1 SIr Priest , I pray you tell me of what Order of Priests you are ; whether of the Order of Auron , or of the Order of Melchisedek , or of the Order whereof the Priests of Baal were . Saint Paul witnesseth , that a a Heb. 7. 12. Aarons priesthood is changed ; and that Melchisedeks is such , as b b Vers. 23. 24 ▪ passeth not from one vnto another : so that ( for any thing I see ) you must hold of Baal .

2 By your doctrine , sir Priest , when your number is so increased , as that you be able to make your part good against our noble King , you are bound in conscience to rebell . For , c c Philopat . Resp ad edict pro●●●lgat . 29 Nou●●b . A● . D●m . 1591. sect. 2 nit. 157. pag. 149. Est certum , & deside , quemcunque Principem C●ristianu●● si à religione Catholica manifeste deflexerit , & alios auocare voluerit , ex●idere statim ab omni potestate ac dignitate , & subditos posse ac deber● ( si vires habeant ) istiusmodi hominem dominatu abijcere . According to your diuinitie then ▪ there is nothing that excuseth you from present blame , in that you rebell not , but want of sufficient meanes , which is confessed by Dominicus Bannes the chiefe Profossor of Diuinity at Salamanca in Spaine : for , Excusandi Anglicani & Saxonij fideles qu ▪ non se eximunt a potestate superiorum , nec bellum contra illos gerunt : quoniam communiter non habent facul●atem ad haec bell a gerenda contrá Principes , & imminent illis grauia pericula : The faithfull of England and Saxonie ( saith d d In 2. 2 ▪ Tho. q. 12. Art. 2. col. 467. edit. Rom. ●nno 1586. he , meaning Papists ) are to be excused , in that they doe not exempt themselues from the power of their superiours , nor beare Armes against them , because generally they haue no abilitie to wage such warres against their Princes , and great danger doth hang ouer their heads if they should attempt it . Now you Priests labour to increase your number , and so your meanes , doe you not ? And doe you not thereby labour to hasten rebellion ? Speake out Priest , say the truth , shame the Diuell , and saue the credit of your Religion if you can . Is not your Religion and Treason so linked together , that you cannot play the Priests , but you must play the Traitors also ?

3 Men say , that your e e Conue●● . part 2. chap. 12. sect. 16. Parsons commends those Rebels as sufferers for Religion , who were vp in armes against king Edward the sixt , in the third yere of his reigne , and for that insurrection iustly slaine , and put to death . Men say , that your f f Motiue 15. Bristoe commends those Northerne men , who were put to death for their rebellion against Queene Elizabeth , in the eleuenth yeare of her reigne , for Martyrs , yea glorious Martyrs . And I am sure , that that Catholicke priest , who made the g g Printed 1608. Catalogue of late Martyrs in England , which is annexed to the English Martyrologe , hath registred therein Garnet and Oldcorne , two of the powder-traitors for Martyrs . And that at Louaine , a Papist , in a Panegyricke Oration made there , prayed publikely to Garnet thus : S. Henrice , intercede pro nobis : Saint Henrie , wee pray thee pray for vs . And I h h The state of the English Fugitiues , pag. 123 reade that Clement the I●cobin , who killed Henrie the third of France , by sheathing a knife in his belly , is canonized for a Martyr : and that i i Refutation of Cottons letter , pag. 14. Gutgnard , who was put to death for commending Clemens his fact as heroicall , is canonized for another Martyr . Doth not this your commending of Rehels and Traitors , argue your affection to Rebellion and Treason ?

4 You , sir Priest , hold it meritorious to kil Princes . The Monke who poisoned our King Iohn , k k Ioh. Maior de gest . Scot. l. 4. c. 3 Regem perimere meritorium ratus est , thought it a charitable deed to kill him . l l Th●anus hist. lib. 79. ad 〈◊〉 1584. He that killed the Prince of Orange in the yeare 1584. could not be perswaded that he had sinned in killing him , sed potius ea meruisse , vt rect a in coclum tendere● ; but rather , that he had deserued thereby to go straight to heauen . The Iesuites at Auspurge and Triers , and a Franciscan at Torney , had so well schooled him before , that his fact was commendable ; and so fully assured him , that if he were put to death for the same , in Martyrum numero collecatum iri , hee should be counted for a Martyr . m m Arn●ult in his pleading against the Iesuites . Parry , who intended the murther of our euer renowned Queene Elizabeth , was encouraged thereunto by Anniball Codreto a Iesuite , who tolde him he could not do a more meritorious worke , then kill a Prince excommunicated by the Pope , and that the Angels would carry him vp into heauen . Yta Parry was encouraged thereunto by a n n See B. Bilson of the Supremacie , part 3. and Stowes Chron. ad ann. 1584. letter from Cardinall de Como ; wherein his resolution was ascribed to the motion of a good Spirit : and wherein the Cardinall did promise him , in the Pope his maisters name , besides consideration in earth , merit in heaven . * * Arnault in his Pleadings against the Iesuites . Barriere , who attempted the killing of Henry the fourth of France , was encouraged thereto by Varade a Iosuite , who assured him that hee could not doe a more meritorious worke in the world . Are not Papists rare Iewels , and much to be esteemed of by Kings ?

5 It is written in your owne books , that o o Platina de vit Pontif in vit. Greg. 3. p Idem in vita Greg. 7. Gregory the third deposed Leo the third of his Empire , for defacing of Images in Churches : And that P Gregorie the seuenth deposed Henrie the fourth of the Empire , for commanding the Cardinals to repaire to him to choose a new Pope : And q q Cromerus de ●cbus gestis Polon . lib. 4. Bo'eslaus the second , King of Poland , for killing of a Bishop . It is written in your owne bookes , that r r c. 15. q. 6. Alius . Pope Zachary deposed Childericke king of France , for that he was not so fit for gouernment as Pipin was ; and that s s Platina in vita Bonifac. 8. Boniface the eight deposed Philip of France , for appealing from him to a generall Councell . It is written in your owne bookes , that t t Antonin . hist. part. 3. tit. 19. cap. 1. sect. 3. Innocent the third deposed Otho the fourth , for that , contrary to his oath , hee inuaded the Churches patrimonie : and our King Iohn of England , for that u u I●h . Maior . de ●est . Scot. lib. 4. cap. 3. he sought not Absolution at his hands , when the whole Realme stood interdicted . It is written in your owne bookes , that x x Decretal . in sext . cap. ad . Agostoli●ae de sen●entia et reiudicata . Innocent the fourth deposed Frederike the second , for apprehending his Cardinals and Bishops as they were going to a Councell called by him ; and that y y See Carerius de potest . Rom. Pont. l. 2. cap. 19 nis 27. Gregorte the tenth tooke the Easterne Empire from Baldwin the second , who was lawfull heire to it , and gaue it to Michael Pael●eologus , who had no colour of right to it . And that z z Massonius de v●bis Episcop. lib. 6. in vita Ioh 21 et Clem. 6. Clemens the sixt deposed Lewis the fourth of Bauaria , for holding opinion , that the Emperour might depose the Pope , and place another in his roome . It is written in your bookes , a a Cromerus da gest . Polon . l. 27. that George King of Bohemia was deposed by Paul the second for heresie . And that b b Antonius Nebrissensis de bello Nauarre●si ▪ cap. 1. 2. 3. Iohn King of Nauarre was deposed by Iulius the second , for fauouring Lewes the twelfth of France , whom the Pope had deuounced a schismaticke : and that our c c Saunders de schismat . Angl. lib. 1. pag. 108. edit. 1586. King Henrie the eight was deposed by Paul the third , especially for beheading the Bishop of Rochester : and Queene Elizabeth , for supposed heresies , by three of your Popes , one after another , viz. by Pius the fift , Gregorie the thirteenth , and Sixtus the fifth . So bold haue your Popes beene with Kings and Emperours de facto . But which concernes Emperors and Kings more to take knowledge of , it is written in your bookes , that your Pope hath right , d d Plagina in vita Greg. 7. Imperia , regna , principatus , & quicquid habere mortales possunt , auserre & dare : to dispose of Empires , kingdomes , principalities , and whatsoeuer any man liuing hath . As according to your learning , he may e e Tract . de Ro● . Eccles. primat apud B●●niam , to . 1. Cone . p 20. Aperire & claudereianuas regni coeles●is quibus volueri● : open the gates of heauen to whom he list , and shut out of heauen whom he list : so he may Auferre & conferre regna quaecunque quibus licet , take the Crowne from any Kings head , and set it on another mans head at his pleasure . For , as f f In vit. B●nif . 8. Platina witnesseth , Boniface the eight endeuoured to perswade men so . If an Emperour or King be g g Azor. instit. Moral . part. 2. lib. 10. cap. 2. 2. Quaeritur , &c. 8. 3. Quaritur . haereticus , vel schismaticus , vel fautor , vel receptator , vel defensor haereticorum vel schismaticorum : an hereticke , or schismaticke , or fauourer of heretickes or schismatickes . If an Emperour or King be a h h Mosconius de maiestat E●●l . sm●litantis , lib. 2. de Impertal Reg. & princip. part. 1. cap. 2. pa. 661. tyrant ; and , i i Ibidem . tenens regnum contra formam iur is , & m●ntem P●pae , dicitur Tyrannus : Hee who hath his kingdome contrary to the Popes law and the Popes liking , is a tyrant . ) If an Emperour or a King be a sacrilegious person , k Ibid. pag. 660. that is , such a one as goeth about to infringe the liberties , immunities and priuiledges of the Church , either by laying hands on Ecclesiasticall persons or Wide Azor. & Mosco● . lo●is cit. their goods ; or taking vnto himselfe l Ecclesiastica iura , to be gouernour next vnder Christ , of those particular Churches which are within his territories . If they despise Claues Ecclesiae , the Popes Suspensions , Interdictions , Excommunications . If they forbid Episcopos & Clertcos suo officto fungi , Popish Bishops or Priests to say Masse . If they doe homines excellentes sine causa perimere , hang Priests who came into their kingdomes , to steale the hearts of their subiects vnto the Pope . If they do Sapientes de regno remouere , banish popish priests out of their dominions . If they dissolue Societates aut congregationes ad sanctè honesté que viuend●m : that is , Monasteries and Nunneries . If they m m Albericus in Lege bene d Zero●e de quadr . praescrips . oppresse or grieue populos sibi subiect os , their subiects . If they gouerne their kingdomes n n Albericus in di●tionario , verbo Para. negligenter , ignaue , inepte , & inutiliter , carelesly and vnprofitably . If o o Mosein . lib. cit , pag. 601. leges contra Ecclesiae libertatem aut permittunt aut condunt , they either make any law against the libertie ▪ . of the Church , or suffer any such law made by some of their predecessors to stand in force . If they p p Glossa in c. Si Papa . d. 40. commit any sin , and will not be admonished , by your booke-learning , they are but gone men , they haue forfeited their estates into your Popes hands ; yea though there be no fault in them , yet for q q Carerius lib. 2. de potestat . Rom. pont. cap. 19. nu. 27. publicum bonum , if it tend to the Popes profite , he may vncrowne them , and bestow all they haue vpon such , who had no title in the world to any part thereof , before the Pope gaue them all . And doth not this argue , That Kings , by your learning , are in worse case then Copy-holders ?

6 By your doctrine , sir Priest , r r Symancha instit cathol. cap. 45. nu. 13. there is iust cause to make warre against heretickes : by Heretickes , you meaning Protestants . By your doctrine , s s Allan against the execution of iustice . cha. 3 There is no warre so iust and honourable , be it ciuill or forraine , as that which is waged for the preseruing & propagating of your Religion . By your doctrine , t t Vide Thuam . hist. lib. 42. ad ann 1585. there can be no peace , yea , there ought to be no peace made with Sectaries . u u Idem lib 65. ad ann. 1577. Sectaries , that is , in your language , Protestants are more eagerly to be pursued with fire and sword then Turkes . And x x Symancha in loco cita●● . when warre is once proclaimed , any priuate man ( according to your doctrine ) may take , spoile , kill such Sectaries , and burne their houses ouer their heads . Thus you . y y Paulus Windebek in delib . de haret . extirp . pag. 414. professing further , that when the Princes of your Religion make league with Protestant Princes , they make them onely for their owne advantage : as for example , to dispatch some by-businesses , which hinder them from falling vpon the Protestants with their whole forces . Now this being thus , Haue not Protestant Princes and their ▪ subiects iust cause to stand vpon their guard ; and neither to trust to League with Popish Prince , nor friendship with popish pesant ? especially if it be true , which is further reported , viz.

7 That your famous Bishop Symancha writes , z z Instit. cathol. cap 45. nu. 14. impress . Valissoleti , An. 1552. Haereticis fides à prinato data seruanda non est : Faith made to an heretike by a priuate person is not to be kept . A priuate person may reucale an heretike to the Inquisitors , Non obstance side aut iuramento , though he hath bound himselfe by his oath to the contrary . And , Nec fides à magistra●●bus data seruanda est haereticis : Faith made to heretikes by the magistrates , is not to be kept . For so some say , your Symancha saith , prouing his assertion by this , a a Ibidem . that in the Councel of Constance Iohn Hus and Hiero●● of Prague were iustly burned , albeit the Magistrate had giuen safe conduct . And that your Pope Martin the fift writ to Alexander Duke of Lituania , b b Apud Cochlaenm lib. 5 hist. Hussitarum . Scito te mortaliter peccare si seruabis fidem datam haereticis : Know thou sinnest mortally if thou keepe thy oath with heretickes . And that your Diuines in France , An. 1577. c c Thuanus hist. lib 63. ad ann. 1577. Aperto capite in concionibus , & eunlgatis scriptis , ad fidem sectar ijs seruandam non ●bligari Principem contendebant , allato in eam rem Cont. Constant . decreto : taught publikly both in the Pulpit and in the Presse , That Princes were not bound to keepe touch with Sectaries , alledging to that end the Councell of Constance . For , If oathes binde not , farewell trust with you . And the rather , for that

8 It is generally reported you teach , A man framing to d d W. W. in his sparing discouery of English Iesuites and father Parsons proceedings , p. 11. printed an. 1601. himselfe a true proposition when hee is asked a question , may conceale asmuch thereof as hee thinkes good . As for example , If one of you should be examined , whether if the Pope did come in warre-like manner , to inuade this Realme by force , he would take the Popes part , or the Kings : that man framing this answer in his minde ; I will take the Kings part , if the Pope will commaund me so to doe , may giue this answer lawfully : I will take the Kings part , concealing the rest , and so delude the Examinate . In like manner , e e Nauar. in manuaeli cap. 12. n● . 18. et Petrus Giuuar● in compend . m. n. Nauar . nu. 18. cap. 11. if one of you hauing Horse and Money , should be importuned by one of your honest friends , to whom you were not bound by law to giue or lend : to lend him Horse or Mony ; you framing this proposition in your mind , I haue neither Horse nor Money to giue or lend , may safely sweare , You haue neither Horse nor Money , and keepe the rest to your selfe , and so mocke your friend . Yea , it is said you teach , that without any mentall reseruation you may absolutely deny some truths . For , Confitens non peccat mortaliter qui negat se admisisse peccatum mortale alias legitime confessum : That man sinneth not mortally , who hauing shriuen himselfe of some mortall sinne , denies afterwards that he was euer guiltie of that sinne . f f Nauaer . in ma●● . cap. 21. nu. 38. According to your learning : g g Sa in Aphor. tit . de testibus . Quod solum audisti , potes testificari te nescire : Thou maist say thou knowst not that , which is knowne to none but thee . h h Soto relect. memb. 3. q. 3. p. 306. If one of you see ●eter kill Iohn , & come to be examined vpon the point , if no bodie else sawe , you may answer , that you know not whether Peter killed Iohn or not , according to your divini●e . For , Can such aequivocation by mentall reseruation , and blunt deniall of knowne truths , stand with plaine dealing , truth and honesty ?

9 Ipsoiure priuatos esse haereticos omni debito side ▪ litat is , dominij , obligationis , & obsequij quoillis quic●●nque tenebantur astricti . That heretikes are depriued by law of all fidelitie , authoritie , bond and seruice , which anie man owes them , is i i Symanch . instit. cathol. cap. 45. nu. 27. & 28. currant doctrine among you . Children , and seruants , and subiects to heretikes , owe no duty to their parents , maisters , er soueraignes . Good wiues neede not lie with their husbands . Such as are indebted , neede not pay their debts to their Creditors . Keepers of forts and townes may surrender them into the enemies hands . And this being thus , Can you be angry if Protestant Princes , and their subiects , who haue wiues , children , seruants , and money in other mens hands , doe wish you all , Vltra Garamantas & Indos , in the vnknowne world ? Especially seeing

10 You dubbe vs with the name of Heretike , k k Brist ▪ motiue 2. & 4. affirming that we are to be detested as heretikes . You l l Azor. instit. moral . par. 1. l 8. c. 16. 13. quaritur . forbid your Bishops , your Archbishops , your Patriarkes , your Cardinalls , ( except they be Inquisitors , or Commissioners appointed by your Pope to sit vpon heresie ) the reading , yea the keeping of anie of our bookes . You cannot abide that one good word should be spoken of vs : For , Epitheta honorifica , & omnia in l●udem haereticorum deleantur : Let all honorable Epithites , and whatsoeuer else in praise of heretikes , be blotted out , m m Ind. lib. prohib de correct . lib. sect. 2. lay you . If n n In addit . ad Eusebij chro● . ad an. 1521. Vlcichus Hutten a Protestant be commanded for Eques Germaniae doc●issimus & poeta laud● ▪ tissimas : a learned Knight and excellent Poet : I● o o Ibid. ad ●n. 1525. a Beutheri fas●is mense Martie , die 3. Frederike Duke of Saxony a Protestant be termed , Illustrissimus , Sapientissimus , & Christianissimus Princeps : an illustrious , wise , and Christian Prince : If our Edward the sixt be found praised , as p p Ibid. mense Iulio , die 6. admirande in dolis adoleseens , a young Prince of admirable towardlinesse , there shall q q Index Hispan . lib expurg . p. 93 〈◊〉 148. deleatur be set vppon the places . In the next impressions such commendations must be put out . Yea you cannot find in your hearts , that our bare names should be remaining in any bookes , r r Azor. lib ▪ supra cit. 17. quaritur . vnlesse we be named per ignominiam & contemptum , with reproach and shame : and such is your further hatred to our Princes , that you forbid the reprinting of such Dedicatory Epistles as learned men haue prefixed before their bookes for the eternizing of the memorie of our Princes ; witnesse hereof your s s Index Hisp . lib. ex purg fol. 98. et 150. note of detrahatur , reijci●tur , deleatur , set vpon three severall Epistles , written by Hadrianus Iunius , and Iohannes Serranus , to our late Queene Elizabeth , and to Iames , by the goodnes of God , our present King . And so farre are you from approuing of the keeping of a Picture , either of Prince or People , that you account it , t t Azor. lib ▪ et cap. suprac●●aio v●t . quaricur . though it be kept in a Closet , a great presumption , that the keeper thereof smels of heresie . And such is your burning charity towards vs all , that you adiudge vs to the bottomlesse pit of hell . Certaine it is , that whosoeuer in this new faith and seruice hath ended this life , is in hell most certainly ( saith u u Motiue 36. Brist●● . ) Fieri nequit vt Luther anus moriens saluetur , Gehennam euadat , & aeternts ignibus eripiatur : si mentior , damner ipse cum Lucifero . Let me be damned in Hell with the Diuell , if any Lutheran be saued ; if any Lutheran escape Hell , saith x x Reso . ad refut. ●uc . Osiand ▪ proposit . 8. pag. vlt. Costerus .

11 y y Bibi . sanct. la ▪ verbo Traditiones . Sixtus Senensis reports , That the Iewes are bound to raile vpon all Christians thrice euery day : and to pray God he will roote out all Christians , with their Kings and Princes from vnder Heauen . Sixtus reports , That the Iewes are commaunded to account no otherwise of Christians then of beasts : that they holde it lawfull to spoyle Christians of their goods , and to bereaue them of their liues , to pull downe their Churches , to burne their Gospel . Yea he reports they belch out such blasphemies against Christ , as are fearefull to thinke on , in no case to be spoken of . And yet I reade you holde that Maldonat . comment . in Ioh ▪ 4. 9. wee are ▪ acerb●ores hostes Christi , & multo magis detestandi : more bitter enemies to Christ , and much more to be detested than they are : that it is more dangerous to haue any thing to doe with vs , than with them . And I heare your Pope licenseth them to haue Synagogues in Rome , euen vnder his nose : whereas wee can not be allowed to have a Chappell in any place where he swayeth . Now I desire , that either some rime or reason may be giuen , to iustifie your iustifying of the Iewes before vs .

12 By your doctrine , he sinneth not , who hath probable reason for that which he doth . For , Non peccat is qui probabiliter licere id existimat quod agit ; saith a z z Eudamon in apolog. pro Hen. Garncto . cap. 10. nu. 2. Iesuite . And , by your doctrine , he hath probable reason for that which he doth , who hath the opinion of a a Author of the Treatise of Equiuocation , cap. 4. two or three , yea of b b Azor. instit. moral . par. 1. cap. 17. 5. qu●r●ur . one graue Author . For , in foro conscientiae ad effectum non peccandi sufficit eligere pro vera eius opinionem , quem merito cense●●us essevir●m ideneum ad id scientia & conscientis , saith c c In Man . cap. 27. 〈◊〉 288. N●●arrus . Now doth it not herehence follow , that he who hath the opinion of d d Lib. 1. de Rogu . cap. 7. Iohn Mariana touching the lawfulnesse of poysoning Kings , may poyson Kings without sinne ▪ He that hath the opinion of him who made the e e Approued by Blackwel circa an. 1602. book touching the lawfulnesse of Aequiuocation , may equiuocate without sinne ? He that hath the opinion of f f Apud Casaub . in epist. ad Frentonem Duc. pag. 140. Binetus the Iesuite , touching the necessitie of concealing Confession , may conceale , without sinne , whatsoeuer is confessed , though that concealing cost all the Kings in Christendome , yea in the world , their liues ? What villanie approued by any of your Writers or Diuines , may not lawfully be practised , though thousands be of another opinion , according to this your doctrine ?

g Bellar ▪ lib. 4. de verbo Der no● scripto ▪ cap. 2. 13 You teach , that the word of God is partly written , partly vnwritten : And the written word you call Scripture , the vnwritten Tradition : yet you vndertake to proue diuers of your opinions both by Scripture and by Tradition . As for example , Praying to Saints : praying for the dead : setting vp of Images in Churches , and worshipping them when they are set vp : Christs descention into hell : the Virgine Maries perpetuall virginitie , &c. Now I would know with what honestie you can alledge Scripture for that which you say is a tradition , or tradition for that which you say you haue Scriptures ? Can one ▪ and the same truth be written , and not written ?

14 You teach , that h h Bellar. lib. 4. de verbo non scripto ▪ cap. 8. it was not meete all m●steries should be written in Scripture , i i Costerus apo● . pro 1. par. E●c● . contra Goma●● ▪ 〈◊〉 2. lest euery ordinarie person should come to the knowledge of them ; and because of the commonnesse of them , contemne them . Now I desire to know , why the mysteries of the Trinitie should be written in Scripture , rather then those mysteries you speake of , if there be such danger that ordinarie persons should attaine to the knowledge of whatsoeuer is written in Scripture ; and vpon their knowledge of them , should contemne them . Secondly I desire to know , why it should be lesse meete that the mysteries you speake of should be written in Scripture , then in the Fathers , and in your Catechismes ? Ordinarie persons are as like to come to the knowledge of them by reading , if not the Fathers , yet of your Catechismes , wherein you discourse of them at large , as if they were written in Scripture . Are they not , thinke you ?

15 Men say , you teach , that k k Ioh. de Rada par. 2. Theol. cont●ou ▪ inter Scotum 〈◊〉 Tho. cont 20. act . 〈◊〉 conclus. 6. Licet praceptum praelati sit irrationale , & pro tali merito quandoque haberi potest , tenetur tamen subditus illud obseruare : Though the commandement of the superiour be vnreasonable , and may well enough be thought so , yet the inferiour is bound to obey it . Men say , you teach , l l Bellar. lib. 4. de Ro. Pont. cap. 5. & Carerius de potest . Pont. l b. 1 c. 23. num 16. Si Papa erraret pracipiend● vitia , vel prohibendo virtutes , teneretur Ecclesia credere vitia esse bona , & virtutes malas , nis●vellet contra conscientiam peccare : that if the Pope should erre in commanding vice , and forbidding vertue , the Church was bound to beleeue ( vnlesse she would sinne against her conscience ) that vice was commendable , and vertue dispraisable . m m Bar● . de potest . Pa● . cap. 41. p. 341. Men are bound Papae sententiam exequi , to put the Popes sentence in execution , albeit they know it to be vniust . Any man illaesae conscientia , with a good conscience may execute the Popes vnlawfull mandate , by your learning . Now I pray you , how agrees this doctrine with that of the Apostles , Act 5. 29. It is better to obey God then man ?

16 Sir Priest , I reade in your bookes that your Pope is called a a Cont. Florent . sell . vlt. Caput t●tius Ecclesiae , b b Anton. Pucci●s in orat . habit . sell 9. Cont Lat. sub L●one 10. Pater Ecclesiae , Fillius Ecclesiae , Sponsus Ecclesiae , c c Gretser to 1. defens . cap. 10. lib. 3 Bell. col. 1450. Mater Ecclesia : The head of the whole Church , the Father of the Church , the sonne of the Church , the Spouse of the Church , the Church our mother . Now I would know of you , how he can be the Church her selfe , and yet head of the Church , and the Churches husband ▪ how can he be Father to the Church , and d d Dist. 63. Ego Ludouicus . Bonifacius Germ. Apostolus in epist. ad Cutbert . Archtep Cant. apu● Baron . Annal. to . 9. ad an. 740. and yet a sonne of the Church ▪ how without committing incest , the father may marrie his daughter , the brother may marrie his sister , the sonne may marrie his mother ?

17 I reade in your bookes , that your Pope is nor onely called the Vicar of Christ , and Successor of S. Peter , but d S. Peters Vicar , and e e Sacrar . caerem. Ro E●cles . lib 1. sect. 1. Gabriel . Patriarch . Alexan . in admonit. Legatis a Clem. 8. data . quae habetur ad sinem ▪ Anndl. Baron . to 6. n● . 14. Tho. Aqu●● de regimine princip●l 3. cap. 10 Bo●●u● de temporal . Eccles. monarch . lib. 1. cap. 7. Christs Successor in respect of the gouernment of the Church . Now here I desire to know two things of you ; first , how your Pope comes to be S. Peters Vicar , seeing S. Peter himselfe is but a Vicar ; and it is a rule in your Law , f f Extrade officio Vicari● . Cle●ricos . Vicarius non potest substituere Vicarium : A Vicar cannot substitute a Vicar . Secondly , how without blasphemie your Pope can be called Christs Successor , seeing he to whom another succeedeth in office , doth cease himselfe to bea●e that office , as g g Act. 2● ▪ Felix did cease to be gouernour in Iurie , when Festus came in place to be his successor . I hope you do not thinke that Christ , who endureth for euer , hath turned ouer all care of his Church to your Pope .

18 I reade in your h h Genebr . chron. lib. 4. ad an. 1551. bookes , that in the yeare 1552. your Pope was intituled by a certaine Patriark called Siud , The Peter of our time , and the Paul of our dayes : and that i i Baron . ad finem to 6. Annal. Clemens the eight was intituled by one Gabriel Patriarke of Alexandria , Tertius detimus Apostolorum gloriosi Domini nostri Iesu Christi , & quintus sanctorum Euangelistarum : The thirteenth Apostle of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ , and the fift Euangelist . And that Genebrard approued of the titles which Siud gaue ; and Baronius of those which Gabriel gaue . Now I desire to know of you , why Genebrard should like that any Pope should be called the Peter of our time , seeing k k Baron . Annal. to . 11. ad an. 1009. Sergius the fourth , being christened Peter , vpon his election to be Pope , in reuerence to S. Peter , renounced the name of Peter , and tooke the name of Sergius : and secondly , how Clemens the 8. can with any wisedome be held the thirteenth Apostle of our Sauiour Christ , and the fifth Euangelist , considering there were seuen Popes of his owne name , and vpon the point of 230 Popes of other names before him . For I cannot heare that he was such an A perse as that he deserued these titles rather then any of his predecessors . And if all or any of his predecessors deserued to be called Apostles and Euangelists , Gabriel ( in my opinion ) failed in his Arithmeticke , when he termed him the thirteenth Apostle and the fifth Euangelist .

19 I reade in your bookes , that the iurisdiction of your Pope is boundlesse : I His dominion . ( as Christs , Psal. 72. 8. ) is from sea to sea , and from the riuer vnto the ends of the world : whereas the iurisdiction of the rest of the Clergie hath narrower bounds by much . Yet I reade in m m Hist. lib. 3. cap. 16. Eusebius of Chrytofersons translations , that in Traians time , Pope Clemens gouerned the church of Rome ; and Iohn the Euangelist the churches in Asia . Now I desire to know whether this doth not argue , that Pope Clemens iurisdiction was lesser then S. Iohns , seeing it is apparent hereby , that Pope Clemens gouerned but one Church , and S. Iohn many .

20 I reade in your bookes , n n Bellar. lib. 1. de Ro. Pont. cap. 16. that S. Peter had authoritie ouer all the Apostles , and that the Apostles depended vpon him , as vpon their head and commander , who was to direct them , and to go in and out before them , and to chastile them : I reade likewise , that after Saint Peters death , your o o Idem . lib. 2. de Ro. Pont. cap. 12. Popes succeeded him in tota ipsius dignitate & potestate , in all his dignitie and soueraigntie . Now it is euident that diuers of the Apostles suruiued S. Peter ; as namely p p Baron . Annal. To. 1. ad An. 69. Nu. 34. S. Andrew , and q q Sophron. ap●d Baron . de script . Eccl. s . verbo Simon . S. Symon surnamed the Cananite , ( not in regard of his countrey , but of his zeale , r r Chap. as S. Luke witnesseth ) and s s Ierom. de script . Eccl. s . verbo Iohannes . Saint Iohn the Euangelist . Two of these , if not all three , liued till Traians dayes , in which time Linus , Cletus , Clemens sate Bishops of Rome . Now my desire is to know of you , whether you thinke Linus , Cletus , Clemens challenged any soueraigntie ouer Saint Andrew , and Saint Simon the zealous , and Saint Iohn the Euangelist . Me thinkes Saint Iohn t t Ioh. 21. 20. being the Disciple whom Iesus loued , Saint Iohn being the person who was allowed to u u Ioh. 13. 23. leane on our Sauiours breast at the eating of the Passeouer : S. Iohn being the man 2 ▪ Ioh. 19. 26. to whom our Sauiour x recommended his mother at his death : Saint Iohn being such a one , as that his writings are receiued for Canonicall : me thinks ( I say ) Saint Iohn ( not to speake of the other two ) should not haue bene vnderling to these three Popes . Me thinkes he should not haue depended vpon them as on his head for direction . Me thinks they should not haue had that superioritie ouer him that they might haue chastised him .

21 I reade in your bookes , that an Archbishop and Cardinall of yours , called a a Lib. de schismate Pont. inter German . script . p. 703. Francis Zabarel , who liued about the yeare 1400. confessed , that certaine flatterers for many ages before his time , and till his time , had perswaded the Popes , quòd omnia possent , & sic , quod facerent quicquid liberet , etiam illicita , & sic plus quam Deus : they could do all things , and might do any thing , were it neuer so vnlawfull , and by that meanes they could do more then God . And to tell you truly , I do verily beleeue him . For I do finde they were told they might dispense b b C 15. q. 6. Authoritatem , in Glossa . contra ius naturale , against the law of nature : c c Extra de coucess . prabend . proposuit . in Glossa . contra vetus Testamentum , against the old Testament : and d d Ibid. contra Apostolum , against the Apostle Paul . I find they were told , e e Extra de translat . Episc. et . Quanto . in Glossa . De nihilo possent facere aliquid , they might of nothing make something : f f Ibid. de iniustitis facere possent iustitiam , they might make wrong right : and g g Ibid. in his quae vellent , ijs esse pro ratione voluntatem , they might do as they list , and no bodie might say , h h Ibid. Domine , cur ●ta facis ? I pray you sir , why do you so ? I finde some taught , that i i Teste Ioh de Par●s●●● de potestate Regia & papali , cap 23. St homitidium Samsonis quod ex se malum est , interpretamu● quod instinctu diuino fuit factum , multo magis omne factum sanctissimi Patris interpretari debemus in bonum : & siquidem fuer it furtum , Vel aliud ex se malum , interpretari debemas , quod diuino instinct u●siat : If we impute the slaughter which Samson made of the Philistines to an inspiration of Gods Spirit ; much more are we bound to interprete in the best part whatsoeuer the holy Father the Pope doth : if it be theft , or any other thing which of it selfe is euill , ( k k Dist. ●0 . Non nos , in Glossa . as for example murther or adulterie ) we must likewise impute that to the inspiration of Gods Spirit . About the time Zabarel speakes of , it seemes it went for currant , which is noted by a late l l Massonus de vrbis Epise. l. 3. in vita Iob 9. Historian , Episcopos Romanos ne peccata quidem sine laude committere , the Popes could do nothing , were it neuer so mischieuous , but it was commendable . His geese were all swan● : his vices were vertues . I reade in your bookes , m m Mosconius de maiestate Eccles. militantis . lib. 1. cap 4. p. 97. that men are bound to worship him with dulia : and that some haue professed in his hearing , n n Apud Anton. in sum . hist par. 3. tit. 22. cap. 17. sect. 1. that they worshipped him with hyperdulia : and that in effect many haue giuen him latriam . For to omit that some haue affirmed he was o o Marcel in orae hab. sess. 4. Cont. Lat sub Leone 10 alter Deus in terris , a second God vpon earth . p p Ioh. Aug Panthaus Venetus in Arte & Theor. transmutat . Metal . ad Leonem 10. impress . Venet. an. 1518. Deus mortalis in terris , & immortalis homo in coelis : a mortall God vpon earth , and an immortall man in the heauens . q q Baron . Annal. to . 7 ad an. 552. That he hath so much greater power then any of the Prophets , quanto differentius praeill is nomen hereditauit , viz. Tues Petra , &c. by how much he hath a more excellent name giuen him then any of them had , to wit , Thou art a rocke . Some of you haue giuen out , that he is , r r Massaib sup●● citato cap. 1 p 22 non Deus , non hom● , sed vtrumque , neither God , nor man , but both . Some of you haue styled him , as s s Ioh. 20 , 28. Saint Thomas did out Sauiour Christ , with the titles of t t Extra . Ioh. 22. c. C●● inter . in Glossa . Dominus Deus noster , our Lord and God● and as u u Apoc. 19. 16. Saint Iohn likewise did , with x x Moscon . lib. citato . pag. 26. Rex regum , Dominus dominantium , King of Kings , and Lord of Lords . Some of you now write , y y Baron . annal. To. 1. ad An. 57. Nu. 29. ● . Puccius orat . hab. in sess. 9. Conc. Lat. sub Leont 10. Christus omnem quam à patre accepit pote●●atem transfudit insuo●● Christ passed ouer all the power which God the Father gaue him , vnto his , meaning your Popes . Agreeably to others , who in former ages were not ashamed to tell the Pope , that z Tibi vni , to him alone was granted all power both in heauen and in earth . Yea , a a Steph. Patracensis orat . hab. sess. 10. Conc Lat. jub Leone 10. that there was in Popes all power supra omnes potestates tam coeli quam terrae , aboue all powers both in heauen and in earth . I need not to tell you of the Bishop who put vp a supplication to Pope Nicolas , in these words , b b Faezellus hist. Sicul. lib. 8. ca. 4 Miserere meifili Dauid , O sonne of Dauid haue mereie vpon me : nor of the Religious persons who came from Panormi and other parts of Sicily as Embassadours to Pope Martin the fourth , to craue his fauour , who cried thrice thus , c c Antonin . sum . best . part. 3 . ●t . 20. cap. 4. sect. 3. Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata m●ndi , miserent nobis : O thou Lambe of God who takest away the sinnes of the world , haue mercie vpon vs : nor of him , who in way of prouing your Popes omnipotencie , bids his reader note , d d Viualdus in candelabro aureo . tit. de Absolutione . Nu. 28. Quod in concessionibus vtitur illo verbo , Fiat , quo Deus vniuersum creauit orbema that your Pope in subscribing petitions , vseth the word , Let it be , by which God created the whole world : intimating , that as God , so your Pope by a word of his mouth may doe any thing : nor of them who against the comming of Paul the third vnto the Citie of Tolentonum in Italy , set this inscription ouer the gates , e e See Morney de Ecclesis , cap. 8. and Mou●ins defence of the King , chap. 25. Paulo 3. opt . max. in terris Deo , To Paul the third , the best and greatest God in earth . Now that which I desire to know of you , is , what difference in substance there is betweene many of these speeches concerning your Popes , and theirs in the Acts of the Apostles , who applauding Herods oration , cried amaine , f f Act. 12. 22. ● Vox Dei & non hominis , the voice of God , and not of man ? and whether your Pope be not as guiltie as Herod was , who hearing with his owne eares diuers of these blasphemous speeches , and perhaps all by report , did neither reproue them , vpon his eare hearing them , nor cause them to be razed out of the books wherein they are written , hauing knowledge thereof at the second hand ?