Truth and innocence vindicated in a survey of a discourse concerning ecclesiastical polity, and…

I know not any Expression in such an Impious and futilous Edict, that may not be warranted out of the Principles of this Discourse; the main parts of it being composed out of the Words and Phrases of it, and those used, to the best of my understanding, in the sense fixed to them by our Author.

Now, as was said before, I suppose Christian Princes will not be earnest in their Contests, who shall first own the Authority intimated, and express it in a suitable ⟨p. 116⟩exercise. And if any one of them should put forth his hand unto it, he will find that —Furiarum Maxima juxta Accubat, & manibus prohibet contingere mensas. There is one who lays an Antecedent Claim to a Sole Interest in this Power, and that bottomed on other manner of Pretensions than any as yet have been pleaded in their behalf. For the Power and Authority here ascribed unto Princes, is none other but that which is claimed by the Pope of Rome, (with some few Enlargements) and appropriated unto him by his Canonists and Courtiers. Only here the old Gentleman, (as he is called by our Author) hath the advantage; that beside the Precedency of his claim, it being entered on Record at least six or seven hundred years before any Proctor or Advocate appeared in the behalf of Princes, he hath forestalled them all in the pretence of Infallibility; which doubtless is a matter of singular use in the exercise of the power contended about. For some men are so peevish as to think that thus to deal with Religion and the Consciences of men, belongs ⟨p. 117⟩to none but him, who is Absolutely, yea essentially so, that is Infallible. For as we have now often said (as contrary to their design men in haste oftentimes speak the same things over and over) as to all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over persons and causes Ecclesiastical, and the Sovereign disposal of all the Civil and Political concernments of Religion which is vested in the Imperial Crown of this Nation, and by sundry Acts of Parliament is declared so to be, I shall be always ready to plead the Right of our Kings, and all Christian Kings whatever, against the absurd Pleas and Pretences of the Pope; so as to this Controversy between him and such Princes as shall think meet to contend with him about it, concerning the power over the Consciences of men before described, I shall not interpose my self in the scuffle; as being fully satisfied they are contending about that which belongs to neither of them.