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B09926 An epistle written (dated the 30th of the 11th month 1659,) and sent from London into the countrey. By a friend to the glorious (though at this day despised) cause of Christ, in answer to a letter sent up to him (dated the 16th of the same month) wherein the following things are treated of, (viz.) 1. The fifth kingdom it self, which the God of Heaven sets up in the latter dayes. 2. The kingdom of the beast which is to be destroyed. 3. The instruments that are to be used in destroying the one and erecting the other; with the way or manner how they are to be used. 4. The time of the beginning of this work. [bracket] First, before Christs personal comming. Secondly, before the call of the Jewes. Thirdly, that it is already begun, and hath taken place in this nation and that Cromwel with the army, hath apostatized from it, and that all the powers, or governments that have been set up since that time, have been, and still are upon the foundation of the apostacy. As also, severall of the particular evills which the army, and others abetting the apostacy are guilty of. Together with, some considerations tendered to the favourers of Christ's righteous cause, wherein is laid down, their duty of separation from Babylon, and from all the parts and branches (both in church and state) of the forementioned apostacy. N. S. 1660 (1660) Wing S119B; ESTC R183121 59,145 52

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and Imprisoned and deep Designes and Plots laid to take away their lives the Great Apostates having even been thirsting for their Blood but such hath been the Wisdome and Over-ruleing hand of God that to this day all their Plots have been disappointed and not one of the Remnant hath suffered to the loss of Life by them and though those now in Power or some that may Succeed them may be permitted to come so high as to take away the Lives of many of Gods people as a judgment from the Lord upon them for their turning aside from the Cause of Christ and joyning in affinity with and pertaking of the Sins of Babylon yet surely the Lord that hath hitherto will still preserve the lives of his Faithfull Remnant whom he shall please to keep for his Son in this evil day In former days the lives of Gods faithfull ones were taken away by the Enemies when according to their own Laws they could not lay so much to their Charge as may be Charged upon the Remnant at this day who according to the VVicked Lawes may be adjudged guilty of the Highest Treason in VVitnessing for and Proclaiming Christ the King in opposition to the Usurpers and yet their lives have been and still are preserved and the reason I understand is not that these Usurpers are better then the Cruell Persecutors in former days but they being in that day when Babylon was filling up her measure and making her self Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and these comming upon an Apostacy after Babylons Cup was full and the Vengance of the Lord by the pouring out of his Vialls being begun upon her though the former were permitted to persecute the Faithfull People of God to death yet these are not suffered so to do because the Dispensation is altered and this Work having taken place though great Tryalls and Deaths are come upon it and a great Apostacy from it yet the Lord suffers not the Work to be so farr turned back as that Babylon should drink any more of Zions Blood the streame being now turned upon Babylon but if Gods people abide in and share of Babylons sins let them not think that because they are the People of God they shall escape her Plagues Rev. 18.4 And though Zion must reward Babylon and the Vialls must come forth of the Temple yet the Lord for wise ends and best known to himself may permit the most VVicked and grosser part of Babylon to execute that part of the Vengance that is to come upon such of his Own People who remaine in and pertake of Babylons sins thereby prevent his Own People from doing that part of the VVork which might be unpleasant to them There are many Objections made against this Truth to wit That the Work of the Fifth Kingdome is begun some of them I have already occasionally spoken to in the forementioned Grounds But the great Stumbling Block that lyeth in the way of many is the Apostacy from and so the Death that is come upon this VVork which makes them ready to say with the Disciples Luke 24.21 VVe trusted it had been he c. When this Cause was publickly own'd by the Lord in the High places of the Field there were many that would cry Hosanna to the Son of David and with much rejoyceing imbrace his Cause but since a Death is come upon it the Number of the true Favourers that publickly own it is become very Small When Christ was upon the Earth in the Days of His Flesh shewing and doing great Signes and VVonders there were many own'd and follow'd him but when he comes to the Judgment Cross and Sepulcher very few continued with him severall eminent Disciples were stumbled not understanding the Scriptures till Christ being risen comes and opens them Luk. 24 25 26 27.45 46 and as the Disciples in that so many of the Professing Generation in this day are through ignorance surprised not understanding or at least not so considering that after the Fifth Kingdome hath taken place in the world there must be such an Apostacy from and Death upon it Now if there be an Apostacy from a VVork the VVork must needs take place before the Apostacy without which there could be no such Apostacy That there must be such a Revolting from and Death upon the Work of this Fifth Kingdome Consider First The several Types thereof contained in the Old Testament as Israels coming out of Egypt to Canaan in which were many Revoltings Turnings back and Deaths upon the Work yea Forty Years was the Tryal upon them before they came to Canaan and for ought we can find from the Scriptures the Lord had not before given them warning or told them of this Death in the Wildernes though he had told them exactly how long they should be in Egypt and given them great grounds for sence to say Is the Lord among us and many might cry out as at this day What Scripture ground is there to believe that such a Death should come upon the Work of the Kingdom and if we had no more ground then we find Israel had to expect such a Death yet as it was theirs so it would be our sin after such wonderful Works of God as he hath wrought among us to say as in Exod. 17.7 Is the Lord amongst us or hath the Lord begun to bring us to the promised glory though God had wrought many wonderful VVorks in the sight of Israel of old yet they understood not his wonders no doubt but they knew that such things were done but they understood not the great Design of God in them Psal 106.7 The Second Typical example is from Davids Kingdom which did clearly Type out this Fifth Kingdom according to Luk. 1.32 If we read 1 Sam. 16. to 2 Sam. 6. we may find many Deaths upon the Work of Davids Kingdom after it was begun First whilst he was pursued by Saul and then after Sauls death he obtains but one Tribe to follow him for Seven years and six Moneths 2 Sam. 2.11 There was War betwixt him and the House of Saul long after Sauls death 2 Sam. 3.1 and in most of the time of that Seven years War his Kingdom was under a great Death also there came a great Death upon his Kingdom when his son Absalom conspired against him and all Israel from Dan to Beersheba followed Absalom and David fled from Jerusalem which was the Kings Seat 2 Sam. 15.16.17 Chapters The Third Typical example is Israels return from the 70. years captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem and their building of the Temple great Deaths and Interruptions did attend that Work both from the enemies of Judah who endeavoured to block up the way and from Gods own People who cryed the time is not yet come though they thought it a time for themselves to dwell in their cieled houses and this may be observed by the way that though the enemies of Judah by force did cause the Work to cease
great question at this day How shall these things be brought forth by what Instruments and in what way In Answer to this Question First this VVork belongs to God who hath promised to accomplish it As first the destroying the Kingdom of the Beast the beating down of Christs foes before him making them his footstool clothing them with shame and avenging the blood of the Saints upon Antichrist Psal 89.23 Psa 110.1 132.18 Rev. 6.10 Chap. 19.2 Secondly the setting up of the fifth Kingdom also belongs to God Dan. 2.44 Psal 89 27. Secondly Though God be the main Agent in this VVork yet he doth it by Instruments and the Instruments are his Saints whom he will call to and anoint for this VVork and so God is said to do it because it is done by his Spirit in the Saints whom he shall choose That the Saints shall be the Instruments in destroying the Kingdom of the Beast and so in setting up the fifth Kingdom which doth immediatly Succeed Take the place and Fill up the room of the fourth consider the following Scriptures Dan. 2.34 the Stone which is the Saints anointed for and called to the Work as I have before shewed smites the Image on his feet which hath also been shewed to be the Antichristian State and breaks them in pieces So Dan. 7.18 The Saints shall take the Kingdom Now though the Kingdom is given to them by promise and obtained for them by the Power of God yet they are said to take it which must be understood of their being used as Instruments in taking the Power Rule and Government from the Image or that part of it which stands next before Christs Kingdom which must be done by destroying or breaking in pieces that part of the Image which is in being when this Fifth Kingdom comes to take place Dan. 7.26 They that is the Saints whom he wears out verse 25. shall take away his that is the Little Horn vers 8. and 24. which have been already shewed to be the Antichristian State Dominion that is his Power Rule or Government to consume and to destroy it unto the end In Dan. 11.31 The Angel is speaking of the Roman or Fourth Kingdom which took away the dayly sacrifice and vers 32. saith But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits The people that do know their God are the Saints and by their being strong and doing exploits I understand to be the service that the Saints shall do in the destroying this Fourth Kingdom also Num. 24.14 I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter dayes and Isai 14.2 They shall take them captives c. So Isai 41.14.15 Fear not thou worm Jacob to wit the Saints in a low condition I will make thee a new sharp threshing Instrument c. thou shalt thresh that is break in pieces or destroy the mountains to wit the great worldly Powers Isai 2.2 and beat them small and shall make the Hills which also intends the worldly Powers as Chaff c. Isai 52.2 Shake thy self from the dust loose thy self from the bonds of thy neck O captive Daughter of Zion by the bonds of thy neck and the dust I understand the Government and wicked Tyranny that Babylon hath had and exercised over Zion and by shaking and loosing her self must needs be understood to be the breaking off or destroying that Power and Government of Antichrist and this must be done by Zion her self to wit the People of God Cha. 51.16 Jeremiah Cha. 50.45 Speaking of Babylon saith surely the least of the flock shall draw them out by the Flock is meant the People of God Acts 20.28 and by draw them out I understand the rewarding and destroying of Babylon and this Scripture must be applyed to spiritual Babylon because it was not the Saints but the Medes that drew out litteral Babylon as the same Chapter compared with Dan. 5. doth manifest In Micha 4.13 Zion to wit the Lords People is fitted for and called to arise and thresh the Nations Isa 13.3 Mal. 4.2.3 Job 17.8 Zech. 2.7 So Zech. 9.13 Zion must deliver her self and her sons must be raised up against the sons of Greece Rev. 18.4.6 the peculiar People of God are commanded to reward Babylon Rev. 15.6 and 16.1 the Angels with the Viols comes out of the Temple the Vials do contain the seven last plagues or the judgements of God that are to accomplish the destruction of Antichrist and avenging the blood of the Saints the Temple is the Church or the Saints of God 2 Cor. 6.16 and by the Angels I understand those Saints that are chosen and called of God as Ministers or servants employed in that honourable work to execute his judgements these with many other Scriptures do make it very evident that the Saints or people of God must be used by him in this great and glorious work and the Fifth Kingdom taking place and filling up the roome of the Fourth Dan. 2.35 The Stone or Kingdom became a great mountain and filled the whole Earth the like in Dan. 7.27 it will appear from the Scriptures before mentioned that the Saints must be used both in the destroying and building work But I know it is further queried How shall the Saints be used in this work and by what meanes shall they accomplish it In answer to which I shall lay down these particulars First That they which shall be used in the work must be such whom the Lord shall choose and call in to it The Lambs Army are call'd and chosen Rev. 17.14 It is not whom Man will choose but whom the Lord shall choose Samuel would have chosen Eliab but he must not stand because God had refused him and it was David that was Gods chosen 1 Sam. 16.7 This hath been the evil of many in our dayes to presume to put themselves and others upon the Lords VVork Some because they are men of great wit and parts Others because they are men of great estates and high in the World Others because they are tryed Souldiers Men of valour and courage yea and many like Samuel have been crying such up as the Lords annointed and have not first made diligent search whether the Lord had chosen them and this hath proved like Uzzahs touching the Ark they have stumbled fallen and come to nothing Secondly That the Instruments must not only be such as are called and chosen but such as have received the annointing for the work by which annointing they are not only made faithful but do obtain light in and love unto it with wisdom faith and courage for the managing of it This work though done by the Saints must not be by their or the might or power of men but by this annointing Zech. 4.6 Isa 10.27 and Chap. 59.19 Haggai 2.5 Isa 28.6 Being thus called chosen and annointed they shall be used First by faith and prayer with praises as Joshua Gideon and
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 b● 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 b● the Title compared with the ●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 ●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 B●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