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
is done is by their Prayers and Intercessions Answ All this is readily and easily answered as first Ministers do not lose the priviledge of Saints when they are made Ministers by Christ and his people no more than an other officer of a Church of Saints doth lose or is deprived of the privilege of a member upon his being chosen into office So that if God gave him this privilege as a Saint of ruling governing disposing the affairs of Kingdoms he may still claim it and make use of his Commission after he is become a Minister of the New Testament And as for the second part of the Objection I acknowledge he there speaks of disposing by prayer and intercession only but this doth not in the least invalidate my Assertion because to set up and to pull down to Govern Rule and dispose the world and the Affairs of Kingdoms by prayer is one way of meddling with matters of State and an excellent way Especially if that Spirit which accompanied the first Christians be but President and predominant among those privy Councellors who meet in Christs Name to set up and to pul down according to their Commission for those whom I mentioned made notable work with that act of State and that State-policy whereby Herod and Pontius Pilate proceeded to murther the Prince of Life The Faith and Prayers of the faithful remnant have been in all ages and will bee henceforward much more dangerous to the Kings of the earth and their Affairs than the greatest quantity of Gunpowder set on fire in any Magazeen whatsoever can be to any City or Town where it is if once they spring a Mine as I may so say they overthrow whatsoever they did undermine with a more irresistable force than is imagined or beleeved For est quaedam precum omnipotentia as he said The true fervent praying against States their Laws and Government c. is meddling with a witness and yet it is hardly known who burts them but at the last day it will be known what execution hath been done upon the Empires and Monarchies of this world by the Lords people in the several exigencies of their Affairs for we know that the Affais of State Reason of State State-policy and the Laws of the Land have above all other things obstructed the deliverance of the choycest servants of the Lord from age to age I could illustrate this Point of the Ministers and peoples meddling by prayer with the things and interests of men and of the worldly Powers and in some measure shew of what excellent use it will be to overthrow the Thrones of Kingdoms c. But I refer it to the true Ministers and the few faithful Brethren in Christ to exercise themselves herein day and night as I hear they begin to do But let them remember and not forget upon any terms that Faith is the very life and soul of prayer and if you meddle with these or any Powers abroad without that you will meddle to no purpose But let no man imagin that because we have not an Answer all this while therefore we are not heard for Faith waites upon God for the bringing forth his purposes and counsels in his own time and God forbid wee should limit the holy one of Israel or prescribe to him a method or manner of proceeding in the production of those antient Decrees which are to be brought forth in the time appointed of the Father So much for this first way of meddling with State-Affairs The other Doctor of the Divinity aforesaid is also of great reputation and therefore I hope my adversaries will not turn away from his Doctrine in this matter I am bold to call him forth to plead for this Truth for his Preached and Printed Principles do very much tend in my apprehension to the justification of the practice of those Ministers of the Gospel who do or shall hereafter intermeddle in State-Affairs as becomes Ministers for no otherwise would I have any one to meddle than as becommeth him in the judgement of the spiritual man There is one notion of his in the Sermon which I mean which certainly had the preheminence of many others in his mind and judgement and which I shall transcribe in the first place and then improve it according to its natural tendency as the Lord shall help on the behalf of his own Truth and Interest so suddenly and unworthily deserted by those who seemed very stout Assertors of it not many years ago The words of Dr. O. in the Serm. on Heb. 12.27 All the PRESENT STATES OF THE WORLD are cemented together by Antichristian lime as I shall shew afterwards Unless they be so shaken as to have every cranny searched and brushed they will be no quiet habitation for the Lord Christ and his people This I find in the 14 page Again in the 25 page I find him speaking to this purpose The Heavens and the Earth of the Nations in their present constitution are directly framed to the interest of Antichrist which by notable advantages at their first moulding and continued insinuations ever since hath so riveted it self into the very fundamentals of them that no digging or mining without an Earthquake will cast up the foundation-stones thereof Yet again to the same effect p. 35. Is it not evident to him that hath but half an eie that the whole present constitution of the Governments of the Nations is so cemented with Antichristian morter from the very top to the bottom that without a thorough shaking they cannot be cleansed And a little after This onely is certain It the said shaking shall not stop nor receive its period before the interest of Antichristianity be wholly separated from the power of those Nations Thus far the other Doctor 1 Now first We see plainly or may see that he for his part meddles with States and Governments of Nations all along throughout the Sermon 2 He doth particularly declare the nature of their Constitution both foundation and superstruction shewing also how the interest of Antichrist is intermingled or interwoven in all or most of those States in Europe and that from the top to the bottom 3 He declares and foretels the shaking translating and new molding of all those States and Kingdoms 4 He affirms that every cranny must be searched for that Antichristian morter or lime and sand which doth cement the constitution of the Governments of the Nations and that this shaking searching c. shall not stop nor receive a period till the interest of Antichristianity be wholly separated from these Nations From all which and many other passages in that Sermon I do make this inference That the Ministers of the Gospel may lawfully or without sin yea must necessarily intermeddle and be imployed in searching into the Affairs of these Kingdoms and States Yea further for ought I can discern they must be imployed by their Lord and Master as the chief laborers which are to brush and clense the
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
their shepherd to feed them with knowledge and understanding in this point and therefore accordingly I spent some time in clearing it up unto the Congregation in a second Epistle written in answer unto theirs It seems some of them through anacquaintedness with Scripture-distinctions in this doctrine and otherwise did not make a right interpretation of the Truths therein expressed but mistooke my minde and meaning and so whether weakly or willingly divulged or suffered to be divulged abroad some passages in the Letter which ought not to have been done considering the Letter was intended for their use and edifying onely and not for open publication I had some hint of this in a short time but not being conscious to my self of any alteration in the least no not in thought and purpose of heart toward a compliance and well knowing that no part of the Letter could signifie any such thing if rightly understood I neglected the rumour as onely one of the petty stratagems of the devil whereby to do me some mischief But afterward finding that that secret whisper and murmur was ripened suddenly into an infamous report Letter after Letter also representing this as of very sad consequence to that Name and Cause for which I am bound with this Chain I was brought under a necessity of presenting to publick view the Epistle it self so far as it concerns this Cause Especially when I finde it certified that one well known to all sorts of people in the City coming where several were together in company did in a laughing and scoffing maner draw forth a paper and say There was my Recantation pretending it was mine own Letter or a Copy of it wherein I wrote That I was now satisfied that the Government was a lawful authority c. It appears to me that the envious One and his Emissaries are altogether in extreams in their suggestions against my Good Name sometimes the world must be made believe yea and the Elect also that I am against Magistracie and Ministery that I am an enemy to Government a most dangerous man in my Principles that way c. Again sometimes it is for his advantage to perswade such as would have it so that I am come over to my Adversaries and Oppressors of mine own accord and that suddenly too without any Overtures made or Arguments used to draw me to a compliance or conformity But how improbable and irrational a practice such an hasty return would appear to solid Christians to be I refer it to themselves to say and judge No blessed be the Lord I shall not so far be forsaken by him or left to my self as to gratifie the foes and grieve the friends of my dear Redeemer by turning Apostate after all my sufferings in so good a Cause HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR HIS SERVANT yea let all my Friends and Enemies also know assuredly that I stand my ground by divine assistance yea I get ground and am abundantly confirmed that I am out of the reach of the earthly powers insomuch that if they should slay me they could not hurt me Let God in all things be glorified by Jesus Christ to whom also be glory for ever Amen The Epistle followeth together with a further manifestation of the Truth This following is a true Copy of the Epistle so far as concerns the matter in hand which I have divided into Sections for methods sake in the explanation of my meaning Grace mercy and peace from the ever-over-flowing Fountain to every son and daughter of the living God Sect. 1 HAving lately even in my last unto you declared among other things that purpose and determination concerning my Bonds and Imprisonment which I have according to my best understanding taken up upon Scripture-ground I shall now proceed to add something for the rectifying of some mistakes about the present powers and the image of the Beast It falling in properly upon this occasion for me to speak something to you concerning those Truths which do lie somewhat remote and out of the way of ordinary observation Sect. 2 The judgement of the Congregation appears by their Letter to me to be this viz. That you cannot do any thing toward my enlargement prayer excepted without owning the Powers in Being the doing of which say you is accounted a bowing the knee to the image of the Beast Now for the better clearing up of the minde of God in this dark and doubtful matter I shall plainly declare as follows Sect. 3 First I do not know by whom the ownnig of the Powers in Being is accounted a bowing the knee to the image of the Beast It was never neither is it like to be mine Opinion and whether you mean some of your Number or of other Congregations I cannot tell if I had particularly known I should have given a particular Answer for as for my self I do own the Powers in Being according as God himself hath commanded and have done all along I have and do render to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custome to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Sect. 4 And therefore secondly the doing of this that is Owning the Powers in Being is not ought not to be accounted a bowing the knee to the image of the Beast to own those Powers aforesaid is a plain duty not to be dispensed with by any Law of man whatsoever where as to worship or bow the knee to the Beast is a known sin forbidden in the Word of God By the Powers in Being I understand the Army as Supream and all those who joyne with them to carry on the work of justice and of mercy according to the indubitable principles of right reason and equity for Rulers saith the Apostle are not a terror to good workes but to the evil and so far as the Powers answer those principles they are Powers and the Ordinance of God and there is no more reason to resist them then there is to resist righteousness and truth whilst and so long as they answer the ends for which they were ordained and you know I never taught you to rise up against them in the least Sect. 5 If any would ask me How I can be said to own the Powers and yet preach against them and for the destroying of them thus one after another I answer I do in this matter as the Prophets and Apostles and Martyrs and upright and understanding Saints in all ages did before me for I make no question but they owned the Powers then in Being according to their own Doctrine and principles and yet at the same time preached and prophesied against them for their abominations both to their faces and behinde their backs also and this was done by the Lords faithful servants in all ages but I confess it did cost them very dear some their lives others their liberties others their ther substance c. where as the Court-Chaplains the Parish-Clergie and the Apostate Independents take a very
people to maintain them in their câ—stly trade of fornication each with other but more of this hereafter But because those Truths which concern the time of the end in Daniel and the Revelation cannot be so well understood by the Saints who are unskilfull in that part of the word of righteousness therefore they shall do well to enquire of those who by reason of use Heb 5 13 14. have their senses exercised in those most excellent mysteries And if they look up to the Lord with unfeigned desire not to be taken in that snare which shall come upon the Inhabitants of the earth do read those Books concerning the accomplishment of these promises as the Eunuch did Isaiahs who knows but the Lord may provide a Philip to open and interpret those mysteries to satisfaction beyond all expectâ—tion Generation work in three books of great use in these times by Jo. Tillinghast And because by special providence I have received refreshment three several times by three several Books written by Mr. Tillinghast concerning Generation-work theâ—eâ—ore I recommend them to the Saints The first time was when I was conflicting with strong temptations to intermit my method of Teaching concerning the present Truth and work of Christ and the Spirit of God meeting my spirit in reading the first of Jeremy Jer. 1.7 8 9 10. 17.18 19. 2 Cor. 10.5 and helping me to subdue those carnal reasonings The first part of Generation-work was unexpectedly brought to my hands at that very juncture of time when I had been a thinking that I was alone in this business The next season was exactly when I was apprehended and committed to the Messengers house An Introduction to this Altogether-causelesse long Imprisonment as the Lord knows to whom I have Appealed even then also unexpectedly was the second part brought unto me first in sheets and before the publication the third time when I was shut up a close prisoner in this strong Castle and none of the Saints suffred to come at me as formerly and at that very time the third part was conveyed to me I look upon it as very instructing to me that they should be published at those seasons when they might be most useful for the incouragement of so weak a Worm I could not but take this opportunity to bear testimony to my dearly beloved Brother and Fellow-labourer in the present work of Christ and Fellow-student in this present Truth which shall prosper and prevail in despight of Men and Devils even to the darkning of that Pomp and Splender of the Kingdom of the Beast and to the subverting of that Power and Policy which now delude and govern the Nations Rev. 16.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Kingdom became darkned or was made dark and that in such a marvellous manner and method of proceeding as shall amaze the wisest Princes of this world when they enter into a deep consideration of the same But that I may if the Lord please convey a little light into the understanding of my Brethren in this Cause This I say at present When the people of God are come out of Babylon and have once made a further and more compleat separation from that Scarlet Bloudy Drunken Strumpet Rev. 18.4.6 SO AS THAT THEY PARTAKE NOT IN THE LEAST OF ANY OF HER SINS when they are by the Lord put into a capacity of rewarding her as she hath rewarded them and their elder Brethren in the generations before them Then and not till then will the Saints throw the Burden off from their own shoulders and the iron yoke of Taxes and Tribute and of other Bond-serviâ—e Jer. 51.57 upon her neck and upon the necks and the shoulders of her Princes of her wise men her Captains and her Râ—lers and of her mighty men Oh Dear Brethren shall we live to see that day What a sight is here It is Spectaculum dignum Deo the Lord Jesus who sits on the right hand of the Father expecting to see his foes made his footstool Heb. 10.12 13 Isa 37.22 Rev. 17.5 will take great delight to see The Virgin Daughter of Sion despising the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth to laugh this proud Lady of Kingdomes to scorn to behold the Daughter of Jerusalem to shake her head at this persecuting City she and her Lovers shall bee like ashes under the soals of the feet of this Ransomed and Redeemed people Therefore be of good courage Mal. 4 3. oh yee oppressed Saints fear not for Jehovah Elohim will make your Horn iron and your Hoof brasse and you shall beat in peeces many people but remember you consecrate not their gain to your selves as the new Model hath done Mich 4.13 which will not turn to so good account as they think for but to the Lord of the whole earth who expects to be honored with the first fruits of all your increase I read of three sorts of Princes first Three kinds of Priâ—ceâ— and but one kind good The Princes of Babylon mentioned even now Secondly The Princes of the Degenerated Jews And thirdly Jehovans Princes 1 The Princes of Babylon are altogether for the spoyl and the prey for the crushing of the people so that they were and are abundant in treasures and there is no measure of their covetousnesse Jer. 51.13 2 The Princes of the Jews revolted from the Lord Her Princes speaking of Jerusalem saith the Prophet within her are ROARING LIONS Her Judges are EVENING WOLVES they gnaw not the bones till the morning Zeph. 3.3 Jerusalem is called An oppressing City Her Princes are Lions c. 3 Jehovahs Princes Ezek. 45. In the Land shall be the Princes possession in Israel and MY PRINCES saith the Lord SHALL NO MORE OPPRESS MY PEOPLE Ezek. 45.8 9. Ezek 48.35 and the name of that City shall be called The Lord is There where the Lord is and where his Princes are there shall be no more any oppression and spoyl The Prophet goes on Thus saith the Lord God Let it suffice you Oh Princes of Israel Remove violence and spoyl and execute Judgement and Justice TAKE AWAY YOUR EXACTIONS FROM MY PEOPLE saith the Lord God When you see Princes and Rulers squeezing the people raising of Taxes compelling the poor Parishioners to pay treble Damages for not paying the Popes Tithes while you feel the Publican and the Excise-man countenanced and incouraged in their vexatious Collections and exactions upon the poor of the people Think with your selves these are not the Princes of Jehovah but either they are the Princes of Babylon directly and professedly or else the Princes of Apostatized Israel who have the name of Christians but the nature of Tyrants But on the other side when you see an Higher Power incouraging the Lords people to come out of Babylon effectually and for ever when you see the chief Magistrates in their own persons to renounce all communion with the enemies of Christ and to
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
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
redeem them it being one of the last matters which he gave them in charge before his Ascension viz. Mat. 28 20. to teach all his Disciples to observe all things whatsoever he commanded for all power in heaven and earth was given to him and they were not to be Moses his Disciples henceforward in any thing and so came off from the Government of the Jewish Commonwealth Accordingly when Peter speaks of the Magistrates to the people he calls them their Mogistrates YOUR RULERS saith Peter he doth not say our Rulers Act. 3.17 again when he was with John convented before Authority this is his language Ye RULERS OF THE PEOPLE and Elders of Israel he owned them to be Rulers that is of the people but called them not at any time by any such title as might signifie that they were over them that is the Church as before when as yet they were of the world for then indeed they must own them as their Rulers for they had no others to rule them except the Souldiers And upon this consideration of their being under the government of Christ they did no longer mind what Rulers were set up in the world by the men of the world those who were Saints by Calling undoubtedly had no heart to busie themselves about the choice of a Roman Emperor though Citizens of Rome as Paul was but let the Army set up whom they pleased and pull down whom they would it was all one to them And as for the Senate of the children of Israel Act. 5.22 as we read it they had little cause to choose any members for that Parliament they being looked upon as a company of Sectaries or Separatists and so were of another Company Communion and Commonwealth And so in like manner Paul draws the Saints at Corinth from the Courts of those higher powers to compose and determine all controversies among themselves for they had better Laws and might have better Rulers of their own than any the world had and then what need they seek any further 1 Cor. 6. the beginning of the Chap. So that for my part if I were at liberty I should be as far from medling in the choice of Knights and Burgesses under the present Sword-Sovereignty or any other as from medling in the choice of Arch-bishops or Bishops as they were then called or of Arch-tryers or Tryers as they may be now called and why should not others be of my mind who have any knowledge of God and his wonderful works in these dayes and so never chuse any more Magistrates till Christ and his Laws and Government come to take place in the Nations It is a most incongruous course which some Christians have taken since the Lord pulled all in peeces namely the late Powers to pray for the setting up of the Kingdome of Christ in the world and neverthelesse joyn with those who pull down or prevent that which they seem to pray for But let all the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ throughout this Nation take heed they do more so much as touch with the Fourth Kingdome now that the Lord is about to take away its Deminion to consume it utterly and to destroy it to the end Thus I have endeavored to represent at large my apprehensions concerning the Powers in being and I am fully perswaded that my Principles if improved according to their natural tendency would make notable work among the Kings of the Earth and their under Officers Oh how would that word of the Lord be fulfilled in Jer. 51. Jer. 51.58 The people would labor in vain towards the intended settlement and the felk should work in the fire to cause the Iron and Clay to soder and to incorporate and yet do no good upon it but be wearied out Babylon and her Princes her Captains and her rich men her States-men and her mighty men would be tired out with anguish and vexation of spirit if the Spirit of the Lord would vouchsafe to assist us in doing and in suffering according to the Will of God in this day Nevertheless I am affraid I shall not be understood by some in these things although I have endeavored to make out my thoughts with all the plainness I could wherefore I will recollect all in a few words by the way of distinguishing one thing from another Thus 1 It is one thing to own the Higher Powers according to God and his directions in the Word of Truth and Rigtheousness and it is another thing to own them in such a manner and to such degrees as they themselves desire and lust after The former way I walk in the latter I shall never be found in by the grace of my God and Father 2 It is one thing to own them as Powers and another thing to own them as lawful and righteous Powers the first we must needs do for they have Dominion over our bodies and over our substance by their Swords at their pleasure but to own them as having a right either by the Law of God or Man thus to Rule over us I absolutely and utterly refuse 3 Again It is one thing to own them and to acknowledge them as the Rulers of the people when they have universally accepted of their iron yokes and another thing to own and acknowledge them to be our Governors who never did nor do ever intend to chuse or accept them according to that new Instrument of servitude published to the Nations 4 It is one thing to own the Higher Powers so as not to resist them by force when they do that which is in it self lawful and right though they have no lawful Authority and it is another thing to own them in their oppressions persecutions all their unrighteous Decrees and tyrannical practises according to the first part of the distinction particular persons in their private capacities have forborn to interrupt them but as for he other part none but base Sycophants and their fellow Tyrants will therein testify their owning of them 5 It is one thing to own the worldly and tyrannical Powers in the way of necessary subjection and another to own them out of choyce and voluntary Approbation The former Christ and his Disciples have practised but as for the other none but ignorant Slaves have yeelded to it By these distinctions and such like it may easily I conceive be understood wherein and in what respects I own the Powers in being and in what respects I neither do nor ever shall own them the Lord continuing to be merciful unto his unworthy servant And as for the Power of the Army which I accounted the Supreme or the highest and strongest is these Islands I do still adhere to my former apprehensions that it is so and that they and their partakers have done and may do while their time lasteth many things in their own nature just and good yea good and profitable to mankind as the suppressing and punishing of Theeves and Murtherers c. And in
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
yet I hope we may be heard to speak for our selves and to plead our Cause from Scripture and from Principles of right Reason and otherwise Wherefore let the Question be stated thus WHETHER AND HOW FAR A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL MAY INTERMEDDLE IN STATE AFFAIRS WITHOVT SIN Before I come to argue and urge the truth in this probleme it will be needful and useful to explicate the terms of the Question in this insuing order First What is meant by STATE-AFFAIRS or matters of State Secondly What is the force and signification of that word meddle or INTERMEDDLE Thirdly Who is to be accounted a MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL For the first State-Affairs or matters which concern the State are as I conceive among us to be considered in contradistinction to Church-affairs or matters which concern the Church For that distinction of Church and State being received and kept up as proper to those parts of the world where there is a Church-State either really or in pretence it will give us light in this controversie But besides this that distinction of Jehosaphat will help us to understand this matter more fully in the 2 Chron. 19. last verse the Matters of the Lord or of Jehovah and the Matters of the King the Septuagint reads it thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tremelius thus In omninegotio Domini in omni negotio Regio so that the Matters Business and Affairs of Jehovahs are set by themselves and the Business and Affairs of the King are put by themselves in a distinction from the other Moreover the usual phrase in the New Testament helps us where it is said That you may know my Affairs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That I may know your Affairs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So 1 Cor. 7.32 The unmarried careth for the Things or Matters of the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But the married for the Things or Affairs of the World 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Things the Apostle though it be a circumlocution in the translation calleth by one word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. Things that pertain to this life in distinction from the Things of a better life So that upon the whole we must agree to understand by that phrase State-Affairs those Things or Matters which do properly and directly appertain to the Civil Magistrate to take care and cognizance of and to manage and order for the outward good and welfare of the people as Wars Peace Laws Customs Taxes c. The second Term to intermeddle is or may be taken in a bad sense as first to intrude Col. 2.18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into those things that belong not to us for a man to thrust himself into business sese ingerere as Beza renders it It is true a man may have skil to manage such and such Affairs but to interpose having no call thereunto he may be justly accounted a meddlesom pragmatical man a busie forward Companion in such a case and one to whom we use to say upbraidingly you may meddle with your own matters or with your own business The Greeks do give this kind of carriage a fit word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a busying ones self about many affairs which yet do not any way concern us and indeed such a spirit is very unbecoming a Minister of the Gospel Secondly It is the property of others out of an overweening conceit of their own dexterity and skilfulness to undertake to meddle with great matters or things too high for them or too wonderful as David speaks Psal 131.1 of such also the Apostle Paul doth write 1 Tim. 1.7 They will needs be Teachers of the Law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and yet neither understand what they say nor whereof they affirm Surely it was vain-glory which put them upon such practices Salomon gives this as one character of a fool Prov. 20.3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife but every foot will be meddling Moreover Thirdly some there are who by reason of their natural temper are found to be very much addicted to meddle with all matters and yet good men It is not so much from vain-glory it is not so much from self conceit of their fitness to interpose in divers businesses but they have a kind of Desultory Genius which would be ever and anon leaping from one thing to another they have an inward longing to be doing to be meddling like as some men who having itching ears do heap unto themselves Teachers as the Spirit speaks 2 Tim. 4.3 so these are troubled as it were with itching fingers their fingers itch to be meddling to be doing undoubtedly this is a lust to be mortified We describe such men when we say proverbially They live to have an Oar in every mans Boat or in another mans Boat Solomon also intimates such a spirit in Prov. 26.17 He that passeth by and meddleth with strife belonging not to him is like one that taketh a dog by the eares If he do but pass by and that upon other business it may be serious business yet his nature is such if there be any occasion he will be ready to intermingle himself in the Contention But I take not the Word in this sense For this troublesome corruption in a Minister or other Christian is to be watched and prayed against See 1 Thes 4.10 11. We beseech you saith he and that ye study to be quiet and TO DO YOVR OWN BVSINESS Yea Plato said almost in the same words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For a man to do his own business and not to be a Poly-pragmatist or not to meddle in other mens matters is one part of Justice Thus I grant that it may be sinful to intermeddle in some cases as you have seen in these three last particulars But yet to meddle or intermeddle is an act which may be taken in a good sense It is lawfull yea a duty to intermeddle at some seasons and upon some occasions for God and good men may agree to give a man a call and skill to do those things which ordinarily he may not meddle withall Thus Phineas stood up and executed judgement It was far from Phineas his Office to be an Executioner yet he engageth at this time out of his zeal to Justice and against most horrible wickedness Psal 106.30 31. compared with Numb 25.7 this sudden act so much out of the way of his calling is counted to him for righteousness yea to all generations for evermore Likewise Peter the Fisher-man and Fisher of men had used to preach more than to fight for he carried neither Sword nor Staff about with him when Christ sent him forth as a Lamb among Wolves Yet at a certain season afterward he so far intermeddled with State-Affairs as that he cut and slasht till one of the STATES OFFICERS had lost one of his ears he being in the number of those who came to apprehend his Master It s true his Office
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