CHAP. I. The Peoples great and last Captivity io the way as they came from Egypt by the Amalekites, and the Lord leading them forth, and carrying them on to the land of Rest, and how.

WE read in the first verse of this Chapter, of Sauls being anointed King over Israel, and how he was to go forth and fight against Amalek; but in all things he was to harken to the voyce of the Lord, and to obey it in all things that he was commanded. Now in the 2 verse we read what Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in [Page 2]the way as he came up out of Egypt, and in the 3. verse, we finde the Lord commanding Saul to smite Amalek for that which he had done against Israel; Zech. 9.8. I have seen, I have seen, with mine eyes saith the Lord, how the Egyptians have afflicted my people Israel in Egypt; and I remember also what the Amalekites have done to them in the way as they came up out of Egypt, but Pharaoh and all his host shall be plagued, and Amalek and all his shall be smitten, and I will execute my fierce wrath upon all the enemies of my people.

The Lord sees the many enemies that rise up against his people, as they pass along out of Egypt and spiritual bon­dage through forms, ordinances, and outward observations, towards their rest, their heaven and happiness in the Lord Jesus, as against those who are passed through all things al­ready, and come to their rest; all have enemies, and the Lord sees them, and beholds the opposition thats made against them, Exod. 22.21, 22, 23. the oppression that's laid upon them, and hears the cries that come up to him from them, even of all people that are, Psal. 12.5. and ever have been subjected to any power appear­ing besides himself, that he is now rising and coming forth with deliverance for them, 1 sal. 41.10, 11. and bids them not to fear or be discouraged; for saith he, as I beheld what the Egyptians did unto you in Egypt, and delivered you from thence; so I remember also what the Amalekites have done unto you, how they laid wait for you in the way as you came up out of Egypt; therefore my design is to bring them down and lay them low even to the ground, and so cause you peaceably and quietly to pass along, through, by, and over all the wayes, Isa 5.9. ch. 24.10. Hag. 1.4. laws, forms, and religions of men, and not suffer you to stay or rest in any thing, to abide in any house or form, till you are come to that which is your rest indeed, even him who is the stay and staffe of all men, where and at which time you shall rest in the Lord from all your labours, sorrows, troubles, and fears, and from all the hard bondage wherein you have been made to serve, Isa. 14 3. by the Egyp­tian task-masters and the oppressive Amalekites. For no sooner are we brought out of Egypt, as out of that dark carnal ignorant state which we are in while under the Law, [Page 3]but we are ready to enter into the house of bondage, as in­to some Church-fellowship or other, where we are tyed up to Forms and Ordinances, and are subject to the Amalekites, till the Lord takes us by the hand, leads us forth, Psal. 5.8. and carries us on.

Now that most men in their several wayes and forms say they are travelling, passing, and pressing forward toward something that is before, pretending they aim at God and his glory, Christ, Heaven and happiness, as that which is at a distance from them, and shall one day be attained by them, when they are gone out of this body, and not before, and cannot abide to hear of coming to it, and living in it while they are in this body, and many there are that endeavour to keep the people from the present enjoyment of this, and cry out against it as blasphemy, and count them blasphemers that shall decare it, and all to keep up a kingdom of their own in the place of Jesus Christ, and so to keep people still in Egypt, as in a in a dark, ignorant, troubled, oppressed, burdned state and condition, and not suffering them to goe on comfortably, chearfully and peaceably towards their rest and peace out of Egypt into the land of Canaan, as into a state of light, life and holiness in the Lord Jesus, a land flow­ing with milk and honey, who would bring us into that holy and good land, the land of rest which is himself, and who would now bring us from off all our own wayes to the wayes of God, from off all our own works to the works of God, Psal. 55.8. and so from off all our own thoughts and affections, Ephes. 3.1, 2. and de­sires, to the thoughts, affections, and desires of God, to be taken with the delight and embraces of himself in his own spirit, and no longer to be led by the spirit of the Devil and false Prophet, into bondage and captivity, but that we might be led by the Spirit and power of the Lord Jesus into peace and liberty, which is the Kingdom of the Lord. Rom. 8.14, 15, 16.

And now the Lord to make all this good in us and to us, which is to bring ut into his kingdom, he first makes it good in and to himself for us, Rev. 15. Rom. 8.29, 32. Ioh. 17.13. as the first begotten of the Father among many brethen, and so we come to enjoy all in him, to have it fulfilled in us, and enjoyed by us, at it is now fulfilled [Page 4]and injoyed in him by the Father, to which he is now ascen­ded.

Now wherefore did our head, the Lord Jesus, thus ascend and glorifie himself, Isa. 26.19. but that we as his body, might also ascend and be glorified together with him? and wherefore did he first descend into hell to us, Ephes. 2.6. but that he by his eternal power and strength might raise us up out of hell, and so ascend into heaven with us, and there lead Captivity captive for us? and thus doth he work out mans redemption to bring managain to his Primitive rest, wherein is mans salvation.

CHAP. II. Concerning Amalek and the many stumbling blocks that he lays in the way of the people, how, and what they are.

NOw concerning this oppressive Amalek which is here spoken of in the text, that doth thus oppress the people, and endevour to hinder their coming up to their rest and salvation in the Lord Jesus, let us consider what and where he is; and if we truly examine our selves, we shall finde him to be within us, as well as without us, and we never come to have a true knowledge of him without us, till we have first had the knowledge of him within us; and those that have him inwardly, do act with him outwardly; but he first ap­pears within us, and there discovers himself what he is; for as the spirit of a man is passing out of Egypt as out of bon­dage and captivity, towards its rest and center in the Lord Jesus, we see the devil in us sometimes let loose for a sea­son carrying our spirits, Rev. 22.7. our mindes, wils and desires away captive at his will, into some restless unsatisfied condition or other, as from the Lord, where he hath darkened all the ap­pearances of good things to us, 2 Cor. 4.4. blinded the mindes of them that beleive not, that they might not see the glory of God, and so layes many stumbling blocks in their way, to cause them to fall; but I remember it saith the Lord, and my design shall be to take them out of the way, Isa. 40.4. and to slay the devil that laid them, and all that belongs to him.

Now those several stumbling blocks which appear to be laid in the way of a soul, which some stumble at, Whats meant by stumbling blocks. and others go over, appears to be sin, sorrows, troubles, the fear of the Devil, death, hell, and damnation, together with all unjust Laws and Acts made by men contrary to the Law of God which is perfect Freedom; Psal. 19.7. all and whatsoever else that may appear to be laid in the way of a souls peace and freedom, are these stumbling blocks; and he that lays them is the devil, who is always seeking whom he may devour, 1 Pet. 5.8. and still waiting whom he may betray or catch in and with the snares and baits that he hath laid, and doth still lay to that purpose; and though men may appear in practise to do this, yet I know no other but the devil that is the chief Agent in this Work under God, that lays them to hinder poor souls from coming up to live in the pure and perfect enjoyment of their peace, rest, and freedom in the Lord Jesus, or Kingdom of Heaven; and he that is appointed to encounter with him, and that over­comes him, is the great Captain of our Salvation, Rev. 12.7, 8. Zech. 9.8. the Lord of Hosts, who is Captain General of all the forces that go forth in battel against Antichrist the man of sin, and all Ar­mies whatsoever that come up against the Israel and People of God.

Now some all along in all Ages have still appeared to War against Israel in the way as they have come up from Egypt, Luke 19.43. casting up trenches about them to keep them in on every side, made Laws and Acts against them contrary to the appearan­ces of God in them, to subject their persons, spirits, and con­sciences to the Laws, ways, forms, and limitations of men, as we may see in the time of Christ and his Apostles, how He­rod and Pontius Pilate acted against him to destroy him; for first of all as soon as Herod had heard that Christ was born, then he to destroy him, Mat. 2.7.8, 16 privily pretended to go and worship him, but being prevented of that, he sent and slew all the children that were about his age in that Country where he heard Christ was, that so he might slay him, but the Lord cau­sed his mother to escape away from thence with him into another country where he was preserved.

And how did the Jews, the Scribes and Pharisees, and all [Page 6]the chief of the people, Luk. 19.47, 48 Luk. 23.9, 10. under pretence of coming to hear him, seek to ensnare him in his own words, wait to catch something from his mouth, provoking him to speak of many things, that they might have something to accuse him; and was so it not with the Apostles and Saints afterwards? for how were they persecuted from place to place? and how are men still persecuted, and have been to this day, both by the Pope, Papists, Bishops, Prelates and Presbyterians, and now like to be by the Independents and Anabaptists, all like those oppressive Amalekites still acting against the appearance of the Lord Jesus in his People? for no sooner was there any ap­pearance of Christ risen up in any age or generation, but pre­sently Herod, as the wisdom of the flesh in some one or other, was acting against it, seeking to quench every spiritual ap­pearance of Christ that was but like Christ, thereby to pre­vent his appearing, and would not suffer any thing to break forth but what did appear in their own way, form or like­ness; and that they might still have something against those in whom Christ doth spiritually rise and appear, they will un­der pretence of coming to hear them (as Herod did to wor­ship Christ, and others to hear him) wait to catch something from them that might come under their Law to accuse them; yea, Rev. 18.3. and all that God brings up into a higher and more spiri­tual discovery of himself to know the Lord, are by such that know not the Lord, and that serve the Whore, and receive her wages, cryed out against for hereticks, seducers and blas­phemers; and thus we may see how they still lay wait for Christ and his People.

The enemies of Christ which formerly sate in Authority have made and kept up divers Laws and Acts of divers sorts against the People to keep them in bondage and in subjection to themselves and their Laws, when they should be subject only to Christ and his Law whose Law is perfect Freedom; Psal. 19.7. and if any man act or speak any thing contrary to such a Law or Act made against such things called blasphemy by them, they presently go to apprehend them as blasphemers, accuse and condemn them, seek their lives, banishment or imprison­ment, as Herod and others have done who get their living by [Page 7]the Whore; and all that thus act may be said to be Amale­kites, laying wait for the People as they come up out of Egypt, or Spiritual darkness; But I remember, saith the Lord, what you have done, and I will assuredly reward you for it; you and all that you have shall be smitten.

CHAP. III. Saul is commanded to smite Amalek and his whole houshold with all that belongs to him; how he did it not, but David; what Amalek is; how in him is man, woman, infant, suckling, ox, sheep, camel and ass, and what they are.

ANd now thus saith the Lord, Go, and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Here is the word of the Lord by Samuel to Saul, King of Israel, Go, and smite Amalek, &c. and this might be the word of the Lord to our General, Go smite the Parliament, &c.

My beloved, this Scripture which I am now speaking from, is this day fulfilled to me, and in my apprehension, and I know not how soon it may be fulfilled to you, even this day for ought I know; therefore pray give me leave at this time to speak my minde freely and plainly to you, as it is made known to me for you.

Those then who may sometime appear to have the power of the Nation in their hands, may appear to act like Saul, and to act like David, who came in the room of Saul; but I had rather they appeared to act as David, for he obeyed the voice of the Lord in all that he was commanded, and so enjoyed his Kingdom: and then if they so act, the power might the longer abide with them; but if they should act like Saul, then they may expect to have the power taken from them by the Lord, as it was from Saul; for the Lord is just, and will revenge for his people.

Now Saul obeyed not the voice of the Lord, which was that he should utterly destroy the Amalekites and all that they had, but he did it not, but fled upon the spoil for himself, and so did evil in the sight of the Lord, 1 Sam. 15.19.28. for which the Kingdom was rent from him, and given to David.

Now David who reigned in Sauls stead, obeyed the voice of the Lord, and utterly destroyed and routed the Amale­kites, and recovered again the rights and priviledges, the freedom and liberties of the People, 1 Sam. 30.18, 19. which the Amalekites had carried away from them, and restored it equally into their hands again, that there was no want of any thing to any among them, wherein the voice of the Lord appeared to be obeyed by him, and his kingdom to stand with him.

And now what saith the Lord? Go, and smite Amalek, dissolve him, take the power out of his hands, unbottom him of all his Laws and interests; Go, slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Amalek here may be said to be a whole houshold or fami­ly with all that belongs to it, What is meant by Amalek, man and wo­man, infant and suckling. and may relate to Kings houses, and houses of former Parliaments; and appears to me at this time to have been that houshold of the late Parliament dissol­ved with all that was in their hands and belonging to them; in which Parliament with others before them (as in Amalek) there may be said to be a man and a woman, or the husband and the wise. The man which is to be smitten, may be said to be the Parliament in power ruling corruptly, Rev. 2.20. Chap. 17. lately dissol­ved: the woman may be said to be the woman Jezabel, the mother of Harlots, and Whore of Babylon that sits upon many Waters, Gen. 6.11, 12. to wit, Peoples, Multitudes, Nations and Tongues, and is the corrupt Law and lust, that first grew up and appeared to live in the fleshly, Gen. 6.4. dark, earthly principle of mans faln nature, out of which have sprung forth many chil­dren, infants and sucklings, said in Scripture to be the daugh­ters of men, also brought forth many Laws Acts and Statutes, set up many particular interests of mens inventions as so ma­ny infants and sucklings, Eccles. 7.29. which may be known by the names of Priests, Lawyers, Sheriffs, Bailisss, Oppressive-Tythe-mongers, Committee-men, Excise-men, Common-Councel-men, and [Page 9]all sorts of Clerks, Courts and Offices, and whatsoever par­ticulars else may appear to have been set up by men, that have in any way been oppressive and in opposition to the true peace and Freedom of the Peoples Rights and Privi­ledges in the Lord Jesus, together with all that have ever been hanging upon the breast of this woman before mentioned, as the mother by which they were brought forth, and at whose side they have been nursed up, Isal. 3.12. and so have oppressed and ru­led over the people together, but are now grown ancient and ready for the grave, also fat and ready for the slaughter, or in some measure to be slain to what they have been by ano­ther power, their father in Law, one of the insuing husbands of this woman their mother; and so much for what is meant by man, woman, infant and suckling.

Next, the store belonging to this house or family, to wit, What is meant by sheep and Oxen. sheep, oxen, camels and asses; and this may be said to be the Peoples Priviledges, Lives, Liberties and Estates, with all the wealth, honour and riches of the Land, which men by their power they had taken into their hands to make themselves fat and rich, and which was carried captive by them from the right owners of it, which Saul here in the Text was commanded to slay as to them, and to restore again to the people (though he did not) even all, and not to spare any, but to recover it again out of the hands of the Amalekites, and no more to be found with them as in the hands of the merchants of the earth.

So the like command might come from the Lord to our General, to smite the late Parliament, and to slay them to their oppressive power, laws and actions, rules and private in­terests, and to spare none as to them, that is, leave no more in their hands but what is and was their own before, and to re­cover all the rest, to wit, the peoples interests, rights, and priviledges which the late Parliament with others before them had taken away and withheld from them, and to restore the same again into the hands of those who are the right owners of it, wherein the voice of the Lord would appear to be obey­ed, and the actions of David manifest.

CHAP. IV. How though the man be smitten, the woman and her children are living, and she like to marry again; of the several hus­bands she hath buried, and the end of her life determined; with a hint of the true woman and mother of us all suc­ceeding.

WEll, this man we see is smitten; the Parliament is dis­solved; but where is the woman and her children with all their store and treasure? why we see they with all they have are yet alive and remaining, and like to continue for a time; but I pray God another man or power as oppressive as the former, do not now appear to marry this woman, to live with her and get more children by her to be heirs with the rest; or if they should dis-inherit some of the former be­gotten by the other man so called, put down some men, laws and particular interests, and state others in their places as bad as them, it were all one; but sure some one or other will ere long be indued with power to marry this woman, or obtain so much favour as to live and act with her; for she hath many suiters which she hath drawn in and enticed, who will not suf­fer her to abide long unmarried or single while she is living, Prov. 7. for she would quickly die if she should abide long without a man of her own bringing forth; but there will come one at last that must slay her.

Now observe, the man might be slain, and yet the woman preserved for another husband; the Parliament may be dis­solved, A word of ad­vice not to make choice of too many men for the govern­ment of this Nation, and to be carefull what laws they set up. Rev. 17.4. and yet the Government may be put into the hands of some other for a time: but look to her, you that have her, and may marry her, keep her in subjection, suffer her not to play the Harlot with any, nor ramble too far into the hands of too many men; neither let them that marry her divide them­selves into many bodies or parts; also be you carefull what children she bringeth forth, and maintain her not in such pomp and state as before, but suffer her highness to be brought down, and her scatlet coloured robes to be stripped off: for [Page 11]they do but cause men to be in love with her, and desire after her, to marry her for gain, or follow after for the loaves; and why are her husbands so often slain, and men so often marry her, but that they are made rich by her, and for a time come to great honour and preferment through her means? but sure her house is the way to hell, going down to the cham­bers of death; for all are dead that ever yet married her; Rev. 7.26, 27. Kings, Queens and Parliaments have deceased from her, and been deceived by her; and those that marry her next may not live long with her; nay she cannot be now long liv'd her self, neither any of her children; for dooms-day is at hand for them all, and the hour of her Judgement is come, Rev. 18.7. though she saith she sits a Queen, is no widow, and shall see no sor­row; But he that sheds mans blood, Gen. 9.6. Rev. 10.23, 24. by man shall his blood be shed; but in her was found the blood of Prophets and of Saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth: therefore shall she be slain also, and her craftsmen with her; and in her shall ap­pear no more the light of a candle, or of mans righteousness, the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride; none shall marry or trade with her; and her merchants were the great men of the earth, who shall wail, weep and lament for her, and well they may, for no man buyeth their merchandize any more, Rev 18.9, 10. and then will there be an end of the strange woman, and all that belong to her; and that woman which first brought us forth, Rev. 21.2, 3. and is the mother of us all, will come down, or appear among us as a bride adorned for her husband; and we shal enjoy both her and her husband the Lord himself; How we are to marry none but the Lord. therefore let us in all things, and at all times wait for the appearing of this Couple, the Lord and his Spouse, and be willing to die to any other appearance whatsoever beside the Lord, and to marry no other but the Lord, neither to give suck, preserve, or keep alive any children but what the Lord himself doth beget by his own Wife, and then shall we appear to live in, and act by the life and power of the Lord Jesus, which he hath begotten of his own will, and brought forth by his Spirit to live in us, and which makes us then appear to be the Wife of God, and mother of Jesus.

CHAP. V. Of the fatness of the children, sucked in from their Parents, and they thereby made ready for the slaughter; that men are not to be slain but to their power and corrupt interests, with the manner how, and the time when.

NOw these children, infants & sucklings that were before begotten, upheld and maintained, by the late deceased Parliament, to wit, Priests, Lawyers, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Tythe­mongers, Committee-men, Excise-men, Common-councel­men, Rev. 18.3. and all Clerks whatsoever that have long time been nursed up at the side of this man and woman, eating meat at their table, fed upon their dainties, hanged upon their breasts, sucked so much sweetness, riches, honour and pleasure from them, being authorized to live by the labor and oppression of other people, that now they are become rich, made fat, and so both father, mother and children, are all made ready for the slaughter; Rev 2.20, 21, 22, 23. therefore now thus saith the Lord, Go slay them all, and spare none, Slay both man, woman, infant and suckling, or suffer them not to remain in that condition so to oppress my people and live upon them as formerly they have done; but as to all unrighteousness smite them, Isa. 26.19. lay them low, even to the ground, Heb. 9.27. yet suffer them to rise again in a new life and resurre­ction with Christ; for as all men have sinned, so, It is appointed unto all men once to die, and so to be judged; that is, die to what they have been, as living to any thing besides God, or acting for any but God, and so come to live up wholly in God in all their wayes and actions.

And now thus faith the Lord, I remember how men have lived to themselves, and not to me, acted for themselves and not for me, and how they have tyrannized over my people by their unlawful dealing, exacting upon them, their persons, goods, labors and purses, by their unjust Laws and Statutes in their unlawfull Offices, Courts, and Councels, making preys of them, serving themselves by them; and if any that are op­pressed by them complain of their oppression, they will plead [Page 13]the Authority of Parliament for what they do, as that by which they were brought forth, upheld and maintained, and say they have a law for what they do, and a power that main­tains them in it; but sure they abuse their law and also their power, stretching it beyound its bounds, for which it is just with God to take it from them, who ere long will take all into his own hands, and leave them nothing, and so slay all, both man and woman, infant and suckling, the great whore and her children, Isa. 3.12. which have been the oppressors of the people.

I need not stand to instance the names of all the children that belonged to this man and woman; for you your selves know of them; but this I will say, that all whosoever or what­soever hath at any time been brought forth, upheld, and main­tained by late Kings and Parliaments, may be said to be their children, also that have had any relyance or dependence in and upon them, and been supported by them in their op­pressive wayes and actions, are their children, or being not lawfully begotten may be said to be bastards, and ought all to be slain or taken out of the way, and not any to be spared or left remaining as before, to rule in any power or sit in the place of justice; Deut. 23.2. for a bastard is not to enter into the Con­gregation of the Lord. But though they appear not as yet to be slain or ended, which they do not so long as all laws and acts whatsoever formerly made and kept up are still to remain in force, as they did while the late Parliament the last husband of this woman was living, though I know not how soon the Lord may come and make good this word and command of his to the rulers of the people, whom he may set up as instruments to do this work, and cause them to whom he speaks to obey his voice in slaying all and sparing none; but I do not speak of taking away mens lives, as formerly they have done by their law, How we are not to take away mens lives. but of taking away that oppressive power, law, rule, and authority out of the hands of cruel men by which they have lorded over mens lives, liberties and estates, and to have it to be reduced again into the hands of God, whose right it is, and not to mans, and who is able to rule all men in righteousness, joy and peace accor­ding [Page 14]to his mighty power whereby he is able to subdue all all things to himself, 1 Cor. 15.28. that himself may be all in all.

Now for the time when this great work of Reformation shall be done, it is known only to the Lord, whose time is the best time, and who will do all his pleasure, and not all to all at once or in one age, Ecles. 3.1. but to every thing there is a season for all things under the Sun, wherein all things shall be done, that God in the end may appear to all to be al in all, which he doth not so long as man appears to be any thing, or that any thing of man remains; therefore no particular private interest or opinion of man is to be kept up, neither the good of some particular men only to be sought for, but the good of all in general; and all this being done, it would appear to be ac­cording to the Word, will and mind of God: but if any should say they have no such command to do as is here spoken, then answer they may that have it as to apprehend it in them­selves; yet it is a command of the Lord that this work of justice should be done; and who should we expect to have it done by but by those that have the power in their hands, and that appear in the place of those that profess to do it?

CHAP. VI. What is meant by the Kenites that were among the Israelites, how they are and ought to be spared.

THere is another thing which to me is signified by these Amalekites, for which they are thus to be slain, and that is a malitious people; for they did malitiously set them­selves against Israel to betray them; but among those Ama­lekites there were some that were called Kenites which were to be spared from that slaughter, and they signifie to me a kind people; 1 Sam. 15.16. For they shewed kindeness to all the children of Is­rael in the way as they came up out of Egypt; so in like manner I observed in this Parliament dissolved, that though some were malitious against the people of God, yet there were some among them that shewed kindness, and that to their power [Page 15]stood for the freedom and liberties of the people, though others were against it, and such were to be spared, and not altogether so smitten as the others were; and as Saul pri­vately gave notice to the Kenites, which were among the Amalekites, what he intended as touching the Amalekites that they might depart and escape; so it it is probable that those that were found to be honest among the Parliament were made acquainted of what was intended touching their dissolution, that they might be aware of it: for some which were of the Parliament did assist in the dissolution of the rest; and these may be said to be Kenites, for that they shewed kindness to the people of God, and for which they were spared: for that power which appears to act in any people for the good of all people, is to be spared and permitted to act, for that appears to be the power of God which will sup­press all that appears to act contrary to it, in the time of its manifesting sorth it self.

CHAP. VII. What's meant by Agag the King, the best of the sheep and of the oxen, which Saul spared alive, and how they discovered them­selves by bleating and lowing.

BUt now Saul did not only spare the Kenites which he should have done, What is meant by Agag the best of the sheep and of the oxen, and how they are, yet ought not to be spa­red. 1 Sam. 15.9. vers. 15. but he also spared Agag the King of the Amalekites alive, and the best of the sheep and of the oxen, and of the fatlings and of the lambs, and all that he thought was good, which he should not have done, and would not utter­ly destroy them, but every thing that he thought was vile and refuse, that he destroyed utterly; but the rest he reserved for himself, and said it was to sacrifice to the Lord.

Now Saul spared Agag the King, and we may spare him also, which is more then we ought to do, who is the chief of the Amalekites & head of that oppressive power ruling in and by men, or of that man the husband of this woman before mentioned, which first brought him forth as her son, and [Page 16]afterwards became her husband; for indeed her sons in time come to marry her: but this Agag being once slain by the Lord, 1 Sam. 15.33. as the other was by Samuel, then this woman Agags mother, and also wife, becomes childless and husbandless to all but the Lord; so much for Agag which Saul spared alive.

Next he spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, the fattest and wel-favouredst of the cattel but flew the worst, the poorest, and il-favouredst of them; which alludes to this in our times, even the sparing of the best of men, Great men, Rich men, Church-members, or the best of their forms, or­dinances, wayes and worships, together with the best of mens Honours, Laws and Interests, and the slaying of the worst so called, to wit, Cavaleers and Prelates or Presbyterian forms, which should all be slain as to man, and remain living to none but to God, and no one of all accounted better then ano­ther, but the best as the worst, and the worst as the best; he that is great should be slain to his greatness, and he that is holy in himself or any thing but the Lord, should be slain to that holiness, and no man should be great, neither holy in them­selves, but all in the Lord, with whom there is no respect of persons or of things, 2 Sam. 14.14. Iam. 2.1. Psal. 139.12. but all are alike to him; for to him light and darkness, (the rich and to the poor, the Saint and the Sinner) are both one, and should be so to us; but this priviledge we have lost for a time.

Now as the sheep and the oxen which Saul spared, dis­covered themselves by bleating and lowing, so do some called Independents and Anabaptists now begin to discover them­selves of their intents and purposes, by lifting up their voice in their meetings of preaching and praying, which I have heard with my own ears, crying down al men and forms besides them selves, but crying up themselves as the only men that should rule and raign next, and have the power of Government in their hands, and that their forms, ways, worships and opini­ons might still be kept up, as that which (they suppose) is best accepted with God, all which may be said to be but the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of oxen, as the fruit of the best and fairest, the fattest and wel-favouredst cattle which feed upon many hils, Psal. 50.9, 10, 11. that is many Forms and Ordinances, [Page 17] the New Moons and Sabbaths, their calling of Assemblies, so­lemn meetings, and their appointed Feasts, which the Lord saith he hath no delight in, neither any need of, but is weary of them, and saith that when they spread their hands, or preach, he will hide his eyes; when they make many prayers, Isa. 1.11, 12, 13, 14, 15. he will not hear; for their hands are full of blood, as sin, unclean­ness, cruelty, and covetousness, and in all that they do they do but discover themselves what they are and would be, and that their design is to be great and eminent in the world among men; but though men may spare one another, yet the Lord will not spare them, but will bring them down toge­ther, with all their laws, works, wayes and religious forms, that they have set up in opposition to the Lord Jesus; all shall fall, even to the ground, and men shall go over them, pass by them, and live above them in the Lord.

CHAP. VIII. Samuel reproving Saul for not obeying the voice of the Lord, who excuseth himself, and lays it upon the people that were with him, whom he obeyed more then God; how to obey is bet­ter then Sacrifice; what a true Sacrifice is, best accepted, and who offers it.

NOw when the Lord saw that Saul had not obeyed his command, but had reserved part of the spoil to himself, he acquainted Samuel with it, who was grieved at it, and came to meet Saul, who presently began to justifie himself, and Saul said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, 1 Sam. 15.13, 14. I have performed his command; then said Samuel, what meaneth then the bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? as if he might say, me thinks I see something still reserved which should not have been; then Saul to excuse himself, said that the people (which were with him) spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice; he did not; so now in these times, vers. 15. if any man, law, act, form, way, worship, or opinion which was formerly made, set up, and maintained by any to keep [Page 18]the people in bondage, be still preserved, kept up, and maintained (to please any one sort of people) which the Lord would have put down, and then the Lord do acquaint any of his servants with this, and they do acquaint him or them which should have put it down, then may he or they excuse themselves, and say as Saul did, that the people or those that were with us spared it themselves, or desired it of us, and therefore was it spared, supposing in it to have done well, they who desired it appearing to us a people walking in the wayes of God, &c.

But let me tell any that should so do, that this were still but to act like Saul, and to keep something of an old rot­ten interest, and to advance the Kingdom of the World, wherein is hypocrisie, oppression and tribulation; & this king­dom being still kept up and exalted in form and formality, where then is the exaltation of Christ and his kingdom in Spirit and Power in the hearts of his people, which is the Kingdom that ought to be set up, and will be set up by the Lord of Lords in opposition to all other? and where is the work of righteousness, peace, joy and freedom among men, while this work of oppression and cruelty is carried on? there­fore so long we may conclude, that in them the work is not yet done; to them the Kingdom of Christ is not yet come; by them the voyce of the Lord is not yet obeyed, and with them the Kingdom of Antichrist not yet destroyed.

But though Saul did thus neglect the command of the Lord, and please the people, and then to excuse himself lay it upon the people; yet let it not be so with us; let not us seek to please men, who would desire to have any thing spared or reserved that should be destroyed; but in all things let us seek to please the Lord and to obey his voice, and what his word of commands bids us to do, that let us do, which is, that no oppressor or tyrant be lest in the land, that there may be no more complaining in our streets, Isa. 33.24. or that the Inhabitant there may not say he is sick.

Again, Saul farther to excuse himself, saith, that what was kept, 1 Sam. 15.21, 22. it was to sacrifice to the Lord: then said Samuel, hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in [Page 19]obeying his voyce? behold, to obey is better then sacrifice, Isai. 1. and to harken then the fat of Rams; and who hath required this at your hands saith the Lord, that you should reserve any thing for me, who am full and need nothing? Psal. 50.9, 10, 11, 12. and what should the Lord now require of us who he knows hath nothing, but to offer unto him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving? Isa. 51.16. and that is not ours neither, but his; nor offered by us, but by him; 'tis not we, nor all our fasts, prayers, forms and worships that he accepts of, but a sacrifice of righteousness, the Lord Jesus, who hath already offered up himself once for all; Heb. 9.28. and all that he looks for from us, and which he will make us to be, is to be a still silent passive people, Psal. 46.10. and to know that he only is active, who will do all things himself, and cause us to be silent; for a silent passive subjected condition to the Lord in all men, is that which the Lord accepteth of, and is the onely sacrifice that can be offered up unto him, whose de­sign now is to subject all men and things to himself, and he only appear and be made manifest in all, which is the King­dom of the Lord, where nothing of man is to be seen in any thing, but all of the Lord; and this is the pure and perfect obedience and only sacrifice the Lord cals for in us, and which in his own time he by his mighty power will bring to pass with us.

CHAP. IX. Of the Amalekites unjust possessing the Earth, both of the Phi­listians, and of Judah, of their giving gifts one to another, and of what.

WE read in the 30 chapter of this Book of Samuel, vers. 16. how the Amalekites had spread themselves over all the Earth, eating, drinking, dancing, sporting and delighting themselves, because of the great spoil that they had taken from the people, both out of the land of the Philistians and out of the land of Judah.

And were not the Governours of this land, together with [Page 20]their authority and familie, their infants and sucklings, so spred over this land and Nation, eating and devouring the fat of the land, both of Cavaleers and Round-heads (so cal­led) enemies and friends, or all men of what judgement or opinion soever? all were subjected to them, and they had the spoil of all in their hands, or at their command to dis­pose of as they pleased, even their wealth, riches, honour, peace, freedom, and all priviledges whatsoever; they were Lords over it, and could and did command it at their own will and pleasure.

And have we not seen for many ages, how they of this and other lands, have continued eating, drinking, dancing, feast­ing, feeding and refreshing themselves, making themselves rich and fat and merry by the peoples rights, sending and giving gifts one to another of that which they had taken from the people, Rev. 11.10. rejoycing and delighting themselves in it, that they had made all men subject to them and their ways, and had the spoil and command of all in their hands to do with it as they would? this was the merriment of the Amalakites in their cruelty towards the people of the Philistians and of Judah, whose spoil they had got into their hands, and which Saul was commanded to recover from them, and restore to the people again, but did not.

CHAP. X. How men intrusted with the Civil power of the Nation, ought not to be proud, and high-minded, but humble and meek be­fore God and man; that honour is the ready way to dishonour, and how.

NOw observe, because Saul did not do the work he should, 1 Sam. 15.18, 19. but did evil in the sight of the Lord, in that he spared any of that which he should have destroyed, and reco­vered not the people, but suffered this oppression still to abide upon the people, therefore his kingdom was divided from him, vers. 28. and given to another that was better then he.

A good caution for any who have the like power in their hands, not to act like Saul; for if they do, they may expect the power to be again taken from them and given to another, even to David, as Sauls was.

While Saul was humble, meek, and lowly in his own sight, and before all men, he appeared to follow the Lords steps, Mat 5.5.11.29. 1 Sam. 15.17. and was blessed, and then was this power given to him; but when he began to exalt himself, and to become great and high, both in himself and before men, that he was turned back from following the Lord to do as he commanded him, then was his Kingdom rent from him.

And how should this teach Rulers and Governours now in these times, who sit in Authority, to be humble, lowly and meek, both in themselves and before men, and not to Lord it over the rest of their fellow-Brethren, farther then it shall be for their Brethrens liberty, peace and freedom, whom they are to protect in all good things? but there is so much of man, flesh and self remaining in all men, that no sooner is any power put into their hands, but they are presently puffed up, filled with pride and haughtiness of spirit, setting up themselves above their fellow-Creatures, looking for ho­nour from them, which immediately proves their ruine, downfal and destruction, according as it is written, Psal. 49.12. Psal. 37.11. Man be­ing in honour abideth not, he is like the beasts that perish: but the meek shall inherit the Earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of Peace.

Then, O that the Lord would be pleased to give such a power of himself into our hearts and spirits that would make us to be silent, humble and meek before him, and towards all men, that we might inherit this abundance of peace, and not to exalt our selves above what we are or ought to be, Psal. 147.6. but to become one with all and to all in the Lord, and then should we stand and not fall, be most exalted when we are most hu­ble: yet we finde that the way which the Lord doth take to bring down the haughtiness of a Peoples power or interest, Amos 9.2. is first to set it up, or suffer it to be set up above what it ought to be, and then bring it down with a vengeance, as he will all men that are exalted in themselves, and not in the [Page 22]Lord; and there can be no greater exaltation in the Lord, then for a man to be humble in himself.

When thou wast little in thine own eyes said Samuel to Saul, 1 Sam. 15.17. wast thou not then made King over Israel? But when thou be­gannest to be lifted up in thy self, and to reject the word of the Lord, Ver. 26, 27, 28 then the Lord rejected thee from being King, rent thy king­dom from thee, took the power out of thy hands, and gave it to David.

CHAP. XI. Of Davids possessing Sauls Kingdom, his recovering the spoil which Saul did not, and his equal dividing it among the people.

ANd now David comes, takes the Kingdom, possesses it, and doth the work that God commanded, he smites the Amalekites, and recovers all the spoil, the rights and priviledges of the people, which they had carried away, and restores it again into their hands, That there was nothing want­ing among them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daugh­ters, 1 Sam. 30.18, 19, 20. goods nor any thing that they had taken away; David reco­vered all, both of the flocks, herds, lands, goods and cattels, it all became Davids spoil.

And now it may please the Lord to put it into the hearts of those who are to act for the Civil Right of the Nation, to act like David in this thing, to recover all that the People have lost, and restore it again into their hands as David did, that none might complain of any want, or lie under any oppres­sion any longer, neither say, One hath too much, and another too little of any kinde whatsoever; but that every one may have that which is convenient for him, Prov. 30.8, 9. to his own satisfaction and content, which is the Kingdom of the Lord.

And O what a pure, joyfull, peaceable Kingdom should we then have, Isa. 9.6, 7. when Christ shall thus take the Kingdom to him­self, and raign in the place of man, as David did in the place of Saul, and so restore the people unto their rights again as [Page 23]in the beginning, where all men shall have an equal propor­tion of satisfaction, and where he that hath least shall know no want, and he that hath much shall have nothing over, but every one shall enjoy himself in all things that himself hath, and doth possess in the Lord!

This will be the Kingdom that Christ ( Davids Lord) will take to himself, and for the People to establish them in, and this will be a joyfull Kingdom, it will be the Lords King­dom.

And now if the Lord will yet be pleased in and by this power to work righteousness, do Justice, and to shew mercy, he is to recover us all our rights & priviledges from the hands of our enemies who have detained it from us; he is to reco­ver all that ever we have lost, and which those that have been our Rulers have taken from us, and restore it again unto us, and not suffer them to go away with any thing but what is their own, and was before given them by the Lord, as to us; nothing of what was the Peoples (whose interest was as great as theirs in any thing that is the Lords) are they to car­ry with them, but to leave it behinde them, and the people again to possess and enjoy it as their own right and pri­viledge.

CHAP. XII. Of some that desire to have the greater part of the spoil to themselves, and would not have it equally divided, who and what they are, with Davids answer to them, and how it alludes to these times.

NOw when David had done this work upon the A­malekites, and recovered the spoil of all into his hands, then before such time that he had given it the people, those that were with him at the doing of it, 1 Sam. 30.22. wicked men of Belial desired the whole spoil to be divided among them, and not that others who tarried at home by the stuff, and went not to the battel, should have any part, save every man his wife and [Page 24]his children; and so may some cald Independents and Anabap­tists desire now, who did most assist the General in the disso­lution of this late Parliament; they may like those wicked men of Belial, desire to have the power, the freedom and liberty of the Nation to themselves, and not that others who assisted not and are not the same with them, should have any part of it save only their wives and children, which they indeed would not be troubled with, though they would be content to keep that which should maintain them, and the freedom which they should walk in, when all people should have the same liberty and freedom together with themselves, and be masters of their own rights and priviledges, the one as the other; and not for some to say that because we have assisted and taken more pains and care in the recovering of it then others have done, that therefore the spoil shall be ours, and the Nation shall now be governed wholly by us, and according to our wils, without the free choice and ele­ction of the free People; this were but a wicked saying, and all wicked men of Belial that should desire it; but though others might not personally appear to act with them in this work, Ephes. 4.4, 5, 6. yet the same spirit, life, and operating power which lived in others, acted it self by them for that work being the same in all men; and they without that spirit, life and power, (all without God) could not do it; therefore it is meet that the same spirit and life in what form or body so­ever it be, should have the same freedom granted it as others in the same work with others.

But now those who do not rightly know God, that would be all themselves, and have all to themselves, and that do not love their neighbours as themselves, Levit. 19.18. will not agree that their neighbours (with them) shall have the same equal share and proportion of the spoil which they have gained, that is their freedom and liberty, but will deny them of it, and say, it is ours, we have gained it, sought for it, and will have it; but I say, this were still but to set up (and act like) another Power of Flesh, or more fleshy then ever, also to marry another Wo­man, and so to beget more children which must also be slain with the rest when ever they appear to be brought forth or set up.

But now see Davids answer to these men of Belial that thus desired the spoil, and would not yield to have it equally divided, Ye shall not do so (said he) with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the compa­ny that came against us into our hands; 1 Sam. 30.23, 24. for who will harken to you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuffe, they shall part alike.

And now this answer may our General (if the Lord shall please to put it into his heart) give to those of any one party, faction, or opinion, that should desire to have all the power, rule and authority put into their hands, and they only to have the greatest liberty and freedom to themselves, as now some have done, and declared for in their Meetings of Preaching, Praying, &c. No, You shall not do so my brethren with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath hitherto preserved us, and delivered all that ever came against us, into our hands; for who will harken to you in this thing? but as his part is that acted with us in person, is of the Army, and doth desire it; so shall his part be that acted not with us in person, is not of the Army, neither doth desire it; they shall part alike, have their equal share in true freedom and liberty; for hath the Lord been pleased to give the rights and freedoms of the People into our hands, for us with others to give it to them whose right it is as well as ours, and that deserve as much of it in equity and reason as we do, and shall we withhold it from them? no, we will not, but they shall all have their equal share in it to use at their own wils and pleasures; every one shall have his freedom in things that are not hurtful to the Peace, Liberty and Freedom one of another; for it is theirs, and belongs to them as well as to us; and therefore who will harken to you in this thing that you should keep it from them? surely none but such as are of your own party, and that would maintain the same interest with you; and this answer being given, it would be as an answer from the Lord.

CHAP. XIII. A fore-sight of the peoples oppression by the next Power; how none ought to be forced or compelled to any form or way of Worship, but as they are perswaded in their own mindes; that all Forms shall cease, and when.

ANd now should a number of men, either Independents or Anabaptists, or both, be now chosen, and have the power of the Nation put into their hands, as I believe they will, by whom I should he glad to see good things done; yet I apprehend in my self that we shall finde some of them in de­vouring to set up themselves, and to subject all to themselves, their forms, wayes, and opinions, and to keep up an Interest of their own as others have done before, and be as bitter and cruel in their spirits towards others as some ever were exer­cising the same authority over those that are of a contrary judgment to them, as ever Prelates or Presbyterians have been, and covet as much after riches and honour as others have done: all which things have been signified already to me by some of those parties in the several meetings both at Black-Fryers in London and elsewhere; and those things by them practised I fear will at last prove their ruin and de­struction, as it hath done to others before them, and will to all that shall in like manner be set up, and so act.

And now that I would have none in point of Religion to be subjected, tyed and brought to any form of Religion by men, contrary to their wils, but as the Lord shall bring them; for what ever their judgement be in the Worship of God, so far as they do not injure others, let them enjoy a free­dom and liberty in it, and use their conscience in that way they are best perswaded of in God for the peace of their own souls; Rom. 14.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. let every one be perswaded in his own minde (saith Paul) and let us not use force and violence to turn any out of the way he walks in, wherein he is perswaded he sees any thing of God, 1 Cor. 7.24. Luk. 3.14. Cant. 3.5. but let every one abide where he is, and be con­tent with the wages he hath given him, and not stir or awake his beloved till he shall please to come and manifest himself to him in a higher and brighter discovery of himself, and so give him more of the knowledge of him: for it is not a [Page 27]laying any outward restraint upon the people by the laws of men that can bring them in to believe the Truth; 1 Tit. 2.11, 12. Psal. 31.12. but the Lord with his love must constrain them, and by his Spirit must direct them; Ʋp­hold me with thy Spirit, saith David; and as we use to say, better stay at home then be forced to go to Church; so for a man to preach, pray, read, hear, or any other thing of that nature, and not to do it but in submission to the laws of men, he hath no peace or comfort in it, and then better left undone; therefore let all men act their freedom in point of Worship towards God which way they please, and also in other things so far as it is not against the peace and well­being one of another, and that which is not hurtful to body, goods, and good name; he that will worship God in this or the other way may; he that will have the Sacrament and be baptized, may; or he whose spirit is not drawn forth to do any of all these, may chuse, 1 Pet. 5.2, 3. Rom. 14. Gal. 6.1. and let no man whatsoever be restrained from or to any Form of Worship that he is not in himself perswaded in conscience to, but in things that may be hurtful one to another; and such a one restore with the spirit of meekness, though all Forms of Wor­ship and outward External Ordinances shall cease, perish, and come to nothing with the using of them, Col. 2.21. as God shall please to give men a sight of the emptiness that is in them; and in the mean time let all men have their freedom to use them, and not to use them; and let not one man think that he should enjoy his right, liberty and free­dom in the way and things that seeme best to him, and not that others should also; No, it shall not be so with you; but every one shall have the like freedom and liberty in all things that the Lord hath made him free in, according as I have said before.

CHAP. XIV. How men in Power are not to act only for the freedom of themselves or a few, but for the freedom of all, and to abase themselves to exalt others; wherein is manifested Christ doing and receiving for us as for himself.

ANd now let not those who are to act for the good of the Peo­ple, and to settle them again in their own rights and privi­ledges, now appear to act for themselves more then for the people, Mat. 23. from the 1 verse to the 12. whose servants they ought to be, and not their masters; for let all [Page 28]men serve one another in love (saith Christ) and he that would be great, Gal. 5.13. let him become your servant; and let them not endeavour to keep or reserve any thing to themselves of that which is the peoples, but let them restore to every man his own house, wealth, land, riches, honour, freedom and liberty, their Sheep, and their Oxen, their Camels and Asses; Psal. 115.16. or give them freedom in all that is the Lords, and which the Lord hath given to them, to wit, the whole Earth, and all things therein; and if this be not done according to the severity of the Lords command, then you of the Nations that dwell upon the face of the Earth, whose right and priviledge all things are in the Lord Jesus, demand it, call for it, and suffer not them in whose hands the Power is, to rest till you have it, are setled in it, and possessed with it; Psal. 2.8. for it is your own inheritance, and you with that are all the Lords.

And this would be the peaceable and joyful kingdom of Jesus Christ, when we are made to act all for the good one of another, and not only for our selves and our own interests, malitiously endea­vouring to set up our selves one above another; but that we should love one another, continue saying & doing as Christ our Elder Bro­ther said and did before us, Luk. 2.14. Glory be to God in the highest, Peace and good will towards men on Earth, and let all men do to others as they would others should do to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets, and the rule of Christ and his Apostles, Love your Neighbour as your self.

And now hath the Lord been pleased to give the Power of the Nation into the hands of one, or some men? and hath he or they re­covered (as to themselves) all that the people had lost, which was their Native rights and priviledges, also their freedom in spiritual things, a Kingdom of righteousness, joy and peace? O then that they would indeavour to act for the good of all people, to settle them again in that which is their own, the establishment of this Kingdom in all its Fundamental Laws, Rights, and Liberties, and that no man may be suffered to act for the setting up of himself, or any particu­lar private interest, to inslave the People; but rather let them abase themselves one for another, and do as they have the Lord for an ex­ample, who was sent to redeem the People; and what would he not undergo for them that he might redeem them? Isa. 10. Phil. 2.7, 8, 9. He humbled himself and became obedient unto the death of the Cross, turned not away his face from shame and spitting; he became of no reputation with men, but cast himself down to them, that they might be exalted with him [Page 29]to God, and whatsoever the Father gave him, he freely gave it them; Joh. 17.21, 22 so should you do who now appear to be sent to redeem the people from all outward oppression and tyranny, to their former rights and priviledges; The same minde should be in you as was in Christ Jesus; Phil. 2.5. and what should you not undergo for them? you should be cast down, abased and humbled in your selves, become of no reputati­on, and then with the people you should rise again, be exalted and made honourable, and so come to enjoy your rights together, one as far forth as another, and you freely to give to the people that which now is given to you without partiality, which is for every man to enjoy his freedom in all things that belong to him in the Lord, and this would be to act like Jesus Christ, and to follow his steps, 1 Pet. 2.21. which most men profess they do, but do not.

Jesus Christ suffered all men in their several ways and opinions, and forced no man to any way, form or opinion of things, by any outward Law, Rule, or Inforcement, but by the operation or work­ing of his own and mighty power within them, Hos. 11.4. Joh. 6.44. Rev. 19.11. he drew them to him and after him, who is the King and Captain of our salvation, who is gone forth upon a white Horse, conquering and to conquer, to redeem his people Israel out of darkness and ignorance, from men, sin, death, hell, and the devil, and to recover all freedom, liberty, peace and eternal salvation for them; and he will not re­ceive or do any thing for himself distinctly from us, but what he hath he freely gives unto us, he himself being the same with us: 1 John 4.17. John 17.22. For as he is, so are we in this world; and the glory that thou hast given me (saith Christ) I have given them, that they may be one as we are one; and all that is mine is theirs, and they with all that they have are mine, being members of my body, of my flesh, and of my bones; Eph. 5.30. Rom. 8.17. bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh, and so joynt-heirs with me in all things that I am heir to in the Father; and then as Christ and we are fellow-heirs, so in like manner let us be fellow-heirs one with another in all things that each other do possess and enjoy in the Lord, being all brethren of one and the same family, and members of one and the same body; for we are members one of another. Eph. 4.25.

Christ saith, that the Father hath given him power, glory, peace, freedom liberty, life, light and salvation, yea, Rom. 8.29. John 17.21, 22, 23, 24. all that the Father was, is, and had, that he should give it all unto us his people; and we come to enjoy it all in him, as the same with him; then when the Lord Jesus hath given unto us and to our knowledge all that the Fa­ther [Page 30]hath given him, then as the Father was free to give unto Christ, and as Christ was free to give unto us, 1 Cor. 7.21, 22. so shall we be then free to give one unto another, being all the Lords Free-men.

And now, hath the Lord Jesus made any of us free, in this pure and perfect freedom of his love and freedom? then let us not use it to the satisfying of the flesh, as of our selves or any other in par­ticular, to the prejudice of others, but for the good and safety, the preservation and wel-being of our selves and all men whatsoever; Let us in love serve one another, and then it will appear to be per­fect freedom, 1 Cor. 7.22. the freedom of the Lord, and we the Lords Freemen; but if we should appear to act otherways then this, we act not like Christ, Iohn 8.36. or as such that are made free by Christ, but still as bond-men and not free-men, when we withhold from any people or thing, any thing that is the Lords, and given to us for them by the Lord.

And now, hath the Lord given into our hands the Liberty, Peace, Freedom and whole trust of the Nation at this time? O then let us be just in our places, to restore it to the rest of our fellow-brethren whose it is, and unto whom it belongs, and let us not so act as to keep it in our own hands, or to lock it up in a chest, or under a Law from them, and they not to enjoy it, but let them have it and be pos­sest with it, and in all things let us see the Lord acting by, in, and to himself in us, for the good of all people.

CHAP. XV. Christ the true Restorer and Establisher of the Peoples Rights, and not men; God shaking, overturning and destroying men, and all things that are setling; how men have not power to settle any thing; and how we in all changes and turnings, are to eye the Lord, and rest only in him.

IEsus Christ is he that must recover again all that is lost, Ezek. 34.16. and bring back all that is driven away, and restore into our hands again all our Freedoms, Liberties and Estates, both temporal and spiritual; all shall be brought home to us by the Captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ; and in whatsoever person or persons he may act in or by for the accomplishment of this work, as also in all that is acted, let us behold the Lord in it, and say it is he who works all things according to the Counsel of his own Will, whose Counsel shall [Page 31]stand, and who will do all his pleasure; Isa 46.10. Exod. 14.3. and let our eyes be upon the Lord continually to behold his salvation, and then shall we appear to have all, peace, content and satisfaction, in all things that are acted and done by the Lord, and so see all things whatsoever freely to be bestowed upon us of the Lord; and though there may be a people or party of any one Faction whatsoever that would indeavour to keep the rights of the people in their own hands, Psal. 18.46. yet let us wait up­on the Lord, trust onely in him who is the God of our salvation; and though we may for a time see it to be withheld from us, yet let us peaceably and quietly wait upon the Lord for the restoring of it to us; Heb. 10.37. for certainly the time is at hand wherein he that shall come will come, and restore the Kingdom to Israel, and will not tarry or neglect the doing of it, but a short and a quick work will he make upon the earth, he will cut it short in righteousness, and so take the Kingdom to himself, and himself will rule and ragin in his own Kingdom, which consists not in meats and drinks, in observing times, Rom. 14.17, 18. places, forms, ordinances, ways and worships, but in righteousness, joy and peace in the holy Spirit; and this is the Kingdom of the Fa­ther which we all wait for, expect and pray for, when we say Thy Kingdom come. Matth. 6.10.

But if there be a time wherein men or the enemies of Christ must yet raign with their Kingdom in opposition to the Lord and his Kingdom, let us be content with it, and patiently undergo the suf­fering of it; only let us tell them, that it is no continuing city for them wherein they shall abide or raign ever; for it is now even the last time, and the higher we see them to be advanced in themselves, the nearer is the time of their dissolution, or coming down; for a short and a quick work will the Lord now make with all flesh; and every one that is appointed to have his time, his turn, and his over­turn, his beginning and his end, shall have it, which many we see have already had. And no party that now appears to be set up and indued with power below God shall stand long, no not long enough to settle or accomplish any thing but their own shame, Phil. 3.19. Psal. 83.16, 17, 18. Heb. 12.27. which shall befall all men that now go about to settle any thing when the Lord is shaking all things that may be shaken, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain; and all things besides himself are in a mutiny, a movable and unsetled condition, still rowl­ing about, like so many clouds from East to West, or from one in­terest to another, that it will settle no more till it settles and centers in the Lord, where it can move no more.

And then shall we say, Luke 1.68. Isai. 3.12, 13. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who hath visited and redeemed his people from out of the hands of cruel men, Children that have been their oppressors, and women that have ruled over them and caused them to erre; and so brings all men forth of captivity and bondage, ignorance and darkness, out of all mutable, changeable and unsetled conditions that we have been in and under; and so leads captivity captive for us, Eph. 4.8. and gives gifts to us, which is perfect freedom, love, joy, peace, satisfaction and content in all things with the Lord Jesus, which is the Kingdom of the Lord, and will be also our Kingdom when it is thus brought home to us, and made ma­nifest in us by the Lord.

In the mean time it matters not much how variously soever we see men act in darkness, seeing it is not long before the Lord will appear to act all things himself in light, and we shall then appear to act all things with him in the same light, and so have joy, peace and comfort in all things with him: till the accomplishment of which work, John. 15.1. let every one patiently sit down under his own Vine, the Lord Jesus, till the grapes be through ripe, and then wait upon the Lord for the bringing in of his own Kingdom, to restore to us the full fruition of those graces of righteousness, Rom. 14. peace, and joy in the holy Spirit, which is the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus.

Thus I could not but declare my apprehensions in these words at this time to you, as they are and were comprehended in me, and made known to me for you.