An abstract of laws and government wherein as in a mirror may be seen…An abstract of laws and government wherein as in a mirrour may be seen…

To the Reader.

I Have here presented thee with an Abstract of Laws and Government, collected out of the Scriptures, & digested into this method, by that godly, grave, and judicious Divine, Mr. John Cotton, accommodated to the Colony of the Massachusetts in New England, and commended to the general Court there. Which had they then had the heart to have received, it might have been better both with them there, and us here, then now it is. Concerning which Model, I dare not pronounce, that it is without imperfection in every particular: Yet this I dare be bold to say, that it far surpasseth all the Municipal Laws and Statutes of any of the Gentile Nations or Corporations under the cope of Heaven. Wherefore I thought it not unmeet to publish it to the view of all, for the common good. If any thing be wanting in the Copy, let it not be imputed unto the Author, who (had his labour found deserved acceptance) would undoubtedly have made a more through search, and perfect explanation of all the rules and laws of judgement and justice, scattered here and there, throughout the books of Moses, and other Scriptures. Which had he perfected in his life-time, might have redounded to the universal good of all the Nations that acknowledge the Kingly office of our Lord Jesus. For though the great ones of the world, who covet to grasp more power into their hands then Christ ever betrusted them withal, are ready to asperse the poor Saints of Christ, which wait for the coming of his Kingdom, as if they were a company of giddy heads, and unstable, such as are either averse to all