The Royal ADVOCATE: OR, An Introduction to the Magnificent and Honourable Laws of Jehovah the Lord Christ, now contaminated and despised by the present Armym●n of this NATION.  
Asserting and Controverting the Holiness, Righteousness, Perfectness, and universality thereof, of Divi●● Right: In opposition to the Heathenish, and Antichristian Laws, Traditions, and vain imaginations of the past and present, pretended Christian Magistrates of this Na●●●n which they yet so much dote upon and endeavour ●●●upport against the alone Law giver, L●rd o● heaven and earth, God of Gods, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  
Published by John Spittle-house, now a prisoner for his Testimony against the Idolatry and Tyranny of the present Army men, Priests, L●wyers, etc. For the Information of the followers o● th● Lamb, now appearing as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.  Mat. 15. 7, 8. 
Ye Hypocr●●es, well did El●●●h prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto m● wi●h their mouth, and honoureth me with ●heir li●s, but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for Doctrines the commandments of men. (whether in things Civil or Spiritual.)  Mat. 23. 13, 14. 
woe unto you Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites, for ye shut up ●he Kingdom of Heaven, against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in: Therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.  
LONDON, Printed for the Author, and are to be sold at the Crown in Popes-Head-Alley, 1655.   

To the now contaminated Saints and Servants of God and (yet faithful followers of the Lamb in this crooked and perverse generation) under the notion of the fifth Monarchy-men, and enemies of all Magistracy and Ministry, with all others whom it may concern.  
Dear Brethren and Friends,  
THe Providence of God is not unaptly compared to the wheels of a Clock, which albeit they run variously, yet they agree harmoniously to the producing of that end, to which they are appointed; and therefore notwithstanding the affairs of this Nation, have for some time had a contrary motion to the general expectation of the people of God, which probably hath been the cause of all the flagging, and secret murmurs and repine among them▪ as though the Lord had forgotten to be gracious, or to perform his peromises; yet if we search narrowly into the mind and ●ill of Jehovah, we shall prove no better by our incredulity, than the Disciples of our blessed Saviour, Luk. 24. 25. i e. fools and and slow of heart, to believe all that the Prophets, and the Lord Jesus and his Apostles have spoken shall come to pass in the last days; as for instance, the present Apostasies of the Army, and several of the foolish (though) virgin Churches in this Nation, (in point of external ordinances) i. e. those that have lately subscribed their approbation of this present Government we now live under, to be of God, and such as ought to be complied with, as the Saints have formerly done to the Governments of Heathen Potentates, (without the least consideration of the prohibition which the Lord Jesus hath made and appointed against the worship of the Beast and his Image, o● that receiveth his mark in his forehead, or in his hand or his Name, or number of his name, and that under the pain and penalty of drinking of the wine of the wrath of God poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and that they shall be tormented wi●h Fire and Brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb, and that the smoke of their torment shall ascend up for ever and ever, and that they shall have no rest day nor night, who worship the Beast and his Image, etc. Rev. 14, 9, 10, 1●.) hath doubtless been a great stumbling block in the way of God's people, ●o what they are now in expectation of: and therefore to the end that all men may see and know, that the present Government runs parallel with the Beast, and that the sa●●●●pro●●●●, (●●●one presumptuously) are guilty of the aforementioned punishments ●or so doing will appear,  
1. From the engagement of the Army against the late King, and his Monarchy, as one of the ten horns of the Beast, guilty of the blood of the Saints.  
2. By the joint con 〈…〉 of those very persons whom it is to be feared have now presumptuously worshipped the Image of the Beast, etc. witness their preaching, praying, fasting and fight against that Government, the image of which they now so much hug and embrace, and are now grown so shamefully impudent, as to declare the same to be of God.  
3. By the Descent of the present Government from the fall of Adam, i● having run through the veins of all the Idolaters and Tyrants that have been unto this day, as in the ensuing Treatise will appear, and that by the Testimony of the Grand new ●●●at●● Doctor of the times Mr. John Owen, who hath been very much assisting unto me in the proof thereof, as you will also find.  
4. By the clear Testimony of Mr. Tillinghast in his Epistle to his late Book titled the Knowle●● of the times: so that the apostasies of the aforenamed person and persons (if rightly used) may rather conduce to the great advantage of God's people, and to the strengthening and confirming of the faith and confidence of those that hold fast their integrity, i. e. that the Great day of the Lord is at hand, and that judgement is now begun at the house of God, that the Lords fire is now kindled in Zion, and his furnace heating in Jerusalem, that the Refiners fire is now melting away the tin and dross from 〈…〉 s jewels, that the Fuller's soap is now scouring up the garments of the Saints, making them white and clean (i. e. by a pure and unspotted life and conversation, that they may now be as a City set upon the top of an hill, or as a Candle put into a Candlestick, to give a light to the inhabitants, that they may approve themselves children of the light, and of the day, that their light may so shine before men, that they may see their good actions, and so be a means to stir them up to glorify their Father which is in heaven) for our blessed Saviour hath foretold that it shall be in the last days, or time of his coming to judgement, as it was in the days of Noah, Mat. 24. 37. etc. at which time it is clear from Gen. 6. that there happened a very great apostasy in those persons, who went under the Notion of the sons of God, v. 2. by means of which the sins of that world became ripe for judgement, every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts being then evil, and that continually, v. 5. and therefore seeing the said prophecy is now so evidently fulfilled before our eyes, both in reference to the Army (only a few cordial and thrice noble Commanders, who rather than they would become a reproach and scandal to what they had so publicly declared for, or an occasion to the enemies of God and his Christ to blaspheme, have disserted their employment and commands in the Army, as Major General Harrison, Colonel Rich, Colonel Okey, etc. and some like noble Heroes now prisoners for their disrellish of the present apostasies of the army, as Major General Overton, Cololonel Allured with several others upon the like account) as also of the now worse than Merosh Churches afore mentioned, who have been far from helping the Lord against the mighty, as that quite contrariwise, they have helped the mighty against the Lord, by their new strengthening the hands of the adversary's of the truth, to persecute the faithful followers of the Lamb; and therefore to the end, that all that hear or shall hear of these their Diabolical actions, may henceforth learn to take warning by them. I have writ these lines, as also th●t they may learn with the industrious B●e to gather honey from that gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity, those poor souls have involved themselves in, by such their confederacy against Christ and his Government, (as by this Treatise will appear) as also that the faithful witnesses of the truth may be hereby encouraged to act for Christ, as the other have done for Antichrist, for God; as the other have done for the Devil, being such as are probably of that number, that will erelong cry, Lord, Lord, have we not fought in thy name? and conquered in thy name, and preached in thy name, and baptised in thy name? and yet shall receive for answer, Depart from me, I know you not, etc. Such, whose damnation slumbereth not, witness the present Hurlyburlies among them, all their affairs lying as it were in a Chaos of confusion, and doubtless will do every day more & more, until his Government be set up whose right it is to govern the whole world by his Holy, Just and Perfect Laws and Ordinances contained in the Scriptures of truth, which if once embraced by the people of this nation, will, I dare be bold to assert, free the Inhabitants thereof from these following burdens and oppressions they now (Asslike) lie under, Gen. 49. 14. 15. i e.  
1. Of the charge of a standing Army, (and so it may be at liberty to fight the Lords battles against his adversaries in foreign parts, upon the Lords account, and spoil of their enemies, and not like Drones to live upon the labours of the industrious Be●●, (or High-way-men to rob one another) which at the rate of 120000 pounds per mensem, according to the Soldier's Month of 28 days, will save 156000 pounds per annum, or ne'er upon.  
2. From Excise, and the vast charge thereof.  
3. From Customs, especially of our own nation, and the great charge thereof.  
4. From the vast charge of Lawsuits.  
5. From Tithes, and several other things of like nature, and therefore worthy to be seriously considered, not only b● those, who do really and cordially desire the promotion of the Law of God, as they do the good of their own souls, as do the fifth Monarchy-men (and not of any carnal design, as is falsely suggested of them by the enemies of the truth) but also of the self-interested men [Not that I urge this Royal Law or Government in the least upuon a carnal account, but that carnal men may see what benefit there is to be had under the shadow of it] of this nation, who are in love with their money in that what one way, what other, it would in a short time double their present estates by saving th●se annual expenses, which are screwed from them, lit will also concern younger brethrens to ruminate hereof; for whereas it is the Custom of this Nation, to make the elder son a Gentleman, etc. and the rest half beggars, this Just and Righteous Law doth allot the eldest son a double portion, and the rest to have all equal portions, Deut. 21. 17.  
6. By advancing this law, we do thereby own Jehovah to be our God and Legislator, which now we cannot, but are such in a Civil sense, as (the Apostle saith,) are without God in the world.  
7. By promoting the law, all the v●st civil breaches of this Nation would be made up, for by covenanting to be conformable to this Government, we shall thereby be all made Brethren, and so should forget all former injuries▪ and also it would be a fair way to make us one in a spiritual Relation) which otherwise will never be done.  
8. By exalting this law, we shall be freed from the Curse which we now lie under, For cursed is every one that continueth not in the words of the Law to do them, Deut. 37. 26. and John 7. 49. This people that know not the Law are accursed.  
9 By magnifying of this Law, we shall have Justice done speedily, and upon all occasions, as well upon small as great matters, Judges being appointed in all the gates of the Cities in the Nation. Deut. 16. 18. to do Justice and Judgement without wresting, Exod. 23. 6. Deut. 24.. 17. without unrighteousness Levit. 19 15. Without respect of persons, Deut. 1. 17.  
10. By submitting to this Law men shall not be condemned to Prison, etc. before they be heard, Deut. 9 15. John 7. 51. as is the practice of the present Governors of this Nation, and which I can speak by experience, having been formerly kept by their means seventeen weeks a prisoner, having not a word to say unto me, either before, or during my imprisonment, being never called before any man, or examined or charged by any during that time, or at all, but only told me I might be gone: and now again, they have also kept me fi●teen weeks, knowing not in the least wherefore, not yet having been called or questioned before any, so that they have been more cruel than the Pagan Romans; for Festus thought it a thing unreasonable, (and consequently Brutish) to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crime laid against him, Acts 25. 27.  
11. By exalting this Royal Law, every knowing man may plead his own cause, it will be laid down so plain, and stated so clear, in the words of the Text, and therefore needs not to be seven years' apprentice to Moses, as that blasphemous Rabshakeh, Needham hath scoffingly spoken of Moses and the Law. Who then that is rational, would not rather forsake those muddy streams of Justinian, Gratian, and other blind and ignorant men, (and such as the Prophet saith, turneth the needy from Judgement, and taketh away the right from the poor, that maketh widows their prey, and rob the Fatherless, 1 Sam. 10. 2.) for those pure streams of Justice and Judgement that cometh out from God, and riseth in him; who would not, that looks upon himself as a Christian, rather submit to that judgement that is Jus Divinum, than that which is a Traditional Jus Humanum, from all the Idolatrous and Tyrannical Governors that have been in the world.  
12. What Liberty would this Law bring to this Nation, what freedom from expense, from unjust imprisonment of men's persons, from being deceived in their causes, and from being overborne in their Judgements by delay of Justice, whereby potent adversaries have great advantage given them to corrupt Judges, hinder Justice, and get false witness, many guilty persons by this means scaping unpunished, and many innocent persons undone (by imprisonments) in their estates, families, and repute among men, which would not be done, had we but Judges, as at the first, and Rulers as at the beginning of the Commonwealth of Israel, i. e. Men fearing God, and hating covetousness, and valiant for the truth, to put this Holy, Just, and Perfect Law in execution, not fearing the face of any, knowing that the Judgement is the Lords, the accomplishment whereof, that the Lord would in much mercy hasten, is the earnest desire of him, who is now a prisoner at Lambeth for the Testimony of the truth as it is in Jesus, which he is ready to vindicate with all that is near or dear unto him.  
John Spittlehouse.   

Errata.  
REader, the Author not having had a sight of this printed Copy before it was wrought off, throu●h the Correctors negligence, these following Errors have happened, which are not only very many, but some also very gross, the matter being left out in some places, so that without correcting thereof with thy pen, before thou readest, it will be troublesome to understand what is printed.  
Page 3 line 15. read See, and in the Margin r. be, p. 8. l. 29. r. covet, p. 10, l. 2. r. heard, l. 4. r. commending, and in marg. r. were, l. 26. r. hence, p. 11. l. 11. r. hence, p. 11. l 12. r. Restauration, and for commanded r. commended, l. 16. r. hence, and in margin against l. 25. place figure (4. p. 12. l. 3. r. Jam. p. 14. l. 24. r. whether, l. 31. r. denounced, p. 15. l. 2. r. that they, l. 5. betwixt saying and in r. he hath, and betwixt term and that r. affirmed, l 8. r. Civil, l. 3. betwixt many and after r. wise, p. 17. l. 5. r. enemy, l. 27. r. over all, 31. r. careth, l, 32. r. then, p. 18. against l. 31. place figure (4) in marg, p. 22. l. 1. r. declined, p. 23. l. 20, r. those, l. 28. r. their, p. 24. l. 14. r. quiet, p. 29. l. 36. dele● by, p. 32. l. 14. r. it. l. 27. betwixt at and bringing r. the p 39 l. 8. r. thence, p. 40. l 35. r. contrivers. p. 43. l 2. r. aspectable. l. 28. ●novel- p 49. l. 29. r. intended, p. 56. l. 1. r. such, l. 15. betwixt of and Nation r. this, l. 36. r judgeth, and betwixt of and Antichrist, r. the, l. 37. r. his, p. 58. l. 13. r. desired, p. 62. and l. 31. r. and not that it is.   

THE Royal Advocate, etc. Asserting,  

Assert. 1 I. That the Contents of the Royal Law of Jehovah, the Lord Christ, was planted in Mankind by Nature.  
Proof. ALbeit our first Parents were created in the Image of God, which consisteth in Righteousness 
* Gen. 1. 26, 27. Ephes. 4. 24  and true holiness; yet were not they thereby made Lawless Persons, as appeareth from the Testimony of the Apostle Paul, Rom. 2. 14, 15. where he saith, The Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by Nature the things contained in the Law, these having 
* viz. the written law  not the Law, are a Law unto themselves, which show the work 
* Or, operation, or, effects of the law.  of the Law, written in their Hearts, their Conscience also bearing them witness, and their thoughts, in the mean while accusing or excusing one another. And hence the Apostle saith, I have lived in all good Conscience before God, Act. 23. 1. vid. 24. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1 Tim. 1. 5. 19 2. Tim. 1. 3. Heb. 13. 18. 1 Pet. 3. 16. 21. From which I Argue, that seeing Mankind in 
The conscience is as a thousand witnesses.  their adulterate and depraved estate, had the operations of the Royal Law of Jehovah written in their hearts by Nature, as also a Conscience accusing or excusing them in point of obedience or disobedience thereunto. It must needs be, that they had the same much more in their Virgin and pure estate, when they were in their Innocency and Integrity before their fall.  
And this doth clearly appear from Gen. 3. 6, 7, 8. Where no sooner had our first Parents violated the divine precept, by means of the suggestions and delusions of Satan, but immediately their eyes are said to be opened, and that they saw their nakedness, and went and sowed fig-leaves together to make themselves Aprons: As also in that assoon as they heard the voice of the Lord in the Garden, they went to hid themselves among the Trees of the Garden.  
All which doth clearly denote unto us, that their Consciences had testified unto them their disobedience, as also condemned them for what they had done, and therefore they are said to be afraid, as in v. 10. If our Conscience condemn us, God is greater than our Conscience, and he shall much more condemn us. Vid. Heb. 9 14.   

Assert. 2 II. That this Royal Law, so planted in mankind by Nature, is comprehended in two grand Principles, i. e.  
1. To love God above all.  
2. To love our neighbour as ourselves.  
Proof. Deut. 6. 4, 5. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy might.  
Deut. 10. 12. And now O Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, etc.  
Leu. 19 17, 18. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer fin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge or bear grudge against the children of thy people, but, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  
I am the Lord.   

Assert. 3 III. That this Doctrine was ratified by Jesus Christ.  
Proof. Mark 12. 28. Then one of the Scribes, (that was a Lawyer Mat. 22. 35.) coming unto him, and ask him, which was the first Commandment (or great Commandment in the Law, Mat. 22. 36.) of all. Jesus answered him: The first of all the Commandments, (or the Great Commandment in the Law, Mat. 22. 38) is,  
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.  
This is the first and Great Commandment.  
And the second is like unto it, namely this.  
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  
There are no other Commandments that are greater than these.  
Mat. 22. 40.  
On these Commandments, hang all the Law, and the Prophets.   

Assert. 4 IU. That this Doctrine was taught by the Apostles of the Lord Jesus, under the dispensation of the Gospel-state.  
Proof. 
The Characters of a right 5th monarchy man.  Gal. 5. 22. The fruits of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, faith, Meekness, Temperance, Against which there is no Law.  
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof, if we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the spirit, Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.  
Jam. 2. 8. If ye fulfil the Royal Law according to the Scriptures, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, thou shalt do well; But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin and are convinced of the Law as transgressors; for whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and offend in one point, He is guilty of all.  
Reason For he which said, Do not commit Adultery, said also Do not kill. Now if thou commit no Adultery, yet if thou kill etc. thou art become a transgressor of the Law.  
1. Pet. 1. 22, 23. Seeing ye have purified yourselves in obeying the tr●th through the Spirit, unto unfeigned love of the brethren; so that ye love one another with a pure heart, fervently.  
Cap. 3. 8. etc. Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another: Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that he speak no guile. Let him eschew evil and do good, let him seek peace and ensue it. Read the following words.  
1 John 3. 14. We know we have passed from death to life, because we love the Brethren, v. 27. whoso hath this world's goods, and seethe his brother hath need and shutteth his bowels of compassion 
Bar Quakers in this particular.  towards him, how dwelleth the love of God in him. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue but in deed and in truth, etc. v. 33. And this is his Commandment, that we should believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment, and he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him, and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.  
Cap. 4. 17. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God; he that loveth not, knoweth not God, For God is love, etc.  
Ecclesiastes 12. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, Fear God and keep his commandments, For this is the whole duty of man, etc.   

Assert. 5 V. That in process of time these two general Principles were branched by the alone Lawgiver, into ten Precepts or words, commonly termed the Decalogue or Ten Commandments.  
Exod. 20. 1. etc.  
God spoke all these words, saying,  
Proof. I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, and out of the House of Bondage.  

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  
2. Thou shalt not make to thee any graven Image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow thyself to them, nor serve them.  
For I the Lord thy God am a jealous Reason God, visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments.  
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;  
For the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in Reason vain.  
4. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day: Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, thou nor thy son, northy daughter, thy Manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy , nor thy strangers, that are within thy ga●es;  
For in six days the Lord made heaven Reason earth, the sea & all that in them is, and rested the seventh day, wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.  
5. Honour thy Father and Mother,  
Reason, That thy days may be long in the Land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  
6. Thou shali not kill.  
7. Thou shalt not commit Adultery.  
8. Thou shalt not steal.  
9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.  
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his Manservant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbours.    

Assert. 6 VI. That the Lord Jesus came not to destroy this Law.  
Proof. Mat. 5. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets— I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil, (for verily) I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle in no wise shall pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled, wherefore, whosoever shall break one of these least Commandments, and teach men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whosoever shall do and teach them, shall be also called great in the Kingdom of heaven.   

Assert. 7 VII. That the Apostles of our blessed Saviour did establish this Law under the Gospel.  
Proof. Rom. 2. 11, 12, etc. For there is no respect of persons with 
All the world liable to be judged by God's Law The Law not made void through faith.  God, for as many as have sinned without Law, shall perish without Law, and as many as have sinned in the Law, shall be judged by the Law.  
Rom, 3. 19 etc. Is he the God of the Jews only, is he not also of the Gentiles, yea, of the Gentiles also, seeing it is one God which shall justify the Circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith, Do we then make void the Law through faith, God forbidden, Yea, we establish the Law:   

Assert. 8 VIII. That the Law, which God gave unto Moses in Mount Sina, were of three sorts, i. e. the Moral, the Judicial and the ceremonial Law.  

The Contents of the Moral Law.  
The Moral Law prescribeth a perfect Rule of righteousness, discerning things that are Right and Just, from the contrary, both towards God and man, both in reference to external and internal duties, requiring obedience under pain of everlasting death.   

The Contents of the Judicial Law.  
The Judicial Law belonged to the Civil State, and were such Ordinances, 
The Judicial consists of Rules of Equity and Justice.  as contained rules of equity for the judging and deciding of civil controversies, and questions, decreeing punishments for the transgressions of the Moral and Ceremonial Laws, and consequently the very Bond of them Laws, keeping the people in order and Obedience.   

The Contents of the Ceremonial Law.  
The Ceremonial Law concerned such Rites and sacrifices, as belonged to the external worship of God, prescribed to the people of the ●ews, in reference to the promised seed of the woman, which was to bruise the Serpent's head, Gen. 3. 14, 15. and to typify his coming to this end, as also to distinguish them from other Nations in the world, and to be signs and Symbols unto them of the Spiritual graces of the New Testament, to be fulfilled by the Messiah.   

The Ceremonial Law utterly abolished.  
As touching the Ceremonial Law, it is utterly abolished, so that there is no place for them under the Gospel. Neither can they be revived without derogation to the Gospel of Christ, as the Apostle saith, if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing, Gal. 5. 2. for when the body is come the shadow must be done away, but the Cremonies were shadows, the body is Christ, Col. 2. 17.  
1. Their Temple signified the body of Christ, in his Church their Holy place HEAVEN, or the bodies of the Saints, 1 Cor. 6. 19 Know ye not that your bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, etc. their sacrifices the passion of Christ. Heb. 9 26. 28. their expiation the Remission of sins, Heb. 22. etc. these things then being fully verified and fulfilled in Christ, have no more place in the Church.  
2. These Ceremonies served only for that carnal people, which were as children kept in Bondage under the Elements and Rudiments of the world, Gal. 4. 3. But now we are no longer under Tutors and Governors, the time appointed of the father being expired, but are set free and redeemed by Christ.  
3. A third Reason for the abolishing of them, is in respect of that people to whom they were prescribed as a mark and Cognizance to discern them from all other nations. But now this distinction also being taken away, and the wall of partition being broken down, Jew and Gentile, being now made all one in Christ by faith, that also is abolished, which discerned them from other people.  
Reason 4 For the Causes being changed, for the which the Law was made, there must needs be also an Alteration of the Law itself.   

The Moral Law remaineth in full force, in point of obedience.  
The Moral Law remaineth yet in full force, and is not abrogated in respect of obedience, which thereunto is still required under the Gospel. But in respect of the Curse 
* Christ hath only taken away the Curse and malediction of the Moral Law.  and malediction, which Christ hath taken away (so that it is most true which our blessed Saviour Saith, He came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it, Mat. 5. 17, 18 19) he hath fulfilled it; first, in his own person, in keeping it; 2. in paying the punishment for us, which was due by the Law to the transgressors thereof; 3. enabling us by his grace, to walk in obedience to his Law.   

Why it pleased God, to give his written Law into the World.  
1. God did not give the moral law in writing, in that he was either mutable in changing his first determination, or that in process of time, he had found out a more profitable way than he knew before, as some have wickedly objected of old; and now revived by the 
The Ranters and Quakers Tenent.  Ranters and Quakers of this Apostate Generation, saying, that by the light of Nature before the Flood, Men discerned good from evil, just from unjust, so that the old world sinning against the law of Nature was justly punished, it being imprinted in their hearts, they showing the effects of that Law written in their hearts, their consciences also bearing them witness?  
Answer. 1. But because the law of Nature was now much obscured, and almost quite obliterated by reason of the Idolatry and Tyranny that was then spread over the earth, which flowed from the corruption of nature. Therefore the Lord thought it needful to give it forth by a Visible writing thereof in two Tables of Stone: To his then only peculiar people, who from that very cause, was selected out of the world, Gen. 17. 1, 2, 4. Exod. 15. 26. and 20. 2, 3. Deut. 5. 1, 2, 3. and 6. 12, etc.  
2. Lest men should complain, that somewhat was wanting in the heart; therefore to take away all pretext of ignorance, the Lord gave his written Law; so that all men in general are left without excuse.  
3. Because it was to prepare and make way for the Gospel, to show that we have not strength in ourselves to fulfil the law, in reference to the spiritual part thereof: and so it was our Schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, Gal. 3. 24.  
4. It was given as a supply of the weakness and ignorance of man, that whereas there was no certain rule before to know what was good and what was evil; but men according to their blind fantasy and carnal imagination, placed happiness some in one thing, and some in another, the written law was to correct their erroneous opinions, & to teach one constant & certain rule of truth and virtue.  
Reason For although in Civil and Politic matters, the esteemed wise among the Heathen, by their depraved light of nature and experience had attained to some degree of knowledge therein; yet they were utterly ignorant of the true knowledge thereof, and worship which God required therein: all which is explained in the law, with the statutes and judgements annexed thereunto.  
So that in doing of this, the Lord is said to commit the greatest treasure in the world to mankind, as Moses affirmeth, Deut. 4. 8. What Nation is there so great that hath Statutes and judgements so righteous as all the Law that I set before you this day.   

The fourfold use of the moral law in the fourfold State of man.  
First, As man was in his creation and state of Innocency, he received two benefits by the knowledge of the law, which was grafted in him by creation. For 1. thereby he was made conformable to the image of God. And so directed, as that he should not have swerved from the will of his creator: 2. He had assurance so long as he walked in obedience thereunto of certain eternity, never to have tasted of Death, Corruption, or Mutability.   

For he that keepeth the Law shall live thereby.  
Secondly, in Man's corrupt and decayed estate, the law served to restrain the evil, (i. e. the written Law) and therefore the Apostle saith, that the Law is not given to a righteous man, but to a lawless and disobedient, 1 Tim. 1. 9 as also to discover unto them their sins; and hence the same Apostle saith, without the law sin is dead, Rom. 7. 8. i e. sin was not known to be sin, for saith he, I had not known Lust, except the Law (i. e. the written Law) had said, Thou shalt not commit, vers. 7.  
Here then that Soul-destroying notion of Quakisme is confuted, 
The Quakers opinion confuted.  which alloreth men that are in this corrupt and decayed condition of nature (viz. evil and unregenerate men, to look to the light of nature within them, for their guidance and direction, and not to the revealed will of God, in his word, or at least rather; notwithstanding the Apostle doth positively declare all such light to be absolute darkness, even darkness in the Abstract: As in Eph. 5. 8. where he telleth the Church at Ephesus, that they had been sometimes darkness, and that at such time they walked according as other Gentiles walked, in the vanity of their minds, according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the Air, the Spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience, etc. as also that they were by Nature, i. e. since the fall; for it cannot be meant of Nature in Adam before his fall, for it was then good, and so good, as that it is termed the image of God, (as afore mentioned) the children of wrath, even as others. Now I would gladly know, what light of Nature these Ephesians had, when they were even Darkness itself, etc. and when they were without Christ, and strangers from the Covenant of promise without hope, and without God in the world.  
If the Quakers reply that Christ is that Light, which lighteneth every man that cometh into the world.  
I answer and demand of them, how he had enlightened these Gentiles, which the Apostle compared the Ephesians unto (as aforesaid) Again, if Christ hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world, in their sense, than the Apostle Paul was a vainglorious person, who termeth himself a spiritual father to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 4. 15. and that he had begotten them through the Gospel; for if the Light of the Gospel had been naturally in them, how could Paul be said to be God's instrument of conveying that Gospel-Light unto them. Again, if so, wherefore do these persons make use of Prayer and preaching, if it be not advantageous to illuminate their Auditors, and if they be illuminated thereby, than those so illuminated, cannot attribute the Light, they so receive from others, to themselves; and say that they had not received the same instrumentally from their brother Quakers: It will therefore unavoidably follow, that the Quakers practice doth destroy and confound their accursed Principle, of holding forth that dark Lantern of the depraved light of Nature to light men that are merely Natural into the ways of truth and righteousness.  
When one came to inquire of our blessed Saviour what he 
Jesus Christ was no Quaker.  should do to obtain eternal life, he did not (as these Quakers) send him to the Light within him, but asketh him saying, what is written in the Law, how readest thou? Luke, 10. 26, etc.  
Again, speaking to the Sadduces, who say there is no Resurrection (and so full Cousin germane to these Quakers) saith, that they erred in not knowing the Scriptures, Mat. 2. 29. Mark 12. 24. clearly implying that the Contempt of the Sacred Scriptures is the Original of Error, as hath been too evidently made manifest by the Ranters, who since they have despised the Scriptures, have run themselves into the very height of wickedness. The Apostle Paul in such cases doth therefore exhort Timothy to beware of evil men and Seducers, and to continue in the things that he had read, and had been assured of; knowing of whom he had learned them, 
The Scripture more holy in Paul's esteem.  commanding him in that of a Child, he had known the Holy Scripture, which was able to make him wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus, affirming that all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God 
The excellent use of holy Scripture. , and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.  
Thirdly, in man's regenerate condition, the Law or Scripture, (the gospel being only the Spirit of the Law) is a perfect Rule of righteousness, witness the Prophet David, who speaking of the Law of God, saith it was A Lantern to his feet, and a light unto his paths, Psal. 119. 105. and Psal. 19 7. he saith, the Law of God is perfect, converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is pure, and enlighteneth the eyes, etc. more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey, or the honey comb●; moreover saith he, ' by them is thy servant taught, and in keeping of them there is great reward. ' Again, Psal. 119. 24. Thy Testimonies also are my delight and my Counselors, by all which it is clear that godly David did not run to a Notion within him to be his counsellor, but to the Law and to the Testimony, knowing that whoso walketh not according to that Rule, it is because they have no light in them. Isa. 8. 20.  
Again, how it is the Lord threatneth his people, for that they 
A lesson for the Ranters and Quakers.  had forsaken his Law, which he had set before them, and did not obey this voice, neither walked therein, but walked after the imagination of their own hearts Jer. 9 13, 14, 15.  
Our blessed Saviour also telleth his Apostles, saying, By this ye shall know ye are my Disciples, if ye observe whatsoever I Command you: he doth not send them to the Dictates of their own fantasies, but what he had commanded them.  
The Apostle Paul also affirmeth, that whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our Instruction, that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have Hope, Rom. 15. 4.  
The Apostle Peter also exhorteth the people of God to be 
These Commandments were not Notions.  mindful of the words which were spoken before, by the Holy Prophets, and of the Commandments of them the Apostles of the Lord Jesus, 2 Pet. 3. 2. as also that no Prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, and that Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but that Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21. We are not then to imitate these Quakers, to leave a certainty for an incertainty, the written word for a whimsy in the brain, making their fancies their Scripture and rule to walk by, no saith the Apostle speaking of the Holy Scripture, as many as walk by this rule, peace shall be upon them, etc. what will befall such then as walk not according to this Rule, but tribulation and wrath, &c  
Secondly, in man's regenerate condition, the written Law teacheth the true knowledge of God, and how it was that the Apostle Paul commanded the Bereans, because they tried his Doby the Touchstone of the Scriptures, Acts 17. 11. Those of Berea were more noble than those of Thessalonica, etc.  
Thirdly, it assureth a man that walketh therein of his Election, and how our blessed Saviour saith, If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them, John 13. 17. as also the Apostle Peter, If ye do these things, ye shall never fall, 2 Pet. 1. 10.  
Fourthly, it showeth what benefit we have received by Christ, i. e. the renewing of that image wherein man was first created, (the Scriptures being a Lantern and a Light to that purpose, as David h●th acknowledged) Col. 3. 10. Having put on the new man which is created in knowledge, after the image of him that created h●m.  
In the state of Reformation of all things, the Law shall have that use which it had before man's fall, to show the conformity of mankind in their holy obedience, with the blessed will of their Glorious Creator, Lord and Master Jesus Christ, blessed for ever, Amen.   

Of the Judicial Law.  
The Judicialll Law floweth from the Moral Law, which is the Fountain and Foundation thereof; and as the Moral Law is fixed in the Heart and Conscience of every man by nature, Rom. 2. 14, 15. so the judicials appertaining thereunto, flow from the same Fountain, and therefore seeing no Commonwealth can stand without a Civil and Judicial Constitution; the Lord therefore having provided the Law that binds in Conscience, so here he sets forth the pena●ll laws, whereby the obstinacy of men may be restrained; for if men were left to themselves, there would be few that would not rather live as they list, as the Ranters, etc.  
1. Therefore because it might so fall out, that all would not be 
Why the Judicial Law was given.  obedient to the Moral Precept, it was necessary that the alone Lawgiver, (Rom. 4. 12.) who is only able to save and to destroy, to prescribe what Punishment every transgressor of the Law should be liable unto.   

Of the word Judgement.  
As touching the word Judgement in the Singular, it doth not signify as Judgements in the Plural; for Judgement in the Singular doth for the most part signify condemnation, but in the plural it signifies as well the revenge and punishment of the guilty, as the defence of the innocent.  
2. The word Judgement is taken three ways, as first it signifi●s the Act of Judgement and understanding, which determineth what is meet and convenient to be done, and so it is the fountain and beginning, whence good Laws do proceed.  
Reason For the Law is made good out of Judgement.  
So that the Judicial Law is in effect as if the Lord had said unto Moses, whereas I have already given the people General Rules of serving me, as also how to dem●an themselves one towards another, now upon a full and deliberate consultation and judgement given I shall deliver their particular demeanour touching the same; as also the punishment that shall be inflicted upon the violatours thereof, whether towards me, or towards one another.  
2. The word Judgement is taken for the Administration of justice, which is the executive part of the Law.  
3. It is taken for the Law itself, according to which judgement i● given.   

The judicial Law of three sorts.  
1. They either were such as were annexed to the Moral Law, as the statutes and Judgements touching the Contemners of the Moral Law in General or in particular, as in Blasphemy, Idolatry, Murder, Adultery, etc.  
2. Or such as were appendent to the Ceremonial Law, as the Statutes and judgements touching any dead thing, or that were prohibited and the like.  
3. Or such as appertained to the particular Policy and State of the Jews Commonwealth, as concerning the year of Jubilee, raising ●● seed to the brother departed without issue, by marrying his wife, etc.  
The two last of these are abolished, one with the Ceremonies on which they attended, the other as being only peculiar to that Government, is now decayed and determined with it.  
The Great Controversy now to debate, is whether the first of of these, i. e. the Statutes and Judgements annexed to the Moral Law be as Binding to all Nations, as the Moral Law itself.  
In reference to which, I take the Affirmative part, and say, That the Judicial Laws, annexed to the Moral Law, is as Binding as the Law, and aught to be put in practice by the Magistrates of ALL the NATIONS in the whole world.   

This great Argument controverted.  
It is acknowledged that the Moral Law, is obligatory, universal, 
The Adversaries confession.  and eternal; for that it is agreeable to the Law of nature commanded by God to Moses, revived and ratified by Jesus Christ in the Gospel: and therefore may really and truly be termed the Law of Christ, and the Royal Law of Jehovah, binding ALL NATIONS.  
But as for the judicial Law, it ended with the Jew's Common 
Their Objection.  wealth, for which it was intended; and therefore until it can be shown, when and where it was renewed and imposed upon all Nations Mounseir Needham the Court Parasite and Pensioner, that scoffing Ishmaelite and blasphemous Rabshakah of the times saith he will not believe it.  
Resp. I am glad this Court Sycophant and Temporizing Parasite hath so much grace as to acknowledge what he hath in reference to the Royal Law of Jehovah, i. e. the Moral Law, and as touching the other, I answer and say.  
That the Judicial Law annexed to the Moral Law, is no more ended or determined than the Moral Law itself. Neither can be, And that for these following Reasons, i. e.  
1. For they are as I have said, conclusions and rules of justice, Reason 13 grounded upon the Moral Law, or Royal Law; and were not appointed to prefigure any thing, but merely grounded upon the law of Equity and Justice; and therefore can nor aught to be laid aside any more than those precepts of equity and justice, to which they are so inseparably annexed, as that the one cannot suffer detriment without the other, and consequently neither the law, statute, or judgement, but by an open and apparent contempt of Jehovah the Lord Christ, the God of equity and justice, who hath established and ratified them to be his laws to such purpose, and so not judaical, or peculiar only to the Jews, but to all that are under the verge of the Moral Law.  
2. For that the breach of the Moral Precept, (or Law is the same before the alone Lawgiver) in one part of the world, as in another, as to kill a man wilfully, or by Accident, is now the same sin before the eyes of God in England, as it was then in Canaan, and consequently of any other transgression of the Moral Precept; and therefore in such cases, the great and singular Lawgiver hath declared that one Law should be for the stranger, (i. e. the Gentile) as for the home born, (or Jews themselves) Exod. 12. 49. Leu. 24. 22.  
And therefore unless this Changeling, will undertake to prove jehovah the Lord Christ, such an one as himself, as to prefix one punishment in Canaan for the violation of a Moral Precept, (whether General or particular) and another sort of punishment for the same Transgression in another Country, as in England, etc. (which blasphemous Assertion he is as like to maintain as any I know, for a Stipends sake) he cannot avoid, but must per Force subscribe, that the said statutes and Judgements, are of as large an extent, as the Moral Law itself acknowledged by him, i. e. Obligatory, Universal and Eternal, and Binding all Nations.  
Object. 2 All Nations have a latitude left them of making such Civil Laws as they shall think convenient, for the better Government of themselves, according to Prudence and Discretion, provided they be not contrary to that Royal Law.  
Respon. Prag. I here challenge thee, and all thy Mast●●s, which in Court, City, or Country, Universities or Inns of Court, by what names or titles so ever, dignified or distinguished, to show me one Text of Scripture that granteth any such latitude to Magistrates, by the alone Lawgiver, as they are (or aught to be) his Ministers or servants, to put his Laws in execution, but contrariwise such Actions are so abominable in the eyes of Jehovah the Lord Christ, as that he hath denoted a curse against those that do take upon them, either to add or detract, that either swerve to the right hand or the left, from those Laws, Statutes and judgements prescribed by him: for proof hereof see Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. No Monsieur, Prag. those that are Dispenser's of jehovahs laws, must not make Laws for him, whether in reference to Statute or judgement, he is as able to prescribe his punishment, as his Law, without their help or assistance.  
And therefore it was that our blessed Saviour so much inveighed against the Scribes, Pharises, hypocrites, of his time of abode here on earth, (like unto needham's forementioned Masters) for that they had not only transgressed the Commandments of God, by their vain Traditions, (or Expositions) but he had even made them thereby of none effect, Mat. 13. 3, 4, 5 etc.  
So that I affirm that Clause in needham's Objection, (i. e.) For the better Government, etc. to be absolute blasphemy, for that by so saying in plain terms, that his (aforesaid Masters, are Wiser than the Great God of Heaven and Earth, in reference to the composing of all Government for the sons of men; and therefore according to the Statute and judgement appropriated by jehovah in such Cases he ought to be put to death, vid. Leu. 24. 11. 15. 23. as also for his scurrilous expressions against Moses and the Laws, given by God unto him to communicate to the people; for he that despised Mose's Law, was to die without mercy, under the testimony of two or three witnesses, which Judgement will doubtless fall upon the heads of Needham, etc.  
In so saying, he clearly giveth the Apostle Paul the lie, who asserteth, That the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men, 1. Cor. 1. 25. The meanest of the Divine Orders, being far beyond the wisest of his or his Master's vain imaginations: so that by such their deceived foolish hearts, they only contract to themselves that Heathenish Character, i. e. by professing themselves 
* Rom. 1. 2, 2.  wise, to be Downright Foolish; for in such Cases the Apostle doth positively affirm, that the wisdom of the world, (viz. Athenian like Wisdom) is foolishness to God; for it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise (whether in Civil or spiritual matters) I will bring to nought the Counsels of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the Scribe? where is the disputer (or needham's) of this world? hath not God made Foolish the Wisdom (or politic carnal wisdom) of this World? and therefore he concludeth, that not many after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called by God to be made Instruments in his work or service (whether in Civils or spirituals) but contrariwise hath made choice of that which is Foolish in the esteem of Needham and his Masters (whether in reference to persons or things) to confound that which they esteem wisdom, that no flesh might glory in his presence, vide Rev. 27, 28, 29.  
1. I do therefore hereby affirm, that God that gave life and limbs unto men, etc. hath only power to dispose of them, and none else; and that he that taketh away either the life or limb of any man, other wise than God himself hath appointed, or given direction (in the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament) either by general rule, or particular precept, is a Murderer and a Tyrant.  
2. I do also hereby affirm, that whosoever doth not take away life or limb, in such cases as the alone lawgiver hath appointed is an unjust Judge. And that he will be punished by Jehovah the Lord Christ for so doing:  
Reason, For he hath said Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement, thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty, Levit. 19 15.   

But in Righteousness shalt thou judge thy Neighbour.  
(A text that ere long may be urged against those that have urged it against others, vid. Abridg. Remonst. Alban pag. 10. with several other scriptures to such purpose.) And hence it was, that Moses charged the Judges of Israel, saying, Hear the cause between your brethren and judge Righteously, between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him; and ye shall not respect persons in Judgement, but ye shall hear the small as well as the great, you shall not be afraid of the face of man, Deut. 1. 15, 16, 17.  
Reason, For the judgement is Gods.  
3. That in all other cases, the Magistrate being the Minister or servant of God (or at least ought so to be) Rom. 13. 4. ought to execute justice, as the alone Lawgiver their Lord and Master hath prescribed, which they cannot do otherwise than by putting his laws in execution, according to those statutes and judgements established by God himself (and not according to thei● own lusts and humours, as our present Magistrates do at this day, punishing several things by death, which the alon● Lawgiver hath appointed other punishments; and several things with other punishments, for which the alone Lawgiver hath appointed death.  
Reason. For it is required in a disposer, that he should be found faithful, 1 Cor. 4. 2.  
But Gods will otherwise appeareth not, then in his word or law. Therefore who so doth not accordingly, doth not perform the will of the alone Law giver, in his word or Law, and consequently of the number of those Magistrates mentioned by Solomon in his book titled Wisdom, cap. 6. 1. to whom he saith, by way of rebuke and admonition, Hear therefore O ye Kings and understand, learn ye that be Judges of the ends of the earth; give ear you that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of Nations, for power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the highest, (i. e. the Constitution of Authority or Magistracy, Rom. 13. 3, 4. and that according to the Armies own construction of that place, in their Abridgement of the Remonstrant Alban, wherein pag. 6. they say, that Paul speaks in that place of Authority, etc. Magistracy in its constitution, not of a Person abusively exercising it to be God's instrument of Good to every one, and an incourager of good in every man, and an envying to evil) who will try your work (or policy) and search out your Counsel: then Counselors look to yourselves, you had need then to triple your guards about you.  
Reason Because being Ministers of his Kingdom: (the Kingdom will be then found to be the Lords, and not theirs, who are now Usurpers both over it, and the Lords Government, which he hath appointed for it) ye have not judged right, (wherein have they not judged right,) nor kept the Law? What will become of those Magistrates than that have neither kept the Law, i. e. that have not judged according to the Law of the alone Law giver; neither have judged according to their own Laws, surely the following judgement will fall with a Witness upon such Magistrates.) Nor walked after the Counsel of God (no nor of good men neither, but of a company of fawning Parrasites, the Frogs, Locusts, Caterpillars, and Cankerworms of Nations) horribly and speedily will he come upon you: For a sharp judgement shall be to them that are in high places, for mercy will pardon the meanest (such as may not properly be termed the makers and judges of Heathenish Laws, i. e. the pettifoggers of the Laws and governments of man, i. e. such as are not Commissionated to such purpose) but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.  
Reason For he that is Lord Oneral shall fear no man's person (How?) not the person of O. P. etc. Neither shall he stand in awe of any man's greatness (but sure he dare not meddle with his Highness, that is, a degree above greatness) for he hath made the small and great, and earth for all a like, (how, for all alike? that's a strange saying indeed, surely, the Lord will be a leveller with a witness)  
But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty: Let her alone until that day, The Fox fares b●st when he is threatened most. These are but Bug-bear-expressions to frighten children, valiant Heroes fears them not, me vive fiat, saith Nero and his Comrades, let this day of judgement come in their time, so much do they fear it; tush, they are only mock-beggars, and scarecrows, they see by reason and experience that all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation, let a company of dreaming Prophets say what they will, doth God take notice of idolatry or Tyranny, as the simple vulgar term it? Tush, he seethe no such thing, there is no such knowledge in the most high, and if he do know, yet doubtless he hideth away his face, and will not see it; For surely otherwise he would not have suffered it so long to have been practised as he hath done; away therefore with all such Fancies, and let us look after our present work to suppress such saucy insolent fellows, that dares to cite such Treasonable Texts, to the ●nd they may affright us. What! doth not our Prognosticatours tell us, that our Government is permanent, and will not admit of alteration for many hundreds of years? what then ought we to give heed to such babblers.  
Unto you O Kings (saith Solomon) do I speak, that Ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away. (How now Solomon, do you give us this Counsel, surely this book was made when you were in your doling condition, when you began to have one leg in the grave, it was not so with you when your Government lashed your brethren, as with whips, when your provision for one day, was thirty measures of fine flower, and threescore measures of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pasture, besides Hearts, and Robucks, and Falo-deer, and fatted fowl, when you had forty thousand stalls of horses for your Chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; when you had seven hundred wives, and three hundred concubines: No, this was when you began to surfeit of your pleasures, and therefore to cry all is vanity and vexation of spirit, well, when we have taken our fill of pleasure as you did, we shall peradventure take your advice, in the mean time give us leave to satisfy the lusts of our own hearts, and if not, know, we will take leave, and so farewell Solomon.  
Seeing that which is not of of faith or firm persuasion is sin, Rom. 14. 23. and faith must be grounded upon the Word, as being wrought by the Word, Rom. 10. 16, 17, 18. The Magistrate cannot justify his Acts of Justice in the sight of God, unless he can warrant the same from the word of God: and what word is there for taking away the life of a man for simple theft, etc. with several other things now acted by the present Magistrates of this Nation, as I shall undertake to prove, if ever providence call me thereunto.  
5. In as much as God hath created man in his own Image, Gen. 1. 26. etc. which Image is in Man's Soul, animating his body: This Image I say, ought not to be defaced and dissolved, but by warrant and direction from the word of God, and consequently in all other Cases, where the Great Lawgiver hath as well prescribed the Punishment, as the Offence, i. e. the judgement or punishment, as the Precept or Statute, and that who so doth not so, is a Rebel and Traitor to the alone Lawgiver, whose servant he ought to be in all faitfulnesse, and not an Usurper of his Master's Authority or Legislatorship, as our present Magistrates are at this day.  
Object. Mordecay and Daniel, having place of Government under the Babylonish and Persian Kings, did no doubt administer Justice according to the Laws and Customs of that Country.  
Therefore the Laws of the Heathens were assented unto by godly persons.  
Resp. The Case is now far different, for those Emperors or Kings were Heathen, but the present Magistrates of this Nation, are at least in pretence Christians, and therefore for them (above all other) to act by and according to those Heathenish Laws and Customs doth render them to be Worse than the very Heathen.  
Reason For the Heathens did make and act by such Laws, merely out of blind ignorance, Acts 17. 30. and therefore God is said to wink thereat, but since hath commanded All Men every 
* None then can plead excuse.  where to repent of such their wickedness, because he hath Appointed a day in which he will judge the World in Righteousness, which can be done by no other, than his own Holy, Just, perfect and Righteous Laws, by the Man whom he hath ordained, etc.) but the present Magistrates of this Nation, or Supreme power, which I take (with Mr. Feak) to reside in the Army or Chief Officers thereof, they do it Presumptuously, witness their Declarations, Remonstrances, etc. in which they have Notoriously proclaimed to All the World, that they have fought to set up the Lord jesus Christ to be King or Legislator in this Commonwealth, as also vowed obedience unto him upon his Own Terms, and that they would admit Him Only to the exercise of his Royal Authority, ●and in order thereunto have affirmed, that the Law that was put into the hands of 
* which was no other than the statutes and judgements depending ●pon the Moral Law Deut. 17, 18, 19  joash at his Coronation, to be a Law from heaven, as also a Rule for all Rulers, and that whosoever is not under those Laws, owns not his Subjection to God. So that what the Apostle saith of the Heathen, Rom. 1. 21. i e. (That when they knew God, they did not worship him as God, but became vain in their imaginations, their foolish hearts being darkened, and so professing themselves wise became fools, and thereby left themselves without excuse) I may fitly apply to the late actions of these Army men, yea, and that in a Greater measure, in reference to the Law of God; Reason. For in this particular jehovah hath not afforded many of the Heathen that privilege, as to have either the Letter or true sense of the Law, Rom. 2 14. But these persons have both the Letter and true sense of the Law, and yet wilfully refuse to put them in practice, and consequently receive this great grace and favour of God in vain, choosing rather with Turks and Infidels, to be a Law unto themselves.  
And what is this less in a Civil Sense, than the Quakers and Ranters Tenent in a Spiritual Sense, the one thinking they have No need of the Touchstone rule, or Standard of the Scriptures of the New Testament, to guide them in their Spiritual condition, or Inward Man, living merely upon the dictates, figments or Notions of the wild Fancies of their frisking brain. The other that they have likewise, Reason and light of nature enough within them to govern themselves and their Vassals in reference to the outward man, and therefore like the other, will not make use of the Old Testament, for that purpose, but esteem them as things base and despicable for such wise and Profound Persons, as Mr. Needham and his Masters, the now great Courtiers are.  
And thus betwixt them do they complete that Body of Iniquity and 
* And have filled up the measure of the wrath of their predecessors in iniquity▪ and consequently ripe for judgement, wh●ch sleepeth not.  Transgressions, and therefore with the Heathen may properly be said to be without Law, and without God in the World, and consequently at the very threshold of entering into that unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost, which is defined to be a resisting of the known truth, which can be no other than the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, not of infirmity, or for fear or favour, but of more Malice and Hatred against the written Word, i. e. the LAW and the Gospel (the one trampled under foot by the Ranters and Quakers, and the other despised and contemned by Need●am and his Masters, witness his scurrilous pamphlet, tituled the Observator) notwithstanding they are the very dictates of the Spirit of God to Moses, the Prophets and Apostles, as I have proved.  
And therefore aught to be of as much value and esteem among the people of God, as if the same words were now inspired into them by the same Spirit: so that by having the benefit of the Holy Scriptures, it is as much as if we had Moses and all the Prophets, with jesus Christ and his Apostles now Extant with us, with all the Miracles which were wrought by them for the Confirmation thereof, John 20. 31. and consequently do thereby enjoy God, Christ and the blessed spirits breathe, as if the same were now breathed upon us, in reference to our guidance and direction in the duties required of us by God, either as to himself or our Neighbour, so that where it is prophesied, that in the latter days, we shall be all taught of God, I affirm, it is meant of no other teaching, than that of the Old and New Testament which shall then be the Only Rule and Square of our Actions, whether in reference to things spiritual or Civil; for it cannot be other than Blasphemy to assert, that the blessed spirit should teach Contradictions, to teach one Rule in Scripture, and another Rule in Notion, and if so, than all Notions whatsoever these Ranters, Quakers, etc. pretend unto, which are not as agreeable with the Letter of the Scriptures, as a pair of Indentures agreeth with one another, and even as face answereth face in a glass, I say, and do testify that they are of their Father the Devil.  
And therefore the words of the Apostle, may fitly be applied to these men, Heb. 4. where speaking of such as were once enlightened, and have tasted of the good word of God, and the power of the world to come, saith, that it is impossible for such if they shall fall away, to be renewed again by Repentance, seeing they have crucified to themselves the Son of God, and have put him to an open shame, as also those words in Cap. 10. 26, 27, etc. where he saith, If we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful loo●ing for of judgement and fiery Indignation which shall devour the Adversaries. Again, if he that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses, of how much greater punishment shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath done despite to the spirit of grace, such ●● now term the same spirit, the spirit of the Devil, which they have all along hitherto (during the time of their Straits and Low Condition) owned for the Spirit of God; and the sole guider and director of their Actions, 
* Simile. Vid. Epist. Jud. v. 10, 11, 12, 13, etc.  much like the Apostate Sons of God in the old world, who having once declared their holy profession, through the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, became the most desperate wretches that were in that world, running themselves headlong (like a horse into the battle) into all manner of Excess and Riot, neither fearing God nor man, which abominable wickedness was the occasion of the destruction of that world. And our Lord Jesus hath foretold, that as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of man.  
Implying that a great Apostasy shall happen at that time among the Professors of the truth, which this day is too evidently fulfilled both in the Eyes and Ears of all that truly fear God, and keep his Commandments, to do them, but to the thing in question.  
2. If Mordecay and Daniel might have had their will, they would doubtless have promoted the Royal Laws of their Jehovah, with the Statutes and Judgements annexed thereunto, as clearly appeareth by the practice of good Nehemiah, Cap. 8. 1, 2. who no sooner had the 
* Gal. 6. 10 As we have opportunity let us do good.  Opportunity put into his hand of magnifying the Law of God, and making it Honourable, but forthwith put it in practice, which sad experience teacheth, our Army-Men have not, albeit, all their opportunities, vows and protestations to that purpose, as before expressed, whereas it is the mind of God, that if a man vow or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond that he break not his word, but do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth, Numb. 30. 2. Again Deut. 23. 21. When thou shalt vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; for the Lord thy God shall surely require it of thee, and it will be sin to thee: again Ecclesiast. 5. 4, 5, 6. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it, for he hath no pleasure in Fools. Pay that which thou hast vowed, better it is thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, neither say thou before the angel that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hand, All that your Swords have gotten you. Godly David telleth God, that he will pay the vows which he made to him when he was in trouble, but it seems our Army-men, are content with Nabuchadnezzar to proclaim the God of Daniel to be worshipped in their Dominions, provided he will be content to have it done after the Baylonish fashion. Otherwise they have no more to say unto him.  
Again, it is worthy our observation, what notabe Jugglers 
Instance.  the Kings or Tyrants of the earth have ever been with God, as for instance in Dan. 2. 47. we find Nabuchadnezzar (having lately received a favour from daniel's God, in reference to the knowledge of his dream, openly declaring, that of a truth daniel's God was a God of Gods and a Lord of Kings, and a revealer of Secrets, and yet notwithstanding all this, in the third verse following, we find the same Nabuchadnezzar erecting an image of Gold, and compelling the worship●ers of daniel's God, to fall down and worship it. An Act not much unsuitable to the present actions of our Army-men, who having formerly proclaimed Jesus Christ, as aforesaid, 
Comparison.  (by way of thankfulness for their wonderful preservations from so many eminent dangers, and to exalt and magnify him only, and that by his own Way, or Rule of Worship, in and by his own Laws, and Ordinances, contained in the holy Scriptures, that they would suppress whatsoever was contrary thereunto, both in Church and State) but the Nine Days Wonder being over, forthwith cast all their Engagements behind their backs, and instead of performing thereof, turn direct Antipodians, or Retrogradians, by setting up an image of some things that had been destroying, and not only so, but also commanding obedience thereunto, witness the late Gooernment they have erected.  
3. Albeit Mordecay and Daniel did act according to the Laws and Customs of that Country, during their captivity in that place, that doth not in the least argue or conclude that the Laws of the Babylonians and Persians should now be promoted among us.  
Reason For what should we do with their Laws, without their Idols, for their Laws were their Religion, by which they worship Flesh, God or King, or Tyrant, at whose Lust and Pleasure, the lives of men were sacrificed to appease his wrath, or their graven and molten gods, with the Rites and Ceremonies appertaining thereunto.  
Therefore in as much as we do at least pretend, that we do not worship their gods, what use have we of their Laws or Religion? whether in reference to their idolatries, or Tyrannical worship required by them?  
So that the necessary Consequent of what hath been said will be, that so many of this Nation, as own that God, which made his own Law in Mount Sina, by which he will be worshipped, as also how his Subjects shall demean themselves one towards another and which was established and ratified by his son, and our Saviour (in Mount Olivet) and also by his Apostles, (as hath been proved) That they henceforth endeavour the promotion of those Holy, Just, and perfect Laws, with all their might and power, and contrariwise to suppress all such persons and things that are opposite thereunto, whether in Church or State.  
Object. Our Saviour commandeth us to give tribute to Cesar, and the Apostle enjoined obedience to the higher powers, which doth bear the Sword, and that for conscience sake, Rom. 13. all which giveth Approbation to the Laws of Nations.  
Resp. The people of God, were then (as I have said) under the power of Heathen Magistrates; and therefore to the end they might procure unto themselves a great and peaceable life in all godliness, and honesty, 1 Tim. ●2. 2. Our Lord Jesus and his Apostles, admonished them in such cases, not to oppose or resist them, and indeed who would not feed a hungry and greedy Lion, rather than to be torn in pieces, and devoured by him. But all this doth not in the least prove, that the Laws of Cesar, or the Image thereof, are better than the Laws of God, or that the people of God, having now under God freed themselves from the Dominion of Cesar, should now by force be brought back again to worship and adore the image and Superscription of Cesar, under a Cesarian Habit, that they should submit to the Laws, Customs and Traditions of those false gods they have Conquered, and Neglect the Laws, Statutes and Judgements of that God by whose might and power they have conquered these false gods, and their worshippers; for if so, what is it other than to imitate those disobedient Israelites (who joined in league with the Canaanites, whom the Lord signed for destruction) and with them to worship Baalim, and the Groves, Judges 3. 6, 7.  
Therefore such whom the Lord hath made instrumental, either by word or sword, to extirpate the name and person of Cesar out of this nation, ought doubtless to persevere therein until they have as well extinguished and blotted out his Image and Superscription, in whomsoever, and whatsoever they see or find it to be fixed in, and that to All Ends and purposes;  
For without all Controversy, the one is altogether as lawful, if not More than was the other, yea doubtless, it is a far less resisting of Magistracy to destroy the Image and Superscription of Cesar, than it was to destroy His Name and Person, but the Army affirmed, it was no resisting of Magistracy to destroy the person and name of Cesar, therefore it will be no resisting of Magistracy in the other, to destroy the Image and Superscription, in whomsoever, and whatsoever they find it.  
For in such Cases the Army hath concluded it as a Maxim, that it is no resisting 
* Note.  to side with just Principles, i. e. in such Cases, whereupon the life and death of True Religion, whether in reference to God or our neighbour doth depend) and that in such Cases, men are bound in duty and conscience both to God and their Neighbour, (where no effectual help doth from elsewhere appear) not to be wanting in any thing, they can either do or say, to hold off impending Ruin from an Honest People and a good Cause, but that as in public fires all aught to lift up their Voice and Hand, bringing what Ladders, Buckets, or what other assistance they can (vid. Abridgement, Remon. Alban p. 1.) as did (say they) part of the people in Arms, or an ARMY interposing against the Standing Authority, for the life of good Jonathan, 1 Sam. 14. 45. And the People said unto Saul, shall jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbidden, as the the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he hath wrought with God this day. So the People rescued Jonathan that he died not.  
From which (with several other Precedents in the said abridgement) it is clearly apparent, that an Honest and just cause, doth justify the Means that may accomplish it, as also the instruments that acteth therein, what then is there wanting, but the sword of the Lord, and of Gedeon, to destroy all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of man from off the face of the earth, and to erect those holy, just and perfect Laws, Statutes and Ordinances of jehovah the Lord Christ, instead thereof.  
Object. The Moral Law was ratified by Jesus Christ and his Apostles, but not the judicial Law you plead for, yea, Jesus Christ doth in several places, null some of the Statutes and Judgements, which were constituted, and appointed by Moses, as in Mat. 5. 38. where he saith, ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, (as in Exod, 21. 22, 23, 24, 25. Leu. 24 19, 20. Deut. 19 20,) but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him th● other also.  
Resp. Our blessed Saviour doth here neither abrogate the Statute nor the judgement, depending on that precept, Thou shalt not kill, but only freeth the same from the Traditions, and interpretations of the Scribes and Pharises, Hypocrites of those times, who took and gave liberty to foster and follow private revenge, and therefore in as much as vengeance is Gods, and in that he saith he will repay it by his instruments, i. e. by such Magistrates as shall put his Laws in execution). The Lord Jesus doth hereby rebuke them for taking on them to revenge their particular and private injuries, and so to arrogate to themselves that power that belonged to him, and consequently to his Lawful Deputies, the Civil Magistrate, and not that he doth here in the least take off the punishment that God by Moses had appointed in such cases, i. e, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, etc.  
Reason For if so, than it would unavoidably follow, that every man that listeth may strike out the eyes and teeth of his Neighbour at pleasure, as also that the person so offended should be so far from seeking revenge on the offender, as that he is engaged by our Saviour to provoke the offender to do him more mischief, by turning unto him the other cheek to be smitten: and if this be not the meaning, than I would gladly know what course men should take in point of such injuries offered unto them. That may be collected from this expression of our Saviour afore mentioned.  
If it be replied that complaint is to be made to the Civil Magistrate, to the end he may do Justice therein on the person offending.  
Resp. I demand by what Rule, for it is clearly evident to all that are rational, that those words of our blessed Saviour, will bear no such construction, but quite contrariwise, that the person so injured, should endeavour to provoke the offender to do him more mischief.  
Again, put case that an Appeal is to be made to the Civil Magistrate, if that Civil Magistrate, to whom the Appeal is made, be an Administrator or Executioner of the Laws of the alone Lawmaker, and giver, what other punishment ought he inflict, than that which he findeth prescribed in his Master's Laws, so that in s●ch case Magistrates must either of necessity wholly omit any punishment for such like offences, or they must judge by the standing Rule prescribed in the Law of God, contained in the five books of Moses.  
So th●n without all Controversy, where Jehovah hath as well prescribed the punishment as the offence, it ought not to be altered by any Magistrate whatsoever; and therefore for any Magistrate to assume the impudence to dissolve those things, that God hath so joined together, by the dictates of their own fantasy or light of Nature within them, is no other than by professing themselves wise to become fools. Again, the Apostle James affirmeth, That there is but one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: It is therefore an absolute usurpation of God's Legislative power, to save or destroy by any other means or rule, than that great and only Lawgiver hath prescribed. Again, in point of common sense, to whom can it rather refer to give rules of direction, for what offence man's life shall be saved, or other punishments to be inflicted; and for what his life shall be taken away, then to that holy, just, and righteous Lawgiver, who is the Author and giver of life, and at whose will and pleasure man's life and limbs ought to be taken away, and not otherwise.  
And therefore I do hereby aver, that whosoever shall henceforth contaminate or despise the aforesaid statutes and judgements doth directly derogate from God's Authority and subjection, who is the only and sufficient Lawgiver, as also from the sufficiency of his Laws, which is ten thousand times more perfect than any other constitution whatsoever, and will thereby bring upon themselves an unavoidable destruction.  
And it is well worthy our observation, that whilst the present Army owned those judicials, I plead for, to be from heaven, and a rule for all Rulers; and that who so was not ever under them owned not his subjection to God. They urged no other rule of justice to try the late King by, as is cl●erly manifest in that paper titled the Abridgement of the Remonst. Alban, where they cite multitudes of precedents out of holy writ, to prove him guilty of death: but not one statute law of the Nation: No, they were then out of date with them: but now temporamutantur, etc. And the world is run round again since that time.  
Object. Jesus Christ and his Apostles never commanded the practice of the Judicial Laws you speak of, therefore not to be urged under the Gospel.  
Respon. I have proved from Jesus Christ himself, that he came not to destroy the moral percepts, and consequently, not those statutes and judgements which are in separably annexed thereunto, and have no dependence at all either upon the Ceremonial Law, or their politic constitutions, but are as I have said, conclusions and rules of justice, grounded merely upon the Loyal Law; and therefore Jesus Christ, could not destroy the one without the other. But Needham himself hath confessed that Jesus Christ did ratify the Royal law: Ergo, those judicial precepts afore mentioned.  
Resp. 2. That the Apostles of the Lord Jesus taught the use thereof, appeareth from Paul's 1 Epist. to Tim. 1. v. 9, 10. where he saith, the Law is made for unholy and profane persons: For murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for Whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind; for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons: and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, etc. From which words it is clear, that the Judicial Law, (I stand for) was to be in force under the Gospel.  
Reason, For several things here numerated by the Apostle, are not found in the Decalogue or Ten Commandments, or Royal Law, but are deductions there from, i. e. part of those statutes, which depend thereon as the Five Books of Moses will sufficiently testify: For the Royal Law, only saith Thou shalt not kill.  
It doth not particularise killing of fathers or mothers, or manslayers, etc. Again, it also saith in a general expression, Thou shalt not Commit Adultery.  
It doth not particularise Whoremongers, or such as defile themselves with mankind.  
Again, in point of Theft, it only saith in a general term, Thou shalt not Steal.  
It doth not particularise Man-stealers, etc. and so in the rest: There can then be nothing more clear than that the Apostle doth here speak of the Judicial Law, annexed to the Moral precept, which he affirmeth to be good and lawful to be practised amongst Christians.  
Therefore it may be safely concluded, that the Judicial Law annexed to the Moral precepts, is as well to be practised by Christians under the Gospel, as before among the Jews, and that to all ends and purposes, which I collect from these words; if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, i. e. Loving God above all, and our neighbour as ourselves; that also saith the Apostle, aught to be determined by those Statutes and Judgements.  
1. Because God hath given no other rule to govern the world by; who are all under the Royal Law, as hath been proved, from Rom. 3. 9 29. and consequently under the other, i e. the Statutes and judgements.  
2. In that Jesus Christ did not destroy the one more than the other.  
3. In that the Apostle ratifieth the one as well as the other: As than it was Moses and Aron before Christ, so now Moses and Christ in the Gospel State (as Mr. Brain well observed.) God is said to judge the secrets of men's hearts (i. e. the inward man) by or according to the Gospel, Rom. 2. 16. And the things done in the flesh (i. e. the actions of the outward man) by the Statutes and Judgements aforementioned, as hath been showed, as also from 1 Tim. 5. 17. where the Apostle saith, The sins of some are open before hand, and go before to judgement, i. e. before the Civil Magistrate: Others follow after, and so under the Judgement of Christ in the Church. And this is further illustrated, from Rom. 2. 2. we are sure that the judgement of God, is according to truth, against them that commit such things, which things if you would know read cap. 1. and you will find them to be idolatry and false worship, as in making images of men, and birds and four footed beasts or creeping things, as also in vile affections as of men and women, changing their kind, fornication, etc. all which appertaining to the judicial precepts. Again, 1 Cor. 5. the Apostle doth make a clear distinction betwixt them that are properly under the civil and spiritual government, i. e. the external and internal, of Moses and Christ, as in vers. 12, 13. where he saith, What have I to do to judge them that are without, do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth: as if he had said, Men are now to be judged in things civil, by the civil law of God, committed to the Magistrate, and that not only by the men of the world, but members of Churches also; for the Apostle doth not blame the Corinthians cap. 6. of that Epistle, for that they brought their civil controversies to be decided by the civil Magistrate.  
Reason 1. But because those civil Magistrates did not judge by the law of God, and therefore could not give a just judgement.  
Reason 2. As also in that they were such Judges, as were not rightly fixed or qualified, for such a purpose: the latter is evident by the title, which the Holy Ghost putteth upon them, vers. 1. viz. unjust Judges: the former is also evident, by the place of their abode viz Corinth, the Magistrates thereof being unbelievers, v. 6. i. e. Heathen Judges, judging by Heathenish Laws, as are all that now Govern as they did. And in things spiritual by the censures of the churches, as the afore mentioned expressions do clearly evidence. Again, our blessed Saviour himself, doth clearly manifest that judgement of external acts against the Law of Moses, was left to Moses, Luke 12, 13, 14. where the man coming to have the inheritance divided, Christ gave him this Answer: Man, who made me a judge and divider over you?  
Again, in the case of the woman taken in the Act of Adultery, John 8. 3, 4, 5, 6. Jesus Christ would neither accuse or condemn her, so that the woman was dismissed, not absolved; Shiloh being now come, the Sceptre was now departed from Judah, and a Lawgiver from between his feet, Gen. 49. 10. The Jews at this time being then under the dominion of the Romans, had not power to put any to death, by their Law, as clearly appeareth by comparing the 7 v. of John 19 with v. 31. of cap. 18. where the Jews tell Pilate, they have a law to punish blasphemers by death: And yet the case was then such with them, that they could not put any to death thereby.  
And hence I conceive it was that the Scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites brought the woman taken in the act of Adultery to our blessed Saviour, to entrap him, i. e. to see if he would take upon him to put their law in execution, and that if he had, then to have accused him for intermeddling upon the privilege of Caesar, as is clear from John 19 12. Where they tell Pilate, that if he let Jesus go he was not Caesar's friend.  
Reason For (say they) who so maketh himself a King, (that is, that taketh upon him to put our Laws in execution (without the approbation of Cesar) speaketh against Cesar, Mat. 22. 15, 16, 17. etc. All which temptations our Saviour then avoided, because the time was not yet come, that his Kingdom should be on the earth, he being before that time to become a sufferer, both in his own person, and in his Members, by that Roman power then in being, at the end whereof, i e. at the expiration of the Little Horns Dominions Dan. 7. it shall arise out of the ruin thereof, and so by gradation spread itself over the face of the whole earth, as in v. 25, 26, and 27 of that chapter.  
Object. The Severity of Mose's Judicials, ought not to be practised under the Gospel, as the continual practice of the Church showeth, as Paul willeth the incestuous person only to be excommunicated, 1 Cor. 5. there was then no Law in force to put such to death.  
Resp. This conceit was the first ground of the Manichean Heresy; for in making of difference in the proceed of Justice under the Law, and under the Gospel against one and the same Transgression, they thereupon laid a foundation for the setting forth of two gods, the one severe, and the other merciful, whereas the Lord Jesus doth rather aggravate than mitigate the punishments of the Judicial Laws, as in the explication of that Precept. Thou shalt not kill.  
He to show the latitude, or compliment, or full extent of the mind of his Father therein, saith, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of Judgement, and whosoever shall say to his brother Racha, shall be in danger of the Council: but whosoever shall say thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire: hence John saith, He that hateth his brother, is a murderer in God's esteem. Again v. 27. in his Exposition of that Precept, Thou shalt not commit adultery.  
He saith, that Whosoever looketh after a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. etc. And hence the Apostle Peter speaking of lascivious persons, saith, They have eyes full of adultery, 2 Pet. 2. 14. In which expressions, Christ showeth that the Moral Precept extendeth as well to the inward as outward man, and that he will punish the transgressions of the one, as of the other, the one by the Civil magistrate, and the other by his Church, and not in the least mitigateth the punishments of the fruits of the flesh, i. e. Theft, Aultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness, Idolatry, Withcraft, etc.  
And as touching the incestuous person, I have laid down a sufficient Reason why the Church could not punish him with death, they having not the power to put the Laws of God in execution, as also in that their Civil Magistrate did not act by God's Laws, but were unjust Judges: so that it may as well be argued and concluded from Paul's expression elsewhere, i. e. Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labour with his hands, etc. That Theft under the Gospel, is to be no other ways punished by the Civil Magistrate, than by an admonition to steal no more; therefore those that affirm that the punishments of the Judicial Law is mitigated by Christ and his Apostles under the Gospel, would do well from the mouth of God, to show in what it is mitigated, or to whom, and whether to all or to some sins only, and why not all as well as some, and how it can be in some particulars, and not in all, or each of them, or how it can be under the Gospel, and not declared by Christ, and if by him, then how can he be said to establish the Law, and yet destroy all in part, and whether Idolatry, Blasphemy, Murder, Adultery, Theft, etc. be not the same in Gods esteem now, as formerly in England, as in Judea, and if so, then why not the same punishments here, as there, for the violation thereof; with much more that might be urged to this purpose.  
Object. If those Statutes and Judgements annexed to the Moral Law for the breach of the Moral Precept, were now to be instituted, it would overthrow all the constitutions of Government in Christendom, yea, in the whole world; and so bring all the Magistrates of the earth, into a Chaos of confusion and destruction with all their adherents, and that both in things Civil, and Ecclesiastical.  
Resp. That is no more than God hath appointed and determined shall come to pass at bringing in of the Kingdom of the Manchild, who is to rule all Nations with a rod of iron, Psal. 2. 9 and 72. 8. Rev. 2. 27. and 19 15. and therefore for the further clearing up of this Assertion, I shall set before you.  
1. Who are the professed Antagonists of the Manchild, with the matters or things, whereby they have all along resisted and opposed his government, and Subjects.  
2. The determinate purpose of the Manchild, (i. e. the Lord Jesus) to subvert and destroy those persons and things, which have and do so confront him and his Members, i. e. his Church or people.  
3. The manner how he will effect it in all the Nations of the earth.  
4. The persons by whom he will effect it.  
And first of the first, in order to which I Assert.  
Assert. That the Kings or Tyrants of the earth, have in all ages been the Grand Antagonists to the Kingdom and Government of the Lord Jesus, and that both in things spiritual and Civil, in the things appertaining to our duty towards God, and our Neighbour, comprised in the two Tables of the Moral Law.  
But before I proceed to the proof of this Assertion, I shall in the first place give you to understand, that I take these two Tables of the Moral Law or ten Commandments, with the Statutes and Judgements afore mentioned, to be the Royal Law or Government of Jehovah the Lord Christ, and that those Statutes and Judgements, are that Civil Law, by which he will rule the Nations with a rod of iron, in that they produce the sword of Justice in the hands of the Civil Magistrate, which sword of justice, I say, is that iron Rod, formerly mentioned, and no other thing, and hence it is, the Saints are said to have a two edged sword in their hand, as well as the high praises of God in their mouths, Psal. 149. the one edge offensive, and the other defensive.  
I also take the Gospel or New Testament to be the Spirit of the 
The Gospel the spirit of the Law.  Law, and this Assertion our blessed Saviour himself confirms, Joh. 6. 63. where he positively affirmeth, that the Words which he spoke, they were Spirit, and they were Life; which is also confirmed by the Apostles in v. 68 where they say, whither shall we go from thee, for thou hast the words of eternal life, etc. But the Gospel or New Testament is the Counterpain of those words so spoken by him and his Apostles, which they have left unto us, ratified by signs and miracles, to be a Lantern to our feet, and a light unto ourpaths, in the things that the Lord Christ expecteth to be done by his body, the Church: so that the Doctrine of the New Testament, I likewise take to be Christ's Golden Sceptre, which he holds forth to all Nations, and especially unto his Spouse, the Church, which with the Ordinances contained therein, I take to be the two edged sword of his mou●h, mentioned Rev. 19 13, 15, 21.  
Having thus given you my thoughts touching the two grand Principles of nature, in reference to our duty to God and our neighbour, I shall proceed to the two Direct Opposites thereof, i. e.  
1. Idolatry, or false worship, as to God.  
2. Tyranny or Inhumanity, as to our Neighbour.  
Which two Principles I do hereby aver to be of and from the Devil, and consequently, that those that put them in practice, are the Servants or Ministers of the Devil, and professed Antagonists to the Government of jehovah, the Lord Christ, which he hath appointed to govern the sons and daughters of men by, whether in reference to himself or their Neighbour.  
Now for proof of the forementioned Assertion, I shall give a brief Narrative of the first Original of Idolatry and Tyranny after the Flood.  
jehovah having destroyed the Old world with a Deluge of water (by reason of the Abominable Apostasies of the sons of God, or Professors of God's worship) Noah and his family only excepted: yet notwithstanding that so notorious precedent of sin and punishment, no sooner was the present world repopulated, and that in a small measure, but the depraved light of Nature (the Ranters, and Quakers present adored light, which is no better than the darkness of hell, or bottomless pit, notwithstanding the voluntary humiliation of the Quakers at this day, to colour it over, the Devil having now put his angel of light's habit upon the Ranters back or Principle, i. e. an external show of holiness, or voluntary humility, as in Col. 2. 18, 19 where he exhorteth the true body or Church of Jesus Christ, saying, let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility, (or self-denial in the things of this life) or worshipping of Angels, (or figments or Notions of the mind) intruding into those things that they have not seen, (notwithstanding all their pretence of seeing) Vainly puffed up with a fleshly mind. Pure Quakers, as can be spit out of the Devil's mouth, as woeful experience will shortly teach them, they being (as I hear Mr. john Goodwin lately and truly characterised them) The last born of the Devil. 
The Quakers Tenent is the Devils last game he hath to play   
The Devil, as I have said, having put upon their accused Principle, his most beautiful robe of delusion, which the Lord preserve all good people from.  
I say, no sooner was the present world repopulated, and that in a small measure, but the aforesaid depraved light of Nature, now so rampant, and idolised among the Apostate Professors of these days) in mankind became subject to the like temptations, and delusions of Satan, which brought them into the like abominable practices of violating the two forementioned grand Principles of nature, by practising Idolatry, and Tyranny. The original of which defection or wicked practice (after the Flood) upon a public account, is by Historians fixed on Nimrod.  
The ground of this their Assertion, they take from Gen. 10. 8, 9, 10. Where Cush is said to beget Nimrod, and that he began to be a Mighty one in the Earth, and a mighty hunter before the Lord, and the beginning of his Kingdom was Babel.  
1. Hierome in Tract. Gen. saith, that Nimrod was the first man after the Flood, that exercised Tyranny, which before was not practised.  
2. josephus saith, he provoked men to pride and contempt of God, teaching them to ascribe their Happiness to themselves, and not unto God.  
3. Hugo Annot. in Gen. saith he brought in Idolatry, teaching men to worship the ●ire that was so commodious unto them, which practice (saith he, the Chaldeans followed.  
4. Whereas Nimrod is styled a Mighty Hunter before the Lord, Augustine rendereth it against the Lord, but the proper meaning is, that it is spoken by a Metaphor, because he hunted men, as Beasts are chased (in which sense David saith, that Saul hunted him, as Partridges are hunted in the mountains) and that in the very sight and presence of God, he practised Idolatry and Tyranny: so that from Nimrods' Idolatrous and Tyrannical Dominion, it grew into a Proverb, to resemble an Idolater and cruel oppressor to Nimrod.  
Behold then, all ye Idolaters, (or false worshippers) and Tyrants, (or cruel oppressors) the Root from which you had your Sap and Growth, from that time to this present day. Behold also, the first Metropolis, or City of refuge, that this your great Grandsire prepared to secure himself from danger, the Greatest Tyrants, ever providing the greatest security for themselves, knowing they are neither in favour with God or good men; and hence it is they ever fortified themselves with strong Cities, etc. being afraid, even of their own shadows, witness the Handwriting upon the wall, which made Belshazzars countenance to change, yea, put him into such anagony, (and that in the height of all his jolily) as loosed even the very joints of his loins, so that his knees smote one against another, Dan. 5, 6. yea, it put both him and his Nobles in such a fright, that it was high time for them to call aloud for their Astrologers, Chaldeans and soothsayers, and yet all to no Purpose, Lilies Art was then nonplussed with its Albumazar, as also in Nebuchadnezars Dream, touching the Fifth Monarchy, which shameful disparagement, to their diabolical profession, makes them they could never endure a dreaming Prophet since, and especially if it savours of that fifth Monarchy Dream, as expounded by Daniel, cap. 2. 34, 35, 44, 45. which Dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure, maugre all the Diabolical instruments in the world, by what name or title soever they are called.  
And hence it is, that all the Tyrannical and Idolatrous Governments 
The Rise of Pagan Babylon.  that were from Nimrod to Constantine the Roman Emperor, (which I term the Old Pagan state or Government) had their Rise and being from Nimrod and that City and Tower of Babel, and therefore commonly called in Scripture the Queen or Mother of Idolatry, and Inhumanity, and consequently of all Idolaters, and Tyrants, the issue of that hellish spawn.  
And in like manner, I also take the Rise of that Autichristian 
The Rise of Antichristian Babylon.  Babylon, tituled in Rev. 17. 5. Mystery Babylon the great, the Mother of harlots, and abomination of the earth, to be meant of Rome in point of situation, and the Nimrod thereof to be Constantine, who after he had swallowed up the floods of water, cast by the Dragon after the woman, Rev. 12. from v. 13. to ult. (which (I take to be by his Conquest over the persecutors of the Christians,) he is said to give unto the Beast which risen out of the waters, cap. 13. 1, 2. his power and seat and great Authority, by which act of his became the mixture of Iron, and Potter's clay, together in the images feet, foretold by Daniel, cap. 2. 33, 41, 42, 43. which I●on, and Potter's clay, I take to be the mixing of the Civil and Ecclesiastical powers together, which from that time have been continued to this present day.  
Having thus stated the Rise both of the Pagan and Antichristian Babylon, I shall in the next place enlarge myself a little in reference to each of them, to the end, that by a better knowledge thereof, the people of God may be more induced to abominate and detest them, as also to execute the Judgement upon them and their supporters and adherents, as it is written, Psal. 149. with multitudes of other Scriptures to that purpose, and first of the first 
A brief Narrative of Pagan Babylon.  (viz.) of Pagan Babylon, with its Adherents.  
As to what this Nimrod was 
Who Nimrod was ,. some take him to be the same which Foreign stories call Belus, and that he was the first founder of the Idols in the Eastern Countries, who were derived from him, as Belial, Beelzebub, Belphegor, but it will appear by what follows, that Nimrod was before Belus.  
2. Touching Babel, the beginning of Nimrods' Kingdom, it 
Of Babel in general.  was so called, not from Belus, as some would have it, but from the Confusion of Languages, as the ancient Saxon word Babel doth seem to import, which word was usually mentioned by them to such persons, as spoke confusedly, to whom they would say, why Babel ye, or why confuse ye the true etymology of the word, being why Babel ye, or why do ye imitate those persons at Babel, who spoke so confusedly, as th●t they could not be understood by their Auditors: but to put all out of doubt, the Scripture doth clearly testify as much, Gen. 11. 9 in these words, therefore is the name of it called Babel, because there the Lord confounded the Languages of all the earth, and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of the earth.  
3. Touching the building of the City of Babel or Babylon, the 
Of the City and Tower of Babel.  first Metropolis of Idolatry and Tyranny, Quintus Curtius ascribeth it to Belus, lib. 4. Berosus cited by Josephus to Nabuchadnezzar, lib. 1. cont. Appian. from Dan 4. 30. where Nabuchadnezzar is presented saying, is not this great Babel which I have builded for the House of the Kingdom, the might of my power, and the honour of my Majesty. Berosus Arrianus, maketh all three bvilders of Babylon,  
As 1. That Nimrod began the Tower, anno 131. after the Flood.  
2. That Belus built the City, who saith he reigned after Nimrod 65 years, and that he himself (i. e.) Belus reigned 56 years.  
3. That Semiramis the wife of Ninus, which reigned 24 years, much enlarged the City, and fortified it.  
A●ter all this, when the Assyrian Kings had made Niniveh the imperial seat, so that Babylon was much neglected and decayed, at last, Nebuch●dnezzar having conquered the City of Niniveh, re-edified Babylon, (as before mentioned) and hereto agreeth josephus O●osinus lib 6. and August. lib. 16. de Civit. Dei, cap. so that the beginning and Foundation was laid in Nimrod, as in Gen. 10. 10. which saith, That the beginning of his Kingdom was Babel.  
4. As touching the way and means, this Nimrod took to set 
How Nimrod became a Monarch.  up his Idolatrous and tyrannical government, I shall likewise set forth, to the end that the present Idolaters (or false worshippers) and Tyrants or civil oppressors of the times) may compare their present conditions and actions with their predecessors, at the erecting of their great grandmother Babel. Nimrod, having by his craft and policy wound himself so into the affections of the people, as to be made their Captain-General: Or, Ringleader of that company; and calling to mind how the old world was drowned and destroyed for Idolatry and Inhumanity which design he had now in his heart to practice (as his predecessors of the old world had done before him) though covertly; and therefore under a 
* Nimrods' Policy.  pretence of making themselves famous in the earth to all posterity: And thereupon stirred up the rude multitude (under this plausible pretence) to build him a City and a Tower, that might not only free him from the danger of men; but also from fear of any thing that God could do unto him, as also that he might with more boldness effect his wicked and ungodly enterprises. And this he did in 
* One tyrant taketh example by another.  imitation of the Tyrants of the old world, i. e. the Giants or Apostate sons of God, of whom it is reported, that they had a City called Enos in the Mountains of Libanus, that ruled over the whole world. But it is to be understood that this Nimrod could not fortify his City, Tower, and Palace with Demy Cannon and such like Artillery: for the use of such engines of cruelty were not then found out; but since the Devil, for the better encouragement of servants, hath now supplied them with plentiful store thereof for such purpose, etc.  
I shall now in large something in reference to the Tower, in the attempting and erecting whereof these following sins concurred, with which I shall also mentioned, to the end the present Nimrods', or Idolatrous tyrannical Babel-builders of the times may ruminate thereon, and consider how far short they now are (if any) of Nimrods' then condition.  
1. In the building of this Tower, his impiety appeared, in attempting it in despite of God. As the Prophet Isaiah, according to 
The impiety of tyrants.  this pattern bringeth in the King of Babylon vaunting himself saying, I will ascend unto the clouds; I will be like the Most High.  
2. His vanity appeared, in seeking to be made famous on earth, and not by good actions to be made glorious in heaven: he thought to 
Their vanity  exalt himself by building, and not by loving God above all, and his neighbour as himself.  
3. His disobedience appeared, in that it was God's ordinance, 
Their disobedience.  that the earth should be replenished by them, and yet they wilfully oppose the Counsel of God, by resolving not to departed from them, as in v. 6. where they say, Let us build a City and Tower, whose top may reach to heaven, that we may get us a name lest we be scattered.  
4. Herein his impudence was also discovered: For whereas 
Their impudence, pride, and voluptuousness.  he should have been convicted in his conscience for his pride and arrogancy, Rom. 2. 15. he openly proclaimed his ambition, voluptuousness, etc. to all posterity, proceeding to such a violence therein, that nothing could now restrain him, as neither the fear of God, nor the fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation (2 Pet. 3. 10.) to be poured out upon him, as in Heb. 5. 26, 27. But contrariwise, whatsoever, he had proudly devised, he would as impudently practise. The confusion of their language was therefore a fruit of their pride: as in 
Pride bringeth confusion  Prov. 16. 8. Zeph. 2. 10. so that whereas they looked to gain credit, they found shame and confusion.  
Like as when Saul had thought he had made a goodly place for 
Simile.  himself, as triumphing for his late victory over Amaleck: Even than he was rejected for being King (1 Sam. 15. 28) for his not obeying 
A warning for tyrants.  the command of the Lord, against his professed enemies. All which one would think to be fair warnings to the like disobedient saul's of the times. (And in particular at Black-hall) the Lord give them grace to consider thereof, if they be not past repenting.  
Again, That the Kings of the earth were the original or root of Idolatry and Tyranny, is also asserted and proved by King Solomon, in his book titled Wisdom cap. 13. 14. where speaking of this 
Kings the Original of Idolatry & Tyranny.  subject, he saith:  That the devising of Idols were the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the inventions of them the corruption of life, for neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for ever. 
For by the vainglory of men, they entered into the world: And therefore shall they come shortly to an end.  
For a Father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he had made an Image of his child,  
soon taken away: Now honoured him as a God, which was then a dead man: And delivered to those that were under him, Ceremonies and Sacrifices.  
Thus (saith Solomon,) in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong, was kept as a law: And graven images were worshipped by the commandment of Kings or Tyrants, whom men could not honour, because they dwelled far off. Therefore they took the counterfeit of his Visage from far, and made an express Image of a King, whom they honoured (or worshipped) to the end that by this their forwardness, they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present: Also the singular diligence of the Artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition.  
Reason For he paradventure being willing to please one in Authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion; and so the multitude being alured by the grace of the work, took him now to be a God; which a little before was but honoured as a man. And this (saith he) was an occasion to deceive the world.  
Reason  
For men serving either Calamity or Tyranny did attribute to stocks and stones the incommunicable Name. Moreover (saith Solomon) this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of Ignorance, these so great plagues called they peace: For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, and used secret ceremonies, or made revile of strange rites.  
They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: 
Note, The violation of the first principle of Nature leads to the breach of the second.  But either one slew another treacherously, or griev●d him by Adultery: So that there remained in all men, without exception, blood, manslaughter, theft and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury, disquieting of good men; forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kinds, disorder in marriages, adultery and shameless uncleanness.  
Argum. For the worshipping of Idols (of what sort so ever) not to be named, is the beginning, the cause, and the end of all evil.  
But the Kings of the earth were the Authors, Cont●mners and promoters of Idols, and Idolworship: as hath been showed:  
Therefore the Kings or Tyrants of the earth were the beginning, the cause, and the end of all evil.  
And thus I have proved, and that by the testimony of ● King, that the Principles of the Kings or Tyrants of the earth, are directly opposite to the two Grand Principles of Nature, i. e. To love God above all, and our Neighbours as ourselves.  
And this Doctrine is also plentifully confirmed by the Apostle Paul in Rom. 1. from v. 18. to ult. which is well worthy also of perusal, as to this particular, and now I shall proceed to the Second particular in order, i. e.  
Assert. That Jehovah the Lord Christ is determined to have a general reckoning day, with those persons, and things that have so confronted him and his Laws, i. e. these two Principles of Nature, with the Decalogue and Statutes, and Judgements depending thereupon, as hath been showed.  
And this is also proved by the testimony of King Solomon, in the aforesaid book cap. 13. and cap 14. where having treated of the two sorts of Idolatry, i. e. of worshipping of the creature, and likewise of the Image of the creature, he concludes, That the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful to God; for that which is made, shall be punished together with him that made it, Look to it then Idol-makers; for black will be your day, when the only wise Potentate, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, shall by his Saints bring your actions to the touchstone of the Scriptures.  
But lest they shall say, this Testimony of solomon's, (which I have cited the rather, because he is a bird of their own feather in point of Title) is Apochrypha, I shall commend unto them the testimony of that Grave Orthodox Divine, new created Doctor, and singular Dean in England (for you must understand all the rest were Popish, and superstitious) which I have done, the rather in regard of that great repute he hath for a learned Rabbi, to the end, what is said by him, may gain the more credence with his Masters and fraternity, with the rest of the Rabble Rout of Locusts, Caterpillars and Canckerworms of the Nation.  
And for their better attention, I do also hereby give them to understand, and that the expressions, I shall mention, are extracted out of a Sermon preached by him, before no less persons than the House of Parliament, from Heb. 12, 26, 27. i e. Whose voice then shook the earth, but he hath promised, saying, yet once more, and I shake not the earth, but the heavens also, and this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. In the Explanation of which words, he useth these following expressions, i. e. as the Apostle here applies part of the Prophet Haggai, so that prophesy, even in the next words gives light into the meaning of the Apostle, look what Heavens and Earth the Prophet speaks of, of this, and no other speaks the Apostle. The Spirit of the Lord in the Scriptures, is his own best interpreter, see then the order of the words, as they lie in the Prophet Haggai, cap. 6. 7. I will shake Heaven and Earth, I will shake all Nations, God then shakes Heaven and Earth, when he shakes all Nations, that is, he shakes the Heaven and Earth of the Nations. I will shake Heaven and Earth, I will shake all Nations, is a Pleonasme.  
For I will shake the Heaven and Earth of the Nations: these are the things shaken in my Text.  
Query. The heavens of the Nations, what are they?  
Resp. Even the Political heights and glory, i. e. these Forms of Government, which they, (meaning the Civil and Ecclesiastical Magistrates, whether under Pagan or Antichristian Babylon,) have set up for themselves (not for Christ) and their own Interest (not 
Note.  for the Interest of Christ and his sanctified one's) with the grandeur and lustre of their Dominions.  
The Nation's Earth is the multitude of their people, their strength and power, whereby their Heavens and Political heights and Splendour of the Popular Multitude, and Strength of the Nations of the earth, that are to be shaken, as in Rev. 12. 16. and 21. 13. where by an Earthquake, great Babylon receives a fatal blow, and Isa. 51. 15, 16. and 34. 4. All the Host of Heaven shall be dissolved, and the Heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll, and all the Hosts shall fall down as the leaf falleth from the Vine.  
Now these dissolved and rolled Heavens, are no other than the Powers and 
* Note.  heights of the popular Nations. Their Government and Tyranny: As both the foregoing and following verses do declare, the Lords wrath (saith the Prophet) is upon the Nations, and his fury upon their Armies: he hath delivered them to the slaughter, etc. vid. Ezek. 3. 2. 7. You may take it (saith this learned Rabbi) for a rule, that in the denunciation of the judgement of God, throughout all the Prophets, Heavens, Sun, Moon, and Stars, and the like acceptable beauties of the Heavens are taken for Governments, Dominions in Politic States: As in these Scriptures, Isa. 12, 13, 14, 15. Jer. 15. 9 and 51. 25. Isa. 13. 13. and 60. 20. Psal. 68 8. Joel 2. 10. Obad. 4. Mat. 24. 29. Luke 21. 25. Rev. 18. 12, 13. and 11. 12. and 20. 11. and 6. 12, 13, 14, 15. The wasting and destroying of the Pagan Roman State, and the plagues and commotions of the people; the dethroning of idol worship; the destruction of persecuting Emperors, and Captains, with the transposition of Powers and Sovereignty from one sort to another is held under this Grandeur of words, being part of the shaking of Heaven and Earth in my Text, vid. Euseb. Eccles. Hist. Lib. 9 c. 8. 10. Lib. 8. cap. 17. de Vet. Constan. lib. 1. cap. 50, 51, 52.  
Add hereunto (saith the Court Chaplain) the promises of the restauration of God's people, into a glorious condition after all their sufferings. How now Doctor, take heed what you say, for these words are petty Treason, if your Masters come to hear thereof; But I pray what is that Restauration and glorious state you here dream of; for I will assure you the Court counts such expressions but dreams and phansies ●nd such a thing as will never be: And therefore pray let us see what ground you have in scripture, for such a restauration and glorious estate as you speak of.  
Doct. It is perpetually in the Scriptures held out under the same terms (meaning of Heaven and Earth) and you have a plentiful demonstration of this point (How Doctor) is there such a plentiful demonstration in scripture, of a restauration of God's people into a glorious state and condition after all their sufferings? Pray what scriptures are those, they will be Novelists at Court, for they can entertain no such Fancies, therefore pray let's have them.  
Doct. See Isa. 65. 17, Behold, I create new Heavens and a new Earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into my mind: Doct. how ever this is to you, I am sure it is a new and strange doctrine at Court, what man? Must all the political government in the world with the grandeur and lustre of them, be so shaken and done away, ●● that they shall not so much as be remembered, nor come into the mind of God and his people? Indeed Doctor, you must preach this doctrine no more at Bethel; for now it is the King's Chapel: I will assure you there is now treason in such Texts. But certainly Doctor, you judge this glorious government to be within us; not visible in the world. See v. 18. Be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create.  
Reas. For behold I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy: (But Doct. the Court will tell you that this Jerusalem, which God will so create, is meant of Jerusalem within man, and not of a Jerusalem without man, or visible as that Jerusalem, in which the Jews did inhabit in Canaan: And therefore for our better understanding of this particular, we will if you please, take a view of the following expression of the Prophet: which are these. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people, and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, and the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man, that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die, an hundred years old; but the sinner that is an hundred years old shall be accursed: what think you of these word● Doctor? Is all this meant to be fulfilled within the people of God? but if we have no more than this to say for the Fifth Monarchy without or under the Heavens, Mr. Cardell one of the late Fifth Monarchists will tell us, that all the four Monarchies, three of which, are past and dissolved, viz. the Babylonish Meads and Persians, with the Greatian Monarchy have been all within us, and that the fourth Monarchy, viz. the Roman Monarchy is now within us, and is in like manner to be dissolved within us: And therefore it is far less to have Infants and Old men within us at one and the same time, as before mentioned: therefore we must yet proceed to the following verses, and see if we find any thing that the Quakers cannot so well digest, as old men and children to live and die; as aforesaid, we shall therefore proceed to v. 21, 22. etc. where the Prophet saith:  
They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. (Surely, the Quakers hath devilish wide weasands, if they swallow down all these particulars: as Houses and Vineyards, with their bvilders and Planters; but they do these things only when they are in their Quaking fits: But Sir, this Text puts me in mind of your brother Doctors, Master Thomas goodwin's Sermon upon Rev. 5. 9, 10. where speaking of the glorious estate and condition that the people of God shall enjoy after all their sufferings, citeth this very text to prove his Assertion, i. e. That they shall enjoy a Kingdom upon earth, for saith he, they shall build houses, and plant vineyards. O, to see how good wits will jump, for he useth even your own words, i. e. A glorious condition after all their sufferings; and therefore Gentlemen, seeing you are both convinced of this truth: See if you can conquer the Soldiers with your rhethorical Artillery. But in the interim, let us lay before them the following words of the Prophet, v. 21. They shall not build and another inhabit, they shall not plant and another eat; for as is the days of a Tree, are the days of my people. And my elect shall long enjoy the works of their hands: (It appeareth then there must be Mechanical persons in this glorious state, which the two learned Doctors assert is to be; for the following words saith, They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth trouble.  
Reas. For they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their off spring with them (they are then to procreate children under this glorious estate and condition, vid. cap. 66. 22. And it shall come to pass● that before they shall call (saith the Lord) I will Answer: And whilst they are yet spealing I will hear (there is then to be the use of Ordinances under this glorious state and condition) and pray, etc. The Wolf and the Lamb shall feed together, and the Lion shall eat straw with the Bullock; and dust shall be the Serpent's meat, i. e. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. They shall then beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation, neither shall they learn war any more:  
Gentlemen you will stand in need of all your Rhetoric, when you go about to convince the Soldiery of putting this Doctrine in practice.  
But if this scripture be fulfilled, and this glorious time is now under this present Government; Why do they not, as it is here directed by the spirit of God to be done? And now Doctor, I shall proceed to your confirmation of this grand doctrine, from the New Testament, to which purpose, I find you to instance 2 Pet. 3. 13. Where the Apostle having before in that cap. put the people of God in mind by way of remembrance touching the glorious kingdom and state, which you and your brother Doctor hath affirmed must be, and which I am sure yet is 〈◊〉.  
Reas. For the Soldiers swords are not yet 〈◊〉 to Ploughshares, nor their Spears into Pruning-books, etc. (witne●●● the intolerable taxes yet to support them.) The Apostle I say, having put the people of God in remembrance of the words, which are spoken by the Holy Prophets, and likewise of the commandment of them the Apostles of the Lord Jesus to such purpose, and that they should not be daunted touching the accomplishment thereof, notwithstanding scoffing and mocking, and blaspheming of the scoffing Ishmalites, and railing and blasphemous Rabshakahs, that should happen to be near the time of its approach: Who walking after their own lusts, will say, where is the promise of his coming: for since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning: For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the word of God, the Heavens were of old, and the Earth standing out of the waters, and in the water, whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and earth, which are now by the same word, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement, and perdition of ungodly men, but beloved, (faith the Apostle) be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord, as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day; for the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us ward, not wiling that any should perish, but tha● all should come to repentance; but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hoping unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless we according to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth Righteousness, not Idolatry and Tyranny.  
Now for the better understanding of the Rabbis meaning t●●ching the new Heaven and new Earth here mentioned, I shall 〈◊〉 another passage of his in pag. 12. of that book, where he having asserted that it is not to be meant of the material Heaven and Earth, produceth this Scripture to prove the same, i. e. Isa. 51. 15, 16. I am the Lord that divided the sea, whose waves roared, the Lord of Hosts is his name, and I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee with the shadow of my hand, that I might plant the heavens, and lay the Foundations of the Earth, and say unto Zion, thou art my People.  
In these words saith the Doctor,  
by a Repetition of what he hath done, he establisheth his people in expectation of what he will do.  
And 1. He minds them of that wonderful deliverance from an Army behind them, from an ocean before them, by his miraculous preparing dry paths for them in the deep. I am the Lord, who divided the sea, whose waves roared.  
2. Of his greatness, acquainting them with his mind, i. e. his Laws and Ordinances at Horeb, I have put saith he, my words in thy mouth.  
3. Of that favourable and singular protection afforded them in the wilderness, when they they were encompassed with enemies round about. I covered thee with the shadow of mine hand.  
Query, Now (saith the singular Dean) etc. to what end was all this?  
Resp. Why saith he (meaning the Lord by the Prophet) that I might Plant the Heavens, and Lay the Foundations of the Earth.  
Query. What of those material, visible Heavens and Earth, 2460 years before, at least, were they planted and established.  
Resp. It is all (saith the Rabbi) but making of Zion a people, which before was scattered in distinct Families.  
Query. And how was this done? quoth the Doctor?  
Resp. Why the Heavens are planted, or a glorious frame of Government, and Policy is erected among them, and the multitudes of their people are disposed into an orderly Commonwealth, (Note) to be a firm Foundation, and Bottom for the Government among them: So that from what the Doctor hath here asserted, it is as clear as the Sun in its brightest Lustre, that the Frame of Government for the unmovable Kingdom, or Jesus Christ, or the fifth Monarchy.  
Are those Laws, Statutes and Judgements, which were given by Jehovah at Horeb and revived and ratified by the Lord Jesus at Mount Olivet, Mat. 5. For those are they the Doctor terms the firm Foundation, a firm Foundation for an unmovable Kingdom?  
And this Doctrine is also ratified by the Prophet Malachy c. 4. where speaking of the dissolution of those old Heavens and old earth, formerly treated of, i. e. the Political Frame of Government, which men have made for themselves, etc. i. e. of those Heavens, and Earth, which the Apostle Peter saith, are to be burned and consumed by fire, as also of that new Heaven, and new earth, wherein dwelleth Righteousness, I say the Prophet speaking of that Great and notable day of trial by fire, telleth us by way of explanation what is intended by the Holy Ghost, in such manner of expression, saith, Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, Note, and all that are proud, and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the 
Proud and wicked persons must be this fire.  Lord, and it shall leave them neither Root nor Branch: but unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness appear with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth and grow as calves of the stall, and ye shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be as ashes under the soles of your feet (Note) In that day that I shall do this, saith the Lord, Remember (what?) the Law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb with the Statutes and Judgements. Ergo That Law, Statutes and Judgements, shall be put again in practice that day.  
Again the Doctor doth further confirm this Doctrine from Rev. 21. 1. I saw a new heaven, a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, And there was no more sea.  
Here saith the Doctor, the Heaven and earth is restored, but the sea shall be no more.  
Those gatherings together of many waters, (saith the Rabbi) Rivers from all places, or Pretended Clergy men from all Nations into General Counsels, which were the sea or many waters, on which the Whore sat, shall have no 
* Note.  place at all in the Churches restored Conditions (Reader, you must understand the Rabbi did not then dream of the Court of Tryers now at Whitehall, or else you must (if you can) conceive them not to be pretended Clergymen, or a general Council, no you must take them to be only an image of such pretended Clergy men and general Council, and the like you know, is not the same (a pure Juggle) But I conceive the Learned Doctor is out in the Exposition of that forenamed Text in Rev. for the holy Ghost doth not there speak of the Restauration of any of his Political Heavens and earth so much already treated of; for the Text saith plainly, they were passed away, and the Prophet Isa. saith, cap. 65. 17. that they shall not be remembered, nor come into the mind of God or his people; therefore there can be no expectation of any restoring of them, it must therefore be unavoidably meant of the aforesaid Laws, Statutes and Judgements, which the Doctor himself calls the firm foundation for the unmovable Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and hence it is the Lord by Malachy puts his people in mind thereof, at that notable day, saying, Remember ye the Law of Moses, etc. as aforesaid, and therefore whereas it is said, there shall be no more sea, I do understand there shall be no more use of the levitical Priesthood, that being now abolished by our blessed Saviour, shall be no more. No more use of the type, when the antitype is come, no more use of the shadow when we have the substance, which mystery the Prophets saw but darkly, as appears by their writings, few of them seeing a Change of the levitical Priesthood, which I conceive to be the great stumbling block to the Jews from Christ's abode on earth to this present day.  
But nevertheless, the Prophet David doth most excellently foretell the change thereof under the Gospel-dispensation, as in Psal. 40. where speaking in the person of Christ, (for it is impossible it should be understood of himself saith, sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, mine ears hast thou opened, burnt-offerings and sin-offerings hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo I come, in the Volume of thy Book it is written of me, that I should do thy Will, O God, which Text the Apostle Paul doth clearly expound of Christ, Heb. 10. 8. saying above, When he saith, Sacrifice and offering, and burnt-offering for sin thou wouldst not, neither haste pleasure therein, which are offended by the Law, (i. e. the ceremonial Law) Then said he, Lo I come to do thy will, O God.  
He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second, he taketh away the shadow, that he may establish the substance.  
Now where was it prophesied of David that he should have a body given him to do away Sacrifice, or to put an end thereunto: it must therefore be meant of some others, and what other than he that hath born our transgressions, and by whose stripes we are healed, vid. Isa. 54. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. and 52. 13, 14. 15. in both which places also the Prophet speaketh of another person, and not of himself, i: e. Jesus Christ the Righteous, who is the pro 〈…〉 for our sins, Rom. 3. 25. 1 John 2. 2. and 4. 10.  
The Learned Doctor having thus proved for me what is meant by the Old Heavens, and the Old Earth, as also the New Heavens and the New Earth, i. e. by the Old Heaven and Old Earth, all the Old Forms of Government since the Creation, that have been made by Political or Humane invention, as also the New Heavens, and new Earth to be that Constitution or Government made by God himself, and ratified and confirmed by Jesus Christ, (i. e. the two grand Principles of Nature, afterward branched forth into the Deoalogue or ten Commandments, with the Statutes and Judgements unneved thereunto, and the Ordinances of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, which is the Spiritual, Ecclesiastical, or Gospel-part thereof) I shall in the next place bring the present powers and Constitutions of Government in the Nation to the test or touchstone of the Scriptures, and in this particular also Mr. Owen shall say for me in the forementioned Sermon, p. 21. i. e. That the Kings of the Earth have given their power to Antichrist, endeavouring to the uttermost, to keep the Kingdom of Christ out of the world, or that we term the fifth Monarchy.  
What I pray, hath been their main business for 700 years and upward, even almost ever since the Man of sin was enthroned, 
The Doctor's Queries to this purpose.  How have they earned the Titles of eldest son of the Church. The Catholic and most Christian King, Defender of the Faith and the like. Hath it not been by the blood of Saints? Is there not in every one of these Kingdoms the slain and the banished one's of Christ, to answer for in particular? etc. Have not all the Kings round about washed their bands and Garments in the blood of a thousand of Protestants? and do not the Kings of all these Nations as yet stand up in the room of their Progenitors, with the same implacable enmity to the power of the Gospel?  
And is there not a cry for all this? How long Lord, holy and true, dost thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell in the earth, Rev. 6. 10. Doth not Zion cry, the violence done unto me, and my children be upon Babylon, and my blood upon those heavens of the Nations; and will not the Lord avenge his elect, that cry unto him day and night? will he not do it speedily? will he not call the fowls of Heaven to eat the flesh of Kings, and Captains, and great men of the Earth, Rev. 19 18. Will he not make the Heavens like the wood of the Vine, etc. (and what of all this Doctor?  
The time shall come to discover her slain, and not the simplest Heretics, as they were counted, shall have his blood 〈…〉 enged: Neither shall any atonement he made for this blood, or expiation be allowed, whilst a Toe of the image, or a Bone of the Beast, is left unbroken.  
Again p. 13.  
No kind of government in Europe, or line of Governors so ancient, but that the Beast is as old as they; and had a great influence into their constitution, or establishment, to provide that it might be for his own interest, where the Pope hath not expressly bargained for his own interest, and provided that he should have the chief place, in all the Oaths and bonds that were betwixt Prince and People, either by pretended collation of Right to pacify the Consciences of bloodthirsty Potentates in the undertaking, and pursuing their unjust Conquests, or foolish Mitred confirmations of sword purchases, he hath got them framed to his own end and purpose, which was to bring in all these Nations into subjection to his Babylonish usurpations: Which those Kings finding no way inconsistent with their own designs, did willingly promote, labouring to enforce all Consciences into subjection to the Romish Sea.  
Hence it is, that such an interposition was made of the rights of Holy Church: That is, Babylon the Mother of Harlots, in all the Types, Oaths, and Bonds between Prince and People, and for the advancement of the righteous judgements of God. That the sons of men may learn to fear and tremble before him. And it may be observed, that that which doth, and shall stick upon Potentates to their ruin, is not so much their own, or any other interest, as the dregs of that Papal Antichristian interest, thrust into their Oaths and Obligations, for no other end in the world, but to keep the Lord Jesus out of his Throne. And this is a reason, why the Lord Jesus by his mighty power, at the bringing in of his unmoveable Kingdom, will shake the Heavens and Earth of the Nations.  
Reas. Even because in their present constitutions, they are directly framed to the interest of Antichrist, which by notable advantages at their first moulding and contrived insinuation, ever since hath so riveted itself into the very fundamentals of them, that no digging nor myneing with an earthquake will cast up the foundation stones thereof, etc. Because as is their Interest, so is their Acting. The present powers of the Nations, stand in direct opposition to the bringing in of the Kingdom of Christ. At which time, saith the Doctor) Two things there are that will be confessed incumbent on him in this day of his advancement.  
1. The bringing home of his ancient people to be one fold, with the fullness of the Gentiles; raising up the Tabernacle of David, and building it as in the days of old: In the accomplishment of innumerable promises, and answer to millions of prayers. (Doctor in this, you and your brother yet hath not cut a thread:) but proceed Doctor. Now there are two main hindrances of this work, that must be removed, the first whereof is:  
1. Real,  
The great river Euphrates, the strength and fullness of those streams do yet rage's so high, that there is no passage for the Kings of the East to come over, wherefore this must also be dried up as other waters were, for their forefathers of old, Rev. 16. 12. and doubtless this is spoken in allusion to Abraham's going over that River into Canaan, when the Church of God in his family was there to be erected: whence he was called the Hebrew: that is the Passenger, i. e. over that River, Gen. 14. 13.  
And then it may well enough denote the Turkish power, which proud as it is at this day, possessing in peace, all those Regions of the East: yet God can quickly make it whither, and be dried up: Or to the deliverance of the Jews in Babylon, when it was taken and destroyed, by the drying up of the streams of that river; and so the yoke of her tyranny broken from the Church's neck, Jer. 51. 31. etc. And so it can be no other, but the power of the Romish Babylon, supporting the Kings of the Nations. Which must therefore be shaken and dried up.  
2. Moral,  
Or the Idolatry of the Gentile worshippers: The Jews stick hard as yet at this: That God should abolish any kind of worship, which himself instituted. But that he should ever accept any falsworship, which he had once strictly prohibited, and no where to this day appointed. To this they will never be reconciled: Now such is all the invented idolatrous worship, which the Kings of the earth have sucked in, from the Cup of Fornications held out unto them in the hand, and by the Authority of the Roman Whore. This still they cleave close unto, and will not hearken to the Angel preaching the everlasting Gospel; that men should worship him, who made the Heavens and the Earth, and the Sea, and the fountains of Water, Rev. 13. 6, 7. i. e. The God of Heaven in Jesus Christ, according to his holy, just, and righteous laws, statutes, judgements, and Ordinances as afore mentioned) in opposition to all their Jeonolatry, Artolatrys, Hagiolatry, Stanrolatry, and Mass abomination. This than must also be removed: And because (as it hath been said) it is so riveted and cemented into, and with all the Orbs of the Nations, Heaven and Earth, i. e. the politic or humane Frames of Government, which they have made for * themselves and their interests) they therefore must be shaken and brought to destruction before it can be effected.  
The second thing he hath to accomplish is the Tremendous total Destruction of the man of Sin, and all his adherents, that are not obedient to the Heavenly call, Rev. 18. 4. etc.  
Doct.  Pray, what is your meaning by the adherents of Babylon? 
Resp.  Are not most Potentates tied by Oath, or other compact, either to maintain the whole, or some part of the old Tower, under the name of Right of Holy Church, Prelates and the like: (true Doctor they are?) 
Query  It is clear then, that you include all sorts of Governors, and Governments to be adherents to the Papal power (or mystery Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots, and abomination of the the earth) who support Prelacy. But what is your meaning by those words or the like: 
Resp.  He that thinketh Babylon to be confined to Rome and its open Idolatry, knows nothing of Babylon, nor of the New Jerusalem, the depth of that subtle mystery, Rev. 17. 5. doth not lie in gross visible folly: It hath been insinuating itself into all the Nations for 1600 years, etc. And is now become as the marrow in the bones, which before it can be shaken out; The Heaven must be dissolved and the Earth shaken. 
Query  It seems then Doctor, you conclude that all Governors and Governments, that do support the Prelatical part of the Papacy, are adherents to Babylon, and therefore must be destroyed with it. 
Resp.  The late King had learned a saying from his Predecessors, No Bishop, No King; Hence he supposes his main interest to lie in holding fast Prelacy: What ever he seems to part with all, that he will not let go? that's his main interest. 
Query And what is this Prelacy?  
Resp.  A mere Antichristian encroachment upon the inheritance of Christ: Christ coming to take his own, shakes the other in pieces. 
Query Well said Doctor, and so he hath done blessed be Jehovah for it. But what think you of Presbytery? Is not that it you meant where you said Prelacy, or the like? Pray Doctor tell me your mind freely, what you think of the Presbyterian Government, and that Civil, Political Power that doth supoort it?  
Resp.  Those who would have been our oppressors in Scotland, but that God hath crushed the Cockatrice in the shell; and filled the Pit with their dead bodies, which they had digged for us: They also had prepared a Procrustes bed, a heavy yoke; a Beast, that had it grown to perfection, would have had Horns and Hoofs; and in maintaining this, they think their great interest to lie: And in holding this fast, are they after all their associations broken in pieces. 
Query I plainly perceive that this Presbytery would have been a hellish Bondage to have been confined unto; for you have painted it out in very notable significant characters; but pray what was the design of the Scots if they had prevailed?  
Resp.  The corrupt design of these in Scotland was to have set up a Son of Tu●eal in England, and themselves to be great under him: that they and their partakers might impose upon the residue of the Nation: Especially in the things of God. Their great desire that things should be thus, corrupts their minds to think that it ought to be so, and shall be so: Hence ambition to rule, and to have all under their power, Even in Conscience, I● quickly mistaken for zeal to the Kingdom of Christ. Re-inthroning of Tyranny is Royalty, and all according to the Covenant, etc. Thus men's minds and judgements are distempered by their Just and interests, which makes them frame a way for God to proceed in, which when he doth not, How are they surprised? 
Thanks (noble Doctor) you are then clear of opinion, that Presbytery, and the Civil Magistrates and Governments that support it, are also Adherents to the beast or Papacy, and consequently, that they also are to participate of that Tremendous, Final destruction, and total amotion, as you have declared to fall on Babylon.  
But I pray, is there no hopes of taking off the Civil Magistrate from joining hands with the Horned and Hoofed Beasts of the Presbyterian judgement?  
Resp. Can any expect that such as these, i. e. Civil Magistrates of Political Governments, such as they have made for themselves and their interest, as the Doctor hath formerly mentioned) should take up the despised quarrel of Christ against that Flourishing Queen. Doubtless, no such fruit will grow on these trees, etc.  
No sooner is one Carnal Form shaken out, but they are ready to cleave to another, yea, to warm themselves in the feathered nests of. unclean Birds, all Fleshly Dominion (therefore) within doors, and Civil Dominion, that opposeth without doors shall be shaken.  
Now these things are so glued also to men's earthly Possessions, the talons of the birds of prey, having firmly seized on them, that ●hey also must be shaken with them, and therefore from them also will be have us (meaning the Saints and people of God (to be loosed, vid. 2 Pet. 3. v. 12, 13.  
I Perceive Doctor, there is then but one way to be taken with the Papal, Prelatical and Presbyterian Magistrates, and Ministers, that will not be obedient to the Heavenly call, (as you have formerly hinted) i. e. a final destruction, and total amotion of them together, and so needham's Objection is answered with a witness, and fully verified, i. e. That the erecting or instituting of the Statutes and Judgements, annexed to the Moral Precepts will and is appointed by God to be the overthrow of all the Political Governments in the world, and so I shall proceed to the third particular. But now it comes in my mind, I shall before I enter thereupon, desire to compare our present Government with your Text, to the end we may see whether or no it be in the Black Bead-roll, that is, to receive the final destruction and total amotion you say must happen unto them. And for better Order sake, I shall once more recite the words of your Text Heb. 27.  
And this word once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, us of things that are made, that those things that cannot be shaken may remain.  
Argum. Now in these words it is notoriously p●ident to every Rational Man, that all such Heavens and Earth's, (or Political Forms of Government, which men have made for themselves, as afore mentioned by you) as are made (by such means) shall be be shaken and removed, (i. e. by a fi●al destruction, and total ●●●●tion, as you have also affirmed.)  
But the present Government of this Nation was made his State-Policy or Humane Invention.  
Ergo according to Mr. Owen's Assertion and Attestation, the present Government of this Nation, is to receive a final destruction and total amotion.  
Proof. That the present Government of this Nation was made by State Policy or Humane Invention, I appeal to every rational man, sure I am, it was neither made in Mount Sina, nor ratified in mount Olivet, unless the Learned Doctor can prove the Cockpit to be the one, and the  to be the other, (which I believe will strain his Logic to the highest key.)  
Argument. Again from this Text it is also undeniably evident, that all such Governments as may be shaken, must be also shaken and removed, and that upon the Account of being made as aforesaid.  
But the present Government of Nation, is such a Government, as may be shaken.  
Therefore according to the Doctors Assertion, the present Government of this Nation, is to receive a final destruction, and total amotion.  
Proof. That the present Government of this Nation is such as may be shaken, I refer to the alterations, which the late Parliament, if they might have had their wills, would have made therein, and if it may be shaken by them, then consequently by others, therefore a Government that may be shaken, etc.  
Argument. A third Argument may be drawn from the Doctors own Assertions, who saith, that such Magistrates as are either tied by Oath, or other Compact to maintain either the whole or some part of the old Tower, under the Right of Holy Church-Prelacy or the like, (by which word like he intendeth Presbytery, as hath been showed) that such a Magistrate and Government, is to be enumerated among Babylon's Adherents, and consequently to receive that, final destruction and total amotion as afore mentioned.  
But the present governors & government of this nation doth provide for the maintenance of the Presbyterian Ministry of the nation, which the Doctor looketh upon and judged as a part of Antichristian Hierarchy, witness the terming them a Procrusts bed, a heavy yoke, etc.  
Therefore the present Governors and Government of this Nation according to Mr. Owen's Assertion, is to be enumerated as aforesaid, and likewise to suffer as aforesaid, and thus I shall proceed to the third particular, i. e. How, or in what manner, the Lord Christ will effect this final destruction and total amotion of all Politic, or Humane Forms of Government, and in this particular, the Learned Rabbi shall plead for me in that notable Simile, which he hath culled out of the Scriptures to that very end and purpose, i. e. Now as Samson. intending the Destruction 
Vide p. 27 upon Heb. 12. 17.  of the Princes, Lords, and residue of the Philistines, who were gathered together in their Idol-Temple, he effected it by pulling away the Pillars, whereby the building was supported, whereupon the whole frame toppled to the ground. So the Lord intending the Ruin of that mighty Power, whose top seems to reach Heaven, will do it by pulling away the Pillars and Supporters of it, after which it cannot stand one moment.— Sic transit gloria mundi.  
Query. Doctor this hath been a strange sort of Language, and dangerous I will assure you, I wish you be not called in question for it, but what are the Pillars of that fatal building, which must thus be ruinated with it.  
Doct. Resp. Are they not the Powers of the world, as presently stated and framed (implying they are) Pull them away, and alas what is Antichrist? It is the Glory of Kings put upon her, that makes men's eyes dazzle on that Roman Harlot, otherwise she is but like the Egyptian Deities, who silly worshippers, through many glorious portlets and Frontispieces were led to adore the Image of an ugly Ape.  
Well Doct. Seeing you have in brief given me so full and ample satisfaction in this particular, I shall proceed to the other, i e. The Persons by whom he will effect it.  
To the knowledge of this particular the Holy Ghost doth plentifully inform us, i e. By the most despicable instrument, as will appear by these following instances.  
When the Israel of God must be delivered from the Egyptian bondage, Moses must be preserved by an Ark of Bul-rushes, and so bred up to that purpose. Again, when they were in great distress by the Midianites, the Lord made choice of Gedeon, a man of a poor Family in Manasseh, and Gedeon the least or meanest of that Family, Judg. 6. 15. etc. After this, David the son of Jesse must be brought from the flock to vanquish Goliath, and the Army of the Philistines, 1 Sam. 17.  
And thus the acting of God's providence, in carrying on of 
The Priestly interest of Chi●st how managed.  the interest of Christ, as the Doctor saith, will be exceedingly unsuited to the Reasonings and expectations of men in these days, as it was in the laying of the foundations of the Gospel, or Priestly Office of Christ, where quite contrary to the expectations of the Jews, who then expected outward Glory, Beauty, Deliverance, Carnal Power and Dominion, God instead thereof produceth a poor man, that had not where to lay his head, (followed by a few Fishermen and simple women) that had neither Form not Comeliness, that he should be deferred, persecuted, 
Mark 1. 16, 19 and 2. 14.  despised, crucified, from the beginning to the end, quite another thing than they looked for, and thus he laid the foundation of the Gospel in the person of his son, by frustrating the expectations of the most of men, The stone, which the bvilders refused became the head of the corner.  
Again, seeing Salvation is of the Jews, the rod of Christ's strength to be out of Zion, and that living waters were to flow 
The prophet 〈◊〉 interest of Christ how managed.  forth from Jerusalem, the Gospel being from thence to be published through the world. Who did the Lord choose to do it? Did he make use of the learned of the Nations? the high Priests, learned Scribes, devout Pharises, that might have won their Message some Repute and Credit in the World No, but quite contrary 
John 14. 16. and 25. 26, 27. Luk. 24. 48, 49. Act. 1. 4, 5. and 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.  to all the wisdom of the flesh, he sendeth his Prophetical Spirit upon a few ignorant, weak, unlearned Fishermen, despised upon all accounts, and commits this great work to them, and accordingly out they go, friendless, helpless, harbourless unto their employments, Acts 4. 13. 1 Cor. 1. 20. 26, 27, 28. The like instrument hath the Lord Christ also for the most part employed in making an entrance upon the great work of casting down false worship and idolatry. 
How the Kingly interest of Christ shall be brought into the world.   
And now in reference to the bringing in of the Kingly interest of the Lord Jesus into the world (which is to be accomplished in the ruin and destruction, both of Pagan and Antichristian Babylon, with all their adherents, whether in reference to their Civil or Ecclesiastical governments, as hath been plentifully treated of) which must be done with might, power, and strength, with Armies and Blood, Rev. 19 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. (where by the Iron Rod is meant the material sword, yea, even that material sword prophesied of Psal. 2. 9 and 72. and 149. 6. Rev. 2. 27.) who will now the Lord make use of? will it be of Kings, Potentates, Nobles, and Great ones of the earth, no it is contrary even to common sense that he should; for as the Doctor hath well observed, it cannot be expected those men should take up the despised quarrel of the interest of Christ, and that for these Reasons.  
1. Because they are such as have given their powers and states, and strength unto the Beast, or to maintain Idolatrous or false worship, Rev 13. 1, 2. and 17. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. without which their Tyrannical Government cannot be keppt up.  
2. In that they have committed fornications with the Beast, as also their Subjects, Rev. 17. 1, 2.  
3. It is by them that she is supported at this day, as hath been proved.  
4. For that it is declared by the Holy Ghost, that at the Ruin of Babylon, the Kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, Rev. 10. 9 20. as also the Merchants of the earth, as from v. 11. to v. 20. as also the Harpers, mufitians, pipers, and Trumpeters of Babylon, i. e. all her dependants, and therefore it is contrary to common sense, that they should be active in her destruction, Rev. 6. 15, 16, 17.  
5. In that this Supper of the Lamb, or the day of Christ's power, the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven are invited to eat of the Flesh of Kings and the flesh of Captains, and the Flesh of mighty men, and the Flesh of Horses, and them that sit on them, and the Flesh of all men, both free and bond, small and great.  
Therefore it is impossible, that they should be instrumental for Christ against Babylon, but contrariwise, antagonists thereunto, which with the former Reasons given by the Doctor, doth clearly hold forth, that the Lord Jesus will not make use of any of the present authorities or powers of the world, to bring this utter desolation upon Babylon, for in so doing, they should fight against themselves.  
Object. The Text saith peremptorily, that the ten horns shall hate the Whore, and make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her Flesh, and burn her with fire, which manifestly implies, that the horns shall continue till her destruction, if not longer, and that they shall be the notable instruments that God will make use of in her Ruin.  
Resp. The spirit of God in the Scriptures, doth not clash against itself in this particular any more, than where it saith, we are justified by works and not by faith only, Jam. 1. 24, 25. as also by faith without the deeds of the Law, Rom. 3. 18. as also freely by grace, v. 24, Tit, 3. 7. the first being a visible or demonstrative Justification, the second a Justification in a man's own Spirit, and the third a Testification of the Spirit of God, evidencing or witnessing the truth thereof, wrought by Christ to that spirit of man, Rom. 8 16. So in this particular, where the ten horns are said shall hate the Whore, etc. I say, is impossible it should be meant of these very horns, that I have mentioned for those Reasons I have laid down, and therefore it must unavoidably be meant of some other Horn, (viz. powers) as by the Lord's assistance I shall prove from Rev. cap. 17. in v. 12. of which chapter it is said, The ten horns which thou sawest are ten Kings, which have received no Kingdom as yet, but receive power as Kings▪ one hour with the beast: these shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them. 
gedeon's number from 32000 to 300. Read Judges 1. etc. and see if you be Lappers; for the Lord will save Israel by no other. Such as have burning Lamps in their earthen pitchers, in the earthly tabernacles of their fl●sh   
Reas. For he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, and they that are with him, are called, and chosen, and faithful, etc.  
Note 1. The three characters of the Lamb's army, lest any presume to come to the Marriage Supper, to eat the Flesh of Kings and Captains, Rev. 19 17, 18. without a wedding garment, vide Luke 14. to this purpose, from v. 15. to v. 25. Mat. 22. from v. 1. to v. 15, for many will be called, but few chosen, they must be such as will forsake all to follow the Lamb where ever he goeth, you see what became of the Merchants, Farmers, and effeminate persons, they must be such, as if they have not a sword, they must sell their coat and buy one, Luk. 22. 36. they must be such, as will leave the dead to bury their dead, Mat. 8. 22. such as will beat their ploughshares into swords, and their pruning hooks into spears, such as of weak, are made strong, Joel 12. 3. etc. but to the matter in hand.  
I say, that by the afore mentioned Scripture it doth clearly appear● that the Battle betwixt the Kings of the earth, and the Lamb and his Army, is to be fought, before they are said to hate the Whore, etc. as in v. 16. until which time God hath put it into their hearts, to fulfil his will, and to give their Kingdom unto the beast, until the word of God shall be fulfilled, v. 17. So that I gather from hence, That as the Conquest of the Lamb's Army extends itself over the Dominions of the Beast, and her supporters, (viz. The Civil Governors, and Governments of the earth, with their people and multitudes employed by the waters on which the whore sitteth) v. 15. 1. and that the Laws, Statutes, Judgements and Ordinances of Jehovah the Lord Christ is planted instead thereof, by so much the said Nations or earthly powers, shall be said to hate the whore, and make her desolate and naked, and eat her flesh, and burn her with fire, that is, they shall see so much excellency in those Laws, Statutes, Judgements, and Ordinances, beyond all what they enjoyed under their former Governments, as that they shall abhor and detest both their Governors and Governments, whether Civil or Ecclesiastical, the one surmounting the other, as far as the light of the Moon excels the smallest star.  
1. When they shall have Judges as at the first, and Rulers as at the beginning, Isa. 1. 26. Not the Arbitrary powers of the Kings of the Nations, which were brought into the Commonwealth of Israel, contrary to the mind of God, 1 Sam. 8. as for Saul to take their sons, and appoint them for himself, for his Chariots and for his Horsemen, and some to run before his Chariot (or to make footboys of free born Israelites) to appoint Captains over thousands, and Captains over fifties, to ear his ground, and to reap harvest, and to make his instruments of war, to take their daughters to be confectionaries, and to be Cooks and to be Bakers, to take their fields and their vineyards, and their Olive-yards, even the b●st of them, and give them to his servants, to take the tenths of their seed, and of their vineyards, and give them unto his Officers and to his servants, etc. No, the Israelites knew no such servitude in samuel's days, if they had, Surely Samuel would not have set that Government before them as so strange a thing: No, honest Samuel (who could say in the integrity of his heart, whose ox have I taken, or whose Ass have I taken, or whom have Y defranded) used no such Tyranny, Good man he could govern the people without any of these Kickshaws, neither do we read of any of the Judges of Israel, that ever kept a standing Army, notwithstanding they were environed with enemies on every side, but that when need required they unanimously joined themselves together for the defence of each other; and so freed themselves from expense in that kind: neither do I ever read of one Tax that ever was laid by the Judges of Israel.  
2. When violence shall be no more heard in the land, nor wasting or destruction within our borders, when the walls shall be called salvation, and the Gates praise: Isa. 60. verse. 18. when Jerusalem shall be a quiet habitation, a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down, nor one of the Stakes thereof be removed; neither any of the cords thereof broken, when the glory of the Lord shall be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams, wherein shall go no Galley with Ore, neither gallant ship pass thereby: (no need then of the Romish Merchants, or Factors, for no m●n will then buy her Merchandise any more, Rev. 18. 11.)  
Reas. For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver the Lord is our King, He will save us.  
3. When our officers shall be peace, and our exactors Righreousnes Isa. 60. 18. when they shall be such as fear God, and hate covetousness; men of truth, that will not respect persons in judgement, but shall hear the small as well as the great, Deut. 1. 17. when the judgement shall not be man's, but the Lords: when the people shall say, The Lord bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness, i. e. the Civil and Church Government. I say when the Nations who are now under the Dominions of the Antichristian Babylon, shall once see and find the difference betwixt this Governments, I have here given a small glimpse of, and the present Idolatrous and tyrannical dominions they are now slaves and bondmen unto; they shall then begin to hate the Whore, and make her naked and desolate, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire: And note that is to be rationally conceived, that the ten horns shall all at once stand looking upon the City of Rome lamenting over it, to see it on fire, and yet to have a bond in that her destruction: which conflict betwixt the Lamb and the Beast, I conceive doth take its rise at the Dominion of the little Horn, Dan. 7. 8, etc. and shall be determined at the Armageddon battle, Rev. 16. 13, 14, 15, 16. at which time we are to expect the coming of Christ as a thief in the night.  
Again, That the Instruments, which the Lord Jesus will make use of in this great design, shall be poor contemptible persons, s●e Isa. 41. 14, 15, 16. fear not thou worm Jacob, etc. I will help thee saith the Lord, etc. Behold, I will make thee a new threshing instrument, having teeth, thou shalt thresh the mountains and beat them small; thou shalt make the hits chaff, thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them. And that this hath an allusion to Giddeon the Thresher, and his army. Read Isa. 10. Where the Lord speaking of the deliverance of his people from the Assyrians, or Babylonish bondage or servitude, saith, v. 24. Thus saith the Lord God of Hosts, O my people that dwelleth in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian, he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee after the manner of Egypt: For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction: And the Lord of host shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Median, at the Rock Oreb, etc. And it shall come to pass In that day that his burden shall be taken off from thy shoulders, and his yoke from off thy neck: and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.  
Again, Dan. 2. 34. Thou sawest till a stone was cut without hands (or which was not in hands) which smote the image upon his feet, th●t were of Iron and clay, and broke them in pieces: Then was the Iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floor; and the wind carried them away, and the whirlwind scattered them, etc. Again, that these despicable persons shall be the Saints of the most high, vid Psal. 149. Let the Saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds: Let the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two edged s●ord in their hands, to execute vengeance upon the Heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their Kings in chains, and heir Nobles with fetters of Iron, to execute upon them the judgement written: This honour have all his Saints, praise ye the Lord, Amen.  
Again, Dan. 7. 17, 18. These great beasts, which are four Kings, which shall rise out of the earth; but the Saints of the most high, shall take the Kingdom, and possess the Kingdom for ever and ever. Vers. 21, 22. I beheld, and the same horn (viz. the little-horn, Dan. 7. 8.) made the war with the Saints, and prevailed against them, until the ancient of days, and judgement was given to the Saints of the most high, and the time come that the Saints possessed the Kingdom. Verse. 25. And he, (i. e. the little horn) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the Saints of the most High, and shall think to change times and laws, and they shall be given into his hands, until a time, and times, and the dividing of time, (which I conceive to be, 3 years and a half, i. e. from the first entrance of his Dominion, at which time) Judgement shall sit (i. e. at the end of the 3 years and a half:) And (then) they (i. e. the Saints) shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it, unto the end. Verse. 27. And the Kingdom, and greatness of the Kingdom, under the whole heavens (the Quakers will have a large Gut, to hold this Kingdom and Dominion) shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High; whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.  
Isa. 60. 12. That Nation and Kingdom, which will not serve thee shall be broken in pieces, that is saith the learned Doctor: All the Nations of the earth, not a known nation, but the blood of the Saints of Christ is found in the skirt thereof; and yet all this (saith he) shall be transacted with so much obscurity and darkness, Christ not openly appearing unto carnal eyes, that though many shall be purified and made white, yet the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand Dan. 12. 10.  
There shall be no such demonstration of Christ presence, as to open the eyes of hardened men, but at length having suffered the poor deceived wretches, to drink of the Cup prepared for them: He appears himself gloriously, cap. 19 13. in a more eminent manner than ever before, to the total destruction of the residue of opposers, and this will be the utmost close of that dispensation, which he now beginneth to stir up the hearts of his Saints unto, i. e. to execute the vengeance written, and to which purpose he hath also commissionated them, Rev. 18. 6, 7, 8. But before I speak to the Commission, it is worthy of our best observation, to take notice of the just and righteous deal of God unto the inhabitants of Babylon: for I say before he giveth out his Commission to his Saints, (who are to judge the world) 1 Cor. 6. 2. and to be the rod of his strength, Psal. 110. 2. His battle-axe, weapon of war will break in pieces the horse and his rider, etc. Jer. 51. 20. 21, etc. he doth in the first place send his Messengers from his Churches with great power to enlighten them with his Glory, crying mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of Devils, and the hold of every soul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.  
Reas. For all nations have drunk of the wrath of the wine of her fornication, and the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the Merchants of the earth are waxen rich through the abundance of her delicates, and this I take to be by way of Aggravation, to show her abominations, and how ripe she is for Judgement and executions, as also to strike a terror in the hearts of the people of God, that are yet in her, of what rank soever: which having done in 4. and 5. v. he sendeth other Messengers to call the people of God out of her, saying, Come out of her my people, God hath his people in Babylon.  
Reason. 1. That ye do not partake of her Sins.  
2. That ye receive not of her Plagues.  
Those than that partake of her sins, shall rrceive of her plagues.  
Reason. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquity after which fair warning he forthwith giveth his Commission to his Saints, in these words, Reward 
The Saint's Commission against Babylon and all her adherents.  her as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double: how much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously so much Torment and Sorrow give her.  
Reason. For me saith in her heart, I sit a Queen and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow, Therefore shall her Plagues come in one day, (viz. this day of vengeance) Death, and mourning and famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire.  
Reason. For strong is the Lord God that judgeth her, so, that it is clear, this Judgement and Vengeance is to be inflicted upon Babylon and her adherents by way of recompense, for the further confirmation whereof, see these following Scriptures id est, Psalm 2. 4, 5. He that sitteth in Heaven shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision, then shall he speak unto them, (viz. to the Kings of the earth and the Rulers, v. 2.) in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure, Psal. 139 8, 9 O Daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us, happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones, Isa. 54. For my sword shall be bathed in heaven, (viz. in the Pagans and Antichristian heaven or Church) Behold it shall come down upon Idumea and upon the people of my curse to Judgement. The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, etc. and the unicorns shall come down with them, and the Bullocks with the Bulls, and their Land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.  
Reason. For it is the day of the Lords vengeance, and the year of recompense, for the Controversies of Zion, etc. (the remainder of that cup) Isa. 47. 1, 2, 3. Come down and sit in the dust, O Virgin, daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground, there are no thrones, O daughter of the Chaldeans, for thou shalt no more be called the tender and delicate, take the Millstone and grind meal, and cover thy locks, etc. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen, I will take vengeance, etc. vid. cap. 49. 26, Jer. 50, 35, 36. A sword upon the Caldeans-saith the Lord, and upon the Inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her Princes, and upon her wise men, a sword is upon their liars, (viz. her Astrologers, etc.) they shall dote. A sword upon her mighty men, (her Army-men) and they shall be dismayed. A sword upon their Horses and their Chariots, and upon all the mingled people, good and bad that shall be found in her, Rev. 18. 4.) and they shall become as women (there will be no fear of Laodiceans, the Merosh 
* As in the Epistle.  Churches, that hath one word for God, and another for Baal, of those that halt between Christ and Antichrist, that can swallow a Parsonage, etc. and yet be a Church-gatherer, in the world, and not of the world, the Hocus Pocus Christians of the times) A sword upon the Treasurers and they shall be rob, (it will be an ill day with Treasurers it seems, let them therefore look to it) A drought upon her Waiters, i. e. her Clergy men of all sorts and sises, vid. Rev. 18.  
Reason. For it is a Land of graven Images, (i. e. either of Idolatry or Tyranny) and they are mad upon their Idols,  Jer. 5. 30. 31. Therefore the wild beast; of the Desert, with the wild beasts of the Island shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein, and it shall be no more inhabited for ever, neither shall it be dwelled in from generation to generation, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrhah, and the Neighbour Cities thereof, saith the Lord, so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man dwell therein. 
Again, the Lord speaking of his people, (Jer. 51. &c) saith, I will render unto Babylon, and to all the inhabitants of Caldea all these evils they have done unto Zion in your sight, saith the Lord, Behold I am against thee O destroyinng Mountain, saith the Lord, which destroyest all the earth, and I will stretch out my hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the Rocks, and will make thee a  mountain, [Note] and they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor for a foundation, (not the least grain of humane invention, either in things appertaining to Babylon) whether in its Civil or Ecclesiastical estate, where the Lord hath given a c●ear and express command himself, But thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the Lord. Zach. 12. 2. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all people round about it, etc. and in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone, for all people that burden themselves with it, shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it, in that day, saith the Lord, will I smite every 
* Mat. 18. 7. Luke 17. 1. 2.  horse with astonishment, 
Note.  and his Rider with madness, (no great fear then of such Horses and Riders, for it seems both Horse and Man will be confounded to move against the Holy, just and perfect Laws of Jehovah the Lord Christ) if they do, woe and sadness will be unto them, yea, it had been better that a Millstone had been tied about their neck, and that they had been cast into the bottom of the sea, than to offend one of those little ones, that shall be made instrumental for Babylon's destruction.  
Rev. 6. 12. etc. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth Seal, and lo there was a great earthquake, and the Sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the Moon became as blood and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a figtree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken with a mighty wind, and the heavens departed as a scroll, that is, rolled together, and every mountain and Island were moved out of their places, and the Kings of the earth, and the great-men, and the rich men (Weep and howl you rich men, for the miseries that are now coming upon you, for your riches are corrupted, and your Garments motheaten, your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were with fine, Jam. 5. 1 etc. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days, etc.) and chief Captains, (i. e. Generals, Lieutenant-Generals, Commissaries-general, etc. and Colonels of Armies,) and the mighty men (whether in point of honour or estate) hide themselves in the dens, and in the Rocks of the mountains, and said unto the Mountains and Rocks, fall on us, and hid us from the wrath of the Lamb.  
Reason. For the Greatest day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand: (Repent therefore, that your sins may be blotted out at the day of refreshing of the Lords people from himself, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you, and know it will be a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the great God of heaven and earth, the Lord in much mercy set these these things home upon your hearts and souls, lest you be found fighters against the Lord of Hosts, the God of Battle, who is able to consume you with the blast of his nostrils.)  
Lastly, as to the means whereby these great transactions shall be accomplished by the poor, weak, few, and contemptible number of the Army of the Lamb, the Learned Doctor Owen hath given us a brief and full answer, (i. e.) Such as are the things shaken, such must their shaking be, i. e. Spiritual, if Spiritual, Natural, if Natural, Civil if Civil, & hence it is, that the great Champion of the truth is discovered unto us, by these following characters, i. e. And I saw (saith John) and behold a white Horse, and he that sat upon him, was called faithful, and true, (note this fifth Monarchy-man) and in Righteousness doth he judge and make war, his eyes were as a Flame of Fire, and on his Head were many Crowns, and he had a Name written that no man knew, but himself, and he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his Name is called the Word of God.  
Note. The Word of God must then be the Rule and Sinew of all the Actions of the fifth Monarchy men, they must only execute the Judgement written, bringing all the actions of Babylon and her Adherents to the Touchstone of the Scriptures, as for example in reference to the Political Government of the World, they are to produce Jam. 4. 12. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save, and to destroy; and from thence demand of the Civil Magistrate, by what Rule or Authority he maketh his own Laws, seeing he petends himself a Minister or Servant unto the alone Lawmaker, and consequently to put his Laws in-execution, and thus they will be struck as dumb as door nails, for in this case they have nothing to plead, but the authority and custom of their Ancestors, and their Ancestors from Nimrod, and Nimrod from the Apostate sons of God in the old world, and they from the Corruption and vain imaginations of fallen man, and fallen man from the suggestions and delusions of Satan, and so primarily from the Devil.  
Again in point of Ecclesiastical Government and Doctrine, the fifth Monarchy-men are to produce, Mat. 15. 8. In vain do ye worship me, teaching for doctrine the Traditions or commandments of men, and so keep them close to the word of God, and not to suffer them to continue as they are, i. e. partly Jure Divino, and partly Jure Humano, as the Presbyterians do acknowledge their Government to be, and so down with it even to the ground, for being found in Babylon, they and their Government must be destroyed with Babylon, as the learned Doctor hath asserted, and clearly proved, and so consequently to all other false worships, or Governments whatsoever: and hence it is, that the Lambs followers are said to be clothed in white Linen, white and clean, all their Acts will be done in truth and righteousness, the white Linen is the righteousness of the Saints, Rev. 19 8. 2. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the Nations, and he shall rule them with a Rod of iron: here we see, the word maketh way for the material sword, which the Rod of iron doth clearly import, so that as the Doctor saith, the Civil part of Antichrist must be conquered with the iron Rod, and the Ecclesiastical part with the sword that proceedeth out of the Lamb's mouth, (viz.) the Holy Scriptures, and this doth further appear from Psal. 149. 6, 7, 8, 9 as also from the following words of the afornamed chapter of Rev. 19 i e. v. 17, 18, 19, 20. which must unavoidably be applied to the Conquest of the material sword, in that (the other, i e.) the remnant are said to be slain, with the sword of him that sat upon the Horse, which sword proceedeth out of his mouth, as in v. 13. as also in v. 16.  
And therefore O Babylon, whether Pagan or Antichristian, I do hereby in the name of the Lord Jesus bid defiance to thee, in whomsoever thou refidest, whether by Idolatry or false worship, or whether by Tyranny or cruel Dominion, being in opposition to the two grand Principles of nature, i. e. of loving God above all, and our neighbours as ourselves, and consequently to the bringing of the unmovable Laws and Ordinances of the unmovable Kingdom of the Lord Jesus upon earth, and now in daily expectation by his Saints, and therefore I advise thee, (as the Lord did Niniveh by the Prophet Nahum) to consider, Art thou better than Populus No-Ammon that was situate among the Rivers that had the waters round about it, whose Rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea, Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite, Put and Lubim were the helpers, yet was she carried away, she went into captivity, her young children were also dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets, and they cast lots for their Honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains, thou also shalt be drunken, thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy, and all thy strong holds shall be like figtrees with the first ripe figs, if they be shaken they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater. Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women, the gates of thy Land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies, the fire shall devour thy Bars. Draw the Waters for the Siege, fortify thy strong holds (with Demy Canon, etc.) Go Into clay and tread mortar, make strong the Brick-kil, there shall the fire devour thee, it shall eat thee up as Canker-worm, make thyself many as the Canker-worm, make thyself many as the Locust, yet for all this, before two years be expired, the Laws and ordinances of Jehovah the Lord Christ, shall be magnified and made Honourable in this Nation, and Idolatry and Tyranny shall be extinguished, even so Amen.    
FINIS.   

Postscript.  
I Am desired to give the people of God to understand, that the last newsbook, published by one Walker an Ironmonger, and a notorious lying Pamphleter (and yet an approved Preacher by the High Court of Tire, i● lieu of his large obedience to the Beast now up) comprehended seventeen or eighteen large Lies in fourteen or fifteen Lines in his passages, relating to Mr. Rogers and the Members of his Society, which were lately sent for to O. C. and that Mr. Rogers was so far from being put to silence by O. C. as Walker doth impudently assert, as that he gave a full, undeniable and pregnant Testimony, to the very faces of those that are got into power, against the Apostasies of the Army, their Breach of Declarations, Blasphemy, lying, persecution self-seeking, and other crying sins, proving that the now prisoners of the Lord, suffer for an essential truth, and fundamental point of faith, which Mr. Rogers challenged to dispute with any man, upon even ground● and that this lively, testimony was continued in the strength of the anointing, to the very last, keeping and gaining Crowned upon the Antagonists.  
Thus much is thought meet at present to undeceive the people of God, in City and Country, until the truth hereof do more largely appear.  
J. S.