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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
THE CHRISTIAN COMMONWEALTH: OR, The Civil Polity of the Rising King… › Chapter 2
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.
No man may lawfully, or without sin, live out of the order of Gods Government: and should any man refuse to […] and subject himself unto the same, he cannot justly challenge any privilege, benefit, or protection thereby, though his virtual interest (in such as have it) hath hold upon him, until his actual choice doth more expressly engage him; and Love will improve every thing for the good of those, who know not what is good for themselves. He is beneath the condition of a ⟨p. 7⟩stranger, who shall Apostatize from the Government of the Lord; yea, beneath the condition of Barbarians, who are not yet come in, either by themselves, or their Progenitors.
No man may lawfully, or without sin, live out of the order of Gods Government: and should any man refuse to 〈…〉 and subject himself unto the same, he cannot justly challenge any priviledge, benefit, or protection thereby, though his virtual interest (in such as have it) hath hold upon him, until his actual choice doth more expresly engage him; and Love will improve every thing for the good of those, who know not what is good for themselves. He is beneath the condition of a ⟨p. 7⟩stranger, who shall Apostatize from the Government of the Lord; yea, beneath the condition of Barbarians, who are not yet come in, either by themselves, or their Progenitors.
As the Ruler of ten may rule over more then ten, even any number under twenty: so it is with the other orders, One Ruler of fifty, may rule over nine orders of ten; but if they become ten, then they must choose another Ruler of fifty: for the Lord hath said, Choose you Rulers of fifties; that is, every five orders of ten shall choose a Ruler of fifty.
As the Ruler of ten may rule over more then ten, even any number under twenty: so it is with the other orders, One Ruler of fifty, may rule over nine orders of ten; but if they become ten, then they must chuse another Ruler of fifty: for the Lord hath said, Chuse you Rulers of fifties; that is, every five orders of ten shall chuse a Ruler of fifty.