AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST ROME'S INFECTION: RECEIVED By the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas, approved by them, and commended to the Church of England: consisting of Uniformity and Conformity in Church-Government, and the necessity of abolishing some Ceremonies lately commanded by the Episcopal power, which are rather prejudicial then material to God's true worship.  
Also a view of the pious and Religious care of the Citizens of this City; who have by all means laboured the extirpation of the causes which have so long troubled the Church and Commonwealth.  
Brought over by Philadelphus, and delivered by him to Philalethes, in a Discourse; and by him published for the public benefit.  
LONDON, Printed for Robert Wood 1641.   

An ANTIDOTE AGAINST Rome's Jnfection,  Philalethes. 
BRother, you are most happily men, and no less welcome to this our Land, I pray what news have you now stirring in your foreign parts.  Philadelphus. 
Truly very little news, but the most frequent there stirring is the distracted Estate of this Kingdom.  Philalet. 
Truly, this Kingdom hath of late days been very much off of the hooks, and the peace thereof very much disquieted; and it is not to be wondered at, when the original cause is justly to be considered. The universal 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 religious. Their unjust censures in their Ecclesiastical ●ourts have vexed and abused the greatest part of the Kings most loyal 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. They began to cast a superstitious mist throughout this who●e K●ngdome, so that it was in great danger to be subjected unto the Heresies and power of Rome.  Philadel. 
It was not the Disease of this Kingdom only, 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 ourselves, being distracted or drawn asunder in matters of Faith, ●nd disagreeing 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 blindness of Rome's Tyranny. Occasioned first by their private discensions among themselves.  Philalel. 
Most certain it is, that civil discensions are most dangerous, both to Church▪ or Commonwealth, and none of so great consequence, as those which arise from points of Faith, and matters of Religion. For how can that Kingdom expect Peace within itself, who is at difference with its God. What quiet or prosperity can therebe, where the first rent made, is in Christ's seamlesse coat; or how can there be Peace and Tranquillity in a Kingdom, 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 Commonwealth.  Philadel. 
I will begin. When an universal Cloud of Ignorance and Superstition had blinded the greatest part of all Europe: when the power of Rome did possess 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 the Pope with all his Adherents could never since extinguish. God raised to those distressed souls that most worthy Champion of Christ, who undertook the cause, and opposed the Pope: and by degrees, did deliver them from that darkness, and miserable captivity.  Philalel 
By what means did he effect his Reformation.  Philadelp. 
The first onset and blow he gave him, was not by circumstance, but downright; he denied his Supremacy and his power to be universal, and did limit his power only to an Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and that also to extend no further than the See of Rome; and withal, he acknowledged to Kings as Gods Anointed, and his immediate Vicegerent, all power and supremacy: aswell in matters Ecclesiastical as Civil, within their own Dominions. Having thus begun with his personal 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 general Counsel, he disputed most of their points, and confuted them: and for his pains, he returned home rewarded with his Holiness Excommunication. After he had satisfied his Countrymen by disputation, he proceeds to matter of circumstance, and gins to cleanse the church from their Relics and Superstitions. The Surplice is hung by, as of no use, the use of the Cross 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 took away, being rather stumbling blocks, then help unto the true worship of God.  Philalel. 
But how did the common people relish this new introduced form of practice, and how did they take the Alteration of their ancient Customs.  Philadel. 
Truly, as the common people do all changes, although for their benefit, 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 been 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, than he to desire, or will any thing that should promote or further this happy and newly begun Reformation.  Philalet. 
But Mr. Luther lived not to absolve and finish this work, he left them, and many superstitious in the Church, being immuturely taken away from them.  Philadel. 
'tis true but M. john Calvin succeeded him; and what the one had but begun, the other brought to perfection.  Philalet. 
Luther and Calvin dissented among themselves, and had a variety in their opinions.  Philadel. 
Right, than was Ephraim against Manasses, and Manasses against Ephraim: yet were they both against judah. So though Calvin and Luther in some small circumstances disagreed among themselves; yet they both laboured the extirpation of Heresy, and the subversion of the Popish tyranny: 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 rend in pieces, the use of the Cross 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 until he had cleansed the Church from all Superstitious whatsoever; for he well understood, that the Catholics are like Foxes, and that where they can put in the head, they will soon put in the rest of the body.  Philalel. 
This was a most happy Reformation, and I hope that before your departure, you will see the same in our Kingdom: that so we as well as you may enjoy the tranquillity and peace, both of Conscience and Estate.  Philalel. 
I hope I 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 Kingdom, when it shall begin with the Glory of God, and the Reformation of the Church.  Philalel. 
Things have been a very long time, and yet nothing concluded of, by reason of the manifold distractions in this Kingdom: but now I hope very shortly we shall behold a Reformation; for the Citizens have very much and zealously endeavoured the extirpation of the abuses of the times, which have disturbed the peace of the Church and Commonwealth: they have been no way defective to have the ambitious and proud Episcopal Hierarchy (from whom all these evils did spring) called to question, and to be censured according to their deserts, for molesting both the peace of the Church & Realm. And the Honourable House now assembled, I doubt not, but will be speedy in their endeavours to root out all Heresies from the Church, that so the God of peace being honoured▪ the Kings Majesty obeyed, and the Commonwealth established, we may have a most happy and flourishing Kingdom.  
FINIS.