The establish'd church, or, A subversion of all the Romanist's pleas for the Pope's supremacy in England together with a vindication of the present government of the Church of England, as allow'd by the laws of the land, against all fanatical exceptions, particularly of Mr. Hickeringill, in his scandalous pamphlet, stiled Naked truth, the 2d. part : in two books / by Fran. Fullwood ...

PROP. II.

The Pope, as Patriarch, had but a limited Juris∣diction.

1. A Patriarchate, as such, is limited; espe∣cially, if the Title restrain it to the West: for East, North, and South, are not the West, in the same respect.

2. It is further evident, from the first Num∣ber of Patriarchs; for, if there were more than one of the same Dignity and Jurisdiction; they must be threfore, limited: for a Patriarch, as such, could have no Jurisdiction over a Pa∣triarch, as such; for so they were equal; &par in parem non &c.

3. But indeed, the first time, we hear of three, and then of five Patriarchs at once; viz. of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Hierusalem: And that these had all their Jurisdictions limited to them; and no one of them had any thing like a Ʋniversal Monarchy, is evident, both from Canons and History; and also by this undeniable Observation; that se∣veral Parts of the World had their own Pri∣mates independent, and exempt from all these, in the height of their power: as Africk at Car∣thage; the rest of Italy at Millain; France at

Arles, or Lions; Germany at Vienna; and Bri∣tain also had the same priviledge.

4. The sixth Canon of the Council of Nice, saith thus expresly: Let Ancient Custom pre∣vail; according to which, let the Bishop of A∣lexandria have power over them of Egypt, Libia, and Pentapolis; because this was likewise the Cu∣stom for the Bishop of Rome; and accordingly in Antioch, and other Provinces, let the privi∣ledges be preserved to the Churches.

The occasion of this Canon is said to be this: Miletius a Bishop of Egypt, ordained Bishops and others in Egypt, without the Consent of the Bishop of Alexandria: the Case heard in the Council, they pronounce such Ordinations Null, depose Miletius, and by this Canon (the more venerable because the first in such Cases) confirm the Ancient Customs of that, and all other Churches.

The Romanists object, the Council did not [Object.] assign any limits to those Jurisdictions.

But 'tis fully answered, that the Council sup∣posed [Answ.] such limits, and proceed upon that suppo∣sition, to allow of them, and to enjoyn the obser∣vation of them; and that is so much the more than a present limitation, as it is a proof of the greater Antiquity of such limitation.

Sure Bellarmine was hard put to it, when the [Object.] words (because the Roman Bishop hath so accusto∣med) must be forced to speak against all Sence of Words, and Scope of the Matter; thus, i. e. saith he, the Roman Bishop hath so accustomed to let the Alexandrian Bishop govern them.

The occasion of the Canon we had before▪ [Answ.] the Words themselves are these, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Who but Bellarmine seeth not, that (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,) imports a like Custom in the Church of Rome; as the excellent and learned Doctor, Stinlingfleet observes? The Bishop of Rome had such Jurisdiction over the Churches under him; and therefore ought the Bishop of Alexandria over the Churches under him: upon this Con∣sideration the Council concludes, that so it should be.

If it be replied, the Pope had limits as a Me∣tropolitan, but not as Head of the Church; this grants the thing in present question; that, as a Patriarch, the Pope's Jurisdiction was limited. What Power he had as Head of the Church, shall be examined in its due place.

What Power▪ the Pope had anciently in con∣firming, deposing and restoring Patriarchs, will hardly be found so Ancient as the Council of E∣phesus; and indeed, was challenged by him, not as a private Patriarch, but as Head of the Church; and therefore is to be considered un∣der that Head also.

Notes

• Limited Jurisd.
• Five Pa∣triarchs.
• C. Nice.