1. Quaere. VVHether there is not a Kingdom and Dominion of the Church, or of Christ and the Saints, to be ex­pected upon Earth? Dan. 7.27. and 2.44. Isa. 2.2, 3. and 60.12, &c. Rev. 11.15. Rev. 5.10.

2. Q. Whether this Kingdom (though more Spiritual in the Ad­ministration thereof, yet) be not external and visible in the world, yea, extend not to all persons and things universally? Isa. 60.12, 14. Zech. 14.16, 17. 1 Cor. 6.2, 3. Eph. 1.21, 22.

For this end, consider,

1. How this fifth kingdom or Monarchy, comes in the place of the fourth, visibly succeeding it.

2. Note. How the main scope of the Prophesies is to shew the ontward visible Administration of the Government of the world, under the several kingdoms successively, as under the first three Monarchies, then under the fourth; by the Roman Emperors first, then [Page 5]by Antichrist and the ten horns, and then how the Church comes to have the outward and visible Government of the world, see Daniel and Revelations.

3. Q. Whether this Kingdom is not proper to Christ as Mediator, spi­cifically distinct from the Essential Kingdom of God, and from all world­ly Kingdoms, and so to be administred by such Laws and Officers, as Christ (as Mediator) hath appointed in his Kingdom, and therefore not set up, when Magistrates become Christian, seeing they rule not then as Christian, nor as Christs Officers, nor by his Law, but as world­ly Governors; the Magistrates being Officers set up by God in that Essential Kingdom, not in this Mediatory Kingdom of Christ?

4 Q. Whether the Kingdoms of the world and Powers thereof, as Kings, yea Parliaments also, and Magistrates (so far as appertains to the present worldly constitution of them) must not be put down, be­fore this Kingdom can be erected? 1 Cor. 15.24, 25. Dan. 2.35, 44, 45.

1 Object. But these Powers are not inconsistent with the Kingdom of Christ, both may stand together: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers.

R. The persons betrusted with these powers may befriend it; such as rule in the Kingdoms of the world, may be subjects of Christ, but the question here, is of the Government it self, which relates to the great Image, Dan. 2. and so must be broken down.

2 Obj. But worldly Government, as worldly or Civil, appertains not to the fourth Monarchy, nor to the Image, but as opposing Christs Kingdom.

1 R. The ten Toes, Horns or Kingdoms, are parts of the Image.

2. They oppose Christs Kingdom as worldly or civil, because they let it (not to speak now of other opposition) as the Roman Hea­then Empire letted Antichrist, 2 Thess. 2.7.

5 Q. Whether this be not the time (or near upon it) of putting down that worldly Government, and erecting this new Kingdom?

For this end consider,

This kingdom is to succeed the fourth Monarchy immediately, the first part whereof, the Heathenish Empire, is long since expired, and the second part, the Antichristian Empire, is about the expiration, the time allotted (1260 years) being about to finish.

Obj. But Christ saith, My Kingdom is not of this world, how then can it now be expected?

R. But he doth not say, It shall not be upon the earth, nor while [Page 6]the earth remains (see the contrary Rev. 5.10.) but world is taken for the time of continuance of that worldly Government; The world is put for the Roman Monarchy, Luke 2.1. When the fifth Monarchy begins, shall be those new Heavens and new Earth spoken of Heb. 2.5. The Church is called the world to come, as some ex­pound that place, 2 Esdras 6.9. Esau is the ending of the old world, and Jacob the beginning of the new, that is, The raign of the wicked; Esau's progeny terminates the old world, and the raign of Jacob, of the Saints (to whom the promise of Dominion is made) begins the new world.

6 Q. Whether this Kingdom is not to be set up without hands, Dan. 2.45. without Humane Power and Authority, Zech. 4.6. but by the Spirit of Christ, calling and gathering People into less Families, Churches and Corporations, till they thus multiply exceedingly?

Thus all worldly Political kingdoms arise and grow; and thus the Spiritual kingdom of the Church.

7 Q. Whether these Churches and Corporations thus gathered and multiplyed exceedingly, shall not joyn together in General Assemblies and Church-Parliaments, chusing and delegating such Officers of Christ, and Representatives of the Churches, as may rule Nations and King­doms, and so the Kingdoms of the world be the Churches?

This kingdom must either be Monarchical, as when Christ the Head and King appears visibly; or Parliamentary, as in the mean time, when Christs Officers and the Churches Representatives rule.

The brief Resolution of the Quaeres.

1. THere is a kingdom and Dominion, which the Church is to exercise on the Earth, 2. That extends to all persons and things universally, which is to be externally and visibly administred, 3. By such Laws and Officers, as Jesus Christ our Mediator hath ap­pointed in his kingdom. 4. It shall put down all worldly Rule and Authority (so far as relates to the worldly constitution thereof) though in the hands of Christians: 5. And is to be expected about this time we live in. 6. This kingdom shall not be erected by humane Power and Authority, but Christ by his Spirit shall call and gather a people, and form them into several less Families, Churches and Corporations; and when they are multiplyed, 7. They shall rule the world by General Assemblies, or Church-Parliaments, of such Offi­cers of Christ, and Representatives of the Churches, as they shall [Page 7]chuse and delegate, which they shall do, till Christ come in Person.

Q. What then is the present interest of the Saints and People of God?

R. To associate together into several Church-Societies and Corpo­rations (according to the Congregational way) till being increased and multiplyed, they may combine into General Assemblies or Church-Parliaments (according to the Presbyterian way) and then shall God give them Authority and Rule over the Nations and king­doms of the world.

For the present to lay aside all differences and divisions amongst themselves, and combine together against the Antichristian powers of the world, Rev. 15.2, &c. whom they may expect to combine against them universally, Rev. 17.13, 14.

An humble Advice, concerning the Government of the Kingdom, according to the former Platform or Model.

1. THat you would stir up godly Ministers and People throughout the kingdom, to associate or incorporate into Church-Socie­ties (as is before expressed) and grant them your special favor, pro­vision and protection; so shall you be the Saints nursing fathers.

2. That you would please to satisfie the godly dissenting Brethren, both of Presbytery and Independency (by such ways and means as your wisdoms shall finde out) how both their interests may meet herein, that so they may concur with one heart in the work.

3. That Sister-Churches oversee such incorporations and imbody­ings, that onely such as be of approved godliness, may have the right­hand of fellowship given to them.

4. That such Churches where more of them are thus collected and imbodyed in any division, circuit, province, &c. may chuse and send out some delegates, members, officers, to meet in one Session, lesser Par­liament, Presbytery or Assembly, for ordering all such affairs as there occur, according to the word, if appertaining alone to that division.

5. That all such Churches, and the Members thereof, have voyces in Elections of such as are to sit in General Assemblies or Church-Par­liaments (so often as occasion is) and those elected to sit there as Christs Officers, and the Churches Representatives, and to deter­mine all things by the Word, as that Law that God will exalt alone, and make honorable.

6. That you take special care to send out and incourage godly Preachers, that may go into the rest of the Kingdom to preach the [Page 8]Gospel, that so when others are converted, and the Son of God makes them free, they may enjoy the former freedome with the rest of the Saints.

Additional Considerations for the improvement of the former Model.

1. COnsider, whether it be not a far greater honor for Parliaments, Magistrates, &c. to rule as Christs Officers, and the Churches Representatives, then as Officers of a worldly kingdom, and Repre­sentatives of a meer natural and worldly people?

2. What right or claim meer natural and worldly men have to Rule and Government, that want a sanctified claim to the least outward blessings?

3. How can the kingdom be the Saints, when the ungodly are ele­ctors, and elected to Govern?

4. Whether it be not a straitning of the Churches power, to limit it onely to Spiritual matters?

5. We expect new Heavens and a new Earth, according to his promise, how then can it be lawful to patch up the old worldly Go­vernment, especially being lapsed (for its Male-Administration) ac­cording to its own natural principles?

6. Whether to repair the broken Image, that the stone hath smit­ten upon the feet, be not to fall upon the stone?

7. Whether all powers falling upon that stone, have not deserved to be broken in pieces?

8. What a sin it would be to set up the dim light of nature for our Law, when God hath given the light of the Scriptures, a better Law?

9. How unbeseeming it were for the followers of the Lamb, to com­ply in the least with the powers of the world, in setting up their worldly kingdoms?

10. How dangerous it is to keep out Christ from his throne, when he hath exalted you, and given you an opportunity to exalt him.

11. What facility appears in settling the kingdom in the hands of the Saints, and difficulty to settle it any other way, As subscriptions, &c. and not destroy the interest of the Saints.

12. What advantage of reconciling the godly this way, and sup­pressing the Enemies of godliness for ever.

These and many other Considerations of like nature hereby hinted, we humbly offer to your wisdoms, desiring the assistance of Gods Spi­rit in all your Councels, for the improvement of them.