John Robinson (1575-1625)

John Robinson was pastor of the Pilgrim Church in England and Holland, before their departure to America in the Mayflower. On July 22, 1620, Robinson gave this word of warning to the Pilgrims as they were getting ready to sail to the New World:

Lastly, whereas you are become a body politic, using amongst yourselves civil government, let your wisdom and godliness appear not only in choosing such persons as do entirely love and will promote the common good but also in yielding unto them all due honor and obedience in their lawful administrations; not beholding in them the ordinariness of their persons, but God's ordinance for your good...

Someone or few must be appointed over the assembly [for]...discussing and determining of all matters, so in this royal assembly, the church of Christ, though all be Kings, yet some most faithful and most able, are to be set over the rest...wherein...they are...charged to minister according to the Testament of Christ.

http://www.revjohnrobinson.com/art.htm