The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy, Part 2 · Chapter 8 · Section 4 (4 of 4)

The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy · Part 2 · Chapter 8 · Section 4 (4 of 4)

p. 451Our laborious Historian M. Iohn Fox M. Iohn Fox.in his Acts and Monuments (highly applauded by the whole Convocation in their Canons, 1571. and enjoyned to be had in every Cathedrall and Collegiate Church, and in every Archbishops, Bishops, Deanes, Arch-Deacons and Canons residentiaries house for their servants, and strangers to read in) doth every where disco…er condemne the Treasons, Conspiracies, Seditions, Warres, Wealth, pride, calling, and secular imployments of our Bishops: of which hee writes thus in particular. p. 1381. This hath bin one great abuse in England these many yeares: that such offices as beene of most importance and weight have commonly beene committed to Bishops and other spirituall men: whereby three devilli…h mischiefes, and inconveniences have hapned in this Realme, to the great dishonour of God, and utter neglecting of the flocke of Christ, the which three be these: First, they have had small leasure to attend to their pastorall cures, which hereby have beene utterly neglected and left undone. Secondly, it hath also puft up many Bishops, and other spirituall persons into such haughtinesse, and pride, that they have thought no Noble man of the Realme worthy to be their equall or fellow. Thirdly, where they by this meanes knew the very secrets of Princes, they being in such high offices, have caused the same to p. 452be knowne in Rome afore the King could accomplish, and bring his intents to passe in England. By …his meanes hath the Papacy b…ene so maintained, and things ordered after thei… wills and pleasures, that much mischiefe ha…h happened in this Realme, and others, sometimes to the destruction of Princes; and sometimes to the utter undoing of many Common-wealths. So he. Who page 216.358.359.360.414.430.432.434.439.517, 518.599.625.961.972.1009.1016.1463.1856. of the said Acts and Monuments. London, 1610. writes often in the magent, That Bishops and Presbyters are all one and the same, and that there was no difference betweene them in the Primitive times, which was the common received opinion of our Martyrs: yea of our learned D. Humfrey Regius professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford Puritanopap. Confut. ad Rat. 3. p. 262.265. and of D. William Fulke against Bristow Motive. 40. against Gregory Martyn, p 172. and confuration of the Rhemish Testament Notes on Titus 1. sect. 2. and on Philip. I. sect. 1.

Bishop Iu…l.Iohn Iuell the incomparable Bishop of Salisbury, in his defence of the Apology of the Church of England Part. 2. cap. 3. disp. 5. p. 98, 99, 100, 101. writes thus of the equality of Bishops and Ministers.**Ad E…agrium Saint Ierome saith, All Bishops wheresoever they be, be they at Rome, be they at Eugubiu…, be they at Constantinople, be they at Rhegium, be all of like preheminence, and of like Priesthood. And as **D… simplicit. Prelat…r.Cyprian saith, There is but one Bishopricke, and a peece thereof is perfectly & wholly holden of every particular Bishop. What Saint Ierome meant hereby; Erasmus, a man of great learning, and judgement expoundeth thus. Ierome seemeth to match all Bishops together, E…asm. in Schol. in Epist. ad Euagrium.as if they were all equally the Apostles successors, and hee thinketh not any Bishop to be lesse than other for that hee is poorer, or greater than other, for that hee is richer: for hee makes the Bishop of Eugubium (a poore towne) equall with the Bishop of Rome. And farther hee thinketh that a Bishop is no better than any Priest, saving that the Bishop hath authority to order Ministers. Hereto M. Harding answereth thus.M. Harding. Erasmus saith within five lines following, that the Me…ropolitan hath a certaine dignity, and jurisdiction above other Bishops; take the one (saith hee) with the other; I am contented M. Harding: Erasmus saith, The Metropolitan had a dignity above other Bishops; but hee saith no…, the Bishop of Rome had jurisdiction over all Bishops throughout the World. In Saint Hieromes time there were Me…ropolitans, p. 453Archbishops, Archdeacons and others. But Christ appointed not these distinctions of orders from the beginning. These names are not found in all the Scriptures.Hieron. i… Epist. ad Titum, c. I. This is the thing that we de…end. S. Ierome saith, Let Bishops understand (whereunto wee adde further, Let the Bishops of Rome themselves undestand) that they are in authority over Priests more by custome than by order of Gods truth. These be Hieromes words truly translated: what he meant thereby I leave to the judgement of the Reader. Erasmus likewise saith in the selfe same place above alleaged,Erasm. in Schol. i… Epist. ad Euagr. Whereas Saint Ierome yeeldeth lesse dignity and authority unto Bishops, than nowadayes they seeme to have, wee must understand he spake of that time wherein he lived. If hee had seene our Bishops that now bee, hee would have said otherwise. For now the Pope claimeth a power above all the powers in heaven and earth, as it is written in the Councell of Lateran. Againe, …rasmus in another place speaking hereof, saith thus.Sub. L…ne S…ssi… ne 10. Erasm. in Apologia ad Pium. This holy man Saint Ierome saith plainly and freely, and as hee thinketh, that the Bishop of Rome is above other Bishops, not by Bishopricke… but onelyonly by riches. By riches onelyonly, M. Harding, Erasmus saith, the Pope is above other Bishops. By riches onelyonly (hee saith) not by right of Gods word, not by vertue, not by learning, not by diligence in preaching, but onelyonly by riches. Now it may please you to follow your owne rule, and to lay the one saying to the other. But Saint Ieromes words are plaine of themselves, and have no need of other expositor. Thus he writeth. **Hieron. ad Euagrium.What doth a Bishop saving onelyonly the ordering of Ministers, but a Priest may do the same? Neither may wee thinke that the Chu…ch of Rome is one… and the Church of all the world beside is another, France, England, Affrica, Persia, Levante, India, and all barbarous Nations worship one Christ, and keepe one rule of the truth. If wee seeke for Authority, the whole world is greater than the City of Rome. Wheresoever there be a Bishop, be it at Eugu…ium, be it at Rome, be it at Constantinople, be it at Rhegium, Be it at Alexandria, be it at Tanais, they are all of one worthinesse, they are all of one Bishopricke; The power of riches, and the basenesse of poverty maketh not a Bishop either higher or lower, for they are all the Apostles successors: What bring you mee the custome of Rome, being but one City? Here M. Harding findeth great fault, for that I have translated these words, Of one Bishopricke, and not as hee would have it, Of one Priesthood. God wo…, a very simple quarrell. Let him take whether he liketh best, if either other of these words p. 454shall serve his turne. Erasmus saith, **Erasmus adversus Albert. Pighium.Bishop, P…iest, and Presbyter, at that time were all t…ree all one. But M… Harding saith, The Primates had Authority over other in…eriour Bishops: I graunt they had so. Howbeit, they had it by agreement and custome, but neither by Christ, nor by Peter, nor Paul, nor by any right of Gods Word. Saint… Ierome saith, **Hier…n. in Epist. ad Titum. c. 1.Let Bishops understand that they are above Priests, rather of Custome than of any truth or right of Christs institution, and that they ought to rule the Church altogether. And againe, **Hieron. …odem loc….Therefore a Priest and a Bishop are both one thing, and before that by the inflaming of the Devill, parts were taken in Religion, and these words were uttered among the people, I hold of Paul, I hold of Apollo, I hold of Peter, the Churches were governed by the common advice of the Priests. Saint Augustine saith, **August Epist. 9.The office of a Bi…hop is above the office of a Priest, (not by the authority of the Scrip…ures, but) after the names of honour, which the custome of the Church hath now obtained.

So part. 2. cap. 9. Divis. 1. p. 196 He brings in M. Harding the Papist writing thus. Even so they which denyed the distinction of a Bishop and a Priest, were condemned of heresie as we, find in Saint Augustine, in the Booke and Chapter aforesaid. And in Epiphanius Lib. 3. cap. 75. In the Councell of Constance, the same is to be found. To whom he answers in the Margent. Vnt…uth; for hereby both Saint Paul, and Saint Ierome, and other good men are condemned of Heresie. And p. 202. He gives this further answer. But what meant M. Harding here to come in with the difference betweene Priests and Bishops, thinkes hee that Priests and Bishops hold onelyonly by Tradition? or is it so horrible an heresie as hee maketh it, to say, that by the Scriptures of God a Bishop and a Priest are all one? or knoweth hee how farre, and unto whom, he reacheth the name of an Hereticke? Verily Chrysostome saith, **Chrys. in 1 Tim. Homili 11. Hieron. ad Euagrium.Betweene a Bishop and a Priest, in a manner there is no difference. Saint Hierome saith somewhat in rougher sort: I heare say, there is one become so peevish, that hee setteth Deacons before Priests, that is to say, before Bishops: Whereas the Apostle plainly teacheth us, that Priests and Bishops he all one. Saint Augustine saith:**Aug. in quaest. Novi & Vet. Testam… q. 101. What is a Bishop but the first Priest, that is to say, the highest Priest? So saith Saint Ambrose. **Amb. in 1 Tim. cap. 3.1 Tim 3There is but one cons…cration of a Priest and Bishop; for both of them are Priests, but the Bishop is the first.

In his Sermon upon Haggai 1 p. 176. he writes thus, against the temporall possessions and secular Offices of Clergy men: p. 455When Constantinus the Emperour endowed the Church with lands and possessions, **Ioh. de Paristis. cap. 22. in vira Silvestri.they say there was a voyce of Angels heard in the ayre saying: This day poyson is powred into the Church. If there were poyson powred into Church then; I doubt there was nover Treacle powred into it since. This wee see, that from that time shee hath done worse and worse. Augustine findeth fault with the multitude of Ceremonies, and saith, the Church in …his time was in worse case by mans devises, than was the Church of the Iewes. Bernard said, There is no part sound in the Clergie. And againe, They which chuse t…e first places in the Church, are chiefest in persecuting Christ. And againe, they be not Teachers, but deceivers; they are not feeders but beguilers; they be not Prelates, but Pilates. Which hee thus further prosecutes in his Sermon on Matthew 9. p. 198. And what shall I speake of Bishops? Their cloven Miter signifieth perfect knowledge of the new Testament, and the old; their Crosiers Staffe signifieth diligence in attending the flocke of Christ; their purple Bootes and Sandals signifie that they should ever be booted and ready to goe abroad through thicke and thinne to teach the Gospell; and thereto they applyed the words of the Prophet, How beautifull are the feete of them which bring glad tydings of peace, which bring glad tydings of good things? But alas, in what kind of things do they beare themselves for Bishops? These mysticall titles and shewes are not enough to …e…ch in the Lords Harvest; they are garments more meete …or Players, than for good Labourers. Saint Bernard writes thus to Eugenius the Bishop of Rome, who sometime had beene his Scholler. **De c…nsidera… ad Eug. lib. 4. …Thou which art the shepheard …ettest up and downe shining in gold, and gorgeously attired: but what get thy sheepe? If I durst speake it, these things are not the fodder for Christs sheepe, but for devils. Whatsoever apparell they have upon them, unlesse they will fall to worke, Christ will not know them for labourers. How then can the Bishop of Rome be taken for the chiefe Pastor of Christ, which these 900. yeares hath not opened his mouth to feed the flocke? These 900. yeares I say? since Gregory the first of that name, it can hardly be found, that ever any Bishop of Rome was seene in a Pulpit. One of themselves Adrianus the fourth a Bishop of Rome was wont to say, Wee succeed not Peter in teaching but Romulus in murthering. And in the Canon of …he Apostles it is decreed, That the Bishop that teacheth not his flocke, sh…uld be deposed: To which purpose p. 456they alleage **Aug. de Civit. De… lib. 19. c. 19.Saint Augustine: A Bishops office i… a name of labour, not a name of honour: that hee which coveteth the place of preeminence, and hath not a desire to do good, may know hee is not a Bishop. Thus saith Origen; Thus saith Chrysostome: thus say divers others of the old Fathers, whom it were long and needlesse to rehearse. **Chrysost. Hom. 43… in opere imperfecto in Mat.There be many Priests, and few Priests, (saith Chrysostome) Many that beare the name, but few that be Priests indeed. Thus the Harvest is great and plentious, but the Labourers are but few. The labourers are but few, but the destroyers and wasters are exceeding many; Yea, such as should be the harvest men, most of all destroy the corne. I will not here report that I am well able, that your eyes have seene, and that many of you have felt; the state of our time hath beene such. Saint Bernard saw it in his time, and therefore saith, **Serm. 33. in Cantica.All are …riends, and all are enemies; all are helpers, and all are adversaries and hinderers. Againe, **Bern. Serm. 1. in Conv. S. Pauli.Alas, alas, O Lord God, they are the chiefest in persecuting thee, that seeme to love the highest roomes, and to beare rule in thy Church, (he cites their Latin, which I omi….) And in his Defence of the Apologie …f the Church of England, part. 6. c. 9. Div. 3. p. 667, 568. hee writes thus of Bishops intanglement in worldly affaires, and bravery in apparell. Our Princes never tooke upon them the office of Bishops, but your Bishops have taken upon them the office of Princes. Of your Bishops it is written in your owne **Conc. Macr…se …itatur. ab Illyr. int…r test…s verit. p. 121.Councels, Behold there is now in a manner no worldly affaire, but Priests and Bishops have it in hand. Such Bishops be they of whom Saint Chrysostome writeth thus, They that neither beleeve, nor feare the judgement of God, abusing their Ecclesiasticall dignity in secular sort, turne the same into secular dignity. Such Bishops they be of whom Saint Hierome saith thus, They themselves be to themselves both Laymen and Bishops too. And againe, **Chrys. in Mat. Homil. 35.They worship the Lord and Melchom both together, thinking that they may serve both the World and the Lord, and satisfie two masters at once, God & Mammon; who fighting under Christ, bend themselves to worldly affaires, and offer up one image, Both to God and Cesar. And therefore Cardinall Cu…am… saith, **Hieron. contra Lucif…rianos.Hereof groweth a great deformity, that Bishops are bent only to worldly cares. Marke these words M. Harding, hee saith,**Hieron. in Sophoniam, …ap. 1. Your Bishops are bent onelyonly to worldly cares. If yee will beleeve none of these,**Conc. Trident. yet your Popes owne Legates, in your late Chapter at Trident, speaking of your Priestlike apparell say thus: **Sub Paulo 3. Admonitio Legator.Our Priests differ nothing from Laymen, saving only in apparel, nay indeed they differ not so much from p. 457them, as in apparell. Yee say your Bishops be gay and gallant, attended and guarded with Princelike routs both behind and before: And therefore yee make no small account, specially in respect of our estate, which you call beggerly. In such disdaine the Heathen sometimes said, **Av…ntinus, lib. 3. de Rupert….That Christ was the beggerliest and poorest of all the Gods that were in heaven. Howbeit our Bishoprickes saving that certaine of your Fathers have shamefully spoyled them, are now even as they were before… Certainly the poorest Bishopricke in England, as it is reported, is better in revenues than three of your Popes Italian Bishoprickes in the Kingdome of Naples: Howbeit the Gospell of Christ standeth not by riches, but by truth: in comparison of the one, wee make small reckoning of the other. Neverthelesse the wise and godly have evermore sound fault with the Ecclesiasticall bravery of your Roman Clergy. **Ber…. in Cantic. Serm. 33. Holcot. in sapient. lect. 23.Saint Bernard saith, Therehence commeth their whorelike finenesse, their players weed, their Princely apparell: therehence commeth their gold in their bridles, in their Saddles, and in their spurres. Againe hee saith, **Bern. in Canti…. Serm. 77.They goe trimly and finely in their colours, as if a spouse should come from her chamber: if thou shouldst suddenly see one of them jetting a farre off, wouldst thou not rather thinke it were a spouse, than the keeper of the spouse? **Lau…. Valla de Donat. Const. Paralipomen.Laurentius Valla, although bitterly, yet not unpleasantly thus expresseth your Lordly bravey.**Vrspergen. I thinke if the Devill in the ayre have any games among them to make sport withall, they are most busily occupied in counterfeiting the apparell and tire, and pride and riot of Priests, and have greatest pastime. Pope Bonefacius the 8. in a great Iubilee; and in a solemne procession, went apparelled in the Empe…ours Robes, and had the Crowne Imperiall on his head, and the sword of majestie borne before him as an Emperour. This spirituall jolity M. Harding liketh you well. Notwithstanding Saint Bernard saith, **Bernar. de consideration… ad Eugenium. l. 4…These be pastures for Devils, not for sheepe; no doubt even thus did Peter. Euen such pastime plaid Saint Paul. Yee tell us further: though they teach not, though they say no…, though they do not, though they live not as becommeth Bishops, nor as becommeth a Christian man, yet be they Bishops notwithstanding. Hereat wee will not greatly strive: for so the Wolfe, if hee once get a sheep-hooke, and a cloke, may be a shepheard: and a blind man, if hee get once into the watch-tower, may be a spie; But miserable are the poore sheepe that so are fed: miserable is p. 458that poore Castle that so is watched. Saint Augustine saith(a)(a)8 Quast. 1. Qui Episcopatum. A Bishops office is a name of labour, and not of honour, that who so loveth to rule, and not to profit, may understand himse…fe to be no Bishop. Againe hee saith of such a one, (b)(b)August. 2. qu. 7. Qui nec. Aug.Hee ought rather to be called a shamelesse dogge than a B…shop. As for that yee say, Your Bishops be duly ordinated and consecrated. Saint Augustine replieth; (c)(c)Aug. cont. Donatist. lib. 6.Touching the outward consecration of a Bishop, many give it to wolves, and be wolves themselves. Saint Bernard speaking of your Priests and Bishops saith, (d)(d)Bern. de considerat. ad Eugenium. lib. 3.In their apparell they are Souldiers, in their gaines they are Priests and Bishops: But in effect and in deed they are neither of both: for neither do they fight in the field as do Souldiers, nor do they preach as Priests and Bishops. Of whether order therefore be they? Whereas they would be of both Orders, 1… Cor. 15.1 Cor 15they forsake both, and confound both. Saint Paul saith, every man shall rise againe in his owne order: but in what order shall these rise? whether forasmuch as they have sinned without order, shall they perish without order? I feare me they shall be ordered none otherwhere, but whereas is no Order, but disorder, and horror everlasting.

Againe, in his Defence of the Apologie of the Church of England, Par. 6. chap. 2. Divis. 1. he writes thus concerning Bishops voting, and authority in Parliament in settling matters in Religion. Where yee would seeme to say, that the Parliament holden in the first yeare of the Queenes Majesties Raigne was no Parliament: for that your Bishops refused wilfully to agree unto the godly Lawes there concluded, yee seeme therein to bewray in your selfe some want of skill: the wise and learned could soone have told you, that in the Parliaments of England, matters have evermore used to passe not of necessity, by the speciall consent of the Archbishops and Bishops, as if without them no Statute might lawfully be enacted, but onelyonly by the more part of the voyces, yea alt…ough all the Archbishops and Bishops were never so earnestly bent against it. And Statutes so passing in Parliament onelyonly by the voyces of the Lords temporall, without the consent and agreement of the Lords Spiri…uall, have neverthelesse alwayes bin confirmed, and ratified by the reall assent of the Prince, & have bin enacted & published under the names of the Lords spirituall & Temporall. Read the Statutes of King Edward the first; There shall yee finde that in a Parliament solemnly ho…tlen by him at S. Edmundbury, the Archbishops and Bishops were quite shut forth: and yet the Parliament held on; and good and wholsome lawes were there enacted, p. 459the departing, or abs…nce, or malice of the Lords Spirituall notwithstanding. In the records thereof it is written thus (e)(e)A…. Do. 1…9…The King keeping the Parliament wi…h his Barons, the Clergy (that is to say, the Archbishops and Bishops) being shut forth, it was enacted, &c. Likewise (f)(f)An. 1273. In provisione Mar…ona. c. 9.In provisione de Martona in the time of King Henry the third. Whereas matter was moved of Bastardy, touching the Legitimation of Bastards, borne before Marriage; The Statute past wholly with the Lords Temporall, whether the Lords Spirituall would or no: yea, and that contrary to the expresse Decrees and Canons of the Church of Rome. The like hereof (as I am informed) may be found,(g)(g)Extr. Qui silli sunt Legitime. Rich. 2. An. 11. c. 3. Howbeit in these cases (I must confesse) I walke somewhat without my compasse. Touching the judgement hereof, I re…erre my selfe wholly unto the Learned. Further, whereas yee call the Doctrine of Christ, that now by Gods great mercy, and to your great griefe is universally and freely preached, a Parliament Religion, and a Parliament Gospell (for such sobriety becommeth you well, and may stand you in stead when learning fayleth) yee might have remembred that Christ himselfe at the beginning wa… universally received, and honoured through this Realm by assent of Parliament; and further, that without Parliament your Pope himselfe was never received, no not in the late time of Queene Ma…y. Yea and even then his holinesse was clogged with Parliament conditions, that whatsoever had beene determined in Parliament, and was not repealed, were it never so contrary to his will and Canons, should remaine still inviolable and stand in force. Otherwise his holinesse had gone home againe. Such, M. Harding, is the authority of a Parliament: Verily if Parliaments of Realmes be no Parliaments, then will your Pope be no Pope. Therefore as you now call the truth of God, that wee professe a Parliament Religion, and a Parliament Gospell, even so with like sobriety and gravity of speech yee might have said, Our Fathers in old times had a Parliamen… Christ. And your late Fathers and Brethren had of late, in the time of Queene Mary, a Parliament Faith, a Parliament Masse, & a Parliament Pope. Neither is it so strange a matter to see Ecclesiasticall causes debated in Parliament. Read …he Lawes of K. Inas, K. Elfred, K. Edward, K. Ethelstane, K. Edmund, K. Edgar, K. Canute; and yee shall find that our godly fore-fathers, the Princes and Peeres of this Realme, never vouchsafed to intr…at of matters of Peace, or Warre, or otherwise touching the Common p. 460State, before all controversie… of Religion, and causes E…clesiasticall had beene concluded King, (h)(h)L…ges Canuti.Canut… in his Parliament holden at Winchester upon Christmas day, after sundry Lawes and Orders made touching the Faith, the keeping of H…ly-dayes, Publik… prayers, learning of the Lords Prayer, receiving of the Communion thrice in the yeare, the manner and …orme of Baptisme, Fasting, and other like matters of Religion, in the end thereof saith thus: Iam sequitur institutio Legum Secularium: Now followeth an order of Temporall Lawes. In a Parliament holden by King William the Conquerour, it is written thus. Rex, quia Vicarius Summi Regis est, ad hoc constituitur, ut Regnum & populum Domini, & super omnia sanctam Ecclesiam regat & defendat &c. The King for as much as hee is the Vicar of the Highest King, is thererefore appointed to this purpose, that hee should rule and defend the Kingdome and people of the Lord, and above all things the holy Church, &c. Hereby it appeareth that Kings and Princes are specially and of purpose appointed by God, not onelyonly to defend, but also to Governe and Rule the Holy Church. Thus farre Bishop Iewell, who here clearly affirmes, that Parliaments may be kept, and matters of Religion there determined without Bishops. Neither is this any strange doctrine, for not onelyonly M…. Richard Crompton in his Iurisdiction of Courts. fol. 19, 20. (who cites this passage of Bishop Iewell) is of the same opinion; but in the famous (i)(i)Robert Keilwey his Reports, f. 184. b.case of Doctor Standish in the 7. yeare of King Henry the eight, at a meeting at Blacke Fryers before the King himselfe, the whole Temporall Councell, and a Committee of both Houses of Parliament, it was resolved by all the Judges, (k)(k)Nostre Seig…iour le Roy poit assets bien tener son Parliament perl…y, &ses temporall Seigniours, & per ses Commons, tout sans les spirituals Seigniors; Carlos spiritual Signiors nont ascun place en… Parliament Chamber per Reason de lour spiritualty, mes solement per… Reason de lour Temporall possessions &c. Bishop Latymer. Bishop Bils…n.That our Lord the King may very well hold his Parliament by himselfe, his Temporall Lords, and by his Commons, altogether without the Spirituall Lords, for the spiri…uall Lords have no place in the Parliament Chamber of reason of their spirituality but only by reason of their Temporall possessions or Baronies.

And if this be not sufficient evidence… Bishop Latimer in his fourth Sermon of the Plough, p. 19, 20. complaines against Bishops placing in, & being Lords of the Parliament; & makes this one chiefe cause, that they be unpreaching Prelates, lazie loyterers, and idle Ministers. Yea, Thomas Bilson Bishop of Winchester, a great Patriot of Episcopacie, resolves and proves as much in his Booke intituled, The true difference betweene Christian Subjection and unchristian Rebellion part. 3. p. 540, 541, 542. If her Majes…y p. 461receiv…d and …stablished nothing but the truth of Christ in her Pa…liament,A Parliament taking part with truth hath the warrant of God and the Magistrate. in vaine do you barke against God and the Magistrate for lacke of competent Courts, Ecclesiasticall Judges, and legall meanes to debate and decide matters of Religion. Wh…n God commandeth, all humane barres and Lawes do cease: If they joyne with God; they may be used, if they impugne the truth, they must be despised. And yet in our case the Scepter united and adjoyned it selfe to the word of God, and therefore if Princes may command for truth in their owne dominions, as I have largely proved they may; why should not the Prince having the full consent of her Nobles and Commons restore and settle the truth of God within her Realme?

Phil.

Lay men may not pronounce of Faith.

Theo.

But Laymen may choose what faith they will professe,Laymen may make their choice what faith they will professe. and Princes may dispose of their Kingdomes, though Priests and Bishops would say nay.

Phi.

Religion they may not dispose without a Councell.

Theo.

Not if God command.

Phi.

How shall they know what God commandeth unlesse they have a Councell.

Theo.

This is childish wrangling, I aske, if God command, whether the Prince shall refuse to obey till the Clergy confirme the same?

Phi.

You may be sure a wise and sober Clergy will not dissent from Gods precepts.

Theo.

What they will doe, is out of our matter. But in case they doe; to which shall the Prince hearken, to God or those that beare themselves for Priests.

Phi.

In case they doe so, you need not doubt, but God must be regarded and not men.

Theo.

And hath the Prince sufficient authority to put that in …re which God commandeth,The Prince is authorized from God to execut… his Commandement. though the Priests continue their wilfulnes?

Phi.

There is no Councell nor consent of men good against God.

Theo.

Hold you there; Then when Ch…istian Princes are instructed and resolved by learned and faithfull teachers what God requireth at their hands, what need they care for the backward disposition of such false Prophets as are turned from the truth and preach lyes?

Phi.

In England when her Majesty came to the Crowne, it was not so. The Bishops that dissented were grave, vertuous and honourable Pastors, standing in defence of the Catholicke and ancient Faith of their Fathers.

Theo.

You say so, wee say no.

Phi.

Those be but words.

Theo.

You say very right; and therefore the more to blame you, that in both your bookes doe play on that string with your Rhetoricall and Thrasonicall fluence, and never enter any point or p. 462proofe, that my profi… your Reader: you presume your selves to have such apparent right and rule over the Faith, over the Church,The Jesuites presume that all is theirs. over Christian Princes, and Realmes, that without your consent they shall neither conclude, nor consult what religion they will professe. Their acts shall be disorders, their Lawes injuries, their correction tyranny, if you mislike them. This dominion and jurisdiction over all Kingdomes and Countries, if your holy Father and you may have for the speaking; you were not wise if you would not claime it, but before we beleeve you, you must bring some better ground of your Title then such magnificall and majesticall florishes. The Prince and the parliament, you say, had no power to determine, or deliberate of those matters… And why so? you (to wit Bishops) did dissent. May not the Prince command for truth within her Realme,The Prince may command for truth, though the Bishops would say no. except your consents be first required and had? May not her Highnesse serve Christ in making Lawes for Christ, without your liking? Claime you that interest and prerogative, that without you nothing shall be done in matters of Religion, by the Lawes of God, or by the liberties of this Realme? By the Lawes of the Land you have no such priviledge. Parliaments have beene kept by the King and his Barons, the Clergy wholly excluded, & yet their Acts and Statutes good. And when the Bishops were present, their voyces from the Conquest to this day were never negative. By Gods Law you have nothing to do with making Lawes for Kingdomes and common…wealths: you may teach, you may not command. Perswasion is your part, compulsion is the Princes. If Princes imbrace the truth, you must obey them. If they pursue truth, you must abide them. By what authority then claime you this Dominion over Princes,The Jesuites have neither Gods Law, nor mans to make that which the Prince, and the Parliament did, to be void for lacke of the Bishops assents. that their Lawes for Religion shall be void unlesse you consent?

Phi.

They be no Judges of faith.

Theo.

No more are you. It is lawfull for any Christian to reject your doctrine, if he perceive it to be false, though you teach it in your Churches, & pronounce it in your Councels, to be never so true.

Phi.

That proveth not every private mans opinion to be true.

Theo.

Not yet to be false, the greater number is not ever a sure warrant for truth. And Judges of faith, though Princes be not,The Kings Judah did command for truth without a Coun…ll. yet are they maintainers, establishers and upholders of faith with publike power, and positive Lawes, which is the point you now withstand.

Phil.

That they may do when a Councell is precedent to guide them

Theo.

What Councell… p. 463had **2 Chron. 14. cap. 15.2 Chr 14Asa the King of Judah when he commanded his peopl… to do according to the Law, and the Commandment, and made a cov…nant, that whosoever would not seeke the Lord God of Israel should be slaine?

Phi.

He had Azariah the prophet.

Theo.

One man is no Councell, and he did but encourage and commend the King, and that long after hee had established Religion in his Realme. What councell had **2 Chron. …9….2 Chr 9Ezechiah to lead him, when he restored the true worship of God throughout his land, and was faine to send for the Priests and Levites, and to put them in mind of their duties? What Councell had Iosiah, when ten yeares after his comming to the Crowne he was forced to send for direction to Huldath the Prophetesse, not finding a man in Iudah that did or could undertake the charge?4 Kings 22.

Phi.

These were Kings of the Old Testament, and they had the Law of God to guide them.

Theo.

Then since Christian Princes have the same Scriptures which they had, and also the Gospell of Christ, and Apostolike writings to guide them, which they had not, why should they not in their Kingdomes retaine the same power,Christian Princes may do the lik…. which you see the Kings of Judah had and used to their immor…all praise and joy?

Phi.

The Christian Emperours ever called Councells, before they would attempt any thing in Ecclesiasticall matters.

Theo.

What Councell had **Constantine authorised Christian Religson without any Co…cell. Eus…b. de vita Constant. lib. 2.Constantine, when with his Princely power he publikely received and settled Christian religion throughout the World, twenty yeares before the Fathers met at Nice? What councels had Iustinian for all those Ecclesiasticall constitutions and orders,**Iustinian had no Councell for the making of his Constitutions which hee decreed… and I have often repeated? What Councels had Charles for the Church Lawes and Chapters which he proposed and enjoyned as well to the Pastors as to the people of his Empire?

Phi.

They had instruction by some godly Bishops that were about them.

Theo.

Conference with some Bishops, such as they liked, they might have, but councells for these causes they had none. In 480. years after Christian Religion was established by Christian Laws, I mean from Constantine the first, to Constantine the seventh, there were very neere forty Christian Emperours, whose Lawes and Acts for Ecclesiasticall affaires were infinite; and yet in all that time they never called but sixe generall Councels,But 6. generall Councels in 790 yeares. and those for the Godhead of the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost, and for the two distinct natures and wills in Christ. All other points of Christian Doctrine and Discipline they received, established, p. 464and maintained without …ecumenicall Councels, upon the private instruction of such Bishops and clerkes as they favored or trusted. **So…ra. l. 5. c. 10. Theodosius made his owne choyse what Religion he would establish.Theodosius, as I shewed before, made his owne choyce what faith he would follow, & had no man, nor meanes to direct him unto truth, but his owne prayers unto God, and private reading of those sundry confessions that were offered him, &c. Pag. 543. he thus proceeds, Had you beene in the Primitive Church of Christ, you would have gallantly disdained these & other examples of Christian Kings and Countries converted and instructed by Merchants, somtimes by women,Realmes have beene Christned upon the perswasions of Lay men and women. most times by the single perswasion of one man without all legall meanes or judiciall proceeding…: the poore soules of very zeale imbracing the Word of life when it was first offered them, and neglecting your number of voyces, consent of Priest…, and competent Courts, as frivilous exc…ptions against God, and dangerous lets to their Salvation… ††Ruff. l. …. c. 9. And never asked the Priests leave so to do…. Soc. l. 1. c. 19.Frumentius a Christian Child, taken prisoner in India the farther,India converted by Merchants. and brought at length by Gods good Providence to beare some sway in the Realme in the non-age of the King, carefully sought for such as were Christians among the Roman Merchants, and gave them most free power to have assemblies in every place, yeelding them whatsoever was requisite, and exhorting them in sundry places to use the Christian prayers. And within short time he built a Church and brought it to passe, that some of the Indians were instructed in the faith and joyned with them. The ††Ruff. l. 1. c. 10.King of Iberia neere Pontus, Iberia converted by a woman.when he saw his wi…e restored to health by the prayers of a Christian Captive, and himselfe delivered out of the suddaine danger that he was in, onelyonly by thinking and calling on Christ, whom the Captive woman named so often to his wife, sent for the woman, and desired to learne the manner of her Religion, and promised after that never to worship any other God but Christ:The Jesuites would have beene eloquent against this King that yeelded his Realme to Christ at the direction of a seely wench. The Captive woman taught him as much as a woman might, and admonished him to build a Church and described the forme (how it must be done;) whereupon the King calling the people of the whole Nation together, told what had befallen the Queene and him, and taught them the faith, and became as it were the Apostle of this Nation, though he were not yet baptized. The examples of England, France, and other Countries, are innumerable, where Kings and Common wealths, at the preaching of one man, have submitted p. 465themselves to the faith of Christ, without Councels or any Synodall or judiciall proceedings. And therefore each Prince and people without these meanes have lawfull power to serve God and Christ his Sonne,Any man may serve Christ whosoever say nay. notwithstanding twenty Bishops as in our case, or if you will, twenty thousand Bishops, should take exceptions to the Gospell of truth, which is nothing else but to waxe mad against God, by pretence of humane reason and order. By all which it is evident that Parliaments may not onelyonly be held and determine Secular matters, but likewise Ecclesiasticall and Religious, without the presence of Bishops which is no wayes necessary, if expedient.

Touching the parity of Bishops & Presbyters by Divine institution & their difference only by custom, he determins thus, **Ibid. part. 2. pag. 233.234.The title and authorithy of Arch-Bishops and Patriarkes was not ordained by the Commandment of Christ or his Apostles,Patriarkes not erected by Christ but by consent of Bishops. but the Bishops long after, when the Church began to be troubled with dissentions, were content to lincke themselves together, and in every Province to suffer one (whom they preferred for the worthines of his City and called their Metropolitane, that is, Bishop of the chiefe or mother City) to have this prerogative in all doubts of Doctrine and Discipline to assemble the rest of his brethren or consult them absent by Letters, and see that observed, which the most part of them determined. **Hiero. in Epist. ad Ti…. cap. 1. Ibid.Before there began Schismes in Religion the Churches, saith S. Hierome, were governed by the Common Councill of the Seniors. And therefore let the Bishops understand that they be greater than (Ministers or) Elders rather by custome, than by any truth of the Lords appointment, and that they ought to governe the Church in Common: and in his Epistle to Evagrius having fully proved by the Scriptures that the Apostles called themselves but Presbyters, Elders or Seniors, he addeth. **Hiero. ad Evag. Epist. ….That after their times, one was chosen in every Church and preferred before the rest to have the dignity of a Bishop, this was provided for a remedie against Schismes, lest every man drawing some unto him should rent the Church of Christ in peeces. For what doth a Bishop, except ordering of others, Ibidem.which an Elder may not doe? And lest you should thinke he speaketh not as well of the chiefe as of the meaner Bishops, he compareth three of the greatest Patriarkes with three of the poorest Bishops he could name. **Hiero… Ibid.A Bishop of what place soever he be, either of Rome, or of Eugubium, or of Constantinople, or of Rhegium, or of Alexandria, or of Tajus hath the same p. 466merit and the same (function or) Priesthood, abundance of riches or basenesse of po…erty doth not make a Bishop higher or lower, for they all be successours to the Apostles. So that the Bishop of Rome by Commission from Christ and succession from the Apostles is no higher than the meanest Bishop in world.The Patriarchs grew by consent and custome. The Superiority which he and others had as Metropolitanes in their owne Provinces came by custome, as the great Councell of ††Concil. Nicen. cap. 6.Nice witnesseth, not by Christs institution. Let the old use continue in Egypt, Lybia and Pentapolis, that the Bishop of Alexandria be chiefe over all those places, for so much as the Bishop of Rome hath the like custome. Likewise at Antioch, and in other Provinces, let the Churches keepe theer Prerogatives. The generall Councell of Ephesus confesseth the same. ††Concil. Ephes. 1. Decretum post quam Cypr. Episc. accessissent ad concil.Eph 1It seemeth good to this sacred and Oecumenicall Synod to conserve to every Province, their right priviledges whole and untouched, which they have had of old according to the custome that now long hath prevailed. Next their authority was subject not onelyonly to the discretion and moderation of their brethren assembled in Councell,Patriarkes alwayes subject to Princes and their Ecclesiasticall Lawes. but also to the Lawes and Edicts of Christian Princes, to be granted, extended, limited and ordered as they say cause. For example, the first Councell of Constantinople advanced the Bishop of that City to be the next Patriarch to the Bishop of Rome, which before he was not. And the Councell of**Concil. Chalced. acti…. 16. Chalcedon made him equall in Ecclesiasticall honours with the Bishop of Rome, and assigned him a larger Province than before he had. So Iustinian gave to the City in Africa, that he called after his owne name the See of an Archbishop.

Touching Bishops secular Jurisdiction, imprisonment, and temporall affaires he writes thus,**Ibid. part. 2, 126.127. Bishops be no governours of Countries,What is meant by Governour. Princes be, that is, Bishops beare not the sword to reward and revenge, Princes doe: Bishops have no power to command and punish, Princes have. This appeareth by the Words of our Saviour, expressely forbidding his Apostles to be Rulers of Nations, and leaving it to Princes. **Mat. 20. and Mark. 10.Matt 20Mark 10The Kings of Nations rule over (their people) and they that be great ones, exercise authority; with you it shall not be so, that is, you shall neither beare rule,Christ by that word distinguisheth the Ministers from the Magistrate. nor exercise authority over your brethren. Phi. the Word is foreign, they over-rule their Subjects with injustice and violence, you shall not doe so. Theo. So your new Translation over-ruleth the Word, howbeit Christ in that p. 467place doth not traduce the power of Princes, as unjust or outragious, but distinguisheth the calling of his Apostles frō the manner of regiment which God hath allowed the magistrate. Christ saith not, Princes be Tyrants, you shall deale more curteously than they doe, but he saith,Luk. 22.Luke 22 Princes be Lords and Rulers over their people, by Gods Ordinance, you shall not be so. Againe the Word which Saint Luke hath is foreign, without any composition. They be Lords and Masters, and S. Paul confesseth of himselfe and other Apostles, Not that we be Lords or Masters of your faith: yea the compound foreign, is with power and force to rule men whether they will or no, not with wrong and injury to oppresse them, and therefore the conclusion is inevitable, that Princes may lawfully compell and punish their Subjects which Bishops may not.Publike Government is by correction and compulsion. This distinction betweene them is evident by their severall commissions which God hath signed: The Prince, not the Priest, **Rom. 13. Mat. 26. 1 Tim. 3. & Tit. 1. Mat. 24. 2 Tim. 2.Rom 13Matt 261 Tim 3Titus 1Matt 242 Tim 2beareth the sword, Ergo the Prince not the Priest is Gods Minister to revenge malefactors. Peter himselfe was sharpely rebuked by Christ for using the sword, and in Peter all Pastors and Bishops are straitely charged not to meddle with it. All that take the sword shall perish with the sword. And of all men a Bishop must be no striker, for if he that should feed his Masters Houshold fall to striking, he shall have his portion with hypocrites. The servants of God must be gentle towards all, instructing those that resist with mildnesse, Bishops forbid to use violence. 2 Tim. 3. & 4.2 Tim 3not compelling any with sharpenesse. Their function is limited to the preaching of the Word, and dispensing the Sacraments, which have no kinde of compulsion in them, but invite men onelyonly by sober perswasions to beleeve and imbrace the promises of God. To conclude, Pastors may teach, exhort, and reprove, not force, command or revenge, onelyonly Princes be governours, that is, publicke Magistrates to prescribe by their Lawes, and punish with the sword such as resist them within their dominions, which Bishops may not doe: which he thus further prosecutes. **Part. 3. p. 358. Pastors have their regiment but over the soules, not over the bodies or goods of men.The watch-men and Shepheards that serve Christ in his Church, have their kinde of regiment distinct from the temporall power and State, but that regiment of theirs is by counsell and perswasion, not by terrour or compulsion, and reacheth neither to the goods nor the bodies of any men, much lesse to the crownes and lives of Princes, &c.Ibid. Part. 3. p. 529.526. The Pastor cannot force his flocke. Princes may force their Subjects, by the temporall sword which they beare, Bishops may not force their flock p. 468with any corporall or externall violence. Chrysost. de …ac…rd…t. l. 2.Chrysostome largely debateth and fully concludeth this matter with us. If any sheepe, saith he, goe out of the right way, and leaving the plentifull Pastures graze on barren and steepe places, the Sheepeheard somewhat exalteth his voyce to reduce the dispersed stragling sheepe, and to compell them to the …locke. But if any man wander from the right path of the Christian faith, the Pastour must use great paines, care and patience. Pastors may not constraine… but onelyonly perswade.Neque enim vis illi inferenda, neque terrore ille cogendus, …erum suadendus tantum, ut de integro ad veritatem redeat. For hee may not be forced, nor constrained with terrour, but onelyonly perswaded to returne to the truth. And againe, A Bishop cannot …ure men with such authority, as a sheepheard doth his sheepe, for a sheepeheard …ath his choyce: to binde his sheepe, to dyet them, to seare them and cut them… but in the other case the facility of the cure consisteth not in him that giveth but onelyonly in him that taketh the medicine. This that admirable teacher perceiving sayd to the Corinthians; not that we have any dominion over you under the name of Faith, but that we are helpers of your joy: For of all men Christian (Bishops) may least correct the faults of men by force. Bishops least of all men may cor…e…t with force.Iudges that are without (the Church) when they take any transgressing the Lawes, they shew themselves to be endued with great authority and power, and compell them in spite of their hearts to change their manners. But here (in the Church) we may not off…r any violence, but onelyonly perswade. We have not so great authority given us by the Lawes, as to represse offendours, and if it were lawfull for us so to doe, Compulsio… neith…r Lawfull nor expedient in Bishops.we have no use of any such violent power, for that Christ crowneth them which abstaine from sinne, not of a forced, but of a willing minde and purpose. Hilary teacheth the same Lesson:††Hillar. ad Const. …. 2. imperfect. Bishops may not meddle with those that b… …illing. If this violence were used for the true faith, the Doctrine of Bishops would be against it. God needeth no forced service, he requireth no con…trained confession, I cannot receive any man, but him that is willing, I cannot give …are but to him that intreateth, I cannot signe any but him that (gladly) professeth. **Origen in …p. 13. Epist. ad Rom.God will not have crimes revenged by the …ulers of the Church but by the judges of the world.Origen agreeth with them both. See the wisedome of the holy Ghost; because that other faults are judged by the Lawes of Princes, and it seemed superfluous now to prohibite those things by Gods Law, which are sufficiently revenged by mans, he repeateth those and none else as fit for religion, of which mans Law saith nothing; whereby it appeareth that the Iudges of this world doe meddle with the greatest part of Gods Law. For al the crimes which God would have revenged, he would have them revenged not by the …pp. & R…lers of the Church, but by the Iudges of the world, and that Paul knowing, rightly calleth (the Prince) Gods minister and judge of him p. 469that doth evill. Phi. Bishops may not offer force with their owne hands, but they may command others to doe it for them. Theoph. A grosse shift. As though Temporall Princes or Judges did execute malefactours with their owne hands. Bishops by vertue of their vocation cannot claime the sword,Bishops by vert…e of their calling cannot authorize violence or armes. and consequently they cannot command, or authorize any man to take the goods or touch the bodies of Christians o… Infidels, which being a cleere conclusion it is most evident they can much lesse licence you to take the Crownes and take the lives of Princes, to whom Rom. 13.Rom 13God hath delivered the sword to judge the earth, and made them servants onelyonly to himselfe, since all other soules must be subject to them by the tenor of his owne prescription and their first erection as the Scripture witnesseth. And touching Bishops having Conusans in their courts of Tythes, &c. he writes thus. ††Ibid. par…. 2. pag. 246.For Tythes, Testame…ts, Administrations, Servitude, Legitimations, and such like, you went beyond your bounds, when you restrained them to your Courts, and withou… Caesar, made Lawes for things that belonged unto Caesar. The goods, Lands, Livings, States and Families of Lay men and Clerkes are Caesars charge,The goods… lands, & livings, of Clergie men be Cesars right. not yours, and therefore your decrees, judgements and executions in those cases, if you claime them from Christ as things spirit…all, not from Caesar as matters committed of trust to you by Christian Princes, are nothing else but open and wif…ull invasions of other mens rights, you changing the names, and calling those things Spirituall and Ec…lesiasticall, which indeede be civill and temporall, and shouldering Pri…ces from their cushins, who first suffered Bishops to sir judges in those causes, of Honour to their Persons and favour to their sunctions, which on your part is but a bad requitall of their Princely graces and benefits; He addes. ††Ibid. part. 2. p. 252.253.S. Paul expressely writeth of the Prince that He beareth the sword not without cause, and is Gods minister to revenge him that doth evill: And our Saviour severely forbiddeth Pe…er and the rest of the Apostles to meddle with the sword.The sword committed to the Prince. All that take the sword shall perish by the sword, Rom. 13.Rom 13and to them all, you know that Kings of Nations raigne …ver them… and they that be great exercise authority, with you it shall not be so. The sword is but the signe of publicke and Princely power,His Apostles forbidden the sword. Mat. 20. Mat. 26.Matt 20Matt 26 and where the thing is not lawfull the signe is unlawfull. Since then the Lord interdicteth his Apostles and messengers all Princely power, it is evident, the sword which is …ut a signe th…reof is likewise interdicted them. Thus much Bernard p. 470sticketh not to tell Pope Bernard de considerat: l. 2.Eugenius to his face, It is the Lords voice in the Gospell, Kings of Nations are Lords over them, and they that have power over them are called gratious, and the Lord inferreth, you shall not be so. It is a cleare case, the Apostles are forbidden dominion. G… thou then, saith Bernard to the Pope, and usurpe if thou d…re, either an Apostleship, if thou be a Prince, or dominion if thou be Apostolike. Dominion interdicted the Pope himselfe.Thou art expresly forbidden one of them. If thou wilt have both, thou shalt lose both. The patterne of an Apostle is this, Dominion is interdicted, service is enjoyned, Gird thy selfe with thy sword, the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. And this Pope **Caus. 3…3: Quaest. 2. ¶ Inter Haec.Nicholas fairely confesseth, The Church of God hath no sword but the spirituall, wherewith she quickneth, shee killeth not. Your owne Law saith, **Caus. 33. Quaest. 8. ¶ De Episc.It is easily proved of Bishops and other Clergy m…n whatsoever, that they may not either by their owne authority, or by the authority of the Bishop of Rom…, take weapon in hand (and excercise the materiall sword:) and addeth his reason, For every man besides him, and his authority which hath lawfull … wer, and which, as the Apostle saith, beareth the sword not without cause,No Clergy m…n may use the Sword no not by the Popes authority. to whom every soule ought to be subject, every man I say, that without his authority taketh the sword, shall perish with the sword. He that beareth the sword may lawfully put malefactors to death, and wage warre with his enemies, when need so requireth, which Bishops may not doe. (a)(a)2 Cor. 10.2 Cor 10The weapons of our warfare are not carnall, saith Saint Paul. (b)(b)Ad soli…r… vitam agentes.Quid Episcopis cum bello? what have Bishops to doe with battle, saith Athanasius: and (c)(c)Ambros. l. 5. Epist. 33.A…brose, Pugn…re non deb…o, I ought not to fight. If they may not fight, much lesse kill, if they may do neither, they cannot beare the sword, which is appointed by God, and received of men to do both. The words of our Saviour are cleare with us for the negative, My Kingdome, saith hee, is not of this World: if then your Priests, Prelates, and Popes will be the servants of Christ,The servants of Christ may have no earthly Kingdome since their master had none. they must challenge no worldly Kingdome as from him, or in his name. (d)(d)Iohn 8.John 8The servant is not above his Master. If the master with his owne mouth have denyed it, the servants may not affirme it, or usurpe it. The souldiers of Christ must not (e)(e)Matth. 10…Matt 10intangle themselves with secular affaires, much lesse make themselves Lords,(f)(f)Tim. 2. and Judge; of ear…hly matters, which office properly belongeth to the sword, and must be sustained of all those that beare the sword. The Popes themselves be…ore their power and pride grew so great, were of this opinion with us. Thus, p. 471and much more Bishop Bilson to the same effect.

Not to trouble you with more quotations of this nature, which are infinite, I shall conclude onelyonly with two more au…horities of men of greatest eminence, and learning in our Church, in Queene Elizabeths later dayes.

The first of them, is Dr. Whitakers, Dr. Whitakers,Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge; he, in his Booke Contra Du…eum. l. 6. sect. 19. & Controvers. 4. De Ecclesiae regimine. Quest. 1. c. 1. sect. 1. 2. c. 2. sect. 16. Quest. 4. c. 3. sect. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. De notis Ecclesiae, qu. 5. c. 6. p 509 and Contr. 2. Concil. qu. 3. c. 2. p. 586, 587. reciting Saint Ieromes words at large on Titus 1. and to Euagrius, concludes with him; That in former times Bishops and Presbyters were all one and the same: that every where a Presbyter was the same that a Bishop is: that ALL Churches were not under the Government of one man, but were governed by the Common Counsell of their Presbyters; Ecclesiae, inquit Jeronymus, gubernabantur, &c. id est, VBIQVE OMNES, fuit hi… MOS Ecclesiarum gubernandarum. That this custome was not changed by the Apostles, sed POST, Ecclesie judicto. That Bishops are greater now than Ministers not by divine institution, but custome, and that humano, non divino jure totum …oc discrimen constat: the whole difference betweene them is by humane, not by divine Law, or right. That by ancient, and divine right a Presbyter was lesse than a Bishop NIHILO, in nothing: After which he proceeds thus. If the Apostles had changed that order (as Sanders pretendeth) what had it profited Hierome with so great diligence to have collected testimonies out of the Apostles, whereby to shew, that they were sometimes the same? It might easily come into his memory, that this order was changed by the Apostles themselves, after the Church was disturbed and torne with discords. But wherfore then saith Hierom: Before it was said, I am of Paul, &c. the Church was Governed by the Common Councell of Presbyters, &c. I answer, this might deceive Sanders. Hierome onelyonly alluded to the place of the Apostle, that hee might shew, that schismes were the cause of changing this order, as hee saith elsewhere, that this was done to remedy schismes. But this remedy was almost worse than the disease.Nota. For as at first one Presbyter was set above the rest, and made a Bishop, so afterwards, one Bishop was preferred before the rest: and so this custome brought forth the Pope with his Monarchy by little and little, p. 472and brought it into the Church. Ierome so openly oppugneth the Pontificall Hierarchy, that the Papists know not what to determine or answere concerning Hierome. ††Lib. 1. c. 5. De Sacr. H…m. Cant. …utia.Michael Medina doubts not to affirme, that Ierome was an Hereticke in this kinde, and that he held the very same opinion that Aerius did: verily Hierome was of the same opinion with Aerius; whereby we may the lesse regard that Aerius is so often objected to us, AB INSULSIS HOMINIBUS, by foolish men. If Aerius was an Hereticke in this thing, he had Ierome a companion of his Heresie: and not onelyonly him but also many other Ancient Fathers both Greeke and Latine, as Medina confesseth. ††In cap. de Epis. her. 2.Alphonsus de Castro saith, that the Church was sarre enough off from the minde of Hierome; and a certaine man hath written in the Margin, that Ieromes opinion is to be dissembled, not to be urged. **De Hierarch. 2. c. …lt.Pighius writes that Ierome is involved in such difficulties, out of which he could not winde himselfe, and that he fell into perplexed absurdities, no wayes cohearing and fighting among themselves. It is no wonder if they speake evill of us, who thus petulantly insult over Ierome:**Annot. in Epis. 85. H…r. Marianus Victorius endeavours to excuse Ierome, and writes, that he speakes not of Bishops and Presbyters, but o… Bishops onelyonly; and that verily all these are equall, and that many did ill interpret Hierome otherwise. But Ierome most manifestly compares Presbyters with Bishops, and that Marianus had most easily seene unlesse he had beene miserably blinde; yet at length by the opinion of Marianus, all Bishops are equall.††Lib. I. c. 22. de Ordinat. Hierarch Minist. Turrianus otherwise and more acutely answers: Hieronymum non dicere Presbyterum idem, sed eundem esse cum Episcopo; What knots doth this Jesui…e here seeke in a Rush? If a Presbyter be the same that a Bishop is, and the Bishop the same that a Presbyter is, what at last good Jesuite canst thou thinke to be between a Presbyter and a Bishop? Thus verily our adversaries (yea Bpp) finde not how they may defend themselves from this sentence of Hierome; and truely all of them sticke in the same mire, albei… some of them are more foulely plunged than others. The matter now returnes to Lib. 1. de Clericis …. 15.Bellarmine as to the Triary, he most confidently pronounceth, that Ierome differeth as much from Aerius, as a Catholick from an Hereticke. I most firmely averre the contrary, that their opinions concer…ing this thing can by no meanes be disjoyned nor distinguished. Aerius thought, that a Presbyter differed not p. 473…rom a Bishop by Divine right and authority: Hierome contends this very thing, and defends it by the same testimonies of Scriptures as Aerius doth. Now quam inepte & pueriliter, how foolishly and childishly **Hart …5.Epiphanius answereth to those testimonies, all may perceive. For he saith, that the Apostle was wont to write thus, because that at that time, there were not any Presbyters in many C…urches by reason of the paucity of Presbyters. I admire so great a Theologue, who tooke upon him to refute all Heretickes, saw not how shamefully he was mistaken. For what? was the… at that time greater plenty of Bishops than of Presbyters, that whereas there were many Bishops in one City, yet there were no presbyters there. The notable absurdi…y of this an…were Bellarmine himselfe acknowledged. And yet this is that Epiphanius who first of all proscribed Aerius as an Hereticke, absque Synodi aut Ecclesiae judicio, without the judgement of a Synod or of the Church. But what saith Bellarmine? he propoundeth a double difference betweene Aerius and Hierom. The first is that Ierom writes everywhere, That a Bishop is greater than a Presbyter as to the power of Order. I answere, that it is most false; Hierome never writ so, neither doth he by any meanes acknowledg a Bishop to be greater than a Pre…byter, unlesse it be by custome, which he distinguisheth from divine disposition. And if there were so great a difference, wherefore doth Ierome, that he may revok Deacons to modesty, & reduce them into order, affirme that Presbyters are Bishops? Whence doth he admonish that this contention taken up against Presbyters, belongs to B^ps themselves, seeing Presbyters by the first institution of this order and Ministry are B^ps? Now if there were the greatest difference between these in the power of order, had not Ierome bin very sottish in his argument? Now whereas, he saith, **Epist. ad Eva….What doth a B^p except ordination, which a Presbyter may not do? He speaks of the custome of those times; that not even the when by the custome of the Church, a Bishop was greater then a Presbyter, could a Bishop doe more then a Presbyter in any thing, except in ordination: yea elsewhere Hierom himselfe attributes ordination to Presbyters: (And indeed so he doth, for in Zoph. 1. 2. Tom. 5. pag. 218. D. he writes thus; Sacerdotes, &c That Priests who baptize and consecrate the Lords Supper, which is the greater; MANVS IMPONVNT, LEVITAS ET ALIOS CONSTITVVNT SACERDOTES; lay on hands, ordaine Levites and other Priests, which is in truth but the lesse:) The second is, that p. 474although Ierome doth not acknowledge any difference jure divino betweene the jurisdiction of a Bishop and Presbyter, yet he grants that this was lawfully introduced by the Apostles, and that necessarily to avoyd Schismes. I answere first, that Bellarmin hath resolved out of the opinion of Ierome, that there is no difference in the Jurisdiction of a Bishop and Presbyter: whence it is manifest, what Ierome thought of the Jurisdiction and Primacy of the Pope. For seeing the Primacy of the Pope consists in Jurisdiction, & Ierome thinks that Iure Divino the Jurisdiction of a Bishop is not greater than that of a Presbyter, it followes from Ieromes opinion, that the Papacy (and Prelacy) Divino mullo ju… nitatur, rests upon no divine Law. Secondly, …llarmine fights with himselfe, and makes Ierome to speake contradictions. For if Ierome thought that jurisdiction of a Bishop not to be Iuris Divini, how the… was that difference introduced by the Apostles? or how could Ierome prove out of the Apostles writings, that there was not any difference betweene them? Certainely, that which the Apostles instituted and introduced, hath the force of divine right: Finally, this profound Doctor, in his Respons. ad …0. **Printed by it selfe London, 1…83.Rationem Campiani. p. 51. concludes thus of Aerius …is opinion. And …ruely, if to condemne prayers for the dead… Et Episcopo Presbyteros aequare sit h…reticum, NIHIL CATHOLICVM ESSE POTEST; and …o equall Presbyters to a Bishop he Hereti…all, nothing can be Catholike: Thus this great Doctor, William Whitaker; with whom his Coaetaneans Doctor Willet, in his Synopsi… Papismi, Controversie Generall. 5. part. 2. in the Appendix. p. 272. to 284. in the last Edition; and Master William Perkins in his Reformed Catholicke. Cont. 18. c. 21. concurre. I wonder therefore with what impudency and shamelesse brow **In his 3. last Bookes, Bishop White and Docto… H…ylin.Bishop Hall and others dare condemne the defenders of the identity and Parity of Presbyters and Bishops by Divine right for Aerian Heretickes, Schismatickes, Novillers, and oppugners of the received Doctrine of the Church of England; when as the learnedest Prelates, Martyrs and writers of our Church (as appeares by the premises) have pro…essedly justified this opinon as Apostolicall, Orthodox, Ancient, and Catholike, warranted by the unanimous consent both of Scriptures and Fathers; …s will further appear… by the next Authority, with which I shall conclude.

p. 475And that is our incomparably learned Doctor Iohn Rainolds once professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford;Doctor Iohn Raynolds. who in his Letter to sir Francis Knoles, Sept. 19. 1598. (concerning some passages in Doctor Bancrof…s Sermon at Pauls Crosse) Printed in King Iames his time, and now reprinted, writes thus, both touching the pretended heresie of Aerius, and the Divine right of Episcopacy. **Page 2. to 9.It appeareth, by the aforesayd words of Doctor Bancroft, that he avoucheth the Superiority which Bishops have over the Clergie to be of Gods owne Ordinance, for he improveth the impugners of it, as holding with Aerius, that there is no difference by the Word of God, betwixt a Priest and a Bishop, which he could not doe with reason, unlesse he himselfe proved the Bishops superiority, as established by Gods Word; and he addeth, that their opinion who gainsay it is Heresie, whereof it ensueth he thinketh it contrary to Gods Word, sith Heresie is an errour repugnant to the truth of the Word of God, as (according to the (a)(a)1 Tim. 6.3. Titus 3.10. … Pet. 1.19.21.1 Tim 6:3Titus 3:10Scriptures) our owne Church (b)(b)The defence of the Apolog: Part. 1. & 7. devision. 2. answere to the Rhem. Tit. 3.10.Titus 3:10doth teach us. Now the arguments which he bringeth to prove it an Heresie, are partly over-weake, and partly untrue. Overweake, that he (c)(c)Pag. 18.beginneth with, out of Epiphanius: U…true, that he adjoyneth of the Generall consent of the Church. For though Epiphanius doe say, that Aerius his assertion is full of folly, yet he disproveth not the reason which Aerius stood on, out of the Scriptures; nay he dealeth so in seeking to disprove it, that Bellarmine the Jesui…e, (d)(d)Tom. 1. Cant. 3. lib. 1. c. 15.Song 3though desirous to make the best of Epiphanius, whose opinion herein he maintaineth against the Protestants, yet is forced to confesse, that Epiphanius his answere is not all of the wisest, nor any way can fit the text. As for the generall consent of the whole Church which Doctor Bancrof… saith, condemned that opinion of Aerius for an Heresie & himself for an Here…ick, because he persisted in it, that is a large speech, but what proofe hath he, that the whole Church did so? It appeareth he saith in H…r…s… 15.Epiphanius. It doth not, & the contrary appeareth by In Epist. ad Titum & Epist. 85. ad Evagrium.S. Ierome & sundry others, who lived some in the same time, some after Epiphanius, even Saint Augustine himselfe, though Doctor Bancroft cite him, as bearing witnesse thereof; likewise I grant Saint Augustine in his booke of (g)(g)…ap. 53.Heresies, ascribeth this to Aerius, for one; that he sayd Pres…yterum ab Episcopo nulla differentia deberi discerni; but it is one thing to say, there ought to be no difference betweene them, p. 476(which Aerius saying condemned the Churches order, yea made a Schisme therein) and so is censured by S. Austin, counting it an heresie as Epiphanius from whom he tooke it recorded, himselfe, as he (h)(h)In Argu. praefix. lib. 3.witnesseth; not knowing how farre the name of Heresie should be stretched, another thing to say, that by the Word of God there is no difference betwixt them, but by the order and custome of the Church: which S. Austin saith in effect himselfe; so farre was he from witnessing this to be Heresie by the generall consent of the whole Church:(i)(i)Epist. 19. which untruth how wrongfully it is fathered on him, and on Epiphanius (who yet are all the witnesses, that Doctor Bancroft hath produced for the proo…e hereof, or can for ought that I know) it may appeare by this that our learned Country man of godly memory, (k)(k)Defence of the Apolog. Part 2. c. 9. divis. 1. pa. 198.Bishop Iuel, when Harding to convince the same opinion of heresie, alleadged the same witnesses, citing to the contrary Chrysostome, Ierome, Austin and Ambrose, knit up his answere with these words: All these, and other Holy Fathers, together with the Apostle S. Paul, for thus saying, by Hardings advice must be held for Heretickes. And (l)(l)De Sacror. Hom. Orig. & consecr. l. 1. c. 5.Michael Medina, a man of great account in the Councell of Trent, more ingenuous herein than many other Papists, affirmeth not onelyonly the former ancient writers alleadged by Bishop Iuel, but also that another Ierome, Theodoret, Primasius, Sedulius, and Theophylact, were of the same mind touching this matter with Aerius: with whom agree likewise (m)(m)1 Tim. 3.1 Tim 3Oecumenius, and (n)(n)In Epist. ad Titum.Anselmus Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and an other (o)(o)Collect. Can. l. 7. cap. 87.Anselmus, and (p)(p)Polyc. lib. 2. Tit. 1.9. & 39.Titus 1:9Titus 1:39Gregory, and (q)(q)Cap. legimus dist. 39. cap. Olim. dist. 95.Gratian, and after them how many… It being once inrolled in the Canon Law for sound and Catholike Doctrine, and thereupon publickely taught by learned (r)(r)Author Glossae in ca. dist. citat hodorieus caol; in concil. Basil. Duar…n. de sacri Eccles. minist. lib. 1. cap. 7.men. All which doe beare witnesse against Doctor Bancroft of the point in question, that it was not condemned for an Heresie by the generall consent of the whole Church. (And the rather which is observable, because Isiodor Hispalensis, Originum lib. 8. c. 5. and Gratian himselfe Caus. 24. qu. 3. reciting the heresie of Aerius, omits his equalizing of Bishops and Presbyters, out of the li… of his errours, because an Orthodox truth, approved by themselves and other Fathers; which is worthy observation.) If he should reply, that these latter witnesses, did live a 1000. yeares after Christ, and therefore touch not him, who sayd, Pag. 19.it was condemned so in the time of S. Austin, (t)(t)Pag. 69.and of Epiphanius, the most flourishing time of the Church that ever hapned since the Apostles dayes, either in respect of learning or of p. 477zeale. First, they whom I named, though living in a latter time, yet are witnesses of the f…rmer. Oecumenius the Greeke Scholiast treading in the steps of the old Greeke Fathers, and the two Anselmes, with Gregory and Gratian, expressing S. Ieromes sentence word by word. Besides that, perhaps it is not very likely that Anselme of Canterbu…y, should have bin Canonized by the Pope of Rome, & Worshipped for a S^t, that the other Anselme & Gregory …hould have such place in the Popes Library, and be esteemed of as they are; that Gratians workes should be allowed so long time, by so many Popes for the golden foundation of the Canon Law, if they had taught that for Catholike, and sound, which by the generall consent of the whole Church, in the most flourishing time that ever happened since the Apostles dayes, was condemned for Heresie, chiefely in a matter of such waight and moment, to the Popes supremacy… which as they doe claime over all Bishops by the Ordinance of God, so must they allow to Bishops over Priests by the same Ordinance, as they saw at length, and therefore have not onelyonly decreed it now in the (v)(v)Sess. 23. c. 4. Canon. 6. & 7.Councell of Trent, but also in the (x)(x)Annot Marg ad cap. legimus dist. 43.new edition of their Canon Law, have set downe this note; that one Hughs Glosse allowed by the Arch-deacon (saying, that Bishops have differed from Priests alwayes as they doe now in Government, and Prelateship, and Offices, and Sacraments, but not in the name and Title of Bishop, which was common to them both) must be held hereafter for S. Jeromes meaning; at least, for the meaning of the Canon taken out of S. Ierome, though his words be flat & plaine against this Glosse, as (y)(y)Tom. 1. Co… tro. 5. l. 1. c.Bellarmine himselfe confesseth. Whereto may be added, that they also who have laboured about the reformation of the Church these 500. yeares, have taught that all Pastours be they entituled Bishops or Priests, have equall authority and power by Gods Word. First the (z)(z)Aeneas Silvius Hist. B…hem. cap. 35. & Pigh. Hierarch Eccles. l. 2. c. 10.Sir 50:2Waldenses, next (a)(a)Defens. pacis Artic. 2. c. 15.Marsilius Patavinus: then (b)(b)Th…. Walden Doct. fidei Tom. 1. lib. 2. c. 60. & Tom. 2. c. 17.Wickliffe and his Scholars; afterwards (c)(c)Aeneas Silvius loco citato.Husse, and Hussites; last of all (d)(d)Adversus falso nominat ordin. Epist. & adver. Papa. Rom.Luther, (e)(e)In Epist. ad Philip. & Tit. 1.Titus 1Calvin, (f)(f)Apol. Confes. Wittenh. c. 2.21.Brentius, (g)(g)Decad. 5. Ser. 2.Bullinger, (h)(h)Loc. Com. Tit. de minist. verbi.Musculus and other, who might be rec…koned particularly in great number, sith as here with us, both (r)(r)Iuel loco citat, & Pilkington in the Treatise of burning Pauls Church.Bishops, and the Queenes (s)(s)D. Humphrey in Camp. & in Dureum Jesuitam part. 2. rat. 3. & D. Whit. ad rat. Campiani. & Confuta. Durei Jesuitae. lib. 6.pro…essors of Divinity in our Universities, and (t)(t)Mr. Bradford. L…mbert and others. Mr. Fox Acts, & Dr. Fulke against Bri…ow motives 40. and answere to the Rh…mists, Tit. 1.5.Titus 1:5other learned men doe consent therein: p. 478so in …orraigne Nations, all whom I have read treating of this matter, and many more (no doubt) whom I have not read. The si…ting & examining of the Trent Councell, hath beene undertaken by onelyonly two, which I have seene; the one a Divine, the other a Lawyer Part. 2.Kemnisius, and (x)(x)L…b. 4.Gentilletus: they both condemne the contrary doctrine thereunto, as a Trent errour, the one by Scriptures, and Fathers; the others, by the Canon Law. But what doe I further speake of severall persons? It is the common judgement of the reformed Churches of Helvetia, Savoy, France, Scotland, Germany, Hungary, Po…on, the Low Countries, and our owne, witnesse the Harmony of Confessions. Wherefore si…h Doctor Bancroft, I assure my selfe, will not say that all these have approved that as sound and Christian Doctrine, which by the generall consent of the whole Church in a most flourishing time, was condemned for Heresie: I hope he will acknowledge, that he was overseene, in that he avouched the Superiority which Bishops have among us over the Clergie to be of Gods owne Ordinance. Thus Doctor Rainold… : of whom you may reade more to this purpose, in his Conference with Hart, Aug. 1584. London. 1609. p. 12….123.185.218.4…1.540.541.

I could recite many more of our owne writers and records to the same effect, but because I have published, A Catalogue of them, and of such Testimonies in all ages, as plainely evidence Bishops and Presbyters to be both one and the same in Iurisdiction, O…ce, Dignity, Order, and Degree, by Divine Law and Institution, and their Disparity to be a meere humane Ordinance long after the Apostles times, &c. and because I have at large manifested this tr…th, in my Vnbishoping of Timothy and Titus; and in my Breviate of the Prelates intolerable Vsurpations, both upon the Kings Prerogative Royall and the Subjects Liberties, I shall for brevity sake referre you to them; and proceede to answere some principall Objections in defence and maintenance of Episcopacy, and then cast Anchor.