Baxter - BX1763 B28

(23 ) of Rome, where the Pope is BilhOp: But S. Peter dyed not Bifhop of Avignion. If thePlace prove not the Suc- cefon, tell us, if you can, what Both ? Is it the Ele¿li- on ? By whom ? Who are thofe men that have the Pow- er ofchufing S. Peter a Succeffor ? You know, I fuppofe, that thePope hath been chofen, t. Sometime by thePeo- ple, (witnefs the blood-fhed at the choice of Damafifs in the Church : ) 2. Sometime by the People, and the Neighbour OrdainingBithops : 3. Sometime by a Synod : 4. Sometime by the Emperours : 5. And laftly, by the Roman Cardinals. If any of thefe may chufe, then we may have four or five lawful Popes, chofen four or five feveral ways, at once. If only one of thefe have the Power, S. Peter had no Succeífors under all the other Eleâions. So that the Claimwill fall rather toAntioch than toAvigi ion, or any other Town, becaufe they fay it was S. Peter's firfl Bifhoprick, fromwhich he removed for a greater. If you are driven with poorMr. 7ohnfon, alias, regret, tofay, that Any way will ferve which (e'rveth for the truth of an Eleliion of Princes, &c. then í}ill we may have four Popes at leali. I doubt you mull be forced to fay as fame,' that it is the acceptance of the Univerfal church; which .muff: prove who is the Univerfal Mo- narch. I. But fotne`mufl beElec1ors,before it comes to ac- ceptance.And whohath the PowerofEleling?And 2..what if now themajor part ofthe Church fhould prefer theBi- thop of conf antinople ? I . hope you are not fo. gnorant of Gofmography as not to.knowthat theGreek Churchwhen they fir!} preferred the:Bifhopof confl.. was far greater than the Latine. 3. And I fuppofe you know that it is not nearhalf the ChriftiánWorld that now acceptethof the 'Pope as their Goverrïour. 4. And I ;pray you do but get thePope to fufpend his claim titi the Chu rch i ni

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