A Holy Commomvealth was written in 1659 by the Pruriten,minister Richard Baxter,and proved to be the most controversial of all his works,He Publicly repudiated it in 1670,and in 1683 the Oxford University authorities orderred it to be part of a book-burning that included the words 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 Protectorate .The views it expresses are at variance with the cautious explanations given in Baxter`s later memoirs .This edition of A Holy Commomvealth makes available to modern readers a work which offers a unique perpective on the relation between Church and mahistrate in a Christian Commonwealth and on the origins of the English Civil War.

Preface

Introduction

Richard Baxter:a chronology

Further reading

Biographical notes

A HOLY COMMONWEALTH

Preface

An Addition to the Preface

Adam Contzen the Jesuites Directions

1 There is a God that is mans Creator

2 God is the Soveraign Ruler of Mankind

3 Of the Constitution of Gods Kingdome

4 Of the Administration of the Universal Kingdom

5 Of a suveraign Ruler of Mankind

6 Of the several sorts of Commonwealths

7 Of the Foundation effcient and conveying causes of Power

8 Of the best form of Government ,and Happyest Commonweal-wealth

9 How a Commonwealth may be reducced to this Thecoratical temper,if have advantages ,and the Rulers and People are willing

10 Of the Soveraigns power over the Pasters of the Church,and of the difference of their Offices

11 Of the Soveraigns Prerogatives,and Power of Governing by Laws and Judgement

12 Of due Obedience to Rulers,and of Resistance

13 Of the late Warres Meditations

Appendix:Preface to The Life of Faith(I670)

Index