whilest that Kingdom is in being Neither can it be restrained to the Spirituall Kingdom that is within the Saints because those that truly pray this Prayer being Children do already injoy that Kingdom Neither can it be restrained to the Kingdom of Heaven in the ultimat Glory because that is not to come to the Saints but they are to go or be taken up to it therefore seeing it cannot be taken in either of these four sences and there being no other Kingdom of God that I read of but the forementioned visible Kingdom this word must be referred to it The second Scripture is Luke 21.31 When you see these things come to passe Know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand By these things is meant the Signs of the latter day or of Christs second comming and this Kingdom being nigh at hand when the latter day signes are upon us must needs be understood of this fifth Kingdom which they have special relation to and is known to be nigh at hand by them The third Scripture is Dan. 2.44 And in the dayes of those Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom c. This compared with Chap. 7.14 must be understood of this visible Kingdom The fourth Scripture is Dan. 7.27 And the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the Most High c. and all Dominions shall serve and obey him This compared with Rev. 11.15 The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord c. must needs refer to this visible Kingdom which hath the Authority Power and Rule in and over the whole World First It is called the Fathers Kingdom as it is Originally from him who is the Creator Former and Disposer of all things 2ly As he doth in a special Manner erect or set up this Kingdom The God of Heaven shall set it up Dan. 2.44 3ly As he is the Donor or Giver of it to the Son Luke 1.32 The Lord God shall give him the Throne c. This Kingdom also belongs to Christ the Son First As he is the Son of God and so the true Heir Heb. 1.2 Psal 2.7 8. Secondly As he is the Son of Man the true Son of David the seed of Abraham 1. As he is the Son of Man John 5.27 He hath Authority to execute Judgment because he is the Son of Man 2. As he is the true Son of David Luke 1.32.69 The Lord God shall give him the Throne of his Father David so Acts 2.30 Of the Fruit of his Loynes according to the Flesh God hath sworn with an Oath that he would raise up Christ to sit on his Throne 3. As he is the Seed of Abraham Gen. 22.17 18. Thy Seed shall possess the Gate of his Enemies By Seed is meant Christ Gal. 3.16 and by possessing the Gate is to be understood of possessing the Government and execution of Judgment Amos 5.10.12.15 Zech. 8.16 Thirdly It is Christs Right by Promise Isa 9.7 and by Covenant and Oath Psa 89.28 29.34 35 36. Acts 2.30 and by the Anointing Isa 11.2 Psa 89.27.20 And by peculiar choyse Psa 89.19 Isa 42.1 compared with Matth. 12.18 And by Decree Psa 2.7 Fourthly It is Christs by the free gift of the Father Psal 2.8 I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy possession Luke 1.32 The Lord God shall give unto him the Throne c. Dan. 7.14 There was given him Dominion c. Matth. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth c. Fifthly It is Christs by desert and purchase upon the account of his suffering Rev. 5.12.13 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power c. Isa 53.12 Because he hath poured out his soul unto death c. The Lord will divide him a portion with the Great and he shall divide the spoyl with the strong Sixthly It is Christs in answer to the Great end of Creation Col. 1.16 All things were created for him so Psal 8.6 Compare Heb. 2.5 6 7 8 The World to come is put in subjection to Christ as may appear from Verse the 5th This World to come must needs be understood of the Fifth Kingdom which belongs unto and is put under Christ the Son Eph. 1.21 22. This world to come cannot be understood of the Ultimate Glory in Heaven because that State is not to be put under Christ as the Son but as Son he himself must become subject in it 1 Cor. 15.28 But this World to come is noted in an especiall manner to be under Christs Feet and this is that State or World to come in which there shall be forgiveness or blotting out of sin as is clearly implyed from Matth. 12.32 which compared with Acts 3.19 That your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and he shall send Jesus c. doth clearly demonstrate the World to come to be this fifth Kingdom Lastly It is and shall be Christs by Conquest Rev. 17.14 The Lamb shall overcome them c. Comp. Chap. 6.2 and upon these grounds this fifth Kingdom being Christs he is called King of Nations Jer. 10.7 Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 And the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 And King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 17.14 Chap. 19.16 The blessed and only Potentate 1 Tim. 6.15 with divers such like Titles which in the Scriptures of truth are given to him The next thing that I would speak to is That this fifth Kingdom is outward and visible as well as glorious and spiritual First From the time and manner of its rising mentioned Dan. 2.34 Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out c. If it were only spiritual it might have been seen as well before the Image was as after but the Stone or Kingdom doth not appear till after the Image is seen and then appears as visible as the Image which Image holdeth forth the four great Kingdoms or Monarchies of the World which have been and are visible in their times Now the Stone being as visible as the Image and not seen till some time after the Image was seen it must needs be a visible Kingdom and not the spiritual and invisible Kingdom which was in being long before the Image appeared Secondly It must be outward and visible if we consider the work that this Kingdom is to do it smites and breaks the Image Dan. 2.34.44 which compared with other Scriptures will appear to be an outward visible breaking as Dan. 7.18.26 Rev. 17.14 The ten Hornes or ten Toes makes war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome them Now if the Work be an outward and visible smiting the Stone or Kingdom must needs be visible also Thirdly The Rule or Dominion of this Kingdom is taken from filleth up the room of the fourth Kingdom Dan. 2.35 The Stone became
a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth so Dan. 7.17 18. The four Beasts are four Kings which are the four great Monarchies but the Saints shall take the Kingdom See verse 26. they shall take away his Dominion in verse 27. The Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the Saints c. Now the fourth Kingdom being visible this fifth Kingdom that fills up the room of the fourth must needs be visible also Fourthly The Throne of this Kingdom is the Throne of David Luke 1.32 which is an outward visible Throne and in Rev. 3.21 there are two Thrones mentioned one is called the Fathers Throne being rhe Throne where Christ now is the other Christ calls his own Throne which is the Throne of his Father David wherefore the Throne being visible the Kingdom must likewise be visible Fifthly The Lawes Government and Governours under Christ are outward and visible and take place upon the Bodies Lives Liberties and Estates of men Ezra 7.26 the Scriptures which are outward and visible are the Lawes which God the only Law-giver Isa 33.22 James 4.12 hath left Exod. 18.16 Neh. 9.13 Esther 3.8 Psal 119.9 Deut. 4.5 6 7 8. 2. Tim. 3.16 17. Deut. 17.18.19.20 2 Kings 11.12 The visible Saints are to be the visible Governours under Christ the King Psa 45.16 1 Cor. 6.2 Isa 14.2 Chap. 32. 1. Psa 49.14 Dan. 7.18.22.27 2 Tim. 2.12 Rev. 2.26.27 Chap. 3.21 Chap. 5.10 Chap. 20.4.6 Jer. 30.21 These things being visible the Kingdom must needs be visible also and thus much to the first particular of the fifth Kingdom it self The Second thing which I propounded to speak to is the Kingdom of the Beast and in the entering upon that Consider in the first place the Image spoken of in Dan. 2.31 32. which Image doth comprehend and hold forth the four great Monarchies which were to take place and have their time in the world and they are described in Dan. 7.3 by four great Beasts and the three last of these four Monarchies are described in Dan. 8. the first by a Ram the Second by a Hee-Goate the last which is the fourth Monarchy by a little Horn which are also spoken of Dan. 11. The first of these four Monarchies was that of the Chaldees Dan. 2.38 He was that Head of Gold and had his beginning as a part of the Image about the year 3362 from the Creation and continued till about the year 3422 in all about 60 years The second Monarchy was that of the Medes and Persians which Dan. 2.32 is the Breast and Arms of Silver and took place of the Chaldees Dan. 5.30 31. and continued till about the year 3620 in all about 198 years The third Monarchy was that of the Graecians which Dan. 2.32 is set forth by the Belly and Thighs of Brasse and in Dan 8 21. by the rough Goate which is there called the King of Graecia and succeeds the Medes and Persians which is set forth by the Ram with two Horns verse 20. This Monarchy of the Graecians continued till about the year 3902 in all about 282 years The fourth Monarchy was that of the Romans which in Dan. 2.33 is set forth by the Leggs of Iron and Feet part of Iron and part of Clay and by the little Horn in Dan. 8.9.11.12 which takes away the daily sacrifice and casts down the truth And by the vild person in Dan. 11.21 which in verse 31. takes away the daily sacrifice and sets up the abomination that maketh desolate This Monarchy took place as part of the Image in Dan. 2. about forty two years before the Birth of Christ and was divided into two parts which I understand to be held forth by the two Leggs of the Image and continued in its Pagan or Heathenish State till about 360 years after Christ before it was interrupted by and mixed with the Man of Sin or Antichristian State To the first three Monarchies and the first part of the fourth I shall say little but specially insist upon the Latter part of the fourth or Roman Monarchy it being the last part of the Image and the onely part which doth at this day remain in the world First it is evident that the Roman Monarchy is of two sorts the first is held forth by the Leggs of Iron The second by the feet and toes of Iron and clay Daniel 2.33 and in Daniel 7. The first part of it is held forth by the fourth Beast with the ten Horns and the other by the little Horn In Revel 12 3. The first part of the Monarchy is held forth by the Red Dragon with seven heads and ten Horns and seven Crownes upon his heads The second part in Revel 13.1 is held forth by a Beast that riseth out of the Sea with seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crownes and as in verse the fifth is to continue forty and two Moneths By the ten Horns I understand the ten Kings or Kingdoms in Europe which had their dependance upon the Roman Empire and are called in Dan. 7.24 Ten Kings and so in Rev. 17.12 And by the seven Heads I understand the seven Provinces that had their dependance upon the Roman Empire and before the rise of the Antichristian state the Crowns or the Power and Glory of the Government were upon the seven Heads or Provinces And the Horns were as servants under the Emperour that had received no Kingdom till the Antichristian Beast came up Revel 17.12 but at his coming up they receive power as Kings one hour with him and then the Crowns are upon the Horns and answers to Revel 13.1 distinguished from Revel 12.3 The first part of this Romane state was a lawful Power and to be obeyed as an Ordinance of God and the Lord Christ Mat. 17.27 payes Tribute to them and Chap. 22.21 commands to render to Caesar the things that are Caesars c. And the Apostle saith Rom. 13.1 the Powers that are speaking of them that were then in being are ordained of God and giveth special charge to the Saints to obey them Titus 3.1 And the Spirit of the Lord in the Apostles foreseeing that the Man of sin would get up to the Throne by speaking evil of Dignities and despising Dominion as Pet. 2.10 Compare Jude 8. Rebelling against yea casting down the Civil Powers that so himself might obtain the Throne to Reign both over Church and State which he did at length accomplish the Spirit I say foreseeing this doth forewarn the Saints and charge them to be obedient to Magistrates with many cautions and Exhortations which stand in force to all true Magistrates to the end of the world The second part of this Roman State is from Sathan and riseth out of of the Bottomlesse Pit as Rev. 13.2 Chap. 17.8 and is Antichristian and therefore it is a great sin to own it as the Ordinance of God it being wicked and sinful not onely in its Reign or exercise of Power but in its
the disciples received from Christ the work that is to be done by the Saints in this last part of the latter dayes Much more might be urged to clear this matter if it were expedient in this place by all which it may appear that there is a two-fold Dispensation in the Gospel-day and that this word of buying a sword must referre to the latter this cannot be a Spiritual sword it being to be bought by selling of a garment It was the errour of Symâ—n in Acts the 8th to think that the Gifts of the Spirit might be bought and further this must needs referre to a time when the Saints must use a Material sword because they must rather want their garments though very needful and useful then want a sword The next Sc ipture that doth imply this truth is John 18.36 If my Kingdome were of this world or from hence Then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jewes This must needs be meant a fighting with material weapons which should rescue Christ from the Jewes and Christ speaking of that time saith Now is my Kingdome not from hence which words do imply that there is a time when his Kingdome shall be from hence and though it be a Heavenly and Glorious Kingdom yet it shall be set up in and over the world Dan. 7.27 The dominion under the whole heaven shall be given c. Rev. 11.15 The Kingdomes of this world are become c. and so the Kingdome of Christ may be said to be from hence and when so it shall be His servants will fight The next Scripture that may clear this is Jer. 48.10 Cursed be he that withholdeth his sword from blood This word relates to a time when Gods judgments are to be executed upon his Enemies and is spoken to the Instruments whom he will use as in the beginning of the verse Now the Instruments that God will use in the Execution of his Judgements in the latter day I understand to be his Saints as I have already shewed and so this word is spoken to them and proves that they must be imployed with material weapons I shall not cite more scriptures to this but speak to some principal objections that are made against this truth of the Saints being used with material weapons in the destruction of Antichrist Obj. 1st The Ten Hornes must hate the Whore and burn her flesh with fire Rev. 17.16 Answ That the Ten Hornes shall be imployed in this work none can deny that own the Authority of Scripture but that the Ten Hornes do first make War with the Lambe and are overcome by Him before they do this Work upon the Whore is also clear from ver 14. It may not be supposed that while the ten Horns do remain upon the Beast that carryeth the Whore as they appear in verse 7. should do this Work for that would be Satan against himself The ten Horns do hold forth the Power or Dominion of the ten Kingdoms or Nations in Europe which had dependence upon the Roman Empire and they are first seen upon the Dragon Rev. 12. without Crowns which do hold forth as hath been shewed the Roman Empire in its Civil Pagan or Heathenish State Secondly The ten Horns are seen in the Roman Antichristian State upon the Beast that carryeth the Whore and that continues fourty and two Months and in that State they have the Crowns upon them having received Power as Kings one hour with the Beast Rev. 13. 1. Chap. 17.12 In this State they make war with the Lamb and being by him and those that are on his side overcome and so broken off from the Beast the ten Horns viz. the Power and Dominion of those Nations is given to the Saints upon the account of Christ and so is divolved into the Kingdom of the Stone that broke them off from the Image and so are brought to their true station to be under the King of Nations who hath on his Vesture and on his Thigh a name written KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS and in this State I understand the ten Horns viz. the Power of those Nations in the hands of the Saints is set against the Whore or false Church to execute the vengeance for the blood of the Prophets and Saints that is found in her thereby to accomplish his destruction and this I understand by the ten Horns hating the Whore and burning her flesh with fire Rev. 17.16 Object 2. That the destroying of Babylon is not work fit for Saints to be imployed in being ravishing of Women dashing children against the Walls c. Isa 13.16 Answ First This is spoken of litterall Babylon the Glory of the Chaldees ver 19. which was to be destroyed by the Medes ver 17. And if we may credit Histories they tell us that such things were fulfilled by the Medes upon Babylon of the Chaldees who had done the like upon Jerusalem which Jeremiah complains of in the Book of Lamentations And though this Babylon did Type out spirituall Babylon yet it may not be expected that every circumstance should be accomplished and that litterally upon spiritual Babylon For if it should be kept to as a Rule that every circumstance must litterally be fulfilled in the Antitype We should run upon many mistakes about Christ and his Work in Gospel dayes Also Ravishing of Women and dashing of Children may agree with other Scriptures to be applyed spiritually upon the whole it may not be gathered that there is any Work to be done in the rewarding of Mystical Babylon which may not become Gods sanctified Ones especially considering that it is the Lords controversie and the execution of his Righteous Judgment and vengeance upon her Object 3. That because the Medes destroyed litterall Babylon the like may be expected for the Nations to destroy Spiritual Babylon and that the Earth shall help the Woman Rev. 12.16 And the Saints being engaged by their Faith and Prayers the Work is sometimes attributed to them Answ First It is clear from Scripture that there is a Babylon which the Saints must destroy as hath been already shewed and it was not litteral Babylon for the Medes destroyed that Therefore it must be the Babylon in the New Testament day Secondly Though the Earth helps the Woman whilst in her suffering State to prevent the Devils destroying her yet it is not said neither will it follow that the Earth must reward Babylon And thirdly as hath been already shewed the Saints shall be used by Faith and Prayer and also in a Hostile way with material weapons and therefore I shall add no more to this Objection There are several other Objections that I meet with at this day As that the VVork must be done by the Spirit only and God needeth not to use Instruments And that this is a bloody work not meet for Gospel Saints And that this was the Munster Principle And those that are of this mind are carnal and neglect Soul work and
leave the wayes of God And neglect the Conversion of sinners and the building up such as are converted And that they are such as are against Magistracy c. But it would be too large to speak to all these things and to shew how in the building of the First and Second Temple and many other things which God did by his Spirit yet conferred that honour upon his Servants to use them as Instruments in his hand though he had no need of them but as in the Creation might do all by the word of his Power He had no need of Moses Joshua Samuel David and many others he could have done his work alone yet it was and is his pleasure to use them And as for the High Charges that are brought against this Truth and the Professors of it I shall not undertake to vindicate and plead for all that go under the name of owners of these things I know there was a Judas amongst the twelve Disciples yea and Peter who was very eminent did miscarry and the best of Saints here do stand by Faith yet this I may say that the Principles teach no such things but 2 Pet. 3. if we look for such things we are from thence instructed to be holy in all manner of conversation But I hope as I have not received these things either with respect to Persons or things but as it might appear to be the mind of the Lord so I would not reject or entertain hard thoughts of any of the Truths of Christ because many of the Professors thereof walk unsuitable to their profession And to what is falsly charged upon the Persons or Principles is no more then hath been upon other truths of Christ and upon his followers in former ages Caleb and Joshua because they were faithful and declared the truth the whole Congregation of professing Israel bade stone them with stones Num. 14. Jeremiah for declaring the truth was not onely reproached by false reports but cast into the Dungeon for his faithfulness by the very Princes of Israel and he received more favour from the Heathens then he did from the Professors as from Ebedmelech the Blackmore and from the King of Babylon Jer. 15.10 chap. 20.10 chap. 38 4.6.7-11.12 Chap. 39.11.12 and to our Lord Christ himself his friends said he was beside himself Mark 3.21 The strict sort of the Jewes did contemn him and his followers and said he was a Samaritane and had a Devil Yea that Sect was every where spoken against Acts 28.22 Paul was charged to be a pestilent fellow and that he Preached that men should do evil that good might come Considering this cloud of witnesses and how much Satan is engaged against the Righteous Cause of Christ and how truth in all ages hath been first branded for error and then opposed and persecuted and the Professors thereof Imprisoned Banished and killed I am through Grace helped with comfort and cheerfulnesse to bear these sore reproaches as a part of Christs and Truths livery and leave it till the day of Decision when the Lord will shew who was for Christ and his Truth and who were the opposers of them And as to that part of the charge that we are against Magistracy the Lord in his own time will clear his despised Remnant of that with other false charges and will make it manifest that through rich Grace we do own Reverence and witness for the true Magistracy which is according to the Word of God in opposition to the false Magistracy of Antichrist and of the Apostacy at this day and if to be for the House and Kingdom of David against wicked Saul as was the House of Judah and divers others 2 Sam. 2.10 cha 3.2 or for David against Absalom as 2 Sam. 15. or for Solomon against Adonijah as was Nathan and others see 1 King 1. or with Ehud against Eglou as Judg. 3.14 or for Joash against Athaliah as was Jehoiada and others see 2 Kin. 11. or to be for the Lord and his Truth against Amaziah when he turned from following the Lord in a word if to be for Christ and his Kingdom against the Devil Antichrist and the Apostacy be to be Vile and to be Transgressors we are such and I desire the Lord may keep us so to the end But if these things be justifiable by Scripture and owned by the Lord let those that reproach us take heed least they become fighters against God The Fourth general head that I propounded to speak to is the Time of this works taking place in the world to wit of the Setting up the fifth and the destroying of the Fourth Kingdom As for the day or year the Lord in wisdom hath reserved to himself and what is written of it in the Scriptures may through our ignorance admit of many doubts and various apprehensions I do Judge it hath been the failing of some whom I have much honoured in the Lord to fix the day and year and I have desired to be alwayes waiting for it but not so fix the time onely in general That this Kingdom of Christ shall be set up in the world before his Personal Coming though it shall not come to its perfect Glory and Beauty till he comes with his glorified Saints The First Argument to clear this is Dan. 2.44 In the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom first that this Kingdom is the Fifth Kingdom hath been already shewed Secondly by these Kings I understand the Toes of the Image which in Revel 17. are called Horns and explained to be Kings Now it must be granted by all that those Kings do either refer to those Kings mentioned Dan. 7.17 which are as hath been shewed the four Monarchies of the world and are held forth by the several parts of the Image Dan. 2. or to the ten Horns or Kings before mentioned First it cannot be the four Monarchies for then the Fifth Kingdom must take place in the world betwixt the time of Israels going into the 70. years Captivity in Babylon and their return to Jerusalem for the Chaldean Monarchy viz. the Head of Gold which was the first of the four Kings had not its beginning as part of the Image till about the time of their going into the captivity and was taken away or destroyed several years before the return of the captives as may appear Dan. 5. Therefore if it were in the dayes of those Kings it must begin while the Chaldean Monarchy was in being But it is without doubt that the Kingdom of Christ did not begin in that time but either long before or long after Secondly if it should be true as some affirm that this Fifth Kingdom began either at Christs coming in the flesh or at his Resurrection or Ascention or at the pouring out of the Spirit Acts 2. Yet it cannot be the dayes of the four Kings For three of these four were come and gone many years before Christ and it is evident
from Scripture that the Roman or Fourth Kingdom by which the daily sacrifice was taken away was in its glory in Christs day and had the world under his Dominion Luke 2.1 Lastly it cannot be the four Kings but must be the Toes or Horns because the Cutting out of the Stone or setting up the Kingdom is not seen till sometime after the Image in all its parts did appear Thou sawest till that a Stone was cut out c. vers 34. so that the very Toes viz. the Antichristian Kings that receive Power as Kings one hour with the Beast are up sometime before the Stone and are them that the Stone smites or falls upon vers 34. and the Stone must smite Imediately upon its cutting out because it breaks its way through the last part of the Image Government and fills up the roome of it And therefore these Kings must be the Antichristian Kings which are in being when the God of Heaven sets up the Kingdom Secondly by the dayes of these Kings I understand the time of their Government or while their Kingdoms and Power is up in the world and in the time that God hath permitted them to reign now Christs Personal coming shall not be in their dayes but in his own day when their dayes are ended and there is ground to judge that their dayes must be ended sometime before Christs coming in Person for we read Revel 17. that these Kings make War with the Lamb and are overcome and there appears to be the end of the ten Antichristian Kings which must be before Christs Personall coming for at that coming it may not be supposed that the ten Horns shall make War with him but the War is with the Lamb in his Saints and in his Cause Now if the Kingdom must be set up or the Stone cut out in the dayes of the ten Antichristian Kings then it could not be set up before nor at the Ascention of Christ For those Kings in that State were not then in being the last Beast that comes from Hell was not up therefore it must be before Christs Personal coming from Heaven because their dayes are ended before or at that coming The Second ground to clear this truth is from Ps 110.1 The Lord that is God the Father said unto my Lord that is Christ set thou at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool By Christs enemies I unde stand not onely the Antichristian State but it includes the whole world who through the Instigation of the Devil are against Christ and would not have him to Reign Psal 2.1.2.3 Rev. 11.17.18 Secondly by the enemies being made his footstool I understand not a Total destruction of their persons but a taking away and destroying of their Government and Power and bringing them to the foot of Christ to be as the Stool for his Government to take place upon or to bring them under and in subjection to it Thirdly by Christs sitting at the Right hand of the Father I understand his Personal being in Heaven as our Advocate where he is said to be at the right hand of the Majesty on high Col. 3.1 Heb. 1.3 cha 8.1 that so if Christs enemies must be brought down and his Government take place whilest he sits at the Right hand of God Then the Kingdom of Christ must be set up before his Personal coming The third ground is taken from the time of Babylons destruction which must be before Christs Personal coming And Babylon being to be destroyed by the Saints Stone or Kingdom this work must take place before the Personal coming That Babylons fall by the Plagues must be before Christs Personal coming consider Rev. 18.4 come out of her my people that ye pertake not of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues God here speaks to those that were not so much his people by visible profeâ—â—ion for they were in Babylon but such as by special Grace as the fruit of Electing love he calls his people and these are such as shall be caught up 1 Thes 4.17 to meet Christ at his Personal coming and Phil. 3.21 1 Joh. 3.2 Have their vile bodies changed and fashioned like unto his Glorious body and so must be out of the reach of such temporal plagues as must come upon Babylon but Babylons plagues must come in a time when Gods own peculiar people may through sin come to pertake of them and therefore the destruction of Babylon must needs be before Christs personal coming that word Dan 7.26 speaking of the little Horn saith they shall take away his Dominion to consume and destroy it unto the end which end must be the end of the fourth Monarchy or of this old world when Christ shall come in person and the world to come spoken of Heb. 2.5 take place so that Antichrist must be a destroying and consuming as a gradual work till the end of the fourth Monarchy The Stone Dan. 2. that destroyeâ— the Antichristian State must do it before Christ comes in person it doth it not at once as it would be â—f it were to be done at Christs Personal coming who comes as the lightning but is done gradually as may appear by the scope of the words The fourth Ground is taken from the Way and Instruments that shall be used in the work and they as it hath been proved must be the Saints with Material weapons in a Military way and I suppose I need not take up time to shew that it is inconsistent with a glorified Saint to do this work with Material weapons in the way that it is to be done for I never met with any of that perswasion to wit that Glorified Saints might so use Material weapons and that the Saints shall be all changed and have glorified bodies is clear from 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Phil. 3.21 1 John 3.2 So then if the Saints must be the Instruments and the work not consistent with their glorified State the work must needs take place before the Personal coming of Christ The fifth Ground is taken from the Sitting of the Judgment menc Dan. 7.26 by the Ju gment cannot be understood the last judgment spoken of Rev. 20. but must be the Judgement of Antichrist menc Rev. 17.1 which is the judging and passing the sentence against Antichrist for the righteous cause of Christ and this doth Imediately precede the vengeance mentioned Rev. 6 10. Dan. 7 26. they shall take away his Dominion Now this Judgment sits before Christs Personal coming yea and the vengeance executed according to this Judgment is before that coming For first he saith the Judgment shall sit and then they shall take away his Dominion to consume it unto the end Now the sitting of the Judgment and the executing of the vengance being the same with the God of Heaven's setting up the Kingdom and all this being before Christs Personall comming doth further clear this Truth The Sixth Ground is taken from the pouring out of the
and by force of Arms turned them out and Cromwel being set up by the Priests Lawyers and his trecherous Army Assumes and exalts himself in the Throne which before he had declared did belong to Christ And thus the Lord did permit a Stop to be put unto and a Death to come upon the Glorious Work Cause of Christ and the Apostacy visibly to break forth and take place in the midst of us and so a turning back to Babylon building again the things which the Lord had destroyed wherein he had used some of the Apostates as instruments Also the many Flattering Titles and wicked Addresses that were afterwards given and made first to Cromwel the great Apostate and then to his Son by the Officers and Souldiers of the formerly Famous and Victorious but now Revolting and Time-serving Army and by many of the Churches and eminent Church-Officers and Members yea by the generality of all Sorts and Rankes of Men except a poor despised Remnant that were mourning over and witnessing for the precious Cause of Christ the many printed Books and Papers that are still extant do abundantly shew I shall forbear to add but come to the Second Ground to shew That the Work of the Fifth Kingdom is begun and as these Workes that have been done So in the Second place the extraordinary way by which it hath been effected may discover it to be the very Work of the Fifth Kingdom This VVork according to Scripture being to be known by the extraordinary appearances of God in it It is called The Kingdom which the God of Heaven shall set up Dan. 2.44 and those that speak of the Glory must also talk of the Power of this Kingdom Psa 145.11 by which Power I understand the extraordinary appearance of God in accomplishing the Work of setting up the Kingdom as in the coming up out of Egypt so in this VVork God will shew and do great and marvelous things Micha 7.18 Joel 2.21 and very many Scriptures speak after this manner Now that the Work in this Island hath been so done even by an extraordinary Hand or Power look back as far as the old Puritant day in which the Power of God was eminently seen in preserving them and owning their Faith and Prayer to the overthrowing that great Mountaine of the Bishops and the rest of that Antichristian â—piscopal Traine that were imbodyed with them and the Calling of the Parliament upon the coming in of the Scots and then come down to the War betwixt the King and Parliament The King having the greatest part of the Nobility Gentry VVisdom Riches old Souldiery and Commonalty of the Nation with him and how inconsiderable the Parliament and their Forces were to him But though the Work of the Kingdom lay as it were under ground or like a Wheele within the Wheele hard to be discerned or like David whilst in Sauls Army yet it being the Work that God was about to do in this latter day did carry the day in Great Power and though men had their various designs yet God had his design also and both in the same act Several such instances there are in the Scripture as the Selling of Joseph into Egypt Gen. 45.5 with Chap. 56. 20. So in the Crucifying of Christ and divers of the like passages that might be named And then come to the New Moddel of the Army in the year 1645. First by what an eminent hand was that matter carryed in the House against the very Spirit of both Parliament and Nation Secondly how was it carried also against the very Spirit of the Army severall hundreds of the Officers were turned out and some that were very eminent and in their Roomes were put poor Inferiour inconsiderable persons who were prefer'd upon the account of their being such as Feared the Lord that being then the received principle to imploy men in places of trust that feared the Lord from which day there was a very eminent and powerfull presence of God in and with the Army Time would faile me to insist upon the particulars to shew how God appeared in an extraordinary way at Naseby Fight and the eminent Victories obteined in the VVest and in the North parts of the Nation after the new Modell Then come to the Second Warr when Hambleton came into England with the Scottish Army Consisting of near 27000 men also how God apapeared in an extraordinary way in the Victories obteined in Kent and in VVales and at Preston and Colchester at most or all which places the Enemy in number was three to one against us Also the Eminent Hand of God in the Service in Ireland when that Nation was almost swallowed up by the Enemy God appeared with an out-stretched arme and wrought for his holy name In the next place come to the Warr with Scotland which was Stated and undertaken upon Christ's Account in which Warr God made his power to be known when our Army was brought very low in a strange Nation and Compassed in by the Eenemy with an Army of about 27000 besides the whole Nation on their side and we haveing a poor weak sickly Army scarce Nine Thousand that were in a Capacity of fighting then did God appear in the Mount and in a short time after the Army Nation and Garrisons of the Scots by an out-stretched Arme of the Lord were brought under I forbear to mention how God broke the designe of the Scots King and his Army when they were forced to quit Scotland and with high expectations of great things from this Nation who like Israel of old Sam. 8.6.19 are generally very eager for a King came to VVorcester and there were overthrown Then come to the Eminent Hand of God that was seen as formerly in the Garbleing so now in the Breaking and Rooting up the Old Parliament with the very Foundation of their Constitution which was the last part of the Image Government And though the VVork of the Lord was carried on before under that Parliament yet it must also break them as they were a part of the Horne David after he was first Anointed did fight the Battels in Sauls Army and as the designe so the power of God was Eminently with him in the work but afterwards Davids Kingdome was exalted over Sauls Kingdome and brake down his House for so had God spoken 2 Sam. 15.28 that the Kingdome should be taken from Saul And Saul knew that so long as the Son of Jesse was upon the ground his Kingdome could not be established 1 Sam. 20.31 This is to be noted that David 1 Sam. 18.7 had the preheminence of Saul in the Battells even whilst he fought in Sauls Army Now that Old Parliament being broken upon the Account of Christ that his Government might take place by this breach an end was put to the Nationall Constitution or to any Power or Authority that might arise from the Nation as a Nation but the right is brought to Christ whose indeed it is for he is
AN EPISTLE Written dated the 30th of the 11th Month 1659 and sent from LONDON INTO THE COUNTREY By a Friend to the Glorious though at this Day despised CAUSE OF CHRIST in Answer to a Letter sent up to him Dated the 16th of the same Month Wherein the following Things are Treated of viz. 1. The FIFTH KINGDOM it self which the God of Heaven sets up in the latter Dayes 2. The KINGDOM of the BEAST which is to be destroyed 3. The Instruments that are to be used in destroying the one and erecting the other with the way or manner how they are to be used 4. The Time of the beginning of this Work First Before Christs Personal comming Secondly Before the Call of the Jewes Thirdly That it is already begun and hath taken place in this Nation and that Cromwel with the Army hath Apostatized from it and that all the Powers or Governments that have been set up since that time have been and still are upon the Foundation of the Apostacy AS ALSO Severall of the Particular Evills which the Army and others abetting the Apostacy are guilty of Together with Some CONSIDERATIONS tendered to the Favourers of CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUS CAUSE wherein is laid down their duty of Seperation from BABYLON and from all the Parts and Branches both in Church and State of the forementioned Apostacy Psal 145.11 They shall speak of the Glory of thy Kingdom and talk of thy Power Hos 6.3 Then shall ye know if you follow on to know the Lord. Rev. 18.14 Come out of her my People that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues LONDON Printed for the Author 1660. An Epistle written dated the 30th of the 11th Month 1659. and sent from London into the Countrey by a Friend to the Glorious though at this day despised Cause of Christ in Answer to a Letter sent up to him dated the 16th of the same Moneth c. My Dear Brother THine of the 16th instant I have received with thy earnest desires of my giving thee some account of my judgment about the matters of the Fifth Kingdom I am glad that any of the Saints are enquiring after those glorious Truths that appertain to the exaltation of Zions King in the latter days It is no small matter of grief that those things which are so high in the Fathers esteem and purchased by Christ his precious blood should be so much despised and trampled under Foot by the Professors of this Generation and that those which own and witness for it should be so much reproached yea dealt with as transgressors as it is at this day But for my self I have been through grace made to rejoyce and to count it no small honour to have my name and reputation offered up yea buryed with the precious Cause of Christ and am contented in the hopes of a share in the Resurrection of that Cause But that I may come to answer thy desires I shall lay down two things by way of entrance First That the Matters of this Fifth Kingdom are very Deep and Mysterious Mark 4.11 and the coming of it not with observation but as a Thief Luke 17.20 1 Thes 5. 2. Luke 18.8 And the Antichristian State which is to be destroyed by and so way made for this Fifth Kingdom to take place is very Deep and Mysterious also It is called the Mystery of iniquity 2 Thess 2.7 Rev. 17.5.7 Secondly The understanding of these Mysteries are not attained by the humane Arts Parts or Witt of Men no nor by any holiness or vertue of ours but is a free gift of God effected by the Leadings and Teachings of his holy Spirit in whomsoever he pleaseth Mark 4.11 Joh. 16.13 Math. 11 25 26. Rev. 17.3 Chap. 21.10 Joh. 3.8 And as to my self I have been brought under so much sense of my ignorance and darkness in those deep Mysteries that I have been sometimes ashamed to appear in publick to speak of them fearing that I might rather Eclipse then open those blessed truths yet I dare not say that I have been left without a measure of the leadings of the Spirit in these things but it hath been in such untrodden paths and attended with such great difficulties both from within and from not only the World but many of my dear friends whom for holiness and understanding I have preferred above many that I have been ready to say with Joshua Chap. 7.7 Would to God I had been content and dwelt on the other side And with Jeremiah Chap. 15.10 Wo is me my Mother that thou hast borne me a Man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth But I dare not allow my self in such Complaints least I should offend the Lord. Though my darkness and weakness would discourage me in this undertaking yet the consideration of the many false reports and mistakes that have been and still are among the Churches about those Principles which both my self and divers others have been helped to own in this evil day and the consideration of the many stumbling-blocks that hath been by those reports cast in the way of several of the Lords Children and the endeavours to possess them with prejudice against the Righteous Cause of Jesus Christ doth help me over all the discouragements to present unto thee not only for thy self but the rest of my dear friends with thee in all plainness what my understanding is First Of the Fifth Kingdom it self Secondly of the Kingdom of the Beast which is to be destroyed Thirdly Of the Instruments with the Way or Manner of the destroying the one and setting up of the other Fourthly Of the Time that it is to be begun viz. First Before Christs Personal comming Secondly That it must be before the Call of the Jewes Thirdly That it is already begun and hath taken place in this Nation and that Cromwell with the Army have Apostatized from that Work and all the Powers that have been up in this Nation since that time have been and still are upon the foundation of the Apostacy To the first to wit of the fifth Kingdom it self I shall lay down this general Assertion That there is an outward visible Kingdom of the Father which is given to Christ the Son and is to take place over the whole world Some of the Scriptures upon which my satisfaction is grounded in this truth are Mat. 6.10 Thy Kingdom come which word must needs be understood of this visible Kingdom First from the words that are joyned to it viz. That the Will of God might be done in Earth as it is in Heaven which cannot so be till that Fifth Kingdom be set up over the Kingdoms of this World Secondly This word Thy Kingdom come c. cannot be meant of Gods providential Kingdom mentioned Dan. 4.25 that having been in the world from the beginning Neither can it be understood of the Kingdom of the Gospel of Grace because it is a Prayer to be made even
very Rise and Foundation and to own it as Gods Ordinance would be to charge him as the Author of sin and to set up the Man of sin and Mystery of iniquity as Gods Ordinance and those that so do may be found equally guilty with those that at this day cry up the Ministry of Antichrist as the Ordinance and Ministry of Christ and all that will not allow them this and therein fall down to them are charged as being against Ministry but many will now grant that the Antichristian Ministry are sinful and Antichristian both in their Rise and Foundation and to own them as the Ministry of Christ would be a very great evil and why not the same in the Antichristian Magistracy The Assertion that I shall lay down in this particular about the Kingdom of the Beast is That there is an Antichristian Beast or a wicked Power that riseth out of the Bottomless pit and is permitted by the Lord to take place in the world in the latter part of the Image Government 1. This Beast is described Dan. 7.5 by a Little Horn and in verse the 11. it is called the Beast This Horn or Beast is the last part of the Image Government and that which is to be taken away and destroyed by the Saints after the judgement sits as in verse 26 and in verse 24. another shall arise after the ten Horns in the first or Pagan State withour the Crowns as Revel 12.3 And although there are but three of the Horns or Kings subdued or brought down by the force and Power of this Little Horn yet by the fair words flattery and great proffers made by him to the rest of them to wit that he would Crown and make them free states if they will stand by him they all at last fall in and receive Power as Kings one hour with him Revel 17.12 and so this Horn or last Beast comes to have the ten Horns upon him with the Crowns upon them 2. This last part of the Roman State mentioned Rev. 17.8 chap. 11.7 is described by a Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit and is the same with the Little Horn before mentioned and is distinguished from the first part of the Roman State First in its Rise it comes from the Bottomless pit Secondly by his carrying the Whore or Antichristian Church Rev. 17.3.7 Thirdly by the time of his Reign which is forty and two Moneths and agrees with the time of the witnesses prophesying in sackcloth Revel 11.3 and with the time of the Woman or Churches being in the wilderness Rev. 12.6 Fourthly by the Crowns being upon his Horns which in the First State were upon the Heads compare Revel 13.1 with Rev. 12.3 Fifthly by his Horns making War with the Lamb and being overcome by him Revel 17.14 Lastly by his going into perdition Revel 17.14.8 That this Beast which Ascends from the bottomless pit is the same with the Little Horn in Dan. 7. consider First this Beast is the last part of the Image Government and so is the Horn Secondly this Beast sets himself against God in great words and blasphemy so doth the Horn Revel 13.6 Compare with Dan. 20.25 Thirdly this Beast hath Power to make War with the Saints and for a time to overcome them so hath the Horn Revel 13.7 Compare with Dan. 7.21.25 Fourthly this Beast and his Horns are overcome and have their Power taken away by the Lamb and they that are on his side which must be the Lamb by his Spirit in the Saints for it cannot be thought that if the ten Horns should be in being when Christ comes in person they should be able to begin or make War with him the Saints do also take away to destroy and consume the Power of the Little Horn Revel 17.14 Compare Dan. 7.26.3 Fifthly this Beast goeth into perditon or to Hell So the Horn is given to the burning flame Rev. 17.8 Compare with Dan. 7.11 Thirdly this Beast or Horn before mentioned is described in Dan. 2.41 by the Feet and Toes of the Image which appears to be the same with the Beast or Horn First as it is the last part of the Image Government Secondly the Toes agrees with the Horns of this Beast in Revel 17.12 Thirdly the Beast or Horn is destroyed by the Saints or by Christ in them The feet and toes of the Image are smitten and broken by the stone Dan. 2.34 which stone must either be the world or Christ in person or Christ by his Spirit in his Saints It cannot be meant of the world first because it is the Kingdom that in a peculiar manner is set up by the God of Heaven as in verse 44. Secondly because it breaks down the worldly Government and fills the whole Earth 3ly Because it is cut out without hands to wit without worldly Powers or the might of Man In the next place it cannot be Christ in Person First because Christ is not cut out of the mountain whether the mountain be understood of the Church or world for it must be one of them Secondly the Stone doth the work gradually but Christs coming will be on a suddain as the Lightning that will effect his work at once Thirdly Christ is no where called a Kingdom But this stone is so called vers 44. Fourthly this stone is not cut out or seen till the last part of the Image Government appears thou sawest till that a stone was cut out verse 34. But if Christ in Person were cut out of the mountain it must be long before the feet of the Image was in being now seeing this stone cannot be understood of the world or of Christ in Person it must needs be Christ by his Spirit in the Saints which Zech. 12.3 are called a Burthensome stone and so is the same with the Saints that destroy the Beast and the Little Horn. Fourthly This Horn Beast or feet of the Image is the same with that Man of sin Son of perdition Mystery of iniquity and that Wicked mentioned 2 Thes 2.3.7.8 First this man of sin agrees with Antichrist or the Beast in its rise the Beast riseth through the change of the Roman Empire from its Pagan State or rather through the ruine of it as Rev. 13.2 The Dragon gave him his Power c. By the Dragon I understand the Devil who Reigned by his Spirit in the wicked Pagan Emperours who though their Authority was an Ordinance of God as Rom. 13.1.2 yet they were swayed by the Devil to abuse their Power and turn it against the Lord and his faithful followers a Cloud of witnesses to this we have from the ten first Persecutions carryed on by the Pagan Emperours in which the Devil did appear like a Dragon but when Antichrist comes up the Devil or Dragon quits his hold of the Pagan State having a more subtile way to carry on his work under a pretence of Christianity by this last Beast he readily gives to this Beast his Power Seat
as the answer of the Faith and Prayer of many of the Lords enlightned ones as also by the joynt consent of both Armies and Navy which God had wonderfully used in his Work and this word Dan. 2.44 was then cited in the delivering of the Government to them the Kingdom shall not be left to other People but for a full understanding of these passages and proceedings I refer you to Cromwels speech made to the persons above mentioned at Whitehall which speech is Printed in A Book called the Fifth Kingdom asserted in opposition to the Beasts Now this people being come together upon Christs account the first thing they do they keep a day of solemn Prayer to the Lord for his presence with them in his Work in which day the Lord was much seen amongst them as a precious welcome at their coming together But although they were all Called as men fearing God yet there is found several persons amongst them that either through ignorance or wicked craft prove great obstructers of the Work of the Lord and prevail for the calling that Assembly by the name of a Parliament with some other Passages that were not agreeable to the Kingdom of Christ which at this day proves a stumbling Block to some but by the good hand of God Kingdom Light did increase among that Assembly yea the Spirit of the Kingdom grew and appeared openly and the false Spirit fell before it the Antichristian Ministry were discountenanced and not called in to Pray among them as they expected The Lawyers trade also began to fall for in stead of the abominable Laws and Heathenish books the Bible was looked into the Law of God searched after A new Body or Model of the Law was Voted by which the Old must needs fall The Court of Chancery was Voted down A Vote also passed tending to the throwing down of Tithes by which the Antichristian Ministry was like to fall The Power of Patrons for presentations to the livings of the Antichristian Church was taken away The oppressing craft and gain of the Lawyers and National Ministry being so like to fall they bestir themselves and endeavour to engage the Corrupt Party in that Assembly and Cromwell with his Officers to stand by them for the keeping up their Trade the spirit of the Apostacy being got into Cromwell and many of his great Officers who had forgotten or little minded their Ingagements to the Lord at Dunbar and Worcester in the day of their streights when they resolved to prosecute the very things which that Assembly were a doing if the Lord would own and deliver them in those difficult hours they very readily joyn with the Zanballats and Tobiahs of the day to cause the Work of the Lord to cease and as much as in them lay to turn it back The Lord for gracious ends and that the Work might answer the Types and Prophesies that went before of it permits the Apostacy to take place and Cromwell Judas like entertains meetings with the Priests Lawyers and Corrupt Party of that Assembly and communes with them how he might betray this Righteous Cause and the proffers of Honour and Greatness like the thirty pieces of silver to Judas as his actions have clearly manifested did put him upon this abominable Treachery and forthwith that wicked Instrument of Government was prepared and false scandalous reports and reproaches raised against and cast upon the faithful Members of that Assembly thereby to render them odious to the Army and Nation yea to their Brethren which was the very way that the Martyrs were formerly brought to suffering yea Christ himself by the wickedness of that Generation did thus suffer as persons that would destroy Magistracy Ministry Laws and Propriety It is true they were for destroying the Magistracy Ministry Laws and Propriety of Antichrist but did own and witness to the Magistracy Ministry and Laws of Christ with Propriety according to those Laws which must be the Salvation of this poor Island if there be any left for it upon these reproaches many were ready to cry out as they did of Paul Acts 22.22 away with such fellowes from the Earth for it is not fit that they should live The Spirit of Apostacy having made its Party and engaged the Corrupt Party of that Assembly the day was appointed for breaking them up and thereby the crucifying of the dear Cause of Christ the day being come Cromwell repaires to the place appointed to wit Whitehall and that Corrupt Party of the Assembly to the Place of their sitting at Westminster betimes in the morning before the usual time of meeting where being come One of them begins with prayer or somewhat like it fixing his eye upon the door till the Speaker came and by that time he came in though the design was privately carryed yet there was so many of the friends of Christs precious Cause come in as that they durst not venture their Treacherous and wicked design upon a Vote but disorderly and in confusion took up the Mace and went away to Whitehall where pretendedly they delivered up the Government to Cromwell I say pretendedly First Because in reality the Government was not theirs to deliver up but Christs upon whose accompt it was obtained and received and so they could not really deliver it up Secondly If the Assembly who had received it could have delivered it up this act was neither done by Vote in nor agreement of the Assembly but by a company of Rebellious disorderly persons dispossessing and putting themselves out of that Assembly who had received and did possesse the Government for Christ and having so put themselves out had no more Power or Right of Goverment to deliver to Cromwell then Cromwell or any other persons at that time had to deliver to them yea a company of fellowes that had met in the street might have gone to Cromwell and delivered as much Authority or Right of Government to him as they did but the undoubted Authority being with Christ the King of Nations under him it did rest with those that remained in the Assembly keeping the Place and following the Work which the Lord had called them to and set them in who had clearly made an eminent decision betwixt cattell and cattel the corrupt Party of the Assembly going forth and the Faithful Friends to Christ and his Cause remaining together and though Cromwel and his Officers had owned the Government to rest in that Assembly upon the Avowed Account of the Son of God yet so bold and Wicked were they now become as they sent Col. Goffe and Lieut. Col. White with Souldiers presumptuously setting themselves against the very Son of God to withstand his Kingdom and interrupt the exercise of his Government in the hands of his People whom he had Called and by rich Grace seperated from the treacherous dealers and kept together in the Assembly after the Corrupt Party before mentioned was gone forth which bold Apostates came into the Assembly
King of Nations and under him it is given to the Saints who must possess the Kingdome Dan. 7.27.18 and therefore it is no wonder that all this time of the Apostacy the Apostates could make nothing Rise from the Nationall Constitution or if they did could not make it Stand up but it hath been like a man when his life is gone from him and the Day of the Lord according to Isa 2.16 hath been upon all their pleasant Pictures Then come to the VVar with Holland and call over the Records which do abundantly manifest how eminently God Wrought and made his Wonders to be known in the Deeps yea both VVind and Sea obeyed him in that Warr. As to the Eminent Hand of God in the Call of that Little Assembly I shall not speak of it in this place having spoken to it in the First Ground but upon the whole I may conclude this Second Ground with these Scriptures Num. 23.23 According to this time it shall be said of Israel and Jacob what hath God wrought compared with Psal 40.5 Psal 78.4 107.8 111.4 also Psal 75.1 that his name is neere his wonderous works declare And though this Generation as Deut. 4.9 have forgot the things that their eyes have seen yet God in much mercy makes these Wonderfull Works as pretious food to a poor Despised Remnant that are witnesing to and waiting for the Resurrection of the Glorious Cause of Christ. Psal 74.14 111.2 3 4. Compared with v. 5. Psal 46.8 Come behold the works of the Lord c Hos 14.9 who so is wise and he shall understand these things c Isay 51.9 10. Awake Awake O Arme of the Lord as in Ancient dayes art not thou it c. The Third Ground which may further manifest that the Work of this Kingdome hath taken place is from the Cause that was Stated and Layed in the Bottom as the Foundation of the Quarrell upon which the great Works have been wrought and Victories obtained and that hath been the Cause of Jesus Christ in opposition to the Kingdome of Antichrist and as the Day so the Light hath increased First against Popery and Prelacy not only against their wicked practices but against the Foundation of their standing as Antichristian and though there was then but little Light in the visible Kingdome of Christ yet there was so much as the Lord saw needfull for that day Secondly in the beginning of the Wars which outwardly to men appeared to be betwixt the King and Parliament but in the Bottom as those who had the Light of that Day may remember was betwixt Christ and Antichrist and many of the people of God took up Armes in Judgment and Conscience upon the account of Christ and went to the help of the Lord against the mighty although it was but a dark Day and a day of small things But by that time we came to the Warr with Scotland there was a good measure of Kingdome Light given down and sprung up though it was not upon all that were engaged in the War but only some few to whom the Lord was pleased to manifest it and through this Light the Cause came more clearly to be stated in publique view and then the ground upon which the late King and his Monarchy was taken off is publickly asserted by the Army who were the most eminent outward Instruments in the Work to be upon the account of Christ as may appeare by a Letter from the Officers of the Army at their march for Scotland directed to the rest of the Army that remained at their Quarters in England and also by their Declaration when they were come to Muscleborough in Scotland This Cause comes yet more clearly to be Stated and Owned in the Breach of the Old Parliament and is laid in the Bottom by those that were Anointed for and had the Light of that day as the Ground upon which they were Broken and also as a farther manifestation of this the Kingdom of Christ being to take place next to the Image Government and that being broken the Little Assembly was called and the Government delivered to them upon the Avowed Account of the Son of God Also in the Stating and Carrying on the War with Holland the Faith and Prayer for the Successe in that War was by those that had the Light upon the account of the Kingdom of Christ these things are evident and may further appear by a Letter from the Officers at Whitehall to Lt. Gen. Fleetwood and the rest of the Officers in Ireland upon the Breach of the Old Parliament and also by Cromwels Speech to the Little Assembly shewing their Call to be upon the account of Christ and also the proceedings of the Assembly and Council and the Committee of Admiralty in the managing of that War with Holland The Letter to Ireland and the Letter before mentioned to those of the Army that remained in England the Muscleborough Declaration and Cromwels Speech are all Printed together in the Book before-mentioned called The Kingdom of Christ or Fifth Kingdom in opposition to the Kingdom of the Beast and is Sold at the Crown in Popes-Head Ally The Grounds upon which the enlightned Part of the Little Assembly did Act and Own their sitting do also clear the Cause to to be stated for Christ against Antichrist The Fourth Ground to clear this Assertion is from the Anointing a Measure whereof hath been given down in for the accomplishing of the Work by which it hath been done And first that there is an Anointing reserved for and promised to this Work of the Fifth Kingdom yea that the Work is to be done by the Anointing though not without the use of Instruments consider Isa 10.27 which speaking of the Latter day Work and of Zions deliverance saith That the yoke shall be broken off because of the Anointing also Isai 28.6 speaking of this VVork saith The Lord shall be for a Spirit of Judgement to them that sit in Judgement and for strength to them that turn the Battel to the Gate Also Haggai 2.5 My Spirit remaineth among you fear ye not though this word in the Letter may relate to the Building of the Temple yet that VVork being Typical to this Glorious VVork of the Latter day this promise of the Spirit doth most properly respect this Latter day VVork So Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by Power but by my Spirit c. The word upon the forementioned ground may also be applyed to this VVork of the Fifth Kingdom Isai 59.19.21 when the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall put him to flight c. These and several other Scriptures do clear it that this VVork hath the promise of the Spirit in a special manner belonging to it and now that a measure of this Spirit hath been given down for Light wisdom strength and courage in the Work which hath been done amongst us hath been very evident to and owned by
Navy by which they were carryed forth above and beyond their own Spirits in the Work which makes it very evident that the Work hath been done not by the Might or Power of Man but by the Spirit of the Lord though all that were employed in the Work had not the Anointing Not all that were with David in the VVork but Himself and his VVorthies with some others had the Anointing for it All the Men of Issachar had not the Anointing to understand the times but it rested with the Heads of them who had all their Brethren at their Command 1 Chro. 12.32 from these and divers other instances it may appear that the ordinary way of the Lord hath not been to Anoint all but only some of them that have been imployed in his great VVork The Fifth Ground to prove that the Work hath taken place in this Nation may be taken from the many Revolutions and Overturnings that have attended all the pretended Governments and Governours that have been in this Nation since the interruption of the exercise of the Government of Christ in the hands of his People in the Little Assembly before mentioned It is evident that they have been such Revolutions as have not been known in former days though few considers the Cause of it There have none come up upon the Stage to Usurp the Power that haue gone off without a brand upon them of Gods displeasure Now that such things must be when the Day of the Lord or Kingdom of Christ takes place in the World Consider First that word in Isa 2. speaking of the Day in which the Lord alone shall be exalted which must respect the Day of his Kingdom saith in Verse 16. The day of the Lord shall be upon every pleasant picture which I understand to be those pretended Governments which shall be Set up when the great Powers or the Image Government is broken and further in Verse 18. the Idols shall be utterly abolished which as I understand respects the same with Verse 16 It must be granted that many pleasant Pictures and Idols have been set up since the Apostacy in this Nation and it is most evident that the Day of the Lord hath been upon them and like that in Isa 8.9.10 the Apostates have Associated and Guirded themselves and taken Counsel but all hath come to nothing except shame and contempt upon themselves The Spirit speaking Isa 27.9 of the Latter day VVork when the Stones of the Altar must be broken a sunder holds forth that there must be Groves and Images and endeavours used to make them stand up there hath been among us many Groves and Images since the Apostacy but that Word hath been fulfilled that they shall not stand up and though the Apostates have been seeking deep to hide their Councels from the Lord yet the VVisdom and Understanding of their VVisemen hath been hid perished and their turning of things upside down hath been esteemed as the Potters Clay Isa 29.14 15 16. The Throne or Government being given to Christ is become too heavy for the Apostates to bear but they sinke and wither under it It is not unknown how Cromwell and his Family sunk under it they were weaker and weaker from the first day they came to the Throne till it was taken away from them the like of the Reliques of the Old Parliament who though they came in with a high hand yet soon withered and came to nothing but scorn and derision the like of the Army and their pretended Committee of Safety and for these that are now returned and in the Usurpation of the Throne and have the very spirit of the Nation with them I do not doubt however they may carry it with a high hand but they shall shortly melt like wax before the fire and shall be as smoak driven away and made as Ashes under the Soles of the feet of those that Favour and Wait in a true spirit for the Resurrection of Christs Righteous Cause though the Lord may for a time suffer them yea and make them as the Assyrian Rod to execute the Stroke that is comming upon the Professors of this Generation for their Disowning Denying yea and Crucifying the Righteous Cause of their dear King who through the shedding of his Blood for them deserved other things at their hands I shall present one Scripture more to this Fifth Ground to wit Dan. 2.44 The Kingdome shall not be left to other people The words do hold forth Two things First That other people then Saints shall make attempts upon and endeavour to take and keep this Kingdom after it hath taken place in the hands of the Saints Secondly Though other people may endeavour to take and possess it yet it shall not be left to them or they shall not enjoy or possess it as the other Foure Monarchies that went before this Kingdome which were left to other people The Monarchy of the Chaldees was left to the Medes and Persians and their Monarchy to the Graecians and the Graecians to the Romans and the Romans shall be left to the Kingdom of Christ whose Kingdome shall never be destroyed nor left to other people and it is manifest that since this Kingdom hath taken place in the hands of the Saints Other People have endeavoured and made great attempts to Take and Possess it as Cromwell the Army the Reliques of the Old Parliament which God hath at severall times Cast out and it is as cleare that the Kingdom hath not been neither is left to any of them and though the Family of the Stuarts whom God hath poured Contempt upon and Broken have also endeavoured to take the Kingdome and for ought I know may come as neere to Obtaine and Possess it as Cromwell or any of the forementioned Usurpers have done yet let them know that the VVord of the Lord shall stand and the Kingdome shall not be left to Other People then the Saints who by grace are kept for Christ the King and by Faith and Prayer with the VVord of their Testimony are helped to undermine and bring down all the Groves and Images which the Treacherous Dealers have set up The Sixth Ground to prove that the Work of the Fifth Kingdome hath taken place is from the Eminent hand of God that hath been seen in preserving the lives of those which have been kept by Grace from the Apostacy in a Testimony for Christ against those that have turned aside from and betray'd his Righteous Cause It is not unknown that ever since the First day of the Apostacy the Lord hath had a Remnant which he hath kept helped to Favour Cleave to the Pretious though despised Cause of Christ and by them a Publick Witness hath been kept up against the Apostacy and there hath been many Gins and Snares laid and Trappans imployed to take them and Old Acts revived and published by which their Testimony should be adjudged Treason Severall of the Faithfull Remnant having been Taken