The Oppressed Close Prisoner in Windsor Castle, Explanation of epistle · Section 3

The Oppressed Close Prisoner in Windsor Castle · Explanation of epistle · Section 3

p. 8Sect. 3.

Whereas upon that clauſe in the Churches Letter to me, viz. The owning of the Powers in being, is accounted a bowing of the knee to the image of the Beaſt; I anſwered them, that I did not know by whom it was ſo accounted, and that it was never mine opinion, nor was it likely ſo to be, &c. as is before ſet down: It is very true, I did not know, neither could I know by thoſe words, It is accounted, (none, who ſo accounted, being named) whereupon it being darkly expreſſed by them, I thought it was meet, it ſhould be plainly expreſſed by me, as in the Letter you p. 9may finde, adding moreover theſe following words: For as for my ſelf, I do own the powers in being, and have done all along. Now it's probable, theſe words might be conſtrued, as ſignifying ſomething, that had ſomewhat like a compliance, or recantation; and ſo being abſtracted from their neighbours and fellows, viz. according as God hath commanded, &c. as you may ſee in the Epiſtle, (It is true) ENVY and ILL-WILL might endeavour to draw ſuch a concluſion from thoſe premiſes; but that paſſion, is not a competent Judge, nor an equal Interpreter of words or actions.

But now, Oh all ye who are friends but to common ſenſe and reaſon (ſuppoſe conſcience ſhould ſuſpend its operations for a time) come, and be Judges betwixt me and my adverſaries, who have acted the devils part, Mat. 4.6. com. with Pſal. 90.11.Matt 4:6Ps 90:11in quoting one part of the words which were written, and ſuppreſſing the other, the better to compaſs his diabolical deſign againſt Jeſus Chriſt his Lord.

Thus I plead my cauſe againſt the falſhood and moſt unrighteous dealing of ſuch ſlanderers.

1. Firſt, Is it not a moſt abſurd and irrational method of proceeding againſt our neighbour, to tear aſunder thoſe words and ſentences, which the writer had put together, and ſo to undermine his good Name among his friends, and to render him the by-word of his foes? and, which is worſe then both the other, to trample upon that noble Cauſe which God himſelf hath call'd forth the Author to maintain & bear witneſs to before the world? The Heathens would abhor ſuch ſpirits and ſuch practiſes, when brought before them.

2. In caſe thoſe paſſages had been written darkly and doubtfully, was it not the duty of the Reader or Reporter, or both, to make the beſt interpretation, (now, let conſcience do its office) which Chriſtian love could give, and moſt ſutable to the declared and known principles of the Author of thoſe words? unleſs he had certain information, or other teſtimony of his open apoſtacy from his profeſſion and conſtant converſation in time paſt unto that day.

p. 10Wherefore thirdly, Let the whole clauſe be conſidered with an honeſt and impartial minde, and you will finde ſuch cautelous qualifications ſuperadded, as if I had foreſeen the Devils deſign againſt the Cauſe and the Perſon both. Whereas I writing in ſimplicity of heart, as in the ſight of God, without any thoughts of Declining or Drawing back **foreign, Heb. 10.39.Heb 10:39; could not once ſuſpect that ſuch conſtructions and conſequences would have been formed and diſperſed thereupon.

The firſt Qualification of my Words, was this: ACCORDING AS GOD HIMSELF HATH COMMANDED, I do own the Powers in being, and have done all along: but otherwiſe I never did, nor ſhall, own the preſent Powers, or their ſucceſſors.

The ſecond Qualification of thoſe Words of mine, which I added in the cloſe of this third Section, is expreſſed in the words of the Apoſtle, Rendering to all their Dues, tribute to whom tribute, &c. as you read it, in Rom. 13.7.

And thus far in this third Section, and no further, have I indeavoured to ſtate the caſe, and to plead againſt the unconſcionable carriage of that perſon, or thoſe perſons, who have given liberty to their tongues, to ſpeak reproachfully againſt their neighbour without cauſe, Pſal. 15.3. 2 Tim. 2.25.Ps 15:32 Tim 2:25the Lord give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth, and to the bridling of that member, which though little, is ſo very unruly, James 3. the 10. firſt verſes.Jas 3as it is written, THE TONGUE CAN NO MAN TAME, AN UNRULY EVIL, FULL OF DEADLY POYSON. It ſeems it is the onelyonly work of God to tame it, it is not mans work; eſpecially when it is ſet on fire from Hell, as too too often it comes to paſs. But to proceed.

Now further, to declare ingenuouſly my judgement and apprehenſions in this point, thus I ſay:

Either I muſt own the Powers in Being, or that Are, (for we will not argue about expreſſions, when they are well underſtood, though they may not be very proper,) I ſay, either I muſt own the preſent Powers, or I muſt own Anarchy. For Powers to be hereafter, or which may appear p. 11in time to come, I know not how to own in ſuch a ſence as I intended; (for de non apparentibus & non exiſtentibus eadem eſt ratio,) If the Powers do not appear, and exiſtere extra cauſas, as we ſay, it is all one to us, as if they were not in rerum naturâ, as indeed they are not actually, till they are formed; (for forma dat nomen & eſſe) and ſo exiſt from the concurrence of the ſeveral efficient cauſes alſo, reſpectively.

Now as for Anarchy or no Government; for a people to have no Powers in being, it is Confuſion, it is Deſolation, it is the Abomination of Deſolation, or that maketh Deſolate. It alwayes was, it is, it will ever be the Abomination of my ſoul.

Tyranny it ſelf is not ſo ugly a monſter by many Degrees, in mine eyes, as is **I underſtand Anarchy not in notion, but in operation; Anarchy Rampant.Anarchy. But let no man imagine, that I ever was, or now am, a friend in the leaſt to former or preſent Tyranny, though I thus ſpeak: for Tyranny is High Treaſon againſt Mankind, and againſt the Image of God in the world, and ſhall be turned headlong off from the ſtage again, when it hath acted its part, for the accompliſhment of the Counſels of the Almighty; which will not be, until the words of God ſhall be fulfilled, as it is written in the Scriptures of Truth.

From what hath been ſaid, the Saints and the World may ſee, what reaſon I had, and have, to declare that I DO OWN THE POWERS IN BEING; for, to own the Powers that are to be hereafter, (but are not yet extant) I cannot do it, viz. in that ſence before expreſſed; and own Anarchy, or non-Government, that I will not do upon any terms, while by the grace of God I continue in my right minde, and injoy any remainders of ſenſe and reaſon. So that we are conſtrained by right reaſon to own the preſent Powers.

But then withal, my two Limitations, Reſtrictions, or Correctives, (call them what you pleaſe) muſt be admitted and remembred carefully, for otherwiſe I ſhall ſuffer apparent injury, as lately I have felt.

Firſt, in general, I told the Congregation, I owned them according to God, or as God himſelf hath commanded.

p. 12Secondly, I did particularly declare, how, and how far I owned the Powers in being, in ſaying, I gave tribute, cuſtom, fear and honor, where each of theſe were due: BUT WHAT, AND WHO THOSE POWERS ARE, IN MY OPINION, IS ANOTHER QUESTION, AND SHALL BE HANDLED IN ITS PLACE.

Concerning the firſt of theſe two Reſtrictions, I explain my meaning thus. I may as well throw away the Old and New Teſtament, thoſe bleſſed Oracles (which are ſweeter to me (eſpecially ſince I came into priſon, and, yet more eſpecially, ſince I was ſhut up in Cloſe-Impriſonment,) then the honey or the honey-combe) as deny, or refuſe to own the Powers in Being, it being ſo Juſt and ſo Good a Law of God **That there ſhould be Higher Powers in the world, is a good law: the law may be formed thus, Poteſtates in mundo ſuper-eminentes ſemper ſunto. 1 Pet. 2.13.1 Pet 2:13, the Soveraign Lord of Heaven and Earth.

The Command is full and plain: Peter writing to the Believing Jews, ſaith expreſsly, Submit to every Ordinance of Man, (or Humane Creation **foreign. Tit. 3.1.Titus 3:1) for the Lords ſake, whether to the King, as Supream, or unto Governours, as ſent by him. Paul to Titus doth confirm this Doctrine, and this Statute-Law; Put them in mind to be ſubject to principalities and powers, to obey Magiſtrates **foreign.: ſo Rom. 13.1, 2, &c.

But moreover, let us not interpret this ſubjection and obedience, this owning of them, to be Abſolute and Unlimited, as if without all Reſtrictions and Diſtinctions; for that were unreaſonable; as hath been argued and urged againſt the late King.

Yea furthermore, theſe things are injoyned to particular Chriſtians, and private perſons, who are altogether under Authority; for otherwiſe, one Higher power, may refuſe obedience to another Higher power, yea, and take their Authority away from them utterly, and for ever, in many caſes, as I ſhall ſhew afterward.

But to give the world an Account of my Principles and Practiſes in this point. Yet more particularly,

I am bound to own them ſo, as not to forget that I am a Diſciple of Chriſt, & that the Goſpel & the Doctrine thereof is to guide and regulate me in the thing under conſideration; for though they are the Higher Powers, yet not the p. 13Higheſt, FOR THERE ARE HIGHER THEN THEY. Eccleſ. 5.8.Eccl 5:8And if at any time they command ought, that is inconſiſtent with the Commands of Chriſt, Mat. 28.18.Matt 28:18who hath all power in heaven and earth, and with that duty and Evangelical Allegiance which I owe and bear to him, I ſhall diſown them ſo far, and their commands alſo, before their faces and behinde their backs, (as the phraſe uſed by the New-Court-flatterers doth expreſs it) and yet ask no queſtion for conſcience ſake, there being no ſcruples upon my ſpirit in this matter, as afterward I ſhall ſhew.

I alſo humbly conceive, that thoſe Chriſtians who ſubmir, and ſuffer patiently under the penalties which are impoſed on them for chuſing to obey God, rather then man, (as it is my preſent Caſe) do as really own the powers, as any of thoſe who yield active Obedience to what is injoyned them to do: for they fulfil and anſwer the Law herein, whether it be the Law of the Land, that impoſeth ſuch a penalty in caſe of diſobedience (as the world calls it) or the Law of their own wills and Luſts onelyonly, who are the Supream Powers at that time.

For the underſtanding hereof, we are to know, that every Command whatſoever among men, (whether it proceed from rational and juſt power, or from arbitrary power, and a wilful will void of reaſon) doth conſiſt of two parts, the preceptive part, and the punitive part; for I dare affirm, Precepts and Penalties are the proper ingredients of all Laws.that no Law-makers, will give out Commands or Laws, and then leave it to the people, whether to obey or not obey; in reaſon, a penalty is to be annexed and executed, in caſe of refuſal to give due obſervance; and every one muſt either do what is injoyned in the preceptive part of the Law, or elſe ſuffer what ſhall be inflicted: I ſpeak of particular perſons, and under Authority.

Now thoſe Saints who, for conſcience ſake, Rom. 13.5. 1 Pet. 2.13.Rom 13:51 Pet 2:13and for the Lords ſake, do willingly and out of choice ſuffer Impriſonment, Confiſcation of Goods, Baniſhment, or Death, rather then ſin againſt Chriſt, may be properly ſaid to own the Powers in Being, as really, and more honeſtly, and acceptably before God, then thoſe who are moſt forward p. 14to yield active obedience at the ſame time, to the ſame law.

But becauſe familiar examples will help to illighten the ordinary Reader, for others need them not, I ſhall illuſtrate this doctrine and my practiſe, in owning the higher powers, by one famous example in the word of Truth.

It is that of the third of Daniel, Dan. 3.4, 5, 6.Dan 3:4Dan 3:5Dan 3:6a moſt excellent Hiſtory of three of the Old Teſtament-worthies, and their ſufferings. The Higher Power in being makes a Law, (or a thing like a Law,) TO YOU IT IS COMMANDED, O PEOPLE, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES, AT SUCH AN INSTANT OF TIME, TO FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP THE GOLDEN IMAGE WHICH THE KING OR EMPEROUR HATH SET UP. This is the ſum of the firſt part of the Law.

The ſecond part is to this effect: WHOSOEVER WILL NOT FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP, SHALL THE SAME HOUR, WHEN HE REFUSETH, BE TORMENTED BY FIRE, AND BURNT TO DEATH.

Now to me it appears plainly, that Shadrach, Meſhach and Abednego patiently ſubmitting to the Kings pleaſure, and the proclaimed penalty, without any reſiſtance, did fulfil the Law aforeſaid in the later part of it, as really as the Nations and Languages did fulfil or perform the firſt part of it; and conſequently did therein own the Powers in Being, as aforeſaid.

This plain Syllogiſm, will put it out of controverſie.

Thoſe who willingly ſubmit to the Laws of the Higher Powers which are in their dayes, may truly be ſaid to own thoſe Powers.

But Shadrach, Meſhach and Abednego did willingly ſubmit to the Laws of the Higher Powers in their dayes:

Ergo, it may truely be ſaid of them, they did own thoſe Powers, &c.

That the three children were willingly ſubject and obedient unto Nebuchadnezzars Law and Command, I ſuppoſe none will deny; and the Propoſition they cannot deny with reaſon; for what more effectual owning of Powers can be expected or deſired, then obedience to their Laws?

p. 15Theſe things I have transferred in a figure, 1 Cor. 4.6. foreign.1 Cor 4:6to the three children, for their ſakes who are full of prejudice againſt me, as if I ought not to be accounted ſubject to the powers in Being, becauſe I am a Non-conformiſt to thoſe Orders & Ordinances, and ſome plauſible inſinuations, which by inſenſible degrees have cauſed the Army and Nations, (by means of that Spirit which worketh effectually in them) TO RETURN TO THEIR VOMIT; I mean, 2 Pet. 2.22. foreign.2 Pet 2:22to ſet and keep up old Monarchy under a new name or notion, but not ſo current and authentick as the New Courtiers do imagine.

There are many other inſtances in Scripture of the Saints, their owning the powers in being, and yet at the ſame time refuſing to fulfil the preceptive part of their Laws and Statutes in many particulars, chuſing to ſuffer under the earthly Powers, foreign. 1 Pet. 2.14.1 Pet 2:14rather then to ſin againſt the moſt High; as Chriſt himſelf ſubmitted to Caeſar, as the Supream, & to Pontius Pilate, as ſent by him, according to the diſtinction given by the Apoſtle.

So Peter and John, Paul and Silas, with the reſt, Read Act. 4. & the 5. Chap.Acts 4theſe all owned the Powers in being, but would not actively obey their commands, many of them, for they diſputed againſt them, and denied compliance with them.

And I am reſolved, by the Lords help, 1 Cor. 11.1.1 Cor 11:1to be a follower of them, as they were of Chriſt in this particular.

I confeſs the Higher Powers have not uſed to account paſſive ſubjection worthy the name of obedience, neither are they apt to eſteem it an owning of their Power, when they have humbly and ſoberly refuſed to do after their Commandments: for they being generally of very high Spirits, who are in high places, they think it a great diſhonour to them, to have their Juſtice, Wiſdom, Authority call'd in queſtion, arraigned and condemned by ſilly Sectaries.

When the High-Prieſt and his Kindred had called for Peter and John, and ſet them in the midſt, Act. 4 6.Acts 4:6at length upon deliberation they commanded and charged them with threatnings intermixt, not to preach that Doctrine any more: the Apoſtles declared they could not forbear to ſpeak the things which they had ſeen and heard, Act. 4.20, 21.Acts 4:20Acts 4:21for they were filled with the Holy Ghoſt indeed, and muſt ſpeak; and accordingly proceeded to preach, notwithſtanding p. 16their Order, Act. 5.33.Acts 5:33in direct contradiction to them. But how were they cut to the heart, and took counſel to ſlay them? Bleſſed be the Lord, this is my caſe aſſuredly; I was forbidden to preach, what I had ſeen and heard from THE GREAT PROPHET, concerning his Kingdom, Dan. 2.44.Dan 2:44and the breaking in pieces of all other Kingdoms, and concerning the Apoſtacy of all ſorts from their declared Ingagements for the Intereſt of our Lord: but I was & am ſo far from promiſing conforming to ſuch prohibitions, as that I am made more fervent in ſpirit againſt the abominations of theſe men, from the Higheſt to the Loweſt; and for the promoting the Intereſt of my Lord, againſt the Court-Intereſt lately ſet up, in contradiction to their own ſolemn Declarations in the ſight of God, Angels and Men, not many yeers ago.

It is co…rtable to conſider, That true ſpiritual Chriſtians have an unction which teacheth them of all things, … Joh. 2.20, 27.John 2:20John 2:27and they accordingly from that unction, have learned to diſtinguiſh betwixt the Power and the Weakneſs of the Rulers, betwixt the Ordinances of God and of Men; for by the light of the word of truth they know that righteous Laws are the ſtrength of the Higher Powers, and that Tyranny, and the Reſults and Conſequences of Arbitrarineſs in Government, are their weakneſs and their folly: and not onelyonly ſo; (for the knowledge hereof, may in ſome degrees be attained by ſuch as know not Chriſt) but they are able in the power of a higher Spirit, then that of the proudeſt Monarchs, to tell them, THIS IS A TYRANNICAL WAY OF RULING, AND THAT IS A PLAIN CONTRADICTION TO THE LAW OF CHRIST, and ſhall be broken and deſtroyed, though all the Kings of the earth ſhould joyne their Power and Policy to uphold it. It is one thing to know wherein Rulers do commit open Abominations; and it is another thing to teſtifie openly againſt thoſe publick wickedneſſes, without reſpect of perſons. But more of this afterwards in its proper place, for here it is a Digreſſion, from the point in hand.

I have many things to bring out of that treaſury which the Lord hath put into this earthen veſſel, and ſhould rejoyce to have an opportunity to exemplifie thoſe Truths by lively voice, which have been ſet upon my ſpirit in this priſon, where I have remained this nine months and more; for I finde it very difficult to expreſs my minde by writing; but this I have to encourage me, The Lord is able to bleſs my Indeavors this way, for the preſent, ſeeing I am ſo unrighteouſly hindred from preaching the Goſpel by the Powers now in Being.

Having ſpoken thus much to the firſt general Qualification, That I do own the Powers that are, but how? ACCORDING TO GOD, or ACCORDING AS GOD HIMSELF HATH COMMANDED, & having particularly explained my meaning, to own them, by ſubmitting to their Laws, whether Arbitrary or Rational, according as may conſiſt with our Allegiance to Chriſt, and the direction of his word and ſpirit, which, in, very many caſes, directs us to obey paſſively, but to die rather then to fulfil their Law by active obedience; I ſhall now go on to the next limitation, which is to own them in paying tribute, & cuſtom, and honor and fear, as I have expreſſed in the forementioned Epiſtle.

p. 17I ſhall now go on to the next Limitation, which is, to pay them Tribute and Cuſtome, Honor and Fear, as I have expreſſed in the fore-mentioned Epiſtle.

And becauſe I do own the Higher Powers in this particular alſo, I ſhall explain my ſelf herein likewiſe, A Diſcourſe concerning Taxations from Scriptureaccording as I intended, when I wrote, though then I had not any thoughts that I ſhould bee brought upon the Stage, to give ſo publick an account of my Principles, and Practice, in the payment of thoſe Taxes, which I, and others of my Brethren are ſtill burthened withall, though ſome Abatement is now ſpoken of.

But firſt, for the better, and more effectual ſatisfaction of the people of God, I ſhall communicate what I have met with in the good word of God concerning this thing; for it is ſuitable to my Office, and may bee uſeful to the Saints to underſtand ſomething concerning the firſt practice of this Oppreſſion, and (which will bee more welcome) when their Taxations will bee removed, and have an end.

It is to bee remembred, That one of the Higher Powers, is deſcribed very briefly and emphatically thus, Heb. One that cauſeth an Exactor to paſſe over. He did ſuddenly ſtand up, & was as ſuddenly pulled down. Whether Moſes, Joſhua, & the firſt Judges which preceded Monarchy, were Raiſers of Taxes.Dan. 11.20. There ſhall ſtand up a RAISER of TAXES, &c. but within few dayes he ſhall be deſtroyed, neither in Anger, nor in Battel. It is worth our obſervation, That the Spirit of God gives him no other Title, as if this Taxing of the people were the Beginning and the End of his Reign.

Before I ſpeak of particular Inſtances, I deſire the Reader to ſearch the Scriptures, that ſo he may be able to ſatisfie himſelf in this Queſtion, viz. Whether Moſes, Joſhua, or the Judges, did practiſe the way of Aſſeſments and Impoſitions upon their Brethren, which now are ſo current, and have been ſo much in uſe in the Nations round about, as well as here at home, ſo that it is, as it were, another nature; as it happens to thoſe Porters, who carry Burthens, cuſtome makes that to ſeem but light to them, which to another (not converſant in ſuch Imployment) would be found a Burthen too heavy for him to bear.

p. 18The children of Iſrael were made a FREE PEOPLE by God, when he took them out of the Houſe of Bondage, and ſo might have continued under their Judges, Jehovah being their King and Lawgiver, If they had not ſet up a King after the manner of the IDOLATROUS NATIONS round about them.

There is not a more broad black badge of abſolute ſlavery under abſolute Sovereignty, than for a people once made free by Gods eſpecial Providence, to be contented to bee Taxed and Aſſeſſed by the Arbitrary power of a Sovereign Lord afterward.

I ſhall begin this Epitome of the HISTORY of TAXES, Monarchy and Taxes born & brought forth among Gods people in Samuels time.with the Hiſtory of Monarchy ſet up in the midſt of Iſrael, raſhly and unadviſedly by themſelves (when they were bleſſed with Samuel, one of the beſt Governours that ever the people of God injoyed) for it appears to mee, that theſe Burthens upon the Lords people, came in with Kingſhip, or at leaſt, the way was prepared for Bondage to return upon them, when nothing but a King would ſerve their turn.

For when the Lord bid Samuel proteſt ſolemnly unto them, It is the manner of Kings to take the peoples goods in part, or in whole. 1 Sam. 8.14, 15. 16, 17. verſes.1 Sam 8:141 Sam 8:151 Sam 8:161 Sam 8:17and ſhew them the manner of the King that ſhall reign over them, Among other heads of Arbitrary power, which he reckoned up before them, hee tells them plainly, THAT THEIR KING WOƲLDTAKE THEIR FIELDS, AND THEIR VINEYARDS, AND THEIR OLIVEYARDS, even the beſt of them, and give them to his ſervants; And he will TAKE (ſaith Samuel) THE TENTH OF YOƲR SEED, AND OF YOƲR VINEYARDS, and give to his Eunuchs, and to his ſervants; He will TAKE THE TENTH OF YOƲR SHEEP, and yee ſhall be his ſervants, &c.

Now, although the total ſum of the charge (beſides their bondage otherwiſe) for the mantainance of a Monarch, was computed to riſe ſo high, ſo that it would make them at length cry unto the Lord, becauſe of their King (And indeed Kings and Sovereign Lords, or what ever Titles they are known by, are COSTLY CREATƲRES **1 Sam. 8.18, 19, & 20 verſes1 Sam 8:181 Sam 8:191 Sam 8:20, p. 19and will make the people ſigh, and cry too, within a little while after they are gotten into the Saddle) I ſay, notwithſtanding all this, they ſaid, Nay, but there ſhall be a King over us, a King ſhall reign over us, that we alſo may be like all the Nations **As if they ſhould ſay, Seeing ſlavery is in faſhion in other Nations, we will be ſlaves alſo; Tyranny being the Mode in all Countries round about us, we will have a Tyrant too, though God himſelf ſay Nay; we ſay, Yea. Rom 15.4.Rom 15:4. And when they had gotten him, they all ſhouted, God ſave the King; they had not known by experience the Burthenſomneſſe of Taxes and Tribute, of Tenths and Fifteenths, one time after another, for they that ruled them aforetime under … being Judges raiſed up in needful ſeaſons, were Sav…rs and Deliverers, and not Raiſers of Taxes, and ſo while they walked as his people, there was not a freer people upon the face of the earth than they.

But now, let him that readeth, and thoſe that hear the words of this Hiſtory collected out of the Oracles of God, obſerve exactly what followed hereupon; for whatſoever things were written aforetime (either Prophetically or Hiſtorically concerning Kings, and their Arbitrary power, concerning Taxe and Tribute-money, as well as other matters) were written for our learning, that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. And indeed I write in hope, and not in deſpair; as he that ſoweth, ſoweth in hope that ſome good fruit will follow, though divers ſharp ſtorms may intervene.

At the firſt entrance to this New Honor, Saul behaved himſelf, as if Samuels words would want a verification. Good Man! He could not bee found, hee had hid himſelf among the ſtuff **1 Sam. 10.211 Sam 10:21; he had rather have lived in a Cottage all dayes of his life, (people might think by this ſymptome of Self-denial) than live in a Royal Palace, and be attended and honoured like a King.

Beſides, there was no probability hee would ever oppreſſe the people, by taking their Vineyards, &c. from them: For whereas ſome brought no preſents to their New King, as did others, but deſpiſed him, ſaying, How ſhall this man ſave us? Hee held his peace **1 Sam. 10.27. foreign LXX. Plane conticuit, Tre. fuit, ut obmuteſcens.1 Sam 10:27, he paſſed it by, as if hee did not underſtand any thing of thoſe Myſteries: Hee p. 20was altogether unlike a Raiſer of Taxes upon his Brethren, for he did not care, one would think, for preſents: He made a fair ſhew in the fleſh **foreign., (being a Member of the Church of God) in matters of Religion and Godlineſſe alſo. For when one of the diſ-affected party, who would not have him to be King, was called for to be put to death, as a Traytor to his new Crown and Dignity, The Ki…aid, **1 Sam. 11.12, 13.1 Sam 11:121 Sam 11:13There ſhall not a man be put to death this day, for to … …ord hath wrought ſalvation in Iſrael. Did not this Ki… …peak like a very godly man? Did he ſpeak as if he would be Arbitrarie in his Government, 1 Sam. 9, 7, 21 1 Sam. 10 6.10, 11. cap. 11. v. 13, 15. c. 14.18. & from 34. to 44.1 Sam 9:71 Sam 9:211 Sam 10:61 Sam 10:101 Sam 10:11and take their goods, as Samuel ſaid, without, and againſt all Law and Equity? See the Scriptures in the Margin, if you would underſtand what a Profeſſor Saul was, while yet he was an ordinary private man, and after he came to the honor of Kingſhip alſo for a good ſpace of time. But at length, when he was told **1 Sam. 15.23, 26, 28.1 Sam 15:231 Sam 15:261 Sam 15:28The Kingdome ſhould be rent from him, and given to his neighbour, that he ſhould **Verſ 30.loſe his honor before the Elders and the People, then he begun to appear in his proper colours.

Firſt, Samuel, that had been ſo inſtrumental to ſet him up, was fearful his Tyranny would break forth againſt him to his deſtruction, and ſlaying is worſe than taxing, ſee 1 Sam. 16.2. If Saul hear it, ſaith he, that I go to anoint another to be King, he will kill me.

The next apparent Symptome of his Tyranny we find to be againſt David, theſe were two of the choiſeſt men in the whole Nation; The young man had no lands, it ſeems, for he calls himſelf a poor man, 1 Sam. 18.23. but Saul finds out a way of taxing him at an hundred foreskins of the Philiſtims **A ſtrange Taxe laid upon David by K. Saul., but his end was to get his life, nevertheleſſe David payes his Tax, and ſaves his own life, the Lord being with him in that deſperate Deſign, he brings two hundred Fore-skins, and they gave them in full tale (like ſo much money told out) unto the King, **That Tare levied, and paid by David.verſ. 27.

Moreover, The Spirit of God makes it plain, that Samuel was a true Prophet concerning the point in hand; p. 21for in the 1 Sam. 22.7. he makes this ſpeech, Will the ſon of Jeſſe give you every one Fields and Vineyards? &c. Where I gather, Saul could do it, namely at this time. Indeed time was, when he could not ſpeak at that rate, but now being King and Sovereign Ruler, he could ſend for any mans eſtate, in part or in whole, as the Prophet ſaid; He could by his private Council vote men Traytors, as he did; and he that makes no conſcience of takin… mens lives for pretended Treaſon, will make as lit… aking away their eſtates: And ſo he might quickly … …ields and Vineyards good ſtore (though not well gotten) to give his Eunuchs and ſervants that knew well how to pleaſe his humor, and ſerve his luſts.

Thus he dealt with the Prieſts, Hee ſlew at once by a verbal order, **Saul ſlayes the Prieſts of the Lord, as Traytors, by a verbal order. Here were Vineyards for him, to give his Court Paraſites.and Doegs hand, eighty five perſons that did wear a linnen Ephod; and what was the pretended crime? Oh they were Traytors, for they conſpired againſt me, ſaith Saul, and their hand is with David, they gave him bread and a ſword, and inquired of God for him, and did not come and tell him, who was their King, &c. Having deſtroyed the City, and the inhabitants, men, women, and children, here were rewards, and gratuities for his Courtiers. This was a quicker way than levying of Taxes.

So he dealt with the Gibeonites, **The Gibeonites ſlain by Saul, what became of their eſtates? Kings as well as the Judges were to govern according to the Law of God. See Deut. 17.18 19, 20.Deut 17:182 Sam. 21.1. He ſlew them, no queſtion they had ſome ſubſtance, and to whom did it belong but the King? Now the Judges while they were the Higher Powers in the Nation, under God, did not uſe to take away the lives and eſtates of their brethren arbitrarily as Kings did, but obſerved the Letter, and the Equity of the Law, and there is no Law that I can find for taxing their brethren with a monthly Aſſeſment, or otherwiſe.

I have been the larger upon this, to the end you may ſee, when a ſingle perſon Reigns and Rules in the PORT, POMP, and POWER of an ABSOLƲTE KING (deſtroying old Laws, and making new at his pleaſure, permitting ſuch Laws to continue in force, which do not p. 22ſo neerly reflect upon his Intereſt, but ſuppreſſing all others) there is more danger to a free people from him, than from thoſe who are circumſcribed by the Law, and have no Army at command to ſtand by them in caſe they ſhould miſ-govern at any time.

Thus you have ſeen, as in a glaſſe of Chryſtal, That they who ſet up the PROFITABLE TRADE OF KING-CRAFT, WITH MEN OF WAR TO PROTECT THEM, (for Saul was General, as well as King) …y, in a ſhort time (if they follow their Leader Saul, the firſt Monarch over the Church and people of God) become very rich in Silver and Gold, and other ſubſtance, from the Confiſcations and Impoſitions, &c. which by their Prerogative Royal they lay upon the people.

I ſhall paſſe over Davids times briefly, becauſe he being a man after Gods own heart, foreign, Act. 13.22.Acts 13:22and generally deſiring to fulfill all his wills (and not his own) was by grace prevented, and reſtrained from thoſe outrages which his Predeceſſor was guilty of.

The matter of Ʋriah is excepted indeed, when all his other miſ-carriages were buried by an act of oblivion from the Great Jehovah, as you find it, 1 King. 15.5.

Nevertheleſſe, for our learning, as to the point in hand, he took away Mephiboſheths lands **2 Sam. 16. begin. zibah the Court Paraſite flattereth David into an unworthy and unjuſt proceeding againſt innocent Mephiboſheth.2 Sam 16, without hearing the Accuſed, and the Accuſer, face to face. And certainly, if he did ſuch an act of injuſtice in the time of his ſtreights, he might have made many ſuch inſtances of taking away the eſtates of guiltleſſe ſubjects, if the Lord had not kept him from ſuch oppreſſion.

A ſingle Perſon (though a Saint) in the exerciſe of higheſt Power, will certainly act the part of a wicked Tyrant, if he hearken to wicked Informers, as you find even David did to Zibah; how much more, if he be an Hypocrite, will he perſecute the Righteous, who have detected his tyrannical ſubtle Diſſimulations?

In the next place let us examine the Reign of Solomon p. 23the wiſe. His Government alſo was very heavy herein **Solomon laid a Tribute, and a heavy yoke alſo. 2 Chron. 10.4. 1 King. 12.4.2 Chr 10:41 Kgs 12:4, eſpecially in his latter dayes; for all the Congregation of Iſrael, came to his Son, ſaying, Thy Father made our yoke grievous, now therefore eaſe thou ſomewhat the grievous ſervitude of thy Father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will ſerve thee.

Its plain, the people accounted themſelves oppreſſed, and wearied with the weight of Solomons Government: It is alſo cleerly expreſſed in the Text, that King Solomon, 1 King. 5.13.1 Kgs 5:13did raiſe a levie out of all Iſrael, and that Adoniram or Adoram who was over the Tribute, being ſent to quiet the Mutiny, was ſlain by the people, 1 King. 12.18.1 Kgs 12:18inraged againſt Rehoboam for giving ſuch an anſwer. All this is paſt diſpute.

Queſt. But what was that Tribute or Levie, in particular, which occaſioned ſo fatal a Rent of ten Tribes from the houſe of David on ſuch a ſudden?

Anſ. So far as I can apprehend for the preſent, by comparing things together, it was that Tribute (of men) mentioned, 1 King. 5.13. **foreign, (the ſame word in Rom. 13.6, 7.) LXX.Rom 13:6Rom 13:7it is varied in the Margin, You may find that Solomon was exceedingly addicted to build, and to plant, and he imployed an hundred and fifty thouſand men, I ſuppoſe the moſt part of his Reign, to build (beſides the houſe of the Lord, and his own) ſeveral Cities for ſtore, Cities for his Chariots, Cities for his Horſes, &c. 1 King 9.19.1 Kgs 9:19And though they were Tributaries, and not of the children of Iſrael, yet, Verſ. 21.being eppreſſed with conſtant bond-ſervice (as it is called) Its no marvel though they grew diſcontent and mutinous. And although they having a reverend regard to King Solomon, who firſt impoſed this Tribute or Levie, 1 King 12.16. Rehoboams continuing, and going about to increaſe their burthen and bondage, fatal to his Court-Intereſt.1 Kgs 12:16would not riſe up againſt him, yet, it appears, they would not indure the Yoke, and the Burthen to be continued upon their Necks and their Backs by his ſon Rehoboam.

However it was, you ſee their Oppreſſions long continued, bred diſcontent, and that diſcontent broke out into that which the New King, and his young Privy Counſellors would, no doubt, account and call Rebellion, p. 24and no doubt, they would have made a war upon them, rather than have put up ſo high an affront, if God himſelf had not ſent a peremptory prohibition by his Prophet, to prevent them, 1 King. 12.23, 24.

From the premiſes, in this Inſtance of Solomon and his Son, theſe following Obſervations may be made.

1 That the moſt prudent Monarchs are too apt to ſtretch their power beyond its bounds, and to advance an Aſſumed Prerogative to the prejudice of the people, in point of Liberty, and comforts otherwiſe.

2 That all extrajudicial and illegal Impoſitions, Taxes, Tributes, Levies, and Aſſeſments in any kind whatſoever, do ingender very bad blood in the peoples veines, which produceth dangerous diſcontents, and diſtempers in the midſt of them.

3 A free people oppreſſed by violent Impreſtings, Impriſonments, Confiſcations, and any Arbitrary practices, though managed by the wiſeſt States-men, will watch a convenient ſeaſon to obtain a juſt remedy, or throw their Riders.

Iſſachar was compared to a ſtrong Aſſe, couching down between two burthens, Gen. 49.14. Iſſachar is compared to an Aſſe, for becoming a ſervant unto Tribute. 1 Chron. 12.32.Gen 49:141 Chr 12:32he ſaw that reſt was good, and the land that it was pleaſant, and bowed his ſhoulder to bear, and he became a ſervant unto Tribute.

But afterward the men of Iſſachar (the Aſſe was now become a man) had underſtanding of the times to know what Iſrael ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred, and all their brethren were at their Commandement.

The Tribe which was moſt oppreſſed, could tell when it was the beſt ſeaſon to relinquiſh the houſe of Saul, and to ſet up David to be King; And no queſtion, thoſe of Gods people now, who beſide the burden which is laid upon them in common with their neighbours, are under bondage otherwiſe for conſcience ſake, who are called and looked upon as Fools, will have underſtanding given them to cry Hoſanna to the Son of David, when their Brethren that hated them, and caſt them out for his names ſake, ſhall bee aſhamed, and ſecretly wiſh, p. 25that the Son of David would delay his coming; but this by the way.

The next King which I ſhall mention after Solomon and his Son, is Aſa, he alſo oppreſſed the people, Aſa a good man in the main, but a bad king, in that he impriſoneth the Lords Prophets, and oppreſſeth the people. 2 Chron. 16. from verſ. 2. to 10.2 Chr 16though a godly man; he had taken treaſures out of the houſe of the Lord, and out of the Kings houſe, both ſilver and gold, and ſent it to Benhadad King of Syria, to help him againſt Iſrael.

Hanani, the Seer, makes bold to meddle with theſe matters of State, reproves and threatens the King from the Lord, for his ſin, and his folly; The King was wroth with the Seer, and, being in a rage, put him in priſon, and having made the SEER faſt enough, that he might not OVERSEE HIS STATE-AFFAIRS, he oppreſſed the people at the ſame time. What this Oppreſſion was, is not expreſſed; but to me it appears, by the Context, and other circumſtances, that hee got this money (which hee iſſued out of his Exchequer to bribe Benbadad) from the people, afterward, by a Levie or a Tax; for Kings, and ſuch like creatures, who are ſupreme Lords, do not uſe to be ſo kind-hearted, as to pay a great rate for the publick peace, with their own money, and the people never hear of the bargain, before, nor after; ſurely they have other uſes for the treaſures of the Kings houſe, if they have either Son or Daughter, or their own kindred to ſhew kindneſſe to.

But if this Inſtance have ſome darkneſſe in it as to this point, ſure I am it is beyond all controverſie, Menahem a Raiſer of Taxes.that the condition of the people under Menahem, was very ſad, in reference to this point of Oppreſſion, and of Taxes by name **2 King. 15. from verſ. 16. to 22. A ſad ſtory. Menahem, a cruel Uſurper.2 Kgs 15. This Menahem ſmote Shallum, and ſlew him, and Reigned in his ſtead (what this Shallum was, you may ſee in the Text) Now becauſe a certain City, called Tipbſab opened not to him, therefore he ſmote it, and all the women which were with child he ript up; Oh horrible Tyranny! He was reſolved to be a Monarch, right, or wrong, and woful was the calamity of that City which refuſed TO PROCLAIM HIS SWORD-TITLE, for p. 26other Title he had none. This example affrighted other Cities, and, poor Wretches! they had bettet yeeld, than reſiſt a bold and reſolute Ʋſurper.

But how did he get the Kingdome confirmed? Menthem buyeth the confirmation of the Kingdom, and cauſeth the people to pay for his purchaſe. The rich men taxed, the poor ſpared, by Menahem.He gave a Bribe of a Thouſand Talents of ſilver to Pul King of Aſſyria, that his hand might be with him to confirm the Kingdome in his hand; But who muſt pay for all at laſt? the Holy Ghoſt will have us to know, That alſo, Menahem EXACTED THE MONEY of Iſrael, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty ſhekels of ſilver. So the King of Aſſyria (the head Landlord it ſeems) took a good round fine, and went away; but it is worth our obſervation, That he exacted the Tribute-money of the rich men, who could ſpare it out of their ſuperfluity. Truly he was a good natured Tyrant to the poor, if he ſpared them out of pity and tenderneſſe; I wiſh it were a cuſtome in this Nation.

We have yet a more diſtinct account of this raiſing of Taxes; you ſhall find it recorded in the 2 King. 23.35. Pharach-Nechoh put the land to a Tribute of an hundred talents of ſilver, and a talent of gold; and having left Eliakim, whom he had made King, and called him Jehoiakim; Jehoiakim a Raiſer of Taxes. 2 King. 23.34, 35.2 Kgs 23:342 Kgs 23:35he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandement of Pharach; he the ſaid King, exacted, ſaith the Text, the ſilver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his Taxation.

Thus you have the original and progreſſe of this conſtant Companion of Kingſhip hitherto, in the ſtory of the Kings and Chronicles; but if you look narrowly into the Prophets, The writings of the Prophers do confirm this Hiſtory of Taxes Nebuchadnezzar the head of gold, yet a heavie oppreſfor of the Jewsyou will find theſe truths abundantly confirmed, inſomuch that the people had cauſe to cry out in that day mentioned by Samuel, in 1 Sam. 8.18. becauſe of their King which they had choſen them, and becauſe the Lord (as he told them) would not hear them in that day.

But now, as for the four Monarchies, under all which they were in bondage, I ſhall give but ſhort hints of their ſufferings in this matter, becauſe I p. 27would not bee tedious to the Reader.

I begin with the firſt verſe of the Lamentations of Jer. Lam. 1.1. & 5. v. 2. & 4.Lam 1:1Lam 5:2Lam 5:4ſaith that Affectionate Prophet, She that was great among the Nations, and Princeſs among the Provinces, how is ſhe become TIBUTARY? And in the fifth Chanter, Our inheritance is turned to Srangers, our houſes to Aliens, we have drunken our water for money, and our wood is ſold unto us; For men of profligate lives, and ſuch as were Traytors to their Country, and to the Cauſe of God in their day, to be puniſhed according to their demerits, and according to Law and Equity, is not unrighteous; but for the choiſeſt people to be worſe dealt with, and more oppreſſed than their wicked neighbours, this is heavy, and yet this was the condition of the Prophets, The Kings & Princes of Judah oppreſſed & broken with burdens and bondage, after they had oppreſſed their ſubjects.and moſt eminent beleevers, under their Kings for the moſt part, till at length, for their abuſing the Prophets, and oppreſſing the people, eſpecially thoſe who were quiet in the land, the Kings, and the Princes, and the Judges, and the men of War, were carried into Captivity, and oppreſſed, and put under the yoke of the King of Babylon; She that was Princeſs among the Provinces became TRIBUTARY. This for the firſt Monarchy.

That bondage and burthen of Taxes and Tributes under the Perſian Monarchy, The people of God under Taxes and Tribute, by the Perfian Monarchie.is notably expreſſed by the Levites, in the ninth of Nehemiah, the two laſt verſes, and is much like the caſe of ſome Saints come lately out of Babylon at this day; Behold, ſay they to the Lord, We are ſervants this day, and for the Land that thou gaveſt unto our Fathers, to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof, behold we are ſervants in it, and it yeeldeth much increaſe unto the Kings whom thou haſt ſet over us becauſe of our ſins, The Grecian Monarchie a Raiſer of Taxes, he who is call…d by that name, did belong to this Empire, Dan. 11.20.Dan 11:20alſo they have DOMINION OVER OUR BODIES, AND OVER OUR CATTEL AT THEIR PLEASURE, and we are in great diſtreſſe.

The Grecian Monarchy alſo had power over the Jews, Alexander, when he beſieged Tyrus, ſent for that tribute to Jaddus the High-Prieſt, that they had paid to Darius, but Jaddus ſent an anſwer that he was ſworn to Darius, p. 28and while he was alive, he muſt not break his faith; but afterward (that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled in Zech. Zech. 9.8. Alexander ſendeth for a Taxe, but, though denied forbears violence. Joſeph. Ant. lib. 11. cap. ult.Zech 9:89. ſaying, I will incamp about my houſe, becauſe of the Army, becauſe of him that paſſeth by (meaning Alexander the Great, and his Army towards Egypt) and becauſe of him that returneth (meaning the ſame Alexander, returning that way after the Conqueſt of Egypt) I ſay, becauſe of this word, Alexander did not offer violence to Jeruſalem, as he threatned, when his demands to Jaddus were not anſwered, but came to an agreement about Tribute, and yeelded to Jaddus his requeſt, that the Taxes might be forborn every ſeventh year, becauſe, by their Laws, The land muſt reſt every ſeventh year **Lev. 25.7. firſt verſes.Lev 25:7, & not be ſowed; but although this Monarch was favourable to the Jews in point of Tribute, or other burthens, for he, as Hiſtories mention, was well affected to the Nation of the Jews, yet his ſucceſſors, eſpecially ſome of them, were moſt cruel Tyrants, and Task-maſters; but I ſhall not inſiſt longer in this of the third, or Grecian Monarchy.

But as for the fourth Kingdom, The fourth Monarchy taxeth all the world, and the Jews in particular, recorded Luke 2.1, 2, 3.Luke 2:1Luke 2:2Luke 2:3or Roman power, they the Jews, have abundantly drunk of this cup of Bitterneſſe under them, for as their ſufferings were greater, ſo they were likewiſe of longer continuance, and they are not delivered to this day.

The Lord Jeſus was born at that time when all the world was to be Taxed by the Decree **foreign.of the Roman Emperor, ſo that as he was under the Law of Moſes, in one reſpect, ſo in another, he was under the power of the fourth Beaſt: And afterward, he paid Tribute to the Romans Officers, though he intimated the children were free **Mat. 17.25, 26, 27.Matt 17:25Matt 17:26Matt 17:27; The people of the Jews were ſo deſirous of freedome from the Roman bondage, every way, that they ſufficiently ſignified it ſeveral wayes, Publicans and Harlots, Publicans and ſinners, a very frequent phraſe among the Jews.they were ready to riſe and follow any one almoſt of their Nation, who would pretend to be a Deliverer, and a Saviour of them from the Romans, and to ſignifie their diſcontentedneſſe at their Taxations and Oppreſſions, they ranked the Publicans with Harlots, and ſuch groſſe ſinners.

p. 29But now Conſder, Chriſt and his Apoſtles taught the Diſciples and Chriſtians to pay Tribute and Cuſtom **Matth. 17.27. Rom 13.6, 7.Matt 17:27Rom 13:6Rom 13:7quietly, patiently to indure thoſe Burthens, and worſe than thoſe, of ſpoiling their goods, becauſe they knew that this fourth Beaſt was by the appointment of God to be dreadful and terrible, and ſtrong exceedingly. God had ordained it to have great iron teeth, to devour and break in peeces, and to ſtamp the reſidue or remnant with the feet of it; They gave them no incouragement or countenance in the leaſt to reſiſt this exceeding dreadful Beaſt, by abuſing, beating, or otherwiſe riſing up againſt it, or the Officers which were imployed by it, as ſometimes they had opportunity, as well as the Jews, to make ſome oppoſition, if Chriſt had given liberty.

And on the other ſide, when ever the Jews did make head againſt the Romans, as they did to the uttermoſt, and to the very laſt man, as it were, many times, yet they alwaies found the iſſue was ſad and unproſperous altogether, they could not poſſibly ſhake off that yoak of bondage, which the Lord had determined to yoak all Nations with, as thoſe who are verſed in Prophecy and Hiſtory in any competent meaſure, do well know.

Thus the Saints and beſt Chriſtians did exerciſe Faith and Patience (they are often put together in reference to this point that I am treating of) for the firſt 300 years after Chriſt, they did bear very heavy burthens, ſpoiling of their Goods, Houſes, Lands, Lives, all went, under the Heathen Romans, being ſtill the Higher Powers in all the habitable world.

Then Conſtantine the Great, being a Chriſtian, Conſtantine gave a little reviving to the Chriſtians in their bondage.there was a lucid interval for a ſeaſon; the Saints had reſt from perſecution, and from other hard bondage in the Mines, and other miſerable conditions which they had indured, but whether from Taxes and Tributes, that I ſhall not inſiſt upon, for I haſten; I beleeve the Chriſtians generally, paid their Rates and Proportions with other people, towards the ſupport and maintenance of the Majeſty of the Roman Name and Empire.

p. 30The Arian perſecution I will paſs over, and come down towards theſe daies, theſe wonderful daies wherein we live.

What beavy Taxes and Impoſitions the Kings of the Earth, The Whore of Babylon, the Beaſt which catrieth her, & the ten horns in Rev. 17.7, 12, 13, 14.Rev 17:7Rev 17:12Rev 17:13Rev 17:14and the Whore of Babylon, agreed together to lay upon the people, though never ſo good Catholicks, is known by the Hiſtories and Annals of the ſeveral Kingdoms and States, under the juriſdiction of the Sea of Rome; and the Lords people, you may be ſure, could not eſcape the common calamity, where Kingſhip prevails; nay, it had been as much as they could have wiſhed in this world in that matter, if they might have born the common burthens of the inſlaved people, and no more; but they were ſingled out from their Neighbors, and ſet apart as a But, for the Pope and Popiſh Princes to ſpend their Arrows upon, in a more eſpecial manner: Read the Hiſtory of the Waldenſes and Albigenſes, it is worthy ſerious peruſal at this time.

Our Anceſtors indeed ſtruggled hard for Magna Charta **Magna Charta in many parts is made waſte paper by the Souldiers now., in time of popery, as much for freedom from Court-tyranny, I think, as any Nation we read of, yet hiſtories are plain, that there were grievous burthens laid upon the people, partly by the Pope, for the maintenance of the Univerſal Biſhop, and partly by the Court (the intereſt whereof, was alwaies, and ever will be, an intereſt croſs to that of the people, eſpecially of Gods people) but it was beſt for the people, when their Kings and the Court of Rome were at the greateſt diſtance.

At length, K. Hen. 8 depoſed the Pope from his Headſhip in England and made himſelf Head of the Church, & taxed the people, the Parſons and Vicats &c. in the Popes ſtead.through the wonderful providence of God (upon what account I will not here mention) K. Henry 8. eaſt off the Pope, and ſo deſtroyed his Game, which had been ſo gainful for ſo many ages, I mean the winning of ſo many Peter-pence, Annates, money for polls, and other trinkets, &c. but the King would needs be head of the Church in the Popes ſtead, and ſo by his Court of Augmentations inriched himſelf with thoſe Revenues which belonged to the Monaſtries, and the Pope, yet this was little eaſe to the people, for what a Tyrant this King alſo p. 31was to his Subjects, eſpecially to the beſt of the Saints, the ſcourge with ſix Coards (as I remember it was called) and Sir Walter Rawleigh in his Preface to the Hiſtory of the world, will well inform us. Q. Mary oppreſſed the Saints with fire & fagot. Q Eliz. a moderate higher Power, yet the people of God (under the name of Puritan) under great bondage.His Daughter Mary alſo ſacrificed the lives of the choyceſt Saints, for the ſervice of that Beaſt, But I haſten.

Indeed, his Daughter Queen Elizabeth, who being more in good earneſt for the beſt cauſe then in the world (called the Intereſt of the Proteſtants) againſt the Houſe of Auſtria, and the Catholique Popiſh league in France, governed the Nation more honorably, and was a better Higher Power, than any I read of before or ſince, in the Catalogue of Monarchs (King Edw. 6. died in his nonage) and yet it is well known what havock was made of the Nonconformiſts, under the notion of Puritans, in her time; how were they oppreſſed and perſecuted by the Prelates? and what Burthens and Impoſitions, what Coſts and Charges they were put to in reſpect of their non-compliance with the Ceremonies, is remembred to this day, the lives of ſome of the choyceſt Saints were taken away for bearing teſtimony for the Lord Jeſus, againſt the Lords ſpiritual (as the Prelates were called) and their abominations, and other abuſes in the Court.

Thus you ſee how the Diſciples indured a very heavy yoke of bondage, even in that period of time, when the fourth Beaſt was moſt tame and moſt gentle, namely, in Q. Eliz. time and reign.

Before I paſs from this Point, The two Scotiſh Kings lay heavy yoaks upon the Saints K. James a ſoat oppreſſor of the Nonconformiſts.I muſt give a ſhort remembrance of the two Scotiſh Kings and their Government. Not long after King James came to the Engliſh Throne; ther were ſuſpended, ſilenced, deprived, turned out of houſe and harbor, &c. almoſt two hundred of the choyceſt Preachers throughout the Nation, men of the beſt Gifts, eminent for Godlineſs, ſound in the Faith, moſt ſuccesful in the Miniſtry, and why was the condition of theſe precious ones ſo much worſe than that of their Brethren? becauſe they would not worſhip the Beaſt; becauſe they could not ſubſcribe to the Ceremonies of p. 22the Church of England, &c. therefore they muſt be impoveriſhed, by Fines, Attendance, Fees, Mulcts, and Penalties, Beſides the common burthen of the Nation in point of Taxes, the Saints help to maintain their Brethren, the Preachers, who were ſilenced, and put out of all.which they were oppreſſed with: This undoing of many Families, occaſioned the godly people to diſtribute to their neceſſities; ſome of my Kindred, to my knowledge, have given, ſeveral of them, yearly allowances for twenty or thirty years together, after the King and Biſhops had taken away their livelihood, for nonconformity: It is incredible to the young generation of Diſciples, what the beſt ſort of Saints have ſuffered ſince the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth: And though I am not of that age as to remember any publique Tranſactions in the reign of this firſt Scotiſh King, yet by Hiſtory, by Books of another nature, by converſe with antient intelligent Profeſſors, I do ſo well underſtand the heavy Oppreſſions and Perſecutions of the beſt people in the Nation, that I do judge, and publiquely declare, it were a very noble enterpize to collect a faithful hiſtory of the ſufferings of the ſervants of God, for teſtifying againſt the Beaſt and the falſe Prophet, ſo boldly, ſo conſtantly, and ſo ſucceſsfully this laſt hundred years, or ſince the tenth year of the Queen aforeſaid.

However, when the Judge of the quick and the dead ſhall ingage in this work, 1 Cor. 4.5.1 Cor 4:5of bringing to light the hidden works of darkneſs; and of revealing all the plots of the Kings and Prelates, for the cruſhing and ſuppreſſing of the truth, and thoſe Saints that owned it, the admiration will be unſpeakable; Oh what a cloud of witneſſes will then appear with Chriſt in glory, who in the world have been over-clouded with ſhame and moſt infamous reproach, Col. 3.4.Col 3:4with all diſgrace imaginable. But whether am I carried? excuſe this ſudden digreſſion; K. Charls an unreaſonable raiſer of taxes.and obſerve with me, that Charles his Son, who reigned in his ſtead, walked in the waies of his Fore-fathers, and how far he went beyond his Predeceſſors in impoſing illegal Burthens upon the people, I leave to **Lawyers are acquainted, with his projects to get mony from the people.Lawyers to compute, who are more verſed in thoſe Affairs.

But I know that it was a ſad time with the moſt zealous, p. 33heavenly Chriſtians, with the moſt eminent preachers and Profeſſors, Will. Laud a great perſecutor and oppreſſor of the Saints by fines, impriſonment, viſitations, &c.the perſecution was ſo hot under William Laud, both when he was Lord Biſhop of London, and afterwards of Canterbury, that thouſands of good people did tranſport themſelves to ſtrange remote Countries, ſome fled to neighbor Nations, to get out of his reach, this was great oppreſſion; as for thoſe that ſtaid behind, they hid themſelves in corners, were put to great coſt and charges upon the account of their non-conformity, beſides what burthens were laid upon their ſhoulders in common with other people, they were taxed, fined, ſequeſtred, and ſqueezed, by the Prelates Court… and Officers, moſt unreaſonably: How many turned out of doors for not reading the Book of Sports, allowed upon the firſt day of the week? Yea, the very viſiting, and ſpeaking, or ſhewing any kindneſs or countenance to Mr. Burton, Mr. Prin, and Dr. Baſtick as they journied into baniſhment, through the Countries, coſt many precious ſouls very dear, as will appear in fulneſs of time to all the world.

After this, The Claſſical Directory, the common Prayer books ſucceſſor coſt the Nation a great ſum.a coſtly Common Prayer for Scotland was formed and impoſed, ſeconded with a great Army, which, and all the illegal Taxations before, as for Knighthood at the beginning of his Government, the Iſle of Ree. Ship-money, &c. had made the very common, carnal people, to ſee the Engliſh Government inclining to the French Garb, where the Taxes are endleſs, eaſeleſs, and remedileſs, as the poor Peaſants may well compute.

Thus, I have drawn this line of the HISTORY OF TAXES AND TRIBU…ES, of ARBITRARY LEVIES AND IMPOSITIONS, through ſo many ages, tracing this hateful monſter from its cradle, in Souls time (who was the firſt Monarch over the people of God) to its old age; for indeed, Chriſtians, it waxeth old, and is ready to vaniſh away. Wait but a while, you ſhall hear more. But to finiſh this diſcourſe, I have, you ſee, brought you down to the beginning of the Scotiſh Troubles, which p. 34being a day of ſmall things, The Scotiſh oppoſition to the Prelates and their trinkets, a door of hope opened to the oppreſſed Saints.was ready to be deſpiſed, as not having any great birth in the womb of it. When the Scotiſh woman threw her ſtool at the Prieſts head in the chief Church, as they call it, at Edenburgh, as he was reading the Maſs-book over her head in the Scotiſh language, and a tumult followed thereupon, I hearing of it, was very much affected with it, and found my Spirit mightily raiſed to expect great things. I looked on it as the firſt great turn of the Tide, whereby we were carried ſo faſt toward the Sea of Rome, and that was the firſt occaſion of my looking into the Revelation, and the Prophet Daniel.

Whereupon I ſaw plainly the Lord was reſolved to turn back the captivity of his people, The Parlament will not levy a Tax to make war with Scotland.eſpecially when the ſhort Parlament refuſed to tax the Nation for the maintenance of the war with the good people of Scotland; that Aſſembly being diſſolved by the Kings Prerogative, he was conſtrained much againſt his mind to ſummon another Parlament, in the ſame year; the moſt High over-ruled him, brought him into inextricable labirynths, all the policy of his Stateſ-men could not prevent the approaching Decrees of the King of Kings.

Whereupon the God of Heaven being with them for Judgement and Juſtice, Illegal Taxations, damned in ful Parlament.all Arbitrary Courts, all illegal Taxations, were damned in full Parlament. This was a year of Jubilee to the poor oppreſſed Sectaries, and Non-conformiſts. It is a year to be remembred with gladneſs and great joy. Light breaks forth, the bondage upon the Saints is gradually taken off. We took them captives, whoſe captives we were; we rewarded them as they had rewarded us; we ruled over our oppreſſors.

The ſpirit of Antichriſt in the Prelates and their Faction, in Court, City, and Country, cannot indure to hear of, and ſee the liberty of the true Iſraelties, the return of the baniſhed, impriſoned ones: the downfal of their Diana inraged them, the Beaſt alſo began to roar in the ſenſe of this deadly blow.

p. 35But the Spirit of Chriſt riſeth higher and higher in his Servants, being incouraged by the high Court of Parlament, whoſe Office it was to take an account of the grievances and oppreſſions which had made the people full of diſcontent againſt the waies of the Court, eſpecially againſt the Prelates.

At length they take part with one Higher Power, The perſecuted Puritans joyn with the Parlament againſt the intereſt of the Court, that houſe of Bondage and Taxesbeing lawfully called thereto, againſt the other Higher Power, who had ſo cruſhed them by Prerogative, and Arbitrary proceedings, as was well known to millions. Generally, the perſecuted Chriſtians, and all the Puritans, joyned with the Parlament, for Chriſt and his intereſt, ſo far as they knew it againſt the King and his Prelates; for they well underſtood that the Court intereſt, and that of the Lords ſpiritual (as they were then called) was oppoſite to the Lord Jeſus and his affairs.

Hereupon the one Power and the other call for help every way, firſt by way of Benevolence, Taxes levied to deſtroy the old Taxes Clavum clavo.and free Contribution, afterward by Taxes and Exciſe, I dare ſay for them, who ſaw the wheel in the middeſt of the wheel **Ezek. 1.16. & 10.10.Ezek 1:16Ezek 10:10, ſo long as we perceived the Work of the Lord promoted, they might call for any thing almoſt and have it; a free will Offering they had of Gold, Silver, Jewels, Servants, Sons, Husbands, for the Lord had ſtirred up the Spirit of his people in the Land exceedingly, and they came in ſingleneſs of heart to ſerve the Lord Chriſt, and to do work in his houſe **Hag. 1.14.Hag 1:14, in the removing of Rubbiſh and other obſtacles which were laid in the way by the Man of ſin, others had other ends in going on this warfare, as afterward did frequently appear.

Thus at the beginning, we were ready to part with a great part of our livelihood, for the compleat recovery of our Liberties, and that we might ſee written vengeance executed **Pſ, 149.9. Jer. 50.28.Jer 50:28, even the vengeance of the Lords Temple, &c. and the cauſe of Chriſt carried on, and proſpering againſt Antichriſt and the Fourth Monarchy.

But when we ſaw that the firſt Army was debauched by means of many mercenary Sword-men, The firſt Army not fit inſtruments to deſtroy Tyranny.and Souldiers of Fortune, and by the prevarication of the Nobility and great p. 36men of the Nation, we knew the Work of the Lord would not proſper in their hands; thereupon, it may eaſily be conceived, we began to pay our Tribute or Taxmoney very unwillingly, the Taxes and Contributions lay exceeding heavy, and no work done: We complained to our friends in power, we ſought and beſought the Lord, that wee might not be carried back again to Egypt, but forward towards perfection in this cauſe. The Lord was intreated of his praying people, The new Model formed & uſed by God to renew the work begun for the good of the Saints.and gave them the NEW MODEL, formed contrary to principles of State-policy; but it being of God, and we finding that his Servants would ſerve him, Rev. 22:3. and not themſelves, we paid our Taxes freely again, I mean, the people of Chriſt who were made willing in the day of his power (or Armies, as ſome read it) Pſal. 110.3. the underſtanding ſort of beleevers, who knew what England ought to do (though thoſe of the Scotiſh way and ſpirit were very oppoſite) did freely lay out themſelves for their encouragement, as foreſeeing what would follow upon the taking away of Monarchical Tyranny, or Tyrannical Monarchy, as afterwards it came to paſs.

And whereas it may be accounted as heavy a bondage to be taxed by Ariſtocratical Soveraignty, The Remnant who did cleave to the work, willing to be taxed, and to charge themſelves for their Brethren in Armsas by Kingly Power, I ſay no, not ſo in this caſe, for we were ſatisfied that this charging of our ſelves, as the Scripture ſpeaks, Nehem. 10.32. was for the pulling down of that Power, which hath it as an eſſential property, entring into the very conſtitution of it, to oppreſs the people, when there is no need of Impoſitions and Taxations.

But to go on, Great affection to the new model abounding in the work of the Lord.THIS ARMY THƲS MODELD, had the Prayers, Faith, Affections, Purſes, and other aſſiſtance, of as knowing and heavenly Chriſtians, as I beleeve were in the world; they looked on them, as their dear Brethren (when others deſpiſed them, and wiſhed no good unto them) they preferred them before themſelves, eſteemed them above all the Armies that had been before them in any age ſince Chriſts time; Taxes were not Taxes, Burthens were not Burthens, great payments p. 37were light matters, every three or ſix months, when others paid their proportions out of Fear, THIS REMNANT parted with their eſtates in Love, we did not complain as others; For all this while they behaved themſelves like very choice Inſtruments in the Lords hand: Oh the honourable mention made of them before the Lord! the Saints Bucklers, under God, againſt Tyranny; our Protectors, and Defenders, as an Army againſt our ſworn enemies, friends of Chriſt, and his Intereſt, they appeared moſt notably reſolved to cleave to the work of the Lord againſt Babylon, ſo far as we could perceive, we verily thought with our ſelves, by their prayers, ſpeeches, and diſcourſes, their Declarations, Promiſes, Appeals to God, &c. That it had been almoſt impoſſible they ſhould ever prevaricate with the Lord, and his people.

Hereupon, I ſay, it was plainly ſeen, how ſome people carried themſelves, and how differently from others, we gave not grudgingly, or out of neceſsity **2 Cor 9.7. foreign, Not with grief and ſorrow, becauſe we muſt part with it.2 Cor 9:7, but cheerfully, that they might, as from their brethren, be incouraged to proceed as they had begun.

Thus it continued while Worceſter Victory, and a good ſpace after, becauſe we hoped, after they had reſted, and ſecured their ſpoyls and arrears, &c. we ſhould find them rouze up again, wherefore the Lambs followers continued their payments with a good will, I can ſpeak for my ſelf, and I beleeve many others did ſo; for when the Parliament grew ſluggiſh, and careleſſe of the work of Chriſt, now their own turn was ſerved, we had ground to beleeve that thoſe who had ſeen the wonders of the Lord in ſo many Battels, Sieges, Victories, would not have given over ſo glorious a work, and ſervice for Chriſt againſt the man of ſin, and his Adherents, and for which they had been ſo well recompenced both by God and man.The new Model decline in zeal to the Cauſe of Chriſt, and his people.

But, DALILAH DECEIVED SAMPSON. And the luſts of the fleſh, the luſts of the eyes, and the pride, have cauſed the mighty men of War to fall. If they had p. 38dealt fairly with their faithful Brethren, and told us the truth, namely, That the Lord was not with them as in times paſt; if they had ingenuouſly confeſſed, that though they had overcome the men of the world, yet the world bad overcome them (as we ſaw plainly, ſome of us, it had) if they had let us underſtand from themſelves (that which we feared would afterwards appear) that they would deliver us no further, that they could not advance one ſtep further againſt the ſcarlet Whore, and the Kings of the earth who commit fornication with her, that they were not ſpirited to follow the Lamb any further, becauſe they had gotten Farms, and Palaces, and Parks, which they muſt look after, and fall to building and planting, &c. as in the dayes of Noah, and as it will be before the coming of the Son of Man; I ſay, If they had freely opened their boſomes to us, in theſe matters, as ſome of themſelves muſt now needs ſay, there was cauſe they ſhould. It is very probable, we ſhould have dealt with them in an honeſt Chriſtian way, and have perſwaded them, to have given incouragement to their Brethren, whoſe hearts God had made willing to proceed in that glorious Warfare, which they had thus far, and thus happily begun and carried on.The new Model had warm cloaths applied to keep life and heat in them.

And indeed, ſome few of us did follow them with warm cloaths to get heat into them, and to quicken them to the work of God, and further told the chiefeſt of them, though there was a withdrawing in ſome, yet others were reſolved to promote this honourable Deſign againſt the kingdom of the Beaſt; Some brethren in danger for preſsing forward the work.but being betrayed by ſome of our own number, we were, we perceived, taken in a ſnare, to the danger of ſome of our lives, if the Lord had not prevented. But for them to decline in their affections to this noble Cauſe more and more, The new Model pull down what they had built, and build again the things they had deſtroyed.to loſe ground every day, and yet to keep the Sword in their hands; nay to exact the full ſum of the Taxations as formerly, and yet to ſuffer the Enterpriſe to ſlide back inſenſibly into the ſame, or a worſe condition than before; Nay, more than this, for the NEW MODEL to build p. 39again the ſame things they had deſtroyed, for the famous Commanders in that new Model, to ſet up old M… narchy under a ſtrange notion, and uncouth Title, The new Model ſets up old Monarchy in a new diſguiſe, and perſecere thoſe who will not fall down and worſhip the Image which they have ſet up, contrary to their own ingagements.againſt the very appearance whereof they had ſo frequently, and ſo ſolemnly ingaged and declared: And yet further, to command us alſo, who were their firm friends and brethren in all their ſtreights, to ſhut our eyes, and beleeve as the Court beleeves, upon pain of impriſonment; and if we put them in mind of their Apoſtacy, of their deceiving the Saints, and mocking of Chriſt, preſently to ſay, Take him Jailor; Oh, this is not to render to the Lord according to the benefit done unto them; this is not to recompence their brethren according to the kindneſs they have ever been ready to ſhew unto them.

So that truly, The little remnant unwilling to be charged again, as in time of the firſt Army, becauſe all things go backward.upon conſideration of that which went before, I muſt needs ſay, I cannot ſo freely pay Taxes, and give them wages now as formerly, when they minded, or pretended to mind the things of Jeſus Chriſt, the liberty of the Saints, and the calling of that bloody City, that cruel City, to an account for all thoſe maſſacres, murthers, and ſlaughters, and other cruel uſage of our forefathers, and of the preſent generation of Saints, now ſuffering exceedingly at home and abroad by her Paramors, and Lovers, the Kings & other Tyrants of the earth, and I am confident many Saints are unwilling of; Nevertheleſſe, Yet rather than reſiſt, they do ſtill part with their eſtates, though not ſo freely as formerly.to deal plainly with all men that ſhal read or hear theſe things, My Principles, and that light which I have received from the good word of God, did cauſe me to ſurrender and give up my body, and my goods without reſiſtance, yea I have paid heavy Taxes during this my unjuſt impriſonment, alſo, even as when I was at liberty; and let the powers proceed to oppreſſe me, as far as my heavenly Father pleaſeth, I rejoyce I have any thing to ſuffer the loſſe of, in ſo excellent and honourable a Cauſe as this is, wherein with my Fellow-ſufferers, I am imbarked.

But having treated thus largely from the word of God, and from Authentick Hiſtories (which are excellent Interpreters p. 40of Prophecies) concerning theſe troubleſome Inmates, which have gotten into our houſes and bowels, which ſit upon our skirts ſo conſtantly at every turn of Government, and though we ſhould ſpeak them never ſo fair, they will not depart, till they are forced out; by Judges as at the firſt, and by Councellors as at the beginning. Queſt. Moreover having alſo declared my practiſe in paying Taxes, and ſuffering impriſonment without reſiſtance; It may be asked of me by ſome knowing Saints, What are the particular grounds and reaſons of your practice in this particular?

Anſ. The reaſon of paying tribute without reſiſtance.The return I give to ſuch a Queſtion, is this, according to the Apoſtle, I AM SƲBJECT TO THE POWERS IN BEING, BECAƲSE I MƲST NEEDS BE SƲBJECT, PARTLY FOR WRATH, PARTLY FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE, Rom. 13.5. read, and conſider that ſentence.

I explain my Anſwer thus; Firſt,

I am ſubject for wrath **foreign., or becauſe of wrath, that is, the wrath of the fourth Beaſt, or Roman ſpirit in the powers; for if I ſhould have reſiſted, when the Purſevants came to attach my body (for my ſpirit indeed, bleſſed be the Lord, was, and is out of theirs, and their Maſters reach) their Roman wrath would have ſhewed it ſelf preſently by wounds or bruiſes, or other outragious violence; now I was not prepared to ſtand upon my guard, as others have done in the like caſe, neither did I intend to flee, or make any eſcape, for I was not afraid, having done no evill for which I ſhould be afraid of the powers.

Now I knowing that there was a power in being, and apprehending that I could not glorifie God better for the preſent than by ſuffering, I quietly, and exceeding cheerfully ſubmitted, and obeyed the Order, in the Authority whereof as to them, they had apprehended me, and went along with the poor creatures without gain-ſaying. I had a bleſſed Catalogue of ſuffering Saints, beſide the King of Saints, whoſe examples were very encouraging, in conjunction with ſo good a Cauſe. And thus I was, p. 41and am ſtill ſubject for wraths ſake, (as it is tranſlated, or becauſe of wrath) for what ſingle perſon can ſtand before the wrath of the Powers of this world? during that time of Domination which is allotted to them, he muſt needs be ſubject, or come under their ordering (as the word implies) becauſe of wrath; their wraths, not Gods, thus I underſtand the place.

In the next place, I ſay I am ſubject to the Powers in being, becauſe I muſt needs be ſubject, NOT ONELYONLY for wraths ſake, BƲT ALSO for conſcience ſake, or becauſe of conſcience; that is, as the wrath of violent men have a kind of compulſive power, which will neceſſitate ſingle perſons, or unarmed perſons, to yeeld to thoſe who have power, which is a real acknowledgement that they are the Higher Powers, who bear all before them; So in like manner (but in a different way of working) Conſcience in a godly man, and a knowing Chriſtian, hath a conſtraining power, which will produce a reſignation of our ſelves up to the will of God, who is Lord of the Conſcience, and he perſwading me, upon plain grounds in his word, to ſuffer under the fourth Kingdom, for the ſervice of himſelf and his Son, I chearfully obey, and forbear all words and actions of oppoſition, after the manner of men, untill the Dominion be taken away, to conſume and deſtroy it utterly, as other Kings and Kingdoms have been deſtroyed heretofore; And ſo I acknowledge there are Higher Powers in being, and I finding and feeling it ſo to be, am ſubject (becauſe it muſt be ſo) not onelyonly for wrath ſake, but for Conſcience ſake alſo, and as Peter ſaith, for the Lords ſake; 1 Pet. 2.13. foreign.1 Pet 2:13which is a further obligation upon a Chriſtian, to ſuffer patiently thoſe abuſes which are offered to his perſon, Relations, good Name, Eſtate, or any thing that is his.

Nevertheleſs, this I add, That I groan all this while with other oppreſſed creatures, Rom 8.19, 20, 21, 22, 23.Rom 8:19Rom 8:20Rom 8:21Rom 8:22Rom 8:23for the manifeſtation of the glorious liberty of the Sons of God. For certainly the creature being made ſubject to tyranny, and the cruel luſts of proud men, NOT WILLINGLY, but by reaſon of him p. 42who hath ſubjected the ſame in hope, cannot but in the light and power of that Spirit which is in them, cry out in Faith, and earneſt expectation, COME LORD JESƲS, COME QƲICKLY; and let all the followers of the Lamb ſay Amen. And let all the wonderers after the Beaſt fill up the meaſure of their Fathers, in reproaching, impriſoning, oppreſſing, and otherwiſe perſecuting the Saints of the moſt High, and receive that recompence of reward which is meet.

Object. If any ſhall here object and ſay, Why did we fight againſt the King? you your ſelf did …ppoſe him, you preached other Doctrine in thoſe times; and if we muſt be ſo ſubject now, and yeeld to the preſent Powers without reſiſtance, as you have ſaid and done of late, is not this a contradiction to former Principles and practices? &c.

Anſw. All particular perſons (of whom I alwaies ſpeak, and it muſt be remembred) I mean the Saints of the moſt High, did yeeld ſubjection to the King; yea, and to the Prelates, actively or paſſively, without reſiſtance, thoſe who were Non-conformiſts then to the Antichriſtian power, as I am now, did ſuffer patiently and chearfully, as Chriſt left them an example; this was ſo while the King was the only ſupreme Power in being, and untill God raiſed up a Horn of Salvation for them; and then as I ſaid before, the Puritans joyned with Parlamentary Power againſt Regal Power exerciſed contrary to Law and Juſtice; and I was one of the number, being lawfully called to oppoſe tyranny, by the authority of the higheſt Court, and I never did, nor do repent of that ingagement againſt that party, &c.

Whereas now there is no viſible Powers in being, to relieve me, and other oppreſſed ſervants of the Lord, it is with us now, as it was under the old Monarchy, there are no Saviors, no Deliverers; our Deliverers are become our Perſecutors, Zach. 1.2, or 3, laſt verſes.Zech 1:2and there is no power to refiſt, or oppoſe, for the ſpirit of the Horns (as Zacharias calls the perſecuting Powers) is gotten into the Carpenters, the Carpenters are at length metamorphozed into puſhing and goring Horns.

p. 43But when ſoever God ſhall provide new Carpenters to fray away theſe Horns that ſcatter the true Iſrael, no queſtion but Iſrael will be willing to be delivered, and to take them Captives whoſe Captives they were, and to rule over their oppreſſors, as they did about fourteen years ago.

Obj. 2. But it may be further urged by others, But particular Chriſtians did go to Law with the King, before the Parlament was called, and ſo oppoſed him that way, by Arguments drawn from Reaſon and Juſtice, as Mr. Hampden, &c. and cannot you go and do thus likewiſe? namely, wage Law with your Oppreſſors.

Anſw. 1. Moſt of the Judges were deaf on that ear concerning Law and Juſtice, and were for the Kings Power, and Prerogative, and ſo carried it for the King, being over-awed; this I have from a good hand: Nevertheleſs, I honor the memory of thoſe worthy perſons, who were willing to ſpend their Eſtates, and hazzard all, rather than not to bear teſtimony againſt tyranny.

2 If the Sword were not the ſupreme Power, and if all the Laws were not ſilenced (or ſuſpended at leaſt) which are againſt that Sword-intereſt, It may be ſome particular perſons, whom God ſhould make free, might dare to wage or plead the Law of the Land againſt their oppreffors, or appeal to the higher Powers (if there were any as high or higher than the ſharp power of the Sword) as Paul did from the Jewiſh Powers unto Auguſtus; Act. 25.11, 12.Acts 25:11Acts 25:12But when Caeſar, who was the higheſt Power on earth, did oppreſs him, whither, or to whom, could Paul appeal, but to Jeſus Chriſt, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings? and thus it is with me.

Cranmer appealed from the Power in being, which oppreſſed him, to the next General Council, whch was a Power in ſome ages had in great veneration, but what good could that do him? the preſent Power burnt him to aſhes, and his Appeal to a future contingent Power dyed with him; yet it was a kind of Teſtimony againſt his perſecutors.

And if that be judged to be of any uſe upon Scriptureground, I can enter my Appeal to the next higher Powers, p. 44which the God of Heaven ſhall ſet up in mercy, and love to his poor Remnant, to do us right, and deliver us from our potent perſecuters.

But as the caſe now ſtands, I am made a Bond-ſlave, who was born free, and never forfeited my liberty (bleſſed be the Lord, I can ſpeak it before men and devils) by any tranſgreſſion of mans Laws; yet I have, and do cheerfully, and with great delight, ſubmit to the will of God, in theſe ſufferings, ſo burthenſome to fleſh and blood; and I am perſwaded, if they ſhould ſcourge me as the Jews did the Apoſtles, and as the Prelats did ſome under the former Monarchs, I ſhould rejoyce to be counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his name **Acts 5. laſt verſ. Gal. 2. laſt verſe.Acts 5Gal 2, who hath loved me, and given himſelf for me, the unworthieſt worm of all; and if the Lord ſhould permit them to put me to a ſhameful death, like the death of the Croſſe, I am ready; But it is not yet ſignified to me, by what death I ſhall glorifie God: Oh, its a ſweet life to live free from the fear of death, Joh. 21.19. Heb 2.14, 15, 1 Cor. 15.57.John 21:19Heb 2:14Heb 2:151 Cor 15:57Thanks be to God who giveth us victory through Jeſus Chriſt, to whom be Glory and Dominion for ever, Amen. Hitherto of giving Tribute.

Now as touching the other two particulars, Honor and Fear due to Higher Powers, as Tribute and Cuſtom is due unto themHonour and Fear, which are to be given to the Higher Powers, beſide Tribute and Cuſtome; In a very few words, this I have to ſay, That I alwayes freely gave honor to whom honor was due.

And in particular, when I was apprehended the firſt time, namely, about the 21. of the 10. Month, 1653. and brought before the Council, for expounding the Prophecie about the little Horn in Dan. 7. I did obeyſance according to the cuſtome of the Country, or Nation in which I live, uſed towards Superiours, I ſtood while they ſat, and with my head uncovered, the General having his hat on, and this without reluctancy; beſides, I freely gave him the honorable Title of a Lord, in diſcourſe with him, as being Captain General of all the Forces; and I ſuppoſe this is to own a Higher Power, for thoſe who do not own Government and Superiority among men, do not ſo behave themſelves, as namely the Shakers, as they p. 45call them, or any others of thoſe principles; and thus I did to the Committee of the Council, when I was apprehended and brought before them this ſecond time; and I do not remember that ever any Powers did challenge me in this matter.

As for Fear, and the rendring of fear to whom fear is due, I am of this perſwaſion, that if I were guilty in mine own conſcience, and before the Lord, of any ſuch groſſe wickedneſſe, as ſome of the choiſeſt Saints have been overtaken, and overcome withall, and were brought to a legal trial, and convicted by witneſſe without, as well convinced by witneſſe within, I ſhould be afraid of the Power, but not otherwiſe; For the Apoſtle ſaith, Wilt thou not be afraid of the Power? do that which is good; but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; ſo that in this alſo, I am ready to own any Higher Powers which ſhall be ſet up in my dayes, when there is occaſion and reaſon for it; and ſurely no man can ſay (at leaſt if his words have the ſap and juyce of ſenſe and reaſon in them) that I ought to fear any power, higher, or lower, unleſſe when I have done evill, and this be made known unto me in the light of the righteous Law of God. But, though I know nothing by my ſelf, yet I am not thereby juſtified in the ſight of God.

Thus I have (for the Cauſe ſake, which might ſuffer, if I ſhould have neglected this impudent ſlander) freely declared my former and preſent principles concerning the Powers in being; But who could have imagined, firſt, That in ſaying, I owned the preſent powers, I had recanted; and ſubmitted, and acknowledged them to be a lawful Authority, and an hundred falſe rumors, to the grief of my brethren, of the ſame ſpirit with me in the preſent Truth? whereas I never ſaid nor thought otherwiſe. And who could have imagined ſecondly, that any one who calls and accounts himſelf a Chriſtian, would take part of the letter, or a few ſentences here and there torn from the reſt, and thereupon divulge and ſhew them as a teſtimony and proof of ſuch a Report? whereas, to p. 47recapitulate all in a word, This is that I will cloſe up this Section with.

1 I acknowledge, there are Higher Powers in being, and every one muſt grant this, as well as I, and my Fellowpriſoners; for they feel it, I beleeve, though not ſo effectually as we do.

2 I yeelded my body to be apprehended and carried away, without ſtriving or lifting up my voyce in the ſtreets, when they ſent their Meſſengers with ſwords (and it may be other weapons about them) to bring me before the Council. And I reckon this to be an owning of the preſent powers. I never did yeeld thus far to private men, who ſhould come to apprehend me, in my houſe, or otherwhere; I were bound to ſtand upon my guard in ſuch a caſe, as men do every day againſt Theeves and Robbers, &c.

3 I am ſubject to them alſo, for wraths ſake partly, and partly for conſcience ſake, in point of Taxes; I would refiſt others, who ſhould demand any part of that wherewith the Lord hath bleſſed me, by inheritance, or otherwiſe, nevertheleſſe, I would be very glad to live under a Power that would not be a Raiſer of Taxes, and hope to ſee Judges as at the firſt, and Counſellors as at the beginning, Iſa. 1.26. before I dye.

4 I give honor where it is due, I underſtanding it to be due; but when perſons are not known, how can it bee known what is their due, or what reſpect belongs unto them? and I conceive this is an owning of Powers likewiſe.

5 I am willing alſo to be afraid of the Powers, if I am found to be an evill doer hereafter, and this made out to me by the word of God.

And what is due to others of the children of men, I deſire to give or render to them according as is meet, for I would owe no man any thing but love; and the Lord help, and quicken…es all up to love, to love the Lord, and to love all the Saints; yea, the Lord make his people to increaſe and abound in love one toward another, and towards All Men, as it is written, 1 Theſſ. 3.12.

p. 46Before I paſs to the next Section, it ſeemeth requiſite, that ſomewhat from the Scripture ſhould be ſpoken concerning the time of the end of thoſe Yokes of Bondage, whereby the beſt people have been oppreſſed by the Kings of the Earth, from King Saul… time unto this day; For it is very probable, that the intelligent Reader doth remember that I hinted ſuch a poynt in the Introduction to this Hiſtorical Epitome of thoſe Burthens whereof I have been ſpeaking,

Queſt. Saying, What hope is there of an end of theſe burthens.But when ſhall the Lords people be a free people? when ſhall the Oppreſſor ceaſe? when ſhall the Extortioner be hindred from taking of our Subſtance? we had thought this New Model would have continued as they begun, to be our Deliverers from Monarchical and other Tyranny; but we have learned, Every man is a lie, and lighter than vanity; Pſal. 62 9.Ps 62:9and therefore we will no longer relie upon an arm of fleſh: What doth God the Lord ſpeak to his people in this matter, &c.

Anſw. 1. It is apparent, and plain, foreign. Bu…chered or ſl…ughtered, ſo the word …ig…ifie…h; Jugulo, to cut the throat, as Butchers do with ſheep, Rom. 8.…7. foreign, We are counted as ſheep for the ſlaughter-houſe. The Roman Empire was like a ſlaughter houſe the firſt 300 years. Ezra 9.8.Rom 8:7Ezra 9:8that as the ſouls of the Saints, ſlain in former ages for the Word of God, and for the Teſtimony which they held, do continue to cry HOW LONG, O LORD, HOLY AND TRƲE? ſo the living Saints, who alſo are lively, and ſenſible of the preſent perſecutions and impriſonments of their Brethren, do Eccho to the voyce of thoſe who have died in the Lord, and for the Lord, HOW LONG, O LORD, HOLY AND TRƲE?

2. But then conſider, that as it was with the godly Jews, upon their return from their captivity in Babylon, ſo it is with us, who but a few years ago came out of Babylon in part, and but in part. And Ezra's words will wel expreſs our preſent ſtate, or at leaſt, as it was ſome few years ſince, For a little ſpace, or for a moment, grace hath been ſhewed us from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to eſcape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eies, and give us a LITTLE REVIVING IN OƲR BONDAGE. For we were Bond-men, yet our God hath not forſaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy p. 48unto us in the ſight of the Kings of Perſia, to give us a REVIVING, to ſet up the houſe of our God, and to repair the deſolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jeruſalem.

Yet afterward, this fair firſt-fruits of redemption was blaſted; for in the firſt of Nebemiah, a bitter complaint is brought (which may anſwer our condition likewiſe) The remnant that are left of the captivity— are in great affliction and reproach, Nehem. 1.3.Neh 1:3the wall of Jeruſalem alſo is broken down, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire.

Thus you ſee their little reviving from their bondage, and OƲR LITTLE REVIVING FROM OƲR BONDAGE, comes afterward to be extinguiſhed; in reference to Church-work, the Temple-work could not go forward, the walls and gates being broken down and burnt with fire; and this is our complaint alſo. And as for our outward Liberties and Eſtates, Nehem. 9.37. Nehem. 10.28.Neh 9:37Neh 10:28The Kings have Dominion over our Bodies, and over our Cattle, AT THEIR PLEASƲRE, and we are in great diſtreſs, as were thoſe Jews at that time. Namely, ſuch as had ſeparated themſelves from the people of the Lands, unto the Law of God. Obſerve that deſcription, they ſeparated themſelves, &c. and ſo let the Diſciples of Chriſt do at this day, unto the LAW OF THEIR GOD ALSO, for this is expected from them by the Lord. The conſideration of this NEW UNEXPECTED TYRANNY, under which we groan, doth cauſe many poor hearts to fear our deliverance is not near, and the rather they fear it, becauſe the famous NEW MODEL with whom the Lord was ſo eminently, when they were about his work, are ſo exceedingly degenerated, that they have eſpouſed the old quarrel, and the old intereſt, under the ill-favored diſguiſe of another kind of Kingſhip; which yet is not another, but the ſame, in principle, in ſpirit, and in operation.

Anſw. 3. Wherefore do you indeed deſire to know whether or no the Lord will ſhortly turn again the captivity of Sion, Pſal. 126.1.4.Ps 126:1Ps 126:4as the ſtreams in the South? would you in good earneſt, have skill and underſtanding in this matter? Then p. 49in the next place, take my Brethren, the Prophets for an example, particularly the Prophet Daniel, Dan. 9 2. See 1 Per 1.11. Searching wh… or what manner of time the Spirit of Chriſt which was in them did ſigu fie, when it reſtified before-hand the ſufferings of Chriſt, and the glory that ſhould follow. Rev. 17.17.Dan 9:2Rev 17:17who underſtood by Books, the number of the years, when the deſolation of Jeruſalem (of holy Jeruſalem) ſhould have an end; The Teachers of the people are exceedingly to blame, that they do not fore-warn the people to come out of Babylon, and engage againſt the Kings of the Earth with all their might. But what do I mean to charm the deaf Adder? it is not for their intereſt, to diſcover the nakedn…ſs of the ſearlet Whore, much leſs to exhort the people to ſtrip her naked, and make her deſolate, that ſhe and her lovers, the ten Horns, or Kings, may no longer oppreſs the people, to maintain them in their c…ſtly trade of fornication, each with other; but more of this hereafter.

But becauſe thoſe Truths which concern the time of the end, in Daniel and the Revelation, cannot be ſo well underſtood by the Saints who are unskilfull in that part of the word of righteouſneſs, therefore, they ſhall do well to enquire of thoſe, who by reaſon of uſe, Heb 5 13, 14.Heb 5:13Heb 5:14have their ſenſes exerciſed in thoſe moſt excellent myſteries: And if they look up to the Lord with unfeigned deſire not to be taken in that ſnare which ſhall come upon the Inhabitants of the earth, do read thoſe Books concerning the accompliſhment of theſe promiſes, as the Eunuch did Iſaiahs, who knows but the Lord may provide a Philip, to open and interpret thoſe myſteries to ſatisfaction beyond all expect…tion? Generation work in three books of great uſe in theſe times, by Jo. Tillinghaſt.And becauſe, by ſpecial providence, I have received refreſhment three ſeveral times, by three ſeveral Books written by Mr. Tillinghaſt concerning Generation-work, the…e…ore I recommend them to the Saints. The firſt time was when I was conflicting with ſtrong temptations to intermit my method of Teaching, concerning the preſent Truth, and work of Chriſt, and the Spirit of God meeting my ſpirit in reading the firſt of Jeremy, Jer. 1.7, 8, 9, 10. & 17.18, 19. 2 Cor. 10.5.Jer 1:7Jer 1:8Jer 1:9Jer 1:10Jer 17:18Jer 17:192 Cor 10:5and helping me to ſubdue thoſe carnal reaſonings, The firſt part of Generation-work was unexpectedly brought to my hands at that very juncture of time, when I had been a thinking that I was alone in this buſineſs. The next ſeaſon p. 50was exactly, when I was apprehended and committed to the Meſſengers houſe, An Introduction to this Altogether-cauſeleſſe long Impriſonment (as the Lord knows, to whom I have Appealed) even then alſo unexpectedly was the ſecond part brought unto me, firſt in ſheets, and before the publication; the third time, when I was ſhut up a cloſe priſoner in this ſtrong Caſtle, and none of the Saints ſuffred to come at me, as formerly; and at that very time the third part was conveyed to me; I look upon it as very inſtructing to me, that they ſhould be publiſhed at thoſe ſeaſons when they might be moſt uſeful for the incouragement of ſo weak a Worm.

I could not but take this opportunity to bear teſtimony to my dearly beloved Brother, and Fellow-labourer in the preſent work of Chriſt, and Fellow-ſtudent in this preſent Truth, which ſhall proſper, and prevail, in deſpight of Men and Devils, even to the darkning of that Pomp and Splender of the Kingdom of the Beaſt, and to the ſubverting of that Power and Policy which now delude and govern the Nations, Rev. 16.10. foreign His Kingdom became darkned, or was made dark.Rev 16:10and that in ſuch a marvellous manner and method of proceeding, as ſhall amaze the wiſeſt Princes of this world, when they enter into a deep conſideration of the ſame.

But, that I may, if the Lord pleaſe, convey a little light into the underſtanding of my Brethren in this Cauſe, This I ſay at preſent, When the people of God are come out of Babylon, and have once made a further and more compleat ſeparation from that Scarlet, Bloudy, Drunken Strumpet, Rev. 18.4.6.Rev 18:4Rev 18:6SO AS THAT THEY PARTAKE NOT IN THE LEAST OF ANY OF HER SINS, when they are by the Lord put into a capacity of rewarding her, as ſhe hath rewarded them, and their elder Brethren in the generations before them; Then, and not till then, will the Saints throw the Burden off from their own ſhoulders, and the iron yoke of Taxes and Tribute, and of other Bond-ſervi…e, Jer. 51.57.Jer 51:57upon her neck, and upon the necks and the ſhoulders of her Princes, of her wiſe men, her Captains, and her R…lers, and of her mighty men. Oh, Dear p. 51Brethren, ſhall we live to ſee that day? What a ſight is here? It is Spectaculum dignum Deo; the Lord Jeſus who ſits on the right hand of the Father, expecting to ſee his foes made his footſtool, Heb. 10.12, 13 Iſa 37.22. Rev. 17.5.Heb 10:12Heb 10:13Isa 37:22Rev 17:5will take great delight to ſee The Virgin Daughter of Sion deſpiſing the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the earth, to laugh this proud Lady of Kingdomes to ſcorn, to behold the Daughter of Jeruſalem to ſhake her head at this perſecuting City; ſhe and her Lovers ſhall bee like aſhes under the ſoals of the feet of this Ranſomed and Redeemed people. Therefore be of good courage, Mal. 4 3.Mal 4:3oh yee oppreſſed Saints, fear not, for Jehovah Elohim will make your Horn iron, and your Hoof braſſe, and you ſhall beat in peeces many people, but remember you conſecrate not their gain to your ſelves (as the new Model hath done, Mich 4.13.Mic 4:13which will not turn to ſo good account as they think for) but to the Lord of the whole earth, who expects to be honored with the firſt fruits of all your increaſe.

I read of three ſorts of Princes; firſt, Three kinds of Pri…ce…, and but one kind good.The Princes of Babylon, mentioned even now; Secondly, The Princes of the Degenerated Jews; And thirdly, Jehovans Princes.

1 The Princes of Babylon are altogether for the ſpoyl, and the prey, for the cruſhing of the people, ſo that they were, and are abundant in treaſures, and there is no meaſure of their covetouſneſſe, Jer. 51.13.

2 The Princes of the Jews revolted from the Lord; Her Princes (ſpeaking of Jeruſalem, ſaith the Prophet) within her, are ROARING LIONS, Her Judges are EVENING WOLVES, they gnaw not the bones till the morning, Zeph. 3.3. Jeruſalem is called An oppreſſing City, Her Princes are Lions, &c.

3 Jehovahs Princes, Ezek. 45. In the Land ſhall be the Princes poſſeſsion in Iſrael, and MY PRINCES (ſaith the Lord) SHALL NO MORE OPPRESS MY PEOPLE; Ezek. 45.8, 9. Ezek 48.35.Ezek 45:8Ezek 45:9Ezek 48:35and the name of that City ſhall be called, The Lord is There, where the Lord is, and where his Princes are, there ſhall be no more any oppreſſion and ſpoyl. The Prophet goes on, Thus ſaith the Lord God, Let it ſuffice you, Oh Princes of p. 53Iſrael, Remove violence and ſpoyl, and execute Judgement and Juſtice, TAKE AWAY YOUR EXACTIONS FROM MY PEOPLE, ſaith the Lord God.

When you ſee Princes and Rulers ſqueezing the people, raiſing of Taxes, compelling the poor Pariſhioners to pay treble Damages for not paying the Popes Tithes; while you feel the Publican, and the Exciſe-man countenanced and incouraged in their vexatious Collections, and exactions upon the poor of the people, Think with your ſelves, theſe are not the Princes of Jehovah, but either they are the Princes of Babylon directly and profeſſedly, or elſe the Princes of Apoſtatized Iſrael, who have the name of Chriſtians, but the nature of Tyrants.

But on the other ſide, when you ſee an Higher Power incouraging the Lords people to come out of Babylon, effectually and for ever; when you ſee the chief Magiſtrates in their own perſons to renounce all communion with the enemies of Chriſt, and to make an unfeigned ſeparation from the carnal and world-like Church; when you diſcern their indignation to be altogether againſt Raiſing of Taxes, and impoſing the Tribute money upon the children who are free, and to levie their Tribute of Bond-ſervice upon thoſe, who will not have Chriſt, but Antichriſt reign over them, Then lift up your heads, and hope that your full Redemption draweth neer.Mat. 17.25, 26. Chriſt Jeſus the Lord pronounceth the children free; and the Kings of the earth in thoſe dayes did not exact or take Cuſtom or Tribute of their own people, but of ſtrangers, as it appears by Peters words.Matt 17:25Matt 17:26

But how far, Oh God! are thine own people from promoting their own good? or from removing the oppreſſions of their brethren? they are taking a DIRECT COURSE to perpetuate the Kingdome of the fourth Beaſt, in theſe Nations, after all thine appearances for their deliverance; and inſtead of ſaying, Come Lord Jeſus, Come quickly, with the Spirit, and with the Bride, in underſtanding, they ſay, God ſave the Image of earthly Monarchy, they ſhout as when Saul was made a King, OH IMAGE OF KINGSHIP, LIVE FOR EVER! Verily the Lord Jeſus wil find a time to reckon with whole Churches, and their Leaders that cauſe them to erre; and it is ten thouſand to one, if any of thoſe who ſent up Pillars out of the Countries to ſupport and p. 52ſhore up the tottering, and decrepit Roman power, Heb. 49 foreign, There remains a Salbatiſm, or Sabbatical reſt to the people of God.ſhall enter into that Reſt, which remaineth to the people of God.

The Lord have a gracious reſpect to that Remnant which he hath reſerved to himſelf out of the mixt multitude of Hyprocrites and Apoſtates, Oh when will the Lord form a people for himſelf? as the Kings of the earth have formed a people for themſelves, to ſhew forth, to ſet forth their praiſe and honor, and glory in the world.

How are the ſouls of many Saints in travel till Christ take to him HIS GREAT POWER and REIGN? Rev. 11.17.Rev 11:17they long to ſee the return of their King from that far Country to which he went ſo many hundred yeers ago to receive a Kingdom for himſelf, and to Return; Return, Luke 19.12.Luke 19:12Pſal. 45.2. Rev 5.5. Rev. 22.16. Mal. 4.2. Luke 9.26. Mat. 24.42.Ps 45:2Rev 5:5Rev 22:16Mal 4:2Luke 9:26Matt 24:42Return to the many thouſands of the true Iſrael, Oh thou faireſt among the children of men; Oh come, Thou Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Thou bright and morning Star, Thou Son of Righteouſneſſe, Appear in thine own glory, in thy Fathers, and of the holy Angels; Nevertheleſſe, not when we would, but when thou wilt; in the mean time, we, by thy grace, wil wait, wil watch, wil walk, as thoſe who expect their Lords coming, to take vengeance on his enemies, and to repay recompence to his Adverſaries according to all the evill they have done in thy ſight to thy poor oppreſſed people. Amen, Hallelujah.

Having thus far endeavoured to ſet thoſe things ſtreight, which Sathan and his ſervants had made crooked, repreſenting me moſt baſely, and extreme unworthy, as an Apoſtate, to the prejudice of the ſervice of Chriſt in my hand, ſo far as in them lay: I ſhall now proceed to the next part of the Letter, which hath been ſo grievouſly handled, having been tortured and torn limb from limb, as it were, and examined upon the wrack, to make it confeſſe as the enemies of Chriſt would have it.