with the Commands of Christ Mat. 28.18 who 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 onely 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 and 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 to 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. a 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 These things I have transferred in a figure 1 Cor. 4.6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.14 rather 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. these 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 to 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. at 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. for they were filled with the Holy Ghost indeed and must speak and accordingly proceeded to preach notwithstanding their Order Act. 5.33 in 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 and 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
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 Vsurpation which shews it self either in times of Pence or in time of War And secondly by degenerating into Tyranny Vsurping 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 likewise even 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 Vsurper 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 may 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 Vsurpers 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 BY FLATTERIES Also Abimelech a notorious Usurper Judg. 9. Abimeleck made himself King such an one as it was by fraud flattery and murther Judges 9. throughout This for the second sort of Vsurpers in peaceable times Vsurping 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 10 are 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 onely was the lawful Power the onely 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 Vsurper 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 are 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 â—â—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 But of all Vsurpers or usurping Higher Powers who get into the Throne those are most abominable as Powers who being INTRVSTED 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 PERFIDIOVSLY 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
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 Wherefore 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 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 the 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 as it is written THE TONGUE CAN NO MAN TAME AN UNRULY EVIL FULL OF DEADLY POYSON It seems it is the onely 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 in 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 Secondly 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 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 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 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-Statute-Law Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey Magistrates * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 Highest FOR THERE ARE HIGHER THEN THEY Eccles 5.8 And if at any time they command ought that is inconsistent
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 of 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 SVBJECT TO THE POWERS IN BEING BECAVSE I MVST NEEDS BE SVBJECT 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 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 and 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 ONELY for wraths sake BVT 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 onely for wrath sake but for Conscience sake also and as Peter saith for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which 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. for 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 who 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 JESVS COME QVICKLY 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 â—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 and 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 But 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
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 doth expresly call them was at its full growth or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about the time of the birth of the Prince of the Kings of the earth Numb 24.17 just 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 do 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 and 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 onely 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 the 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
notably 1 King 16. and 2 King 15. One King reigns two years that 's 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 of 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 But 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 28 he 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 6.20 yet 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 Vsurper 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 This is all that I intend to speak to the second part of that clause which in this fourth Section was to be explained Onely 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
redeem them it being one of the last matters which he gave them in charge before his Ascension viz. Mat. 28 20. to 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 mind 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 as 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 Thus 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 The 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 who 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