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.…

By the which it may easily appear unto you what you ought too do. For if the chief foundations of this Sea be grounded upon no law nor ordinance of God, as is declared before, but propped up by mans appointment only: what shall let I pray you, why that stately chair, which received no prerogative of superiority from God, but only from you at the first, should not stoop now again and lay down these Peacocks plumes by your general assent and commandment? If being carried on the blind side long ago, your selves were the first donors of this primacy, altogether against the will of christ: what more notable exploit may you bring too pass at this present, then to revoke back that gift (as Aesopes little birds did sometimes plume away their own feathers from the chattering crow) which was either extorted from you against equity and right, by treachery & mischief, or procured by fraud and villainy? For why being now better advised and endued with more heavenly understanding may ye not more rightfully supplant that, which without cause ye did of old time plant unlawfully? albeit why do I say that you may,¹ sithence very necessity exacteth it of you as of duty, unless ye had rather become slaves to this false counterfeit Pope, then servants to Jesus Christ.

By the which it may easily appeare vntoo you what you ought too do. For if the chiefe foundations of this Sea be grounded vppon no lawe nor ordinaunce of God, as is declared before, but propt vp by mans appointment onely: what shall let I pray you, why that stately chaire, which receaued no prerogatyue of superioritie from God, but onely from you at the first, shoulde not stoupe nowe againe and lay downe these Peacocks plumes by your general assent and commaundement? If beeing carried on the blinde side long agoe, your selues were the firste donors of this primacy, altogither against the wil of christ: what more notable exployt may you bring too passe at this present, then to reuoke backe that gifte (as AEsopes litle byrdes did sometymes plume away their owne feathers from the chattering crowe) which was either extorted from you against equitie and right, by treachery & mischief, or procured by fraud and villanie? For why beeing nowe better aduised and endued with more heauenly vnderstanding may ye not more rightfully supplant that, which without cause ye did of old tyme plant vnlawfully? albeit why do I say that you may,¹