Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity,…Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie,…

¹But what do I make mention of these latter things? Let us read Eusebius in his .vi. book, and .xxxiiii. chap. where he saith that Philip the Emperor, who lived in the time of Origene, was the first Christian prince, and when he would have been present together with the faithful on Easter even, and have communicated with them in prayers, the bishop, because he was a wicked and naughty liver, rejected him among them that were put to penance, that he should make open confession before the Church, and acknowledge his sin, otherwise he could by no means be admitted unto the Communion. This did the bishop at that time against the Emperor & chief Monarch of the whole world. Wherefore the civil power ought to be subject unto the word of God which is preached by the Ministers. But again the Ecclesiastical power is subject unto the civil, when the Ministers behave themselves ill, either in things humane or Ecclesiastical. For these powers are after a sort convertible and sundry ways are occupied about the self same things, and mutually help one an other, even as Aristotle Theodectes calleth Rhetoric and Logic interchangeable arts,² because either of them are occupied in the self same things after a sundry manner. The Ecclesiastical power is subject unto the Magistrate: not by a spiritual subjection, but by a politic. For as touching the Sacraments and sermons, it is not subject unto it, because the Magistrate cannot bend the word of God or the Sacraments, which the ministry useth, neither can he compel the pastors and Teachers of the Church to teach otherwise, or in any other sort to administer the Sacraments, then is prescribed by the word of God. Howbeit ministers in that they are men and Citizens, are without all doubt subject unto the Magistrate, and also their lands, riches, and possessions. So Christ paid tribute, so also did the Apostles, and the whole primitive Church, when there were yet most holy men. Their manners also are subject unto the censures and judgements of the Magistrates.

¹But what do I make mencion of these latter thinges? Let vs reade Eusebius in his .vi. booke, and .xxxiiii. chap. where he saith that Philip the Emperor, who liued in the tyme of Origene, was the first Christian prince, and when he would haue bene present together with the faithful on Easter euen, and haue communicated with them in prayers, the bishop, bicause he was a wicked and noughty liuer, reiected him among them that wer put to penance, that he should make open confession before the Churche, and acknowledge his synne, otherwyse hee could by no meanes be admitted vnto the Communion. This did the byshop at that tyme against the Emperour & chiefe Monarche of the whole world. Wherfore the ciuil power ought to be subiect vnto the woorde of God which is preached by the Ministers. But againe the Ecclesiasticall power is subiect vnto the ciuil, when the Ministers behaue themselues yll, either in thinges humane or Ecclesiastical. For these powers are after a sorte conuertible and sundry wayes are occupied about the selfe same thinges, and mutually helpe one an other, euē as Aristotle Theodectes calleth Rhethorike and Logike interchangeable artes,