viz., whe

ther only church mem

ing the choice of magistrates, that such ought to be chosen

bers, that is, as are church members: for which is quoted, Exod. xviii. 21; Deut. xvii. 15; Prov. xxix. 2.

as is intend

ed, godly persons, in

a particular church

only eligible

or to be chosen for magistrates.

Unto which I answer: It were to be wished, that since estate, be the point is so weighty, as concerning the pilots and steersmen of kingdoms and nations, &c., on whose abilities, care, and faithfulness depends most commonly the peace and safety of the commonweals they sail in: I say, it were to be wished that they had more fully explained what they intend by this affirmative, viz., "Magistrates ought to be chosen out of church members."

Lawful civil

states, where

churches of Christ are not

For if they intend by this ought to be chosen, a necessity of convenience, viz., that for the greater advancement of common utility and rejoicing of the people, according to the place quoted, Prov. xxix. 2, it were to be desired, prayed for, and peaceably endeavoured, then I readily assent unto them.

But if by this ought they intend such a necessity as those scriptures quoted imply, viz., that people shall sin by choosing such for magistrates as are not members of churches as the Israelites should have sinned, if they had not, according to Jethro's counsel, Exod. xviii., and according to the command of God, Deut. xvii., chosen their judges and kings within themselves in Israel: then I propose these necessary queries ;

First. Whether those are not lawful civil combinations, societies, and communions of men, in towns, cities, states, or kingdoms, where no church of Christ is resident, yea, where his name was never yet heard of? I add to this, that men of no small note, skilful in the state of the world, The world acknowledge, that the world divided into thirty parts, thirty parts, twenty-five of that thirty have never yet heard of the

being divided into

twenty-five

never heard name of Christ: if [therefore] their civil politics and

of Christ.

combinations be not lawful, because they are not churches

and their magistrates church members, then disorder, confusion, and all unrighteousness is lawful, and pleasing to God.

of crowns

government, although not

and godly.

Secondly. Whether in such states or commonweals Lawful heirs where a church or churches of Christ are resident, such and civil persons may not lawfully succeed to the crown or govern- Christian ment in whom the fear of God, according to Jethro's counsel, cannot be discerned, nor are brethren of the church, according to Deut. xvii. 15, but only are fitted with civil and moral abilities to manage the civil affairs of the civil estate.

tians wise and noble,

for affairs of

Thirdly. Since not many wise and noble are called, but Few Christhe poor receive the gospel, as God hath chosen the poor and qualified of the world to be rich in faith, 1 Cor. i. 26, James ii. 5: state. whether it may not ordinarily come to pass, that there may not be found in a true church of Christ, which sometimes consisteth but of few persons, persons fit to be either kings or governors, &c., whose civil office is no less difficult than the office of a doctor of physic, a master or pilot of a ship, or a captain or commander of a band or army of men: for which services the children of God may be no ways qualified, though otherwise excellent for the fear of God, and the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus.

pists and

some protes of of magis

tants agree in deposing

trates.

Fourthly. If magistrates ought, that is, ought only, to Some pabe chosen out of the church, I demand, if they ought not also to be dethroned and deposed when they cease to be the church, either by voluntary departure from it, or by excommunication out of it, according to the bloody tenents and practice of some papists, with whom the protestants, according to their principles, although they seem to abhor it, do absolutely agree?

Fifthly. Therefore, lastly, I ask, if this be not to turn the world upside down, to turn the world out of the

world, to pluck up the roots and foundations of all common society in the world, to turn the garden and paradise of the church and saints into the field of the civil state of the world, and to reduce the world to the first chaos or confusion?

CHAP. CXXXVIII.

Peace. Dear Truth, thou conquerest, and shalt triumph in season, but some will say, how answer you those scriptures alleged?

Truth. I have fully and at large declared the vast differences between that holy nation of typical Israel and all other lands and countries, how unmatchable then and now, and never to be paralleled, but by the true Israel and particular churches of Christ residing in all parts, and Those scrip- under the several civil governments of the world. In which churches, the Israel of God and kingdom of Christ paralleled Jesus, such only are to be chosen spiritual officers and governors, to manage his kingly power and authority in

tures, Exod.

xviii, Deut. xvii. and

xviii, &c.,

in the true

spiritual Israel, by

and Tit. i.

1 Tim. ., the church, as are, according to the scriptures quoted, not pope, bishops, or civil powers, but from amongst themselves, brethren, fearing God, hating covetousness or filthy lucre, according to those golden rules given by the Lord Jesus, 1 Tim. iii., and Tit. i.

The want of discerning this true parallel between Israel in the type then, and Israel the antitype now, is that rock whereon, through the Lord's righteous jealousy, punishing the world and chastising his people, thousands dash, and make woful shipwreck.

The second branch, viz., that all freemen elected be only church members, I have before shown to be built on

that sandy and dangerous ground of Israel's pattern. Oh! that it may please the Father of lights to discover this to all that fear his name! Then would they not sin to save a kingdom, nor run into the lamentable breach of civil peace and order in the world, nor be guilty of forcing thousands to hypocrisy in a state-worship, nor of profaning the holy name of God and Christ by putting their names and ordinances upon unclean and unholy persons, nor of shedding the blood of such heretics, &c., whom Christ would have enjoy longer patience and permission until the harvest, nor of the blood of the Lord Jesus himself in his faithful witnesses of truth, nor lastly, of the blood of so many hundred thousands slaughtered men, women, and children, by such uncivil and unchristian wars and combustions about the Christian faith and religion.

Peace. Dear Truth, before we part, I ask your faithful help once more, to two or three scriptures which many allege, and yet we have not spoken of.

Truth. Speak on. hour-glass of merciful opportunity. One grain of time's inestimable sand is worth a golden mountain; let us not lose it.

Here is some sand left in this our

vites' fast

Peace. The first is that of the Ninevites' fast, commanded The Nineby the king of Nineveh and his nobles upon the preaching examined. of Jonah: succeeded by God's merciful answer in sparing of the city; and quoted with honourable approbation by the Lord Jesus Christ, Jonah iii., and Matt. xii. 41.

Truth. I have before proved, that even Jehoshaphat's fast, he being king of the national church and people of Israel, could not possibly be a type or warrant for every king or magistrate in the world, whose nations, countries, or cities cannot be churches of God now in the gospel, according to Christ Jesus.

Much less can this pattern of the king of Nineveh and

Object.

Answer.

his nobles, be a ground for kings and magistrates now to force all their subjects under them in the matters of worship.

Peace. It will be said, why did God thus answer them? Truth. God's mercy in hearing doth not prove an action right and according to rule.

It pleased God to hear the Israelites cry for flesh, and afterward for a king, giving both in anger to them.

It pleased God to hear Ahab's prayer, yea, and the prayer of the devils, Luke viii. [32,] although their persons and prayers in themselves abominable.

If it be said, why did Christ approve this example? I answer, the Lord Jesus Christ did not approve the king of Nineveh's compelling all to worship, but the men of Nineveh's repentance at the preaching of Jonah.

Peace. It will be said, what shall kings and magistrates now do in the plagues of sword, famine, pestilence?

Truth. Kings and magistrates must be considered, as formerly, invested with no more power than the people betrust them with.

But no people can betrust them with any spiritual power in matters of worship; but with a civil power belonging to their goods and bodies.

2. Kings and magistrates must be considered as either godly or ungodly.

If ungodly, his own and people's duty is repentance, and reconciling of their persons unto God, before their sacrifice can be accepted. Without repentance what have any to do with the covenant or promise of God?

Psalm 1. 16.

Again, if godly, they are to humble themselves, and beg mercies for themselves and people.

Secondly. Upon this advantage and occasion, they are to stir up their people, as possibly they may, to repent