I. The Usurpation of a Pastoral power which belongeth not to them, is the chief part of their Iniquity. And it consisteth in these, among other particulars.
1. In the impious, and arrogant claim of an Universal Pastorship over all the world. The Roman Prelate must be the Teacher of all the world, the High Priest of all the world, and the Spiritual Ruler of all the world; which because he cannot do by himself, he must do by others, as far as he can to uphold his usurpation. He must be the Lawgiver ⟨p. 9⟩and the Judge of all the world, even at the Antipodes, and where he hath no acquaintance nor access.
2. By this he undertaketh to be a Bishop in other mens Dioceses, and to rule in all matters, where he hath no more power, than any Pastor hath in another Pastoral Charge.
3. And by this he undertaketh to be the Spiritual Father and Governor of all the Kings and Rulers of the Christian world, and so to have the power of excommunicating them when he thinketh there is cause, and to brand them as uncapable of Christian communion with their own Subjects; or with any other Christians.
4. By this he usurpeth authority of imposing what Pastors he please (even such as will carry on his interest) upon all the Churches in the world, and depriving both Princes and people of their just liberty of choice.
5. By this also he usurpeth the power of deposing what Bishops or Pastors he please, and depriving the people of their necessary helps, and faithfullest Teachers. Yea, of putting whole Nations under Interdicts of serving and honouring God in Church-assemblies; commanding all Pastors to shut up the Church doors, and forbidding them to perform their office, and to preach Christs Gospel, or administer his holy Sacraments.
6. By this he sendeth forth his Missionaries▪ and setteth up Societies of Jesuits and Fryers to do his work, and commandeth all Princes and people to receive and countenance them.
7. By this he layeth claim to a right of maintenance for Himself and his Missionaries in all parts of the world, in the name of Christ, who hath said, that the labourer is worthy of his hire.
8. By this he granteth Dispensations, Pardons, Indulgences, commandeth praying to Saints and Angels, and praying for the Dead, as being in Purgatory, and by this he setteth up his whole new frame of self-devised Worship and Religion.
I. The Usurpation of a Pastoral power which belongeth not to them, is the chief part of their Iniquity. And it consisteth in these, among other particulars.
1. In the impious, and arrogant claim of an Universal Pastorship over all the world. The Roman Prelate must be the Teacher of all the world, the High Priest of all the world, and the Spiritual Ruler of all the world; which because he cannot do by himself, he must do by others, as far as he can to uphold his usurpation. He must be the Lawgiver ⟨p. 9⟩and the Judge of all the world, even at the Antipodes, and where he hath no acquaintance nor access.
2. By this he undertaketh to be a Bishop in other mens Diocesses, and to rule in all matters, where he hath no more power, than any Pastor hath in another Pastoral Charge.
3. And by this he undertaketh to be the Spiritual Father and Governour of all the Kings and Rulers of the Christian world, and so to have the power of excommunicating them when he thinketh there is cause, and to brand them as uncapable of Christian communion with their own Subjects; or with any other Christians.
4. By this he usurpeth authority of imposing what Pastors he please (even such as will carry on his interest) upon all the Churches in the world, and depriving both Princes and people of their just liberty of choice.
5. By this also he usurpeth the power of deposing what Bishops or Pastors he please, and depriving the people of their necessary helps, and faithfullest Teachers. Yea, of putting whole Nations under Interdicts of serving and honouring God in Church-assemblies; commanding all Pastors to shut up the Church doors, and forbidding them to perfom their office, and to preach Christs Gospel, or administer his holy Sacraments.
6. By this he sendeth forth his Missionaries▪ and setteth up Societies of Jesuits and Fryers to do his work, and commandeth all Princes and people to receive and countenance them.
7. By this he layeth claim to a right of maintenance for Himself and his Missionaries in all parts of the world, in the name of Christ, who hath said, that the labourer is worthy of his hire.
8. By this he granteth Dispensations, Pardons, Indulgences, commandeth praying to Saints and Angels, and praying for the Dead, as being in Purgatory, and by this he setteth up his whole new frame of self-devised Worship and Religion.
