Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

Borthwike.

The Lord in the xviij. chapter of the booke of Num∣bers sayd thus vnto Aaron, thou shalt possesse nothyng in theyr land, neyther shalt thou haue any portion amongest them, I am thy portion and inheritage amongst the chil∣dren of Israell for vnto the sonnes of Leuy, I haue geuen all the tithes of Israel, that they should possesse them for their ministery which they do execute in the tent of ordina∣ries. Albeit I do not doubt, but that the order of the Le∣uites and of our clergy, is farre different and variable. For the administration of theyr sacred and holy thyngs, after theyr death, passed vnto their posterity, as it were by right of inheritaunce: which happeneth not vnto the posteritie of our clergy in these dayes. Furthermore, if any heritage be prouided or gotten for them, I doe not gaynesay but that they shall possesse it. But still I doe affirme that all temporall iurisdiction should bee taken from them, for when as twise there rose a contention amongst the Disci∣ples, which of them should be thought the greatest Christ, aunswered: The kyngs of nations haue dominion ouer them, and such which haue power ouer them, are called be∣neficiall, you shall not do so. For he which is greatest a∣mongst you, shall be made equall vnto the yongest or lest, and he which is the prince or ruler amongst you, shall be

made equall vnto hym which both minister, mynding thereby, and willyng vtterly to debarre the ministers of hys word, from all terrene and ciuill dominion and Em∣pire. For by these poyntes he doth not onely declare that the office of a pastor is distinct and deuided from the office of a prince and ruler: but that they are in effect so muche different and seperate, that they cannot agree or ioyne to∣gether in one man. Neither is it to be thought that Christ did set or ordaine an harder law then he himself before did take vpon hym. Forsomuch as in the 12. of Luke, certayne of the company sayd vnto hym: Maister, commaund my brother that he deuide his inheritaunce with me. He aun∣swered: Man, who made me a Iudge or deuider amon∣gest you? We see therefore that Christ euen simply did re∣iect and refuse the office of a Iudge, the which thing hee would not haue done, if it had bene agreeable vnto his of∣fice or duety. The like thyng also he did in the 8. chapter of Iohn. When as he refused to geue iudgement vppon the woman taken in adulterye, which was brought before hym. Where as they doe alledge that Moyses did supply both offices at once, I aunswer that it was done by a rare miracle. Furthermore, that it continued but for a time vn∣till things were brought vnto a better state. Besides that, there was a certayne forme and rule prescribed him of the Lord, then tooke he vpon hym the ciuill gouernaunce and the priesthood, he was commaunded to resigne vnto hys brother, & that not w^tout good cause, for it is agaynst na∣ture, that one man should suffise both charges: wherefore it was diligently foreseene and prouided for in all ages. Neither was there any Bishop, so long as any true face or shew of the Church did continue, who once thought to vsurpe the right and title of the sword. Whereupon in the tyme of Saint Ambrose, this Prouerbe tooke his original: that Emperours did rather wishe or desire the office of priesthood, then Priests any Empire. For it was all mens opinions at that tyme, that sumptuous pallaces dyd per∣tayne vnto Emperoures, and Churches vnto Priestes. Saint Bernard also writeth many thyngs which are a∣greeable vnto this our opinion, as is this his saying: Pe∣ter could not geue that which he had not, but he gaue vnto hys successours that which he had, that is to say, careful∣nesse ouer the congregation, for when as the Lord & Mai∣ster sayth, that he is not constitute or ordained Iudge be∣twene two, the seruaunt or Disciple ought not to take it scornefully, if that he may not iudge all men: and lest that he might seme in that place to speake of the spiritual iudge∣ment, he straight way annexeth: Therfore sayth he, Your power and autoritie shall be in offence and transgression, not in possessions. For this purpose and not for the other, haue you receyued the keyes of the kingdome of heauen. Why then do you inuade other mens bounds or borders: The rest I will passe ouer for breuities cause.

Notes

• The Leuiticall law, is no ne∣cessary rule now binding. But he meaneth here of exces∣siue landes possessions of Abbeyes and religious he uses addict to them but the princes may diminish or conuert thē otherwise vpon considerations.
• Ciuill dominion ••••fering from Ecclesiasticall
• Christ refuseth the office of a ciuill iudge.
• An obiection made by the example of Moyses supply∣ing both the offices aunswe∣red vnto.
• Palaces to Prin¦ces, Churches perteyne to Priestes.
• Peter could not geue that he had not. Peter had no Lordly domini∣on. Ergo, Peter could not giue Lordly dominiō to his successors