“[It is not for man] to search human polities and platforms 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 platform of government he hath therein commanded and prescribed ; and humble themselves to embrace that as the best, how mean so ever 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 form 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 persuaded 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 thoroughly 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), we know what an offence that would be to Christ, who intends to Rule them himself, by his own Divine Patern and Direction. … The Promise also of Gods blessing and protection is unto all those, who walk in Scripture-ways and Ordinances…
[The] written Word of God is the perfect system or frame of Laws, to guide all the moral actions of man, either towards God or man.”
— John Eliot (1604-1690) Puritan Minister called “the apostle to the Indians.” OH, THE CIVIL POLICY OF THE RISING KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST. WRITTEN BEFORE THE INTERRUPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT