A84352:93
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 4
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.
If a Judge of any Court shall oppose the rest in point of sin, without weighty and considerable grounds, in the judgement of the Court whither it ascends or is transmitted; his first offence shall be corrected with the charge of such transmission, and admonition from the higher Court: after, offences in like kind are to be considered and judged, by proportion to the process of Christ in the Church, even unto rejection from his Place and Office.
The highest Council is to consist of a convenient number of the most holy and able men aorderly chosen for that purpose, by all the orders of bmen ⟨p. 18⟩under their jurisdiction, every man in order having an equal voice therein, from among all the Elders of the people: both in the Commonwealth, and in the Churchesc, the biggest number being civil Eldersd.
- aNum. 11. 16. Whom thou knowest, to be Elders of the people. With Exod. 18. 21. Able men, such as fear God; men of truth, hating covetousness.
- bDeut. 1. 13. Take ye wise men.
- cDeut. 17. 9. And thou shalt come to the Priests, Levites, and Judges that shall be in those days, and enquire, and they shall show thee, &c.