A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

61. with other words to the same purpose, if they are to any purpose at all. I desire to know whither you grant in him an Authority derived immediately from God in and over Ecclesiastical affairs, as to convene Synods or Councils, to reform things amiss in the Church, as to the outward administration of them? or do you think that he hath such power and Authority to make, constitute or appoint Laws with penal Sanctions in and about things Ecclesiastical? And Secondly, Do you think that in the work which he hath to do for the Church, be it what it will, be may use the liberty of his own judgement directed by the light of the Scripture, or that he is precisely to follow the declarations and determinations of the Pope? If he have not this Authority, if he may not use this liberty, the good words you speak of Catholics, and give unto him, signify indeed nothing at all. If then he hath, and may, you openly rise up against the Bulls, Briefs and Interdicts of your Popes themselves and the universal practice of your Church for many Ages. And therefore I desire you to inform me Thirdly, Whether you do not judge him absolutely to be subject and accountable to the Pope for what ever he doth in Ecclesiastical affairs in his own Kingdoms and Dominions? if you answer suitably ⟨p. 414⟩to the Principles, Maxims and practise of your Church, you must say he is; and if so, I must tell you that whatever you ascribe unto him in things Ecclesiastical, he acts not about them as King, but in some other capacity. For to do a thing as a King, and to be accountable for what he doth therein to the Pope, implies a Contradiction. Fourthly, Hath not the Pope a power over his Subjects, many of them at least, to convent, censure judge and punish them, and to exempt them in Criminal Cases from his Jurisdiction? And is not this a fair Supremacy that it is meet he should be contented withal, when you put it into the power of another to exempt as many of his Subjects as he pleaseth and are willing, from his Regal Authority? 5. When you say, that in matters of faith, Kings for their own ease remit their Subjects to their Papal Pastor, pag. 57. Whether you do not collude with us, or indeed do at all think as you speak? Do you think that Kings have real power in, and about those things wherein you depend on the Pope, and only remit their Subjects to him for their own ease?

61. with other words to the same purpose, if they are to any purpose at all. I desire to know whither you grant in him an Authority derived immediately from God in and over Ecclesiastical affairs, as to convene Synods or Councils, to reform things amiss in the Church, as to the outward administration of them? or do you think that he hath such power and Authority to make, constitute or appoint Laws with penal Sanctions in and about things Ecclesiastical? And Secondly, Do you think that in the work which he hath to do for the Church, be it what it will, be may use the liberty of his own judgement directed by the light of the Scripture, or that he is precisely to follow the declarations and determinations of the Pope? If he have not this Authority, if he may not use this liberty, the good words you speak of Catholicks, and give unto him, signifie indeed nothing at all. If then he hath, and may, you openly rise up against the Bulls, Briefs and Interdicts of your Popes themselves and the universal practice of your Church for many Ages. And therefore I desire you to inform me Thirdly, Whether you do not judge him absolutely to be subject and accountable to the Pope for what ever he doth in Ecclesiastical affairs in his own Kingdoms and Dominions? if you answer suitably