AS the Saints on earth have both Spirits soules and bodies, 1 Thes. 5.23. so they are to use (accor­ding to the example of other Saints) not onely spirituall weapons against their enemies, who mo­lest them after a spirituall manner, Ephes. 6.12. but also outward meanes (as well offensive as defensive) against those who do outwardly assault them; yet alwayes with [Page] this caveat, that as they are to use the world, as though they used it not, so those things where with they defend them­selves, and offend their enemies, ought to be used by the Saints for meer necessity; and with all, we are to mind that they are the weapons of Antichrist, whose own sword shall cut off his own head, as Goliahs sword did his.

And as the Kingdome of God consisteth not in meate and drink, Rom. 14.17. no more doth it in outward warfare, or defence of themselves, from the hands of those who do out­wardly assault them (according to their usuall manner) yet as the Saints of God have need of meate and drinke for the nourishment of their bodies, Mat. 25.42, 43, 45. that so their outward man perish not for want of foode, least they be disabled to serve God.

And as Christ preferrs the life and body before food, and rayment, Mat. 6.25. so they have need of outward helpes to defend their bodies and lives, in case they be in imminent danger to be molested and assaulted by their enemies, and the Saints of God are bound to take one anothers part, in such acase, Est. 9.1.2.12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18.

Thus Moses, though he had not received his outward calling (which he had at the Bush) to go immediately and deliver Israel, yet did he after a wise and warie manner rescue an Isralite out of the hands of an Egiptian; Exod. 2. 11.12. So Deborah did accompany Barack to destroy the enemies of God, Judg. 4.10. which kept them in bon­dage, verse 4.

And because the Inhabitants of Meroz did not come to helpe the Lord against the mighty enemies (though with worldly weapons) they were accursed with a bitter curse, and that by the Angel of the Lord, Iudg. 5.23.

But Iael for wounding of Sissera (though it was with a workmans hammer, and a nayle of the Tent) she was not condemned, but commended and blessed above other [Page] women, ver. 24, 25, 26, 27. And Sampson when God gi him bodily strength, defended himselfe therewith against the Philistims, Cap. 15.15. and that unto the day of his death, Cap. 16.30.

So the workmen of Nehemia, who builded the walles of Ierusalem, had their swords, speares, and bowes to de­send themselves, and offend their enemies, Neh. 4.13. in case they should assault them; and the one part of the people were set to defend the other part, and the buildiers of the wall had swords girded by their sides and so builded, ver. 17.18.

By these clear Texts of Scrip [...]ure, with the example of divers other holy Saints of God, it is evident that all the Saints on earth have sufficient ground and warrant to use all outward helpes they can, to preserve their bodies, as well as inward for the preservation of their soules; For as God hath ordained spirituall meanes for the prefervati­on of the soule, so hath he afforded outward helpes for the defence and preservation of the body; And Christ com­manded him that had no sword, to sell his garment and buy one, Luke 22.36.

And the Holy Ghost in the Revelation doth expresse the punishment, which should be inflicted upon the wicked, and not onely describeth the persons who are to execute the same, but also prescribeth both the manner & the mea­sure thereof, Rev. 18.6.7. The executioners are the Saints; the manner of punishment is to reward her as she hath rewarded them, and the measure is, that they shall double it, and in the same cup which she hath filled, they shall fill unto her the double.

Antichrist must be punished twofold, Spiritually and cor­porally; Spiritually, by the sword of the Spirit which pro­ceedeth out of the mouth of Christ, 2 Thes. 2.8. Corporally, [Page] punishments inflicted upon their bodies; even as Anti­christ hath not only murdered soules (by leading them into the way of destruction) Rev. 18.13. but bodies also, ver. 13. yea and the bodies of the Saints, they have killed many wayes, as Satan and his instruments devised; Antichrist hath done unto others, so shall it be done unto him.

And as his Kingdome was built and hath been upholden by blood, so shall it be ruinated and destroyed by blood; for he that sheddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed, Chap. 16.5.6. and because the members of Antichrist have shed the blood of the Saints and Prophets, God hath given and will give them blood to drink, because they are wor­thy of it, and they shall have it duly and truly paid them after the same manner, though it be also in a double mea­sure; and the Saints in doing this, do a worke of mercy, and those who hinder it, do a worke of cruelty, Pro. 10.11.12. for mercy to the bad, is cruelty to the good.