A Brief Description OF THE Fifth Monarchy, OR KINGDOM, That shortly is to come into the World.  
The Monarch, Subjects, Officers, and Laws thereof, and the surpassing Glory, Amplitude, Unity, and Peace of that Kingdom.  
When the Kingdom and Dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people, the Saints of the Most high, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all Sovereigns shall serve and obey him.  
And in the Conclusion there is added a Prognostic of the time when this fifth Kingdom shall begin.  
By WILLIAM ASPINWALL, N. E.  2 Pet. 3.13. 
Nevertheless, we according to his promise, look for New Heavens, and a new Earth, wherein dwells righteousness.  Psal. 2.10, 11, 12. 
Be wise therefore O ye Kings: be instructed ye Judges of the Earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.  Psal. 76.12. 
For, he will cut off the Spirit of Princes; he is terrible to the Kings of the Earth.  Job 12.21. 
He poureth contempt upon Princes: he is terrible to the Kings of the Earth.  
LONDON: Printed by M. Simmons, and are to be sold by Livewell Chapman at the Crown in Pope's head-Alley. 1653.   

A Brief Description of the Fifth Monarchy.  
IN handling this Subject I shall observe this method. 1 I shall show that there is such a thing to be expected in the world, as a fifth Monarchy. 2 Who shall be the Monarch, or absolute Sovereign thereof. 3 Who are the Subjects and Offices of this Kingdom. 4 Who is the Lawgiver, and what are the Laws of this Kingdom. 5 And lastly, The necessity and benefit of this Kingdom, and all this briefly from Scripture-light.  
1 Therefore, that there is such a thing as a fifth Monarchy to be expected in the world, is evident from daniel's vision, Dan. 7. where he saw four Beasts, interpreted to be four Kings or Kingdoms, v. 17.23. or four sorts of Monarchy, and all of them arising out of the earth, or modelled & moulded by humane prudence. The last of which Beasts or Monarchies, is differenced from the other three former Monarchies, by the extent of it, and by a distribution of the ten horns, or Kings that shall arise out of this Monarchy, v. 23, 24. And the last of those horns or Kings, is differenced from the rest of the horns, by the extent of his sovereignty over 3 Kingdoms, v. 8.24. and by his fierce and arrogant persecution of the Saints, v. 25. and by a determinate extirpation of his Kingdom and Sovereignty, and the reason thereof, v. 9, 10, 11, 26. All which was fulfilled in Charles, late King, or absolute sovereign of 3 Kingdoms, a fierce & arrogant Tyrant & persecuter of the Saints, whose dominion continued till the judgement was set, to wit the Parliament, and High Court of Justice, who slew the Beast, and utterly overthrew his dominion, by an Act made against Kingly power. The Beast or chief Sovereign, was slain or beheaded, v. 11. and his Body, that is, all relics of royal power, which are as carcases of royalty, all of them first or last must be demolished and destroyed. This is the doom of the little horn, or sovereign of 3 Kingdoms, and hath been fulfilled to a jot. And the carcases of royalty have begun to be demolished, and more and more willbe till they be utterly destroyed. As touching the other 7 Kings, or horns under this fourth Monarchy, they have a little prolonging in life granted after the death of Charles Stuart, and and the destruction of all Images & carcases of royalty, in those Nations. But the space will be short, it will be but for a season and time, v. 12. and then will their lives go for it, as well as Charles, and then these four Monarchies being destroyed, the fifth Kingdom or Monarchy follows immediately, v. 27. The Kingdom, and dominion, and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven, shall be given to the people, the Saints of the most high, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. And this I call the fifth Monarchy, which in extent is more large than the foregoing Monarchies, for all Nations shall serve and obey him, Dan. 2 35. & Dan. 7.27. Psal. 72.11. & 47.2. And for durance it shall continue as long as the world lasteth, it shall never be destroyed, Dan. 2.44. & 7.27. Luk. 1.33. Ps. 72.8. Mic. 4.7. Zech. 9.10. Act. 1.7. Isa. 9.7. So that it is certain that such a Monarchy or Kingdom shall be in the world.  
If it be Objected, That the Kingdom spoken in the foregoing Scriptures, is only a spiritual Kingdom or Government exercised in the Church, which in Scripture-language is also called the Kingdom of God, or of Christ, or of Heaven.  
I answer, That Christ doth indeed exercise his Kingly power in his Church, and the discipline thereof, but not only there. He also puts forth acts of Kingly power, as acts of judgement and justice, in relation to Civil Government, and of that Esay speaks expressly, Isa. 9.7. Yea this new Monarchy or stone cut out of the Mountain without hands, shall crush and break in pieces all the other four Monarchies, Dan. 2.34.45. which is inconsistent with Church-power. Moreover, David shows that this Dominion is universal, Psa: 72.8, where the word used for Dominion, cannot rightly be applied to Church-power, neither can the obeisance and worship yielded to this Dominion, Ps. 72.9.11. nor the prorection of the subjects of this Kingdom from force and violence, v. 12, 13, 14. nor the tribute & presents rendered thereunto by several Nations, well suit with Church-power, but manifestly argue a Dominion in reference to Civil power. If it be yet said that all these expressions are Metaphorical, I deny it, nor can it be safe for us to coin metaphors of Scripture, where no necessity doth require it. Had it been the purpose of the holy Ghost to hold forth Christ's spiritual Government in the Churches, he could have expressed himself in proper phrases and words. Wherefore I conclude, that it is safest for us to take the plain meaning of the words, unless the holy Ghost had elsewhere declared himself to the contrary. And let this suffice to show that such a thing shall be in the world as a fifth Monarchy, after the destruction and dissolution of the four Beasts, or Monarchies.  
2 Touching the Monarch or Sovereign King of this Kingdom, I affirm that Jesus Christ shall be the Monarch, or absolute King and Sovereign, according as it is written, Revel. 11 15. The Kingdoms of this world are become [the Kingdoms] of the Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. Isa. 9.6. Unto us a Child is borne, unto us a Son is given, and the Government shall be on his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his Government and Peace [there shall be] no end, upon the Throne of David, and upon his Kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgement and justice from henceforth and for ever: The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. And Daniel speaking of the same time, and the same Kingdom or absolute sovereignty, saith, I saw in the night, visions, and behold with the clouds of Heaven, as it were the Son of man was coming, & he came to the ancient of days, and he brought him near before him; and to him was given absolute sovereignty, and glory, and a Kingdom, & all people, Nations and languages shall serve him; his absolute sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty that passeth not away, and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, Dan. 7.13, 14. And the Angel which was sent to Mary the Virgin, said to her, Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call his name Jesus, he shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his Kingdom there shall be no end, Luk. 1.31, 32, 29. Zachary also prophesying of the same time, and same Monarchy, saith, Jehovah shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Jehovah, and his name one, Zec. 14.9. And he means that Christ alone shall then be universal sovereign, and no name or authority acknowledged or exercised, but his alone. And Paul prophesying of this very Monarchy, chargeth Timothy with a most solemn charge, That he observe his command [in that Book] spotless, and unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in his time he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, 1 Tim. 6.13, 14, 15. And thus is Christ described when he makes war, and doth righteously judge that mother of harlots (which is the very stump of the fourth Monarchy) He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, and on his vesture, and on his thigh, hath this name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 17.14. & 19.11.16. He must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet, 1 Cor. 15.25.27. No things or persons shall be exempted from his sovereignty, his Father only excepted, By all which it is evident, that Christ Jesus shall be the absolute sovereign in this Kingdom, and that not only in relation to Church-power, but also in reference to Civil and Military power. Not that I am of their judgement, who say, That Christ shall reign personally upon earth 1000 years, but his Saints shall be his Vicegerents during the time of this Monarchy, according as it is written, Dan. 7.27. And the Kingdom, and absolute sovereignty, and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven, shall be given to the people, to the Saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all sovereignties (or sovereigns) shall serve and obey him.  
Now the Saints who shall exercise and manage this supremacy of power, in the first rise of this fifth Monarchy (as appears to me most probable) are such as have been actors with Christ in warring against the whore, who are called, chosen, and faithful, Rev. 17.14. I mean the Lambs Military Officers, with whom he betrusteth the Militia, or supreme power of his Kingdom, Rev. 19.14. who for many reasons may seem most meet to manage the supreme power, as the Judges of old, and after them David a man of war did, until the Churches be settled in Peace. The supreme authority I conceive will rather be placed in others, who as the supreme Council of the State or Nation, are to manage the affairs of State, and to study how they may enlarge the Kingdom of Christ, and demolish the Kingdom of Antichrist, or the relics and remainders thereof. And to them it will appertain to constitute faithful and choice men, fearing God, and hating covetousness, in every City, to execute justice and judgement according to the Statutes and Laws of this only potentate and absolute sovereign. To them also it apertains to displace and censure such as prove unfaithful. To them also it belongs to call meet men unto all public places of trust, and to call them to a due account thereof.  
This I conceive to be the office and duty of the supreme Authority, or Council of the State, and the supreme power is to encourage them, and strengthen their hands in this work, until Melchizedeck become King of Salem, I mean till Christ have settled his people in peace. Then shall they beat their swords into ploughshears, and their spears into pruning hooks: Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation, neither shall they learn war any more, Isa. 2.4. Mic. 4.3. And in that peaceable state will the Churches continue for a thousand years, and the Saints shall reign with Christ, or for him, Rev. 20.4. After which, Gog and Magog, the last public enemies of the Saints in this world, shall engage against them, Rev. 20.7, 8. Ezek. 38. & 39 which adversaries being destroyed, the Churches shall continue in peace and purity, until Christ's coming to judgement, as appears by the parable of the ten virgins, Mat. 25. for that is a special Prophecy of those last times.  
3. The next thing to be cleared is, who are the subjects and Officers of this Kingdom or Monarchy? And that will appear from the words of David, Psa. 72.9, 10, 11. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust. The Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents: the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts: yea all Kings shall bow down before him, all Nations shall serve him. And Psa. 110.2, 3. Jehovah shall send the sceptre of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. So you see all Nations shall be his subjects, and all people in all Nations of what degree soever, shall yield obeisance to him, even the Governors themselves. Yea his very enemies shall lick the dust, they shall be subject too.  
As for the Officers of this Kingdom, they are of two sorts; either they are supreme, or subordinate. The supreme Officers are either Kings, Rulers, or Governors, as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth also signify; or the supreme Council of State, Psa. 72.10, 11. Isa. 1.26. The subordinate Officers are, either Judges, Overseers, or Exactors, Isa. 1.26. & 60.17. These all of them that exercise any place of Authority, power or trust, whether Civil or Military, within this dominion, must be Saints, Dan. 7.27. Rev. 19.14.  
The supreme Counsellors and Judges under them, shall be holy men, throughly purged, Isa. 1.25, 26. The words are very emphatical, I will refine according to purity, thy tin; alluding to the manner of Refiners of metal, who melt their metal upon the test until the tin or allay be separated or wasted, and the metal reduced to its fineness. Even so will God deal with his people's Judges and Counsellors, and by consequence with all other inferior Officers, until he hath reduced them to the Primitive purity, and if yet any dross should remain, he will put them on the test and refine them anew, till the work be done. And how will God do this? Verily God hath a fire in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem, Isa 31.9. to wit, in his Churches, and there will he teste them, and refine them, and if any pride or hypocrisy hang about them, he will either burn it or them, in his oven or furnace, Malipiero▪ 4. till at length he awe the spirits of men, that either they shall not dare to join to the fellowship of the Churches, or not dare to accept such Officers, unless they be refined indeed. O that men in place of authority, power or trust, Civil or Military, would seriously consider what and with whom they have to do in these refining time's!  
Now all subordinate Officers, whether Judges, Clerks, etc. Collectors of Customs, & Tributes, Treasurers, etc. are places of trust, and comprehended under that name of Exactors, and unto these the wisdom of God saw it needful to add Visitors, or Overseers, not only to have inspection into their actions, but to control or restrain them, and if cause require, to acquaint the supreme authority or Council, whose office it is to call them to account, & censure them according to their merit, placing faithful men in their steads, & so preserve the Civil Government sound and upright. These Overseers or Visitors are as eyes, both to the Exactors, to inform them their duties, and to the supreme Council, to inform them of miscarriages and corruptions, & therefore aught to be men of singular wisdom, courage, faithfulness, and integrity. Which office of inspection will be a wholesome preservative to the spirits of men.  
Now that choice men may be designed unto this service, observe the rule which Jehojadah (who at that time had the supreme authority and power in his hand, as Guardian to the young King) took in appointing Visitors for the house of God, 2 Chron. 23.18. He did it by the hands of the chief Officers in the Church, or upon their recommendation, and the Church's approbation. For, as was said before, the Church is God's furnace, & they have a test to try the spirits of such as they recommend unto the supreme authority, unto whom it appertains to call upon the Churches, and the Overseers thereof, to recommend faithful and able men unto them for such employments, whether Exactors or Visitors. And truly as these Visitors are to be put upon the test by the Church, so should all other Officers be tried by the test, & throughly purged and refined from their dross and tin, and so recommended by the Churches. And till this be done, till a Nation come up to this height, that all their supreme and subordinate Officers be tested and tried, and refined from their tin, and so recommended by the Churches to such services, I say till then, they cannot be deemed to be under the fifth Monarchy, but are still parts and members of the fourth Monarchy, which must be broken in pieces every toe of it, and still tested in the furnace, till the tin be taken away, till then a Nation cannot be called the City of righteousness, the faithful City, Isa. 1.26.  
Oh! how should this awaken the spirits of all that are Israelites indeed, in whose spirit is no guile, to strive with holy emulation, to come under this form. And were this care taken amongst us in these Nations of England, Scotland, and Ireland, to purge and test all Officers, supreme and subordinate, civil, and military, so that none might be employed in any place of authority, power, or trust, but Saints more pure than the gold of Ophir, how renowned should we be amongst them that wait for the appearing of Jesus Christ, how dreadful and terrible to carnal men, both in these and neighbour Nations? How formidable in all expeditions by Sea and land? So that the very Kings of the earth, and great men, and rich men, and chief Captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man [that is not thus refined] would hid themselves in dens, and in the rocks of the Mountains, and say to the Mountains and to the Rocks fall on us, and hid us from the face of him that sits on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand, Rev. 6.15, 16, 17.  
Methinks if God were pleased to wind up the hearts of Rulers, Councillors, and people unto this height, and open their hearts and ears to such a voice as this from heaven, saying, Come up hither, Rev. 11.12. I should with much faith and confidence, aver, that a tenth part of the City (which is spiritually called Sodeme, and Egypt) was fallen already.  
I know humane prudence, and carnal reason, will hardly digest such a proposition as this of a thorough purgation (adjudging it more safe to do it by degrees) until the beginning of this fifth Monarchy, or a little before. But let none be deceived with such carnal reasonings. It would be wholesome and safe for men in chief places of authority and power, to follow Paul's example in another case, Consult not with flesh and blood (though sanctified) but if God by some voice from heaven, I mean out of his Churches, say Come up hither, Rev. 11.12, 13. follow his call, and fear not enemies; though you see them, & they see you ascend up to heaven, you shall be safe. Some commotion or earthquake will ensue, but no detriment to you that obey the voice from heaven. The detriment willbe to the enemies themselves, the tenth part of the City shall fall immediately, and some men of name amongst them shall be slain, and the rest shall be affrighted, and give glory to the God of heaven. And what danger can be to the Saints in all this, let all men judge, it will undoubtedly cause the name of Christ, yea and their names also, that are fellow-workers with Christ, to be magnified, from the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof.  
4 In the fourth place I shall declare who is the Lawgiver, and what Laws the Saints shall have for administration of judgement and justice in the time of this fifth Monarchy. For as in earthly Monarchies, such as these beasts in Daniel did prefigure, there is some person or persons that are acknowledged to have a Legislative power, and some Statutes, Laws, or Edicts made by that power to regulat their proceed in civil Courts: so in this Monarchy there is a proper subject of Legislative power, and certain Rules or Statute, to regulat all Officers in their Administrations. And because these are of such a nature, as ever hold proportion, and such as is the Lawgiver, such are the Laws or Rules given by that power, I shall first and principally endeavour to show who must be the Lawgiver, and only of right can challenge this Legislative power.  
And let me crave leave without regreat or offence to any godly mind, to avouch for an irrefragable truth, that in this fifth Monarchy Christ alone hath this Legislative power, and none but he. So saith Isaiah, ch. 33.22. Jehovah is our Legislator, or Lawgiver: to wit, that Jehovah which was to be born of the virgin without the help of man, of whom Jacob prophesies, Gen. 49.10. that before Shiloh (to wit, the Messiah) came from between his feet, there should no Lawgiver come from between the feet of Judah; and yet many Kings & Princes came from between Judah's feet, that is, were born and sprung out of his loins, and yet none of them, nor all of them, had any Legislative power till Shiloh came. I shall not need to spend time to prove Shiloh to be the promised Messiah, being a truth generally received both of Jews & Christians. And till this time God preserved that tribe or sceptre distinct. And Christ himself saith. Mat. 28.18. All power is given unto me in heaven & in earth, if all power, then Legislative power. This his right by donation from the father, as also is judicial power, Job. 5.22.27. and none can challenge power to either without delegation from Christ. Judicial power I find delegated unto Ministers of Justice, Isa. 1.17. & 1 K. 6.12. Ezek. 45.9. but Legislative power Christ hath not any where delegated to any person or persons that I find since the world began, but reserveth that as a peculiar Royalty to himself. And therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or absolute sovereignty is given to him, Dan. 7.14. His will, word, or command, is a law to the subject, this is absolute sovereignty, & such as Christ will not allow to any of his subjects. He knows it were not safe nor wholesome, because of the imperfection of men's wisdom, and inconstancy of their judgements. But to be regulated by Christ, and to receive Laws from him, with whom is no unrighteousness or shadow of change, is the privilege, honour, and safety of saints, for his will is certain, and it is always good. And this willbe the perfect state & model of Civil Governments under the fifth Monarchy, Christ alone shallbe Lawgiver, and if he be the Lawgiver alone, you may easily conclude that he will own no other Laws but what himself hath given, which though they be few and brief, yet are they completely sufficient and perfect, other wise it would reflect upon the wisdom of faithfulness of this only Potentate, as Paul calls him, 1 Tim. 6.15. I shall not need to express particularly the Laws, but leave it to every subject to make diligent search for them where they lie scattered up and down in the holy Scriptures. And if this will shortly be the glory and liberty, and safety of this fifth Monarchy, let every godly mind equally poised, that waits and prays for the coming of this Kingdom, as our Saviour teacheth us, Mat. 6.10. let them judge whether it would not be for our honour and safety to model and conform our civil state according to this form and platform, we being cast upon the end of the fourth Monarchy that is already begun to break, and will suddenly come to ruin.  
But it willbe said, That this and sundry other Nations have been accustomed to have Parliaments, Diets, etc. consisting of a number of select men, as a Representative of the State, with Legislative power.  
'Tis true, de facto, such hath been the usage of this, and sundry other Nations, during the fourth Monarchy, but de jure, let the Scripture judge. Clear it is Christ had this Legislative power conferred on him by the Father, Mat. 28.13. And who can assume this power out of Christ's hand, without delegation from him, but it willbe an encroachment upon his Royalty? If it be said, they assume it not, but the people give it them. I demand what power have the people so to do? or When did Christ betrust the people with power to make Laws; otherwise they can have no such power to confer, and it is not impossible for them to give more than is originally, and intrinsically in themselves. And this is all the trust which I find committed to Princes or people, to execute judgement and justice, Jer. 22 3. Ezech. 45.9. 1 Kings 6.12.  
What use then will there be in this fifth Monarchy of Parliaments, diets, etc. if Legislative power be denied them?  
There willbe great and necessary use of supreme Counsels, as hath been showed; for 1 They ought carefully to provide that wise, godly, and faithful Judges and Justices, be placed in all meet places of the Nation, to execute judgement and justice, according to the judicials given by Christ. 2 They are to constitute Exactors and Visitors, I mean all subordinate Officers in all places of power and trust, and to see they be men throughly purged and refined. And for that end it willbe meet to send unto the several Churches (which are God's refining houses) to commend unto them, by the hands of their known Officers, men of integrity, throughly tested, and fit for such and such employments. Not to gratify friends and acquaintance, much less men that carry an outward splendour in the world, and out of a corrupt and covetous principle seek to crowd themselves into places of gain and profit. 3 They are to displace unfit or unfaithful persons, for Cujus est instituere, ejus est destituere, and if cause be, to censure and punish them. 4 They are to act in all matters of Council, touching war and peace, and transactions with foreign States. All which duly attended unto, willbe work enough for the chief Counsels of State. As for the names of Parliaments and Diets, etc. though there be no evil in the names, yet I suppose they willbe laid aside in the time of this fifth Monarchy, when men begin more to affect the language of Canaan, than the imitation of idolatrous Nations.  
If we should only take the Judicials to be our rules for justice and judgement, it would make the Government arbitrary; for the judicials are few and short, and will not reach all cases, or at least, much will lie in the breast of the Judges, who are to interpret and apply those general Rules to particular cases, and that willbe dangerous.  
The Laws indeed are few and brief, and therefore require a spirit of wisdom, and of the fear of the Lord, in such as are to execute justice and judgement, according to those Laws and Rules: Men that are to be designed to such work, should be such as walk close with God, and are well versed in God's law, rather than in humane Laws. 2. I answer, that though the Laws be few and brief, yet they are perfect and sufficient, and so large, as the wisdom of God judged needful for regulating Judgement in all Ages and Nations. For no action or case doth, or possibly can fall out in this or other Nations, by sea or land, but the like did, or possibly might fall out in the land of Israel, Eccl. 1.9. and yet they had no other Laws or Rules of Judgement, but what now remains to all posterity. Nevertheless that people were counted even by the Nations to be the only free and wire people in respect of their Statutes and Judicials, Deut. 4.5, 6, 7, 8. And truly had the wisdom of God judged it needful, he could have compiled a larger system or body of Laws for direction of his people. Wherefore from his silence we may safely conclude, that no more were needful: And Paul doth avouch that the Scripture is complete to furnish a Christian to every good work, 2 Tim. 3.17.  
And whereas the object. presumes it would leave the government arbitrary, if the application of those general rules, be left to the Judge's understanding and application of the Rule: I answer, there is less cause of fear, that men in whom the fear of God dwells (having a promise of assistance from God, 2 Chr. 19 11.) should mistake the perfect laws of God, than that Students at Law and Judges should mistake the the imperfect Laws and dictates of men, which have not the like promise of Divine assistance. But suppose a sincere-hearted man, in some obscure and difficult cases should misapply the rule of Judgement; or which is worse, suppose the Judge through corruption pervert judgement, either of which may possibly fall out, yet that will not argue the government arbitrary. For who knows not that Judges can mistake, & through corruption pervert the laws of men, and yet the government is not counted arbitrary, because it hath bounds and limits, even so is it in the other case. Besides, the danger pretended is far less if we be regulated by God's book of Statutes, then if we follow our own. For if the Judge be corrupt, he is punishable; and if he mistake, it is but the Judges personal failing, and that of ignorance, and such sins God doth not charge upon the Nation. But if the Nation, or the Representative of a Nation, make Laws dissonant to God's Law, or make misinterpretations of God's Law, and enact the same for Laws, it will turn to sin to the Nation, and Christ will visit it as an encroachment upon his royalty, 2 K. 16.7, 8. Ezek. 43.7, 8. Christ counts it a karkas of Kingly power to set up their posts by his posts, and Mic. 6.16. doth complain that the statutes of Omri▪ were kept.  
And let any that fear God answer me, Can any statutes made by men, be equally perfect as God's statutes be? or can it be conceived that the wisest of the sons of men should excogitat a more complete system, or body of Laws, than Christ the wisdom of the father, hath done? I suppose there's none but will answer negatively. And if so, then what need men desire a more ample body of Laws? or what should hinder the Nations, now towards the end of the fourth Monarchy, from conforming themselves to this platform of civil Government, which Christ will shortly erect in this fifth Monarchy here spoken of?  
As touching things of a middle nature, which you carry this way or another way, without breach of any rule of righteousness (as for instance, to secure their fields by a common fence, or by a keeper, and many such like things) they are not to be regulated by Laws, but by Covenants amongst the neighbourhood, for their mutual good, and the breach of that Covenant, is a trespass, and punishable by the Law.  
5 The fift and last thing I proposed to consideration, is the necessity and benefit of this Monarchy and model of Civil Government, according to the will and word of Christ alone.  
There is a threefold necessity of the coming of this Kingdom.  
1 That the will of God may be done in earth, as it is done in heaven, which cannot be expected till this Kingdom come, Mat. 6.10. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Why, can that possible be? yes verily, according to the meaning of that Petition, which intends not a conformity to the Angels and Saints in heaven, in respect of the perfection of our obedience to the rule, for that is not attainable in this life, but it hath respect to the perfection of the rule of our obedience, to wit, the will, and word, & law of God, which is one and the same to them and us, and shall certainly be attained to in this world, in the time of this fifth Monarchy, we shall have no other rules of obedience, than the Angels in heaven, to wit, the will & word of Christ, that blessed and only Potentate, unto whom all power in heaven and earth is given. And truly that Petition excludes all Statutes, Ordinances, and Acts of Parliaments, Diets, etc. out of this fifth Monarchy, as well as out of heaven. And I believe there is no man doth conceive that the Angels or Saints in heaven, are guided by any Acts or Edicts, made in any convention of States here below, no more shall they be ruled in such a way, when this Monarchy is set up, there shall be but one Lord, and his name one.  
2 There is a necessity of the coming of this Kingdom, that the Saints may be conformable to their head, Rom. 8.24. and have their time of reigning with him, as they have had of suffering, 2 Tim. 2.12. Ap. 20.4.  
3. There is a necessity of the coming of this Kingdom, that the Creation may be delivered from the vanity and bondage, whereto Christ saw meet to subject them, in hope of deliverance, Rom. 8.19. to 23. For during these Monarchies, men have ruled by their own laws, Edicts, and wills, yea the whole Creation was subjected to their rule; but yet they groaned under this as under a bondage, earnestly waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God, when the dominion willbe conferred upon Saints, that they may no more be subject to the wills and pleasures of men, but to the will of Christ the only potentate, and this is called The glorious liberty of the Sons of God. The benefits of this Monarchy are exceeding great, both in respect of spiritual and temporal blessings. It far exceeds all other Monarchies, both in the perfect constitution of all civil and ecclesiastical administrations, and in the fruits and effects of both. In the Commonwealth there shall be no Tyranny, Isa. 35.9. but full of brotherly love, mercy and truth, Isa. 65 25. & 11, 6, 7, 8. Rev. 22.2. their leaves or their words shallbe of a healing virtue. Their Officers shall do righteously, Isa. 11.4, 5. Isa. 1.25.26. & 60.17. And from all these flows peace and tranquillity, Psal. 85.10. & 72.7. Isa. 14.13. cessation of wars, Isa. 2.4. Mic. 4.3. Hos. 2.18. Isa. 33.20, 21. store of provisions, Hos. 2.21, 22, 23. Psa. 67.6. Amos 9.13, 14. and treasure, Isa 60.17. And all these blessings shallbe accompanied with health, Isa. 33.24. and holiness, Zech. 14.20, 21. This will be the glory and happiness of the Saints under the fifth Monarchy, in relation to civil Government.  
As for the Churches, their membere shallbe all precious as gold, Rev. 21.18, 19.20, 21. their administrations pure, Rev. 22.1. their light clear without darkness, Rev. 22.5. & 21.11. Isa. 60.19. all idolatry and false light done away, Isa. 2.20. Zech. 13, 2, 3, 4. in all their assemblies shall appear a manifest presence of God, Isa. 4.5. & that which is more than all these, they shallbe full of the joy of the holy Ghost, rejoicing with joy unspeakable, and full of glory, for so much I conceive is included in that phrase, Isa. 4.5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for above all the glory [shallbe] a covering, or bride-tent, or Chamber of love. Alluding to the manner of the Jews, who at their marriages spread a tent or covering, for the Bridegroom and his Spouse to solace themselves in their mutual embraces, which is the highest of all earthly joys. In like manner will the Lord reveal himself to his people in the bed of his Ordinances, and there willbe a mutual and reciprocal return of love, Cant. 7.12. until the Saints be filled with joy unspeakable, and full of glory, Isa. 62.5. 1 Pet. 1 8. which seems to be a peculiar privilege reserved for that Monarchy, and for that season, more than for any other.  

Having thus declared and proved, That such a Kingdom shall be, and the Sovereign, Subjects, Officers, and Laws of that Kingdom, I shall in a word give some hint of the time when this Kingdom shall begin.  
KNow therefore that the uttermost durance of Antichrists dominion, will be in the year 1673. as I have proved from Scripture in a brief Chronology, ready to be put forth. E'er which time it will be necessary that the ten horns, or Kings, which are the strength of the Beast, be broken off, which work is already begun in the Beheading of Charles, late King of three Kingdoms, Anno 1648. according to that in Dan. 7.11 24.26. and the rest of the Horns or Kings are to continue but a little longer, v. 12. Now this Kingdom of Christ which I call the fifth Monarchy, shall begin a little before the fourth Monarchy be destroyed, Dan. 2.44. For which end it is set up of God, to consume and break in pieces the other Kingdoms It shall fill the whole earth, and shall stand for ever, such will be the prevalency thereof against all opposition, the universality and durance of this Kingdom.  
But to come yet a little nearer to the first rise of this Monarchy, it is said, That judgement was given to the Saints, and they executed judgement on the little horn, Dan. 7.22.26. which was fulfilled 1648. and this is not the beginning of the fifth Monarchy, but it comes near it, for Daniel speaks de futuro, That the Kingdom, and Dominion, and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the Saints.  
As for the precise year, I dare not determine, but this I say, that when God awakens the Saints and Witnesses to hearken to a voice from Heaven, that is, from the Churches, saying Come up hither, Rev. 11.12. when they are content to forget their old forms of Government, Civil and Ecclesiastical, called the first Heavens, and first Earth, Rev. 21.1. Isa. 65.17. when I say the Saints are come to this pitch, that they will have no Laws, Statutes, or Rules of Government in the Church or Civil State, but what Christ hath given in his word, even from thenceforth doth this fifth Monarchy begin, which Peter calls the new Heavens, and new Earth, wherein dwells righteousness, 2 Pet. 3.13. Of this Paul prophesieth, Heb. 12.27. that not only the Earth, but also the Heaven, to wit, the Government, Civil and Ecclesiastical, should be shaken towards the end of the fourth Monarchy, under which he then wrote. And by shaking he means removing of them, that the Kingdom of Christ uncapable of shaking, might come in room thereof. And verily there hath been a great shaking already, and more yet remains, for the work will not be wholly finished until the Jews be called, and the fullness of the Nations come in. For which let all Saints pray, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, and let thy Kingdom come, (that) thy will may be done in earth, as it is done in heaven, Rev. 22.17. Mat. 6.10.  
FINIS.