it was not so for God had ordained Eunuches to be his Ministers and when those orders of Eunuchs called the Sons of God Gen. 6. 2. broke their order and would no more part with their privy Members but take wives and are become worldings like other Lay-men for whom it is lawful so to doe Then evil encreased so that God repents that he had made man and drown'd the whole world except Noah a righteous person that foresaw it and was saved by obeying Gods command Gen. 6. and the Prophet Isaiah understanding this invites the order of Eunuches to the House of God again to be his Ministers Isa. 56. 4 5. and Christ himself also doth invite them Matth. 19. 12. and that in Matth. 24. 37 38 39. Luke 17. 26 27 18 29. It was not because the Lay-men did marry and give in marriage eat drink plant build which things are for lay-men to doe but for Ministers it is unlawful and destructive for themselves and Nation to build plant and to exceed in eating and drinking or to be worldly given for why they ought to be true Eunuches only for God's service as the Oxe is which minds not to propagate his own seed but his Masters seed Now the Protestant Priest will say I have the Scripture for my warrant to marry saith the Romish Priest I am sure thy marrying will be thy ruin thou hadst best come to me again saith Origen the the Eunuch Priest ye are both in the way to damnation for your Gates is wide but enter in at the strait gate as I did take your unruly member away from you and then you come into me I am sure we shall not have too many Priests and we shall be peaceable we shall care only for God his Church we shall leaven the world with our meekness which we nor they could not obtain while we had stones to move us to a cholerick nature we shall be as useful for to feed mens souls as the Oxen is for their bodies And you shall find that the strivings and quarrels of their Priests have been the cause of all the civil Wars in the world for the Priests war will at length prove a national quarrel and the reason why the Priests quarrel is because there is too many of them every one of them will be a Priest for lucres sake and he that is truly called of God will not refuse it if he cannot have it without he came in as aforesaid it 's the only way to try their calling whether it be of God or not of God and God saith that he will give Priests after his own mind and those must be Eunuches Kings found Eunuches to be the most fittest for their presence and service as you may read in the Scripture and yet in Forraign Countries Kings have them and what a glorious fine godly man was that Eunuch of great Authority under Candace Queen of the Ethiopians who as he was riding in his Chariot was reading the Scripture and how sweet was his nature that as soon as Philip showeth to him Jesus Christ he presently believeth and is Baptized Act. 8. from v. 25. to the end but contrarily how stubborn against Christ the Priests were you see through out the Gospel and what mischief then and all along they did to their Nation one Levite Priest for his Wife or Whores sake for she was but his Concubine sets all Israel to fight one against the other that it was Gods mercy to them they were not all consumed that bout Judg. 20. let this suffice now for this matter Now to conclude 1. The General as I said before being a single person must give us a law and he must frame it by Scripture rule and so the people of Roome gave advice when the King of England after his conversion sent to the Pope to know by what law he should govern the Pope answered him saying you have the Old and New Testament make you a law agreable to that 2. The General must be one that knoweth all the cases in the Nation usually tryed by law for Moses was learned in all the wisdome of the Egyptians Act. 7. 22. he knew all their laws and controversies and so doth the Master of the Rolls our General know all the controversies of this Nation that is the Man to give law There must be a King to execute the said law else it will do no good for notwithstanding the Israelites had a good law they did not regard it when there was no King in Israel every one did what was right in his own Eyes Judg. 17. 6. and if you read from hence Judg. 17. to the end of that book you shall see what evil they did ye as bad as Sodom Judg. 19. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28. and what wars was among them for it Judg. 20. and the reason is because they had no King and the said reason is cited three times to shew us the reason and truth of it Judg. 17. 6 18. and 1. 19. and 1. therefore it was time for Israel to ask a King and I speak it with reverence when the people asked a King it touched Samuels self interest and he looked upon it as a great affront therefore he is displeased because the people now would cast him out to have a King in his place and speaks bitter things to the people yet you see the peoples case was good for his sons who were made Judges whom he thought should Reign carried themselves base took bribes and perverted judgement and the Lord justifies the people and bids him hear them and the Lord by arguments perswadeth Samuel to be patient and not lay it so to heart yet self interest is so sweet that the good Prophet for all that labours to perswade the people not to have a King until they were at last so resolute that they refuse to hear Samuel and said Nay but there shall be a King over us FINIS
sons death 1 Sam. 28. 15 19. here we see what power self-interest hath ever good men therefore he that can deny himself is higher then an Angel for Lucifer fell through Ambition and that a Witch had power to raise Samuel is a great dishonour to him a terrour to me and showeth that self-interest is to be abhorred Eli was free from it for he submited to the sentence of God when it put a period to his time of prosperity 1 Tam 3. 18. And I will now speak touching English men there is a Book come forth intituled The Lord General Fleetwood's Answer to the Humble Representation of Col. Morley and some other late Officers of the Army If he wrote it he is a self-denying man indeed and sheweth in that book the only way for Englands happiness he that observes the series of Gods providence may be assured that this Stump-Parliament which was just seven years under the band of Ironsword and brass-Canon that is from April 22. 1652. to April 22 1659. I say we may be assured that this Parliament will grow to be full consisting of KING Lords and Commons as it was at first and then more excellent Glory shall be added to it by their setting up of Christ's Kingdom For surely the Lord's Decree shall stand let self-interest-men doe what they can God and the people shall bring it to passe for Nebuchadnezzar's Vision shall be fulfilled again Dan. ◠for he was but a type of King CHARLS and this Parliament promised him according to Dan. 4. 36. that they should add to his Majesties glory and so they shall keep their promise and oaths made to him God will have the first Oath performed Rev. 2. 4. later oaths for self-interest shall not prevail against it 3 therefore I say to your Lordship and to the Parliament Remember your Vows to be true to the KING 1 Esdras 4. 43. Pay your Vows Ecclesiast 5. 4. I looked upon your going to Scotland as a mighty providence for the welfare of the Nations and indeed the fulfilling of what I said should come to pass in that time for God worketh by hid wisedom so that men cannot see it when it is done no nor for a long time after but when there eyes are opened by a more shining of the work then shall they see in what time it was done My Lord the people came before you they dare not speak out as yet they have been so Curbd but you may know their mind by their miseries I beseech you pitty them that their souls may blesse you Else England will be distroyed for some old Prophesies saith that if England loose its opportunity it shall be invaded with three mighty Armies raised and supplyed by all Christendome one shall appear in the south with the Queen and a great favourite of our Army another in the North under the King and Duke of York the third in Ireland under Henry Duke of Gloucester and before these three Armies meet English men will be so few that the Daughter shall say to the Mother O Mother I have seen a man to day and London with all the Towns in England will be destroyed therefore I say again pitty poor England that God may blesse you the more Oh pitty poor decayed men that are daily cast into prisons for debs by their cruel Creditors where they are speyled being unable to pay or live there the Parliament were about to take some course to help them before now Oh move them to do it speedily you will have the prayers of many poor distressed souls which in the day of battail will be a greater defence for you then your Army David Psal. 41. 1. 2. So wishing your excellency all happinesse I hoping to be in your Lordships Judgement a faithful Servant to the Publick And your Lordships servant in particular ARISE EVANS From the Kings Play-House in Black-Fryers London Jan 30. 1659. Gentlemen MY last Book printed May 1659. sheweth you the Kingdom of Christ in part but now through Christ's assistance I shall shew you further and to give you a hint of what is contained in the said book called A Rule from Heaven First Ye have page 1. to pag. 26. the Introduction wherein is shewed the Descent of our Nation the noble Actions of our Predecessors with their Sufferings at several times for their sin and a view of our ancient Prophesies that foretels the trouble and sufferings of our KING Nobles and Royal party with a promise of great Glory to them at last and an Assurance of peace for Ever Secondly From page 26. to pag. 45. ye have the Kingdom of Christ shewed though indeed not so fully and so clear as I had done if time had permitted for when the combustion was among us by the Armies throwing down one Government to set up another it was in my mind suddenly afore they run into errour and to prevent it to shew them a better Government then they knew before even a Government of Christ's own Institution and therefore I hastned and was brief having not time enough to clear the matter Thirdly Page 45. Ye have a threatning of our Army if that they would not suddenly stand up for this Good Old Cause namely the Kingdom of Christ and set it up else as stout as they were they should fall and come to nothing and their Parliament you know sought divers wayes their ruine since that time and they have been divided so that now they had need look upon my words lest they repent too late as their Parliament did once yea twice now and knew not how to help it Fourthly page 46. and page 47. Ye have a speech to the Long Parliament to tell them that notwithstanding their endeavour to set up themselves their General should dissolve them and I bad them beware of Jehu for so I called him and though they us'd all their craft against him yet I said he should prevail and I told them that the Army had a Design they knew not of and shewed them that they had no way to make themselves happy but speedily while they had time to make their peace with CHARLS STUART and I gave them a Vision I had 1634. to assure them if they sought it they might have had peace as you see all along if you read to the end of the said book I say you may discern if you read from page 46. to page 60. of that book how far those words of my penning have been fulfilled upon the Army and Parliament Thus ye have the Contents of the said book Now it is true that it displeaseth some of the Kings party the reason is because they did not fully understand it and it is left dark in some points because I had not time to open it 〈◊〉 cannot abide to hear of any to be in power above 〈◊〉 KING It is true there is none above the KIN◠namely Charles the First We read that Israel had two Kings at one time and
the weaker was above the stronger so that the stronger obeyed the weaker which thing was a type of Christ's Kingdome for King David being old and weak caused Solomon to be made King long before he died and King Solomon sat on the Throne but he obeyed King David all the time and is it not so with the Pope and the Emperor Here was two Kings at one time the Father and the Son yet no striving as you see 1 Chro. 28. 1 Chron. 29. But Christs intention is that King Charls which suffered shall not only Reign in his seed according as our former Kings did but shall also Reign above his Seed he being raised in Name Spirit and Power to Reign as chief having a perfect body prepared and chosen of God for him that personally from time to time hereafter he might be above our Kings to controule them instead of a high Constable of England and to be a King of Kings for ever to keep the peace between the King and people The Gods of the Gentiles to gratifie their worshippers would fain have done such a thing that is to immortalize them and make them to have a name and power on Earth for ever so that from Iulius Cesar all the Emperours were called Cesars for a long time and so the Pharao's and others had such promise of their Gods but alas none of their Gods were able to do it their Gods knew such a thing was to 〈◊〉 but they knew not the way to do it it is the 〈◊〉 of Heaven Earth and Sea even Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 do it and none else Again the Royal party cannot abide to hear of a poor Almes-man to be King and that he should have but two hundred a year they thinking I would have young King Charls Stuart to have no more and therein is their great mistake for I would have young Charls and his Seed after him to have all that belongs to the Crown and that he which personates old King Charls should have but two hundred a year the reasons why he should be first a poor man and after his installment should have no more means is because old King Charls was made poor in this world before he suffered and most rich in Faith having no Money save a bare allowance to subsist though he was the supream Lord Therefore he that personates him in whom he is to live again must be like unto him in Graces and outward state having but smal allowance yet enough to live for I believe old King Charls was never better satisfied in this World then he was when God took from him his temporal Pomp and Glory and gave him a view by Contemplation of his immortal Glory in the World to come so that I say such a body fitted and chosen of God and made so as he himself was made at last is most meet for him and is most profitable for the King his Son and for the Nation to stand in the gap and stop the bloody Issue a disease that England is too much subject too The want of this Government of Christ for so I call it in my book brought this Kingdome many times into desolation for when the Court grew corrupt yet so insolent and prove that it thought none could or durst Controul it then starts up one great popular Earl or other that watcheth for an opportunity and under the notion of a high Constable of England he heads the people and Wars against the Court so that the cure proved alwaies worse then the disease because it was done by the Sword and as Christ saith Matth. 26. 52. They that take the Sword shall perish with the Sword therefore in Christs Kingdome every one must observe his rule there must be a law for the Kings to walk by as well as for the people and they that are weakest lowest and least in the worlds account Luke 16. 15. James 2. 5 1 Cor. 6. 4. hath Christ chosen to be the supream Judges thereof yea to personate old KING Charls and to be over the Kings of the world as ye have it more at large set out in the abovesaid book called a rule from Heaven And there must be in Christs Kingdome a perfect Law made for all occasion and according to the Gospel a Law that needeth not to be altered every foot but it must be such a Law as nothing shall be added to it or taken from it that every one may know his rule and the punishment of his errour and the said Law must be truly and speedily executed upon the offenders else it profiteth nothing for so long as our Law is imperfect and that our Parliaments are alwaies making and nulling Laws we shall never be quiet or come to rest according to Gods promise which saith Heb. 4. 9. there is a rest for the people of God and the Lord is well pleased for his righteousnesse Lands and states in rich mens hands and they could not deny it but told them in a bravado they would spend in law thousands before they should get it and the poor knowing aforehand the course of the law was content to loose their Right and it was wisdome in them so to do seeing their going to law will not relieve them being sure it will make their condition worse what a sad thing is it for men to live under such a law let all good just reasonable men judge such doings are not to be in Christs Kingdome Again a man steals a Horse and by the laws of England he must die for it what reason is for that is a mans life for whom Christ died of less value with you then a Horse or some wordly Lomber which perisheth with the using and weighs such as set their hearts upon them down to hell I must tell you and that from the word of God that all the thieves that have been put to death for only thieving except they were men stealers have been murthered and that their Blood lyeth heavily upon this Nation and specially upon the Royal Family as one of the greatest cause of Gods wrath against them I remember that one told me five and twenty years ago that a thief being to be executed desired before his death to have Psalm 43. Sung which begun thus Judge and revenge my cause O Lord but the Minister no doubt knowing that by Gods law Exo. 22. 1 2 3 4 that he ought not to have died for his theft would not suffer him to sing that Psalm yet alas how sore hath God Judged the thieves Cause upon this Nation and specially the King and Nobles it is too evidently written in Characters of Blood and verily it is right that God should do it for it is a great contempt against God and his law for men to attempt and to leave Gods law and to make a bloody law for thieves contrary to Gods law seeing they have the law of God extant to judge thieves what is it but that men would have themselves seen