Intercession of Friends Sighs and Tears of Priests be the Authority of the Pope let him in God's name use it still And as in the Calling so in the Subscription of the Council you may further see his Authority Because saith Leo (g) Leo Epist. 56. to the Emperour I must by all means obey your Sacred and Religious Will I have set down my Consent in writing to those Constitutions Here you see it is plain Councils were called by Princes at the Pope's Petition and subscribed at their Command Therefore when Ruffinus (h) Doce quis eum jusserit Imperator convocariâ—è Hieron in Apologia contra Ruffinum alledged the Canon of a Council against Saint Hierom his Answer was Shew what Emperour commanded this Council to be called I will shut up this Point with Socrates his words who giving a reason why in his Church-Story he made so often mention of Emperours saith (i) Propterea quòd ex illo tempore quo Constantini esse ceperunt negotia Ecclesiae ex eorum nutu pondere visa sunt atque adeò maxima Concilia de eorum sententia convocata faerunt adhuc convocantuâ— Socrat. lib. 5. in Prooemio Since Emperours became like Constantine Fathers of the Church the Causes of the Church have depended upon their ill and therefore the greatest Councils have been and yet are called by their Authority The third work of Supremacy is Promulgatio Legum Promulgation of Church-Laws and Edicts expedient for Ecclesiastical Government And this was performed by Kings and Emperours not Pope's as Church-Stories are pregnant Proofs Constantine made many Laws concerning Confessours and Martyrs Christians and Heathens Eusebius (k) Euseb De vita Constantini lib. 2. cap. 20 21 24 44. mentioneth two Laws one that abolished Idolatry Images Sacrifices and Divinations another concerning building and enlarging of Churches at the Emperour's Charge Theodosius made a Law against the Arrians occasioned thus Amphilochius Bishop of Iconium having been a long Suitour in vain used this Stratagem saluting the Emperour slighted his Son Arcadius newly Created Caesar which the Father interpreting as a Contempt of his Son grew angry till Amphilochius discovering himself said (l) Theodoret. lib. 5. cap. 5. Art thou offended Emperour that I reverence not thy Son And thinkest thou that God is not offended with the Arrians that blaspheme his Son The Emperour overcome with these words Legem scribit made a Law against the Assemblies of the Arrians I will not enter particulars but refer you to the Titles (m) De summa Trinitate side Catholica De sacro sanctis Ecclesiis De Episcopis Clericis De Haereticis c. of the Civil Law which were promulgated by Justinian Theodosius Valentinian Honorius Arcadius and other Godly and Religious Emperours There is a Collection of Ecclesiastical Laws made by Charls the Emperour Lodovick and Lotharius gathered by (n) Ansegmus Anno 827. Ansegmus Of Charls his Laws there be an hundred sixtie eight of the Laws of Lewis and Lotharius an hundred fiftie seven In the Preface the Emperour Charls professeth (o) Quapropter nostros missos ad vos direximus qui ex nostri nominis authoritate una vobiscum corrigerent quae corrigenda essent that he hath directed his Commissioners here you see Princes Commissioners and Visitours are antient that shall joyn with others to redress those things which need Reformation according to his Canonical Constitutions in his name and by virtue of hiâ— authoritie Gregory the First (o) Gregor Epist Bishop of Rome wrote a submissive Letter to Mauritius the Emperour and another to Theodorus his Physician to intreat the revocation of a Law invented by Julian and that in a very humble Stile (p) Vtrolique ergo quod debui exolvi qui Imperatori obedientiaÌ„ praebuiâ— pro Deo quod sensi non tacui Gregor Epist 61. lib. 2. Ego quidem jussioni vestrae subjectus I your Servant and subject to your command have sent this Law to many parts of the World and now I write my opinion to your Majestie in both I have done my duty I have performed mine obedience to the Emperour and I have not concealed what I thought fit for God's cause And Saint Augustine saith (q) Hoc jubent Imperatores quod Christus jubet quia cùm bonum jubent nemo jubet nisi per eos Christus August Epist 166. of this power of Laws When Emperours command that which is good it is Christ and no man else that commandeth by them The fourth work of Supremacie is receiving of Appeals giving Decisions Restitutions and Deprivations and other punishments of Bishops for Causes Ecclesiastical which in Primitive Times fell to the judicature of Princes not Popes for when Donatus (r) Vide Optatum libr. 1. August Epist 162 166. had procured Cecilianus to be condemned by seventy African Bishops and had set up another Bishop in his See of Carthage he appealed to Constantine the Emperour and desired him to assigne him Judges Constantine by Commission extant in Eusebius (s) Eusebius lib. 1. cap. 5. delegated and authorised Meltiades Bishop of Rome to hear the cause who gave Sentence for Cecilianus upon a second Appeal (t) Euseb lib. 10. cap. 5. Constantine made a second Delegacy to Chrestus Bishop of Syracuse who likewise gave Sentence with Cecilianus upon the third Appeal Constantine appointed Elianus a Civil Magistrate to examine Felix who acquitted Felix also Then the Emperour called both Parties before him and gave final Sentence for Cecilianus and made a severe Law against the Donatists In which Passage I pray you observe First that Meltiades not as supreme Judg of all Controversies but as delegated by Constantine did judg of Cecilianus his Cause and Saint Augustine (u) August Epist. 162. defended him from usurpation upon the seventie African Bishops because the Emperour not Saint Peter appointed it Next the Bishop of Syracuse did judg the same Cause after Meltiades without any wrong to the See of Rome no man in that Age found fault with it And Thirdly It is apparent that Constantine was superiour to Meltiades and both made him his Delegate and Judge of his Sentence and Judgement which Saint Augustine (x) Vltimum Judicium ultra quod Causa pertransire non potest Augustin contra Parmenian lib. 1. cap. 6. calleth the last Judgement beyond which the Cause could not pass (y) Socrates lib. 5. cap. 10. Theodosius calling a Council of all Opinions where Nactarius and Agilius made the Confession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Consubstantiality Demophilus delivered up the Arrian Faith Eunomius the Eunomian Faith Eleusius the Macedonian Faith Then the Emperour alone separated from all Company saith (z) Tum solus separatus precatur Deum Socrates suprá Socrates made his Prayers to God to direct him in the Truth and then he read the several Faiths and condemned and rent all the rest that rent and divided
Laws Minist It is true your modern Court Parasites have fawned upon the Pope with such Blandishments of fulness of power yet as Baldus saith this plenitudo potestatis est plenitudo tempestatis fulness of power is fulness of tempest or disorder And your own barbarous Gloss confesses (m) Imperator in Temporaelibus habet potestatem a solo Deo imperium fuit antequam Apostolus esset Extravag De Majoritate Obedientia The Emperour in temporal things hath his authority not from the Pope but from God onely and the Emperour was before the Apostles were The Emperour Ludovicus the Fourth asserted his own right thus (n) Mea potestas non pendet a Papa sed a Deo immediaté vanum quod dici solet Papam non habere superiorem Paralipomena Uspergensia in Ludovico iv My power hath no dependance of the Pope but immediately of God alone and it is a vain tale that they say The Pope hath no superiour Johannes Major your own Colleague saith (o) Bonifacius Octavus multùm apparenter definivit quòd Romanus Pontifex est supra Reges in Temporalibus quod tamen oculatissimi Theologi dicunt esse falsum Johannes Major 4. Sent. 20. q. 2. Pope Boniface the Eight hath defined many things with great shew of reason that even in temporal causes the Pope is above Princes but I may tell you saith he the wisest Divines say it is false And your Romish Ceremoniary you so confide in declares to the world Ante Carolum Magnum neminem Imperii Romani coronam ex manu Romani Pontificis Romae suscepisse That before the Emperour Charles the Great that is for the space of eight hundred years after Christ no man ever received the Crown of the Romane Empire at Rome by the hands of the Bishop of Rome Therefore Bernard though an Abbot living in the mists of Popery tells Pope Eugenius without mincing (p) Esto ut alia quacunque ratione tibi vendices non tamen Apostolico jure nec illud tibi dare quod non habuit Petrus potuit Bernardus De Consideratione ad Eugenium lib. 2. Be it he may claim this pretended right by some other means yet by Apostolical right he cannot claim it neither could Peter give him that right he never had Gent. But to your Testimonies which I approve be pleased to add some reasons why the Pope hath not any authority to discharge any of the people of these Nations from their obedience to the chief Magistrate Minist The reasons are two First (q) Colimus Imperatorem ut à Deo secundum quicquid est a Deo cousecutum solo Deo minorem Tertull. ad Scapulam The chief Magistrate receiveth his authority onely of God and may acknowledge none above him within his Territories but God Secondly The Ty or Obligation whereby people are obliged in Duty to the chief Magistrate is perpetual indissoluble and may not lawfully be broken The former will be pertinent to this Article the latter will fall in in the next And that not only primitive Fathers and Protestants but even moderate Papists maintain this Doctrine appears by those (r) Primò Rex statum suum non nisi à Deo gladio suo debet recognoscere Secundò Rex solum Deum mortalem verò neminem in regno suo superiorem agnoscit Tertiò Papa non potest nec Regem nec regnum ejus supponere Interdicto seu Sacris interdicere nec subditis relaxare Sacramentum fidelitatis ei debitae propter quamcunque causam occasionem Alphonsus de Vargas pag. 123. three Articles agreed upon by the French Parliament at Paris and subscribed unto by the Sorbonists and other Divines First That the King or chief Magistrate ought to hold his state of none but God and his Sword Secondly He acknowledges onely God but no mortal man superiour in his Kingdom Thirdly That the Pope cannot interdict or excommunicate the King or his Kingdom or absolve his Subjects from the Oath of Allegiance for any cause or pretext whatsoever Gent. Make good your former reason which you say pertains to this Article That the chief Magistrate receiveth his authority onely of God and may acknowledg none above him within his Territories but God Minist The latter Branch of this Proposition That the chief Magistrate may acknowledge none above him within his Tertories but God alone is partly proved already but that all scruple may be removed I will add two Texts of Scripture more with the Fathers descant upon them and then proceed The former 2 Sam. xii ii where the Prophet Nathan having convinced David of his murder and adultery and using this Preface Haec dicit Dominus Thus saith the Lord onely as Leo (s) Haec dicit Dominus monuit Regem Davidem ut per poenitentiam peccata sua expiaret non tulit in eum sententiam quae tanquam Adulter Homicida juxta Legem morti addiceretur Leo Quartus 2. q. 7. cap. Non si competenter saith admonished him to expiate his sins by repentance but passed no sentence upon him that as a murderer or adulterer according to the Law he might be put to death Hence we may collect if Nathan a Prophet extraordinarily commissioned by God was not impowered to sentence David the chief Magistrate or stir up his Subjects against him much less may a Roman Prelate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 put his sickle into another's harvest and out of his Diocess molest Princes Potentates and States Gent. Perhaps Nathan who was an extraordinary Prophet had an extraordinary dispensation to spare David who was an extraordinary Prince Minist No the other Text I shall produce relating to the same History overthrows that which is Psalm li. 4. Tibi soli peccavi Against thee thee onely saith David unto God have I sinned St. Ambrose gives the reason (t) Rex utique erat nullis ipse legibus tenebatur humanis neque enim Reges ullis ad poenam vocantur legibus tuti imporii potestate homini ergo non peccavit cui non tenebatur obnoxius Ambros in Apolog Davidis cap. 4. lib. 2. ep 7. He was saith he a King or supreme Regent and so subject to no Law of man for Princes beeing freed by Royal Prerogatives of Imperial power are not punishable by humane Laws he therefore sinned not to man to whom he was not subject With him agrees Euthymius in these words (u) Cùm sim Rex te solum commissorum à me scelerum judicem habeam tibi soli peccasse videor hoc est tibi soli judici subjicior caeterorum enim omnium ego Dominus sum ob potentiam meam licere mihi videtur quaecunque libuerit Euthym. in Psalm li. Seeing I am a King and have thee onely my Judg over my sins I seem to sin onely to thee that is I am subject onely to thee as to my Judg for I am Lord over all others and in regard of my power
well though of the Romish stamp when they discovered unto their Prince treason made known unto them onely by Auricular Confession whereupon the Plotters were executed and they for their Loyalty rewarded (g) Nobilis quidam Normannus cùm propositum habuisset Regem Franciscum occidendi consilium illud suum Fratri cuidam Minoritae inter confitendum aperuit qui rem totam ad Regem detulit qua Judicilus Curiae Parisiensis communicata reus ipse capitis damnatus est Sacerdote qui denuntiaverat nulla violati Sacramenti poena ab Ecclesia mulctato Bodinus lib. 2. De Republica cap. 5. A Nobleman of Normandy having confessed to a Minorite Fryar that he had a purpose to murder the King of France of which he repented and received Absolution yet so as the Fryar discovered all to the King which being examined by the Judges of the Court of Paris the Noble-man was sentenced to death and the Fryar honourably dismissed without Misprision or Irregularity Gent. But if no power derived from the Pope or Church of Rome can absolve or grant Pardons or Dispensations from Oaths is there no other power can do it for it is further asserted in this Article Nor any other person can absolve me from this my Oath Minist No single person can nor any society or corporation who interpretatively in Law make a person can absolve or dispense with an Oath that Subjects have justly made to their chief Magistrate while according to the intention of the Legislative power it was obligatory In that the People of Athens and Sparta were discharged from obedience to their Princes and Governours it was because the Areopagites had the chief legislative and executive power in the one and the Ephori in the other as the Senate of Venice hath over their Dukes at this present But where in the fundamental Laws of any Nation one person whether Emperour Sultan King or by what Title soever is declared Sovereign or Supreme Magistrate as the King with us and subject to no superiour Legislative and executive power all Dispensations and Absolutions from Oaths that were taken to such a Prince are in vain That confession of Henry the Third was declared by a succeeding Parliament to be unlawful and extorted by force That (h) Liceat omnibus de regno Nostro contra Nos insurgere ad gravamen Nostrum opem operam ferre ac si Nobis in nullo tencantur 15. Parliamento Henrici Tertii Londini ordinat inter Record Civitatis Londinensis Charta Originalis sub Sigillo It might be lawful for all his Subjects to rise against him and to annoy him with all their power as if they were tyed in no bond of Allegiance unto him Sed vela reprimam I love not to launch into this tempestuous Sea it is enough for our purpose to know in general (i) Non minorem injuriam Deo faciunt potestatem de Regibus judicandi quam ipse sibi soli reservavit ei praeripientes quà m Regibus ipsis solius Dei judicio subjacentibus magna metiam injuriam faciunt fidei qui eam putant salvam esse non posse nisi Regum jus pereat gentium jura subvertantur Parisiensis Academia as propriè Sorbonicum Theologorum Collegium apud Alphonsum de Vargas that no Papal or any other subordinate power can absolve from Oaths legally taken to the Supreme Magistrate leaving it to the discussion of the Fundamental Laws of every Nation in particular who are Supreme Magistrates as the King is doubtless here But if neither the Pope nor his Conclave nor any inferiour Priest by delegated authority from them can dispense with this Oath of Abjuration which I think is the purport of this Article you may rest satisfied Gent. I am fully satisfied in this and all the precedent Discourse if one inconvenience be met withall which is this If the Ty and Oath of Subjects to their Sovereign be so sacred and inviolable that no Papal or other subordinate power can dispense with it if Supreme Magistrates turn Tyrants and make havock of Church and Common-wealth what remedy is left Minist Persecuting and Idolatrous Princes like Nero and Julian may project the ruine of the Church but in vain because Christ hath builded it upon a Rock against which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail Matth. xvi 18. Oppugnare possunt expugnare non possunt The onely defensive and offensive Weapons we have against such raging Monsters are Prayers and Tears bewailing our sins which have exposed us to this calamity and importuning him in whose hands the hearts of Kings are as Rivers of water that he would turn them Prov. xx 1. You may remember the visible Church before the Incarnation was confined onely to the Nation of the Jews who while they were under the captivity of the Persian King a Decree went out by the procurement of Haman to destroy to kill and to cause to perish all Jews both young and old little children and women in one day Esther iii. 13. Thus una litura with one wipe the whole Church was to be blotted out now (k) At quid illi non seditionem movent non ad arma convolant non Assuerum aut Hammanem veneno tollendi consilium capiunt non ad libertatem suam vindicandam Sicartos quaerunt parricidines Andreros what course take the people of God to countermine such an Hellish Plot They move no seditions take up no Arms contrive not the death of Haman suborn no Assasines to vindicate their liberty by blood or poyson Haec panoplia this is their whole Magazine in every Province whither soever the King 's Commandment and his Decree came there was great mourning among the Jews and fasting and weeping and wailing and many lay in Sack-cloth and Ashes Esther iv 3. that they might humble themselves under the mighty hand of God and divert his heavy wrath ready to be executed by the merciless hand of the Barbarous Tyrant And under the Gospel Primitive Christians have followed the same president for when Julian the Apostate had projected the extirpation of the Christian name as Gregory Nazianzene (l) Cùm Julianus Apostata totius Christiani nominis cladem atque internecionem minaretur inoibitus atque repressus est Christianorum lacrymiâ— quas multas multi profâ—derunt hoc unum adversus persecutorem medicamentum habentes Nazianzen Orat. i. in Julian saith He was hindered and repressed by the tears of Christians which many in abundance poured out having this onely remedy and Preservative against the Persecutour As often therefore as any shall finde themselves ready to be swallowed up of the deluge of Persecution issuing from the hand of Supreme Authority it is the counsel of (m) Ad patrocinium clementiae Dei humiliati confugiant puras manus levantes ad Dominum devotis precibus stagellum quo asstiguntur avertant Peccata enim delinquentium vires sunt Tâ—rannorum Sarisb lib. 8. cap. 23. Sarisburiensis a man who lived in the thick mists of Popery with humility to fly for Sanctuary to the Divine protection and lifting up of pure hands to the Lord by devout prayers to divert his scourge that afflicteth us for the Sins of Transgressours are the Arms of Tyrants Gent. But what if after many tears and prayers and addresses to the Throne of Grace God shall leave us under the scourge Minist That is the onely remedy in this case not any Papal Dispensation which St. Augustine of yore spake of The rod saith (n) Sentitur virga peccatorum super sortem justorum sed non in aeternum veniet tempus quando unus agnoscetur Deus veniet tempus quando unus Christus in claritate sua apparens congreget ante se omnes gentes dividat eos sicut dividit pastor haedos ab ovibus oves ponet ad dextram haedos ad sinistram videbis ibi multos servos subditos inter oves multos Dominos ac Principes inter haedos è contrá Augustin in Psalm cxxiv he of sinners is felt upon the back of the righteous but not for ever the time will come when one God will be acknowledged the time will come when one Christ appearing in his brightness shall gather all Nations before him and divide them as the Sheepherd divides the Goats from the Sheep he will place the Sheep on his right hand the Goats on his left There you shall see many Servants and Subjects among the Sheep many Lords and Princes amongst the Goats and again many Lords and Princes amongst the Sheep and many Servants and Subjects amongst the Goats If all humane relief be denyed us look for a Crown of Martyrdom to be reveiled that day when all tears shall be wiped from our eyes till then wait with patience leaving vengeance to him whom it concerneth to repay and take not the Sword out of his hand or use inordinate means as Papal Excommunications Pardons Absolutions or Dispensations with Oaths much less popular Insurrections Gen. Well Sir by the demonstrative clearness of your Arguments I am convinced of the legality of this Oath of Abjuration as also of Allegiance and Supremacy and am willing to conform to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England especially under so gracious a Sovereign who is truly the Defender of the Faith Minist You have reason to say so if you consider his Restauration which was more then miraculous his Constancy which renders him a Confessour his Sufferings a Martyr his Piety and unparallel'd Virtues which make him a peerless Paragon of the present Age and a President unimitable to posterity whose Sacred Majesty God long preserve 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS
Oath of his fidelity which he hath engaged for the State of his Country and Nation or preservation of the safety of his Prince or shall attempt the death of his Sovereign or devest him of his Regal Power or by Tyrannical power usurp the Supremacy let him be Anathematized in the Sight of God the Father and Angels and be excommunicated from the Catholick Church which he hath prophaned Gent. What gather you from hence Minist I gather four things First That there hath been such an Oath exacted in former times Secondly That Oath very much resembles this of Abjuration Thirdly That that Oath was approved off and confirmed by several Councils Fourthly That the Violaters of that Oath were anathematized by the Ecclesiastical and otherwise severely handled by the Secular Power as the Stories of those times relate more at large Gent. But the Contents of that Oath was legal this illegal which ought not to be taken and being taken obliges not Our Canonists teach us that (k) Isiodore Can. 74. Votum non debet esse iniquitatis vinculum Vnjust Vows are not binding Minist That is the second thing I engaged to prove that The matter of this Oath is just and lawful which I will make good in every Circumstance if you will be pleased to recite it Gent. I have not the Copy of the Oath by me neither can I repeat it verbatim though my memory as I have too signal an occasion is retentive of the whole Substance of it Minist I shall repeat it for you having for mine own and others Satisfaction digested it into twelve Articles which in order run thus Article I. I A. B. do abjure and renounce the Pope 's Supremacy and authority over the Catholick Church in general and over my self in particular II. And I do believe the Church of Rome is not the true Church III. And that there is not any Transubstantiation in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper or in the Elements of Bread and Wine after Consecration thereof by any Person whatsoever IV. And I do also believe that there is not any Purgatory V. And that the Consecrated Hoast Crucifixes or Images ought not to be worshipped neither that any Worship is due to any of them VI. And I also believe that Salvation cannot be merited by Works VII And I do sincerely testifie and declare that the Pope neither of himself nor by any Authority of the Church or See of Rome or by any other means with any other hath Power or Authority to depose the chief Magistrate of these Nations or to dispose of any the Countries or Territories thereunto belonging or to authorize any foreign Prince or State to invade or annoy him or them VIII I do sincerely testifie and declare that the Pope hath not any authority to discharge any of the people of these Nations from their obedience to the chief Magistrate or to give licence or leave to any of the said people to bear Arms raise tumults or to offer any violence or hurt to the Persons of the said chief Magistrates or to the State or government of these Nations or to any of the people thereof IX And I do further swear that I do from my hear abhorr detest and abjure their damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes Rulers or Governours which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may by virtue of such excommunion or deprivation be killed murdered or deposed from their Rule or Government or any outrage or violence done unto them by the people that are under them or by any other whatsoever upon such pretense X. And I do further swear that I do believe that the Pope or Bishop of Rome hath no authority power or Jurisdiction whatsoever within England Scotland and Ireland or any or either of them or the Dominion or Territories belonging to them or any or either of them XI And all Doctrines in affirmation of the said Points I do abjure and renounce without equivocation mental reservation or secret Evasion whatsoever taking the words by me spoken according to the common and usual meaning of them XII And I do believe no power derived from the Pope or Church of Rome or any other person can absolve me from this my Oath and I do renounce all Pardons and Dispensations to the contrary SO HELP ME GOD. (l) Duo sunt in unoquoque Juramento praecipâ—è advertenda alterum materia sive res illa in quae juratur alterum forma sive modus jurandi Dr. Andrews There are two things especially considerable in this as in every Oath First The res or matter that is sworn or abjured Secondly The modus or manner of abjuration The former is comprised in the ten first Articles the latter in the close or two last I shall God willing give you Satisfaction in order beginning with the first which is this The First Article I A. B. do abjure and renounce the Pope 's Supremacy and Authority over the Catholick Church in general and over my self in particular Gent. How can I or any Catholick abjure the Pope's Supremacy over the Church in general or my self in particular Seing 't is an Article of our Creed (m) Symboli Tridentini Articulus primus and my Conscience tells me that which it did Sir Thomas More (n) Surius Commentar at his Tryal that having studied the point at least seven years I finde that the Truth thereof is sounded upon Fathers Councils Scriptures and Traditions with Prescription since the Apostles which demonstrates it to be of Divine Institution Minist You will fall short in all these and upon impartial Survey finde the Rise and Spring of it to be from novel Usurpation The Pythagoreans were so accustomed to Numbers that they fancyed the Ingredience of them in every Composure Your seven years study with Doway and Lovain's Education hath so moulded your imaginations that it hears no Melody but like that of Sappho's (o) Herodotus in the Woods (p) Clemens in Prooemio in Glossa Dominus Deus Papa your Pope's Supremacy Whence you make Scriptures and Fathers like Procrustes (q) Plutarch in vita Thesei his Bed what comes short you rack and stretch it to your meaning what is too large you curtail it by amputation Gent. I read Scriptures and Fathers with that Traveller's indifferency that Epictetus (r) Aulus Gellius Noct. Attiâ— requires in all that would finde the Truth and therein I discover First The Necessity of one Head to be constituted over the Catholick Church Secondly That St. Peter was that Visible Head and had Supremacy over the whole Flock of Christ and the rest of the Apostles Thirdly That he fixed his Seat at Rome and delegated his plenitudinem potestatis fullness of power to the Bishops his Successours there Fourthly That all Bishops of Rome have enjoyed it since Minist Not one of these Positions is true but comes from that spirit of lyes as shall appear in order First there is no necessitie of
ab aliis tanquam à majoribus sed contuli cum illis tanquam cum amicis paribus Glossa Ordinaria ad Galat. 2. I learned not of Peter and others as of my betters but I had Conference with them as with my equals and Friends So that this Distinction of extraordinary and ordinary Jurisdiction which gives Saint Peter a special Legislative Power is Scriptureless and a mere Popish Chimera Gent. Though there be no ground for it in Scripture yet it may be demonstrated from Tradition of the Church as the Cause from the Effect that St. Peter had this Power and delegated it to his Successours who without interruption have enjoyed it since Nil dat quod non habet as our Gerson once Chancellour of Paris avers saying (n) Sicut Christo collata est omnis potestas in coelo in terra sic eam Christus omnem Petro suisque Sucessoribus dereliquit Gerson De potestate Ecclesiae Consid 12. part 3. As all Power in Heaven and in Earth is collated upon Christ so Christ hath delegated it to Peter and his Successours Minist This is that third thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Haereticum a notorious falsitie which Franciscus a Victoria a Friar of your own and once Professour of Divinity in the Vniversitie of Salmantica confesses saying (o) Victor De potestate Ecclesiae Relect. 1. Sect. 1. 1. pag. 39. Glossatores Juris hoc Dominium dederunt Papae cum ipsi essent pauperes rebus doctrina The Glossers of the Canon-Law not Saint Peter gave the Pope this Dominion when they themselves were poor in estate and Petits in Learning Which Pope Zosimus (p) Zosimus in Concili Africano himself was conscious of when in that long contention with the Bishops of Africa touching his Supremacie he alleged not one word out of the Scriptures but only the Council of Nice which he himself had falsified And Meltiades (q) Meltiades in Epistola Ad Episcopos Hispaniae writing hereof to the Bishops of Spain claims it only by Custom not by Donation of Peter or Divine Right The Spring and Rise whereof Philip Mornay (r) Historia Papatus quibus gradibus ad id Fastigii enisus sit Philippus Mornaius Plessiacus in his Mystery of Iniquity or History of the Popedom discovers and is a Truth so clear that it extorts this Confession from Bellarmine (s) Bellarmin lib. 5. De Romano Pontifice cap. 9. Etiamsi nihil horum extaret abunde sufficeret praescriptio 800. Annorum nam etiam regna imperia per latrocinium acquisita tandem longo tempore fiunt legitima Though the Prescription of eight hundred years be sufficient for even Kingdoms and Empires gotten by robbery through continuance of time become lawfull Gent. This is a shrewd confession of so Learned a Cardinal and gives our cause a deadly blow There are four things wherein Supremacie consists First Reformation of the Church Secondly Calling of Councils and Synods Thirdly Promulgation of Church-Laws and Edicts Fourthly Receiving of Appeals and giving Decisions Have not Bishops of Rome exercised all these since the Apostles times According to Gerson (t) Sicut non est potestas nisi à Deo sic nec aliqua temporalis vel Ecclesiastica Imperialis vel Regalis nisi à Papa in cujus femore scripsit Christus REX REGUM DOMINUS DOMINANTIUM Gerson De potestate Ecclesiae Consider 12. part 3. As there is no Power but of God so neither any Temporal or Ecclesiastical Imperial or Regal Jurisdiction but of the Pope in whose Thigh Christ hath writ KING OF KINGS LORD OF LORDS Minist You shall finde upon Examination for all Gerson's Blasphemy that not one of these was exercised by the Bishops of Rome in the Primitive Times First Reformation of the Church by abolishing Idolatry Superstition and Heresie and placing of true Religion was practised by Constantine and all the godly Emperours his Successours The Emperour saith Eusebius (u) Tanquam communù Episcopus à Deo constitutus Eusebius De vita Constantini lil 1. cap 37. put down Idolatry established Christian Religion composed differences of Bishops suppressed Heresies and Schisms heard Causes of Religion and judged them in his own Person made Laws Decrees Edicts and Orders for Religion and all this as a common Bishop or Over-seer ordained of God This in special Constantine engaged to perform against the Fomenters of Arrianism and Fautours of Arrian Bishops saying (x) Pestium illarum audacia ministri Dei hoc est meá executione coercebitur Theodoret. lib. 1. cap. 19. The Boldness of such Bishops and others shall be brought in order by the execution of God's Minister that is my self And the sixth Toletan Council speaking of Chintillanus the King saith (y) Concil Toletan vi cap. 14. Nefas est in dubium deducere ejus potestatem cui omnium gubernatio superno constat delegata judicio It is an heinous Offence to call his Power not the Pope's into Question to whom it is apparent that the Government of all is delegated by the Divine Decree Secondly Calling of Councils and Synods was by the Authority of Emperours not Bishops of Rome As the four first General Councils were called by four Emperours The Nicene Council against Arrius by Constantine The Council of Constantinople against Macedonius by Theodosius the Elder The Council of Ephesus against Nestorius by Theodosius the Younger The Council of Chalcedon against Eutyches by Martian The Council of Sardis by Constans and Constantine And many more for many Centuries after Christ and that not as Bellarmine (z) Bellarm. De Cenciliis lib. 1. cap. 13. saith Authoritate Rapae By the Pope 's Authority which appears in that Leo Bishop of Rome made Supplication (a) Supplicationi nostrae dignetur Imperator annuâ—â—c Leo. Epist 9. to Theodosius that he would call a Council in Italy but the Emperour called it at Ephesus and the Bishops of Italy could not come in time so that Eutyches his Heresie was there countenanced by means of Dioscorus Bishop of Alexandria Then Leo made a second Supplication (b) Leo Epist 24. and alledged the Tears of all the Clergy for to obtain a Council it Italy Then he solicited the Emperess Pulcheria (c) Leo Epist 26. to further his Supplicaon to the Emperour he wrote (d) Leo Epist 23. to the Nobles Clergy and People of Constantinople to join with him in Supplication to the Emperour yet could not obtain it in the time of Theodosius When Martian succeeded by the favour of Pulcheria a Council was called not in Italy but at Chalcedon Then Leo made a fresh Suit (e) Leo Epist 43. that the Emperour would command the Bishops of the Council that the Faith of the Nicene Council might stand in full force unaltered which the Emperour did at his Request and the Emperour's Oration (f) Oratio Martiani in Concilio Chalcedoneusi to that purpose is extant Now if Supplication
the Trinity and commended and approved that Faith of the Consubstantiality of the Father and the Son Gent. You have satisfied me sufficiently in these onely one Scruple remains behinde how the Bishop of Rome came to this height that he is the Head of Councils (a) Papa sit qui posset transferre Reges regna Gerson De potestate Ecclesiastica Consider 12. dethrones Princes and disposes Kingdoms Minist Not at once but by several Steps for Popish Primacy is a Mystery of Iniquity and insinuated by Degrees The first Step was the Departure of the Emperour Constantinus from Rome to Constantinople at which time Gratian saith he gave his whole Power Dominion and Territories both in Rome and Italy and the West to the Bishop of Rome Constantinus Imperator Coronam omnem Regiam dignitatem in urbe Romana in Italia in partibus Occidentalibus Apostolico concessit The Emperour gave the Pope his Crown and all his Royal Dignity in Rome Italy and the West And in the next Canon (b) Decrevimus itaque hoc ut ipse Successores ejus Diademate viz. coronâ quam ex capite nostro illi concessimus ex auro purissimo gemmis pretiosis uti debeat pro honore Beati Petri. Gratian Distinct 96. Can. Const We have made this Decree that the Pope and his Successours shall for the honour of Saint Peter wear the Crown of pure Gold and precious Stones which We have given him from our own Head Thus the Decree though Laurentius Valla Raphael Volaterranus Paulus Catthalanus Nicolaus Cusanus and other Popish Writers repute it but fabulous and even Bellarmine (c) Regna Imperia per latrocinium acquisita tandem longo tempore fiunt legitima Bellarm. lib. 5. De Romano Pontifice cap. 9. himself seems to make a Doubt implyedly ascribing the Original of Popish Claim to Vsurpation and Prescription The Second Step was the Fall of the Empire in the West for after the Division of the Empire it began dayly to decline and was utterly dissolved in Augustulus (d) Anno Domini 471. of whom was made this Epigram (e) Ad Pontac Burdeg pag. 93. Augustus Romanum Imperium condidit Augustulus labefactavit Augustus set up the Empire but Augustulus pulled it down And the lower Ebb the Imperial Throne had the Episcopal See had the higher Tide The third Step was the Donation of Phocas who having murdered all the (f) Mauricium ipse persequi assequi in oculis ipsius liberos omnes intersicere pendentem inter alios ab uberibus infantem ac postremò ipsum tot doloribus transverberatum jugulare Philippus Mornaius Mysterii Iniquitatis pag. 112. Emperour Mauricius his Children in his Sight amongst the rest a tender Infant hanging upon the Nurse's Breast and lastly him granted to Boniface the Third that he this Parricide might be confirmed in the Empire Vt sanciretur Romanus Pontifex Oecumenicus Summus Episcopus totius Ecclesiae Christianae That the Bishop of Rome should be established the Oecumenical Patriarch and Bishop of the whole Church of Christ From that time saith Carion the Romane Prelates never ceased to labour for the encrease of their Dignity and Power The fourth Step was the Voluntary Charter which Constantine the Emperour of Constantinople made (g) Anno Domini 684. Platina in vita Benedicti Secundi to Pope Benedict the Second that whomsoever the Clergy People and the Romane Souldiers should chuse to be Bishop all men should believe him to be the true Vicar of Christ without tarrying for the Authority of the Emperour of Constantinople or the Deputy of Italy as the Custom and manner was ever before that Day The fifth Step was the Amity (h) Anno Domini 751. between Zachary Bishop of Rome and Pipin Governour of France under Childerick the King which Bishop assoiled Pipin and the other Frenchmen of their Oath of Allegiance and Fealty made to Childerick and confirmed Pipin the Traitor in his Master's Kingdom Which Bellarmine (i) Childericum deposuit Zacharias in ejus locum Pipinum Caroli Magni Patrem creari jussit Bellarmin lib. 5. De Romano Pontif. cap. 8. confesses saying Pope Zachary deposed Childerick and commanded to place and invest Pipin Father to Charles the Great in his Throne For this Kindness the Popes were gratified by both the Father and the Son and all the Caroline Line for Pipin having besieged Aistulphus King of the Lumbards at Pavie forced (k) Anno Domini 756. him to yield up the Exarchate of Ravenna and Pentapolis into his Hands who conferred it upon the Bishop of Rome (l) Ità Roma Romanús que Ducatus à Graecis ad Romanū Pontificem propter nefandam corum Haeresin impietatémque pervenit Sigon lib. 3. De Regno Italiae So now the Liev-tenants of Constantinople ended their whole Power in Italy who formerly had their Seats at Ravenna and now was he taken out of the way who as the Apostle tells us did hinder the coming of Anti-Christ 2 Thes ii 7. The sixth Step was the (m) Vide Philip. Bergomatem pag. 277 Constitution of the Electours of the future Emperours for Gregory the Fifth being a German born and Kinsman to Otho the Emperour did appoint (n) Antoninus part 3. tit 22. cap. 5. Sect. 13. Seven Electours of the Empire for ever viz. the Arch-Bishop of Mentz the Arch-Bishop of Trevirs the Arch-Bishop of Colen all his own Creatures the Marquess of Brandenburgh the Count Palatine the Duke of Saxonie and the King of Bohemia that the Empire might be established in their Posterity and their Blood thereby advanced for ever Thus I have emblazoned you in brief how that Beast that obscurely sprung out of the Earth was nascent crescent regnant and triumphant Gent. But how came he to have Power here in Britain for I do not see that any of these Donations expresly reaches that Minist (o) Centur. 6. lib. 5. cap. 17. Anno Dom. 600. By Augustine the Monk whom Gregory the First sent to convert the Saxons which being effected he occasioned them to be forced by the Sword to submit to the Romane Slavery which they knew not before murdering twelve hundred Students at Bangor laying the Foundation of Popery here in Blood as I shall have Opportunity further to discover Gent. Well you have almost staggered me in this but I beseech you proceed to the Second Article The Second Article And I do believe the Church of Rome is not the true Church Gent. This Proposition is contradictory to that which was riveted into me when a Childe The Holy Catholick Church is the true Church The Church of Rome is the Holy Catholick Church Therefore the Church of Rome is the true Church (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Philo. This was the first Syllogism I learned and probably will be the last unless I see sufficient Reason to the contrary that I shall forget Minist Sir your Assumption is
60. None of the Roman Bishops my Predecessours assumed to himself the name of Universal Bishop and if any man else assume the same I say it is a swelling of arrogancy a proud novel pompous perverse temerarious superstitious profane and impious Title a name of singularity a title of error a word of vanity and blasphemy and whosoever taketh upon him or desireth this arrogant title by this exalting himself he is a fore-runner of Antichrist and if he be permitted to usurp the same it will prove the bane of the faith of the universal Church Thus far Gregory Gent. This zealous acknowledgement of so learned so pious a Pope is very prejudicial to their cause but let me hear Scriptures Minist When the Kingdom and Priest-hood were divided in Moses and Aaron Moses the civil Magistrate exercised a supremacy over Aaren the High Priest not onely in causes Civil but Ecclesiastical whom he reproved Exod. xxxii 21. for making the golden Calf and in his time the breach of the Sabbath by gathering of sticks was punished by the civil Sword Numb xv 31. Joshua a Prince no Priest succeeded Moses in his charge and by this Commission Joshua v. 2. he circumcised the Sons of Israel erected an Altar of Stone Jos viii 30. Read the Law Jos viii 32 34. did execution on him that concealed things dedicated to Idols Jos vii 24 25. caused the people to put away strange Gods and renued the Covenant between God and the people Jos xxiv 23 25. David's whole study was well for causes Ecclesiastical as Civil after he had freed Israel from all enemies then did he compose (l) 1 Paral. xvi 7. Psalms to be sung by Asaph and his Brethren then did he set (m) 1 Paral. xxiii orders in the Temple appointed (n) 1 Paral. xxiv Priests Levites (o) 1 Paral. xxv Singers and other (p) 1 Paral. xxvi inferiour Servitours and assigned to them their (q) 1 Paral. xxvii dignities courses and offices Solomon by this commission built the (r) 1 Kings vi Temple and (s) 1 Kings viii dedicated it deposed (t) 1 Kings ii 35. Abiathar the High-Priest and placed Sadock in his room I hope this is matter and argument of express Supremacy Asa took away (u) 2 Paral. xiv 3 4 c. altars of strange Gods the High-places and groves He put down his (x) 2 Paral. xv 8 12 13 14 15. Mother because she had made an Idol He took an (y) 2 Paral. xv 13. Oath of Judah and Benjamin which may be paralleled with this Oath that whosoever would not serve the LORD and abjure Idolatry should be slain Jehoshaphat sent his (z) 2 Paral. xvii 6 7. Princes to reform Religion in the cities of Judah and with them Priests and Levites himself went from (a) 2 Paral. xix 4. Beer-sheba to Mount Ephraim and brought the people again to the God of their Fathers He (b) 2 Paral. xix 8. set of the Priests and Levites and chief of the families of Israel for the Judgment and causes of the LORD (c) 2 Paral. xxix 3. 4 5. Ezechias his execution of supremacy even over the High-Priest in this kinde is famous he opened the doors of the House of the LORD and brought the Priests and Levites in He (d) 2 Paral. xxix 30. commanded them to sanctify themselves and offer burnt-offerings which they did according to the (e) 2 Paral. xxx 1 6 12. King's commandment Here Priests are obedient to the King's Injunction even in their own Duties and Charge He commanded the Levites to praise God with the words of David There he enjoyned a Liturgy He commanded all Judah and Israel to keep the Pass-over Here is as Saint Augustine saith omnia cum imperio all for the civil power He (f) 2 Paral. xxxi 2. appointed the course of Priests and Levites by turns He (g) 2 Paral. xxxi 1. took away the high-places broke down the Images and brake the (h) 2 Kings xviii 4. Brasen-Serpent made by Moses because the people burned Incense unto it Manasses that had set up Altars Groves and Images before his captivity after his (i) 2 Paral. xxxiv 3 4 19 30 31 32 33. repentance he took away the strange Gods and the Image that he had put in the house of the Lord and restoring the worship of God commanded Judah to serve the Lord. The last instance I will produce is that of Josias who purged Judah and Jerusalem from (k) 2 Paral. xxxv 1 2 3 10 18. high-places Groves and Images he gathered all Israel read the Law renued the Covenant compelled them to serve the Lord kept the famous Pass-over and reduced the Priests and Levites to their courses set by David and Solomon I suprasede the allegation of any further evidence of this kinde seeing the Jesuite Salmeron confesses that (l) In Veteri Testamento sub lege naturae vel Mosis summi Sacerdotes Regibus subdebantur Salemron in Tractatu 63. De potestate Ecclesiastica Saeculari In the Old Testament under the Law of Nature or Moses the High-Priests were subject to Kings Gent. But I have known others of our (m) Allen. Defens Angl Cathol cap. 8. Catholick Doctours preferring the High-Priest's Crosiar before the King's Scepter and for their warrant alledged these examples out of Scripture (n) 2 Paral. xxvi first of Azarias the High-Priest who accompanied with fourscore other Priests magnanimously assaulted King Vzziah smit with leprosy because he had burned Incense to the Lord drave him out of the Temple according to the (o) Levit. xiii Levitical Law sent him out of the City and deposed him from his Kingly authority (p) Bellarm. lib. 5. De Roman Pontif. cap. 8. The other example is of Jehoiada who whilest he was executing the Priest's office commanded Queen Athaliah to be slain because she countenanced the worship of Baal and substituted Joash King in her place These are Presidents of High-Priests or Papal authority over Princes Minist These two Histories being truly understood make nothing for advancement of Papal above Civil power but rather give it a deadly blow for first the Scripture saith not that Azariah assaulted Vzziah the King or that he violently forced him out of the Temple for he was forced by the hand of God when the leprosy arose in his forehead And whereas Azariah the High-Priest ' with the rest of the Priests is said 2 Paral xxvi 20. festinato illum templo expulisse to have thrust and also hastened him to go out Josephus (q) Joseph Antiq. Judaic lib. 9. cap. 11. quem sequitur Cajetanus in 2. Paral. xxvi Visa lepra Sacerdotes Regem leprosū ad festinè egrediendum monent interprets it a perswasion onely by words not any compulsion by deeds whereof Chrysostome gives the reason saying (r) Sacerdotis est tantum arguere liberámque praestare admonitionem non movere arma non
Soul which as Saint Augustine (a) Creando infundituâ— infundendo creatur Lombard 2. Sent. Distinct 17. saith is created by Infusion and infused by Creation but are not the causes of Creation or Infusion of it for that is God's peculiar Prerogative qui format animas in medio eorum Even so that of constituting Rulers and Governours as Tertullian saith (b) Indè ille potestas unde spiritus Tertul. in Apologeâ— cap. 30. Thence is their power from whence is their Spirit or Soul and Irenaeus (c) Cujus jussu nascuntur homines ejus jussu constituuntur Principes Irenaeus lib. 5. Contra Haeres By whose command men are born by the same power are Princes or Governours made which is onely Gods This the Romish Extravagants approve determining that (d) Imperator non habet gladium a populo sed imperium est a solo Deo Extravag De Majoritate Oledientia Dist 96. The Emperour hath not his Sword of the people but the Empire is onely from God Gent. I see it perspicuously evident by Scriptures Fathers and Imperial Constitutions that Chief Magistrates receive their Authority onely of God and that None is above them within their Dominions but God What say the antient Laws of our Nation to this Minist Bracton who executed the office of Lord Chief Justiciarie for twenty years together under Henry the Third treating of the antient rites and customs of England saith that (e) Sunt sub Rege liberi homines servi ejus potestati subjecti omnes quidem sub eo ipse sub nullo nisi tantum sub Deo Iâ—émque râ—â—sus Si ab eo peccatur cùm Breâ—e non currat contra ipsâ—m locus erit supplicationi quod factum suum corrigat emendeâ— quod quidem si non feâ—â—rit satis erit ei ad poenam quod Dominum expectet ultorem nemo enim de factis suis praesumat disquirere â—ouâ—â—o minus contra factum suum venire Bracton De lege consuetudine Angâ—â—â—â— lib. â— cap. 8. num 5. Under the King are Freemen and Servants subject to his power and all are under him and he under none therefore not the Pope of Rome but onely under God and iâ— he offend seeing no Brief can issue out against him much less a Romish f This is to be understood either in relation to the Pope onely or of them which are alsolutely supreme in legislative and executive power whether Monarchs Optimates or Senate which is to be referred to the Laws of every Nation as His Majesty is supreme with us both in legislative and executive power Bull there is onely place for Supplication that he would correct and reform his Errour which if he will not do it is sufficient punishment for him that he must expect God will revenge for none may presume therefore not the Pope judicially to enquire into his actions much less to make insurrection against him Gent. I understand that not onely the modern but antient Laws of this Nation are against Papal Jurisdiction if not expresly yet consequently but at this present you need not fear his annoying the Chief Magistrate State or people of this Nation Minist There was never more cause of fear then now and unless you dissemble you must confess the (g) Regno privare atque etiam interficiendos atque populos subjectos relaxato juris jurandi vinculâ— potestate eorum eximere atque ab obedientia sidei debito liberare ipsum regnum alteri Principi donare armis invadendum sibique subjugandum permittere Regem a Papa sive Haeret cum sine alià s vitiâ—sâ—m auâ— inuâ—â—lem judicaâ—um ac propterea per sententiam ejus velut superioris regni jure privatum jam jus authoritatem imperandi amisisse nec ultra Regem esse sed Tyrannum a quovis de populo occidi posse Clericos etiam nequaquam ulli Regum esse subditos ac propterea nullam ab eis laesae Majestatis crimen commiâ—â—â— etiamsi rebellionem in Reges moliaâ—â—ur monitis atque exemplo populos rebellare obedientiam fidelitateÌ„ tribuluÌ„ omnia obsequia Principibus negare doâ—eâ—t Apostolos Regibus de facto tantum non etiam de jure subjectos fâ—iâ—se Sanctarel apud Alphonsum de Vargas pag. 117 118. Brood of Ignatius Loyola were never more active then now at this present That Romish Argus in the Apocalyptical Beast full of eyes he rides upon is intensly vigilant to widen the breaches he hath made taking advantage of our distractions haud tanto cessabit cardine rerum I will give a glance of his attempts in this kind since Queen Elizabeth's Inauguration In the fourth year of Her Reign Arthur Pole of the Race of George Duke of Clarence and Fortescue his Brother-in-Law conspired by an army in Wales to proclaim the Queen of Scots Pope Pius the Fifth in the year 1569. sent out an Excommunication against her absolving all her Subjects from the Oath of Allegiance By him and the King of Spain the Duke of Norfolk was excited to stir up what Forces he could and to join with the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland who were seduced by Nicholas Morton a Priest sent from his Holyness The same year Johannes Mendoza was sent out of Spain to inflame the Rebellion begun in Ireland by Edmund and Peter Botelers Brethren to the Earl of Ormond In the year 1570. Don John of Austria disappointed of the Kingdom of Tunis practised secretly with the Pope the overthrow of England Gregory the Thirteenth promised a Cruciata as was used in the Holy Wars if the Spaniard and Stukeley an Englishman whom he had furnished with men and ammunition would turn their Forces against England Sanders and Allen two Popish Priests with Power Legantine a consecrated Banner and Letters of Commendation came to Spain from thence to Ireland with three Ships and a few Soldiers to stir up Commotions In the year 1580. these Emissaries House Main Nelson Sherwood Campian Parsons all Romish Priests taught that Queen Elizabeth was an Heretick and therefore worthily deposed The Jesuits by their seditious Libels encouraged Summervile and Arden to attempt the Queen's death Anno 158â— And Bernardinus Mendoza the Spanish Embassadour was thrust out of England for secret Conspiracies against the State At Venice Parry a Doctour of Civil Law had communication with Benedictus Palmius a Jesuit who recommended him to Campegius the Pope's Nuncio and Campegius to the Pope so that Letters of Credence were sent to him by the Cardinal of Come and he excited to attempt the Queen's death by a Stab which they called special service for the Catholick cause which he consented unto having got a plenary indulgence by Ragazonius the Pope's Nuncio Ballard a Rhemish Priest perswaded Babington with Chernock and other of his Complices to assault Her Majesty commending the Scots who had lately intercepted their King at Sterling and Gerard the Burgonian who killed the
disclaim the lawfulness of it avouching that (h) In vita Sylvestri Johannes de Parisiis cap. 22. In donatione illa audita est vox Angelorum in aere dicentium Hodie venenum effusum est in Ecclesiam At the time of the confirming and passing of this Donation there was a voice of Angels heard in the Air This day poyson is poured upon the Church Gent. Enough of this tell me in order the other Romish Principles upon which Papal Transcendency leans Minist The second is That His triple-Crowned Sovereignty hath a direct power to depose and instate Princes and that Romish Catholicks are obliged to assist the Pope in the execution of his sentence of decrowning chief Magistrates and translating their Crowns Which is falsely fathered upon Pope Zacharie the First but indeed is no elder then Pope Gregory the Seventh a brand of Hell and it was ripened by many of his Successours and fomented by sundry Parasites and Assassines of Rome and by (i) Carerius De potestate Romani Pontificis lib. 2. cap. 3. Boskier Legat. Aposiol con 14. pag. 35. Baron Annal. Tom. 11. many Moderns as Marta Simancha Baronius Bosius Carerius Paulus Cararia defended of which Gratian gives an instance (k) Zacharias Regem Francorum non tam pro suis imquitatibus quà m pro co quòd tantae potestati erat mutilis à regno deposuit Gratian. caus 15. quaest 6. cap. Atius Pope Zachary deposed the King of France not so much for any Delinquency of his but that he was not competently qualified to manage such a power Gent. The novelty of this with other reasons you have formerly given speaks sufficiently the unlawfulness of it what is the next Minist The third is pendulous with shew of limitation and mitigation to wit The Pope hath an indirect power limited and circumscribed by many cautions provisions in deposing Princes This is maintained by (l) Bellarmin De Pontif. lib. 5. cap. 1. 6. 7. 8. Gretser Defens Bellarm De Pontif. Victoria De potest Eccles quaest 2. Cajetan Apol. cap. 13. Bellarmin and may seem for manner of speaking to be more moderate then the former but in weight and consequence is equally false and pernicious for it hath the same effects yielding authority to Popes to depose Princes when the same appeareth to themselves reasonable and for the benefit of the Roman cause Then saith (m) Si quid tale accidat Spiritualis potestas potest ac delet coërcere Temporalem omni ratione ac viâ quae ad id necessaria vidibitur Bellarm. De Romano Pontifice cap. 6. Bellarmine the Spiritual power may and ought to curb the Temporal by all means and ways which may seem conducible to that end It armeth also Subjects to rebellion and enemies to mischief and it provideth that regal or supreme Magistracy shall depend upon Papal discretion and devotion Thus the cunning Jesuite brings water in the one hand and fire in the other saying (n) Quantum ad personas non potest Papa ut Papa ordinariè temporales Principes deponere etiam justa de causa eo modo quo deponit Episcopos id est tanquam ordinarius Judex tamen potest mutare regna uni auferre atque alteri conferre tanquam summus Princeps Spiritualis si id necessarium sit ad animarum salutem Bellarm. De Rom. Pontif. lib. 5. capp 6 7. As to the persons the Pope as Pope cannot ordinarily depose temporal Princes though the cause be just after that manner as he deposeth Bishops that is as an ordinary Judge yet he can change Kingdoms and take from one and collate upon another as the Chief Spiritual Prince if it shall be requisite for the health of Souls But the most malignant venom is yet behind in the sting for saith he quod Christiani olim non deposuerunt Neronem Dioclesianum Julianum Apostatam Valentem Arrianum similes id fuerat quia deerant vires Temporales Christianis That Christians formerly deposed not Nero and Dioclesian and Julian the Apostate and Valens the Arrian and such the reason was because Christians wanted temporal forces To these three pestilential Principles all the Romish Doctrine that relates to deposing or annoying of Princes may be reduced Gent. Are these Doctrines generally maintained by Catholicks or an aspersion fastened upon them for some few or who are they that foment them Minist That they are not maintained by all I have hinted to you already and shall haply more fully hereafter If the Disease be not hectical but of a few that asperse the rest you may more rationally abjure them which is the scope I aim at but you shall finde that the maintainers and fomenters of them are neither few nor inconsiderable I 'le instance in two or three By a drop you may discern the saltness of the Ocean Baronius saith (o) Non eos homicidas arbitramur qui adversus excommunicatos zelo Catholicae matris ardentes eorum quoslibet trucidasse contigerit Baron Annal. Tom. 11. Anno 1089. We judge not them murderers who enflamed with a zeal of their Catholick Mother against excommunicated persons shall chance to kill any of them Alvares Pelagius saith that (p) Apud illum reside◠Regalis sive Imperialis dignitatis plenitudo cui de jure competit imperium transferre Sicut nullus fidelis dubitat quòd Christus fuerit Rex Sacerdos Rex coeli terrae c. sic nullus Catholicus dubitare debet quin summus Vicarius Generalis in terris pariter utramque habet potestatem imò uon longè abesset ab Haeresi contrarium affirmare Alvares Pelagius De planctu Ecclesia lib. 1. Art 37. With the Pope resides the fulness both of Regal and Imperial dignity who hath lawful power to translate Empires And as no Believer doubts that Christ was both King and Priest King of Heaven and Earth so no Catholick ought to doubt that the chief Vicar General upon earth hath both powers Spiritual and Temporal it would not much fall short of Heresie to affirm the contrary Bosius saith (q) Bosius De Ecclesiae signis lib. 7. cap. 4. In quo elucescit authoritas Papae qui potest justis de causis vel sine culpa ab aliis in alios jura maxima qualia sunt imperia summa decreto suo transferre Herein appeareth the authority of the Pope that he can for just causes or when there is no fault transfer by his greatest interests as chief Empires Augustine ab Ancona saith (r) August ab Ancona Sum. de Eccles Quaest 1. Art 1. Immediata potestas jurisdictionis omnium Spiritualium Temporalium est solum in Papa All power of Spiritual and Temporal jurisdiction is onely in the Pope It seems to me a prodigious Tenet to hold The Pope hath power to depose and translate Empires for no fault as well as for condigne causes But what are the principal causes they assign Minist Bosius