Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	apostle_n	bishop_n	john_n	3,967	5	5.6653	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93935	An iron rod put into the Lord Protectors hand, to break all antichristian powers in pieces. Or, A discourse, which tends to a spirituall war with all sects and self-opinions, which are the Churches enemies: wil bring Englands everlasting happiness, and joyn all other lands into the body of Christs Church, to serve God with with [sic] one consent, Zeph. 3.9. All which was discovered to John Sanders of Harburn, neer Brimingham [sic]: by true apparitions, revelations, and many several visions, as the second book sheweth.	Sanders, John, of Harburn.	1655 (1655)	Wing S575; Thomason E842_23; ESTC R203488	52,643	75

onely cause of the controversies between King and Parliament was first pretended to raise up the Protestants against the Papists some of the Protestants which were ticed to begin these late wars but contrary to Christs command and Gospel-rule or the Apostles doctrine to erect Christs Church by unnatural bloody war therefore God suffered the Spirit of division to arise among themselves and to leave the Papists standing and like unnatural brethren they have ruinated themselves I mean the Protestant Church and all her governments and the High-Priest and all that Apostolical Discipled houshold cast out for their corruption when it was grown to a ripe head much like unto Ely as a judgement from the Lord 1 Sam. 4. All this came to passe by being carried on by the pretence of a religious reformation but God suffered the instruments of his wrath to pluck the Protestant Church government to pieces when it was so old that it could stand no longer The chief workmen that did begin it wear covetous and new fangled Teachers whose Religion hath long time hanged on the deceiving hinges of strange opinions These things have been so far from plucking the Church of Rome down that they have given many great causes for it to stand firmer then it did before and to cause many to cleave to their Church The Church of Rome as she now standeth will fall but that must be done by love and a spiritual war as followeth And as the late several chosen Parliaments were Axes and Sawes to hew down and part a sunder corrupted governments So God hath ordained and put your Highnesse chief now in power to build up and joyne both for Church and State all things in better order then they were before this many hundered years therefore take the founders and builders of the first Jewish and Christian Churches for your example The way to raise up Davids fallen Tabernacle If fire have burned houses and good food hath surfeited mens bodies for want of being carefully used shall we never use fire or food more for the former abuse of them Truly my Lord it is a fit comparison for these things as in the dayes of old Amos 9. HAving now declared the renting and dividing of Christs seamlesse garment my task is now to shew your Highnesse how to raise up the Churchs ruines and build it up as in the days of old therefore take the founders of the Jewish and Christian Churces for your example First my Lord you must set up a Patriarchal and Apostolical true reformed Episcopal order twelve Patriarchs under the Law twelve Apostles under the Gospel the twelve Founders Bishops and Rulers of the Church under one Spiritual head Christ Jesus As Abraham and Sarah are called the Father and Mother of all the Faithful so Christ in God is called the Father the true Church the Mother called the City or new Jerusalem that is to be sent down from heaven Rev. 21.10 which City or new Jerusalem Saint Iohn saw to have twelve gates and at the gates twelve Angels that is Bishops Rev. 3. to the Angels of the seven Churches of Asia that is the Bishops of the seven Churches and the names written therein of the twelve Tribes of Israel whose glory God caused to shine like pretious stones Rev. 21.11 12 14. And the wall of the City had twelve foundations and in them the names of the Lambs twelve Apostles which twelve Apostles were twelve Bishops as appears Acts 1.20 let another take his Bishoprick Psal 69.25 and Psal 109.8 there was such a necessity of twelve in chiefe that Christs Ministry could not be carried on after Iudas his fall without that number Act. 1.25 Isai 63.11 16. Abraham in a typical way signifies God the Father Isaac is the figure of Christ Rebeccah is the espoused Church of Christ Iacob is a representation of the Holy Ghost the which holy Ghost or Iacob must beget twelve Patriarchs or twelve Apostles which were the Founders Bishops and Fathers under God in Christ of the old Ierusalem Iewish and Christian and must be of the new Ierusalem which is to come So likewise when Ioshuah was about to enter Canaan the Lord caused him to chuse twelve men out of every several Tribe a man to bear twelve stones before the Ark thorough Iordan and to take them where the Priests feet stood firm which stones they were to set up for 12 pillars in Gilgal and he set up twelve more in the midst of Iordan in the place where the Priests feet stood that bare the Ark of Gods covenant Ioshua 4. which 12 pillars being set up in natural Canaan for a memorial of the dividing of Iordan and being carried on the shoulders of 12 several men out of every Tribe a man under the Law as soon as they came to enter natural Canaan Signifieth the twelve chief pillars of Christs Church which are to be the head Founders of the new Ierusalem Rev. 21.14 which must and will be set up when we are at the entrance of a spiritual Canaans peace All Scriptures are written for our instruction and they speak of things past onely to tell us what should be done now as figures and types of things to come But happily it may be objected against what I have said that there were 13 Patriarchs and 13 Apostles 'T is true Iacob and his 12 sons were 13 and a little before his death he received Iosephs sons by laying on of hands to be as his sons in his and Iosephs place to make for his 12 Tribes 13 heads fathers of which Iudah was chiefe in that he brought forth Christ So likewise Christ first chose 12 to be head spiritual fathers of the 12 spiritual Tribes to make them one body under him the head Acts 1. After Christs death resurrection and ascension before the holy Ghost was come downe to give them the fulnesse of their power and gifts the number was made 12. Acts 1. after Judas fall but after the holy Ghost was come down to carry them on in their work when they began to be persecuted and scattered it pleased God to convert Paul even their greatest persecutor and furiousest enemy and to make them 13 Apostles Peter being the head in Christs Church and by his command to feed his Lambs and sheep thrice to whom Christ committed the keys of Davids Tabernacle or heaven to bind or loose things either in heaven or earth he being head the body were 12. Besides here in England following that example at one time as Chronicles shew there were 24 Bishops under two high Priests or Archbishops Your Highnesse must likewise remember that besides this Apostolical order you must set up a Discipled order of 70. both which Orders I shal prove first under the law secondly under the Gospel Your Highnesse ought to remember the Law which gave to Moses to instruct you what to do to be as it were a School Master who when he found the government for Church affairs too

united minde with one accord to carry on the great weighty affaires both for Church and State to begin the work in a perfect way and so goe on to more perfection Your Highness cannot chuse but see what great things the Lord hath done for you by preserving your person in many and sundry great Battels of war and since many several dangerous plots which have been lately found out which for brevities sake I must omit to name all which plots and dangers shew you God is angry with you to see his house lie waste still and no one is setting about the work of God You may well assure your selfe that God is sorely displeased that many are planting and setling themselves in great Estates and making themselves great by this slaughterous wars and so cast Gods work behind their backs Now his House and Worship hath been pluckt down and brought to ruine by several Sects and evil members which have some of them been of the Army and the rest the Army have favoured I meane all Hereticks seditious and blasphemous persons in this fiery time of trial or consuming of the true worship and zeal of Gods good old wayes of worship which did shine in a flourishing condition And now you see God hath preserved your Highnesse as he spake by the Prophet Zechariah 3.2 concerning Joshua the High Priest The Lord will rebuke Satan and chuse Ierusalem to reprove him But saith the Lord Is not this a brand pluckt out of the fire And thus you see the Lord many times brings his beloved children very neare the very gates of Hell or in great danger of falling And now you may see God hath pluckt your Highness from among those brands and brought you to the Kings Throne to be chiefe Ruler over all as Abrahams eldest servant was The first thing you ought to have done that would have been most pleasing to God and best and surest for your selfe was to have found out the true worship of God and to have been as faithful in chusing a spiritual Head for the Church the woman as St. Iohn saw to be cloathed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet having a crown of 12. Stars on her head Revel 12.1 being meant Christ or one in his stead twelve Apostolical governours called a crown of twelve Stars that is Bishops of his Church being cloathed with the Son of Gods bright garment of pure government Having the Moon under her feet that is all changeable governments which change like the Moon Take one imitation of Abrahams servant who refused the eating of bread to feed his hungry appetite after his long journey till he had shewed his faithfulness and knew Rebeccha and her friends mind Gen. 24. So take heed of feeding your selves with worldly dignitie till you have found out a Head and an espoused company to make a body for Christs Church Take your example from Moses who after he was Gods chiefe servant although he was brought up in Pharaohs Court by Pharaohs daughter when he came to yeares of understanding he refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter O therefore take heed of those Courtly offers after you understand the wayes of God as either to defraud or detaine any man from his Right or keep the Church and people of God either in bondage or a wildernesse condition O therefore for the Lords sake delay no more time by building your own houses but set about the house of the Lord which is called a house of prayer for all people For the neglect of that God shewed you a sign of his anger when you were in that great danger of being kild in Hide Park on S. Michaels day if you can beleive the word of God to be true That God commanded Moses to put off his natural shooes when God called him from being a natural shepherd to be the chiefe Leader of his people Exod. 3.5 and likewise the same he commanded to Joshua Josh 5. The shooes signifie the natural affection of a mans heart and minde when he is called to the holy work of the Lord. We read that for a very small offence the Lord met Moses and would have killed him in the way Exod. 4.24 And as the Angel of the Lord stood with his sword drawn before Ioshua to cause him to unloose the natural shooes from his feet if the Lord hide it not from you and so leave you off to hardnesse of heart and spiritual blindness you may well see that the Lord is not pleased by the many dangers you have been near All those plots and dangers should be as warning pieces to set you forward to goe about the work of the Lord or as goads to stir you up to it I intreat the Lord and oftentimes doe pray that God will be pleased to open the spiritual eyes of your soul and clear up your understanding that you may goe about the great work of the Lord with all expedition And you may well assure your selfe that if the burden was too heavy for Moses who had his counsel at Gods own mouth who had likewise Aaron the High Priest and other Priests to assist him yet it made him to cry out to be eased of the Lord or slain Therefore let the example of the Jewish and Christian Churches lead you as a pattern or line Chuse first a High Priest then 12. and gather 70. The manner of the High Priests receiving the number of 12. for to be Apostolical Bishops by the holy order of laying on of Hands and then 70. proved from Jacob Moses and the Apostles ●octrine YOur Highnesse having according to Gods command and Scripture rule to be your guide chosen a High Priest for the head of Christs Church as Aaron and Peter were and then by the High Priests advice ●o ordaine twelve Apostolical Bishops as several heads under him for to be over the twelve spiritual Tribes of Israel or Christs Church the High Priest should not receive them to be his spiritual Sons without the laying on of hands this holy order and confirmation of laying on of hands I shal prove to you by example from Jacob Gen. 48.14 who when he was about to die and to receive Manasse● and Ephraim into the number of his twelve Sons to make them thirteen Head Fathers of the twelve natural Tribes of Israel Manasseh and Ephraim being called the two halfe Tribes at Jacobs receiving of them at the hands of their Father Ioseph to make them as his sons to bear their part of his name for the time to come throughout all generations he did not do it without laying on of hands and receiving them without that holy order to confirm them by his blessing Ioseph at his bringing them to old Iacob his Father whose eyes were dim his ful intention was that old Israel should have laid his right hand on the eldest and his left on the youngest but he would not do so although his natural eyes were dim yet God gave him

heavy for him he grieving and making his complaint to God the Lord to ease him of his burden God commanded him in Numb 11. v. 16. to gather seventy men of the Elders of Israel and to bring them unto the Tabernacle of the Congregation to make a body under him and Aaron the High Priest to be helpers of Church government which as soon as they were elected set round about the Tabernacle the Lord took the spirit from Moses and gave it to the seventy Elders and they did all prophesie and did not cease Num. 11.25 Thus you see God ordained the seventy Elders even the compleat number when they were in the wildernesse that were of Iacobs houshold when they went into Egypt to make a body above the ordinary Priests for Church affairs he wanted not Judges or Officers for State affairs or Marshal discipline he took his Father in Law Iethro's counsel for that Exod. 18. Secondly under the Gospel Christ our Saviour the onely begotten Son of his Father when the fulnesse of time was come which God long before had determined when he said The seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head which is to be understood Jesus Christ should be born of a pure Virgin which should be set up as an Ensigne for the people and Nations to lead the chiefe Officers of his Army in his life time he gave no other weapons to the head Leaders and general Governours of his Army to carry on their warfare against all his enemies but the sharp sword of the spirit which proceedeth out of his mouth to slay the enemies of him and his Elect Christ first chose twelve Mark 3. and he named some of them Bonerges by interpretation sons of thunder then Christ ordained seventy other Luke 10.1 2 3. and sent them out when the harvest was ripe two and two together into every City or place which way soever he himselfe would come and he gave them power to carry on their work sending them forth as Lambs among Wolves and the seventy returned again with joy saying Lord even the Devils are subdued to us thorow thy name and Jesus said unto them that he saw Satan like lightning fall down from heaven behold saith Christ I give unto you power to tread on Serpents and Scorpions and all the powers of the enemy nothing shal hurt you neverthelesse in this rejoyce not but rather rejoyce that your names are written in heaven the same hour rejoyced Jesus in the spirit and said I confess unto thee Father Lord of heaven and earth that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and learned and hast revealed them to Fabes even so father because it pleaseth thee Luk. 10.17 18 c. Truely my Lord we must all believe that these very Scriptures are written for our instruction there is none that believeth that God is God and his Word is Truth that dare object or say but that these Scriptures are sent from God to us for no other end but to direct us to do the same which they speak of that hath been done here to fore in former ages for they are patterns examples and lines for us in this last age to erect build up and walk by and although God hath hidden these things from the wise and learned of this time as it pleased him so to doe in former ages as Christ saith Luke 10.21 and to reveale it to mean men which are but like babes and sucklings yet let none that bears the name of a Christian disdain neglect or despise these things for the meanes of the person of him whom God speaks this now but let all that will own the name of Christians rejoyce in the spirit as Christ their head Captain did in the spirit giving all praise and glory to him assuring themselves that the meaner persons they are that God doth it by the greater work of God is shewed therein and with all expedition to set about the work for by this example were our Primitive Christians to chuse their seventy Interpreters For when it pleased God to have the holy Scriptures translated or interpreted for the good of all that believe he did it by such a number of seventy which were all guided by the holy Ghost as it had been one man and they were as it were conduit pipes to convey the water of life into all Countries Nations Tongue● for the comfort of Gods Elect through out the World Thus you see there is no contradiction with God he is at the beginning and ending all one in his Church for as God the Father Son and Holy Ghost are all one in Trinity so is the true Apostolical and Discipled Church whom Christ promised the holy Ghost should be with to the end of the world Iohn 14.16 Iohn 17.21 And every member of the body have their proper gifts for offices and places for the building up ruling and gathering of the Saints under Christ their head 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4.11 12 As Paul saith God hath ordained in the Church several Officers as first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers then they that do miracles after the gifts of healing helpers of governments diversity of tongues but saith he are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers are all doers of Miracles have all gifts of Healing doe all speak with Tongues doe all interpret 1 Cor. 12.28 29 30. These Scriptures sheweth us very plainly Proved that none of the new Elect or Gathered Churches are not true Churches that all our new elect and gathered Churches are out of the ways of God at this very time as far I may say as the East is from the West yet I wil not judge any But there may be many true members that belong unto Christ among them but thus by the power of God I wil assure you that none of the new Sects as cal themselves Churches are true Churches because they have neither true heads or body above them according to other Law or Gospel rule but every one strives to be a Teacher by resting the Scriptures to their own corrupt finister by-paths and so lose themselves and lead many more into woods wildernesses and desarts of strange opinions and so it wil be worse and worse stil daily more every day then other Eph. 4.11 12 13. til the mercy of God cause us to have an Apostolical and Discipled body under a head for the gathering of the Saints together for the work of the Ministery and for the dification of the body of Christ this wil be the way to make all the members of Christs Church meet in the unity of true faith as followeth if you can believe That the seventy Elders that God caused Moses to chuse had several prophetical gifts when they were chosen and brought to Gods Tabernacle at that immediate time Or if your Highnesse can believe that Christs Apostles and Disciples had several prophetical gifts for the making of a compleat body for Christs Church and the

AN IRON ROD PUT INTO The Lord PROTECTORS Hand To break all Antichristian Powers in pieces OR A Discourse which tends to a Spirituall War with all Sects and Self-opinions which are the Churches enemies wil bring Englands everlasting happiness and joyn all other Lands into the body of Christs Church to serve God with with one consent Zeph. 3.9 All which was discovered to John Sanders of Harburn neer Brimingham By true Apparitions Revelations and many several Visions as the second Book sheweth Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a Potters vessel Psal 2.9 Rev. 2.27 The Lords voice cryeth unto the City and the man of wisedome shall see my name hear the rod and who hath appointed it Micah 6.9 LONDON Printed for the Author and are to be sold at the Angel in Cornhil 1655. The Table of the Second Book THis Second Book of John Saunders sheweth a true relation how and where he was called at noon-time of the day on the 11. day of June 1643. by a true and a terrible apparition and further how the Lord revealed his secret intent and confirmed it to him by true signs and shewed him the greatest remarkable revolutions turnings chances and changes as have been ever since between King and Parliament which he then declared before many And what way the Church shal be re-builded to bring all Lands into one Christian Body and Union of Eaith Surely saith the Lord then will I turne to the people a pure language that they may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one consent Zephany 3.9 And a true Relation of what horrible afflictions God suffered him to be sundry and many times cast into by Satan and his instruments because he did at first neglect the message of the Lord of Hosts conterning King and Parliament Church and State Dear Christian Reader IN this Second Book of John Sanders here is shewn a true Relation of the manner how God called me to this work in as wonderful a way as he did Paul at noon-time of the day by an open apparition on the 11. day of June 1643. Page 37 As I was employed in a Faire with my Master Mr. Robert Bloomer it pleased my heavenly Master and Father in Christ to cause me to see the Apparition then at that immediate time But God knowing that I was inclined by nature to be hard of beliefe like Thomas who would not believe unles he felt and saw both or like the men of our late dayes which will not believe but that Apparitions Revelations and true Visions are now ceased it pleased God to convert me from that erroneous unbelieving mind in as wonderful a manner as he did Paul at noon-time of the day and caused me to feele his indignation as the reading of this Book wil tel you in what manner and at noon again four dayes after how the Lords holy Angel was sent to comfort my comfortlesse condition by secret and strange Revelation and on the morrow at night after and on the next morning being Friday the 17. day to confirm me by trial and terrible Visions and strange temptations and then to comfort me with his holy Angel to give me a command to goe to King and Parliament as it were to be a Herauld of Armes or heavenly Embassador from the King of Kings And to tel first the King what would befal him unless such things were agreed on as this Book sheweth and then to go to the Parliament to shew what they must do or else the like and worse judgment would befal them at last unless they would do as Zacheus did when Christ called him Yet the Kings Son and a remnant of them must and would agree at last for upon their agreement is the greatest meanes under God to call the Jewes and convert the whole world into one union of Faith Then I was shewed what misery I was to undergoe if I refused to goe on Gods message yet must go at last This book of my troubles sheweth the manner what I have endured First of my going to speak with the King when he was prisoner at Holmby and in what manner I was prevented from speaking with the King himself and then what I told Colonel Graves would befal first to the King and then the Parliament if such things were not done as this Book speaks of and what great troubles befel me after by Satans malicious working against me by my wife and her kindred and some of my own and many wicked men besides and of Gods great miraculous deliverance and mercy to me p. 44 46 47 48 Secondly of my putting out of a little Book about the time that the Levellers rose against the Parliament called A Description of the Ten Commandements concerning this late War laying open the misery of the Church by reason of covetous and new fangled Teachers were crept into it for want of true Church-government And then what troubles befel me again and how some of her friends urged her to be divorced from me and of their persecuting of me p. 54 55 Thirdly the Bill of Divorcement put in print in this Book given her six yeares since after this manner which she and they were the causers of p. 58 Fourthly the manner how God compelled me to foretel Worcester fight and the manner and time of it and how the King would be overthrown if he fought and eminent witness produced that heard me speak it p. 62. Fifthly the humble petition of Iohn Sanders to the Lord Protector of his often comming to London since to speak with the Parliament to tel that Parliament that they could not stand and to shew them what was the cause Colonel Barkstead can witnesse it that God compelled me to tel him and what would be the cause p. 53 Sixthly of my comming out of Ireland neer 6. weeks before the little Parliaments dissolution and to tel some of them that Gods decree was so gone out against them that they would be dissolved about the shortest day in the yeare Witness Colonel Barkestead which is now the Lieutenant of the Tower And then of my going into our Country of my being compelled by God to prefigure declare in Brimingham what was then doing that day in London 88. miles from London then of my being thrown into prison p. 64 Seventhly of my being compelled by the dictates of Gods spirit to speak and write many times and make many journeys since to the present power and the last Parliament to tel them what hath and wil befal them unlesse they wil deny themselves and seek God p. 65 Eightly of several Visions as I have had this yeare concerning the Church being rebuilded suddenly and the Lord Protectors Councel and King Charles his agreeing And how God revealed the plot of the Countrys-rising to me and caused me to carry a Letter to the Tower of it and to deliver it before the rising was p. 66 67 Woe

is me if I declare not faithfully that which the Lord declareth to me either to King or Parliament Gourteous Reader some Errours have escaped the presse yet but one worth observation In page 38. line 32. for Monday read Wednesday The Table of the First Book FIrst here is shewed in this Book to your Highness and all others that please to hear or read it a Petition to move you with all expedition to goe about the work of God to finde out true Religion for the beautifying of Gods Church and then to build it up Page 1. Secondly the manner and time how Davids Tabernacle fell as well from the Christian Gentiles which were in Gospel-covenant as it did from the 12. Tribes of Israel in Rehoboams time under the Law and how there was never no true Religion in one body since they parted p. 2. Thirdly a short description of the Protestants ruinating in this land by this late war p. 5. Fourthly the true manner described how Davids fallen Tabernacle should be begun to be raised as in the dayes of old Amos 9 proved by Law and Gospel-rule to be the true Channel for the Church to run in first in this land and no other way then this can be proved which wil bring the whole world to one union of faith to serve God with one consent Zeph. 3.9 p. 6. Fifthly what a wilderness infectious poysoned and scattered condition the Church and people of God are in for want of a Church-government according to Patriarchal Prophetical Apostolical and Discipled orders the true manner of which is laid down in this Book p. 13. Sixthly true comparative signes first by the Stars secondly by the Moon that Christs true Religion is ready to breake forth into beautifulness more then ever it was in p. 15. Seventhly a godly direction and admonition for his Highness the Lord Protector to take the like care for the chusing of a High Priest to be Head in chief for Christs Church as Abrahams eldest servant did for a wife for Isaac the figure of Christ Gen. 24. This wil be the beginning of a fifth Monarchy under Christ Eightly the manner of the High Priests receiving of the number of 12. Apostolical Bishops to be Head Fathers of the 12. spiritual Tribes of Israel which are now scattered abroad Jam. 1. by the holy order of laying on of hands and of his and their receiving the number of 70. under them to make a body above the ordinary Ministers of Christs Church p. 22. Ninthly the true manner how to prove them whether their calling and election be of God or not by going to a spiritual war which is a contending for the faith or casting rods and lots with all Sects and self-opinions which are the Churches enemies Num. 17.18 Matth. 27.55 Joh. 19.23 Iude. p. 25. Tenthly the manner of the Whore of Babels fal and all false forms in one day in this land to be a patterned example for the whole world to follow and for the calling of the Jewes Turks Pagans and Infidels to the true faith p. 27. Eleventhly it sheweth the glorious time of the new Jerusalems situated government and of the Churches glory p. 31 Twelfthly it sheweth how that King Charles the Second-is appointed by God to be his chief King under Christ over the whole world and the Lord Protector if he will be obedient to the word of the Lord to be the second under him as Abrahams faithful servant to be chief Ruler for the King for by their agreement the Jews and Turks are to be called p. 36. And all that assist them and are faithful in their places that are now in power and wil be obedient willingly now they see Gods truth and righteous peace ready to break forth to yield to God and his true anointed King if they lose a Captaines place Major Colonel or General which now is held by troublesome fear then it wil be no more loss to them then theattaining to a Knight Lord Judge Earle Duke or Deputy King or Prince by this peaceable agreement til the end of all things come to dissolution over this Land and many more for them to be Governours As I am commanded of God to threaten those that have gotten into other mens possessions contrary to godliness or good consciences and so prove themselves by it to be enemies in that to Gods glorious Gospel and the Primitive Churches practice so I am commanded of God to threaten all with the danger of their own ruine and the displeasure of God that will not forbear plotting and mutyning and so hurt the Kings agreement Doe you think it is possible to stand in a strong wind and throw chaff against the wind and it not fly back upon you Do you think it is possible to doe Gods work before his time be It is but the Devils policie to cause you so to think God is neer arising to deliver his people and to restore his Church Therefore wait patiently till the time be for the day is neer a dawning TO HIS HIGHNESSE the Lord PROTECTOR MAy it please your Highness to vouchsafe the reading of this little Book which God caused me your servant in the Lord Iohn Sanders to indite unto you who hath come oftentimes on purpose to speake with you being compelled by the power of the holy Ghost which enableth me to foretel things to shew you what Gods wil is toward you if you will believe and obey the Lord. O my Lord wo is me if I be either fearful or negligent to give you and all others warning since God hath called me and shewed me a sword of Justice which proceedeth out of his mouth which he is now arising to draw forth not onely against you and your power but against all the chiefe governours of the world unlesse speedily you and they deny your own wayes and imbrace Gods wayes Those that so doe it shal go wel with them My Lord I shal in these first lines forbeare making use of any other mens labours study or Scripture phrases lest you should rather think it to be brain knowledge then the dictates of Gods Spirit I conceive your Highness believeth that where God appears by visions and Christ takes up the roome the holy Ghost carrieth them on by a real true power they wil be so guided and shewed Gods waies and wil according to their gift and talent to write or speak the mind of God without either study or natural parts when God pleaseth The Scriptures are given of God to be as a touchstone for them that feare God and obey his wil to try the spirits whether they be of God therefore let them be your Judge but have especial care of wresting them endeavour to let them arest you in this life and you shal have rest in the life to come Truly my Lord if such like counsel which natural men wil not own but count foolishness doe not guide you you wil not only stumble in points of Religion as many

doe to fall from heavenly things but you wil fall from the high place that Gods providence hath raised you to Which by yeelding obedience to God and his King Jesus Christ and him whom he wil set upon his holy mountain you may stand firm otherwaies it wil be very slippery O for the Lords sake who hath set you up to be a protector of the people endeavour to build your self a sure foundation Imbrace this truth take good heed to hold fast the good old waies of Gods worship but you must first finde it for it hath been a long time lost take heed therefore of either despising or not believing and obeying the spirit of Gods prophesie My Lord I have had stil a great feare of you but it proceedeth from the love of God in Christ which bindeth me to fear love honour and obey all that God doth ordain or permit to be Rulers or governours over us When natural men are lifted up high and seem to obtain much credit in the world then they may be lower and farther from the waies of God then before the God of this world having blinded their eyes to keepe them hoodwinkt from the glorious light of the gospel of peace which offers peace to all Behold I speak not these things against you or your power for I wish you all prosperity and health and a setled peace in righteousnesse and true holiness but God hath sent me to shew you your danger by plots and which way to take to appease his wrath The manner of Davids faln Tabernacle how it fell as well from the gentile Christians as the naturall Jews My Lord the means to bring us to a true setled and established peace is first to seek Gods kingdome and the righteousness thereof and all things else needful shall be added thereunto as when England formerly did flourish both in Church and State and was preserved more then any other Nation from plots conspiracies inbred-enemies and forraign foes as namely the Spanish invasion the Powder plot and many more which for brevity sake must be omited 'T is true there was a time that we were in Covenant with God the temporal state or Magistrate was a wall to the Church and Ministry yet the Church in that time was not without spots or State without corruptions The Church was never a pure Church free from blemishes since the Primitive Apostolical and Discipled florishing time Job 38.7 when the morning Stars sang together under the light glory and peace which was obtained by the mercy and love of God in Christ that immaculate Lamb and his twelve Apostles Meaning the Church was but one body serving God with one consent which were to be Rulers or Judges of the twelve spiritual tribes of Israel then as Jacob and his twelve sons were the first chief natural heads so Christ and his twelve Apostles were the last chief spiritual Fathers or Brethren that laid the foundation under Christ to bring all nations under the Gospel-Covenants the which as many as believe and are obedient to they are Abrahams Sons by faith and Citizens of the new Ierusalem whose builder and founder is God The old Ierusalem then flourished when Davids natural Son Soloman was King over the twelve Tribes of Israel when he had built the Temple and dedicated it to the Lord by prayer and religious feasting he was in Covenant with God Those were peaceable plentiful and golden days for Church and state The new Ierusalem wil never be in her excellency of glorious beauty til God hath joyned the two sticks into one Ephraim and Iudah Ezek. 37.16 17 18 19. I mean the natural seed and spiritual seed under the seamlesse garment of one government under Davids spiritual Son the second Solomon then wil that time appear that Christ wil restore the Kingdom of Israel to be under one government and one body for the Church and State which never hath been since Iudah and Israel parted in Rehoboams and Ieroboams time for as Solomon and his Son Rehoboam were the onely chiefe Cause or instruments of their parting one by Idolatry and the other by slighting or despising the counsel of the Ancient and following the counsel of young men who were puft up with pride and covetousnesse like the men of our late days and so caused the Kings government to be rent in pieces by Gods Prophet 1 Kings 11.30 31 32. signifying the greatest part of the House of Iacob to revolt from the house of David which are not reconciled to this day Just in the same manner fared it with the Christian Gentiles which Christ his twelve Apostles first planted in the true Apostolical Catholick order in one body under one head who had a seamless garment of pure government which in process of time was in a flourishing condition in one body of spiritual government in those prosperous days of peace true Religion most men gave themselves wholly to build and beautifie Gods house being charitable minded in hospitality and Christian duty in those days men did shine by godly pious conversation without flattery or dissembling hypocrisie shewing themselves as Solomon saith Aples of Gold pictured with studs of Silver But while many slept in security Satan sowed tares which for want of being weeded out of the Church in due time caused corruption to creep in by degrees and at last to break out into idolatry strife and heresie then the Christian vail of Religious duties was rent in twain as Christ signified at his death by the renting of the vail of the temple it is to be understood of the renting and destruction of the Christian Temples by devision as wel as the Jewish ceremonial Law of which for brevity sake many proofs for confirmation must be omitted but this I give you to understand that Davids Tabernacle was raised as wel to the Christians Gospel covenant as to the Jewes and natural Israelites under the Law and likewise so it fell you may question me saying how can you prove that I answer When the Catholike Church first passed by divisions and grosse errors into jars and open wars and to part from one real body which was planted to be over twelve spiritual Tribes under one head in Christs Church Abraham being their Father by true Faith they being all spiritual brethren in Christ then began they to kil plot persecute and revile one against another pretending for Religion but contrary to Christs covenant or the Apostles doctrine And so to this day we continue reviling and hating one another and they calling us Hereticks that are Protestants and we calling them grosse Idolatrous worshipers yet neither of us without great errors and so we continue resting Christs Gospel-truth in unrighteousnesse by making corrupt Laws on purpose to persecute and destroy one another by Satans malice contrary to Christ and his Apostles rule or the true Primitive Churches practice A short description of the ruinating of the Protestant Religion in this Land THe

the spiritual eyes of the soul to discern that the youngest son should come to be greater then his brother although saith Iacob I know Manassch shal be great yet his younger brother shal be greater then he for his seed shal be ful of Nations and he set the youngers name before the elders Although it much displeased Ioseph who sought meanes to prevent his Father for doing thus yet Iacob knowing the decree of God would not alter it Gen. 48. from the tenth verse to the end of the Chapter A little before Iacobs death he called all his sons together to blesse them and to shew what would befal every one of them in the latter days and how Iudab should be the heads in that out of his linage Christ was to come and all people should be gathered to him In these prophetical signes Iacob is a representation of the holy Ghost and likewise for the manner and number of his family Of Moses laying on of hands Moses he followed this example of Iacobs laying on of hands Scriptures make no mention of it but a little about the time of his death Deut. 34.9 This Text of Scripture saith that Ioshuah the son of Nun which was the succeeder of Moses was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had put his hands upon him and he and Israel did as the Lord had commanded Moses In the Apostles and Disciples time at the Gospels first plantation as it is written for our instruction in several places of the Acts of the Apostles how that by their laying on of hands many received the gift of the holy Ghost Paul at one time laid his hands on twelve several men and they all received the gift of the holy Ghost and Prophesied and furthermore Paul exhorteth his son Timothy whom he had begotten Saith he Despise not the gifts that is in thee which was given thee by prophesie by the laying on of hands by the Presbytery Elders 1 Tim. 4.14 All these Scriptures were written for our instruction and learning there is none that believeth in God and his word that dare or wil object against it thus you see here is proved in Christs Church an example of twelve Apostolical Bishops under a High Priest otherwise called an Archbishop and a Discipled number of seventy to make a compleat body besides and the order of receiving of them in their several places and degrees into that holy office of the Ministerial Function and body of Christs Church according to those holy orders which have been alwayes practised by the ancient Fathers of both Jewish and Christian Churches in all former ages One Objection answered by Scripture ground and argument Object But happily many in our days may be apt to raise Objections against this truth that is so manifestly proved here by Gods holy Writ saying that Apostles and Elders are all one therefore say they there need be no other order but a number of Elders according to the Presbytery which order is mentioned in the Scriptures To answer these ●bjections and make them fall to the ground Look in the fifteenth Chapter of the Acts and the first second and third verses when there was a great diffention and disputation about Circumcision by Paul and Barnabas against them at last they ordained that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders of the Church The word Apostles in all places of Scripture standeth before the word Elders Paul was one of the twelve Apostles 1 Cor. 2.28 29. Eph 4. Barnabas Stephen Timothy and the others in their several places were of the company of the Elders of the Church Acts. 20.17 Multitudes of Texts and Scriptures might be raised to confirme this truth to shew that there was first an Apostolical number as chiefe twelve and then Secondly a discipled number of seventy according to order then in those dayes and that order would have continued till this very time had not corruptions and divisions cast them out of the Church But this I can by the power of God assure your Highnesse and all others that desire to know that we shall never enjoy perfect peace nor true Religion till that time be that there be ordained for the Church such an Apostolical and discipled number the which being done by God and mans appointment having their commission signed and sealed by God and man and being entred into a hallowed Covenant at the Ark or Tabernacle of Gods testimony meant the Church being received and ordained every one according to order to make a compleat body by joynt order their chiefe reverent father in God ought not to receive them into this holy office without the laying on of hands the which being done and they joyned together as one man for the work of the Lord for the ruling and gathering of the Saints and building up of true Religion being thus elected and choseu The true way to prove them by going to spiritual war with all Sects which are the true Churches enemies YOur Highnesse and many more may question me or demand saying How shal wee know whether thy calling and election be of God and sure and firm and not of mens traditions or superstitious consecrating 'T is answered thus It wil be known by this manner of trial that followeth whether or not that they be the onely men God hath appointed to beautifie his Church and to raise up Davids fallen Tabernacle here first in this land and to be a pattern example for all other lands to follow them Your Highnesse and they must 〈◊〉 ●lame open spiritual war against all Sects that hold 〈…〉 of Church fellowship that call themselves Religions and they may be all comprehended under four heads as namely these 1. Presbyterians 2. Independents 3. The Anabaptists must be calld And last of all the Church of Rome that is in these dominions must be call'd to this spiritual war to bring them to the Touchstone of Gods word All these aforenamed Churches so called or any other whatever ought to have both leave and command from and by your Highness to come to disputation together with them of the late and new ordained Election which is the Apostolical and discipled Body under a spiritual Head Then as Iude saith there will bee earnest contending among all these several elect for the faith once delivered to the Saints every sect such a certain number as equalizeth the fore named being chosen and ordained according as best pleaseth their several judgements or opinions When this Herald or Trumpet is sounded which God wil cause his holy Angels to stir up the hearts of men to do it in his good time Matth. 24.30 to gather his elect from the four winds to see the true way to joyne themselves to the true Ministerial head and body of Christs Church Eph. 4. in one united faith For when these several elections are gathered together there wil be casting of lots among these spiritual souldiers