A84352:35
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.
I am bold to present this Scripture-Platform of Government, to public view, (if advice so carry it) at this season; because I do believe it to be a Divine Institution of a Civil Government; and seemeth to me to be such, as will well suit the present condition of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or any other religious people in the World, who fear the command of God, and tremble at his Word: and being persuaded in my heart, that it is the mind of the Lord, that Nations should be governed by Scripture-Institutions, the time being come that the Lord is about to shake all the Earth, and throw down that great Idol of Humane Wisdom in Governments, and set up Scripture-Government in the room thereof. It may please God to give acceptance unto this poor beginning, and move the hearts of such as are wise, ⟨image 11⟩to prosecute this design of Christ, and more accurately to search the Scriptures, to find out the perfect will of God in this point, which yet is but in its birth, and dawning; many things being yet dim, and dark: in the morning twilight, we cannot see far before us, nor round about us; but the Rising-Sun, will through grace, bring greater light with him.
I am bold to present this Scripture-Platform of Government, to publique view, (if advice so carry it) at this season; because I do believe it to be a Divine Institution of a Civil Government; and seemeth to me to be such, as will well suit the present condition of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or any other religious people in the World, who fear the command of God, and tremble at his Word: and being perswaded in my heart, that it is the minde of the Lord, that Nations should be governed by Scripture-Institutions, the time being come that the Lord is about to shake all the Earth, and throw down that great Idol of Humane Wisdome in Governments, and set up Scripture-Government in the room thereof. It may please God to give acceptance unto this poor beginning, and move the hearts of such as are wise, ⟨image 11⟩to prosecute this design of Christ, and more accurately to search the Scriptures, to finde out the perfect will of God in this point, which yet is but in its birth, and dawning; many things being yet dim, and dark: in the morning twilight, we cannot see far before us, nor round about us; but the Rising-Sun, will through grace, bring greater light with him.