CHAP. I. Of the originall of Popish Primacie .

I Haue proued at large elsewhere , In my suruay of Poperie . how Poperie crept into the Curch by peece-meale , and how she receiued her daily increments : Now it shall bee sufficient , to touch succinctly and plainely , when & by what meanes , Rom● became the head of al Churches : the truth therfore of this point , is this ; viz. That for the space of sixe hundred and six yeares after Christ , the Byshops of Rome liued in all dutifull obedience vnto the Emperours , neither was the Church of Rome the head of all other Churches , but one of the three patriarchall seates , wherof mention is made in the first famous councell of Nice , Tres sedes patriarchales ; Romana , Alexandrina , Antioch●na . which was called by the worthy Emperour Constantinus , surnamed the great . Two things I haue to proue , for the clearing of this question , the one , the subiection of the Bishops of Rome , in Anno , 606. vnto the Emperour . The other of the supremacie of the Church of Rome after that time .

Concerning the former , most impudent and intollerable is the Popes insolencie , when he exalteth himself aboue kings and Emperours , threatning them that he can depose them from their scepters & regalities , & dispossesse them of their Empires and dominions . For Gregory , Gregor. libro . 2. epist. 61. chap. 100. surnamed the great , a very famous Byshop of Rome , when he was appointed by the Emperour Mauritius , to publish a certaine law , sent him from the said Emperour ; did not refuse to accomplish the Emperours designement , but very dutifully and loyally acknowledged himselfe to be the Emperours subiect , and of duty bound to execute his command therein ; albeit he deemed the law to be in some part therof , disagreeable to Gods holy wil. These are the Byshops own words ; Ego quidem iussioni subiectus , eundem legem per diuersas terrarum partes transmittifeci ; & quia lex ipsa omnipotenti deo minime concrodat , ecce per suggestionis meae paginam , serenissimis dominis nunciaui : vtrobique ergo quae debui exolui , qui & imperatori obedientiam praebui , & pro deo quod sensi minime tacui . Englished thus . I subiect to your commandement , haue caused the same law to be sent through diuers parts of the land ; and because the law is not agreeable to Gods holy wil , behold ▪ I haue intimated so much vnto your maiesty by my Epistle : I haue therfore discharged my duty in both respects ; as who haue yeelded my obedience to the Emperour , & haue concealed what I thought in Gods behalfe . These are the words of the good Byshop of Rome ▪ for that Church was in good case & order , in his time & age , out of whose discourse I note , first , that Pope Gregory , & S. Gregory ( as the Papists terme him ) as famous & as learned a man , as euer was Byshop of Rome , acknowledgeth the Emperour to be his Lord and Soueraigne . Secondly , that he confesseth himselfe to be the Emperours subiect . Thirdly , that he freely and willingly granteth , that hee oweth faithfull and loyall obedience to the Emperour ; Marke this , o Papist . for which duty , he durst not but publish the Emperours law , though in some part against Gods wil , as he deemed it ; and that , least he should haue bene guiltie of disloyaltie towards his Prince and Soueraigne .

Touching the latter , the cruel tyrant Phocas ( who rauished many godly matrons , & murdered the emperor Mau●ritius with his three sons , Theodosius , Teberius , and Constantinus ) decreed that the Roman seat shuld be the head of al churches . This to be so , I haue proued else wher at large , In my suruay of Popery . out of many famous Chronographers , viz. Sigebertus , Platina , Palmerius , Bergomensis , Polidorus , Marianus , Scotus , Martinus , Polonus . Here it shal be enough , to adde the testimony of Rhegino a famous popish Abbot . These are his words ; Rhegin . Anno. 628. Hic obtinuit apud Phocam principem , vt sedes romana caput esset omnium ecclesiarum . He obtained , ( hee speaketh of Bonifacius the Byshop of Rome ) of the Emperour Phocas , that the Church of Rome should be the head of all Churches .

Hermannus Contractus , an other famous Chronographer , hath these expresse words ; Herm. Contr. Anno. 600 , Hoc tempore Phocas Romanam ecclesiam omnium ecclesiarum caput esse constituit . Englished thus . At this time Phocas decreed the Church of Rome , to be the head of all other Churches .

So then , Gregorie the good Byshop of Rome , died in the second yeare of Phocas his Empire , about which time Mauritiu● the Emperour was murdred , & fiue yeares after that Rome was made the head of all Churches . That is to say , 607. yeares after Christs sacred byrth , and most holy aduent . Iohannes Nanclerus a late writer of high esteeme with all papists , and consequently of great force against them , hath these words ; Nauclerus . in Ebronic . pag. 629. Phocas pontificis suasione , publica ac ad vniuersum orbemdimissa sanctione constituit , vt romanae ecclesiae romanoque pontifici omnes orbis ecclesiae obedirent , quod retroactis temporibus non ad vnguem seruabatur , maxime a graecis . Englished thus . Phocas by the perswasion of Boniface the third , then Byshop of Rome , made a publique constitution , & sent it through out the whole world ; in which he decreed , that all churches in the world should obey the church and Byshop of Rome : which thing was not exactly obserued in former time , especially of the Greekes . Thus writeth this famous popish Cronographer , whose testimony is able to confound al papists , & popish falsely challenged primacie . For first , pope Boniface was made byshop of Rome , but Anno. 607. so that Rome was 606. yeares without her now , chalenged primacie . Secondly , the fathers of the great church , S. Epiphanius , S. Chrisostome , S. Bassil , S ▪ Gregorie Nazianzene , and the rest , did not yeeld so much to the Church of Rome , as to admit it for the chiefe patriarchall seate . To this testimonie of this great Papist , it is not amisse to adioyne the flat and humble confession of the Iesuiticall Cardinall Bellarmine ; who confesseth roundly and peremptorily , Bellarmine , Lib. 1. de con●cilij● Cap 19. Tom. 1. that the popes would neuer come in person to the councels in the East-church , because the Emperour would euer sit in the highest place ; although the Pope himselfe had bene there present , in his Pontificalibus . Out of whose grant three things are cleared ; First , that the highest place in general councels , was in old time reserued to the Emperour . Secondly , that our holy father ( such is his humilitie ) could not endure the Emperours superioritie ouer him , as the good Byshop Gregory did in his time . Thirdly , that the Greeke Church did neuer acknowledge the Popes vsurped primacie . Alas , alas , how hath the late Romish Church bewitched vs ?

CHAP. II. Of the way and meanes , by which the Popes attained their vsurped primacie .

In the downfall of Poperie . OF the steppes of the ladder , by which the Byshops of Rome did clime vp vnto their Lordly primacie , I haue elsewher discoursed at large . Now I deeme it enough to insinuate in brief , the generall meanes of the accomplishment thereof .

That Romish pontificalitie , and pompe of popery , came vp first by beggerly Canonists , who to aduance themselues , flattered the Pope , & gaue him more then princely and royall titles : the popes owne deare Doctor a Spanish Fryer , professour of Theologie in the famous Vniuersitie of Salmantica , Franciscus a Victoria , a witnesse that cannot but carrie credite on his backe , telleth vs roundly without blushing ▪ who after hee hath rehearsed many Lordly titles , and more then royall power ascribed to the Pope , addeth these expresse words : Victor . de potest . Eccles. relect. 1. sect 6. Pra● . 39. Sed glossatores iuris hoc dominium dederunt Papae , cum ipsi essent pauperes rebus & doctrina . Englished thus . But the Glossers and Interpreters of the Popes lawe , gaue this dominion ( and these royall titles ) vnto the Pope , themselues being blind Bayards , and beggerly fellowes .

Thus writeth the Popes learned Doctour , and religious Fryer , by whose verdict it is most apparant to the world , that pouertie and ignorance ( two gallant Romish courtiers , ) were the beginning of al royall Pope-dom . And no maruaile : for by reason of their pouertie , they flattered and sought to please the Pope ; and by reason of their ignorance , they desperately published many things which they did not vnderstand .

The vsual practise of Papists in their Commentaries , Bookes , and Glosses , hath bin such & so intollerable in wresting the holy Scriptures : as their owne deare brethren and great Doctors , can not for shame denie or conceale the same . Polidorus Virgilius a famous papist , hath these words : Non secus isti iurisconsulti aliquoties detorquent sacras literas quò volunt , ac sutores sordidas solent dentibus extendere pelles . Englished thus . These ( popish ) Legists and Canonists , doe now and then so wrest and writhe the holy Scriptures , to that sense which themselues like best , euen as Coblers do gnaw with their teeth , and stretch out their filthy skinnes .

1 Out of these words , I obserue first , that this Polidore , was a great Papist himselfe , and consequently , that his testimonie must needes be of great force against the Papists .

Secondly , that he speaketh not of the meanest and worst sort of Papists , but euen of their best & renowmed Doctors : viz. of Hostiensis their grand and famous Doctor .

Thirdly , that their mangling and wresting of the holy Scriptures is most intollerable , & that without the same they cannot possibly maintaine their wicked doctrine .

This is that which Doctor Fisher , the late Byshoppe of Rochester hath freely confessed , in his answere to the Articles of M. Luther , which hee could not in truth withstand , or gainesay . These are his expresse wordes : Roffensis art. 37. aduers. Luther . pa. 11. Contendentibus itaque nobiscum haereticis , nos alio subsidio nostram oportet tueri causam quam scriptura sacrae . Englished thus . Therefore , when Heretiques contend with vs , we must defend our cause by other meanes , then by the holy Scripture . These are the very expresse wordes ( I neither adde any thing , nor take any thing away ) of their owne famous popish byshop , of their owne holy Saint , of their glorious martyr , a learned man in deed : who laboured with might and maine , for the popes vsurped soueraigntie , and defended the same in the best manner he was able , and to the vttermost of his skill . And yet for all that , hee hath boulted out vnawares , & against his will , ( such is the force of trueth , which must needs in time preuaile ) so much in plaine tearmes , as is sufficient to ouerthrow all poperie for euer ; and to cause all people that haue any care of their saluation , to renounce the pope & his abominable doctrine , to their liues end . For our popish Byshoppe being put to his best trumpe , telleth vs plainely , and without all dissimulation , ( his mouth being now opened by him , who caused Balaams Asse to speake , ) that they must not ( because forsooth they cannot , ) defend and mantaine their poperie by the authoritie of the Scripture , but by some other way and meanes : Marke wel for Christs sake . Viz. by mans forged inuentions , and popish vnwritten vanities , which they terme the Churches Traditions .

Now gentle Reader , how can any papist , ( who is not giuen vp in Reprobum sensum , for his iust deserts ) read such testimonies against poperie , freely confessed and plainely published to the world , and that by the pennes of most learned and renowned papists : euen while they bestirre themselues busily , to defend their pope and his popish doctrine ; & for all that continue papists stil , and be carryed away headlong into perdition : beleeuing & obeying that doctrine , which ( as themselues confesse ▪ ) cannot be defended by the holy Scripture . Me-thinkes , they should bee ashamed , to hold and beleeue that doctrine : in defence whereof , they can yeeld no better reason . Alas , alas , how hath the late Romish Church seduced vs ?

CHAP. III. Of kissing the Popes feet .

TOuching the kissing of the Popes feet , the truth is this , that some Christian kings and Emperours vppon a blinde zeale not grounded in knowledge , did humble themselues to the Byshops of Rome , and did yeeld vp their soueraigne rights vnto them , and thereby opened the windowe to all Antichristian tyrannie . For in short time after , the Romish Byshoppes became so Lordly and insolent , that they tooke roundly vpon them to despose the Emperours , to translate their Empires , & to dispose at their owne pleasures , of their royal scepters & regalties . Yea , to be reuerenced , honored , and adored as Gods , & for that end must al faithfull Christians kisse the Popes feete . Here for the better credite of mine assertion , I will put downe the flat testimonie of their Saint , Antoninus , their religious Fryer , who was sometime the Arch-byshop of Florence . These are his expresse words : Nulli ergo angelo commissa iurisdictio , & cura totius orbis : sed papae totius mundi iurisdictio & cura commissa est , cum solum vt nomine mundi importatur terza , sed etiam vt nomine mundi importatur caelum ; que super calum & terram iurisdictione accepit . Antonin . part. 3. tit. 22. cap. 5 §. 1. ●4 . Sequitur ; vnde papae recipit a fidelibus adorationes , prostrationes , & oscula pedum , quod non permisit angelus a Iohanne Euangelista sibi fieri . Englished thus . Therefore the iurisdiction and charge of the whole world , is committed to none of the Angels : but the iurisdiction and care of the whole world , is committed to the Pope , not onely , as the name of the world doth import the earth , but euen as it doth also signifie Heauen : because hee hath receiued iurisdiction both ouer Heauen and Earth . Wherefore the Pope receiueth of the faithfull , adorations , prostrations , and the kissing of his feete ; which thing , the Angel would not suffer Iohn the Euangelist to doe vnto him . Thus writeth this popish Doctor . For the better vnderstanding of whose discourse , I note ;

First , that this Antoninus was not a bare papist , but a man of great authoritie and high esteeme among the papists ; Viz. a canonized Saint , a religious Fryer , a Dominican , and a most reuerend Arch-bishop : and consequently , that whatsoeuer he hath deliuered either touching the pope or poperie , must needes bee of good credite and great force against the papists . Secondly , that the popes power and authoritie doth farre exceed the power of Angels . Thirdly , that the pope hath iurisdiction not onely ouer the earth , but also ouer heauen it selfe . Fourthly , that by the reason of this exceeding and surpassing power , the pope doth admit and receiue that homage , which the Angel refused and prohibited S. Iohn to doe vnto him . Alas , alas , how hath the late Romish Church deceiued vs ?

CHAP. IIII. Of power ascribed to the pope .

The first Paragraph , of his power in generall .

CHristus per passionem suam meruit iudiciariam potestatem super omnem creaturam . Vnde ipse resurgens ait , data est mihi omnis potestas in Caelo & in terra . Cum autem vicarius Christi sit papa , nullus potest seipsum subtrahere ab obedientia eius de iure : sicut nullus de iure potest se subtrahere ab obedientia Dei , & sicut recepit Christus a patre ducatum & sceptrum ecclesiae gentium ex Israel egrediens super omnem principatum & potestatem , & super omne quodcumque est , vt ei genua cuncta curuentur , sic ipse Petro & successoribus eius plenissimam potestatem commisit . Englished thus . Christ merited by his passion iudiciare power ouer all creatures , wherefore when hee arose from death , hee sayd ; all power is giuen me in heauen and on earth . Now seeing the Pope is Christs Vicar , none can lawfully withdrawe their obedience from him ; no more then they may withdraw their obedience from God himselfe . For as Christ receiued the Dukedome and Scepter of the Church , ouer all principate and power , and ouer all whatsoeuer else hath being , that al knees do bowe vnto him : euen so did he commit most full and large power vnto Peter and his Successors , ( the Byshops & popes of Rome ) . Thus writeth Antoninus , Antonin . part. 3. tit. 22. cap. 5. §. 8. & eius . cap. 7. in fine . that holy Archbyshop and religious Fryer .

Augustinus de Ancona , an other religious Fryer , in that booke which he dedicated to pope Iohn , the twelft of that name , singeth the same song with Antoninus his popish brother . These are his words ; August . de Anc. in summa pag. 152. ( papa ) tanquam vicarius dei filij coelestis imperatoris , iurisdictionem habet vniuersalem super omnia Regna & Imperia . Englished thus . The Pope as he is the Vicar of the sonne of God , the heauenly Emperour , hath vniuersall iurisdiction ouer all Kingdomes and Empires .

Gerson , a famous papist , who was sometime chancelour of Paris , maketh rehearsall of intollerable titles , & power more then royall ascribed to the pope , and derideth the same : Gerson de potest . eccles. consid. 12. Part. 3. Sicut non est potestas nisi a Deo , sic nec aliqua temporalis vel ecclesiastica , imperialis vel regalls , nisi a papa : in cuius foemore scripsit Christus , Rex regum , dominus dominantium : de cuius potestate disputare , instar sacrilegij est ; cui neque quisquam dicere potest , cur ita facit ? Englished thus . Like as there is no power but of God , so is there neither any Temporall nor Ecclesiastical , neither imperiall nor regal , but of the Pope : in whose thigh Christ hath writen the King of kings , & Lord of Lords : of whose power to dispute is as meere Sacriledge : to whom none may say , why doest thou so ?

The pope himselfe , from his owne pen , Gregorie the ninth , deliuereth vs this doctrine : Gregor. 9. libr. 1. decr. tit. 33· chap. 6. Ad firmamentum caeli hoc est , vniuersalis ecclesiae , fecit Deus duo magna luminaria , id est duas instituit dignitates , quae sunt pontificalis authoritas , & regalis potestas . Sequitur ; vt quanta est inter solem & lunam , tanta inter pontifices & reges differentia cognoscatur . Englished thus . To the Firmaments of of heauen , that is of the vniuersal Church , God made two lights , pontificall authoritie , and power royall : that wee may know , there is as much difference betweene Popes and Kings , as there is betweene the Sunne and the Moone .

The Glosse setteth downe precisely , how farre a King is inferiour to a pope , that is to euery Byshop of Rome , in these words : Glossa vbi supra . Restat vt pontificalis dignitas , quadragesies septies sit maior regali dignitate . Englished thus . It remaineth , that the dignitie of the pope bee fortie times seuen times greater , then is the power of the King . Where the Reader must seriously obserue with me , that this Gregorie . being himselfe one of the Byshops of Rome ( who now adayes are called popes ( Cat'exochen ) liued 1227. years after Christ , A.D. 1227 and had either forgotten , or neuer once learned , that the good Byshoppe Gregorie the first , acknowledged himselfe to be the Emperours subiect , and yeelded all loyall obedience vnto him . The popish Canons do so plainly ascribe , diuine titles to the pope , that none without blusing can possibly deny the same . For , in the popes owne decretals , I find these expresse words : Super cap. 1. Sic ( papa ) dicitur habere coeleste arbitrium , & ideo etiam naturam rerum immutat , substantiam vnius rei applicando alij : & de nihilo potest aliquid facere . Englished thus . So the pope is said to haue coelestial arbitrement , and therefore doth he alter the nature of things , by applying the substantiall parts of one thing to another : and hee can make of nothing , something . Glos. . lib. 1. Decretal . tit. 7. cap. 3. Thus doe the papists write of their pope , & he is well pleased therewith . For without his good pleasure and liking , such doctrine & glosses could not be currant in the Church of Rome . Yea , the Expositors do gather their sense , euen out of the bowels of the text : and this collections are as authenticall , as is the text it selfe .

Pope Nicholas , as Gratianus telleth vs , was of the same minde , and in effect taught the same Doctrine . These are his expresse words : Gratian dist. 22. can . omnes . Christus beato Petro aeternae vitae clauigero terreni simul & coelestis imperij iura commisit . Englished thus . Christ committed to S. Peter , who beareth the keyes of eternall life , the right both of earthly and heauenly empire . Where the glosse ascribeth the same power to the pope , in these words : Gloss. ibid. Argumentum quod papa habet vtrunque gladium , & spirtiualem & temporalem . Englished thus . This is an argument , that the pope , hath both the swords , aswel the spiritual as the temporal , And in the marginal note , the Reader may finde these expresse wordes : Papa habens vtrumque gladium , transtulit imperia . Englished thus . The pope hauing both swords , translated the Empire . A.D. 1294 Appendix fulden●is , apud Ma●t . Polon . To conclude , pope Boniface the eight , made a flat Constitution and Decree : in which he affirmed arrogantly , that himselfe was both Spirituall and Temporall Lord , of the whole world .

The second Paragraph , of power ascribed to the pope in speciall .

BArtholomaeus Fumus , a famous Summist , affirmeth boldly and resolutely , the popes power to bee so exding great , that he is able with his word to deliuer out of purgatorie , all the soules that are boyling there in fire . These are his words : Fumus de Papa , Par. 11. Papa potest liberare omnes animus purgatorij , etiam si plures essent , si quis pro eis faceret quod iuberet : peccaret tamen indiscretè consedendo . Englished thus . The pope could set at libertie all the soules in purgatorie , though neuer so many , if any would doe that for them , which hee appointeth to be done : marry , hee should sinne by his vndiscreet pardoning .

Siluester prieras , a learned & famous popish Canonist , sometime Magister sacripalatij , hath these words ; S●lu . deindulg . Sicut potest ( papa ) liberare a poena peccatorum debita in hoc mundo omnes qui sunt in mundo , si faciant quod mandat , etiamsi essent millies plores quam sunt : ita liberare potest omnes , qui sunt in purgatorio , si quis pro eis faciat quodiubet . Englished thus . As the pope can deliuer all that are in this world , from paine due for sinne in this world : if they doe that which he appointeth , though they were many thousands moe then they be , euen so can hee deliuer all that are in purgatorie , if any doe that for them which he commandeth .

Viguerius a famous popish Fryer Dominican , Doctor and professor of Thealogie , proceedeth somewhat further then Siluester , and Fumus : auouching it to be neither inconuenient , nor against Gods iustice .

These are his expresse wordes ; Viguerius de sacram , ordin . in fine . Nec est inconueniens , quod papa posset purgatorium ●●●cuare . Non enim per hoc aliquid detraheretur diuinae iustitiae . Englished thus . Neither is it conuenient , that the pope can harrow hell ; for that doth nothing derogate from the iustice of God .

Aquinas the popish angelicall Doctor , ( whose Doctrine no papist may reiect , because sundry popes haue confirmed the same for authentical , ) hath these words : Aquinas in suplem . 9.25 . ar. 1. Christus poterat relaxare , ergo et Paulus potuit , ergo et papa potest , qui non est minoris potestatis in ecclesia , quam paulus fuit . Englished thus . Christ could pardon , therefore Paul could also pardon , and therefore the pope can likewise pardon : as who hath no lesse power & authoritie in the Church then Paul himselfe had . So then , the pope can doe as much as Christ , if we belieue popish Doctors , and Doctrine . He can make the deafe to heare , the dumbe to speake , the lame to walke , the blind to see , and the dead to arise to life againe , which I must first see , ere I can belieue it : howsoeuer Aquinas with his fellow Fryers , doe write in that behalfe , and doubtlesse , this Doctrine and this supereminent power ascribed to the pope , is plaine diabolicall and meere Antichristian . Alas , alas , how hath the late Romish Church seduced vs .

CHAP. V. Of the qualitie and condition of the Popes pardons , together with the antiquitie thereof .