The Kingdom of God Opened, Title page – Dedication
THE Kingdom OF GOD Opened and Proved To be a Kingdom of Grace and Glory, the one Thing neceſſary for all, and the Saints everlaſting Happineſs.
A Diſcovery of the Subjects of it by their Qualification and Converſation, Scriptural Evidences for every one to try his Eternal ſtate by; with Motives and Means for getting and keeping a comfortable aſſurance of this heavenly Kingdom.
By Tobias Ellys, Miniſter of the Goſpel.
Imprimatur,
Gulielmus Sill, Aug. 11. 1677.
Printed by T. N. for H. Mortlock at the Phoenix in St. Pauls Church-yard, and at the White Hart in Weſtminſter-Hall. 1678.
To His Moſt Excellent and Sacred Majeſty Charles II. BY THE Gracious Providence of GOD King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Grace and Glory.
Great Sir,
THE Kingdom of God, the Subject of theſe enſuing Meditations, I humbly crave leave to preſent to Your Majeſties Acceptance, Peruſal and Conſideration, as containing matter of the greateſt weight and worth to Your Self, and to Your Three Kingdoms; my unfeigned hearty deſire, confidence and comfort concerning You is, that You will purſue to Your utmoſt Power, this great Command, Counſel and Proclamation of Your Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, in ſeeking firſt the Kingdom of God, and his Righteouſneſs: And that by Your Example, Command, Counſel, and Proclamation … alſo endeavor that all under Your Care and Charge may do in like manner, it being the great end of our coming into the World, living in it, and dying out of it, next to the Glory of God, to enjoy a better, namely, this Kingdom of God: For which end and purpoſe our Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſions, and giving of Thanks are made to Almighty God for You, and for all that are in Authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable Life in all godlineſs and honeſty; for this is good and acceptable in the ſight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be ſaved, and come unto the knowledge of the Truth; which if You, and thoſe in eminent place under You, may be inſtrumental of, how greatly will it add to Your Crown and Joy! For what is Your Hope or Joy, or Crown of Glorying and Rejoycing, are not even we Your Subjects, in the preſence of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt at his coming, to be glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (becauſe that Your Command, Counſel, Proclamation, Example and Charge to every one of us (as a Father to his Children) to walk worthy of God, who hath called us to this Kingdom and Glory, was believed, obeyed and followed in that day:) Wherefore alſo we pray alwayes for You, and for all that are in Authority both Eccleſiaſtical and Civil, that God would count and vouchſafe both You and us worthy of this Calling, and fulfill all the good pleaſure of his Goodneſs, and the work of Faith with power, that the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt may be glorified in You, and we in Him, according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in whom I am, and ever ſhall be
Your moſt Humble and Loyal Subject and Servant, In all Faithfulneſs, TOBIAS ELLYS. Kenſinton, Nov. 21. 1677.