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A61217 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. Stafford, Richard, 1663-1703. 1690 (1690) Wing S5110; ESTC R219673 45,943 40

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wayes and that Sinners may be converted unto God then the Truth of God is come unto you Though according to the Divine Method it may spring up from an obscure press and compiler and remain for some time hidden and concealed from the World for People are ashamed of such Words in an adulterous and sinful Generation and they hate the Light neither come they to the Light lest their deeds should be reproved The Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not John 1. 5. It doth not see and perceive and also it is afraid and shrinks thereat And also there is the whole Truth spoken out without fear and respect of Persons and without favour of and siding with any Sect or party and also the time is come when they will not endure sound Doctrine for these and such like Reasons only it hath been universally rejected and not received I have all my Life time kept constant Communion with the Church of England and have daily frequented its publike Worship as I have opportunity and do at least thrice in the Year receive the Holy Sacrament according to the appointed Institution I have been also some few times since the Established Liberty at the Congregations of Protestant Dissenters and herein I do act pursua●t to that Truth Manifested in the fifth Chapter of my afore-cited Book under the head of different communions But I did never in the least joyn with the Popish way of Worship nor did ever so much as see it which I have had the curiosity only to incline me so far but I thought even that to be a sin and unlawful because of their Superstition and Image Worship and therefore I did utterly refrain I do desire and would endeavour after a Greater degree of purity and reformation even in our established Church for it should be yet more freed from the Ordinances and Commandments of men Though I do withal consider that the Restorer of Paths to dwell in Isa 58. 12. is only to take away that rubbish and corruption which hath so long laid in them that they may be smooth right and plain as they were at first and they are to remain the very same for we are to come up again to the old Paths where is the good way Jer. 6. 16. The Wall is in no wise to be removed nor yet the Foundations altered but the old waste places are to be builded and they are to be raised up and the breach is to be repaired and all is to be done in the very same place We would not willingly bring a Scandal or Odium or Dishonour them in the sight of their several Congregations but yet the Sons of Levi are to be purified that they may offer unto the Lord an Offering in Righteousness and that they might be the same as in the dayes of Old and in former Years when they did Teach Jacob thy Judgements and Israel thy Law and the Lord did accept the work of their Hands When they did walk before him in Peace and Equity and did turn many away from Iniquity And now the fault is only in themselves for why should they do those things as to be contemptible and base before the People As their office is to admonish the People of their Sin and Errour so God in his abundant Care and Provision for his Church hath all along instructed and raised up others who were not of the Levitical Priesthood to do the like unto them also It seems to be Ignorance or Interest that People are so over zealous for and confined within a particular Church or such a Congregation whereas we should acknowledge and answer to no other Name than that of a Christian not according to the common notions thereof but as it is written in the Word of God by living according to all the Rules and directions there And then we might all agree to the same manner and meet at the same place of Worship A summary of the proceeding Discourse Both the secret Thought and open accusation of the World are affixed on Me for Publishing such Words unto them This man seeketh not the welfare of this People but the hurt Jer. 38. 4. He that conquers Kingdoms and enlarges Territories is reputed a Great Instrument of Mens Happiness though it is accomplished with the Price of Blood and by unlawful means and the utmost hereof is a shadow only of Good which just passeth by and is gone for ever But they are the only unacceptable Persons to the World who instruct People how they must live and do that they may be saved and lead them into the right way that they may live as Peaceably and comfortably here as can be well desired in this World and at last be Happy and Blessed throughout all eternity Men need not be in the least scrupulous and fearful as to this present time for these Words if understood aright would prevent that further effusion of Blood in our neighbour Nations And one Mans Life if he knew how rightly to esteem it is more valuable to himself than two Kings and their Kingdoms They according as is was long since foretold of them 1 Sam. 8. do turn their Subjects into Servants and make use of the lower sort of People for their Wars but they have not so learned of Christ for of him it is written He shall spare the Poor and needy and shall save the Souls of the needy He shall redeem their Soul from Deceit and Violence and precious shall their Blood be in his sight Psal 72. 13 14. The same eternal Word and Truth would put a stop to the further impoverishment which is likely to fall on our own Nation through continued taxes and charge which would some what take off from the Oppressi-of the Poor and the sighing of the Needy for that is drained out which should carry on Trade and Commerce The Spirit of God doth take notice of such things as may be seen Isa 23. 18. And then the Seas might be set open again that People may follow their lawful Merchandize with less fear and Danger And then again the like Way and Method may be found out to restore unto all Nati●ns Vnity Peace and Concord which we pray for as a Blessing so we should likewise endeavour after out of a mind to the publick good That there be no breaking in nor going out That there be no complaining in our Streets Psal 144. 14. Which would be in Deed and in Truth accomplished If as they do already own and profess him so the Kings and Princes and Lords and Counsellers and Pastors and Teachers of all sorts would obey the Lord our God and do according to all his Laws and Statutes If they do not their Sin will find them out severally and as they are joyned together in a community for the time draws near when He will fulfil his Word for the Nation and Kingdom that will not serve thee shall Perish Yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted Isa