Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	bishop_n	church_n	great_a	2,904	5	3.2705	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A82602	A declaration and resolution of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, in answer to the Scots declaration. Wherein is set forth the true zeal and affection betwixt both kingdoms, for the reformation of church-government. Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that this declaration be forthwith printed and published: Hen Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.	England and Wales. Parliament.	1642 (1642)	Wing E1320; Thomason E118_34; ESTC R11447	4,693	15

be found for a mutuall Communication and Conjunction of Councell and debate in framing that one forme yet both intending the same end proceeding by the same rule of Gods Word and guided by the same spirit we hope by Gods assistance to bee so directed that wee may cast out whatsoever is offensive to God or justly displeasing to any Neighbour Church and so farre agree with our Brethren of Scotland and other reformed Churches in all substantiall parts of Doctrine Worship and Discipline that both we and they may injoy those advantages and conveniences which are mentioned by them in this their answer in the more strict Union of both Kingdomes more safe easy and comfortable Government of His M●jesty and both to himselfe and people more free Communion in all holy exercises and duties of worship more constant security of Religion against the bloody practises of Papists and deceitfull errors of other Sectaries and more profitable use of the Ministry for the compassing and attaining whereof we intend to use the labour and advise of an assembly of godly learned Divines for the convening of whom a Bill hath already past both Houses which had taken effect long since if we could have obtained His Majestyes Royall assent thereunto All which considered we acknowledge the faithfull and affectionate expressions of our Brethren in wishing and desiring this great advantage for us doth fully deserve those thanks which we have formerly expressed and no whit stand in need of that apology which they are pleas'd to make The maine cause which hitherto hath deprived us of these and other great advantages which we might have by a more close Union with the Church of Scotland and other reformed Churches is the government by Bishops which to strengthen it selfe hath produced many other differences in Discipline and ceremonies betwixt them and us and is apt to worke in the minds of those who are the approvers and defenders of it such a disesteeme of and opposition to those Churches as makes us desperat of that most beneficiall and desirable conjunction with them untill this great impediment be removed whereupon wee have entred into a serious consideration what good we have received from this government by Bishops which may countervaile such a losse and inconvenience And we are so far from apprehending any satisfaction herein that we plainly perceive it a cause of many other calamities dangers and intollerable burdens being a dishonour to God by arrogating to themselves a preheminence and power which hee hath not given them by prophaning the purity of his ordinances with the mixture of their owne injunctions by withstanding the frequent and powerfull Preaching of the Gospell that so their usurped authority might receive more easy admittance into the ignorant and misguided consciences of men by corrupting the Ministrie with Pride Ambition Covetousnesse Idlenesse and Luxurie by suppressing the spirituall power and efficacie of Religion and turning it into formality and Pompe by inclining to popery the principles thereof being sutable to this government and contrary to those principles which were the first grounds of Reformation We likewise finde it most pernitious to the civill state and common wealth in that the Bishops have ever beene active to infuse into our Kings such Tenents and Positions as are contrary to the fundamentall lawes of the Kingdome and apt to introduce Tyranny and an arbitrarie power over the lives liberties and propriety of the subject that they have been forward to incite the King against his people by force of arms to constrain them to submit to such an arbitrary government and by unlawfull contribution ofmoney to assist his Maiesty in making war upon his subiects wherof there are many evidences both in those preparations which not long since were made to invade Scotland and in the warre now raised against the Parliament and kingdome of England and yet they have shewed themselves so ambitious of soveraignty that they forbeare not to maintaine in Sermons and printed Books that the Kings Sceptre ought to submit to Aarons rod and the Mitre to be above the Sword which argues in them an Antichristian spirit to exalt themselves above all that is called God and a designe when they have brought the Kingdome to be disposed at his pleasure to subiect his Maiesty to their own arbitrary censures that themselves may triumph in the bondage and slavery both of King and people Upon all which many other reasons we do declare That this governmēt by archbishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commiss●ries Deanes Deans and Chapters Archdeacons other ecclesiasticall officers depending upon the Hierarchy is evill and iustly offensive and burdensome to the kingdome a great impediment to Reformation and growth of Religion very prejudiciall to the state and government of this kingdome And that we are resolved that the same shall be taken away And according to our former Declaration of the seventh of February Our purpose is to consult with godly and learned Divines that we may not only remove this but settle such a government as may be most agreeable to Gods holy Word most apt to procure and conserve the peace of the Church at home and happy union with the Church of Scotland and other reformed Churches abroad and to establish the same by a law which we intend to frame for that purpose to be presented to his Maiesty for his Royall assent And in the mean time humbly to beseech his Maiesty that a Bill for the Assembly may be pass●d in time convenient for the meeting to be by the fift of November next the miserable estate of the Church and kingdome not being able to endure any longer delay This being the resolution of both Houses of Parliament we do desire our brethren of Scotland to concurre with us in petitioning his Maiesty that his Royal authority may be applyed to the conservation of a firme unity between the two kingdomes and that they likewise will think good to send to the same Assembly some godly and learned Divines of that Church whereby an uniformity in form of Church government may be obtained and thereby a more easie passage made to the setling of one Confession of faith One Liturgie or directory of the publick worship one Catechisme in all the three kingdomes Which we hope through Gods blessing will have such an effect in all his Maiesties dominions as will much advance the honor and service of God enlarge the greatnes power and glorie of the King confirm the peace security prosperity of all his good subiects make way to the relief and deliverance of the poore afflicted Churches abroad and to the totall abolishing of the usurpation and Tyrannie of Rome being the prime cause and fountaine of all the miseries and calamities the bloudy massacres outrages cruelties and bitter persecution of Gods people in all he Christian world for many Ages FINIS