The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members…

Not long after this, in the year 445. Valentinian the Emperor makes this manifesto of the most high Ecclesiastical authority of the See of Rome, in these words: Seeing that the merit of St. Peter, who is the Prince of the Episcopal Crown, and the Dignity of the City of Rome, and no less the authority of the holy Synod, hath established the primacy of the Apostolical See, lest presumption should attempt any unlawful thing against the authority of that See, (for then finally will the peace of the Churches be preserved every where, if the whole universality acknowledge their Governor) when these things had been hitherto inviolably observed, &c. Where he makes the succession from St. Peter to be the first foundation of the Roman Churches primacy; and his authority to be, not only in place, ⟨p. 60⟩but in power and Government over the whole visible Church: And adds presently, that the definitive sentence of the Bishop of Rome, given against any French Bishop, was to be of force through France, even without the Emperors Letters Patents. For what shall not be lawful for the authority of so great a Bishop to exercise upon the Churches? And then adds his Imperial precept, in these words. But this occasion hath provoked also our command, that hereafter it shall not be lawful, neither for Hilarius (whom to be still entitled a Bishop, the sole humanity of the meek Prelate (id est, the Bishop of Rome) permits) neither for any other to mingle arms with Ecclesiastical matters, or to resist the commands of the Bishop of Rome, &c. We define by this our perpetual decree, that it shall neither be lawful for the French Bishops, nor for those of other Provinces, against the ancient custom, to attempt any thing without the authority of the venerable Pope of the eternal City: But let it be for a law to them and to all, whatsoever the authority of the Apostolic See hath determined, or shall determine. So that what Bishop soever, being called to the ⟨p. 61⟩Tribunal of the Roman Bishop, shall neglect to come, is to be compelled by the Governor of the same Province, to present himself before him. Which evidently proves, that the highest, Universal, Ecclesiastical Judge and Governor was, and ever is to be the Bishop of Rome:

Not long after this, in the year 445. Valentinian the Emperour makes this manifesto of the most high Ecclesiastical authority of the See of Rome, in these words: Seeing that the merit of St. Peter, who is the Prince of the Episcopal Crown, and the Dignity of the City of Rome, and no less the authority of the holy Synod, hath established the primacy of the Apostolical See, lest presumption should attempt any unlawful thing against the authority of that See, (for then finally will the peace of the Churches be preserved every where, if the whole universality acknowledge their Governour) when these things had been hitherto inviolably observed, &c. Where he makes the succession from St. Peter to be the first foundation of the Roman Churches primacy; and his authority to be, not only in place,