The Grand Oppressor, Part

The Grand Oppressor · Part

p. 25A Scourge for the Aſſyrian, the great OPPRESSOR:

ZACH 11.8.

Three Shepherds I cut off in one monethmonth, my ſoul loathed them, and their ſoul abhorred me: That is, the glorious Appearance of the great God in men, is moſt abhorred by ſeeming godly men, and Miniſters, or three Shepherds, whom God therefore loathes, and hates all their performances, as they hate his appearance; the hatred of both is perfect, for his ſoul loathes them, and their ſoul abhorreth him.

AS Chriſt is the glory of the Father, Heb. 1.1.3. Iohn 14.10. Ioh. 15.23, 24 Iſai. 8.18. Hebr. 2.12, 13 compared.Heb 1:1John 15:23John 15:24Isa 8:18Heb 2:12Heb 2:13the appearance of God, or God manifeſt in fleſh; ſo God in Chriſt, the Father in him, was that which was moſt hated by the Church of the Jews, and Chriſt in us; Iohn 14.11 Eph. 5.30. Heb. 2.11. compared.John 14:11Eph 5:30Heb 2:11Chriſt in the Church is abhorred by the Chriſtian Churches; who not knowing the Deity nor the humanity of Chriſt indeed, will not acknowledge the Father to be the Godhead of Chriſt, nor his brethren to be his humanitie, in whom the fulneſſe of the Godhead is ſo embodyed, 1 Cor. 12.12. Eph. 4.13. compared.1 Cor 12:12Eph 4:13that he being the head, and they the members, they and he make one perfect man, in whom God appears to be all in all, 1 Cor. 15.28.

This Myſterie of God, even the Father, Col 2.2.Col 2:2and of Chriſt is p. 26therefore abhorred by the ſhepherds, or Paſtors of Churches, Gal. 1.16. Eph. 1.17. Col. 1.27. compared.Gal 1:16Eph 1:17Col 1:27becauſe they knew not the Father in the Son, nor the Son in the Saints, nor the Spirit in both, which would reveal this glory in them, God in their Fleſh, that is Chriſt in us the hope of glory, which now they hate and abher, not having higher diſcoveries of God, then what they have read in traditional forms of doctrine received, Col. 2.8.Col 2:81 Tim. 1.17. 1 Ioh. 1.1. Rom. 9 1. Heb. 1.3.8. Col. 1.15.13 Col. 2.9. compared.1 Tim 1:171 John 1:1Rom 9:1Heb 1:3Heb 1:8Col 1:15Col 1:13Col 2:9and invented by men.

For as the Father is the inviſible God inhabiting eternitie, ſo Chriſt is God viſible, the Image or out-goings of God, the glory of the Father (in fleſh) the appearance of God, (as I ſaid) or God manifeſt in fleſh, who in the ſpirit was from the beginning, and will be to the end, though this myſtery of Chriſt was not manifeſted to men till the fulneſs of time, Iſai. 9, 6. Ioh. 5.19, 20, 30. Iohn 8.28. Iohn 14.10 compared. 2 Cor. 13.4. 1 Pet. 1.21. Pſal. 68.1. Pſal. 68.18. Eph. 4.10. Ioh. 16.28. Iohn 17.8.Isa 9:6John 5:19John 5:20John 5:30John 8:28John 14:102 Cor 13:41 Pet 1:21Ps 68:1Ps 68:18Eph 4:10John 16:28John 17:8when the mighty God, the everlaſting Father appeared in fleſh, taken of a Virgin, then the Son was born, for God was brought forth in fleſh, and was manifeſt in fleſh by mighty works and words which he ſpake and did, while he lived in the dayes of his fleſh, but in his death, God crucified that fleſh to himſelf, which afterward he raiſed to glory, God riſing or revealing himſelf gloriouſly therein, then God aſcended up on high, that is, God in fleſh did aſcend not onelyonly to heaven, but far above all heavens, into his own eternall abiſſe, and incomprehenſible being, and unacceſſible light, whence the brightneſſe of his glory proceeded, and came forth in fleſh in the fulneſs of time, as we ſaid before.

But this Myſterie was not made known nor manfeſted to the Sons of men, Eph. 3.5.Eph 3:5till God who aſcended up in fleſh, ſent down the Spirit from on high, Pſal. 68.18. Eph. 4.8.Ps 68:18Eph 4:8when he not onelyonly received gifts for men, or as Hebrew reads, received gifts in the man, but gave gifts unto men; that is, the ſame Spirit and power of God, dwelling in the fleſh of Chriſt, appeared in the Church which is called Chriſt, 1 Cor. 12.12. becauſe the Son was revealed, or known in the Saints, and they in the Son, and both in the Father, all perfect in one; for which cauſe the Spirit is called the p. 27promiſe of the Father, Acts 1.4. Rom. 8.25.17Acts 1:4Rom 8:25Rom 8:17and the Spirit of the Son in the Saints cryed, Abba Father, God being a Father to them as to him, his God and theirs. For though the Spirit be called the Spirit of the Son, yet he received and ſent it from the Father, therefore the Spirit is ſaid to proceed onelyonly from the Father, &c. it is the promiſe of the Father, the power of God from on high, which the Saints received from and with the Son, they being Sons and coheirs with him, Joh. 15.26. This Myſtery of Chriſt though once manifeſted to the Apoſtles and Primitive Saints by the Spirit, and ſince ſhut up as a ſealed book by the apoſtaſie or ſpirit of Antichriſt in the Churches, yet the book will be open, the myſtery will be manifeſt again, for the myſtery of God ſhall be finiſhed, and fully known at laſt, Rev. 10.7. Rev. 1.4. Rev. 2.8.Rev 1:4Rev 2:8But as Chriſt is the firſt and the laſt, he who was, is, and is to come, of Chriſt was vayled in the Law, and is revelaed in the Goſpel, (though but in part) the full Revelation of Chriſt Jeſus is to come, Jeſus Chriſt the ſame yeſterday, and to day, and for ever, not Chriſt after the fleſh, for that was not till the fulneſs of time, but Chriſt in the Spirit, Heb. 13.8.Heb 13:8God manifeſt in fleſh, was both yeſterday under the Law, and in the day of Goſpel-diſpenſation, and in the third diſpenſation now approaching, he will abide for ever.

There was a change indeed from Law to Goſpel, when the Spirit of Chriſt firſt came into the Church; the ſtate of the Goſpel changed alſo, when the Spirit of Antichriſt came in power, and the Churches fell by the Apoſtaſie; when Chriſt ſhall come the ſecond time in ſpirit and glory, time ſhall be no more, no more change of things ſhall be, for all things and times ſhall appear in eternity, which is the third diſpenſation, as the firſt was yeſterday, the ſecond to day, Rev. 10 6, 7.Rev 10:6Rev 10:7ſo the third is to be for ever.

I ſhall not now ſpeak at large of this third diſpenſation, onelyonly as God is both Father, Son, and Spirit; 1 Joh. 5.7.1 John 5:7So God being manfeſt to his people in this threefold diſcovery p. 28of himſelf, declares the third diſpenſation, a third diſcoverie of himſelf unto them, and in them.

God under the Law and to the Fathers before was known as the Father. Deut. 32.6. Rom. 1.9. Rev. 22.17.Deut 32:6Rom 1:9Rev 22:17In the Goſpel God was known, as the ſon, or the knowledge of the Son was peculiar to the Goſpel-diſpenſation. The third will be pure Spirit, when nothing but Spirit and power ſhall appear, when God ſhall be all in all: For although Goſpel-believers were baptized into the name of Father, Son and Spirit, yet what they poſſeſſed was but the firſt fruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8.23.Rom 8:23there will be a full harveſt, flouds, and Rivers of waters of life which no man can paſſe over, when the earth ſhall be full of the knowledge of the Lord (or as another Prophet adds) full of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, Ezek. 47.5. Iſai. 11.9. Hab. 1.14. Zach. 14.8. Rev. 22.1. compared.Ezek 47:5Isa 11:9Hab 1:14Zech 14:8Rev 22:1as the waters cover the Sea, Iſai. 11.9. Hab. 2.14. There the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, God even the Father, and Chriſt the Fathers glory ſhall be fully known by men; Rev. 21.22. Rev. 22.4.Rev 21:22Rev 22:4For as Chriſt is the appearance of God, ſo when God ſhall appear in men they ſhall know how Chriſt was under the Law, and as he is in the Goſpel, and will be the ſame for ever.

All that I know at preſent of Chriſt is this, he was under the Law in Forms: In the Goſpel hee appeared in Fleſh; Tit. 2.13. Heb. 9.28.Titus 2:13Heb 9:28he will appear wholly in Spirit, in Spirit onelyonly the appecarance of the great GOD and Saviour ſhall be, and yet manifeſt in the fleſh of men, that is, all the tranſactions of God, or all that God did in the fleſh of Chriſt, Rev. 12.5. Rev. 11.8, 11, 12. 1 Cor. 6.2, 3. Obad. 21. compared.Rev 12:5Rev 11:8Rev 11:11Rev 11:121 Cor 6:21 Cor 6:3Obad 1:21ſhall viſibly appear in the fleſh of men; the birth of Chriſt, his life, death, reſurrection, and aſcention ſhall be ſeen in us, men ſhall ſee us aſcend in a cloud, to ſit in heaven to judge the world and Angels, and to bee Saviours of men in mount Zion at laſt.

For the Lamb ſhall bee in mount Zion, and with him we ſhall be, Rev. 14.1.Rev 14:1having his Fathers name on our foreheads, that's the full diſcovery of God in us, and men ſhall ſee God, even the Father in us with Chriſt, ſo cleerly manifeſt as written on our foreheads.

p. 29Mount Sion is not an outward Church-ſtate, as the Churches now imagine, and call themſelves, though they be indeed the daughter of Babylon; Zach. 2.7.Zech 2:7but Zion is the ſtate of all the Saints in the Spirit as they are in God, and God in them: For as Zion was the place where God dwelt; ſo all the Saints from the beginning of the world have been ſtill waiting for this, for the full diſcoverie of God in them. Glorious things were ſpoken of Zion, Pſal. 87.3.Ps 87:3and the people of God both under the law, and in Goſpeldiſpenſation were ſtill going on from ſtrength to ſtrength, Pſal. 84.7.Ps 84:7till every one of them appears in Zion before God. Every one appears at laſt in Zion, Rev, 14.1. not onelyonly the hundred and fourſcore and four thouſand, who go before, and are the firſt fruits unto God, v. 4. but a numberleſs company of men, (whoſe voyce was as many waters, and as a mighty thunder, verſ. 2. For as the hundred fourſcore and four thouſand is the juſt number of the ſealed ones. Rev. 7 4. ſelected out of the twelve Tribes, who were firſt called the Church and people of God, typifying thoſe in the laſt dayes who ſhall be redeemed from men, and the firſt fruits unto God, as we ſaid before; ſo afterward there will be a company of people called to God whom no man can number, Rev. 7.9. But theſe come to Zion through great tribulation, through the bloud of the Lamb in them, v. 14. that is, through much ſuffering, through the fellowſhip of Chriſts ſuffering, and conformity to his death they come to riſe, and raign with him, having palms in their hauds; that life of Goſpel-Saints which was hid with Chriſt in God, Col. 3.3.Col 3:3ſhall appear in God, and the life of God ſhall appear in the Saints at laſt, thus Chriſt their life ſhall appear in them with glory.

This glorious appearing of the great God, riſing up in higher diſcoveries of himſelf in men, is that which hath been ever moſt oppoſed and perſecuted; I ſpeak not now of the times under the Law, nor Goſpel, nor yet of former appearances, ſince the Apoſtaſie. But p. 30to goe no further then our own age, what we have heard and ſeen: How was the appearance of God in the Firſt Reformers, yea, in our Prelates and Biſhops perſecuted as hereſie by the Popiſh Hierarchie! Next the honeſt Presbyters or Puritans how were they oppoſed by the ſame Prelates, who ſuffered before? Thirdly, theſe Presbyterians formerly themſelves in a ſuffering condition, perſecuted the appearance of God in thoſe of higher forms and fellowſhips, as the Independent Churches; and theſe likewiſe are ready to oppoſe and perſecute the ſpirits of the Saints, who in worſhip and doctrine are of higher diſcoveries then themſelves.

The doctrine of God and of Chriſt for ſubſtance is the ſame in all the Saints, though their apprehenſions differ, or are divers rather. And who is ignorant of this, that the appearances of God in one man, hath not been the ſame as it was formerly in himſelf? and yet all have been going on from ſtrength to ſtrength, at leaſt in their deſires and aimes toward Zion.

Though I am but a child in underdanding, and in yeares alſo to ſome of our Elders, yet here I obſerved four great ſteps of Gods glorious appearance in mens preaching.

Firſt, how low and legall were their teachings, as they learnt the way of preaching from Mr. Perkins, Bolton, Byfield, Dod, and Dike, moſt bleſſed in their generation, by whom, and ſuch conforming Miniſters, more men were converted to God, then ever ſince in any period of time.

Next the Doctrine of free Grace came forth, but with leſſe ſucceſſe or fruit of converſion, by Dr. Preſton, Sibs, Criſpe, yet many before converted were confirmed and comforted by their words.

Thirdly, the letter of Scripture, and the fleſh of Chriſt hath been highly ſet up by both the famous Goodwins, the one, Maſter John Goodwin like Apollos being mighty in Scriptures and ſtrength of reaſon; the other excels p. 31in ſpirituall diſcourſes of Chriſts death, reſurrection, aſcenſion, and interceſſion, yet much according to the fleſh; for he meddles not with the Myſtery of Chriſt in us, of his dying in us (as Mr. Dell in part diſcovers) but all of Chriſt without us, which though a truth, yet not the whole truth, nor that ſpirit and truth which Chriſt ſpake of; John 6.63. 2 Cor. 3.6.18.John 6:632 Cor 3:62 Cor 3:18for as the fleſh profiteth nothing, but the quickning ſpirit that dwelt therein; ſo the the Apoſtles had a miniſtery of the ſpirit to carry men through the fleſh of Chriſt into the Father, that eternall Spirit dwelling in him and them, and ſo to draw them up into the ſame fellowſhip with himſelf.

Again this good man ſpeakes much of Chriſt in the fleſh, not as he is in the Father, and we in him, and be in us, which is the ſum of our ſpiritual knowledge, and all we ſhould know of Chriſt after his Aſcenſion, Joh. 14.20.

Thirdly, he brings us no further then to the vail of his fleſh, not through it into the holy of holieſt, into the Godhead it ſelf, that is, into the Father, for Chriſt was but our fore-runner, Hebr. 6.19, 20.

Fourthly, though the vail of his fleſh be a new and living way into the holieſt, yet not that fleſh as living, but as dead and crucified, became the living way, Heb. 10.20. (as with God) I ſhall ſhew another time.

Fifthly, that worthy man brings men to the way, but not to the Truth and Life: Now Chriſt was all, Firſt, the way, for no man cometh to the Father, but by me, Iohn 14.6.John 14:6now 'tis a vain thing to keep men ſtill in the way, to ſtand ſtill in the way, and not to goe on by Chriſt into the Father, into the holieſt, and thus was Chriſt the Truth, Iohn 14.3.John 14:3alſo taking us into the Father with himſelf, for as this was eternall life to know the Father to be the onelyonly true God, Ioh. 17.3.John 17:3and Jeſus Chriſt whom he hath ſent: ſo Chriſt was ſent, or God even the Father was manifeſt in his fleſh, that we might ſee God in us, as he was in him, Iohn 17.21, 23, 24.John 17:21John 17:23John 17:24and our life with him in God: Laſtly, thus Chriſt is the life, and thus he that p. 32hath the Son hath life, that is, the Son being once revealed in us, reveals the Father in us alſo, God in our fleſh as in his, and we living with him in God alone, Joh. 14.19, 20. 1 Joh. 5.11, 12.

This is the knowledge of Chriſt in the Spirit, and this is the fourth ſtep which ſome have attained to, holding forth Chriſt in the Spirit, as Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Sterrie, Mr. Sprig and others, theſe with their fellows are neereſt Zion, yet are they not come into it; for as every Prophet ſhall one day be aſhamed of his viſion; Zach. 13.4.Zech 13:4yea, propheſie it ſelf ſhall fail: So it is manifeſt theſe men are of a dark and deeper ſpeech then can be eaſily underſtood, Iſai. 33.19.Isa 33:19therefore it is not Zion, when there ſhall be ſuch a glorious appearance of God in men, that all ſhall ſee and hear him in them, and as they ſhall ſee eye to eye, when the Lord ſhall bring again Zion, Iſai. 52.8.Isa 52:8(or bring forth himſelf cleerly in us, who are now in captivity, or he rather captive in our fleſh) ſo men ſhall hear God himſelf in us, for ſo it is in the Hebrew, Zach. 8.23. not we have heard that God is with you, but (we will go with you for) we have heard God with you, and in you.

Then man ſhall be nothing, and God ſhall be all in all, yet man ſhall be all in God, and nothing but God ſhall appear in man. This glorious appearance of the great God in man, the three Shepherds, the Paſtors and Teachers doe indeed abhor, they hate his appearance, (as I ſaid) and he abhors all their performances.

But who are theſe three Shepherds? the Paſtors of Churches: What their cutting off is my former Letter ſhewed, to ſuffer the curſe of God, and contempt of men: How God cuts them off? It is by unchurching them, and by confounding or dividing them, the Lord doth firſt unchurch them, burns up the Church with fire, Zachariah 11.1. there he calls Lebanon to open the doors, that the fire may come in to burn up the talleſt Cedars. Whats Lebanon but the Temple, for it was built with that: Who are the Cedars? but the talleſt p. 33Members, the principall of the flock: What is the fire? but the Spirit of the Lord: as the Lord God calls upon Lebanon, ſo he commands that the Church doors may be open for the fire to enter, and the ſpirit to burn up all their chiefeſt members and Miniſters, for ſo it is verſ. 2. The mighty men, or the gallants are ſpoiled, yea, there is a howling of the ſhepherds for their glory is ſpoiled, v. 3. Their Church-fellowſhip and forms is that they glory in; God ſpoils them, and ſtains the pride of all their glory, yea, he burns it up; How? By fire; The baptiſme of the Spirit and of fire was the firſt Goſpel-Ordinance, Acts 1.4, 5.Acts 1:4Acts 1:5or that which firſt ſet up the Church in a Goſpel-order. Fire will be the laſt that ſhall burn up the Churches, who becauſe they would not, as the Primitive Saints did, wait for the Spirit to build them, the Spirit ſhall come to burn and conſume them at laſt.

Secondly, God cuts them off, confounds and divides them, he cuts them into three parts as we ſhall ſee by and by.

Thus then the three ſhepherds are the Paſtors of all the Churches or whole Miniſtery of the Church; Ezek. 16.30. Rev. 17.2.Ezek 16:30Rev 17:2for as the Apoſtate Jewiſh Church was a Type of the Chriſtian Church now under the Apoſtacie (the whoredomes of Iſrael, typifying the great whore, whoſe fornications and the wine thereof in their forms of doctrine and falſe worſhips) as we ſhall ſhew another time; ſo Junius well notes the three Shepherds to ſignifie the whole teaching Miniſtery of the Jewiſh Church, Vid. Junium in Zach. 11.Zech 11for the Phariſees Sadduces, and Eſſenes (ſaith he) were the onelyonly, Paſtors or Teachers, who did inſtruct the people in the Word of God, as Prelates, Presbyters, and Independents are the whole Miniſtery of the Church of England this day.

Theſe are divided not onelyonly in Worſhip, and Diſcipline, but in doctrine alſo, eſpecially in three things 1. In the free grace of God, which ſome call Antinomianiſm. 2. In the free-will of man, which otherscall Pelagianiſm. 3. In the death of Chriſt, or univerſal Redemption p. 34of mankind thereby, which both Presbyters and Independants abhorre as Paganiſme, though neareſt the Goſpel indeed.

I ſhall not now ſhew the cauſe of all thoſe diviſions in Doctrine, being engaged onelyonly at preſent to prove their defilements in the worſhip of God, and in their walking with men.

Yet this is one cauſe of their former difference and diviſions in Doctrine, Acts 2.42.Acts 2:42becauſe the Apoſtles Doctrine, being before all Goſpel-Ordinances, is out of order in the Churches, 1 Tim. 6.3. 2. Tim. 1.13.1 Tim 6:32 Tim 1:13who not content with that forme of ſound words, and wholſome Doctrine delivered by them, doe follow the childiſh Dictates of Fathers, the Decrees of Councels, being a company of Biſhops, with ſuch Creeds, Confeſſions, and Catechiſmes, formed by them (and reformed Churches) whoſe conformities and fooleries in formes of worſhip, though our Churches cannot chuſe but ſee, yet with a blind devotion they follow all their formes of doctrine, not ſuffering a doubt or the leaſt debate to paſſe upon their reaſon and judgement therein.

How injudicious this is with ingenuous men let all men judge, Iohn 3.12.John 3:12for if I tell you of earthly things, ſaith Chriſt, and yee beleeve not, how will yee beleeve if I tell you of heavenly? all outward worſhip is but an earthly thing: Now if all Fathers and former Churches have erred in worſhip, why not, I pray you, may they not erre in Doctrine, in heavenly and hidden things in the high Myſtery of God and of Chriſt? eſpecially ſeeing the Apoſtles did propheſie of ſuch deceit to come in this, by vain Philoſophy, Col. 2.8.Col 2:8and metaphyſicall ſpeculations of the Deity, by the traditions and inventions of men, the rudiments of the world, the rudiments, that is, the A. B. C. or common Catechiſmes, which is the Religion of the world, and of little Children.

Another cauſe of diviſions in Doctrine is this, the confidence of men and Miniſters, who conceive, that p. 35Chriſtians know God and Chriſt already, whereas themſelves are ignorant of both, Rev. 1.7. 03 Rev. 5.2.Rev 1:7Rev 1:3Rev 5:2not minding that God is a Myſtery, and that the Myſtery of Chriſt hath been a ſealed Book ever ſince the Apoſtaſie, as I have ſhewn, in a book of neither Truth nor Error, Nor Truth, nor Error, &c. page 6.nor Light nor Darkneſſe, but in the evening there ſhall be Light.

Thirdly, Their darkneſſe and diviſions hath been cauſed by not knowing Chriſt in the Spirit, nor underſtanding the Myſtery of Chriſt, for all Chriſtian Religions have been doting onelyonly on the fleſh of Chriſt: See the Papiſts how they look upon Chriſt in a Picture; ſo Proteſtants have their pleaſant Pictures alſo, Iſai. 2.16, Ezek 16.17.Isa 2:16Ezek 16:17the Image of a Male, as the Prophets phraſe it, that is, fleſhly apprehenſions of Chriſt, which they adore and deifie: thus the Arminians and Socinians goe no farther than Chriſt after the fleſh, and the laſt eſpecially, though religious and moſt learned men, yet look no higher than fleſh; yea, the eternall Spirit and infinite God they confine to a place in Heaven, where, ſay they, his eſſentiall preſence is, though his power be every where, a very carnall conceit of God and of Chriſt.

But what myſtery can the Socinian ſee in the Man Chriſt, if the Man be not God, or God manifeſt in fleſh? is not the Man Chriſt the Myſtery of God? Rev. 10.7. Col. 2.2. Eph. 3.5.Col 2:2Eph 3:5And how can the Myſtery of God and of Chriſt be manifeſt but by the Spirit? 'tis neither ſtrength of reaſon, nor reading of Scripture, but the Spirit onelyonly, even the Spirit of Revelation, that can prove the Godhead of Chriſt, therefore the Apoſtle himſelf had it, not as he received it of man, nor as he was taught it, but by the Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt, when it pleaſed God to reveal his Son in him, &c. Gal. 1.12, 15.

For how could the Apoſtle, preaching to the Heathen, prove the Godhead of Chriſt by Scripture to them, who owned neither Chriſt nor Scriptures? But Chriſt ſpeaking in him, that is, Chriſt in the Spirit, 2 Cor. 13.3.2 Cor 13:3God powerfully acting and appearing in Pauls fleſh, did ſo p. 36manifeſt the Myſtery to them, that by the power of God working in him mightily, he was able to preſent every man in Chriſt, that is, in God, and God in them, and they his Off-ſpring, and thus did he prove the Godhead of Chriſt, Col. 1.28, 29.Col 1:28Col 1:29and that God would judge the world by the man Chriſt Jeſus, even by the manifeſtation of God in the Saints, Acts 17.28, 29, 32.Acts 17:28Acts 17:29Acts 17:32who ſhould judge the world with them and in him, 1 Cor. 6.2.

Indeed to the Jewes, who acknowledged the Scriptures, by Scriptures he proved that Chriſt was God, yet not the Godhead of Chriſt by that, for as Chriſt never ſaid that he was God (but ſent by God) ſo he ſhewed his Godhead to be the Father dwelling in him, and doing all his works, which though neither the Jewes nor Diſciples clearly ſaw in the dayes of his fleſh; yet when he ſhould depart to the Father, and the Spirit or Promiſe of the Father ſhould be ſent, then the power of God appearing in their fleſh as in his, he ſhewes them the Father plainly, for as no man knowes the Father but the Sonne, and he to whom the Sonne reveales him; ſo I ſaid before, that God, even the Father, muſt reveal the Sonne in us, by the Spirit of Revelation to us, elſe there is no knowing the Godhead of Chriſt at all, John 14.10. John 16.25, 27, 28.

For no man can ſay that Jeſus is the Lord, 1 Cor. 12.3.1 Cor 12:3but by the Spirit; alas man, what myſtery is it that Chriſt is God, becauſe God made the Man ſo? becauſe God gave him that name? gave him that power and glory as God? 'tis true, that Chriſt, even the Sonne of God, had all by gift of the Father, Iohn 5.19, 22, 26. verſes.John 5:19John 5:22John 5:26The Sonne could doe nothing of himſelf, God gave him even the Spirit, gave him authority to judge, gave him to have life in himſelf (whereas we have all of him, Math. 28.18. Iohn 17.2. Phil. 2.6, 9. Heb. 1.8, 9.Matt 28:18John 17:2Phil 2:6Phil 2:9Heb 1:8Heb 1:9and by him) God gave him glory, all power in heaven and earth; God gave him a name above every name, yea, gave him to be called God, for God, his God, annointed him to it above his fellowes; all this proves not the Godhead p. 37of Chriſt, but that he was the Man Gods fellow, that is, equall with God, in the form if God, as 'tis parallell'd by the Apoſtle and Prophet, Zach. 13.7. Phil. 2.6, 9.

Therefore what Socinus ſaith, that Chriſt is God, becauſe God gave him that name, that power, that glory, and honour, is no myſtery, for God can give to a Worme, to threſh the mountaines, to throw down the earth, to deſtroy and judge the world, Iſai 41.14, 15. Jer. 51.20.

But what's the Myſtery of Chriſt? wait for the Spirit to manifeſt it to thee and me: Till the ſeventh Angell ſound, Rev. 10.7.Rev 10:7the Myſtery of God ſhall not be finiſhed nor fully known.

What a madneſſe is it then, for men to warr and wrangle about that they know not? Is it not better for us, to wait in peace and patience, forbearing one another, and embracing one another in love, till the Lord God appear in all?

I ſhall therefore crave pardon of all men, becauſe I cannot chuſe but ſay, that no man yet knowes God, nor Chriſt, nor himſelf; this makes the difference and diviſion (as I ſaid before) becauſe men are ſo confident, and therefore contend of the free Grace of God, the free Will of Man, and the Death of Chriſt, yet they know not God as he is, nor what Man is in God, nor what the Man-God Chriſt is, in the Myſtery, how in God, and how he is in man: Oh yee Proteſtants, Papiſts, Arminians, and Socinians, anſwer me this one queſtion; Why did the higheſt Apoſtle beg the prayers of all the Churches, that he might know the Myſtery of Chriſt, that he might manifeſt it, and that he might ſpeak as he ought to ſpeak? Eph. 6.19, 20. Col. 4.3, 4.

You think you know Chriſt, and can preach him well enough, we ſhall be all ſilent, and God himſelf ſhall ſpeak at laſt, and ſpeak himſelf, and manifeſt himſelf unto men: Oh that men could watch and wait in love together to that day!

This is the laſt thing I had to obſerve, that all the p. 38ſpeaking and preachings of men will be ſilenced by God when the Lord appeares: Pray but obſerve in thoſe four ſteps before mentioned, of Gods appearance in men, how the power, efficacie, and fruit of Converſion hath decreaſed: The Doctrine of Free-grace converted fewer than that legall teaching before; the preaching of Chriſt after the fleſh by the pureſt Churches hath had leſſe converts yet; yea, thoſe who preach Chriſt in the Spirit, the moſt ſeraphick Sermons, call in but few Sinners, though ſome Saints may be raiſed, others proud fleſh rankle thereby; but as for the Spirit of Jeſus, where does it appear in mens preaching or practiſe, or the power of godlineſſe?

That which I conclude from this is, that God is going out, and departing from all the preachings of men, that men may give themſelves wholly to publick acts of love one to another, and to all mankind; therefore all religious formes ſhall fall, that the power of righteouſneſſe may riſe and appear in all: 2 Pet. 3.13. Rev. 21.22.2 Pet 3:13Rev 21:22The new Heaven and new Earth, where dwelleth Righteouſneſſe, hath no form of Religion there.

I ſee 'tis haſtening by many things, and this to me is the leaſt prophetick providence and experience in the preſent powers of the Nation: when the Parliament of England firſt began, oh what ſpeakings were there? what Speeches of ſeverall Members of the houſe of Commons were printed every week? but now the Common-wealth comes on, there is more of Action done every day, and though the Parliament many times ſay more than they doe, yet they doe more than they ſay, which is beſt of all.

Again, I cannot but obſerve, that as the falling of a Sparrow, Math. 10.30.Matt 10:30or the ſmalleſt hair of our heads, is ſubject to the ſpeciall providence of God; ſo 'tis remarkable, that all the Parliaments Ordinances are now turned into Acts, for Acts indeed are better than Ordinances, theſe are of form, thoſe of power; the Army was beſt indeed when they were about their Ordinances, their p. 39Guns, going forth for common freedome, thoſe were their Acts, and God did bleſſe them therein in all their publick actings, and in their publick Spirits, but as for their publick ſpeakings, their Declarations, Proteſtations, Remonſtrances, 'tis not worth a ruſh: So are their Councels of War, when judging the Conſciences of men in the Myſtery of Chriſt (a moſt high preſumption:) yea, all their faſting and prayer before God is not worth a pins head, till they repent and return to their firſt principles, to the power of Righteouſneſſe, to Juſtice, and Mercy to the Nation, without all ſelf-ſeeking, ſtriving for the univerſall good of mankind, even for Papiſts and for Jewes themſelves, to live with freedome and comfort among us, Mal. 1.9, 10, 11. compared with Mal. 3.4, 5.

This is the glorious appearance of the great God, not to talke and prate of things, but to be working and acting, to be ever doing good, as Chriſt did alwayes to all, Acts 10.38.Acts 10:38and though there was a Miniſtery of men once to ſpeak alſo glad tydings and good things to men, yet ſince the Apoſtacy, that Apoſtolick Miniſtery being ſilenced, and the manifold gifts of the Spirit ceaſed, and no man ſent of God to preach the Goſpel which the holy Spirit ſent down from Heaven, all is but earth and man that is ſaid, 1 Pet. 1.12.1 Pet 1:12the number of the beaſt being the number of a man, Rev. 13.16.

And though God hath hitherto fed and led the woman in the wilderneſſe, Rev. 12.6.Rev 12:6and cauſed men to miniſter ſome truth and peace to his people under the Apoſtacy, yet this was but his Free-grace, and high Prerogative of love, who as not tyed to meanes, ſo by a falſe Miniſtery could convey light and comfort to his own; but now God is pouring vials of wrath on that which was once lovely, upon the Sun and air, upon the light of man, upon the meanes, and thoſe mediums that receive it, Rev. 16.8.17.

Again, ſeeing the man of ſinne, the myſtery of iniquity, p. 40is now more revealed in the Temple of God than ever, and the miniſtery of men is diſcovered every day not to be of Gods appointment, as Prelates, and Presbyters, and pureſt Independent Paſtors, cut off by the Lord himſelf: it is therefore judged, that not onelyonly the whole Miniſtry, but all the preachings of men, will ſhortly be ſilenced by the glorious appearance of God.

Be ſilent O all fleſh, for the Lord is raiſed out of his holy habitation, Zach. 2.13. Why if man be ſilent, what will God doe among men? A Father of the fatherleſſe, and a Judge of the widow, is God in his holy habitation, Pſal. 68.5. that is, God will ſo appear in men, that inſtead of ſpeakings, they ſhall goe forth in actings of love to mankind, and to the miſerable part thereof, to the poor, to the oppreſſed, to the fatherleſſe, and the widow, and to all that want that which we abound in.

As this was once pure Religion, and undefiled before God even the Father, Iam. 1.27.Jas 1:27to viſit the Fatherleſſe and widow in their afflictions, and to keep our ſelves unſpotted of the world; ſo the neglect of this is charged on the Apoſtate Churches, Iſai. 1, 23. Jer. 5.28.

Alas, what is it to ſend Preachers abroad before the burthens and oppreſſions of the people be eaſed? Iſrael it ſelf could not hear, Exod. 6.9.Exod 6:9becauſe of the ſore bondage in Aegypt; I ſay, not all burthens taken off, becauſe the charge of the Common wealth encreaſeth, but why may not rich Citizens, racking Landlords in the Country, and mighty moneyed men, be made immediately to rife in their payments, that poor Farmers, Labourers, and honeſt Tradeſmen may be ſpared? Why not oppreſſion be preſently eaſed, at leaſt of Lawyers and Tithes? Why not a Treaſury for the poor, when ſo many thouſands a year can be found out to give to the rich? would that hinder the publick more than this? It is the goodneſſe of the State indeed, to honour and conferre gifts on high deſerving men, but it is diſhonourable p. 41and baſe for ſuch to receive it, who neglecting the publick good, ſeek their private gain, who would ſeem to be Saints and ſelf-denying men, yet forgetting their vowes to God and men, care not though the poor and the oppreſſed ſink, ſtarve, and dye, ſo they may live fat, and full, and free from thoſe evils.

Gifts are as bad as bribes, when Juſtice and great things are to be done in a Nation, for as a bribe blindes the eyes, and they ſhall never ſee the King in his beauty, Iſay. 32.15. Eccl. 7.7.Isa 32:15Eccl 7:7who ſhake not their hands from holding of bribes, and deſpiſe not the gain of Oppreſſion; ſo a gift deſtroyes the heart, that the moſt publick ſpiritted man dares not think a good thought, much leſſe to ſpeak or act for common freedome and the good of mankind, while money ſtops the mouth, choakes and deſtroyes the heart.

They ſay indeed the time is not yet come, but is it a time to receive monie? ſaid Eliſha: Oh ſay others, 2 King. 5.26. Iſai. 51.14.2 Kgs 5:26Isa 51:14you are to haſty, &c. but the captive exile haſtened that he might be lcoſed, and that he ſhould not dye in the pit, nor that his bread ſhould fail: If theſe men were bamſhed but for a year, or their Babes without bread for a day, they would not delay juſtice and mercy to men, ſeeing the Lord comes riding on a ſwift cloud, to judge and raign, and to haſten Righteouſneſs, Iſai. 16.5.

Let Mercarius Politicus tell you the reaſon of State, and ſhew you if men were religious ind…d, that is, righteous, juſt, honeſt, plain, ſimple hearted people, they might quickly doe what they ſay: what's that? Take away the iniquity of the Land in one day; the iniquity, that is, Zach 3 9.Zech 3:9the oppreſſion, &c. I will take it away in one day; how ſo ſpray?

When God ſhall appear in men, See the Lord of hoſts, or Armies defence, pag. 23.and men act in the immediate power of God, when the power that God and man hath put into their hands is improved to the utmoſt, without fear of man, and with full confidence in God, oh what a world of good might be done in one day? all the proud enemies, oppreſſors, the unrighteous riches, the p. 42unjuſt gaines, the great reveneues ſuddenly got, yea all the iniquity of the Land would be taken away in one day.

This would be Goſpel indeed, and glad tydings to the poor, and make all the oppreſſed in the Land to ſing, for this is the everlaſting Goſpel which ſhall be preached, not in wordbut in power, not as the Goſpel at firſt, in ſpeaking, or preachings, but in publick actings, the everlaſting Goſpel ſhall goe forth in the laſt times, as I ſhall hint anon, and another time (with God) more fully prove, that the preaching of the everlaſting Goſpel is not the miniſtery of man, nor is that Angel a man or Miniſter; but the Angel of the Covenant, Chriſt in us, God in our fleſh, that is, God fully manifeſt in us ſhall miniſter himſelf to us, God ſhall miniſter himſelf to men, a pure Miniſtery of the Spirit ſhall be, the Spirit ſhall onelyonly miniſter both light and love among men, ſalvation, and ſtrength, ſufficiency, and fulneſſe of all good things to the whole Creation at laſt.

This glorious appearance of the great God and Saviour in men, is that which is moſt abhorred by Miniſters and Paſtors, three Shepheards, whom the Lord loaths and divides becauſe they will not be drawn up to union, and love to mankind, to whom they are rather cruell, their throat an open Sepulchre, and their feet ſwift to ſhed bloud; that is, they will ſpeak no good will to man, but ſwallow down the moſt and deſtroy them, not owning all men as their own fleſh, Iſai. 58.7.Isa 58:7and God the eternall Spirit dwelling in them, therefore God divides the Shepheards with their flockes, daſhing one againſt another, cauſing every man of them to eat the fleſh of his brother, Zach. 11.9.

True, it is but fleſh and fleſhly formes the Churches fight and contend for, the cauſe of all the contention is in the Shepheards or the Miniſters, the Church-members, poor ſoules would be quiet, and come up again to walk in the Spirit; but becauſe the Members will follow, not the Head, but their fellowes, Members and Miniſters, p. 43God gives them up to their King, v. 6. Who is that? Sure ſome chief Paſtor who commands in Church and Common-wealth: Well, for this, God takes no more care of the Church, but divides them alſo; He breaks the Covenant which he made with all the people, v. 10.

The Independent Church was built once on a Covenant, now being aſhamed of that, they call it a confeſſion, others an ragreement, God breaks all in pieces even the Covenant. Firſt his ſtaffe, Beautie, that is, the unitie of the Spirit, v. 10. then his ſtaffe bonds, the bond of Peace, for the brotherhood between Judah and Iſrael is broken, verſe 14.

How cleer doth this appear in the preſent Churches, who by a Law call none brothers but ſuch of their own ſocieties, no Saint whatſoever, nor yet Chriſt were he among them would they call brother, unleſſe he were of a Church way, and of theirs alſo, therefore the brotherhoood between Judah and Iſrael, (the Independent and baptized Churches) is broken.

Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God almighty, Rev. 15.3.Rev 15:3juſt and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints? How juſt is it for God to divide thoſe Churches that divide themſelves from Saints? How true is their diviſion, when the very Brotherhood is broken?

Oh love the brotherhood, ſaith Peter, 1 Pet. 2.17.1 Pet 2:17that cannot be ſaith the Prophet, for there is nothing but wrath and wars to be among them, they muſt be divided and ſubdivided alſo: I will deliver the men every one into the hand of his neighbour, or fellow member, and into the hand of his King or Paſtor, for ſuch are called Kings in Scripture, Zach. 11.6.Zech 11:6Princes of the Sanctuary. Again, ſaith God, I will not feed you, that that dyeth let it die, and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off, and let the reſt eat every one the fleſh of another, v. 9. that is, thoſe fellow-Members who were more moderate and peaceable minded men, not given to common diviſion, are yet deſtroyed and die in their ſpirits, by being in Church-fellowſhip, for God p. 44breaks the Covenant that he made with all the people, v. 19.

This is that I ſhewed in the mountaines from Ezekiel 37.3. That, All the people of God this day are a dead divided people, not onelyonly gathered Churches, but ſcattered Saints, theſe in their fleſh, thoſe in their forms and fellowſhips.

Firſt, they are as dry bones of the valley, yea, bones very dry lying in the open valley, the loweſt part of the earth, and it is the open valley, every one above them who are on the hills may behold and ſee how dead and dry they are; very dry ſaith he, having neither skin, nor ſinew, nor ſtrength, nor ſpirit, nor yet fleſh indeed upon them, not the letter of Scripture for any of their publique Worſhips, common Prayers, &c. nor yet in their walkings doth the fleſh Chriſt appear upon them in meekneſs and lowlineſs of heart, yea they are not ſo lowly and loving, as once they were, ſo humble and tenderly minded, ſo ſelf denying and dying to the world. And as they are dead ſo divided into two ſticks, Ezek. 37.16. See Zeph. 39. a pure lip and perfect love or union will not be on earth, till the earth or Church, in her diviſions and defilements be burnt up with fire, which is Babylons laſt plague, Rev. 18 8. then men will ſerve or worſhip God in Spirit, and with one conſent or ſhoulder.Rev 18:8they are not now called branches, but ſticks dry, ſapleſs things without any ſhew of ſpiritual life, yea with out hope to riſe here on earth, as themſelves confeſſe, v. 11.

But I have better hopes of you beloved, then your ſelves have: All the Churches indeed ſhall fall but the Saints therein ſhall riſe, Oh my people ſaith God, I will open your graves, and cauſe you to come forth out of your graves, v. 12.

But there the people of God yet are, and this the Lord would hauehave them know this day, although they will not that they are all in Babylon, dead dry bon…s, and divided ſticks: Dead in their formes, divided in their fellowſhips, and defiled in both, Zeph. 3.9. But Babylon is yet divided into three parts, for ſince the Apoſtacie the Churches have been ſtill divided into three parts, as the Greek and Latine Churches of old, and the Affrican p. 45Church that made the third, there was the Eaſtern, Weſtern, and Southern Churches: So in the North at the firſt Reformation, the Calviniſt, Lutheran, and Anabaptiſts in Germany. Thus it is in England, the Prelatick, Presbiterian, and Independent Churches are Babylon divided into three parts.

The Apoſtolike Churches or Churches of Chriſt were but one bodie, had but one Baptiſm, Eph. 4.4.Eph 4:4as there was but one Spirit leading all the Saints in one Church way, one way of worſhip, one Church government was among all the Saints, though there were differences between brother and brother, yea, between one Apoſtle and another, yet never was there a diviſion between Church and Church as in Babylon this day, for the Spirit being then but one, kept the body in one Baptiſm. But now the Churches are become three bodies, and theſe have three Baptiſms; Presbyterians baptiſe the whole Nation; Independents the children of beleevers onelyonly; the baptized Churches beleevers themſelves: Here is Babylon in three parts: Again the baptized Churches are ſubdivided into three parts, one Church is for free will, a ſecond for univerſal Redemption, a third count themſelves more Orthodox in Doctrine, as the Church of England: Neither of theſe three baptized Churches dare communicate one with another, Oh Babylon! Babylon is fallen is fallen, for Babylons fall is by diviſion and confuſion; Iſai. 10.26, 27 Iudg. 7.25. Ioel 3.12.Isa 10:26Isa 10:27Judg 7:25Joel 3:12the Prophet calls it, The ſlaughter of Midian, for the Midianites were deſtroyed by their mutual diviſion. This another Prophet calls the valley of Jehoſhaphat, for as the ſcattered bones lay in the valley, Ezek. 37.1. So the valley of Jehoſhaphat hath ſome reference to the dry bones, and the divided ſticks in Babylon.

Whats the valley of Jehoſaphat? 'Tis the divided ſtate of men oppoſing the appearance of God in his people. See 2 Chron. 20.23. there is Moah, Ammon, and Mount Seir, all three of kin to the true Church of God, which thoſe three came againſt, as the preſent p. 46Churches pretend to the Primitive Church of Chriſt, which yet they oppoſe in the Spirit.

Well, let us look into the valley of Jehoſaphat, thither cauſe thy mighty ones to come down O Lord, ſaith Joel 3.11. Oh how many mighty ones, and high ſpirited men are come down to the valley of Jehoſaphat, into divided Churches, Moah, Ammon, and mount Seir: Firſt, two are againſt one, then one againſt another, for Moah, and Ammon, ſtood up againſt mount Seir utterly to ſlay and deſtroy, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of mount Seir, each man helped to deſtroy one another, 2 Chron. 20.23.

Thus it was with the Prelatick, Presbyterian, and Independent Churches, theſe two laſt ſtood up, utterly to ſlay and deſtroy the firſt both Root and Branch, and now they help to deſtroy one another, as Independent and baptized Churches both againſt Presbytery, and now theſe two againſt each other: Yea, the baptized Churches themſelves are divided into three parts, are now in deſtruction by their own diviſions: Sure it is by the annointing all this is done, the Spirit of the Lord in their fleſh, which would unite doth now divide them, becauſe they will not hear what the Spirit ſaith to the Churches.

Therefore it is ſaid before 2 Chron. 20.22. The Lord ſet ambuſhments againſt the children of Moab, Ammon, and mount Seir, &c. an ambuſhment in ſecret and ſudden aſſault of an enemie unawares: Oh how ſecretly and ſuddenly hath the Lord come upon the Churches in their march and Church-way? how hath he divided them one againſt another, before they were aware of it. This is the Lords work, and the wonder of men, that men who are all godly cannot joyn in one Church-way? why they will not, they ſhall not, they cannot, for God divides them in Jacob, and ſcatters them in Iſrael.

As this is Babylons judgement to fall by diviſion, ſo it is the judgement of God on the Churches, for in the valley of Jehoſhaphat he ſits to judge.

p. 47That which I have heard to be Mr. Brightmans opinion, and Mr. Sterries ſince, was given into my Spirit long ago, that as the ſeven Churches of Aſia, ſignifie the State of the Apoſtolike Churches inclining to an apoſtaſie: So Laodicea the laſt tipifies the latter Churches this day, who indeed ſhall be the laſt in the world, and the fall of all ſhall be firſt in England, for as Mr. Brightman holds Laodicea to be the Church of England, ſo the Churches here are Laodicea indeed, lukewarm, without heat, or the Baptiſm of fire at all, the Lord condemnes the other Churches in ſome things, yet in ſomething he commends them, but the Church of Laodicea he commends not at all, but condemns altogether, becauſe ſhe was well, and wanting nothing, no Church-order, no Ordinance is wanting to them.

Whats Laodicea in Greek, foreign.but the judgement of the people, the people of God are judged indeed in the valley of Jehoſaphat this day, by their mutuall diviſions to their utter deſtruction.

Therefore thus ſaith the Lord, Three ſhepherds I cut off in one monethmonth. What's this monethmonth? Sure it is a Myſterie. In general it is very ſhortly, as Junius before, for the Lord will now doe a ſhort work on the earth, Rom. 9.28. Iſai. 19.1.Rom 9:28Isa 19:1he comes riding on a ſwift cloud to judge; yea, the Lord is a witneſs toe, and a ſwift witneſſe againſt the Churches, Mal. 3.5.Mal 3:5he comes quickly, and he will make but ſhort work with them.

I will not ſpeak of the Popiſh Church which continued ſo many hundreds of yeers, look but into our own land in theſe laſt dayes, wherein the myſterie of Iniquity hath been moſt manifeſt, not onelyonly by the Spirit, but by ſenſible experience, and the event of things in a very little time.The King could give them no more time. The Parliament gave them juſt ſo much.

Prelacie upheld by Kingly Power continued about ſeventy years, inſlaving the people of God, like Iſraels captivitie of old in Babylon.

Presbyterie reigned but three years and a half (the time of the Beaſt) by Parliamentarie Authoritie, for no p. 48longer according to Ordinance their time was to laſt.The Armie cannot give ſo much time as that, for time ſhall be no more Rev. 10.6. nor yet times, nor half a time, for thats the 42. moneths, the Dragons time. Revel. 13.5.42 moneths being three years and a half, that is time, times, and half a time, time is one year, times two-years, and half a year is the half time which ſhall be no more ſaith John, 'tis now but a monethmonth, nor forty two, nor time at all.Rev 10:6Rev 13:5Rev 13:42

Independency is down in a monethmonth, thats a ſhorter time then the former, they are fallen before they riſe, the whole Armie cannot help them up again.

But what is this monethmonth? It is that of the wild Aſſe in the Wilderneſs, the Lord compares the Church to this, Jer, 2.24. A wild Aſſe uſed to the Wilderneſs, that ſnuffeth up the wind at her pleaſure, in her occaſion who can turn her away, all they that ſeek her will not weary themſelves, in her monethmonth they ſhall find her.

What is the monethmonth that we may find the Aſſe, for men weary themſelves in vain to ſeek her, ſhe is ſo wild, and in the wilderneſs alſo, where ſhe holds up her head, and ſnuffs the wind as ſhe goes, neither will ſhe be turned out of her way, yet in her monethmonth ſhe is found; Whats that! It is the monethmonth that ſhe is ready to bear or bring forth, when ſhe is full of pain and travell, when the wild Aſſe is in a ſuffering condition ſhe may be found.

Thus it was with the Churches; The Prelates thought themſelves Preachers of the Goſpel, how high did they hold their heads, and ſnuffe the wind as they went, but when their ſuffering time came, the ſpirits of Princes were cut off, the proudeſt Prelate dared not open his mouth for his eares, that ſhewed him an Aſſe, for if he had been as he ſaid a Preacher of the Goſpel, all the Parliaments of the world ſhould not have ſtopt his mouth, but they had no more to ſay when they came to ſuffer, then without ſeeking a man might find them to be no Miniſters of the Goſpel, for their monethmonth was come.

It was juſt ſo with the Presbyters, when in power with the Parliament, they alſo were as wild as the Aſſe in the Wilderneſs, as proud as the Prelates, and held up their heads as high, and opened their mouths (againſt heaven) as Miniſters of the Goſpel alſo, but when the monethmonth of their ſorrows and ſufferings come to an end, they p. 49will be dumb as the Aſſe, and as Biſhops were, and unleſs God by a Miracle open their mouth, as Balaams Aſſe to ſpeak freely, the next countermand that comes from the Powers can ſilence them, or if they ſuffer the loſſe of Tithes, all their mouthes are ſtopt at once, for their monethmonth is come, they are cut off by God, and can preach no more.

Well, the Independent Paſtors and Teachers their monethmonth comes (and that in one day as Babylons plague did) I will not compare theſe wiſe men to the Aſſe in the Wilderneſs, yet truly they will not be turned from their way, Hoſ. 12.1.Hos 12:1but ſnuffe the wind as they goe (for it is wind that Ephraim feeds on) Oh, when will their monethmonth be? Whence can their ſufferings ariſe, ſeeing the whole State, and the higheſt Souldierie is for them? For all this they muſt ſuffer, all the world cannot ſave them, but what ſhall their ſufferings be? Surely not from man, nor by man, but by the Lord God they ſhall ſuffer, as it is cleerly foretold, Iſai. 31.8, 9. The Aſſyrian is the laſt Oppreſſor, for Egypt was before. The Churches this day doe oppreſſe not onelyonly men in their States, Mic. 2.2, 8, 9. but the ſpirits of men, verſ. 6. Yea, the Spirit of God alſo, verſ. 7.

The preſent Churches I look upon as the Aſſyrian the laſt oppreſſor that ſhall be in the Land, this is the Aſſyrian that ſhall fall? How! not by man, and the ſword not of a mean man … devour him, Iſai. 31.8. How ſhall the Aſſyrians fall be then? Firſt, by fear. Secondly, by fire. The ſinners of Zion are afraid already, and begin to fly to their ſtrong holds, and hope in an Armie or arm of fleſh, v. 8. What makes them fear and fly? Oh there is an Enſign ſet up in the Saints, v. 9. the glorious appearance of God in the ſcattered Saints makes the gathered Churches quake and fear; but where is the fire? Why it is in Zion, and his furnace in Jeruſalem, v. 9. What is Zion but the Saints in whom God dwels, or in whom God diſcovers himſelf to be. Is he not in the Churches p. 50alſo? Yea, the Lord is there among them, the everlaſting burnings is in them, yea, they ſhall finde and feel ſhortly that conſuming fire to break forth upon them, and to burn up all their fleſh and forms.

This is the judgement of God ſtill on the Churches, becauſe they would haſten to a Church-way, not waiting for the Baptiſm of the Spirit, and of fire to ſet them in a Goſpel-order, or to ſhew them a higher glory to be revealed in them; therefore a fire ſhall come forth of their own bowels to burn them, that is the fire of his jealouſie: Thus they are gone from one fire into another, as Ezekiel tels them, They ſhall go out from one fire and another fire ſhall devour them, Ezek. 15.7. they are gone out of the fire of the Spirit, the fire of his jealouſie ſhall conſume them, Zeph. 3.3. I ſpeak not now of their perſons but of that oppreſſive. principle and fleſhly power, thats the Aſſyrian in them, as I ſaid once, that of old the people of God were in Babylon, but now Babylon is in them, eſpecially in the Churches called the oppreſſor, the golden Citie, Iſai. 14.4.

But ſee how the fire is come in to the Churches as we ſaid before, there not onelyonly the Cedars, the talleſt and higheſt members are burnt, Zach. 11.Zech 11v. 2. but all the mighty men (or gallants) are ſpoiled, even the Miniſters or Paſtors, for the howling of the Shepherds is heard on high, v. 3. &c.

Pray obſerve in all the Proph… what plagues are foretold to fall upon the Paſtors and Shepherds of Iſrael; but eſpecially Jeremiah, Ch. 25.34, 35, 36. where there is a great howling of the Shepherds and principall of the flock, for the day of their diſperſion is come, or their diviſion as we ſaid before, Zach. 11.6, 9. Here they doe eat every one the fleſh of another, of his fellow or brother, as the Hebrew reads; thus the fellow-members fall out, and the brotherhood is broken between the Churches, v. 14. Why? becauſe their Shepherds are cut off in one monethmonth; whats that? we have ſaid already 'tis the day of their ſufferings.

p. 51But there may be another ſenſe of this monethmonth, according to that of the Prophet, Hoſea 5.6, 7. They ſhall gee with their flocks to ſeek the Lord, but they ſhall not find him, he hath withdrawn himſelf from them; they have dealt treacherouſly againſt the Lord, for they have begotten ſtrange children, now ſhall a monethmonth devour them with their portions; There are ſtrange men and women Church-members this day, ſtrange children indeed; Ile ſay no more of them, the wicked ſing, a wonderfull and horrible thing is committed in the Land, that is, in the Church: what is that? read Jer. 5.26, to 30.

But what is the monethmonth here? Is it not ſome change think you, as the Moon doth every monethmonth? Sure the next change or turn of things will overturn all the Churches, for a third overturn will be: Ezek. 21.27.Ezek 21:27The firſt was of Kingly Prerogative by the Parliament, then the Prelates fell; the ſecond was of Parliamentary Priviledges, when the Army came up to purge it, then Presbyters fell: there will be a third overturn, whether for better or worſe I know not, yet I hope well of the Common-wealth, and Rulers thereof, but down goe the ruling Elders with all their Churches, the very next monethmonth, when a change of things will be.

But thirdly, May not this monethmonth be another thing, yet ſomething more? Pſal. 119.96.Ps 119:96(for the Commands of God are exceeding broad, and there is a mighty bredth, height, and length in the leaſt word of his) what is the monethmonth? Is it not the new Moon ſpoken of ſo much by the Prophets, as a type of that new Moon and Sabbath which ſhall be in the new Jeruſalem, Iſai. 66.22, 23.

What is the new Moon then? Truly to me it is new Light, as our life in God alone is the Sabbath there ſpoken: oh how terrible is this to the Paſtors and Teachers to look for new light, much more to look on it, it will dazle and deſtroy their ſight, and make them ſtark blind, and alſo dumb, as we ſhall ſee anon.

Every monethmonth we know the Moon receives new light p. 52as we call it, then the new Moon, though it be the old ſtill; ſo the new light is nothing but the old, even the everlaſting Goſpel, that glory hid in God before the world, will come forth in men at laſt; yea, that old light of Law and Goſpel-Churches, which hath been hid and darkened by the Apoſtacy, ſhall be more fully known, and come forth from all that traditionall knowledge of God which is yet received by men, Rev. 10.23.

Oh this monethmonth will be a day of doom to the Churches, the new Moon, this new light, will darken them at noon day; pray read Amos 8.9. where there is a greater than this yeares Eclipſe, the earth is not onelyonly darkened at noon, but the Sun goes down, and ſets at high noon: What is that? When men think they are in higheſt light, as Churches look no higher, God doth ſuddenly darken them, and makes them alſo dumb, verſe 11. for there is none left to preach the Word, being no more to be heard from North to Eaſt, verſe 12. from Scotland to England and Wales.

Why is all this wrath think yee? The end is come upon my people Iſrael, that is the Church, verſe 2. then there is the howling of the Shepheards, and their ſilencing, verſe 3.

This is wrath indeed, but what is the cauſe of all? Sure firſt becauſe the Churches take no care for the poor of the Land, verſe 4. they may look to their own poor, but the poor of the Land are ſwallowed up by their ſilence, and made to fail, for the Miniſters will not open their mouths, nor ſpeak a good word for them to the preſent Governours, who doubtleſſe would and will help the poor at laſt, though never moved by the Churches.

But ſecondly, They cannot abide new light, therefore darkneſſe comes as we ſaid, when will the new Moon be gone, ſay they, or as the margin reads, the new MonethMonth? this kills the Paſtors and Teachers, this one MonethMonth cuts them off by God.

p. 53But why would they have this new Moon gone, and the Sabbath paſt? Oh that they may ſell Corn, and ſet forth Wheat, verſe 5. for there is no buying nor ſelling, nor a ſtitch of work to be done on the Sabbath.

Wheat, what is that? What is the Chaffe to the Wheat, Ier. 23.28.Jer 23:28ſaith the Prophet? Wheat ſure is the pure Word, called the fat of the Kidneyes of Wheat, and ſo the pure word is, Deut. 32.14.Deut 32:14it is the fineſt fattening thing that man can take, that immontall ſeed of the Word, when it is ſincere, ſpirituall, and pure, how pretious, and how powerfull it is? But what is the Chaffe to the Wheat? Chaffe hath the form and faſhion of Wheat, but it goes away with the wind, yea, the Fan of the Lord, or any ſufferings from men, as I ſaid before, blowes away the Chaffe, both the Word and the Preachers of it.

But ſuppoſe it be Wheat that they ſell? it is but the refuſe of Wheat, as themſelves confeſſe, Amos. 8.6. what lean, low, and legall teachings doe our Preachers of the Goſpel ſet forth and ſell? it is but the refuſe of all, that which good Mr. Perkins, Doctor Preſton, and the reſt of thoſe pious men left behind; it is not their ſpirit theſe men ſpeak with, it is but their words, or the language of old Writers in a new dreſſe.

Nay moſt of theſe Paſtors or Preachers of the Goſpel can goe no farther than the fleſh of Chriſt, A cheif one of the Army would once uſually ſay, that the fleſh of Chriſt, and letter of Scripture, were the two great Idols of Antichriſt. Iohn 6.63. Heb. 4.12.John 6:63Heb 4:12and the letter of Scripture, as for that eternall Spirit which dwelt in the one, and which ſpake in the other, they know not; the fleſh profiteth nothing, ſaith Chriſt, it is the Spirit that quickeneth, the words that I ſpeak are Spirit and life: where is that ſpirituall, quick, and lively words? Spirit and life it ſelf miniſtred to men, and in them?

Is it not the refuſe of Wheat that they ſell? when all that is ſold by them is not worth the knowledge of a Chriſtian? Henceforth, ſaith the Apoſtle, know we no man after the fleſh, yea, though we have known Chriſt after the fleſh, yet now henceforth know we him no more, 2 Cor. 5.16. We know not Chriſt now, ſaith he, but God in Chriſt, p. 54verſe 19. for ſo Chriſt would be known, onelyonly as the Fathers Image, Ioh, 14.9, 10.he that ſees me ſees the Father, if thou hadſt known me thou wouldſt have known the Father, it was God even the Father who was all in all in his fleſh, who did all, and ſpake all, in him, and by him; he was indeed the way to the Father, not that men ſhould ſtand ſtill in Chriſt, as I ſaid before, but by him goe to the Father, and with him dwell in God; ſo he was the truth, becauſe the everlaſting Father, 1 Pet. 3.18.1 Pet 3:18the onelyonly true God, ſent the Son, or came forth in fleſh, and crucified it alſo to himſelf, to bring men to God, and thus Chriſt was the life, and our life alſo.

For indeed, all the life, knowledge, and faith of a Chriſtian, by Chriſt as the way, doth tend and end in God, 1 Pet. 1.21. Yet this is not all, and yet this the Paſtors and Teachers know not; 2 Cor. 5.17.2 Cor 5:17for if any man be in Chriſt he is a new Creature, or as the Greek reads, a new Creation; why, the greateſt of them all goe no higher than the firſt Creation, as I ſaid before.

But again, God in Chriſt, and Chriſt in men, is a Myſtery yet that none of the Miniſters of Churches can manifeſt to the world, thoſe hidden Myſteries, and Secrets of heaven, that high Myſtery of God even the Father, and of Chriſt, and the Myſtery of the Goſpel, theſe Miniſters of the Goſpel know not, as I ſhall ſhew (with God) another time.

But now ſee what Merchants we have in the world, mark it, they ſell Wheat, nay, ſhame upon them, they ſell the refuſe of Wheat, and ſell it; for what? at the higheſt rate that ever was, the refuſe of Wheat, an old Sermon, that is even mouldy with lying by, they will not part with without a price, yea, they ſell it them at a dear rate, none will preach now under a hundered pound a year, teaching is turned to a meer Trade, he that will give moſt ſhall moſt Goſpel, under the Law all the Prieſts had but the like allowance, Goſpel-Miniſters preached freely, yet wanted nothing, now men will not truſt God, but p. 55muſt have beforehand, ſome twenty ſhillings for every Sermon they make, ſome fortie ſhillings a Sermon, yea, there are Paſtors and Teachers in England, who have four pound for every Sunday Sermon, beſides four pound every week, for government and gaudies, or eating good cheer.

Doe not theſe make merchandiſe of the Word of God? are not theſe the Merchants which John ſpeaks that ſhall ſhortly cry, alas, alas? Rev. 18.15.Rev. 18.15.Rev 18:15

Was there ever the like heard in the world, that the refuſe of wheat ſhould be ſold ſo dear by Divines and Spiritual men?

Spiritual men ſaid I? What they who are imployed in Secular and Martiall affaires?

I doe not blame the Governours of our State, for ſetting ſuch honour and preferment on the heads of Paſtors and Teachers, Conſtantine did more, yet more miſchief followed, and the Church as they ſay, fell aſleep in Conſtantines lap, ſo I wiſh the wiſe and godly Governours of the Common-wealth to conſider:

I pray conſider, is it according to the order of the Goſpel, Acts 20.28.Acts 20:28that Paſtors ſhould leave their own Church-fellowſhips, and turn fellows of Colledges? Is it according to the Goſpel that Paſtors ſhould become Princes and Preſidents, Deans and Doctors? Is not this a ſecular imployment? and this in the hands of ſpirituall men, is but the Inſtruments of a fooliſh Shepherd, as the Lord General Cromwel excellently words it.

This is the great hand of God, and worthy of the conſideration of all thoſe (Miniſters) who taking into their hands the Inſtruments of a fooliſh Shepherd, to wit, medling with worldly policies, and mixtures of earthly power, to ſet up that which they call the Kingdome of Chriſt, which is neither it, nor if it were, would ſuch meanes be found effectunll for that end, and neglect or not truſt to the word of God, the ſword of the Spirit, &c. A Letter from Dumbar, p. 11.

That this is not a ſpiritual but a ſecular power, or p. 56earthly mixture appears becauſe an Univerſitie is properly the School of Nature elevated and improved by Art, not by Religious forms (though the power of it be precious) but by excellencie of learning which Paſtors and Teachers are not much acquainted with, ſo were fitter men.

Again, It is a very ſad Omen when Miniſters of the Goſpel, and Paſtors of Churches creep ſo faſt into Colledges, not onelyonly becauſe the proſperitie (or eaſe) of fools deſtroys them, Prov. 1.32.Prov 1:32but it is the Geneva Note on Acts 6.12. That the firſt bloudie Perſecution of the Church of Chriſt ſprang up and began from a company of Prieſts by the ſuggeſtion of Ʋniverſitie Doctors.

But we are gone too far from Market, we heard before their ſelling the refuſe of Wheat for Silver; Amos 8.6.Amos 8:6I tell you there is more in that Verſe: They buy the poor for Silver, and the needie for a pair of ſhooes: Or as the ſame Prophet ſpeaks, Amos 2.6.Amos 2:6They ſell the righteous for ſilver, and the poor for a pair of ſhooes. That is, if there be a righteous poor man that ſeeks the publike good of the Common-wealth, or the good of mankind, they will either keep him poor, or make him rich, they will ſtop his mouth with a piece of ſilver, or ſend him away in a pair of ſhooes. Whats that? ſet him in a good office, or gainfull imployment, thats a pair of ſhooes that many an honeſt heart is bought and ſold for.

I wonder that the Prophet ſhould ſay of God, Thou haſt forſaken thy people the houſe of Jacob, Iſai. 2.7.Isa 2:7&c. Why? Their land is full of filver and gold, and there is no end of their treaſures.

Truly it were well the tidings had bin true, That we Chriſtians would have no more ſilver and gold from the Indies, then gold ſhould not be our God: But now I fear me that Mammon is not onelyonly the god of the world, but the god of Churches alſo, yea many good Chriſtians make Mammon and money their God.

p. 57In the Apoſtles dayes, The love of money was the root of all evill, it lay cloſe in the Earth, but now it is riſen to a Tree all men may ſee that money is moſt loved by good and bad alike.Ezek. 7.10.11Ezek 7:10Ezek 7:11

Paul ſpeaks of a cloaked covetouſneſſe, 1 Theſ. 2.5.1 Thess 2:5it was much covered and kept cloſe then, becauſe indeed the Churches were ſo pure and poor, but now covetouſneſſe walks abroad by day without any cloak ſtark naked, that all doe ſee and cry ſhame on the Saints this day?

Oh the hour of Temptation is come upon all them that dwell on the earth; True, that dwell on the earth; yea, Rev. 3.10.Rev 3:10thoſe who dwell in heaven are tempted with it alſo, the glory of the world was the laſt and greateſt of all Chriſts Temptations, Matth. 4.8.

I doe not envie your greatneſſe (God knows) but pitty your goodneſs that is ſo beſieged with greatneſs and Worldly glory, with Silver, and Gold, and Money, and more then heart could wiſh, Pſal. 73.7.Ps 73:7the Lords and Nobles of old could doe better with it becauſe Gentlemen born, but when ſo much money comes into the hands of poor Saints, oh, how they hold it, and hug it, and hunger after more, as dogs after dry hones. Woe, woe to the Churches, and Chriſtians this day. Truly Friend, I was forced as firſt to ſpeak, then to write, ſo now to publiſh theſe things to the world.

I would much rather have been at home, and ſate in ſilence, yea better had it been for my fleſh and family, if I had (as I ſaid) even enter into my chambers, Iſai. 26.20.Isa 26:20and ſhut the door upon me untill the Indignation bee overpaſt, that is, till all the ſeven Vials full of wrath be poured forth; there is wrath enough on the Churches already, their own diviſions would deſtroy them quick enough; and why then muſt I come forth like a fool, and put my head between their blows.

But yet God hath appointed a worm to pour out wrath on the Churches, to pour out wrath, and yet in love, to lye under the ſame wrath with them, and for p. 58their ſake to ſuffer this, for he that kills with the ſword, ſhall be killed by the ſword, Rev. 13.10. 'Tis not my happineſs then, but Woe is me my mother, that thou haſt made me a man of contention to all the earth, Ier. 15.10.Jer 15:10&c. Firſt, to Prelates. then to Presbyters, now to Independent Paſtors and Teachers; It is my mother the Church hath made me thus, for my Fathers Spirit, the promiſe of the Father in me doth teach me better things.

There are better things indeed that the Saints ſhould wait for, things above Law and Goſpel-order, if it were as it was, Ier. 50.45.Jer 50:45but is not, things which neither Prophets, nor Apoſtles attained to, yet both did write of, and wait for, Rom. 8.21.Rom 8:21the glory to be revealed in us, the glorious libertie of the ſons of God, and of the ſons of men alſo, even of the whole Creation; 2 Pet. 3.13.2 Pet 3:13the new Heaven and new Earth, the new Jeruſalem, 1 Ioh. 3.2.1 John 3:2the appearance of the great God in us, when we ſhall be like him, and ſee him as he is, ſee his face, and his name on our foreheads, Rev. 22.1, 2, 3, 4, &c.Rev 22:1Rev 22:2Rev 22:3Rev 22:4when there ſhall be no curſe, nor crying, nor death; but the tree of life in the midſt of us, the River of life, cleer as Cryſtall proceeding out of the Throne of God and the Lamb that is in us: Zach. 14.8. Job 20.17. Ioel 3.18.Zech 14:8Job 20:17Joel 3:18Theſe are the living waters, the Rivers and Brooks of butter and honey the Prophets ſpeak of, yea, the mountains dropping down new wine, and the hills flowing with milk is more then was in Goſpel-times, Acts 2.Acts 2the new wine, the Spirit which the Apoſtles were drunk with at firſt, was but the firſt fruits, but a taſte of that which ſhall be more fully drawn forth in the laſt dayes, Zach. 9.15. Rev. 19.6.Zech 9:15Rev 19:6when men ſhall drink and make a noiſe as through wine, and be filled with bowls, &c. yea, make a noiſe as of thunder, being the voice of much people in heaven, and of many Allelujahs. Thoſe who ſhall ſing and ſpeak really and indeed theſe gladtidings to men ſhall not want money nor meanes, for City and Country (and Kings too) ſhall contribute their glory to them, the City Merchant ſhall give them food and raiment, Iſai. 23.18. and Country Farmers ſhall ſerve their wives and children to plow ſow, and reap for them, Iſai. 61.4, 5, 6, and 9. verſes, yea, p. 59the Lord God himſelf will be ready as a ſervant, Iſai. 45.11. Iſai. 58.9.Isa 45:11Isa 58:9to wait on them at their command, and at their call (Here am I, ſaith he) to thoſe who undoe the heavie burthens, and let the oppreſſed goe free, and break every yoke (from mens ſtates and ſpirits) this the everlaſting Goſpel will doe, Iſai. 58.6, 7, 8, 9, 12. verſes compared.

This is alſo the Sabbath before ſpoken of (which the Miniſters there wiſh it were over) not onelyonly to ceaſe from our own works, but from ſpeaking our own words, Heb. 4.10. Iſai. 58.13.Heb 4:10Isa 58:13or from ſpeaking words as the Hebrew reads, v. 13. Heb. 22.19.The Law indeed was a voice of words, and the preaching of the Goſpel at firſt, was in this far below its own light, at leaſt below that glory of the everlaſting Goſpel at laſt, which ſhall not be in words or ſpeakings, Rev. 19.8. foreign.Rev 19:8but in the righteous actings of men, the righteouſneſſes of Saints, Rev. 19.8. The Angel who is to preach the everlaſting Goſpel, is no particular man, or men (as in the Goſpel-Miniſtry at firſt) but the Spirit it ſelf, even the glorious appearance of the great God in Men, and in Magiſtrates firſt ſhall Miniſter that light and love and glory to bee revealed in us. Thus the Angel flyes in the midſt of heaven, &c. Rev. 14.6. the other Angel v. 7. is another appearance of God in men. Revel. 21.24.Rev 21:24For as the Kings of the Earth bring their glory and honour to the New Jeruſalem, (that of the New Jeruſalem being the ſum of the everlaſting Goſpel) ſo theſe Kings of the earth who ſhall be, are the ten Kings who burn the whores fleſh with fire, Rev. 17.16.

The ten Kings are not a Kingly power, for Monarchy will never burn Miniſtery, (the whores fleſh) but ſuch a government of men, who have received no Kingdome as yet, but receive power as Kings one hour with the Beaſt, Rev. 17.12. as the two Beaſts are falſe Miniſtery under ſeverall forms, ſo the Beaſt here is the ſecond Beaſt, ( **The Beaſt and the falſe Prophet were taken, &c. The Beaſt is the firſt Beaſt, the falſe Prophet is the ſecond Beaſt who did Miracles.called the falſe Prophet, Rev. 19.20.) who hath two hornes like a lambe, this being the pureſt Miniſterie, and moſt like Chriſt, though indeed of Antichriſt, doing and ſpeaking as the Dragon and firſt Beaſt did, Rev. 23.11, 12.

p. 60To this ſecond Beaſt the ten Kings with one mind give their power and ſtrength, Rev. 13.14. Rev. 19.20. compared.Rev 13:14Rev 19:20and make war with the Lamb, oppoſe and perſecute the high appearance of God in his ſuffering Saints, who are ſaid to be with him, who alſo by ſuffering ſhall overcome at laſt, both the Beaſt and ten Kings with him, Rev, 17.13, 14. compared with Revel. 12.11.

The ten Kings being thus overcome by the Spirit of the Lord in his people (and by the ſame Spirit appearing in themſelves) ſhall hate the whore (with the Beaſt) and ſhall burn her fleſh with fire, Rev. 17.16.

But before this (as I ſaid) they had given their power to the Beaſt, the reaſon why they gave it is ſtrange, and ſhould ſtill all the murmurings of men: For God put it in their hearts to fulfill his will; and to agree, and to give their Kingdom to the Beaſt, untill the words of God ſhall be fulfilled, Rev. 17.17.

When the words of God are fulfilled, then the woman (that whoriſh ſpirit or dependance on Men and Miniſters which reigns over the Kings of the earth) the ten Kings ſhall burn with fire, that is, by the power and Spirit of the Lord God appearing in them as Fire.

Theſe ten Kings then ſeem to me to be a State Government (like ours) who have no Kingdom as yet (not yet ſetled) though the Beaſt may make them believe they are Kings for an hour, for that little time of the Beaſts reign over them, but the Kings can doe nothing, they can doe no more nor longer, then the Lord puts in their hearts, as was ſaid before, therefore when the Word of God is fulfilled, and his time accompliſhed, The ten Kings (though formerly ruled by the Beaſt, and loving the whore, yet now) hate her, make her deſolate, and naked, eat her fleſh, and burn her with fire, Rev. 17.16, 17.

[How beloved were the Biſhops or Prelates to moſt of the preſent powers, in whom yet ſuch a Spirit ſince appeared, that hath burnt up all thoſe, and will them that follow.]

p. 61Thoſe Kings then who bring their glory and honour to the new Jeruſalem, are the ten Kings, and theſe ten Kings are the Chriſtian Magiſtrates (it may be ours) for as the Nations of them that are ſaved are joyned with them, Rev. 21.24. ſo theſe three Nations I beleeve will be the firſt ſaved ones in the world, from Monarchy, and Tyranny, and Babylons captivity, from all Oppreſſion and Bondage on mens States and Spirits.

The ſumme of all is this, That the Appearance of God in the Chriſtian Magiſtrate alſo, will goe forth as the flying Angel, &c. 2. That fire whereby they burn the Whores fleſh; is the Spirit of the Lord God in them. 3. That Spirit which appeared in the Miniſters of Chriſt preaching the Goſpel at firſt, will now appear in the Chriſtian Magiſtrate much more at laſt. 4. As the Magiſtrate is the Miniſter of God, Rom. 13.4.Rom 13:4and the onelyonly true Miniſter now (there being none in the Church) ſo God in the laſt dayes will firſt appear with power and glory, not in the Church, but in the Common-wealth, not in Miniſters at all, but in the Magiſtrate both Civill and Martiall.

The Lord will ſave the Tents of Judah firſt, Zach. 12.7. And the Governours of Judah ſhall ſay in their hearts, the **The Inbabitants of Jeruſalem are thoſe who have the high diſcoveries of God dwelling in them, theſe are the ſtrength of the State, the Chariots and Horſemen of Iſrael, as the Generall ſpeaks anon.Inhabitants of Jeruſalem ſhall be my ſtrength in the Lord their God, verſe 5. Again, I will make thine Officers peace, and thine Exactors righteouſneſſe, &c. Iſai. 60.17, 18.

Indeed if any man doth but obſerve and follow the foot-ſteps of the Almighty this day, in his wayes and wonders among men, his glorious Appearance, and his Power, and Goodneſſe in this Land hath been moſt viſible to, and by the Magiſtrate Civill and Martiall, at home and abroad, both by land and ſea, &c.

Alas, what have the Miniſters done, but undone themſelves and others? and ſtill like to undoe the whole Nation, as the Prelates in the firſt warre, the Presbyters in the ſecond warre, and though a third warre will not be, yet the proſperity, peace, and happy proceedings p. 62of the preſent Powers, how had the Independent and Baptized Churches like to hinder? how ſaucy and inſolent were they about a new Repreſentative? yea, no Parliament men, but Church-members, or choſen by them, was once in print: it is more obſervable, thoſe Churches who could never communicate, nor come together before, became as one Congregation, to divide and undoe the Common-wealth if poſſibly they could.

Well ſaid noble Generall again. We pray you own his people more and more, for they are the Chariots and Horſemen of Iſrael, diſown your ſelves, but own your authority and power to curb the proud and the inſolent, ſuch as would diſturb the tranquility of England, under what ſpecious pretences ſoever; reltive the oppreſſed, hear the groanes of the Priſoners in England (when Lord God holy and true, and a Treaſury for the poor?) Be pleaſed to reform the abuſes of all Profeſſions, and if there be any one that makes many poor to make a few rich, that ſuits not a Common-wealth: **Heu quantum eſt in Rebus inane? that is, A thing well ſaid, then done, when power is in thine hand, Would bleſſe thy ſoul, wife, children, and the land.very well ſaid indeed. The Lord Generall Cromwels Letter from Dumbar, pag. 10.

How many men are made poor, by making a few Miniſters rich? therefore there is but little good done by the greateſt Miniſters this day in England and Ireland; their whole work is in calling men to Church, not to Chriſt, in converting Saints, not Sinners: alas man, it is not the Goſpel, but thine own gain thou moſt lookeſt after.

That which you hear of ſo many called in Wales, is not ſo true as the report, it is but to Church that multitudes run, and moſt to the waters, but alas poor ſoules, they are ſtill as ſimple and earthly as ever they were, as ignorant, carnall, and covetous, as little power of godlineſſe, or knowledge in the Myſtery of Chriſt, ſelf-denyall, ſincerity, and ſingleneſſe of heart: oh they are more double and divided, that light and love which was formerly in Wales in good Mr. Wroth's dayes, is dead with him, and quite darkened.

p. 63When will the Lord take away the reproach of his people from off all the earth? Iſaiah 25.8.

They know not to doe right, ſaith the Lord, who ſtore up violence and robbery in their Palaces, Amos 3.10.

Are yee not as children of Aethiopians unto me, oh yee children of Iſrael? Amos 9.7, 10.

He is Canaan (ſaith the margin) or a Merchant, the ballances of deceit are in his hand, be loveth to oppreſſe, Hoſ. 12.7.

What Merchants the Miniſters are of the Word we have heard before, and what Merchandize Church-members make of the World, the world will ſee very ſhortly.

Truly in all that I have ſaid, Pſal. 37.15.Ps 37:15I doe not condemn the generation of the Righteous, but the generations of Vipers, who under formes of Religion eat up their Mothers bowels, even the power of Righteouſneſſe, the Church of the firſt-born, yea, Jeruſalem that is above, which is free, and the Mother of us all coming down from God out of Heaven, theſe men and Miniſters would hinder and hide in the Earth.

Again, I doe not judge the Governours of our State, nor State Miniſters, ſent forth by the power of man, to civilize and teach the people, to inſtruct the Nation in peace and holineſſe, and in **There being now no Miniſters of the Goſpel who can goe forth freely to the world with power from on high; State Miniſters will never doe good till they gain the hearts of the people to the preſent Powers, in whom God hath ſo viſibly appeared, that men cannot; chuſe but ſee and be convinced; that there is yet more good to be done by them, and for us, in Gods due time.honourable thoughts of the preſent Government, which (though yet clouded under particular corruptions, and crooching under its own greatneſſe) will ride on proſperouſly through the three Nations, and riſe above all the Nations round about, in ſpight of all their threats or attempts, yea, (though there may be a black monethmonth) yet the glory of the Lord ſhall cover it, till the glorious liberty of the Sonnes of God (and of Men alſo) ſhall ariſe as the Sun in this Land at laſt, as the firſt fruits of freedome, and healing to the world, Rev. 21.24. Rev. 22.2. compared.

Laſtly, Let no Independent Paſtor, nor Presbyters, profeſſing themſelves Miniſters of the Goſpel, dare to meddle any more with Tithes, forced Contributions, or Conſolidations, p. 64nor make a gain of Godlineſſe, 1 Tim. 6.5. 1 Tim. 3.3. Iude 11.1 Tim 6:51 Tim 3:3Jude 1:11nor a Trade of Teaching, becauſe the Servant that knowes his Maſters will and doth it not, ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes, Luke 12, 47. that is, the Lord Chriſt will ſtrip you, and whip you round about the Country.

Surely I come quickly, Amen, even ſo come Lord Jeſus, oh how ſuddenly is he come to his Temple? truly brethren the Lord is come, and now making a Scourge of **The leaſt Chriſtians ſhall ſcourge the greateſt Churches. Ier. …0.45. Iohn 2.15.John 2:15ſmall cords, to drive the money changers out of the Temple.

The vile perſon ſhall be no more called liberall, nor the churle ſaid to be bountifull.

But the vile perſon ſhall ſpeak vilanny, and his heart will work iniquity, to practiſe hypocriſie, and to utter error againſt the Lord, to make empty the ſoul of the hungry, and he will cauſe the drink of the thirſty to fail.

The inſtruments alſo of the churle are evill, he deviſeth wicked deviſes to deſtroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy ſpeaketh right.

But the liberall deviſeth liberall things, and by liberall things ſhall he ſtand, Iſaiah 32.5, 6, 7, 8.

FINIS.

End of the text · William Erbery, The Grand Oppressor (1652)