The glory of the true church, discovered, as it was in its purity in the primitive time also, a manifestation how and when the apostacy came, and how long it hath continued in the Church of Rome, proved to be in it, because she differs in doctrin & practice from the Church of Christ in the Apostles dayes : published for this end, that people may be informed, and their understandings opened to discern of the times and seasons, and see the difference between the lambs wife and the mother of harlots / by one who desires that all may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved, and walk in the light of the Lord, Francis Howgill.

CHAP. XVI. Something concerning the worship of God, whether that Kings and Rulers now in Gospel times have any power from God to compel or force a∣bout Spiritual things declared, and some Scrip∣tures answered which hath been perverted by them who are in the Apostacy, to maintain the Beasts power, and the false Churches worship under the raign of Antichrist. (Book 16)

VVHen the Lord brought Israel out of the land of Eygpt by a strong hand and an out∣streched arme, he made a Covenant with them, and gave forth a Law at Mount Sina, by the hand of Moses the Judge of Israel, and statures and Ordinances which Israel should walk in, who were as a family who came of one stock, and the Laws and Statutes which were then given forth was concerning civil things, as con∣cerning man and man, and betwixt a man and his Neighbour, and for the Government of whole families, and the Camp of Israel; And likewise Laws and Sta∣tutes which concerned the worship of the true God; which may be read at large in Exodus, Numbers and D••uteromony, and that worshipped not the true God according to the command given in the first Co∣venant which was outward, were to have Judgment executed upon them according to the Law; and Mo∣ses over Israel and the rest of the Judges were to see the Laws and Statutes Executed upon the transgres∣sors,

and if any were an Idolater & worshipped a false God or a Blasphemer, were to be stoned to death, or Sabbath-breaker was to be stoned to death; And this was according to the Law of God, & their bloud was u••on their own heads; And when Israel ••usted after a King, he gave them a King, and they had many Kings who were Anointed of God, by his appointment, which was to rule in the same manner as Moses, Joshua and the rest of the Judges had done, and whosoever were disobedient unto the aforesaid command of God whether in things civil, or things concerning the wor∣ship of God, and several punishments were to be in∣••••icted by them for several transgressions, as Blasphe∣mers, Sabbath breakers, false Prophets, and Wizzards and witches were not suffered to live; This was be∣fore Christ the Seed was manifested in the flesh, this was the old way▪ the old paths that Israel was to walk in, But this Covenant was filthy as the Apostle saith, and the Ministers thereof could not continue by rea∣son of death; The Law was changed and the Priest-hood was changed, and the Ordinances and worship was changed when Christ came to be manifest, the end of the Law for Righteousness; Now as A••ron and the rest of the high Priests were but types and figures of the everlasting High Priest; So the Judges and Kings of Israel were types and figures of Christ, the King of Kings, and King of Saints, and Lawgiver, and Judge; And their outward power which continued but for a time, in compelling to the true worship un∣der that Covenant, or restraining from Idolatry, did but continue until the time of Reformation was; but a type and a figure of Christ and his spiritual power and weapon, and spiritual execution upon his enemies who are not subject to his government o•• power, see∣ing the Father hath committed all power unto him in Heaven and in Earth; And Moses the Mediator of the

first Covenant which stood in outward Ordinances, both the Mediator, the Covenant and the Ordinance had an end [when the better Covenant was given, the Covenant of Light, and Christ the Mediator thereof was manifest;] And this Covenant and Ordinances pertained unto the Jews, and the compelling unto the worship and punishing for Idolatry partained to the Jews only, who were under that Covenant, and not to the Gentiles, as it is written To Jacob he gave his Law, and to Israel his Statutes, to every Nation he did not so.

So they which would bring people now under this Covenant and the power thereof, denies the second, the everlasting Covenant & his power; and them that would preach up compelling and forcing to worship, and bring those Scriptures of the first Covenant to be their ground, are ignorant of the times unto which they were spoken; And upon this false Foundation hath the false Church persecuted about worship this many hundred years, and this Doctrine is in too much credit with many in these dayes, who say they are under the Gospel; And this hath made people to hate and persecute one another.

And the Ministers of Antichrist hath pressed it upon Kings & Rulers, that God hath required it of them to enforce and enjoyn all people unto a Worship, al∣though they themselves are divided amongst them∣selves, one while for this thing, and another while for that; and because the Kings of Israel did so, and had power to do, therefore they have concluded that Princes and Judges ought to do so, and so have made them put their neck in a yoak which is too heavy for them to hear, which the Lord hath not required at their hands; and because of this compellings and forceings, many hypocrites have been made, and many of Gods peoples consciences wounded and burned;

and many Kings and Rulers have lost their Domini∣ons, and they have been taken from them because of this by the Lord.

So all they that have in truded upon Christs prero∣gative & Soveraignty in this thing, are sure to be rec∣koned as no other but as usurpers and intruders into that power which the Father alone hath given unto his Son, which Power, Dominion and Glory he will not give unto any other as to be Judge, Law-giver in the hearts and consciences of his people.

Object. But some may say, did not the Prophets exhort to inquire for the old paths, and the good old way? And did not the Prophets say, Kings should be nursing Fathers, and Queens nursing Mothers? And must not this be fulfilled in these dayes?

Ans. This is true that the Prophet did exhort the Princes & people of Israel who were in the revolted estate, who had transgressed the Commandments of the Lord, and had lost the guide of their youth & the rest of their souls; And therefore he turned them back to consider of the day of old, and inquire after the good old way that they might walk therein, wch they were gone from, but this doth not pertain at all unto this time; for Christ Jesus is the new and living way which all is to inquire after now, who is the end of the Law for Righteousness, and the first Covenant unto them that believe; And as for Kings being nursing Fathers, the Queens nursing Mothers, this was Prophesied by the Prophet before they went into Captivit, & how the Heathen should have power over their Kings, Pro∣phets and Priests and people, and Jerusalem should lye desolate; Now this the Prophet spoke of con∣cerning the return of them unto the Lord, and they to inhabit their own land, then their own Kings and Queens should rule over them, & be as nurses to them, when they should return from their Captivity, then

Jacob should rejoyce and Israel should be glad, and this was spoken to the Jews, and this had reference to their state in that time.

Further it may be objected, ought not Blasphemy & Idolatry and Adultery to be punished, is this to be suf∣fered now? Seeing it was punished under the Law.

Answer, Yea, this is to be punished, and shall be pu∣nished, and that even with death; for as I said the Fa∣ther hath committed all Power unto the Son, who will execute his judgement upon all them who will not have him to raign in their hearts, as it is written, these my enemies that would not that I should rule over them, bring them before me, that I may slay them; with what weapons? With carnal? nay, but with the sharp two edged Sword which proceeds out of his Mouth, and with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God; and the Spiritual weapons which runs thorow the Blasphemer and kills him, and flayes the false Prophet, and Sooth∣sayer, and Inchanter, and Idolator, and yet saves the Creature a live; take one example of Christ the new and living Way, when the Pharisees brought a woman tempting Christ, which was taken in Adultery, saying, according to the Law of Moses, she ought to be stoned to death; he that was the end of the Law, said he that was without sin cast the first stone, convicting them al that they were in the same nature, and yet did not approve of the Adultery, but said go and sin no more least a worse thing come upon thee; Likewise Paul said I was a per∣secutor, and a Blasphemer; This generation who pro∣fesseth Pauls words would say, let him dye, he hath confes∣sed he was a Blasphemer; but he was slain with other weapons; Christ slew the Blasphemer and the Perse∣cutor in him, and left the man alive, and made him a chosen vessel to declare against Blasphemy, and lead out of all ungodliness.

And herein is the second Covenant more excellent

then the first, and the Ministration more excellent then the former, and the Dominion and Government of Christ more excellent then the Dominion and government of the Kings of Israel, and the weapons more excellent then theirs, and the power greater then theirs which is able to destroy the works of the Devil, as Blasphemy, Idolatry and Adultery, and save the Creature alive; This is the better Covenant, in∣deed the everlasting; and herein is the mercy of God exalted, his Dominion and Power exalted, and Christ the King of Glory exalted; And these sins before∣mentioned punished with great severity and great Judgment; For in the first Covenant they slew with a temporal death; But Christ when he appeareth in his power and glory in flames of fire, renders vengeance within upon the wicked, which burns and scorches, and brings anguish, & tormenteth all them that are in that Nature, and banisheth all them from his presence and from the Glory of his power, till that be dead and slain which would not have him to Raign, to wit, that which is born of the flesh which is within; And blas∣phemy, Idolatry, Murther are the fruits of the flesh, where the flesh is not lived in these things cannot be brought forth; I speak not of the Creature who is Gods Workman-ship, for that may be alive, when the birth & fruits which are after the flesh are both dead; and herein is the mighty power of God made known, and his Justice and his severe Judgment, which all must pass thorow before they come to witness eternal life; He that dispised Moses Law, died by the mouth of two or three witnesses, which was a natural death; of how much sorer punishment shall he be worthy which treadeth underfoot the Son of God, and count∣eth the bloud of the Covenant an unholy thing, Heb. 10. 28, 29. and blasphemeth.

But further, it will be objected that the Apostle ex∣horteth

for a submission unto every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake, 1 Pet. 2. 13. whether it be unto Kings as Supream, or unto Governours, as unto them that are sent of him, and in Romans the 13. 1, 2. Let every Soul be subject unto the higher power, for there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God.

Ans. From these Scriptures many bad Constructi∣ons and Inferences hath been gathered, as that Kings and Rulers were to be obeyed in all things, and that every worship which is commanded by••a King or Su∣periour ought to be obeyed, and that Kings and Rulers had power in Spiritual things, to make a Law for such a Worship, or forbid such a Worship, and all these ought to be obeyed; And so in the Apostacy the Mi∣nisters of Antichrist hath brought in many Inventions and Traditions, and humane Institutions for Divine Worship and Service, and thereby hath pressed Ru∣lers to make Laws, and compel all people to receive them, although they have been repugnant to the true worship of God, and then such Teachers hath pressed such people to obedience as of duty and necessity, because the aforesaid Scripture doth Command sub∣jection to all Rulers; And thus hath Babylon reared up her City, and gotten Merchants to put off her Mer∣chandize, and so hath cheated both Rulers and peo∣ple, and hath led them to hate and destroy one ano∣ther.

Unto these Scriptures, and divers others which speaks of obedience to Magistrates in all things, must needs be truly understood to be of things that are Just and equal, which are onely civil; and concern∣ing things between man and man, and the Ordinan∣ces which are for the well being of a Nation, or the good and wholesome government of a state, and can∣not be understood of things Spiritual, or relating to

things appertaining to the Conscience, or respecting things about the worship of God; My reasons are weighty, for in that time and age the Apostle wrote, whether Peter, Paul or any other, the Magistrates were all Heathens, as Herod, Pontius Pilate, Augustus Caesar, Tiberius Caesar, and Nero, who were all Heathen Emperours of Rome, and Idolators, and at that time they had power over Rome, and also over Jerusalem & Judea; and Paul writing to the Romans, and Peter to Capadocia, Pontius and Asia who were also under Hea∣then Rulers, and did not worship the true God; doubt∣less they injoyned not submission unto the Heathen Rulers in spiritual things, for then they must have been joyned unto Idolatry, for if it be understood that they had power in spiritual things, which partained unto the Conscience, and that they ought to be o∣beyed in all spiritual things, then Peter and John were transgressors themselves, when they taught boldly the things of the Kingdome of God, in every City where ever they came; And the Rulers in most places opposed and put Peter and John out of the City, and commanded the Apostles to speak no more in the Name of Jesus; And yet they returned again and dis∣obeyed their Command, and their power and authori∣ty, and said, whether it were better to obey God or man, judge ye; So that no King, Ruler nor Ma∣gistrate, as a Magistrate has power given of God to Imprison or force, or perscribe any Law or worship upon the hearts and Consciences of men; For that be∣longs onely to Christ the Law given the Bishop of souls.

But then it will be objected, if not as a Magistrate, yet then as a Christian, he may injoyn and give Com∣mand concerning worship, and compell and punish them that obey not.

Answer, As a Christian they have no priority, but as

they stand in the growth of truth, not above others for God is no respecter of persons, for the Apostles and Ministers of Christ who preached the Gospel, and had begotten many into the Faith thorow the power of God which was with them by which they spoke, and in things spiritual might have claimed obedience to their Command much more then any temporall Prince, and yet they said we are not Lords over mens faith, nor did they exercise Lorship over mens Con∣sciences, but left every one to Gods witnesse, and to the word of his grace which was nigh in their hearts; And furthermore said, let every one be perswaded in his own mind, & said if any should be contrary mind∣ed, God would reveal it to them, and so waited in the patience to see the work of God prosper and was con∣tent; And so forcing and compelling about Spiritual matters by temporal punishments and temporal Law is all contrary to the Apostles practice in the primitive times, though the heathen persecuted the Christians by their temporal Laws for Spiritual things, and a∣bout Spiritual matters for the worship of God; But we never read of any called Christians that did so un∣till Pelagius a Bishop of Rome or Pope, when the Em∣perour had given Boneface the third this power to be called the Chief Bishop and head universal over all Christian Churches; Then he begun to make tem∣poral Laws to punish about Spiritual things: And Pelagius made a decree that Hereticks should be pu∣nished with Temporal death about 555 years after Christ; So let all Princes, Magistrate, and Rulers, who denies the Church of Rome in her Apostacy, fol∣low not her example, but leave every one free to the Lord in Spiritual matters as concerning his Worship, for to him must every one give an account in his own day when it shal be required, from which the wicked shall not be able to fly.

Another Objection. But then it may be said, what power will you allow unto Magistrates that profess the Name of Christ? Or how far have they Authority from God to punish evil doers, and encourage them that do well?

Answer. It is said by me Kings Rule and Princes decrees Justice, there is a ruling by him, and that is a ruling in the power of God in him; He that rules in the power of God, measures equal justice unto all men, and ruleth by the good and wholsome Laws which are made by the will of God, which is according to Gods witness which he hath placed in every mans heart, and such a one is a Temporall head over the temporal body & ruleth in Righteousness in temporal things; But Christ he is the head of the body that is spiritual which is his Church. Now the Law is against the lawless, as against Liers, Swearers, Stealers, Cur∣sed speakers, Murderers, Man-slayers, Man stealers, Violence, and Oppression, and Deceit, and that which tends to the hurt and destroying of the Creation; And he that is the Executor of the Law, ought to inflict temporal punishments for temporall facts, provided, that every punishment be suitable to the transgression, and go not beyond it, and in so doing he rules for God, and the sword is to be turned against that which doth evil, and to keep peace amongst all men, and to keep down all strife and Contention, Quarrelling and fight∣ing, and keeping the unruly from devouring and de∣stroying one another; And this is to rule for God in a Nation in the Creation, and to countenance the ho∣nest, upright, and quiet and meek, and this is a praise unto them that do well, and this is that which would keep the Nations at peace; And here Governors and Rulers comes to be blessed, when the Princes thereof rules in Righteousness, and when people live under them a holy, godly and quiet life; But when God∣liness,

Holiness, Righteousness is counted as a crime, and wickedness and violence and iniquity set up, that Nation is near a judgement, and for the iniquity of Rulers, Kings and People, many fruitful Lands hath the Lord made barren, and that which is for the well∣being and preservation for the universal good, and all people therein, all people ought to render obedience unto such Command for conscience sake, and all peo∣ple ought ••to obey Rulers and Governours in that which is good and lawful and warrantable in the sight of God, & unto all just commands to yeild obedience, not for wrath, but for conscience sake; For so the Lord requires, which will be acceptable and pleasing in his fight. And all Magistrates who are Christians, ought to be paterns of Holiness and Righteousnesse to their people, and to admonish, exhort and reprove the prophane and ungodly, and to the worship of the True God who is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth; It is the duty of every true Christian who is a King and a Priest unto God.