Courts of the Superiour order have power to judge all capital Cases whatsoever The Court of one Myriade hath also power to judge any Cause betwixt the Rulers of the thousands of that Myriade who are not to judge in the Court when their own Case is judged Difficult Cases they transmit and Appeals they bind over to the Court of five Myriades if there be such a Court betwixt them and the Supreme Council otherwise they transmit them to the Council The Causes which properly belong to the Court of five Myriades are such as fall out betwixt parties of the several Myriades under them I will ascend no higher in describing the Courts of the Superiour order party because Gods Method is plain and also it will be rarely of use in any Commonwealth especially considering that which I farther propound Namely seeing God himself was pleased to appoint a Prince a chief Ruler over every Tribe in Israel who were distinguished by that civil distinction of kindreds By proportion thereunto in populous Nations where there be other civil distinctions of societies and cohabitations of men viz. by Cities Provinces Countries c. should not they chuse a Prince a chief Ruler of those several Precincts of civil society Whose Office is chiefly to take care of the good Government firstly of all the Superiour Rulers under him as also of all the rest as he hath opportunity that the Lord may rule among them Likewise to hold a Court consisting either of the Rulers of Myriades or of five Myriades or of ten Myriades or of an hundred Myriades according to the greatness of the people in his Precincts This Court to be called the Court of the Prince or Lord or chief Ruler of such a Precinct and to be next unto the Supreme Council from which Court onely difficult Cases and Appeals have access to the Supreme Council and to which they remit the determinations of the Cause to receive its judgement Lest the Supreme Council be oppressed with business from so many Courts and thereby the people with delays of hearing and issue occasioned thereby It seemeth to be right Orders and according to Gods institution that these Princes of the several Tribes or Societies of men should be members of the Supreme Council The whole Dominion being distributed unto the Supreme Counsellours or to so many of them as may be meet For the Princes of the Tribes of Israel it seemeth to me were members of the Sanhedrim or Supreme Council because God commanded that they should be chosen very carefully from among the Elders of the people Hence they will chuse the most choice of their Elders to send up with Moses to stand before God Now they could not chuse better fitter and men more acceptable to God out of all their Elders then those whom God himself had chosen by name to be Princes of the Tribes Besides it is exceedingly harmonious in the frame of this Government that it should be so for though whoever of the other Elders whether of the single or Superiour Order be chosen to the Supreme Council it may seem requisite they should leave the lower station lest when Appeals have passed in the circuit of Gods Government and come to the highest Council there should be sundry of them through whose judgement the Cause had formerly passed which may prove prejudicial both to their persons and to the Cause But when it hath lastly passed through the Court of the Prince of the Tribe meet it is that one of the last Court through which it passed should be present in the Supreme Council to give true information how they lastly after all former Tryals did find the Cause But this is to be observed in the distribution of the whole Dominion to the several Supreme Counsellours that no such civil Dominion is to be put upon or accepted by such Elders of Churches as are Members of the high Council as being such whose only Office and Work is to search the holy Scriptures and give all attendance to declare the Divine Oracle of God in such Cases as are in hand of what nature soever they be yea and if the Council see need to call Eccesiastical Councils greater or lesser to search out the mind of Christ for his presence and blessing is in every Ordinance and all joyntly conspire the advancement of his Kingdom and the doing of his will The Election of all Superiour Rulers is to be after the same manner as in the single form viz. by all the people * Or orders of men over whom they are to rule Some of the Princes of the Tribes of Israel may seem to be Rulers of fifty thousands or of five Orders of Myriades yet the Office of the Princes was not onely under that notion but also as an head of a civil society a kindred an eminent part a division of the Commonwealth for some of the Tribes had but four Myriades and some but three and therefore could not in that way and order have a Ruler of five Myriades Therefore they must needs be instituted under another consideration viz. as being the head or chief Ruler over an eminent part or division of the Commonwealth being civilly divided into such Societies CHAP. VIII SO much for the Platform of the Lords Government Now it remains to consider of the Laws by which these Rulers are to Govern the Lords people The written Word of God is the perfect Systeme or Frame of Laws to guide all the Moral actions of man either towards God or man the Application whereof to every Case according to its circumstances must be by the wisdom and discretion of the Judges guided by the light of the Scriptures and a pure Conscience The judgement and determination of a Cause is nothing else but the particular application of the Cause according to all its circumstances unto the Rule and Standard of Gods Word The Records of which judgements are equivalent to Humane Laws Which so far as the Case with all its circumstances considered is rightly applyed to the Rule of the Word is a deduct from Scripture and bindeth the Consciences both of Judges alway so to judge in the like case and the people so to walk Which Records to order wisely and publish for common instruction and edification is a work of great wisdom and tendeth much to Gods glory the good of the people and the facilitating and expediting justice among them All Strangers are â—o be accounted under the Government of those Orders where they reside and where their business lieth so as to have the benefit of the Government of the Lord as our own people have FINIS
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
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 THE CHRISTIAN COMMONWEALTH OR The Civil Polity of the Rising Kingdom of Jesus Christ CHAP. I. IT is the Commandment of the Lord that a people should enter into Covenant with the Lord to become his people even in their Civil Society as well as in their Church-Society a Deut. 29. 10 11 12 13. You stand this day all of you before the Lord your God your Captains of your Tribes your Elders and your Officers with all the men of Israel 11. Your little ones your wives and the stranger that is in thy Camp c. 12. That thou shouldest enter into Covenant with the Lord thy God and into his oath which he maketh with thee this day 13. That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself and that he may be to thee a God as he hath said unto thee and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. Whereby they submit themselves to be ruled by the Lord in all things receiving from him both the platform of their Government and all their Laws which when they do then Christ reigneth over them in all things they being ruled by his Will and by the Word of his Mouth b a Isai 33. 22. The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he shall save us The substance of which Covenant and subjection of themselves unto the Lord to be ruled by him in all things is this That they do humbly confess their corruption by nature and lost condition that they acknowledge the free grace c Deut. 26. 1. ad 12. I profess this day unto the Lord thy God that I am come into the Countrey which the Lord thy God sware unto thy fathers to give us c. vers 5. And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God A Syrian ready to perish was my father and he wont down into Egypt c. vers 7. And when we cried unto the Lord he heard us c. ver 8. And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand c. of God in their redemption by Christ and in the promulgation of the Gospel unto them and making application thereof effectually unto their souls and therefore the Lord hath shewed his everlasting Love unto them and caused them inwardly by faith to give up themselves unto him to be for ever his to love serve and obey him in all his Word and Commandments so now they do outwardly solemnly with the rest of Gods people joyn together so to do in their Civil Polity receiving from the Lord both the platform of their civil Government as it is set down in the essentials of it in the holy Scriptures and also all their Laws which they resolve through his grace to fetch out of the Word of God making that their only Magna Charta and accounting no Law Statute or Judgement valid farther then it appeareth to arise and flow from the Word of God Such as with a lively faith enter into or walk in this Covenant do perform every Act wherein they are free from temptation of civil conversation among men a 1 Cor. 10. 31. Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God by faith in obedience unto God Instructing that all should do so who take this Covenant and if they do not they are guilty of breach of Covenant before God A willing subjection of a mans self to Christ in this Covenant is some hopeful sign of some degree of faith in Christ and love to God and as a good preparative for a more neer approach to Christ in Church-fellowship and Covenant he that is willing to serve Christ by the Polity of the second Table civilly is in some degree of preparation to serve him by the Polity of the first Table Ecclesiastically The Child is implicitely comprehended in the Fathers Covenant a Deut. 29. 14 15. Neither with you onely do I make this Covenant this day but with him that standeth here this day before the Lord our God and with him that is not here with us this day the Wife is explicitely comprehended in her Husbands insomuch that in her Widowhood she and her Family are one under the order of the Government of God
the holy Scriptures shall oâ—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 Church-affairs 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 a Psa 2. 8. The uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession and of all other Nations also b Rev. 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 prâ—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 a 1 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 Wâ—â—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 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
The particular form of Government which is approved of God b Exod. 18. 23. If thou shalt do this thing and God command thee so instituted by Moses c Exod. 18. 24. Moses hearkened and did all among the sons of Israel and profitable to be received by any Nation or People who reverence the command of God and tremble at his Word is this that they chuse d 18. 21. Thou shalt provide able men With Deut. 1. 13. Take ye wise men and I will make them Rulers unto themselves Rulers of thousands e Exod. 18. 25. Deut. 1. 15. of hundreds of fifties and of tens who shall govern according to the pure holy righteous perfect and good Law of God f Deut. 1. 17. Fear not the face of man for the judgement is Gods 2 Chro. 19. 6. And said to the Judges Take heed what ye do for ye judge not for man but for the Lord who is with you in the judgement Ezek. 44. 24. They shall judge it according to my judgement written in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament The forming of which Platforme of Government deduced from the Scriptures is as followeth CHAP II. THe several degrees of tens fifties hundreds and thousands may fitly be called orders of men governed by God the God of order a Isa 9. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it Which orders of men are 1. Those of the single Platforme 2. Those of the Superior arising upon the first First for the single Platform which is Gods Standard according to which the Superior is delineated or measured out God hath commanded that ten men should chuse unto them a Ruler of ten Hence if they be not ten they cannot chuse unto them a Ruler of ten Hence also the Ruler maketh the eleventh man or rather is the head b Exod. 18. 25. Make them heads ovâ—â—â—he people Rulers of tens c. of the order of ten Hence also one Ruler of ten may Rule over nineteen men but if they become twenty then by Gods institution they must chuse another Ruler of ten for God hath said Chuse you Rulers of tens Servants or Sons living with their Parents as in the condition of Servants c Gal. 4. 1. Tho heir so long as he is a child differeth nothing from a servant they may not explicitely politically personally chuse publick Rulers while they live under the Authority of Family-government they are not personally capable of interest in publick Political Elections it is enough to attain Gods ends that they be virtually comprehended in their Fathera Covenant But if they Marry or live in the state of allowed publick Free-men then are they capable of are bound personally to act in the choice of their publickRulers The Rulers of the Father are virtually Rulers of the Child but when the child putteth forth an act of choice he hath liberty to chuse in due order another Ruler of ten unto whom he doth personally submit himself for all men are commanded to chuse unto themselves Rulers By that one act of chusing his Ruler of ten and subjecting himself unto him he doth chuse and subject himself unto all the Superior orders under whom his Ruler of ten is ruled 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 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 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 Again one Ruler of an hundred may rule over three orders of fifties but if they become four orders of fifties then two of them must chuse another Ruler for God hath said Chuse Rulers of hundreds that is of ten orders of tens Again one Ruler of a thousand may rule over nineteen orders of an hundred but if they become twenty orders then they must by Gods institution chuse another Ruler of a thousand for the Lord hath said Chuse you Rulers of thousands Hence one Ruler of a thousand may in case all the orders under him be at the fullest rule over 8436. men which ordinarily amounteth to 33687 souls which doth thus appear One Ruler of ten may rule over nineteen men One Ruler of fifty may rule over nine orders of ten and nine times nineteen maketh one hundred seventy one One Ruler of an hundred may rule over three orders of fifty and thrice 171 maketh 413. One Ruler of a thousand may rule over nineteen orders of an hundred and nineteen times 413 maketh 7847. Add therefore to the people their Rulers thus One Ruler of 50. with his nine Rulers of ten make ten Rulers One Ruler of an 100. may rule over three orders of 50. which maketh 30. Rulers One Ruler of a thousand may have under him nineteen Rulers of an hundred So that 19. times 30. and 19. added to them makes 589 Rulers Add to them 7847 People Summa totalis is 8436 And generally among mankind for one head of a Family there be at least three more souls of women and children so that four times 8436. amounteth to 33687. soules But it will be rare for all orders to be full at once Again these orders of men may be multiplied thus when such as are Supernumerary in several orders agree together to make another order For example if two Rulers of ten have each of them fifteen men under them then five men of one order and five of the other order may agree together to make another a new order and so in all other orders it may be But if they do this if they make a new order because they desire it and not because the Word of the Lord commandeth it when they multiply orders by choice and not by necessity of institution then their next Superiors shall guide and direct them in peace and mutual love for Moses guided the people in all their Elections a Exod. 18. 21 25. Thou shalt provide able men 25. Moses chose able men Deut. 1. 15. So I took the chief of your Tribes If they cannot agree then they may appeal to
their next Superiours and so unto the highest b Deut. 1. 17. The case that is too hard for you bring it unto me Council if need be For the Council is in ordinary dispensation in Moses stead and the Scriptures are the Mouth of God at which they must enquire and by the guidance thereof determine of all Cases so far as the Lord giveth light and until the mind of God be known the Case must stay whatever it be c Num. 15. 34. And they put him in ward because it was not declared what should be done unto him Numb 9. 8. Stand still and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you CHAP. III. THe Lord hath given this Commandment in the ordering of his Government that judgment should be executed speedily a Ezra 7. 26. Let judgment be executed speedily upon them Eccles 8. 11. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil and also that it should be managed with the greatest respect to the ease both of the Governours and People b Exod. 18. 17 18 22 23. This thing is not good thou wilt surely wear away both thou and this people that is with thee ver 22. So shall it be easier ver 13. Thou shalt be able to endure and all the people shall go to their place in peace viz. having judgement among themselves in their own Quarters and places of abode and not be troubled to come to the chief Court with every cause But particular times means and other circumstances the Lord hath not particularly commanded c Exod. 18. 22. Let them judge the people at all seasons Hence it is left unto the wisdom of the Rulers to order time means and other circumstances for the best and most effectual attainment of the forementioned speedy and easie determination and execution of Judgement in all Cases whatsoever and in all places Cities or Towns where the people dwell a Exod. 18. 23. All the people shall go to their own place in peace Hence again it well accordeth with Gods institution that every order do co-habit together b Deut. 1. 15. I took the chief of your Tribes and made them heads over you as neer as may be because that doth tend to facilitate both the watch and work of the Lords Government Hence also limits of place c Deut. 21. 2 3. Thy Elders and Judges shall measure unto the Cities about and the City which is next unto the slain man Deut. 16. 18. Judges shalt thou make in all thy gates throughout thy Tribes in a general observation with allowance to some particular exception as prudence and piety may require may be useful to attain this end Hence again if any shall remove his habitation to a more remote place meet it is that he do change his Rulers by chusing a Ruler of ten in the place whither he goeth to dwell and hence it is meet that such removings and changes be made by a due approbation of the Rulers whence he goeth and with the acceptance of those to whom he removeth lest by such unstable changes as some may affect they may slip out from under the Government of the Lord at least from under the watch and use thereof though from the right thereof they cannot because it is a general command to honour thy Father and thy Mother and lest by the confluence of unruly persons to a place more remisly governed the Government of the Lord should be undermined and scandalized Because sin will grow apace like ill weeds if it be not always watched and often weeded out and fire of strife will soon flame out if it be not speedily suppressed and quenched and it edifieth many ways that justice should be speedily done especially it promoteth peace and piety Hence it is meet that Rulers of ten appoint one day in a week solemnly to hear and determine Causes and guide the common Affairs of his ten for the more orderly easie and speedy proceeding of justice and peace which are facilitated and expedited by a stated and appointed time a Exod. 18. 26. They judged the people at all seasons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth frequently in Scripture signifie a stated time Again it is meet that the Ruler of fifty keep the Court of six consisting of five Rulers of ten and himself the Ruler of them once in a moneth for the more solemn proceeding of Justice Appeals if need be because the higher Cases ascend the more solemnity is in them b Exod. 18. 22. Every great matter they shall bring unto thee and need the more time and deliberation I call these a Court because they are an Assembly of Judges among whom God promiseth to stand c Psal 82. 1. Six is the lowest number of this Court but they may be more according as the orders of ten be more under a Ruler of fifty but they cannot exceed ten because a Ruler of fifty cannot by Gods institution have more then nine orders of ten under him Again it is meet that the Ruler of an hundred keep the Court of three consisting of two Rulers of fifty and himself the Ruler of them four times in the year upon the former grounds Three is the lowest number of this Court and it cannot exceed four because by Gods institution he cannot have more then three orders of fifty under him Again it is meet that the Ruler of a thousand keep the Court of eleven consisting of ten Rulers of an hundred and himself the Ruler of them twice in a year and here judgement runneth with greatest Solemnity and Majesty I say Greatest in the single platform Eleven is the lowest number of this Court but there may be more according as the orders of an hundred under him be multiplied but they cannot exceed twenty because he cannot have above nineteen orders of an hundred under him It is necessary that every Court have such Officers a Deut. 16. 18. Judges and Officers shalt thou make Vide Ainsworth in Loc. to attend as are necessary to accomplish and execute those ends for which the Lord hath instituted those Courts because the appointment of the end doth command all means requisite for the attainment of that end being such as accords with Justice and Prudence It is also necessary to have persons a Lev. 24. 12. Num. 15 34. They put him in ward and all other Instruments for the inflicting of all kindes of Punishments which the Law of God appointeth But touching the several Punishments of Cost Shame or Smart and touching the several ways of putting to Death by Stoning Burning Strangling or by the Sword as also touching Banishment I am here silent They more properly appearing in the handling of such Laws which do inflict several punishments according to the demerit of the sin or use of terrour unto others proportioning them to the Standard in the
wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me ver 14. I am not able to bear all the people alone because it is too heavy for me The conveniency of the number of this high Council is thus to be measured and judged by Gods Standard Israel had at least three Millions of people though not one Million of men in order or not much more for the Souldiers were but six hundred thousand now their Supreme Council consisted of seventy one therefore that is the highest number that will be needed among men ordinarily yea though a people should be much bigger I see not but that number may suffice But that number is not limitted because God denyeth not this Government to fifty who are the least Court and a lesser number of men then the highest Council in Israel had by Gods appointment and if it be not limitted on the one side so nor on the other Again the lowest number of the Supreme Council that may be is five because that Council must consist both of Magistrates and Elders of Churches Elders of both sorts one of a sort sufficeth not and the bigger part must be Magistrates This Council must alwaies be in being personally or virtually to give answer to all Cases propounded touching the Law of God and the application thereof to any particular Person or Cause and to take care for the general Protection Provision and Government of the whole in truth holiness and peace CHAP. V. THe duties of all the Rulers of the civil part of the Kingdom of Christ are as followeth The Office and Duty of all the Rulers is to govern the people in the orderly and seasonable practice of all the Commandments of God in actions liable to Political observation whether of piety and love to God or of justice and love to man with peace Hence they are keepers of both Tables and are so to look that all the Commandments of God be observed as to compel men to their undoubted duty and punish them for their undoubted sins errours and transgressions A Case a Duty a Sin is said then to be undoubted when either it is expresly or by general approved consequence commanded or forbidden in the Scriptures or when it hath passed the circuit of Gods Polity and received its final determination according to the Scriptures unto which not to submit is capital presumption Hence again Rulers are eminently concerned to maintain the purity of Religion with all care and power holiness truth and peace being much concerned herein Hence again all Rulers must be skilful in the Scriptures they must read and meditate in the same all the daies of their life that thereby they may be enabled to do their Office faithfully and religiously so long as they live Hence again they are to give counsel and command for the well ordering of all the Publick Affairs of their people both in Education of Youth whether in Schools or other Occupations in walking in their Callings in their Neighbourhood commerce and converse with men in subjecting themselves to Government with Religion Justice and Peace CHAP. VI. THe Office of the Ruler of ten is to see all his people walk as becometh Gods people in their several places furthering the same upon all occasions And at appointed times to sit alone to hear and determine Causes of Justice and of evil conversation to declare Gods sentence and counsel in every Case and see it executed Provided it be with the consent and submission of the party or parties concerned All difficult Cases and Appeals he shall binde over to the Court of six and Capitals in life limb or banishment to the Court of eleven These Rulers are next the people hence they see them * Each other most and therefore they need be singularly wise patient loving faithful and zealously holy men So great is his work and charge that it had need extend but to a small compass If he well perform his Office it doth prevent much trouble to Superiour Courts The Office of the Ruler of fifty is to see that all the Rulers often under him be faithful in their Office and Duty and to help on their work in all Cases and toward all persons as he hath occasion As also to call and keep the Court of six in their seasons where all Cases pertaining to the publick good of all his order and particular Cases betwixt parties of the several of the orders of ten under him are nextly to be tryed and determined together with Appeals from any of the Rulers of ten under him and difficult Cases transmitted from them to this Court This Court hath power to end strifes judge Causes declare and pronounce the sentence of Gods Word in mulcts and punishments and see them executed Difficult Cases they shall transmit and also Appeals they shall bind over unto the Court of three But capitals in life limb or banishment to the Court of eleven The Office of the Ruler of an hundred is to see that the Rulers of fifty under him do perform their Office and Duty faithfully to help them what lieth in him in any of their works towards their Rulers of ten or any particular person under him Also all Causes which concern the Publick good of all Orders under him are in his charge And also to call and keep the Court of three where Causes betwixt parties of his several orders of fifty are properly to be tryed and determined with Appeals from the Court of six and such difficult Cases as that Court shall transmit to them This Court hath power to end all strifes judge and determine Causes declare and pronounce the sentence of Gods Word in mulcts and punishments and see them executed Also to take care of the Publick good of all their Orders Appeals difficult Cases and capitals in life and limb and banishment they shall bind over and transmit to the Court of eleven The Office of the Ruler of a thousand is to see that all the Rulers of hundreds under him do perform their Office and duty faithfully to help them what lieth in him in any part of their charge toward their Rulers of fifties or Rulers of ten or any person under him also all Cases which concern the Publick good of all the orders under him are in his care and charge As also to call and keep the Court of eleven where all Causes betwixt persons in several of his Hundreds are properly belonging with Appeals from the Court of three and difficult Cases transmitted to them Also all Cases which concern the Publick good of all the Orders under them Also all capital Cases of life limb or banishment belong this Court because it is the highest and most solemn Judicatory in the single Platform and fullest of Majesty The highest punishment is fitly pronounced in a more solemn Judicatory then is the Court of six or three unless the smalness or paucity of the people have no higher
holy Scriptures CHAP. IV. UPon the forenamed grounds of speedy Justice for the stablishing of firme peace all Causes betwixt man and man pertaining to the Congnizance of the Ruler of ten must be put upon Suit or Tryal within the space of one moneth b Lev. 19. 17. Thou shalt not suffer sin upon him Cases belonging to the Court of six must be put upon Suit or Tryal within the space of three moneths Causes belonging to the Court of three must be put upon Suit or Tryal within the space of nine moneths Causes belonging to the Court of eleven must be put upon Suit or Tryal in the space of one year and half or else to be frustrate and lose the priviledge of receiving judgement by man unless it appear that the providence of God did hinder or that the Defendant or Delinquent party did disappoint it in those cases it may be admitted to Tryal and receive Judgement though it be of a longer standing But Criminal Offences are to be judged at the time when and in the place where they be discovered and that with the most speed that may be Such Cases as are difficult weighty and worthy such attendance and cannot attain an acceptable issue in the Court where they firstly appertain may ascend from Court to Court either by Appeal or by Transmission to the Court of eleven And whatsoever Cause of weight cannot receive issue there may yet ascend either by Appeal or Transmission to the highest Council a Exod. 18. 22. Great matters they shall bring to thee 26. Hard matters they brought to Moses Deut. 17. 8 9. If there arise a matter too hard for thee c. thou shalt come to the Priests Levites and Judges that shall be in those days where by Gods appointment it must receive final determination b And thou shalt do according to the sentence c. Deut. 17. 10. In lesser Commonwealths where there be no Rulers or Courts of the Superiour order Cases ascend to the highest Council from the Court of eleven but where there be Rulers and Courts of the Superiour order there the Cause must ascend from the Court of eleven in the single Platform to the Court of one Myriade or the lowest Court in the Superiour order and so proceed until it come to the Supreme Council Every Appeal in this Platform of Government which the Lord hath instituted doth ascend to an higher Court and to other Judges There is one of the Judges from whom he appealeth a member of the Court to which he doth Appeal truly to inform the Court of the Reasons of their Judgement and but one lest they should sway overmuch and the Appealant want the priviledge of new and unprejudiced Judges Whosoever shall trouble the free passage of Justice in the ending of Causes through a perverse will or base ends or captious and quarrelsome wit besides the charges of such agitations he is worthy of some other medicine as may most effectually do him good and warn others In all Courts he that hath power to call the Court hath a double Vote as for example in the Court of Three if the Ruler of an hundred differ from the two Rulers of fifty the Court is equally divided if there be three Rulers of fifty and one of them concur with the Ruler of an hundred their sentence standeth When the Court is equally divided it is a difficult Case and must ascend to the Court next above them by Transmission or if the lesser part of the Court oppose the sentence of the Court as judging it sinful then it must ascend by Transmission 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 a Num. 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 orderly chosen for that purpose by all the orders of b Deut. 1. 13. Take ye wise men men 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 Churches c Deut. 17. 9. And thou shalt come to the Priests Levites and Judges that shall be in those days and enquire and they shall shew thee c. 2 Chro. 19. 8. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehosaphat 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 controversie 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 neer and by their word shall every stroke and every controversie be tryed Deut. 19. 17. Both the men between whom the controversie is shall stand before the Lord before the Priests and Judges Ezek. 44. 24. And in controversie they shall stand in judgement and they shall judge it according to my judgement the biggest number being civil Elders d Numb 11. 16. Gather to me seventy men of the Elders of Israel Vide Ainsw in Loc. Hence the Hebrews gather that they were chose out of all the Tribes and therefore there was not less then five of a Tribe and so many of Levi who before the institution of the Sanhedrim were taken of God instead of the first born to be Priests unto God for they were taken to be Priests at Sinai Numb 3. 14. And this institution was at Kibroth-hattaavah Numb 11. 34. with Numb 31. 15 16 17. The Lord commanded Moses that seventy Elders should stand with him before the Lord hence there were seventy one of the Council and Moses was the chief and ordained the rest According to which patern the people are to chuse their chief Ruler first who being installed by some instead of the whole people must instal the rest and is chief Ruler of the Supreme Council who must call and manage their Assemblies As the overburdensomness of the work of Government by one man was the ground of the institution of the forenamed orders of Government so the overburdensomness of the work for one man to hear all hard Cases and Appeals together with other Cares to provide for the welfare of the people was the ground of the institution of the Supreme Council a Deut. 1. 9. I spake to you and said I am not able to bear you alone Numb 11. 11. ad 16. ver 11. And Moses said unto the Lord Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant and