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…

But the power of ministration or office, is that which the Lord hath committed to the ministers, with a certain limitation and not absolutely. For these do, not what they list them selves, nor as owners of things, but as their Lord and master hath commanded them, and only in the same manner that he by his certain determination hath appointed them to be done: and if they do it not, or do it otherwise then their master hath commanded them, they shall be but untrusty servants. And so undoubtedly the minister of Christ hath the ministering power of the keys in the Church, to preach the Gospel to the Church, and to preach it in such wise as the Lord hath commanded him to preach: and certainly he shall be a false and unfaithful servant to his master, if he take upon him any other power and specially fullness of power, and preach not the Gospel at all, or preach it otherwise then is appointed him.

But the power of ministration or office, is that which the Lord hath committed to the ministers, with a certaine limitation and not absolutely. For these do, not what they list them selues, nor as owners of thinges, but as their Lord and master hath commaunded them, and onely in the same maner that he by his certaine determination hath appointed them to be done: and if they do it not, or do it otherwise then their master hath commaunded them, they shall be but vntrusty seruauntes. And so vndoutedly the minister of Christ hath the ministering power of the keyes in ye Church, to preach the Gospell to the Church, and to preach it in such wise as the Lord hath commaunded him to preach: and certeinly he shall be a false and vnfaythfull seruaunt to his master, if he take vpon him any other power and specially fulnesse of power, and preach not the Gospell at all, or preach it otherwise then is appointed him.

Besides this, I am not ignorant, that Christ gave the Apostles great power, howbeit with limitation, and but for the beginning and for a certain time, according as Matthew witnesseth, saying: And he gave his twelve Disciples power against unclean spirits, to cast them out and to ⟨p. 18⟩heal all manner of diseases and infirmities. For I think not that any man will affirm the same power to be given to all ministers of the Church, together with the keys, considering that we know, how that (the Gospel being sufficiently confirmed already by such signs) they be now no longer common and usual in the rest of the Church, no more then the ablenesse and use of sundry tongues. But howsoever the case stand with that wonderful power, it is most certain that the Apostle Paul said of all manner of power given unto him by the Lord, that the same was given him to edify withal, and not to destroy. Which thing unless every minister weigh very advisedly with him self: not only in vain, but also to his own great harm shall he dispute of the power that is given him, and much more dangerously shall he take it upon him.