t HenryÆs insistence, this æReformation ParliamentÆ had already taken preliminary steps toward a full declaration of ecclesiastical independenceö (177).
The connection between power and material wealth cannot be ignored in a discussion of the Reformation. HenryÆs laws diverted taxes originally paid to Rome to the Monarchy, while the Act of Supremacy separated the English church from Rome. This document made Henry the highest authority of the Church in England. Archbishop CranmerÆs True Faith Leads to Good Works still maintained God was the highest authority, but God favored Henry, ôIf all the world were on our side, and God against us, what could the world avail us?ö (Kerr 1990, 173). John CalvinÆs views of religion coincided with HenryÆs interpretation, that as the King of England, Henry was the highest authority of God on earth. As Calvin writes in Church and State, ôThe first duty of subjects toward their magistrates is to think most honorably of their office, which they recognize as a jurisdiction bestowed by God, and on that account to esteem and reverence them as ministers and representatives of Godö (Kerr 1990, 169).
When Mary took over the throne, the Reformation was countered by her devotion to the papacy, but her tyrannical methods of doing away with supporters of Protestantism undermined her success. When Elizabeth ascended to the throne, the changes wrought during MaryÆs reign were reversed. Insecurity and religious conflict marked ElizabethÆs early reign. Elizabeth reinstated the Protestant Prayer Book but refused to adopt the full Calvinist Church order. ElizabethÆs reforms were often viewed as half-measures by more zealous reformers. Efforts at reform became frustrated and, during the end of her reign, different sects arose in direct opposition to the church. Like intra-conflict among many religions, Noll (2003) asserts that ôdifferences of scriptural interpretation, in sum, affected Prote...