and as it were Catholique Dominion was given to the Assyrians and Babylonians the next to the Medes and Persians The third to the Macedonians or Grecians The fourth to the Romans These four successively each in their times according to the All-wise appointment of the will of God were Lords of the world Dan. 2. Dan. 7. Dan. 11. The people of God were not free from these yokes of bondage as you have read already in the former Section Prop. or Obser 3. The Roman Monarchy the last of the four Kingdoms or Beasts as the Spirit of God doth expresly call them was at its full growth or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the time of the birth of the Prince of the Kings of the earth Numb 24.17 just at the Meridian of the Roman glory did the Star of Jacob arise and shine but with a very dim light to the sight of the world for yet he had not manifested forth his glory as afterward he did Joh. 2.11 This is plain as from other Histories so from Luk. 2.7 first verses Where all the world you find was to be taxed by the Decree of Augustus Caesar who now was in peaceable possession of the Roman Empire Anthony and Lepidus being overcome The Kingdom of Heaven it seems which shall break in peeces all these Kingdoms was designed to be set up at that instant conjuncture of time when this Monarchy was grown to its full perfection But more of this in due time and place if the Lord so please Prop. or Obser 4. This fourth Beast both killed the Lord Jesus and Millions and Myriards of his Discipes for the first 300 years after Christ as the Ecclesiastical Story of the Ten first Persecutions doth at large declare In process of time after various forms and shapes assumed as in Rev. 17.10 He appears at length with seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crowns c. Rev. 13.2 3. To this Beast there described the Dragon gives his Power or Host his Throne and great Authority and so prosecutes on the behalf of the Dragon the old trade of deceiving the Nations and persecuting the Saints of the most High especially he falls upon those in every age who are zealous contenders for the present truth of every age Rev. 11. Rev. 13. Rev. 17. Prop. or Obser 5. These North-west Nations are undoubtedly some of those ten Horns which have given their power and strength to the Beast to make war with the Lamb and his followers And the evidence of Prophecy and History is so strong in this particular that all the Protestant Interpreters whom I have conversed with do agree in this Truth That the Race of Kings in this Island have together with the other Kings of Europe agreed and given their Kingdom to the Beast Rev. 17.13 and whether it be wholly taken from him again I mean in this Nation to this day is worthy a grave and serious examination Prop. or Obser 6. Now more particularly King Charls was within the compass of these Prophecies for he was not for the setting up of the Kingdom of Christ No not so much as in appearance or pretence much less in heart The spirit of the fourth Beast was plainly to be discerned in him by those who were wise and had their spiritual senses at their right hand For the wise shall understand faith Daniel but none of the wicked shall understand Dan. 12. But observe carefully that which followeth Prop. or Obser 7. This King Charles was fourteen or fifteen years since acknowledged an Higher Power in these Nations being in quiet possession of the best Title to Govern and to Rule the people of any other But the Decrees of the most High for this age being to take place he was necessitated to call a Parlament and to give it an existence in conjunction with the free people of the Nation they being the two legal efficient causes thereof So here was another Higher Power in being sent by him and the people as the Apostle distinguisheth the Powers according to the known Law of the Land This we have heard and seen and it was and is still marvellous in our eyes Prop. or Obser 8. This second Higher Power as I express it did contend with him who helped to make them a Power and to give them their lawful existence in that capacity This power after many bloody conflicts by their Forces did take away his Dominion to consume and to destroy it to the end then there was we thought an end of Kingship and this second Power declared themselves the Supreme Authority of the Nation changing the Government from the notion of King and Kingdom into that of a Commonwealth This was a great and wonderfull work of God which we are to consider with great regard Prop. or Obser 9. This Higher Power now supreme had impowred and Authorized after the Essexian Army was not found a fit Instrument for the work the new modeld Army and so they became a second higher Power in the Nation also sent by the Parlament as the Parlament was sent by the King and People But yet and for a good space they were and they acted as subordinate to the Supreme Civil Authority Nevertheless in process of time after most admirable Vicissitudes this military subordinate higher Power did take away the Parlaments Dominion to confume and to destroy it to the end I say they pluckt up the supreme Power so owned by themselves by the very roots even as they had eradicated Monarchy and damned it for ever as much as in them lay Prop. or Obser 10. Hereupon no Antient Legal Civil higher Power or supreme Authority was in being And that there might be a total destruction or dissolution of the old Fabrick to the foundation yea of the foundation and all The Souldiers took upon them to set up an Assembly somewhat like a Parlament which by major Vote called themselves by that name but how improperly not to say ridiculously let Law and Custom speak for neither King nor people did put forth any causal vertue towards their production as by Law they ought But to be short the Souldiery quickly pulled them down again like King Charles who by his Prerogative when the Parlament had no mind to humor his lusts would dissolve them at his pleasure Thus you by this time do not onely understand that they are supreme as I assert but you see quibus viis modis by what waies and means they are gotten into the Throne Now can any Christian nay can any rational Creature find fault with me for observing these wondrous works of the great Jehovah Can they find in their hearts to be angry with me for calling aloud to all the Saints and others too if they had ears to hear in Davids words Come behold the works of the Lord what desolations he hath made in the earth Psal 46.8 and as he cries out Psal 66.57 Come and see the works of God he hath been terrible
house or otherwhere I were bound to stand upon my guard in such a case as men do every day against Theeves and Robbers c. 3 I am subject to them also for wraths sake partly and partly for conscience sake in point of Taxes I would refist others who should demand any part of that wherewith the Lord hath blessed me by inheritance or otherwise neverthelesse I would be very glad to live under a Power that would not be a Raiser of Taxes and hope to see Judges as at the first and Counsellors as at the beginning Isa 1.26 before I dye 4 I give honor where it is due I understanding it to be due but when persons are not known how can it bee known what is their due or what respect belongs unto them and I conceive this is an owning of Powers likewise 5 I am willing also to be afraid of the Powers if I am found to be an evill doer hereafter and this made out to me by the word of God And what is due to others of the children of men I desire to give or render to them according as is meet for I would owe no man any thing but love and the Lord help and quickenâ—es all up to love to love the Lord and to love all the Saints yea the Lord make his people to increase and abound in love one toward another and towards All Men as it is written 1 Thess 3.12 Before I pass to the next Section it seemeth requisite that somewhat from the Scripture should be spoken concerning the time of the end of those Yokes of Bondage whereby the best people have been oppressed by the Kings of the Earth from King Saulâ— time unto this day For it is very probable that the intelligent Reader doth remember that I hinted such a poynt in the Introduction to this Historical Epitome of those Burthens whereof I have been speaking Quest Saying What hope is there of an end of these burthens But when shall the Lords people be a free people when shall the Oppressor cease when shall the Extortioner be hindred from taking of our Substance we had thought this New Model would have continued as they begun to be our Deliverers from Monarchical and other Tyranny but we have learned Every man is a lie and lighter than vanity Psal 62 9. and therefore we will no longer relie upon an arm of flesh What doth God the Lord speak to his people in this matter c. Answ 1. It is apparent and plain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Buâ—chered or slâ—ughtered so the word â—igâ—ifieâ—h Jugulo to cut the throat as Butchers do with sheep Rom. 8. â—7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We are counted as sheep for the slaughter-house The Roman Empire was like a slaughter house the first 300 years Ezra 9.8 that as the souls of the Saints slain in former ages for the Word of God and for the Testimony which they held do continue to cry HOW LONG O LORD HOLY AND TRVE so the living Saints who also are lively and sensible of the present persecutions and imprisonments of their Brethren do Eccho to the voyce of those who have died in the Lord and for the Lord HOW LONG O LORD HOLY AND TRVE 2. But then consider that as it was with the godly Jews upon their return from their captivity in Babylon so it is with us who but a few years ago came out of Babylon in part and but in part And Ezra's words will wel express our present state or at least as it was some few years since For a little space or for a moment grace hath been shewed us from the Lord our God to leave us a remnant to escape and to give us a nail in his holy place that our God may lighten our eies and give us a LITTLE REVIVING IN OVR BONDAGE For we were Bond-men yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the Kings of Persia to give us a REVIVING to set up the house of our God and to repair the desolations thereof and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem Yet afterward this fair first-fruits of redemption was blasted for in the first of Nebemiah a bitter complaint is brought which may answer our condition likewise The remnant that are left of the captivity are in great affliction and reproach Nehem. 1.3 the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down and the gates thereof are burnt with fire Thus you see their little reviving from their bondage and OVR LITTLE REVIVING FROM OVR BONDAGE comes afterward to be extinguished in reference to Church-work the Temple-work could not go forward the walls and gates being broken down and burnt with fire and this is our complaint also And as for our outward Liberties and Estates Nehem. 9.37 Nehem. 10.28 The Kings have Dominion over our Bodies and over our Cattle AT THEIR PLEASVRE and we are in great distress as were those Jews at that time Namely such as had separated themselves from the people of the Lands unto the Law of God Observe that description they separated themselves c. and so let the Disciples of Christ do at this day unto the LAW OF THEIR GOD ALSO for this is expected from them by the Lord. The consideration of this NEW UNEXPECTED TYRANNY under which we groan doth cause many poor hearts to fear our deliverance is not near and the rather they fear it because the famous NEW MODEL with whom the Lord was so eminently when they were about his work are so exceedingly degenerated that they have espoused the old quarrel and the old interest under the ill-favored disguise of another kind of Kingship which yet is not another but the same in principle in spirit and in operation Answ 3. Wherefore do you indeed desire to know whether or no the Lord will shortly turn again the captivity of Sion Psal 126.1.4 as the streams in the South would you in good earnest have skill and understanding in this matter Then in the next place take my Brethren the Prophets for an example particularly the Prophet Daniel Dan. 9 2. See 1 Per 1.11 Searching whâ—â— or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did sigu fie when it restified before-hand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow Rev. 17.17 who understood by Books the number of the years when the desolation of Jerusalem of holy Jerusalem should have an end The Teachers of the people are exceedingly to blame that they do not fore-warn the people to come out of Babylon and engage against the Kings of the Earth with all their might But what do I mean to charm the deaf Adder it is not for their interest to discover the nakednâ—ss of the searlet Whore much less to exhort the people to strip her naked and make her desolate that she and her lovers the ten Horns or Kings may no longer oppress the
people to maintain them in their câ—stly trade of fornication each with other but more of this hereafter But because those Truths which concern the time of the end in Daniel and the Revelation cannot be so well understood by the Saints who are unskilfull in that part of the word of righteousness therefore they shall do well to enquire of those who by reason of use Heb 5 13 14. have their senses exercised in those most excellent mysteries And if they look up to the Lord with unfeigned desire not to be taken in that snare which shall come upon the Inhabitants of the earth do read those Books concerning the accomplishment of these promises as the Eunuch did Isaiahs who knows but the Lord may provide a Philip to open and interpret those mysteries to satisfaction beyond all expectâ—tion Generation work in three books of great use in these times by Jo. Tillinghast And because by special providence I have received refreshment three several times by three several Books written by Mr. Tillinghast concerning Generation-work theâ—eâ—ore I recommend them to the Saints The first time was when I was conflicting with strong temptations to intermit my method of Teaching concerning the present Truth and work of Christ and the Spirit of God meeting my spirit in reading the first of Jeremy Jer. 1.7 8 9 10. 17.18 19. 2 Cor. 10.5 and helping me to subdue those carnal reasonings The first part of Generation-work was unexpectedly brought to my hands at that very juncture of time when I had been a thinking that I was alone in this business The next season was exactly when I was apprehended and committed to the Messengers house An Introduction to this Altogether-causelesse long Imprisonment as the Lord knows to whom I have Appealed even then also unexpectedly was the second part brought unto me first in sheets and before the publication the third time when I was shut up a close prisoner in this strong Castle and none of the Saints suffred to come at me as formerly and at that very time the third part was conveyed to me I look upon it as very instructing to me that they should be published at those seasons when they might be most useful for the incouragement of so weak a Worm I could not but take this opportunity to bear testimony to my dearly beloved Brother and Fellow-labourer in the present work of Christ and Fellow-student in this present Truth which shall prosper and prevail in despight of Men and Devils even to the darkning of that Pomp and Splender of the Kingdom of the Beast and to the subverting of that Power and Policy which now delude and govern the Nations Rev. 16.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Kingdom became darkned or was made dark and that in such a marvellous manner and method of proceeding as shall amaze the wisest Princes of this world when they enter into a deep consideration of the same But that I may if the Lord please convey a little light into the understanding of my Brethren in this Cause This I say at present When the people of God are come out of Babylon and have once made a further and more compleat separation from that Scarlet Bloudy Drunken Strumpet Rev. 18.4.6 SO AS THAT THEY PARTAKE NOT IN THE LEAST OF ANY OF HER SINS when they are by the Lord put into a capacity of rewarding her as she hath rewarded them and their elder Brethren in the generations before them Then and not till then will the Saints throw the Burden off from their own shoulders and the iron yoke of Taxes and Tribute and of other Bond-serviâ—e Jer. 51.57 upon her neck and upon the necks and the shoulders of her Princes of her wise men her Captains and her Râ—lers and of her mighty men Oh Dear Brethren shall we live to see that day What a sight is here It is Spectaculum dignum Deo the Lord Jesus who sits on the right hand of the Father expecting to see his foes made his footstool Heb. 10.12 13 Isa 37.22 Rev. 17.5 will take great delight to see The Virgin Daughter of Sion despising the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth to laugh this proud Lady of Kingdomes to scorn to behold the Daughter of Jerusalem to shake her head at this persecuting City she and her Lovers shall bee like ashes under the soals of the feet of this Ransomed and Redeemed people Therefore be of good courage Mal. 4 3. oh yee oppressed Saints fear not for Jehovah Elohim will make your Horn iron and your Hoof brasse and you shall beat in peeces many people but remember you consecrate not their gain to your selves as the new Model hath done Mich 4.13 which will not turn to so good account as they think for but to the Lord of the whole earth who expects to be honored with the first fruits of all your increase I read of three sorts of Princes first Three kinds of Priâ—ceâ— and but one kind good The Princes of Babylon mentioned even now Secondly The Princes of the Degenerated Jews And thirdly Jehovans Princes 1 The Princes of Babylon are altogether for the spoyl and the prey for the crushing of the people so that they were and are abundant in treasures and there is no measure of their covetousnesse Jer. 51.13 2 The Princes of the Jews revolted from the Lord Her Princes speaking of Jerusalem saith the Prophet within her are ROARING LIONS Her Judges are EVENING WOLVES they gnaw not the bones till the morning Zeph. 3.3 Jerusalem is called An oppressing City Her Princes are Lions c. 3 Jehovahs Princes Ezek. 45. In the Land shall be the Princes possession in Israel and MY PRINCES saith the Lord SHALL NO MORE OPPRESS MY PEOPLE Ezek. 45.8 9. Ezek 48.35 and the name of that City shall be called The Lord is There where the Lord is and where his Princes are there shall be no more any oppression and spoyl The Prophet goes on Thus saith the Lord God Let it suffice you Oh Princes of Israel Remove violence and spoyl and execute Judgement and Justice TAKE AWAY YOUR EXACTIONS FROM MY PEOPLE saith the Lord God When you see Princes and Rulers squeezing the people raising of Taxes compelling the poor Parishioners to pay treble Damages for not paying the Popes Tithes while you feel the Publican and the Excise-man countenanced and incouraged in their vexatious Collections and exactions upon the poor of the people Think with your selves these are not the Princes of Jehovah but either they are the Princes of Babylon directly and professedly or else the Princes of Apostatized Israel who have the name of Christians but the nature of Tyrants But on the other side when you see an Higher Power incouraging the Lords people to come out of Babylon effectually and for ever when you see the chief Magistrates in their own persons to renounce all communion with the enemies of Christ and to
redeem them it being one of the last matters which he gave them in charge before his Ascension viz. Mat. 28 20. to teach all his Disciples to observe all things whatsoever he commanded for all power in heaven and earth was given to him and they were not to be Moses his Disciples henceforward in any thing and so came off from the Government of the Jewish Commonwealth Accordingly when Peter speaks of the Magistrates to the people he calls them their Mogistrates YOUR RULERS saith Peter he doth not say our Rulers Act. 3.17 again when he was with John convented before Authority this is his language Ye RULERS OF THE PEOPLE and Elders of Israel he owned them to be Rulers that is of the people but called them not at any time by any such title as might signifie that they were over them that is the Church as before when as yet they were of the world for then indeed they must own them as their Rulers for they had no others to rule them except the Souldiers And upon this consideration of their being under the government of Christ they did no longer mind what Rulers were set up in the world by the men of the world those who were Saints by Calling undoubtedly had no heart to busie themselves about the choice of a Roman Emperor though Citizens of Rome as Paul was but let the Army set up whom they pleased and pull down whom they would it was all one to them And as for the Senate of the children of Israel Act. 5.22 as we read it they had little cause to choose any members for that Parliament they being looked upon as a company of Sectaries or Separatists and so were of another Company Communion and Commonwealth And so in like manner Paul draws the Saints at Corinth from the Courts of those higher powers to compose and determine all controversies among themselves for they had better Laws and might have better Rulers of their own than any the world had and then what need they seek any further 1 Cor. 6. the beginning of the Chap. So that for my part if I were at liberty I should be as far from medling in the choice of Knights and Burgesses under the present Sword-Sovereignty or any other as from medling in the choice of Arch-bishops or Bishops as they were then called or of Arch-tryers or Tryers as they may be now called and why should not others be of my mind who have any knowledge of God and his wonderful works in these dayes and so never chuse any more Magistrates till Christ and his Laws and Government come to take place in the Nations It is a most incongruous course which some Christians have taken since the Lord pulled all in peeces namely the late Powers to pray for the setting up of the Kingdome of Christ in the world and neverthelesse joyn with those who pull down or prevent that which they seem to pray for But let all the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ throughout this Nation take heed they do more so much as touch with the Fourth Kingdome now that the Lord is about to take away its Deminion to consume it utterly and to destroy it to the end Thus I have endeavored to represent at large my apprehensions concerning the Powers in being and I am fully perswaded that my Principles if improved according to their natural tendency would make notable work among the Kings of the Earth and their under Officers Oh how would that word of the Lord be fulfilled in Jer. 51. Jer. 51.58 The people would labor in vain towards the intended settlement and the felk should work in the fire to cause the Iron and Clay to soder and to incorporate and yet do no good upon it but be wearied out Babylon and her Princes her Captains and her rich men her States-men and her mighty men would be tired out with anguish and vexation of spirit if the Spirit of the Lord would vouchsafe to assist us in doing and in suffering according to the Will of God in this day Nevertheless I am affraid I shall not be understood by some in these things although I have endeavored to make out my thoughts with all the plainness I could wherefore I will recollect all in a few words by the way of distinguishing one thing from another Thus 1 It is one thing to own the Higher Powers according to God and his directions in the Word of Truth and Rigtheousness and it is another thing to own them in such a manner and to such degrees as they themselves desire and lust after The former way I walk in the latter I shall never be found in by the grace of my God and Father 2 It is one thing to own them as Powers and another thing to own them as lawful and righteous Powers the first we must needs do for they have Dominion over our bodies and over our substance by their Swords at their pleasure but to own them as having a right either by the Law of God or Man thus to Rule over us I absolutely and utterly refuse 3 Again It is one thing to own them and to acknowledge them as the Rulers of the people when they have universally accepted of their iron yokes and another thing to own and acknowledge them to be our Governors who never did nor do ever intend to chuse or accept them according to that new Instrument of servitude published to the Nations 4 It is one thing to own the Higher Powers so as not to resist them by force when they do that which is in it self lawful and right though they have no lawful Authority and it is another thing to own them in their oppressions persecutions all their unrighteous Decrees and tyrannical practises according to the first part of the distinction particular persons in their private capacities have forborn to interrupt them but as for he other part none but base Sycophants and their fellow Tyrants will therein testify their owning of them 5 It is one thing to own the worldly and tyrannical Powers in the way of necessary subjection and another to own them out of choyce and voluntary Approbation The former Christ and his Disciples have practised but as for the other none but ignorant Slaves have yeelded to it By these distinctions and such like it may easily I conceive be understood wherein and in what respects I own the Powers in being and in what respects I neither do nor ever shall own them the Lord continuing to be merciful unto his unworthy servant And as for the Power of the Army which I accounted the Supreme or the highest and strongest is these Islands I do still adhere to my former apprehensions that it is so and that they and their partakers have done and may do while their time lasteth many things in their own nature just and good yea good and profitable to mankind as the suppressing and punishing of Theeves and Murtherers c. And in
and Imployment was to strike upon the ears of men as it were with another kind of sword the two-edged sword of the Spirit but now he had laid that aside for the present yea and Christ himself against this juncture of time had bid him that had never a sword that is of iron and steel to seel his coat and buy one which kind of trading and merchandize I beleeve they did not use to meddle with in former time Other Instances might be given but I forbear for these were extraordinary cases and I shall nor urge them But beside to intermeddle may be taken in a good sense in that Prov. 18.1 Through desire a man having separated himself seeketh and INTERMEDDLETH with all wisdom I know Tremelius carrieth it in another way but it is varied in the Margin thus He that separateth himself seeketh according to his desire and INTERMEDDLETH WITH ALL WISDOM So the English Translators But Trem. hath a marginal note in omni essentia in every essence or being It looks something like the character of a grave Philosopher such an one as Socrates or Plato who intermeddles with all wisdom or with every Essence yea it s worthy to be weighed what Solomon speaks in the person of a Preacher Eccl. 1.12 13. I THE PREACHER saith he gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all Things that are done under Heaven Doth not this expression seem somewhat like that Proverb of his last mentioned That which is there called an intermeddling with all Wisdom or every Essence seems to be in this place of Ecclesiastes called A searching by Wisdom concerning all Things that are done under the Sun And undoubtedly it is no disparagement to Gospel-Ministers to be Christian Philosophers or Lovers of that Wisdom which is to be found and obtained by conversing or inquiring into the word of God into the works of God and therefore their intermedling in all such affairs from such principles cannot be interpreted in an evil sense as if it savoured of pragmaticalnesse or anything like it This for the interpreting of the second term And hitherto I suppose I have not swerved from the truth in my explications The third and last expression is likewise to be brought to a fixed conclusion and determination that we may rightly understand the question throughout every part of it and my meaning in this viz. who are Ministers of the Gospel I shall first signifie negatively and then positively 1 Wherefore first I do not intend the Pontifical and Prelatical Clergy for from the highest Archbishop as such to the meanest Curate there are none of them whom I look upon under that notion Although we do know for we have heard them that by the help of good natural parts and their superadded acquired abilities otherwise namely by reading meditation imitation and exercise in preaching they have excelled many Ministers of the Gospel truly and properly so called and acknowledged by God and man But as it is one thing to serve God in the oldnesse of the letter and another to serve him in the newnesse of spirit or the spirit so it is frequently found that a man may be an able Minister of the New Testament according to the letter but not according to the spirit and the ministrations thereof See the distinctions Rom. 7.6 2 Cor. 3.6 Divers of these Episcopal Preachers indeed did likewise intermeddle in State affairs for they were Justices of Peace and Privy Counsellors to Kings and Queens but I never approved of them or their imployment in reference to the Ministry or Magistracy in both which they did intermeddle more than they will have thank for when they appear before the Judgement seat of Jesus Christ to receive every one according to his works and what he hath done in the flesh whether it be good or whether it be evil So much for these I have done with them 2 Neither secondly do I mean the present Vniversities Vice-Chancellors Doctors Proctors Heads of Houses Deans Prebends Cannons with the rest of their Brethren by what Academical Name or Title soever they are dignified or distinguished Although I know likewise that many of them have gifts for the preaching of the Gospel and I hope are truly godly But to speak freely undoubtedly it would become those of them who know their Lords will to take care to do it for it cannot be denied that they sinfully intermeddle in the things of the world though they pretend to be married to the Lord and so are to take care for the things of the Lord This is plain in regard they have accepted several worldly Offices and Authorities which they exercise after the Rudiments of the world for they cannot exercise them according to God or to Christ for they are none of the things of Christ Oh! that they are farre from imitating the Apostles and walking in their steps the Lord knows and we also for they gave over the serving of Tables which yet was church-Church-work that they might give themselves continually to prayer and to the Ministry of the word And therefore before I go any further I do publickly bear witness on the behalf of the Lord Jesus against all that kind of medling in State-affairs which doth in the least hinder or interrupt the fervants of the Lord in the exercise and improvement of that Ministry which they have received in the Lord and for and from the Lord. For let us consider what the Apostles say in that place forementioned Act. 6.3 It is not reason 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that we should leave the word of God and serve Tables A sentence it is worthy to be written in letters of gold yea to be written with the Spirit of the living God not in Tables of marble stone but in flespy Tables of the heart But alas where shall we find such a spirit among the Ministers of these times who generally leave the word of God and do worse than serve Tables in that sense which the Apostles intend for thy serve and worship and wonder after the Whore of Babylon and the Beast that carrieth her yea and the very Horns of that Beast that carrieth that Harlot this is truth the Lord knows in whose sight I write these things and yet they 〈◊〉 call themselves and expect that others should account of them as of the Ministers of Christ and faithful Stewards of the Mysteries of God But it is to be justly feared that Jehovah will write down other Titles in the books of his Accounts and Remembrance Thousands will not look like the Ministers of the Gospel when those books and the book of the New Testament shall be opened in the sight of all the world although now they go under that notion among almost all sorts of people But enough of these also for the present let us proceed 3 Neither in the third and last place by the Ministers of the Gospel do I here intend or understand the Parsens Vicars Rectars
Incumbents or other such like Ministers of the Parish and Collegiat Churches or Chapels in this Nation or any other or yet any like them by what new Babylonish names and Titles soever they are dignified and distinguished according to the known Laws and Customes of those Lands For undoubtedly that old mouldy Popish Relation betwixt a Parish Minister and his Parishioners or Parish-Church is of the self-same nature with that which was anciently betwixt the Prior or Abbot and his Covent betwixt the Lord Bishop and his Diocess betwixt the Dean and his Chapter and all such like Corporations I say again and disprove it who can or dare this Parish Relation with its appurtenances which I shall treat of in due time I hope is of the self-same foundation and constitution with the others and equally a stranger to the New Testament for the Teâ—â—ator spake nothing in his last will touching these creatures and their Relations each to other and therefore must go the same way that their Predecessors have gone before them I mean as to the disanulling and annihilating every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted nor hath his Son watered I have I confesse been somewhat large and that beyond my first intentions in opening these Mysteries of the Man of sin but the Lord knows how to improve every particle of truâ—â— for the interest of our Lord and to his blessing I recommend these Explications Wherefore to finish this part of my work I say positively That by Ministers of the Gospel I understand the Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers who are over the true Churches of Christ according to God which true Churches were either such as were rightly called out of the world and so formed and constituted by the immediate Ministry of the Apostles and the other faithful Ministers before the Apostacy Or else secondly such as are rightly called out of Babylon and so Reformed and restored or Re-constituted according to the Primitive Pattern so far as is requisite for the putting of them in statu quo in the former condition Or thirdly such as by Messengers or Apostles of the Churches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 8. shall be orderly called and formed from among the heathens as it is hoped it is or may be in New England among the Natives or among the Jews who we expect shall ere it be long be grafted in again And those who are thus over and in relation to such Churches among whom Christ will delight to walk that he may transform them from glory to glory by his Word and Spirit they are the Ministers whom I mean and particularly intend in this Question namely those who being separated to the Gospel of God according to Rule do accordingly walk before the Lord and his people as becomes the Gospel in all things And certainly all who own the title of Christians must acknowledge that such as these are to be accounted Ministers of Christ and of the Gospel These things being premised for explication I am now to make out from Scripture and from principles of reason and truth flowing from expresse Scripture That it is lawful in many cases for the TRUE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL to MEDDLE with STATE-AFFAIRS or with the matters of the world as they are distinguished from the matters of the Lord or Church-affairs with those matters which properly belong to the Civ l Magistrate namely the things of this life and I hope what I shall say in this point may be of some use to fright away those Bug bears which are made use of to affright and discourage many precious hearts from strengthning the hands of the Lords servants in the present service of Christ against Babylon and the Kings of the earth But as I am entring upon this work that politick fetch of Paul honest Paul and it was honest policy when hee made that notable Division among the Pharisees and the Sadduces Act. 23.6 and so much for his own advantage against the injustice of the Higher Powers the High Priest and the Council I say that sudden Diversion which he made comes into my mind And in regard that the Envy Ill will and Evil-speakings against my person and against my practise have broken out at the lips of so many Professors I judge it meet to shelter my self under that shield and buckler which Two of the New made Doctors of School Divinity and like Gamaliel had in Reputation among all the people have made ready to my hand For certainly it will bee of some use for the qualifying of their anger and displeasure when they understand how far they are of the same mind with mee in this matter First therefore I quote Dr. Tho. Goodwin in the 42. and 43. page of that excellent Sermon of his worthy of a new Edition with Additions in this day These are his words and the sense of his words if I understand sense The Saints have vouchsafed them by God a privilege in RULING and GOVERNING THIS WORLD and the Providences of God therein They are Privy Councellors to the great King of Kings who governs all the States and Kingdomes of the world And God doth give these Saints a COMMISSION TO SET UP AND PULL DOWN by their Prayers and Intercessions The Old Testament speaks in a high language in Isa 45.11 Concerning the work of my hands command ye me who speaks this the words afore are Thus saith the Holy One of Israel c. It would have been blasphemy for us to have said it Then he goes on bringing in the Lord speaking thus Behold I that am thus your Maker give you leave to dispose by your prayers the great works of my hands which concern my children my sons THE AFFAIRS OF KINGDOMS even so far as they relate to their good the Doctor goes on And he God speaks it upon this occasion that for their sakes he had raised up Cyrus and pulled down the Babylonian Monarchy because they by their prayers had sought this Thus far the Doctor Now I cannot distinguish and judge of the juyce and sap of words and phrases in the least by my Intellectual taste or palate If to rule and govern this world do not suppose and signifie a medling in the affairs of it And if Privy Councellors intrusted and authorised by Commission to set up and pull down can do either the one or the other without intermedling in such affairs I am very much mistaken Nay further he saith expresly that leave is given them by God to dispose the works of his hands the affairs of Kingdoms even so far as they relate to their good and I judge no Ministers of the Gospel desire to dispose them otherwise than for their good But still I say they cannot dispose the affairs of Kingdoms but they must meddle with those affairs unavoidably Ob. All that can be said by way of Objection or Opposition is this that the Doctor speaks of Saints and not of Ministers and also that what
and doubtful matter which I was now about to treat of viz. concerning the Powers in being and the Image of the Beast c. and their owning and bowing the knee to the one or to the other Quest It may be demanded whether it appertains to my Office to handle such points in the hearing of the Congregation at this time especially when there is so much need of Healing and Settlement as the Lord General did lately plead and inculcate in the PAINTED CHAMBER considering also and experience proves it that it was not understood by those for whom it was prepared and besides other Doctrine might have been sent tending more to the use of edifying answ I answer That great and exceeding precious promise in Jer. 3. will sufficiently satisfie every Honest Heart where Jehovah saith Jer. 3.15 And I will give you Pastors according to mâ—ne own heart which shall feed you with knowledge and with understanding namely Eph. 5.17 Colos 4.12 that you may understand what the will of the Lord is and that you may stand perfect and compleat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in all the will of God as Paul expresseth it to the Ephesians and Colossians Moreover Rom. 15.1 1 Cor. 3.1 2. Heb. 5.13 14. 1 John 2.13 we finde the Churches of the Saints to consist of strong and of weak of habes in Christ and of such as are of ripe age of young men and of fathers now strong meat is to be administred by every faithful steward of the mysteries of God to them who are of full age even such as by reason of use have their senâ—es exercised to discern both good and evil for it belongs unto them as it is written * Stâ—ong mâ—at belongeth to them who are of full age 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And therefore though babes cannot feed upon such Doctrine for milk belongs to them and accordingly it is provided yet others who are come to some maturity and would willingly know the work of their day and age will by this means go onward to perfection Which Gospel-perrection Eph. 4.11 12 13. was one great end of Christ his giving the gifts of the Spirit unto his Churches Wherefore I being as Paul in his Rom. 1.14 so I in my Line a debtor to the wise and to the unwise it is not meet I should be blamed for paying the due debt of my Office which I owe to the whole flock of Christ whereof I am made the Overseer by manifold obligations But to put a period to this Section I answer further that I had a particular call to speak largely to this point about the Governments because I perceived the Church or some particular persons to be under a great mistake even neer of kin to a gross absurdity and one absurdity being granted a thousand will follow Now it is required and expected by the Lord Jesus and his people that I should endeavour at least to guide their feet into the way of truth when I perceive them but begin to go astray And as for the unseasonableness of handling such kinde of doctrine considering as is urged there is so great need of healing and of silencing all debates about Powers and Government c. I answer further It was never the custom of the faithful Ministers of Christ nor of the Prophets before them to inquire which way the winde did blow at the Kings Court but to promote and to perfect their Lord's work which he had given them to do while it was called to Day for when the night cometh no man can work That also of Solomon is suitable to this purpose Eccles 11.4 He that observeth the winde shall not sow and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap Eccles 9.10 And whatsoever thine hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goest And to speak the Truth to the glory of my Lord my not regarding any mans Person or Power when I am about his business and my not taking care at any time for this twenty yeers to please men but onely God which trieth the hearts hath been to me of very refreshing consideration and remembrance upon all pertinent occasions ever since I was bound with this chain as it is also at the writing hereof as I am here sitting before the Lord to plead for truth with paper and ink seeing I cannot to this day hear any tidings of meeting with my Accusers face to face Sect. 3. Whereas upon that clause in the Churches Letter to me viz. The owning of the Powers in being is accounted a bowing of the knee to the image of the Beast I answered them that I did not know by whom it was so accounted and that it was never mine opinion nor was it likely so to be c. as is before set down It is very true I did not know neither could I know by those words It is accounted none who so accounted being named whereupon it being darkly expressed by them I thought it was meet it should be plainly expressed by me as in the Letter you may finde adding moreover these following words For as for my self I do own the powers in being and have done all along Now it 's probable these words might be construed as signifying something that had somewhat like a compliance or recantation and so being abstracted from their neighbours and fellows viz. according as God hath commanded c. as you may see in the Epistle It is true ENVY and ILL-WILL might endeavour to draw such a conclusion from those premises but that passion is not a competent Judge nor an equal Interpreter of words or actions But now Oh all ye who are friends but to common sense and reason suppose conscience should suspend its operations for a time come and be Judges betwixt me and my adversaries who have acted the devils part Mat. 4.6 com with Psal 90.11 in quoting one part of the words which were written and suppressing the other the better to compass his diabolical design against Jesus Christ his Lord. Thus I plead my cause against the falshood and most unrighteous dealing of such slanderers 1. First Is it not a most absurd and irrational method of proceeding against our neighbour to tear asunder those words and sentences which the writer had put together and so to undermine his good Name among his friends and to render him the by-word of his foes and which is worse then both the other to trample upon that noble Cause which God himself hath call'd forth the Author to maintain bear witness to before the world The Heathens would abhor such spirits and such practises when brought before them 2. In case those passages had been written darkly and doubtfully was it not the duty of the Reader or Reporter or both to make the best interpretation now let conscience do its office which Christian love could give and most sutable
and to whom did it belong but the King Now the Judges while they were the Higher Powers in the Nation under God did not use to take away the lives and estates of their brethren arbitrarily as Kings did but observed the Letter and the Equity of the Law and there is no Law that I can find for taxing their brethren with a monthly Assesment or otherwise I have been the larger upon this to the end you may see when a single person Reigns and Rules in the PORT POMP and POWER of an ABSOLVTE KING destroying old Laws and making new at his pleasure permitting such Laws to continue in force which do not so neerly reflect upon his Interest but suppressing all others there is more danger to a free people from him than from those who are circumscribed by the Law and have no Army at command to stand by them in case they should mis-govern at any time Thus you have seen as in a glasse of Chrystal That they who set up the PROFITABLE TRADE OF KING-CRAFT WITH MEN OF WAR TO PROTECT THEM for Saul was General as well as King â—â—y in a short time if they follow their Leader Saul the first Monarch over the Church and people of God become very rich in Silver and Gold and other substance from the Confiscations and Impositions c. which by their Prerogative Royal they lay upon the people I shall passe over Davids times briefly because he being a man after Gods own heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 13.22 and generally desiring to fulfill all his wills and not his own was by grace prevented and restrained from those outrages which his Predecessor was guilty of The matter of Vriah is excepted indeed when all his other mis-carriages were buried by an act of oblivion from the Great Jehovah as you find it 1 King 15.5 Neverthelesse for our learning as to the point in hand he took away Mephibosheths lands * 2 Sam. 16. begin zibah the Court Parasite flattereth David into an unworthy and unjust proceeding against innocent Mephibosheth without hearing the Accused and the Accuser face to face And certainly if he did such an act of injustice in the time of his streights he might have made many such instances of taking away the estates of guiltlesse subjects if the Lord had not kept him from such oppression A single Person though a Saint in the exercise of highest Power will certainly act the part of a wicked Tyrant if he hearken to wicked Informers as you find even David did to Zibah how much more if he be an Hypocrite will he persecute the Righteous who have detected his tyrannical subtle Dissimulations In the next place let us examine the Reign of Solomon the wise His Government also was very heavy herein * Solomon laid a Tribute and a heavy yoke also 2 Chron. 10.4 1 King 12.4 especially in his latter dayes for all the Congregation of Israel came to his Son saying Thy Father made our yoke grievous now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy Father and his heavy yoke that he put upon us and we will serve thee It s plain the people accounted themselves oppressed and wearied with the weight of Solomons Government It is also cleerly expressed in the Text that King Solomon 1 King 5.13 did raise a levie out of all Israel and that Adoniram or Adoram who was over the Tribute being sent to quiet the Mutiny was slain by the people 1 King 12.18 inraged against Rehoboam for giving such an answer All this is past dispute Quest But what was that Tribute or Levie in particular which occasioned so fatal a Rent of ten Tribes from the house of David on such a sudden Ans So far as I can apprehend for the present by comparing things together it was that Tribute of men mentioned 1 King 5.13 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same word in Rom. 13.6 7. LXX it is varied in the Margin You may find that Solomon was exceedingly addicted to build and to plant and he imployed an hundred and fifty thousand men I suppose the most part of his Reign to build besides the house of the Lord and his own several Cities for store Cities for his Chariots Cities for his Horses c. 1 King 9.19 And though they were Tributaries and not of the children of Israel yet Vers 21. being eppressed with constant bond-service as it is called Its no marvel though they grew discontent and mutinous And although they having a reverend regard to King Solomon who first imposed this Tribute or Levie 1 King 12.16 Rehoboams continuing and going about to increase their burthen and bondage fatal to his Court-Interest would not rise up against him yet it appears they would not indure the Yoke and the Burthen to be continued upon their Necks and their Backs by his son Rehoboam However it was you see their Oppressions long continued bred discontent and that discontent broke out into that which the New King and his young Privy Counsellors would no doubt account and call Rebellion and no doubt they would have made a war upon them rather than have put up so high an affront if God himself had not sent a peremptory prohibition by his Prophet to prevent them 1 King 12.23 24. From the premises in this Instance of Solomon and his Son these following Observations may be made 1 That the most prudent Monarchs are too apt to stretch their power beyond its bounds and to advance an Assumed Prerogative to the prejudice of the people in point of Liberty and comforts otherwise 2 That all extrajudicial and illegal Impositions Taxes Tributes Levies and Assesments in any kind whatsoever do ingender very bad blood in the peoples veines which produceth dangerous discontents and distempers in the midst of them 3 A free people oppressed by violent Imprestings Imprisonments Confiscations and any Arbitrary practices though managed by the wisest States-men will watch a convenient season to obtain a just remedy or throw their Riders Issachar was compared to a strong Asse couching down between two burthens Gen. 49.14 Issachar is compared to an Asse for becoming a servant unto Tribute 1 Chron. 12.32 he saw that rest was good and the land that it was pleasant and bowed his shoulder to bear and he became a servant unto Tribute But afterward the men of Issachar the Asse was now become a man had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do the heads of them were two hundred and all their brethren were at their Commandement The Tribe which was most oppressed could tell when it was the best season to relinquish the house of Saul and to set up David to be King And no question those of Gods people now who beside the burden which is laid upon them in common with their neighbours are under bondage otherwise for conscience sake who are called and looked upon as Fools will have understanding given
did belong to this Empire Dan. 11.20 also they have DOMINION OVER OUR BODIES AND OVER OUR CATTEL AT THEIR PLEASURE and we are in great distresse The Grecian Monarchy also had power over the Jews Alexander when he besieged Tyrus sent for that tribute to Jaddus the High-Priest that they had paid to Darius but Jaddus sent an answer that he was sworn to Darius and while he was alive he must not break his faith but afterward that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled in Zech. Zech. 9.8 Alexander sendeth for a Taxe but though denied forbears violence Joseph Ant. lib. 11. cap. ult 9. saying I will incamp about my house because of the Army because of him that passeth by meaning Alexander the Great and his Army towards Egypt and because of him that returneth meaning the same Alexander returning that way after the Conquest of Egypt I say because of this word Alexander did not offer violence to Jerusalem as he threatned when his demands to Jaddus were not answered but came to an agreement about Tribute and yeelded to Jaddus his request that the Taxes might be forborn every seventh year because by their Laws The land must rest every seventh year * Lev. 25.7 first verses not be sowed but although this Monarch was favourable to the Jews in point of Tribute or other burthens for he as Histories mention was well affected to the Nation of the Jews yet his successors especially some of them were most cruel Tyrants and Task-masters but I shall not insist longer in this of the third or Grecian Monarchy But as for the fourth Kingdom The fourth Monarchy taxeth all the world and the Jews in particular recorded Luke 2.1 2 3. or Roman power they the Jews have abundantly drunk of this cup of Bitternesse under them for as their sufferings were greater so they were likewise of longer continuance and they are not delivered to this day The Lord Jesus was born at that time when all the world was to be Taxed by the Decree * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Roman Emperor so that as he was under the Law of Moses in one respect so in another he was under the power of the fourth Beast And afterward he paid Tribute to the Romans Officers though he intimated the children were free * Mat. 17.25 26 27. The people of the Jews were so desirous of freedome from the Roman bondage every way that they sufficiently signified it several wayes Publicans and Harlots Publicans and sinners a very frequent phrase among the Jews they were ready to rise and follow any one almost of their Nation who would pretend to be a Deliverer and a Saviour of them from the Romans and to signifie their discontentednesse at their Taxations and Oppressions they ranked the Publicans with Harlots and such grosse sinners But now Consder Christ and his Apostles taught the Disciples and Christians to pay Tribute and Custom * Matth. 17.27 Rom 13.6 7. quietly patiently to indure those Burthens and worse than those of spoiling their goods because they knew that this fourth Beast was by the appointment of God to be dreadful and terrible and strong exceedingly God had ordained it to have great iron teeth to devour and break in peeces and to stamp the residue or remnant with the feet of it They gave them no incouragement or countenance in the least to resist this exceeding dreadful Beast by abusing beating or otherwise rising up against it or the Officers which were imployed by it as sometimes they had opportunity as well as the Jews to make some opposition if Christ had given liberty And on the other side when ever the Jews did make head against the Romans as they did to the uttermost and to the very last man as it were many times yet they alwaies found the issue was sad and unprosperous altogether they could not possibly shake off that yoak of bondage which the Lord had determined to yoak all Nations with as those who are versed in Prophecy and History in any competent measure do well know Thus the Saints and best Christians did exercise Faith and Patience they are often put together in reference to this point that I am treating of for the first 300 years after Christ they did bear very heavy burthens spoiling of their Goods Houses Lands Lives all went under the Heathen Romans being still the Higher Powers in all the habitable world Then Constantine the Great being a Christian Constantine gave a little reviving to the Christians in their bondage there was a lucid interval for a season the Saints had rest from persecution and from other hard bondage in the Mines and other miserable conditions which they had indured but whether from Taxes and Tributes that I shall not insist upon for I hasten I beleeve the Christians generally paid their Rates and Proportions with other people towards the support and maintenance of the Majesty of the Roman Name and Empire The Arian persecution I will pass over and come down towards these daies these wonderful daies wherein we live What beavy Taxes and Impositions the Kings of the Earth The Whore of Babylon the Beast which catrieth her the ten horns in Rev. 17.7 12 13 14. and the Whore of Babylon agreed together to lay upon the people though never so good Catholicks is known by the Histories and Annals of the several Kingdoms and States under the jurisdiction of the Sea of Rome and the Lords people you may be sure could not escape the common calamity where Kingship prevails nay it had been as much as they could have wished in this world in that matter if they might have born the common burthens of the inslaved people and no more but they were singled out from their Neighbors and set apart as a But for the Pope and Popish Princes to spend their Arrows upon in a more especial manner Read the History of the Waldenses and Albigenses it is worthy serious perusal at this time Our Ancestors indeed struggled hard for Magna Charta * Magna Charta in many parts is made waste paper by the Souldiers now in time of popery as much for freedom from Court-tyranny I think as any Nation we read of yet histories are plain that there were grievous burthens laid upon the people partly by the Pope for the maintenance of the Universal Bishop and partly by the Court the interest whereof was alwaies and ever will be an interest cross to that of the people especially of Gods people but it was best for the people when their Kings and the Court of Rome were at the greatest distance At length K. Hen. 8 deposed the Pope from his Headship in England and made himself Head of the Church taxed the people the Parsons and Vicats c. in the Popes stead through the wonderful providence of God upon what account I will not here mention K. Henry 8. east off the Pope and so
destroyed his Game which had been so gainful for so many ages I mean the winning of so many Peter-pence Annates money for polls and other trinkets c. but the King would needs be head of the Church in the Popes stead and so by his Court of Augmentations inriched himself with those Revenues which belonged to the Monastries and the Pope yet this was little ease to the people for what a Tyrant this King also was to his Subjects especially to the best of the Saints the scourge with six Coards as I remember it was called and Sir Walter Rawleigh in his Preface to the History of the world will well inform us Q. Mary oppressed the Saints with fire fagot Q Eliz. a moderate higher Power yet the people of God under the name of Puritan under great bondage His Daughter Mary also sacrificed the lives of the choycest Saints for the service of that Beast But I hasten Indeed his Daughter Queen Elizabeth who being more in good earnest for the best cause then in the world called the Interest of the Protestants against the House of Austria and the Catholique Popish league in France governed the Nation more honorably and was a better Higher Power than any I read of before or since in the Catalogue of Monarchs King Edw. 6. died in his nonage and yet it is well known what havock was made of the Nonconformists under the notion of Puritans in her time how were they oppressed and persecuted by the Prelates and what Burthens and Impositions what Costs and Charges they were put to in respect of their non-compliance with the Ceremonies is remembred to this day the lives of some of the choycest Saints were taken away for bearing testimony for the Lord Jesus against the Lords spiritual as the Prelates were called and their abominations and other abuses in the Court. Thus you see how the Disciples indured a very heavy yoke of bondage even in that period of time when the fourth Beast was most tame and most gentle namely in Q. Eliz. time and reign Before I pass from this Point The two Scotish Kings lay heavy yoaks upon the Saints K. James a soat oppressor of the Nonconformists I must give a short remembrance of the two Scotish Kings and their Government Not long after King James came to the English Throne ther were suspended silenced deprived turned out of house and harbor c. almost two hundred of the choycest Preachers throughout the Nation men of the best Gifts eminent for Godliness sound in the Faith most succesful in the Ministry and why was the condition of these precious ones so much worse than that of their Brethren because they would not worship the Beast because they could not subscribe to the Ceremonies of the Church of England c. therefore they must be impoverished by Fines Attendance Fees Mulcts and Penalties Besides the common burthen of the Nation in point of Taxes the Saints help to maintain their Brethren the Preachers who were silenced and put out of all which they were oppressed with This undoing of many Families occasioned the godly people to distribute to their necessities some of my Kindred to my knowledge have given several of them yearly allowances for twenty or thirty years together after the King and Bishops had taken away their livelihood for non-conformity It is incredible to the young generation of Disciples what the best sort of Saints have suffered since the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth And though I am not of that age as to remember any publique Transactions in the reign of this first Scotish King yet by History by Books of another nature by converse with antient intelligent Professors I do so well understand the heavy Oppressions and Persecutions of the best people in the Nation that I do judge and publiquely declare it were a very noble enterpize to collect a faithful history of the sufferings of the servants of God for testifying against the Beast and the false Prophet so boldly so constantly and so successfully this last hundred years or since the tenth year of the Queen aforesaid However when the Judge of the quick and the dead shall ingage in this work 1 Cor. 4.5 of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness and of revealing all the plots of the Kings and Prelates for the crushing and suppressing of the truth and those Saints that owned it the admiration will be unspeakable Oh what a cloud of witnesses will then appear with Christ in glory who in the world have been over-clouded with shame and most infamous reproach Col. 3.4 with all disgrace imaginable But whether am I carried excuse this sudden digression K. Charls an unreasonable raiser of taxes and observe with me that Charles his Son who reigned in his stead walked in the waies of his Fore-fathers and how far he went beyond his Predecessors in imposing illegal Burthens upon the people I leave to * Lawyers are acquainted with his projects to get mony from the people Lawyers to compute who are more versed in those Affairs But I know that it was a sad time with the most zealous heavenly Christians with the most eminent preachers and Professors Will. Laud a great persecutor and oppressor of the Saints by fines imprisonment visitations c. the persecution was so hot under William Laud both when he was Lord Bishop of London and afterwards of Canterbury that thousands of good people did transport themselves to strange remote Countries some fled to neighbor Nations to get out of his reach this was great oppression as for those that staid behind they hid themselves in corners were put to great cost and charges upon the account of their non-conformity besides what burthens were laid upon their shoulders in common with other people they were taxed fined sequestred and squeezed by the Prelates Courtâ— and Officers most unreasonably How many turned out of doors for not reading the Book of Sports allowed upon the first day of the week Yea the very visiting and speaking or shewing any kindness or countenance to Mr. Burton Mr. Prin and Dr. Bastick as they journied into banishment through the Countries cost many precious souls very dear as will appear in fulness of time to all the world After this The Classical Directory the common Prayer books successor cost the Nation a great sum a costly Common Prayer for Scotland was formed and imposed seconded with a great Army which and all the illegal Taxations before as for Knighthood at the beginning of his Government the Isle of Ree Ship-money c. had made the very common carnal people to see the English Government inclining to the French Garb where the Taxes are endless easeless and remediless as the poor Peasants may well compute Thus I have drawn this line of the HISTORY OF TAXES AND TRIBUâ—ES of ARBITRARY LEVIES AND IMPOSITIONS through so many ages tracing this hateful monster from its cradle in Souls time who was the
make an unfeigned separation from the carnal and world-like Church when you discern their indignation to be altogether against Raising of Taxes and imposing the Tribute money upon the children who are free and to levie their Tribute of Bond-service upon those who will not have Christ but Antichrist reign over them Then lift up your heads and hope that your full Redemption draweth neer Mat. 17.25 26. Christ Jesus the Lord pronounceth the children free and the Kings of the earth in those dayes did not exact or take Custom or Tribute of their own people but of strangers as it appears by Peters words But how far Oh God! are thine own people from promoting their own good or from removing the oppressions of their brethren they are taking a DIRECT COURSE to perpetuate the Kingdome of the fourth Beast in these Nations after all thine appearances for their deliverance and instead of saying Come Lord Jesus Come quickly with the Spirit and with the Bride in understanding they say God save the Image of earthly Monarchy they shout as when Saul was made a King OH IMAGE OF KINGSHIP LIVE FOR EVER Verily the Lord Jesus wil find a time to reckon with whole Churches and their Leaders that cause them to erre and it is ten thousand to one if any of those who sent up Pillars out of the Countries to support and shore up the tottering and decrepit Roman power Heb. 49 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There remains a Salbatism or Sabbatical rest to the people of God shall enter into that Rest which remaineth to the people of God The Lord have a gracious respect to that Remnant which he hath reserved to himself out of the mixt multitude of Hyprocrites and Apostates Oh when will the Lord form a people for himself as the Kings of the earth have formed a people for themselves to shew forth to set forth their praise and honor and glory in the world How are the souls of many Saints in travel till Christ take to him HIS GREAT POWER and REIGN Rev. 11.17 they long to see the return of their King from that far Country to which he went so many hundred yeers ago to receive a Kingdom for himself and to Return Return Luke 19.12 Psal 45.2 Rev 5.5 Rev. 22.16 Mal. 4.2 Luke 9.26 Mat. 24.42 Return to the many thousands of the true Israel Oh thou fairest among the children of men Oh come Thou Lion of the Tribe of Judah Thou bright and morning Star Thou Son of Righteousnesse Appear in thine own glory in thy Fathers and of the holy Angels Neverthelesse not when we would but when thou wilt in the mean time we by thy grace wil wait wil watch wil walk as those who expect their Lords coming to take vengeance on his enemies and to repay recompence to his Adversaries according to all the evill they have done in thy sight to thy poor oppressed people Amen Hallelujah Having thus far endeavoured to set those things streight which Sathan and his servants had made crooked representing me most basely and extreme unworthy as an Apostate to the prejudice of the service of Christ in my hand so far as in them lay I shall now proceed to the next part of the Letter which hath been so grievously handled having been tortured and torn limb from limb as it were and examined upon the wrack to make it confesse as the enemies of Christ would have it SECT IV. THe principle Clause in this part of the Epistle foregoing I conceive is this By the Powers in Being I understand the Army as supreme all those that joyn with them to carry out the work of Justice and of Mercy according to the indubitable principles of right Reason and Equity c. For the manifestation of the truth or at least of my apprehensions concerning this matter I may according to the Rules of method first speak of the Armies supremacy and then of those who joyn with them for the ends even now expressed Concerning the first I suppose it is needlesse to spend time to bring demonstrations for the confirming of this Assertion there are enough made ready to my hand in that all men grant which they would not do without sufficient demonstration wise men especially first that the Army was and is yet to this day a power in being And then secondly they must needs acknowledge it Supreme for the Nations and all sorts of people beside them of that Corporation do feel it sufficiently it is a truth that may be felt some feel it with smart as being oppressed by them and there is none to rescue the oppressed out of their hands there is no Horn of salvation raised up of God to push them lower unto this day and others feel it with gladnesse and delight for their gain is great There is indeed a name and a noyse of an Assembly called a Parliament Jer. 52.32 and of Reverend Judges sitting aloft and somewhat high to judge the people but still the Armies Throne is higher than the Thrones of all the other powers in the Nations they set open and they shut up the doors of the Higher or Lower House according to their pleasure so that instead of proving that they are the Supreme Power in these parts of the earth I have somewhat else to do toward the explication of my meaning namely to declare how it came to passe and for what end the Lord hath so ordered it at this season And this I will do by the help of the Lord as a Minister of the Gospel who of all other men are most of all bound and ingaged to regard the works of the Lord and to consider the opperations of his hands especially Isa 5.12 those works which are wrought and brought to pass in their dayes that so the knowledge of the Lord may spread and increase among the Saints even that knowledge of God which is attained by the word of his mouth and the works of his hands the study and meditation of the marvellous works of the Almighty being most sweet and abundantly satisfactory to every heavenly heart For the more perspicuous explication of that which I apprehend in this matter but cannot utter as I would I have digested my meditations into the insuing Propositions or Observations which in a very short space wil help you to pass through a vaste tract of time and that with such evidence of truth as you go along that you need not stay and spend time to apply the touchstone to it as in some cases it is necessary to be done Propos or Observ 1. The most High ruleth in the Kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will Dan 4.32 He changeth the times and the seasons He removeth Kings and setteth up Kings He giveth wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding Dan. 2.21 Prop. or Obser 2. This most High God divided to the Nations their Inheritance Deut 32.8 and the first ground
he will be more terrible in his doing toward the children of men He ruleth by his power for ever his eies behold the Nations Let not the rebellious EXALT THEMSELVES Selah Whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107.43 We have seen we have seen an end of all perfection which hath been preserved for so many ages The person and power of a King and the Son of antient Kings is cut down and cost out as an abominable Branch the Privilege of Parlament the Parlament and all their numerous unknown Privileges pulled down and devoured by the Army at a Breakfast the Liberties of the people also have met with the same destiny thus this antient threefold Cord made and preserved by our Ancestors with so much care with so great cost of blood and treasure is utterly untwisted and broken all to peeces By this brief account of these astonishing Alterations that great Truth which I laid as the first stone and the corner stone of this Discourse is worthy of remembrance The most High ruleth in the Kingdom of Men He changeth the times and the seasons He removeth Kings and setteth up Kings He the Lord doth all these things and other wonders without number His works are honorable and glorious sought cut of all that have pleasure therein Psal 111.2 3. Thus according to that talent of understanding which is given to me in these great and strange transpositions of Powers by the effectual influence of the first cause according to the words of the Prophets Kingly Power Aristocratical Privilege and Democratical Liberty being dissolved destroyed and disanulled as you have read heard and seen the Army must needs be the remaining Higher Power within these Nations If any Man Lawyer States-man c. know a Higher Power than theirs a stronger power than theirs a more absolute power than theirs I would willingly hear him speak his mind in that particular But to proceed if it be observed I only say They are the Supreme Power without addition or determination what kind of Power I own them as an Higher as the Highest earthly Power de facto acting and exercising such a superiority over the people but quo jure that is another Question fitter for the Lawyers to plead if they would or Durst than for me yet this I can find ground to say If any one ever heard me say they were a lawfull Authority or as is suggested If any person whatsoever can produce any writing wherein I acknowledge them a lawful or legal Authority since the 16. of the 10. Month 1653. let them publish it to the world and I will ingenuously confesse I am no way able to mantain or justifie such an Assertion in the least let them that please exercise their wits to perswade the credulous For Nibil tam incredibile quod non dicendo fiat probabile as Tully faith I shall according to the duty of my Office declare from the good word of God what is there upon record for a testimony against that generation of Back sliders from the Cause of Christ whom these following truths either do now or may hereafter very much concern The Scriptures of Truth do give us much light in the matter under consideration Rom 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Higher powers 1 Pet. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the King 's supreme and 1 Tim. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—hich are in superiority There are several degrees and several kinds of Powers There are Higher or Lower Powers Supreme or Subordinate The Translators do render the word Higher in Pauls Epistle to the Romans and the same word they translate Supreme in Peters Epistle to the Jews This is also plain to sense and reason I shall not trouble the Reader further with this so I put it first to dispatch it unlesse I meet with an oportunity to do further service with this distinction As for the several kinds of Higher Powers that also needs little explication In some Nations there is one kind in others another kind Kings Judges Elders Patriachs c. But there is also a Distribution of Powers by their Adjuncts Distributio subjecti in adjuncta and so the Powers that are are either Lawful or Vnlawful Lawful Higher Powers are such either from God or from Nature or from Nations From God either first by especial Designation in love and mercy to a people as Moses David Christ Jesus the Lord Or else secondly by especial Designation in wrath for trial and punishment to a people Thus Jeroboam was set up by God for trial to the ten Tribes and for punishment to Solomon or rather chastisement and punishment to his son Rehoboam saith God by his Prophet I have given ten Tribes to thee I will take thee and thou shalt Reign and shalt be King over Israel 1 King from 29. to 37. compared with the 12. Chapter and the 24 vers Thus Saul was given to the Israelites by God in his anger partly for trial that he might see what was in their hearts and partly for punishment because they had rejected the Lord from being their King neverthelesse Saul was a lawful Higher Power for a time although given in displeasure Thus Baasha was exalted out of the dust by God as the Lord sent him word and by him made Prince over his people Israel to fulfill the word of the Lord against Jeroboam and his house 1 King 16. Chap. vers 2. There are other instances but I proceed In the next place there are Higher powers by nature that is they are possessed and that justly of the Dignity of Superiority and of the power of Government by a pure natural Right These Higher powers are either Paternal or Patriarchal such a right had Adam the Father of all Living so Noah Abraham and other heads of the houses of their Fathers as the Elders of the Israelites in Egypt Exod. Exo. 3.16.4 29. 6.14 The lower powers in Families are a Steward whom the Housholder or Lord of the Family makes Ruler over his Houshold to give them their portion of meat in due season as Christ expresseth this matter Luke 12.42 such an inferiour power was Eliezer of Damascus the Steward of Abrahams house so Tutors and Governors of the Heir till the time appointed of the Father are lawful lower powers c. Thirdly Higher powers are justly such by a National Right or by the voluntary consent of those Nations whom they govern and this either in time of peace by election or succession as Judah did cleave to Rehoboam the Son of Solomon and many other Instances might be added or else by victory in a just War as the Canaanites became Tributaries and other people also in all ages And thus the Lord Jesus himself will be actually an higher power by conquest of the Nations For in Righteousnesse be will judge and make war Rev. 19.11 But to conclude this part of the Distribution
mighty honor of being the Lords of the Nations and their Iron-Law-givers not so much as consulting with their faithful friends whose prayers and counsels they were wont to desire upon their entrance into great Enterprizes Quest Who knows the mind of the Lord is this secret with any of those that fear him and who walk before him with a perfect heart Answ Although I would not presume to intrude where I must not hope to be admitted yet I may give in my apprehensions in this matter with sobriety and submission to Saints of more intimate acquaintance with the Lord without offence and that in a very few words 1 The Lord may permit these things these strange mutations of mens minds that all the world may see that marching out of Egypt and entring into Canaan are motions very much differing from each other of 600000 men which came out of the house of Bondage but onely two single persons entred into the promised Land Those men who conquer Ameleck dare not encounter with Anak but had rather make a Captain to go back to Egypt than follow God their Leader over Jordan and as the Apostle phraseth it As it was then even so it is now 2 Another end of Gods leaving this unhappy new Model and their unhappy General to themselves and their own hearts lusts may be this That the poor afflicted people plainly perceiving that they will not cannot do that work which they declared for might be so much the more importunate with the King of Saints to make haste and come himself and in the mean time to provide himself of new servants to carry on that most blessed Design which his heart is set so much upon 3 That the All-wise God may take advantage to separate the precious from the vile who being so busie in beholding and wondering after this new Image of the Beast there is a rare oportunity for the faithful followers of the Lamb to leave and depart from those professors who have now demonstrated to the world that they followed Christ and his Cause for the loaves and not for the miracles which he hath done before their eyes 4 That having made this further separation from Babylon in the Army and in the Head-Quarters at King Charls his Palace He may form a peculiar people for himself to begin where the New Model left even to pour out those Vials of the wrath of God upon the Antichristion State and Seat which are next to be emptied by those Angels that come out of the Temple But if These are no part of his end propounded to himself in this matter then I exhort the Saints who are inquiring into these things to observe exactly every step of Providence Finis op ris Finis operantis that they may see what end the Lord will make for it is good to understand the end of the action if we must not know the end of the Agent or efficient Cause So much in reference to the consideration of those ends which the Lord might propound to himself in this strange passage of Providence I have not yet finished the explication of this clause There is somewhat yet further to be unfolded and communicated to my Brethren in the Lord throughout all the Churches of the Saints who are spirited for Generation-work On that I might be anointed with fresh oyl to speak forth to the advantage of the truth and work of Christ what I have received of the Lord that so others might hear and fear and do no more either so foolishly or so presumptuously as lately they have done But first I must premise a few words for a Manuduction thereunto Thus I apprehend the thing and thus I expresse my mind One part of a Nation may for their own ends accept of that person or those persons for a supreme or a subordinate power which another part of the people may lawfully refuse to close withal or accept for their Rulers or their Governors though thereunto required or otherwise attempted by their Brethren There is a famous Instance of this in the 1 King 16.16 Zimri a Souldier of great command in the Army but not then General conspired and smote and slew the King and reigned in his stead The people who were incamped against Gibbethon hearing hereof made Omri the Captain of the host or their General King over Israel that day in the Camp Here was part of the Souldiers had made Zimri King and the greater part I suppose made Omri King But this is not that which I intend for my Instance the quarrel being betwixt the Souldiers in this place King Omri overcame King Zimri for they shall have that Title seeing the Holy Ghost saith of the one and the other that they did reign though Zimri reigned but seven dayes And then this is my Instance the people of Israel were divided into two parts Half of the people followed Tibni the Son of Ginath to make him King and half followed Omri-Surely the Spirit of God intends some instruction to us by this punctual Narration of such a matter 1 King 16.21 I conceive for my part that upon Considerations which might be offered they could not impose a King upon each other being equally free who had the better Title it is hard to say for the one had as many votes as the other the people being equally divided At length Omri obtained the Crown and so all must consent or be silent which in a sense is as much as consent for the present We may put the case thus Suppose half the free people of England are for the setting up of a Monarch with a guard of thirty thousand men to protect him in his Honour and Power Suppose half the people are for a Commonwealth what Law of God or man will justifie the first half that have declared for Monarchy to impose upon the other half who knowing the manner of all Kings from the infallible Oracles of God refuse to be governed by Kingship and accordingly declare against it considering they are as free as themselves who presume to impose and have more from Scripture and the Law of the Land for their rejecting of a King than the others for imbracing him especially if imposed upon them by their Equals Equals in that point of Freedome Verily if a small inconsiderable number of the Free-men of England not to mention other Considerations do oppose by all Arguments such an Imperious power from their Brethren insulting over them I do not see how any honest man can draw a sword against these dissatisfied Free-men and if the sword forbear I make no question but Scripture Law and Reason would prevail But it is worthy of Observation That the Captain of this Host is not yet advanced so far towards the setling of this new Yoke upon the Nation as Omri was in that 1 King 16.22 for adbuc sub Judice lis est And the Army together with their Partakers in the late declared strange Government not having made
hitherto a perfect Law according to their own pleasure and principles for the setling thereof we wait to see and to know what the Lord will do and how far he will permit them to march in this dangerous path for the compassing of their ends who have been the chief Actors and Contrivers in this unparalled earthly Design to say no worse of it for the present But to leave those who have the spirits of Free-men if there be any shut up or left to dispute with their tongues and pens against the Souldiers Swords I shall proceed according to the latitude of my Commission from the Lord Jesus and direct my discourse to those people of God who have openly testified that the Lord is their Judge that Jehouab is their Lawgiver that Jehovah is their King Isa 33.22 and that he will save them I mean those Elders and Brethren of the Churches of Christ who have professed to make a compleat and perfect that is a total and final separation from the Mother of Harlots and from the Beast that carries her Rev. 17.5 7. and this they have done according to the Counsel and Call of God in the book of the Revelations And unto them I say on the behalf of their Lord and mine Brethren Ponder the paths of your feet for every particular step of every separated Saint in this Nation since the Twelfth of the Tenth Month 1653. hath been and is of very great moment and according to their walking since that day and hour when the Word and Spirit of Jehovah received so high and so desperate an Affront they may rationally expect extraordinary consequences for good or for evill coming toward them and remember this which you now read is neither Dream nor Fancy although the Rulers of this world will so account it till the God of heaven compel them to change their minds It cost the Six hundred thousand very dear even all that came out of Egypt Num. 14. who were of twenty years and upwards yea the righteous as well as the wicked their making of a Captain to carry them back again to Egypt when an oportunity was offered by God to passe over Jordan into the Promised Land But let me in brotherly love expostulate the case with you for I am through grace a fellow-member of the same Body Suppose the three Nations generally WILL be like the Israelites when they rejected Jehovah from being their King and WILL joyn with those earthly-minded men who said and proclamed it Wee WILL have a new kind of King to Reign over us and we WILL compel our Brethren by Fire and Sword by Jaylors and High Courts of Injustice to accept of that Monarch whom we have chosen for our selves Will you vote with these men and comply with these Apostates and Hypocrites You have given up your names to the Lords Jesus to be a peculiar people unto him are you not or should you not be an holy Nation in the midst of the Nations walking in the name of your King as the men of the world walk in the name of their Monarch Was it not for your sakes chiefly That Jehovah rebuked Kings and Princes of late yeers Is it not for his Sons sake Psal 105. and his Saints sake that he hath pulled down the whole structure of the old Government of these Nations yea he hath so ordered things that the very foundations are destroyed which not long since were accounted sacred and to the maintenance whereof the people were bound by Oath and solemn League and Covenant except a few who fore-saw that God himself was ingaged against the Old Heavens and the Old Earth in these Islands Were not these wonderful changes and desolations brought forth and finished when the Officers of the Army in their own names created formed and set up a Supreme Power after their own inventions and then after some few months when some choice spirits were resolved to proceed in that work which the New Moael had begun viz. to remove the remaining Rubbish of Heathenish and Popish Customes which obstructed the grand Design against Babylon and the Kings of the earth did not the Sword-men of that once famous New Model break in peeces and annihilate their own creation and that in the sight of Heaven and Earth without blushing and then tell the world a fable about Resignation whereas no agreement vote order or act passed in that Assembly to any such purpose But I must sigh out this complaint Very many of those who professe and pretend to be the Saints of the Most High have eyes and see not they have ears and hear not they have hearts and understand not unto this very day The veil is upon their hearts in the reading of the Prophecies of the Old 2 Cor. 2.14 and the New Testament And assuredly the Lord hath a great controversie with many of his own people because of this who will find him walking contrary unto them because they have walked contrary unto him in this particular What call from God or man have we to joyn with the Nations in setting up a New Image of worldly Government especially at this time of the day when that which our Ancestors built our God hath broken down and what our Fore-fathers had planted the Almighty hath plucked up even the principal Pillars and Foundations of the former Frame and is it an imployment worthy of us to help to repair the Tower of Babylon in this Land after these Earthquakes or to heal the deadly wound which the Beast hath received Consider doth it become us to help mingle the Iron and the Clay together that the Image may not want one of its Ten Toes Should you not rather unite with one another to help consolidate that Little stone which is to smite the Image upon its feet And put on the whole Armor of God that you may be ready at an hours warning to follow the Lamb who will ere long appear as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and make lamentable havock with the scarlet Whore and the scarlet coloured Beast upon which she Rides whose Ten Horns at length or some of them shall be guided to push the mother of the Abominations of the carth into a Pit of destruction prepared for her by the Lord. Besides all this which hath been spoken would it not be found to be part of our glory and perfection at the appearance of Jesus Christ to imitate the Apostles and Churches of Christ in the first times when they were so eminently taught of God in reference to this particular For when the Apostle Peter spake that word of Exhortation Act. 2.40 That they should save themselves from this untoward Generation Assuredly he intended not only a separation from the Doctrine Worship and Government of the Jewish Church but from the State also and Government thereof for now they had accepted of the Lord Jesus as their Prince to govern them as well as their Saviour to
or for the doing of such things I do not find any honest man rising up against them but this will not signifie in the least any such thing as an approving of them to be lawfull Powers as I have shewed before and as it may be further instanced in their Predecessors who though they did many excellent things in their day yet because they miscarried in other respects the Lord did find them out and took a convenient time to lay their honor and power in the dust Let this suffice at present for I must now dispatch this Section There is one Objection onely which possibly may lie upon the spirits of some choyce servants of the Lord and this it is Object Although Christ and his Disciples did submit to the Higher Powers in their day yet it doth not seem to be a pattern for us upon whom the ends of the world are come For first We have resisted the Powers in our day and are blameless in the account of the most judicious Teachers which are among us And Secondly If we should submit as they in the primitive times how could vengeance be executed upon Babylon and her Adherents the Kings of the earth according to the Prophecies in the Word Ans 1. I grant it is most true there is ground to expect a time when we shall no more be subject to the Fourth Beast and his little Horn which time you must think those who suffer in all Countries under Papal and Regal Tyranny do long after but till that time you see that the two witnesses do suffer under the prevailing power of their Adversaries Ans 2. But for satisfaction of those who have not considered the matter viz. the different estate of the Saints in different times It is to be remembred and well observed That Jeremy in the beginning of their captivity did by the word of the Lord direct the Jews to seek the peace of the City whither he had caused them to be carried away captives and to pray unto the Lord for it Jer. 29.7 for in the peace thereof shall yee have peace Jer. 29.7 But now if you turn to Psal 137.8 9. you shall find there was a time to come when the Jews should be contrary minded to that passage before mentioned saying Oh Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones You see what different language and carriage here is in reference to the same City and Power at different seasons yea Jeremy himself who sent word that they should pray for Babylon as you have heard at the beginning of the seventy years sent another message contrary to it not long after I will fix but upon one passage or two Jer. 51.33 It is time to thresh Babylon saith the Lord and the time of her harvest shall come Again vers 35. The violence done unto me and unto my flesh be upon Babylon shall the Inhabitant of Zion say and my blood be upon the Inhabitants of Caldea shall Jerusalem say Here is very differing language from the former message this cannot be praying for the City it is no less than cursing of Babylon as you plainly see Even thus it is with the true Israelites of the New Testament-times when they were first of all persecuted by the Roman Power they could not prophecy nor pray for the ruin of Rome it was not the truth and work of that age and so there was neither light nor spirit for any such enterprize but now it is seasonable in this day and I am perswaded if it were possible for the Apostles to be and to come among the living Saints in this Nation who have not defiled their Garments upon the dunghil of this world nor betrayed the Cause of Christ wherewith they have been intrusted they would incourage them to spend their arrows and not spare against this mystical Babylon they would own that cause and work truth for which we indure so great oppressions and persecution and therefore although I must needs be subject till the time of deliverance come and that deliverance shall come by Instruments annointed of God as Cyrus was yea with a better annointing yet because by a spiritual instinct flowing from that Divine Nature whereof through rich Grace I do partake I do know assuredly that we shall be so far ere it be long from praying for the Powers under the little Horn that we shall reward them as they have rewarded us Therefore I say do I thus speak and thus write and pray with other enlightened and enlivened Saints Pour out the remaining vials of thy wrath upon the PRESENT POWERS of the Earth who will not have Christ to reign over them and let all the followers of the Lamb say Amen Thus I have finished the explanation of the fourth Section of the Epistle with such further manifestation of the truth in this point as for the present I am furnished withall from the word and Spirit of the Lord and therefore I shall pass on to the next SECT V. IN this part I am willing to give an account to those who are dark in this matter Quest How I can justifie my practice of preaching down the Powers in being as my manner was when as my declared Principlet are and have been constantly to own them and therefore not to resist or rise up against them how can these things stand together It seems a Paradox if not an impossible thing in reason that the same man at the same time should both own the Powers and endeavor their destruction Thus no question many will query concerning this matter Answ 1. If it were needful I might easily shew how common a thing it is for two contrary qualities to be in the self-same subject at the same time in divers respects and in different degrees but those School-distinctions are not for the edifying of such kind of inquirers as I intend satisfaction to and therefore I shall first put them in mind of that which is in the Letter and then explain my meaning by particular instances in the word Answ 2. The sum of what I wrote is this That the Prophets Apostles and Martyrs in all ages i. e. since Kings and such like Arbitrary Powers were over the Saints did own the Powers in being in their daies and yet at the self same time they Preached and Prophecied against them for their Abominations and so have I done and will do the Lord assisting according to their examples This is the sum of the Answer in the Letter Now I will endeavor to illustrate that which seems so dark to others I begin with Samuel First He owned Saul as an Higher Power annointed and appointed of God to rule over his people as you find in 1 Sam. 9.17 and 1 Sam. 12.5 in this last Chapter you shall find these words to the people That yee may perceive and see
a stone of the Babylonish building For a corner nor a stone for foundations for Babylon shall be everlasting Desolations saith the Lord Jer. 51.26 And if it be asked how this shall be the Preacher and Doctor aforesaid will tell you and hath told us in part And I hope I may have liberty to give in my sense also for further explication We shall reward Babylon as she hath rewarded us And among other wayes of recompence we shall by the Spirit and Providence of God be led and encouraged to go on in prying into every corner with the candle of the Lord. We shall look and search narrowly to finde out the Babylonish leaven the Popish mixture the Antichristian morter which is yet remaining in these States and Kingdoms for as sure as the Lord liveth there is much of all this even in this nation notwithstanding all these Earthquakes and wonderful Revolutions Yea I will say it boldly and truely the Relicks of Popery are maintained and protected by the present Powers But to this end that there may an utter extirpation of all those Popish Remaines A Glorious Evangelical inquisition shall be set up in due time and the Ministers of the Gospel shall be Gospel-inquisitors I speak in allusion to the Spanish Popish Inquisition and then we shall have recourse to the Law and to the Testimony to the Law of God and to the Testimony of Jesus and that being the Touchstone what we find contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of Godliness contrary to or destructive of the liberties and priviledges wherewith Christ our Lord our Judge our Law-giver our King hath made us free and endowed us by those TWO INSTRUMENTS OF HIS GOVERNMENT and the Magna Charta of his subjects I say we shall have recourse to the word of Christ and what is found opposite or contradictory thereto we shall discover it and and reveal it openly as the Lord shall give oportunity and Spirit thereunto When we are once anointed with fresh cile for these new motions and expeditions we shall intermeddle so as to examine and inquire into the Oaths and contracts of the State We shall bring the old known Laws of the Land made most of them when Reason and Religion also were at the lowest Ebb when Kings and Parliaments were the Protectors of the Beast and Whore and so into the customs in all Courts of Justice and Judicature of which though many are faln asleep and are rotting in the grave of oblivion yet others remain alive and are confirmed by oath and solemn ingagement All Acts of State will be medled with and the Edicts of the Rulers of the people brought to the tryal And let the Powers assure themselves whatsoever Oaths or Branches of Oaths whatsoever customs or Relicks of customs or Traditions they have received from theirs our Popish Ancestors which have the stamp and superscription of Antichrist or the Man of sin upon them and are still underpropped and supported by the present Commanders and Lords of the Nation we shall in the power of Christ Jesus the Lord and of his Truth and Spirit so far meddle with all of them as that we our brethren and companions in the Kingdom the cause and the work of Christ shall never be satisfied or well pleased till they are broken all to pieces suppressed and consumed to nothing But lest some Readers should censure me as too peremptory and malapert in my expressions Let us hear what our Author before mentioned saith further to this point Although in those passages which I have transcribed he seems to content himself that there should be onely a shaking 2 brushing and a cleansing of States and Governments from the morter aforesaid Yet in another part of his Sermon he comes more home to the truth where he saith that no Atonement shall be made for the blood of the Saints slain under the Notion of Hereticks nor Expiation be allowed whilest a TOE OF THE IMAGE OR A BONE OF THE BEAST IS LEFT UNBROKEN I assure you this is somewhat a severe expression this is much more then brushing off the morter and the Cement I wish he himself would fall upon the Image if it were but upon one of the little toes of it in England with the hammer of the World Would to God it were the Genius of all the University-Doctors to fall upon the bones of the Beast as here in the 22 page he doth express himself such a Brush were as bad as a downright Blow But what if the Lord should espie some of the most forward prosecutors of the Beast in times past and who gave him many a dry Blow to be turned Artificial Chirurgians and to be very busie in healing those deep wounds which were lately made and very careful to bind up the Bruises which the Image received on some of his Ten Toes the Lords eyes are upon all their wayes he knows their works and their thoughts and unto him I refer them for the present without further disquisition and return from whence I have made this short digression The Ministers of Christ understanding this that no expiations will be allowed c. and that yet they cannot meddle with Antichrist nor indeed come at him or at the Beast and his Horms but they must of necessity meddle with State-affairs the Beast and the States or ten Horns being so neerly related each to other and making up but one Body politick or Corporation Let no man imagine that the zealous faithfull Ministers of the Lord Iesus will give over or leave off their medling in State-matters because of the Clamors and importune suggestions of those preachers or professors whose senses are not exercised by reason of use to discern betwixt the good and the evil in this important point of Gospel-Truth For without doubt As the Pastors and Teachers in asserting the Priestly office of Christ may lawfully meddle with the Popish Priesthood and shew the contrariety thereof unto the Scripture and thereby discover the rottenness and vileness of all those principles which are maintained by them for the upholding of the Affairs of the Papacy which concern their Priests of all sorts and sizes and their Masses Pilgrimages Purgatory Processions and such like ridiculous Inventions Customs and Traditions In like manner there is no question to be made among knowing Christians but in handling the Doctrine of the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM in the latitude of it they may interpret and apply all Scriptures of that nature to the Just Disparagement of the Kings of the Earth as the Lord constantly stiles them by that Diminishing Title and of the Princes of this world who shall come to nothing as Paul saith And for the better and more effectual advancing of the Name and glory of Christ in the world they may endeavor to lessen the esteem of the little Horn and all the Adherents to it yea they may meddle so far with the Higher Powers and their Acts of State or Statute-Laws as to
discover the weakness and unprofitableness thereof in comparison of the Laws Statutes and Ordinances of the Lord Jesus for the Government of the Nations and if they may meddle with those more weighty affaires of the States and Kingdoms of Europe or the Horns of the Beast among whom Antichrist hath such a considerable Interest surely then they may intermeddle with lesser and lighter matters of the Government viz. foolish and Ridiculous customs Tully said well In Actis publicis nihil lege gravius The Laws of a State are the most mighty Acts of State And to this effect I told the Committee of the New-Court-Council when they spake of my medling with State-matters as the phrase is I told them I would meddle with all things from the beginning of Genesis to the end of the Revelation And I know assuredly the word of God medled with all things under the Sun And therefore I was not to be contracted in my Ministery And what I said then I after so many moneths Imprisonment confirm publikly I will meddle with every thing which is handled and revealed in the good word of God So far as the Lord by his grace and providence shall vouchsafe to give and administer unto so unworthy and so sinful a servant of his either light or opportunity and I will call no man Lord or Master upon earth by his assistance so far as to ask leave so to do For my Lord is greater then all And I pity the present power because I foresee that unless the Lord do many marvelous things in mercy to them they will stumble so often at that stumbling stone as their bruises will be very hardly cured I conclude with this one of D. O. Expressions That saith he which doth and shall stick upon Potentates to their Ruine is not so much their own or any other Interest as the very Dreggs of this Papal Antichristian Interest thrust into their Oaths and Obligations for no other end in the world but to keep the Lord Jesus out of his Throne As for that expression in the Objection Whatever a Minister meddles with besides bringing in souls to Christ and building them up in Christ It is beside the Cushion I answer I care not nor my fellow-prisoner what is besides the Cushion We are sure it is not besides the Text for a Minister to build up believers in the knowledge of Christ And to open those Scriptures which concern his Kingdom and his being King over all the earth and to interpret those Oracles which signifie that he will govern all Nations by his own Laws and Statutes and not by the Laws of Omri nor the Statutes and Ordinances of the House of Ahab that is not by the Statutes Laws Ordinances or Edicts of the present Kings of the earth The Beast and his Ten Horns c. is beyond all Controversie a part of the duty and Office of a Minister of the New Testament And if we in telling the people that Christ will darken and not onely so but utterly Destroy the Kingdome of the Beast and all the forms of Government in the whole world now in being which are set up in opposition to him Who is Heir of all things do meet with oppositions and contradiction from our Brethren beside all Manner oâ— Discouragement from the higher or lower Rulers of the Nation even to bonds and Imprisonment yea even to Torment and Death yet being true Teachers we ought to be so far from giving place by subjection in this matter for a moment that we must rather in the name and strength of the King of Saints rise much higher in bearing our Testimony and so in intermedling with the particulars now under debate But there are many time-serving professors and Neminal Christians both Courtiers and Others who use to declare themselves after this manner concerning us THEY BRING TROUBLE UPON THEIR OWN HEADS AND THEY MAY THANK THEMSELVES If they would let the Higher Powers alone and Preach the Gospel they might be countenanced maintained protected and it may be preferred as others are I answer In the self same Language the Lukewarm generation of Ministers and conformable Puritans were heard to speak in the times of Prelatical persecution and when a certain Disciple complained to another Godly Minister how that faithful servant of the Lord Master Henry Burton was cruelly handled by his persecutors he told him immediately He might thank himself If he had let the Bishops alone and the like they would not have medled with him And as for that great Quarrel against us that we do not preach the Gospel I have this to say that if we alwayes preach Faith and Repentance we shall be alwayes laying the foundation and so shall never go on to perfection but we know Though it be not accounted Gospel in the Courts of Princes to declare the glad Tidings of the Kingdom and coming of Christ to put down all rule all Authority and power that the Saints may be at liberty to serve the Lord in the full latitude of the New Testament-Ministration Yet the Prince of the Kings of the earth will account it Gospel and preaching of the Gospel also and this in the presence of all flattering Court-Chaplains and of their Masters also at whose Tables they are sed deliciously every day while their brethren are so thrust into Corners and unchristian and inhumanely used and abused by them But further Do they still say we may thank our selves We say No. We may thank the God and father of our Lord Iesus Christ and our Lord Ievus Christ himself that we are counted worthy to suffer shame and reproach and to be committed to Gaolers for his Truths sake and that glorious cause which once was cryed up by the General and his Army though now they have gotten a new Cause to carry on Again whereas a great noise is made what LIBERTY we may have to preach the Gospel what countenance and maintenance This I have to return to such Discourses first I deny that there was or is such Liberty allowed For whosoever will preach the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOME throughly and effectually in the Demonstration of the spirit and of power and whosoever will zealously insist upon those Scriptures which are profitable for the pressing of those Doctrines of Truth which concern the present Age and Times or those which are profitable for reproof and for Correction of the present evils and iniquities of the higher or lower powers they shall not enjoy their Liberty Long but if they are suffered and connived at it is not because the Rulers are satisfied with such Preachers or their Doctrine and Reproofs but upon other considerations as either to avoid the Reproachful Imputation of persecuting powers or else because their Instrument is but green and Tender as King Saul's was when he did politickly forbear to punish those who would not chuse him for their Lord and King whereas afterward when the Kingdom was confirmed to him he was not so modest
or upon some such profound Reasons of carnal State-policy Secondly As for their Countenance and Maintenance for my part I look upon both the one and the other as two of the sorest and most dangerous snares wherein Ministers can possibly be caught in these dayes For is it probable or indeed possible for any One of the whole Generation of the Parsons and Vicars in the Reformed Churches of Europe or for the Nurseries and Seminaries of them The several Universities in the Respective Nations which did alwayes and do to this Day All depend upon the Bounty Munificence and Good will of the serveral Higher Powers I say again How can it be that these or such like creatures of mans making should turn head upon their good Lords or bountiful Benefactors and so to bear an high Testimony for the Lord Jesus against the Oppressions Luxuries superstitions and other Abominations of the Princes of the world aforesaid It is not to be imagined or expected For do rational Men look for grapes from Thorns or for figs from Thistles They were not of Gods planting and how can they bring forth fruit unto God But if at any time the Lord himself by his own Spirit working in any one of them mightily do call them forth as he did Paul Luther and such like to bear his name before the Kings of the earth they must cast up their Reckoning with Paul c. and come to this conclusion even to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord for whom and whose service they will then willingly count their Benefices and promotions Ecclesiastical as they call them their Vice-chancellorships their Headships their Deaneries their Fellowships their University-Degrees their Augmentations but Dross and Dung that they may promote the work and honor of their Lord. For indeed this is the kindly Operation of the true knowledge of Christ And what Parish-Preacher soever he be who intends to be Christs Disciple in good earnest during the time of the Dominion of the little Horn and to follow him close so as to serve him with a perfect heart He must necessarily deny himself and forsake his House and Glebe Lands his Tythes and rates for Tythes whether personal or predial his State-salary or Augmentation or any other of the fine Things aforesaid for otherwise he cannot boldly bear up the Testimony of Jesus nor declare against the Babylonish Beast and the Ten Horns in all those things wherein they are guilty of High Treason against the Lord Jesus Christ his Crown and Dignity But if men will pretend to be for Christ and yet are so wise as to invent and contrive how to prevent sufferings for his sake let them stay behind and keep company with the world the world-like Church and the carnal Clergy yea let them do as the most do and then the fewest will laugh them to scorn But it may be said to me Although you are so malapert and so bold to throw dirt in the faces of so many Reverend Deans Doctors Divines Vice-chancellors with others of the worshipful Clergy and Orthodox Ministers in all the Protestant Courts Cities and countries in these parts of the world yet it is not much to be regarded what a prating fool doth speak besides Solomon saith A prating fool shall fall To this I reply They will do me manifest wrong whosoever shall say that I throw dirt in the faces of these men for the Truth is this They have besmeared their own faces with groveling upon the Dunghil of the filthy Antichristian world or else they have contracted Dirt for want of washing and cleansing their faces and their hands And I do but tell them where the dirt is and where the filth sticks upon them so as that they are and appear very Deformed by reason thereof And if you call me and my fellows prating fools for shewing you where the spots of Dirt are to be found we will be more vile and we will by the grace of God proceed and go on to play the fools for Christs sake and that till either you turn your backs and depart with shame or until you are perswaded to look into the glorious glass of the New Testament and compare our words with what you finde there represented to you for we will not be out-faced by you in this matter upon any terms But put the case we are such fools as you and your Patrons say and that we talk much more then our share comes to methinks you should suffer fools gladly seeing you your selves are so wise And what were it for some of you to perswade your Lord Protector to let out of prison two or three or a few fools to make sport for the wise men at the Court Certainly we being such simple and contemptible Ignoramusses could not prejudice so many wise men in any thing we could do or say Thus I have indeavoured to answer those objections and to speak something to those reproachful Cavils which are heard by many to proceed out of the mouths of Those who use to appear like the friends of Christ in a Sun-shine Day but to leave him when Tribulations or Persecutions arise because of the word As for the truth though it cannot be defended by us silly weak worms as the Lord knows we are yet the God of Truth will lift up the Banner of Truth and it shall be displayed in such glory at the length that all Nations shall flow unto it The latter part of this Section needs no Explanation for Res ipsa loquitur The Thing it self speaketh and speaketh aloud so that it is heard through the Nation viz. that the Carnal Clergy have no heart to declare or pray or confess according to the present exigences of the cause of our dear Redeemer But the Counsel of our Lord is plain Let them alone they are blind Leaders of the Blind and both shall fall into the Ditch And this shall suffice for this matter untill a better Oportunity Sect. 6 and 7. I need not spend time to satisfie any Readers concerning the contents thereof for they are themselves explanations of what went before Onely concerning the later part of the seventh I shall wait for such a season as the Lord by his wise providence shall administer for the best advantage of his service For for the present I do not finde my spirit free to increase this Treatise to a greater Bulk and price and I designed onely an explication of the first part in regard none else needed an Interpreter Sect. 8 and 9. The ensuing Epistle which I spake of in the first Section being obtained That will sufficiently enlighten the Reader in the understanding what I intend in those Things namely in the matter of application for my enlargment and how far it is from my very thoughts to accept of Deliverance upon base and Dishonourable Terms at any time In regard I know assuredly without any degree of doubting that I am sensible
of that this Cause wherein I am engaged with my fellows and companions is absolutely and unquestionably the Best and most Honorable Cause of all Causes whatsoever agitated and disputed at this day in all the world Wherefore I will now add no more but this He that believeth maketh not haste shall never be confounded And Christ is precious to them which Believe even in a Prison in a Dungeon upon the Scaffold upon the Cross anywhere every-where to that MOST PRECIOUS ANOYNTED ONE be Honour Glory and Dominion now and for ever And let all that love him in sincerity say Amen in full assurance of faith and hope even in the presence of all Opposition whatsoever Amen and Amen The End Here followeth an extract of that Letter to the Congregation which did immediately precede that Epistle which being so unworthily used did occasion such a noise among the foes and friends of Jesus Christ our Lord and which is now explained as you have read The Imprisoned Elder A Servant of the Lord Jesus from his Watch-Tower in this House of Bondage sendeth greeting to the Brethren which meet together in Warwick Lane London Well-beloved Brethren in our dearest Lord I Desire earnestly on your behalf all and all maner of Communications of Grace from Heaven whereby you may in all Things grow up into him who is the Head even unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ For undoubtedly you having received the Lord Jesus as a PRINCE and a SAVIOUR in the light and power of the glorious Ministration of the New Testament cannot but acknowledge that all your Happiness is derived from the love of the Father through him in whom dwells the fulness of the Godhead Bodily c. Now concerning the Things whereof you wrote unto me in your late Letter This I say and testifie in the Lord for a further Confirmation of the Truth mentioned by you and for the Encouragement of such honest Hearts who through faith and patience are in the number of those which wait for the kingdom of Heaven and for the Consolation of the true Israel for which I am bound with this Chain That although my Name be cast out as vile I am separated by the New-fashion'd King and his Council from the society of the Saints in which through mercy I so much delighted yet I bear record before this Congregation to the praise of the Lord that it is the best condition that I ever tasted of and enjoyed onely one sharp Thorn which I cannot forget hath been made use of to keep my spirit in a Gospel-decorum lest otherwise I might have been lifted up above measure through that abundance of ravishing glory which I have been ready very often to be overwhelmed withal And yet let the Saints take diligent Heed that they do not expect much from me when I am delivered for it may be Brethren These extraordinary visitations from on High are intended but for my Prison-state and for my succour and support while I am thus suffering from all sorts of men I have indeed desired earnestly that the Spirit of Christ may according to his Office and our Lords promise bring to my remembrance what the Lord hath spoken to me since I was Close-Prisoner and what I have seen and tasted and heard and handled of the word of life for I cannot write it down though I attempt it Therefore I beseech you let there be prayer made on my behalf and on your behalf which is more on the Lords behalf that God would open to me a Door of Utterance from that very moment he sets open the Prison-doors to speak forth that mystery of Christ for which I am in bonds and that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak And whereas you expect I should offer or propound A way to you that may be conducible to my Inlargement I desire you to understand that it was never in my Heart to direct you what to do for the obtaining of my Liberty for it is contrary to that light and those principles whereby I walk in this condition My Judgement is if there be not Light and Love and Courage enough in a Church of Saints to prompt them to the use of Lawful and Honorable Means for the Redemption of their Officer out of Captivity it is Best for him still to lie in Bonds for it concerns them above all other people to endeavour his deliverance out of the House of Bondage if they Judge his presence needful and useful in the midst of them Also in Answer to that Marginal Note in your Epistle I shall be plain with you It is no way proper for me to appear for the obtaining of my own Liberty in a private way and rather then do it I shall through the strength of Christ be contented to suffer Close-Imprisonment in this blessed Cause during this mans reign although it should last as long as Athaliah's who usurped the Chief Government for about the space of twice three yeers and an half It is true my sufferings are many and great and there is a multiplication of Grievances and Injuries every day and hour of the day And as the Chief Captain said with a Great sum would I obtain my freedom if I were imprisoned upon a Common Account but as the Case stands I say again I shall not give place by subjection for a moment or do Any thing more or less that is unworthy of me the Prisoner of the Lord in such a precious Cause as This the Lord standing by me and fully strengthening me for all the treasures and riches of the New Court and of all the Kingdoms of the Earth in to the Bargain And Brethren I have reason for what I write in this particular for first the Lord was with me in a most sweet and glorious manner while I preached those Truths for which I suffer His presence was also with me most Comfortably from the first moment I was apprehended by the Pursevant till I was committed hither And all this time of my long and wrongful Imprisonment he hath not left me nor forsaken me in the least praised for ever be his glorious Name And should I leave and forsake such a Lord Protector and such a Comforter by any base Compliance with the Kings of the Earth and their Parasites would not that Spirit be grieved by which I am sealed to the day of Redemption should not the Name of the Lord be blasphemed and the faces of the Choicest followers of the Lambe gather paleness and shame surely these Considerations are prevalent with me And in this further I much rejoyce that I can do nothing against the Truth but for the Truth Besides the former grounds of not stirring or moving for mine own liberty in the ordinary way I finde not upon search that those servants of the Lord who were Prisoners and Innocent did ever petition or use other ordinary means to the Chief Governours for their own Liberty Joseph did not Hanani did not Jeremiah did not nor John the Baptist nor Peter nor Paul that I can finde And surely there is very good reason for it if we could search it out I conceive these which follow may be given as some grounds of it 1. Innocent Prisoners suffering as they did whom I have mentioned know they have to deal with Tyrants and unreasonable Persecutors and what will such as these hearken to unless the Prisoners do submit to their lusts and satisfie their arbitrary wills and pleasures 2. They glorified God all the while they were suffering Bonds and Imprisonments The service of their Master was promoted all that time and being in Gods way why should they covet to go out of so good an Imployment 3. The Prisoners and Martyrs of the New Testament follow the example of Christ and tread in his steps when they patiently indure persecution for the Truths and Righteousness sake without making unworthy applications for their liberty 4. If it becomes us not to use the means and devices of the world to prevent Imprisonment but cheerfully to come when we are sent for before Kings and Councels for Christs sake and his Gospels how unseemly would it appear for us after a short time to use means to get out again after the manner of other men who are in bonds upon other Accounts I shall proceed upon the other part of your Letter the next week if God permit and in the mean season I beseech you and exhort you in the Lord See that you walk circumspectly as it is written not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the dayes in one sence are very evil Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is Prayer and Praise is to be continued for The 7 day of the 8 month 1654. Yours in Christ CHR. FEAKE FINIS
that your wickedness is great which yee have done in the sight of the Lord in asking you a King concluding thus If you shall still do wickedly yee shall be consumed both yee and your King and Saul was present all this while when hee affrighted the people with sudden thunder and lightning in the time of Harvest to convince them of their great wickedness in asking a King and might muse with himself to observe how far Samuel owned him as a King before the people and yet at the same time he threatned and terrified the people for desiring him In like manner after this though he owned him as the King of Israel yet what a testimony did he bear from God against him for his hypocrisie disobedience and rebellion against the Lord and moreover to the hazard of his life prophecied or declared that God would reject him and had rejected him and would set up his neighbor in his stead c. This instance doth sufficiently explain my principle and practice But I shall not insist so largely upon Scripture-instances but put you in mind what I am to prove viz. That it is very possible for it hath been common to many of the Servants of the Lord for the same man at the same time to own the Powers in being and yet to Pray Preach or Prophecy against them as if they did not own them For this read the history of the Kings and Chronicles throughout I shall mention but one Instance concerning King Ahab and the Prophet Elijah These two met and this was the Kings salutation to the Prophet Art thou he that troubleth Israel Elijah Answers him I have not troubled Israel but Thou and thy Fathers House in that yee have forsaken the commandements of Jehovah and thou hast followed Baalim This was one greeting Observe the next 1 King 21.20 Ahab said to Elijah hast thou found me Oh mine Enemy The Prophet answered I have found thee because thou hast sold thy self to work evill in the sight of the Lord and so he proceeds to prophecy against Ahab and Jezebel for their murther of Naboth and taking away his Vineyard by oppression a Prophecy it was of utter destruction of the whole Family That of Daniel in dealing so plainly with King Belshazzer Chap. 5. from the 18. to the 28 is suitable to this point in hand nothing more clear than this Object It will be said It is undoubtedly true that the Prophets did acknowledge the Powers in being and yet at the same time did not spare them in the least either in respect of reproofs or of threatning those plagues and punishments which the Lord intended to bring upon them But what doth this concern us in the New-Testament-times they were annoynted of God to that work but is that an example for us to walk by who are Ministers of the Gospel c. An. This evasion is most absurd for can any rational man imagin that God taking such special care as it were not to leave himself without sufficient witness against the abomination of the Higher Powers in those daies will leave himself without witness now can it enter into any sober mans heart that the Lord should for above this thousand years leave the Rulers who pretend to be Christian Kings and Princes to the inclination of their own natures which are bad enough and none to reprove or threaten them in the name of the Lord for all their abominable wickednesses committed in the sight of the sun no they shall never plead another day The Kings and Princes of the Jews had Messengers and men of God to speak unto them to turn them from their evil ways but we had none to preach plainly and boldly against our sins but if we had known or it had been told us that such and such things had provoked the eyes of thy glory Lord we should not have persisted in the perpetration of them but our Chaplains and Ministers were no Prophets to deal with us as the Kings of Israel and Judah were dealt with therefore we desire these things may not be imputed to us No I say the Lord will cut off all such Pleas and Apologies For the Lord will tell them though your Court-Chaplains were so base and cowardly as that they would not deal plainly with you yet there were faithful Servants of mine who at a convenient distance did cry out because of all your abominations which you did commit but these you persecuted and banished and otherwise oppressed c. this I know will be returned to such Apologies But yet to gratifie the desires of such as would understand the truth I shall come to the new-Testament-times And first John the Baptist did not spare Herod the King though he was owned as the Higher Power at that time he could not connive at his Adultery and Incest his testimony cost him his head as the story is briefly related by the Evangelists But it may be some may object He was not a Minister of the New Testament Therefore we will observe Christs practice in this matter He owned the Powers and Rulers nevertheless he so reproved threatned preached and prophesied against the Chief Priests the Scribes and Pharisees abundance of which Sect were Rulers of the Jews as that they sought to lay hands on him from time to time but the Text saith they feared the multitude His Doctrine did single out the hypocrisie folly malice of the Magistrates from the sins of the multitude for if Christ had never so much preached against the sins of the people the Rulers would never have persecuted him who had stood up for their interest but you shall always find the Doctrine of our Lord did vex and disturb the Higher Powers exceedingly read the 21. of Matth. from the 33. to the end compared with the same Parable in the 12. of Mark and the 20 of Luke Also consider of the tenor of his Doctrine in the 23. of Matthew from the 12. to the end of that Chapter But let us go on to the Apostles times after Christ had sent down the Spirit to furnish them with gifts for the work of the Ministry more richly than before Peter in his sharp words to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Higher Powers are here included accusing them of the most abominable wickednesse that almost could be committed expresseth himself thus Him meaning the Son of God yee have taken and by WICKED HANDS HAVE CRUCIFIED AND SLAIN but more close to the matter in hand in Acts 4. vers 8 9 10. He owneth the present Powers and yet chargeth them with most horrible Murther the Powers charge him and John straitly to speak no more in that Name but to forbear they dis-own their commands to their faces though they submit to their Mittimus and Gaolers and tell them that God had raised up Jesus WHOM YEE SLEW say they and hanged on a Tree Observe how peremptory these Gospel-Ministers were in refusing to hearken to their threatnings there are but few