Vol. 7 No. 1 Nevin • 35 William Aspinwall had a radical vision for the English government. Arguing against a legislative body, he focused on an ideal government ruled directly by Christ after his return. He insisted that Parliament would not be necessary in the same form as it was at that point; it would have a different role in this kingdom of Christ. He argued that this system or “council” would not have legislative power but would be intended to appoint judges to apply the laws as Christ gave them.41 Thus, the rulership of the saints, in his view, was more administrative, with Christ being the only one with legislative authority. The Fifth Monarchists had wide-ranging goals in terms of foreign policy as well. As they clearly advertised earlier, they believed that Christ would return to set up his kingdom over all of the world. Thus, it would fall to the saints to make the world ready, and this involved destroying the “beast” and his dominion. Thus, they turned to Europe. Rogers advocated, “How durst our army to be still, now the work is to do abroad? . . . for it is the Lord hath sent for us thither, and calls for a part of our army at least into France or Holland.”42 These calls for the liberation of saints in Europe were ideologically crucial to the Fifth Monarchists, both for the freedoms of the saints themselves as well as for the spreading of the coming kingdom. 41 Aspinwall, pg. 10 42 Rogers, John and Rogers, Edward, pg. 84 43 Rogers, P. G., pg. 37 44 Rogers, P. G., pg. 37-39 Regardless of their future plans, they first had to achieve their immediate goal: removing the remnants of the “beast’s” kingdom that remained in England. Following Rogers’ proposal, the radicals attempted to pass more radical legislation in Parliament, and the conflicts began. These attempts would begin the undoing of the Fifth Monarchy Men. On the one hand, they attempted to remove the tithes required by the government to support the church. On the other hand, they attempted to allow government officials to observe ministers throughout the country and remove those that were not found to meet the standards set by the government.43 The legislation failed, but it escalated the tensionwithin Parliament. Soon, the “Barebones Parliament,” as it was called, decided to put an end to these attempts by committing suicide in December 1653. The moderates voted to give up their power and allow Cromwell to devise a new system of government in order to prevent the radicals from passing any further legislation. Cromwell and the leadership responded with the establishment of the Protectorate, giving more control to Cromwell and removing the Parliament of “saints” that the Fifth Monarchists were so keen on using to prepare the way for Christ’s kingdom.44
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