THe Church is called Catholique in several respects : 1. In respect of places , as being spread universally through the whole world , and is not tyed to any place or Kingdom . 2. In respect of Times , because but one Church of all Times ; it having ever been from the beginning of the World , and shall continue on Earth till the end thereof ; Isai. 59.21 . and Matth. 28. the Church of both Testaments being one and the same . 3. In respect of the Collective Body thereof , the Catholique Church being gathered of men of both Testaments , and the Communion of Saints being the union and coherence of all the Saints in Christ their Head ; according to that of Paul , Ephes. 1.10 . That he might gather together in one all things , both which are in Heaven , and which are in Earth even into Christ ; who is and ever shall be King and Head thereof . And generally when we speak of the Catholique Church , this Collective Church is to be understood ; which appellation , Catholique , was used by the Apostles before ever Rome was a Church : So that neither in respect of Place , Time , or Catholiqueness , may Rome justly challenge the onely Title of Catholique , she being but a particular part or member of this Catholique Church , we the Saints being the Body and Members for our part , Eph. 1.22 . But for the better illustration of this Point , I will examine the Doctors Arguments in particular , concerning Romes Catholiqueship ; and I shall in so doing more plainly disprove her Title thereunto .

The word Catholique , as it is defined by the Doctor , is not a word of Belief onely , but of Communion also : So that , that Church which holds the same Belief with the ancient Church , and yet doth not communicate with her , may not rightly be called Catholique . I shall retort this Argument which he intended against the Protestants , and prove it to be their Justification , and the Church of Romes own Condemnation .

Catholique , as I said , in a general sence comprehendeth all the Elect , and is the full Body of Christ that filleth all things in all things , Eph. 4. And when we in our Creed say , We beleeve in the Holy Catholique Church , it is understood of all the Elect of God , which have been , are , or shall be ; of which the Church-Militant on Earth is but part . But because I suppose the Doctor means onely of a Church upon Earth , I will therefore insist upon his own definition , and treat of the Church upon Earth , which , as it is universally spred over the Earth by the Apostles , who had equal commission to teach all Nations , no one particular Church can or ought to claim to be the Catholique or Universal Church upon Earth .

As for the Distinction which the Doctor makes betwixt Doctrine and Discipline , thereby to excuse the unproper stile of Roman Catholique ; That is ( says he ) Catholique in respect of Doctrine , Roman in respect of Discipline : That will no ways strengthen her claim , or clear her incongruous Title : He doth but thereby shew the World how distinct her Discipline is from her Doctrine , and thereby give occasion to the world to suspect both : And upon this score may the Presbyterian Church of Geneva be called the Geneva Catholique Church ; that is , Geneva for Discipline , Catholique for Doctrine , she professing the Catholique Faith of the holy and blessed Trinity : and yet the Church of Rome , I perswade my self , would think much that such a glorious appellation should be given to such an upstart Youngling , that wind-egg of a Tumult , Geneva Church which being braddened under a Toad of France , is become a staring Cockatrice , and thinks to center the World within the compass of his contagious Den , darting poyson upon whom he first espies ; as experience tells us , how he glancing upon the poor Scot , has given him such a deadly wound , that he will scarce ever recover it ; teaching those that have escaped that plague , with the Wesel , each morning to bite on Rue , which , says Avicen , secures her against the toxicating of that venomous Basilisk : I say , if the Church of Rome think much that the Geneva Church should arrogate such a glorious stile , let her never stand upon her own Title , which is equally weak to challenge the same .

The Doctor proceeds further upon Romes Ti●le to her Catholiqueship , and gives a further explication of the same .

Catholique ( says the Doctor ) imports both the vast extention of Doctrine to Persons and Places , and the union of all these places in communion .

It cannot be denyed but that there were other Churches of ancienter and more reverend setlement then the Church of Rome , as the Churches in the East , as Jerusalem , Antioch , Ephesus , &c. and in after-times the Gospel was to be carryed before Kings , and to the Gentiles by S. Paul , being by Jesus ordained a Minister and an Apostle of the Gentiles , amongst whom Rome was then a chief City , which as she received the Faith by S. Paul , or S. Peter , cannot properly be called a Mother Church , but as a babe and suckling received the sincere milk of the Word : She was one of the places to which the Doctrine of the Catholique Church of Christ was extended , but no extender of that Doctrine . So that by the Doctors own definition , she cannot properly be called the Catholique Church , she being in her Institution but a private particular Member of the Catholique Church , as Englands , or any other Church planted by the Embassadors of Christ . And if since , by the indulgent favors of her nursing Fathers , the Christian Princes , she has grown to that maturity that she has many Daughter Churches of her own plantation in the dark corners of the old known , and the new discovered parts of the World ; yet she cannot by reason thereof assume to her self any more super-intendency over them as their Mother , then Jerusalem , from whence Paul was sent after he had the laying on of hands , or Antioch , from whence it is pretended Peter to have came , may by the same rule challenge over her and hers a Jurisdiction as Mother to her and them .

And as in respect of extention of Doctrine she may not assume the name of Catholique ; so neither can she claim that Title to her self in respect of her Communion with the Primitive Churches , as every point of this ensuing Discourse will evidently shew : So that unless the Universality of Power and Jurisdiction she claims from Peter will support this her Title and Dignity , she is altogether at a loss , and must henceforth discontinue her claim to be the onely Catholique Church . It rests therefore to examine , That ,

1. It may not be called Catholique in respect of Peters having been there , Rome not Catholique ●n respect of Peter being there . no more then the Church of Antioch , of which he certainly was Bishop .

The power of planting the Gospel was given in charge to all the Apostles , Go and teach all Nations : And , as the Doctor hath it in his Introduction , they going forth preached every where : And in the Acts it is said , That the Apostles sent out Peter and John unto Samaria , hearing that they had received the Word , who layd hands on them . If then Peter was subject to their mission , how comes he to give unto Rome any power above other Churches of Apostolical Plantation and by the same mission that Peter was sent out to Samaria , are elswhere planted ? Peter was as wel to observe the directions of the rest of the Apostles , as to prescribe any Rules to them or others . It is true , Christ said to Peter , Thou art Peter , and upon this Rock will I build my Church . Saint Cyprian says ( Cypr. in Tract . simp. Praelat . ) This was but to denote the Unity of the Church , in that it was built upon one ; for the power of governing and instructing was alike given to all : So that admit it was built upon Peter , as the Doctor argues , fol. 284. yet that gives nothing of superintendency to Rome ; for Christ , after his Resurrection , gave power alike to the rest ; the naming of him alone in that place was , ut Ecclesia una monstretur , not to take any power or honor from the rest : For should it be granted that the Church was built upon Peter alone , so that none else should plant or govern , then it would follow , that any Church planted by any other of the Apostles , who received neither order nor power from Peter , were not Apostolical ; or true Churches of Christ , which S. Augustin , de Doctrina Christiana , lib. 2. cap. 8. plainly affirms to the contrary . The Apo●tles Foundations of ●e Church . We are built , says S. Paul , Ephes. 2.20 . upon the foundations of the Apostles and Prophets , Jesus Christ being the chief Corner-stone : by which it appears , that the rest of the Apostles were foundations as well as Peter ; and when there was a strife amongst them , who should be greatest amongst them , Mat. 20.26 . sayes Christ , Whosoever shall be greatest , let him be your servant ; which is not to be understood , that Christ did thereby reprove pride and haughtinesse only , but was against superiority or preheminence amongst them : It is true , Christ was not against superiority utterly , for he calls himself their Lord and Master , John 13.10 . and their head , but this preheminence he did not delegate to any one amongst them , for they were the foundations , he the Corner-stone ; they the body ; he the Head ; they ministers , he their Master ; they equall , he their superior .

The Apostles power to plant the Gospell was equall , The Apostles power equall . and they dispersed themselves for the propagation of the Gospell , not by any order received from Peter , but by the Commission they received from Christ himself . In the eighth chapter of the Acts it is said , that Philip went towards the South and baptized the Eunuch , the Queen of Ethiopia her chief Governour , and to this day the Catholike Faith is professed in Ethiopia , being there preached by the said Eunuch : Nor doth the Pope exercise any jurisdiction there , which he might as well as in any other Countries which received the Faith from some of the Apostles , and not from the Bishop of Rome , if Peter was chief Governour of the Church , and he his successor . Doth not the Scripture plainly affirm , that the Holy Ghost came upon all ? Acts 2. and Gal. 2. James , Peter and John gave Paul the right hand of fellowship . When Christ instituted his Supper , he said to them , Hoc est corpus meum quod pro vobis datur , hoc facite , &c. He gave to all a like power of administration : And Joh. 20. As my Father sent me , so send I you ; he speaks it to all the Disciples , and not to Peter alone , Nolite vocari Rabbi , Mat. 23. unus enim magister est vester , scilicet Jesus , omnes autem vos fratres estis , that is , saith S. Austin , you are all equall : And S. Hierome in his Epistle to Evander , Omnes Episcopi , five Romae , five alibie jusdem sacerdotii atque potestatis , à Christo collationem habuerunt . The Doctor cites Bellarmines argument , that Christ is the invisible head , but there must be a mysteriall and visible head to govern the whole : and therefore when it is said , 1 Cor. 12. that the head cannot say to the feet , I have no need of you , it must not be understood of Christ , for he the eternall Word can say . J have no need , &c.

The Apostles are called skilfull master-builders , 1 Cor. 3. Christ the Head of the Church . but another foundation can no man lay then that which is laid , Jesus Christ : It cannot therefore be understood that Peter was the foundation and rock on which the Church was built . Christ as he is head , it is of the whole Catholike Church , and therefore when Paul ( Ephes. 1. ) calls him the head , he brings in both men and Angells into the rank of members , men , ver. 4. and Angells , vers. 21. But as touching the particular Churches upon earth , they all are but as so many members of the head , Christ Jesus , and are built upon the Apostles , as the Doctor confesses in his Introduction , who ( as I said ) are called master-builders , or the heads of those respective Churches , but there was not one of them that was to bear rule over the rest : Peter was primus in ordine , not supremus in potestate , you cannot have twelve without one , but every one is as much one as another , whether in respect of Power or Ordination , as S. Cyprian de unitate Ecclesiae agrees , some were ordained Apostles , some Prophets , some Evangelists , for the work of the Ministery , for the edification of the body of Christ , and to every one of the Apostles was grace given , according to the measure of the gift of Christ , by whom he ascended into heaven : but those that were Apostles were aequales inte se , and the Churches founded by them equall , as so many members of the mysticall Head Christ Jesus , and as to one was given by the Spirit of God Faith , to another gifts of healing , to another Prophecie , to another interpretation of Tongues , destributing to every one severally by the same spirit , yet this is but to make up one body compleat , for the gathering together of the Saints , for verse 27. ye are the body of Christ , and members for your part , so that he that thinks he hath the greatest gift , must not , because he thinks himself the head , say he hath no need of the other members , for all are not Apostles , all are not Prophets : wherefore let the Church of Rome remember what S. Paul said to the Romans chap. 12. that none presume to understand above that which is meet to understand , ●ut that he understand according to sobriety : for as we have many members in one body , and all members have not the same office , so we being many , are one body in Christ , and every one anothers members : wherefore then shall the head say unto the feet , I have need of thee ? will the Church of Rome cast off all other Churches , because she supposes her Bishop is Peters Successor ? will she be the Rock and Foundation of the Church , and leave others as built upon the sand ? S. John in his Revelations ch. 21. sayes , the Apostles are counted the twelve Foundations , or twelve stones of the house of God , and will the late Popes allow no other Foundation but Rome ? The Apostles are called Builders and Foundations , but none the chief Stone , but Christ , elect and precious , 1 Peter 2. Behold I put in Sion a chief Corner-stone , elect and precious ; and he is the Head of the body of the Church , Colos. 1.18 .

Bellarmine being ingaged to maintain the Popes Supremacy , is not ashamed to ascribe the Prophecy of Esay , cited by S. Peter , to be meant of the Pope , which S. Peter himself expounds of Christ . I much wonder that so great a Schollar should commit so great an absurdity , he strains the Scriptures to maintain the Supremacy of Rome , because of Peter being there , expounding Babylon , from whence Peter directs his Epistle , to be meant of Rome ; and yet he , against S. Peters interpretation , wil expound the chief Corner-stone , Elect and precious , to be put in Sion , to be the Pope of Rome , and so he makes Rome to be both Sion and Babylon : he will have it Babylon to prove Peter there , and Sion to exclude Christ from being Head of the Church ; contrary to S. Peters own interpretation , and contrary to the interpretation of Cyprian , Bede , and severall Fathers upon the 21. of John , who agree that Christ was the Rock , upon which Foundation even Peter himself was built .

The Papists , when that text of Matthew 16.18 . will not serve their turn , for to warrant their pretended title , to lord it over all other Churches , they then fly to the 21. of Iohn to the treble pasce , construing to feed , to signifie to govern , and because generally spake to feed my Sheep , to govern all , not some .

The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not to rule , but to feed , An answer to the treble pasce . and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are not Rectors but Pastors ; wherefore to me it seems a strange interpretation . But why should I think it strange , it is but like that other interpretation of S. Peter afore mentioned . The grand Doctor and Conclave of Rome have the Keys of the Scripture in their Cabinet , and can by a word of their mouth make the dead letter speak as they please , and like an Italian Padlock open at a private kue of their own invention : they make Scripture like the Fish Popile , which turns it self into the similitude of every object , and they make the leafs of the holy Bible , as it were a pair of Cards , which they can so pack by false gaming , that they can cut Christendome the head , and make the Knave of the Clubs trump when they please .

I hope Christians in these later times , when as deceivers are come abroad , will be more wise , then to be insnared by the novell Doctrines of Rone , which she holds forth to the people for her self-interest , and not their good and welfare , and doth quite forsake the Primitive truth , exalting her own Traditionall rules above Christ , the Apostles , or the ancient Fathers , as it were to fascinate the people under a colour of Holinesse , to become slaves to her new acquired Prerogatives , though inconsistent with her See and function .

The Fathers severally concur upon this place of the 21. of Iohn , that it was not said to Peter , whereby to exclude the power of governing , and feeding the flock of Christ from the rest of the Apostles , not for any honor , but rather comfort to Peter , or if for honor , not that it was hereby enlarged to Peter above the rest , but that it was restored to Peter , of whom Christ required a threefold confession of love , that with his threefold confession he might blot out his threefold deniall .

Besides , the words are my Sheep , not thy Sheep , as my sheep seek my glory in them , not thine own , my gain , not thine : Ezechiel 34. Woe to the shepheards of Jsrael that feed themselves , not my flock . Christ here demands if he loved him , then he should shew that love to them , feed them , not thy self . Chrysostome lib. 2. de sacerdot . when Christ said to Peter , feed my sheep , it was to teach Peter and all the rest , how much he loved the Church , not to teach Peter alone , but all the rest , and so S. Austin liber de agon . cap. 3. it was spoken to all , when it was spoken to Peter , dost thou love me ? feed my sheep ; to him , to put him in mind of his threefold deniall ; to the rest , to make them mindfull of their charge , that the same love they bare to their Master Christ , they should now henceforth extend that love towards his Flock .