A PRECIOUS APPLE PROCEEDING from the Tree of Life, OR A sweet and seasonable word, dropping from the lips of the Righteous.  
Being an effectual means to preserve the lives of men, sincerely applying it from generation, to generation. Presented to the view of that terrible Army, who under God have been a defence unto us from the monstrous, wild, ravenning and venomous Beasts of the howling Wilderness.  
AS the Saints on earth have both Spirits souls and bodies, 1 Thes. 5.23. so they are to use (according to the example of other Saints) not only spiritual weapons against their enemies, who molest them after a spiritual manner, Ephes. 6.12. but also outward means (as well offensive as defensive) against those who do outwardly assault them; yet always with this caveat, that as they are to use the world, as though they used it not, so those things where with they defend themselves, and offend their enemies, aught to be used by the Saints for mere necessity; and with all, we are to mind that they are the weapons of Antichrist, whose own sword shall cut off his own head, as Goliahs' sword did his.  
And as the Kingdom of God consisteth not in meat and drink, Rom. 14.17. no more doth it in outward warfare, or defence of themselves, from the hands of those who do outwardly assault them (according to their usual manner) yet as the Saints of God have need of meat and drink for the nourishment of their bodies, Mat. 25.42, 43, 45. that so their outward man perish not for want of food, lest they be disabled to serve God.  
And as Christ prefers the life and body before food, and raiment, Mat. 6.25. so they have need of outward helps to defend their bodies and lives, in case they be in imminent danger to be molested and assaulted by their enemies, and the Saints of God are bound to take one another's part, in such acase, Est. 9.1.2.12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18.  
Thus Moses, though he had not received his outward calling (which he had at the Bush) to go immediately and deliver Israel, yet did he after a wise and wary manner rescue an Israelite out of the hands of an Egyptian; Exod. 2. 11.12. So Deborah did accompany Barack to destroy the enemies of God, Judg. 4.10. which kept them in bondage, verse 4.  
And because the Inhabitants of Meroz did not come to help the Lord against the mighty enemies (though with worldly weapons) they were accursed with a bitter curse, and that by the Angel of the Lord, judg. 5.23.  
But jael for wounding of Sissera (though it was with a workman's hammer, and a nail of the Tent) she was not condemned, but commended and blessed above other women, ver. 24, 25, 26, 27. And Samson when God gi' him bodily strength, defended himself therewith against the Philistims, Cap. 15.15. and that unto the day of his death, Cap. 16.30.  
So the workmen of Nehemia, who builded the walls of jerusalem, had their swords, spears, and bows to descend themselves, and offend their enemies, Neh. 4.13. in case they should assault them; and the one part of the people were set to defend the other part, and the buildiers of the wall had swords girded by their sides and so builded, ver. 17.18.  
By these clear Texts of Scripture, with the example of divers other holy Saints of God, it is evident that all the Saints on earth have sufficient ground and warrant to use all outward helps they can, to preserve their bodies, as well as inward for the preservation of their souls; For as God hath ordained spiritual means for the prefervation of the soul, so hath he afforded outward helps for the defence and preservation of the body; And Christ commanded him that had no sword, to sell his garment and buy one, Luke 22.36.  
And the Holy Ghost in the Revelation doth express the punishment, which should be inflicted upon the wicked, and not only describeth the persons who are to execute the same, but also prescribeth both the manner & the measure thereof, Rev. 18.6.7. The executioners are the Saints; the manner of punishment is to reward her as she hath rewarded them, and the measure is, that they shall double it, and in the same cup which she hath filled, they shall fill unto her the double.  
Antichrist must be punished twofold, Spiritually and corporally; Spiritually, by the sword of the Spirit which proceedeth out of the mouth of Christ, 2 Thes. 2.8. Corporally, punishments inflicted upon their bodies; even as Antichrist hath not only murdered souls (by leading them into the way of destruction) Rev. 18.13. but bodies also, ver. 13. yea and the bodies of the Saints, they have killed many ways, as Satan and his instruments devised; Antichrist hath done unto others, so shall it be done unto him.  
And as his Kingdom was built and hath been upholden by blood, so shall it be ruinated and destroyed by blood; for he that sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed, Chap. 16.5.6. and because the members of Antichrist have shed the blood of the Saints and Prophets, God hath given and will give them blood to drink, because they are worthy of it, and they shall have it duly and truly paid them after the same manner, though it be also in a double measure; and the Saints in doing this, do a work of mercy, and those who hinder it, do a work of cruelty, Pro. 10.11.12. for mercy to the bad, is cruelty to the good.  
FINIS.