It is to be noted that one and the same person or the same persons may be lawful higher powers by an accumulation of all these titles put together in several respects after the examples in Scripture and in other Histories They may rule over some people in the Authority of God over others by the Title of Natural Right over others by Inheritance over others by Election over other people by the Title of a Lawful War and all at the same time I could give a good account of this upon principles of Justice and Right Reason But I hasten and therefore this shall suffice concerning Higher powers lawfully such becoming so by the appointment of God of Nature or of Nations by Any or by All of these claims before mentioned or by any other warrantable plea whatsoever it may be Now concerning those Higher powers who are such de facto only and in present possession but not de jure or by any known law of God or man they also come under a Ministers confideration and have several heads of distinction whereby they may be known The Higher powers in being without lawful Title and just Authority so to be and so to Rule are such first of all by Vsurpation which shews it self either in times of Pence or in time of War And secondly by degenerating into Tyranny Vsurping Powers in times of Peace Higher Powers by usurpation are unjust attain the Government either by murther and other violence or else by fraud and flattery Of the first sort I judge Athaliah to be one Athaliah usurps the power by murther who espying her oportunity took hold of it and destroyed all the seed Royal and reigned over the Land above six years according as I compute 2 King 11.1 2 Chron. 22.10 Thus Hazael murthered his Lord and reigned in his stead 2 King 8.15 Hazael likewise even when he lay upon his sick and death-bed and afterward became a cruel Tyrant and ripped up the women with child as it is upon record 1 King 8.12 15. So Richard the third Sirnamed the Vsurper Richard the third mide himself King by murther who being Lord Pretector murthered his two Nephews that he might reign in their stead But did the Crown fit fast upon his head no about two years after his Coronation he was slain in Battel and the dead Carkass contumeliously used all men observing how he was rolled to his grave in blood and mire See the History more at large This for the first member of the distinction In the next place Higher Powers in being Usurpation of the power by fraud 2 Sam. 15.6 first verses Absolom a most traiterous Usurper by speaking lies in hypocrisie may get possession of Government or Rule by fraud and by speaking lies in hypocrisie as Absolom for a time by his fair and plausible dissimulation and officiousness telling the people what he would do if he were King his words are these First See that thy matters are good and right but there is no man deputed of the King to hear thee this was to insinuate a dislike of the lawful present Power Note again Moreover saith Absolom Oh that I were made Judge in the Land that every man which hath any Sute or Cause might come unto me and I would do him justice and he would even kiss those who did obeysance to him and thus stole away the bearts of the men of Israel that he might the more easily EXALT HIMSELF Thus the p. O.P.e. and other Vsurpers innumerable The p. O. P.es Ulurpers by speaking lies in hypocrifie that of Dan. 11.21 is considerable There shall stand up a vile person to whom they shall not give the hour of the Kingdom but he shall come in peaceably and OBTAIN THE KINGDOM BY FLATTERIES Also Abimelech a notorious Usurper Judg. 9. Abimeleck made himself King such an one as it was by fraud flattery and murther Judges 9. throughout This for the second sort of Vsurpers in peaceable times Vsurping Powers by force of Arms Usurpers by the means of war 1. During the War are to be reputed so either during the War slagrante bello betwixt the lawful and unlawful Power or after the end of the War extincto Bello when the Victory is obtained by him who usurpeth the power Instances of the first 2 Sam 2.9 10 are Abner and Ishbosheth Abner after Sauls death made Ishbosheth Sauls Son King I commend him he did not make himself the Monatch King over Gilead and over the Ashurites and over Jesreel and over Ephraim and over Benjamin and over all Israel over whom he reigned two years but the House of Judah followed David Now let the Reader observe carefully David onely was the lawful Power the onely Higher Power de jure of right over all Israel and though Ishbosheth reigned two years yet he was not the King de jure but only de facto and so was not a lawful Higher Power or Supreme but an Vsurper while the War lasted on his part it was an unjust war also and Abner had not a lawful military Power neither as General of the Army All was unlawful and against the express will of God This for the first The second sort of Usurping Powers by the Sword 2. After the war 2 Sam. 17. 18 chapters are so accounted who set up themselves or are set up by their Armies upon Victory in an unjust Quarrel Thus Abselom would have been an unlawful Power if he had prevailed in that Battel which he fought against his Father and there are many examples in Histories of this kind of Usurpation particularly in the History of the German Emperors But I hasten An Higher Power also 2. Head Powers 〈◊〉 unjust by â—â—generating into tyranny who hath lawful Authority at the beginning of the Government may through Tyranny or mal-administration become an unlawful and unrighteous Power afterward as King Saul and King Charls And Histories are full of it But of all Vsurpers or usurping Higher Powers who get into the Throne those are most abominable as Powers who being INTRVSTED BY A PEOPLE to deliver them from slavery and servitude and for the publick good and Commonwealth having Conquered the common Enemy or Tyrant do betray their Trust and bring their friends who paid them and prayed for them who helped to bear their burthens esteemed them as Brethren and fellow-Citizens into as bad or worse servitude and slavery than they were in before and this contrary to Oaths and all manner of Promises Protestations and other Ingagements Pretending they would make them a free people and then MOST PERFIDIOVSLY put an IRON YOKE upon their friends and upon their posterity as much as in them is But more of this abomination by and by I shall break off from this work of distinguishing of Higher Powers for the forms variations are endless the supplanting and pulling down of each other in a most wonderful manner is represented in two chapters most
notably 1 King 16. and 2 King 15. One King reigns two years that 's a great space another six months another reigns one ful month another seven daies These things are written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the world are come But of all Claims and Titles to Government that of the long sharp Sword is the most confounding and the most confused of all the rest Now let the Army prepare themselves to plead in their own defence for a most strict inquiry will be made in whose Name and by what Authority they have done and continue to do all these things which they have done of late dayes against the Truth the Work the Cause of God now to be advanced by Others whom God will chuse and use This for the present shall suffice to the point of the Armies Supremacy As for those who joyn with them to carry on the work of Justice and Mercy according to the Indubitable Principles of right Reason and Equity which is the other part of the clause under consideration By those I mean the Inferior or lower Powers who comply with the Sword-men in governing the Nations by new Laws and of these I say they are not to be resisted * That is by particular private persons as I mean through out doing that which is just and right among the people That is the sum of the matter in hand Object It will be said This is strange is not this to speak contradictions to speak so sharply against the Powers but even now and now to acknowledge that they do carry on the works of Justice and Mercy Answ No not so in the least for you shall hardly read or hear of any Powers though never so wicked and tyrannical in their Government but at times they were found to do many things good in themselves and agreeable to the Principles of Righteousness and Equity though in other respects they were abominable wretches in their governing of the people under them For instance when I wrote this passage in my Epistle of carrying on the works of Justice and Mercy I particularly thought of their keeping under that Enemy which hath been so long contended against with so vast expences and this is the great work of Justice upon that party and Generation whose malice hath been and is inveterate against the Saints of the most High whom the Lord would not ever have to rise up any more to molest and persecute his people Justice upon the wicked is mercy to the righteous The suppressing of Theeves and Murtherers c. is Justice and Mercy both and so far as any Powers Higher or Lower do promote these works they are not therein to be resisted or hindred But I shall make it plain by two or three Scripture-Instances Avashuerosh made a Feast according to his state but the drinking was according to the Law Ester 1.8 None did compel for the King had appointed to all the Officers of his house that they should do according to every mans pleasure Now in this law and appointment the King was not to be resisted But when the same King gave the Jews Gods people into Hamans hand Ester 3.11 To do with them as it should seem good unto him this was to be resisted so far as God gave power and oportunity See the end of the Story The Jews fell upon their enemies and destroyed them Again Saul persecuted David for his life like a wicked Tyrant as he was and having almost laid hold on him tidings came the Philistims had invaded the Land 1 Sam. 23.27 28 he left David and went to drive out the Enemy in this he was not to be resisted or opposed it being for publick good and the escape of the Lords servant So Herod that vile Tyrant who beheaded John Mark 6.20 yet heard him at sometimes and that gladly and did many things that is such things as Johns Doctrines did direct unto Thus you know my meaning in this also that when I speak of the Higher Powers their doing what is in it self morally good and that we are not to resist them in such actions yet I do not hereby in the least acknowledge them to be a lawful Authority for there is no such necessary connexion betwixt them two as if when the present Powers at some times in some things happen to do that which in it self is just and right therefore it must needs follow that they are a lawfull Authority or Just Power for the one is found to be where the other is not As a lawful Magistrate in doing wickedly is to be hindred prevented that he bring not ungodly enterprizes to pass so when any Tyrant or Vsurper doth that which is lawful and right and according to the plain Principles of Justice as most commonly they do somewhat of that kind at certain seasons herein there is no reason of resistance Yet this is no confirmation of him in his unjust Power for there are sufficient grounds for any whom the Lord shall annoint to that work to take such Tyrants off from the face of the earth notwithstanding that which hath been spoken concerning a private persons forbearing to interpose for the hinderance of any good thing performed by them at any time This is all that I intend to speak to the second part of that clause which in this fourth Section was to be explained Onely I think it useful Gods end in this strange unexpected alteration is to be considered that some consideration should be had of the Lords END in ordering the Affairs and alterations of this Time and Day in such manner That after all antient Forms of Government in this Nation are destroyed the Army should thus take upon them to Rule over the people good and bad friends and foes in like manner as if we their Brethren had been conquered by them and subdued as were our enemies and theirs which to me appears one of the most astonishing providences of these last fifteen years That those who were such a praying company such an Heavenly people in their carriage as if the Head-Quarters had been the very Suburbs of the New Jerusalem at the least what a sound from the Camp in those daies of the Cause of the Lord Jesus of the deliverance of the Saints of the Kingdom and reign of Christ of vengeance against Babylon and Antichrist and multitudes of such phrases and Scripture-expressions I say this is most marvellous to observe that these things are forgotten as if they had never been mentioned or talked of in the least What should be the Lords intent or design what may be the mind and counsel of the Almighty thus to suffer these men after all the goodness and kindness of the Lord towards them to set their feet upon the necks of their poor oppressed Brethren that never left them in the least till they left Christ and his Cause to sink or swim and then to raise up themselves into this high and
promising conforming to such prohibitions as that I am made more fervent in spirit against the abominations of these men from the Highest to the Lowest and for the promoting the Interest of my Lord against the Court-Interest lately set up in contradiction to their own solemn Declarations in the sight of God Angels and Men not many yeers ago It is coâ—â—â—rtable to consider That true spiritual Christians have an unction which teacheth them of all things â— Joh. 2.20 27. and they accordingly from that unction have learned to distinguish betwixt the Power and the Weakness of the Rulers betwixt the Ordinances of God and of Men for by the light of the word of truth they know that righteous Laws are the strength of the Higher Powers and that Tyranny and the Results and Consequences of Arbitrariness in Government are their weakness and their folly and not onely so for the knowledge hereof may in some degrees be attained by such as know not Christ but they are able in the power of a higher Spirit then that of the proudest Monarchs to tell them THIS IS A TYRANNICAL WAY OF RULING AND THAT IS A PLAIN CONTRADICTION TO THE LAW OF CHRIST and shall be broken and destroyed though all the Kings of the earth should joyne their Power and Policy to uphold it It is one thing to know wherein Rulers do commit open Abominations and it is another thing to testifie openly against those publick wickednesses without respect of persons But more of this afterwards in its proper place for here it is a Digression from the point in hand I have many things to bring out of that treasury which the Lord hath put into this earthen vessel and should rejoyce to have an opportunity to exemplifie those Truths by lively voice which have been set upon my spirit in this prison where I have remained this nine months and more for I finde it very difficult to express my minde by writing but this I have to encourage me The Lord is able to bless my Indeavors this way for the present seeing I am so unrighteously hindred from preaching the Gospel by the Powers now in Being Having spoken thus much to the first general Qualification That I do own the Powers that are but how ACCORDING TO GOD or ACCORDING AS GOD HIMSELF HATH COMMANDED having particularly explained my meaning to own them by submitting to their Laws whether Arbitrary or Rational according as may consist with our Allegiance to Christ and the direction of his word and spirit which in very many cases directs us to obey passively but to die rather then to fulfil their Law by active obedience I shall now go on to the next limitation which is to own them in paying tribute custom and honor and fear as I have expressed in the forementioned Epistle I shall now go on to the next Limitation which is to pay them Tribute and Custome Honor and Fear as I have expressed in the fore-mentioned Epistle And because I do own the Higher Powers in this particular also I shall explain my self herein likewise A Discourse concerning Taxations from Scripture according as I intended when I wrote though then I had not any thoughts that I should bee brought upon the Stage to give so publick an account of my Principles and Practice in the payment of those Taxes which I and others of my Brethren are still burthened withall though some Abatement is now spoken of But first for the better and more effectual satisfaction of the people of God I shall communicate what I have met with in the good word of God concerning this thing for it is suitable to my Office and may bee useful to the Saints to understand something concerning the first practice of this Oppression and which will bee more welcome when their Taxations will bee removed and have an end It is to bee remembred That one of the Higher Powers is described very briefly and emphatically thus Heb. One that causeth an Exactor to passe over He did suddenly stand up was as suddenly pulled down Whether Moses Joshua the first Judges which preceded Monarchy were Raisers of Taxes Dan. 11.20 There shall stand up a RAISER of TAXES c. but within few dayes he shall be destroyed neither in Anger nor in Battel It is worth our observation That the Spirit of God gives him no other Title as if this Taxing of the people were the Beginning and the End of his Reign Before I speak of particular Instances I desire the Reader to search the Scriptures that so he may be able to satisfie himself in this Question viz. Whether Moses Joshua or the Judges did practise the way of Assesments and Impositions upon their Brethren which now are so current and have been so much in use in the Nations round about as well as here at home so that it is as it were another nature as it happens to those Porters who carry Burthens custome makes that to seem but light to them which to another not conversant in such Imployment would be found a Burthen too heavy for him to bear The children of Israel were made a FREE PEOPLE by God when he took them out of the House of Bondage and so might have continued under their Judges Jehovah being their King and Lawgiver If they had not set up a King after the manner of the IDOLATROUS NATIONS round about them There is not a more broad black badge of absolute slavery under absolute Sovereignty than for a people once made free by Gods especial Providence to be contented to bee Taxed and Assessed by the Arbitrary power of a Sovereign Lord afterward I shall begin this Epitome of the HISTORY of TAXES Monarchy and Taxes born brought forth among Gods people in Samuels time with the History of Monarchy set up in the midst of Israel rashly and unadvisedly by themselves when they were blessed with Samuel one of the best Governours that ever the people of God injoyed for it appears to mee that these Burthens upon the Lords people came in with Kingship or at least the way was prepared for Bondage to return upon them when nothing but a King would serve their turn For when the Lord bid Samuel protest solemnly unto them It is the manner of Kings to take the peoples goods in part or in whole 1 Sam. 8.14 15. 16 17. verses and shew them the manner of the King that shall reign over them Among other heads of Arbitrary power which he reckoned up before them hee tells them plainly THAT THEIR KING WOVLDTAKE THEIR FIELDS AND THEIR VINEYARDS AND THEIR OLIVEYARDS even the best of them and give them to his servants And he will TAKE saith Samuel THE TENTH OF YOVR SEED AND OF YOVR VINEYARDS and give to his Eunuchs and to his servants He will TAKE THE TENTH OF YOVR SHEEP and yee shall be his servants c. Now although the total sum of the charge besides their bondage otherwise
for the mantainance of a Monarch was computed to rise so high so that it would make them at length cry unto the Lord because of their King And indeed Kings and Sovereign Lords or what ever Titles they are known by are COSTLY CREATVRES * 1 Sam. 8.18 19 20 verses and will make the people sigh and cry too within a little while after they are gotten into the Saddle I say notwithstanding all this they said Nay but there shall be a King over us a King shall reign over us that we also may be like all the Nations * As if they should say Seeing slavery is in fashion in other Nations we will be slaves also Tyranny being the Mode in all Countries round about us we will have a Tyrant too though God himself say Nay we say Yea. Rom 15.4 And when they had gotten him they all shouted God save the King they had not known by experience the Burthensomnesse of Taxes and Tribute of Tenths and Fifteenths one time after another for they that ruled them aforetime under 〈◊〉 being Judges raised up in needful seasons were Savâ—â—â—rs and Deliverers and not Raisers of Taxes and so while they walked as his people there was not a freer people upon the face of the earth than they But now let him that readeth and those that hear the words of this History collected out of the Oracles of God observe exactly what followed hereupon for whatsoever things were written aforetime either Prophetically or Historically concerning Kings and their Arbitrary power concerning Taxe and Tribute-money as well as other matters were written for our learning that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope And indeed I write in hope and not in despair as he that soweth soweth in hope that some good fruit will follow though divers sharp storms may intervene At the first entrance to this New Honor Saul behaved himself as if Samuels words would want a verification Good Man He could not bee found hee had hid himself among the stuff * 1 Sam. 10.21 he had rather have lived in a Cottage all dayes of his life people might think by this symptome of Self-denial than live in a Royal Palace and be attended and honoured like a King Besides there was no probability hee would ever oppresse the people by taking their Vineyards c. from them For whereas some brought no presents to their New King as did others but despised him saying How shall this man save us Hee held his peace * 1 Sam. 10.27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 LXX Plane conticuit Tre. fuit ut obmutescens he passed it by as if hee did not understand any thing of those Mysteries Hee was altogether unlike a Raiser of Taxes upon his Brethren for he did not care one would think for presents He made a fair shew in the flesh * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being a Member of the Church of God in matters of Religion and Godlinesse also For when one of the dis-affected party who would not have him to be King was called for to be put to death as a Traytor to his new Crown and Dignity The Kiâ—â—â—aid * 1 Sam. 11.12 13. There shall not a man be put to death this day for to 〈…〉 â—ord hath wrought salvation in Israel Did not this Kiâ—â—â—peak like a very godly man Did he speak as if he would be Arbitrarie in his Government 1 Sam. 9 7 21 1 Sam. 10 6.10 11. cap. 11. v. 13 15. c. 14.18 from 34. to 44. and take their goods as Samuel said without and against all Law and Equity See the Scriptures in the Margin if you would understand what a Professor Saul was while yet he was an ordinary private man and after he came to the honor of Kingship also for a good space of time But at length when he was told * 1 Sam. 15.23 26 28. The Kingdome should be rent from him and given to his neighbour that he should * Vers 30. lose his honor before the Elders and the People then he begun to appear in his proper colours First Samuel that had been so instrumental to set him up was fearful his Tyranny would break forth against him to his destruction and slaying is worse than taxing see 1 Sam. 16.2 If Saul hear it saith he that I go to anoint another to be King he will kill me The next apparent Symptome of his Tyranny we find to be against David these were two of the choisest men in the whole Nation The young man had no lands it seems for he calls himself a poor man 1 Sam. 18.23 but Saul finds out a way of taxing him at an hundred foreskins of the Philistims * A strange Taxe laid upon David by K. Saul but his end was to get his life neverthelesse David payes his Tax and saves his own life the Lord being with him in that desperate Design he brings two hundred Fore-skins and they gave them in full tale like so much money told out unto the King * That Tare levied and paid by David vers 27. Moreover The Spirit of God makes it plain that Samuel was a true Prophet concerning the point in hand for in the 1 Sam. 22.7 he makes this speech Will the son of Jesse give you every one Fields and Vineyards c. Where I gather Saul could do it namely at this time Indeed time was when he could not speak at that rate but now being King and Sovereign Ruler he could send for any mans estate in part or in whole as the Prophet said He could by his private Council vote men Traytors as he did and he that makes no conscience of takin 〈…〉 mens lives for pretended Treason will make as lit 〈…〉 aking away their estates And so he might quickly 〈◊〉 â—ields and Vineyards good store though not well gotten to give his Eunuchs and servants that knew well how to please his humor and serve his lusts Thus he dealt with the Priests Hee slew at once by a verbal order * Saul slayes the Priests of the Lord as Traytors by a verbal order Here were Vineyards for him to give his Court Parasites and Doegs hand eighty five persons that did wear a linnen Ephod and what was the pretended crime Oh they were Traytors for they conspired against me saith Saul and their hand is with David they gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him and did not come and tell him who was their King c. Having destroyed the City and the inhabitants men women and children here were rewards and gratuities for his Courtiers This was a quicker way than levying of Taxes So he dealt with the Gibeonites * The Gibeonites slain by Saul what became of their estates Kings as well as the Judges were to govern according to the Law of God See Deut. 17.18 19 20. 2 Sam. 21.1 He slew them no question they had some substance
and to whom did it belong but the King Now the Judges while they were the Higher Powers in the Nation under God did not use to take away the lives and estates of their brethren arbitrarily as Kings did but observed the Letter and the Equity of the Law and there is no Law that I can find for taxing their brethren with a monthly Assesment or otherwise I have been the larger upon this to the end you may see when a single person Reigns and Rules in the PORT POMP and POWER of an ABSOLVTE KING destroying old Laws and making new at his pleasure permitting such Laws to continue in force which do not so neerly reflect upon his Interest but suppressing all others there is more danger to a free people from him than from those who are circumscribed by the Law and have no Army at command to stand by them in case they should mis-govern at any time Thus you have seen as in a glasse of Chrystal That they who set up the PROFITABLE TRADE OF KING-CRAFT WITH MEN OF WAR TO PROTECT THEM for Saul was General as well as King â—â—y in a short time if they follow their Leader Saul the first Monarch over the Church and people of God become very rich in Silver and Gold and other substance from the Confiscations and Impositions c. which by their Prerogative Royal they lay upon the people I shall passe over Davids times briefly because he being a man after Gods own heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 13.22 and generally desiring to fulfill all his wills and not his own was by grace prevented and restrained from those outrages which his Predecessor was guilty of The matter of Vriah is excepted indeed when all his other mis-carriages were buried by an act of oblivion from the Great Jehovah as you find it 1 King 15.5 Neverthelesse for our learning as to the point in hand he took away Mephibosheths lands * 2 Sam. 16. begin zibah the Court Parasite flattereth David into an unworthy and unjust proceeding against innocent Mephibosheth without hearing the Accused and the Accuser face to face And certainly if he did such an act of injustice in the time of his streights he might have made many such instances of taking away the estates of guiltlesse subjects if the Lord had not kept him from such oppression A single Person though a Saint in the exercise of highest Power will certainly act the part of a wicked Tyrant if he hearken to wicked Informers as you find even David did to Zibah how much more if he be an Hypocrite will he persecute the Righteous who have detected his tyrannical subtle Dissimulations In the next place let us examine the Reign of Solomon the wise His Government also was very heavy herein * Solomon laid a Tribute and a heavy yoke also 2 Chron. 10.4 1 King 12.4 especially in his latter dayes for all the Congregation of Israel came to his Son saying Thy Father made our yoke grievous now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy Father and his heavy yoke that he put upon us and we will serve thee It s plain the people accounted themselves oppressed and wearied with the weight of Solomons Government It is also cleerly expressed in the Text that King Solomon 1 King 5.13 did raise a levie out of all Israel and that Adoniram or Adoram who was over the Tribute being sent to quiet the Mutiny was slain by the people 1 King 12.18 inraged against Rehoboam for giving such an answer All this is past dispute Quest But what was that Tribute or Levie in particular which occasioned so fatal a Rent of ten Tribes from the house of David on such a sudden Ans So far as I can apprehend for the present by comparing things together it was that Tribute of men mentioned 1 King 5.13 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same word in Rom. 13.6 7. LXX it is varied in the Margin You may find that Solomon was exceedingly addicted to build and to plant and he imployed an hundred and fifty thousand men I suppose the most part of his Reign to build besides the house of the Lord and his own several Cities for store Cities for his Chariots Cities for his Horses c. 1 King 9.19 And though they were Tributaries and not of the children of Israel yet Vers 21. being eppressed with constant bond-service as it is called Its no marvel though they grew discontent and mutinous And although they having a reverend regard to King Solomon who first imposed this Tribute or Levie 1 King 12.16 Rehoboams continuing and going about to increase their burthen and bondage fatal to his Court-Interest would not rise up against him yet it appears they would not indure the Yoke and the Burthen to be continued upon their Necks and their Backs by his son Rehoboam However it was you see their Oppressions long continued bred discontent and that discontent broke out into that which the New King and his young Privy Counsellors would no doubt account and call Rebellion and no doubt they would have made a war upon them rather than have put up so high an affront if God himself had not sent a peremptory prohibition by his Prophet to prevent them 1 King 12.23 24. From the premises in this Instance of Solomon and his Son these following Observations may be made 1 That the most prudent Monarchs are too apt to stretch their power beyond its bounds and to advance an Assumed Prerogative to the prejudice of the people in point of Liberty and comforts otherwise 2 That all extrajudicial and illegal Impositions Taxes Tributes Levies and Assesments in any kind whatsoever do ingender very bad blood in the peoples veines which produceth dangerous discontents and distempers in the midst of them 3 A free people oppressed by violent Imprestings Imprisonments Confiscations and any Arbitrary practices though managed by the wisest States-men will watch a convenient season to obtain a just remedy or throw their Riders Issachar was compared to a strong Asse couching down between two burthens Gen. 49.14 Issachar is compared to an Asse for becoming a servant unto Tribute 1 Chron. 12.32 he saw that rest was good and the land that it was pleasant and bowed his shoulder to bear and he became a servant unto Tribute But afterward the men of Issachar the Asse was now become a man had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do the heads of them were two hundred and all their brethren were at their Commandement The Tribe which was most oppressed could tell when it was the best season to relinquish the house of Saul and to set up David to be King And no question those of Gods people now who beside the burden which is laid upon them in common with their neighbours are under bondage otherwise for conscience sake who are called and looked upon as Fools will have understanding given
make an unfeigned separation from the carnal and world-like Church when you discern their indignation to be altogether against Raising of Taxes and imposing the Tribute money upon the children who are free and to levie their Tribute of Bond-service upon those who will not have Christ but Antichrist reign over them Then lift up your heads and hope that your full Redemption draweth neer Mat. 17.25 26. Christ Jesus the Lord pronounceth the children free and the Kings of the earth in those dayes did not exact or take Custom or Tribute of their own people but of strangers as it appears by Peters words But how far Oh God! are thine own people from promoting their own good or from removing the oppressions of their brethren they are taking a DIRECT COURSE to perpetuate the Kingdome of the fourth Beast in these Nations after all thine appearances for their deliverance and instead of saying Come Lord Jesus Come quickly with the Spirit and with the Bride in understanding they say God save the Image of earthly Monarchy they shout as when Saul was made a King OH IMAGE OF KINGSHIP LIVE FOR EVER Verily the Lord Jesus wil find a time to reckon with whole Churches and their Leaders that cause them to erre and it is ten thousand to one if any of those who sent up Pillars out of the Countries to support and shore up the tottering and decrepit Roman power Heb. 49 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There remains a Salbatism or Sabbatical rest to the people of God shall enter into that Rest which remaineth to the people of God The Lord have a gracious respect to that Remnant which he hath reserved to himself out of the mixt multitude of Hyprocrites and Apostates Oh when will the Lord form a people for himself as the Kings of the earth have formed a people for themselves to shew forth to set forth their praise and honor and glory in the world How are the souls of many Saints in travel till Christ take to him HIS GREAT POWER and REIGN Rev. 11.17 they long to see the return of their King from that far Country to which he went so many hundred yeers ago to receive a Kingdom for himself and to Return Return Luke 19.12 Psal 45.2 Rev 5.5 Rev. 22.16 Mal. 4.2 Luke 9.26 Mat. 24.42 Return to the many thousands of the true Israel Oh thou fairest among the children of men Oh come Thou Lion of the Tribe of Judah Thou bright and morning Star Thou Son of Righteousnesse Appear in thine own glory in thy Fathers and of the holy Angels Neverthelesse not when we would but when thou wilt in the mean time we by thy grace wil wait wil watch wil walk as those who expect their Lords coming to take vengeance on his enemies and to repay recompence to his Adversaries according to all the evill they have done in thy sight to thy poor oppressed people Amen Hallelujah Having thus far endeavoured to set those things streight which Sathan and his servants had made crooked representing me most basely and extreme unworthy as an Apostate to the prejudice of the service of Christ in my hand so far as in them lay I shall now proceed to the next part of the Letter which hath been so grievously handled having been tortured and torn limb from limb as it were and examined upon the wrack to make it confesse as the enemies of Christ would have it SECT IV. THe principle Clause in this part of the Epistle foregoing I conceive is this By the Powers in Being I understand the Army as supreme all those that joyn with them to carry out the work of Justice and of Mercy according to the indubitable principles of right Reason and Equity c. For the manifestation of the truth or at least of my apprehensions concerning this matter I may according to the Rules of method first speak of the Armies supremacy and then of those who joyn with them for the ends even now expressed Concerning the first I suppose it is needlesse to spend time to bring demonstrations for the confirming of this Assertion there are enough made ready to my hand in that all men grant which they would not do without sufficient demonstration wise men especially first that the Army was and is yet to this day a power in being And then secondly they must needs acknowledge it Supreme for the Nations and all sorts of people beside them of that Corporation do feel it sufficiently it is a truth that may be felt some feel it with smart as being oppressed by them and there is none to rescue the oppressed out of their hands there is no Horn of salvation raised up of God to push them lower unto this day and others feel it with gladnesse and delight for their gain is great There is indeed a name and a noyse of an Assembly called a Parliament Jer. 52.32 and of Reverend Judges sitting aloft and somewhat high to judge the people but still the Armies Throne is higher than the Thrones of all the other powers in the Nations they set open and they shut up the doors of the Higher or Lower House according to their pleasure so that instead of proving that they are the Supreme Power in these parts of the earth I have somewhat else to do toward the explication of my meaning namely to declare how it came to passe and for what end the Lord hath so ordered it at this season And this I will do by the help of the Lord as a Minister of the Gospel who of all other men are most of all bound and ingaged to regard the works of the Lord and to consider the opperations of his hands especially Isa 5.12 those works which are wrought and brought to pass in their dayes that so the knowledge of the Lord may spread and increase among the Saints even that knowledge of God which is attained by the word of his mouth and the works of his hands the study and meditation of the marvellous works of the Almighty being most sweet and abundantly satisfactory to every heavenly heart For the more perspicuous explication of that which I apprehend in this matter but cannot utter as I would I have digested my meditations into the insuing Propositions or Observations which in a very short space wil help you to pass through a vaste tract of time and that with such evidence of truth as you go along that you need not stay and spend time to apply the touchstone to it as in some cases it is necessary to be done Propos or Observ 1. The most High ruleth in the Kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will Dan 4.32 He changeth the times and the seasons He removeth Kings and setteth up Kings He giveth wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them that know understanding Dan. 2.21 Prop. or Obser 2. This most High God divided to the Nations their Inheritance Deut 32.8 and the first ground
and as it were Catholique Dominion was given to the Assyrians and Babylonians the next to the Medes and Persians The third to the Macedonians or Grecians The fourth to the Romans These four successively each in their times according to the All-wise appointment of the will of God were Lords of the world Dan. 2. Dan. 7. Dan. 11. The people of God were not free from these yokes of bondage as you have read already in the former Section Prop. or Obser 3. The Roman Monarchy the last of the four Kingdoms or Beasts as the Spirit of God doth expresly call them was at its full growth or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the time of the birth of the Prince of the Kings of the earth Numb 24.17 just at the Meridian of the Roman glory did the Star of Jacob arise and shine but with a very dim light to the sight of the world for yet he had not manifested forth his glory as afterward he did Joh. 2.11 This is plain as from other Histories so from Luk. 2.7 first verses Where all the world you find was to be taxed by the Decree of Augustus Caesar who now was in peaceable possession of the Roman Empire Anthony and Lepidus being overcome The Kingdom of Heaven it seems which shall break in peeces all these Kingdoms was designed to be set up at that instant conjuncture of time when this Monarchy was grown to its full perfection But more of this in due time and place if the Lord so please Prop. or Obser 4. This fourth Beast both killed the Lord Jesus and Millions and Myriards of his Discipes for the first 300 years after Christ as the Ecclesiastical Story of the Ten first Persecutions doth at large declare In process of time after various forms and shapes assumed as in Rev. 17.10 He appears at length with seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crowns c. Rev. 13.2 3. To this Beast there described the Dragon gives his Power or Host his Throne and great Authority and so prosecutes on the behalf of the Dragon the old trade of deceiving the Nations and persecuting the Saints of the most High especially he falls upon those in every age who are zealous contenders for the present truth of every age Rev. 11. Rev. 13. Rev. 17. Prop. or Obser 5. These North-west Nations are undoubtedly some of those ten Horns which have given their power and strength to the Beast to make war with the Lamb and his followers And the evidence of Prophecy and History is so strong in this particular that all the Protestant Interpreters whom I have conversed with do agree in this Truth That the Race of Kings in this Island have together with the other Kings of Europe agreed and given their Kingdom to the Beast Rev. 17.13 and whether it be wholly taken from him again I mean in this Nation to this day is worthy a grave and serious examination Prop. or Obser 6. Now more particularly King Charls was within the compass of these Prophecies for he was not for the setting up of the Kingdom of Christ No not so much as in appearance or pretence much less in heart The spirit of the fourth Beast was plainly to be discerned in him by those who were wise and had their spiritual senses at their right hand For the wise shall understand faith Daniel but none of the wicked shall understand Dan. 12. But observe carefully that which followeth Prop. or Obser 7. This King Charles was fourteen or fifteen years since acknowledged an Higher Power in these Nations being in quiet possession of the best Title to Govern and to Rule the people of any other But the Decrees of the most High for this age being to take place he was necessitated to call a Parlament and to give it an existence in conjunction with the free people of the Nation they being the two legal efficient causes thereof So here was another Higher Power in being sent by him and the people as the Apostle distinguisheth the Powers according to the known Law of the Land This we have heard and seen and it was and is still marvellous in our eyes Prop. or Obser 8. This second Higher Power as I express it did contend with him who helped to make them a Power and to give them their lawful existence in that capacity This power after many bloody conflicts by their Forces did take away his Dominion to consume and to destroy it to the end then there was we thought an end of Kingship and this second Power declared themselves the Supreme Authority of the Nation changing the Government from the notion of King and Kingdom into that of a Commonwealth This was a great and wonderfull work of God which we are to consider with great regard Prop. or Obser 9. This Higher Power now supreme had impowred and Authorized after the Essexian Army was not found a fit Instrument for the work the new modeld Army and so they became a second higher Power in the Nation also sent by the Parlament as the Parlament was sent by the King and People But yet and for a good space they were and they acted as subordinate to the Supreme Civil Authority Nevertheless in process of time after most admirable Vicissitudes this military subordinate higher Power did take away the Parlaments Dominion to confume and to destroy it to the end I say they pluckt up the supreme Power so owned by themselves by the very roots even as they had eradicated Monarchy and damned it for ever as much as in them lay Prop. or Obser 10. Hereupon no Antient Legal Civil higher Power or supreme Authority was in being And that there might be a total destruction or dissolution of the old Fabrick to the foundation yea of the foundation and all The Souldiers took upon them to set up an Assembly somewhat like a Parlament which by major Vote called themselves by that name but how improperly not to say ridiculously let Law and Custom speak for neither King nor people did put forth any causal vertue towards their production as by Law they ought But to be short the Souldiery quickly pulled them down again like King Charles who by his Prerogative when the Parlament had no mind to humor his lusts would dissolve them at his pleasure Thus you by this time do not onely understand that they are supreme as I assert but you see quibus viis modis by what waies and means they are gotten into the Throne Now can any Christian nay can any rational Creature find fault with me for observing these wondrous works of the great Jehovah Can they find in their hearts to be angry with me for calling aloud to all the Saints and others too if they had ears to hear in Davids words Come behold the works of the Lord what desolations he hath made in the earth Psal 46.8 and as he cries out Psal 66.57 Come and see the works of God he hath been terrible
he will be more terrible in his doing toward the children of men He ruleth by his power for ever his eies behold the Nations Let not the rebellious EXALT THEMSELVES Selah Whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord Psal 107.43 We have seen we have seen an end of all perfection which hath been preserved for so many ages The person and power of a King and the Son of antient Kings is cut down and cost out as an abominable Branch the Privilege of Parlament the Parlament and all their numerous unknown Privileges pulled down and devoured by the Army at a Breakfast the Liberties of the people also have met with the same destiny thus this antient threefold Cord made and preserved by our Ancestors with so much care with so great cost of blood and treasure is utterly untwisted and broken all to peeces By this brief account of these astonishing Alterations that great Truth which I laid as the first stone and the corner stone of this Discourse is worthy of remembrance The most High ruleth in the Kingdom of Men He changeth the times and the seasons He removeth Kings and setteth up Kings He the Lord doth all these things and other wonders without number His works are honorable and glorious sought cut of all that have pleasure therein Psal 111.2 3. Thus according to that talent of understanding which is given to me in these great and strange transpositions of Powers by the effectual influence of the first cause according to the words of the Prophets Kingly Power Aristocratical Privilege and Democratical Liberty being dissolved destroyed and disanulled as you have read heard and seen the Army must needs be the remaining Higher Power within these Nations If any Man Lawyer States-man c. know a Higher Power than theirs a stronger power than theirs a more absolute power than theirs I would willingly hear him speak his mind in that particular But to proceed if it be observed I only say They are the Supreme Power without addition or determination what kind of Power I own them as an Higher as the Highest earthly Power de facto acting and exercising such a superiority over the people but quo jure that is another Question fitter for the Lawyers to plead if they would or Durst than for me yet this I can find ground to say If any one ever heard me say they were a lawfull Authority or as is suggested If any person whatsoever can produce any writing wherein I acknowledge them a lawful or legal Authority since the 16. of the 10. Month 1653. let them publish it to the world and I will ingenuously confesse I am no way able to mantain or justifie such an Assertion in the least let them that please exercise their wits to perswade the credulous For Nibil tam incredibile quod non dicendo fiat probabile as Tully faith I shall according to the duty of my Office declare from the good word of God what is there upon record for a testimony against that generation of Back sliders from the Cause of Christ whom these following truths either do now or may hereafter very much concern The Scriptures of Truth do give us much light in the matter under consideration Rom 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Higher powers 1 Pet. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the King 's supreme and 1 Tim. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—hich are in superiority There are several degrees and several kinds of Powers There are Higher or Lower Powers Supreme or Subordinate The Translators do render the word Higher in Pauls Epistle to the Romans and the same word they translate Supreme in Peters Epistle to the Jews This is also plain to sense and reason I shall not trouble the Reader further with this so I put it first to dispatch it unlesse I meet with an oportunity to do further service with this distinction As for the several kinds of Higher Powers that also needs little explication In some Nations there is one kind in others another kind Kings Judges Elders Patriachs c. But there is also a Distribution of Powers by their Adjuncts Distributio subjecti in adjuncta and so the Powers that are are either Lawful or Vnlawful Lawful Higher Powers are such either from God or from Nature or from Nations From God either first by especial Designation in love and mercy to a people as Moses David Christ Jesus the Lord Or else secondly by especial Designation in wrath for trial and punishment to a people Thus Jeroboam was set up by God for trial to the ten Tribes and for punishment to Solomon or rather chastisement and punishment to his son Rehoboam saith God by his Prophet I have given ten Tribes to thee I will take thee and thou shalt Reign and shalt be King over Israel 1 King from 29. to 37. compared with the 12. Chapter and the 24 vers Thus Saul was given to the Israelites by God in his anger partly for trial that he might see what was in their hearts and partly for punishment because they had rejected the Lord from being their King neverthelesse Saul was a lawful Higher Power for a time although given in displeasure Thus Baasha was exalted out of the dust by God as the Lord sent him word and by him made Prince over his people Israel to fulfill the word of the Lord against Jeroboam and his house 1 King 16. Chap. vers 2. There are other instances but I proceed In the next place there are Higher powers by nature that is they are possessed and that justly of the Dignity of Superiority and of the power of Government by a pure natural Right These Higher powers are either Paternal or Patriarchal such a right had Adam the Father of all Living so Noah Abraham and other heads of the houses of their Fathers as the Elders of the Israelites in Egypt Exod. Exo. 3.16.4 29. 6.14 The lower powers in Families are a Steward whom the Housholder or Lord of the Family makes Ruler over his Houshold to give them their portion of meat in due season as Christ expresseth this matter Luke 12.42 such an inferiour power was Eliezer of Damascus the Steward of Abrahams house so Tutors and Governors of the Heir till the time appointed of the Father are lawful lower powers c. Thirdly Higher powers are justly such by a National Right or by the voluntary consent of those Nations whom they govern and this either in time of peace by election or succession as Judah did cleave to Rehoboam the Son of Solomon and many other Instances might be added or else by victory in a just War as the Canaanites became Tributaries and other people also in all ages And thus the Lord Jesus himself will be actually an higher power by conquest of the Nations For in Righteousnesse be will judge and make war Rev. 19.11 But to conclude this part of the Distribution
mighty honor of being the Lords of the Nations and their Iron-Law-givers not so much as consulting with their faithful friends whose prayers and counsels they were wont to desire upon their entrance into great Enterprizes Quest Who knows the mind of the Lord is this secret with any of those that fear him and who walk before him with a perfect heart Answ Although I would not presume to intrude where I must not hope to be admitted yet I may give in my apprehensions in this matter with sobriety and submission to Saints of more intimate acquaintance with the Lord without offence and that in a very few words 1 The Lord may permit these things these strange mutations of mens minds that all the world may see that marching out of Egypt and entring into Canaan are motions very much differing from each other of 600000 men which came out of the house of Bondage but onely two single persons entred into the promised Land Those men who conquer Ameleck dare not encounter with Anak but had rather make a Captain to go back to Egypt than follow God their Leader over Jordan and as the Apostle phraseth it As it was then even so it is now 2 Another end of Gods leaving this unhappy new Model and their unhappy General to themselves and their own hearts lusts may be this That the poor afflicted people plainly perceiving that they will not cannot do that work which they declared for might be so much the more importunate with the King of Saints to make haste and come himself and in the mean time to provide himself of new servants to carry on that most blessed Design which his heart is set so much upon 3 That the All-wise God may take advantage to separate the precious from the vile who being so busie in beholding and wondering after this new Image of the Beast there is a rare oportunity for the faithful followers of the Lamb to leave and depart from those professors who have now demonstrated to the world that they followed Christ and his Cause for the loaves and not for the miracles which he hath done before their eyes 4 That having made this further separation from Babylon in the Army and in the Head-Quarters at King Charls his Palace He may form a peculiar people for himself to begin where the New Model left even to pour out those Vials of the wrath of God upon the Antichristion State and Seat which are next to be emptied by those Angels that come out of the Temple But if These are no part of his end propounded to himself in this matter then I exhort the Saints who are inquiring into these things to observe exactly every step of Providence Finis op ris Finis operantis that they may see what end the Lord will make for it is good to understand the end of the action if we must not know the end of the Agent or efficient Cause So much in reference to the consideration of those ends which the Lord might propound to himself in this strange passage of Providence I have not yet finished the explication of this clause There is somewhat yet further to be unfolded and communicated to my Brethren in the Lord throughout all the Churches of the Saints who are spirited for Generation-work On that I might be anointed with fresh oyl to speak forth to the advantage of the truth and work of Christ what I have received of the Lord that so others might hear and fear and do no more either so foolishly or so presumptuously as lately they have done But first I must premise a few words for a Manuduction thereunto Thus I apprehend the thing and thus I expresse my mind One part of a Nation may for their own ends accept of that person or those persons for a supreme or a subordinate power which another part of the people may lawfully refuse to close withal or accept for their Rulers or their Governors though thereunto required or otherwise attempted by their Brethren There is a famous Instance of this in the 1 King 16.16 Zimri a Souldier of great command in the Army but not then General conspired and smote and slew the King and reigned in his stead The people who were incamped against Gibbethon hearing hereof made Omri the Captain of the host or their General King over Israel that day in the Camp Here was part of the Souldiers had made Zimri King and the greater part I suppose made Omri King But this is not that which I intend for my Instance the quarrel being betwixt the Souldiers in this place King Omri overcame King Zimri for they shall have that Title seeing the Holy Ghost saith of the one and the other that they did reign though Zimri reigned but seven dayes And then this is my Instance the people of Israel were divided into two parts Half of the people followed Tibni the Son of Ginath to make him King and half followed Omri-Surely the Spirit of God intends some instruction to us by this punctual Narration of such a matter 1 King 16.21 I conceive for my part that upon Considerations which might be offered they could not impose a King upon each other being equally free who had the better Title it is hard to say for the one had as many votes as the other the people being equally divided At length Omri obtained the Crown and so all must consent or be silent which in a sense is as much as consent for the present We may put the case thus Suppose half the free people of England are for the setting up of a Monarch with a guard of thirty thousand men to protect him in his Honour and Power Suppose half the people are for a Commonwealth what Law of God or man will justifie the first half that have declared for Monarchy to impose upon the other half who knowing the manner of all Kings from the infallible Oracles of God refuse to be governed by Kingship and accordingly declare against it considering they are as free as themselves who presume to impose and have more from Scripture and the Law of the Land for their rejecting of a King than the others for imbracing him especially if imposed upon them by their Equals Equals in that point of Freedome Verily if a small inconsiderable number of the Free-men of England not to mention other Considerations do oppose by all Arguments such an Imperious power from their Brethren insulting over them I do not see how any honest man can draw a sword against these dissatisfied Free-men and if the sword forbear I make no question but Scripture Law and Reason would prevail But it is worthy of Observation That the Captain of this Host is not yet advanced so far towards the setling of this new Yoke upon the Nation as Omri was in that 1 King 16.22 for adbuc sub Judice lis est And the Army together with their Partakers in the late declared strange Government not having made
The Oppressed Close Prisoner In WINDSOR-Castle HIS DEFIANCE TO The Father of Lyes In the strength of The God of Truth Occasioned by some late scandalous and slanderous Reports raised and dispersed to the Dishonour of that noble Cause wherein He with others of the Lords servants is so deeply engaged AS ALSO A Seasonable Word concerning the Higher Powers concerning the payment of Taxes and Tribute-money by the Saints to those Powers And how far a Minister of the Gospel may intermeddle in State-Affairs without sin By CHR. FEAKE in his Prison-Watch-tower Prov. 25.18 19. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a Mâ—ul and a Sword and a sharp Arrow Confidence in an Unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joynt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zor coram Dario. London Printed for L. Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-alley 165â— The Preface THat space of time which remains to that old Serpent the Devil and Satan before the beginning of the thousand yeers being but short * Which according to my computation will expire within less then 50 yeers from this yeer 1654 It is no marvel that he is so much inraged at the Woman and that he continues to go forth to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ My expectations also are abundantly confirmed that the poor Nations will be most sadly deceived by him for the forementioned space of time insomuch that whilst the power of his Sophistry and Seduction is upon them they will freely expose themselves and all that is dear unto them to extream hazards for his service The certain and particular knowledge of these things doth much affect my heart with pity and I would gladly be at work with others to give forth Antidotes among the children of men But behold he hath by divine permission cast me and some other Brethren into Prison that we might be tried and I have had tribulation neer ten months of days a great part of which time I have also been shut up in a very narrow compass from the common air and which is far worse from the sweet society of the Saints But my dear Lord bids me be of good cheer and exhorts me most lovingly to be faithful to the DEATH and he will give me a CROWN OF LIFE Those most incouraging communications from Heaven whereof my soul hath had more sweet and plentiful experience then in any condition formerly will have I am perswaded a very effectual influence upon my spirit to cause it to bear up against all the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Devices and Wiles or Methods of that wicked one yea through Christ strengthning me having taken the shield of faith I shall be able to quench all those fiery darts * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are shot against me to cause me to fall or quit the field and so desert that most noble Interest wherein I have with my fellow-workers unto the Kingdom of God been so long and so publickly engaged against the Kings and other Supream Powers of the Earth The cunning craftiness of this God of this world and of his Pursevants for the Devil also hath his Pursevants or Messengers deceitful Workers * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 11.13 hath raised and spread false reports and slanderous reproachful rumours as if I also had recanted as if I had renounced my Principles that now I begin to droop these lyes have begotten strange effects in the mindes and affections of the simple who are apt to believe every word and of the adversaries who would greatly rejoyce if it might be found a Truth Assuredly it is mater of some importance in this conjuncture of time for every one of the faithful followers of the Lambe to be fellow-helpers to the Truth * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 John 8. and to the cause and work of Christ which ere long shall have a most glorious resurrection although so many like the souldiers and Priests of old when the Lord of glory was dead and buried desire they may lie in the grave of oblivion so as never to rise again If it were onely a personal reproach particularly intended against me and reflecting upon me alone a poor inconsiderable instrument in the Lords hand I could through grace have borne it patiently without answering again according as I have endured a thousand for neer this ten yeers both in City and Country but this reacheth to the heavens * Captutinter nubila condit and rides pâ—st through the Nations to the dishonour of my Lord and Master the Lord Jesus Christ whose I am and whom I serve and to the further disparagement of that known great affair of His which hath been so slighted of late yeers by the quondam zealous assertors of it Wherefore if I should altogether hold my peace at this time as Mordecai said to Hester and in this matter how could I give an account with comfort to my Lord the King of Saints when he shall make enquiry after the service he expects should be done by me in my day for his Name and his Kingdom according to the trust he reposed in me when he did first chuse and call me forth to suffer for his sake But before I proceed to the business intended by me I shall declare so far as I have attained true intelligence in the general the first and last occasion of all this noise both among the Churches and elsewhere and then subjoyne a plain-hearted explication of those Truths concerning the matter in controversie which have sweetly wooed and won my understanding and judgement such as they are to entertain and to improve them as God shall providentially administer opportunity by the teachings of his Spirit But if in any circumstance I should miss the white at which I aim it must be imputed to my present incapacity of obtaining a full Relation partly because I am still a close Prisoner notwithstanding my present breathing in the open air and so cannot converse with such as would give me a more perfect and punctual Narrative in matter of fact as also because there hath been as it was always in the like cases a monstrous multiplication of new mishapen births even every day That Congregation which I am over in the Lord sent not many weeks since an Epistle to me testifying their love in the Lord and that brotherly sympathy with me in my sufferings which is meet withal signifying they should rejoyce to be serviceable to Christ and me in obtaining my enlargement if they did but once understand what means to use in order thereunto but they could not do what their souls desired to do without owning the Powers in being the doing of which said they is accounted a bowing of the knee to the Image of the Beast This last mentioned passage gave me just occasion according to my Office as
wise course in their own conceits to keep out of all danger saying in effect and with a louder voice then of a Trumpet Let the Powers do what they please c. so we may get and keep Ecclesiastical promotions under them and the protection and shadow of their wings so we may have dispensations to be and to continue Pluralists Non residents Toâ—quots c. and so the Magistrates and Ministers as they count themselves are agreed to connive at each others wickedness Sect. 6 But a little more to make the matter plain before you you are to understand that the Supream Powers have alwayes in all Ages ruled partly like men and partly like wilde beasts They ruled like men when they made and executed Laws agreeable to the Remainder of the image of God in mankinde when they executed judgment and justice when they relieved the oppressed refreshed the bowels of the poor and the fatherless when they made the desolate widows hearts to sing for joy and many of the Heathen Kings and Rulers will rise up in judgment against those many of them who assume the glorious titles of Christian Kings and Princes They ruled like wilde Beasts when and so far as they were Hunters like Nimrod before the Lord when they did carry matters by force and violence by fire and sword to satisfie their own lusts when they degenerated into cruel Tyrants which are monsters in Government And so their Wills gave Law to millions of people better and more righteous then themselves The holy Spirit doth more then intimate this distinction in Daniel very excellently by comparing the four Monarchies or Supream Powers to the image of a man Dan. 2. and then afterward the self-same Monarchies every one of them to a cruel wilde Beast Dan. 7. from whence I gather that they did and would be found to govern the Nations in some respects like men that is according to the principles of right reason and righteousness And thus far they had the superscription and image of God upon them and were to be submitted to as the Ordinance of God But in other respects and at other times they did live like so many wilde Beasts and so the Spirit of God calls them Lions and Bears and ravening Wolves c. Their Courts being fill'd with the spoil of the people to maintain them in their pomp pride and luxury their wanton and beastly Courts I say were and are supported and maintained out of those unreasonable Taxes which by illegal wayes and means they did and do still tear out of the bowels of the oppressed people Sect. 7 Besides this there is another Observation very remarkable for where as the holy Spirit represents the four Monarchies put together in Dan. 2. by one onely image of a man He doth in Dan. 7. represent the four Monarchies apart by four several cruel Beasts which to me signifies thus much that in the chief Rulers and Governours of this world there would be found at the least four times as much and more of the nature and spirit of wilde beasts then of the nature and spirit of mankinde or the reasonable creature And indeed this is not onely signified in this prophecie but it is plainly manifested in the Histories of all Ages and of all Nations from Daniel's time unto this day And for this Nation I dare venture to make it good with the utmost peril of my life that the spirit of the fourth Beast is yet living and acting its part in England contrary to the Principles Rules and Presidents of common honesty of the light of nature and of the Laws of all Nations which are not bruitish and barbarous And against this spirit I am engaged more and more not against the man in man for that is to engage against God and his Ordinance but against the Beast and his image in man and in this enterprise the Lord will stand by me against all the Kings of the earth if I could come at them to preach against their beastly abominations c. Sect. 8 But to conclude this where as you say in effect you cannot be serviceable to Christ and me in reference to my enlargement without owning the Powers in being unless I have some way to offer to you which may be conducible to that end I have this onely to say that when I did read this passage three or four wayes came into my minde wherein it was honourable for you to appear without any danger of bowing the knee to the image of the beast but yet I would not have you expect that I should shew you any one of them for I hope the Lord will help me to cut off occasion from them that seek occasion I have my end which I propounded in this matter and shall wait on the Lord for I assure you here before him in the midst of you I do not yet begin to be weary of mine Imprisonment nor yet to yield although some of the Lords people are more apt to think and say so then there is ground so to think or say And my Message as you call it did not signifie any thing of that nature but had another meaning Sect. 9 For my Brethren my adversaries themselves do and will nobilitate this Cause wherein I suffer more and more and if mine enemies are necessitated to improve it should I desert it God forbid And as Christ said to the mourning Women Daughters of Jerusalem weep not for me but weep for your selves and for your children so I say in the same spirit Were I now going to the scaffold be not sad for me ye sons and daughters of Sion but be sad for your selves and for your families for great distress is coming towards you and yet to others I may say Look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh And great shall their comfort be who can finde in their heart to deny themselves and to forsake all for the Lord Jesus But such Disciples are very rare and time will give us yet a more plentiful demonstration thereof 12 13. of the 8 month 1654. Yours in the Lord Chr. Feak The precedent Epistle explained for a more compleat Manifestation of the Truth Sect. 1. WHereas in the beginning of the Epistle it is written that my intent and purpose concerning my Bonds and Imprisonment was declared by me in a former Letter to them I shall for the Truths sake and that all things relating to this business may be naked and open before all sorts of Readers annex a Copy of so much of that Letter also as is needful if I can obtain it from the Brethren in due season And therefore without any circumlocutions shall pass from this to the next Section which being a part of the introduction to the principal Heads of that Doctrine which I explained briefly to them will occasion some inquiry into the Reasons of my so writing to them Sect. 2. Whereas I there do testifie that it was a dark
to the declared and known principles of the Author of those words unless he had certain information or other testimony of his open apostacy from his profession and constant conversation in time past unto that day Wherefore thirdly Let the whole clause be considered with an honest and impartial minde and you will finde such cautelous qualifications superadded as if I had foreseen the Devils design against the Cause and the Person both Whereas I writing in simplicity of heart as in the sight of God without any thoughts of Declining or Drawing back * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 10.39 could not once suspect that such constructions and consequences would have been formed and dispersed thereupon The first Qualification of my Words was this ACCORDING AS GOD HIMSELF HATH COMMANDED I do own the Powers in being and have done all along but otherwise I never did nor shall own the present Powers or their successors The second Qualification of those Words of mine which I added in the close of this third Section is expressed in the words of the Apostle Rendering to all their Dues tribute to whom tribute c. as you read it in Rom. 13.7 And thus far in this third Section and no further have I indeavoured to state the case and to plead against the unconscionable carriage of that person or those persons who have given liberty to their tongues to speak reproachfully against their neighbour without cause Psal 15.3 2 Tim. 2.25 the Lord give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth and to the bridling of that member which though little is so very unruly James 3. the 10. first verses as it is written THE TONGUE CAN NO MAN TAME AN UNRULY EVIL FULL OF DEADLY POYSON It seems it is the onely work of God to tame it it is not mans work especially when it is set on fire from Hell as too too often it comes to pass But to proceed Now further to declare ingenuously my judgement and apprehensions in this point thus I say Either I must own the Powers in Being or that Are for we will not argue about expressions when they are well understood though they may not be very proper I say either I must own the present Powers or I must own Anarchy For Powers to be hereafter or which may appear in time to come I know not how to own in such a sence as I intended for de non apparentibus non existentibus eadem est ratio If the Powers do not appear and existere extra causas as we say it is all one to us as if they were not in rerum naturâ as indeed they are not actually till they are formed for forma dat nomen esse and so exist from the concurrence of the several efficient causes also respectively Now as for Anarchy or no Government for a people to have no Powers in being it is Confusion it is Desolation it is the Abomination of Desolation or that maketh Desolate It alwayes was it is it will ever be the Abomination of my soul Tyranny it self is not so ugly a monster by many Degrees in mine eyes as is * I understand Anarchy not in notion but in operation Anarchy Rampant Anarchy But let no man imagine that I ever was or now am a friend in the least to former or present Tyranny though I thus speak for Tyranny is High Treason against Mankind and against the Image of God in the world and shall be turned headlong off from the stage again when it hath acted its part for the accomplishment of the Counsels of the Almighty which will not be until the words of God shall be fulfilled as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth From what hath been said the Saints and the World may see what reason I had and have to declare that I DO OWN THE POWERS IN BEING for to own the Powers that are to be hereafter but are not yet extant I cannot do it viz. in that sence before expressed and own Anarchy or non-Government that I will not do upon any terms while by the grace of God I continue in my right minde and injoy any remainders of sense and reason So that we are constrained by right reason to own the present Powers But then withal my two Limitations Restrictions or Correctives call them what you please must be admitted and remembred carefully for otherwise I shall suffer apparent injury as lately I have felt First in general I told the Congregation I owned them according to God or as God himself hath commanded Secondly I did particularly declare how and how far I owned the Powers in being in saying I gave tribute custom fear and honor where each of these were due BUT WHAT AND WHO THOSE POWERS ARE IN MY OPINION IS ANOTHER QUESTION AND SHALL BE HANDLED IN ITS PLACE Concerning the first of these two Restrictions I explain my meaning thus I may as well throw away the Old and New Testament those blessed Oracles which are sweeter to me especially since I came into prison and yet more especially since I was shut up in Close-Imprisonment then the honey or the honey-combe as deny or refuse to own the Powers in Being it being so Just and so Good a Law of God * That there should be Higher Powers in the world is a good law the law may be formed thus Potestates in mundo super-eminentes semper sunto 1 Pet. 2.13 the Soveraign Lord of Heaven and Earth The Command is full and plain Peter writing to the Believing Jews saith expressly Submit to every Ordinance of Man or Humane Creation * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 3.1 for the Lords sake whether to the King as Supream or unto Governours as sent by him Paul to Titus doth confirm this Doctrine and this Statute-Law Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey Magistrates * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so Rom. 13.1 2 c. But moreover let us not interpret this subjection and obedience this owning of them to be Absolute and Unlimited as if without all Restrictions and Distinctions for that were unreasonable as hath been argued and urged against the late King Yea furthermore these things are injoyned to particular Christians and private persons who are altogether under Authority for otherwise one Higher power may refuse obedience to another Higher power yea and take their Authority away from them utterly and for ever in many cases as I shall shew afterward But to give the world an Account of my Principles and Practises in this point Yet more particularly I am bound to own them so as not to forget that I am a Disciple of Christ that the Gospel the Doctrine thereof is to guide and regulate me in the thing under consideration for though they are the Higher Powers yet not the Highest FOR THERE ARE HIGHER THEN THEY Eccles 5.8 And if at any time they command ought that is inconsistent
with the Commands of Christ Mat. 28.18 who hath all power in heaven and earth and with that duty and Evangelical Allegiance which I owe and bear to him I shall disown them so far and their commands also before their faces and behinde their backs as the phrase used by the New-Court-flatterers doth express it and yet ask no question for conscience sake there being no scruples upon my spirit in this matter as afterward I shall shew I also humbly conceive that those Christians who submir and suffer patiently under the penalties which are imposed on them for chusing to obey God rather then man as it is my present Case do as really own the powers as any of those who yield active Obedience to what is injoyned them to do for they fulfil and answer the Law herein whether it be the Law of the Land that imposeth such a penalty in case of disobedience as the world calls it or the Law of their own wills and Lusts onely who are the Supream Powers at that time For the understanding hereof we are to know that every Command whatsoever among men whether it proceed from rational and just power or from arbitrary power and a wilful will void of reason doth consist of two parts the preceptive part and the punitive part for I dare affirm Precepts and Penalties are the proper ingredients of all Laws that no Law-makers will give out Commands or Laws and then leave it to the people whether to obey or not obey in reason a penalty is to be annexed and executed in case of refusal to give due observance and every one must either do what is injoyned in the preceptive part of the Law or else suffer what shall be inflicted I speak of particular persons and under Authority Now those Saints who for conscience sake Rom. 13.5 1 Pet. 2.13 and for the Lords sake do willingly and out of choice suffer Imprisonment Confiscation of Goods Banishment or Death rather then sin against Christ may be properly said to own the Powers in Being as really and more honestly and acceptably before God then those who are most forward to yield active obedience at the same time to the same law But because familiar examples will help to illighten the ordinary Reader for others need them not I shall illustrate this doctrine and my practise in owning the higher powers by one famous example in the word of Truth It is that of the third of Daniel Dan. 3.4 5 6. a most excellent History of three of the Old Testament-worthies and their sufferings The Higher Power in being makes a Law or a thing like a Law TO YOU IT IS COMMANDED O PEOPLE NATIONS AND LANGUAGES AT SUCH AN INSTANT OF TIME TO FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP THE GOLDEN IMAGE WHICH THE KING OR EMPEROUR HATH SET UP This is the sum of the first part of the Law The second part is to this effect WHOSOEVER WILL NOT FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP SHALL THE SAME HOUR WHEN HE REFUSETH BE TORMENTED BY FIRE AND BURNT TO DEATH Now to me it appears plainly that Shadrach Meshach and Abednego patiently submitting to the Kings pleasure and the proclaimed penalty without any resistance did fulfil the Law aforesaid in the later part of it as really as the Nations and Languages did fulfil or perform the first part of it and consequently did therein own the Powers in Being as aforesaid This plain Syllogism will put it out of controversie Those who willingly submit to the Laws of the Higher Powers which are in their dayes may truly be said to own those Powers But Shadrach Meshach and Abednego did willingly submit to the Laws of the Higher Powers in their dayes Ergo it may truely be said of them they did own those Powers c. That the three children were willingly subject and obedient unto Nebuchadnezzars Law and Command I suppose none will deny and the Proposition they cannot deny with reason for what more effectual owning of Powers can be expected or desired then obedience to their Laws These things I have transferred in a figure 1 Cor. 4.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the three children for their sakes who are full of prejudice against me as if I ought not to be accounted subject to the powers in Being because I am a Non-conformist to those Orders Ordinances and some plausible insinuations which by insensible degrees have caused the Army and Nations by means of that Spirit which worketh effectually in them TO RETURN TO THEIR VOMIT I mean 2 Pet. 2.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to set and keep up old Monarchy under a new name or notion but not so current and authentick as the New Courtiers do imagine There are many other instances in Scripture of the Saints their owning the powers in being and yet at the same time refusing to fulfil the preceptive part of their Laws and Statutes in many particulars chusing to suffer under the earthly Powers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.14 rather then to sin against the most High as Christ himself submitted to Caesar as the Supream to Pontius Pilate as sent by him according to the distinction given by the Apostle So Peter and John Paul and Silas with the rest Read Act. 4. the 5. Chap. these all owned the Powers in being but would not actively obey their commands many of them for they disputed against them and denied compliance with them And I am resolved by the Lords help 1 Cor. 11.1 to be a follower of them as they were of Christ in this particular I confess the Higher Powers have not used to account passive subjection worthy the name of obedience neither are they apt to esteem it an owning of their Power when they have humbly and soberly refused to do after their Commandments for they being generally of very high Spirits who are in high places they think it a great dishonour to them to have their Justice Wisdom Authority call'd in question arraigned and condemned by silly Sectaries When the High-Priest and his Kindred had called for Peter and John and set them in the midst Act. 4 6. at length upon deliberation they commanded and charged them with threatnings intermixt not to preach that Doctrine any more the Apostles declared they could not forbear to speak the things which they had seen and heard Act. 4.20 21. for they were filled with the Holy Ghost indeed and must speak and accordingly proceeded to preach notwithstanding their Order Act. 5.33 in direct contradiction to them But how were they cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them Blessed be the Lord this is my case assuredly I was forbidden to preach what I had seen and heard from THE GREAT PROPHET concerning his Kingdom Dan. 2.44 and the breaking in pieces of all other Kingdoms and concerning the Apostacy of all sorts from their declared Ingagements for the Interest of our Lord but I was am so far from
first Monarch over the people of God to its old age for indeed Christians it waxeth old and is ready to vanish away Wait but a while you shall hear more But to finish this discourse I have you see brought you down to the beginning of the Scotish Troubles which being a day of small things The Scotish opposition to the Prelates and their trinkets a door of hope opened to the oppressed Saints was ready to be despised as not having any great birth in the womb of it When the Scotish woman threw her stool at the Priests head in the chief Church as they call it at Edenburgh as he was reading the Mass-book over her head in the Scotish language and a tumult followed thereupon I hearing of it was very much affected with it and found my Spirit mightily raised to expect great things I looked on it as the first great turn of the Tide whereby we were carried so fast toward the Sea of Rome and that was the first occasion of my looking into the Revelation and the Prophet Daniel Whereupon I saw plainly the Lord was resolved to turn back the captivity of his people The Parlament will not levy a Tax to make war with Scotland especially when the short Parlament refused to tax the Nation for the maintenance of the war with the good people of Scotland that Assembly being dissolved by the Kings Prerogative he was constrained much against his mind to summon another Parlament in the same year the most High over-ruled him brought him into inextricable labirynths all the policy of his States-men could not prevent the approaching Decrees of the King of Kings Whereupon the God of Heaven being with them for Judgement and Justice Illegal Taxations damned in ful Parlament all Arbitrary Courts all illegal Taxations were damned in full Parlament This was a year of Jubilee to the poor oppressed Sectaries and Non-conformists It is a year to be remembred with gladness and great joy Light breaks forth the bondage upon the Saints is gradually taken off We took them captives whose captives we were we rewarded them as they had rewarded us we ruled over our oppressors The spirit of Antichrist in the Prelates and their Faction in Court City and Country cannot indure to hear of and see the liberty of the true Israelties the return of the banished imprisoned ones the downfal of their Diana inraged them the Beast also began to roar in the sense of this deadly blow But the Spirit of Christ riseth higher and higher in his Servants being incouraged by the high Court of Parlament whose Office it was to take an account of the grievances and oppressions which had made the people full of discontent against the waies of the Court especially against the Prelates At length they take part with one Higher Power The persecuted Puritans joyn with the Parlament against the interest of the Court that house of Bondage and Taxes being lawfully called thereto against the other Higher Power who had so crushed them by Prerogative and Arbitrary proceedings as was well known to millions Generally the persecuted Christians and all the Puritans joyned with the Parlament for Christ and his interest so far as they knew it against the King and his Prelates for they well understood that the Court interest and that of the Lords spiritual as they were then called was opposite to the Lord Jesus and his affairs Hereupon the one Power and the other call for help every way first by way of Benevolence Taxes levied to destroy the old Taxes Clavum clavo and free Contribution afterward by Taxes and Excise I dare say for them who saw the wheel in the middest of the wheel * Ezek. 1.16 10.10 so long as we perceived the Work of the Lord promoted they might call for any thing almost and have it a free will Offering they had of Gold Silver Jewels Servants Sons Husbands for the Lord had stirred up the Spirit of his people in the Land exceedingly and they came in singleness of heart to serve the Lord Christ and to do work in his house * Hag. 1.14 in the removing of Rubbish and other obstacles which were laid in the way by the Man of sin others had other ends in going on this warfare as afterward did frequently appear Thus at the beginning we were ready to part with a great part of our livelihood for the compleat recovery of our Liberties and that we might see written vengeance executed * Ps 149.9 Jer. 50.28 even the vengeance of the Lords Temple c. and the cause of Christ carried on and prospering against Antichrist and the Fourth Monarchy But when we saw that the first Army was debauched by means of many mercenary Sword-men The first Army not fit instruments to destroy Tyranny and Souldiers of Fortune and by the prevarication of the Nobility and great men of the Nation we knew the Work of the Lord would not prosper in their hands thereupon it may easily be conceived we began to pay our Tribute or Tax-money very unwillingly the Taxes and Contributions lay exceeding heavy and no work done We complained to our friends in power we sought and besought the Lord that wee might not be carried back again to Egypt but forward towards perfection in this cause The Lord was intreated of his praying people The new Model formed used by God to renew the work begun for the good of the Saints and gave them the NEW MODEL formed contrary to principles of State-policy but it being of God and we finding that his Servants would serve him Rev. 22 3. and not themselves we paid our Taxes freely again I mean the people of Christ who were made willing in the day of his power or Armies as some read it Psal 110.3 the understanding sort of beleevers who knew what England ought to do though those of the Scotish way and spirit were very opposite did freely lay out themselves for their encouragement as foreseeing what would follow upon the taking away of Monarchical Tyranny or Tyrannical Monarchy as afterwards it came to pass And whereas it may be accounted as heavy a bondage to be taxed by Aristocratical Soveraignty The Remnant who did cleave to the work willing to be taxed and to charge themselves for their Brethren in Arms as by Kingly Power I say no not so in this case for we were satisfied that this charging of our selves as the Scripture speaks Nehem. 10.32 was for the pulling down of that Power which hath it as an essential property entring into the very constitution of it to oppress the people when there is no need of Impositions and Taxations But to go on Great affection to the new model abounding in the work of the Lord. THIS ARMY THVS MODELD had the Prayers Faith Affections Purses and other assistance of as knowing and heavenly Christians as I beleeve were in the world they looked on them as their dear
as far as my heavenly Father pleaseth I rejoyce I have any thing to suffer the losse of in so excellent and honourable a Cause as this is wherein with my Fellow-sufferers I am imbarked But having treated thus largely from the word of God and from Authentick Histories which are excellent Interpreters of Prophecies concerning these troublesome Inmates which have gotten into our houses and bowels which sit upon our skirts so constantly at every turn of Government and though we should speak them never so fair they will not depart till they are forced out by Judges as at the first and by Councellors as at the beginning Quest Moreover having also declared my practise in paying Taxes and suffering imprisonment without resistance It may be asked of me by some knowing Saints What are the particular grounds and reasons of your practice in this particular Ans The reason of paying tribute without resistance The return I give to such a Question is this according to the Apostle I AM SVBJECT TO THE POWERS IN BEING BECAVSE I MVST NEEDS BE SVBJECT PARTLY FOR WRATH PARTLY FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE Rom. 13.5 read and consider that sentence I explain my Answer thus First I am subject for wrath * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or because of wrath that is the wrath of the fourth Beast or Roman spirit in the powers for if I should have resisted when the Pursevants came to attach my body for my spirit indeed blessed be the Lord was and is out of theirs and their Masters reach their Roman wrath would have shewed it self presently by wounds or bruises or other outragious violence now I was not prepared to stand upon my guard as others have done in the like case neither did I intend to flee or make any escape for I was not afraid having done no evill for which I should be afraid of the powers Now I knowing that there was a power in being and apprehending that I could not glorifie God better for the present than by suffering I quietly and exceeding cheerfully submitted and obeyed the Order in the Authority whereof as to them they had apprehended me and went along with the poor creatures without gain-saying I had a blessed Catalogue of suffering Saints beside the King of Saints whose examples were very encouraging in conjunction with so good a Cause And thus I was and am still subject for wraths sake as it is translated or because of wrath for what single person can stand before the wrath of the Powers of this world during that time of Domination which is allotted to them he must needs be subject or come under their ordering as the word implies because of wrath their wraths not Gods thus I understand the place In the next place I say I am subject to the Powers in being because I must needs be subject NOT ONELY for wraths sake BVT ALSO for conscience sake or because of conscience that is as the wrath of violent men have a kind of compulsive power which will necessitate single persons or unarmed persons to yeeld to those who have power which is a real acknowledgement that they are the Higher Powers who bear all before them So in like manner but in a different way of working Conscience in a godly man and a knowing Christian hath a constraining power which will produce a resignation of our selves up to the will of God who is Lord of the Conscience and he perswading me upon plain grounds in his word to suffer under the fourth Kingdom for the service of himself and his Son I chearfully obey and forbear all words and actions of opposition after the manner of men untill the Dominion be taken away to consume and destroy it utterly as other Kings and Kingdoms have been destroyed heretofore And so I acknowledge there are Higher Powers in being and I finding and feeling it so to be am subject because it must be so not onely for wrath sake but for Conscience sake also and as Peter saith for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is a further obligation upon a Christian to suffer patiently those abuses which are offered to his person Relations good Name Estate or any thing that is his Nevertheless this I add That I groan all this while with other oppressed creatures Rom 8.19 20 21 22 23. for the manifestation of the glorious liberty of the Sons of God For certainly the creature being made subject to tyranny and the cruel lusts of proud men NOT WILLINGLY but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope cannot but in the light and power of that Spirit which is in them cry out in Faith and earnest expectation COME LORD JESVS COME QVICKLY and let all the followers of the Lamb say Amen And let all the wonderers after the Beast fill up the measure of their Fathers in reproaching imprisoning oppressing and otherwise persecuting the Saints of the most High and receive that recompence of reward which is meet Object If any shall here object and say Why did we fight against the King you your self did â—ppose him you preached other Doctrine in those times and if we must be so subject now and yeeld to the present Powers without resistance as you have said and done of late is not this a contradiction to former Principles and practices c. Answ All particular persons of whom I alwaies speak and it must be remembred I mean the Saints of the most High did yeeld subjection to the King yea and to the Prelates actively or passively without resistance those who were Non-conformists then to the Antichristian power as I am now did suffer patiently and chearfully as Christ left them an example this was so while the King was the only supreme Power in being and untill God raised up a Horn of Salvation for them and then as I said before the Puritans joyned with Parlamentary Power against Regal Power exercised contrary to Law and Justice and I was one of the number being lawfully called to oppose tyranny by the authority of the highest Court and I never did nor do repent of that ingagement against that party c. Whereas now there is no visible Powers in being to relieve me and other oppressed servants of the Lord it is with us now as it was under the old Monarchy there are no Saviors no Deliverers our Deliverers are become our Persecutors Zach. 1.2 or 3 last verses and there is no power to refist or oppose for the spirit of the Horns as Zacharias calls the persecuting Powers is gotten into the Carpenters the Carpenters are at length metamorphozed into pushing and goring Horns But when soever God shall provide new Carpenters to fray away these Horns that scatter the true Israel no question but Israel will be willing to be delivered and to take them Captives whose Captives they were and to rule over their oppressors as they did about fourteen years ago Obj. 2. But it may be
further urged by others But particular Christians did go to Law with the King before the Parlament was called and so opposed him that way by Arguments drawn from Reason and Justice as Mr. Hampden c. and cannot you go and do thus likewise namely wage Law with your Oppressors Answ 1. Most of the Judges were deaf on that ear concerning Law and Justice and were for the Kings Power and Prerogative and so carried it for the King being over-awed this I have from a good hand Nevertheless I honor the memory of those worthy persons who were willing to spend their Estates and hazzard all rather than not to bear testimony against tyranny 2 If the Sword were not the supreme Power and if all the Laws were not silenced or suspended at least which are against that Sword-interest It may be some particular persons whom God should make free might dare to wage or plead the Law of the Land against their oppreffors or appeal to the higher Powers if there were any as high or higher than the sharp power of the Sword as Paul did from the Jewish Powers unto Augustus Act. 25.11 12. But when Caesar who was the highest Power on earth did oppress him whither or to whom could Paul appeal but to Jesus Christ the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and thus it is with me Cranmer appealed from the Power in being which oppressed him to the next General Council whch was a Power in some ages had in great veneration but what good could that do him the present Power burnt him to ashes and his Appeal to a future contingent Power dyed with him yet it was a kind of Testimony against his persecutors And if that be judged to be of any use upon Scripture-ground I can enter my Appeal to the next higher Powers which the God of Heaven shall set up in mercy and love to his poor Remnant to do us right and deliver us from our potent persecuters But as the case now stands I am made a Bond-slave who was born free and never forfeited my liberty blessed be the Lord I can speak it before men and devils by any transgression of mans Laws yet I have and do cheerfully and with great delight submit to the will of God in these sufferings so burthensome to flesh and blood and I am perswaded if they should scourge me as the Jews did the Apostles and as the Prelats did some under the former Monarchs I should rejoyce to be counted worthy to suffer shame for his name * Acts 5. last vers Gal. 2. last verse who hath loved me and given himself for me the unworthiest worm of all and if the Lord should permit them to put me to a shameful death like the death of the Crosse I am ready But it is not yet signified to me by what death I shall glorifie God Oh it s a sweet life to live free from the fear of death Joh. 21.19 Heb 2.14 15 1 Cor. 15.57 Thanks be to God who giveth us victory through Jesus Christ to whom be Glory and Dominion for ever Amen Hitherto of giving Tribute Now as touching the other two particulars Honor and Fear due to Higher Powers as Tribute and Custom is due unto them Honour and Fear which are to be given to the Higher Powers beside Tribute and Custome In a very few words this I have to say That I alwayes freely gave honor to whom honor was due And in particular when I was apprehended the first time namely about the 21. of the 10. Month 1653. and brought before the Council for expounding the Prophecie about the little Horn in Dan. 7. I did obeysance according to the custome of the Country or Nation in which I live used towards Superiours I stood while they sat and with my head uncovered the General having his hat on and this without reluctancy besides I freely gave him the honorable Title of a Lord in discourse with him as being Captain General of all the Forces and I suppose this is to own a Higher Power for those who do not own Government and Superiority among men do not so behave themselves as namely the Shakers as they call them or any others of those principles and thus I did to the Committee of the Council when I was apprehended and brought before them this second time and I do not remember that ever any Powers did challenge me in this matter As for Fear and the rendring of fear to whom fear is due I am of this perswasion that if I were guilty in mine own conscience and before the Lord of any such grosse wickednesse as some of the choisest Saints have been overtaken and overcome withall and were brought to a legal trial and convicted by witnesse without as well convinced by witnesse within I should be afraid of the Power but not otherwise For the Apostle saith Wilt thou not be afraid of the Power do that which is good but if thou do that which is evil be afraid so that in this also I am ready to own any Higher Powers which shall be set up in my dayes when there is occasion and reason for it and surely no man can say at least if his words have the sap and juyce of sense and reason in them that I ought to fear any power higher or lower unlesse when I have done evill and this be made known unto me in the light of the righteous Law of God But though I know nothing by my self yet I am not thereby justified in the sight of God Thus I have for the Cause sake which might suffer if I should have neglected this impudent slander freely declared my former and present principles concerning the Powers in being But who could have imagined first That in saying I owned the present powers I had recanted and submitted and acknowledged them to be a lawful Authority and an hundred false rumors to the grief of my brethren of the same spirit with me in the present Truth whereas I never said nor thought otherwise And who could have imagined secondly that any one who calls and accounts himself a Christian would take part of the letter or a few sentences here and there torn from the rest and thereupon divulge and shew them as a testimony and proof of such a Report whereas to recapitulate all in a word This is that I will close up this Section with 1 I acknowledge there are Higher Powers in being and every one must grant this as well as I and my Fellow-prisoners for they feel it I beleeve though not so effectually as we do 2 I yeelded my body to be apprehended and carried away without striving or lifting up my voyce in the streets when they sent their Messengers with swords and it may be other weapons about them to bring me before the Council And I reckon this to be an owning of the present powers I never did yeeld thus far to private men who should come to apprehend me in my
or for the doing of such things I do not find any honest man rising up against them but this will not signifie in the least any such thing as an approving of them to be lawfull Powers as I have shewed before and as it may be further instanced in their Predecessors who though they did many excellent things in their day yet because they miscarried in other respects the Lord did find them out and took a convenient time to lay their honor and power in the dust Let this suffice at present for I must now dispatch this Section There is one Objection onely which possibly may lie upon the spirits of some choyce servants of the Lord and this it is Object Although Christ and his Disciples did submit to the Higher Powers in their day yet it doth not seem to be a pattern for us upon whom the ends of the world are come For first We have resisted the Powers in our day and are blameless in the account of the most judicious Teachers which are among us And Secondly If we should submit as they in the primitive times how could vengeance be executed upon Babylon and her Adherents the Kings of the earth according to the Prophecies in the Word Ans 1. I grant it is most true there is ground to expect a time when we shall no more be subject to the Fourth Beast and his little Horn which time you must think those who suffer in all Countries under Papal and Regal Tyranny do long after but till that time you see that the two witnesses do suffer under the prevailing power of their Adversaries Ans 2. But for satisfaction of those who have not considered the matter viz. the different estate of the Saints in different times It is to be remembred and well observed That Jeremy in the beginning of their captivity did by the word of the Lord direct the Jews to seek the peace of the City whither he had caused them to be carried away captives and to pray unto the Lord for it Jer. 29.7 for in the peace thereof shall yee have peace Jer. 29.7 But now if you turn to Psal 137.8 9. you shall find there was a time to come when the Jews should be contrary minded to that passage before mentioned saying Oh Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones You see what different language and carriage here is in reference to the same City and Power at different seasons yea Jeremy himself who sent word that they should pray for Babylon as you have heard at the beginning of the seventy years sent another message contrary to it not long after I will fix but upon one passage or two Jer. 51.33 It is time to thresh Babylon saith the Lord and the time of her harvest shall come Again vers 35. The violence done unto me and unto my flesh be upon Babylon shall the Inhabitant of Zion say and my blood be upon the Inhabitants of Caldea shall Jerusalem say Here is very differing language from the former message this cannot be praying for the City it is no less than cursing of Babylon as you plainly see Even thus it is with the true Israelites of the New Testament-times when they were first of all persecuted by the Roman Power they could not prophecy nor pray for the ruin of Rome it was not the truth and work of that age and so there was neither light nor spirit for any such enterprize but now it is seasonable in this day and I am perswaded if it were possible for the Apostles to be and to come among the living Saints in this Nation who have not defiled their Garments upon the dunghil of this world nor betrayed the Cause of Christ wherewith they have been intrusted they would incourage them to spend their arrows and not spare against this mystical Babylon they would own that cause and work truth for which we indure so great oppressions and persecution and therefore although I must needs be subject till the time of deliverance come and that deliverance shall come by Instruments annointed of God as Cyrus was yea with a better annointing yet because by a spiritual instinct flowing from that Divine Nature whereof through rich Grace I do partake I do know assuredly that we shall be so far ere it be long from praying for the Powers under the little Horn that we shall reward them as they have rewarded us Therefore I say do I thus speak and thus write and pray with other enlightened and enlivened Saints Pour out the remaining vials of thy wrath upon the PRESENT POWERS of the Earth who will not have Christ to reign over them and let all the followers of the Lamb say Amen Thus I have finished the explanation of the fourth Section of the Epistle with such further manifestation of the truth in this point as for the present I am furnished withall from the word and Spirit of the Lord and therefore I shall pass on to the next SECT V. IN this part I am willing to give an account to those who are dark in this matter Quest How I can justifie my practice of preaching down the Powers in being as my manner was when as my declared Principlet are and have been constantly to own them and therefore not to resist or rise up against them how can these things stand together It seems a Paradox if not an impossible thing in reason that the same man at the same time should both own the Powers and endeavor their destruction Thus no question many will query concerning this matter Answ 1. If it were needful I might easily shew how common a thing it is for two contrary qualities to be in the self-same subject at the same time in divers respects and in different degrees but those School-distinctions are not for the edifying of such kind of inquirers as I intend satisfaction to and therefore I shall first put them in mind of that which is in the Letter and then explain my meaning by particular instances in the word Answ 2. The sum of what I wrote is this That the Prophets Apostles and Martyrs in all ages i. e. since Kings and such like Arbitrary Powers were over the Saints did own the Powers in being in their daies and yet at the self same time they Preached and Prophecied against them for their Abominations and so have I done and will do the Lord assisting according to their examples This is the sum of the Answer in the Letter Now I will endeavor to illustrate that which seems so dark to others I begin with Samuel First He owned Saul as an Higher Power annointed and appointed of God to rule over his people as you find in 1 Sam. 9.17 and 1 Sam. 12.5 in this last Chapter you shall find these words to the people That yee may perceive and see
that your wickedness is great which yee have done in the sight of the Lord in asking you a King concluding thus If you shall still do wickedly yee shall be consumed both yee and your King and Saul was present all this while when hee affrighted the people with sudden thunder and lightning in the time of Harvest to convince them of their great wickedness in asking a King and might muse with himself to observe how far Samuel owned him as a King before the people and yet at the same time he threatned and terrified the people for desiring him In like manner after this though he owned him as the King of Israel yet what a testimony did he bear from God against him for his hypocrisie disobedience and rebellion against the Lord and moreover to the hazard of his life prophecied or declared that God would reject him and had rejected him and would set up his neighbor in his stead c. This instance doth sufficiently explain my principle and practice But I shall not insist so largely upon Scripture-instances but put you in mind what I am to prove viz. That it is very possible for it hath been common to many of the Servants of the Lord for the same man at the same time to own the Powers in being and yet to Pray Preach or Prophecy against them as if they did not own them For this read the history of the Kings and Chronicles throughout I shall mention but one Instance concerning King Ahab and the Prophet Elijah These two met and this was the Kings salutation to the Prophet Art thou he that troubleth Israel Elijah Answers him I have not troubled Israel but Thou and thy Fathers House in that yee have forsaken the commandements of Jehovah and thou hast followed Baalim This was one greeting Observe the next 1 King 21.20 Ahab said to Elijah hast thou found me Oh mine Enemy The Prophet answered I have found thee because thou hast sold thy self to work evill in the sight of the Lord and so he proceeds to prophecy against Ahab and Jezebel for their murther of Naboth and taking away his Vineyard by oppression a Prophecy it was of utter destruction of the whole Family That of Daniel in dealing so plainly with King Belshazzer Chap. 5. from the 18. to the 28 is suitable to this point in hand nothing more clear than this Object It will be said It is undoubtedly true that the Prophets did acknowledge the Powers in being and yet at the same time did not spare them in the least either in respect of reproofs or of threatning those plagues and punishments which the Lord intended to bring upon them But what doth this concern us in the New-Testament-times they were annoynted of God to that work but is that an example for us to walk by who are Ministers of the Gospel c. An. This evasion is most absurd for can any rational man imagin that God taking such special care as it were not to leave himself without sufficient witness against the abomination of the Higher Powers in those daies will leave himself without witness now can it enter into any sober mans heart that the Lord should for above this thousand years leave the Rulers who pretend to be Christian Kings and Princes to the inclination of their own natures which are bad enough and none to reprove or threaten them in the name of the Lord for all their abominable wickednesses committed in the sight of the sun no they shall never plead another day The Kings and Princes of the Jews had Messengers and men of God to speak unto them to turn them from their evil ways but we had none to preach plainly and boldly against our sins but if we had known or it had been told us that such and such things had provoked the eyes of thy glory Lord we should not have persisted in the perpetration of them but our Chaplains and Ministers were no Prophets to deal with us as the Kings of Israel and Judah were dealt with therefore we desire these things may not be imputed to us No I say the Lord will cut off all such Pleas and Apologies For the Lord will tell them though your Court-Chaplains were so base and cowardly as that they would not deal plainly with you yet there were faithful Servants of mine who at a convenient distance did cry out because of all your abominations which you did commit but these you persecuted and banished and otherwise oppressed c. this I know will be returned to such Apologies But yet to gratifie the desires of such as would understand the truth I shall come to the new-Testament-times And first John the Baptist did not spare Herod the King though he was owned as the Higher Power at that time he could not connive at his Adultery and Incest his testimony cost him his head as the story is briefly related by the Evangelists But it may be some may object He was not a Minister of the New Testament Therefore we will observe Christs practice in this matter He owned the Powers and Rulers nevertheless he so reproved threatned preached and prophesied against the Chief Priests the Scribes and Pharisees abundance of which Sect were Rulers of the Jews as that they sought to lay hands on him from time to time but the Text saith they feared the multitude His Doctrine did single out the hypocrisie folly malice of the Magistrates from the sins of the multitude for if Christ had never so much preached against the sins of the people the Rulers would never have persecuted him who had stood up for their interest but you shall always find the Doctrine of our Lord did vex and disturb the Higher Powers exceedingly read the 21. of Matth. from the 33. to the end compared with the same Parable in the 12. of Mark and the 20 of Luke Also consider of the tenor of his Doctrine in the 23. of Matthew from the 12. to the end of that Chapter But let us go on to the Apostles times after Christ had sent down the Spirit to furnish them with gifts for the work of the Ministry more richly than before Peter in his sharp words to the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Higher Powers are here included accusing them of the most abominable wickednesse that almost could be committed expresseth himself thus Him meaning the Son of God yee have taken and by WICKED HANDS HAVE CRUCIFIED AND SLAIN but more close to the matter in hand in Acts 4. vers 8 9 10. He owneth the present Powers and yet chargeth them with most horrible Murther the Powers charge him and John straitly to speak no more in that Name but to forbear they dis-own their commands to their faces though they submit to their Mittimus and Gaolers and tell them that God had raised up Jesus WHOM YEE SLEW say they and hanged on a Tree Observe how peremptory these Gospel-Ministers were in refusing to hearken to their threatnings there are but few
readers observe the emphasis for the Jewish Powers were apt to put it off to Pilate for he condemned him and crucifying was not the Jewish manner of execution of Malefactors besides they had not power of life and death for the Romans had reserved that to themselves as a peculiar character of the supreme Power and of their absolute Sovereignty yet Peter chargeth the High Priest and the Council with the murthering of Christ you may observe how near this accusation went Act. 5.33 for the Text saith Vpon the hearing of this they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them But now according to the principles and speeches of many wise English-men Peter and John might be thought not to use so much subtilty and discretion in the presence of the Rulers whereby they might have kept out of prison at leastwise out of danger of death for were not they Ministers of the Gospel What need they have spoken such words as must needs provoke the Higher Powers especially after they had born their Testimony once and again they might have forborn for the future seeing no good came of it we in this age have found out a better way of preaching for we know how to order things so as that if we preach never so often before the Higher powers guilty of very grosse wickedness as the word of God and our consciences tell us yet we will not cut them to the heart as Peter and John and Stephen did we will preach the Gospel The Truth is I fear this will appear a real truth when all secret things come to be revealed but as for thousands of the English Parsons and Vicars and Curates and State-Lecturers or Augmentation-men I am far from doubting of their compliance with any Powers which get the uppermost it s no matter how or which way instead of appearing for the present work and truth of Christ against the present Rulers they appear for the present profit of their several and respective Benefices and therefore we must not expect they should be followers of the Apostles as they followed Christ in bearing witness against the wickedness of great and small without respect of persons Object But yet again there are others who come with another ridiculous Objection in this manner Although it be a truth that the Ministers of Christ the Prophets and Apostles c. were very zealous against the Higher powers because of their abominations yet what they spake was to their faces and not behind their backs as all the Instances given by you do declare they did not disgrace or arraign them as it were at the Bar of the Vulgar as you do and your Fellow-sufferers this comes from some who do not well know what to say with reason Answ 1. For answer to this The Higher Powers are seldome found to send for plain-dealing Preachers to pray or prophesie in their Chapels or if it happen that they hear them once it s very improbable that they shall be sent for a second time and then how should the servants of the Lord declare the Lords Message in their hearing Answ 2. We have Instances from the Prophets and Apostles in this particular also Amos prophesied the destruction of Jeroboam while he himself was absent for it may be the King and his Courtiers would not hear Amos who was but a Herds-man and a Gatherer of Sycomore-fruit yet it was a testimony against them though they were absent whom it most concerned so that we Prisoners are not the first who have declared approaching destruction to the Higher Powers in their absence Moreover Christ called Herod a Fox or that Fox and Paul called Caesar Lion behind their backs And why do not our angry Brethren say they might have forborn such kind of language they not being present at least they should not have called the two Highest Powers among Jews and Gentiles by the reproachful names of two wild Bâ—asts and those too such Beasts of prey And why do they not find fault with Peter and John with Paul and Barnabas who in their Sermons to the people had no more good manners than openly to declare the Higher Powers guilty of Murther and the worse kind of Murther and this behind their backs and that in the presence of Thousands See Acts 3.17 and Acts 13.27 28. There Paul chargeth them in another Country and amplifieth the matter against them But further in their prayers to God they named Herod and Pontius Pilate in relating their wicked combination against the life of Christ And I know no reason why we may not pray and preach after that manner as the first Christians did who I am sure were more full of the Holy Spirit then any of us They were bold and resolute and whether the Higher Powers were absent or present it was alike â—o them Certainly open Murther and open Hypocrisie and Apostacy and Perjury and Treason against the King of Glory must be openly and publickly witnessed against before God Angels and all the world Shall the Rulers be so bold as to commit open abominations before all the people and shall not the Ministers of Christ who are called thereto be as bold and declare as openly against those abominations and that before all the people whether the guilty ones be in the hearing or not God forbid that we should forbear to bear our publick Testimony against publick wickednesse Object But others who understand themselves better than the former sort of fault-finders have a greater charge than those before mentioned for say they We may upon occasion declare openly against those who so sin without respect of persons whether they are present or absent but what have we who are ministers of Christ to do to intermeddle in State-matters or State-Affairs the compass of their Commission will not warrant them to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishops in another mans Diocess or Province The whole work of a Minister of the Gospel is reduceable to two heads To bring Souls in to Christ and to build them up in Christ and whatsoever is besides this is beside the Cushion Many other words there are and may be excogitated to represent it as a very odious matter for Ministers to meddle in State-Affairs Cannot they be content if they have liberty to preach the Gospel and if they would keep to that and leave the Government of the Nations to be managed by the Higher Powers they need not be apprehended imprisoned c. as they are so that they may thank themselves With much more such stuff as this Answ I perceive plainly that these kinds of Preachings and Discoursings have such a plausible veri-similitude that they are beleeved by many honest hearts to be as true as Gospel namely That those Ministers are to be blamed as too pragmatical who insist upon such points and very worthy to taste and feel the coercive power of the Civil Magistrate insomuch that we are under a very great disadvantage for the present But
Incumbents or other such like Ministers of the Parish and Collegiat Churches or Chapels in this Nation or any other or yet any like them by what new Babylonish names and Titles soever they are dignified and distinguished according to the known Laws and Customes of those Lands For undoubtedly that old mouldy Popish Relation betwixt a Parish Minister and his Parishioners or Parish-Church is of the self-same nature with that which was anciently betwixt the Prior or Abbot and his Covent betwixt the Lord Bishop and his Diocess betwixt the Dean and his Chapter and all such like Corporations I say again and disprove it who can or dare this Parish Relation with its appurtenances which I shall treat of in due time I hope is of the self-same foundation and constitution with the others and equally a stranger to the New Testament for the Teâ—â—ator spake nothing in his last will touching these creatures and their Relations each to other and therefore must go the same way that their Predecessors have gone before them I mean as to the disanulling and annihilating every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted nor hath his Son watered I have I confesse been somewhat large and that beyond my first intentions in opening these Mysteries of the Man of sin but the Lord knows how to improve every particle of truâ—â— for the interest of our Lord and to his blessing I recommend these Explications Wherefore to finish this part of my work I say positively That by Ministers of the Gospel I understand the Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers who are over the true Churches of Christ according to God which true Churches were either such as were rightly called out of the world and so formed and constituted by the immediate Ministry of the Apostles and the other faithful Ministers before the Apostacy Or else secondly such as are rightly called out of Babylon and so Reformed and restored or Re-constituted according to the Primitive Pattern so far as is requisite for the putting of them in statu quo in the former condition Or thirdly such as by Messengers or Apostles of the Churches 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 8. shall be orderly called and formed from among the heathens as it is hoped it is or may be in New England among the Natives or among the Jews who we expect shall ere it be long be grafted in again And those who are thus over and in relation to such Churches among whom Christ will delight to walk that he may transform them from glory to glory by his Word and Spirit they are the Ministers whom I mean and particularly intend in this Question namely those who being separated to the Gospel of God according to Rule do accordingly walk before the Lord and his people as becomes the Gospel in all things And certainly all who own the title of Christians must acknowledge that such as these are to be accounted Ministers of Christ and of the Gospel These things being premised for explication I am now to make out from Scripture and from principles of reason and truth flowing from expresse Scripture That it is lawful in many cases for the TRUE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL to MEDDLE with STATE-AFFAIRS or with the matters of the world as they are distinguished from the matters of the Lord or Church-affairs with those matters which properly belong to the Civ l Magistrate namely the things of this life and I hope what I shall say in this point may be of some use to fright away those Bug bears which are made use of to affright and discourage many precious hearts from strengthning the hands of the Lords servants in the present service of Christ against Babylon and the Kings of the earth But as I am entring upon this work that politick fetch of Paul honest Paul and it was honest policy when hee made that notable Division among the Pharisees and the Sadduces Act. 23.6 and so much for his own advantage against the injustice of the Higher Powers the High Priest and the Council I say that sudden Diversion which he made comes into my mind And in regard that the Envy Ill will and Evil-speakings against my person and against my practise have broken out at the lips of so many Professors I judge it meet to shelter my self under that shield and buckler which Two of the New made Doctors of School Divinity and like Gamaliel had in Reputation among all the people have made ready to my hand For certainly it will bee of some use for the qualifying of their anger and displeasure when they understand how far they are of the same mind with mee in this matter First therefore I quote Dr. Tho. Goodwin in the 42. and 43. page of that excellent Sermon of his worthy of a new Edition with Additions in this day These are his words and the sense of his words if I understand sense The Saints have vouchsafed them by God a privilege in RULING and GOVERNING THIS WORLD and the Providences of God therein They are Privy Councellors to the great King of Kings who governs all the States and Kingdomes of the world And God doth give these Saints a COMMISSION TO SET UP AND PULL DOWN by their Prayers and Intercessions The Old Testament speaks in a high language in Isa 45.11 Concerning the work of my hands command ye me who speaks this the words afore are Thus saith the Holy One of Israel c. It would have been blasphemy for us to have said it Then he goes on bringing in the Lord speaking thus Behold I that am thus your Maker give you leave to dispose by your prayers the great works of my hands which concern my children my sons THE AFFAIRS OF KINGDOMS even so far as they relate to their good the Doctor goes on And he God speaks it upon this occasion that for their sakes he had raised up Cyrus and pulled down the Babylonian Monarchy because they by their prayers had sought this Thus far the Doctor Now I cannot distinguish and judge of the juyce and sap of words and phrases in the least by my Intellectual taste or palate If to rule and govern this world do not suppose and signifie a medling in the affairs of it And if Privy Councellors intrusted and authorised by Commission to set up and pull down can do either the one or the other without intermedling in such affairs I am very much mistaken Nay further he saith expresly that leave is given them by God to dispose the works of his hands the affairs of Kingdoms even so far as they relate to their good and I judge no Ministers of the Gospel desire to dispose them otherwise than for their good But still I say they cannot dispose the affairs of Kingdoms but they must meddle with those affairs unavoidably Ob. All that can be said by way of Objection or Opposition is this that the Doctor speaks of Saints and not of Ministers and also that what
States and Governments from that Antichristian morter For certainly it may be easily demonstrated that it appertains properly to their Office and as a principal part of it in these last times to discover the Man of sin to find out Antichrist in all his subterfugies and diverticles to trace and hunt him in all his windings and turnings for what sort and generation of men will the Lord 〈◊〉 and annoint to deal with this great Enemy of Jesus Christs if not the Ministers of the Gospel And if it be true that this Doctor hath written elsewhere as undoubtedly it is from Scripture-ground namely that the Pope hath expresly bargained for his own interest and provided that that should have the chiefest place in all Oaths and Bonds that were betwixt Princes and people then we must look into the Affairs of States and their Laws and Administrations and where-ever we find any thing of that Son of perdition that horned Beast c. to detect him and his legerdemain and call upon the people of God to help pull down all those things which are of Babylon and the Beast though it be of the very fundamental constitution of the Kingdom and State which we have detected by the help of the Word and Spirit That Scripture Rev. 17. doth express the truth which you have read in a few excellent words These saith the Spirit that is the Ten Horns or Kings have one mind and will give their power and strength unto the Beast And they according to what is prophetically spoken have long fince given their power and strength unto the Beast but we hope it will be taken from the Beast ere it be long but the words of the Apostle John by the Spirit are far more emphatical than they are rendred by the Kings Translators I could methinks read them thus They shall deliver up that their Power and Authority unto the Beast i. e that Power which they received as in the former verse for they received power as Kings one hour with the Beast which implies they received not their Power at first from the Beast for you see they and the Beast came into the world much about a time but afterward these Kings come to be of one mind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which intimates they give their Power and Authority upon deliberation they know what they do it is an act of State and then they come to be of one and the same mind at length what one doth all will do and so they agreed to give up first their Militia or Military power to the Beast their Armies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See Mede on Rev. 13 2. and indeed histories are full of this truth for the Militia of each and of all these Kings was at the beck of this Beast Upon these two or three words they shall give up their Power or Hosts â—o the Beast large Volumes of histories to shew the accomplishment of this Prophecy might easily be written by me or any other who had leasure and skill to collect and sum up what is upon record in those Kingdoms here intended And besides they give away or deliver up their Authority for so I render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so it is rendred in Rev. 13.2 This signifies the Civil Power and in the 17. verse of this chapter it is their Kingdom so they part with all to the Beast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they give all up as men do when they pass away their Lands under hand and seal they were their own Kingdoms which they gave away but it may be asked what folly was this I answer it was not folly in their opinion all was for the good of the Catholick Church the Spouse of Christ this was suggested and they beleeved it whereas in truth these Kings fel in league with this beautiful bold Strumpet and committed fornication with her and so being intangled in her love did not regard what costs they were at to satisfie their lusts but bestowed all they had upon the beast that carried her and all for this drunken Harlots sake and for her use Indeed it is wonderful to read and to consider how the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with that great whore of Babylon and how the Nations also have been made drunk with the impoysoned intexicating wine of her fornications for they did always follow the examples of their Kings or chief Rulers Regis ad exemplum and how the Merchants of the earth have waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies Now then in the name of the Lord let this Question be asked shall not the Ministers of the Gospel in opening and applying the Scriptures which concern this matter indeavor by all means to break the league betwixt this whorish woman and her Lovers or Paramors these Kings of the earth Is it not their duty and office to recover the Nations from their drunkenness who dare forbid the true Ministers of Christ to intermeddle in those Affairs of State which are managed for the interest of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters I declare it before the world we will meddle with them more and more as we grow and increase in the knowledge and understanding of those Oracles and Prophecies which concern the ten Horns And whether I live or die let the present and approaching Generation know that the Ministers of the Gospel shall be imployed by their Lord the Prince of the Kings of the earth as some of his principal instruments to pluck up pull down and break in peeces the governments of the Nations for Antichrist is got into the bowels foundations establishments of their powers and it is our business it is our proper work as you heard to seek him out and reveal him in the sight of all the Nations of the earth These Pastors and Teachers in regard their flocks are to be used in the destroying of the Babylonish Strumpet must search every cranny as the Doctor speaketh they shall to this end be indued with such power and with such a Spirit from on high as that in a sense and in a degree they shall be as exact accurat and curious as the Jews use to be in seeking and searching every hole corner and cranny of their houses for the finding and purging out of the leavened bread according to that command of God Exod. 3.7 There shall no leavened bread be seen with thee neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters The manner of doing this is set down at large by Writers what care and industry was used to clear their houses of the leaven aforesaid And as Paul exhorted the Church of Corinth to purge out the old leaven that they might be a new lump So shall the Ministers of Christ ere long call upon the Nations and Statesmen therein to purge out the old leaven of Antichristianism yea all the old leaven and the new leaven and as the Prophet Jeremiah saith there must not be left