A disproofe of D. Abbots counterproofe against D. Bishops reproofe of the defence of M. Perkins reformed Catholike. The first part. wherin the now Roman church is maintained to be true ancient catholike church, and is cleered from the vniust imputation of Donatisme. where is also briefly handled, whether euery Christian can be saued in his owne religion. By W. B.P. and D. in diuinity

An answer vnto the second section of the first chapter.

MR. Abbot to make a smoother [ 1] waie to his doutie arguments, by which hee striueth to proue the Roman church not to bee the Catholike church, saith; that hee entreth vnto them, to note the absurdity implied in this comon stile of Catholiks, the Catho∣like Roman church. How now good sir? have you so soone forgotten the errand wherabout you went? did not you vndertake to demon∣strate, that his maiestie had alreadie imbraced the Catholike faith? And if you will needs leave that which you professed to pursue in

the suddes for a season, and fall vpon the church of Rome; do not stand triffling vpon tearmes and titles, like an idle Caviller: but as it beseemes a Doctor of the chaire, prove soundly if you can that the now church of Rome, doth not beleeve and professe all points of the Catholike faith. whether the church of Rome, may bee called absolutlie the Ca∣tholike church or no, or in what sence it is so called, are other by questions, scarse incident, at least nothing necessarie, to that wee have now in hand. for whether the church of Ro∣me bee stiled the Catholike church or no, so that it hold entirely the true Catholike faith, then maie his maiestie lawfully and laudably, receiue and defend the whole doctrine of the said church: and to obtaine saluation, must make himself a member therof. which was all that I humblie craved of his most excellent Maiestie. The issue then of this present que∣stion, and the marke that M. Abbot should levell att, is to shew, that his maiestie embra∣cing the faith of the church of Rome, should not embrace the true Catholike faith. if hee do not effect this, hee doth nothing. if leaving his issue, hee fall to plucking of vizards (as hee to excuse his vnseasonable digression doth w∣rite) from I know not whose faces, (as though he going about this matter, had mett by the waie, with some maske or mummery) may he not well bee resembled to a boy that sent on an errant falleth to blowing of feathers, whi∣ther the wind will carrie them, and lets his

Masters busines alone till hee hath ended his owne sport? but such is the mans humour, hee must bee dispenced withall for observing anie good order; well, seing there is no remedy, let him range at his pleasure, let vs winke att the method, so the matter bee tolerable. thus then doth hee goe about to prove the Roman church not to bee Catholike. No particuler church can bee the Catholike church; but the Ro∣man church is a particular church. Ergo the Ro∣man church is not the Catholike church. Againe to the same effect, No part can bee the whole; but the Roman church is a part of the Catholike church. therfore it cannot bee the whole Catholike church. These be his arguments reviewed, and put into the best frame that maie bee, to avoide all dis∣putes about the forme. As I do verie willing∣lie also let passe his most idle bables of Ba∣laams and Anianus Asses, and his scarse sweet poem of horse balles singing in the poole. Nos poma natamus: bicause such scurrility becomes not divines, yea is scarse tollerable in any sort of ciuil men: to the Arguments then thus I answere.

If the conclusion were granted to M. Ab∣bot, [ 2] he were no whitt the nearer to obtaine his intended purpose. for what is there con∣cluded aganist the church of Rome, maie in the verie same forme bee concluded against the church of England. for example; no par∣ticular church can bee the Catholike church, but the church of England is a particular church, therfore it cannot bee the Catholike church?

which is soe apparant, that M. Abbot cannot denie it. whervpon it followeth most cleerly, that this argument can serve no more for dis∣swading his maiesty from admitting the do∣ctrine of the church of Rome, then from en∣tertayning the doctrine of the church of En∣gland. therfore it is to be reiected, as wholy impertinent to this purpose. But M. Abbot saith, that atleast it will serve to convince the absurditie of the papists stile, who vse to coo∣ple together these two tearmes Catholike Ro∣man: which hangeth no better together (saith hee here) then vniuersall particular. though af∣terward better aduised, hee within the com∣passe of two leaves doth confesse, that both these tearmes maie in good sence bee ioyned together. these be his words. Particular chur∣ches are called Catholike, and particuler persons are Called Catholikes, as a man would saie, vni∣uersalists, for maintayning communion and fello∣wship of the Catholike faith with the church of the whole world; so that even after M. Abbots owne declaratiō, a Roman Catholike is not as much to saie as a particular vniversall, but a parti∣culer man or church, that holdeth cōmunion of faith with the vniversall church.

was it not then a great oversight in a man reputed to ••ee of some Iudgment, to insist so vehement••••e vpon trifling tearmes, that were both besides the purpose; and withall true in themselues (as you shall heare afterwardes) if they be evenlie and fairely taken. Notwith∣standing bicause the foresaid arguments bee

as it were the cōmon hackneys of protestants, ever and anone in their mouthes and writings, and haue not been formerly answered by any that I haue seen; and for that the solution of them will serve to answere all that M. Ab∣bot hath raked together against the church of Rome in fower paragraffes of this chapter, I will more particularly and fully dissolue them.

I say then first, the argument is mistaken, and doth not conclude that which is in que∣stion. the question is not, whether the Roman church bee the Catholike church in vniuer∣sall: but whether the Roman church maie bee called the Catholike church, or rather whe∣ther it maie bee couched togither in stile with the Catholike church. M. Abbot saith no, the∣se bee his words. For the pulling of this vizard from their faces, I noted the absurditie that is em∣ploied in that stile, of the Catholike Roman church: for the Catholike church (I saie) is the vniversall church, the Roman church is a particular church, therfore to saie the Catholike Roman church, is all one as to saie, the vniuersall particuler church. This was M. Abbots first argument; and the drift of it was to disprove that stile of ours, the Ca∣tholike Roman church. Now in his latter refor∣med argument, hee is come to change the tear∣mes, and in stead of that, the particular Ro∣man church, cannot bee said, called or stiled, the Catholike church: doth bring in his con∣clusion, the Roman church is not the Catho∣like church: wherin lieth a great fallacy; for

as the learned do well know, tranfire a rebus ad voces, v••lè contra, à vocibus adres, est agere sophi∣stam. hee plaies the part of a sophister, that passeth either from thinges to words, or from words to things. which all protestants doe, when they vse this kind of argument: for the question is about tearmes and a stile of speach: wherfore the conclusion must bee, so it may not bee tearmed, or so it cannot bee stiled; and not passing from the tearme or stile, to con∣clude so it is not. here one may well demaund how things can bee so tearmed, if they bee not so in themselves? I answere that it often fal∣leth out, that one thing is called by the name of another thing, though it bee not fully out the same. for example, some part maie bee cal∣led by the name of whole, though it bee not the whole, as a part of the aire, is called the ai∣re: anie part of the water, is called water. A∣gainst which if a man should reason as M. Ab∣bot doth, no part is the whole, but this is a part of water, therfore it is not the whole; the conclusion might bee graunted him, and yet had hee gotten nothing therby, but the impu∣tation of misarguing, and not concluding that which was in question; the question being, whether a part might bee called by the name of the whole, which hee toucheth not: and not whether it were the whole or noe, which on∣ly hee disputeth. it fareth even so in the former argument. for the questiō being whether with the Catholike church, might bee linked in the same stile, the church of Rome; hee concludes onlie that the church of Rome is not the Ca∣tholike

church: which if wee grant him, he were never the nearer: for albeit the church of Rome were not the Catholike church ta∣ken in vniuerso, or absolutely: yet may it be called by the name of the whole, and much more, be in stile linked with the whole. first, bicause everie particular church (that keepeth cōmunion of faith and religion with the vni∣uersall Catholike church) may bee called and tearmed the Catholike church. which M. Ab∣bot himself confesseth, and citeth divers good auctours to prooue it: asa Leo pope of the Ca∣tholike church of Rome:b Aurelius, Bishop of the Catholike church of Carthage.c All the Africane Catholike churches, and so forth. where you see by the ancient stile of approved prelates and Doctors, Catholike Roman, and Catholike Afri∣can, and such like may verie well in stile bee ioyned togither, without any feare of being scorned by the vnskilfull, for a particular vni∣uersall. The second reason why wee rather ioyne Roman to Catholike, then the name of anie other church, is for that the Romā church in faith and religiō never hath been, nor never shalbee separated from the vniversall Catho∣like church, as shalbee here after declared. w∣hervpon as they shall ever hold togither in soundnes of faith, so maie they bee alwaies linked togither in veritie of stile. Thirdly, for that wee beleeve (as euery good Christian ought to do, which in this sectiō shal bepro∣ued) the Roman church to bee the chief, and as it were the head of the vniuersall church,

and therfore the Roman maie rather in stile bee coopled with the vniversall Catholike then anie other. This then is the first fault and that a very foule one. which M. Abbot doth committ in this argument, he doth not con∣clude that which is in question, but flitteth away from it and quite changeth the tearmes. wherefore having altered it he doth say vn∣truly, that hee hath reduced it into moode and figure; which if he would haue done rightly, thus hee should have framed his ar∣gument. No particuler church can bee ioyned in stile with the Catholike church, or can bee called the Catholike church; but the Roman church is a particuler church: Ergo, it cannot bee ioyned in stile or called the Catholike church. If it had been thus reduced into moode and figure, as true scholasticall, and plaine dealing required, it had not had in it anie one good proposition. I haue proved already that the maior is false, because anie particuler church (sound in faith and religion) may bee called the Catholike church, and ioyned in stile with the Catholi∣ke: even as well and as truly, as any part of the aire, may bee called the aire. And more spe∣cially the churh of Rome, for the priviledges it hath of continuing alwaies in the true faith; and for her superiority in governement. The minor also or second proposition is not vni∣versally true. for albeit that church of Rome, that is conteyned within the walls and Dio∣cesse of Rome, bee a particuler church: yet the church of Rome in a larger signification, maie

bee taken for the whole Catholike church, and designe aswell the true church of fraun∣ce, of England, or anie other nation, as that of Italy. which I will demonstrate in the next pa∣ragraff. wherfore the minor proposition (w∣hich is, but the church of Rome, is a particuler church) is not absolutely true: bicause it may aswell bee taken for the vniversall, as for a par∣ticuler church. both the premisses then and former propositions, being subiect to repre∣hension, the conclusion must needes bee starke naught. Briefly in that argument wherof the Protestants do make such account, there bee three foule faults. Two bee in it, as they frame it: the first, in that it mistaketh or changeth the tearmes, and in steed of cōcluding the Ro∣man church, not to bee called or stiled the Ca∣tholike church, they conclude, that it is not the Catholike. The second, in that they take for granted, that the Roman church is onlie a particuler church, when as it may and is of∣ten taken for the vniversall. The third fault, will shew it self in the first proposition when the argument comes to bee rightly framed thus. No particuler church can be called or stiled the Catholike church: which is most false. bicau∣se every true particuler church may bee called the Catholike church or stiled with the Ca∣tholike.

M. Abbots secōd argument being not much vnlike the first may in like manner bee defea∣ted, yet more shalbee said of it in the fourth paragraff.

[ 3] Nowe to make good the reasons that I have given, why the church of Rome may bee mo∣re speciallie linked with the Catholike in stile, namely, for her superiority in governement; this present paragraff must bee employed. w∣here M. Abbot doth what hee can, to in∣fringe the same. in the next section it shalbee proued that the Roman church may well si∣gnifie the whole Catholike church. in the last sectiō of this chapter, wee shall speake a word or two of M. Abbots later argument.

Concerning the supremacie of the church of Rome, M. Abbot acknowledgeth to belōg vnto that church as it then was, eminency of place, precedēce of honour, authoritie of esti∣mation; but no authoritie of power, or supe∣riority in government, over any of the rest. w∣hich to make good, hee instituteth a long dis∣orderly discourse, now carping at that which I said before, in defence of that superioritie of government: then powring forth many argu∣ments confusedly, some heere, some there, to disprove the same: so that, I can scarse devise how to range them in anie good order. yet to make the matter as sēsible and perspicuous, as his perplexed proceeding will give mee leave: I will gather into the first place what hee hath scatteringly disputed against the supremacy of the church of Rome, and giue answere to that. Secōdly I will confirme our part. Lastly, I will examine how sufficientlie hee hath answered my former argumēts, made to prove the same. M. Abbots first argumēt against the primacye of the sea of Rome, is taken ab authoritate ne∣gative,

as schollers do vse to speake, from au∣thoritie negatiuelie. which kind of reasoning, though among the protestants it bee holden for currant in matter of faith: yet hee can not be ignorāt, that wee allow not of it; who hold some points of faith to bee deliuered by vnw∣ritten tradition: wherfore if hee had not wan∣ted iudgment, hee should not so confidentlie haue vsed such kind of arguments against vs.

But let vs heare them such as they be. S. [ 4] Peter and S. Paul, do make no mention of this su∣perioritie of the churh of Rome in their Epistles, ther∣fore there is none such: this is a verie vaine and in∣sufficient argument, even in the waie of prote∣stants. for albeit they would grant, that if the∣re were no warrant for it in all the old or new testament, that then it were not to bee credit∣ted: yet they would not denie, but that it might bee a matter of faith, though there were no mention made of it in S. Peter, or S. Pauls Epi∣stles, so that it bee recorded in anie other part of the scriptures: for all parts of the holy scri∣ptures are alike true: wherfore anie thing writ∣ten in anie parcell therof, is as well to bee be∣leeved, as if it were written in S. Peters or S. Pauls Epistles. But M. Abbot vrgeth in this man∣ner: S. Paul writ an Epistle to the Romanes, and therfore hee would not haue omitted that their pri∣viledge, if any such had been. I answere that S. Paul writt to the Romans not of all matters, but to instruct them in some importāt poīts of doctrine, and to cōfort them in their tribula∣tiōs: which hee might well do, without makīg any mentiō of the priviledges of their church.

besides neither M. Abbot not anie man els (I thinke) is able to shewe, that S. Paul in all that Epistle doth so much as once treat of Bishops, or church government: wherfore he had no occasiō ministred to talke of the Roman chur∣ches supremacy. Let it for this time suffice, that S. Paul doth els where acknowledg S. Pe∣ter for a person of excellency, and his supe∣riour: as the holie learned Doctors do gather out of these his words. Then, after three yeeres I came to Hierusalem to see Peter, and tarried with him fifteene daies. That going vp of S. Paul to Hierusalem to visit S. Peter was not of curio∣sity, but of dutie, and by the law of faith, asa Tertullian taketh it. S. Chrysostomeb out of the Energie of the greeke word collecteth, that it was to see and to visit Peter, as a person of ex∣cellency and maiestie. And vpon S. Iohnsc Gospell addeth another cause of. that visit to have been, to certifie Saint Peter of his extraordinary cōmis∣sion to preach the Gos∣pell, that he might bee creditted of the Chri∣stians. which Saint Am∣brose confirmeth in the∣se words: It was meete

d meete that Saint Paul should covett to see S. Peter, who was the chief amonge the Apostles, to whom our Saviour had com̄itted the charge of the churches. Not that hee should learne any thing of him, who had before been instructed of the same maister, that S. Peter was: but for the qualitie of his Apostles∣hipp, and that S. Peter might know the same co∣mission to bee giuen to S. Paul of preaching which hee had before receiued.e S. Hierome saith to the same effect. S. Peter was of so great authoritie, that S. Paul writeth hee went to Ierusalem to visit him.f Theodoret thus: w∣hen S. Paul needed no in∣struction of men, having been taught by the Lord of all, hee nevertheles de∣ferred that honor to the ptince of the Apostles w∣hich was due.g Theophi∣lact. S. Paul desired to see S. Peter, as a personage greater then himself, and went vp with reuerence to behold him.

By the record of all these ancient fathers S. Paul went vp to Ierusalem to visit S. Peter, as the prince of the Apostles, and as the chief governor of the church: & to acquaint him with his extraordinarie vocation; that having gotten his approbation, hee might without contradiction bee receiued of all others. Now to M. Abbots second argument, which is yet worse then the former. S. Iohn did honour to the seaven churches of Asia, writing to them; and yet hee would never speake of the seaven hills of Rome, but as of the seate of the whore of Babylon. Ergo what you please: a messe of plumme pot∣tage if you will, for this pleasant Iester, rather then disputer. hath this sophisme so much as the shadow of a sorie argument? S. Iohn in the 2. and 3. chapters of the reuelations, ma∣kes no mention of the church of Romes su∣premacy: Ergo there is no such matter in all the scripture. M. Abbot blushing at the vglie shape of this ilfavoured argument, to botch it out, doth adde: that by those seaven churches, a∣re figured the whole church of Christ, and yet there is not a word in thē of the supremacie of the church of Rome. I thinke well, nor of thundreth mat∣ters moe that belonge to the christian religiō. for these seaven short letters which S. Iohn writes to the seaven churches, are contained within the compasse of three pages of one little leafe in octauo, in their owne bible: and can anie man bee so simple as to dreame, that all the points of our faith are comprehended within them? S. Iohn com̄ends the vertues, &

reprehends the vices of those churches; but doth treat of verie few points of doctrine: and therfore no strange case, if hee spake not of the supremacie of the church of Rome.

M. Abbots third argument, the church of Rome hath a speciall caution given her, not to presume vpon her stabilitie in the faith, lest she fall. S. Paul saying to her: Be not high minded but feare: for if God spared not the naturall branches, take heed also lest hee spare not thee. Behold the bounti∣fulnes of God towards thee, if thou continue in his boūtifulnes, or els also thou shalt bee cut of. Ergo w∣hat: hee had neede to bee a cūning fletcher, that could make either a bolt or a shaft of this, fit for the purpose. First, here is nothing at all a∣gainst the church of Romes supremacie, nor yet anie certaine assertion against her stability in the received faith. For here is aswell a pro∣mise of Gods bountifulnes towards them, if they will do well: as a threat against them, if they do evill. Againe, all this is besides the cushion: for though that Epistle bee to the Romanes, yet S. Paul there doth expresly di∣rect that discourse not to the Romanes in par∣ticuler, but in generall to all the Gentiles, be∣ginning it thus: for to you Gentils I say, &c. and goes on with a comparison betweene the Ie∣wes and the Gentils: so that nothing is more perspicuous, then that the warning there gi∣ven, is not speciall to the Romans, but gene∣rall to all Gentiles. These (loe) bee the fore∣gallāts (shal I saie) or rather the forlorne ho∣pe of M. Abbots terrible argumēts, marshalled

by himself in the forefrōt of his batlle, to daūt the Enemy; are wee not like (thinke you) to haue a hott skirmish of it, where such drosse and refuse of arguments, are thought wor∣thie the first and best place? but it were pittie that such a bad cause should bee burnished & sett out with anie better.

[ 5] M. Abbot having given such a mighty pus∣he at our position, cometh to confute that I said, to witt: that it is deduced out of Gods word rightly vnderstood, according to the interpretation of the ancient fathers, that the church of Rome, is that rock vpon which Christ built his church, against which the ga∣tes of hell shall never prevaile. To which M. Abbot as though he went about to choke dawes, saies; that I giue him chalke for cheese; bicause I promised a deduction out of the word of God, and in steed therof, bring an exposition of the ancient fathers. Marke gentle reader my words, and then thou canst not but find M. Abbot to be an egregious wrangler. for I per∣formed that deduction which I promised out of Gods word, naming the verie place out of which it is deduced. but because I ioyned with it, (according vnto the exposition of ancient fathers) hee like a man scarse well in his wits cries out, that in steed of scriptures I bring in an exposition of the fathers. when I do make mention of the fathers exposition, not as the ground of my deduction, but onlie for the true sense of those words of holy scripture, out of which I do make the said collection.

The deduction in my former booke was verie briefe, bicause I did there point onlie at the places of holie scriptures, out of which it might bee gathered; the question of the su∣premacy being there but touched by the way. wherof M. Abbot takes advantage and saies, that I am dumbe, and can say no more: becau∣se I will not bee like to him, and out of season thrust forth long discourses of by questions. I hauing also before written a whole chapter of the supremacy, in my second part against M. Perkins: where M. Abbot saw well enough, that I could haue said here much more of the same matter if need had so required. but such is his impudencie, that he cares not what hee saie, so hee maie make a shewe to his simple reader, that hee hath canvased his aduersarie. seeing that M. Abbot hath here hudled toge∣ther verie much of that matter, I will more at large sett downe these deductions, and order∣lie confirme each member therof. The first fountaine out of which all the rest do flow as riuers, is this. The chief superiority in governmēt, and authoritie of power over all the church, was by our blessed Saviour given to S. Peter, and to his successors vnto the end of the world: but the Bishops of Rome, are S. Peters successors: therfore the Bis∣hops of Rome have from our saviours grant and gift authority of power, and superiority of goverment over all the church. The maior of this argument is to bee deduced out of the word of God. the minor being a matter of fact, and that which hapned after S. Peters death, to wit, who was

his successor: shall haue sound proofe out of the most approved testimony, of the best witnes∣ses since that age. All which being performed, the conclusion, that the Bishop of Rome hath supreme commaunding power over all the church, must needs stand most assured. That our blessed saviour gaue superiority of gover∣nment to S. Peter, vnder the metaphore of a rocke or foundation in building when he said, Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke I will build my church; Thus I proue. Christ made Peter the rock or foundation of his church: therfore he gaue to him the chiefest place of govern∣ment in it. for as the foundation is first placed and doth vphold all the rest of the building: so he that is the foundation in the spirituall buil∣ding of Christes church, hath the chiefest place therin, & is to com̄and over all the rest. To make this more perspicuous, we must call to mind, that amongest other titles and names of the church of God, one is a house, as the Apostle sheweth: that thou maist knowe how to converse in the house of God, which is the church: and the faithfull are called by the same Apo∣stle, the building of God, Dei aedificatio estis. A∣gaine God gaue some Apostles, some Doctors, &c. to the building vp of the bodie of Christ. S. Paul as a wise Architect laid the foundation, and others builded thervpon. Now in that super∣naturall and heavenly building, though our saviour Christ Iesus bee the chief fundation and corner stone: yet next to himself hee hath placed Saint Peter, and hath vpon him, as

vpon a firme rock, builded his church: which is as much to say, as that hee gave him firme and infallible authoritie, vpon which all the faithfull should rely, for finall resolution, in all doubts of faith, religion, and manners, w∣hich do necessarily appartayne to the edifying of Christs church. this may serue for a curso∣ry exposition of the first fountaine of holy scripture, out of which I derived that our Sa∣viour bestowed vpon S. Peter the supreme place of government in his church: a fuller confirmation of it shall follow by and by.

6 I might add for further proof of the same position out of Saint Iohns Gospell, how our blessed Lord severing Saint Peter from the rest of the Apostles, and intimating how S. Peter loved him more then anie of them; gave to him as head pastor, the charge of both his sheepe and lambes, that is, of all Christians, aswell the cleargy as the laity, to bee by him instructed, ruled and governed, as the flock of sheepe is fed and ruled by the shepheard, which according to the ancient doctors testi∣monie, doth verie plainly confirme Saint Pe∣ters supremacie, as you shall heare presently out of their own wordes. yet this, though it bee most pregnant among the rest, I then o∣mitted: because the question of the suprema∣cy was not to bee handled there at the full. I touched also a third text to prove that the Bis∣hop of Rome, as Saint Peters successor, should never faile in confirming of his bre∣thren in the true faith; taken out of Saint

Luke. where our Lord saith. Simon, Simon, be∣hold, satā hath required to haue you for to sifte as w¦heate; but I haue praied for thee, that thy faith faile not; and thou once converted, confirme thy brethrē. wher vpon it followeth that all others ought to repaire to him and his successors for resolu∣tion of all controversies in faith, to bee con∣firmed by him; and are bound therby to obey him as the person, to whom Christ gaue po∣wer to confirme his brethren. Of the first text of scripture shalbee treated more at large in this section; for the others I will onlie note some places of the holy fathers, where the reader maie see the very same explication of Christes words and deduction that I make he∣re by their auctoritie approved: bicause M. Abbot doth here verie hotly call for such te∣stimonies, and seemeth so earnestly sett vpon the sight of them, that I must needes giue him out of hand, at least the quotations of them in the margent, and then (small doubt) but hee will presently bee satisfied, if there bee such honestie in him, as hee makes shew of, well, if it bee no more then for the good rea∣ders content, I will giue him more then hee demaūdeth, that is not only the quotations in the margent, but their words also in the text.

aTo begin Origen saith when the church was fo∣unded vpon S. Peter and supreme power of fee∣ding Christs sheepe was

com̄itted to him, the pro∣fession of no other vertue then of charitie was de∣maunded of him.b S. Ci∣prian Christ after his resur∣rection said to Peter: feede my sheepe, and vpon him alone doth build his church. In both these sentences are linked two texts of the E∣uangelists, that concerne Saint Peters supremacy.c Saint Ambrose. Our lord not to learne himself but to teach vs, did aske him, whom hee (being to ascend into heaven) would leave vs as it were the vicar of his loue. for so thou hast: Simon son∣ne of Iohn: dost thou loue mee, &c. Peter testified his affection, and therfore bicau∣se hee alone made that pro∣fes••ion, hee is preferred be∣fore the rest. and a little after: he is commaunded to feede the sheepe as well as the lambes, that the perfecter sort might be governed by him that was more perfect. behold sheepe and lambes to bee governed by Saint Peter.d S. Chrisostome: the prima∣cie of the church and the go∣vernment

throughout the w∣hole world is by Christ cō∣mitted to S. Peter. see him also in his last homily vpō S. Iohns Gospell, and in his second booke of prie∣sthood. whome Theophi lact vpon the same place doth follow saying. Christ granteth to S. Peter and to none els, the government of the church through the whole world.

fS. Leo amonge all the mē of the wo••ld onely Peter is cho∣sen, who is placed over the Apostles and fathers of the church, and over the voca∣tion of the Gentils. And al∣beit among the peopl•• of God there be manie priests and manie Pastors, yet Peter doth rule all them properly, over whom our Sa∣viour Christ doth rule principally. observe the rule over all that appertaine to Christ, to be gi∣ven by Christ to S. Peter.

gEucherius Archbishop of Lyōs. Christ sayd vnto peter. feed my sheep. first he committed to him his lambes, then his sheep, because he did not onely constitute him a pastor,

but the pastor of pastors. therefore Peter doth feed the lambes and the sheep; he feedeth the yonglin∣ges and their dammes, he doth gouerne the subiectes and the Prelates. wherefore he is pa∣stor of all, because besides lambes and sheep, there is nothing in the church.

hGregory the great. it is manifest to all that know the Gospell, that the char∣ge of the whole church, was by our lords voice cōmit∣ted, to holy S. Peter prince of all the Apostles. for to him it was said: Peter, dost thou loue mee? feede my she∣epe. to him it was said; be∣hold Satan hath desired to sift you as wheate. And I haue praied for thee Peter, that thy faith shall not faile: and thou once converted confirme thy bre∣thren.

In which passage you see that other place of S. Luke emploied to esta∣blish the supremacie. w∣hichH S. Leo also doth in the forealleaged place in these words. Our lord to∣oke speciall care of Peter, and for the faith of Peter did hee praie peculiarly: for the state of others should become more certaine,

if the mind of the Prince were not ouercome. And after a litle. Christ made Peter prince of the whole church. S. Chrisostome vnderstood the supre∣macy to bee given to S. Peter in the same words, when hee thus reasoneth.

IBehold the fervour of S. Peter how well did hee know the charge of the flocke to bee committed to him by Christ? how well doth hee shew him∣self the prince of that com∣pany? and doth alwaies speake first: marke the reason. for to him had Christ said: And thou once conuerted confirme thy brethren. In like mannerk S. Ambrose. Peter is made President of the church; Christ did signifie before w∣hat hee meant by that, that hee chose him pastor of our Lords stocke: for to him hee said, thou being conuerted confirme thy brethren. So dothl Theophilact. the plaine sense of this place is: bicause I esteeme of thee, as of the prince of my disciples, after that thou (having den∣ied mee) shalt wepe, and come to repentance, do thou confirme the rest: for that be∣cometh thee, who after mee art the rock and foundation of the church.

These texts of holie Scriptures, and testi∣monies of ancient fathers (to omitt manie o∣thers) I deliuer by the way, in confirmation of S. Peters primacy, to giue M. Abbot a pro∣of, that I could haue said more for that cause, then I said in my former booke: where I did passe over that point speedely, as scarse belon∣ging to the question then in hand.

7 Now I returne to that text recorded in S. Mathew. Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke will I build my church: vpon which wee must stād the longer, bicause M. Abbot doth saie what hee could devise, against the true sense of it. by it therfore I will prove according to my former deduction, first that the primacy was giuē to S. Peter: and afterward shew that it is deriued to the popes of Rome his successors. M. Abbot confesseth that the fathers someti∣mes take Peter to bee that rocke, vpon which Christ built his church; but avoucheth that none ever said that the church of Rome was the rocke, yea addes very groslie, that I be∣lie the fathers, and father that on them which they never meant, when I saie, that they out of that text gathered the Pope of Romes su∣premacie, how audaciously and vntruly this is spoken shall appeare, assoone as I haue dis∣patched the former part, about S. Peter him∣self. Let it therfore bee first duly considered, what a worthie company of the auncient re∣nowmed fathers, both Greek and Latin do interprete S. Peter to bee that rocke, vpon w∣hich our blessed saviour built his church, and

therwith gaue him power & authority to go∣uern the same: that no man maie doubt that to be the true literall sence first intended; though secundarily, it may admitt other con∣structions. I will begin with that famous Clarke Origen, who is one of the auncienst amongst the Greekes, that hath written co∣mentaries vpon the Testament: he stileth1 S. Peter the great founda∣tion of the church, and most sound rocke vpon which Christ built his church. Hi∣politus,2 Peter the prince, the rocke of faith, the Do∣ctour of the church, the chief of the Apostles whom our lord pronoūced to bee blessed. Eusebius3 reciteth these words: Peter vpon whom was built the church of Christ, against which hel ga∣tes shall not prevaile.4 Epi∣phanius. Our lord made Peter the chiefe of the Apo∣stles a firme rock vpon which hee built his church.

5S. Basil. One of these Apo∣stl••s or mountaines was Peter vpon which rock our saviour promised to build his church

for the soule of Blessed peter was worthely called a rocke, for the fastnes of his faith, and fortitude against tribu∣lations &c.6 S. Gregorie Nazianzene, thous••est how among Chr••sts disciples, who were all surelie great worthie p••rsons, Peter was called a rocke: and the foundation of the church cōmitted to his fi∣delitie.7 S. Chrysostome Peter the br••ghtnes of all the world, an Angel and a man, the Doctor of the Apostles, the firme rocke of faith, the grace and sage wisedome of the church &c. and in an other place, when I say Pe∣ter, I name a rocke that can∣not bee battered, an vnmo∣veable turrett. Cirill8 Alex. Christ did heerby teach Pe∣ter, that hee knoweth all things before they be done, & did tell him before hand that his name should not bee Si∣mon, but Peter (whi••h is in∣terpreted a rocke) by the na∣me it self fitly signifying, that vpon him as vpon a rocke, and most firme stone he would build his church.

Theodoretus libro 3.9 in Cantica doth out of an∣cient Psellus teach, that our lord, promised to build his church vpon S. Peter Prince of the Apostles.10 E∣vagrius: the most blessed A∣postle Peter, with all praise to bee extolled, who is the rocke, the base and founda∣tion of the Catholike Ortho∣dox faith.11 Damascenus, the Prince of the Apostles Peter, the rocke of faith, who as hee was made maister of the whole world, so was hee a patterne of penance.12 The∣ophilact before cited, Pe∣ter after Christ is the rock and fondat••on of the church. and vpon Saint Mathew: saying, our lord rewarded peter, bestowing on him a great recompense in that he built his church vpon him.

Let these twelve renowmed Grecians serve for the testimony of the Greeke church: now to the Latin, I will begin witha Tertullian for his antiquitie. Peter was called the rocke, vpon which the church was to bee builded.b S. Ciprian, Our lord cho∣se Peter to bee the chief, vpon

whom hee built his church. which hee repeateth verie often.c S. Ambrose. Peter for the soundnes of his deuo∣tion, is called a rocke, as our lord doth saie, Thou art Pe∣ter, and vpon this rock I will build my church, he is called a rocke for that he first laid the foundation of faith amonge the Gentiles, and li∣ke vnto an vnmoveable sto∣ne, doth vphold and contei∣ne the frame and waight of the whole christian worke.d S. Hilary. vpon peter our lord was to build his church and in another place; o happie foundation of the church i•• the imposition of a new name, a rock wor∣thie that building, that should dissolue the lawes of hell. Hierome in 2. Esaiae. Christ built his church vpon one of the mountaines, saying to him; Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke will I build my church. Agai•• accor∣ding to the Metaphore of a rocke, it was rightly said to

Peter, vpon thee will I build my church; which hee doth confirme expresly in diuers other pla∣ces. S. Augustin. Peter did confess•• Christ to bee the son∣ne of God: and in that con∣fession was called a rocke, v∣pon the which Christ was to build his church. Paulinus. Christ is the rock and yet he denied not the grace of this name to his disciple (peter) saying to him: vpō this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hell, shall not preuaile against it. Petrus Chrisologus. Pe∣ter is the keeper of the faith, the rock of the church, the porter of the heauens. Leo the great. Peter did so much please ••n the sublimity of this faith, that hee being rewar∣ded with the felicitie of blesse∣dnes, receiued the holie ••oūd∣nes of an inuiolable rocke, vpon which the church being founded, doth preuaile against hell & the lawes of death. Gregory the gre∣at: who knoweth not the ho∣ly church to be setled in the soundnes of the prince of the Apostles: because hee, in his name hath drawen firmeness of mynd, that of a ro∣••ke was named Peter. S. Isidore, Simon Peter, the sonne of Iohn, the bro∣ther

of Andrew, is prīce of the Apostles, pastor of the flocke of mē, the rocke of the church. Againe, in the newe te∣stament, priestly order af∣ter Christ began of S. Pe∣ter, for to him was giuen the chiefest byshoprick in the church of Christ. for thus doth our lord speak vnto him. Thou art Peter, and vpon this rock I will build my church. Prosper. who can doubt that this most valiant rocke Peter, (who received of that prin∣cipall rocke Christ participa∣tion both of name and vertue) had alwaies a bur∣ning desire to die constantly for Christ. Maximus: this is Peter, to whom our lord fauorably gaue the felowship of his own name. for as the Apostle S. Paul teacheth, Christ was the rock: euen so by Christ, Peter was made the rock, our lord saying vnto him. thou art Peter, and vpon this rock, will I build my church.

Lower I will not descend. for these La∣tin fathers doe suffice to certifie any reaso∣nable reader, that this was the common opi∣nion of the most approved writers in the west

church. which being linkt vnto the other do∣zen of most renowmed Grecians, all famous Authors, and for the greater part, the most godly, and best learned prelates of most Christian nations of the world.

These (I say) such excellent qualified perso∣nages, the masters and mirrours of Christian Religion, with one consent agreeing, that our Saviour Christ Iesus did cōmunicate his owne name of Rocke vnto S. Peter, and vpon him as vpon a most sound rocke built his church: by which (as they vnderstood it) he gave vnto him the Charge over the whole church, to governe and rule it, as chief pastor therof; to containe and vphold the whole frame of that heavenly building, and holy howse of God, next vnto Christ, the principall foundation, and head cornerstone. All this and much mo∣re they (whom both Catholikes and Prote∣stants hold for the best learned, and most wor∣thy prelates of Christes church) teaching so plainly, what Christian hart (that hath anie sparke of godlines or any care of embracing the trueth, when it is shewed him) had not ra∣ther believe and follow their Iudgment the∣rin, then the new opinions of late writers, par∣tially pleading for their owne fancies? special∣ly if they please to consider, what weake rea∣sons they alleage, to delude that comon expo∣sition of the ancient fa••hers: Amonge which these as principall M. Abbot hath heere made choice of.

[ 8] The first is, that Christ is the rocke, vpon which

hee built his church, vpon this that thou hast confessed (saith saint Austin) and acknowled∣ged, that is, vpon my self, I will build my church. I Answer out of the fathers befo∣re rehearsed that both be true: Christ is the rock, and yet he gaue the same name and title to S. Peter, as both S Hierome, Paulinus, Pros∣per, and Maximus abouecited do testify. with whoma S. Ambrose doth agree, affirming our Sa∣viour to haue communi∣cated most of his titles to his disciples,b and in parti∣culer to S. Peter, that of a Rock. and so doth Tertul∣lian. to whom S. Basil ad∣deth: Christ is the rock, and Peter is the rock, Christ an vnmoveable rocke of him∣self, But Peter through Christ. Christ (saith this great doctour) imparts his dignities vnto others, without depriving him∣self of them, hee is the light of the world, yet saies to his Apostles, yee are the light of the world; hee is the priest, and hee maketh priests: hee is the rocke, and hee maketh a rocke, with whom accordeth S. Leo saying; I am (saith our Saviour) a rocke, yet thou (Peter) art also a rocke, bicause that thou shalt bee made sound by my vertue. & these things

which are proper to mee by power, shall by participation bee comunicated to thee. so that argument of M. Abbots is nothing worth. for albeit our Sa∣viour Christ bee the rocke in a farre more e∣minent and excellent manner, (as hee that vpholdeth all the church from the beginning of the world vnto the latter end; and is by his owne merite and power vnmoueable; yea hee is the builder of the same church; and out of his side the same Church is builded, as Eve was out of one of Adams ribbes;) yet it followeth not therof, but that S. Peter maie bee the roc∣ke chosen by Christ, to bee his vicegerent, & chief governor of his Church vnder him; by the soundnes of his faith, made fitt to confir∣me all others, that shall haue anie doubt ther about. like as in the state of the old testament, Notwithstanding Christ was the head corner stone therof: yet there was one high priest, that had vnder him supreme authoritie ouer all the rest, and soveraigne power to determi∣ne all doubts arising about their lawe. Albeit our Saviour bee the rocke, vpon which the church is built in a most peereles manner: yet that those words of his (vpon this rocke I will build my church) were not meant of himselfe, but of S. Peter, is most evident first, by the v∣niforme consent of all the auncient fathers, both Greeke and Latin before rehersed. true it is thata S. Austin sometimes applies them,

both to Chr st, and to S. Peter: and leaues to the readers choise, whether he will take. w∣hich choise is easie to bee made, when S. Au∣gustin with all the rest before recited, stand cleerly for S. Peter; and hee alone maketh so∣me doubt of it. more ouer, all the circumstan∣ces of the text bee on the other fathers side. first, the words next before are plainly addres∣sed to S. Peter. Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke, will I build my church. Againe in the lan∣guage which our Saviour spake, it is so cleere, that there can bee no doubt of it: for it is: thou art Cephas, that is a stone, and vpon this stone I will build my church: the verie same word without anie alteration, being vsed in both places. Besides, these words contayne a reward bestowed vpon Saint Peter for the sincere confession of that high misterie of faith; as the auncient fathers do testifie with S. Hierom vpon that place, Mercedem recepit vera confessio, the true confes∣sion of S. Peter received due reward. but it had been no recompense of Peters confession, for Christ to haue built his church vpon himself. doth it not in very cōmon sense seeme verie harsh, for our Saviour to pretend a great fa∣vour to Peter, as to say to him, Happy art thou Peter &c: And I saie to thee, thou art Pe∣ter: and in fine, to fall from Peter to himself, and saie; vpon my self I will build my church? Lastly the church being vnderstood to bee built vpon Peter, the reason is declared why our Saviour changed the name Simon into

Peter, as if he had said I gave thee the name Peter, that doth signifie a rocke. because that vpon thee, as vpon a rocke, I will build my church. As God said to Abraham, thou shalt bee called Abraham (that is say, father of ma∣ny people) Quia patrem multarum Gentium con∣stituite, bicause I haue appointed thee the fa∣ther of many nations: All this by the waie, to shew the true literall sence of that text to bee the verie same, which the Orthodoxe fathers have vniformally deliuered.

M. Abbots second obiection against the fathers interpretation is this: Christ built his church vpon the true faith and confession of Peter, therfore not vpon Peter. which doth not fol∣low: for the true faith and confession of Christ being in S. Peter; if Christ built his church v∣pon them, hee did withall ioinctly buile it v∣pon him, in whom they were, for the further explication of this difficultie, it is to bee vn∣derstood, that the church being a congrega∣tion of men, it is to bee ruled by men: who indeed are to be chosen rulers therof, for the excellent qualities of faith, constancy, and charitie. for example, to rule the temporall state, tēporall Magistrates are chosen, indued with wisdome, Iustice, fortitude, and other vertues, that make men fitt to governe. but to speake properly, not the vertues, which bee accidentall qualities, but the men so qua∣lified, bee governors: A Iudge is chosen for his sound skill in the lawes, & for his vpright conscience in the administration of Iustice. A

Bishop for his deepe knowledg in Diuinitie, for his wisdome in governing, and holines of life: yet not these vertues, but those persons, bee this the Iudge; that the Bishop. S. Peter for the soundnes of his faith, and for the inuincible valour of his mind, asa S. Basil writeth: and for the fervour of his charitie and devotion, asb S. Ambrose noteth, was by our Saviour chosen to bee the supreme pastor of his church, and chief Governor in Ecclesiasticall affaires, which is the same in ef∣fect, thatc S. Chrisostome andd Theodorete by M. Abbot alleaged do saie, vpon this faith and confession, that is, in respect of those ver∣tues, which were eminent in S. Peter, I build my church on him. for they both do teach the church to be builded vpō S. Peter; but would haue vs to knowe, that that great dignity was not bestowed on him, vpon meere affection to his person, but in regard of those his excellent and worthy qualities. whence it doth not fol∣low, that whosoever hath the like qualities, shall haue the same dignitie; vnles they also bee thervnto lawfullie called and chosen, as S. Peter was by our Saviour. No more then it doth follow, that all they shalbe made Bishops or Iudges who haue the vertues requisite for Bishops and Iudges. Now to that taken out ofe S. Ambrose; vpon this rocke will I build my church, that is, in this confession of the Catholike faith, will I establish the faithfull to life. I ans∣were first that M. Abbot hath clipped of the former part of S. Ambrose wordes, in which

hee saith, that our Saviour did declare S. Peter to bee the foundation of his church, in that he built his church vpon him, when he said to him, Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke will I build my church. these wordes would haue marred M. Abbots market, therefore he did wisely, to ouerskip them. now that which followeth, may serve rather to confirme our opinion, then make anie whit for theirs, for thus it may bee vn∣derstood: Saint Peter for that his confession of faith, received power and vertue from Christ to confirme others in the faith, the∣reby to establish them to life. And so by that confession of faith made by Saint Pe∣ter, the faithfull are established to life. A∣gaine Saint Ambrose (who elswhere often, and in that verie place teacheth S. Peter to bee that rocke vpon which the church was built) might make a secondarie good morall construction of those wordes, teaching every man to believe as Saint Peter did, and to ma∣ke the like confession of their faith, that they might be setled in the right way to life ever∣lasting which moralization of Christs words doth not crosse, but suppose the true litte∣rall sence, to bee as before you haue heard out of Saint Ambrose with the vniforme consent of other fathers. To that which followeth in the same Author: these words of the Apostle, in him all the building is coopled together &c. are the sense and meaning of that which our lord said: vpon this rocke I will build my church. I answer there is a cunning tricke vsed

in cutting of the Apostles wordes in the mid∣dest with an &c: and making that to be the exposition of the first part of the sentence, which Sainct Ambrose makes the interpreta∣tion of the last, as may appeare vnto him, that will see the place. for his reason is, fideles enim sunt superficies templi dei, &c. for the faith∣full of holy conversation, bee the walls or over parts of that temple of God. which suteth well with the latter end of Saint Pauls sentence, which is, in whom you also are built togither into an habita∣tion of God in the holy Ghost: in brief S. Ambro∣se meaning in that place is no other, then that the Apostle vsed the same Metaphore of building, which our Saviour did when he said, Thou art Peter and vpon this rocke, I will build my Church. Of which spirituall building the faithfull are the over partes, the Apostles the foundations, amōg whom S. Pe∣ter is the rocke, and Christ the head corner stone, that closeth all togeather, and beareth vp both peoples, aswell those that went afore as those that came after his incarnation.

M. Abbots fourth obiection: the whole num∣ber of the Bishops of Palaestina in the councell of Chalcedon, vnderstood Christs words so: vpon this confession, the church of God is confirmed and strengthened.

ANSWERE. THat whole number I find to bee but two or three, and they not in the councell nei∣ther, nor during the time of that councell: but after they came home from the councel. and their meaning is plaine for vs. They ha∣ving been att the councell of Chalcedon, and there heard and saw, how Discorus patriarch of Alexandria was for his heresie and obsti∣nacie censured and condemned, by the senten∣ce of Leo the great Bishop of Rome, did cer∣tifie all them that were vnder their charge, that the church of God was confirmed and streng∣thned, by the confession and declaration of the Bishop of Rome S. Peters successor: and how in him was verified that sentence of our Saviour, vpon this rocke I will build my church: and that other also, Thou being conuerted, confirme and strengthen thy brethren. which is all as direct for vs as can bee. besides, what other pregnant proofe there is in that generall co∣uncell for S. Peters supremacy, and that the Bishop of Rome is his successor in the same supreme authoritie, shalbee heerafter decla∣red more at large.

Out of these former arguments M. Abbot maketh this inference; that by the exposition of the ancient fathers it maie appeare that Christ, euē the true faith of Christ, (for Christ is nothing to v•• but by faith) is the true rocke, whervpon the church is builded. to which S. Iohn accordeth. This is the victorie, that over cometh the world, even our

faith; for who is hee that overcometh the world, but hee that believeth that Iesus is the sonne of God. w∣hat is this (good Sir) to the presēt purpose of the popes supremacie? though faith in some good sense may bee called a rocke, bicause it is the foundation and ground worke of all other Christian vertues: yet how doth it follow the∣rof, that S. Peter is not that rocke, vpon w∣hich it pleased Christ to build his church? w∣hat, because ther is an order in the frame of a vertuous life, must it needes ther vpon ensue, that there is no order in the government of Christs Church? is not this a very strange in¦ference? For the clearer explication of this doubt, ••••t this distinction bee observed: the building of Christs church as it is like to a kingdome, differeth much from the building of a spirituall temple vnto the holie Ghost in our soules. to the first kind of building belōg subiects and magistrates, Bishops, Archbis∣hops and so forth, the highest wherof vnder Christ was S. Peter. To the other inward buil∣ding concurre all such divine graces and qua∣lities that serue for the reformation of our soule, as faith, hope, Charitie, humilitie, and such like. among which vertues, faith in Christ Iesus, is at it were the fundamentall stone. to the argument then this is the answere, that albeit faith in Christ be as it were the rocke and foundation of all Christian vertues: yet that is no let, but that in the order of Chri∣stian magistrates, S. Peter may be the rock, and haue the chief commaunding power gi∣uen

to him, and to his successors the Bishops of Rome. purity of faith, boldnes of confes∣sion, fervour of Charitie (rare gifts of God bestowed on S. Peter) were the principall dis∣positions in him to that other high dignitie and authoritie: but the authoritie it self of go∣vernment was not bestowed on those ver∣tues, but vpon the person of Saint Peter: though in regard of the same divine qualities.

After these arguments M. Abbot inferreth; that if Christ bee the rocke properly and truly, Saint Peter cannot bee the rocke, but accidently and vnproperly, in respect of his doctrine and example of saith, vttered in his confession: As Abraham is the rocke from wh••nce wee are hewed so is Peter the rock wheron wee are built; not that either of them conferreth any thing to vs, but only for that they stād before vs for patterns of imitation.

I answer that he should rather haue made this inference: bicause Christ is the rocke of the Church most properly: therfore S. Peter is the rocke therof also properly. both for that Christ made him the rocke, who ma∣keth all things well and properly: and also because the properties of a rocke, do fitlie a∣gree to S. Peter: that is, to bee constant and fir∣me in the faith; to strengthen and vphold o∣thers, as hath been before declared. To ima∣gine Saint Peter to bee called a rocke, because hee is a patterne of imitation, is as dull and blockish, as to call a duske darke stone, a cle∣ere looking glasse. Abraham was more pro∣perly by the prophet called though in another

sense, a rocke, out of which the Iewes were hewen and a pitt out of which they were digged; bicause all the Israëlites descended out of his loynes, as stones are hewen or digged out of a rock.

10 M. Abbot not being able to disprove S. Peter to bee the rocke, bicause our Saviour Christ alone is the rocke, turnes himself on the other side and will needes prove that all the Apostles were rockes, and Peter therin not to haue beē alone, but that as hee spake in the person of all the Apostles; so Christes wor∣des returned in answere to Peter, should ap∣pertaine to them all. for saies hee, Saint Au∣stin affirmeth, that Peter answe••ed for all,a one for vnitie. And Hierome by the words here spoken to Peter concludeth:b that Chr••st the roc∣ke, gave not to one only Apostle, but to his Apostles, that they also should bee called rockes. And in like sort Origen conceiueth when he saith.c If thou thinke that the church was built vpon Peter only, what wilt thou saie to Ioh•• the sonne of thun∣der, and to every of the Apostles, &c. wee must rather say that in all and ev••rie one of th••m is ve∣rified, vpon this rocke I will build my church. and in a word hee reasoneth thus: bicause that which followeth after; I will giue to th••e the Keies of the knigdome of h••aven, is co••••on to them all: therfore that going before, is also cōmon to them all. and this the scripture confirmeth, in that it saith;d the houshold of God are builded not vpon the foundatiō of Peter only, but vpon the founda∣tions of the Apostles and Prophets.e And not Peter onlie, but the lambes twelve Apostles, haue their

names written in the twelue foundations of the Citie of God. hitherto M. Abbot.

Doth not this great inconstancie in answe∣ring, argue plainly that there is no setled so∣undnesse in the protestants doctrine, but that they are caried about with the wind? Before you heard that no other bodie saving Christ alone, could bee that rock; and to make that good M. Abbot was verie earnest there: now the wind blowing in an other dore, not only Peter is the rocke, but all the Apostles aswell as hee, yea and euerie Christian man too is a rock, as you shall heare heereafter. And all this to make men beleeve, that it is but an ordinary matter to bee that rocke, vpon which Christ built his Church. wee that hold it to bee one of the greatest priviledges that could bee grā∣ted to a mortall man, do notwithstanding graunt, that the Apostles may be called rockes as they are called foundations, after a certaine proportion; that is, as S. Peter was the fun∣damentall rock, placed next vnto our Saviour over the whole Church: So the Apostles we∣re constituted principall pillers or rockes of certaine countries, laying the foundation of Christian religion in them, by preaching the Gospell, and by ruling the severall flockes cō∣mitted to their charges. As Metropolitans & primates may bee said to bee the rockes and foundations of Christian religion in their provinces, bicause they do principally commaund over all Ecclesiasticall persons therin; and do keepe all vnder them in

vnitie of faith; In like manner to preserve all Christian countries in the said vnitie of faith and vniformitie of religion; there ought to bee one supreme pastor over all the world; who first was S. Peter, and ever since have been his lawfull Successors, the Bishops of Rome. All this is good doctrine, but to saie that these words in S. Mathew. were spoken aswell to the rest of the Apostles as to S. Peter, which M. Abbot would faine haue his reader believe, is flatt against the evidence of the ve∣rie text. For S. Peter is there severed from the rest by all circumstances that can bee devised in so few words. first by his owne proper na∣me: for our Saviour said to him, happie art thou Simon. then by the name of his father: the son∣ne of Ionas. thirdly by mention of a speciall revelation made to him: for flesh and blood hath not revealed this to thee. fourthly by expresse direction of this speech to him: I say to thee, (not to all the Apostles) thou art Peter; none of the rest were so called. Out of which it doth ensue most cleerly, that the words immediatly following (and vpon this rocke I will build my church) were particulerly spoken to S. Peter, and not to any other of the Apostles. To the others afterward was given the power of binding and loosing, remitting of sins and retayning: yet with out any mention made of the keies of the kingdome of heaven: w∣hich albeit they do signify there a supreme cō∣maunding power: yet they maie in a certaine sence bee said to bee given vnto the other

Apostles, as is the title of a rock. though they bee not that principall rocke vpon which Christ built his church, so they had not the prime vse of the keies, which was appropria∣ted to S. Peter. I do also further grant••, that the name of a rock, maie bee in a good mo∣rall sence applied vnto everie constant Chri∣stian, that doth confesse the true faith with S. Peter, and is constant and vnmoveable in the same confession, like vnto a rocke: And this is all which Origen and S. Ambrose cited by M. Abbot do saie, as may bee seene by him that pleaseth to read the circumstances of tho∣se places. for Origen discourseth how all may bee called rockes, that have this effect of a roc∣ke. And that the gates of hell cannot prevaile against them; that is, all that do perseuere constantly to the end in the true faith. S. Am∣brose exhorteth all men to endevour to bee ro••kes, that is to haue soundnes in constancie and stedfastnes of faith. Origen addeth, that which I before said, that the Apostles and Prophets maie bee called rockes in a higher degree; bicause they are the foundations of others, that are builded vpon them; but these expositions (as M. Abbot saith) bee Allegori∣call, or rather morall explications of these our Saviours wordes: that do not destroie the prime litterall sence therof, which accor∣ding vnto the generall consent of the ancient fathers is, that Christ built his church vpon S. Peter, as the supreme governor therof, as hath been alreadie proved.

Now to M. Abbots last evasion, that the [ 11] fathers in all this matter make Peter to beare the figure of the whole church, and therfore that to bee applied to all and everie one in the church, which was there spoken to Peter. for these fathers hee alleageth only S.a Austin and S.b Gregorie, yea and S. Gregorie spea∣king of another matter, thus; that which never was said to them of the old testament, is now said to the vniversall church, whatsoever thou shalt bind vpon earth. which sheweth some difference between the old and new testament; but no∣thing cōcerneth these wordes of Christ. Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke, I will build my church. which is another kind of matter then that: whatsoever thou shalt bind vpon earth, &c. Againe, is M. Abbot so simple as to thinke that the power of binding & loosing is giuen to every particuler member af the church? can women and Children bind and loose? all a li∣ke perhaps in the protestants church, but it is not so with vs. yet that power maie bee said to bee given to the whole church, because it is given to the benefitt of the whole. though the charge and administration therof, be not committed and giuen to all and everie person in the church. But to returne to S. Austin, he saith, that the name Peter was given to him, that by that figure hee might signifie the church. bicause Christ is (petra) the rocke, therfore Peter is the people of Christ. So M. Abbot. well, let all this bee true, what is this allegoricall interpretation of the name of Peter to our present purpose? It cannot bee but a great honor to Saint

Peter, to haue had a name given him by our Saviour derived out of his owne na∣me; and that maie represent the people of Christ: and further (which followeth in that place of S. Austin: though M. Abbot thought it policie to suppresse it) Apostolorum principa∣tum tenens. S. Peter held the principalitie a∣mōg the Apostles. all this maketh much for S. Peters preheminence. but doth it follow ther∣vpon, that nothing which Christ said to S. Pe∣ter, doth properlie appertaine to him, but all is to bee imparted to all Christian people? how absurd were it to vnderstand so iudicious a Doctors words as S. Austin was, after that childish manner? thou art Peter, that is after this new glosse, all my people; and vpon this rocke, which containes also all Christes people, I will build my church. so that the sence af∣ter M. Abbots exposition must bee: Christ did build all his people, vpon all his people. One might verie well bee chosen out of the rest, as a foun∣dation vpon whom Christ might lay all the rest: but how all the people, should bee built vpon all the people, passeth (I think) all vn∣derstanding. But S. Austin elswhere (saith M. Abbot) hath these words: to S. Peter, bearing the figure of the whole church our lord said, vpon this rocke &c. bee it so that S. Peter bare the person of the church: that doth not hinder the words to bee spoken to him effectuallie: but rather argueth him to bee the chief go∣vernor of the church, as the same saint in the like places doth expresse, in this manner: Cu∣ius Ecclesiae ille agnoscitur in figura gestasse perso∣nam,

propter primatum quem in discipulis habuit. the person of which church, Peter is acknow∣ledged in figure to haue represented, by rea∣son of the primacie that hee had among the disciples. And yet more plainly in another pla∣ce thus. when our Saviour commaunded tribute to bee paid for himself, and for Pe∣ter, hee seemeth to haue paid for all. for like as in our Sa∣viour there were all the par∣tes of a maister; so after him all were contained in Peter. for hee cōstituted Peter head of the rest, that hee might bee the pastor of our lords flocke. By which words of S. Austin wee gather, that S. Peter someti∣mes did represent the whole church, because he was head and chief pastor therof: as a king doth in some cases represent a kingdome. which is so for of from disproouing S. Peters supremacy, that hence wee maie take a strong argument to prooue it, and withall, the pro∣pagation therof to his successors. for we are taught out of these wordes of S. Austen to say, that S. Peter maie bee considered, either as a priuate person, or as a publike magistrate. that which pleased our Saviour to bestow v∣pon him as a private person, was proper to himself, and continued no longer then hee li∣ued: but that which Christ bestowed vpon S. Peter as a publike magistrate; that was granted to the whole church, and was to con∣tinue

with the church to the worlds end. like as that which is granted to a king as a publi∣ke person, is holden as annexed to the Crowne and to descend alwaies after to all his succes∣sors. now to our purpose: S. Austin when hee said that that prerogatiue was giuen to S. Pe∣ter, as representing the whole church; doth not deny it to bee given him trulie and actual∣ly: but doth signifie that it was given him, not for his owne proper vse, but for the benefitt of the whole church, and therfore giuen in remainder for ever vnto his successors, which was in the fullest and best sort that could bee.

[ 12] Having thus answered all M. Abbots obie∣ctions, and declared how S. Peter is the speciall rock vpō which our Saviour built his church, and how the other Apostles and everie con∣stant Christiā may bee called rockes, one truth not destroying, but rather fortifieing the o∣ther: I now come to cleere that imputation of dishonestie, which M. Abbot would with no great honestie, haue cast on mee. I did affirme that it might bee deduced out of the ancient fathers, that the Bishop or sea of Rome, was that rocke vpon which the church was buil∣ded. M. Abbot was bold to saie that I belied the fathers therin; and doth avouch perem∣ptorilie, that never anie of them so vnderstood these words of our Saviour. well let vs see, w∣hether of vs is like to prove the honester man of his word. I do heere omitt the manifold deductions in this Chapter before mentioned, and will add one more out of Saint Austins

words, by M. Abbot himself last before cited, thus; whatsoever was said to S. Peter as repre∣senting the person of the church, is taken to bee said to all his successors, as before hath been declared: but those words of Christe, vpon this rocke I will build my church, were spoken to S. Perer as representing the person of the church, by the verdit of S. Austin ap∣proved by M. Abbot himself: therfore these verie words are to bee vnderstood as spoken vnto all S. Peters successors: who being the Bishops of Rome as in due place shalbee pro∣ved, it followeth evidentlie, that the Bishops or church of Rome, (for I take both them for the same thing in this matter) is that rocke v∣pon which Christ built his church. Is not this deduction plaine enough? But what will you say, if the same most Autentike Doctor do in expresse tearmes affirme the church of Rome to bee that self same rocke, then all the world maie see, that to bee most apparantly true w∣hich I said: And M. Abbot must needes con∣fesse that hee ouershot himself verie grosly. These bee S. Austins owne words; come my brethren if you please, and bee graffed in the vine. It grieveth vs to behold you ly∣ing so cutt of. Recken the pri∣ests even from the seate of Pe∣ter: and in that rew of fa∣thers, regard to whom who succeeded. that (seate) is the rocke, which the proud gates of hell do not overcome.

The seat of Peter, and succession of Bishop•• of Rome, is that rock in S. Austins iudgment, against which hell gates shall not prevaile. was not that the verie same rocke, vpon which Christ built his church?

S. Hierom was another most learned Doctor of the ancient church, as all the learned know, hee te∣stifieth the same most plainly in these words vn∣to Damasus then Bishop of Rome. I following no∣ne as chief, but Christ, am in communion associated vnto your holines, that is, vnto the chaire of Peter. vpon this rocke I know the church of Christ to bee builded. Lo S. Hierom knew and confessed S. Peters chaire, in which Damasus the pope then sate, to bee the same rocke vpon which Christ built his church. Pope Iulius the first was yet a more ancient, and a verie holie and grave father, hee teacheth the same plainlie in these words. The sea of Rome is preferred before all churches: which not only by decrees of Canons, and holie fathers, hath obtained that singuler principalitie, but by the voi∣ce of our lord when hee said, Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke I will build my church. If the church of Rome by these words of our Saviour (vpon this rock I will build my church) were preferred before all

others, as that graue holie prelate teacheth, then must it needes follow, that the church of Rome, was the rock vpon which Christ built his church.

Damasus was also a very ancient, holy, and lear∣ned Prelate; he writeth in this sort. you know most beloued brethren, the A∣postolik see (of Rome) to be constituted by God a fixed and vnmoueable fir∣mament, a most bright title of all byshops, and topp of churches, euen as the word of God doth pronunce, saying: thou art Peter, and vpon this rock, I will build my church. he then also took and ex∣pounded those words of Christ, to appertai∣ne vnto the see of Rome.

The testimonie of these fewe ancient re∣nowmed fathers, is more then sufficient to iustifie what I said: and to assure the vpright readers, that some of the ancient fathers did interprete the church of Rome to bee that rock, vpon which our Saviour built his church. wherby they maie see how vnciuil∣ly M. Abbot dealt with mee, having no other ground for it, then his owne ignorance coo∣pled with audaciousnes.

Bicause M. Abbot doth in this paragraff [ 13] thrust in here and there, manie broken sen∣tences out of the fathers, against the supreme

authoritie of the Bishop of Rome: I hold it convenient to fortifie the same, with some select testimonies of the best renowmed pre∣lates of the Greeke and Easterne churches. for if they (whom it concerned most to stand for the dignitie and prerogatiues of their owne churches, being the greatest personages in that part of the world, which was farthest of from Rome) do neuertheles acknowledg the Bis∣hop of Rome, to haue had in the time of pure antiquitie, commanding authoritie and po∣wer over themselues, and their churches: then no vnpartiall and vpright mind can doubt, but that the church of Rome alwaies hath had, or should haue had authoritie of power, and superioritie in goverment, over all other churches of the world. Athanasius one of the prime Doctors of the Greeke church, both for holynes of life, greatnes of learning, & sound∣nes of faith; and by his place patriarch of A∣lexandria, which was the highest seat in the easterne coasts: This most reverend Archbis∣hop and renowmed Champion of Christs church, being grievously persecuted by the Arrian heretikes, and verie iniuriously thrust out of his Bishoprike by their meanes, made his recourse vnto Iulius then pope of Rome, and besought him to call his aduersaries (being also Easterne Bishops) to Rome, to answer there for those wrongs that they had done him. by which fact of his he acknow∣ledged most perspicuously the church of Ro∣me to haue power and authoritie over Easter∣ne

Bishops, to determine their ecclesiasticall causes. Thus it standes of record in the Eccle∣siasticall history.

Athanasius flying from A∣lexādria, went to Rome. Pau∣lus Bishop of Constantino∣ple (another great sea of the Greeke church) was also fled thither for succour, and di∣uers other Bishops of the said Easterne church. who∣se accusations when the Bis∣hop of Rome had heard, finding these Bishops con∣formable to the faith of the Nicene councell (of which Athanasius had been a principall piller) hee ad∣mitted them into commu∣nion of all spirituall mat∣ters. And wheras by the dignitie of his sea, the char∣ge of all persons did apper∣teine vnto him, hee resto∣red them backe to their Bis∣hoprickes.

And did write vnto the Bishops of the east blaming them, for that they had vnaduised∣ly iudged of those personages; and sent them a mandate that some of them should appea∣re at a certaine day, in the name of the rest:

who also threatned, that he would not after∣ward let them passe vnpunished, if they gaue not ouer to molest others.

Is not heere plaine proofe of the Bishop of Rome his power and commaunding autho∣ritie, ouer the greatest Bishops in the east? They appealed vnto him for iudgment, hee heard their causes, hee reversed the sentences given against them by the Bishops of the east, hee finallie restored againe their Bishopricks vn∣to them. cited the others to appeare before him; and theatned to punish them, if they con∣tinued in their ill doeing.

The same is also witnes∣sed by Athanasius himself in his epistle to them that lead a solitarie life, and in his second Apologie, where hee doth relate the whole bu∣sines, and teacheth expresly that it did not belonge to Cō∣stantius then Emperour, to determine ecclesiasticall cau∣ses, but that he ought to learne them of Bishops.

To Athanasius I will ioyne Cirillus bicause hee was patriarch of the same sea of Alexan∣dria, and as learned and valiant a maintayner of the third generall councell held at Ephesus, as Athanasius had been of the first kept at Ni∣ce. This most learned Archbishop confesseth the like commanding power to haue been in Celestinus then pope of Rome, that thother

did before in Iulius. Thus hee writeth to him. Bicau∣se in busines of this nature God requireth of vs wisdo∣me, and the long continued custome of the church doth admonish vs to communica∣te them with your holines, I cannot but giue your pietie to vnderstand, what is here discouered of Nestorius Bis∣hop then of Constantinople. whose foule crimes and pesti∣lent errours when hee had laid open; and certified how hee had done his endevour to move him to repentance, but all in vaine, hee after∣ward addeth. Albeit these things bee soe, yet wee durst not forbeare communicating with him, before wee had related these things to your pietie. Vouchsafe therfore to declare what you deeme to bee done the∣rin, that wee may assuredly know, whether wee ought to communicate with Nestorius, or els boldl••e denounce, that no man ought to communicate with him, that doth d••fend such erronious doctrine. your holines good pleasure and sentence in this matter is to bee notified not onlie to the Bishops of Macedonia, but vnto all the prelates of the east. Behold the mā∣ner of proceeding in these pure times of the church: S. Cirill who for learning was perhaps better able then Celestinus to iudge of the er∣rour

of Nestorius: and being patriarch of Ale∣xandria by his place, held the highest court of Iudgment in the east church: yet would hee not take vpon himself to determine of Nesto∣rius heresies, or to excommunicate him: but referred both vnto the Bishop of Rome; who∣se sentence therin both hee and all the Bishops of the east did require and embrace. In this manner did the same pope Celestinus returne answere vnto S. Cirill. Most Reverend brother, do you take vnto you our au∣thoritie, and vsing our power and place, do you execute a∣gainst Nestorius the senten∣ce of excommunication, with exquisite severitie; vnles wi∣thin ten daies after hee hath been admonished from vs, hee do recant and recall his errours: and let your holines provide a more worthy per∣son for that Bishoprike. w∣hich mandate of his, Ci∣rillus with the whole coūcell, following, proceeded to the deposition of Nestorius in this māner. No man doth doubt, naie it hath been in all ages notorious, that the most blessed S. Peter (prīce & head of the Apostles, the pillar of faith and foundation of the Catholike church) did receive of our Saviour Iesus Christ (the redeemer of mankind) the keies of the kingdome of

heaven, and the power of loosing and binding. And that also even vnto these da∣ies, hee doth in his successors liue and determine causes, and shall alwaies liue. To him doth Celestinus now Bishop of Rome, in right or∣der succede; finally by vertue of power receiued from the said Celestinus they proceede to pronounce sentēce against Ne∣storius Bishop of Constantinople.

All which set togither, standing of record in the third generall councell, doth demonstrate that the Easterne church did acknowledge both the Bishop of Rome to bee S. Peters lawfull successor: And that it also did ap∣pertaine to him, to excommunicate and depose princi∣pall Bishops of the Greeke and Easterne church. which no man can doubt to bee principall and most proper a∣ctes of supreme power in government. with this I will linke another like example practised and recorded in the fourth generall councell held at Chalcedon. Dio∣scorus patriarch of Alexandria, being for his erronious opinions, and enormious actions called in question, was convented to answere in that generall councell: first, all the actions that are entered against Dioscorus, are stiled thus. Vnto the most holy and most happie Archbishop of the great and old Rome Leo, and to the ge∣nerall councell assembled at Chalcedon. Setting the Bishop of Rome, as head, before the generall coūcell, as his bo∣die. which in expresse tearmes the whole coūcel ackno∣wledgeth, writing vnto the said pope Leo the great:

That hee was President over them, even as the head is to the rest of the members: that the custodie of our lords vine∣yard, was cōmitted to him; that hee was the interpreter of Saint Peters sentence. Ob∣serve secondlie the forme of their definitiue sentence which is thus set downe. The most ho∣lie and most blessed Archbis∣hop of great and old Rome Leo, by vs, and this present holy councell, together with the most happie & most wor∣thy Apostle S. Peter, (who is the rock and topp of the Ca∣tholike church) hee who is the foundation of the Ortho∣dox and true faith, hath de∣posed Dioscorus from all Episcopall dignitie, and deprived him of all priestlie function and ministery.

First let it bee well obserued and borne in mind, that all the parts of this my discourse be verified, in the sentences of these two generall councells. First that S. Peter was that rocke v∣pon which Christ built his church. Secondlie that the Bishop of Rome succeeded him the∣rin. Thirdlie that in the vertue therof, is com∣prehended, power and authoritie to vphold the Orthodox saith, and to punish and depose the highest patriarches in the church, aswell of the east, as of the west, if they do obstinatlie trouble the peace of Christs church.

This having been by the verdict and practise

of the pure Church in anciēt time so cleerly te∣stified, in two of those prime generall coun∣cells, which the Protestants themselues do confesse to bee Orthodox and authenticall, what reasonable Christian can take anie ex∣ception against it? yet for more full confir∣mation of this most important point of our faith, I will passe through all the patriarchall seas, and out of each of them choose some suf∣ficient proofe, for the popes supremacie in go∣uernment. Athanasius patriarch of Alexandria was absolued, and restored by Iulius pope of Rome. Dioscorus of the same sea was exco∣municated, and deposed by Leo the great. Nestorius patriarch of Constantinople, was in like manner censured and depriued by Ce∣lestinus pope of Rome: of whom wee haue al∣readie treated. Now to S. Iohn Chrysostom Bishop of the same city of Constantinople, who was absolued and restored to his Bisho∣pricke by Innocentius the first pope of Rome. This verie learned zealous and godly prelate and most eloquent preacher, was through the malice of the Empresse Eudoxia, assisted by her husbād the emperour Archadius, deposed & hoised out of his seate, euen by the verdict of many Easterne Bishops assembled in a coun∣cell, wherof Theophilus patriarch of Alexan∣dria was the head. wher vpon hee treading in the noble stepps of Athanasius and diuerse o∣ther good Bishops, made his appeale to Innocē¦tius pope of Rome, craving of him to reuerse that vniust sentence which had been given a∣gainst

him: these bee his words. I beseech thee (holie father) that their sentence, so vniustly gi∣uen in my absence, (I not refusing iudgement) maie bee of no validity: fur∣thermore that they who ha∣ue done mee that wrong, may according to the lawes of the church bee punished: And commaund that I be∣ing innocent and not to bee convicted of any crime, may bee restored to my church againe. See most evident acknowledgment of the Bishop of Romes power, to repeale the sentence of a councell holden in the greeke church, by the greatest patriarch of those coasts; yea and to inflict punishment vpon them: Item to restore Saint Iohn Chrisostome to his Bishopricke againe; which Innocentius effected, thundering out a most terrible sentence of excomunication a∣gainst the Emperour Ar∣chadius in these tearmes.

I the least of Gods seruāts and a sinner, vnto whom the throne of the great Apo∣stle S. Peter is cōmitted, do excomunicate and exclude

thee, and thy wife, from the cōmunion of the immaculate and sacred misteries: And do declare that what Bishop or priests soever, shall presume (after the knowled∣ge had of these my letters) to minister the same to you, therby to fall from his dignity and function.

This learned and holie pope (much cōmē∣ded by S. Austin) doubted not, but that the Bishop of Rome had sufficient authoritie, not onlie to depose and restore patriarches, but also to excommunicate Emperours. Now to the patriarch of Antioch; though Saint Iohn Chrysostomes testimony (who had been thir∣teene yeeres preacher in that citie) might suf∣fice, yet wee want not others. First Flauianus patriarch of Antioch was sūmoned to appeare at Rome, there to answere vnto mat∣ters obiected against him. w∣ho put not in the prote∣stāts plea, that the Bishop of Rome had no authori∣tie over him, being the highest Bishop in all Asia: but made meanes vnto the said pope by the frindship of Theophilus patriarch of Alexandria, and S. Chrysostome, and so appeased that matter, as the Ecclesiasticall historyes do testifie.

And Theodoret that renowmed Hstoriogra∣pher,

being Bishop of Cirus, vnder the patri∣arch of Antioch, did ne∣verthelesse fly by appeale to Leo the great pope of Rome, for redresse: Thus hee writeth vnto him. I attend the sentence of the sea Apostolike, and do humblie beseech your holines that you defend and protect me appealing vnto your iust and vpright iudgment seat. If you comaund mee to submitt my selfe to their sentence that haue condemned mee, I will yeeld to it, and neuer bee troublesome to any other. Let these suffice for th•• patriarkship of Antioch. There remaines only the patriarch of Ierusalem for whom Anastasius patriarch of the same sea, about the sa∣me time in his letters vnto foelix pope of Rome wri∣teth in this manner. It was alwaies the libertie of your Apostolike sea, by the au∣thoritie of your power, to ac∣quite them that were vniust∣ly condemned and excom∣municated, and to restore them to all they had lost. evē as wee haue seene done in our times, and haue heard in

the daies of our predecessors: for (saith hee a litle after) it is by ancient Canons de∣creed, that whatsoever bee handled about the affaires of Bishops, yea though in prouinces farre remote, that the same should not bee fullie determined, before it were brought to the notice of your holie sea, and by the aucthority therof, bee either confirmed or reiected.

This great and ancient Patriarch not only witnesseth such soveraigne power and autho∣ritie to belonge vnto the Bishop of Rome, but pleadeth also for the same out of the former approved Canons of the Church: Among w∣hich that of the councel of Sardica I hold to bee the chiefest. where it is in expresse tearmes de∣cred; that if any Bishop of what countrie soever, have his cause iudged otherwise then hee thinketh right, hee may appeale vnto the Bis∣hop of Rome: who maie ap∣point new Iudges and send them to heare it againe, and finallie determine it. Now that they who haue lesse skill in ancient histories may vnderstand of what creditt that councell of Sardica is, Let thē know first; that it was called by Iulius Bishop of Rome.

Secondly there were present that famous Ho∣sius (who was one of the presidents of the Nicene councell) And Athanasius, with many other renowmed Bishops which had been members of the said first generall councell of Nice: and above 300. Bishops came thither both out of the East and west asa Athanasius writeth. wherfore hee tearmeth it, instar Ni∣ceni, such an other as the first Nicene councell was.b Sulpitius Severus tearmeth it a councell called from all parts of the word,c Socrates in his history, a generall councell. Briefly, the Centuriators of Magdeburg Centur. 4. cap. 99. do approve the same councell for Authen∣ticall.

These few testimonies for the supreme power and authoritie of the Bishop and church of Rome, being taken from verie eminent, sin∣cere, and learned personages, who in the flo∣rishing time of Christianity, governed the pa∣triarchall seas of the greeke and east churches; confirmed also with the acts and sentences of the generall councell of Ephesus, Chalcedon, and Sardica, cannot but giue full satisfaction vn∣to all true Christians, that even in the purest antiquitie, the popes cōmanding power, and superioritie in government was beleeved, practized, and approved all Christendome over.

14 After so many plaine demonstrations of the Bishops of Romes supremacie in causes ecclesiasticall, I hope the curteous reader will giue mee leaue to imploy one proba∣ble

presumption, that in my poore opi∣nion doth much fortifie the same. It is colle∣cted out of those letters which in ancient ti∣me were called, literae formatae, and granted ei∣ther vnto Bishops at their first creation, or vn∣to priests that were dismissed by licence from their ordinary.

This kind of letters was in great vse in the primitiue church; for no stranger was admit∣ted into communion among the Catholiks without them. The invention of these leters is referred to the first generall councell hol∣den at Nice: and the forme of them, is recor∣ded authentically in the end of the Chalcedon councell (immediatlie before the letters of the Illustrious persons that wrote in or about that councell) vnder this title. Atticus Episco∣pus, qualiter formata Epistola fiat. In this epistle, fower letters principally were set for an assu∣red token, that hee in whose favour they were granted, was a sound Catholike. The three former letters, were the first letters, of the fa∣ther, of the sonne, and of the holy Ghost; to testifie that hee believed aright in the blessed Trinitie, and therfore was no Arrian, Sabel∣lian, Macedonian or such like heretike. the fourth letter in that formall Epistle was a the first letter of S. Peters name: therby to signifie, that the bearer was receiued into the vnitie of that church, of which S. Peter, as chief governor, kept the keies. the other let∣ters, of his name that grāted that Epistle, & to whom it was granted, I omitt as not necessary

to this purpose, hee that will may see a copi•• of such an Epistle sett downe at large in Gra∣tian: where the misterie also of these letters, is deciphered to bee such, as I haue declared; namely that the fourth letter was put for S. Peters name to make knowen that the bearer therof was a true member of that church, in qua, Petro datum est ius ligandi atque absoluen∣di, in which, to S. Peter was giuen the right of binding and loosing. Out of which nota∣ble monument of antiquitie, I draw this ar∣gument. so well assured it was, and a thing so notoriously knowne and approved, in those purer daies of the primitiue church, that S. Peter, and the popes of Rome his successors, were the chief governors of Christs church, and the insoluble band of the vnitie therof; that the first letter of S. Peters name, was cho∣sen for an vndoubted badge and token of be∣ing a sound member, receiued into the vnity of the said Catholike church. for why should the first letter of S. Peters name, rather then a∣ny other of the Apostles, bee taken for such an infallible marke of society with the ca∣tholike church? had it not been a cleere overu∣led case, that hee who like an even squared stone lay vpon that rocke, and did adhere vn∣to the head of the church, was vndoubtedly a true member therof. This argument as it shall serue for a cōclusion of that which goeth be∣fore, so it will make a conuenient passage to that which followeth in M. Abbots text.

15 There was (saith hee) a church, when there

was no Roman church at all; how then could that church bee builded vpon the Roman church?

This is a verie poore obiection: for speaking (as wee now do) of the church, which was sin∣ce our Saviours time; if hee take that season next to Christs ascension; S. Peter was head of that church, during his owne life: and after him, the Bishops of Rome his lawfull succes∣sors. No man ever said that the church, or Bis∣hop of Rome was head of the church, before S. Peter had placed his seate there. If M. Ab∣bot will accord vs that ever since that time, the church of Rome hath been head of the rest (as in truth it hath been) wee will ea∣sily grant him, that before it had no such pri∣viledg.

Another like slugg M. Abbot thrusteth forth thus. If the church of Rome bee that rock, and other churches bee builded thervpon; then it would follow, that the gates of hell should never ha∣ue prevailed against any other of those churches: but it hath prevayled against them. Ergo. True good Sir, if those other churches had stuck close to the said rocke, the gates of hell had never pre∣vailed against them: but they foolishly flitting from that firme rocke, were sowsed in the sur∣ging seas, and swallowed vp by the gulfe of hell.

M. Abbot saw this to bee so full an answe∣re, that hee could not tell what to saie to it: but that wee haue no assurance that the church of Rome shall continue alwaies builded vpon Christ Iesus. this is M. Abbots last refuge, and

to it as to a safe anchor, he doth twenty times fly in this book wherfore it shall haue a full answer in its due place. but let vs first see whether the Bishops of Rome be S. Peters lawfull successors, because that comes next. M. Abbot doth either graunt it to bee true, or at least hee supposeth it for true: for hee dispro∣ues it not: wherfore I need not stād lōg about it, & so much the rather because it is recorded by S. Iraeneus, Tertullian, Eusebius, Optatus mileuitanus, S. Hierom, S. Austin, and brief∣ly by the full consent of all that haue made a∣nie Catalogue of S. Peters successors. It is evi∣dent and confessed by both sides, that our Sa∣viour established such a forme of government in his church, that hee would haue to conti∣new, as long as the same church continued, that is alwaies to the worlds end. which was according to our doctrine, that one should bee head and supreme gouernor over all the rest: to preserue vnity in faith, and conformi∣ty in rites of religion. And by name that one was S. Peter for his life time. All which I ha∣ue before proved out of holy scriptures, and the ancient fathers. S. Peter finally making choise of Rome for the seat of his Bishoprick, liued there many yeres, and in the end, died Bishop of Rome. wherfore they that were chosē Bishops of Rome, were to succede him, as in that seate, so in that supreme governmēt of Christs church: which daily experience tea∣cheth vs. for wee see that whosoever is chosen bishop of any place, for example of Canter∣burie;

hee presentlie vpon his installing, en∣treth vpon all the priuiledges of honour, and government, which the former Bishops, his predecessors, died possessed of. so that no so∣oner any man is created Archbishop of Can∣terbury, but that im̄ediatly hee is therby Me∣tropolitane of England, and hath comanding authority ouer all the Bishops of that prouin∣ce, with law full Iurisdiction to heare and de∣termyne all such causes, that by appeale do come to his courts. In like māner Linus being chosen Bishop of Rome after the death of S. Peter, entred into possession of full power & authoritie, not onlie ouer the Diocese of Ro∣me, but also over all the Bishops of Christs church, in all such cases and causes, that do belong to the supreame governors court and cognizance, in as large and ample manner as S. Peter had before enioyed, and died posessed of. this being a matter depending vpon com∣mon equity, and daily practise, doth require no other proofe, nor can haue anie better; then the aknowledgment of all the Orthodox and most eminent christian prelates of both Latin and Greeke; east and west churches; w∣hich I haue before plētifully produced, and w∣hē more need shalbee, will yet produce more.

17 M. Abbot admitting as I said, the pope of Rome to bee S. Peters successor yet argueth that they may faile in faith; bicause Caiphas did succeed lineally to Aaron, & yet Caiphas gaue sen∣tēce against Christ. & further hee alleageth that sētence out of the law. All are not the children of

Saints, that hold the places of saints, but they that practise the workes of saints. M. Abbot foreseeing that wee would answere, that many successors though not so holy, iust, and wise, as their pre∣decessors were: yet haue the same authoritie and Iurisdiction over their floc,k which their predecessors had. And albeit they may comitt some fault, vnworthy their calling, yet they do not therby leese the dignitie of their place. And that namely our Saviour had praied for S. Peter, that his faith should not faile; but that hee not withstanding his owne frailty, should haue strength from God through the vertue of Christs praier to confirme his brethren in the true faith: This M. Abbot foreseeing doth acknowledg it to bee true, yet that hee may not bee thought to have nothing more to saie, doth aske vs with Austin as hee speaketh. Did hee praie for Peter and did hee not praie for Iames and Iohn, to saie nothing of the rest? it is ma∣nifest that in Peter they all are contayned, and pray∣ing for Peter, hee is knowne to praie for them all. All this is true, but not against any thing that wee saie. for it being granted that our Saviour made manie good praiers for all his Disciples, doth it follow therof, that his praier made for the preservation of Saint Peters faith, was not heard? nay rather doth it not thervpon most evidentlie ensue out of M. Abbots owne dis∣course; (which is, that everie one of the elect ob∣taineth that without faile, which Christ praied for, in their names) that Christ his praier made for S. Peter, obtayned for him that his faith should never faile? But M. Abbot like an

ill Alhymist would faine distill out of those words of S. Austin; that Peter by that praier had no priviledg aboue the rest. which is both cōtrarie to the expresse words of our Saviour, who doth distinguish Peter from the rest, and to him apart did speake those wordes. Behold (saith our Saviour) Satan hath desired to sift you (that was all the Apostles, to whom those words we∣re spoken) but I haue praied for thee Peter, see how particularly hee commeth to him, that thy faith do not faile; and thou (Peter) once conuerted, strengthen thy brethren.

M. Abbots collection is also against S. Au∣stin himself. for though S. Austin do saie, that in praying for Peter, hee praied for them all: his meaning is not, that hee praied, that every one of them in particuler might receiue the same gift, which was bestowed on S. Peter: but that Christ, in praying that Peters faith might not faile, & that hee also might haue strength to confirme his brethren, may bee truly said, to haue praied for them all. because they were to rely vpon the stability of Peters faith, and to receiue comfort from him. wherfore they being assured, that Peters faith should not fai∣le, they ioyning in faith with him, were also assured that they should not faile. And this to bee S. Austins meaning the words following in the very same sentence, (which M. Abbot did guilefully clipp of) do manifestly shew: In praying for Peter, Christ praied for them all. for that alwaies in the Governour

the people are either corre∣cted or praised. So that hee praied for them not in particuler, but as they were contained in their president, Saint Peter. Out of which so farr of is it, that thence can bee gathered as M. Ab∣bot did, that Peter had not anie priuiledg a¦boue the rest of the Apostles, that it follo∣weth cleerly in S. Austins Iudgment, that hee was president and head of that colledg of the Apostles.

18 M. Abbot being amazed at this point of succession, and not knowing well what to saie to it, makes a stand, and admitting Christ to haue meant some singuler favour to Peter doth aske, by what art I can deriue the effect of Christs praier from Peter to the popes, from an ho∣lie Apostle to a ranke and succession of men, amon∣gest whom there haue been so manie Atheists, Infi∣dels, Idolaters, Heriticks, and so manie incarnate Devills, and hatefull monsters of mankind. This foule troubled floud of his currish eloquen∣ce, I omitt as vnciuill. To the matter I haue al∣readie answered, that it verie much concer∣ned the perpetuall puritie & vnitie of Christs church, that the effect of our Saviours holy praier, should not bee closed vp with S. Pe∣ters life, but bee continued to the worlds end: that there might bee alwaies in the church o∣ne liuing, visible, and certaine Oracle, to cō∣sult in all doubtfull questions, which should arise: And one supreme governor to confirme

the weake, to correct the proud, and to hold all in one vniforme order of perfect discipline which to haue been S. Peters successors the Bishops of Rome, Christs institution, ioyned with the ordinarie manner of proceeding of the vniuersall church, from the purest antiqui∣ty doth testify, as hath been declared. And wheras M. Abbot doth demaund of mee, by what art I can deriue the effect of Christs pra∣ier from Peter vnto a succession of men? I might better aske of him, what ignorance op∣pressed him, when hee could not vnderstand that that which was grāted to one man, might not as well bee graunted to another man, and so continued from one to another to the wor∣lds end. But (saith hee) Peter was an holy A∣postle, and the others were sinfull creatures. Be it so. Did not M. Abbot himself immediat∣ly before confesse, that evill men might bee lawfull successors even vnto Saints? as Cai∣phas was to Aaron? And here (as though hee had cleane forgotten himself) doth seeme to woonder ar my art, that would make evill Bishops of Rome, Successors to good S. Pe∣ter. how can a man of discretion rely vpon a∣nie thing M. Abbot saies, when hee findeth him so contrarie to himself within the com∣passe of so few lynes? yet it is well knowne to all the learned, that exceeding manie Bishops of Rome, were verie worthy successors of S. Peters fervour in faith, cōstācy in suffering, & great learning: aboue thirtie of them in a rew shedd their blood most valiently, in testimony

of the Christiā religiō. Manie of thē that liued after, were verie great lightes of the world, & Doctors of the church: as Leo the great, Gre∣gorie the great, Damasus, Innocentius, Gela∣sius, and diuers others. To lett passe verie ma∣ny among them of exceeding religious, holy, and exemplar life. whom if one would paral∣lell with the protestants chief governors, men, women, and Children; what odds between them would bee found I leaue to the discreete readers iudgment. But be it so, that some Bis∣hops of Rome haue not liued so godly & ver∣tuously as they ought to haue done (though M. Abbots proofe therof takē vp of a hearsay out of M. watsons Quidlibets, or quodlibets, is too too simple) yet it hath pleased god many times to serve himself of evill Instruments, to do verie good offices. The scribes and Phari∣ses in Christs daies were very bad men: yet our Saviour himself commanded the cōmon peo∣ple to hearken vnto them, and to obey them. Because they did sitt in the chaire of Moses, it pleased god to assist them in their doctrine, though their liues were naught. S. Austin hath a passage to Petilianus the Donatist (one of M. Abbots cosens) so fitt for this purpose, that wee neede seeke no further for the cleering therof. Thus hee greeteth him, and in him M. Abbot. why dost thou call the Apostolike chai∣re of Rome, the chaire of pestilence? if for the mens sake that sitt in it: what, did our lord Iesus Christ

for the Pharises sake, anie wrong to the chaire whe∣rin they sate? Did hee not commend the chaire of Moses, & preserving the honor of the chaire, re∣prooue the men? saying, They sitt vpon the chaire of Moses; that which they saie do yee, but doe not according to their workes. These things if you did well consider, you would not for the man whom you backbite, blasphe∣me the sea Apostolike, wherwith you do not communicate. And in another place. Into that pedegree of Bishops w∣hich is derived from S. Peter vnto Anastasius, (who now sitteth in the same chaire) albeit some traitour had crept, it should not haue preiudi∣ced or hurt the church, and innocent Christians, for whom our Lord pro∣viding, said of evill prela∣tes, do that which they saie, but do not as they do, for they saie, but do not: That the faith full might haue assured confidence, which placed not in man but in our Lord, by no tempest of sacrilegious schis∣me can bee disappointed. Behold out of saint Austin, first that the Bishops of Rome are the true successors of S. Peter, Then that in doubts

of religion, recourse is to be made vnto them for resolution. And lastly, that our blessed Lord hath taken such order for their sure di∣rectiō of others in the right waie: that though some traitor or evill man should creepe into that chaire, yet everie good Christian maie for ever repose assured confidence in them. This being the auncient doctrine, and assured per∣swasion of all good Christians; M. Abbots sta∣le iest of the popes sitting downe in a chaire when hee is to define a matter, is to bee laug∣hed at, as an idle and ignorant imagination.

It were indeed verie simple to thinke that the only sitting downe of the pope in a chai∣re, should bee a sufficient helpe to define hard and doubtfull questions. But to define ex Ca∣thedra, as it is tearmed, hath a farr other mea∣ning among Catholike Doctors, which may bee thus declared. The pope as a learned Divi∣ne may, write manie large discourses in matter of diuinitie, and make goodly commentaries vpon sundrie bookes of holy scripture, as S. Leo, S. Gregorie, and diuers other of them ha∣ue done: in which his workes, hee having no further assistance of the holy Ghost, then ano∣ther priuate Doctour of the same learning and holines of life hath, may as a man mistake so∣methings, and bee deceiued. But when as chief pastor of Christs church, hee comes to define any deepe question for the instruction of the whole church; then hee hath (through the vertue of our blessed Saviours praier) as∣sistance of the holie ghost. First to cause that

matter to bee dulie sifted and considered of by learned Divines, according to the impor∣tance and difficultie therof either by the assi∣stance only of his owne ordinarie councell in his courto of Rome, if the question bee but ordinarie: or if it bee of greater consequence, and do concerne a whole nation, or the vni∣uersall church: then with the aid of a natio∣nall or generall councell; And finally after such mature aduise taken, to giue his sentēce and to determine it. this is that which wee meane, w∣hen wee saie, that the popes holines can never erre, when hee comes for the information and instructiō of the church, to define anie doubt∣full question ex cathedra, that is, iudicially af∣ter due examination. the infallibility of which sentence wee do not attribute to the learning, wisdome, or godlines of the pope, and much lesse to the sitting downe in his chaire (as M. Abbot dreamed) who being a mortall man maie err and doe amisse: but vnto our Saviours provident foresight, and vnto the most assu∣red verity of his promise made to S. Peter, and his successors; which prayer and promise of our blessed Saviour can neuer faile. Against the evidence of which truth M. Abbot having no∣thing to saie in reason, fals a railing at his ow∣ne misconceit of it, and cals it a drunken mans dreame. which if hee himself will needs haue to bee so, who cā lett him to tearme his owne dreame as hee list. Manie men of a more sober and advised spiritt can easilie vnderstand, that there was verie great reasō why our blessed Sa∣viour

(being to establish an ecclesiasticall state, which hee would haue tost and to the worlds end, incorrupt in Doctrine, & vniforme in ho∣lie rites and māners) should establish some one at the least, to resolue infallibly all the rest in all doubtfull questions, that should arise a∣mōg them, which he forsaw would be almost innumerable. And to endow him with suffi∣cient power and authority, to kepe all the rest in order and due obedience. This is that w∣hich wee maintaine he did for S. Peter, and his successors the Bishops of Rome: having his owne expresse word for our warrant, being vnderstood according vnto the learned expo∣sition, and prudent practise of the most an∣cient holy pastors, and prelates of Christs church, as hath been before declared.

Thus much to shew how vnsoundly M. Abbot interpreteth that text of holy scriptu∣re, and how vnproperly and feebly hee see∣keth to shift from the most literall and vnifor∣me exposition of the ancient Doctors. Now I come to examine the exceptions that hee ta∣keth against some sentēces that I alleaged out of the said holy fathers to the same purpose.

[ 19] My first and principall author, was the most learned and holie Archbishop of Lions S. Ire∣neus. who with his blood sealed his doctrine 1400 yeares agoe. Hee teacheth plainly that the Roman church is the greatest and most autentike: and that hee and others by allea∣ging the traditions (which the Apostles had lest to that church) and their faith by succes∣sion

of Bishops descending downe to his da∣ies, did confound and put to shame all wran∣glers, who either of ignorance, vaine glorie, or envy, did teach otherwise then they should haue done. And for an vpshott, addeth this reason, which I did before cite, to prove that wee must all ioyne in matter of faith with the church of Rome: to witt. For it is necessarie that everie church (that is all the faith full everie whe∣re) do agree with the church of Rome, for her more mightie principa∣litie: Bicause in it the tra∣ditions which descended from the Apostles, hath been alwaies preserved round about. Note first a most cleere proofe of that for which I cited it, to witt; that everie church, yea everie faith∣full man, must not of cur∣tesie, but of necessitie, ac∣cord with the church of Rome, in matter of faith and religion. Bicause in it as in a rich treasurie, that doctrine which the Apostles taught, is kept whole and sound. to which M. Abbot saith, that if wee take the reason added by Irenaeus, but concealed by mee, it will plainly appeare why it was neces∣sarie

for the other churshes to accord with the church of Rome. for this church (saith he) for the renowme of the place, being then the seat of the Empire, was the most eminent church of the world.

I answere that I concealed nothing. And this reason added by M. Abbot is wholie mista∣ken. for there is no mention in Irenaeus of ei∣ther the Emperors power or seate, for that mighty principality is proper to the church of Rome, for her spirituall dignitie. And it is most absurd to thinke that the church of Ro∣me in those ancient daies of S. Irenaeus, (when the Emperours were most deadly ennemies of the Christian name) gott any reputation with other churches, by the worldly renowme of those persecuting Emperors, who raigned there. for that their wicked glorie was rather a whetstone to hatred and contempt, then anie allurement to loue and estimation.

This great respect then being borne vnto the church of Rome, before the Emperors of Rome were converted to be Christians, is a most manifest argument that the principality of the church of Rome, was not gotten by the renowme of that city, nor by the glorie of these heathen peesecuting Emperors: but for that the best learned, and most holie prelats of all countries, were taught by the Apostles and their schollers, that it was our blessed Saviours pleasure and ordinance, that such regard and obediēce should bee yeelded vnto the church of Rome: were the Emperors therof heathens

or Christians, good or bad. It was in deed ve∣rie convenient, that the prince of the Apostles, and head of Christs church, should be there seated, where the Monarch of the temporall estate held his court: to the intent, that impie∣tie being there crushed as it were in the head, might the sooner decaie all the bodie over: And true godlines being happely planted in the cheif place, might with more facility and speed bee spred in all other nations; and also that mē might bee more easily induced to yeeld religious obedience to the Bishop of that pla∣ce, vnto whose tēporall magistrates, the whole world before had obeied in temporall affaires. But this is to bee attibuted to our Saviours de∣vine wisdome, order, & institution: Not vnto the greatnes or worldlie pollicie of anie earth∣ly Emperors. M. Abbot seing little hold to bee taken vpon the renowme of that place, as the state of things went then, doth acknowledg that in those daies the church of Rome was pure & sound, & therfore fitt to be propounded as a patterne for o∣ther churches to imitate: But now the case is altered (as he saith) bicause the church of Rome it self is now questioned, for swarving from the tradition of the Apostles: which being soe, that cannot be said to bee necessarie now, which was necessarie then.

This answer hath as litle solidity in it as the other. For the church of Rome it self, was as well chalenged in those daies for swarving from the Apostles tradition, by the Mōtanists, Marcionists, and such like Heretikes, as now by the Lutherans, Calvinists and Anabaptists. And neuertheles the renowmed prelates of

Christs church, and most firme pillers of our Christian religion, did then teach all Chri∣stians to make their recourse vnto the same church for resolution of the true faith, wis∣hing them to conforme themselues therto, and by avouching boldlie that doctrine, w∣hich they found there maintained, to con∣found all them that taught the contrary, as yee haue heard out of Irenaeus. Let vs therfore as kind children treading in the right steps of those our most laudable forfathers, seeke with them vnto that same church of Rome, for the veritie of that doctrine which descended from the Apostles, imbrace it most willingly, and professe it as constantlie: though we heare our holie mother to be called into question by vn∣towardlie and degenerous Children, that ei∣ther wilfullie run out of her house, to follow their owne pleasure and fancies; or are for pu∣re feare, falne away from her and forsaken her ordinances.

M. Abbot admitting as it were, that other churches should according to S. Irenaeus rule, con∣forme themselues in matter of doctrine to the church of Rome: yet to giue vs a tast of the subtility of his shifting witt, addeth, that ther is in that pla∣ce of Irenaeus nothing for her superiority in gover∣ment.

well, that being once granted, that all other churches should for matter of doctrine, ac∣cord with the church of Rome; it would the∣ron necessarily follow, that the church of En∣gland, and consequently his maiestie ought to

do the same: which was all that I sued for. yet over and besides, Irenaeus words being well weighed do import also a superiority in go∣verment, to be resident in that church. which I proue, bicause he saies, that other churches must of necessity accord with the church of Rome for her more potēt principality. Now if the church of Rome haue power and principality over other churches; And do impose a necessitie v∣pon them of according vnto it: it must needes haue superiority in goverment over them: or els the other could not be bound of necessitie to follow it. M. Abbot doth grammatically des∣cant first vpon this word (principalitie) and saies that it may sign••fie eminencie in estimation, though not superioritie in goverment. And that it maie bee potent also, to move by example and perswasion on∣ly, not by commaundement. Be it so, that these words maie be wrested into some such signi∣fication: as what words be there, that may not be diuerslie construed? yet everie reasona∣ble man will soone see, that power and princi∣palitie, do properly import a commaunding superiority. And will as easily graunt, that the fathers words are rather to be fairly taken according to the more vsuall signification, then in anie such forced sense and constru∣ction.

Againe, seing that power and superioritie did (even as S. Irenaeus expresseth) impose a ne∣cessitie vpon others of conforming themselues to the church of Rome: it could not bee that imagined superioritie of M. Abbots, which

imposeth no such necessitie. wherfore it re∣maines evident, that M. Abbot is driuen to flie from the vsuall signification, & true meaning of S. Irenaeus words. In like manner M. Abbot to cast some better colour, vpon his new devised principalitie, or rather to shift over into ano∣ther matter, that seemes more plausible, wri∣teth thus.

20 That M. Bishop may vnderstand I do not answere him by a deuise of mine, but according to the truth, hee shall find that Ciprian calleth the chu••ch of Rome, the princ pall church: and yet in the same place, he denieth the authority of the Bis∣hops in Africa, to be inferiour vnto the Bishops of Rome.

M. Abbot and other Protestants cannot choose but stand in bodily feare, so often as they appeale vnto the ancient fathers for sup∣port of their novelties. for you shall scarse find any one of them, that doth not in the verie pla∣ce alledged by the Protestants, giue them such a bob, that everie beholder maie plainly see, they do not favour their cause; nor are content to be called in for their witnesses. Let S. Cy∣prian now cited by M. Abbot serve for an e∣xample. This is the sentence out of which M. Abbot picked the former words. After those things, and more also after a false Bishop appointed them by Heretiks, they dare sai∣le to the chaire of Peter, and vnto the principall

church, whence priestlie vnity hath its beginning, and carrie letters from schismatikes, and propha∣ne fellowes: not remem∣bring that such are the Romanes (whose faith is praised by the Apostles voice) vnto whom perfidie can haue no accesse. I set downe the whole passage because by and by we must tre∣ate of the later part therof, as well as now of the former. where is sufficientlie declared, that S. Ciprian tooke the church of Rome to be principall, not onlie in estimation, but in order of goverment. which I proue First, be∣cause hee affirmes the church of Rome to be S. Peters chaire, and consequently to be end∣ued with like authoritie, that S. Peter enioy∣ed, vpon whom (as S. Ciprian in twentie pla∣ces avoucheth) the church of Christ was buil∣ded. Secondly, he describes it to be that prin∣cipall church, which is the fountaine of pri∣estly and ecclesiasticall vnitie. which could not be, vnles it had power and authoritie to compell all other churches to stand to her or∣der, and therby to hold all in vnitie of faith, and vniformity of religiō. For as all the world now seeth, there neither is, nor can bee (in mans iudgment) any vnitie in faith, or reli∣gious rites, among Protestants, bicause there is no one soveraigne cōmaūder over them all, in∣dued with authoritie to cōpell the rest to agree in one. And in the self same Epistle S. Cip. cōfir∣meth this verie poīt in these memorable words.

Heresies haue not risen, nor schismes sprong from any other roote, then for that obedience is not ye∣elded to one priest: and for that one priest for the time, and one Iugde is not accepted of in Christs steed.

Do you see by S. Cyprians sentence, that the only way to root out heresies and to accord schismes, is to acknowledg one priest for so∣veraigne Iudge in ecclesiasticall cases, and to obey him as Christs vicegerent on earth. Such a soveraigne Iudge is hee that sits in S. Peters chaire, and that principall church of Rome, by S. Ciprians owne assertion in the former pe∣riod; or els Ecclesiasticall Discipline could not draw its originall vnitie thence. Thus much here to prove that the principall church in that place of S. Ciprian, is to be taken for the principall in authoritie and goverment. Now to the other part. S. Cipriā denieth not the Bis∣hops in Africa to be inferior vnto the Bishop of Rome, but blameth such troublesome fel∣lowes, that would not rest quiet and content, with their owne Bishops iudgment, but flie abroad to molest others with their brawles: as though their owne Bishops had not sufficient authority, or witt, to compose and end their quarrells at home. S. Ciprian supposeth, that their churches in Afrike, had no less authority then others churches to order such matters; but neither names the church of Rome, nor

makes any comparison in matter of higher na∣ture. but all this is deuised and thrust in out of the fecundity of M. Abbots vnderstanding. yet let vs grant that S. Ciprian might meane, that the Bishops in Africk had no loss autho∣ritie to Iudg of their own subiects faults then any other Bishops; yea then the Bishop of Ro∣me himself hath: It doth not thervpon ensue, that he thought the Bishops in Africke, not inferiour vnto the Bishop of Rome. For in ti∣mes past, in our owne countrey when it was Catholike, and now in France; men cannot ap∣peale to Rome from the ordinarie courts of their owne countrie, without speciall licence: and yet in farr greater matters, they acknow∣ledg the pope to be their supreme governor in causes Ecclesiasticall. But of this point we shall speake more in the next obiection, which is thus propounded by M. Abbot.

R. AB.

21 The African councell acknowledged the church of Rome, for the first and principall sea, and the Bis∣hop therof they tearme the Bishop of the first and principall sea: and yet they deny the Bishop of Ro∣me to haue anie authority over them. yea when zo∣zimus, Bonifacius, and Celestinus, chalenged the same by a forged Canon of the councell of Nice: Those African Bishops for the disproving therof, sent to the patriarches of Alexandria and Constan∣tinople, for autenticall copies of the same councell, wherin they found no such matter. And thervpon wrote to Celestinus, that he should forbeare to send

his legates to intermeddle in their matters. And for∣bad all appeales, saving to their owne councells: ex∣communicating them that presumed to appeale to Rome. And in this recusancy of subiection, they continued afterward for the space of an hundreth yeeres, vntill Eulalius the Bishop of Carthage sub∣mitted the same to Pope Boniface.

w. B.

This councell of Africk, and fact of the A∣frican Bishops there assembled, is very often in all protestants mouthes and writings; therfo∣re I will more particulerly examin it, and ma∣ke somwhat a longer staie vpon it. M. Abbot cōmitts two faults in his first allegation out of the sixt canon of that councell. the former of ignorance, in that he doth applie that to the Bishop of Rome, which the councell spea∣keth of the Archbishop of Carthage, their owne primate and Metropolitane: whom though they would haue to be obeyed, as primats are in all other countries: yet they de∣sired that hee should forbeare that statlie stile and title of primacie, and be contented to be called Bishop of the first sea. his other fault is an audacious averring them to deny that Bishop to haue any authoritie ouer them; of which in that canon there is never a word But the plaine contrarie is therin implied. For they there speaking of their owne Metropolitane, they must needs bee vnderstood (being no Pu∣ritanes) to acknowledg him to haue authori∣tie over all other Bishops in the same provin∣ce. In the 101 Canon (which M. Abbot doth al∣leage

in the second place) he over reacheth al∣so not a little. For wheras those Bishops do humbly request his holines, not to grant de∣puties to everie one that shall come to Rome to demaund them; he saies they willed the po∣pe not to intermeddle at all in their matters. And in the third place cited by them, to witt, Canon 92, there is a notorious falsification. for wheras that councell doth forbid onlie priests and deacons, & other inferiour persons to ap∣peale to Rome: M. Abbot saies, they forbid all appeales: wheras they speake not of Bishops, of whom principally the question was: but leaue that in the state wherin it was before. This by the waie, to shew how corruptly M. Abbot cites his authors, and how litle cōscien∣ce hee makes, to deceiue his seely reader, that is so simple as to believe what he saith. Now to the maine matter of the 101 Canon, which hee cites in the secōd place, which well considered, doth rather confirme the popes authoritie o∣ver those Africane Bishopes, then infirme it. For albeit the Bishops of Africk did not ack∣nowledg any such canon to be in the councell of Nice, which by the popes legat was alled∣ged to prove that appellations might be made out of Africk, or anie other countrie vnto Ro∣me in some cases: yet they did so behaue them∣selues therin, that anie reasonable man may perceiue their great affectiō, and humble obe∣dience vnto the same sea of Rome. For they not finding in their owne copies of the Ni∣cene counsell that which was put into the

Legats instructions, desired respite to make enquiry after the best copies, and in the meane season promised obedience: These be their words. These things that out of the said instructiōs are alleaged vnto vs (con∣cerning the appeales of Bishops, vnto the Bishop of Rome &c: & of priests causes to bee determined, by the Bishops of their owne provinces) wee do professe and promise to obserue, vntill due triall of those canons be made, & trust in the will of God, that your holines will hel∣pe vs thervnto. If those Reuerend and holy Bis∣hops of Africa, had been infected with the leauen of the protestants, they would haue soone answered as M. Abbot here vntru∣lie reporteth they did: that the Bishop of Rome had no authority ouer them; and haue willed him to keepe himself within his owne bounds, and not to intermed∣dle with the matters of Africk: But they contrariwise promised obedience, vntill true triall were made. which argueth that the custome before was for bishops to ap∣peale to Rome, and therfore that to be continued, vn∣till proofe could bee made to the contrarie: according to that axiome of the law. Let him that is in possessiō kee∣pe his possession, vntill good proofe bee brought against him.

Quia melior est conditio possidentis. Secondly, w∣hen those reverend fathers had receiued copies from Alexandria and Constantinople, whe∣rin were not contained any Canons for ap∣pealing to Rome, they certified the same in these submissiue words. Praefato debito saluta∣tionis officio, impendio deprecamur, &c: The du∣tie of our bounden salutations premised, wee do ear∣nestly request and pray you, that you will not too easilie admitt to your audience them that come from hence. And before their letters they sett this title: Dilectissimo Domino, to their best beloued Lord, and most honorable brother. Do not these hum∣ble words of bounden dutie vnto their Lord, notifie what esteeme they made of the Bishop of Rome? They saie indeed, that they found neither in the Canons of the Nicene councell, nor in anie other of their fathers, that the Bis∣hop of Rome should send anie legats into their country, to heare and determine their causes. wherin (by the leaue of such worthy personages be it spoken) they shew, that they had not read or well considered the Canons of the councell holden at Sardica, which was both verie generall, and most autenticall, as I haue proved before. for in that councell it is expresly decred, that any Bishop of what coast or countrie soever, may appeale vnto the Bishop of Rome. And that the said Bishop of Rome maie de∣pute and send others to the place, where the Bishops appellants do dwell, to heare and determine all such causes. And most probable it is, that those ho∣ly popes Zozimus, Bonifacius, and Celestinus,

meant the same canons of the councell of Sar∣dica, which they called the Canons of the Nicene councell: because that councell of Sardica was both holden by some of the same principall persons that were at the Nicene councell, as Hosius, Athanasius, and such like; and did also treat much about the same mat∣ters. wherfore it is said to be ioyned in the Ro∣man copy with the councell of Nice, and re∣puted as an appendix or parcell of it. And the∣rin perhaps was the errour cōmitted, that the popes having both these councells com∣pact into one, named the canons of both, af∣ter the more principall and more renowmed councell of Nice: calling them the canons of the Nicene councell; which in rigour were but the canons of the councell of Sardica. yet that councell of Sardica being of the same au∣thoritie and binding power, they in alleaging them vnder the name of the Nicene, did not offer any wrong vnto those Bishops of Africk, exacting onely that that their right might bee preserved entire among them, which by the approued canons of the church, was due vnto their seat. And these reverend prelates of the African church were the more excusable, for that they had not seen perhaps any true copie of the approued councell of Sardica at that time; the place being verie remote from them, and the litle space of time, which was betwe∣ene the two councels of Sardica and Afrike, having been also most troblesome, by reason of the Arrians manifold violent persecutions.

this much in brief of that great busines. wher∣by it appeareth cleerly that although these re∣uerend prelates of Africk, held it much more expediēt, that all perticuler cōtroversies about meū & tuum, & concerning misdemeanors and crimes, should be handled in the place where the parties and witnesses were knowen, & w∣here all particulers might bee more narowly sifted, and with more speed and less charges tried, then a far of in a forrain countrie: yet for matter of faith, and rites of religion, they ne∣ver denyed the explicatiō or determinatiō the∣rof, to appertaine to the Bishop of Rome. Ap∣peales to Rome in matters of law, haue been in our owne countrie, (when it was Catho∣like) forbidden, without the expresse leaue of the prince; and at this daie are in the Christiā countrie of France, without any deniall of the popes supreme cōmanding power in cases Ecclesiasticall: which is all and more too then the African councell did; for that doth only for∣bid priests and inferior persons to appeale thither: leaving all Bishops art their libertie. so that in fine if all were grāted, which M. Abbot goeth about to prove, yet it is not sufficient to in∣fringe the supremacy of the pope. for albeit appeales to Rome in matter of law were pro∣hibited; yet recourse thither for matter of faith and religiō being approued, & stāding good, the supremacy is sufficiently maintained.

21 Notwitstanding because the fact of the A∣frican councell is holdē by the Protestāts (who for wāt of greater proofe, are faine to make much of a little) to be very preiudiciall vnto

the supremacy of the sea of Rome: I will heere produce some testimonies of the best learned & most approued Africā Doctors, in favor of the pope & church of Romes supreme power over Afrike it self. The first shalbe S. Ciprian, who as in dignitie was primate of Afrike, so for his great wisedome and learning was infe∣rior to few, and in his glorious martirdome over went the rest. This right worthy Archbis¦hope declareth plainly, that they were not accustomed to end all their controversies at ho∣me: But he himself with the assent of other Bis∣hops, did send two Bis∣hops, the one called Ca∣lidonius, the other For∣tunatus, vnto Cornelius then pope of Rome, recomēding their causes vnto him; And sheweth, how in the meane season whiles their causes were before him, the Bishops of Africa would liue in suspence, expecting his iudgment. Is not this an evidēt demonstration, that the Bishops of Africk in S. Ciprians times (which was within 200. ye∣res of Christ) held the court of Rome to be ouer and aboue their owne. which yet S. Ci∣prian in the same epistle doth more expresly declare. when he doth exhort and councell the appellants, that went to Rome, to cary them∣selues there without scā∣dall; and to aknowledg

and obserue the church of Rome, as the ro∣ote or foundation, and mother of the Catho∣like church. Stephen a reuerend Bishop of Mau∣ritania in Afrike, who li∣ued before that African councell, thus writeth to pope Damasus. wee ma∣ke knowē vnto your ho∣lines, that some Bishops our neighbors haue go∣ne about to depose other reuerend Bishops, not ac∣quainting you with that matter: wheras the iud∣gment of Bishops, and fi∣nall determinatiō of their principall causes, by the decrees of our fathers doth in honor of blessed S. Peter, belong vnto your sea. Is not this a most plaine aknowled∣gment of the Bishop of Romes commanding authoritie ouer the churches of Afrike? And because no exception can be iustly taken, ei∣ther against pope Damasus learning and inte∣gritie, or against his writings (whose secreta∣ry somtimes was S. Hierome) I will set dow∣ne his answer vnto the said African Bishop. These bee his words. It behoveth vs that haue re∣ceiued Episcopall charge ouer the house of our lord, that is, the vniuer∣sall church to watch car∣fully,

that nothing w∣hich belonges to that function be wanting, &c. you (most beloued bro∣ther) do know the sea A∣postolike constituted of God an vnmoueable for∣tresse, and the head of all churches. which he pro∣ues by our Saviours wor∣ds (Thou art Peter, and vpon this rocke I will build my church) aver∣ring the Bishops of Ro∣me to be S. Peters succes∣sors and Christs vicars. and at length saith; That it is lawfull for Metropo∣litans to heare and discuss the causes of Bishops their suffragans; but vnlawfull to determin them finallie, without the authoritie of the sea of Rome. vn∣to which it was lawfull for all Bishops to ap∣peale, when need required, and there to find reliefe. I come now to some other councells, that were held in Africk, immediatly before that African, in which were present most of the same prelates. The councell holden at Mi∣leuitan writeth to Innocentius the first (who was pope next before Zozimus, to whom suc∣ceeded Bonifacius, and Celestinus, in this man∣ner. Bicause our lord of his speciall grace, hath

placed you in the sea Apostolike, and hath af∣forded you such a one in our times, that it may be rather imputed to the bla¦me of our negligence, if we conceale from your holines those things that are to be referred to the church; then that you can either disdainfully, or car∣lesly heare vs. wee therfo∣re beseech you that you will vouchsafe to applie your pastorall diligence vnto the weake members of Christ, &c. Many o∣thers that could trace out the errors of Pelagius, ha∣ue entred the combat w∣ith him, in defence of the grace of Christ, & of the truth of the Catholike faith, namely your holie sonne, our brother & fel∣low priest Hierome: but through the mercies of Christ (who will vouchsafe to heare you praying, & direct you giuing counsell) wee bee of opiniō, that they will sooner yeeld vnto the authoritie of your holines being deriued from the authoritie of holie scriptures. This epistle is recorded amōg S. Austins. so is another of that councell held at Carthage about the same time, wherin the Bishop of Africa wrote thus to the same pope. Holy Lord and brother, we haue thought good

to relate to you what we haue done, that vnto the decrees of our mediocri∣ty, may be adioyned the authoritie of the sea Apostolike, aswell for the preserving of manie mens saluation, as for the correcting of some persons deprauation. By both which Epistles we may easily perceiue, how the African Bis∣hops esteemed the church of Rome to bee the sea Apostolike, to be that head church, vnto which the affaires of higher nature, are to bee referred; That it had pastorall charge ouer the Churches of Africke; that it had au∣thority (warranted by the word of God) for the defining of matter of faith; vnto which even heretikes would yeeld sooner, then vnto any other though esteemed never so learned. And therfore they sent the decrees of their co∣uncell vp to Rome, to be confirmed by the pope. All this being of record in approved A∣frican councels holden about the same time, and by the same persons, that were at that o∣ther African councell; what reason hath anie man to thinke, that therin the Bishop of Ro∣me was forbidden to intermeddle in their af∣faires of Afrike.

S. Austin himself rela∣teth both that these two councells, to witt, of Carthage and of Mileui∣tane,

had written vnto pope Innocentius, and further doth assure vs, that the popes answer to them was sound, & such as did well beseeme the sea Apostolike. I will therfore be bold to acquaint the Reader with the same his answer. These be his words.

You do diligently, and as it becometh you res∣pect the honor of the sea Apostolik: the honor (I say) of it, that besides her owne particuler, hath a great care of all churches to declare vnto them, w∣hat is to be holden of cō∣troversies that do arise; wherin you do follow the forme of the old Ca∣nōs, which (as you know) haue been observed all the world ouer. This I let passe, bicause your wisdo¦mes be not ignorāt of it, but haue by your owne deed confirmed it: know∣ing that answers do flow from the sea Apostolike, as from a fountaine, into all coūtries that demaūd the same, and specially where the substance of faith is sifted out, then I thinke that all

our brethren and fellow bishops, ought to re∣ferr the decision and determination therof vnto no other then vnto S. Peter, the author of their owne name and order, as your chari∣ty hath now done. This I hope is plaine e∣nough, to demonstrate that in pure antiqui∣tie, the Bishops of Africk and other countries for the decision of controuersies in matters of doctrine specially, were bound to seeke vnto the Bishop of Rome.

S. Austin (as all men know) was one of the greatest lights, not only of the Africā church but of the whole world since his daies, Hee was also present att the same African councell: let vs heare whether hee thought that the Bis∣hop of Rome, had nothing to doe with the affaires of Africk, or that the African Bishops might not appeale to Rome. First hee with the other Bishops present at the councels of Car∣thage, and Mileuitan, did send the decrees of the same councell to bee confirmed of the pope, of which I haue alreadie spoken.

2 Hee writeth vnto po∣pe Celestinus about the cause of an African Bis∣hop requesting him to pervse all that had pas∣sed about him in Africk, and to confirme their former iudgments. whe∣rin he acknowledgeth the court of Rome, to bee a∣boue the highest courts in Africk.

3 He testifieth that pope Zozimus had au∣thoritie to establish Bishops in Africk, and to call a councell there. shewing how hee himself was by him sommoned to assist at the same councell in these words. Ecclesiasticall necessitie being enioyned vs, by the venerable pope Zozimus bishop of the sea Aposto∣like, we were drawen vn∣to Cesarea in Mauritania.

4 In the same Epistle he declareth how two nota∣ble heretikes Pelagius & his disciple Celestius we∣re cōdemned (vnles they did repent) all the world over, by two renowmed popes Innocentiu, and Zozimus. wherfore he tooke their power to stretch all the world over. where also having cited the decree of Zozi∣mus in his owne words, adioyneth this high commendation to it: in these words of the sea Apostolike, is comprehended so authentike, so well grounded, so certaine and cleere a de∣finitiō of the Catholike faith, that it were an impietie for anie christian man to doubt of it.

5 So doth he commend the sentence of Mel∣chiades pope of Rome giuen for Cecilianus Archbishop of Carthage against Donatus in these wordes. The finall sentence pronoun∣ced

by Melchiadis, how innocent was it, how so∣und, how prouident, & peaceable? and a litle af∣ter. O most excellent mā, the sonne of Christian peace, and the father of Christian people. And of the same good Archbis∣hop Cecilianus, S. Austin saith in the same place; that hee needed not care for the multitude of his enemies conspiring a∣gainst him; so long as he saw himself by comuni∣catory letters ioyned w∣ith the church of Rome, in which alwaies the prin¦cipalitie of the Apostolike chaire did florish, &c.

Saint Austin then, directing with others the decrees of their councell to be confir∣med by the pope, teaching also that it w∣ere an impiety to doubt of his sentence; further affirming, that he could condemne heretikes all the world over; doth plainly signifie that he held the definition of the sea of Rome, for matter of faith to be in∣violable. Againe, walking himself with o∣ther Bishops of Africk, to a councell at the popes commandement, and holding the popes sentence for a finall determination of the African bishops Ecclesiasticall affaires;

yea avouching in plaine words, that the primacy of the Apostolike sea had alwaies florished at Rome; All these specialties considered, who can doubt, but that Saint Austin both in that African councell, and ever after was of opinion, that the pope of Rome might intermeddle with the Ecclesiasticall causes of Africk: and that the African Bishops, and their causes and co∣uncels, might be verie well, and ought in some cases to be referred vnto the iudg∣ment of the Bishop of Rome.

23 Not long after Saint Augustin liued, pope Leo the great, who directed a most graue and learned letter vnto the Bishops of Africa, wherin he decreed some Bishops there to be deposed, o∣thers to be continued in their office: and re∣stored one Lupicinus by name to his Bishoprick, who being deposed by the Bishops of that pro∣uince of Africa, had ap∣pealed from their sen∣tence vnto the same Leo Bishop of Rome. which is a manifest evidence that the Bishops of A∣frick

did aclwaies aknowledg the Bishop of Rome his superiority, and cōmanding power over the Bishops of their countrie. victor vti∣censis liued also verie shortlie after S. Austin, and before Eulalius: he writing in that inte∣rim, in which M. Abbot doth beare vs in hād that the church of Africa was fallen out with the Church of Rome, he (I saie) a verie god∣lie Bishop, a grave, and learned Historiogra∣pher, rehearseth: How Eugenius Archbishop of Carthage, for conferring with the vanda∣le Honoricus (then by inuasion king of the greatest part of Africk and an Arrian here∣tike) said vnto his deputie. If the kingly po∣wer desire to know our faith, which is the only true faith, you may con∣sult with your councell; And I will write vnto my brethren, and especially vnto the church of Ro∣me (which is the head of all churches) and we to∣geather will declare vnto your Maiestie, that faith which is common to vs all.

Behold how even immediatly after that councell of Africk, when M. Abbot dreamed the Bishops of Africa to be fallen awaie from the sea of Rome, The primate of Carthage (the chief citie in all Africk) acknowledged

the church of Rome to be the head of all the churches, and that for the resolution of matter of faith, that sea of Rome was prin∣cipallie to bee consulted. I need not des∣cend anie Lower bicause M. Abbot himself doth relate how Eulalius Archbishop of Carthage, (who liued the next age after) acknowledged the popes supremacie, and made that countrie of Africk subiect vn∣to it.

Seing then that cleaven hundreth yeres a∣goe (when Eulalius liued) by M. Abbots owne confession, the popes had soueraign commaund over the churches of Africk, and before: even vp to Saint Cyprian and Tertul∣lians time (which was within 200. yeeres af∣ter Christ) the same church of Rome was by the principall pillars and lights of Africk, esteemed the mother church of the world, and roote of Christian vnity, vnto which some of their Bishops in all ages did appea∣le for succour, some others did referr the decrees of their councels to be confirmed, acknowledging the Bishop of Rome to ha∣ue power to assemble councels in Africk. and to condemne heretikes all the world over: was not M. Abbot fowly over seen, and did he not ouer-reach most grieuous∣ly when he said, that the Bishops of A∣fricke denied the Bishop of Rome to ha∣ue anie authority over them, and forbad

him to intermeddle with matters of their country.

I haue staid the longer vpon this fact of the African Bishops, bicause the Prote∣stants make such reckening of it: I will with more speede dispatch that which fol∣loweth. M. Abbot obi••cteth, that Anicetus the pope could not perswade Policarpus to keepe the feast of Easter, after the manner of Rome. therby intimating, that Policarpus was not acquainted with that potent principality of the church of Rome. I answer that not withstanding the confessed acknowledg∣ment of the popes supremacy, no man is bound to follow all his opinions, or to imbrace his aduises or perswasions: onlie he is of dutie to obey his expresse comma∣undements. wherfore Anicetus not binding Policarpus by anie mandate to alter his opinion: thence cannot bee gathered anie disobedience of Policarpus; though it be most certain, that Anicetus was in the truth, and thother in errour. for that the feast of Easter, should haue been kept of all churches, according vnto the manner of Rome, And so it was afterward defined in the first generall councell of Nice. As do witnes,a Athanasius, Eusebius,b Epipha∣nius, heres. 69. Socrates histor. lib. 1. cap. 6. Theodoret. histor. 1. cap. 10. Nicephorus hi∣stor. lib. 8. cap. 19. Nevertheles Anicetus

out of the spirit of lenity, was content to bea∣re with Policarpus, being a holy, reverend, and Apostolicall man. Pope victor afterward seing the same errour creeping further ab∣road, and beginning to infect euen the wester∣ne church, thought it fitter to vse his authori∣tie to driue the churches of Asia from the cu∣stome of the Iewes, vnto conformity with the church of Rome. Neither is it apparent, nor so certaine as M. Abbot would haue it seeme, that Policrates did disobey his sentence of ex∣communication. for those his words cited by M. Abbot, are set downe in Eusebius, when the question was yet in examination, and be∣fore the sentence pronounced. So that he might verie well (as his duty required) after he saw the popes definitiue sentence, confor∣me himself thervnto, though before hee was of another mind. And he being otherwise a verie godly and a learned prelate, is to be presumed and taken to haue done that which he ought to do. the contrary not being able to be prooued. S. Ciprian (whom M. Abbot ci∣teth next) as all the learned know, erred in that point of rebaptizing them, that were be∣fore baptized by heretikes; and therin out of humane frailtie offended, by not conforming his opinion vnto Stephen Bishop of Rome; forgetting his owne iudgment giuen, and often repeted when he was out of that distem∣pered moode, to witt, that heresies and schismes do grow out of no other

roote, then that the voice of one priest, and iudge for the time, in Christs steed is not harkened vnto. and many such like. M. Abbot to testify to the world that he is a blind guid, and willīg to lead his feollowers into the ditch, is not as∣hamed to propound vnto them for imitation, the knowen and confessed faults and blemis∣hes of men otherwise good. How much mo∣re sincerly deale wee, who desire all men to follow S. Ciprian in all other matters, saving in that one, wherin hee failed, and not to lay hold of words then spoken in passion by him to make good his errour, specially when they be cōtrary even vnto himself, when he was his owne man, and out of that distemper? whence also we do gather this Christian observation worthie to be deepely printed in everie Chri∣stian mans hart. If such great learned persona∣ges as were S. Ciprian and Policrates, when they would not harken vnto the sentence of the Popes of Rome, did fall into errour: what a warning is that vnto men of meaner wits, and much lesser learning, to take heed, that they swarne not one haires bredth from the popes definitions in matter of doctrine; lest withall they decline from the truth, as their betters by many degrees haue done before them, when they would not be ruled?

25 Out of Africke M. Abbot sailes into Asia, taking over great paines to search out some poore relief for his bad cause, and saies: they did not imagine any such principality to appertain vnto

the church of Rome; And for proofe therof brings in that which rather proveth the con∣trarie, to witt, that Leo the great for the loue of peace yeelded to them in a faultie definitiō of theirs, about the observation of Easter. If that worthy pope should haue condescended vnto those Asians rather then to haue contended with them, doth not that rather argue, that he was their superior, and might haue dealt more se∣verly with them, if he had taken it for the bet∣ter course? But I reading over all that Epistle cited by M. Abbot, do not find it so as he re∣portes: but that these Asians were rather Pris∣cilian heretikes, whom that holy pope much blameth and condemneth for their evill ob∣servation of Easter, without anie yeelding vn∣to them. wherfore I cannot see to what other purpose that can serue, than to shew that the bishope of Rome had commanding power in Asia. M. Abbot recuils back to Hierome, affir∣ming him not to haue believed any such mat∣ter of the popes principality, who of purpose as (hee faineth) did write in the derogation of the church of Rome, saying: that if authority be required, the whole world is greater then one City. why dost thou bring mee the custome of one Citty? why dost thou vphold a few, w∣ho being proud, vsurpe vpon the lawes of the church?

Saint Hierom was alwaies a most valiant Champion of the church of Romes authori∣ty, and of her infallible definitions in matter

of faith, as every one may plainly see in his e∣pistle to Pope Damasus and elswhere. yet for matter of fact, neither he nor any other (I thinke) will go about to excuse the church, or rather the court of Rome wholy. In the place that M. Abbot doth alleage, he find•• fault with some Deacons of the court of Ro∣me, that did take place before priests, which seemed in that humble Doctors eie a great moate, growing out of the presumption of some few, vsurping against ••he lawes and cō∣mon custome of the church. And in such a ca∣se as that, the custome of all the world besids, was (no doubt) to bee preferred before the custome of that citie onely, or rather (as Saint Hierom himself interpreteth it) of some few proud deacons of that citie. But heerhence to inferr that S. Hierom did not acknowledg the primacy of that sea, is too too simple, and ra∣ther to be laughed at, thē otherwise answered. That which followeth out of S. Ambrose is of the same soary sute: for that most grave holy father saith, I desire in all things to follow the church of Rome, but we also are men that haue vn∣derstanding, and therfo∣re what is more rightly obserued elswhere, we iu∣stly observe the same. S. Ambrose speakes the∣re of rites and ceremonies vsed in the admini∣stration of the sacraments: in which it was lawfull then for so excellent a prelate as saint

Ambrose was, to make his choise of the best. Yea S. Gregorie the great would not so strict∣ly tie S. Austin our English Apostle (brought vp at Rome) vnto the ceremonies of the church of Rome: but willed him if he saw any ceremonies in the church of France, that might better please God or more moue those new converted Christians vn∣to greater devotiō, to ma∣ke his choice of them, rather then to retaine the rites of Rome. whervpon if any man should be so simple as to collect, that S. Gre∣gory did not aknowledg the pope or church of Romes principality; were he not to be beg∣ged for an innocent? In the like tearmes stands M. Abbot, that would out of Saint Ambrose choise of some ceremonies, different from the church of Rome, Inferr that S. Ambrose did not acknowledg the pope of Romes supre∣macy. Let it be noted by the way, that S. Am∣bro••e (who was so graue and iudicious a Doctour, and S. Austins father in Christ) desired in all things to follow the church of Rome. That their spirit and disposition who desire in all things to depart from the same church, may be dis∣covered and taken to bee quite contrarie to the holy spirit, of the most approved ancient fathers.

26 M. Abbot like vnto a man that is shooting at Rovers observing no certain method, re∣turnes back to the councell of Chalcedon, a∣vouching

that it did not acknowledg that principality of the church of Rome: These be his words drawen out of that councell. The priviledges of the church of Rome, were g••ven to it by the fathers before, because that citie was the seat of the Empire; and vpon the same consideration doth give the church of Constantinople equall pri∣viledg with the church of Rome, it being then the seat of the Empire.

W. B.

HEre are two or three grosse faults: First, wheras this councell is cited, as not ac∣knowledging the principality of the church of Rome; It doth cleane contrarie in the first words cited by M. Abbot, acknowledg that priviledg to belong vnto the same church of Rome. whether it had that by the institution of Christ, or for that it was the seat of the Em∣pire, is not now materiall: of it I haue said somthing before, and haue much more to say, when occasion shall serue. But to M. Abbots condemnation, his owne witnes doth depose, that the church of Rome had that priuiledg of principality, and that in goverment, as by manie circumstances of that councell, I haue once alreadie proved: to witt, All thea bils preferred to that councell, were directed to pope Leo, and to the councell. Theb sentence was pronounced in the name of Pope Leo; The councell is sent toc pope Leo to be con∣firmed. And all the Bishops there assembled,

in their Epistle to pope Leo, do declare that he was over them, as the head is to the rest of the members. And much more is there said to testify the church of Romes principality. so that M. Abbot could not haue. directed vs, vnto a more sound and evident witnesse a∣gainst this his position. Thus much of the first fault.

Secondly, he puts the sentence of 150. Bis∣hops, that were of the Constantinople coun∣cell, for them of Chalcedon. yet I am content to let that passe, bicause it makes no great matter. But I may not conceale how he, to ser∣ve his owne purpose, hath cut of the councels words in the middest. For those fathers do saie; that the Bishop of Constantinople, was to ha∣ue the like priviledges, yet, secundam post eam exi∣stentem, to be second after the Bishop of Rome. And as it is in the councell of Constantinople, which they follow: vt obtineret secundum gra∣dum d••gnitatis post antiquam Romam. That the sea of Constantinople should obtaine the second degree of dignity after old Rome. Did he not wa∣rely pare of those words? would they not ha∣ue displaid and laid open his cosenage? what is like to become of this honest mans credit, that durst cite this sentence to disprove the church of Romes principality, which doth so plainly approve it?

But what meant the councell then to saie, that the sea of Constantinople, should haue like, or equall priviledges with Rome? Marie they were equall or like in some priviledges,

not in all. They desired that the Bishoprick of Constantinople might be erected vnto the title and dignity of a patriarchall sea, as Ro∣me was: secondly to haue spirituall Iurisdi∣ction over all Thracia, Asia minor, and Ponti∣ca: Further also that it might be placed imme∣diatly after Rome, and honored before the o∣ther Patriarchall seas of Alexandria, Antioch, and Hierusalem, even as Rome was. Therfore in those two points specially, of being a Pa∣triarchall sea, and of being preferred before the other patriarches, they desired it should be like to Rome: yet not Equall to Rome it self in dignity or principalitie, but to obtaine the next place after it. this was the highest point of their ambition then, and the vtter∣most that was requested. To witt: That old Rome should enioy the primacie, and that Con∣stantinople should haue the next place of dignity after Rome, and be inuested with patriarchall Iu∣risdiction, over the Metropolitans of Pontica, A∣sia, and Thracia. Against which grant made by manie of the councell, in the absence of the popes legates, being presidents, publike exce∣ption was made by the same presidents, in the behalf of the other patriarchall seas: who we∣re in the councell of Ni∣ce declared to haue next after Rome the highest seats of dignity. And Leo the great when he came to confirme that generall coūcell, approving all the

rest, protested against that ambition of the Bishop of Cōstantinople, as both derogatorie to the De∣crees of the Nicene coū∣cell, and iniurious vnto the right honorable patriarchall seas of Ale∣xandria, Antioch, and Hierusalem.

well howsoever it were for the rest, certain it is to M. Abbots great confusion, that the Bishop of Constantinople did not in those daies so much as pretend anie higher pree∣minence, then to be next after the Bishop of Rome, and therfore it remaineth euident that he as well as all others did acknowledg the principalitie of the sea of Rome. Thus much touching the testimonie of S. Irenaeus, my first auctor, who averreth all churches to be boūd to accord with the church of Rome for her more potent principalitie.

27 Now I come to examine what M. Abbot can saie against the evidence which I produ∣ced out of S. Ciprian, my second witnesses de position, in favour of the same church of Ro∣me, his words bee these (which we touched before vpon another occasion) After these things, yea they having furthermore a false Bishop set over them by heretikes, yet they presumed to sai∣le vnto S. Peters chaire, (whence priestly vnity doth spring) and cary with them letters from schis∣matikes, and prophane persons: not remembring the Romans (whose faith is by the Apostle prai∣sed) to be such men, as perfidie can haue no accesse

to them. Ad quos perfidia non potest habere acces∣sum. Because perfidia is the contrarie to fides, and here by S. Cyprian opposed to the faith of Romans commended by S. Paul, I with perfidiousnes (which hath also another signi∣fication) did for explications sake, ioyne fals∣hood in matter of faith. Against which M. Ab∣bot excepteth, as that which turneth S. Ci∣prians words, from his true meaning. for he saith, that it made nothing for S. Ciprians purpose to say, that error in faith could haue no entrie to the Romans. because the question then was not a∣bout any point of faith, but about matter of Iuris∣diction, and the bad demeanors of some perfidious Africans: who hauing been iustly punished at ho∣me, fled to Rome for reliefe, and were like to abuse the pope with false tales, if hee tooke not the better heed vnto their reports. It was therfore imperti∣nent, (saies M. Abbot) to saie in such a case, that error in faith could haue no accesse to Rome. Yet he was not so blind, but did see that on the other side it were much more impertinent, yea vncredible that such a graue wise prelate as S. Ciprian was, should affirme that perfidious and vntrue informations in matter of fact could find no entrie in the court of Rome. He (I say) considering this absurdity is dri∣ven to a great exigent, and hardly can with all his skill excuse that glorious martyr from colloging, and glosing (which no man did more abhorr then hee) and from too exces∣siue commendation of the Roman courts integrity, in ordering matters brought vnto

it by appeale, out of other countries. For ne∣uer any man of experience yet held (as I wee∣ne) that the court of Rome could not giue eare to false informations in matter of law, if they looked not the better about them. well to come to the answer, there we haue first the ancient custome of appealing out of Africk to Rome confirmed by saint Ciprians authority, and that by M. Abbots own con∣fession.

Secondlie, that the word (perfidia) is to be taken rather for error in faith, then for perfidious reports, appeareth, for that it is there by S. Ciprian opposed as the contra∣rie to the true faith of the Romans which was by saint Paul commended: and in the sa∣me Epistle saint Ciprian saith: nulla societas fi∣dei & perfidiae potest esse: still opposiing persi∣diousnes to faith. So is it in the 57. Epistle, where he affirmeth, that if a novatian here∣tike should be put to death by the heathen persecutor for the Christian faith: that death to him that dieth out of the church, should bee, non corona fidei, sed paena perfidiae, not a crowne of faith, but a punishment of his mis∣belief and heresie.

Againe, that you may perceiue there to ha∣ue been good cause for S. Ciprian to cōmend the faith of the Romanes, you must obserue that there is mention made in the same senten∣ce, of false Bishops chosen by heretikes, who sailed towards Rome: were not they fitt instruments

to prepare the way to heresie and misbelief? and towardes the end of the same Epistle he plainly intimateth, that they were to be as∣saulted by heretikes, when he saith: albeit I knew you could not be taken with the veni∣me of haeretikes &c. It was then not besides the purpose to intimate, that such fellowes should find cold entertainment of the Ro∣mans, vnto whom misbelief could haue no accesse. besids in the next period going befo∣re, speaking of the same sailers to Rome, he cast this imputation vpon them: quibus satis non fuit ab Evangelio recedere. who thought it not enough for them to depart from the gospell. And was it then from the purpose, to giue them that caveat, that they were like to lose their labour in sailing to Rome for relief? Bicause misbelief could not bee welcome to the Ro∣manes, whose faith the Apostle had commen∣ded. In a word, was it not iust as much to S. Cipriās purpose, to saie that falshood in faith, could haue no accesse to the Romans, as to speake of the Romans faith, commended by the Apostle? where faith being (as everie man seeth) to bee taken properly, it must needs argue, that that perfidiousnes in the next line lincked with the other must be taken for the flatr contrarie. Seing then that the nature of the word doth allow that signification, which I gaue it, and saint Ciprian did so vse it often in that sence, namely when he opposeth it a∣gainst faith; the circumstances also of the pla∣ce, and Authors intention better agreing with

the same: it is evident that M. Abbot doth but cauill against the true sence of the word w∣hich I gaue; And would very absurdly haue it so taken, that you must either plainly saie, that S. Ciprian spake glosingly and vntruly; or els did strāgely mistake his words: putting (could) for (should.) Ad quos perfidia non po∣test habere accessum: for, non debuit habere acces∣sum. vnto whom (saith S. Cyprian) perfidious∣nes can haue no accesse. vnto whom (saith his corrector, or rather corruptor M. Abbot) per∣fidiousnes ought to haue no accesse. Betwixt which two propositions there is verie broad difference, as each man knoweth. Now that in some rare case, non potest, is taken for non de∣bet, it cannot, for it ought not: doth not enfor∣ce that it must be so taken, when it pleaseth M. Abbot; but hee must giue men leaue to pre∣fer, and to follow the naturall and vsuall si∣gnification of the word, before such a strange interpretation and wresting therof.

To that which in the end of his needles dis∣course (of it cannot, for, it ought not) Hee addeth; that S. Ciprian with a councell of Afri∣can Bishops did teach the rebaptising of them that were before baptised of heretikes, against the know∣ne sentence of pope Stephen. whence it followeth (saith M. Abbot) that they thought they might in matter of doctrine dissent from the Bishop of Ro∣me, or els they would haue submitted their opinion vnto his verdict. To which I answere: That ei∣ther they tooke that doctrine which the pope

of Rome deliuered vnto them in his letters, to be deliuered as his owne priuat opinion, to which they were not bound to conforme themselues: Or els that in the heat of vphol∣ding their errors, as they declined from the true doctrine, so they forgot their dutie to the sea of Rome. Because the obstinate main∣taining of one error, doth oftentimes push on hoat disputers into another: But when S. Ciprian was out of that humain passion,a he wrote as plainly as any mā could; That schismes and heresies do not spring from any other fountaine, then for that the sentence of one priest and Iudge in Christs steed, is not harkened vnto. Thatb the church of Rome is to bee stuck vnto, as to the roo∣te of vnity; and as the mother church to be ob∣served and obeied. And els∣where. Can hee that for∣saketh the chaire of Pe∣ter (vpō which the church was built) haue any con∣fidence that he is himself in the church? This and much more wrote Saint Ciprian to the verie high commenda∣tion of the church of Rome, when he was out of that humor of rebaptization. which fault of his, was afterward by his constant martirdome purged, As S. Austin testifieth. who also saith, that there wanted not some who held those writings which M. Abbot citeth for S. Ciprians, either to be none of his; or that he repented himself or them before he died. And therfore should not now be cited

for his. But such ouersights of the fathers, a∣re the fittest foode for heretikes to feede vpon; in them they find the best relish, and therfore this taint of S. Ciprian is twise or thrice serued in as a dainty dish: and drosse though it be, yet is it often set vp as a bright starr to giue light and lustre to their goodly cause. Now to that which followeth in his text, he saith, that my proofes hitherto were vayne, yet those which follow are more vaine. But god be thanked, that the bare word of a vaine mā, is but meere vanity.

28 You haue alreadie heard how friuolous and idle his exceptions were against the sen∣tences, that I tooke out of those golden paire of most ancient Doctors, and very glorious Martirs, S. Irenaeus and S. Ciprian. Now at∣tend how simplie he behaueth himself in ans∣wering to that, which I cited out of S. Am∣brose, S. Austen, and S. Hierome. No man can deny, but that these holy learned fathers are for their persons without all exceptions: but M. Abbot saīth ouer lauishly and as it were dotingly, that I do report them falsly. for he himself (as you shall presently see) can∣not denie but that I alleage them truly. Let vs examin the particulers. S. Ambrose (say I) tooke it to bee all one to saie, the Catholike or the Roman church, yea he putteth the Ro∣mā church as an explication of the Catholike church. His good brother satyrus after a ship∣wrack arrived in Sardinia (which was infected with the Luciferiā heresie) & being carefull not to cōmunicate with any heretikes demāded of that

Bishop whom he had sent for to baptise him, whether he did accord with the Catholike Bis∣hops, that is, with the church of Rome. He fea∣red lest the name Catho∣like was not sufficient to describe true beleevers, in an hereticall countrie, (bicause heretikes do oftentimes call themselues Catholikes) and therfore asked whether they were such Ca∣tholikes, as accorded with the church of Ro∣me: that is, whether he was a Roman Ca∣tholike or no? giving vs to vnderstand that they onlie were true Catholikes, and onlie to be communicated withall in holie rites, who accorded with the church of Rome in faith and religion. All this is so true and evi∣dent, that M. Abbot cannot denie any one word of it. Did he not then spitefully over∣reach when hee said, that I reported my au∣thors falsly? He hath no other shift, then to saie; that in those daies the church of Rome, as the most famous and chief church, was most fit to bee named in such a case. But now the case is altered, bicause the church of Rome is fallen from that eminent perfection, and is it self now called into question. This answere is nothing els then in plaine tearmes, petere principium; that is, to giue that for the solution as a con∣fessed truth, which is the maine question. is he so destitute of cōmon sence, as to thinke that

we will, or ought to take that for currant coyne and good paiment, which we hold for very refuse and drosse? All the world kno∣wes that we beleeve the church of Rome, not to be changed in any one article of faith. wher∣fore he ought not to returne to vs for a kno∣wen truth, that the church of Rome is chan∣ged. yet the poore mans feeble forces being quite spent, he is constrayned to giue the same vnreasonable answere againe & againe, for he maketh the same answer vnto the like testi∣mony taken out of S. Hierom who demādeth of Ruffinus (speaking of his faith) which he cal∣leth his faith? either that which the church of Ro∣me professeth, or that which is contayned in the books of Origen? If he answere the Roman, faith; then are wee Catholikes, &c. which doth implie, that it was all one with S. Hierom to saie the Ro∣man faith, and the true Catholike faith. All which M. Abbot confesseth to be true, and therby cleereth mee from that imputation of misreporting my authors. Afterward he as∣keth what is here said of the Roman church, that might not likewise haue bene said of any other church, professing the true faith? well, let vs admitt that the same might haue been said of any other church vnder that conditiō that they had professed the true faith: yet be∣cause the ancient Fathers were not so well as∣sured

of the perpetuall infallibilitie of any o∣ther church, as they were of the church of Rome, therfore they preferred the commu∣nion of the Roman Church before all other, and therin ordinarilie made their instances. And for that M. Abbot doth euer and anone come in with this answer, that the church of Ro∣me was then the true Church, but now it is cleane changed, and takes this to be as sharpe as the sword at Delphos, and as fit to cut all knotts asonder that can not otherwise be loosed: I will here set downe some reasons which did induce these holy Doctors, and much more ought to persuade vs to beleeue that the church of Rome shall euer continue firme in the faith. The ancients made no doubte, but that Christes Church should continue to the worlds ende, and retaine the same forme of government, which he him self had establis∣hed in it. which most Protestants now are also come to confesse. but as I haue before proo∣ued, the same most learned and blessed fathers both beleeued and taught the Bishops and Church of Rome to be as it were the rock and foundation of Christs church. wherfore like as the house must needes fall to the groun∣de, whose foundation faileth: so the catholick church could not stand inuiolable to the later day, if the Roman church which is the chief∣est member & support therof, should perish. It were needelesse to repeate here those senten¦ces of the ancient Doctors once before pro∣duced in confirmation of this argument. I

wilbe cōtent with one text of S. Austin, that doth both directly crosse M. Abbots supposition, and manifestly prooue this my assertion. These be his wordes.

If the Pedegree of Bis∣hops succeding one ano∣ther be to be considered, how much more rightly and assuredly, do we rec∣ken frō S. Peter him self, vnto whom (bearing the figure of the whole church) our Lord said vpon this Rock I will build my church. To Peter succeeded Li∣nus, &c. Behold how fully S. Austin had 1200. yeares before hand confuted M. Abbots proposition: M. Ab∣bot saith that the fathers might as well haue alleaged their communion with any other church as with the church of Rome. Not so saith S. Austin; but if the suc∣cessiō of Bishops be to be regarded (as it is very highly to be esteemed,) and the cōmunion in faith and Reli∣gion with thē, then that of the Bishops and church of Rome is more right and better assured then any other. Obserue also the same reason giuē by that most renow¦med Doctor which I before deliuered. because vpon S. Peter (who was the roote and stock of the Roman Pe∣degree) as vpon a Rock, Christ built his church, against which the gates of Hell shall not preuaile. wherfore in another place he is bold to tell the donatistes, that the see or church of Rome is that rock, against which the proud gates of hell shall not preuaile. Againe doth not our Sauiour comparing it to a Rock, intimate that it should neuer decay? Besides had not the gates of Hell mightely preuayled against the church of Christ, if it had ouercome the church of Rome, & therby ouerth∣rowne as it were the foundation of it? finally,

S. Austin in the same place holdeth him self so well assured of the perpe∣tuall stabilitie of the Bis∣hops of Rome in the true faith that he doubteth not, euen frō our sauiours owne mouth, to assure all them that cleaue fast vnto it, and do beleue, and do that, w∣hich the Bishops of Rome teach them, that they shall neuer be carried away into any sa∣crilegious schisme. if they shall never fall into schisme, that stik fast vnto the Roman church then without all doubt, the Roman faith should neuer after be changed. The second text of holie scripture out of which it may be prooued that the Bishop and church of Ro∣me shall neuer erre in matter of faith, is this. I haue prayed for thee Peter that thy fayth faile not and thou being conuerted, confirme thy brethren. Our blessed Sauiour by the vertue of his holy and effectuall praier obtained, that S. Peters faith should not at any tyme faile, that he might be alwaies able to confirme all Chri∣stians that staggered in any point of faith. And because our soueraign Lord did not establish a church that should endure no longer then S. Peter Liued, but would haue it continue for euer: in like manner he would haue one sure pillar at the least in the same, to vphold all in the true faith, that should become members of it at any time after. This to haue been S. Peters successor the Bishop of Rome, I haue

before prooued by the consent of the aunciēt holy fathers. I will heere repeate one sentence of S. Ciprian, because it seemes to bee groun∣ded vpon these very wordes of our Saviour. The Romans faith is such, that perfidy or misbelie∣fe can haue no accesse vnto them. which is the ve∣ry same in effect, that S. Peter, and the Bis∣hops of Rome his successors faith, cannot fai∣le. for if misbeliefe could seize or take anie hold vpon their faith, it should suerly faile: because beliefe and misbeliefe cannot dwell together. but the Roman faith being by the efficacie of our Sauiours praier warranted from failing, it remaineth most assured, that misbeliefe can haue no accesse vnto it. which could not bee true if M. Abbots exception might take place; that forsooth for three or fower hundreth yeares it should not faile; but for a 1000. yeeres after it should mightely bee corrupted. which if it were admitted, it had been truer to haue said that their faith should faile, then that it should not faile. because for longer time according to their fantasicit had failed, then cōtinued without faile. wherfore, that their new glose (being directlie opposite to our blessed Sauiours owne words, which are without anie limitatiō of time) is to bee abhorred, as that which doth corrupt the text: and the old doctors most literall interpreta∣tion to bee imbraced. vnto S. Ciprian I will here onely ioyne the Zealous and most holie Father S. Bernard, who writing vnto Pope In∣nocentius the third, doth take for most cer∣ten

out of this text of holie scripture, that the faith of the Romane Bishops had not failed for a thousand ye∣ares after Christs daies, nor should euer afterwardes faile. These be his words. we must referr vnto your Apostleship the dangers and scandales that arise in the kingdome of God, but especiallie those that appertai∣ne to the faith. for I estee∣me it fitt that the defect•• of faith should bee there principallie repaired, w∣here faith cannot faile: w∣hich is the prerogatiue of this seate. For to what o∣ther was it euer said, I ha∣ue praied for thee Peter, that thy faith maie not faile? ther¦fore that which follow∣eth, is to bee exacted of S. Peters successor: And thou once conuerted, confirme thy brethren. which truly is at this present needfull. for it is high time most belo∣ued Father, that you ack∣nowledg your principali∣tie, shew your zeale, and honor your Ministerie. you shall therin rightlie sup∣plie the office of S. Peter in whose seate you sit, if you do by our admonition confirme their harts that wauer in the faith; and by your authoritie do suppresse the corrupters of the same.

Cā anie thing be more perspicuous thē that the holie, learned, & religious Abbot S. Bernard (whose testimo∣nie

the Protestants do often vse) did acknow∣ledg that which our Saviour said to S. Peter, to belong vnto the Bishops of Rome? and that they had, and should euer haue by vertue of our said Redeemers praier, power and grace to strengthen good Christians in the right faith, and to beate downe all enemies of the same. If M. Abbot were not an Abbot in name only, but had in deed some of that holie Abbots he∣auenlie light in him, he would soone see and confesse the same. Albeit those two texts of holie scriptures be more then sufficient to cō∣found M. Abbots bare supposition, nakedly put downe, and verie often repeated without any kind of proofe; yet for more complet cō∣firmation therof, I will cite a third sentence out of S. Paul, which rightly vnderstood, doth greatly fortifie the same. These be the Apost∣les words. The God of peace crush satan vnder your feet quickly. Or as it is in the Protestants translation out of the Greeke. The God of peace shall bruise Satan vnder your feete shortly. These words of the Apostle (are as Saint Chryso∣stom witnesseth) both a praier, and a prophe∣cie: a praier as they stand in our text. a prophe∣cy, as they are in Greek, which Caluin vpon the same text doth graunt. the true pur∣port thereof is, that God should in short space so bruise and crush Satan in the head, and as it were beate him into powder vnder the feate of the Romans, that he should neuer afterward be able to lift vp his head against them in any matter

of faith. wherin S. Hierom seemes to bee so confident, that he doubts not to write to Ruf∣finus, that which M. Abbot may take as spo∣ken to himself. Notwithstanding know you that the Romane faith by the Apostles mouth prai∣sed, doth not admit anie such deceites and trom∣peries. yea if an Angel should preach anie other thing besids that which hath been alreadie prea∣ched, yet that faith, being by the Apostles authoritie fortified, could neuer bee chan∣ged.

will M. Abbot yet be so shameles as to stand vp, and to giue this graue holie doctor the lie? as he must needs do, if hee will yet sing his old song and saie, that the Roman faith notwith∣standing all the Apostles praier and prophe∣cie, is foulie changed, and that in verie manie great points. with the forsaid testimonies may be linked for the antiquitie of it, this that standeth on record in the third generall coun∣cell holden at Ephesus. S. Peter the head of the Apostles and pillar of faith, &c. did receiue from Christ the keies of the kingdome of heauen, &c. and doth vnto this daie liue in his successors and deter∣mine causes, And shall alwaies liue. Behold S. Peter alwaies liueth in the Bishops of Rome his successors, to determin causes, and gouer∣ne the church, what then shall become of M. Abbots change? will he make S. Peter also a

changeling? This point I will close vp with this memorable sentence of S. Leo. The so∣undnes of that faith prai∣sed in the prince of the A∣postles is euerlasting. and like as that which Peter beleeued of Christ, conti∣nueth for euer: so doth that which Christ did in∣stitute in Peter, &c. Ther∣fore the ordinance of the truth standeth fast, and blessed Peter perseuering by his successors in that strength of a rocke, hath not forsa∣ken the gouernment of the church. Seing the faith and fortitude of Saint Peter shall conti∣nue for euer in his successors the bishops of Rome, that cuckoes song of M. Abbots, that the now church of Rome is in matter of faith degenerated from the old, must needs be fal∣se. And what more manifest signe can one demaund therof, then that all the wits of the protestants, hauing travailed after nothing more for this fiftie yeeres, cannot yet find out any one errour in matter in faith, wherin the church of Rome hath at any time dissented from her self in former ages? I know right well that they avouch boldlie that it hath changed manie articles of faith: but let him that will haue credit given to him so saying, name the error it self in particuler, and the ti∣me when it was first receiued, and by what po∣pe it was approued. which if no learned Pro∣testant

be able to performe, let them be well assured that repeat it neuer so often over and ouer, that the church of Rome is not the sa∣me now as it was in S. Austins time; they de∣serue not to be beleeued. Neither am I igno∣rant that some more hardy then their fello∣wes, haue gone about to designe the time, w∣hen the church of Rome began her Apostacy. But therin they agree no better then the false Elders (that accused Susanna of adulterie) did of the tree, vnder which the fained fact was pretended to bee done. And therfore be no more worthy of credit, then they were.

30 M. Abbot goeth on to proue, that I rac∣ked and wronged my authors and saith; that Tertullian whō I alleaged, as sending to the church of Rome to learne the true doctrine, doth send also to other churches as well as to the church of Rome. Be it so, but if he appealed vnto the church of Rome, as well as to others; did I him any wrong in saying that he appealed vnto the church of Rome? I did not saie, that he ex∣cluded all, or ane ony other. Doth not M. Ab∣bot rather rack my words, and wrong himself in imposing that vpon mee, which I said not? Besids M. Abbot doth offer great wrong to Tertullian, not so much by racking his words as by chopping them quite of in the middest: for where Tertullian saith, If thou border on I∣taly, thou hast the church of Rome, vnde nobis au∣thoritas presto est. whence authority comes to vs. M. Abbot cuts of the latter part of the sentence, which imports that men in Africk (for that was Tertullians countrie) did acknowledg

the church of Rome to haue authority ouer them; M. Abbot then hauing so cunningly conueyed the matter, by cutting of that which made for vs, doth afterward aske mee what was there left to serve my turne? if his con∣ueiance be no cleanlier then so, it were better for him to leaue those trickes ro them that ha∣ue more nimbles fingers. The Cathalogue of the Bishops of Rome set downe by Epipha∣nius doth serue to shew, that the Bishops of Rome are S. Peters true successors: which M. Abbot and the protestants sometimes, when they are at a stand, do not stick to deny.

Optatus Bishop of Milevitane S. Austins auncient did proue (as M. Abbot cannot deny) his part to be Catholike, in that it comunica∣ted with the church of Rome: yet M. Abbot to detract some what from the see of Rome addeth, that Optatus did not proue his part Catholike by communicating simply with the church of Rome, but for that communi∣cating with the church of Rome, it commu∣nicated with the church of the whole world. which words of Optatus are so farr of from detracting any thing from the church of Ro∣me, that they do much magnifie the comodi∣ty of her communion: for he saith not, that he communicated with the church of Rome, and with all other churches, making them se∣uerall parts: but that in communicating with the church of Rome, he communicated with the churches of the whole world. thereby de∣claring the comunion with the church of

Rome, to be the meanes of communi∣cating with all others; which is the very same that we do now go about to proove. His words (which containe manie memorable instru∣ctions) are these, spoken vnto Parmenianus a Donatist. Thou canst not deny, but that thou knowest an Episcopall chaire to haue been pla∣ced in the city of Rome, wherin Peter (the head of all the Apostles) sate first; in which one chaire vnity is preserued amōgst all, &c. That he is now to be taken for a sinner & a schismatike, that would against that singuler or only chaire oppose ano∣ther. Therfore in that o∣ne chaire, (which is the first in dowry) sate Peter, vnto whom succeeded Li∣nus, (and so in ••ew dow∣ne vnto Siricius that then liued) who is (saith Op∣tatus) our companion, with whom the whole world by entercourse of formed letters, doth concord with vs in the same society of cōmu∣nion. Hitherto Optatus. where you see by the iudgment of so great a Prelate (who liued in the time of pure antiquity) that the chaire of Rome is the only chaire of vnity: with which if you ioyne, you are in the vnitie of Christs

church. against which if you oppose your self you become a sinner and a schismatike. fur∣ther, that by communicating in faith with it, you do enter into the society of all Catholikes dispersed ouer the whole world. I do now stād more particulerly vpon those holy fathers words, bicause M. Abbot was so shamles as to write, that I did before of set purpose omitt their words: bicause if I had set them downe, euerie one might haue seene (as he saith) that they said nothing for our purpose. when as for breuities sake, I was then content only to point at these testimonies, not thinking that any man would haue been so careles of his cre¦dit, as to haue denied them to be most effe∣ctuall to our purpose. Now that Optatus did prove the Donatists, to be a particuler strag∣ling congregation like the Protestants, not only for that they did not comunicate with the church of Rome, but also for want of co∣munication with the churches of Asia, that makes nothing against the singuler esteeme hee had of the church of Rome. for learned writers do vse diuers sorts of arguments to make their partie the more strong and proba∣ble. One argument not destroying, but for∣tifying the other. The Donatists were schis∣matikes (saith that noble Author) bicause they opposed themselues against the church of Rome. They were also astraying company, for that they held no communion with the churches of Asia, or any other part of the world besides Africa.

From Optatus M. Abbot coms to answer that place I quoted out of S. Austin, (which I haue before set downe at large) and confes∣seth, That Austin setteth downe the succession of the Bishops of Rome, and vpbraideth the Dona∣tists, that no Donatist, euersate in that chaire. But M. Abbot doth add, that as well doth he obiect to them, that wheras they read the Epistles of the A∣postles, they deuided themselues from the peace and fellowship of those churches, to which the Apostles wrote the same Epistles.

Is not this a worthy answer trow you? bi∣cause S. Austin vsed as a second argument to confute the Donatists, their seperation from the knowne fellowship of the world: Ther∣fore his former argument taken from the cō∣munion of the sea of Rome was nothing wor∣th? wheras contrary wise acute disputantes, (like to wise warriours,) do cōmonly range the strongest arguments in the forefront. Or is there nothing to our purpose in the former place of S. Austin, as here M. Abbot (having put on a brasen forhead) doth avouch? Turne to it good Reader, and see. First that profound Doctor teacheth, that among all the successions of Bishops, that of Rome is most to be regarded: bicau∣se the gats of hell shall never preuaile against it. Se∣condly, that there had sitten from Peter vnto Ana∣stasius then pope; about fortie popes, and that not so much as one of them had been a Donatist, wherfore the Donatists were to be reiected of all men. Hee thirdly teacheth in the same place, that if any trai∣tor should by chance creepe into that chaire of Rome

yet the wickednes of that man should not be preiu∣diciall vnto the innocent faithfull, that do rely vpon Christs promise made to that chaire: bicause our Saviours singuler care therof is and wilbe alwaies such, that they who put their trust therin, shall ne∣uer be confounded. Is all this nothing to our purpose, that the gats of hell cannot prevaile against the chaire of Rome? That they who rely vpō it, cannot faile, no not if there should be a naughty Bishop sitting in that chaire? be∣sides as S. Austin did then argue, because not one of the Bishops of Rome had been a Donatist, therfore the Donatists religion was to be reiected: why may not we in like man∣ner make a stronger argument against the Pro∣testants and conclude; that seing among all the Bishops of Rome (that haue been frō Saint Peter vnto Paule the fift which are in number not 40. only, but more then 200) yet not one of them hath been a protestant: ther∣fore the protestants religion must needs be star¦ke naught, and of all men to te vtterly reie∣cted. This I hope will serve to discouer M. Abbots over hardy audacitie, who noteth he∣re that the cause why I did set downe my au∣thors names without their words, was for that their names might get some credit to my cause; but their words would haue shewed, that they had said nothing for mee: when as now every man may see, that their words tru∣ly set downe, do make much more for mee, then a verie good frind would haue imagined, vnlesse he had seen them himself.

M. Abbot proceedeth to another great pri∣uiledg, which I related in honor of the chur∣ch of Rome, to witt, that there hath not be∣en any generall councell of vndoubted and sound authority, vnlesse it were by the same sea confirmed. which is a point of such impor∣tance, that whosoeuer doth maturely ponder it, it is alone sufficient to perswade him in all controversies of religion, to make his recourse vnto the church of Rome, and to follow that full and wholy, which he shall find to be re∣solued by it. For if the wisest and most learned heads of the world, assembled together in a generall councell, after all their owne advises vpon long examination of all particulers gi∣ven, do yet hold it expedient, to send to the pope of Rome, to haue his approbation and confirmation therof: how much more ought any particuler person (be he of never so exqui∣site gifts for iudgment and literature) to referr himself vnto the determination of the same seat? whervnto what doth M. Abbot ans∣were? first as it were he granteth that it is in deed a thing greatly to be observed. yet that he may not seeme therby to be driven to a dumb blank, he saies: That it is as greatly to be noted, that the sentence of no bishop of Rome, was anciently holden sufficient for the deciding of a que∣stion of faith, except the same were confirmed by a generall councell. which his assertion is not true, as I will presently prove, after I ha∣ue disproued his seely proofe therof;

which is, that Leo the great doth make mention of an Epistle of his, against the heresy of Eutiches sent to be confirmed by the vniuersall assent of the whole Synode. Item, he nameth certain other writings of his, as having the confirmation of the generall coun∣cell added thervnto. And that he sent Deputies vn∣to the generall councell of Ephesus, by sentence in common to decree with the rest, what should bee pleasing to god.

Is not this a poore proof, out of the fact of one pope to gather a common law for all po∣pes? one pope (forsooth) had some sentences of his cōfirmed by a generall coūcell; therfore neither he, nor any other could giue any sētēce availeable, vnles it were confirmed by a gene∣rall councell. what an absurd paralogisme is this? true it is, that popes do commonly, when there is any generall councell called, send their legates thither, to bee the presidents of the councell; and vse to deliuer to them their ow∣ne opinions also in manner of instructions: partly to direct the councell, and in part also that they may be more maturely and thorow∣ly discussed and ratified, by the same councell. not that they could not many times sufficient∣ly otherwise with the assistance of their owne learned councell at home, or of some one pro∣vince, define what were to bee beleeued and holden: but for that matters so fully sifted and debated, as they are in a generall councell, may with more facility and fuller applause, be receiued of all persons through the whole world; And namely of them that haue been

deceiued by heretikes: who do generally see∣ke to make the sea of Rome so odious to their followers, that they will not like of any thing that comes from Rome alone, be it never so true and cleere. For the sake of such abused soules specially, there needs the Assembly of generall councells, though the Popes sentence without them were neuer so well assured. To that alleaged here by M. Abbot out of the councels of Chalcedon and Africk, answer was made before.

Now that many heresies haue been extin∣guished by the popes of Rome with the aid of provinciall councels, without the helpe of any generall, is most manifest to them that a∣re conversant in the ancient histories of the church. and therfore M. Abbot who affirmes the contrary, doth nothing els than bewray his great ignorance in antiquity. Their error, that thaught those who were baptised of he∣retikes to be rebaptised by Catholiks, was by Pope Stephen the first condemned, and wit∣hout anie generall councell repressed. So was the novatian heresie by pope Cornelius, as may be gathered out of Eusebius. The heretike Io∣vinianus with his adherents were condemned by Siritius and the Clergy of Rome in these words. we following the Apostles commaundemēt (who holdeth them ac∣cursed that preach other∣wise then wee had recei∣ued) by common consent

haue condemned, and cast out of the church Iovi∣nianus and his companions: And writing vn∣to S. Ambrose, and the church of Millan doth say; that wee doubt not but your holines will obserue our decree. To which S. Ambrose as∣sembled in councell with diuers other Bis∣hops doth give this ans∣were. That Siricius as a good pastor of Christs fold had done worthily. and desired him to assure himself that Iovinianus, with his cōplices (whom his holines had condem∣ned) stood also according to his iudgment condem∣ned with them. which S. Austin also intimateth in his second booke of retractation, the 22. chap∣ter, when he saith, That monster Iovinianus was by the church of Rome withstood most faithful∣ly, and most valiantlie. The Pelagian heresie was spred all the world ouer, and yet by the Popes of Rome Innocentius the first, and Zo∣zimus, with the assistance of some provin∣ciall councells, without calling any generall councell, it was condemned all the world ouer: as witnesseth the most faithfull Regi∣ster of Antiquity Saint Austin in these words.

That new heresie against the grace of Christ, where of Pelagius and Celestius were the Authors, or most sharpe defenders, by the vigilancie of Episcopall councels, in the helpe of our Saviour (who doth preserue his church) and by two most reverēd pre∣lats of the Apostolicall sea, Pope Innocentius, and Pope Zozimus, are con∣demned all the Christian world ouer, vnles they amend and do pe∣nance.

The Donatists in Africa were finally repres∣sed by Gregorie the great, Pope of Rome, as it is recorded in his life. The instances of these heresies of the Donatists, Pelagians, Iovinians, Novatians, and old Anabaptists, to omit ma∣ny others, who haue been condemned by the sentence of the Bishops of Rome for hereti∣kes, and so taken at length all the world ouer, without any decree of generall councell, are more then sufficient to cōfront and confound M. Abbots bare annotation, as naked and de∣stitute of truth, as it is of proof, to wit, That it was greatly to be obserued, that the sentence of no Bishop of Rome was anciently holden sufficient for deciding of a question of faith, except the same we∣re confirmed by a generall councell. which if he would haue any man to beleeve, let him but

proue, that any one of the afore rehersed he∣resies were condemned in generall councell: or that those popes of Rome by me named, did not condemne them.

32 It is to small purpose which M. Abbot saith (that notwithstanding the opposition of the legates of the Bishop of Rome and the popes owne reclayming also, yet it was decreed in the councell of Chalcedon, that the Bishop of Constantinople, should haue equall priuiledges with the Bishop of Rome, saue only that the Bishop of Rome had the precedence) bicause the opposition of the po∣pes Legats, with some others in that councell, and the popes disclayming from that point, when the councell was sent to him to be con∣firmed, as most opposit vnto the first generall councell of Nice, was sufficient to reverse and annihilate that decree, which needs no other proofe, then one argument, which the same Legats vsed then and there to suppresse that ambition of the Bishops of Constantinople. For the like decree had been made once befo∣re in the second generall councell holden at Constantinople: and yet the pope not condes∣cending thervnto, it tooke no effect. wher∣vpon the presidents made this witty dilemma. If the Bishops of Constantinople having the like Canon made in their favour fowrscore yeres befo∣re that time, had euer sithence enioyed that preroga∣tiue and preeminence, why did they nowe againe seeke after it? And if notwithstanding that decree made in their fauour, they could then not obtaine it; why did they now seeke to haue the like Canon

againe made for them? which would no more pre∣vaile for them, then the other given before by the same authority. For that this would be as well withstood by Leo the great, as the other was reiected by Pope Damasus.

33 M. Abbot following his accustomed hu∣mor of excepting against whatsoever I write, doth say that an nother note of mine is fond and a vaine presumption: I would haue it to be noted, that all heresies lightly which sprung vp ever since the Apostles daies, even to our time, ha∣ue opposed themselues against the church of Rome, and haue been by the same sea ouercome. which argueth most cleerly, that the church of Ro∣me is the seat of Christ, and fortresse of verity; against which all of the band of Antichrist do continually and daily wage battell, but all in vaine and with verie ill successe: for they all vanishing away like smoke, it continueth still, and shall do for euer, because it is an in∣vincible rock which the gates of hell shall neuer over come.

M. Abbot crieth out against this as a fond presumption, but doth not bring any one in∣stance to the contrary; so that his exception being without reason, may well be passed o∣uer without answere.

wheras I countenanced my assertion with the authority S. Austin, who writeth, that the sea Apostolike obtained the top of authority, heretiks barking round about in

vaine. which did prove that all heretikes, how soeuer they snarle one at another, yet do commonly ioyne all in one to barke against the church of Rome. And (w∣hich is most to be noted) all in vaine.

M. Abbot to shew the profundity of his skill, doth saie that I take there sedes Aposto∣lica wrong, for the sea Apostolike of Rome; when as it signifieth (saith hee) the Apostles time. And albeit the natiue signification of the words be plaine for mee, yet he avouc∣heth S. Austin to vse these words to signifie the time of the Apostles. And for proofe the∣rof, he citeth two places out of S. Austin; in neither of which Apostolica sedes is vsed at all in the singular number, nor in the plurall nei∣ther, to signifie any other thing then the seats and chaires of the Apostles. Take one of tho∣se places of his owne alleaging for example. Vniuersa Ecclesia ab Apostolicis sedibus, vsque ad presentes Episcopos certa successione perducta. The vniuersall church deriued from the Apostolicall seats by certain succession vnto the Bishops that now are. where mention being made of lineall descent of Bishops from the Apostles seats, Great iniury should be done to those Bishops by him that would say they descended in∣deed from the Apostles times, but not from the chaires of the Apostles.

For if they had descended from Simon Magus, or some other Archheretike of the Apostles time, they might bee said

to haue descended ab Apostolicis sedibus, from the Apostles times, according to M. Abbots interpretation: because their descent was from the time of the Apostles: yet could not be said to haue descended from the Apostles chaires, as their lawfull Successors, according vnto S. Austins, or any other approved auncient Au∣thors true meaning. therfore M. Abbots de∣prauation, rather then interpretation of those words is too too absurd.

That S. Austin did commonly take sedes A∣postolica for the Bishop or church of Rome, is most evident to all that haue read his works: let them that are not so conversant in him, ta∣ke these few places for a tast therof. in his 106. Epistle. Missae sunt literae, ad Apostolicam sedem, Letters were sent to the sea Apostolike, that is to the Bishop of Rome. And in the 157. Epistle. Zozi∣mus Apostolicae sedis Episcopus. Zozimus Bishop of the Apostolike sea, and Pope Innocent, Bishop of the Apostolike sea. And in his booke, De pec∣cato originali, the sixt chapter: to make profes∣sion before the sea Apostolike, and the seaventh, the letters of the sea Apostolike. And that you may be well assured, that in Africa at those daies sedes Apostolica was the common title of the church of Rome, both that African coun∣cell cited by M. Abbot in the 35. Canon, and the fore alleaged epistles of the councels of Carthage and Milevitan vnto Pope Innocen∣tius, do by it ordinarily designe the Bishop of Rome. which maie suffice for a proof, that sedes Apostolica in that place of saint Austin, is

to be taken for the sea of Rome. And wheras M. Abbot saies, that in all that booke of S. Austin, there is no mention made of any par∣ticular church, and therfore vnlike, that tho∣se words should beare any speciall appli••a∣tion to the church of Rome.

I in answer do say that sides Apostolica vsed there by S. Austin in the singular number, is sufficient to giue vs bi••h to vnderstand that hee spake of a particuler church, & also to lead vs to applie these his words vnto the church of Rome, which he commonly through all his workes doth describe by those verie words: which may also be much confirmed, by the like sentence vsed by S. Austin to the same purpose in another place. where hee saith. The successiō of Bishops from the seat of S. Peter even to this present Bis∣hop, doth hold mee in the bosome of the Catholike church. Are not the∣se words plaine enough to expound the other? Let vs repose our selues in the bosom of that church, which by succession of Bishops from the Apostolike sea (to wit, of S. Peter) hath obtayned the top of au∣thoritie. Compare the bosome with the boso∣me: the succession of Bishops of the one, with the other, and they will easily lead vs to take the chaire of S. Peter, to be the exposition of the Apostolike sea. This is so sensible, that M. Abbot himself after hee had a litle wrangled against it, comes to admitt of it. how litle care,

then had he of his owne honesty, that before charged mee with dishonest falsifying of tho∣se words of S. Austin, and yet in the end, is for∣ced to take them euen so as I did? And that you may in him behold the picture of one that will neuer yeeld to any truth that wee say, be it neuer so apparant: He admitting that wee ought to repose our selues in the bosome of that sea Apostolike wherin S. Peter sate: yet hee saies that it doth not heerby follow, that we ought rather to repose our selues in the bo∣some of the church of Rome, thē in the church of Antioch; where Peter sate aswell as hee did at Rome, and where there had been Bishops succeedīg him vntill that time. how now good sir, had you leifer send your reader to Antioch, to relie on some schismatik vnder the Turk, then to Rome?

But this is a meere cavill, for though S. Peter was for a season Bishop of Antioch, and of so∣me other cities also, which he first converted to the Christian faith, vntill he had provided them of some others: Yet he finally making choice of the city of Rome for his residence, and dying there, cōsecrating that place to God by the shedding of his blood for the Christian faith; The Bishops of Rome, and not of An∣tioch, haue by consent of all antiquity been e∣ver taken for S. Peters successors. I haue before produced sufficient testimonie for this mat∣ter, so that it were needles heere againe to re∣peat the same; when it will serve for this turne to proue that S. Austin (of whose words wee now treat) tooke the Bishops of Rome for S.

Peters successors, and never the Bishop of An∣tioch. Let M. Abbot if hee can, giue me•• therof one instance; but because I know hee cannot doe that, I will giue him some to the contrary.

S. Austin taught the church of Rome to be S. Peters chaire, and the Bishops of Rome his successors in these words: what hath the church of Rome done to thee, in which S. Peter sate, and now sitteth Anastasius? who was then Bishop of Rome. Againe, where he expresly enquireth after S. Peters Successors, and by name affirmeth Linus Bishop of Rome to haue been his successor, and con∣sequently, all other Bishops of Rome to his owne ti∣me. He doth in like manner declare Rome to bee S. Peters chaire, and the Bishops of Rome his succes∣sors In the Psalme hee made against the part of Donate, and writing against the Donatists funda∣mentall Epistle. Finally in the tenth question of the old and new testament, to omit many other pla∣ces of his workes, out of the which the same may bee evidently deduced.

well, it being manifest by the verdict of S. Austin, that wee must repose our selues in the bosome of the sea Apostolike, and further that the same sea is the church of Rome; M. Abbot will now surely at the length to his owne eter∣nall rest repose himself in the same holy boso∣me of the church of Rome: beware of that in any case. He hath yet bethought himself of a∣nother sorie shift. Let (saies hee) M. Bishop take those words, as he will: yet there is nothing therin concerning the church of Rome, but that as the principall church, and specially in the

westerne parts, it serued most conveniently for in∣stance of the succession. But as for the height and top of authoritie there spoken of, it belongeth to the Catholike or vniuersall church. And meere impu∣dency it is, by those or any other words of Austin, to chalenge to that church any superiority in gover∣ment ouer other churches, when (as wee see) both Austin, and the rest of the Bishops of Afri∣ca did with one consent vtterly disclaime the same.

O how true is that ancient saying of Tur∣tullian? heretikes may be overcome, but they will neuer be perswaded to yeeld and acknowledge it. M. Abbot granting that S. Austin hauing first resolued vs to repose our selues in the bosome of the sea Apostolike, that is, to embrace w∣hat that church should teach vs, and wholy rely vpon her definitions. Secondly, that the church of Rome was that sea Apostolike, which had obtayned the top of authority, he∣retikes in vaine barking round about it: yet presently, as if he had wholy forgotten that which stood before his eies, ot els not caring what hee said to avoid a dumbe blanck; he falleth to his old byas, and flieth back to that which he said in the beginning, albeit it had been so often before confuted: That forsooth, the church of Rome is only the principall church, and fittest to bee taken for instance in succession in westerne churches, but it hath not (saith hee) any superiority in goverment. when as S. Austin plainly teacheth, that wee must repose our selues in that churches boso∣me,

and set vp our rest vpon her decrees, that is, be sure to ioyne in faith and religion with the Bishops of the same; and that bicause that church hath obtayned the top of Authority, and highest degree in goverment. M. Abbot confessing the former part of the sentence to belong to the church of Rome, hath left him∣self no shadow of reason to dismember from it, that which S. Austin doth so expresly ioyne and linke with it. Heare once againe his words. shall we doubt to repose our selues in the bosome of that church, which ever by the confession of man∣kind &c: hath obtayned the top of authority, here∣tikes barking round about it? Do you not see even by the cleere words of S. Austin, that he must confesse himself not to be a member of man∣kind, that will deny that church (which he there spoke of) to haue the top of authority? what then shall become of M. Abbot, that granteth the church there spoken of to be the church of Rome, yet will not confesse it to haue that top of authoritie? Either he must be rased out of the number of men, or at the least be ranked in the rew of those hereticall men, that did so vainly barke against that so apparant truth, which the sound corps of all true beleeving men, do most constantly and gloriously confesse. I hauing before shewed at large, how neither S. Austin, nor the Afri∣can Bishops did deny anie one branch of the Bishop of Romes primacy, no not so much as forbid their owne Bishops to appeale vnto the court of Rome: And did otherwise in

sundry sorts declare their dutifull obedience vnto the same sea of Rome: M. Abbots infe∣rence out of his owne mistaking and error, is wholy disappointed. To conclude then this paragraff it doth remaine most assured and cleere, that our blessed Saviour made S. Peter and his successors, that rock vpon which he built his church, therby giving them supreme power and authority, to govern his whole church, not for any limited nunber of yea∣res, but for so long as his church should con∣tinue a church, that is, to the worlds end, for against it the gats of hell shall never prevaile. Secondly, it is as certen that the Bishops of Rome be in that charge of government ouer all the church, S. Peters lawfull successors: with whom therfore whosoeuer ioyneth in matter of faith and religion shall never be de∣ceiued nor fall in to schisme. and against whō whosoeuer barketh and opposeth himself, hee not only barketh and laboreth in vaine, (as S. Austin speaketh) but if he do obstinatly persever therin, he therby (to vse Optatus words before rehearsed) becometh both a sinner and a schismatike. From which most hainous crimes our sweet Saviour of his infi∣nit mercie and goodnes deliuer all my most deere frinds and best beloued countrymen.

Notes

• Page 13.
• Page 17.
• a

  Leo E∣pistola 12.
• b

  Collat. cū donat. cognitio∣ne 1. c. 16.
• c

  August. cō••rescon. l. 3. c. 13.
• Gallat. 1.18.
• a

  Tertul. de praescrip. cap. 23. Paulus sicut ipse narrat ascendit Hierosolymam cognoscendi Petri causa ex officio, & turc scilicet eius∣dem fidei & praedicationis.
• b

  Chrysostomus superillum locum.

  Vi les quemad ••odum illis tribuit congruentem honorem, neque so∣lum non ducit scipsum illis melio∣rem, verum ne parem quidem esse putat, id quod ex ipsa profectione liquet: non dixit 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. sed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. quomodo loqui solent, quiinvisunt magnas vrbes vel viros sanctos.
• c

  Chrysost hom 87. in Ioannem. Petrus os erat Apostolorum, & Princeps, & vertex ipsius coetus, propterea & Paulus eum preter a∣lios, visùrus ascendit, simul vt ei ostenderet tam ei fiduciam habendam.
• d

  Ambros in 1 cap. ad Galatas.

  Dignum fuit vt cuperet videre Petrum, qui primus erat inter Apostolos, cui delegauerat Sal∣uator curam ecclesiarum: non vti∣que vt aliquid ab eo disceret, quia iam ab auctore didicerit, à quo et ipse Petrus fuerat instructus; sed propter affectum Apostolatus, & vt sciret Petrus illi datam licen∣tiam, quam & ipse acceperat.
• e

  Hieronimi Epla 89.

  Deni{que} tantae authoritatis Pe∣trus fuit vt Paulus in Epistola sua scripserit: deinde post annos tres veni Hierosoliman videre Petrum, &c.
• f

  Theodoret in 1. ad Galatas.

  Et hoc rursus Pauli virtutem ostendit: etenim cum humana do∣ctrina non indigeret, vt qui ab vniuersorum deo eam ante accepis∣set, Apostolorum principi quem par est honorem tribuit.
• g

  Theophilactus ibidem.

  Paulus ad Petrum abijt non v∣tilitatis gratia sed solo visendi stu∣dio, honoranseum maiorem se, & notat ibidem verbum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 si∣gnificare, cum obseruatione intue∣ri.
• Apoc. 2. & 3.
• Rom. 11.20.
• Ibid. v. 13
• Math. 16
• 2. Tim. 3.15.
• 1. Cor. 3.9. Ephes. 4.12.
• 1. Cor. 3.
• Luca 22.
• a

  Origenes in cap. 6. ad Rom. Petro cum summa rerum de pas∣cendis ovibus traderetur, & super ipsum velut super terram, funda∣retur ecclesia, nullius confessio vir∣tutis alterius ab eo, nisi charitas cuigitur.
• b

  Cipri. de vnitate eccles.

  Petro post resurrectionem domi∣nus dicit, pasce oves meas: super illum vnum aedificat ecclesiam suam, & illi pascendas mandat, oves suas.
• c

  Ambros. 10. in Lucam cap. 24.

  Contristatur quia tertio inter∣rogatur, Amas me? i•• enim in∣terrogatur de quo dubitatur: sed dominus non dubitabat, qui in∣terrogabat, non vt disceret, sed vt doceret, quem elevandus in caelum amoris sui nobis velut vicarium relinquebat. & paulo post: ideo quia solus profitetur ex omnibus, omnibus antefertur. ibidem: tertio dominus non iam diligis me••? sed amas me, interrogauit, & iam non agnos vt primo, quodam lacte pascendos; nec oviculas vt secundo, sed oues pascere iube∣tur, perfectiores vt perfectior gu∣bernaret.
• d

  Chrisost. homil. 1. de peni∣tentia.

  Poenitentia post tantum malum iterum cum ad priorem honorem reuehit, & ecclesiae primatum, gu∣bernationém que ipsi per vniuer∣sum orbem tradidic. Chrisost. homil 80. in Ioan∣nem. Cum magna Christus Petro cōmunicasset & ei orbis terrarum curam demandasset, &c.
• e

  Theophil. cap. 21. Ioannis.

  Totius orbis onium praefecturam Petro committit, non autem alij, sed huic tradit.
• f

  Leo sermo 3. de assump.

  De toto mundo vnus Petrus e∣ligitur, qui & vniuersarum gen∣tium vocationi & omnibus Apo∣stolis, ••unctisque Ecclesiae patri∣bu•• praeponatur: vt quamuis in po∣pulo dei mul•••• sacerdotes sint, mul∣tiqu•• pastores; omnes tamen pro∣prie regat Petrus, quos principali∣ter regit & Christus.
• g

  Eucherius Lug in vigilia S. Petri.

  Dicit ei, pasce oves meas: prius agnos, deinde oues cōmisit ei. quia non solum pastorem, sed pastorum pastorem eum constituit. pascit igi∣tur Petrus agnos, pascit & oues pascit filios, pascit & matres: re∣git & subditos & praelatos: omniū igitur pastor est, quia praeter a∣gnos & oues in ecclesia nihil est.
• h

  Gregorius lib. 4. Epist. 32.

  Cunctis ergo Euangelium scien∣tibus liquet, quod voce dominica, sancto & omnium Apostolorum principi Petro Apostolo, totius Ec∣clesiae cura cōmissa est. ipsi quippe dicitur Petro, amas me? pasce o∣ues meas: ipsi dicitur, ecce Satanas expetiuit cribarevos sicut triticum, & ego pro te rogavi Petre vt non deficiat fides tua, &c.
• H

  Leo ser: 3. ass:

  Commune erat omnibus Apo∣stolis periculum de tētatione formi∣dinis, & diuinae protectionis auxi∣lio pariter indigebant, &c. & tamen specialis a domino Petri cura suscipitur & pro fide Patri proprie supplicatur, tanquam a∣liorum status certior sit futurus, si mens principis victa non fue∣rit.
• I

  Chrisostom. in 3. act. Apo∣stolorum.

  Quam est feruidus? quam agnoscit creditum a Christo gre∣gom? quam in choro princeps est, & obique primus onnium incipit loqui?
• k

  Ambros. in Psalm: 43.

  Deni{que} Petrus ecclesia praeponi∣tu•• postquam tentatus a diabolo est adeoque ante significat dominus quid est illud quod postea cum pa∣storem elegit dominici gregis, nam huic dixit: tu autem conuersus cō∣firma fratres tuos, &c.
• l

  Theophil in c. 22. Lu••ae.

  Tu conuersus: planus huius loci intellectus est, quia te habeo vt principem discipulorum, post∣quam me abnegato, fleueris, & ad panit••ntiam veneris, confirma cet••r••••, hoc enim tedecet, qui post 〈…〉〈…〉 petra es et firmamen∣tum.
• 1

  Origin. homil. 5. in Exodum.

  Vide magno illi ecclesiae funda∣mento, & Petrae solidissimae, super quam Christus fundauit ecclesiam quid dicatur a domino, modicae in∣quit fides, quaro dubitasti?
• 2

  Hipolit de constructione mundi

  Princeps Petrus, fidei petra, quem beatum iadicauit Christus deus nost••r, ille doctor ecclesiae, ille primus discipulorum, qui re∣gus claues habuit, &c.
• 3

  Eusebius lib. 6. historiae. 19. resert ex Origine.

  Petrus super quem Christi ec∣clesia (contra quam ••nferorum p••rtae non praeualebunt) aedificata est, &c.
• 4

  Epiphan in Ancorato non longe a principio.

  Ipse dominus constituit Petrum primum Apostolorum, petram fir∣mam super quam ecclesia dei aedificata est, & portae inferorum non prae∣praeualebunt aduersus illam.
• 5

  Basilius super 2. cap. Esaiae.

  Apost••loram vnus erat Petrus, super quam petram pollicitus fue∣rat s••am se aedificaturum ecclesiam & statim: anima autem beati Petri nominata merito est petra sublimis, quod in•• de radices soli∣de infixerat, & aduersus plagas stabiliter segesserit.
• 6

  Gregor. Nazianz oratione 26 de moderatione in disputa∣tione seruanda.

  Vide quemadmodum ex Chri∣sti discipulus, magnis vtique omni∣bus & excelsis, atque electione dign••, hic Petrus petra vocetur, at{que} ecclesiae fundamenta in fidem suam accipiat
• 7

  Chrisost. de laudibus Petri & Pauli.

  De Petro quid dicemus, qui dulce spectaculum est ecclesiae, splendortotius mudi, Apostolorum doctor, Angelus & homo, firma fidei petra, semlu ecclesiae sapien∣tia, &c Idem homil. 1. de penit. Petrum cum dico, petram omni∣no infragilem, crepidinem immo∣bilem, Apostolum magnum, pri∣mum discipulum, &c.
• 8

  Cirill. Alexand. l. 2. c. 12. in Ioannem.

  Respicit vt deum decet qui cor∣da & renes scrutatur, videtque qui nihil ignorat, ad quantam & fidem & virtutem discipulus per∣uenturus sit, &c. nec Simon fore tam nomen sibi, sed Petrus, pradi∣cit, vocabulo ipso commode signifi∣cans, quod in eo, tanquam in l'e∣tra, lapideque firmissimo, suam esset adificaturus ecclesiam.
• 9

  Psellus apud Theodoretum lib 3 in Cantica.

  Per hutus crura Petrum intellige Apostolorum principem, in hoc e∣nim dominus in Euangelio, se Ec∣clesiam adificaturum promisit.
• 10

  Evagtius in lib 2. histor ca 4.

  Petrus, qui est petra, et basis Ca∣tholicae Ecclesiae, et fides Orthodo∣xae fundamentum, resert ex Con∣cilio Chalcedonensi.
• 11

  Damascen. historia barlam. cap. 10.

  Princeps Apostolorum Petrus, fi∣dei petra, magister orbis ordinatus fuit.
• 12

  Theophilactus in 22. Lucae: & ad cap 16. Math.

  Remunerat Petrum Dominus, mercedem illi dans magnā, quod super eum aedificauit Ecclesiam.
• a

  Te••tul. de praescriptione c. 22.

  Latuit aliquid Petrum adificandae E••clesia Petram dictum, claves regni coelorum consecutum?
• b

  Cyprianus.

  Deus vnu••ed & Christus vnus, et vna ecclesia, et Cathedra vna super Petrum Domini voce fun∣data epist. 40. Petrus supra quem aedificata ab eodem domino fuerat ecclesia, epi∣stola 55. Loquitur hic Petrus super quem aedificata fuit ecclesia epist 69. Petrus, quem primum dominus elegit, et super quem aedificavit ec∣clesiam suam, etc epist 71.
• c

  Ambrosius serm. 2. de sanctis.

  Petrus pro soliditate devotionis ecclesiarum petra dicitur, sicut ait dominus: Tu 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Petrus, & super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam. petra enim dicitur, eo quod primus in nationibus fidei funda∣menta posuerit: & tanquam sa∣xum immobile operis totius Christiani compagem molemque contineat, recte confortium meretur nominis, qui consortium meretur et operis.
• d

  Hilar. in Psal. 131.

  Petrus super quem Ecclesiam aedi∣ficaturus erat, adversus quam por∣tae inferorum nihil praualerent. Idem in can. 16. in Mathaeum. O in nuncupatione novi nominis faelix ecclesiae fundamentum. Hieronim in 2. Esaiae. Vnde & super vnum montium Christus fundavit ecclesiam suam, & loquitur ad eum Tu••es Petrus, & super hanc petram aedific••ho ec∣clesiam meam. Idem in 16. Matthaei. Simoni, qui credebat in petram Christum, Petri largitus est no∣men, ac secundum Metapho••••m petrae, recte deitur ei, aedificabo ec∣clesiam meam superto.
• August. in Psal. 69.

  Petrus qui paulo ante eum confes∣sus erat filium dei, & in ••lla con∣fessione appellatus est petra, super quam labricaretur ecclesia. Paulinus epistola 4. ad seue∣rum. Christus est petra: sed etiam discipulo suo buius vocabuli gra∣tiam non negauit, dicens illi: super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam: & portae inferi non praeua∣lebunt aduersus eam.
• Petrus Chrysolog. serm 107.

  Petrus est custos fidei, petra eccle∣siae ••anitorque coelorum. Leo hom. de transfigurat. Tantum in hac fidei sublimitate com••la••rit, vt beatitudinis faelici∣tate donatus, sa••rae ••nviolabilis Pe∣trae acciperet firmitatem, supra quam fundata Ecclesia, portis in∣feri & ••••ortis legibus pra•• aleret.
• Gregor. lib 6. regi•• epist 37.

  Quis enim nescit sanctam eccle∣s••am ••n Apostolorum principu so∣lid••tate firmatam? qui firmitatem mentu traxit in nomine, vt Petrus à ••••tra 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••retur.
• Isidor. de vita sanctorum. cap. 69.

  Simon Petrus filius Ioannis, frater Andreae, Apostolorum princeps est, pastor humani gregu, petra eccle∣siae, Clavicularius regni. &c.

  Idem de officijs eccles. lib. 2. cap. 5.

  In novo testamento post Christum sacerdotalis ordo à Petro Apostolo caepit: ipsi enim primus pontificatus datus est in ecclesia Christi. Sic e∣nim loquitur ad eum dominus: Tu es Petrus, & super hanc petram a∣dificabo ecclesiam meam, &c.

  Prosper de vocatione gen∣tium. l. 2. cap. 28.

  Quis ergo ambigat, quis ignorat, hanc fortissimam petram, Petrum, (qui ab illa principali petra com∣munionem & virtutis sumpsit & nominis) hoc desiderium habuisse, &c.
• Maximus sermone. 51. de Petro & Paulo.

  Hic est Petrus, cui dominus com∣munionem sui nominis libenter in∣dulsit: vt enim sicut Apostolus Paulus edocuit, Petra erat Chri∣stus, ita per Christum Petrus fa∣ctus est petra: dicente ei domino: tu es Petrus, & supra hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam.
• a

  Ambrosi. l. 6. in Lucam cap. 9. Tertul. l. 4. Co. Marcio. c. 13.

  Christus chariss. discipulo nomen communicauit suum.
• b

  S. Basil. homil. 29. ex varijs ad populum, de poenitentia.

  Licet Petrus sit petra, non tamen sicut Christus, nam Christus vere est immobilis petra: Petrus vero propter petram, axiomata namque sua, Iesus largitur alijs, non eva∣cuatus, sed nihilominus habens. lu••e est: vos estis lux mundi inquit. Sa∣cerdos est, & facit Sacerdotes, pe∣tra est, & petram facit. qua sua sunt largitur seruis suis, argumen∣tum hoc est opulenti.
• S. Leo 3. assump suae.

  Cum ego sim inuiolabilis Petrae ego lapis angularis qui facio vtra{que} vnum. Tamen tu quoque Pe∣tra es, quia mea virtute solidaris; vt quae mihi potestate s••nt propria, sint tibi mecum participatione communia.
• a

  Augu∣stin l 1. retract c. 21. ••arum autem duarum sententiarum, quae sit probabilior, eligat lector.
• Hieron. in c. 16. Math. Hilarius can. 16. in Math. Confessio Petri prae∣mium cō∣secuta est. Theo∣phila. in c. 16. Math. Maxi∣mus vbi supra.
• a

  Basil. ad cap. 2. 2. Esa.
• b

  Ambr. serm. 2. de sanctis
• c

  Chris. hom. 56. in Matth.
• d

  Theod. in cant. l. 2.
• e

  Ambr. ad Ephes. cap. 2.
• Epla Iu∣uenalis ••t Epist pal. in Apen∣dice Con∣cil: Chol∣ced:
• a

  Aug. in psal. 8••.
• b

  Hieron. in Amos l 3 c. 6.
• c

  Orig in Math. c. 16.
• d

  Ephes. 2.20.
• e

  Reuel••t. 21.14.
• a

  August. Epist. 165 Idem de verb Do∣mini ser. 13.
• b

  Gregor. expos. in 1. Reg li. 6. cap. 3.
• Aug de ver. Do∣miniser. 13.
• Epistola 165.
• Aug. in Psal. 108. c••cione 1.
• Aug. Quaest. ex nouo testam. quaest. 75

  Saluator cum pro se & Petro dari iubet, pro omnibus ••xoluisse vide∣tur, quia sicut in domino erant omnes causa magisterij: ita & post Saluatorem in Petro omnes continentur. Ipsum enim consti∣tuit esse caput eorum, vt pastor es∣set gregis dominici.
• August. in Psalco: partem donati.

  Venite fratres si vultis, vt insera∣mini in vite. dolor est cum vos vi∣demus praecisos ita iacere. Nume∣rate Sacerdotes ab ipsa Petri sede, & in ordine illo patrum, qui•• cui successit, videre, ipsa est petra, quā non vincunt superba inferorum porta.
• Hier. Epist. 57. ad Damasum.

  Ego nullum primum nisi Chri∣stum sequens, beatitudini tua, id est, Cathedra Petri communione consocior: super illam petram aedi∣ficatain ecclesiam scio,
• Ex Iulij increpatoria ad Orientales.

  Ipsa Romana sedes, omnibus ma∣ior & praelata est ecclesijs. quae non solum Canonum & sancto∣rum patrum decretis, sed D. Sal∣uatoris nostri voce, singularem ob∣tinuit principatum: Tu es, inquit, Petrus, & super hanc petram adi∣ficabo ecclesiam meam.
• Ex Epistola 4. B Damasi ad Stephanum Epist. & Con∣cilia Afti••ae.

  Scitis fratres dilectiss. firmamen∣tum à deo fixum & immobile, at{que} titulum lucidissimum suorum sacerdotum, id est, omnium Epi∣scoporum, Apostolicam sedem esse constitutam, & verticem Eccle∣siarum. Tu es enim (sicut diuinum pronuntiat verbum) Petrus, & super hanc petram ad••ficabo Ec∣clesiam meam.
• Zozomen. lib. 3. histor. cap. 7.

  Athanasius autem fugiens Ale∣xandria, Romam venit: codem tempore Paulus etiam Constan∣tinopolitanus Episcopus, forte illu•• accessit, & Marcellus quoque E∣piscopus Anciroe, & Azelopus Gazae &c. & Lucius Adriano∣poli: Quorum criminationes cum Episcopus Romanus intellexisset, & omnes fidei Concilij Nicen•• consentientes reperisset, in commu∣nionem recepit. Ac cum propter se∣du dignitatem cura omnium ad cum spectaret, singulis suam Ec∣clesiam restituit: scripsitque ad E∣piscopos Orientis, cosque incusavit, quod inconsulto de his viris iudi∣cassent deditque mandatum vt quidam, illorum nomine, ad diem constitutum accederent qui etiam minatus est, se de reliquo non pas∣surum eos invltos, nisi novis rebu•• studere desisterent.
• Hosius ad Imperator: Con∣stantium Citatus ab Atha∣nas epist. ad solit. vitam agentes.

  Ne te misceas Ecclesiasticis, ne{que} nobis in hoc genere praecipe, sed potius ea à nobis disce, tibi Deus imperium cōmisit: nobis quae sunt Ecclesiae concredidit, & quemad∣modum qui tuum imperium ma∣lignis o••ulis carpit, contradicit ordinationi divinae: Ita & tu ca∣ve, ne quae sunt ecclesiae ad te tra∣hens, magno crimini obnoxius fia••.
• Cirillus e∣pist 18 ad Celestinū.
• Extat To∣mo 1. Con∣cil. Ephes. cap 29.
• Quoniam vero deus hisc•• in rebus prudentiam à nobis exigit, long a{que} ecclesiarum consuetudo suadet, vt istiusmodi sanctitati tuae commu∣nicētur, non possum equidem, quod apertum est, ad pietatem non per∣scribere. post malefacta exposita, subiungit. Et quamvis res ita se habeat, non prius tamen illius com∣munionem confidenter deserere au∣si fuimus, quam haec ipsa p••etati tuae indicaremus. Digneris proinde quid hic sentias decl••rare, quo li∣quido nobis constet, communicare ne nos cum illo oporteat, an vero libere eidem denunciare, neminem cum eo communicar•• qui eiusmodi Erroneam doctrinam fovet & praedicat. Porro t••a integritatis mens ac super hac re sententia, non modo pijssimis Macedoniae Episto∣pis, sed totius quoque Orientis An∣tistibus perspicue per literas ex∣poni debet.
• Celestin. Papa Cy∣rillo Ar∣chiepiscopo habetureo∣dem Tomo 1. Concil. Ephes. cap. 16.
• Quamobrem nostra autoritate as∣cita nostráque vice & loco cum po∣testate vsus, eiusmodi non abs{que} ex∣quisita severitate sententiam exe∣queru; nempe vt nisi à decem die∣rum intervallo ab huius nostrae ad∣mon••tionis die numerandorum ne∣fariam doctrinam suam conceptis verbis anathematize••, eamque de Christi dei nostri ••eneratione fi∣dem in posterum confessurum se spondeat, quam & Romana & tuae sanctitatu ecclesia & vniuer∣sa denique religio Christiana prae∣dicat, illico sanctitas tua illi eccle∣siae prospiciat
• Tomo secundo eiusdem Con∣cil. Ephes. cap. 16.

  Nulli dubium, imo seculis omnibus n••tum est, sanctum beatissimum{que} Petrum Apostolorum principem & caput, fide••{que} columnam, ecclesiae Catholicae fundamentum, à Domi∣no nostro Iesu Christo caelestis regni claues accepisse, solvendique atque ligandi potestate, quam acceperat vsum fuisse: necnon per successores suos huc vsque semper vivere, cau∣sas decernere, semperque victurum esse. Huius itaque ordinarius suc∣cessor & vicarius, sanctus, beatissi∣musque papa & Episcopus noster Celestinus, nos suos pro se quasi vi∣carios misit, &c. Et hac est praefa∣tio sententia. Nos canonum vi san∣ctissimi que patris, & comministri nostri Celestini ecclesia Romanae Antistitis epistola compulsi, hanc tristem in illam sententiā tulimus.
• Concil. Chalced. actio 3.

  Libellus Theodoridiaconi ad Leo∣nem Papā & ad Chalced cōcilium. Libellus Iscyronis ad Leonem nem Papā & Chalcedon conciliū.
• Quibus tu quidem sicut membris caput prae••ras quam velut auro textam seriem ex veste Christi & praecepto legislatoris venientem vs∣que ad nos ipse servasti. vocis bea∣ti Petri omnibus constitutus inter∣pres, eius si lei beatificationem su∣per omnes adduc••ns.
• Ibidem in exemplari epist. Paschacini.

  Vnde sanctissimus, ac beatissimus Papa caput vniuersalis ecclesiae Leo per nos vt l••gatos suos sancta syno∣do consentiente, Petri Apostoli prae∣ditus dignitate, [qui ecclesiae fun∣damentum, et petra fidei & cale∣stis regni lanitor nuncupatur] Epi∣scopali eum Dioscorum dignitate nudavit, & ab omni sacerdotali opere facit exortem.
• Innocentio Papae Ioannes Chrisost: ex palladio in vita eius.

  Quapropter ne confusio haec, omnem quae sub coelo est nationem enuadat, obsecro vt scribatis, quod baec tam inique facta, & absen∣tibus nobis, & non declinanti∣bus iudicium, non habeant ro∣bur, sicut nec sua natura ha∣bent. Illi autem qui inique ege∣runt, poena ••cclesiasticarum legum sub••aceant: nobis vero (qui nec conuicti, nec redarguti, nec ha∣biti vt rei) literis vestris & cha∣ritate vestra aliorumque om∣nium, quorum scilicet & an∣••ea societate fru••bamur, f••ui conc••dite.
• Ex epist. 30. Innocent. ad Archadium, ex Nicepho. 10 l. 13. c. 34.

  Itaque ego minimus & pec∣cator, cui thronus magni Apo∣stoli Petri creditus est, segrego to & illam a perceptione im∣maculatorum mysteriorū Chri∣sti dei nostri. Episcopum etiam omnem aut clericum ordinis san∣cta dei ecclesiae qui administra∣re aut exhibere ••a vobis ausu•• fuerit ab ea hora qua presente•• vinculi meilegeritis literas, digni∣tate sua excidisse decerne.
• Flauianus apud Theodoret: l. 5. c. 23.

  Cum eo agit Imperator, vt Ro∣mam adiret, cui respondit. Si qui me O Imperator, vt fidem mini∣me sinceram ac sanam profitentes insimulent, dicantve vitam me traducere indignam sacerdotio, tū illis ipsis iudicibus vtar; tum pro∣nunciatam ab eis sententiam lu∣bens subibo.
• Theodoret Leoni Episcopo Romano.

  Post lo•• sudores & labores ne in ius quidem vocatus, sum condemnatus. Ego autem Apo∣stolicae vestrae sedu expecto senten∣tiam & supplico & obsecro ve∣stram sanctitatem, vt mihi opem ferat, iustum vestrum & rectum app••llanti iudicium, & iubeat ad vos accurr••re, & ostendere meam doctrinam vestigia Aposto∣lica sequentem: & ante omnia rogo vt s••iam a vobis, an in in••••∣sta hac depositione me oporteat acqui••scere, an non: vestram enim expecto sententiàm, & si iudicatis s••are me iusserie, stabo, nec vlli deinceps homini molestiam exhibeb••.
• Anast••sius p••tri••••cha Hie••o∣solym••••••l••us epist. ad Foeli∣c••m papam

  Fuit se••per ••postolicae sedis v••stre li••••ntia, ••••iust•• damnatos vel ••xcommuni••atos potestatis suae auctoritate restitu••re, & sua om∣nia eu r••dder••, & illos qui eos c••••demnarunt aut excommunica∣v••••unt, Apostolico punire priui∣legio: sicut etiam nostris & an∣terioribus novimus factum tem∣p••ribu••. & antiquis regulis san∣c••tum est, ••t quicquid, quamuis t•• ••••••otu prouin•• ••s, super corum querduant accusationibus agere∣tu••, non pr••••s tractandum vel accipiendum esset, quam ad noti∣tiam alma vestra sedis esset dedu∣ctum: vt hu••us auctoritate, iuxta quod fuisset faciendum, infirma∣retur aut firmaretur.
• Ex concilio Sardicense c. 4.

  Quod si aliquis episcopus adiudicatus fuerit in aliqua cau∣sa, & putat se bonam causam habere, vt iterum iudicium reno∣uetur, si vobis placet, S. Petri Apostoli memoriam honoremus, vt scribatur Romano Pontifici, & si iudicauerit renouandum esse iu∣dicium, renouetur, & det iudicos. si autem probauerit talem causam, vt ea non refriceutur quae acta sunt. Quae decreuerit Romanus Pontifex, confirmata erunt. Si ergo omnibus placeat, statuatur. synodus respondit: placet, &c. 5. Alter episcopus post talem ap∣pellationem in eadem cathedra no admittetur, nisi causa fuerit in iudicio Romani Pontificis deter∣minata.
• a

  Athan. Apolog 2 in medio.
• b

  Sulpit. l. 2. sacra histor.
• c

  Socrat. l. 2 hist. c. 16.
• Distinct. 73. ca. 1.
• Iren. l. 3. v. 3. Tertull. de prescr. 36. Euseb. l. 2. hist. c. 2. Epiphar. heres. 27. Optat. mi leuit. l. 2. perm. Hieron. de viris ill. 1. August. Epistola. 1••5.
• Luca 22.
• August. quaest. & noui te∣sta q. 75.
• Quid ambigitur? pro Petro roga∣bat, & ••ro Iacobo & Ioanne non rogabat, vt caeteros taceam? mani∣festum est in Petro omnes contineri: rogans enim pro Petro, pro omni∣bus rogasse dignoscitur: semper e∣nim in praeposito populus aut cor∣ripitur aut laudatur.
• Aug co. eras Pe∣til e. 2. ca. 51.
• Quare appellas cathedram pe∣stilen ••••e, cathedram Apostolicam? si propter homines quos putas le∣gem loqui & non facere, nunquid Iesus Christus propter Phari∣saeos, [de quibus ait: dicunt enim & non faciunt] cathedrae in qua sedebant vllam fecit iniuriam? nonne illam cathedram Moysi commendauit, & illos seruato ca∣thedra honore, redarguit? dicens. super cathedram Moysi sedent, quod dicunt facite: secundum au∣tem opera eorum, nolite facere.
• Aug. Epist. 165.

  In illum autem ordinem Episco∣porum qui ducitur ab ipso Petro vsque ad Anastasium, qui nunc eandem cathedram sedet, etiamsi quisquam traditor penilla tempo∣ra surrepsisset, nihil praeiudicaret ecclesiae & innocentibus Christia∣nis, quibus dominus prouidens ait de praepositis malu. Quae dicunt facite, quae autem faciunt, facere nolite, dicunt enim & non fa∣ciunt vt certa sit spes fidelibus quae non in hominibus, sed in deo collo∣cata, nunquam tempestate sacri∣legi schismatis dissipetur.
• Irenaeus lib. 3. cap. 3.

  Sed quoniam valde longum est in hoc tali volumine, omnium ec∣clesiarum enumerare successiones, maximae & antiquissima & om∣nibus cognitae à gloriosissimis duo∣bus Apostolis Petro & Paulo Ro∣ma fundata & constituta ecclesiae eam quam habet ab Apostolis tra∣ditionem, & annunciatam homi∣nibus fidem, per successiones Epi∣scoporum pervenientem vsque ad nos, indicantes, confundimus om∣nes eos, qui quoqu•• modo vel per sui placentiam malam, vel vanam gloriam, vel per caecitatem & ma∣lam sententiam, praeter quam opor∣tet colligunt. Ad hanc enim eccle∣siam propter potentiorem principa∣litatem necesse est omnem conve∣nire ecclesiam, hoc est, eos qui sunt vndique fideles, in qua semper ab his qui sunt vndique, conservata est ea quae est ab Apostolis tra∣ditio.
• Cypr. l. 1. Epist. 3.
• Cypr. l. 1. Epist. 3. iuxta pamel Epist 55.

  Post ista, adhuc insuper pseudo-Episcopo sibi ab haereticis constitu∣to, nauigare audent ad Petri cathedram, atque ad Ecclesiā prin∣cipalem, vnde vnitas sacerdotalis ••rta est, a schismaticis & profanis litteras ferre: nec cogitare eos esse Romanos (quorum fides, Apostolo praedicante, laudata est) ad quos perfidia habere non posset acces∣sum.
• Cyprian. ibidem.

  Neque enim aliunde haereses orta sunt, aut nata sunt schismata, quam inde, quod sacerdoti dei non obtemperatur, nec vnus in ecclesia ad tempus sacerdos, & ad tempus iudex, vico Christi co∣gitatur.
• Concil. Afric. cap. 6.
• Ibid. can. 101.
• Ibid can. 105.
• Ibid. can. 92.
• Concilium Carthag. nomine sextum, ordine 5. n. 4.

  Ista nos tamen tantisper seruatio∣ros, (vt antea•• dixi) donec integra exemplaria veniant, profitem••r. Petendus est autem litteris nostris & venerabilis Ecclesia Romanae Episcopus Bonifacius, vt ipse quo{que} dignetur ad memoratas ecclesias a∣l••quos mittere, qui eadem exempla∣ria praedicti Niceni Concilij secun∣dum eius possint scripta proferre. In Epistola Concilij ad Bo∣nifacium, cap. 101. Quod donec fiant hac quae in com∣monitorio supradicto nobis allega∣ta sunt de appellationibus Episco∣porum ad Romanae sedis Sacerdo∣tem & nos vsque ad probationem seruaturos esse, profitemur: & bea∣titu inem tuam ad hoc nos adiutu∣ram in dei voluntate confidimus.
• Cap. 105. Prafato it aque de∣bita salu∣tationis officio, im∣pendio de∣precamur, vt dein∣ceps ad ve¦stras au∣res hinc venientes non faci∣lius admit tatis.
• Concil. Sard. ca. 4. & 7.
• Conc. Afri. c. 92. Item pla∣cuit, vt presbyteri diaconi, vel caeteri inferiores clerici, si de iudiciis episcoporū suorum questi fue∣rint, &c.
• Ciprian. Epistola 45. ed: Pam.

  Sed cum statuissemus collegae complures qui in vnum conue∣neramus, vt legatis ad vos Epis∣copis nostris Caldonio & fortu∣nato, omnia interim integra sus∣penderentur, donec ad nos ijdem collegae a nostri venirent.
• Ibidem.

  Nos etiam singulis nauiganti∣bus, ne cum scandalo vllo naui∣garent rationem reddentes, scimus nos hortatos eos esse, vt ecclesiae Ca∣tholicae radicem & matricem agnoscerent actenerent.
• Ex Epistola Stephani Ar∣chiep. & concil. Africae ad Damasum Papam habetur: Tomo 1. Concil. inter Epi∣stolas damasi.

  Notum vestrae facimus beati∣tudini, quod quidam fratres in confinio nobis positi, quosdam fa∣tres nostros, venerabiles videlicet Episcopos, vobis inconsultis, a proprio deijciunt gradu, vel deii∣cere moliuntur: cum vestrae sedi, Episcoporum iudicia, & sum∣morum finem ecclesiasticorum negotiorum, in honore beatissi∣mi Petri, patrum decreta om∣nium, cunctam reseruauere sen∣tentiam, &c.
• Ex Epistola 4. damasi ad eun∣dem Stephanum & ad con∣cilia Africae.

  Nos qui supra domum eius, hoc est, vniuersalem ecclesiam Ca∣tholicam, Episcopale suscepimus ministerium, solicite vigilare de bemus, etc scitis fatres dilectissimi firmamentum a deo fixum & immobile, atque titulum lu∣cidissimum suorum sacerdotum id est, omnium episcorum, A∣postolicam sedem esse consti∣tutam, & verticem ecclesia∣rum. Tu es enim [sicut diui∣num pronunciat verbum veraci∣ter] Petrus, &c cuius vice dei gratia hodie fungimur ideo omnia quae innotuistis non licere mandarem, nisi vos tam plene instructos scirem, quod cuncta super quibus consuluistis, illicita esse non dubitetis discu∣tere nam{que} episcopos, & summas ecclesiasticorum negotiorum cau∣sas, metrapolitano vna cum com∣prouincialibus licet: sed definire ecclesiasticarum summas quere∣las causarum, vel damnare epis∣copos, absque huius sanctae sedis auctoritate minime licet, ad quam omnes appellare, si necesse fuerit, & eius fulcire auxilio oportet.
• Ex Epist 92. inter ep. D. Aug.

  Quia te Dominus gratiae suae precipuo munere in sede Apostoli∣ca collocauit, talemque nostris tē∣poribus praestitit, vt nobis potius ad culpam negligentia valeat, si apud tuam venerationem, quae pro Ecclesia suggerenda sunt, tac••eri∣mus; quam ea tu pos? is vel fasti∣diose vel negligenter accipere, ma∣gnis periculis infirmorum membro¦rum Christi pastoralem diligen∣tiam quaesvmus a••hibere digneris &c. Multo plures qui eius sensuo diligentius indagare potuerunt, aduersus eū progratia Christi, et Catholicae fidei veritate confligūt, praecipue sanctus filius tuus, frater & compresbiter noster Hieroni∣mus. Sed arbitramur, adiuuante misericordia Domini Dei nostri Iesu Christi, qui te & regere con∣sulentem, & orantem exaudire di∣gnatur, autoritati sanctitatis tuae, de sanctorum scripturarum auto∣ritate de promptae, facilius eos qui tam peruersa & perniciosa sen∣tiunt esse cessuros.
• Ex epist. xc. inter D. Aug. epistolas.

  Hoc itaque gestum Domine frater sancte charitati tuae inti∣mandum duximus, vt statutis nostra mediocritatis etiam Apo∣stolicae sedis adhibeatur autoritas pro tuenda salute multorum, & quorundam peruersitate etiam corrigenda.
• Ex Epist. D. Aug. IOB.

  Missae sunt itaque de hac re ex duobus conciliis Carthaginensi et Mileuitano relationes ad Apo∣stolicam sedem, &c. scripsimus etiam ad beatae memoria papam Innocentium, &c. Ad omnia nobis ipse rescripsit eodem modo quofas erat atque oportebat Apo∣stolica sedis Antistitem.
• Ex epistola 93.

  Diligenter ergo & congrue Apostolico consulitis honori, hono∣ri (inquam) illius, quem praeter illa quae sunt extrinsecus, solicitu∣do manet omnium Ecclesiarum, super anxijs rebus, quae sit tenen∣da sententia: antiqua scilicet re∣gulae formam sequuti, quam toto semper ab orbe mecum nostis esse seruatam, verum haec missa facio, neque enim hoc vestram credo la∣tere prudentiam. Qui id etiam actione firmastis, scientes quod per omnes prouincias ab Apostoli∣co fonte, potentibus responsa sem∣per emanant? praesertim quoties fidei ratio ventilatur, arbitror omnes fratres & coepiscopos no∣stros, non nisi ad Petrum, id est sui nominis & honoris autorem referre debere, velut nunc retulit vestra dilectio, quod per totum mundum possit omnibus Ecclesiis in commune prodesse.
• Ex epistola D. August. 261. ad papam Celestinum.

  Collabora obsecro nobiscum pietate venerabilis domine bea∣tissime papa, & iube tibi qua directa sunt omnia recitari, vide Episcopatum qualiter gesserit, &c. existat exemplo, ipsa sede Apostolica iudicata firmante. & subueni hominibus, opem tuam in Christi misericordia multo a∣uidius quam ille poscentibus.
• Aug. epistola 157.

  Litera quas ad Mantoniam Caesariensem misisti, me apud Caesaream presente venerunt, quo nos, iniuncta nobis a venera∣bili papa Zozimo Apostolica se∣dis Episcopo, Ecclesiastica Neces∣sitas traxerat.
• Ibidem.

  Cuius (haeresis) vel auctores vel certi acerrimi suasores cum Pelagius & Calestinus extitis∣sent, conciliorum Episcopalium vigilantia, in adiutorio saluatoris qui suam tuetur Ecclesiam, etiam a duobus venerabilibus Antisti∣tibus Apostolicae sedis, papa In∣nocentio & papa Zozimo, nisi correcti etiam egerint paeniten∣tiam, toto Christiano Orbe dam∣nati sunt.
• Qualis ipsius beati Melchiadis vltima est probata sententia, quam innocens, quam inte∣gra, quam prouida atque pacifica? & paulo post. O vi∣rum optimum, o filium Chri∣stianae pacis, & patrem Chri∣stianae plebis.
• Ibidem.

  Episcopus Carthaginis Ce∣cilianus potuit non curare conspirantem multitudinem i∣nimicorum, cum se videret & Romana Ecclesiae (in qua semper Apostolica cathedrae vi∣guit principatus,) & cateris vnde Euangelium ad Afri∣cam venit, per communicatorias literas esse coniunctum.
• Leo episcopus vniuersis E∣piscopis per Caesariensem Mauritaniam in Afri∣ca constitutis Epi∣stola: 87.

  Cum de ordinationibus sacer∣dotum quaedam apud vos illicite vsurpata, crebrior ad nos sermo perferret, ratio pietatis exegit, vt pro solicitudine quam vniuersae ec∣clesiae exdiuina institutione depen∣dimus, rerum fidem studeremus agnoscere, &c.

  Ibidem. c 2.

  Causam quoque Lupicini epis∣copi illic iubemus audiri cui mul∣tum ac saepe postulenti cōmunionē hac rai••one redd••mus, quoniam ad nostrum iudicium prouocass••, immerito cum, pendente negotio a comu∣nion•• videbamus fuisse suspensum.
• Victor vticens: de persecut. vand: l: 2.

  Si nostram fidem (quae vna & vera est) potestas Regis cognosce∣re desiderat, mittat ad amicos suos: scribam & ego fatribus meis vt veniant coepiscopi, qui cōmunē fidem nostram valeant demon∣strare, & praecipue Romana ec∣clesia, quae caput est omnium ecclesiarum, &c.
• a

  Atha∣nas: epi∣stola de Arimi∣nensi con∣cilio.
• b

  Euseb. de vita constant: l. 3. v. 17.
• Euseb. l. 5. histor. c. 22. & 23.
• Cypr. Epistola 55. Neque al••unde haereses ortae sunt, aut nata sunt schismata, quam inde, quod Sacerdoti Dei non ob∣temperatur, &c.
• Leo Epi∣stola 93. n. 4.
• Hieron. Epist ad Evagriū.
• Epist. 57.
• Epist 57.
• Hieron. Epist. 77.
• Ambros. de Sacramentis lib. 3. ca. 10.

  Cupio in•• omnibus sequi Roma∣nam•• Ecclesiam••, sed tamen & nos homines sensum habemus, ideò quod alibi rectius seruatur, & nos recte custodimus.
• Ex Bedae Histo: l. 10. c. 27.

  Mihi placet vt siue in Romana, siue in Galliarum, siue in qu ilibet ecclesia aliquid inuenisti quod plus omnipotenti Deo possit placere, solicite eligas &c.
• Concil. Chalced. Act. 15. can. 28.
• a

  Ibid. Act 3
• b

  Ibid. Act. 16. in Epist. Pascasini.
• c

  In epist. Concilij ad Leonē.
• Concil. Chalced. cost. 15. can. 28.
• Concil. Constan∣tin••p. 1. Can. 3.
• Concil. Chalced. Act. 16.
• Ex Epistola 54. Leonis ad Martian Augustum:

  Privilogia enim ecclesiarum, san∣ctorum Patrum canonibus institu∣ta, & venerabilis Nicenae synodi fixa decretis, nulla possunt impro∣bitate conuelli, nulla nouitate mu∣tari. Hanc impij desiderij conce∣ptionem, nunquam debuit intra cordis sui recipere secretum.

  Abstineat ergo ab ecclesiastica∣rum iniuria regularum, & illi∣citos declinet excessus, ne se ab v∣niuersali ecclesia, dum inimica pa∣cis tentat, abscindat.
• Cyprian. Epist. 55. iuxta Pa∣meli.
• a

  Cypriā. Epist. 55.
• b

  Epistola 45.
• De vnitate Ecclesiae.

  Qui Ecclesiae renititur & resi∣stit, qui cathedram Petri, (super quam fundata est ecclesia) de∣serit, in ecclesia se esse confi∣dit?
• Aug. epist. 48. item l. 1. de baptis. co. donati∣stas, ca. 18.
• Ambros. in oratio∣ne de obi∣tu satyri fratris.
• Aduocauit ad se Episcopum, nec vllam veram putauit nisi vera fidei gratiam, percontatus{que} ex eo est, vtrumnam cum Episcopis Ca∣tholicis, hoc est, cum Romana Ec∣clesia conueniret, & sorte ad id locorum in schismate, regionis illius ecclesiae erat.
• Hieron. Apol. 1. c. Ruff.

  Fidem suam quam vocat? eam∣ne qua Romana pollet Ecclesia? an illam quae in Originis volumi∣nibus continetur? si Romanam responderit? ergo Catholici su∣mus, qui nihil de Originis errore transtulimus.
• August. epistola 165.

  Si enim ordo episcoporum sibi inuicem succedentium consideran∣dus est, quanto rectius & vere sa∣lubriterab ipso Petro numeramus, cui totius Ecclesiae figuram gerenti Dominus ait, super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam.
• August. ibid.

  Vt certa sit spes fidelibus qui faciunt ea quae Romani Pontifices cis facienda praecipiunt) quae non in homine sed in Domino (quidi∣xit, qua dicunt facite,) collocata, nūquam tempestate sacrilegi schis∣matu dissipetur.
• Cip. epist. 55.
• Bernardus epist. 190.

  Oportet ad vestrum referri A∣postolatum, pericula quae{que} & scandala emergentia in regno Dei, ea praesertim quae de fide contin∣gunt. Dignum nam{que} arbitror, i∣bi potissimum resarciri damna fi∣des, vbi non possit fides sentire defectum. Hac quippe huius prae∣rogatiua sedis. Cui enim alteri ali∣quando dictum est. Ego pro te rogaui Petre vt non deficiat fides tua? Ergo quod sequitur, de Petri successore exigitur, & tu a∣liquando conuersus, confirma fratres tuos. Id quidem modo necessarium est. Tempus est vt ve∣strum agnoscatis principatum, pro∣betis Zelum, Ministerium hono∣retis, in eo plane Petri impletis vi∣cem cuius tenetis & sedem, si ve∣stra admonitione corda in fide flu∣ctantia confirmetis, si vestra au∣ctoritate cōteritis fidei corruptores.
• Rom. 16.
• Chris. in illum locū
• S. Hieron. Apol. 3. con. Ruffinum.

  Attamen scito Romanam fidem Apostolico ore laudatam eiusmodi praestigias non recipere. Etiam si Angelus aliter annunciet quam semel praedicatum est, Pauli au∣ctoritate munitam non posse m••∣tari.
• Leo in serm. 2. Assumptionis suae ad sumum Pontificem.

  Soliditas enim illius fidei quae in Apostolorum Principe est laudata, perpetua est. Et sicut permanet, quod in Christo Petrus credidit: ita permanet quod in Petro Chri∣stus instituit, &c. Manet ergo dispositio veritatis & beatus Pe∣trus in accepta fortitudine petra perseuerans, suscepta ecclesiae g••∣bernacula non reliquit.
• Optatus mileuit. l. 2. co. par∣menianum.

  Igitur negare non potes scire te in vrbe Roma Petro primo Ca∣thedram Episcopalem esse collatam in qua sederit omnium Apostolo∣rum caput Petrus: in qua vna ca∣thedra vnitas ab omnibus serua∣retur, ne caeteri Apostoli singulas sibi quisque defenderent: vtiam schismaticus & peccator esset, qui contra singularem cathedram, al∣teram collocaret. ergo cathedra v∣nica quae est prima de dotibus sedit prior Petrus: cui successit linus, &c. damaso Siricius hodie qui noster est socius. Cum quo nobis totus orbis commercio formatarum in vna communionis societate con∣cordat. vestrae cathedrae vos origi∣nem reddite, qui vobis vultis san∣ctam Ecclesiam vindicare.
• August. epist. 165.
• Leo epist. 61. Idem E∣pist. 61.
• August. l. 5 de ba∣ptismo co. donat c. 23.
• Euseb li. 6. hist. ca. 35.
• Siricius apud Ambrosium Epistola 6.

  Vnde Apostoli secuti praeceptum, quia aliter quam accepimus an∣nunciabant Iouinianus, Auxen∣tius &c. diuinae sententia & nostro iudicio in perpetuum damnati, ex∣tra Ecclesiam remaneant.
• Ibidem Epistola 7.

  Recognouimus literis sanctitatis tuae, boni Pastoris excubias, qui fi∣deliter commissam tibi ianuam serues, & pia solicitudine Christi ouile custodias, dignus quem oues domini audiant & sequantur, et versus finem. Itaque Iouinia∣num Auxentium &c. quos san∣ctitas tua damnauit, scias apud nos quoque secundum iudicium tuum esse damnatos.
• Aug. lib. 2. retract. ca 22.

  Huic monstro (Iouiniano) san∣cta Ecclesia quae ibi est (scilicet Romana) fidelissime ac fortissime restitit.
• Aug. epist. 157.
• Cuius haeresis, vel auctores, vel certe acerrimi notissimi{que} suaso∣res cum Pelagius & Celestius extitissent, Conciliorum Episco∣palium vigilantia in adiutorio Saluatoris (qui suam tuetur Eccle∣siam) etiam à duobus venerabili∣bus Antistitibus Apostolica sedis, Papa Innocentio & Papa Zozi∣mo nisi correcti etiam egerint poe∣nitentiam, toto Christiano orbe damnati sunt. De quibus exempla recentium literarum. siue quae spe∣cialiter ad Asros, siue qua vniuer∣saliter ad omnes Episcopos de me∣morata sede manarunt, vobis cu∣rauimus mitti.
• Aug. de vtili. credendi ca. 17.

  Dubitabimus nos eius Ecclesiae condere gremio, quae vsque ad con∣f••ssionem generis humani ab Apo∣stolica sede per successiones Episco∣porum frustra haereticis circum latrantibus & culmen auctori∣tatis obtiuuit?
• Aug. cōt. saustum mam. li. 11. ca. 2.
• Ibidem l, 29. ca. 2.
• Aug. co. Epist. fundam. ca. 4.

  In Ecclesia gremio me tenet ab ipsa sede Petri Apostoli [cui pas∣cendas ones suas dontinus commen∣dauit] vs{que} ad praesentem Episco∣patum successio Sacerdotum.
• Aug. co. literas Pe∣ril. l. 2. ca. 51.
• Idem e∣pist. 1••5.
• In Psal. co. partem don.
• Con. E∣pist. fun∣damenti cap. 4.
• Turtull. co. Valēt. c. 2. vinci possunt, suaderi non pos∣sunt.