Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 5 · Part 7
There remaineth sixe Articles of the thirty nine, out of a Booke wrote against STANISLAVS de Zuoyma.
1 THe first Article: A Minister is not the Successour of Christ by his humane election, be it neuer so rightly done, but in that he doth more aboundantly worke to the profit of the Church, hee hath thereby more aboundant power giuen him of God. Answere. It standeth in the hands of wicked Electors to chuse a Woman into Ecclesiasticall office, as it appeareth by the election of Agnes, which was called Iohn, who occupied the Popes place and dignity two yeares and more, and they may chuse a théefe, a murderer, a deuill, and an Antichrist, or such a one as God alloweth not of: so whatsoeuer the election is, we ought to giuegive credit to the works of him that is chosen; therefore Christ saith in the tenth of Iohn, GiueGive credite vntounto workes.
2 The Pope being a Reprobate, is not head of the Church. Answere. I would know of the Doctor how this is contrary to Faith? Did not Christ dispute against the Faith, when he demanded of the Scribes and Pharisies. Math. 12. You off-spring of Vipers, how can you speak good things when your selues are wicked. I demand of the Scribes, if the Pope be a Reprobate, and the stock of Uipers, how is he head of the holy Church? for it is more possible that a Reprobate may speake good things, being he may be in the state of grace according to present Iustice, then to …e the head of the holy Church: In the fift of Iohn Christ saith, How can you beleeue which seeke glory amongst your selues, and seeketh not the glory that commeth of God: And I demand how the Pope can be head of the Church which is a Reprobate, and receiueth the glory of the world, and séeketh not for the glory that commeth of God, for it is more possible he should beléeue so doing, then be head of the Church.
3 There is no apparance that there ought to be one head in the spiritualty to rule the Church. Answere. I grant it, Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, doth necessarily rule the Militant Church as head, and there is no sparke of apparance, that there should be one head in the spiritualty▪ ruling the Church that should alwaies be conuersant with it, except some Infidell would heretically affirme, that the Militant Church should hauehave here a permanent and continuall Citty, and not to seek after that which is to come: And it is euident in my booke, how vnconsequent a similitude it is for a Reprobate Pope to be head of the Militant Church, and a Reprobate King to be he…d of a Kingdome.
4 Christ would better rule his Church by his true Apostles, dispierced throughout the world, without such a monstrous head. I answere, Albeit that Doctor doth say, that the body of the Church is often without a head; yet we verily beleeue that Christ is the head of eueryevery Church, ruling it without lacke or default, powring on it motion and sence, euen vntounto the latter day: then they said, behold now hee prophesieth? but Iohn Hus said, the Church in the time of the Apostles, was fa… better gouerned then now it is.
5 Peter was no vniuersall Shepheard of the shéep of Christ, much lesse is the Bishop of Rome. Answer. It appeareth by the words of Christ, that he did not limit vntounto Peter for his iurisdiction the whole world, no not one only Pronince, nor to any other of the Apostles: some walked through many regions, some fewer; as Paule trauailed more then all the rest, and did co…uert more to the Faith of Christ. Wherefore, it is lawfull for any Apostle or Uicar to conuert and confirme as much people, and as many Prouinces as they are able.
6 The Apostles and faithfull Priests of the Lord, hauehave stoutly ruled the Church in all thinges necessary to saluation, before the office of the Pope was brought into the Church, and would doe so to the end of the world. Then they cryed out againe, Behold the Prophet.