Gods arrow against atheists. By Henry SmithGods arrovve against atheists. By Henrie Smith

The Papists perceiving that the scriptures make nothing for them, but against them, (because they would have the matter coloured with some Antiquity, or show of Antiquity at the least:) have devised some counterfeit and forged Authors, (as Amacletus, and Amissetus and such like) to speak something for them. But the falsehood of all those, is discovered by other writers (if they be well marked.) ⟨image 59⟩In Cyprian's time it was deemed a matter odious for any to take upon him to be a Bishop of Bishops, as appeareth by that voice which he cried in the Counsel of Carthage. It was likewise decreed in the Africans Council that none should be called Priest of Priests, or Archpriest, or any such like. The Counsel of Nice did decree that the Bishop of Rome should keep himself within the compass of his province and not exceed his bounds, as likewise the Bishop of Antioch, Jerusalem, and Constantinople were •• do the like. Other Councils did affirm as much, (which because they are sufficiently known I need not to recite. But they all show that at those times the Bishop of Rome had no greater Jurisdiction than within his own Province, and that he could not meddle within the Provinces of other Bishops. And Jerome of his time saith,¹ that the Bishop of Engubium, or any other the least Sea, is equal to the Bishop of Rome. The Title of Universal Bishop, was much desired of John Bishop of Constantinople, and much contention there was about it. But it was never obtained of the Bishop of Rome until the time of Boniface the third, who procured that Title of Phocas that wicked Emperor of Rome: after which, the Bishops of Rome never ceased still to augment their dignity, and increase the pride of their Romish Sea: And even at that very first time when John Bishop of Constantinople, sought to get that Title of Universal Bishop to his Sea, Gregory then Bishop of Rome,² did himself stand against it mightily, and affirmed that he could be no less than Antichrist whosoever did take unto him that Title. First therefore it is manifest, that until the time of Gregory Bishop of Rome, an universal ⟨image 60⟩Bishop was not heard of in the Church, and Boniface the third was the first Bishop of Rome that got this title which was above 600. years after Christ.