Selected quad for the lemma: head_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
head_n	beast_n	dragon_n	horn_n	3,264	5	10.5839	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85177	The oppressed close prisoner in Windsor-Castle, his defiance to the father of lyes, in the strength of the God of truth. Occasioned by some late, scandalous and slanderous reports, raised and dispersed to the dishonour of that noble cause, wherein he (with others of the Lords servants) is so deeply engaged. As also, a seasonable word, concerning the higher powers: concerning the payment of taxes and tribute-money by the saints to those powers: and how far a minister of the Gospel may intermeddle in state-affairs without sin. / By Chr. Feake, in his prison-watch-tower.	Feake, Christopher, fl. 1645-1660.	1654 (1654)	Wing F572; Thomason E820_10; ESTC R202087	97,195	127

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

did belong to this Empire Dan. 11.20 also they have DOMINION OVER OUR BODIES AND OVER OUR CATTEL AT THEIR PLEASURE and we are in great distresse The Grecian Monarchy also had power over the Jews Alexander when he besieged Tyrus sent for that tribute to Jaddus the High-Priest that they had paid to Darius but Jaddus sent an answer that he was sworn to Darius and while he was alive he must not break his faith but afterward that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled in Zech. Zech. 9.8 Alexander sendeth for a Taxe but though denied forbears violence Joseph Ant. lib. 11. cap. ult 9. saying I will incamp about my house because of the Army because of him that passeth by meaning Alexander the Great and his Army towards Egypt and because of him that returneth meaning the same Alexander returning that way after the Conquest of Egypt I say because of this word Alexander did not offer violence to Jerusalem as he threatned when his demands to Jaddus were not answered but came to an agreement about Tribute and yeelded to Jaddus his request that the Taxes might be forborn every seventh year because by their Laws The land must rest every seventh year * Lev. 25.7 first verses not be sowed but although this Monarch was favourable to the Jews in point of Tribute or other burthens for he as Histories mention was well affected to the Nation of the Jews yet his successors especially some of them were most cruel Tyrants and Task-masters but I shall not insist longer in this of the third or Grecian Monarchy But as for the fourth Kingdom The fourth Monarchy taxeth all the world and the Jews in particular recorded Luke 2.1 2 3. or Roman power they the Jews have abundantly drunk of this cup of Bitternesse under them for as their sufferings were greater so they were likewise of longer continuance and they are not delivered to this day The Lord Jesus was born at that time when all the world was to be Taxed by the Decree * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Roman Emperor so that as he was under the Law of Moses in one respect so in another he was under the power of the fourth Beast And afterward he paid Tribute to the Romans Officers though he intimated the children were free * Mat. 17.25 26 27. The people of the Jews were so desirous of freedome from the Roman bondage every way that they sufficiently signified it several wayes Publicans and Harlots Publicans and sinners a very frequent phrase among the Jews they were ready to rise and follow any one almost of their Nation who would pretend to be a Deliverer and a Saviour of them from the Romans and to signifie their discontentednesse at their Taxations and Oppressions they ranked the Publicans with Harlots and such grosse sinners But now Consder Christ and his Apostles taught the Disciples and Christians to pay Tribute and Custom * Matth. 17.27 Rom 13.6 7. quietly patiently to indure those Burthens and worse than those of spoiling their goods because they knew that this fourth Beast was by the appointment of God to be dreadful and terrible and strong exceedingly God had ordained it to have great iron teeth to devour and break in peeces and to stamp the residue or remnant with the feet of it They gave them no incouragement or countenance in the least to resist this exceeding dreadful Beast by abusing beating or otherwise rising up against it or the Officers which were imployed by it as sometimes they had opportunity as well as the Jews to make some opposition if Christ had given liberty And on the other side when ever the Jews did make head against the Romans as they did to the uttermost and to the very last man as it were many times yet they alwaies found the issue was sad and unprosperous altogether they could not possibly shake off that yoak of bondage which the Lord had determined to yoak all Nations with as those who are versed in Prophecy and History in any competent measure do well know Thus the Saints and best Christians did exercise Faith and Patience they are often put together in reference to this point that I am treating of for the first 300 years after Christ they did bear very heavy burthens spoiling of their Goods Houses Lands Lives all went under the Heathen Romans being still the Higher Powers in all the habitable world Then Constantine the Great being a Christian Constantine gave a little reviving to the Christians in their bondage there was a lucid interval for a season the Saints had rest from persecution and from other hard bondage in the Mines and other miserable conditions which they had indured but whether from Taxes and Tributes that I shall not insist upon for I hasten I beleeve the Christians generally paid their Rates and Proportions with other people towards the support and maintenance of the Majesty of the Roman Name and Empire The Arian persecution I will pass over and come down towards these daies these wonderful daies wherein we live What beavy Taxes and Impositions the Kings of the Earth The Whore of Babylon the Beast which catrieth her the ten horns in Rev. 17.7 12 13 14. and the Whore of Babylon agreed together to lay upon the people though never so good Catholicks is known by the Histories and Annals of the several Kingdoms and States under the jurisdiction of the Sea of Rome and the Lords people you may be sure could not escape the common calamity where Kingship prevails nay it had been as much as they could have wished in this world in that matter if they might have born the common burthens of the inslaved people and no more but they were singled out from their Neighbors and set apart as a But for the Pope and Popish Princes to spend their Arrows upon in a more especial manner Read the History of the Waldenses and Albigenses it is worthy serious perusal at this time Our Ancestors indeed struggled hard for Magna Charta * Magna Charta in many parts is made waste paper by the Souldiers now in time of popery as much for freedom from Court-tyranny I think as any Nation we read of yet histories are plain that there were grievous burthens laid upon the people partly by the Pope for the maintenance of the Universal Bishop and partly by the Court the interest whereof was alwaies and ever will be an interest cross to that of the people especially of Gods people but it was best for the people when their Kings and the Court of Rome were at the greatest distance At length K. Hen. 8 deposed the Pope from his Headship in England and made himself Head of the Church taxed the people the Parsons and Vicats c. in the Popes stead through the wonderful providence of God upon what account I will not here mention K. Henry 8. east off the Pope and so

people to maintain them in their c●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 expect●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 the●e●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-servi●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 R●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 Pri●ce● 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