CHRISTIAN WARNING-PIECE FOR ALL TRUE PROTESTANTS BY WAY OF CHRISTIAN COUNSEL and ADVICE TO THE KING'S Most Excellent MAJESTY and all His good Protestant Subjects sounded forth out of the Written Word of GOD. Wherein is clearly shewed the true Causes why the Lord in former Ages brought his severe Judgments on his own People both before the Law under the Law and under the Gospel All which being applied to the present State of Protestants is proved both by Scripture and History that it is the same Cause still for which the Lord is bringing His severe Judgments on his Protestant People Together with the Means if imbraced which God in Mercy hath Ordained to prevent the same By THOMAS WALL Cry aloud spare not lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet and shew my People their Transgressions and the House of Jacob their Sins Isa 58. 1. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our Learning and Admonition upon whom the ends of the World are come Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall Rom. 15. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 11. Whosoever heareth the sound of the Trumpet and taketh not Warning his Blood shall be upon his own Head But he that taketh Warning shall deliver his own Soul Ezek. 33. 4 5. LONDON Printed in the Year 1680. TO THE King's Most Excellent Majesty Most humbly shewing THat the most Wise God who hath made all things for his * Rev. 4. 11. Pleasure hath ordained in every Nation but two States Pillers or Legs to stand upon the one Civil and the other Spiritual The Civil State is God's Ordinance of Magistratical Government under divers Titles as Kings or other Chief Governours unto whom an excellent †Dan. 4. 36. Majesty is given them of God as next under ‖ Rom. 13. God Head of the Commonwealth the Lord's Lieutenants here on Earth And seeing since the Fall Mans Heart is * Jer. 17. 9. deceitful and in Mans Flesh dwelleth no good thing so that the Good he would do he doth not but the Evil he would not that he doth †Rom. 7. Therefore for guide in Government God hath given Kings the second ‖ Exod. 20. Table of his Royal Law as a most sure Foundation and Rule to square all their Laws by to govern their People so that by it they bear not the Sword in vain but use it to the Glory of God for the punishment of Evil-doers * Rom. 13. and the praise of them that do well Of which Trust and Stewardship committed to them they must shortly give an Account to their Chief Judg the Prince of the Kings of the Earth the Lord Jesus at the last Day The other State or Piller is the †Rev. 15. 3 Mat. 28. 18 Kingly Government of the Lord Jesus in his Church or ‖ John 18. 36. Kingdom in all things Spiritual As Christ hath his Office under God the only Head of his Mystical Body * Ephes 5. 23. Col. 1. 17. the Church unto whose Government is given the first Table of God's Law according to which most sure Foundation are all the Laws made in all Ages for his worship And though Christ was not manifested in the Flesh till these last Times yet was he from the Days of Adam King in his Church on his holy †Psal 2. 6. Hill of Sion in those who were Figures of him as * Heb. 7. 1. Ps 110. 4. Melchisedeck ‖ Acts 3. 22. Moses and David so Christ was the same Yesterday to Day and for †Heb. 13. 8 ever who now in his Church sitteth on the Throne of his Father David as it is written of him * Isa 11. 3 4. That he shall not judg after the sight of his Eyes nor reprove after the hearing of his Ears but with Righteousness shall he judg the Poor and reprove with Equity for the Meek of the Earth and shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and with the breath of his Lips shall he slay the Wicked So that his Weapons are not Carnal as his Kingdom is not of this World so differing from the Civil State Moreover as these be the only States ordained of God and the nature of them being so different the one from the other as the nature of a thing Civil and Spiritual is so that the one State may not meddle with the Work◠that belongeth to the other And hereupon did the Lord in his Wisdom constitute the Civil State in the Tribe of * Gen. 49. 10. 2 Chron. 5. 2. Judah and the Spiritual State in the Tribe of Levi but when King Uzziah would presume to break God's Order to do that Work which †2 Chron. 27. 16 17 18. belonged not to the Civil States Office the Lord smote him with Leprosie to the day of his Death that others may be warned not to presume above what is written 1 Cor. 4. 6. Therefore the Lord Jesus our High Priest and only Lord Spiritual in his Church would not meddle with the Magistrates-work nor Office to give Judgment on a Woman taken in Adultery ‖ John 8. 3 4 5. nor divide Inheritances between Brethren And likewise commanded his Disciples and all Bishops and Ministers to the Worlds end not to take on them the title * Luke 22. 25. Mat. 20. 25. of Politick Princes but rather he that would be Chief to be Servant to all and not as Lords either in Title or Rule over God's Heritage †1 Pet. 5. 3. or Churches of God Therefore we see God in his Wisdom hath limited either State to keep within the limits he hath ordained for them Therefore as touching the Civil Magistratical State we may justly conclude That whatsoever Person he be whether Noble or Ignoble that shall presume to Alter Change or Diminish to or from any part of the Laws Ordinances Offices or Order contrary to the King 's Royal Crown and Dignity established by Law according to the second Table of God's Law must needs be accounted a Traytor to the King and suffer his high Displeasure Accordingly may we conclude concerning the Spiritual State of Christ's Government in his Church That whatsoever Person he be whether Noble or Ignoble that shall presume to Add or Diminish Alter or Change any thing in Government or Ministry Time Maintenance or Order contrary to the Rules or Laws of Christ's Testament founded on the first Table of God's Law in all things pertaining to the Worship of God may justly be deemed a Traytor to the Royal Crown and Dignity of the Lord Jesus and may hear the Sentence out of his own Mouth against them saying Bring those mine Enemies that would not that I should Reign over them and slay them before me Either by casting out of his Church or by everlasting Wo at the last Day May it therefore please your Majesty in your Wisdom to consider these things That it is one of the Crying
with the Covenants whereby they were bound unto their People The Laws of this Land are so full this way as no Man conversant in them can be ignorant that our Princes have preferr'd the observing of those equal Covenants whereby they are tied unto their People before the accomplishing of their own private Affections yea and Commandments in some Cases Hence it is that the Judges of this Land are bound by Law to administer Justice and Equity unto the poor Subjects notwithstanding that the Prince's Letter be directed to them to the contrary And as to the Law of God all Kings and Princes are bound thereby to be so far from thinking themselves tied by no Bonds unto their Subjects as they are plainly forbidden to be lifted up in Mind above their Brethren Deut. 17. 20. For so the word in that place calleth their Subjects and Servants The Kings of Judah who had the greatest Priviledges and Prerogatives both Ecclesiastical and Civil over their People that ever any Kings or Princes can have because they were Types and Figures of that Great King of Kings the Lord Jesus yet entred into Covenant notwithstanding with their People even particularly besides the general former Law whereby they were bound unto them Yea the Prophet Jeremiah being in no less danger and disgrace with all Estates than I and my Brethren are at this present required his Soveraign Lord and King Zedekiah to promise that he would do him no Violence nor Wrong nor yet suffer others to do the same for telling him the truth of the Word in the things wherein the King required to be resolved at his hands The which thing Zedekiah yielded unto and that by an Oath and Covenant of the Lord Jer. 38. 15 16. Whereby it appeareth that it is not without great Warrant of the Lord that Princes should enter into Covenant with their Subjects and that Subjects should require Promise and Oath to be kept with them otherwise Whereto serveth the Covenant But alas I enter not to scan her Majesties Oath I only tell you what her Laws allow me and my poor Brethren and I am assured if her Majesty knew the equity and uprightness of our Cause we should not receive this hard measure which we now sustain seeing we and our Cause are never brought before her but in the odious weeds of Sedition Rebellion Schism Heresie c. therefore it is no marvel to see the edge of her Sword turned against us Quest 3. Hath not her Majesty by her Laws established these Offices and this Order that now is in the Church of England Answ Her Laws have I grant of oversight as taking them for the right Offices and Order which appertain unto the Church of Christ which because we evidently see that they are not therefore flie we unto her former Promise and Act whereby she granteth us the enjoying of all the Priviledges of the Church of God In the next place There be other Protestants that have come yet farther out of the Romish Babylon in disclaiming the Service-Book Surplice Organs Cross in Baptism Priests Garments and the like because they were Popish Yet it is to be admired why such cannot as well disclaim the Order of the Ministry received from the Bishops as the Bishops received it from the Pope one Minister ordaining another without the Congregations knowledg where they are to take Charge and likewise pay and receive Tithes for their Ministers Maintenance which Pope Pascalis 827 Years after Christ * Qu. 19. cap. 1. Decimus a populo first ordained for his Priests These Protestants cannot think to escape the Judgments of God who †2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev. 18. 4. touch the unclean things forbidden and are not fully come out of Babylon as Judah our Figure was who sent away all Babylon's filthiness ‖ Ezra 6. 2. Zech. 5. 8 9 11. with the Wings of a Stork into the Land of Shiner or Babylon where they were hatched as afore-shewed Moreover There are other Protestants who though they have forsaken the Ministry Service and all the fore-named Romish Inventions yet they retaining the Romish Errors of Free-will falling from true Grace general Redemption and denying that glorious Doctrine of Election cannot think to escape the Judgments of God because Error in Faith is so heinous in the sight of the Lord being likened to Leaven * Mat. 16. 6 12. 1 Cor. 5. Darkness †Luke 11. 34. 35. and Poyson ‖ Deut. 32. 3. that God threatned the Church of Pergamos to fight against them for not punishing them by Excommunication that maintained the Error or Doctrine * Rev. 2. 14 16. of Balaam and the Church at Thyatira for suffering the Women Jesebel to teach †Ver. 20. and to deceive them All which came on the Churches afore-shewed in Pag. 13. also Junius on Rev. 2. 10. Again There are other Protestants that are not guilty of the fore-named Errors yet for other sins of disorder in making * Gen. 6. 4. Ex. 34 16. 1 Cor. 7. 39. Marriages with them they cannot joyn with in the Ordinances of Worship and their walking in the shame of Nature long Hair †1 Cor. 11. 14. and Perriwigs which Evils as well as other sinful Conversations not in God's Order punished the whole Church becomes ‖ 1 Tim. 5. 22. Ps 26. 5 6. Pro. 11. 21. Josh 22. guilty of one anothers Sins As saith the Law Whatsoever the unclean Person toucheth shall be unclean and the Person that toucheth him shall be unclean Numb 19. 22. Again There are others that would be called they know not what who refuse the use of God's Ordinances in Worship to wit Baptism of Water and the Lord's Supper and suffer their Females * 1 Cor. 14. 34 35. Jesebel like to teach their Imaginations For no Person can teach any other thing concerning God or Christ in the work of Man's Redemption to Salvation that own not the written Scripture as the †John 5. 39. Gal. 6. 16. 1 Kings 8. 25. with 2 Chron. 6. 16. Ground of Faith and the Rule to try all Doctrine and Worship by who as it is said do deny the Resurrection of the Body Unto such the Apostle hath said If the Body rise not then is not Christ risen and so to them All Preaching is vain and they are yet in their Sins ‖ 1 Cor. 15. 14 17. and of all Men most miserable Another great mistake is among many Protestants in understanding the Prophecies and Mysteries in the Prophets literally concerning the Spiritual Glory of the Church under the Gospel or Christ's Reign with the Saints on Earth I would fain have these Protestants first to remember that Christ's Kingdom * John 18. 36. is not of this World neither the Warfare nor Weapons †2 Cor. 10. 4. Carnal and in all things exemplary to the Church under the Gospel we are exhorted to behold Israel ‖ 1 Cor. 10. 18. our Figure
Sins in this your Kingdom for which God's Judgments are threatned against it because the Civil and Spiritual State is mingled together the Civil State assuming into the Spiritual Prerogative of the Lord Jesus who hath this Testimony from God that he was faithful in his House or Church as Moses to give Laws and Directions in every thing appertaining to the Worship of God to make Laws and Directions how and what we must worship God with and by The Ministers or Bishops contrary to Christ's express Word and Practice do take on them the Office of Civil State and Titles of Politick Princes to be Lords in Councils as Parliaments and Lords Spiritual in and over Churches if not Justices of the Peace so that by this breach of God's Order there is such a state of Confusion to wit A third State or Leg a Compound of both Civil and Spiritual yet neither really Civil nor Spiritual but a Monster called a Beast Rev. 13. 1 11. Which as Writers say * Plat. Politiq See Hen. Ains Arrow was first brought forth in Egypt by those Heathens void of God's Order in Grace and Nature and therefore they would have all their Kings Priests so commingling the Kingdom and Priesthood together in one Person And this abominable Invention was the Romish Church when fallen from Christ enamoured with for which sinful Act among others she is called not only Babylon †Rev. 18. Rev. 11. Sodom but Egypt because the Romish Church would have the Magistracy and Ministry Princedom and Priesthood in the persons of her Popes Cardinals and Bishops to be Church Princes and indeed above Princes to Dethrone them at their pleasure and from Rome was this Egyptian Fashion brought by her * Rev. 18. 15. Merchants into England And this being such a Confusion that the very ‖ Pont. l. 5. c. 9. Philosopher condemneth it by the light of Nature and says it could not stand with the actions of those two Offices meaning the Civil and Spiritual so different the one from the other that one Man should perform both at one time together but must needs fall out when both Duties are to be done that the one would be omitted So either God is not duly served or the Civil State suffers Damage And for as much as it is a work belonging to the Civil State to redress which your Majesties Ancestors King Henry the 8th King Edward the 6th and Queen Elizabeth of happy Memory began as God had promised That he would put into the Hearts of the Kings of the Earth to hate the Whore eat her Flesh and * Rev. 17. 16. burn her by the Fiery Law of God in making her desolate and naked to abolish out of their Dominions the Pope's Supremacy the Lord Abbots Cardinals Jesuits Monks Friers and the rest of that Ministry is left for your Majesty to abolish which if your Majesty refuse to do it must be done And why Because the Lord hath said it who will by whom he pleases give them Blood to drink for strong is the Lord that judgeth her And the Kings of the Earth who have committed Fornication and lived deliciously with her yet now shall bewail her and lament for her when they shall see the smoke of her Burning as more at large is written Rev. 18. 8 9 10 11. And all Magistrates that endeavour to hinder it are withstanders of God's Word because in her is found the Blood of the Prophets and of the Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth Oh Bloody Papists Rev. 18. 24. And hereupon it is written Rev. 17. 6. I saw the Woman drunken with the Blood of Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus Which Woman is clearly in this ensuing Book proved to be the Church of Rome For every Tree is known by its Fruit * Mat. 7. 20. Therefore the chiefest Article of her Faith is to Murder all that believe not as She believeth Now so far is that Church from being the Church of Christ or Children of God that they are Children of the Devil †John 8. who was a Murderer from the beginning so have him and not God for their Father because they do his works to the uttermost of their power Witness their Cruelty in Queen Marie's days the Powder Plot and now this Hellish Plot to take away the Life of your Majesty and your good Protestant Subjects As they began with that worthy Knight Sir Edmondbury Godfrey and will never be out of hopes of coming to possess this Land whilst Protestants can imbrace their Brethren in Office of Arch and Lord-Bishops Arch-Deacons Deans Prebends which Offices for Gospel-Ministers Christ's Testament knows nothing of but the Pope's Records Oh therefore That the Lord would be pleased to open your Majesties Heart to Act as a most Worthy Protestant Prince as with the * Isa 14. 22 23. Beesom of the Lord to sweep out of your Dominions not so much in their Persons as out of Office the remaining part of the Romish Ministry by Law of oversight established in Protestant Churches together with all other Popish Devices in Worship some of many are after noted And for your Majesties glorious President in this so excellent a Work for the Honour of God and good of his People who as Protestants will live and die with You Cast your Majestie 's Eye on that young King ‖ 2 Chron. 34 Josiah who so soon as he heard of the Judgments of God denounced against his Land and People called for the Book of the Law to be read before him and by it comparing the Acts of his Fore-Fathers and present state of his Kingdom rent his Clothes And for fear of the Judgments of God in the 16th Year of his Age and 8th Year of his Reign began to seek the Lord and in the 12th Year began to purge out of his Dominions the Reliques of Idolatry all Devices of Men in Worship set up by former Kings together with the false Ministry called * Zeph 1. 4 Chemarims either for their Black Garments they wore or being smoked in offering Incense to Idols as the Margent of the great Bible noteth and restored the Lord's true Ministry and holy order of Worship as the Lord had appointed by the hand of Moses Which if your Majesty will do this like Glorious Work by the Light of Christ's Testament comparing the Acts of your Predecessors and present state of your Kingdom so poluted with a Romish Ministry and other Inventions in Protestant Churches that so a true Ministry according to the Lord's Will in Christ's Testiment may be enjoyed and the People left free to choose their own Ministers according to Nature and Grace to grow out of every particular †Can. 8. 8. Ezek. 16. 7. Acts 14. 23. Body or Congregation and not by Humane Art for Ministers to be made by they know not whom and set afterward to the Body whether they will or no as
Gift of the Flock they feed and Vineyard they dress when they had degraded themselves by repentance of their false Ministry and the People if they thought fit to Elect and Ordain them in God's Order into the Work of the Ministry But this was so contrary to these Prelates minds that they sent forth their Pursivants to take and bring before them all that should either refuse to come to their Worship or did speak against their Ministry So that in the Year 1592 †As was mentioned in a Petition to the Parlament at that time on a Lord's Day they took to the number of fifty six Persons as they were serving God according to Christ's Directions in his last Will and Testament in the very place the like Christians were forced to serve God in Queen Marie's days and sent them by two and two into the several Prisons in and about London some of which by long Imprisonment were near Starved others were Bapished and three they Hanged two at Tiburn namely Mr. Henry Barrow Mr. John Greenwood and Mr. John Penry was hanged at Thomas a Watering near Southwark in the Year 1593. That these were true Protestants appeareth to any that have or shall read Mr. Barrow's Discovery his Answer to Gifford Mr. Barrow's and Mr. Greenwood's Conference in Prison with several Persons beside all their Examinations before the Lord Treasurer and some Justices all Printed at that time So that they were put to Death contraty to Queen Elizabeth's Mind as was then specified in Print * As was afterwards noted in an Apology presented to King James by the same Church because she sent her Reprieve two several times to fetch them back when they were carrying to be Executed but contrary to her knowledg it may be supposed were they at last put to Death sooner than the ordinary time a day by means of the Prelates as I find in a certain printed Relation of their Sufferings in these words Mr. Barrow and Mr. Greenwood were put to Death by the Prelates in Queen Elizabeth's Time without her knowledg or privity and that early in the Morning the figure of their Sufferings being seen in the Skie by Mariners that were in other parts and it was supposed by the beholders of the Figure then to be done in England because of the Women wearing of Hats The two poor Widows that attended upon them in the Prison waited on them to the Gallows bearing their winding Sheets Now dear Protestants if the Blood of God's Servants shed in King Manasses days for bearing their Testimony against the inventions of Men set up in Worship contrary to the Law of God written by Moses was charged near eighty Years after on their Posterity who followed the steps of their Fore-Fathers in Persecuting the Lord's Prophets for like Work in Jeremiah's * Jer. 15. 4. days and if the righteous Blood shed from the days of Abel †Mat. 23. 35. was by Christ charged on the Jews for persecuting him and his Disciples for telling them they worshipped God in vain ‖ Mat 15. 9. teaching for Doctrine the Commandments of Men how may Protestants now fear that the Lord may have like Indignation against this Nation or Generation for persecuting the Lord's Servants who call them from the Devices of Men in Worship to worship God as he hath appointed by his Son Christ Jesus in his Testament Now therefore before the Judgment is poured on us Oh that the King 's most Excellent Majesty would do the Work herein that belongeth to Kings to abolish all Inventions set up by other Kings out of Worship and every good Protestant to do his Duty to touch none of the unclean * 2 Cor. ◠17. things of Mens Inventions in Worship Then may we expect as Jacob did when he purged the Church from all Idolatry that God would turn the Hearts of Kings to be as God hath ordained them †Isa 49. 22. Nursing Fathers to the Lord's People as Pharoah was to the Church in Jacob's days But when Jacob's Posterity after his Death had corrupted themselves with the Idols of Egypt then God turned the Heart of King Pharoah to afflict them So when all that go by the name of Protestants shall do as aforesaid God will turn the Hearts of Kings to them and until this Work be done God will make Kings the Rod * Isa 10 5. of his Anger against a Hypocritical Nation as he did the King of Assyria and call them his Servants as he did Nebuchadnezzar †Jer. 25. 9. to afflict his People Therefore let no Protestant like Children envy the Rod but consider the cause for which the Rod is prepared and amend those things that are amiss and God will break the Rod and turn it against our Enemies and then Kings will as God hath ordained them be Nursing Fathers to preserve the Church of God from all Injuries and Wrongs as it is written ‖ Rev. 12. 16. The Earth helped the Woman as is very excellently shewed by Mr. Penry in his Examination before two Justices of the Peace Mr. Fancha and Mr. Young in the Year 1593 April the 10th in his Answer to some Questions put to him The first was this Quest 1. You labour to draw her Majesties Subjects from their Obedience to her Laws and from this Church of England to hear you and such as you are teach in Woods Mr. John Penry's Answer Answ Nay I persuade all Men unto the Obedience of my Prince and her Laws Only I dissuade all the World from yielding obedience and submission unto the Ordinances of the Kingdom of Antichrist and would persuade them to be subject to Christ and his Blessed Laws as I assure my self that the same is warranted thereby Her Majesty having granted in Establishing and Confirming the great Charter of England whereunto as I take it the Kings and Queens of this Land are sworn when they come to the Crown That the Church of God under them should have all her Rights and Liberties inviolable for ever Now let the benefit of this Law be granted unto me and others of my Brethren and it shall be found that we have done nothing but what is warrantable by her Laws Quest 2. What is it meet that Subjects should charge their Prince to keep Covenants with them and enter to scan what Oaths they have taken for this purpose VVhere find you this warranted by Scripture Answ The Subjects are in a most lamentable case if they may not alledg their Princes Laws for their Actions yea and shew what their Princes have promised to the Lord and to them when the same may be for declaration of their Innocency And it is the Crown and Honour of Princes to be known not only to hold but even to be in Covenant with their Subjects that they will maintain and preserve them from Violence and Wrong Nay Heathen Princes have thought themselves honoured when their mean Subjects have charged them very earnestly
joyn with in the Ordinances of Worship Thirdly Though God did miraculously save Eight Souls by †1 Pet. 3. 20. Water yet in the days of Ferah the Father of Abraham was the Church so corrupted in Faith and Worship that God forsook them and called Abraham thence ‖ Gen. 11. 12. Josh 24. 2. and they that would go with him so God made his Covenant in Christ with him and his Children which went in process of time into Egypt But when they defiled themselves with the * Ezek. 20. 7. Idols of Egypt and were corrupted in their Faith and Worship the Lord made the King of Egypt the Rod of his Anger †Exod. 2. 23. grievously to Afflict them How like is this to the Condition of Corrupt Protestants now in their Faith and Worship Fourthly The Lord for his own Name sake first by his Punishments and then by his Promises and Wonders ‖ Exod. 4. 30. won them again to his true Faith and Worship and then he quickly destroyed their Oppressors in the Sea and afterwards in the Wilderness gave them his just Precepts between Man and Man and his holy Ordinances and Decrees for Worship which when they broke the Lord * 1 Cor. 10. Numb 16. 31. destroyed some by the Sword of their Enemies and others by the Sword of their own Brethren Some the Earth opened and swallowed up alive others died of the Pestilence so that within the space of forty Years of 600000 Fighting Men that came out of Egypt but two †Numb 14. 24. 2 Cor. 10. entred Canaan And this is written saith the Apostle for ensample to us Protestants on whom the Ends of the World are come Fifthly When God by the hand of Joshua brought their Posterity into Canaan the Lord strictly charged them concerning their Faith and Worship saying After the * Lev. 18. 2 3 doings of the Land of Egypt wherein ye dwelt ye shall not do neither after the doings of the Land of Canaan whither I bring you shall ye not do neither walk in their Ordinances My Judgments shall ye do my Ordinances shall ye keep to walk in them I am the Lord. Yea they were not so much as to †Deut. 12. 32. enquire how the Nations served their Gods that they might do so unto the Lord their God but whatsoever the Lord commanded them they should take heed to do without adding or diminishing But how quickly after the death of Joshua and the Elders of his Time did they corrupt themselves with the Inventions of Men in their Worship for which the Lord sold them into their Enemies hands * Judges ch 2. that so they could no longer stand before them And will not Protestants mind this in our day of Danger Sixthly And was not King Solomon beloved of his God who appeared to him twice Yet when he was drawn away with his Idolatrous and straying Wives to a Worship devised by Man did not God stir up Adversaries †2 Kings 11. 14 25. against him Hadad the Edomite and Rezon who were Adversaries to Solomon all his days And shall not Kings remember this Because the Judge of all the Earth will reward every one according to their Works And when Rehoboam Solomon's Son who was brought up in the Ways of the Lord forsook the same the Lord stirred up Shishack King ‖ 2 Chron. 12. 12. 1 Kings 14. 24. of Egypt to come against him to his great Prejudice And when the ten Tribes under King Jeroboam worshipped God by the * 2 Chron. 11. 15. devices of Men and by another Ministry than what God had ordained they were not only said to be without the True God without a Teaching Priest and without Law but there was no †2 Chron. 15. 3 4 5 6 Peace to him that went out nor to him that came in Nation was destroyed of Nation City of City for God did vex them saith the Scripture with all Adversity And whilst God was thus chastizing them in Measure he sent his Prophets to call them to his true Faith and Worship which still they despising at length the Lord stirred up the Spirit of Pull ‖ 1 Chron. 5. 26. 2 Kings 15. 19. and the Spirit of Tilgath-Pilneser Kings of Assyria who carried them away into Captivity to their utter Ruine And when Judah would not take warning but fell to false Worship and would not be reclaimed by the Lord's Prophets rising early * 2 Chron. 36. 15. Jer. 25. 3. 35. 15. sent to them and after many Afflictions on them the Lord sent against Judah Rezin the King of Assyria to their great Prejudice And again the King of Egypt came against Judah and condemned the Land †2 Chron. 36. 3. in a hundred Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold yet they were not bettered then came the King of Babylon and carried ‖ Ver. 18. away many of them Captive with much Spoil yet they would not repent and return to the Lord 's true Faith and Worship but persecuted the Lord's Prophets then the Lord gave them again into the hands of the King of Babylon who burn'd * 2 Chron. 36. 17 18 19 20. both City and Temple and carried more of them Captive Thus we see the grand cause is still for Corruptions in Faith and Disorder in Worship that God brought his Judgments on his People And will not Protestants mind this seeing the like Judgments for like Causes are at our Doors as will hereafter appear Therefore Now let us come to Gospel-Times and see the Causes of God's Judgments that fell on Christians in the Primitive Times of the Gospel and compare our Condition with theirs in Miscarriages and Rewards if it be not the same still So that unless there be a speedy Repentance we can expect to fare no better than they Thus if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every Transgression received a just recompence of Reward though under the performance but of * Heb. 2. 2. Figurative Ordinances even the smallest breach of God's Law as Vzza for touching the Ark was struck dead †1 Chron. 13. 10. Numb 4. 15. Dathan and Abiram for offering of Incence were swallowed up alive in the Earth and King ‖ 2 Chron. 26. 19. Vzziah smote with Leprosie to the day of his Death And likewise Miriam * Numb 12. and Gehazi †2 King 5. were they unpunished No sure How then shall we escape the Judgments of God having the Word spoken unto us by the Son of God Creator ‖ Col. 1. 16. of Angels sealed with his precious Blood * Heb. 13. 20. delivered and commended unto all Christians by his Apostles †Acts. 20. 32. whereunto may nothing be added or diminished ‖ Rev. 22. 19. either in Doctrine Ministry Ordinances Time or Order according to fleshly Wisdom without Rebellion and most hainous Transgression Sacriledg and Impiety as against the
all degrees saw how they had been deceived but also Kings by the Light of the Gospel saw how their Senses were stupified and made Drunk with the Wine of the Whores Fornication so that not only in other Nations but in this Nation also the Kings who had long given their Power to the Beast until the Words of God should be fulfilled Rev. 18. 17. began to hate the Romish Whore and the Beast that carried her so that a part of the Beast's power out of this Land was destroyed when the Cardinals Jesuits and others aforenamed were Abolished By which means the power of the Beast was abated and more of the Lord's Servants came boldly forth * Rev. 7. 14. out of great Tribulations all signified by an Angel flying through the midst of Heaven to Preach the Everlasting †Rev. 14. 6. Gospel unto them that dwell on the Earth So that by this time the Temple of God was opened in Heaven ‖ Rev. 11. 19. and the Ark of the Testament meaning God's Law clearly seen in the truth thereof as was signified by the Lightnings and Voices and Thunderings which wrought such an Earthquake among the Antichristian Professors that the tenth * Rev. 11. 13. part of the City fell meaning the great City the Romish Church that Reigned over the Kings of the Earth to the number of God's Elect in Israel 7000 of which number of Faithful Elect Precious Living Stones were many famous Churches established in England Scotland France Germany Holland and other parts to the great joy of Christendom And thus according to the Mystery signified to Zechariah by a Man with a †Zach. 2. 1 2. Ezek. 40. 2 3 5. Measuring-Line in his Hand signifying that Jerusalem should be built the second Temple in it and God's true Worship restored as was done in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah Even so according to the Figure was it shewed to * Rev. 11. 1. John by a Reed given him to measure the Temple of God the Altar and Worshippers that God's Temple of living Stones and holy Truth and Order of Worship should be restored by a Call of the Lord's People out of the Spiritual Babylon in these latter Days as aforesaid So that as Judah their Figure must separate themselves from all the †Ezra 6. 21. filthiness of the old Babylonians in Worship in so much that they admitted no Man to the work of the Priesthood but such as could prove their * Neh. 7. 64. Chronology according to God's Law neither suffer any Priest that had fallen down before an Idol never †Ezek. 44. 12 13. more to Administer in the Priests Office because they were Figures of Christ our High Priest in his Office Even so the forenamed Christian Protestants by the number 7000 would not take a Stone of Babylon for a Corner * Jer. 5. 26. or for a Foundation that is any one to be their Minister by virtue of Romes Ordination because the Ministers under the Gospel that enter not into their Ministry by the Door of Christ's Ordination as afore shewed are accounted by Christ but Thieves and Robbers So that as Virgins not defiled with Women or the devices of false Churches Rev. 14. 1 4. Heb 12. 22 ought all those to be that follow the Lamb Christ Jesus on Mount Sion no more bearing the Beast's * Rev. 13. mark in serving God by Mens devices but the †Isa 42. 4. Mat. 12. 21. Name or Law of Christ in their Fore-heads serving the Lord in Worship by the Appointment of the Lord Jesus only As it is written This is my beloved Son hear him Luke 9. 35. Moreover dear Protestants note that in the Earthquake aforesaid there were besides the 7000 aforesaid a Remnant * Rev. 11. 13. who seeing and hearing the powerful Doctrine of true Faith in Christ Temperance and Judgment to come like Felix ‖ Act. 24 25 trembled or as the Scripture saith were affrighted to see the great Power of God in the work of Conversion Of 7000 with Caleb and †Num. 14. Joshuah following the Lord fully gave Glory to the God of Heaven as some in Acts 5. 13. but durst not joyn themselves with them yet by the small glimps of the Light they saw they began to take their Journey towards Sion after the fore-named Christians But in the Wilderness †Rev. 12. 14. Ezek. 20. 35. Gal. 1. 16. of this World meeting with some Crosses and Troubles in the Flesh for Christ's sake began to reason with Flesh and Blood like some Israelites whether God were able to furnish a Table in the ‖ Numb 11. 4. Wilderness So these having received the Seed of God's Word on a Rock had no root * Luke 8. 13. that is having no more Love to Christ than to any Worldly Joy or Pleasure in time of Temptation fell away So that they would go no farther than the King and the most went in that Day not willing to suffer any more for Christ's sake were content to go so far as to have the Pope's Supremacy Lord Abbots Cardinals Jesuits Monks and Friars expelled the Land but staid there and sat down in the mid-way between Sion and †Rev. 18. 4 Babylon or * Rev. 11. 8 Egypt under a part of the Romish Ministry and Service-Book some of the grossest things being wiped out And this was the state of many Protestant Congregations as may be seen at this day as is also confirmed by Mr. Fox in the Acts and Monuments of those Times some of which Report is as followeth Acts and Monuments Edit 5. pag. 1180 1181 1184. The Priests and Clergy that yielded to the King's Laws were suffered to keep their Places and Livings After this the King appointed the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with other Bishops to make one convenient and meek Order Rite and fashion of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments who did so Then in the next Parliament following it was agreed that all Ministers in the Realm should be bound to say and use the Mattines Even-Song Celebration of the Lord's Supper in such Order and Form as was contained in the said Book and not otherwise Now because some small Alteration was made Complaint was made how * Ibid. 1186. by the cloaked Contempt and wilful Winking and stubborn disobedience of the Bishops and old Popish Curates the Book of Common-Prayer was long after the publishing of the same either not known at all or else very irreverently used through many places of the Realm Yet was there no great cause why the People should so despise it for as the King answered the Rebels in Devonsh †Ibid. 1189. If the Service was good in Latin it remained good in English for nothing was altered but to speak with Knowledg that which was spoken in Ignorance And thus we see that these Protestants did not separate themselves fully in coming out of Babylon so as
discovered thine Iniquities to turn away thy Captivity but have seen for thee false Burdens and causes of Banishment Oh that Protestants would lay these things to Heart considering the many signs of God's displeasure shewed against this Nation of a Captivity threatned for these Sins Witness the Spanish Invasion in 1588 then the Powder Plot in 1605 the late Dreadful Plague and Fires and lastly this Cursed Popish Plot. Now consider according to the Law of Nations If a Ship at Sea meeteth with another which ought to strike to her and she refuseth then a warning Piece is sent to her if that make her not submit there is lot slie at her two or three Ordnance if then she will not do her duty there is poured into her a Broadside which possibly sinketh her and all that 's in her Even so if no Judgment nor Warning will make us submit in all things Spiritual to the Royal Scepter of the Lord Jesus in his Church to serve God in his Worship by the directions in his holy Testament then may we expect unavoidably that he will pour in on us Iris Murdering Places the Turks and Papists who like the Armies of ‖ Rev. 20. 9 Gog and Magog compass the Tents of the Saints about bringing great * Luke 21. 25. distress of Nations until Fire come down from Heaven even at that day when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming †2 Thess 1. 8. Fire who shall reap the Harvest of the Earth in taking Vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be destroyed from the glory of his Power when the Remnant of the Faithful as in the days of Noah shall be preserved and caught up to meet the Lord in the Air so shall they ‖ 1 Thess chap. 4. ever be with the Lord. The sum of all is Seeing God hath said He will do nothing concerning Mercy or Judgment to his People but he revealeth * Amos 3. 7. Rom. 15. 5. his Secrets to his Servants the Prophets written in the holy Scriptures for all Christians Admonition◠which we have here laid before this present Age. The chief Causes why God brought his Judgments in Ages past were for Errors in Faith and Corruptions in Worship Seeing then there is but †Eph. 4. 5. one Faith and proper Object thereof even the Evangelical Promise * Rom. 1. 16. of Grace in Christ from the days of Adam called the Faith of Jesus †Rev. 14. 12. once given to the Saints * Jude 3. therefore called the Faith of God's Elect †Tit. 1. 1. which Faith in God's Elect either more or less is built upon the * Ephes 2. 20. Foundation or Doctrine both of the Apostles and Prophets So that whatsoever Article of any Christian's Faith agreeth not to the Law and Testimony that is to the figures of Christ in the Law the Schoolmaster leading to Christ for fulfilling of the same in the New Testament with applying the Promises to the right Subjects †Acts 2. 39. they belong unto with all the benefits thereof to be enjoyed in God's 〈◊〉 is not the faith of God's Elect but a falned Faith which saveth not So that whatsoever Faith is not thus proved as it is written * 2 Cor. 13. 5. Examine your selves c. know ye not how that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Forasmuch as Christ is said to dwell †Ephes 3. 17. in the heart by Faith that is by true belief And hereupon it is written * Mark 16. 16. He that believeth not shall be damned How needful is it then that every ones Faith be right seeing it is a matter that concerns their Salvation Secondly As touching Worship It hath been proved that whatsoever Ministry or Ordinance God is served with or by after the Commandment and Doctrine of Men is * Col. 2. 22 23. Will-worship which all are to perish with the using Because the true Worship is to serve or worship God in †John 4. 24. Spirit and in Truth that is by Faith in Christ according to the word of Truth as Christ the only Law-giver in Worship hath commanded Thirdly And for as much as God is a God of Order * 1 Cor. 14. 40. therefore true Faith and Order in the performance of every Ordinance in the Worship of God must go †Col. 2. 5. together Every Officer is to keep within the Order God hath placed him and every Member within the bounds of their Places set in the * 1 Cor. 12. 18. Body For the clear distinguishing of every Officer and Member's place and duty in Worship as Members in the Body see the Book fore-named Ancient Truth Revived For the breach of these things God's Anger was still kindled against his People for which cause the Lord is now searching Jerusalem †Zeph. 1. 12. with Candles and will punish the Luke-warm Carnal Professors that are settled on their Lees who make Worldly Gain and Pleasure their Religion and Godliness Who say in their Hearts * Ezek. 9. 9. either the Lord hath forsaken the Earth or He will not do good neither will he do evil Thus as in the days of Noah is a state of Security seized on Professors saying Soul take thy ease Let 's build plant Marry Eat Drink joyn House to House Field to Field till there be no more place in the Earth The Harp the Viol and Pipe †Isa 5. 8 12 13. and Wine are in their Feasts but regard not the Works of the Lord neither consider the Operation of his Hands Therefore on such both Famine and Captivity will come so that their Goods shall become * Zeph. 1. 13 17. a Booty and their Houses a Desolation Even as Christ hath said Distress †Luke 21. 26. of Nations Mens hearts failing them for fear and looking after those things which for the Sins aforesaid are coming on the Earth The evident signs of the foregoing * Mat. 24. 15 21 24. Type of Jerusalem's destruction sheweth that the time is near of Christ's coming to Judgment true Faith so greatly decayeth among Men as it is written When the Son of Man cometh shall he find †Luk. 18. 8 Faith on Earth Oh! that open * Pro. 27. 6 Rebuke may be in this Day better than secret Love and the Wounds of a Friend better than the Kisses of an Enemy And to give to any †Job 32. 22. flattering Titles I know not for in so doing my Maker will soon take me away But have herein sought the good of every Soul yea the very * Mat. 5. 44. Enemies of all true Protestants the Papists and desire their Conversion that the Lord upon their true Repentance may have mercy on them Now to conclude by way of an healing Medicine both to the King 's most Excellent Majesty and