The Christian Commonwealth, Title page – Preface
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, at the Crown in Popes-Head-Alley.
To the Choſen, and Holy, and Faithful, who manage the Wars of the Lord, againſt Antichriſt, in great Britain; and to all the Saints, faithful Brethren, and Chriſtian people, of the Commonwealth of England: Grace and Mercy, with Peace and Truth be multiplied, through Jeſus Chriſt our Soveraign Lord and King.
Ever Honoured, and Beloved in Chriſt,
THe late great Changes, which have fallen out in great Britain and Ireland, hauehave ſo amazed the moſt of men; and the black, and confuſed Clouds, which have over-ſpread the whole Land, have ſo darkened the way of thoſe wheels of Providence by which Chriſt is coming to ſet up his Kingdom, that they whoſe eyes the Lord hath begun to open, to ſee Chriſt coming, in power and in great glory, according to his Promiſe, do alſo ſee the other part of his word verified, namely, that the coming of Christ is in the Clouds of darkneſs; by means whereof it is long ere all men can ſee him, or be perſwaded that it is he, who is now coming; though afterwards, they ſhall ſee that even thoſe Clouds were needful, a while to obſcure the bright appearance of his deſign.
Lately reading a Book called a Plea for Non-ſubſcribers, or the grounds and reaſons of many Ministers of Cheſhire and Lancaſhire, &c. though I had before heard of the ſad differences, diſtances of ſpirit, and diſſatisfactions among the people of the Lord: yet then my heart bled to ſee ſuch precious holy men, pleading (as they believe) for God, with a pure and ſincere Conſcience, and yet in ſo doing strongly to ſpeak againſt the glorious work of the Lord Jeſus, in caſting down Antichriſt, and ſetting up his own Kingdom foretold in Scripture, and now fulfilling, as alſo ſtrongly and ſharply ſpeaking againſt thoſe whom the Lord hath pleaſed to employ, and improve as his Inſtruments in accompliſhing thereof.
On the other ſide, thoſe writings which that Book Anſwereth, have ſo miſſed the Principles on which the Cauſe ſtandeth, whereby the Conſciences of others ſhould be ſatisfied, who oppoſe; as that the Anſwerers have clearly the upper ground of them in many things: and therefore ſtand firme in that which they ſuppoſe to be a right Cauſe, and weaken thoſe who have indeed a right Cauſe in hand, inſomuch as that hereby the difference is exceedingly encreaſed and ſharpened.
Now though I am the moſt unmeet of all men, to undertake to interpoſe and ſpeak unto ſuch learned, grave, holy, and eminent perſons, every way beyond me in all accompliſhments for the Lords work, and in a Cauſe ſo much above me; yet was I preſſed in my ſpirit, conſidering whoſe Cauſe I plead, to take the boldneſs to propound that unto them, which I believe to be the true ſtate of the Cauſe, and which (by the bleſſing of God) may reach to their ſatisfaction; when they ſee that they, into whoſe hands the Lord (to the wonderment of men) hath been pleaſed to put power, do follow the Lord, and accompliſh his Word, aim at the fulfilling of his ends and deſign, denying themſelves, that they may advance Chriſt Jeſus in the Throne, and let him reign over them. The prayers, the expectation, and faith of the Saints, in the Prophecies and Promiſes of holy Scripture, are daily ſounding in the ears of the Lord, for the downfall of Antichriſt, and with him all humane Powers, Polities, Dominions, and Governments; and in the room thereof, we wait for the coming of the Kingdom of the Lord Jeſus, who by his Divine Wiſdom, Power, Government and Laws, given us (although hitherto ſealed up in a great meaſure) in the holy Scriptures, will reign over all the Nations of the earth in his due time: I mean, the Lord Jeſus will bring down all people, to be ruled by the Inſtitutions, Laws, and Directions of the Word of God; not only in Church-Government and Adminiſtrations, but alſo in the Government and Administration of all affairs in the Commonwealth. And then Chriſt reigneth, when all things among men, are done by the direction of the word of his mouth: his Kingdom is then come amongst us, when his will is done on earth, as it is done in heaven; where no Humane or Angelical Policy or Wiſdom doth guide any thing, but all is done by Divine direction aPſal. 103. 20. Angels do his commandment, hearkening to the voice of his word.; and ſo it ſhall be on earth, when, and where Chriſt reigneth.
It is Propheſied, Dan. 2. 34, 35, &c. Thou ſaweſt Dan. 2. 34, 35, &c.till that a ſtone was cut out, without hands, which ſmote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35. Then was the iton, the clay, the braſs, the ſilver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the ſummer threſhing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the ſtone that ſmote the image, became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth, &c. Which Prophecie doth clearly foreſhew the forenamed points: for there is an epitomy of all the Monarchies, Governments, and Polities of men, who have had their Humane Glory in this world: the laſt, and ſtrongeſt of all which Dominions is the Roman; ſo mixed and interwoven in many States, by the combining of that dirty Roman Religion, with civil Powers, as that when that ſtone Chriſt, by his faithful Inſtruments, ſhall overthrow, and beat in pieces that Religion, they muſt and ſhall, according as it is written, beat down withall the strongeſt Iron ſinews of oivil States, which are propugnators, and ſupporters thereof, whether profeſſed or ſecretly.
Yea, moreover, when Chriſt that ſtone, ſhall by his choſen Inſtruments, ſmite in pieces all the Romiſh Religion, and civil States, which are complicated with it, and ſupporters of it, (who though they greatly care not for it aDan. 2. 43. They ſhall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixt with clay., yet for their own ends they are ſupporters of it) then, down cometh the whole Image from top to bottom; all Dominions and Governments of man, by Humane Policy, formes of Government and Laws in all places whatſoever, in Gods order and time; who by their fall ſhall be ſo paſhed in pieces, that though they were before, a terrour to men, yet now they ſhall be light and contemptible things, of no more account with men then duſt or chaff: becauſe Divine institutions, both of Government and Laws, ariſing in the room of Humane, they will be quite darkened, even as the Stars are by the riſing-Sun: for in the room of them ſhall ariſe the Government of the Lord Jeſus, who by the Word of his Mouth, written in the holy Scriptures, ſhall o…der all affairs among men; And great ſhall be his Dominion: for the Stone Christ ſhall grow to be a mountain filling the whole earth: all men ſubmitting to be ruled by the Word, in civil, as well as Churchaffairs.
Now it ſeemeth to me that the Lord Chriſt is now accompliſhing theſe things in great Britain. The faithful Brethren in Scotland gave the firſt blow at the dirty toes, and feet of this Image; with whom the faithful brethren in England, preſently concurred. But the Iron of the Civil State, ſtuck ſo faſt to the miry clay, that according to the Word of Chriſt, they are (beyond all the thoughts of men) both fallen together; they are fallen, they are fallen, they are both fallen together: Oh that men would therefore praiſe the Lord, for his faithful Word, and goodneſs; for his mercy endurteh for ever! and all his faithful Word ſhall be accompliſhed. Amen, Amen.
There be many other Prophecies of holy Scriptures touching theſe things (as the Saints well know) the application whereof to what is now done in England, I will not undertake, it being a worke rather for a Treatiſe then a Preface. Yea, ſome Prophecies, (as I apprebend) do more particularly deſcribe what is now done; but I ſhall not mention them, hoping that others will do it, according as the Lord ſhall pleaſe to open that door.
Now theſe things being ſo, it doth deeply concern thoſe holy and faithful ones of the Lord, who have been Instruments in his hand, to accompliſh theſe great and glorious works, whether by Councils or Wars, or otherwiſe, to be wiſe, and diſcerning of the times, to know what Iſrael ought to do, in this great work of bringing about the Kingdom to David, to lay the Government upon his ſhoulders: that after all theſe clouds and ſtorms, the peaceable Kingdom of Chriſt may riſe up, and the Lord may reign in England. Much is ſpoken of the rightful Heir of the Crown of England, and the unjuſtice of caſting out the right Heir: but Chriſt is the only right Heir of the Crown of England aPſa. 2. 8. The uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion., and of all other Nations alſo bRev. 11. 15. The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Chriſt; and he ſhall reign, &c.; and he is now come to take poſſeſſion of his Kingdom, making England first in that bleſſed work of ſetting up the Kingdom of the Lord Jeſus: and in order thereunto, he hath caſt down not only the miry Religion, and Government of Antichriſt, but alſo the former form of civil Government, which did ſtick ſo faſt unto it, until by an unavoidable neceſſity, it fell with it; which while it ſtood, and as it ſtood, was too high to ſtoop to the Lord Jeſus, to be ruled by his command. Now therefore by theſe preparations made by the naked Arm of the Lord Jeſus, to ſet up his Kingdom in England, he calleth upon thoſe Worthies into whoſe hands he hath betruſted the managing of this great work, now to advance Chriſt, not man; not themſelves, but Chriſt; which doing, taketh off thoſe heavy imputations of inveſting themſelves with Authority, of taking the Inheritance to themſelves—God forbid, God forbid, that it ſhould enter into our hearts, to think ſo unworthily, ſo unchriſtianly, ſo diſhonourably of ſuch renowned ſervants of the Lord, who have ſo graciouſly, and humbly ever given unto the Lord, all the glory of all their Victories, that now at laſt they ſhould rob him of his Crown, Dominion, and Government; which to ſet up in England, hath been the mark and Scope of all theſe late great works of God; and if it be not yet done, ſurely it is either becauſe the Lord hath not yet fully revealed to them, what his will is they ſhould do in the midst of theſe confuſions, or becauſe the unquietneſs of the times permits them not to go about it.
That which the Lord now calleth England to attend, is not to ſearch humane Polities and Platformes of Government, contrived by the wiſdom of man; but as the Lord hath carried on their works for them, ſo they ought to go unto the Lord, and enquire at the Word of his mouth, what Platforme of Government he hath therein commanded and pr…ſcribed; and humble themſelves to embrace that as the beſt, how mean ſoever it may ſeem to Humane Wiſdom. Faith can ſee beauty, power and glory in any Divine inſtitution, when Humane Wiſdom may think it weak and contemptible.
There is undoubtedly a forme of Civil Government inſtituted by God himſelf in the holy Scriptures; whereby any Nation may enjoy all the ends and effects of Government in the beſt manner, were they but perſwaded to make trial of it. We ſhould derogate from the ſufficiency and perfection of the Scriptures, if we ſhould deny it. The Scripture is able throughly to furniſh the man of God (whether Magistrate in the Commonwealth, or Elder in the Church, or any other) unto every good work.
And when a Christian people are to chooſe their Government, ſhould they take their Patern from the Nations of the World a1 Sam. 8. 5. Make us a King to judge us like all the Nations., we know what an offence that would be to Chriſt, who intends to Rule them himſelf, by his own Divine Patern and Direction. Chriſt is now about to ruine the Roman-Image; Wiſdom therefore it is, to look above all ſuch Paterns to find out a Divine Platforme, taught by God himſelf, which he will delight to bleſs unto ſuch men as ſhall ſubmit unto it.
And if there be a Divine inſtitution of civil Government that may ſuit the State of England, I doubt not but all the godly in the Land would chuſe that way of Government before any other in the World: for every Divine inſtitution hath a Divine bleſſing in it. Yea, God himſelf is more eminently preſent, ruling thereby; and the Spirit of God doth breath in and bleſs every inſtitution of the Word, to make it powerful and effectual to attain its end better, and more effectually then any Humane Ordinance and Inſtitution in the W…ld can do. The Promiſe alſo of Gods bleſſing and protection is unto all thoſe, who walk in Scripture-ways and Ordinances. Moreover, that uncomfortable difference among the people of God about that great buſineſs of changing the Government in England, would hereby be reconciled, and all things brought unto an holy peace, every one readily yielding that the Lord Jeſus ſhould aſſume the Soveraignty, to appoint them what Government to ſet up over them: and would moſt readily embrace that, whereby the Lord himſelf, ſhould reign in England.
I think it needful to inſert this word of Apology for my ſelf; That it pleaſed the Lord of his free mercy to me (in my ſelf being no way fitted for ſuch a work) to put me on, to inſtruct our poor, blind, and dark Indians, in the good knowledge of the Lord: who when (through grace) they taſted of the knowledge of God, of themſelves, of Chriſt and redemption by him; they deſired to leave their wild and ſcattered manner of life, and come under Civil Government and Order; which did put me upon ſearch, after the mind of the Lord in that reſpect. And this VOW I did ſolemnly make unto the Lord concerning them; that they being a people without any forme of Government, and now to chuſe; I would endeavour with all my might, to bring them under the Government of the Lord only: Namely, that I would inſtruct them to imbrace ſuch Government, both Civil and Eccleſiaſtical, as the Lord hath commanded in the holy Scriptures; and to deduce all their Laws from the holy Scriptures, that ſo they may be the Lords people, ruled by him alone in all things. Which accordingly they have begun to do through grace, covenanting with the Lord, in a day of fasting and prayer, to be the Lords people; and to receive that forme of Government, which they had learned to be a Divine institution in the holy Scriptures. This occaſion did firſt put me upon this Study, who am no Statesman, nor acquainted with matters of that nature; but only ſpend my time in the Study of the holy Book of God. But having collected by the Lords help out of the holy Scripture this following forme of Government: and ſeeing the excellent harmony and order thereof, both in the ſeveral Courts, gradually aſcending one above another, and all caſes among the people coming under ſuch a certain, and orderly way of receiving ſpeedy iſſue; and all Appeals, having ſuch a free and unprejudiced paſſage, in their gradual aſcent, even to the higheſt, and final determination: Theſe and ſuch other things made me think, that it is a moſt deſirable, and peaceable forme of Government, and ſuitable to any Chriſtian people, who reverence the Word of God; yea, the more eminent and Chriſtian they be, the more ſuitable it is for them.
Eſpecially alſo conſidering, that though the ſingle form of tens, fifties, hundreds, and thouſands, will be but of ſmall capacity in great Commonwealths, and populous Cities: yet the ſuperiour orders, of Myriades or ten thouſands, fifty thouſands, hundred thouſands, and thouſand thouſands, are exceeding comprehenſive, to extend Government to the greatest people; and yet with that certain and peaceable order (without any interfering or confuſion) for ſpeedy Juſtice, and determination of all Cauſes, as that it ſeemeth to me to be the moſt excellent Government that ever was in the World. And adding to this, above all conſiderations and commendations, that it is a DIVINE INSTITUTION, ſprung from heavenly wiſdom commanded in Scripture, filled with the Spirit of God, which is able to carry on the Wheels of this Government, with a most irreſiſtible and ſucceſsful force and power, to the attainment of all the ends of Government among men moſt effectually. Yea, it ſeemeth to me, that this is that forme of Government, by which Chriſt meaneth to rule all the Nations on earth according to the Scriptures. Yea farther, repenting-believing Iſrael and Judah, I believe, ſhall ſerve and obey Chriſt in this way of Civil Government; and who knoweth but our obedience hereunto, may haſten and farther their coming in?
I would not exceed bounds of humble modeſty; yet let me make bold to adventure the producing a farther Meditation, touching the Divinity and heavenly excellency of this Government of the Lord; namely, that the Angels of Heaven are governed by this order of Government, according as it is applyable to their condition. It is paſt all doubt, that there is an heavenly order, (I do not ſay Judicature, as with us) among the Angels: for as Hell is a place of confuſion, ſo heaven of order; and if God is the God of order in the Church, whereby the place of his feet is beautified; much more is heaven beautified, by a moſt heavenly order of the Church there reſiding. And if Solomons Court was in that reſpect of a raviſhing glory, namely, by the order of it, and of his attendants: much more is heaven in an excellent order, and all the Angels the holy attendants of Gods Throne, attending in comely order. And if the order of Solomons Court, was one effect of his great wiſdom, can we think that the infinite wiſdom of God, attended by Angels, Spirits of ſuch wonderful wiſdom, ſhould not be attended in a moſt glorious order, and his attendantss excellently beautified, by walking in an heavenly order? therefore there is an heavenly order among them. And that it is this order of tens, hundreds, thouſands, &c. doth appear in ſeveral Scriptures, where we find mention made of them in this order; wherein it is obſervable, that ſo great is the number of them, that they are not mentioned in their ſingle order; but the loweſt that I have obſerved, is Myriades of Angels, Heb. 12. 22. and ſo the Saints ſhall find them ordered when they come to heaven aMat. 26. 53. Chriſt maketh mention of twelve Legions of Angels, for his preſent aſſiſtance, if he thought good; which is all one with Myriades.. They are alſo mentioned by the higheſt degree of the Superior order, viz. thouſands of thouſands; and not only ſo, but by a Supreme order, viz. Myriades of Myriades, Rev. 5. 11. which I call Supreme, being the higheſt I find mentioned in Scripture: but whether that be the higheſt order of Angels, is not revealed that I know of: but thus it ſeemeth unto me, that the Angels are in this order of Government. Likewiſe the Saints in heaven ſeem to be in the ſame order; for when Chriſt cometh to judgement, and all the Saints with him, 1 Theſ. 4. 13. they ſhall come in this order, Jude, verſ. 14. With Myriades of his Saints, behold the Lord cometh.
Now if this be the order of Government in Heaven, what an heaven upon earth ſhall that be, when all the Kingdoms and Nations on the earth ſhall be ſo ruled? and then ſhall the will of God be done on earth, as it is done in heaven, when he reigneth over men on earth, in the ſame order of Government as he doth in heaven bIt is not nothing, that when Chriſt fed the people miraculouſly, he ſet them down by hundreds, and by fifties, Mar. 6. 40. as if Chriſt delighted in that order..
Let me be yet farther bold to propound another Meditation, under the correction of better judgements, according as I do the former, upon that text Dan. 7. 10. where is ſet forth the judgement of God executed upon Antichriſt. Many things might be ſhewed out of the context, to prove, that it is not the last judgement, which is there ſpoken of. The means of execution of that judgment, is by the Wars of the Lamb, the Lord Jeſus, as appears in the Book of the Revelation; and the people executing thoſe Wars, by this text ſeem to be a people ruled by this order of Government: which if it be ſo, may it not give ſome light to find out the ten Kings, which ſhall hate the Whore, make her deſolate and naked, eat her fleſh, and burn her with fire?
Theſe things conſidered, touching the excellency of this forme of Government, and eſpecially the Divinity of it, and now alſo by a wonderful work of God, England being in a capacity to chuſe unto themſelves a new Government, and in ſuch deep perplexity about that great Queſtion, where to ſet their foot in peace; ſome pleading for the unjuſtice of caſting off the Kingly Government, others unſatisfied with the preſent, and all expecting what will be the concluſion. And ſeeing no Humane Forme, quiet and ſafe, to ſet down their foot upon, in rest and tranquillity, hereby all hearts are perplexed, ſighing up to heaven for direction what to do, and where to finde reſt and quiet to the Land. By this means, all hearts are prepared to embrace any help or counſel from the Lord; and when they have wearied themſelves with differences, they will gladly all concur together, to ſet open the door, to let in the Lord Jeſus, to give them reſt; who hath been all this while knocking at the door, by theſe perplexing troubles: that his Government might be on all hands galdly embraced, and himſelf finde a free and peaceable enterance, to begin his bleſſed and waited-for reign over the Nations of the earth, according as it is Propheſied in the holy Scriptures.
Therefore in the name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the King of Saints (whoſe Kingdom I deſire to advance, with all my might and heart) I do beſeech thoſe choſen, and holy and faithful Saints, who by Councils at Home, or by Wars in the Field, have fought the Lords Battels againſt Antichriſt, and have carried on the Cauſe of Chriſt hitherunto, That you would now ſet the Crown of England upon the head of Chriſt, whoſe only true inheritance it is, by the gift of his Father aPſa. 2. 8. Ask of me, and I will give thee the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion.: Let him be your JUDGE, Let him be your LAW-GIVER, Let him be your KING! take the patern and form of your Government, from the Word of his Mouth, which will have power over the Conſciences of all the people of the Land, and compoſe all differences about that point, into a ſweet harmony of obedience and ſubjection to Chriſt our Lord and King, with one heart and conſent; and will bring about all the people with one heart, and ſhoulder, to promote the deſigns of Chriſt, and yours alſo, when they ſee that yours are not for your ſelves, but for the Lord, to accompliſh all the remainder of the great works of the Lord, even until Antichriſt be deſtroyed, and the Throne of the Beaſt burnt with fire, and the Kingdom of the Lord Jeſus ſet up in many Nations.
You bleſſed ones of the Lord, who have ſo eminently, beyond the wont of Conquerors, humbled and abaſed yourſelves, as no-bodies in the work, and aſcribed all the praiſe and glory of your Valiant Atchievments, unto the Lord Jeſus, whom by faith you did always ſee fighting for you, and (to your admiration) getting the Victory for you! You that have with an holy boldneſs of faith, made thoſe dreadful appeals (unheard of in other stories) unto the Lord Jeſus, to witneſs to the ſincerity of your Cauſe and Conſcience by his own arm, and in all your ſtraights have never found him to fail you, or farſake you; but ſtill made you Conquerors, not only of your Enemies, but (which is more) of your ſelves alſo, not to arrogate praiſe unto your ſelves; nor to improve your Victories beyond the bounds of Chriſtian patience and love to the conquered; and all for the honour and glory of Chriſt, and his grace; that his Name and Cauſe might find room and acceptance in the hearts of your Enemies, whom you therefore uſed like Christian Brethren, and not like Enemies.
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 finde it to be purely deduced from the holy Scriptures. It is the holy Scriptures of God onelyonly that I do urge, to be your onelyonly 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 finde 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 prophane 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 Maries 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.
No Oaths or Covenants of Gods People are againſt Chriſt, but in ſubordination to him, and to the advancement of his Kingdom. If therefore theſe great Changes are carried up to that head, that is the true ſcope, and end of thoſe Vows and Promiſes. It were not lawful to terminate ſuch a Vow or Covenant, as that is, upon any Perſon, Family or Creature; it were Idolatry; nor was it ſo; nor is it now broken, by breaking all Creatures in pieces, that ſtood in the way of obtaining the true end thereof, namely, the advancement of the Lord Jeſus, and his Kingdom.
I beſeech you therefore help forward this work, which Chriſt hath put into the hands of thoſe whom he hath made eminent, in accompliſhing the works of his glorious coming, to ſet up his Dominion on earth. Be not behind in bringing Chriſt to the Throne in England! You, you, the holy Watchmen of the Lord, have given God no rest by your unceſſant Prayers, for the bringing about what is now done; follow on therefore to follow the Lord, and, as Antichriſt falleth, with whatever elſe ſtood in the way of Chriſt: ſo now let Chriſt come in, and help ye for ward the ſetting up of his Kingdom.
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, 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.
As for ſuch wholſome, juſt, and wiſe Laws, as any Nation hath already made, the Wiſdome of the Lord will teach his People to refer them to their Scripture-principles, demonſtrating the truth and equity thereof, by the Word of God, whereby they will appear to be the deducts from the Word of God; and hence they that are governed by them, are governed by the Lord; they that break them ſin againſt the Lord, by breaking his Commandment and Law.
It were a Work worthy the labours of the beſt Divines, and the beſt of Men, to demonſtrate the equity of all the wholſome and wiſe Laws of ENGLAND by the Word of God; the effects of which Work would be of admirable conſequence to ſanctifie the whole Land, to make the Rulers more expreſly to govern for the Lord, and the People to obey the Lord, in obeying their Governours; and ſo the Lord himſelf ſhould Reign over them.
My continual Prayer in this behalf, at the Throne of Grace is, that the Lord would ſo far ſcatter thoſe black Clouds, which do darken the mindes of God's People in ENGLAND, that they may ſee ſome Beams of the brightneſs of CHRIST his coming to Reign; and that the Lord would pleaſe to bow their divided hearts, to meet with one conſent and accord, to make CHRIST their LAW-GIVER, and JUDGE, and KING, in whom alone they ſhall finde ſettlement and aſſured peace.
Amen, Amen.