few mens hands to beggar the whole these take towls and customs of their brethren p. 14. Why may not the Soldiers pull the Judges out of Westminster Hall and take all their rusty Records Laws c. And make a fire on them That so we may have honest godly Laws according to the Scriptures and reason In the preface to the 8 last Sermons of Mr. Tillinghast who was much for the Fifth-Monarchy are these words Let none take offence at this language for I cannot forbear vilifying the Kingdoms of the fourth Beast when my thoughts are upon the magnifying of the Kingdom power and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. And if the Virgin daughter of Sion without any disparagement to her holy modesty might of old be allowed by God himself to dispise the great King of Assyria and to laugh him to scorn I know no reason to the contrary but one of the Lambs followers may without breach of rule in an holy triumph of faith express contempt of the Kings of the Earth who are all of them the lovers of the Mother of Harlots and Abomination of the Earth In the first Sermon p. 2. Of the third edition 1659. Mr. Tillinghast saith Davids Kingdom was a type of Christs Kingdom and indeed whereas this Kingdom here Jerem. 33. 20 21. Promised is shadowed forth by that of David it doth hold thus much that the Kingdom is not only a spiritual Kingdom but an outward visible Kingdom for such a throne and Kingdom Davids was p. 14. Yet the woman hath not had her day upon the Serpent but there is a time wherein the woman must have a day upon the Serpent to break his head therefore there is such a Kingdom wherein the Saints of Jesus Christ shall crush all the enemies of Jesus Christ in the world p. 39. The Devil plays his game thus in the new Testament times he made men to look for an outward Kingdom only when Christ was about to set up a spiritual Kingdom now that Christ would set up an outward Kingdom saith the Devil look only to the spiritual Kingdom p. 41. Gods Peoples faith is not grounded on fancies but they see and know that God is doing some glorious thing in the world he is overturning Kingdoms and setting up the Kingdom of his Son Serm. 3. p. 57. He conceives The work of Christs visible Kingdom over the world the work of the present time one great article of our faith the work that God doth call his Children to at this day and he calls upon them from Heaven to attend to that they are to expect it before Christ come forth bring his Kingdom with him p. 60 61. He distinguisheth in Christs visible Kingdom between the Kingdom of the Stone and of the Mountain this he calls the Kingdom of glory wherein the Saints shall not work but receive that the working Kingdom of the Saints wherein Saints are by the Lord imployed to do some notable service against his coming which is the breaking down the great Image the bringing down all his enemies that when he comes he may find them his footstool for he is to fit at the Fathers right hand until all his enemies be made his footstool it 's a Kingdom wherein Plow-shaers are to be beaten into Swords there shall be wonderful use of Swords Weapons of War out of Daniel 12. 12 13. He gathers the beginning of each of these p. 62. Truly I look upon it as being a main and principal part of that faith once delivered to the Saints as touching the fifth Kingdom p. 63. Though this Stone fundamentally is Christ himself yet considered as smiting the great Image it can be no other but Christ mystical Christ in his members and the cutting out of this Stone cannot be meant as some would have it of Christs first coming p. 65. Now if it can be made appear that that with which the fifth Kingdom doth begin the work of the great Image the over-turning the Thrones of the Kings is to be performed by the Saints as chief instruments in the management of it then it follows of necessity there must be such a thing as the Civil and Military power to be in the hands of the Saints and that before the day of Christs appearance they must have this power in their hands for the performance of that work and if so then it 's not evil for the Saints and People of God to seek for it to pray for it to plead for it for it 's to come into their hands for the doing of their work before the day of Christs appearance And then endeavours to prove that this work with which the fifth Kingdom doth begin is a work to be performed by Saints as the chief and principal instruments in the doing of it p. 74. There 's the coming forth of Christ when his enemies by his Saints are made his footstool p. 79. He gives some figues that this work is near at hand and p. 82. He makes this to be a general sign that never was there a principle that did run so much among the Churches of Christ as this hath done within these twelve months I have set down the words of those persons that I shall oppose in their positions that I may not be thought to impose upon them Out of them it is manifest that they assert that all the powers not only Ecclesiastical but also Civil and Military of the Nations even the Protestant as well as the Turkish and Romish Kingdoms are Antichristian and all their Laws Officers Schools Corporations Titles Priviledges Degrees and ranks of men in their politick and military as well as Ecclesiastical state Babylonish from the fourth Monarchy that those that they call publick spirited Saints of this age distinct from Notional professors and formally Godly are to hate separate from them deny any assistance to them rise up against them to destroy them utterly to smite them in order to the setting up a fifth Monarchy of Christ's visible Kingdom on earth that the Saints may be a free Common-wealth of themselves subject to no Laws but Christ's and free from all oppressions of men § 3. The Doctrine of smiting Powers is proved from Scripture Precepts to be Wicked THis Doctrine is damnable and Antichristian as is proved by these Arguments following whereof the first is taken from those Precepts of the New Testament and the Old which forbid such disobedience vilifying refusing assistance smiting of Powers over us Dignities Officers but command Honour Obedience Assistance Fear to Powers Dignities and their Laws and may be thus formed That Doctrine is damnable and Antichristian which commendeth and urgeth Practises and Actions contrary to the Precepts of Christ his holy Apostles and other holy men in the holy Scriptures This Proposition is of it self manifest unlesse that be not acknowledged damnable which is condemned by so holy persons nor Antichristian in a large sense which is flatly opposite to Christ's and his holy
Apostles expresse Doctrine But the Doctrine which commendeth and urgeth such disobedience vilifying refusing assistance smiting of Powers as the words of the fore-cited Authors called usually Fifth-Monarchy-men do is contrary to the Precepts of Christ his holy Apostles and other holy men in the holy Scriptures Therefore that Doctrine is damnable and Antichristian The minor is proved from those Precepts which expresly command Subjection Fear Honour Assistence to them Whereof the first is that of our Saviour Matth. 22. 21. Mark 12. 18. Luke 20. 27. Where our Lord Christ being by the Disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians posed with this Captious question tending to intangle him in his talk Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not After the shewing of tribute money and the acknowledgment that it had Caesars Image and inscription our Lord Christ thence inferring that it was due to him whose Image and inscription it bare resolves them that they were to render to Caesar the things that were Caesars to wit Tribute Honour and that Subjection which was then given to him as Emperor Now it is known that the Emperor or Caesar then reigning was Tiberius Caesar Luke 3. 1. Who came to the Empire by wicked practises and not only led a most vitious and wicked life in uncleanness and Irreligion but also was a bloody oppressor of the Senate and people of Rome as may be seen in Tacitus his Annals Suetonius in the relation of his life and other Historians Therefore the Doctrine that teacheth disobedience denying of Tribute Honours Subjection to Kings and Princes as being Oppressors Enemies to Christ that urgeth hatred smiting of them is contrary to Christs precept which requires Tribute Honours and Subjection to be given them though by wicked waies obtaining Empire and most wickedly ruling and putting Christ himself to death The next text is that full and plain precept of the Apostle Paul Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Where St. Paul requires of every Soul therefore of the most inlightned Saints to be subject to the Higher or Supreme Powers who are termed v. 3. Rulers or Princes such as bear the Sword v. 4. Therefore Civil Magistrates who had power of punishing even with death who were revengers unto wrath upon him that doth evil and might praise them that did well therefore they were the Persons who had rule who are meant by powers for such actions are only of Persons it is not said the powers that should be but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the powers that are in being though by evil means attaining it and be that beareth the Sword not he only that ought to bear the Sword but he that hath it in Possession though perhaps not rightly acquired nor is it said every soul is to be Subject to the powers that are such as they should be but which are nor to be good Rulers only but Rulers nor he that useth or beareth it aright but he that beareth the Sword unto these the Apostle requireth Subjection of necessity v. 5. And that necessity he explaineth to be not only because they can inflict wrath or punishment as is expressed v. 4. But also for conscience sake that is as St. Peter speaks 1 Pet. 2. 19. For conscience towards God out of regard to Gods Ordinance v. 1 2. Who by his Providence for mans good sets up and disposeth of those powers and also commandeth them to be owned as by his appointment for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies precept as well as Providence like as compound Nouns of the same theme do 1 Cor. 9. 14 Heb. 11. 23. c. And to these Powers or Rulers the Apostle supposeth the paying of Tribute as the constant use of Christians that then were and that of right for they were Gods Ministers or servants attending continually unto this self same thing that is their Good v. 4. And therefore due to them as wages for their service to them and wages that God assignes them as being his servants in keeping Peace Order righteousness among men instead of God who claims this to be his Office and Substitutes Civil Rulers to do it for him and to receive their Tributes and Customs as his receivers And therefore the Apostle requires v. 7. Christians to render to all their dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custome or toll to whom Custome is due Fear to whom Fear belongeth Honour to whom Honour appertains whom the series of the context plainly shewes to be the Higher Powers Rulers that bear the Sword which can be meant of no other than Civil Magistrates and Governours such as Emperors Kings Senates and Officers which either make or execuse Lawes belonging to the Civil state Now sure if Subjection Tribute or Poll-mony Custome or Toll for Commodities Imported or Exported Fear or Reverence of their Persons and Authority and Honour in respect of their preeminence and dignity be to be given to them then it is contrary to the Apostles Doctrine to teach disobedience contempt withdrawing assistence from them The reasons which the Apostle gives of Subjection to Powers are also of much importance for the Confirmation of the Obligation that lies on Christians to yield them Obedience Tribute Fear of offending them and Honour of their Persons and place 1. because they are Powers now if there be no Subjection they are not powers 2. They are Higher Supreme or Excelling power therefore those over whom they are are to be Subject to them or Ordered under them or else they Usurp anothers place 3. They are of God and what is of God should be owned not opposed 4. They are Ordained or Ordered of God both by his wise Providence disposing of such imparity that there may be good order in humane society if all were equals nothing sooner bringing confusion and hindering common good as is apparent in Armies from whence that word we translate Ordained seems to be taken all right order requiring first and last highest and lowest without which no useful frame either artificial or natural can be erected or made and also by his holy and just command which requires superiors in place and power to be Honoured Feared Assisted and served by inferiors 5. Hence the Apostle infers that resistence of them is resisting of Gods Ordinance therefore it must needs be a great sin not only to destroy them smite them but also to withstand their power or by contempt or subtraction of due aid or subsidie to weaken them or to provoke them to anger because it is contending against God 6. The Apostle upon the same reason denounceth Damnation or Judgment from God on them that do resist For as it is the Ordinance of God that is resisted so is it the Judgment or Damnation of God which is threatned to be inflicted in which respect as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Jugment is used Rom. 3. 8. without mentioning God so it is expressed Rom. 2. 2 3. with mentioning of him 7. Subjection is further urged
lib. 1. c. 6. I rest on that on which after Chrysostom Cajetan Isidor Clarius Aretius Mountagu Gataker and Heinsius Exercit Sacr lib. 5. c. 13. pitch that by reason of the confusion that then was in the Government the High Priests then not succeeding according to the Law of God in the Family of Aaron nor continuing during life but by bribes and evil arts being promoted and removed by the Kings and Governors at pleasure insomuch that as Heinsius speaks it is manifest there was then such Anarchy that dâ—ily as it were they were and were not High Priests Besides Paul's long absence from Jerusalem his unacquaintance with affairs there especially in the government of the Temple and Council of the Jews the place manner of sitting habit not distinguishing him from the rest it may well be conceived that he did not then distinctly know Ananias to be the High Priest nor perhaps one of the Council regularly constituted though it be said v. 1. He earnestly beheld the Council And it to me seems the more likely that he did not perceive him to be High Priest because he directs his speech to them with the same compellations as he did Acts 22. 1. under the titles of Men and Brethren without distinguishing him from the rest or any respective speech to them as a regular Court of justice but as a company gathered together by the chief Captain to accuse and examine him not to judge him Which is the more likely by reason of what he did v. 6. in bespeaking them under the title of Men Brethren and perceiving them to be of different parties he used art to set them at variance and to break up the Assembly in a confused manner which he would not have done had it been a Court legally set However we determin of St. Pauls knowledge of Ananias it is clear that he doth not impute his speech v. 3. to Prophetick liberty as Grotius imagines when he saith in his Annot. on Acts 23. 3. utitur jure Prophetae nor justify it but corrects it and imputes it to his ignorance and adds the command of the Law Exod. 22. 28. For it is written thou shalt not speak evil of the Ruler of thy people following therein the Greek version the whole verse being Thou shalt not revile the Gods that is as is conceived Judges or God nor curse the Ruler of thy People Which being alledged by St. Paul as in force and applyed to himself as thereby condemning his speech of opprobrious and threatning language if it were not excused by his ignorance doth plainly prove that a Ruler of the People though an Ecclesiastick and climbing to the place by indirect means unrighteously judging opposing the truth the Kingdom and Apostle of Christ yet should not be reviled or with menaces terrified or cursed but being in the possession of a Rulers place be regarded in words and actions as a Ruler To which I shall add some more passages of the old Testament St. Pauls allegation of this shewing that they are moral and still binding Christians Eccl. 10. 20. Curse not the King no not in thy thought or conscience and curse not the rich in thy Bed-chamber for a bird of the ayr shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter Eccles. 8. 2. I counsel thee to keep the Kings commandment and that in regard of the Oath of God Out of all which I conclude that the minor of my argument is sufficiently proved that the Doctrine which commendeth and urgeth such disobedience vilifying refusing assistance smiting of Powers whether Civil or Ecclesiastical or military as thâ— words cited by me do is contrary to the Precepts of Christ his holy Apostles and other holy men in the holy Scriptures and consequently damnable and Antichristian § 4. The Exceptions of Fifth-monarchy-men and others against the first Argument are refelled AGainst this Argument which overthrows also the Doctrines of Jesuited Pontificians and other opposers deposers and smiters of Kings and other Rulers there are sundry exceptions taken One exception is that those Precepts were for that time when the Christians were unable to resist But this is prevented by the Apostles words Rom. 13. 5. Ye must needs be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience sake Another that these Precepts tie us to submit to these Rulers and not to resist them till they cease to be Rulers which they do when excommunicate deprived by the Pope But if the Pope be comprehended under every soul as Chrysostom conceived even the Apostles were then the Pope himself is to be subject to Rulers and consequently cannot depose them nor hath the Scripture given this power to the Pope or Man to depose them it being God's prerogative as is said Psal. 75. 7. God is the Judge he putteth down one and setteth up another Another evasion is that subjection is required to Rulers while they are a terror to evil works not to good but not when they oppresse are enemies to Gods People Christ's Kingdom then they cease to be Rulers but this is prevented by the Apostle who saith the Powers that be are ordained of God and therefore to them as they are subjection is to be given and resistence is forbidden by S. Paul But the chief exception is that which p. 51 of the Banner displayd is in these words Now then we say that called the Ordinance of God proves the Ordinance of the Devil and though the Powers of the great Image might be taken for the Ordinance of God so long as they kept their pure civil and unmixed state so saith Paul the Powers that be i. e. the Civil Powers of old Rome tho a bloudy Persecutor and devourer of the Creation and God's Heritage are ordained of God yet when the Power of Rome adulterated from its pure civil state and becomes a mixt Antichristian state the Beast and a Whore then it is said of that beastly Antichristian Power that the Dragon or Satan gave him his power and his seat and great Authority and what then is this save the Ordinance of Hell To which I reply If I understand them aright this is their meaning that the powers of the great Image that is the Kings Emperors and Rulers of the world then ceased to be Gods Ordinance and became the Ordinance of Hell when that was fulfilled which we read Revel 13. 2. which they take for granted was when the Empire of Rome or the ten Kings that arose out of the division of it did give their power and strength as it is Revel 17. 13. unto the beast mentioned v. 11. which it 's without doubt with them to be the Bishop of Romes pretended supremacy dominion Oecumenieal Vicarship by which Christian Religion was corrupted mixed with Paganish and Jewish rites and the ten Kings and their Kingdoms made dependent on the Pope And consequently subjection and assistance is not due to the Civil or Ecclesiastical or Military powers or Laws that now
Kingdom of God which is to be conceived the same with that Dan. 2. 44. is meant the Kingdom which was then among the Jews which was no other than the spiritual Kingdom of Christ and the Stone whose work is to grind to powder or dash to pieces which is to be conceived to be the same with the smiting and breaking Dan. 1. 34. 44. is that Stone which was rejected by the builders and should become the head of the Corner which is no other but Christ personal who was crucified by the Rulers of the Jews but raised up from death and set at Gods right hand and so became the Corner Stone of Gods spiritual House or Church as it is expresly expounded by Peter Acts. 4. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 6 7 8. And of him it is said that he shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself Philip. 3. 21. 6. It is supposed that this smiting work shall be by military Power or by fighting Whereas if the cutting of the Stone out of the Mountain be the setting up of the Kingdom it must be without hands Dan. 2. 34. 44 45. by the God of Heaven and therefore to be done some other way as Zech. 4. 6. The return of the Jews and their establishing in their Land under Zerubbabel should be not by might or Army nor by Power but by Gods spirit or as it is said Isai. 11. 4. Of Christ that he shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked By his Preaching or by his Angels or by his Creatures as by flaming fire he may smite as when it is said 2 Thes. 1. 7 8 9 10. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengence on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe And thus shall Gog and Magog be smitten Revel 20. 9. When they shall go up on the breadth of the Earth and compass the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved City fire shall come down from God out of Heaven and devour them By these and other means the Stone may smite the Feet of the great Image without swords and such like military weapons and fighting and that be fulfilled which is promised Psal. 2. 9. Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessels As he is described Revel 1. 16. That out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword so he warneth Revel 2. 16. Repent or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth Yea when it is promised v. 26 27. He that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the Nations And he shall Rule them with a Rod of Iron as the Vessels of a Potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of my Father It is to be understood of their prayers as Revel 6. 10. Revel 8. 4 5. Revel 11. 5 6. as James 5. 17. Revel 12. 11. Not of Arms and Armies he that reads Revel 16 and 19. Chapters wherein is foretold the destruction of the Beast and the false Prophet may see more reason to conceive that Christ will do it by Plagues as God did the Egyptians by Moses or some other invisible way without the Saints or if he use the Saints he will do it by their Prayers and Testimonie without other fighting And therefore if it were granted That that with which the fifth Kingdom doth begin the work of the great Image the overturning the Thrones of the Kings is to be performed by the Saints as chief instruments in the mannagement of it yet it is not true which Mr. Tillinghast saith in his 3. Sermon p. 65. Then it follows of necessity there must be such a thing as the Civil and Military Power to be in the hands of the Saints and that before the day of Christs appearance they must have this Power in their hands for the performance of that work So that notwithstanding this pretence it is evil and horribly wicked for them that have called themselves the Saints and People of God to seek for it to pray for it to plead for it as the Fifth Monarchy Men have done contrary to the plain precepts of Christ and his Apostles seeking for it by killing innocent men under pretence of praying to God and keeping fasts cursing their Governors and pleading by revilings and false accusations and most horrid pervertings of holy scripture and self magnifyings for a power not belonging to them 7. It is supposed that if the smiting work be to be done by men it must be by Saints in their Notion But there is no proof of this or rather the words of scripture do plainly tell us that the work is to be done by those Kings which they conceive they should destroy as Antichristian in order to the setting up of the Fifth Monarchy For thus we read Revel 17. 16 17. And the ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will and to agree and give their Kingdom unto the Beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled So that whereas these men imagin such an inconsistency with Gods purpose and glory to use the Kings and Governments which have supported the Whore of Babylon for her ruine and therefore incite men to such hatred and emnity against them and with much disdain stomack and bitter zeal not knowing what spirit they are of do vilify inveigh against and curse them and seek their total abolition glorying like frantick men in their own satanical spirit and designs they should rather endeavour to do such things as might make Princes favour them and hate the Whore and rather admire bless and magnify the Providence and work of God in using them as instruments to pull her down whose Predecessors out of their blind devotion set up the Whore and to protect the servants of God who were by their Ancestors destroyed 8. It is supposed that this smiting work is to be done by Gentile Saints who are such as they have characterized them But this hath no evidence to prove it For though I will not exclude the Gentile Saints from being meant Dan. 7. 18. 21 22 25 27. Yet it is very probable which Junius Piscator and others observe that by Saints in those places are specially meant the Jewish People
disclaim not only Ecclesiastical Rulers but also civil powers in order to their smiting work and also to smite them is damnable and Antichristian Nor can here the pretences of their being of the fourth Monarchy from Rome Oppressors Idolaters Antichristian salve the matter fith those Priests of the Jewes and Roman Governours to whom Christ yeiled Subjection were as bad and every way as obnoxious to their criminations of the present Governours as any now be Assuredly the present Governours in these Nations cannot be charged with such things as Pilate Caiaphas and the rest of those Governors to whom Christ was subject were chargable wth without extream impudence This argument is further confirmed from the examples of all the holy Apostles Martyrs and Confessors in the primative times of Christianity Instances might be given in James Peter Paul who doubtless could as easily have killed their persecutors as Ananias and Sapphira or strucken them blind as St. Paul did Elymas the Sorcerer yet submitted themselves to imprisonment pleaded their cause before Roman Rulers appealed to Caesar suffered even to death In the times following the Christians served under the persecuting Roman Emperors in their Wars and though they were in number many dispersedover their Empire and had Arms in their hands whereby they might in appearance have been able to have defended themselves against the violence of their persecutors yet they chose to suffer under the tyrannous Emperors that then were rather than to rise up against them to revenge themselves because their Christian profession did forbid them as Tertullian Apolog. c. 37. ad scapulam c. 2. Cyprian ad Demetr and others plead for them Out of these and other examples which might be produced we may argue thus That Doctrine which teacheth men to do contrary to the examples and profession of our Lord Christ Jesus his Apostles Martyrs Confessors Saints in the first and best ages of Christianity is damnable and Antichristian But such is the Doctrine of the Quinto-Monarchians concerning their smiting of civil powers as is manifest by comparing them therefore it is damnable and Antichristian § 8. More arguments are urged from censures and determinations in the New Testament A Fourth argument I deduce from those places of holy scripture which censure condemn and denounce woe unto those practises which the Doctrine of the Quinto-Monarchians incites men to and they magnify as the fruits of Gods Spirit The Apostle Peter 2 Epist. 2. 9 10 11. The Lord knowes how to deliver the Godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and dispise Government or Dominion presumptuous are they self-willed they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities whereas Angels which are greater in power and might bring not a railing accusation against them before the Lord. Which is seconded by St. Jude v. 8 9 10. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh despise Dominion and speak evil of dignities Yet Michael the Arch-Angel when contending with the Devil he disputed about the body of Moses durst not bring against him a railing accusation but said the Lord rebuke thee But these speak evil of the things they know not In which passages those holy Apostles rank the despisers of Dominion those that speak evil of dignities not among the Saints but amongst the most accursed reprobates though those Dominions and dignities were as bad as might be in respect of their personal qualities and actions yea the Arch-Angels example is brought in as not daring to bring against the Devil himself when there was a contention about Moses his body a railing accusation but referred it to the Lord to rebuke him teaching thereby that such terms as contain threatning contempt reproach of Governors and dignities are altogether unsuteable to Saints and such as they should not dare to utter though they contended with the Devil himself much less with men that are in Power and Authority much less to smite them and directing how to deal with them when they be injurious to wit to defer their cause to God for his suppression of them and threatning wo to the practisers of contempt of Dominion and speaking evil of dignities All which are contrary to the Doctrine of Quinto-Monarchians who revile dispise threaten them commend the smiting of them as the generation work promise rewards to them that do it Whence I infer that Doctrine which animates men to such practises as are damned by the holy Apostles St. Peter and St. Jude is damnable and Antichristian But such is the Doctrine of Quinto-Monarchians concerning their vilifying and smiting civil powers therefore it is damnable and Antichristian If any object our Saviours answer Luk. 13. 32. to some Pharisees who said to him get thee out and depart hence for Herod will kill thee bidding them go ye and tell that Fox behold I cast out Devils and I do cures to day and to morrow and the third day I shall be perfected I answer these words do not at all contain any vilifying of the Kingdoms of the fourth Beast or contempt of the Kings of the earth But a reproof of Herods evil qualities of craft and crueltie and a professed resolution of his going on in his work with undanted magnanimity till the time came of his laying down his life with a prediction that it should not be where Herod had jurisdiction but at Jerusalem As for that which we read Isai. 37. 22. This is the word of the Lord which he hath spoken concerning Sennacherib King of Assyria the Virgin the daughter of Sion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee it gives no allowance for one of the Lamb's followers to express contempt of the Kings of the earth though they were all of them as they are unjustly charged the lovers of the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth this being a breach of a plain rule in the New Testament requiring subjection to them and condemning contempt of them which is not in a holy triumph of faith but rather in a proud self magnifying or factious animosity not a deriding of their threats and Blasphemous desparaging of God as was that which the Prophet from God fore-told the Jews should do to a King that had no Authority over them but was an hostile Invader of them and by express warrant from God but a vilifying of the powers that are termed the Kingdom of the fourth Beast as opposite to the Kingdom power and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord though the Apostle Peter expressely bid Honour the King even then when the King was of the fourth Beast as they speak and opposite to the Kingdom power and glory of Christ Jesus The Prophet Isaiah never taught the Jewes to vilify Manasseh his Kingdom or Authority notwithstanding his reprehension of his wickedness and prediction of his calamity And in
like manner though preachers called to that Office may in a fit way shew Princes their sins and declare their danger Yet in no sort are they to vilify their Authority or contemn their persons Nor may men pretend the imitation of the holy Prophets boldness unless they can shew their commission and are endowed with their Spirit and power Nor may men who are but private persons take upon them to do as Christ did when he drove the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Which will be more fully proved by a fifth argument taken from some resolutions or determinations of our Lord Christ which condemn such attempts practises as the Quinto-Monarchians Doctrine animates to upon pretence of zeal for Christ and his Kingdom Luke 9. 54 55 56. When Christ was to go to Jerusalem he sent messengers before his face and they went and entered into a Village of the Samaritans to make ready for him And they did not receive him because his face was asthough he would go to Jerusalem and when his Desciples James and John saw this they said Lord wilt thou that we command fire to come down from Heaven and consume them even as Elias did But he turned and rebuked them and said ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of For the son of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them In which resolution our Saviour condemns the motion of James and John to have fire come down from Heaven to destroy the Samaritans for their not entertaining of Christ in imitation of Elias out of zeal for Christ because it was not out of the same Spirit that Elijah had nor agreeable to the end of Christs coming and his Gospel which were not to destroy mens lives but save them Now then the Doctine of Quinto-Monarchians which urgeth their smiting work which tends to the destroying of mens lives and not the saving of them out of a zeal as they conceive for Christ and his Kingdom though there be no other then a private or rather an haughty factious Spirit in them is contrary to Christs resolution and therefore indeed damnable and Antichristian Nor hath it indeed in Christ or his Apostles Doctrine or example any warrant but is an imitation of that pernicious use of the later Jewes which was taken up in a perverse imitation of Phinehas his act Numb 25. of Elias 1 Kings 18. 40. 2 Kings 1. 10. and some others out of zeal for their Law without Authority to destroy those things and persons which they judged contrary thereto as in the stoning of Stephen Act. 7. St. Paul Acts 14. 19. c. In which they were carried furiously and violently without any legal judicial proceeding hearing and sentence by Authorized Judges which caused so many seditions and such outrages as at last provoked the Romans to make a most horrid destruction of that people and ruin of that state To which the Quinto-Monarchians opinon and practise hath been too like and if not stayed would bring the like effect on Church and State with us The other determination is that of our Saviour in the case of Peters drawing his sword to rescue Christ in the garden from the Soldiers which came to take him and striking a servant of the High Priests and smiting off his ear which our Saviour disallowed bidding him to put up his sword again into his place for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword Matth. 26. 52. where our Lord who had bid them buy swords Luke 22. 36. a little before yet forbids the drawing of it and smiting off the ear of a servant of the High Priest though it were out of zeal for him it being against an Officer by a person without Authority declaring the evil consequence which would follow on such usage of it Now the Quinto-Monarchians smiting civil powers out of pretended zeal for Christs Kingdom without any authority in a furious heart of spirit is much more apparently contrary to Christs resolution in Peters case and therefore is censured justly to be damnable and Antichristian § 9. Quinto-Monarchians Doctrine of smiting civil powers urgeth to resisting of evil and self-revenging forbidden by Christ and his Apostles and to most horrid Murthers and great confusions A Sixth argument against the Doctrine of smiting civil powers in order to the setting up of the Fifth-Monarchy is taken from those texts of scripture which forbid resisting of evil and avenging our selves Our Lord Christ. Matth. 5. 38 39. reciting out of the Law of Moses words interpreted as allowing retaliation of wrongs with the like as those who threaten to others that they will give them as good as they bring he on the contrary tels his Disciples But I say unto you resist not evil But whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other also Which is not to be understood simply and absolutely as if that turning the cheek were to be done alwayes in the act it self But in a comparative sense rather than make a brawl or fight take further injury signified by the proverbial phrase of turning the check now if Christians be forbidden to fight when they are injured to recompense evil for evil then much more are they forbidden being private persons to whom the sword is not commited of their own accord to begin a War even with superiors and to proclaim it in order to procuring of good as the Quinto-Monarchians Doctrine moves Saints to Likewise St. Paul Rom. 12. 17. Recompense to no man evil for evil v. 19. Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it written vengeance is mine I will repay it saith the Lord v. 21. Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good 1 Peter 3. 9. Not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing But contrariwise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing When David had cut off Sauls skirt his heart smote him and he said unto his men the Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master the Lords annointed to stretch forth mine hand against him seeing he is the anointed of the Lord 1 Sam. 24. 5 6. The Lord judge between me and thee and the Lord avenge me of thee but mine hand shall not be upon thee As saith the Proverb of the Ancients Wickedness proceeedeth from the wicked but mine hand shall not be upon thee v. 12. 13. And David said to Abigail blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me and blessed be thy advice and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood and from avenging my self with mine own hand 1 Sam. 25. 32 33. Which shew that herein both in the old and new Testament holy persons agree that a King is not to be smitten though in hostility without cause by any of his Subjects though he were anointed to be King after him that revenge of
injury oppression or persecution though it extended to the slaying the Lords Priests to an endeavour to slay the annointed Captain of the Lords Host is not to be attempted by a private person or subject but to be referred to the Lord. Therefore the Doctrine of Quinto-Monarchians urging subjects and private persons to smite their superior civil powers and to avenge the supposed injuries and persecutions of Saints by their own hands is contrary to Christ's his Apostles and Davids determinations in the holy Scriptures and consequently damnable and Antichristian That which I find alledged for their practise is in these words The Banner of truth displayed p. 59. All the blood of Gods people is found in Babylon For they i. e. her civil powers Revel 16. 6 6. have shed the blood of the Saints and Prophets Rev. 17. 6. ch 18. 24. and 19. 1. Jer. 50. 14. now therefore God by way of recompence and retalliation hath ordained that the Saints shall be his instruments by which he will execute his vengeance upon the powers of the world who are all of them murtherers accordingly God commands his people and 't is their duty to obey to reward Babylon double as she rewarded them yea and double unto her all those plagues deaths and stripes that she hath inflicted on you Revel 18. 6. and they shall give her blood to drink and she shall be burnt with fire for strong is the Lord that judgeth her Wherein many things are taken as granted which are false and the whole if it were granted would be insufficient to acquit them from guilt of opposing Christs precepts in that way of recompence and retaliation which they incite to 1. That all the powers of the world are murtherers Which proposition contains such a crimination as God only is fit to charge them with if it were true sith he only knows all the powers of the world and is privy to all their thoughts designs and actions 2. That the civil powers of the world are Babylon or her civil powers Now Babylon is termed the great which shall become the habitation of Divels Rev. 18. 2. and I think it is undoubted with all sorts of Writers and intelligent persons that Babylon the great there meant is the same with the woman Rev. 17. 4. termed v. 1. The great whore upon whose forehead was a name written Mystery Babylon the great the mother of Hariots and abominations of the earth v. 5. which is interpreted v. 18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth Which commonly those who are acquainted with the Histories of the times in which St. John received his Revelation even Papists themselves do take to be Rome known to be the only City which sate on seven mountains as v. 9. is expressed and reigned then over the Kings of the earth But how all the powers of the world now in being or the Nations of Europe even the Protestant should be Babylon or her civil powers or as elsewhere they say the streets of that great City and Rome-Babylon is unintelligible to me Rome it self and that which is called the Patrimony of St. Peter and the territories in Italy now subject to the Pope may be termed Babylon and the Civil powers therein may be termed her Civil powers and perhaps all the territories subject to the Pope in Ecclefiastical affairs may be meant by the streets of the great City mentioned Revel 11. 8. because they yield subjection to the Roman Pope in spirituals But how the States which do reject the Pope's power in Temporals as the King of France or the Duke and Senate of Venice who stood out against Pope Paul the fifth when he interdicted them because they would not repeal their Laws or release their prisoners though Ecclesiasticks should be termed the civil powers of Rome-Babylon is not easie to be understood much less how the Kings of England Denmark Sweden and such other Protestant States Nations and Princes as have rejected the Popes jurisdiction and authority both in civil and Church matters and impose oaths of disclaiming the Popes supremacy in Spirituals and their authority in Temporals through their Dominions on their Subjects should be nevertheless the civil powers of Babylon and their Countries the streets of the great City Rome-Babylon is it conceiveable by me If the Predecessors of these did subject themselves to the Pope in former ages yet they are not therefore termed Babylon but Kings of the earth who commit fornication with her and give their power to her but neither of these can be said of those Princes though Successors to them who have abandoned the Popes errors and corruptions in Religion and his jurisdiction wholly 3. It is suggested that all the blood of Gods people is found in Babylon For they i. e. her civil powers Rev. 16. 6 7. have shed the blood of the Saints and Prophets Rev. 17. 6. ch 18. 24. and 19. 1. Jer. 50. 14. And it is true that Jer. 50. 14. it is said put your selves in array against Babylon round about all ye that bend the bow shoot at her spare no arrows for she hath sinned against the Lord. But this is not meant of Rome-Babylon nor of her civil powers but of Babylon in Chaldaea many thousand miles distant from Rome and long before these daies or St. Johns wasted And yet it is not said of that Babylon that it shed the blood of the Saints and Prophets though I deny not she is charged with the blood of the Inhabitants of Zion Jerusalem-Israel Jer. 51. 35. 49. It is rather charged on Jerusalem by Christ that she killed the Prophets and stoned them that were sent unto her that upon her might come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias Son of Barachias whom ye saith Christ slew between the Temple and the Altar Matth. 23. 34 35. 37. It is said Rev. 16. 4 5 6. And the third Angel poured out his vial upon the Rivers and Fountains of waters and they became blood And I heard the Angel of the waters say thou art righteous O Lord which wast art and shalt be because thou hast judged thus For they have shed the blood of Saints and Prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy And it is most probable though there be that conceive the Rivers and Fountains of water to have been the Cities and Provinces of the Roman Empire under the Pagan Emperors and that to them is ascribed the sheding of the blood here mentioned that this is meant of the Papal Empire sith it is the same which is charged on the woman Revel 17. 6. and Babylon Rev. 18. 24. who must be different from Rome Pagan by reason of the things said Rev. 17. 10 11 12. concerning the ten Kings which had then received no Kingdom when St. John received this Revelation but should receive power as
swords Spiritual and Temporal therein lifting himself above all that is caled God or is worshipped 2 Thes. 2. 4. It is true that it is said Heb. 1. 2. God hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things But this inheritance is either as he is the Son of God according to his divine nature or his inheritance at his exaltation into Heaven in that sense in which he is said to be made head over all things to or for the Church Ephes. 1. 22. which is to be understood in respect of that power over Angels and Men so far as concerns their Administation of all things for the welfare of his Church in neither of which are the Saints Heirs with him But in neither of these senses nor in any other sense or place of scripture is he said to be the Heir of the world so as that he should regain the rights and priviledges in respect of civil Government lost in Adam nor where Abraham is promised to be Heir of the world Rem 4. 13. is it meant in respect of the civil Government of the world but as the text shews that he should be Heir of the world that is the blessing of righteousness should be to Jewes and Gentiles throughout the world walking in the steps of his examplary faith whereby they become his seed 3. It asserteth that Saints regained the rights and priviledges in respect of Government in the second Adam or Lord from Heaven which is a false and a most arrogant presumptuous position For 1. If Christ have not regained it for them then they have not regained them in him But that Christ hath not regained it for them is already proved in overthrowing the second supposition therefore Saints have not regained in Christ the rights and priviledges in respect of Government civil 2. If Government civil were not lost in Adam then it is not regained in Christ but civil Government and natural were not lost in Adam as is before proved in this section therefore they were not regained in Christ. 3. If the rights and priviledges of civil Governments were not regained in Christ to the Apostles then they were not regained in Christ to any Saints For none had more regained for them by Christ than the Apostles nor any of the Saints excelled them if any can shew better charters or patents from Christ for such rights and priviledges then the Apostles let them shew them the holy scripture tells us that God hath set in the Church first Apostles 1 Cor. 13. 28. they are in the foundations Eph. 2. 20 Revel 21. 14. But that the Apostles had not the rights and priviledges in respect of civil Government on earth afore Christ's coming in the Clouds is proved before from Christs words Matth. 20. 25 26. from Rom. 13. 1. where every Soul even an Apostle saith Chrysostome is to be subject to the Higher Powers from St. Paul his acknowledgments and example of subjection from St. Peters precept and example Whence we account the Popes of Rome to have the forehead of and impudent Whore when they claim in St. Peters right the Universal Monarchy of the whole Church and superiority above Emperors and Kings and directly or indirectly in order to spirituals power to dispose of civil Governments to translate the Empire depose Princes give away Kingdoms command Emperors to make an expedition to the holy Land and many more things as if they were his right as successor to St. Peter to whom Christ promised the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven not of earth If this claim be justly as it is judged to be an Antichristian Babylonish usurpation it is by parity of reason More Antichristian and Babylonish for the Quinto-Monarchans to challenge the rights and priviledges in respect of Government to be gained to them under the name of Saints when they can shew no such donation from Christ or any act of acquisition whereby he obtained it for them or any conveyance of it to them or any Saints till Christs appearing The Apostles shall sit upon twelve Thrones judging the twelve Tribes of Israel but not till the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the Throne of his golory Matth. 19. 28. termed his Kingdom Luke 22. 30. The Saints shall Judge the world but not till the time come they shall Judge Angels 1 Cor. 6. 2 3. In the interim their condition is to be humbled under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt them in due time 1 Pet. 5. 6. James 4. 10. 4. If the portion of the Saints which is regained for them by Christ be in spiritual blessings in heavenly things and no where in temporal Dominion in this life then it is false that Saints regained the rights and priviledges in respect of Government in the second Adam or Lord from Heaven but the antecedent is true as appears by the many promises to them which assign spiritual blessings to them as their portion Where the Apostle Paul mentions the blessings given to the faithful in Christ Jesus he saith Ephes 1. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritural blessings in heavenly places or things in Christ and then recites them without mention of any earthly power or preferment In the new covenant set down Heb. 8. 10 11 12. Spiritual grace is promised but not earthly greatness and riches as in the old Where our Lord Christ Matth. 5. assignes blessedness to holy persons he placeth it in other things then the Kingdoms of this world He saith v. 5. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth but no where the Dominions of the earth The Apostle saith 1 Tim. 4. 8. Bodily exercise profiteth little or for a little time but godliness is profitable for all things or for every time having the promise of the life that now is and that which is to come But how to understand this our Saviour tells us Mark 10. 29 30. There is no man that hath left House or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake and the Gospels but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time Houses and Brethren and Sisters and Mothers which cannot be understood in the same kind but in that which is equivalent Children and Lands with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life We are Heirs with Christ but 't is If so be that we suffer with him that we may be glorified together Rom. 8. 17. Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the World or Life or Death or things present or things to come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor. 3. 23 24. But all are not theirs to dispose them or to rule over them they cannot dispose of life or death things to come nor have rule over Paul or Cephas But God doth order and dispose them for their
benefit in the event as it is said Rom. 8. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to purpose The Saints shall inherit all things but they must overcome first Revel 21. 7. By the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony not loving their lives unto the death Revel 12. 11. No where is there a promise of the rights and priviledges of civil Government to the Saints on earth 5. If the holy scripture makes it an ill character of a man and an accursed condition to have his treasure on earth his portion in this life his good things here to be his danger and an ill foreboding sign to be rich that the desire and care of these things intangle and insnare men choke the word of God that it becomes unfruitful then sure they have not regained the rights and priviledges in respect of Government in the second Adam But the former is true as is manifest in these Scriptures Matth. 6. 19 20 24 25. and 13. 22. Mark 10. 22 23 24. Psal. 17. 14. Luke 6. 24 25. and 16. 25. 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. therefore also the later and therefore we may more truly say that the men who make this claim do indeed unsaint themselves 6. If it be Gods design to have for the most part the holy Saints to be of the meanest sort then sure they have not regained the rights and priviledges in respect of civil government and possessions in this life But the former is true as appears by these Scriptures 1 Cor. 1. 26 27 28 29. You see your Calling Brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the things that are mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen and things which are not to bring to nought things which are that no flesh should glory in his presence Jam. 2. 5. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and Heirs of that Kingdom which God hath promised to them that love him Therefore the Saints regain not priviledges of government in this life If the Saints and Princes of this world are often distinguished then Saints as such have not regained the rights and priviledges in respect of government in this life But they are so distinguished 1 Cor. 2 6 8. Therefore the Consequent is right 8. If Saints receive that Kingdom which cannot be shaken then their interest is not in the Kingdoms of this world that come to nought 1 Cor. 2. 6. But the former is true Heb. 12. 28. Therefore also is the later 9. If Christ have made the Saints Kings and Priests to his Father not to men a royal Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ then that which Christ hath effected for the Saints is not the gaining of the rights and priviledges in respect of civil government But the former is true Rev. 1. 6. and 5. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 5. 9. therefore also the later is true 10. If the Saints be exceeded in wisdom and power fit for civil government by the men of this world then sure Christ did not regain for them the rights and priviledges in respect of civil government in this world For sure if he had gained the end he would have provided and ordered the means as is done by him in respect of the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven or eternal life But the antecedent is true as appears by our Saviours words Luk. 16. 8. the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light and all experience in all ages which shews how few of them are fit for managing of civil government therefore the rights and priviledges in respect of civil government in this life are not provided for them 11. If the rights and priviledges in respect of civil government were gained for the Saints then doubtlesse Christ would have directed them in the way and means to have attained them but that he hath no where done but left all Nations to their own constitutions and waies of government therefore Christ hath not gained for the Saints the right to civil government 12. If the rights and priviledges in respect of civil government were gained by Christ for the Saints then they that are not Saints are not Governors of right then no King is rightly a King no Master rightly a Master no Husband rightly a Husband or Father rightly a Father or Tutor rightly a Tutor but a Saint But this is false as hath been shewed abundantly before the Scripture acknowledging yea the Quinto-Monarchians themselves acknowledging even the powers that were the Emperors of Rome though bloudy Persecutors of the Saints the Ordinance of God therefore Government civil is not the Saints right and priviledge 13. If the Saints had regained by Christ the rights and priviledges in respect of Government then they had right to require Tribute and service of men and consequently what they impose is due to them and then they should not be guilty of unrighteousness theft purloining though they took from infidel masters or other unbelievers But the Scriptures make believers or Saints culpable for extortion theft purloining covetousness defrauding as well as others 1 Cor. 5. 11. Ephes. 4. 28. 1 Thes. 4. 6. 2 Thes. 3. 6. 10. 12 Tit. 2. 10. therefore they have not the rights and priviledges in respect of Government 14. If the Saints have regained the priviledges and rights in respect of civil government in Christ then either as Saints or under some other consideration if under some other consideration then it is not by reason of their sanctity or their interest in Christ if as Saints then all Saints have these rights of Government and if so a child that is a Saint a Wife a Servant over an infidel Father Husband Master which would invert all order and make voyd all the precepts of obeying Parents Ephes. 6. 1. submitting to Husbands Eph. 5. 22. obedience to Masters Eph. 6. 5. all which are grosly absurd making void the commandments of God for human traditions 15. If the Saints have the rights and priviledges in respect of government regained in Christ then either Saints by profession or real only not the former for such are hypocrites children of Hell more than others and therefore Christ hath purchased nothing for them by his death or intercession not the later for then rights and priviledges in respect of government should be a nemo scit a thing which no man can judge of but he who can search the heart and try the reigns but rights and priviledges in respect of Government are things necessary to be known that we may know to whom we are bound to be subject to pay tribute to address our selves to for justice and other ends and uses of Empire 16.