ALL the Pleas of the Romanists are utterly insufficient to secure their Papal Domination from this Sword of the Mouth of the Lord Jesus. For, whereas their utmost pretence and defence consists in this, That it is not Dominion and Power absolutely that is forbidden, but the Unlawful, Tyrannical, Oppressive Exercise of Power, such as was in use among the Princes of the Gentiles; never was there any Dominion in the World, no not among the Gentiles, more Cruel, Oppressive and Bloody, than that of the Pope's hath been. But it is evident, that our Lord Jesus Christ doth not in the least reflect on the Rule or Government of the Kings and Princes of the Gentiles, which was Good and Righteous: yea, he speaks of them in an especial manner, whom their Subjects for their moderate and equal Rule, with their usefulness unto their Countries, called [Greek or Hebrew] or Benefactors. Their Rule, as unto the Kind and Administration of it in the Kingdoms of the World, he approves of. And such a Power or Preeminence it was, namely good and just in it self, not Tyrannical and Oppressive, that the Two Disciples desired in his Kingdom, which gave occasion unto this declaration of the Nature of his Kingdom, and the Rule thereof. For in this Power or Dominion two things may be considered. (1.) The Exercise of it over the Persons, Goods and Lives of Men, by Courts, Coercive Jurisdictions, Processes of Law, and External Force in Punishments. (2.) The State, Grandeur, ⟨p. 30⟩Preeminence, Wealth, Exaltation above others, which are necessary unto the maintenance of their Authority and Power. Both these in the least Participation of them, in the least Degree whatever, are forbidden by our Saviour to be admitted in his Kingdom, or to have any place therein, on what pretence soever. He will have nothing of Lordship, Domination, Preeminence in Lordly Power in his Church. No Courts, no Coercive Jurisdictions, no Exercise of any Humane Authority doth he allow therein; for by these means do the Princes of the Gentiles, those that are the Benefactors of their Countries, rule among them. And this is most evident from what in opposition hereunto he prescribes unto his own Disciples, the greatest, the best in Office, Grace and Gifts; namely a Ministry only, to be discharged in the way of Service.
ALL the Pleas of the Romanists are utterly insufficient to secure their Papal Domination from this Sword of the Mouth of the Lord Jesus. For, whereas their utmost pretence and defence consists in this, That it is not Dominion and Power absolutely that is forbidden, but the Vnlawful, Tyrannical, Oppressive Exercise of Power, such as was in use among the Princes of the Gentiles; never was there any Dominion in the World, no not among the Gentiles, more Cruel, Oppressive and Bloody, than that of the Pope's hath been. But it is evident, that our Lord Jesus Christ doth not in the least reflect on the Rule or Government of the Kings and Princes of the Gentiles, which was Good and Righteous: yea, he speaks of them in an especial manner, whom their Subjects for their moderate and equal Rule, with their usefulness unto their Countries, called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 or Benefactors. Their Rule, as unto thé Kind and Administration of it in the Kingdoms of the World, he approves of. And such a Power or Preheminence it was, namely good and just in it self, not Tyrannical and Oppressive, that the Two Disciples desired in his Kingdom, which gave occasion unto this declaration of the Nature of his Kingdom, and the Rule thereof. For in this Power or Dominion two things may be considered. (1.) The Exercise of it over the Persons, Goods and Lives of Men, by Courts, Coercive Jurisdictions, Processes of Law, and External Force in Punishments. (2.) The State, Grandeur, ⟨p. 30⟩Preheminence, Wealth, Exaltation above others, which are necessary unto the maintenance of their Authority and Power. Both these in the least Participation of them, in the least Degree whatever, are forbidden by our Saviour to be admitted in his Kingdom, or to have any place therein, on what pretence soever. He will have nothing of Lordship, Domination, Preheminence in Lordly Power in his Church. No Courts, no Coercive Jurisdictions, no Exercise of any Humane Authority doth he allow therein; for by these means do the Princes of the Gentiles, those that are the Benefactors of their Countries, rule among them. And this is most evident from what in opposition hereunto he prescribes unto his own Disciples, the greatest, the best in Office, Grace and Gifts; namely a Ministery only, to be discharged in the way of Service.
