The first Rocke : The Papacie .

CHRIST my Lord , and Spouse , the Sauiour of my body , Ephes. 5. c 3. mine onely true , and liuing Head , as hee hath promised to be with me alway , Matth. 28.20 . euen vnto the ende of the world ; so he neuer would like , that I should acknowledge any other spouse , or Lord , or Head , then himselfe . Indeed once he died , and that was to wash me with his owne blood , to make for me a vitall bath , and lauer of saluation ; but he quickly rose againe , and dieth no more , Rom. 6.9 . death hath no more dominion ouer him : and howsoeuer in his most sacred manhood hee remaineth in heauen , farre distant from me in regard of bodily presence ; yet notwithstanding by his Spirit hee is here vpon earth continually present with me ; and so by way of Headship , or Lordship he hath no need of any Successor , or Lieutenant , in that himselfe , being mine owne , and onely Head , doeth infuse into me all vigor , all motion , and all direction , which I , being his Body , receiue from him , being such an Head , as is not dead , but liuing , not seuered from mee , but still growing to me . What need then haue I of a visible Head ? Whatsoeuer an head vsually doeth , or can do to its owne body materially , all that is spiritually wrought in me by my Christ , and that with abundant sufficiencie . I am indeed a body , but rather an inuisible and spirituall one , then visible , and materiall : in regard whereof my imployments are for the most part spirituall , and inuisible . And therefore I haue need of such an Head , as , by his spirituall and inuisible influence , may keepe mee in life , and gouerne mee , and furnish mee with strength for my performances . In this behalfe a visible head can stead me iust nothing . And as for that small deale of visibilitie , and outwardnesse , which concerneth me in this world , I haue no need , in that behalfe , of any head for influence , but of a Ministery onely for execution , which is very sufficient for mee . So haue I need of visible hands and feet , but not of a visible head ; inasmuch as that , which is to be wrought visibly , and outwardly in me , is fully , and completely performed by the onely Ministery of my members , without any proper office of an Head .

Hence was it that my Christ , as soone as he espoused me , did appoint me diuers Ministers , who in my visible employments should all of them serue my turne , but as members onely , and not as an Head . Of this the first were the twelue Apostles , who were no other then meere Ministers both vnto Christ , and to me also , not masters , nor Heads properly so called . Neither was it his pleasure , that any of them should be set ouer me , as a proper Head , or as a Lord , or Master in any wise : but his appointment was , that , vnder himselfe my onely King , Lord , Master , and husband , I should be left , as Lady and Mistresse ouer all his , and my Ministers , or seruants : which is acknowledged by S. Paul stiling himselfe my Minister . Col. 1.25 . As indeed were likewise all the other Apostles , euen S. Peter himselfe ; who auoucheth as much , Actes 1.17 . whilest hee calleth his Apostleship a Ministery . And surely he neuer had , nor professed himselfe to haue any such Headship , or Lordship ouer me , but was enterteined in my seruice only , as were the rest also . Neither can it euer be found , that Christ committed to S. Peter any greater , or other charge , dignitie , iurisdiction or authority , then to the other Apostles , who all , and euery of them were , by the institution of Christ himselfe , absolutely equall in all charge and office , which they bare in respect of me . Nay , my Spouse was so farre from affoording to any of them a pretended title of greatnesse aboue the rest of his fellowes , that , when as they diuers times cast out words among themselues , and disputed concerning Soueraigntie , he alwayes checked them , Luke 22.26 . and would haue them to remaine as brethren , and ioyntly to attend his seruice , and mine , and to keep themselues from affecting dominion , either ouer me , or among themselues . And when he tooke his leaue of them at his departure vp into heauen , they still dreaming on this idle fantasie , and asking him whether he would then restore the Kingdome to Israel , Actes 1.6 . ( namely , that hereby they might know which of them should bee exalted aboue the rest ) they had the repulse of him in this behalfe , with intimation that they should attend , and that ioyntly with equall charge and office , no other thing , then to be throughout the world witnesses vnto him of his resurrection . Certes , if euer there were a time for him to speake plaine , and to declare , that hee left in his roome his Lieutenant Peter , or some other , to bee their , and mine Head , then most of all it behooued , when in regard of his bodily presence he gaue them his farewell : and yet he then recommended me , his Spouse , to them all together ioyntly , and equally , that they might employ their attendance on me : Hane sponsam suis amicis sponsus abiens commendauit . Aug. cont. 2. Gaud. epist. lib. 2. cap. 12. Which is well obserued by my holy doctor S Augustine .

There was no reason for it , nor decencie in it , that I , beeing his Spouse , and an vniuersall Mother , should bee domineered ouer , and lorded by any one of mine owne members , mine owne sonnes , nay mine owne seruants . As for my Peter , certainly he neither exercised , nor euer chalenged any such soueraignety ouer me , or ouer his Collegues , and fellowes ; neither did he pretend to be an vniuersall Pope , or only Vicar-generall of Christ . One of the first actions of employment about me , after the ascent of my Spouse into heauen , was the ordayning of Deacons , which should take care of the widowes , and poore . And this action was neither performed , nor gouerned by Saint Peter , but by all the twelue Apostles ioyntly . This being my perpetuall ordinance , Actes 6.2 . as I haue receiued it from my Spouse , that my Ministers , and Officers all together ioyntly should treat concerning the externall good guidance of my family : So likewise , when there were some to bee sent into Samaria , Actes 8.14 . to finish the good worke of their conuersion , Saint Peter was so farre from taking vpon him to send whom hee pleased , that hee himselfe was by the whole body of the Apostles chosen and sent thither , as one of the many . When the first controuersie , brake out in Antioch concerning the obseruation of the ancient Iudaicall Ceremonies , to whom did Paul and Barnabas thinke they ought to haue recourse , for certaine resolution in that point ? Surely if Christ had left Saint Peter his Vicar , they ought to haue addressed themselues to him principally ; yet did they say among themselues , and resolue , that it behooued them to goe vp to Ierusalem , to consult about this question with the Apostles , Actes 15.2 . and Elders of that City . Which accordingly was done : and there was gathered a Councel , and that summoned , and ordered , not by Peter alone , but the Apostles , of themselues , ioyntly met together , with the Elders also . And howsoeuer Saint Peter ( as the most stept in age , and the most ancient Apostle , and much respected by the rest of the Apostles ) was the first that deliuered his opinion ; yet Saint Iames prosecuting the same , did further adde of his owne , & did strike vp the matter . And the publique letters , dispatched in that behalfe , were not stiled in the name of Saint Peter , but of all the Apostles , and Elders in common . Neither was it a sleight checke , or reproofe , wherewith St. Paul openly tooke vp Saint Peter , Galat. 2.11 . for halting in the instruction of the faithfull : which hee might doe ; beeing the Apostles were , in their office , and care of my affaires , all of them equall , and euen brothers among themselues .

And howsoeuer yee read in the Gospell , that Christ said to Peter , Thou art Peter , Matth. 16.18 . and vpon this rocke will I build my Church , yet are ye not therefore to deeme , that Peter had hereby committed vnto him any dominion , or command ouer mee , or that hee was entrusted with a larger cure , then the rest of the Apostles . For , these words ( according to the interpretation of them communicated to me by the spirit of my Spouse , and declared by my most sincere , pure , and holy Doctors ) import , that that confession , made by Saint Peter , saying , Thou art Christ the Sonne of the liuing God , must bee that Rocke , whereon was to bee grounded that faith , which is indeed my foundation and supporter . By this Rocke is also vnderstood he , whom Peter confessed , euen Christ , who is my true foundation , whereon , and not on Peter , I was built : for , if Peter had bene my foundation , certes more then once should I haue fallen by his falls . Matth. 26.70 . But if any man will presse yet further , Galat. 2.12 . that Christ doth in these words promise that I should bee built vpon Peter , let him vnderstand withall , that to build my house is nothing else , but to get and prouide petras , stones , and to reare them vp in my walles ; that is to say , to preach the Gospell , to conuert the vnbeleeuers , and to bring them home to mee . And forasmuch as Peter was to bee , of all the twelue ( or rather by the default of Iudas , eleuen ) Apostles , the most feruent , and most diligent in conuerting a many of soules , therefore to him , as to a principall Minister , and Builder , there was a prediction made of the worke , which hee was to performe , and that I was to be built vpon him ; namely that Christ had especiall confidence in his care , for the building of my house , as being more zealous then the other ten Apostles . But it followeth not thence , that hee was the onely builder , or that hee was chosen for the onely Architect , or Chiefe-builder : for , the other Apostles also were Masteres of this Art , and laid to their hands for the rearing vp of my Fabrique , and in speciall , Saint Paul laboured more abundantly , 1. Cor. 15.10 . then they all , and so surpassed , euen Saint Peter himselfe , in edifying me , and hath acquit himselfe for a skifull Master-builder . 1. Cor. 3.10 .

In like maner , when ye heare it said to Saint Peter , Matth. 16.19 . I will giue thee the keyes of the kingdome of heauen , and whatsoeuer thou shalt bind vpon earth , shall bee bound in heauen , and whatsoeuer thou shalt loose on earth , shall bee loosed in heauen ; yee are to remember , that the same was also spoken to all the rest of the Apostles . So likewise , though the keyes were promised to Peter , Matth. 18.18 . yet it was neuer said to him , I will giue the keyes to thee onely . And when this promise was performed , it was accomplished , not in Peter onely , but in all the Apostles ioyntly , when Christ sayd to them , Goe , and teach all nations . Matth. 28.19 . Ioh. 20.21 . As my father sent me , so send I you : namely with the same authority , and power , but yet ministeriall in you , which is principall in me . What power therefore had Peter , other then that , which all the rest had , to whom Christ imparted his owne power ? Moreouer , Christ gaue the keyes to them all , as also the power of binding , and loosing , when he said ioyntly to all , Whosoeuers sinnes yee remit , Ioh. 21.23 . they are remitted vnto them : and whosoeuer sins yee retaine , they are retained . Therefore Saint Peter had no other part in my seruice , nor other power , then the rest of the Apostles had .

Lastly , Ioh. 21.15 . if it was said to Peter , Feed my sheepe and my lambes : know yee likewise , that feeding is principally preaching , instructing , and administering the Sacraments . All which was committed to all the Apostles , Goe and teach all nations , baptizing them &c. As my Father sent me , so send I you . Nor did Christ say to Peter ; Bee thou the only sheepeheard of my sheepe : But he , by a speciall application , thus bespake him , to feed his sheepe , that hee might comfort , encourage , and reuiue him , whom hee saw then cast downe with griefe , for hauing so lately shewed himselfe a Renegate , whereupon hee might with good reason misdoubt himselfe , to haue lapsed from his Apostleship . But Christ recomforteth him by this his speach , as saying to him , I restore thee to thy Apostleship , and , in recompence of thy crime in base deniall of mee , I now enioyne thee the more zeale , and charity in feeding , and attending my poore flock ; and therefore , in lieu of thy thrice denying mee , I will , that thou thrice confesse thy loue to mee : and so I recommend this office to thee in a more speciall manner , euen by way of penance , which in general I haue committed also to the rest ioyntly : but to them I do not redouble my charge , because they haue not as thou , denied me . And euen this he required of him , when hee foretold his fall , and said to him , I haue prayed for thee , Luk. 22 32. that thy faith faile not : therefore , when thou art conuerted , strengthen thy brethren . That is to say , if thou shalt see the faithfull , which hereafter shall beleeue in me , to fall sometimes by weakenesse and infirmity , it is your part to animate , and strengthen them by your owne example , whom beeing fallen I haue raysed vp againe : and with this care of confirming thy brethren , I burthen thee in special more then the rest ; for that thou by thine ensample canst doe this , whereas others are like to doe that office by their exhortations onely , and not by so liuely an example of their owne .

And if any doubt arise in your mindes vpon Christ's speaking onely to Peter in the presence of the rest of the Apostles , and of such things , as were to bee imparted vnto all , and if thereupon yee should surmise , that he did this to intimate heereby to the rest Peter's Soueraignety ouer them , as if hee were to bee the Cheife , and ordinary Pastor , and all the rest as his adiutors , and assistants , you must awake out of this error . Verely Christ neuer had any such purpose , or intention , nor ( as I haue proued ) can he now suffer any such construction : neither did euer any such interpretation come into my head . But well may yee know , that , in this action , not any such Primacy of Peter , but other mysteries are included , which bee these :

Christ giuing charge concerning that , which was to bee committed equally to them all , Cypr. de vnit . Eccles. yet directeth his speech onely to one , that it might hence be gathered , that I , his Spouse , was to be but one , and that they should not imagine that euery of them might make a seuerall foundation of their owne , by schismes , and diuisions , but that their ioynt labours should bring forth one , and the same worke , namely mee , beeing one , and the same Church . And this is Saint Cyprian's interpretation .

Christ in speaking onely with Peter , doth appoint him , as the Head in order , and the President of the Apostolique Colledge , which is a dignitie , and preheminence , not of authority , nor iurisdiction , but onely of ranke , and title ; that thereby the Apostolicall Company might attaine to a perfect collectiue vnity , such as is in a Collegiate-Chapter with their Deane , or in a Senate with their President ; and that heereby the Apostles might gather , how well vnity did please their Master , in that , hee speaking to Peter onely , Hieron . l. 1. aduers . Iouin . as to the Head in order , and Foreman of that Society , they should in no wise fall asunder in diuisions , but keepe themselues in perfect vnion , and so , holding all together , they might the better set themselues to tend me , who am but one . And thus Saint Hierome expoundeth it .

Onely Peter was spoken to , as beeing my type , and representing mee . Christ did then treat with him , as with my Proctor , or Aturney : and so when Christ deliuered him the keyes , he tooke sey sin of them , not to his owne priuate vse , but to mine , and in the name of the publique . For , there were then included , and represented in Peter , all my Prelates present , or succeeding : and so in the name of them al , and to the vse of them all he both receiued the keies , Aug. de Agon . Christ . c. 30. & in psalm . 108. & in Io. tract. 124. &c. Ambr. de dig . Sacerd. c. 2. and the charge of feeding my flocke , and building my house . Not that he had liberty to bestow those keyes at his pleasure , or to appropriate them to any one , whom he would make his successor : but that I , in his person , did then take them to the vse of my Prelates . Like as an Atturney taking Liuery and seisin for an incorporation , doth not receiue it as an owner , or disposer , nor hath thereby authority to doe his pleasure with it , but by this Attornement the right , and property inureth to the Body or Society represented . And , as for the person of Peter , he receiued indeede the keyes for himselfe also , inasmuch as himselfe was one of them , in whose name he tooke them : And this is Saint Augustine's iudgement .

Lastly , Christ maketh this conference with Peter onely , that all Prelates , casting their eye on Saint Peter , might from him take a iust modell and patterne of gentlenesse , Leo. Serm. 3. de su . Assump . and other Episcopall vertues : Which is the exposition of Saint Leo.

These , and other like mysteries haue I alwayes vnderstood concerning this action of Christ with Peter : but that therein should be comprised any Soueraignety , or Papacy , or commission for the only ordinary Pastorship , there hath not bin in all my house , for the first fiue hundreth yeeres , any one found so idle , as to dreame of such an inuention .

And though I should bee so prodigall , as to grant , that which I haue shewed to bee most false , namely that Saint Peter was ordained by Christ an vniuersall Pope ouer mee , yet what hath the Bishop of Rome to doe with St. Peter ? The holy Scriptures giue-in no euidence at all , that euer Peter was at Rome . Onely humane histories report it . And as for diuine Records , they plainely shew , that he departed not from the coasts of Iudea till the fiftieth yeere of our Lord . Thereafter wee finde in the Ecclesiastique histories , that before his going into the West , Hieron . in Pet. hee preached the Gospell in the Easterne parts , in Pontus , Cappadocia , Asia , Bythinia , &c. for the space of diuers yeeres ; and that hee suffered martyrdome in Rome , about the sixty eight yeere of our Lord . It is not possible therefore , that he could haue bene Bishop of Rome so long as fifteene yeeres , much lesse twenty fiue : Which space of time is very vnaduisedly assigned him by some passable ancient writers .

But , to omit these arguments from computation , suerely neither Saint Peter , nor any other Apostle was euer made Bishop of any particular City , whereto his seat might be entayled by a perpetuity . This is repugnant to the very office of Apostleship , which was by Christ their Chiefe Lord instituted an order of professed errants throughout the whole world , when he gaue them their commission , Matth 28.19 . Mar. 16.15 . to Goe and teach all Nations , and to preach the Gospell to euery creature , that is to say , to all men wheresoeuer throughout the world . They had no power therefore to fix themselues on any particular place , nor to binde themselues to it , but their duty was to attend the enlargement of my tents , Act. 1.8 . beginning from Ierusalem , to the vtmost parts of the earth : and when they had founded any particular Church , and vnited it to me the vniuersall Mother , they were then to passe on for new plantations . Who therefore is so hardy , as to coope vp Saint Peter at Rome , and to binde him to a particular Bishopricke there till the day of his death ? And if hee finished his course at Rome , certainely hee died not with the title of Bishop of Rome , but of an vniuersall Apostle . For , neither that , nor any other See could be chosen by him , as proper to him , beeing by his function , and calling to passe to and fro through the world . But if hee ended his life in any heathenish place , where , as then , there was no Church planted , who then was to be his successor in the Papacie ? It is therefore a groundlesse , and idle assertion , to name personall successors to any of the Apostles ; whenas none of them all was a locall Bishop , ( for , as for Iames Bishop of Ierusalem , Constit . Apost. lib. 6. c 14. & Doroth. in synopsi &c. hee was none of the twelue Apostles , but a Disciple beside that number ) and therfore all Bishops succeed all the Apostles in Solidum , that is to say , euery particular Bishop , whatsoeuer hee bee , holdeth the place , and office of the Apostles , who by Christ's institution committed their charge , and office to the Bishops , and those to other Bishops , and so to others by continuall succession till the end of the world ; and that by vertue euen of those words of Christ to the Apostles . Io. 20. As the Father hath sent me , so I send you . That is to say , As the Father hath giuen mee power to send you , soe I giue power to you to send others , and to giue them likewise the same missiue power , which I giue you , and the Father hath giuen me . And hereupon it followeth , that euery Bishop , in respect of the diuine institution , hath the very Apostolicall power , that is , vniuersall in habite , or generall qualification , which he is enabled to exercise actually in any part of the world . But , in regard of my restreining precept , for the auoyding of disorder , and confusion , there are long since limitations set downe , and particular distinctions of euery ones Diocesse . Now therefore , when as there is no personall succession vnto any of the Apostles , who can fetch his claime from Peter ? who from Iohn ? who from any other of the Apostles ? Nay , if such plea were good , there could not bee aboue 12. or at the most 13. Bishops in the world . And to afford personall succession to Peter onely , with deniall of it to all the rest , is to beate the aire with idle words , and to goe against the Scriptures .

Certeinely for a thousand yeeres and more , I neuer heard in all my family from the mouth , or penne of any pious and holy Author , that the Bishop of Rome was acknowledged for an Vniuersall Pope . Indeed the Bishops of Rome themselues haue endeuoured to make me an vnderling , and to put me vnder their feete , and to make themselues my Head , and Lord , and Master , with great wrong to my true , and onely Head , Lord , and Spouse CHRIST IESVS : but they haue long attempted it in vaine . For they haue met with stout oppositions . St. Polycrates a most holy Bishop of Asia did strongly oppose S. Victor B. of Rome . S. Irenaeus B. of Lions did the like ; and this befell neere the times of the Apostles . Cypr. l. 1. ep. 3. & l. 3. op. 13. Apud . Cypr. ep . 74. Pamel . S. Cyprian beareth himselfe as a companion , and Colleague with S. Steuen , and S. Cornelius both Bishops of Rome , euen in the Vniuersall gouernment of the Church ; and spareth not to hold his owne against them . S. Firmilian B. of Cesarea in Cappadocia handleth the same Steuen of Rome very homely , and setteth nought by his excommunications . Euseb. l. 7. c. 4. Iulij Epist. ad Orientales & Socrat. l. 7. c. 5. & Sozom. l. 3. c. 5 &c. The Church histories are plentiful in shewing , how lightly S. Iulius , though B. of Rome , was ouerpassed by the Bishops of the East , and by the Councell of Antioch , ( which , for the more part of it , was Catholique , and Orthodoxe ) for no lesse matter , then that he would make himselfe an Vniuersall Iudge , euen in the causes of the Easterne Church , and yet in the end hee was faine to sit downe , and be quiet . The Councell of Nice acknowledgeth not the B. Con. Nic. can . 6 of Rome for any other , then one of the three then Patriarchs , who had their limited iurisdictions : so also doeth the first Councell of Constantinople , and the Councell of Chalcedon . None of the ancient fathers my dearest children , for the space of 600. yeeres together , hath any the least impression of the Romane Papacie ; by whom the B. of Rome was neuer taken for other , then at the most for Patriarch of the West . The Africane Church ( in those dayes one of my most noble daughters , ) affronted the Romane Church , and would not in any wise , that she should exercise any power ouer her in the ordering of the Ecclesiasticall policie ; and went so farre , as in open Councels to resist her , in which euen the renowned S. Augustine bare his part . The like hath bene many times practised by the Churches of Rauenna , of Aquilege , & of Milan . And S. Gregory in opposing the title of Vniuersal Bishop in the Patriarch of Constantinople , must needs oppugne the same in the Romane also by force of very strong arguments .

It is to no purpose therefore to seeke here vpon earth one Vicar-generall for my Spouse Christ , who hath no need of a successour or Vicar , inasmuch as he is head of my body , and his Spirit is sufficient for me , onely Ministers , and labourers are needfull for him , and for me : and those were , first the blessed Apostles , and after them their successors . So that , in respect of labouring , and working , and setting right also the externall gouernment of my family , Cypr. l. 4. ep. 3. & l. 3. ep. 13. & de Simpl. Prae. lat. Ambr. in 1. C● . 11. Chrysost. hom. 17. in Mat. &c. those Apostles all ioyntly , and in solidum , ( as S. Cyprian expresly affirmeth ) hold the place of Christ , and are equally his Vicars , but in labouring , and working for my behoofe : and all Bishops likewise are with very good reason by my holy doctors , styled by this title of Christs Vicars , and not S. Peter onely . And so in respect of my true Head , and Spouse , I am vnder a perfect Monarchie : but as for the worke of my Ministers , they performe their office in a kind of Aristocratie , without any Monarchie at all amongst them . They are like a company of workemen , which haue vndertaken a large Vineyard , euery man his parcell : or like a troope of many shepheards all seruants of one great Shepheard , who percel out among themselues the feeding of a very great flocke , whereof there is one intire Lord , and Master , that onely grand Sheepheard . And surely when the owner of a vineyard hireth many laborers to dig it , hee doth not giue any dominion , or iurisdiction to any of them , ouer either the vineyard , or their fellow-workemen ; and , if it be his pleasure to appoint any to assist the workemen , and to direct them in their labors , either hee commeth among them himselfe in person , or sendeth one of his sonnes , or his factor , or deputy , whose office then must bee , not to delue , and toyle with the rest of the labourers , but only to ouersee , and to prouide , that they doe their taske . I pray you aske Saint Peter whether he were hyred by Christ to bee a labourer in his vineyard , or to bee a surueyor . Verely hee will answere you , that he was one of the labourers , and diggers in my vineyard , and not a factor , or surueyor , or deputy . His office therefore was , not to command others , but to worke himselfe . 1. Cor. 9.9 . 1. Tim. 5.18 . For , all the Apostles were Oxen for the plough and for treading out the corne : nor would Saint Peter haue suffered his necke to bee withdrawne from this yoake . Let not therefore the Bishoppe of Rome thus without all ground vaunt himselfe for the onely Vicar of Christ , nor vnder this title ( equally common to all other Bishops with him ) keepe me downe , and oppresse me , and together with me all my children .

Nor may you suffer your selues to bee deluded by a false , but very common , imagination , that it behoueth me to haue one visible Head , and one vniuersall Gouernor . For , in such cases , as this , yee are not to set downe for good , that , which mens fancies doe conceaue ; but ye are to haue an eye to that , which Christ himselfe hath ordayned . And forasmuch as he , as I haue shewed , will bee my onely Head , and sole Commander ; and , for externall managements , hath appointed that his laborers should among themselues in common , and in solidum , without Monarchy , in a kinde of Aristocraticall forme , ioyne together , for the directing of my affaires , by way of Synods and Councels , as necessity shall require ; therefore one supreme visible Head ouer me neither is necessary , nor was euer ordayned , nor is desired . And if so many temporall Estates in this world are sufficiently gouerned , without a Monarch , in a Democraticall , or Aristocratical forme , why doe ye suffer your braines to be pestered with a false imaginary necessity of hauing a meere man to bee the Monarchicall gouernour ouer my house ? and consider not what a woe case I were in , if I should hang on the sleeue of one man , who hath no priuiledge against any error , or misery .

Perhaps yee will aske mee , how then crept the Papacy into Rome , where now it carieth so high a sayle ? whereto I am sure , that , whilst I was a yong , and small tenderling , both the Apostles , and likewise those Bishoppes , which immediatly succeeded them , did indifferently , without any ielousie of concurring iurisdictions , or affectation of soueraignety , agree together in the ordeining of other Bishoppes , and Ministers , and committing to them the preaching of the Gospel and planting throughout the world new particular Churches . Which yong daughters of mine beeing thus multiplied , and inlarging mee farre and neere , the necessity of preuenting confusion did bring into my house , an holesome , holy , and necessary ordinance , that there should be diuision of Prouinces , and in Prouinces distinct Bishopricks , and Diocesses ; and so the Bishops of one Prouince should attend the directing , and guidance of their owne precincts onely , and not intermeddle with the Prouinces of others , vnlesse they were thereto requested , or publique necessity so vrged . My selfe , seeing this custome brought in by necessity , approoued the same , and did moreouer ordaine , that in euery Prouince the Bishop of the Mother City ( that is of the place , which was the seat of the chiefe Magistrate , or otherwise conspicuous for some ciuile respect ) should bee the chiefe , and consecrate the Bishops of that Prouince , and in the steade of the Synode of his whole Prouince , should dispatch certaine affaires pertaining to mee , that so the Bishoppes of that Prouince might not be encombred with meeting together vpon euery small occasion . And because in the Romane Empire , which at the time of my espousall to Christ , and for three or foure ages after , was in its greatest flourish , there were then three most renowned Cities , Hegesip . de excid . Hieros . l. 3. c. 5. most eminent aboue the rest in honour , and secular power ; namely first Rome in Italy , the chiefe and principall seat of the Empire ; secondly , Alexandria in Aegypt , where the Emperors Deputy remayned ; thirdly , Antioch the mother-City of all the East ; in regard hereof the Bishops of these three grand Cities were the three first Metropolitanes . Afterward also the number of Churches so encreasing , that these three sufficed not , and the Prouinces which grew too large , beeing thereupon , for my conueniency , deuided into more , and lesser Prouinces , ( with appointment , that alwayes the Bishoppe of the principall City of such a Prouince should bee the Metropolitane thereof ) the three aforesaid , in regard that they had beene my first Metropolitanes , were honoured with the titles of Patriarchs , and indued with certaine priuiledges , which I was not vnwilling that they should enioy . To whom also I did afterward , by way of priuiledge , adde two other Patriarchs , one of Constantinople , ( as soone as that City became a seat of the Empire beeing called another Rome ) and the other of Hierusalem .

Thus my vnthankfull daughter the Church of Rome , hauing bene courteously enterteined , ennobled , enriched , and exalted by diuers deuout Emperours , vsing the aduantages , which by little and little she gained , partly by temporall greatnesse , which then shined faire vpon her , partly for that I had often good vse of her helpe in the midst of my troubles , and garboiles , which heresies brought vpon me , wherein she stood me in good stead , by procuring mee fauour , and countenance of Catholique Emperours , as also by the credit and reputation she had abroad from those great Apostles S. Peter , and S. Paul , which were her fosterers , and breeders vp , yet she , I say , impudently abusing all this , did about a thousand yeeres agoe enter into a bold rebellion against me , not vouchsafing to remaine still my daughter , nor acknowledging me for her mother in any wise , but seeking to make herselfe my mistresse , and to domineere ouer me . But most of all about 550. yeeres after , since the times of that firebrand Hildebrand , and since the totall ruine of the Romane Empire , this daughter of mine , being high-growne in greatnesse , and pride , as shee began to withdraw her necke from the yoke of a temporall Lord , who with his rod might hold her in obedience to me , so would she needs also abandon her due place , which she held with me , of being a member of my body , from which she rent herselfe by an horrible schisme ; and disdeyning to bee a member of it , would haue no nay but perke aboue me , and make herselfe my Head by tyrannicall vsurpation . And whereas , first , according to the appointment of my Spouse , she should receiue life , and vigor from me , as euery member of the Body doeth , from its coniunction with the whole , as being a part thereof , she , by tearing herselfe off from being a member , to put forward for the Headship , hath instantly lost all that spirit , and vigor , which euery particular Church partaketh with and from mee , Cypr. de vnit . eccles. euen as branches deriue their vigor from the roote , streames from the fountaine , and beames from the Sunne ; which is S. Cyprians comparison . And moreouer she hath bene so bold with me , as to dispoile me of my robes , and ornaments , and to rob me of my proper name ; and now shee , she onely must be stiled the vniuersall Church , the Catholique Church , the mother of the faithfull , the pillar of trueth , the Spouse of Christ , &c.

Behold therefore here an infamous , and dreadfull rocke . For , whosoeuer abandoneth me , to cleaue to her , hee is out of the Arke of Noah ; he , not hauing me to his mother , Cypr. ibidem . hath not God to his father . Whosoeuer is a follower of that tyrant , which vsurpeth my dignity and trampleth downe my authoritie , he certainely followeth not Christ my true Spouse , but Antichrist . No Church can be vnder Christ , vnlesse it be first vnited to me : and all Churches , that enioy the graces flowing from Christ , doe partake them by my meanes , and so farre forth , as they are my daughters , and limmes growing vnto me , who am the Body of Christ . Therefore the Romane Church , inasmuch as a daughter , or member she will not be , and mother or Head , which faine she would , she cannot be , betweene both sure she hath no part in me . And whosoeuer danceth after such a schismatical and rebellious ring-leader , must needs himselfe be a schismatique , and rebel : and who so followeth the vsurping Pope , must engage himselfe to beleeue euery falshood , and fiction that is thrust vpon him , and so shall be sure to tumble downe headlong after such a guide . Thus the Papacie sheweth it selfe to bee the grand and most dangerous rocke of all the rest , against which so many poore Christian soules daily dash themselues . And so much for this mother-Rocke . The rest I shall passe ouer more briefly .