The Doctrine of King James, Title page – To the reader
TESTIS VERITATIS
… KING JAMES
… OF THE … OF ENGLAND.
OF THE CATHOLICKE CHVRCH.
Plainely shewed to bee ONE … the points of … Free will, ….
With a discouery of the Grounds Naturall, Politicke of ARMINIANISME.
By F. ROVS.
Printed at London, by W. I. 1626.
To the Reader.
HAuing heard of a publike declaration,Doctor Palca… quell in his Co… cio ad …. Febr. 27. made by a reuerend and right worthy Diuine, of his Most Excellent Majesties Resolution and Decree, to oppose Arminianisme, I thought it a fit time to put in order some pieces, which being set together, might amount to an euident Proofe and Testimonie, that his Maiestie, herein hath merited most glorious and incomparable Titles, euen such as hauehave in them the Weight and Substance of High and supreame Excellencie.
For first, herein Hee is the Successor of his Father (as in Bloud and Royalty, so) in his excellent Thoughts, Designes, and Actions: for this is a proceeding and going on in the same worke, wherein the most learned King, and absolute Iudge of Doctrines, began a most noble Foundation. His zeale in this matter, would not bee bounded with the seas, but on the wings of an heauenly fire flying beyond them, it there consumed the fifties and their Captaines, it dissolued the Bands of the Enemies of the truth.
Secondly, herein the Title of Nursing Father of the Church, a Title giuen to Religious Kings by the heauenly Oracles, more strongly fastneth and spreadeth the Roote of it. So that at once the same Person, hereby acquireth the Dignitie, both of a perfect Sonne, and a glorious Father. When the Doctrine of a Church is cherished▪ the life of a Church is cherished; and when a contrary Doctrine is opposed, then the Doctrine of a Church is cherished.
Thirdly, hereby the Title of Defender of the Faith, hath still more Realitie put into it, and it is made more vnlike to those empty Titles, that hauehave the Word without, and not the matter within.
Each of these I hope shall appeare in that which followeth. For though it consists of many seuerall pieces, like vntounto broken accounts, yet I hope, being all set together, they will arise to make vp the promised summes, both in weight and number.
F. R.