A counterblast to M. Hornes vayne blaste against M. Fekenham Wherein is set forthe: a ful reply to M. Hornes Answer, and to euery part therof made, against the declaration of my L. Abbat of Westminster, M. Fekenham, touching, the Othe of the Supremacy. By perusing vvhereof shall appeare, besides the holy Scriptures, as it vvere a chronicle of the continual practise of Christes Churche in al ages and countries, fro[m] the time of Constantin the Great, vntil our daies: prouing the popes and bishops supremacy in ecclesiastical causes: and disprouing the princes supremacy in the same causes. By Thomas Stapleton student in diuinitie.

The 14. Chapter concerning the doinges of Ezechias.

HEre is nothing brought in by you, or before by the Apology (as M. Dorman, and M. Do∣ctour Harding doe wel answere) that forceth the surmised souerainty in King Ezechias, but that his powre and authority, was ready and seruiceable (as it ought to be in al Princes) for the executiō of things spiritual before determined, and not by him as su∣preame head newly establisshed: So in the place by you ci∣ted it is writen that he did, that which was good before the Lorde according to all things that Dauid his Father had done. So that as Dauid did al such matters, because the Prophets of God had so declared they should be done, so is Ezechias folowing his Father Dauid vnderstanded to haue done, not enactīg any religiō of his own, but settīg forthe that, which Gods Ministers had published. Likewise in your other place, according to the Kings and Gods cōmaundemēt. So other where, he did that which was good ād right before his Lord God, and he sowght God, with al his harte, after the Lawe and commaundemente, in al the works of the howse of God. And as your selfe shewe, he appointed the Leuits according as Da∣uid had disposed the order: And you adde by the councel of the

Prophetes, as though Dauid had firste done it by the aduise or counsell only of the Prophetes, and by his owne autho∣ritie. But the Scripture saith: Ezechias did thus according as Dauid had disposed, because it was the commaundement of God by the hande of his Prophetes. So that in al that Eze∣chias or before Iosaphat did, they did but as Dauid had don before: That is, they executed Gods commaundement de∣clared by the Prophetes. This is farre from enactinge a newe Religion by force of Supreme Authoritie, contrarie to the commaundement of God declared by the Bisshops and Priestes, the onely Ministers of God now in spirituall matters, as Prophetes were then in the like.

M. Horne. The .17. Diuision pag. 11 a.

Iosias had the like care for religion, and vsed in the same sort his princely authority, in reforming al abuses (48) in al maner causes Ecclesiastical These Godly Kings claimed and toke vpon them the supreme gouernment ouer the Ecclesiasticall persons of all degrees, and did rule, gouerne, and direct them in all their functions, and (.49.) in all manner causes belonging to Religion, and receiued thu witnes of their doings, to witte, that they did acceptable seruice, and nothing but that which was right in Gods sight. Therefore it follovveth well by good consequent, that Kings or Queenes may claime and take vpon them such gouernment in things or causes Ecclesiasticall. For that is right, saith the holy Ghost; they should than doe vvrong if they did it not.

Notes

• 4. Reg. 18.
• 2. Par. 29
• 2. Par. 31.
• 2. Par. 29.
• The .48. vntruth. Boldly a∣uouched, but no vvay proued.
• The 49. vntruth. as before, but som∣vvhat more im∣pudent.