A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two years ago…A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two yeres agoe…

That God in any wise would,¹ and that he hath ordained from the beginning, that Kings in their kingdoms and Magistrates in their common weals, ought to take upon them the care even of Religion, and to look faithfully unto it, and to order it diligently according to the rule of Gods word: this is the greatest proof, that God in his law doth straitly command a copy of the law to be delivered to the Prince of his people, thereby to dispose all his affairs. And in the same law he commandeth the Magistrate ⟨image 50⟩to make examination of doctrines, and to restrain yea and to smite such as withdraw men from God, and such as teach stubbornly against the law. These things are to be read in Deut. 13. and 17. and in other places of the book of the law.² Besides this, Moses whom God had made the only lawful and chief Magistrate of his people, ordained, not only judges, but also Priests, and by Gods word appointed every of them his office, yea even unto Aaron the high Priest and chosen of God. It would be to long to reckon up these things particularly.³ Likewise also, Joshua that most devout Captain of Gods people, giveth charge to all estates, yea even unto the Priests to, what every of them shall do. For he ruled not only civill or warlike affairs, but Church matters also, both by himself and by others: Howbeit he restrained all things general and particular, not at his own pleasure, but to Gods holy law. So did David order the Priests and the Church matters also.⁴ In conveying and settling the Ark of the Lord, (wherein is seen the ordering of the whole Religion) he consulted with his Princes, and afterward made all the people privy to it, and lastly also sent to the Priests and Levites, appointing them as well as others what they should do. Let the first book of Chronicles be read, in which he also sorteth the Priests into degrees, and appointeth every man his office by Gods commandment: for the which thing he deserved right great and perpetual commendation in the Church. In the 2. book of the Chronicles and the viii. chapter we read,