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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B09926	An epistle written (dated the 30th of the 11th month 1659,) and sent from London into the countrey. By a friend to the glorious (though at this day despised) cause of Christ, in answer to a letter sent up to him (dated the 16th of the same month) wherein the following things are treated of, (viz.) 1. The fifth kingdom it self, which the God of Heaven sets up in the latter dayes. 2. The kingdom of the beast which is to be destroyed. 3. The instruments that are to be used in destroying the one and erecting the other; with the way or manner how they are to be used. 4. The time of the beginning of this work. [bracket] First, before Christs personal comming. Secondly, before the call of the Jewes. Thirdly, that it is already begun, and hath taken place in this nation and that Cromwel with the army, hath apostatized from it, and that all the powers, or governments that have been set up since that time, have been, and still are upon the foundation of the apostacy. As also, severall of the particular evills which the army, and others abetting the apostacy are guilty of. Together with, some considerations tendered to the favourers of Christ's righteous cause, wherein is laid down, their duty of separation from Babylon, and from all the parts and branches (both in church and state) of the forementioned apostacy.	N. S.	1660 (1660)	Wing S119B; ESTC R183121	59,145	52

to have done according to 2 Tim. 3 4 5. but have had fellowship with the unfruitfull Works of Darkness and not reproved them contrary to Eph. 5.11 and b● all these Scriptures those Churches that have so Turned aside wi h the Apostacy have greatly Sinned against the Lord and as a further A dition to there Evills severall of the Elders and Leading Persons of the Baptized Congregations in London have set forth a Very Evil D claration bearing Date the 12th of the 10th Moneth 1659. which as appeares b● the Title compared with the ●ostscript they would have it be understood to comprehend the Ju gment of the Generality of the Baptized People and although many Things in that Declaration is Manifestly contradictory both to the Judgment and Practise of not only the Generality of the Baptized People but even of Severall of ●hose whose Hands are to it and the Evills of these Persons made Obvious to the World yet the Churches to whom they Relate have not Dealt with them but rather Justified them in those Evills by which they become Partakers with them in those Sins and now those Churches being Guilty of the Evils before mentioned it is the Duty of the Lords Faithfull Remnant whose eyes are open to see these Evils after all due meanes that according to Rule hath been Used for their Recovery to Withdraw their Communion and Seperate from those Churches according to 2 Thes 3.6.14 Withdraw from every Brother that Walks Disorderly It is not the Church or the Greater Number of Persons in that Church if they Walk Disorderly that will exempt them from the Censure due to the Sin When the Church of Israel turned aside from the Lord Jeremiah though a Single Person Seperates from them and Sets alone chap. 15. 17. and the Lord doth so far approve of that Action of his as that in Verse 19. he saith Let them return to thee but return not thou unto them Also in Exod. 32.26 When Israel had sinned and turned aside from the Lord in the Matter of the Molton Calf Moses stood in the Gate of the Camp and said Who is on the Lords side let him come unto me In the forementioned place of 2 Tim. 3.4.5 Timothy though a single person is commanded to turn away from the Evil Doers and no doubt if a Whole Church come under the Guilt of those Evils there mentioned Timothy is not to abide with them because they are a Church there being no such Limitation in the Command but from such he must turn away I have formerly thought that a Particular Member might not Separate from a Church till thorough sin their Candlestick was taken away but after waiting upon the Lord much searching the Scriptures and through many Tryalls bearing my Burden I have seen that according to Rule as there is a difference betwixt the VVithdrawing from and the Cutting off of a Member so there is a difference betwixt the Withdrawing from the Unchurching of a Church and as a Church may Withdraw from a Brother without Cutting him off or Counting him as a Heathen or a Publican but still to admonish him as a Brother 2 Thes 3.15 so a Brother for Sin committed by a Church may withdraw from them and yet not count them as Heathens and Publicans and though VVithdrawing be an Authoritative Act as is alleadged yet the Authority doth not of necessity rest with the Greater Number but with Truth and where Truth is there is the Authority of Christ Math. 16.18 Christ doth not Build his Church upon the Number but upon the Truth which was with Peter when he said Thou art Christ the Son of the Living God I know it is objected That in several of the Seven Churches in Asia mentioned Rev. 2. and 3. Chapters though there was a great turning aside yet there were some kept faithful even in those Places where the Churches were turned aside and we do not find that they were commanded to Separate The Answer to this is Twofold First That though in Sardis and Thyatyra which are as I think the only Churches that can be instanced in this Matter there were some kept Faithful even in those Places it will not follow that because they were in Sardis and Thyatira which were the Places in which those Churches were and these Faithful Ones were written to by John that therefore they were in Communion with those that had turned aside from the Lord. And Secondly Though we do not find they are expresly commanded to Withdraw if they were in Communion by the Epistles that were written to them yet it was sufficient that there were such Rules laid down in the Scripture which Rules they ought to look to for there were several Churches that were written to by the Apostles and no mention made in the Epistles either of Baptism Breaking of Bread and several other Ordinances but it will not therefore follow that those Ordinances ought not strictly to be observed by them according to other Scriptures The Last thing that I shall present to those that are Waiting for the Resurrection of the Cause is to be giving up Themselves and their All to the Service of Christ the King accounting it a very great mercy if he shall Accept of and Imbarque them with all their Concernments in the Bottom with that Dear Cause that so they may be Waiting at his Foot till he shall Arise up to the prey and blow the Trumpet giving them the Word of Command to gird on their Swords and Follow him in the Revival of his Work and the further Execution of the Judgements written in which Day they shall undoubtedly Reap the blessed Fruit of all their Labour Service and Tryals that they either have or may yet further undergo for him In due season we shall reap if we faint not Gal. 6.9 They that sow in Tears shall reap in Joy Psal 126.5 Thine eyes shall see the King in his Beauty Isai 33.17 Let the Children of Zion be joyful in their King Psal 149.2 Let them shout for joy and be glad that favour my Righteteous Cause Psal 35.27 And it shall be said in that day Lo this our God we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation Isai 25.9 And thus I have according to the Measure of Light received Presented unto Thee with the rest of my Friends in Communion with thee that are Waiting for the Coming of Zions King my Understanding in these Matters of the Fifth Kingdom and I desire but so much favour from you as Paul obtained from the Bereans and when you have seriously Weighed the several Things contained in this Epistle in the Ballance of the Sanctuary wherein I may appear to be in the Dark or Mistaken about these Great Matters be Earnest with the Lord for me that my Mistakes may be rectified and my Judgement rightly Informed for I desire I may not through Errour serve the Design of Satan But that I may by the Spirit of the Lord be led into all Truth and so serve my Dear Lord Jesus Christ who Loved me a Vild Wretch and shed his Precious Blood for me and if you receive any Benefit by these Things let Christ my King bear the Glory according to Isai 22.24 Zech. 6.13 And now I shall Commit you with these Things to the Blessing of the Lord and Close with that Word in 2 Tim. 2.7 Consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding in all Things I remain through grace thy B●other and Servant in the Kingdom and Patience of Christ N. S. POSTSCRIPT SEveral Friends having Knowledge of this Epistle and earnestly desiring Copies of it more then could well be Transcribed I have for them and Others of my Friends both in City and Countrey Caused several of them to be Printed But considering my own Weakness and the many Books that have been Published about these Matters I have not been willing to Publish this to the World but only to present it to such of my Acquaintance that Love the Lord Jesus in sincerity some of them being far Remote in the Countrys that I cannot as yet visit them and Others in such Churches where by Reason of my Judgment and Testimony in these Matters of the Fifth Kingdom I am debarred of my Liberty of Preaching to them and the Lord make this Service so far as it shall really appear to be for his Glory and their Good Acceptable and Successful to them The END

opening the Sins of the Officers and Souldiers of the Army the most of these Great Evils being acted by the Army as a Compact Body how ever some particular Persons may think to excuse themselves the Guilt and except the Lord gives repentance the Judgments due to these Abominations is like to fall upon the Skirts of those that have gone along in the Sins though they have not been the Leaders but the Followers When Israel did Sin and were Led into it by some particular Persons yet they as a People embodyed turning aside the Judgment was General that came upon them as in the Matter of the Molton Calf Exod. 32. Aaron was the great Transgressor as Verse 25. yet all that did not Separate and come to Moses were in danger of the Stroke as Verse 26 27. When but Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32.35 had sinned Judah and Jerusalem being embodyed with him the Wrath comes upon them as well as on him Jehoshaphat was not the Ringleader in going to the Battel at Ramoth-Gilead with Ahab neither was the VVork in it self unlawful for Ramoth Gilead did of right belong to Israel and was kept from them by the King of Syria yet but for joyning with Ahab who was turned from the Lord Jehoshaphat was sharply reproved by the Prophet and escaped very narrowly with his Life and wrath from the Lord was upon him See 2 Chro. 18.1.31 Ch. 19.2 And though many poor Creatures have manifested Grief and Spoke against Cromwel and others that were the Champions in the Apostacy and yet have kept their Places either in the Army or elsewhere under it and have not Separated from nor improved their Power against it will as may be feared be found in the day of Decision helpers of the Mighty against the Lord VVhen Isa 31.2 3. he that helpeth and him that is holpen shall fall together Then shall ye know Num. 16.30 that this people have greatly provoked the Lord If the Congregation observed not the Command Verse 26. to depart from the Tents of those wicked men and touch nothing of theirs they were like to be consumed with them And if they must be Cursed Judges 5.28 that Come not to the help of the Lord against the Mighty How shall those escape that help the Mighty against the Lord. And if Jeremiah Chap. 15. would not sit in the Congregation of Israel but rather Sit alone how shall those think to Escape that both Sit and Act in the midst of those which not only Mock at but have Betrayed the Cause of Christ and set themselves against the Lord Having been much larger upon these things then I did expect I have for brevity sake omitted severall things that relate to this Latter day VVork as also the speaking to severall Objections which I desire those that seek for Knowledg as for hid Treasure may waite upon the Lord for Answers thereunto and as for the Cavillers I am not carefull to Answer them but shall leave it to the Day of Decision and Revivall of the Lords VVork And now to Conclude the whole I shall present to the true Favourers of this Despised Cause of Christ some Considerations by way of direction and the Lord give them an understanding in all things The First Thing is To be much in Faith and Prayer for the Anointing which as hath been shew'd is Reserved for and Promised to this VVork and without which the VVork will not be accomplished but thorough the Anointing it must be done The Second Thing is to be much in Looking after Calling to mind Prizing and Feeding upon the VVorks of God which he hath VVrought in the Mid'st of us and comparing those VVorks with the Promises Prophesies and Types of the Latter day The Third Thing is To be Eying and Reaching after the understanding of the Glory of this Fifth Kingdome and to be Talking of the Power of God by which the VVork must be accomplished The Fourth Thing is To be much in the Consideration of what Christ hath done for their Souls in the shedding of his Pretious Blood to Redeem them from Hell and bring them to Glory and that this Fifth Kingdome is given to Christ as a Reward to and the Desert of what he hath Done and Suffer'd for them The Fifth Thing is To be giveing unto Christ the Chief Seat in and Sole Government over their own Souls that so in all things they may be Conformable unto him having their Conversations in Heaven as those that are Looking for and hastening to the Glorious Things which are to be brought forth in the Latter Day 2 Pet. 11.14 The Sixth Thing is To Come forth of and Seperate from whole Babylon in all the Parts and Branches of it and all the Parts of the Late Apostacy upon which Gods displeasure hath been and is eminently Manifested and O that both my Self and all that Love Jesus Christ and have in Days past touched with the unclean thing may obtaine such Repentance from the Lord as to be Spared and Hid in this Day of his feirce Anger when he is comming forth and making himself Known by the Judgments which he Executeth and as Noah found Grace and Lot obtained Mercy by which they were delivered from those Judgments that were Executed in their Day so those that must be Saved for the King in this Day must be saved thorough Grace and Mercy and seeing we stand by Faith let us not be high-minded but feare and in this of Seperation let it not suffice to Seperate from the Nationall False Church and the Usurpers of the Civill Power in all the Parts of their Usurpation and the Apostatising Army by which the Usurpation hath been Encouraged and Upheld and from all Those that have Kept and do Keep Places under the Apostacy or have been Turned out and not Repented of their Sin But also from all those Churches or Congregations that have not Born their Testimony against but Contrariwise Fallen in with and Encouraged the Apostacy either by Addressing to or Standing by Those that have so Betrayed the Cause of Christ or by Keeping Communion in the Ordinances of Christ n the Church with those that have Stood by and Kept Places under the Apostacy by which those Churhes have brought upon Themselves the Guilt of and are become Partakers with other mens Sins Contrary to 1 Tim. 5.22 And have Suffere Sin to lye upon their Brother contrary to Lev. 19.17 And have deeply not only Touched but Embraced the Unclean thing contrary to 2 Cor. 6.17 And have not departed from the Tents of those Wicked men according to Numb 16.26 Nor been Valiant for the Truth as Jer. 9.3 Nor stood up for the Lord against the evil doers according to Psal 94.16 And have not frowned upon those Members that have made themselves Vild thorough the Apostacy 1 Sam 3.13 But have justified the Transgressors and said to the Apostates yea are Righteous Pro. 17.15 chap. 24.24 They have not Turned away from the Traytors as the ought

leave the wayes of God And neglect the Conversion of sinners and the building up such as are converted And that they are such as are against Magistracy c. But it would be too large to speak to all these things and to shew how in the building of the First and Second Temple and many other things which God did by his Spirit yet conferred that honour upon his Servants to use them as Instruments in his hand though he had no need of them but as in the Creation might do all by the word of his Power He had no need of Moses Joshua Samuel David and many others he could have done his work alone yet it was and is his pleasure to use them And as for the High Charges that are brought against this Truth and the Professors of it I shall not undertake to vindicate and plead for all that go under the name of owners of these things I know there was a Judas amongst the twelve Disciples yea and Peter who was very eminent did miscarry and the best of Saints here do stand by Faith yet this I may say that the Principles teach no such things but 2 Pet. 3. if we look for such things we are from thence instructed to be holy in all manner of conversation But I hope as I have not received these things either with respect to Persons or things but as it might appear to be the mind of the Lord so I would not reject or entertain hard thoughts of any of the Truths of Christ because many of the Professors thereof walk unsuitable to their profession And to what is falsly charged upon the Persons or Principles is no more then hath been upon other truths of Christ and upon his followers in former ages Caleb and Joshua because they were faithful and declared the truth the whole Congregation of professing Israel bade stone them with stones Num. 14. Jeremiah for declaring the truth was not onely reproached by false reports but cast into the Dungeon for his faithfulness by the very Princes of Israel and he received more favour from the Heathens then he did from the Professors as from Ebedmelech the Blackmore and from the King of Babylon Jer. 15.10 chap. 20.10 chap. 38 4.6.7-11.12 Chap. 39.11.12 and to our Lord Christ himself his friends said he was beside himself Mark 3.21 The strict sort of the Jewes did contemn him and his followers and said he was a Samaritane and had a Devil Yea that Sect was every where spoken against Acts 28.22 Paul was charged to be a pestilent fellow and that he Preached that men should do evil that good might come Considering this cloud of witnesses and how much Satan is engaged against the Righteous Cause of Christ and how truth in all ages hath been first branded for error and then opposed and persecuted and the Professors thereof Imprisoned Banished and killed I am through Grace helped with comfort and cheerfulnesse to bear these sore reproaches as a part of Christs and Truths livery and leave it till the day of Decision when the Lord will shew who was for Christ and his Truth and who were the opposers of them And as to that part of the charge that we are against Magistracy the Lord in his own time will clear his despised Remnant of that with other false charges and will make it manifest that through rich Grace we do own Reverence and witness for the true Magistracy which is according to the Word of God in opposition to the false Magistracy of Antichrist and of the Apostacy at this day and if to be for the House and Kingdom of David against wicked Saul as was the House of Judah and divers others 2 Sam. 2.10 cha 3.2 or for David against Absalom as 2 Sam. 15. or for Solomon against Adonijah as was Nathan and others see 1 King 1. or with Ehud against Eglou as Judg. 3.14 or for Joash against Athaliah as was Jehoiada and others see 2 Kin. 11. or to be for the Lord and his Truth against Amaziah when he turned from following the Lord in a word if to be for Christ and his Kingdom against the Devil Antichrist and the Apostacy be to be Vile and to be Transgressors we are such and I desire the Lord may keep us so to the end But if these things be justifiable by Scripture and owned by the Lord let those that reproach us take heed least they become fighters against God The Fourth general head that I propounded to speak to is the Time of this works taking place in the world to wit of the Setting up the fifth and the destroying of the Fourth Kingdom As for the day or year the Lord in wisdom hath reserved to himself and what is written of it in the Scriptures may through our ignorance admit of many doubts and various apprehensions I do Judge it hath been the failing of some whom I have much honoured in the Lord to fix the day and year and I have desired to be alwayes waiting for it but not so fix the time onely in general That this Kingdom of Christ shall be set up in the world before his Personal Coming though it shall not come to its perfect Glory and Beauty till he comes with his glorified Saints The First Argument to clear this is Dan. 2.44 In the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom first that this Kingdom is the Fifth Kingdom hath been already shewed Secondly by these Kings I understand the Toes of the Image which in Revel 17. are called Horns and explained to be Kings Now it must be granted by all that those Kings do either refer to those Kings mentioned Dan. 7.17 which are as hath been shewed the four Monarchies of the world and are held forth by the several parts of the Image Dan. 2. or to the ten Horns or Kings before mentioned First it cannot be the four Monarchies for then the Fifth Kingdom must take place in the world betwixt the time of Israels going into the 70. years Captivity in Babylon and their return to Jerusalem for the Chaldean Monarchy viz. the Head of Gold which was the first of the four Kings had not its beginning as part of the Image till about the time of their going into the captivity and was taken away or destroyed several years before the return of the captives as may appear Dan. 5. Therefore if it were in the dayes of those Kings it must begin while the Chaldean Monarchy was in being But it is without doubt that the Kingdom of Christ did not begin in that time but either long before or long after Secondly if it should be true as some affirm that this Fifth Kingdom began either at Christs coming in the flesh or at his Resurrection or Ascention or at the pouring out of the Spirit Acts 2. Yet it cannot be the dayes of the four Kings For three of these four were come and gone many years before Christ and it is evident

from Scripture that the Roman or Fourth Kingdom by which the daily sacrifice was taken away was in its glory in Christs day and had the world under his Dominion Luke 2.1 Lastly it cannot be the four Kings but must be the Toes or Horns because the Cutting out of the Stone or setting up the Kingdom is not seen till sometime after the Image in all its parts did appear Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out c. vers 34. so that the very Toes viz. the Antichristian Kings that receive Power as Kings one hour with the Beast are up sometime before the Stone and are them that the Stone smites or falls upon vers 34. and the Stone must smite Imediately upon its cutting out because it breaks its way through the last part of the Image Government and fills up the roome of it And therefore these Kings must be the Antichristian Kings which are in being when the God of Heaven sets up the Kingdom Secondly by the dayes of these Kings I understand the time of their Government or while their Kingdoms and Power is up in the world and in the time that God hath permitted them to reign now Christs Personal coming shall not be in their dayes but in his own day when their dayes are ended and there is ground to judge that their dayes must be ended sometime before Christs coming in Person for we read Revel 17. that these Kings make War with the Lamb and are overcome and there appears to be the end of the ten Antichristian Kings which must be before Christs Personall coming for at that coming it may not be supposed that the ten Horns shall make War with him but the War is with the Lamb in his Saints and in his Cause Now if the Kingdom must be set up or the Stone cut out in the dayes of the ten Antichristian Kings then it could not be set up before nor at the Ascention of Christ For those Kings in that State were not then in being the last Beast that comes from Hell was not up therefore it must be before Christs Personal coming from Heaven because their dayes are ended before or at that coming The Second ground to clear this truth is from Ps 110.1 The Lord that is God the Father said unto my Lord that is Christ set thou at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool By Christs enemies I unde stand not onely the Antichristian State but it includes the whole world who through the Instigation of the Devil are against Christ and would not have him to Reign Psal 2.1.2.3 Rev. 11.17.18 Secondly by the enemies being made his footstool I understand not a Total destruction of their persons but a taking away and destroying of their Government and Power and bringing them to the foot of Christ to be as the Stool for his Government to take place upon or to bring them under and in subjection to it Thirdly by Christs sitting at the Right hand of the Father I understand his Personal being in Heaven as our Advocate where he is said to be at the right hand of the Majesty on high Col. 3.1 Heb. 1.3 cha 8.1 that so if Christs enemies must be brought down and his Government take place whilest he sits at the Right hand of God Then the Kingdom of Christ must be set up before his Personal coming The third ground is taken from the time of Babylons destruction which must be before Christs Personal coming And Babylon being to be destroyed by the Saints Stone or Kingdom this work must take place before the Personal coming That Babylons fall by the Plagues must be before Christs Personal coming consider Rev. 18.4 come out of her my people that ye pertake not of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues God here speaks to those that were not so much his people by visible profe●●ion for they were in Babylon but such as by special Grace as the fruit of Electing love he calls his people and these are such as shall be caught up 1 Thes 4.17 to meet Christ at his Personal coming and Phil. 3.21 1 Joh. 3.2 Have their vile bodies changed and fashioned like unto his Glorious body and so must be out of the reach of such temporal plagues as must come upon Babylon but Babylons plagues must come in a time when Gods own peculiar people may through sin come to pertake of them and therefore the destruction of Babylon must needs be before Christs personal coming that word Dan 7.26 speaking of the little Horn saith they shall take away his Dominion to consume and destroy it unto the end which end must be the end of the fourth Monarchy or of this old world when Christ shall come in person and the world to come spoken of Heb. 2.5 take place so that Antichrist must be a destroying and consuming as a gradual work till the end of the fourth Monarchy The Stone Dan. 2. that destroye● the Antichristian State must do it before Christ comes in person it doth it not at once as it would be ●f it were to be done at Christs Personal coming who comes as the lightning but is done gradually as may appear by the scope of the words The fourth Ground is taken from the Way and Instruments that shall be used in the work and they as it hath been proved must be the Saints with Material weapons in a Military way and I suppose I need not take up time to shew that it is inconsistent with a glorified Saint to do this work with Material weapons in the way that it is to be done for I never met with any of that perswasion to wit that Glorified Saints might so use Material weapons and that the Saints shall be all changed and have glorified bodies is clear from 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Phil. 3.21 1 John 3.2 So then if the Saints must be the Instruments and the work not consistent with their glorified State the work must needs take place before the Personal coming of Christ The fifth Ground is taken from the Sitting of the Judgment menc Dan. 7.26 by the Ju gment cannot be understood the last judgment spoken of Rev. 20. but must be the Judgement of Antichrist menc Rev. 17.1 which is the judging and passing the sentence against Antichrist for the righteous cause of Christ and this doth Imediately precede the vengeance mentioned Rev. 6 10. Dan. 7 26. they shall take away his Dominion Now this Judgment sits before Christs Personal coming yea and the vengeance executed according to this Judgment is before that coming For first he saith the Judgment shall sit and then they shall take away his Dominion to consume it unto the end Now the sitting of the Judgment and the executing of the vengance being the same with the God of Heaven's setting up the Kingdom and all this being before Christs Personall comming doth further clear this Truth The Sixth Ground is taken from the pouring out of the

many who have been employed therein and also to several Beholders yea God hath wrested a Testimony to the truth of this out of the mouths of the very enemies themselves and although through the Apostacy many have lost that spirit the Anointing being gone of from them as it went from Saul through his wickedness yet through unspeakable grace there are some who being yet preserved for the King have still a measure of it remaining with them Many things might be instanced to shew that there was of this Anointing given down in the VVork which did help the Instruments over the many Mountains of difficulties and oppositions that stood in the way and through this the enemy was much daunted and their VVisdom and Councels confounded and turned into foolishness and made to them like the Councels of Achitophel and this through poor weak and contemptible Instruments this spirit did not onely rest upon some of the leading Persons and others of the Army but upon many of the Churches and People of God who were by Faith and Prayer made as Princes in the VVork But I shall leave this to the Consciences of those who in the fear of the Lord may look back to the things that their eyes have seen and call to mind the days of old which may speak much more to them if their consciences through the Apostacy be not ceared then I am able to expresse But it is objected that if they ever had had the Anointing it would have remained upon them but several of them have proved Apostates and discovered themselves to be wicked men yea the most eminent Leaders in the VVork and this proves a stumbling block to some of the Lords precious People who are ready to conclude and say as to this VVork that the Lord is not among us Answ There is a Twofold Anointing the one peculiar to true Believers by which they are convinced of sin and enabled to believe on Christ for the salvation of their souls as Joh. 16.8 Rom. 8.9 and Gal. 5.22 The fruit of the Spirit is Faith The Second is proper to those whom the Lord Calls and imployes in some peculiar or extraordinary VVork either for Prophesie as Num 24.2 The Spirit of God came upon Balaam Or for War as Judg. 6.34 The Spirit of the Lord came upon or clothed Gideon The like of Sampson Judg. 14.19 Or for the execution of Justice Judgement and Vengeance upon the enemies of the Lord as that of Jehu 2 King 9. and tenth Chapters Or for some special Building VVork as Isai 45.1 Compare 2 Chron. 36.23 Cyrus is called Gods Anointed also Exod. 31.3.6 Or for Rule and Government so it was upon Saul and through sin as before was mentioned came off from him 1 Sam. 16.13.14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and came upon David and an evil spirit was upon Saul This Second part of the Anointing under the several Heads of it before mentioned may be upon Hypocrites and men in their natural Estate as by Balaam Saul Jehu and others may appear and this Anointing may either depart or be taken from them through sin or when the VVork for which it was given is accomplished The First part of the Anoineing where ever it is in truth received though through sin it may be grieved quenched and the operation of it not discerned and the comforts of it much taken away yet it remains as a well of water springing up into everlasting Life Joh. 4.14 chap. 14.16 and if this distinction in the Anointing be observed and rightly understood it will not be accounted an owning of that corrupt Principle of Falling from grace to say That by the Apostacy the spirit is departed from such who were anointed for and used in the VVork which the Lord hath done among us and it is no wonder to behold at this day that many of the people of God in the Army and Churches have lost their strength through the Apostacy and as Sampson without his locks are become like other men though they themselves cannot see it yea how did the Great Men of the Army who were formerly very famous for Zeal and Courage manifest themselves to be like men of might who had lost their hands and like Princes whose spirits were cut off Psal 76.5.12 when the pretended Old Parliament returnd to their Usurpation at VVestminster and if this distinction in the Anointing be kept to it may fully answer the objection And though it should be concluded that Cromwell and divers others imployed in the VVork were without the truth of grace in their souls which thing I leave to the Lord yet it cannot follow from thence that the VVork they were imployed in was not the Work of the Fifth Kingdom for as hath been shewed God doth sometimes Call and Anoint unconverted persons to his Work It is said of wicked Jehu 2 Kings 10.30 That he did well and did that which was right in Gods eyes yea and according to all that was in Gods heart therefore it may not be said that the Work was not the Work of the Kingdom or that Cromwell was not Anointed for that Work because he so wickedly turned aside and dyed in his Apostacy Nay the Lord may avenge the very blood of the King with his Nobles and that wicked Generation upon the House of Cromwel and the Apostates of his Army together with the very Congregations that have turned aside with them in and not Witnessed against the Apostacy Though this may be accounted rash Judgment yet it will be no more then is said in Hosea 1.4 concerning the House of Jehu and Ahab For yet a little while saith the Lord and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel to wit the House of Ahab which were slain by Jehu in Jezreel 2 Kings 11.30 and Chap. 10.11 Upon the House of Jehu so that God accounts Jehu guilty of the Blood of Ahabs House which must needs be through the wickedness of Jehu the Judgment of the Lord executed by him upon the House of Ahab being righteous Let the Apostates to whom this may come Read and Tremble at this VVord and let them not think that they suffer for Righteousness sa●●e if God come to avenge the blood which hath been shed in the late quarrel upon them that have so turned from and denyed the Cause of Christ which is the only ground to justifie all our proceedings in knocking off the Horne of the Beast in this Island and though Cromwell in all the Work that he did might seek his own ends and keep his Idolls in his heart Yet that will not lessen the force of this Argument to wit That the Yoak hath been bro en because of the anointing if the proceedings of Jehu in the Lords Work be consulted we may find much of that in him to wit seeking himself and keeping his Idolls 2 Kings 10.31 I shall not speak further of that extraordinary Anointing which was upon Cromwell and many others in Parliament Army and

yet that doth not excuse the neglects and backwardness of Gods People who ought to be valiant for the Truth These things contained in this third Particular being written at large in the books of Ezra Nehemiah Zechariah and Haggai I shal refer you to the reading and comparing of them and shall come in the next place to cite some Prophesies of Scripture which relate to this Fifth Kingdom and do clearly hold forth that there must be such an Apostacy from and Death upon the Work after it hath taken place The First Scripture is Psal 2.1.2.3.4.5.6 The Heathen rage the Kings of the earth set themselves and the Rulers take Councel together against the Lord and against his Anointed saying let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us c. By the Bands and cords I understand the Government and Laws of Christ and the breaking in sunder or casting off its Government and Laws must needs hold forth a Rebellion against and a turning from them after they had taken place in the World and then the Lord doth vex them by setting his King c. and after this as in verse 8.9 Christ must have the Heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession and must break them with a Rod of Iron c. The next Scripture is Hab. 3.2 O Lord revive thy Work c. if we consult the Scope of the words they will appear to be a Prayer for or a Prophesie of the Latter day Work and doth clearly hold forth a Death to come upon it after it hath been begun also he saith O Lord remember mercy which shews that the Work and People of God at that time when this Prayer takes place are very low also Psal 94.15 But Judgement shall return unto Righteousness c. This word doth relate to the time of Gods coming forth in the execution of vengeance as the scope of the Psalm doth manifest and to that part of the time when Gods People are low and the enemies high as verse 16. Who will rise up for me against the evil doers c. also verse 20.21 Now Judgement being to be understood of Rule and Government and by its being with Righteousness I understand the Rule and Government to be upon Christs shoulders in whom alone there is true Righteousness and in the possession of the Saints for and under him and by this Rule and Government returning to Christ and his Saints must imply First that it hath already taken place and Secondly that there is a turning or an Apostacy from it There is another Great objection or stumbling block that I find is laid in the Way at this day about the Two VVitnesses mentioned in Rev. 11. which is this Obj. That the VVitnesses are not yet slain and therefore the VVork of the Fifth Kingdom cannot be begun neither hath the Active dispensation taken place but the Saints must be preparing for and in the expectation of sharp sufferings even to Corporal death as the fulfilling of their Staying Answ First If it should be granted that the Slaying of the VVitnesses must be accomplished in this Island yet If there Two following things be considered it will rather confirm the Truth viz. that the Work is begun then prove a Stumbling Block in the way of it And the First thing is what the VVitnesses are and what their Testimony is and The Second what their Slaying is To the first If the Scriptures be weighed the VVitnesses cannot be understood of Two particular Persons as some have supposed because they are to Prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore Dayes or Years for the Dayes must be Prophetical a Day for a Year according to Num. 14.34 Ezek. 4.6 All must grant that the Latter Number to wit the Three Dayes and a Half mentioned in Rev. 11 9. must be Prophetically understood and no doubt the Former must in that agree with the Latter and if they must Prophesie so long they cannot be Two Persons for no such singular extraordinary Persons have yet been found in the world since Johns Dayes and there is much ground from the Scripture to believe that the Beast which in verse the 7. Slaves the VVitnesses when they have finished the 1260. Dayes or Years hath not so much time to come of his Reign Much more might be spoken Both from the VVar that is made with them and from the Time of their Lying Dead to shew that they cannot be Two Persons neither can they be understood of the Church of the Jewes and the Church of the Gentiles as Two distinct Churches First because ever since Johns Dayes the Church of the Jews as a Church have been cut off and not in a capacity of bearing VVitness for Christ Secondly when they shall be Called they are not to Come in as a distinct Church but both Jew and Gentile being all One in Christ makes but one Gospel Church but they must be understood of the Faithful People of God who through his Spirit are kept alive in a Testimony for Christ against Antichrist during the time of the Beasts Reign That the People of God or such of them as are kept alive by him are his VVitnesses see Isai 43.10 Chap. 44.8 And they are here called two First because two according to Scripture is a competent Number for VVitness and Secondly their Testimony is two fold viz. for the Magistracy and the Ministry of Christ against the Civil and Ecclesiastical Part of Babylon or Antichrist these being the great Truths Witnessed too and contended for by those that have been enlightned and kept alive for Christ and also the Truths which Antichrist hath most struck at and endeavoured ever since his Reign to Race out if possible from the Face of the Earth that so Himself might Reign alone and this agrees with the Two Anointed Ones to wit Joshua and Zerubbabel the High-Priest and the Governour Zech. 4.11 To the Second thing viz. the Slaying It must either be a Spiritual or a Corporal Slaying It cannot be a Corporal Slaying First because they were so Slain in the time of their Prophesie in Sackcloth but this Slaying being distinguished and taking place when they have finished their Testimony appears to be such a Slaying as they did not partake of before 2ly It cannot be a Corporall Slaying because their Dead-Bodies lie in the streets three Dayes and a Half which must be Prophetical Dayes a Day for a Year for the Rejoycing and sending of Gifts to one another cannot be Accomplisht in so many natural Dayes and if it must be Years then the Slaying cannot be Corporal for none may suppose that such Dead Bodies should lie so long in the streets 3dly it cannot be a Corporal Slaying If we consider the Resurrection of them for it is not the natural life or spirit that enters into them but the Spirit of life from God and if it be considered that there is a space of Time in which they are