A01130:6
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.…
The Pope confuted The holy and apostolic Church confuting the Pope. The first action. Translated out of Latin into English, by James Bell.The Pope confuted The holy and apostolique Church confuting the Pope. The first action. Translated out of Latine into English, by Iames Bell.
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Richard Sergier, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Translator to the Reader.
The Author who con piled this little book, contented with the testimony of a good conscience, hath by an honest veil made the concealment of his name excusable with all such as be endued with like mildness of spirit. And it becometh his modesty very well whosoever he be. Whose example I purposed once to have imitated, and had in deed delivered my simple labours herein without notice of name likewise, had I not by good chance, wh•les I was yet travailing in my translation, chanced upon an enemy of the truth (whereof there be to many lurking in corners if it might please God otherwise) a friend of the Pope: who upon conference upon some matters confuted in this treaty, charged me with my falling from them, I mean from their common errors in this behalf: adding withal that it was not thought credible amongst many of the like stragglers, that I had slipped the collar, and become, as he termed me, an Apostate. Whom after I had assured of my calling with some circumstances of the manner of mine escape out of that Lateran Labyrinth, not without some earnest prayers for his like reclaim, though to no ⟨image 3⟩purpose: I began to bethink my self that I could do no better than to manifest my name in this place, yielding most hearty and humble thanks to the Lord that I happened upon so good an occasion to wipe away my blemish. In deed I wandered long in the self same mizmaze, nuzzled therein by the grey headed of that school, whose countenance carried me from my Christ to the Swinesty of Sorbonne, which had swallowed me up, if the Lord had not prevented me with his mercy betimes. I was, I say, as they are, I am now as I am (Christ Jesus be thanked) a convert I confess. The Lord grant I may stand fast to the glory of his name, and the good example of others, whose like conversion I do heartily wish in the Lord. And so desiring thy good prayers to Jesus Christ (gentle Reader) to assist me with his grace, that I may persevere in this his gracious calling to the end I will no longer abuse thy patience: The Lord Jesus govern and guide thee in the true obedience of his glorious Gospel, to the glory of his name. Amen.