Creation of a democracy

CAPE COD, MA, UNITED STATES

01.29.2019

Courtesy Story

102nd Intelligence Wing   

By Chaplain Capt. Derek White, 102nd Intelligence Wing

OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Massachusetts - The year was 1664 and a young pastor from the town of Ipswich, Mass. was arrested for challenging Gov. Andros with the election of new officers to collect taxes. Rev. John Wise gathered in an assembly stating the collection of such taxes without government's task of providing for life, liberty, protection of property, and wellness of life (happiness) was an act of tyranny. For expressing these views he was arrested, given a thousand pound bail, and his credentials for public acts of ministry were revoked for three months. Little did Rev. Wise know in 1664 that his sermons, writings, and acts of civil disobedience would inspire John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to frame the constitution from his blueprints of a democratic government. Rev. Wise is the original source of "no taxation without representation".

Recently I have begun reading "A Vindication of the Government of the New England Churches" written by Rev. John Wise. Reading the book I began to think of it as a commentary on our modern government. Then I realized this was written 80 years before the American Revolution. When Washington formed the Continental Army he ordered a copy of this book be given to every soldier. In essence this was the justification to opposing a king seen as a sovereign appointed by God to rule over the people. Rev. Wise makes the argument that early Israel and the early Church were free and democratic communities that called upon selected members to govern. It is within human nature that government is necessary for a free society in which rights and privileges of all are protected. In order to maintain equality and liberty for all, some privileges would be diminished under the protection of government. Rev Wise presented three forms of government he believed to be in scripture; monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy. He presented democracy as the least restrictive means of government with the greatest liberty for all members of a free society.

Since this book was on Gen. Washington's reading list for the troops, it would be a good read for today's militia as well. As we in the Air National Guard swear to support and defend the Constitution, it would be beneficial to read the source of Adams' and Jefferson's inspiration.

• Date Taken: 01.29.2019
• Date Posted: 01.29.2019 13:55
• Story ID: 308646
• Location: CAPE COD, MA, US