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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
war_n	king_n	lamb_n	overcome_v	2,182	5	10.6840	5	false

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

the disciples received from Christ the work that is to be done by the Saints in this last part of the latter dayes Much more might be urged to clear this matter if it were expedient in this place by all which it may appear that there is a two-fold Dispensation in the Gospel-day and that this word of buying a sword must referre to the latter this cannot be a Spiritual sword it being to be bought by selling of a garment It was the errour of Sym●n in Acts the 8th to think that the Gifts of the Spirit might be bought and further this must needs referre to a time when the Saints must use a Material sword because they must rather want their garments though very needful and useful then want a sword The next Sc ipture that doth imply this truth is John 18.36 If my Kingdome were of this world or from hence Then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jewes This must needs be meant a fighting with material weapons which should rescue Christ from the Jewes and Christ speaking of that time saith Now is my Kingdome not from hence which words do imply that there is a time when his Kingdome shall be from hence and though it be a Heavenly and Glorious Kingdom yet it shall be set up in and over the world Dan. 7.27 The dominion under the whole heaven shall be given c. Rev. 11.15 The Kingdomes of this world are become c. and so the Kingdome of Christ may be said to be from hence and when so it shall be His servants will fight The next Scripture that may clear this is Jer. 48.10 Cursed be he that withholdeth his sword from blood This word relates to a time when Gods judgments are to be executed upon his Enemies and is spoken to the Instruments whom he will use as in the beginning of the verse Now the Instruments that God will use in the Execution of his Judgements in the latter day I understand to be his Saints as I have already shewed and so this word is spoken to them and proves that they must be imployed with material weapons I shall not cite more scriptures to this but speak to some principal objections that are made against this truth of the Saints being used with material weapons in the destruction of Antichrist Obj. 1st The Ten Hornes must hate the Whore and burn her flesh with fire Rev. 17.16 Answ That the Ten Hornes shall be imployed in this work none can deny that own the Authority of Scripture but that the Ten Hornes do first make War with the Lambe and are overcome by Him before they do this Work upon the Whore is also clear from ver 14. It may not be supposed that while the ten Horns do remain upon the Beast that carryeth the Whore as they appear in verse 7. should do this Work for that would be Satan against himself The ten Horns do hold forth the Power or Dominion of the ten Kingdoms or Nations in Europe which had dependence upon the Roman Empire and they are first seen upon the Dragon Rev. 12. without Crowns which do hold forth as hath been shewed the Roman Empire in its Civil Pagan or Heathenish State Secondly The ten Horns are seen in the Roman Antichristian State upon the Beast that carryeth the Whore and that continues fourty and two Months and in that State they have the Crowns upon them having received Power as Kings one hour with the Beast Rev. 13. 1. Chap. 17.12 In this State they make war with the Lamb and being by him and those that are on his side overcome and so broken off from the Beast the ten Horns viz. the Power and Dominion of those Nations is given to the Saints upon the account of Christ and so is divolved into the Kingdom of the Stone that broke them off from the Image and so are brought to their true station to be under the King of Nations who hath on his Vesture and on his Thigh a name written KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS and in this State I understand the ten Horns viz. the Power of those Nations in the hands of the Saints is set against the Whore or false Church to execute the vengeance for the blood of the Prophets and Saints that is found in her thereby to accomplish his destruction and this I understand by the ten Horns hating the Whore and burning her flesh with fire Rev. 17.16 Object 2. That the destroying of Babylon is not work fit for Saints to be imployed in being ravishing of Women dashing children against the Walls c. Isa 13.16 Answ First This is spoken of litterall Babylon the Glory of the Chaldees ver 19. which was to be destroyed by the Medes ver 17. And if we may credit Histories they tell us that such things were fulfilled by the Medes upon Babylon of the Chaldees who had done the like upon Jerusalem which Jeremiah complains of in the Book of Lamentations And though this Babylon did Type out spirituall Babylon yet it may not be expected that every circumstance should be accomplished and that litterally upon spiritual Babylon For if it should be kept to as a Rule that every circumstance must litterally be fulfilled in the Antitype We should run upon many mistakes about Christ and his Work in Gospel dayes Also Ravishing of Women and dashing of Children may agree with other Scriptures to be applyed spiritually upon the whole it may not be gathered that there is any Work to be done in the rewarding of Mystical Babylon which may not become Gods sanctified Ones especially considering that it is the Lords controversie and the execution of his Righteous Judgment and vengeance upon her Object 3. That because the Medes destroyed litterall Babylon the like may be expected for the Nations to destroy Spiritual Babylon and that the Earth shall help the Woman Rev. 12.16 And the Saints being engaged by their Faith and Prayers the Work is sometimes attributed to them Answ First It is clear from Scripture that there is a Babylon which the Saints must destroy as hath been already shewed and it was not litteral Babylon for the Medes destroyed that Therefore it must be the Babylon in the New Testament day Secondly Though the Earth helps the Woman whilst in her suffering State to prevent the Devils destroying her yet it is not said neither will it follow that the Earth must reward Babylon And thirdly as hath been already shewed the Saints shall be used by Faith and Prayer and also in a Hostile way with material weapons and therefore I shall add no more to this Objection There are several other Objections that I meet with at this day As that the VVork must be done by the Spirit only and God needeth not to use Instruments And that this is a bloody work not meet for Gospel Saints And that this was the Munster Principle And those that are of this mind are carnal and neglect Soul work and

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

whilest that Kingdom is in being Neither can it be restrained to the Spirituall Kingdom that is within the Saints because those that truly pray this Prayer being Children do already injoy that Kingdom Neither can it be restrained to the Kingdom of Heaven in the ultimat Glory because that is not to come to the Saints but they are to go or be taken up to it therefore seeing it cannot be taken in either of these four sences and there being no other Kingdom of God that I read of but the forementioned visible Kingdom this word must be referred to it The second Scripture is Luke 21.31 When you see these things come to passe Know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand By these things is meant the Signs of the latter day or of Christs second comming and this Kingdom being nigh at hand when the latter day signes are upon us must needs be understood of this fifth Kingdom which they have special relation to and is known to be nigh at hand by them The third Scripture is Dan. 2.44 And in the dayes of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom c. This compared with Chap. 7.14 must be understood of this visible Kingdom The fourth Scripture is Dan. 7.27 And the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the Most High c. and all Dominions shall serve and obey him This compared with Rev. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord c. must needs refer to this visible Kingdom which hath the Authority Power and Rule in and over the whole World First It is called the Fathers Kingdom as it is Originally from him who is the Creator Former and Disposer of all things 2ly As he doth in a special Manner erect or set up this Kingdom The God of Heaven shall set it up Dan. 2.44 3ly As he is the Donor or Giver of it to the Son Luke 1.32 The Lord God shall give him the Throne c. This Kingdom also belongs to Christ the Son First As he is the Son of God and so the true Heir Heb. 1.2 Psal 2.7 8. Secondly As he is the Son of Man the true Son of David the seed of Abraham 1. As he is the Son of Man John 5.27 He hath Authority to execute Judgment because he is the Son of Man 2. As he is the true Son of David Luke 1.32.69 The Lord God shall give him the Throne of his Father David so Acts 2.30 Of the Fruit of his Loynes according to the Flesh God hath sworn with an Oath that he would raise up Christ to sit on his Throne 3. As he is the Seed of Abraham Gen. 22.17 18. Thy Seed shall possess the Gate of his Enemies By Seed is meant Christ Gal. 3.16 and by possessing the Gate is to be understood of possessing the Government and execution of Judgment Amos 5.10.12.15 Zech. 8.16 Thirdly It is Christs Right by Promise Isa 9.7 and by Covenant and Oath Psa 89.28 29.34 35 36. Acts 2.30 and by the Anointing Isa 11.2 Psa 89.27.20 And by peculiar choyse Psa 89.19 Isa 42.1 compared with Matth. 12.18 And by Decree Psa 2.7 Fourthly It is Christs by the free gift of the Father Psal 2.8 I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession Luke 1.32 The Lord God shall give unto him the Throne c. Dan. 7.14 There was given him Dominion c. Matth. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth c. Fifthly It is Christs by desert and purchase upon the account of his suffering Rev. 5.12.13 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power c. Isa 53.12 Because he hath poured out his soul unto death c. The Lord will divide him a portion with the Great and he shall divide the spoyl with the strong Sixthly It is Christs in answer to the Great end of Creation Col. 1.16 All things were created for him so Psal 8.6 Compare Heb. 2.5 6 7 8 The World to come is put in subjection to Christ as may appear from Verse the 5th This World to come must needs be understood of the Fifth Kingdom which belongs unto and is put under Christ the Son Eph. 1.21 22. This world to come cannot be understood of the Ultimate Glory in Heaven because that State is not to be put under Christ as the Son but as Son he himself must become subject in it 1 Cor. 15.28 But this World to come is noted in an especiall manner to be under Christs Feet and this is that State or World to come in which there shall be forgiveness or blotting out of sin as is clearly implyed from Matth. 12.32 which compared with Acts 3.19 That your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send Jesus c. doth clearly demonstrate the World to come to be this fifth Kingdom Lastly It is and shall be Christs by Conquest Rev. 17.14 The Lamb shall overcome them c. Comp. Chap. 6.2 and upon these grounds this fifth Kingdom being Christs he is called King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 And the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 And King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 17.14 Chap. 19.16 The blessed and only Potentate 1 Tim. 6.15 with divers such like Titles which in the Scriptures of truth are given to him The next thing that I would speak to is That this fifth Kingdom is outward and visible as well as glorious and spiritual First From the time and manner of its rising mentioned Dan. 2.34 Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out c. If it were only spiritual it might have been seen as well before the Image was as after but the Stone or Kingdom doth not appear till after the Image is seen and then appears as visible as the Image which Image holdeth forth the four great Kingdoms or Monarchies of the World which have been and are visible in their times Now the Stone being as visible as the Image and not seen till some time after the Image was seen it must needs be a visible Kingdom and not the spiritual and invisible Kingdom which was in being long before the Image appeared Secondly It must be outward and visible if we consider the work that this Kingdom is to do it smites and breaks the Image Dan. 2.34.44 which compared with other Scriptures will appear to be an outward visible breaking as Dan. 7.18.26 Rev. 17.14 The ten Hornes or ten Toes makes war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them Now if the Work be an outward and visible smiting the Stone or Kingdom must needs be visible also Thirdly The Rule or Dominion of this Kingdom is taken from filleth up the room of the fourth Kingdom Dan. 2.35 The Stone became

very Rise and Foundation and to own it as Gods Ordinance would be to charge him as the Author of sin and to set up the Man of sin and Mystery of iniquity as Gods Ordinance and those that so do may be found equally guilty with those that at this day cry up the Ministry of Antichrist as the Ordinance and Ministry of Christ and all that will not allow them this and therein fall down to them are charged as being against Ministry but many will now grant that the Antichristian Ministry are sinful and Antichristian both in their Rise and Foundation and to own them as the Ministry of Christ would be a very great evil and why not the same in the Antichristian Magistracy The Assertion that I shall lay down in this particular about the Kingdom of the Beast is That there is an Antichristian Beast or a wicked Power that riseth out of the Bottomless pit and is permitted by the Lord to take place in the world in the latter part of the Image Government 1. This Beast is described Dan. 7.5 by a Little Horn and in verse the 11. it is called the Beast This Horn or Beast is the last part of the Image Government and that which is to be taken away and destroyed by the Saints after the judgement sits as in verse 26 and in verse 24. another shall arise after the ten Horns in the first or Pagan State withour the Crowns as Revel 12.3 And although there are but three of the Horns or Kings subdued or brought down by the force and Power of this Little Horn yet by the fair words flattery and great proffers made by him to the rest of them to wit that he would Crown and make them free states if they will stand by him they all at last fall in and receive Power as Kings one hour with him Revel 17.12 and so this Horn or last Beast comes to have the ten Horns upon him with the Crowns upon them 2. This last part of the Roman State mentioned Rev. 17.8 chap. 11.7 is described by a Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit and is the same with the Little Horn before mentioned and is distinguished from the first part of the Roman State First in its Rise it comes from the Bottomless pit Secondly by his carrying the Whore or Antichristian Church Rev. 17.3.7 Thirdly by the time of his Reign which is forty and two Moneths and agrees with the time of the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth Revel 11.3 and with the time of the Woman or Churches being in the wilderness Rev. 12.6 Fourthly by the Crowns being upon his Horns which in the First State were upon the Heads compare Revel 13.1 with Rev. 12.3 Fifthly by his Horns making War with the Lamb and being overcome by him Revel 17.14 Lastly by his going into perdition Revel 17.14.8 That this Beast which Ascends from the bottomless pit is the same with the Little Horn in Dan. 7. consider First this Beast is the last part of the Image Government and so is the Horn Secondly this Beast sets himself against God in great words and blasphemy so doth the Horn Revel 13.6 Compare with Dan. 20.25 Thirdly this Beast hath Power to make War with the Saints and for a time to overcome them so hath the Horn Revel 13.7 Compare with Dan. 7.21.25 Fourthly this Beast and his Horns are overcome and have their Power taken away by the Lamb and they that are on his side which must be the Lamb by his Spirit in the Saints for it cannot be thought that if the ten Horns should be in being when Christ comes in person they should be able to begin or make War with him the Saints do also take away to destroy and consume the Power of the Little Horn Revel 17.14 Compare Dan. 7.26.3 Fifthly this Beast goeth into perditon or to Hell So the Horn is given to the burning flame Rev. 17.8 Compare with Dan. 7.11 Thirdly this Beast or Horn before mentioned is described in Dan. 2.41 by the Feet and Toes of the Image which appears to be the same with the Beast or Horn First as it is the last part of the Image Government Secondly the Toes agrees with the Horns of this Beast in Revel 17.12 Thirdly the Beast or Horn is destroyed by the Saints or by Christ in them The feet and toes of the Image are smitten and broken by the stone Dan. 2.34 which stone must either be the world or Christ in person or Christ by his Spirit in his Saints It cannot be meant of the world first because it is the Kingdom that in a peculiar manner is set up by the God of Heaven as in verse 44. Secondly because it breaks down the worldly Government and fills the whole Earth 3ly Because it is cut out without hands to wit without worldly Powers or the might of Man In the next place it cannot be Christ in Person First because Christ is not cut out of the mountain whether the mountain be understood of the Church or world for it must be one of them Secondly the Stone doth the work gradually but Christs coming will be on a suddain as the Lightning that will effect his work at once Thirdly Christ is no where called a Kingdom But this stone is so called vers 44. Fourthly this stone is not cut out or seen till the last part of the Image Government appears thou sawest till that a stone was cut out verse 34. But if Christ in Person were cut out of the mountain it must be long before the feet of the Image was in being now seeing this stone cannot be understood of the world or of Christ in Person it must needs be Christ by his Spirit in the Saints which Zech. 12.3 are called a Burthensome stone and so is the same with the Saints that destroy the Beast and the Little Horn. Fourthly This Horn Beast or feet of the Image is the same with that Man of sin Son of perdition Mystery of iniquity and that Wicked mentioned 2 Thes 2.3.7.8 First this man of sin agrees with Antichrist or the Beast in its rise the Beast riseth through the change of the Roman Empire from its Pagan State or rather through the ruine of it as Rev. 13.2 The Dragon gave him his Power c. By the Dragon I understand the Devil who Reigned by his Spirit in the wicked Pagan Emperours who though their Authority was an Ordinance of God as Rom. 13.1.2 yet they were swayed by the Devil to abuse their Power and turn it against the Lord and his faithful followers a Cloud of witnesses to this we have from the ten first Persecutions carryed on by the Pagan Emperours in which the Devil did appear like a Dragon but when Antichrist comes up the Devil or Dragon quits his hold of the Pagan State having a more subtile way to carry on his work under a pretence of Christianity by this last Beast he readily gives to this Beast his Power Seat

divers others were in the Typical part of this work and how much more in the Anti-type which doth farr exceed it in spirituality shall the Instruments be so used Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee c. which must respect Christ as King in his members Heb. 11.30 32 33. Who through faith subdued Kingdomes c. Psal 72.15 and Psal 149.6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouths c. Rev. 6.10 Chap. 8.3.4.5 Secondly by the word of their Testimony which they bear for Christ against Antichrist Rev. 12.11 17. Lastly by Material weapons in a military way Christ being the Captain General and chief leader of this Army Rev. 17. The Lamb shall overcome them and they that are on his side are called chosen and faithful Psal 110.3 In the day of the assembling of thy Army for so some read the words Thy people speaking to Christ shall be willing This Psalm doth in an especial manner relate to the work of the later day Rev. 19.14 The Armies followed Christ which Armies must respect the Saints as being them that are arrayed in fine linnen Vers 8. That the Saints shall be used with material weapons consider First That the War cannot be restrained to that spiritual War mentioned 2 Cor. 10.4 Eph. 6.12 which war required spiritual weapons only but this is an outward visible war as smiting and breaking the visible Image Government taking away the visible Power of the last Beast Dan. 2. and Chapter the 7th and a visible overcoming and breaking the Horns or visible Power of the Ten Kingdoms that received their Power with the Beast which Hornes do begin a visible War with Christ and his Cause as it is owned and carried on by his Saints who are the Members of his Body Rev. 17. Secondly That they shall be used with Material Weapons may appear from Joel 3.10 Beat your Plow-shares into swords and your pruning-hooks into spears let the weak say I am strong In which Scripture I would note three things First That it is a prophecy of the latter day work when Multitudes shall appear in the valley of decision which hath never yet been fulfilled as is most evident if the scope of the Prophesie be consulted Secondly This 10th Verse is spoken to the Saints or people of God the scope of the words leads to the Saints and the 11th verse is a Call to the Heathen for God will gather the Heathen as well as his own people to the valley of decision according to Zeph. 3.8 and this word of encouragement Let the weak say I am strong is not spoken to the enemies of God but is a blessed word for his own people and by it the whole verse appears to be directed to them Lastly the swords and spears are not spiritual but material weapons because they are made of plow-shares and pruning-hooks and are to be used in the Lords great Controversie with the Heathen and the enemies of his Church This Truth may further appear from Psal 149.6 7 8. Let a two-edged sword be in their hands to execute vengeance c. This Psalm must also respect the latter day when the meek shall be beautified with salvation ver 4. and this prophesie hath never been fulfilled since this Psalme was penned but must be fulfilled in the execution of the judgement that is to come upon the World in this latter day This must be a material sword First because the work that the Saints are to do with it is outward visible work viz. to bind Kings and Nobles and to execute the judgment written vers 8.9 2dly This sword is to be in their hands and therefore must be a material sword if it were spiritual it would be in their hearts or in their mouths and included in the joy and praises before spoken of this may further appear from Luke 22.36 He that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one That this Sword relates to the latter day must needs be granted because it is spoken in the latter day for the whole day from Christs coming into the flesh to the end of the world is called the latter dayes or time Acts 2.17 Heb. 1.2 1 John 2.18 This latter day or last times must be considered under a two-fold dispensation the one of Suffering the other of Action In the first the Saints must be bound with chains killed and countted as sheep for the slaughter Rom. 8.36 comp Luke 21.12 16. And in the second the Saints shall bind with chaines and take them captives whose captives they were Isa 14.2 comp Psal 149. In the first the Beast or Little Horn shall wear out the Saints In the second the Saints shall take away his Dominion Dan. 7. In the first the Saints must Suffer in Babylon under yokes and bonds and so be hanging down the head In the second Zion or the Saints must deliver her self and put on her Beautifull Garments and lift up her head and loose her self from the bands of her neck or the Government of Antichrist that is upon her and shake her self from the dust In the first Babylon is exercising Cruelty and Tyranny over the Saints and they are patiently to bear it and if they be smitten on the one cheek they must turn the other and if any man will sue them at the Law and take away their coat which must be whilest the wicked Antichristian Law is in force they must let him have their Cloak also But in the Second the Saints must render to Babylon double Compare these following Scriptures Dan. 7.25 with vers 26. Rev. 13.7 with Chap. 17.14 Isa 52.1.2 Zech. 2.7 Luke 21.28 Matth. 5.39.40 Rev. 18.6 This Scripture Luke 22.36 doth clearly hold forth this two-fold dispensation for it cannot be applyed to the day when Christ and his Apostles were upon the Earth which was a day of suffering wherein they were not to resist as Math. 5.39 with many other Scriptures to this purpose both in the Evangelists and the Epistles and Christ tells them at the same time that two swords were enough vers 38. and therefore could not be the time in which he that had no sword must sell his garment and buy one but holds forth another dispensation in which the Saints must be called to Action for Christ in the setting up of his Kingdom and though the words were spoken to the disciples that were then with Christ in the suffering day yet he delivers it to them as they represented the whole body of Gospel Believers that were or should come over to faith in him to the end of the world and so the Ordinances Rules and Work that the Saints were to observe and do till Christs Second coming are delivered unto and received by the disciples that were with him in that day Christ in the opening the extent of his prayer John 17.20 cleares this and also in his general exhortation Math. 13.37 What I say unto you I say unto all c. and so

Vialls Rev. 16. The Vialls do containe and are called the seven last Plagues that must accomplish the destruction of the Anti hristian world and do much agree with the VVork of the Stone in Daniel 2. Now these Vialls or six of them must be poured out before Christs personal comming First because they do the VVork gradually and therefore are seven Vialls otherwise one Viall if it were at Christs coming would do all the Work Secondly They do the destroying Work which as hath been proved must be done before Christs Personal coming and if the Vialls do the same Work with the Stone or Kingdom and six if not all must be poured forth before Christs Personal coming then the Work must take place before that coming As against all Truths there are several Objections so against this First it is objected and alleadged That the Saints must be in a Suffering state till Christ comes Answ There is a Twofold Suffering the one by the Antichristian bondage and slavery the other by corruption and inward temptations From the first the Saints shall be delivered before Christs coming as hath been shewed the other may remain till Christ at his coming binds Satan and changeth our vile bodies Also there is a twofold coming of Christ in the latter day the one a comming by his Spirit in his Saints-to the Work of executing vengeance and so Christ is the Stone and so he overcomes the ten Hornes and so he comes at midnight when the Virgins sleep and so he comes as a Thief and this is the Coming spoken of Luke 18.7 8. And shall not God avenge his own Elect Neverthelesse when the Son of man cometh shall he find Faith on the Earth Till this coming the Saints were to be in a suffering State upon both the former the latter Accounts The second is his Personal coming with all his Saints and all the holy Angels when every eye shall see him This shall not only be a coming in Power but also with great Glory before this coming the Saints shall be in the Posession of the Government upon the account of Christ who is the rightful King and the Vialls or Six of them shall be poured forth by which much of the vengeance that is to be executed shall be accomplished upon the Earth But although the Saints shall be in the Government of the Nations under and on the behalf of Christ the King yet the Devil being not bound shall go forth full of Rage because the time of his binding is near and immediatly before the Personal coming of Christ shall stir up the Nations to rebell against Christ in his Saints and the Nations shall raise War against the Saints and shall take the City of Jerusalem and it shall be a time of great trouble and then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those Nations as when he fought in the day of Battel and then the Seventh Viall shall be poured forth into the air which holds forth the making a full and perfect end of the VVork my apprehensions in this matter are grounded upon Eze. 39. Zech. 14.1.2 3 4. Revel 16.16 chap. 19.17.18.19 and several other Scriptures which relate unto and must have their fulfilling in this time In the understanding of the weighty matters which relate to the latter day I would commend two things to consideration which may through the blessing of God be very helpful and useful to prevent mistakes First To wait upon God for his Spirit in the search of the Scriptures for a right distinction of the several Times and Seasons as First the Time of Christs suffering State the Time of Antichrists Reign the Time of Christs coming by his Spirit in the Saints to execute the vengeance the Time of his Personal coming the Time of the thousand years Reign The end of the thousand years and the last Judgement when he shall deliver up the Kingdom to the Father And as these times should be distinctly considered without misplacing them or causing the one to clash against the other so The Second thing to be considered is through the spirit diligently to search the Promises Prophesies and Types of this Latter day work contained in the holy Scriptures and before we passe judgement upon any of them to wait upon the Lord for a right understanding of the respective Times unto which the Promise Prophesie or Type doth relate for if we go to open then and not First understand what Time they relate unto we are in danger of very great mistakes and this I judge is much of the cause of the great differences that are among even those of the People of God that Wait for the Kingdom at this day and through this mistake the poor Jews stumbled and fell misplacing those Promises Prophesies and Types that did relate to Christ in that day if these two things be diligently observed it would save much labour in answering several Objections some of which not yet spoken to are as followeth Object That Christ must be first in the possession of this Glory he being the Captain that was first made perfect through suffering and therefore the Kingdom must not be set up till his Personal coming Ans This ariseth mostly from a mistake for though the Saints shall take and possesse the Kingdom before Christs Personal appearing yet Christ shall be first in the Glory of it Dan. 7.14 It is given to Christ and the opening of it in verse the 18. saith that the Saints shall take the Kingdom though all this while Christ in his person is in heaven for first Christ must have the preheminence to be first in the Glory as the Saints by his Spirit do obtain it Secondly They do not onely obtain it by the Spirit of Christ but also upon the Ground of his Authority as he is King of Kings c. Thirdly They do it by his Command all which may appear by the foregoing discourse upon the Saints being the Instruments in the work and so the Glory of the Conquest is to the Lamb Rev. 17.14 The Lamb shall overcome them c. Revel 4.10 The Crowns are cast before him and the Saints do take and exercise the Government for and on the behalf of Christ upon whom Psal 132.18 his Crown shall flourish It is further objected Object 2 Tim. 4.1 His appearing is joyned with yea put before his Kingdom even when he shall judge both the quick and the dead therefore his Kingdom shall not take place before his appearing Answ Though his Appearing be here joyned with and placed before his Kingdom yet the Scripture doth not say neither by the order of words can it be safely gathered that his Kingdom shall not begin till his appearing and those that consider the Spirits Method in the Scripture may know that ofttimes those things that are to be performed Last are placed First and sometimes words do respect a thing in its beginning and sometimes in its perfection as 2 Pet. 1.10 Make your calling and

Slaying and also a Time of their Rising and Standing upon their Feet before they are Caught up to Heaven into the Throne of Government and both may be distinguished from the Three Years and a Half of their Lying Dead and that the Lord who never leaves Himself without Witnesse will keep a Remnant alive to Bear up his Name and Truth even whilst the VVitnesses are said to Lie Dead in the Streets of the Great City or Territories of Babylon which in Rev. 17.18 is Called The Great City and their Slaying being spiritual and not Corporal is most likely to take place after God hath begun to Reward Babylon If this I say be considered why may not this Tryal that is Come upon the VVork at this Day and the spiritual slaughter that is come upon those that have been VVitnesses for Christ agree with and in a great measure answer to the Slaying of the VVitnesses For as hath been shewed the Lord suffers not Babylon to drink more of Zions Blood because he hath begun to Reward Her And as to the extraordinary things that the Witnesses are said to have Power to Do in shutting Heaven and smiting the Earth c. I understand that it holds forth their Prevalency with God through Faith and Prayer not that we must needs expect those several things to be done in the Letter for it is not said that they shall do them but they have Power to do them Verse 6 and no doubt but the Lords People that have been kept Faithful for him have had Power as Princes to prevaile with him for Great Things and he hath answered them by terrible things in Righteousnesse Psal 65.5 But I shall say no more to this Objection Though there are several other Objections against the VVork of the Lord as it hath taken place in this Nation I shall not further insist upon them being much perswaded that the Day of the Resurrection of it is very near in which God will wonderfully answer the Doubts and Objections of his Own People and will stop the Mouths of Gain-sayers and Cloth the Enemies of his Son with shame while the Children of Zion shall be rejoycing in their King and singing Hosanna to the Son of David upon whom alone the Crown shall flourish Psal 132.18 I shall not add more in this Matter having spoken to the Several General Heads But from what hath been laid down of the Work and the Apostacy from it The Officers and Souldiers of the Army by keeping their Places under Cromwell and the rest of the Apostates in the Apostacy and not openly improving their Power to the hazzard of their all for Christ who had formerly owned them against the Apostates wicked Usurpation but declaring and improving their Power for the Apostacy against Christ whose Cause they had engaged to own they became guilty of Cromwels Abominations and the others that have Succeeded in the Apostacy and comparing their Solemn Oaths Covenants Engagements and Declarations made by them at their first taking up of Arms and at the New Model of the Army in 45 and at Naseby Triplo-Heath Albanes Putney and VVindsor Also at their March to Scotland when they went to engage in that VVar and at Musclebrough and Dunbar in Scotland when they were brought very low also at VVorcester and in the late War in Ireland and after VVorcester In their Solemn daies of Prayer at Jameses immediatly before the breaking up of the Parliament with many other Solemn daies of Prayer All these with many more Engagements which are best known to God and their Own Souls being compared with their late Abominations in turning aside with Cromwel and engaging and standing by the Apostacy and setting up Rich. Cromwel the Son of the Apostate it is plain and manifest to all that are not blinded through partaking with the Apostacy or do not willfully shut their eyes or through Carelesness or fearfulness look not after these things That the Officers and Souldiers of the Army with others who have kept their Places in the Apostacy are deeply Guilty First Of Treachery in betraying the Cause of Christ and the Liberty of the Nation which is abundantly wrapped up therein Secondly Of doing Injury and Violence to Jesus Christ by withstanding and interrupting his Government in the Hands of his People in the Little Assembly Thirdly Of the highest Usurpation in Owning and Standing by Cromwell in his Usurping the very Throne of Christ Fourthly They are Guilty of Theft or Robery in not only Robbing Christ as much as in them lay of his Throne and God of his Glory but the Nation of its Treasure by forcing from them Taxes Excise and Customes to maintain the Apostacy For though it may be lawful in a Lawful Magistracy to Raise Money in the Nation to do the Nation service yet it is Robbery and Oppression for a Usurper that sets himself both against God and the Nation to impose Taxes upon them Fifthly They are guilty of Blood the Cause and Interest of Jesus Christ which hath been a foot amongst us being the only Ground to Justifie and clear the Instruments imployed in the War from the Guilt of the Blood that hath been shed therein and also of the Blood of the late King and his Nobles whose Heads were taken off the Army and those that have been engaged in the VVar and are since turned aside in the Apostacy to the Disowning and casting off the Cause of Christ must needs bring the Guilt of the Blood upon themselves Sixthly They are guilty of the breach of Oaths and Covenants and of Lying both to God and Man Seventhly They are guilty of the Persecuting Imprisoning and Banishing the People of God who through free grace have been kept from the Apostacy and helped to Witness for the Righteous Cause of Christ against it and although Cromwel and his Councel had the greatest hand in the Apostacy yet the Army in standing by them and putting their Commands in Execution carrying the Saints to and keeping them in Prisons and that with much Heighth and Rage of Spirit are involved in and become Guilty of the Evils with Cromwel Eighthly Through this Apostacy they are fallen into and have embodyed themselves with Babylon or the Antichristian State and have made themselves as a Prop to the Whorish false Church and did manifest this by setting up Tryers for Babylons Ministers and Keeping up the Universities or Schools of Antichrist and Tythes which is Babylons Maintenance and also Babylons Lawes and Courts and many such like Abominations have been and are kept up by Cromwel and those that have succeeded him in the Apostacy through the Power of the Apostatising Army without which they could not stand and so the Guilt of these Evils falls upon the Army these things not being done in a Corner but Publiclky transacted in the Face of the Sun and the most of them being Published in Print to the World I shall not take up time to insist more upon Partitulers in the