leave the wayes of God And neglect the Conversion of sinners and the building up such as are converted And that they are such as are against Magistracy c. But it would be too large to speak to all these things and to shew how in the building of the First and Second Temple and many other things which God did by his Spirit yet conferred that honour upon his Servants to use them as Instruments in his hand though he had no need of them but as in the Creation might do all by the word of his Power He had no need of Moses Joshua Samuel David and many others he could have done his work alone yet it was and is his pleasure to use them And as for the High Charges that are brought against this Truth and the Professors of it I shall not undertake to vindicate and plead for all that go under the name of owners of these things I know there was a Judas amongst the twelve Disciples yea and Peter who was very eminent did miscarry and the best of Saints here do stand by Faith yet this I may say that the Principles teach no such things but 2 Pet. 3. if we look for such things we are from thence instructed to be holy in all manner of conversation But I hope as I have not received these things either with respect to Persons or things but as it might appear to be the mind of the Lord so I would not reject or entertain hard thoughts of any of the Truths of Christ because many of the Professors thereof walk unsuitable to their profession And to what is falsly charged upon the Persons or Principles is no more then hath been upon other truths of Christ and upon his followers in former ages Caleb and Joshua because they were faithful and declared the truth the whole Congregation of professing Israel bade stone them with stones Num. 14. Jeremiah for declaring the truth was not onely reproached by false reports but cast into the Dungeon for his faithfulness by the very Princes of Israel and he received more favour from the Heathens then he did from the Professors as from Ebedmelech the Blackmore and from the King of Babylon Jer. 15.10 chap. 20.10 chap. 38 4.6.7-11.12 Chap. 39.11.12 and to our Lord Christ himself his friends said he was beside himself Mark 3.21 The strict sort of the Jewes did contemn him and his followers and said he was a Samaritane and had a Devil Yea that Sect was every where spoken against Acts 28.22 Paul was charged to be a pestilent fellow and that he Preached that men should do evil that good might come Considering this cloud of witnesses and how much Satan is engaged against the Righteous Cause of Christ and how truth in all ages hath been first branded for error and then opposed and persecuted and the Professors thereof Imprisoned Banished and killed I am through Grace helped with comfort and cheerfulnesse to bear these sore reproaches as a part of Christs and Truths livery and leave it till the day of Decision when the Lord will shew who was for Christ and his Truth and who were the opposers of them And as to that part of the charge that we are against Magistracy the Lord in his own time will clear his despised Remnant of that with other false charges and will make it manifest that through rich Grace we do own Reverence and witness for the true Magistracy which is according to the Word of God in opposition to the false Magistracy of Antichrist and of the Apostacy at this day and if to be for the House and Kingdom of David against wicked Saul as was the House of Judah and divers others 2 Sam. 2.10 cha 3.2 or for David against Absalom as 2 Sam. 15. or for Solomon against Adonijah as was Nathan and others see 1 King 1. or with Ehud against Eglou as Judg. 3.14 or for Joash against Athaliah as was Jehoiada and others see 2 Kin. 11. or to be for the Lord and his Truth against Amaziah when he turned from following the Lord in a word if to be for Christ and his Kingdom against the Devil Antichrist and the Apostacy be to be Vile and to be Transgressors we are such and I desire the Lord may keep us so to the end But if these things be justifiable by Scripture and owned by the Lord let those that reproach us take heed least they become fighters against God The Fourth general head that I propounded to speak to is the Time of this works taking place in the world to wit of the Setting up the fifth and the destroying of the Fourth Kingdom As for the day or year the Lord in wisdom hath reserved to himself and what is written of it in the Scriptures may through our ignorance admit of many doubts and various apprehensions I do Judge it hath been the failing of some whom I have much honoured in the Lord to fix the day and year and I have desired to be alwayes waiting for it but not so fix the time onely in general That this Kingdom of Christ shall be set up in the world before his Personal Coming though it shall not come to its perfect Glory and Beauty till he comes with his glorified Saints The First Argument to clear this is Dan. 2.44 In the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom first that this Kingdom is the Fifth Kingdom hath been already shewed Secondly by these Kings I understand the Toes of the Image which in Revel 17. are called Horns and explained to be Kings Now it must be granted by all that those Kings do either refer to those Kings mentioned Dan. 7.17 which are as hath been shewed the four Monarchies of the world and are held forth by the several parts of the Image Dan. 2. or to the ten Horns or Kings before mentioned First it cannot be the four Monarchies for then the Fifth Kingdom must take place in the world betwixt the time of Israels going into the 70. years Captivity in Babylon and their return to Jerusalem for the Chaldean Monarchy viz. the Head of Gold which was the first of the four Kings had not its beginning as part of the Image till about the time of their going into the captivity and was taken away or destroyed several years before the return of the captives as may appear Dan. 5. Therefore if it were in the dayes of those Kings it must begin while the Chaldean Monarchy was in being But it is without doubt that the Kingdom of Christ did not begin in that time but either long before or long after Secondly if it should be true as some affirm that this Fifth Kingdom began either at Christs coming in the flesh or at his Resurrection or Ascention or at the pouring out of the Spirit Acts 2. Yet it cannot be the dayes of the four Kings For three of these four were come and gone many years before Christ and it is evident
great question at this day How shall these things be brought forth by what Instruments and in what way In Answer to this Question First this VVork belongs to God who hath promised to accomplish it As first the destroying the Kingdom of the Beast the beating down of Christs foes before him making them his footstool clothing them with shame and avenging the blood of the Saints upon Antichrist Psal 89.23 Psa 110.1 132.18 Rev. 6.10 Chap. 19.2 Secondly the setting up of the fifth Kingdom also belongs to God Dan. 2.44 Psal 89 27. Secondly Though God be the main Agent in this VVork yet he doth it by Instruments and the Instruments are his Saints whom he will call to and anoint for this VVork and so God is said to do it because it is done by his Spirit in the Saints whom he shall choose That the Saints shall be the Instruments in destroying the Kingdom of the Beast and so in setting up the fifth Kingdom which doth immediatly Succeed Take the place and Fill up the room of the fourth consider the following Scriptures Dan. 2.34 the Stone which is the Saints anointed for and called to the Work as I have before shewed smites the Image on his feet which hath also been shewed to be the Antichristian State and breaks them in pieces So Dan. 7.18 The Saints shall take the Kingdom Now though the Kingdom is given to them by promise and obtained for them by the Power of God yet they are said to take it which must be understood of their being used as Instruments in taking the Power Rule and Government from the Image or that part of it which stands next before Christs Kingdom which must be done by destroying or breaking in pieces that part of the Image which is in being when this Fifth Kingdom comes to take place Dan. 7.26 They that is the Saints whom he wears out verse 25. shall take away his that is the Little Horn vers 8. and 24. which have been already shewed to be the Antichristian State Dominion that is his Power Rule or Government to consume and to destroy it unto the end In Dan. 11.31 The Angel is speaking of the Roman or Fourth Kingdom which took away the dayly sacrifice and vers 32. saith But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits The people that do know their God are the Saints and by their being strong and doing exploits I understand to be the service that the Saints shall do in the destroying this Fourth Kingdom also Num. 24.14 I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter dayes and Isai 14.2 They shall take them captives c. So Isai 41.14.15 Fear not thou worm Jacob to wit the Saints in a low condition I will make thee a new sharp threshing Instrument c. thou shalt thresh that is break in pieces or destroy the mountains to wit the great worldly Powers Isai 2.2 and beat them small and shall make the Hills which also intends the worldly Powers as Chaff c. Isai 52.2 Shake thy self from the dust loose thy self from the bonds of thy neck O captive Daughter of Zion by the bonds of thy neck and the dust I understand the Government and wicked Tyranny that Babylon hath had and exercised over Zion and by shaking and loosing her self must needs be understood to be the breaking off or destroying that Power and Government of Antichrist and this must be done by Zion her self to wit the People of God Cha. 51.16 Jeremiah Cha. 50.45 Speaking of Babylon saith surely the least of the flock shall draw them out by the Flock is meant the People of God Acts 20.28 and by draw them out I understand the rewarding and destroying of Babylon and this Scripture must be applyed to spiritual Babylon because it was not the Saints but the Medes that drew out litteral Babylon as the same Chapter compared with Dan. 5. doth manifest In Micha 4.13 Zion to wit the Lords People is fitted for and called to arise and thresh the Nations Isa 13.3 Mal. 4.2.3 Job 17.8 Zech. 2.7 So Zech. 9.13 Zion must deliver her self and her sons must be raised up against the sons of Greece Rev. 18.4.6 the peculiar People of God are commanded to reward Babylon Rev. 15.6 and 16.1 the Angels with the Viols comes out of the Temple the Vials do contain the seven last plagues or the judgements of God that are to accomplish the destruction of Antichrist and avenging the blood of the Saints the Temple is the Church or the Saints of God 2 Cor. 6.16 and by the Angels I understand those Saints that are chosen and called of God as Ministers or servants employed in that honourable work to execute his judgements these with many other Scriptures do make it very evident that the Saints or people of God must be used by him in this great and glorious work and the Fifth Kingdom taking place and filling up the roome of the Fourth Dan. 2.35 The Stone or Kingdom became a great mountain and filled the whole Earth the like in Dan. 7.27 it will appear from the Scriptures before mentioned that the Saints must be used both in the destroying and building work But I know it is further queried How shall the Saints be used in this work and by what meanes shall they accomplish it In answer to which I shall lay down these particulars First That they which shall be used in the work must be such whom the Lord shall choose and call in to it The Lambs Army are call'd and chosen Rev. 17.14 It is not whom Man will choose but whom the Lord shall choose Samuel would have chosen Eliab but he must not stand because God had refused him and it was David that was Gods chosen 1 Sam. 16.7 This hath been the evil of many in our dayes to presume to put themselves and others upon the Lords VVork Some because they are men of great wit and parts Others because they are men of great estates and high in the World Others because they are tryed Souldiers Men of valour and courage yea and many like Samuel have been crying such up as the Lords annointed and have not first made diligent search whether the Lord had chosen them and this hath proved like Uzzahs touching the Ark they have stumbled fallen and come to nothing Secondly That the Instruments must not only be such as are called and chosen but such as have received the annointing for the work by which annointing they are not only made faithful but do obtain light in and love unto it with wisdom faith and courage for the managing of it This work though done by the Saints must not be by their or the might or power of men but by this annointing Zech. 4.6 Isa 10.27 and Chap. 59.19 Haggai 2.5 Isa 28.6 Being thus called chosen and annointed they shall be used First by faith and prayer with praises as Joshua Gideon and
the disciples received from Christ the work that is to be done by the Saints in this last part of the latter dayes Much more might be urged to clear this matter if it were expedient in this place by all which it may appear that there is a two-fold Dispensation in the Gospel-day and that this word of buying a sword must referre to the latter this cannot be a Spiritual sword it being to be bought by selling of a garment It was the errour of Symâ—n in Acts the 8th to think that the Gifts of the Spirit might be bought and further this must needs referre to a time when the Saints must use a Material sword because they must rather want their garments though very needful and useful then want a sword The next Sc ipture that doth imply this truth is John 18.36 If my Kingdome were of this world or from hence Then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jewes This must needs be meant a fighting with material weapons which should rescue Christ from the Jewes and Christ speaking of that time saith Now is my Kingdome not from hence which words do imply that there is a time when his Kingdome shall be from hence and though it be a Heavenly and Glorious Kingdom yet it shall be set up in and over the world Dan. 7.27 The dominion under the whole heaven shall be given c. Rev. 11.15 The Kingdomes of this world are become c. and so the Kingdome of Christ may be said to be from hence and when so it shall be His servants will fight The next Scripture that may clear this is Jer. 48.10 Cursed be he that withholdeth his sword from blood This word relates to a time when Gods judgments are to be executed upon his Enemies and is spoken to the Instruments whom he will use as in the beginning of the verse Now the Instruments that God will use in the Execution of his Judgements in the latter day I understand to be his Saints as I have already shewed and so this word is spoken to them and proves that they must be imployed with material weapons I shall not cite more scriptures to this but speak to some principal objections that are made against this truth of the Saints being used with material weapons in the destruction of Antichrist Obj. 1st The Ten Hornes must hate the Whore and burn her flesh with fire Rev. 17.16 Answ That the Ten Hornes shall be imployed in this work none can deny that own the Authority of Scripture but that the Ten Hornes do first make War with the Lambe and are overcome by Him before they do this Work upon the Whore is also clear from ver 14. It may not be supposed that while the ten Horns do remain upon the Beast that carryeth the Whore as they appear in verse 7. should do this Work for that would be Satan against himself The ten Horns do hold forth the Power or Dominion of the ten Kingdoms or Nations in Europe which had dependence upon the Roman Empire and they are first seen upon the Dragon Rev. 12. without Crowns which do hold forth as hath been shewed the Roman Empire in its Civil Pagan or Heathenish State Secondly The ten Horns are seen in the Roman Antichristian State upon the Beast that carryeth the Whore and that continues fourty and two Months and in that State they have the Crowns upon them having received Power as Kings one hour with the Beast Rev. 13. 1. Chap. 17.12 In this State they make war with the Lamb and being by him and those that are on his side overcome and so broken off from the Beast the ten Horns viz. the Power and Dominion of those Nations is given to the Saints upon the account of Christ and so is divolved into the Kingdom of the Stone that broke them off from the Image and so are brought to their true station to be under the King of Nations who hath on his Vesture and on his Thigh a name written KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS and in this State I understand the ten Horns viz. the Power of those Nations in the hands of the Saints is set against the Whore or false Church to execute the vengeance for the blood of the Prophets and Saints that is found in her thereby to accomplish his destruction and this I understand by the ten Horns hating the Whore and burning her flesh with fire Rev. 17.16 Object 2. That the destroying of Babylon is not work fit for Saints to be imployed in being ravishing of Women dashing children against the Walls c. Isa 13.16 Answ First This is spoken of litterall Babylon the Glory of the Chaldees ver 19. which was to be destroyed by the Medes ver 17. And if we may credit Histories they tell us that such things were fulfilled by the Medes upon Babylon of the Chaldees who had done the like upon Jerusalem which Jeremiah complains of in the Book of Lamentations And though this Babylon did Type out spirituall Babylon yet it may not be expected that every circumstance should be accomplished and that litterally upon spiritual Babylon For if it should be kept to as a Rule that every circumstance must litterally be fulfilled in the Antitype We should run upon many mistakes about Christ and his Work in Gospel dayes Also Ravishing of Women and dashing of Children may agree with other Scriptures to be applyed spiritually upon the whole it may not be gathered that there is any Work to be done in the rewarding of Mystical Babylon which may not become Gods sanctified Ones especially considering that it is the Lords controversie and the execution of his Righteous Judgment and vengeance upon her Object 3. That because the Medes destroyed litterall Babylon the like may be expected for the Nations to destroy Spiritual Babylon and that the Earth shall help the Woman Rev. 12.16 And the Saints being engaged by their Faith and Prayers the Work is sometimes attributed to them Answ First It is clear from Scripture that there is a Babylon which the Saints must destroy as hath been already shewed and it was not litteral Babylon for the Medes destroyed that Therefore it must be the Babylon in the New Testament day Secondly Though the Earth helps the Woman whilst in her suffering State to prevent the Devils destroying her yet it is not said neither will it follow that the Earth must reward Babylon And thirdly as hath been already shewed the Saints shall be used by Faith and Prayer and also in a Hostile way with material weapons and therefore I shall add no more to this Objection There are several other Objections that I meet with at this day As that the VVork must be done by the Spirit only and God needeth not to use Instruments And that this is a bloody work not meet for Gospel Saints And that this was the Munster Principle And those that are of this mind are carnal and neglect Soul work and
and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem went off and that the Ten Tribes might not magnify themselves against the Two Tribes who Hosea 11.12 Ruled with God and was faithful with the Saints long after the revolt of the Ten the Lord will in the Latter day save the two Tribes first which is all that can be gathered in this matter from this Scripture and it will not prove that the Kingdom shall first take place or begin amongst the naturall Seed of Abraham but I shall add no more to this but come to speak to the third particular relating to the Time of this Work taking place and to that I shall lay down this Position Position That the Work of destroying the Fourth and setting up the Fifth Kingdom is begun and hath taken place amongst us in this Isle of great Brittain And in entering upon the proof of this I shall for the making way present some particular Considerations As first That the Beast with the Seven Heads and Ten Hornes mentioned Rev. 17. and also the Whore mentioned in the same Chapter have their Rise Seat Dominion and Reign in this part of the World called Europe where the Roman or Fourth Kingdom had its place before at and since the coming of Christ in the flesh and though the Rise and Nature of the Power is changed from the meerly Civil to the grosse Antichristian or Mixed State yet those that will search the Histories may find that Antichrist hath taken and doth keep the same Territories that were belonging to the Civil State The Second Consideration is That this Nation or the Power of this Isle of Great Brittain hath been accounted and really is one of the Ten Hornes of the Beast or Toes of the Image and was joyned with the Antichristian Beast very soon receiving Power as a King one hour with him according to Rev. 17.12 and the Whore or false Church hath been long mounted upon the Civil or Beastly Power in this Nation It is now above one thousand years as history relates since Augustine the Monck was sent over by the Pope into this Nation where he found great incouragement from the Civil Powers which Satan had fitted for his own design of carrying the Whore Proud Augustine for so he is called doth forthwith settle the National Church and mounts it upon the Civil Power to bear up maintain it and many abominable wicked Lawes were made to Answer the Devils design in the upholding and maintaining this Whorish Nationall Church at the setting up whereof there are found some Faithful Christians in the Nation which so far as we may credit History were some remainders of the fruits of the Ministry of Joseph of Arimatheah who is said was the first Preacher of the joyful sound of the Gospel in this Island and these Christians not falling down to but witnessing against the Antichristian Abominations which were brought in from Rome and readily received in this Nation Augustine becomes their great enemy and being of that Popish stamp that Thirsts after and must be drunk with the blood of the Saints thirsts after the blood of those poor Christians who for their safety fled to the Mountains in Wales but Augustine tho ough the help of the Civil or Beastly Power as the beginning of the wickedness which God will reward obtains his end and drinks the Blood or takes away the lives of those Faithfull Martyrs of Jesus and so in shedding the blood of the Saints the Beast and the Whore were united together in this Nation and therefore no wonder if they cleave so close together as at this day till the vengeance be accomplished upon them This proud Augustine being Ordained and sent by the Pope whose power is derived from Hell Ordains and Settles Bishops and Archbishops who Ordaine the National Ministry and settle them in their respective Parishes and this by succession hath continued to this day and is the Ordination so much pleaded for in this Nation The Third Consideration is That the Toe or Horne or that part of the Beastly Power in Brittain which carrieth the Whore according to the National Constitution was made up with and did consist of King Lords and Commons The Fourth Consideration is That it is the proper Work of the Stone or Kingdom mentioned Dan. 2. to Smite and Break these Toes or Hornes and so by its Government to fill up the room thereof Having layd down these things I shall proceed to the proof of the Assertion to wit That the Work is begun First The VVork that is only proper for the Stone to do to wit the breaking of the Toes or Hornes hath taken place in this Nation The Horn or Toe of this Nation to wit King Lords and Commons is broken though not yet according to Dan. 2.35 made as the Chaffe of the Summer threshing Flower Not only the King but Kingship and Peeridge is broken and not only the Commons but the very Foundation of their Constitution from the Nation is broken and God hath for several years been witnessing against it I need not speak further to the proof of this if we forget not the things which our Eyes have seen Deut. 49. It is Matter of Mourning that this Generation like Israel of old either understood not or else have forgotten the workes of God and it is no wonder if God destroy them and not build them up Psal 28.5 Psal 106.7.13 Though the Stone must break the Horne or Toe it is not said that it should be done at one blow or two and therefore if God should suffer King Lords and Commons to rally again in this Nation it may not be said that the Work hath not been among us for seeing the Stone may not do it at one or two blows the Lord may gather and prepare them for the Second or rather the Third stroke till he make them as the Chaffe and they be carryed away with the wind The Work in this Nation did not end in smiting the Horn for the Kingdom and Goverment of Christ did take place in its roome When the remainder of the Long Parliament was by the answer of the Faith and Prayers of the Lords People with an eminent hand of God broken the undoubted right to the Throne being Christs who had obtained it by his Sword and Bow as the fulfilling of many promises Prophesies of Scripture the Saints whose Right under Christ it is upon the Account and on the behalf of Jesus Christ did not onely take but come into the possession of the Kingdom for by a speciall hand of God many of the Saints upon the breach of the Parliament before mentioned were sent for from several parts of this Island who found the Lord stirring up their hearts to come to Receive and Possesse the Government for Christ their King and accordingly when they were come together at Whitehall the Government was delivered to them and they or at least many of them received it upon the avowed account of the Son of God
as the answer of the Faith and Prayer of many of the Lords enlightned ones as also by the joynt consent of both Armies and Navy which God had wonderfully used in his Work and this word Dan. 2.44 was then cited in the delivering of the Government to them the Kingdom shall not be left to other People but for a full understanding of these passages and proceedings I refer you to Cromwels speech made to the persons above mentioned at Whitehall which speech is Printed in A Book called the Fifth Kingdom asserted in opposition to the Beasts Now this people being come together upon Christs account the first thing they do they keep a day of solemn Prayer to the Lord for his presence with them in his Work in which day the Lord was much seen amongst them as a precious welcome at their coming together But although they were all Called as men fearing God yet there is found several persons amongst them that either through ignorance or wicked craft prove great obstructers of the Work of the Lord and prevail for the calling that Assembly by the name of a Parliament with some other Passages that were not agreeable to the Kingdom of Christ which at this day proves a stumbling Block to some but by the good hand of God Kingdom Light did increase among that Assembly yea the Spirit of the Kingdom grew and appeared openly and the false Spirit fell before it the Antichristian Ministry were discountenanced and not called in to Pray among them as they expected The Lawyers trade also began to fall for in stead of the abominable Laws and Heathenish books the Bible was looked into the Law of God searched after A new Body or Model of the Law was Voted by which the Old must needs fall The Court of Chancery was Voted down A Vote also passed tending to the throwing down of Tithes by which the Antichristian Ministry was like to fall The Power of Patrons for presentations to the livings of the Antichristian Church was taken away The oppressing craft and gain of the Lawyers and National Ministry being so like to fall they bestir themselves and endeavour to engage the Corrupt Party in that Assembly and Cromwell with his Officers to stand by them for the keeping up their Trade the spirit of the Apostacy being got into Cromwell and many of his great Officers who had forgotten or little minded their Ingagements to the Lord at Dunbar and Worcester in the day of their streights when they resolved to prosecute the very things which that Assembly were a doing if the Lord would own and deliver them in those difficult hours they very readily joyn with the Zanballats and Tobiahs of the day to cause the Work of the Lord to cease and as much as in them lay to turn it back The Lord for gracious ends and that the Work might answer the Types and Prophesies that went before of it permits the Apostacy to take place and Cromwell Judas like entertains meetings with the Priests Lawyers and Corrupt Party of that Assembly and communes with them how he might betray this Righteous Cause and the proffers of Honour and Greatness like the thirty pieces of silver to Judas as his actions have clearly manifested did put him upon this abominable Treachery and forthwith that wicked Instrument of Government was prepared and false scandalous reports and reproaches raised against and cast upon the faithful Members of that Assembly thereby to render them odious to the Army and Nation yea to their Brethren which was the very way that the Martyrs were formerly brought to suffering yea Christ himself by the wickedness of that Generation did thus suffer as persons that would destroy Magistracy Ministry Laws and Propriety It is true they were for destroying the Magistracy Ministry Laws and Propriety of Antichrist but did own and witness to the Magistracy Ministry and Laws of Christ with Propriety according to those Laws which must be the Salvation of this poor Island if there be any left for it upon these reproaches many were ready to cry out as they did of Paul Acts 22.22 away with such fellowes from the Earth for it is not fit that they should live The Spirit of Apostacy having made its Party and engaged the Corrupt Party of that Assembly the day was appointed for breaking them up and thereby the crucifying of the dear Cause of Christ the day being come Cromwell repaires to the place appointed to wit Whitehall and that Corrupt Party of the Assembly to the Place of their sitting at Westminster betimes in the morning before the usual time of meeting where being come One of them begins with prayer or somewhat like it fixing his eye upon the door till the Speaker came and by that time he came in though the design was privately carryed yet there was so many of the friends of Christs precious Cause come in as that they durst not venture their Treacherous and wicked design upon a Vote but disorderly and in confusion took up the Mace and went away to Whitehall where pretendedly they delivered up the Government to Cromwell I say pretendedly First Because in reality the Government was not theirs to deliver up but Christs upon whose accompt it was obtained and received and so they could not really deliver it up Secondly If the Assembly who had received it could have delivered it up this act was neither done by Vote in nor agreement of the Assembly but by a company of Rebellious disorderly persons dispossessing and putting themselves out of that Assembly who had received and did possesse the Government for Christ and having so put themselves out had no more Power or Right of Goverment to deliver to Cromwell then Cromwell or any other persons at that time had to deliver to them yea a company of fellowes that had met in the street might have gone to Cromwell and delivered as much Authority or Right of Government to him as they did but the undoubted Authority being with Christ the King of Nations under him it did rest with those that remained in the Assembly keeping the Place and following the Work which the Lord had called them to and set them in who had clearly made an eminent decision betwixt cattell and cattel the corrupt Party of the Assembly going forth and the Faithful Friends to Christ and his Cause remaining together and though Cromwel and his Officers had owned the Government to rest in that Assembly upon the Avowed Account of the Son of God yet so bold and Wicked were they now become as they sent Col. Goffe and Lieut. Col. White with Souldiers presumptuously setting themselves against the very Son of God to withstand his Kingdom and interrupt the exercise of his Government in the hands of his People whom he had Called and by rich Grace seperated from the treacherous dealers and kept together in the Assembly after the Corrupt Party before mentioned was gone forth which bold Apostates came into the Assembly
and by force of Arms turned them out and Cromwel being set up by the Priests Lawyers and his trecherous Army Assumes and exalts himself in the Throne which before he had declared did belong to Christ And thus the Lord did permit a Stop to be put unto and a Death to come upon the Glorious Work Cause of Christ and the Apostacy visibly to break forth and take place in the midst of us and so a turning back to Babylon building again the things which the Lord had destroyed wherein he had used some of the Apostates as instruments Also the many Flattering Titles and wicked Addresses that were afterwards given and made first to Cromwel the great Apostate and then to his Son by the Officers and Souldiers of the formerly Famous and Victorious but now Revolting and Time-serving Army and by many of the Churches and eminent Church-Officers and Members yea by the generality of all Sorts and Rankes of Men except a poor despised Remnant that were mourning over and witnessing for the precious Cause of Christ the many printed Books and Papers that are still extant do abundantly shew I shall forbear to add but come to the Second Ground to shew That the Work of the Fifth Kingdom is begun and as these Workes that have been done So in the Second place the extraordinary way by which it hath been effected may discover it to be the very Work of the Fifth Kingdom This VVork according to Scripture being to be known by the extraordinary appearances of God in it It is called The Kingdom which the God of Heaven shall set up Dan. 2.44 and those that speak of the Glory must also talk of the Power of this Kingdom Psa 145.11 by which Power I understand the extraordinary appearance of God in accomplishing the Work of setting up the Kingdom as in the coming up out of Egypt so in this VVork God will shew and do great and marvelous things Micha 7.18 Joel 2.21 and very many Scriptures speak after this manner Now that the Work in this Island hath been so done even by an extraordinary Hand or Power look back as far as the old Puritant day in which the Power of God was eminently seen in preserving them and owning their Faith and Prayer to the overthrowing that great Mountaine of the Bishops and the rest of that Antichristian â—piscopal Traine that were imbodyed with them and the Calling of the Parliament upon the coming in of the Scots and then come down to the War betwixt the King and Parliament The King having the greatest part of the Nobility Gentry VVisdom Riches old Souldiery and Commonalty of the Nation with him and how inconsiderable the Parliament and their Forces were to him But though the Work of the Kingdom lay as it were under ground or like a Wheele within the Wheele hard to be discerned or like David whilst in Sauls Army yet it being the Work that God was about to do in this latter day did carry the day in Great Power and though men had their various designs yet God had his design also and both in the same act Several such instances there are in the Scripture as the Selling of Joseph into Egypt Gen. 45.5 with Chap. 56. 20. So in the Crucifying of Christ and divers of the like passages that might be named And then come to the New Moddel of the Army in the year 1645. First by what an eminent hand was that matter carryed in the House against the very Spirit of both Parliament and Nation Secondly how was it carried also against the very Spirit of the Army severall hundreds of the Officers were turned out and some that were very eminent and in their Roomes were put poor Inferiour inconsiderable persons who were prefer'd upon the account of their being such as Feared the Lord that being then the received principle to imploy men in places of trust that feared the Lord from which day there was a very eminent and powerfull presence of God in and with the Army Time would faile me to insist upon the particulars to shew how God appeared in an extraordinary way at Naseby Fight and the eminent Victories obteined in the VVest and in the North parts of the Nation after the new Modell Then come to the Second Warr when Hambleton came into England with the Scottish Army Consisting of near 27000 men also how God apapeared in an extraordinary way in the Victories obteined in Kent and in VVales and at Preston and Colchester at most or all which places the Enemy in number was three to one against us Also the Eminent Hand of God in the Service in Ireland when that Nation was almost swallowed up by the Enemy God appeared with an out-stretched arme and wrought for his holy name In the next place come to the Warr with Scotland which was Stated and undertaken upon Christ's Account in which Warr God made his power to be known when our Army was brought very low in a strange Nation and Compassed in by the Eenemy with an Army of about 27000 besides the whole Nation on their side and we haveing a poor weak sickly Army scarce Nine Thousand that were in a Capacity of fighting then did God appear in the Mount and in a short time after the Army Nation and Garrisons of the Scots by an out-stretched Arme of the Lord were brought under I forbear to mention how God broke the designe of the Scots King and his Army when they were forced to quit Scotland and with high expectations of great things from this Nation who like Israel of old Sam. 8.6.19 are generally very eager for a King came to VVorcester and there were overthrown Then come to the Eminent Hand of God that was seen as formerly in the Garbleing so now in the Breaking and Rooting up the Old Parliament with the very Foundation of their Constitution which was the last part of the Image Government And though the VVork of the Lord was carried on before under that Parliament yet it must also break them as they were a part of the Horne David after he was first Anointed did fight the Battels in Sauls Army and as the designe so the power of God was Eminently with him in the work but afterwards Davids Kingdome was exalted over Sauls Kingdome and brake down his House for so had God spoken 2 Sam. 15.28 that the Kingdome should be taken from Saul And Saul knew that so long as the Son of Jesse was upon the ground his Kingdome could not be established 1 Sam. 20.31 This is to be noted that David 1 Sam. 18.7 had the preheminence of Saul in the Battells even whilst he fought in Sauls Army Now that Old Parliament being broken upon the Account of Christ that his Government might take place by this breach an end was put to the Nationall Constitution or to any Power or Authority that might arise from the Nation as a Nation but the right is brought to Christ whose indeed it is for he is
King of Nations and under him it is given to the Saints who must possess the Kingdome Dan. 7.27.18 and therefore it is no wonder that all this time of the Apostacy the Apostates could make nothing Rise from the Nationall Constitution or if they did could not make it Stand up but it hath been like a man when his life is gone from him and the Day of the Lord according to Isa 2.16 hath been upon all their pleasant Pictures Then come to the VVar with Holland and call over the Records which do abundantly manifest how eminently God Wrought and made his Wonders to be known in the Deeps yea both VVind and Sea obeyed him in that Warr. As to the Eminent Hand of God in the Call of that Little Assembly I shall not speak of it in this place having spoken to it in the First Ground but upon the whole I may conclude this Second Ground with these Scriptures Num. 23.23 According to this time it shall be said of Israel and Jacob what hath God wrought compared with Psal 40.5 Psal 78.4 107.8 111.4 also Psal 75.1 that his name is neere his wonderous works declare And though this Generation as Deut. 4.9 have forgot the things that their eyes have seen yet God in much mercy makes these Wonderfull Works as pretious food to a poor Despised Remnant that are witnesing to and waiting for the Resurrection of the Glorious Cause of Christ. Psal 74.14 111.2 3 4. Compared with v. 5. Psal 46.8 Come behold the works of the Lord c Hos 14.9 who so is wise and he shall understand these things c Isay 51.9 10. Awake Awake O Arme of the Lord as in Ancient dayes art not thou it c. The Third Ground which may further manifest that the Work of this Kingdome hath taken place is from the Cause that was Stated and Layed in the Bottom as the Foundation of the Quarrell upon which the great Works have been wrought and Victories obtained and that hath been the Cause of Jesus Christ in opposition to the Kingdome of Antichrist and as the Day so the Light hath increased First against Popery and Prelacy not only against their wicked practices but against the Foundation of their standing as Antichristian and though there was then but little Light in the visible Kingdome of Christ yet there was so much as the Lord saw needfull for that day Secondly in the beginning of the Wars which outwardly to men appeared to be betwixt the King and Parliament but in the Bottom as those who had the Light of that Day may remember was betwixt Christ and Antichrist and many of the people of God took up Armes in Judgment and Conscience upon the account of Christ and went to the help of the Lord against the mighty although it was but a dark Day and a day of small things But by that time we came to the Warr with Scotland there was a good measure of Kingdome Light given down and sprung up though it was not upon all that were engaged in the War but only some few to whom the Lord was pleased to manifest it and through this Light the Cause came more clearly to be stated in publique view and then the ground upon which the late King and his Monarchy was taken off is publickly asserted by the Army who were the most eminent outward Instruments in the Work to be upon the account of Christ as may appeare by a Letter from the Officers of the Army at their march for Scotland directed to the rest of the Army that remained at their Quarters in England and also by their Declaration when they were come to Muscleborough in Scotland This Cause comes yet more clearly to be Stated and Owned in the Breach of the Old Parliament and is laid in the Bottom by those that were Anointed for and had the Light of that day as the Ground upon which they were Broken and also as a farther manifestation of this the Kingdom of Christ being to take place next to the Image Government and that being broken the Little Assembly was called and the Government delivered to them upon the Avowed Account of the Son of God Also in the Stating and Carrying on the War with Holland the Faith and Prayer for the Successe in that War was by those that had the Light upon the account of the Kingdom of Christ these things are evident and may further appear by a Letter from the Officers at Whitehall to Lt. Gen. Fleetwood and the rest of the Officers in Ireland upon the Breach of the Old Parliament and also by Cromwels Speech to the Little Assembly shewing their Call to be upon the account of Christ and also the proceedings of the Assembly and Council and the Committee of Admiralty in the managing of that War with Holland The Letter to Ireland and the Letter before mentioned to those of the Army that remained in England the Muscleborough Declaration and Cromwels Speech are all Printed together in the Book before-mentioned called The Kingdom of Christ or Fifth Kingdom in opposition to the Kingdom of the Beast and is Sold at the Crown in Popes-Head Ally The Grounds upon which the enlightned Part of the Little Assembly did Act and Own their sitting do also clear the Cause to to be stated for Christ against Antichrist The Fourth Ground to clear this Assertion is from the Anointing a Measure whereof hath been given down in for the accomplishing of the Work by which it hath been done And first that there is an Anointing reserved for and promised to this Work of the Fifth Kingdom yea that the Work is to be done by the Anointing though not without the use of Instruments consider Isa 10.27 which speaking of the Latter day Work and of Zions deliverance saith That the yoke shall be broken off because of the Anointing also Isai 28.6 speaking of this VVork saith The Lord shall be for a Spirit of Judgement to them that sit in Judgement and for strength to them that turn the Battel to the Gate Also Haggai 2.5 My Spirit remaineth among you fear ye not though this word in the Letter may relate to the Building of the Temple yet that VVork being Typical to this Glorious VVork of the Latter day this promise of the Spirit doth most properly respect this Latter day VVork So Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by Power but by my Spirit c. The word upon the forementioned ground may also be applyed to this VVork of the Fifth Kingdom Isai 59.19.21 when the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall put him to flight c. These and several other Scriptures do clear it that this VVork hath the promise of the Spirit in a special manner belonging to it and now that a measure of this Spirit hath been given down for Light wisdom strength and courage in the Work which hath been done amongst us hath been very evident to and owned by
many who have been employed therein and also to several Beholders yea God hath wrested a Testimony to the truth of this out of the mouths of the very enemies themselves and although through the Apostacy many have lost that spirit the Anointing being gone of from them as it went from Saul through his wickedness yet through unspeakable grace there are some who being yet preserved for the King have still a measure of it remaining with them Many things might be instanced to shew that there was of this Anointing given down in the VVork which did help the Instruments over the many Mountains of difficulties and oppositions that stood in the way and through this the enemy was much daunted and their VVisdom and Councels confounded and turned into foolishness and made to them like the Councels of Achitophel and this through poor weak and contemptible Instruments this spirit did not onely rest upon some of the leading Persons and others of the Army but upon many of the Churches and People of God who were by Faith and Prayer made as Princes in the VVork But I shall leave this to the Consciences of those who in the fear of the Lord may look back to the things that their eyes have seen and call to mind the days of old which may speak much more to them if their consciences through the Apostacy be not ceared then I am able to expresse But it is objected that if they ever had had the Anointing it would have remained upon them but several of them have proved Apostates and discovered themselves to be wicked men yea the most eminent Leaders in the VVork and this proves a stumbling block to some of the Lords precious People who are ready to conclude and say as to this VVork that the Lord is not among us Answ There is a Twofold Anointing the one peculiar to true Believers by which they are convinced of sin and enabled to believe on Christ for the salvation of their souls as Joh. 16.8 Rom. 8.9 and Gal. 5.22 The fruit of the Spirit is Faith The Second is proper to those whom the Lord Calls and imployes in some peculiar or extraordinary VVork either for Prophesie as Num 24.2 The Spirit of God came upon Balaam Or for War as Judg. 6.34 The Spirit of the Lord came upon or clothed Gideon The like of Sampson Judg. 14.19 Or for the execution of Justice Judgement and Vengeance upon the enemies of the Lord as that of Jehu 2 King 9. and tenth Chapters Or for some special Building VVork as Isai 45.1 Compare 2 Chron. 36.23 Cyrus is called Gods Anointed also Exod. 31.3.6 Or for Rule and Government so it was upon Saul and through sin as before was mentioned came off from him 1 Sam. 16.13.14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and came upon David and an evil spirit was upon Saul This Second part of the Anointing under the several Heads of it before mentioned may be upon Hypocrites and men in their natural Estate as by Balaam Saul Jehu and others may appear and this Anointing may either depart or be taken from them through sin or when the VVork for which it was given is accomplished The First part of the Anoineing where ever it is in truth received though through sin it may be grieved quenched and the operation of it not discerned and the comforts of it much taken away yet it remains as a well of water springing up into everlasting Life Joh. 4.14 chap. 14.16 and if this distinction in the Anointing be observed and rightly understood it will not be accounted an owning of that corrupt Principle of Falling from grace to say That by the Apostacy the spirit is departed from such who were anointed for and used in the VVork which the Lord hath done among us and it is no wonder to behold at this day that many of the people of God in the Army and Churches have lost their strength through the Apostacy and as Sampson without his locks are become like other men though they themselves cannot see it yea how did the Great Men of the Army who were formerly very famous for Zeal and Courage manifest themselves to be like men of might who had lost their hands and like Princes whose spirits were cut off Psal 76.5.12 when the pretended Old Parliament returnd to their Usurpation at VVestminster and if this distinction in the Anointing be kept to it may fully answer the objection And though it should be concluded that Cromwell and divers others imployed in the VVork were without the truth of grace in their souls which thing I leave to the Lord yet it cannot follow from thence that the VVork they were imployed in was not the Work of the Fifth Kingdom for as hath been shewed God doth sometimes Call and Anoint unconverted persons to his Work It is said of wicked Jehu 2 Kings 10.30 That he did well and did that which was right in Gods eyes yea and according to all that was in Gods heart therefore it may not be said that the Work was not the Work of the Kingdom or that Cromwell was not Anointed for that Work because he so wickedly turned aside and dyed in his Apostacy Nay the Lord may avenge the very blood of the King with his Nobles and that wicked Generation upon the House of Cromwel and the Apostates of his Army together with the very Congregations that have turned aside with them in and not Witnessed against the Apostacy Though this may be accounted rash Judgment yet it will be no more then is said in Hosea 1.4 concerning the House of Jehu and Ahab For yet a little while saith the Lord and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel to wit the House of Ahab which were slain by Jehu in Jezreel 2 Kings 11.30 and Chap. 10.11 Upon the House of Jehu so that God accounts Jehu guilty of the Blood of Ahabs House which must needs be through the wickedness of Jehu the Judgment of the Lord executed by him upon the House of Ahab being righteous Let the Apostates to whom this may come Read and Tremble at this VVord and let them not think that they suffer for Righteousness saâ—â—e if God come to avenge the blood which hath been shed in the late quarrel upon them that have so turned from and denyed the Cause of Christ which is the only ground to justifie all our proceedings in knocking off the Horne of the Beast in this Island and though Cromwell in all the Work that he did might seek his own ends and keep his Idolls in his heart Yet that will not lessen the force of this Argument to wit That the Yoak hath been bro en because of the anointing if the proceedings of Jehu in the Lords Work be consulted we may find much of that in him to wit seeking himself and keeping his Idolls 2 Kings 10.31 I shall not speak further of that extraordinary Anointing which was upon Cromwell and many others in Parliament Army and
Navy by which they were carryed forth above and beyond their own Spirits in the Work which makes it very evident that the Work hath been done not by the Might or Power of Man but by the Spirit of the Lord though all that were employed in the Work had not the Anointing Not all that were with David in the VVork but Himself and his VVorthies with some others had the Anointing for it All the Men of Issachar had not the Anointing to understand the times but it rested with the Heads of them who had all their Brethren at their Command 1 Chro. 12.32 from these and divers other instances it may appear that the ordinary way of the Lord hath not been to Anoint all but only some of them that have been imployed in his great VVork The Fifth Ground to prove that the Work hath taken place in this Nation may be taken from the many Revolutions and Overturnings that have attended all the pretended Governments and Governours that have been in this Nation since the interruption of the exercise of the Government of Christ in the hands of his People in the Little Assembly before mentioned It is evident that they have been such Revolutions as have not been known in former days though few considers the Cause of it There have none come up upon the Stage to Usurp the Power that haue gone off without a brand upon them of Gods displeasure Now that such things must be when the Day of the Lord or Kingdom of Christ takes place in the World Consider First that word in Isa 2. speaking of the Day in which the Lord alone shall be exalted which must respect the Day of his Kingdom saith in Verse 16. The day of the Lord shall be upon every pleasant picture which I understand to be those pretended Governments which shall be Set up when the great Powers or the Image Government is broken and further in Verse 18. the Idols shall be utterly abolished which as I understand respects the same with Verse 16 It must be granted that many pleasant Pictures and Idols have been set up since the Apostacy in this Nation and it is most evident that the Day of the Lord hath been upon them and like that in Isa 8.9.10 the Apostates have Associated and Guirded themselves and taken Counsel but all hath come to nothing except shame and contempt upon themselves The Spirit speaking Isa 27.9 of the Latter day VVork when the Stones of the Altar must be broken a sunder holds forth that there must be Groves and Images and endeavours used to make them stand up there hath been among us many Groves and Images since the Apostacy but that Word hath been fulfilled that they shall not stand up and though the Apostates have been seeking deep to hide their Councels from the Lord yet the VVisdom and Understanding of their VVisemen hath been hid perished and their turning of things upside down hath been esteemed as the Potters Clay Isa 29.14 15 16. The Throne or Government being given to Christ is become too heavy for the Apostates to bear but they sinke and wither under it It is not unknown how Cromwell and his Family sunk under it they were weaker and weaker from the first day they came to the Throne till it was taken away from them the like of the Reliques of the Old Parliament who though they came in with a high hand yet soon withered and came to nothing but scorn and derision the like of the Army and their pretended Committee of Safety and for these that are now returned and in the Usurpation of the Throne and have the very spirit of the Nation with them I do not doubt however they may carry it with a high hand but they shall shortly melt like wax before the fire and shall be as smoak driven away and made as Ashes under the Soles of the feet of those that Favour and Wait in a true spirit for the Resurrection of Christs Righteous Cause though the Lord may for a time suffer them yea and make them as the Assyrian Rod to execute the Stroke that is comming upon the Professors of this Generation for their Disowning Denying yea and Crucifying the Righteous Cause of their dear King who through the shedding of his Blood for them deserved other things at their hands I shall present one Scripture more to this Fifth Ground to wit Dan. 2.44 The Kingdome shall not be left to other people The words do hold forth Two things First That other people then Saints shall make attempts upon and endeavour to take and keep this Kingdom after it hath taken place in the hands of the Saints Secondly Though other people may endeavour to take and possess it yet it shall not be left to them or they shall not enjoy or possess it as the other Foure Monarchies that went before this Kingdome which were left to other people The Monarchy of the Chaldees was left to the Medes and Persians and their Monarchy to the Graecians and the Graecians to the Romans and the Romans shall be left to the Kingdom of Christ whose Kingdome shall never be destroyed nor left to other people and it is manifest that since this Kingdom hath taken place in the hands of the Saints Other People have endeavoured and made great attempts to Take and Possess it as Cromwell the Army the Reliques of the Old Parliament which God hath at severall times Cast out and it is as cleare that the Kingdom hath not been neither is left to any of them and though the Family of the Stuarts whom God hath poured Contempt upon and Broken have also endeavoured to take the Kingdome and for ought I know may come as neere to Obtaine and Possess it as Cromwell or any of the forementioned Usurpers have done yet let them know that the VVord of the Lord shall stand and the Kingdome shall not be left to Other People then the Saints who by grace are kept for Christ the King and by Faith and Prayer with the VVord of their Testimony are helped to undermine and bring down all the Groves and Images which the Treacherous Dealers have set up The Sixth Ground to prove that the Work of the Fifth Kingdome hath taken place is from the Eminent hand of God that hath been seen in preserving the lives of those which have been kept by Grace from the Apostacy in a Testimony for Christ against those that have turned aside from and betray'd his Righteous Cause It is not unknown that ever since the First day of the Apostacy the Lord hath had a Remnant which he hath kept helped to Favour Cleave to the Pretious though despised Cause of Christ and by them a Publick Witness hath been kept up against the Apostacy and there hath been many Gins and Snares laid and Trappans imployed to take them and Old Acts revived and published by which their Testimony should be adjudged Treason Severall of the Faithfull Remnant having been Taken
and Imprisoned and deep Designes and Plots laid to take away their lives the Great Apostates having even been thirsting for their Blood but such hath been the Wisdome and Over-ruleing hand of God that to this day all their Plots have been disappointed and not one of the Remnant hath suffered to the loss of Life by them and though those now in Power or some that may Succeed them may be permitted to come so high as to take away the Lives of many of Gods people as a judgment from the Lord upon them for their turning aside from the Cause of Christ and joyning in affinity with and pertaking of the Sins of Babylon yet surely the Lord that hath hitherto will still preserve the lives of his Faithfull Remnant whom he shall please to keep for his Son in this evil day In former days the lives of Gods faithfull ones were taken away by the Enemies when according to their own Laws they could not lay so much to their Charge as may be Charged upon the Remnant at this day who according to the VVicked Lawes may be adjudged guilty of the Highest Treason in VVitnessing for and Proclaiming Christ the King in opposition to the Usurpers and yet their lives have been and still are preserved and the reason I understand is not that these Usurpers are better then the Cruell Persecutors in former days but they being in that day when Babylon was filling up her measure and making her self Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and these comming upon an Apostacy after Babylons Cup was full and the Vengance of the Lord by the pouring out of his Vialls being begun upon her though the former were permitted to persecute the Faithfull People of God to death yet these are not suffered so to do because the Dispensation is altered and this Work having taken place though great Tryalls and Deaths are come upon it and a great Apostacy from it yet the Lord suffers not the Work to be so farr turned back as that Babylon should drink any more of Zions Blood the streame being now turned upon Babylon but if Gods people abide in and share of Babylons sins let them not think that because they are the People of God they shall escape her Plagues Rev. 18.4 And though Zion must reward Babylon and the Vialls must come forth of the Temple yet the Lord for wise ends and best known to himself may permit the most VVicked and grosser part of Babylon to execute that part of the Vengance that is to come upon such of his Own People who remaine in and pertake of Babylons sins thereby prevent his Own People from doing that part of the VVork which might be unpleasant to them There are many Objections made against this Truth to wit That the Work of the Fifth Kingdome is begun some of them I have already occasionally spoken to in the forementioned Grounds But the great Stumbling Block that lyeth in the way of many is the Apostacy from and so the Death that is come upon this VVork which makes them ready to say with the Disciples Luke 24.21 VVe trusted it had been he c. When this Cause was publickly own'd by the Lord in the High places of the Field there were many that would cry Hosanna to the Son of David and with much rejoyceing imbrace his Cause but since a Death is come upon it the Number of the true Favourers that publickly own it is become very Small When Christ was upon the Earth in the Days of His Flesh shewing and doing great Signes and VVonders there were many own'd and follow'd him but when he comes to the Judgment Cross and Sepulcher very few continued with him severall eminent Disciples were stumbled not understanding the Scriptures till Christ being risen comes and opens them Luk. 24 25 26 27.45 46 and as the Disciples in that so many of the Professing Generation in this day are through ignorance surprised not understanding or at least not so considering that after the Fifth Kingdome hath taken place in the world there must be such an Apostacy from and Death upon it Now if there be an Apostacy from a VVork the VVork must needs take place before the Apostacy without which there could be no such Apostacy That there must be such a Revolting from and Death upon the Work of this Fifth Kingdome Consider First The several Types thereof contained in the Old Testament as Israels coming out of Egypt to Canaan in which were many Revoltings Turnings back and Deaths upon the Work yea Forty Years was the Tryal upon them before they came to Canaan and for ought we can find from the Scriptures the Lord had not before given them warning or told them of this Death in the Wildernes though he had told them exactly how long they should be in Egypt and given them great grounds for sence to say Is the Lord among us and many might cry out as at this day What Scripture ground is there to believe that such a Death should come upon the Work of the Kingdom and if we had no more ground then we find Israel had to expect such a Death yet as it was theirs so it would be our sin after such wonderful Works of God as he hath wrought among us to say as in Exod. 17.7 Is the Lord amongst us or hath the Lord begun to bring us to the promised glory though God had wrought many wonderful VVorks in the sight of Israel of old yet they understood not his wonders no doubt but they knew that such things were done but they understood not the great Design of God in them Psal 106.7 The Second Typical example is from Davids Kingdom which did clearly Type out this Fifth Kingdom according to Luk. 1.32 If we read 1 Sam. 16. to 2 Sam. 6. we may find many Deaths upon the Work of Davids Kingdom after it was begun First whilst he was pursued by Saul and then after Sauls death he obtains but one Tribe to follow him for Seven years and six Moneths 2 Sam. 2.11 There was War betwixt him and the House of Saul long after Sauls death 2 Sam. 3.1 and in most of the time of that Seven years War his Kingdom was under a great Death also there came a great Death upon his Kingdom when his son Absalom conspired against him and all Israel from Dan to Beersheba followed Absalom and David fled from Jerusalem which was the Kings Seat 2 Sam. 15.16.17 Chapters The Third Typical example is Israels return from the 70. years captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem and their building of the Temple great Deaths and Interruptions did attend that Work both from the enemies of Judah who endeavoured to block up the way and from Gods own People who cryed the time is not yet come though they thought it a time for themselves to dwell in their cieled houses and this may be observed by the way that though the enemies of Judah by force did cause the Work to cease
yet that doth not excuse the neglects and backwardness of Gods People who ought to be valiant for the Truth These things contained in this third Particular being written at large in the books of Ezra Nehemiah Zechariah and Haggai I shal refer you to the reading and comparing of them and shall come in the next place to cite some Prophesies of Scripture which relate to this Fifth Kingdom and do clearly hold forth that there must be such an Apostacy from and Death upon the Work after it hath taken place The First Scripture is Psal 2.1.2.3.4.5.6 The Heathen rage the Kings of the earth set themselves and the Rulers take Councel together against the Lord and against his Anointed saying let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us c. By the Bands and cords I understand the Government and Laws of Christ and the breaking in sunder or casting off its Government and Laws must needs hold forth a Rebellion against and a turning from them after they had taken place in the World and then the Lord doth vex them by setting his King c. and after this as in verse 8.9 Christ must have the Heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession and must break them with a Rod of Iron c. The next Scripture is Hab. 3.2 O Lord revive thy Work c. if we consult the Scope of the words they will appear to be a Prayer for or a Prophesie of the Latter day Work and doth clearly hold forth a Death to come upon it after it hath been begun also he saith O Lord remember mercy which shews that the Work and People of God at that time when this Prayer takes place are very low also Psal 94.15 But Judgement shall return unto Righteousness c. This word doth relate to the time of Gods coming forth in the execution of vengeance as the scope of the Psalm doth manifest and to that part of the time when Gods People are low and the enemies high as verse 16. Who will rise up for me against the evil doers c. also verse 20.21 Now Judgement being to be understood of Rule and Government and by its being with Righteousness I understand the Rule and Government to be upon Christs shoulders in whom alone there is true Righteousness and in the possession of the Saints for and under him and by this Rule and Government returning to Christ and his Saints must imply First that it hath already taken place and Secondly that there is a turning or an Apostacy from it There is another Great objection or stumbling block that I find is laid in the Way at this day about the Two VVitnesses mentioned in Rev. 11. which is this Obj. That the VVitnesses are not yet slain and therefore the VVork of the Fifth Kingdom cannot be begun neither hath the Active dispensation taken place but the Saints must be preparing for and in the expectation of sharp sufferings even to Corporal death as the fulfilling of their Staying Answ First If it should be granted that the Slaying of the VVitnesses must be accomplished in this Island yet If there Two following things be considered it will rather confirm the Truth viz. that the Work is begun then prove a Stumbling Block in the way of it And the First thing is what the VVitnesses are and what their Testimony is and The Second what their Slaying is To the first If the Scriptures be weighed the VVitnesses cannot be understood of Two particular Persons as some have supposed because they are to Prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore Dayes or Years for the Dayes must be Prophetical a Day for a Year according to Num. 14.34 Ezek. 4.6 All must grant that the Latter Number to wit the Three Dayes and a Half mentioned in Rev. 11 9. must be Prophetically understood and no doubt the Former must in that agree with the Latter and if they must Prophesie so long they cannot be Two Persons for no such singular extraordinary Persons have yet been found in the world since Johns Dayes and there is much ground from the Scripture to believe that the Beast which in verse the 7. Slaves the VVitnesses when they have finished the 1260. Dayes or Years hath not so much time to come of his Reign Much more might be spoken Both from the VVar that is made with them and from the Time of their Lying Dead to shew that they cannot be Two Persons neither can they be understood of the Church of the Jewes and the Church of the Gentiles as Two distinct Churches First because ever since Johns Dayes the Church of the Jews as a Church have been cut off and not in a capacity of bearing VVitness for Christ Secondly when they shall be Called they are not to Come in as a distinct Church but both Jew and Gentile being all One in Christ makes but one Gospel Church but they must be understood of the Faithful People of God who through his Spirit are kept alive in a Testimony for Christ against Antichrist during the time of the Beasts Reign That the People of God or such of them as are kept alive by him are his VVitnesses see Isai 43.10 Chap. 44.8 And they are here called two First because two according to Scripture is a competent Number for VVitness and Secondly their Testimony is two fold viz. for the Magistracy and the Ministry of Christ against the Civil and Ecclesiastical Part of Babylon or Antichrist these being the great Truths Witnessed too and contended for by those that have been enlightned and kept alive for Christ and also the Truths which Antichrist hath most struck at and endeavoured ever since his Reign to Race out if possible from the Face of the Earth that so Himself might Reign alone and this agrees with the Two Anointed Ones to wit Joshua and Zerubbabel the High-Priest and the Governour Zech. 4.11 To the Second thing viz. the Slaying It must either be a Spiritual or a Corporal Slaying It cannot be a Corporal Slaying First because they were so Slain in the time of their Prophesie in Sackcloth but this Slaying being distinguished and taking place when they have finished their Testimony appears to be such a Slaying as they did not partake of before 2ly It cannot be a Corporall Slaying because their Dead-Bodies lie in the streets three Dayes and a Half which must be Prophetical Dayes a Day for a Year for the Rejoycing and sending of Gifts to one another cannot be Accomplisht in so many natural Dayes and if it must be Years then the Slaying cannot be Corporal for none may suppose that such Dead Bodies should lie so long in the streets 3dly it cannot be a Corporal Slaying If we consider the Resurrection of them for it is not the natural life or spirit that enters into them but the Spirit of life from God and if it be considered that there is a space of Time in which they are
Slaying and also a Time of their Rising and Standing upon their Feet before they are Caught up to Heaven into the Throne of Government and both may be distinguished from the Three Years and a Half of their Lying Dead and that the Lord who never leaves Himself without Witnesse will keep a Remnant alive to Bear up his Name and Truth even whilst the VVitnesses are said to Lie Dead in the Streets of the Great City or Territories of Babylon which in Rev. 17.18 is Called The Great City and their Slaying being spiritual and not Corporal is most likely to take place after God hath begun to Reward Babylon If this I say be considered why may not this Tryal that is Come upon the VVork at this Day and the spiritual slaughter that is come upon those that have been VVitnesses for Christ agree with and in a great measure answer to the Slaying of the VVitnesses For as hath been shewed the Lord suffers not Babylon to drink more of Zions Blood because he hath begun to Reward Her And as to the extraordinary things that the Witnesses are said to have Power to Do in shutting Heaven and smiting the Earth c. I understand that it holds forth their Prevalency with God through Faith and Prayer not that we must needs expect those several things to be done in the Letter for it is not said that they shall do them but they have Power to do them Verse 6 and no doubt but the Lords People that have been kept Faithful for him have had Power as Princes to prevaile with him for Great Things and he hath answered them by terrible things in Righteousnesse Psal 65.5 But I shall say no more to this Objection Though there are several other Objections against the VVork of the Lord as it hath taken place in this Nation I shall not further insist upon them being much perswaded that the Day of the Resurrection of it is very near in which God will wonderfully answer the Doubts and Objections of his Own People and will stop the Mouths of Gain-sayers and Cloth the Enemies of his Son with shame while the Children of Zion shall be rejoycing in their King and singing Hosanna to the Son of David upon whom alone the Crown shall flourish Psal 132.18 I shall not add more in this Matter having spoken to the Several General Heads But from what hath been laid down of the Work and the Apostacy from it The Officers and Souldiers of the Army by keeping their Places under Cromwell and the rest of the Apostates in the Apostacy and not openly improving their Power to the hazzard of their all for Christ who had formerly owned them against the Apostates wicked Usurpation but declaring and improving their Power for the Apostacy against Christ whose Cause they had engaged to own they became guilty of Cromwels Abominations and the others that have Succeeded in the Apostacy and comparing their Solemn Oaths Covenants Engagements and Declarations made by them at their first taking up of Arms and at the New Model of the Army in 45 and at Naseby Triplo-Heath Albanes Putney and VVindsor Also at their March to Scotland when they went to engage in that VVar and at Musclebrough and Dunbar in Scotland when they were brought very low also at VVorcester and in the late War in Ireland and after VVorcester In their Solemn daies of Prayer at Jameses immediatly before the breaking up of the Parliament with many other Solemn daies of Prayer All these with many more Engagements which are best known to God and their Own Souls being compared with their late Abominations in turning aside with Cromwel and engaging and standing by the Apostacy and setting up Rich. Cromwel the Son of the Apostate it is plain and manifest to all that are not blinded through partaking with the Apostacy or do not willfully shut their eyes or through Carelesness or fearfulness look not after these things That the Officers and Souldiers of the Army with others who have kept their Places in the Apostacy are deeply Guilty First Of Treachery in betraying the Cause of Christ and the Liberty of the Nation which is abundantly wrapped up therein Secondly Of doing Injury and Violence to Jesus Christ by withstanding and interrupting his Government in the Hands of his People in the Little Assembly Thirdly Of the highest Usurpation in Owning and Standing by Cromwell in his Usurping the very Throne of Christ Fourthly They are Guilty of Theft or Robery in not only Robbing Christ as much as in them lay of his Throne and God of his Glory but the Nation of its Treasure by forcing from them Taxes Excise and Customes to maintain the Apostacy For though it may be lawful in a Lawful Magistracy to Raise Money in the Nation to do the Nation service yet it is Robbery and Oppression for a Usurper that sets himself both against God and the Nation to impose Taxes upon them Fifthly They are guilty of Blood the Cause and Interest of Jesus Christ which hath been a foot amongst us being the only Ground to Justifie and clear the Instruments imployed in the War from the Guilt of the Blood that hath been shed therein and also of the Blood of the late King and his Nobles whose Heads were taken off the Army and those that have been engaged in the VVar and are since turned aside in the Apostacy to the Disowning and casting off the Cause of Christ must needs bring the Guilt of the Blood upon themselves Sixthly They are guilty of the breach of Oaths and Covenants and of Lying both to God and Man Seventhly They are guilty of the Persecuting Imprisoning and Banishing the People of God who through free grace have been kept from the Apostacy and helped to Witness for the Righteous Cause of Christ against it and although Cromwel and his Councel had the greatest hand in the Apostacy yet the Army in standing by them and putting their Commands in Execution carrying the Saints to and keeping them in Prisons and that with much Heighth and Rage of Spirit are involved in and become Guilty of the Evils with Cromwel Eighthly Through this Apostacy they are fallen into and have embodyed themselves with Babylon or the Antichristian State and have made themselves as a Prop to the Whorish false Church and did manifest this by setting up Tryers for Babylons Ministers and Keeping up the Universities or Schools of Antichrist and Tythes which is Babylons Maintenance and also Babylons Lawes and Courts and many such like Abominations have been and are kept up by Cromwel and those that have succeeded him in the Apostacy through the Power of the Apostatising Army without which they could not stand and so the Guilt of these Evils falls upon the Army these things not being done in a Corner but Publiclky transacted in the Face of the Sun and the most of them being Published in Print to the World I shall not take up time to insist more upon Partitulers in the
opening the Sins of the Officers and Souldiers of the Army the most of these Great Evils being acted by the Army as a Compact Body how ever some particular Persons may think to excuse themselves the Guilt and except the Lord gives repentance the Judgments due to these Abominations is like to fall upon the Skirts of those that have gone along in the Sins though they have not been the Leaders but the Followers When Israel did Sin and were Led into it by some particular Persons yet they as a People embodyed turning aside the Judgment was General that came upon them as in the Matter of the Molton Calf Exod. 32. Aaron was the great Transgressor as Verse 25. yet all that did not Separate and come to Moses were in danger of the Stroke as Verse 26 27. When but Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32.35 had sinned Judah and Jerusalem being embodyed with him the Wrath comes upon them as well as on him Jehoshaphat was not the Ringleader in going to the Battel at Ramoth-Gilead with Ahab neither was the VVork in it self unlawful for Ramoth Gilead did of right belong to Israel and was kept from them by the King of Syria yet but for joyning with Ahab who was turned from the Lord Jehoshaphat was sharply reproved by the Prophet and escaped very narrowly with his Life and wrath from the Lord was upon him See 2 Chro. 18.1.31 Ch. 19.2 And though many poor Creatures have manifested Grief and Spoke against Cromwel and others that were the Champions in the Apostacy and yet have kept their Places either in the Army or elsewhere under it and have not Separated from nor improved their Power against it will as may be feared be found in the day of Decision helpers of the Mighty against the Lord VVhen Isa 31.2 3. he that helpeth and him that is holpen shall fall together Then shall ye know Num. 16.30 that this people have greatly provoked the Lord If the Congregation observed not the Command Verse 26. to depart from the Tents of those wicked men and touch nothing of theirs they were like to be consumed with them And if they must be Cursed Judges 5.28 that Come not to the help of the Lord against the Mighty How shall those escape that help the Mighty against the Lord. And if Jeremiah Chap. 15. would not sit in the Congregation of Israel but rather Sit alone how shall those think to Escape that both Sit and Act in the midst of those which not only Mock at but have Betrayed the Cause of Christ and set themselves against the Lord Having been much larger upon these things then I did expect I have for brevity sake omitted severall things that relate to this Latter day VVork as also the speaking to severall Objections which I desire those that seek for Knowledg as for hid Treasure may waite upon the Lord for Answers thereunto and as for the Cavillers I am not carefull to Answer them but shall leave it to the Day of Decision and Revivall of the Lords VVork And now to Conclude the whole I shall present to the true Favourers of this Despised Cause of Christ some Considerations by way of direction and the Lord give them an understanding in all things The First Thing is To be much in Faith and Prayer for the Anointing which as hath been shew'd is Reserved for and Promised to this VVork and without which the VVork will not be accomplished but thorough the Anointing it must be done The Second Thing is to be much in Looking after Calling to mind Prizing and Feeding upon the VVorks of God which he hath VVrought in the Mid'st of us and comparing those VVorks with the Promises Prophesies and Types of the Latter day The Third Thing is To be Eying and Reaching after the understanding of the Glory of this Fifth Kingdome and to be Talking of the Power of God by which the VVork must be accomplished The Fourth Thing is To be much in the Consideration of what Christ hath done for their Souls in the shedding of his Pretious Blood to Redeem them from Hell and bring them to Glory and that this Fifth Kingdome is given to Christ as a Reward to and the Desert of what he hath Done and Suffer'd for them The Fifth Thing is To be giveing unto Christ the Chief Seat in and Sole Government over their own Souls that so in all things they may be Conformable unto him having their Conversations in Heaven as those that are Looking for and hastening to the Glorious Things which are to be brought forth in the Latter Day 2 Pet. 11.14 The Sixth Thing is To Come forth of and Seperate from whole Babylon in all the Parts and Branches of it and all the Parts of the Late Apostacy upon which Gods displeasure hath been and is eminently Manifested and O that both my Self and all that Love Jesus Christ and have in Days past touched with the unclean thing may obtaine such Repentance from the Lord as to be Spared and Hid in this Day of his feirce Anger when he is comming forth and making himself Known by the Judgments which he Executeth and as Noah found Grace and Lot obtained Mercy by which they were delivered from those Judgments that were Executed in their Day so those that must be Saved for the King in this Day must be saved thorough Grace and Mercy and seeing we stand by Faith let us not be high-minded but feare and in this of Seperation let it not suffice to Seperate from the Nationall False Church and the Usurpers of the Civill Power in all the Parts of their Usurpation and the Apostatising Army by which the Usurpation hath been Encouraged and Upheld and from all Those that have Kept and do Keep Places under the Apostacy or have been Turned out and not Repented of their Sin But also from all those Churches or Congregations that have not Born their Testimony against but Contrariwise Fallen in with and Encouraged the Apostacy either by Addressing to or Standing by Those that have so Betrayed the Cause of Christ or by Keeping Communion in the Ordinances of Christ n the Church with those that have Stood by and Kept Places under the Apostacy by which those Churhes have brought upon Themselves the Guilt of and are become Partakers with other mens Sins Contrary to 1 Tim. 5.22 And have Suffere Sin to lye upon their Brother contrary to Lev. 19.17 And have deeply not only Touched but Embraced the Unclean thing contrary to 2 Cor. 6.17 And have not departed from the Tents of those Wicked men according to Numb 16.26 Nor been Valiant for the Truth as Jer. 9.3 Nor stood up for the Lord against the evil doers according to Psal 94.16 And have not frowned upon those Members that have made themselves Vild thorough the Apostacy 1 Sam 3.13 But have justified the Transgressors and said to the Apostates yea are Righteous Pro. 17.15 chap. 24.24 They have not Turned away from the Traytors as the ought
to have done according to 2 Tim. 3 4 5. but have had fellowship with the unfruitfull Works of Darkness and not reproved them contrary to Eph. 5.11 and bâ— all these Scriptures those Churches that have so Turned aside wi h the Apostacy have greatly Sinned against the Lord and as a further A dition to there Evills severall of the Elders and Leading Persons of the Baptized Congregations in London have set forth a Very Evil D claration bearing Date the 12th of the 10th Moneth 1659. which as appeares bâ— the Title compared with the â—ostscript they would have it be understood to comprehend the Ju gment of the Generality of the Baptized People and although many Things in that Declaration is Manifestly contradictory both to the Judgment and Practise of not only the Generality of the Baptized People but even of Severall of â—hose whose Hands are to it and the Evills of these Persons made Obvious to the World yet the Churches to whom they Relate have not Dealt with them but rather Justified them in those Evills by which they become Partakers with them in those Sins and now those Churches being Guilty of the Evils before mentioned it is the Duty of the Lords Faithfull Remnant whose eyes are open to see these Evils after all due meanes that according to Rule hath been Used for their Recovery to Withdraw their Communion and Seperate from those Churches according to 2 Thes 3.6.14 Withdraw from every Brother that Walks Disorderly It is not the Church or the Greater Number of Persons in that Church if they Walk Disorderly that will exempt them from the Censure due to the Sin When the Church of Israel turned aside from the Lord Jeremiah though a Single Person Seperates from them and Sets alone chap. 15. 17. and the Lord doth so far approve of that Action of his as that in Verse 19. he saith Let them return to thee but return not thou unto them Also in Exod. 32.26 When Israel had sinned and turned aside from the Lord in the Matter of the Molton Calf Moses stood in the Gate of the Camp and said Who is on the Lords side let him come unto me In the forementioned place of 2 Tim. 3.4.5 Timothy though a single person is commanded to turn away from the Evil Doers and no doubt if a Whole Church come under the Guilt of those Evils there mentioned Timothy is not to abide with them because they are a Church there being no such Limitation in the Command but from such he must turn away I have formerly thought that a Particular Member might not Separate from a Church till thorough sin their Candlestick was taken away but after waiting upon the Lord much searching the Scriptures and through many Tryalls bearing my Burden I have seen that according to Rule as there is a difference betwixt the VVithdrawing from and the Cutting off of a Member so there is a difference betwixt the Withdrawing from the Unchurching of a Church and as a Church may Withdraw from a Brother without Cutting him off or Counting him as a Heathen or a Publican but still to admonish him as a Brother 2 Thes 3.15 so a Brother for Sin committed by a Church may withdraw from them and yet not count them as Heathens and Publicans and though VVithdrawing be an Authoritative Act as is alleadged yet the Authority doth not of necessity rest with the Greater Number but with Truth and where Truth is there is the Authority of Christ Math. 16.18 Christ doth not Build his Church upon the Number but upon the Truth which was with Peter when he said Thou art Christ the Son of the Living God I know it is objected That in several of the Seven Churches in Asia mentioned Rev. 2. and 3. Chapters though there was a great turning aside yet there were some kept faithful even in those Places where the Churches were turned aside and we do not find that they were commanded to Separate The Answer to this is Twofold First That though in Sardis and Thyatyra which are as I think the only Churches that can be instanced in this Matter there were some kept Faithful even in those Places it will not follow that because they were in Sardis and Thyatira which were the Places in which those Churches were and these Faithful Ones were written to by John that therefore they were in Communion with those that had turned aside from the Lord. And Secondly Though we do not find they are expresly commanded to Withdraw if they were in Communion by the Epistles that were written to them yet it was sufficient that there were such Rules laid down in the Scripture which Rules they ought to look to for there were several Churches that were written to by the Apostles and no mention made in the Epistles either of Baptism Breaking of Bread and several other Ordinances but it will not therefore follow that those Ordinances ought not strictly to be observed by them according to other Scriptures The Last thing that I shall present to those that are Waiting for the Resurrection of the Cause is to be giving up Themselves and their All to the Service of Christ the King accounting it a very great mercy if he shall Accept of and Imbarque them with all their Concernments in the Bottom with that Dear Cause that so they may be Waiting at his Foot till he shall Arise up to the prey and blow the Trumpet giving them the Word of Command to gird on their Swords and Follow him in the Revival of his Work and the further Execution of the Judgements written in which Day they shall undoubtedly Reap the blessed Fruit of all their Labour Service and Tryals that they either have or may yet further undergo for him In due season we shall reap if we faint not Gal. 6.9 They that sow in Tears shall reap in Joy Psal 126.5 Thine eyes shall see the King in his Beauty Isai 33.17 Let the Children of Zion be joyful in their King Psal 149.2 Let them shout for joy and be glad that favour my Righteteous Cause Psal 35.27 And it shall be said in that day Lo this our God we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation Isai 25.9 And thus I have according to the Measure of Light received Presented unto Thee with the rest of my Friends in Communion with thee that are Waiting for the Coming of Zions King my Understanding in these Matters of the Fifth Kingdom and I desire but so much favour from you as Paul obtained from the Bereans and when you have seriously Weighed the several Things contained in this Epistle in the Ballance of the Sanctuary wherein I may appear to be in the Dark or Mistaken about these Great Matters be Earnest with the Lord for me that my Mistakes may be rectified and my Judgement rightly Informed for I desire I may not through Errour serve the Design of Satan But that I may by the Spirit of the Lord be led into all Truth and so serve my Dear Lord Jesus Christ who Loved me a Vild Wretch and shed his Precious Blood for me and if you receive any Benefit by these Things let Christ my King bear the Glory according to Isai 22.24 Zech. 6.13 And now I shall Commit you with these Things to the Blessing of the Lord and Close with that Word in 2 Tim. 2.7 Consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding in all Things I remain through grace thy Bâ—other and Servant in the Kingdom and Patience of Christ N. S. POSTSCRIPT SEveral Friends having Knowledge of this Epistle and earnestly desiring Copies of it more then could well be Transcribed I have for them and Others of my Friends both in City and Countrey Caused several of them to be Printed But considering my own Weakness and the many Books that have been Published about these Matters I have not been willing to Publish this to the World but only to present it to such of my Acquaintance that Love the Lord Jesus in sincerity some of them being far Remote in the Countrys that I cannot as yet visit them and Others in such Churches where by Reason of my Judgment and Testimony in these Matters of the Fifth Kingdom I am debarred of my Liberty of Preaching to them and the Lord make this Service so far as it shall really appear to be for his Glory and their Good Acceptable and Successful to them The END