The Kingdom of God Among Men, Title page – Errata
THE KINGDOM OF GOD among Men; A TRACT Of the Sound State OF RELIGION, Or that Christianity which is described in the Holy Scriptures; And of the things that make for the Security and Increase thereof in the World; Designing its more ample diffusion among Professed Christians of all Sorts, and its surer Propagation to future Ages.
With the Point of Church-Unity and Schism Discuss'd.
By JOHN CORBET.
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Parkhurst, at the Bible and Three Crowns at the Lower end of Cheapside. 1679.
THE PREFACE.
A Disquisition concerning Religion and the State Ecclesiastical, wherein several Parties are vehemently carried divers ways, whether right or wrong, according to their different interests or apprehensions, is apt to stir up jealousie, and to meet with prejudice in a high degree, and therefore had need be managed as advisedly as sincerely. It is humbly craved, that the present management thereof may find a favourable reception so far as it hath in it self the evidence of its own Sincerity and Sobriety. This Treatise is not framed for a present occasion or any temporary design; but insists upon those things that concern the Church universally and perpetually. It aims at the advancement of meer Christianity, and with respect to the common concernments thereof, it leaves the things that are more appropriate to the several Parties and Persuasions, to stand or fall. It ingageth not in the controversies of these times, touching Forms of Church Government, but in any Form such depravations or deficiencies are blamed, as hinder the Power, Purity, Unity, Stability, or amplitude of Religion. Nothing prejudicial to Government, to the rights of Superiors, and Civil Pre-eminences, or to Decency, Unity, and Order in the Church, is here suggested. Sedition and Faction are evicted to be a contradiction to this Interest, which can hold its own only in those ways that make for the common good, both of Rulers and Subjects. Our design carries no other danger than the more ample diffusion of true Christianity, and the power of Godliness among men of all degrees, and the surer propagation thereof to future ages. Here be some things that are the vitals of Christian Religion, and cannot be removed; and here be other things of conscientious or prudent Consideration, and let these so far pass, as they are found clear and cogent. I had rather be charged with any defect or weakness than with uncharitableness, and therefore am ready to renounce every line, and every expression in this Book, that cannot stand with true Christian Charity in the utmost extent thereof.
Let it not be taken amiss, that to obviate suspicion or prejudice I declare my self in the things here following. I am one aged in the Ministery, and by reason of age and experience am not eager for any Party, but mellowed with charity towards real Christians of all Parties. I have vehemently desired the union of the more moderate Dissenters, with the Established Order by reasonable accomodation, as for others that remain dissatisfied about such Union, yet believe and live as Christians, I do as earnestly desire an indulgence for them within such limits as may stand with publick Peace and Safety. Though I am cast into the State of Nonconformity, yet I am willing to exercise the Ministery under the present Ecclesiastical Government, if I were made capable thereof by the relaxation of some injunctions. My principle is for a closing with things that are good and laudable in any Established Government, and for a bearing with things that are tolerable. And the Wisdom of the Governours of the Church will direct them to turn away from such Principles, Orders or Practices, as tend to the ruine or the great indangering of any Ecclesiastical Polity that retains them, whilest the Apostolick Doctrine (as it is now Established in the Church of England) is maintained.
THE CONTENTS.
CHAP. I. THe nature of Christianity and the character of true Christians.
CHAP. II. Of things pertaining to the sound state of Christian Religion, viz. holy Doctrine.
CHAP. III. The ordering of Divine Worship sutable to the Gospel Dispensation.
CHAP. IV. The due Dispensation of Gods word, or publick Preaching.
CHAP. V. The due performance of publick Prayer.
CHAP. VI. The right Administration of Ecclesiastical Discipline.
CHAP. VII. Religious Family-government.
CHAP. VIII. Private mutual Exhortations, Pious Discourse and Edifying Conversation.
CHAP. IX. The prevalence of true Religion, or real Godliness in the Civil Government of a Nation.
CHAP. X. Christian Unity and Concord.
CHAP. XI. A good Frame of Ecclesiastical Polity.
CHAP. XII. Of the corrupt state of Religion, and first externalness and formality.
CHAP. XIII. The Sectarian and Fanatical degeneration.
CHAP. XIV. Of the way of preserving Religion uncorrupt.
CHAP. XV. The enmity of the World against real Godliness, and the calumnies and reproaches cast upon it considered.
CHAP. XVI. Religions main strength next under the power of God lies in its own intrinsick excellency.
CHAP. XVII. Religion may be advanced by human prudence; what ways and methods it cannot admit in order to its advancement.
CHAP. XVIII. The Interest of true Religion lies much in its venerable estimation among men.
CHAP. XIX. The most ample diffusion of the light of knowledge, is a sure means of promoting true Religion.
CHAP. XX. The advantage of human Learning to the same end.
CHAP. XXI. The general civility or common honesty of a Nation, makes it more generally receptive of real Christianity or Godliness.
CHAP. XXII. The increase of Religion is promoted by being made as much as may be, passable among men.
CHAP. XXIII. The observing of a due latitude in Religion, makes for the security and increase thereof.
CHAP. XXIV. The Care and Wisdom of the Church, in preventing and curing the evil of Fanatical and Sectarian Error.
CHAP. XXV. The advancement of the sound state of Religion by making it National, and the settled Interest of a Nation.
CHAP. XXVI. Of submission to things imposed by Lawfull Authority.
CHAP. XXVII. The surest and safest ways of seeking Reformations.
CHAP. XXVIII. Considerations tending to a due inlargement and unity in Church-Communion.
CHAP. XXIX. Whether the purity and power of Religion be lessened by amplitude and comprehensiveness.
CHAP. XXX. Factious usurpations are destructive to Religions Interest.
CHAP. XXXI. Of leading and following, and of Combinations.
CHAP. XXXII. The Wisdom of the Higher Powers in promoting the Religionsness of their People.
CHAP. XXXIII.
The Churches true Interest to be pursued by Ecclesiastical Persons.
The Conclusion,
A Book Intituled, The Interest of England in matter of Religion, in Two Parts, formerly Published by the same Author.
PAg. 7. lin. 3. read Service, pag. 19. l. 11. read whereas, pag. 27. l. 24. read So, pag. 28. l. 14. read is, pag. 29. l. 14. read regardable, pag. 31. l. 16. read this, ib. l. 18. read apposite, pag. 39. l. 14. read is able to make, pag. 41. l. 31. read affect, pag. 53. l. 19. read For the, pag. 59. l. 5. read face of, pag. 60. l. 12. read exercises, pag. 67. l. 3. read Religions, pag. 71. l. 12. read Sacraments, pag. 77. l. 3. read condescention, pag. 96. l. 22. read orall, pag. 99. l. 2. read rites, pag. 116. l. 13. read abasing, ib. l. 25. read noting, pag. 117. l. 25. read transform it into, pag. 121. l. 21. read Levities, pag. 144. l. 21. read exalt, pag. 149. l. 20. read effected, pag. 150. l. 20. read smatch, pag. 157. l. 13. read exercise, pag. 162. l. 7. read vainly, pag. 163. l. 11. dele love, pag. 167. l. 9. read concerns, pag. 171. l. 3. read Enemies, ib. l. 9. read regulation, ib. l. 19. read and, pag. 189. l. 6. read be not, pag. 202. l. 22. read and are withall.