soul that sinneth it shall dye Ezek. 18. 4. They are rather Men-pleasers and yet that is a sad way of pleasing men to lead them blindly on to eternal Misery then the Servants of Christ for as he taxed the Pharisees of old time so do these now reject the Commandment of God that they may keep in favour with the chief Princes of this Nation For Moses said Honour Mâ—rke 7. 10 11 12 13. thy Father and thy Mother and whosoever curseth Father or Mother let him dye the Death But ye will excuse and vindicate and justifie if the Children shall not only take away the Right and Inheritance of the Father but after they have taken Possession they proceed to Kill and Murder as carrying on unjust Wars is intentional Murder all along And this is that they may be profitted though the outward pretence is for the Protestant Religion against Popery Whereas if it were really so yet if ye had a right knowledge of the Glory and Work of the Lord The One is not to be advanced nor the other carried on by sinful means It is a wrong and contrary Method to build up Zion with Blood and Jerusalem with Iniquity Micah 3. 10. But our Priests and Prophets do not exhort them to do Right and Equity to their Father Making the Word of God of none effect through your own Expositions which ye have delivered and many such like things doye God is my Witness whom I serve in â—he Gospel of his Son and as I hope for any Mercy at his Hand I do here declare That what I have already and do now hereâ—â— is also out of a greater Zeal and Emulation for the Truth and â—xcellency of the pure Reformed Religiâ—â— which at this day â—eâ— under much Scandal and Reproach by falsification of an Oath and manifest Unrighteousness This Zeal of mine is according to Knowledge and the certain direction of God's written Word both of the Old and New Testament For we are not to use Oppression nor exercise Robbery nor oppress the Stranger wrongfully Ezek. 22. 29. See the next Verse I will be a swift Witness against the Strangers and against those that Oppress the Fatherless and that turn aside the Stranger from his Right Mal. 3. 5. We ought to give no occasion that the Way of Truth be evil spoken of We are to have our Conversation honest amongst the Gentiles and to walk as the Children of God without rebuke Recompence to no man Evil for Evil Be not overcome of Evil but overcome Evil with Good Rom. 12. 17. 21. as such is the design of the Law and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles If our Ways and our Doings are contrary God sees it and it displeased him that there was no judgment Isa 59. 15. And some one or more should appear forth publickly to testifie against this National Sin and Corruption What I have done herein was to clear a great point which is to manifest the Most perfect Holiness and Vprightness of God who doth not allow to do Evil that Good may come As God is Righteous in all his Ways and Holy in all his Works so according to his certain promise Judgment shall return unto Righteousness and all the Vpright in Heart shall follow it Psal 94. 15. So that it is not a matter of Indifferency what any one thinks or speaks or doth herein but we are to side with the King Immortal Invisible and only Wise God against this Transitory World the Folly Falshood and Corruption which are seen therein We ought to search and enquire diligently what is written and to speak and do as We that shall be judged by the Law of God in Scripture Not giving so much heed to them whom the Word saith and Experience confirmeth But ye are dâ—parted out of the way ye have caused many to stumble at the Law ye have corrupted the Covenant of Levi saith the Lords of Hosts Mal. 2. 8. whose assertion may soâ—â—er be believed than their own Vindication They may be more properly stiled followers of Mahomet than of Moses or Christ for these were faithful in all their House But they according to the Impostors Doctrine will call such a thing an especial Providence and Immediate Deliverance sent by God though the means by which it came to pass are against his express Word and written Revelation But what if some that handle the Law know not God shall this diminish from the Righteousness of God or take away from the Purity and Uprightness of his Law God forbid yea let God be true and every man a Lyar as it is written That thou