A DEFENCE OF THE RIGHT OF KINGS WHEREIN THE POWER OF the Papacie ouer Princes is refuted and the Oath of Allegeance iustified WRITTEN FOR THE VSE OF ALL English Romanists more especially for the Information of those Priests or Iesuits which are by Proclamation commanded to conforme themselues or depart the Kingdome By EDWARD FORSIT Esquire LONDON Printed by B. A. for Nathaniel Butter and are to be sold at his shop at the Pyed Bull neere Saint Austens Gate 1624. TO THE MOST HIGH AND POTENT MONARCH IAMES OF GREAT BRITAINE FRANCE AND IRELAND KING DEFENDER OF THE FAITH c. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER in God GEORGE by the Diuine Prouidence Lord Bishop of LONDON my singular good Lord. THE whole Church and Kingdome of England Right Reuerend Prelate hath a long time together taken notice of that continuall neerenesse into which it hath pleased his Maiestie who does all things vpon Iudgement to admit your wisedome and faithfulnesse in matters of aduice especially which be most proper to your sacred Function Which Grace of your Lordships with so wise and learned a Prince hath perswaded me that as you were the fittest so you would be the willingest to doe our Great Master this seruice for so I hope this Office will proue if your Lordship wil be pleased that this Boke may by your hands haue accesse vnto his Maiestie It treats of a Royall Argument and therefore euen of dutie to be dedicated to a King as a thing due vnto Caesar And due vnto our King especially whom God hath raysed vp in Brittaine as the Fort Royall of Princes to amate that Tower of Babel that prowd Castle of S. Angelo And therefore as his Maiestie himselfe hath first of all and best of all written in this kind and giuen the ablest directions vnto others to prosecute the Argument so it might seeme presumption if any thing of this subiect should come abroad without his Royall assent His Maiesties example together with this Gentleman 's owne zeale to the Cause did at first no doubt encourage this learned Author to vndertake this present Worke who as he still is by his place a Iustice of Peace so hath he here done Iustice vpon that sawcie Medler with the Rights of Princes Parsons the Iesuit and those two seditious Bookes of his one comming our vnder the name of P. R. the other of a Catholike Gentleman both which he hath here made to keepe the Kings peace The Title will I hope find gracious acceptance and the Booke honourable approbation with his sacred Maiestie Which hope of mine hath emboldened me to offer it vnto your good Lordship as a testimonie of my most hearty and humble thankfulnesse for those fauors which I haue receiued from your goodnesse the remembrance of which shall euer bind me to be at your Lordships seruice most faithfully Nathaniell Butter TO THE READER OCTAVIVS the Emperour did rather chuse to violate the will of Virgil then to consume those laborious AEneids of his in the flames of Obliuion Why then should not this example of his excuse me from blame of the Author of this following Worke for attempting to commit to the Presse and commending that to others in publike which he but lent to me in priuate since good things are best knowne by their vse and well considering how acceptable it may prooue to our hopefull times The end of his 〈◊〉 when hee first began this Treatise I am well assured was onely to satisfie his owne priuate Iudgement esteeming it through his too much Modestie so farre vnfit for the publike view as for the space of tenne or twelue yeeres since the finishing of it hee suffered it to rest obscure amongst his other priuate Labours wherein his industrie and abilitie may appeare to be made yet more transparent in his owne vnder-valuing of what hee hath so exactly performed Which comming thus accidentally to my hands and viewing the matter it treated of and the malicious slanders it retreated I could not chuse but euen blame the vnkind Author that would haue made the very Wombe of this his seasonable Off-spring the Tombe and giuen it at one and the same time both life and dissolution together I haue therefore aduentured my Endeuors without his knowledge beyond his expectation and I am afraid against his desire for the publishing of that which I knew might prooue so vsefull which remaining obscure and in silence neither should the Cause nor the Parsons be vindicated nor yet the soueraigntie of this Antidote against that dispersed Poyson haue beene discernable or serued for publike benefit And though the man opposed be as I conceiue vncapable of defence yet there remaine many of his Labors that like the Vipers brood haue suckt a stronger Poyson from his death Nor want there many of his Iesuited Disciples who may yet doe him right if they thinke him iniuried though it be true Vni Caesari multi insunt Marii All I desire is pardon from the Author vpon whose Worth so well knowne and Loue so often tryed by me I haue thus farre presumed not doubting but the publike good that may ensue his owne Labour will ouer-sway his resolued retyrednesse As for thy acceptance I doubt it not because the benefit is thine owne and accounting it reward enough to my selfe that I am but the Instrument of communicating this to others Farewell F. B. PARTICVLAR MATTERS discussed in this Treatise THe occasion of this Question concerning the Popes power The mitigations of P. R. touching the Powder-treason His mangling and omitting of my Lords words Whether the Pope cannot erre with the manifold distinctions of the Papists therein How the true estate of the Question concerning the Popes power is hidden by a cunning forme of words Whether this point be generally agreed vpon amongst Catholikes and how dangerous the same is to the State How he minceth and mitigateth the matter in question The true Question and how largely it extendeth The reasons made for the position and the same answered and that there neither is nor euer was any standing Authoritie to depriue Kings No reason for the Popes power in nature Whether the vniuersall Pastorship be instituted by Christ and what points must be prooued before that come to be made good The Iesuites busie entermedling in State-affaires The proofe from the word Pasce Oues examined and Baronius his expositions and inferences in this matter Other strange arguments for the Popes temporall power The Pope no rightfull successor of S. Peter but wrongfully pretendeth his Authoritie or Primacie The Pope no successor or imitator of Christ. Their distinction of Authoritie direct and vndirect examined What necessitie there is of this Pastorall power and how it is qualified Politike reaches in Poperie to aduance the Authoritie aforesaid The Pope may reduce all causes to his Cognizance and how farre he may extend the power of Seculare Brachium the Sccular Arme. The Doctrine of the Iesuits concerning the deposing of Princes
controuerted betweene vs in that kind of language which hee speaketh I found that hee vsed so much glosing and dilating so many gay shewes and pretences such cloathing and decking of the cause with well chosen words for the faire carriage of the matter as that the naked and plaine sence thereof was not easily to be discouered But after scanning more aduisedly and breaking the ranke of his words to looke into his innermost meaning and matching the same with that hee must stay if hee will performe his vndertakings I discerned at the last a sowre pill to bee wrapped vp in a leafe of gold the doctrine of conspiracy and rebellion against the state and life of Princes cunningly couered ouer with a thicke crust of sweet Candie to relesh the better with the simple and so to deceiue them with a fore-inducing sweetnes The Proposition must be this The Pope may depose the king and such his power is approoued of all Catholikes And that appeareth thus his Lordship speaking of the seditious spirits that instruct the vnlearned in the mysteries of deposing Princes desireth therein some publike and definitiue sentence Orthodoxall for cleare explication of such The Popes assumed power ouer Soueraigne Princes therefore if this smooth mittigator will without winding away by circumlocutions and without his so finely framed tendernesse of Phrase speake ad idem plainely and home to the purpose hee must auouch this to bee a publike definitiue sentence That the Pope hath lawfull power to depose Princes but how doth hee expresse and pronounce this point hee is so nice and warie that hee thinketh not good to name the Pope at all doubting belike that that name is distastfull but in stead thereof hee bestoweth on his holinesse the stately stile of Supreame Gouernour and Pastor of the Church and Common-wealth repeating the same words sundry times and purposedly auoiding the other doth hee not imploy and inferre by this mounting of the Pope to the title of Supreame Gouernour of the Common-wealth that hee is the king of kings and that Princes hold their scepters as Viceroyes and Lieutenants vnder him I vnderstand not else how he can close the Common wealth within the Popes clawes then again in the like sort he shunneth the hatefull tearm of deposing and vseth in the stead therof restraining repressing censuring or iudging And lastly he doth very mildly mittigate the rigor of deprauing the name or depriuing the person of the Prince by applying this power to the restraining or censuring any exorbitant pernicious excesse of great men States or Princes would not any man iudge that being so mannerly so 〈◊〉 and cautulous he were affraid or shamed to fall so fowle vpon Princes as to maintaine the vsurpation of Papacy in deposing of them hee setteth not one step in this question wherein hee doth not doubt that hee treadeth vpon thornes yet trusting vpon his two great gifts facilitie of speech and boldnesse of face Hee spareth not to tell his Lordship that his Diuine might easily haue enformed him that amongst Catholike people the matter is cleere and sufficiently defined and declared in all points wherein there may bee any doubt concerning this affaire Surely his Lordships Deuine may perhaps concurre in opinion with Master Morton and most euidently discerne the consent and adherensie of Catholikes in the execrable practise of this proposition but that they haue not agreed in the iudgements and approbation of the point in question the direct renouncing and disclayming thereof by some of the best learned of that side at the time of their suffering of death for Treason doth cleerely and fully make knowne vnto him and all the world I will not take vpon me to search out and lay together heapes of rapsodies and collections culled our of their writers to demonstrate their differences in this argument thereby to disprooue their so pretended agreement in this definitiue sentence but I trust to shew the same to be so false so weake so washie and of so little waight as vpon the ripping and examining thereof it will euery whit of it fall quite asunder fayling altogether of all ground whereupon to stand and hauing no good props to sustaine or support the same In the meane while hee may perhaps doe vs a little more good than hee wisheth by his intimation vnto vs That among Catholike people the matter is so cleere for we are thereby to take notice and warning how little wee are to trust Catholikes seeing they acknowledge this L. Peramount aboue the Kings must yeeld their Omni-modā obedientiā to that supreame Pastor combining themselues at his beck in al dangerous designes when any pretence is made that the gouernment of spiritual affaires appertaining to the Cath. Church is letted or impugned by our temporall gouernour for in such case saith this learned Father the said supream Pastor hath authority to proceed against the said temporall gouernor for defence preseruation of his spiritual Charge had we not need to looke about vs euen with Argus eyes when wee haue so many hands of this Briarius to fasten vpon vs at euery turne euery let of spirituall affaires is punishable by the supreame Pastor and such lets may as easily be imputed or imposed for a crime vpon the temporall gouernour here is a good gap opened and a way made wide enough for the firebrands of sedition and the contentious discontented to reuell and route it in a common wealth to suggest inform obiect and oppose against all magistracy Here againe I must put him in mind of his mittigations and extenuations in sorting and vsing the gentler and more pleasing words What shall we think he meaneth by proceeding against the Temporall gouernor might he not as well haue said cite him censure him excommunicate him depose him and beare him out of his chaire of estate with the horns of a dreadful Bull If Paulus the 3 or Pius the 5 had had this our mealie mouthed mittigator to haue bin the penman of their Bulls he would rather haue the milder words of proyning or repressing then the other of extreame and violent borrowed from the Prophet Ieremie of destroying and pulling vp by the rootes yet his kindnesse doth not hold constant for in after reasonings when he ioyneth vp issue vpon the true state of the question whether the words of the Prophet be well applyed by allusion to make good the authoritie of Christs successors vpon earth and whether the forenamed Popes by such their arrogant and impudent glosing vpon the text doth not in this forcing and streyning of the Scriptures peruert the Sacred Oracles of God he is content to ioyne with his companions of that feather in iustification of the right ayplying of the text for the confirmation of the Papall power of pulling vp and destroying Soueraigne Gouernours though indeed to doe him right all the reason he vseth or yeeldeth in defence therof is onely and barely this Is this so great an impietie thinke you Then let him
Kingdomes or Dominions or to authorize any Forraigne Prince to invade or annoy him in his Countries or to discharge any of his Subjects from their allegiance and obedience to his Maiesty or to giue Licence or leaue to any of them to beare Armes rayse Tumults or to offer any violence or hurt to his Majesties Royall person state or government why doth not he in justification of the vnlawfulnesse of this oath by as playne full and broade termes tell vs that the Pope by the capacity of his omnipotency is indued with so plenary a power as that he may depose the King dispose his Kingdomes authorize Forraigne invasions discharge his Subjects from allegiance licence them to offer violence to his Royall Person state or gouernment And that for that regard the conscience of the Catholikes may not be obliged by any such prophane oath impyous against the Pope and the amplitude of his Pastorall primacy But doth hee in any-one line of his whole Volume let slippe any word expressely declaring naming or mentioning any power of this nature and that Lawfully may produce these effects to be invested or bestowed vpon his Holinesse I am perswaded that the igniculi of naturall duty the morsus of an acknowledging conscience and the pudor of his face which perhaps yet retayneth some remnants of modesty would not suffer him so far to degenerate from naturall notions so farre to be alienated from his dutious recognicion or so farre to passe all the bonds of shame as directly and roundly to deliuer vnto the World any sentence so monstruous and so full of horror and heynousnesse Neuerthelesse hee hath taken such a taste of the sower grape of Rome and is dipped so deepe into the venome and malice of that imperious and persecuting Church as that yet indirectly and by a subtile conueyance of his meaning hee giueth vs to vnderstand that his inward soule hath pronounced this doome and judgement against his annoynted Soueraigne and therefore that soule must not be entangled stayed or bound by any brideling or restrayning oath to the contrary But how doth his outward man manage these difficulties Iust in the same manner to an hayres breadth as Mr. Mittigator whom hee may call his ille ego doth that is closly dissemblingly timorously and treacherously In the place of the Pope hee vseth the entitleings of Supreame Pastor the deposing and killing of Princes hee compriseth and couereth vnder the words of proceeding against and restrayning of them what is done by inuasion insurrection or force of armes is included in the word temporalty the stirring vp and appoynting of other Potentates to partake in the quarrell is brought in very gently in this good shew of permitting other Princes c. Now fie vppon this blaunching and disguising Oratory If hee could passe away cleanly with these easie and fauouring phrases hee would steale out against vs as not suspecting his harmefull intentions his deadly writ of execution This one word of restrayning would like to a ball of wild-fire disclose it selfe and breake a sunder into censuring depriuing deposing destroying and murthering of Soueraignes and would haue no meane or end of oppression or Tyranny Next admitting him to this liberty as not to single out any speciall or particular clauses of the oath let vs examine how hee prooueth that there bee enwrapped within the sayd oath poynts of religion as well as of 〈◊〉 obedience he maketh reckoning to haue shewed it by foure seuerall distinct wayes I will beare him witnesse that the wayes be seuerall for onely one of them hath shewe of leading vs to the scope and conclusion fore-intended the rest are all straggling pathes quite from the purpose for are not these I pray you good arguments The Pope telleth the Catholikes that hee hath heard that they are compelled to go to the Churches and Assemblies of Heretickes and to be at their Sermons Ergo the oath of Allegiance contayneth matter of Religion as well of ciuill obedience Againe Bellarmine compareth the oath to the crafty composion and commixture of the Images of the Emperor Iulian and the Pomim gods all coupled and combined together in this Imperiall banner Ergo by an argument ab authoritate there be in that oath poynts Spirituall and Temporall conjoyned together Lastly the good Gentleman doth kindly make this reall offer for satisfaction of his Majesty that hee will sweare vnto him as much Loyalty as euer any Catholike Subject of England did vnto the lawfull Kings in former times before the change of King H. 8. Ergo there lurketh articles of sayth in the sayd oath vnder the pretence of ciuill duties The first of the foure seemeth to shute faire and and at the least to sticke in the Butt though farre enough from the marke and thus it speaketh from the plaine expresse words sence and drift of the oath it selfe That besides the acknowledgment of our Soueraigne to be true King and rightfull Lord ouer all his Dominions and that I will be a true loyall Subject vnto him and such other clauses whereat no man sticketh or maketh any difficulty the sayd oath contayneth further that I must sweare in like manner some poynts concerning the limitation of the Popes authority to wit what hee cannot doe towards his Majesty or his Successour in any case whatsoeuer Which question brought vnto the Thesis of all Kings toucheth sayth he a poynt of Doctrine and Catholike beliefe concerning the sufficiency of of Pastorall authority left by our Saviour in his Church vnto St. Peter and his Successours for redressing of all inconueniences that may fall out and this to forsweare hath perill of euerlasting Damnation There must be a monstrous strayne nay hee must breake through and steale before his Holinesse with his predominate power can get into the Creede 〈◊〉 haue before set in his way crosse barres and obstacles â—â— nough which hee will neuer be able to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 impeach his assention into any such height as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our consciences The article of Catholica Ecclesia 〈◊〉 be no cloake or conductor for him nor shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Canopy over his high estate of ◠〈◊〉 callity The Argument wherewith this Gent. doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pope to so eminent a place of power and reputation that his prerogative is past questioning and that vpon paine of 〈◊〉 is this every oath that conteyneth poynts concerning the limitation of the Popes Authority is an oath belonging to Religion but this oath expressing what the Pope cannot doe towards his Majestie or his successor in any case whatsoever is an oath concerning the limitation of the Popes authority therefore this oath is belonging to Religion If the Maior propofition be vntrue or vncertaine all the rest tottereth and falleth as without foundation I will examine the same by the pondering of the particuler words thereof First belonging to Religion in a generall sence may comprehend all the actions and resolues of men yea ciuill duties also are within the spaciousnes thereof because a true
the heart of man at the Creation so was it also reduced and comprised by the Wisedome of God into the Tables of the Morall Law in the which for as much as we haue an expresse commandement of honor and obedience to gouernors that must remaine fixed in our hearts to hold vs firme in the Bond of allegiance Then let P. R. and all his conjoyned Catholikes as hee vaunteth make it plaine vnto vs that eyther Nature hath implanted or the Commandements of God haue enioyned therepressing or deposing of such Princes vppon any exceptions surmizes or accusations whatsoeuer As for the Law of Nations because that is but secundary and derivatiue from the other what hath beene averred of the one holdeth the same respect and certainty as doth the roote it selfe from whence it issueth yet before wee depart from this Argument of Natures working I haue to note that this cunning and curious Composer of Bookes and Contriuer of cases doth in this his chiefe proposition worke himselfe quite out of the question and putteth the Pope cleane out of the doores for the question being of the power of the Pope that is of the power authority and iurisdiction of a Forraine Commander and Iudge he telleth vs that God and Nature hath left some sufficient authority in euery Common-wealth c. which directly maketh the Popes preheminency with vs altogether needelesse and a very nullity sith by his owne sayings and that more agreeable to reason there is sufficient authority within the Land not requiring any his 〈◊〉 or vsurpations to the gouerning of that body which is of it selfe compleate and liueth by the vigor spirit and powerfull opperation of his owne soule his lawfull Soueraigne Thus is the Pope as touching the first reason drawne from the Law or Right of Nature or Nations either left out by him or cast out by me from repressing of Princes or 〈◊〉 himselfe within these our Countries or Territories The second reason bringeth a better Commission that will make way through all repugnances it is inforced in the name and authority of Christ himselfe and it is thus chayned together for impregnable strength Christ was to found is Common-wealth of Christians the farre more perfection then other states had before been establishe subjecting temporall things to spirituall and appointing a Supreame Vniuersall gouernour in the same with a generall charge to looke to all his sheepe without exception of great or small people or Potentates Therefore hee inferreth that the Supreame care iudgement direction and censure of the matter in question was left by Christ vnto the sayd Supreame 〈◊〉 or Pastor of his Church and Common-wealth But it was doubted whether this power was committed to the supreame Pastor directly and immediatly or indirectly and by consequence The Canonists out of the Commission vnto St. Peter Pose ones meas do hold the direct and immediate authority charge and ouersight in temporallities The Catholike Diuines vpon whom the brunt and pressure by 〈◊〉 must bee sayed haue thought it safer to chuse the indirect and consequentiall which they expresse in this manner When the gouernment of spirituall affaires is impugned by any temporall Gouernors so as the sayd spirituall Commission cannot be executed without redresse or remedy 〈◊〉 and in such cases the said Supreame Pastor is to haue authority to proceede against the temporall gouernors Also for the defence and preseruation of his spirituall charge but both parts fully are agreed that there is such authority left by Christ in his Church for remedy of vrgent causes otherwise he should not haue sufficiently prouided for the necessity thereof Here is goodly building of Castles in the ayre Castles did I say Nay of the Tower of Babell in the steede of the City of God Christ sayth hee was to found his Common-wealth of Christians in farre more perfection then other states c. why Christs intentions erections and perfections were all to saue sinners and to bring them vnto Heauen what proofe is this that hee was to found the Popish Hyerarchy or the Antichristian Monarchy and what is this farre more perfection c. Is it an outward pompe or power to chayne and fetter Princes vnder a temporall obedience of a Spirituall Vsurper What is this same subjecting of temporall things to spirituall is it to make a Minister or Bishop of Heauenly matters tyrannous and rampant ouer the temperall states setting their imperiall feete vppon the neckes of Lyons and Dragons what is the nature end and eminency of the spirituall Kingdome of Christ is it any other then the Preaching of the Gospell the way of salvation and the possessing of euerlasting life Then what straightnesse what extractions doth the Limbeckes of their braines bewitched with temporall vanities make of a worldly rule and Dominion He was to appoint one Supreame and 〈◊〉 Gouernor c. we on the other side constantly denying this their principle doe easily bring them to the end of their wits yet wee will pocket vp one confession in this place which hee is likely to forsake and not acknowledge another time In more perfection sayth hee then other states had before beene established acknowledging thereby that vnder the Law and in the old Testament the temporall was not subject to the spirituall Hath hee not well collected and conected his propositions to bring out this grand conclusion of superiority ouer Princes doth he not neede a distinction of proofe to make these parts that cleaue like sand to hold together against the breach which wee are to make vppon him His distinction of direct or indirect shal be directly anoyded and his great Mace which hee beareth vp in his March of state of Ordine ad Deum must bee directed and ordered to a better sence and his commission of pasce shall bee examined how farre it can authorize him to assume the pretented power If hee will but thanke me for it I will befriend him a little with my directions I will chalke him out his way with a straight line by the which hee must be brought and passe along if he desireth to come right vppon the conclusion I will distribute his journey into seuerall baytings or reposes otherwise called common places I doubt it will prooue a long labour and very troub esome to carry his commission along with him hee is like to venture himselfe in many straights and hazardable passages and will be often stayed by the Kings Watch but more often foundred by the rubs and roughnesse of the way which hee is to walke through He must begin and set forth at this poynt 1 That Christ purposing to found his Common-wealth of Christians in farre more perfection c. hath appoynted the same to be an absolute Monarchy vnder one supreame and vniversall Governour visible eminent and knowne as the head on earth in all causes of Christs kingdome 2 Next who that individuall person is whom Christ appointed to be such a Monarche and by what commission is he assigned thereunto and
by what words thereof can he challenge the obedience of all the subiects or Christians in that Common-wealth 3 Whether if St. Peter be affirmed to be the said Monarche what can be alledged for his Superiority that is not equally communicable to the rest of the Apostles ioyntly or severally by the like authorizement 4 Whether St. Peter was more especially appointed the chiefe Apostle for both Iewes and Gentiles If for the Iewes how came it that St. Paul reproved him for misleading the Iewes If for the Gentiles why was St. Paul by a publike consent and Counsell nominated to be the Apostle of the Gentiles who at Rome planted the Church and from whom the succession is most proper 5 Whether St. Peter ever came at Rome sith there is evident demonstration by computing the times and places of his abode during his life after Christs ascension that he could not be there at all by any coniecture as by the Epistles of St. Paul is evicted 6 Allowing that St. Peter was at Rome was he not there as an Apostle and so no more appropriate to that place then to the whole world 7 Being an Apostle how came he to be chiefe yea the vniuersall Pastor over both Iewes and Gentiles except such his Pastorship were rather Apostolicall then Episcopall If his 〈◊〉 were Apostolicall then all the Apostles had interest thereunto as well as he If Episcopall did he renounce or relinquish his Apostleship to erect a new state or seate of an 〈◊〉 Bishop neuer mentioned in the Scripture and of a larger extent and dominion then the Apostleship and by what warrant and authoritye did he so 8 If he did found any such Episcopall eminencie vniversall over all the Churches of the world and that invested in his owne person why may it not be thought that such his Episcopall function was setled vpon him rather at Antioch where his chiefest abode was after his departure from Ierusalem then at Rome 9 Whether in case he preferred Rome before Antioch Ierusalem and other places whereof there is no apparant proofe or certainty is that successive seare established at Rome of the like and the same power vertue and veritie as was conferred on his owne person 10 Whether such supposed succession were afixed to the place or aplied to the persons 11 Whether if the succession were applied to the place was it not cut off and discontinued when there was no vniuersall Bishop refiant at Rome which for some hundreths of yeares after Christ and since the vsurpation Papall for a long time together hath come to passe 12 If the succession were in the persons did not the abominable wickednes of life or the open profession of Atheisme Arianisme Coniuration and contracting with the Deuill damnable doctrines of all sorts and hereticall positions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by such persons yeain their Cathedra dissolve the said succession and what 〈◊〉 they make for Pope Ioane whose stay standeth vnrefuted 13 Moveover he 〈◊〉 me what became of this 〈◊〉 and where that Common-wealth of Christians as they will needs calbit that they may make themselues common wealths men could finde there one 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Governor when there were two three or 〈◊〉 such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at once 14 Yet we haue not done questioning with him This great 〈◊〉 of doubts must resolve vs how it commeth to 〈◊〉 that the 〈◊〉 persian 〈◊〉 Russian 〈◊〉 and other 〈◊〉 Churches haue not beene made 〈◊〉 with this 〈◊〉 mentall part of doctrine that Christ hath ordayned the Bishop of Rome the supreame and vniuersall Pastor of the whole Common-wealth of Christians which he hath 〈◊〉 and founded 15 He is also to 〈◊〉 himself of an answere to another question Whether the succesors of S. Peter were it once agreed vppon who they were Clement Linus Cletus or 〈◊〉 did over hold or exercise any ditivation of authority from St. Peter over 〈◊〉 and other Apostles that survived St. Peter in the Church or did they or any of them striue for Superioritye with them yea rather did they not yeeld vnto them 16 Besides this 〈◊〉 diving determinor in Divinity doubts must take into his consideration what warrantize of any lawful vocation election and ordinatiō the succeeding Bishops of Rome can avow or maintain sith no man may take on him any 〈◊〉 ministery or 〈◊〉 but in that regular and 〈◊〉 manner And whether such their calling to their Ministeriall offices and Pastorall charge were ordinary or extraordinary the difference in the admissions and choyce of such Bishops which sometimes was by substitution of the proceeding Bishop sometimes by election of the people and in later times by the suffrages of Cardinals and sometimes by meere intrusion giveth cause to move this question 17 What reasons can be pretended or alledged why if both Christ and St. Peter intended the succession of Bishops onely in that Sea of Rome 〈◊〉 there hath new Titles beene taken vp of Patriarke 〈◊〉 and then of Supreame head of the Church and then of Papa or Pope which seemeth to inferre an alteration or else an augmentation of the power or charge first conferred by Christ or St. Peter vppon that Sea and so consequently a question whether the latter diuised Titles be likewise authorized from Christ 18 Doth it not behoue that this so pregnant a Patron of Papacy doe cleare all causes touching the interruption and discontinuance of the supposed succession of Popes whereof some hauing before beene propounded it shall not be amisse to cast him one bone more to whet his teeth or witt vppon I would know whether after cannons and constitutions made by his Holinesse and ratyfied by Councells touching the lawfull election and admittance of the Bishop of Rome if a Pope enter vnduly and contrary to such orders and Cannons by simony bribery faction yea with strong hand or any other corrupt courses may notwithstanding be held and reputed a lawfull Pope and the acts by him done the carnalls by him made and the decrees or trans-actions of his time shall bee adiudged as to stand in the right of Christs Vicar on earth Are not in such cases the linckes of the chaine tying together the succession broken or let loose sith in the particulers in whom the same should be continued such elections and ordinations are adiudged intrusions and vsurpations yea vtterly voyde and very nullities 19 Yet I must make him a little more worke with other questions what is the cause that for so long a space of 600. yeares after Christs Assention this position of the Romish Supremacy and vniuersall head-ship if it were so evident and demonstratiue from Christs owne appointment as this bold bragger would haue vs to beleeue was neither by the Fathers of the Primitiue Church nor by any generall Councels approoued or ratified 20 I am disposed to offer him another objection like a blocke to stumble at which neuer any Papist yet well passed ouer but he brake his shin against it and that is the opinion and censure of Gregory the
great Bishop or rather Patriarke of Rome how did hee inuey against that tytle of vniuersall Bishop as an arrogant stile calling Iohn Patriarke of Constantinople the fore-runner of Antichrist for assuming of such a title or authority may it not stagger this stout Champion of Popery to heare from the mouth of a successor of St. Peter such a detestation of that stile as Antichristian which is auouched to haue beene the ordinance of Christ yet did Bonifacius that succeeded him ambitiously affect nd accept the very same appellation giuen to him from Phocas the Emperour 600 yeares after Christ as is sayd before 21 Here if I should let in vpon him a sea of proofes that the Pope is clearely convicted to be not a fore-runner as Gregory speakes but the very same Antichrist described by so many particularities in Daniel the Appocalips in St. Paul and other places of the Holy Scripture he would neuer be able to scape drowning but would be so over-whelmed in those depthes that hee could neuer more get forth yea or stirre either hand or foote for his swimming to any shore and the great disputant could then hold his breath no longer in this question euen sinking downe to the bottome after all his strength spent in vaine by striuing to hold vp his head 22 Now to draw to the issue in hand wee must trouble him to make manifest vnto vs what is the true extent of this so high power and vniuersall charge in St. Peter or any other his successors and whether the same do include any temporall iurisdiction and entermedling in civill causes to the deciding iudging or ordering thereof 23 Lastly to bring him home to his rest and to the ground whereupon hee must reare his foundation hee must euict by proofe that the Supreame Vniuersall Romane Bishop by force or tenor of any Commission giuen by Christ and transferred vnto St. Peter and so diriuatiuely and successiuely conueyed ouer to him may censure iudge or depose Princes taking vppon him the decision of Regall rights assayling of Subiects from obedience animating at home rebellion are from abroad invasion and that vnder protext of aduancing of the Ecclesiasticall regiment of soules and the good of Catholike Religion This is the highest ladder of the Popes eminency to the which exaltation hee cannot otherwise assend then by these stayres and steps before rehearsed which must lead him vp to his lofty consistoriall Chayre If any of these stayres bee loose and faile him hee falleth vnrecouerably and shall neuer bee able to assume the power which hee pretendeth himselfe to bee lawfully possessed of But when of all these exceptions and interruptions cast in his way hee can cleare or assure not any one his presumption in taking so much vppon him will but argue his all daring boldnesse and his striking close to the conclnsion when the premises runne another way will make euen Children to scoffe at the want of judgement in his so great vndertakings By these few indissoluable questions amongst infinite others for all the world knoweth what a world of doubts and what a sea of controuersies is encompassed in this cause This P. R. or rather R. P. if hee would be better knowne that would seeme to bee so iudicious in his resolues and so modest and moderate in his assertions might haue beene put in minde to stay his confidence in concluding so Magistraliter that case with his peremptory est amen which hath so many stopps windings and euen breake necke passages as hath hetherto perplexed and plunged the whole Alphabet of their owne Authors By that time that he hath runne through the explication and proofe of the particuler difficulties before propounded hee will somewhat slacke the heate of his audacious affirmations and to let him know that this poynt as wee now propound it and debate it is not amongst the Catholike wrighters themselues so clearely and generally agreed vppon as hee avoucheth for hee sayth that in this there is no difference of opinion or beleefe in any sort of Catholikes whatsoeuer so they bee Catholikes I must remember him if hee forget not his owne name yea and his nick-names too that in the bitter contentions and fiery conflicts betweene the Priests and the Iesuites a principall matter of their variance was this That the Priests vtterly condemned this Turbulent and Sedicious opinion of the Iesuites That the Pope might and ought to intermeddle in the temporall rights and preheminencies of Princes and that he had a powre to depose and deiect them at his pleasure Doth not William Watson the Priest in his booke of quidlibets bestow a whole Chapter with much earnestnes of spirit and variety of arguments vpon this very subiect making in the same this R. P. the obiect of his scornings and revilings Doth he not in many places of that worke impute all the causes of the many troubles and extremities which they vndergoe in England to the violent spirits and treacherous practizings of the Iesuites who neglecting or despising the Ministeriall function are become meere Statists and negotiating factors of the Sea of Rome disturbing the quiet of all Countryes where they be entertained and working wicked stratagems and damnable devices against Soveraigne Princes Hath hee so soone forgotten or can hee so bold'y dissemble in what sort the said Priests vncased and discovered him for his many notorious and scandalous intermedlings in 〈◊〉 Perhaps he will say that they be no Catholikes for so he enterposeth if they be Catholikes he dareth not to lop away at once so many chiefe lims so many strong armes yea such stocks and plants of the popish religion though the said Priests doe not feare or spare to affirme that the Iesuites are not any certaine order or vocation in the Church being rather to be reckoned as their vse and imployment is to be Lay-men States-men busie-bodies pragmaticall agents beyond all limits of any spirituall calling yet it is necessary if he will constare sibi to stand to it that seeing they vary from him in this part of doctrine they be no Catholikes because in this refusing and refuting of his Majesties distinction of the difference of Papists he expresly affirmeth that he that holdeth not all and every Article assented vnto and established in the Church he is not to be accounted Catholike acording to St. Augustine Catholicum is constered to be secundum totam and not secundum partem I will leaue the Priests to defend that they be better Catholikes then he notwithstanding this discrepance and my selfe will revert to the parting place where occasion was taken to make this digression There is offered for plea the words of the institution and the very authenticall enstallment made by Christ himselfe Pasce oues me as which words include say they acording to Catholike exposition not only authority to feede but to governe also direct restraine cure represse and correct when neede is Allow that these words doe appoint and institute a pastorall charge which is
sallogize against himselfe All power is giuen to mee in Heauen and in Earth but my Kingdome to bee of this World is such a power Ergo my Kingdome is of this same World Now obserue also his witty and substantiall reconcilement hee had a Kingly temporall power in this life but hee renounced the vse and priuiledge of the same Or thus hee had no direct Dominion vppon temporall things yet indirectly for preseruation of his spirituall Dominion hee had and might haue vsed the same and in that sence left it to his successour Is not this most shamelesse and direct abusing of Christ and his most Sacred Word When hee sayd at another time that the Foxes had holes and the Birds of the Ayre had nests but the Sonne of man had no place to hide his head If these expositors had then beene knowne to his Apostles they would haue replyed Sir you haue places of refuge but you renounce the vse and priviledge thereof or albeit you haue not any place directly yet indirectly for the necessity of your function you haue all palces at your Command or if you haue not in your owne indiuiduall person yet in your Successors you must needes haue else how should they maintayne the hauing and inhabiting of such Royall and Magnificent edifices wherein they keepe such stately and more then imperiall Courts What is this else then to tell Christ hee wotteth not what hee sayth and to enter him like a Novice in their new Schooles of equiuocation to learne their falatious mentall preseruations But admit it to be incident into their Offices to interpret Christ as themselues listeth How doth it happen that the rightfull successors of Christ doth not also succeede him in his modestye humilitye povertye and meekenesse especially beeing commaunded to learne of him and so in like sort as Christ did renounce the vse and priviledge of Temporall Power or whence haue these successors their so plenarye and direct preheminence when from Christ they could convey it but indirectlye and by consequence Or can they make any demonstration or playne proofe of the stint and circuite of time at the periode or expiration whereof that Temporall Dominion which in Christ was Indirect and Potenticall should become vnto the Pope Direct and Ordinarye Or was there not as vrgent cause that Christ in respect of the many letts impeachments and impediments which he met withall should for the preservation of his Spirituall Dominion directly or indirectly in some sort or other betake himselfe to his Temporall Authoritye Except they will say that hee was in his owne person militant and suffering but in these his successors triumphant and glorious Let mee then bee answered Whether such a Succession hath any image or representation of that first type or patterne which sayde Learne of mee To manifest yet more discerningly the idlenesse the fraude and vnfit applying of this distinction let them know that is not to be trusted vnto because it will serue their adversaries as well as themselues for where the question may be propounded and disputed whether temporall Princes may suppresse or remooue Popes if the authorities alleadged out of Gods Word and the Histories of the Church shall not suffice to giue in evidence for any such direct and vndoubted preheminence in Princes then we may make bold of this their make-shift distinction that Princes haue euer had such a power annexed and proper to their governing charge though they haue forborne the vse and preuiledge thereof or that indirectly and by consequence for the vpholding of their states and keeping of their people in obedience which by so many Popish practises is dayly perverted they may and ought to exercise and execute the same Moreouer let it be examined how and from what originall this distinction draweth his pedigree what bosome or heate did first hatch it and what causes of weight doth still nourish and continue the same Mr. P. R. hath fully acquainted vs with the certainty thereof For if Christ sayth he should not haue left such an authority in his Church for remedy of vrgent causes hee should not haue sufficiently provided for the necessity thereof It is maruaile that this our Moderator and mollifying Mittigator did not vse the word of conveniency in the stead of necessity to haue avoyded the disadvantage of the stricktnesse of that word can there concerning the subsistance and stability of the Church any more vrgent causes to be imagined for the vpholding thereof then there was in the first times of the primitiue purity or is the vsurping power of the supreame Pastor his ouer awing or over peering of Princes his correcting and repressing of them by alienating subiects and egging enemies against them any constitutiue causes or essentiall necessities of the Church I will not deny but that the height and eminency wherevnto the Bishops of Rome haue aspired by encroching vpon the rights and vndermining the states of temporall Gouernors as indeede to be provided for and maintayned by this presupposed necessity But the purity the poverty the simplicity the feruency of the first fathers and propagators of the faith and Church of Christ needed none of these humaine and worldly additaments none of these temporall encountrings or conflicting with Potentates no such foreseeing perpecations to affront all occurting causes nor any such politiciall circumventings and fortifications for defence and offence against Princes They conquered powers and principalities but with the spirituall Armor of God they beate vppon them with the hammer of the word they cut deeply into the secrets of their soules with the sword of the spirit they prayed for their peace and prosperity they embrased the very persecutions with obedience and for the countenancing fauours by giuing them respit from affliction and the sunne shine of liberty they honoured them as the nursing fathers of the Church when I contemplate the composute and frame of the Popish Monatchy and the linking together of so many cunningly contrived positions tending all of them to the encrease of gaine and advance of Honor to the Sea of Rome I wish that some excellent Scholler extraordinarily endued would out of his many obseruations collected exhibite vnto the world in imitation of Matchauell who made the shames and vices of the house of Florence the patterne of a perfite Prince this Antichrist of Rome as a true president of Tyranny and Vsurpation by publishing with an apt resemblance as well the vilde and vnchristian practises as also the false and pernicious articles whereby he hath atchived so strange matters and attained vnto so vnmeasurable greatnesse which my desire is the more increased the more I consider how the webs of that worke hath ensuared if not enthralled Christian people euen in the carriage of this controversie I haue traced the foot-steps of many politicke reaches and now in the closing vp of the matter a faire traine is layd to catch and lay hold vpon an easie follower which we must not so suddenly passe by as