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CHAP. LXI.
Of the Magistrates and Superiours of the Church.
IN the Government of the Church, it is necessary to make use of Ecclesiastical Magistrates and Officers, for the avoiding confusion. Now whatsoever is done in the Church, either for Ornament or for the increase of Religion, whether it be in the Election of Over∣seers, or in the Institution of Ministers, unless the same be done by the instinct of the Divine Spirit, which is the Soul of the Church, it is altogether im∣pious, and contrary to the Truth: For whosoever is not call'd to the great Office of the Ministry, and Dig∣nity of Apostleship by the Spirit, as was Aaron; and whoever enters not in at the door which is Christ, but gets another way into the Church through the win∣dow,
Page 178
that is to say, by the favour of men, by purcha∣sing Voices in Election, or by superiour Power; certain∣ly such a one is no Vicar of Christ or of his Apostles, but a Thief and an Impostor, the Vicar of Judas Is∣cariot, and Simon the Samaritan. Therefore it was so streightly provided by the antient Fathers in the E∣lection of Prelates, (which they therefore call the Sa∣crament of Nomination) that the Prelates and Apo∣stles who were to be Overseers of the Ministers of the Church, should be men of most unspotted Inte∣grity in their Lives and Conversations, powerful in sound Doctrine, able to give a reason of all their do∣ings: But the antient Constitutions falling from their Majesty, and the late Pontifical Jurisdiction by dam∣nable Custome getting a head, such a sort of Popes and Prelates now adays ascend into the Throne of Christ, such as were the Scribes and Pharisees in the Chair of Moses, who talk and do nothing, binding heavy burthens to the shoulders of the people, to which they will not put the stress of a little finger: Meer Hypocrites, performing all their works to be seen of men, making a shew of their Religion as it were in Scenes; they covet the chief Seats at Feasts, in Schools, in the Synagogues; the upper hands in the streets, and to be saluted with the ponderous appella∣tions of Rabbi and Doctors. They barricado up the Gate of Heaven, not onely not going in themselves, but excluding others. They devour Widows houses, jabbering long Prayers, traveling Land and Seas to seduce children and ignorant persons; that having by the addition of one Proselyte encreased their forlorn number, they may with a more numerous train enter the Regions of Fire prepared for them. With their idle Legends and Traditions, they corrupt the most Holy Laws of Christ; and neglecting the true Tem∣ple of God, the living Images of the Son of the Fa∣ther,
Page 179
and the Altars of the peoples Souls, with a co∣vetous eye seek after onely Gold and Gifts; and mind∣ing the more profitable and sinister parts of the Law, are very strict in their Decrees touching Tithes, O∣blations, Collections, and Alms; Tithing Fruits, Cattel, Money; not sparing also things of the smal∣lest price, as Mint, Anise, and Cumin, for which, bar∣king like Dogs, they daily contend with the people in the Pulpit. But as for the more weighty and right∣hand-works of the Gospel, Law, Christian-Justice, Judgment, Mercie, Faith, these they altogether ne∣glect, slumbling at a little Stone, but leaping over a great Rock; blinde Guides, false and treacherous, a Generation of Vipers, whitened Sepulchres; outward∣ly in their Miters, Caps, Habits, Garments and Cowls, making a shew of Simplicity and Sanctimony, within full of Filth, Hypocrisie, and Iniquity; Whoremon∣gers, Dancers, Players, Pimps, Gamesters, Gluttons, Drunkards, Sorcerers, who being advanc'd to Bisho∣pricks, Cardinalats, Abbeys, and the like, not by ver∣tue of their deserts, but either by servile Flattery, Gifts, favour of Princes, or affection of Friends and Kindred, under the Mask of Hypocrisie heap to them∣selves private riches; devouring the goods of the Poor, making Fairs and Monopolies of the Alms of our Predecessors, wasting them again in Brothel-houses, Gaming, Hunting, and in all manner of Riot and Luxurie.
—Who Cure of Souls neglecting quite,
In Horse and Hounds place all their chief delight.
They perplex the People, set Kings and Princes to∣gether by the Ears, sollicite Wars, pull down Chur∣ches which the Devotion of their Ancestors rear'd, to Bu•ld stately Palaces in their places, clad in Purple and
Page 180
Gold, to the great loss and impoverishment of the People, infamy of Religion, and insupportable burthen of the Commonwealth; whom the Famous Bernar∣dus Clarevallensis in a S•rmon at the opening the ge∣neral Synod of Rbeimes, before the Pope, openly stil'd, not instead of shepherds Mercenary, not instead of Mercenaries Wolves, but instead of Wolves Devils. Now as for the Pope himself, as the Bishop, Camotensis com∣plains, he is the most intolerable and burthensome of all, whose Pomp and Pride never any the most haughty Tyrant yet equall'd. And yet they boast, that the safety of Religion and the Church is establish'd only in them, who throwing the burthens of Religious Duties, and the Ministry of the Gospel, which is the true Pontifical Function, upon their Inferiours, fit at the Helme making their own Laws, and receiving the benefits and profits of the Church, themselves in the mean while as idle, as they are full of iniquity. And making us believe, that the Pontifical Chair ei∣ther admits none but Holy Men, or else makes them so; thence they think it lawful for them to perpe∣trate any manner of wickedness. A perfect Example of all which, Crinitus gives us in Boniface the 8th. This is that great Boniface who did three Great and Miracu∣lous things; who Cousening Clement with a counter∣feit Message from Heaven, caus'd him to resign the Pontifical Chair to him; who compil'd the Sixth Book of Decretals, and made the Pope Lord and Supream in all things. Lastly, who Instituted the Jubilee, Erect∣ing Fairs for Indulgencies, extending his Jurisdiction as far as Purgatory. I omit those other Monsters of Popes, such as was Formosus, and those other Nine that followed him; neither do I insist upon those other of later times, as Paulus, Sixtus, Alexander, Julius, most famous Disturbers of the Christian World. I pass by Eugenius, who violating the League made between him
Page 181
and the Turks, was the occasion of such dreadful Ca∣lamities that afterwards befel the Christian Common∣wealth. How great mischief Alexander the sixth brought upon all Christendome, by poysoning Selim Brother of Bajazeth the Great Turk, is known to all Men. The Legates also of the Popes, as the said Ca∣motensis witnesseth, and daily Experience makes ma∣nifest, rage with such Fury in their several Provinces, as if Satan were sent from the face of God to scourge the Church. They trouble the Earth, and put it in an Uproar, that they may seem to have a Charm to appease it again; they are glad when evil things are committed, rejoycing in the worst and most wicked Actions, and scarce can refrain from Tears when they behold nothing Lamentable. They eat the sins of the people, are clad and nourish'd with the same; and luxuriously wallow in the same: yet have they fine names and pretences for their Vices; neither can any thing be objected against them, which they can∣not excuse by the Example of some Saint or other. For if it be thrown in their Teeth that they are Illite∣rate and Ungodly, they say, That Christ chose such for his Apostles, who were neither Masters of the Law, nor Scribes, nor ever frequented Synagogues or Schools. Tell them of the barbarousness of their Language, they'l tell ye Moses had an impediment in his Speech; and that Jeremie knew not how to speak; and that Zacharie, though he were dumb, was not excluded from the Priest-hood. If you object against them their Ig∣norance of the Scripture, Infidelity, Error, or Heresie; they repeat to ye, That St. Ambrose not yet a Christian, but only Catechumenos, was Elected to be a Bishop; and that St. Paul, not only from being an Infidel, but a Persecuter, was call'd to be an Apostle; that St. Au∣stin was a Manichaean; and that Marcelline the Martyr in his Papacy, Sacrific'd to Idols. If you upbraid them
Page 182
for their Ambition, they bring ye for an Example the Sons of Zebedee; If for Faint-heartedness, Jonas and Thomas, the one fearing to go to the Ninivites, the other to the Indians. If for Fornication, they say Oseas married a Strumpet, and Sampson a Whore. If for Quarrelling, Fighting, Murder, or taking up Arms; they tell you how St. Peter cut off Malchus Ear, how St. Martin serv'd under Julian, and how Moses kill'd the Aegyptian and hid him in a Stable. So that among them it is a matter of no Moment what man∣ner of Person he be, that is admitted to the chiefest Ecclesiastical Promotions: and then every one must sub∣mit his Neck to the Sword of these Ecclesiastical Ty∣rants. Not the Sword of the Word, of which they ought to be the chief Keepers and Ministers; but the Sword of Ambition, the Sword of Covetousness, the Sword of Injustice and Extortion, the Sword of bad Example, the Sword of Blood and Murther, with which they arm and defend themselves against all Truth, Justice and Honesty.
The Scepter's forceless, where no Justice raigns;
That's true Religion, Honesty maintains.
Freedom is Force, licentiously us'd;
The Sword Protects not, when to Rage abus'd.
Nor is it lawful to contradict their Decrees, or disobey their Wills, unless any one be prepar'd to suffer Mar∣tyrdom as a Heretick; the very reason that Jeremy Savanarola, a Divine of the Order of Preaching Fry∣ers, was burnt at Florence, and suffer'd a Martyrdom. However, because all Powers are good, as being of God, who is the giver of all things, and of all good things; and though to those that are in authority, and those that are in subjection they may sometimes prove of evil consequence, however to the generality there
Page 183
is something of good in them; God so providing, who turns all our evil actions for the best. Whoever is therefore by God constituted a Bishop or Ruler in the Church, him we ought to obey, and in no wise to contradict; for who disobeys the Bishop or Priest, disobeys not man but God, as he himself spake to the Contemners of Samuel: They have not contemn'd thee but me: And as Moses reproving the murmuring people, saith, Ye have not murmured against us, but a∣gainst the Lord your God; nor will God suffer them to go unpunish'd that resist their Bishop or Prelate. Thus Dathan and Abiram rebell'd against Moses, and the Earth swallow'd them up. Many conspir'd with Corah against Aaron, and were consum'd with Fire. Achab and Jezebel persecuted the Prophets, and were eaten by Dogs. The Children mocked Elisha, and were torn and devour'd by Bears. Vzzia the King presuming to meddle with the Priesthood, was struck∣en with Leprosie. Saul adventuring to sacrifice with∣out the presence of Samuel the High Priest, was de∣priv'd of his Kingdom, and not onely depriv'd of his Prophetick Spirit, but possess'd with an Evil one. It is a point of Infidelity not to believe the Scriptures, a point of Impiety to despite the Ecclesiastick Govern∣ment.
Of the Magistrates and Superiours of the Church.
IN the Government of the Church, it is necessary to make use of Ecclesiastical Magistrates and Officers, for the avoiding confusion. Now whatsoever is done in the Church, either for Ornament or for the increase of Religion, whether it be in the Election of Over∣seers, or in the Institution of Ministers, unless the same be done by the instinct of the Divine Spirit, which is the Soul of the Church, it is altogether im∣pious, and contrary to the Truth: For whosoever is not call'd to the great Office of the Ministry, and Dig∣nity of Apostleship by the Spirit, as was Aaron; and whoever enters not in at the door which is Christ, but gets another way into the Church through the win∣dow,
Page 178
that is to say, by the favour of men, by purcha∣sing Voices in Election, or by superiour Power; certain∣ly such a one is no Vicar of Christ or of his Apostles, but a Thief and an Impostor, the Vicar of Judas Is∣cariot, and Simon the Samaritan. Therefore it was so streightly provided by the antient Fathers in the E∣lection of Prelates, (which they therefore call the Sa∣crament of Nomination) that the Prelates and Apo∣stles who were to be Overseers of the Ministers of the Church, should be men of most unspotted Inte∣grity in their Lives and Conversations, powerful in sound Doctrine, able to give a reason of all their do∣ings: But the antient Constitutions falling from their Majesty, and the late Pontifical Jurisdiction by dam∣nable Custome getting a head, such a sort of Popes and Prelates now adays ascend into the Throne of Christ, such as were the Scribes and Pharisees in the Chair of Moses, who talk and do nothing, binding heavy burthens to the shoulders of the people, to which they will not put the stress of a little finger: Meer Hypocrites, performing all their works to be seen of men, making a shew of their Religion as it were in Scenes; they covet the chief Seats at Feasts, in Schools, in the Synagogues; the upper hands in the streets, and to be saluted with the ponderous appella∣tions of Rabbi and Doctors. They barricado up the Gate of Heaven, not onely not going in themselves, but excluding others. They devour Widows houses, jabbering long Prayers, traveling Land and Seas to seduce children and ignorant persons; that having by the addition of one Proselyte encreased their forlorn number, they may with a more numerous train enter the Regions of Fire prepared for them. With their idle Legends and Traditions, they corrupt the most Holy Laws of Christ; and neglecting the true Tem∣ple of God, the living Images of the Son of the Fa∣ther,
Page 179
and the Altars of the peoples Souls, with a co∣vetous eye seek after onely Gold and Gifts; and mind∣ing the more profitable and sinister parts of the Law, are very strict in their Decrees touching Tithes, O∣blations, Collections, and Alms; Tithing Fruits, Cattel, Money; not sparing also things of the smal∣lest price, as Mint, Anise, and Cumin, for which, bar∣king like Dogs, they daily contend with the people in the Pulpit. But as for the more weighty and right∣hand-works of the Gospel, Law, Christian-Justice, Judgment, Mercie, Faith, these they altogether ne∣glect, slumbling at a little Stone, but leaping over a great Rock; blinde Guides, false and treacherous, a Generation of Vipers, whitened Sepulchres; outward∣ly in their Miters, Caps, Habits, Garments and Cowls, making a shew of Simplicity and Sanctimony, within full of Filth, Hypocrisie, and Iniquity; Whoremon∣gers, Dancers, Players, Pimps, Gamesters, Gluttons, Drunkards, Sorcerers, who being advanc'd to Bisho∣pricks, Cardinalats, Abbeys, and the like, not by ver∣tue of their deserts, but either by servile Flattery, Gifts, favour of Princes, or affection of Friends and Kindred, under the Mask of Hypocrisie heap to them∣selves private riches; devouring the goods of the Poor, making Fairs and Monopolies of the Alms of our Predecessors, wasting them again in Brothel-houses, Gaming, Hunting, and in all manner of Riot and Luxurie.
—Who Cure of Souls neglecting quite,
In Horse and Hounds place all their chief delight.
They perplex the People, set Kings and Princes to∣gether by the Ears, sollicite Wars, pull down Chur∣ches which the Devotion of their Ancestors rear'd, to Bu•ld stately Palaces in their places, clad in Purple and
Page 180
Gold, to the great loss and impoverishment of the People, infamy of Religion, and insupportable burthen of the Commonwealth; whom the Famous Bernar∣dus Clarevallensis in a S•rmon at the opening the ge∣neral Synod of Rbeimes, before the Pope, openly stil'd, not instead of shepherds Mercenary, not instead of Mercenaries Wolves, but instead of Wolves Devils. Now as for the Pope himself, as the Bishop, Camotensis com∣plains, he is the most intolerable and burthensome of all, whose Pomp and Pride never any the most haughty Tyrant yet equall'd. And yet they boast, that the safety of Religion and the Church is establish'd only in them, who throwing the burthens of Religious Duties, and the Ministry of the Gospel, which is the true Pontifical Function, upon their Inferiours, fit at the Helme making their own Laws, and receiving the benefits and profits of the Church, themselves in the mean while as idle, as they are full of iniquity. And making us believe, that the Pontifical Chair ei∣ther admits none but Holy Men, or else makes them so; thence they think it lawful for them to perpe∣trate any manner of wickedness. A perfect Example of all which, Crinitus gives us in Boniface the 8th. This is that great Boniface who did three Great and Miracu∣lous things; who Cousening Clement with a counter∣feit Message from Heaven, caus'd him to resign the Pontifical Chair to him; who compil'd the Sixth Book of Decretals, and made the Pope Lord and Supream in all things. Lastly, who Instituted the Jubilee, Erect∣ing Fairs for Indulgencies, extending his Jurisdiction as far as Purgatory. I omit those other Monsters of Popes, such as was Formosus, and those other Nine that followed him; neither do I insist upon those other of later times, as Paulus, Sixtus, Alexander, Julius, most famous Disturbers of the Christian World. I pass by Eugenius, who violating the League made between him
Page 181
and the Turks, was the occasion of such dreadful Ca∣lamities that afterwards befel the Christian Common∣wealth. How great mischief Alexander the sixth brought upon all Christendome, by poysoning Selim Brother of Bajazeth the Great Turk, is known to all Men. The Legates also of the Popes, as the said Ca∣motensis witnesseth, and daily Experience makes ma∣nifest, rage with such Fury in their several Provinces, as if Satan were sent from the face of God to scourge the Church. They trouble the Earth, and put it in an Uproar, that they may seem to have a Charm to appease it again; they are glad when evil things are committed, rejoycing in the worst and most wicked Actions, and scarce can refrain from Tears when they behold nothing Lamentable. They eat the sins of the people, are clad and nourish'd with the same; and luxuriously wallow in the same: yet have they fine names and pretences for their Vices; neither can any thing be objected against them, which they can∣not excuse by the Example of some Saint or other. For if it be thrown in their Teeth that they are Illite∣rate and Ungodly, they say, That Christ chose such for his Apostles, who were neither Masters of the Law, nor Scribes, nor ever frequented Synagogues or Schools. Tell them of the barbarousness of their Language, they'l tell ye Moses had an impediment in his Speech; and that Jeremie knew not how to speak; and that Zacharie, though he were dumb, was not excluded from the Priest-hood. If you object against them their Ig∣norance of the Scripture, Infidelity, Error, or Heresie; they repeat to ye, That St. Ambrose not yet a Christian, but only Catechumenos, was Elected to be a Bishop; and that St. Paul, not only from being an Infidel, but a Persecuter, was call'd to be an Apostle; that St. Au∣stin was a Manichaean; and that Marcelline the Martyr in his Papacy, Sacrific'd to Idols. If you upbraid them
Page 182
for their Ambition, they bring ye for an Example the Sons of Zebedee; If for Faint-heartedness, Jonas and Thomas, the one fearing to go to the Ninivites, the other to the Indians. If for Fornication, they say Oseas married a Strumpet, and Sampson a Whore. If for Quarrelling, Fighting, Murder, or taking up Arms; they tell you how St. Peter cut off Malchus Ear, how St. Martin serv'd under Julian, and how Moses kill'd the Aegyptian and hid him in a Stable. So that among them it is a matter of no Moment what man∣ner of Person he be, that is admitted to the chiefest Ecclesiastical Promotions: and then every one must sub∣mit his Neck to the Sword of these Ecclesiastical Ty∣rants. Not the Sword of the Word, of which they ought to be the chief Keepers and Ministers; but the Sword of Ambition, the Sword of Covetousness, the Sword of Injustice and Extortion, the Sword of bad Example, the Sword of Blood and Murther, with which they arm and defend themselves against all Truth, Justice and Honesty.
The Scepter's forceless, where no Justice raigns;
That's true Religion, Honesty maintains.
Freedom is Force, licentiously us'd;
The Sword Protects not, when to Rage abus'd.
Nor is it lawful to contradict their Decrees, or disobey their Wills, unless any one be prepar'd to suffer Mar∣tyrdom as a Heretick; the very reason that Jeremy Savanarola, a Divine of the Order of Preaching Fry∣ers, was burnt at Florence, and suffer'd a Martyrdom. However, because all Powers are good, as being of God, who is the giver of all things, and of all good things; and though to those that are in authority, and those that are in subjection they may sometimes prove of evil consequence, however to the generality there
Page 183
is something of good in them; God so providing, who turns all our evil actions for the best. Whoever is therefore by God constituted a Bishop or Ruler in the Church, him we ought to obey, and in no wise to contradict; for who disobeys the Bishop or Priest, disobeys not man but God, as he himself spake to the Contemners of Samuel: They have not contemn'd thee but me: And as Moses reproving the murmuring people, saith, Ye have not murmured against us, but a∣gainst the Lord your God; nor will God suffer them to go unpunish'd that resist their Bishop or Prelate. Thus Dathan and Abiram rebell'd against Moses, and the Earth swallow'd them up. Many conspir'd with Corah against Aaron, and were consum'd with Fire. Achab and Jezebel persecuted the Prophets, and were eaten by Dogs. The Children mocked Elisha, and were torn and devour'd by Bears. Vzzia the King presuming to meddle with the Priesthood, was struck∣en with Leprosie. Saul adventuring to sacrifice with∣out the presence of Samuel the High Priest, was de∣priv'd of his Kingdom, and not onely depriv'd of his Prophetick Spirit, but possess'd with an Evil one. It is a point of Infidelity not to believe the Scriptures, a point of Impiety to despite the Ecclesiastick Govern∣ment.