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 haue 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 a Psal 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 a Dan. 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
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 a Mat. 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 b It 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 a Psa 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 onely that I do urge to be your onely 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