fruit of their pride as in Pride bringeth confusion Prov. 16. 8. Zeph. 2. 10. so that whereas they looked to gain credit they found shame and confusion Like as when Saul had thought he had made a goodly place for Simile himself as triumphing for his late victory over Amaleck Even then he was rejected for being King 1 Sam. 15. 28 for his not obeying A warning for tyrants the command of the Lord against his professed enemies All which one would think to be fair warnings to the like disobedient Sauls of the times And in particular at Black-hall the Lord give them grace to consider thereof if they be not past repenting Again That the Kings of the earth were the original or root of Idolatry and Tyranny is also asserted and proved by King Solomon in his book titled Wisdome cap. 13. 14. where speaking of this Kings the Original of Idolatry Tyranny subject he saith That the devising of Idols were the beginning of spiritual fornication and the inventions of them the corruption of life for neither were they from the beginning neither shall they be for ever For by the vain-glory of men they entered into the world And therefore shall they come shortly to an end For a Father afflicted with untimely mourning when he had made an Image of his childe soon taken away Now honoured him as a God which was then a dead man And delivered to those that were under him Ceremonies and Sacrifices Thus saith Solomon in processe of time an ungodly custome grown strong was kept as a law And graven images were worshipped by the commandement of Kings or Tyrants whom men could not honour because they dwelt far off Therefore they took the counterfeit of his Visage from far and made an expresse Image of a King whom they honoured or worshipped to the end that by this their forwardnesse they might flatter him that was absent as if he were present Also the singular diligence of the Artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition Reason For he paradventure being willing to please one in Authority forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion and so the multitude being allured by the grace of the work took him now to be a God which a little before was but honored as a man And this saith he was an occasion to deceive the world Reason For men serving either Calamity or Tyranny did attribute to stocks and stones the incommunicable Name Moreover saith Solomon this was not enough for them that they erred in the knowledge of God but whereas they lived in the great war of Ignorance these so great plagues called they peace For whilest they slew their children in sacrifices and used secret ceremonies or made revilings of strange rites They kept neither lives nor mariages any longer undefiled Note The violation of the first principle of Nature leads to the breach of the second But either one slew another treacherously or grievâ—d him by Adultery So that there remained in all men without exception blood man-slaughter theft and dissimulation corruption unfaithfulnesse tumults perjury disquieting of good men forgetfulnesse of good turns defiling of souls changing of kinds disorder in marriages adultery and shamelesse uncleanenesse Argum. For the worshipping of Idols of what sort so ever not to be named is the beginning the cause and the end of all evill But the Kings of the earth were the Authors Contâ—mners and promoters of Idols and Idol-worship as hath been shewed Therefore the Kings or Tyrants of the earth were the beginning the cause and the end of all evill And thus I have proved and that by the testimony of â— King that the Principles of the Kings or Tyrants of the earth are directly opposite to the two Grand Principles of Nature i. e. To love God above all and our Neighbours as our selves And this Doctrine is also plentifully confirmed by the Apostle Paul in Rom. 1. from v. 18. to ult which is well worthy also of perusal as to this particular and now I shall proceed to the Second particular in order i. e. Assert That Jehovah the Lord Christ is determined to have a generall reckoning day with those persons and things that have so confronted him and his Laws i. e. these two Principles of Nature with the Decalogue and Statutes and Judgements depending thereupon as hath been shewed And this is also proved by the testimony of King Solomon in the aforesaid book cap. 13. and cap 14. where having treated of the two sorts of Idolatry i. e. of worshipping of the creature and likewise of the Image of the creature he concludes That the ungodly and his ungodlinesse are both alike hatefull to God for that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it Look to it then Idol-makers for black will be your day when the onely wise Potentate King of Kings and Lord of Lords shall by his Saints bring your actions to the touchstone of the Scriptures But least they shall say this Testimony of Solomons which I have cited the rather because he is a bird of their own feather in point of Title is Apochrypha I shall commend unto them the testimony of that Grave Orthodox Divine new created Doctor and singular Dean in England for you must understand all the rest were Popish and superstitious which I have done the rather in regard of that great repute he hath for a learned Rabby to the end what is said by him may gain the more credence with his Masters and fraternity with the rest of the Rabble Rout of Locusts Caterpillers and Canckerworms of the Nation And for their better attention I do also hereby give them to understand and that the expressions I shall mention are extracted out of a Sermon preached by him before no lesse persons than the House of Parliament from Heb. 12 26 27. i. e. Whose voice then shook the earth but he hath promised saying yet once more and I shake not the earth but the heavens also and this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made that those things which cannot be shaken may remain In the Explanation of which words he useth these following expressions i. e. as the Apostle here applyes part of the Prophet Haggai so that Prophefie even in the next words gives light into the meaning of the Apostle look what Heavens and Earth the Prophet speaks of of this and no other speaks the Apostle The Spirit of the Lord in the Scriptures is his own best interpreter see then the order of the words as they lye in the Prophet Haggai cap. 6. 7. I will shake Heaven and Earth I will shake all Nations God then shakes Heaven and Earth when he shakes all Nations that is he shakes the Heaven and Earth of the Nations I will shake Heaven and Earth I will shake all Nations is a Pleonasme For I will shake the Heaven and Earth of
the Nations these are the things shaken in my Text. Query The heavens of the Nations what are they Resp Even the Political heighths and glory i. e. these Formes of Government which they meaning the Civil and Ecclesiasticall Magistrates whether under Pagan or Antichristian Babylon have set up for themselves not for Christ and their own Interest not Note for the Interest of Christ and his sanctified ones with the grandure and lustre of their Dominions The Nations Earth is the multitude of their people their strength and power whereby their Heavens and Political Heighths and Splendor of the Popular Multitude and Strength of the Nations of the earth that are to be shaken as in Rev. 12. 16. and 21. 13. where by an Earthquake great Babylon receives a fatall blow and Isa 51. 15 16. and 34. 4. All the Host of Heaven shall be dissolved and the Heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll and all the Hosts shall fall down as the leaf falleth from the Vine Now these dissolved and rolled Heavens are no other than the Powers and * Note Heighths of the popular Nations Their Government and Tyranny As both the foregoing and following verses do declare the Lords wrath saith the Prophet is upon the Nations and his fury upon their Armies he hath delivered them to the slaughter c. vid. Ezek. 3. 2. 7. You may take it saith this learned Rabby for a rule that in the denuntiation of the judgment of God throughout all the Prophets Heavens Sun Moon and Stars and the like acceptable beauties of the Heavens are taken for Governments Dominions in Pollitick States As in these Scriptures Isa 12 13 14 15. Jer. 15. 9 and 51. 25. Isa 13. 13. and 60. 20. Psal 68. 8. Joel 2. 10. Obad. 4. Mat. 24. 29. Luke 21. 25. Rev. 18. 12 13. and 11. 12. and 20. 11. and 6. 12 13 14 15. The wasting and destroying of the Pagan Roman State and the plagues and commotions of the people the dethroning of idol worship the destruction of persecuting Emperours and Captains with the transposition of Powers and Soveraignty from one sort to another is held under this Grandure of words being part of the shaking of Heaven and Earth in my Text vid. Euseb Eccles Hist Lib. 9. c. 8. 10. Lib. 8. cap. 17. de Vet. Constan lib. 1. cap. 50 51 52. Adde hereunto saith the Court Chaplain the promises of the restauration of Gods people into a glorious condition after all their sufferings How now Doctor take heed what you say for these words are petty Treason if your Masters come to hear thereof But I pray what is that Restauration and glorious state you here dream of for I will assure you the Court counts such expressions but dreams and phansies â—nd such a thing as will never be And therefore pray let us see what ground you have in scripture for such a restauration and glorious estate as you speak of Doct. It is perpetually in the Scriptures held out under the same terms meaning of Heaven and Earth and you have a plentifull demonstration of this point How Doctor is there such a plentifull demonstration in scripture of a restauration of Gods people into a glorious state and condition after all their sufferings Pray what scriptures are those they will be Novelists at Court for they can entertain no such Phansies therefore pray le ts have them Doct. See Isa 65. 17 Behold I creat new Heavens and a new Earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come into my mind Doct. how ever this is to you I am sure it is a new and strange doctrine at Court what man Must all the political government in the world with the grandure and lustre of them be so shaken and done away â—â— that they shall not so much as be remembred nor come into the minde of God and his people Indeed Doctor you must preach this doctrine no more at Bethel for now it is the Kings Chappel I will assure you there is now treason in such Texts But certainly Doctor you judge this glorious government to be within us not visible in the world See v. 18. Be ye glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I create Reas For behold I create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her people a joy But Doct. the Court will tell you that this Jerusalem which God will so create is meant of Jerusalem within man and not of a Jerusalem without man or visible as that Jerusalem in which the Jews did inhabit in Canaan And therefore for our better understanding of this particular we will if you please take a view of the following expression of the Prophet which are these And I will rejoyce in Jerusalem and joy in my people and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her and the voice of crying There shall be no more thence an infant of daies nor an old man that hath not filled his dayes for the child shall die an hundred years old but the sinner that is an hundred years old shall be accursed what think you of these wordâ— Doctor Is all this meant to be fulfilled within the people of God but if we have no more than this to say for the Fifth Monarchy without or under the Heavens Mr. Cardell one of the late Fifth Monarchists will tell us that all the four Monarchies three of which are past and dissolved viz. the Babylonish Meads and Persians with the Greatian Monarchy have been all within us and that the fourth Monarchy viz. the Roman Monarchy is now within us and is in like manner to bee dissolved within us And therefore it is far lesse to have Infants and Old men within us at one and the same time as before mentioned therefore we must yet proceed to the following verses and see if we finde any thing that the Quakers cannot so well digest as old men and children to live and die as aforesaid we shall therefore proceed to v. 21 22. c. where the Prophet saith They shall build houses and inhabit them they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them Surely the Quakers hath divellish wide weasands if they swallow downe all these particulars as Houses and Vineyards with their builders and Planters but they do these things onely when they are in their Quaking fits But Sir this Text puts me in minde of your brother Doctors Master Thomas Goodwins Sermon upon Rev. 5. 9 10. where speaking of the glorious estate and condition that the people of God shall enjoy after all their sufferings citeth this very text to prove his Assertion i. e. That they shall enjoy a Kingdome upon earth for saith he they shall build houses and plant vineyards O to see how good wits will jump for he useth even your own words i. e. A glorious condition after all their sufferings and therefore Gentlemen seeing you are both convinced of this truth See if you can conquer the
Progenitors with the same implacable enmity to the power of the Gospel And is there not a cry for all this How long Lord holy and true dost thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell in the earth Rev. 6. 10. Doth not Sion cry the violence done unto me and my children be upon Babylon and my blood upon those heavens of the Nations and will not the Lord avenge his elect that cry unto him day and night will he not do it speedily will he not call the fowls of Heaven to eat the flesh of Kings and Captains and great men of the Earth Rev. 19. 18. Will he not make the Heavens like the wood of the Vine c. and what of all this Doctour The time shall come to discover her slain and not the simplest Hereticks as they were counted shall have his blood 〈…〉 enged Neither shall any attonement he made for this blood or expiation be allowed whilest a Toe of the image or a Bone of the Beast is left unbroken Again p. 13. No kind of government in Europe or line of Governors so ancient but that the Beast is as old as they and had a great influence into their constitution or establishment to provide that it might be for his own interest where the Pope hath not expressely bargained for his own interest and provided that he should have the chief place in all the Oaths and bonds that were betwixt Prince and People either by pretended collation of Right to pacifie the Consciences of blood-thirsty Potentates in the undertaking and pursuing their unjust Conquests or foolish Mitred confirmations of sword purchases he hath got them framed to his own end and purpose which was to bring in all these Nations into subjection to his Babylonish usurpations Which those Kings finding no way inconsistent with their own designes did willingly promote labouring to enforce all Consciences into subjection to the Romish Sea Hence it is that such an interposition was made of the rights of Holy Church That is Babylon the Mother of Harlots in all the Types Oathes and Bonds between Prince and People and for the advancement of the righteous judgements of God That the sons of men may learn to fear and tremble before him And it may be observed that that which doth and shall stick upon Potentates to their ruine is not so much their own or any other interest as the dregs of that Papall Antichristian interest thrust into their Oathes and Obligations for no other end in the world but to keep the Lord Jesus out of his Throne And this is a reason why the Lord Jesus by his mighty power at the bringing in of his unmoveable Kingdom will shake the Heavens and Earth of the Nations Reas Even because in their present constitutions they are directly framed to the interest of Antichrist which by notable advantages at their first moulding and contrived insinuation ever since hath so rivited it self into the very fundamentals of them that no digging nor myneing with an earthquake will cast up the foundation stones thereof c. Because as is their Interest so is their Acting The present powers of the Nations stand in direct opposition to the bringing in of the Kingdome of Christ At which time saith the Doctor Two things there are that will be confessed incumbent on him in this day of his advancement 1. The bringing home of his antient people to be one fold with the fulnesse of the Gentiles raising up the Tabernacle of David and building it as in the dayes of old In the accomplishment of innumerable promises and answer to millions of prayers Doctor in this you and your brother yet hath not cut a thred but proceed Doctor Now there are two main hinderances of this work that must be removed the first whereof is 1. Real The great river Euphrates the strength and fulnesse of those streams do yet rage so high that there is no passage for the Kings of the East to come over wherefore this must also be dryed up as other waters were for their forefathers of old Rev. 16. 12. and doubtlesse this is spoken in allusion to Abrahams going over that River into Canaan when the Church of God in his family was there to be erected whence he was called the Hebrew that is the Passenger i. e. over that River Gen. 14. 13. And then it may well enough denote the Turkish power which proud as it is at this day possessing in peace all those Regions of the East yet God can quickly make it wither and be dryed up Or to the deliverance of the Jews in Babylon when it was taken and destroyed by the drying up of the streams of that river and so the yoke of her tyranny broken from the Churches neck Jer. 51. 31. c. And so it can be no other but the power of the Romish Babylon supporting the Kings of the Nations Which must therefore be shaken and dryed up 2. Moral Or the Idolatry of the Gentile worshippers The Jews stick hard as yet at this That God should abolish any kinde of worship which himself instituted But that he should ever accept any falsworship which he had once strictly prohibited and no where to this day appointed To this they will never be reconciled Now such is all the invented idolatrous worship which the Kings of the earth have sucked in from the Cup of Fornications held out unto them in the hand and by the Authority of the Roman Whore This still they cleave close unto and will not hearken to the Angel preaching the everlasting Gospel that men should worship him who made the Heavens and the Earth and the Sea and the fountains of Water Rev. 13. 6 7. i. e. The God of Heaven in Jesus Christ according to his holy just and righteous laws statutes judgements and Ordinances as afore mentioned in opposition to all their Jeonolatry Artolatrys Hagiolatry Stanrolatry and Masse abomination This then must also be removed And because as it hath been said it is so rivited and cemented into and with all the Orbs of the Nations Heaven and Earth i. e. the politick or humane Frames of Government which they have made for * themselves and their interests they therefore must be shaken and brought to destruction before it can be effected The second thing he hath to accomplish is the Tremendous totall Destruction of the man of Sin and all his adherents that are not obedient to the Heavenly call Rev. 18. 4. c. Doct. Pray what is your meaning by the adherents of Babylon Resp Are not most Potentates tyed by Oath or other compact either to maintain the whole or some part of the old Tower under the name of Right of Holy Church Prelates and the like true Doctor they are Query It is clear then that you include all sorts of Governours and Governments to be adherents to the Papal power or mystery Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots and abomination of the the earth who support Prelacy
But what is your meaning by those words or the like Resp He that thinketh Babylon to be confined to Rome and its open Idolatry knows nothing of Babylon nor of the New Jerusalem the depth of that subtill mystery Rev. 17. 5. doth not lye in grosse visible folly It hath been insinuating it self into all the Nations for 1600 years c. And is now become as the marrow in the bones which before it can be shaken out The Heaven must be dissolved and the Earth shaken Query It seems then Doctor you conclude that all Governours and Governments that do support the Prelatical part of the Papacie are adherents to Babylon and therefore must be destroyed with it Resp The late King had learned a saying from his Predecessors No Bishop No King Hence he supposes his main interest to lye in holding fast Prelacy What ever he seems to part with all that he will not let go that 's his main interest Query And what is this Prelacy Resp A meer Antichristian encroachment upon the inheritance of Christ Christ coming to take his own shakes the other in pieces Query Well said Doctor and so he hath done blessed be Jehovah for it But what think you of Presbytery Is not that it you meant where you said Prelacy or the like Pray Doctor tell me your minde freely what you think of the Presbyterian Govâ—rnment and that Civil Political Power that doth supoort it Resp Those who would have been our oppressors in Scotland but that God hath crushed the Cockatrice in the shell and filled the Pit with their dead bodies which they had digged for us They also had prepared a Procrustes bed a heavy yoak a Beast that had it grown to perfection would have had Horns and Hoofs and in maintaining this they think their great interest to lie And in holding this fast are they after all their associations broken in pieces Query I plainly perceive that this Presbytery would have been a hellish Bondage to have been confined unto for you have painted it out in very notable significant characters but pray what was the designe of the Scots if they had prevailed Resp The corrupt design of these in Scotland was to have set up a Son of Tuâ—eal in England and themselves to be great under him that they and their partakers might impose upon the residue of the Nation Especially in the things of God Their great desire that things should be thus corrupts their minds to think that it ought to be so and shall be so Hence ambition to rule and to have all under their power Even in Conscience Iâ— quickly mistaken for zeal to the Kingdome of Christ Re-inthroning of Tyranny is Royalty and all according to the Covenant c. Thus mens mindes and judgments are distempered by their Iust and interests which makes them frame a way for God to proceed in which when he doth not How are they surprised Thanks noble Doctour you are then clear of opinion that Presbytery and the Civil Magistrates and Governments that support it are also Adherents to the beast or Papacy and consequently that they also are to participate of that Tremendous Final destruction and totall amotion as you have declared to fall on Babylon But I pray is there no hopes of taking off the Civil Magistrate from joyning hands with the Horned and Hoofed Beasts of the Presbyterian judgement Resp Can any expect that such as these i. e. Civil Magistrates of Political Governments such as they have made for themselves and their interest as the Doctour hath formerly mentioned should take up the despised quarrel of Christ against that Flourishing Queen Doubtlesse no such fruit will grow on these trees c. No sooner is one Carnal Form shaken out but they are ready to cleave to another yea to warm themselves in the feathered nests of unclean Birds all Fleshly Dominion therefore within doores and Civil Dominion that opposeth without doores shall be shaken Now these things are so glewed also to mens earthly Possessions the tallons of the birds of prey having firmly seased on them that â—hey also must be shaken with them and therefore from them also will be have us meaning the Saints and people of God to be loosed vid. 2 Pet. 3. v. 12 13. I Perceive Doctor there is then but one way to be taken with the Papal Prelatical and Presbyterian Magistrates and Ministers that will not be obedient to the Heavenly call as you have formerly hinted i. e. a final destruction and total amotion of them together and so Needhams Objection is answered with a witnesse and fully verified i. e. That the erecting or instituting of the Statutes and Judgements annexed to the Moral Preceptâ— will and is appointed by God to be the overthrow of all the Political Gouernments in the world and so I shall proceed to the third particular But now it comes in my mind I shall before I enter thereupon desire to compare our present Government with your Text to the end we may see whether or no it be in the Black Bead-roll that is to receive the final destruction and total amotion you say must happen unto them And for better Order sake I shall once more recite the words of your Text Heb. 27. And this word once more signifies the removing of those things that are shaken us of things that are made that those things that cannot be shaken may remain Argum. Now in these words it is notoriously pâ—ident to every Rational Man that all such Heavens and Earths or Political Forms of Government which men have made for themselves as afore mentioned by you as are made by such means shall be be shaken and removed i. e. by a fiâ—al destructâ—â—n and total â—â—â—â—tion as you have also affirmed But the present Government of this Nation was made his State-Policy or Humane Invention Ergo according to Mr. Owens Assertion and Attestation the present Government of this Nation is to receive a final destruction and total amotion Proof That the present Government of this Nation was made by State Policy or Humane Invention I appeal to every rational man sure I am it was neither made in Mount Sina nor ratified in mount Olivet unlesse the Learned Doctour can prove the Cock-pit to be the one and the Parliament-House to be the other which I believe will strain his Logick to the highest key Argument Again from this Text it is also undeniably evident that all such Governments as may be shaken must be also shaken and removed and that upon the Account of being made as aforesaid But the present Government of Nation is such a Government as may be shaken Therefore according to the Doctours Assertion the present Government of this Nation is to receive a final destruction and total amotion Proof That the present Government of this Nation is such as may be shaken I refer to the alterations which the late Parliament if they might have had their wills would have made therein and if it may be
that ever was laid by the Judges of Israel 2. When violence shall be no more heard in the land nor wasting or destruction within our borders when the walls shall be called salvation and the Gates praise Isa 60. vers 18. when Jerusalem shall be a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down nor one of the Stakes thereof be removed neither any of the cords thereof broken when the glory of the Lord shall be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams wherein shall go no Gally with Ore neither gallant ship passe thereby no need then of the Romish Merchants or Factors for no mâ—n will then buy her Merchandise any more Rev. 18. 11. Reas For the Lord is our Judge The Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King He will save us 3. When our officers shall be peace and our exactors Righreousnes Isa 60. 18. when they shall be such as fear God and hate covetousnes men of truth that will not respect persons in judgment but shall hear the small as well as the great Deut. 1. 17. when the judgment shall not be mans but the Lords when the people shall say The Lord blesse thee O habitation of justice and mountain of holinesse i. e. the Civil and Church Government I say when the Nations who are now under the Dominions of the Antichristian Babylon shall once see and finde the difference betwixt this Governments I have here given a small glimps of and the present Idolatrous and tyrannical dominions they are now slaves and bondmen unto they shall then begin to hate the Whore and make her naked and desolate and shall eate her flesh and burn her with fire And note that is to be rationally conceived that the ten horns shall all at once stand looking upon the City of Rome lamenting over it to see it on fire and yet to have a bond in that her destruction which conflict betwixt the Lamb and the Beast I conceive doth take its rise at the Dominion of the little Horn Dan. 7. 8 c. and shall be determined at the Armageddon battel Rev. 16. 13 14 15 16. at which time we are to expect the coming of Christ as a thief in the night Again That the Instruments which the Lord Jesus will make use of in this great design shall be poore contemptible persons sâ—e Isa 41. 14 15 16. fear not thou worm Jacob c. I will help thee saith the Lord c. Behold I will make thee a new threshing instrument having teeth thou shalt thresh the mountains and beat them small thou shalt make the hits chaffe thou shalt fan them and the winde shall carry them away and the whirl-winde shall scatter them And that this hath an allusion to Giddeon the Thresher and his army Read Isa 10. Where the Lord speaking of the deliverance of his people from the Assyrians or Babylonish bondage or servitude saith v. 24. Thus saith the Lord God of Hoasts O my people that dwelleth in Sion be not affraid of the Assyrian he shall smite thee with a rod and shall lift up his staffe against thee after the manner of Aegypt For yet a very little while and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction And the Lord of hoast shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Median at the Rock Oreb c. And it shall come to passe In that day that his burthen shall be taken off from thy shoulders and his yoak from off thy neck and the yoak shall be destroyed because of the annointing Again Dan. 2. 34. Thou sawest till a stone was cut without hands or which was not in hands which smote the image upon his feet thâ—t were of Iron and clay and brake them in pieces Then was the Iron the clay the brasse the silver and the gold broken in pieces together and became like the chaffe of the summer threshing floor and the winde carried them away and the whirlewiâ—d scattered them c. Again that these despicable persons shall be the Saints of the most high vid Psal 149. Let the Saints be joyfull in glory let them sing aloud upon their beds Let the high praises of God be in their mouths and a two edged sâ—ord in their hands to execute vengeance upon the Heathen and punishments upon the people To binde their Kings in chains and heir Nobles with fetters of Iron to execute upon them the judgement written This honour have all his Saints praise ye the Lord Amen Again Dan. 7. 17 18. These great beasts which are four Kings which shall rise out of the earth but the Saints of the most high shall take the Kingdome and possesse the Kingdome for ever and ever Vers 21 22. I beheld and the same horn viz. the little-horn Dan. 7. 8. made the war with the Saints and prevailed against them untill the ancient of dayes and judgment was given to the Saints of the most high and the time come that the Saints possessed the Kingdom Vers 25. And he i. e. the little horn shall speak great words against the most High and shall wear out the Saints of the most High and shall think to change times and laws and they shall be given into his hands untill a time and times and the dividing of time which I conceive to be 3 years and a half i. e. from the first entrance of his Dominion at which time Judgment shall sit i. e. at the end of the 3 years and a half And then they i. e. the Saints shall take away his dominion To consume and destroy it unto the end Vers 27. And the Kingdome and greatnesse of the Kingdome under the whole heavens the Quakers will have a large Gut to hold this Kingdome and Dominion shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High whose kingdome is an everlasting kingdome and all dominions shall serve and obey him Isa 60. 12. That Nation and Kingdome which will not serve thee shall be broken in pieces that is saith the learned Doctor All the Nations of the earth not a known nation but the blood of the Saints of Christ is found in the skirt thereof and yet all this saith he shall be transacted with so much obscurity and darknesse Christ not openly appearing unto carnal eyes that though many shall be purified and made white yet the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand Dan. 12. 10. There shall be no such demonstration of Christ presence as to open the eyes of hardned men but at length having suffered the poore deceived wretches to drink of the Cup prepared for them He appears himself gloriously cap. 19. 13. in a more eâ—inent manner than ever before to the totall destruction of the residue of opposers and this will be the utmost close of that dispensation which he now beginneth to stir up the hearts of his Saints unto i. e. to execute the vengeance
astonishment Note and his Rider with madnesse no great fear then of such Horses and Riders for it seems both Horse and Man will be confounded to move against the Holy just and perfect Laws of Jehovah the Lord Christ if they do woe and sadnesse will be unto them yea it had been better that a Milstone had been tyed about their neck and that they had been cast into the bottome of the sea than to offend one of those little ones that shall be made instrumentall for Babylons destruction Rev. 6. 12. c. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth Seal and loe there was a great earthquake and the Sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the Moon became as blood and the starres of heaven fell unto the earth even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figges when she is shaken with a mighty wind and the heavens departed as a scroll that is rolled together and every mountain and Island were moved out of their places and the Kings of the earth and the greatmen and the rich men Weep and howl you rich men for the miseries that are now coming upon you for your riches are corrupted and your Garments moth-eaten your gold and silver is canckred and the rust of them shall be a witnesse against you and shall eat your flesh as it were with fine Jam. 5. 1 c. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last dayes c. and chief Captains i. e. Generals Lieutenant-Generals Commissary-Generals c. and Colonels of Armies and the mighty men whether in point of honour or estate hid themselves in the dennes and in the Rocks of the mountains and said unto the Mountains and Rocks fall on us and hide us from the wrath of the Lamb. Reason For the Greatest day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand Repent therefore that your sinnes may be blotted out at the day of refreshing of the Lords people from himself lest he tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver you and know it will be a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the great God of heaven and earth the Lord in much mercy set these these things home upon your hearts and souls lest you be found fighters against the Lord of Hosts the God of Battel who is able to consume you with the blast of his nostrils Lastly as to the means whereby these great transactions shall be accomplished by the poore weak few and contemptible number of the Army of the Lamb the Learned Doctour Owen hath given us a brief and full answer i. e. Such as are the things shaken such must their shaking be i. e. Spiritual if Spiritual Natural if Naturall Civil if Civil hence it is that the great Champion of the truth is discovered unto us by these following characters i. e. And I saw saith John and behold a white Horse and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true note this fifth Monarchy-man and in Righteousnesse doth he judge and make war his eyes were as a Flame of Fire and on his Head were many Crowns and he had a Name written that no man knew but himself and he was clothed with a vesture dipt in blood and his Name is called the Word of God Note The Word of God must then be the Rule and Sinew of all the Actions of the fifth Monarchy men they must onely execute the Judgement written bringing all the actions of Babylon and her Adherents to the Touchstone of the Scriptures as for example in reference to the Political Government of the World they are to produce Jam. 4. 12. There is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy and from thence demand of the Civil Magistrate by what Rule or Authority he maketh his own Laws seeing he petends himself a Minister or Servant unto the alone Law-maker and consequently to put his Laws in-execution and thus they will be struck as dumb as doore nails for in this case they have nothing to plead but the authority and custome of their Ancestours and their Ancestors from Nimrod and Nimrod from the Apostate sons of God in the old world and they from the Corruption and vain imaginations of fall'n man and fall'n man from the suggestions and delusions of Satan and so primarily from the Devil Again in point of Ecclesiastical Government and Doctrine the fifth Monarchy-men are to produce Mat. 15. 8. In vain do ye worship me teaching for doctrine the Traditions or commandements of men and so keep them close to the word of God and not to suffer them to continue as they are i. e. partly Jure Divino and partly Jure Humano as the Presbyterians do acknowledge their Government to be and so down with it even to the ground for being found in Babylon they and their Government must be destroyed with Babylon as the learned Doctour hath asserted and clearly proved and so consequently to all other false worships or Governments whatsoever and hence it is that the Lambs followers are said to be clothed in white Linnen white and clean all their Acts will be done in truth and righteousnesse the white Linnen is the righteousnesse of the Saints Rev. 19. 8. 2. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword that with it he should smite the Nations and he shall rule them with a Rod of iron here we see the word maketh way for the material sword which the Rod of iron doth clearly import so that as the Doctour saith the Civil part of Antichrist must be conquered with the iron Rod and the Ecclesiastical part with the sword that proceedeth out of the Lambs mouth viz. the Holy Scriptures and this doth further appear from Psal 149. 6 7 8 9. as also from the following words of the afornamed chapter of Rev. 19. i. e. v. 17 18 19 20. which must unavoidably be applyed to the Conquest of the material sword in that the other i. e. the remnant are said to be slain with the sword of him that sate upon the Horse which sword proceedeth out of his mouth as in v. 13. as also in v. 16. And therefore O Babylon whether Pagan or Antichristian I do hereby in the name of the Lord Jesus bid defiance to thee in whomsoever thou refidest whether by Idolatry or false worship or whether by Tyranny or cruel Dominion being in opposition to the two grand Principles of nature i. e. of loving God above all and our neigbours as our selves and consequently to the bringing of the unmovable Laws and Ordinances of the unmovable Kingdome of the Lord Jesus upon earth and now in daily expectation by his Saints and therefore I advise thee as the Lord did Niniveh by the Prophet Nahum to consider Art thou better than Populus No-Ammon that was situate among the Rivers that had the waters round about it whose Rampart was the sea and her wall was from the sea Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength and it was infinite Put and Lubim were the helpers yet was she carried away she went ino captivity her young children were also dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets and they cast lots for their Honourable men and all her great men were bound in chains thou also shalt be drunken thou shalt be hid thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy and all thy strong holds shall be like fig-trees with the first ripe figs if they be shaken they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater Behold thy people in the midst of thee are women the gates of thy Land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies the fire shall devour thy Bars Draw the Waters for the Siege fortifie thy strong holds with Demy Canon c. Go Into clay and tread morter make strong the Brick-kil there shall the fire devour thee it shall eat thee up as Canker-worm make thy self many as the Canker-worm make thy self many as the Locust yet for all this before two years be expired the Laws and ordinances of Jehovah the Lord Christ shall be magnified and made Honourable in this Nation and Idolatry and Tyrany shall be extinguished even so Amen FINIS Postscript I Am desired to give the people of God to understand that the last news-book published by one Walker an Ironmonger and a notorious lying Pamphleter and yet an approved Preacher by the High Court of Tyers iâ— lieu of his large obedience to the Beast now up comprehended seventeen or eighteen large Lyes in fourteen or fifteen Lines in his passages relating to Mr. Rogers and the Members of his Society which were lately sent for to O. C. and that Mr. Rogers was so far from being put to silence by O. C. as Walker doth impudently assert as that he gave a full undenyable and pregnant Testimony to the very faces of those that are got into power against the Apostacies of the Army their Breach of Declarations Blasphemy lying persecution â—â—lf-seeâ—ing and other crying sinnes proving that the now prisoners of the Lord suffer for an essential truth and fundamental point of faith which Mr. Rogers challenged to dispute with any man upon even groundâ— and that this lively testimony was continued in the strength of the anointing to the very last keeping and gaining Câ—ound upon the Antagonists Thus much is thought meet at present to undeceive the people of God in City and Countrey untill the truth hereof do more largely appear J. S.
The Royall ADVOCATE OR An Introduction to the Magnificent and Honourable Laws of Jehovah the Lord Christ now contaminated and despisâ—d by the present Armymâ—n of this NATION Asserting and Controverting the Holinesse Righteousnes Perfectnesse and Vniversallity thereof of Diviâ—â— Right In opposition to the Heatheâ—ish and Anticâ—ristian Laws Traditions and vaine imaginations of the past and present pretended Christian Magistrates of this Naâ—â—â—n which they yet so much dote upon and endeavour â—â—â—upport against the alone Law giver Lâ—rd oâ— heaven and earth God of Gods King of Kings and Lord of Lords Published by John Spittle-house now a prisoner for his Testimony agâ—iâ—st the Idolatry and Tyranny of the present Army men Priests Lâ—wyers c. For the Information of the followers oâ— thâ— Lambe now appearing as the Lyon of the tribe of Judah Mat. 15. 7 8. Ye Hypocrâ—â—es well did Elâ—â—â—h prophesie of you saying This people draweth nigh unto mâ— wiâ—h their mouth and honoureth me with â—heir liâ—s but their heart is far from me But in vain do they worship me teaching for Doctrines the commandements of men whether in things Civill or Spirituall Mat. 23. 13 14. Wo unto you Scribes Pharisees Hypocrites for ye shut up â—he Kingdome of Heaven against men for ye neither go in your selves neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in Therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation LONDON Printed for the Authour and are to be sold at the Crown in Popes-Head-Alley 1655. To the now contaminated Saints and Servants of God and yet faithfull followers of the Lamb in this crooked and perverse generation under the notion of the fifth Monarchy-men and enemies of all Magistracy and Ministry with all others whom it may concern Dear Brethren and Friends THe Providence of God is not unaptly compared to the wheels of a Clock which albeiâ— they run variously yet they agree harmoniously to the producing of that end to which they are appointed and therefore notwiâ—hstanding the affairs of this Nation have for some time had a contrary motion to the general expectation of the people of God which probably hath been the cause of all the flaggings and secret murmuâ—ings and repinings among them as though the Lord had forgotten to be gracious or to perform his peromises yet if we search narrowly into the mind and â—ill of Jehovah we shall prove no better by our incredulity than the Disciples of our blessed Saviour Luk. 24. 25. i. e. fools and and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets and the Lord Jesus and his Apostles have spoken shall come to passe in the last dayes as for instance the present Apostacies of the Army and several of the foolish though virgin Churches in this Nation in point of external ordinances i. e. those that have lately subscribed their approbation of this present Government we now live under to be of God and such as ought to be complied with as the Saints have formerly done to the Governments of Heathen Potentates without the least consideration of the prohibition which the Lord Jesus hath made and appointed against the worship of the Beast and his Image oâ— that receiveth his mark in his forehead or in his hand or his Name or number of his name and that under the pain and penalty of drinking of the wine of the wrath of God powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and that they shall be tormented wiâ—h Fire and Brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb and that the smoak of their torment shall ascend up for ever and ever and that they shall have no rest day nor night who worship the Beast and his Image c. Rev. 14 9 10 1â— hath doubtlesse been a great stumbling block in the way of Gods people â—o what they are now in expectation of and therefore to the end that all men may see and know that the present Government runs paralel with the Beast and that the saâ—â—â—â—proâ—â—â—â— â—â—â—one presumptuously are guilty of the aforementioâ—â—â— punishâ—â—â—â—s â—or so doing wil appear 1. From the ingagement of the Army against the late King and his Monarchy as one of the ten horns of the Beast guilty of the blood of the Saints 2. By the joynt con 〈…〉 of those very persons whom it is to be feared have now presumptuously worshipped the Image of the Beast c. witnesse their preaching praying fasting and fighting against that Government the image of which they now so much hug and imbrace and are now grown so shamefully impudent as to declare the same to be of God 3. By the Descent of the present Government from the fall of Adam iâ— having run through the veins of all the Idolaters and Tyrants that have been unto this day as in the ensuing Treatiâ—e will appear and that by the Testimony of the Grand new â—â—â—atâ—â— Docâ—our of the times Mr. John Owen who hath been very much assisting unto me in the proof thereof as you will also find 4. By the clear Testimony of Mr. Tillinghast in his Epistle to his late Book titled the Knowleâ—â— of the times so that the apostacies of the aforenamed person and persons if rightly used may rather conduce to the great advantage of Gods people and to the strengthening and confirming of the faith and confidence of those that hold fast their integrity i. e. that the Great day of the Lord is at hand and that judgement is now begun at the house of God that the Lords fire is now kindled in Sion and his furnace hâ—ating in Jerusalem that the Refiners fire is now melting away the tinne and drosse from 〈…〉 s jewels that the Fullers sope is now scowring up the garments of the Saints making them white and clean i. e. by a pure and unspotted life and conversation that they may now be as a City set upon the top of an hill or as a Candle put into a Candlestick to give a light to the inhabitants that they may approve themselves children of the light and of the day that their light may so shine before men that they may see their good actions and so be a means to stir them up to glorifie their Father which is in heaven for our blessed Saviour hath foretold that it shall be in the last dayes or time of his coming to judgement as it was in the dayes of Noah Mat. 24. 37. c. at which time it is clear from Gen. 6. that there hapned a very great apostacy in those persons who went under the Notion of the sons of God v. 2. by means of which the sins of that world became ripe for judgement every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts being then evil and that continually v. 5. and therefore seeing the said Prophâ—sie is now so evidently fulfilled before our eyes both in reference to the Army onely a few cordiall and thrice noble Commanders who rather than they would become a reproach and scandal to
by the Apostles of the Lord Jesus under the dispensation of the Gospel-state Proof The Characters of a right 5th monarchy man Gal. 5. 22. The fruits of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace long-suffering Gentlenesse Goodnesse faith Meeknesse Temperance Against which there is no Law And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof if we live in the Spirit let us walk in the spirit Let us not be desirous of vain-glory provoking one another envying one another Jam. 2. 8. If ye fulfill the Royall Law according to the Scriptures Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self thou shalt do well But if ye have respect to persons ye commit sin and are convinced of the Law as transgressors for whosoever shall keep the whole Law and offend in one point He is guilty of all Reason For he which said Do not commit Adultery said also Do not kill Now if thou commit no Adultery yet if thou kill c. thou art become a transgressour of the Law 1. Pet. 1. 22 23. Seeing ye have purified your selves in obeying the trâ—th through the Spirit unto unfained love of the brethren so that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently Cap. 3. 8. c. Be ye all of one mind having compassion one of another Love as brethren be pitifull be courteous not rendring railing for railing but contrary-wise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing For he that will love life and see good dayes let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that he speak no guile Let him eschew evil and do good let him seek peace and ensue it Read the following words 1 John 3. 14. We know we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethren v. 27. whoso hath this worlds goods and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth his bowels of compassion Bar Quakers in this particular towards him how dwelleth the love of God in him My little children let us not love in word neither in tongue but in deed and in truth c. v. 33. And this is his Commandement that we should believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandement and he that keepeth his commandements dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby we know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us Cap. 4. 17. Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God he that loveth not knoweth not God For God is love c. Ecclesiastes 12. 13. Let us hear the conâ—lusion of the whole matter Fear God and keep his commandements For this is the whole duty of man c. Assert 5 V. That in processe of time these two generall Principles were branched by the alone Law-giver into ten Precepts or words commonly termed the Decalogue or Ten Commandements Exod. 20. 1. c. God spake all these words saying Proof I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt and out of the House of Bondage 1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me 2. Thou shalt not make to thee any graven Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth Thou shalt not bow thy self to them nor serve them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous Reason God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain For the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in Reason vain 4. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work thou nor thy son northy daughter thy Man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy strangers that are within thy gaâ—es For in six days the Lord made heaven Reason earth the sea all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it 5. Honour thy Father and Mother Reason That thy dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee 6. Thou shali not kil 7. Thou shalt not commit Adultery 8. Thou shalt not steal 9. Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy neighbour 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife nor his Man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor his Asse nor any thing that is thy neighbours Assert 6 VI. That the Lord Jesus came not to destroy this Law Proof Mat. 5. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill for verily I say unto you till heaven and earth passe one jot or one tittle in no wise shall passe from the Law till all be fulfilled wherefore whosoever shall break one of these least Commandements and teach men so shall be called least in the Kingdome of heaven But whosoever shall do and teach them shall be also called great in the Kingdome of heaven Assert 7 VII That the Apostles of our blessed Saviour did establish this Law under the Gospel Proof Rom. 2. 11 12 c. For there is no respect of persons with All the world liable to be judged by Gods Law The Law not made void through faith God for as many as have sinned without Law shall perish without Law and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law Rom 3. 19. c. Is he the God of the Jews onely is he not also of the Gentiles yea of the Gentiles also seeing it is one God which shall justifie the Circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through faith Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid Yea we establish the Law Assert 8 VIII That the Law which God gave unto Moses in Mount Sina were of three sorts i. e. the Moral the Judiciall and the ceremoniall Law The Contents of the Morall Law The Morall Law prescribeth a perfect Rule of righteousnesse discerning things that are Right and Just from the contrary both towards God and man both in reference to externall and internall duties requiring obedience under pain of everlasting death The Contents of the Judiciall Law The Judiciall Law belonged to the Civil State and were such Ordinances The Judiciall consists of Rules of Equity and Justice as contained rules of equity for the judging and deciding of civil controversies and questions decreeing punishments for the transgressions of the Morall and Ceremonial Lawes and consequently the very Bond of them Laws keeping the people in order and Obedience The Contents of the Ceremoniall Law The
Assertion he is as like to maintain as any I know for a Stipends sake he cannot avoid but must per Force subscribe that the said statutes and Judgements are of as large an extent as the Moral Law it self acknowledged by him i. e. Obligatory Universal and Eternal and Binding all Nations Object 2 All Nations have a latitude left them of making such Civil Laws as they shall think convenient for the better Government of themselves according to Prudence and Discretion provided they be not contrary to that Royal Law Respon Prag I here challenge thee and all thy Mastâ—â—s which in Court City or Country Vniversities or Innes of Court by what names or titles so ever dignified or distinguished to shew me one Text of Scripture that granteth any such latitude to Magistrates by the alone Law-giver as they are or ought to be his Ministers or servants to put his Laws in execution but contrary-wise such Actions are so abominable in the eyes of Jehovah the Lord Christ as that he hath denoted a curse against those that do take upon them either to adde or detract that either swerve to the right hand or the left from those Laws Statutes and Iudgements prescribed by him for proof hereof see Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. No Monsieur Prag those that are Dispensers of Iehovahs lawes must not make Laws for him whether in reference to Statute or Iudgement he is as able to prescribe his punishment as his Law without their help or assistance And therefore it was that our blessed Saviour so much inveighed against the Scribes Pharises hypocrites of his time of abode here on earth like unto Needhams forementioned Masters for that they had not onely transgressed the Commandements of God by their vain Traditions or Expositions but he had even made them thereby of none effect Mat. 13. 3 4 5 c. So that I affirm that Clause in Needhams Objection i. e. For the better Government c. to be absolute blasphemy for that by so saying in plain terms that his aforesaid Masters are Wiser than the Great God of Heaven and Earth in reference to the composing of all Government for the sonnes of men and therefore according to the Statute and Iudgement appropriated by Iehovah in such Cases he ought to be put to death vid. Lev. 24. 11. 15. 23. as also for his scurrilous expressions against Moses and the Laws given by God unto him to communicate to the people for he that despised Mose's Law was to dye without mercy under the testimony of two or three witnesses which Judgement will doubtlesse fall upon the heads of Needham c. In so saying he clearly giveth the Apostle Paul the lye who asserteth That the foolishnesse of God is wiser than the wisdome of men 1. Cor. 1. 25. The meanest of the Divine Orders being far beyond the wisest of his or his Masters vain imaginations so that by such their deceived foolish hearts they onely contract to themselves that Heathenish Character i. e. by professing themselves * Rom. 1. 2 2. wise to be Downright Foolish for in such Cases the Apostle doth positively affirm that the wisdome of the world viz. Athenian like Wisdome is foolishnesse to God for it is written I will destroy the wisdome of the wise whether in Civil or spirituall matters I will bring to nought the Councels of the prudent Where is the wise where is the Scribe where is the disputer or Needhams of this world hath not God made Foolish the Wisdome or politick carnal wisdome of this World and therefore he concludeth that not many after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called by God to be made Instruments in his work or service whether in Civils or Spiritualls but contrarywise hath made choice of that which is Foolish in the esteem of Needham and his Masters whether in reference to persons or things to confound that which they esteem wisdome that no flesh might glory in his presence vide Rev. 27 28 29. 1. I doe therefore hereby affirm that God that gave life and limbs unto men c. hath onely power to dispose of them and none else and that he that taketh away either the life or limb of any man other wise than God himself hath appointed or given direction in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament either by general rule or particular precept is a Murtherer and a Tyrant 2. I do also hereby affirm that whosoever doth not take away life or limb in such cases as the alone law-giver hath appointed is an unjust Judge And that he will be punished by Jehovah the Lord Christ for so doing Reason For he hath said Yee shall do no unrighteousnes in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the poore nor honour the person of the mighty Levit. 19. 15. But in Righteousnesse shalt thou judge thy Neighbour A text that ere long may be urged against those that have urged it against others vid. Abridg. Remonst Albans pag. 10. with severall other scriptures to such purpose And hence it was that Moses charged the Judges of Israel saying Heare the cause between your brethren and judge Righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger that is with him and yee shall not respect persons in Judgment but yee shall heare the small as well as the great you shall not be afraid of the face of man Deut. 1. 15 16 17. Reason For the judgment is Gods 3. That in all other cases the Magistrate being the Minister or servant of God or at least ought so to be Rom. 13. 4. ought to execute justice as the alone Law-giver their Lord and Master hath prescribed which they cannot do otherwise than by putting his laws in execution according to those statutes and judgments established by God himself and not according to theiâ— own lusts and humours as our present Magistrates do at this day punishing severall things by death which the alonâ— Law-giver hath appointed other punishments and severall things with other punishments for which the alone Law-giver hath appointed death Reason For it is required in a disposer that he should be found faithfull 1 Cor. 4. 2. But Gods will otherwise appeareth not then in his word or law Therefore who so doth not accordingly doth not perform the will of the alone Law giver in his word or Law and consequently of the number of those Magistrates mentioned by Solomon in his book titled Wisdome cap. 6. 1. to whom he saith by way of rebuke and admonition Heare therefore O yee Kings and understand learn ye that be Judges of the ends of the earth give ear you that rule the people and glory in the multitude of Nations for power is given you of the Lord and soveraignty from the highest i. e. the Constitution of Authority or Magistracy Rom. 13. 3 4. and that according to the Armies own construction of that place in their Abridgment of the Remonstrant Albans wherein pag. 6. they
of Iron and Potters clay together in the images feet foretold by Daniel cap. 2. 33 41 42 43. which Iâ—on and Potters clay I take to be the mixing of the Civil and Ecclesiastical powers together which from that time have been continued to this present day Having thus stated the Rise both of the Pagan and Antichristian Babylon I shall in the next place enlarge my self a little in reference to each of them to the end that by a better knowledge thâ—reof the people of God may be more induced to abominate and detest them as also to execute the Judgement upon them and their supporters and adherents as it is written Psal 149. with multitudes of other Scriptures to that purpose and first of the first A brief Narrative of Pagan Babylon viz. of Pagan Babylon with its Adherents As to what this Nimrod was Who Nimrod was some take him to be the same which Forreign stories call Belus and that he was the first founder of the Idols in the Eastern Countries who were derived from him as Belial Beelzebub Belphegor but it will appear by what follows that Nimrod was before Belus 2. Touching Babel the beginning of Nimrods Kingdome it Of Babel in general was so called not from Belus as some would have it but from the Confusion of Languages as the ancient Saxon word Babel doth seem to import which word was usually menâ—ioned by them to such persons as spake confusedly to whom they would say why Babel ye or why confuse ye the true etimology of the word being why Babel ye or why do ye imitate those persons at Babel who spake so confusedly as thâ—t they could not be understood by their Auditors but to put all out of doubt the Scripture doth clearly testifie as much Gen. 11. 9. in these words therefore is the name of it called Babel because there the Lord confounded the Languages of all the earth and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of the earth 3. Touching the building of the City of Babel or Babylon the Of the City and Tower of Babel first Metropolis of Idolatry and Tyranny Quintus Curtius ascribeth it to Belus lib. 4. Berosus cited by Josephus to Nebuchadnezzar lib. 1. cont Appian from Dan 4. 30. where Nebuchadnezzar is presented saying is not this great Babel which I have builded for the House of the Kingdome the might of my power and the honour of my Majesty Berosus Arrianus maketh all three builders of Babylon As 1. That Nimrod began the Tower anno 131. after the Flood 2. That Belus built the City who saith he reigned after Nimrod 65 years and that he himself i. e. Belus reigned 56 yeers 3. That Semyramis the wife of Ninus which reigned 24 yeers much inlarged the City and fortified it Aâ—ter all this when the Assyrian Kings had made Niniveh the imperial seat so that Babylon was much neglected and decayed at last Nebuchâ—dnezzar having conquered the City of Niniveh re-â—dified Babylon as before mentioned and hereto agreeth Iosephus Oâ—osinus lib 6. and August lib. 16. de Civit. Dei cap. so that the beginning and Foundation was laid in Nimrod as in Gen. 10. 10. which saith That the beginning of his Kingdome was Babel 4. As touching the way and means this Nimrod took to set How Nimrod became a Monark up his Idolatrous and tyrannical government I shall likewise set forth to the end that the present Idolaters or false worshippers and Tyrants or civil oppressors of the times may compare their present conditions and actions with their predecessors at the erecting of their great grand-mother Babell Nimrod having by his craft and policy wound himself so into the affections of the people as to be made their Captain-General Or Ring-leader of that company and calling to mind how the old world was drowned and destroyed for Idolatry and Inhumanity which designe he had now in his heart to practice as his predecessors of the old world had done before him though covertly and therefore under a * Nimrods Policy pretence of making themselves famous in the earth to all posterity And thereupon stirred up the rude multitude under this plausible pretence to build him a City and a Tower that might not only free him from the danger of men but also from fear of any thing that God could do unto him as also that he might with more boldnesse effect his wicked and ungodly enterprises And this he did in * One tyrant taketh example by another imitation of the Tyrants of the old world i. e. the Gyants or Apostate sons of God of whom it is reported that they had a City called Enos in the Mountains of Libanus that ruled over the whole world But it is to be understood that this Nimrod could not fortifie his City Tower and Palace with Demy Cannon and such like Artillery for the use of such engines of cruelty were not then found out but since the Devil for the better encouragement of servants hath now supplied them with plentifull store thereof for such purpose c. I shall now in large something in reference to the Tower in the attempting and erecting whereof these following sins concurred with which I shall also mentioned to the end the present Nimrods or Idolatrous tyrannical Babel-builders of the times may ruminate thereon and consider how far short they now are if any of Nimrods then condition 1. In the building of this Tower his impiety appeared in attempting it in despite of God As the Prophet Isaiah according to The impiety of tyrants this pattern bringeth in the King of Babylon vanting himself saying I will ascend unto the clouds I will be like the Most High 2. His vanity appeared in seeking to be made famous on earth and not by good actions to be made glorious in heaven he thought to Their vanity exalt himself by building and not by loving God above all and his neighbour as himself 3. His disobedience appeared in that it was Gods ordinance Their disobedience that the earth should be replenished by them and yet they wilfully oppose the Counsel of God by resolving not to depart from them as in v. 6. where they say Let us build a City and Tower whose top may reach to heaven that we may get us a name least we be scattered 4. Herein his impudence was also discovered For whereas Their impudence pride and voluptuousnesse he should have been convicted in his conscience for his pride and arrogancy Rom. 2. 15. he openly proclaimed his ambition voluptuousnes c. to all posterity proceeding to such a violence therein that nothing could now restrain him as neither the fear of God nor the fearfull looking for of judgment and fiery indignation 2 Pet. 3. 10. to be poured out upon him as in Heb. 5. 26 27. But contrariwise whatsoever he had proudly devised he would as impudently practise The confusion of their language was therefore a
Souldiers with your rhethorical Artillery But in the interim let us lay before them the following words of the Prophet v. 21. They shall not build and another inhabit they shall not plant and another eat for as is the dayes of a Tree are the dayes of my people And my elect shall long enjoy the works of their hands It appeareth then there must be Mechanical persons in this glorious state which the two learned Doctors assert is to be for the following words saith They shall not labour in vain nor bring forth trouble Reas For they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord and their off spring with them they are then to procreate children under this glorious estate and condition vid. cap. 66. 22. And it shall come to passâ— that before they shall call saith the Lord I will Answer And whilâ—st they are yet spealing I will hear there is then to be the use of Ordinances under this glorious state and condition and pray c. The Wolf and the Lamb shall feed together and the Lyon shall eat straw with the Bullock and dust shall be the Serpents meat i. e. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain saith the Lord. They shall then beat their swords into plow-shares and their spears into pruning hooks Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation neither shall they learn war any more Gentlemen you will stand in need of all your Rhethorick when you go about to convince the Souldiery of putting this Doctrine in practice But if this scripture be fulfilled and this glorious time is now under this present Government Why do they not as it is here directed by the spirit of God to be done And now Doctor I shall proceed to your confirmation of this grand doctrine from the New Testament to which purpose I finde you to instance 2 Pet. 3. 13. Where the Apostle having before in that cap. put the people of God in minde by way of remembrance touching the glorious kingdom and state which you and your brother Doctor hath affirmed must be and which I am sure yet is 〈◊〉 Reas For the Soldiers swords are not yet 〈◊〉 to Plow-shares nor their Spears into Pruning-books c. witneâ—â—â— the intolerable taxes yet to support them The Apostle I say having put the people of God in remembrance of the words which are spoken by the Holy Prophets and likewise of the commandment of them the Apostles of the Lord Jesus to such purpose and that they should not be danted touching the accomplishment thereof notwithstanding scoffing and mocking and blasphemiâ—g of the scoffing Ishmalites and railing and blasphemous Rabshakahs that should happen to be neer the time of its approach Who walking after their own lusts will say where is the promise of his coming for since the fathers fell asleep all things have continued as they were from the beginning For this they are willingly ignorant of that by the word of God the Heavens were of old and the Earth standing out of the waters and in the water whereby the world that then was being overflowed with water perished But the heavens and earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men but beloved faith the Apostle be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day for the Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slacknesse but is long-suffering to us ward not wiling that any should perish but thaâ— all should come to repentance but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the Heavens shall passe away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat and the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse looking for and hoping unto the coming of the day of God wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat Neverthelesse we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth Righteousnesse not Idolatry and Tyranny Now for the better understanding of the Rabbies meaning tâ—â—ching the new Heaven and new Earth here mentioned I shall 〈◊〉 another passage of his in pag. 12. of that book where he having asserted that it is not to be meant of the material Heaven and Earth produceth this Scripture to prove the same i. e. Isa 51. 15 16. I am the Lord that divided the sea whose waves roared the Lord of Hosts is his name and I have put my words in thy mouth and have covered thee with the shadow of my hand that I might plant the heavens and lay the Foundations of the Earth and say unto Sion thou art my People In these words saith the Doctour by a Repetition of what he hath done he establisheth his people in expectation of what he will do And 1. He minds them of that wonderfull deliverance from an Army behind them from an ocean before them by his miraculous preparing dry paths for them in the deep I am the Lord who divided the sea whose waves roared 2. Of his greatnesse acquainting them with his mind i. e. his Laws and Ordinances at Horeb I have put saith he my words in thy mouth 3. Of that favourable and singular protection afforded them in the wildernesse when they they were encompassed with enemies round about I covered thee with the shadow of mine hand Query Now saith the singular Dean c. to what end was all this Resp Why saith he meaning the Lord by the Prophet that I might Plant the Heavens and Lay the Foundations of the Earth Query What of those material visible Heavens and Earth 2460 years before at least were they planted and established Resp It is all saith the Rabby but making of Sion a people which before was scattered in distinct Families Query And how was this done quoth the Doctour Resp Why the Heavens are planted or a glorious frame of Government and Policy is erected among them and the multitudes of their people are disposed into an orderly Common-wealth Note to be a firm Foundation and Bottome for the Government among them So that from what the Doctor hath here asserted it is as clear as the Sun in its brightest Lustre that the Frame of Government for the unmovable Kingdome or Jesus Christ or the fifth Monarchy Are those Laws Statutes and Judgements which were given by Jehovah at Horeb and revived and ratified by the Lord Jesus at Mount Olivet Mat. 5. For those are they the Doctour terms the firm Foundation a firm Foundation for an unmovable Kingdome And this Doctrine is also ratified by the Prophet Malachy c. 4. where speaking of the dissolution of those old Heavens and old
earth formerly treated of i. e. the Political Frame of Government which men have made for themselves c. i. e. of those Heavens and Earth which the Apostle Peter saith are to be burned and consumed by fire as also of that new Heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth Righteousnesse I say the Prophet speaking of that Great and notable day of triall by fire telleth us by way of explanation what is intended by the Holy Ghost in such manner of expression saith Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven Note and all that are proud and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Proud and wicked persons must be this fire Lord and it shall leave them neither Root nor Branch but unto you that fear my name shall the Son of Righteousnesse appear with healing in his wings and ye shall go forth and grow as calves of the stall and ye shall tread down the wicked for they shall be as ashes under the soles of your feet Note In that day that I shall do this saith the Lord Remember what the Law of Moses my servant which I commanded unto him in Horeb with the Statutes and Judgements Ergo That Law Statutes and Judgments shall be put again in practise that day Again the Doctour doth further confirm this Doctrine from Rev. 21. 1. I saw a new heaven a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away And there was no more sea Here saith the Doctour the Heaven and earth is restored but the sea shall be no more Those gatherings together of many waters saith the Rabby Rivers from all places or Pretended Clergy men from all Nations into General Councels which were the sea or many waters on which the Whore sate shall have no * Note place at all in the Churches restored Conditions Reader you must understand the Rabby did not then dream of the Court of Tryers now at Whitehall or else you must if you can conceive them not to be pretended Clergy-men or a general Councel no you must take them to be only an image of such pretended Clergy men and general Councel and the like you know is not the same a pure Juggle But I conceive the Learned Doctor is out in the Exposition of that forenamed Text in Rev. for the holy Ghost doth not there speak of the Restauration of any of his Political Heavens and earth so much already treated of for the Text saith plainly they were passed away and the Prophet Isa saith cap. 65. 17. that they shall not be remembred nor come into the mind of God or his people therefore there can be no expectation of any restoring of them it must therefore be unavoidably meant of the aforesaid Laws Statutes and Judgements which the Doctour â—imself calls the firm foundation for the unmovable Kingdome of Jesus Christ and hence it is the Lord by Malachy puts his people in mind thereof at that notable day saying Remember ye the Law of Moses c. as aforesaid and therefore whereas it is said there shall be no more sea I do understand there shall be no more use of the Leviticall Priesthood that being now abolished by our blessed Saviour shall be no more No more use of the type when the antitype is come no more use of the shadow when we have the substance which mystâ—rie the Prophets saw but darkly as appears by their writings few of them seeing a Change of the Leviticall Priesthood which I conceive to be the great stumbling block to the Jews from Christs abode on earth to this present day But neverthelesse the Prophet David doth most excellently foretell the change thereof under the Gospel-dispensation as in Psal 40. where speaking in the person of Christ for it is impossible it should be understood of himself saith sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt-offerings and sin-offerings hast thou not required Then said I Lo I come in the Volume of thy Book it is written of me that I should do thy Will O God which Text the Apostle Paul doth clearly expound of Christ Heb. 10. 8. saying above When he saith Sacrifice and offering and burnt-offering for sin thou wouldest not neither hast pleasure therein which are offended by the Law i. e. the ceremoniall Law Then said he Loe I come to do thy will O God He taketh away the first that he may establish the second he taketh away the shadow that he may establish the substance Now where was it prophesied of David that he should have a body given him to do away Sacrifice or to put an end thereunto it must therefore be meant of some others and what other than he that hath born our transgressions and by whose stripes we are healed vid. Isa 54. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 c. and 52. 13 14. 15. in both which places also the Prophet speaketh of another person and not of himself i e. Jesus Christ the Righteous who is the pro 〈…〉 for our sinnes Rom. 3. 25. 1 John 2. 2. and 4. 10. The Learned Doctour having thus proved for me what is meant by the Old Heavens and the Old Earth as also the New Heavens and the New Earth i. e. by the Old Heaven and Old Earth all the Old Forms of Government since the Creation that have been made by Political or Humane invention as also the New Heavens and new Earth to be that Constitution or Government made by God himself and ratified and confirmed by Jesus Christ i. e. the two grand Principles of Nature afterward branched forth into the Deoalogue or ten Commandements with the Statutes and Judgements unneued thereunto and the Ordinances of Jesus Christ in the New Testament which is the Spiritual Ecclesiastical or Gospel-part thereof I shall in the next place bring the presenâ— powers and Constitutions of Government in the Nation to the test or touchstone of the Scriptures and in this particular also Mr. Owen shall say for me in the forementioned Sermon p. 21. i. e. That the Kings of the Earth have given their power to Antichrist indeavouring to the uttermost to keep the Kingdome of Christ out of the world or that we term the fifth Monarchy What I pray hath been their main businesse for 700 years and upward even almost ever since the Man of sin was inthroned The Doctors Queries to this purpose How have they earned the Titles of eldest son of the Church The Catholick and most Christian King Defender of the Faith and the like Hath it not been by the blood of Saints Is there not in every one of these Kingdomes the slain and the banished ones of Christ to answer for in particular c. Have not all the Kings round about washed their bands and Garments in the blood of a thousand of Protestants and do not the Kings of all these Nations as yet stand up in the room of their
written and to which purpose he hath also commissionated them Rev. 18. 6 7 8. But before I speak to the Commission it is worthy of our best observation to take notice of the just and righteous dealings of God unto the inhabitants of Babylon for I say before he giveth out his Commission to his Saints who are to judge the world 1 Cor. 6. 2. and to be the rod of his strength Psal 110. 2. His battel-Axe weapon of war will break in pieces the horse and his rider c. Jer. 51. 20. 21 c. he doth in the first place send his Messengers from his Churches with great power to enlighten them with his Glory crying mightily with a strong voice saying Babylon is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of Devils and the hold of every soul spirit and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird Reas For all nations have drunk of the wrath of the wine of her fornication and the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her and the Merchants of the earth are waxen rich through the abundance of her delicates and this I take to be by way of Aggravation to shew her abominations and how ripe she is for Judgement and executions as also to strike a terrour in the hearts of the people of God that are yet in her of what rank soever which having done in 4. and 5. v. he sendeth other Messengers to call the people of God out of her saying Come out of her my people God hath his people in Babylon Reason 1. That ye do not partake of her Sinnes 2. That ye receive not of her Plagues Those then that partake of her sins shall rrceive of her plagues Reason For her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembred her iniquity after which fair warning he forthwith giveth his Commission to his Saints in these words Reward The Saints Commission against Babylon and all her adherents her as she rewarded you and double unto her double according to her works in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double how much she hath glorified her self and lived delitiously so much Torment and Sorrow give her Reason For me saith in her heart I sit a Queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow Therefore shall her Plagues come in one day viz. this day of vengeance Death and mourning and famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire Reason For strong is the Lord God that judgeth her so that it is clear this Judgement and Vengeance is to be inflicted upon Babylon and her adherents by way of recompence for the further confirmation whereof see these following Scriptures id est Psalme 2. 4 5. He that sitteth in Heaven shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision then shall he speak unto them viz. to the Kings of the earth and the Rulers v. 2. in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure Psal 139 8 9. O Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones Isa 54. For my sword shall be bathed in heaven viz. in the Pagans and Antichristian heaven or Church Behold it shall come down upon Idumea and upon the people of my curse to Judgement The sword of the Lord is filled with blood it is made fat with fatnesse c. and the Vnicorns shall come down with them and the Bullocks with the Bulls and their Land shall be soaked with blood and their dust made fat with fatnesse Reason For it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the year of recompence for the Controversies of Sion c. the remainder of that cup Isa 47. 1 2 3. Come down and sit in the dust O Virgin daughter of Babylon sit on the ground there are no thrones O daughter of the Caldeans for thou shalt no more be called the tender and delicate take the Milstone and grind meal and cover thy locks c. Thy nakednesse shall be uncovered yea thy shame shall be seen I will take vengeance c. vid. cap. 49. 26 Jer. 50 35 36. A sword upon the Caldeans-saith the Lord and upon the Inhabitants of Babylon and upon her Princes and upon her wise men a sword is upon their lyers viz. her Astrologers c. they shall dote A sword upon her mighty men her Army-men and they shall be dismayed A sword upon their Horses and their Chariots and upon all the mingled people good and bad that shall be found in her Rev. 18. 4. and they shall become as women there will be no fear of Laodiceans the Merosh * As in the Epistle Churches that hath one word for God and another for Baal of those that halt between Christ and Antichrist that can swallow a Parsonage c. and yet be a Church-gatherer in the world and not of the world the Hocus Pocus Christians of the times A sword upon the Treasurers and they shall be robbed it will be an ill day with Treasurers it seems let them therefore look to it A drought upon her Waiters i. e. her Clergy men of all sorts and sises vid. Rev. 18. Reason For it is a Land of graven Images i. e. either of Idolatry or Tyranny and they are mad upon their Idols Jer. 5. 30. 31. Therefore the wild beast of the Desart with the wild beasts of the Island shall dwell there and the owls shall dwell therein and it shall be no more inhabited for ever neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrhah and the Neighbour Cities thereof saith the Lord so shall no man abide there neither shall any son of man dwell therein Again the Lord speaking of his people Jer. 51. c saith I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Caldea all these evils they have done unto Sion in your sight saith the Lord Behold I am against thee O destroyinng Mountain saith the Lord which destroyest all the earth and I will stretch out my hand upon thee and roll thee down from the Rocks and will make thee a burnt mountain Note and they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner nor for a foundation not the least grain of humane invention either in things appertaining to Babylon whether in its Civill or Ecclesiasticall estate where the Lord hath given a câ—ear and expresse command himself But thou shalt be desolate for ever saith the Lord. Zach. 12. 2. Behold I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all people round about it c. and in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it in that day saith the Lord will I smite every * Mat. 18. 7. Luke 17. 1. 2. horse with