M. Hardinge. The .3. Diuision.
But I in this treatise seekinge to auoide prolixitie, hauinge purposed to say somewhat to this number of the other Articles, and knowinge this matter of the Primacie to be already largely, and learnedly,* 1.1 handeled of others: wil but Trippe, as it were, lightly ouer at this time, and not set my fast footinge in the deepe debatinge and treatinge of it.
First, as concerning the right of the Primacie by Goddes lawe, by these auncient authorities it hath beene auouched. Anacletus that holy Bishop, and Martyr, S. Peters Scholar, and of him Con∣secrated Priest, in his Epistle to the Bishops of Italie, writeth thus. In Nouo Testamento post Christum &c. In the New Testament the order of Priestes beganne after our Lorde Christe of Pe∣ter, bicause to him Bishoprike was first geuen in the Churche of Christe, where as our Lorde saide vnto him, Thou arte Peter, and vpon this Rocke I vvil builde my Churche, and the gates of Hel shal not preuaile against it: and vnto thee I vvil geue the keyes of the kingedome of Heauen. VVherefore this Peter receiued of our Lorde first of al, power to binde and to loose: and first of al he brought people to the faithe by vertue of his Preachinge. As for the other Apostles, they receiued honour and power in like felowship with him, and willed him to be their Prince, or chiefe gouernour.
In an other Epistle to al Bishops, alleging the same texte, for the Primacie of the see of Rome, speakinge of the disposition of Churches committed to Patriarkes, and Primates, saith thus moste plainely. This holy and Apostolike Churche of Rome, hath obteined the Primacie, not of the Apostles▪ but of our Lorde and Sauiour him selfe, and hath gotten the preeminence of power ouer al Churches, and ouer the whole flocke of Christen people, euen so as he saide to blessed Peter the Apostle: Thou arte Peter, and vpon this Rocke &c.