and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem went off and that the Ten Tribes might not magnify themselves against the Two Tribes who Hosea 11.12 Ruled with God and was faithful with the Saints long after the revolt of the Ten the Lord will in the Latter day save the two Tribes first which is all that can be gathered in this matter from this Scripture and it will not prove that the Kingdom shall first take place or begin amongst the naturall Seed of Abraham but I shall add no more to this but come to speak to the third particular relating to the Time of this Work taking place and to that I shall lay down this Position Position That the Work of destroying the Fourth and setting up the Fifth Kingdom is begun and hath taken place amongst us in this Isle of great Brittain And in entering upon the proof of this I shall for the making way present some particular Considerations As first That the Beast with the Seven Heads and Ten Hornes mentioned Rev. 17. and also the Whore mentioned in the same Chapter have their Rise Seat Dominion and Reign in this part of the World called Europe where the Roman or Fourth Kingdom had its place before at and since the coming of Christ in the flesh and though the Rise and Nature of the Power is changed from the meerly Civil to the grosse Antichristian or Mixed State yet those that will search the Histories may find that Antichrist hath taken and doth keep the same Territories that were belonging to the Civil State The Second Consideration is That this Nation or the Power of this Isle of Great Brittain hath been accounted and really is one of the Ten Hornes of the Beast or Toes of the Image and was joyned with the Antichristian Beast very soon receiving Power as a King one hour with him according to Rev. 17.12 and the Whore or false Church hath been long mounted upon the Civil or Beastly Power in this Nation It is now above one thousand years as history relates since Augustine the Monck was sent over by the Pope into this Nation where he found great incouragement from the Civil Powers which Satan had fitted for his own design of carrying the Whore Proud Augustine for so he is called doth forthwith settle the National Church and mounts it upon the Civil Power to bear up maintain it and many abominable wicked Lawes were made to Answer the Devils design in the upholding and maintaining this Whorish Nationall Church at the setting up whereof there are found some Faithful Christians in the Nation which so far as we may credit History were some remainders of the fruits of the Ministry of Joseph of Arimatheah who is said was the first Preacher of the joyful sound of the Gospel in this Island and these Christians not falling down to but witnessing against the Antichristian Abominations which were brought in from Rome and readily received in this Nation Augustine becomes their great enemy and being of that Popish stamp that Thirsts after and must be drunk with the blood of the Saints thirsts after the blood of those poor Christians who for their safety fled to the Mountains in Wales but Augustine tho ough the help of the Civil or Beastly Power as the beginning of the wickedness which God will reward obtains his end and drinks the Blood or takes away the lives of those Faithfull Martyrs of Jesus and so in shedding the blood of the Saints the Beast and the Whore were united together in this Nation and therefore no wonder if they cleave so close together as at this day till the vengeance be accomplished upon them This proud Augustine being Ordained and sent by the Pope whose power is derived from Hell Ordains and Settles Bishops and Archbishops who Ordaine the National Ministry and settle them in their respective Parishes and this by succession hath continued to this day and is the Ordination so much pleaded for in this Nation The Third Consideration is That the Toe or Horne or that part of the Beastly Power in Brittain which carrieth the Whore according to the National Constitution was made up with and did consist of King Lords and Commons The Fourth Consideration is That it is the proper Work of the Stone or Kingdom mentioned Dan. 2. to Smite and Break these Toes or Hornes and so by its Government to fill up the room thereof Having layd down these things I shall proceed to the proof of the Assertion to wit That the Work is begun First The VVork that is only proper for the Stone to do to wit the breaking of the Toes or Hornes hath taken place in this Nation The Horn or Toe of this Nation to wit King Lords and Commons is broken though not yet according to Dan. 2.35 made as the Chaffe of the Summer threshing Flower Not only the King but Kingship and Peeridge is broken and not only the Commons but the very Foundation of their Constitution from the Nation is broken and God hath for several years been witnessing against it I need not speak further to the proof of this if we forget not the things which our Eyes have seen Deut. 49. It is Matter of Mourning that this Generation like Israel of old either understood not or else have forgotten the workes of God and it is no wonder if God destroy them and not build them up Psal 28.5 Psal 106.7.13 Though the Stone must break the Horne or Toe it is not said that it should be done at one blow or two and therefore if God should suffer King Lords and Commons to rally again in this Nation it may not be said that the Work hath not been among us for seeing the Stone may not do it at one or two blows the Lord may gather and prepare them for the Second or rather the Third stroke till he make them as the Chaffe and they be carryed away with the wind The Work in this Nation did not end in smiting the Horn for the Kingdom and Goverment of Christ did take place in its roome When the remainder of the Long Parliament was by the answer of the Faith and Prayers of the Lords People with an eminent hand of God broken the undoubted right to the Throne being Christs who had obtained it by his Sword and Bow as the fulfilling of many promises Prophesies of Scripture the Saints whose Right under Christ it is upon the Account and on the behalf of Jesus Christ did not onely take but come into the possession of the Kingdom for by a speciall hand of God many of the Saints upon the breach of the Parliament before mentioned were sent for from several parts of this Island who found the Lord stirring up their hearts to come to Receive and Possesse the Government for Christ their King and accordingly when they were come together at Whitehall the Government was delivered to them and they or at least many of them received it upon the avowed account of the Son of God
whilest that Kingdom is in being Neither can it be restrained to the Spirituall Kingdom that is within the Saints because those that truly pray this Prayer being Children do already injoy that Kingdom Neither can it be restrained to the Kingdom of Heaven in the ultimat Glory because that is not to come to the Saints but they are to go or be taken up to it therefore seeing it cannot be taken in either of these four sences and there being no other Kingdom of God that I read of but the forementioned visible Kingdom this word must be referred to it The second Scripture is Luke 21.31 When you see these things come to passe Know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand By these things is meant the Signs of the latter day or of Christs second comming and this Kingdom being nigh at hand when the latter day signes are upon us must needs be understood of this fifth Kingdom which they have special relation to and is known to be nigh at hand by them The third Scripture is Dan. 2.44 And in the dayes of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom c. This compared with Chap. 7.14 must be understood of this visible Kingdom The fourth Scripture is Dan. 7.27 And the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the Most High c. and all Dominions shall serve and obey him This compared with Rev. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord c. must needs refer to this visible Kingdom which hath the Authority Power and Rule in and over the whole World First It is called the Fathers Kingdom as it is Originally from him who is the Creator Former and Disposer of all things 2ly As he doth in a special Manner erect or set up this Kingdom The God of Heaven shall set it up Dan. 2.44 3ly As he is the Donor or Giver of it to the Son Luke 1.32 The Lord God shall give him the Throne c. This Kingdom also belongs to Christ the Son First As he is the Son of God and so the true Heir Heb. 1.2 Psal 2.7 8. Secondly As he is the Son of Man the true Son of David the seed of Abraham 1. As he is the Son of Man John 5.27 He hath Authority to execute Judgment because he is the Son of Man 2. As he is the true Son of David Luke 1.32.69 The Lord God shall give him the Throne of his Father David so Acts 2.30 Of the Fruit of his Loynes according to the Flesh God hath sworn with an Oath that he would raise up Christ to sit on his Throne 3. As he is the Seed of Abraham Gen. 22.17 18. Thy Seed shall possess the Gate of his Enemies By Seed is meant Christ Gal. 3.16 and by possessing the Gate is to be understood of possessing the Government and execution of Judgment Amos 5.10.12.15 Zech. 8.16 Thirdly It is Christs Right by Promise Isa 9.7 and by Covenant and Oath Psa 89.28 29.34 35 36. Acts 2.30 and by the Anointing Isa 11.2 Psa 89.27.20 And by peculiar choyse Psa 89.19 Isa 42.1 compared with Matth. 12.18 And by Decree Psa 2.7 Fourthly It is Christs by the free gift of the Father Psal 2.8 I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession Luke 1.32 The Lord God shall give unto him the Throne c. Dan. 7.14 There was given him Dominion c. Matth. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth c. Fifthly It is Christs by desert and purchase upon the account of his suffering Rev. 5.12.13 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power c. Isa 53.12 Because he hath poured out his soul unto death c. The Lord will divide him a portion with the Great and he shall divide the spoyl with the strong Sixthly It is Christs in answer to the Great end of Creation Col. 1.16 All things were created for him so Psal 8.6 Compare Heb. 2.5 6 7 8 The World to come is put in subjection to Christ as may appear from Verse the 5th This World to come must needs be understood of the Fifth Kingdom which belongs unto and is put under Christ the Son Eph. 1.21 22. This world to come cannot be understood of the Ultimate Glory in Heaven because that State is not to be put under Christ as the Son but as Son he himself must become subject in it 1 Cor. 15.28 But this World to come is noted in an especiall manner to be under Christs Feet and this is that State or World to come in which there shall be forgiveness or blotting out of sin as is clearly implyed from Matth. 12.32 which compared with Acts 3.19 That your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send Jesus c. doth clearly demonstrate the World to come to be this fifth Kingdom Lastly It is and shall be Christs by Conquest Rev. 17.14 The Lamb shall overcome them c. Comp. Chap. 6.2 and upon these grounds this fifth Kingdom being Christs he is called King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 And the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 And King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 17.14 Chap. 19.16 The blessed and only Potentate 1 Tim. 6.15 with divers such like Titles which in the Scriptures of truth are given to him The next thing that I would speak to is That this fifth Kingdom is outward and visible as well as glorious and spiritual First From the time and manner of its rising mentioned Dan. 2.34 Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out c. If it were only spiritual it might have been seen as well before the Image was as after but the Stone or Kingdom doth not appear till after the Image is seen and then appears as visible as the Image which Image holdeth forth the four great Kingdoms or Monarchies of the World which have been and are visible in their times Now the Stone being as visible as the Image and not seen till some time after the Image was seen it must needs be a visible Kingdom and not the spiritual and invisible Kingdom which was in being long before the Image appeared Secondly It must be outward and visible if we consider the work that this Kingdom is to do it smites and breaks the Image Dan. 2.34.44 which compared with other Scriptures will appear to be an outward visible breaking as Dan. 7.18.26 Rev. 17.14 The ten Hornes or ten Toes makes war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them Now if the Work be an outward and visible smiting the Stone or Kingdom must needs be visible also Thirdly The Rule or Dominion of this Kingdom is taken from filleth up the room of the fourth Kingdom Dan. 2.35 The Stone became
leave the wayes of God And neglect the Conversion of sinners and the building up such as are converted And that they are such as are against Magistracy c. But it would be too large to speak to all these things and to shew how in the building of the First and Second Temple and many other things which God did by his Spirit yet conferred that honour upon his Servants to use them as Instruments in his hand though he had no need of them but as in the Creation might do all by the word of his Power He had no need of Moses Joshua Samuel David and many others he could have done his work alone yet it was and is his pleasure to use them And as for the High Charges that are brought against this Truth and the Professors of it I shall not undertake to vindicate and plead for all that go under the name of owners of these things I know there was a Judas amongst the twelve Disciples yea and Peter who was very eminent did miscarry and the best of Saints here do stand by Faith yet this I may say that the Principles teach no such things but 2 Pet. 3. if we look for such things we are from thence instructed to be holy in all manner of conversation But I hope as I have not received these things either with respect to Persons or things but as it might appear to be the mind of the Lord so I would not reject or entertain hard thoughts of any of the Truths of Christ because many of the Professors thereof walk unsuitable to their profession And to what is falsly charged upon the Persons or Principles is no more then hath been upon other truths of Christ and upon his followers in former ages Caleb and Joshua because they were faithful and declared the truth the whole Congregation of professing Israel bade stone them with stones Num. 14. Jeremiah for declaring the truth was not onely reproached by false reports but cast into the Dungeon for his faithfulness by the very Princes of Israel and he received more favour from the Heathens then he did from the Professors as from Ebedmelech the Blackmore and from the King of Babylon Jer. 15.10 chap. 20.10 chap. 38 4.6.7-11.12 Chap. 39.11.12 and to our Lord Christ himself his friends said he was beside himself Mark 3.21 The strict sort of the Jewes did contemn him and his followers and said he was a Samaritane and had a Devil Yea that Sect was every where spoken against Acts 28.22 Paul was charged to be a pestilent fellow and that he Preached that men should do evil that good might come Considering this cloud of witnesses and how much Satan is engaged against the Righteous Cause of Christ and how truth in all ages hath been first branded for error and then opposed and persecuted and the Professors thereof Imprisoned Banished and killed I am through Grace helped with comfort and cheerfulnesse to bear these sore reproaches as a part of Christs and Truths livery and leave it till the day of Decision when the Lord will shew who was for Christ and his Truth and who were the opposers of them And as to that part of the charge that we are against Magistracy the Lord in his own time will clear his despised Remnant of that with other false charges and will make it manifest that through rich Grace we do own Reverence and witness for the true Magistracy which is according to the Word of God in opposition to the false Magistracy of Antichrist and of the Apostacy at this day and if to be for the House and Kingdom of David against wicked Saul as was the House of Judah and divers others 2 Sam. 2.10 cha 3.2 or for David against Absalom as 2 Sam. 15. or for Solomon against Adonijah as was Nathan and others see 1 King 1. or with Ehud against Eglou as Judg. 3.14 or for Joash against Athaliah as was Jehoiada and others see 2 Kin. 11. or to be for the Lord and his Truth against Amaziah when he turned from following the Lord in a word if to be for Christ and his Kingdom against the Devil Antichrist and the Apostacy be to be Vile and to be Transgressors we are such and I desire the Lord may keep us so to the end But if these things be justifiable by Scripture and owned by the Lord let those that reproach us take heed least they become fighters against God The Fourth general head that I propounded to speak to is the Time of this works taking place in the world to wit of the Setting up the fifth and the destroying of the Fourth Kingdom As for the day or year the Lord in wisdom hath reserved to himself and what is written of it in the Scriptures may through our ignorance admit of many doubts and various apprehensions I do Judge it hath been the failing of some whom I have much honoured in the Lord to fix the day and year and I have desired to be alwayes waiting for it but not so fix the time onely in general That this Kingdom of Christ shall be set up in the world before his Personal Coming though it shall not come to its perfect Glory and Beauty till he comes with his glorified Saints The First Argument to clear this is Dan. 2.44 In the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom first that this Kingdom is the Fifth Kingdom hath been already shewed Secondly by these Kings I understand the Toes of the Image which in Revel 17. are called Horns and explained to be Kings Now it must be granted by all that those Kings do either refer to those Kings mentioned Dan. 7.17 which are as hath been shewed the four Monarchies of the world and are held forth by the several parts of the Image Dan. 2. or to the ten Horns or Kings before mentioned First it cannot be the four Monarchies for then the Fifth Kingdom must take place in the world betwixt the time of Israels going into the 70. years Captivity in Babylon and their return to Jerusalem for the Chaldean Monarchy viz. the Head of Gold which was the first of the four Kings had not its beginning as part of the Image till about the time of their going into the captivity and was taken away or destroyed several years before the return of the captives as may appear Dan. 5. Therefore if it were in the dayes of those Kings it must begin while the Chaldean Monarchy was in being But it is without doubt that the Kingdom of Christ did not begin in that time but either long before or long after Secondly if it should be true as some affirm that this Fifth Kingdom began either at Christs coming in the flesh or at his Resurrection or Ascention or at the pouring out of the Spirit Acts 2. Yet it cannot be the dayes of the four Kings For three of these four were come and gone many years before Christ and it is evident
a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth so Dan. 7.17 18. The four Beasts are four Kings which are the four great Monarchies but the Saints shall take the Kingdom See verse 26. they shall take away his Dominion in verse 27. The Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the Saints c. Now the fourth Kingdom being visible this fifth Kingdom that fills up the room of the fourth must needs be visible also Fourthly The Throne of this Kingdom is the Throne of David Luke 1.32 which is an outward visible Throne and in Rev. 3.21 there are two Thrones mentioned one is called the Fathers Throne being rhe Throne where Christ now is the other Christ calls his own Throne which is the Throne of his Father David wherefore the Throne being visible the Kingdom must likewise be visible Fifthly The Lawes Government and Governours under Christ are outward and visible and take place upon the Bodies Lives Liberties and Estates of men Ezra 7.26 the Scriptures which are outward and visible are the Lawes which God the only Law-giver Isa 33.22 James 4.12 hath left Exod. 18.16 Neh. 9.13 Esther 3.8 Psal 119.9 Deut. 4.5 6 7 8. 2. Tim. 3.16 17. Deut. 17.18.19.20 2 Kings 11.12 The visible Saints are to be the visible Governours under Christ the King Psa 45.16 1 Cor. 6.2 Isa 14.2 Chap. 32. 1. Psa 49.14 Dan. 7.18.22.27 2 Tim. 2.12 Rev. 2.26.27 Chap. 3.21 Chap. 5.10 Chap. 20.4.6 Jer. 30.21 These things being visible the Kingdom must needs be visible also and thus much to the first particular of the fifth Kingdom it self The Second thing which I propounded to speak to is the Kingdom of the Beast and in the entering upon that Consider in the first place the Image spoken of in Dan. 2.31 32. which Image doth comprehend and hold forth the four great Monarchies which were to take place and have their time in the world and they are described in Dan. 7.3 by four great Beasts and the three last of these four Monarchies are described in Dan. 8. the first by a Ram the Second by a Hee-Goate the last which is the fourth Monarchy by a little Horn which are also spoken of Dan. 11. The first of these four Monarchies was that of the Chaldees Dan. 2.38 He was that Head of Gold and had his beginning as a part of the Image about the year 3362 from the Creation and continued till about the year 3422 in all about 60 years The second Monarchy was that of the Medes and Persians which Dan. 2.32 is the Breast and Arms of Silver and took place of the Chaldees Dan. 5.30 31. and continued till about the year 3620 in all about 198 years The third Monarchy was that of the Graecians which Dan. 2.32 is set forth by the Belly and Thighs of Brasse and in Dan 8 21. by the rough Goate which is there called the King of Graecia and succeeds the Medes and Persians which is set forth by the Ram with two Horns verse 20. This Monarchy of the Graecians continued till about the year 3902 in all about 282 years The fourth Monarchy was that of the Romans which in Dan. 2.33 is set forth by the Leggs of Iron and Feet part of Iron and part of Clay and by the little Horn in Dan. 8.9.11.12 which takes away the daily sacrifice and casts down the truth And by the vild person in Dan. 11.21 which in verse 31. takes away the daily sacrifice and sets up the abomination that maketh desolate This Monarchy took place as part of the Image in Dan. 2. about forty two years before the Birth of Christ and was divided into two parts which I understand to be held forth by the two Leggs of the Image and continued in its Pagan or Heathenish State till about 360 years after Christ before it was interrupted by and mixed with the Man of Sin or Antichristian State To the first three Monarchies and the first part of the fourth I shall say little but specially insist upon the Latter part of the fourth or Roman Monarchy it being the last part of the Image and the onely part which doth at this day remain in the world First it is evident that the Roman Monarchy is of two sorts the first is held forth by the Leggs of Iron The second by the feet and toes of Iron and clay Daniel 2.33 and in Daniel 7. The first part of it is held forth by the fourth Beast with the ten Horns and the other by the little Horn In Revel 12 3. The first part of the Monarchy is held forth by the Red Dragon with seven heads and ten Horns and seven Crownes upon his heads The second part in Revel 13.1 is held forth by a Beast that riseth out of the Sea with seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crownes and as in verse the fifth is to continue forty and two Moneths By the ten Horns I understand the ten Kings or Kingdoms in Europe which had their dependance upon the Roman Empire and are called in Dan. 7.24 Ten Kings and so in Rev. 17.12 And by the seven Heads I understand the seven Provinces that had their dependance upon the Roman Empire and before the rise of the Antichristian state the Crowns or the Power and Glory of the Government were upon the seven Heads or Provinces And the Horns were as servants under the Emperour that had received no Kingdom till the Antichristian Beast came up Revel 17.12 but at his coming up they receive power as Kings one hour with him and then the Crowns are upon the Horns and answers to Revel 13.1 distinguished from Revel 12.3 The first part of this Romane state was a lawful Power and to be obeyed as an Ordinance of God and the Lord Christ Mat. 17.27 payes Tribute to them and Chap. 22.21 commands to render to Caesar the things that are Caesars c. And the Apostle saith Rom. 13.1 the Powers that are speaking of them that were then in being are ordained of God and giveth special charge to the Saints to obey them Titus 3.1 And the Spirit of the Lord in the Apostles foreseeing that the Man of sin would get up to the Throne by speaking evil of Dignities and despising Dominion as Pet. 2.10 Compare Jude 8. Rebelling against yea casting down the Civil Powers that so himself might obtain the Throne to Reign both over Church and State which he did at length accomplish the Spirit I say foreseeing this doth forewarn the Saints and charge them to be obedient to Magistrates with many cautions and Exhortations which stand in force to all true Magistrates to the end of the world The second part of this Roman State is from Sathan and riseth out of of the Bottomlesse Pit as Rev. 13.2 Chap. 17.8 and is Antichristian and therefore it is a great sin to own it as the Ordinance of God it being wicked and sinful not onely in its Reign or exercise of Power but in its
divers others were in the Typical part of this work and how much more in the Anti-type which doth farr exceed it in spirituality shall the Instruments be so used Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee c. which must respect Christ as King in his members Heb. 11.30 32 33. Who through faith subdued Kingdomes c. Psal 72.15 and Psal 149.6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouths c. Rev. 6.10 Chap. 8.3.4.5 Secondly by the word of their Testimony which they bear for Christ against Antichrist Rev. 12.11 17. Lastly by Material weapons in a military way Christ being the Captain General and chief leader of this Army Rev. 17. The Lamb shall overcome them and they that are on his side are called chosen and faithful Psal 110.3 In the day of the assembling of thy Army for so some read the words Thy people speaking to Christ shall be willing This Psalm doth in an especial manner relate to the work of the later day Rev. 19.14 The Armies followed Christ which Armies must respect the Saints as being them that are arrayed in fine linnen Vers 8. That the Saints shall be used with material weapons consider First That the War cannot be restrained to that spiritual War mentioned 2 Cor. 10.4 Eph. 6.12 which war required spiritual weapons only but this is an outward visible war as smiting and breaking the visible Image Government taking away the visible Power of the last Beast Dan. 2. and Chapter the 7th and a visible overcoming and breaking the Horns or visible Power of the Ten Kingdoms that received their Power with the Beast which Hornes do begin a visible War with Christ and his Cause as it is owned and carried on by his Saints who are the Members of his Body Rev. 17. Secondly That they shall be used with Material Weapons may appear from Joel 3.10 Beat your Plow-shares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears let the weak say I am strong In which Scripture I would note three things First That it is a prophecy of the latter day work when Multitudes shall appear in the valley of decision which hath never yet been fulfilled as is most evident if the scope of the Prophesie be consulted Secondly This 10th Verse is spoken to the Saints or people of God the scope of the words leads to the Saints and the 11th verse is a Call to the Heathen for God will gather the Heathen as well as his own people to the valley of decision according to Zeph. 3.8 and this word of encouragement Let the weak say I am strong is not spoken to the enemies of God but is a blessed word for his own people and by it the whole verse appears to be directed to them Lastly the swords and spears are not spiritual but material weapons because they are made of plow-shares and pruning-hooks and are to be used in the Lords great Controversie with the Heathen and the enemies of his Church This Truth may further appear from Psal 149.6 7 8. Let a two-edged sword be in their hands to execute vengeance c. This Psalm must also respect the latter day when the meek shall be beautified with salvation ver 4. and this prophesie hath never been fulfilled since this Psalme was penned but must be fulfilled in the execution of the judgement that is to come upon the World in this latter day This must be a material sword First because the work that the Saints are to do with it is outward visible work viz. to bind Kings and Nobles and to execute the judgment written vers 8.9 2dly This sword is to be in their hands and therefore must be a material sword if it were spiritual it would be in their hearts or in their mouths and included in the joy and praises before spoken of this may further appear from Luke 22.36 He that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one That this Sword relates to the latter day must needs be granted because it is spoken in the latter day for the whole day from Christs coming into the flesh to the end of the world is called the latter dayes or time Acts 2.17 Heb. 1.2 1 John 2.18 This latter day or last times must be considered under a two-fold dispensation the one of Suffering the other of Action In the first the Saints must be bound with chains killed and countted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8.36 comp Luke 21.12 16. And in the second the Saints shall bind with chaines and take them captives whose captives they were Isa 14.2 comp Psal 149. In the first the Beast or Little Horn shall wear out the Saints In the second the Saints shall take away his Dominion Dan. 7. In the first the Saints must Suffer in Babylon under yokes and bonds and so be hanging down the head In the second Zion or the Saints must deliver her self and put on her Beautifull Garments and lift up her head and loose her self from the bands of her neck or the Government of Antichrist that is upon her and shake her self from the dust In the first Babylon is exercising Cruelty and Tyranny over the Saints and they are patiently to bear it and if they be smitten on the one cheek they must turn the other and if any man will sue them at the Law and take away their coat which must be whilest the wicked Antichristian Law is in force they must let him have their Cloak also But in the Second the Saints must render to Babylon double Compare these following Scriptures Dan. 7.25 with vers 26. Rev. 13.7 with Chap. 17.14 Isa 52.1.2 Zech. 2.7 Luke 21.28 Matth. 5.39.40 Rev. 18.6 This Scripture Luke 22.36 doth clearly hold forth this two-fold dispensation for it cannot be applyed to the day when Christ and his Apostles were upon the Earth which was a day of suffering wherein they were not to resist as Math. 5.39 with many other Scriptures to this purpose both in the Evangelists and the Epistles and Christ tells them at the same time that two swords were enough vers 38. and therefore could not be the time in which he that had no sword must sell his garment and buy one but holds forth another dispensation in which the Saints must be called to Action for Christ in the setting up of his Kingdom and though the words were spoken to the disciples that were then with Christ in the suffering day yet he delivers it to them as they represented the whole body of Gospel Believers that were or should come over to faith in him to the end of the world and so the Ordinances Rules and Work that the Saints were to observe and do till Christs Second coming are delivered unto and received by the disciples that were with him in that day Christ in the opening the extent of his prayer John 17.20 cleares this and also in his general exhortation Math. 13.37 What I say unto you I say unto all c. and so
from Scripture that the Roman or Fourth Kingdom by which the daily sacrifice was taken away was in its glory in Christs day and had the world under his Dominion Luke 2.1 Lastly it cannot be the four Kings but must be the Toes or Horns because the Cutting out of the Stone or setting up the Kingdom is not seen till sometime after the Image in all its parts did appear Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out c. vers 34. so that the very Toes viz. the Antichristian Kings that receive Power as Kings one hour with the Beast are up sometime before the Stone and are them that the Stone smites or falls upon vers 34. and the Stone must smite Imediately upon its cutting out because it breaks its way through the last part of the Image Government and fills up the roome of it And therefore these Kings must be the Antichristian Kings which are in being when the God of Heaven sets up the Kingdom Secondly by the dayes of these Kings I understand the time of their Government or while their Kingdoms and Power is up in the world and in the time that God hath permitted them to reign now Christs Personal coming shall not be in their dayes but in his own day when their dayes are ended and there is ground to judge that their dayes must be ended sometime before Christs coming in Person for we read Revel 17. that these Kings make War with the Lamb and are overcome and there appears to be the end of the ten Antichristian Kings which must be before Christs Personall coming for at that coming it may not be supposed that the ten Horns shall make War with him but the War is with the Lamb in his Saints and in his Cause Now if the Kingdom must be set up or the Stone cut out in the dayes of the ten Antichristian Kings then it could not be set up before nor at the Ascention of Christ For those Kings in that State were not then in being the last Beast that comes from Hell was not up therefore it must be before Christs Personal coming from Heaven because their dayes are ended before or at that coming The Second ground to clear this truth is from Ps 110.1 The Lord that is God the Father said unto my Lord that is Christ set thou at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool By Christs enemies I unde stand not onely the Antichristian State but it includes the whole world who through the Instigation of the Devil are against Christ and would not have him to Reign Psal 2.1.2.3 Rev. 11.17.18 Secondly by the enemies being made his footstool I understand not a Total destruction of their persons but a taking away and destroying of their Government and Power and bringing them to the foot of Christ to be as the Stool for his Government to take place upon or to bring them under and in subjection to it Thirdly by Christs sitting at the Right hand of the Father I understand his Personal being in Heaven as our Advocate where he is said to be at the right hand of the Majesty on high Col. 3.1 Heb. 1.3 cha 8.1 that so if Christs enemies must be brought down and his Government take place whilest he sits at the Right hand of God Then the Kingdom of Christ must be set up before his Personal coming The third ground is taken from the time of Babylons destruction which must be before Christs Personal coming And Babylon being to be destroyed by the Saints Stone or Kingdom this work must take place before the Personal coming That Babylons fall by the Plagues must be before Christs Personal coming consider Rev. 18.4 come out of her my people that ye pertake not of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues God here speaks to those that were not so much his people by visible profeâ—â—ion for they were in Babylon but such as by special Grace as the fruit of Electing love he calls his people and these are such as shall be caught up 1 Thes 4.17 to meet Christ at his Personal coming and Phil. 3.21 1 Joh. 3.2 Have their vile bodies changed and fashioned like unto his Glorious body and so must be out of the reach of such temporal plagues as must come upon Babylon but Babylons plagues must come in a time when Gods own peculiar people may through sin come to pertake of them and therefore the destruction of Babylon must needs be before Christs personal coming that word Dan 7.26 speaking of the little Horn saith they shall take away his Dominion to consume and destroy it unto the end which end must be the end of the fourth Monarchy or of this old world when Christ shall come in person and the world to come spoken of Heb. 2.5 take place so that Antichrist must be a destroying and consuming as a gradual work till the end of the fourth Monarchy The Stone Dan. 2. that destroyeâ— the Antichristian State must do it before Christ comes in person it doth it not at once as it would be â—f it were to be done at Christs Personal coming who comes as the lightning but is done gradually as may appear by the scope of the words The fourth Ground is taken from the Way and Instruments that shall be used in the work and they as it hath been proved must be the Saints with Material weapons in a Military way and I suppose I need not take up time to shew that it is inconsistent with a glorified Saint to do this work with Material weapons in the way that it is to be done for I never met with any of that perswasion to wit that Glorified Saints might so use Material weapons and that the Saints shall be all changed and have glorified bodies is clear from 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Phil. 3.21 1 John 3.2 So then if the Saints must be the Instruments and the work not consistent with their glorified State the work must needs take place before the Personal coming of Christ The fifth Ground is taken from the Sitting of the Judgment menc Dan. 7.26 by the Ju gment cannot be understood the last judgment spoken of Rev. 20. but must be the Judgement of Antichrist menc Rev. 17.1 which is the judging and passing the sentence against Antichrist for the righteous cause of Christ and this doth Imediately precede the vengeance mentioned Rev. 6 10. Dan. 7 26. they shall take away his Dominion Now this Judgment sits before Christs Personal coming yea and the vengeance executed according to this Judgment is before that coming For first he saith the Judgment shall sit and then they shall take away his Dominion to consume it unto the end Now the sitting of the Judgment and the executing of the vengance being the same with the God of Heaven's setting up the Kingdom and all this being before Christs Personall comming doth further clear this Truth The Sixth Ground is taken from the pouring out of the
Election c. those that own Election according to Scripture will grant that it takes place before Calling and yet Calling is here placed before it So Acts 3.19 where the Apostle applies the blotting out of sin to the time of Christs Personal coming when according to other Scriptures the blotting out or forgiveness of sin takes place long before as Ephes 1.7 Col. 2.13 so that this word must respect the perfecting of it In Luke 21.28 you have the like word applied to Redemptions taking place at the coming of Christ the like in Ephes 4.13 though by other Scriptures Redemption hath its beginning long before as Ephes 1.7 Gal. 3.13 and if these things be considered it may appear that either the Kingdom in this place of 2 Tim. 4.1 must respect the perfection of its Glory which shall not be till Christs Personal coming though as hath been shewed it must have its beginning before or if it should respect its first taking place we may not build so much upon the order of the words as to make them clash against yea to exclude the scope of many Scriptures which do clearly hold forth the Kingdoms taking place before the Personal appearing of Christ The Second thing that I shall lay down with respect to the Time of this Kingdoms taking place is That it must begin or take place amongst the Gentile Saints before the Call of the Nation of the Jewes to wit the Natural Seed of Abraham The First Ground of this I gather from the Work Time and Order of the Vials Rev. 16. Six of them are to be poured forth before the Kings of the East which I understand to be the Natural Seed of Abraham have their way prepared The Sixth Vial Rev. 16.12 must be poured out upon the great River Euphrates that the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared By the River Euphrates I understand not the Material River for the ships of Tarshish must bring them over greater Rivers then that and that River cannot block up their way but it is the Power of that people to wit the Turks that have their Scituation about that River By Rivers and waters is elsewhere to be understood of Earthly Powers as in Revel 16.4 compare with vers 6. and Revel 17.15 and also at this day the Turks do possesse the Land of Judea and it must be the breaking of their Power that prepares the way for the Kings of the East Now the Vials doing the same work with the Stone or Kingdom to wit the destroying of Antichrist and they doing the work or most of it before the Call of the Jews the Kingdom must needs take place also before their Call I have not heard of any that denyes that the Kings of the East are to be understood of Abrahams Natural Seed and therefore shall speak no further to this Ground The Second Ground from whence I gather that the Kingdom must take place before the Jews Call is this The Stone or Kingdom smites the Image upon the Feet to wit the Babylonish State and this smiting must be done by those of the People of God that were under Babylons yoke Rev. 18.4.6 Zech. 2.7 They that are under Babylons yoke in this New Testament day are not the Jews but the Gentile Saints therefore the work must first take place amongst them The Kingdom strikes the first stroke upon the Antichristian State Dan. 2.44 The Third Ground of this Assertion is That the Kingdom or Stone must break and make way for the Jewes before their coming in therefore it must take place or be in being before it breaks the way The Gentile Saints must be used as the Instruments in breaking the way for and bringing in the Jewes Isa 49.22 and Chap. 66.20 Object That many of the Scriptures which referr to the Work of the Kingdom do speak to the People of God who are to be used in it under those Names and Titles that properly relate to the natural Seed of Abraham as Jacob Zion Jerusalem Judah and Israel c. Answ That although in the Old Covenant day in which the being one of Abrahams natural Seed did intitle to Church-Membership the visible Church was distinguished by those Names and Titles yet it may not be alwaies restrained or applyed to them in Gospel dayes when their Typical Church State comes to cease and as their Church State was Typical so was the Titles that God gave to them and the names of Jacob Zion and Jerusalem c. do truly and spiritually relate to the Gospel or New Covenant Church in which neither Jew nor Gentile have any right by natural Generation but by Faith in Christ who is all and in all Col. 3.11 and so in him 2 Cor. 1.20 we come to have a right to all the Promises that are held forth to Jacob or Zion c. So Psal 102.13.16 in which Scripture Zion must respect the Gospel Church which the Lord shall build when he appears in his glory It is the Gospel Church that Zech. 2.7 dwells with the Daughter of Babylon Gal. 4.26 Chap. 3.29 Eph. 2.14 which with many other Scriptures doth clearly demonstrate these Titles are most truly to be applyed to the Gospel Church and those that deny this must exclude the Gospel Church from the benefit of the greatest part of the Promises in Scripture and though this may seem to cut off the Jewes from their Priviledges yet it will rather and more truly invest them therein upon a more Noble account when they shall come to embrace the Messias and thus much to this Objection I shall now come to speak of Two Scriptures that are specially insisted upon by those who expect the Work to begin among the Jewes the one in Micha 4.8 Unto thee O Tower of the Flock shall come the first Dominion c. If this should be referred to the Naturall Seed of Abraham it can only respect the two Tribes to wit Judah and Benjamin and all that may be gathered in this matter from it is that the Kingdom shall come to the two Tribes before the Ten which will much agree with other Scriptures but it will not follow from the Scope of the Spirit in the words that the Kingdom shall not take place and be in being among the Gentile Saints before its Dominion comes to the two Tribes because they must have the first Dominion before the other ten Tribes The other Scripture is Zech. 12.7 The Lord shall save the Tents of Judah first that the glory of the House of David and the glory of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnifie themselves against Judah By Judah or the Tents of Judah I understand the two Tribes and by the glory of the House of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Ten Tribes For the Glory was to have the Ten Tribes in conjunction with the Two abiding with the House of David but when the Ten Tribes revolted the Kingdom was rent and the Glory of the House of David
and by force of Arms turned them out and Cromwel being set up by the Priests Lawyers and his trecherous Army Assumes and exalts himself in the Throne which before he had declared did belong to Christ And thus the Lord did permit a Stop to be put unto and a Death to come upon the Glorious Work Cause of Christ and the Apostacy visibly to break forth and take place in the midst of us and so a turning back to Babylon building again the things which the Lord had destroyed wherein he had used some of the Apostates as instruments Also the many Flattering Titles and wicked Addresses that were afterwards given and made first to Cromwel the great Apostate and then to his Son by the Officers and Souldiers of the formerly Famous and Victorious but now Revolting and Time-serving Army and by many of the Churches and eminent Church-Officers and Members yea by the generality of all Sorts and Rankes of Men except a poor despised Remnant that were mourning over and witnessing for the precious Cause of Christ the many printed Books and Papers that are still extant do abundantly shew I shall forbear to add but come to the Second Ground to shew That the Work of the Fifth Kingdom is begun and as these Workes that have been done So in the Second place the extraordinary way by which it hath been effected may discover it to be the very Work of the Fifth Kingdom This VVork according to Scripture being to be known by the extraordinary appearances of God in it It is called The Kingdom which the God of Heaven shall set up Dan. 2.44 and those that speak of the Glory must also talk of the Power of this Kingdom Psa 145.11 by which Power I understand the extraordinary appearance of God in accomplishing the Work of setting up the Kingdom as in the coming up out of Egypt so in this VVork God will shew and do great and marvelous things Micha 7.18 Joel 2.21 and very many Scriptures speak after this manner Now that the Work in this Island hath been so done even by an extraordinary Hand or Power look back as far as the old Puritant day in which the Power of God was eminently seen in preserving them and owning their Faith and Prayer to the overthrowing that great Mountaine of the Bishops and the rest of that Antichristian â—piscopal Traine that were imbodyed with them and the Calling of the Parliament upon the coming in of the Scots and then come down to the War betwixt the King and Parliament The King having the greatest part of the Nobility Gentry VVisdom Riches old Souldiery and Commonalty of the Nation with him and how inconsiderable the Parliament and their Forces were to him But though the Work of the Kingdom lay as it were under ground or like a Wheele within the Wheele hard to be discerned or like David whilst in Sauls Army yet it being the Work that God was about to do in this latter day did carry the day in Great Power and though men had their various designs yet God had his design also and both in the same act Several such instances there are in the Scripture as the Selling of Joseph into Egypt Gen. 45.5 with Chap. 56. 20. So in the Crucifying of Christ and divers of the like passages that might be named And then come to the New Moddel of the Army in the year 1645. First by what an eminent hand was that matter carryed in the House against the very Spirit of both Parliament and Nation Secondly how was it carried also against the very Spirit of the Army severall hundreds of the Officers were turned out and some that were very eminent and in their Roomes were put poor Inferiour inconsiderable persons who were prefer'd upon the account of their being such as Feared the Lord that being then the received principle to imploy men in places of trust that feared the Lord from which day there was a very eminent and powerfull presence of God in and with the Army Time would faile me to insist upon the particulars to shew how God appeared in an extraordinary way at Naseby Fight and the eminent Victories obteined in the VVest and in the North parts of the Nation after the new Modell Then come to the Second Warr when Hambleton came into England with the Scottish Army Consisting of near 27000 men also how God apapeared in an extraordinary way in the Victories obteined in Kent and in VVales and at Preston and Colchester at most or all which places the Enemy in number was three to one against us Also the Eminent Hand of God in the Service in Ireland when that Nation was almost swallowed up by the Enemy God appeared with an out-stretched arme and wrought for his holy name In the next place come to the Warr with Scotland which was Stated and undertaken upon Christ's Account in which Warr God made his power to be known when our Army was brought very low in a strange Nation and Compassed in by the Eenemy with an Army of about 27000 besides the whole Nation on their side and we haveing a poor weak sickly Army scarce Nine Thousand that were in a Capacity of fighting then did God appear in the Mount and in a short time after the Army Nation and Garrisons of the Scots by an out-stretched Arme of the Lord were brought under I forbear to mention how God broke the designe of the Scots King and his Army when they were forced to quit Scotland and with high expectations of great things from this Nation who like Israel of old Sam. 8.6.19 are generally very eager for a King came to VVorcester and there were overthrown Then come to the Eminent Hand of God that was seen as formerly in the Garbleing so now in the Breaking and Rooting up the Old Parliament with the very Foundation of their Constitution which was the last part of the Image Government And though the VVork of the Lord was carried on before under that Parliament yet it must also break them as they were a part of the Horne David after he was first Anointed did fight the Battels in Sauls Army and as the designe so the power of God was Eminently with him in the work but afterwards Davids Kingdome was exalted over Sauls Kingdome and brake down his House for so had God spoken 2 Sam. 15.28 that the Kingdome should be taken from Saul And Saul knew that so long as the Son of Jesse was upon the ground his Kingdome could not be established 1 Sam. 20.31 This is to be noted that David 1 Sam. 18.7 had the preheminence of Saul in the Battells even whilst he fought in Sauls Army Now that Old Parliament being broken upon the Account of Christ that his Government might take place by this breach an end was put to the Nationall Constitution or to any Power or Authority that might arise from the Nation as a Nation but the right is brought to Christ whose indeed it is for he is
King of Nations and under him it is given to the Saints who must possess the Kingdome Dan. 7.27.18 and therefore it is no wonder that all this time of the Apostacy the Apostates could make nothing Rise from the Nationall Constitution or if they did could not make it Stand up but it hath been like a man when his life is gone from him and the Day of the Lord according to Isa 2.16 hath been upon all their pleasant Pictures Then come to the VVar with Holland and call over the Records which do abundantly manifest how eminently God Wrought and made his Wonders to be known in the Deeps yea both VVind and Sea obeyed him in that Warr. As to the Eminent Hand of God in the Call of that Little Assembly I shall not speak of it in this place having spoken to it in the First Ground but upon the whole I may conclude this Second Ground with these Scriptures Num. 23.23 According to this time it shall be said of Israel and Jacob what hath God wrought compared with Psal 40.5 Psal 78.4 107.8 111.4 also Psal 75.1 that his name is neere his wonderous works declare And though this Generation as Deut. 4.9 have forgot the things that their eyes have seen yet God in much mercy makes these Wonderfull Works as pretious food to a poor Despised Remnant that are witnesing to and waiting for the Resurrection of the Glorious Cause of Christ. Psal 74.14 111.2 3 4. Compared with v. 5. Psal 46.8 Come behold the works of the Lord c Hos 14.9 who so is wise and he shall understand these things c Isay 51.9 10. Awake Awake O Arme of the Lord as in Ancient dayes art not thou it c. The Third Ground which may further manifest that the Work of this Kingdome hath taken place is from the Cause that was Stated and Layed in the Bottom as the Foundation of the Quarrell upon which the great Works have been wrought and Victories obtained and that hath been the Cause of Jesus Christ in opposition to the Kingdome of Antichrist and as the Day so the Light hath increased First against Popery and Prelacy not only against their wicked practices but against the Foundation of their standing as Antichristian and though there was then but little Light in the visible Kingdome of Christ yet there was so much as the Lord saw needfull for that day Secondly in the beginning of the Wars which outwardly to men appeared to be betwixt the King and Parliament but in the Bottom as those who had the Light of that Day may remember was betwixt Christ and Antichrist and many of the people of God took up Armes in Judgment and Conscience upon the account of Christ and went to the help of the Lord against the mighty although it was but a dark Day and a day of small things But by that time we came to the Warr with Scotland there was a good measure of Kingdome Light given down and sprung up though it was not upon all that were engaged in the War but only some few to whom the Lord was pleased to manifest it and through this Light the Cause came more clearly to be stated in publique view and then the ground upon which the late King and his Monarchy was taken off is publickly asserted by the Army who were the most eminent outward Instruments in the Work to be upon the account of Christ as may appeare by a Letter from the Officers of the Army at their march for Scotland directed to the rest of the Army that remained at their Quarters in England and also by their Declaration when they were come to Muscleborough in Scotland This Cause comes yet more clearly to be Stated and Owned in the Breach of the Old Parliament and is laid in the Bottom by those that were Anointed for and had the Light of that day as the Ground upon which they were Broken and also as a farther manifestation of this the Kingdom of Christ being to take place next to the Image Government and that being broken the Little Assembly was called and the Government delivered to them upon the Avowed Account of the Son of God Also in the Stating and Carrying on the War with Holland the Faith and Prayer for the Successe in that War was by those that had the Light upon the account of the Kingdom of Christ these things are evident and may further appear by a Letter from the Officers at Whitehall to Lt. Gen. Fleetwood and the rest of the Officers in Ireland upon the Breach of the Old Parliament and also by Cromwels Speech to the Little Assembly shewing their Call to be upon the account of Christ and also the proceedings of the Assembly and Council and the Committee of Admiralty in the managing of that War with Holland The Letter to Ireland and the Letter before mentioned to those of the Army that remained in England the Muscleborough Declaration and Cromwels Speech are all Printed together in the Book before-mentioned called The Kingdom of Christ or Fifth Kingdom in opposition to the Kingdom of the Beast and is Sold at the Crown in Popes-Head Ally The Grounds upon which the enlightned Part of the Little Assembly did Act and Own their sitting do also clear the Cause to to be stated for Christ against Antichrist The Fourth Ground to clear this Assertion is from the Anointing a Measure whereof hath been given down in for the accomplishing of the Work by which it hath been done And first that there is an Anointing reserved for and promised to this Work of the Fifth Kingdom yea that the Work is to be done by the Anointing though not without the use of Instruments consider Isa 10.27 which speaking of the Latter day Work and of Zions deliverance saith That the yoke shall be broken off because of the Anointing also Isai 28.6 speaking of this VVork saith The Lord shall be for a Spirit of Judgement to them that sit in Judgement and for strength to them that turn the Battel to the Gate Also Haggai 2.5 My Spirit remaineth among you fear ye not though this word in the Letter may relate to the Building of the Temple yet that VVork being Typical to this Glorious VVork of the Latter day this promise of the Spirit doth most properly respect this Latter day VVork So Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by Power but by my Spirit c. The word upon the forementioned ground may also be applyed to this VVork of the Fifth Kingdom Isai 59.19.21 when the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall put him to flight c. These and several other Scriptures do clear it that this VVork hath the promise of the Spirit in a special manner belonging to it and now that a measure of this Spirit hath been given down for Light wisdom strength and courage in the Work which hath been done amongst us hath been very evident to and owned by
many who have been employed therein and also to several Beholders yea God hath wrested a Testimony to the truth of this out of the mouths of the very enemies themselves and although through the Apostacy many have lost that spirit the Anointing being gone of from them as it went from Saul through his wickedness yet through unspeakable grace there are some who being yet preserved for the King have still a measure of it remaining with them Many things might be instanced to shew that there was of this Anointing given down in the VVork which did help the Instruments over the many Mountains of difficulties and oppositions that stood in the way and through this the enemy was much daunted and their VVisdom and Councels confounded and turned into foolishness and made to them like the Councels of Achitophel and this through poor weak and contemptible Instruments this spirit did not onely rest upon some of the leading Persons and others of the Army but upon many of the Churches and People of God who were by Faith and Prayer made as Princes in the VVork But I shall leave this to the Consciences of those who in the fear of the Lord may look back to the things that their eyes have seen and call to mind the days of old which may speak much more to them if their consciences through the Apostacy be not ceared then I am able to expresse But it is objected that if they ever had had the Anointing it would have remained upon them but several of them have proved Apostates and discovered themselves to be wicked men yea the most eminent Leaders in the VVork and this proves a stumbling block to some of the Lords precious People who are ready to conclude and say as to this VVork that the Lord is not among us Answ There is a Twofold Anointing the one peculiar to true Believers by which they are convinced of sin and enabled to believe on Christ for the salvation of their souls as Joh. 16.8 Rom. 8.9 and Gal. 5.22 The fruit of the Spirit is Faith The Second is proper to those whom the Lord Calls and imployes in some peculiar or extraordinary VVork either for Prophesie as Num 24.2 The Spirit of God came upon Balaam Or for War as Judg. 6.34 The Spirit of the Lord came upon or clothed Gideon The like of Sampson Judg. 14.19 Or for the execution of Justice Judgement and Vengeance upon the enemies of the Lord as that of Jehu 2 King 9. and tenth Chapters Or for some special Building VVork as Isai 45.1 Compare 2 Chron. 36.23 Cyrus is called Gods Anointed also Exod. 31.3.6 Or for Rule and Government so it was upon Saul and through sin as before was mentioned came off from him 1 Sam. 16.13.14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and came upon David and an evil spirit was upon Saul This Second part of the Anointing under the several Heads of it before mentioned may be upon Hypocrites and men in their natural Estate as by Balaam Saul Jehu and others may appear and this Anointing may either depart or be taken from them through sin or when the VVork for which it was given is accomplished The First part of the Anoineing where ever it is in truth received though through sin it may be grieved quenched and the operation of it not discerned and the comforts of it much taken away yet it remains as a well of water springing up into everlasting Life Joh. 4.14 chap. 14.16 and if this distinction in the Anointing be observed and rightly understood it will not be accounted an owning of that corrupt Principle of Falling from grace to say That by the Apostacy the spirit is departed from such who were anointed for and used in the VVork which the Lord hath done among us and it is no wonder to behold at this day that many of the people of God in the Army and Churches have lost their strength through the Apostacy and as Sampson without his locks are become like other men though they themselves cannot see it yea how did the Great Men of the Army who were formerly very famous for Zeal and Courage manifest themselves to be like men of might who had lost their hands and like Princes whose spirits were cut off Psal 76.5.12 when the pretended Old Parliament returnd to their Usurpation at VVestminster and if this distinction in the Anointing be kept to it may fully answer the objection And though it should be concluded that Cromwell and divers others imployed in the VVork were without the truth of grace in their souls which thing I leave to the Lord yet it cannot follow from thence that the VVork they were imployed in was not the Work of the Fifth Kingdom for as hath been shewed God doth sometimes Call and Anoint unconverted persons to his Work It is said of wicked Jehu 2 Kings 10.30 That he did well and did that which was right in Gods eyes yea and according to all that was in Gods heart therefore it may not be said that the Work was not the Work of the Kingdom or that Cromwell was not Anointed for that Work because he so wickedly turned aside and dyed in his Apostacy Nay the Lord may avenge the very blood of the King with his Nobles and that wicked Generation upon the House of Cromwel and the Apostates of his Army together with the very Congregations that have turned aside with them in and not Witnessed against the Apostacy Though this may be accounted rash Judgment yet it will be no more then is said in Hosea 1.4 concerning the House of Jehu and Ahab For yet a little while saith the Lord and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel to wit the House of Ahab which were slain by Jehu in Jezreel 2 Kings 11.30 and Chap. 10.11 Upon the House of Jehu so that God accounts Jehu guilty of the Blood of Ahabs House which must needs be through the wickedness of Jehu the Judgment of the Lord executed by him upon the House of Ahab being righteous Let the Apostates to whom this may come Read and Tremble at this VVord and let them not think that they suffer for Righteousness saâ—â—e if God come to avenge the blood which hath been shed in the late quarrel upon them that have so turned from and denyed the Cause of Christ which is the only ground to justifie all our proceedings in knocking off the Horne of the Beast in this Island and though Cromwell in all the Work that he did might seek his own ends and keep his Idolls in his heart Yet that will not lessen the force of this Argument to wit That the Yoak hath been bro en because of the anointing if the proceedings of Jehu in the Lords Work be consulted we may find much of that in him to wit seeking himself and keeping his Idolls 2 Kings 10.31 I shall not speak further of that extraordinary Anointing which was upon Cromwell and many others in Parliament Army and
Navy by which they were carryed forth above and beyond their own Spirits in the Work which makes it very evident that the Work hath been done not by the Might or Power of Man but by the Spirit of the Lord though all that were employed in the Work had not the Anointing Not all that were with David in the VVork but Himself and his VVorthies with some others had the Anointing for it All the Men of Issachar had not the Anointing to understand the times but it rested with the Heads of them who had all their Brethren at their Command 1 Chro. 12.32 from these and divers other instances it may appear that the ordinary way of the Lord hath not been to Anoint all but only some of them that have been imployed in his great VVork The Fifth Ground to prove that the Work hath taken place in this Nation may be taken from the many Revolutions and Overturnings that have attended all the pretended Governments and Governours that have been in this Nation since the interruption of the exercise of the Government of Christ in the hands of his People in the Little Assembly before mentioned It is evident that they have been such Revolutions as have not been known in former days though few considers the Cause of it There have none come up upon the Stage to Usurp the Power that haue gone off without a brand upon them of Gods displeasure Now that such things must be when the Day of the Lord or Kingdom of Christ takes place in the World Consider First that word in Isa 2. speaking of the Day in which the Lord alone shall be exalted which must respect the Day of his Kingdom saith in Verse 16. The day of the Lord shall be upon every pleasant picture which I understand to be those pretended Governments which shall be Set up when the great Powers or the Image Government is broken and further in Verse 18. the Idols shall be utterly abolished which as I understand respects the same with Verse 16 It must be granted that many pleasant Pictures and Idols have been set up since the Apostacy in this Nation and it is most evident that the Day of the Lord hath been upon them and like that in Isa 8.9.10 the Apostates have Associated and Guirded themselves and taken Counsel but all hath come to nothing except shame and contempt upon themselves The Spirit speaking Isa 27.9 of the Latter day VVork when the Stones of the Altar must be broken a sunder holds forth that there must be Groves and Images and endeavours used to make them stand up there hath been among us many Groves and Images since the Apostacy but that Word hath been fulfilled that they shall not stand up and though the Apostates have been seeking deep to hide their Councels from the Lord yet the VVisdom and Understanding of their VVisemen hath been hid perished and their turning of things upside down hath been esteemed as the Potters Clay Isa 29.14 15 16. The Throne or Government being given to Christ is become too heavy for the Apostates to bear but they sinke and wither under it It is not unknown how Cromwell and his Family sunk under it they were weaker and weaker from the first day they came to the Throne till it was taken away from them the like of the Reliques of the Old Parliament who though they came in with a high hand yet soon withered and came to nothing but scorn and derision the like of the Army and their pretended Committee of Safety and for these that are now returned and in the Usurpation of the Throne and have the very spirit of the Nation with them I do not doubt however they may carry it with a high hand but they shall shortly melt like wax before the fire and shall be as smoak driven away and made as Ashes under the Soles of the feet of those that Favour and Wait in a true spirit for the Resurrection of Christs Righteous Cause though the Lord may for a time suffer them yea and make them as the Assyrian Rod to execute the Stroke that is comming upon the Professors of this Generation for their Disowning Denying yea and Crucifying the Righteous Cause of their dear King who through the shedding of his Blood for them deserved other things at their hands I shall present one Scripture more to this Fifth Ground to wit Dan. 2.44 The Kingdome shall not be left to other people The words do hold forth Two things First That other people then Saints shall make attempts upon and endeavour to take and keep this Kingdom after it hath taken place in the hands of the Saints Secondly Though other people may endeavour to take and possess it yet it shall not be left to them or they shall not enjoy or possess it as the other Foure Monarchies that went before this Kingdome which were left to other people The Monarchy of the Chaldees was left to the Medes and Persians and their Monarchy to the Graecians and the Graecians to the Romans and the Romans shall be left to the Kingdom of Christ whose Kingdome shall never be destroyed nor left to other people and it is manifest that since this Kingdom hath taken place in the hands of the Saints Other People have endeavoured and made great attempts to Take and Possess it as Cromwell the Army the Reliques of the Old Parliament which God hath at severall times Cast out and it is as cleare that the Kingdom hath not been neither is left to any of them and though the Family of the Stuarts whom God hath poured Contempt upon and Broken have also endeavoured to take the Kingdome and for ought I know may come as neere to Obtaine and Possess it as Cromwell or any of the forementioned Usurpers have done yet let them know that the VVord of the Lord shall stand and the Kingdome shall not be left to Other People then the Saints who by grace are kept for Christ the King and by Faith and Prayer with the VVord of their Testimony are helped to undermine and bring down all the Groves and Images which the Treacherous Dealers have set up The Sixth Ground to prove that the Work of the Fifth Kingdome hath taken place is from the Eminent hand of God that hath been seen in preserving the lives of those which have been kept by Grace from the Apostacy in a Testimony for Christ against those that have turned aside from and betray'd his Righteous Cause It is not unknown that ever since the First day of the Apostacy the Lord hath had a Remnant which he hath kept helped to Favour Cleave to the Pretious though despised Cause of Christ and by them a Publick Witness hath been kept up against the Apostacy and there hath been many Gins and Snares laid and Trappans imployed to take them and Old Acts revived and published by which their Testimony should be adjudged Treason Severall of the Faithfull Remnant having been Taken
to have done according to 2 Tim. 3 4 5. but have had fellowship with the unfruitfull Works of Darkness and not reproved them contrary to Eph. 5.11 and bâ— all these Scriptures those Churches that have so Turned aside wi h the Apostacy have greatly Sinned against the Lord and as a further A dition to there Evills severall of the Elders and Leading Persons of the Baptized Congregations in London have set forth a Very Evil D claration bearing Date the 12th of the 10th Moneth 1659. which as appeares bâ— the Title compared with the â—ostscript they would have it be understood to comprehend the Ju gment of the Generality of the Baptized People and although many Things in that Declaration is Manifestly contradictory both to the Judgment and Practise of not only the Generality of the Baptized People but even of Severall of â—hose whose Hands are to it and the Evills of these Persons made Obvious to the World yet the Churches to whom they Relate have not Dealt with them but rather Justified them in those Evills by which they become Partakers with them in those Sins and now those Churches being Guilty of the Evils before mentioned it is the Duty of the Lords Faithfull Remnant whose eyes are open to see these Evils after all due meanes that according to Rule hath been Used for their Recovery to Withdraw their Communion and Seperate from those Churches according to 2 Thes 3.6.14 Withdraw from every Brother that Walks Disorderly It is not the Church or the Greater Number of Persons in that Church if they Walk Disorderly that will exempt them from the Censure due to the Sin When the Church of Israel turned aside from the Lord Jeremiah though a Single Person Seperates from them and Sets alone chap. 15. 17. and the Lord doth so far approve of that Action of his as that in Verse 19. he saith Let them return to thee but return not thou unto them Also in Exod. 32.26 When Israel had sinned and turned aside from the Lord in the Matter of the Molton Calf Moses stood in the Gate of the Camp and said Who is on the Lords side let him come unto me In the forementioned place of 2 Tim. 3.4.5 Timothy though a single person is commanded to turn away from the Evil Doers and no doubt if a Whole Church come under the Guilt of those Evils there mentioned Timothy is not to abide with them because they are a Church there being no such Limitation in the Command but from such he must turn away I have formerly thought that a Particular Member might not Separate from a Church till thorough sin their Candlestick was taken away but after waiting upon the Lord much searching the Scriptures and through many Tryalls bearing my Burden I have seen that according to Rule as there is a difference betwixt the VVithdrawing from and the Cutting off of a Member so there is a difference betwixt the Withdrawing from the Unchurching of a Church and as a Church may Withdraw from a Brother without Cutting him off or Counting him as a Heathen or a Publican but still to admonish him as a Brother 2 Thes 3.15 so a Brother for Sin committed by a Church may withdraw from them and yet not count them as Heathens and Publicans and though VVithdrawing be an Authoritative Act as is alleadged yet the Authority doth not of necessity rest with the Greater Number but with Truth and where Truth is there is the Authority of Christ Math. 16.18 Christ doth not Build his Church upon the Number but upon the Truth which was with Peter when he said Thou art Christ the Son of the Living God I know it is objected That in several of the Seven Churches in Asia mentioned Rev. 2. and 3. Chapters though there was a great turning aside yet there were some kept faithful even in those Places where the Churches were turned aside and we do not find that they were commanded to Separate The Answer to this is Twofold First That though in Sardis and Thyatyra which are as I think the only Churches that can be instanced in this Matter there were some kept Faithful even in those Places it will not follow that because they were in Sardis and Thyatira which were the Places in which those Churches were and these Faithful Ones were written to by John that therefore they were in Communion with those that had turned aside from the Lord. And Secondly Though we do not find they are expresly commanded to Withdraw if they were in Communion by the Epistles that were written to them yet it was sufficient that there were such Rules laid down in the Scripture which Rules they ought to look to for there were several Churches that were written to by the Apostles and no mention made in the Epistles either of Baptism Breaking of Bread and several other Ordinances but it will not therefore follow that those Ordinances ought not strictly to be observed by them according to other Scriptures The Last thing that I shall present to those that are Waiting for the Resurrection of the Cause is to be giving up Themselves and their All to the Service of Christ the King accounting it a very great mercy if he shall Accept of and Imbarque them with all their Concernments in the Bottom with that Dear Cause that so they may be Waiting at his Foot till he shall Arise up to the prey and blow the Trumpet giving them the Word of Command to gird on their Swords and Follow him in the Revival of his Work and the further Execution of the Judgements written in which Day they shall undoubtedly Reap the blessed Fruit of all their Labour Service and Tryals that they either have or may yet further undergo for him In due season we shall reap if we faint not Gal. 6.9 They that sow in Tears shall reap in Joy Psal 126.5 Thine eyes shall see the King in his Beauty Isai 33.17 Let the Children of Zion be joyful in their King Psal 149.2 Let them shout for joy and be glad that favour my Righteteous Cause Psal 35.27 And it shall be said in that day Lo this our God we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation Isai 25.9 And thus I have according to the Measure of Light received Presented unto Thee with the rest of my Friends in Communion with thee that are Waiting for the Coming of Zions King my Understanding in these Matters of the Fifth Kingdom and I desire but so much favour from you as Paul obtained from the Bereans and when you have seriously Weighed the several Things contained in this Epistle in the Ballance of the Sanctuary wherein I may appear to be in the Dark or Mistaken about these Great Matters be Earnest with the Lord for me that my Mistakes may be rectified and my Judgement rightly Informed for I desire I may not through Errour serve the Design of Satan But that I may by the Spirit of the Lord be led into all Truth and so serve my Dear Lord Jesus Christ who Loved me a Vild Wretch and shed his Precious Blood for me and if you receive any Benefit by these Things let Christ my King bear the Glory according to Isai 22.24 Zech. 6.13 And now I shall Commit you with these Things to the Blessing of the Lord and Close with that Word in 2 Tim. 2.7 Consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding in all Things I remain through grace thy Bâ—other and Servant in the Kingdom and Patience of Christ N. S. POSTSCRIPT SEveral Friends having Knowledge of this Epistle and earnestly desiring Copies of it more then could well be Transcribed I have for them and Others of my Friends both in City and Countrey Caused several of them to be Printed But considering my own Weakness and the many Books that have been Published about these Matters I have not been willing to Publish this to the World but only to present it to such of my Acquaintance that Love the Lord Jesus in sincerity some of them being far Remote in the Countrys that I cannot as yet visit them and Others in such Churches where by Reason of my Judgment and Testimony in these Matters of the Fifth Kingdom I am debarred of my Liberty of Preaching to them and the Lord make this Service so far as it shall really appear to be for his Glory and their Good Acceptable and Successful to them The END