K. Edward the VIth his own arguments against the Pope's supremacy wherein several popish doctrines and practices, contrary to God's word, are animadverted on, and the marks of anti-Christ are applied to the Pope of Rome / translated out of the original, written with the King's own hand in French, and still preserved ; to which are subjoined some remarks upon his life and reign, in vindication of his memory, from Dr. Heylin's severe and unjust censure.

The First Part.

FIrst then, whereas the Papists say, that Rome is the Mother of all other Churches, and therefore the Bishop of Rome ought to be Superiour to all other Bi∣shops. I answer, that it is impossible; because the first Promise was made unto the Jews: And Rome was Hea∣then, when Jerusalem was Christian; for St. Paul wri∣ting to the Romans, says, through their Fall, Salvation is come unto the Gentiles.

And because the Papist cannot prove Rome to have been the Mother of all the other Churches, they there∣fore say the Bishop of Rome hath received his Power from St. Peter: to whom had been given the same Authority with Christ, and remains in the said Bishop of Rome to this day, which they endeavour to prove out of these following Texts, Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church, saith Christ; and a little af∣ter, And I will give thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Hea∣ven: And they alledge that other place of Scripture,

where Peter says to Christ, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee: Saying▪ that he that loves Christ is the chiefest, and Peter loving Christ, more than any of the other Apostles loved him, is there∣by the chiefest and principal of the Apostles.

Again, they affirm that he only was commanded to feed the Sheep of Christ, and be the Fisher of Men; and that he was the first Speaker, and made answer to Jesus, Behold, here are two Swords: from whence the Papists conclude, that Peter had a Temporal and a Spiri∣tual Sword.

They alledge also some Human Reasons, that as the Bees have one King, so all Christians ought to have one Pope. And that as there was of old amongst the Jews, a principal Priest or Bishop, (as Moses and Aa∣ron) so now it is necessary there should be a Bishop of the Bishops.

Here are two great False∣hoods in these few words: The one is, that the Autho∣rity and Supremacy over the Church was given to St. Pe∣ter: The other, that Peter was at Rome.

To the First, Where they say that that Authority was given him by these Words, Thou art Peter, &c. I An∣swer, that if you remark the preceding and following Words, in that Chapter of the Gospel, you will find that Christ did not speak of Peter, as he was barely a Man, but as he was a Belie∣ver: For the foregoing Words, are, how Peter had said, Thou art the Son of God: By which it is evident, that Christ did not say, that Pe∣ter was the Foundation of the Church, but spoke of the Faith of Peter. The

following Words declare how Christ called Peter Sa∣tan, but the Church of God is not founded upon Sa∣tan, therefore it is not founded upon Peter: for if the Church was founded upon St. Peter, it would have a weak Foundation: and like that House, a sandy Foundation that could not stand long, but, the Floods came, and the Winds blew, and beat upon that House; and it fell. In like manner would the Church fall, if it had so poor a Foundation. By which one may see from these Words in the Text, Thou art Peter, and upon this

Stone will I build my Church, must not be understood of Peter, but of the Faith of Peter; upon which the Church is founded. For he was a frail and weak Vessel, who denied Christ thrice. Their second Text is, that the Keys of Heaven were given to St. Peter. To which I Answer, That the Keys were given not only to Peter, but also to the other Apostles. And by this Ar∣gument, I answer, that he was not principal; because the rest received the same Authority of the Keys, that was committed to him. On which account

St. Paul calls St. Peter, the Pillar, not the Foundation of the Church; his Compa∣nion, not his Governour: And what are the Keys of Heaven, the Authority of pardoning Sins? No, it is the Preaching of the Gospel of God the Father, the Go∣spel, I say, of God; not the Pope's or Devil's. And as when a Door is open, every one who will, may en∣ter therein; so when God sent his sincere Command∣ments and Gospel, he open∣ed Truth, which is the Gate of Heaven: And gave unto Men an understanding of the Scriptures, which if they o∣bey'd,

they should thereby be saved. By which we see that the Gospel and the Truth of the Scriptures, are the only Gates that conduct Men to the Kingdom of God. Whence St. Paul says, Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord, shall be sa∣ved: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a Preacher? And a little after, he saith, So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. And in the fourth Chapter to the Romans, he also saith,

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justi∣fieth the Ungodly, his Faith is counted for Righteousness. Moreover, we will prove that the Preaching of the Gospel is the Key of Hea∣ven: in the eighth Chapter to the Romans, Paul affirms that, Whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord, shall be saved; and that the Preaching of the Gospel is the Door that leads to the Invocation of the Name of God: Whence it follows, that the Preach∣ing of the Gospel is the way and entrance of Salvati∣on.

Again, Paul affirms that Faith justifies, and that the Preaching of the Gospel causes Faith (which I have shewed before) whence it follows that the true Preach∣ing of the Word is the Door and Entrance to Justificati∣on. Like as Ground which is sowed may produce Fruit, if the Seed be not cast into Ground which is full of Thistles, or Thorns, or Stones; and yet altho it be sowed in such Ground, it will a little meliorate the Earth. So if the Word of God be sowed in the Hearts of honest People, or such as have a Zeal for Truth, it

will confirm them in all Goodness; but if any be ob∣stinate and perverse they cannot impute the Fault un∣to the Scriptures, which is really in themselves.

Therefore we ought to do our utmost endeavours to cause the Gospel to be Preach'd throughout all the World; as it is written, All Power is given unto me in Hea∣ven and in Earth: Go ye there∣fore, and teach all Nations, bap∣tizing them in my Name.

Since then it is proved, that the Keys of Heaven is the Authority of Preaching; and that the Authority of Preaching was given to all the Apostles.

I cannot see how by that Text, any more Authority was given to Peter, than to the other Disciples: And St. Paul says, he was not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles.

Then if he said true, St. Peter was not above him: And if I were ask'd which of them was the better, I should say Paul, because he Preach'd more than them all.

But we ought to account certainly, that the Spirit of God was poured out upon them all; and that the same Spirit of God which filled St. Peter, filled also St. Paul: from whence may be pro∣ved,

that neither of them was Superior to the other.

Again, the Papists say, that after Christ was raised from the Dead, he ask'd who loved him, and that Peter answered, he loved him, and therefore (say they) he was the chief A∣postle.

By which Reason every good Man ought to have the Supremacy over every o∣ther, because each good and pious Person loves God: for it is the Duty and Office of every true Christian. Now the Question is not, Whe∣ther Peter was faithful, pi∣ous, good, a holy and true

Christian; but whether he was principal Head, Go∣vernour, and King above and over the rest of the Apo∣stles, and Ministers of Jesus Christ? For if the Pope would have the Authority of St. Peter, which was to Preach, I would be content to give it him: but he re∣gards but little the Precept of God; for Jesus departed into a Mountain alone, when he perceived the Jews would make him a King, and Emperor: And the Pope by Wrong, or Violence, or Deceit, hath made all Nations subject unto him.

Jesus wore a Crown of Thorns, and a Purple Robe was thrown upon him in Derision, and all the Multi∣tude mocked and spit upon him: But the Pope decks himself with a Triple Crown, and is adored by Kings, Princes, Emperors, and all Estates of Persons. Jesus wash'd his Disciples Feet, and Kings kiss the Feet of the Pope: Jesus pay'd Tribute, but the Pope receives, and pays none: Jesus opened his Mouth and taught the People, the Pope takes his ease and rest in his Castle of St. Angelo. Jesus healed all Diseases, the Pope

rejoices in Blood and Mas∣sacres. Christ bore his Cross upon his Shoulders, the Pope is born upon the Shoulders of Men. Christ came with Peace and Po∣verty into the World, the Pope delights in stirring up War amongst the Kings and Princes of the Earth. Christ came meekly, humbly, and compassionately, sitting up∣on an Ass, but the Pope rides in all Pomp and Splen∣dor. Christ was a Lamb, the Pope is a Wolf. Christ was Poor, the Pope would have all Christian King∣doms under his Power and Command. Christ drove

the Money-Changers, and Sellers out of the Temple, the Pope receives them in: Jesus instituted the Sacra∣ment in commemoration of himself; the Pope formed the Mass, a Master piece of Imposture. Jesus ascended into Heaven, and the Pope falls into Hell. God hath commanded that we should have no other God but him; and the Pope makes himself to be honoured like unto a great God. God forbids us to commit Idolatry, and the Pope is the Author of I∣mage-Worship. God hath prohibited swearing in vain; but the Pope allows his Friends

Perjury. God hath com∣manded the use of Festivals in good Works, Prayers, and Devotions, but the Pope allows Pomp, Games, Ideleness, and Mymichry to be exercised on those days in Churches. God hath forbid Murther, and killing any Person, and 'tis a mat∣ter of great Compassion and Sorrow, to see how cruelly the Pope persecutes Christi∣ans. God foretold this Per∣secution in the four and twentieth Chapter of Mat∣thew; Many false Prophets (says Christ) shall arise at that time; and because Iniquity shall abound, the Love of many shall

wax cold: but the Gospel shall be preached in all the World; when ye therefore shall see the Abomination of Desolation, spo∣ken of by Daniel the Prophet, stand in the holy Place, then let them which be in Judea, flee into the Mountains. And is not this come to pass now? Yea, for there are many Wolves in Sheeps cloath∣ing; who under the pre∣tence of Religion, obscure the true Doctrine of Christ: And almost all Abominati∣ons were introduced into the Holy Place, that is to say, brought into the Church of God.

But to return to our Mat∣ter, God hath forbid Adul∣tery; notwithstanding the Pope, who will be obedient to his Father the Devil, com∣mands his Priests to keep se∣veral Concubines and Har∣lots, rather than join them∣selves to any in Marriage. God hath forbid stealing from either Man, Woman, or Child; but the Pope is such an old Thief, that he robs even God of his Ho∣nour, and transfers it to himself. God has forbid bearing false Witness against any one, but the Pope crys all is good Grist which comes to his Mill. God

hath commanded us to be content with what is our own, but the Pope will have every House pay him a Tribute: to conclude, he is in every thing opposite to God. But I cannot blame him, for he fulfills the com∣mand of Paul, which says, Children obey your Parents, and the Demon of Hypocrisy is his Father, to whom he pays all Obedience. The Devil walketh about as a roaring Lion, (saith St Peter) seeking whom he may devour. And does not the Pope do the same? Yea certainly, for he not only ordains wicked and unjust Laws; but he pursues to

Death, all who have a true Zeal and Love towards God.

But to return to the Pri∣macy of Peter. I ask how many Kingdoms St. Peter had under his Dominion? For it was impossible that all Kingdoms should be un∣der him, when St. James was then Bishop of Jerusalem, and that City then Christian. Neither can I see how Peter should be the Chief: For St. Paul says to the Corinthi∣ans concerning the Apostles, All are yours, and you are Christs, and Christ is Gods. Likewise St. Peter calls him∣self by no other Title, but

Peter an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by which it is manifest, that we are not Peter's, but Peter ours. Again, when Paul came to Antioch he withstood Peter to his Face, because he was to be blamed: which he would not have done if Pe∣ter had had any such Authori∣ty, or could not have lyed (as they say): but (as I have said thereupon) Paul seeing the Dissimulation of Peter, said unto him, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by Nature, and not Sinners of the Gentiles, knowing

that a Man is not justified by the Works of the Law, but by the Faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the Faith of Christ, and not by the Works of the Law, &c. Let us then see how it is possible that Peter should be Chief; for if he was Princi∣pal, who loved Christ the best, it is evident that St. John would be the chiefest of the Apostles, for Christ ap∣pointed him to take care of his Mother, and John lay in the Bosom of Jesus, whilst he Supped.

But to the Matter in hand. I ask, Whether a lawful

Council can be called but by the Pope? To which, I am sure, the Papists will an∣swer Negatively. Then I ask, If the Pope can call a Council before his Election: To which, I know, they will reply, he cannot; if then no Council is lawful without a Pope, and that none who is labouring to be elected Pope can assemble a Coun∣cil, then the Council which confirms the Pope Superior over the Church, is not law∣ful; because it was not con∣vocated by a Pope, being there was then none ele∣cted.

But being thus driven from that Argument, they fly to another, and say, that Christ commanded Peter to feed his Sheep: but he com∣manded all the rest to do the same, saying, Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in my Name. But the Pope does not obey the Commandment of Jesus Christ: For he doth not feed his Sheep, but devours them, like a roaring Lion who walks about to seek his prey. Now I wish the Pope would obey the Command∣ment which God gave unto St. Peter: For I should not regret his having Authority

to preach Christ to all the World, but he leaves the preaching of the Gospel, and usurps the Authority of be∣ing Head of the Church, which of right belongs to none but Christ.

'Tis true, the Pope is Primate of the Church, but 'tis not the Divine or Catho∣lick Church, but the Diabo∣lical one: For he transgres∣ses the Commandment gi∣ven in general to St. Peter and the rest of the Apostles: For when Christ sent his twelve Disciples to preach the Gospel of Repentance, and the Kingdom of God, he said, Behold, I send you forth

as Sheep amongst Wolves: But the Bishop of Rome is like a Wolf amongst Sheep, eat∣ing and devouring the poor Sheep of Christ; and when they are hid by Fear, he takes the Voice of a Sheep to betray and devour them. He excuses himself from preaching, upon its being too low and mean an Office for him, saying, he hath low∣er Officers and Ministers for that Work; whilst he is ta∣ken up with seeing and attending to the singing out of the Masses. But I answer to the first, That if the Office of preaching was not below St. Peter, who had received

all his Authority and Power from Christ himself, me∣thinks that those who call themselves the Successors of Peter, should not esteem the Office too mean for them.

St. Paul writes to Timothy what every Bishop ought to be; A Bishop (saith he) must be blameless, the Husband of one Wife, Sober, of good Be∣haviour, given to Hospitality, apt to teach, not given to Wine, no Striker, not given to filthy Lucre, but one that ruleth well his own House, having his Chil∣dren in subjection with all Gra∣vity. Now let us arraign the Pope before St. Paul, and ex∣amine whether by St. Paul's

Rule he be guilty or not. The first Command to a Bishop is to be blameless; but we have proved that the Bishop of Rome transgresses all the Commandments of God, by which he stands Guilty. The second is, that he be the Husband of one Wife, in which the Bishop of Rome errs mightily; for he allows Concubines, and counts fil∣thy Fornication better than lawful and honest Marriage. The third is, that he should be Sober, and full of Wis∣dom and Vertue, which the Bishop of Rome very little observes. The fourth is, that he be Liberal, given to

Hospitality, not greedy of filthy Lucre; but the Bishop of Rome is full of Avarice and Oppression. The fifth is, that he be apt to Teach: but our Devil, or Diabolical Father accounts maintaining the Glory of God by preach∣ing, is too mean an Office for him; notwithstanding his Predecessor Peter, either preached the Gospel, or sin∣ned against God, in not ob∣serving that Command∣ment; Go ye, and preach the Gospel over all the World. But he will Im∣prison, Slay, and Burn those who do preach the Word, and would himself be their

Executioner, if he did not find others to do it in his stead; by which we may see that he loves himself more than he loves God. What shall I say more? He diso∣beys all the Orders of S. Paul, give Verdict therefore whe∣ther he be Guilty or Inno∣cent.

But now we will proceed to their other Arguments, and first to their maintain∣ing Peter to be the Chief, for which they alledge his being commanded to feed the Sheep: To which I answer, that all the Apostles were commanded as well as he,

to feed the Sheep of Christ, in these Words of the Go∣spel, Go ye all and preach, &c. For the preaching of the Go∣spel signifies nothing else but feeding his Sheep. And their other Argument is not more substantial, when they say Peter was a Fisher of Men; for I say, Andrew and John were by the same Au∣thority made Fishers of Men: For Fishers of Men are really nothing but Prea∣chers of Christ.

Now if the preaching of the Gospel be unlawful, without Authority from Peter or the Pope; then the preaching of St. Paul was

not lawful, because he did not receive his Autho∣rity from Peter; notwith∣standing the Pope accounts himself a God, saying, I cannot lye, therefore I have spoken Truth: To which I answer, that if he be not greater than Peter, he may lye; for Peter denied Christ thrice, Peter then lyed thrice: and St Paul afterwards re∣proved him for his Dissimu∣lation.

But the Bishop of Rome lies notoriously, if in nothing else, but in his pretending to be the Head of the Chri∣stian Church, and having the Keys of Heaven. For if the

Pope have the Keys of Hea∣ven, I make this Query: When the Pope is dead, and none hath the Keys, how can any Soul enter into Heaven? No Person till he be elected Pope having the Keys: whence it must follow, that the Pope being dead, Hea∣vens Gates are closed. But it is a Folly to say, that the Pope hath the Keys of Hea∣ven and Hell, when Christ is our only Mediator, our Gate, Head, Shepherd, Re∣deemer, and Soveraign Lord; who (after he had taught, instructed, done ma∣ny Miracles, and suffered Death for us, and pronoun∣ced

Salvation to all that be∣lieve on his Name, and from the power of his Passion faithfully believes to be sa∣ved) ascended into Heaven with great Honour and Glo∣ry, and is seated on the right hand of God his Father, where he intercedes for us; remaining for ever with his Blessed Father, and the Holy Ghost, one God in Trinity, and three Persons in Unity, full of Power and Vertue, and free from Vice and Sin: remaining with us by his Spi∣rit, and being in every re∣spect equal with his Father, till he shall come in Glory to be Judg of all the World:

whose Goodness is inscruta∣ble, Mercy unexpressible, and Glory most inestimable; He is our Governour and Master, He is our Shepherd and Redeemer, and we are his Subjects and Sheep; we are ransomed by his Blood, and washed by the Waters of Baptism, to shew that we are his Sheep; none else is our Pastor or Lord: neither the Pope, or any on Earth, can be our Head; else we should become a Monster having two Heads. Paul writing to the Corinthians, says, that all is ours; Peter, Apollos, and all the other A∣postles were ours, and we

are Christs, and Christ is Gods; whereby it appears, that Peter is not a Head, but a Minister unto us. There∣fore we must esteem God our Spiritual Father, who by the Passion of Christ, took from us all the pains of Death and Hell, to all who believe in him: that is the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. If the Pope then will be called our Spiritual Father, we shall have three Fathers, whereof the one is Carnal, and two Spiritual: neither can the Pope be so, for as Christ is the Immaculate Lamb, and only Son of God, endued

with all Power: on the o∣ther side, the Pope is an un∣clean and ravenous Wolf, and only Son of the Devil his Father, from whom he hath received his Authority and Office.

But I would fain know, whether the Pope be our Spiritual, Carnal, or Diabo∣lical Father. In the first place, I see not how he can be our Carnal Father, be∣cause he lives celibate, and makes a profession of Cha∣stity: neither can he be our Spiritual Father, being so addicted to the World, and Worldliness; then it follows that he must be our Diaboli∣cal

Father. Let us therefore conclude, that as it was said of Christ, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; God will say to the Pope, Thou art my Enemy, this day have I destroyed thee: and as Christ was of the Or∣der of Melchisedek, so the Pope is of the Order Diabo∣lick. But as Christianity is Spiritually very good, and well designed; yet if there be not good Order to pre∣serve it, it must decay: As the Body of a Man could not be healthy with two Heads, four Arms, or four Feet; so these Christian Countries could never well subsist un∣der

the distraction of two e∣qual Soveraigns. But some may question me then, and say, What then, you would not have any Kings or Em∣perours? But to that I an∣swer, that God who sent his only Son down into the World, made him King over it, putting all Spiritual and Temporal Authority into his Hands; he by his Sove∣raignty hath placed Kings to be his Leiutenants over the Earth; but he hath not or∣dain'd any Supream Bishop: for we find none so autho∣rised by the Holy Scripture. Now if the Papists say, that the Pope is Heir to him, I

would advise him then, to stay till Christ were dead be∣fore they seased upon his Kingdom: because no Heirs take the Possession of their Inheritances, till after the Death of their Predecessors.

Moreover the Papists say, that as under the old Law there was an High Priest or Arch-Bishop of the Jews; so there ought now to be an Head or Supream Minister amongst Christians. To which I answer, that the Priesthood of Aaron and Mo∣ses represented the Suprema∣cy of our Saviour Christ, not the Pope: For Christ who came down to the Earth,

and suffered Death for us; says of himself, that he was our Messias, and that he was the true Bread which came down from Heaven, and our only Shepherd; for St. John testifies that, he says, I am the Door; he that entereth not by me into the Sheepfold, but climb∣eth some other way, is a Thief; but he that entereth in by the Door, is the Shepherd of the Sheep. To him the Porter o∣peneth, and the Sheep hear his Voice: And he calleth his own Sheep by name, and leadeth them out, and the Sheep follow him, for they know his Voice; and a Stranger will they not fol∣low. But the Pope not com∣ing

by Christ, is an abomina∣ble Thief: therefore all true and good Sheep ought to fly from him: For he comes to devour, not feed them; to prey upon them, not instruct them. But the Papists being thus scourged with their own Rod (to wit, with their own Argument) say farther, that after the Dis∣ciples had preached about the Cities, after they return∣ed to Jesus, he asked them; Whether they had had any Sword with them? and that they answered, Here are two Swords. Now they urge further, that the one of the Swords signifies the Spiritu∣al,

the other the Temporal Power: which reason (as shall be shewed hereafter) is sottish and vain. For first, we ought to consider from whence the Apostles came; they had been sent to preach Christ to all People, and to shew the Light to those that sat in Darkness. Secondly, we must consider the Power Christ had on Earth, for he said himself, that his Kingdom was not of this World: and there are two sorts of Autho∣rity, the one Spiritual, the other Temporal. On which account St. Paul writes in his first Epistle to the Corinthi∣ans, as the Body is one, and

hath many Members, for seve∣ral uses; so there are also in the Church of Christ, a∣mongst the Spiritual Mini∣sters; first, Apostles; seconda∣rily, Prophets; thirdly, Teach∣ers: and some Temporal Ministers, as Kings, Em∣perours, Governours, and Leiutenants. Now Christ was a Spiritual Minister, as he testifies of himself, saying, My Kingdom is not of this World. And again, when two Brethren came unto him and requested him to divide their Inheritance between them: he answered, Man, who made me a Judg, or a Divi∣der over you? The third thing

to be considered, is, that Christ spake to the Disciples concerning the Swords Iro∣nically. Fourthly, that all the Apostles answered toge∣ther, Behold, here are two Swords. Fifthly, you may observe in the Text, that the Apostles understood not what Christ meant.

By all which things we may easily understand that Text; for after the Apostles had been sent to preach the Gospel of Truth, when they returned to Jesus, he said un∣to them, Had you any Sword with you then? (as much as to say) when I sent you first out, you would

have Staves with you, but now what do you think, Hath not my Grace kept you from all Evil? Or else, What need have you had of a Sword? Then his Disci∣ples (not Peter only) un∣derstanding not what Christ said, answered, There were two Swords.

By which we see Christ spoke Ironically, and that all the Disciples made an∣swer, not Peter alone; as if he should say, I have two Swords, the one signifying my Temporal Authority, and the other signifying my Spiritual Jurisdiction: nei∣ther would or could Christ

give a Temporal Authority, forasmuch as he was a Spiri∣tual Minister. And the Pa∣pists err extreamly in one Argument, where they say, that Cephas is a Head, where∣as in Truth, Cephas is a Stone, (But when these their Argu∣ments are weakned) then they cry it is probable, that Peter was the chief Apostle, because he spake first at that time, concerning our Dis∣pute, and so answered in be∣half of all the Apostles.

But it is more likely he was not the Prince over the rest, because St. Paul says, For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostles;

for in nothing I am behind the very chiefest Apostles: in which number Peter is com∣prised. Now we must not dispute what is most proba∣bly true, but what is most certainly true. Nevertheless let us examine whether it be probable or not: For An∣drew sometimes spake first, and it is not to be doubted but that each of them some∣times spake first; but it does not therefore follow, that he who speaks sometimes first, must be Bishop of the Bi∣shops: his first speaking at that time, may signify that he was of a very couragious Spirit; or else that he could

have desired to have been the greatest: But Christ said, They that humble themselves like a little Child, shall be the great∣est in the Kingdom of Heaven; neither is there any lofty proud Title in the Kingdom or Church of Christ, as you may see in that Magnificate in Luke, for God loves Hu∣mility; and Christ says, in Luke, If any Man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and Servant unto all And in another Evangelist saith, Whoso receiveth one such little Child in my Name, receiveth me; and unless ye become as little Children, ye shall not be fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. Nor

does Peter attribute so high a Title to himself, as the Pope takes upon him. For he writes thus in his Epistle, Peter a Servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and no more. But the Pope what does he say? Paul the Third, by the Grace of God, the most Holy Pope and Father, Deputy to Peter, and Vicar to Christ, King of Kings, Prince of Prin∣ces, Bishop of the Bishops, and God on Earth. Behold there∣fore, how he calls him∣self God, and blasphemes Christ. Behold how he is filled and puffed up with Pride and Vanity. Behold how large and fair a Name

and Title he takes, tho he be a venemous Serpent; cal∣ling himself the most Holy Father, whereas he is a de∣testable Thief, and conta∣minated with all Unclean∣ness. He calls himself the Pope, which Word signifies Father unto all Nations, whilst he brings them to de∣struction. Nay he calls him∣self the Vicar of Christ, and Deputy of St. Peter, and God upon Earth; whilst he is Vicar to Belzebub, Deputy to Lucifer, and a terrestrial Demon: for he would seem to be very Good, whilst he is very Wicked. And it is no wonder if the Ministers

of the Devil appear brave and triumphant outwardly, for St. Paul writes to the Co∣rinthians, No marvel what false Apostles, and deceitful Workers can transform themselves into; Satan himself being transformed into an Angel of Light.

Wherefore you may easi∣ly discern the true Ministers of the Word, from the false Anti-Christs; because the true Apostles walk after the Spirit of God, and the false walk after the Flesh. Let us therefore see whether the Pope be the Minister of God, or the Devil: which I fear he will prove; pro∣claiming himself a good

Man, a most Holy Bi∣shop, a King of Kings: whereas he is the Tyrant of Tyrants: all others exercise∣ing their Tyranny over Bo∣dies, but this Devil, Wolf, Tyrant, exercises his over the Souls of Men, constrain∣ing the poor and simple Lambs of God to forsake their Faith, whereby they are saved, to follow his A∣bominable Traditions and Diabolical Precepts. Which if they refuse to obey, to wit, adoring Images, and offering to his Idols and Devils, he burns, wracks, and torments them, or forces them to a costly Recantation.

During the Reign of my late Father the King, when the Pope's Name was blot∣ted out of our Books, he stopt the Mouths of Christi∣ans with his six Articles, as if he would choak them.

And at this day in France, before any one is burnt, a little before the Execution, they cut out his Tongue, that they might not speak. Con∣sidering then that the Pope is the Minister of Lucifer, I am in good hopes, that as Lucifer fell from Heaven in∣to Hell, so the Pope his Vi∣car will fall from the great Glory of his Papacy, into contemptible Derision.

For David hath said in the Psalmes, With the pure thou wilt shew thy self pure, and with the froward thou wilt shew thy self froward. Again, the Pope hath taken God's Ho∣nour away from him, there∣fore, I hope, God will devest him of his Honours and Glory. As Mary the Mother of God saith, He hath put down the Mighty from their Seats, and exalted them of low degree. Take heed of thy self then (O Pope) for if thou tumblest, thou wilt have a terrible fall. As a Man who is got up into an high Tower, would have a huge leap if he should fall

down; so thou who hast ex∣alted thy self into the Hea∣vens, wouldst fall down in∣to the Abyss of Hell: As Christ foretold of Tyre and Sidon.

But to return to the Pope's Primacy: I know very well that the Scripture speaks of one God▪ one Faith, one Baptism, but no mention of one Pope. Now if Peter had been a God on Earth, and Vicar of Christ, we should have been baptized into his Name. But Paul (who affirms himself to be inferior to none of the other Apostles) will not allow us to be baptized in his Name:

nay he is so far from having us baptized in the Name of Peter, that he will not have it said, I am of Peter, or of Paul, or of Apollos.

And now that the Papists cannot prove by the Scrip∣tures that we ought to have one Pope, they run to Simi∣litudes; saying, that as the Creatures in the Earth (as the Bees) have a King over them; so all Christians ought to have one King and Pope. To which I will an∣swer three ways: First, That their Reason is not extracted from the Holy Scripture, but from their own Invention. Secondly, That all the Bees

which are in the World, or in Christendom, have not a King. Thirdly, That if all Bees have their King; so have we, to wit, Jesus Christ.

But the Papists will then say, That if we condemn the Papacy, we shall condemn our fore-Fathers as Here∣ticks. I will answer to that, as God answered Elijah, when he said to the Lord that the Children of Israel had forsaken his Covenant, and were unjust and wicked, Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the Knees which have not bowed to Baal. Nei∣ther must we imagine, but

that there have been many Christians in the World, some of which have spoken openly against the Papacy, and others that have kept their Knowledg and Senti∣ments to themselves: but the Papists will not suffer us to know more than our Fa∣thers. But I know very well, that our Religion consists not of old Customs, or the Usage of our Fathers; but in the Holy Scriptures, and Divine Word: And that (if you think Antiquity and Custom makes a thing good) is older than the World: For God is the Word, who was without

beginning, and shall conti∣nue without end; and if you think, Truth ought to be followed and obeyed, all Truth is contained in that Book. Our Religion ought not to be steered or govern∣ed by our fore-Fathers: for Ezekiel saith, Walk ye not in the Statutes of your Fathers, for they were polluted. Moreover, our God, and Saviour, and Re∣deemer, Jesus Christ, said, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; he did not say, I am the old Custom.

The Papists then say, that tho Christ did not indeed ordain the Pope, yet he left it to the Church to do it. To

which I ask, how Peter then was elected the universal Bi∣shop? For all things necessary to our Salvation are written in the Bible, as St. Paul testi∣fies in his Epistle to Timothy, where he says, But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, &c. And that from a Child thou hast known the Ho∣ly Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation, through Faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Notes

• Rom. 11
• Mat. 16.
• Luk. 22.
• Exod. 4.
• Mat. 16.
• Mat. 7.
• Ma〈…〉〈…〉
• Gal. 2.
• 2 Cor. 2.
• Rom. 10
• Rom. 4.
• Mat. 13. Mark 4. Luke 8.
• Mat. 28. Mar. 16. Luk. 24.
• Mat. 16.
• Gal. 2. Act. 2.
• Joh. 21.
• Joh. 6.
• Joh, 13.
• Mat. 17.
• Mat. 5.
• Luke 6.
• Joh. 19.
• Mat. 21.
• Joh. 1.
• Luke 9.
• John 2.
• Mat. 21.
• Mar. 14. Luk. 22.
• Mar. 16.
• Deut. 6. Exo. 20.
• Mat. 4.
• Exo. 20.
• Mat. 24.
• Eph. 6.
• 1 Pet. 5.
• 1 Cor. 8.
• 1 Pet. 1.
• Gal. 2.
• Gal. 2.
• Joh. 19. Joh. 13.
• Joh. 21.
• Mat. 28.
• 1 Pet. 5.
• Mat. 10.
• 1 Tim. 3.
• Mat. 28.
• Joh. 21.
• Mat. 28.
• Mat. 26.
• Gal. 2.
• 1 Tim. 2.
• Mat. 27.
• Mar. 16. Luk. 24. Joh. 19. Mat. 28. Mar. 16. Luk. 24.
• Eph. 1. Heb. 1. 4. Mat. 25.
• Psal. 22.
• Joh. 10.
• 1 Cor. 3.
• Rom. 8.
• Psal. 2.
• Ps. 110.
• Mat. 1.
• Ps. 110.
• Exod. 4.
• Mat. 1.
• John 4.
• John 6.
• Joh. 10.
• Mark 6.
• Luke 9.
• 1 Cor. 12
• Luk. 12.
• 1 Cor. 11
• 1 Cor. 12
• Mat. 18. Luke 1.
• Rom. 12 Phil. 2. Luke 9.
• Mat. 18.
• 2 Pet. 1.
• 2 Cor. 11
• Psal. 18.
• Luke 1.
• Mat. 11.
• Eph. 4. 1 Cor. 8. 1 Tim. 2. Mat. 19.
• 2 Cor. 11 2 Cor. 12
• Eph. 1.
• 1 Kin. 19
• Joh. 1. Exod. 2.
• Ezek. 20
• Joh. 14.
• 1 Tim. 3.