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	england_n	reform_a	4,212	5	9.5265	5	false

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

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. London Printed for Edward Husbands and John Franck and are to be sold at their Shops in the Middle Temple and next door to the Kings head in Fleet-street September 23. 1642. A DECLARATION And RESOLVTION Of the Lords and Commons in PARLIAMENT In Answer to the Scots Declaration THe Lords and Commons in Parliament have with approbation and thanks received from the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland a clear Manifestation of the respect which the Lords of His Majesties Secret Councell for that Realm do bear to the well-fare and peace of this Kingdom in the expression of their Affections wherein they were pleased to second the desires of the Generall Assembly of that Church for Unity in Religion and Uniformity in Church Government in His Majesties three Kingdoms And having often had that matter in debate and our most serious consideration the Christian Advice of that Reverend Assembly and the grave Councell of that Honourable Table concurring with our own Judgement and Experience of the manifold mischiefs and distractions which the Government of the Prelacie of this Kingdom hath in all Times and Ages produced in this Church and State Have moved us to bring our Resolution to a more speedy maturity and conclusion wherein as we have satisfied our own Reason so we hope we shall satisfie the loving and Christian desires of our Brethren of Scotland Although we know that hereby we shall exceedingly irritate that opposite and malignant Partie who will bend all their Invention and Force to interrupt this Work and to ruine and destroy us in the undertaking of it And we desire their Lordships to consider that the Party which hath now incens'd and arm'd His Majestie against us and His other faithfull Subjects in this Kingdom is the very same which not long since upon the very same designe of rooting out the Reformed Religion did endeavour to begin that Tragedie in Scotland which whensoever it shall be perfected in either Nation wil easily be accomplished in the other Religion being the Band and Foundation of the safety and happinesse of both And as we resolve according to the Nationall Command betwixt the two Kingdoms to be carefull of the peace of Scotland as of our own so we doubt not but their Lordships and the Nation of Scotland will be carefull to expresse their Brotherly kindenesse to us and prudent care of themselves by restrayning the evill-affected amongst them that they may not foment our troubles and by all clear wayes according to the Articles ratified in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms to maintain the Peace and Amity betwixt the two Nations and to restrain the mischievous attempts and practises of those who are enemies to both that so through Gods blessing we may mutually rejoyce in one anothers happinesse and yeeld his Majestie such a faithfull subjection as may be honorable to himself comfortable to his People advantagious to the Professors of the Reformed Religion in other parts beyond the Seas WE the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled having with much contentment perused the brotherly and Christian Answer which the Generall Assemblie of the Church of Scotland have made unto the Declaration formerly sent unto them from us And finding therein great expressions of love to this Church and Kingdom and of prudence and faithfulnesse in propounding those things which may conduce to a more close and firm union of the two Churches and Nations of England and Scotland in preserving and maintaining the truth and purity of the Reformed Religion not onely against Popery but against all other superstitious Sects and Innovations whatsoever Have thereupon resumed into our consideration and care the matters concerning the Reformation of Church government and discipline which we have often had in consultation and debate since the beginning of this Parliament And ever made it our chiefest ayme though we have bin frequently interrupted and powerfully opposed in the prosecution and accomplishment of it And however we continue still in the storme and conflict finding small abatement of difficulty and much increase of malignity and perversnesse in the opposition wherewith this great and necessary worke of Reformation is incountred Yet we heartily thank God and rejoyce with our Brethren of Scotland for that Peace Liberty and preservation which God hath afforded them taking it as a pledge and earnest of the like mercy intended to us in his good time and hoping that he will not onely free us from the most greivous and distructive miseries and calamities of a Civill War but graciously perfect our designes and endeavours of a full Reformation in all matters appertayning to Religion which as it is the greatest honour and service which God receives from his people so we acknowledge with our brethren that it is the surest foundation of glory strength and happinesse which he bestowes upon any Nation The manifold obstructions and impediments which we have met with in seeking this great blessing do give to us and all Gods People great cause of grief and works in us an earnest longing for the removall of them Yet knowing that all the wonderfull works of God in this kind have bin brought to perfectiō through many oppositions and seeming impossibilities that so the conclusion might be more glorious to His divine Majesty comfortable to his children we cannot but in humility submission expect the like issue of our wrastling and striving with that fierce and peremptory opposition which hath beene framed and acted against us by the most subtill and busy engines of Satan the most pestilent incendiaries among us the Jesuits from abroad a virulent discontented party at home consisting of the Prelaticall Clergy Atheisticall projectors against Religion prophane and sensuall self-lovers hightned and inflamed against us with a spirit of malignity beyond the example of former times wherein we have had manifold occasions to discerne both our owne weakenesse and imperfections and the Divine mercy and goodnesse and to hope that God having upheld us so long beyond our owne strength and merit will bring us through at last to the full accomplishment of his owne praise and of the joy of this and other Churches We acknowledge it an act of love to us and of wisdome for the good of both Churches for which wee are thankfull both to God and them that our Brethren of Scotland have bestowed their serious thoughts and earnest desires for Unity of Religion That in all his Majesties Dominions there might be one confession of Faith one directory of worship one publique Catechisme and one forme of Church-Governement And although it will hardly be obtained punctually and exactly unlesse some way might