A84352:94
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.
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. 2 Chro. 19. 8. Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the Priests, and of the chief of the fathers in Israel, for the judgement of the Lord, and for controversy. Deut. 21. 2. Then thy Elders and Judges shall come forth, and shall measure, &c. ver. 5. And the Priests the sons of Levi shall come near, and by their word shall every stroke and every controversy be tried. Deut. 19. 17. Both the men between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the Priests and Judges.