A84352:30
The Christian CommonwealthThe Christian Commonvvealth
The Christian Commonwealth: or, The civil policy of the rising kingdom of Jesus Christ. Written before the interruption of the government, by Mr. John Eliot, teacher of the Church of Christ at Roxbury in New-England. And now published (after his consent given) by a server of the season.The Christian Commonvvealth: or, The civil policy of the rising kingdom of Jesus Christ. Written before the interruption of the government, by Mr. John Eliot, teacher of the Church of Christ at Roxbury in New-England. And now published (after his consent given) by a server of the season.
London: printed for Livewell Chapman, 1659
Preface: To the Chosen, and Holy, and Faithful, who manage the Wars of the Lord, against Antichr…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Shall such holy ones as you, need persuasion to set that Crown upon the head of Christ, which he hath put into your hands to dispose of? where can you make a better choice, then to take the Lord to be your King? and where can you think to find, a better pattern of Government, then in the Word of God? and where can you think to find better Laws, then in the holy Scriptures?
Shall such holy ones as you, need perswasion to set that Crown upon the head of Christ, which he hath put into your hands to dispose of? where can you make a better choice, then to take the Lord to be your King? and where can you think to find, a better patern of Government, then in the Word of God? and where can you think to finde better Laws, then in the holy Scriptures?
This following Platform of Government, I do no farther urge, then you shall find it to be purely deduced from the holy Scriptures. It is the holy Scriptures of God only that I do urge, to be your only Magna Charta, by which you should be ruled in all things; which being, Christ is your King and Sovereign Law-giver, and you are his people ruled by him in all things.
This following Platform of Government, I do no farther urge, then you shall finde it to be purely deduced from the holy Scriptures. It is the holy Scriptures of God onely that I do urge, to be your onely Magna Charta, by which you should be ruled in all things; which being, Christ is your King and Soveraign Law-giver, and you are his people ruled by him in all things.
And you my dear Brethren, the faithful Ministers of the Gospel of Christ, and all Christian Brethren, who do not yet see cause of submitting, and yielding unto this Change; I do beseech you to consider the times, and compare the Prophecies of Scripture, with the present providences; and see if you find not all things to come to pass, according as it is written; and that these wonderful providences are not without Scripture-authority, and much to be regarded by the people of God. Nor be they the executions of Divine wrath upon either Church or World, by profane hands, who act their own wills and lusts, though they accomplish Gods ends; but they be the pouring out of the wrath of God upon Antichrist, for his destruction, and overthrow of his Kingdom, by the hands of holy Saints, according to the command of Christ; Christ himself riding forth Victoriously among them, and performing his great works, written and foretold in the holy Scriptures. May not Queen Mary's coming to the Crown by the help of the Saints, be seasonably called to remembrance? or if not, yet now the time is come, to change Governments, and to cast down all at the foot of Christ, that he may Reign, and fill the Earth with the glory of his Government.