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.

Truly very little news, but the most frequent there stirring is the distracted Estate of this Kingdome.

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. [Page] 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.

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.

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.

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 [Page] 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.

By what means did he effect his Refor­mation.

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.

But how did the common people rellish this new introduced form of practice, and how did they take the Alteration of their ancient Cu­stomes.

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.

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.

Tis true but M. Iohn Calvin succeeded him; and what the one had but begun, the other brought to pe [...]fection.

Luther and Calvin dissented among them­selves, and had a variety in their opinions.

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.

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.

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.

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.