A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

All these with the Persons of them, that are interested in them, are subject immediately to the power and Authority of the King, and none other; and to exempt them, or any of them, or any of the like nature, which may emerge amongst men in things relating unto Conscience ⟨p. 408⟩and Religion, whose Catalogue may be endlessly extended, from Royal Cognizance, is to make mere properties of Kings in things which in a very special manner concern the peace and welfare of their subjects, and the distribution of rewards and punishments among them. Of this sort are all things that concern the authoritative public Conventions of Church Officers, and differences amongst them about their interests, practices, and public profession of Doctrines, Collations of Legal Dignities and Benefices, by and with investitures legal and valid, all Ecclesiastical revenues with their incidencies, the Courts and Jurisdictions of Ecclesiastical Persons for the reig•ement of the outward man by Censures and Sentences of Law, with the like. And as this whole matter is sufficiently confirmed by what was spoken before of the Power of Kings over the Persons or all their Subjects, and (for to what end should they have such a power, if in respect of many of them, and that in the chief concernments of their rule and Government, it may never be exerted?) so I should tire your patience, if I should report one half of the Laws, Instances and Pleas, made, given and used, by the Ancient Christian Kings and Emperors in the pursuit, and for the Confirmation of this their just power. The Decrees and Edicts of Constantine the Great, commanding, ruling and disposing of Bishops in Cases Ecclesiastical, the Laws of Justinian, Charles the Great, Ludovicus his Son, and Lotharius his Successor, with more innumerable to the same purpose are extant and known unto all. So also are the Pleas, Protestations and Vindications of most of the Kingdoms of Europe after once the pretensions of Papacy began to be broached to their prejudice. And in particular, ⟨p. 409⟩notable instances you might have, of the exercise of this royal power in the first Christian Magistrate invested with supreme Authority, both in the case of Athanasius, Socrat. Lib. 1. cap. 28. & cap. 34. Athan. Apol. 2. as also of the Donatists, Euseb. lib. 10. cap. 5. August. Epist. 162, 166. and advers. Crescon. lib. 3. c. 17.