haue any shame in them they can neuer defende their tyranny which so often Gregorie condemneth which not only reiected the title of vniuersall Bishop head but also the power to commande 22 The present state of Papistrie cannot without shame bée defended as also manifestly appeareth by that that Gregory and Bernard very lamentably complained of the malice of their age which is certainly knowne doeth abounde a hundreth times more now 23 To conclude that he may more vehemently wring them make himselfe way to the treatise following of Antichrist Looke Cap. 2. Sect. 11.12 he denieth that at Rome there is either a Church or Bishop all things are at this day so corrupted 24 That he confirmeth and thervpon includeth that there is no Apostolike sea where we can sée nothing but horrible Apostasie the same is not the mother of all Churches where wée sée the seate of Antichrist set 25 The Bishoppe of Rome is Antichrist him selfe 2. Thes 2.4 Dan. 7.25 26 Therefore the Supremasie may not be bounde to the place although in tymes past it hath bin chief of all chiefly séeing the Church is now turned to a Court. 27 Hitherto hauing spoken of the thing it self now he commeth to the persons and first as touching religioÌ„ he accounteth all in general none other then Lucians and Atheists 28 Then also Iohn the 22. namely erred in the doctrine of the immortalitie of the soule and therefore necessarie iâ— be wiped out yet they say that because it was sayde to Peter Luk. 22.32 that his Fayth should not faynte they can not erre but if they will be Peters successours they must all be Sathans Maâ— 16.23 and herein more then he because they folow Satanisme continually which he forsooke 29 Moreouer as touching their manners they are most filthie both in the wickednes of others and their owne 30 Cardinals were nothing else in tymes past then Priests of the Romish Churche and muche inferiour to Bishops but as they are nowe they haue no true and lawful office in the church Cap. 8. Of the power of the Churche as touching the articles of Fayth and with how vnbrideled licentiousnes it hath in the Papasie beene wrested to corrupt all purenes of doctrine FIrst he sheweth what bonds ends they are which the Church ought to appoint it selfe in suche matters from the 1. to the 9. Moreouer he blameth the Churche of Rome that it dare transgresse them from the 10. to the 16. 1 The third place is of the power of the Church but the same partly is contayned in euery Bishop partly in CouÌ„cels and it partly consisteth either in doctrine or in iurisdiction or in making lawes the place also of doctrine hath two partes authoritie to deliuer rules and to expounde them but whatsoeuer is taught concerning the power of the Church 2. Cor. 10. â— must be applied not to destruction but to edification the onely way wherof is to preserue to Christ his authoritie which can no otherwise be vnlesse that be left vnto him which he receiued of his Father that is that hée be the only schoolemaster of the church Mat. 17.5 for it is written not of any other but of him onely Heare him 2 Whatsoeuer authoritie or dignitie the scripture giueth to the Ministers of the Churche all the same is giuen not properly to the men them selues but to the Ministerie ouer which they are appointed that same first is shewed in in the Priestes all the Ministers had authoritie to teache in the name of the Lorde 3 Moreouer in the Prophets 4 Last of all in the Apostles Mat. 28.9 Iob. 7.16 5 Christ taught alwayes his church yet by diuers orders for diuersitie of tyme first by Reuelations but the same not doubtful They that wil come to the knowledge of God must be directed by the eternall wisedome of the Father Mal. 2.7 6 Moreouer by the lawe the Prophets Heb. 1.5 7 Last of all by him selfe manifested in the fleshe Mat. 28.20 Mat. 24.8 8 No man ought to teache any other thing in the Church than that which is contained in the lawe the Prophetes and Apostolicall writings 9 Neither is it lawful for their Apostles nor their successors 1. Pet. 4.21 2. Cor. 10.4 no not for the whole Church to passe these boundes 10 Bishops and Prelates haue exercised very great tyranny for they both permit theÌ„selues power to make newe lawes and acknowledge no man for a ChristiaÌ„ that doth not certainly coÌ„sent to their doctrines as well affirmatiue as Negatiue 11 That which they alledge for them selues Mat. 27.20 Ioh. 14.16 that the Church shall neuer bee forsaken of her spouse but that it shall be guided by his Spirit into all trueth he sheweth in what sense it must be vnderstood the same vndoubtedly contendeth vnto daily increase more then to glory in perfection for no man hath attained the marke 12 When they except that whatsoeuer particular thing is attributed to euery one of the holy ones the same doth throughly fully belong to the Church it selfe and that which they drawe out to this and are diligeÌ„t to proue by two places of scripture he sheweth in what sense as well the foundation of their argument Ephe. 5.25 1. Tim. 3.15 as the places of scripture must be vnderstood that is they declare what Christ daily worketh for he daily purgeth sanctifieth abolisheth and wypeth all them that are his from all spots the beginning of that sanctifiyng is héere séene but the ende and full accomplishment shal be when the holiest of holie ones shall truely and fully fill it with his holinesse as elsewhere he teacheth that Christe gaue Apostles Pastors and Teachers that we should no more be carried about with euery worde of doctrine or be mocked of men but that being enlightened with the true knowledge of the sonne of God â—phâ— 4 1â— we should altogether méete in the vnitie of Fayth 13 In what sense the aduersaries deny that the Church may erre and what is to be determined thereof that forasmuch as it is guided by the Spirite of God it may goe safely without the worde that whatsoeuer it speaketh or thinketh it is trueth but we say that the spouse and scholler of Christe must be subiect to her husband and schoolemaster that shée continually hangeth on his mouth and they that doe so shal be sure to haue the Spirite to guide them into the right way and to stay them in their Fayth for there is nothing to bée looked for of his Spirite Iob. 16.12 but that hée should enlighteÌ„ our minds to perceaue the trueth of his doctrine but they haue not the Spirite that pretend that they haue of their owne 14. 15 These two beginnings doth nothing helpe them which they take Ioh 16.12 When the Disciples were wel instructed of the holy Ghost they left all in writing necessary to saluation how so euer their rudenes was before
is vnmeete to haue respect what may naturally be doone where an inestimable miracle is set before vs which with the greatnesse thereof swaloweth vp our senses yet Paul in setting forth an example of nature reprooueth their dulnesse which deny the resurrection 5 As concerning errours first he cōfuteth the errour of the Ethnicks Eccle. 5.4 Marke 12.18 Luke 20.27 Acts. 2.8 Saduces which denied the resurrection immortalitie of the soules and also of the Chiliastes which limitted the reigne of Christ a thousand yéeres The place of the Reuelation maketh nothing for thē Reue. 20.4 where Iohn entreateth not of the eternal blessednes of the church but only of the diuers troubles which were to come vpon the Church while it yet trauelled in earth but the scripture crieth out that there shal be no end of the blessednesse of the elect nor of the punishment of the reprobate 6 Moreouer after hée hath called to minde two other doting errours 2. Pet. 1.14 2. Cor. 5.1 Heb. 12.23 the first of them that the soules shall rise againe with the bodies as though the whole man died first hée confuteth it secondly that that may better appeare he sheweth what their estate is after the dissolution of the body till the day of the last iudgement 2. Cor. 5.2 7 The last of them which imagine that soules shall not receiue the same bodies wherwith they are now clothed but shall haue newe and other bodies the better to roote it vp first hee taketh away the obiectiō of the Manichies deniyng the resurrection of the flesh Matth. 17.52 because it is vncleane Secondly hee prooueth that no other body shall rise than this Col. 24.6 Rom. 8.11 8 This argument he prosecuteth and by that occasion hee girdeth him selfe to expounde the manner of the resurrection 9 Neither is it any thing to the contrary Iohn 11.25 Matth. 25.31 Acts. 24.15 that the resurrection doeth pertaine to the wicked and the accursed of God no lesse then to the Saintes although not in the same manner 10 After he hath laide these thinges hee passeth from the resurrection to the eternall felicitie Ose 13.14 1. Cor. 15.54 which is the ende of the resurrection thereof hée affirmeth two thinges that the excellencie therof farre surmounteth our capacitie and that the measure of glory shall not bée equall to all the sonnes of God because he doth diuersly distribute his giftes to the Saintes in this worlde and doeth vnequally enlighten them 11 We must beware of crabbed questions in this matter Rom. 8.22 albeit he himself answere to some yet so that in the meane space hee admonisheth vs that we desire not aswell to knowe before the time what is doone in heauen as which way to goe thither 12 Hée descendeth from the felicitie of the faithfull Matth. 8.12 Es 66.25 1. The. 1.9 Psalm 9.9 to the miserable state of the reprobate which is both great and eternall Of the outwarde meanes and helpes wherewith God doeth allure vs to the fellowship of Christ and holdeth vs in the same The Argument THere are three places onely which hee discusseth chiefly in this booke the first is of the Church frō the 1. to the 13. the other of the sacrament◠from the 14. to the 19. The third of politike administration 20. But the first which is extended to the end of the 13. Chap. conteineth many things al which notwithstanding may be referred to foure principal Chapters for first he reasoneth of the order whereby the Church may be knowne because necessarily with it wee must haue vnitie in reuerence 1. 2. Moreouer of the regiment gouernment of the Church from the 3. to the 7. where first hee sheweth what is the order of gouerning the Church which he sheweth is deliuered out of the pure word of God 3. Moreouer what fourme was vsed of the olde fathers 4. Last of all what it is which florisheth at this day vnder papistry 5. By which occasiō he specially speaketh of Supremacie 6. And sheweth by what degrees he exalted himselfe to the height 7. Thirdly he speaketh of the power of the Church from the 8. to the 11. And first as touching the opinions of faith which either in singular or vniuersal coūcels is resident 9. Moreouer in Suffragans 10. Last of Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction 11. Fourthly hee descendeth to the discipline of the Church and first entreateth of the matter it self 12. Then also of a certain vice like to it wherin many haue offended whyle namyng vowes they would publysh to themselues a certain voluntary kynde of discipline 13. The second place of sacraments hath three parts for first he entreateth of sacramentes generally 14. Moreouer of both seuerally frō the 15. to the 18 and first of baptisme 15. By occasion wherof he entreateth of also apart of baptising of children 16. Moreouer of the Lordes supper 17. by occasiō whereof he intreateth of the Masse 18. Last of those fiue which were falsly counted a little before Sacramentes 19. What is to be said of the third the Chapter it selfe will declare 20. Cap. 1. Of the true Church with which wee ought to keepe vnitie because it is the mother of the faithfull FIrst hée briefly expoundeth the article and also sheweth by what maner names the Churche is commended to vs from the first to the sixth Moreouer by what meanes it may bee knowne from the 7. to the 9. Last of al how vngodly it is to fall from it from the 10. to the 29. Ephe. 4 1◠1 Nowe will hée speake of the Church because the Lord hath deliuered with it whatsoeuer might be necessary to the holy consent of faith right order because she is the mother of the faithfull and doth not only by her ministery nourish them while they are infants but also by her motherly care nourisheth them till they growe to riper age Matth. 10.9 at length come to the marke of faith for it is not The IIII. Table of the IIII. Booke There are onely three places which he treateth of chiefly in this booke wherof The first is of the Church which containeth many things al which notwithstanding may fitly be deuided into foure parts For First he disputeth of the reason wherby the church may be known because we must keepe vnitie with it Cap 1. 2. Secondly of the regimēt of the Church where First he sheweth what the order is of gouerning the Church which is deliuered vs out of the pure word of God Cap. 3. Secondly what forme of gouernment the Fathers vsed Chap. 4. Last of all what it is which at this day is vsed with the Pope Cap. 15. by occasion whereof He treateth of supremacie specially Chap. 6. And he sheweth by what degrees he is aduaunced to that height Chap. 7. Thirdly of the power of the church and First as touching the opinions of faith which Is set vppon either in euery particular or vniuersal councell Cap. 8. Or vniuersal
the agréement of true doctrine and brotherly charitie Wherevppon Augustine putteth this difference betwéene Heretikes and Schismatikes that Heretikes indéed do with false doctrines corrupt the purenes of Fayth but the Schismakes sometime where there is lyke Fayth breake the bond of felowship for this conioyning of charitie so hangeth vpon the vnitie of Faith that Faith ought to be the beginnyng the end only rule for so oft as the vnitie of the Church is commended vnto vs this is required that while our minds agrée in Christ Ephe. 4.5 Phil. 2.25 our wills also may bée ioyned together with mutuall wel willing in Christ 6 The same he also confirmeth by Cyprians authoritie sheweth that their execrations wherewith they accursse vs haue no power or strēgth for Christ foretolde his Apostles that they shoulde be cast out of the Synagogs for his names sake Ioh. 16.2 7 The better to deliuer al those from crime which haue fell from the corruptnes of Papistry to the puritie of the gospell he denieth that the Romish church is otherwise to be estéemed then the Israeletical Church for they had the true Church among them when they continued in the lawes of the couenant till they went out of kinde to Idolatry and superstition estraunging them selues from Iudaysme vnder Hieroboam 8 But what it hath béene hée after more at large declareth ◠Kin. 12. for Ieroboam first made Calues the Iewes defiled them selues with wicked superstitious manners so among the Israelites to King Achabs raigne there was no amendement and from thence they became worse and worse 9 Thervpon he concludeth that they did vniustly while they would driue vs to the communion of their Church and there are two thinges which by this meanes they desire to wreste from vs first that we should communicate with their prayers Sacramentes all their Ceremonies Moreouer that whatsoeuer honour power iurisdiction Christ hath giuen to his Church the same we should giue to their church The first of these he handleth in this place namely that God comdemned all forged formes of worshippings ◠Kin. 12.31 so that there was not one Prophete or godly man that once worshipped in Bethel 10 Of the last 1. Tim. 3.15 where he proueth that if they were of the church then the church is not the piller of trueth but the stay of lying not the Tabernacle of the liuyng God but the receptacle of Idols 11. 12 Neither yet is the whole title of the Church to be denied them where also is shewed as much as may be grāted Dan. 9.27 2. Thes 2.4 that after a sort the Church is with thē although it want the lawful forme of a Church For it is foretold that Antichrist should sit in the temple of God therefore they haue a Church but suche as is prophaned with vngodlines ful of sacriledge and damnable doctrines such wherin Christ lieth half buried the gospell ouerwhelmed godlines banished the worship of God in a maner abolished Cap. 3. Of the teachers and Ministers of the church of their election and office FIrst he permitteth certaine thinges after a sort frō the 1. to the 3. Moreouer in part he speaketh of euery one frō the 4. to the 9. Last of all he handleth of the ordinatiō and vocatiō of Ministers from the 10. to the 16. Mat. 26. 1 Professing that hée will speake of the order wherewith the Lorde woulde haue his Churche gouerned he descendeth only to Ecclesiasticall orders as they are called first he speaketh of them generally that is to say that God who only ruleth and beareth preheminence ouer the Church and who can teach vs by him selfe or by Angels yet he doeth it by the ministery of man first to shew his good will toward vs Moreouer to accustome vs to humilitie obedience Last of all that men being bounde by this bond may better learne to mayntaine mutuall charitie betwéene themselues 2 The ministry of men is the chiefest sinewe whereby the faythfull cleaue together in one bodie Ephe. 4.10 Christe is gone vp on high to fulfill all thinges which fulfilling is by his ministers to whom hée hath committed office and giuen grace to execute that worke he disposeth his giftes to his Church Ephe. 4.13 and after a sort giueth him selfe present extending the power of his Spirit in this Institutiō that it should not be vaine or idle so the restoring of all things is perfourmed so the body of Christ is edified so we in all things grow into him that is head 3 And to this end is the dignitie therof commended to vs by the Lorde Esai 52.8 Mat. 5.15 with so excellent testimonies and the necessitie with many examples 4 When he hath set these things in order Ephe. 4.12 he prepareth to intreate of euerie order and first of Apostles Prophetes and Euangelists all whose offices are but for a tyme but the Pastours and Teachers were suche as the Churche could neuer want them 5 If we ioyne the Euangelists with the Apostles as almost they are one we shall haue two couples after a sort answering one to an other for our Teachers and Pastors haue almost all one office with the olde Prophetes and Apostles for all were sent to preach the worde Luk. 6.13 Gal. 1.1 but the Apostles and Prophets were garnished with a particular title aboue the rest 6 That he sheweth more at large in the Apostles Pastors that is to say Mat. 28.9 1. Cor. 4.1 that the ministration of the worde and Sacraments perteineth to both 7 Albeit we assigne to euery Pastor his seueral Church yet so in the meane tyme euery man is not bounde to one Church Act. 14.2 Tit. 1.5 but also he may helpe others so that publike profite so require if it be rightly done and in order 8 Bishops Priestes Pastours and Ministers with the Apostle are one and the same Phil. 1.1 Act. 20.7 he omitteth other temporary functions but there were two which alway remayned besides them that belong to the Ministery of the word are mentioned of before that is to say gouernment whereof he speaketh afterward and the care of the poore Rom. 12.8 1. Tim. 5.10 Act. 6.3 9 As concerning the care of the poore the same was committed to Deacons and widowes whereof they serued the Church in distributing to the poore the other in healing the poore 10 In the holy assembly all thinges must be done decently and in order and so he maketh him selfe way to intreate of Ministers calling 11 But the discourse therof standeth in foure pointes that is what manner of Ministers how and by whom Ministers ought to be instituted with what vsage and ceremony they are to bée admitted 1. Cor. 12.7 but he speaketh not here of an outwarde which notwithstanding is most néedefull but of an inwarde and solemne calling 12 What manner of Bishopps Tit. 1.9 1. Tim. 3.1 Gal. 1.12 Act. 1.13 and how they must
was accused hée answered for himself when he was commanded by his felowes to goe to Samaria with Iohn he went 8 But although Peter excelled the other Apostles in dignitie yet it maketh nothing for supremasie in all the worlde 1 But if this were graunted that it is good and profitable that the whole world be held vnder Monarchia Yet it may not therefore be graunted that the same shoulde take place in the gouernment of the Church howsoeuer the Pope challengeth nothing else for him selfe then that hée may be the Priestly head or chiefe vicar But it is nothing vnles they shewit was ordeined by Christ Ep. 1 2â— Col. 1.18 for the Apostle teacheth that the whole mininistration is dispersed through the members and that the power floweth from it heauenly 10 Paul sometimes depainteth vnto vs a liuely image of the Church Ephe. 4.10 and commendeth the vnitie thereof yet hée maketh no mention of one head which if it had béene true the place did greatly desire 11. 12. 13 Although we graunt them this also that the Supremasie of the Churche was so established in Peter that it should alwaies remaine in perpetuall succession yet they can neuer winne this that the Sea of Rome is so settled that whosoeuer is Bishop of that Citie should beare authority ouer the whole worlde although we graunt them this that Peter was Bishop there as they say Christ himselfe the Prince of Pastours the soueraigne bishop the head of the Church while hée liued exercised his Bishoprike and in dying fulfilled the office of Priesthood at HierusaleÌ„ yet could he not purchase honour to the place if Peter got supremasie to Rome because he sate there why may not the Israelites set the seat of supremacie in the wildernes Deut. 34.5 because Moses sate there Gal. 1.8 14. 15 Much lesse if we deny that Peter sate at Rome and that more then likely for about 20. yéeres after Christes death he was at Hierusalem and from thence hée went to Antioch where he remained 7. yeeres as Gregory mentioneth And Eusebius 25. yéeres Nowe from the death of Christ to the end of Neroes Empire in whose time they say he was slaine ther is but 37. yéeres Nowe if he sate at Rome it was a very litle while as more plainely may appeare For Paule writing to the Romans as he iourneied to HierusaleÌ„ where he was taken brought to Rome wrote nothing of Peter and yet is it likely that he wrote the Epistle foure yéeres before hée came to Rome Rom. 15.15 neither doth he make mention of Peter when he rehearseth a great number of the Godly Rom. 10.4 Acts. 28.16 Now if Peter were at Rome it were a foule shame â—im for to forsâ—ke the gospel 16 Although in old time the fathers haue geuen great honor to the Church of Rome and haue reuerently spoken thereof and that chiefly for thrée causes yet they acknowledge no supremasie 17 The vnitie also which so oft they speake of as is méete doth neuer tende to that ende Cap. 7. Of the beginning encreasing of the Papasie of Rome vntil it aduanced it selfe to this height whereby both the liberty of the church was oppressed and all right gouernment ouerthrowne THE Nicen Synode gaue the first place to the Bishop of Rome among the Patriarkes it was commaunded to looke vnto the Cities adioining to it but in Councels which followed not the Bishop of Rome but others helde the Supremasie 2 In the Councell at Calcedon although it tooke the chief place yet was it by an extraordinary meanes and not obserued of the Successours and other Councels 3 Yea the auncient Fathers did not vouchsafe him such titles For Cyprian making mention of Cornelius Lib. 2. Eist 2. lib. 4. Epist 6. setteth him out with no other name then Brother fellow Bishop or in fellowe office 4 But Gregory stoutly impugneth it when the Bishop of Constantinople woulde haue circumuented him neither yet did hée challenge it to himselfe by the right of his owne seate 5 The authoritie of the Bishop of Rome grewe when not onely the godly being too much gréeued in other parts for succours sake but also the wicked being condemned of their owne Bishops for an vniust defence dyd flye thither al which the chiefe Bishop continually did gréedily receaue 6 The Ecclesiasticall power is conteined in foure pointes none of these perteine to the Bishop of Rome that is neither the appointment of the Bishops 7 Nor admonitions or Censors 8 Nor the calling togeather of Synodes 9. 10 Nor the right of hearing appeales 11 Notwithstanding those Decretall Epistles which they alledge for themselues 12. 13 Although in Gregories time the authoritie of Rome was much encreased yet it tended to no other purpose then to helpe other Bishops not to hinder them Moreouer it greatly displeased Gregory that by such meane it was distracted Cap. â— 14. 15 In the Counsell at Loraine it was decreed that those Cities which in the Ciuill gouernment were the chiefe Cities of euery Prouince should be the chiefe seas of Bishops if it happned the honor of the ciuil gouernment to be remooued from one Citie to another that then the right of the Metropolitan Citie shoulde therewithall bée remooued thither Herevpon rose great strife of the seconde place betwéene the Bishoppes of Constantinople and Rome 16 Within a little after Iohn Bishop of Constantinople ayded by the fauour of Maurice the Emperor vsurped the name of vniuersall Patriarch But then Gregorie did constantly set himselfe against him yet not so that hee woulde challenge to himselfe that which hee denied to an other and was also angry with the Bishop of Alexandria Lib. 7. Epist 3â— by whom he was saluted by such a title 17 But at length Boniface the third obteined of Phocas that Rome might bée head of all Churches but this was almoste of no waight tyll at length Fraunce by euill wayes came into his power 18 From that time thinges by little and little fel to worse as Bernard with gréeuous complaintes bewayleth the Church of his time 19 And that it may better appeare if wée graunt to the Bishop of Rome that dignitie and preheminence which he had in the time of Leo and Gregory yet it maketh nothing for the Supremasie which at this day they challeÌ„ge first hée sheweth that there are foure principall pointes wherein they are wont to exercise their tyranny Moreouer also he addeth certayn other thinges belonging to this selfe same argument 20 Nor those thinges which they father vpon the olde fathers as they falsly imagine must bée graunted them neither was Gregorie the nienth Martin and other content with them which haue inuented them selues certaine newe thinges and those vtterly vnméete 21 Although Cyprian might be set against this so great insolencie the councell of Carthage and many things out of histories Synods and bookes of olde fathers yet by this one they may sufficiently be vrged but if they
specialtie they are appointed by man but charitie is the best ruler therof 31 Therefore it is the office of Christian people 1. Cor. 11.16 neither to despise nor neglect such constitutions but faithfully to kéepe them and that may be doone with a frée conscience 32 Of the otherside we must beware least any errour or any superstition or any necessitie do at any time créepe in alwayes to kéepe the same Cap. 11. Of the iurisdiction of the Church and the abuse thereof such as is seene in Papasie THE Church of God néedeth her certaine Spirituall policie and it is necessary that wée giue it some iurisdiction Rom. 12. â— This iurisdiction procéedeth from the power of keies but what that power of keies is that first hee may shewe it 2. Tim. 5.17 he diuideth it into two partes the one is perteinent to the ministery of the worde Matth. 18.17 which he denieth ought to come into this account and therefore what it is and what places they are which make for them in many wordes he sheweth 2 The other which belongeth to the discipline of excommunication Matth. 18.17 is now the thing wherof he wil speake therfore hee sheweth vppon what places it should be found what it ought to be 3 The same is not for a time but continuall is not onely profitable when the Magistrate is estraunged from the profession of our religion but also when they are Christians 4 That same he confirmeth 5 The scope of this is that offences be preuented but in the vse That is by the preaching of the worde 2. Cor. 10.4 two things are to be considered first that his spiritual power be altogeather separated from the power of the sworde 6 The last that it bée ministred not by one mans iudgement but by a lawfull councell which is also shewed was doone in olde time till at length a Bishop had drawne to him onely that which was giuen to the whole Church 7 At length also the Bishops put ouer to other men whom they call officials that which they had giuen to theÌ„selues only and conuerted the spirituall iurisdiction into nothing better then into prophane iudgement 8 Yet it is certain Matth. 20.25 Luke 12.25 that Christ would debarre the ministers of his word from â—iuill dominion and earthly gouernement For Christe not only signifieth â—hat the office of a Pastour is distinct â—rom the office of a Prince but that they â—e things so seuered that they caÌ„not méet together in one man for where as Moses did beare both offices together first that was doone by a rare miracle â—xo 18.16 againe it was but for a time till thinges were better set in order but when a certaine forme was once prescribed of God the Ciuill gouernment was left to him and was commanded to resigne the Priesthood to his brother 9 In that they doubt not to bragge in their defence that the glory of the kingdome of Christe by this meanes doth florish according to her worthines and that they themselues in the meane time are not drawne away from the the dueties of their vocatioÌ„ Matth. 20.25 how weak it is he sheweth both first they haue occasion to quarrell with Christe who hath pinched their honour Luke 22.25 yet he laide no harder lawe vpon his seruants then he first receiued himselfe 2. Cor. 10.4 10 Not at the first step but by little and little of small beginninges they haue made great encreases where also is shewed by what degrees they clymed vp hitherto 11 The Bishop of Rome not contented with meane Lordships first laid hand vpon kingdomes and afterward vpon the whole Romane Empire but this was reprehended of Bernard and vtterly denied to the Apostolike right against the degrée of Orleance Bernard sayth That Peter could not giue that which he had not but he gaue to his successours that which he had the care of Churches And againe hee saith to Pope Eugenius thou art a superiour but whervnto not to beare lordship as I thinke Therefore how much soeuer we thinke of our selues let vs remember that there is a ministerie laide vpon vs not a Lordship giuen vs. Learne that thou hast néede of a wéedhooke not of a Scepter that thou mayest doe the worke of a Prophet 12 The gift of Constantine is both friuolous ridiculous therefore of no importance to establish his Emperiall dignitie 13 At what time by what meanes they came to it In Henrie the Emperours time the 4. of that name and by Hildebrandes meanes 14 By what meanes they inuaded the Citie of Rome and other Dominions Eze. 34.4 and howe suche rauennousnesse doth dishonour them for they thought nothing safe vnlesse they might beare rule with rigour and with power as the Prophet saith 15. 16 The immunitie which they also take to them selues was vnknowen to ancient Bishops howsoeuer they woulde not suffer to their knowledge the matters of faith or whatsoeuer belonged properly to the Bishops to bée taken from irreligious Princes Cap. 12. Of the discipline of the Church wherof the chiefe vse is in the Censures and excommunication THere are two parts of Ecclesiastical gouernmeÌ„t therin the one wherof respecteth the people the other chiefly respecteth the Cleargie of the first from the first to the 21. of the last from the 22. to the 28. There are two partes also of that which respecteth the people is called common the first is which dependeth of the power of Keies whereof from the 1. to the 13. The last is of sommoning fastinges and praiers whereof from the 14. to the 21. 1 The first of these is so necessary that the same being taken away there remaineth nothing but extréeme dissipating and wasting 2 There are foure degrees Matth. 18.15 what they are whereby we ought to procéede in appliyng the same 3 Of sinnes some are priuate Matth. 18.15 some publike and how wée must procéede in punishing them both 4 Some also are defaults other some are wicked doings 1. Cor. 5.4 and haynous offences the last are seuerely to bee punished 5 There are thrée ends of discipline the first least the wicked by their lewd and sinnefull life Ephe. 5.25 Col. 1.24 doe cause some reproche and slaunder to redounde to Christe if they be named among Christians and admitted to the participatioÌ„ of the Lords supper The second least they corrupt others The thirde that they may repent 1. Cor. 5.6.11 Chrysostome inueieth gréeuouslie against the Priest which while they feare the power of great men dare debarre no man 1. Cor. 5.5 6 With what moderatioÌ„ as wel publike sinnes as secret light as gréeuous are to bée corrected 7 No man no not the Prince truely is to bee exempted then of what and in what order of doeing it ought to be executed 8 This seueritie ought to be enioined with the spirite of Gentlenesse 1. Cor. 1 mildnesse this moderation doth very