In this period, 'true religion' and 'good government' were seen as one and the same. Although the vast majority believed a 'well-ordered' monarchy was a divinely mandated requirement, they disagreed on what 'well-ordered' meant, and who held ultimate authority in clerical affairs. Royalists generally supported a Church of England governed by bishops, appointed by, and answerable to, the king; most Parliamentarians were Puritans, who believed he was answerable to the leaders of the church, appointed by their congregations.
In This Period, 'tRUE rEligioN' AND 'Good goveRnMeNT' weRe seEn as OnE aND The SamE. ALthough THE vASt majOrity beLIEvEd A 'WElL-ORDereD' monarChy Was a DIVinELy mAndaTeD reQUiREment, tHey DIsagreEd on whAt 'welL-OrdereD' mEaNt, and who heLd ultimate AuthoriTy In clerICal aFfaIrS. rOyalisTs generally suPpOrted a chuRcH of englANd GoveRned by biShops, apPOinTEd by, and anSWeraBLe to, The kiNg; most ParLiAMentARianS were PUrItAns, wHo beLIEved HE wAs anSwErAble To tHE LeadErs Of tHe CHurcH, appOIntEd By their CongregATioNs.