and to rub some ignominy upon his name, did traduce his
doctrine and religion, and either detract from him, and attribute to idols
that which appertained properly unto him, or else attributed unto him
either by enunciation or imprecation, such things as could not stand with
the glory of the Godhead. Concerning the abolishing of idolatry and all
the relics thereof, we have answered that it was commanded by God. The
keeping of the passover was also commanded in the law; but publish God's
own express ordinance.

Last of all, touching two remaining examples: 1. The feast of the
dedication was not ordained by the sole authority of Judas, but by his
brethren and by the whole congregation of Israel;(928) and the days of
Purim were established by Mordecai, a prophet. Esth. ix. 20, 21. 2. We
have elsewhere made it evident, that the days of Purim, by their first
institution, were only days of civil joy and solemnity, and that the feast
of the dedication was not lawfully instituted.

_Sect._ 13. Thus having dismissed the Bishop, we will make us for clearing
the purpose in hand. But before we come to show particularly what princes
may do, and what they may not do, in making laws about things
ecclesiastical, we will first of all lay down these propositions
following:--

1. Whatsoever the power of princes be in things and causes ecclesiastical,
it is not, sure, absolute nor unbounded. _Solius Dei est_ (saith
Stapleton),(929) _juxta suam sanctissimam voluntatem, uctiunes suas omnes
dirigere, et omniafacere quaecunquc voluit._ And again, _Vis tuam
voluntatem esse regulam rerum omnium, ut omnia fiant pro uuo beneplacito?_
Whether we respect the persons or the places of princes, their power is
confined within certain limits, so that they may not enjoin whatsoever
they list. As touching their poisons, Bishop Spotswood would do no less
than warrant the articles of Perth by king James's personal qualities:
"His person (saith he(930)), were he not our sovereign, gives them
sufficient authority, being recommended by him; for he knows the nature of
things, and the consequences of them, what is fit for a church to have,
and what not, better than we do all."

I mean not to derogate anything from king James's duly-deserved praise,
nor to obscure his never-dying memory; only I say, that such a prince as
the Bishop speaketh of, who knoweth what is fit for a church to have, and
what not, better than many learned and godly pastors assembled in a