Though it be my judgement that much more of the Doctrine of Politics or Civil Government1 belongeth to Theology, than those men understand, who make Kings and Laws to be mere humane Creatures, yet to deliver my Reader from the fear lest I should meddle with matters that belong not to my Calling, and my Book from that reproach, I shall over-pass all these points, which else I should have treated of, as useful to Practice in Governing and Obeying. 1. Of Man as sociable, and of Communities and Societies, and the Reason of them, of their Original and the Obligation on the members. 2. Of a City, and of Civility. 3. Of a Republic in general: 1. Of its Institution: 2. Of its Constitution; and of its parts: 3. Of its Species: 4. Of the difference between it, 1. And a Community in general: 2. A Family, 3. A Village, 4. A City, 5. A Church, 6. An accidental Meeting. 5. Of its Administration. 6. Of the Relation between Gods Government and Mans, and Gods Laws and Mans; and of their difference: and between Mans Judging and Gods Judging. Nay, I will not only gratify you, by passing over this and much more in the Theory, but also as to the Practical part, I shall pass over, 1. The Directions for Supreme Governors: 2. And for inferior Magistrates towards God, and their Superiors, and the people. 3. And the Determination of the Question, How far Magistrates have to do in matters of Religion? Whether they be Christian or Heathen? 4. How far they should grant or not grant Liberty of Conscience (as it is called) viz. of Judging, Professing and Practising in matters of Religion: with other such matters belonging to Government: And all the Controversies about Titles and Supremacy, Conservations, Forfeitures, Decays, Dangers, Remedies, and Restorations, which belong either to Politicians, Lawyers or Divines: ⟨p. 5⟩All these I pretermit, save only that I shall venture to leave a few brief Memorandums with Civil Governors (instead of Directions) for securing the Interest of Christ and the Church and mens salvation: Yet assuring the Reader that I omit none of this out of any contempt of the matter or of Magistracy, or as if I thought them not worthy of all our Prayers and Assistance, or thought their office of small concernment, to the welfare of the world and of the Church;
THough it be my judgement that much more of the Doctrine of Politicks or Civil Government1 belongeth to Theology, than those men understand, who make Kings and Laws to be meer humane Creatures, yet to deliver my Reader from the fear lest I should meddle with matters that belong not to my Calling, and my Book from that reproach, I shall over-pass all these points, which else I should have treated of, as useful to Practice in Governing and Obeying. 1. Of Man as sociable, and of Communities and Societies, and the Reason of them, of their Original and the Obligation on the members. 2. Of a City, and of Civility. 3. Of a Republick in general: 1. Of its Institution: 2. Of its Constitution; and of its parts: 3. Of its Species: 4. Of the difference between it, 1. And a Community in general: 2. A Family, 3. A Village, 4. A City, 5. A Church, 6. An accidental Meeting. 5. Of its Administration. 6. Of the Relation between Gods Government and Mans, and Gods Laws and Mans; and of their difference: and between Mans Judging and Gods Judging. Nay, I will not only gratifie you, by passing over this and much more in the Theory, but also as to the Practical part, I shall pass over, 1. The Directions for Supream Governours: 2. And for inferiour Magistrates towards God, and their Superiours, and the people. 3. And the Determination of the Question, How far Magistrates have to do in matters of Religion? Whether they be Christian or Heathen? 4. How far they should grant or not grant Liberty of Conscience (as it is called) viz. of Judging, Professing and Practising in matters of Religion: with other such matters belonging to Government: And all the Controversies about Titles and Supremacy, Conservations, Forfeitures, Decayes, Dangers, Remedies, and Restorations, which belong either to Politicians, Lawyers or Divines: ⟨p. 5⟩All these I pretermit, save only that I shall venture to leave a few brief Memorandums with Civil Governours (instead of Directions) for securing the Interest of Christ and the Church and mens salvation: Yet assuring the Reader that I omit none of this out of any contempt of the matter or of Magistracy, or as if I thought them not worthy of all our Prayers and Assistance, or thought their office of small concernment, to the welfare of the world and of the Church;
- 1Among the Jews it was all one to be a Lawyer and a Divine; but not to be a Lawyer and a P•iest.
