fortissimae vestrae clementiae principatus virtutis quidem conatibus Rempublicam Christianam tuetur et restaurat in melius c. 4ly That this Universal Synod of Constantinople in their 10 Action caused Justinians Book against Hereticks to be publikely read as of far greater Authority then any of the Fathers there alleged Item relectum est in eodem Codicillo testimonium Iustiniani piissimi Imperatoris er libro contra Nestorianos et Acephalos Item relectum est ex eodem Codicillo testimonium eiusdem sanctae memoriae Iustiniani ex dogmatica Epistola ad Zoilum sanctissimum Patriarcham Alexandriae Quae duo testimonia collata sint similiter ad librum membranaceum qui est de bibliot hec a venerabilis hujus Patriarchae 5ly That Actio 14. the whole Council stiled him 4. or 5. times one after another Iustinianus quondam divinae et divae memoriae Imperator and his Empresse as often Theodora Divae memoriae in their examination of the forgeries inserted by some Hereticks into the Acts of this Council held under him 6ly That in their acclamations to Constantin they give him this Title as a badge of his greatest honour orthodoxy and piety Novo Iustiniano aeterna memoria which they oft repeated in several Letters 7ly That Actio 18 this whole 6th General Council in their Sermo acclamatorius to the Emperor Constantine there publiquely read gave this Encomium of him Post haec Justiniano piissimo c. And Canon 1. stile him Justinianus piae memoriae 8ly That Actio 18. the Emperor Constantine himself stiles him Justinianus Divinae memoriae in his Edict ratifying this Council 9ly That Mansuetus Bishop of Millain and the whole Synod of Bishops under him in their Epistle and Confession of faith sent to the Emperor Constantine and this General Council after their commendation of Constantine Theodosius magnus and Martianus praestantissimi Christianae religionis amatores who summoned the Councils of Nice Constantinople Ephesus and Chalcâ—don give this Character of Justinian Demptis his omnibus deincâ—ps Christianissimo Iustiniano Imp cuius cum nomine et opera micuerunt existentibus quibusdam qui sanctam Chalcedonensem Synoâ—um sub naevo offensionis rejicere inconsideratis vacibus jactitabant tunc a praefato Principe iterato in regia urbe Constantinop Concilio congregati sunt 160. reverendi Patres c. sanctam immaculatam orthodoxam fidem viventibâ—s sententiis roborantes firmissimam adsertionem confirmaverunt If this whole General Council together with the Synods of Rome Millain the Emperor Constantine Pope Agatho himself and other godly Bishops gave these high Encomiums of Justinians transcendent piety orthodoxy constancy learning and knowledge within an 120. years after his decease How impudent impious injurious is Cardinal Baronius above one thousand years after to slander him for an Heretical in pious flagitious illiterat damned miscreant 10ly Pope Gregory the 1. oft stiles him Justinus piae memoriae for vertue and piety renowned and to be held in veneration by all Nations 11ly Aimonius gives Justinian this testimony Justinian was a man Fide Catholicus pietate insignis aequitatis cultor Egregius therefore all things prospered under his hand Otto Frisingensis calls him Christianissimum ac piissimum Principem qui Imperium quasi mortuum resuscitavit c. as well as the Church Gothofriâ—us Viterbiensis terms him Christianissimum Principum The whole glory of God was repaired by his vertue and peace established in the Church which remained in that stable peace which under him it enjoyed Wernerus records He was in all things most excellent for in him did concurr three things which make a Prince glorious to wit Power by which he overcame his Enemies Wisdom by which he governed the world by just Lawes and a Religious mind to Gods worship by which he glorified God and beautified Churches Tritemius assures us He was deservedly reckoned among Eccleâ—â—astical writers he expresly mentioning 3. Books which he writ in defence of the Orthodox faith against Eutiches and one against the African Bishops With whom Possevine the Jesuite concurres Adding Justinian the Emperor a religious man sent to the See Apostolick or Pope John the 3d. the Profession of his faith scriptum chirographo proprio written with his own hand testifying his great love to and care for the Christian Religion 12ly Liberatus who lived under Iustinian and was no well-wisher to him records That he writ a Book against the Acephali and Eutichian Hereticks in defence of the Council of Chalcedon Therfore Baronius his passages that he was altogether illiterate and unable so much as to read must needs be malicious forgeries 13ly Suidas stiles him A most Catholick and Orthodoxal Emperor Paulus Diaconus relates That he governed the Empire felici sorte and was a Prince for his faith Catholick in his actions upright in his judgements just therefore all things concurred to his good 14ly Sebastianus Munster registers of him He was a just and upright man ingenious in finding out matters atque haeresium maximus hostis Yea Platina gives him this testimony Iustinus his next successor was Nulla in re similis Iustiniano for he was wicked covetous ravenous a contemner both of God and man 15ly Procopius gives him this Encomium That Justinian seemed to have been ordained to the Imperial dignity by God that he might repair the whole Empire and likewise the Church of God For he built the most magnificent Church Sophia in Constantinople comparable to Solomons Temple the mirrour of all ages with 37. Stately Churches in Constantinople Antioch Ierusalem and other great Cities besides many Abbies Churches Hospitals so that Nulla satietas honorandi Deum eum cepit as Procopius relates asserts And Evagrius who being an Eutichian was most despitefull to him gives him this testimony That it is reported he restored a-new one hundred and fifty Cities either totally overthrown or utterly decayed and that he so beautified them with great Ornaments publike and private houses goodly walls sumptuous buildings and Churches ut nihil esse posset magnificentius Which yet were nothing comparable to his most wholesom Imperial Lawes abridged corrected supplied by his learned care and diligence whereby he governed both the Empire and Church 16ly His memory was so famous for Piety Zeal Iustice Wisdome Government Vertues That all the people annually celebrated the memory of Justinian with great Pomp solemnity and panegyrick Orations to his honor both in the Church of Sophia in Constantinople and in the Church of St. Iohn at Ephesus which he built And although Baronius out of malice place him in hell yet Pope Agatho and his whole Roman Council rank him among the glorious and blessed Saints in heaven St. Constantine Theodosius and Martian saying That he is a blessed Saint venerable in all ages and this Pope with the whole 6. General Council as Nicephorus records Iustinianum
him unto the Israelites his peculiar people the Supreme Paternal Regal Magistratical together with that now stiled Spiritual Pontifical Ecclesiastical Authority or Jurisdiction both in and over the Family State Church Militant was by Divine and Natural Right vested united in one person not divers to wit First in Adam himself but after his decease in the First-born unlesse disinherited by God for some crime or cause or in the Patriarch or Master of the Family Tribe who was both King and Priest having the Priesthood annexed to his Paternal or Regal Office not these to his Priestship _â—O evidence the truth of this Proposition so far as the light of Scripture or Nature in the first remote obscure age of the world have revealed it for the Readers satisfaction I find it generally acknowledged by all or most Divines and Christian Authors who have written of the Church or the Original of Republikes Jurisdictions or Chronologies 1. That as God the Original of all power at the very Creation gave Adam a Soveraign Dominion over the fish of the sea over the foul of the ayr and over all the earth the cattle and every creeping thing therin to which he gave their several names as a badge of his Soveraignty over them by Gods own direction So he likewise ordained him as well after as before his fall to be both a King and Priest over the little world his family posterity issuing from him during his life not only to govern correct them when they transgressed but to offer sacrifices prayers to God for and instruct them in his Worship Laws fear Hence Cedren makes Adam the first KING Governor and that with reason enough as Mr. Selden notes because he governed and commanded all mankind as long as he lived who by the Law of Nature and Fifth Commandement are enjoyned To honor and obey their Father in the flesh and he not only obliged to provide for protect defend and correct as a Father but likewise to * instruct and educate them in the fear and admonition of the Lord as a Priest Now Adam being a King and Lord not only over all Creatures but Eve his wife before he was a Father and over his Posterity by his Paternal right before they were capable of instruction And the Title of King being alwaies prefixed before that of Priest as most honourable and first in order when ever mentioned and meeting together in one person as in Melchisedec Christ Others who were both Kings and Priests and the High Priests alwayes inferiour subordinate to the Chief Civil Governors and Kings of Judah and in Heathen Nations It thence most clearly follows that the Priesthood and Spiritual Jurisdiction in Adam was at first united and subordinate to his Kingly Soveraign Magistratical Office and Authority and so continued whiles residing in one person from the Creation till the Law given in mount Sinâ—i 2ly That Cain Adams first-born having forfeited his birthright and life too by the murther of his Brother Abel and thereby Seth becomming his first-born when Adam deceased his Kingship and Priesthood descended first to Seth and after him successively to the Patriarchs who were not only the Princes and Chief Governers of their Families Tribes to rule protect and correct them when they offended but likewise their Priests to erect Altars and Houses to God for his publique worship to offer Sacrifices prayers vows to God for them to blesse them in his Name to teach them his Lawes Fear and the Covenants made by God to them and their seed and commanded them to put away their strange gods and idols as Jacob did All which is evident by the examples of Noah Gen. 8. 20 21. c. 9. 25 26 27. Abraham Gen. 12. 7. c. 13. 4 18. c. 17. 1 2 8 c. 23 to 27. c. 18. 19 23 c. c. 20. 7. 17. c. 21. 23. c. 22. c. Melchisedec both King of Salem and Priest of the most High God Gen. 14. 18 19. Heb. 7. 1. Isaac Gen. 26. 23 24 25. â— 27. 21 28 to 41. of Jacob Gen. 28. 8. to the end c. 31. 54. c. 32. 9 to 13. c. 33. 20. c. 35. 1. to 16. c. 43. 14. c. 46. 1. c. 47. 7. 10. c. 48. 3. to the end c. 49. 1. to 33. Heb. 11. 21. and affirmed by St. Jerom the Ordinary Glosse with most other Commentators on these Texts Alexander Alensis and other Schoolmen Bishop Jewel Dr. Field Jacobus Bouldoc De Ecclesia a Mundi principio usque ad Mosen Salianus in his Annales Ecclesiasticae and other Annalists in the times before the Law 3ly Upon this account after the Law given and Priesthood vested in Aaron and the Tribe of Levi the firstborn though they lost this priviledge of exercising the Priests Office as before yet they were still the Lords to redeem themselves with an oblation of five shekels by the poll for their exemption from the Priesthood because God had taken the Levites from among the Israelites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel which redemption was given to Aaron and his Sonnes who officiated in their steads 4ly That upon this original right priviledge of Primogeniture Christ himself as Gods firstborn was not only made Higher then the Kings of the Earth King of Kings Lord of Lords but likewise Head over all the Church that in all things he might have the Preeminence And had like the First-born before the Law the Supream Priestly Office and Power united to his Kingly Yea in some sence Christ hath fully restored this antient Right to all who are spiritually Gods First-born and the First-fruits of his Creatures as the Gospel stileth them having the First-fruits of the Spirit growing in them whom he hath MADE KINGS AND PRIESTS UNTO GOD HIS FATHER as the Marginal Texts resolve 5ly That the very Gentiles and Pagan Nations by the Law and Light of Nature vested the Supream Ecclesiastical Authority and oft times the Priesthood it self in their Kings and chief Temporal Magistrates who erected consecrated Temples Altars Groves constituted by their particular Lawes the several Orders Offices of Priests the Number Worship Services of their Gods and the Sacrifices Ceremonies and whole manner of their Worship To instance in some particulars Fanus the antientest of the Kings in Italy was the first who brought in thither the form of Religion He cousecrated Groves erected Temples from whom they were called Fana ordained Priests and Sacrifices Evander his next Successor introduced many other Ceremonies in the Worship of the Gods Anius as Virgil relates was at once REX IDEM HOMINUM PHAEBIQUE SACERDOS After Rome was built Romulus the first King thereof and Numa Pompilius who succeeded him made several Lawes concerning the whole Worship Service Holy-dayes Ceremonies of their Gods instituted their distinct Orders of Priests as highest Priest
chief Priests and lesser Priests Vestals Salii distinguishing and limiting all their respective Offices Jurisdictions habits by special Laws recorded by Dionysius Halicarnasseus Plutarch Livy and others Yea Godwin observes That it was A CUSTOME among the Graecians as likewise afterwards among the Romans THAT THEIR KINGS SHOULD PERFORM AS WELL THE CEREMONIES AND HOLY RITES OF RELIGION as Civil businesses being BOTH KINGS AND PRIESTS till Numa perceiving that foreign wars did often occasion the Kings absence whereby the service of the Gods was neglected thereupon ordained several Orders of Priests as their Vicars generals or Curates to discharge their priestly function Yet after this institution their Consuls Censors and some of their Pagan Emperors as Tiberius Veâ—â—atian Trajan were created PONTIFEX MAXIMUS their Highest Priest or POPE and managed the Supream Civil and Pontifical affairs and that by election of the Senate and the people only without the Priests as Alexander ab Alexandro and the Roman Histories record I shall close this Chapter with that of the Roman Historian PRINCIPIO RERUM GENTIUMque IMPERIUM PENES REGES ERAT populus nullis legibus tenebatur arbitria Principum pro legibus erant and that as well in all Sacred Religious as Civil and Military affairs BOOK I. CHAP. II. 2. My Second Proposition is That God after the Israelites deliverance from the Egyptian bondage when he first new modelled them into a Commonwealth and afterwards into a Kingdom setled their State and Church government and divided the Priesthood from the Supream Civil Magistracy and Kingship vesting the one in Moses Josuah David Solomon and their Royal Successors the other in Aaron his Sons and the Tribe of Levi did even then leave the Soveraign Ecclesiastical Power and Jurisdiction over all persons and causes still annexed to and residing in the Supream Civil Magistratical Office and Officers transferring only the Ministerial Priestly Offices to the Priests not the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction being not different in kind from but the very same with the Civil varyed only by the Object not Subject of it THis I shall evidence as clear as the noon-day Sunne 1. By Ten memorable particulars recorded in Sacred History concerning Moses the first Supream Temporal Governor in the Israelites Commonwealth demonstrating his Soveraign Jurisdiction in all Sacred Religious Church affairs 1. God himself by the Ministry of Moses not Aaron instituted described celebrated the feast and Sacrament of the Passeover and sanctified all the firstborn of the children of Israel unto God and was to Aaron INSTEAD OF GOD Exod. 4. 16. 2ly Moses not Aaron penned and prescribed that memorable Song of Praise which all the Israelites sang unto the Lord immediately after their deliverance out of Egypt and drowning of the Egyptians â—n the Red Sea 3dly Moses not Aaron gave them instructions concerning the gathering and for reserving of an Omer of Manna to be kept before the Lord as a Type of Christ the true Manna 4ly God himself immediately appeared unto Moses in Mount Sinai and by his Mouth and Ministry alone not Aarons delivered the first Covenant and the Moral Ceremonial and Iudicial Law unto his people Israel the only rule of their Worship Obedience Government Sacred and Civil 5ly That when Moses Aaron Nadab Abihu and seventy of the Elders were afterwards called up into Mount Sinai by God Moses alone was called to come near to God and Aaron left behind That Moses alone wrote all the words of the Lord built an Altar for the 12 Tribes of Israel read the Book of the Covenant to them sprinkled the blood of the Covenant both on the Altar Book all the people received the Tables of stone and Law written therein by God himself and the pattern of the Tabernacle Mercy-seat Altar and all the furniture and utensils thereof the garments of Aaron and the Priests the manner and ceremonies of their respective Consecrations and all the oblations sacrifices and parts of Gods worship to be therein performed both by the Priests and people from God Hence it is specially recorded both in the Old Testament and New That these precepts concerning the Sanctuary of God Let them make me a Sanctuary that I may dwell amongst them according to all that I shew thee after the pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of the instruments thereof even so shall ye make it And look that thou make them after the pattern which was shewed thee in the Mount were given only to Moses the Chief Temporal Magistrate Not to Aaron nor the Priests or Levites who alone directed all things to be made accordingly And when all the work of the Tabernacle with the Curtains and the Priests Garments were finished by the Workmen Moses not Aaron survayed and looked upon all the work and behold they had done it as the Lord commanded even so had they done it and Moses not Aaron blessed them 6ly After all the work was thus finished Moses not Aaron was particularly commanded to rear up the Tabernacle with all its furniture and to anoint and consecrate them unto God 7ly Which is most observable Aaron and his Sonnes did not anoint Moses to be the Supream Civil Magistrate but on the contrary God by Moses not only prescribed all the spiritual Offices duties qualifications vestments wives marriages maintenance and appurtenances belonging to Aaron and his sons but also specially designed and commanded Moses to anoint and consecrate them to their Priesthood recorded in these words Exod. 40. 12 to 17. And the Lord spake unto Moses saying THOV shalt bring Aaron and his sonnes to the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and wash them with water and THOU shalt put upon Aaron the holy Garments and anoint him and sanctifie him that he may Minister unto me in the Priests Office And Thou shalt bring his Sonnes and cloath them with coats and Thou shalt anoint them as Thou didst their Father that they may Minister unto me in the Priests Office For their anointing shall surely be an everlasting Priesthood throughout their generations Thus did Moses according to all that the Lord commanded him so did he So Moses finished the Work without Aarons or his Sonnes assistance Never did Aaron nor his Sons consecrate or anoint any part of the Tabernacle Ark or utensils thereof their own garments oyntment nor any one High Priest or Levite of their Tribe but Moses the Supreame Temporal Magistrate only by Gods own special command whose consecration alone for ever sanctified all their Successors to the High Priests and Priests respective offices which I desire all Popes and Romish Prelates who now appropriate all consecrations whatsoever of persons or things to themselves alone by a pretended Divine right excluding the Civil Magistrate seriously to consider and from thence argue a superiority over Kings Emperors as well as Priests and exact Canonical obedience from them 8ly When Aaron the
Lord their God which brought them and their fathers out of the land of Egypt c. Whereupon all the people resolved and answered again and again The Lord our God will we serve and his voice will we obey and they made a statute ordinance and covenant before the Lord to perform it compared with Joshua 22. 11. to 34. 4ly By King Davids manifold exhortations and precepts to his Subjects to this purpose throughout the Psalms especially Psalm 34. 37. O magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together O taste and see that the Lord is good blessed is the man that trusteth in him O fear the Lord ye his Saints Come ye children and hearken unto me I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Depart from evil and do good seek peace and pursue it dwell for evermore c. And by his charge to his son Solomon all his Princes Officers and Congregation of Isrel 1 Chron. 28. 9 10. Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord and in the audience of our God keep and search for all the commandements of the Lord your God that ye may posses this good land and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever And thou Solomon my sonne know thou the God of thy Fathers and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth the imagination of the thoughts if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou shalt forsake him he will cast thee off for ever Seconded with this his publike prayer to God for them 1 Chron. 29. 18 19 20. O Lord God of Abraham Isaac and Israel our Fathers keep this for ever in the thoughts of the heart of thy people and prepare their heart unto thee And give unto Solomon my Son an understanding heart to keep thy commandements thy testimonies and statutes and to do all these things and to build the house for which I have made provision Which ended David said to all the Congregation Now blesse the Lord your God And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers and bowâ—d down their heads and worshipped the Lord and the King 5ly By Ecclesiastes 1. 12 c. 12. 9 10 11. recording that Solomon King of Israel was also a Preacher and taught the people knowledge and that which was upright even words of truth for their everlasting welfare 6ly By 2 Chron. 15. 12. to 19. Where King Asa made the people to enter into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul and that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death whether great or small whether man or woman To omit all other particular examples of this nature already touched From these Texts it is apparent That the primary office duty end of Kings especially Christian is to promote the honour worship service fear love of God true religion eternal salvation of their Subjects souls and suppresse what ever is repugnant thereto 12ly That which was Gods principal end design in creating the World it self redeeming mankind by the bloud of Jesus Christ and the King of Kings giving both the Law and Gospel to men must certainly be Gods chief end design in instituting Kings Princes and Supream Civil Governors the eminentest chiefest of men to be his Viceroyes to rule over men of inferiour rank or quality and the most essential real considerable part of their Regal or Magistratical office duty Now Gods principal end and design in creating the world and men the Lords of all other Creatures redeeming mankind by the bloud of Christ and giving both the Law and Gospel to them was only this that all mankind might worship adore fear honor praise blesse obey love and glorify him according to his word and will whiles they live on earth that Jesus Christ might rule in and reign over them as his kingdom Church Saints and they might reign with and enjoy perpetual felicity in by under him in his heavenly kingdom for all eternity as the Scripture resolves Therefore it must necessarily be Gods chief end design in instituting Kings Princes and Supream Civil Magistrates the eminentest choicest of all men to rule over those of inferiour quality and the most essential real considerable part of their Regal or Magisterial office trust duty upon which Account among others God specially enjoyned the Kings of Israel to have a Copy of the Book of his Law alwayes in their custody and to read therein all the dayes of their lives the better to observe it themselves and to enjoyn all their subjects to observe obey and do nought against it yea God himself with greatest majesty enacted this Royal Law by King Davids own mouth for all Kings Rulers to square their Government by He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God which he can never do without taking special care to maintain promote the true Worship service fear love obedience of God according to his word among all his Subjects for Gods glory and their temporal and eternal felicity as David did 13ly This I shall evidence even from the very light of nature and practice among the Heathen Nations Plato in his Book De Regno asserts That the King hath Universae humanae Societatis curam that Regia cura ut quae principalis in omnes homines ars est consisting not only in this that Rex est humanus Curator but also Divinus Pastor over all his Subjects That the chief care of Religion Worship of the Gods and feeding of the people belongs to Kings they being a kind of Priests Quare in Egypto neque imperare licet Regi absque Sacerdotio Sed si quis ex alio genere per vim Regnum invasit postea tamen necesse est cum hoc genere initiari Quin et in multis locis apud Graecos Summis Magistratibus maxima sacrificia demandata esse quis compererit et sane etiam apud nos non minus clarum est quod dico Ei enim qui Rex sorte creatus est augustissima et maxima patria vetera sacrificia huic attributa esse tradunt Hos itaque sorte creatos Reges simulque Sacerdotes considerare convenit c. Aristotle his Scholar resolves us that in the heroical times Reges provinciam habebant bellorum et sacrorum nisi forte ad Sacerdotes attinerent Postea autem partim quidem ipsis Regibus omittendis partim vero populis recusantibus apud quasdam Civitates sacra solis Regibus relicta sunt Rex autem et Dux belli et Iuder erat rerum divinarum moderator And among the Romans themselves as their Historians and others relate their antient King and after that their Emperors were both Kings and Priests and had the chiefest hand in performing the Rites and Ceremonies of
their power of consecration on Aarons and his Sons but likewise their Papal Monarchy Jurisdiction over other Bishops Ministers and Kings too on Aarons high Priesthood and imaginary Vniversal Supremacy which quite subverts their pretences Aaron the High Priest being inforior to Moses and he greater then Aaron in administration and in instruction and correction of the people though not in consecration wherein they were both equal as Bartholomeus Buxiensis Joannes Thierry and other Canonists in their approved Glosses on Gratian resolve Whereupon to prop up the Popes tottering Supremacy as founded upon Aarons Priestood Pope Anacletus with others of his Successors have bottomed the Popes Soveraign Jurisdiction in Spiritual and Temporal affairs too upon Moses and Aaron joyntly affirming Moses to be a Chief Priest as well as Aaron from Psal 99. 6. Moses and Aaron among HIS PRIESTS Whence they inferr That as Moses and Aaron were the chief among the Priests in the Old Testament So Peter was ordained head of the Apostles and Original of the Apostleship in the New and the Pope as his Successor And as Moses was constituted a God unto Pharoah and judged the people of Israel So the Pope is the God of the Emperor the First Priest the Vicar of Christ the High Priest and the Cardinals assisting him are Priests of the Levitical kinde by whose assistance he Iudgeth all Criminal causes not only Ecclesiastical but likewise Civil and mixt Moses as a Priest being only a Type of the Pope as were Melchisedec and all those that were Kings as well as Priests before the Law given as Alvarus Pelagius and other Pontificians conclude with very great confidence To which I answer 1. That Moses neither before his flight out of Aegypt nor during his absence before his return thither nor whiles he abode there to deliver the Israelites from their bondage nor after their deliverance was ever made or constituted a Priest much less an High Priest by God for ought we read but only Aaron with his sonnes and Levites 2ly Had Moses been an high Priest as well as Aaron as these assert there had then been two high Priests at once and so two Supream heads of the Church not one and so the high Priest could not be a proper Type of Christ the sole high Priest and head of his Church nor of St. Peter or the Pope his pretended Vicar General by divine Right 3ly The Scripture is expresse that Aaron only was the chief Priest not Moses and that there neither was nor ought to be any more high Priests but one at a time Therefore Moses could be no high Priest 4ly Moses in the 99 Psalm and all other Texts where he and Aaron are mentioned is put and named in the first place before Aaron and asserted by Bartholomeus Buxiensis Thierry and other Glossers to be greater then Aaron in two respects in the very Priesthood it self Therefore he not Aaron was the chief high Priest and so all Popes pretences for their Supremacy drawn from Aarons high Priesthood must vanish into smoak The rather because we frequently read in Scripture that Moses not only COMMANDED AARON but likewise stripped him of his garments and girt them on Eleazer his Sonne and successor a little before his death 5ly Psalm 99. doth not evince Moses to be a chief Priest as well as Aaron no more then the rest of the people as is evident by the coherence with verse 5 6. Exalt ye the Lord our God and worship at his foot-stool for he is holy Moses and Aaron among his Priests and Samuel among them that call upon his Name these called upon the Name of the Lord and he heard them this passage relates to Numb 25. 6. when Moses and Aaron and all the Congregation were all weeping and worshipping God together promiscuously intermixed with Phinehas and the other Priests as also in Joel 2. 16 17. So as the sole argument hence is this Moses and Aaron worshipped and called upon the name of the Lord at the door of the Tabernacle mixed promiscuously with the other Priests as Samuel did with the people when they called on Gods name Ergo Moses and by consequence all the people too were high Priests as well as Aaron So that the Popes absolute Soveraign Monarchy as well in Temporal as Civil things being thus grounded on Moses his mistaken Priesthood must needs fall to the ground and be for ever exploded upon the premised considerations and because his Successor no high Priest nor Priest at all enjoyed exercised the Soveraign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction as well as Temporal in the Israelites Church and State 2ly I shall demonstrate this Propositions truth by Joshua who succeeded Moses in the Supream Civil Authority to whom the Israelites not only promised the self same obedience in all Spiritual as well as civil things which they yeelded to Moses but he likewise exercised the same Soveraign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction as Moses had done as these Ten instances irrefragably prove 1. He commanded the people to sanctify themselves to morrow and commanded directed the Priests when to take up and how to carry and dispose of the Ark of the Covenant and declared the words to the people which God himself immediately spake unto him 2. He circumcised all the uncircumcised Israelites with sharp knives and kept the Passeover formerly omitted by special directions given to him from God not to the Priests 3. By Gods special direction He commanded the Priests to compasse Jericho bearing the Ark round about it seven dayes one after another which they obeyed executed without dispute marching seven times round about it the last day 4. He not the Priests Ordained a publike fast sanctified the people when he discovered Gods wrath against them for Achans taking of the accursed thing against his command and examined punished with stoning to death even that which Popes and Canonists stile Sacriledge appropriated by them to their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Tribunals 5ly He built an Altar unto the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal according to the Law of Moses and he not the Priests there writ upon stones a Copy of the Law of Moses and read all the words of the Law of Moses the Blessings and the Curses before all the congregation of Israel with their women little ones and strangers conversant among them there was not a word of all that Moses commanded which he read not unto them and that in presence of the Priests and Levites who there stood on both sides of the Ark and bore it 6ly He and the Princes not Priests descided a case of conscience touching the Oath and Covenant made with the Gibeonites by fraud and circumvention to spare their lives against Gods positive precept and gave sentence against them to be Hewâ—rs of wood and drawers of water for the Altar of the Lord. 7ly The Sunne stood still and the Moon stayed till the
commanding all Judah and Israel to keep a solemn Passeover at Jerusalem on the second Moneth whereupon a great multitude then and there assembling they took away the Idols altars and cast them into the book Kidron and killed the Passeover Whereupon the Priests and Levites being ashamed of their bacwardness in this service sanctifyed themselves brought the burnt offerings into the house of the Lord stood in their places after their manner according to the Law of Moses and sprinkled the bloud 4ly Hezekiah not the Priests publikely prayed to God to pardon those who prepared their hearts to seek God though they were not sanctifyed and prepared according to the purification of the Sanctuary and spake comfortably to the Levites that taught the good Law of the Lord. 5ly This King Appointed the Courses of the Priests Levites after their Courses every man according to his Service appointed the Kings portion for all morning and evening sacrifices for every day Sabbath Feast as it is written in the Law of the Lord and commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the Priests and Levites that they might be encouraged in the Law of the Lord whereupon all the people brought in the First-fruits and Tithes of all things abundantly which Hezekiah commanded to be put in store-houses built by his command over which he appointed Rulers to distribute to every Priest and Levite his portion All undoubted Badges of his Supream Ecclesiastical Authority 7ly King Iosiah by his Regal Jurisdiction 1. Purged Judah and Jerusalem from their high places groves carved Images and molten Images brake down the Altars of Baal and cut down the Images that were above them and brake in pieces the carved and molten Images and stamped them to powder and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed to them and burnt the bones of their Priests upon their Altars and so did he in the Cities of Manasseth Ephraim and Simeon even unto Napthali 2ly He assembled all the Elders of Judah inhabitants of Jerusalem Priests Levites and all the people great and small into the Temple and HE READ in their ears all the Book of the Covenant that was found in the House of the Lord Then the King stood in his place and made a Covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord and to keep his Commandements Testimonies and Statutes with all his heart and with all his soul and caused all there present to stand to the Covenant and Oath 3ly He took away all the abominable things out of all the Countries that pertained to the children of Israel and made all that were found in Israel Priests and people to serve the Lord their God And all his dayes they departed not from serving the Lord God of their Fathers 4ly He assembled the Princes and he kept a most solemn Passeover to the Lord in Jerusalem the 14. day of the first moneth And He set the Priests in their Charges and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord and commanded the Levites that taught all Israel to prepare themselves by the Houses of their Fathers after their courses according to the writing of David King of Israel according to the writing of Solomon his Son said to them stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people and after the division of the families of the Levites So kill the Passeover and sanctifie your selves and prepare your Brethren that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses Whereupon they all prepared performed their respective offices and duties in celebrating the Passeover as this pious King prescribed Lo here no lesse then 7. most renowned pious Kings recorded in Sacred story by divine approbation exercising Supream Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over High Priests Priests and Levites themselves ordering all sacred affairs offerings sacrifices Psalms prayers courses of Priests appertaining to Gods worship building consecrating repairing cleansing the Temple destroying Idolatry with other particulars 5ly From Moses Joshuahs and their presidents I shall observe 1. That they are all specially recorded in sacred Writ for their eternal honors reputations and the example of all other pious Kings under the Gospel 2ly That not one of them was ever taxed by God or the high Priests for invading or usurping their Jurisdictions or Offices for any of their forecited actions injunctions commands over them or exercising these high points of Monarchical and Regal Jurisdiction in and over all Ecclesiastical affairs or the essential ceremonial parts of Gods publike worship Which Popes and Popish Prelates would repute the highest most sacrilegious Encroachment upon their Ecclesiastical Rights and Jurisdictions if now acted by Christian Kings Magistrates Rulers and excommunicate them for it by Bell Book and Candle 3ly That we find no one part of Ecclesiastical power and Jurisdiction in these or any other particulars either exercised or claimed by the high Priest Priests Levites either joyntly or severally all their reigns 4ly There are only Two Kings but no other Magistrate in sacred History reprehended by the high Priest and punished by God for invading the Priests Office and Function and that only in one particular Ministerial not Jurisdictional sacred action peculiar unto Priests by Gods own restriction The first is of King Saul who sending for Samuel to Gilgal to offer Sacrifices and enquire of the Lord for help against the Philistims and he staying seven dayes for him and the people scattering themselves from him thereupon he calling for a burnt offering and peace offering offered the burnt offering to the Lord himself Which he had no sooner done but Samuel came and Saul telling him how he had in this extremity forced himself and offered a burnt offering to the Lord. Samuel thereupon said to Saul Thou hast done very foolishly thou hast not kept the commandement of the Lord thy God which he commanded thee for the Lord had now established the kingdom of Israel upon thee for ever but now thy kingdom shall not continue The second is King Vzziah who being lifted up with pride and prosperity to his destruction transgressed against the Lord his God and went into the Temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the Altar of incense whereupon Azariah the Priest went in after him with fourscore more Priests of the Lord that were valiant man and withstood the King and said unto him It pertaineth not to thee Vzziah to burn incense unto the Lord but to the Priests the Sons of Aaron that are consecrated to burn incense Go out of the Sanctuary for thou hast trespassed neither shall it be for thy honour from the Lord God Then Vzziah was wroth with the Priests and took a censor in his hand to burn incense whereupon the Leprosie rose up in his Forehead before the Priests in the House of the Lord from beside the
from their sins by God upon their sincere repentance and to denounce damnation against them in case they repented not and believed not in Christ I Have here enlarged this Proposition abridged in my Prologue the clearing whereof will prove fatal to St. Peters and the Popes pretended Universal Regal Supremacy and Pontifical Jurisdiction over Kings Emperors Kingdoms Nations as well in temporals as spirituals and over Christs Kingdom the Church Militant on Earth as Christs sole Viceroy or Vicar General to whom all his Regal and Sacerdotal power in heaven and earth is assigned by Christ himself if we believe their own Papal or their Parasites claims which I shall here preâ—â—ise in their own words that so their Antichristian Usurpations Blaspemies Impostures may more visibly appear to all Christian Kings and the whole world who cannot but abominate and be jealous of them though never so much devoted to the Papacy Pope Nicholas the 2d writes thus to those of Millain who refused to obey the See of Rome and acknowledge the Popes Universal Supremacy Christ alone hath founded built the Roman Church upon the rock of the faith newly born and hath committed to Saint Peter the Key-bearer of eternal life TERRENI SIMUL IMPERII CAELESTIS JURA the Rights both of the earthly and heavenly Empire Therefore not any terrene Sentence but that word by which heaven and earth were built by which faculty all the Elements were made hath founded the Roman Church Certainly she enjoyeth her privileges from him by whom she is supported Therefore IT IS NOT TO BE DOUBTED that he who endeavoureth to take away from the Church of Rome the Priviledge granted her by the very chief head of all Churches HIC PROCVLDUBIO IN HAERESIN LABITUR HIC EST DICENDVS HAERETICVS He without doubt falls into Heresie he is to be called an heretick because he violates the faith who acts against her who is the mother of faith and is found contumacious to him who is known to have advanced her above all Churches On which Text Bartholomeus Buxiensis and Ioannes Thierry make this Glosse Papa habet utrumque gladium scilicet Spiritualem Temporalem transtulit Imperium Pope Leo the 9. in one of his Epistles writes thus This ought to satisfie you That both the Earthly and Heavenly Empire yea the Royal Priesthood is given to the Apostolick See Divinitus by God himself and not by men Pope Boniface the 8. in his Letters to Philip the French King told him That the Pope is Lord through the whole world both in Temporal and Spiritual Matters And that he judged it HERETICAL for any to think the contrary This Pope boasting that he had the power of both swords declared it by his actions riding Anno 1300. on the first day of the Great Iubilee in triumph in his Pontificalibus as Pope and the next day in his IMPERIAL ROBES adorned with THE IMPERIAL CROWN having a naked sword carried before him and one proclaiming ECCE HIC DUO GLADII behold here the Spiritual and Temporal Swords given to me quantum ad jurisdictionem at least though non per executionem generaliter as some of their soberest Canonist distinguish The like Soveraign power is claimed by all their * Successors and inserted into their Book of Sacred ceremonies ratified by Sixtus Quartus and other Pontifs which records That when the Pope gives or sends a consecrated sword to the Emperor or any King usually hallowed on the night of Christs Nativity he is prescribed to say This Pontifical sword doth betoken SUMMAM TEMPORALEM POTESTATEM as well as Spiritual A CHRISTO PONTIFICI COLLATAM according to that saying All power is given to me both in heaven and in earth and according to that also He shall rule from Sea to Sea and from the floud unto the worlds end Pope Innocent the 3. and Adrian the 4th their forecited passages are to the like effect with sundry other Popes forged or real Decrees to the same purpose recorded in Gratian and the Extravagants The Pope as Augustinus Triumphans asserts is greater then any King or Emperor as well in Temporal as in Spiritual Matters and as God is the Lord of all by Universal Jurisdiction so is the Pope his Vicar greater then any King or Emperor both in spiritual and temporal things The power of Jurisdiction in temporal and in spiritual matters is immediate in the Pope alone Yea the Son of God hath declared the altitude of Ecclesiastical power in the Pope to be above all principalities and powers that unto it every knee should bow both in heaven in earth and under the earth Franciscus Bozius affirms The Supream temporal Jurisdiction throughout the whole world belongs to Peters successor so that he is both Hierarch and Monarch of all things and that by the divine Law expressed in the Scriptures That Peter and the Pope succeed to Christ as well in his Kingdom as in his Priesthood and that Peter and the Pope is both King and Priest according to the order of Melchisedech which Cardinal Baronius and Aquinas with others likewise assert Stephanus Patracensis Archiepiscopus in his Oration 4 Maii 1515. before Pope Leo the 10th in the Council of Constance averred In the Pope the Supream Hierarch in the Church there is omnis potestas super omnes Potestates tam Coeli quam Tarrae Tibi data est omnis potestas in qua qui totum dicit Nihil excludit Ralulphus Cupers impudently proclaims God hath committed to the Pope the rights both of the terrene and heavenly kingdoms The direct dominion of the Emperor belong unto God and by consequence to the Pope his Vicar who is deservedly accounted the King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Lord hath so magnified the Church which he expounds to be the Pope that he hath preferred it not only to Kings and Cesars sed omnibus sub coelo supra coelum existentibus but to all that are either under Heaven or above Heaven Cardinal Hostiensis asserts Papa Christus faciunt unum consistorium ita quod excepto peccato potest Papa quasi omnia facere quae Deus potest Whence some Canonists stile him Dominus Deus noster Papa and yoak God and him together as equals Quis audet dicere Deo et Papae the plenitude of his Papal power being such as Abbot Panormitan resolves that Super omnem legem positivam sufficit quod in Papa sit pro ratione voluntas in dethroning Kings and Emperors The like Antichristian blasphemous assertions are professedly maintained in solemn discourses as you may read at leisure in their Azorius Antoninus Alexander Carerius Francis Bozius Lelius Zecchus Marta Rodericus Sancius Gaster Scoppius with other Pontifician Parasites And Cardinal Bellarmin himself informs us That the Pope Jure divino hath power over the whole world as
well in temporal as in Ecclesiastical matters is also taught by Augustinus Triumphans Alvarus Pelagius Hostiensis Panormitan Silvester and divers others Yea Hostiensis teacheth That Christ by his comming translated all the Dominion even that of Infidel Princes unto the Church and that this Dominion so resides now in the Pope Christs Vicar That he may give by his own Right the Kingdoms of Infidels as well as Christians to whomsoever he will Alvarus Pelagius seconds all these with most Hyperbolical passages and blasphemies which I cannot pretermit Christ writes he had all power given unto him both in Heaven and Earth being ascended in his humanity to his Father lest he should leave his flock without a Shepheard he left the care thereof to Peter and his Successors as his Vicar General Now the Father is Almighty the Son Almighty even in Earth Therefore every Pope his Vicar upon Earth hath all power in Earth which Christ had not as very God but as very Man To this purpose is that which Zacharias saith of Christ Zech. 8. His power shall be from Sea to Sea And Ps 72. 8. He shall have dominion from Sea to Sea from the River unto the ends of the Earth Whence Ecclesiasticus speaking of the power of the Pope saith Eccles 17. God hath given him power of those who are upon the Earth For in this the Pope is Successor to Adam the first man for God the Son hath autonomatically and typically formed the Pope his Vicar after his own image and likenesse Gen. 1. For the Pope truly represents Christ on Earth so that he who sees the Pope with a contemplative and faithfull eye may see even Christ himself Whence even for this cause he said to Peter Mat. 18. Thou art Peter taken a Rock from me Distinct 21. 1. Hunc enim in consortium individuae Trinitate assumptum id quod ipse erat c. For Peter being assumed into the Fellowship of the individual Trinity is become that which Christ himself was that is from that which he was namely a Rock the Lord would have him to be called and named Peter Whence according to this Papa non est homo simpliciter sed Deus id est Dei Vicarius Whence according to this the Pope is not simply a Man but a God that is The Vicar of God Item Christ as a man was a King Zach 9. Mat 21 27. Lu 24. John 19. Psal 72. Rom. 2. 7. God shall raise up a Kingdom c. But of this universal Kingdom the Emperor is not Christs Vicar because there are not two Vicars as is plainly proved Therefore the Pope is his Vicar because there is no other Vicar and the Kingdom of the world is not without the Vicar of God He thence inferrs and asserts in another Article Although in this life the Pope should do injury or injustice to any man or some men as he confesseth he may he hath no Iudge over him neither is he obliged to chuse Iudges or arbitrators to whose Sentence he may subject himself neither can he directly or indirectly be condemned for it is impossible that the Pope himself should constitute another Superiour Prince or Iudge or another ArchPope above or equal to himself sicut nec Deus Trinitas possit super se alium Deum constituere vel aequalem as neither God the Trinity can constitute another God above or equall to himself He thus proceeds in another Article The Church or Pope are not from the Empire but the Empire from the Church and the Pope is before the Emperor which he endeavours to prove by 25. Arguments I shall only touch upon some of them As the Moon receives her dignity and her Light from the Sunne so doth the Moon the Emperor the dignity of his altitude from the Sunne the Pope As much as the spiritual life is worthier then the earthly the spirit then the body gold more precious then silver so much doth the spiritual power exceed the temporal or secular power in dignity honor worth splendor and the order of Priests is so much higher then the Regal power to which all Emperors and Kings ought to subject themselves every of them being subject suo simplici Sacerdoti qui ipsum solvit ligat judicat All power in earth both spiritual and temporal is given to the Pope Christs Vicar as it was to Christ himself Mat 28. for in him resides the fulnesse of the Regal or Imperial Dignity that is to take from one and conferr unto another the right of chusing the Emperor to examine anoynt consecrate and crown him when elected and by consequence to approve and reject him all which of right belong to the Pope That the Pope out of the plenitude of the power and keyes given to him by Christ with this Commission Feed my Sheep hath a power and jurisdiction over all men upon earth de jure although not de facto which he may exercise when ever he is able or willing by which power he may lawfully punish all Pagan Heathenish Kings Nations and Idolaters in the world as well as Christians for breach of the Law of Nature only and command all Infidels who are subject to his Jurisdiction in earthly things to admit the preachers of the Gospel and punish them if they do not obey him yea the Pope alone and none other of right can contend with and denounce war and invoke the secular power against them Christ was a true temporal King and by consequence the Pope his Vicar He that in this point will exclude from himself the darknesse of understanding must consider the Pope non hominem sed Deum quodammodo qui non puri hominis sed Veri Dei vicem gerit in terris As Christ is God and Man most perfectly participating both Natures and God and Man are both one Christ perfect God and perfect Man So his Vicar General and Singular the POPE participat cum Christo quodammodo naturam Divinitatis quoad Spiritualia humanitatis quoad temporalia participates with Christ after a sort the Nature of the Divinity as to Spiritualities and of the Humanity as to Temporalties As by force of the Orthodox faith it is heretical to lay down two Beginnings 24. Quaest So it seems to be heretical to make two several Vicars equals to each other in earth in point of right As therefore no believer doubts Jesus Christ was both King and Priest and King of heaven and earth because all things were made by him one person in two Natures So no Catholick ought to doubt but his Chief Vicar General on Earth hath likewise both Powers Yea it would not be farr from Heresy pertinaciously to affirm the contrary because this would be as it were to deny the Son of God to be the Maker of the Earth and a King and so to make Duo principia That therefore thou mayst not seem an Arch Heretick let this be thy Catholick Faith that as there
Servant above greater then his Lord and the Vicar then the Master 9ly Christ himself together with Paul and Peter do from the 5th Commandement most frequently presse and inculcate all due subjection and obedience by Wives unto their Husbands Children to their Parents and Servants to their Masters in all things and that with fear and trembling in singlenesse of heart as unto Christ not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart and with good will doing them service as to the Lord and not to men knowing that of the LORD they shall receive the Inheritance for herein they serve the Lord Christ Therefore there is the self-same relation obedience due to Kings and Magistrates the politick Husbands Parents Masters of the Realm people by all Members of the body politick as there is by Wives children servants to their Husbands Parents Masters 10thly It is very observable that Christ himself with his Apostles Peter and Paul do in the New Testament more frequently punctually energetically inculcate this duty of subjection obedience honor paying Tribute to Emperors Kings and Civil Magistrates though then all Pagans unbelievers yea for all Wives Children Servants to obey fear and reverence their Husbands Parents Masters in the flesh on all sorts of Christians under the Gospel then ever they were urged or reiterated in the Old Testament before or under the Law and that for these ends and upon these accounts as I humbly apprehend First to evidence That all Kings Supream Civil Magistrates Parents under the Gospel enjoy the selfsame Soveraign Jurisdiction over all Civil Ecclesiastical persons things and their children under the Gospel as they did before or under the Law in the Old Testament and that the Kingship Kingdom of Christ under the Gospel did no wayes diminish nor eclipse much lesse abolish or transfer to Apostles Bishops Presbyters or Chapters any part of their antient Temporal or Spiritual Authority before and under the Law 2ly To make the free passage for the preaching and reception of the Gospel among all Nations Kingdoms Republikes in the world as consistent with and no wayes opposing but advancing rarifying their respective Civil Governments by prescribing every soul to yeeld all chearfull obedience subjection to their Civil Governors Lawes for the peace and tranquility of their Kingdoms 3ly To stop the mouthes of Pagans and all Enemies of Christian Religion and Christians who traduced and accused them as opposites and Enemies to rebels against Emperors Kings Magistrates their Government and Lawes 4ly To take away all pretences from Libertins and yoaklesse Christians under pretext of Christian Liberty and the priviledges of Christianity to disobey contemn all Kings Magistrates Lawes and Civil Government as exempted from their power 5ly To lessen and controll the Antichristian Usurpations of the Popes Prelates Clergy of Rome it self and their Confederates elsewhere upon the Crownes prerogatives rights and kingdoms of Christian Kings and Emperors which should embrace the Gospel All which reasons are expressed or intimated in the Gospel it self Pauls Epistle to the Romans and St Peters 11ly St Paul in his second Epistle to Timothy a Bishop as all Popes Bishops assert in relation to his spiritual warfare layes down this universal Maxim which every good Souldier of Jesus Christ must observe No man that warreth intangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a Soldier If then no Bishop or good Spiritual Souldier of Jesus Christ must so much as once entangle themselves with the affairs of this world and life that so they may discharge their duties as to please Christ who hath chosen them to be his souldiers then certainly neither Christ nor his Apostles ever gave or committed to any Apostle Pope Bishop or Minister of the Gospel any Supreme Temporal Jurisdiction over all or any Kings Kingdoms or Civil Corporations in the world which require continual attendance and would totally avocate them from their spiritual warfare 12ly The Apostles themselves though inspired from Heaven what to preach without much study when there was a complaint made to them that the widows and poor were neglected in the daily ministration calling all the multitude of Disciples to them sayd It is not Reason that we should leave the World of God and serve Tables wherefore Brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this businesse But we will give our selves continually unto the Ministry of the World And the saying pleased the whole multitude who thereupon chose Stephen and 6. more Deacons to attend the poor whereupon the word of God increased the number of Disciples multiplyed in Jerusalem greatly If the Apostles then thought it against reason that they should once or twice a day serve Tables and the poor though an act of charity and piety as being inconsistent with their Apostolical Office Ministry and thereupon ordained Deacons to discharge the trust Then certainly it cannot but be against Reason and Scripture to assert That Christ gave or any of his Apostles by divine right and institution ever had claimed exercised or ought to enjoy any the least Temporal Jurisdiction or Dominion in the world much lesse such as Popes pretend to from St. Peter who was present at and assenting to this institution of Deacons it being wholly inconsistent with their Spiritual function 13ly Christ himself assured his Apostles That no man can serve two Masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will hold to the one and despise the other Ye cannot serve God and Mammon Therefore when Christ called his Disciples to follow him they forsook their worldly imployments and all they enjoyed that they might apply themselves wholly to their Apostolical and Ministerial functions And when He called Barnabas and Paul to be Apostles he said Separate me Barnabas and Paul to the work I have appointed them Which Paul thus expresseth Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ called to be an Apostle Separate unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ being wholly taken off from all secular imployments as incompatible with their Apostolical Function Upon which Account he giveth this charge to all other Ministers He that hath the gift of the ministry let him wait on the ministry and he that teacheth in teaching and he that exhorteth on exhortation He that ruleth as a Magistrate let him do it with diligence Whence sundry Fathers Councils Popes Decretals Canonists Schoolmen have prohibited all Bishops Priests and Clergymen to intermeddle as Judges Advocates Proctors or Sollicitors in any secular affairs as inconsistent with their spiritual function under pain of deprivation Therefore it is most certain That Christ never gave to Peter or any other Apostle Bishop Minister any Temporal Jurisdiction over Kings kingdoms or in temporal
intra eas suam manifestaret sententiam During the Councils Sessions Pope Vigilius published his Apostolical Constitution and definitive sentence in defence of the Three Chapters Which Constitution and sentence of his this General Council contradicted anathematised even in the cause of faith censuring his definitive opinion as heretical condemning the Catholick faith and justifying the heresie of Nestorius as Bellarmin himself confesseth All the godly Bishops in the cloze of the 6. Collation cryed out unanimously Multis Annis Imperatorem orthodoxum Imperatorem multis annis And in the Conclusion of the 7. Session or Collation they all give him this Encomium Sancta Synodus dixit Evidenter et nunc Deum placans intentio piissimi et tranquillissimi Imperatoris ostensa est qui omnia semper fecit et facit quae sanctam Ecclesiam et recta dogmata conservant qui et modo recitatas Chartas direxit manifestantes et ipsas quod nec latuit aliquem alienam ab initio esse istorum Capitulorum impietatis sanctam Dei Ecclesiam Et Christianissimus quidem Imperator mercedem pro his habebit de Christo magno Deo qui talia multiplicare solet nos autem Orationes quotidianas facientes pro ejus Serenitate pro tribus Capitulis altero die adjuvante Deo Synodicam sententiam proferemus This Emperor ratifying the definitions of this Council by his royal assent and Decrees afterwards writ a Confession of his own faith wherein he refutes and anathematizeth all Heresies condemned by former Councils in nature of an Imperial Decree which he enjoyned to be observed within his Empire sending it to Pope John the 2d and approved by Pope Agatho his Successor printed in Surius with this Title Edictum Piissimi Imperatoris Justiniani fidei Confessionem continens refutationem haereseos quae adversantur Catholicae Ecclesiae c. With this Note in the Margin Confessio Justiniani Imperatoris Erudito Pio et Catholico Imperatore digna The ground of his compiling and publishing it is thus expressed in the Prologue Scientes quod nihil aliud sic potest misericordem Deum placare quam ut omnes Christiani unum idemque sapiant in recta immaculata fide nec sint dissentiones in sancta Dei Ecclesia necessarium putavimus c. to compile and publish this his Edict and Confession of Faith for these ends Upon reading whereof Pontianus a Bishop writ thus to him Exultat autem spiritus noster hoc firmiter te piissime esse Imperator quod Apostolica fides praedicat credentes quod à rectae credulitatis tramite non declines Talem enim decet esse Imperatorem pium justum fidelem qualem te nos esse cognovimus Yet notwithstanding all these deserved Encomiums of his transcendent Piety Christianity Orthodoxy Zeal c. Cardinal Baronius is so much enraged against this godly Emperor for his proceedings against Pope Silverius and Vigilius and for his Ecclesiastical Laws that like another Hercules furens he most unchristianly belyes slanders reviles and damnes him to the pit of hell as the most illiterate unworthy impious tyrannical presumptuous heretical wretch that ever breathed What Christian Princes such a one as Justinian to make Laws for Popes or Bishops Laws concerning faith c. who should receive all such Lawes from and only obey the Lawes made by Popes and Prelates Vides quanta iactura cum Principes indicere audent ipsis Sacerdotibus leges a quibus sancitas servare ipsi debent Then slandering this most learned Emperor as homo penitus illiteratus adeo ut nec alphabetum aliquando didicisset illiteratus Theologus legere nescius ut qui nec prima elementa calluit qui nunquam legere sciverit vel ipsum foris inscriptum titulum Bibliorum Fecit analphabetum Imperatorem repente palliatum apparere Theologum Clero ut sibi subditum aggressus erat praescribere leges Sacrarum legum conditorem agit de Sacerdotibus leges ferre in eisque poenas statuere praeter jus fasque praesumens Ille furore percitus mente amotus correpâ—us malignospiritu agitatus a Satana Sacrilegus c. a quo accepturi essent Leges Episcopi Such a one as this Justinian to make Lawes for Bishops What is it else but to confound all things Confundi omnia necesse est Canones ipse conculcat penitusque confundet Ecclesiasticam oeconomiam Sicque omnem in Ecclesia dissolveret ordinem faceretue ex regno coelorum ergastulum infernorum Ne sutor ultra crepidam c. Yea he not only taxeth him of Curiosity temerity and arrogancy for medling in sacred affairs but for a perverse mad-man an Antichrist setting up his chair throne in the temple of God and exalting himself above all that is worshipped making Sacrilegious Lawes for exercising Infidelity and writing Edicts for heresie And that when he died ad supplicia apud infernos luenda profectus est This insolent impudent Cardinal had quite forgotten First not only the presidents of King David Solomon Hezekiah and others in the Old Testament making Laws for Priests and Levites in matters of Worship Order c. but of Constantin the Great Theodosius other his religious Predecessors Ecclesiastical Lawes mentioned in this Generall Council Secondly That Pope Agatho himself in the 6. general Council of Constantinople in his Proposals and Confession of the Orthodox faith received professed in the Church of Rome sent to the Emperor Constantius this Council gives this honorable testimony of Justinian his Orthodox faith Edicts Book in defence of the Catholick faith Justinianus Augustus cujus fidei rectitudo quantum pro syncera confessione Deo placuit tantum rempublicam Christianam exaltavit Et utique ab omnibus gentibus ejus religiosa memoria veneratione digna censetur cujus fidei rectitudo per Augustissima ejus Edicta in toto orbe diffusa laudatur quorum unum quod ad Zoilum Alexandrinum praesulem adversus Achephalorum haeresin missum est pro Apostolicae fidei rectitudine satisfacere sufficiens cum hac nostrae humilitatis suggestione vestrae tranquillissimae Christianitati dirigentes per praesentium latores as Delegates to him this Council under him of 120 Bishops offerimus 3ly That this Pope and the whole Synod of Rome in their Epistle to their Delegates sent to the Emperor and Council and Instructions to them read in this General Council after their mention and applauses of the Piety Orthodoxy and Zeal of the Emperors Constantine the Great Theodosius and Martianus in summoning the Councils of Nice Constantinople Ephesus and Chalcedon against Arrius and other Heretiques instantly subjoyn Iustinian who summoned the Council of Constantinople as excelling all the former godly Emperors in Piety and Zeal Et sicut extremi quidem praestantissimi tamen omnium magni illius Iustiniani cujus et virtus ita et pietas omnia in meliorem ordinem restauravit cujus justitia