King or Ruler when every one will do his own will and one man devour another and when his face shines upon a people to make the Righteous rejoyce he gives them Shepherds according to his heart and sets the Righteous in Authority 4. Psa 135.6 Eccles 3.14 Job 23.13,14 34.29 What he will do he doth in this business and none can withstand him so as to add to or take from this business he doth but whether for mercy or chastisement such as he puts in power shall be in power for the time appointed by him 5. Psa 82 1-7 33.10,11 Rom. 13.3,4 Prov. 19.21 26.10 29.26 16.10 As he doth all things rightly so when he putteth men in power he giveth them a charge and they shall give account to him and however they intend or proceed yet they must give account to him and he ordereth all their Judgements in the issue not to fulfil any of their vain counsels but his counsel and ends and though many seek the Rulers favour yet every mans Judgement shall be as the Lord ordereth it who oft puts a Divine Sentence in the Rulers Lips that the Judgement of the Lord is pronounced and that surely to be submitted to as from the Lord. 6. Act. 4 26-28 Psa 2 1-6 Gen. 45.4,5 50.20 2 Sam. 29.5,8 30 1-19 Dan. 3 13-30 Rev. 7.14,15 In those things wherein men deal and judge most unrighteously and the innocent undergo the greatest injury yet God hath his ordering hand therein to bring light out of darkness and makes it in the issue to come forth to the greatest good of the sufferers and of others also that love the Lord which will support all that take all out of the hands of God in the believing acknowledgement of his Government as we may see not onely in the examples of Christ but of Joseph and David and others And to move us to this submission 7. Luk. 22.27 Mat. 17 25-27 We have besides the command of God the example of our Lord and Saviour though Lord of all yet as he was Man and Minister of the Gospel here on Earth he behaved himself as a Servant even among his Disciples and both payed Tribute him self to Caesar and counselled others so to do Mat. 22.21 Joh. 18.11 19.11 and taking all his sufferings out of his Father's hands he resisted not the sentence of Pilate but acknowledged That he could have had no power against him if it had not been given him from above Therefore whoever will acknowledge the Soveraignty Wisdom Goodness and Power of God in his ruling by his Power and disposing Power and Government to the Sons of Men must in that acknowledgement even for the Lord's sake and the glory of his Name be subject to such Government as he ordereth to be over us And this is to do it in singleness of heart as to the Lord and he that doth not on this Ground submit to the Powers that are in being will finde occcasions of discontent to keep him from a single-hearted Submission if the Powers he desireth were granted to him so that even then he will be a Murmurer and male-content Therefore let us on this ground submit And if any enquire What is that obedience and submission we are on this ground to render to Magistrates I answer Even the same which the Scripture on this ground requireth us which appeareth to be 1. 1 Pet. 2.17 1 Tim. 6.1 Psa 119.68 Ecc. 10.20 Exo. 22.28 That we do honour them in reverence and estimate of the Power ordered to them as that which is right and best for us in that frame we are found in and so beware we curse them not in our hearts nor revile them with our tongue or so endeavour to render the Magistracy infamous 2. Rom. 13.1,2 5. That we resist not the Power by rising up or rebelling against it but if its injunctions be for such things as in conscience to God we cannot do then submit to endure their punishment if they will inflict it 3. Prov. 24.21,22 That we joyn not with such as are not content with the Powers God ordereth and if afflicted will not with patience wait till God ordereth it to be more merciful but of themselves will be seeking and endeavouring to change meddle not with such have no confederacy with them 4. Rom. 13.6,7 That we yield unto them that Tribute that Custome and that Fear that is due unto them 5. Tit. 3.1 That we be ready to every good Work required by them for the Preservation Safety and Commodity of the Common-wealth 6. Tit. 2.2,3 That we shew all meekness and patience towards a 〈…〉 though many of the Assessors and Collectors for those works should behave themselves churlishly and foolishly 7. Rom. 12.17,18,19 13.3,4,8,9,10 1 Pet. 2.12,13 That we defraud or injure no man nor revenge our own cause but in love endeavour as much as is possible to live peaceably with all men and so innocently in the Nation and Commonwealth in that Government we are under 8. Eccl. 10.4 That if the Spirit of the Ruler rise against any one That he do not rashly fly but humbly submit if the Spirit of Satan raise Persecution against the Truth if the way be opened one may fly to escape and spread the Truth farther or in weakness to avoid the snare of denial but if it be onely the Spirit of the Ruler against a Man yielding will pacifie great offences 9. 1 Tim. 2.1,2,3,4 Jer. 29.7 Psal 37 1-7 That we pray to God for his teaching governing and preserving those in Authority and making them instruments of good to us and the Commonwealth and so pray for the peace and welfare of the Commonwealth and Nation we live in and thus not fretting our selves or being envious against evil doers but doing good we may dwell in the Land and be fed And thus it becomes us to submit to and obey Magistrates even as they are and because they are Magistrates whatever they be so long as God continues them in their Power over us But if these Magistrates have other Ornaments put on them by God besides their simple Magistracy in which they have some resemblances of our Lord and Saviour Christ upon them then there is more abundant goodness extended by God to us in them and more obligations still to thankfulness for them and cheerful submission and ready obedience to them as to say 1. Deut. 18.15 18. Jer. 30.21 If the chief Governour be one of our selves a Country-man a Kinsman of our own Country and Nation 2. Deut. 1.2 37. 2. If he have undergone hardship in sufferings and services with us and for us 3. 1 Sam. 12.11 If God hath honoured him to be an instrument to us of freedom from any hard slavery and bondage and of enjoyment of safety in peace and liberty 4. Nehem. 2.10 If being set in Power his
AN ADDRESS FOR Submissive peaceable and loving living together Under the Present Government To the People of the COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND However by some called ROYALISTS PRESBYTERIANS INDEPENDENTS or FIFTH-MONARCHY MEN. By Tho. Moore Senior Hearken unto me that God may hearken unto you Let every soul be subject to the Higher Powers As much as is possible have peace with all men LONDON Printed by James Cottrel 1656. To all Christian Readers Beloved Christians WHereas many of the People of this Commonwealth have testified both their thankefulness for and submission to the present Government by making their Addresses or Recognitions to his Highness the PROTECTOR in one of which Recognitions my Name also is Be not you offended That I in testmony of thankfulness to God for his Mercies in and of desire of Love among our selves and peaceable living under the present Govâ—… 〈◊〉 do make my Address to you first giving my Ground and then making my Request to you with endeavour of answering what I conceive in any of us might hinder the Acceptance For any weaknesses of mine in this attempt let Charity prevail so far to pass hy as not to be prejudiced therewith but that which the Scripture calleth for and I according to the Scripture request accept my boldness in desiring of you I being for peace I pray let none of you be for war among our selves but each endeavouring peace that we may share in that Promise Blessed are the Peace-makers and so fear God and love one another and live in peace among our selves and the God of peace be with us which is the prayer of the least and unworthiest of all God's Mercies and Servants Tho. Moore Wittlesey April 7. 1656. Rom. 13.1,2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher Powers for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God whosoever theresore resisteth the Power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation MAnkinde being fallen under sin and death and so liable to have the curse death by sin deserved executed on them all Rom. 6.23 5.12,18 Heb. 10.6,9 Gal. 3.13 Rom 14.9 1 Cor. 6.19,20 2 Cor. 5.14,15 Jesus Christ the Son of God interposing hath for Mankind suffered that deserved death and curse and so redeemed Mankind from the curse of the Law and by his Death Resurrection and Sacrifice offered to God hath bought all Men of God and is become their rightful Lord inlightning and extending means to them that as they are not their own but his so they might live to him that is their Saviour and Lord. And God hath given all Power and Authority to him and all over into his dispose and made him Lord of all and doth by him uphold and order all things Mat. 11.27 28.18 Act. 2.36 10.36 Col. 1.17 Heb. 1.3 Psa 75.3 so that it is indeed by him whose Sacrifice was vertuous from his first undertaking though more manifested since acted that the Earth is upheld and the Inhabitants thereof and the Governments among them therein Prov. 8.15,16 By him Kings raign and Princes decree justice by him Princes rule and Nobles all the Judges of the earth And all that God doth in ordering the Sons of Men he doth it in and through his Son Christ and according to the Covenant and Agreement between the Father and the Son in the Sons first undertaking for Mankinde Joh. 5.19,20,22,23 and so and in that manner God ruleth for ever by his Power and his Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 66.7 103.19 Dan. 4.25,35,37 Psa 57.6,7 yea even in the Kingdom of Men and gives it to whomsoever he will and none can stay his hand and say unto him What dost thou So that prâ—mâ—tion cometh neither from the East West or South but God is Judge himself he putteth down one and setteth up another So that it is evident That there is no power but of God The words also here give us to understand it of the Dominion Rule Authority and Power of Magistrates called here The higher Powers as appointed and ordered by God that is the highest Power his Son the Great King that is higher than the highest of them Eccles 5.8 Rev. 11.15,17 but doth not yet take his great Power into his own hands personally to raign with his Saints but as he hath given the earth to the children of men so he giveth the Power of governing into the hands of some men whom he calleth Mighty Ones or Gods to judge among the Sons of men for God to give account to him when Christ comes personally to judge Psa 115.16 Psa â—â— so that the Powers that in any Age or Nation are in being for Magistracy in a Commonwealth they are of God and whether for mercy or chastisement they are ordered by God in the same love and to the gracious end in which he gave Christ made him Lord. And here to understand Powers for Magistracy in a Commonwealth is evident in the Text Verses following also in the Apostles charge to Titus to teach the same Doctrine to Believers Tit. 3.1 To put them in minde to be subject to Principalities to obey Magistrates And Peter also teacheth the same putting it as one chief part of an honest Conversation 1 Pet. 2.13 14,15,17 To submit our selves to every Ordinance of man that is humane Ordinance or Creature viz. Princes Magistrates Governours which God hath made instrumentally by Men whether by Birth Election or Conquest for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supream or unto Governours as unto them that are sent or set in Office by him c. and shewing this to be the will of God c. he joyns these two together Fear God and honour the King which term by the whole context appears to be the chief Governour and those set in Office of Government by him for as History saith The chief Governours in those dayes were called Emperours but whether Emperour King Prince Protector Judge all are included in saying King or chief Governour Principalities Powers Magistrates and that these Powers are the Governours of Commonwealths is cleer in saying The Powers that are or are in being and so the like at any time in being for as for such kinde of Powers wielded with such a Sword in spiritual and Church-Astairs though before Christ offered up the acceptable Sacrifice there was something like in the Aaronical Priesthood though even then the Kings were in the Throne above them yet now Christ is come the High Priest after the Order of Melchizedec remaining himself the High Priest for ever having in that no Successor the Priesthood being changed there is of necessity a change of that Law Heb. 7.11 Mat. 20.25 28. Luk. 22 24 27 Mat. 8 12. 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Pet. 5.2,3 Rev. 13.1,2 8. 11.1,2 And Christ hath forbidden it to all Church-Officers in forbidding his Disciples and Apostles
the having and using any such Dominion Lordship and Titles among them or allowing and giving it unto others And the Apostles according to the command of Christ have disclaimed all such Lordly power and charged all Church-Officers to do the same nor could any Church Officers have and exercise such a Power till the Dragon gave his Seat Power and Authority to the Beast of which Power is not here meant and so I have no occasion in this business to treat of it but of the Powers or Governours of the Commonwealth of which the Apostle directly speaketh and so every of them that in any Age or Nation are in being that which is in being possest of the Power it is ordered of God he in his Wisdom and Goodness seeth and so ordereth it as that which for accomplishing his ends is fitted for us and his will and Ordinance is That we acknowledge his Wisdom Soveraignty and Goodness in submitting to live peaceably and obedently under the same And he that resisteth the Power resisteth the Ordinance of God whence every Soul even of Believers ought to be subject to the Power in being and so the Apostles Prophets Evangelists and Elders were and the Church with all her Officers are to be subject to the Principalities and Powers that are in being and so to obey Magistrates As for fleshly Objections under pretence of Spirit by some Believers that which is said of the lowest in Power being much rather to be heeded in respect of them that are higher in Power we have answer given to them in Scripture If any say 1 Pet. 2.18 Col. 3.22 1 Tim. 6.1 I am a Believer and made free by Christ a Son of God and he that sits in the Chair of Government is an unbeliever and so in bondage to Satan it is not meet for him to govern me or for me to be subject to him It is answered Gal. 5.13 Job 4.17 The Liberty given us is not for an occasion to the flesh and shall mortal man be more pure than his Maker it is God that in his Wisdom and for his Ends hath set him in place of Government and thee in place of Subjection it is therefore right for all his works are right and thou that hatest right art of all others most unfit to govern Job 34 12.13-17.19-23.42 32. Therefore if thou countest God that set him in place of Government wise righteous holy and good count him God hath set as Governour above thee worthy all that esteem honour reverence and submission that by Gods command is due to the Governour But if thou have not this to object and the folly in thy deceitful heart move thee to a contrary reply saying I am a Believer and he in place of Government is a Believer also we are both free in Christ and there is no difference of bond or free in Christ we partake of the same Grace and priviledges and hope we have one Father one elder Brother and we are Brethren why should one Brother rule over another He taketh too much upon him Thou art answered 1 Tim. 6.2 3,4 Eph. 6.5 Col. 3.22 Philem. 12.13,14,15,16 He ruleth not over thy Faith and Conscience but over thy Body and outward affairs and to help thy understanding a distinction is afforded thee between In the Lord and In the Flesh and after the Spirit and according to the Flesh that we may not confound Adam and Christ the natural Man and the spiritual Man the Commonwealth and Christ Nature and Grace in one and so if those Sons of Adam that be our Governours be also Believers if the Governours of the Commonwealth be Members of the Church if he that sits as Man in place of Government be also in the Faith and so a Brother then Believers are to esteem love submit and obey so much the more cheerfully and the more readily because they are faithful and beloved so that if Governours possest of the Power of Magistracy be Heathen or Infidels yet the Power of Magistracy they are possest of is of God and ordered by God If the Magistrates be Believers and so Christians and Brethren their Christanity annibilates their Magistracy no more then Grace destroyeth Nature or the Church the Commonwealth but helps for the good and profitable exercise thereof and so without any question asking for Conscience sake about our submission to Principalities and Powers and obeying Magistrates What Religion do they most affect how are they qualified or disposed how came they to be possest of the Power by Birth and Inheritance or by Election of the people or by Conquest If God in his providence hath ordered that Power and possest such of that Power we are to look at the ordering hand of God and knowing him to be good to believe him to do good and so whether he hath ordered them for mercy or chastisement yet to submit to and not to resist the Powers but in all their commands that we may do though to our own damage obey them In things before commanded by God obey them more readily and cheerfully if any of their commands be to deny or dis-obey God yet resist not the Power but refuse doing the Command and submit to suffer the punishment they will inflict and this with patience before the Lord that comes so to try us and so if we will not lesist but please God it behoves us all every man and specially Believers so to be subject to the Higher Powers as is fully and plainly declared and commanded in places alledged Rom. 13 1-7 Tit. 3.1,2 1 Pet. 2 13,14-17 And many Evidences Demonstrations Reasons and Motives might be given to move and press as hereunto but that Explication would be tedious as to say 1. Jer. 27.5,6,7,8 The undoubted Soveraignty Right and Authority of the Lord the earth being his and they that dwell in it he having made all and being the upholder of all having also bought all men to be in his dispose so as he may put them under what Governours he please and those that will not serve those under whose Government he puts them wo will be unto them 2. Deut. 2.5,9 19-23 Josh 12. Ezek. 29.19 As he hath Right Authority and Wisdom Power and Godness to use it so he doth rule for ever by his Power and hath according to his will given the several parts of the earth first to one then to another to possess and govern Dan. 2.37 2 Chron. 36.33 and given Kingdoms and Commonwealths according to his will as in Scripture we may read at large 3. Isa 3.4,5,6 19.11,13 Deut. 28 48. Judg. 17 6. 18.1 21.25 Heb 1.14 Jer. 3.15 Pro. 29.2 11.10,11 When he is so provoked by a people that in displeasure he will chastise them though for gracious ends then he will give children or fools to be their Princes or Rulers or their enemies to rule over them or which is the heaviest of all deprive them of having any
bent and Business be to protect and seek the welfare and peace of the people in the Common-wealth and especially of such as fear God that they may live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty 5. Psa 101.6,7 If to this end he endeavour to purge out wicked Officers and set up Men fearing God for Under-Judges and Magistrates 6. Psal 122. If he love the Church of God and be himself even one of them rejoycing with them in fellowship in the Ordinances of God seeking the peace and prosperity of the Church if so then in these things he resembles not onely Moses Joshua David Nehemiah but in some measure the Lord himself and if for the Lord's sake we should submit to and obey Magistrates though evil men how much more if God give us such a Governour are we to be thankful for and submit to obey and live cheerfully and quietly under such a Government Therefore having so good ground for my request I pray you men fathers and brethren of this Nation and Commonwealth of England take it well that I make this address to you beseeching you that now God hath been so gracious to us and dealt so mercifully with us that none of us be like those wicked Adversaries that grieved that one was come to seek the welfare of God's people Nehem. 2.10 Gen. 45.24 nor let us fall out one with another but be at peace and so with thankfulness to God submit to and live quietly under the Government God hath so extraordinarily given us and sealed his minde in his manner of putting us under it in which we have such Testimonies of his mercies and streams of his goodness that knowing his minde for our submission I need use no other motives to perswade onely I shall assay to remove some thoughts that hinder the ready submission of some and for that is the rest of my request in my address to you all 1. You dear Friends that plead your Obligation and Affection to the Governour and Government that fore-was in the King and his Successors I commend your then-Affection and Faithfulness in its season in and according to that Obligation in which so long as with God's allowance I might I stood one with you but God hath by a power even issuing from that power signally with his own hand changed that and set another Power up that is in being and the very Successor of what went before I need say no more a Child is to honour his Father but if his Father be dead and his Mother married to another man the same Law bindes him to honour him that is now his Father I might give many such instances and fortifie them with Scripture also Dan. 1 2 4 5 11-13 6. c. Ezek. 17 12-21 Jer. 38 16-20 29. but I shall onely pray you confider the example of that holy Prophet Daniel commended in holy writ he was faithful to Nehuchad-nezzar yea and to his Son Belshazzar also and what became of the unfaithful Prince and Princes that submitted not to be faithful in that Obligation when God had put them under it nor would be perswaded thereto is known but Daniel was faithful yet when God by providence put that Government and Governour out of being and set up another even the Medes and Persians who won that Power by conquest Daniel submitted to and followed the Lord and was as faithful to Darius as ever before to Nebuchad-nezzar he knowing that the most High ruleth in the Kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will when God had set up another Power he was subject unto that Rom. 15.4 Pro. 2.20 And this is written for our instruction That we may walk in the way of good men What troubles befel such as would not submit to and live under the Government God hath set over them we may read at large in Scripture Jer. 29. 41 42 43 44. And how God hath resisted and testified against such as have enterprized Rebellion to the Government he by providence puts us under even the dim-sighted may see Let therefore the Apostolical charge take place with us and let every Soul be subject to the higher Powers that are in being knowing they are ordered of God If you cannot fully digest this counsel yet till you can you may digest Gamaliel's counsel to cease opposing Act. 5.38,39 For if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest happily ye be found even to fight against God And I hope in considering what God hath done and what the Scripture saith you will see that the setting up this Power is of God and so digest the Apostles counsel also 2. You my dear Country-men that from the Authority of the King and Parliament and so from the Authority of Parliament issuing from and confirmed by the King did from and in obedience to that Power lift up your hands and protest before God to be faithful to that Power and also when that Power had in its agitation something purged and new moulded it self so as the House of Lords was down and the King departed even then again protested to be faithful to that still remaining Power of the Government of the Commonwealth of England as it then stood without King or House of Lords and on dissolution of that Power many made their Addresses to the Chief in Military Power for calling a free Parliament and by vertue of his Authority voted for Members and so by Act and Hand avouched his Authority Did not you as I do all this to God in obedience and submission to him acknowledging him the Orderer of all Powers and so submitting to the Power he hath possest of being if you did it not on this ground you were weakly carried and byassed with some base ends which far be it from me to judge and if you did it on this ground then have you not onely seemed but really involved your selves in the Obligation of Faithfulness to the Protector and Government that is in being and so your own heart will say as much to you as I can That every Soul of us be subject to the higher Powers that are in being Nor are a few grievances any toleration to us for unfaithfulness but surely we have none but what the necessity in Providences disposing hand puts on us nor are we loaden with any burthen or hindred of any advantage nor drawn to any service which in our own former Engagements we did not oblige our selves unto Therefore I hope you are well pleased with and will be obedient to the Government God hath put us under and I pray you let us lovingly and peaceably so walk together in our obedience 3. Now you dear Fathers and Brethren who for the love of Jesus Christ and in desire to please God and approve your hearts to him in your Faith Worship and Conversation
but the Lord shall send him c. and surely this Government of his while he sits with his Father on his Throne it becomes us all to submit to both in his providential ordering of Governments among the Sons of men and his spiritual Regiment by the Gospel in the Church and all this without murmuring or appointing him his way yea it is best even for the Kings and Judges of the Earth to kifs and submit to him and not to oppose him whom God hath made Lord of all not at the request of any to assay to pull him from his Father's Throne to set him on another if we should defire such a thing of our PROTECTOR it is a great mercy to be denied But yet Secondly Consider farther concerning setting Christ on his Throne 1. Micah 4.8 Luke 1.32 What manner of Throne it is and whose it hath been and the Scripture will tell us it is Davidical and so in the promise of it called The first Dominion and expresly The Throne of hiâ— Father David and that was neither above in the Heavens not in the Hearts and Consciences of Men in which Christ was before and is above David but the Throne on which David sate much exalted shall he sit on and raign 2. Jer. 3.17 Isa 24.23 33.20,21 62.7 Psa 132 13-17 122 3-5 Where the first chief and continuing place of this Throne on which he shall fit shall be and the Scripture tells us It is Jerusalem Sion the City where David dwelt in the Land of Canaan where Abraham sojourned This Jerusalem and Canaan made new and beautified shall be the place of his Throne and the praise of the whole Earth 3. Eph. 4.7,16 1.13,14 What is to be done by him before he sit upon the Throne of David and raign and all his raign with him and this the Scripture declares to be To continue his spiritual gifts in and unto the Saiâ—…s to perfect them for the work of the Ministery till the last man be brought in that shall be called by this Ministration of the Gospel-Call Mat. 24.30 Acts 1.11 3.20,21 Rev. 22.20 Phil. 3.20,21 1 Thes 1.10 4.14,15,16,17 1 Cor. 25.52,53,54 that we All not some onely but all meet together in the Unity of the Faith and of the Acknowledgement of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the Age of the fulness of Christ meet to be possessed of the purchased Inheritance and then that the Lord Jesus do personally and visibly descend from Heaven in the same body in which he died and rose and appeared to his Disciples and ascended up to Heaven where he yet sitteth on the right Hand of God and maketh intercession for us for whose so coming the Saints long and waits and then in this his descending from Heaven that he do in a moment raise the Saints that sleep and change the surviving that together at once they may see the Lord and meet him in the Air so to be ever with him Zach. 14 4,5-9 Isa 13 9,10-1â— Psa 149.5,9 1 Cor. 15 24,25,2â— and so being met then that he come together with all his Saints and overturn all the Powers and Governments of this World and so put down all Rule Authority and Power that the Davidical Government may rule all till all be given up to the Father and so God be All in all True it is when he comes to do this whoever of the Governours of this World in any of the Nations be found a Saint shall in the same moment be changed and meet him and come with him to this work and for the rest such as at the first on the appearing and coming of Christ with all his Saints submit to serve him and his people shall have their lives prolonged though their Dominion be taken away Dan. 7.12 Isa 60.12 Mal. 4.2,3 2 Pet. 3.7 Jude 14,15 2 Thes 1.8,9 Isa 9.4,5,6 11.4 Psal 72.4 Act. 3.19,20 Rom. â— 19,20,21,22 Isa 65 12,13,14-17 Rev. 21. But all that then refuse and rebel shall be destroyed and burnt up both root and branch This being the Day of Perdition and Destruction to ungodly men and this not like other battels in which some die on both sides but with burning and fuel of fire by the Breath of his Lips and this done then will he restore all things free the Creation from its bondage and make the Heaven and Earth new for a righteous people to dwell in and this done and not before he will sit upon the Throne of David and then set his Saints on Thrones to raign with him And so the Seripture directs us to look for this day 4. Joh. 18.36 Psa 2 6-9 Ezek. 33.23 Act. 3.19,20 Psa 132.11 Dan. 4.44 7.13,14,27 2 Tim. 4.8 Rev. 2.26 3.22 Who is to send him forth and set him upon his Throne Surely he is not to receive his Kingdom or be set on his Throne after a worldly manner or by any of this worldly Powers or Weapons that his Souldiers should so need to sight for him nor shall the Saints set him upon his Throne yea the most High God he and he onely it is that at the season sends forth this Son of Man and giveth him the Throne of his Father David and setteth him thereon and of him onely he receiveth it and so sitteth thereon and being set on his Throne he it is that giveth the Kingdom to his Saints and setteth them on Thrones This Honour is his True it is before his personal appearing to do all this many Earth-quakes and shakings of worldly Powers will be and the Ten Horns hating the Whore and making her desolate and naked eating her flesh and burning her with fire Mat. 24. Rev. 17.16 the Horns enriching themselves with their spoils in which battel the Saints as Men and as called by Authority for defence of a people and Execution of justice on evil doers may have their hand and work Psa 83.15,16,17,18 Pro. 24.17 yet they as Saints are preserved so that they use valour and not violence commit no rapes seek not the ruine and destruction of men but even in their overthrow and confusion desire the fall and shame of them may be blessed to them as a means of their conversion whence also they rejoyce not in their ruine and harm but as they are subdued are very merciful to them though when in their perversness overthrown they rejoyce in the righteous Judgement of God and for their own deliverance Prov. 16.4 1 Sam. 24.13 their main design being the same with their Masters according to Gospel-way The Salvation of men they know that for revengeful unnatural and filthy actings in executing wrath the Lord hath another Generation of men Therefore the Saints being as men by humane Authority called are Souldiers and also as Saints faithful and so though valiant and victorious in war yet blood is not imputed to them nor the Victory ascribed to them
under the Government God hath given us I need say no more to you 3. But for you beloved Fathers and Brethren that believingly look for the Lord Jesus Christ that once abased himself and died for us and hath procured us so much good by his Cross and by vertue thereof extends so much mercy daily to us to come again personally in glory and to take to him his great Power sit upon the Throne of David his Father and raign and all his Saints to come with him and raign with him and so all the Kingdome under the whole Heavens to be given to the Saints of the most Hight It is marvel to me that any of you should be discontent at the Government under which you enjoy so many mercies that you cannot with thankfulness live quietly under it and wait with patience for that day If in my Address to you for this I come 〈◊〉 in touching some goodly appearing thoughts yet he that loveth there is no occasion of stumbling in him and I hope Love will so lead me that I shall offer no just occasion for love to be provoked or stumble at 1. If you say Your desire is that Christ may raign in his Saints and your grief and offence taken is because it is not so then I pray let us begin at home and we shall finde the greatest cause of grief for this to be within our selves and in this desire I am perswaded not onely our Protector but all Saints in this Commonwealth are one with us for Christ raigning in his Saints in this Day of his Grace and Patience is not his raigning with and by his Saints in making all of them the outward 〈◊〉 and Governours of the men of this World but raigning and living in his Saints by his Word and Spirit subduing every Thought to the Obedience of Christ Cal. 2.20 2 Cor. 10.3,4 4.13 2 Tim. 1.7 1 Cor. 9 19-27 1 Joh. 5.4,5 Rev. 12 11. 3.10 Act. 9.4,5 Col. 1.24 2 Tim. 2.12 and them to accept the Cross of Christ and Conformity to him in it and so by the Spirit of Faith Love Power and a sound Minde he dwells in them and they live to him and yet are in this World for his sake as he was subject to humane Powers and Servants to all for their good and though they overcome the World yet the Victory is by Faith proceeding to more spiritual goodness and 〈◊〉 by carnal Weapons reaching to worldly Power and Honour over men but by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their Testimony not loving their lives unto the death so as while he raigns in them they keep the Word of his Patience and are Sufferers for him and with him and he with them who shall after raign with him when he raigns and this I hope you all believe and this also That Christ his raigning in his Saints hath been from the beginning ever since he had a Church on Earth Psa 68.18,19 1 Cor. 2 14. 1 Joh. 3.1 1 Cor. 1.4,5,6 Col. 1.12,13 Rom. 14 1-17 15.1,2,3 Rev. 11 15-18 Col. 3.4 2 Thes 1 7-10 1 Thes 1.10 and more abundantly and manifestly since he compleated his Sacrifice and advanced our Nature in himself to Heaven and sent forth such plentiful gifts of the Holy Ghost and so doth in this Day though the men of the World cannot perceive it and our eye-sight so weak that a little dust of some difference so blindeth us that we can hardly discern it in our Brethren dissenting from us though in circumstance so as to give thanks as the Apostle did for the Corinthians and Colossians but need rather that admonition given to the Romans but the Saints raigning with Christ and his own personal raigning with and by them as it is yet to come so it comes at once and they begin together when he comes and takes to him his great Power and raigns over the Kingdoms of the World then and not till then shall his Saints so raign with him he that believeth on him makes not haste nor desires to raign before his Master but waits for that till the Lord comes from Heaven and when by providence he putteth any Saint into a place of worldly Power and Government yet in that also they will be found Sufferers with their Master and Strangers in this World as Saints and though Protectors of their Brethren the Saints in their outward Peace yet Rulers of them as men also in their outward affairs and not able to carry all as they would in and by their several Officers and Under-Governours in this World wo is us if they should suffer any thing by us for whom questionless they suffer much Psa 75.2 72.4 39.12 2 Sam. 23.5 Heb. 4 7-11 11 8-16 1 Thes 1.9,10 so that we cannot look to have all without fault here we must wait for that till our Lord and Master himself doth come even thus it was with David And so the time of the Saints rest and raigning with Christ over the men of the World is not yet It is better for us to have Christ raigning in us now and to look for our raigning with him as Abraham and our Fathers did for the Inheritance and Kingdom 2. If any of you say We agree in this onely we would have Christ to be set on his Throne I answer To desire and haste to that Day All Saints that believe such a Day as in which Christ shall sit on his Throne do assuredly joyn with you but before that Day to desire or attempt to set Christ on his Throne none that rightly understand and well ponder the business dare joyn with you in desire or essay I beseech you consider with me but these things which I hope you believe as I do First Rev. 3.21 4.2 Psa 103.19 66.7 Heb. 8.1 1 Pet. 3.22 Joh. 5.17,19,20 Prov. 8.15,16 1 Pet. 2 2,3-9 Psa 110.1 Act. 2.33,37 3.19,20 That the Throne of Christ he is now upon is the Throne of the Father and he and he onely as man and no man but he is already set down with his Father on his Throne nowhere called The Throne of David but The Father's Throne The Throne of God that is set in Heaven where he even the Man Christ now is set on the right Hand of God all Power and Authority given unto him so as God doth all by Jesus Christ and he doth all both from God and as God and so he ruleth by his Power for ever and his Kingdom ruleth over all and by such Magistrates as he pleaseth he ruleth the Sons of men and by his gracious Word and Spirit he gathereth a people to himself and ruleth in their hearts and societies And thus is Christ by his Father set with his Father upon his Throne and there to continue till he make his Enemies his Footstool which is the time of the restauration of all things and then none shall fetch him down
and Endeavours to withdraw other from praying for those in Authority contrary to God's express command 2. 1 Pet. 4.8 Pro. 25.9 To discover what we conceive to be weakness in those in Authority contrary to Charity and the express Command no Saint being without some weakness though they have not the Temptations Governours have 3. Exod. 22.28 Eccles 10.20 To speak evil of Rulers to make them appear vile to others contrary to the express charge of God to us concerning them 4. Ezek. 13.22 By such dealing to sad the hearts of the righteous and comfort the hearts and strengthen the hands of the wicked that are set for ruine and destruction of all that are bent for or profess godliness 5. Yea under pretence of complaining of Persecution if crost of our wills to persecute with Tongue and Pen such as with all their endeavour strive to keep us from Persecution yea when such the care of the chief Governour that I suppose no man can truely say That by his authority and allowance he is persecuted for glorifying God and advancing the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of Man yea for his sufferings as Man or Exaltation or as being the most High God or for bearing forth the Testimony of Christ in the Gospel or using any Ordinance of his commanded in the Gospel and so for his Conscience in worshipping God in and through Christ however one Saint differ from another in the manner hereof if they rebel not against the Government to hinder the outward Peace of the Nation and Commonwealth Oh my Brethren I pray God keep us from these evils and if any of us have run into them and suffered some reproof for that from saying In such things we suffer for conscience sake or for good works as Christ did yea rather let us minde and be thankful for the mercies we enjoy and live peaceably under the Government God hath so graciously given us and in all I pray ponder what the Scripture saith in all I have said to you my Brethren whose reproach for expecting the personal coming of Christ to raign with his Saints on Earth I am very willing to bear my part in that with you though I am perswaded the term of Fifth-Monarchy-men was not by those of understanding put on you for this Desire and Expectation but for desiring and expecting a Kingdom for the Saints to rule over the men of the World before his personal and visible coming which would be liker to Anarchy than Monarchy I suppose Charity will thus judge and that it is according to Truth in which Charity rejoyceth I beseech you therefore as my Address is more earnest to you so let me not be denied of you to whom I have spoken in the last place For my Brethren I would be loath any of those hideous Brands prophesied to be found in such as walk in the way of Cain Balaam and Corah in these last dayes should be found on any of us as despising Dominion or Government Presumption and self-willedness and speaking evil of Dignities 2 Pet. 2.10 Jude 8. and I hope yea am sure if we minde it the grace of God will prevail with us to that which is better And now to you all Men Biethren and Fathers Country-men and Neighbours I pray let us search the Scriptures and according to their direction let us be thankful for and subject and obedient to and live lovingly and peaceably under the Government God hath graciously put us under I have not used any motives to you from the faithfulness of him God hath made our Protector as his ends from the first if we could have attained that was professedly aimed at even for advancing him that was before his heart to all godly minded and care for the Commonwealth the signal Testimonies of God's approbation and answer of Prayers in his manifold Transactions his mercies to many in distress yea to some undeserving of which I might have said somthing knowingly nor have I used any subtil or politick insinuations but my Ad to dress you is onely in the Name of the Lord with his Words and in Bowels moved by the Testimony of Christ the extent whereof as in Gospel set forth all that in heart believe have a Priaciple within their heart leading to as much as I desire whose hearts I fear it not are with me in this Address Wherefore I entreat all Men and especially Brethren as we acknowledge the VVisdom Love and Goodness of God in his ordainment in giving us this Government and putting us under it so let us accept it submit to it pray earnestly for blessing on our Protector and all in Authority under him and live under the Government with submission to the Higher Powers obeying Magistrates and as far as is possible live peaceably with all men endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace with all our Brethren so shall we not hinder our selves of our desired and expected good but may still expect the continuance and encrease thereof to Governours and governed and the God of peace will be with us So be it FINIS