you abundantly into THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF OUR LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ and our Saviours own asseverations Not every one that saith LORD LORD shall enter into the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN but he that doth the will of my father which is in heaven necessarily evince 7ly After our Saviours resurrection and ascention when God his Father highly exalted him and gave him all power both in heaven and earth his Soveraign Regality and Dominion in and over his Church and Kingdom are frequently set forth in these transcendent expressions decyphering only his Regal not Prieâ—tly or Prophetick Offices and Administrations Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the Prince of the Kings of the earth whom God the father of glory hath set at his own right hand in heavenly places far above all principalities and powers and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but in the world to come and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to his Church which is his body The fullnesse of him that filleth all in all Goa hath by the extraordinary greatnesse of his mighty and glorious power delivered us from the power of darknesse and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Sonne who is the first-born of every creature For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were created by him and for him And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in or amongâ—â— all things he might have the preeminence For it pleased the Father that in him all fullnesse should dwell Compared with his other Gospel titles Thou King of Saints and the united praises prostrations acclamations of the Angels with the four beasts and the 24. Elders and all the Saints and Redeemed ones before Christ who sitteth on the throne before whom they all fall worship and cast down their Crowns saying Worship and honour and thanks and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne for ever and ever worthy art thou O LORD to receive glory and honour for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they were and are created All these recited Texts resolve that Christ is Supream head of his Kingdom the Church not in his Priestly Propheticall capacity or office but only in his Regal and reigns in it as a King Lord not as Priest or Prophet 8ly As in the Old so in the New Testament the Church Militant as well as the Triumphant is usually stiled the Kingdom of God the Kingdom of heaven Christs Kingdom my Kingdom his Kingdom the ever lasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ a Kingdom which cannot be removed c. The very Gospel it self the Gospel word and mysteries of the Kingdom yea shall the Kingdom of God and heaven it self The mighty power of God to salvation scepter of his Kingdom His Saints shall eat drink sit reign with him in his Kingdom He sits and reigns for ever in his Church as a King on a Royal throne clothed with royal Majesty and glory His rewards are all Regal A crown of righteousness of glory thrones Inheritances in his kingdom reigning with him as Kings royal Robes Honour Glory His punishments Regal Exclusion from his kingdome everlasting death infernal chaines destruction from the presence of the LORD and from the Glory of his POWER His judging of quick and dead at his appearance and comming Yea all his administrations Regal in prescribing Lawes to his Church rescuing them from the power of Satan Hell and all other Enemies protecting them from all evils treading Satan under their feet Guarding them by his Mighty power unto salvation in his heavenly kingdom compared with this fulfilling of the procies of Christs kingdom in the Old Testament thus recorded as accomplished in in the New Rev 11. 15. There were great voyces in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdom not Church of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev 12. 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven Now is come the Kingdom of our God and the Power of his Christ 1 Cor 15. 24 25. Then cometh the end when Christ shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God the Father when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power for he must reign till he shall put down all enemies under his feet All and every of these Texts and considerations joyntly and severall demonstrate more clearly then the Morning Sunne That Christs Government of his Kingdom the Church under the Gospel is only Kingly and Monarchical as even Bellarmin himself and most Pontificians professe argue grounding the Popes Universal Monarchy upon it not Pontifical or Prophetical and that the Supreme Government thereof is for ever intirely annexed to his Regal not Priestly or Prophetical Office and these Offices of his united to his Regal Office as Supream not his Regal to his Sacerdotal or Propheticall as subordinate to them This being an unfallible Gospel-truth not hitherto so fully cleared and insisted on by the Oppugners or Asserters of Popes Universal Monarchy as was necessary which induced me to expatiate in its probation The second and sole Question will be Whether Christ himself did ever delegate by any Commission recorded in Sacred History all his Regal Power and Jurisdiction or any branch thereof to Saint Peter or any other Apostles Bishops Presbyters Evangelists or Ministers of the Gospel Or whether they or any of them ever justly claimed enjoyed exercised this his Royal Dominion Office Government in or over his Church on earth If yea as most Popes and their Parasites confidently affirm without the least shadow of Scripture or Verity let them produce the Commission or Texts to evidence it to every mans conscience in the sight of God and to all Kings Kingdoms Nations in the world If not as shall be evidenced in the ensuing Chapters past all contradiction I and they may then safely cry out mightily with a strong voyce as the Angel prophetically doth Babylon the great Rome is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of Devils and the hold of every foul spirit and a cage of every unclean and hatefull Bird Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her Plagues with violence shall she and her triple-crown'd Pontif be thrown down from the pinacle of her usurped super-transcendent power and shall be found no more at all Before I take leave of this Proposition to avoid mistakes and clear up the Truth it will be necessary to distinguish
1. The several sorts of Christs kingdomes 2ly What kind of Kingdom his Church is 3ly How and in what manner he reigns and governs in it as King and Soveraign Lord over it For the 1. It is generally agreed by Fathers Pontificians and Protestants that Jesus Christ hath a three-fold kingdom set forth in the premised Scriptures if strictly pryed into The first is a Kingdom of power and absolute Dominion which extends it self not only to all Men and Angels but likewise to all other unreasonable and inanimate Creatures whatsoever in heaven earth and under the earth yea to the very Devils themselves This Kingdom belongs unto Christ principally as he is God and the Creator of all things which comes not within the Verge of our present Discourse however Popes seem to usurp it The 2. is a Kingdom of meer purchase or Grace confined properly not to Angels or Mankind in general but to such as are truly elected called justifyed sanctified redeemed saved by Christs precious blood yet in the largest sense extended to the good Angels and all visible Members of the Church Militant professing the name and gospel of Christ as his Subjects though not actually regenerated justified sanctified saved Of this Kingdom there are two distinct parts the one Triumphant in Heaven over which no Pope or Mortals on earth can pretend the least Kingship or Dominion the other Militant upon Earth the latter in its largest extension comprehending all who bear the name of Christians whether good or bad regenerate or unregenerate This is the Kingdom of Christ of which the Pope as Christs Vicar General and Peters fictitious Successor pretends himself the Supream and sole Governor The 3d. is the Kingdom of Glory not really different from the former long since begun and encreasing every day more and more by new additions of departed Saints thereto which kingdom shall be fully compleated when all the Elect shall be gathered the Church militant united to the Church triumphant actually glorified with Christ in the kingdom of heaven For the 2d It is asserted by Fathers and most Romanists themselves as well as Protestants that this Kingdom of Christ is meerly Spiritual Not any temporal kingdom upon earth as the Jewes some grosse Milenaries Popes and their Parasites fancy over which Christ never actually reigned or shall reign as a Temporal King and Lord even in all temporal things for which we find no warrant in Scripture or Fathers Hence Thomas Waldensis himself though a grand Advocate for the Popes Supremacy layes down and proves at large these 4 Conclusions 1. Regnum temporale Judaeorum sub Jeconio excidium accepit neque amplius Judaecorum aliquis vel de jure vel de facto illud obtinuit 2. Regnum illud Judaeorum terrenum cum figura fuit Regni aeterni spiritualis Christi debuit omnino in adventu eius cessare quemadmodum et sacrificia 3. Regnum temporale quod in Prophetarum scriptis MESSIAE promissum est non est Regnum Carnale et Terrenum sed Spirituale quo per Fidem in Cordibus suorum Regnat 4. Quod ex verbis quae Christus dixit coram Pilato Tu dicis quod Rex sum ego non potest colligi quod ipse fuerit Rex Terrenus de Facto vel de Jure And Gen. 49. 10. proves That the temporal Scepter should depart from Iudah when Christ the true Shiloh came into the world Alvarus Pelagius the grand assertor of the Popes Universal Kingship in and over Christs kingdom the Church and all earthly Kings Kingdoms too informs us That the kingdom of Christ hath various acceptations in Scripture 1. It is taken for Christ himself 2ly For the sacred Scripture or Gospel of Christ 3ly For the Church of Christ divided into two Parts Militant on earth triumphant in heaven yet there are not two kingdoms in the Church but one kingdom because both end in one and there is but one King of both and one Spirit reigns in both Churches but diversly for in the Church of Travellers it reigns by faith in the Church of the blessed by open vision This Church therefore is but One for the unity of its end and beginning but it is distinguished by reason of the diversity of the state Yet this kingdom comprehends not only the Elect but also all the holy Angels for there is but one City and Kingdom of God constituted out of holy Angels and men as he proves out of Augustine and Gratian Distinct 10. 59. That Christ ever challenged or enjoyed any temporal kingdom upon earth he offers not the least proof out of Scripture or Fathers in which Cardinal Bellarmin himself confesseth he could never find that Christ had any such kingdom after most diligent search but only a kingdom in and over his Church which is not temporal but spiritual For the 3d. All antient and most modern Divines of all sorts assert that Christs immediate Government in and over his Spiritual Kingdom the Church is Spiritual not Temporal and that principally in and over the souls spirits consciences wills hearts affections of his elect Saints in which he dwells lives rules reigns by his Spirit and Grace And this his Spiritual Government is neither communicated nor transferred by Jesus Christ to any King High Priest Priest Bishop Pope or other Mortal whatsoever but resides in Christ alone the King of Saints as an incommunicable unseparable part and prerogative of his Regal not Sacerdotal or prophetical office But more of this in the two next Propositions BOOK I. CHAP. IV. That Jesus Christ as Supream King Lord Head of his Kingdom the Church whiles on Earth never claimed exercised enjoyed any Temporal Royal Jurisdiction or Magistratical Authority over any of his Subjects much lesse over Emperors Kings Kingdoms Nations or Soveraign civil Powers nor ever deprived any of them of their Crowns nor absolved their Subjects from their Allegiance nor pulled up cast down or rooted up their Kingdomes nor gave them to whomsoever he pleased Neither did he either before at or after his passion resurrection or ascention derive any such superlative Power to Saint Peter as his sole universal Vicar or Viceroy nor to any other Apostle Bishop Priest or Pope whatsoever Nor delegate his Supream Spiritual Jurisdiction over his Kingdom the Church militant in this world and all the Members of it but only committed to them the Ministerial part of his Prophetical Office his High Priestood being personal untransferrable and incommunicable unto any other of teaching and preaching the Gospel publikely to all Nations administring the Sacraments of Baptism the Lords Supper to them according to his institution and command feeding them as his Sheep with the sincere milk of his word teaching them as his Apostles Ministers Servants to obey whatever he hath commanded them beseeching intreating them as his Embassadors in his stead to be reconciled unto God and to declare pronounce them absolved
from their sins by God upon their sincere repentance and to denounce damnation against them in case they repented not and believed not in Christ I Have here enlarged this Proposition abridged in my Prologue the clearing whereof will prove fatal to St. Peters and the Popes pretended Universal Regal Supremacy and Pontifical Jurisdiction over Kings Emperors Kingdoms Nations as well in temporals as spirituals and over Christs Kingdom the Church Militant on Earth as Christs sole Viceroy or Vicar General to whom all his Regal and Sacerdotal power in heaven and earth is assigned by Christ himself if we believe their own Papal or their Parasites claims which I shall here preâ—â—ise in their own words that so their Antichristian Usurpations Blaspemies Impostures may more visibly appear to all Christian Kings and the whole world who cannot but abominate and be jealous of them though never so much devoted to the Papacy Pope Nicholas the 2d writes thus to those of Millain who refused to obey the See of Rome and acknowledge the Popes Universal Supremacy Christ alone hath founded built the Roman Church upon the rock of the faith newly born and hath committed to Saint Peter the Key-bearer of eternal life TERRENI SIMUL IMPERII CAELESTIS JURA the Rights both of the earthly and heavenly Empire Therefore not any terrene Sentence but that word by which heaven and earth were built by which faculty all the Elements were made hath founded the Roman Church Certainly she enjoyeth her privileges from him by whom she is supported Therefore IT IS NOT TO BE DOUBTED that he who endeavoureth to take away from the Church of Rome the Priviledge granted her by the very chief head of all Churches HIC PROCVLDUBIO IN HAERESIN LABITUR HIC EST DICENDVS HAERETICVS He without doubt falls into Heresie he is to be called an heretick because he violates the faith who acts against her who is the mother of faith and is found contumacious to him who is known to have advanced her above all Churches On which Text Bartholomeus Buxiensis and Ioannes Thierry make this Glosse Papa habet utrumque gladium scilicet Spiritualem Temporalem transtulit Imperium Pope Leo the 9. in one of his Epistles writes thus This ought to satisfie you That both the Earthly and Heavenly Empire yea the Royal Priesthood is given to the Apostolick See Divinitus by God himself and not by men Pope Boniface the 8. in his Letters to Philip the French King told him That the Pope is Lord through the whole world both in Temporal and Spiritual Matters And that he judged it HERETICAL for any to think the contrary This Pope boasting that he had the power of both swords declared it by his actions riding Anno 1300. on the first day of the Great Iubilee in triumph in his Pontificalibus as Pope and the next day in his IMPERIAL ROBES adorned with THE IMPERIAL CROWN having a naked sword carried before him and one proclaiming ECCE HIC DUO GLADII behold here the Spiritual and Temporal Swords given to me quantum ad jurisdictionem at least though non per executionem generaliter as some of their soberest Canonist distinguish The like Soveraign power is claimed by all their * Successors and inserted into their Book of Sacred ceremonies ratified by Sixtus Quartus and other Pontifs which records That when the Pope gives or sends a consecrated sword to the Emperor or any King usually hallowed on the night of Christs Nativity he is prescribed to say This Pontifical sword doth betoken SUMMAM TEMPORALEM POTESTATEM as well as Spiritual A CHRISTO PONTIFICI COLLATAM according to that saying All power is given to me both in heaven and in earth and according to that also He shall rule from Sea to Sea and from the floud unto the worlds end Pope Innocent the 3. and Adrian the 4th their forecited passages are to the like effect with sundry other Popes forged or real Decrees to the same purpose recorded in Gratian and the Extravagants The Pope as Augustinus Triumphans asserts is greater then any King or Emperor as well in Temporal as in Spiritual Matters and as God is the Lord of all by Universal Jurisdiction so is the Pope his Vicar greater then any King or Emperor both in spiritual and temporal things The power of Jurisdiction in temporal and in spiritual matters is immediate in the Pope alone Yea the Son of God hath declared the altitude of Ecclesiastical power in the Pope to be above all principalities and powers that unto it every knee should bow both in heaven in earth and under the earth Franciscus Bozius affirms The Supream temporal Jurisdiction throughout the whole world belongs to Peters successor so that he is both Hierarch and Monarch of all things and that by the divine Law expressed in the Scriptures That Peter and the Pope succeed to Christ as well in his Kingdom as in his Priesthood and that Peter and the Pope is both King and Priest according to the order of Melchisedech which Cardinal Baronius and Aquinas with others likewise assert Stephanus Patracensis Archiepiscopus in his Oration 4 Maii 1515. before Pope Leo the 10th in the Council of Constance averred In the Pope the Supream Hierarch in the Church there is omnis potestas super omnes Potestates tam Coeli quam Tarrae Tibi data est omnis potestas in qua qui totum dicit Nihil excludit Ralulphus Cupers impudently proclaims God hath committed to the Pope the rights both of the terrene and heavenly kingdoms The direct dominion of the Emperor belong unto God and by consequence to the Pope his Vicar who is deservedly accounted the King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Lord hath so magnified the Church which he expounds to be the Pope that he hath preferred it not only to Kings and Cesars sed omnibus sub coelo supra coelum existentibus but to all that are either under Heaven or above Heaven Cardinal Hostiensis asserts Papa Christus faciunt unum consistorium ita quod excepto peccato potest Papa quasi omnia facere quae Deus potest Whence some Canonists stile him Dominus Deus noster Papa and yoak God and him together as equals Quis audet dicere Deo et Papae the plenitude of his Papal power being such as Abbot Panormitan resolves that Super omnem legem positivam sufficit quod in Papa sit pro ratione voluntas in dethroning Kings and Emperors The like Antichristian blasphemous assertions are professedly maintained in solemn discourses as you may read at leisure in their Azorius Antoninus Alexander Carerius Francis Bozius Lelius Zecchus Marta Rodericus Sancius Gaster Scoppius with other Pontifician Parasites And Cardinal Bellarmin himself informs us That the Pope Jure divino hath power over the whole world as
An Exact CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY AND FULL DISPLAY OF POPES Intollerable Usurpations Upon the antient just Rights Liberties of the Kings Kingdoms Clergy Nobility Commons of ENGLAND and IRELAND THE design of this Chronological History and Display being principally to remonstrate to the world by irrefragable Testimonies and Records the manifold unsufferable Vsurpations of the Bishops and See of Rome from time to time upon the antient indubitable just Rights and Liberties of the Kings Churches Nobles Commons of England and Ireland whiles they continued under their Foreign Jurisdiction More especially by Excomâ—unications Interdicts absolving Subjects from their Oathes of Allegiaâ—ce raising Rebellions dethroning our Kings enforcing them to resign their Crowns to become their sworn Vassals Tributaries exempting Bishops Clerks from their Homage Judicatures collating Bishopricks Monasteries Ecclesiastical Dignities Benefices by Provisions to Aliens or others translating swearing Bishops Abbots to them and their Papal See vacating due Elections at their pleasures Appeals to Rome Dispensations Tenths Procurations First-Fruits Bribes Symony Crossadoes varieties of Extortions Oppressions by their Legates and other Instruments To discover their originals progresse growth revivals suppressions with the manifold memorable Complains Letters Oppositions Writs Prohibitions Declarations against them both in and out of Parliament and the frequent Treacheries Usurpations of our Popish Prelates Spiritual Courts Officers upon our Kings just Rights Prerogatives Regalities Courts Subjects Liberties to the extraordinary dâ—â—ger mischief of the Crown Realm Church Christian Religion and peoples grievance And what Soveraign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction our Kings as Gods Vicars have exercised from King Lucius his Conversion Anno 183. till the total extirpation of the Popes usurped Authority by King Henry the 8. and Edward the 6. by Histories and memorable Records in the Tower and Rolls for the most part unknown to our greatest Clerks Antiquaries worthy publick view yea adding much light to our Ecclesiastical and Political Histories very defective in these Transactions of grand Importance I apprehended it absolutely necessary by way of Introduction like a Wise Builder to lay a deep sure Foundation whereon to bottom this Weighty Structure that so if any Floods shall hereafter come or Windes blow and beat upon it from Rome or other Quarters they may not be able to shake or overturn it because it is founded upon a Rock To this end I shall by Gods assistance in one intire Book Chronologically and Historically remonstrate and where necessity requires Polemically examine discusse the Original of Soveraign Jurisdiction in what Persons God himself hath setled the Primitive Right and Exercise thereof as well over the Churches Militant as Civil State from Adams Creation till Christs Ascension and from thence till this present age And irrefragably demonstrate by Scripture Heathen Philosophers Fathers Councils Ecclesiastical Histories Imperial Laws Edicts Popes own Epistles Decretals Bulls Archbishops Bishops Popish Divines School-men Canonists Protestant Writers Testimonies and Presidents in all ages That the Supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in governing protecting reforming the Church and people of God maintaining propagating the Orthodox Christian Faith the true publike worship of God suppressing all Heresies Errors Blasphemies Idolatries Schisms sinnes against both Tables in all Persons as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal taking care of the souls and salvation of men is originally vested by God himself in Kings Emperors or Soveraign Princes as Gods Vicegerents and Christs Vicars upon Earth as the principal part of their Royal Authority Office Trust not in High-Priests Priests Apostles Popes Patriarchs Archbishops Bishops or any other Ecclesiastical persons whatsoever who are all Subjects to and subordinate Ministers under them in the Churches Militant within their respective Empires Kingdoms Dominions as all inferiour Civil Magistrates Officers of Justice are in their Civil States Kingdoms Courts And that the received Distinction of two supreme Jurisdictions Powers specifically different from and independent on each other in their very essence nature by Divine Institution and at least ever since our Saviours Ascension immediately vested in two distinct callings professions of men to wit the Soveraign Civil Jurisdiction in and over all secular persons affairs in Emperors Kings and Temporal Powers alone the Supreme Ecclesiastical or Spiritual Jurisdiction in and over all Churches Militant Bishops Priests Church-Members Divine and Ecclesiastical affaires only in Popes or Patriarchs not Emperors Kings Secular Princes States is but a meer Popish Imposture Forgery Fancy Stratagem to cheat rob deprive all Christian Emperors Kings Princes of the richest Pearl Jewel chiefest Branch and Flower of their Diadems to exempt the Clergy from their Jurisdictions under this pretext and to subject both their Persons Crowns Kingdoms Subjects to the Antichristian Usurpations Tyrannies Exorbitances Oppressions of Ambitious Popes Prelates Priests as Ecclesiastical Histories evidence ever since this Heresie of two distinct Soveraign Authorities delegated by Divine Institution to two several Functions was first broached in the Christian Church being the same in substance with that of Duo Principia condemned by Popes themselves and the greatest Champions of their Universal Soveraign Monarchy as a most dangerous Heresie invented first by Marcion Manes Hermogenes and other Hereticks against whom Tertullian thus long since argued Quid erit unicum singulare nisi cui nihil adaequabitur Quid principale nisi quod super omnia nisi quod ante omnia in quo omnia Haec Deus solus habendo est solus habendo Deus est Si alius habuerit tot jam erunt Dii quot habuerint quae Dei sunt Quod summum sit Deus est summum autem non erit nisi quod unicum fuerit Unicum autem esse non poterit cui aliquid adaequabitur Veritas autem sic unum Deum exigit defendendo ut solius sit quicquid ipsius est Ita enim ipsius erit si fuerit solius Et ex hoc alius Deus non possit admitti dum nemini licet habere de Deo aliquid Ergo inquis nec nos habemus Dei aliquid Imo habemus habebimus sed ab ipso non à nobis Nam Dii erimus si meruerimus illi esse de quibus praedicavit Ego dixi vos Dii estis stetit Deus in Ecclesia Deorum sed ex gratia ipsius non ex nostra proprietate quia ipse est solus qui Deos faciat I may most aptly apply it to Emperors Kings who are Earthly Gods made such by God in their own Kingdoms as his Vice-roys The Soveraign Power Jurisdiction over all persons Churches causes as well Civil as Ecclesiastical within their respective Realms must be but one inâ—ire indivisible Soveraign Authority incommunicable unto any other subject or person whatsoever but by subordinate derivation and delegation by from or under them else they should presently cease to be Earthly Gods had Popes or Bishops a distinct Supreme Ecclesiastical Power within their Realms coequal with underived from or independent on them Whence St.
him unto the Israelites his peculiar people the Supreme Paternal Regal Magistratical together with that now stiled Spiritual Pontifical Ecclesiastical Authority or Jurisdiction both in and over the Family State Church Militant was by Divine and Natural Right vested united in one person not divers to wit First in Adam himself but after his decease in the First-born unlesse disinherited by God for some crime or cause or in the Patriarch or Master of the Family Tribe who was both King and Priest having the Priesthood annexed to his Paternal or Regal Office not these to his Priestship _â—O evidence the truth of this Proposition so far as the light of Scripture or Nature in the first remote obscure age of the world have revealed it for the Readers satisfaction I find it generally acknowledged by all or most Divines and Christian Authors who have written of the Church or the Original of Republikes Jurisdictions or Chronologies 1. That as God the Original of all power at the very Creation gave Adam a Soveraign Dominion over the fish of the sea over the foul of the ayr and over all the earth the cattle and every creeping thing therin to which he gave their several names as a badge of his Soveraignty over them by Gods own direction So he likewise ordained him as well after as before his fall to be both a King and Priest over the little world his family posterity issuing from him during his life not only to govern correct them when they transgressed but to offer sacrifices prayers to God for and instruct them in his Worship Laws fear Hence Cedren makes Adam the first KING Governor and that with reason enough as Mr. Selden notes because he governed and commanded all mankind as long as he lived who by the Law of Nature and Fifth Commandement are enjoyned To honor and obey their Father in the flesh and he not only obliged to provide for protect defend and correct as a Father but likewise to * instruct and educate them in the fear and admonition of the Lord as a Priest Now Adam being a King and Lord not only over all Creatures but Eve his wife before he was a Father and over his Posterity by his Paternal right before they were capable of instruction And the Title of King being alwaies prefixed before that of Priest as most honourable and first in order when ever mentioned and meeting together in one person as in Melchisedec Christ Others who were both Kings and Priests and the High Priests alwayes inferiour subordinate to the Chief Civil Governors and Kings of Judah and in Heathen Nations It thence most clearly follows that the Priesthood and Spiritual Jurisdiction in Adam was at first united and subordinate to his Kingly Soveraign Magistratical Office and Authority and so continued whiles residing in one person from the Creation till the Law given in mount Sinâ—i 2ly That Cain Adams first-born having forfeited his birthright and life too by the murther of his Brother Abel and thereby Seth becomming his first-born when Adam deceased his Kingship and Priesthood descended first to Seth and after him successively to the Patriarchs who were not only the Princes and Chief Governers of their Families Tribes to rule protect and correct them when they offended but likewise their Priests to erect Altars and Houses to God for his publique worship to offer Sacrifices prayers vows to God for them to blesse them in his Name to teach them his Lawes Fear and the Covenants made by God to them and their seed and commanded them to put away their strange gods and idols as Jacob did All which is evident by the examples of Noah Gen. 8. 20 21. c. 9. 25 26 27. Abraham Gen. 12. 7. c. 13. 4 18. c. 17. 1 2 8 c. 23 to 27. c. 18. 19 23 c. c. 20. 7. 17. c. 21. 23. c. 22. c. Melchisedec both King of Salem and Priest of the most High God Gen. 14. 18 19. Heb. 7. 1. Isaac Gen. 26. 23 24 25. â— 27. 21 28 to 41. of Jacob Gen. 28. 8. to the end c. 31. 54. c. 32. 9 to 13. c. 33. 20. c. 35. 1. to 16. c. 43. 14. c. 46. 1. c. 47. 7. 10. c. 48. 3. to the end c. 49. 1. to 33. Heb. 11. 21. and affirmed by St. Jerom the Ordinary Glosse with most other Commentators on these Texts Alexander Alensis and other Schoolmen Bishop Jewel Dr. Field Jacobus Bouldoc De Ecclesia a Mundi principio usque ad Mosen Salianus in his Annales Ecclesiasticae and other Annalists in the times before the Law 3ly Upon this account after the Law given and Priesthood vested in Aaron and the Tribe of Levi the firstborn though they lost this priviledge of exercising the Priests Office as before yet they were still the Lords to redeem themselves with an oblation of five shekels by the poll for their exemption from the Priesthood because God had taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel which redemption was given to Aaron and his Sonnes who officiated in their steads 4ly That upon this original right priviledge of Primogeniture Christ himself as Gods firstborn was not only made Higher then the Kings of the Earth King of Kings Lord of Lords but likewise Head over all the Church that in all things he might have the Preeminence And had like the First-born before the Law the Supream Priestly Office and Power united to his Kingly Yea in some sence Christ hath fully restored this antient Right to all who are spiritually Gods First-born and the First-fruits of his Creatures as the Gospel stileth them having the First-fruits of the Spirit growing in them whom he hath MADE KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD HIS FATHER as the Marginal Texts resolve 5ly That the very Gentiles and Pagan Nations by the Law and Light of Nature vested the Supream Ecclesiastical Authority and oft times the Priesthood it self in their Kings and chief Temporal Magistrates who erected consecrated Temples Altars Groves constituted by their particular Lawes the several Orders Offices of Priests the Number Worship Services of their Gods and the Sacrifices Ceremonies and whole manner of their Worship To instance in some particulars Fanus the antientest of the Kings in Italy was the first who brought in thither the form of Religion He cousecrated Groves erected Temples from whom they were called Fana ordained Priests and Sacrifices Evander his next Successor introduced many other Ceremonies in the Worship of the Gods Anius as Virgil relates was at once REX IDEM HOMINUM PHAEBIQUE SACERDOS After Rome was built Romulus the first King thereof and Numa Pompilius who succeeded him made several Lawes concerning the whole Worship Service Holy-dayes Ceremonies of their Gods instituted their distinct Orders of Priests as highest Priest
is but one God incommutable so there is but one his Vicar General upon Earth Cui omnes Angeli i. homines debent esse subjecti in omnibus obedire to whom all Angels that is Men ought to be subject and to obey in all things whose Ship is stable and immutable For thus the inferiour Hierarchy accords with the superiour when all men serve and obey his Vicar in earth as all Angels serve and obey God in heaven but when they grow proud and resist the inferior is disturbed and the superiour Hierarch is offended Gratian caus x. qu. 3. All things are put under the Popes feet except God alone who hath put all things under him 1 Cor. 15. In another article he asserts That the Pope is King of Kings of the Emperor and Spiritual Kings and every Member of the Church Militant who ought Iure Divino to be subject to him That he hath a plentitude of all Temporal and Spiritual power in him in several respects 1. Because it is a universal power No person in the Militant Church nor Infidel in some sense being exempted from but subject to it 2ly Because all temporal and spiritual power whatsoever ordained by God for the government of christians or men is comprehended in his power 3ly Because all power in the Church is derived from his and ordained for it and he is the beginning and end of any power whatsoever Therefore every human power is DE JURE subject to him 4ly Because it is not exceeded nor overcome by any other human power but overcomes and exceeds all other powers 5ly Because it is limited or ordained or judged by no other power but it limiteth ordaineth judgeth all other powers 6ly Because it is not restrained nor bound by any Lawes made by the Pope himself for it may act mediately by other powers or immediately by it self whatsoever it shall think sit It may likewise act both according to the Lawes it sets down and besides them when it shall judge convenient And for this cause his Power is said to be Sine Numero Pondere et Mensura Without number because it extends to innumerable persons even all men in the world whether Beleevers or Infidels Without weight because it is not confined to one place but extends it self to all Churches throughout the world And without measure as to the act and manner of acting because it is after a sort Immense both in acting and in the manner of acting For as the Spirit was given to Christ man without measure John 3. and to others it is given only according to the measure of the gift of Christ 1 Cor 12. Eph. 4. Rom 12. So to Christs Vicar the Pope is given a Power without measure to wit in a certain Immensity Exâ—rav de Major Obedientia Solita c. Nos autem But to others is given a power according to their measure of participation of this Immense Power And although this Power of Christs Vicar is without Number Weight or Measure yet notwithstanding it determinates to other powers Number Weight and Measure Causa xv qu. 1. pervenit 13. qu. 1. c. 1. Therefore this power is deservedly called FULL proper quod multum veneranda metuenda est wherefore it is much to be Reverenced and Feared And indeed all Kings Princes Kingdoms Churches of the World had need to fear yea to keep watch and ward against it and for ever to abandon it as our and other Kings Kingdoms Churches have both justly and prudently done and more are now about to do For haec plenitudo potestatis est plentitudo potestatis est plenitudo tempestatis I omit his other Passages to the same effect in above 30. Articles more Upon these pretences of the Popes transcendent plentitude of power Pope Gregory the 7. that impious Hildebrand and pest of the world in his generation in his ratification of the Emperor Henry the seconds Excommunication presumed to make this most impious Antichristian appeal to Peter and Paul themselves Go to now O ye blessed Apostles do you confirm what I have done that all men may know that if you being in heaven can bind and loose that I also here on Earth can give and take away Empires Kingdomes Principalities quicquid habere mortales possunt and what ever Mortals can possess And two of his late Successors new-named Paul when crowned Popes with their Parasites are of the same judgment with their predecessors point-blank against Saint Pauls doctrin evidencing them to be the very Antichrist man of Sin decyphered by him 2 Thess 2. which they demonstrated by their two late Portraitures cut and printed in Brasse-pieces prefixed to two Books dedicated to them printed in Italy it self Permissu Superiorum to wit Benedicti à Benedictis Jacula Ecclesiae Catholicae Bononiae 1608. Caraffae Theses Neapoli 1609. in one of which as the Noble Lord Morney observes Pope Paul the 3d is Pourrayed with this blasphemous Inscription Paulo 3. Opt. Max. in terris Deo And in the other Pope Paul the V. with this Motto Paulo V. Vicedeo Christianae Reipublicae Monarchae Invictissimo et Pontificiae Omnipotentiae Conservatori acerrimo In both which Pourtraitures under their respective Papal feet the Scepters Crowns of Kings and Emperors are prostrated and Princes Kings Emperors themselves stand pourtrayed by them bare-headed excommunicated astonied and adoring these Pontifs One of them having this inscription over his head Vultu Imperium portendit Besides these sacred Texts are engraven round about them Jer 27. intended only of King Nebuchadnezzer the great subverter persecuter of Gods Church Kings Kingdoms whom the Pope it seems will now succeed as his Vicar General rather then Christs That Nation and Kingdom which will not serve him will I punish saith the Lord with the sword and with the pestilence untill I have consumed them by his hand Dan 7. 14. The Lord hath given to him Power and a kingdom and all people shall serve him his power is an everlasting power which shall not be taken away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Isay 49. 23. Kings and Queens shall bow down to thee with their faces towards the earth and lick up the dust of thy feet The two last texts pertain to Christ alone as King of his Church You have seen a pretty full View of Popes and their parasites blasphemous claims of an unlimited Universal Supremacy in all causes and over all persons whatsoever throughout the world yea over the Persons Crowns Scepters Kingdoms Empires of all Kings Princes Emperors vested in Christs pretended Vicar General S. Peters Successors the Pope enough to awaken alarum all Monarchs Realms Churches throughout the Universe as well Papal as Pagan to keep watch and ward against and for ever to exterminate such Antichristian Antimonarchical Usurpers out of their Dominions as all Protestant Kingdoms Churches have done upon very good grounds without the least guilt of Schisme wherewith they
Jurisdiction do most neglect this most essential prime part of their Commission and relinquish it to inferiour Priests Ministers Curates to whom they deny the power of Jurisdiction The third Commission whereon the Pope and his flatterers principally erect St. Peters and their absolute Ecclesiastical Soveraign Supremacy over all other Apostles Ministers Priests Kings Emperors Kingdoms and Catholick Church on Earth and upon which all Bishops Presbyters Priests do bottom their pretended divine Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over Emperors Kings and all Secular persons as appropriate to their functions consistories and incommunicable to Princes or Laymen is that which was generally given by Christ to all the Apostles yea to private Christians and Lay-men and the whole Church before Christs passion Mat. 18. 18. Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Thus renewed confirmed to all the Apostles by Christ in behalf of the whole Church after his resurrection in other words Jesus breathed on the Disciples and said Receive ye the holy Ghost whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted and whose soever sins ye retain they are retained Which Commission though thus twice joyntly given to all the Apostles alike by Christ yet because he first granted this commission to them directing his speech personally to Peter Mat 16. 18 19. I say unto thee thou art Peter c. And I WILL not now do give unto thee the keyes of the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven Popes and Popish writers thence conclude St. Peters and others Universal Supremacy over the whole Church and all other Apostles and Bishops whatsoever as well as Kings and Emperors I answer That these Commissions if rightly examined do neither give St. Peter nor his pretended Successors nor any Prelates or Ecclesiastical persons such an inherent Supream Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction distinct from the Regal and Temporal and incommunicable to Lay persons as is pretended For 1. Every particular person though a Lay man or private Christian hath an absolute power yea special command from Christ himself to pardon forgive and remit sins and offences committed against himself as this clause in the Lords Prayer Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespasse against us These precepts When ye pray standing forgive for if ye forgive their Trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you but if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses Forgive and you shall be forgiven Forgive one another as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you with other Scriptures demonstrate And as they may thus pardon loose and forgive so they may likewise binde or retain sinnes and trespasses against them when the parties are obstinate and impenitent This is evident by Luke 17. 3 4. If thy brother trespass against thee rebuke him and if he repent forgive him And if he trespasse against thee seven times a day and seven times in a day return unto thee saying I repent thou shalt forgive him but not without repentance Compared with 2 Thess 3. 14 15. Rom 16. 17 18. 1 Cor 5. 11 12 13 and Mat 18. 15 16 17. Moreover if thy brother trespasse against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother But if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three Witnesses every word may be established And if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the Church and if he shall neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee mark it not them as an heathen man and a publican Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose in earth shall be loosed in heaven Therefore the self-same Commission Authority of binding and loosing upon earth is given to every private person in this Original Text by Christ as was given to Peter Mat 16. 18 19. and to all the Apostles John 20. 22 23. Hence St. Augustin resolves Cum caepisti habere fratrem tuum tanquam Publicanum Ligis illum in terra cum autem corrigeris concordaveris cum fratre tuo solvisti illum in terra Cum solveris in terra solutus erit in coelo Theophylact is yet more punctual Si tu offensum eum habes eum qui te affecit injuria sicut Publicanum Gentilem erit ille et in coelo talis Si autem solveris eum hoc est si illi condonaveris erit illi et in coelo condonatum Non enim solum quae solvunt Sacerdotes sunt soluta sed quae cunque nos et iniuria assecti vel ligamus vel solvimus et ipsa erum ligata et soluta And if every private person may thus bind and loose as well as Priests as these two Fathers together with Bishop Jewel and others resolve then much more may Kings and Supream temporal Magistrates do it in their Courts and Consistories Our Venerable Beda Peter Lombard Scotus with other Popish School-men yea their Canon Law and Canonists resolve That in the absence or want of a Priest a man may confesse his sins to his coequal or neighbout yea open his daily and lesser sins to his neighbor where there is a Priest and receive absolution from him though a Layman as well as from a Priest And that they may do so even by divine Institution is most fully demonstrated by Jam 5. 16. written to the twelve Tribes scattered abroad who are thus admonished Confesse your faults one to another not to a Pope Bishop Priest and pray for one another that ye may be healed from which Text not only many Antients but most Orthodox Protestant Divines resolve That no privat christian in point of conscience is obliged to confess his sins to a Priest any more then to another private Christian and Laymen no more obliged to confesse their sins to Priests then Priests are to confesse their sins to Laymen and that this text makes the duty of confessing their sins faults one to another reciprocal being coupled with mutual praying for one another the Bishop Priest being bound to pray for the people as well as the people for the Bishop or Priest therefore to confesse unto them as far forth as they are to confesse to him 2ly I answer That the power of binding and loosing retaining and remitting publike or scandalous sinnes is not given to Peter the Apostles Popes Bishops Priests or Ecclesiastical persons as an inherent priviledge and jurisdiction peculiar to them alone but to the whole Church and congregation to whom the right and execution thereof principally appertains This is infallibly
Augustine thus resolves Sicut terreni Imperatoris auctoritas currit per omnes ut in omnibus ejus sit reverentia Ita Deus instituit ut ab ipso Rege Dei auctoritas incipint et currat per cunctos Quamvis frequenter mundus hoc non intelligit alii se subjiciat in potestate positus quam debet tamen institutio est ut unus sit qui timeatur Ubi ergo haec institutio non est ibi Cathedra pestilentiae reperitur as it is at Rome Nusquam enim unius Dei auctoritas abjicitur nisi apud eos qui multorum Deorum praedicant metum From hence our Thomas Waldensis thus concludes Ecce ab ipso Rege incipit auctoritas currit per cunctos executores justitiae hoc instituit Deus non ergo instituit Deus ut inciperet à Summo Sacerdote sola executio potestatis manaret in Principem Ecce inde est Imperator unde homo antequam Imperator unde homo antequam Imperator nisi à Deo Quamvis a Deo per Sacerdote Christianus homo tamen nec homo nec Christianus homo nisi a Deo Ita nec Imperator nec Christianus Imperator nisi a Deo quamvis per Pontificem fidelis sit Imperator a Christo et inde potestas illi unde et spiritus et nunquid spiritus illi a Pontifice Tertullianus intendi Quod non sed a Deo profecto ergo non potestas illi a Sacerdotio provenit a cujus dono animam non accepit Potestatis Regiae primum initium in ipso Rege a Deo et ab ipsius auctoritate manat in subditas potestates as well Ecclesiastical as Civil as I shall here demonstrate against all Papal or Pontifical pretences to the contrary For methods sake I shall digest the sum of my First Book into these 5. Propositions 1. That from Adams creation till the Law given by God to Moses and by him unto the Israelites his peculiar people the Supreme Paternal Regal Magistratical with that now stiled Spiritual Pontifical Ecclesiastical Authority or Jurisdiction both in and over the Family State Church Militant was by Divine and Natural Right vested united in one person not many to wit First in Adam himself but after his decease in the First-born unlesse disinherited by God for sin or in the Patriarch or Master of the Family Tribe who was both King and Priest having the Priesthood annexed to his Paternal or Regal Office not these to his Priestship 2ly That God after the Israelites deliverance from the Aegyptian bondage when he first new-modelled them into a Commonwealth and afterwards into a Kingdom setled both their State and Church-government dividing the Priesthood from the Supreme Civil Magistracy Kingship vesting the one in Moses Josuah David Solomon and their Royal Successors the other in Aaron his Sons and Tribe of Levi left the Soveraign Ecclesiastical Power Jurisdiction over all persons causes still annexed to the Kingly or Supreme Magistratical Office and residing in the King or chief Civil Officer as before transferring to Priests only the Ministerial Priestly Offices not the Soveraign Spiritual Jurisdiction the same in kind with a real part of and various dispensation only from the Civil Supremacy 3ly That the Supreme Government of the Church Militant after Christs Incarnation under the Gospel was vested in Jesus Christ himself God and Man only as he is the King not Priest or Prophet of the Church his Priestly and Prophetical Offices being united to his Kingly as the first highest in dignity and order not his Regal to his Pontifical or Prophetical Offices 4ly That Jesus Christ as Supreme King Lord Head of his Kingdom the Church whilst on Earth never claimed nor exercised any Temporal Regal Jurisdiction or Magistratical Authority over any of his Subjects much less over Emperors Kings Kingdoms Nations or Soveraign Civil Powers nor ever deprived any of them of their Crowns nor absolved their Subjects from their Allegiance nor cast down pulled or rooted up their Kingdoms nor gave them to whomsoever he pleased Neither did he either before at or after his Passion Resurrection or Ascension derive any such Superlative Power to St. Peter as his sole universal Vicar or Viceroy nor to any other Apostle Bishop Priest or Pope whatsoever Nor yet delegate to them his supreme Spiritual Jurisdiction over his Kingdom in this world the Church Militant and all the Members of it but only the Ministerial part of his Prophetical Office his High Priesthood being personal untransferrable incommunicable to any other to wit preaching the Gospel publickly to all Nations administring the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper according to his Institution and Command feeding his sheep with the sincere milk of his Word teaching them as his Apostles Ministers Servants to obey whatsoever he hath commanded them beseeching intreating them as his Ambassadors in his stead to be reconciled unto God to declare pronounce them absolved from their sins by God himself upon their sincere Repentance and to denounce damnation against them in case they do not repent and believe in Christ 5ly That Gods principal end and intention in ordaining Kings and supreme Civil Magistrates in the world was not the bare external administration of Justice between man and man the protection of their Subjects from violence oppression the preservation of them in worldly peace plenty prosperity the punishment of Malefactors the rewarding of Well-doers encouragement of Arts Vertue Trade Industry or fighting their Battels in times of War against Invading Enemies though considerable parts of their Regal Office and Soveraign Authority But the advancement of Gods honour worship service glory and spiritual Kingdom whose Viceroys they are the suppression of all Idolatry Blasphemy Heresie schisme sin wickednesse the promotion of the eternal salvation felicity of their people and to be Kings for the Lord their God by advancing his interest all they can Upon which ground in order to effect these ends God himself as well under the Gospel as Law hath delegated the supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction only to Kings and other Soveraign Temporal Potentates not to Popes Bishops Priests who are subordinate to them as their Subjects Ministers not Copartners with them in their Soveraign Ecclesiastical Authority in point of Interest nor yet in its actual execution no further then they are pleased by their Laws or Commissions to delegate it to them as their Substitutes When I have Chronologically evidenced and fully demonstrated the truth of these five Conclusions in so many distinct Chapters in this First Book I shall then wholly addresse my self to my intended Chronological History in relation to the Kings and Crown of England from Lucius our first Christian King Anno Dom. 183. till the Popes extirpation concluding my First Tome thereof with the reign of King Henry the third Anno 1273. THE FIRST BOOK CHAP. I. Proposition 1. That from Adams Creation till the Law given by God to Moses and by
to cut off that ambitious usurping Antichristian Power of Roman Pontifs which opposeth exalteth it self above all that is called God and trampleth under feet both the Crowns Scepters of all Christian Kings I shall first clear and confirm it by Gods own distribution of various Gifts and powers to the Members of his mystical body the Church and members faculties of the bodies souls of men by one the self-same spirit thus emphatically expressed 1 Cor. 12 4 to 12. Now there are diversities of Gifts but the same Spirit and there are differences of administrations but the same Lord and there are diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all For to one is given by the Spirit the word of Wisdom to another the word of Knowledge by the same Spirit to another Faith by the same Spirit to another the Gifts of Healing by the same Spirit to another the working of Miracles to another Prophecy to another Discerning of spirits to another divers kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues But all these worketh that one the self-same spirit dividing to every man severally as he will Compared with v. 18. 25. God hath set the members every one of them in the body natural AS IT PLEASETH HIM that there should be no Schism in the body appointing them all their distinct Offices places under one head the seat of the soul which rules and directs all the other Members in the discharge of all natural civil moral and divine actions diversified denominated only by from their various objects so stiled not the person power head or facultie by which they are all performed being but one and the same As God the great King over all the earth whose is the Kingdom and the power from whom all Kings and Potentates of the Earth derive their Jurisdiction as their Ordainer and Orderer alwayes Soveraignly ruleth in the Kingdoms of men and giveth them to whomsoever he will he removeth Kings and setteth up Kings at his pleasure by his indivisible Supream authority And as by one and the self-same power spirit he also distributes varieties of Gifts Graces Offices to the Members of his Spiritual body the Church distinct faculties to one and the same reasonable Soul in man in which they are united as vegetation sense reason memory will judgment affections c. with distinct offices places to every member in the body natural without erecting any plurality of Supream Powers parts principles heads souls in himself or them from which these diversities of Gifts and their operations issue So Kings and Soveraign Powers Gods Vicars and Ministers upon earth by that one and the same Supream Authority vested in them by God for Government of all sorts of Subjects and all sacred or civil Corporations under them whether Pagans or Christians may and do exercise all sorts of civil and Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions under them in person or by their Delegates and Substitutes without any real division in their Soveraign power continuing still one the same or erectâ—ng two distinct specifical Powers the one Civil the other Ecclesiastical in themselves or others â—or as their Soveraign Royal Power when exercised about Martial affairs is stiled a Military power and the Courts wherein it is judiciaâ—â—y executed are stiled Martial Courts because the matters persons in and about which it is exercised are such And when employed in matters Courts of Law and Justice is called a Civil or Legal Power and their Courts Courts of Common or Civil Law because the businesses are such And when versed in Maritine affairs or causes is called A Maritime or Admiralty Power and Admiralty Court and when in Civil matters of Equity only it is then phrased a Chancery or Equitable Power and the Court wherein it is acted a Court of Chancery So by the self-same reason when it is employed in or about divine sacred Ecclesiastical things or persons it is then stiled An Ecclesiastical power the Laws concerning them and Courts wherein these Laws powers are exercised the Kings Ecclesiastical Laws Courts without making any fraction division or distinction in the Supream power which remains still but one and the same residing intirely in the King himself alone though the execution of it be distributed to sundry subordinate Courts persons who are but the Kings meer Ministers and act or ought to act all in his Name Right without claiming any share at all in the Soveraign Regal power as vested in themselves by this distribution being thus distinguished denominated only by and from the diversity of the respective objects which make no more multiplications of nor divisions in the power it self then diversities of colours specâ—es in the eyes or varieties of sounds tasts in the ears or pallate make so many distinct faculties in the Eyes Ears Pallate or as many different eyes ears pallats as there are species sounds tasts discerned by them All which doth evidently appear in this Orâ—ginal President of Supream Jurisdiction in Moses the first Soveraign Governour over Gods people when originally made both a Kingdom Church by Gods own institution wherein the High Priest Aaron and his Sonnes had no share at all in the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction though the Priesthood was setled on them but Moses enjoyed exercised it intirely without any Partition made by God between him and Aaron to divide these powers equally between them as Co-heirs Hostiensis and out of him Alvarus Pelagius Thomas Bozius and Marta resolve That as it is Heretical to hold duo principia Two Principles or Authors of the World So it is Heretical to hold that there are Two Vicars of God or Christ upon Earth the one in Spirituals the other in â—emorals Therefore it is of necessity that Supream Temporal and Spiritual Jurisdiction should be intirely vested in the Pope not in the Emperor or Kings who derive all their power from him and it is of necessity to believe that every creature should be subject to the Pope as well in Temporal as Spiritual things to avoid the Heresie of duo principia Dante 's the Florentine who held the contrary being coudemned by the Pope for an Heretick after his death Indeed their position That there is but one Supream Head and Fountain of all Spiritual and Regal power on Earth in every distinct Kingdom and Church is an undubitable truth as these Pontificians and Popes themselves assert But that it was ever vested in the High Priest under the Law or Popes under the Gospel but in Moses Kings and other Supream Magistrates and that they derive all their Temporal Authority from Priests Popes not they from Kings and Supream Civil Governors is a notorious untruth as this Original president of Moses and Aaron with others following will irrefragably evince This I the rather mention and have more largely insisted on because some Usurping Popes not only ground their Pontifical Crowns Priestly garments with
Apostolis Recordare nunc vocis illius Sapientibus et insipientibus debitor sum Etâ—i non indebitam tibi ipsam censes hoc quoque simul memento debitoris molestum nomen servienti potius quam Dominanti congruere Servus in Evangelio audit Quantum debes Domino meo Frgo site agnoscis sapientibus insipipientibus non dominatorem sed debitorem curandum summopere tibi tota vigilantia considerandum quomodo qui non sapiunt sapiant qui sapiant non desipiant qui desipiere resipiscant c. After which he concludes with this pathetical Exclamation and interrogation O ambitio ambientium Crur quomodo omnes torquens omnibus places Nil acerbius cruci at nil molestius inquietat nil tamen apud miseros mortales celebrius negotiis ejus An non limina Apostolorum plus jam ambitio quam devotio terit An non vocibus ejus vestrum tota die resultat palatium An non questibus ejus tota Legum Canonumque disciplina insudat An non spoliis ejus omnis Italica inhiat inerplebili aviditate rapacitas Quid ita tua spiritualia studia non saltem intercidir sed occidit Quoties sancta ac facunda tua abortori ocia fecit inquietum et inquietans malum Aliud est quod ab oppressis appellatur ad te aliud autem quod Ambitie in Ecclesia per te regnare molitur Nec deesse illis nec huic aliquatinus assenrire oportet He concludes thus to our purpose after a large detection of and invective against the monstrous ambition rapine injustice of the Parasites Officers and Ministers of the Court of Rome he falls upon the more then Regal and Imperial wordly pomp of the Pope himself Inter haec tu Pastor procedis deauratus tam multa circumdarus varietate Oves quid rapiunt Si auderem dicere Demonum magis quam ovium pascua haec Scilicet Sic factitabat Petrus sic Paulus 〈◊〉 Vides omnem Ecclesiasticum zelum fervere sola pra Dignitate tuenda Honori totum datur sanctitati nihil aut parum Si causa requirent paulo â—ummissius agere ac socialius te habere temperaveris Absit inquiunt non decet tempore non congruit majestati non convenit quam geris personam attendito De placito Dei ultima mentio est pro jactura salutis nulla cunctatio Nisi quod sublime est salutare dicamus et quod gloriam redolet id justum Ita omne humite probro â—ucitur inter Palatinos ut facilius qui esse quam qui apparere humilis velit invenias Timor Dei simplicitas reputatur de dicam fâ—tuitas c. Hic hic non parco tibi ut pareat Deus Pastorem te populo huic câ—â—è aut nega aut exhibe Non negabis ne cujus sedem tenes te neget heredem Petrus hic est qui nescirur processisse aliquando vel gemmis ornatus vel seâ—icis non tectus auro non vectus equo albo nec stirpatus milite nec circumstrepentibus septus ministris Absque his tamen credidit satis posse impleri salutare mandatum Si amas me pasce oves meas In his successisti non Petro sed Constantino Thus this Canonized Roman Saint Bernard concluded long since against the Popes pretended Monarchy to Pope Eugenius himself with whom I shall cloze this branch of my 4. Proposition For the second part thereof That Jesus Christ as Supream King of his kingdom the Church-militant upon earth never delegated the Soveraign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over it or all the Members in it to St. Peter or any other Apostle Bishop Priest or Pope whatsoever as his Viceroyes but only the ministerial part of his Prophetical not Kingly or High Priests office of teaching and preaching the Gospel publikely to all Nations administring the Sacraments of Baptism Lords Supper according to his institution and command feeding them as his sheep with the sincere milk of his word teaching them as his Apostles Ministers Servants to obey what he hath commanded them beâ—eeching them as his Embassadors in his stead to be reconciled to God and to declare pronounce them absolved from their sins by God upon their sincere repentance and to aenounce damnation against them if they do not repent and believe in Christ I shall demonstrate the verity thereof First from the several Commissions or Precepts 2dly From the respective Titles given by Christ and the Gospel to the Apostles Peter Bishops Presbyters Ministers and their respective Offices in and as they relate to the Kingdom Church and people of God 1. For their respective Commissions I shall enumerate and examine them distinctly The first Commission given them by Christ was only to preach the Gospel and Kingdom of Heaven to the lost sheep of the House of Israel but not to the Samaritans and Gentiles without any Jurisdiction or pomp without scrâ—â— gold silver or brasse in their purses two coats or staves only as labourers worthy of their hire or meat which they were to receive from those to whom they preached Which commission imports nothing of Supream Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in it expiring before Christs passion then head on earth of his Church and equal to all the Apostles not peculiar to St. Peter The second general Grand Commission given them by Christ wherein their office principally consists after his Resurrection is thus recorded by St. Matthew and d Mark Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every Creature He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved he that believeth not shall be damned Go ye and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you not what your selves without my command much lesse Popes Priests Prelates shall of their own heads prescribe That this was their principal commission charge office is further evidenced by the Apostles daily constant preaching to the people both in the Temple Synagogues and from house to house notwithstanding the High Priests and Councels inhibitions not to preach chusing rather to obey God then men By St. Pauls separation and mission to preach the Gospel the necessity laid upon him and wo that would fall on him if he did not preach it And his dreadfull charge to Timothy and in him to all Bishops and Ministers of the Gospel I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge both the quick and dead at his appearing and his kingdom Preach the Word be instant in season out of season rebuke reprove in and by the word preached exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine In all this Grand commission there is only a Ministration not the least Domination or Iurisdiction delegated to Peter or any other Apostle Evangelist Bishop Priest or Minister whatsoever Yea it is observable That Popes and Prelates of the Church who most contend for
as the Roman Porters have forged yea the broad gate of hell but one which stands open day and night to let in prisoners who can never return back thence as I may conclude with Iohn Veselius on the one hand Claves Papae Praelatorum non aperiunt Regnum Dei sed abscondunt So I may resolve on the other That they give them no Supream Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction at all over any Churches Christians much lesse over Kings and Emperors for the premised reasons The 4th Commission which Popes and their creatures would appropriate to St. Peter and the Pope is that treble Interrogation and command given by Christ to Peter after his treble denying of him with an Oath John 20. 15 16 17. Jesus said unto Simon Peter Lovest thou me more then these He said Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee He saith unto him Feed my Lambs Feed my Sheep Feed my Sheep From whence Popes and their Janizaries conclude That the Pope is the Universal Vicar Head over all the Church Militant that the whole world is his Diocesse and that he hath an absolute Power not only over all other Bishops Cardinals Priests but over all Christian Kings Emperors Princes not only to feed but to excommunicate depose kill them divide or give their Crowns kingdoms to others To which I answer 1. That the High Priests and Priests in the Old Testament were obliged by their office duty to feed teach and instruct their flocks as well as St. Peter and the Apostles under the New as is largely resolved with much expostulation by God himself against those who neglected it Jer 23. 1 to 16. Ezech 34. 2. to 24. Zech 11. 7. 2 Chron 17. 7 8 9. Neh. 8. 7. c. 7. 15. and other Texts But the High Priests under the Law claimed no such Soveraignty or Jurisdiction over the people much lesse over Moses Joshua Supream temporal Magistrates or their Kings by this their pastoral charge power to feed Gods sheep and flock as I have formerly proved and shall here further illustrate by the example of Aaron the first High Priest who was subject and subordinate to Moses the Israelites first chief Civil Governour being no Priest by birthright nor consecration as some Popish writers would now make him First because Aaron was his elder Brother by 3 years so the only Priest by birthright the high Priest by Moses special consecration who at his death stripped him of his high priests robes and put them on Eleazar his son 2ly Because he never consecrated himself a Priest as he did Aaron and his sons nor was he ever consecrated a Priest by others 3ly Because he never offered burnt offerings or sacrifices nor intermedled with the proper office of the Priests but charged them alone to do it 4ly Because the word Priest in Psal 99. 6. 9. whence they would conclude Moses a Priest signifies as well a Prince as a Priest and therefore cannot conclude him a Priest but Prince among them Now though Aaron was high Priest and Moses his younger brother yet Aaron was subject to his Jurisdiction Power Censure as these 2. Scriptures evidence First Moses particularly reprehended Aaron and the Priests for burning and not eating the sin-offering in the holy place according to their duty and Gods prescription for which Aaron made his Apology to him 2ly By Gods anger against Aaron and smiting his Sister Miriam with Leprosy only for speaking against Moses for marying an Ethiopian woman and using these seditious words against him Hath the Lord only spoken by Moses hath he not also spoken by us in derogation of his Authority 4ly By Aarons confessing of his sinne and craving pardon of him for it in this submissive manner Alas My Lord I beseech thee lay not this sin upon us wherein we have dealt foolishly 5ly By Aarons intercession to Moses for Miriam after God had smitten her with Leprosy and then healed her upon his prayer that she might not be put out of the Camp Which Moses refused to grant shutting her out of the Camp seven dayes ere he restored her Seeing then this Pastoral office of feeding advanced not Aaron above Moses to whom he was high Priest who continued l subject to his Supream Ecclesiastical and Civil Jurisdiction How Christs command to Peter to feed his Sheep can elevate his pretended Successors above Kings Emperors and all other Bishops no rational Christian can discern 2ly Every Apostle Minister Priest Bishop in and under the Gospel is expresly enjoyned and bound ex officio to feed Christs sheep lambs flock committed to his charge as well as Peter as is evident by this question and demand of God himself Ezech 34. 2. Should not the Shepherds feed the Flocks which infallibly intimates that they should and ought to do it under the Gospel as well as Law by Jer 11. 15. I will give you Pastors after mine own heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding Jer 23. 4. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them both meant of the times of the Gospel by these expresse Gospel Texts Acts 20. 28. where Paul gave this strict charge to all the Elders and Bishops of Ephesus Takeheed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Bishops to what end to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Which words Feed the Church of God are certainly as universal as Feed my sheep feed my Lambs 1 Cor 9. 7. Who Feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the milk thereof applied by St. Paul to all Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel who ought to live of the Gospel Yea which is most observable St. Peter himself as if he had purposely foreseen his pretended Successors ambitious Monopoly and claim of Feeding Christs Sheep to himself to erect a new Monarchy tyranny over them by a prophetical Spirit and purposely writ against it for ever refutes their pretences in this memorable passage 1 Pet. 5. 1 to 5. The Elders that are among you I exhort 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut Compresbyter or Consenior as the Vulgar Jerom Arias Montanus and other Latin Translations render it as your fellow Elder yea fellow-shepherd too not chief Head Pastor Feeder of the Universal Church of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not as Lords over or as Domineering and ruling over the Lords heritage but being ensamples to the flock And when the Chief Shepherd acknowledged by Peter himself after Christs Resurrection to be Christ alone not himself shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of glory that fadeth not away Whence St. Peter expresly enjoynes them to feed the flock as Shepherds only not as Kings or Lords
himself did almost despair And then induced him to use his utmost endeavours to reform them by the forecited smitings of them with the sword of the Spirit And in case of their final incorrigibility not to excommunicate interdict or anathematise them but desert them totally and by a voluntary exile to remove to some other City to exchange Rome for the World or any other part thereof which was farre better then it there to preach the Gospel and discharge his Pastoral office committed by Christ to Peter and through him to himself by seeding his sheep which he defines only to be the preaching of the Gospel to them concluding in these words Evangelizare pascere est fac opus Evangelistae et Pastoris opus implesti Upon all which considerations I hope the most zealous Pontificians will henceforth be satisfied That the Civil and Spiritual swords have not their distinction distribution nor any foundation at all on Peters single sword or the other Apostles two material swords and that the only spiritual sword belonging to Popes and the Church is not their usual Ecclesiastical Censures thunderbolts but the meer word of God incessantly preached applied in season and out of season to all sorts of sinners especially the most obdurate wherewith the City and Court of Rome are so stuffed that Popes have most reason to brandish this sword and all other swords or keyes they claim from St. Peter only there not in other Princes Bishops Diocesses and Dominions much lesse against Emperors and Kings themselves 2ly If St. Peters the Apostles Priests and Ministers commissions forecited will neither warrant support their Supream Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction challenged pretended to much lesse will their several Titles do it Before I enter upon the Positive Titles given to them in Scripture I shall desire you to take notice 1. That neither St. Peter nor any other Apostle Minister or Presbyter is ever once stiled by Christ or any Apostle in relation to his office either a King Prince Caesar Lord or the higher Powers but only earthly Kings and temporal Magistrates Alvarus Pelagius the Popes Grand Advocate doth not only ingenuously acknowledge but renders these folid reasons for it First because Kings and Lords do frequently abuse their Regal and Lordly power to tyranny and great oppression of their Subjects which Popes and Clergymen would be likewise apt to do if dignified with these Titles 2ly Because the name of a King aliquando superbum sonat and is apt to puff men up with pride and arrogance therefore inconsistent with the humility and meeknesse of Christs Disciples Ministers 3ly To put a distinction between Civil and Ecclesiastical Governors Inter spirituales temporales Reges sicut est discretio in potestatibus sic debet esse in nominibus Principes itaque seculares nomen Regis quod commune est sibi a proprietate retinent praesertim quia ante constitutionem spititualium Regum officium Regis nomen plures habuisse leguntur Principes autem spirituales aliis nominibus nuncupantur quae non fastum sed actum pietatem insinuant Et propter hoc ait Petrus Pastoribus Ecclesiae 1 Pet. 5. 2. 3. 95 Distinct Esto Neque ut Dominautes in Clero Christus dixit Discipulis Lu. 22. Reges Gentium dominatur eorum vos autem non sic Mat. 20 Yea he draws this memorable inference from hence Et secundum hoc videretur dicendum quod licet Christus sit Rex Sacerdos tamen ejus Vicarii scilicet Apostoli eorum successors non sunt Sacerdotes et Reges imo solum convenit eis potestas Sacerdotalis vel Pontificalis ex concessione Christi Si autem aliquibus eorum convent potestas Regia hoc est ex concessione Principum terrenorum sicut ex concessione Constatini habet Romanus Prontifex Imperialem potestatem Distinct 96. Constituimus Which though Alvarus prima facie grants to be rationabiliter dictum for others yet he spends several Articles to assert That the Pope is not only a spiritual but temporal King and Lord yea King of Kings and Lord of Lords and that not only Popes but even Bishops and Priests too have a power and jurisdiction above all Kings Emperors Princes in the world even to excommunicate depose and put them from their Thrones Kingdomes Empires as you heard before at large 2ly Neither Christ nor his Apostles after his Ascension in any of their Epistles or Gospels ever gave St. Peter or the Pope any of these swelling Titles now claimed or Attributed to them by their flatterers as Christs sole Viceroy his sole Vicar General on Earth sole head of the whole Catholick Church God Vice-God Christ Christs Omnipotentiary or Plenipotentiary indued with a plenituds of all power both in heaven and earth the life of the world or any of those Titles which St. Bernard by way of irony censure only gives to Pope Eugenius as others did in good earnest Age indagemus adhuc diligentius quis sis quam geras videlicet pro tempore personum in Ecclesia Dei Quis es Sacerdos magnus Summus Pontifex Tu Princeps Apostolorum tu Primatu Abel Gubernatu Noe Patriarchatu Abraham Or â—ine Melchisedech dignitate Aaron auctoritate Moyses indicatu Samuel potestate Petrus unctione Christus Tu es cui claves traditae cui over creditae sunt Sunt quidem alii coeli janitores gregum pastores Sed tu tanto gloriosius quanto differentius utrumque prae caeteris nomen haereditasti c. If none of these ambitious Titles were ever given by Christ or other Apostles to Peter himself in this magnificent mannerâ— or to any other Apostle How comes the Pope now to appropriate them to himself in Peters right who doth not own but quite disclaim them 1 Pet. 1. 1. c. 5. 1 2 3. Wherefore pretermitting them as late Papal fancies invented by Popes and their Parasites I shall proceed to St. Peters particular Scripture Titles peculiar to himself whereon Popes and their flatterers bottom his and their own pretended transcendent Supremacy The 1. is his very Sirname Peter Mat. 16. 18. I say unto thee thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church Whence they infer That Peter is not only supreme head of Christs Church but the very stock and foundation on which it is built I answer 1. That he had this very name Peter given him either before he was called by Christ to be an Apostle or at leastwise he was named Peter by Christ upon his very first calling to be his Disciple Mat. 4 18. c. 8. 14 15. Mar. 3. 16. Lu 3. 16. Lu 6. 14. Jo 1. 41 42 If then his first sirname Peter gave him no such supream Jurisdiction Lordship over all the other Apostles and whole Catholick Church as certainly it did not Christ himself being then the supream head thereof on earth for some years after This repetition or confirmation of this his former
Antichristian Pride actions and Kings villain service It is St. Bernards instruction to Pope Eugenius Bonus fundus humilitas in quâ—â—mne aedificium spirituale constructum crescit in Templum sanctum in Domino Nulla splendidior gemma in omni praecipue conatu Summi Pontificis Quo enim celsior caeteris eo humilitate apparet illustrior in seipso And it is the determination of Thomas Waldensis a great Patron of the Popes Supremacy Petrus sicut in Apostolatu primus erat sic etiam in humilitate I wish Popes who pretend themselves to be St. Peters successors disclaiming all their premised Luciferian Ceremonies Services Exorbitances with all other Bishops and Clergy-men may from henceforth demonstrate themselves to be Christs real Disciples Apostles successors exceeding all others in humility by preaching diligence in the Ministry not in the usurpation of such Ecclesiastical Authority for which they have neither precept nor president in the Gospel as the premises demonstrate I shall cloze up this Chapter with St. Bernards words to Eugenius which I cordially desire all ambitious Popes and Prelates seriously to consider En quis es sed noli oblivisci etiam quid Quid desinas intueri quod non desiisti esse Hoc ergo consulo consideres maxime quod maximus es hominem videlicet quod natus es Tolle ergo nunc haereditaria haec perizomata ab initio maledicta Dirumpe velamen foliorum celantium ignominiam nec plagam curantium Dele fucum fugacis honoris hujus malae coloratae nitorem gloriae et unde es nude nudum consideres quia nudus egressus es de utero matris tuae Nunquid infulatus nunquid micans gemmis aut floridus sericis aut coronatus pennis aut suffarcinatus metallis Si cuncta haec veluti nubes quasdam matutinales velociter transeuntes cito pertransituras dissipes exsuffles a facie considerationis tuae occuret tibi homo nudus pauper miserabilis Homo dolens quod homo sit erubescens quod nudus sit plorans quod natus sit murmurans quod sit Homo natus ad laborem non ad honorem Homo natus de muliere ab hoc cum reatu brevi vivens tempore ideoque cum metu repletus multis miseriis ideoque cum fletu vere multis quâ—â— corporis animae simul Proinde si consideras quantus es cogita etiam qualis maxime Haec te sane consideratio tenet in te nec te avolare sinit nec ambulare in magnis neque in mirabilibus super te In te consistito non infra dejici non attolli supra non evadere in longius non extendi in latius Tene medium si non vis perdere modum Locus medius tutus est Medium sedes modi modus virtus Omnem extra modum habitationem sapiens exilium putat BOOK I. CHAP. V. That Gods principal end and intention in ordaining Kings and Supream Civil Magistrates in the world was not the bare external administration of Justice between man and man the protection of their Subjects from violence oppression the preservation of them in wordly peace plenty prosperity the punishment of Malefactors rewarding of well-doers encouragement of Arts Virtue Trade industry or fighting their battels in times of War against Invading Enemies though considerable parts of their Regal Office and Soveraign Authority But the advancement of Gods Honor Worship Service Glory and spiritual Kingdom whose Vice-royes they are the suppression of all Idolatry blasphemy sinne wickedness the promotion of the eternal salvation felicity of their people and to be Kings for the Lord their God by advancing his interest all they can Vpon which ground in order to effect these ends God himself as well under the Gospel as Law hath delegated the Supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction only to Kings and other Soveraign Temporal Potentates not to Popes Bishops Priests who are subordinate to them as their Subjects not Copartners with them in their soveraign Ecclesiastical Authority in point of Interest nor yet in its actual execution no further then they are pleased by their Laws and Commissions to delegate it to them as their Substitutes With a specification of the chief particulars wherein this Supream Ecclesiastical Power of Christian Kings and Emperors consists THE Grand Engin by which Popes and Popish Prelats have robbed Christian Emperors Kings Princes Magistrates of their Supream Ecclesiastical Authority and monopolized it to themselves alone is this grosse Paradox and Imposture That God and Jesus Christ under the Gospel have committed to their trust care only the Administration Government of the Commonwealth and Secular not of the Church and Religious affairs of the bodies temporal estates of their Subjects not of their Souls for which they are not to give any account at all to God That the Government care reformation of the Church Religion divine Worship and their Subjects souls are by Christs institution wholly and solely delegated to Popes Bishops Priests and other Ecclesiastical persons not to Emperors Kings or Supream Civil Magistrates Upon which notorious Forgery and Mistake they have First usurped engrossed to themselves alone the Title of The Church when as the definition of a Church whether Militant Triumphant National or Provincial accords not with them but their flocks people rather and is no where given to them in Scripture and the stile of Churchmen Ecclesiastical sacred persons Clergy-men which Titles they deny to all others not in sacred Orders stiling them The world secular persons the Laity popularity prophane vulgar unconsecrated persons as if they were no members of the Church when as the Scripture stiles them the Church Members of Christs body the Church and so Church-men Ecclesiastical persons as well as Bishops Priests Saints sanctifyed holy consecrated persons yea an holy Priesthood being made such by their very calling the Sacrament of Baptism and the Lords Supper their internal sanctification by Gods holy Spirit and washing away of their sins by the bloud of Christ far nobler consecrations then their bare Clerical Orders which no Protestants esteem a Sacrament and St. Peter himself defines them to be Gods Clergy Heritage as well as much as any Popes Prelates Priests how great soever 2ly They have forged two distinct incompatible Swords Jurisdictions The one Ecclesiastical peculiar to Popes Bishops Priests and those they stile Ecclesiastical persons not belonging to Emperors Kings or secular Princes The other Temporal exercised about secular things and affairs belonging only or principally to Emperors Kings and Secular powers yet subordinate to the command of Ecclesiastical persons when they shall require or desire its protection or assistance to enforce their Ecclesiastical censures 3dly That every Pope Bishop Priest as he is an ecclesiastical person is as far above all Emperors Kings Secular persons of what quality or dignity soever as the soul is above the body heaven
duty office of a King Quid sit Regis officium 〈…〉 Regem Quantum ad officium ita sit Rex in Regno sicut ratio in corpore et anima et sicut Deus in mundo quae si diligenter consideret Rex ex altero in eo justitia accenâ—itur dum considerat ad hoc se pâ—â—um ut loco Dei iudicium in regno exerceat Caus 24. qu. 5. Regum ex alâ—â—ro vero clementiae 〈…〉 lenitatem acquâ—raâ— dum 〈◊〉 singulos qui suo subsunt regimini sicut propria 〈…〉 Augustinus ad Marcellinum Comitem â—â—ple Christiane Judex pii Patris officium sic succensere iniquitati memmeris ut non in peccatorum acrocitatibus exerceas ulcâ—cendi libidinem sed peccatorum vulneribus curandi adhibeas voluntatem noâ— perdere paterâ—â—â— diligentiam quam in ipsa inquisitione servasti Officium autem principale Regum est mark it dirigere suum regimen in finem bonum qui est beatitudo aeterna Vnde sic debent suos subditos in hoc mundo peregrinos regere ut efficiantur Cives et Domestici Dei Eph. 2. Qui◠〈…〉 in corpore peregrinamur a Domino 2 Cor. 5. Sed quia finem 〈◊〉 divinae homo non consequitur per virtutem humanam sed divinam quia gratia Dei 〈…〉 Rom. 6. perducere ad illum ultimum finem non est humani per se regiminis sed diviâ—i Ad illum ergo Regem hoc pertinet principaliter qui non solum est homo sed etiam Deus scilicet Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum qui homines Dei filios faciens in coelestem gloriam introducit propter quod non solum Sacerdos sed et Rex in sacro eloquio nominatur Hier. 23. This then being the principal end office of Kings according to my Proposition I now proceed to evidence the truth thereof which will appear 1. By Col. 1. 16. For by him Jesus Christ were all things created that are in heaven 〈◊〉 that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him that is to promote his honor glory kingdom Gospel worship interest Compared with Rom. 11. 36. For of him and through him and to him are all things Rev. 4. 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure or service they are and were created Prov. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself that is to set forth his glory service worship praise Isay 43. 7. 21. Ps 95. 6 7. Therefore much more Kings who as they reign by him Prov. 8. 15. upon that account they should and ought principally to raign and rule for him his glory worship service their subjects salvation 2ly By Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers for there is no power but of God tho powers that are are ordained of God c. Do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same For he is the Minister of God to thee for good that is for thy eternal good and salvation as well as temporal good but if thou doest that which is evil be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the Minister of God an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil to reclaim him from his evil and others by his punishment thereby to bring him and others to repentance and save their souls as Chrysostom Haymo Theophylact Paraeus Willet Grotius Soto with other Commentators on the Text and Grotius De Jure Belli Pacis lib. 2. cap. 20. de Poenis resolve 3. By 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3 4. I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions thanksgivings be made for Kings and for all that are in authority that we may live a quiet and peaceablelife in all godlinesse and honesty for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth The chief end of Kings and Magistrates institution by God being to advance godlinesse in and among all their subjects in the first place and then quietnesse peace honesty in the second 4ly By Rev. 21. 24. Where St. John describing the glory and beauty of the heavenly Jerusalem to wit of Christs Church and its glory under the Gospel subjoyns And the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it and the Kings of the Earth do bring their Glory and Honor to it this being the principal end for which they were made Kings to contribute all their Regal Honor Power to enlarge the bounds of Christs Church kingdom promote Gods honour worship glory and salvation of the Nations people committed to their Government 5ly Natural Parents as well under the Gospel as Law are enjoyned to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and knowledge of the Scriptures Ephes 6. 4. 1. 2 Tim. 3. 15. And natural Husbands are obliged to instruct and sanctifie as well as love and nourish their wives 1 Cor. 7. 14. c. 14. 35. Therefore Kings and supream Christian Magistrates the Politick Fathers and Husbands of the Commonwealth are also obliged to bring up their Children Wives Subjects in the fear and admonition of the Lord to see them instructed in Gods word and endeavour their real sanctification and salvation To these Arguments evidences out of the New Testament I shall accumulate many more out of the Old 6ly That memorable Speech of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon 2 Chron. 9. 8. most punctual and observable to our purpose And she said to the King Blessed be the Lord thy God which delighted in thee to set thee on his Throne to be King for the Lord thy God because thy God loved Israel to establish them for ever therefore made he thee a King over Israel to do judgement and justice In which speech even of an Heathen Queen from the very light of Nature there are these memorable particulars 1. That the Thrones of all Kings are not their own but Gods alone 2ly That it is God himself who sets Kings upon his throne 3ly That the grand end thereof is To be Kings for the Lord their God who hath set them on his own throne to be his Viceroyes to promote his Glory worship honour kingdom interest in the world as Solomon did and suppresse what ever is opposite thereunto 4ly To establish their Subjects people for ever by setting up establishing Gods true Worship Ordinances Statutes Gospel amongst them for their eternal salvation and by executing Judgement and Justice over them to the encouraging piety holinesse vertue godlinesse all good works and cutting off all the wicked of the Land from the City of God left they should corrupt others and dishonor God by impunity 7ly This is most apparent by
Lord their God which brought them and their fathers out of the land of Egypt c. Whereupon all the people resolved and answered again and again The Lord our God will we serve and his voice will we obey and they made a statute ordinance and covenant before the Lord to perform it compared with Joshua 22. 11. to 34. 4ly By King Davids manifold exhortations and precepts to his Subjects to this purpose throughout the Psalms especially Psalm 34. 37. O magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together O taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints Come ye children and hearken unto me I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Depart from evil and do good seek peace and pursue it dwell for evermore c. And by his charge to his son Solomon all his Princes Officers and Congregation of Isrel 1 Chron. 28. 9 10. Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord and in the audience of our God keep and search for all the commandements of the Lord your God that ye may posses this good land and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever And thou Solomon my sonne know thou the God of thy Fathers and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth the imagination of the thoughts if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou shalt forsake him he will cast thee off for ever Seconded with this his publike prayer to God for them 1 Chron. 29. 18 19 20. O Lord God of Abraham Isaac and Israel our Fathers keep this for ever in the thoughts of the heart of thy people and prepare their heart unto thee And give unto Solomon my Son an understanding heart to keep thy commandements thy testimonies and statutes and to do all these things and to build the house for which I have made provision Which ended David said to all the Congregation Now blesse the Lord your God And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers and bowâ—d down their heads and worshipped the Lord and the King 5ly By Ecclesiastes 1. 12 c. 12. 9 10 11. recording that Solomon King of Israel was also a Preacher and taught the people knowledge and that which was upright even words of truth for their everlasting welfare 6ly By 2 Chron. 15. 12. to 19. Where King Asa made the people to enter into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul and that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death whether great or small whether man or woman To omit all other particular examples of this nature already touched From these Texts it is apparent That the primary office duty end of Kings especially Christian is to promote the honour worship service fear love of God true religion eternal salvation of their Subjects souls and suppresse what ever is repugnant thereto 12ly That which was Gods principal end design in creating the World it self redeeming mankind by the bloud of Jesus Christ and the King of Kings giving both the Law and Gospel to men must certainly be Gods chief end design in instituting Kings Princes and Supream Civil Governors the eminentest chiefest of men to be his Viceroyes to rule over men of inferiour rank or quality and the most essential real considerable part of their Regal or Magistratical office duty Now Gods principal end and design in creating the world and men the Lords of all other Creatures redeeming mankind by the bloud of Christ and giving both the Law and Gospel to them was only this that all mankind might worship adore fear honor praise blesse obey love and glorify him according to his word and will whiles they live on earth that Jesus Christ might rule in and reign over them as his kingdom Church Saints and they might reign with and enjoy perpetual felicity in by under him in his heavenly kingdom for all eternity as the Scripture resolves Therefore it must necessarily be Gods chief end design in instituting Kings Princes and Supream Civil Magistrates the eminentest choicest of all men to rule over those of inferiour quality and the most essential real considerable part of their Regal or Magisterial office trust duty upon which Account among others God specially enjoyned the Kings of Israel to have a Copy of the Book of his Law alwayes in their custody and to read therein all the dayes of their lives the better to observe it themselves and to enjoyn all their subjects to observe obey and do nought against it yea God himself with greatest majesty enacted this Royal Law by King Davids own mouth for all Kings Rulers to square their Government by He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God which he can never do without taking special care to maintain promote the true Worship service fear love obedience of God according to his word among all his Subjects for Gods glory and their temporal and eternal felicity as David did 13ly This I shall evidence even from the very light of nature and practice among the Heathen Nations Plato in his Book De Regno asserts That the King hath Universae humanae Societatis curam that Regia cura ut quae principalis in omnes homines ars est consisting not only in this that Rex est humanus Curator but also Divinus Pastor over all his Subjects That the chief care of Religion Worship of the Gods and feeding of the people belongs to Kings they being a kind of Priests Quare in Egypto neque imperare licet Regi absque Sacerdotio Sed si quis ex alio genere per vim Regnum invasit postea tamen necesse est cum hoc genere initiari Quin et in multis locis apud Graecos Summis Magistratibus maxima sacrificia demandata esse quis compererit et sane etiam apud nos non minus clarum est quod dico Ei enim qui Rex sorte creatus est augustissima et maxima patria vetera sacrificia huic attributa esse tradunt Hos itaque sorte creatos Reges simulque Sacerdotes considerare convenit c. Aristotle his Scholar resolves us that in the heroical times Reges provinciam habebant bellorum et sacrorum nisi forte ad Sacerdotes attinerent Postea autem partim quidem ipsis Regibus omittendis partim vero populis recusantibus apud quasdam Civitates sacra solis Regibus relicta sunt Rex autem et Dux belli et Iuder erat rerum divinarum moderator And among the Romans themselves as their Historians and others relate their antient King and after that their Emperors were both Kings and Priests and had the chiefest hand in performing the Rites and Ceremonies of
their Citizens reviling the King and his mother drinking and whoring day and night were again removed by the King from their Bishopricks and thrust into the Monastery of Marcellus This King the next year summoned another Synod in urbe Valentina which met juxta imperium Domini Gunthrami Regis pro diversis pauperum querimoniis c. Et quia praedictus Rex per virum illustrem Asclepeiadorum referendarium datis ad Sanctam Synodum Epistolis injunxit to subscribe what ever he his Queen and daughters had given to holy places they thereupon accordingly subscribed About the year 590. Gunthramus Rex Francorum issued this memorable Precept De observando die Dominico to the Bishops summoned by him to the second Council of Matiscon omnibus Pontificibus universis Clericis cunctis Judicibus in regione nostra consâ—itutis beginning thus Per hoc supernae Majestatis authorem cujus universa reguntur Imperio placari credimus si in populo nostro justitiae jura praeceptorum divinorum monita servamus Dum ergo pro Regni nostri stabilitate salvatione Populi solicitudine pervigili attentius pertractavimus agnovimus infra regni nostri spatia universa scelera quae canonibus et legibus pro divino timore puniri consuerunt suadente adversario boni operis perpetrari to the drawing down of Gods judgements on them which sinnes he thereupon enjoynes the Bishops and Ministers to endeavour to suppresse by their Preaching and Holy Lives Nam nec nos quibus facultatem regnandi superni Regis commisit authoritas iram eius evadere possumus si de subiecto populo solicitudinem non habemus Idcirco hujus Decreti ac definitionis generalis vigore decernimus ut in omnibus diebus Dominicis in quibus sanctae resurrections mysterium veneramur quando ex more ad veneranda templorum oracula universae plebis connectio devotionis congregatur studio praeter quod victum praeparari convenit ab omni corporali opere suspendantur enjoyning all Bishops and Priests thereon constanti praedicatione populi universam multitudinem corrigere c. And the Judges to punish them according to Law Concluding Cuncta ergo quae hujus Edicti tenore decrevimus perpetualiter volumus custodiri quia in sancta Synoda Matisconensi haec omnia sicut nostis studuimus diffiniri quae praesenti authoritate vulgamus wherein were 20. Canons made the first for the strict observation of the Lords day which he ratifyed by this Royal Edict All the Bishops in this Council concluded Propterea indeâ—inenter omnes nos orare oportet ut Dei omnipotentis Majestas Regis nostri incolumitatem solita pietate conservet nos omnes illa operari concedat quae Serenitati ac Maâ—estati ejus ritè complaceant instead of quarrelling at his zeal for religion Gods worship and regal care of his own and his Subjects salvation for whom he was to give an account to God who had constituted him their King Justus Orgelitanus a Spanish Bishop present in the 2d Council of Toledo in his Explicatio in Cantica Carâ—icorum thus expounds these words Quia caput plenunâ—â—â—â— Hi qui Principali honore in Ecclesia praeminere videntur quasi caput in Christi corpore adverâ—enture not the Pope Et qui in ipsa fidelium congregatione Sacramenta visibilia administrant veluti cincinni de cribuntur which flow only from the head and are no part thereof The Spanish Kings being the Supream head on earth of the Spanish Church as will appear by the 3d. Council of Toledo Anno 589. Regnante gloriosissimo atque piissimo Deo fidelissimo Domino Reccaredo Rege cum idem gloriosissimus Princeps omnes regiminis sui Pontifices in unum convenire mandasset in Civitate Regia Toletana the Metropolis of Spain this pious King sitting in the midst of this Council where 72 Bishops assembled made an Oration to them so soon as they were sate shewing the reasons of its summons wherein are these remarkable passages evidencing the supream care of the orthodox faith religion and peoples souls to reside in Kings and that himself was the instrument raised by God to convert the Gothes and Swedes to the Orthodox faith a Summary whereof he had drawn up and tendred to this Council to be read professed ratified throughout his Kingdom for the future Non credimus vestram latere sanctitatem quanto tempore in errore Arrianorum laborasset Hispania non multos post decessum genitoris nostri dies quibus nos vestra beatitudo fidei sanctae Catholicae cognovit esse sociatos credimus generaliter magnum et aeternum gaudium habuisse et ideo Venerandi Patres ad hanc vos peragendum congregandos decrevimus Synodum ut de omnibus nuper advenientibus ad Christum ipsi aeternas Domino gratias deferatis Quicquid vero verbis apud Sacerdotium vestrum nobis agendum erat de fide atque spe nostra quam gerimus in hoc Tomo conscripta atque allegata notescimus Relegatur ergo in medio vestri et in Iudicio Synodali examinata per omne succiduum tempus Gloria nostra ejusdem fidei Testimonio decorata clarescat Susceptus est autem ab omnibus Dei Sacerdotibus offerente Rege sacrosanctae fidei tomus et pronunciante Notario clara voce recensitus est ita c. Here this King himself draws up a Confession of his Faith and commands it to be publickly read in the Synod which was generally received by all the Bishops and Priests present in this Council was read with a lowd voyce in this memorable form Quamvis Deus omnipotens pro utilitatibus populorum regni nos culmen subire tribuerit et moderamen gentiumnon paucarum regiae nostrae curae commiserit meminimus tamen nos mortalium conditione perstringi nec posse felicitatem futurae beatitudinis aliter promereri nisi nos cultui verae fidei deputemus et conditori nostro saltem confessione qua dignus est ipse placeamus Pro qua re quanto subditorum gloria regali extollimur tanto providi esse debemus Let Baronius Popes and Popish Prelates observe it who deny that Kings have ought to do in matters of Faith and Religion in his quae ad Deum sunt vel nostram spem augere vel gentibus nobis a Deo creditis consulere Caeterum quid pro tantis beneficiorum collationibus omnipotentiae divinae valemus tribuere quando omnia ipsius sint et bonorum nostroum nihil egeat nisi ut in eum sic tota devotione credimus quemadmodum per scripturas sacras se ipse intelligi voluit et credi praecepit id est ut confiteamur esse Patrem qui genuerit ex substantia sua Filium sibi coequalem et coaeternum Non tamen ut idem ipse sit natus genitor sed persona alius sit Pater qui genuit alius sit
Apostles but not drawn forth by Peter or Christ against those who laid violent hands upon and crucified him How then this later sword can belong to Peter Popes or Prelates alone by divine right let Pontificians resolve the world when they are able 2ly That he asserts the King to be the Supreame Member in the body of Christ to whom St. Peters sword appertains not the Pope Bishops or Priests who have only that sheathed sword which Peter and the other Apostles did not then draw forth 3ly That so long as the Kings sword is drawn exercised in and for the Church or its Members the Spiritual sword of Excommunication ought not to be drawn or used 4ly That the Ecclesiastical Sword equally belongs to every Bishop Angel Priest of God as much as to St. Peter or the Pope who may lawfully draw it out when ever there is occasion without the Popes Commission License Permission 5ly You may hence observe how much this Text hath been perverted by Popes and their Advocates to maintain the Popes title to the Supreame Temporal and Spiritual swords of Authority Jurisdiction in over all Christian Kings Kingdoms which as I have formerly evidenced make nothing at all for these two Metaphorical Swords Jurisdictions or St. Peters or his pretended successors Title to them For if we believe St. Ambrose and others these two swords which the Apostles then had and Christ resolved to be enough were only the Old and New Testament which Saint Peter and the other Apostles were to draw forth open explain and preach to all Nations for their instruction the slaying of their sinnes errors corruptions pricking them at their hearts arming them against all the assaults of the Devil and for the edification conversion defence and salvation of their souls Which exposition of theirs is warranted by Luke 24. 25 26 27. Rom. 1. 1 2 16 17 c. 10. 6. to 21. c. 16. 25 26. Eph. 2. 17 to 22. c. 3. 5 to 12. Mat. 28. 19 20. Mark 16. 15 16. compared with Eph. 6. 17 19. Hebr. 4. 12 13. Rev. 1. 16. c. 2. 12 16. c. 19. 14 15 16 21. Ps 45. 3. Ps 149. 6. Isay 49. 2. Mat. 10. 34. Duo Gladii unus veteris alter novi Testamenti quibus adversus Diaboli armamur insidias dixit Satis est quia nihil deest ei quem utriusque Testamenti doctrina munierit Gladius Sermo Domini Servatoris ideo anceps quoniam duo contineat Testamenta is the general and genuine resolution of St. Ambrose Augustine Chrysostom Jerome Beda Cassiodor Bruno Lyra Hugo de Sancto Victore the Ordinary Glosse most Orthodox Interpreters Old and New on these Texts This is the only sword proceeding out of Christs mouth which he came to send into the world which himself brandished or made use of whilst on earth committed to his Apostles Ministers Peter or the Roman Pontiffs admitting them to be his genuine Successors after his death and resurrection not the Supream Spiritual or Temporal Coercive Sword of Jurisdiction in and over all Persons Churches Kingdoms causes whatsoever as Popes and Pontificians most blindly inferr from hence against the Letter true scope of this Text Exposition of the Fathers and their own learned Expositors 6ly These words But now he that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one c. And they said Lord Behold here are two swords And he said they are enough are thus interpreted by the Fathers St. Ambrose hath this Meditation on these words in St. Peters name O Domine cur emere nos jubes gladium qui ferrire me prohibes Cur habere praecipis cum vetas promi nisi fortè ut parata sit defensio non ultio necessaria videar potuisse vindicari sed noluisse Lex tamen referire me non vetat ideo fortasse Petro duos gladios offerenti sat est dicit quasi licuerit usque ad Evangelium ut sit in Lege aequitatis eruditio in Evangelio bonitatis perfectio Multis hoc iniquum videtur sed non iniquus Dominus qui cum se possit ulcisci maluit immolari St. Chrysostom hath the like Cum illi dixissent Duos se gladios habere Christus satis esse respondit Cur igitur habere permisit ut facilius crederent quod tradetur Propterea dixit eis emat gladium non ut percutiant animat sed ut proditionem per hoc declararet Propterea Petrus gladio usus comminatione quidem vehementi repraehenditur Which Beda Theophylact Hugo de Sancto Victore Lyra Erasmus Aretius Calvin Beza Marlorat Heinsius Walaeus and others on this Text recite yea second and Origen before them Tract 35. in Matth. gives the like interpretation thereof The summe scope of which words they resolve to be this 1. To give a further check to the Disciples ambitious spirit and contest for precedency or worldly grandure which he had reprehended immediately before by minding them of the persecutions and hardships they should suffer after his passion ascention and thereby advising them to provide against them 2ly To instruct them that in times of persecution they might lawfully buy a sword to defend their persons against private violence but not to resist the publike Authority of persecuting Princes or revenge themselves 3ly That the Disciples misapprehending Christs meaning imagining he commanded each of them personally to buy a sword to defend him from the band of men armed with swords staves that should apprehend and put him to death they in their simplicity thought two swords sufficient to effect it when as not twelve nor two hundred swords much lesse two would be sufficient for that purpose Whereupon he replied It is enough either by way of Ironie as some hold Dominus ironia dixit Quia duo gladii sunt omnino multi sunt sufficiunt nobis contra multitudinem quae venit super nos Or else rather by way of diversion to some other discourse as Theophylact thinks Haec enim opinor aenigmaticè propterea dicebat ut postea recordantes intelligentes utilitateÌ„ capiant quoniam tunc adeo insipientes erant ut dicunt Domine hic duo gladii at ipse quia vidit ipsos non intellexisse inquit Satis est tametsi nequaquam sufficerent si humano auxilio contra honicidas illos uti oportuisset neque omnium gladii sufficissent si autem hoc â—oluissent diviniore subsidio opus erat superstui fuissent duo Veruntamen Dominus noluit eos arguere utpote nihil intelligentes sed dixit satis est processit Sic igitur etiam nos quando cum quodam conversantes vidimus cum non intellexisse quid diximus dicimus Bene dimitte quamvis non sit bonum sed ne conturbaremus remittimus Facit hic Dominus quando videt discipulos non intelligere dictum transit eventum rerum explicare dictorum intelligentiam c. 4ly That Christ by this