destroyed his Game which had been so gainful for so many ages I mean the winning of so many Peter-pence Annates money for polls and other trinkets c. but the King would needs be head of the Church in the Popes stead and so by his Court of Augmentations inriched himself with those Revenues which belonged to the Monastries and the Pope yet this was little ease to the people for what a Tyrant this King also was to his Subjects especially to the best of the Saints the scourge with six Coards as I remember it was called and Sir Walter Rawleigh in his Preface to the History of the world will well inform us Q. Mary oppressed the Saints with fire fagot Q Eliz. a moderate higher Power yet the people of God under the name of Puritan under great bondage His Daughter Mary also sacrificed the lives of the choycest Saints for the service of that Beast But I hasten Indeed his Daughter Queen Elizabeth who being more in good earnest for the best cause then in the world called the Interest of the Protestants against the House of Austria and the Catholique Popish league in France governed the Nation more honorably and was a better Higher Power than any I read of before or since in the Catalogue of Monarchs King Edw. 6. died in his nonage and yet it is well known what havock was made of the Nonconformists under the notion of Puritans in her time how were they oppressed and persecuted by the Prelates and what Burthens and Impositions what Costs and Charges they were put to in respect of their non-compliance with the Ceremonies is remembred to this day the lives of some of the choycest Saints were taken away for bearing testimony for the Lord Jesus against the Lords spiritual as the Prelates were called and their abominations and other abuses in the Court. Thus you see how the Disciples indured a very heavy yoke of bondage even in that period of time when the fourth Beast was most tame and most gentle namely in Q. Eliz. time and reign Before I pass from this Point The two Scotish Kings lay heavy yoaks upon the Saints K. James a soat oppressor of the Nonconformists I must give a short remembrance of the two Scotish Kings and their Government Not long after King James came to the English Throne ther were suspended silenced deprived turned out of house and harbor c. almost two hundred of the choycest Preachers throughout the Nation men of the best Gifts eminent for Godliness sound in the Faith most succesful in the Ministry and why was the condition of these precious ones so much worse than that of their Brethren because they would not worship the Beast because they could not subscribe to the Ceremonies of the Church of England c. therefore they must be impoverished by Fines Attendance Fees Mulcts and Penalties Besides the common burthen of the Nation in point of Taxes the Saints help to maintain their Brethren the Preachers who were silenced and put out of all which they were oppressed with This undoing of many Families occasioned the godly people to distribute to their necessities some of my Kindred to my knowledge have given several of them yearly allowances for twenty or thirty years together after the King and Bishops had taken away their livelihood for non-conformity It is incredible to the young generation of Disciples what the best sort of Saints have suffered since the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth And though I am not of that age as to remember any publique Transactions in the reign of this first Scotish King yet by History by Books of another nature by converse with antient intelligent Professors I do so well understand the heavy Oppressions and Persecutions of the best people in the Nation that I do judge and publiquely declare it were a very noble enterpize to collect a faithful history of the sufferings of the servants of God for testifying against the Beast and the false Prophet so boldly so constantly and so successfully this last hundred years or since the tenth year of the Queen aforesaid However when the Judge of the quick and the dead shall ingage in this work 1 Cor. 4.5 of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness and of revealing all the plots of the Kings and Prelates for the crushing and suppressing of the truth and those Saints that owned it the admiration will be unspeakable Oh what a cloud of witnesses will then appear with Christ in glory who in the world have been over-clouded with shame and most infamous reproach Col. 3.4 with all disgrace imaginable But whether am I carried excuse this sudden digression K. Charls an unreasonable raiser of taxes and observe with me that Charles his Son who reigned in his stead walked in the waies of his Fore-fathers and how far he went beyond his Predecessors in imposing illegal Burthens upon the people I leave to * Lawyers are acquainted with his projects to get mony from the people Lawyers to compute who are more versed in those Affairs But I know that it was a sad time with the most zealous heavenly Christians with the most eminent preachers and Professors Will. Laud a great persecutor and oppressor of the Saints by fines imprisonment visitations c. the persecution was so hot under William Laud both when he was Lord Bishop of London and afterwards of Canterbury that thousands of good people did transport themselves to strange remote Countries some fled to neighbor Nations to get out of his reach this was great oppression as for those that staid behind they hid themselves in corners were put to great cost and charges upon the account of their non-conformity besides what burthens were laid upon their shoulders in common with other people they were taxed fined sequestred and squeezed by the Prelates Courtâ— and Officers most unreasonably How many turned out of doors for not reading the Book of Sports allowed upon the first day of the week Yea the very visiting and speaking or shewing any kindness or countenance to Mr. Burton Mr. Prin and Dr. Bastick as they journied into banishment through the Countries cost many precious souls very dear as will appear in fulness of time to all the world After this The Classical Directory the common Prayer books successor cost the Nation a great sum a costly Common Prayer for Scotland was formed and imposed seconded with a great Army which and all the illegal Taxations before as for Knighthood at the beginning of his Government the Isle of Ree Ship-money c. had made the very common carnal people to see the English Government inclining to the French Garb where the Taxes are endless easeless and remediless as the poor Peasants may well compute Thus I have drawn this line of the HISTORY OF TAXES AND TRIBUâ—ES of ARBITRARY LEVIES AND IMPOSITIONS through so many ages tracing this hateful monster from its cradle in Souls time who was the
their shepherd to feed them with knowledge and understanding in this point and therefore accordingly I spent some time in clearing it up unto the Congregation in a second Epistle written in answer unto theirs It seems some of them through anacquaintedness with Scripture-distinctions in this doctrine and otherwise did not make a right interpretation of the Truths therein expressed but mistooke my minde and meaning and so whether weakly or willingly divulged or suffered to be divulged abroad some passages in the Letter which ought not to have been done considering the Letter was intended for their use and edifying onely and not for open publication I had some hint of this in a short time but not being conscious to my self of any alteration in the least no not in thought and purpose of heart toward a compliance and well knowing that no part of the Letter could signifie any such thing if rightly understood I neglected the rumour as onely one of the petty stratagems of the devil whereby to do me some mischief But afterward finding that that secret whisper and murmur was ripened suddenly into an infamous report Letter after Letter also representing this as of very sad consequence to that Name and Cause for which I am bound with this Chain I was brought under a necessity of presenting to publick view the Epistle it self so far as it concerns this Cause Especially when I finde it certified that one well known to all sorts of people in the City coming where several were together in company did in a laughing and scoffing maner draw forth a paper and say There was my Recantation pretending it was mine own Letter or a Copy of it wherein I wrote That I was now satisfied that the Government was a lawful authority c. It appears to me that the envious One and his Emissaries are altogether in extreams in their suggestions against my Good Name sometimes the world must be made believe yea and the Elect also that I am against Magistracie and Ministery that I am an enemy to Government a most dangerous man in my Principles that way c. Again sometimes it is for his advantage to perswade such as would have it so that I am come over to my Adversaries and Oppressors of mine own accord and that suddenly too without any Overtures made or Arguments used to draw me to a compliance or conformity But how improbable and irrational a practice such an hasty return would appear to solid Christians to be I refer it to themselves to say and judge No blessed be the Lord I shall not so far be forsaken by him or left to my self as to gratifie the foes and grieve the friends of my dear Redeemer by turning Apostate after all my sufferings in so good a Cause HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR HIS SERVANT yea let all my Friends and Enemies also know assuredly that I stand my ground by divine assistance yea I get ground and am abundantly confirmed that I am out of the reach of the earthly powers insomuch that if they should slay me they could not hurt me Let God in all things be glorified by Jesus Christ to whom also be glory for ever Amen The Epistle followeth together with a further manifestation of the Truth This following is a true Copy of the Epistle so far as concerns the matter in hand which I have divided into Sections for methods sake in the explanation of my meaning Grace mercy and peace from the ever-over-flowing Fountain to every son and daughter of the living God Sect. 1 HAving lately even in my last unto you declared among other things that purpose and determination concerning my Bonds and Imprisonment which I have according to my best understanding taken up upon Scripture-ground I shall now proceed to add something for the rectifying of some mistakes about the present powers and the image of the Beast It falling in properly upon this occasion for me to speak something to you concerning those Truths which do lie somewhat remote and out of the way of ordinary observation Sect. 2 The judgement of the Congregation appears by their Letter to me to be this viz. That you cannot do any thing toward my enlargement prayer excepted without owning the Powers in Being the doing of which say you is accounted a bowing the knee to the image of the Beast Now for the better clearing up of the minde of God in this dark and doubtful matter I shall plainly declare as follows Sect. 3 First I do not know by whom the ownnig of the Powers in Being is accounted a bowing the knee to the image of the Beast It was never neither is it like to be mine Opinion and whether you mean some of your Number or of other Congregations I cannot tell if I had particularly known I should have given a particular Answer for as for my self I do own the Powers in Being according as God himself hath commanded and have done all along I have and do render to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custome to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Sect. 4 And therefore secondly the doing of this that is Owning the Powers in Being is not ought not to be accounted a bowing the knee to the image of the Beast to own those Powers aforesaid is a plain duty not to be dispensed with by any Law of man whatsoever where as to worship or bow the knee to the Beast is a known sin forbidden in the Word of God By the Powers in Being I understand the Army as Supream and all those who joyne with them to carry on the work of justice and of mercy according to the indubitable principles of right reason and equity for Rulers saith the Apostle are not a terror to good workes but to the evil and so far as the Powers answer those principles they are Powers and the Ordinance of God and there is no more reason to resist them then there is to resist righteousness and truth whilst and so long as they answer the ends for which they were ordained and you know I never taught you to rise up against them in the least Sect. 5 If any would ask me How I can be said to own the Powers and yet preach against them and for the destroying of them thus one after another I answer I do in this matter as the Prophets and Apostles and Martyrs and upright and understanding Saints in all ages did before me for I make no question but they owned the Powers then in Being according to their own Doctrine and principles and yet at the same time preached and prophesied against them for their abominations both to their faces and behinde their backs also and this was done by the Lords faithful servants in all ages but I confess it did cost them very dear some their lives others their liberties others their ther substance c. where as the Court-Chaplains the Parish-Clergie and the Apostate Independents take a very
mighty honor of being the Lords of the Nations and their Iron-Law-givers not so much as consulting with their faithful friends whose prayers and counsels they were wont to desire upon their entrance into great Enterprizes Quest Who knows the mind of the Lord is this secret with any of those that fear him and who walk before him with a perfect heart Answ Although I would not presume to intrude where I must not hope to be admitted yet I may give in my apprehensions in this matter with sobriety and submission to Saints of more intimate acquaintance with the Lord without offence and that in a very few words 1 The Lord may permit these things these strange mutations of mens minds that all the world may see that marching out of Egypt and entring into Canaan are motions very much differing from each other of 600000 men which came out of the house of Bondage but onely two single persons entred into the promised Land Those men who conquer Ameleck dare not encounter with Anak but had rather make a Captain to go back to Egypt than follow God their Leader over Jordan and as the Apostle phraseth it As it was then even so it is now 2 Another end of Gods leaving this unhappy new Model and their unhappy General to themselves and their own hearts lusts may be this That the poor afflicted people plainly perceiving that they will not cannot do that work which they declared for might be so much the more importunate with the King of Saints to make haste and come himself and in the mean time to provide himself of new servants to carry on that most blessed Design which his heart is set so much upon 3 That the All-wise God may take advantage to separate the precious from the vile who being so busie in beholding and wondering after this new Image of the Beast there is a rare oportunity for the faithful followers of the Lamb to leave and depart from those professors who have now demonstrated to the world that they followed Christ and his Cause for the loaves and not for the miracles which he hath done before their eyes 4 That having made this further separation from Babylon in the Army and in the Head-Quarters at King Charls his Palace He may form a peculiar people for himself to begin where the New Model left even to pour out those Vials of the wrath of God upon the Antichristion State and Seat which are next to be emptied by those Angels that come out of the Temple But if These are no part of his end propounded to himself in this matter then I exhort the Saints who are inquiring into these things to observe exactly every step of Providence Finis op ris Finis operantis that they may see what end the Lord will make for it is good to understand the end of the action if we must not know the end of the Agent or efficient Cause So much in reference to the consideration of those ends which the Lord might propound to himself in this strange passage of Providence I have not yet finished the explication of this clause There is somewhat yet further to be unfolded and communicated to my Brethren in the Lord throughout all the Churches of the Saints who are spirited for Generation-work On that I might be anointed with fresh oyl to speak forth to the advantage of the truth and work of Christ what I have received of the Lord that so others might hear and fear and do no more either so foolishly or so presumptuously as lately they have done But first I must premise a few words for a Manuduction thereunto Thus I apprehend the thing and thus I expresse my mind One part of a Nation may for their own ends accept of that person or those persons for a supreme or a subordinate power which another part of the people may lawfully refuse to close withal or accept for their Rulers or their Governors though thereunto required or otherwise attempted by their Brethren There is a famous Instance of this in the 1 King 16.16 Zimri a Souldier of great command in the Army but not then General conspired and smote and slew the King and reigned in his stead The people who were incamped against Gibbethon hearing hereof made Omri the Captain of the host or their General King over Israel that day in the Camp Here was part of the Souldiers had made Zimri King and the greater part I suppose made Omri King But this is not that which I intend for my Instance the quarrel being betwixt the Souldiers in this place King Omri overcame King Zimri for they shall have that Title seeing the Holy Ghost saith of the one and the other that they did reign though Zimri reigned but seven dayes And then this is my Instance the people of Israel were divided into two parts Half of the people followed Tibni the Son of Ginath to make him King and half followed Omri-Surely the Spirit of God intends some instruction to us by this punctual Narration of such a matter 1 King 16.21 I conceive for my part that upon Considerations which might be offered they could not impose a King upon each other being equally free who had the better Title it is hard to say for the one had as many votes as the other the people being equally divided At length Omri obtained the Crown and so all must consent or be silent which in a sense is as much as consent for the present We may put the case thus Suppose half the free people of England are for the setting up of a Monarch with a guard of thirty thousand men to protect him in his Honour and Power Suppose half the people are for a Commonwealth what Law of God or man will justifie the first half that have declared for Monarchy to impose upon the other half who knowing the manner of all Kings from the infallible Oracles of God refuse to be governed by Kingship and accordingly declare against it considering they are as free as themselves who presume to impose and have more from Scripture and the Law of the Land for their rejecting of a King than the others for imbracing him especially if imposed upon them by their Equals Equals in that point of Freedome Verily if a small inconsiderable number of the Free-men of England not to mention other Considerations do oppose by all Arguments such an Imperious power from their Brethren insulting over them I do not see how any honest man can draw a sword against these dissatisfied Free-men and if the sword forbear I make no question but Scripture Law and Reason would prevail But it is worthy of Observation That the Captain of this Host is not yet advanced so far towards the setling of this new Yoke upon the Nation as Omri was in that 1 King 16.22 for adbuc sub Judice lis est And the Army together with their Partakers in the late declared strange Government not having made
and doubtful matter which I was now about to treat of viz. concerning the Powers in being and the Image of the Beast c. and their owning and bowing the knee to the one or to the other Quest It may be demanded whether it appertains to my Office to handle such points in the hearing of the Congregation at this time especially when there is so much need of Healing and Settlement as the Lord General did lately plead and inculcate in the PAINTED CHAMBER considering also and experience proves it that it was not understood by those for whom it was prepared and besides other Doctrine might have been sent tending more to the use of edifying answ I answer That great and exceeding precious promise in Jer. 3. will sufficiently satisfie every Honest Heart where Jehovah saith Jer. 3.15 And I will give you Pastors according to mâ—ne own heart which shall feed you with knowledge and with understanding namely Eph. 5.17 Colos 4.12 that you may understand what the will of the Lord is and that you may stand perfect and compleat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all the will of God as Paul expresseth it to the Ephesians and Colossians Moreover Rom. 15.1 1 Cor. 3.1 2. Heb. 5.13 14. 1 John 2.13 we finde the Churches of the Saints to consist of strong and of weak of habes in Christ and of such as are of ripe age of young men and of fathers now strong meat is to be administred by every faithful steward of the mysteries of God to them who are of full age even such as by reason of use have their senâ—es exercised to discern both good and evil for it belongs unto them as it is written * Stâ—ong mâ—at belongeth to them who are of full age 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And therefore though babes cannot feed upon such Doctrine for milk belongs to them and accordingly it is provided yet others who are come to some maturity and would willingly know the work of their day and age will by this means go onward to perfection Which Gospel-perrection Eph. 4.11 12 13. was one great end of Christ his giving the gifts of the Spirit unto his Churches Wherefore I being as Paul in his Rom. 1.14 so I in my Line a debtor to the wise and to the unwise it is not meet I should be blamed for paying the due debt of my Office which I owe to the whole flock of Christ whereof I am made the Overseer by manifold obligations But to put a period to this Section I answer further that I had a particular call to speak largely to this point about the Governments because I perceived the Church or some particular persons to be under a great mistake even neer of kin to a gross absurdity and one absurdity being granted a thousand will follow Now it is required and expected by the Lord Jesus and his people that I should endeavour at least to guide their feet into the way of truth when I perceive them but begin to go astray And as for the unseasonableness of handling such kinde of doctrine considering as is urged there is so great need of healing and of silencing all debates about Powers and Government c. I answer further It was never the custom of the faithful Ministers of Christ nor of the Prophets before them to inquire which way the winde did blow at the Kings Court but to promote and to perfect their Lord's work which he had given them to do while it was called to Day for when the night cometh no man can work That also of Solomon is suitable to this purpose Eccles 11.4 He that observeth the winde shall not sow and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap Eccles 9.10 And whatsoever thine hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goest And to speak the Truth to the glory of my Lord my not regarding any mans Person or Power when I am about his business and my not taking care at any time for this twenty yeers to please men but onely God which trieth the hearts hath been to me of very refreshing consideration and remembrance upon all pertinent occasions ever since I was bound with this chain as it is also at the writing hereof as I am here sitting before the Lord to plead for truth with paper and ink seeing I cannot to this day hear any tidings of meeting with my Accusers face to face Sect. 3. Whereas upon that clause in the Churches Letter to me viz. The owning of the Powers in being is accounted a bowing of the knee to the image of the Beast I answered them that I did not know by whom it was so accounted and that it was never mine opinion nor was it likely so to be c. as is before set down It is very true I did not know neither could I know by those words It is accounted none who so accounted being named whereupon it being darkly expressed by them I thought it was meet it should be plainly expressed by me as in the Letter you may finde adding moreover these following words For as for my self I do own the powers in being and have done all along Now it 's probable these words might be construed as signifying something that had somewhat like a compliance or recantation and so being abstracted from their neighbours and fellows viz. according as God hath commanded c. as you may see in the Epistle It is true ENVY and ILL-WILL might endeavour to draw such a conclusion from those premises but that passion is not a competent Judge nor an equal Interpreter of words or actions But now Oh all ye who are friends but to common sense and reason suppose conscience should suspend its operations for a time come and be Judges betwixt me and my adversaries who have acted the devils part Mat. 4.6 com with Psal 90.11 in quoting one part of the words which were written and suppressing the other the better to compass his diabolical design against Jesus Christ his Lord. Thus I plead my cause against the falshood and most unrighteous dealing of such slanderers 1. First Is it not a most absurd and irrational method of proceeding against our neighbour to tear asunder those words and sentences which the writer had put together and so to undermine his good Name among his friends and to render him the by-word of his foes and which is worse then both the other to trample upon that noble Cause which God himself hath call'd forth the Author to maintain bear witness to before the world The Heathens would abhor such spirits and such practises when brought before them 2. In case those passages had been written darkly and doubtfully was it not the duty of the Reader or Reporter or both to make the best interpretation now let conscience do its office which Christian love could give and most sutable
to the declared and known principles of the Author of those words unless he had certain information or other testimony of his open apostacy from his profession and constant conversation in time past unto that day Wherefore thirdly Let the whole clause be considered with an honest and impartial minde and you will finde such cautelous qualifications superadded as if I had foreseen the Devils design against the Cause and the Person both Whereas I writing in simplicity of heart as in the sight of God without any thoughts of Declining or Drawing back * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 10.39 could not once suspect that such constructions and consequences would have been formed and dispersed thereupon The first Qualification of my Words was this ACCORDING AS GOD HIMSELF HATH COMMANDED I do own the Powers in being and have done all along but otherwise I never did nor shall own the present Powers or their successors The second Qualification of those Words of mine which I added in the close of this third Section is expressed in the words of the Apostle Rendering to all their Dues tribute to whom tribute c. as you read it in Rom. 13.7 And thus far in this third Section and no further have I indeavoured to state the case and to plead against the unconscionable carriage of that person or those persons who have given liberty to their tongues to speak reproachfully against their neighbour without cause Psal 15.3 2 Tim. 2.25 the Lord give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth and to the bridling of that member which though little is so very unruly James 3. the 10. first verses as it is written THE TONGUE CAN NO MAN TAME AN UNRULY EVIL FULL OF DEADLY POYSON It seems it is the onely work of God to tame it it is not mans work especially when it is set on fire from Hell as too too often it comes to pass But to proceed Now further to declare ingenuously my judgement and apprehensions in this point thus I say Either I must own the Powers in Being or that Are for we will not argue about expressions when they are well understood though they may not be very proper I say either I must own the present Powers or I must own Anarchy For Powers to be hereafter or which may appear in time to come I know not how to own in such a sence as I intended for de non apparentibus non existentibus eadem est ratio If the Powers do not appear and existere extra causas as we say it is all one to us as if they were not in rerum naturâ as indeed they are not actually till they are formed for forma dat nomen esse and so exist from the concurrence of the several efficient causes also respectively Now as for Anarchy or no Government for a people to have no Powers in being it is Confusion it is Desolation it is the Abomination of Desolation or that maketh Desolate It alwayes was it is it will ever be the Abomination of my soul Tyranny it self is not so ugly a monster by many Degrees in mine eyes as is * I understand Anarchy not in notion but in operation Anarchy Rampant Anarchy But let no man imagine that I ever was or now am a friend in the least to former or present Tyranny though I thus speak for Tyranny is High Treason against Mankind and against the Image of God in the world and shall be turned headlong off from the stage again when it hath acted its part for the accomplishment of the Counsels of the Almighty which will not be until the words of God shall be fulfilled as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth From what hath been said the Saints and the World may see what reason I had and have to declare that I DO OWN THE POWERS IN BEING for to own the Powers that are to be hereafter but are not yet extant I cannot do it viz. in that sence before expressed and own Anarchy or non-Government that I will not do upon any terms while by the grace of God I continue in my right minde and injoy any remainders of sense and reason So that we are constrained by right reason to own the present Powers But then withal my two Limitations Restrictions or Correctives call them what you please must be admitted and remembred carefully for otherwise I shall suffer apparent injury as lately I have felt First in general I told the Congregation I owned them according to God or as God himself hath commanded Secondly I did particularly declare how and how far I owned the Powers in being in saying I gave tribute custom fear and honor where each of these were due BUT WHAT AND WHO THOSE POWERS ARE IN MY OPINION IS ANOTHER QUESTION AND SHALL BE HANDLED IN ITS PLACE Concerning the first of these two Restrictions I explain my meaning thus I may as well throw away the Old and New Testament those blessed Oracles which are sweeter to me especially since I came into prison and yet more especially since I was shut up in Close-Imprisonment then the honey or the honey-combe as deny or refuse to own the Powers in Being it being so Just and so Good a Law of God * That there should be Higher Powers in the world is a good law the law may be formed thus Potestates in mundo super-eminentes semper sunto 1 Pet. 2.13 the Soveraign Lord of Heaven and Earth The Command is full and plain Peter writing to the Believing Jews saith expressly Submit to every Ordinance of Man or Humane Creation * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 3.1 for the Lords sake whether to the King as Supream or unto Governours as sent by him Paul to Titus doth confirm this Doctrine and this Statute-Law Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey Magistrates * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so Rom. 13.1 2 c. But moreover let us not interpret this subjection and obedience this owning of them to be Absolute and Unlimited as if without all Restrictions and Distinctions for that were unreasonable as hath been argued and urged against the late King Yea furthermore these things are injoyned to particular Christians and private persons who are altogether under Authority for otherwise one Higher power may refuse obedience to another Higher power yea and take their Authority away from them utterly and for ever in many cases as I shall shew afterward But to give the world an Account of my Principles and Practises in this point Yet more particularly I am bound to own them so as not to forget that I am a Disciple of Christ that the Gospel the Doctrine thereof is to guide and regulate me in the thing under consideration for though they are the Higher Powers yet not the Highest FOR THERE ARE HIGHER THEN THEY Eccles 5.8 And if at any time they command ought that is inconsistent
them to cry Hosanna to the Son of David when their Brethren that hated them and cast them out for his names sake shall bee ashamed and secretly wish that the Son of David would delay his coming but this by the way The next King which I shall mention after Solomon and his Son is Asa he also oppressed the people Asa a good man in the main but a bad king in that he imprisoneth the Lords Prophets and oppresseth the people 2 Chron. 16. from vers 2. to 10. though a godly man he had taken treasures out of the house of the Lord and out of the Kings house both silver and gold and sent it to Benhadad King of Syria to help him against Israel Hanani the Seer makes bold to meddle with these matters of State reproves and threatens the King from the Lord for his sin and his folly The King was wroth with the Seer and being in a rage put him in prison and having made the SEER fast enough that he might not OVERSEE HIS STATE-AFFAIRS he oppressed the people at the same time What this Oppression was is not expressed but to me it appears by the Context and other circumstances that hee got this money which hee issued out of his Exchequer to bribe Benbadad from the people afterward by a Levie or a Tax for Kings and such like creatures who are supreme Lords do not use to be so kind-hearted as to pay a great rate for the publick peace with their own money and the people never hear of the bargain before nor after surely they have other uses for the treasures of the Kings house if they have either Son or Daughter or their own kindred to shew kindnesse to But if this Instance have some darknesse in it as to this point sure I am it is beyond all controversie Menahem a Raiser of Taxes that the condition of the people under Menahem was very sad in reference to this point of Oppression and of Taxes by name * 2 King 15. from vers 16. to 22. A sad story Menahem a cruel Usurper This Menahem smote Shallum and slew him and Reigned in his stead what this Shallum was you may see in the Text Now because a certain City called Tipbsab opened not to him therefore he smote it and all the women which were with child he ript up Oh horrible Tyranny He was resolved to be a Monarch right or wrong and woful was the calamity of that City which refused TO PROCLAIM HIS SWORD-TITLE for other Title he had none This example affrighted other Cities and poor Wretches they had bettet yeeld than resist a bold and resolute Vsurper But how did he get the Kingdome confirmed Menthem buyeth the confirmation of the Kingdom and causeth the people to pay for his purchase The rich men taxed the poor spared by Menahem He gave a Bribe of a Thousand Talents of silver to Pul King of Assyria that his hand might be with him to confirm the Kingdome in his hand But who must pay for all at last the Holy Ghost will have us to know That also Menahem EXACTED THE MONEY of Israel even of all the mighty men of wealth of each man fifty shekels of silver So the King of Assyria the head Landlord it seems took a good round fine and went away but it is worth our observation That he exacted the Tribute-money of the rich men who could spare it out of their superfluity Truly he was a good natured Tyrant to the poor if he spared them out of pity and tendernesse I wish it were a custome in this Nation We have yet a more distinct account of this raising of Taxes you shall find it recorded in the 2 King 23.35 Pharach-Nechoh put the land to a Tribute of an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold and having left Eliakim whom he had made King and called him Jehoiakim Jehoiakim a Raiser of Taxes 2 King 23.34 35. he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandement of Pharach he the said King exacted saith the Text the silver and the gold of the people of the land of every one according to his Taxation Thus you have the original and progresse of this constant Companion of Kingship hitherto in the story of the Kings and Chronicles but if you look narrowly into the Prophets The writings of the Prophers do confirm this History of Taxes Nebuchadnezzar the head of gold yet a heavie oppresfor of the Jews you will find these truths abundantly confirmed insomuch that the people had cause to cry out in that day mentioned by Samuel in 1 Sam. 8.18 because of their King which they had chosen them and because the Lord as he told them would not hear them in that day But now as for the four Monarchies under all which they were in bondage I shall give but short hints of their sufferings in this matter because I would not bee tedious to the Reader I begin with the first verse of the Lamentations of Jer. Lam. 1.1 5. v. 2. 4. saith that Affectionate Prophet She that was great among the Nations and Princess among the Provinces how is she become TIBUTARY And in the fifth Chanter Our inheritance is turned to Srangers our houses to Aliens we have drunken our water for money and our wood is sold unto us For men of profligate lives and such as were Traytors to their Country and to the Cause of God in their day to be punished according to their demerits and according to Law and Equity is not unrighteous but for the choisest people to be worse dealt with and more oppressed than their wicked neighbours this is heavy and yet this was the condition of the Prophets The Kings Princes of Judah oppressed broken with burdens and bondage after they had oppressed their subjects and most eminent beleevers under their Kings for the most part till at length for their abusing the Prophets and oppressing the people especially those who were quiet in the land the Kings and the Princes and the Judges and the men of War were carried into Captivity and oppressed and put under the yoke of the King of Babylon She that was Princess among the Provinces became TRIBUTARY This for the first Monarchy That bondage and burthen of Taxes and Tributes under the Persian Monarchy The people of God under Taxes and Tribute by the Perfian Monarchie is notably expressed by the Levites in the ninth of Nehemiah the two last verses and is much like the case of some Saints come lately out of Babylon at this day Behold say they to the Lord We are servants this day and for the Land that thou gavest unto our Fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof behold we are servants in it and it yeeldeth much increase unto the Kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins The Grecian Monarchie a Raiser of Taxes he who is callâ—d by that name
first Monarch over the people of God to its old age for indeed Christians it waxeth old and is ready to vanish away Wait but a while you shall hear more But to finish this discourse I have you see brought you down to the beginning of the Scotish Troubles which being a day of small things The Scotish opposition to the Prelates and their trinkets a door of hope opened to the oppressed Saints was ready to be despised as not having any great birth in the womb of it When the Scotish woman threw her stool at the Priests head in the chief Church as they call it at Edenburgh as he was reading the Mass-book over her head in the Scotish language and a tumult followed thereupon I hearing of it was very much affected with it and found my Spirit mightily raised to expect great things I looked on it as the first great turn of the Tide whereby we were carried so fast toward the Sea of Rome and that was the first occasion of my looking into the Revelation and the Prophet Daniel Whereupon I saw plainly the Lord was resolved to turn back the captivity of his people The Parlament will not levy a Tax to make war with Scotland especially when the short Parlament refused to tax the Nation for the maintenance of the war with the good people of Scotland that Assembly being dissolved by the Kings Prerogative he was constrained much against his mind to summon another Parlament in the same year the most High over-ruled him brought him into inextricable labirynths all the policy of his States-men could not prevent the approaching Decrees of the King of Kings Whereupon the God of Heaven being with them for Judgement and Justice Illegal Taxations damned in ful Parlament all Arbitrary Courts all illegal Taxations were damned in full Parlament This was a year of Jubilee to the poor oppressed Sectaries and Non-conformists It is a year to be remembred with gladness and great joy Light breaks forth the bondage upon the Saints is gradually taken off We took them captives whose captives we were we rewarded them as they had rewarded us we ruled over our oppressors The spirit of Antichrist in the Prelates and their Faction in Court City and Country cannot indure to hear of and see the liberty of the true Israelties the return of the banished imprisoned ones the downfal of their Diana inraged them the Beast also began to roar in the sense of this deadly blow But the Spirit of Christ riseth higher and higher in his Servants being incouraged by the high Court of Parlament whose Office it was to take an account of the grievances and oppressions which had made the people full of discontent against the waies of the Court especially against the Prelates At length they take part with one Higher Power The persecuted Puritans joyn with the Parlament against the interest of the Court that house of Bondage and Taxes being lawfully called thereto against the other Higher Power who had so crushed them by Prerogative and Arbitrary proceedings as was well known to millions Generally the persecuted Christians and all the Puritans joyned with the Parlament for Christ and his interest so far as they knew it against the King and his Prelates for they well understood that the Court interest and that of the Lords spiritual as they were then called was opposite to the Lord Jesus and his affairs Hereupon the one Power and the other call for help every way first by way of Benevolence Taxes levied to destroy the old Taxes Clavum clavo and free Contribution afterward by Taxes and Excise I dare say for them who saw the wheel in the middest of the wheel * Ezek. 1.16 10.10 so long as we perceived the Work of the Lord promoted they might call for any thing almost and have it a free will Offering they had of Gold Silver Jewels Servants Sons Husbands for the Lord had stirred up the Spirit of his people in the Land exceedingly and they came in singleness of heart to serve the Lord Christ and to do work in his house * Hag. 1.14 in the removing of Rubbish and other obstacles which were laid in the way by the Man of sin others had other ends in going on this warfare as afterward did frequently appear Thus at the beginning we were ready to part with a great part of our livelihood for the compleat recovery of our Liberties and that we might see written vengeance executed * Ps 149.9 Jer. 50.28 even the vengeance of the Lords Temple c. and the cause of Christ carried on and prospering against Antichrist and the Fourth Monarchy But when we saw that the first Army was debauched by means of many mercenary Sword-men The first Army not fit instruments to destroy Tyranny and Souldiers of Fortune and by the prevarication of the Nobility and great men of the Nation we knew the Work of the Lord would not prosper in their hands thereupon it may easily be conceived we began to pay our Tribute or Tax-money very unwillingly the Taxes and Contributions lay exceeding heavy and no work done We complained to our friends in power we sought and besought the Lord that wee might not be carried back again to Egypt but forward towards perfection in this cause The Lord was intreated of his praying people The new Model formed used by God to renew the work begun for the good of the Saints and gave them the NEW MODEL formed contrary to principles of State-policy but it being of God and we finding that his Servants would serve him Rev. 22 3. and not themselves we paid our Taxes freely again I mean the people of Christ who were made willing in the day of his power or Armies as some read it Psal 110.3 the understanding sort of beleevers who knew what England ought to do though those of the Scotish way and spirit were very opposite did freely lay out themselves for their encouragement as foreseeing what would follow upon the taking away of Monarchical Tyranny or Tyrannical Monarchy as afterwards it came to pass And whereas it may be accounted as heavy a bondage to be taxed by Aristocratical Soveraignty The Remnant who did cleave to the work willing to be taxed and to charge themselves for their Brethren in Arms as by Kingly Power I say no not so in this case for we were satisfied that this charging of our selves as the Scripture speaks Nehem. 10.32 was for the pulling down of that Power which hath it as an essential property entring into the very constitution of it to oppress the people when there is no need of Impositions and Taxations But to go on Great affection to the new model abounding in the work of the Lord. THIS ARMY THVS MODELD had the Prayers Faith Affections Purses and other assistance of as knowing and heavenly Christians as I beleeve were in the world they looked on them as their dear
Brethren when others despised them and wished no good unto them they preferred them before themselves esteemed them above all the Armies that had been before them in any age since Christs time Taxes were not Taxes Burthens were not Burthens great payments were light matters every three or six months when others paid their proportions out of Fear THIS REMNANT parted with their estates in Love we did not complain as others For all this while they behaved themselves like very choice Instruments in the Lords hand Oh the honourable mention made of them before the Lord the Saints Bucklers under God against Tyranny our Protectors and Defenders as an Army against our sworn enemies friends of Christ and his Interest they appeared most notably resolved to cleave to the work of the Lord against Babylon so far as we could perceive we verily thought with our selves by their prayers speeches and discourses their Declarations Promises Appeals to God c. That it had been almost impossible they should ever prevaricate with the Lord and his people Hereupon I say it was plainly seen how some people carried themselves and how differently from others we gave not grudgingly or out of necessity * 2 Cor 9.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not with grief and sorrow because we must part with it but cheerfully that they might as from their brethren be incouraged to proceed as they had begun Thus it continued while Worcester Victory and a good space after because we hoped after they had rested and secured their spoyls and arrears c. we should find them rouze up again wherefore the Lambs followers continued their payments with a good will I can speak for my self and I beleeve many others did so for when the Parliament grew sluggish and carelesse of the work of Christ now their own turn was served we had ground to beleeve that those who had seen the wonders of the Lord in so many Battels Sieges Victories would not have given over so glorious a work and service for Christ against the man of sin and his Adherents and for which they had been so well recompenced both by God and man The new Model decline in zeal to the Cause of Christ and his people But DALILAH DECEIVED SAMPSON And the lusts of the flesh the lusts of the eyes and the pride have caused the mighty men of War to fall If they had dealt fairly with their faithful Brethren and told us the truth namely That the Lord was not with them as in times past if they had ingenuously confessed that though they had overcome the men of the world yet the world bad overcome them as we saw plainly some of us it had if they had let us understand from themselves that which we feared would afterwards appear that they would deliver us no further that they could not advance one step further against the scarlet Whore and the Kings of the earth who commit fornication with her that they were not spirited to follow the Lamb any further because they had gotten Farms and Palaces and Parks which they must look after and fall to building and planting c. as in the dayes of Noah and as it will be before the coming of the Son of Man I say If they had freely opened their bosomes to us in these matters as some of themselves must now needs say there was cause they should It is very probable we should have dealt with them in an honest Christian way and have perswaded them to have given incouragement to their Brethren whose hearts God had made willing to proceed in that glorious Warfare which they had thus far and thus happily begun and carried on The new Model had warm cloaths applied to keep life and heat in them And indeed some few of us did follow them with warm cloaths to get heat into them and to quicken them to the work of God and further told the chiefest of them though there was a withdrawing in some yet others were resolved to promote this honourable Design against the kingdom of the Beast Some brethren in danger for pressing forward the work but being betrayed by some of our own number we were we perceived taken in a snare to the danger of some of our lives if the Lord had not prevented But for them to decline in their affections to this noble Cause more and more The new Model pull down what they had built and build again the things they had destroyed to lose ground every day and yet to keep the Sword in their hands nay to exact the full sum of the Taxations as formerly and yet to suffer the Enterprise to slide back insensibly into the same or a worse condition than before Nay more than this for the NEW MODEL to build again the same things they had destroyed for the famous Commanders in that new Model to set up old Mâ—narchy under a strange notion and uncouth Title The new Model sets up old Monarchy in a new disguise and persecere those who will not fall down and worship the Image which they have set up contrary to their own ingagements against the very appearance whereof they had so frequently and so solemnly ingaged and declared And yet further to command us also who were their firm friends and brethren in all their streights to shut our eyes and beleeve as the Court beleeves upon pain of imprisonment and if we put them in mind of their Apostacy of their deceiving the Saints and mocking of Christ presently to say Take him Jailor Oh this is not to render to the Lord according to the benefit done unto them this is not to recompence their brethren according to the kindness they have ever been ready to shew unto them So that truly The little remnant unwilling to be charged again as in time of the first Army because all things go backward upon consideration of that which went before I must needs say I cannot so freely pay Taxes and give them wages now as formerly when they minded or pretended to mind the things of Jesus Christ the liberty of the Saints and the calling of that bloody City that cruel City to an account for all those massacres murthers and slaughters and other cruel usage of our forefathers and of the present generation of Saints now suffering exceedingly at home and abroad by her Paramors and Lovers the Kings other Tyrants of the earth and I am confident many Saints are unwilling of Neverthelesse Yet rather than resist they do still part with their estates though not so freely as formerly to deal plainly with all men that shal read or hear these things My Principles and that light which I have received from the good word of God did cause me to surrender and give up my body and my goods without resistance yea I have paid heavy Taxes during this my unjust imprisonment also even as when I was at liberty and let the powers proceed to oppresse me
as far as my heavenly Father pleaseth I rejoyce I have any thing to suffer the losse of in so excellent and honourable a Cause as this is wherein with my Fellow-sufferers I am imbarked But having treated thus largely from the word of God and from Authentick Histories which are excellent Interpreters of Prophecies concerning these troublesome Inmates which have gotten into our houses and bowels which sit upon our skirts so constantly at every turn of Government and though we should speak them never so fair they will not depart till they are forced out by Judges as at the first and by Councellors as at the beginning Quest Moreover having also declared my practise in paying Taxes and suffering imprisonment without resistance It may be asked of me by some knowing Saints What are the particular grounds and reasons of your practice in this particular Ans The reason of paying tribute without resistance The return I give to such a Question is this according to the Apostle I AM SVBJECT TO THE POWERS IN BEING BECAVSE I MVST NEEDS BE SVBJECT PARTLY FOR WRATH PARTLY FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Rom. 13.5 read and consider that sentence I explain my Answer thus First I am subject for wrath * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or because of wrath that is the wrath of the fourth Beast or Roman spirit in the powers for if I should have resisted when the Pursevants came to attach my body for my spirit indeed blessed be the Lord was and is out of theirs and their Masters reach their Roman wrath would have shewed it self presently by wounds or bruises or other outragious violence now I was not prepared to stand upon my guard as others have done in the like case neither did I intend to flee or make any escape for I was not afraid having done no evill for which I should be afraid of the powers Now I knowing that there was a power in being and apprehending that I could not glorifie God better for the present than by suffering I quietly and exceeding cheerfully submitted and obeyed the Order in the Authority whereof as to them they had apprehended me and went along with the poor creatures without gain-saying I had a blessed Catalogue of suffering Saints beside the King of Saints whose examples were very encouraging in conjunction with so good a Cause And thus I was and am still subject for wraths sake as it is translated or because of wrath for what single person can stand before the wrath of the Powers of this world during that time of Domination which is allotted to them he must needs be subject or come under their ordering as the word implies because of wrath their wraths not Gods thus I understand the place In the next place I say I am subject to the Powers in being because I must needs be subject NOT ONELY for wraths sake BVT ALSO for conscience sake or because of conscience that is as the wrath of violent men have a kind of compulsive power which will necessitate single persons or unarmed persons to yeeld to those who have power which is a real acknowledgement that they are the Higher Powers who bear all before them So in like manner but in a different way of working Conscience in a godly man and a knowing Christian hath a constraining power which will produce a resignation of our selves up to the will of God who is Lord of the Conscience and he perswading me upon plain grounds in his word to suffer under the fourth Kingdom for the service of himself and his Son I chearfully obey and forbear all words and actions of opposition after the manner of men untill the Dominion be taken away to consume and destroy it utterly as other Kings and Kingdoms have been destroyed heretofore And so I acknowledge there are Higher Powers in being and I finding and feeling it so to be am subject because it must be so not onely for wrath sake but for Conscience sake also and as Peter saith for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is a further obligation upon a Christian to suffer patiently those abuses which are offered to his person Relations good Name Estate or any thing that is his Nevertheless this I add That I groan all this while with other oppressed creatures Rom 8.19 20 21 22 23. for the manifestation of the glorious liberty of the Sons of God For certainly the creature being made subject to tyranny and the cruel lusts of proud men NOT WILLINGLY but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope cannot but in the light and power of that Spirit which is in them cry out in Faith and earnest expectation COME LORD JESVS COME QVICKLY and let all the followers of the Lamb say Amen And let all the wonderers after the Beast fill up the measure of their Fathers in reproaching imprisoning oppressing and otherwise persecuting the Saints of the most High and receive that recompence of reward which is meet Object If any shall here object and say Why did we fight against the King you your self did â—ppose him you preached other Doctrine in those times and if we must be so subject now and yeeld to the present Powers without resistance as you have said and done of late is not this a contradiction to former Principles and practices c. Answ All particular persons of whom I alwaies speak and it must be remembred I mean the Saints of the most High did yeeld subjection to the King yea and to the Prelates actively or passively without resistance those who were Non-conformists then to the Antichristian power as I am now did suffer patiently and chearfully as Christ left them an example this was so while the King was the only supreme Power in being and untill God raised up a Horn of Salvation for them and then as I said before the Puritans joyned with Parlamentary Power against Regal Power exercised contrary to Law and Justice and I was one of the number being lawfully called to oppose tyranny by the authority of the highest Court and I never did nor do repent of that ingagement against that party c. Whereas now there is no visible Powers in being to relieve me and other oppressed servants of the Lord it is with us now as it was under the old Monarchy there are no Saviors no Deliverers our Deliverers are become our Persecutors Zach. 1.2 or 3 last verses and there is no power to refist or oppose for the spirit of the Horns as Zacharias calls the persecuting Powers is gotten into the Carpenters the Carpenters are at length metamorphozed into pushing and goring Horns But when soever God shall provide new Carpenters to fray away these Horns that scatter the true Israel no question but Israel will be willing to be delivered and to take them Captives whose Captives they were and to rule over their oppressors as they did about fourteen years ago Obj. 2. But it may be
people to maintain them in their câ—stly trade of fornication each with other but more of this hereafter But because those Truths which concern the time of the end in Daniel and the Revelation cannot be so well understood by the Saints who are unskilfull in that part of the word of righteousness therefore they shall do well to enquire of those who by reason of use Heb 5 13 14. have their senses exercised in those most excellent mysteries And if they look up to the Lord with unfeigned desire not to be taken in that snare which shall come upon the Inhabitants of the earth do read those Books concerning the accomplishment of these promises as the Eunuch did Isaiahs who knows but the Lord may provide a Philip to open and interpret those mysteries to satisfaction beyond all expectâ—tion Generation work in three books of great use in these times by Jo. Tillinghast And because by special providence I have received refreshment three several times by three several Books written by Mr. Tillinghast concerning Generation-work theâ—eâ—ore I recommend them to the Saints The first time was when I was conflicting with strong temptations to intermit my method of Teaching concerning the present Truth and work of Christ and the Spirit of God meeting my spirit in reading the first of Jeremy Jer. 1.7 8 9 10. 17.18 19. 2 Cor. 10.5 and helping me to subdue those carnal reasonings The first part of Generation-work was unexpectedly brought to my hands at that very juncture of time when I had been a thinking that I was alone in this business The next season was exactly when I was apprehended and committed to the Messengers house An Introduction to this Altogether-causelesse long Imprisonment as the Lord knows to whom I have Appealed even then also unexpectedly was the second part brought unto me first in sheets and before the publication the third time when I was shut up a close prisoner in this strong Castle and none of the Saints suffred to come at me as formerly and at that very time the third part was conveyed to me I look upon it as very instructing to me that they should be published at those seasons when they might be most useful for the incouragement of so weak a Worm I could not but take this opportunity to bear testimony to my dearly beloved Brother and Fellow-labourer in the present work of Christ and Fellow-student in this present Truth which shall prosper and prevail in despight of Men and Devils even to the darkning of that Pomp and Splender of the Kingdom of the Beast and to the subverting of that Power and Policy which now delude and govern the Nations Rev. 16.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Kingdom became darkned or was made dark and that in such a marvellous manner and method of proceeding as shall amaze the wisest Princes of this world when they enter into a deep consideration of the same But that I may if the Lord please convey a little light into the understanding of my Brethren in this Cause This I say at present When the people of God are come out of Babylon and have once made a further and more compleat separation from that Scarlet Bloudy Drunken Strumpet Rev. 18.4.6 SO AS THAT THEY PARTAKE NOT IN THE LEAST OF ANY OF HER SINS when they are by the Lord put into a capacity of rewarding her as she hath rewarded them and their elder Brethren in the generations before them Then and not till then will the Saints throw the Burden off from their own shoulders and the iron yoke of Taxes and Tribute and of other Bond-serviâ—e Jer. 51.57 upon her neck and upon the necks and the shoulders of her Princes of her wise men her Captains and her Râ—lers and of her mighty men Oh Dear Brethren shall we live to see that day What a sight is here It is Spectaculum dignum Deo the Lord Jesus who sits on the right hand of the Father expecting to see his foes made his footstool Heb. 10.12 13 Isa 37.22 Rev. 17.5 will take great delight to see The Virgin Daughter of Sion despising the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth to laugh this proud Lady of Kingdomes to scorn to behold the Daughter of Jerusalem to shake her head at this persecuting City she and her Lovers shall bee like ashes under the soals of the feet of this Ransomed and Redeemed people Therefore be of good courage Mal. 4 3. oh yee oppressed Saints fear not for Jehovah Elohim will make your Horn iron and your Hoof brasse and you shall beat in peeces many people but remember you consecrate not their gain to your selves as the new Model hath done Mich 4.13 which will not turn to so good account as they think for but to the Lord of the whole earth who expects to be honored with the first fruits of all your increase I read of three sorts of Princes first Three kinds of Priâ—ceâ— and but one kind good The Princes of Babylon mentioned even now Secondly The Princes of the Degenerated Jews And thirdly Jehovans Princes 1 The Princes of Babylon are altogether for the spoyl and the prey for the crushing of the people so that they were and are abundant in treasures and there is no measure of their covetousnesse Jer. 51.13 2 The Princes of the Jews revolted from the Lord Her Princes speaking of Jerusalem saith the Prophet within her are ROARING LIONS Her Judges are EVENING WOLVES they gnaw not the bones till the morning Zeph. 3.3 Jerusalem is called An oppressing City Her Princes are Lions c. 3 Jehovahs Princes Ezek. 45. In the Land shall be the Princes possession in Israel and MY PRINCES saith the Lord SHALL NO MORE OPPRESS MY PEOPLE Ezek. 45.8 9. Ezek 48.35 and the name of that City shall be called The Lord is There where the Lord is and where his Princes are there shall be no more any oppression and spoyl The Prophet goes on Thus saith the Lord God Let it suffice you Oh Princes of Israel Remove violence and spoyl and execute Judgement and Justice TAKE AWAY YOUR EXACTIONS FROM MY PEOPLE saith the Lord God When you see Princes and Rulers squeezing the people raising of Taxes compelling the poor Parishioners to pay treble Damages for not paying the Popes Tithes while you feel the Publican and the Excise-man countenanced and incouraged in their vexatious Collections and exactions upon the poor of the people Think with your selves these are not the Princes of Jehovah but either they are the Princes of Babylon directly and professedly or else the Princes of Apostatized Israel who have the name of Christians but the nature of Tyrants But on the other side when you see an Higher Power incouraging the Lords people to come out of Babylon effectually and for ever when you see the chief Magistrates in their own persons to renounce all communion with the enemies of Christ and to
and as it were Catholique Dominion was given to the Assyrians and Babylonians the next to the Medes and Persians The third to the Macedonians or Grecians The fourth to the Romans These four successively each in their times according to the All-wise appointment of the will of God were Lords of the world Dan. 2. Dan. 7. Dan. 11. The people of God were not free from these yokes of bondage as you have read already in the former Section Prop. or Obser 3. The Roman Monarchy the last of the four Kingdoms or Beasts as the Spirit of God doth expresly call them was at its full growth or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the time of the birth of the Prince of the Kings of the earth Numb 24.17 just at the Meridian of the Roman glory did the Star of Jacob arise and shine but with a very dim light to the sight of the world for yet he had not manifested forth his glory as afterward he did Joh. 2.11 This is plain as from other Histories so from Luk. 2.7 first verses Where all the world you find was to be taxed by the Decree of Augustus Caesar who now was in peaceable possession of the Roman Empire Anthony and Lepidus being overcome The Kingdom of Heaven it seems which shall break in peeces all these Kingdoms was designed to be set up at that instant conjuncture of time when this Monarchy was grown to its full perfection But more of this in due time and place if the Lord so please Prop. or Obser 4. This fourth Beast both killed the Lord Jesus and Millions and Myriards of his Discipes for the first 300 years after Christ as the Ecclesiastical Story of the Ten first Persecutions doth at large declare In process of time after various forms and shapes assumed as in Rev. 17.10 He appears at length with seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crowns c. Rev. 13.2 3. To this Beast there described the Dragon gives his Power or Host his Throne and great Authority and so prosecutes on the behalf of the Dragon the old trade of deceiving the Nations and persecuting the Saints of the most High especially he falls upon those in every age who are zealous contenders for the present truth of every age Rev. 11. Rev. 13. Rev. 17. Prop. or Obser 5. These North-west Nations are undoubtedly some of those ten Horns which have given their power and strength to the Beast to make war with the Lamb and his followers And the evidence of Prophecy and History is so strong in this particular that all the Protestant Interpreters whom I have conversed with do agree in this Truth That the Race of Kings in this Island have together with the other Kings of Europe agreed and given their Kingdom to the Beast Rev. 17.13 and whether it be wholly taken from him again I mean in this Nation to this day is worthy a grave and serious examination Prop. or Obser 6. Now more particularly King Charls was within the compass of these Prophecies for he was not for the setting up of the Kingdom of Christ No not so much as in appearance or pretence much less in heart The spirit of the fourth Beast was plainly to be discerned in him by those who were wise and had their spiritual senses at their right hand For the wise shall understand faith Daniel but none of the wicked shall understand Dan. 12. But observe carefully that which followeth Prop. or Obser 7. This King Charles was fourteen or fifteen years since acknowledged an Higher Power in these Nations being in quiet possession of the best Title to Govern and to Rule the people of any other But the Decrees of the most High for this age being to take place he was necessitated to call a Parlament and to give it an existence in conjunction with the free people of the Nation they being the two legal efficient causes thereof So here was another Higher Power in being sent by him and the people as the Apostle distinguisheth the Powers according to the known Law of the Land This we have heard and seen and it was and is still marvellous in our eyes Prop. or Obser 8. This second Higher Power as I express it did contend with him who helped to make them a Power and to give them their lawful existence in that capacity This power after many bloody conflicts by their Forces did take away his Dominion to consume and to destroy it to the end then there was we thought an end of Kingship and this second Power declared themselves the Supreme Authority of the Nation changing the Government from the notion of King and Kingdom into that of a Commonwealth This was a great and wonderfull work of God which we are to consider with great regard Prop. or Obser 9. This Higher Power now supreme had impowred and Authorized after the Essexian Army was not found a fit Instrument for the work the new modeld Army and so they became a second higher Power in the Nation also sent by the Parlament as the Parlament was sent by the King and People But yet and for a good space they were and they acted as subordinate to the Supreme Civil Authority Nevertheless in process of time after most admirable Vicissitudes this military subordinate higher Power did take away the Parlaments Dominion to confume and to destroy it to the end I say they pluckt up the supreme Power so owned by themselves by the very roots even as they had eradicated Monarchy and damned it for ever as much as in them lay Prop. or Obser 10. Hereupon no Antient Legal Civil higher Power or supreme Authority was in being And that there might be a total destruction or dissolution of the old Fabrick to the foundation yea of the foundation and all The Souldiers took upon them to set up an Assembly somewhat like a Parlament which by major Vote called themselves by that name but how improperly not to say ridiculously let Law and Custom speak for neither King nor people did put forth any causal vertue towards their production as by Law they ought But to be short the Souldiery quickly pulled them down again like King Charles who by his Prerogative when the Parlament had no mind to humor his lusts would dissolve them at his pleasure Thus you by this time do not onely understand that they are supreme as I assert but you see quibus viis modis by what waies and means they are gotten into the Throne Now can any Christian nay can any rational Creature find fault with me for observing these wondrous works of the great Jehovah Can they find in their hearts to be angry with me for calling aloud to all the Saints and others too if they had ears to hear in Davids words Come behold the works of the Lord what desolations he hath made in the earth Psal 46.8 and as he cries out Psal 66.57 Come and see the works of God he hath been terrible
he will be more terrible in his doing toward the children of men He ruleth by his power for ever his eies behold the Nations Let not the rebellious EXALT THEMSELVES Selah Whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107.43 We have seen we have seen an end of all perfection which hath been preserved for so many ages The person and power of a King and the Son of antient Kings is cut down and cost out as an abominable Branch the Privilege of Parlament the Parlament and all their numerous unknown Privileges pulled down and devoured by the Army at a Breakfast the Liberties of the people also have met with the same destiny thus this antient threefold Cord made and preserved by our Ancestors with so much care with so great cost of blood and treasure is utterly untwisted and broken all to peeces By this brief account of these astonishing Alterations that great Truth which I laid as the first stone and the corner stone of this Discourse is worthy of remembrance The most High ruleth in the Kingdom of Men He changeth the times and the seasons He removeth Kings and setteth up Kings He the Lord doth all these things and other wonders without number His works are honorable and glorious sought cut of all that have pleasure therein Psal 111.2 3. Thus according to that talent of understanding which is given to me in these great and strange transpositions of Powers by the effectual influence of the first cause according to the words of the Prophets Kingly Power Aristocratical Privilege and Democratical Liberty being dissolved destroyed and disanulled as you have read heard and seen the Army must needs be the remaining Higher Power within these Nations If any Man Lawyer States-man c. know a Higher Power than theirs a stronger power than theirs a more absolute power than theirs I would willingly hear him speak his mind in that particular But to proceed if it be observed I only say They are the Supreme Power without addition or determination what kind of Power I own them as an Higher as the Highest earthly Power de facto acting and exercising such a superiority over the people but quo jure that is another Question fitter for the Lawyers to plead if they would or Durst than for me yet this I can find ground to say If any one ever heard me say they were a lawfull Authority or as is suggested If any person whatsoever can produce any writing wherein I acknowledge them a lawful or legal Authority since the 16. of the 10. Month 1653. let them publish it to the world and I will ingenuously confesse I am no way able to mantain or justifie such an Assertion in the least let them that please exercise their wits to perswade the credulous For Nibil tam incredibile quod non dicendo fiat probabile as Tully faith I shall according to the duty of my Office declare from the good word of God what is there upon record for a testimony against that generation of Back sliders from the Cause of Christ whom these following truths either do now or may hereafter very much concern The Scriptures of Truth do give us much light in the matter under consideration Rom 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Higher powers 1 Pet. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the King 's supreme and 1 Tim. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—hich are in superiority There are several degrees and several kinds of Powers There are Higher or Lower Powers Supreme or Subordinate The Translators do render the word Higher in Pauls Epistle to the Romans and the same word they translate Supreme in Peters Epistle to the Jews This is also plain to sense and reason I shall not trouble the Reader further with this so I put it first to dispatch it unlesse I meet with an oportunity to do further service with this distinction As for the several kinds of Higher Powers that also needs little explication In some Nations there is one kind in others another kind Kings Judges Elders Patriachs c. But there is also a Distribution of Powers by their Adjuncts Distributio subjecti in adjuncta and so the Powers that are are either Lawful or Vnlawful Lawful Higher Powers are such either from God or from Nature or from Nations From God either first by especial Designation in love and mercy to a people as Moses David Christ Jesus the Lord Or else secondly by especial Designation in wrath for trial and punishment to a people Thus Jeroboam was set up by God for trial to the ten Tribes and for punishment to Solomon or rather chastisement and punishment to his son Rehoboam saith God by his Prophet I have given ten Tribes to thee I will take thee and thou shalt Reign and shalt be King over Israel 1 King from 29. to 37. compared with the 12. Chapter and the 24 vers Thus Saul was given to the Israelites by God in his anger partly for trial that he might see what was in their hearts and partly for punishment because they had rejected the Lord from being their King neverthelesse Saul was a lawful Higher Power for a time although given in displeasure Thus Baasha was exalted out of the dust by God as the Lord sent him word and by him made Prince over his people Israel to fulfill the word of the Lord against Jeroboam and his house 1 King 16. Chap. vers 2. There are other instances but I proceed In the next place there are Higher powers by nature that is they are possessed and that justly of the Dignity of Superiority and of the power of Government by a pure natural Right These Higher powers are either Paternal or Patriarchal such a right had Adam the Father of all Living so Noah Abraham and other heads of the houses of their Fathers as the Elders of the Israelites in Egypt Exod. Exo. 3.16.4 29. 6.14 The lower powers in Families are a Steward whom the Housholder or Lord of the Family makes Ruler over his Houshold to give them their portion of meat in due season as Christ expresseth this matter Luke 12.42 such an inferiour power was Eliezer of Damascus the Steward of Abrahams house so Tutors and Governors of the Heir till the time appointed of the Father are lawful lower powers c. Thirdly Higher powers are justly such by a National Right or by the voluntary consent of those Nations whom they govern and this either in time of peace by election or succession as Judah did cleave to Rehoboam the Son of Solomon and many other Instances might be added or else by victory in a just War as the Canaanites became Tributaries and other people also in all ages And thus the Lord Jesus himself will be actually an higher power by conquest of the Nations For in Righteousnesse be will judge and make war Rev. 19.11 But to conclude this part of the Distribution
It is to be noted that one and the same person or the same persons may be lawful higher powers by an accumulation of all these titles put together in several respects after the examples in Scripture and in other Histories They may rule over some people in the Authority of God over others by the Title of Natural Right over others by Inheritance over others by Election over other people by the Title of a Lawful War and all at the same time I could give a good account of this upon principles of Justice and Right Reason But I hasten and therefore this shall suffice concerning Higher powers lawfully such becoming so by the appointment of God of Nature or of Nations by Any or by All of these claims before mentioned or by any other warrantable plea whatsoever it may be Now concerning those Higher powers who are such de facto only and in present possession but not de jure or by any known law of God or man they also come under a Ministers confideration and have several heads of distinction whereby they may be known The Higher powers in being without lawful Title and just Authority so to be and so to Rule are such first of all by Vsurpation which shews it self either in times of Pence or in time of War And secondly by degenerating into Tyranny Vsurping Powers in times of Peace Higher Powers by usurpation are unjust attain the Government either by murther and other violence or else by fraud and flattery Of the first sort I judge Athaliah to be one Athaliah usurps the power by murther who espying her oportunity took hold of it and destroyed all the seed Royal and reigned over the Land above six years according as I compute 2 King 11.1 2 Chron. 22.10 Thus Hazael murthered his Lord and reigned in his stead 2 King 8.15 Hazael likewise even when he lay upon his sick and death-bed and afterward became a cruel Tyrant and ripped up the women with child as it is upon record 1 King 8.12 15. So Richard the third Sirnamed the Vsurper Richard the third mide himself King by murther who being Lord Pretector murthered his two Nephews that he might reign in their stead But did the Crown fit fast upon his head no about two years after his Coronation he was slain in Battel and the dead Carkass contumeliously used all men observing how he was rolled to his grave in blood and mire See the History more at large This for the first member of the distinction In the next place Higher Powers in being Usurpation of the power by fraud 2 Sam. 15.6 first verses Absolom a most traiterous Usurper by speaking lies in hypocrisie may get possession of Government or Rule by fraud and by speaking lies in hypocrisie as Absolom for a time by his fair and plausible dissimulation and officiousness telling the people what he would do if he were King his words are these First See that thy matters are good and right but there is no man deputed of the King to hear thee this was to insinuate a dislike of the lawful present Power Note again Moreover saith Absolom Oh that I were made Judge in the Land that every man which hath any Sute or Cause might come unto me and I would do him justice and he would even kiss those who did obeysance to him and thus stole away the bearts of the men of Israel that he might the more easily EXALT HIMSELF Thus the p. O.P.e. and other Vsurpers innumerable The p. O. P.es Ulurpers by speaking lies in hypocrifie that of Dan. 11.21 is considerable There shall stand up a vile person to whom they shall not give the hour of the Kingdom but he shall come in peaceably and OBTAIN THE KINGDOM BY FLATTERIES Also Abimelech a notorious Usurper Judg. 9. Abimeleck made himself King such an one as it was by fraud flattery and murther Judges 9. throughout This for the second sort of Vsurpers in peaceable times Vsurping Powers by force of Arms Usurpers by the means of war 1. During the War are to be reputed so either during the War slagrante bello betwixt the lawful and unlawful Power or after the end of the War extincto Bello when the Victory is obtained by him who usurpeth the power Instances of the first 2 Sam 2.9 10 are Abner and Ishbosheth Abner after Sauls death made Ishbosheth Sauls Son King I commend him he did not make himself the Monatch King over Gilead and over the Ashurites and over Jesreel and over Ephraim and over Benjamin and over all Israel over whom he reigned two years but the House of Judah followed David Now let the Reader observe carefully David onely was the lawful Power the onely Higher Power de jure of right over all Israel and though Ishbosheth reigned two years yet he was not the King de jure but only de facto and so was not a lawful Higher Power or Supreme but an Vsurper while the War lasted on his part it was an unjust war also and Abner had not a lawful military Power neither as General of the Army All was unlawful and against the express will of God This for the first The second sort of Usurping Powers by the Sword 2. After the war 2 Sam. 17. 18 chapters are so accounted who set up themselves or are set up by their Armies upon Victory in an unjust Quarrel Thus Abselom would have been an unlawful Power if he had prevailed in that Battel which he fought against his Father and there are many examples in Histories of this kind of Usurpation particularly in the History of the German Emperors But I hasten An Higher Power also 2. Head Powers 〈◊〉 unjust by â—â—generating into tyranny who hath lawful Authority at the beginning of the Government may through Tyranny or mal-administration become an unlawful and unrighteous Power afterward as King Saul and King Charls And Histories are full of it But of all Vsurpers or usurping Higher Powers who get into the Throne those are most abominable as Powers who being INTRVSTED BY A PEOPLE to deliver them from slavery and servitude and for the publick good and Commonwealth having Conquered the common Enemy or Tyrant do betray their Trust and bring their friends who paid them and prayed for them who helped to bear their burthens esteemed them as Brethren and fellow-Citizens into as bad or worse servitude and slavery than they were in before and this contrary to Oaths and all manner of Promises Protestations and other Ingagements Pretending they would make them a free people and then MOST PERFIDIOVSLY put an IRON YOKE upon their friends and upon their posterity as much as in them is But more of this abomination by and by I shall break off from this work of distinguishing of Higher Powers for the forms variations are endless the supplanting and pulling down of each other in a most wonderful manner is represented in two chapters most