you let me freely speak unto you in the language of the Apostle Acts 2. 25. How be it as his speech was distastefull then so I doubt mine will be to many Palets now but I hope such as fear the Lord will hear and be pricked in their hearts Acts 2. 37. Truly though I have received his spirit for my directions herein 2. Cor. 3. 17. Eccles. 12. 10. Yet if it were possible I would not displease you I confess my matter or message is contrary to most of your judgements but for all that as I shall endeavour to deliver the same in as fair terms as I can so I hope ye will accordingly take the same in good part surely I look upon your Declaration to be your real intention and take it as a great mercy of God that ye are such men as be able to hear reproof Prov. 13. 18. Prov. 15. 5. 10. 31. And of such qualifications to fulfill such terrible places of Scripture whereas if it had been the lot of some proud hot intemporate men who would not endure to be told of what they were by their station they might have gone to Hell without mollestation or any to pity them It is averred by some that a Cockatrice seeing it self in a glass and by beholding its own deformity immediately dieth I do not wish you should do so But I wish that when I shew you by the Scripture what ye are now that ye would become what you should be to your eternal happiness I know God can turn a Saul to Paul Acts 9. 4 5. and I hope no less of you for God can turn the shadow of death into a morning Amos 5. 8. he can make darkness light and crooked things straight Isai 42. 16. so that there shall be no shadow of death nor darkness where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves Job 34. 22. all these things are possible with God for them that believeth Mark 9. 23. Matth 19. 26. Indeed my main matter is both hard for me to utter and for you to understand Rom. 16. 25. 26. John 6. 27. 1 Timoth. 5. 17. Heb. 5. 11. Nahum 1. 1 2. Habaâ— 1. 1 2. for I am under a burthen which presseth me sore and have been twenty years under the same and though many think it but an easie thing to declare the minde of God and to open the mysteries of his word as they are fulfilled yet I tell you it is so hard and requireth so much courage strength and labour that none knoweth it but such as are exercised therein Jer. 9. 3. Jer. 23. 16 17. But it is an easie thing to be a flattering false Prophet who swim always with the stream crying peace where there is no peace and the World follow such Jer. 6. 14. for we see the true Prophets were generally men of sorrows condemned and persecuted by the World because they did not flatter nor spare men in Authority but told them their sins for which cause they were so rejected that some of them wished to die or that they had never been born to see the truth and their love slighted and the people ruined Jer. 20. 18. Jer. 22. 3. 4 5 6 7 8. 1 King 19. 4. and men in Authority never wanted false Prophets to flatter and destroy them by perswading them to go on and prosper 1 Kings 22. 12. until their sins were ripe and no remedy left Therefore it is better for you to hear me now while the Sun of prosperity shineth upon you then to hear those thousands who tell you the World is yours and cause you to bless your selves in the imaginations of your own hearts Deut. 29. 18 19 20. as if God were pleased with injustice bloud shed tebellion robbery opression spiritual pride drunkenness and a many other abominable inormities which the late Parliament countenanced among us for I am assured that what I do now tell you is true and will as certainly come to pass as those truths have done which I foretold to those that were in Authority before you It is certain that you do by your Declaration require a worship and acknowledgement of your power as if you were a Parliament why should I wrong and flatter you by giving you a false Title ye cannot be ignorant that according to the Laws of England ye are not a Parliament And I wonder much that ye did take that name upon you ye being so unlike to it for ye know a Parliament consists of Lords spiritual and temporal and Commons called in by the Kings Writ and chosen by the people but the generality of them as one said to me do not look upon you as a Parliament though many be forced to lie against their consciences by calling you so Is it not therefore best that I tell you the truth which is that the people do not own you as a Parliament which I fear ye will finde when they see a fit opportunity which they wait for to rise up against you whereof if I should not warn you and tell you the truth which is so clearly revealed unto me I should be a murtherer and bring your bloud upon mine own head Ezek. 3. 4 5 6 7 8 9 17 18 19. then how can I rest or hold my tongue seeing no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him 1 Joh. 3. 15. and sure it is that there is a heavy judgement to come upon you unless by repentance and amendment ye speedily prevent it And now me thinks I hear some of them in power say what shall we do to prevent this judgement I answer give that unto God which is his due and unto Caesar what is due unto him and unto all people thier just rights and Liberties 1. Do right unto God and that is restore to God all those things which were taken from the Church by the late Parliament or any other in Tithes and offerings Malach. 3. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Ye know well enough what the Tithes are and for the offerings first they are the praises of God which were sung and said dayly in our Churches both Cathedrals and others throughout the Kingdom which singing and praising of God with instruments of Musick in Scripture is called the daily sacrifice Daniel 8. 11 12 13. Daniel 12. 11. Psalm 150. Psalm 50. 14 15. Rev. 5. 8 9. Rev. 14. 2 3. All which praises being his due ye ought to restore unto him again and for other offerings belonging to God they are all those things which have been given by our fore-fathers for pious uses whether to the Church to maintain Ministers in in several places or to the maintainance of poor Orfants and aged people or any other ways left to be disposed all which ye are to restore and dispose off according to the minde of those good people that gave them for those things were sacrâ—ficed unto God who taketh care for his Ministers and for the poor and acknowledgeth that what was given to them Matt. 25. 40.
affirm are as much concerned in the late Kings death as any of them you speak off and ye do this King more injury then any man doth by perswading the King and people that what ye report in this matter is true so that you most unadvisedly set one against another And therefore the hearts of them that are in power are so hardned against the King that though they were willing to restore him to his right yet will they not do it least thereby they should fall into such bloud-thirsty mens hands as they fear you by your own words to be And I am perswaded as my reason tells me that your threatning of the late Parliament and Souldiery was the main cause why they put the late King to death for what is it that men will not do to save their own lives and estates Therefore they strike when you do but threaten But if you would enquire by humane sense and reason from whence these miseries came ye will finde that they did spring from the covetousness of some Clergy man 1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. 1 Tim. 3. 2. 3. for ye will finde a covetous man come to the Ministry and he must have two or three Church-livings whatsoever they cost him and he will get some poor Curates for a small matter to serve for him who although they be learned yet they shall never be able to get so much under him as will buy them books or hardly bread so that they being starved are not able to feed the people with knowledge whereupon they hire themselves a Lectorer and these hirelings being Wolves put on sheeps cloathing Matth. 7. 15. 20 21 22 23. and to fill their bags they will flatter the people and preach them all to be saints forsooth that follows them so they become Puritanes and say to the other stand apart and come not near me for I am holier then thou Isai 65. 5. 6. and while the one part of the Parrish are drunk at the Ale-house and on the Sundays run into all manner of incivilities for want of sober godly preaching Isai 5. 11 12 13. the other part with immoderate teachings do run in spiritual whoredom and drunkenness Isai 29. 9. And this hireling becomes famous for finding that pleasing to the people and profital for his purpose he will cast out words against the Church-Government and Bishops untill he be taken hold on and questioned for it Then most men cry him up for a gallant man and rail upon the Bishops as upon persecuters of godly men Then many others of that Coat seeing this hireling-Judas by this means to fill his bags so fast do take up his Doctrine John 10. 12 13. and 12. 4 5 6. Yea the Lawyer Physician finding this trade better then their own do follow it also for Lucres sake Hence the Puritanical faction getting enterance by the covetousness and negligence of the lasie Prelates now like a Canker runs over and poysons the whole Kingdom 2 Tim. 2. 16 17. and the Roman Catholick laughs at this sport getteth a place to play his Cards once more and thinketh to get the Game But we have another way to cure all this busines and that 's by calling a Parliament Of which if the priviledge had been maintained we had been happy by this time Now when the Parliament was called the Puritan and hireling Ministers of London c. began to stir up the Citie against the King Bishops Major part of the Parliament which properly was the Parliament who for fear of the tumults durst not appear Thus Judgement is turned away backward and equity cannot enter Isai 59. 13 14 15. And he that is righteous maketh himself a prey the truth hath no place for lies and faseshood prevaileth Therefore I say that on the authours of those tumults lies the Kings bloud and all the bloud that hath been spilt since notwithstanding the London Ministers Remonstrance at the Kings death who like Pylat seemed to wash their hands as being innocent of his bloud but woe unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain and run greedily after the errour of Balaam for reward and they shall perish in the gain-saying of Core Jude 11. for they maliciously preached up the people into disorder hoping thereby to raise themselves in the casting down of the Bishops every one seeking his own advantage but the wheel turns round such as were not thought on then now rules the roast so that they could not so fully compass nor enjoy the ends they aimed at How thirsty were the Presbyterian Ministers for the innocent Bishop of Canterburie and other mens bloud saying the cause of their God would never prosper untill such were put to death taxing the Bishop with Popery c. whereas indeed the Pope had not such an adversary on earth as the Bishop was who if he had lived would have drawn all obedience from him in a short time for the Pope feareth no Protestant so much as that man who cometh nearest unto him in order and decency yet keeps his principles in Faith and Doctrine And for those who are now in power they are not so much concerned in the Kings bloud as the generality of the people do imagine The Lord General Cromwell himself could not either do much for him nor against him at that time but as the stream of the Parliament Army and people went then so must he go or else be disabled ruinated and dealt with as a Malignant But many of them who are most guilty to clear themselves would fain lay all upon the Lord General saying that he was the busiest in bringing the King to his end suppose he was Divine providence so ordered the matter that it was his place for he was a servant in it to the Parliament to the Lord General Fairfax to the Army and to the people And if he had refused there were many that would have been glad of his place to have done iâ— so that his deligence faithfulness appeared in this as in whatsoever service else he is intrusted with although in many things he goeth on as he did in this with simplicity not knowing the consequence but hoping by the providence of God that all will be brought about to a good issue Others there be that say he promised with several solemne Oaths to the King when he was in the Army That he would do his best endeavour to save him and restore him to his Throne Truely whether it was so or no I know not God and himself knows best but of this I am sure that if he had gone about to do it then he could not have done it but would have disabled himself of power to do what he may be forced to do to that purpose now for I am perswaded so well of the Lord General and of many belonging to him that they have a desire to deal faithfully and truely toward God and man And I doubt not but they shall finde an
the King as also John Lilburn and divers others rewarded for their services all which fell as commonly the enemies of Israel fell by the hand of their own party Judges 7. 22. 2 Chron. 20. 22 23. And as concerning the Churches how many men have been slain and hurt whilest they were in obstructing the work about St. Pauls Church How were those men cast down mained and spoyled when they went about building a Preaching place for the Anabaptists in the stone Chappel thereof What became of the Lord Brook that grand enemy of Gods Worship when he thought his armour inpenetrable how was he smote in the head from the Cathedral Church at Lich-Field as Goliath was by David I Sam. 17. 4 5 6 7 49. I have said little in comparison of what might be said in this matter but if I should say all that can be said yet they would not regard it Psal. 28. 5. for they are blinded with their prosperity in the War though they may know by the things visible against them that one days loss now will keep them under for ever and that day is not far off for it is with them as David saith Psal. 55. 19. Because they have no changes Therefore they fear not God And as Job saith they prosper and the rod of God is not upon them Therefore they say unto God depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy waies Job 21. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. But ye that hope for deliverance are to consider that by your manifold afflictions ye are corrected to refine you that ye may be made holy 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. and more innocent then Doves more wise then Serpents Matth. 10. 16. more precious then the gold of Ophir Isai 13. 12. Malach. 3. 17. The end which God hath in afflicting you is to bring you to such a condition And then the Assyrian the rod of his anger who thinketh not to cut off a few Nations shall be burned Isa. 10. 5 6 7 16 17 18 19. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous Psal. 125. 3. and the family of David that is the Kings friends when they sin God will correct them with the rod of men 2 Sam. 7. 14. 15. Psal. 89. 32 33. for God makes his rod most usually of wicked men by which he corrects his children therefore say not that there is no hopes but rather comfort one another look upon Portingals deliverance did not God reveal it afore-hand unto them even by a poor Cobler that could not write a word but got little Scool boys to write for him who Prophesied many remarkable things that came truely to pass and among the rest he Prophesied that in 1640. they should have a King in Portugal again Although the King of Spain for this cause sought by all means to prevent it yet when the time came Notwithstanding the set year was far spent they considering that none of the poor mans Prophesies had ever yet failed but that all had been truely fulfilled they were thereby so much the more imboldned so that God stirred up the Spirits of the Nobles and Valiant men of Portugal and smote the Souldiery with terrour that as it were in a moment the King was set on his Throne And suddenly had all the strong holds throughout the Land surrendred unto him and there was not three men kill'd in the quarrel Then why may not God do as much for England Or why may not those ten Valiant Commanders that took the Kingdom from the late King CHARLS and according as God had decreed gave it for sometime to the late Parliament or as it is in Scripture language to the beast Rev. 17. 12 13 17. And then afterward according as God did put in their hearts to destroy the very same Parliament take the Kingdom again from them as you may see how it was done Rev. 17. from vers. 12. to the end of the Chapter I say why may not God now also move the hearts of the said ten Commanders to give the Kingdom to him whose right it is I mean the present King CHARLS Ezek. 21. 27. We say and it is a proverb among us that if a man lie in a ditch and cry God help me and not use his own ability to get out he may lay there and perish But if a man call to God for help and withall do what he can to help himself surely God will help him for if you understand your selves when you say God help us It doth not argue that God shall do all and you nothing but it doth argue that God will help you in what you go about to do and that if you put too your strength God will strengthen and prosper you therein when your actions be right good and lawfull and that especially in the fulfilling of his word For there is nothing more easie then to fullfill a Prophesie because God is assistant to them and active with them that do it How was God with Josuah to incourage him 2 Kings 9. Josuah 1. How was God with Jehu with Josiah with Nebuchadnezar with Cyrus Yea good Josiah must die for going out against Pharaohn-echo King of Egypt who had a command from God to go against the King of Assiria 2 Kings 23. 29. 2 Chron. 35. 20 21 22 23. And what great rewards did God give them that fulfilled his word 2 Kings 10. 30. Isa. 45. from verse 1. to verse 15. 2 Chron. 36. 22 23. 1 Macchab. 2. 55. How prosperous were the late Parliament against the late King Why because it was Prophesied he should fall how prosperous was the Independents against the Presbyterians Why because it was Prophesied that they should fall how prosperous was the Army against the late Parliament and how easily did they dissolve it Why because it was Prophesied they should fall how easily did the Portingals set up their King Why because it was Prophefied of before Then why cannot they as easily set up the King as they did dissolve the Parliament And why even because the word is gone forth for it Isa. 55. 10 11. For there is no word gone forth against them as yet notwithstanding all the muttering of their false Prophets against them It is to be considered also what a heavy judgement befell those Nobles of Israel who searched the Land of Canaan that when they came back perswaded the people that there was no hopes of getting that Land and that it was but in vain to go up and fulfill the Lords word by possessing it Genes 15. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21. for all those Nobles died immediately of the plague before the Lord Numb. 14. 36 37. And because the people gave ear to their perswasion the Lord would have destroyed them all had not Moses stood up and besought the Lord for them yet for all that the Lord would let none of that generation go up into the Land of Canaan save Caleb
and Josuah who were truely Noble and valiant yea and though the people saw what sudden judgements befell those Nobles that had perswaded them repented and mourned for their sins of murmuring and immediatly would needs have gone up and possessed the Land yet they found it was too late for the Lord was departed from them and had changed the time and given out a new decree Therefore those that went up presumptuously were smitten before their enemies as you may see all this passage Numb. 13. and 6. 14. Here was a heavy judgement upon Israel because they for their own good would not believe nor fulfill the Prophesies and promises of God but it was well for the Cananites for thereby they injoyed the Land fourty years longer And for certain there will be no peace to any in this Land untill the King come but fear upon the one and upon the other and their hearts shall tremble for fear one another yea men in Arms shall have trembling hearts and men in power shall have no rest Therefore I beseech you once more Noble Gentlemen to call him home and set him up ye have the power to do it and thereby to save a great deal of Christian bloud And they in whose power it is to save mens lives and will not do it must expect the like dealing from the Lord I could wish that such as sit at the Helm would consider the times Things strangely work that what a man may do to day he may want power to do tomorrow and what two Moneths time may bring to pass in such changing times as these may possibly amaze the world to behold Surely there will some strange news be abroad before the 20. of January 1654. be past Prov. 25. 1 5 6. Heb. 12. 16 17. Prov. 15. 23. Prov. 4. 18. Psal. 58. 3 4 5. I pray God it may be for the best and that some great person may escape the hands of his enemies It is true that fair opportunities misused or neglected often bring too late repentance and sometimes everlasting sorrow And who knoweth the value of a seasonable well spent day I hope that I do not speak this in the ear of deaf Adders neither do I doubt but these things are already thought upon by some yet as we say forewarning is half arming Therefore it is not hurtfull for any of whatsomever degree to have their dangers foretold But if like Cesar they will not believe then may such as be esteemed wise in many other things prove very unwise in the main thing as he did A Coveat for Astrologers but more especially to George Wharton Esq and concerning some passages in his Almanacks for the year 1654. MR. Wharton I perceive that there are two Almanacks come forth under your name for the year 1654. having two faces the one seems to be very much for the Romish Church and the other as much against it page 34. 35. you tell us that you believe the Romish Hierachy shall stand and do blame those that speaks against it And say that we of Brittain or England at first received the Christian Faith from Rome Also you blame such as apply the Prophesies in sacred write to this Mole-bill of England as you call it and to particular Persons therein who take upon them the name of Protestants and the rule and government as if this say you were the place and they forsooth the Persons onely aimed at by the Prophets Sir By this I finde you are more for Rome than England I wonder you know not better by Histories how that Joseph of Aremathea who was the most Honourable of CHRISTS Disciples Matth. 28. 57. 58. Mark 15. 43. Came hither and preached the Gospel before there was a Church of Christ at Rome and that he lieth buried at Glassenbury Besides him was not Thomas the Apostle sent hither about the same time who preached Christ to us as our ancient Chronicles declare And was not Lucius King of Brittain who builded St. Peters Church in Corn-hill London the first Christian King in all the World And was not Constantine King of great Brittain the first Christian Emperour in all the World Where is the like then unto this Mole-hill of England for had it not the Preheminence in regard of its first dominion above all the Christian World It may be in those times of the ten persecutions that some came from Rome hither for shelter and did preach but wee stood in no need of them for we then had preachers enough besides them onely in love we received them as Christian brethren And had nor CONSTANTINE by the providence of God gone over to Rome with an Army of CHRISTIAN BRITTAINS and CONQUERED the Tyrants there and elsewhere so far as the Citie of CONSTANTINOPLE which was built for the Honour of his Name else the Romish Church would not have had such esteem as it had by his means Therefore it is evident that the Romish Church was then beholding to England so that England may say to God and his Church I am like a green Fir-tree from me is thy fruit found Hosea 14. 8. and God say of England Vnto thee shall it come even the first dominion the Kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem Micah 4. 8. as if he should say to England Jerusalem hath brought thee forth thou art her onely daughter and her heir Thou art that new Jerusalem Rev. 21. 2. And hath God from this Mole-hill of England in those times sent such glorious instruments to comfort all that trusted in Christ and to settle them in peace And shall he not do the like now Or doth not the forementioned things predict that God hath a special regard to England and snew that it is the glorious holy mountain between the Seas And though Anti-Christ for the present plant his Tabernacles here yet he shall vanish speedily Dan. 11. 45. and shortly after from this Land the glorious presence of God shall go forth into all the world to settle them in everlasting peace and tranquility But Sir you wheel about in the second part of your Almanack 1654. as if you had met King Henry the eights Ghost in the way for it is reported that he at a certain time when his Parliament would not pass a bill which he would have done to extirpat Popery he came roughly among them into the Parliament house with his short dagger saying who is he that will not pass this bill and so examined them one by one till all said I to it thus did he awe them with his terrible presence and prevailed Then departing the house said unto them all good men all good men so it is like that you met with King Henry the eights Ghost which made you to change your note for in the last part of your Almanack pag 75. you say in brief from this Eclips the Pope and Hierarchy of Rome shall exceedingly suffer It is evident from holy write that a time shall come in which
THE BLOUDY VISION OF JOHN FARLY Interpreted by ARISE EVANS With Another VISION signifying peace and happiness Both which Shew remarkable alterations speedily to come to pass here in England Also A Refutation of a Pamphlet lately published by one Aspinwall called a Brief discripton of the fifth Monarchy Shewing That the late Parliament was that Beast mentioned Rev. 13. that this Representative is the Image thereof and that the fifth Monarchy will shortly be established in the Person of CHARLS STEVVART Printed in the Year 1653. THE PREFACE WHen the Lord sent Moses to the Children of Israel which were in Egypt he gave him two signs to shew before them that they might believe told him that if they would neither believe the voice of the first sign nor the voice of the latter sign then that he should take water out of the River and pour it upon the dry land and it should become bloud Exod. 4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Beloved friends I have written two books sent them forth in print as two signs to the English Nation and those in power do take no warning by them And now also this book is going forth to shew that the water of their River must be turned into bloud I said in my Petition to the General dated the 16. of the last May that I would not willingly turn water into bloud nor publish that bloudy Vision mentioned in the aforesaid Petition which signifieth that we must have a bloudy War again and that Right must have Right though thereby all must be turned upside down again But now it must not be as I will I must publish it or have no peace to my Soul the Lyon hath roared who will but fear The Lord God hath spoken who can but Prophesie and publish in the Palaces at Ashdod Amos 3 8 9. 10. 11. the great judgement coming upon it from the Lord of Hosts for the Lord God hath sworn by his holiness That lo the days shall come upon you that he will take you away with hooks and your posterity with fish hooks Amos 4. 2. Then will you say Oh that we had believed ARISE EVANS and taken advise by his Books and Petition as many of the Kings party now mourn and tell me the very words that I told them 19. years ago blaming themselves for that they had no more regard unto the words then spoken by me which now they found to be true by wofull experience yea and some of your late Parliament men expressing their grief now do wish that they had considered my words and been perswaded by me but alas too late repentance is nothiug worth but like that of Esau and Judas onely brings despair Heb. 12. 16 17. Matt. 27. 3 4 5. for as the Tree falleth so it lieth Eccles. 11. 3. Therefore while the AX is laid to the Root of the Tree it is the best time to save it Matth. 3. 8 9 10. so before the judgement over take men it is the best time for men to do righteously and thereby escape the wrath to come Good Reader I hope I shall be clear from the bloud of this generation and leave them altogether in excuseable for why they have had more warning from me then ever any had that I was sent to speak unto for when I spake to the King and his party If they had asked me whether I had spoken any thing by way of Prophesie before that time Surely I could have said nothing to it then which might have been any ways sufficient to convince them because that I had not before that time been sent of God to any for to declare such things But now it is evident how I was called of God and sent to them and upon their neglect was sent to the Earl of Essex and after that to the Presbyterians and then to the late Parliament God confirming my words with as many signs as was required of me and also fulfilling the same always in their due seasons So that if this people now shall likewise refuse to hear me who have had so many witnesses to shew that God is pleased to declare his determinate will by me they of all others will be the least excusable for disposing me and so the least capable of mercy For have they not known how God by me declared the most remarkable things that befell these Kingdoms since the Wars began How that 20. years ago I declared the things which befell the late King and that I suffered 3. years imprisonment for the same How I declared to the Earl of Essex 7. years before he was General that he should be the peoples General against the late King Have they not known how that in the year 1646. I declared the downfall of the Presbyterians and suffered two moneths imprisonment for that also How I declared in the year 1651. That the Kings Son would come to England long before he came to Worcester his succes likewise How I declared to the late Parliament many times that they should be destroyed long before their dissolution And have I not declared to them in the last moneth of May that King Charles will come in victoriously this year 1653. and had they not a sign to confirm it according to their own chusing and desire Which sign was that if it did rain more or less 7. Sundays then next following successively they would believe my words And did it not rain accordingly for seven Sundays together as many thousands who observed it can witness although it was in the very drought of Summer and that there was scarce any rain all the other week dayes besides Also many other signs were given by me to several persons divers times in several places to confirm the truth of those things therefore to God be the glorie of all Neither was there any remarkable ingagement of late days either by Sea or Land since the people began to inquire of me but God was pleased to reveal by me the event thereof Surely if these men were either faithfull or sensible they might see the minde and will of God by these things but they are dead Ephes. 2. 1. They will not see Isai 26. 11. Isai 42. 18. 19. 20. But still say unto me Job 21. 14. depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways And now as concerning you ye murmuring people that meet every Munday in Black-Friers Church ye fast ye pray ye preach and complain that God doth not hear your prayers and ye crie to God that he would send the spirit of Prophesie by some one or other to let you understand the things to come yet ye cannot see them now when God sheweth you all these things by me his poor Messenger which are made known unto you by thos truths in my aforesaid books called the Voice and the Eccho and as in the last of them I said to the late Parliament about a moneth before they were dissolved that
their prayers were answered of God by those my books and that if they did not believe what I said and do the same speedily that God would send them strong delusions and bring sudden destruction upon them Isa. 65. 12 24. Isa. 66. 3. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 10 11 12. so I say unto you now that if ye will not be answered by the same things of God in my aforesaid Books God will likewise send you strong delusions and bring sudden destruction upon you for your contempt of his truth in not believing it ye cry against the late Parl. because they cheated the people of their monies and blame also these men now of Westminster as you call them for treading their steps and not calling the other to an account for all the injustice they did alas do ye think that these or the like men will ever call them to an account Nay we must think these will rather be more chargeable to the people then they were For do ye think that such mean men raised to such high places who not having means of their own sufficiently to maintain their greatness will not have it out from the people over whom they have now the power and command And will they not raise their children friends and relations to all places of profit Truly it were a shame for them if they did it not and I am confident that if ye were in their place ye would do no less although the Countrey should still suffer by it yea and its like to suffer untill the King Nobles and Gentry of England injoy their rights again for they having great revenues of their own by which they are able to bear such places of Authority and govern the people at their own proper charges Therefore I say unto you if ye would have men in places of lawfull Authority that are not self-ended and covetous why do not ye bend the strength of your prayers for CHARLS your right King and his party that they may enjoy their rights again And then ye may be sure that he will call your late Parliament to an exact account for all those monies ye speak off and ease the people of their heavy taxations and doubtless ye shall prevail with God in prayer for him and have all your desires accomplished I beseech you to consider the difference between this State-Government and a Monarchy Queen Elizabeth had Wars with Spain and Wars in Ireland and also assisted Holland all which was done with her own revenues and without any Taxations from the subjects but now where are the Crown Lands What 's become of the Bishops Deans and Chapters Lands and Delinquents Estates and many other things that are gone I know not where And do ye think that the people are ever like to be eased from the abundance of Assessments and Taxes whilest the great revenues belonging to the Crown are gone which saved the people from such heavy and continual Taxes and by which large revenues Queen Elizabeth did such great things and yet left behinde her abundance of Treasures So that you may clearly see that there was a great part of the Kingdome juggled away from the Nation by the late Parliament when the new State was set up because what was the Kings was theirs for the saving of their own goods bearing their charges and so was the Church-Lands also appointed to ease the people that they should be free from being at charge to pay those that were the Chief rulers of the Church and took care for their Souls And now if ye would have God to hear you why do not ye hear him by doing justly to the King and Kingdom that righteousness may run down as a River Amos 5. 21 22 23 24. or else all your seeking of the Lord will be in vain for if ye will still have your prayers granted according to your own sense and will that is for you to prevail kill and slay all that will not submit to you then the Lord will shew your folly to all the World And do not you boast as some of you do that ye have had the Spirit of Prophesie these seven years that your Armies over-coming their Enemies is the fruit of your prayers Alas it is but your pride for it was Gods decree to deliver his people into your hands for a time to punish them for their sins and he revealed it unto me 20 years ago that your party should prevail as they have done and then come to a miserable end as I have declared Thus ye may see that it is not your spirit of Prophesie which you deceiving your selves do imagine to have nor yet is it the fruit of your prayers that hath done it for if ye had never opened your mouthes such things had come to pass you shall see within a short time that God will deliver you into the hands of his people to be utterly destroyed and all your Prophesying and praying shall not deliver you in that day Then leave off sacrificing to your Calf for it is no more then if the Egyptians should have sacrificed to their false gods for giving them power to overcome the Israelites and keep them in bondage but God had shewed to Abraham long before that his seed should serve the Egyptians Gen. 15. 13. 14. and when the time of the Israels deliyerance came then neither the Egyptians nor all their gods could keep them one day longer Exodus 12. 40. 41. so likewise the Babilonians might have gloried as you do and attributed their success to their own parts or to the power of their gods when they had overcome Israel but they were more modest then so And knew very well that they could not detain them any longer then God had decreed whereby you see that they in the very nick of Gods time set down by the Prophet Jeremiah 2 Chron. 36. 21 22 23 Ezra 1. Did send them home and restore all which was theirs to them aagain Here I have taken an occasion by the way to speak a word also to Mr. Feake Mr. Simpson and others of their party meeting in Black-Friers not doubting but when God shall arrest them saying 1 Kings 21. 19. hast thou kild and taken possession in that place where King Charls and his people lost their bloud in that very place shall thy bloud be spilt even thine and set their bloudy deeds to Cry unto their Consciences saying we are thine we will not leave thee untill thy Judgment come then their courrage will be abated and they shall know that they are not for the Interest of Jesus Christ as they falsly affirm But are for the Interest of the Devil who was 2 murtherer from the beginning John 8. 44. 1 John 3. 8. and when Nathans Ridle is opened unto others saying thou art the man 2 Sam. 12. 7. 14. For thou hast given great occasion to the Papist to Blaspheme saying these are the works of such as would be altogether Ruled by the
Bible they will for swear themselves and murder their King and kill Rob and Steal by authority when like Davids Psalm 51. 3. their sin as a bloudy sheet is set before them It will make them roar like David saying I acknowledge mine iniquity and my sin is ever before me Against thee thee onely have I sinned by causing the enemies to Blaspheme thy word the holy Bible Oh now I will Repent and endeavour to restore the Kings Family and other Families which most unfaithfully and unjustly we have spoiled and I will pay my Vows and stop the mouths of the Blasphemers of thy word thereby so far as I am able help me Lord that I may prevail and appease thy hot indignation against me and I could wish that those of Feake and Simpsons party would Repent and be of the same resolution but I know of a certain there is a party in this Land that shall fall by their willfull impenitency Now I draw to a conclusion desiring all in generall to observe diligently the rest of the matter following in this little book and if any do desire to know further of me let them get the other books here mentioned for my part If it be the will of God I am willing to be offered for the defence of the faith of Gods elect Titus 1 1. But I cannot desire that God should not take me away in the midst of my days Psalm 102. 24. because I am already past it nor say as Jacob said to Pharaoh that I have not attaind to the years of the life of my Father Gen. 47. 9. for I have out-lived my Father and elder brother in years who died both a natural death therefore the remnant of days that now I have to live I count to be extraordinarily given me of God even to glorifie him wholly withall and If it please him that I die a Martyr and that in my death I glorifie God I hope he will give me strength to triumph that way but wo to such a party as takes my life violently from me for declaring to them the truth in love committed to my Charge Truly I have no cause to doubt these people for though they have not yielded to the truth yet they have been perswaded that my declaration was so much in the way of Gods spirit that they did not molest me at all when I delivered my Petition to the Counsel of the Army May 26. 1653. and spoke in the defence of King Charls at that time when I disputed it before them all four hours together I spake there more fully for him then ever I did by writing so that I may say this word of the Prophet to God was verified on me Isai 26. 3 4. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose heart is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee I may say experimentally that this is true even that I had such a peace of God as passeth all understanding Phil. 4. 7. that is peace and liberty to the soul and body Therefore I will trust in the Lord for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Isai 26. 4. And now I am as the Paul of this time he was a Mechanick a tent Maker Acts 18. 3. I am a Taylor I plant and shew these things Apollo that is the eloquent ministers of Christ are to water them but God giveth the increase Acts 18. 24 25 26 27 28 1 Corin. 3. 6. I recommend all to God and his Ministers and I remain your faithfull servant in Christ Jesus Arise Evans from Long-Ally in Black-Friers Sep. the 13. 1653. Errata Page 6. line 21. for it signifies or firmness thereof the certainty Read it signifies the certainty or firmness thereof The bloudy Vision of John Farly interpreted with another Vision signifying peace and happiness c. BEfore I come to shew you the Visions it will be needfull to let you understand a little of the life and quality of this Mr. Farly according as I have heard it both from himself and others that knew him very well who acknowledged him to have been a Gentleman of good estate living near Wallington in Shropshire and always was counted a very honest man and of a milde disposition also in these troublesome times he payed all Taxes freely to both sides King and Parliament and yet was very much plundered and wronged by both untill at last they brought him so low that he was forced to moregage his own Lands and afterwards to fearm another Gentlemans Estate in Wales but having many crosses there likewise he was forced to leave that place also not being able to manage it for want of stock At this time he had a wife and eight children to maintain and very little money remaining so that he knew not what course to take for a lively hood But calling to minde that a Gentleman and a dear friend of his was in the Lord Generals life-guard and hoping by his means to get some place under the Parliament whereby to maintain his charge In the year 1652. He came to London with all his family and took a house at the upper end of Drury-Lane where he lived very poorly and could neither meet with his friend nor get any imployment but was in great distress for want of means to maintain his charge and to pay every one his own And on the 21 of January 1652. In the morning he being in his bed was very much troubled in his minde at his crosses but yet meditating and in his thoughts trusting in the Lord for supplie he fell into a trance and saw the following Visions and when he came to himself again being unaccustomed with such things he was much troubled at it and arising in haste told his wife thereof and immediately went forth to several of his friends Ministers and others and related what he had seen to them desiring them to give him their judgement there upon for he was afraid that his Visions did onely predict some misfortune to himself and when some of them told him they could not give him the Interpretation or at least would not but that these were matters of higher concernment he was the more afraid to conceal the same so that then they became a burthen unto him At last he came to another friends house and told these things also there and as they were wondring at the strangeness of those Visions and could make no construction thereof Nor what they did signifie one being there present that hath a book of mine called A voyce from heaven to the Common-wealth of England and lent it to him And likewise derected him to me saying it was very likely that I could give him the right Interpretation of those things and after he had read some part thereof he came to my house and being in a kinde of extasie sate down and showed me the book and declared the cause of his coming and how he had been all that moruing in several places to have his Visions
receive the King in peace and if it be his blessed will that the Parliament and State would not bring utter ruine upon themselves and upon this distracted Nation Now after I had interpreted this bloudy Vision he was very well satisfied in his spirit and desired me to interpret the other Vision which he had within a quarter of an hour after the former but he said it never troubled him as the other did and I said it shall be also done for it may be there is more of comfort in that then there is of sorrow in this The Interpretation of the second Vision THen said I whereas you saw your self in a Field newly sown with Wheat That signifies that now there shall be a new Kingdom established again here in Brittain more glorious then ever was upon earth Jer. 33. 14 15. Isa. 44. 2 3 4. Psal. 126. 6. Matth. 3. 12. And whereas you saw a companie of milk white Doves upon that Field all in a round ring or circle The Ring or Circle signifies the endless everlasting and everstanding Court that shall be raised and established here again And the companie of milk white Doves signifies the spotless Nobles that have continued faithfull all this time Therefore both they and their seed shall Triumph gloriously in the Court for ever Isa. 66. 22. Psal. 84. 2 10. Psal. 65. 4. Song 2. 14. And whereas you saw one Dove alone in the middle of the Ring or Circle which did shine like the Sun in brightness by that Dove is signified the King who in due time will shine like the Sun over all the earth to answer the expectation of all Nations and fulfill the promise of our Lord Jesus so that Jews and Turks shall then acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the onely Saviour of Souls Psal. 68. 13. Psal. 24. â— 8 9 10. And after I had interpreted his Visions he called for Pen and Ink and wrote them and left them to my disposing but I desired him to get them fairely written and that I would get the Interpretations of them also fairely written and that he should carry them to the Lord General Cromwell and a Petition with them to shew his case and condition telling him that the General was a good man and would perhaps do something for him And then he was inclinable to take my counsel but two dayes after he came again to see me and brought his wife with him I propounded the same motion to him again saying that it was best for him to go with his Visions to the Lord General And he answered me saying That one Mr Wilde as he heard was then and had been a long time prisoner in Newgate for declaring a vision that he had seen and that if his Excellencie should send him to prison upon it both he his wife and children might come to starve by that means But said he I refer it to God and your disgression to publish it in due time according as God shall direct you Then I considered how I had prayed and that God sent the visions to him as a conduit to convey them to me and to answer my prayers and as a Talent for me to give an account off therefore I moved him no more to that purpose And the man presently after being much troubled in minde at his wants and crosses in the world went to Virginia with some friends of his to trie his Fortune there Now the reasons why I look upon these visions as an immediat warning from God to this Nation are these five following 1. Because he was not factious on any side or a seeker after new opinions but was well grounded in the true Christian Faith of the Church of England believing the truth of it and without dispute resting constantly in the same Faith that he was taught in at first and hence I do gather that he was beloved of God who shewed him those Visions 2. Because I saw that he had not a spirit of pride or revenge in him for although he lost all he had in these times for no cause but onely that he was peaceable yet did I never hear him speak a word against the Parliament or any other that had wronged him but contrarily sought for a place under any of them to get anywhere a poor honest living patiently waiting on God without any pride or thoughts of revenge 3. Because that after he had seen the Visions though he said to me that he was never so troubled before yet now had he no rest in his spirit untill he got a satisfactory Interpretation to them from me and then had perfect rest and peace in minde concerning the Visions 4. Because I saw it was the fruit of my prayers to God who since he called me to this his peculiar service never denied me any thing that was needfull for me to know and whereby to warn this Nation Therefore whatsoever others think of these Visions I shall look upon them as certain truths consonant to the Scriptures which suddenly will come to pass 5. Because that from the time I had these Visions thus left with me unto this present it hath been a great burthen to my spirit so that I finde it impossible for me to keep them in silence and have rest And although I had rather be a Jonah then a Jeremy in pronouncing of judgement and that England might become a Ninive and not a Jewry in matter of repentance Jonah 3. 4 10. Jer. 25. 8. Jer. 39. yet Gods decree must stand Isa. 46. 9 10 11 12 13. and the stout harted shall bow down to it ye stand upon your sword saith God And I will call for a sword against it throughout my mountains saith the Lord God every mans sword shall be against his brother Ezek. 33. 16. Ezek. 38. 21. Amos 5. 6. That all flesh may know that I the Lord have drawn my sword Ezek. 21. 5. Therefore be thou instructed Oh Jerusalem lest my Soul depart from thee lest I make thee desolate a Land not inhabited Jer. 6. 8. Now I have given you an account of these Visions to the intent that God might be glorified you profitted and my self eased of my burthen I shall endeavour to inform you further of what I see and discern in Scripture concerning this Nation but I shall direct my speech chiefly to those Gentlemen of the Representative now at West-minster and then to the rest of this Kingdom beseeching all of them to consider what I have said in my former books the one called A voice from heaven and the other An Eccho unto that voice and take special notice of the dates of those books and likewise how those sayings are come to pass since they were published and lay them to heart seriously and then consider that if I keep a clear conscience I must declare the truth Admonitions to all the People of this Kingdom but chiefly to those that have the power in their hands By ARISE EVANS MEn and brethren I beseech
opportunity to perform their desires And although Mr. Feack do affirm before his congregation that the General and Parliament as he calls it are yet in Babylon but he shall finde to his sorrow that they will inshort time obey the truth and come out of Babylon Therefore all ye of the Kings party give up your selves to God in prayer and serving of him with a holy and sober life not giving your selves to rayoting drinking swearing nor working of plots for the Children of this World are wiser in their generation then the Chilnren of God Luke 18. 8. and God would not have you to use any such wicked means whereby to establish your selves and get the glorie from him but rather to stand still wait and behold the salvation of God that ye may give him the glorie of your salvation And as for you that are Ministers pray and preach with fervencie of Spirit and by the power of the same Spirit laid down in the holy Scriptures glorifie God strengthen the hearts of the people in the Faith and thereby overcome your adversaries and glorie not so much as ye do in your vain Phylosophy Coloss. 2. 8. which by a faithfull Soul is of no more esteem in regard of the word of God in Scripture then chaff is in comparifon of Wheat Jerem. 23. 28. 2 Tim. 3. 14 15 16 17. And I dare affirm that a sincere plain man with his meditating and studying the Scriptures onely and conversing with the like shall attain to a more excellent power to maintain his Doctrine then many of you have so that for all your learning if ye be not so expert in the Scripture as he is he will overthrow you Therefore if ye expect the blessing of restoration Matth. 17. 11. Mark 9. 12. Acts 3. 20. 21. leave your luke-warmness and be more diligent in searching the Scriptures and in preaching them lift up your voice like a Trumpet Isai 58. 1. and 64. 1. to rouse the people out of their slumbering sins to be fervent in prayer that the Lord would rent the heavens and come down to deliver his people from the hands of their oppressours that we may praise him with songs of deliverance What is the reason that the Bride-groom doth not come Matth. 25. 5 6 7 8 9 10. Is it not because the Bride doth not make her self ready to receive him what is the reason that some of you count me a Blasphemer in what I say concerning King Charl Is it not your ignorance of the Scriptures Matth. 22. 29. What is the reason that though ye have the truth on your side yet ye are not able to incounter in Dispute either with the plain Countrey-men or Mechanicks or Heriticks of these times Is it not because of your ignorance of the Scriptures and Luke-warmness for ye onely desire to know them but afar off Ah this negligence will never make us happy ye shame your selves that Childe which neither by prosperity nor adversity will be brought home to his Father is a lost Childe Consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things 2 Tim. 2. 7. If ye be the servants of Christ your word should be a word of power such as all your enemies could not be able to gain-say nor resist Luke 21. 15. Acts 6. 10. yea one of you should chase a thousand and too put ten thousand to flight Deut. 32. 30 31. if ye did but obey the voice of the Lord I must needs confess I speak these things unto you with grief of heart for seeing ye walking as men who have not the Spirit of courage and boldness as the Apostles had in adversitie Acts 4. 13 19. Acts 5. 28 29 30 31. I doubt very much what will become of you whether God will not cast you off and put into the Ministry men according to his own heart that will serve him with more diligence and fervency with greater boldness and courage not fearing the faces of men though persecutours I do not thus speak to all the Ministers but to the proud envious ignorant and negligent that will neither do the work of God themselves nor allow of such as do it for many of this sort I know there beâ— and some of them have come to cavell with me and to despise me because God hath made me more bold then they in delaring the Truth But suppose now that a man should meet one of our great Officers walking in the fields having a new scarlet Cloak and enter into discourse with him if the man in the midst of their discourse should snatch the Cloak off his back and rent it into twelve pieces and give him ten pieces of it again saying the Lord will divide the Army and give you ten parts thereof ye shall prevail would not such kind of Ministers as you condemn this man for his so bold an act Yet he might be a Prophet of God therein the thing come to pass as truly now as it did when such a thing was done by the Prophet Ahijah 1 Kings 11. 28 29 30 31. but these men are miserable comforters Again I finde a contrary spirit not onely in the Ministers but in the generality of the Kings party also some do suppose that it is impossible for the King to come in because say they these men now in power are so strong and mighty speaking as if they were the Sons of Anack by their account Numb. 13. 27 28 29 30 31 32 33. Others there be of Calebs spirit Numb. 14. 24. who speak comfortable words to the people and declare the hopefull things which they conceive surely God is well pleased with these and they shall injoy their desires But for the other let them take heed as the Lord saith Numb. 14. 34. Least they shall know my breach of promise And if our adversaries had regard to the works of the Lord against them they might see what is become of the most eminent of them that rose against the King How fell Essex Brook Hampden Hotham and his Son how fell Hurry Poyer Waller Brown Massey and Love yea Fairfax and Bradshow are falling how did all the Presbyterians sall out of the sadel whereis the five treacherous Members that withstood the late King at first It is true one yet remaineth to drink the dregs of his fellows cup Where is the great Ministers that preached the people into tumults and rebellion Do they not stink now in the Nostrils of those whom they preach'd up How is their glorious Parliament as it were sunk quick to Hell How hath Scotland and their great ones there been punished for their rising against the King as a just reward of their folly for of all men living they should never have done so how did the immediate hand of God appear against Marleborough it being one of the first Towns that arose in England and made them a wooden God to mock the King How is Coronet Joyce that first laid hands on
put the late King to death So it is evident that this little horn is not a king but a State that completeth the wickedness of the State of Rome and fourth Beast Good Reader take heed therefore of this Aspinwall and all such for this is not only a matter of life and death but also of salvation and damnation of souls and know for a certain that he either understandeth not or wresteth the Scriptures as you see apparent by what hath been already spoken so that he is both deceived and deceiveth others making them serve his turn in speaking for the present time be it never so wicked Now M. Aspinwall I hope you see it is clear that you have said a wrong foundation for your Fabrick or fist Monarchy in applying those Texts to K. Charls which doth further appear Dan. 7. 24. He shall subdue three Kings and this He you say is K. Charls How did K. Charls subdue three Kings Did he ever take any Kingdoms from any It is true by Birth he was Heir to three Kingdoms and did enjoy them to the great happiness of his subjects until that unreasonable Beast Parliament violently and unjustly did wear out his people took his three Kingdoms from him and his life too And did not that Beast Parliament v. 25. Change Times and Laws And was not that Beast Parliament destroyed April 22. 1653. as ye have it v. 11 And though that Beast Parliament be destroyed in part that is as they were a Body consisting of so many men yet the Parliament men being in Gods account every one of them a Beast by himself and are called Beasts v. 12. who though their Dominion be taken away from them at the time of their dissolution yet have they their lives prolonged for a season and time fit to call them to a further account and total destruction as ye have it v. 26. Again M. Aspinwall you may clearly see your error That K. Charls was not the little horn neither are the Kings of Europe those Beasts who had their Dominion taken away when K. Charls died For where is any of those seven Kings whereof you speak that have lost their Dominion But it is evident to all That the Parliament was that Beast or little horn and that the Parliament men are those Beasts who lost their Dominion when the Parliament was destroyed Further By this also the little horn appeareth to be the last Parliament The little horn had eys and a mouth speaking great things and looked more stout then his fellows v. 8. 20. Is not the eys their knowledge by which the late Parliament pretended to see more from Scripture then any other before them So that in their own conceits they were both wiser and stouter then any former Parliament That their mouth and Votes spake great and monstrous things even such as were never heard of before in any Heathenish Assembly of State so that all Christians yea I am confident some of themselves do now abhor the wickedness that proceeded from them 1 Sam. 24. 13. And as concerning the ten horns or kings there is no judgement to come upon any of them all but only three of them namely England Scotland and Ireland for they suffer very much and according to their sufferings they shall be exalted again to reigne with their King in glory Dan. 7. 27. For as you have it v 9 10 13 14. 18. 22. By the Ancient of days there is signified Jesus Christ and by the Son of man is signified K. Charls who in regard the Lord Jesus found him faithful to the death for the maintenance of his Laws in Church and State will make him Ruler according to the promise Luke 12. 42 43 44. over all that he hath So that this Charls Stuart thus being found so just a Steward whom Aspinwall doth vilifie is indeed that wise and faithful Steward whose seed shall rule all that the Lord Jesus hath for ever and is the most High on earth Dan. 7. 25. 27. and Prince of the Host or Prince of Princes Dan. 8. 9 10 11. 25. who under Jesus Christ is the only father and begetter of the fift Monarchy and his seed shall be chief in it for ever And the Laws of England both for Church and State as it was established in his time for the maintenance of which Laws he died even that Law shall go over all the earth and shall be the law of the fift Monarchy for ever And to make it yet more clear the little horn in Dan. 7. 8. is that Beast Rev. 13. 1. that hath its ten horns also as is evident by the mark in its mouth For as the little horn had a mouth speaking great things 1 Dan. 7. 8. 20. 25. so the Beast in Rev. 13. 5 6. hath a mouth speaking great things Again the late Parliament in Scripture is called by divers names somtimes it is called the little horn Dan. 7. 8. 20. somtimes the Beast Dan. 7. 12. Rev. 13. 1. and somtimes the Whore Rev. 17. 15 16. in regard of its unfaithfulness and trechery to their King Head Father and Husband of the Kingdom And as the Beast or Where was to be destroyed with its own ten horns Rev. 17. 16. so the Beast Parliament was destroyed April 22. 1653. by the now Lord General and about ten of those horns that afore defended them for the Beast was to be destroyed without hands only by the spirit of his mouth Dan. 8. 25. Dan. 11. 20. 2 Thes. 2 8. So that Beast Parliament a raiser of Taxes was destroyed without anger without battel without hands only by the Word from the Generals mouth Whereby it is evident to all who are not wilfully blind that the late Parliament was this little horn or Beast expressed in the former cited Scriptures But as concerning K. Charls himself there was much anger and after many battels fought against him he and his followers had many hands laid upon them and then according to the Word Rev. 20 4. they had their heads cut off because they would not worship and submit to that Beast Parliament And see how the holy Spirit long before takes notice of the Nature and Cowardlyness of this Beast who as before saith of them That they should be destroyed without hands that is without so much as one Box of the ear much less then to have a sword drawn against them And yet saith that this Beast should have its deadly wound by a sword Rev. 13. 3. 14. so that but only ten of their servants came into the House and spake to them not in anger the very thought of a Sword struck them all dead so that they who about nine of the Clock came into the House looking upon themselves to be the greatest Princes in Europe before eleven went out baser then the basest of all the people insomuch that the very Boys in the streets and the most vulgar sort of people did hiss and hoot at them as at the
the late Bishop of Canterbury was the same man for the number of his name as divers affirm that in all businesses which he subscribed he wrote only thus Will Laud And I find the number of this name VVILL LaVD to be 666. for the numeral letters are these and they be the very same that ye have in the other names before DLL 600. LVV 60. VI 6. so that in all they come to 666. But if we take notice of the name of this man of God as it is at large we shall find another mysterie therein For I find the number of this name VVILLIaM LaVD to be 1667. And the numeral letters are these M 1000. DLL 600. LVV 60. VII7 so that in all they come to 1667. and that is the yeer of rest for before it be Anno Dom. 1667. most of the world yea and Rome it self will acknowledge their error see the truth and submit to William Lauds rule in form of worship doctrine and discipline as the only way to salvation the most decent and agreeable to Gods word being without doubt the true way whereby to worship God long before preordained of God to abide for the direction of men for ever and ever which Rule was given in King Edw. 6. his days preserved and refined in Queen Elizabeth and King James their days sealed and perfected to the glory of Jesus Christ with the blood of his noble mattyrs chiefty of King Charls and Bishop William Laud who as the Scripture saith Heb. 11. 35. would not accept of deliverance when he was offered by the Parliament to go into New England with M. Peters but he chose rather to die that he might obtain a better Resurrection Therefore to conclude I say that the Book of Common Prayer as it was established in the Church of England is the only true way whereby to worship God as I have sufficiently proved by the Scripture in my Book called A Voice from Heaven and in my other Book called An Eccho to that Voice from Heaven written in the yeers 1651. and 1652. And as for your vain jangling God hath not any delight in it 1 Tim. 1. 6. 2 Tim. Titus 3. 9. for the coming neer unto God with the mouth and the worshipping of God according to the Commandments of private men is a vain thing Mat. 15. 5 6 7 8 9. that is when they command that every one may do in the worship of God what seemeth right in his own eyes Judg 17. 5 6. and 21 25. as Israel did when they had no King But the event of such a State was destructive to them as you may read and see Judg. 19. and 30. and 21. But for the Kings Command it is said Eccles. 1. 2. I charge thee to keep the Kings commandment and that in regard of the Oath of God thou hast sworn to obey him Again it s said Prov. 16. 10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the King his mouth erreth not in judgement Thus a true Christian King is endued with an infallible judgement and so is the sentences of K. Charls his mouth To this King the Apostle commands obedience in all things 1 Pet. 2 13 14. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supreme or unto Governours as them that are sent by him For the Apostle foresaw by the Scripture Zach. 14. 2. Zeph. 3. 9. That the Lord would hold forth at last a King whose Laws in all things should be right of this you have more at large in my fore mentioned Books for there is no right nor peace to be had but where there is a King of righteousnes and a King of Peace That is when the King Comes in by the right way being the right Heir And though the title King be given by the Scripture somtimes to Usurpers set up by the peoples power and by money which is but a molten Calf God owns them not but calls them their Idols for saith he Hos. 8 4 5 6. They have set up Kings but not by me they have made Princes and I knew it not of their silver and their gold have they made them Idols that they may be cut off Thy Calf O Samaria c. And again saith he Eze. 43. 9. Let them put away their whordoms and the Carcasses of their Kings far from me and of such Kings he speaks Rev. 17 12 13 14 15 16 17. as you shall find it made Cleare at large in the postscript of my book called A Voice from Heaven And of such Kings the Lord saith that they had set their thresholds by his thresholds their post by his post Ezek. 43 8. for the Lord had a post by which his Kings of the seed of David stood 2 Kin. 11. 14. Ezek. 46. 2. according to Gods command it seems the usurping Idolatrous kings set up by the people presum'd to come there as our great Ones presume now to bury their friends in the Royal sepulchers at Westminster where none but the Kings Family was wont to be buried yet certainly their carcasses shall be removed as the Lord hath spoken Eze. 43 7 8 9. But the true King that cometh to judge the wicked ones is called the glory of the God of Israel that is the glory of Jesus Christ for he is the God of Israel And if we compare Scripture with Scripture we shall find it so for you shall fine Ezek. 43 1 2. That the King coming form the Eaâ—t with his Train and Armie is called the glory of the God of Israel and v. 3. he saith it was like the glory that he saw when he came to destroy the Citie That is like Nebachadnezzars coming in the head of his Army to destroy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and v. 5. he saith that the glory of the Lord filled the house v. 6. he tels us that this glory spake to him and it a man saith he the man stood by me and he said unto me c. v. 7 8. he tels you what this glorious king said to make it yet more clear observe v. 4. that this glory came into the house at the east gate And compare it with Eze. 44 1 2 3. and you shall find that the East gate must be shut that none must com in or out by that gate but the king Here M Aspinwall may see that the true Kings set up of God may come to the post and the threshold of that gate as their own place Ezek. 46 2 2 Chron. 23. 13. and that the usurping Kings set up by the people and called their Kings must be put away Ezek 43 9. And though Saul who indeed was the Lords Anointed 1 Sam. 24 6. 1 Sam. 8 4 5. 1 Sam. 12 13. 1 Sam. 13 13 14. yet for that the first moving cause for him was from the people his heart was not real to God Therefore Saul relying so much upon them tâ—â—â—ease the people disobeyed the command of God