Saincte Ambrose Byshop of Millane vppon thevij . of the former Epistell of Sainct Paul to the Corinthians .

YEar bought with a price , be ye not made the bondmen of men . It is trewe because we ar bought with so deare a price , that we could not haue ben bought againe , of any but only of Christ , who is ritche in all thinges : Therfore he that is bought with a price , ought more to serue or to do his dewtie in th ●office of a bondman , that he may after a manner , make recompence to his byer . Thei ar bond men , that subdue thō selues to mens superstitions . Therefore those that ar bought of God ( that is , of Christe ) ought not to be boundmen , of men : But such ar bondmen of men , that subdue them selues or obey mens superstitions .

THEOPHILACTVS Archebyshop of Bulgaria , vppon the vij . chapiter of the former Epistel of Sainct Paul to the Corinthians , and vppon thesame wordes .

TH' appostel reasoneth not these matters only to slaues or bondmen but he speaketh them , to those that ar free : or he rather doth enstruct all sortes , To execute euel comandements for mans sake is to become mans servant . yea the Christians them selues , that they do not any thing for mans sake , or pleasure , and that they do not execute , or fulfill those commaundementes of men , whiche ar naught for that were to serue men , euen by such , as ar raunsomed for a price . And a littel after , he hauing spoken of thu wordly and spiritual bondage , writeth thus .

Therfore , the Apostel hath prouided very well in bothe cases , ( to were ) first , least vnder the pretence of God his seruice , seruantes shold depart from there masters , in whose power there bodies ar. To please the bodely Master further then they ought , is , to becomen bond men . Secondly , least they shold fall from God , when as they will serue there bodily Masters , further than becommeth , or that they ought to do .

ERASMVS ROTERODAMVS , in his boke of annotations , vppon the fift chapiter of the former Epistel , of sainct Peter .

NEque cou Dominium exercentes aduersiu Cleros , &c. Neither shall ye be as exercisers of Lordsship against the people , or parishes . For he vnderstandeth by this worde Cleros , not Dyacons , or Elders , but the flock which fell to euery man by chaunce , Brought as little to vse Lordship euer the com mon people , asouer there fellowe Elders . to be gouerned , least any man shold iudge , that Byshops were forbidden , to exercise any Lordship ouer clerkes , but that hit was graunted them , to be Lordes ouer others And here he calleth Elders Bishops , for as yet , there was not , so huge a nombre of priestes , but as many Elders as there were , so many by shops there were . This commaundemet of the Prince of the Apostells , shold haue ben written in golden letters , and set vp in all palaces of the Byshops : Feade ( faith he ) the flock , oppresse hit not . pill hit not , and do this not vnwillingly , but of a sincere desier , and mind , as fathers , neither for filthie lucres sake : as though he had seen before , that there vppon shold rise a plage , or pestilence to the chirch . To conclude , not plaing Lordes after the manner of Kinges , but fede with example , and ouercome with goode deades . Now a daies , the common sort of Byshops , heareth nothing of there learned flatterers , but Lordships , Dominions , Swordes , Kayes , and Powers : Whervppon riseth in somme of them , Some B. at pompous at Princes & some more cruell then Tyraunt● . more pompouse Pride , then some Kings vse , and more cruelnes then some Tyrauntes occupie .

Also , in th-same work , vppon xi . chapiter of Sainct Mathewes Gospel .

SVrely , sainct peter in th actes of th' apostelles , doth openly call the lawe of Moses ( which was laied , for a time , vppon the rebellious people of the Iewes ) an hard and a heauy burthen , which neither we nor oure fathers , were hable to beare , neyther can any man doubt , but that it is trueth which the trueth hath pronounced . The yooke of Christ is , in very dede pleasaunt , and his burthen is light , so that no mens traditions be laied vpon mens sholders , beside , or more then that thinge , which he hath alredy appoincted : and he hath commaunded nothing els , but that one shold loue another , and there is nothing so bitter , but that Charitie will seasone , & make his swete . Whatsoeuer is accordig to Nature , it may casely be born , but there is nothing , that agreeth more with Mannes Nature , then Christes Philosophie , which goeth abowt to do no other thing , almost then to restore oure Nature , ( that is fallen ) , to her innocencie , and sinceritie , againe . But euen as the ordinances of men , did make heauie the lawe , being by hit self , greuous enough for the Iewes : The lawe of Man may make ●●●uy the light yoke of Christ . Euen so must we diligently take hade , that the additions , ordinaunces , and doctrines of men , make not the lawe of Christ ( which of hit self , is pleasaunt and light ) heauy and hard to beare . Which ordinaunces so at the first crept in , as though they were small , and ought not to be cared for , or regarded , or els , they being commended with the she we of Godlines be gladly receaued of them , that ar more simple , than foresighted . Those that ar once receaued by pecemele , do growe and encrease , vnto a huge quantitie , & do presse downe & ouerthrowe men , whither they wil or no , either by the help of custeme ( whose violence is a certaine tyrannie ) or els , Thinstrumentes of spirituall bondage . by the aucthoritie of Prinees , which hold stiffly , hit that is rashely receaued , abusing hit for there profit and gaines . And a little after . There ar some that knitt together , either a cold sillogisme of a pece of scripture , which they do not vnderstand , or els make an article of faith , of a mannes ordinaunce , and of such men ar we iudged , to be Christians , or no Christias , which appertaine nothing attall to Christian Religion . And a little after . The burthen of Mans ordinaunces and traditions . What auaileth it to speak of the burthen of Man his institutions , when as many yeares ago Saint Augustine , in a certaine epistel , to Iāuarrus , he is angry , and bewaileth th' estate of Christes chirche , so to be burthened , that the condition of the Iewes was almost more tollerable then the condition of the Christians : what if he sawe the fre people of Christ , snared with so many lawes , and ceremonies , and not only oppressed with a single tyrannie of prophane Princes , but also of Byshops , Cardinalles , Popes , Not only prophane princes , But also . B. ar oppressors of the chirch . and most of all of there seruauntes : who being disguysed , with the visure of Religion go busily aboute , the busines of there bellies . The Iewes had no certaine kind of apparaile forbidden them , more then that which was made , of flaxe and wolle together , howe many constitutions at there made nowe for apparraile , & what superstition , is there in garmentes , and in coloures of thesame , at this present tyme .

¶ Also , againe in thesame work . vpon the xxiij . of Matth.

SOme wrest this place so farre , as , Such . B. we haue somme now a daies in England . men ought to obey , all manner of thinges whatsoeuer the Byshops , Presidences , or Rulers commaunde , although they be vngodly , and that for there aucthorities sake : when as Christ did speak only , of them which did teache rightly the lawe of Moses , and not of such , as did snarre men with there ordinaunces and constitutions . Nowe peraduenture after thesame manner a Byshop might be heard , which preacheth truly the gospell , although he liue but a little according to thesame . But who can abide , that they shold occupie an open tyrannie against Christis doctrine , and make lawes for there owne aduantage , measuring all thinges according to there gaine 〈◊〉 glorious maiesties . They that snare the people with rites and ordinances , deuised for there profit , and to fulfill there tyrannie , do not sitt in the chaire of the gospell , but in the chaire of Simon magus and Caipl . as .

Martine Bu●er vppon the first chapiter of S. Paule to the Ephes.

AMongest the members of this chirch , there is none in all the earth that is the hadde therof : There is no member of the chirch that can be bed . But the chirch , hathe Christ hedd therof , in heauen . The princes in dede , & the Magistrates of all places may be called heddes , but not in the ecclesiasticall body , but in the politick bodie , and in the politique gouernement . And a littel after he saieth . Christ by him self , is gouernor of the chirch , yet not withstanding he vseth the seruice of Angells , and of men , and yet for all that he is alwaies pre sent with his chirch . And a little aster . Seing that the chirch , hath Christ her hedde , he surely as a good shepeherd , with his word gathereth together his shope that go astray , and he cometh to open his father to his shepe , and to drawe all thing to him , to open there mindes , that they by trew faithe may vnderstand the gospell , by the which faith he iustifieth them . This faith is mighty in working thorough , Charitie● , which Charitie seketh not lier owne , whersore there is a wonderfull vnitie , and ioyning together of the members ' , as hit was saied in the primatiue Chirch , They had onesowle and one hert in the Lord . Furthermore , for as much as Christ . is the Ruler , and gouerneth hit in all thinges , as Paul beareth witnes hereafter in the fiueth chapiter , monisheth wemen that they shold be subiect , or obedient vnto there husbandes , as the chirch is vnto Christ . He purgeth hit , or maketh hit cleane with his bloode , although he vse in hit , diuers ministeries or seruices , yet is he the chieff gouernor , the first , and the most strong and mighty . ¶ And a little after . Wherin standeth or consisteth the vnitie of the chirch ? Not in garmentes , Wherin the vnity of the chirch consisteth . Not in cerimonies . not in Ceremonies , as thow shalt se here after in the fourth chapiter , in these wordes , Indeauoring or laboring to kepe the vnitie of spirite , in the bonde of peace , &c. Therfore the vnitie of the chirch , standeth in the vnitie of the spirite , of Charitie , of the word of God , of Christ , of the sacramentes , and in the communion of giftes , that we may consent in one , that we may agre in one thing , that we may speake one thing , that no man shall rule him self , but geue him self to be ruled , vnto Christ , & the Spirite , that we shold consent with the will of oure heauenly father , that we shold allowe altogether thesame things , and reproue also thesame : for by the Spirite in thesame place he doth vnderstand , the inward power of the spirite , from whence come all oure counsailes , and doinges , which in all thinges ought to be thesame and like hit that is of God , opened vnto vs in the worde . There is one word , one Scripture , one Baptisme , & one death of Christ , one Father , one Religion , and one Charitie , one sacrament of thankes giuing , and one laing onne of handes , and one discipline , and one consent of the Ministers , and of those by the which these ar ministred : To conclude all thinges that ar ordained , to the buylding or profitt of the Chirch , we must haue all those as one thinge . But whatsoeuer is not declared in the word , there is no ne cessarie vnitie in that , but rather liberty , &c.

¶ Vpon thesame chapiter he writeth thus . To the bylding of godlines , al thinges ought to be done in the Chirch , Prelats ar become Tyraunts in making lawes . and hit is commaunded that the Rulers of the Chirches , shold teach those thinges that Christ hath commaunded : wherfore , they ought not to make them selues Tyrauntes , in exacting or requiring of mens consciences , that which Christ neuer commaunded .

Thesame BVCER in his commentaries on Matth , vpon these wordes . Matth. 18. Luc 7. Wo vnto the world for offences .

AN offence is , what so euer we say or do by any meanes which riseth not of sound or perfect faith , and is not ordered of sincere and trew loue , promoting Godes glory , and oure neighbours Saluation .

After that this Doctor hath spoken , of offences generally , and shewed them not to beseme Christians , and hath also perticulerly amplified the matter , in deedes of them selues not euel , but done contrary to Charity , with abuse of Christian liberty as . Rom. 14.1 . Cor. 8. This note first geuen , that sainct Paul often with somme force , repeateth this name , A brother : He concludeth that this is the Scope and drifte of all . So to order and do all thinges , that they may make to the edifieng of oure Brethren , so shall hit fall oute that sommetime liberty is to be vsed some time not : for when as wordes ar to be confirmed with deedes , then must ( saieth he ) the liberty that is preched nedes be confirmed with examples . This he setteth owt with th' examples of Peter . &c. at Antioch . Galat. 2. Commending his vsing of Christian liberty in meates , and discommending his dissimulation : and also of Paul in not circunciciding of Titus . Galat. 2. Wherin he noteth thus .

1 First , if in this slippery place Peter caught a fall , who is hit , that ought not to be careful herin , and to take heed .

2 Secondly , in reprouing of Peters dissimulacion he saieth . To conclude , for that we must alwaies prease , to perfection and fulnes of faith , greater respect was surely to be had to the gentiles , which had alredy receued Christ * * Plans plainly , then to them which did lewdly stick yet , to the * * Elementis Mandi . ceremonies of the world : who in conclusion , by long bearing with , might be the more confirmed in there error .

3 Thirdly , we must further consider , whether they be trew or false brethern , which go aboute to infring or weaken Christian liberty , for we must regard only the trewe brethern , to beare with them herin .

These thinges , premised after this manner , he applieth the whole doctrine of offences , by the example , of outeward thinges , and ceremonies , to oure time and state of Religion , in these wordes .

As in oure time , if a man would still dissimule , or hide the liberty , of owteward thinges , which the visured chirch men , by subteltie and tyrannie , haue taken from christian people , for th' obstinate enemies of the gospell sake , who do abhorre and blaspheme all that doth come from vs : seing they abhorre and blaspheme Christ , and the gospell hit self , hit shold not only , not admēd those , but rather shold more confirme them in euel , and very much offend such , which haue receaued Christ , whilest the Minister preacheth vnto them , trueth vtterly voyed of examples . For they ar many , which hardly can be perswaded , that we haue all thinges in Christ whilest mens Inuentions , are had in such price and estimacion . Owte of question greate fault is here in , nowe a dayes committed , and that not of the rude and common sort of people : But of the hed protestantes and chief gospellers . I confesse in deede , that all though all the ordinaunces against the liberty of owtward thinges were of Antechriste his bringing in ( as is difference of personnes , meates , daies , places , and infinite such other thinges ) yet for that the common people were born in hand , that they all , were commaundementes of the Chirch guided by gods spirite , and so generally receaued of men , as thinges , proceding from Gods will and apoinctment : that therefore we shold vse the liberty ( purchased vnto vs by Christ ) circumspectly , and warely , euen now a dayes , and with Paul many tymes , circumcide Tymothe , ( that is to say ) for oure partes vse well some ceremonies , which other men abuse , so as hit were . seking occasion , to preach Christ sincerely and purely : Although in deede these deuises of Men , can by no meanes be compared to Circumcision , and such like orders of God .

But what is the common practise ? Many fearing forsoth the offence of the crosse , and in vaine going abowte , to please both men and God , after long preaching of the word , when wordes and talke , requier nowe example and deedes , ( pretending other mens infirmities , when in deede they ar therin let with there own wekenes ) both them selues becam yet slaues , to mennes tradiditions , and cause other men also to be the like . Oh saye they , nothing is to be tempted rashely , these thinges haue continued many yeares they cannot be put away sodenly , regard must be had to the weake , with hastie spede we shold not plant the gospell , but ouerthrow hit .

I wold wish these men first considered , what that sentence meaneth . Matth. 11● The kingdome of heauen suffereth violence , and the violent catch hit vnto them . Theem that these thinges , are not hasted rashly , but them , when they ar chaunged , Christ not yet being once commended and withowt faithe : and not when Christ is alredy preached , and the nett of the gospell so long cast forth , that hit hath in a manner taken , as much as may be taken in that circuit , or compasse of sea , and now there remaineth nothing els but to confirme , and bring creditt to wordes , by example in doinges . Surely the case thus standing , workes also wherin men haue put there confidences , more then in Christ , are to be forsaken , and men must remembre that there can be no fellowship , had betwene Christ and Antechrist .

Againe , hit is a thing very absurd and folish , that because , that falshod hath by littell and littel , and of longe time crept in , and growen , therefore to go aboute to prescribe longe time also to receaue the trueth in Christ , otherwise shold , Christ , no more be estemed of vs , then Antechrist . Certainly if we shall not receaue Christ , so sone as we knowe him : we shall neuer enioy him . Moses , Samwel . Elias , Ezechias , Iosias , delt not after this sort : But assone as they had restored , the knowledge of the lawe to the people , by and by they abolished and attonce all abhominations , and restored the ceremonies of God .

Wherfore it is nothing worth , that they saie , who allawaies bragge , that there ar greater thinges to be vrged , then reformation or admendment of ceremonies , so become Patrones to Antechristes relictes . As for ceremonies , they ar coguisances or testimonies of oure Religion , and therefore we also begin oure Religion with the ceremonie of Baptisme : and if any be to be receaued againe , by meanes of his repentaunce , after that he is excommunicated for his wickednes , he is straight reconciled to the chirch , by the sacrament of the supper : Wherefore they must nedes be weake in the faith of Christ , which differre the remouing of Antechristes ceremonies , and newnes of lyf will surely , verie lately appere in them , if euer hit appere at all And in dede we se at this day cold and slack proceding in christian Religion , and profession , in those places where Antechristes ceremonies be born withall , and all thinges much more liuely , and effectuall , where they be abolished and done away . For if thei stay at any time , this onely is the cause , that the word of God , either is not thouroughly credited , or not estemed accordinglie . For howe so euer , those that suppose them selues to be strong in faith , vse not these thinges : where I praye yowe , is thêre zeale , for Christes glorie , or there prethorn , wheras they still vse them , so no doubt they do hit of weakenes of faith .

Cerminly as there is no agrement at all betwene Christ and Belial , so sincere and vnfained Christians , can by no meanes abide any of Antechristes trumpery . Although with this there zeale , they endeauor them selues to purge , the chirch here , as the glory of Christ may therby chiefly be auanced , yet to the wea●●er sort thy will haue such respect , as to do nothing rashely or owt of seasone , but will teache the weak with gentelnes , to wax stronger in knowledge . Yet will they do there endeauour , with examples , to bring them forward , not regarding the blindnes of a few , who ar to much addicted to Antechristes ceremonies , and perhaps no trew and vnfained brethern . Offending there , whilest verie many other weake ones , continually thinck thus with them selues . If these thinges were so euel , they shold surely be abolished : if eitber they were so good al men ( especially that reck on them selues Christians ) wold in dede receaue and embrace them . These men surely , if they be elect , shall at the length be confirmed , all though all the world offend them , and no man edifle them . But woe in the meane time , vnto them , by whome they ar offended . Wherfore as sone as trew godlines , hath ben preached and professed of manny , Antechristes ceremonies , and rites must by and by be abrogated , neither must delay be made , till godlines be in all poinctes growen vp to perfection , els shold , that trash , neuer be abolished , and remoued .

These myld and toe , toe moderate and sober Christians , who can beare all Antechristian thinges , in verie deede like vnto them at Corinth , who knowing that an Idoll was nothing , did eate thinges offered vnto Idolles , and boasted ( as these our men do ) in outward matters we ar free : what is that to me that another abuseth these thinges naughtely ? I will vse them well . For as those weakened the faith of many , both in that they lesse abhorred Idolles , through there example & also in that they for the most part communicated with them against there consciences , so no doubt do these oure lukewarme gospellers , nowe adaies . What is Antechrists ceremonies . They know right wel that all Antechristes ceremonies ( that is to say , all such haue ben brought in withowt gods word ) are not worth a rush : And because they ar owtward things wherin we haue liberty , they will vse them as frely forsoth , not waighing that many things ar lawful , which ar not expedient , and that oure libertie , must serue , either whome they in the meane time offend , or obscure the glorie of Christ . For they confirme those in there error , which as yet knowe not , that these thinges ar free , and at liberty . As for the defenders therof , the professed ennemies of Christ they make them glad and bo●d , They shut Christ owte of Dores that beare with ceremonies . and finally they weaken the febles faith , which had forsaken and cast them awaie .

Thus on God his name they prouide fairly for the weak ones , yea rather they serue herin there owne bellies , in that they studie to gratifie , either Christes ennemies , or els backsliders . For no man other then these , will earnestly contende for superstitious ceremonies . This is there modestie or bearing , where with they ar so farre from helping the gospel , or encreasing hit , that by little , they displace hit . Surely we haue to thanck these men , that at this day all thing is gone hack ward , and turned vpside downe , in many places , where the gospell hath ben long time preached : wheras no example can be brought of like alteracion in those places , where Christ being earnestly , and purely preached , ceremonies also ben reformed , according to the rule of his word . For as for those thinges , which haue disordredly , or confusely happened , Christ either not at all , or not sincerely preached , they appertaing nothing to vs .

For asmuch therefore , as Christ so sore detesteth offences , and crieth , woe vnto the world by meanes of offences , wo vnto the man by whome offence commeth : we must with all diligence take hede both in these and other thinges , that we be offensiue to no man , but especially to the littel ones , those I meane not , that ar in in age only such but in faith and vnderstanding also . The perfect knowledge of God and Christ is lyff euerlasting , whatsoeuer therefore may be any meanes , either hindre or obscure hit , let hit neither be spoken , ne yet don of vs : but to the vttermost of oure powers let vs remoue those things away . Then let vs prouoke them , both by exhortations , and examples , that men will expresse those thinges in there lyff , geuing no place herin , either to oure oune affections , or other mens seing that it is better to be drowned in the sea , then to giue offence , &c.

¶ Peter Martyr writing vpon the. 13 chapiter of Sainct Paul to the Romaines , on these wordes : let euerie sowle be subiect vnto powers that ar set in high auctoritie .

IF , as we haue concluded , they ar to be reproued , that rendre euell for euel , and it is th office of Christian men , to shew th office of charitie vnto them that haue deserued euel of us : they ar doubtles greatly to be reproued , which for good deedes , restore euell deedes , and shewe not vnto men that haue ben frendly vnto them ( as the Magistrates be ) honor and obedience . Because th apostel is about to entreate diligently , and largly of this matter , that we may vnderstand the better what his meaning is , we will define , what is a Magistrate ? A Magistrate is a chosen person and that of God that he shold , defend the lawes , and peace , and represse and hold downe vices , and all thinges that ar euel , with ponishmentes , and his sword . The efficient cause is God . Th ende is the keping of the lawes , and of peaces , and driuyng away of vices , and all hurtful thinges , and th encrease of vertues . Th formal cause is , the ordre that he apoincteth by the prouidence of God in matters that apperatine vnto men , or in wordly matters . The materiall cause , is a man or a person , for who soeuer is chosen to be a Magistrate , he is one chosen owt of Men. The right way , and compendious manner of theachings , is almost general . First it is ordained that all men shal be vnder the power of the Magistrate . And afterward that is proued of the cause efficient , that all such powers ar of God . And after hit is proued by the contrary , that they that despice the cheeff Ruler , ar ennemies to God , and that to there harme . And furthermore the same thing is proued by th ende , or finall cause , that the Ruler is made for our greate profit & commoditie . ¶ And vppon thesame chapiter in the 604 page and xii line , he writeth of the same chieff Rulers thus . But these Ecclesiasticall Papists will say that the kinges them selues , and the common powers , haue giuen ouer of there owne righte , and haue willed that clarkes , shold be exempted . But we ought not to loke what Princes haue done in these matters , but what they ought to haue done . For it lieth not in there power to put downe the lawes of God , wherfore if this godly commaundemente of Paull , will that euery sowle shold be subiect to the higher power , in any case men must nedes obey hit . For those thinges that God hathe ordained , & decreed cannot be called back againe by mans auctority . Howe be it these wordes ar to be restrained , and drawen together : that we may vnderstand , that we ar subiect vnto the Magistrate , no further then belongeth vnto his vocation and office , but if he wold go beyond those bondes , and commaund any thing that is contrary to godlines or the lawe of God , we ought rather to obey God then men .

Also vppon the same chapiter , on these wordes , Quae sunt potestates a Deo ordinatae sunt : Those powers that ar , ar ordained of God , &c: he writeth thus .

THe matter nowe will not suffer vs to couer with silence , howe that Bonifacius in his extrauagant , ( which beginneth , vnāsanctam abuseth the wordes of the Apostel , to confirme his Pride . For here vpon he wold proue , that those thinges that ar of God , haue some orders amongest them selues that there dignities may be knowen one from another being distinct and separated by certaine degrees , and that there vppon hit followeth that the powers that ar of God ar not all a like , and that is the higher power which is exercised or occupied about the worthier matter , and because the Ecclesiastical power is occupied in spirituall matters , and the ciuil in bodely matters : Therfore hit followith saieth he , that the Ecclesiasticall power is highest , and ought not to be subiect vnto the ciuill Magistrate , for the Pope ( saieth he ) hath iurisdiction ouer all Princes , becaus Christ did say what soeuer thow shalt bind on earthe shal be bound in heauen , &c. And to make the matter more plaine , he alledgeth oute of Ieremie these wordes . Behold I haue ordained the aboue kinges and nations , that thow shouldest pull in peces , and destroye , and that thow shouldest byld and plant . But as these arguments ar full of Pride , and swelling : So ar they most ful of vanitie , for first to begin withal . Paul doth not speak here , of the degrees of powers distincted or disseuered amongest them selues , for he only saieth thus , that all powers what soeuer they be , ar ordained of God , and I do not denie but the Ecclesiasticall power , or the power that Ecclesiasticall persons haue , is in spirituall matters , for hit is occupied in the Ministerie of the word of God , and therefore we graunt that , that power , is the gretest because the word of God ought to commaund and rule all men . But this power maketh men to bring to subiection all vnderstanding , and to bring downe or destroy the highnes of all mens reasons . Let these excellent greate lordes do these thinges , let them preache the word of God , and let them leaue there inuentions of men , and then if there be any that will not heare them , We do not doubt , but that they condemne them iustely , whether they be Princes , Kings , Monarches , or Emperors : yet for all that it shall not folowe , that they ar not subiect , vnto the politicke power in things pertaining to this bodily lyffe , & to possessions , and landes , howsen and Maners . Nay rather ( as concerning the Princes office ) they ought to be subiect to a godly and Religeous Magistrate , not because wethinck that the word of God or Sacramentes , ought to be subiect or Subdued to man his lawes , but that it is th office of a Magistrate to ponish or displace chirch Ministers if they behaue them selues ill in there office , or Iugle with the trueth , or deface it , or do falsly minister the Sacramentes . Let them binde and lose ( that is to say ) by the word and preaching let them declare who be bounden , and who be losed : yet for all this they ought not to exempt them selues from the ciuill Magistrate . For euen as a king though he excell in his excellent dignity , is bound to obey the word pronounced by the Ministers of the chirch : Euen so an ecclesiasticall man , although he be set in an excellent place , and office is not exempted , or discharged from the obedience or subiection of the Magistrate .

¶ Also in the same worke , pag 609 on these wordes , De●minister est vltor ad Iram : he writeth thus . Euen as he is the officer of God , vnto thy good and profite if thow do well : Euenso is he th officer of God vnto wrath , that is to say , to reuenge and ponish if that thow behaue thy self naughtely : Neither ought he to whome the sword is committed , to be ignorant that he is the keper not only of the latter , but also of the former table : wherfore he ought diligently to take heed that Religion be ministered out of the word of God And let him not thinck as many Princes now adaies beare them selues in hand , that , that charge appertaineth nothing vnto them : for they will in deede deale owte benifces and Byshoprickes to whome soeuer they list , but they care not whether they , whome they haue promoted to such dignities do there dewties or no.