This title was first published in 2002. This book fills an important gap in the theological interpretation of the Laudian divines. Iain MacKenzie presents the theology of the Anglican theologians of the early 17th century, exploring the concept of order first in God but then in creation in its relation to the Creator, and then examining the working out of this concept based in theology in civil and ecclesiastical structures and practice. Mapping the Laudian divines' perceptions of how order primarily and necessarily resides in God existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, this book sets out the essential and necessarily practical application of theology as seen by 17th century theologians, and traces the legacy which they have left. This theological, as opposed to a merely historical or literary, study of this important period for the development of society, will be of particular value to theologians, historians and those concerned with the intellectual history of the 17th century.

Contents: Preface; Introduction; The concept of order generally accepted; Order and theological method; Order, creator and creation; Order, knowledge and the rationality of man; Order, monarchy and the one body politic; Order, the law of man and the law of God; Order, monarchy, Parliament and Church; Order, uniformity, preaching and sacraments; Order, natural calamities and evil; Order and the nature of political unrest; Order, the knowledge and being of God and humanity; Order: the Holy Spirit and the centre of human existence; Order: the Spirit's gifts and the relation of existences; Epilogue; Appendixes; Bibliography; Index.