THE Saints Freedom From TYRANNY VINDICATED OR The Power of Pagan Caesars and Antichristian Kings Examined and they Condemned by the Prophets and Apostles as no Magistrates of God to be obeyed by Saints for the Lords sake Being The Coppy of an Answer to a Private Letter wherein the Civil Power of Pagan and Antichristian States is soberly debated and the chief or main Arguments for Saints Subjection to them is answered with much Love Brevity and Plainness and now brought forth for the Consideration of others By a Lover of TRUTH Jam. 4. 12. There is one Lawgiver who is able to Save and to Destroy Isa 1. 26 27. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellours as at the beginning c. Isa 10. 27. Ezek. 21. 26 27. Zech. 14. 9. London Printed in the Year 1667. The Epistle to the Reader Courteous Reader DIvine Commands put into Act or Gods revealed Will and Psa 19. 1 â— c. Laws put into Execution gave Being Vsefulness and Beauty to the whole Creation when Gods Will is done by Men on Eearth as by the Angels in Heaven Gods Mat. 6. 10. Kingdom Rule and Government is then come in this World as promised prayed for and expected by Believers When Jehovah had perfected his six days work of the Creation Gen. 1. 31. he looked over all that he had made and saw that it was very good but Mans disobedience to that Law which God gave to him brought Gen. 3. 17 18 19. the Curse upon Man and upon the Ground for Mans sake so that darkness disorder sorrow and death hath been the fruits of Mans sin This Curse was in some measure abated and restrained by Gods grace in the promised Messias and when God had freely chosen and called Abraham and promised to him That the Gen. 12. 1 2 3. Mat. 1. 1. Exod. 19 4 5 c. Exod. 20. 1 â— 3 c. and Ch. p. 21. 22 23 24 25 c. Messias in the flesh should come of his Seed God after gathered Israel into Covenant with himself and besides the Ceremonial Law for Worship God also renewed the Morral Law or Law of Nature by the hand of Moses that Israel had written Laws for the well ordering of every Pâ—rson and Family whether as Members of Families Church or State Under this Divine Government for Bodies and Souls Israel enjoyed the presence and protection of Deut. 4. 5 â— c. 2 Chron. 18. 2. God Almighty in the midst of Brutish Heathen States When Israel kept close to Gods Laws and Government in Church and State God kept close to Israel and was their safety peace and glory But as Adam at first Israel after in their time brake Covenant Jer. 2. 17 18 19. with God and God gave them up into the hands of beastly bruitish-heathen Kings or States to make them know what a sad and bitter thing it was to depart from God Israel became Gods visible People by visible Covenant as a â—hurch and as a State wherein they Exod. 24. 3 4 5 c. Jer. 3. 14. Ezek 16. 38 Hos 1. 2 promised Obedience and Subjection in the way of a Marriage Covenant between Man and Wife and in that sence the Lord so often charged Israel and Judah for adultery whoredom and breaking the Bond of Wedlock and at last gave them a Bill of Divorce and Jer. 3. 8. â—os 2. 2. left his visible Protection of them In the latter part of the Jewish oppressed State God fulfilled Old Jacob's Prophesie of Christ and Gen. 49. 10. sent forth his Son Jesus Christ into the World and laid the Government upon his Shoulders When Christ was invested into his Mediatory Isa 9. 6. Authority he founded the New Testament State or the Mat. 16. 17 18. Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven or the Heavenly Kingdom Rule and Government of God upon Earth in visible Believers and as King ordained Laws Ordinances Officers and Government Mat. 16. 19 20. and 26. 26 27 c. and 28. 18 19. 20. Mat. 9. 15. to his Disciples or Followers professing him or his Soveraignty and separated from the World In that time that He the Bridegroom was with his Bride on Earth the Disciples had a taste and earnest of this his Kingdom Dominion and Government which in his time he will more manifest in this world in greater Power 1 Tim. â— 15. 2 Thes 2. 7. 1 John 2. 19. 2 Thes 2. 3 4 v. 9. 10. Rev. 13. 8. and Glory The Mistery of Iniquity began early to appear in the Apostles times and there were then many Antichrists but the Antichrist after arose as a Curse and Judgment upon the formal hyyocritical professing Party in the Christian Church or State Christ by the Spirit in the Apostles did reveal or fore-shew the Rise and Tyranny of the apostate state Note yet was no moving cause of the Apostacy but fore-shewed the effect rather to deter than encourage to sin Vnder the 2 King 24 2 Luke 21 20 21 22 23 24. Dan. 7. 25. Rev. 17. 6. yoak of Heathen Tyranny the Jewish State was wasted and destroyed and under Antichristian Tyranny the Christian Churches and Saints have been much worn out but by the Saints long darkness and Bondage they have been like Israel in Egypt Naturalized to Serviâ—ude and taught to subject to oppressing Tyrants as the Ordinance of God and as lawful Magistrates set over them by God But still God and his Word abides the same that it was and God hath promised to Redeem his Sion and Restore his Polittical Government Isa 1. 26 27. 11. 1. to 9. in Justice Judgement and Righteousness in the Earth under the Peaceable Kingdom and Rule of Jesus the Christ. It 's therefore the Saints Priviledge and Duty to pray for this and to seek for a thorow Reformation in the State as in the Church Note Where Mat. 6. 10. Worship is National Purity in the Church cannot long stand with Corruption in State This is that Generation-Truth which this Author labours to demonstrate and bring forth into Victory and only appeals to the Word and Law of God the great only and infallible Isa 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Judge in all Cases for Faith and Manners Providence brought this Coppy to my hand and upon the serious perusal of it I took my self bound to give my assistance to bring it forth to the View of others not questioning but the Subject it self will gain acceptance with all People who desire so to live and walk with God on Earth that they may Reign with Jesus Christ in Glory This is the utmost end of him who waits and prayes for Sions promised Redempâ—ion A B. THE Saints Freedom from Tyranny Vindicated c. SIR YOur Return upon the Paper I sent you came to my hand the which I thankfully receive and acknowledge that you exceeded my expectation I am not altogether
of God or by Gods appointment to be obeyed by the Lords People for the Lords sake or for Conscience not having the Essentials of a Governour or Magistrate which God Ordained and Commanded The Priesthood under the Law was and the Ministry under the Exod. 28. 1 2 c. and 29. 1 2 c. Eph. 4 11 12. 1 Tim 3. 1 2 3 c. Act. 20. 28. Heb. 5. 4. Gospel is the Ordinance of Gods appointment their Qualifications Investment into Office and Duties of Office were all Ordained and commanded of God but if any Person put himself into the Priests Office or a Pastoral Charge by might or force or pretended right or if a People should Call a Fool or a Person Man or Woman to Office in the Church as a Pastor not duely Qualified as God hath appointed Note or if a Person duely Qualified and rightly Called to Office do yet reject the Laws and Ordinances of God and the Gospel when in Office and offer sacrifices to Idols and obey the Comands of Men contrary to the Institutions of God these under the Law were Sons of 1 Sam. 2 12. 13. 1 King 18. 19 c. 1 Joh. 2. 18 22 1 Thes 5. 12. Heb. 13. 17. Belial and Priests of Baal and in the Gospel-state such are Ministers of Antichrist and not Ministers of God or the Ordinance of God to be obeyed for the Lords sake as commanded by God I might give other Demonstrations in the Ordinances of the Law and Gospel what Essentials were and now are necessary to constitute and denominate an Ordinance of God for matter and form but I consider to whom I write Indeed Antichrist hath assumed the Soveraign Authority of God and of Christ Civil and Ecclesiastical and by Popish darkness and slavery 2 Thes 2. 3 4. 1 John 2. 22. his Subjects have received his Commands as Divine not questioning or denying his usurped Power over Bodies and Souls how contrary soever his Commands and Appointments Rev. 13. 15 16 17. 17. 4. were or are to the Ordinances and Appointments of God they must be recieved as Gods Ordinances Through the Lords rich and free grace the Antichristian Vail is in a good measure taken away from many Professors in Ecclesiastical and Church-concerns But the great Body of Protestants are still stumbled about Antichrists Civil Power and do own Antichrist in his Civil Power for the Ordinance of God though some few cannot But that very way by which God hath led his People to discover the true and pure Ordinances of God in the Church from false Antichristian cheats and delusions in Worship Note the same will also lead Believers to the discovery of Heathenish and Antichristian cheats in the Political State and difference between Magistracy as the Psal 119. 104 105. Isa 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Ordinance of God and the Tyranny of wicked Men viz. by coming to Gods Law and Testimony and thereby examine Church and State Officers and Ordinances as ordained constituted and appointed of God and by God What Christ required of and answered the Jews Messengers Mat. 22. 15 16 c. when they were sent to entrap him in point of Caesars Power I would query and answer both of the Heathen and Antichristian Exod. 18. 19 20 c. Deut. 1. 9 13 14. 2 Chr. 19. 6 7. Psal 82. 1 6. Rev. 14. 1. and 17. 14. Rom 13. 3 4 5 Rev. 13. 1 2. and 11 c. Rev. 2. 10. and 11. 7. and 12. 9. and 13. 5 6 7. Emperors and Kings viz. Whose is the Image and Superscription upon them If they bear the Image and Superscription of God upon them if they have the Name of God written in their fore-heads and they in the Place Office and Work of God to Rule his People by Divine Authority then they were and are to be subjected to for the Lords sake But if those Emperors and Kings bear the Image and Superscription of the Devil are raised by the Devil and do the Devils work all which is true there is no Scripture-Warrant as I conceive for the Lords People to obey such Emperors or Kings as the Ordinance of God The first rise and original of Polittical Government and Magistracy Exod. 2 10 18 15 16 c. Deut. 1. 9 13 14. Exod. 21 22 23 Chapters c. as Ordained and Appointed by God was amongst the Jews at their coming out of Egypt and in the Wilderness in their way to Canaan God first called Moses immediately and intrusted him Ministerially with Magistratical Power and Authority to Lead and Govern Israel not other Nations his â—ovenant-People In Moses time God gave Israel Laws and Poliâ—tical Government which they were to exercise and put in Deut. 16. 18 c. and 17 14 15 c. execution when they came into Canaan both as a Common-wealth and as a Kingdom At that time when God constituled Israel a Polittical State there were many and great Nations Deu. 4. 5 6 c and 7. 7 8. in the World who made themselves Kings and exercised Polittical Government from the Light and Law of Nature by the Permission of God but not by the Ordination and Appointment of God as Israel had this is recorded by Moses Deut. 4. 5 6 c. and 7. 7 8. And long after Moses David said He shewed his Word to Jacob his Statutes and his Judgements unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as Psa 147. 19 20 for his Judgements they have not known them Note Thus from Nimrod to David the Heathen Emperors and Kings were not the Ordinance of God to rule and govern his People Again in Davids Psal 72 89 20 21 22 c. Mat. 1. 1 anâ— 2. 1. 2. Luke 1. 35 36 and v. 69 70 c. Gen. 49. 10. Ezek. 21. 27 and 34. 24 25. time God by Covenant entailed the Royal Scepter of Judah upon David and his Heirs in the flesh but chiefly upon Jesus Christ as the Son of David according to Jacobs Prophesie The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be These Scriptures clearly assert Jesus Christ the Son of David and so he had right to the Royal Government of Judah so soon as he was born Note therefore no Heathen King had right to the Crown of Judah by Gods Donation from first to last But Christ as Mediator had also another Royal Soveraignty Psa 2. 7 8 c. Eph. 1. 21 22. Phil. 2. 8 9 10. Mat. 28 18 19 Mar. 16. 15. given him by God the Father over Jews and Gentiles for Souls and Bodies which Authority was published and declared by Christ himself Jesus came and spake unto them the eleven Disciples saying All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore c. Note Thus Royal and Magisterial Authority as Gods
another or distinct supernumerary horn to the ten horns of the Roman Beast three of which ten horns this little horn plucked up Johns Vision of the Beast with ten horns crowned upon whom the Woman sits I take to be a more ample Rev. 13. 1. Rev. 17. 3 18. and full discription of the Antichristian State in general but neither Daniel or John make God the Appointer or Ordainer of either of those States as Pagan or Antichristian neither do I see but when the Beast Antichrist had driven the Church into Rev. 12. 6 7. the Wilderness Note the Christian Church in the Wilderness became as distinct and free a State from Antichrist as Israel was from Egypt when they were in the Wilderness Partic. 3 Thirdly I am greatly perswaded the Beast Rev. 13. 11 c. is the Beast asâ—ending out of the bottomless pit Rev. 11. 7. and is a distinct Beast from that Rev. 13. 1 c. though the latter Beast possess one of the ten horns or kingdoms of the Pagan Empire That Beast which ascends out of the bottomless pit and kills the Witnesses possesseth or reigns over the great and chief Street of Mystery Babylon spiritually called Sodom and Rev. 11. 7 8. Egypt or one horn and kingdom of the Beast which Beast is more fully described Rev. 13. 11 12 c. All the ten horns of the great Beast or the ten streets of Babylon as a City were under the Whore and that Woman reigned over the whole immediately Rev. 17. 3 18. for the most part of the 1260 dayes Note But this Beast vers 11. the Holy Ghost describes to be another Beast distinct from the former and as it were one of the horns rending and separating it self from the other Body or subjection from the Woman under a seeming pretence of Reformation or of more Purity and easie Government to the former but is still the Dragon in cruelty and tyranny That this is a distinct Beast from the former is evident As First This Beast vers 11. had another original from vers 1. Note The first Beast arose out of the Sea viz. Confusion in the Roman State but this Beast arose out of the Earth viz. Earthly and Rev. 13. 1â— carnal Wisdom or Prudence of State to cast off Imperial Papal Jurisdiction over them Secondly This Beast had two horns or two Powers viz. the Sword and the Keys Power Civil and Ecclesiastical Note The ten Kings had only ten horns viz. Civil Power and the Woman which rode them kept the Keys from them all and this Beast got two horns viz. both Powers to himself But the two horns of this Beast are said to be horns like a Rev. 13. 11. Lamb viz. First Horns like a Lamb but new budding or putting forth very tender and able to do little hurt Secondly Horns like a Lamb viz. Powers meekned and abated of that hardness and strength as was in the ten horns or Powers greatly limited and restrained to what the former hornes were and yet this Beast still spake as a Dragon viz. Rev. 1â— 11. he lays claim to Imperial Majesty as absolute Monarch in his Dominions Thirdly Again it is said of this Beast And he exerciseth Rev. 13. 12. all the Power of the first Beast before him viz. All the Power of the whol Antichrist Civil and Ecclesiastical therefore this is another Antichrist distinct from the former viz. the Antichrist with ten horns Mark the words Note He exerciseth or putteth out all the power of the former Beast in Church and in State yet not by donation or designation from the former Rev. 13. 12. Beast as the former Beast did by designation from the Dragon but meerly by abruption or breaking off from the former Beast and so assuming absolute Jurisdiction Civil and Ecclesiastical in his own Kingdom as Hen. 8. did Fourthly It is further said of this Beast And he had power to give Life to the Image of the Beast c. viz. To the whole Rev. 13. 15 16 17. form of the Government of the former great Beast or the old Antichrist in Civil and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Or this Beast with two horns had power to give life breath or efficacy to Civil and Ecclesiastical Officers to force and compel obedience to all his Laws Civil and Ecclesiastical as any See the Acts of Allegiance and Supremacy of the Emperors Kings or Popes did or do in their Dominions From all which we may Observe First That this Beast is not said to act his own Power singly and simply but he acts the Power of others And he had Rev. 13. 15. Power to give Life Secondly Though it is said He had Power to give Life but not said to be from God or the Dragon or the former Beast therefore it must follow that this Beast had his Power from the Earth viz. from that earthly Interest out of which he arose and so is one of the Kings of the Earth Thirdly He had Power to give Life to the Image of the former Beast Therefore this Beast and the former Beast differ as a Beast and the Image of that Beast differ This latter Beast hath the Power of the former Beast Civil and Ecclesiastical but not lo fully and absolutely The Pope of Rome and other Monarchs are Powers absolute and Independant from the People but this Beast with two horns is a Power under limitation and restraint both Civil and Ecclesiastical and is but the Image Likeness or Picture of the former great Antichrist and not the same Beast I might mention other distinct marks set upon this latter Beast to difference him from the former Beast and yet shew him to be one in Nature with the other Beast so that both make up but the great Beast Antichrist in the whole Yet they are so distinct that they are properly two Beasts and two Antichrists which may be distinguished most properly by Antichrist Papal and Antichrist Protestant and if this New Name of Antichrist hold good and Antichrist be really found and discovered in the name and shew of a Protestant or Protestantism then Satan the Devil or Dragon is discovered in his Cheats Note First In influencing Heathen or Pagan Powers Secondly As Satans cheats discovered influencing Antichristian Powers Papal Thirdly As influencing Antichristian Powers Protestant under which many Saints deeply suffer in several Countries as will be more manifested in little time as I humbly judge Partic. 4 Fourthly I take the Politick Sate of this Nation to be different and distinct from the Four Empires It is plain both Dan. 5. 19. vers 30 31. and 8. 3 c. from Prophecy and History That the Four Empires arose by the Sword and Conquest successively and so gave Laws at pleasure And though we should grant that William of Normandy invaded England by the Sword and Pollicy and was called William the Conqueror yet he could not hold his Monarchy but by Agreement
was invested by the Father Mat. 28. 18. Eph. 1. 20 21 c. with all Power in Heaven and Earth Then the Heathen Kings from Christs time to the rise of Antichrist were Usurpers and not the Ordinance of God to be obeyed by Saints in Civil things But it is your thoughts as I take it that Antichrist in his Civil State is the Ordinance of God Magisterial and to be obeyed by the Lords People in Civil things as derived from the Heathen Magistratical Power or from the Roman State Your words are these I take the Dragon to be the Old Pagan Empire as it was acted by Satan in advancing Idolatrous Worship And by the Beast I mean the Roman Empire as Antichristian or rather Antichrist agitated by Satan in advancing Idolatry and Superstition under other Names And therefore if it were not a sin in the one to yeeld obedience I do not see how it should be sin in the other since Satan acted both Reply To this I make my humble Reply First I am not yet convinced from Scripture or Argument That any Heathen Emperors or Kings were Ordained by God to Rule and Govern his People from him as his Magistrates or Ministers of State who were acted and influenced by the Devil and answered not the ends of Magistracy as Ordained by God Secondly It is my understanding That upon Christs Baptisme he entered upon his Mediatorship and upon all his Mediatory Mat. 3. 16 17. John 1. 41. Offices actually and visibly in the World and that all Disciples believing and visibly closing with Christ as Mediator Prophet Priest and King Note were actually dismist and dis-ingaged from the Curse and Bondage of that Heathen Yoke which was brought upon Gods Covenant-People for Isa 10. 27. John 1. 41 45. their Rebellions against God his Laws and Government Thirdly I can easily grant Note That the same Satan acted the Pagan Empire and Antichrist and also that the Dragon or Pagan Empire gave to the Beast Antichrist his Power his â—ev 13. 2 Seat and great Authority viz. All that Power and Authority in the Roman or Western Empire which rested in the Dragon or the Devil to give And this Power and Authority is all which the Beast Antichrist ever had Note But it is not proved that God ever gave unto the Devil such Power or invested the Pagan Empire either with the power of Government in that Empire or with Power and Authority to Invest and Instal another State to Rule as Gods Ministers And it is my Judgement that neither the Dragon had Power of Authority from God to constitute a New State or to divolve Civil Power and Authority Magisterial as Gods Ordinance upon the Beast Antichrist or that Christian Believers are bound from God to receive and obey Antichrists Commands in Civil things because the Dragon gave him his Power I humbly judge That your Inference cannot be binding to the Lords People until these two things be proved First That the Heathen Dragonical State was the Ordinance of God intrusted with Supream Authority Royal in all the World as Lord and Law-giver Secondly That the Dragonical State or Power was Invested and Intrusted by God to constitute another Supream Royal State Civil in the World Note Acts of Royalty put out proves not the Authority to be from God but it is ground of strong suspicion if not of demonstration That the Power and Authority which is acted Isa 10. 5 c. 2 King 24. 1 2 c. 2 Thes 2. 10 11. and influenced from the Devil is not of Gods appointing or ordaining but only by Gods permission and suffering in his just Judgements And to this I may add Note That throughout the Books of the Prophets and Apostles Old Babylon and Mystery Babylon are declared the Objects and Subjects of Divine Wrath and Vengeance and therefore not the Ordinance of God as mostly taken to be Divine I can grant that by corruption evil and vile men may get in and be in power of Government Psal 12. 8 Hos 5. 1. and 8. 4. Isa 3. 1 4. which is appointed by God the which God doth not approve but threatens and judgeth where such offences are committed and not reformed Now this is the evil of Persons and not the evil of Government as ordained by God Note And in that case the Lord by his righteous Judgments may and doth punish a Nation both with and for wicked Kings and Rulers God also preceptively and providentially removed evil Kings and Rulers in Israel and Judah yet still continued Magistracy as his Ordinance but both Babylon Litterally Isa 1. 24 25 26. and Babylon Mystically in their Civil and Ecclesistâ—ical States shall be perfectly destroyed which is yet remaining and therefore Jer. 25. 12 13. Rev. 18. 21 c neither the Dragon or Antichrist are Magistrates or Magistracy as Gods Ordinance As for those Inferences or Arguments drawn from Pauls practice and from Peter and Pauls Writings to Saints or Churches I have given my understanding in them and so pass them but to what I have said I humbly crave leave to offer my thoughts in these Particulars following Particu 1 First I see it not clearly proved That the Pagan Roman Caesars are signified by the Dragon Rev. 12. 3 4 c. but that the Dragon may rather represent Antichrist for two Reasons First The Man of Sin Antichrist sits in the Temple of God 1 Thes 2. 4. And this Dragon appeared in Heaven Rev. 12. 3. viz. in the visible Church which the Pagan Caesars did not Secondly This Dragon drave the Woman into the Wilderness 1260 dayes the same time with the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloth Rev 12 6. and 11. 2 3. 13. 5 and one state of time with Antichrists Reign Therefore the Dragon must signifie Antichrist or the Antichristian State and not the Pagan Roman State For if we take the Dragon for the Pagan Empire then the Pagan Persecutions are included in the Antichristian Persecution of 1260 days or else John only hints the Pagan Persecutions and then falls into and states the Antichristian Persecution 1260 dayes Particu 2 Secondly It is not clear That the Beast arising out of the Sea Rev. 13. 1 c. and Daniels fourth Beast are one Beast and Rev. 13. 1. Dan. 7. 7. 2 Thes 2 7. Rev. 17 18. both representing the Roman Empire I humbly judge That upon the fall of Daniels fourth Beast the Beast with ten Horns Crowned then arose over whom the Woman reigns Note and so is the Kingdom of the Beast Antichrist as they are professed Christian 1 Joh. 2. 22. 2 Thes 2 7. States and yet oppose and deny the Fathers and the Sons Soveraignty Paul infers that the Pagan Empire ceased or was taken away when Antichrist arose and every of the ten horns or kingdoms as they put on Crowns they became entire and distinct Monarchies So Daniel makes the little horn Dan. 7. 8. Antichrist to be