The Christian CommonwealthThe Christian Commonvvealth

Lately reading a Book called a Plea for Non-subscribers, or the grounds and reasons of many Ministers of Cheshire and Lancashire, &c. though I had before heard of the sad differences, distances of spirit, and dissatisfactions among the people of the Lord: yet then my heart bled to see such precious holy men, pleading (as they believe) for God, with a pure and sincere Conscience, and yet in so doing strongly to speak against the glorious work of the Lord Jesus, in casting down Antichrist, and setting up his own Kingdom foretold in Scripture, and now fulfilling, as also strongly and sharply speaking against those whom the Lord hath pleased to employ, and improve as his Instruments in accomplishing thereof.

On the other side, those writings which that Book Answereth, have so missed the Principles on which the Cause standeth, whereby the Consciences of others should be satisfied, who oppose; as that the Answerers have clearly the upper ground of them in many things: and therefore stand firm in that which they suppose to be a right Cause, and weaken those who have indeed a right Cause in hand, insomuch as that hereby the difference is exceedingly increased and sharpened.

On the other side, those writings which that Book Answereth, have so missed the Principles on which the Cause standeth, whereby the Consciences of others should be satisfied, who oppose; as that the Answerers have clearly the upper ground of them in many things: and therefore stand firme in that which they suppose to be a right Cause, and weaken those who have indeed a right Cause in hand, insomuch as that hereby the difference is exceedingly encreased and sharpened.

Now though I am the most unmeet of all men, to undertake to interpose and speak unto such learned, grave, ⟨image 3⟩holy, and eminent persons, every way beyond me in all accomplishments for the Lords work, and in a Cause so much above me; yet was I pressed in my spirit, considering whose Cause I plead, to take the boldness to propound that unto them, which I believe to be the true state of the Cause, and which (by the blessing of God) may reach to their satisfaction; when they see that they, into whose hands the Lord (to the wonderment of men) hath been pleased to put power, do follow the Lord, and accomplish his Word, aim at the fulfilling of his ends and design, denying themselves, that they may advance Christ Jesus in the Throne, and let him reign over them. The prayers, the expectation, and faith of the Saints, in the Prophecies and Promises of holy Scripture, are daily sounding in the ears of the Lord, for the downfall of Antichrist, and with him all humane Powers, Polities, Dominions, and Governments; and in the room thereof, we wait for the coming of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, who by his Divine Wisdom, Power, Government and Laws, given us (although hitherto sealed up in a great measure) in the holy Scriptures, will reign over all the Nations of the earth in his due time: I mean, the Lord Jesus will bring down all people, to be ruled by the Institutions, Laws, and Directions of the Word of God; not only in Church-Government and Administrations, but also in the Government and Administration of all affairs in the Commonwealth. And then Christ reigneth, when all things among men, are done by the direction of the word of his mouth: his Kingdom is then come amongst us, when his will is done on earth, as it is done in heaven; where no Humane or Angelical Policy or Wisdom doth guide any thing, but all is done by Divine