SEARCH
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Prev | Current Page 303 | Next

Harrington, James, 1611-1677

"The Commonwealth of Oceana"

The like may be said of the ruin or damage done
upon our cathedrals, ornaments in which this nation excels all
others. Nor shall this ever be excused upon the score of
religion; for though it be true that God dwells not in houses
made with hands, yet you cannot hold your assemblies but in such
houses, and these are of the best that have been made with hands.
Nor is it well argued that they are pompous, and therefore
profane, or less proper for divine service, seeing the Christians
in the primitive Church chose to meet with one accord in the
Temple, so far were they from any inclination to pull it down."
The orders of this commonwealth, so far, or near so far as
they concern the elders, together with the several speeches at
the institution, which may serve for the better understanding of
them as so many commentaries, being shown, I should now come from
the elders to the youth, or from the civil constitution of this
government to the military, but that I judge this the fittest
place whereinto, by the way, to insert the government of the city
though for the present but perfunctorily.
"'The metropolis or capital city of Oceana is commonly called
Emporium, though it consists of two cities distinct, as well in
name as in government, whereof the other is called Hiera, for
which cause I shall treat of each apart, beginning with Emporium.


Pages:
291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315