Intercession of Friends Sighs and Tears of Priests be the Authority of the Pope let him in God's name use it still And as in the Calling so in the Subscription of the Council you may further see his Authority Because saith Leo (g) Leo Epist. 56. to the Emperour I must by all means obey your Sacred and Religious Will I have set down my Consent in writing to those Constitutions Here you see it is plain Councils were called by Princes at the Pope's Petition and subscribed at their Command Therefore when Ruffinus (h) Doce quis eum jusserit Imperator convocariâ—è Hieron in Apologia contra Ruffinum alledged the Canon of a Council against Saint Hierom his Answer was Shew what Emperour commanded this Council to be called I will shut up this Point with Socrates his words who giving a reason why in his Church-Story he made so often mention of Emperours saith (i) Propterea quòd ex illo tempore quo Constantini esse ceperunt negotia Ecclesiae ex eorum nutu pondere visa sunt atque adeò maxima Concilia de eorum sententia convocata faerunt adhuc convocantuâ— Socrat. lib. 5. in Prooemio Since Emperours became like Constantine Fathers of the Church the Causes of the Church have depended upon their ill and therefore the greatest Councils have been and yet are called by their Authority The third work of Supremacy is Promulgatio Legum Promulgation of Church-Laws and Edicts expedient for Ecclesiastical Government And this was performed by Kings and Emperours not Pope's as Church-Stories are pregnant Proofs Constantine made many Laws concerning Confessours and Martyrs Christians and Heathens Eusebius (k) Euseb De vita Constantini lib. 2. cap. 20 21 24 44. mentioneth two Laws one that abolished Idolatry Images Sacrifices and Divinations another concerning building and enlarging of Churches at the Emperour's Charge Theodosius made a Law against the Arrians occasioned thus Amphilochius Bishop of Iconium having been a long Suitour in vain used this Stratagem saluting the Emperour slighted his Son Arcadius newly Created Caesar which the Father interpreting as a Contempt of his Son grew angry till Amphilochius discovering himself said (l) Theodoret. lib. 5. cap. 5. Art thou offended Emperour that I reverence not thy Son And thinkest thou that God is not offended with the Arrians that blaspheme his Son The Emperour overcome with these words Legem scribit made a Law against the Assemblies of the Arrians I will not enter particulars but refer you to the Titles (m) De summa Trinitate side Catholica De sacro sanctis Ecclesiis De Episcopis Clericis De Haereticis c. of the Civil Law which were promulgated by Justinian Theodosius Valentinian Honorius Arcadius and other Godly and Religious Emperours There is a Collection of Ecclesiastical Laws made by Charls the Emperour Lodovick and Lotharius gathered by (n) Ansegmus Anno 827. Ansegmus Of Charls his Laws there be an hundred sixtie eight of the Laws of Lewis and Lotharius an hundred fiftie seven In the Preface the Emperour Charls professeth (o) Quapropter nostros missos ad vos direximus qui ex nostri nominis authoritate una vobiscum corrigerent quae corrigenda essent that he hath directed his Commissioners here you see Princes Commissioners and Visitours are antient that shall joyn with others to redress those things which need Reformation according to his Canonical Constitutions in his name and by virtue of hiâ— authoritie Gregory the First (o) Gregor Epist Bishop of Rome wrote a submissive Letter to Mauritius the Emperour and another to Theodorus his Physician to intreat the revocation of a Law invented by Julian and that in a very humble Stile (p) Vtrolique ergo quod debui exolvi qui Imperatori obedientiaÌ„ praebuiâ— pro Deo quod sensi non tacui Gregor Epist 61. lib. 2. Ego quidem jussioni vestrae subjectus I your Servant and subject to your command have sent this Law to many parts of the World and now I write my opinion to your Majestie in both I have done my duty I have performed mine obedience to the Emperour and I have not concealed what I thought fit for God's cause And Saint Augustine saith (q) Hoc jubent Imperatores quod Christus jubet quia cùm bonum jubent nemo jubet nisi per eos Christus August Epist 166. of this power of Laws When Emperours command that which is good it is Christ and no man else that commandeth by them The fourth work of Supremacie is receiving of Appeals giving Decisions Restitutions and Deprivations and other punishments of Bishops for Causes Ecclesiastical which in Primitive Times fell to the judicature of Princes not Popes for when Donatus (r) Vide Optatum libr. 1. August Epist 162 166. had procured Cecilianus to be condemned by seventy African Bishops and had set up another Bishop in his See of Carthage he appealed to Constantine the Emperour and desired him to assigne him Judges Constantine by Commission extant in Eusebius (s) Eusebius lib. 1. cap. 5. delegated and authorised Meltiades Bishop of Rome to hear the cause who gave Sentence for Cecilianus upon a second Appeal (t) Euseb lib. 10. cap. 5. Constantine made a second Delegacy to Chrestus Bishop of Syracuse who likewise gave Sentence with Cecilianus upon the third Appeal Constantine appointed Elianus a Civil Magistrate to examine Felix who acquitted Felix also Then the Emperour called both Parties before him and gave final Sentence for Cecilianus and made a severe Law against the Donatists In which Passage I pray you observe First that Meltiades not as supreme Judg of all Controversies but as delegated by Constantine did judg of Cecilianus his Cause and Saint Augustine (u) August Epist. 162. defended him from usurpation upon the seventie African Bishops because the Emperour not Saint Peter appointed it Next the Bishop of Syracuse did judg the same Cause after Meltiades without any wrong to the See of Rome no man in that Age found fault with it And Thirdly It is apparent that Constantine was superiour to Meltiades and both made him his Delegate and Judge of his Sentence and Judgement which Saint Augustine (x) Vltimum Judicium ultra quod Causa pertransire non potest Augustin contra Parmenian lib. 1. cap. 6. calleth the last Judgement beyond which the Cause could not pass (y) Socrates lib. 5. cap. 10. Theodosius calling a Council of all Opinions where Nactarius and Agilius made the Confession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Consubstantiality Demophilus delivered up the Arrian Faith Eunomius the Eunomian Faith Eleusius the Macedonian Faith Then the Emperour alone separated from all Company saith (z) Tum solus separatus precatur Deum Socrates suprá Socrates made his Prayers to God to direct him in the Truth and then he read the several Faiths and condemned and rent all the rest that rent and divided
Laws Minist It is true your modern Court Parasites have fawned upon the Pope with such Blandishments of fulness of power yet as Baldus saith this plenitudo potestatis est plenitudo tempestatis fulness of power is fulness of tempest or disorder And your own barbarous Gloss confesses (m) Imperator in Temporaelibus habet potestatem a solo Deo imperium fuit antequam Apostolus esset Extravag De Majoritate Obedientia The Emperour in temporal things hath his authority not from the Pope but from God onely and the Emperour was before the Apostles were The Emperour Ludovicus the Fourth asserted his own right thus (n) Mea potestas non pendet a Papa sed a Deo immediaté vanum quod dici solet Papam non habere superiorem Paralipomena Uspergensia in Ludovico iv My power hath no dependance of the Pope but immediately of God alone and it is a vain tale that they say The Pope hath no superiour Johannes Major your own Colleague saith (o) Bonifacius Octavus multùm apparenter definivit quòd Romanus Pontifex est supra Reges in Temporalibus quod tamen oculatissimi Theologi dicunt esse falsum Johannes Major 4. Sent. 20. q. 2. Pope Boniface the Eight hath defined many things with great shew of reason that even in temporal causes the Pope is above Princes but I may tell you saith he the wisest Divines say it is false And your Romish Ceremoniary you so confide in declares to the world Ante Carolum Magnum neminem Imperii Romani coronam ex manu Romani Pontificis Romae suscepisse That before the Emperour Charles the Great that is for the space of eight hundred years after Christ no man ever received the Crown of the Romane Empire at Rome by the hands of the Bishop of Rome Therefore Bernard though an Abbot living in the mists of Popery tells Pope Eugenius without mincing (p) Esto ut alia quacunque ratione tibi vendices non tamen Apostolico jure nec illud tibi dare quod non habuit Petrus potuit Bernardus De Consideratione ad Eugenium lib. 2. Be it he may claim this pretended right by some other means yet by Apostolical right he cannot claim it neither could Peter give him that right he never had Gent. But to your Testimonies which I approve be pleased to add some reasons why the Pope hath not any authority to discharge any of the people of these Nations from their obedience to the chief Magistrate Minist The reasons are two First (q) Colimus Imperatorem ut à Deo secundum quicquid est a Deo cousecutum solo Deo minorem Tertull. ad Scapulam The chief Magistrate receiveth his authority onely of God and may acknowledge none above him within his Territories but God Secondly The Ty or Obligation whereby people are obliged in Duty to the chief Magistrate is perpetual indissoluble and may not lawfully be broken The former will be pertinent to this Article the latter will fall in in the next And that not only primitive Fathers and Protestants but even moderate Papists maintain this Doctrine appears by those (r) Primò Rex statum suum non nisi à Deo gladio suo debet recognoscere Secundò Rex solum Deum mortalem verò neminem in regno suo superiorem agnoscit Tertiò Papa non potest nec Regem nec regnum ejus supponere Interdicto seu Sacris interdicere nec subditis relaxare Sacramentum fidelitatis ei debitae propter quamcunque causam occasionem Alphonsus de Vargas pag. 123. three Articles agreed upon by the French Parliament at Paris and subscribed unto by the Sorbonists and other Divines First That the King or chief Magistrate ought to hold his state of none but God and his Sword Secondly He acknowledges onely God but no mortal man superiour in his Kingdom Thirdly That the Pope cannot interdict or excommunicate the King or his Kingdom or absolve his Subjects from the Oath of Allegiance for any cause or pretext whatsoever Gent. Make good your former reason which you say pertains to this Article That the chief Magistrate receiveth his authority onely of God and may acknowledg none above him within his Territories but God Minist The latter Branch of this Proposition That the chief Magistrate may acknowledge none above him within his Tertories but God alone is partly proved already but that all scruple may be removed I will add two Texts of Scripture more with the Fathers descant upon them and then proceed The former 2 Sam. xii ii where the Prophet Nathan having convinced David of his murder and adultery and using this Preface Haec dicit Dominus Thus saith the Lord onely as Leo (s) Haec dicit Dominus monuit Regem Davidem ut per poenitentiam peccata sua expiaret non tulit in eum sententiam quae tanquam Adulter Homicida juxta Legem morti addiceretur Leo Quartus 2. q. 7. cap. Non si competenter saith admonished him to expiate his sins by repentance but passed no sentence upon him that as a murderer or adulterer according to the Law he might be put to death Hence we may collect if Nathan a Prophet extraordinarily commissioned by God was not impowered to sentence David the chief Magistrate or stir up his Subjects against him much less may a Roman Prelate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put his sickle into another's harvest and out of his Diocess molest Princes Potentates and States Gent. Perhaps Nathan who was an extraordinary Prophet had an extraordinary dispensation to spare David who was an extraordinary Prince Minist No the other Text I shall produce relating to the same History overthrows that which is Psalm li. 4. Tibi soli peccavi Against thee thee onely saith David unto God have I sinned St. Ambrose gives the reason (t) Rex utique erat nullis ipse legibus tenebatur humanis neque enim Reges ullis ad poenam vocantur legibus tuti imporii potestate homini ergo non peccavit cui non tenebatur obnoxius Ambros in Apolog Davidis cap. 4. lib. 2. ep 7. He was saith he a King or supreme Regent and so subject to no Law of man for Princes beeing freed by Royal Prerogatives of Imperial power are not punishable by humane Laws he therefore sinned not to man to whom he was not subject With him agrees Euthymius in these words (u) Cùm sim Rex te solum commissorum à me scelerum judicem habeam tibi soli peccasse videor hoc est tibi soli judici subjicior caeterorum enim omnium ego Dominus sum ob potentiam meam licere mihi videtur quaecunque libuerit Euthym. in Psalm li. Seeing I am a King and have thee onely my Judg over my sins I seem to sin onely to thee that is I am subject onely to thee as to my Judg for I am Lord over all others and in regard of my power
ab aliis tanquam à majoribus sed contuli cum illis tanquam cum amicis paribus Glossa Ordinaria ad Galat. 2. I learned not of Peter and others as of my betters but I had Conference with them as with my equals and Friends So that this Distinction of extraordinary and ordinary Jurisdiction which gives Saint Peter a special Legislative Power is Scriptureless and a mere Popish Chimera Gent. Though there be no ground for it in Scripture yet it may be demonstrated from Tradition of the Church as the Cause from the Effect that St. Peter had this Power and delegated it to his Successours who without interruption have enjoyed it since Nil dat quod non habet as our Gerson once Chancellour of Paris avers saying (n) Sicut Christo collata est omnis potestas in coelo in terra sic eam Christus omnem Petro suisque Sucessoribus dereliquit Gerson De potestate Ecclesiae Consid 12. part 3. As all Power in Heaven and in Earth is collated upon Christ so Christ hath delegated it to Peter and his Successours Minist This is that third thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Haereticum a notorious falsitie which Franciscus a Victoria a Friar of your own and once Professour of Divinity in the Vniversitie of Salmantica confesses saying (o) Victor De potestate Ecclesiae Relect. 1. Sect. 1. 1. pag. 39. Glossatores Juris hoc Dominium dederunt Papae cum ipsi essent pauperes rebus doctrina The Glossers of the Canon-Law not Saint Peter gave the Pope this Dominion when they themselves were poor in estate and Petits in Learning Which Pope Zosimus (p) Zosimus in Concili Africano himself was conscious of when in that long contention with the Bishops of Africa touching his Supremacie he alleged not one word out of the Scriptures but only the Council of Nice which he himself had falsified And Meltiades (q) Meltiades in Epistola Ad Episcopos Hispaniae writing hereof to the Bishops of Spain claims it only by Custom not by Donation of Peter or Divine Right The Spring and Rise whereof Philip Mornay (r) Historia Papatus quibus gradibus ad id Fastigii enisus sit Philippus Mornaius Plessiacus in his Mystery of Iniquity or History of the Popedom discovers and is a Truth so clear that it extorts this Confession from Bellarmine (s) Bellarmin lib. 5. De Romano Pontifice cap. 9. Etiamsi nihil horum extaret abunde sufficeret praescriptio 800. Annorum nam etiam regna imperia per latrocinium acquisita tandem longo tempore fiunt legitima Though the Prescription of eight hundred years be sufficient for even Kingdoms and Empires gotten by robbery through continuance of time become lawfull Gent. This is a shrewd confession of so Learned a Cardinal and gives our cause a deadly blow There are four things wherein Supremacie consists First Reformation of the Church Secondly Calling of Councils and Synods Thirdly Promulgation of Church-Laws and Edicts Fourthly Receiving of Appeals and giving Decisions Have not Bishops of Rome exercised all these since the Apostles times According to Gerson (t) Sicut non est potestas nisi à Deo sic nec aliqua temporalis vel Ecclesiastica Imperialis vel Regalis nisi à Papa in cujus femore scripsit Christus REX REGUM DOMINUS DOMINANTIUM Gerson De potestate Ecclesiae Consider 12. part 3. As there is no Power but of God so neither any Temporal or Ecclesiastical Imperial or Regal Jurisdiction but of the Pope in whose Thigh Christ hath writ KING OF KINGS LORD OF LORDS Minist You shall finde upon Examination for all Gerson's Blasphemy that not one of these was exercised by the Bishops of Rome in the Primitive Times First Reformation of the Church by abolishing Idolatry Superstition and Heresie and placing of true Religion was practised by Constantine and all the godly Emperours his Successours The Emperour saith Eusebius (u) Tanquam communù Episcopus à Deo constitutus Eusebius De vita Constantini lil 1. cap 37. put down Idolatry established Christian Religion composed differences of Bishops suppressed Heresies and Schisms heard Causes of Religion and judged them in his own Person made Laws Decrees Edicts and Orders for Religion and all this as a common Bishop or Over-seer ordained of God This in special Constantine engaged to perform against the Fomenters of Arrianism and Fautours of Arrian Bishops saying (x) Pestium illarum audacia ministri Dei hoc est meá executione coercebitur Theodoret. lib. 1. cap. 19. The Boldness of such Bishops and others shall be brought in order by the execution of God's Minister that is my self And the sixth Toletan Council speaking of Chintillanus the King saith (y) Concil Toletan vi cap. 14. Nefas est in dubium deducere ejus potestatem cui omnium gubernatio superno constat delegata judicio It is an heinous Offence to call his Power not the Pope's into Question to whom it is apparent that the Government of all is delegated by the Divine Decree Secondly Calling of Councils and Synods was by the Authority of Emperours not Bishops of Rome As the four first General Councils were called by four Emperours The Nicene Council against Arrius by Constantine The Council of Constantinople against Macedonius by Theodosius the Elder The Council of Ephesus against Nestorius by Theodosius the Younger The Council of Chalcedon against Eutyches by Martian The Council of Sardis by Constans and Constantine And many more for many Centuries after Christ and that not as Bellarmine (z) Bellarm. De Cenciliis lib. 1. cap. 13. saith Authoritate Rapae By the Pope 's Authority which appears in that Leo Bishop of Rome made Supplication (a) Supplicationi nostrae dignetur Imperator annuâ—â—c Leo. Epist 9. to Theodosius that he would call a Council in Italy but the Emperour called it at Ephesus and the Bishops of Italy could not come in time so that Eutyches his Heresie was there countenanced by means of Dioscorus Bishop of Alexandria Then Leo made a second Supplication (b) Leo Epist 24. and alledged the Tears of all the Clergy for to obtain a Council it Italy Then he solicited the Emperess Pulcheria (c) Leo Epist 26. to further his Supplicaon to the Emperour he wrote (d) Leo Epist 23. to the Nobles Clergy and People of Constantinople to join with him in Supplication to the Emperour yet could not obtain it in the time of Theodosius When Martian succeeded by the favour of Pulcheria a Council was called not in Italy but at Chalcedon Then Leo made a fresh Suit (e) Leo Epist 43. that the Emperour would command the Bishops of the Council that the Faith of the Nicene Council might stand in full force unaltered which the Emperour did at his Request and the Emperour's Oration (f) Oratio Martiani in Concilio Chalcedoneusi to that purpose is extant Now if Supplication
60. None of the Roman Bishops my Predecessours assumed to himself the name of Universal Bishop and if any man else assume the same I say it is a swelling of arrogancy a proud novel pompous perverse temerarious superstitious profane and impious Title a name of singularity a title of error a word of vanity and blasphemy and whosoever taketh upon him or desireth this arrogant title by this exalting himself he is a fore-runner of Antichrist and if he be permitted to usurp the same it will prove the bane of the faith of the universal Church Thus far Gregory Gent. This zealous acknowledgement of so learned so pious a Pope is very prejudicial to their cause but let me hear Scriptures Minist When the Kingdom and Priest-hood were divided in Moses and Aaron Moses the civil Magistrate exercised a supremacy over Aaren the High Priest not onely in causes Civil but Ecclesiastical whom he reproved Exod. xxxii 21. for making the golden Calf and in his time the breach of the Sabbath by gathering of sticks was punished by the civil Sword Numb xv 31. Joshua a Prince no Priest succeeded Moses in his charge and by this Commission Joshua v. 2. he circumcised the Sons of Israel erected an Altar of Stone Jos viii 30. Read the Law Jos viii 32 34. did execution on him that concealed things dedicated to Idols Jos vii 24 25. caused the people to put away strange Gods and renued the Covenant between God and the people Jos xxiv 23 25. David's whole study was well for causes Ecclesiastical as Civil after he had freed Israel from all enemies then did he compose (l) 1 Paral. xvi 7. Psalms to be sung by Asaph and his Brethren then did he set (m) 1 Paral. xxiii orders in the Temple appointed (n) 1 Paral. xxiv Priests Levites (o) 1 Paral. xxv Singers and other (p) 1 Paral. xxvi inferiour Servitours and assigned to them their (q) 1 Paral. xxvii dignities courses and offices Solomon by this commission built the (r) 1 Kings vi Temple and (s) 1 Kings viii dedicated it deposed (t) 1 Kings ii 35. Abiathar the High-Priest and placed Sadock in his room I hope this is matter and argument of express Supremacy Asa took away (u) 2 Paral. xiv 3 4 c. altars of strange Gods the High-places and groves He put down his (x) 2 Paral. xv 8 12 13 14 15. Mother because she had made an Idol He took an (y) 2 Paral. xv 13. Oath of Judah and Benjamin which may be paralleled with this Oath that whosoever would not serve the LORD and abjure Idolatry should be slain Jehoshaphat sent his (z) 2 Paral. xvii 6 7. Princes to reform Religion in the cities of Judah and with them Priests and Levites himself went from (a) 2 Paral. xix 4. Beer-sheba to Mount Ephraim and brought the people again to the God of their Fathers He (b) 2 Paral. xix 8. set of the Priests and Levites and chief of the families of Israel for the Judgment and causes of the LORD (c) 2 Paral. xxix 3. 4 5. Ezechias his execution of supremacy even over the High-Priest in this kinde is famous he opened the doors of the House of the LORD and brought the Priests and Levites in He (d) 2 Paral. xxix 30. commanded them to sanctify themselves and offer burnt-offerings which they did according to the (e) 2 Paral. xxx 1 6 12. King's commandment Here Priests are obedient to the King's Injunction even in their own Duties and Charge He commanded the Levites to praise God with the words of David There he enjoyned a Liturgy He commanded all Judah and Israel to keep the Pass-over Here is as Saint Augustine saith omnia cum imperio all for the civil power He (f) 2 Paral. xxxi 2. appointed the course of Priests and Levites by turns He (g) 2 Paral. xxxi 1. took away the high-places broke down the Images and brake the (h) 2 Kings xviii 4. Brasen-Serpent made by Moses because the people burned Incense unto it Manasses that had set up Altars Groves and Images before his captivity after his (i) 2 Paral. xxxiv 3 4 19 30 31 32 33. repentance he took away the strange Gods and the Image that he had put in the house of the Lord and restoring the worship of God commanded Judah to serve the Lord. The last instance I will produce is that of Josias who purged Judah and Jerusalem from (k) 2 Paral. xxxv 1 2 3 10 18. high-places Groves and Images he gathered all Israel read the Law renued the Covenant compelled them to serve the Lord kept the famous Pass-over and reduced the Priests and Levites to their courses set by David and Solomon I suprasede the allegation of any further evidence of this kinde seeing the Jesuite Salmeron confesses that (l) In Veteri Testamento sub lege naturae vel Mosis summi Sacerdotes Regibus subdebantur Salemron in Tractatu 63. De potestate Ecclesiastica Saeculari In the Old Testament under the Law of Nature or Moses the High-Priests were subject to Kings Gent. But I have known others of our (m) Allen. Defens Angl Cathol cap. 8. Catholick Doctours preferring the High-Priest's Crosiar before the King's Scepter and for their warrant alledged these examples out of Scripture (n) 2 Paral. xxvi first of Azarias the High-Priest who accompanied with fourscore other Priests magnanimously assaulted King Vzziah smit with leprosy because he had burned Incense to the Lord drave him out of the Temple according to the (o) Levit. xiii Levitical Law sent him out of the City and deposed him from his Kingly authority (p) Bellarm. lib. 5. De Roman Pontif. cap. 8. The other example is of Jehoiada who whilest he was executing the Priest's office commanded Queen Athaliah to be slain because she countenanced the worship of Baal and substituted Joash King in her place These are Presidents of High-Priests or Papal authority over Princes Minist These two Histories being truly understood make nothing for advancement of Papal above Civil power but rather give it a deadly blow for first the Scripture saith not that Azariah assaulted Vzziah the King or that he violently forced him out of the Temple for he was forced by the hand of God when the leprosy arose in his forehead And whereas Azariah the High-Priest ' with the rest of the Priests is said 2 Paral xxvi 20. festinato illum templo expulisse to have thrust and also hastened him to go out Josephus (q) Joseph Antiq. Judaic lib. 9. cap. 11. quem sequitur Cajetanus in 2. Paral. xxvi Visa lepra Sacerdotes Regem leprosū ad festinè egrediendum monent interprets it a perswasion onely by words not any compulsion by deeds whereof Chrysostome gives the reason saying (r) Sacerdotis est tantum arguere liberámque praestare admonitionem non movere arma non
flock much less over these Nations which are no part of his charge Gent. But Salmero Gregorius de Valentia Bellarmine Suarez Sa Richeomus Heissius and Antonius Sanctarellus have proclaimed to the world the contrary Doctrine whereof the last in his Treatise Of Heresie and the Pope's power affirms That (n) Papae ac Christi unum esse tribunal Papá jus potestatem habere in spiritualia simul in omnia temporalia in eo de jure divino esse utramque potestateÌ„ nec eam modò in aedificationem sicut Apostolis data fuerat sed etiam in destructionem adeóque Papam etiam sine Concilio posse Imperatores Reges non tantùm propter Haeresin c. regno privare Anton. Sanctarell Tract De potestate Summi Pontificis the Pope and Christ have but one Tribunal That the Pope hath right and power both in Spiritualities and all Temporalities and to claim both powers by Divine right not onely for Edification as the Apostles did but for Destruction and therefore the Pope even without a Council may depose Emperours and Kings not onely for Heresie Schism or any other crime not tolerable to the people but also for insufficiency and that their persons are unprofitable c. with much moreof the same leaven Minist It is true which Seneca saith Nullum facinus caret Exemplo No wickedness is so abominable but it hath some President as this Diabolical Doctrine hath the patronage of the Jesuits yet that it was disrellished and detested even by the Romists themselves appears in that as soon as the Book of Sanctarellus was brought into France the Vniversity of Paris and especially the College of Sorbone publickly condemned and proscribed by a sharp Decree the Jesuitical Doctrine as (o) Parisiensis Academia c. praescripsit veluti exitialem ac pestilentem cùm sit falsa nova erronea verbo Dei contraria schismati occasionem praebens supremae Regum authoritati à Deo solo dependenti derogans regnorum statuum rerumpublicarum eversiva subditos ab obedientia subjectione avocans ad factiones rebelliones seditiones Principum parricidia excitans Alphonsus de Vargas pag. 118. destructive and pestilent and detestable and that it was new false erroneous contrary to the word of God giving occasion of Schism derogating from the supreme authority of Kings depending on God alone disturbing publick peace destructive to Kingdoms States and Common-wealths withdrawing Subjects from obedience and subjection stiring them up to rebellions seditions and murder of Princes and I may add contradictory to Scriptures as is already demonstrated and also all the antient Fathers Gent. That this Decree of the Vniversity of Paris and the Doctours of Sorbone is consonant to Scripture I make no scruple let me hear what the Primitive Fathers say to this Point which is the second proof you promised Minist I will only give you a few of many that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you may discern Hercules his whole Dimensions by his foot Tertullian speaking of Imperial or Civil power saith (p) Colimus Imperatorem ut hominem a Deo secundum quicquid est à Deo consicutum sold Deo minorem Tertul. ad Scapulam We honour the Emperour as a man second to God obtaining of God whatsoever he hath and inferiour to God onely not the Pope Opatus saith (q) Optatus lib. 3. contra Parmenianum Super Imperatorem non est nisi solus Deus qui fecit Imperatorem Above the Emperour there is none but onely God not the Romane Prelate that made the Emperour Saint Chrysostome speaking of the Emperour Theodosius saith (r) Non habet parem supra terram summitas caput omnium supra terram hominum Chrysost Homil. 3. Ad populum Antioch He hath no Peer upon earth the height and head of all men upon earth therefore of the Romish Bishop Saint Cyril writing to Theodosius the Younger saith (s) Cyril Epistol ad Theodosium praefixa libro adversus Julianum Vestrae Serenitati nullus status est aequalis There is no state therefore not the Romish Hierarchy equal to your Sovereignty Agapetus affirms of the Emperour Justinian (t) Agapetus Paraenet num i. num 21. Eum hominem quolibet sublimiorem habere dignitatem That His dignity was more sublime then any other man's Non se habere in terris quemquam altiorem That He had no man upon earth therefore not a Priest sitting in the Romane Vatican higher then himself This was the continued Doctrine of the Church in Primitive and pure times for betwixt Optatus and Agapetus were well nigh two hundred years Pelagius first of that name Bishop of Rome five hundred years after Christ salutes Childebert King of France with this submissive language (u) Quanto nobis studio labore satagendum est ut proferendo suspiâ—ionis scandalo obsequium confessionis nostrae Regibus ministremus quibus nos etiam subditos sanctae Scripturae praecipiunt Epistol 16. ad Chilâ—eb apud Bin. Tom. 2. Concil pag. 6â—3 How studiously and painfully ought we to endeavour that we may avoid the suspicion of scandal to perform obedience to Kings meet for our Christian profession to whom the holy Scriptures commands even us the Bishops of Rome to be subject And Gregory the Great who sate in the Romane See six hundred years after the Incarnation piously confesses That (x) Potestatem supra omnes homines Dominorum suorum pietati caelitus daâ—um esse utrobique quod debui exsolvi qui Imperatori obedientiam praebui pro Deo quod sensi minimè tacui Gregor lib. 2. Epist 61. Power was given from Heaven to his Lords the Emperours over all men in which universal Catalogue he also compriseth himself Ego jussioni vestrae subjectus I also subject to your command and that not out of fained humility but conscience and duty for he subjoyns On both sides I have discharged my duty who both performed obedience to the Emperour and concealed not what I thought for God's cause This Holy Mount was not touched for nine hundred years after the Passion during which time Princes kept their power and jurisdiction unimpeached over the Roman Prelates sometimes deposing them from their Episcopal charge for impurity of life as (y) Reversus est Otho Romam ut Papam Johannem corriperet quod plurimorum criminum reus ageretur proinde sceleris sui conscius sibi Pontifex ob metum Othonis profugit Carion Chror lib. 3. pag. 190. Otho the Emperour ejected John the Twelfth for his wickedness and Necromancy Gent. But this Emperour Otho was crowned by John and performed an Oath of Fealty to him therefore some think he was unjustly deposed Minist He was crowned by him and (z) Forma Juramenti extat 63. Distinct capite Tibi Domina swore Fealty but as Carion the Historian saith (a) Carion supra Otho hic primus est Imperator qui Pontifici juramentum praestitit This
Soul which as Saint Augustine (a) Creando infundituâ— infundendo creatur Lombard 2. Sent. Distinct 17. saith is created by Infusion and infused by Creation but are not the causes of Creation or Infusion of it for that is God's peculiar Prerogative qui format animas in medio eorum Even so that of constituting Rulers and Governours as Tertullian saith (b) Indè ille potestas unde spiritus Tertul. in Apologeâ— cap. 30. Thence is their power from whence is their Spirit or Soul and Irenaeus (c) Cujus jussu nascuntur homines ejus jussu constituuntur Principes Irenaeus lib. 5. Contra Haeres By whose command men are born by the same power are Princes or Governours made which is onely Gods This the Romish Extravagants approve determining that (d) Imperator non habet gladium a populo sed imperium est a solo Deo Extravag De Majoritate Oledientia Dist 96. The Emperour hath not his Sword of the people but the Empire is onely from God Gent. I see it perspicuously evident by Scriptures Fathers and Imperial Constitutions that Chief Magistrates receive their Authority onely of God and that None is above them within their Dominions but God What say the antient Laws of our Nation to this Minist Bracton who executed the office of Lord Chief Justiciarie for twenty years together under Henry the Third treating of the antient rites and customs of England saith that (e) Sunt sub Rege liberi homines servi ejus potestati subjecti omnes quidem sub eo ipse sub nullo nisi tantum sub Deo Iâ—émque râ—â—sus Si ab eo peccatur cùm Breâ—e non currat contra ipsâ—m locus erit supplicationi quod factum suum corrigat emendeâ— quod quidem si non feâ—â—rit satis erit ei ad poenam quod Dominum expectet ultorem nemo enim de factis suis praesumat disquirere â—ouâ—â—o minus contra factum suum venire Bracton De lege consuetudine Angâ—â—â—â— lib. â— cap. 8. num 5. Under the King are Freemen and Servants subject to his power and all are under him and he under none therefore not the Pope of Rome but onely under God and iâ— he offend seeing no Brief can issue out against him much less a Romish f This is to be understood either in relation to the Pope onely or of them which are alsolutely supreme in legislative and executive power whether Monarchs Optimates or Senate which is to be referred to the Laws of every Nation as His Majesty is supreme with us both in legislative and executive power Bull there is onely place for Supplication that he would correct and reform his Errour which if he will not do it is sufficient punishment for him that he must expect God will revenge for none may presume therefore not the Pope judicially to enquire into his actions much less to make insurrection against him Gent. I understand that not onely the modern but antient Laws of this Nation are against Papal Jurisdiction if not expresly yet consequently but at this present you need not fear his annoying the Chief Magistrate State or people of this Nation Minist There was never more cause of fear then now and unless you dissemble you must confess the (g) Regno privare atque etiam interficiendos atque populos subjectos relaxato juris jurandi vinculâ— potestate eorum eximere atque ab obedientia sidei debito liberare ipsum regnum alteri Principi donare armis invadendum sibique subjugandum permittere Regem a Papa sive Haeret cum sine alià s vitiâ—sâ—m auâ— inuâ—â—lem judicaâ—um ac propterea per sententiam ejus velut superioris regni jure privatum jam jus authoritatem imperandi amisisse nec ultra Regem esse sed Tyrannum a quovis de populo occidi posse Clericos etiam nequaquam ulli Regum esse subditos ac propterea nullam ab eis laesae Majestatis crimen commiâ—â—â— etiamsi rebellionem in Reges moliaâ—â—ur monitis atque exemplo populos rebellare obedientiam fidelitateÌ„ tribuluÌ„ omnia obsequia Principibus negare doâ—eâ—t Apostolos Regibus de facto tantum non etiam de jure subjectos fâ—iâ—se Sanctarel apud Alphonsum de Vargas pag. 117 118. Brood of Ignatius Loyola were never more active then now at this present That Romish Argus in the Apocalyptical Beast full of eyes he rides upon is intensly vigilant to widen the breaches he hath made taking advantage of our distractions haud tanto cessabit cardine rerum I will give a glance of his attempts in this kind since Queen Elizabeth's Inauguration In the fourth year of Her Reign Arthur Pole of the Race of George Duke of Clarence and Fortescue his Brother-in-Law conspired by an army in Wales to proclaim the Queen of Scots Pope Pius the Fifth in the year 1569. sent out an Excommunication against her absolving all her Subjects from the Oath of Allegiance By him and the King of Spain the Duke of Norfolk was excited to stir up what Forces he could and to join with the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland who were seduced by Nicholas Morton a Priest sent from his Holyness The same year Johannes Mendoza was sent out of Spain to inflame the Rebellion begun in Ireland by Edmund and Peter Botelers Brethren to the Earl of Ormond In the year 1570. Don John of Austria disappointed of the Kingdom of Tunis practised secretly with the Pope the overthrow of England Gregory the Thirteenth promised a Cruciata as was used in the Holy Wars if the Spaniard and Stukeley an Englishman whom he had furnished with men and ammunition would turn their Forces against England Sanders and Allen two Popish Priests with Power Legantine a consecrated Banner and Letters of Commendation came to Spain from thence to Ireland with three Ships and a few Soldiers to stir up Commotions In the year 1580. these Emissaries House Main Nelson Sherwood Campian Parsons all Romish Priests taught that Queen Elizabeth was an Heretick and therefore worthily deposed The Jesuits by their seditious Libels encouraged Summervile and Arden to attempt the Queen's death Anno 158â— And Bernardinus Mendoza the Spanish Embassadour was thrust out of England for secret Conspiracies against the State At Venice Parry a Doctour of Civil Law had communication with Benedictus Palmius a Jesuit who recommended him to Campegius the Pope's Nuncio and Campegius to the Pope so that Letters of Credence were sent to him by the Cardinal of Come and he excited to attempt the Queen's death by a Stab which they called special service for the Catholick cause which he consented unto having got a plenary indulgence by Ragazonius the Pope's Nuncio Ballard a Rhemish Priest perswaded Babington with Chernock and other of his Complices to assault Her Majesty commending the Scots who had lately intercepted their King at Sterling and Gerard the Burgonian who killed the
disclaim the lawfulness of it avouching that (h) In vita Sylvestri Johannes de Parisiis cap. 22. In donatione illa audita est vox Angelorum in aere dicentium Hodie venenum effusum est in Ecclesiam At the time of the confirming and passing of this Donation there was a voice of Angels heard in the Air This day poyson is poured upon the Church Gent. Enough of this tell me in order the other Romish Principles upon which Papal Transcendency leans Minist The second is That His triple-Crowned Sovereignty hath a direct power to depose and instate Princes and that Romish Catholicks are obliged to assist the Pope in the execution of his sentence of decrowning chief Magistrates and translating their Crowns Which is falsely fathered upon Pope Zacharie the First but indeed is no elder then Pope Gregory the Seventh a brand of Hell and it was ripened by many of his Successours and fomented by sundry Parasites and Assassines of Rome and by (i) Carerius De potestate Romani Pontificis lib. 2. cap. 3. Boskier Legat. Aposiol con 14. pag. 35. Baron Annal. Tom. 11. many Moderns as Marta Simancha Baronius Bosius Carerius Paulus Cararia defended of which Gratian gives an instance (k) Zacharias Regem Francorum non tam pro suis imquitatibus quà m pro co quòd tantae potestati erat mutilis à regno deposuit Gratian. caus 15. quaest 6. cap. Atius Pope Zachary deposed the King of France not so much for any Delinquency of his but that he was not competently qualified to manage such a power Gent. The novelty of this with other reasons you have formerly given speaks sufficiently the unlawfulness of it what is the next Minist The third is pendulous with shew of limitation and mitigation to wit The Pope hath an indirect power limited and circumscribed by many cautions provisions in deposing Princes This is maintained by (l) Bellarmin De Pontif. lib. 5. cap. 1. 6. 7. 8. Gretser Defens Bellarm De Pontif. Victoria De potest Eccles quaest 2. Cajetan Apol. cap. 13. Bellarmin and may seem for manner of speaking to be more moderate then the former but in weight and consequence is equally false and pernicious for it hath the same effects yielding authority to Popes to depose Princes when the same appeareth to themselves reasonable and for the benefit of the Roman cause Then saith (m) Si quid tale accidat Spiritualis potestas potest ac delet coërcere Temporalem omni ratione ac viâ quae ad id necessaria vidibitur Bellarm. De Romano Pontifice cap. 6. Bellarmine the Spiritual power may and ought to curb the Temporal by all means and ways which may seem conducible to that end It armeth also Subjects to rebellion and enemies to mischief and it provideth that regal or supreme Magistracy shall depend upon Papal discretion and devotion Thus the cunning Jesuite brings water in the one hand and fire in the other saying (n) Quantum ad personas non potest Papa ut Papa ordinariè temporales Principes deponere etiam justa de causa eo modo quo deponit Episcopos id est tanquam ordinarius Judex tamen potest mutare regna uni auferre atque alteri conferre tanquam summus Princeps Spiritualis si id necessarium sit ad animarum salutem Bellarm. De Rom. Pontif. lib. 5. capp 6 7. As to the persons the Pope as Pope cannot ordinarily depose temporal Princes though the cause be just after that manner as he deposeth Bishops that is as an ordinary Judge yet he can change Kingdoms and take from one and collate upon another as the Chief Spiritual Prince if it shall be requisite for the health of Souls But the most malignant venom is yet behind in the sting for saith he quod Christiani olim non deposuerunt Neronem Dioclesianum Julianum Apostatam Valentem Arrianum similes id fuerat quia deerant vires Temporales Christianis That Christians formerly deposed not Nero and Dioclesian and Julian the Apostate and Valens the Arrian and such the reason was because Christians wanted temporal forces To these three pestilential Principles all the Romish Doctrine that relates to deposing or annoying of Princes may be reduced Gent. Are these Doctrines generally maintained by Catholicks or an aspersion fastened upon them for some few or who are they that foment them Minist That they are not maintained by all I have hinted to you already and shall haply more fully hereafter If the Disease be not hectical but of a few that asperse the rest you may more rationally abjure them which is the scope I aim at but you shall finde that the maintainers and fomenters of them are neither few nor inconsiderable I 'le instance in two or three By a drop you may discern the saltness of the Ocean Baronius saith (o) Non eos homicidas arbitramur qui adversus excommunicatos zelo Catholicae matris ardentes eorum quoslibet trucidasse contigerit Baron Annal. Tom. 11. Anno 1089. We judge not them murderers who enflamed with a zeal of their Catholick Mother against excommunicated persons shall chance to kill any of them Alvares Pelagius saith that (p) Apud illum reside◠Regalis sive Imperialis dignitatis plenitudo cui de jure competit imperium transferre Sicut nullus fidelis dubitat quòd Christus fuerit Rex Sacerdos Rex coeli terrae c. sic nullus Catholicus dubitare debet quin summus Vicarius Generalis in terris pariter utramque habet potestatem imò uon longè abesset ab Haeresi contrarium affirmare Alvares Pelagius De planctu Ecclesia lib. 1. Art 37. With the Pope resides the fulness both of Regal and Imperial dignity who hath lawful power to translate Empires And as no Believer doubts that Christ was both King and Priest King of Heaven and Earth so no Catholick ought to doubt that the chief Vicar General upon earth hath both powers Spiritual and Temporal it would not much fall short of Heresie to affirm the contrary Bosius saith (q) Bosius De Ecclesiae signis lib. 7. cap. 4. In quo elucescit authoritas Papae qui potest justis de causis vel sine culpa ab aliis in alios jura maxima qualia sunt imperia summa decreto suo transferre Herein appeareth the authority of the Pope that he can for just causes or when there is no fault transfer by his greatest interests as chief Empires Augustine ab Ancona saith (r) August ab Ancona Sum. de Eccles Quaest 1. Art 1. Immediata potestas jurisdictionis omnium Spiritualium Temporalium est solum in Papa All power of Spiritual and Temporal jurisdiction is onely in the Pope It seems to me a prodigious Tenet to hold The Pope hath power to depose and translate Empires for no fault as well as for condigne causes But what are the principal causes they assign Minist Bosius
noxa injustitiae perjurii absolvatur Sigebert Anno 1088. teach the people that they ow no subjection to wicked Princes and that although they have taken the Oath of Fealty yet do they ow them no Allegiance neither are they perjured that think ill against their Supreme Majesty yea he that obeyeth the King or Supreme Magistrate is reputed an excommunicate person and he that taketh part against him is absolved from the crime of injustice and perjury From this Diabolical Principle it was that Pope Boniface the Third absolved Phocas from his fealty to the Emperour Mauritius Pope Zachary assoiled Pipine and other Frenchmen of their Oath of Allegiance and fidelity made to Childerick King of France (c) Caesar â Summo Pontifice non est excommunicatus solum sed reliquis potentioribus Principibus mandatum est ut Imperaterem alium designarent Carion Chron. lib. 3. pag. 202 Pope Hildebrand or Gregory the Seventh dispensed with Rodolph Duke of Suecia for his Oath he had taken to the Emperour Henry the Fourth his liege Lord. Histories are as full of such examples as the Deserts of Arabia of Quick-sands or dangerous wilde Beasts Gent. There are very few Catholicks but are convinced that Bishops of Rome have transgressed in the frequency of their Absolutions and misapplication of their Pardons and Dispensations yet this prejudices not the Papal power to grant Absolutions and Dispensations when there is just cause Minist There can be no just cause for absolving Subjects of their Oath and ty of fealty to their Sovereign for the reason formerly assigned that I engaged to insist upon in this last Article which was (d) Vinculum illud officii quo majestatis suae subditi ad ipsum teneantur perpetuum esse solvique sine piaculo non posse Andreros The Bond and Obligation whereby people are obliged in duty to their chief Magistrate is perpetual indissoluble and may not lawfully be broken In so much as it is grounded upon the fifth Commandment and so the Law of Nature which even your own Angelical Doctour acknowledgeth to be out of the reach of Papal absolution or dispensation as being (e) Naturale jus ab exordio rationalis creaturae nec variatur tempore sed immutabile permanet Aquinas 1. 2. Quaest 94. Art 5. immutable from the very beginning of the rational Creature and that moral Commandments are such as they are altogether (f) Praecepta Decalogi sunt omnino indispensabilia Aquin. 1. 2. q. 100. Art 8. in Decreto Dist 5. indispensable by any power Gent. What if Supreme Magistrates be Tyrants Infidels Hereticks Apostates or Renegadoes from the truth may not the Pope absolve their Subjects from former Oaths and Engagements To what end serve those Arrows of Dispensation Excommunication the Seal of Confession if they may not be levelled at such Marks Minist Even Tyrants Infidels Hereticks Apostates are so harnessed with the Panoplie of the Law of Nature and the Moral Law that they are impenetrable by these pretended Papal Darts maugre the Romish Conclave which I shall demonstrate in order First Tyrants are shot-free as appeareth by Saul who injuriously hunted David's Soul sought his life 1 Sam. xxiv 12. 1 Sam. xxii 23. who was faithful amongst all his Servants 1 Sam. xxii 14. recompensed him good for evil 1 Sam. xxiv 18. who commanded Doeg to fall upon the Priests of the Lord and slew fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen Ephod and smote Nob the City of the Priests with the Edg of the Sword both men and women children and sucklings 1 Sam. xxii 18 19. with a conflux of many other crimes which importuned the Lord to revenge yet David though no private man but designed to a Kingdom and General of the King's Army durst presume of no dispensation from the High Priest to disingage himself to Saul when he had him at an advantage but out of tender touch of conscience cryed out when his Servants pressed him to lay violent hands upon him The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master the Lord 's Anointed to stretch forth mine hand against him seeing he is the Anointed of the LORD Which signal Loyalty presidential to all Posterity Optatus elegantly describeth saying (g) Occasionem victoriae David habet at in manibus incautum securum adversarium sine labore poterat jugulare sine sanguine constictu multorum poterat bellum mutare in caedem pucri ejus occasio sua debant ad victoriam opportunitas hortabatur stringere jam caeperat ferrum tre jam caeperat armata manus hostium in jugulos sed obstabat plena divinorum memoria mandatorum hortantibus se puerts occasionibus contradicit tanquam hoc diceret Sine causa mr Victorit provocas frustrà me in triumphuÌ„ invitas voleâ—am hostâ—â— vincere sed prius ost divina praecepta serva re non inquit mutam manum in Vnctum Domini repressit cum gladio manum dum timuit o'cum servabat inimiâ—um Optatus lib. 2. Adversits Parmenianum David had the opportunity of victory in his hands he might have slain his unwary and secure Adversary without labour have changed War into Slaughter without Blood and Skirmish of many both his Servants and the occasion perswaded the opportunity encouraged to Victory now he began to draw his Sword now his armed Troops began to make at the Enemies throats but the perfect Remembrance of God's Countermand did hinder he checks his Servants and occasions that egged him on as if with this Soliloquie O Victory thou causelesly provokest me thâ—â— invitest me to triumph in vain I am willing to conquer mine Enemie but more willing to observe the precepts of the Deity I will not saith he lay mine hand upon the Lord 's Anointed He plucked back his hand with his Sword and while he feared the Oil he preserved his Enemy Gent. David and Saul lived under the Law it may be pretended that the Bishop of Rome the Evangelical High-Priest hath more superlative Power then the Legal High Priest had Minist A pretense indeed but groundless for the Apostle Saint Paul bids every Soul be subject 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the higher Powers which was then the Tyrannical Emperour Nero and his Commissioners Tertullian adviseth to submit to the Emperour Severus who was the (h) Severus quintâ post Neronem severissima Persecutione Ecclesiam excruciavit Anno Christi 205. Orosius Baronius fifth Persecutour of Christians after Nero for having declared that (i) Malè velle malè facere malè dicere malè cegitare de quoqudin ex aequo vetdri quod in neminem licet cò forsitan magis nec in ipsum qui per. Deum tantus est licere hoc est Imperatorem Tertul Apol. 1. cap. 36. we are interdicted by the word to do evil speak evil think evil of any he gathers that we are much more interdicted to act any of these things
Prince of Orange In the year 1587. Sir Aribespinaeus the French Embassadour would have perswaded one Stafford a young Gentleman to take away the Queen's life Pope Sixtus Quintus sent Cardinal Allen into Flanders and renewed the Bull of Pius Quintus and Gregory the Thirteenth to encourage the Spanish Armado to invade England in Eighty eight Doctour Lopez the Queen's Physician was hired by the Romish Rabbies for fifteen thousand Crowns to poyson Her Whalpool a Jesuit in confession imposed upon Squire to poyson the Queen's Saddle which he attempted accordingly Tyrone by the instigation of the King of Spain and the Pope moved the Irish Subjects to Rebellion Watson and Clark two Romish Priests perswaded Lord Cobham Lord Grey Sir Walter Rawleigh and others by surprising of King James in the first year of His Reign to force him to a Toleration in Religion Father Creswell a Lieger Jesuit in Spain Don Pedro Frankesa Secretary of State and the Duke of Lerma did all negotiate with the Pope and his Cardinals for the advancement of the Powder-plot and all upon this ground (h) Solus Papa est Dominus Temporalium ita ut possit auferre ab alio quod alias suum est tenet factum ejus licèt peccet sed Praelati caeteri Principes non sunt Domini sed Tutores Procuratorâ—â— Dispensatores Johannes de Parisiis De potestate Regia Papali cap. 5. That Princes being Hereticks or excommunicated may be deposed their Subjects disobliged and all the sinews of Government disjointed if the Pope send out his Bull to bellow against them Gent. I utterly detest and abhor these and all such Machinations as pernicious and destructive to Church and State Minist You will not onely detest them but the very Ground and Basis upon which they are founded if you considerately and conscientiously weigh the next Article which is The Ninth Article And I do further swear That I do from my heart abhor detest and abjure their damnable Doctrine and Position That Princes Rulers or Governours which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may by virtue of such Excommunication or Deprivation be killed murdered or deposed from their Rule or Government or any outrage or violence done unto them by the People that are under them or by any other whatsoever upon such pretense Gent. WHat differs this Article from the former what Acts or Objects in them are remarkably distinguished Minist The two former dismantled the Pope's power justly to arm either forein Princes or homebred Subjects against their Native Sovereign This abjures those Heretical Principles upon which this practical Doctrine is bottomed Gent. What are those Principles which sustain the Superstructure of all the Romish Hierarchy and Grandeur Minist Their name is Legion because they are many First That (a) Constituti sumus à Deo super gentes regna ut destruamus evellamus aedificemus plantemus Aventin lib. 6. pag. 636. The Pope is placed by God over Nations and Kingdoms that he may destroy and pluck up and build and plant Whence as Matthaeus Hieromonachus (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matthaeus Hieromonachus hath it The Consistorial Conclave gave in Decree and Commandment to all Lords and the Senate of the Empire That the Bishop of Rome and the Successour of St. Peter chief of the Apostles have authority and power in all the world more then that of the Empire is and That he be honoured and worshipped more then the Emperour and That he be Head of the four Patriarchal Seats and That things appertaining to the right Faith be of him judged and determined Gent. Where do they lay the ground of the proof of this Doctrine whether upon Divine Oracles or Imperial Decrees and Constitutions Minist Some challenge it from Divine Revelation which you have heard refuted by Scripture Antients and Romists themselves The most father it upon the Donation of Constantine So expressly your own Champian Doctour Harding The first Christian Emperour Constantine the Great being fully instructed of the godly and learned Bishops of the time thought good by his Imperial Commandment and Decrees to confirm ratifie and for his own person to yield unto blessed Sylvester then Pope and to his Successours Bishops of Rome the same Authority and Superiority not onely over Bishops and Patriarchs but also Power and Honour higher and greater then that of Kings and Emperours Gent. What think you of this Donation or Charter of Constantine Johannes de Parisiis saith (c) Volunt aliqui quòd ratione hujus doni Papa est Imperator Dominus mundi quòd potest Reges instituere destituere sicut Imperator Johannes de Parisiis De potestate Papae Some are of opinion that by force and virtue thereof the Pope is the Emperour and Lord of the world and that hereby he hath power both to set up and also to put down Kings as an Emperour Minist Because my thoughts are not so authentick with you I will tell you what your own chief friends Schole-men Historians Canonists think Platina Cardinal Cusanus Marsilius Patavinus Laurentius Valla Antonius Florentinus Otho Frisingensis Hieronymus Paulus Catalinus Volaterranus Nauclerus Capnion Mallinaeus and others have discovered the forgery of it to the world as ashamed of such a fiction I will alledg one or two in place of many Cardinal Cusanus confesseth that (d) Donationem Constantini diligenter expendens reperi ex ipsamet scriptura manifesta argumenta confictionis faelsitatis Cusanus De concordantia Catholica lib. 3. cap. 2. while he advisedly weighed this Donation or Grant of Constantine whereby the Pope challengeth all his temporal power even in the penning thereof he found manifest tokens of false-hood and forgery And in Gratian the Pope's own Register it is found onely in the Palea and not in the Original allowed Text and in many old Books that have no Gloss it is not found and in the Gloss upon the same it is noted thus (e) Palea ista non legitur in Scholis in qua continetur PrivilegiuÌ„ quod Constantinus concessit Romanae Ecclesiae scilicet ut Primatum inter omnes Ecclesias obtineret Gratian Distinct 98. Glossa eodem loco This patch is not read in the Scholes wherein is contained the Priviledge that Constantine the Emperour granted to the Church of Rome that is that the said Church should have Sovereignty over all Churches Pope Pius the Second himself saith (f) Dicta Palea Constantinus falsa est Pius in Dialogo It is false which Felinus his Canonist further declares saying (g) Invehit contra miseros Legistas qui laborant in disputando an valuerit id quod nunquam fuit Felinus De Majorit Obedientia He inveighed earnestly against the poor Lawyers for that they take such pains to reason whether that thing may be good and available in Law which never was made And those Authours who own the truth of it