The Oppressed Close Prisoner in Windsor Castle, Explanation of epistle · Section 5 – Section 8-9

The Oppressed Close Prisoner in Windsor Castle · Explanation of epistle · Section 5 – Section 8-9

p. 81SECT. V.

IN this part I am willing to give an account to thoſe who are dark in this matter; Queſt. How I can juſtifie my practice of preaching down the Powers in being, as my manner was, when as my declared Principlet are (and have been conſtantly) to own them, and therefore not to reſiſt or riſe up againſt them; how can theſe things ſtand together? It ſeems a Paradox, if not an impoſſible thing in reaſon, that the ſame man, at the ſame time, ſhould both own the Powers, and endeavor their deſtruction. Thus, no queſtion, many will query concerning this matter.

Anſw. 1. If it were needful, I might eaſily ſhew how common a thing it is for two contrary qualities to be in the ſelf-ſame ſubject, at the ſame time, in divers reſpects, and in different degrees; but thoſe School-diſtinctions, are not for the edifying of ſuch kind of inquirers, as I intend ſatisfaction to, and therefore I ſhall firſt put them in mind of that which is in the Letter, and then explain my meaning by particular inſtances in the word.

Anſw. 2. The ſum of what I wrote is this, That the Prophets, Apoſtles, and Martyrs, in all ages (i. e. ſince Kings, and ſuch like Arbitrary Powers were over the Saints) did own the Powers in being in their daies, and yet at the ſelf ſame time, they Preached and Prophecied againſt them for their Abominations, and ſo have I done, and will do, the Lord aſſiſting, according to their examples. This is the ſum of the Anſwer in the Letter.

Now, I will endeavor to illuſtrate that which ſeems ſo dark to others.

I begin with Samuel; Firſt, He owned Saul, as an Higher Power, annointed and appointed of God, to rule over p. 82his people, as you find in 1 Sam. 9.17. and 1 Sam. 12.5. in this laſt Chapter you ſhall find theſe words to the people, — That yee may perceive and ſee, that your wickedneſs is great which yee have done in the ſight of the Lord, in asking you a King; concluding thus, If you ſhall ſtill do wickedly, yee ſhall be conſumed, both yee and your King; and Saul was preſent all this while, when hee affrighted the people with ſudden thunder and lightning in the time of Harveſt, to convince them of their great wickedneſs in asking a King, and might muſe with himſelf, to obſerve how far Samuel owned him as a King before the people, and yet at the ſame time he threatned and terrified the people for deſiring him.

In like manner, after this, though he owned him as the King of Iſrael, yet what a teſtimony did he bear, from God, againſt him for his hypocriſie, diſobedience and rebellion againſt the Lord? and moreover, to the hazard of his life, prophecied or declared that God would reject him, and had rejected him, and would ſet up his neighbor in his ſtead, &c. This inſtance doth ſufficiently explain my principle and practice. But I ſhall not inſiſt ſo largely upon Scripture-inſtances, but put you in mind what I am to prove, viz. That it is very poſſible (for it hath been common to many of the Servants of the Lord) for the ſame man at the ſame time to own the Powers in being, and yet to Pray, Preach, or Prophecy againſt them, as if they did not own them. For this, read the hiſtory of the Kings and Chronicles throughout; I ſhall mention but one Inſtance, concerning King Ahab, and the Prophet Elijah: Theſe two met, and this was the Kings ſalutation to the Prophet, Art thou he that troubleth Iſrael? Elijah Anſwers him, I have not troubled Iſrael, but Thou and thy Fathers Houſe, in that yee have forſaken the commandements of Jehovah, and thou haſt followed Baalim. This was one greeting: Obſerve the next, 1 King. 21.20. Ahab ſaid to Elijah, haſt thou found me, Oh mine Enemy? The Prophet anſwered, I have found thee, becauſe thou haſt ſold thy ſelf to work evill in the ſight of the Lord; and ſo he proceeds p. 83to prophecy againſt Ahab and Jezebel, for their murther of Naboth, and taking away his Vineyard by oppreſſion, a Prophecy it was of utter deſtruction of the whole Family.

That of Daniel, in dealing ſo plainly with King Belſhazzer, Chap. 5. from the 18. to the 28 is ſuitable to this point in hand, nothing more clear than this.

Object. It will be ſaid, It is undoubtedly true, that the Prophets did acknowledge the Powers in being, and yet at the ſame time did not ſpare them in the leaſt, either in reſpect of reproofs, or of threatning thoſe plagues and puniſhments which the Lord intended to bring upon them; But what doth this concern us in the New-Teſtament-times, they were annoynted of God to that work, but is that an example for us to walk by who are Miniſters of the Goſpel? &c.

An. This evaſion is moſt abſurd; for can any rational man imagin, that God, taking ſuch ſpecial care, as it were, not to leave himſelf without ſufficient witneſs againſt the abomination of the Higher Powers in thoſe daies, will leave himſelf without witneſs now? can it enter into any ſober mans heart, that the Lord ſhould for above this thouſand years leave the Rulers, who pretend to be Chriſtian Kings and Princes, to the inclination of their own natures, which are bad enough, and none to reprove or threaten them in the name of the Lord for all their abominable wickedneſſes committed in the ſight of the ſun? no, they ſhall never plead another day, The Kings and Princes of the Jews had Meſſengers and men of God to ſpeak unto them, to turn them from their evil ways, but we had none to preach plainly and boldly againſt our ſins; but if we had known, or it had been told us, that ſuch and ſuch things had provoked the eyes of thy glory, Lord, we ſhould not have perſiſted in the perpetration of them; but our Chaplains and Miniſters were no Prophets, to deal with us as the Kings of Iſrael and Judah were dealt with; therefore we deſire theſe things may not be imputed to us. No, I ſay, the Lord will cut off all ſuch Pleas and Apologies; For the Lord will tell them, though your p. 84Court-Chaplains were ſo baſe and cowardly, as that they would not deal plainly with you, yet there were faithful Servants of mine, who at a convenient diſtance did cry out, becauſe of all your abominations which you did commit, but theſe you perſecuted and baniſhed, and otherwiſe oppreſſed, &c. this I know will be returned to ſuch Apologies.

But yet to gratifie the deſires of ſuch as would underſtand the truth, I ſhall come to the new-Teſtament-times; And firſt, John the Baptiſt, did not ſpare Herod the King, though he was owned as the Higher Power at that time, he could not connive at his Adultery and Inceſt; his teſtimony coſt him his head, as the ſtory is briefly related by the Evangeliſts. But it may be ſome may object, He was not a Miniſter of the New Teſtament.

Therefore, we will obſerve Chriſts practice in this matter; He owned the Powers and Rulers, nevertheleſs, he ſo reproved, threatned, preached and propheſied againſt the Chief Prieſts, the Scribes, and Phariſees (abundance of which Sect were Rulers of the Jews) as that they ſought to lay hands on him from time to time, but the Text ſaith, they feared the multitude. His Doctrine did ſingle out the hypocriſie, folly, malice of the Magiſtrates, from the ſins of the multitude; for if Chriſt had never ſo much preached againſt the ſins of the people, the Rulers would never have perſecuted him, who had ſtood up for their intereſt; but you ſhall always find the Doctrine of our Lord did vex and diſturb the Higher Powers exceedingly. read the 21. of Matth. from the 33. to the end, compared with the ſame Parable in the 12. of Mark, and the 20 of Luke; Alſo conſider of the tenor of his Doctrine in the 23. of Matthew, from the 12. to the end of that Chapter.

But let us go on to the Apoſtles times; after Chriſt had ſent down the Spirit to furniſh them with gifts for the work of the Miniſtry, more richly than before, Peter, in his ſharp words to the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem (the Higher Powers are here included) accuſing them of the p. 85moſt abominable wickedneſſe that almoſt could be committed, expreſſeth himſelf thus, Him (meaning the Son of God) yee have taken, and by WICKED HANDS HAVE CRUCIFIED AND SLAIN; but more cloſe to the matter in hand, in Acts 4. verſ. 8, 9, 10. He owneth the preſent Powers, and yet chargeth them with moſt horrible Murther; the Powers charge him and John ſtraitly to ſpeak no more in that Name, but to forbear; they diſ-own their commands to their faces (though they ſubmit to their Mittimus and Gaolers) and tell them, that God had raiſed up Jeſus, WHOM YEE SLEW, ſay they, and hanged on a Tree; Obſerve how peremptory theſe Goſpel-Miniſters were in refuſing to hearken to their threatnings, there are but few readers obſerve the emphaſis, for the Jewiſh Powers were apt to put it off to Pilate, for he condemned him, and crucifying was not the Jewiſh manner of execution of Malefactors; beſides, they had not power of life and death (for the Romans had reſerved that to themſelves, as a peculiar character of the ſupreme Power, and of their abſolute Sovereignty) yet Peter chargeth the High Prieſt, and the Council, with the murthering of Chriſt; you may obſerve, how near this accuſation went, Act. 5.33.Acts 5:33for the Text ſaith, Ʋpon the hearing of this, they were cut to the heart, and took counſel to ſlay them.

But now, according to the principles and ſpeeches of many wiſe Engliſh-men, Peter and John might be thought not to uſe ſo much ſubtilty and diſcretion, in the preſence of the Rulers, whereby they might have kept out of priſon, at leaſtwiſe out of danger of death; for were not they Miniſters of the Goſpel? What need they have ſpoken ſuch words, as muſt needs provoke the Higher Powers? eſpecially, after they had born their Teſtimony once and again, they might have forborn for the future, ſeeing no good came of it; we in this age have found out a better way of preaching, for we know how to order things ſo, as that if we preach never ſo often before the Higher powers guilty of very groſſe wickedneſs (as the word of God, and our conſciences tell us) yet we will not cut them to the p. 86heart, as Peter, and John, and Stephen did; we will preach the Goſpel.

The Truth is, I fear this will appear a real truth when all ſecret things come to be revealed; but as for thouſands of the Engliſh Parſons and Vicars, and Curates, and State-Lecturers, or Augmentation-men, I am far from doubting of their compliance with any Powers which get the uppermoſt, its no matter how or which way; inſtead of appearing for the preſent work, and truth of Chriſt, againſt the preſent Rulers, they appear for the preſent profit, of their ſeveral and reſpective Benefices, and therefore we muſt not expect they ſhould be followers of the Apoſtles, as they followed Chriſt, in bearing witneſs againſt the wickedneſs of great and ſmall, without reſpect of perſons.

Object. But yet again, there are others who come with another ridiculous Objection in this manner: Although it be a truth, that the Miniſters of Chriſt, the Prophets, and Apoſtles, &c. were very zealous againſt the Higher powers, becauſe of their abominations, yet what they ſpake was to their faces, and not behind their backs, as all the Inſtances given by you do declare; they did not diſgrace or arraign them, as it were, at the Bar of the Vulgar, as you do, and your Fellow-ſufferers; this comes from ſome, who do not well know what to ſay with reaſon.

Anſw. 1. For anſwer to this, The Higher Powers are ſeldome found to ſend for plain-dealing Preachers, to pray or propheſie in their Chapels, or if it happen that they hear them once, its very improbable that they ſhall be ſent for a ſecond time, and then how ſhould the ſervants of the Lord declare the Lords Meſſage in their hearing?

Anſw. 2. We have Inſtances from the Prophets, and Apoſtles in this particular alſo. Amos propheſied the deſtruction of Jeroboam while he himſelf was abſent; for it may be the King and his Courtiers would not hear Amos, who was but a Herdſ-man, and a Gatherer of Sycomore-fruit, yet it was a teſtimony againſt them, though they were abſent whom it moſt concerned; ſo p. 87that we Priſoners are not the firſt, who have declared approaching deſtruction to the Higher Powers, in their abſence.

Moreover, Chriſt called Herod a Fox, or that Fox; and Paul called Caeſar, Lion, behind their backs: And why do not our angry Brethren ſay, they might have forborn ſuch kind of language? they not being preſent, at leaſt they ſhould not have called the two Higheſt Powers among Jews and Gentiles by the reproachful names of two wild B…aſts, and thoſe too, ſuch Beaſts of prey.

And why do they not find fault with Peter and John, with Paul and Barnabas, who in their Sermons to the people had no more good manners, than openly to declare the Higher Powers guilty of Murther, and the worſe kind of Murther, and this behind their backs, and that in the preſence of Thouſands? See Acts 3.17. and Acts 13.27, 28. There Paul chargeth them in another Country, and amplifieth the matter againſt them.

But further, in their prayers to God, they named Herod and Pontius Pilate, in relating their wicked combination againſt the life of Chriſt. And I know no reaſon why we may not pray and preach after that manner as the firſt Chriſtians did, who I am ſure, were more full of the Holy Spirit then any of us. They were bold and reſolute, and whether the Higher Powers were abſent or preſent, it was alike …o them. Certainly open Murther, and open Hypocriſie, and Apoſtacy and Perjury, and Treaſon againſt the King of Glory, muſt be openly and publickly witneſſed againſt before God, Angels, and all the world.

Shall the Rulers be ſo bold, as to commit open abominations before all the people, and ſhall not the Miniſters of Christ, who are called thereto, be as bold, and declare as openly againſt thoſe abominations, and that before all the people, whether the guilty ones be in the hearing or not? God forbid, that we ſhould forbear to bear our publick Teſtimony againſt publick wickedneſſe.

p. 88Object. But others, who underſtand themſelves better than the former ſort of fault-finders, have a greater charge than thoſe before mentioned; for ſay they, We may upon occaſion declare openly againſt thoſe who ſo ſin, without reſpect of perſons, whether they are preſent or abſent; but what have we, who are miniſters of Chriſt, to do to intermeddle in State-matters or State-Affairs? the compaſs of their Commiſſion will not warrant them to be foreign, Biſhops in another mans Dioceſs or Province: The whole work of a Miniſter of the Goſpel is reduceable to two heads, To bring Souls in to Chriſt, and to build them up in Chriſt; and whatſoever is beſides this, is beſide the Cuſhion. Many other words there are, and may be excogitated, to repreſent it as a very odious matter for Miniſters to meddle in State-Affairs; Cannot they be content, if they have liberty to preach the Goſpel; and if they would keep to that, and leave the Government of the Nations to be managed by the Higher Powers, they need not be apprehended, impriſoned, &c. as they are, ſo that they may thank themſelves; With much more ſuch ſtuff as this.

Anſw. I perceive plainly, that theſe kinds of Preachings and Diſcourſings have ſuch a plauſible veri-ſimilitude, that they are beleeved by many honeſt hearts, to be as true as Goſpel; namely, That thoſe Ministers are to be blamed as too pragmatical, who inſiſt upon ſuch points, and very worthy to taſte and feel the coercive power of the Civil Magiſtrate; inſomuch, that we are under a very great diſadvantage for the preſent.

But yet I hope we may be heard to ſpeak for our ſelves, and to plead our Cauſe from Scripture, and from Principles of right Reaſon, and otherwiſe. Wherefore, let the Queſtion be ſtated thus,

WHETHER, AND HOW FAR, A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL MAY INTERMEDDLE IN STATE AFFAIRS WITHOƲT SIN?

Before I come to argue and urge the truth in this probleme, it will be needful and uſeful to explicate the p. 89terms of the Queſtion; in this inſuing order.

Firſt, What is meant by STATE-AFFAIRS, or matters of State.

Secondly, What is the force and ſignification of that word meddle, or INTERMEDDLE.

Thirdly, Who is to be accounted a MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.

For the firſt; State-Affairs, or matters which concern the State, are, as I conceive, among us to be conſidered in contradiſtinction to Church-affairs, or matters which concern the Church. For that diſtinction of Church and State, being received and kept up, as proper to thoſe parts of the world where there is a Church-State, either really or in pretence, it will give us light in this controverſie. But beſides this, that diſtinction of Jehoſaphat will help us to underſtand this matter more fully, in the 2 Chron. 19. laſt verſe, the Matters of the Lord, or of Jehovah, and the Matters of the King (the Septuagint reads it thus, foreign,—foreign. Tremelius thus. In omninegotio Domini, & in omni negotio Regio) ſo that the Matters, Buſineſs, and Affairs of Jehovahs are ſet by themſelves, and the Buſineſs and Affairs of the King, are put by themſelves, in a diſtinction from the other.

Moreover, the uſual phraſe in the New Teſtament helps us, where it is ſaid, That you may know my Affairs (foreign) That I may know your Affairs (foreign.) So 1 Cor. 7.32. The unmarried careth for the Things, or Matters of the Lord, (foreign:) But the married for the Things or Affairs of the World, (foreign;) which Things, the Apoſtle, (though it be a circumlocution in the tranſlation) calleth by one word, foreign (i.e. Things that pertain to this life) in diſtinction from the Things of a better life. So that upon the whole, we muſt agree to underſtand by that phraſe, State-Affairs, thoſe Things or Matters which do properly, and directly appertain to the Civil Magiſtrate, to take care and cognizance of, and to manage and order for the outward good and welfare of the people, as Wars, Peace, Laws, Cuſtoms, Taxes, &c.

p. 90The ſecond Term, to intermeddle, is or may be taken in a bad ſenſe, as firſt to intrude. (Col. 2.18. foreign) into thoſe things that belong not to us; for a man to thruſt himſelf into buſineſs (ſeſe ingerere, as Beza renders it.) It is true, a man may have skil to manage ſuch and ſuch Affairs, but to interpoſe, having no call thereunto, he may be juſtly accounted a meddleſom pragmatical man, a buſie, forward Companion in ſuch a caſe, and one to whom we uſe to ſay, upbraidingly, you may meddle with your own matters, or with your own buſineſs. The Greeks do give this kind of carriage a fit word, foreign, that is, a buſying ones ſelf about many affairs, which yet do not any way concern us; and indeed ſuch a ſpirit is very unbecoming a Miniſter of the Goſpel.

Secondly, It is the property of others, out of an overweening conceit of their own dexterity and skilfulneſs, to undertake to meddle with great matters, or things too high for them, or too wonderful, as David ſpeaks, Pſal. 131.1. of ſuch alſo the Apoſtle Paul doth write, 1 Tim. 1.7. They will needs be Teachers of the Law (foreign) and yet neither underſtand what they ſay, nor whereof they affirm. Surely, it was vain-glory which put them upon ſuch practices. Salomon gives this as one character of a fool, Prov. 20.3. It is an honor for a man to ceaſe from ſtrife, but every foot will be meddling. Moreover,

Thirdly, ſome there are, who by reaſon of their natural temper, are found to be very much addicted to meddle with all matters, and yet good men. It is not ſo much from vain-glory, it is not ſo much from ſelf conceit of their fitneſs to interpoſe in divers buſineſſes, but they have a kind of Deſultory Genius, which would be ever and anon leaping from one thing to another; they have an inward longing to be doing, & to be meddling, like as ſome men, who having itching ears, do heap unto themſelves Teachers, as the Spirit ſpeaks, 2 Tim. 4.3. ſo theſe are troubled, as it were with itching fingers, their fingers itch to be meddling, to be doing; undoubtedly this is a luſt to be mortified; p. 91We deſcribe ſuch men, when we ſay proverbially, They live to have an Oar in every mans Boat, or in another mans Boat. Solomon alſo intimates ſuch a ſpirit in Prov. 26.17. He that paſſeth by and meddleth with ſtrife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the eares; If he do but paſs by and that upon other buſineſs, (it may be ſerious buſineſs) yet his nature is ſuch, if there be any occaſion, he will be ready to intermingle himſelf in the Contention. But I take not the Word in this ſenſe; For this troubleſome corruption in a Miniſter, or other Chriſtian, is to be watched and prayed againſt. See 1 Theſ. 4.10, 11. We beſeech you, ſaith he — and that ye ſtudy to be quiet, and TO DO YOƲR OWN BƲSINESS. Yea, Plato ſaid almoſt in the ſame words, foreign. For a man to do his own buſineſs, and not to be a Poly-pragmatiſt, (or not to meddle in other mens matters) is one part of Juſtice. Thus I grant, that it may be ſinful to intermeddle in ſome caſes, as you have ſeen in theſe three laſt particulars.

But yet to meddle, or intermeddle, is an act which may be taken in a good ſenſe. It is lawfull, yea, a duty, to intermeddle at ſome ſeaſons, and upon ſome occaſions; for God and good men may agree to give a man a call, and skill to do thoſe things which ordinarily he may not meddle withall. Thus Phineas ſtood up and executed judgement; It was far from Phineas his Office to be an Executioner, yet he engageth at this time out of his zeal to Juſtice, and againſt moſt horrible wickedneſs, Pſal. 106.30, 31. compared with Numb. 25.7. this ſudden act, ſo much out of the way of his calling, is counted to him for righteouſneſs; yea, to all generations for evermore.

Likewiſe Peter the Fiſher-man, and Fiſher of men, had uſed to preach more than to fight, for he carried neither Sword nor Staff about with him, when Chriſt ſent him forth as a Lamb among Wolves; Yet at a certain ſeaſon afterward, he ſo far intermeddled with p. 92State-Affairs, as that he cut and ſlaſht, till one of the STATES OFFICERS had loſt one of his ears, he being in the number of thoſe who came to apprehend his Maſter.

Its true, his Office and Imployment was to ſtrike upon the ears of men, as it were, with another kind of ſword, the two-edged ſword of the Spirit; but now he had laid that aſide for the preſent; yea, and Chriſt himſelf againſt this juncture of time had bid him that had never a ſword (that is, of iron and ſteel) to ſeel his coat and buy one, which kind of trading and merchandize, I beleeve, they did not uſe to meddle with in former time. Other Inſtances might be given, but I forbear, for theſe were extraordinary caſes, and I ſhall nor urge them.

But beſide, to intermeddle may be taken in a good ſenſe, in that Prov. 18.1. Through deſire a man having ſeparated himſelf, ſeeketh and INTERMEDDLETH with all wiſdom. I know Tremelius carrieth it in another way; but it is varied in the Margin thus; He that ſeparateth himſelf, ſeeketh according to his deſire, and INTERMEDDLETH WITH ALL WISDOM. So the Engliſh Tranſlators. But Trem. hath a marginal note, in omni eſſentia, in every eſſence or being; It looks ſomething like the character of a grave Philoſopher (ſuch an one as Socrates or Plato) who intermeddles with all wiſdom, or with every Eſſence; yea, its worthy to be weighed, what Solomon ſpeaks in the perſon of a Preacher, Eccl. 1.12, 13. I THE PREACHER, ſaith he, gave my heart to ſeek and ſearch out by wiſdom, concerning all Things that are done under Heaven. Doth not this expreſſion ſeem ſomewhat like that Proverb of his, laſt mentioned? That which is there called an intermeddling with all Wiſdom, or every Eſſence, ſeems to be in this place of Eccleſiaſtes, called, A ſearching by Wiſdom, concerning all Things that are done under the Sun. And undoubtedly, it is no diſparagement to Goſpel-Miniſters, to be Chriſtian Philoſophers, or Lovers of that Wiſdom which is to be found and obtained, by converſing, or inquiring into the word of God, & into the works of God, and therefore their p. 93intermedling in all ſuch affairs, from ſuch principles, cannot be interpreted in an evil ſenſe, as if it ſavoured of pragmaticalneſſe, or anything like it. This for the interpreting of the ſecond term. And hitherto, I ſuppoſe, I have not ſwerved from the truth in my explications.

The third and laſt expreſſion is likewiſe to be brought to a fixed concluſion and determination, that we may rightly underſtand the queſtion throughout every part of it; and my meaning in this, viz. who are Miniſters of the Goſpel; I ſhall firſt ſignifie negatively, and then poſitively.

1 Wherefore firſt, I do not intend the Pontifical and Prelatical Clergy, for from the higheſt Archbiſhop, as ſuch, to the meaneſt Curate, there are none of them whom I look upon under that notion. Although we do know (for we have heard them) that by the help of good natural parts, and their ſuperadded, acquired abilities otherwiſe, namely, by reading, meditation, imitation, and exerciſe in preaching, they have excelled many Miniſters of the Goſpel, truly and properly ſo called, and acknowledged by God and man.

But, as it is one thing to ſerve God in the oldneſſe of the letter, and another, to ſerve him in the newneſſe of ſpirit, or the ſpirit; ſo it is frequently found, that a man may be an able Miniſter of the New Teſtament, according to the letter, but not according to the ſpirit, and the miniſtrations thereof. See the diſtinctions, Rom. 7.6. & 2 Cor. 3.6.

Divers of theſe Epiſcopal Preachers indeed, did likewiſe intermeddle in State affairs, for they were Juſtices of Peace, and Privy Counſellors to Kings and Queens, but I never approved of them, or their imployment, in reference to the Miniſtry or Magiſtracy, in both which they did intermeddle more than they will have thank for, when they appear before the Judgement ſeat of Jeſus Chriſt, to receive every one according to his works, and what he hath done in the fleſh, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. So much for theſe, I have done with them.

2 Neither ſecondly, do I mean, the preſent Ʋniverſities, p. 94Vice-Chancellors, Doctors, Proctors, Heads of Houſes, Deans, Prebends, Cannons, with the reſt of their Brethren, by what Academical Name or Title ſoever they are dignified or diſtinguiſhed: Although I know likewiſe that many of them, have gifts for the preaching of the Goſpel, and I hope are truly godly.

But, to ſpeak freely, undoubtedly it would become thoſe of them, who know their Lords will, to take care to do it; for it cannot be denied, that they ſinfully intermeddle in the things of the world, though they pretend to be married to the Lord (and ſo are to take care for the things of the Lord) This is plain, in regard they have accepted ſeveral worldly Offices and Authorities, which they exerciſe after the Rudiments of the world, for they cannot exerciſe them according to God or to Chriſt; for they are none of the things of Chriſt. Oh! that they are farre from imitating the Apoſtles, and walking in their ſteps, the Lord knows, and we alſo; for they gave over the ſerving of Tables, which yet was Church-work, that they might give themſelves continually to prayer, and to the Miniſtry of the word.

And therefore before I go any further, I do publickly bear witneſs on the behalf of the Lord Jeſus, againſt all that kind of medling in State-affairs, which doth, in the leaſt, hinder or interrupt the fervants of the Lord in the exerciſe and improvement of that Miniſtry which they have received in the Lord, and for, and from the Lord.

For let us conſider what the Apoſtles ſay in that place forementioned, Act. 6.3. It is not reaſon (foreign) that we ſhould leave the word of God, and ſerve Tables. A ſentence it is, worthy to be written in letters of gold, yea to be written with the Spirit of the living God, not in Tables of (marble) ſtone, but in fleſpy Tables of the heart. But, alas! where ſhall we find ſuch a ſpirit among the Miniſters of theſe times? who generally leave the word of God, and do worſe than ſerve Tables, in that ſenſe which the Apoſtles intend, for thy ſerve, and worſhip, and wonder after the Whore of Babylon, and the Beaſt that carrieth her, yea and the very Horns of that Beaſt that carrieth p. 95that Harlot (this is truth, the Lord knows, in whoſe ſight I write theſe things) and yet they … call themſelves, and expect that others ſhould account of them, as of the Miniſters of Chriſt, and faithful Stewards of the Myſteries of God. But it is to be juſtly feared, that Jehovah will write down other Titles in the books of his Accounts and Remembrance. Thouſands will not look like the Miniſters of the Goſpel, when thoſe books, and the book of the New Teſtament ſhall be opened in the ſight of all the world; although now they go under that notion among almoſt all ſorts of people. But enough of theſe alſo for the preſent, let us proceed.

3 Neither in the third and laſt place, by the Miniſters of the Goſpel, do I here intend, or underſtand, the Parſens, Vicars, Rectars, Incumbents, or other ſuch like Miniſters of the Pariſh and Collegiat Churches or Chapels, in this Nation, or any other, or yet any like them, by what new Babyloniſh names and Titles ſoever they are dignified and diſtinguiſhed, according to the known Laws and Cuſtomes of thoſe Lands: For undoubtedly, that old, mouldy, Popiſh Relation, betwixt a Pariſh Miniſter, and his Pariſhioners, or Pariſh-Church, is of the ſelf-ſame nature, with that which was anciently betwixt the Prior or Abbot, and his Covent, betwixt the Lord Biſhop and his Dioceſs, betwixt the Dean and his Chapter, and all ſuch like Corporations. I ſay again, and diſprove it who can, or dare, this Pariſh Relation with its appurtenances (which I ſhall treat of in due time, I hope) is of the ſelf-ſame foundation and conſtitution with the others, and equally a ſtranger to the New Teſtament; for the Te…ator ſpake nothing in his laſt will touching theſe creatures, and their Relations each to other, and therefore muſt go the ſame way that their Predeceſſors have gone before them, I mean, as to the diſanulling, and annihilating, every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted, nor hath his Son watered.

I have, I confeſſe, been ſomewhat large, and that, beyond my firſt intentions, in opening theſe Myſteries of the Man p. 96of ſin; but the Lord knows how to improve every particle of tru… for the intereſt of our Lord, and to his bleſſing I recommend theſe Explications.

Wherefore to finiſh this part of my work, I ſay poſitively, That by Miniſters of the Goſpel, I underſtand the Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Paſtors, and Teachers, who are over the true Churches of Chriſt, according to God, which true Churches, were either ſuch as were rightly called out of the world, and ſo formed and conſtituted by the immediate Miniſtry of the Apoſtles, and the other faithful Miniſters, before the Apoſtacy; Or elſe ſecondly, ſuch as are rightly called out of Babylon, and ſo Reformed and reſtored, or Re-conſtituted, according to the Primitive Pattern, ſo far as is requiſite for the putting of them in ſtatu quo, in the former condition. Or thirdly, ſuch, as by Meſſengers or Apoſtles of the Churches (foreign2 Cor. 8.) ſhall be orderly called and formed from among the heathens, as it is hoped, it is or may be in New England among the Natives; or among the Jews, who, we expect, ſhall, ere it be long, be grafted in again.

And thoſe who are thus over, and in relation to ſuch Churches (among whom Chriſt will delight to walk, that he may transform them from glory to glory by his Word and Spirit) they are the Miniſters whom I mean, and particularly intend in this Queſtion, namely, thoſe who being ſeparated to the Goſpel of God, according to Rule, do accordingly walk before the Lord, and his people, as becomes the Goſpel in all things. And certainly, all who own the title of Chriſtians, muſt acknowledge that ſuch as theſe, are to be accounted Miniſters of Chriſt, and of the Goſpel.

Theſe things being premiſed for explication, I am now to make out from Scripture, and from principles of reaſon, and truth, flowing from expreſſe Scripture, That it is lawful, in many caſes, for the TRUE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL to MEDDLE with STATE-AFFAIRS, or with the matters of the world, as they are diſtinguiſhed from the matters of the Lord, or Church-affairs, with p. 97thoſe matters which properly belong to the Civ;l Magiſtrate, namely, the things of this life; and I hope, what I ſhall ſay in this point, may be of ſome uſe to fright away thoſe Bug bears, which are made uſe of, to affright and diſcourage many precious hearts from ſtrengthning the hands of the Lords ſervants in the preſent ſervice of Chriſt, againſt Babylon, and the Kings of the earth.

But as I am entring upon this work, that politick fetch of Paul (honeſt Paul, and it was honeſt policy) when hee made that notable Diviſion among the Phariſees and the Sadduces (Act. 23.6.) and ſo much for his own advantage, againſt the injuſtice of the Higher Powers, the High Prieſt and the Council; I ſay, that ſudden Diverſion which he made, comes into my mind; And, in regard that the Envy, Ill will, and Evil-ſpeakings againſt my perſon, and againſt my practiſe, have broken out at the lips of ſo many Profeſſors, I judge it meet to ſhelter my ſelf under that ſhield and buckler, which Two of the New made Doctors of (School) Divinity, and like Gamaliel, had in Reputation among all the people, have made ready to my hand; For certainly, it will bee of ſome uſe for the qualifying of their anger and diſpleaſure, when they underſtand how far they are of the ſame mind with mee in this matter.

Firſt therefore, I quote Dr. Tho. Goodwin, in the 42. and 43. page of that excellent Sermon of his (worthy of a new Edition, with Additions, in this day) Theſe are his words, and the ſenſe of his words, if I underſtand ſenſe; The Saints have vouchſafed them by God a privilege in RULING and GOVERNING THIS WORLD, and the Providences of God therein; They are Privy Councellors to the great King of Kings, who governs all the States and Kingdomes of the world. And God doth give theſe Saints a COMMISSION TO SET UP AND PULL DOWN by their Prayers and Interceſſions. The Old Teſtament ſpeaks in a high language in Iſa. 45.11. —Concerning the work of my hands command ye me; who ſpeaks this? the words afore are, Thus ſaith the Holy One p. 98of Iſrael, &c. It would have been blaſphemy for us to have ſaid it.—Then he goes on, bringing in the Lord ſpeaking thus, Behold, I that am thus your Maker, give you leave to diſpoſe by your prayers, the great works of my hands, which concern my children, my ſons; THE AFFAIRS OF KINGDOMS, even ſo far as they relate to their good; the Doctor goes on; And he (God) ſpeaks it upon this occaſion, that for their ſakes he had raiſed up Cyrus, and pulled down the Babylonian Monarchy, becauſe they by their prayers had ſought this. Thus far the Doctor.

Now I cannot diſtinguiſh and judge of the juyce and ſap of words and phraſes in the leaſt, by my Intellectual taſte, or palate, If to rule and govern this world, do not ſuppoſe and ſignifie a medling in the affairs of it; And if Privy Councellors intruſted and authoriſed by Commiſſion to ſet up and pull down, can do either the one or the other, without intermedling in ſuch affairs, I am very much miſtaken. Nay further, he ſaith expreſly, that leave is given them by God, to diſpoſe the works of his hands, the affairs of Kingdoms, even ſo far as they relate to their good, and I judge, no Miniſters of the Goſpel deſire to diſpoſe them otherwiſe than for their good. But ſtill I ſay, they cannot diſpoſe the affairs of Kingdoms, but they muſt meddle with thoſe affairs unavoidably.

Ob. All that can be ſaid by way of Objection or Oppoſition, is this, that the Doctor ſpeaks of Saints, and not of Ministers, and alſo that what is done is by their Prayers and Interceſsions.

Anſw. All this is readily and eaſily anſwered, as firſt, Miniſters do not loſe the priviledge of Saints, when they are made Miniſters by Chriſt and his people, no more than an other officer of a Church of Saints, doth loſe, or is deprived of the privilege of a member, upon his being choſen into office. So that if God gave him this privilege as a Saint, of ruling, governing, diſpoſing the affairs of Kingdoms, he may ſtill claim it, and make uſe of his Commiſſion after he is become a Miniſter of the New Teſtament.

And as for the ſecond part of the Objection, I acknowledge he there ſpeaks of diſpoſing by prayer and interceſſion p. 99only, but this doth not in the leaſt invalidate my Aſſertion; becauſe, to ſet up, and to pull down, to Govern, Rule, and diſpoſe the world, and the Affairs of Kingdoms, by prayer, is one way of meddling with matters of State, and an excellent way; Eſpecially, if that Spirit which accompanied the firſt Chriſtians, be but Preſident and predominant among thoſe privy Councellors, who meet in Chriſts Name, to ſet up, and to pul down, according to their Commiſſion, for thoſe whom I mentioned, made notable work with that act of State, and that State-policy, whereby Herod and Pontius Pilate proceeded to murther the Prince of Life. The Faith and Prayers of the faithful remnant, have been in all ages, and will bee henceforward, much more dangerous to the Kings of the earth, and their Affairs, than the greateſt quantity of Gunpowder ſet on fire in any Magazeen whatſoever, can be to any City or Town, where it is; if once they ſpring a Mine, as I may ſo ſay, they overthrow whatſoever they did undermine, with a more irreſiſtable force, than is imagined or beleeved. For, eſt quaedam precum omnipotentia, as he ſaid.

The true fervent praying againſt States, their Laws and Government, &c. is meddling with a witneſs, and yet it is hardly known who burts them; but at the laſt day it will be known what execution hath been done upon the Empires and Monarchies of this world, by the Lords people in the ſeveral exigencies of their Affairs; for we know that the Affais of State, Reaſon of State, State-policy, and the Laws of the Land, have above all other things obſtructed the deliverance of the choyceſt ſervants of the Lord, from age to age.

I could illuſtrate this Point of the Miniſters and peoples meddling by prayer with the things and intereſts of men, and of the worldly Powers, and in ſome meaſure ſhew of what excellent uſe it will be to overthrow the Thrones of Kingdoms, &c. But I refer it to the true Miniſters, and the few faithful Brethren in Chriſt, to exerciſe themſelves herein day and night, as, I hear, they begin to do. But let them remember, and not forget upon any terms, p. 100that Faith is the very life and ſoul of prayer, and if you meddle with theſe, or any Powers abroad, without that, you will meddle to no purpoſe; But let no man imagin, that becauſe we have not an Anſwer all this while, therefore we are not heard, for Faith waites upon. God for the bringing forth his purpoſes and counſels in his own time; and God forbid wee ſhould limit the holy one of Iſrael, or preſcribe to him a method or manner of proceeding, in the production of thoſe antient Decrees, which are to be brought forth in the time appointed of the Father. So much for this firſt way of meddling with State-Affairs.

The other Doctor of the Divinity aforeſaid, is alſo of great reputation, and therefore, I hope, my adverſaries will not turn away from his Doctrine in this matter. I am bold to call him forth to plead for this Truth, for his Preached and Printed Principles, do very much tend, in my apprehenſion, to the juſtification of the practice of thoſe Miniſters of the Goſpel, who do or ſhall hereafter intermeddle in State-Affairs, as becomes Miniſters; for no otherwiſe would I have any one to meddle, than as becommeth him, in the judgement of the ſpiritual man.

There is one notion of his (in the Sermon which I mean) which certainly had the preheminence of many others, in his mind and judgement, and which I ſhall tranſcribe in the firſt place, and then improve it according to its natural tendency, as the Lord ſhall help, on the behalf of his own Truth and Intereſt, ſo ſuddenly and unworthily deſerted by thoſe who ſeemed very ſtout Aſſertors of it not many years ago.

The words of Dr. O. in the Serm. on Heb. 12.27.

All the PRESENT STATES OF THE WORLD are cemented together by Antichriſtian lime, as I ſhall ſhew afterwards. Unleſs they be ſo ſhaken as to have every cranny ſearched and bruſhed, they will be no quiet habitation for the Lord Chriſt and his people. This I find in the 14 page.

p. 101Again, in the 25 page I find him ſpeaking to this purpoſe. The Heavens and the Earth of the Nations, in their preſent conſtitution, are directly framed to the intereſt of Antichriſt, which by notable advantages at their firſt moulding, and continued inſinuations ever ſince, hath ſo riveted it ſelf into the very fundamentals of them, that no digging or mining, without an Earthquake, will caſt up the foundation-ſtones thereof.

Yet again, to the ſame effect, p. 35. Is it not evident to him that hath but half an eie? that the whole preſent conſtitution of the Governments of the Nations, is ſo cemented with Antichriſtian morter from the very top to the bottom, that without a thorough ſhaking they cannot be cleanſed; And a little after, This onelyonly is certain, It (the ſaid ſhaking) ſhall not ſtop, nor receive its period, before the intereſt of Antichriſtianity be wholly ſeparated from the power of thoſe Nations. Thus far the other Doctor.

1 Now firſt, We ſee plainly, or may ſee, that he for his part meddles with States and Governments of Nations, all along throughout the Sermon.

2 He doth particularly declare the nature of their Conſtitution, both foundation and ſuperſtruction; ſhewing alſo how the intereſt of Antichriſt is intermingled or interwoven in all or moſt of thoſe States in Europe, and that from the top to the bottom.

3 He declares and foretels the ſhaking, tranſlating, and new molding of all thoſe States and Kingdoms.

4 He affirms, that every cranny muſt be ſearched, for that Antichriſtian morter or lime and ſand, which doth cement the conſtitution of the Governments of the Nations, and that this ſhaking, ſearching, &c. ſhall not ſtop, nor receive a period, till the intereſt of Antichriſtianity be wholly ſeparated from theſe Nations.

From all which, and many other paſſages in that Sermon, I do make this inference, That the Miniſters of the Goſpel may lawfully, or without ſin, yea, muſt neceſſarily intermeddle, and be imployed in ſearching into the Affairs of theſe Kingdoms and States. Yea, further, for ought I can diſcern, p. 202they muſt be imployed by their Lord and Maſter, as the chief laborers, which are to bruſh and clenſe the States and Governments from that Antichriſtian morter.

For certainly, it may be eaſily demonſtrated, that it appertains properly to their Office, and as a principal part of it, in theſe laſt times, to diſcover the Man of ſin, to find out Antichriſt in all his ſubterfugies and diverticles, to trace and hunt him in all his windings and turnings; for what ſort and generation of men will the Lord … and annoint to deal with this great Enemy of Jeſus Chriſts, if not the Miniſters of the Goſpel? And if it be true, that this Doctor hath written elſewhere, (as undoubtedly it is from Scripture-ground) namely, that the Pope hath expreſly bargained for his own intereſt, and provided that that ſhould have the chiefeſt place in all Oaths and Bonds that were betwixt Princes and people, then we muſt look into the Affairs of States, and their Laws and Adminiſtrations, and where-ever we find any thing of that Son of perdition, that horned Beaſt, &c. to detect him, and his legerdemain, and call upon the people of God to help pull down all thoſe things which are of Babylon, and the Beaſt (though it be of the very fundamental conſtitution of the Kingdom and State) which we have detected by the help of the Word and Spirit.

That Scripture Rev. 17. doth expreſs the truth which you have read, in a few excellent words, Theſe, ſaith the Spirit, (that is, the Ten Horns or Kings) have one mind, and will give their power and ſtrength unto the Beaſt.

And they, (according to what is prophetically ſpoken) have long fince given their power and ſtrength unto the Beaſt, but we hope it will be taken from the Beaſt ere it be long; but the words of the Apoſtle John, by the Spirit, are far more emphatical, than they are rendred by the Kings Tranſlators, I could methinks read them thus, They ſhall deliver up that their Power and Authority unto the Beaſt, i.e, that Power which they received, as in the former verſe, for they received power as Kings one hour with the Beast; which implies, they received not their Power at firſt from the p. 203Beaſt; for you ſee, they and the Beaſt came into the world much about a time; but afterward, theſe Kings come to be of one mind, (foreign) which intimates, they give their Power and Authority upon deliberation, they know what they do, it is an act of State, and then they come to be of one and the ſame mind at length; what one doth, all will do; and ſo they agreed to give up firſt their Militia, or Military power to the Beaſt, their Armies, foreign, See Mede on Rev. 13 2. and indeed hiſtories are full of this truth, for the Militia of each, and of all theſe Kings, was at the beck of this Beaſt. Upon theſe two or three words, they ſhall give up their Power, or Hoſts, …o the Beaſt, large Volumes of hiſtories, to ſhew the accompliſhment of this Prophecy, might eaſily be written, by me, or any other who had leaſure and skill to collect and ſum up, what is upon record in thoſe Kingdoms here intended.

And beſides, they give away, or deliver up their Authority, for ſo I render it (foreign) and ſo it is rendred, in Rev. 13.2. This ſignifies the Civil Power, and in the 17. verſe of this chapter, it is their Kingdom, ſo they part with all to the Beaſt, foreign, they give all up, as men do when they paſs away their Lands under hand and ſeal; they were their own Kingdoms, which they gave away; but it may be asked, what folly was this? I anſwer, it was not folly in their opinion, all was for the good of the Catholick Church, the Spouſe of Chriſt, this was ſuggeſted, and they beleeved it; whereas in truth, theſe Kings fel in league with this beautiful bold Strumpet, and committed fornication with her, and ſo being intangled in her love, did not regard what coſts they were at to ſatisfie their luſts, but beſtowed all they had upon the beaſt that carried her, and all for this drunken Harlots ſake, and for her uſe. Indeed it is wonderful to read and to conſider, how the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with that great whore of Babylon, and how the Nations alſo have been made drunk with the impoyſoned intexicating wine of her fornications; for they did always follow the examples of their Kings, or chief Rulers (Regis ad exemplum) and how the Merchants of the earth have p. 104waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Now then, in the name of the Lord let this Queſtion be asked; ſhall not the Miniſters of the Goſpel (in opening and applying the Scriptures which concern this matter) indeavor by all means to break the league, betwixt this whoriſh woman and her Lovers, or Paramors, theſe Kings of the earth? Is it not their duty and office to recover the Nations from their drunkenneſs? who dare forbid the true Miniſters of Chriſt to intermeddle in thoſe Affairs of State, which are managed for the intereſt of the great whore that ſitteth upon many waters? I declare it before the world, we will meddle with them more and more, as we grow and increaſe in the knowledge and underſtanding of thoſe Oracles and Prophecies which concern the ten Horns: And whether I live or die, let the preſent and approaching Generation know, that the Miniſters of the Goſpel ſhall be imployed by their Lord, the Prince of the Kings of the earth, as ſome of his principal inſtruments, to pluck up, pull down, and break in peeces the governments of the Nations, for Antichriſt is got into the bowels; foundations, eſtabliſhments of their powers, and it is our buſineſs, it is our proper work, as you heard, to ſeek him out, and reveal him in the ſight of all the Nations of the earth.

Theſe Paſtors and Teachers (in regard their flocks are to be uſed in the deſtroying of the Babyloniſh Strumpet) muſt ſearch every cranny, as the Doctor ſpeaketh; they ſhall to this end be indued with ſuch power, and with ſuch a Spirit from on high, as that in a ſenſe, and in a degree, they ſhall be as exact, accurat and curious, as the Jews uſe to be in ſeeking and ſearching every hole, corner, and cranny of their houſes, for the finding and purging out of the leavened bread, according to that command of God, Exod. 3.7. There ſhall no leavened bread be ſeen with thee, neither ſhall there be leaven ſeen with thee in all thy quarters. The manner of doing this is ſet down at large by Writers, what care and induſtry was uſed to clear their houſes of the leaven aforeſaid; And as Paul exhorted the Church of Corinth, to purge out the old leaven, that p. 105they might be a new lump. So ſhall the Miniſters of Chriſt, ere long call upon the Nations and Stateſmen therein, to purge out the old leaven of Antichriſtianiſm, yea all the old leaven and the new leaven; and as the Prophet Jeremiah ſaith, there muſt not be left a ſtone of the Babyloniſh building, For a corner, nor a ſtone for foundations: for Babylon ſhall be everlaſting Deſolations, ſaith the Lord, Jer. 51.26.

And if it be asked how this ſhall be? the Preacher and Doctor aforeſaid will tell you, and hath told us in part. And I hope I may have liberty to give in my ſenſe alſo, for further explication.

We ſhall reward Babylon as ſhe hath rewarded us. And among other wayes of recompence, we ſhall by the Spirit and Providence of God, be led and encouraged to go on in prying into every corner with the candle of the Lord. We ſhall look and ſearch narrowly to finde out the Babyloniſh leaven, the Popiſh mixture, the Antichriſtian morter, which is yet remaining in theſe States and Kingdoms; for as ſure as the Lord liveth, there is much of all this even in this nation, notwithſtanding all theſe Earthquakes, and wonderful Revolutions. Yea, I will ſay it boldly and truely, the Relicks of Popery are maintained and protected by the preſent Powers. But to this end that there may an utter extirpation of all thoſe Popiſh Remaines, A Glorious, Evangelical inquiſition ſhall be ſet up in due time, and the Miniſters of the Goſpel ſhall be Goſpel-inquiſitors (I ſpeak in alluſion to the Spaniſh, Popiſh Inquiſition) and then we ſhall have recourſe to the Law and to the Teſtimony (to the Law of God, and to the Teſtimony of Jeſus) and that being the Touchſtone, what we find contrary to ſound Doctrine and the power of Godlineſs, contrary to or deſtructive of the liberties and priviledges wherewith Chriſt our Lord, our Judge, our Law-giver, our King hath made us free, and endowed us, by thoſe TWO INSTRUMENTS OF HIS GOVERNMENT, and the Magna Charta of his ſubjects; I ſay we ſhall have recourſe to the word of Chriſt, and what is found oppoſite or contradictory thereto, we ſhall diſcover it and and reveal it openly, as the Lord ſhall give oportunity and Spirit thereunto. When we are once anointed p. 106with freſh cile, for theſe new motions, and expeditions, we ſhall intermeddle ſo, as to examine and inquire into the Oaths and contracts of the State. We ſhall bring the old known Laws of the Land (made moſt of them when Reaſon, and Religion alſo, were at the loweſt Ebb, when Kings and Parliaments were the Protectors of the Beaſt and Whore) and ſo into the cuſtoms in all Courts of Juſtice and Judicature, of which, though many are faln aſleep, and are rotting in the grave of oblivion, yet others remain alive, and are confirmed by oath and ſolemn ingagement. All Acts of State will be medled with; and the Edicts of the Rulers of the people, brought to the tryal. And let the Powers aſſure themſelves, whatſoever Oaths or Branches of Oaths, whatſoever cuſtoms or Relicks of cuſtoms or Traditions they have received from theirs & our Popiſh Anceſtors, which have the ſtamp and ſuperſcription of Antichriſt, or the Man of ſin upon them, and are ſtill underpropped and ſupported by the preſent Commanders and Lords of the Nation, we ſhall in the power of Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, and of his Truth and Spirit, ſo far meddle with all of them, as that we, our brethren and companions in the Kingdom, the cauſe and the work of Chriſt, ſhall never be ſatisfied or well pleaſed till they are broken all to pieces, ſuppreſſed and conſumed to nothing.

But leſt, ſome Readers ſhould cenſure me as too peremptory and malapert in my expreſſions; Let us hear what our Author before mentioned ſaith further to this point.

Although in thoſe paſſages which I have tranſcribed, he ſeems to content himſelf that there ſhould be onelyonly a ſhaking, 2 bruſhing, and a cleanſing of States and Governments from the morter aforeſaid; Yet in another part of his Sermon, he comes more home to the truth, where he ſaith, that no Atonement ſhall be made for the blood of the Saints ſlain under the Notion of Hereticks, nor Expiation be allowed, whileſt a TOE OF THE IMAGE, OR A BONE OF THE BEAST IS LEFT UNBROKEN. I aſſure you, this is ſomewhat a ſevere expreſſion; this is much more then bruſhing off the morter and the Cement; I wiſh he himſelf would fall upon the Image, if it were but upon one of the little toes of it in p. 107England, with the hammer of the World. Would to God, it were the Genius of all the Univerſity-Doctors, to fall upon the bones of the Beaſt, as here in the 22 page he doth expreſs himſelf: ſuch a Bruſh were as bad as a downright Blow. But what if the Lord ſhould eſpie ſome of the moſt forward proſecutors of the Beaſt, in times paſt, and who gave him many a dry Blow, to be turned Artificial Chirurgians, and to be very buſie in healing thoſe deep wounds which were lately made, and very careful to bind up the Bruiſes which the Image received on ſome of his Ten Toes? the Lords eyes are upon all their wayes, he knows their works and their thoughts; and unto him I refer them for the preſent, without further diſquiſition, and return from whence I have made this ſhort digreſſion.

The Miniſters of Chriſt underſtanding this, that no expiations will be allowed, &c. and that yet, they cannot meddle with Antichriſt, nor indeed come at him, or at the Beaſt, and his Horms, but they muſt of neceſſity meddle with State-affairs (the Beaſt and the States or ten Horns being ſo neerly related each to other, and making up but one Body politick or Corporation) Let no man imagine that the zealous faithfull Miniſters of the Lord Ieſus, will give over or leave off their medling in State-matters, becauſe of the Clamors and importune ſuggeſtions of thoſe preachers or profeſſors, whoſe ſenſes are not exerciſed by reaſon of uſe to diſcern betwixt the good and the evil in this important point of Goſpel-Truth.

For, without doubt, As the Paſtors and Teachers, in aſſerting the Prieſtly office of Chriſt, may lawfully meddle with the Popiſh Prieſthood, and ſhew the contrariety thereof unto the Scripture, and thereby diſcover the rottenneſs and vileneſs of all thoſe principles which are maintained by them for the upholding of the Affairs of the Papacy, which concern their Prieſts of all ſorts and ſizes, and their Maſſes, Pilgrimages Purgatory, Proceſſions, and ſuch like ridiculous Inventions, Cuſtoms and Traditions: In like manner there is no queſtion to be made among knowing Chriſtians, but in handling the Doctrine of the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM in the latitude of it, they may interpret and apply all Scriptures of that nature, to p. 108the Juſt Diſparagement of the Kings of the Earth (as the Lord conſtantly ſtiles them by that Diminiſhing Title, and of the Princes of this world, who ſhall come to nothing, as Paul ſaith. And, for the better and more effectual advancing of the Name and glory of Chriſt in the world, they may endeavor to leſſen the eſteem of the little Horn and all the Adherents to it, yea, they may meddle ſo far with the Higher Powers, and their Acts of State, or Statute-Laws, as to diſcover the weakneſs and unprofitableneſs thereof in compariſon of the Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances of the Lord Jeſus for the Government of the Nations; and if they may meddle with thoſe more weighty affaires of the States and Kingdoms of Europe, or the Horns of the Beaſt, among whom Antichriſt hath ſuch a conſiderable Intereſt; ſurely then, they may intermeddle with leſſer and lighter matters of the Government, viz. fooliſh and Ridiculous cuſtoms. Tully ſaid well, In Actis publicis nihil lege gravius. The Laws of a State, are the moſt mighty Acts of State.

And to this effect, I told the Committee of the New-Court-Council, when they ſpake of my medling with State-matters, as the phraſe is; I told them, I would meddle with all things from the beginning of Geneſis to the end of the Revelation. And I know aſſuredly the word of God medled with all things under the Sun. And therefore I was not to be contracted in my Miniſtery.

And what I ſaid then, I after ſo many moneths Impriſonment confirm publikly, I will meddle with every thing which is handled and revealed in the good word of God, So far as the Lord by his grace and providence ſhall vouchſafe to give and adminiſter unto ſo unworthy and ſo ſinful a ſervant of his, either light or opportunity; and I will call no man Lord or Maſter upon earth by his aſſiſtance, ſo far, as to ask leave ſo to do; For my Lord is greater then all. And I pity the preſent power, becauſe I foreſee, that unleſs the Lord do many marvelous things in mercy to them, they will ſtumble ſo often at that ſtumbling ſtone, as their bruiſes will be very hardly cured. I conclude with this one of D. O. Expreſſions; That, ſaith he, which doth and ſhall ſtick upon Potentates to p. 109their Ruine, is not ſo much their own or any other Intereſt, as the very Dreggs of this Papal Antichriſtian Intereſt thruſt into their Oaths and Obligations for no other end in the world, but to keep the Lord Jeſus out of his Throne.

As for that expreſſion, in the Objection; Whatever a Miniſter meddles with, beſides bringing in ſouls to Chriſt, and building them up in Chriſt, It is beſide the Cuſhion; I anſwer, I care not, nor my fellow-priſoner, what is beſides the Cuſhion; We are ſure it is not beſides the Text, for a Miniſter to build up believers in the knowledge of Chriſt. And, to open thoſe Scriptures, which concern his Kingdom, and his being King over all the earth, and to interpret thoſe Oracles, which ſignifie that he will govern all Nations by his own Laws and Statutes, and not by the Laws of Omri, nor the Statutes and Ordinances of the Houſe of Ahab; that is, not by the Statutes, Laws, Ordinances or Edicts of the preſent Kings of the earth, The Beaſt and his Ten Horns, &c. is beyond all Controverſie a part of the duty and Office of a Miniſter of the New Teſtament.

And if we, in telling the people, that Chriſt will darken, and not onelyonly ſo, but utterly Deſtroy the Kingdome of the Beaſt, and all the forms of Government in the whole world now in being, which are ſet up in oppoſition to him, Who is Heir of all things, do meet with oppoſitions and contradiction from our Brethren, beſide all Manner o… Diſcouragement from the higher or lower Rulers of the Nation (even to bonds and Impriſonment, yea even to Torment and Death) yet, being true Teachers, we ought to be ſo far from giving place by ſubjection in this matter, for a moment, that we muſt rather in the name and ſtrength of the King of Saints, riſe much higher in bearing our Teſtimony, and ſo in intermedling with the particulars now under debate.

p. 110But there are many time-ſerving profeſſors, and Neminal Chriſtians, both Courtiers and Others, who uſe to declare themſelves after this manner, concerning us: THEY BRING TROUBLE UPON THEIR OWN HEADS, AND THEY MAY THANK THEMSELVES: If they would let the Higher Powers alone, and Preach the Goſpel, they might be countenanced, maintained, protected, and it may be preferred, as others are.

I anſwer: In the ſelf ſame Language, the Lukewarm generation of Miniſters, and conformable Puritans were heard to ſpeak in the times of Prelatical perſecution; and when a certain Diſciple complained to another Godly Miniſter, how that faithful ſervant of the Lord, Maſter Henry Burton was cruelly handled by his perſecutors, he told him immediately, He might thank himſelf; If he had let the Biſhops alone, and the like, they would not have medled with him.

And as for that great Quarrel againſt us, that we do not preach the Goſpel, I have this to ſay, that if we alwayes preach Faith and Repentance, we ſhall be alwayes laying the foundation, and ſo ſhall never go on to perfection: but we know, Though it be not accounted Goſpel in the Courts of Princes, to declare the glad Tidings of the Kingdom and coming of Chriſt, to put down all rule, all Authority and power, that the Saints may be at liberty to ſerve the Lord in the full latitude of the New Teſtament-Miniſtration; Yet the Prince of the Kings of the earth will account it Goſpel, and preaching of the Goſpel alſo, and this in the preſence of all flattering Court-Chaplains, and of their Maſters alſo, at whoſe Tables they are ſed deliciouſly every day, while their brethren are ſo thruſt into Corners, and unchriſtian and inhumanely uſed and abuſed by them.

But further, Do they ſtill ſay, we may thank our ſelves? We ſay No. We may thank the God and father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and our Lord Ievus Chriſt himſelf, that we are counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame and reproach, and to be committed to Gaolers for his Truths ſake, and that glorious cauſe, which once was cryed up by the General and his Army, though now they have gotten a new Cauſe to carry on.

p. 111Again, whereas a great noiſe is made, what LIBERTY we may have to preach the Goſpel, what countenance and maintenance; This I have to return to ſuch Diſcourſes; firſt, I deny that there was or is ſuch Liberty allowed. For whoſoever will preach the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOME throughly and effectually, in the Demonſtration of the ſpirit and of power; and, whoſoever will zealouſly inſiſt upon thoſe Scriptures, which are profitable for the preſſing of thoſe Doctrines of Truth, which concern the preſent Age and Times, or thoſe which are profitable for reproof, and for Correction of the preſent evils and iniquities of the higher or lower powers, they ſhall not enjoy their Liberty Long; but if they are ſuffered, and connived at, it is not becauſe the Rulers are ſatisfied with ſuch Preachers or their Doctrine and Reproofs, but upon other conſiderations, as, either to avoid the Reproachful Imputation of perſecuting powers, or elſe becauſe their Inſtrument is but green and Tender, as King Saul's was, when, he did politickly forbear to puniſh thoſe who would not chuſe him for their Lord and King (whereas afterward, when the Kingdom was confirmed to him, he was not ſo modeſt) or upon ſome ſuch profound Reaſons of carnal State-policy.

Secondly, As for their Countenance and Maintenance, for my part, I look upon both the one and the other, as two of the ſoreſt and moſt dangerous ſnares wherein Miniſters can poſſibly be caught in theſe dayes.

For is it probable, or indeed poſſible, for any One of the whole Generation of the Parſons and Vicars in the Reformed Churches of Europe; or for the Nurſeries and Seminaries of them (The ſeveral Univerſities in the Reſpective Nations, which did alwayes, and do to this Day, All depend upon the Bounty, Munificence, and Good will of the ſerveral Higher Powers) I ſay, again, How can it be that theſe or ſuch like creatures of mans making, ſhould turn head upon their good Lords or bountiful Benefactors, and ſo to bear an high Teſtimony for the Lord Jeſus, againſt the Oppreſſions, Luxuries, ſuperſtitions and other Abominations of the Princes of the world aforeſaid? It is not to be imagined or expected. For, p. 112do rational Men look for grapes from Thorns, or for figs from Thiſtles? They were not of Gods planting, and how can they bring forth fruit unto God? But if at any time the Lord himſelf by his own Spirit working in any one of them mightily, do call them forth as he did Paul, Luther and ſuch like, to bear his name before the Kings of the earth, they muſt caſt up their Reckoning with Paul, &c. and come to this concluſion, even to count all things but loſs for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus their Lord; for whom and whoſe ſervice, they will then willingly count their Benefices, and promotions Eccleſiaſtical (as they call them) their Vice-chancellorſhips, their Headſhips, their Deaneries, their Fellowſhips, their Univerſity-Degrees, their Augmentations, but Droſs and Dung, that they may promote the work and honor of their Lord.

For indeed, this is the kindly Operation of the true knowledge of Chriſt. And what Pariſh-Preacher ſoever he be who intends to be Chriſts Diſciple in good earneſt (during the time of the Dominion of the little Horn) and to follow him cloſe, ſo as to ſerve him with a perfect heart, He muſt neceſſarily deny himſelf, and forſake his Houſe and (Glebe) Lands; his Tythes and rates for Tythes, whether perſonal or predial, his State-ſalary, or Augmentation, or any other of the fine Things aforeſaid: for otherwiſe he cannot boldly bear up the Teſtimony of Jeſus; nor declare againſt the Babyloniſh Beaſt and the Ten Horns, in all thoſe things wherein they are guilty of High Treaſon againſt the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, his Crown and Dignity. But if men will pretend to be for Chriſt, and yet are ſo wiſe as to invent and contrive how to prevent ſufferings for his ſake, let them ſtay behind and keep company with the world, the world-like Church, and the carnal Clergy; yea let them do as the moſt do, and then the feweſt will laugh them to ſcorn.

But it may be ſaid to me, Although you are ſo malapert and ſo bold, to throw dirt in the faces of ſo many Reverend Deans, Doctors, Divines, Vice-chancellors, with others of the worſhipful Clergy, and Orthodox Miniſters in all the Proteſtant Courts, Cities, and countries in theſe parts of the p. 113world; yet it is not much to be regarded what a prating fool doth ſpeak: beſides. Solomon ſaith, A prating fool ſhall fall.

To this I reply: They will do me manifeſt wrong whoſoever ſhall ſay that I throw dirt in the faces of theſe men: for the Truth is this; They have beſmeared their own faces, with groveling upon the Dunghil of the filthy Antichriſtian world, or elſe they have contracted Dirt for want of waſhing and cleanſing their faces and their hands: And I do but tell them where the dirt is, and where the filth ſticks upon them, ſo as that they are and appear very Deformed by reaſon thereof. And if you call me and my fellows prating fools; for ſhewing you where the ſpots of Dirt are to be found, we will be more vile, and we will, by the grace of God, proceed and go on to play the fools, for Chriſts ſake; and that, till, either you turn your backs, and depart with ſhame, or until you are perſwaded to look into the glorious glaſs of the New Teſtament, and compare our words with what you finde there repreſented to you: for we will not be out-faced by you in this matter, upon any terms.

But put the caſe we are ſuch fools as you and your Patrons ſay, and that we talk much more then our ſhare comes to; methinks you ſhould ſuffer fools gladly, ſeeing you your ſelves are ſo wiſe. And what were it for ſome of you, to perſwade your Lord Protector to let out of priſon two or three, or a few fools, to make ſport for the wiſe men at the Court? Certainly, we being ſuch ſimple and contemptible Ignoramuſſes, could not prejudice ſo many wiſe men in any thing we could do or ſay.

Thus I have indeavoured to anſwer thoſe objections, and to ſpeak ſomething to thoſe reproachful Cavils, which are heard by many, to proceed out of the mouths of Thoſe who uſe to appear like the friends of Chriſt in a Sun-ſhine Day, but to leave him, when Tribulations or Perſecutions ariſe becauſe of the word. As for the truth, though it cannot be defended by us ſilly, weak worms, as the Lord knows we are, yet, the God of Truth will lift up the Banner of Truth, and it ſhall be diſplayed in ſuch glory at the length, that all Nations ſhall flow unto it.

p. 114The latter part of this Section needs no Explanation, for, Res ipſa loquitur. The Thing it ſelf ſpeaketh, and ſpeaketh aloud, ſo that it is heard through the Nation, viz. that the Carnal Clergy have no heart to declare, or pray, or confeſs, according to the preſent exigences of the cauſe of our dear Redeemer. But the Counſel of our Lord is plain: Let them alone, they are blind Leaders of the Blind, and both ſhall fall into the Ditch. And this ſhall ſuffice for this matter, untill a better Oportunity.

Sect. 6, and 7.

I need not ſpend time to ſatisfie any Readers concerning the contents thereof, for they are themſelves explanations of what went before. OnelyOnly concerning the later part of the ſeventh, I ſhall wait for ſuch a ſeaſon, as the Lord by his wiſe providence ſhall adminiſter for the beſt advantage of his ſervice. For, for the preſent, I do not finde my ſpirit free to increaſe this Treatiſe to a greater Bulk and price; and I deſigned onelyonly an explication of the firſt part, in regard none elſe needed an Interpreter.

Sect. 8, and 9.

The enſuing Epiſtle, which I ſpake of in the firſt Section being obtained, That will ſufficiently enlighten the Reader in the underſtanding what I intend in thoſe Things, namely, in the matter of application for my enlargment, and how far it is from my very thoughts to accept of Deliverance upon baſe and Diſhonourable Terms, at any time. In regard, I know aſſuredly, (without any degree of doubting that I am ſenſible of) that this Cauſe wherein I am engaged with my fellows and companions, is abſolutely and unqueſtionably the Beſt and moſt Honorable Cauſe of all Cauſes whatſoever agitated and diſputed at this day in all the world.

Wherefore I will now add no more but this, He that believeth maketh not haſte, & ſhall never be confounded: And Chriſt is precious to them which Believe, even in a Priſon, in a Dungeon, upon the Scaffold, upon the Croſs, anywhere, everywhere; p. 115to that MOST PRECIOUS ANOYNTED ONE, be Honour, Glory, and Dominion, now and for ever. And let all that love him in ſincerity ſay Amen, in full aſſurance of faith and hope, even in the preſence of all Oppoſition whatſoever. Amen, and Amen.

The End.

Here followeth an extract of that Letter to the Congregation, which did immediately precede that Epiſtle, which being ſo unworthily uſed, did occaſion ſuch a noiſe among the foes and friends of Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, and which is now explained as you have read.