as Head of the Church upon the grounds before exprest But I must take the humble boldness in Truths behalf to dissent from others in their sense upon this Text I humbly judge that this Text proves neither the one nor the others opinion though some be godly and learned as to the opinion of those who from this Text or any other do give the sole Supream Power to Men as Lords and Law-givers to others both for Soul and Body I pass them by But to those godly and Learned who from this Text or any other do plead for Saints Subjection to Pagan or Antichristian Kings though idolatrous beastly bloody Tyrants in Civil Affaiâ—s or Temporal Jurisdiction for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake I humbly Reply that they mistake the Apostle and mis-apply the Text who so take the place and to these I humbly offer these my Reasons against that sense to consideration Reason 1 First Though Paul say Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers yet he doth not say Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers in all Civil Affairs concerning Bodies and Estates neither doth he say to Pagan or to Antichristian Powers but with restriction to Powrs ordained of God Note as his Ministers of State Therefore though Paul commands subjection Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5. from every soul yet it is not in all things or to all Persons or Powers but as Ordained by God My thoughts are That those who see cause to restrain general Scriptures which speak of Soveraign Magisterial Power to Civil Jurisdiction over the outward man and except their Power and Jurisdiction over souls in Spiritual and Ecclesiastical things will upon good consideration see cause also to restrain Magisterial Power and Jurisdiction Note over Bodies in Civil things and will not strain Texts against the currant of Scriptures to prove what they do not hint If we take these words of Paul or Peter as commanding Saints subjection to the Higher Powers be they what they will in all outward things Note this takes away the Soveraignty of God over Man in all outward things and nulls the moral Law which sets bounds between man and man Superiour and Inferiour Therefore upon this ground the Apostle cannot be taken in that sense viz. to give a power to some men viz. to Kings to command others to break Gods Moral Laws which Moral Laws Paul himself maintained and also taught others in his Epistles But I shall humbly give my sence upon this Text as of other the like Scriptures That both Paul and Peter do only call and command Saints Obedience to all Lawful Magistrates in all Lawful things commanded by God Note and therein enjoynes subjection to Saints for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake as to God Reason 2 Secondly The scope of the Apostle in this place as I judge is to press Saints to submit and subject to Higher Powers or Magistrates as Ordained and set over them by God as his Ministers in State for their good to restrain sins against the Moral Rom. 13. 1 2 c. Exod. 18. 15 16 c. 2 Chr. 19. 6 7. Law and to maintain Justice Equity and Peace between man and man Paul describes not here these Ministers of State by Names but by their Qualities and gives only a general description of Magistracy to be obeyed Note as Ministers Ordained by God In the same way and after the same manner that Paul describes Antichrist the Man of Sin the Son of Perdition to be 2 Thes 2. 3 4. Rev. 14 9 10. Rev. 13. 1 c rejected of Saints he here describes the true Magistrates of God to be obeyed by the Lords People for the Lords sake Surely those have little sight who see not that the general Government of Nations is still beastly Tyranny Note both by Heathen and Antichristian Kings rather than the Government of God for the good of Mankind But many are stumbled at these words of Paul The Powers that be The great question here is The question to what Powers Paul refers to what Powers the Apostle refers viz. Whether to the Pagan Caesars Power who were then Monarchs of all the World or to the Civil Power and Jurisdiction then exercised amongst the Saints as far as they could or to Magistracy as ordained and constituted by God in the Jewish State If we take the Apostle in either of the latter senses there is Scripture-grounds for it but if we refer Pauls words to the Pagan Caesars State there is only this poor plea for it That Luk. â— 1 2 with Paâ—ls time the Pagan Caesars were then being and reigning in the World but answered not to the qualifications of those Ministers of God as Paul describeth Magistrates Ordained by God now answering the ends of Government The Caesars then being and reigning Rom. 1â— 3 4 5 in the World is but a circumstance of time but the qualifications of Rulers and the ends of Government are Essentials in Magistracy and therefore to expound Paul by a conceived circumstance when and where the Essentials of Government as Ordained by God are wanting cannot be held Orthodox and sound But if we take Paul in these words The Powers that be to refer to that Civil Power and Jurisdiction resting at that time and seated in the Saints by God according to the Moral Law given to Israel there is much Reason and Scripture to confirm this Exposition First Before Christ left the World he devolved the administration of all that Power and Authority Civil and Spiritual Mat. 28. 18 Mat. 25. 14. Mar. 13. 34. over his own People as intrusted with him by the Father to his own Servants Secondly In Pauls time there were Saints in the Churches who were fitted and qualified for Civil Governours or Magistrates 1 Cor. 6. 4. Thirdly In Pauls time the Sainâ—s had sufficient Laws and power of Jurisdiction to hear and determine all Civil differences amongst themselves that they needed not to go to Law before the Pagan Governours and therefore Paul sharply reproved the Saints of Corinth for going to Law before the unjust and not before the Saints 1 Cor. 6. 4 These Considerations have swayed with me and I know not one argument to shake me in my judgement as this sense hath the currant of Scripture with it Note But if we shall yet suppose that there wants some words in the Text as is common to clear and fill the Apostles meaning yet the current of the following Verses which gives the qualifications of Magistrates as constituted by God carries Pauls sence from the Pagan Roman Caesars that they were not the Powers which he intended neither Antichristian Kings Reason 3 My Third Reason is If we infer from Paul or Peter That Pagan or Antichristian Kings were or are Powers to be submitted and subjected to by Saints in all Civil affairs without limitation or restriction to the Law of God then Saints were and are to
Ordinance was clearly in and amongst Gods Covenant-People from Moses to Christ and with none other Object But it is Objected That Daniels expounding Nebuchadnezzars Dream of the great Dan. 2. 37 c. Image said to him Thou O King art a King of Kings for the God of heaven hath given thee a Kingdom Power and Strength and Glory and after thee shall arise another Kingdom c. Therefore these four Kings or Imperial States were the Ordinance of God and lawful Magistrates or Ministers of God to whom the Lords People did and still do owe Obedience to in Civil things Answ To this I humbly give my thoughts First This was a Vision opened of four Imperial States which God would Providentially raise in the World successively one after another and use at his pleasure either to afflict Dan. 4. 17. or help his People and one to destroy the other but neither this Prophesie or any other Word of God speaks their Ordination and Constitution of Governors Magistrates or Misters Rom. 13. 3 4. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. of God sent for the good of his People for the encouragement of godliness and to be a terrour to evil-deers which are the great ends of Magistracy ordained by God and wherein the Lords People are commanded subjection for the Lords sake Secondly These Kings came successively to their Kingdoms and Rule by the power of the Sword and Strength as was prophesied but not by Power and Authority and so accordingly were represented by Monstrous Beasts and no Births of Dan. 7. 4 to 8. and 8. 4 c. Nature All these Monstrous States or Kings came successively to Rule by Gods Providence in their times as they got power or strength to Conquer The King of Babylon Conquered 2 King 24. 1 2 c. vers 10. and 25. 1 2 c. and Captivated the Jews for their sin by Power and Might not by Authority or Right By Gods providence a Thief or Thieves rob or kill the honest Traveller Note but not by Power of Authority as having right to the Travellers mony and life by the Law of God and in this way like Beasts of prey one Kingdom or State subdued another and so it is still Thirdly Though Daniel said to the King of Babylon That God gave him a Kingdom Power and Strength yet this was prophesied after he had taken Jerusalem and captived the Jews Dan. 2. 37. living therefore this Commission was not warrant for the former Cruelty Fourthly Not any of these Kings had the Essentials of Gods Magistrates viz. As fearing God as chosen out of themselves and Exod. 18. 21. Deut. 1. 13. Rom. 13. 3 4. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 invested with authority by them nor ruling by Gods Laws to encourage godliness and be a terror to evil-doers Therefore upon these grounds not any of the Heathen Kings were the Ordinance of God to be obeyed by the Lords People for the Lords sake Object But it is said That God brought upon Israel the King of the Caldees and God gave Jehoiakim King of Judah into the hand of the King of Babylon 2 Chron. 36. 17. Dan. 1. 1 2. Answ Yes God did so providentially as a Curse and Judgement to fulfil the Word of his threatnings upon their disobedience 2 Chr. 36. 14 15 16 17. Isa 10. 5 c. 2 King 24. 1 c. 8. 10 c. stubbornness and incorrigible rebellions against him but not as his Minister for their good as a Magistrate ordained by God to rule and feed them The Kings of Assyria and Babylon c. were such powers of the Earth or earthly powers which God by his Almighty Power providentially used as his Creatures to afflict or relieve to distress or save his Covenant-People when he pleased but not to rule and govern them under God or for God as his Magistrates ordained by him God by his Almighty Soveraign power and pleasure threatned the disobedience of his people with many sore judgments Ezek. 14 12 13 Deut. 28. 15 c. and he used what Creatures he thought good to do it by viz. Either noysom Beasts Famine Pestilence or Sword By Sword was meant the Sword of Kings or States whom he providentially brought upon them which Kings were only led by principles of Nature and opportunities and providences when they knew not God or his designs and so they were Isa 10. 5 6 7. v. 12. to 19. Jer. 51. 52. judged by God and destroyed for the misery desolation and blood of the Lords People Note Therefore these Heathen Kings or Powers were no otherwise the Ordinance of God but as Locusts Famine Pestilence c. or the Devil are the Ordinance of God Object But God gave it in Charge to those Jews who were carried Captives to Babylon to seek the peace of the City and to pray unto the Lord for it for in the peace thereof ye shall have peace Jer. 29. 7. Answ This was the Lords Command to those Captives But First That short time of Israels Captivity was foreshewed and also by whom their Deliverance should come viz. by Cyrus Isa 44. 28. 45. 1 2 c. Jer. 29. 10 11. Secondly Their Captivity was very easie they had the Liberty of Conscience in Religion they had liberty to build Houses to plant Vineyards and to eat the Fruit to marry Wives and to live in safety therefore to seek the Peace of the place but not of the King of Babylon Thirdly This command To seek the Peace of the place implies a Charge laid upon them not to raise trouble by seeking their Deliverance yet not to pray for the prosâ—â—â—ity of the King or the establishment of that Kingdom for God had declared Isa 44. 28. and 45. 1 2 3 c. Dan. 5. 30 31. Rev. 18 6 7. his determination to destroy Babylon and in Babylons destruction their deliverance should come Therefore God used the King of Persia to redeem Israel but this is not the case of Christians under Mystery Babylon But Daniel and other Servants of the Lord served the King of Object Babylon c. Answ They did so as Captives taken by the Sword and Violence not as Magistrates or Ministers of God to rule over them for then they had had no cause to return to their own Country and Government The Captive Jews under the King of Babylon and Captive Christians under the Turk are one in Nature Note but I judge that Christians in Turkish slavery do not see themselves bound by the preceptive will of God to abide in slavery if by Gods providence a way be opened for their escape The Jews under the Government of Judges were Judg. 2. 11 12 v. 14 15 16 c. oft providentially given up by God into the hands of several Heathen Kings or States for their great transgressions against God and when they humbled themselves before the Lord and repented the Lord also providentially delivered them But in the
of that Authority in Civil affairs though debarred the publick exercise of some acts or all acts by the Armies or Strength of Heathen Kings And because the Churches or Saints had not then power or strength to execute some Laws on offenders Note the Apostle prest the Saints to subjection as of duty to those Civil Rulers or Magistrates they had amongst themselves as Gods Ordinance to be obeyed for the Lords sake and Conscience sake as commanded by God Secondly It is evident both from the rise and exercise of power in Heathen Kings that they were not ordained by God Dan. 7 2 3 c. 2 Chr. 36. 17 c. Isa 10 5 6 c. and 42. 24 25. Ezek. 34. 23 24. to rule over his People under him neither had they power and authority to govern from God but only power and strength to burn destroy kill and captive the Lords People rebelling against him and so called Gods Staffe Hammer Saw c. not Fathers Shepherds c. Object But Paul exhorted Timothy That supplications and prayers should be made for all men for Kings and all that are in Authority or eminent place that we may lead a quiet and peaceable 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. Life Answ First If by Kings we understand the then Heathen Kings Paul may be understood to enjoyn the Saints to pray either for the conversion of their souls or restraint of their power that the Saints Peace and Godliness were not hindred viz. That God would not suffer those heathen Kings to put out their power and strength to persecute or hinder the Saints Peace Liberty and Holiness But this text asserts not the Divine Authority of heathen Kings to govern the Lords People or Saints to subject to them Secondly If the Apostle be taken as referring to any time when a Magistrate called King shall be called to rule over the Lords people in Authority or eminent place of Trust as appointed and ordained by God then it will be the duty of Saints to pray for such Magistrates That their Rule and Government may answer the end of their Power and Trust as Ordained by Rom. 13. 3 4 c. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 God viz. Saints Peace and Holiness Object But the Apostle Peter also gave this in charge to Saints Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as to them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of them that do well 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. Answ First In this the Apostle is clear that he presseth Saints Subjection to Kings or Governours as called or sent of God Note for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise and encouragement of them that do well This is the currant of Scripture Secondly Note The Apostle presseth Saints Subjection to Kings or Governours as the Ordinance of Man or as Mans appointment in the State when they answer the ends of Civil Government as Ordained by God If we should take the Apostle exhorting Saints To subject to every Law and Ordinance of man for the Lords sake then the Laws of Men should be obeyed by Saints how unjust unnatural or contrary soever they were to the Laws of God but this is too gross and contrary to the currant of Scripture not answering the ends of Government as Ordained by God Thirdly If we take the Apostle speaking of Kings or Governours as the Ordinance of Man then the title King or Power of Kings is only humane and God hath left it in the wisdom power and will of a State or Body Politick to call to Office and Power one Person or a set number of Persons joyntly to rule over them as they judge best for the whole Note and also to dignifie and distinguish their Officers of State as they please and Saints are not hereby to be displeased but must submit for the Lords sake I am humbly bold thus to give my sence That both Paul in Rom 13. 1. and in his other Epistles Note as also Peter in this text had no respect to the Heathen Kings of that time but that both these Apostles do assert Magistracy to be the Ordinance of God amongst his People To suppress evil-doers and to encourage them that do well Rom. 13. 3 4. to which Magistrates the Saints owe subjection for the Lords sake Note This Apostle Peter also implieth That the designation of Magisterial Authority upon one person or upon several persons with the Names and Titles by which they are called or dignified are humane and left to men and therefore Saints should not deny subjection upon that account In the first constitution of the Jewish Polittick State God gave them Judges about the space of 450 years after which Deut. 16. 18 Act. 13. 20 21 c. 1 Sam. 8. 1 2 c. v. 19 22. upon the ill government of Samuels Sons Israel resolved to change the Government from Judge to King and God gave way to them But as God fore-saw that Israel would change the Government of State in which his secret counsel was fulfilled to bring in Davids Kingdom and make way for Christs Kingdom God enjoyned and commanded Israel that Deut. 17. 14 Kings should rule by the same Laws which he gave to the Judges The Apostle Peter then seeing or supposing that in after-time some difference might arise amongst Saints about Political Government or Governours viz. Whether the chief should be in one Person or in many and by what names they should be dignified Peter inferrs that this is in man to order ordain and appoint and therefore exhorts Saints not The Body or State Polâ—â—ick are the first Seat of Power â—y Pâ—tâ—r to differ or dissent from what the Body of the People or State ordain and appoint in that matter so as the Governours do answer the ends of Government as ordained by God I must say I know not that this was questioned by Saints in Peters time Note but it may be a question amongst Saints in the Resurrection of the Witnesses and here is the Solution which is not again found in all the Scriptures And let me add these my thoughts That as Gods moral judicial Laws given to Israel are the Laws of Christs Kingdom Christ ratified and confirmed them in his Ministry and the Apostles gave many general directions to Saints about Political Government and Governours as Ordained by God Note but neither exprest or intended the then Heathen Kings in those directions Object But Rulers and Governours were commonly called Gods and it is not likely that they should be so dignified by holy men if they were not ordained by God and bare upon them some Image or Beam of Divine Soveraignty Answ We may grant that this high Title was ascâ—ibed to Rulers and Governours by David by Christ and by Paul referring Exod. 22. 28. Psal 82. 1 6. John 10. 34. Act. 23. 4 5. to Moses
another or distinct supernumerary horn to the ten horns of the Roman Beast three of which ten horns this little horn plucked up Johns Vision of the Beast with ten horns crowned upon whom the Woman sits I take to be a more ample Rev. 13. 1. Rev. 17. 3 18. and full discription of the Antichristian State in general but neither Daniel or John make God the Appointer or Ordainer of either of those States as Pagan or Antichristian neither do I see but when the Beast Antichrist had driven the Church into Rev. 12. 6 7. the Wilderness Note the Christian Church in the Wilderness became as distinct and free a State from Antichrist as Israel was from Egypt when they were in the Wilderness Partic. 3 Thirdly I am greatly perswaded the Beast Rev. 13. 11 c. is the Beast asâ—ending out of the bottomless pit Rev. 11. 7. and is a distinct Beast from that Rev. 13. 1 c. though the latter Beast possess one of the ten horns or kingdoms of the Pagan Empire That Beast which ascends out of the bottomless pit and kills the Witnesses possesseth or reigns over the great and chief Street of Mystery Babylon spiritually called Sodom and Rev. 11. 7 8. Egypt or one horn and kingdom of the Beast which Beast is more fully described Rev. 13. 11 12 c. All the ten horns of the great Beast or the ten streets of Babylon as a City were under the Whore and that Woman reigned over the whole immediately Rev. 17. 3 18. for the most part of the 1260 dayes Note But this Beast vers 11. the Holy Ghost describes to be another Beast distinct from the former and as it were one of the horns rending and separating it self from the other Body or subjection from the Woman under a seeming pretence of Reformation or of more Purity and easie Government to the former but is still the Dragon in cruelty and tyranny That this is a distinct Beast from the former is evident As First This Beast vers 11. had another original from vers 1. Note The first Beast arose out of the Sea viz. Confusion in the Roman State but this Beast arose out of the Earth viz. Earthly and Rev. 13. 1â— carnal Wisdom or Prudence of State to cast off Imperial Papal Jurisdiction over them Secondly This Beast had two horns or two Powers viz. the Sword and the Keys Power Civil and Ecclesiastical Note The ten Kings had only ten horns viz. Civil Power and the Woman which rode them kept the Keys from them all and this Beast got two horns viz. both Powers to himself But the two horns of this Beast are said to be horns like a Rev. 13. 11. Lamb viz. First Horns like a Lamb but new budding or putting forth very tender and able to do little hurt Secondly Horns like a Lamb viz. Powers meekned and abated of that hardness and strength as was in the ten horns or Powers greatly limited and restrained to what the former hornes were and yet this Beast still spake as a Dragon viz. Rev. 1â— 11. he lays claim to Imperial Majesty as absolute Monarch in his Dominions Thirdly Again it is said of this Beast And he exerciseth Rev. 13. 12. all the Power of the first Beast before him viz. All the Power of the whol Antichrist Civil and Ecclesiastical therefore this is another Antichrist distinct from the former viz. the Antichrist with ten horns Mark the words Note He exerciseth or putteth out all the power of the former Beast in Church and in State yet not by donation or designation from the former Rev. 13. 12. Beast as the former Beast did by designation from the Dragon but meerly by abruption or breaking off from the former Beast and so assuming absolute Jurisdiction Civil and Ecclesiastical in his own Kingdom as Hen. 8. did Fourthly It is further said of this Beast And he had power to give Life to the Image of the Beast c. viz. To the whole Rev. 13. 15 16 17. form of the Government of the former great Beast or the old Antichrist in Civil and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Or this Beast with two horns had power to give life breath or efficacy to Civil and Ecclesiastical Officers to force and compel obedience to all his Laws Civil and Ecclesiastical as any See the Acts of Allegiance and Supremacy of the Emperors Kings or Popes did or do in their Dominions From all which we may Observe First That this Beast is not said to act his own Power singly and simply but he acts the Power of others And he had Rev. 13. 15. Power to give Life Secondly Though it is said He had Power to give Life but not said to be from God or the Dragon or the former Beast therefore it must follow that this Beast had his Power from the Earth viz. from that earthly Interest out of which he arose and so is one of the Kings of the Earth Thirdly He had Power to give Life to the Image of the former Beast Therefore this Beast and the former Beast differ as a Beast and the Image of that Beast differ This latter Beast hath the Power of the former Beast Civil and Ecclesiastical but not lo fully and absolutely The Pope of Rome and other Monarchs are Powers absolute and Independant from the People but this Beast with two horns is a Power under limitation and restraint both Civil and Ecclesiastical and is but the Image Likeness or Picture of the former great Antichrist and not the same Beast I might mention other distinct marks set upon this latter Beast to difference him from the former Beast and yet shew him to be one in Nature with the other Beast so that both make up but the great Beast Antichrist in the whole Yet they are so distinct that they are properly two Beasts and two Antichrists which may be distinguished most properly by Antichrist Papal and Antichrist Protestant and if this New Name of Antichrist hold good and Antichrist be really found and discovered in the name and shew of a Protestant or Protestantism then Satan the Devil or Dragon is discovered in his Cheats Note First In influencing Heathen or Pagan Powers Secondly As Satans cheats discovered influencing Antichristian Powers Papal Thirdly As influencing Antichristian Powers Protestant under which many Saints deeply suffer in several Countries as will be more manifested in little time as I humbly judge Partic. 4 Fourthly I take the Politick Sate of this Nation to be different and distinct from the Four Empires It is plain both Dan. 5. 19. vers 30 31. and 8. 3 c. from Prophecy and History That the Four Empires arose by the Sword and Conquest successively and so gave Laws at pleasure And though we should grant that William of Normandy invaded England by the Sword and Pollicy and was called William the Conqueror yet he could not hold his Monarchy but by Agreement
I shall humbly add my thoughts upon these words which some think there is much in for Antichrist viz. And it was given him Rev. 13. 7. Here we are to enquire First Who is here to be underderstood by this particle him To this the Answer is clear It is the Beast Antichrist v. 1 2. Secondly What Power Antichrist had The Answer is common viz. Civil Power to make war or power and strength to raise Armies and make war with and overcome the Saints Thirdly How Antichrist had or came by this Power To this the Text answers It was given him Fourthly But the great Question is Who gave Antichrist this Power viz. God or some other The Answer is plain The Dragon gave him his Power and Rev. 13. â—â— his Seat and great Authority Now when the holy Ghost is thus plain and punctual in describing Antichrist in the Original of his Power and in the improvement of it against God Holiness and Saints that yet Antichrist should be asserted the Ordinance of God and Minister of God c. I confess I see no ground for it from these Scriptures Object But it is said by Saints to Antichrist as Christ once said to Pilate Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above therefore he that delivered me to thee Joh. 19. 10 11. had the greater sin Answ To this I Reply That in like manner as Pilate was Antichrist was permitted of God in whom it was to have hindred it to arise and get strength and power to make war with the Rev. 2. 5 10. Saints and to overcome them either for trial of their Faith or rebuke of their sin Pilate and the Jews could have put out Act. 2. 22 23. Rom. 9. 17. no act of power against Christ or Antichrist against the Saints but as God permitted and suffered in his own wisdom and counsel to bring to pass his designes of greater Grace Power and Glory So the Devil had no power over Job but as God Job 1. 9 10 suffered and permitted Note And I see not but by the same Argument that the Pagan Caesaâ—â— and Antichristian Kings are asserted to be the Ordinance of God and to be obeyed by the Lords People by the same Argument the Devil must be acknowledged to be the Orninance of God and to be obeyed by the Saints Object Or if it be said That God doth the Saints good by the Afflictions and Persecutions from Tyrants 1 Cor. 3. 22 23 Answ I say That God by his Wisdom Grace and Power so orders all for the good of Saints inward or outward and yet Rom 8. 28. neither the Devil or wicked men are the efficient cause of that good which comes to Saints by sanctified afflictions Note Therefore I yet see not any Scripture-proof that the Pagan Caesars or Antichristian Kings are the Ordinance of God and to be obeyed by the Saints in their Bodies and Estates for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake because God useth these Rods to chastize the Saints with As there hath no Heathen or Antichristian State arisen in the World but by Gods Permission and Providence Dan 4. 1â— so there hath been a concurrance of Natural Causes leading to such Changes of States and Governments God secretly carrying on his designes in them and yet so as the Agents or Instruments therein have not seen God in those things and so they have been cursed in the designes which they have accomplished against the Lords People and Interest Thus the Heathen Isa 10. 5 6 c Mat. 27. 1 2 c. â—ct 2. 22 23. State Judas and the Jews came under the Curse for destroying Jerusalem for betraying Christ and putting him to death although they fulfilled the determinate Counsel of God Therefore what Christ said of Judas may be said of every apostate Professor who for gain or self ends hath either formerly or in later times betrayed the Lords Interest and People into the hands of Antichristian Kings though by Gods secret counsel and permission The distressed Saints may say Note He or they that delivered us into the hands of beastly bloody men Jâ—hn 19. 11 have the greater sin But still some suppose that they have but done their duty and to confirm their opinion and practice in subjecting unto Pagan or Antichristian Kings as having power of Rule over them in Civil Affairs by Gods appointment they urge the Writings of Peter and both Pauls Doctrine and Practice but the two chief Corner Stones on which they found their Opinion is 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. and Rom. 13. 1. Of these Scriptures therefore I will take a further view The words of Peter are these Submit your selves to every Ordinance 1 Peâ— 2. 〈…〉 of Man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream c. In these words Peter enjoyns Saints universal obedience to every Ordinance of Man or Law of Man as some take it Civil and Ecclesiastical not considering the state condition or quality of the Kings Pagan or Antichristian But as Peter wrote this to Saints under the Pagan Roman Caesars it is taken for granted that Peter in his time commanded those Saints to submit to every Ordinance of those Emperours without exception though idolatâ—ous beastly bloody Tyrants Some men again godly and learned see cause to put a restriction upon Peters universal and say That Peters exhortation to Saints in that day was to submit to every Ordinance of Man in Civil Affairs concerning the Bodies and Estates of Saints Note But the Saints Consciences to God in Spiritual things were and are only under the Government and Ordinances of God and Christ And this their position they prove from other Texts and the currant of Scripture But I have given my sence upon this place in the former Papers and therefore pass it here But the main and chief Text in all the Scriptures urged are the words of Paul written to the Saints at Rome His words are these Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained or ordered of Rom. 13. 1 God From this Text some argue thus First That Paul commands a universal obedience to the Higher Powers by Saints and Sinners Let every soul Secondly The Powers that be are ordained of God Paul saith not The Powers that have been or the Powers that shall be are Ordained of God But the Powers which be are Ordained of God And the Powers which then were in being were the Pagan Roman Caesars idolatrous beastly bloody Tyrants the which command is still binding to Christians under the like Powers From this Text some give the sole Supream Power to Kings to rule over mens Bodies and Souls as God Some again restrain the Royal Power of Kings only to the Bodies of Saints in Civil Affairs and give the Soveraignty of Souls to Eph 1. 21 22 23. Christ
obey Men in Civil things rather than God and the Command of a King is Authority for Saints to break the Moral Laws of God and Nature and not sin Surely if the Bodies and Estates of men be left by God to the Wills Lusts and Commands of any Emperours Kings or States and Saints bound to obey them in all outward natural things Note then if Emperors Kings or States make Laws to break and void the Laws of God and Nature the Saints must yet obey them in those things But this sense and interpretation of the place is so gross and contrary to the current of Scripture that this cannot be received but some other sense must be sought out and I am perswaded that this sense following is according to Truth viz. That as Paul hath bounded the Authority of Parents over Children and of Eph. 6. 1. v. 4. 5 6. Col. 3. 20 21 c. Masters over Servants to the Law of God and Rules of God and therein commands Children to obey Parents and Servants to obey Masters in all things in the Lord as to God and Christ So the same Apostle enjoyns Saints subjection to Lawful Magistrates in all lawful things Note as to Political Fathers or Governours for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake to God and no further Reason 4 My Fourth Reason follows It is recorded in Scripture as an approved evidence of the Fear of God in many of the Lords Servants to slight and disobey the cruel Laws and Commands of Kings in Moral Civil things and in that disobedience God owned and honoured them Of these the Scriptures give many Examples As The Midwives of Egypt Exod. 1. 17 20 v. 22. Heb. 11. 23 v. 27. 1 King 18. 3 4. The Parents of Moses Moses himself Obediah c. And though those high expressions of the Three Children of Peter and other Apostles spoken boldly before Magistrates in Counsel be ordinarily restrained to spiritual things and worship yet I judge that those Saints did not intentionally so take them but they may also as truly be spoken by Saints in Civil natural Priviledges when demnaded from them or they commanded by man to break any Moral Law of God We are not Dan. 3. 16. Act. 4. 19. and 5. 29. careful to answer thee in this matter We ought to obey God rather than Man Reason 5 My Fifth and Last Reason is God is Supreamly above all Persons and Powers to be feared obeyed and served by Saints and Sinners in all Commands Natural and Spiritual Mat. 10. 26 28. Luke 12. 5. Isa 8. 13 14. Civil or Ecclesiastical as he made and hath power over Bodys and Souls to save or to destroy eternally God is only to be feared and obeyed by his Children and Servants and not Deut. 13. 4. 1 Chr. 16. 25. Gen. 17. 1. Emperours Kings or States whoever they be in any Commands which are contrary to the Laws and Commands of God Almighty Note All that Power and Authority which Magistrates can exercise over their Brethren by Divine Right is by the Law and appointment of God for the good of Mankind No one man as a Child of Adam hath power of Jurisdiction over another but in the way and manner which God hath Ordained and Appointed in his Law Therefore it stands not with the Revealed Will of God in the Scriptures or Natural Reasons that any Persons or Powers on Earth are Invested by God with Supream Power either to command any Person to do what God forbids or to forbid what God commands in matters Civil Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Thus I have given my understanding upon Rom. 13. 4. at which so many have and yet do stumble and fall sorely The 10th Month the 20th Day 1667. FINIS
THE Saints Freedom From TYRANNY VINDICATED OR The Power of Pagan Caesars and Antichristian Kings Examined and they Condemned by the Prophets and Apostles as no Magistrates of God to be obeyed by Saints for the Lords sake Being The Coppy of an Answer to a Private Letter wherein the Civil Power of Pagan and Antichristian States is soberly debated and the chief or main Arguments for Saints Subjection to them is answered with much Love Brevity and Plainness and now brought forth for the Consideration of others By a Lover of TRUTH Jam. 4. 12. There is one Lawgiver who is able to Save and to Destroy Isa 1. 26 27. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellours as at the beginning c. Isa 10. 27. Ezek. 21. 26 27. Zech. 14. 9. London Printed in the Year 1667. The Epistle to the Reader Courteous Reader DIvine Commands put into Act or Gods revealed Will and Psa 19. 1 â— c. Laws put into Execution gave Being Vsefulness and Beauty to the whole Creation when Gods Will is done by Men on Eearth as by the Angels in Heaven Gods Mat. 6. 10. Kingdom Rule and Government is then come in this World as promised prayed for and expected by Believers When Jehovah had perfected his six days work of the Creation Gen. 1. 31. he looked over all that he had made and saw that it was very good but Mans disobedience to that Law which God gave to him brought Gen. 3. 17 18 19. the Curse upon Man and upon the Ground for Mans sake so that darkness disorder sorrow and death hath been the fruits of Mans sin This Curse was in some measure abated and restrained by Gods grace in the promised Messias and when God had freely chosen and called Abraham and promised to him That the Gen. 12. 1 2 3. Mat. 1. 1. Exod. 19 4 5 c. Exod. 20. 1 â— 3 c. and Ch. p. 21. 22 23 24 25 c. Messias in the flesh should come of his Seed God after gathered Israel into Covenant with himself and besides the Ceremonial Law for Worship God also renewed the Morral Law or Law of Nature by the hand of Moses that Israel had written Laws for the well ordering of every Pâ—rson and Family whether as Members of Families Church or State Under this Divine Government for Bodies and Souls Israel enjoyed the presence and protection of Deut. 4. 5 â— c. 2 Chron. 18. 2. God Almighty in the midst of Brutish Heathen States When Israel kept close to Gods Laws and Government in Church and State God kept close to Israel and was their safety peace and glory But as Adam at first Israel after in their time brake Covenant Jer. 2. 17 18 19. with God and God gave them up into the hands of beastly bruitish-heathen Kings or States to make them know what a sad and bitter thing it was to depart from God Israel became Gods visible People by visible Covenant as a â—hurch and as a State wherein they Exod. 24. 3 4 5 c. Jer. 3. 14. Ezek 16. 38 Hos 1. 2 promised Obedience and Subjection in the way of a Marriage Covenant between Man and Wife and in that sence the Lord so often charged Israel and Judah for adultery whoredom and breaking the Bond of Wedlock and at last gave them a Bill of Divorce and Jer. 3. 8. â—os 2. 2. left his visible Protection of them In the latter part of the Jewish oppressed State God fulfilled Old Jacob's Prophesie of Christ and Gen. 49. 10. sent forth his Son Jesus Christ into the World and laid the Government upon his Shoulders When Christ was invested into his Mediatory Isa 9. 6. Authority he founded the New Testament State or the Mat. 16. 17 18. Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven or the Heavenly Kingdom Rule and Government of God upon Earth in visible Believers and as King ordained Laws Ordinances Officers and Government Mat. 16. 19 20. and 26. 26 27 c. and 28. 18 19. 20. Mat. 9. 15. to his Disciples or Followers professing him or his Soveraignty and separated from the World In that time that He the Bridegroom was with his Bride on Earth the Disciples had a taste and earnest of this his Kingdom Dominion and Government which in his time he will more manifest in this world in greater Power 1 Tim. â— 15. 2 Thes 2. 7. 1 John 2. 19. 2 Thes 2. 3 4 v. 9. 10. Rev. 13. 8. and Glory The Mistery of Iniquity began early to appear in the Apostles times and there were then many Antichrists but the Antichrist after arose as a Curse and Judgment upon the formal hyyocritical professing Party in the Christian Church or State Christ by the Spirit in the Apostles did reveal or fore-shew the Rise and Tyranny of the apostate state Note yet was no moving cause of the Apostacy but fore-shewed the effect rather to deter than encourage to sin Vnder the 2 King 24 2 Luke 21 20 21 22 23 24. Dan. 7. 25. Rev. 17. 6. yoak of Heathen Tyranny the Jewish State was wasted and destroyed and under Antichristian Tyranny the Christian Churches and Saints have been much worn out but by the Saints long darkness and Bondage they have been like Israel in Egypt Naturalized to Serviâ—ude and taught to subject to oppressing Tyrants as the Ordinance of God and as lawful Magistrates set over them by God But still God and his Word abides the same that it was and God hath promised to Redeem his Sion and Restore his Polittical Government Isa 1. 26 27. 11. 1. to 9. in Justice Judgement and Righteousness in the Earth under the Peaceable Kingdom and Rule of Jesus the Christ. It 's therefore the Saints Priviledge and Duty to pray for this and to seek for a thorow Reformation in the State as in the Church Note Where Mat. 6. 10. Worship is National Purity in the Church cannot long stand with Corruption in State This is that Generation-Truth which this Author labours to demonstrate and bring forth into Victory and only appeals to the Word and Law of God the great only and infallible Isa 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Judge in all Cases for Faith and Manners Providence brought this Coppy to my hand and upon the serious perusal of it I took my self bound to give my assistance to bring it forth to the View of others not questioning but the Subject it self will gain acceptance with all People who desire so to live and walk with God on Earth that they may Reign with Jesus Christ in Glory This is the utmost end of him who waits and prayes for Sions promised Redempâ—ion A B. THE Saints Freedom from Tyranny Vindicated c. SIR YOur Return upon the Paper I sent you came to my hand the which I thankfully receive and acknowledge that you exceeded my expectation I am not altogether
a Stranger to the continued ingagements which lye upon you But my great assurance of your Love and Zeal for our Lords Honour and Interest with your approved Wisdom and Meekness to manage this point in Controversie hath made me bold thus to presume upon you But I may say also as I humbly judge that you have some engagement upon you to hear and answer the humble desires of your Brethren for Light in the Mystical Visions of the Revelation and upon that ground also I was the rather emboldened to desire your Return upon the Paper I sent you and you have done like your self to make so sudden and large return to me Yours I have perused and on the behalf of our Lord and of Truth as I conceive I am emboldned to make some Reply in what I cannot receive I do say with great confidence that I believe your heart is one with mine to find out and advance our Lords Interest in truth and clearness but when we consider the Time and State we have been born educated and lived in we have cause to admire the riches of free grace which hath made us to differ from gross Idolaters and hath given us any Light and Faith to be Witnesses for Christ in any of his Mediatory Offices We I say who have had our Birth and Education under so great Antichristian darkness and bondage it is only of Free Grace that we are what we are Though some have a little more light then others in Divine Mysteries yet it may be said to those of highest attainments What have you that you have not received Therefore such as have most Light have not to boast in themselves or carry it proudly to their Brethren of lower Light and Faith in Generation Truths If I mistake not the opening of the seven-seald Book of Divine Mysteries speaks a gradual discovery of Light in Generation Truths and now the Generation Truth is Christ Kingly Authority Civil and Spiritual for the Bodies and Souls of his People or Saints in Covenant-relation unto him The Beast here doth not openly and professedly deny Christs Prophetical Office and the authority of Holy Scriptures nor the Priestly Office of Christ in the sufficiency of this Merit and Righteousness to the Justification and Salvation of Believers But the Kingly Office of Christ is only denyed in his Soveraignty over his People in things Ecclesiastical and Civil And this is the Generation-Truth now witnessed to and suffered for and in which or for which the Witnesses are Rev. 11. 7. slain by the Beast ascending out of the botomless pit in my understanding There are few real Professors at this day but in words they confess Christ's Royal Soveraignty over their Souls in Spirituall or Ecclesiastical things though they live not in practice up to that profession but there are very few who in Light Faith and Profession witness to Christs Royal Authority over the Saints Bodies Estates and Liberties in Civil or Temporal things here on Earth Note This Soveraign Authority I take to be actually seated also in Christ as Mediator by God the Father and is to be witnessed to now as a Generation-Truth Some dear Soules have judged me singular or alone in this opinion but I find it a Truth which is and will be more and more witnessed to as the Day of the Lord draweth on and the Vail of Antichristian darkness is removed and taken away Both this darkness and bondage of Antichrist was a Curse and Judgment 2 Thes 2. 10 11. upon Christian Professors from God for their earthliness and hypocrisie But it is promised That that wicked one shall be revealed discovered or made naked whom the Lord will 2 Thes 2. 8. consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming Although as yet the Beast Antichrist is not fully made manifest to the Lords People as he will be yet we have great cause to bless and praise God for what we see and thankfully accept our measures of present Light as earnests of what is promised and as evidences of our Lords appearing As our Lords right to Soveraign Rule in Civil things is now the great Question and Controversie amongst real believing Christian Professors it is our great duty to search the Scriptures therein and humbly to lye at Gods feet and beg for the teaching of the John 16. 13. Spirit of Truth to lead us into this truth also We are under the promise of the Last Times That many shall run to and fro Dan. 12. 4. and knowledge shall be increased And I hope that this our intercourse to communicate our present Light to each other in this great point in love and in meekness may tend greatly to bring us both to more perfect and distinct knowledge of Gods will in this Truth and the Truth into Victory In your Paper I humbly accept your grave and Christian Answers in case of male administration of a Lawful Power in many particulars but I must confess that I yet see it not proved from the Scriptures of Old or New Testament That the Heathen Roman Caesars were ever Magistrates Ordained by God to Rule and Govern his People before or after Christ was invested with his Mediatory Authority and then much Deut. 1. 9 13 14. 16. 18 19 c. Rom. 13. 1 2 3 c. 1 Pet 2. 13. 14. Josh 7. 9. less that the Civil Power of Antichrist was a Beam of Divine Soveraignty and the Ordinance of God to be submitted and subjected to by the Lords People for the Lords sake Magistracy or Polittical Government and Governors in Civil and Temporal things I own to be the Ordinance and appointment of God to Rule and Order his People according to his Law as Polittical Fathers to whom the Lords People in discharge of that Office and Trust do owe obedience and subjection to for the Lords sake and Conscience sake actively as of duty and passively when they transgress the Laws and Commands of God But that either the Heathen Emperors or Antichristian Kings were called by God to this Office and Authority I yet understand not That which doth constitute specifie and denominate a Exod. 18. 21 22. c. Political Governour or Magistrate to be the Ordinance of God is That he be so Qualified so called to Office and so Deut 1. 9 13 14. 4. 1 2 5. 16. 18. 17. 18 19 20. 2 Sam. 23. 3. Ruling as God hath commanded and ordained or ordered as his Minister in the State 2 Chr. 19. 6 7. Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. I humbly judge That due qualifications in a man for a Magistrate makes not a man to be a Magistrate That a Call of a People only makes not a Magistrate That a Person duely Qualified and rightly Called by a People to Rule if he rule not by Gods Laws he is yet no Magistrate or Minister of God as the Ordinance
The People of England are the first Seat of Power with the People and to Rule by Law Therefore by the Civil Constitution of England The People are the first Seat of Power and the Kings of England have been as well bound by Oath to Govern by Law as the People are bound by Oath or Law to subject to Kings as Governours in Chief Partic. 5 Fifthly and lastly The Lords People in England have by the Light of the Gospel and brightness of Christs coming and 2 Thes 3. 3 4 8 with the smart of Heathenish and Antichristian Tyranny made great discoveries of the Man of Sin the Son of Perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God Tyrannizing over their Souls and Bodys and now sighing and saying O Lord our God other Lords besides thee have had Dominion over us but now by thee only will we make mention of thy Name Isa 26. 13. Now for the Lords Remnant under and after all these Bonds and Engagements to God and one to another with experiences of Gods appearing for them for them to turn back to Egypt and Babylon and break Covenant with God and one with another For them again to set up what they had destroyed in Gods Name Spirit and Power and from which they were redeemed by so great Grace through many Prayers with the exhausting of so great Treasure and the price of so much Blood of Saints with others and again for those redeemed Souls to submit their Necks to the same Yoke of Tyranny this must needs be a sin of high nature and dreadfully provoking God SIR YOu were pleased to give your Understanding upon several Passages in that Paper which I willingly pass as loath to take up much of your time to read over my thoughts in every particular but if the Lord shall be pleased to bring to light more of his secret Will and our Duty in our Day this Labour will not be lost or this time meerly spent and it will be found both our honour and our Souls quiet to be witnessing for Christ against Antichrist however it goes with our outward man The 10th Month the 12th Day 1667. SIR SOme dayes after I had written my thoughts in what I judged then meet in return to yours I was under some conviction in my self that I had not fully explained my Understanding upon Rom. 13. 1 c. a Scripture which I had several times cited in a sence which some do not receive I am therefore humbly bold to add these Lines as a Post-script to the former I find it is the opinion of some men godly and learned That the Pagan Roman Caesars were and the Antichristian Kings are though idolatrous beastly bloody Tyrants the Magistrates and Ministers of God Constituted and Ordained and Invested by God with all Supream Authority in Civil affairs to rule over the Lords People and that the Saints are commanded by God to submit and subject to those Powers in their Bodies and Estates for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake This I humbly judge is Written Printed Preached and Professed c. It seems to me That the Old Testament the Law and Prophets which speak most of Political Government are yet silent in this point neither recording the time when the manner how or the words of Gods Commission and their Investment into such absolute Soveraign Authority over his People nor is there as I know or can be produced any one Text from the Old Testament where God by Moses or any of the Prophets commanded his People to submit to Pagan Roman Caesars or Antichristian Idolatrous Beastly bloody Tyrants as Gods Ordinance for the Lords sake or for Conscience sake But the proof of this Doctrine is taken out of the New Testament and two great Apostles of Christ Peter and Paul are made the only Fathers of this Opinion which I desire to examine The Rise and Original of the Pagan Caesars or the 4th Empire was first fore-shewed by the Prophet Daniel in these words After this I saw in the Night-Visions and behold a fourth Beast dreadful and terrible and strong exceedingly and it Dan. 7. 7. expounded v. 23. had great iron teeth it devoured and brake in pieces and stamped the residue with the feet of it And it was divers from all the Beasts that were before it and it had ten horns Here Daniel in his time described the fourth Empire whence it was vers 3. after what it was and how it acted in power and strength by Gods permission but not by Gods Institution and Commission that can be proved The Rise and Original also of Antichrist or the Antichristian State I take to be darkly represented by Daniel in the little â—aâ— 7. 8. vers 24 25 26 27. horn that came up among the ten horns of the Roman Empire or Roman Beast and how that acted also by Gods permission and how that Horn and Beast shall end But this Horn or Beast is shewed to the Apostle John and described fully Rev. 13. 1 2 c. which is generally taken to represent the Antichristian State Civil or Political The Rise of this Beast was out of the Sea and he had ten horns and upon his horns ten Crowns and upon his Heads the names of Blasphemy vers 1. The Dragon or the Devil gave this Beast his Power and his Seat and great Authority vers 2. And there was given him a mouth viz. to the Beast Antichrist speaking great things and Blasphemies vers 5. And he opened his mouth in Blasphemies against God to blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven vers 6. And it was given him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them vers 7. Now when the Original of Antichrist is thus plainly set out Note That his Power Seat and great Authority is from the Devil his work to Blaspheme God and his Worship and to make war with and overcome the Saints how unreasonable and unwarranted seems that Assertion which yet makes the Pagan Roman Caesars and Antichristian Kings to be Constituted Ordained and Invested by God with all Supream Magisterial Authority to rule over his People in Civil Affairs and that the Saints owe submission and subjection unto those Powers in their Bodies and Estates how intollerable bloody and tyrannical soever they be But to me there seems to be an unanswerable Argument couched against this vers 7. in these words And it was given him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them From hence I argue If in the rising State or under the Antichristian Civil State the Saints were in Arms lawfully upon their own defence against Antichrist in his Civil State and Antichrist overcame the Saints in war then the Saints had Civil Priviledges which they lawfully defended against Antichrist But under the Civil State of Antichrist c. Ergo. I will not follow this Argument as I might to prove it from the consent of Scriptures and History but