The Pope confuted The holy and apostolic Church confuting the Pope. The first action.…The Pope confuted The holy and apostolique Church confuting the Pope. The first action.…

But I surcease from farther complaints though justifiable enough against you, that I may the better prosecute the matters that appertain more properly to our purpose: for I do right well perceive whereunto all this your hot contention and troublesome broils do aspire at the length. To wit: either by policy to allure us, or by compulsion to hale us too the doctrine and faith which you call catholic. Go to, may we know (if it please your fatherhood) what kind of catholic doctrine this is whereunto you call us. To relent now somewhat of that contentious kind of quarrelling, and to confer with you now, not as moved with any malice against you as I may justly enough, but to debate the controversy, pleading it as it were at the bar against you, according to the equity and truth of the cause by substantial matter, rather then fruitless words. Imagine therefore with your self, holy father, that you sit not now in your consistory at Rome, as judge of your own cause, but to be arraigned as guilty of the crime before the majesty of Christian princes in a certain public and general council, before whom you ought long sithence have bin put to your purgation. Come of therefore you reverend and holy bishop, for the love & reverence you bear to S. Peter, who commandeth you to render a reason of your faith to them that demand it of you. Tell us frankly & openly what manner & form of faith is that at the length, which you obtrude upon us on this wise, that the unlettered may also understand it.

But I surcease from farther complaintes though iustifiable enough against you, that I may the better prosecute the matters that apperteine more properly to our purpose: for I do right well perceiue whereunto all this your whotte contention and troublesome broyles doe aspire at the length. To witte: either by pollicie to allure vs, or by compulsion to hale vs too the doctrine and faith which you cal catholike. Go to, may we know (if it please your fatherhood) what kinde of catholike doctrine this is wher•unto you call vs. To relent now somewhat of that contentious kinde of quarreling, and to cōferre with you nowe, not as moued with any malice against you as I may iustly enough, but to debate the controuersy, pleading it as it were at the barre against you, according to the equitie and truth of the cause by substantiall matter, rather then frutelesse wordes. Imagine therefore with your selfe, holy father, that you sitte not now in your consistory at Rome, as iudge of your owne cause, but to be araigned as guilty of the crime before the maiestie of Christian princes in a certen publike and generall councell, before whom you ought long sithence haue byn put to your purgation. Come of therefore you reuerende and holy bishop, for ye loue & reuerēce you beare to S. Peter, who coōmādeth you to rēder a reason of your faith to thē that demād it of you. Tel vs frākely & opēly what maner & forme of faith is that at the length, which you obtrude vpō vs on this wise, yt the vnlettered may also vnderstād it.