Prince of Orange In the year 1587. Sir Aribespinaeus the French Embassadour would have perswaded one Stafford a young Gentleman to take away the Queen's life Pope Sixtus Quintus sent Cardinal Allen into Flanders and renewed the Bull of Pius Quintus and Gregory the Thirteenth to encourage the Spanish Armado to invade England in Eighty eight Doctour Lopez the Queen's Physician was hired by the Romish Rabbies for fifteen thousand Crowns to poyson Her Whalpool a Jesuit in confession imposed upon Squire to poyson the Queen's Saddle which he attempted accordingly Tyrone by the instigation of the King of Spain and the Pope moved the Irish Subjects to Rebellion Watson and Clark two Romish Priests perswaded Lord Cobham Lord Grey Sir Walter Rawleigh and others by surprising of King James in the first year of His Reign to force him to a Toleration in Religion Father Creswell a Lieger Jesuit in Spain Don Pedro Frankesa Secretary of State and the Duke of Lerma did all negotiate with the Pope and his Cardinals for the advancement of the Powder-plot and all upon this ground (h) Solus Papa est Dominus Temporalium ita ut possit auferre ab alio quod alias suum est tenet factum ejus licèt peccet sed Praelati caeteri Principes non sunt Domini sed Tutores Procuratorâ—â— Dispensatores Johannes de Parisiis De potestate Regia Papali cap. 5. That Princes being Hereticks or excommunicated may be deposed their Subjects disobliged and all the sinews of Government disjointed if the Pope send out his Bull to bellow against them Gent. I utterly detest and abhor these and all such Machinations as pernicious and destructive to Church and State Minist You will not onely detest them but the very Ground and Basis upon which they are founded if you considerately and conscientiously weigh the next Article which is The Ninth Article And I do further swear That I do from my heart abhor detest and abjure their damnable Doctrine and Position That Princes Rulers or Governours which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may by virtue of such Excommunication or Deprivation be killed murdered or deposed from their Rule or Government or any outrage or violence done unto them by the People that are under them or by any other whatsoever upon such pretense Gent. WHat differs this Article from the former what Acts or Objects in them are remarkably distinguished Minist The two former dismantled the Pope's power justly to arm either forein Princes or homebred Subjects against their Native Sovereign This abjures those Heretical Principles upon which this practical Doctrine is bottomed Gent. What are those Principles which sustain the Superstructure of all the Romish Hierarchy and Grandeur Minist Their name is Legion because they are many First That (a) Constituti sumus à Deo super gentes regna ut destruamus evellamus aedificemus plantemus Aventin lib. 6. pag. 636. The Pope is placed by God over Nations and Kingdoms that he may destroy and pluck up and build and plant Whence as Matthaeus Hieromonachus (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matthaeus Hieromonachus hath it The Consistorial Conclave gave in Decree and Commandment to all Lords and the Senate of the Empire That the Bishop of Rome and the Successour of St. Peter chief of the Apostles have authority and power in all the world more then that of the Empire is and That he be honoured and worshipped more then the Emperour and That he be Head of the four Patriarchal Seats and That things appertaining to the right Faith be of him judged and determined Gent. Where do they lay the ground of the proof of this Doctrine whether upon Divine Oracles or Imperial Decrees and Constitutions Minist Some challenge it from Divine Revelation which you have heard refuted by Scripture Antients and Romists themselves The most father it upon the Donation of Constantine So expressly your own Champian Doctour Harding The first Christian Emperour Constantine the Great being fully instructed of the godly and learned Bishops of the time thought good by his Imperial Commandment and Decrees to confirm ratifie and for his own person to yield unto blessed Sylvester then Pope and to his Successours Bishops of Rome the same Authority and Superiority not onely over Bishops and Patriarchs but also Power and Honour higher and greater then that of Kings and Emperours Gent. What think you of this Donation or Charter of Constantine Johannes de Parisiis saith (c) Volunt aliqui quòd ratione hujus doni Papa est Imperator Dominus mundi quòd potest Reges instituere destituere sicut Imperator Johannes de Parisiis De potestate Papae Some are of opinion that by force and virtue thereof the Pope is the Emperour and Lord of the world and that hereby he hath power both to set up and also to put down Kings as an Emperour Minist Because my thoughts are not so authentick with you I will tell you what your own chief friends Schole-men Historians Canonists think Platina Cardinal Cusanus Marsilius Patavinus Laurentius Valla Antonius Florentinus Otho Frisingensis Hieronymus Paulus Catalinus Volaterranus Nauclerus Capnion Mallinaeus and others have discovered the forgery of it to the world as ashamed of such a fiction I will alledg one or two in place of many Cardinal Cusanus confesseth that (d) Donationem Constantini diligenter expendens reperi ex ipsamet scriptura manifesta argumenta confictionis faelsitatis Cusanus De concordantia Catholica lib. 3. cap. 2. while he advisedly weighed this Donation or Grant of Constantine whereby the Pope challengeth all his temporal power even in the penning thereof he found manifest tokens of false-hood and forgery And in Gratian the Pope's own Register it is found onely in the Palea and not in the Original allowed Text and in many old Books that have no Gloss it is not found and in the Gloss upon the same it is noted thus (e) Palea ista non legitur in Scholis in qua continetur PrivilegiuÌ„ quod Constantinus concessit Romanae Ecclesiae scilicet ut Primatum inter omnes Ecclesias obtineret Gratian Distinct 98. Glossa eodem loco This patch is not read in the Scholes wherein is contained the Priviledge that Constantine the Emperour granted to the Church of Rome that is that the said Church should have Sovereignty over all Churches Pope Pius the Second himself saith (f) Dicta Palea Constantinus falsa est Pius in Dialogo It is false which Felinus his Canonist further declares saying (g) Invehit contra miseros Legistas qui laborant in disputando an valuerit id quod nunquam fuit Felinus De Majorit Obedientia He inveighed earnestly against the poor Lawyers for that they take such pains to reason whether that thing may be good and available in Law which never was made And those Authours who own the truth of it
Soul which as Saint Augustine (a) Creando infundituâ— infundendo creatur Lombard 2. Sent. Distinct 17. saith is created by Infusion and infused by Creation but are not the causes of Creation or Infusion of it for that is God's peculiar Prerogative qui format animas in medio eorum Even so that of constituting Rulers and Governours as Tertullian saith (b) Indè ille potestas unde spiritus Tertul. in Apologeâ— cap. 30. Thence is their power from whence is their Spirit or Soul and Irenaeus (c) Cujus jussu nascuntur homines ejus jussu constituuntur Principes Irenaeus lib. 5. Contra Haeres By whose command men are born by the same power are Princes or Governours made which is onely Gods This the Romish Extravagants approve determining that (d) Imperator non habet gladium a populo sed imperium est a solo Deo Extravag De Majoritate Oledientia Dist 96. The Emperour hath not his Sword of the people but the Empire is onely from God Gent. I see it perspicuously evident by Scriptures Fathers and Imperial Constitutions that Chief Magistrates receive their Authority onely of God and that None is above them within their Dominions but God What say the antient Laws of our Nation to this Minist Bracton who executed the office of Lord Chief Justiciarie for twenty years together under Henry the Third treating of the antient rites and customs of England saith that (e) Sunt sub Rege liberi homines servi ejus potestati subjecti omnes quidem sub eo ipse sub nullo nisi tantum sub Deo Iâ—émque râ—â—sus Si ab eo peccatur cùm Breâ—e non currat contra ipsâ—m locus erit supplicationi quod factum suum corrigat emendeâ— quod quidem si non feâ—â—rit satis erit ei ad poenam quod Dominum expectet ultorem nemo enim de factis suis praesumat disquirere â—ouâ—â—o minus contra factum suum venire Bracton De lege consuetudine Angâ—â—â—â— lib. â— cap. 8. num 5. Under the King are Freemen and Servants subject to his power and all are under him and he under none therefore not the Pope of Rome but onely under God and iâ— he offend seeing no Brief can issue out against him much less a Romish f This is to be understood either in relation to the Pope onely or of them which are alsolutely supreme in legislative and executive power whether Monarchs Optimates or Senate which is to be referred to the Laws of every Nation as His Majesty is supreme with us both in legislative and executive power Bull there is onely place for Supplication that he would correct and reform his Errour which if he will not do it is sufficient punishment for him that he must expect God will revenge for none may presume therefore not the Pope judicially to enquire into his actions much less to make insurrection against him Gent. I understand that not onely the modern but antient Laws of this Nation are against Papal Jurisdiction if not expresly yet consequently but at this present you need not fear his annoying the Chief Magistrate State or people of this Nation Minist There was never more cause of fear then now and unless you dissemble you must confess the (g) Regno privare atque etiam interficiendos atque populos subjectos relaxato juris jurandi vinculâ— potestate eorum eximere atque ab obedientia sidei debito liberare ipsum regnum alteri Principi donare armis invadendum sibique subjugandum permittere Regem a Papa sive Haeret cum sine alià s vitiâ—sâ—m auâ— inuâ—â—lem judicaâ—um ac propterea per sententiam ejus velut superioris regni jure privatum jam jus authoritatem imperandi amisisse nec ultra Regem esse sed Tyrannum a quovis de populo occidi posse Clericos etiam nequaquam ulli Regum esse subditos ac propterea nullam ab eis laesae Majestatis crimen commiâ—â—â— etiamsi rebellionem in Reges moliaâ—â—ur monitis atque exemplo populos rebellare obedientiam fidelitateÌ„ tribuluÌ„ omnia obsequia Principibus negare doâ—eâ—t Apostolos Regibus de facto tantum non etiam de jure subjectos fâ—iâ—se Sanctarel apud Alphonsum de Vargas pag. 117 118. Brood of Ignatius Loyola were never more active then now at this present That Romish Argus in the Apocalyptical Beast full of eyes he rides upon is intensly vigilant to widen the breaches he hath made taking advantage of our distractions haud tanto cessabit cardine rerum I will give a glance of his attempts in this kind since Queen Elizabeth's Inauguration In the fourth year of Her Reign Arthur Pole of the Race of George Duke of Clarence and Fortescue his Brother-in-Law conspired by an army in Wales to proclaim the Queen of Scots Pope Pius the Fifth in the year 1569. sent out an Excommunication against her absolving all her Subjects from the Oath of Allegiance By him and the King of Spain the Duke of Norfolk was excited to stir up what Forces he could and to join with the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland who were seduced by Nicholas Morton a Priest sent from his Holyness The same year Johannes Mendoza was sent out of Spain to inflame the Rebellion begun in Ireland by Edmund and Peter Botelers Brethren to the Earl of Ormond In the year 1570. Don John of Austria disappointed of the Kingdom of Tunis practised secretly with the Pope the overthrow of England Gregory the Thirteenth promised a Cruciata as was used in the Holy Wars if the Spaniard and Stukeley an Englishman whom he had furnished with men and ammunition would turn their Forces against England Sanders and Allen two Popish Priests with Power Legantine a consecrated Banner and Letters of Commendation came to Spain from thence to Ireland with three Ships and a few Soldiers to stir up Commotions In the year 1580. these Emissaries House Main Nelson Sherwood Campian Parsons all Romish Priests taught that Queen Elizabeth was an Heretick and therefore worthily deposed The Jesuits by their seditious Libels encouraged Summervile and Arden to attempt the Queen's death Anno 158â— And Bernardinus Mendoza the Spanish Embassadour was thrust out of England for secret Conspiracies against the State At Venice Parry a Doctour of Civil Law had communication with Benedictus Palmius a Jesuit who recommended him to Campegius the Pope's Nuncio and Campegius to the Pope so that Letters of Credence were sent to him by the Cardinal of Come and he excited to attempt the Queen's death by a Stab which they called special service for the Catholick cause which he consented unto having got a plenary indulgence by Ragazonius the Pope's Nuncio Ballard a Rhemish Priest perswaded Babington with Chernock and other of his Complices to assault Her Majesty commending the Scots who had lately intercepted their King at Sterling and Gerard the Burgonian who killed the
is this That Doctrine which is contrary to Scriptures Primitive Fathers ancient Councils and is disclaimed by all moderate Papists themselves ought to be abjured But such is that Jesuitical Doctrine that Princes Rulers or Governours which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may by virtue of such Excommunication or Deprivation be killed murdered or deposed from their rule or government or any outrage or violence may be done unto them by the people that are under them or by any other whatsoever upon such pretense Therefore it ought to be abjured Which you will more chearfully do if you consider the next Article The tenth Article And I do further swear That I do believe that the Pope or Bishop of Rome hath no authority power or jurisdiction whatsoever within England Scotland and Ireland or any or either of them or the Dominions or Territories belonging to them or any or either of them Minist YOu are here enjoyned to abjure no more then what all Ecclesiasticks or Clergie were enforced formerly to subscribe unto for it is expressed in the thirty seventh Article of our English Confession that The Supreme Magistrate in this Kingdom of England and the rest of his Dominions hath the chiefest power to whom the supreme Government of all States of this Kingdom whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil in all causes pertains and neither is nor ought to be subject to any foreign Jurisdiction (a) Romanus Pontifex nullam habet jurisdictionem in hoc regno Angliae Confessionis Anglicanae Aâ—â—â—â— 37. Anglia non est Feudatoria Papae Harpsfield The Pope or Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Kingdom Gent. The Canonists or Pope's Pages of Honour say otherwise enfeoffâ—ng their Master with the (b) Extravagant De appellat Ut debitus in Glossa possession of all the World One saith thus (c) Extravagant De staetu Regularium periculos in Glossa Dominus Papa est Ordinarius omnium hominum Our Lord the Pope is the Ordinary or Bishop of all men Another saith (d) Extravagant De poena Felicis in Glossa Papa totius mundi obtinet principatum The Pope hath the Principality of all the World Another saith (e) Extravagant De concessione Praebendae Ecclesiae non vacantis Quia diversitatem ab Papa etiam cessante negligentia Praelatorum potest conferre Beneficia totius orbis quia ipse est Ordinarius totius mundi Though there be no default or negligence in any Bishop yet may the Pope bestow the Benefices of all the World for that he is the Bishop of all the World Therefore when the chief Deacon investeth and enrobeth the Pope at his Consecration he saith unto him Ego te investio Papatu ut praesis urbi orbi I invest thee with the Popedom that thou mayst rule both the City and the World if the World then England which presupposeth he hath jurisdiction in these Nations Minist It is true that Sycophants have given and modern Popes have taken such jurisdiction to themselves resembling Antiochus King of Syria who stiled himself a (f) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hieronymus in Daniel cap. iii. God and the Emperour Domitian who used to assign his Proclamations with this Elogie (g) Dominus Deus vester Domitianus Suetonius in Domitiano Your Lord God Domitian the Emperour Caligula who called himself the (h) Deum Optimum Maximum Jovem Latialem Pomponius Laetus best and most mighty God and the great God Jupiter of Italy Sapores the King of Persia who entitled himself the Brother of the Sun and Moon Manichaeus the Heretick who called himself the Holy Ghost as did that Arabian Impostour Mahomet Simon Magus who obtained that esteem with the antient Romanes that they erected him a Statue with this Inscription * Eusebius lib. 2. cap. 13. SIMONI SANCTO DEO In the honour of Simon the Holy God So (i) Potestas Papae est major omni alia potestate creata aliquo modo se extendens ad coelestia terrestria infernalia ut de ea verificari possit quod dictum est Omnia subjecisti sub pedibus ejus Antonin in Sum. part 3. tit 22. cap. 5. Antoninus Arch-Bishop of Florence gives the Pope greater power then any other power that ever God made which after a sort even stretcheth it self to things in heaven things in earth and things in Hell so that of him that saying of the Prophet David may be verified Thou hast made all things subject to his Feet But of this Luciferian Ambition and inordinate Vsurpation many Pontificians themselves have complained amongst whom Franciscus Zabarella Cardinal of Rome avers that (k) Ex hoc infiniti secuti sunt errores quia Papa occupavit omnia jura infertorum Ecclesiarum nisi Deus succurrat statui Ecclesiarum universa Ecclesia periclitabitur Franciscus Zabarella Thereupon have ensued infinite Errours for that the Pope hath invaded the Rights of all inferiour Churches and unless God help the state of the Churches the universal Church is injeopardy The learned Lady Anna Daughter to the Emperour Alexius and Irene in her Greek Story writeth thus (l) Anna in Historia Graeca The Pope is Lord of the whole world as the Latines think and speak of him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for this is a piece of their ambition Gent. What then was the Pope confined to a peculiar Diocess beyond which without Vsurpation he could not extend his Phylacteries Minist The antient learned Fathers evermore bounded and limited the Pope within his own particular Jurisdiction Ruffinus saith (m) Romanus Pontifex suburbicavarum Ecclesiarum solicitudinem great Ruffinus Historiae Ecclesiast lib. 1. cap. 9. The Fathers in the Council of Nice appointed the Pope to oversee the Churches of his own Suburbs these our Nations are not within his Suburbs Athanasius saith (n) Roma est Metropolis Romanae ditionis Athanasius Ad solitariam vitam agentes Rome is the Mother-Church not of England or the whole world but of her own particular Romish jurisdiction The Bishops in the Council of Rome writ thus to the Bishops of Illyricum (o) Sozomen lib. 6. cap 23. It is convenient 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that all the Bishops which be within the jurisdiction of Rome accord together Flavianus Patriarch of Constantinople writeth thus to Leo Bishop of Rome (p) Dignetur Sanctitas vestra indicare impietatem Eutychetis omnibus Episcopis sub Beatitudine vestra degentibus Inter Epistolas Leonis Epist 9. Let Your Holyness vouchsafe to make known the wickedness of Eutyches to all Bishops that live under you not to all the Bishops through the world Saint Hierom speaking of the use and order of the Church of Rome objected against him saith (q) Quid mihi profers unius urbis consuetadinem Hieronymus ad Euagrium What alledgest thou against me the Custom of one City So much he abridgeth the Pope's Jurisdiction that he extendeth it not to the
the same beat Saint Peter's Ship so impetuously that it began to hull or wallow upon the one side Platina saith (x) Platina in Marcello 1. Vices were so exalted and multiplyed that they hardly left any space for God's Mercy Macchiavel saith (y) Macchiavel Disp De Republ. lib. 1. cap. 12. pag. 73. There is no place wherein there is found so litle Pietie and Religion as in those people who dwell nearest Rome Espenceus saith (z) Espenc Comment Tit. cap. 1. pag. 71. that you have not onely imitated and matched but surpassed all the Avarice Ambition Lubricitie and Tyrannie that was ever heard of amongst the Heathens Sundry of your own part have written Volumes as (a) Alvares Pelag. De planctus Eccles Alvares Pelagius Nicholaus Clemangis Onus Ecclesiae containing the Narrations of the outragious wickedness which reigned among you Platina (b) Platina in Johanne xiii stiles your Grand-fathers Monsters of mankind In the Council of Constance (c) Concil Const Sess 11. Art 5. they are called the Dregs of Vice incarnate Devils Aventine saith (d) Aventin Annal. Boiorum lib. 3. pag. 211. Nothing was more luxurious covetous and proud then Priests they spent the Church's Patrimony in gluttonie riot upon Dogs and Queans and all their Preaching was to maintain their own licentiousness Matthew Paris saith (e) Matthaeus Paris Chron. in Henrico iii. pag. 535. The Prelats of Rome seek not to make people devout but to fill their Coffers with treasure They study not to win Souls but to encroach upon other mens revenues They oppress the Godly and impudently usurp other mens right They have no care of honestie or right King John of England from whom Pope Innocent extorted fourtie thousand Marks at once and twelve thousand annually to absolve his Kingdom being Interdicted said that (f) Matthaeus Paris ibid. Anno 1213. pag. 327. He had learned by wofull experience that the Pope was ambitious beyond all men living an insatiable Gulf and thirster after money and ready for hope of Gain like wax to be moulded to any thing kind or degree of wickedness Alvarez hath these words (g) Alvarez De planctâ—â— Ecclesiae lib 2. Artic. 5. literâ Aleph Vide SuriuÌ„ Tomo 4. Concil pag. 820 824 569 579. Abbatem Usperg anno 99. Luitprand Vit. Pap. lib. 6. cap. 6. Dionys Carthus Epist in sine Comment Apocal. Petrum Blesens pag. 39 40. The Mystical Sion the Church which in her Primitive state was adorned of her Spouse with such and so many Royal Graces is now clouded and eclipsed with the black mist of ignorance iniquitie and errour and we behold her cast down from heaven as a Desert uninhabited of virtue and if any godly people remain they are esteemed as Arabians and Sarracens The Prelates of the Church are an army of Devils potius depraedandis spoliandis scandalizandis hominibus quam lucris animarum operam dantes they rather labour to rob spoil and scandalize men then to win souls The consideration of which moved Cornelius Bishop of Bitanto in an Oration at the Council of Trent to express himself thus (h) Vtinam à religione ad superstitionem à fide ad infidelitatem à Christo ad Anti-Christum à Deo ad Epicurum velut prorsus unanimes non declinâssent Dicentes in corde impio ore imputencio non est Deus Epist Bitant in Concile Trident. O would to God they meaning the Romish Prelates and Dependants had not fallen with common consent and that altogether from true Religion to Superstition from Faith to Infidelitie from Christ to Antichrist from God to Epicurus saying with a wicked heart and shameless mouth There is no God Gent. This is a loud Out-cry and I am convinced that our Church was in a great part guilty but part of this might be kindled from Factions and Interests as at this present with you each Sect studies to disparage the other and render them ignominious Minist You might have said so if I had cited against you the Evidences of the Albigenses Waldenses Wicklifists Lollards Taborites Poor men of Lyons who were Dissenters from you in Judgement but the Authours I produced are unbiassed with Partiality and wholly your own bosom-Friends who out of a Sympathy bewailed the Rottenness in their own Bones No wonder if amongst us Civil Wars have untwisted the Cords of Discipline and that hath begot Liberty Liberty Diversity of Opinions Diversity of Opinions Difference in Affections hence every latter endeavours to rout the former as the Anabaptists whosoever went before them the Quakers would dismantle them It is as antient as Hostility for the prevailers to asperse and burthen the conquered as they please But even in calm Times the offences of your Church in this Nation were so outragious that Gulielmus Nubrigensis (i) Gulielmus Nubrigensis lib. 2. cap. xvi Roger Hoveden Anndl. part post an Historian of your own confesses that the Judges complained to the King that there were many Robberies and Rapes and Murders to the number of an hundred committed within the Realm by Ecclesiastical Persons in the Compass of one year And the very Tendency of your Romish Doctrine is to Licentiousness For saith Aventine (k) Quemcunque sceleris obnoxium Parricidio Incestu Sacrilegio pollutum continuò ubi cruciculam vesti assuisset solutum esse crimine poenâ dâ—clamitabant quippe ansâ—â— hinc acceptâ inimicos suos prius tollebant hinc in militiam sacram nomine dabant Aventin Annal. Boior lib. 7. pag. 530. they declare any man guilty of wickedness contaminated with Parricide Incest Sacrilege as soon as he hath sewed a Crucifix to his Garment to be quit from the Crime and Punishment which lays open a great Gap to Wickedness for many first murder their Enemies and then retreat into a Monastery for Sanctuary and under the covert of a Cowl secure themselves And your Sanctuaries are Harbours and Dens of Assassines and other enormous Delinquents tolerated and supported by your Church you openly maintain Stews and receive (l) Nam Mariscallus Papae de facto eximit â—â—â—butum à Meretricibus Constit Otho De concubitu Cler. yearly Tribute and part stake with Harlots Gent. I always disliked those Sanctuaries that were receptacles of Murderers and Assassines as also toleration of Stews But admit the Church of Rome be somewhat corrupted both in Doctrine and Manners yet I cannot conceive it is become so vile as to be that Apocalyptical Babylon which is your third Position because in Scripture Rome is never called Babylon Minist Whether Rome in Scripture be ever called Babylon is not much material though Jesuits for want of beter Arguments prove that Peter was at Rome from 1 Pet. v. 15. The Church which is at Babylon that is Rome say they saluteth you but Babylon is not taken here literally either for Babel in Aegypt called now Cairus or for that Babylon in Chaldee (m) Justin Histor.
fecimus not id est non propter merita nostra quae nulla fuerunt sed secundùm suam misericordiam salvos nos fecit à potestate Diaboli reatu aeterni tormenti merito suae conversationis passionis Dionys Carthus in Tit. iii. Not of the works of righteousness which we have done that is not for our merits which were none at all because we were subject to the fore-named sins but according to his mercy hath he saved us from the power of the Devil and guilt of eternal torment by the merit of his holy Conversation and Passion Andreas Vega saith (p) Vega Opusc Quaest 4. that many other Schole-men to wit (q) Gregor Arimin 1. d. 17. q. 1. Art 2. Gregory Arimine Marsilius (r) Burgens supra Psal xxxv Paulus Burgensis (s) Eckius Centur. De Praedest Eckius (t) Dionys Cister lib 3. Sent. d. 1. q. 2. Art 3. Dionysius Cisteriensis Pighius Ferus and in a manner Vasques do all with one consent reject the Romish Doctrine of merit of condignity and why may not I say all besides seeing they daily pray in the Litany of their Mass In sanctorum nos consortium non aestimator meriti sed veniae quaesumus largitor admitte Admit us into the fellowship of Saints not weighing our merits but for thy mercie 's sake The Elixar extracted is this That which is derogatory to the all-sufficient merit of Christ and is contrary to Scriptures Fathers and for the very horridness thereof to the Popish Scholemen themselves ought to be abjured But such is the merit of salvation by works Therefore it ought to be abjured Gent. I abjure them willingly in the Language of St. Bernard (u) Bernard in Psalm Qui habitat totum est meritum meum si totam spem meam ponam in Domino This is all my merit to put all my hope in the Lord. Now if you think fit proceed to that which in order is The Seventh Article And I do sincerely testifie and declare that the Pope neither of himself nor by any authority of the Church or See of Rome or by any other means with any other hath power or authority to (a) In sacra Historia nunquam deprehendimus Pontifices aut Sacerdotes dejicisse Reges at Reges è diverso Pontifices Sacerdotes in ordinem redegisse videmus Quin in orbe Christiano Justinianus Imperator per Bellisarimum priùs removit Silvestrum deinde Vigilium Romanos Episcopos Petrus Martyr in lib. 1. Reg. cap. 2. depose the chief Magistrate of these Nations or to dispose of any the Countries or Territories thereunto belonging or to authorize any foreign Prince or State to invade or anoy him or them Minist THis is consonant to the (b) The Apologie cap. 6. Division 7. 8. Apologie of the Church of England the thirty seventh Article and the Oath of Supremacy which all (c) Romanus Pontifex nullam habet jurisdictionem in Anglia Artic. 37. excluded the Pope's usurped power justly out of these Nations And in this Article we may observe three things at least implied First That the chief Magistrate of these Nations is supreme Secondly That the Pope hath no power over him Thirdly That he can neither lawfully excite foreign Princes against him nor depose him from his Dominions nor collate them upon others either by his own or any borrowed power Gent. Before you condescend to these particulars tell me what is the reason why it is inserted in this Article (d) Papa nec per seipsum nec per authoritatem aliquam Ecclesiae sedisve Romanae nec per ulla alia media cum quibuscunque alits aliquam potestatem habeat aliqua dominia in alium transferendi aut alicui Principi ex raneo authoritatem concedendi ut ipsum ejúsve dominia molestet Juramentum fidelitatis That the Pope neither of himself nor by any authority of the Church or See of Rome or by any other means with any other hath power or authority to depose had not the first been sufficient Minist You must call to memory that distinction of (e) Bellarmin De Ecclesiae lib. 3. cap. 2. Bellarmine concerning a fourfold Church The first Essential which saith he is a Company of men professing the same faith and acknowledging the Bishop of Rome to be Vicar of Christ upon Earth The second Representative an Assembly of Bishops in a general Council representing the whole body of the Church The third Consistorial made up of the Pope his Cardinals termed by the Sorbonists Curia Romana the Court of Rome The fourth virtual the Pope himself who is pretended eminently and virtually to comprise the power of all the rest The (f) Glossa supra Gratian causa 24 q. 1. c. arrecta Gloss upon Gratian ascribes this transcendent superlative authority to the essential Church or Congregation of the Faithful (g) Bellarm. De Concil Ecclesia lib. 1. cap. 18. Bellarmine to the Representative Church or a general Council lawfully called (h) Defensio pacis part 2. cap. 2. Matsil Patavinus Marsilius Patavinus to the Consistorial Church or the Pope and his Conclave (i) Per Ecclesiam intelligimus Pontificem Romanum qui pro tempore Ecclesiae naviculam moderatur Ecclesiam Papam interpretari non abnuo Gretzerus cap 10. lib. 3. De verbo Dei Gretzerus the Jesuite to the virtual Church which is the Pope onely This Roman Vertumnus turns himself into all these shapes sometimes urging the deposition of Princes in his own name sometimes of his Consistorie sometimes of a general Council sometimes of the Catholick Church these words are used to exclude all the pretences Gent. All these pretences will vanish and come to nothing if you can make it good that Princes and chief Secular Magistrates are supreme and independent within their Territories Minist This Proposition that Princes and chief secular Magistrates are supreme and independent within their Territories and consequently which is the second Thesis that The Pope hath no power over them I shall make good first by Scripture secondly by Fathers thirdly as applicable to us by the Annals and Gests of this Nation First By Scriptures that Papal jurisdiction is not supreme by Divine Institution but that Princes are invested with it by divine civil and natural right which Gregory the Great a Roman Pope confesses saying (k) Nullus pradecessorum meorum Pontificum Romanorum Vniversalis Episcopi nomen sibi assumpsit quòd si assumpserit typhus esse dico arrogantia vocabulum superbum novum pompaticum perversum ssultum temerarium superstitiosum profanum impium sceleratum nomen singularitatis nomen erroris nomen hypocriseos nomen vanitatis nomen blasphemiae eúmque qui se appellaverit aut appellari desideraverit illo arrogantissimo vocabulo in clatione sua Antichristum praecurrere illiusque quietam gratam usurpationem fidei universalis Ecclesiae calamitatem esse Gregor lib. 4. Epistol
Otho was the first Emperour that ever was sworn to the Pope Therefore it was a just judgment that he should be ejected for this usurpation first attempted nine hundred thirty eight years after Christ whereas all Romish Prelats had been ever subject to the Emperour before Gent. You have made good according to promise both by Scriptures and Fathers that Civil Princes de jure ought to have and de facto have had power over the Bishop of Rome till the tenth Century let me hear your third proof taken from the (b) Tangit illam pervetustam quaestionem an Anglia sit Feudatoria Papae Franciseus de Sancta Ciara pag. 33â— Annals and Gests of this Nation as applicable to us Minist (c) De regione libera per chartam lugubrem ancillam fecit feudatoriam summo Pontisici Matthaeus Paris Matthew Paris and Matthew Westminster two Popish Chroniclers both witness that King John in the twelve hundred and thirteenth year of Christ made England which was a free Nation to be subject and in fee to the Pope by a sorrie Charter The occasion why and the manner how this was performed to the Pope's Legate Pandolph our Historians (d) Stow. Chronicl pag. 243. Cogshal are pregnant This continued not long e're his Son Henry (e) Henricus ejus silius in Concilio Lugdunensi huic reclamavit praecipuè Episcopus Can natiensis ut testatur Walsingham ad annum 1245. postea Cancellarius Angliae Episcopus Eliensis in publicis regni Comitus consentiâ—ntiius tribus ordinibus parriae reclamavit non obstante privata sponsione Johannis ut testatur Harpsfield ad saeculum 14. cap. 5. imo et armis se à temporali jurisdictione Papae desensuros protestabantur the Third in the Council at Lions reclaimed it and especially the Bishop of Canterbury as Walsingham witnesseth in the year 1245. and afterwards it was revoked and cancelled at the instigation of the Bishop of Ely Chancellour of England by act of Parliament the three orders of the Nation Lords Spiritual Temporal and Commons generally consenting notwithstanding John 's private promise and protestation made That they would defend themselves by force of arms from the temporal jurisdiction of the Pope Here you may observe three things First That it was above twelve hundred years after the Incarnation before the Papal power was manifestly attempted to be obtruded over Princes in this Nation Secondly That King John out of weakness without his lawful Council being embroyled with the Barons War was the first that basely submitted unto it Thirdly That it was protested against as unlawful in a Provincial Council and revoked by an act of Parliament with a National engagement to maintain the antient rights by force of arms Gent. When then began the Bishop of Rome to be so rampant as to invade Imperial rights and to trample their Diadems under his feet or to attempt their deprivation Minist Above a thousand years after the Ascension Then Gregory the Seventh alias Hildebrand (f) Tandem in hane catastrophem abiâ—t haec Traegoedia quòd Caesar ipse à summo Pontifice non est excommunicatus solûm sed et reliquis Principibus mandatum est ut Imperatorem alium designarent Carion Chronic. pag. 202. about the year one thousand seventy three deprived Henry the Fourth of his Imperial power and conferred it on Rodolph Duke of Suecia sending him a Diadem with this Inscription Petra dedit Petro Petrus Diadema Rodolpho (g) Lego relego Romanorum Regum Imperatorum gesta nusquam invenio quenquam eorum ante hunc a Romano Pontifice excommunicatuâ— vel regno privatum Otho Frisingens lil 9. cap. 35. I have read and read again saith Otho Frisingensis a grave Historian who lived in the succeeding age the gests of Roman Kings and Emperours and never finde any of them before this Henry excommunicated by the Roman Bishop or deprived of their Kingdom Gent. What was the issue and event of this for God is oftentimes seen in his Judgments (h) Seneca Medaea Tragoed Raro antecedentem scelestum Deseruit pede poena claudo Wickedness is attended commonly with signal judgments proportionable Minist By the tragical ends of those prime agents who had a hand in confederating against this Emperour Romane Prelates might be discouraged from such attempts for the future if their hearts were not feared with more then Pharaoh's hardness for Rodolph whom by the instigation of Gregory some Princes of Germany had chosen Anti-Emperour having in battel against his liege Lord lost his right hand by reason of which and other wounds when he was about to give up the Ghost (i) Abscissam dextram intuitus ad Episcopos qui fortè aderant graviter suspirans dixit Ecce haec est manus qua Domino meo Henrico fidem sacramento firmavi Uspergensis anno 10â—0 looking upon his hand that was cut off he spake unto the Bishops and standers by with a grievous groan Lo this is the land with which I swore fealty to Henry my Lord as Vspergensis hath it And Hildebrand himself while he was busied about deposing the Emperour was by the Votes and suffrages of his Romans ejected from the Popedom and brought to extream miserie and calling to him one of the Cardinals whom he loved more intimately then the rest he confessed as Sigebert (k) In extremis positus ad se vocavit unum ex Gardinalibus quem muliùm diligebat prae caeteris confessus est Deo sancto Petro teti Ecclesiae se valdè peccasse in Pasiorale cura quae ei ad regendum commissa erat suadente Diabolo contra humanum genus iram odium concitasse Sigebert Anno 1084 1085. saith to God and St. Peter and the whole Church that he had greately sinned in his Pastoral charge which was committed unto him and by the perswasion of the Devil had stirred up wrath and hatred against mankind And this crime saith Otho Frisingensis of Hildebrand deposing Henry like a whirlwinde or tempest striking all things down before it (l) Tot mala tot schismata tot animarum ouam corporum pericula involvit ut solum ex persecutionis immanitate ac temporis diuturnitate ad humanae miseriae infelicitatem sufficeret comprodandam Otho Frisingens 1. â— â— cap. 33. involved so many miseries so many Schisms so many perils both of souls and bodies that it alone by the barbarousness of the persecution and the continuance thereof were sufficient to prove the infelicity of humane misery Gent. This truth is written in so clear Characters of Scriptures Fathers our own Historians and sealed with signal and stupendous judgments that I am convinced and I wonder that more of our profession are not touching this Article Minist You heard the Vniversity of Paris with the Sorbonists condemned Sanctarellus (m) Read the Bishop of Rochester De potestate Papae cap. 8. qui multos citat autores and there
are many more besides them that hold this negative to wit The Pope by virtue of his office hath not any power or authority to depose Princes or to dispose of their crowns or lives for any cause crime end or good whatsoever So that I think I may safely conclude That which is contrary to Scripture antient Fathers the Annals and Gests of our own Nation hath been attended with signal judgments (n) Qui Summi Pontificis omne de re qualibet judicium temerè ac sine delectu defendunt eos sedis Apostolicae authoritatem labefactare non sovere non firmare Cand. lib. 5. Quaest 5. and is disclaimed by moderate Papals themselves ought to be abjured But such is the Popish pretended power to depose the chief Magistrate c. Therefore it ought to be abjured But we shall have this more fully discussed in the next Article which is The Eighth Article I do sincerely testifie and declare That the Pope hath not any authority to discharge any of the people of these Nations from their obedience to the chief Magistrate or to give licence or leave to any of the said people to bear Arms raise Tumults or to offer any violence or hurt to the persons of the said chief Magistrates or to the state or government of these Nations or to any of the people thereof Minist BY reason of cruel Positions and practises of Jesuits in the year one thousand five hundred eighty two it was made high Treason (a) Si non vis esse obnoxius Caesari noli habere qu◠sunt mundi si habes divitias obnoxius es Caesari Ambros in Lucam lib. 9. cap. 20. to disswade any Subject from (b) Dices Quid mihi Regi quid tibi ergo possessioni per jura Regum possessiones possidentur August in Johan Allegiance to their Prince and from the Religion that was established in England This Article intends the Abjuration of that which was then enacted as treasonable Gen. What difference is there betwixt this Article and the former it is not obvious to me easily to distinguish between them Minist They are principally differenced in this that the former Article excluded the Pope's authority to excite any forein power to annoy depose the chief Magistrate of these Nations or to dispose of his Territories This disclaims the Pope's power to arm Subjects against their Sovereign or being disobliged by him from their obedience to move commotions seditions or rebellions Gent. Doth the Pope arrogate by his pleni-potentiary power to stir up any forein Prince against another and collate their Dominions upon them Minist Yes (c) Papa Johannes nonus conspiratione facta cum Gallorum Regibus à Germanis Imperii Majestatem studebat transferre in Carolum Calvum deinde in Ludovicum Balbum ejus filium sed Imperium per vim retinuerunt Germani Carion Chronic. pag. 179. Pope John the Ninth atempted though in vain to translate the Romane Empire from the Germans to the French and first collated the Diadem upon Carolus Calvus and afterwards upon Ludovicus Balbus his Son Kings of France He encouraged at the last (d) Sicut Zacharias transtulit imperium á Graecis ad Teutonicos ita nos possumus illud transferre ab Alemannis ad Graecos Carion Chronic. pag. 179. Lewis Son to the French King to raise arms against John King of England In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign Paul the Fourth being Pope Sebastianus Martignius could hardly be perswaded from entring England with a thousand foot and some horse afterwards he stirred up the Duke D'Alva against her and promised if need were to go himself in person against England and engage the goods of the Apostolick See It were too tedious to relate the Stories of the Scottish Queen the Duke of Norfolk Stucklie James Boncompagno Bastard-son to Gregory the Thirteenth Squire Babington Parry Lopez Tyrone the intended Invasion in Eighty eight by Pererius Guzmannus Duke of Medina the Gun-powder-Treason to invade or embroil this Nation as Bishop Carlton (e) Thankful Remembrance of God's Mercies by G. Carleton Bishop of Chichester hath faithfully discovered at large to whose Book I refer you Gent. I perceive by these Histories (f) Ecce in potestate nostra est ut demus illud cut volumus propterea constituti sumus à Deo super Gentes regna ut destruamus evellamus aedificemus plantemus Dictum Adriani Frederico Aventinus in Adriano iv 1154. Popes have been Incendiaries to stir up one Prince against another for advantage of their Romane Jurisdiction have they been as busy to unrivet the obediential tye of people to the chief Magistrate Minist Yes you cannot but have heard of their pragmaticalness also herein that Cornelius Agrippa one of your own saith (g) Cornelius Agrippa De vanitate Scientiarum cap 6. ex Camatensi Legati Romanorum Pontificum sic debacchantur in Provinciis ac si ad flagellandam Ecclesiam Satan egressus sit a facie Domini The Pope's Legates keep such Revels and Rackets in Kingdoms and Countries as if Satan were sent abroad from the face of the Lord to scourge the Church Witness that (h) Ipsam pratenso regni jure nec non omni quocunque dominio dignitate privilegióque privatam praecipimus interdicimus universis singulis Proceribus subditis populis nè illi ejusque monitis mandatis legibus audeant obedire qui secùs egerint eos simili Anathematis sententia innodamus Bulla Pii Quinti Bull of Pius Quintus fastened by that Ardelio Felton upon the Bishop of London's Palace-Gate wherein he makes it known that he had deprived Queen Elizabeth from the right she pretended to have in her Kingdoms and also from all and every her authority dignity and privilege charging and forbidding all and singular Nobles Subjects and people that they adventure not to obey her her Monitions Commands or Laws upon pain of his Grand Anathema or Curse Gent. They pretend great reason for this for (i) In Concilio Lateranen si sub Leone Decimo Sess 10. Stephanus Bishop of Patrica in our Laterane Council said In Papa est omnis potestas supra omnes potestates tam eoeli quam terrae All power is in the Pope above all powers as well of heaven as of earth and in the Ceremoniary it is written (k) Ceremoniat lib. 1. cap. 2. Moderatio Imperii Romani pertinet ad Papam Dei vices gerentem in terris tanquam ad eum per quem Reges regnant The Government of the Romane Empire belongeth unto the Pope being God's Vicar on earth as unto him by whom Kings rule Johannes Andreas compares the Pope to the Sun and the Emperour to the Moon and by Mathematical Proportion makes him seventy seven times greater then the greatest Prince Abbot Panormitan saith (l) Plenitudo potestatis sisperat omnem legem positivam Panormitan Extravag De constitut cap. 1. His. fulness of power passeth all positive
circumference of the world but restraineth it to the Confines of one City because (r) Hieronymus adversus Vigilantium Non solum unius urbis sed etiam totius orbis erant Episcopi They were the Bishops not onely of one City as Rome but of the whole world Gennadius together with the Council of Constantinople writeth thus to the Bishop of Rome (s) Curet Sanctitas tua universas tuas Custodias tibique subjectos Episcopos Gennadius Ad omnes Metropolitanos ad Papam Rom. Let Your Holyness see unto not all the world but all Your own charge and such Bishops as be subject unto You. Gent. But these were but the Speeches of private Doctours not of any general Council whose Definitions if you can produce I shall submit Minist It was the Definition of the Council of Constantinople That (t) Definimus sedi Constantinopolitanae paria jura privilegia cum sede veteris Romae Concil Constantin 2. cap. 36. The See of Constantinople 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should have the Rights and privileges equal with the See of Rome And that (u) Vt liquidiùs appareat Papam non imperare aliis omnibus Episcopis legatur sextus Canon Synodi Nicenae quo disertè praecipitur ut aliis Ecclesiis Alexandrinus aliis Romanus aliis Antiochenus praesit ut non liceat alteri alterius Provinciam invadere Nilus De Primatu Romani Pontisicu it may well and plainly appear that the Pope hath no power or government over other Bishops Nilus bids us read the sixth Canon of the Nicene Council where it is expresly commanded that the Bishop of Alexandria shall have rule over certain Churches and the Bishop of Rome over certain and the Bishop of Antioch likewise over certain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that it shall not be lawful for any one of them to invade the Jurisdiction of another Whereupon it was declared by the Emperour Justinian that Ecclesia urbis Constantinopolitanae Romae veteris Praerogativa laetatur The Church of the City of Constantinople enjoyeth the Prerogative of antient Rome And that none may think this is spoken of the Churches and not of the Bishops thereof Nicephorus saith (v) Romano Constantinopolitano Episecpo ex aequo paria sunt dignitatis praemia honorum jura Nicephor lib. 12. cap. 13. The title of dignity and right of honour given to the Bishop of Rome and the Bishop of Constantinople are one and equal Whereupon Pope Liberius as if he were inferiour writeth in this submissive stile to Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria (x) Epistola Liberii ad Athanas Quaeso ut huic confessioni subscribas ut ego securior efficiar tua mandata inhaesitanter obeam I beseech you to subscribe to this confession that I may be out of doubt and do your Commandment without delay Gent. I perceive that the Bishop of Rome is not the universal Bishop which Gregory disclaimed in himself and reproved in John Bishop of Alexandria yet the Catholick Church was divided into those four Patriarchates of Rome Constantinople Alexandria and Antioch with whom Jerusalem had shared were not we of this Western part of the World under the Roman Patriarchate and so subject to the Bishop of Rome Minist No for at the Council of Nice when this division of Patriarchates was made England neither was nor ever had been under the Romish jurisdiction But the Metropolitan here was accounted alterius orbis Patriarcha a Patriarch of another World This Nation received the Christian faith the second year of Claudius as you have heard the fourty fourth year after the Incarnation by the ministery of Simon Zelotes (y) Simon Zelotes peragrata Mauritania Afrorum regione praedicat Christum tandem in Britannia ubt crucifixus occisus sepultus est Dorotheus in Synopsi and others nigh an hundred and fifty years before Constantine in whose time the Council of Nice was held which distinguished the Patriarchs jurisdictions And the Romish jurisdiction was never attempted to be imposed upon the Church of Britain till three hundred years after that Augustine the Monk laboured with sword to force it upon them that as Galfridus Monumothensis (z) Mille ducenti coruns in ipso die martyrio decorati regni coelestis adepti sunt sedem Galfrid Monumothens lib. 8. cap. 4. saith a thousand two hundred Religious men or Students were in one day honoured with Martyrdom and obtained a seat in the Kingdom of Heaven and (a) Erant septem Episcopatus Archiepiscopatus religiosissimis Praesulibus muniti Abbatiae complures in quibus grex Domini rectum ordinem tenebat Galfrid ibid. seven Bishopricks and an Arch-Bishoprick possessed with many Godly Prelates and many religious houses in which the Lord's flock held the right religion were heavily persecuted and by degrees subjugated to the Roman slavery yet so as (b) Stow. Chronic. pag. 91. Augustine received from the free Charter of King Ethelbert not Pope Gregory the City of (c) Rex dedit licentiam praedicandi manisionem in Civitaete Dorovernensi id est Cantuaria quae imperii sui totius erat metropolis Beda Histor lib. 1. cap. 25. Canterbury and the ruins of a demolished Church which he repaired for his Cathedral and dedicated it to our Saviour Gent. It is confessed then that England and the associated Nations and Dominions were once subject to the Pope's jurisdiction how came he to be ejected and loose possession Minist As was said of Pope Boniface (d) Captus est Bonifacius Octavus in carcere periit atque hinc est quòd dicitur de eo Intravit ut Vulpes regnavit ut Lupus mortuus est ut Canis Carion Chron. pag. 228. that he entred as a Fox tyrannized as a Lion died as a Beast So the insinuation of Papal jurisdiction into these Nations was subtile the continuation tyrannical and the ejection disgraceful of which I will give you a glance referring you for the more exact and particular discovery hereof to our National Annals and municipal Laws First The insinuation was subtile taking advantage of the superstitious devotion of Ina King of the West-Saxons and in a manner Monarch of England who having builded the College of Wells and Abbey of Glastenbury before resignation of his royal dignity and retiring to Rome caused Peter-pence to be paid to the Pope Secondly The continuation was tyrannical as appears by the Gests of (e) Stow Chronic. pag. 204 206 207. Thomas Becket Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who with other Bishops and Barons having abjured the Pope's usurped jurisdiction at least in part appeals and repairs to the Court of Rome for an absolution creating King Henry the Second (f) Daniel History of Henry the Second many troubles at length restored to his Episcopal See by the mediation of Pope Alexander and Lewis of France and continuing his turbulency was slain by William Tracy Baron of Brayns Reignold Fitz-urse Hugh Morvilt and Richard Briton
Knights whereupon the Nation was Interdicted the King excommunicated and not absolved without corporal penance And though Pope's Bulls were rampant in times of weak Princes or those that were embroyled with civil Wars as King John and Henry the Third yet those that were magnanimous and victoriously successful shaked them off with contempt as Edward the Third who in the fourtieth year of his reign (g) The King commanded that Peter's pence should no more be gathered or paid to Rome Saint Peter's pence is the King's alms observe not the Pope's due and all that had twenty penyworth of goods should pay that peny at Lammas Stow Chron. pag. 461. commanded that Peter Pence should be no more collected or paid to Rome Lastly The ejection of Papal jurisdiction out of England was disgraceful for (h) Stow Chron. pag. 1003. in the twenty sixth year of the reign of Henry the Eight it was enacted by Parliament at Westminster that the Pope with all his authority should be clean banished out of this Realm and that he should be no more called Pope which title he i Gesta Abbat Sancti Albini Regist. Monast Sancti Albini John Bale Onuphrius Giraldus Cambrensis borrowed of Jupiter but Bishop of Rome and that the King should be reputed and taken as supreme moderatour of the Church of England having full authority to reforme all errours heresies and abuses thereof with the appendage of First-fruits Tenths all spiritual Dignities and Promotions annexed to his Royal Dignity Gent. Can you vindicate this from extraordinary rigour That the Pope's jurisdiction confessedly possessed and enjoyed so many Centuries should be wholly ejected in one day out of all these Nations especially Ireland the regiment whereof was conferred upon (k) Sanderus in Secta Anglicana Henry the Second by Pope Adrian the Fourth conditionally to hold it of him Minist That the Pope could give that which he never had is a Paradox both in Logick and Politicks Lunatick Thrasilaus (l) Athenaeus claimed all the Athenian Ships The Cham of Tartary challenges to be Master both of substance and ceremonies to the whole Universe Therefore haing dined himself he causeth a Trumpet to be sounded that all other Princes through the World may dine Henry Plantagenet (m) The Kings c. with other Princes and Bishop submitting themselves and theirs to the King of England and his successours building him a great Palace at Dublin where he held his Christmas Stow Chron. pag. 207. compleated that conquest over Ireland which was begun by Strongbow Earl of Strigule not holding it of the Pope as the Jesuit Sanders pretends but of God and his sword for (n) Giraldus Cambrensis Radulph Cogshall Gervasius Dorob the King of Conach Devuntius King of Cork Morice King of Meâ—thâ— he King of Vriel Duvenald King of Ossery Duvenald King of Limerick with other Princes and Bishops submitted themselves unto him and his Successours not by virtue of the Pope's Charter but his prevailing army Gent. But I am not yet satisfied how the Pope could be lawfully dispossessed of that which he had so long possessed Minist The Pope's pretended jurisdiction is claimed either by Divine right or humane according to both claims even by the Principles of your own Scholemen and Canonists he was lawfully dispossessed Gent. How was he lawfully dispossessed if his jurisdiction was claimed by divine right that seems improbable Minist Supposing but not granting that Anti-Christian Principle that the Pope's universal jurisdiction was by divine right your own Sancta Clara confesses (o) Substractio ab obedientia non sedis Apostolicae seu authoritatis annexae illi sedi quantum est ad actum primum seu signatum sed solum quantum ad actum exercitum id est in quantum exercetur à tali persona cui pro tempore commissa est sedes illa Franciscus De Sancta Clara. pag. 335. that Substraction or withdrawing from obedience annex'd to the Apostolick See according to the actus exercitus as it is so qualified or is exercised by such a power to wit Heretical or Tyrannical is lawful And for proof of this he quotes Gerson once Chancellour of Paris who affirms (p) Hoc etiam practicum est per quoscunque Reges Principes qui sese substraxerunt abobedientia eorum quos isti vel illi judicabant esse Summos Pontifices quae tamen substractiones approbatae sunt per sacrum Constantiense Concilium quaedam expresse quaedam implicitè vel aequivalenter Gerson that It was practised by all Kings and Princes who withdrew themselves from the obedience of those whom they acknowledged to be Popes which withdrawings nevertheless were approved by the holy Council of Constance some expresly some impliedly and equivalently (q) Conclusum est per Concilium Turonense Principem posse ab obedientia Papae sese subducere ac subtrahere pro tuitione tantum ac defensione jurium suorum temporalium Concilium Turonense as also a Synod of Turon in France wherein it was concluded that a Prince may withdraw himself from obedience of the Pope for safeguard and defence of his temporal rights And if a Prince may withdraw from obedience for defence of his temporal rights how authentick a commission had our Princes when both temporal and spiritual rights were at the Stake The Church notoriously corrupted both in Doctrine and Manners Rome that Apocalyptical Babylon and the Romish Hierarchy Anti-Christian as is formerly evidenced Gent. You have made this clearer then I imagined if Princes and Nations may withdraw themselves from Papal obedience even supposing their jurisdiction were by divine right much more if the claim be but from humane grounds conquest consent pact prescription or the like Minist You say right for it will follow a majore ad minus from the greater to the less but the Pope's claim of jurisdiction in England was from none of these but was insinuated by subtilty continued by usurpation and enforced by tyranny For Harpsfield doth unanswerably demonstrate (r) Legibus autem nostruÌ„ fuisse concessum jus nominandi providendi de Beneficiis testatur post alios Harpsfield Saculo 14. fuisse etiam aliam consuetudinem immemorialem ex privilegio ortam causas Clericorum cognoscendi patet ex decisione Rotae 304. Sancta Clara pag. 330. Supreme Magistrates of this nation in all Ages to have enjoyed the right of nomination and provision of Benefices and taking cognisance of the causes of the Clergy Which even Suarez proves to be their just interest by divine and natural right seeing (s) Cui conceditur regnum necessariò omnia censentur concessa sine quibus regnum gubernari non potest regnum vero gubernari non posset nisi Principes hac potestate potirentur etiam in Clericos Suarez lib. 3. De primatu Summi Pontisicis Wheresover God collates a Kingdom he collates also all things necessary for the managerie thereof and without which government cannot be duely
sunt intelligenda praecepta Decalogi ideò praecepta Decalogi sunt omnino indispensabilia Aquinas Prima Secunda Quaest 100. Art 8. The Law of Nature Moral Law and lawful Oaths admit of no dispensation If the High Priest or any pretended power had interposed when David said I have sworn to keep the judgments of thy righteousness they could not have made void that solemn Oath proportionably if any Christian in pious imitation of David shall out of conscience swear inviolably to observe those commandments of not committing Adultery of obeying Parents and Magistrates the Pope's Dispensations are so far ineffectual that whosoever presuming upon his Absolution should adventure to violate them would be found guilty both of Rebellion and Adultery Therefore Durand confesseth Olim Papam dispensando errasse That the Pope hath formerly been mistaken in his Dispensations as when Emmanuel King of Portugal was dispensed withall to marry two Sisters Ferdinandus King of Naples to marry his Aunt Catharine Queen of England to marry two Brothers Pope Martin the First gave Dispensations to marry with a natural Sister against which even Antoninus (u) Reperitur Papa Martinus dispensesse cum quodam qui contraverat consummaverat Matrimonium cum quadam ejus germana Anton. 3. part Tit. 1. cap. 11. a Popish Arch-Bishop exclaims Gent. But if not Papal Dispensations may not the Anathema of Excommunication whereby they are rendred as Publicans and Heathens unbrace the Ty of Subjects to their Sovereign Minist Bellarmine the late Romish Cardinal is bold to broach this pestilent Doctrine saying (x) Si ergo Princeps aliquis ex Ove aut Ariete fiar Lupus id est ex Christiano fiat Haereticus poterit Pastor Ecclesiae eum arcere per Excommunicationem simul jubere populo nè eum sequantur ac proinde privare eum Dominio in subditos Bellarmin lib. 5. De Romano Pontif. cap. 7. col 824. If any Prince of a Ram or Sheep become a Wolf that is of a Christian become an Heretick the Pastour of the Church may cast him out by Excommunication and at once command the people not to follow him and thereupon deprive him of Dominion over his Subjects But the Holy Ghost speaks another Language as knowing that Excommunication though denounced for contempt of the Church makes not one worse then an Heathen now the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul as is formerly evidenced seriously exhorts us to perform obedience to Pagan and Vnchristianed Princes The same therefore is as due to Christian Magistrates when excommunicated And if we consult the Romish erroneous Oracles themselves we shall finde the resolution given from their own impure Shrines that (y) Aquinas in Sap. Quaest 23. Tolet. Instit Sacerd. lib. 1. cap. 9. Excommunication neither exempts Servants from the dominion of their Masters nor Children from observance to their Parents Supreme Magistrates are Lords their Subjects Servants so David stiles Saul his Lord and himself his servant 1 Sam. xxiv 11. They are Fathers their people are Children so King Hezekiah calls the Priests who were spiritual Fathers to their charge his Sons 2 Chron. xxix 11. Deborah was a Mother in Israel Judg. v. 7. But for the most part the Pope's Excommunications are unjust and always relating to these Nations where he hath no jurisdiction and his Canon Law tells us (z) Qui illicitè alium excommunicat scipsum non illum condemnat Quaest 24. Art 3. Comperimus rubri He that unlawfully excommunicateth another condemneth not the party but himself And St. Augustine (a) Quid obest homini si eum de illa tabula delere velit humana ignorantia quem de libro viventium non delet iniquae conscientia Augustin Ad Clericos Hipponenses What is a man the worse if humane ignorance rase him out of the Book of the Church whom an evil conscience wipes not out of the Book of life Gent. Are then the chief Rulers of these Nations no whit impeached by the Pope's Excommunications nor the People privileged by his Absolutions and Dispensations Minist Our chief Rulers are no more impeached by Papal Excommunication then Christ and his Apostles were when they were cast out of the Synagogue by the chief Priests then the faithful Christians were when they were excommunicated by Diotrephes who first claimed Papal Primacy 3 John 9. It is fore-prophesied that Antichrist shall excommunicate all them that will not adore the Image of the Beast Rev. xiii 17. (b) Quid sibi velit emendi vendendi Interdictum jam antè ostendi nempe Papalem excommunicationem notari in quam qui incidunt reliquorum civium consuetudine commercio arcentur Mede Comment Apocalypt p. 213 for by prohibition of buying and selling there is meant Papal Excommunication into which censure whosoever fell were driven from all commerce and fellowship with other Citizens So that Canon of the Lateran Council set forth against the Waldenses and Albigenses signally prohibits under the penalty of the great Anathema (c) Nè quis eos in domo sua vel terra tenere vel fovere vel negotiationem cum iis exercere praesumat Tomo 4. Concil edit Romae pag. 37. That none should presume to keep them within their Precincts or harbour them in their houses or negotiate or traffique with them The Synod of Tyron doth the like (d) Nè receptaculum quisquam eis in terra sua praebere aut prasidium impertive prasumat sed nec in venditione aut emptione aliqua cum iis communio habeatur Apud Reverend Armachan De Successione Ecclesiae pag. 239. interdicting all to afford them any shelter or receptacle to supply them with any relief or have commerce with them in buying and selling Neither are the people more privileged by the Pope's Absolutions and Dispensations to attempt disloyalty then the Soldiers and Jewish rabble were to crucifie Christ by the High Priest's delivering him up unto Pilate Gent. But if neither Papal Excommunications Absolutions or Dispensations privilege the Laity from subjection to their Sovereign yet some conceive that the holy Seal of Confession exempts (e) Sacerdos Dei vices sustinet nec aliter quà m ipse Deus humiles ac devotas peccatorum confessiones audiat Aquinas in Sap. Quaest 11. Art 1. Priests from former Oaths or Engagements because they are bound by their order and the Laws of the Church to conceal whatsoever is disclosed unto them by Auricular Confession though it should tend to the prejudice and ruine of Princes Minist That pretended Canon and Law of the Church is no ancienter then Innocent the Third being one of the Constitutions inserted in the (f) Omnis utriusque De poenitent remission Decretals But admit it had antiquity and authority of the whole Church it amounts to no more then an Ecclesiastical Ordinance which must veil Bonnet to the Moral Law which provideth by all means the safety and security of Supreme Magistrates which those French Priests knew