Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Richard Baxter: a chronology
- Further reading
- Biographical notes
- A Holy Commonwealth
- Preface
- An Addition to the Preface
- Adam Contzen the Jesuites Directions
- 1 There is a God that is mans Creator
- 2 God is the Soveraign Ruler of Mankind
- 3 Of the Constitution of Gods Kingdome
- 4 Of the Administration of the Universal Kingdom
- 5 Of a subordinate Commonwealth in General
- 6 Of the several sorts of Commonwealths
- 7 Of the Foundation efficient and conveying causes of Power
- 8 Of the best form of Government, and Happyest Common-wealth
- 9 How a Commonwealth may be reduced to this Theocratical temper, if it have advantages, and the Rulers and People are willing
- 10 Of the Soveraigns Power over the Pastors of the Church, and of the difference of their Offices
- 11 Of the Soveraigns Prerogatives, and Power of Governing by Laws and Judgement
- 12 Of due Obedience to Rulers, and of Resistance
- 13 Of the late Warres Meditations
- Appendix: Preface to The Life of Faith (1670)
- Index
- Title in the Series
Appendix: Preface to The Life of Faith (1670)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Richard Baxter: a chronology
- Further reading
- Biographical notes
- A Holy Commonwealth
- Preface
- An Addition to the Preface
- Adam Contzen the Jesuites Directions
- 1 There is a God that is mans Creator
- 2 God is the Soveraign Ruler of Mankind
- 3 Of the Constitution of Gods Kingdome
- 4 Of the Administration of the Universal Kingdom
- 5 Of a subordinate Commonwealth in General
- 6 Of the several sorts of Commonwealths
- 7 Of the Foundation efficient and conveying causes of Power
- 8 Of the best form of Government, and Happyest Common-wealth
- 9 How a Commonwealth may be reduced to this Theocratical temper, if it have advantages, and the Rulers and People are willing
- 10 Of the Soveraigns Power over the Pastors of the Church, and of the difference of their Offices
- 11 Of the Soveraigns Prerogatives, and Power of Governing by Laws and Judgement
- 12 Of due Obedience to Rulers, and of Resistance
- 13 Of the late Warres Meditations
- Appendix: Preface to The Life of Faith (1670)
- Index
- Title in the Series
Summary
Preface
Let the Reader know, that whereas the Bookseller hath in the Catalogue of my Books, named my [Holy Commonwealth or Political Aphorisms] I do hereby recall the said Book, and profess my Repentance, that ever I published it, and that not only for some by-passages, but in respect of the secondary part of the very scope. Though the first part of it, which is the defence of God, and of Reason, I recant not.
But this Revocation I make with these proviso's
That I reverse not all the Matter of that Book, nor all; that more than ONE have accused; As e.g. the Assertion that all humane Powers are Limited by God: And if I may not be pardoned for not defying DEITY and HUMANITY, I shall preferr that ignominy before the present Fastnes, and Triumph, who defie them.
That I make not the Recantation to the Military fury, and rebellious pride and tumult, against which I wrote it; nor would have them thence take any encouragement for impenitence.
That though I dislike the Roman Clergies writing so much of Politicks, and detest Ministers medling in State matters without warranty, or a certain call; yet I hold it not simply unbeseeming a Divine, to expound the fifth Commandment, nor to shew the dependence of humane Powers on the Divine; nor to instruct Subjects to obey with judgment, and for Conscience sake.
[…]
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Baxter: A Holy Commonwealth , pp. 249 - 252Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1994