Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
england_n	church_n	true_a	worship_n	4,989	5	8.3710	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A75469	An antidote against Romes infection: received by the reformed churches beyond the seas, approved by them, and commended to the Church of England: consisting of uniformitie and conformitie in church-government, and the necessity of abolishing some ceremonies lately commanded by the episcopall power, which are rather prejudiciall then materiall to Gods true worship. Also a view of the pious and religious care of the citizens of this citie; who have by all means laboured the extirpation of the causes which have so long troubled the church and common-wealth. Brought over by Philadelphus, and delivered by him to Philalethes, in a discourse; and by him published for the publike benefit.	Philadelphus.	1642 (1642)	Wing A3494; Thomason E134_34; ESTC R9137	2,956	7

AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST ROMES INFECTION RECEIVED By the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas approved by them and commended to the Church of England consisting of Vniformitie and Conformitie in Church-Government and the necessity of abolishing some Ceremonies lately commanded by the Episcopall power which are rather prejudiciall then materiall to Gods true worship Also a view of the pious and Religious care of the Citizens of this Citie who have by all means laboured the extirpation of the causes which have so long troubled the Church and Common-wealth Brought over by Philadelphus and delivered by him to Philalethes in a Discourse and by him published for the publike benefit LONDON Printed for Robert Wood. 1641. An ANTIDOTE AGAINST Romes Jnfection Philalethes BRother you are most happily men and no lesse welcome to this our Land I pray what news have you now stirring in your forreign parts Philadelphus Truly very little news but the most frequent there stirring is the distracted Estate of this Kingdome Philalet Truly this Kingdome hath of late dayes bin very much off of the hooks and the peace thereof very much disquieted and it is not to be wondered at when the or●g●nall cause is justly to be considered The universall disagreement of this Kingdom took original the first from the unlimited power granted and committed to the Clergy who executed that authority given unto them with such insolency and tyranny over the sub●ect that they began to usurp a dominion both over the consciences and fortunes of all who were in the least manner re●●gious Their unjust censures in their Ecclesiasticall ●ourts have vexed and abused the greatest part of the Kings most loyall Subjects and by their innovations and new form of Church-government they have miserably enthralled the conscience of many and constrained men to the obedience and observance of that war-ship which is contrary to all pious practice They began to cast a superstitious mist throughout this who●e K●ngdome so that it was in great danger to be subiected unto the Heresies and power of Rome Philadel It was not the Disease of this Kingdome onely but the same malady had overspread the greatest part of Europe there was scarce any part free from the Popish Supremacy For whilst we disagreed among our selves being distracted or drawn asunder in matters of Faith ●nd disagree●ng about the manner of worship the Pope by his Agents took opportunity to foist in his Doctrine among them and having gotten but some possession could not be again removed so that for a very long season a great part of Europe groaned under the blindnesse of Romes Tyranny Occasioned first by their private discensions among themselves Philalel Most certain it is that civill discensions are most dangerous both to Church or Common-wealth and none of so great consequence as those which arise from points of Faith and matters of Religion For how can that Kingdome expect Peace within it self who is at difference with its God What quiet or prosperity can therebe where the first rent made is in Christs seamlesse coat or how can there be Peace and Tranquility in a Kingdome where the unity of spirit is neglected which is the ground and foundation of all civil peace whatsoever But I long to be resolved concerning your Reformation and to be informed of the happy means that gave so great a blessing both to the Church and Common-wealth Philadel I will begin When an universall Cloud of Ignorance and Superstition had blinded the greatest part of all Europe when the power of Rome did possesse both the liberty of their conscience and persons then in the midst of that obscurity did Almighty God cause a light to shine upon them yea and such a light that the Pope with all his Adherents could never since extinguish God raised to those distressed soules that most worthy Champion of Christ who undertook the cause and opposed the Pope and by degrees did deliver them from that darknesse and miserable captivity Philalel By what means did he effect his Reformation Philadelp The first onset and blow he gave him was not by circumstance but downright he denied his Supremacy and his power to be universall and did limit his power only to an Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction and that also to extend no further then the See of Rome and withall he acknowledged to Kings as Gods Anointed and his immediate Vice-geren● all power and supremacy aswell in matters Ecclesiasticall as Civill within their own Dominions Having thus begun with his personall power he then proceeded to his Doctrine and now with the protection of that most Christian and most renowned the then Duke of Saxony at a generall Counsell he disputed most of their points and confuted them and for his pains he returned home rewarded with his Holinesse Excommunication After he had satisfied his Country-men by disputation he proceeds to matter of circumstance and begins to cleanse the church from their Reliques and Superstitions The Surplice is hung by as of no use the use of the Crosse is quite crossed out of the necessity of their Belief the Altar is taken away and in fine whatsoever might give the least occasion of offence be removed and tooke away being rather stumbling blocks then help unto the true worship of God Philalel But how did the common people rellish this new introduced form of practice and how did they take the Alteration of their ancient Customes Philadel Truly as the common people do all changes although for their be●efit it seemed at the first very strange and displeasing unto them but within a small space he having made known unto them how their liberties and consciences had bin abused and also the great commodity that must of necessity ensue this Reformation they were contented and well pleased and were more ready to execute then he to desire or will any thing that should promote or further this happy and newly begun Reformation Philalet But Mr. Luther lived not to absolve and finish this work he left them and many superstitious in the Church be●ng immuturely taken away from them Philadel T is true but M. Iohn Calvin succeeded him and what the one had but begun the other brought to pe●fection Philalet Luther and Calvin dissented among themselves and had a variety in their opinions Philadel Right then was Ephraim against Manasses and Manasses against Ephraim yet were they both against Iudah So though Calvin and Luther in some small circumstances disagreed among themselves yet they both laboured the extirpation of Heresie and the subversion of the Popish tyrannie and what Luther by reason of his untimely death left unfinished Calvin did bring to perfection those superstitious Ceremonies which Luther but denied Calvin quite took away the Surplice was rent in pieces the use of the Crosse not any thought of and the exalted State of the Altar was brought so low that he left no sign at all thereof nay he went so far in the matter of Reformation that he denied the pride and Hierarchy of Bishops and did not desist untill he had cleansed the Church from all Superstitious whatsoever for he well understood that the Catholiques are like Foxes and that where they can put in the head they will soon put in the rest of the body Philalel This was a most happy Reformation and I hope that before your departure you will see the same in our Kingdome that so we as well as you may enjoy the tranquility and peace both of Conscience and Estate Philalel I hope J shall and then I shall think my Journey happily undertaken and it will be a most happy hearing to our Brethren in our parts to understand of the prosperity of this Kingdome when it shall begin with the Glory of God and the Reformation of the Church Philalel Things have bin a very long time and yet nothing concluded of by reason of the manifold distractions in this Kingdome but now I hope very shortly we shall behold a Reformation for the Citizens have very much and zealously indeavoured the extirpation of the abuses of the times which have disturbed the peace of the Church and Common-wealth they have bin no way defective to have the ambitious and proud Episcopall Hierarchy from whom all these evills did spring called to question and to be censured according to their deserts for molesting both the peace of the Church Realm And the Honorable House now assembled I doubt not but will be speedy in their endeavors to root out all Heresies from the Church that so the God of peace being honoured the Kings Maiesty obeyed and the Common-wealth established we may have a most happy and flourishing Kingdome FINIS