asmuch as he had first by vision that the gentiles also were called to belieue in Christ act 10. For asmuch as God choose that the gentills should first of all hear the word of the Ghospel by S. Peters mouth and should belieue Act. 15. For asmuch as when Peter was in prison prayer was made in the Church for him without intermission Act. 14. For Peter prayer is made by the church Peter decides the question moued about the Law For asmuch as when a sedition was among the disciples in so much that Paul and Barnabas came to the Apostles at Ierusalem to seeke a solution from them and chiefly from Peter and tould the controuersie in the counsell Act. 15. Theod in Epist. ad Leenem For asmuch as Peter did not only first speake but also gaue a determinate sentence that the gentils should not be burdened with the law act 15. For asmuch as S Paul came to Ierusalem to see Peter Gal 1. And that as S. Amb-sayes in com cap. ad Gal. 1. Because he was first and chiefest of the Apostles to whome our Lord had commited the cure of his Church For asmuch as Peter was eyther alone or first or chiefest in the greatest affaires of the Church Chry. in act apost Hom. 21. For asmuch as he was send to possesse with his chayr Rome Peter by Gods prouidence is sent to Rome to possesse that see with his chayre the Mother Church of the Roman Empyre Athan. ad Solit. Vit. Agent Aug de sanct serm 27. Leo serm 1. in nat Pet Paul VVho calleth Rome the Head-city of the world to conquer all superstition Heresie and infidelity For asmuch as his chayr and succession hath bynacknowledged of all the auncient Fathers hath florished there to this present day without interruption of that faith which S. Peter professed and taught as expertence doth bear witnes Conc. Calced act 3. Bern. epist 190. For as Christ excelleth the Angels Heb 1 because God neuer said to any of them as he said to Christ euen so Christ neuer sayd to any of the Apostles as he said to S. Peter Thow shaltbe called Peter or vpon this rock I will build my Church or to thee I will giue the keyes or pay for me and thee or I haue prayed for thee that thy faith fail not feed my sheepe and rule my lambes Matt 16. Luc. 22. Iohn 21. To declare one Pastor and one chayre wherein vnity might be kept of all men The building of Christ Church varieth not but is neuer syk it self least the other Apostles might echone chaleng a chaire to himself Opt. milet lib. 2. de Schism donat So that in Peter himself is this rock and faith of his Church And because the building of Christs Church varithe not after his Ghospell planted but is alwayes lyk it self therefore all Catholyckes belieue that when S. Peter died who was the head coÌ„stitute by Christ another succeeded in his place by ordination of S. Peter All christians belieue the Pope to be the head of the church and confessor of the true faith and consequently the rock of the church vpoÌ„ whoÌ„ Christs militaÌ„te Church might be as stedfastly builded as it had ben once built on S. Peter And seing the Byshop of Rome succeedes S. Peter all Christians doe constantly affirme that the Byshop of Rome is the rock and head of his Church who confesses euermore Christes true faith Vpon which confession of the sea of Rome as vpon a sure rock Christs Church is built VVhervpon Bern. lib. de consid ad Eugen. pp. lib. 2. Other Pastores haue flockes assigned to them euery Pastor one flock to thee all are committed one flock to one sheepheard And not only of the sheep but also of the Pastores thow allone art the Pastor doest thou aske how I proue it by the word of our Lord. For to whom I say not only of the Byshops but also of the Apostles so absolutly without distinction are all the sheep committed as it is said It thow louest me Peter feed my sheep which sheep whether the people of this or of that city or country or certaine kingdome he sayes my sheepe Out of which worde it is euident that Christ did not appoint out some to a particular Pastor but assigned all nothing is accepted wher nothing is distinguished Thus he Therfore seing the pastorall office and authority of S. Peter was ordinary it behoueth that it must go for euer vnto his successors and for asmuch as the Byshop of Rome is that ordinary Pastor who succeedeth in S. Petees chayre and is aboue the rest according to Gods word All ordinary offices goe by succession for when the Church was built on S. Peter and he was made cheif Pastor of the same at what tyme he was in Palestina and not in Rome euen then he was accompted the high Byshop of the circumcision of the faithfull Iewes yet notwithstanding for asmuch as the same Peter at the leÌ„gth setled himself at Rome by Gods appointement and left a successor there as the holy Fathers affirme as Iren. lib. 3. cap. 3. Tertul. de praese And seing he was the rocke promised by Christ vpon whome he should build his Church and also the pastor who as he hath loued Christ more then any other So he had the authority to feed Christ flock more then any other Bâ—shop and seing that power of S. Peter was ordinary it must continue in the Church of God permanent and also it must continue in on chiefe sheepheard only which is the byshop of Rome who ordinarily succedees in the said authority of S. Peter therfore the said supremacy of the byshop of Rome is auouched and taught by Gods owne word Et Cyp. ad iubatan de simplicit prol sayes Christ gaue that authority that there should be no schisme Authority is in the Church that there should be no schisme and breach in vnity and that he might make vnity manifest that the originall of the same vnity may haue his beginning of one And therefore Iren lib. â— aduers Haeret. cap. 3. Speaking of the successions of Byshops in those Churches which the Apostls had first intituled called the church of Rome the greatest Church and most auncient and knowne to all men All Churches concures with the Church of Rome as mother Church Hereticks haue appealed from the affrican counsels to the sea of Rome being planted setled by two most glorious Apostles Peter and Paul and ech Church that is about this must come agree and concurr with her for her mighty principality and gouernement Hereupon S. Cyp. lib. epist 3. confesseth the authority of S. Peter to be at Rome for wheras certain factious persons Heretycks sayled from Cathage to Rome intending to complaine of him and the other Byshops of Africk sayd to Pope Cornelius they dare cary letters from Schismaticall and prophane men to the chayr of Peter and principall Church whence the
7. Brent in prolog cont a sotum Cent. Madeb lib 4. cap. 7. ANSVVER I Say no counsell eyther particuler or generall or whatsoeuer Prelates or Byshopes are assembled haue any infallible authority to defyne themselues without the authoritie and approbation of the Byshop of Rome No counsel may of it self define matters of faith without the head Diuers counsels haue erred which we proue manifestly with reason seing suchlyke sometymes without his authority haue erred as the counsell of Ariminense in which counsell were six hundrith Byshops with Arius in which it was defined by thē that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 homousion should not be vsed as an vnproper word which is to say that Christ Iesus in his Godhead is not to beheld consubstantiall to his Father Lykwise the Counsell of Millan which confirmed the Heresie of Arius Neyther this should seeme to any a maruell that two such great Counsells are dispysed and reiected because they are imperfect and lame without a head neyther doe such Counsels represent the vniuersall Church but only the body of the Church without a head Therefore it is not to such lyke coūsells The promises of God are to the head not to the body not to no particular member that the infallible promises of Gods diuyne assistance in defining matters of Faith are promised and effected but only to the head who by lawfull ordination hath receaued from Christ immediate power and authority to defyne matters of faith as head of the Church So that the body cannot defyne any thing without the head In the head is the sensitiue power to rule the body seing in the head are the sēsitiue powers of the body Therefore the body is vnder the gouernement of the head and not contrariwyse the body to rule the head Moreouer whatsoeuer counsell hath ioyned to it the authority and approbation of the Byshop of Rome is of infallible authority whether it be general prouincial The counsel of Ierusalem is a paterne to all other lawfull counsels or national because the decrees and definition of the counsell of Ierusalem are called the decrees of the holy-Ghost who cannot erre In which counsell it is sayd it is seen good to the holy Ghost and to vs. Act. 15. v. 28. For this cause all other counsels lawfully assembled may say the same words representing the vniuersall Church because that counsell was the forme and exemplar of all other counsels lawfully gathered with the authority of the head As also because no lesse necessary is the assistāce of the holy ghost in these letter dayes then he was in those dayes but now more necessary because of the greater breaking out of Heresies Greater reasōs are in these tymes to gather coūsels then were in the dayes of the Apostles which shall deny our Lord that hath bought vs bringing on themselues swift damnation not knowing what they professe and lyuing lyk brute-beastes only seaking their pleasures and liberty without contradiction of a superior power For which causes generall counselles are vsed to be ordayned that they may suppresse and extinguish such new nouelties and Hereticall opiniōs which from the beginning of the Church by generall counselles with the head as chief Pastor and vicar of Christ haue byn damned accursed So that aswell by Scripture as reason it concludeth that whatsoeuer counsell is gathered lawfully and hath the authority of the Pope Counsels approued by the Pope are infallible is infalible that in one word I shall make it euident that euer in the Church that auncient costume hath bene that whatsoeuer decreetes of a Synode were concluded were euer sent to the Byshop of Rome to be confirmed Counsels remit their decree and examination with the Hereticks books to the Pope to be censured by his iudgement and approued So that S. Aug. Epist 90. beareth witnes of the counsell of Chartage wrytting in these wordes to Innocent Byshop of Rome saying vnto our most blessed Father and honourable brother Holy Innocent Pope VVe Aurelius Mundinus Rusticanus Fidentius and the rest who were present in the Counsell at Carthage and after cōmemoration of those who were present and of those things which were decreed in the counsell against Pelagius they add these words following Lord and holy Brother we haue thought good to intimate to thy charity what we haue done that the authority of the Apostolick seat may be annexed to the statutes of our iudgementes and meaning for the defence of the saluation of many and the correction of the peruersitie of some others as also the Heretical booke of Pelagius and the answer of the Catholyck Fathers we haue sent vnto thy holynes to be adiudged The same lykewise This infallibility is ascrybed to the assistance of the holy Ghost S. Aug. doth witnes in his epist 92. 95. for we doe not ascrybe this infallibilitie to the Byshopes and Fathers gathered togeathe in the counsell for that they are many or learned men but to the promise of the assistance of the holy Ghost as Matth. 18. v. 20. 28. v. 66. Which assistance of the holy Spirit we belieue you not to haue in your synodes wherin lyke manner men are foūd This holy Ghost no Heretycks are assisted with where also is found men and noe Angels The Protestant counsels are left without determination and worse then they be good Luther sets at nought all counsels and condemnes the Canons of Nyce and not Angels neyther Prophets nor Euangelistes but very men with whome the spirit of dissention makes matters indeterminate and without conclusion amongst you And moreouer wherefore giues your Bretheren such obedience and are in subiection vnto your pseudo Byshops as to a spirituall and higher power and accept of their decrees seing they are lyke our Catholicke Byshops in name mortall men whose lyues are knowne to all men Therefore we haue attributed infallibility of the counsels to the assistance of Gods holy spirit and not to man which if Luther in his booke of counsels would haue behoulden with a pure eye would not haue broken out in that bitternes to accurse and blaspheme the counsels with which he sets at nought the Canones of that holy counsel of Nyce which in all former tymes hath been esteemed soe venerable in the Church of God tearming all the articles of this counsell to be but haye stubble and strawe Kemnitius will examine the counsell of Trent after his spirit To augment this did not Kemnitius a Lutherā a prophane temerous fellowe wryte the examen of the counsell of Trent in which was so many learned men and all are tryed and examined of him In which doing they not only violate and transgresse the diuyne law of God which law commaundes all men to seek the knowledge of the law of the mouth of the Priestes Hereticks trāsgresse the law of God and imperiall ordinances of man as Mal. 2. but also the humane law of Martian the Emperour which commaundes
straitly that that which is once iudged in a Synode and rightly disposed let no man call it againe in question seeking thereby occasion of tumult or of falshood for it is wicked and sacrilegious after the iudgement of so many Priests to leaue any thing to his owne opinion to be discussed Emperours nor Kings nor no lay-men are admitted in generall counsels to defyne matters of faith Morouer neyther are Emperours nor any lay-men howsoeuer learned in holy Scriptures admitted in a generall counsell to defyne matters of faith or at any tyme haue been admitted as the Byshops be who assist the Pope not only as counsellers but also as iudges and for that cause they say so the holy Synode hath decreed For what is more contrary to reason then wher is treated of saluation damnation of good and euill and in defyning of the wholsome doctrin from errour Byshops are both counsellers iudges It is contrary to reason that in matters of saluation damnation lay-meÌ„ should be iudges to commit the iudgmeÌ„t of these things to lay-men which appertaine to the dutie of the Pastor according to Hier. saying cap. 3. I shall giue you Pastors according to my hart and they shall feede you with science and doctrine and S. Paul sayes Eph. 4. He hath giuen some to be Pastors and Doctores But the Emperours from the beginning of the Church vsed to followe and heare the iudgement of the Apostolicall seat and the generall counsells and not to argue or to giue verdâ—cte or pronuÌ„ce sentence with the Byshops of the Church whereupon S. August apud possid in vita eius cap. 18. sayes That the Byshops of the Apostolicall seat Innocent and Zozimus accursed the Pelagians cut theÌ„ of from being members of the Church and wrot letters to the Affrican Churches of the Orient and Occident signifying theÌ„ to be accursed and to be eschewed of all Catholickes Also the most godly Emperor Honorius hearing Pelagius and his fellowers accursed decreed them also by his owne law damned adiudged for Heretickes Emperors and Kings haue made concurrence to the counsels for obedience haue made lawes for obedience to be done for receauing their decrees Lykewise S. August epist 166. maketh mention of the decrees of Constantine the Great to haue the lyk strength against Hereticks So that these godly Emperours neuer medled themselues to be examiners of the counsell farreles iudges but what was decreed in the counsel we read them to haue made lawes for the execution of the counsell Popes verdict and sentence and euer haue shewed themselues as nourses in the Church of God rendering all reuerence and submitting themselues to the Churches authorities as witnesse Ruff. lih 10. Eccl. Hist cap. 2. Valentin Emper. ad Synod Chalc. Martianus Act. 3. Concil Chalced S. Ambros epist. 32. S. Aug. hom de Paschal in ps cont part donat epist 48. Philo. libro de Victimis Athanasius in Epistol ad Solit. vitam agente Epistol idem Suâ—idas in vita Leontij Theodor. lib. 4. cap. 17.18 lib. 4. cap. 5. But contrarywise it is proper to all Heretickes The germanes contemned the counsell of Trent to their great ignominie to contemne all generall counsels of the Church as did most filthyly the ProtestaÌ„ts of Germanie the last of Febu 1537. with ignominy to their nation for dispysing the counsell set and appointed by the Pope whom they will not acknowledge to haue power to iudge nor yet the Byshopes with him but the vniuersall Church But more plainly they may say it doth appertaine also to barbers taylors coblers bakers brewers wolspynners botchers cookes apotecharies and euery mechanicall and all trashkynde of people to whome God neuer gaue authority to iudge neyther were admitted to come in the place of iudgement to hear what was iudged in matters of faith but only to Prelates is committed the authority of feeding as S. Pet. saies 1. Pet. cap. 5. v. 2. Feed the stock of God which is amongst you No Emperour may call a generall counsell lawfully neyther doth his power extend in all partes to be obeyed and depending vpon you thus he Moreouer neyther Emperours of themselues may command a counsell the reason is euident because it is not sayd to the Emperor feed my sheepe but only to Peter and his successors neyther is the Emperor or King head of the Church neyther haue they commandement ouer all Byshopes seing many Byshops remaine out of their iurisdiction and commandement But a generall counsell should be commaunded of him who may coÌ„maund that they assemble otherwise the indictioÌ„ and command shal be of no value or effect and seing the Emperour or King is only a generall defender of the Church to whome for that cause that iurisdiction to commaund a counsell was neuer lawfull neyther at any tyme hath been instituted of the Emperors by authority of theÌ„selues And albeit some de facto haue indicted couÌ„sels notwithstaÌ„ding no otherwayes Whatsoeuer Emperours hath done was by consent of the Pope of Rome theÌ„ with the authority and consent of the Byshop of Rome neyther did the first Byshops in those tymes indicte any counsell without the helpe of the Emperors so that euer the authority of the Pope was ioyned with the Emperor as for example that great couÌ„sell of Nyce was not only gathered of Constantyne Emperor but also of Siluester Pope as it is sayd in the sixt Synod Act. 8. to whome agreeth Ruff. lib. 10. Hist. cap. 1. saying Constantine to haue gathered that great counsell by iudgment of the Pope and Priestes of the Church and not of his owne authority and commandement Moreouer this authority of the Emperor was very necessary for the Byshops to be gathered at one counsell First The authority of the Emperour is necessary for diuers respectes that the Prelates of the Church might by their authority be defended from paganes in the way Secondly that they might be transported with publique charges for then they were poore and might not beare so great chardges of themselues Thirdly because in that tyme the old lawes of the Emperors did rule and were in effect obserued which inhibited all great meetings and couentions without the authority of the Emperor for fear of sedition and coniurations leg conuent cod de epist. cop presb which lawes haue now ceased OBIECTION IT is sayd Iohn 5. search the Scriptures therefore the certaine way to compose controuersies of religion is by the searching of the Scriptures and not by decition and senteÌ„ce of counsell ANSVVER THe Scripture kept the place of a witnes and not of a iudge For Christ hath not sayd search the Scriptures because they bear iudgemeÌ„t of me but he sayth search the scriptures by the indicatiue word because they beare witnes of me for it is not the office of a witnes to giue sentence but only to giue testimonie but it is the iudges part to hear search and examine the witnes
lyk in all things and equall in degrees of dignitie ANSVVER SAINCT Paul might do it iustly because they were bretheren in the office of Apostleship also for that he had the same holy Ghost with Peter Yet it is to be obserued that no doctrine of S. Peters was then reproued as false but only his behauiour in an outward act as Tertul. lib. de praes Haeret. witnesseth For all the fault was in his conuersation and not in doctrine for he conuersing with the Gentils without respect of the keeping of the law for he belieued the law to binde no man yet at the comming of certaine Iewes he abstained from the Gentils thinking thereby he should do more good to the Iewes to abstaine froÌ„ some meates so that Paul reprehended his dissembling in that the Gentels also were compelled to plaie the Iewes as S. Aug. Epist 19. ad Hier. notes vpoÌ„ this place Yet no lesse S. Paul in this fault is also culpable in tollerating the obseruance of the law in that he circumcised Timothie against the doctrine of the Ghospell Act. 20. Now in that fashion of reproufe S. Paul belieued that the tyme was proper that no man should winke at the ceremonie of the law and to dissemble longer for it was vnprofitable for they belieued the tyme was come to professe Christ plainly c. OBIECTION CHrist is the Head of the Church as the Apostle sayes Eph. 4. He hath constituted him head ouer all the Church but if Peter be head and consequently after him the Pope of Rome there shal be two heades of one body which is absurde Ergo. ANSVVER HOw impertinently doth Luther inferre this argumeÌ„t against vs to proue the body of the Church to be a monster with two heades For we doe not say that Peter is a lyk equall head with Christ but vnder Christ that is to say head-vicar substitute in the place of Christ and so a second head after Christ that is an head of all others froÌ„ Christ or of his misticall body which of all men groweth in Christ and so he is not the head of the full body seing he is not the head of Christ but Christ is simpliciter absolute head of the whole Church yea of Peter who is a member of this whole body notwithstanding more worthy then others As a Vice-roy is truly head of that Kingdome of which he beares charge neuer-theles the King is superior and first head of all his Kingdomes euen so Christ and Peter who is called a rock Matt. 16. and a foundation 1 Cor. 3. vers 11. but not first for Christ is only the first stone layed in the foundation of the Church but Peter is the second foundation and rock vpon whom the rest of the Church is founded by Christ OBIECTION IF the Pope succeed to Peter Ergo he is an Apostle which is false ANSVVER THe sequell is friuolous for more things are requyred to the Apostleshipe then to succeed to the Apostle to wit that immediatly he be called of God moreouer that he be taught of God his doctrine and sent with authority to effectuaâ— the same and lykewise to be indued with the gift of the holy Ghost to write canonicall Scriptures Which things the Pope hath not although in the meane tyme he doth obtaine the Apostolicall power in the whole Church in which he hath succeeded to S. Peter from whence it is called the Apostles seat because of the iurisdiction and authority which the Apostls had and was giuen immediatly by Christ OBIECTIO THE Counsell may depose the Pope therefore the Pope is not supreame head of the Church when the Counsell may depose him ANSVVER THe assumption is false absolutly for a counsell with iudiciall authority caÌ„not depose the Pope because the first seat is iudged of no man the reason is because the Pope hath receaued authority in the whole Church immediately from Christ so that the Church can no way take away that authority Put the case that he should be a manifest Heretick he should not be deposed of men but of God who will not retayne such a vicar who de facto declars himself an heretick cuts himself of so manifestly from his body eyther by euidence of deed or by declaration of a generall counsell QVAESTIO IX Of the Roman Sea of S. Peter WHerefore doth the Roman-Papists boast so much of the succession of the Roman Byshops seing S. Peter was neuer at Rome Welenus Illyr Magdeburg Sebast Franc c. ANSVVER IT is probable that Peter was not only in Rome and to haue made his residence in it but to haue been crucifyed there Howsoeuer the impudeÌ„cy of Heretickes doth prate against the tradition of all antiquity It is probable that Peter was in Rome by his owne epistles First it is proued out of his owne first epistle cap. 5. v. 13. saying The Church collected in Babilon salutes yow that is to say Rome which he calles Babilon because it was full of riches persecution superstion and idolatrie with all manner of sinnes reygning in it as witnesseth Eus lib. 2. cap. 15. Lykwise Papias the disciple of S Iohn sayes that Peter in his first epistle which he wrote from Rome hath remembred Mark whom he calleth his sonne Rome is called Babylong in which figuratiuely he hath nominated Rome Babilon when he sayes that Babylon salutes yow Lykwise Hieâ— de Vir. Illust in Marc. sayes that Peter in his first Epistle vnder the name of Babylon figuratiuely signifieth Rome Moreouer to haue houlden and kept the Episcopall Chayre at Rome At Rome he ouercame Simon Magus and there to haue ouercome and been victor ouer Symon Magus This S. Aug. declares lib. 2. cont lit petil cap. 51. repreheÌ„ding the Hereticks in this manner saying VVhat hath the Chayr of the Roman-Church done to thee S. Aug. defendeth the seat of Rome in which Peter hath sitten and in which at this day Anastasius doth siâ—t Moreouer speaking of Simon Magus lib. de Haer. ad quoduult Har. 1. sayes that he Heretick gaue the images both of himself Simon Magus superstuious dealing in Rome and of the whorishe citie to his disciples to be worshiped the which at Rome he had set vp by publick authority as the images of the heathen Gods in the which city the blessed Apostle Peter ouerthrow him by the true vertue of God omnipoteÌ„t thus he For all the Hystories His ouerthrow at rome by the power of God and Holy writers with generall traditions in all ages haue testified that S. Peter came to Rome as sayes Egisip lib. 3. cap. 2. Ireâ— lib 3. cap. 3. But and Euseb the professors of â—â—â—ditious sayes in Châ—on Eccl. Hist. lib. 2. cap 15 That in the secoÌ„d yeare of Claudius the Emperour Peter the Apostle when he had first founded the Church at Antioch he went to Rome Peter preached at Rome XXV yeares wher preaching the Euangely twenty-fyue-yeares he remained Byshop of that same towne And S.
Antichrist shall only preuaile in his Kingdome but three yeares and an half and in this time the Saincts shal be delyuered into his had who shall deale with them after his pleasure as Dan. cap. 7. 12. apoc 17. but when he hath reygned the forsayd tyme and hath spoyled all things in this world and shall sit in the temple of Ierusalem whose vprysing shal be by the working of Sathan with all deceipt of iniquity extolling himselfe aboue God And taking away the daily sacrifice Dan. 11. and the signe of the Crosse in all places as sayes Hippol. lib. de consummat saeculi Antichrist shall abolish the daily Sacrifice the signe of the Crosse and follow all sensualitie And lykewyse shal be the cause of the departure from Christs faith lawfull Pastor and Roman Emperour whose glorie shal be in all synne and therfore iustly is called the man of synne and following all sensuallity and lust as Dan. 11. But this the Pope doth not ergo he is not Antichrist neyther is his lyfe blemâ—shed with such bad qualities Therfore what vnderstanding haue these men in the worde of God that belieue it not concerning Antichrist neyther the graue authorities of the Fathers but rashly and presumptuously doe iudg the heigh Priest of God and vicare of Christ to be that abominable enemy of God and Antichrist to be his sonne our Lord and Sauiour QVAESTIO VIII Of the Primacy of S. Peter WHerefore doe the Papists worship the Pope as Supreame head of the Church and Byshop of all other Byshops Successor called to S. Peter and infallible Iudge in all causes of faith which titles and preheminence doe all sauour of Antichrist Luth. art 25. apud Roffens Cal. lib. 4. cap. 7. Centur. 1. part lib. 2. cap. 10. Nilus de primatu ANSVVER GOd did forsee that the people of Israel sometime might fall and declyne from religion eyther to the right hand or to the left therefore he prouided in the Synagogue a Pastor to whom in matters of doubt they might haue recourse God prouyded in the Law a supream Head for deciding of controuersies doubts that by his authority all controuersies arysing might be decyded and defined Moreouer the Scâ—ipture addeth Deut. 17. v. 12. If any man will do presaâ—â—â—uoâ—sly and not obey the commaundement of the Priest who in that tyme ministreth to the Lord thy God by decree of tâ—e iudge that man shall die the death God is no lesse carefull for his Church then he was for the Synagogue What the high Priest in the law was the same is S Peter in the Ghospell It is of greater reason to haue an head now then it was in the law A head is for holping of vnity in faith religion All men belieue that the Pope is head of Christs Church Wherefore seing with no lesse fauour the sonne of God doth assist and succour his owne Church with â—he Priest hood and authority now in this age then he did long since the Synagogue For which he hath instituted and placed S. Peter Pastor and hath ordayned that his successors shall rule in hir Therefore now it coÌ„mes to passe that greater necessity is at the present tyme to haue a Pastor for the gouernement of his Church then in S. Peter tyme. For at this tyme there are many more ChristiaÌ„s in the world indued with farr lese holynes and vertue theÌ„ they were long since Moreouer they are inuironed and compassed daylie with vpstart heresies and nouelties and for this cause greater necessity of a head by whom Gods flock may be preserued keept in one faith and religion and that all controuersies and dissention may be taken away For confirmation of the veritie all good Christians belieue that the Byshop of Rome sitting in S. Peter chayre is by lawfull ordination and the appointment of Christ the chief Pastor of the whole militant Church whose voyce euery sheepe ought to harken to as to the voyce of Christ his Apostle For no man that hath his senses free and is not led with the spirit of errour Will make any question of the Supremacy of S. Peter No man makes question against him that hath not the spirit of errour and his successores Seing so many euident testimonies coâ—firme the same thinge as first Christ sayes to him Iohn 1. Thow art Simon the sonne of Iona thow shalt be called Cephas the which by interpretation is Peter that is a stone or a rock Here it is to be obserued that Christ makes a promise that Simon shal be called Peter for as a stone is the fouÌ„dation of the house For Simon Peter had the first place by Christs appointment so shall Peter be the fouÌ„dation of his mâ—litant Church Secondly in choosing his twâ—lue Aposties Mâ—rc 13. Luc. 6. Simon is nominated first and is furnamed Peter Thirdly when the Godhead of Christ was reuealed to him and when he had confessed the same Chrâ—st answeres expounding his name saying and I say vnâ—o thee thow art Peter and vpon this rock I will build my Church c. For his name declairs him to be a rock and a ground stone of Christs Church In which wordes the promise of Christ is fulfilled and the reason of the promâ—se is declared concerning the new name So that Peter himself is called here a rock and that Christ promisseth to build his Church on him for in promising to Simon that he should be called Peter when as yet he had confessed him was to that end that he might confesse the more strongly and firmly as a rock Christ pronuÌ„ces Peter blessed and a rock to build his church on Next he named him Peter before he had confessed him so that he was thus farr forward in being the rock before his profession And thirdly when as yet he had not confessed Christ pronunces him not only a rock or a man in stedfastnes of the propertie of a rocke in his faith but also such a rock wherupon he would build his Church for euery Apostle was a rock in generall but S. Peter was this rocke in speciall whereof Christ now speakes Fourthly that the confession of Peter might remaine vnmoueable after Christ ascention For allwayes the Church needs a visible head rock Christ prayed for Peters faith The Church hath need of a visible head therefore Christ prayed for Peter that he might streÌ„ghen his bretheren What the giuing of the name and promise of Christ erected and he was bid to strenghen his bretheren After his conuersion of Christs denyall last of all to showe what kynd of strength Peter should giue to his Bretheren Christ willed him feede his lambes as for conclusion of these a foresayd the promise of the name of Peter was the first cause of Peters being this rock The giuing of the name was the performance of the promise The confession of Christs God-head was the fruite of the gift and of the promise The promise to haue the Church build on
priestly vnity began neyther do they consider them to be Romans whose faith is praysed by the Apostles owne mouth to whom infidelity can haue no accesse This he For this Seat Emperours and Kings honoured and reuerenced Ruff. lib. 10. Eccl. Hist. cap. 2 Lykewyse Byshops To the sea of Rome infidelity can haue no accesse and Prelates haue made their appellatioÌ„s to Rome as Cyp. cont epist. Steph. ppae Hist. tripart lib 4. cap 15. Arnob. in ps 106. Opt. mel cont parm Donat lib. 2. Hier. Epist ad Dam. Papa By her authority Generall Counsells haue been indicted and appointed By the authority of the roman see Hereticks Schismaticks are accused No Heretick Byshop euer found in the sea of Rome Schismaticks and Hereticks by the same authority or accursed and condemned In this succession and authority noe Heretick Byshop euer was found as witnes S. Aug. epist. 165. And therefore as S. Aug. sayes to the Donatists in ps cont par donat Come yee bretheren if yee wil be grafted in the vyne it grieues vs when we see youly thus cut of Nomber ye the Byshops euen from the very seat of S Peter and consider who succeded whoÌ„ in that order that himself is the rock which the proud gates of hell do not ouercome What greater testimony can be said for the primacy of the Byshop of Rome and successor of S. Peter whom all good Christians ought to honour and reuerence as the high priest of God and gouernour of his Church OBIECVIO THe Protestants affirme that Peter himself is not called this rock but eyther Christ alone or the faith which Peter confessed is called this rock So that the wordes of the text are thus meant Vpon this faith and confession of thyne which thow hast testified of me vpon this rock which I am or on this stronge faith which is confessed of me I will build my Church And wheresoeuer this faith is there is the rock vpon which Christ buildeth his Church ANSVVER ALbeit the faith coÌ„fession of Christs-goodhead be indeed a most stronge rock wherevpon the Church is builded yet that is not all which Christ meanes at this present For these wordes thow art Peter haue a respect vnto three diuerse tymes First to the tyme past because they are spoken to him who was promised to be called Peter And secondly to the present tyme because they are spoken to him who now confessed Christs-goodhead And thirdly to the tyme to come because they are spoken to him to whom Christ sayes he wil giue the keyes of Heauen and vpon whom he will hereafter build his Church which thing he performed when he sayd to him Peter louest thow me c. Io. 21. For the proposition is qualified with the persone to whome it is spoken and with the diuersity of three tymes To conclude the Protestants deny Peter himself who make the confession te be this rock and deuyde the confession from the promise going immediately before which wrought the effect which ensued after for somuch it is affirmed true but in respect of that which is denyed it is a maine falshood for Christs wordes doe teach that this rocke wherupon Christs Church is built is S. Peter in respect of the promise past present confession and the authority of feeding of Christs sheepe Io. 21. OBIECTIO PETER alone was not made the sheepheard of Christ flock aboue all others but that in him Christ spake to all the Apostles ergo ANSVVER PEter alone is spoken to and commanded to feede Christs sheepe in the presence of al the other Apostles to none of theÌ„ Christ speaketh any thing therof at this tyme. Ergo Peter alone is preferred OBIECTION AL Hereticks cry out that all the Apostles were equall and the rest were the same thing which Peter was which thing say they S. Cyp de vnit Ecclaes doth witnes and lykenwyse the very practise of the Apostles in so much that Paul withstood and reproued Peter who was not one of the twelue Ergo. ANSVVER SAINCT Peter was not only an Apostle in which office duringe their lyues all the Apostles were his equalles but also both chiefe Apostle and also ordinary sheepheard and high Byshop wherin they all were inferiors to him as the members and body to the head Ergo. OBIECTION THe old Catholik Fathers haue written and pronunced that no mortall man as Peter was but Christ himself the sone God can be this head Ergo. ANSVVER IT is manifest false for all the ancient Fatheres agree and affirme that Peter receaued the building of the Church on him as Bas aduers eunom lib. 2. Hilar. lib. 6. de Trinit S. Cyp. ad Iubatan S. Aug. de past S. Hier. lib. 1. de Iouin lâ—b 2. aduers Iouinian Leo in assumpt serm 3. Aug. Epist 165. in Tract Io. 124. OBIECTION SAINCT Aug. de verbis Domint sayes Christ was â—he rock vpon which foundation Peter himself â—as also built Ergo. ANSVVER WHo doth not know that one rock might be built on another the lesse on the greater is not the house of God built of many stones Christ is the chief Rock and the corner-stone vpon him lyeth S. Peter a Rock in comparison of Christ very small in comparison of vs very great Vpon S Peter the rest of the Church which liued vnder him was built who is also a Rock since euery man in his degree is a liuely stone concurring to the building vp of the whole Church which are ioyned togeather and fastned by faith and charity make also a Rock of themselues beside that they are built vpon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles 1 Pet 2 1. Cor. 10 Ephes 2. Neyther doth one of these verities contradict or disproue the other Ergo c. OBIECTION VVHEN the Apostles who were in Ierusalem had â—eard that Samarta had receaued the word of God They sent to them Peter and Iohn Act 8. But no man is sent but by a higher power Therfore Peter was not head of the Apostles ANSVVER THe holy Ghost is sayd to be sent of the Father and of the Sone is not yet the holy-Ghost of equal honour and dignity with them Is it therfore because he is sent that he is inferiour But we vnderstand that he is inferior that is sent by commandement Otherwyse equals and superiors are sayd to be sent from theÌ„ at whose request counsel they go chiefly if those from whom they come be of great authority with those to whom they are sent And such was the college of the Apostles in Samaâ—ia For indeed it was much to moue them that the Prince of the Apostles with the beloued disciple of Christ by iudgemeÌ„t and decree of all the Apostles came to their conuersion OBIECTION IT is sayd that Peter did suffer an heauie reprehension of the Apostle Paul Gal. 2. to wit that to his face he withstood him but this was not decent in a subiect or inferior Therfore the Apostle did not acknowledge Peter Superior but a
and so all things hard and pondered A iudge and a witnes diâ—fers greatly he giueth sentence therfore seeing an Hereticke and Catholicke both sayes that they haue searched the Scriptures these Scriptures beare testimony of their doctrine so that in this debate the searching of the Scripture is not a sufficient way seing these Scriptures are interpreted of euery one at his pleasure but there is need of a iudge who may giue sentence of the true interpretation and sense of Scriptures and this iudgement and sentence is due and proper to the Pope and his counsell and not to the searching of Scriptures But this is the ambition and pryde of all Heresies who set at nought the vniuersality of the whole Church because they will credit them selues their owne proper iudgement Hereticks wil credit themselues and noe other and that all men from the primitiue tymes haue erred and they only haue not erred let scriptures fathers counsels vniuersalitie and practise do all what is right they will belieue themselues and remaine iudges in their owne cause as though they were gods not men and neyther subiect to sinne nor error OBIECTION THe Generall counsell doth represente the whole Church as defyneth Martyn 5. in the ende of the counsell of CoÌ„stance which counsell representeth the persone of the wholl Church which Church can noe way be gathered togeather but so farr as the Prelates assemble in one place and in the name of all the faithfull But it followes that the vniuersall Church cannot erre Ergo neyther the Generall counsel which is the vertue of the whol Church ANSVVER SEcluding the Pope as head the counsell is only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neyther doth it represent perfectly the wholl Church and so it may erre because they are particular counsels as the couÌ„sell of Carthage and Areminense as Caiet Tractat. de Auth. Concil cap. 9. OBIECTION IF the infallibilitie of the counsell depende on the Pope in vaine it seemes to call a counsell for truely alswell by the Pope himself without a counsell the matter may be defyned as wish the counsell ANSVVER NOt so neyther are couÌ„sels instituted in vaine for how much more inquisition is made of the groundes of verity and is decerned by the iudgement of many the verity is made the clearer and errour is taken away because those things in which the Pope defines with the counsell are of greater weight then those which he defynes of himself that the very Heretick may persuade himself that it is true solyde which by so great labour and exquisit diligence is found out and with so many consentes is defyned for veritie wherefore the Pope doth wysly in censuring of heresie and other weightie causes to conuocate counsel and to defyne the same with them In which definition of counsell although the Byshops are iudges yet notwithstanding they are inferior iudges but the Pope is supreame iudge And as a King in the kingdome may recall the sentence of an inferior iudge when the greater part is left out euen so the Pope as head of the Church may approue and reiect with the assistance of the holy Ghost and when the greatest part of the Church condiscendes and defynes therupon with him OBIECTION IN many counsels the Pope of Rome is absent and only his Legates are present Ergo they may err very much ANSVVER I Grant such counsels may erre except those Legates haue instruction from the Pope and do followe the same and that the definition of the counsell be conformable to his instruction in soe doing the counsell agreeth with the head in the same doctrine and such a counsell is adiudged lawfull when the Pope before hath giuen them instruction and hath pronunced his iudgement what shal be done But if the Pope send no instruction by his legates albeit his legates do coÌ„sent vnto the definition of the counsel it is of no effect neyther is that definition infallible because the authority to define and conclude is not in the Legats who are but only messengers betwixt the counsell and the Pope But for conclusion all coÌ„uselles before they conclude any thing after longe deliberation and inquisition in euery matter with their iudgements and sentence they vse to seeke confirmation of the Pope as we read of the counsell of Trent in the bull of Pius 4. by which confirmation both the counsell is approued lawfull and all things are confirmed and ratifyed and this is the manner of all Catholick Counsels that for many no heresie dare show one to be an vniuersall counsell for them although they had for protectors of their heresie most puissant and potent Emperours and Kings as Valence and Constance Arian Emperors the Vandals and Gothes as also all sectaries haue attempted but as yet neuer could assemble a generall counsell QVESTIO XII Of the veritie of the Roman-Church and of her notes WHerefore doe the Papistes promise to all men saluatioÌ„ to be only in the Roman Church Conf. Aug. art 6. Calu. lib. 4. inst cap. 1. § 10. Brent in conf Wittemb cap. de Eccl. ANSVVER BEcause it standeth with reason for that the Papistes haue certaine markes of credible euidence that only that multitude of men who obey at the present tyme the Pope of Rome The true Church is knowne by her markes are the true Catholick Church which we proue after this manner Seing that congregation of men is only the Church of Christ which is videlicet one holy Catholick and Apostolicall Church So that all the auncient counselles were decerned by those tokens from other sectes and not by the preaching of the pure word neyther by the pure vse of the Sacramentes The Hereticks marks are as obscure as their church which is inuisible the which the Heretickes assigne for notes of their Church alyke obscure with their Church For what is he of the fift EuaÌ„gelists profession who proues not by those marks that the Church of Christ is with him and with no other Because saith he only in his congregation is the true preaching of the word and sincere vse of the Sacraments but markes ought to be euident otherwise they are no markes but the coÌ„gregatioÌ„ that obeyes the Pope of Rome hath those euident markes which is One Holy Catholick and Apostolicall Church therefore this is the true Church and only in her is expected saluatioÌ„ For first the Church of God is One partely in the head The Church is one for diuerse respects in so farre that all Byshops acknowledge the Pope for head to whom they agre and accord in doctrine and in administration of the Sacramentes Partly in diuyne worship for withall Catholikes is offered the same sacrifice and the same Sacramentes with the same administration of Ceremonies And partly amongst the members themselues to wit in the doctrine of Faith for all belieue one thing and condemne heresie In this one Church vnity is kept In one church vnity is kept and taught as witnesseth