The banner of Gods love, and ensign of righteousness spread over his people in these later dayes.: Wherein the true light shineth, and the mysterie that hath been hid from ages and generations, is revealed to the saints, which is, Christ in us the hope of glory, as our forefathers witnessed, read Col. I. 26, 27, 28, 29. Also, a testimony against them who formerly hath tasted of the good word of God, and of the power of the world to come, who hath cast the law of God behind their backs, and hath trodden under foot the blood of the covenant. ... most especially, those that are called Anabaptists and Independents. Also, a few words in warning to the priests, professors, and people of the town and county of Southhampton. With a few quæries to the rulers and magistrates of England, to try their fruits whether they be according to the Christian magistrates recorded in the Scripture of truth, ... . Set forth most especially for the sake of the honest-hearted, who are not wholly given up to believe lyes, that they may come to know the way of life and peace. Written by me who are called Ambrose Rigge.

ANd now Oh ye Rulers of the earth, the word of the Lord is to you; who hath gotten the Seat of Moses the Servant of the Lord; you who are called Judges, Ju∣stices, or Head Officers of what kind or sort soever; And doth pretend that you are Gods Ministers to lay the sword upon the transgressors, and to be a praise unto them that doth well, according as the Lord hath appointed his Mini∣sters to be, now if you profess the Scriptures to be your rule and the Christian Magistrates to be your example, which is recorded in the Scriptures; Let us now reason together in meekness, and trie your fruits whether they be according to the Magistrates in the time of Moses, the Prophets, and Apostles, Yea or Nay? I speak of them who were Gods Ministers indeed, and did not bear their Sword in vain, but was a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that did well, according as God had ordained them.

First Consider, are you such as Moses chused in his daies to be Rulers over the people, even men fearing God and men of truth, hating Covetousness, as you may read, Exod, 18. the 21, 22, 23, 24, 25.

Again, are you such as God commanded his Ministers to be in the daies of Mose, who commanded them to doe no unrighteousness in Judgment, nor to respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty, as you may read, Levi. 19. 15.

Again, are you such as Moses charged his to be, who was to judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the Stranger that was with him; and were nor to re∣spect persons in Judgement, but to hear the small as well as the great, as you may see, Deut. 1. 16, 17. Deut. 16. 18, 19.

Again, are you such as Jehoshaphat the King set over the

people, who doth not judge for man but for the Lord, and is the fear of God upon you, with whom there is no re∣spect of persons or taking of gifts, as you may read 2 Chro. 19. 4. 5, 6, 7. Prov. 24. 23. 2 Sam 14. 14. Now let but the witness of God in you all speak, and it will plainly tell you whether you, and your Judgment be accor∣ding to them and theirs, yea, or nay.

And whatsoever cause came before them between blood and blood, and between Law and Commandement, thus were they to doe in the fear of God faithfully, and with a perfect heart, they were even to warn them not to trespass against the Lord, least wrath came upon them, 2 Chron. 19. 9, 10. Is this so among you oh ye Rulers of England of what degree soever, would not you even cause them to trespass against the Lord that dare not, in persecuting and imprisoning them that dare not break his commands?

Again, are you such as doth execute the Judgment of the fa∣therless, and widdows, and loveth the Stranger in giving him food and raiment, as you may read, Deut. 10. 17, 18, 19. or are you not such as daily seeks to ensnare and perse∣cute Strangers under the name of wanderers, and instead of giving of them food and raiment (according to the command of God,) doth cast them into prison, and whip, stock, and stone them, yea, or nay? as you have done many of the servants of the living God within this few years, who by faith hath (according to the command of God,) left their countrie, and fathers house, and are be∣come Strangers and pilgrims in the earth, having in it no certain dwelling place, as it was with the holy men of God in former ages: as you may see, Heb. 11. 36, 37, 38. 1 Peter 2. 21.

Again, are you such as David was, whom the God of Is∣rael set to rule over the people, being a just man, and ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23. 3.

Again; are you such as God commanded the Princes of Israel to be, who said let it suffice you, O ye Princes of Is∣rael, remove violence, and spoile and execute Judgement, and Justice, and take away your exactions from my people, as you may read, Exek. 45. 9. or are not you such as use violence to them that cannot bend to your pride and lust, and send out your Warrants to spoil the goods of the in∣nocent who cannot for conscience sake uphold that which they know and see the hand of the Lord is turned against? here you are found not to be such as removs violence & spoil, but are the defenders & warrants of such who by violence & spoil, doth daily oppress the poor, fatherless, and widows: And as for taking away your exactions from the people of God, that you are far enough from, for you casts them in∣to prison, and then adds affliction to their bonds, in spoil∣ing their goods; and binds heavie burthens upon them which are grievous to be born, which you your selves will not touch with one of your fingers; now whether this be not as far contrary to them in former ages as light is from darkness let any that fears the Lord judge.

Furthermore, are you such as was in the daies of the A∣postles whom he commanded the children of God to be subject unto; who stood in the power of God, and was a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that did well, and did not bear their swords in vain, but was ministers of God to execute wrath upon them that did evil; unto such they was to be subject not onely for wrath, but also for Conscience sake, as you may read, Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Again, search and trie whether you and your ordinances be such as the Apostle Pete commanded the Saints to sub∣mit unto for the Lords sake, whether it was to the King as Supream, or unto Governors as unto them that was sent by him, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that doe well, as you may read, 1 Peter 2. 13, 14. (marke) they was to submit to every ordinance of

man for the Lords sake, which was for the punishment of evil doers, But he did not command them to submit to such ordinances of men as was for the punishment of such as obeyed the command of God; now let the witnesse of God in you all, search you, and see whether you be such Judges, Justices and Rulers as is aforementioned, yea or nay? who was men fearing God, and did not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mightie, and was not to take gifts; Now if you be such, he that is not subject to you resisteth the ordinance of God. But if you be found in the steps of them who were oppressors of Gods people, that when your pride is not bowed unto, doth in your rage and furie persecute, and cast into prison the innocent chil∣dren of the Lord, contrarie both to the law of God, and man; I say they that resists this power, doth not resist the ordinance of God, for such a power was never ordained of God, but set up in the corrupt Wills of men; therefore they that comes to be turned from darknesse to the light, and from the power of Satan unto the power of God, (which is the higher power which every soul is to be subject unto) doth rather chuse to suffer by that power then to be subject unto ill, as you may read Dan. 3. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Dan. 6. 14, 15, 16, Acts 16. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

And now we shall come to search into the actions, and fruites of the Heathenish Kings and Rulers recorded in the Scripture of truth, who were persecuters of the people of God, and weigh their actions with yours, who are called Christian Magistrates in this Nation of England, and see whether doth over-ballance.