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xiii An author is a debtor. In the course of his work he has drawn on the time, trust, and resources of others. He has relied on the talents of those who have gone before him, and he owes something to those who will use his work after it is published. The details of these obligations are not spelled out in contracts. They are implicit covenants that resemble the subject of this book. I hope those who find something of themselves in this book also find something to repay their contribution. Too often authors will thank their family last, but I don’t hesitate to mention them first. The degree of indulgence necessary to enable a book defies summary and adequate acknowledgment. To her vocation as wife and mother, Michelle quickly and cheerfully added the work of editor. This was a calling she surely did not anticipate, but she still tackled it with enthusiasm and sacrifice. Rebekah and Andrew supported me by loving gestures great and small. The encouraging notes written to support Daddy possess an eloquence and beauty surpassing all the virtues of great scholarship. My parents are surely pleased to discover that all this education and hard work finally amounted to something, and I owe them my thanks for instilling a love of learning in me. I was blessed to be mentored by scholars who demonstrated measured and respectful treatment of religious politics. Cecil Eubanks generously launched my study of Puritanism and political theology almost twenty years ago. Jim Stoner always models keen wisdom and insight coupled with an infectious enthusiasm for political ideas. Ellis Sandoz exemplifies a peerless work ethic and broad erudition coupled with a tenacious and practical love of liberty. He bore with me while I wrestled with subjects herein over a long course of time, and he did so with patience and good nature. All three of them leave something of their legacy in all of my academic and scholarly endeavors. My faults and shortcomings are my own. Intelligent pastors encouraged an honest and thoughtful inquiry into the practical meaning of theology. The late Pastor Ray Joseph was a model of Acknowledgments dedication to the covenant as a motif of Reformed theology. Dr. Randy Toms served as an example of how one encounters the Christian tradition with historical appreciation and a generous mind. Authors are often short of both time and money. Thankfully, money can buy a little more time. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute and Acton Institute were early financial supporters of my research with Salvatori and Calihan Fellowships. The academic administration at Northwood,particularly John Grether and Lance Lewis in the Michigan Academic Dean’s office, helped by scheduling classes so as to facilitate dedicated blocks of time for writing. The Northwood library and Rochelle Zimmerman assisted with interlibrary loans and saved me from taking even more trips to the University of Michigan library. Colleagues provided help on many fronts. The good offices of the Jack Miller Center (especially Mike Andrews) and the Lehrman American Studies Center (led by Kelly Hanlon) continue to facilitate the kind of fellowship and community that is hard to find in academe. The fruit of their noble efforts serves to inspire and recharge. Gordon Schochet was kind enough to offer criticism of an essay that abbreviates the argument of this book and thereby provided wise insight for the study of early modern religion and politics. My Northwood colleague, Benedict Hughes, was kind enough to edit some earlier versions of this work and provide encouragement to forge ahead. Colleagues and friends, whom I cannot even begin to rank by individual mention, have critiqued papers related directly or indirectly to the subjects in this book. Every conversation, partnership, and panel that turned to academic and scholarly matters heated the furnace that produces better writing and thinking. John Brenner at the University of Missouri Press showed exemplary dedication in keeping this book on schedule. His labors are much appreciated. I am pleased to be published by this outstanding university press and also to join the Eric Voegelin Institute Series in Political Philosophy. Ashgate Publishing Limited allowed reuse of some material in Chapter 11 of this book that was originally contained in a chapter on Daniel Elazar written for The Ashgate Research Companion to Federalism, edited by Ann Ward and Lee Ward. My study of Daniel Elazar in Chapter 11 does not exactly replicate what is contained in the Ashgate volume, but Ashgate graciously allowed me to...

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