What the Kings and Queens of England have done in former, or later times, either by violent Persecution of the Truth, or in preposterous maintenance of the Truth, we have cause rather to bewail it: (and so hath the Discusser too, if he be an English man) then to justify it: as also bewail the like vanity justly complained of in sundry of our English Nation, to be as ready to change the fashion of their Religion, as of their Raiment. And yet he cannot be ignorant, that the Lord hath chosen to himself sundry faithful witnesses out of that Nation, who have continued steadfast unto the death in the Profession of the Truth, and have not been carried away, either with the fear of civill Sword, or with the deceitful insinuations of unstable but seducing Teachers, to depart from the simplicity and Truth of the Gospel. But howsoever woeful, and wonderful changes have been made of Religion in England, in the Reign of four or five Princes, yet it is no more then befell the Church of Judah, in the days of Ahaz and Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah; yet the Prophets never upbraided them with the civill Magistrate Power in causes of Religion, as the cause of it. Better some vicissitudes in Religion, then a constant continuance in Idolatry, and Popery, by Princes referring all causes of Religion to Church-men. The Prophecy of Englands Revolt again to Popery, wanteth Scripture Light.
What the Kings and Queens of England have done in former, or later times, either by violent Persecution of the Truth, or in preposterous maintenance of the Truth, we have cause rather to bewaile it: (and so hath the Discusser too, if he be an English man) then to justifie it: as also bewaile the like vanity justly complained of in sundry of our English Nation, to be as ready to change the fashion of their Religion, as of their Rayment. And yet he cannot be ignorant, that the Lord hath chosen to himselfe sundry faithfull witnesses out of that Nation, who have continued stedfast unto the death in the Profession of the Truth, and have not been carried away, either with the feare of civill Sword, or with the deceitfull insinuations of unstable but seducing Teachers, to depart from the simplicity and Truth of the Gospel. But howsoever wofull, and wonderfull changes have been made of Religion in England, in the Reigne of foure or five Princes, yet it is no more then befell the Church of Judah, in the dayes of Ahaz and Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah; yet the Prophets never upbraided them with the civill Magistrater Power in causes of Religion, as the cause of it. Better some vicissitudes in Religion, then a constant continuance in Idolatry, and Popery, by Princes referring all causes of Religion to Church-men. The Prophecie of Englands Revolt againe to Popery, wanteth Scripture Light.
