Iurisdiction regall, episcopall, papall Wherein is declared how the Pope hath intruded vpon the iurisdiction of temporall princes, and of the Church. The intrusion is discouered, and the peculiar and distinct iurisdiction to each properly belonging, recouered. Written by George Carleton.

§. III. Robert Grosthead and Iohn Wiclife.

24. AFter Willi•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, let vs come to that famous Bi∣•…•…hop of Lincolne, Robert 〈◊〉〈◊〉: It is to bee la∣mented that more of his writings were not preserued; by so much as we haue extant, it appear•…•…th that with great courage, learning, & integritie he withstood the Popes pretended Iuris∣dictiō: for his lea•…•…ing 〈◊〉〈◊〉. calleth him the true great •…•…lark.* 1.1 The contention which •…•…xercised him most, was about the Popes p•…•…ouisions: for the Pope would by his prouisions (and this was also a part of his Iurisdiction proceeding out of the pretended fulnesse of power) place straungers, commonly some of his owne bastardes, vnder the name of his Nephewes, and of these sometimes young children. Thus in the best and grea∣test Ecclesiasticall charges and benefices, as they became void he thrust in such as had neither learning nor honestie, will or skill to disch•…•…rge the du•…•…tie which that place required by prea∣ching. This being of it selfe a thing hatefull and abhomina∣ble: Grosth•…•…d conceiuing of the thing •…•…s it was in truth, resol∣ued in his Diocesse to admit no such v•…•…gratious practise. A•…•…d ther•…•…ore when the Pope had written to him in this sort for one of his Nephews: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 withstood the Pope, and would not place him. And hereupon he wrote to the Pope: the letter is extant in Mat. Paris, out of which I will rehe•…•…rse some things, that the excellent spirit of th•…•…t man may be the better obser∣ued:

and his zeale against the intollerable practise of the Popes Iurisdiction. For these prouisions were then defended by flat∣terers as proceeding from the fulnesse of power, the fountaine as they called it of all Iurisdiction against which Grosthead dis∣puteth thus.

25. Apostolica mandata non sunt necesse possunt alia quam A∣postolorum* 1.2 doctrina & ipsius Domini nostri Iesu Christi, Apostolo∣rum magistri ac Domini. That is, [The Apostolicall mandates are no other: neither may they be any other then the doctrines of the Apostles, and of our Lord Iesus Christ, master and Lord of the Apostles.] By this rule which Grosthead prescribeth to the Pope, we are ready to receiue any mandate from him. And the things which we reiect, we reiect vpon no other ground, then as this worthy Bishop did, because they are not consonant to the Apostolicall doctrines. And whereas the Pope had writ∣ten to him for a prouision to be sped in his Diocesse, hee pro∣ceedeth thus. Ipse Do•…•…inus noster Iesus Christus ait, qui non est mecum, contra me est: contra ipsum autem non est nec esse potest Apostolicae sedis sanctitas diuinissima: non est igitur praedictae literae tenor Apostolicae sanctitati consonu•…•…▪ sed absonum & plurimum dis∣cors. Primo quia de illius literae & ei consimilium superacucmula∣to non obstante, nec ex legis naturalis obseruandae necessitate indu∣cto patet cataclysmus, inconstanciae, audaciae, in•…•…erecundiae, mentiendi fallendi, &c. Praeterea post peccatum Luciferi, quod idem erit in fine temporum ipsius filij perditio•…•…is Antichristi, quem interficiet Domi∣nus spirit•…•… oris sui, nec est, nec esse potest alterum genus peccat•…•… tam aduersum & contrarium Apostolorum doctrinae, & Euangelicae, & ipsi Domino Iesu Christo tam odibile, & tam abominabile, quam ani•…•…as curae pastoralis officij & ministerij defraudatione mortificare & perdere. That is, [Our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe saith, hee that is not with me, is against me: now against him the most diuine holinesse of the Apostolicke sea is not, nor cannot bee: therefore the tenor of the foresaid letter is not consonant to the Apostolicall holinesse, but dissonant, and altogether repugnant, First, because the way is opened to an inundation of inconstan∣cy presumption, shamelesnesse, lying, cousening, &c. By rea∣son of the non obstante in that and such like letters often heaped

vp, not proceeding from any necessitie of the obseruation of the naturall law: Moreouer, after the sinne of Lucifer, which also shall be the sinne of Antichrist, the sonne of perdition in the end of the world, whom the Lord shall kill with the spirit of his mouth: there is not, nor can be any other kind of sinne so repugnant & contrary to the Apostolical & Euangelical doctrin, to our Lord Iesus Christ, so odious, and so abominable, as this sinne is to kill and destroy the soules of men by defrauding them of the care of the pastorall office and ministery.]

26. The beginnings of M. Luther with Pope Leo the tenth, were much more mild then this: but he proceedeth and con∣demneth this sinne, and the Popes letters by Scriptures; declaring that they bring in such confusion into the Church: which could be practised by none, but sueh as are vnder the same condemnation with Lucifer and Antichrist. Pe•…•…ores sunt Lucifero, saith he, & Antichristo proxim•…•…ores; & in hac 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gradatim quanto magis superex•…•…ellentes, qui ex maiori & diu•…•…nori po•…•…estate sib•…•… diuinitus in aedifica•…•…mem non in destructionem tradita, magis tenentur ab Ecclesia de•…•… tales interemptores pessimos exclu∣dere & extirpare. That is, [They are worse then Lucifer, and next to Antichrist: and in this badnesse they rise in a greater degree of euill so much the more, by how much they are more excellent, who from the greater and more diuine power that is giuen them for edification, not for destruction, are bound the more to exclude and root out these wicked distroyers from the Church of God.] And therefore hee auerreth that the Pope cannot commaund such a sinne as this, to be done, [So hatefull and detestable, so abhominable to Christ, so pernici∣ous to man. For this were an vtter defection from power and Iurisdiction, a corruption, and abuse thereof, and a remotion from the throne of glory; and a session in the chaire of pesti∣lence, and in eternall shame in hell, next in place to those two great Princes of darkenesse, Lucifer and Antichrist.] And be∣cause in such things no man ought to yeeld his obedience, but is bound to disobey: therefore he saith thus, [Out of duety and obedience, and out of the loue of vnion with the bodie of Christ; I vtterly reiect and resist these letters, especially because

they vrge me to such a sinne, as is euidently abhominable to God, and pernicious to man; and because they are contrary to the holinesse of the sea Apostolike, and against the Catholicke faith: Filialiter & obedienter non obedio, contradico, rebello. And vnto that Sophisticall shift of Plenitudo potestatis, whereby they vsed to cast a colour ouer these practises, he aunswereth in such a sort, as giueth a short rule of vnderstanding this fulnesse of power, for thus he saith. Breuiter autem recolligens dico, A∣postolicae sedis sanctitas non potest nisi quae in aedi•…•…icationem sunt & non in destructionem: haec est enim potestat is plenitudo, omnia posse in aedificationem. That is, [Briefely recollecting what we haue said, we say, the holinesse of the sea Apostolicke cannot doe any thing: but that which is for edification, and not for destructi∣on: for this is fulnesse of power, to be able to doe all things for edification.] In which sense who would haue denied the Pope a fulnesse.

27. When this letter came to the Pope, Nonse capiens prae ira (saith mine Author) quis ait est iste senex delirus, surdus, ab∣surdus, qui facta audax & temerarius iudicat? Per Petrum & Paulum nisi me moueret innata ingenuitas, ipsum in tantam confusi∣onem praecipitarem, vt toti mundo fabula foret, stupor, exemplum & prodigium. Nonne r•…•…x Anglorum noster est vassallus? & vt plus dicam, mancipium, qui potest eum nutu nostro incarcerare & igno∣miniae mancipare? That is, [The Pope not being able to hold for anger, said, who is this foolish, deafe, absurd old man, that with such rash présumption iudgeth our acts? By Saint Peter and Saint Paul, if mine ingenuous good nature did not stay me, I should hurle him into such a confusion, that he should be the fable of the world, an astonishment, an example, a monster. Is not the King of England our vassall, or to say more, our slaue? who is able at our becke to imprison him, and to appoint him to ignominie? But the Cardinals appeased his holinesse, espe∣cially Cardinall Egidius Hispanus, who fearing that the Pope might prosecute some courses of extremitie against him (as af∣terward hee did) tolde him, that it was not fit to vse that man hardly. [The things which he writeth (quoth the Cardinall) are true, we cannot denie them, or condemne him: he is a Ca∣tholicke

and holy man: more religious, more holy, of a more excellent life then we are: there is not thought to be a greater Prelate this day liuing, no nor comparable to him. All the Clergie of France and England know this to bee true: hee is esteemed also a great Philosopher, in the Latine and Greeke languages famously learned, a man zealous of iustice, a reader of Diuinitie in the schooles, a preacher to the people, a louer of chastitie, a hater of Symonie, &c.] The Cardinals therefore ad∣uised the Pope to dissimulate the matter, least some tumult* 1.3 might arise, saith mine Author.

28. And marke well, why they feared that a tumult might rise in the Church about this matter, this reason Mat. Paris relateth in these words. Consilium dederunt Cardinales Domi∣no Papae, vt omnia haec conniuentibus oculis sub dissimulatione tran∣sire permitteret, ne super hoc tumultus excitaretur, maxime prop∣ter hoc quia scitur quod quando{que} discessio sit ventura. That is, [The Cardinals gaue this aduise to the Lord Pope, that hee would winke at all these things, and passe by them as dissimu∣lating, least a tumult might arise: especially for this cause, be∣cause it is well knowen that once there shal come a departure.] Let this be obserued, It was written long before M. Luther was borne. The Pope and the Cardinals knew long before, that once a departure should bee made from the obedience of the Pope: and therefore Robert Grosthead did put them in great feare, least he might be the man that might worke this depar∣ture. Then it seemeth in the iudgement of the Cardinals, that he who first should worke this departure, must be an excellent godly and learned man, such one as Grosthead was then know∣en to be. But if Grosthead had done that thing then, which vp∣on the like occasion Luther did afterward: wee should haue heard him reuiled for the rankest hereticke, the most wicked and vngratious man that euer liued: as now Luther is by them, who vs•…•… to curse where God blesseth, and to blesse where God curseth. Then they were in feare of Grosthead, & thought that this departure could not bee done but by some such excellent man. And what hath M. Luther done, but that which Grosthead was prouoked to do? or who could doe otherwise that keepeth Grostheads principles.

29. The godly zeale of this man is further declared by Mat.* 1.4 Paris, who recordeth certaine Discourses and actions of his a∣gainst the Popish practises. Improbos Romanistas, saith he, pracep∣tum habentes Papale vt eis prouideretur, quasi venenum odit ser∣pentium Dicebat enim quod si animarum custodiam ipsis traderet, Satan•…•…zaret: vnde saepius proiectis literis Papalibus bullatis, tali∣bus mandat is praecis•…•… contradixit. [The wicked Romanists that brought the Popes letters for prouisions, he hated as the poy∣son of serpents; for he said, if he should commit the custody of soules to them, that then he should play the diuels part. Wher∣fore often he threw away the Popes bulled Letters, precisely contradicting such commaundements.] The same Authour no∣teth a memorable saying that Grosthead was wont to vse: No•…•… liberabitur Ecclesia ab Aegyptiaca seruitute nisi in ore gladij cruen∣tandi. That is [The Church shall not be deliuered from this E∣gytian bondage, but by the edge of the bloody sword.] By all which we see the excellent spirit of this man against the spirit that ruled in the Popes, and against their Iurisdiction: neither are we to thinke that Grosthead followed any other religion then that which his fathers followed before him: this is the religion, sense and iudgement of the world then, that is, of all godly and iudicious that then liued.

30. But was not Bishoppe Grosthead of the same faith and Religion with the Church of Rome? Yes verily, and so will I be, if you grant me his conditions & exceptions: for he putteth two clauses very memorable, by which he will condition with the Church of Rome, or any other particular Church whatsoe∣uer. First, That the doctrines of that Church, be the doctrines of Christ and his Apostles: Secondly, That so wee may regard the Church of Rome, that wee be sure to hold vnity with the true Church, the body of Christ. These excellent and famous men that haue heretofore liued in the vnity of the Church of Rome, haue beene willing, wee confesse, to yeelde so much to the Pope, and that particular Church, as they might doe hold∣ing vnity with the true body of Christ. But if the vnity with the Romane Church doe draw them away from the vnity with Christs body: then haue they alwaies beene resolued to giue

ouer the vnity with that particular Church. This confirmeth that which before I obserued in the Distinction betweene the Church of Rome and the Court of Rome, because we see many learned and worthy men of our forefathers were of the Church of Rome, that is, held the bond of vnity with it, who were pro∣fessed enemies to the Court of Rome. Now the Pope and his flatterers haue forsaken that vnity with the Church of Rome which stood in Apostolicall doctrines and vnity with the true body of Christ, howsoeuer they boast of the name, and haue no∣thing now to shew for themselues but the pride and faction of the Court of Rome.

31. Now come we to the time wherein liued Iohn Wiclif, another of the worthies of Merton Colledge in Oxford: his aduersaries would blot him with the name of an Hereticke: some things are vntrue wherewith they iniuriously charge him; some things are true, which they vniustly call Heresie. In this question of Iurisdiction, as he receiued the truth from Oc∣cham, his Senior in Merton Colledge, so he deliuered the same faithfully. Speaking of the Kings Iurisdiction as well ouer the Clergie as Laity, he saith, [The chiefe Lordshippe in this land of all temporalties both of secular men and religious pertaine to* 1.5 the King of his generall Gouernement: for else hee were not King of all England, but of a little part thereof. Therefore the men that busien them to take away this Lordshippe from the King, as don Friars, and their sautors, in this point beene snar∣per enemies and Traytors, then Frenchmen, and all other nati∣ons.] Wiclif labored worthily to descry & refute the errors con∣cerning Iurisdiction that in his time came creeping in, introdu∣ced* 1.6 by Friars. For he witnesseth that the Friars taught thus: Rex Angliae, non est rex totius Angliae, sed regulus paruae partis, su∣per residi•…•…um vero mortificatum est Papa Dominus; Veruntamen non est disp utandum (inquiunt) de hac materia, quousque fuerit in effectu potentius stabilita: sed tolerandae sunt iniuriae dominorum sae∣cul•…•…rium quousque arriserit opportunit as temporis. That is [The King of England is not King of all England, but Lord of a little part: ouer the residue in a dead hand the Pope is Lord, but, say they, there is no disputing of this matter, vntill it be powerfully

brought in effect; In the meane time they say, the iniuries of temporall Lords must be borne, vntill an opportunity fauo ur them.] This is plaine dealing: The Friars declare, what is that thing at which they haue long aimed. For what other meaning haue their pretended exemptions, then by making a reuolt from the obedience of their soueraigns, to become wholly the Popes seruants and creatures?

32. But this late generation of Friars, I meane the Iesuites exceeding these olde Friars in admirable practises in the blood and destruction of Princes and states; are yet so confident in their wit and eloquence, that they thinke themselues able to perswade the Kings of the earth to account them among good and loyall subiects. The old Friars dealt more plainely; they professed not obedience to Princes: these professe more and would colour their deepe deuises in destruction of Princes with impudency and dissimulation, as if they meant not the same things which daily they practise. Now that which Wiclif taught against these wicked and prophane opinions of these olde Fri∣ars, was no other thing then the iudgement of the learned Di∣uines which liued before, and in his time: for he brought in no nouelties, but the Friars introduced the nouelties in Religion and Iurisdiction. And that Distinction which before we obser∣ued betweene the Church of Rome, and the Court of Rome, he confirmeth as a thing notori•…•…usly marked in his time; for of the Church of Rome he saith thus: Protestor publice quod aman∣do & venerando Romanam Ecclesiam, matrem meam, desidero & procuro defensionem omnium priuilegiorum suorum. That is [I* 1.7 protest publiquely, that louing and honouring the Church of Rome, Ireuerence my mother, and procure the defence of all her priuiledges.] But of the Court of Rome, or that particular Church of Rome which was gouerned by the Pope, hee saith much otherwise, not doubting but that the iudgement of the particular Church of England might in many things be prefer∣red, before that particular Church of Rome guided by the Pope. Fieripotest (saith he) quod Dominus Papa foret ignarus legis scrip∣turae,* 1.8 & quod Anglicana Ecclesia foret longe praestantior in iudicio veritatis Catholica, quam tota ista Romana Ecclesia collecta de istis

Papa & Cardinalibus. That is [It may come to passe that the Lord Pope may be ignorant of the law of Scripture, and that the Church of England may be more excellent in the iudgment of the Catholicke truth then all this Romane Church collected of the Pope and Cardinals.] Then in those dayes there was not much attributed to the Popes not erring iudgement, or to the authority of that Church which was wholly gouerned by the Pope; seeing the Pope might be ignorant of the lawe of God, and the Church of England might haue a more excellent iudgement in the truth, then that particular Church of Rome. That which Wiclif saith might come to passe, the world seeth* 1.9 and acknowledgeth that since that time it is come to passe: That Friars were the introducers of Nouelties, we haue already shewed out of Iohn Wiclifes obseruations. In this sorte things stood vntill the time of the Councell of Pisa which was helde some twentie yeares after Iohn Wiclifes death.

Notes

• * 1.1

  VViclif: com∣plaint. pag. 14.
• * 1.2

  Mat. Paris. Hen∣ric. 3. 37. •…•…n. 1253.
• * 1.3

  Mat. Paris.
• * 1.4

  Mat. Paris. ibid.
• * 1.5

  VViclifs com∣plaint. Artic. 2.
• * 1.6

  Lib. de fundam. legum. Angliae ca. 36. pag. 424.
• * 1.7

  De veritat. Scriptur. pa. 196
• * 1.8

  Ibid.
• * 1.9

  Chapt. 7. §. 2•…•…