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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93935	An iron rod put into the Lord Protectors hand, to break all antichristian powers in pieces. Or, A discourse, which tends to a spirituall war with all sects and self-opinions, which are the Churches enemies: wil bring Englands everlasting happiness, and joyn all other lands into the body of Christs Church, to serve God with with [sic] one consent, Zeph. 3.9. All which was discovered to John Sanders of Harburn, neer Brimingham [sic]: by true apparitions, revelations, and many several visions, as the second book sheweth.	Sanders, John, of Harburn.	1655 (1655)	Wing S575; Thomason E842_23; ESTC R203488	52,643	75

the spiritual eyes of the soul to discern that the youngest son should come to be greater then his brother although saith Iacob I know Manassch shal be great yet his younger brother shal be greater then he for his seed shal be ful of Nations and he set the youngers name before the elders Although it much displeased Ioseph who sought meanes to prevent his Father for doing thus yet Iacob knowing the decree of God would not alter it Gen. 48. from the tenth verse to the end of the Chapter A little before Iacobs death he called all his sons together to blesse them and to shew what would befal every one of them in the latter days and how Iudab should be the heads in that out of his linage Christ was to come and all people should be gathered to him In these prophetical signes Iacob is a representation of the holy Ghost and likewise for the manner and number of his family Of Moses laying on of hands Moses he followed this example of Iacobs laying on of hands Scriptures make no mention of it but a little about the time of his death Deut. 34.9 This Text of Scripture saith that Ioshuah the son of Nun which was the succeeder of Moses was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had put his hands upon him and he and Israel did as the Lord had commanded Moses In the Apostles and Disciples time at the Gospels first plantation as it is written for our instruction in several places of the Acts of the Apostles how that by their laying on of hands many received the gift of the holy Ghost Paul at one time laid his hands on twelve several men and they all received the gift of the holy Ghost and Prophesied and furthermore Paul exhorteth his son Timothy whom he had begotten Saith he Despise not the gifts that is in thee which was given thee by prophesie by the laying on of hands by the Presbytery Elders 1 Tim. 4.14 All these Scriptures were written for our instruction and learning there is none that believeth in God and his word that dare or wil object against it thus you see here is proved in Christs Church an example of twelve Apostolical Bishops under a High Priest otherwise called an Archbishop and a Discipled number of seventy to make a compleat body besides and the order of receiving of them in their several places and degrees into that holy office of the Ministerial Function and body of Christs Church according to those holy orders which have been alwayes practised by the ancient Fathers of both Jewish and Christian Churches in all former ages One Objection answered by Scripture ground and argument Object But happily many in our days may be apt to raise Objections against this truth that is so manifestly proved here by Gods holy Writ saying that Apostles and Elders are all one therefore say they there need be no other order but a number of Elders according to the Presbytery which order is mentioned in the Scriptures To answer these ●bjections and make them fall to the ground Look in the fifteenth Chapter of the Acts and the first second and third verses when there was a great diffention and disputation about Circumcision by Paul and Barnabas against them at last they ordained that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders of the Church The word Apostles in all places of Scripture standeth before the word Elders Paul was one of the twelve Apostles 1 Cor. 2.28 29. Eph 4. Barnabas Stephen Timothy and the others in their several places were of the company of the Elders of the Church Acts. 20.17 Multitudes of Texts and Scriptures might be raised to confirme this truth to shew that there was first an Apostolical number as chiefe twelve and then Secondly a discipled number of seventy according to order then in those dayes and that order would have continued till this very time had not corruptions and divisions cast them out of the Church But this I can by the power of God assure your Highnesse and all others that desire to know that we shall never enjoy perfect peace nor true Religion till that time be that there be ordained for the Church such an Apostolical and discipled number the which being done by God and mans appointment having their commission signed and sealed by God and man and being entred into a hallowed Covenant at the Ark or Tabernacle of Gods testimony meant the Church being received and ordained every one according to order to make a compleat body by joynt order their chiefe reverent father in God ought not to receive them into this holy office without the laying on of hands the which being done and they joyned together as one man for the work of the Lord for the ruling and gathering of the Saints and building up of true Religion being thus elected and choseu The true way to prove them by going to spiritual war with all Sects which are the true Churches enemies YOur Highnesse and many more may question me or demand saying How shal wee know whether thy calling and election be of God and sure and firm and not of mens traditions or superstitious consecrating 'T is answered thus It wil be known by this manner of trial that followeth whether or not that they be the onely men God hath appointed to beautifie his Church and to raise up Davids fallen Tabernacle here first in this land and to be a pattern example for all other lands to follow them Your Highnesse and they must 〈◊〉 ●lame open spiritual war against all Sects that hold 〈…〉 of Church fellowship that call themselves Religions and they may be all comprehended under four heads as namely these 1. Presbyterians 2. Independents 3. The Anabaptists must be calld And last of all the Church of Rome that is in these dominions must be call'd to this spiritual war to bring them to the Touchstone of Gods word All these aforenamed Churches so called or any other whatever ought to have both leave and command from and by your Highness to come to disputation together with them of the late and new ordained Election which is the Apostolical and discipled Body under a spiritual Head Then as Iude saith there will bee earnest contending among all these several elect for the faith once delivered to the Saints every sect such a certain number as equalizeth the fore named being chosen and ordained according as best pleaseth their several judgements or opinions When this Herald or Trumpet is sounded which God wil cause his holy Angels to stir up the hearts of men to do it in his good time Matth. 24.30 to gather his elect from the four winds to see the true way to joyne themselves to the true Ministerial head and body of Christs Church Eph. 4. in one united faith For when these several elections are gathered together there wil be casting of lots among these spiritual souldiers

is me if I declare not faithfully that which the Lord declareth to me either to King or Parliament Gourteous Reader some Errours have escaped the presse yet but one worth observation In page 38. line 32. for Monday read Wednesday The Table of the First Book FIrst here is shewed in this Book to your Highness and all others that please to hear or read it a Petition to move you with all expedition to goe about the work of God to finde out true Religion for the beautifying of Gods Church and then to build it up Page 1. Secondly the manner and time how Davids Tabernacle fell as well from the Christian Gentiles which were in Gospel-covenant as it did from the 12. Tribes of Israel in Rehoboams time under the Law and how there was never no true Religion in one body since they parted p. 2. Thirdly a short description of the Protestants ruinating in this land by this late war p. 5. Fourthly the true manner described how Davids fallen Tabernacle should be begun to be raised as in the dayes of old Amos 9 proved by Law and Gospel-rule to be the true Channel for the Church to run in first in this land and no other way then this can be proved which wil bring the whole world to one union of faith to serve God with one consent Zeph. 3.9 p. 6. Fifthly what a wilderness infectious poysoned and scattered condition the Church and people of God are in for want of a Church-government according to Patriarchal Prophetical Apostolical and Discipled orders the true manner of which is laid down in this Book p. 13. Sixthly true comparative signes first by the Stars secondly by the Moon that Christs true Religion is ready to breake forth into beautifulness more then ever it was in p. 15. Seventhly a godly direction and admonition for his Highness the Lord Protector to take the like care for the chusing of a High Priest to be Head in chief for Christs Church as Abrahams eldest servant did for a wife for Isaac the figure of Christ Gen. 24. This wil be the beginning of a fifth Monarchy under Christ Eightly the manner of the High Priests receiving of the number of 12. Apostolical Bishops to be Head Fathers of the 12. spiritual Tribes of Israel which are now scattered abroad Jam. 1. by the holy order of laying on of hands and of his and their receiving the number of 70. under them to make a body above the ordinary Ministers of Christs Church p. 22. Ninthly the true manner how to prove them whether their calling and election be of God or not by going to a spiritual war which is a contending for the faith or casting rods and lots with all Sects and self-opinions which are the Churches enemies Num. 17.18 Matth. 27.55 Joh. 19.23 Iude. p. 25. Tenthly the manner of the Whore of Babels fal and all false forms in one day in this land to be a patterned example for the whole world to follow and for the calling of the Jewes Turks Pagans and Infidels to the true faith p. 27. Eleventhly it sheweth the glorious time of the new Jerusalems situated government and of the Churches glory p. 31 Twelfthly it sheweth how that King Charles the Second-is appointed by God to be his chief King under Christ over the whole world and the Lord Protector if he will be obedient to the word of the Lord to be the second under him as Abrahams faithful servant to be chief Ruler for the King for by their agreement the Jews and Turks are to be called p. 36. And all that assist them and are faithful in their places that are now in power and wil be obedient willingly now they see Gods truth and righteous peace ready to break forth to yield to God and his true anointed King if they lose a Captaines place Major Colonel or General which now is held by troublesome fear then it wil be no more loss to them then theattaining to a Knight Lord Judge Earle Duke or Deputy King or Prince by this peaceable agreement til the end of all things come to dissolution over this Land and many more for them to be Governours As I am commanded of God to threaten those that have gotten into other mens possessions contrary to godliness or good consciences and so prove themselves by it to be enemies in that to Gods glorious Gospel and the Primitive Churches practice so I am commanded of God to threaten all with the danger of their own ruine and the displeasure of God that will not forbear plotting and mutyning and so hurt the Kings agreement Doe you think it is possible to stand in a strong wind and throw chaff against the wind and it not fly back upon you Do you think it is possible to doe Gods work before his time be It is but the Devils policie to cause you so to think God is neer arising to deliver his people and to restore his Church Therefore wait patiently till the time be for the day is neer a dawning TO HIS HIGHNESSE the Lord PROTECTOR MAy it please your Highness to vouchsafe the reading of this little Book which God caused me your servant in the Lord Iohn Sanders to indite unto you who hath come oftentimes on purpose to speake with you being compelled by the power of the holy Ghost which enableth me to foretel things to shew you what Gods wil is toward you if you will believe and obey the Lord. O my Lord wo is me if I be either fearful or negligent to give you and all others warning since God hath called me and shewed me a sword of Justice which proceedeth out of his mouth which he is now arising to draw forth not onely against you and your power but against all the chiefe governours of the world unlesse speedily you and they deny your own wayes and imbrace Gods wayes Those that so doe it shal go wel with them My Lord I shal in these first lines forbeare making use of any other mens labours study or Scripture phrases lest you should rather think it to be brain knowledge then the dictates of Gods Spirit I conceive your Highness believeth that where God appears by visions and Christ takes up the roome the holy Ghost carrieth them on by a real true power they wil be so guided and shewed Gods waies and wil according to their gift and talent to write or speak the mind of God without either study or natural parts when God pleaseth The Scriptures are given of God to be as a touchstone for them that feare God and obey his wil to try the spirits whether they be of God therefore let them be your Judge but have especial care of wresting them endeavour to let them arest you in this life and you shal have rest in the life to come Truly my Lord if such like counsel which natural men wil not own but count foolishness doe not guide you you wil not only stumble in points of Religion as many

doe to fall from heavenly things but you wil fall from the high place that Gods providence hath raised you to Which by yeelding obedience to God and his King Jesus Christ and him whom he wil set upon his holy mountain you may stand firm otherwaies it wil be very slippery O for the Lords sake who hath set you up to be a protector of the people endeavour to build your self a sure foundation Imbrace this truth take good heed to hold fast the good old waies of Gods worship but you must first finde it for it hath been a long time lost take heed therefore of either despising or not believing and obeying the spirit of Gods prophesie My Lord I have had stil a great feare of you but it proceedeth from the love of God in Christ which bindeth me to fear love honour and obey all that God doth ordain or permit to be Rulers or governours over us When natural men are lifted up high and seem to obtain much credit in the world then they may be lower and farther from the waies of God then before the God of this world having blinded their eyes to keepe them hoodwinkt from the glorious light of the gospel of peace which offers peace to all Behold I speak not these things against you or your power for I wish you all prosperity and health and a setled peace in righteousnesse and true holiness but God hath sent me to shew you your danger by plots and which way to take to appease his wrath The manner of Davids faln Tabernacle how it fell as well from the gentile Christians as the naturall Jews My Lord the means to bring us to a true setled and established peace is first to seek Gods kingdome and the righteousness thereof and all things else needful shall be added thereunto as when England formerly did flourish both in Church and State and was preserved more then any other Nation from plots conspiracies inbred-enemies and forraign foes as namely the Spanish invasion the Powder plot and many more which for brevity sake must be omited 'T is true there was a time that we were in Covenant with God the temporal state or Magistrate was a wall to the Church and Ministry yet the Church in that time was not without spots or State without corruptions The Church was never a pure Church free from blemishes since the Primitive Apostolical and Discipled florishing time Job 38.7 when the morning Stars sang together under the light glory and peace which was obtained by the mercy and love of God in Christ that immaculate Lamb and his twelve Apostles Meaning the Church was but one body serving God with one consent which were to be Rulers or Judges of the twelve spiritual tribes of Israel then as Jacob and his twelve sons were the first chief natural heads so Christ and his twelve Apostles were the last chief spiritual Fathers or Brethren that laid the foundation under Christ to bring all nations under the Gospel-Covenants the which as many as believe and are obedient to they are Abrahams Sons by faith and Citizens of the new Ierusalem whose builder and founder is God The old Ierusalem then flourished when Davids natural Son Soloman was King over the twelve Tribes of Israel when he had built the Temple and dedicated it to the Lord by prayer and religious feasting he was in Covenant with God Those were peaceable plentiful and golden days for Church and state The new Ierusalem wil never be in her excellency of glorious beauty til God hath joyned the two sticks into one Ephraim and Iudah Ezek. 37.16 17 18 19. I mean the natural seed and spiritual seed under the seamlesse garment of one government under Davids spiritual Son the second Solomon then wil that time appear that Christ wil restore the Kingdom of Israel to be under one government and one body for the Church and State which never hath been since Iudah and Israel parted in Rehoboams and Ieroboams time for as Solomon and his Son Rehoboam were the onely chiefe Cause or instruments of their parting one by Idolatry and the other by slighting or despising the counsel of the Ancient and following the counsel of young men who were puft up with pride and covetousnesse like the men of our late days and so caused the Kings government to be rent in pieces by Gods Prophet 1 Kings 11.30 31 32. signifying the greatest part of the House of Iacob to revolt from the house of David which are not reconciled to this day Just in the same manner fared it with the Christian Gentiles which Christ his twelve Apostles first planted in the true Apostolical Catholick order in one body under one head who had a seamless garment of pure government which in process of time was in a flourishing condition in one body of spiritual government in those prosperous days of peace true Religion most men gave themselves wholly to build and beautifie Gods house being charitable minded in hospitality and Christian duty in those days men did shine by godly pious conversation without flattery or dissembling hypocrisie shewing themselves as Solomon saith Aples of Gold pictured with studs of Silver But while many slept in security Satan sowed tares which for want of being weeded out of the Church in due time caused corruption to creep in by degrees and at last to break out into idolatry strife and heresie then the Christian vail of Religious duties was rent in twain as Christ signified at his death by the renting of the vail of the temple it is to be understood of the renting and destruction of the Christian Temples by devision as wel as the Jewish ceremonial Law of which for brevity sake many proofs for confirmation must be omitted but this I give you to understand that Davids Tabernacle was raised as wel to the Christians Gospel covenant as to the Jewes and natural Israelites under the Law and likewise so it fell you may question me saying how can you prove that I answer When the Catholike Church first passed by divisions and grosse errors into jars and open wars and to part from one real body which was planted to be over twelve spiritual Tribes under one head in Christs Church Abraham being their Father by true Faith they being all spiritual brethren in Christ then began they to kil plot persecute and revile one against another pretending for Religion but contrary to Christs covenant or the Apostles doctrine And so to this day we continue reviling and hating one another and they calling us Hereticks that are Protestants and we calling them grosse Idolatrous worshipers yet neither of us without great errors and so we continue resting Christs gospel-Gospel-truth in unrighteousnesse by making corrupt Laws on purpose to persecute and destroy one another by Satans malice contrary to Christ and his Apostles rule or the true Primitive Churches practice A short description of the ruinating of the Protestant Religion in this Land THe

Angels with the names written on them of the twelve Tribes of Israel and the Lamb and his twelve Apostles which are the chiefe Founders and Builders of this glorious situated government Wee must understand that as the judgments of God first began at his own house in this Land so God wil have his house restored and built up again to be as it were a pattern for the King and Lord Protector to frame and set up their State-government by For a● there is to be appointed by God twelve Apostolical Bishops under a Head spiritual Father to be the Leaders of the Church so far as their power can wel be able to rule so likewise it is convenient to have 12. temporal Judges in chief under one Father the King so far as their power is wel able to extend in every division which being thus done according to order righteousnesse and true holinesse every Kingdome wil then become the Kingdome of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 16 17. So then the King being as Abraham or Moses in chief under God the Father Exod. 4.16 he must be as Moses was to Aaron as it were a God to the High Priest or Arch-Bishop The High Priest or Arch-Bishop representing Isaac and Rebecca by a Melchisedech-order of Christ must be as it were a chiefe Prophet to the King as Aaron was to Moses And the twelve chief temporal Judges and the twelve Head spiritual Bishops which make the number of 24. Elders must cast themselves down with all their government both for Church and State to give all praises to God the Father and his Son Christ Jesus for judgment given to the great Whore and the other 70. discipled Elders wil doe their office as God wil appoint them to and carry them on by the power of the Holy Ghost And the High Priest shal then weare no more polluted garments but God wil cause him to have change of rayment and a fair Diadem or a Micre on his head as Aaron had And then the Church wil begin to flourish in a glorious manner This fifth and last elect 70. wil by Gods assistance beautifie the fifth Monarchy and God wil carry on this last 70. under the High Priest and the 12. Apostolical Bishops which are to be heads of the 12. spiritual Tribes of Israel Gods holy spirit guiding these and going along with them they wil build up the truth Church better and firmer then ever it was before advancing the true worship of God above all Zach. 3. And they wil give example for the Judges and State-officers to follow them in like manner for the spirit of Daniel wil be among them standing in the Lot the dark letters and the hidden mysteries which are to be revealed to man God by these wil unseal and God wil esteem of them as his dearest Jewels These wil be guided by the Holy Ghost to doe as Solomon exhorteth to purge the tin and the drosse from the go Iden and filver governments The two famous Universities and Schooles of learning shal be made pure fountains by these from whence the sincere milk of Gods word shal flow for the nourishment both of Church and State to feed the flock and people of God as the breasts of Sarah and Rebecca did nourish Isaac and Iacob Then shal all houses of hospitality and religious store houses be setled established according as is intended to their right end again the store houses to be rightly erected without either Idolatry or Superstition for an account of the Tithes and other things to be brought in thither that their may be provision for Gods house for all necessary uses that belong thereunto according to the word of God that being their guide and all parish Churches and Places that are or have been appointed for Gods worship as neede requireth to be desently restored to their Priestine adornments to make them the beauty of holinesse as Gods word requireth without superstition or idolatry as Paul saith Let all things be done decently and in order and the Ministery for every degree rightly to be restored and they to have their charge and orders from the Apostolical Bishop and Discipled Elders of their several limitted Diocesses in all degrees as belong to the Ministerial office to be as careful of their chargeover every Parish according to Vrim and Thummim soundnesse of Doctrine and integrity of life and to be as careful over all sorts of people that belong to their congregated charge in all needful degrees as great rich mens Shepherds must be over their folded or pastured Sheep which were onely kept and appointed for that end if any of their flock be lost by the Shepherds negligence as earthly Masters wil look for the price of the sheep at their hand as is hired and kept for that end Zeph. 3.9 Saith the Lord surely I will turne to the people a pure Language that they may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one consent Lord hasten this time In this time of the kingdom of glorious grace there shall no man need to ask the wayes of God of Lay men but we shal all be taught of God and fed with the sincere milk of Gods word which floweth from the mouth of Gods messengers the true Ministers Every neighbour and private man to follow his temporal calling living in unity amity and true Christian brotherly love saying one to another where sin and envy hath heretofore abounded so now true love grace shal much more abound serving God with one consent saying one to another Come let us go up to the house of the God of Jacob to learn of his true Shepherds and Ministers We may wel conclude believe this to be the time that the whole earth wil be filled with the knowledge and glory of the Lord as the waters covereth the Sea Yea much more must the Minister Shepherd or Watchman give an account both to God and them as God hath set over them of their charge for if any be lost for want of their care their blood God wil require at their hands Ezek. 33. The same charge lieth upon me or any other that hath a message to declare from God to your Highnesse concerning the seeing of a sword or a judgement or an alteration of the times we must not fear to declare the mind of God for the displeasure of either King or Potentate if we doe whensoever it be they die in their sins or ignorance for want of having warning by the seer that God revealeth it to they shal die and their blood shal be required at his hand For by this which I am to declare to your Highnesse I am appointed of God to assure you and the whole Council of State that although other powers of the late several choices for Church and State have not sought Gods ways but their own yet those that God wil perfect his work by he wil have them to deny all to follow

bed and went to bed again A while after being something warm in my bed the Lords Angel gave me warning that I must undergoe the strongest temptation that night as any man had endured yet the Lord would uphold me in it Dear friends it was no dream nor fancy for I was awake and had my perfect memory A little while after there was as it had been a book opened in my conscience I cannot forget the remembrance of the letters stil and there was laid to my open view and memory all the sins that ever I had offended God either by omission or commission and the Lord assured my conscience they were forgiven assuring me that they were buried in the Sea of Christs blood That was no sooner past and another Book opened but there came into my mind a remembrance of al my dealing between man and man and there was found no accusation against me but onely for 4 d. which had been neer six years past For the first journey that ever my Master sent me out with iron ware he sent me three dayes journey from his house to a place called Chessom in Buckinghamshire and before I came home againe I lost 1 s. of my account and having cast it up at Warwick the last night of my journey and then I fearing to tel my Master of it kept halfe a peck of oats from my horses thinking to get the shilling that way at several times so after with my with my Master I losing 8 d. and wronging the dumb creatures of their allowance my conscience being troubled at it did so no more And when I was at the point of death God suffered two ugly Devils in shape like Blackmoors to accuse me before him so that I was forced to look out of the bed and they stood between my bed and the window at my left hand I was in a terrible fright they standing neer my bed-side a little after midnight The Lord gave me a strong spirit to resist the Fiends by prayer which made them fly from my bed-side And Gods holy Angel comforted me exceedingly and so left me for a little time Anon after there appeared another Devil who was transformed into a glorious shape whose adornments shone like gold as it had been a great Emperor King or Monarch with a Crown on his head who would have perswaded me to have denied that Christian Faith as I was trained up in and renounce the Baptism as I had received in my infancy and I should bee in as great estimation for the time to come as any in the world I endeavoured to pray against those perswading temptations but my own heart would have deceived me one time I could scarce keep my mind close to God and being mighty hot by sweating and faint by sicknesse my soule desired to keep close to God My heart was brought very weak I was brought so feeble-minded I thinking all hope past but I must yield at last I said avoid Satan At these words and many more such like the transformed Fiend vanished away and the Angel appeared at my right hand as I lay in my bed and strengthened me with exceeding inward comfort and so left me againe The black Fiends appeared a second time and being resisted by prayer they fled And there was another like a General or great Commander in gay apparel in several colours as red black green yellow in a bunch perswading me as the former did but the Lords power was strong in me to resist him by prayer which made them fly from my bed-side then began it to be a little morning-light I prayed all night looking every minute when the Lord would fetch away my soule from my body but I desired much of the Lord to live to see my Father and brothers and to make a Will to dispose of some little money and some cattel some to the poor some to my brothers some to friends according to my Talent as I had When the day began to dawn in my chamber there was the shape of a Ladder reared from the chamber-floor to the window the top of the Ladder was above the window the two ugly black Fiends and the transformed Devil appeared again neer my bed-side in violent way to feare and tempt me I prayed to God for defence and succour the transformed Devil shining like an Angel of Light ran up to the top of the Ladder above the window there I was tempted again the two black Fiends ran up after and stood one above another on the Ladder calling to me twice and saying Come wil you come The Lord strengthened my heart to prayer the transformed Fiend vanished away from the top of the Ladder The ugly black Fiends after they had turned feet to feet the ones head was up towards the top of the Ladder the others hung downward and thus they hung their soles of their feet together on the Ladder I thought all this while on Jacobs Ladder Lord thought I to my selfe this is such a Ladder as Jacob saw in his Vision Gen. 28.12 At the end of these terrible fights of the fearful Vision I brake forth uttering these very words saying O my Saviour thou that wast tempted and hadst no sinne 〈◊〉 able to succour me a poor finful creatore in the name of the whole Godhead avoid Satan The one fel one way the other another way the Fiends parting asunder and I praise God I had no more temptation all the rest of the time of my sickness And the Angel of the Lord came and comforted me and told me when I was restored to health I must go on Gods message to the King and tel him he must agree with the Parliament and condiscend to them by agreement and forgive them that which had been past as a loving Father although it were against him in that way as he was in and his Army if he did refuse to doe it speedily and for to work Reformation both in Church and State if this were neglected the Kings Army would come to nothing but destruction and hee would be destroyed and cut off but yet his Son would come at last to reign Then I was to tel the Parliament in withstanding the King they must not doe it to make themselves great but perform their vow for the setting up of Gods truth in the true purity for Church-government and for Temporal and State Affaires it must be to maintaine true Judgment in all degrees for the Magistrate according to truth If this in the beginning were not their ayme and in the end in the end their actions God would blast all their proceedings by one power displacing and dissolving another til at last their heresie and injustice and division would bring them to confusion And the Angel then gave me direction how the King and Parliament must make their agreement at last and what form and manner the Church must and would be established and governed And how that God had ordained tha I must be one of

be eased of my burden the spirit of God compelled me to goe to Colonel Barkestead the Lieutenant of the Tower to tel him Gods decree was so gone out against them for their covetousnesse injustice and division and to prefigure it by a Vision and a Revelation which I had seen before concerning a white wand and a bunch of filk colours which were green red yellow and black and to tel him the meaning of it by the appointment of God These things he cannot chuse but witnesse at this very day Then I returned toward Warwickshire again and testified the same in many other places and at Brimingham several Market dayes in a strange manner to the admiration of all that saw me and griefe to my friends and kindred after the flesh and the greatest griefe and terror of all was to my selfe because I was compelled by the dictates of Gods holy spirit to do it And that very day that the Parliament was dissolved being Monday morning I was caused by the spirit of God to goe from Harburn to Brimingham which is two miles to my great terrour and griefe God is a witnesse against me if I lie and to hire the widow Westwoods son to goe with me to carry my best wearing cloathes for mee and I was commanded of God to wear old cloaths and old shooes to Brimingham Townes end and there to put my shooes off my feet rent some seames of the old garments as I wore and take a Carpenters Rule in my hand the young man carrying my best raiment and old shooes before me I making proclamation by the power of God and his great Parliament of Heaven and saying thus If you should see Ezekiel measuring the Town with a Rule or seething a pot and skimming off the skum and nothing but water in it or the holy men of God put off their shooes or renting their garments though the thing were commanded of God by them now as it hath formerly been yet you would think they were mad as the Jewes thought by Paul so I know you think by me but it will be known otherwise The Carpenters Rule that I had in my hand was to signifie that Parliaments time of fitting was measured out to fit no longer Then the seames of some of my old garments being rent was to signifie their renting and tearing by division The putting the old ●●ooes off my feet I told them signified that they must cast off their old natural sinful affections from their hearts and factious seditious ways that their hearts might be made good ground and they to become members of the true holy Church of God which is hated by them The cause of my speaking of Ezechiels seething pot to be skummed off I told them was the skum of factious members of the Parliament-house that were against Ministers and Church-government were then cast out of power Yet said I the flesh and bones are left stil and we shall not suddenly be eased of Taxes that oppresse the poor and how that the power would be under one head suddenly much like the power of a King but not a King which meant the Lord Protector After all these things were ended and done by the command of God by me his most unworthy servant John Saunders I call God to witnesse I would not have been hired to have done the like for a hundred pound then nor would not now in a counterfeit way or manner I never did the like before some hypocritical people said I counterfeited and many pharisaical people that say Prophecying Visions and Revelations are ceased counted me a mad man I praise God for those things either dissembling counterfeiting or natural madness I have been alwayes free from Then when these things were ended I went and put on my better cloathing and refreshed my body by eating and drinking I walked in the Towne civilly in those places where I had made those speeches desiring many of the honest civil people which I knew that they should not judge me distracted or any other thing else for those words of wonder or strange postures which I spake of and did For I told them I did nothing but what I had a command from God and was bound in the spirit thus to doe yet I was no Ranter or Quaker or strange Opinionist and that you shal know by a good testimony shortly if you take notice of it what I said and did at this time or any other past but more especially this strange manner of that I now did which you condemn me to be mad for doing But within few dayes after I was thrown into Warwick Gaole by Satans malice and false witnesse for brevity-sake at this time I wil forbear describing the manner of it I pray God forgive the instruments of that misery for there I had lamentable misery about 30. dayes or else suddenly I had come to the Lord Protector and Councel of State but after I was at liberty I did come suddenly after the Lieutenant of the Tower knoweth it wel and siince the last Sommer I went into Ireland and wrote Letters unto Colonel Barkstead and came to him several times as the beginning of the Book sheweth On New-yeares day in the morning 1654 in my sleep I saw a Vision I being in London Me thought I saw a great party of Parliament horse drawed out of London going up Hoiborn Vxbridge Road and the Trumpets founding a very sad solemn march as they went I knowing one of them that was a souldier I called to him and asked him what was the cause of their going out so speedily with such a great party He told me they did hear the King had a great Army Vxbridge road coming toward London and they went out to meet them and give them battel I asked him what number the Parliament horse were He told me 7000. but the other J heard were many more Me thoughts I would goe along with them to see them goe out of London and I was very sorry to think of so many of those gallant men that would be slain I overtaking the forefront of them and before they were marched to Hide Park I saw many men come running with speed fromward Whitehall with long white poles and they were measuring the Land back again as was taken away by the late War from the King the which being done to me signified peace betweene the Lord Protector and the King So I awaked with much gladnesse praising God that he had sent his Angel to shew me these things Many more Visious I have had lately to this effect On the 14. of February 1654. being Wednesday in the beginning of the night before I slept I being perfectly awake saw as it were in an apparition the beginning of a work of new building in London for reformation of Church and State A few nights after in February I saw another Vision I thought my selfe in Warwickshire at a place called Tanworth Parish and I saw as I was walking over a piece of hard poore land the bravest hopeful green grasse springing and young corne and hearbs in that barren land all which gives me great testimonies of the Kings and Lord Protectors agreement that peace may be established in truth and grace may abound and grow for the true nourishment of the Church The first day of March in ths morning I had another Vision how that there was a great plot or net lay for the Lord Protector concerning the Kings land In the Kings ground I saw an apparition of one that told me by an audible voice of it And I saw an apparition like a great net to catch the Lord Protector I was compelled by the dictates of God to write a letter concerning it and carry it to the Lieutenant of the Tower The tenth of March the dictates of Gods spirit caused me to write another letter and carry it to the Tower which if they did take notice of it gave them warning of the rising of men in several Counties suddenly upon it Plotting is not of God nor never will doe the King or any of his friends good FINIS