Selected quad for the lemma: work_n
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A61217
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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.
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Stafford, Richard, 1663-1703.
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1690
(1690)
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Wing S5110; ESTC R219673
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45,943
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40
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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
How will your selves look Christ in the Face the great Preacher of Righteousness if ye should offend one of those little Ones that belongs to him And proceed in the same manner as those did who Slew him and hanged him on a Tree How will ye answer it before God the Judge of all And excuse your selves to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect Who then will be without partiality and respect of Persons Who will not in the least savour of what belongs unto Men and also have a right knowledge of both sides the want whereof doth hinder the Saints on Earth from giving a righteous judgment But yet further your own self-conviction which is now stifled shall break forth And your own thoughts which now a little accuse you shall appear fully out and get the Dominion as before did the Thoughts of Iniquity and shall recoil upon your selves This know and be assured of in the mean while that the Persecuting Spirit is the Work of the Dragon who hath so long made War with them which keep the Commandments of God Rev. 12. 17. and Persecution or Prosecution of his Servants even as its first beginning to the last wicked act doth arise and continue from want of the true knowledge of God as is evident from these following places of his Word For Strangers are risen up against me and Oppressors seek after my Soul They have not set God before them Psal 54. 3. O God the Proud are risen against me and the Assemblies of Violent Men have sought after my Soul and have not set thee before them Psal 86. 14. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my Holy Mountain Why so For the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea Isa 11. 9. They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the Time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me Joh. 16. 2 3. Which none of the Princes of this World knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory 1 Cor. 2. 8. He prayed for his Murderers Father forgive them for they know not what they do Luk. 23. 34. But â—ow men have no such excuse for their Sin neither will God hear nor are we allowed to pray but according to Truth Paul gives the Reason-why he who was a Persecutor obtained Mercy Because I did it ignorantly and in unbelief 1 Tim. 1. 13. which implies the contrary if it had been knowingly done And here again to be willingly ignorant and to make haste to shed Innocent Blood Isa 59. 7. because they hope to have this excuse for their Sin This is to seekdeep to hide their Counsel from the Lord Isa 29. 15. Shall not God search this our for he knoweth the secrets of the Heart Psal 44. 21. Or whatever pretence or vindication they may have before the world can they conceal from his Eyes before whom all things are naked and opened with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. and are to be judged by him only For it is a small thing or nothing to be accountable one to another But it is a further degree of Sin and Iniquity will bring on greater Guilt and Condemnation when People are not only contented not to obey the Laws and Truth of the Most high God but also as their Fathers did to the Prophets Persecute and Kill such who are appointed to make it known And all those who are even now for filling up the measure of their Fathers Have they not so much knowledge and reason to reflect for their own safety Do ye not think it would have been better for them if they had not touched God's Prophets and done his Anointed no harm My Authority and Commission for doing these things is as aforesaid from the 23d Chapter of Matthew and Vers 34. And also what I can make evident from the 14th Chapter of John and 17th Verse Even the Spirit of Truth which by some is hard to be rightly apprehended for the same Reason as the World cannot receive him because it seeth him not But yet they may conceive thus much What is that common sence and reason which is within themselves May it be felt or seen And is it not only to be Understood That Discourse and inferring of one thing from another is in order to bring out something that is Truth The pure acts of the mind may give a Light and glimmering to natural and reasonable Souls that there are higher and Spiritual things which shall shortly be revealed before us with open Face as these low and Earthly things are among which we now dwell I speak unto wise Men Judge ye of what I say The Truth which I speak that is my Commission And though it is not seen yet it may be sensibly felt and evidently perceived within your own Consciences I will put my Words in his Mouth Deut. 18. 18. Behold I have put my Words in thy Mouth Jer. 1. 9. and such Words only are a good and sufficient Commission of themselves God hath been pleased to try many of his Servants even unto the Death to see what they will endure for him and to let the wickedness of Men go on that he may behold what they will do against him For my part I know not what or when is determined with me but I trust on that God who gave me and all mankind Life and Breath Though my Faith may a little doubt it wâ—ll not altogether fail if I should be conformed to the Example of Christ or Isaiah to whom that particular Phrase was Behold my Servant whom I uphold Isa 42. 1. Yet both of them fell by the Hands of wicked Men. I have had the application of some Promises which encouraged me to this great Work but yet if I should be cut off in the midst of my dayes I do believe and am assured for I utterly renounce the persons of Men that seeing the thing is Government and Peace which must be laid on an Holy Righteous True and lasting Foundation to bring in Christs Kingdom and it is to Order it and to Establish it with Judgment and with Justice from henceforth even forever The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this Isa 9. 7. Now God doth send that into the Hearts of his Servants And it is an active Principle which will still reach forth where it can apprehend any thing more until it be firmly and throughly Established He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set Judgment in the Earth Isa 42. 4. That is the thing we go upon only And here if one simple weak and unworthy Instrument should be stopt and hindred or shut up and killâ—d I nothing question but as the Lord spake thus to me with a strong Hand and instâ—ucted me that I should not walk in the way of this People so