The Stating of the Word REFORMATION, with the Extensiveness thereof.

No word occurs oftner in this our Book then REFORMATION: It is as it were the Aequator, or that remarkable Line, dividing betwixt Eminent Prelates, Leaed Writers, and Benefactors to the Publick, who lived Before or After It.

Know then that this Word in Relation to the Church of England, is of above twenty years extent. For the Reformation was not advanced here, as in some Forraign Free∣States,Page  40suddenly not to say (rapidly) with popular Violence, but Leisurely and treatably as became a matter of so great importance, besides the meeting with much opposition, retarded the proceedings of the Reformers.

We may observe that the Jews returned from the Captivity of Babylon at three dis∣tinct times, under the Conduct of several persons.

• 1. When the main Body of the Captives was brought home by *Zorobabel, by whom the second Temple was built.
• 2. When a considerable Company returned with *Ezra, by whom the Church part (as I may tearm it) was setled in that Nation.
• 3. When *Nehemiah (no doubt with suitable attendance) came home and ordered the State moiety repairing the VValls of Jerusalem.

In like manner we may take notice of three distinct Dates and different degrees of our English Reformation, though in relation to the Jewish, I confess the method was al∣together inverted. For,

• 1. The Civil part thereof, when the Popes Supremacy was banished in the Reign of King Henry the Eight.
• 2. VVhen the Church Service was reformed, as far as that Age would admit, in the first year of King Edward the Sixth.
• 3. VVhen the same (after the Marian interruption) was resumed and more refined in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.

The first of these I may call the morning Star. The second the dawning of the day. The third the Rising of the Sun; and I deny not but that since that time his light and heat hath been increased.

But now the Question will be, what is to be thought of those Prelates, Writers, and Benefactors, which lived in the aforesaid Interval betwixt the Beginning and Per∣fecting of this Reformation. For these appear unto us like unto the Batable ground lying betwixt England and Scotland (whilest as yet two distinct Kingdomes) in so dubious a posture it is hard to say to which side they do belong.

It is Answered the only way to decide this difference is to observe the Inclinations of the said persons so far forth as they are discovered in their Writings and actions: such as appear in some good degree favourers of the Gospel are reputed to be since whilest those who are otherwise, are adjudged to be Before the Reformation.