The Kingdom of God Among Men, Tract 1 · Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
The advancement of the sound State of Religion by making it National, and the settled interest of Nation.
CHrists little Flock cannot go out of the World, nor retire within themselves alone from the Nations of the Earth; but they must needs remain a part of Kingdoms & Commonwealths with the World in general. They must take themselves to be concerned in the civil Powers, for the Powers that are will take themselves to be concerned in them, and their ways. For which cause their aims and actions (as far as their Sacred Rule allows) must be fitted to the capacity of the civil Government, and directed unto the generall peace and quietness of the nation, whereof they are, & in which they enjoy their civil rights. By this means religions interest may incorporate with the general interest of a nation, & run in the same channel.
That pure Religion may take root, and spread and prosper, it is necessary to bring its external frame to the consistency of a National settlement. The just …a…aude hereof is laid in the doctrine of Faith, and substantials of Divine Worship, and things necessary to Church unity and order, but it goes not beyond these. And being fixed in this extent, it is in a way to gain besides the support and power of the Law, the Nations unstrained compliance and approbation.
As on the one hand Ecclesiastical tyranny is a root of bitterness always bearing gall and wormwood: so on the other hand unfixedness, and unlimited liberty consists not with that stability, wherein all prudent Governors would settle their own affairs, as also with that general tranquillity and repose which is the health of any People. If one were raised to empire by a meer Fanatick Party, he cannot settle himself, nor stand upon firm ground, till he wind his interest out of their hands, and turn himself to the way of general satisfaction.
To the same intent and purpose it is of great importance so to fix the terms of Church Communion, as not to set a perpetual bar against the main body of the People. A Church state so barr'd, though it were asserted with, a veterane Army, and could inclose all preferments both of honor and profit within it self to be at its disposal, yet it is hard to see how it could ever obtain a firm establishment. For a Christian Nation in general being shut out of the Church, or barr'd of such Privileges, as are supposed to belong to them as Christians, are inraged, and likely to be ingaged as one Man to oppose that which they take for intolerable oppression. Or if they care not to be admitted, they will turn to a contrary interest and Party in Religion, or to infidelity, Barbarism, Atheism, or some destructive way or other.
Now the intention here propounded may take effect, if the Constitution shut out none from Sacred and Spiritual Priviledges, but such as make not Profession of true Christianity, or be destitute of that knowledge which is absolutely necessary to true Faith in Christ, or to the profitable use of those Ordinances whereof they would partake; or by publick tryal can be evicted in their deeds to deny Christ, to whom they profess subjection; or be guilty of such scandalous enormity or disobedience, as is reproachfull to the Christian Name.
It is likewise to be considered, that Discipline is a work of time, and that People are to be brought on by degrees, when they have lain long undisciplined. For a Nation is not born in a day.
Right Ecclesiastical Discipline grates hard upon Mens corruptions, and stirs up many nemies. Likewise the civil Powers are often jealous of it, lest it should move excentrick to their motions. Therefore being a tender point, it requires so much caution as nothing more. Cogent reason persuades those that are herein concern'd, most willingly to put themselves under the regulation of the civil Magistrate, and to contain themselves within all tolerable limitations prescribed by him, (I mean such as defeat not the ends of Discipline) and by clear and moderate actings within their own sphere to render their Office less invidious.