Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	government_n	kingdom_n	3,695	5	5.8013	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96456	The kingdoms remembrancer or, The protestation, vow, and covenant, Solemne League and Covenant, animadverted. So far as it concerns religion. / By W. Wickins, late minister at St. Geo. Southwarke.	Wickins, William, 1614-1699.	1660 (1660)	Wing W2084; Thomason E1045_2; ESTC R204166	8,034	16

in the Church of Scotland in doctrine worship discipline and government against our common enemies The discipline and government of the Church of Scotland is here undertaken to be preserved against the common enemy and enemies to them are the Papist Prelate Erastian Schisma●ick he●etick and prophane 2. The Reformation of Religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in doctrine worship discipline and government according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches 1. It was then thought that in all these there was something amiss and that they might admit of a Reformation 2. That the word of God would be the best rule 3. and the best reformed churches the pattern and that we should never attain to this desirable reformation by 1. seeking to accommodate or comply with Rome 2. Making the politicians head the fountain of our rule or 3. to continue in our old-way without any progress of amendment but surely hereby Covenanters are bound to go on toward perfection working by divine rule and not serving the times eying the best reformed not the most corrupt 3. And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the 3. Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformitie in Religion confession of Faith form of Church-government Directory for worship and catechising 1. The uniformity of all is the engaged endeavour one must not be looked upon as independent there should not be built up a wall of partition but a regular line should be stretched over the whole 2. And that not only as to faith but to discipline government and worship 3. Whereupon it was that the Parliament advising with an Assembly of Divines did ratifie by their civill Sanction a Confession Directory form of Church-government and Catechisms greater and less if we could be so happy as to go on and not so unhappy as to pull down 4. That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy that is Church-government by Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellours Commissioners Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-Deacons and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchie Superstition Heresie Schism Prophaness and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godliness 1. That sound doctrine and the power of godliness might thrive and prosper to the glory of God and salvation of soules there are sundry evils to be endeavoured against even to an extirpation of them 2. Not onely prophaness heresie schisme but superstition and particularly Popery and Prelacy and that Prelacy particularly named as a thing not only to be reformed and moderated but even extirpated and not only the head and tail but even the whole body of that Hierarchy 3. This is to be endeavoured in like manner that is sincerely really and constantly in our severall places and callings Lastly without respect of persons though never so high neer or numerous so that the turning of the tide alterations of time gives not a disobligation to the so endeavouring 5. We shall also according to our places and callings in this common cause of Religion assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof and shall not suffer our selves directly nor indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terrour to be divided and with-drawn from this blessed union and conjunction whether to make defection to the contrary part or give our selves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause but shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to our power against all lets and impediments whatsoever Here is 1. an engaging to persevere even to the end and that not onely constantly but zealously 2. To the assisting and defending all those that enter into Covenant in the maintaining persuing thereof 3. To be so far from falling off to the contrary partie as not to be indifferent or neuters in the matter 4. And all this against all lets oppositions combinations perswasions or terrours 6. We profess and declare before God and the world our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins and for the sins of these Kingdomes especially that we have not laboured for the purity and power of the Gospell and our true and unfeigned purpose desire and endeavour for our selves and all others under our power and charge both in publike and in private in all duties we owe to God and man to amend our lives and each one to go before another in the example of a reall Reformation A profession of true repentance 1. In godly sorrow for our own and others sins in special not endeavouring after the purity and power of the Gospel 2ly Resolution of amendment 1. in all duties to God and man 2. In all ways publique and private 3. In respect of our selves and others under our power and charge Lastly so far as to be examples one to another in reall Reformation to strive 1. not to draw back or 2. to go along but 3. even to be for most in reformation 7. This Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to perform the same as we shall answer at that great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed 1. God is called to witness of the sincerity of our hearts 2. We bind our selves over to answer it at the generall Sessions where not onely actions shall be tryed secundum allegata probata but even hearts de quibus non judicat Ecclesia nec judex terrenus of which no man judges Lastly Grace is begged to perform this Covenant with such success that it may be encouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under or in danger of the yoak of Antichristian Tyranny to joyne in the same or like Association Covenant And indeed it is not the taking but keeping of Covenants that produce good effects and give encouragement to others We may safely say had this whole Covenant been kept we had escaped a world of evill with which we are almost sunck and had been so amiably provoking to others that they would have long since said Come let us joyne our selves unto the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant that shall not be forgotten But alas the breaking of our Covenant hath almost broken us and what it may yet do in the end who knoweth when we shall be found partial in the Covenant and not have respect to the whole of it there is that we have recovered but there are other greater things to be looked after God is more tender of his owne honour then we are desirous of our safety since there is given to Caesar the things which are Caesars let none of us dare to with-hold what we have devoted to God for God can 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 destroy both us and our King There are of the then House of Commons that not onely

THE KINGDOMS REMEMBRANCER OR The Protestation Vow and Covenant Solemne LEAGUE and COVENANT Animadverted So far as it concerns Religion By W. WICKINS late Minister at St. Geo. Southwarke Gen. 28.20 21 22. And Jacob vowed a vow saying If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on so that I come again to my fathers house in peace Then shall the Lord be my God And this stone which I have set for a pillar shall be Gods house and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee Gen. 35.1 And God said unto Jacob arise go up to Bethel and dwell there and make thee an Altar unto God that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother Sept 19 LONDON Printed for John Rothwell at the Fountain in Goldsmiths-Row in Cheapside 1660. To the engaged Reader GOD requires of thee the use of thy memory three things he would have thee not forget his mercies judgements and thine own engagements that therefore in this last thou mayest not be wanting Thou art minded of Protestation Vow and Covenant so far as concerns Religion which thou canst not but take well if thou mindest to perform that good which thou didst so solemnly promise in the day of Englands distress W. W. I. PROTESTATION In the Preamble to the Protestation 1641. THAT divers Innovations and Superstitions have been brought into the Church multitudes driven out of his Majesties Dominions How brought in may be collected by what spoken a little before viz. That the designes of the Priests and Jesuites and other adherents to the See of Rome have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practice then formerly to the undermining and danger of the ruine of the true reformed Protestant Religion in his Majesties Dominions established By which it appears 1. Whose designe innovations and superstitions are the Preists and Jesuites and other adherents to the See of Rome 2. Whether it tends to the undermining and ruine of the true Religion And further we have one very ill consequence thereof The driving of multitudes out of his Majesties Dominions All which is sufficient to provoke 1. true Christians to withstand in their respective places Innovations and Superstitions 2. The wel-affected Statesman to prevent the rise and growth of these things for the multitude of Subjects is the honour and may be the safety of a Land In the Protestation I A. B. in the Presence of Almighty God promise vow and protest to maintain and defend as far as lawfully I may with my life power and estate the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish Innovations within this Realm contrary to the same doctrine where should be remembred 1. What vowed promised and protested viz. To maintain and defend the true reformed Protestant Religion 2. Against what All Popery and Popish innovations 3. How far As far as lawfully I may 4. With what Life power and estate 5. Where Within the Realm Lastly That length of time doth not disoblige from this vowed promised and protested in the presence of Almighty God Yet more ANd to my power and as far as lawfully I may I will oppose and by all good wayes and meanes endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall by force practise counsels plots conspiracies or otherwise do any thing to the contrary Which bindes not onely to a withdrawing of the hand from promoting Popery Popish innovations but to a putting forth of the hand as farre as lawfully I may against those that shall any manner of way attempt it Conclusion And neither for hope feare nor other respect shall relinquish this promise vow and protestation which hinders the working of inordinate affections and baracado's against temptations from without But if it be queried whether this doth not binde to the forme discipline rites and ceremonies of th● Church the House of Commons answer by what explicative follows WHereas some doubts have been raised concerning the meaning of these words The true reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish innovations within this Realm contrary to the same doctrine this House doth declare that by those words was and is meant onely the publique doctrine professed in the said Church so far as it is opposite to Popery and Popish innovations and that the said words are not to be extended to the maintaining of any form of Worship Discipline or Government nor of any rites or ceremonies of the said Church of England And this was thought so meet then to be taken that Die Veneris 30. July 1641. Resolved upon the Question That this House doth conceive that the Protestation made by them is so to be taken by every man that is well affected in Religion and to the good of the Common-wealth and therefore doth declare That what person soever shall not take the Protestation is unfit to beare office in the Church or Common-wealth 2. The Vow and Covenant appointed by the Lords and Commons to be taken by every man throughout the Kingdome THere then being a Popish plot for the subversion of the true Protestant reformed Religion therefore they declare That in order to the security and preservation of the true Protestant Religion they have thought fit that all who are true-hearted should bind themselves each to other in a sacred vow and Covenant In it I A. B. in humility and reverence of the Divine Majestie declare my hearty sorrow for my owne sins and the sins of this Nation which have deserved the calamities and judgements that now lie upon it and my true intention is by Gods grace to indeavour the amendment of my own wayes If our calamities and Gods judgements were cause sufficient 1. for us to justifie God 2. To be heartily and truly sorrowfull for our own sins and the sins of this Nation as 3. also to promise the amendment of our wayes how should his wonderfull works and great mercies affect our hearts and oblige us so much the more to repentance and amendment considering that the goodness of God leads to repentance and that of Christ to the man that was healed go and sin no more lest a worse thing befall thee But most emphatical is that of Ezra c. 9.13 And after all that is come upon us for our evill deeds and for our great trespasses seeing that thou our God hast punished us less then our iniquities deserve hast given us such a deliverance as this should we again break thy commandements wouldst thou not be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us so that there should be no remnant nor escaping 3. The Covenant In it 1. THat we shall sincerely really constantly through the grace of God indeavour in our severall places and callings the preservation of the reformed religion

took it and subscribed it but have arrested it in print to the number of 228. There are many of them now sitting Members and see the King in his greatness and the two Houses enjoying their Priviledges I shall not name them but hope and desire they would endeavour in their now place calling to see the rest of the Covenant as to the whole put in execution if the liberty of the Subject be preserved and Religion in what amiss reformed and secure we are safe and shall call them blessed Amen For the taking of this in England and Wales there was an Ordinance of Lords and Commons as followeth WHereas a Covenant for the preservation and reformation of Religion c hath been thought a fit and excellent meanes to acquire the favour of God toward the three Kingdomes and likewise to unite them and by uniting to strengthen them against the common enemie of the true-reformed Religion c. And whereas both Houses London and Westminster and the Kingdome of Scotland have already taken the same It is now ordained that the same Covenant be solemnly taken in all places through England and Wales And for the better taking thereof directions were appointed strictly to be followed 1. That the Speaker of both Houses do send to the General and Admirall copies of the Covenant that it may be taken by all Officers and Souldiers under them 2. That the Members of the Commons House do send down into their Counties a competent number of Copies unto the Committees and that they within six dayes disperse them to every Parish Church or Chappel to be delivered to the severall Ministers Church-wardens or Constables 3. That the severall Committees return a Certificate to the Clerk of the House when they received those copies and the day when they sent them forth and to what Parishes 4. That the Ministers read the Covenant publiquely to their People the next Lords day after they receive it and prepare their People for it 5. That the Covenant be taken by the Committees in the place where they reside and tendred to the Inhabitants of the Town within 7. dayes after it comes to the Committees hands 6. That the Committees after they have taken it themselves do speedily disperse themselves through the said Counties so as 3. or 4. of them be together on days appointed at the chief places of meeting for the several divisions of the said Counties and summon all the Ministers Church-wardens Constables and other Officers unto that place where after Sermon preached by one appointed by the Committee they cause the same Minister to tender the Covenant unto all such Ministers and other Officers to be by them taken and subscribed in the presence of the Committee 7. That the Committees give the Ministers in charge to tender it to all the rest of the Parishioners the next Lords day making then unto them some solemn exhortation concerning the taking and observing thereof And if any Minister refuse or neglect to appear at the said summons or refuse to take the Covenant or to tender it to his Parish that then the Committee appoint another Minister to do it in his place 8. That it be tendred to all men within the severall Parishes above the age of 18. 9. That the Earl of Manchester take care that it be tendred and taken in the University of Cambridge 10. That the Assembly of Divines make an Exhortation to all sorts of persons to take it as that which they judge not onely lawfull but all things considered exceeding expedient and necessary for all that wish well to Religion c. to joyn in 11. That if any Minister refuse to take or tender the Covenant or any other to whom it is tendred do not take it that it be tendred them the next Lords day following and if they refuse that their names be returned to the Committe and by them to the House 12. That such as are within the severall Parishes when notice is given of the taking of it and do absent themselves from the Church at the time of taking it and come not in afterward to take it they be returned as refusers The manner of taking it The Minister to read the whole Covenant distinctly and audibly in the Pulpit and during the time of reading thereof the whole Congregation to be uncovered and at the end of his reading thereof all to take it standing lifting up their right hands bare and afterward to subscribe it severally 13. That the exhortation of the Assembly be publiquely read when the Covenant is read The Assembly of Divines presented the House an Exhortation for taking the Covenant which being brought into the House occasioned this vote Die veneris Feb. 9. 1643. An exhortation touching the taking the Solemn League and Covenant and for satisfying of such scruples as may arise in the taking of it was this day read the first and second time and by Vote upon the Question assented unto and ordered to be forthwith printed In which Exhortation there is this remarkable passage IF it be said the extirpation of Prelacy to wit the whole Hierarchicall government standing as yet by the known Lawes of the Kingdome is new and unwarrantable This will appear to all partiall understandings though new to be not onely warrantable but necessary if they consider to omit what some say that this government was never formally established by any lawes of this Kingdome at all that the very life and soule thereof is already taken from it by an Act past this present Parliament so as like Jezebels carkass of which no more was left but the skull the feet palms of her hands nothing of JVRISDICTION remains but what is precarious in them and voluntary in those who submit unto them That their whole government is at best but a humane Constitution and such as is found and adjudged by both Houses of Parliament in which the judgement of the whole Kingdom is involved and declared not onely very prejudiciall to the Civill State but a great hindrance also to the perfect reformation of Religion Yea who knoweth it not to be too much an enemie thereunto and destructive to the power of godliness pure administrations of the Ordinances of Christ which moved the well-affected almost throughout this Kingdom long since to Petition this Parliament as hath been desired before even in the raign of Q. Elizabeth and of King James for a totall abolition of the same In this paragraph are many remarkable passages which at this time and in this thing should not be slightly passed over 1. To omit what some say that this Government was never formally established by any Laws of this Kingdom at all which though the strength of it may seem to be weakned with Some say yet there is more to be said for it when both the Assemblies of Divines and the House of Commons say Some say it is not every hour say that they thus speak of it is almost as if they themselves had said it 2. That the very life and soule thereof is already taken from it by Act of Parliament So that were it formerly formally established the life and soule thereof is taken away by Law therefore they infer nothing of jurisdiction remains 3. That their whole government is at best but a Humane Constitution and adjudged by Parliament not only very prejudiciall to the Civill State but a great disturbance also to the perfect reformation of Religion 4. Who knows it not to be an enemie thereunto destructive to the power of godliness and pure administrations of the Ordinances of Christ 5. How earnestly the removing not onely now but in former times hath been desired Which moved the well-affected almost throughout the Kingdome long since to Petition this Parliament as hath been desired before even in the Reign of Q. Eliz. and of K. James for a to all abolition of the same By these preceding it will clearly appear 1. How strictly the Covenant was imposed and that by authority of Parliament not only commanded but the taking thereof enquired after they severally proceeded against that refused it was not then adjudged a slight matter nor left arbitrary to every ones pleasure to take or refuse 2. How solemnly taken not in a formal superficial manner but seriously and deliberately entred into 3. That thousands are engaged therein in all the three Kingdoms and persons of all sorts rancks and conditions Lastly how far the Ministers concerned more then others as having not onely entred into it but given it to many yea seriously and earnestly exhorting them thereunto and therefore next to those that by authority imposed it are most concerned to the observation of it lest they be found great and inexcusable breakers of it and since that through the gracious and wonderful providence of God we have attained to a making it good as to King and Parliam After foul breaches made upon the Covenant in that particular what remains but that the other parts be looked on and prosecuted to wit the extirpation of Popery Prelacy Superstition Prophaness Heresie and Schisme and whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine the power of godliness lest otherwise we shall be found before God to have entred into Covenant only with respect to our selves and such as can acquiess in the attaining of our own things and are no whit touched with those things that so neerly concern the glory of God and the good of his Churches FINIS