THE Saints Freedom From TYRANNY VINDICATED OR The Power of Pagan Caesars and Antichristian Kings Examined and they Condemned by the Prophets and Apostles as no Magistrates of God to be obeyed by Saints for the Lords sake Being The Coppy of an Answer to a Private Letter wherein the Civil Power of Pagan and Antichristian States is soberly debated and the chief or main Arguments for Saints Subjection to them is answered with much Love Brevity and Plainness and now brought forth for the Consideration of others By a Lover of TRUTH Jam. 4. 12. There is one Lawgiver who is able to Save and to Destroy Isa 1. 26 27. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellours as at the beginning c. Isa 10. 27. Ezek. 21. 26 27. Zech. 14. 9. London Printed in the Year 1667. The Epistle to the Reader Courteous Reader DIvine Commands put into Act or Gods revealed Will and Psa 19. 1 â— c. Laws put into Execution gave Being Vsefulness and Beauty to the whole Creation when Gods Will is done by Men on Eearth as by the Angels in Heaven Gods Mat. 6. 10. Kingdom Rule and Government is then come in this World as promised prayed for and expected by Believers When Jehovah had perfected his six days work of the Creation Gen. 1. 31. he looked over all that he had made and saw that it was very good but Mans disobedience to that Law which God gave to him brought Gen. 3. 17 18 19. the Curse upon Man and upon the Ground for Mans sake so that darkness disorder sorrow and death hath been the fruits of Mans sin This Curse was in some measure abated and restrained by Gods grace in the promised Messias and when God had freely chosen and called Abraham and promised to him That the Gen. 12. 1 2 3. Mat. 1. 1. Exod. 19 4 5 c. Exod. 20. 1 â— 3 c. and Ch. p. 21. 22 23 24 25 c. Messias in the flesh should come of his Seed God after gathered Israel into Covenant with himself and besides the Ceremonial Law for Worship God also renewed the Morral Law or Law of Nature by the hand of Moses that Israel had written Laws for the well ordering of every Pâ—rson and Family whether as Members of Families Church or State Under this Divine Government for Bodies and Souls Israel enjoyed the presence and protection of Deut. 4. 5 â— c. 2 Chron. 18. 2. God Almighty in the midst of Brutish Heathen States When Israel kept close to Gods Laws and Government in Church and State God kept close to Israel and was their safety peace and glory But as Adam at first Israel after in their time brake Covenant Jer. 2. 17 18 19. with God and God gave them up into the hands of beastly bruitish-heathen Kings or States to make them know what a sad and bitter thing it was to depart from God Israel became Gods visible People by visible Covenant as a â—hurch and as a State wherein they Exod. 24. 3 4 5 c. Jer. 3. 14. Ezek 16. 38 Hos 1. 2 promised Obedience and Subjection in the way of a Marriage Covenant between Man and Wife and in that sence the Lord so often charged Israel and Judah for adultery whoredom and breaking the Bond of Wedlock and at last gave them a Bill of Divorce and Jer. 3. 8. â—os 2. 2. left his visible Protection of them In the latter part of the Jewish oppressed State God fulfilled Old Jacob's Prophesie of Christ and Gen. 49. 10. sent forth his Son Jesus Christ into the World and laid the Government upon his Shoulders When Christ was invested into his Mediatory Isa 9. 6. Authority he founded the New Testament State or the Mat. 16. 17 18. Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven or the Heavenly Kingdom Rule and Government of God upon Earth in visible Believers and as King ordained Laws Ordinances Officers and Government Mat. 16. 19 20. and 26. 26 27 c. and 28. 18 19. 20. Mat. 9. 15. to his Disciples or Followers professing him or his Soveraignty and separated from the World In that time that He the Bridegroom was with his Bride on Earth the Disciples had a taste and earnest of this his Kingdom Dominion and Government which in his time he will more manifest in this world in greater Power 1 Tim. â— 15. 2 Thes 2. 7. 1 John 2. 19. 2 Thes 2. 3 4 v. 9. 10. Rev. 13. 8. and Glory The Mistery of Iniquity began early to appear in the Apostles times and there were then many Antichrists but the Antichrist after arose as a Curse and Judgment upon the formal hyyocritical professing Party in the Christian Church or State Christ by the Spirit in the Apostles did reveal or fore-shew the Rise and Tyranny of the apostate state Note yet was no moving cause of the Apostacy but fore-shewed the effect rather to deter than encourage to sin Vnder the 2 King 24 2 Luke 21 20 21 22 23 24. Dan. 7. 25. Rev. 17. 6. yoak of Heathen Tyranny the Jewish State was wasted and destroyed and under Antichristian Tyranny the Christian Churches and Saints have been much worn out but by the Saints long darkness and Bondage they have been like Israel in Egypt Naturalized to Serviâ—ude and taught to subject to oppressing Tyrants as the Ordinance of God and as lawful Magistrates set over them by God But still God and his Word abides the same that it was and God hath promised to Redeem his Sion and Restore his Polittical Government Isa 1. 26 27. 11. 1. to 9. in Justice Judgement and Righteousness in the Earth under the Peaceable Kingdom and Rule of Jesus the Christ. It 's therefore the Saints Priviledge and Duty to pray for this and to seek for a thorow Reformation in the State as in the Church Note Where Mat. 6. 10. Worship is National Purity in the Church cannot long stand with Corruption in State This is that Generation-Truth which this Author labours to demonstrate and bring forth into Victory and only appeals to the Word and Law of God the great only and infallible Isa 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Judge in all Cases for Faith and Manners Providence brought this Coppy to my hand and upon the serious perusal of it I took my self bound to give my assistance to bring it forth to the View of others not questioning but the Subject it self will gain acceptance with all People who desire so to live and walk with God on Earth that they may Reign with Jesus Christ in Glory This is the utmost end of him who waits and prayes for Sions promised Redempâ—ion A B. THE Saints Freedom from Tyranny Vindicated c. SIR YOur Return upon the Paper I sent you came to my hand the which I thankfully receive and acknowledge that you exceeded my expectation I am not altogether
Ordinance was clearly in and amongst Gods Covenant-People from Moses to Christ and with none other Object But it is Objected That Daniels expounding Nebuchadnezzars Dream of the great Dan. 2. 37 c. Image said to him Thou O King art a King of Kings for the God of heaven hath given thee a Kingdom Power and Strength and Glory and after thee shall arise another Kingdom c. Therefore these four Kings or Imperial States were the Ordinance of God and lawful Magistrates or Ministers of God to whom the Lords People did and still do owe Obedience to in Civil things Answ To this I humbly give my thoughts First This was a Vision opened of four Imperial States which God would Providentially raise in the World successively one after another and use at his pleasure either to afflict Dan. 4. 17. or help his People and one to destroy the other but neither this Prophesie or any other Word of God speaks their Ordination and Constitution of Governors Magistrates or Misters Rom. 13. 3 4. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. of God sent for the good of his People for the encouragement of godliness and to be a terrour to evil-deers which are the great ends of Magistracy ordained by God and wherein the Lords People are commanded subjection for the Lords sake Secondly These Kings came successively to their Kingdoms and Rule by the power of the Sword and Strength as was prophesied but not by Power and Authority and so accordingly were represented by Monstrous Beasts and no Births of Dan. 7. 4 to 8. and 8. 4 c. Nature All these Monstrous States or Kings came successively to Rule by Gods Providence in their times as they got power or strength to Conquer The King of Babylon Conquered 2 King 24. 1 2 c. vers 10. and 25. 1 2 c. and Captivated the Jews for their sin by Power and Might not by Authority or Right By Gods providence a Thief or Thieves rob or kill the honest Traveller Note but not by Power of Authority as having right to the Travellers mony and life by the Law of God and in this way like Beasts of prey one Kingdom or State subdued another and so it is still Thirdly Though Daniel said to the King of Babylon That God gave him a Kingdom Power and Strength yet this was prophesied after he had taken Jerusalem and captived the Jews Dan. 2. 37. living therefore this Commission was not warrant for the former Cruelty Fourthly Not any of these Kings had the Essentials of Gods Magistrates viz. As fearing God as chosen out of themselves and Exod. 18. 21. Deut. 1. 13. Rom. 13. 3 4. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 invested with authority by them nor ruling by Gods Laws to encourage godliness and be a terror to evil-doers Therefore upon these grounds not any of the Heathen Kings were the Ordinance of God to be obeyed by the Lords People for the Lords sake Object But it is said That God brought upon Israel the King of the Caldees and God gave Jehoiakim King of Judah into the hand of the King of Babylon 2 Chron. 36. 17. Dan. 1. 1 2. Answ Yes God did so providentially as a Curse and Judgement to fulfil the Word of his threatnings upon their disobedience 2 Chr. 36. 14 15 16 17. Isa 10. 5 c. 2 King 24. 1 c. 8. 10 c. stubbornness and incorrigible rebellions against him but not as his Minister for their good as a Magistrate ordained by God to rule and feed them The Kings of Assyria and Babylon c. were such powers of the Earth or earthly powers which God by his Almighty Power providentially used as his Creatures to afflict or relieve to distress or save his Covenant-People when he pleased but not to rule and govern them under God or for God as his Magistrates ordained by him God by his Almighty Soveraign power and pleasure threatned the disobedience of his people with many sore judgments Ezek. 14 12 13 Deut. 28. 15 c. and he used what Creatures he thought good to do it by viz. Either noysom Beasts Famine Pestilence or Sword By Sword was meant the Sword of Kings or States whom he providentially brought upon them which Kings were only led by principles of Nature and opportunities and providences when they knew not God or his designs and so they were Isa 10. 5 6 7. v. 12. to 19. Jer. 51. 52. judged by God and destroyed for the misery desolation and blood of the Lords People Note Therefore these Heathen Kings or Powers were no otherwise the Ordinance of God but as Locusts Famine Pestilence c. or the Devil are the Ordinance of God Object But God gave it in Charge to those Jews who were carried Captives to Babylon to seek the peace of the City and to pray unto the Lord for it for in the peace thereof ye shall have peace Jer. 29. 7. Answ This was the Lords Command to those Captives But First That short time of Israels Captivity was foreshewed and also by whom their Deliverance should come viz. by Cyrus Isa 44. 28. 45. 1 2 c. Jer. 29. 10 11. Secondly Their Captivity was very easie they had the Liberty of Conscience in Religion they had liberty to build Houses to plant Vineyards and to eat the Fruit to marry Wives and to live in safety therefore to seek the Peace of the place but not of the King of Babylon Thirdly This command To seek the Peace of the place implies a Charge laid upon them not to raise trouble by seeking their Deliverance yet not to pray for the prosâ—â—â—ity of the King or the establishment of that Kingdom for God had declared Isa 44. 28. and 45. 1 2 3 c. Dan. 5. 30 31. Rev. 18 6 7. his determination to destroy Babylon and in Babylons destruction their deliverance should come Therefore God used the King of Persia to redeem Israel but this is not the case of Christians under Mystery Babylon But Daniel and other Servants of the Lord served the King of Object Babylon c. Answ They did so as Captives taken by the Sword and Violence not as Magistrates or Ministers of God to rule over them for then they had had no cause to return to their own Country and Government The Captive Jews under the King of Babylon and Captive Christians under the Turk are one in Nature Note but I judge that Christians in Turkish slavery do not see themselves bound by the preceptive will of God to abide in slavery if by Gods providence a way be opened for their escape The Jews under the Government of Judges were Judg. 2. 11 12 v. 14 15 16 c. oft providentially given up by God into the hands of several Heathen Kings or States for their great transgressions against God and when they humbled themselves before the Lord and repented the Lord also providentially delivered them But in the
of that Authority in Civil affairs though debarred the publick exercise of some acts or all acts by the Armies or Strength of Heathen Kings And because the Churches or Saints had not then power or strength to execute some Laws on offenders Note the Apostle prest the Saints to subjection as of duty to those Civil Rulers or Magistrates they had amongst themselves as Gods Ordinance to be obeyed for the Lords sake and Conscience sake as commanded by God Secondly It is evident both from the rise and exercise of power in Heathen Kings that they were not ordained by God Dan. 7 2 3 c. 2 Chr. 36. 17 c. Isa 10 5 6 c. and 42. 24 25. Ezek. 34. 23 24. to rule over his People under him neither had they power and authority to govern from God but only power and strength to burn destroy kill and captive the Lords People rebelling against him and so called Gods Staffe Hammer Saw c. not Fathers Shepherds c. Object But Paul exhorted Timothy That supplications and prayers should be made for all men for Kings and all that are in Authority or eminent place that we may lead a quiet and peaceable 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. Life Answ First If by Kings we understand the then Heathen Kings Paul may be understood to enjoyn the Saints to pray either for the conversion of their souls or restraint of their power that the Saints Peace and Godliness were not hindred viz. That God would not suffer those heathen Kings to put out their power and strength to persecute or hinder the Saints Peace Liberty and Holiness But this text asserts not the Divine Authority of heathen Kings to govern the Lords People or Saints to subject to them Secondly If the Apostle be taken as referring to any time when a Magistrate called King shall be called to rule over the Lords people in Authority or eminent place of Trust as appointed and ordained by God then it will be the duty of Saints to pray for such Magistrates That their Rule and Government may answer the end of their Power and Trust as Ordained by Rom. 13. 3 4 c. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 God viz. Saints Peace and Holiness Object But the Apostle Peter also gave this in charge to Saints Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as to them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of them that do well 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. Answ First In this the Apostle is clear that he presseth Saints Subjection to Kings or Governours as called or sent of God Note for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise and encouragement of them that do well This is the currant of Scripture Secondly Note The Apostle presseth Saints Subjection to Kings or Governours as the Ordinance of Man or as Mans appointment in the State when they answer the ends of Civil Government as Ordained by God If we should take the Apostle exhorting Saints To subject to every Law and Ordinance of man for the Lords sake then the Laws of Men should be obeyed by Saints how unjust unnatural or contrary soever they were to the Laws of God but this is too gross and contrary to the currant of Scripture not answering the ends of Government as Ordained by God Thirdly If we take the Apostle speaking of Kings or Governours as the Ordinance of Man then the title King or Power of Kings is only humane and God hath left it in the wisdom power and will of a State or Body Politick to call to Office and Power one Person or a set number of Persons joyntly to rule over them as they judge best for the whole Note and also to dignifie and distinguish their Officers of State as they please and Saints are not hereby to be displeased but must submit for the Lords sake I am humbly bold thus to give my sence That both Paul in Rom 13. 1. and in his other Epistles Note as also Peter in this text had no respect to the Heathen Kings of that time but that both these Apostles do assert Magistracy to be the Ordinance of God amongst his People To suppress evil-doers and to encourage them that do well Rom. 13. 3 4. to which Magistrates the Saints owe subjection for the Lords sake Note This Apostle Peter also implieth That the designation of Magisterial Authority upon one person or upon several persons with the Names and Titles by which they are called or dignified are humane and left to men and therefore Saints should not deny subjection upon that account In the first constitution of the Jewish Polittick State God gave them Judges about the space of 450 years after which Deut. 16. 18 Act. 13. 20 21 c. 1 Sam. 8. 1 2 c. v. 19 22. upon the ill government of Samuels Sons Israel resolved to change the Government from Judge to King and God gave way to them But as God fore-saw that Israel would change the Government of State in which his secret counsel was fulfilled to bring in Davids Kingdom and make way for Christs Kingdom God enjoyned and commanded Israel that Deut. 17. 14 Kings should rule by the same Laws which he gave to the Judges The Apostle Peter then seeing or supposing that in after-time some difference might arise amongst Saints about Political Government or Governours viz. Whether the chief should be in one Person or in many and by what names they should be dignified Peter inferrs that this is in man to order ordain and appoint and therefore exhorts Saints not The Body or State Polâ—â—ick are the first Seat of Power â—y Pâ—tâ—r to differ or dissent from what the Body of the People or State ordain and appoint in that matter so as the Governours do answer the ends of Government as ordained by God I must say I know not that this was questioned by Saints in Peters time Note but it may be a question amongst Saints in the Resurrection of the Witnesses and here is the Solution which is not again found in all the Scriptures And let me add these my thoughts That as Gods moral judicial Laws given to Israel are the Laws of Christs Kingdom Christ ratified and confirmed them in his Ministry and the Apostles gave many general directions to Saints about Political Government and Governours as Ordained by God Note but neither exprest or intended the then Heathen Kings in those directions Object But Rulers and Governours were commonly called Gods and it is not likely that they should be so dignified by holy men if they were not ordained by God and bare upon them some Image or Beam of Divine Soveraignty Answ We may grant that this high Title was ascâ—ibed to Rulers and Governours by David by Christ and by Paul referring Exod. 22. 28. Psal 82. 1 6. John 10. 34. Act. 23. 4 5. to Moses
was invested by the Father Mat. 28. 18. Eph. 1. 20 21 c. with all Power in Heaven and Earth Then the Heathen Kings from Christs time to the rise of Antichrist were Usurpers and not the Ordinance of God to be obeyed by Saints in Civil things But it is your thoughts as I take it that Antichrist in his Civil State is the Ordinance of God Magisterial and to be obeyed by the Lords People in Civil things as derived from the Heathen Magistratical Power or from the Roman State Your words are these I take the Dragon to be the Old Pagan Empire as it was acted by Satan in advancing Idolatrous Worship And by the Beast I mean the Roman Empire as Antichristian or rather Antichrist agitated by Satan in advancing Idolatry and Superstition under other Names And therefore if it were not a sin in the one to yeeld obedience I do not see how it should be sin in the other since Satan acted both Reply To this I make my humble Reply First I am not yet convinced from Scripture or Argument That any Heathen Emperors or Kings were Ordained by God to Rule and Govern his People from him as his Magistrates or Ministers of State who were acted and influenced by the Devil and answered not the ends of Magistracy as Ordained by God Secondly It is my understanding That upon Christs Baptisme he entered upon his Mediatorship and upon all his Mediatory Mat. 3. 16 17. John 1. 41. Offices actually and visibly in the World and that all Disciples believing and visibly closing with Christ as Mediator Prophet Priest and King Note were actually dismist and dis-ingaged from the Curse and Bondage of that Heathen Yoke which was brought upon Gods Covenant-People for Isa 10. 27. John 1. 41 45. their Rebellions against God his Laws and Government Thirdly I can easily grant Note That the same Satan acted the Pagan Empire and Antichrist and also that the Dragon or Pagan Empire gave to the Beast Antichrist his Power his â—ev 13. 2 Seat and great Authority viz. All that Power and Authority in the Roman or Western Empire which rested in the Dragon or the Devil to give And this Power and Authority is all which the Beast Antichrist ever had Note But it is not proved that God ever gave unto the Devil such Power or invested the Pagan Empire either with the power of Government in that Empire or with Power and Authority to Invest and Instal another State to Rule as Gods Ministers And it is my Judgement that neither the Dragon had Power of Authority from God to constitute a New State or to divolve Civil Power and Authority Magisterial as Gods Ordinance upon the Beast Antichrist or that Christian Believers are bound from God to receive and obey Antichrists Commands in Civil things because the Dragon gave him his Power I humbly judge That your Inference cannot be binding to the Lords People until these two things be proved First That the Heathen Dragonical State was the Ordinance of God intrusted with Supream Authority Royal in all the World as Lord and Law-giver Secondly That the Dragonical State or Power was Invested and Intrusted by God to constitute another Supream Royal State Civil in the World Note Acts of Royalty put out proves not the Authority to be from God but it is ground of strong suspicion if not of demonstration That the Power and Authority which is acted Isa 10. 5 c. 2 King 24. 1 2 c. 2 Thes 2. 10 11. and influenced from the Devil is not of Gods appointing or ordaining but only by Gods permission and suffering in his just Judgements And to this I may add Note That throughout the Books of the Prophets and Apostles Old Babylon and Mystery Babylon are declared the Objects and Subjects of Divine Wrath and Vengeance and therefore not the Ordinance of God as mostly taken to be Divine I can grant that by corruption evil and vile men may get in and be in power of Government Psal 12. 8 Hos 5. 1. and 8. 4. Isa 3. 1 4. which is appointed by God the which God doth not approve but threatens and judgeth where such offences are committed and not reformed Now this is the evil of Persons and not the evil of Government as ordained by God Note And in that case the Lord by his righteous Judgments may and doth punish a Nation both with and for wicked Kings and Rulers God also preceptively and providentially removed evil Kings and Rulers in Israel and Judah yet still continued Magistracy as his Ordinance but both Babylon Litterally Isa 1. 24 25 26. and Babylon Mystically in their Civil and Ecclesistâ—ical States shall be perfectly destroyed which is yet remaining and therefore Jer. 25. 12 13. Rev. 18. 21 c neither the Dragon or Antichrist are Magistrates or Magistracy as Gods Ordinance As for those Inferences or Arguments drawn from Pauls practice and from Peter and Pauls Writings to Saints or Churches I have given my understanding in them and so pass them but to what I have said I humbly crave leave to offer my thoughts in these Particulars following Particu 1 First I see it not clearly proved That the Pagan Roman Caesars are signified by the Dragon Rev. 12. 3 4 c. but that the Dragon may rather represent Antichrist for two Reasons First The Man of Sin Antichrist sits in the Temple of God 1 Thes 2. 4. And this Dragon appeared in Heaven Rev. 12. 3. viz. in the visible Church which the Pagan Caesars did not Secondly This Dragon drave the Woman into the Wilderness 1260 dayes the same time with the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth Rev 12 6. and 11. 2 3. 13. 5 and one state of time with Antichrists Reign Therefore the Dragon must signifie Antichrist or the Antichristian State and not the Pagan Roman State For if we take the Dragon for the Pagan Empire then the Pagan Persecutions are included in the Antichristian Persecution of 1260 days or else John only hints the Pagan Persecutions and then falls into and states the Antichristian Persecution 1260 dayes Particu 2 Secondly It is not clear That the Beast arising out of the Sea Rev. 13. 1 c. and Daniels fourth Beast are one Beast and Rev. 13. 1. Dan. 7. 7. 2 Thes 2 7. Rev. 17 18. both representing the Roman Empire I humbly judge That upon the fall of Daniels fourth Beast the Beast with ten Horns Crowned then arose over whom the Woman reigns Note and so is the Kingdom of the Beast Antichrist as they are professed Christian 1 Joh. 2. 22. 2 Thes 2 7. States and yet oppose and deny the Fathers and the Sons Soveraignty Paul infers that the Pagan Empire ceased or was taken away when Antichrist arose and every of the ten horns or kingdoms as they put on Crowns they became entire and distinct Monarchies So Daniel makes the little horn Dan. 7. 8. Antichrist to be
of God or by Gods appointment to be obeyed by the Lords People for the Lords sake or for Conscience not having the Essentials of a Governour or Magistrate which God Ordained and Commanded The Priesthood under the Law was and the Ministry under the Exod. 28. 1 2 c. and 29. 1 2 c. Eph. 4 11 12. 1 Tim 3. 1 2 3 c. Act. 20. 28. Heb. 5. 4. Gospel is the Ordinance of Gods appointment their Qualifications Investment into Office and Duties of Office were all Ordained and commanded of God but if any Person put himself into the Priests Office or a Pastoral Charge by might or force or pretended right or if a People should Call a Fool or a Person Man or Woman to Office in the Church as a Pastor not duely Qualified as God hath appointed Note or if a Person duely Qualified and rightly Called to Office do yet reject the Laws and Ordinances of God and the Gospel when in Office and offer sacrifices to Idols and obey the Comands of Men contrary to the Institutions of God these under the Law were Sons of 1 Sam. 2 12. 13. 1 King 18. 19 c. 1 Joh. 2. 18 22 1 Thes 5. 12. Heb. 13. 17. Belial and Priests of Baal and in the Gospel-state such are Ministers of Antichrist and not Ministers of God or the Ordinance of God to be obeyed for the Lords sake as commanded by God I might give other Demonstrations in the Ordinances of the Law and Gospel what Essentials were and now are necessary to constitute and denominate an Ordinance of God for matter and form but I consider to whom I write Indeed Antichrist hath assumed the Soveraign Authority of God and of Christ Civil and Ecclesiastical and by Popish darkness and slavery 2 Thes 2. 3 4. 1 John 2. 22. his Subjects have received his Commands as Divine not questioning or denying his usurped Power over Bodies and Souls how contrary soever his Commands and Appointments Rev. 13. 15 16 17. 17. 4. were or are to the Ordinances and Appointments of God they must be recieved as Gods Ordinances Through the Lords rich and free grace the Antichristian Vail is in a good measure taken away from many Professors in Ecclesiastical and Church-concerns But the great Body of Protestants are still stumbled about Antichrists Civil Power and do own Antichrist in his Civil Power for the Ordinance of God though some few cannot But that very way by which God hath led his People to discover the true and pure Ordinances of God in the Church from false Antichristian cheats and delusions in Worship Note the same will also lead Believers to the discovery of Heathenish and Antichristian cheats in the Political State and difference between Magistracy as the Psal 119. 104 105. Isa 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Ordinance of God and the Tyranny of wicked Men viz. by coming to Gods Law and Testimony and thereby examine Church and State Officers and Ordinances as ordained constituted and appointed of God and by God What Christ required of and answered the Jews Messengers Mat. 22. 15 16 c. when they were sent to entrap him in point of Caesars Power I would query and answer both of the Heathen and Antichristian Exod. 18. 19 20 c. Deut. 1. 9 13 14. 2 Chr. 19. 6 7. Psal 82. 1 6. Rev. 14. 1. and 17. 14. Rom 13. 3 4 5 Rev. 13. 1 2. and 11 c. Rev. 2. 10. and 11. 7. and 12. 9. and 13. 5 6 7. Emperors and Kings viz. Whose is the Image and Superscription upon them If they bear the Image and Superscription of God upon them if they have the Name of God written in their fore-heads and they in the Place Office and Work of God to Rule his People by Divine Authority then they were and are to be subjected to for the Lords sake But if those Emperors and Kings bear the Image and Superscription of the Devil are raised by the Devil and do the Devils work all which is true there is no Scripture-Warrant as I conceive for the Lords People to obey such Emperors or Kings as the Ordinance of God The first rise and original of Polittical Government and Magistracy Exod. 2 10 18 15 16 c. Deut. 1. 9 13 14. Exod. 21 22 23 Chapters c. as Ordained and Appointed by God was amongst the Jews at their coming out of Egypt and in the Wilderness in their way to Canaan God first called Moses immediately and intrusted him Ministerially with Magistratical Power and Authority to Lead and Govern Israel not other Nations his â—ovenant-People In Moses time God gave Israel Laws and Poliâ—tical Government which they were to exercise and put in Deut. 16. 18 c. and 17 14 15 c. execution when they came into Canaan both as a Common-wealth and as a Kingdom At that time when God constituled Israel a Polittical State there were many and great Nations Deu. 4. 5 6 c and 7. 7 8. in the World who made themselves Kings and exercised Polittical Government from the Light and Law of Nature by the Permission of God but not by the Ordination and Appointment of God as Israel had this is recorded by Moses Deut. 4. 5 6 c. and 7. 7 8. And long after Moses David said He shewed his Word to Jacob his Statutes and his Judgements unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as Psa 147. 19 20 for his Judgements they have not known them Note Thus from Nimrod to David the Heathen Emperors and Kings were not the Ordinance of God to rule and govern his People Again in Davids Psal 72 89 20 21 22 c. Mat. 1. 1 anâ— 2. 1. 2. Luke 1. 35 36 and v. 69 70 c. Gen. 49. 10. Ezek. 21. 27 and 34. 24 25. time God by Covenant entailed the Royal Scepter of Judah upon David and his Heirs in the flesh but chiefly upon Jesus Christ as the Son of David according to Jacobs Prophesie The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be These Scriptures clearly assert Jesus Christ the Son of David and so he had right to the Royal Government of Judah so soon as he was born Note therefore no Heathen King had right to the Crown of Judah by Gods Donation from first to last But Christ as Mediator had also another Royal Soveraignty Psa 2. 7 8 c. Eph. 1. 21 22. Phil. 2. 8 9 10. Mat. 28 18 19 Mar. 16. 15. given him by God the Father over Jews and Gentiles for Souls and Bodies which Authority was published and declared by Christ himself Jesus came and spake unto them the eleven Disciples saying All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore c. Note Thus Royal and Magisterial Authority as Gods