But the corruptions that were brought in our Church from Rome in the fourth and fifth Age, were nothing to what was brought in in the sixth and seventh Age, for then was Religion turned upside down, and so changed into Superstitious Ceremonies, and Idolatry, authorized by false miracles, that there was hardly left any trace of true Religion among men in these days. Palladius was the first that acquainted us with Rome, as we have said, and that brought in Prelacy amongst us, a little after the beginning of the fourth Age, which he and his Successors by degrees brought unto a great height, both in worldly pomp and means (for the times) by the inconsiderate, debonnarty of the Prince, and simplicity of the people, but not without struggling and resistance, by pious and wise men, for many years; it was the work of Church-men, set a foot by Palladius so till the sixth Age, that is, upon the matter, two hundred years, to raise themselves to Power, and Authority, and Means, whereunto they came insensibly, so much the rather, because they were sparing for these days, to invert the main Doctrine of the true Religion. The People and Magistrate seeing their Religion remaining in its main, were, without great difficulty, drawn over to give way unto the greatness of the Church-men; But when these gallant fellows had wrought their own ends, they did show plainly what was within their hearts; for then they declared themselves to be enemies both to God and to Man, by their vicious lives, contrary to the Laws of God and man; Their false Doctrine, contrary to Gods Word; ⟨image 28⟩their Tyrannical domineering over the people; and withdrawing themselves from due obedience, unto the lawful Magistrate. In a word, by directly opposing God, abusing men to their utter ruin of soul and body, and setting up their own inventions for the Laws of God, and men, they were a bringing this height of iniquity to pass, about the matter of two hundred years likewise, to wit, the sixth and seventh Age, although the workers of iniquity did at last bring their mischievous design to an end, by the permission of God, irritated against men for their sins, who not adhering unto him, were abandoned so, that they became a prey unto Satan and his instruments, to follow all iniquity;
But the corruptions that were brought in our Church from Rome in the fourth and fifth Age, were nothing to what was brought in in the sixth and seventh Age, for then was Religion turned upside down, and so changed into Superstitious Ceremonies, and Idolatry, authorized by false miracles, that there was hardly left any trace of true Religion among men in these dayes. Palladius was the first that acquainted us with Rome, as we have said, and that brought in Prelacy amongst us, a little after the beginning of the fourth Age, which he and his Successors by degrees brought unto a great height, both in worldly pomp and means (for the times) by the inconsiderate, debonnarty of the Prince, and simplicitie of the people, but not without struggling and resistance, by pious and wise men, for many yeers; it was the work of Church-men, set a foot by Palladius so till the sixth Age, that is, upon the matter, two hundred yeers, to raise themselves to Power, and Authority, and Means, whereunto they came insensibly, so much the rather, because they were sparing for these dayes, to invert the main Doctrine of the true Religion. The People and Magistrate seeing their Religion remaining in its maine, were, without great difficulty, drawn over to give way unto the greatnesse of the Church-men; But when these gallant fellows had wrought their own ends, they did shew plainly what was within their hearts; for then they declared themselves to be enemies both to God and to Man, by their vitious lives, contrary to the Laws of God and man; Their false Doctrine, contrary to Gods Word; ⟨image 28⟩their Tyrannicall domineering over the people; and withdrawing themselves from due obedience, unto the lawfull Magistrate. In a word, by directly opposing God, abusing men to their utter ruine of soul and body, and setting up their own inventions for the Laws of God, and men, they were a bringing this height of iniquitie to passe, about the matter of two hundred yeers likewise, to wit, the sixth and seventh Age, although the workers of iniquity did at last bring their mischievous designe to an end, by the permission of God, irritated against men for their sins, who not adhearing unto him, were abandoned so, that they became a prey unto Satan and his instruments, to follow all iniquity;
