Bishop Overall's convocation-book, MDCVI concerning the government of God's catholick church, and the kingdoms of the whole world.

CAP. V.

ALthough when the Bishops of Rome, after much opposition, had obtain'd their desires for their Primacy beforementioned, they might well enough (as we suppose) have been contented: Yet forasmuch as still they remain'd in greater subjection to the Empe∣rours, than they thought was agreeable with their greatness, their aspiring mind rested not there; but began shortly after to cast about, how they might in their places be independent and absolute. For the compassing whereof they took hold of every occasion, that might serve, or be wrested, and drawn to that purpose. At the first receiving of the Gospel, Men are ever, for the most part, very zealous, and great Fa∣vourers of the Ministry. In the Apostles times they sold their lands and possessions, and laid the price of them at the Apostles feet. St. Paul was received by the Galati∣ans, as an Angel of God; yea, as Jesus Christ: and such was their love toward him, that to have done him good they would have plucked out their Eyes, and given them un∣to him. When the Emperours of Rome became Chri∣stians, they did exceed in this behalf; especially to∣wards the Bishops of that See: bestowing upon them very great riches and ample possessions. Of all which zealous Dispositions, benefits and favours they ever made, above all other Bishops, their greatest advan∣tage, by imploying the same to the advancement of their greatness. Wherein they were furthermore very much helped, and further'd by the Authority which the Emperours gave unto them in temporal Causes: holding them for their Gravity, Learning and Discre∣tion very meet, and sit Persons in their own absence from Rome, to do them that way very great service.

Besides, if we shall deal sincerely and truly (as we hold our selves always bound, and more strictly in a cause of this Importance;) we must needs confess, that it hath been the manner of Divines, from the Apo∣stles times almost, to magnify and extol the worthi∣ness and excellency of their own calling: which was a very commendable and necessary course in many (the ordinary contempt of the Ministry consider'd) and had been so in all of them, if they had not therewith de∣pressed too much the Dignity and preheminence of Kings and Princes. Comparisons in such Cases were ever worthily held to be odious. Bishops and Priests, might without any just reprehension, have been resem∣bled to Gold, to the Sun, and to what else is excellent; without comparing the highest Magistrates, under God, in respect of themselves, to the Moon, to Lead, and to some other things of such like base Estimation. And we doubt not, but that they would have refrain'd from such Comparisons, if they could have foreseen, how the Bishops of Rome would to the disgrace and dishonour of civil Authority, have wrested and per∣verted them: notwithstanding, that their Inferences thereupon have ever had more shew and probability, than substance and truth; except we shall say, that the Callings of Schoolmasters and Physicians, are in Dignity to be preferr'd before all other Temporal Cal∣lings, because the end of the one is the instructing of Mens understandings, and of the other, Health; which either are, or ought to be, both of them in their kinds, of greater Estimation, than any other things whatso∣ever.

We shall not need to trouble our selves with the ci∣ting of any Authorities, to prove how eagerly the Bi∣shops of Rome (especially after Boniface the Third had obtained of Phocas the said Supremacy) have pressed the same Comparisons; It is so evident, both in their own Writings, and likewise generally in all their Trea∣tises,

who from time to time, have laboured with all their force and might, to advance, above all other Au∣thority upon Earth, the Soveraignty of that See.

Placet eis.

John Overall.

Notes

• Act. 4. 34.
• Gal. 4. 14, 15.