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