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
or upon some such profound Reasons of carnal State-policy Secondly As for their Countenance and Maintenance for my part I look upon both the one and the other as two of the sorest and most dangerous snares wherein Ministers can possibly be caught in these dayes For is it probable or indeed possible for any One of the whole Generation of the Parsons and Vicars in the Reformed Churches of Europe or for the Nurseries and Seminaries of them The several Universities in the Respective Nations which did alwayes and do to this Day All depend upon the Bounty Munificence and Good will of the serveral Higher Powers I say again How can it be that these or such like creatures of mans making should turn head upon their good Lords or bountiful Benefactors and so to bear an high Testimony for the Lord Jesus against the Oppressions Luxuries superstitions and other Abominations of the Princes of the world aforesaid It is not to be imagined or expected For do rational Men look for grapes from Thorns or for figs from Thistles They were not of Gods planting and how can they bring forth fruit unto God But if at any time the Lord himself by his own Spirit working in any one of them mightily do call them forth as he did Paul Luther and such like to bear his name before the Kings of the earth they must cast up their Reckoning with Paul c. and come to this conclusion even to count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord for whom and whose service they will then willingly count their Benefices and promotions Ecclesiastical as they call them their Vice-chancellorships their Headships their Deaneries their Fellowships their University-Degrees their Augmentations but Dross and Dung that they may promote the work and honor of their Lord. For indeed this is the kindly Operation of the true knowledge of Christ And what Parish-Preacher soever he be who intends to be Christs Disciple in good earnest during the time of the Dominion of the little Horn and to follow him close so as to serve him with a perfect heart He must necessarily deny himself and forsake his House and Glebe Lands his Tythes and rates for Tythes whether personal or predial his State-salary or Augmentation or any other of the fine Things aforesaid for otherwise he cannot boldly bear up the Testimony of Jesus nor declare against the Babylonish Beast and the Ten Horns in all those things wherein they are guilty of High Treason against the Lord Jesus Christ his Crown and Dignity But if men will pretend to be for Christ and yet are so wise as to invent and contrive how to prevent sufferings for his sake let them stay behind and keep company with the world the world-like Church and the carnal Clergy yea let them do as the most do and then the fewest will laugh them to scorn But it may be said to me Although you are so malapert and so bold to throw dirt in the faces of so many Reverend Deans Doctors Divines Vice-chancellors with others of the worshipful Clergy and Orthodox Ministers in all the Protestant Courts Cities and countries in these parts of the world yet it is not much to be regarded what a prating fool doth speak besides Solomon saith A prating fool shall fall To this I reply They will do me manifest wrong whosoever shall say that I throw dirt in the faces of these men for the Truth is this They have besmeared their own faces with groveling upon the Dunghil of the filthy Antichristian world or else they have contracted Dirt for want of washing and cleansing their faces and their hands And I do but tell them where the dirt is and where the filth sticks upon them so as that they are and appear very Deformed by reason thereof And if you call me and my fellows prating fools for shewing you where the spots of Dirt are to be found we will be more vile and we will by the grace of God proceed and go on to play the fools for Christs sake and that till either you turn your backs and depart with shame or until you are perswaded to look into the glorious glass of the New Testament and compare our words with what you finde there represented to you for we will not be out-faced by you in this matter upon any terms But put the case we are such fools as you and your Patrons say and that we talk much more then our share comes to methinks you should suffer fools gladly seeing you your selves are so wise And what were it for some of you to perswade your Lord Protector to let out of prison two or three or a few fools to make sport for the wise men at the Court Certainly we being such simple and contemptible Ignoramusses could not prejudice so many wise men in any thing we could do or say Thus I have indeavoured to answer those objections and to speak something to those reproachful Cavils which are heard by many to proceed out of the mouths of Those who use to appear like the friends of Christ in a Sun-shine Day but to leave him when Tribulations or Persecutions arise because of the word As for the truth though it cannot be defended by us silly weak worms as the Lord knows we are yet the God of Truth will lift up the Banner of Truth and it shall be displayed in such glory at the length that all Nations shall flow unto it The latter part of this Section needs no Explanation for Res ipsa loquitur The Thing it self speaketh and speaketh aloud so that it is heard through the Nation viz. that the Carnal Clergy have no heart to declare or pray or confess according to the present exigences of the cause of our dear Redeemer But the Counsel of our Lord is plain Let them alone they are blind Leaders of the Blind and both shall fall into the Ditch And this shall suffice for this matter untill a better Oportunity Sect. 6 and 7. I need not spend time to satisfie any Readers concerning the contents thereof for they are themselves explanations of what went before Onely concerning the later part of the seventh I shall wait for such a season as the Lord by his wise providence shall administer for the best advantage of his service For for the present I do not finde my spirit free to increase this Treatise to a greater Bulk and price and I designed onely an explication of the first part in regard none else needed an Interpreter Sect. 8 and 9. The ensuing Epistle which I spake of in the first Section being obtained That will sufficiently enlighten the Reader in the understanding what I intend in those Things namely in the matter of application for my enlargment and how far it is from my very thoughts to accept of Deliverance upon base and Dishonourable Terms at any time In regard I know assuredly without any degree of doubting that I am sensible
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
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
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
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