Baxter: A Holy CommonwealthA Holy Commonwealth was written in 1659 by the Puritan minister Richard Baxter (1615-91), and proved to be the most controversial of all his works. He publicly repudiated it in 1670, and in 1683 the Oxford University authorities ordered it to be part of a book-burning that included the works of Hobbes and Milton. The scandal that surrounded it has obscured its merits as the most candid of confessions as to why a conservative Puritan fought for Parliament in the Civil War and gave his support to the Cromwells. The views it expresses are at variance with the cautious explanations given in Baxter's later memoirs (now seen as a less reliable source than past commentators have presumed). This edition of A Holy Commonwealth makes available to modern readers a work which offers a unique perspective on the relation between church and magistrate and the origins of the English Civil War. |
Contents
There is a God that is mans Creator | 49 |
God is the Soveraign Ruler of Mankind | 52 |
Of the Constitution of Gods Kingdome | 54 |
Of the Administration of the Universal Kingdom | 60 |
Of a subordinate Commonwealth in General | 66 |
Of the several sorts of Commonwealths | 74 |
Of the Foundation efficient and conveying causes of Power | 91 |
Of the best form of Government and Happyest Commonwealth | 120 |
Of the Soveraigns Power over the Pastors of the Church and of the difference of their Offices | 165 |
Of the Soveraigns Prerogatives and Power of Governing by Laws and Judgement | 170 |
Of due Obedience to Rulers and of Resistance | 176 |
Of the late Warres | 207 |
Meditations | 225 |
Preface to The Life of Faith 1670 | 243 |
Index | 247 |
How a Commonwealth may be reduced to this Theocratical temper if it have advantages and the Rulers and People are willing | 143 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Absolute Monarchy Answ antinomian Arminians Army Authority Baxter called choose Christ Christian Church Civil command common Common-wealth Conscience consent Constitution Covenant defend depose Divine doth duty Elections ends of Government enemies England English Civil War evil exercise Faith give godly Gods Laws Governours guilty Harrington hath Heathen Holy Commonwealth honour impious Infidel Interest James Harrington joyn Judge Judgement Justice Justices of Peace King Kingdom lawfull Liberty live London Lord Magistracy Magistrates Major Vote matters means meer ment Ministers Monarchy Nation nature necessary obedience obey obliged Officers Old Cause Oliver Cromwell Papists Parliament party Pastors Peace persons Popery preserve pretend Prince Priviledges Protestant publike punishment Puritan Raign reason Rebels Religion resist restrain Richard Baxter Richard Cromwell Right Rule Rulers Scripture secure servants shew sinne soul Souldiers Soveraign Power Soveraignty Subjects things tion Title uncapable ungodly Universal Usurper Warre wealth William Prynne Wisdom word Worship