The Christian CommonwealthThe Christian Commonvvealth

Now these things being so, it doth deeply concern those holy and faithful ones of the Lord, who have been Instruments in his hand, to accomplish these great and glorious works, whether by Councils or Wars, or otherwise, to be wise, and discerning of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, in this great work of bringing about the Kingdom to David, to lay the Government upon his shoulders: that after all these clouds and storms, the peaceable Kingdom of Christ may rise up, and the Lord may reign in England. Much is spoken of the rightful Heir of the Crown of England, and the unjustice of casting out the right Heir: but Christ is the only right Heir of the Crown of England^a, and of all other Nations also^b; and he is now come to take possession of his Kingdom, making England first in that blessed work of setting up the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus: and in order thereunto, he hath cast down not only the miry Religion, and Government of Antichrist, but also the former form of civil Government, which did stick so fast unto it, until by an unavoidable necessity, it fell with it; which while it stood, and as it stood, was too ⟨image 5⟩high to stoop to the Lord Jesus, to be ruled by his command. Now therefore by these preparations made by the naked Arm of the Lord Jesus, to set up his Kingdom in England, he calleth upon those Worthies into whose hands he hath betrusted the managing of this great work, now to advance Christ, not man; not themselves, but Christ; which doing, taketh off those heavy imputations of investing themselves with Authority, of taking the Inheritance to themselves—God forbid, God forbid, that it should enter into our hearts, to think so unworthily, so unchristianly, so dishonourably of such renowned servants of the Lord, who have so graciously, and humbly ever given unto the Lord, all the glory of all their Victories, that now at last they should rob him of his Crown, Dominion, and Government; which to set up in England, hath been the mark and Scope of all these late great works of God; and if it be not yet done, surely it is either because the Lord hath not yet fully revealed to them, what his will is they should do in the midst of these confusions, or because the unquietness of the times permits them not to go about it.

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