An Account of the Principles and Practices of Several Nonconformists, Title page – Publishers advertisement
An Account given of the Principles & Practises Of Several NONCONFORMISTS. Wherein it Appears that their Religion is no other than what is Profest in the Church of England. In Vindication of themselves and others of their perswasion, against the misrepresentation made of them. And in hearty desire of Unity in the Church, and of peace and concord among all true Protestants, for the strengthening of their Common Interest, in this time of their common Danger. Written by Mr. John Corbet, late of Chichester, and approved by many other Nonconformists.
LONDON. Printed for Tho. Parkhurst, at the Bible and 3 Crowns near Mercers Chappel, at the lower end of Cheapside. 1682.
To the Reader.
REaders, Least you should think that the agreement of all here written (in sense and very much in words) with what I have Published, doth signifie that it is not wholly the Authors work, but any of it mine, I do truly acquaint you that he never so much as acquainted me with his writing it; nor did I read it all before I gave it to the Printer; nor did I alter, adde or diminish one word in all the book. But as we were of one Mind and Heart, our agreement is no wonder: And his widow (the daughter of the famous Dr. Twisse) assureth me that several eminent Nonconforming Divines saw it and approved it; as I doubt not but most others will do when they have seriously perused it.
But, alas, I that have known these twenty years, what other designes have been in some mens heads, inconsistent with all such indeavours for our Concord, and how powerful those men have been who profess, [that there is no way of Concord, and avoiding Schisme, but by obeying the Governing Universal Church, which hath the power of Universal Legislation and Judgement, which is a Forreign Jurisdiction;] I say, I that know this must needs know, how little more than the satisfying of our Consciences, such pacificatory endeavours as these do signifie. But as my dear Brother dyed in the comfort of Christs judgment [Blessed are the Peacemakers] the rest of us wait in hope so to dye.
Richard Baxter Feb. 10. 1681.
Several Tracts not yet Printed, prepared for the Press, and left under Mr. John Corbett's own handting, intended shortly to be Published, are as follows;
1. THE true State of the Ancient Episcopacy.
2. The present Ecclesiastical Government, compared with the Ancient Episcopacy.
3. A Consideration of the present State of Conformity in the Church of England.
4. A Discourse of the Church and of the Ministry thereof.
5. A Tract of Certainty and Infallibility.
6. Of Divine Worship, in three parts; 1. Of the Nature, Kinds, Parts and Adjuncts of Divine Worship. 2. Of Idolatry. 3. Of Superstition less than Idolatry.
7. His Humble Representation of his Case, touching the Exercise of his Ministry.
8. Discourses, between Dr. Gunning, late Bishop of Chichester, and himself; wherein are several Humble Defences made both as to his Principles and Practice.
9. An humble endeavour of some plain and brief Explication of the Decrees and Operations of God about the free Actions of Men. More especially of the Operations of Divine Grace.
10. Matrimonial Purity.