The Oppressed Close Prisoner in Windsor Castle, Explanation of epistle · Section 4

The Oppressed Close Prisoner in Windsor Castle · Explanation of epistle · Section 4

p. 54SECT. IV.

THe principle Clauſe in this part of the Epiſtle foregoing, I conceive is this, By the Powers in Being, I underſtand the Army as ſupreme, all thoſe that joyn with them to carry out the work of Juſtice and of Mercy, according to the indubitable principles of right Reaſon and Equity, &c.

For the manifeſtation of the truth, or at leaſt, of my apprehenſions concerning this matter, I may according to the Rules of method, firſt ſpeak of the Armies ſupremacy, and then of thoſe who joyn with them for the ends even now expreſſed.

Concerning the firſt, I ſuppoſe, it is needleſſe to ſpend time to bring demonſtrations for the confirming of this Aſſertion, there are enough made ready to my hand, in that all men grant (which they would not do, without ſufficient demonſtration, wiſe men eſpecially) firſt, that the Army was, and is, yet to this day, a power in being; And then ſecondly, they muſt needs acknowledge it Supreme, for the Nations, and all ſorts of people (beſide them of that Corporation) do feel it ſufficiently, it is a truth that may be felt, ſome feel it with ſmart, as being oppreſſed by them, and there is none to reſcue the oppreſſed out of their hands, there is no Horn of ſalvation raiſed up of God to puſh them lower, unto this day, and others feel it with gladneſſe and delight, for their gain is great. There is indeed a name and a noyſe of an Aſſembly called a Parliament, Jer. 52.32.Jer 52:32and of Reverend Judges, ſitting aloft and ſomewhat high, to judge the people, but ſtill the Armies Throne is higher than the Thrones of all the other powers in the Nations, they ſet open, and they ſhut up the doors of the Higher or Lower Houſe according to their pleaſure; ſo that inſtead of proving that they are the Supreme Power in theſe parts of the earth, I have ſomewhat elſe to do, toward the explication of my meaning, namely to declare how it came to paſſe, and for what end the Lord hath ſo ordered it at this ſeaſon.

p. 55And this I will do, by the help of the Lord, as a Miniſter of the Goſpel, who of all other men, are moſt of all bound and ingaged to regard the works of the Lord, and to conſider the opperations of his hands (eſpecially, Iſa. 5.12.Isa 5:12thoſe works which are wrought and brought to paſs in their dayes) that ſo the knowledge of the Lord may ſpread and increaſe among the Saints; even that knowledge of God which is attained by the word of his mouth, and the works of his hands, the ſtudy and meditation of the marvellous works of the Almighty, being moſt ſweet, and abundantly ſatisfactory to every heavenly heart.

For the more perſpicuous explication of that which I apprehend in this matter (but cannot utter as I would) I have digeſted my meditations into the inſuing Propoſitions or Obſervations, which in a very ſhort ſpace wil help you to paſs through a vaſte tract of time, and that with ſuch evidence of truth, as you go along, that you need not ſtay and ſpend time to apply the touchſtone to it, as in ſome caſes it is neceſſary to be done.

Propoſ. or Obſerv. 1. The moſt High ruleth in the Kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomſoever he will, Dan: 4.32. He changeth the times and the ſeaſons; He removeth Kings, and ſetteth up Kings; He giveth wiſdom to the wiſe, and knowledge to them that know underſtanding, Dan. 2.21.

Prop. or Obſer. 2. This moſt High God divided to the Nations their Inheritance, Deut, 32.8. and the firſt ground, and as it were, Catholique Dominion, was given to the Aſſyrians and Babylonians; the next, to the Medes and Perſians; The third, to the Macedonians or Grecians; The fourth, to the Romans. Theſe four ſucceſſively, each in their times, according to the All-wiſe appointment of the will of God, were Lords of the world, Dan. 2. Dan. 7. Dan. 11. The people of God were not free from theſe yokes of bondage, as you have read already in the former Section.

Prop. or Obſer. 3. The Roman Monarchy, the laſt of the four Kingdoms (or Beaſts, as the Spirit of God p. 56doth expreſly call them) was at its full growth or foreign about the time of the birth of the Prince of the Kings of the earth, Numb. 24.17.Num 24:17juſt at the Meridian of the Roman glory, did the Star of Jacob ariſe and ſhine, but with a very dim light to the ſight of the world, for yet he had not manifeſted forth his glory, as afterward he did, Joh. 2.11. This is plain, as from other Hiſtories, ſo from Luk. 2.7 firſt verſes, Where all the world, you find, was to be taxed by the Decree of Auguſtus Caeſar, who now was in peaceable poſſeſſion of the Roman Empire (Anthony and Lepidus being overcome) The Kingdom of Heaven, it ſeems, which ſhall break in peeces all theſe Kingdoms, was deſigned to be ſet up at that inſtant conjuncture of time, when this Monarchy was grown to its full perfection. But more of this in due time and place, if the Lord ſo pleaſe.

Prop. or Obſer. 4. This fourth Beaſt, both killed the Lord Jeſus, and Millions and Myriards of his Diſcipes for the firſt 300 years after Chriſt, as the Eccleſiaſtical Story of the Ten firſt Perſecutions, doth at large declare.

In proceſs of time, after various forms and ſhapes aſſumed (as in Rev. 17.10.) He appears at length with ſeven Heads and ten Horns, and upon his Horns, ten Crowns, &c. Rev. 13.2, 3. To this Beaſt, there deſcribed, the Dragon gives his Power or Hoſt, his Throne, and great Authority, and ſo proſecutes, on the behalf of the Dragon, the old trade of deceiving the Nations, and perſecuting the Saints of the moſt High; eſpecially, he falls upon thoſe in every age, who are zealous contenders for the preſent truth of every age, Rev. 11. Rev. 13. Rev. 17.

Prop. or Obſer. 5. Theſe North-weſt Nations are undoubtedly ſome of thoſe ten Horns, which have given their power and ſtrength to the Beaſt, to make war with the Lamb and his followers. And the evidence of Prophecy and Hiſtory is ſo ſtrong in this particular, that all the Proteſtant Interpreters, whom I have converſed with, p. 57do agree in this Truth, That the Race of Kings in this Iſland, have, together with the other Kings of Europe, agreed, and given their Kingdom to the Beaſt, Rev. 17.13. and whether it be wholly taken from him again, I mean, in this Nation, to this day, is worthy a grave and ſerious examination.

Prop. or Obſer. 6. Now more particularly, King Charls was within the compaſs of theſe Prophecies, for he was not for the ſetting up of the Kingdom of Chriſt, No, not ſo much as in appearance or pretence, much leſs in heart. The ſpirit of the fourth Beaſt was plainly to be diſcerned in him by thoſe who were wiſe, and had their ſpiritual ſenſes at their right hand: For the wiſe ſhall underſtand, faith Daniel, but none of the wicked ſhall underſtand, Dan. 12. But obſerve carefully that which followeth.

Prop. or Obſer. 7. This King Charles was fourteen or fifteen years ſince acknowledged an Higher Power in theſe Nations, being in quiet poſſeſſion of the beſt Title to Govern and to Rule the people, of any other. But the Decrees of the moſt High, for this age, being to take place, he was neceſſitated to call a Parlament, and to give it an exiſtence in conjunction with the free people of the Nation, they being the two legal efficient cauſes thereof. So, here was another Higher Power in being, ſent by him and the people (as the Apoſtle diſtinguiſheth the Powers) according to the known Law of the Land. This we have heard and ſeen, and it was, and is ſtill, marvellous in our eyes.

Prop. or Obſer. 8. This ſecond Higher Power, as I expreſs it, did contend with him who helped to make them a Power, and to give them their lawful exiſtence in that capacity. This power, after many bloody conflicts, by their Forces, did take away his Dominion, to conſume and to deſtroy it to the end; then there was, we thought, an end of Kingſhip, and this ſecond Power declared themſelves the Supreme Authority of the Nation, changing the Government from the notion of King and Kingdom, into that of a Commonwealth: This was a great p. 58and wonderfull work of God, which we are to conſider with great regard.

Prop. or Obſer. 9. This Higher Power (now ſupreme) had impowred and Authorized (after the Eſſexian Army was not found a fit Inſtrument for the work) the new modeld Army, and ſo they became a ſecond higher Power in the Nation alſo, ſent by the Parlament, as the Parlament was ſent by the King and People; But yet, and for a good ſpace, they were, and they acted, as ſubordinate to the Supreme Civil Authority: Nevertheleſs, in proceſs of time, after moſt admirable Viciſſitudes, this military, ſubordinate higher Power, did take away the Parlaments Dominion, to confume, and to deſtroy it to the end. I ſay, they pluckt up the ſupreme Power (ſo owned by themſelves) by the very roots, even as they had eradicated Monarchy, and damned it for ever, as much as in them lay.

Prop. or Obſer. 10. Hereupon, no Antient, Legal, Civil higher Power, or ſupreme Authority, was in being; And, that there might be a total deſtruction or diſſolution of the old Fabrick to the foundation, yea, of the foundation and all, The Souldiers took upon them to ſet up an Aſſembly, ſomewhat like a Parlament, which by major Vote called themſelves by that name (but how improperly, not to ſay ridiculouſly, let Law and Cuſtom ſpeak; for neither King nor people did put forth any cauſal vertue towards their production, as by Law they ought) But to be ſhort, the Souldiery quickly pulled them down again, like King Charles, who by his Prerogative, when the Parlament had no mind to humor his luſts, would diſſolve them at his pleaſure.

Thus you, by this time, do not onelyonly underſtand that they are ſupreme, as I aſſert, but you ſee, quibus viis & modis, by what waies and means they are gotten into the Throne. Now, can any Chriſtian, nay, can any rational Creature find fault with me for obſerving theſe wondrous works of the great Jehovah? Can they find in their hearts to be angry with me for calling aloud to all p. 59the Saints (and others too, if they had ears to hear) in Davids words, Come, behold the works of the Lord, what deſolations he hath made in the earth, Pſal. 46.8. and as he cries out Pſal. 66.57. Come and ſee the works of God; he hath been terrible, he will be more terrible in his doing toward the children of men; He ruleth by his power for ever, his eies behold the Nations. Let not the rebellious EXALT THEMSELVES, Selah. Whoſo is wiſe, and will obſerve theſe things, even they ſhall underſtand the loving kindneſs of the Lord, Pſal. 107.43.

We have ſeen, we have ſeen an end of all perfection, which hath been preſerved for ſo many ages. The perſon and power of a King, and the Son of antient Kings, is cut down, and coſt out as an abominable Branch, the Privilege of Parlament, the Parlament, and all their numerous unknown Privileges pulled down, and devoured by the Army at a Breakfaſt; the Liberties of the people alſo have met with the ſame deſtiny; thus this antient threefold Cord, made and preſerved by our Anceſtors, with ſo much care, with ſo great coſt of blood and treaſure, is utterly untwiſted and broken all to peeces.

By this brief account of theſe aſtoniſhing Alterations, that great Truth which I laid as the firſt ſtone, and the corner ſtone of this Diſcourſe, is worthy of remembrance; The moſt High ruleth in the Kingdom of Men, He changeth the times and the ſeaſons, He removeth Kings, and ſetteth up Kings, He the Lord doth all theſe things; and other wonders without number. His works are honorable and glorious, ſought cut of all that have pleaſure therein, Pſal. 111.2, 3.

Thus, according to that talent of underſtanding which is given to me, in theſe great and ſtrange tranſpoſitions of Powers by the effectual influence of the firſt cauſe, according to the words of the Prophets (Kingly Power, Ariſtocratical Privilege, and Democratical Liberty, being diſſolved, deſtroyed and diſanulled, as you have read, heard, and ſeen) the Army muſt needs be the remaining Higher Power within theſe Nations; If any Man, Lawyer, Stateſ-man, &c. know a Higher Power than p. 60theirs, a ſtronger power than theirs, a more abſolute power than theirs, I would willingly hear him ſpeak his mind in that particular.

But to proceed, if it be obſerved, I only ſay, They are the Supreme Power, without addition, or determination what kind of Power; I own them as an Higher, as the Higheſt earthly Power, de facto, acting and exerciſing ſuch a ſuperiority over the people; but quo jure, that is another Queſtion, fitter for the Lawyers to plead, if they would or Durſt, than for me; yet, this I can find ground to ſay, If any one ever heard me ſay they were a lawfull Authority, or, as is ſuggeſted, If any perſon whatſoever can produce any writing, wherein I acknowledge them a lawful, or legal Authority, ſince the 16. of the 10. Month, 1653. let them publiſh it to the world, and I will ingenuouſly confeſſe, I am no way able to mantain or juſtifie ſuch an Aſſertion in the leaſt; let them that pleaſe exerciſe their wits to perſwade the credulous; For, Nibil tam incredibile, quod non, dicendo, fiat probabile, as Tully faith.

I ſhall, according to the duty of my Office, declare from the good word of God, what is there upon record, for a teſtimony againſt that generation of Back ſliders from the Cauſe of Chriſt, whom theſe following truths, either do now, or may hereafter very much concern.

The Scriptures of Truth do give us much light in the matter under conſideration.Rom 13 foreign, to the Higher powers 1 Pet. 2. foreign, to the King's ſupreme and 1 Tim. 2. foreign, …hich are in ſuperiority.Rom 131 Pet 21 Tim 2

There are ſeveral degrees and ſeveral kinds of Powers.

There are Higher or Lower Powers, Supreme or Subordinate. The Tranſlators do render the word Higher in Pauls Epiſtle to the Romans, and the ſame word they tranſlate Supreme in Peters Epiſtle to the Jews. This is alſo plain to ſenſe and reaſon. I ſhall not trouble the Reader further with this, ſo I put it firſt, to diſpatch it, unleſſe I meet with an oportunity to do further ſervice with this diſtinction.

As for the ſeveral kinds of Higher Powers, that alſo needs little explication. In ſome Nations there is one kind, in others another kind, Kings, Judges, Elders, Patriachs, &c. p. 61But there is alſo a Diſtribution of Powers by their Adjuncts, Diſtributio ſubjecti in adjuncta.and ſo the Powers that are, are either Lawful or Ʋnlawful.

Lawful Higher Powers are ſuch, either from God, or from Nature, or from Nations.

From God, either firſt, by eſpecial Deſignation, in love and mercy to a people, as Moſes, David, Chriſt Jeſus the Lord: Or elſe ſecondly, by eſpecial Deſignation in wrath, for trial and puniſhment to a people. Thus, Jeroboam was ſet up by God for trial to the ten Tribes, and for puniſhment to Solomon, or rather chaſtiſement, and puniſhment to his ſon Rehoboam; ſaith God by his Prophet, I have given ten Tribes to thee. I will take thee, and thou ſhalt Reign, and ſhalt be King over Iſrael, 1 King. from 29. to 37. compared with the 12. Chapter, and the 24 verſ.

Thus Saul was given to the Iſraelites by God in his anger, partly for trial, that he might ſee what was in their hearts, and partly for puniſhment, becauſe they had rejected the Lord from being their King, nevertheleſſe, Saul was a lawful Higher Power for a time, although given in diſpleaſure.

Thus Baaſha was exalted out of the duſt, by God (as the Lord ſent him word) and by him made Prince over his people Iſrael, to fulfill the word of the Lord againſt Jeroboam and his houſe, 1 King. 16. Chap. verſ. 2. There are other inſtances, but I proceed.

In the next place, there are Higher powers by nature, that is, they are poſſeſſed, and that juſtly, of the Dignity of Superiority, and of the power of Government, by a pure, natural Right.

Theſe Higher powers, are either Paternal, or Patriarchal, ſuch a right had Adam, the Father of all Living, ſo Noah, Abraham, and other heads of the houſes of their Fathers, as the Elders of the Iſraelites in Egypt, Exod. Exo. 3.16.4, 29.Exod 3:16Exod 3:4Exod 3:296.14. The lower powers in Families, are a Steward, whom the Houſholder, or Lord of the Family, makes Ruler over his Houſhold to give them their portion of meat in due ſeaſon, as Chriſt expreſſeth this matter, Luke 12.42. ſuch an inferiour power p. 62was Eliezer of Damaſcus, the Steward of Abrahams houſe; ſo Tutors and Governors of the Heir, till the time appointed of the Father, are lawful lower powers, &c.

Thirdly, Higher powers are juſtly ſuch by a National Right, or by the voluntary conſent of thoſe Nations whom they govern, and this, either in time of peace, by election or ſucceſſion, as Judah did cleave to Rehoboam, the Son of Solomon (and many other Inſtances might be added) or elſe by victory in a juſt War, as the Canaanites became Tributaries, and other people alſo in all ages; And thus the Lord Jeſus himſelf, will be actually an higher power by conqueſt of the Nations, For in Righteouſneſſe be will judge and make war, Rev. 19.11.

But to conclude this part of the Diſtribution; It is to be noted, that one and the ſame perſon, or the ſame perſons, may be lawful higher powers (by an accumulation of all theſe titles put together) in ſeveral reſpects, after the examples in Scripture, and in other Hiſtories. They may rule over ſome people in the Authority of God, over others by the Title of Natural Right, over others by Inheritance, over others by Election, over other people by the Title of a Lawful War, and all at the ſame time. I could give a good account of this upon principles of Juſtice, and Right Reaſon: But I haſten; and therefore this ſhall ſuffice concerning Higher powers, lawfully ſuch, becoming ſo by the appointment of God, of Nature, or of Nations, by Any, or by All of theſe claims before mentioned, or by any other warrantable plea, whatſoever it may be.

Now concerning thoſe Higher powers, who are ſuch de facto only, and in preſent poſſeſsion, but not de jure, or by any known law of God, or man, they alſo come under a Miniſters confideration, and have ſeveral heads of diſtinction, whereby they may be known.

The Higher powers in being, without lawful Title and juſt Authority, ſo to be, and ſo to Rule, are ſuch; firſt of all by Ʋſurpation, which ſhews it ſelf either in times of Pence, or in time of War. And ſecondly, by degenerating into Tyranny.

p. 63Ʋſurping Powers in times of Peace, Higher Powers by uſurpation are unjuſt.attain the Government, either by murther and other violence, or elſe by fraud and flattery.

Of the firſt ſort, I judge Athaliah to be one, Athaliah uſurps the power by murther.who eſpying her oportunity, took hold of it, and deſtroyed all the ſeed Royal, and reigned over the Land above ſix years, according as I compute, 2 King. 11.1. 2 Chron. 22.10.

Thus Hazael murthered his Lord (and reigned in his ſtead) 2 King. 8.15. Hazael likewiſeeven when he lay upon his ſick and death-bed, and afterward became a cruel Tyrant, and ripped up the women with child, as it is upon record, 1 King. 8.12, 15.

So Richard the third, Sirnamed the Ʋſurper, Richard the third mide himſelf King by murther.who being Lord Pretector, murthered his two Nephews, that he might reign in their ſtead: But did the Crown fit faſt upon his head? no, about two years after his Coronation, he was ſlain in Battel, and the dead Carkaſs contumeliouſly uſed, all men obſerving how he was rolled to his grave in blood and mire. See the Hiſtory more at large. This for the firſt member of the diſtinction.

In the next place, Higher Powers in being, Uſurpation of the power by fraud. 2 Sam. 15.6 firſt verſes. Abſolom a moſt traiterous Uſurper by ſpeaking lies in hypocriſie.2 Sam 15:6may get poſſeſſion of Government or Rule, by fraud, and by ſpeaking lies in hypocriſie, as Abſolom for a time, by his fair and plauſible diſſimulation, and officiouſneſs, telling the people what he would do if he were King; his words are theſe: Firſt, See that thy matters are good and right, but there is no man deputed of the King to hear thee; this was to inſinuate a diſlike of the lawful preſent Power. Note again, Moreover, ſaith Abſolom, Oh that I were made Judge in the Land! that every man which hath any Sute or Cauſe might come unto me, and I would do him juſtice; and he would even kiſs thoſe who did obeyſance to him, and thus ſtole away the bearts of the men of Iſrael, that he might the more eaſily EXALT HIMSELF.

Thus the p.O.P.e. and other Ʋſurpers innumerable; The p.O.P.es Ulurpers by ſpeaking lies in hypocrifie.that of Dan. 11.21. is conſiderable, There ſhall ſtand up a vile perſon, to whom they ſhall not give the hour of the Kingdom, but he ſhall come in peaceably, and OBTAIN THE KINGDOM p. 64BY FLATTERIES.

Alſo, Abimelech a notorious Uſurper, Judg. 9.Judg 9Abimeleck made himſelf King (ſuch an one as it was) by fraud, flattery and murther, Judges 9. throughout.

This for the ſecond ſort of Ʋſurpers in peaceable times.

Ʋſurping Powers by force of Arms, Uſurpers by the means of war. 1. During the War.are to be reputed ſo, either during the War (ſlagrante bello) betwixt the lawful and unlawful Power, or after the end of the War (extincto Bello) when the Victory is obtained, by him who uſurpeth the power.

Inſtances of the firſt, 2 Sam: 2.9, 10are Abner and Iſhboſheth. Abner, after Sauls death, made Iſhboſheth Sauls Son, King. (I commend him, he did not make himſelf the Monatch) King over Gilead, and over the Aſhurites, and over Jeſreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Iſrael, over whom he reigned two years; but the Houſe of Judah followed David. Now, let the Reader obſerve carefully, David onelyonly was the lawful Power, the onelyonly Higher Power, de jure, of right, over all Iſrael, and though Iſhboſheth reigned two years, yet he was not the King de jure, but only de facto, and ſo was not a lawful Higher Power, or Supreme, but an Ʋſurper; while the War laſted, on his part, it was an unjuſt war alſo, and Abner had not a lawful military Power neither, as General of the Army. All was unlawful, and againſt the expreſs will of God. This for the firſt.

The ſecond ſort of Uſurping Powers by the Sword, 2. After the war 2 Sam. 17. & 18 chapters.2 Sam 17are ſo accounted, who ſet up themſelves, or are ſet up by their Armies, upon Victory in an unjuſt Quarrel. Thus Abſelom would have been an unlawful Power, if he had prevailed in that Battel, which he fought againſt his Father; and there are many examples in Hiſtories, of this kind of Uſurpation, particularly, in the Hiſtory of the German Emperors. But I haſten.

An Higher Power alſo, 2. Head Powers …. unjuſt by …generating into tyranny.who hath lawful Authority at the beginning of the Government, may through Tyranny, or mal-adminiſtration, become an unlawful and unrighteous Power afterward, as King Saul and King Charls. And Hiſtories are full of it.

p. 65But of all Ʋſurpers or uſurping Higher Powers, who get into the Throne, thoſe are moſt abominable, as Powers, who, being INTRƲSTED BY A PEOPLE to deliver them from ſlavery and ſervitude, and for the publick good and Commonwealth, having Conquered the common Enemy, or Tyrant, do betray their Truſt, and bring their friends (who paid them, and prayed for them, who helped to bear their burthens, eſteemed them as Brethren, and fellow-Citizens) into as bad, or worſe ſervitude and ſlavery than they were in before; and this contrary to Oaths, and all manner of Promiſes, Proteſtations, and other Ingagements. Pretending they would make them a free people, and then MOST PERFIDIOƲSLY put an IRON YOKE upon their friends, and upon their poſterity, as much as in them is. But more of this abomination by and by.

I ſhall break off from this work of diſtinguiſhing of Higher Powers (for the forms & variations are endleſs) the ſupplanting, and pulling down of each other in a moſt wonderful manner, is repreſented in two chapters moſt notably, 1 King. 16. and 2 King. 15. One King reigns two years (thats a great ſpace) another ſix months, another reigns one ful month, another ſeven daies. Theſe things are written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

But of all Claims and Titles to Government, that of the long, ſharp Sword, is the moſt confounding, and the moſt confuſed of all the reſt.

Now let the Army prepare themſelves to plead in their own defence, for a moſt ſtrict inquiry will be made, in whoſe Name, and by what Authority they have done, and continue to do all theſe things, which they have done of late dayes againſt the Truth, the Work, the Cauſe of God, now to be advanced by Others, whom God will chuſe and uſe.

This for the preſent ſhall ſuffice to the point of the Armies Supremacy.

As for thoſe who joyn with them to carry on the work of Juſtice and Mercy, according to the Indubitable Principles p. 66of right Reaſon, and Equity (which is the other part of the clauſe under conſideration.) By thoſe, I mean, the Inferior or lower Powers, who comply with the Sword-men in governing the Nations by new Laws; and of theſe, I ſay, they are not to be reſiſted **That is by particular private perſons, as I mean through out., doing that which is juſt and right among the people. That is the ſum of the matter in hand.

Object. It will be ſaid, This is ſtrange, is not this to ſpeak contradictions? to ſpeak ſo ſharply againſt the Powers but even now, and now to acknowledge, that they do carry on the works of Juſtice and Mercy?

Anſw. No, not ſo in the leaſt; for you ſhall hardly read or hear of any Powers (though never ſo wicked and tyrannical in their Government) but at times they were found to do many things good in themſelves, and agreeable to the Principles of Righteouſneſs and Equity, though in other reſpects they were abominable wretches in their governing of the people under them.

For inſtance, when I wrote this paſſage in my Epiſtle, of carrying on the works of Juſtice and Mercy, I particularly thought of their keeping under that Enemy which hath been ſo long contended againſt with ſo vaſt expences; and this is the great work of Juſtice upon that party, and Generation, whoſe malice hath been and is inveterate againſt the Saints of the moſt High, whom the Lord would not ever have to riſe up any more to moleſt and perſecute his people. Juſtice upon the wicked, is mercy to the righteous.

The ſuppreſſing of Theeves and Murtherers, &c. is Juſtice and Mercy both; and ſo far as any Powers, Higher or Lower, do promote theſe works, they are not therein to be reſiſted or hindred. But I ſhall make it plain by two or three Scripture-Inſtances.

Avaſhueroſh made a Feaſt according to his ſtate, but the drinking was according to the Law, Eſter 1.8. None did compel, for the King had appointed to all the Officers of his houſe, that they ſhould do according to every mans pleaſure. Now in this law and appointment the King was not to be reſiſted; p. 67But when the ſame King gave the Jews, Gods people, into Hamans hand, Eſter 3.11.To do with them as it ſhould ſeem good unto him, this was to be reſiſted, ſo far as God gave power and oportunity. See the end of the Story; The Jews fell upon their enemies and deſtroyed them.

Again, Saul perſecuted David for his life (like a wicked Tyrant as he was) and having almoſt laid hold on him, tidings came, the Philiſtims had invaded the Land, 1 Sam. 23.27, 281 Sam 23:271 Sam 23:28he left David, and went to drive out the Enemy; in this he was not to be reſiſted, or oppoſed, it being for publick good, and the eſcape of the Lords ſervant.

So Herod, that vile Tyrant, who beheaded John, Mark. 6.20Mark 6:20yet heard him at ſometimes, and that gladly, and did many things, that is, ſuch things as Johns Doctrines did direct unto.

Thus you know my meaning in this alſo, that when I ſpeak of the Higher Powers, their doing what is in it ſelf morally good, and that we are not to reſiſt them in ſuch actions; yet I do not hereby in the leaſt acknowledge them to be a lawful Authority, for there is no ſuch neceſſary connexion betwixt them two, as if, when the preſent Powers, at ſome times, in ſome things, happen to do that which in it ſelf is juſt and right, therefore it muſt needs follow, that they are a lawfull Authority, or Juſt Power; for the one is found to be where the other is not.

As a lawful Magiſtrate, in doing wickedly, is to be hindred & prevented, that he bring not ungodly enterprizes to paſs; ſo when any Tyrant or Ʋſurper doth that which is lawful and right, and according to the plain Principles of Juſtice, (as moſt commonly they do ſomewhat of that kind at certain ſeaſons) herein there is no reaſon of reſiſtance: Yet this is no confirmation of him in his unjuſt Power; for there are ſufficient grounds for any, whom the Lord ſhall annoint to that work, to take ſuch Tyrants off from the face of the earth; notwithſtanding that which hath been ſpoken concerning a private perſons forbearing to interpoſe for the hinderance of any good thing performed by them at any time.

p. 68This is all that I intend to ſpeak to the ſecond part of that clauſe, which in this fourth Section was to be explained.

OnelyOnly I think it uſeful, Gods end in this ſtrange & unexpected alteration is to be conſidered.that ſome conſideration ſhould be had of the Lords END, in ordering the Affairs and alterations of this Time and Day, in ſuch manner, That after all antient Forms of Government in this Nation are deſtroyed, the Army ſhould thus take upon them to Rule over the people, good and bad, friends and foes, in like manner, as if we their Brethren had been conquered by them, and ſubdued, as were our enemies and theirs; (which to me appears one of the moſt aſtoniſhing providences of theſe laſt fifteen years.) That thoſe who were ſuch a praying company, ſuch an Heavenly people in their carriage, as if the Head-Quarters had been the very Suburbs of the New Jeruſalem at the leaſt; (what a ſound from the Camp in thoſe daies of the Cauſe of the Lord Jeſus, of the deliverance of the Saints, of the Kingdom and reign of Chriſt, of vengeance againſt Babylon and Antichrist, and multitudes of ſuch phraſes, and Scripture-expreſſions?) I ſay, this is moſt marvellous, to obſerve that theſe things are forgotten, as if they had never been mentioned or talked of in the leaſt. What ſhould be the Lords intent or deſign? what may be the mind and counſel of the Almighty, thus to ſuffer theſe men (after all the goodneſs and kindneſs of the Lord towards them) to ſet their feet upon the necks of their poor oppreſſed Brethren, that never left them in the leaſt, till they left Chriſt and his Cauſe to ſink or ſwim; and then to raiſe up themſelves into this high and mighty honor of being the Lords of the Nations, and their Iron-Law-givers, not ſo much as conſulting with their faithful friends, whoſe prayers and counſels they were wont to deſire upon their entrance into great Enterprizes?

Queſt. Who knows the mind of the Lord? is this ſecret with any of thoſe that fear him? and who walk before him with a perfect heart?

Anſw. Although I would not preſume to intrude, p. 69where I muſt not hope to be admitted, yet, I may give in my apprehenſions in this matter with ſobriety and ſubmiſſion to Saints of more intimate acquaintance with the Lord, without offence, and that in a very few words.

1 The Lord may permit theſe things, theſe ſtrange mutations of mens minds, that all the world may ſee, that marching out of Egypt, and entring into Canaan, are motions very much differing from each other, of 600000 men which came out of the houſe of Bondage, but onelyonly two ſingle perſons entred into the promiſed Land. Thoſe men who conquer Ameleck, dare not encounter with Anak; but had rather make a Captain to go back to Egypt, than follow God their Leader over Jordan; and as the Apoſtle phraſeth it, As it was then, even ſo it is now.

2 Another end of Gods leaving this unhappy new Model, and their unhappy General, to themſelves and their own hearts luſts, may be this, That the poor afflicted people, plainly perceiving that they will not, cannot, do that work which they declared for, might be ſo much the more importunate with the King of Saints, to make haſte, and come himſelf, and in the mean time to provide himſelf of new ſervants to carry on that moſt bleſſed Deſign, which his heart is ſet ſo much upon.

3 That the All-wiſe God may take advantage to ſeparate the precious from the vile, who being ſo buſie in beholding and wondering after this new Image of the Beaſt, there is a rare oportunity for the faithful followers of the Lamb, to leave and depart from thoſe profeſſors, who have now demonſtrated to the world, that they followed Chriſt and his Cauſe for the loaves, and not for the miracles which he hath done before their eyes.

4 That having made this further ſeparation from Babylon in the Army and in the Head-Quarters at King Charls his Palace; He may form a peculiar people for himſelf, to begin where the New Model left, even to pour out thoſe Vials of the wrath of God upon the Antichriſtion State and Seat, p. 70which are next to be emptied by thoſe Angels that come out of the Temple.

But if, Theſe are no part of his end propounded to himſelf in this matter, then I exhort the Saints, who are inquiring into theſe things, to obſerve exactly every ſtep of Providence, Finis op ris, Finis operantis.that they may ſee what end the Lord will make, for it is good to underſtand the end of the action, if we muſt not know the end of the Agent, or efficient Cauſe.

So much in reference to the conſideration of thoſe ends which the Lord might propound to himſelf in this ſtrange paſſage of Providence.

I have not yet finiſhed the explication of this clauſe, There is ſomewhat yet further to be unfolded, and communicated to my Brethren in the Lord, throughout all the Churches of the Saints, who are ſpirited for Generation-work. On that I might be anointed with freſh oyl, to ſpeak forth to the advantage of the truth and work of Chriſt, what I have received of the Lord! that ſo others might hear and fear, and do no more either ſo fooliſhly, or ſo preſumptuouſly, as lately they have done.

But firſt, I muſt premiſe a few words, for a Manuduction thereunto. Thus I apprehend the thing, and thus I expreſſe my mind.

One part of a Nation, may, for their own ends, accept of that perſon, or thoſe perſons, for a ſupreme, or a ſubordinate power, which another part of the people may lawfully refuſe to cloſe withal, or accept for their Rulers, or their Governors, though thereunto required, or otherwiſe attempted by their Brethren.

There is a famous Inſtance of this, in the 1 King. 16.16. Zimri, a Souldier of great command in the Army, but not then General, conſpired, and ſmote and ſlew the King, and reigned in his ſtead.

The people who were incamped againſt Gibbethon, hearing hereof, made Omri the Captain of the hoſt, (or their General) King over Iſrael that day in the Camp. Here was part of the Souldiers had made Zimri King, and the greater part, I ſuppoſe, made Omri King. But this is not p. 71that which I intend for my Inſtance, the quarrel being betwixt the Souldiers, in this place. King Omri overcame King Zimri, for they ſhall have that Title (ſeeing the Holy Ghoſt ſaith (of the one and the other) that they did reign, though Zimri reigned but ſeven dayes) And then, this is my Inſtance; the people of Iſrael were divided into two parts, Half of the people followed Tibni the Son of Ginath to make him King, and half followed Omri-Surely the Spirit of God intends ſome inſtruction to us by this punctual Narration of ſuch a matter, 1 King. 16.21.

I conceive, for my part, that upon Conſiderations which might be offered, they could not impoſe a King upon each other, being equally free; who had the better Title, it is hard to ſay; for the one had as many votes as the other, the people being equally divided. At length Omri obtained the Crown; and ſo all muſt conſent, or be ſilent, which in a ſenſe, is as much as conſent for the preſent.

We may put the caſe thus, Suppoſe half the free people of England are for the ſetting up of a Monarch with a guard of thirty thouſand men to protect him in his Honour and Power; Suppoſe half the people are for a Commonwealth, what Law of God or man will juſtifie the firſt half, that have declared for Monarchy, to impoſe upon the other half, who (knowing the manner of all Kings from the infallible Oracles of God) refuſe to be governed by Kingſhip, and accordingly declare againſt it? conſidering they are as free as themſelves, who preſume to impoſe, and have more from Scripture, and the Law of the Land, for their rejecting of a King, than the others for imbracing him, eſpecially if impoſed upon them by their Equals, Equals in that point of Freedome. Verily, if a ſmall inconſiderable number of the Free-men of England (not to mention other Conſiderations) do oppoſe by all Arguments ſuch an Imperious power from their Brethren inſulting over them, I do not ſee how any honeſt man can draw a ſword againſt theſe diſſatisfied Free-men; and if the p. 72ſword forbear, I make no queſtion but Scripture, Law, and Reaſon would prevail.

But it is worthy of Obſervation, That the Captain of this Hoſt is not yet advanced ſo far towards the ſetling of this new Yoke upon the Nation, as Omri was in that, 1 King. 16.22. for adbuc ſub Judice lis eſt. And the Army, together with their Partakers, in the late, declared, ſtrange Government, not having made hitherto a perfect Law according to their own pleaſure and principles, for the ſetling thereof, we wait to ſee, and to know what the Lord will do, and how far he will permit them to march in this dangerous path, for the compaſſing of their ends, who have been the chief Actors and Contrivers in this unparalled, earthly Deſign, to ſay no worſe of it for the preſent.

But to leave thoſe who have the ſpirits of Free-men (if there be any ſhut up or left) to diſpute with their tongues and pens againſt the Souldiers Swords, I ſhall proceed according to the latitude of my Commiſſion from the Lord Jeſus, and direct my diſcourſe to thoſe people of God, who have openly teſtified, that the Lord is their Judge, that Jehouab is their Lawgiver, that Jehovah is their King, Iſa 33.22.Isa 33:22and that he will ſave them, I mean thoſe Elders and Brethren of the Churches of Chriſt, who have profeſſed to make a compleat and perfect, that is, a total and final ſeparation from the Mother of Harlots, and from the Beaſt that carries her; Rev. 17.5, 7.Rev 17:5Rev 17:7and this they have done according to the Counſel and Call of God in the book of the Revelations.

And unto them I ſay, on the behalf of their Lord and mine, Brethren, Ponder the paths of your feet, for every particular ſtep, of every ſeparated Saint in this Nation, ſince the Twelfth of the Tenth Month, 1653. hath been, and is of very great moment, and according to their walking ſince that day, and hour, when the Word and Spirit of Jehovah received ſo high and ſo deſperate an Affront, they may rationally expect extraordinary conſequences for good, or for evill, coming toward them, and remember this, which you now read, is neither Dream nor Fancy, p. 73although the Rulers of this world will ſo account it, till the God of heaven compel them to change their minds.

It coſt the Six hundred thouſand very dear (even all that came out of Egypt, Num. 14.Num 14who were of twenty years and upwards, yea the righteous as well as the wicked) their making of a Captain to carry them back again to Egypt, when an oportunity was offered by God, to paſſe over Jordan into the Promiſed Land.

But let me in brotherly love expoſtulate the caſe with you, for I am, through grace, a fellow-member of the ſame Body. Suppoſe the three Nations generally WILL be like the Iſraelites, when they rejected Jehovah from being their King, and WILL joyn with thoſe earthly-minded men, who ſaid, and proclamed it, Wee WILL have a new kind of King to Reign over us, and we WILL compel our Brethren by Fire, and Sword, by Jaylors, and High Courts of Injuſtice, to accept of that Monarch whom we have choſen for our ſelves. Will you vote with theſe men, and comply with theſe Apoſtates and Hypocrites? You have given up your names to the Lords Jeſus, to be a peculiar people unto him, are you not, or ſhould you not be an holy Nation in the midſt of the Nations? walking in the name of your King, as the men of the world walk in the name of their Monarch? Was it not for your ſakes chiefly, That Jehovah rebuked Kings and Princes of late yeers? Is it not for his Sons ſake, Pſal. 105.Ps 105and his Saints ſake, that he hath pulled down the whole ſtructure of the old Government of theſe Nations? yea, he hath ſo ordered things, that the very foundations are deſtroyed, which not long ſince were accounted ſacred, and to the maintenance whereof the people were bound by Oath, and ſolemn League and Covenant, except a few, who fore-ſaw, that God himſelf was ingaged againſt the Old Heavens, and the Old Earth in theſe Iſlands.

Were not theſe wonderful changes and deſolations brought forth and finiſhed, when the Officers of the Army, in their own names, created, formed, and ſet up a p. 74Supreme Power after their own inventions? and then, after ſome few months, (when ſome choice ſpirits were reſolved to proceed in that work, which the New Moael had begun, viz. to remove the remaining Rubbiſh of Heatheniſh and Popiſh Cuſtomes, which obſtructed the grand Deſign againſt Babylon, and the Kings of the earth) did not the Sword-men of that once famous New Model, break in peeces, and annihilate their own creation? and that in the ſight of Heaven and Earth, without bluſhing, and then tell the world a fable about Reſignation, whereas no agreement, vote, order, or act paſſed in that Aſſembly to any ſuch purpoſe?

But I muſt ſigh out this complaint; Very many of thoſe who profeſſe, and pretend to be the Saints of the Moſt High, have eyes, and ſee not, they have ears, and hear not, they have hearts, and underſtand not unto this very day; The veil is upon their hearts in the reading of the Prophecies of the Old, 2 Cor. 2.14.2 Cor 2:14and the New Teſtament: And aſſuredly, the Lord hath a great controverſie with many of his own people, becauſe of this, who will find him walking contrary unto them, becauſe they have walked contrary unto him, in this particular. What call from God or man, have we to joyn with the Nations in ſetting up a New Image of worldly Government, eſpecially, at this time of the day, when that which our Anceſtors built, our God hath broken down; and what our Fore-fathers had planted, the Almighty hath plucked up, even the principal Pillars, and Foundations of the former Frame? and is it an imployment worthy of us, to help to repair the Tower of Babylon in this Land after theſe Earthquakes? or to heal the deadly wound which the Beaſt hath received? Conſider, doth it become us to help mingle the Iron and the Clay together, that the Image may not want one of its Ten Toes?

Should you not rather unite with one another, to help conſolidate that Little ſtone, which is to ſmite the Image upon its feet? And put on the whole Armor of God, that you may be ready at an hours warning, to follow p. 75the Lamb, who will ere long appear as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and make lamentable havock with the ſcarlet Whore, and the ſcarlet coloured Beaſt upon which ſhe Rides, whoſe Ten Horns at length, or ſome of them, ſhall be guided to puſh the mother of the Abominations of the carth into a Pit of deſtruction, prepared for her by the Lord.

Beſides all this which hath been ſpoken, would it not be found to be part of our glory and perfection at the appearance of Jeſus Chriſt, to imitate the Apoſtles and Churches of Chriſt in the firſt times, when they were ſo eminently taught of God, in reference to this particular? For when the Apoſtle Peter ſpake that word of Exhortation, Act. 2.40.Acts 2:40That they ſhould ſave themſelves from this untoward Generation; Aſſuredly he intended not only a ſeparation from the Doctrine, Worſhip, and Government of the Jewiſh Church, but from the State alſo, and Government thereof; for now they had accepted of the Lord Jeſus as their Prince to govern them, as well as their Saviour to redeem them; it being one of the laſt matters which he gave them in charge before his Aſcenſion, viz. Mat. 28 20.Matt 28:20to teach all his Diſciples to obſerve all things whatſoever he commanded, for all power in heaven and earth was given to him; and they were not to be Moſes his Diſciples henceforward in any thing, and ſo came off from the Government of the Jewiſh Commonwealth. Accordingly, when Peter ſpeaks of the Magiſtrates to the people, he calls them their Mogiſtrates, YOUR RULERS, ſaith Peter, he doth not ſay our Rulers, Act. 3.17. again, when he was, with John, convented before Authority, this is his language, Ye RULERS OF THE PEOPLE, and Elders of Iſrael, he owned them to be Rulers, that is, of the people, but called them not at any time by any ſuch title, as might ſignifie that they were over them, that is, the Church, as before, when as yet they were of the world; for then indeed they muſt own them as their Rulers, for they had no others to rule them, except the Souldiers. And upon this conſideration, of their being under the government of Chriſt, they did no longer p. 76mind what Rulers were ſet up in the world, by the men of the world; thoſe who were Saints by Calling, undoubtedly, had no heart to buſie themſelves about the choice of a Roman Emperor, though Citizens of Rome, as Paul was; but let the Army ſet up whom they pleaſed, and pull down whom they would, it was all one to them. And as for the Senate of the children of Iſrael, Act. 5.22.Acts 5:22as we read it, they had little cauſe to chooſe any members for that Parliament, they being looked upon as a company of Sectaries or Separatiſts, and ſo were of another Company, Communion, and Commonwealth.

And ſo in like manner Paul draws the Saints at Corinth from the Courts of thoſe higher powers, to compoſe and determine all controverſies among themſelves; for they had better Laws, and might have better Rulers of their own, than any the world had, and then what need they ſeek any further? 1 Cor. 6. the beginning of the Chap. So that for my part, if I were at liberty, I ſhould be as far from medling in the choice of Knights and Burgeſſes under the preſent Sword-Sovereignty, or any other, as from medling in the choice of Arch-biſhops or Biſhops, as they were then called, or of Arch-tryers or Tryers, as they may be now called; and why ſhould not others be of my mind, who have any knowledge of God and his wonderful works in theſe dayes? and ſo never chuſe any more Magiſtrates, till Chriſt, and his Laws, and Government, come to take place in the Nations. It is a moſt incongruous courſe which ſome Chriſtians have taken, ſince the Lord pulled all in peeces (namely the late Powers) to pray for the ſetting up of the Kingdome of Chriſt in the world, and nevertheleſſe joyn with thoſe who pull down, or prevent that which they ſeem to pray for. But, let all the Saints and faithful Brethren in Chriſt throughout this Nation, take heed, they do more ſo much as touch with the Fourth Kingdome, now that the Lord is about to take away its Deminion, to conſume it utterly, and to deſtroy it to the end.

p. 77Thus I have endeavored to repreſent at large my apprehenſions concerning the Powers in being, and I am fully perſwaded, that my Principles, if improved according to their natural tendency, would make notable work among the Kings of the Earth, and their under Officers; Oh how would that word of the Lord be fulfilled in Jer. 51. Jer. 51.58.Jer 51:58The people would labor in vain towards the intended ſettlement, and the felk ſhould work in the fire, to cauſe the Iron and Clay to ſoder and to incorporate, and yet do no good upon it, but be wearied out. Babylon and her Princes, her Captains and her rich men, her Stateſ-men, and her mighty men, would be tired out with anguiſh and vexation of ſpirit, if the Spirit of the Lord would vouchſafe to aſſiſt us in doing and in ſuffering according to the Will of God in this day.

Nevertheleſs, I am affraid I ſhall not be underſtood by ſome, in theſe things, although I have endeavored to make out my thoughts with all the plainneſs I could; wherefore I will recollect all in a few words, by the way of diſtinguiſhing one thing from another; Thus,

1 It is one thing to own the Higher Powers according to God, and his directions in the Word of Truth and Rigtheouſneſs; and it is another thing to own them in ſuch a manner, and to ſuch degrees, as they themſelves deſire, and luſt after. The former way I walk in, the latter, I ſhall never be found in, by the grace of my God and Father.

2 It is one thing to own them as Powers, and another thing to own them as lawful and righteous Powers, the firſt we muſt needs do, for they have Dominion over our bodies, and over our ſubſtance, by their Swords, at their pleaſure; but to own them as having a right, either by the Law of God or Man, thus to Rule over us, I abſolutely and utterly refuſe.

3 Again, It is one thing to own them, and to acknowledge them, as the Rulers of the people, when they have univerſally accepted of their iron yokes; and another thing to own and acknowledge them to be our Governors, p. 78who never did, nor do ever intend to chuſe or accept them according to that new Inſtrument of ſervitude publiſhed to the Nations.

4 It is one thing to own the Higher Powers, ſo, as not to reſiſt them by force, when they do that which is in it ſelf lawful and right, though they have no lawful Authority; and it is another thing to own them in their oppreſſions, perſecutions, all their unrighteous Decrees, and tyrannical practiſes: according to the firſt part of the diſtinction, particular perſons in their private capacities have forborn to interrupt them; but as for he other part, none but baſe Sycophants, and their fellow Tyrants, will therein teſtify their owning of them.

5 It is one thing to own the worldly and tyrannical Powers in the way of neceſſary ſubjection, and another to own them out of choyce, and voluntary Approbation: The former, Chriſt and his Diſciples have practiſed; but as for the other, none but ignorant Slaves have yeelded to it.

By theſe diſtinctions, and ſuch like, it may eaſily, I conceive, be underſtood, wherein, and in what reſpects I own the Powers in being, and in what reſpects, I neither do, nor ever ſhall own them, the Lord continuing to be merciful unto his unworthy ſervant.

And as for the Power of the Army, which I accounted the Supreme, or the higheſt and ſtrongeſt is theſe Iſlands, I do ſtill adhere to my former apprehenſions, that it is ſo, and that they and their partakers have done and may do (while their time laſteth) many things in their own nature juſt and good, yea, good and profitable to mankind, as the ſuppreſſing and puniſhing of Theeves and Murtherers, &c. And in, or for the doing of ſuch things, I do not find any honeſt man riſing up againſt them, but this will not ſignifie in the leaſt, any ſuch thing, as an approving of them to be lawfull Powers, as I have ſhewed before, and as it may be further inſtanced in their Predeceſſors, who though they did many excellent things in their day; yet becauſe they miſcarried in other reſpects, p. 79the Lord did find them out, and took a convenient time to lay their honor and power in the duſt. Let this ſuffice at preſent, for I muſt now diſpatch this Section.

There is one Objection onelyonly, which poſſibly may lie upon the ſpirits of ſome choyce ſervants of the Lord, and this it is.

Object. Although Chriſt and his Diſciples did ſubmit to the Higher Powers in their day, yet it doth not ſeem to be a pattern for us, upon whom the ends of the world are come. For firſt, We have reſiſted the Powers in our day, and are blameleſs, in the account of the moſt judicious Teachers which are among us. And Secondly, If we ſhould ſubmit, as they in the primitive times, how could vengeance be executed upon Babylon and her Adherents, the Kings of the earth, according to the Prophecies in the Word?

Anſ. 1. I grant, it is moſt true, there is ground to expect a time, when we ſhall no more be ſubject to the Fourth Beaſt and his little Horn, which time (you muſt think) thoſe who ſuffer in all Countries, under Papal, and Regal Tyranny, do long after, but till that time, you ſee that the two witneſſes do ſuffer under the prevailing power of their Adverſaries.

Anſ. 2. But for ſatisfaction of thoſe who have not conſidered the matter, viz. the different eſtate of the Saints, in different times, It is to be remembred, and well obſerved, That Jeremy in the beginning of their captivity, did by the word of the Lord, direct the Jews, to ſeek the peace of the City, whither he had cauſed them to be carried away captives, and to pray unto the Lord for it, Jer. 29.7.Jer 29:7for in the peace thereof ſhall yee have peace, Jer. 29.7. But now, if you turn to Pſal. 137.8, 9. you ſhall find there was a time to come, when the Jews ſhould be contrary minded to that paſſage before mentioned; ſaying; Oh Daughter of Babylon, who art to be deſtroyed, happy ſhall he be that rewardeth thee as thou haſt ſerved us. Happy ſhall he be that taketh and daſheth thy little ones againſt the ſtones. You ſee what different language and carriage here is, in reference to the ſame City and Power, at different ſeaſons; yea, Jeremy p. 80himſelf, who ſent word that they ſhould pray for Babylon, as you have heard at the beginning of the ſeventy years, ſent another meſſage contrary to it, not long after. I will fix but upon one paſſage or two, Jer. 51.33. It is time to threſh Babylon, ſaith the Lord, and the time of her harveſt ſhall come. Again, verſ. 35. The violence done unto me, and unto my fleſh, be upon Babylon, ſhall the Inhabitant of Zion ſay, and my blood be upon the Inhabitants of Caldea, ſhall Jeruſalem ſay. Here is very differing language from the former meſſage, this cannot be praying for the City, it is no leſs than curſing of Babylon, as you plainly ſee; Even thus it is with the true Iſraelites of the New Teſtament-times, when they were firſt of all perſecuted by the Roman Power, they could not prophecy, nor pray for the ruin of Rome, it was not the truth and work of that age, and ſo there was neither light nor ſpirit for any ſuch enterprize; but now it is ſeaſonable in this day; and I am perſwaded, if it were poſſible for the Apoſtles to be, and to come among the living Saints in this Nation, who have not defiled their Garments upon the dunghil of this world, nor betrayed the Cauſe of Chriſt wherewith they have been intruſted, they would incourage them to ſpend their arrows, and not ſpare, againſt this myſtical Babylon; they would own that cauſe, and work, & truth, for which we indure ſo great oppreſſions and perſecution; and therefore, although I muſt needs be ſubject till the time of deliverance come (and that deliverance ſhall come by Inſtruments annointed of God, as Cyrus was, yea, with a better annointing) yet, becauſe by a ſpiritual inſtinct, flowing from that Divine Nature, whereof through rich Grace I do partake, I do know aſſuredly, that we ſhall be ſo far, ere it be long, from praying for the Powers under the little Horn, that we ſhall reward them as they have rewarded us; Therefore, I ſay, do I thus ſpeak, and thus write, and pray with other enlightened and enlivened Saints; Pour out the remaining vials of thy wrath, upon the PRESENT POWERS of the Earth, who will not have Chriſt to reign over them; and let all the followers of the Lamb ſay, Amen.

p. 81Thus I have finiſhed the explanation of the fourth Section of the Epiſtle, with ſuch further manifeſtation of the truth in this point, as for the preſent I am furniſhed withall from the word and Spirit of the Lord, and therefore I ſhall paſs on to the next.