To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
Objection. DOe you thinke that temporall powers will have their pe∣riods in this Age?
Ans. Yea as sure as the Scriptures are true, which* 1.1 doe verifie it, witnesse the Apostle Paul, 1 Cor. 15. 24. who saith, that Christ shall put downe all rule, and all authority,
and power, &c. in which words, if temporall power be not inclu∣ded, I desire to know what is meant thereby.
Obj. I confesse it would puzzle me to contradict it, but the Pro∣phet Isaiah speaking of the times of the Gospel, saith, that then, Kings should be nursing Fathers, and Queenes nursing Mothers to the Church.
Ans. I presume you know the property of Nurses, they being only to nourish Children in their minority; but when they be growne to capacity, their Parents taketh them home, and then the Nurse is out of imployment, and so consequently her office ceaseth. So likewise so soone as them Prophesies of Daniel, and John, are fulfilled, viz. as soone as the God of Heaven shall set up his Kingdome, which shall never be destroyed, Dan. 2. 44. as al∣so, that the Kingdome of this world shall become the Kingdome of our Lord, and his Christ, Rev.. 11. 15. then shall them Nur∣sing Fathers, and Nursing Mothers you speake of, be also put out of office, viz. Their Kingdomes shall be broken in pieces, and con∣sumed, Dan. 2. 24. and so consequently the power, and authori∣ty exercised in them; for the cause being taken away, the effect must needs cease.
Obj. BƲt when will these things come to passe?
Ans. I may reply with our Saviours words, viz. This day is this Prophesie fulfilled in your eares, this being the very time for that purpose.
Obj. But by what meanes shall it be accomplished?
Ans. Even by meanes of this Treatice, for I doubt not but all* 1.2 such, as beare the face of godlinesse, will comply with the Go∣vernment therein discovered, which is the very meanes to re∣duce the Kingdomes of the world, to the obedience of our Lord, and his Christ, Rev. 11. 15. as also to put downe all other rule and authority, and power, in Civill and Antichristian States, 1 Cor. 15. 24. as also to breake in pieces, and consume that great Image, spoken of by Daniel, Chap. 2. 34, 35, 36. which without doubt is meant, of the powers of Magistrates, and of the present Clergy, so that the Iron, the Clay, the Brasse, the Silver, and Gold, shall be broken in pieces together (viz. All Empires, Kings,
and Princes, with their Antichristian Feet, composed of Divine, and prudentiall materials, which the Antichristian Government consisteth of, as they themselves very well know) yea they shall be so pounded by meanes of this Goverment, as that they shall become like the chaffe of the summer threshing-floores, which the winde carryeth away, so that no place shall be found for them; which being effected, then shall this Government (which most fitly may be compared with that stone spoken of by Daniel, to be cut out of the mount, without hands, and that for these ensuing reasons) became a great mountaine, even to the filling of the whole earth, viz.
1. In that the Government, termed by the name of Anabaptism, is in this Treatice proved to be hewen out of the Mountaine or Rock Christ, viz. that it is the same, with the Apostolicall, or pri∣mative purity.
2. In that there is also a people in this Nation, which are so pealled, and governed.
3. Albeit, it is so extant amongst us, as also hewed out of the Rock aforesaid, &c. yet by reason of its being so long hid in obscurity to the world, viz. 1260. yeares, (during which time, it it hath bin as it were in a Trance) hath now (in its reviving con∣dition) quite forgot, how it hath bin so long preserved, or from whom it hath bin suckered, during its wildernesse condition (as in relation to its succession, from the time it was taken up unto God, and to his Throne, Rev. 12. 5) only this it hath to comfort it (after its so long persecution) that its Geneology is found in the ancient Register, viz. that it is the same Government, practi∣sed by the Apostles in the primative purity.
In all which respects it may very fitly be ••resembled as afore∣said, yea doubtlesse this very description of it, will set an edge of all (that desire to practise, according to the primative purity) to become obedient unto it.
NOw when Christ hath by this meanes drawne all the King:* 1.3 domes of the world, unto his Spirituall government, what need will there be of a temporall power and authority? As also when he hath subdued Antichrist, root and branch, what will
become of their power, and maintenance? Yea it is very evident, that they all fall together, for proofe of which; we have had di∣vers instances in this Nation; as of Monks, Friers, Abbots, &c. as also of Arch-Bishops, Bishops, &c. which when the chiefe of them was once taken off, all their Courts, and Offices, fell of themselves. As also for Civil Powers, we have an instance in the late King, and so consequently as soone as the Magistrates of this Nation, shall submit to the goverment of Christ, in his Church, and become members thereof, they will quickly pull downe all Tyranicall, and Arbitrary powers, which shall oppose that Go∣vernment, and untill then we may as well expect a Devill to be∣come a Saint, as for them to destroy their owne powers; and so consequently deprive themselves of the honour, and profit, which redoundeth unto them thereby.
Obj. Whom shall carry on this great worke intended?
Ans. The Saints, for so the Scriptures doth clearly demon∣strate,* 1.4 witnesse the Prophet Daniel Chap. 7. 18. where he saith, that the Saints of the most high God shall take the Kingdome, and possesse it for ever, even for ever and ever. As also ver. 2••. And Judgement was given to the Saints of the most high, and the time came that they possessed the Kingdome. As also ver. 27. where it is also said, that the kingdome, and dominion, and the greatnesse of the kingdome under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high, &c. The Apostle Paul also affirmeth as much, 1 Cor. 6. 2. in these words, Doe ye not know that the Saints shall judge the world. It is also confirmed, Rev. 12. 7. where Mi∣chael and his Angels, are said to fight against the Dragon and his Angels, and shall overcome them, with Rev. 17. 14.
Obj. VVHat course shall they take to effect it?
Ans. The same which our Saviour hath prescribed* 1.5 for that very purpose, Rev. 18. 6, 7. viz. by doubling to them double according to their workes, &c.
Obj. The plagues mentioned there are Spirituall, therefore the Saints are not to kill their bodies, with materiall swords, or to dou∣ble to them double killing, and persecution, in that case we are to doe them good.
Ans. That injunction of our Saviour is, to reward them even* 1.6 as they have done to the Saints, viz. in the same nature and qua∣lity, viz. as well by the materiall, as Spirituall sword; their Do∣ctrines ought to be destroyed by the sword of the Spirit, procee∣ding out of the Lambs mouth, Rev. 19. 15. which is, the Word of God, and their persons by the materiall Sword; for we are commanded to double unto them, according to their workes or actions, as in them verses fore-mentioned; he doth not say, double unto her double, according to the corruption of her Do∣ctrine, as to teach them two errours for one, but according to her workes, viz. according to the bloody Massacres, and Perse∣cutions, which they have inflicted upon the Saints; for other∣••ise, I cannot conceive how the Saints shall fulfill the will of Christ, for if it be taken in a Spirituall sence, it must needs b••, by inforcing them to double errors, which I am confident no Chri∣stian will allow of.
Obj. Neither will any Christians allow of the other, as to kill two for one, &c.
Ans. It is evident, that the praise of the Saints, consists in that* 1.7 the Lord hath avenged the blood of the Saints, upon the Anti∣christians, as in chap. 19. 2. where it is said, that the Lord did not only judge the Whore, but also, that he did avenge the blood of his Martyred Saints; so that he will not only judge them, by discovering their notorious Blasphemies, but will also avenge the blood of the Murderers▪ Gen. 9. 6. for he that sheds mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed; so in revenge of the Spi∣rituall wrong offered by them, to the Saints (viz. by their Do∣ctrines) they shall be destroyed by the sword of the Spirit, &c. and, 2. As in relation to the wrongs and injuries they have of∣fered to the persons of the Saints, Christ hath also given a charge to requite them, even with a like temporall punishment, and that in a double nature; which words seeme to be spoken by him, as being full of wrath and indignation against them; yea it is to the same effect, as if he had said, Goe burne and destroy two of them for every one they have kided of your fellow Saints; as also to shew the full resolution, which the Lord hath to destroy them, and their damnable Doctrines.
Obj. IF his blood must be shed, who sheedeth mans blood, then the Saints ought to be used accordingly.
Ans. The Command of Christ, as I have formerly shewed you,* 1.8 maketh that lawfull, which otherwise in it selfe is unlawfull, as instance in the Israelites robbing the Aegyptians, the slaughte∣ring of the Cananites, man, woman and child. The Prophet Hosea taking A Strumpet to wife, &c. which being commanded by God was lawfull, yea, and was to be accomplished, and that up∣on paine of punishment. Instance in Sauls ••p••ring of Agag, &c. Therefore this being a Command of Christ, ought also to be ac∣complished.
Obj. They ought first to be called out of Babilon as in the fourth verse before they are to be punished, as in the sixt verse, as also to shew them the heinousnes of their abomination, that they may bee thereby the easier drawne out of her.
Ans. To that purpose I have writ this Treatise, which I am* 1.9 confident will perswade many of her Customers to renounce her, which indeed ought to be dispersed even to Rome it selfe, to the end the Pope himselfe may be put in minde of his pre∣sumptuous Blasphemies; as also (being acquainted with Christs present designe) may be altogether found inexcusable, when the Armies of the Saints shall face him in his owne Palace, and de∣stroy both him and it, with all that appertaine unto them, which withour doubt will shortly come to passe. Let them beware of* 1.10 Nol Crumwels Army, lest Hugh Peter come to preach in Peter's Chaire; if he doe—
Obj. Would you have all the Antichristian Clergy so destroyed; that will not come out of Babilon, by their relinquishing their call, which originally came from him; as the Prelates, Pr••s∣biters, &c.
Ans. We are only to punish according to the Fact, but their Fact is not so great, they being but Merchants, at the second, and third hand; and therefore for them to lose the benefits of their present Trading, and to Confiscate their Wares, will be punishment sufficient, their persons being kept under a sharpe Authority, as in Chapter nineteene, vers. 5.
〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉The office of Magistrates to be desolved.
By what meanes the po••er of the civill Magi∣strate shall cease.
VVhen there will be no need of the Civill Ma∣gistrate.
By whom the designe must be c••r••••ed on.
How 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sh••ll be effected.
Antichrist is to be rewar∣ded with a double punish∣ment.
Wherein the praise of the Saints consist
Christs com∣mand maketh the lawfull, which i•• it s••l••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 un∣lawfull.
To what pur∣pose this Treatise was written.
Let Rome be∣ware 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hugh Peter's.