THE Legislative Povver IS CHRIST'S PECULIAR PREROGATIVE Proved from the 9th of Isaiah vers 6. 7. By W. A. LONDON Printed for Livewel Chapman at the Crown in Popes head alley 1656. To the READER COnsidering it is the duty of all that love the truth to bear witness thereunto every one according to the grace received and this being an age wherein the Kingly power of Christ is much controverted I thought it my duty to cast in my mite and to contribute what the Lord hath imparted to me for the publick good Which consideration hath moved me to publish this small treatise and to expose it unto the view of others that they may weigh and consider the matter-subject thereof Wherein I have indeavoured with as much brevity and evidence of truth as I could to vindicate the Soveraign power of the Lord Jesus as well intemporal as spiritual matters In order whereunto I thought it meet to open this portion of Scripture in Isaiah which doth so expresly speak of that subject And though I cannot apprehend that all men no nor all the Saints and faithful Servants of Christ will assent unto every Iota yet I doubt not but they will allow unto me as I also account it may duly to allow unto them a latitude Not thinking it meet to lye up all mens Judgements in every scruple to be of the same mind However I am confident of this that so far as they see any light of truth appearing they will be of the same mind and that is all I do desire leaving each one to the liberty of their Judgements until fuller light break forth And let me request this that none may take occasion of stumbling because in some passage I say that we find no mention of Juries in Scripture it having been an ancient received custome in England and as many apprehend it to be a matter of great priviledge to the conservation of the subjects liberty and free passage of Justice For if it may be granted that these Jurors are indeed Judges of the causes brought before them and be men qualifyed and chosen according to the Rule and be obliged to give in their Verdicts and Judgements according to the perfect rule of the Word of Truth and that in every circuit whether town hundred or shire such known fit persons may be constituted I disallow it not it is not the name I take offence at for I would not strive about words though it were desireable we might in our words and speeches learn to speak the language of Canaan I mean Scripture-language And though I mostly insist upon the Judicials of Moses as the Rules of Judgement in all cases Capital Criminal or Civil yet my intention is not to bind up all Rules of Judgement in every case to that scantling but withal to take in the whole Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles which do give light and direction to the right understanding and application of those rules unto each particular case For my intention is not in this small tractate to Judaize but to shew the perfection of the whole Word of God to direct in matters of Civil Judgements as well as in Church affairs And if I sometimes rebuke sharply and blame the usurping power of Princes and States in assuming the Royal Prerogative of giving Laws unto the people without Commission from Christ you may bear with me for they are worthy to be reproved It is not want of due respect to Magistrates that maketh me so bold but my faithfulness and love to them moves me to advertise them of the danger I descend not to a particular application of those obliquities I touch upon unto any particular persons or states because I see not a cleer ground to carry me forth therein except they should require it at my hands It sufficeth me to shew them the truth and leave it to themselves to make application and to all the Saints to be judges who shall in fine judge all the World I should have rejoyced that some more able would have undertook this taske But when I perceived a deep silence I mean as to willing and many cryed out against fifth Monarchy men as they are called that they make a great noise and clamour against this and that Government and know not what Government they would have or at least do not publish it to the World I thought it a duly incumbent upon me to remove that Calumnie by holding forth the most perfect rule and platform of all administratians in civil States If yet it be said that I have not digested the whole Fabrick and Model of Government into a perfect form nor projected meet expedients whereby it might become practicable amongst us I confesse I may fall short of expectation in that particular and in so weighty a case it would be necessary for the ablest and strongest parts to assist Yet though the case be difficult and our Nation and Government reduced to extremity of hazard and danger I doubt not but something might be done through the Lords assistance in order to our establishment in truth and Peace would it please the Lord to open the hearts of the Rulers and people to accept and imbrace wholesome and seasonable Counsel And then I should look at it as my duâ—y â—o communicate my poor weak apprehensions theâ—e abouts if I were thereunto called But if proposal of the sweetness and amiableness the Peace and righteousness of Christs Government shall not find so much acceptance as to incline the peoples hearts to make experiment and proof of the same by a professed subjection to his Royal Soveraign power it is because the Lord hath more breaking work for us ere we can be fit to bear his Yoke whose yoke is easie and burden light Especially when we compasse it with the heavy yokes of men And in such case as this it would be in vain to attempt any thing of that Nature You may consider what the Lord hath written of some Country whether England or some other Islands I determine not Isai 24. 13 14. that there must be a vintage and pressing of them like as grapes are pressed ere they be fit to be new-moulded Which I fear may be our case Accept therefore in good part what I have here in love and faithfulness tendred and let every one improve it to a right end I know full well that God hath reserved the chief honour of setting up the Kingdom of Christ in it's full lustre and beauty unto his own people the Jews to them shall come the first Dominion Mich. 4. 8. Yet something we might do and I believe we shall after this breaking work is over in order to the setting up of this Kingdom of Christ in England according to the Divine light of the Word of truth as it is written Isai 24. 15. Wherefore with URIM or Divine light do ye glorify Jehovah in the Isles of the Sea the name of Jehovah the God of Israel The word Urim is
according as it is said Psal 93. 5. Holiness becomes thy House for ever Thus you see it cleared from the Text That the Government there spoken of must necessarily be understood of Civil Government Let me now produce some Arguments of the like nature drawn from other Scriptures that speak of the Kingdom of the Messiah And they will demonstratively prove That Civil Government and Jurisdiction do of right belong unto the Messiah the Son of David our Lord Jesus Christ that blessed and onely Potentate 1 Tim. 6. 15. These Arguments I shall reduce to six Heads 1. The Style given to the Government of the Messiah argueth that it is not Ecclesiastical but Civil It is called an Absolute k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Soveraignty Dominion or Sultanship Dan. 7. 14. Hence the Turks derive the Name of their chiefest Lords whom they call Sultans This is such a power of Government as cannot be applied to Church-Government but is always attributed to earthly Princes Power in reference to mens persons and estates and ordering of the Commonwealths Affairs which is a Power that was never allowed to Churches or Church-Officers And David speaking of that Power which the Messiah should put forth saith Psal 72. 8. He shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth The word there used for l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dominion doth signifie such a power as is inconsistent with Church Government It is such a Dominion and Rule as Masters do exercise over their servants Levit. 25. 43. Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour or as Adam did exercise over the fishes of the sea and fowls of the air and every thing that moveth upon the earth Gen. 1. 28. where the same word is used And who can with any pretence or colour of reason suppose That that should be an Ecclesiastical Power Yea it is such a ruling power as Princes exercise over their enemies Psal 110. 2. Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies Wherefore we must needs conclude That Civil Government doth of Right belong to Jesus Christ unless we shall willingly shut our eyes against the clear light of Truth 2. The Titles given to Christ do argue That Civil Power belongs to him He is called The GREAT KING in reference to Jerusalem or the Commonwealth Maâ— 5. 35. He is called also King of kings and Lord of lords Rev. 19. 16. Now in the Churches there is but one King and one Lord. Sometimes I alledged also 1 Tim. 6. 15. and applied those words The blessed and onely Potentate unto Christ as if the Apostle had spoken immediately of Christ Lest any therefore should mistake the place as I also did till I looked into the Original I thought it good to advertise every one to examine duly the words in their proper tongue ere they relye upon any interpretation given But yet the mistake is not great because that which is spoken of the Divine Nature may also by communication of properties be attributed to the Humane Nature united to the Second Person He is the King of kings and Lord of lords as hath been shewed 3. We may fetch another Argument from the Royal Seat of the Messiahs Government or the place of his Throne and Court which is not here said to be Zion or the Church but Jerusalem and Jerusalem in Scripture-phrase is frequently put for the Civil State And for that cause it is called The City of the great King Mat. 5. 35. Swear not by Jerusalem for it is the City of the great King Why were not Hebron and Samaria and other Cities of Israel and Judah his Cities Yea verily but they are not the Royal Seat of this great King or the place of his Court and Throne the place of his residence That will be at Jerusalem For There do the thrones of Judgement remain or sit the thrones of the house of David Psal 122. 5. Whence it is that most of the Prophecies concerning the Kingdom of the Messiah do still â—un upon Jerusalem I will create Jerusalem a rejoycing and her people a praise and I will rejoyce in Jerusalem Isa 65. â—8 19. Isa 62. 7. Ye that are the Lords remembrancâ—rs keep not silence and give him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the midst of the earth And in the 3d Verse of that Chapter he saith That Jerusalem shall be a Royal Diadem as if that were the Royal Seat of this great King the MESSIAH And Zachary prophesying of the Kingdom of this great King bids Zion that is the Church rejoyce not onely for the presence of the Lord in his Church but also because the Lord Jesus the Messiah would again choose Jerusalem to be his Royal Seat Zech. 2. 10 12. and Zech. 14. 16 17. And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the Nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of Hosts and to keep the feast of Tabernacles And it shall be that whosoever will not come up of the families of the earth to Jerusalem to worship the King the Lord of Hosts even upon them shall be no rain This King undoubtedly is King Jesus the promised Messiah of whom the Angel speaketh to Mary Luke 1. 32. He shall be great or shall be called the son of the MOST HIGH and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end And Thrones and Kingdoms are always put for Civil Jurisdiction and Power not for Church-power And lâ—st any should be mistaken to think that all the Scriptures which speak of Christs Kingdom are to be understood of his Spiritual Government over his Church the Prophet Isaiah tells us That he shall reign as King both in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem that is both in Church and Civil State Isa 24. 23. If any shall say That this will necessarily â—nferre Christs Personal reign for a thousand years I answer That it will not necessarily follow But that is not my subject at this â—aâ—e to discuss Possibly there may be a mistake both in them that avouch the thousand years Personal reign and in them that deny Christs Rule and Government in Civil things But whether he will Personally reign on earth a thousand years or no doubtless he will Personally appear and will assume his Kingdom and order the same And it is one thing to appear and to order and constitute Government another thing to reside and exercise the same But I shall conclude nothing positively as to that particular 4. The Acts of Judgement and Justice which are put forth in this Kingdom of the Messiah are such as appertain to Civil not unto Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Let me instance in some Acts and I shall begin with that which David mentions Psal 72.
mans beast shall kill another mans beast and the owner knew that his beast was wonted to push then shall he make full restitution in kind or at least in value else the parties shall each bear a share in the losse Exod. 21. 35 36. 4. If a man take hire for goods committed to him to keep and they be stollen or gone he shall make restitution Exod. 22. 12. 5. If a man borrow ought of his Neighbour and it miscarry the owner present Or if it were hired he shall not make it good but if the owner be absent he shall make it good Exod. 22. 14 15. 6. If a man gain any thing by force fraud or unfaithfulness he shall restore the principal and one fifth part more Lev. 6. 5. These are the principal cases which I find in Scripture but if any other be found which is here omitted let the ingenuous Reader add it to the number As for Common swearing and drunkenness I find not an expresse punishment yet being brutish sins as also common whoredome is they are punishable with the usual punishments of a beast And if they prove incorrigible then there is a Law to cut them off by death Now the perfection of these Laws of Christs Kingdom appears 1. By the equity of them they are most just 2. By the comprehensiveness of them for though they be but few in number yet may be extended in the application of them by way of proportion unto all cases and actions that do or can fall out at Sea or at Land all circumstances being duly weighed and rightly applyed 3. By the extent of them which reacheth all persons in all ages and in all Nations For unrighteousness is unrighteousness as well in one person as in another as well in one age and in one Nation as in another And by consequence as unrighteousness is one and the same so also must the Judgment and the punishment be And the reason thereof springeth from the unchangeable Nature of Christ who is the same to day Yesterday and for ever Again these Laws and Judgments cannot be altered or changed by any created power in regard of the Divine Original of them Whence also it comes to passe that they have a binding power over conscience I should now come to compare the Laws of men with these Laws of Christ and to shew the righteousness and equity of the one and the unrighteousness and iniquity of the other But if I should enter into particulars I should both weary my self and the Reader Let it suffice to give a taste of some few Christs Law makes it death to worship Idols Mens Laws make it death not to worship Idols And how many faithful Servants of Christ have suffered Martyrdom even in these Nations upon this Account Again Gods Law saith a Thief shall make double restitution unto the party wronged or be sold Mens Laws say they shall be hanged And what equity is there in it that the life of a man should go for thirteen pence half penny or a greater summe Or what recompence will that be to the party wronged Christs Law saith If a man lye with a marryed Woman he and she shall dye Mens Laws say they shall stand in a white sheet Or if they do make it death to commit adultery yet they must be found as they use to speak rem in re which cannot well be proved unless the parties will confesse against their own lives Again Christs Law alloweth any of the Sons of men to live in any place provided they commit not some capital sin that deserveth cutting off But Mens Laws at least in some places do make it death for a Jew to live amongst them When yet Jesuites and Seducers to Idolatry and worshippers of strange Gods can find allowance Moreover Christs Law gives all the Sons of Adam a kind of Lordship over the Creature But Mens Laws restrain that liberty making some kind of fowls the Kings game only forbidding others to meddle with them under such and such penalties Again Christs Law gives the eldest Son the birth-right of inheritance and alloweth him a double portion But Mens Laws sometimes give the yongest Son the birth-right and sometimes allows all the Sons to inherit alike And sometimes again gives all the Lands unto the eldest and puts off the yonger Children with small and inconsiderable portions to make the eldest Son a Gentleman Furthermore Christs Law is very tender of the subjects liberty and imprisoneth no man but only for matter of fact and that to secure them where other security cannot be had until the first opportunity of hearing and tryal which was not to be delayed But men will imprison others without matter of fact as we see Joseph was imprisoned in Aegypt So also was Paul when yet the Rulers confessed he might have been set at liberty for any matter of fact that they could charge him with and there he was kept in durance for two whole years and more Again Christs manner was to proclaim war before he make war but the Rulers of the World can begin war and proclaim it afterwards Now what a woâ—ul depravation of Magistratical power is this that carryeth it in such a contrary stream to Christ I might instance in many more particulars And such as are better acquainted with the Laws and customes of the Nations may pick out many more pregnant instances I suppose then I am able to alleadge being noâ— versed in those wayes But these few may give occasion to such as have power in their hands to consider how things may be best regulated and to prune off all such Laws as are most obnoxions and point-blank against the Royal Law of Christ For much might be done in this respect and as I conceive safely if it were meet for me to speak But I shall briefly wind up all in a few words of application in the general as my Method is Vse 1 1. For information that the Doctrine of the fifth Kingdom or Monarchy is no Novelty no Fancy no Childish nor ridiculous opinion as some unadvisedly speak But to use the words of him that Rules in Chief unto Mr. Tillinghast it is a most glorious truth For Daniel tells us that in the dayes of the fourth Kingdom or Monarchy especially towards the end of the same God will raise up such a Kingdom as cannot be destroyed which is that Kingdom of Christ or World to come wherein Christ shall reign as King and his Saints together with him for above a thousand years compare Dan. 2. 44. and 7. 27. Rev. 20. 4. 7. Now if the four Kingdoms or Monarchies must be destroyed and another Kingdom succeed which shall never have an end whilst the World lasts what is it else but a fifth Kingdome in number and order If any pinch upon the word Monarchy as not a Scriptural expression they may please to consider it is not words we do desire to contend for but for the truth The word Monarchy is a
Greek word and expresseth no more then a Kingdome where one Rules as Chief And this may suite well enough with this fifth Kingdom or Kingdom of Christ For he shall â—e King of Kings and Lord of Lords and that shall be his style Rev. 17. 14. and 19. 16. And Zachary speaking of the same time saith Jehovah to wit Christ shall be King over all the earth and in that day there shall be one Jehovah and his Name one And what is this but a Monarchy Yea Christ above all others is most properly called a Monarch and his Kingdom a Monarchy But I would not contend for a word or a name The word Kingdom is good enough and doth fully expresse the Doctrine and matter held forth As touching the time and some other circumstances I know good men do differ and they may without Offence to a good conscience or to the Truth allow to each other their different apprehensions What mine own thoughts have been touching those things I have already in some small Treatises upon that subject expressed with submission to better judgments and shall forbear to say any more to that in this place Only I shall propound some few Questions and give a brief and modest answer to them because I know there be some mis-apprehensions touching this truth and some are very apt to calumniate fifth Monarchy men as they are called as if they were adversaries not only to this present Government but in General to all Government whereas in truth they are the constant assertors of Government Quest 1 Quest 1. Whether will Jesus Christ appear personally when he assumes this his Kingdom at the end and expiration of the fourth Kingdom or Romane Monarchy Answ Answ These Scriptures satisfy me that Christ will personally appear Zach. 12. 10. They shall look upon me whom they have pierced c. Speaking of this very time and Rev. 1. 7. Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him Which places are not to be understood of the last and great day of Judgement both of quick and dead but of Christs appearing in his Kingdome whereof the Apostle writes For at the last day when quick and dead shall be judged there will be no more mourning after Christ nor solemne dayes of humiliation No more Fountains opened for sin and for uncleanness after that day And when Christ thus appears he will come to reign as a King over all the Nations Rev. 11. 15. Quest 2 Quest 2. Whether shall the Saints that are then asleep arise and whether shall all the Saints arise and come with Christ and reign with him Answ Answ It is evident that when Christ comes from Heaven to take possession of his Kingdom his Saints shall arise and come and reign with him Rev. 20. 4 5. And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshipped the beast neither his Image neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished This is the first resurrection Whence I gather that all such Saints as have worshipped the beast or his Image or received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands and have not renounced communion and compliance with Antichristians and wiped off that blot by repentance before their death such Saints though they do remain in a safe and blessed condition yet Christ will not put that honour upon them to reign with him or for him during the thousand years This rising of the Saints is called the first resurrection Rev. 20. 5. And these shall dye no more Rev. 20. 7. but shall reign with Christ Some think that all the Saints shall arise and come with Christ according to what we read But I understand all in that place to be meant of all such as have not complyed with Antichrist according to that in the Revelation anâ— none else according as it is written but the rest of the dead lived not again Namely the rest of the dead Saints lived not again till the thousand years were expired Quest 3 Quest 3. Whether shall there be any more conversion of souls during this Kingdome of Christ Whether any marrying and giving in marriage any increasâ— by natural generation Answ Answ I conceive there will be conversion of souls during the time of the New Jerusalem and the means of conversion and persons to be conveâ—ted For you may read that Christ the tree of life shall yield twelve manner of fruits every month of the year and the leaves of that tree to wit the Ministery of the Gospel shall be for the healing of the Nations So that there will be need of healing and there will also be means of healing and such means as is compared to the leaves of a tree properly expressing the Ministry of the word to beget faith for the saving of their souls And Zach. 14. 18. God will smite the Nations that keep not the Feast of Tabernacles Tabernacles there being put for the whole worship of God as appears by comparing it with the 16th vers And the word Tabernacles implyeth that the very same worship shall be continued in the New Jerusalem which Christ did institute in the time when he Tabernacled amongst us and not their old Levitical worship As for marrying eating drinking and other civil and natural Actions it seems clear to me there will be a continuation of them as long as the World lasts both amongst carnal men and amongst Saints also setting apart the Saints that arise again and come with Christ who neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God They have no need of meats and drinks and trade and traffick But as for the Saints that never dyed they will build and plant and beget Children such as shall be the blessed of the Lord Isa 65. 20 21 22 23. and 60. 4. and 49. 22. Quest 4 Quest 4. Whether will there be civil Officers Magistrates and Ministers of Justice in the time of Christs Kingdom Answ Answ Yea doubtless for so Isaiah saith I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Councellors as at the beginning Isai 1. 26. And thine Officers shall be peace and thine Exactors righteousness Isai 60. 17. Quest 5 Quest 5. Whether may not Christians that wait for this Kingdom of Christ submit unto Civil Powers under the 4th Monarchy and also act under them Answ Answ Doubtless they both may and ought to be subject and also they may act under them any act of righteousness though the Princes be for their persons wicked and for their callings usurping Tyrants So did Joseph under Pharaoh Gen. 41. 40. Obadiah under Ahab a wicked Prince and an usurper 1 King 18. 3 4 13. Daniel under Nebuchadnezzar and Darius Dan. 2. 48. and