a Stranger to the continued ingagements which lye upon you But my great assurance of your Love and Zeal for our Lords Honour and Interest with your approved Wisdom and Meekness to manage this point in Controversie hath made me bold thus to presume upon you But I may say also as I humbly judge that you have some engagement upon you to hear and answer the humble desires of your Brethren for Light in the Mystical Visions of the Revelation and upon that ground also I was the rather emboldened to desire your Return upon the Paper I sent you and you have done like your self to make so sudden and large return to me Yours I have perused and on the behalf of our Lord and of Truth as I conceive I am emboldned to make some Reply in what I cannot receive I do say with great confidence that I believe your heart is one with mine to find out and advance our Lords Interest in truth and clearness but when we consider the Time and State we have been born educated and lived in we have cause to admire the riches of free grace which hath made us to differ from gross Idolaters and hath given us any Light and Faith to be Witnesses for Christ in any of his Mediatory Offices We I say who have had our Birth and Education under so great Antichristian darkness and bondage it is only of Free Grace that we are what we are Though some have a little more light then others in Divine Mysteries yet it may be said to those of highest attainments What have you that you have not received Therefore such as have most Light have not to boast in themselves or carry it proudly to their Brethren of lower Light and Faith in Generation Truths If I mistake not the opening of the seven-seald Book of Divine Mysteries speaks a gradual discovery of Light in Generation Truths and now the Generation Truth is Christ Kingly Authority Civil and Spiritual for the Bodies and Souls of his People or Saints in Covenant-relation unto him The Beast here doth not openly and professedly deny Christs Prophetical Office and the authority of Holy Scriptures nor the Priestly Office of Christ in the sufficiency of this Merit and Righteousness to the Justification and Salvation of Believers But the Kingly Office of Christ is only denyed in his Soveraignty over his People in things Ecclesiastical and Civil And this is the Generation-Truth now witnessed to and suffered for and in which or for which the Witnesses are Rev. 11. 7. slain by the Beast ascending out of the botomless pit in my understanding There are few real Professors at this day but in words they confess Christ's Royal Soveraignty over their Souls in Spirituall or Ecclesiastical things though they live not in practice up to that profession but there are very few who in Light Faith and Profession witness to Christs Royal Authority over the Saints Bodies Estates and Liberties in Civil or Temporal things here on Earth Note This Soveraign Authority I take to be actually seated also in Christ as Mediator by God the Father and is to be witnessed to now as a Generation-Truth Some dear Soules have judged me singular or alone in this opinion but I find it a Truth which is and will be more and more witnessed to as the Day of the Lord draweth on and the Vail of Antichristian darkness is removed and taken away Both this darkness and bondage of Antichrist was a Curse and Judgment 2 Thes 2. 10 11. upon Christian Professors from God for their earthliness and hypocrisie But it is promised That that wicked one shall be revealed discovered or made naked whom the Lord will 2 Thes 2. 8. consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming Although as yet the Beast Antichrist is not fully made manifest to the Lords People as he will be yet we have great cause to bless and praise God for what we see and thankfully accept our measures of present Light as earnests of what is promised and as evidences of our Lords appearing As our Lords right to Soveraign Rule in Civil things is now the great Question and Controversie amongst real believing Christian Professors it is our great duty to search the Scriptures therein and humbly to lye at Gods feet and beg for the teaching of the John 16. 13. Spirit of Truth to lead us into this truth also We are under the promise of the Last Times That many shall run to and fro Dan. 12. 4. and knowledge shall be increased And I hope that this our intercourse to communicate our present Light to each other in this great point in love and in meekness may tend greatly to bring us both to more perfect and distinct knowledge of Gods will in this Truth and the Truth into Victory In your Paper I humbly accept your grave and Christian Answers in case of male administration of a Lawful Power in many particulars but I must confess that I yet see it not proved from the Scriptures of Old or New Testament That the Heathen Roman Caesars were ever Magistrates Ordained by God to Rule and Govern his People before or after Christ was invested with his Mediatory Authority and then much Deut. 1. 9 13 14. 16. 18 19 c. Rom. 13. 1 2 3 c. 1 Pet 2. 13. 14. Josh 7. 9. less that the Civil Power of Antichrist was a Beam of Divine Soveraignty and the Ordinance of God to be submitted and subjected to by the Lords People for the Lords sake Magistracy or Polittical Government and Governors in Civil and Temporal things I own to be the Ordinance and appointment of God to Rule and Order his People according to his Law as Polittical Fathers to whom the Lords People in discharge of that Office and Trust do owe obedience and subjection to for the Lords sake and Conscience sake actively as of duty and passively when they transgress the Laws and Commands of God But that either the Heathen Emperors or Antichristian Kings were called by God to this Office and Authority I yet understand not That which doth constitute specifie and denominate a Exod. 18. 21 22. c. Political Governour or Magistrate to be the Ordinance of God is That he be so Qualified so called to Office and so Deut 1. 9 13 14. 4. 1 2 5. 16. 18. 17. 18 19 20. 2 Sam. 23. 3. Ruling as God hath commanded and ordained or ordered as his Minister in the State 2 Chr. 19. 6 7. Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. I humbly judge That due qualifications in a man for a Magistrate makes not a man to be a Magistrate That a Call of a People only makes not a Magistrate That a Person duely Qualified and rightly Called by a People to Rule if he rule not by Gods Laws he is yet no Magistrate or Minister of God as the Ordinance
THE Saints Freedom From TYRANNY VINDICATED OR The Power of Pagan Caesars and Antichristian Kings Examined and they Condemned by the Prophets and Apostles as no Magistrates of God to be obeyed by Saints for the Lords sake Being The Coppy of an Answer to a Private Letter wherein the Civil Power of Pagan and Antichristian States is soberly debated and the chief or main Arguments for Saints Subjection to them is answered with much Love Brevity and Plainness and now brought forth for the Consideration of others By a Lover of TRUTH Jam. 4. 12. There is one Lawgiver who is able to Save and to Destroy Isa 1. 26 27. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellours as at the beginning c. Isa 10. 27. Ezek. 21. 26 27. Zech. 14. 9. London Printed in the Year 1667. The Epistle to the Reader Courteous Reader DIvine Commands put into Act or Gods revealed Will and Psa 19. 1 â— c. Laws put into Execution gave Being Vsefulness and Beauty to the whole Creation when Gods Will is done by Men on Eearth as by the Angels in Heaven Gods Mat. 6. 10. Kingdom Rule and Government is then come in this World as promised prayed for and expected by Believers When Jehovah had perfected his six days work of the Creation Gen. 1. 31. he looked over all that he had made and saw that it was very good but Mans disobedience to that Law which God gave to him brought Gen. 3. 17 18 19. the Curse upon Man and upon the Ground for Mans sake so that darkness disorder sorrow and death hath been the fruits of Mans sin This Curse was in some measure abated and restrained by Gods grace in the promised Messias and when God had freely chosen and called Abraham and promised to him That the Gen. 12. 1 2 3. Mat. 1. 1. Exod. 19 4 5 c. Exod. 20. 1 â— 3 c. and Ch. p. 21. 22 23 24 25 c. Messias in the flesh should come of his Seed God after gathered Israel into Covenant with himself and besides the Ceremonial Law for Worship God also renewed the Morral Law or Law of Nature by the hand of Moses that Israel had written Laws for the well ordering of every Pâ—rson and Family whether as Members of Families Church or State Under this Divine Government for Bodies and Souls Israel enjoyed the presence and protection of Deut. 4. 5 â— c. 2 Chron. 18. 2. God Almighty in the midst of Brutish Heathen States When Israel kept close to Gods Laws and Government in Church and State God kept close to Israel and was their safety peace and glory But as Adam at first Israel after in their time brake Covenant Jer. 2. 17 18 19. with God and God gave them up into the hands of beastly bruitish-heathen Kings or States to make them know what a sad and bitter thing it was to depart from God Israel became Gods visible People by visible Covenant as a â—hurch and as a State wherein they Exod. 24. 3 4 5 c. Jer. 3. 14. Ezek 16. 38 Hos 1. 2 promised Obedience and Subjection in the way of a Marriage Covenant between Man and Wife and in that sence the Lord so often charged Israel and Judah for adultery whoredom and breaking the Bond of Wedlock and at last gave them a Bill of Divorce and Jer. 3. 8. â—os 2. 2. left his visible Protection of them In the latter part of the Jewish oppressed State God fulfilled Old Jacob's Prophesie of Christ and Gen. 49. 10. sent forth his Son Jesus Christ into the World and laid the Government upon his Shoulders When Christ was invested into his Mediatory Isa 9. 6. Authority he founded the New Testament State or the Mat. 16. 17 18. Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven or the Heavenly Kingdom Rule and Government of God upon Earth in visible Believers and as King ordained Laws Ordinances Officers and Government Mat. 16. 19 20. and 26. 26 27 c. and 28. 18 19. 20. Mat. 9. 15. to his Disciples or Followers professing him or his Soveraignty and separated from the World In that time that He the Bridegroom was with his Bride on Earth the Disciples had a taste and earnest of this his Kingdom Dominion and Government which in his time he will more manifest in this world in greater Power 1 Tim. â— 15. 2 Thes 2. 7. 1 John 2. 19. 2 Thes 2. 3 4 v. 9. 10. Rev. 13. 8. and Glory The Mistery of Iniquity began early to appear in the Apostles times and there were then many Antichrists but the Antichrist after arose as a Curse and Judgment upon the formal hyyocritical professing Party in the Christian Church or State Christ by the Spirit in the Apostles did reveal or fore-shew the Rise and Tyranny of the apostate state Note yet was no moving cause of the Apostacy but fore-shewed the effect rather to deter than encourage to sin Vnder the 2 King 24 2 Luke 21 20 21 22 23 24. Dan. 7. 25. Rev. 17. 6. yoak of Heathen Tyranny the Jewish State was wasted and destroyed and under Antichristian Tyranny the Christian Churches and Saints have been much worn out but by the Saints long darkness and Bondage they have been like Israel in Egypt Naturalized to Serviâ—ude and taught to subject to oppressing Tyrants as the Ordinance of God and as lawful Magistrates set over them by God But still God and his Word abides the same that it was and God hath promised to Redeem his Sion and Restore his Polittical Government Isa 1. 26 27. 11. 1. to 9. in Justice Judgement and Righteousness in the Earth under the Peaceable Kingdom and Rule of Jesus the Christ. It 's therefore the Saints Priviledge and Duty to pray for this and to seek for a thorow Reformation in the State as in the Church Note Where Mat. 6. 10. Worship is National Purity in the Church cannot long stand with Corruption in State This is that Generation-Truth which this Author labours to demonstrate and bring forth into Victory and only appeals to the Word and Law of God the great only and infallible Isa 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Judge in all Cases for Faith and Manners Providence brought this Coppy to my hand and upon the serious perusal of it I took my self bound to give my assistance to bring it forth to the View of others not questioning but the Subject it self will gain acceptance with all People who desire so to live and walk with God on Earth that they may Reign with Jesus Christ in Glory This is the utmost end of him who waits and prayes for Sions promised Redempâ—ion A B. THE Saints Freedom from Tyranny Vindicated c. SIR YOur Return upon the Paper I sent you came to my hand the which I thankfully receive and acknowledge that you exceeded my expectation I am not altogether
of God or by Gods appointment to be obeyed by the Lords People for the Lords sake or for Conscience not having the Essentials of a Governour or Magistrate which God Ordained and Commanded The Priesthood under the Law was and the Ministry under the Exod. 28. 1 2 c. and 29. 1 2 c. Eph. 4 11 12. 1 Tim 3. 1 2 3 c. Act. 20. 28. Heb. 5. 4. Gospel is the Ordinance of Gods appointment their Qualifications Investment into Office and Duties of Office were all Ordained and commanded of God but if any Person put himself into the Priests Office or a Pastoral Charge by might or force or pretended right or if a People should Call a Fool or a Person Man or Woman to Office in the Church as a Pastor not duely Qualified as God hath appointed Note or if a Person duely Qualified and rightly Called to Office do yet reject the Laws and Ordinances of God and the Gospel when in Office and offer sacrifices to Idols and obey the Comands of Men contrary to the Institutions of God these under the Law were Sons of 1 Sam. 2 12. 13. 1 King 18. 19 c. 1 Joh. 2. 18 22 1 Thes 5. 12. Heb. 13. 17. Belial and Priests of Baal and in the Gospel-state such are Ministers of Antichrist and not Ministers of God or the Ordinance of God to be obeyed for the Lords sake as commanded by God I might give other Demonstrations in the Ordinances of the Law and Gospel what Essentials were and now are necessary to constitute and denominate an Ordinance of God for matter and form but I consider to whom I write Indeed Antichrist hath assumed the Soveraign Authority of God and of Christ Civil and Ecclesiastical and by Popish darkness and slavery 2 Thes 2. 3 4. 1 John 2. 22. his Subjects have received his Commands as Divine not questioning or denying his usurped Power over Bodies and Souls how contrary soever his Commands and Appointments Rev. 13. 15 16 17. 17. 4. were or are to the Ordinances and Appointments of God they must be recieved as Gods Ordinances Through the Lords rich and free grace the Antichristian Vail is in a good measure taken away from many Professors in Ecclesiastical and Church-concerns But the great Body of Protestants are still stumbled about Antichrists Civil Power and do own Antichrist in his Civil Power for the Ordinance of God though some few cannot But that very way by which God hath led his People to discover the true and pure Ordinances of God in the Church from false Antichristian cheats and delusions in Worship Note the same will also lead Believers to the discovery of Heathenish and Antichristian cheats in the Political State and difference between Magistracy as the Psal 119. 104 105. Isa 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Ordinance of God and the Tyranny of wicked Men viz. by coming to Gods Law and Testimony and thereby examine Church and State Officers and Ordinances as ordained constituted and appointed of God and by God What Christ required of and answered the Jews Messengers Mat. 22. 15 16 c. when they were sent to entrap him in point of Caesars Power I would query and answer both of the Heathen and Antichristian Exod. 18. 19 20 c. Deut. 1. 9 13 14. 2 Chr. 19. 6 7. Psal 82. 1 6. Rev. 14. 1. and 17. 14. Rom 13. 3 4 5 Rev. 13. 1 2. and 11 c. Rev. 2. 10. and 11. 7. and 12. 9. and 13. 5 6 7. Emperors and Kings viz. Whose is the Image and Superscription upon them If they bear the Image and Superscription of God upon them if they have the Name of God written in their fore-heads and they in the Place Office and Work of God to Rule his People by Divine Authority then they were and are to be subjected to for the Lords sake But if those Emperors and Kings bear the Image and Superscription of the Devil are raised by the Devil and do the Devils work all which is true there is no Scripture-Warrant as I conceive for the Lords People to obey such Emperors or Kings as the Ordinance of God The first rise and original of Polittical Government and Magistracy Exod. 2 10 18 15 16 c. Deut. 1. 9 13 14. Exod. 21 22 23 Chapters c. as Ordained and Appointed by God was amongst the Jews at their coming out of Egypt and in the Wilderness in their way to Canaan God first called Moses immediately and intrusted him Ministerially with Magistratical Power and Authority to Lead and Govern Israel not other Nations his â—ovenant-People In Moses time God gave Israel Laws and Poliâ—tical Government which they were to exercise and put in Deut. 16. 18 c. and 17 14 15 c. execution when they came into Canaan both as a Common-wealth and as a Kingdom At that time when God constituled Israel a Polittical State there were many and great Nations Deu. 4. 5 6 c and 7. 7 8. in the World who made themselves Kings and exercised Polittical Government from the Light and Law of Nature by the Permission of God but not by the Ordination and Appointment of God as Israel had this is recorded by Moses Deut. 4. 5 6 c. and 7. 7 8. And long after Moses David said He shewed his Word to Jacob his Statutes and his Judgements unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as Psa 147. 19 20 for his Judgements they have not known them Note Thus from Nimrod to David the Heathen Emperors and Kings were not the Ordinance of God to rule and govern his People Again in Davids Psal 72 89 20 21 22 c. Mat. 1. 1 anâ— 2. 1. 2. Luke 1. 35 36 and v. 69 70 c. Gen. 49. 10. Ezek. 21. 27 and 34. 24 25. time God by Covenant entailed the Royal Scepter of Judah upon David and his Heirs in the flesh but chiefly upon Jesus Christ as the Son of David according to Jacobs Prophesie The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be These Scriptures clearly assert Jesus Christ the Son of David and so he had right to the Royal Government of Judah so soon as he was born Note therefore no Heathen King had right to the Crown of Judah by Gods Donation from first to last But Christ as Mediator had also another Royal Soveraignty Psa 2. 7 8 c. Eph. 1. 21 22. Phil. 2. 8 9 10. Mat. 28 18 19 Mar. 16. 15. given him by God the Father over Jews and Gentiles for Souls and Bodies which Authority was published and declared by Christ himself Jesus came and spake unto them the eleven Disciples saying All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Go ye therefore c. Note Thus Royal and Magisterial Authority as Gods
I shall humbly add my thoughts upon these words which some think there is much in for Antichrist viz. And it was given him Rev. 13. 7. Here we are to enquire First Who is here to be underderstood by this particle him To this the Answer is clear It is the Beast Antichrist v. 1 2. Secondly What Power Antichrist had The Answer is common viz. Civil Power to make war or power and strength to raise Armies and make war with and overcome the Saints Thirdly How Antichrist had or came by this Power To this the Text answers It was given him Fourthly But the great Question is Who gave Antichrist this Power viz. God or some other The Answer is plain The Dragon gave him his Power and Rev. 13. â—â— his Seat and great Authority Now when the holy Ghost is thus plain and punctual in describing Antichrist in the Original of his Power and in the improvement of it against God Holiness and Saints that yet Antichrist should be asserted the Ordinance of God and Minister of God c. I confess I see no ground for it from these Scriptures Object But it is said by Saints to Antichrist as Christ once said to Pilate Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above therefore he that delivered me to thee Joh. 19. 10 11. had the greater sin Answ To this I Reply That in like manner as Pilate was Antichrist was permitted of God in whom it was to have hindred it to arise and get strength and power to make war with the Rev. 2. 5 10. Saints and to overcome them either for trial of their Faith or rebuke of their sin Pilate and the Jews could have put out Act. 2. 22 23. Rom. 9. 17. no act of power against Christ or Antichrist against the Saints but as God permitted and suffered in his own wisdom and counsel to bring to pass his designes of greater Grace Power and Glory So the Devil had no power over Job but as God Job 1. 9 10 suffered and permitted Note And I see not but by the same Argument that the Pagan Caesaâ—â— and Antichristian Kings are asserted to be the Ordinance of God and to be obeyed by the Lords People by the same Argument the Devil must be acknowledged to be the Orninance of God and to be obeyed by the Saints Object Or if it be said That God doth the Saints good by the Afflictions and Persecutions from Tyrants 1 Cor. 3. 22 23 Answ I say That God by his Wisdom Grace and Power so orders all for the good of Saints inward or outward and yet Rom 8. 28. neither the Devil or wicked men are the efficient cause of that good which comes to Saints by sanctified afflictions Note Therefore I yet see not any Scripture-proof that the Pagan Caesars or Antichristian Kings are the Ordinance of God and to be obeyed by the Saints in their Bodies and Estates for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake because God useth these Rods to chastize the Saints with As there hath no Heathen or Antichristian State arisen in the World but by Gods Permission and Providence Dan 4. 1â— so there hath been a concurrance of Natural Causes leading to such Changes of States and Governments God secretly carrying on his designes in them and yet so as the Agents or Instruments therein have not seen God in those things and so they have been cursed in the designes which they have accomplished against the Lords People and Interest Thus the Heathen Isa 10. 5 6 c Mat. 27. 1 2 c. â—ct 2. 22 23. State Judas and the Jews came under the Curse for destroying Jerusalem for betraying Christ and putting him to death although they fulfilled the determinate Counsel of God Therefore what Christ said of Judas may be said of every apostate Professor who for gain or self ends hath either formerly or in later times betrayed the Lords Interest and People into the hands of Antichristian Kings though by Gods secret counsel and permission The distressed Saints may say Note He or they that delivered us into the hands of beastly bloody men Jâ—hn 19. 11 have the greater sin But still some suppose that they have but done their duty and to confirm their opinion and practice in subjecting unto Pagan or Antichristian Kings as having power of Rule over them in Civil Affairs by Gods appointment they urge the Writings of Peter and both Pauls Doctrine and Practice but the two chief Corner Stones on which they found their Opinion is 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. and Rom. 13. 1. Of these Scriptures therefore I will take a further view The words of Peter are these Submit your selves to every Ordinance 1 Peâ— 2. 〈…〉 of Man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as Supream c. In these words Peter enjoyns Saints universal obedience to every Ordinance of Man or Law of Man as some take it Civil and Ecclesiastical not considering the state condition or quality of the Kings Pagan or Antichristian But as Peter wrote this to Saints under the Pagan Roman Caesars it is taken for granted that Peter in his time commanded those Saints to submit to every Ordinance of those Emperours without exception though idolatâ—ous beastly bloody Tyrants Some men again godly and learned see cause to put a restriction upon Peters universal and say That Peters exhortation to Saints in that day was to submit to every Ordinance of Man in Civil Affairs concerning the Bodies and Estates of Saints Note But the Saints Consciences to God in Spiritual things were and are only under the Government and Ordinances of God and Christ And this their position they prove from other Texts and the currant of Scripture But I have given my sence upon this place in the former Papers and therefore pass it here But the main and chief Text in all the Scriptures urged are the words of Paul written to the Saints at Rome His words are these Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained or ordered of Rom. 13. 1 God From this Text some argue thus First That Paul commands a universal obedience to the Higher Powers by Saints and Sinners Let every soul Secondly The Powers that be are ordained of God Paul saith not The Powers that have been or the Powers that shall be are Ordained of God But the Powers which be are Ordained of God And the Powers which then were in being were the Pagan Roman Caesars idolatrous beastly bloody Tyrants the which command is still binding to Christians under the like Powers From this Text some give the sole Supream Power to Kings to rule over mens Bodies and Souls as God Some again restrain the Royal Power of Kings only to the Bodies of Saints in Civil Affairs and give the Soveraignty of Souls to Eph 1. 21 22 23. Christ
as Head of the Church upon the grounds before exprest But I must take the humble boldness in Truths behalf to dissent from others in their sense upon this Text I humbly judge that this Text proves neither the one nor the others opinion though some be godly and learned as to the opinion of those who from this Text or any other do give the sole Supream Power to Men as Lords and Law-givers to others both for Soul and Body I pass them by But to those godly and Learned who from this Text or any other do plead for Saints Subjection to Pagan or Antichristian Kings though idolatrous beastly bloody Tyrants in Civil Affaiâ—s or Temporal Jurisdiction for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake I humbly Reply that they mistake the Apostle and mis-apply the Text who so take the place and to these I humbly offer these my Reasons against that sense to consideration Reason 1 First Though Paul say Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers yet he doth not say Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers in all Civil Affairs concerning Bodies and Estates neither doth he say to Pagan or to Antichristian Powers but with restriction to Powrs ordained of God Note as his Ministers of State Therefore though Paul commands subjection Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5. from every soul yet it is not in all things or to all Persons or Powers but as Ordained by God My thoughts are That those who see cause to restrain general Scriptures which speak of Soveraign Magisterial Power to Civil Jurisdiction over the outward man and except their Power and Jurisdiction over souls in Spiritual and Ecclesiastical things will upon good consideration see cause also to restrain Magisterial Power and Jurisdiction Note over Bodies in Civil things and will not strain Texts against the currant of Scriptures to prove what they do not hint If we take these words of Paul or Peter as commanding Saints subjection to the Higher Powers be they what they will in all outward things Note this takes away the Soveraignty of God over Man in all outward things and nulls the moral Law which sets bounds between man and man Superiour and Inferiour Therefore upon this ground the Apostle cannot be taken in that sense viz. to give a power to some men viz. to Kings to command others to break Gods Moral Laws which Moral Laws Paul himself maintained and also taught others in his Epistles But I shall humbly give my sence upon this Text as of other the like Scriptures That both Paul and Peter do only call and command Saints Obedience to all Lawful Magistrates in all Lawful things commanded by God Note and therein enjoynes subjection to Saints for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake as to God Reason 2 Secondly The scope of the Apostle in this place as I judge is to press Saints to submit and subject to Higher Powers or Magistrates as Ordained and set over them by God as his Ministers in State for their good to restrain sins against the Moral Rom. 13. 1 2 c. Exod. 18. 15 16 c. 2 Chr. 19. 6 7. Law and to maintain Justice Equity and Peace between man and man Paul describes not here these Ministers of State by Names but by their Qualities and gives only a general description of Magistracy to be obeyed Note as Ministers Ordained by God In the same way and after the same manner that Paul describes Antichrist the Man of Sin the Son of Perdition to be 2 Thes 2. 3 4. Rev. 14 9 10. Rev. 13. 1 c rejected of Saints he here describes the true Magistrates of God to be obeyed by the Lords People for the Lords sake Surely those have little sight who see not that the general Government of Nations is still beastly Tyranny Note both by Heathen and Antichristian Kings rather than the Government of God for the good of Mankind But many are stumbled at these words of Paul The Powers that be The great question here is The question to what Powers Paul refers to what Powers the Apostle refers viz. Whether to the Pagan Caesars Power who were then Monarchs of all the World or to the Civil Power and Jurisdiction then exercised amongst the Saints as far as they could or to Magistracy as ordained and constituted by God in the Jewish State If we take the Apostle in either of the latter senses there is Scripture-grounds for it but if we refer Pauls words to the Pagan Caesars State there is only this poor plea for it That Luk. â— 1 2 with Paâ—ls time the Pagan Caesars were then being and reigning in the World but answered not to the qualifications of those Ministers of God as Paul describeth Magistrates Ordained by God now answering the ends of Government The Caesars then being and reigning Rom. 1â— 3 4 5 in the World is but a circumstance of time but the qualifications of Rulers and the ends of Government are Essentials in Magistracy and therefore to expound Paul by a conceived circumstance when and where the Essentials of Government as Ordained by God are wanting cannot be held Orthodox and sound But if we take Paul in these words The Powers that be to refer to that Civil Power and Jurisdiction resting at that time and seated in the Saints by God according to the Moral Law given to Israel there is much Reason and Scripture to confirm this Exposition First Before Christ left the World he devolved the administration of all that Power and Authority Civil and Spiritual Mat. 28. 18 Mat. 25. 14. Mar. 13. 34. over his own People as intrusted with him by the Father to his own Servants Secondly In Pauls time there were Saints in the Churches who were fitted and qualified for Civil Governours or Magistrates 1 Cor. 6. 4. Thirdly In Pauls time the Sainâ—s had sufficient Laws and power of Jurisdiction to hear and determine all Civil differences amongst themselves that they needed not to go to Law before the Pagan Governours and therefore Paul sharply reproved the Saints of Corinth for going to Law before the unjust and not before the Saints 1 Cor. 6. 4 These Considerations have swayed with me and I know not one argument to shake me in my judgement as this sense hath the currant of Scripture with it Note But if we shall yet suppose that there wants some words in the Text as is common to clear and fill the Apostles meaning yet the current of the following Verses which gives the qualifications of Magistrates as constituted by God carries Pauls sence from the Pagan Roman Caesars that they were not the Powers which he intended neither Antichristian Kings Reason 3 My Third Reason is If we infer from Paul or Peter That Pagan or Antichristian Kings were or are Powers to be submitted and subjected to by Saints in all Civil affairs without limitation or restriction to the Law of God then Saints were and are to
obey Men in Civil things rather than God and the Command of a King is Authority for Saints to break the Moral Laws of God and Nature and not sin Surely if the Bodies and Estates of men be left by God to the Wills Lusts and Commands of any Emperours Kings or States and Saints bound to obey them in all outward natural things Note then if Emperors Kings or States make Laws to break and void the Laws of God and Nature the Saints must yet obey them in those things But this sense and interpretation of the place is so gross and contrary to the current of Scripture that this cannot be received but some other sense must be sought out and I am perswaded that this sense following is according to Truth viz. That as Paul hath bounded the Authority of Parents over Children and of Eph. 6. 1. v. 4. 5 6. Col. 3. 20 21 c. Masters over Servants to the Law of God and Rules of God and therein commands Children to obey Parents and Servants to obey Masters in all things in the Lord as to God and Christ So the same Apostle enjoyns Saints subjection to Lawful Magistrates in all lawful things Note as to Political Fathers or Governours for the Lords sake and for Conscience sake to God and no further Reason 4 My Fourth Reason follows It is recorded in Scripture as an approved evidence of the Fear of God in many of the Lords Servants to slight and disobey the cruel Laws and Commands of Kings in Moral Civil things and in that disobedience God owned and honoured them Of these the Scriptures give many Examples As The Midwives of Egypt Exod. 1. 17 20 v. 22. Heb. 11. 23 v. 27. 1 King 18. 3 4. The Parents of Moses Moses himself Obediah c. And though those high expressions of the Three Children of Peter and other Apostles spoken boldly before Magistrates in Counsel be ordinarily restrained to spiritual things and worship yet I judge that those Saints did not intentionally so take them but they may also as truly be spoken by Saints in Civil natural Priviledges when demnaded from them or they commanded by man to break any Moral Law of God We are not Dan. 3. 16. Act. 4. 19. and 5. 29. careful to answer thee in this matter We ought to obey God rather than Man Reason 5 My Fifth and Last Reason is God is Supreamly above all Persons and Powers to be feared obeyed and served by Saints and Sinners in all Commands Natural and Spiritual Mat. 10. 26 28. Luke 12. 5. Isa 8. 13 14. Civil or Ecclesiastical as he made and hath power over Bodys and Souls to save or to destroy eternally God is only to be feared and obeyed by his Children and Servants and not Deut. 13. 4. 1 Chr. 16. 25. Gen. 17. 1. Emperours Kings or States whoever they be in any Commands which are contrary to the Laws and Commands of God Almighty Note All that Power and Authority which Magistrates can exercise over their Brethren by Divine Right is by the Law and appointment of God for the good of Mankind No one man as a Child of Adam hath power of Jurisdiction over another but in the way and manner which God hath Ordained and Appointed in his Law Therefore it stands not with the Revealed Will of God in the Scriptures or Natural Reasons that any Persons or Powers on Earth are Invested by God with Supream Power either to command any Person to do what God forbids or to forbid what God commands in matters Civil Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Thus I have given my understanding upon Rom. 13. 4. at which so many have and yet do stumble and fall sorely The 10th Month the 20th Day 1667. FINIS