the Lord thy God shal chuse and thou shalt come to the Priestes of Leuies stocke and to the iudge that shal be for the time thou shalt aske of them and they wil iudge according to the truth of iudgement and thow shalt doe what so euer they say that haue the rule of the place which God shal chuse shal teach the accordīg to his lawe thow shalt not decline neither to the right hand nor left And if anie shal be so proude as not to obey the commaundement of the Priest that shal for that time minister vnto the Lord thy God by the sentence of the iudge let that man die and so thou shal remoue euil from Israel and al the people hearing shal feare and take heed that hereafter they waxe not proude Thus far in the holie text generallie without al exception subiecting in cases of such doubtes as are recited al degrees of faithful men no lesse kings then others to the Priestes resolution Yea immediatelie order is giuen how their kinges which yet were not when that was writtē but afterward by their motion to be created should be elected that none could be chosen to rule ouer them beīg the people of God that were not true beleeuers and worshippers of him according to the ceremonies of their lawe and religion which lawes they might not take make or moderate them selues but receiue of the Priestes of the Leuitical tribe and therbie learne to feare God and keepe his wordes and ceremonies expresly also appointing and warning them or as it were couenanting with them and him whom they should create or haue for their king that he should not against Gods expresse commaundement bring backe at anie time his people into Egipt that is to say from the libertie of his faith and true seruice to the bondage of Idolatrie and false Religion Which condition was afterward to be implied in the receuing of anie king ouer the people of God and true beleeuers for euer Videlicet A conditiō implied in the creatiō of al Princes that they should not reduce their people by force or otherwise from the Faith of their forefathers and the religion and holie ceremonies therof receiued at the handes of Gods Priestes and none other Insinuating that obseruing thes precepts and conditions he and his sonne after him might long reigne otherwise as by the practize of their deposition in the bookes and time of the kinges it afterward appeareth wherof we haue set doune some examples before the Prophets and Priestes that annointed them of no other condition but to keepe and mainteine the honor of God and his true worship depriued them againe when they brake with their Lord and fel to strange Gods and forced their people to doe the like And this it was in the old law The authoritie of Priesthood in the nevv testament But now in the new testament in the time of Christs spiritual kingdome in the Church Priestes haue much more soueraigne authoritie Princes far more strict charge to obey loue Esa 49.52 Esa 60. and cherish the Church of which Church it was said by prophecie Kinges shal be thy Fosterfathers and Queenes thy Nurces And againe Kinges brestes shal nourish the euerie kingdome that serueth not the shal perish In which Church without faile is the supereminent power of Christs Priesthood Psal 2. who with his yrō rodde bruseth the pride of Princes that rebel against his Spouse and kingdome in earth like a potters potsharde Ierem. 1. and hath right in his Church ouer al kingdomes to plant and plucke vp to builde and destroy afore whom al kinges shal fal doune and al nations doe him seruice Math. 16. Now Christs Priestlie prerogatiue passing his owne regal dignitie much more excelling al other humane power of the world in most ample exact termes is communicated to the cheefe Priest and pastor of our soules Mat. 18. and secondarilie to the rest of the gouernours of the Church in other maner of clauses thē anie earthlie Princes can shew for their pretenced spiritual regiment Fie on that secular pride and wilful blind heresie so repugning against Gods expresse ordinance and yet is of wicked Sectmaisters and flatterers vpholden to the eternal calamity of them selues and of millions of others Ioan. 21. Now al Christs sheepe wthout exception be they Princes be they poore if they be Christian men are put to Peters feeding and gouernment Now the keyes of heauē be deliuered to Christs Vicar in earth Mat. 16. to let in to locke out to binde to loose to punish to pardon Heb. 13. Now we be commanded euerie one be we kinges be we Caesars to obey our Prelates and Pastors and to be subiect to them as to thos that must make accompt to God for our soules 1. Cor. 5. 2. Ioan. wherin what Christian Prince may except him self Now they haue ful authoritie to forbid vs the companie of Heretiques Ad Tit. 3. Blasphemers Idolaters and such like and not so much as to salute them much more not to obey them And lest anie man should thinke this power to be so merelie spiritual that it might not in anie wise be extended to temporal or corporal domage or chastisement of the faithful in their goods liues possessions or bodies being mere secular thinges therfore not subiect to their Pastors spiritual or Priestlie function it is to be marked in the holie Apostles first execution of their commissions authoritie Spiritual Pastors haue povver to punish corporally that though their spiritual power immediatlie and directlie concerneth not our temporal affaires yet indirectlie and as by accident it doth not onelie concerne our soules but our bodies and goods so far as is requisite to our soules health expedient for the good regiment therof and the Churches vtilitie being subiect to their spiritual gouernours Therfore S Peter Act. 5. being but a mere spiritual officer and Pastor of mens soules yet for sacriledge and simulation stroke dead both man and wife Act. 13. S. Paul stroke blind Elymas the Magician 1. Cor. 4 So did he threaten to come to his contemners in rodde of discipline So did he excommunicate a principal person in Corinth 1. Cor. 5 for incest not onely by spiritual punishment but also by bodilie vexation giuing him vp to Sathans chastisement As he corporally also corrected and molested with an euil spirit Himineus and Alexander for blasphemie heresie Finallie he boldlie auoucheth 1. Timo. 1 2. Cor. 10 that his power in God is to reuenge al disobedience and to bring vnder al loftie hartes to the loialtie of Christ and of the Apostles and Saints in this life 1. Cor. 6. Nescitis quoth he quoniam Angelos iudicabimus quanto magis secularia Knowe you not that we shal iudge Angels how much more secular matters In al which ther is no difference betwixt Kinges that be faithful and other Christian men who
yet for that he was a cruel man and would ether haue killed or spoiled thē they were excused in obeying him Thus doth this notable schoolman write nether doe we knowe anie Catholique diuine of anie age to say the contrarie Cap. Aliu cū sequen xv q. 5. Cap. fin de Haeret. We wil not alleadge the Canon lawes which for that they be the decrees speciallie of Popes whom our aduersaries accompt partial shal weigh litle with them though they be authentical in al the lauful tribunals of the Christiā world and make al Heretiques not onelie after they be namelie particularlie denoūced but by the law it self ipso facto as soone as they be Heretikes or de iure excōmunicated for the same to be depriued of their dominiōs though the subiects vntil denuntiation need not take knowledge therof Onelie it is not good to omit the definition and wordes of the famous general Counsel of Laterane The sentēce and definition of the great learned ad general Councel of Laterane celebrated aboue 300. years since wherin ther were Patriarches and Archbishops 70. Bishops 412. and other Prelats 800. In al of the most chosen learned men of al nations 1282 with th' Ambassadors of the Romane Emperour of the king of Hierusalem of England of Fraunce of Spaine and of Cipres as also of other Christian states then which ther can be no surer iudgement vpon earth which assemblie representing the whole Christian world would neuer agree vpon anie assertion traiterous Cap. 3. de Haeret. Thes thē are the words of their most renowned decree put onely in English for breuities sake Yf anie Lord temporal required admonished by the Church neclect to purge his state from Heretical filth let him be excommunicated by the Metrapolitane and conprouincial Bishops but yf he contemne to come to order within one years space let relation be made to the supreme Bishop that from thenceforth he may declare al his subiectes to be discharged of their fealtie towardes him and giue vp his land to be possessed by Catholiques which Catholiques without al contradiction when they haue driuen out the Heretiques shal haue and hould the same and so preserue it in puritie of faith the interest and right of the cheef Lord euer remaining safe whole so that him self giue no impediment to th' execution of this decree And the same law to take place in such also as be soueraigne Lords and haue no superiors Thus both Schooles and Lawes speake and resolue for the matter in hand both Catholiques and Protestants agreing that Princes may for some causes and especiallie for their defection in Faith and Religion be resisted and forsaken though in the maner of executing the sentence and other needful circumstances Protestants folowe faction and populer mutinie we reduce al to lawe order and iudgement But for the further clearing of this cause we meane now in the next chapter by the helpe of God to declare and plainlie deduce al that hitherto hath bene said in the premisses from holie Scriptures and warrant of Antiquitie that al indifferent men may see how far we be from treason or vndutifulnes to our Princesse in thes our opinions especially when by a certaine violence we be coacted to vtter the same OF EXCOMMVNICATION AND DEPRIVATION OF PRINCES FOR heresie and falling from the Faith speciallie of vvarres for Religion and of the office and Zeale of Preists of th' old and nevv lavv in such cases CAP. V. PRinces being not subiect to superiours temporal The dāgerous state of a tēporal Prince if he be not subiect to spiritual coūcel nor patient of correction or controlment by their inferiours may easelie fal to greeuous disorders which must tend to the danger and ruine of whole countries In respect wherof great spirite power courage freedome of speech haue bene from the beginning graunted by God as wel ordinarie to Priestes as extraordinarie to some Prophets and religious persons in al ages and times both of the new old testamēt So by Gods great prouidence who by his Prophet warned kinges to take discipline Psal 2. and to serue him in feare lest in his ire he should suffer them fal to iniquitie the first kinges of his peculiar people had lightly some Prophets or Priestes in maner as ouerseers that might from time to time charge them boldlie and as it were by office with their enormities and namelie with their fal from Faith the God of their Fathers to denounce his threatnings yea and execute the same vpon them at sometimes if need so required which ministers of their Lord God al godlie Princes did heare honor obey as contrariwise the kinges that were wicked and disloyal to God haue euer sought cruellie their death and destruction that so their wickednes might passe without controlment Saul the first temporal king that euer the Iewes being then Gods peculiar had 1. Reg. 10 15.16 though chosen and inspired by God was for al that led and directed by Samuel so long as he was in order Saul deposed for vsurping spiritual function But afterward for aspiring to spiritual function and other disobedience was by Gods appointmēt and sentence pronounced by the said Samuel deposed of his kingdome and an other named Dauid annointed by him Which Saul now after his depriuation or after as it were his excommunication by Samuel was inuaded by an euil spirit that prouoked him to kil not onelie Dauid that was now made the rightful owner of his crowne 1. Reg. 22 but also to seeke for Samuels death yea and to cōmaund al the holie Priests of Nobe fourescore and fyue in number as holy Scripture recompteth to be slaine murdered in most pitiful wise as traitors to him and fouorers of Dauid the competitor of his kingdome And so it was done at last though at the beginning his gard refused to execute so vile horrible an act in this sort he remained enemy many years against God and Samuel and kept the kingdome by tirannical force notwithstanding his deposition Dauid neuertheles in whom was the right of the croune was laufullie vp in Armes with one of the principal Priests whose name was Abiathar that escaped the foresaid murther not of such power as the pretensed king was til at length the vsurper whom as S. Augustine deduceth August cōtra Adamantium he might laufullie haue killed but would not being slaine in batail Dauid obteined his right first of a part of the kingdome and afterward of al the rest which Isboseth did for two years by the pretended right of Saul his father vsurpe By which it is plaine that the Priests and Prophets of God Priests most subiect to danger in time of vsurpation being the executors of his sentences and rule of the people in such doubtful and partial times of varietie for claime and competencie are most subiect to the hatred of vsurpers as also to death and danger for the same You
al in that they haue submitted them selues and their scepters to the sweet yoke of Christ are subiect to discipline and to their Pastors authoritie no lesse thē other sheepe of his fould And although the state regiment policy power temporal The Ciuil gouernour subiect to the spiritual amongst Christians be in it self alwayes of distinct nature qualitie and condition from the gouernment Ecclesiastical and spiritual common weath called the Church or bodie mystical of Christ and the Magistrat spiritual and ciuil diuers and distinct and sometime so far that th' one hath no dependance of th' other nor subalternation to th' other in respect of them selues as it is in the Churches of God residing in heathē kingdomes and was in th'Apostles times vnder the Pagane Emperours yet now where the lawes of Christ are receiued and the bodies politique and mistical the Church and Ciuil state the Magistrate Ecclesiastical and tēporal cōcurre in their kindes together though euer of distinct regiments natures and endes ther is such a concurrence and subalternation betwixt both that th' inferior of the two which is the Ciuil state must needes in matters perteining anie way ether directlie or indirectlie to the honor of God and benefit of the soule be subiect to the spiritual and take direction from the same The condition of thes two powers as S. Gregorie Nazianzen most excellentlie resembleth it is like vnto the distinct state of the same spirit and bodie In Orati ad popul trepidātem Impera commotum or flesh in a man wher ether of them hauing their proper and peculiar operations endes and obiects which in other natures may be seuered as in Brutes wher flesh is not spirit Nazians similitude to expresse the subordinatiō of Ciuil and of Spiritual gouernmēt in Angels wher spirit is but not flesh are yet in man conioined in person and neuerthelesse so distinct in faculties and operations that the flesh hath her actions peculiar and the soule hers but not without al subalternation or dependance Where we see euidentlie that in case the operations of the bodie be contrarie to th' end weale and iust desires of the soule the spirite may and must commaund ouerrule and chastise the bodie and as superior appointeth fasting and other afflictions though with some detriment to the flesh commanding the eyes not to see the tonge not to speake and so forth So likewise the power Political hath her Princes Lawes Tribunals and the Spiritual her Prelates Canons Counsels Iudgements and thes when the Princes are Pagans wholy separate but in Christian Common-wealths ioined though not confounded nor yet the Spiritual turned into the Temporal or subiect by peruerse order as it is now in England to the same but the Ciuil which in deed is the inferior subordinate and in some cases subiect to the Ecclesiastical though so lōg as the temporal State is no hinderance to eternal felicitie the glory of Christs kingdome th' other intermedleth not with her actions but alloweth defendeth honoreth and in particular Common-wealthes obeyeth the same Yet wher it is otherwise VVhen the Spiritual gouernmēt is to correct the Temporal and the temporal power resisteth God or hindreth the proceeding of the people to saluation ther the Spiritual hath right to correct the Temporal and to procure by al meanes possible that the terrene kingdome giue no annoyance to the State of the Church which now adorned in the new Testamēt with the power of Christs Priesthood and with seueral and distinct officers appointed by the Holie-ghost must needes so far excel the terrene state and dominatiō as the Sonne passeth the Moone the soule the bodie and heauen the earth By reason of which excellencie and preeminence aboue al states and men without exception of Prince or other our Lord proclameth in his Gospel Math. 18 that who soeuer obeyeth not or heareth not the Church must be taken and vsed no otherwise then as a Heathen This being so plaine and in truth so beneficial to the verie Kinges and Commō-welthes them selues that the preseruation of both specially standeth vpon this concurrence with the Church and Priesthood and with the due subalternation of the temporal to the spiritual regiment and which al Kinges that be not for punishment of their owne and their peoples sinnes obdurate and prepared by Gods iudgment to be an example of his power and iustice most gladlie acknowledge yet their be so manie either flatterers of Princes that so say Deceatful persuasions of Politikes vnto Princes for their ruine or Heretiques that so thinke that the Ministers of Christs most deare Spouse of his verie bodie mystical his kingdome and house in earth whom at his departure hence he did endowe with most ample Commission and sent forth with that authoritie that his Father before gaue vnto him haue no power ouer Princes to denounce or declare them to be violators of Gods and the Churches lawes nor to punish them either spirituallie or temporallie not to excommunicate them nor to discharge the people of their othe and obedience towardes such as neither by Gods law nor mans a true Christian may obey Wherin it may please the gētle readers to enforme their consciēces partlie by that is said before and speciallie by that which foloweth Wher they shal finde that streight vpon the first conuersion of Kinges to the faith The examples of disobedient Princes to the Church and of their punishment or confusiō as the good and godlie haue euer obeyed the Church and submitted them selues to Ecclesiastical censures and discipline so the euil obstinate could neuer orderlie discharge them selues from the same without euident note of iniustice tirannie and irreligiositie and were either in fin brought to order and penance or els to confusion both temporal eternal Chrisost in vita Baby About xiij hundreth years agoe Babylas Bishop of Antioche excommunicated the onely Christian king or Emperour that then was as some count Numerius The exāple of Bishop Babylas as others Philip for executing a Prince that was put to him for an hostage Wherupon as euil kinges sometimes doe he martired his Bishop whom S. Chrisostome and others recken for the most famous Martyr of that time because he gaue both by his constancie and courage in God a notable example to al Bishops of their behauiour towardes their Princes and how they ought to vse th'Ecclesiastical rodde of correctiō towardes them what soeuer befal to their persons for the same After the said Prince had murthered his owne Pastor Nicep li. 5. cap. 25. then holie Pope Fabian for that he was the general shepard of Christendome or as some thinke Fabius the successor of Babylas pursued the said Emperour by like excommunication and other meanes til at length he brought him to order and repentance Afterward S. Ambros Bishop of Millan excommunicated th' elder Theodosius th'Emperour Soz. lib. 7. Cap. 24. Theo. lib. 5. Cap. 17 Amb. li. 5
and prayers depending vpon his soueraine determination a thing that al nations haue to take heede of by our example for the redresse of which pernicious absurditie so manie of our said brethren so willinglie haue shed ther blood The ridiculous varietie of Heretiques about the Headship of the Church In the first Parliamēt of her Maiesties reigne it was indeed in a maner thrust vpon her against her wil because otherwise ther could haue bene no colour to make new lawes for change of Religiō and this title of Cheefe gouernesse was thought to be a qualification of the former tearme of Headship But in truth it is al one with thother or rather worse for in some kinde of improper speach the King may be called the Head or cheef of the Church of his countrie for that he is soueraigne lorde and ruler of bothe persons spiritual and temporal al sortes bound to obey his lawful ciuil lawes and commandementes and so in that sense is he Head of the cleargie and of al others But when in the new forme of our statute it is expreslie and distinctlie added that she is the onelie Supreame gouernour euen in al causes as vvel Spiritual and Ecclesiastical as temporal Ciuil and furthermore enacted that al iurisdictions priuiledges superiorities and preeminences ecclesiastical as by anie power spiritual haue bene or may be exercised are taken frō the Pope to whom Christ gaue them in most ample maner and are vnited or rather as they say restored by an old decree to the crowne of England this can haue no excuse nether trew or likelie sense in the world Absurdities that in sevv vppon making the temporal prince head of the Church making indeed a King and a Priest al one no differēce betwixt the state of the Church and a temporal common wealth giuing no lesse right to heathen Princes to be gouernours of the Church in causes spiritual then to a christian king it maketh one parte of the Church in different teritoires to be independent and seueral from an other according to the distinction of realmes and kingdomes in the world And finallie it maketh euerie man that is not borne in the kingdome to be a forreiner also in respect of the Church thes and a thowsand absurdities and impossibilities more doe ensue which for breuitie we omitt onelie this which is in most mens memories we may not ouerpasse that the verie same yeare that this new preeminence was giuen by lawe to the Q. and th'othe accordinglie ministred to many some hauing remorse of the matter for to auoide daunger pretended for their refusal that it seemed to them by the wordes of th'othe and acte that the Q. might minister also the Sacramētes wherunto they wolde not sweare by anie meanes Wherupon in her next visitation of the cleargie a special iniunction was printed and published by her commaundement declaring that in truth she had no such intent Marke this circle in declaration of the title and that no suche thing was implied in her title or claime of spiritual regimēt nor no other thing nor more then was before graunted to her father by the tearme of Supreame head requiring al her louing subiectes to receiue th'othe at least in that sense and so it should suffice her highnesse By which it is now cleare by ther owne authentical declaratiō that we speake no vntrewth as this libeller sayth nor abuse not the world when we say she is called and taken for the Supreame head of the Church of England albeit the thing it self being far more absurde and of more pernicious sequele then the makers of the law which were mere laymē and most of them vnlearned could then perceiue their folowers now would disauow the same For this article therfore as the famous bishoppe of Rochester Sir Thomas More and a great number more in king Henrie the 8. his dayes so did thos twoo last named martyrs and diuers others before them most gladlie and constantlie yeld vp their lyues and so consequentlie dyed for mere matter of religion onelie And to end this point we lastlie referre the aduersarie to the late Martyrdome of Cartar a poore innocent artisan who was made away onelie for printing a catholique booke De schismate in which no worde was found against the state the quarel onelie most vniustlie being made vpon a certaine clause which by no likelie honest construction could apperteine to the Q. person viz. that the Catholike religion should once haue the vpper hand of heresie and Iudith cutt of the head of Holophernes which they in their extreame ielousie and feare of all thinges wold needes wreast against her Maiestie And the place serueth here to saye some-what of the cause also of their racking of Catholiques which they wold haue strangers beleeue neuer to be done for anie point of religion Fol. 20. As for example say they in the addition to th' end of the libel none is asked by torture vvhat he beleeueth of the Masse or Transubstantiation or suche like Questions asked of catholiques vppon torture As though forsooth ther were no question perteining to faithe and religion but touching our inward beleefe Wheras in deed it concerneth religion no lesse to demaund and presse vs by torture wher in whos houses what dayes and tymes we say or heare Masse how manie we haue reconciled what we haue hard in confession who resorteth to our preachinges who harboreth catholiques and Priestes who susteineth aideth or comforteth them who they be that haue their children or pupilles in the Societie or Seminaries beyond the seas wher such a Iesuite or suche a Preist is to be found wher catholique bookes ar printed and by whom and to whom they be vttered in England which thinges being demaunded of euil intēt and to the annoyance of the Catholique cause Godes Priestes and innocēt men no man may by the lawe of God and nature disclose though he be expreslie commaunded by anie Prince in the world for that God must be obeyed more then man Yet thes were the Interrogatories for which the famous confessor M. Briant M. Briant was tormented with needles thrust vnder his nayles racked also otherwise in cruel sorte and speciallie punished by two whole dayes and nightes famine which they attribute to obstinacie but indeed susteined in Christes quarel it was most honorable constancie The like demaundes were put to the blessed martyrs Campion Sherwin and others vpon the torture M. Shirvvine and of this later namelie was asked where F. Persons and Campion were and whether he had said Masse in M. Roscarockes chamber and what money he had giuen him M. Thomson M. Thomson a venerable and learned Priest was put to tormentes onelie to get out of him to what end he kept certaine Superaltaries and wher he entēded to bestowe them The said yong man Cartar Cartar of whos martyrdome we last treated was examined vpon the racke vpon what Gentlemen or catholique Ladies he had bestowed or
see in what sort also Hiereboam king of Israel 3. Reg. 13 14. The exāple of Ieroboā a vvicked schismatick denoūced by a Preist had a special Prophet sent to him to denounce the intended iudgements of God against him and his posteritie for his schisme and separation of his people from the old anciēt true worship of God in Hierusalem and for erectīg of a new Altar in Bethel ī which al schisme and diuisiō from the Apostolike Sea is properlie prefigured and for creating of a wicked cleargie out of Aarons order I meane new hungrie base and inordered Priestes the paterne of heretical ministers thrust vp out of the aray and orderlie succession and creation of Apostolike Priesthood a crime so highlie afterward both in him and his stocke according to Gods former denunciation reuenged that none of his house was left to pisse against a wal Yet he fondlie sought to apprehend the man of God and to kil him for bringing this newes which he accompted high treason against his regalitie Ozias also The exāple of proude Ozias that vvould take vnto him the authoritie of Priestes or Vsia king of Iuda puffed vp with intollerable pride as the Scripture sayeth and not contended with his kinglie soueraigntie but presuming to execute spiritual and Priestlie functiō was valiantlie by Azarias and fourscore Priestes with him assailed and thrust out of the Temple by force At what time for that he threatned the Priests of God and resisted them with violence he was strooken with a filthie leprosie so not onelie thrust out of the Temple but by their authoritie seuered also from al company of men a special figure of the Priests power to excommunicate for Heresie as wel Princes as others in the new law and finally the regiment of his kingdome was committed to his sonne A cleare example that Priestes may vse armes represse impietie by forceable wayes wher it may serue to the preseruation of Religion and the honor of God But the office and zeale of good Priestes is notablie 4. Reg. 11 recōmended vnto vs The exāple of depositiō and death of Queene Athalia by Ioida the highe Priest in the deposition of the wicked Q. Athalia She to obteine the croune after Ochasias killed al his children onelie one which by a certaine good womans pietie was secretlie withdrawen from the massacre saued and brought vp within the Temple for seuen years space al which time the said Q. vsurped the kingdome til at length Ioida the high Priest by opportunitie called to him forces both of the Preistes and people proclamed the right heire that was in his custodie annointed and crouned him king caused immediatlie the pretēsed Q. notwithstanding she cried Treason Treason as not onelie iust possessors but wicked vsurpers vse to doe to be slaine with her fautors at her owne court gate Thus doe Priests deale and iudge for the innocent and lauful Princes when time requireth much to their honor and agreeable to their holie calling No man can be ignorant how stoutlie Elias being sought to death by Achab and his Q. Iesabel that ouerthrew holie Altars 3. Reg. 18 19. The executiō done by Elias the Prophet vpon many vvith deposition of Princes and murthered al the true religious that could be found in their land tould them to their face that not he or other men of God whom they persecuted but they and their house were the disturbers of Israel And slew in his zeale al the said Iesabels false Prophets fostered at her table euen foure hundreth at one time and so set vp holie Altars againe How he handled the Idololatrious king Ochozias his Captaines and messingers 4. Reg. 1 wasting them and an hundreth of their traine by fire from heauen til the third Captaine was forced to humble him self vpon his knees vnto him 3. Reg. 19. 4. Reg. 9 How he had commission to annoint Hazael king of Siria Eliseus a Prophet for him self and Iehu king of Israel so to put doune the sonne and whole house of Achab which therbie lost al the title and right to the kingdome for euer This Prophet and his successor Eliseus were so famous in this seruice of God for the chastisement of irreligious Princes that in holie writ it is thus said of the former He cast doune kinges destroyed them Eccle. 48. and plucked the honorable from their seates And of the second in the same place that he neuer feared Prince nor could be ouercome by anie And in an other place 3. Reg. 19 VVho soeuer escapeth the svvord of Iehu the svvord of Eliseus shal slea him By which examples of holie Scriptures we see first Illations consequents vpō the former examples that annointed and laufullie created kinges may be deposed secondlie for what causes they were depriued thirdly that as in the creation and consecration of kinges so also in their depriuation God vsed the ministerie of Priestes and Prophets as ether ordinarie or extraordinarie Iudges or executors of his wil towardes them For though nether thes Priests nor Prophets were superiours to their owne kinges or soueraignes in their temporal states and regiments nor Lordes or maisters of their crounes and kingdomes yet for that they held their dignities and soueraigne authorities of God and were bound to occupie and vse the same with what forces so euer they had to th'aduauncement of his Religion and to the true worship and honor of their supreme Lord and Maister as also to the benefit preseruation of his people in faith and feare of him the Priestes and Prophets that then had the principal and direct charge of mens soules and religion and were in spiritual matters superiors to their owne Princes rightlie opposed them selues in al such actions as tended to the dishonor of God destruction of religion and to the notorious domage of the soules of them ouer whom they did reigne and in the behalf of God executed iustice vpon such as contrarie to their obligation and first institution abused their soueraigne power to the destruction of true religion and aduauncemet of Idolatrie Heresie or such like abhomination In which cases and al other doubtes and differences betwixt one man and an other or betwixt Prince and people that Priestes and namely the highe Priest should be the Arbiter and Iudge and the interpreter of Gods wil towards his people is most consonant both to nature reason the vse of al nations and to the expresse Scriptures Deut. 17. For in Gods sacred law thus we read Si difficile ambiguum apud te iudicium esse prospexeris inter sanguinem sanguinem The subiection of al men to the iudgemēt of Priestes causam causam lepram non lepram c. If thou forsee the iudgement to be hard and ambiguous betwixt blood and blood cause and cause leprosie or no leprosie and finde varietie of sentences among the iudges at home rise and goe vp to the place which
inuincible courage constancie of the Pope often brought to penance and extremitie that in fin by armes he droue the said Pope out of his sea and placed an Antipape An Antipape that is to say one so opposite to Christs vicar as Antichrist shal be against Christ which by armes and patronage of this wicked Emperour vsurped and occupied the Apostolical throne against the true Pope Gregorie the seuenth whom the Libeller after the vulgar vaine of Rebellious Heretiques voutsafeth not the name of Gregorie the seuenth but calleth him commonlie Hildebrand as the Heretiques when they were in armes in Germanie against their Emperour Heretical malice would not name him Charles the fifte nor Emperour but Charles of Gaunt And now because this good and notable Pope The coÌ„tentioÌ„ betvvene Pope Gregorie the seuenth and Henrie the third Emperor was â—ot able in fin to resist th'emperours forces the which Emperour as al the histories of that time record was a most wicked sacrilegious simoniacal and heretical person th' aduersaries of Gods Church doe triumphe as the Libeller here doth ouer the blessed man as Herode might haue done ouer Iohn Baptist whos admonition was taken in so euil gré that it cost him his life as also th'executing of the Churches sentence which is Gods hath done to manie a Prophet and Bishop in the world By which euent of thinges who so euer measureth the right of causes wil make a good religion and a good defence of th' execution of iustice For so most Tirants might be iustified for a time against al the Saints of God This Gregorie say they was in sin banished by the Emperour and so was S. Chrisostom by Archadius and Eudoxia and dyed in banishment as Gregorie the seuenth did yet they were but homelie Christians that would iustifie the Emperours and condemne S. Chrisostome And indeed this Pope whom they speciallie hate because as it may be thought he was the first man that authenticallie condemned the Berengarians heresie in open disputation refuted it though certaine of the said Emperours flatterers enimies of the sea Apostolique as the fashion of our Heretiques is at this day wrote slaunderous Libels against him Pope Hildebrand a good man yet was he a very notable good man and learned and did suffer what so euer he did suffer for mere iustice in that he did godlie honorablie and by the dutie of his Pastorship what so euer he did against the said Emperour wherof we could alleadge al the best writers of thos dayes or near that time but that we should be tedious Of whom yet this one graue testimonie of Baptista Fulgosius a noble and learned man that was Duke of Genua aboue an hundred years past we shal not let to set doune as we finde it in latine Constantissimus habitus est Gregorius septimus Pontifex Lib. 3 Cap. vlt. factoruÌ„ memorabilium qui quòd Henricum tertium Imperatorem propter aperta nimis Symoniae crimina pro pastorali officio reprehendebat grauibus ab eo iniurijs affectus est itaque iniuriarum magnitudine compulsus Henricum Gregorius vt haereticum Imperij honore priuauit Cum autem Henricus solui ecclesiastica censura non emendatione vitae sed armis quaereret alium creare Pontificem enixus capta Vrbe obsidere Gregorium coepit Quae mala cum Gregorius pateretur nunquam tamen a iusto proposito dimoueri potuit That is Gregorie the seueÌ„th was notable for his constancie who for that according to his pastoral charge he had admonished Henrie the third The testimonie of the Duke of Genua for Pope Hildebrand Emperour to leaue his knowen impietie of Simonie was by manifold intollerable iniuries vexed by the said Emperour and by the greatnes of his wickednes was compelled to depriue him as an heretique of his Imperial dignitie But Henrie seeking not by amendment of his life but by armes to be absolued from the censure he went about to set vp a new Pope and beseiged the citie of Rome and brought the Pope into great distres In al which miseries Gregorie could neuer be remoued from his iust purpose So he writeth of the parties both See Vspergen lib. 5. Annal. And of the horrible crimes for which the Emperour was most iustlie iÌ„ the sight of al good meÌ„ deposed Thus Trithemius reporteth iÌ„ breef of the wickednes of this Emperour Episcopacus CoÌ„staÌ„tiensem c. He sould the Bishoprikes of Constance Bamburgh Mentz diuers other for money thos of Ausbourg Straisburgh for a sword that of Munster for Sodomie and the abbacie of Fulde for aduoultrie Trithem in Chron. heauen and earth witnesse and crie out of thes and for the same abhominations he standeth excommunicated depriued and therfore hath no power nor iust title to reigne ouer vs Catholiques But to goe forward this same Gregorie the seuenth did the like commendable iustice vpon the king of Pole Bolislaus the second Chrom lib. hist PoloÌ„ li. 4. aswel excommunicating as depriuing him for murthering of his Bishop S. Stanislay at the verie Altar Against which sentence though he stoode by force and contempt for a time Kinges of later times excoÌ„municated yet at length he was forsaken and resisted wholie by his subiects fled and in fin slew him self For Heresie also was George K. of Boemland excommunicated and thervpon by the forces of the king of Hungarie at length actuallie depriued As also Iohn Albert had half his kingdome of Nauarre taken from him by Ferdinandus surnamed Catholicus of Aragon for that he gaue aide to Levves the twelueth beiÌ„g excommunicated by Iulius the second For great iniuries also done to holie Church for persecution of Bishops and religious was Iohn one of our kinges of England Kinges of England with his whole land interdicted and brought after long strugling against God and the Sea Apostolique to yeeld his Croune to the courtesie of the Popes Legate and to make both his Realmes of England and Ireland tributaries Lib. 1. de Repub. Cap. 9. The authentical instrument wherof Iohn Bodin saith he hath seene For like causes and namelie for that he was vehemeÌ„tlie suspected of the murther of the blessed Bishop S. Thomas of Canterburie was Henrie the second driuen by Alexander the third to order and penance A number of the like examples moe we might recite of our countrie and of the christian world wherby not onelie the practize of the Church in al ages may be seene but also Catholique men warranted that they be no traitors nor hould assertions treasonable false or vndutiful in answering or beleeuing that for Heresie or such like notorious wickednes a Prince otherwise lauful and annointed may be excommunicated deposed forsaken or resisted by the warrant of holie Churches iudgement and Censure Whervnto we wil adde onelie the sentence of Gregorie the great and first of that name whom the aduersaries confesse to haue bene both learned and holie who being as
shal be said in the next chapter and others folowing The Libellers importunate insolency inforcing vs therunto like as the Ciuil Magistrats most captious and bloody conceipts coÌ„strained some of our blessed brethern before their martirdomes to speake more therof then otherwise they desired though nothing so much as by warrant of Gods word and holy writ they might haue done THAT IT IS MVCH TO THE BENEFITE AND STABILITIE OF COMMON vvealthes and speciallie of Kinges scepters that the difference betvvixt them and their people for Religion or anie other cause for vvhich they may seeme to deserue depriuation may rather be decided by the supreme Pastor of the Church as Catholiques vvould haue it then by popular mutinie and phantasie of priuate men as Heretikes desire and practize CAP. VI. THE Libeller once or twice in his discours seditiouslie calleth vpoâ— the Monarches and Princes of the world warning theÌ„ of the doubtful and seruile state they be in whiles the Popes may be suffred to make and vnmake kinges and Princes at their pleasure The seditious sleight of the Libeller and to licence their subiectes to resist them And the man perchance might haue his tale heard if he spake to the simple sort or to such Kinges as feared nether God nor man nor sought otherwise not anie longer to vphould their estates but by desperate force and practize and for their owne time without regard of their posterity But speaking to them whos wisdomes susteine the world whos Crounes are worne Swordes are borne for Christ his spouse whos glorious Auncestors partlie first rose partlie were established and them-selues yet safelie stand and happilie florish which our Lord God long coÌ„tinue by the benediction of the Sea Apostolique and good intelligence correspondece with the high Bishops of the same good audience hardly can they looke for Th' example of some other Princes Protestants about â—hem forsaking the felowship of the Catholique and Apostolique sea and speciallie of king HeÌ„rie th' eight â—â—rst his sonne and daughter after him in EnglaÌ„d 〈◊〉 man a child and a woman not onely seuering them â—elues from the same but annexing to their regalitie â—y strange lawes al Apostolical and Papal power spiâ—itual with infinite emolumentes made by confiscatioÌ„ of al religious mens landes and goods in the whole Realme which was the beginning of that new Ecclesiastical regiment thes thinges being of greater â—emptation then the Libellers bare wordes could â—et neuer moue th'Emperour nor either of the great Monarches nor anie other king of wise counsel in the world to breake with Gods Church and the cheefe Pastors therof Knowing by the recordes of al ages siâ—hence Christ that what Princes or PoteÌ„tates soeuer haue formallie opposed theÌ„ selues to Christes Vicar and refused to communicate with him in the faith and felowship of the Catholique Church were euer in them selues or their posteritie confounded and their kingdomes ouerthrowen or brought to miserable seruitude of Turke or other heathen Tirant It is not the good fortune of a few yeares felicitie that moueth the graue and sage gouernours of the world though the Libeller to make fooles faine The vvise considerations of Catholique Princes vrgeth their good lucke in England much since their breach with Gods Church but they wil looke farther about them and see the euents of thes strange attempts in vs and the iudgements of God for the same not onelie til th' end of K. Henrie th' eight his race who was Radix peccati but afterwarde if our Lord deferre his sentence so long to some new generations to come Ouer which as vpon the Prince and state present of our Countrie we humblie on our knees with continual teares desire God to haue mercie and to auert his indignation from them and vs that the Princes and people of the world may rather be edified by th' example of our conuersion and returne to Gods Church then be instructed by the sight of our punishment and confusion But now for the coÌ„ceipt that this good man would driue into mens heades that no state should be in safetie if the Pope might depriue the Prince at his pleasure it is a bugge fit onelie to feare babes Al wise men in the world that ether see the present times The Popes authoritie touching Princes regalities or looke backe into the ages past knowe that the Pope neither chalengeth nor vsurpeth nor vseth anie such authoritie at his pleasure to depose or exalt whom he list And al learned deuines confesse that he hath not anie direct or immediate iurisdictioÌ„ or superioritie ouer the temporalities Ciuil states or regalities of secular Princes or Magistrates and therfore can not dispose of their kingdomes nor actions alter nor abrogate their lawes as he daylie doth and may doe at his good pleasure of Prelates Bishops and Priests affaires vpon whom he hath direct power and iurisdiction but that he may onely intermedle indirectlie with temporal Princes as he is the Cheefe officer vnder Christ and hath charge of their soules and therbie hath to looke whether their regimentes tend anie way to the iniurie of the Church and true Religion or to their owne and their subiects damnation as in case of Schisme Heresie Apostasie Idolatrie Sacriledge and other intollerable defectes in gouernmeÌ„t for which he being their Bishop is bound to admonish them sondrie times with al lenitie if that serue not to excommunicate them and if they contemne that and the Churches discipline and authoritie then be they esteemed as heathens and vnworthie of superioritie ouer Gods people This is not to depose Kinges at his pleasure nor is cause sufficient why anie iust and Christian Prince should stand in doubt of the Popes censures onelie such as be Heretiques or intend to shake of the yoke of Christ and their faith in him VVhat Princes only feare the Pope haue cause in their conscience to doubt both the Churches discipline the plagues of God which wil not faile them how so euer by humane force and violence they protect them selues for a time from his Ministers sentence sweet corrections Al iust and Catholique Kinges are so far from doubting or misliking Gods ordinance and the practize of the sea Apostolique herein that they perceiue it most necessarie for the stabilitie of their kingdomes and the continuaunce of their posteritie in the glorie therof that for their regiment in faith and life they stand in some reuereÌ„d awe of their cheefe Pastors which is a necessarie and honorable bridle of Princes in their youth and al the dayes of their life to stay them from dangerous disorders and so to temper them in ther gouernmeÌ„t that they may raigne loÌ„g and happilie ouer their people wher otherwise they might fal into infinite calamities and be ether forsaken deposed or shamefullie destroyed by their owne subiects whether they be depriued by holie Churches censure or no. Nether doth anie godlie Christian Prince at this day as we thinke wishe their Empire ether
in them selues their children or posteritie to dure anie longer then they continue in the Catholique faith and the communion of the Sea and Church Apostolique nor would suffer anie of their name or blood to reigne after them that were like to be Heretiques but rather would disinherite or execute them with their owne handes then feare or expect their deposition by the Pope Therfore though with such as feele their owne fault it soundeth euil to heare of the Authoritie and vsage of Gods Church in censuring kinges yet it troubleth not anie iust and lauful Prince especiallie when by their wisdome experience they may perceiue that Princes aboue al other both good and euil be subiect to humane casualties and may fal and loose their kingdomes by an hundreth accidents of mutinies and rebellions of their subiects or by external or domestical warres of Competitours or enimyes to al which The great cōmodities vvhich grovv to al kingdomes by the Popes high authoritie the Popes highe authoritie and interest giueth great stay and moderation in deciding the controuersies of titles and causes of ciuil or forraine warres and by his manifould endeuours of Pacification and composition wherof al the kinges and states Christian haue at sondrie times of their distresses receiued singular profit as appeareth in the histories of the warres betwixt our nation Fraunce and Scotland and in our owne Ciuil tumultes which haue bene often appeased by the mediation of the Pope both parties deferring to him as to the high Priest and general Arbiter of Christian Princes and people being to al indifferent without al partialitie the decision of thos thinges which otherwise could not by lawes nor by armes without-lamentable destruction and much blood be determined Wherebie Princes of lesse power iniuried by the greater and mightier haue euer found succour and redresse and iust kinges distressed by their rebellious subiectes haue had singular assistance As we may see in the stories both of our owne Countrie wher the Popes haue sent diuers Legates to the Barons being vp against their lauful Soueraignes to admonish them to lay doune their armes and when they would not excommunicated them by which meanes manie a king with vs hath kept his Croune which otherwise had bene depriued by tumultuous and popular sedition and no lesse in th'examples of other nations and that in our owne memories hauing experience of diuers blessed Popes diligence in aiding the two great Monarches aswel by the powers temporal which God hath giuen them as by ecclesiastical Censures against their rebels and large spiritual graces benedictions bestowed vpon al that would faithfullie adioine to the repression of the seditious subiects and the preseruation of the Soueraigne The Apostolique Bishop is not an enimie to superioritie and domination The Bishoplike authoritie no enimie to Princes which he knoweth best to be of God as his owne high estate is but a spiritual and most louing Parent and common Father of al Christians and speciallie of Princes He seeketh not their depositions nor mainteineth reuoultes from them no not thē when to his infinite greefe he is forced sometimes though meruelous seldome to giue sentence for the people subiects against the Prince but vseth needful discipline towards them for their saluation Let the graue and wise men of al nations consider with vs whether Princes be in more danger of their state by the lauful Pastors of their soules that iudge by Gods spirit by counsel deliberation order and authoritie without malice hatred or partialitie or by Heretiques seditious and rebellious persons that deale by erroneous conscience phantasie and furie The Protestantes plainlie hould in al their writings and schooles and so practize in the sight of al the world that Princes may for tirannie or Religion be resisted depriued We and al Catholiques likewise affirme that for Heresie and some other great enormities they may be excommunicated and further censured But the Protestants would haue them selues the subiects to rebel and throwe doune their superiors on their owne head and wilfulnes and them selues to be iudges of their Soueraignes desertes and Religion Now we demaund of the Libeller that giueth Princes so frendlie warning of their dangerous estates A resonable demaūd to the Libeller if Popes may vse such authoritie ouer Princes whether the Kinges of Christendome whom their owne sect-maisters confesse may be deposed stand not in far greater hazard of their dominions and persons by the brutish and seditious people armed alwaies with furie and often also as at this present with Heresie then they are of Popes It was not the Pope that gaue licēce or encouragement to the subiects of Scotlād to take armes against their natural liege and Q. to emprison her and to cause her by feare of death to resigne her Croune It is not the Pope that embouldened them barbarouslie to restraine their noble yong King and so often to rebel against him though nether they for his Religion haue anie reason to depriue him nor the Popes Holines otherwise then for the iustice of his quarel against his rebels anie cause to defend him It was not the Pope that licensed the subiects of the king Catholique to fight so long and obstinatlie against their Lord and maister nor that encouraged them to depriue him of his soueraigntie and ancient inheritance It was not the Pope that hath hazarded three mightie Kinges his most Christian Maiesty that now is and his two crouned brethrē before him of their States and bereaued them of manie great partes and cities of their kingdome or that went about to depriue them euen in the time of their innocencie and yong years Popes vse to defend innocents not to destroye them in their nonage or to abuse their minoritie And such is otherwise the manifould hazard of kinges by rebellions that in our owne Countrie The danger of Princes by rebelliō the Child hath deposed his Father the Vncle his Nephew the Wife her owne Husband most commonlie the worse and more wicked the more godlie and innocent And we maruel much this Libeller that would seeme to be such a Statesman and a Counseller to forreine kinges could find no danger to them and their countries sauing of the Popes power ouer them which in verie truth by Christs special prouidence is the greatest protection guarde and stay that innocent Princes and their people can haue the awe and reuerend respect of his holie authoritie keeping thousandes from rebellion and intrusion and a number of iust Princes in their empires which els had bene in diuers countries ouerthrowen The Protestantes cannot proue by example of al nations times since Christ that anie one hath bene deposed that was not prooued to be a notorious Heretique or euil man On th' other side Rebels and namelie Heretiques by vnlauful meanes The practise of Heretikes depriue commonlie none but innocent iust and holie Princes Vnto whos barbarous crueltie this Libeller would haue their sacred Maiesties
a member the Head therof in his Realme went forward vpon this title and of his owne new Papal authoritie from the Lord of Ireland made and called him self the King therof Which stile was afterward as we take it by due authoritie of the Pope confirmed to Q. Marie So desirous hath bene alwaies the holie Sea of Rome to encrease our Princes with al due honor to enlarge their dominions None of which titles prerogatiues authorities or dignities though receiued onely or principallie by the Popes fauour or gift any one of our kinges of what Religion so euer was yet so wilful to reiect or let goe or yet so nise in Faith as to make scruple of conscience to receaue or retaine as laufullie possessed what so euer they haue obteined that way though vngratful persons acknowledge no benefite therin And not onely large kingdomes so obteined Al Princes contented to receaue hold vse titles of honor and dignitie from the Pope Princes are contented to kepe without scruple but hould also al other titles of honour annexed by his Holines to their Regal dignities vpon what cause soeuer as is to be seene in sondry great and mighty Monarches of Christendome vpon whom diuers high titles haue bene bestowed by the sea Apostolique for their most Christian and Heroical endeuours for the Church and their zeale against Heretiques and Infidels as Catholique in Spaine most Christian in France and such like els wher and in our Country a stile no lesse honourable thē the former that is Defendour of the Faith The stile of Defendour of the faith which stile and title al the Protestants in the world doe knowe that it was giuen by Pope Leo the tenth to K. Henrie th' eight for his defense of the Catholique Romane faith by writing yet exstant vnder his owne hand against Martin Luther And albeit the cause for which it was giuen be now quite altered and the Popes authoritie from which it was receaued extremely impugned yet the right therof coming onely from that authoritie now accompted so vnlauful none of our kings wil leaue or wil renounce the same as indeed we wish they should not for that it notablie putteth them in mind what Church and Faith it is that they are bound to defend and against what kind of men they beare the sword which God hath put into their hand The particuler benefites receaued from this Pope We might adde to this the singular and incomparable fauors and daylie benefits done by his Holines that now is to our nation aboue al his predecessors assuredly excepting S. Gregorie the great our first Apostle Who 's diuine grace and example of Charitie he so zealouslie doth imitate towards vs not onelie for the saluation of the whole deceiued Countrie but for the particular releefe of manie hundrethes of al sortes ages and sexes that are driuen by violence of cruel persecution into diuers Catholique Prouinces and are forced to leaue their Countrie and what so euer is deare vnto them to learne that Faith in which al their forefathers so honorablie liued and died By which his rare benefits his happie name as Gregories the first must needes be in English memories immortal maugré this ingratful Heresie to which we hope he shal once be the bane The Charitie of Gregorie the first tovvardes Of the said Gregorie the great his more then common loue of our soules we haue besides other Apostolical charitie this grateful example that his Holines receiuing great sommes of monie in thos dayes out of Fraunce hauing intelligence that ther were dispersed through that prouince numbers of English children bought as bōdslaues for doing of al drudgerie for their maisters profit as the state of seruitude required and that they liued ther in thraldome both of bodie and soule vnbaptized the Blessed Father taking deepe compassion of their miserable case speciallie because they were of that Nation which was then nuelie gained by his trauaile vnto Christ he wrote letters to his receiuour in thos partes that he should not make the french money which was ther to be receiued ouer to Rome by exchange but employ it in Fraunce wher it was currant vpon Charitable vses speciallie therwith to deliuer English Children from seruitude and to bring them into Italie by troupes hauing good graue Priestes to ouersee and instruct them in the Faith and if anie dangerous sicknes should fal to anie of them in the way to baptize them So as he did not onelie procure our peoples saluation at home by sending in diuers learned men to preach and teach the Gospel vnder the conduction of holie S. Augustine our Apostle but also by education abrod of great numbers of our Nation to his great charges temporal So did this renouned Pope and Doctor for our Countrie to bring it from Paganisme to Christ and through God preuayled and deserueth for the same immortal glorie both in heauen and earth And no lesse trulie doth Gregorie the thirtenth for reconciling our countrie from Heresie deserue both bringing vp abrode great numbers of the Nation at his owne charges in Godlie discipline and the same Faith that the foresaid S. Gregorie his Patrone and predecessor first caused to be taught to our forefathers and also disposeth of manie fit persons endued with zeale and spiritual power to returne in peaceable humble and Apostolique maner to their Countrie ther to teach the dec ued to reconcile thē by spiritual power Preistlie functiō to the vnity of Gods Church againe out of which they are most sure to perish and not by raising rebellion or tumultes as this Libeller most falselie pretendeth Which holie function for that they haue done by Gods great grace and goodnes with farre more frute and encrease of the Catholique religion and notorious domage of Heresie The frute of Preestes labours in England then Protestantes feared at the beginning therfore haue they subtellie and falselie turned al thes heroical endeuors of his Holines good offices of Gods Priestes into matters of State and Treason and would make al Princes and people abrode beleeue that are not acquainted as necessitie hath driuen vs to be with the practize of the first Apostles and Fathers of the primitiue Church atchiuing the conuersion of manie cities countries in no other sort then our brethren most godlilie and dutifullie doe attempt in our nation that al our preaching perswading praying offering sacrifice hearing confessions absoluing reconciling hauing of beades crosses images and the like were seditious rebellious traiterous and plaine conspiracie against the Q. Maiesty and the Realme The great malice and ingratitude of England tovvardes this Pope Yea they would so farre if they could abuse the patience and simplicitie of Christian people both of their owne Countrie and others that they would haue them thinke our holie and highe Pastor to haue erected the two Seminaries and other commodities of learning and godlie education for our countrie-men vpon no other
as we read in the first of the Machabies of the Priestes infortunate fight against the heathen yet to make this a general rule as this Libeller doth that the Pope may no wayes vse the sword for defence of iustice or religion is most false and absurd The true vvay vvhich the Libeller should haue vsed for improuing the Popes actions in Ireland The true way of defence for English protestantes in this case touching the warres of Ireland and for impugnation of the Pope concerning his allowing or assisting the same should be in mine opinion not to affirme absolutelie as our fond most ignorant Libeller doth that the Pope may no way fight or take armes at al for that is against a knowen truth and not onely we but al Catholiques in the world wil therin stand against him but rather for condemnation of his Holines actiōs to proue that his cause was not iust her Maiesty not to stand rightelie excommunicate not any way to be an Heretique as Pius Quintus declared and consequentlie her subiectes in no case to remaine absolued from their othe and obedience of which pointes we may not at al dispute seing our defence is onlie general that the Pope may in some cases excōmunicate for some causes depriue and in many respectes fight and wage warre for Religion And it may be thought that the Protestants would neuer denie this but in regard of their owne particuler interest in some priuate case only For they wil not affirme neither doth it displease them as we thinke that Pius Quintus the last Pope was an Author of the late league and warres against the Turke The Popes vvarre against the Turke and had also his Captaines and banners displayed in that renouned battail against him by the same Against whos armes the Turke notwithstanding might as wel haue alleaged the Scriptures as now our Protestantes doe to make him put vp his sword For in truth if it be lauful for him to occupie his forces which God hath giuen him against the heathen that be no way vnder his iurisdiction much more may he employ them against thes whom he accompteth as Rebels to the Church which be properlie vnder his correction first in respect of their soules and then secondarilie of their tēporal goodes so farre as is requisite to their soules good Al which is most true euen in consideration of his Priestlie and Apostolical function onelie as is plane in Phinees whos priesthood was established vpon his zealous pursuing the enimies of God to death with his owne hand But further marking that the high Priestes of Godes people haue bene lightlie in al ages temporal Princes also and iudges of the world not onlie in spiritual but in worldlie affaires too ther can no doubt remaine but they may vse their forces temporal to the maintenance of iustice Gen. 14. Hebr. 7. Melchisedech the samplare of our new preisthood was both a Priest and a King and alwaies in the lawe of nature the eldest of the principal stockes were both Kinges and high Preistes In quaest Hebrai Priestes may make vvarres for iust occasiōs as S. Hierome witnesseth So is it plane that Noe Abraham Isaac Iacob and the like had the rule spiritual and temporal ouer their families and people And so likewise in the lawe Moyses was both the highe temporal officer and also a cheefe Preist Hely iudged not onelie in temporal but spiritual causes fortie yeares together Finallie the Machabees Iudas Ionathas Simeon and others were both godlie high Preistes wise iudges in politique and valiant captaines in martial affaires Euen so the cheefe Bishops of Christes Church our supreme Bastors in earth by Gods prouidence and by the grauntes of our first most christian Emperours and kinges and by the humble and zelous deuotion of the faithful Princes and people afterward haue their temporal states dominions and patrimonies wherby they most iustlie hould and possesse the same and are therby lauful Princes temporal and may most rightfullie by their soueraintie make warres in their owne or other mens iust quarel as occasion shal vrge them therunto The Popes temporal iurisdiction most lavvful and firme And whatsoeuer the enimies of Gods Church and Sea Apostolique doe barke or blaspheme against the Popes high preeminence in thes thinges as they doe no lesse in deed against al spiritual Soueraintie their is no King nor man in Christendome that hath better title to his state or so manie yeares of prescription for rightful possession or so long and sure protection frō God in such infinite mutabilitie of states and kingdomes or such great likelihood of cōstancy and continuance as hath the temporal state of the Sea Apostolique For as for the spiritual function and power therof it shal not faile til the day of iudgemēt though to vse S. Augustines wordes Heretiques neuer cease to bay and barke on euerie hand round about it Li. de vtil credendi And as thes humane succours of temporal thinges be often necessarie for the Churches peaceable regiment and the dooble honor due to the cheefe Pastors of our soules so the free gift of such thinges by deuout Princes and people is maruelouslie commended in the example of Barnabas and others who of deuotion sould their landes goodes and dedicated the price therof to Gods Church by the disposition of the Apostles humblie laying the same doune at their feete As on the other side the prophane persons that disdaine such honours and liuelihoodes of the Church and seeke to defraud her of the same may be warned by the terrible death of Ananias and Saphira which they suffred by S. Peters word for their like sacrilegious fact conceipt For if thes were thought worthie to be thus excommunicated seing it was an excommunication according to S. Augustines iudgemēt and withal were so extremlie punished corporallie Lib. 3. ca. 1. cont Parmeni for witholding vpon pretence perhaps of a litle better consideration of their necessitie to come a peece onely of that which they promised to God before in the Churches behalf and yet was not actuallie bestowed How much more doe they deserue excommunication and death or rather damnation perpetual that endeuour to spoile the Mother and Mistres of al Churches in the world of her prerogatiue and patrimonie and sacrilegiouslie to robbe her not of some part of their owne giftes but of al that by the deuotiō of others the first and most faithful Princes hath bene for the honour of Christ and his cheefe Apostle with great alacrity and good wil bestowed that way The which almes and patrimony dispensed by the godly prudence and charitie of the Apostolique Bishops redoundeth more to the auaile of Gods Church and the poore therof to Christes honour and to the benefite of al Christianitie be it spoken without comparison to the honour of God alone thē anie temporal Princes patrimony liuīg though many of their worldly habilities be farre greater thē any Popes are or