GOD'S Prerogative Power Made known divers ways in the Old and New Testament. ALSO The Prerogative Power of the Lord Christ. And what he will do in the days of his Kingly Office, In Destroying his Enemies, And Exalting his Saints. Very useful for these Times. By him that loveth both Truth and Peace, NOAH BANKS.  
LONDON, Printed by R. B. and are to be sold at the West end of Paul's, 1650.   

To the truly Honourable in Christ, Major General HARRISON.  
Honoured Sir,  
KNowing that you are one that wait for the appearing of the Lord Christ in his Kingly glory, and are willing to hear news of the good Land, though it be by a weak & poor instrument; for out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, God will declare his praise. I have made bold to communicate a few lines to your godly and grave consideration, what I do believe God is doing in this last Age of the World; Surely, God is answering all the prayers, that have been poured out by the Saints at the Throne of Grace against Antichrist, for this many hundred years; and he is now going in an eminent manner, to require the blood of the Saints that hath been spilt by that man of sin, and his adherents; now the Lord is revenging the blood of the Saints that cry under the Altar, now those that have made war with the Lamb, the Lamb shall overcome them: for he, and he only is Lord of Lords and King of Kings; and they that are with him are called chosen & faithful. Antichrist hath been drunken with the blood of the Saints, now he must have blood to drink, for he is worthy; now have we great cause to bless God, who hath taken to himself great power and doth reign, and hath destroyed them that hath destroyed the earth; now is the Lord humbling great men, the loftiness of man shall be bowed down and the haughtiness of man shall be made low, and the Lord alone exalted in that day; now hath the Lord Christ appeared in the Majesty of his strength; in his Armies he hath scattered the proud in the imaginations of their hearts, he hath pulled down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree; For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an Oven, and all the proud, yea all that do wickedly shall be as stubble, and the day cometh that shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts, and it shall leave neither root nor branch; and he shall tread them down, and they shall be as ashes under the soles of your feet; Now many Nations are gathered against thee, that say, let her be defiled, and let our eyes look upon Zion; but they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his Counsel; he shall gather them as Sheaves into the floors; Arise and thrash O daughter of Zion for I will make thy horn iron, and thy hoofs brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people; God doth and will do great things by weak instruments, thy feet shall tread them down, even the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy, Zech. 12. 8. and God hath made good his word of late, in that day shall the Lord defend the Inhabitants of jerusalem, he that is feeble amongst them, shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them; God is now staining the glory of all flesh, now is the little Stone that was cut out of the Mountain without hands smiting the Image on the feet, that was of iron and clay and breaks them in pieces; then was the iron, and the clay and the brass, and the silver, and the gold, and all the Empires of the earth broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the Summer flower, and the wind carried them away, and the place was no more found: And the Stone that smote the Image became a great Mountain, and filled the whole earth; the Lord Christ will break them with a Rod of Iron, and dash them in pieces like Potter's vessels; yea, the Kings of the earth that will not submit to him, He will strike through Kings in the day of his wrath, he will shake all Nations: yea, not only earth, but also Heaven; and these promises & Prophecies & many more, is the Lord Christ now making good by his Prerogative Power; and hath not God begun this work in this Commonwealth? hath not God delivered us out of Egypt by a mighty hand? and God hath broken the rod of oppressors, as in the day of Midean; and I do believe, the work that God hath begun in England shall go on till he hath made all his enemies his footstool: and that great block that lieth in the way, and hinders the peace of many good men, that the Witnesses are not slain: I do believe for my part, that the Witnesses are slain in this Island. I take the Witnesses to be those that have suffered under Antichrist for forty and two months, Rev 11. 2. as Antichrist came in gradually, so shall his tyrannical power be taken away gradually.  
First, because when Christ gins he will make an end, Babylon's ruin is like a mighty millstone thrown in the Sea, it shall never be found again, he will go 
Rev. 18. 21.  on till Rome be destroyed.  
Secondly, because in the time of Antichrists reign the Witnesses must be clothed in sackcloth, but now 
Rev. 11. 3.  God hath taken a way the sackcloth, and many of the Saints do see cause to put on the garment of rejoicing, and are waiting for the Bridegrooms coming.  
Thirdly, the Witnesses having lain three days and a half dead, which is in conformity to Christ's death, they must stand on their feet again; as blessed be God they now do in this Island.  
Fourthly, when the Witnesses stand on their feet great fear shall fall on them that see them; and are not the enemies of Christ and his people in great fear in these days who can but see it?  
Fiftly, and are not many of the Saints of Christ raised up by the Spirit of God into a glorious admiration of God, and into a safe condition out of the reach of the malice and power of their enemies, and their enemies be hold them, but they cannot hurt 
Rev. 13 6. Chap 12. 19  them; Gods raising up his people is called heaven.  
Sixtly, the great Earthquake God hath made of late both in England Ireland, and now of late in Scotland, which I do believe hath made the territories of Babylon to shake, this is called a great Earthquake. 
Rev. 11. 13.   
Seventhly, I do believe this Commonwealth was the tenth part of mystical Babylon which now is fallen and the powers both in Church and Commonwealth that did oppress the saints is taking away blessed be the Lord; and is not the seventh Angel now going to sound? and are there not great voices in heaven, in the Churches of Christ which is called heaven, saying the Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever, therefore let us fall down on our faces saying, we give thee thanks O Lord God almighty 
Rev. 11. 16. 17.  because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned.  
But now give me leave to give you a few Reasons to show you why I do believe God is about such a glorious work in this Island.  
First, because I do not know nor have read of any Island in the Christian world, that hath opposed the Lord Christ, but this, that hath a people that the Lord will save, at this time that the Lord is destroying Antichrist, you may see in that forenamed 
Isa. 12. 14.  place.  
Secondly, in this Island there hath been many famous Martyrs that have suffered for Christ.  
Thirdly, God hath had as many jacobs that have wrestled with God by prayer against Antichrist as any Nation in the world ever had; and I can speak it for above this twenty years they have sown in tears, and were like unto Israel groaning under our burdens and bondage, therefore I do believe he is now bringing us out of bondage.  
Fourthly, I do believe God is going on with this his glorious work here in this Island, because God hath raised up choice Instruments in pulling down Antichrist powers that have opposed Christ.  
Fifthly, God hath given many of his choice servants a great measure of faith, to believe that the work is begun in this Island, and that it shall not end till Antichrist be destroyed.  
Sixtly, I am sure of it God hath as many precious and choice servants, such as do love the Lord Jesus in sincerity after the inward man, as any Nation in the world.  
Seventhly and lastly, because I do find by the promises of Christ, that his work in destroying Antichrist shall begin in the Lands, as the Scripture saith The Isles shall wait for his Glory: So if you read the 97. Psalms, the whole Psalm is a glorious Prophecy of these Times: it gins, The Lord reigneth, let the Earth rejoice, let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof. I do believe God has made good this whole Prophecy by his acts of Providence in this Island, & also that glorious prophecy in the 42 of Isa. from verse 12. to the 21. which I do believe is now fulfiling in these Lands, and therefore we have no reason to murmur against the Instruments of our good, nor to complain, but to say with the Prophet in the 12. ver. let them give glory to the Lord and declare his praises in the Lands: hath not the Lord Christ gone out like a mighty man? hath not he cried and roared against his enemies? hath not he made waste mountains and hills? hath not he brought the blind by away that they knew not, and led them in paths that they have not known? and made dark things light before them, and crooked things strait: these things hath he done unto them, and not forsaken them; and may it not be said at such a time as this, who is blind but my servant? or deaf but my messenger as I have sent, who is blind as he that is perfect & blind as the Lords servant? seeing many things but observing it not: this prophecy I believe is fulfilled in our days.  
Sir this little Treatise was written some two years since, then being dark times, and therefore what you find of weakness in it, let it be attributed to the author, but what you find to be according to the mind of God, let him only have the glory: this Treatise was put forth by the desire of many godly friends, and believing you are one that is precious in the sight of the Lord, therefore you will have a  construction of what is written, I leave you in the Lord,  
Your servant in the Lord Christ, NOAH BANKS.   

To the Christian Reader.  
IN these last Ages of the world, there hath been much ado about the Prerogative Power of Kings, and great men in all Nations: so of late years more than formerly in this Island, as may appear by all those ways that great men took in oppressing the poor, in imposing taxes on almost all wares, and in coat and conduct money, and Ship-money; which made the poor people to groan under their burdens, and to cry unto the Lord for vengeance against the oppressors.  
So also our Bishops they lorded it over men's consciences in bringing in Superstitions and Idolatry, and setting up their Prerogative Power, that godly men must do what their Wills will have, instead of God's Word; so racking the consciences of godly men till many times they cracked again, making some fly to New-England, others were imprisoned, branding some, and cutting off their ears; Oh how sad was our condition then! some would by their Prerogative Power rule over the Estates of men, and others over the consciences, it was worse than Egyptian bondage; for they only oppressed the bodies, but these did seek to destroy both souls and bodies of men; and no visible help could be found, because they that had the Prerogative Power, called Parliaments, and broke them up again when they would not serve their wills: also over ruling justices and judges, they must bow the straight Laws, to serve their corrupt lusts, and like Issacar, we begun to stoop under the burden; but when men will abuse their power, God will make them know, that he hath a power over them be they never so great; the want of the knowledge of that Almighty power that there is in God, and how he hath made known his Prerogative Power in all ages, is the cause men are so troubled in these times; but if men would search the word of God, they would see how Gods ways are in the deeps, and his footsteps are in the mighty waters. Isa. 43. 16. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out, he is excellent in power, he can throw down the walls of jericho by the blowing of Rams horns, and open the eyes of one born blind with clay and spittle; he can make little David strong enough to cut off the head of Goliath; and the Lord Christ chose out poor Fishermen to be his Disciples, and left the learned Scribes and Pharisees.   

God's Prerogative Power made known divers ways in the Old Testament.  
IN these knowing times most men will acknowledge that all Prerogative Power is in God; but when God is making known his Power in some great acts of Providence in the world; oh how are most men offended at it, and will not believe farther than they can see by their dark light of natural Reason: thus we read that good men failed much, as Jeremiah, Job, and David, till they went and searched into the word of God.  
So it will be our wisdoms in these troublesome times & dark & various acts of Providence to search the Scriptures how God hath formerly made known his Prerogative Power by most unlikely ways and Instruments.  
First when God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, he commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh and tell him that the God of the Hebrews hath sent to him to let his people go, but his answer was, I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.  
Oh how unlikly a person was Moses! a shepherd to go to so great a King in so strange a business, how hardly would Moses be persuaded, but when God said he would make his Power known by plagueing Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and God said he would go with him; if God will go with any Instruments they shall do the work.  
God was not tied to raise a great Army, no he can make use of a Shepherd to do the work, and he can arm Lice and Flies and Frogs to pull down the pride of Pharaoh. But oh how hard a matter was it for Israel to believe, because Pharaoh did lay heavier burdens on them then before; but after God had brought them out by a mighty hand, oh what an untrodden path did God lead them in! they must go thorough the Red Sea, or else Pharaoh would make them bond slaves or destroy them, now doth God make his Prerogative Power appear above what Israel could believe by making a way for his people to go thorough the Red Sea, when the Egyptians following them were all drowned; so all along throw the wilderness forty years did God preserve them, in a miraculous way they had bread and meat from Heaven, and water out of a Rock, and yet for all this how few of them did believe that God would bring them into Canaan and give them the Land of promise, none but joshua and Caleb; one great reason was because the walls of jericho were so great and so high, but you may see how God did blow them down with Rams horns: How did Israel at the first hearing of their deliverance Rejoice and bow down their heads, and worship God, but after God had 
Exod. ●. 13.  made his Power known and brought them out of Egypt, oh how did they murmur against Moses and Aaron, and said they two took too much upon them; but did not God destroy them, and their carcases fell in the Wilderness for murmuring against Moses and Aaron. So at the beginning of our Troubles, oh how did our Ministers and People rejoice and bless God for raising Instruments to bring them out of Bondage; but now God having made his Power known by doing Wonders for us by them, oh how do now the same men murmur against the same Instruments, and say they take too much upon them, and fain would we go back again into Egypt but let these men take heed lest God swore in his wrath they shall never see the new jerusalem; but their children shall see the good Land which many godly men now see a far off.  
Secondly how dark a way was that when Christ came at the first a Virgin should conceive a son! oh the mighty power of God, and love of this Lord and King of Heaven and Earth! He must come in the form of a Carpenter's son, none would own him but poor Shepherds, and Heathens; and afterwards he took poor Fishermen to be his Disciples; and a few women administered to him! how did this blind the great Learned men of the jews! but here you see how God delights to make his Prerogative Power known, when he will do his greatest works by the most unlikely Instruments: but oh how sad a thing was it for them not to know in that their day the things that concerned their peace, and not to have rejected their Saviour: Oh let it not be said of England nor London, that they do slight or refuse the great Salvation that God hath done for us, because the Instruments are not so great or so learned, lest we be found fighters against God.  
Now seeing God hath made his Prerogative formerly known by doing his greatest works by the least and unlikeliest Instruments, that all the glory may be given to him.  
So also doth the word of God declare his Prerogative Power; if you read the 32 of Deuteronomy from the 39 verse to the 44 there God saith, I kill, I make alive, I wound, and I heal, and none can deliver out of my hands. So in the first of Samuel the second chap: in the 7 and 8 verses, the Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich, he bringeth low, and lifteth up; he raiseth the poor out of the dunghill, to set them among Princes, and maketh them to inherit the Thrones of Glory: for the pillars of the Earth are the Lords, and he hath set the world on them. And in the 40 of job the 12 and 13 verses. He looketh on every one that is proud, and bringeth him low; and treadeth down the wicked in their places, and hideth them in the dust together, and bindeth their faces in secret.  

Divers ways did God make his Prerogatvie Power appear in the Old Testament.  
First over Angels and Men, in pulling down their pride: The great Design God had in creating all things, was his own Glory, and amongst all his creatures he made Angels and Men to be the most glorious; and endued them with many privileges above all other creatures: but still he reserved the Prerogative Power to himself. If the Angels (whom God had placed in an excellent condition, who had Heaven for their habitation, standing in the presence of God beholding his glory) if they will not keep their first estate, but will lift up themselves, God will then make known his Power in destroying them and all their glory, and throwing them down out of heaven into hell, reserving them in everlasting chains in utter darkness unto the judgement of the great Day. 
jud. ver. 6.   
And also Adam whom God created after his own image, and placed him in Paradise, and made him Lord over all his creatures here below, when he would exalt himself, how soon did God destroy him and all his glory, and his posterity, and drove him out of Paradise; and he and all creatures became accursed: if Cain will lord it over his brother Abel, and shed his brother's blood, God will make his Power known, he shall be accursed, and a vagabond on the earth. 
Gen. 4. 11.   
So if Pharaoh will deal proudly and say, who is the Lord? and by his power oppress God's people with cruel bondage, and will 
Exod. 5. 10.  not let Israel go at God's command, God will make his Power appear in raising an Army of Lice, and Flies, and Frogs, to plague Pharaoh; and if this will not humble him, he hath a Red Sea wherein to drown him and all the malignant Egyptians that followed after God's people. 
Exod, 14. 24.   
Also Nabuchadnezzar that proud King if he lift up himself, and say in the pride of his heart, Is not this great Babylon that I have built by the might of my power, and for the honour of my Majesty? Here you see the pride of this vain man; but while the words were in the King's mouth, God told him that the Kingdom was departed from him, and he was driven out from men; & he did eat grass with the oxen; Oh let all proud Kings know 
Dan. 4. 30. 31.  that the great God hath a Prerogative Power over them, he ruleth in the Kingdoms of men; he giveth them to whom so ever he will. 
Dan. 4. 17.   
So if Herod to whom God had given wisdom, will hearken to the applause of men, God will suddenly abase him, for the Text saith an Angel of God smote him, because he did not give the glory to God; he was eaten up with Worms and he died. 
Acts 12. 23.   
By these Examples and many more we may see the great Prerogative Power of God, and how fearful a thing it is to go about to rob God of his Prerogative Power; this sin hath always some judgement suddenly at the heels of it, God doth many times abase such proud men in this life, for pride goeth before destruction, 
Pro. 6. 18.  and a high mind before the fall.  
Secondly, Then God maketh his Prerogative Power appear, when God stops the natural course of his creatures, as when God at the prayer of joshua made the Sun & the Moon to stand 
joshua 10. 13.  still, and the Sun to go back ten Degrees, and the fiery Oven not to burn the three Children, and the Lions not to destroy 
Dan. 4. 27. Exod. 14. 16.  Daniel, and the Red-Sea to stand like walls on both sides, till Israel passed over; God hath the Prerogative Power over all his creatures, if the Lord Christ command the Winds and the Seas they must obey him.  
Thirdly, God maketh his Power known, when he maketh use of the weakest and basest of his creatures, for to pull down the pride of man: as he did to proud Pharaoh, he did send Frogs, Caterpillars, and Lice, and Flies, to plague Pharaoh 
Exod. 9  and all Egypt; and also if proud Herod will take the glory to himself, which was due to God, God will send his Angel to smite him, and he shall be eaten up with Worms.  
Fourthly, Then God maketh his Prerogative Power to appear, when God makes use of the most unlikely instruments, to do the greatest and most miraculous works by: as when God threw down the walls of Jericho with the blowing of Rams horns, and the Lord Christ opened the eyes of one that was born blind with clay and spittle, and Jonah must be delivered by being swallowed up of a great fish, which was a very unlikely way; but there is nothing too hard for God to do, he hath a Prerogative Power to do what he will, and by what means he will. See the 6.  
Fifthly, God maketh his mighty Power known, when he leadeth people in untrodden paths: as he did the people of Israel, when he brought them out of Egypt, they must go through the Red Sea, and forty years in the Wilderness, and through the waters of Jordane; in all these ways did God make his great Power appear so much the more: so also many of the people of God in cases of necessities, have gone in ways that hath been contrary to the rule and revealed word; as David did when he did eat the Show bread, which was lawful for none but the Priest; yet Christ said he was blameless: so Phineas slew Zimry and Cosby, he being the high Priest it was not his place to execute justice; yet this act of his was well pleasing to God, and turned away the wrath of God from the children of Israel, and how did God reward him and all the rest that came after him. Numb. 25. 12.  
Sixthly, The power of God appears, when God doth many times his greatest works by a few, and they the most contemptible instruments. gideon's Army was too many. God would mould them, till they came but to three hundred, to overthrow the Host of the Midianites; which were as Grasihoppers, 
judges 7. 12.  and as the sand of the Sea for number: So God those out David to be King, the most unlikely of all the sons of Jesse, and he must fight with great Goliath, that made all the Army of Israel to tremble, whose spear was like a Weavers beam; yet this David whom his brethren despised he going in the name of the Lord killeth Goliath; here was the power of God the more seen! as when Jonathan and his Armor-bearer discomforted the whole Host of the Philistims: so the Lord Christ chose poor Fishermen to be his Disciples, and leaving the learned Scribes and Pharisees; thus God makes his power the more appear, when he does do great works by weak instruments; and hath not God done wonderful things of late by a poor small contemptible new-moddelled Army! how hath God by them routed great Armies, taken many strong Garrisons! & these last years it may be said, what hath the Lord done by these despised instruments! oh what a black cloud was risen in this poor land, in Wales, in Kent, in Surry, and that great Army of the Scots never to be forgotten! and how did God by his poor instruments making them valiant, bring down the pride and power of these bloody men! and surely if men were not blind, they would see how God doth own this Army! and if God own them, let men take heed how they speak or act against them, lest they be found fighters against God; and God hath made his Prerogative power to appear by this Army, that I am persuaded that many Generations to come shall have cause to bless God for them; and they having begun to throw down in this land the outworks of Rome, who knoweth if God will not so highly honour some of them, that they may set up their Trophies on the walls of Rome!  
Seventhly, God hath made his Prerogative power appear, in altering of the government of his Church five times already. First, God let down a Government to Adam: Cain and Abel offered Sacrifice. Secondly, God let down a Pattern of Government to Moses, as you may read in Leviticus. Thirdly, God did let down a farther way to David and Solomon, when the Temple was to be built. Fourthly, God let down to Ezra the second Temple, the manner how it should be built, and all things therein. Fifthly, The Lord Christ he comes and sets up the Gospel Government, which hath continued this sixteen hundred years. Now there is one more Government spoken of in the 21. Revel. 2. that is, the New Jerusalem that must come down from Heaven, which will be a glorious time; this we wait for, which I believe will be the last Government on earth.  
Eighthly, So also the Lord hath made his Power appear, by changing the Government in the Commonwealth: as first the Government was by Abraham the head of the Families, secondly Moses a Prophet, next Joshua who was a Warrior, so Judges continued, sometimes they were men, sometimes they were women, and thus it continued till Samuel's time: and this was the most immediate Government of God. But when Israel would have a King. God told them they had not only rejected Samuel, but God, that he should not rule over them; but then God changed the Government upon the request of the people, and God bid Samuel go and anoint them a King; but God bid Samuel tell them the manner of the Kings that should Reign over them: how they would make slaves of them, and take away their estates from them; and hath not many Kings done so: did not Ahab take Naboths vineyard, and much of this hath been done in our days; then God gave them a King which was Saul, but did Saul and his 
1 Sam. 14. 14, 15, 23.  sons govern Israel long? No, God shown his Prerogative when Saul would not obey the command of God, but would fulfil his own will, God rejected him and his posterity for being King, and set up David his servant in his place; and many times did God throw down Kings, as he did Ahab, and set up others in their stead; but when Israel and their Kings begun to sin with a high hand against God, and would not repent, than God gave them and their King into the hand of the Heathen, whom they would be like in having a King, as you may read, Sam. 8. 5. then was Israel brought under the Babylonish Monarchy: Four Monarchies have been already, first the Babylonish Monarchy secondly the Persian, thirdly the Grecian, fourthly the Roman; all which Monarchies were shown to Daniel in the dream. Now the last which is the fifth, which is said to be a Little stone cut out of the Mountain without hands, as you may read, Dan. 2. 34, 36. Now begun the Prerogative Power of the Lord Christ; for it is said, He smote the Image on the feet, that were made of Iron and Clay, and brought to nothing all the other Monarchies, as you may read, ver. 35. and it became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth; this is a stone cut out without hands, a Kingdom set up by the God of Heaven, some divine work: and all the Kingdoms and States that were first and last, shall be swallowed up under this Kingdom of Christ, as appears, Dan. 7. 14. There was given to him Dominion and Glory, and a Kingdom, that all Nations and Languages shall serve him: his Dominion is an everlasting Dominion, that shall not pass away; and his Kingdom shall not be destroyed.    

God's Prerogative Power made known in the New Testament, and in these last ages of the World.  
THus having spoken something of the Prerogative power of God in the former ages, now much might be said of the Power of the Lord Christ in these last ages of the world.  
In the first ages, Christ did wonderfully and gloriously make known his Prophetical Office, visibly and externally in the world by all the Prophets, as Isaiah, David, Daniel, and all the rest of the Prophets: so also he was held forth typically in the Cloud, in the Pillar of fire in the Rock, in the brazen Serpent, in the Ark and Tabernacle, and in the Temple, and all the Sacrifices, and the High Priests, the Escape Goat; all these did hold forth the Prophetical Office of Christ, in those days of his Prophecy very gloriously, to all those that understood the Prophecies. Abraham rejoiced to see the days of Christ, and Daniel longed to understand the vision: and oh that men would more study to understand the Old Testament; wherein they might see what God would do in all ages.  
In the second age of the world was the Priestly Office of Christ made known visibly, externally, and gloriously in the world, to the amazement both of men and Angels and Devils; God testifies of him, Math. 3. 17. this is my beloved son whom I promised should come in the fullness of time to broke the Serpent's head: also the Angels spoke glorious things of a Saviour that was born, Luke 2. 10. so the wise men they, came from far to see this great High Priest; and the Apostles were witnesses of all Christ did in the administration of his Priestly Office, the Devils confessed him, and Soldiers, and Christ himself was crucified openly on the Cross; all these do declare, that in the second age of the world, the Lord Christ did openly in the sight of men and Devils, fulfil all Promises concerning his Priestly Office; and all the Saints must ever since fill up the measure of the sufferings of Christ openly, for conformity to Christ this sixteen hundred years.  
The Lord Christ having finished his two Offices, a Prophet and a Priest; now he shall come as King, and we have great ground to believe it, as you may read hereafter, that the Lord Christ is coming to set up his Prerogative power; for now God the Father hath given to his Son all power both in Heaven and earth, Matth. 28. 18. now of his enemies that would not have him rule over them, he saith, bring them and slay them before me; now God will give his Son the Heathen for his inheritance, and the utmost part of the earth for his possession, Psa. 2. 8. the Lord Christ hath hitherto been but a suffering and a persecuted King, a scoffed and a despised King by the Kings of the world; but now he will be Lord and King of the whole earth. Zach. 14. 9  
Now the Lord Christ a sums to himself a new form, different from the form of a servant; he is now coming to set up his Prerogative Kingly power, to show to his Saints and to his enemies, the great design he is doing in the world; this coming of Christ will be very sweet and comfortable to his Saints, but terrible to his enemies, with an iron rod in his hand, and he shall dash them in pieces like Pottets vessels, and he shall have his Garments dipped in blood, Rev. 19 13. his face is like lightning, but lovely to his Saints, it shineth as the Sun; Rev. 1. 16. this great power of the Lord Christ is known by his names and titles given him, he is called, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 19 16. King of Nations, jer. 10. 7. King of Saints, a great King, Mal. 1. 14. all creatures are at his command, the host of Heaven attend him, mighty to save, the 
Phil. 1. 9  Lord shall go forth like a Giant, he shall stir up courage like a man of war, Isa. 42. 13. a Wonderful Counsellor, Isa. 9 6. his name is above all names, every knee shall bow to him, his Right hand shall do terrible things, make waste Mountains and Hills: he is that Little Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands, that shall break in pieces the Gold, Silver, Brass, and Iron, and Clay, Dan. 2. all former Monarchical Goverments, and he shall take to himself great Power and Rule, he shall be King of the whole Earth, and there shall be given to him Dominion and Glory, and a Kingdom, that all Peeple, Nations, and Languages, shall serve him. Dan. 7. 14  
When will the Lord Christ take to him this great Power and reign as King? First, when the enemies of his Church and Saints are at the highest and say, I sit as Queen, Rev. 18. 7. when they say, I will ascend above the Clouds, I will be like the most High, Isa. 14. 14. when the enemies of God are lifted up with pride and power, then shall the Lord Christ make known his power; then shall her plagues come suddenly, for 
Reve. 18. 7.  the Lord that judgeth her is a strong God, then shall she come down and sit in the dust. O how high were the enemies of 
Isa. 47. 1.  God and of his Saints in this Land of late, how did they oppress the Saints, how did they begin to rule over men's estates and consciences too, and said, bowdown that we may go over.  
Now will God make his enemies his footstool, now will God visit the wickedness of the world, as it is in Esay 13. 11. I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and I will cast down the pride of Tyrants: And is not this the work God is about in our days? and hath not God done much in these days? oh that men had eyes to see it, that God might have the glory.  
Secondly when the Saints are at the lowest than will the Lord repent himself for his servants, when he seethe that their power is gone and they have no help left: how sad was our 
D●t. 32. 3●.  condition in England of late years, in the time of our Prelates, how did they oppress good men, making some fly to new-England, branding some, and cutting off their Ears, imprisoning others; how sad was our condition this last year, when so black a cloud did arise both in Kent, Surrey, Wales, and Skotland, and on the Seas; and how did wicked men threaten to cut the throats of godly men and plunder them, than did God's people like Israel groan and cry unto the Lord; and praised be our good God who hath scattered the proud, and hath taken our parts, and hath raised faithful Instruments who have jeparded their lives in the High Places in the Field; oh let not such valiant Commanders and Soldiers go without their due Honour, next to the honour of God: and though the Saints were low yet God was on high, and he hath taken our part, when there was none to help, than Gods Arm brought Salvation for us.  
Thirdly, When wicked men rage against the Lord and against his Saints, as in the second Psalm, Wherefore do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing, the Kings of the Earth set themselves and the Rulers take Counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed, Then will God set his King upon his holy Hill of Zion: verse 6. when wicked men rage's the Lord Christ shall dash them in pieces like Potter's vessels; and never did wicked men rage more than of late, therefore sure their ruin is near: did Saul prosper when he raged against David? did not God rend the Kingdom from him? and is not this the day when wicked men shall fret themselves and curse their God and their King, and look upward? Isa. 8. 21. but blessed be God that the rage of man shall turn to his praise, and the remainder of wrath will he restrain.  
When the Lord Christ comes to throw down Antichrist and his adherents, he will shake all Nations in that day, in the day of his fierce anger, and by a mighty Earthquake turning 
Esay. 13. 13.  Kingdoms and Nations, upside down, every one must endure a shaking in this Earthquake, and is not God now a shaking this Nation, and throwing down what Antichrist hath built 
Revel. 16. 18. 19  for many years: o! what a smoke doth this great ruinous house make! it blindeth the eyes of most men yea many godly men; surely in this ruinous heap jesus Christ the wise Builder will find many precious stones, and many pieces of timber that are found at the heart and fit them to build the New jerusalem; though many great posts will be found rotten at the heart when they are tried, and they will be fit for nothing but for the fire; for behold the day cometh that shall burn as an Oven, and all the proud, yea all that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and the day cometh that shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts, and it shall leave neither root nor branch; Mal. 4. 1. wicked men shall be as rubbish, and he shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be as ashes under the soles of his feet. Mal 4. 3.  
Those Nations and Kingdoms that have lived in pomp, and contempt of God and his Saints shall suffer dreadful shake, that no person, nor Nation, nor Government, shall be able to stand, that shall oppose the Kingly Government of the Lord Christ, for he hath said, once more he will not only shake the earth; but the heavens also, Heb. 12.  
Fiftly, When the Saints are in the dark as well as wicked men, much fearing and thinking of a dark Night that is coming with dreadful troubles; and so it will be to all those that are not acquainted what God is doing; when the Lord reigns clouds and darkness are round about him, yet Righteousness and judgement are the habitation of his Throne; and a fire shall go before him to burn up all his enemies, Psalms 97. 2, 3. At the coming of Christ will be a dark time for at midnight the Bridegroom came. All those that would be acquainted what the Lord Christ is doing, let them read Esay 42. 16. He will lead the blind by a way that they known not, and will lead them in paths that they have not known I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things strait, and not forsake them. Many say in our days, things go on as in untrodden paths and unknown ways and dark ways; if you look into this Scripture you may see the Lord Christ will lead his people in such a way as they have not known, and many good men are in the dark at this time, and godly Ministers: if you read Esay 42. 18. 19 20. there he saith, who is so blind as my servant? who is so blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lords Servant: but at last God will let them see, for at evening time it shall be light. Zak. 14. 7.  
Sixtly, when the Lord Christ fits and chooses out some choice instruments for his work, such as Moses, joshua, Samson, David, Solomon, Cyrus, Zorobabel, or moddel out some Army, a Gideon and his three hundred men; when you see God raise up men of another spirit, choice men for wisdom and courage, to do some notable work, as God hath done by this Army of late years; it is a sign that God is doing some excellent work for his Church, and for the downfall of Antichrist.  
Seaventhly, When the Lord Christ makes his Power known in abasing proud men and women, as you may read in the second and third of Isa. at large; there you may see, what God is doing now in these last days. Oh how hath God in this Land of late pulled down the pride of many tall Cedars! both in the Church as Lord Bishops, and many great men are brought low; for the haughtiness of man shall be abased, and the loftiness of man shall be brought low, and the Lord alone exalted; in that day he shall tread them down, even by the 
Isa. 2. 9 Isa. 26. 5, 6. Mat. 4. 3.  feet of the poor and the steps of the needy; and ye shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet.  
Eighthly, When the Lord Christ gives his Saints a heart to cry mightily to God for the downfall of Antichrist, and will give him no rest till he makes Jerusalem the praise of the whole earth; when the Angel having the golden Censor, which was the prayers of the Saints poured out, then woe to Antichrist; there was a voice of thunder, and lightning, and an earthquake; how hath God made his power known by prayer? Moses' prayed, and the Red-Sea stood on heaps, at joshuahs' prayer the Sun stood still: prayer will shut Heaven and open Heaven, as Eliah did; and hath not God raised up some men to a mighty spirit of prayer? how do they cry to God with abundance of confidence, believing now God is pulling down Antichrist? oh saith a poor gracious soul, let me pull too with my prayers, for it will never be well with Zion till Antichrist be destroyed!  
Ninthly, When the Lord Christ gins to take the vail off, that is spread over all Nations, Isa. 25. 7. A fire shall go before him which shall give light to his people, but burn up all his enemies round about: the earth saw it and trembled. Psa. 97. 3, 4. When the Sun of righteousness shall arise, oh what a difference there will be between Goshen and Egypt; and surely God hath of late more than formerly, opened the eyes of many godly men, and made known his truth concerning Christ's Kingly Government in these last days; but when the rest of the Gentles and jews do come to the knowledge of Christ, oh how glorious will those times be!  
But unto whom will the Lord Christ reveal this great work in destroying Antichrist, and calling of the jews and Gentles that are not yet called? They must be his friends as Abraham was, they must be such as fear him, such as dearly love him, and 
Psa. 25.  love not their lives to the death; precious choice men, Daniel like men of excellent spirits; men beloved of Christ as john 
Reve. 12. 11.  was, lying in Christ's bosom, Eagle-eyed men, such as the 
Pro. 17. 27.  Shepherds were which watched by night, and spent their meditations on the high things of God; men like joshua and 
Dan. 6. 3.  Caleb, who followed the Lord fully, and will speak well of the good Land; men that have much sound knowledge of the 
Numb. 14 22:  mystery of Christ's Kingdom, searching out the deep things of 
1 Cor. 2. 10.  God; they must be such as have laid the Church troubles to their hearts, jacobs that have wrestled with God by prayer, 
jer. 9 1.  and will have no denial; they are the first born sons of Zion, 
Dan. 10. 2, 3.  such as have spent themselves in fasting and fervent crying to jehovah; those that have sown in tears, they shall reap with joy, 
Gen. 32. 24.  those shall have the first fruits, and hear from Christ the first news of Zions glory; these and these alone, shall see the Land a far of.  
What will the Lord Christ do in these last days by his Kingly Prerogative Power?  

First, He will destroy his enemies.  
Secondly, He will exalt his Saints.   
The Lord Christ hath begun this work already, he hath trod the winepress of the wrath of the Almighty; this he did in the Garden, and on the Cross, than he conquered all our spiritual enemies, than he suffered for us, but now he must reign till he hath made all his enemies his footstool; these days will bring forth sad news for Antichrist and all his adherents, their judgements slumbreth not; A long time saith Christ I have held my peace, I have been still, I have refrained myself, now will I cry like a travelling woman, I will destroy and devour at once; the Lord goes forth like a mighty man of war, he shall cry, yea roar, he shall prevail against his enemies. When the Lion 
Isa 32 23. 24.  of the Tribe of judah shall roar, woe to the beasts, woe to Antichrist the great enemy of Christ's Kingdom, and woe to all the Kings of the earth that have taken part with the Beast: woe to Rome and her confederates, Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand: it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Isa 13. 6. your lofty looks shall be laid low, Isa. 2. 11. for the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of the redeemed is come; it will be a terrible bloody day to the Lord Christ's enemies, as you may read, Isa. 34. for his camp is very great, his day is very terrible, joel 2. 10, 11. he will make waist as mountains and hills the greatest of his enemies; Isa. 42. 15. the ruin of spiritual Babylon and Rome, must be by a mighty earthquake; Isa. 13. 13. Rev 16. 16. at the taking of Babel the whole earth is moved, jer. 50. 46. when the Lord Christ comes to make his power known in destroying his enemies, there will be great bloody wars, and changes in in Governments, and great troubles in all Nations. This appears plain by many places of Scripture, it will be bloody times at the fall of Antichrist, the Lord hath a consumption to bring upon the whole earth; See Isa. 66. 15. and Chap. 17. 12, 13, 14. Chap. 18. 3, to the end, Chap. 28. 2. Chap. 34. 8. where you may read how bloody a time it will be, for it is the day of vengeance, and the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion; it is comfortable for the Saints, though he that is coming to judge the great whore, that hath made the earth drunk with her fornications, and to avenge the blood of his servants; Rev. 18. 20. the Lord Christ will make known his Prerogative power in the throwing down of the man of sin, he will stir up jealousy like a man of war, Isa. 42. 13. he will strike through Kings in the day of his wrath, Psa. 110. 5, 6. he shall be crowned King of Kings, Rev. 19 he shall reign till Antichrist be utterly thrown down, 2 Thes. 2. 8. it shall be as the overthrowing of Sodom, never to be inhabited from generation to generation, root & branch shall be wholly destroyed; as you may read, jer. 50. 39, 40. Rev. 18. 2. Isa. 34. Mal. 4. 1. for the Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands, shall break in pieces the gold and the silver, the brass, iron and the clay, and they shall become as chaff, and the wind shall carry them away, and this Stone shall become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth. Dan. 2. 35.  
Be encouraged O ye valiant Commanders, and Soldiers, and subjects of Christ: you that have sought the Lords Battles, glory and boast in your great General the Lord Christ, he is a man of war mighty to save, a Giant refreshed with wine, a Lion of the Tribe of judah, he hath a rod of Iron in his hands, he will strike through Kings in the day of his wrath, he shall judge among the Nations, he shall fill the places with dead bodies; the Sword of the Lord is filled with blood, for it is the day of the Lords vengeance, he will have his garments dipped in blood, Isa. 34. and the souls of the Heavens shall eat the flesh of Kings and of mighty men. Rev. 19 18. Woe to all the Kings of the earth, that oppose the Lord Christ when he comes to reign; for the pride of man shall be abased and the Lord alone exalted in that day; Isa. 2. 10. 11. he will pull down the Cedars, the mighty men, the greatest of his enemies; and may we not think that God is going to throw down Antichrist now in England? is not this one of the outworks of Rome? you know when Soldiers are against a City, they first storm the Outworks: now I say, brave valiant Commanders, and Soldiers of the Lord Christ, you that have begun to pull down the Outworks of Rome, go on and fight stoutly for your General the Lord Christ, you shall see him do more wonders for you; and who knoweth but you may be counted worthy to be chosen, and saithful, to set up your Trophies of triumph on the Walls of Rome; which will ere long be done.  
Also, the Lord Christ will make his power known, in treading Satan under his feet, principalities and powers must be subject unto him; when Christ reigns Satan must be bound up. And I saw an Angel come down from Heaven, having the Key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand; and he laid hold on the Dragon, that old Serpent, which is the Devil, and he was bound up a thousand years. Rev. 20. 1, 2, 3, 10. When we see that devilish malice in men against God and his Saints is taken away; then shall the Lion and the Lamb lie down together, they shall not hurt in my holy Mountain; then shall we beat our swords into pruning hooks. Isaiah 2. 4.  
We have spoken of Christ's Prerogative power in the destroying of his enemies, and making them his footstool; but after this dark night of trouble, will the Son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, when he hath trodden the wicked, and they shall beas ashes under the sols of his feet; Mal. 4. 2, 3. Oh the happy times that then will be! thine eyes shall see the King in his glory, Isa. 33. 17. he shall be King of the whole earth, Zach. 14. 9 Mal. 1. 14. Isa. 59 19 his Kingdom shall last for ever, Isa. 59 19 Dan. 7. 14. that is, to the end of the world; and then shall he resign up the Kingdom to his Father, Luke 1. 3. and God shall be all in all. 1 Cor. 15.  
First, Under this glorious Kingly Government, of the Lord Christ, his great Power shall appear, in teaching his Saints, abundance of knowledge shall be in the earth; for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the Sea, and it must needs 
Isa. 11. 9  be so: for thy Children shall be all taught of the Lord; 
Isa. 54. 13.  In the last days of the Kingly Government of Christ, God will pour out his spirit upon all flesh, and their sons and their daughters shall Prophecy; many shall run too and fro, and knowledge shall increase; That City had no 
joel 2. 28. Dan. 12. 4.  need of the Sun nor of the Moon to shine in it, for the glory of the Lord did light it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Oh how little hath been known of the Gospel, and of the Kingly Government of Christ in former times! and how abundantly doth it now spread; but oh how glorious will the times be when Antichrist shall be destroyed! and the jews called; then will all the fullness of these promises be accomplished.  
Secondly, Under this Kingly Government of the Lord Christ there shall be greater degrees of holiness among the Saints, yea, the beauty of holiness; in 
Psa. 110. 4.  the new jerusalem, upon all the Vessels, and upon the horse Bridles shall be holiness to the Lord, and an high 
Zech. 14. 20.  way shall be there, and it shall be called the way of holiness; 
Esay 35. 8. Revel. 21.  And I john saw the holy City, the new jerusalem come down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband, and all the stones of that City are precious stones; which doth set forth that glorious Church, under the Kingly Government of the Lord Christ.  
Thirdly, There shall abundance of peace and plenty be under the Government of the Lord Christ; he will first be like David, a man of war; but after that be done, than he will be like Solomon, peace and plenty will be in those days; when once joshua appears in his glory, he will bring down the noise of strangers, and the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low Isa. 25. 5. the sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bonding unto thee, and all they that despised thee, shall bow themselves at the soles of thy feet; & they shall call thee the City of the Lord, the Zion of the holy One of Israel; Isa. 60. 14. & for plenty for brass I will bring gold and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy Officers be at peace, and thine exactors righteousness; verse 17. the Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid, at the glorious times of peace, in the days of Christ's Kingly Government; for he is the King of peace, and the Prince of peace, Isa. 9 6. he will create peace, Isa. 57 19 truth and peace shall kiss one another under this King's reign.  
Fourthly, under this peaceable reign of the Lord Christ, there shall be a very fruitful time, the New jerusalem shall so increase, that it shall overspread many Countries, and all Nations shall flow into it, Isa 2. 2 than shall they come flocking as Doves to Windows; Isa 60. 8. his people shall be a willing people in the day of his power, then shall the Kingdom of Heaven suffer violence; Matth. 11. 12. Bashan was a fruitful Hill, but Mount Zion far excels it, the valleys shall be full of springs, and crowded with Corn, Esay 41. 18. they shall shoot for joy and sing; the Church shall be as the garden of Eden, as the garden of the Lord, Esay 51. 3. this is a fruitful time above all others as you may read, Ezek. 34. 25. 26. Esay 49. Zech. 8. 5. from small beginnings, it shall grow up into a Mountain, and shall fill the whole earth, Dan. 2. 34, 35. than shall the Kingdoms, and Dominions, and greatness of the Kingdoms under the whole Heavens be given to the Saints of the most High. 
Dan. 7. 27.   
Fifthly, The last great act of the Lord Christ; Power is, in the duration of this glorious Church: it shall last for ever, as long as the world shall last, as you may read, Dan. 7. 27. his Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and of his Kingdom there shall be no end, Dan. 2. 44. Luke 1. 33. Esay 54 8. Chap. 61. 7. and his Dominion is an everlasting Dominion, which shall not pass away and of his Kingdom shall not be destroyed, Dan. 7. 14. and the Saints of the most High shall take the Kingdom, and possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Dan. 12. 3. Revel. 22. 3. 2 Thess. 4. 16. 17.  
Oh the happy and blessed times that will be under the Kingly Government of the Lord Christ! when Antichrist shall be utterly destroyed, and the Jews and fullness of the Gentles come in; When Knowledge shall cover the earth, as waters cover the Sea, and holiness abound in men, and a liberty of all Ordinances, and peace and plenty, that which the creatures now groan for; Rom. 6. 22. the Lion and the Lamb shall lie down together, than we shall beat our swords into Blow shares, and our spears into pruning hooks; Isa. 2. 4. and I will make the place of my feet glorious, the sons of them that afflicted thee, shall come bending unto thee, and all those that despised thee, shall bow themselves at the soles of thy feet; Isa. 60. 14. and the Kingdom and Dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdoms under the whole Heavens, shall be given to the Saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all Dominions shall serve and obey him. Dan. 7. 27.  
Oh that the Lord would open our eyes to see the excellency and beauty of Christ's Kingdom! and pardon our too much neglect of searching the Scriptures, concerning the glorious things of Zions beauty; which will be ere long the joy of the whole earth, the glory and praise of the whole world, (Isa. 62. 7. Psa. 48. 2.) in spite of men and Devils, and all the Powers in the world, and of Hell itself.  
Thy Kingdom come Amen, Amen.