Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

The like he doth, Epist. 16. by the disobedient Bishop of Narbon, and Epist. 17. by the disobedient Arch Bishop of Rhemes, and Epist. 18. 19, 20. of the same; and all this in St. Peter's name. Yea Epist. 20. he requireth the King of France (Philip) to join against the Arch-bishop of Rhemes as excommunicate, as ever he would have St. Peter's Grace, because his Kingdom and his Soul were in St. Peter's power. And it is no ⟨p. 362⟩wonder that they that believe that the Pope is St. Peter's Vicar and Secretary, and that their souls are in his power, will give him all their Lands or Kingdoms to save their souls.

The like he doth, Epist. 16. by the disobedient Bishop of Narbon, and Epist. 17. by the disobedient Arch Bishop of Rhemes, and Epist. 18. 19, 20. of the same; and all this in St. Peter's name. Yea Epist. 20. he requireth the King of France (Philip) to joyn against the Arch-bishop of Rhemes as excommunicate, as ever he would have St. Peter's Grace, because his Kingdom and his Soul were in St. Peter's power. And it is no ⟨p. 362⟩wonder that they that believe that the Pope is St. Peter's Vicar and Secretary, and that their souls are in his power, will give him all their Lands or Kingdoms to save their souls.

§ 57. When the Pope sentenced the Emperor Henry to be excommunicate and deposed, and was charged to have done this without authority, he wrote his 21 Epist. l. 8. to the Bishop of Metz to prove that he had power to do it; and to absolve his Subjects from their Oaths of fidelity; saying, that the Scriptures were full of certain documents to prove it. And his certain documents are Tibi dabo Claves, &c. and Feed my Sheep; And Kings are not excepted. They are St. Peter's Sheep. Bin. p. 1262. he saith, that the Head of Priests is at the right hand of God; but who knoweth not that Kings and Dukes had their beginning from them that knew not God, and affected by blind lust and intolerable presumption to domineer over others, the Devil the Prince of the world acting them, in Pride, Rapines, Perfidiousness, Murders and all wickedness? who while they would have the Priests of the LORD to stoop to their footsteps, are rightlyest compared to him who is head of all the Sons of pride, who said even to Christ, All this will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Who doubteth but that the Priests of Christ are the Fathers and Masters of Kings and Princes, and of all the faithful? And is it not notorious miserable madness for a Scholar to endeavour to subjugate his Master, and a Son his Father, and by wrongful obligations to subject him to his power, by whom he believeth that he may be bound or loosed both in Earth and Heaven? Did not Pope Innocent excommunicate Arcadius the Emperor? and Pope Zechariah depose from his Kingdom the King of France, not so much for his iniquities, as because he was not meet for so great power; placed Pepin in his stead, and absolved all the French from the Oath of fidelity? Ambrose showeth that Gold is not so much more precious than Lead, as the Priestly Dignity is higher than the Kingly Power. Pag. 1263. Yea even the exorcists have power over Devils: How much more over those that are Subject to the Devils, and are his members? And if the exorcist excel so much, how much more the Priests? And every King when he cometh to his end, doth humbly and pitifully beg the Priests help, that he may scape the prison of Hell, and Darkness, and at the judgment of God be found absolved. But is there either Priest or Lay-man that when he is dying begs help of the King for the saving of his soul?