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.…

Wherein I know not what I may imagine first, or whereat I may wonder sufficiently: whether at the prodigious insolencie of the Popes, or the too much drowsy carelessness of the other Bishops: who contrary ⟨p. 49⟩to all equity and right, contrary to all authority of most sacred Scriptures, contrary to the approved custom of their ancient predecessors, and prescript orders of the Primitive Church, would so wilfully admit this so manifest an injury against themselves, and so pernicious a plague against Christs Church. And but that our Saviour himself not only by most plain president of his own life, but also by express commandment had restrained his Apostles from this profane desire of Lordliness, and had called them back to an utter detestation of this worldly pomp, and most humble abasement of mind, with incredible loathsomeness always abhorring the things which were accounted mighty and glorious in this world:¹ Certes I should less have wondered at this your greedy grasping (you men of Rome) after this universal title of universal regiment. But now what is there, I pray you, under the Sun more repugnant to the rules and precepts of Evangelical doctrine? more contrary to the perpetual course of Christs meaning, and directory level of Christs Religion? more odious to the mildness of the spirit? whose voice uttered in the most holy Books of the Gospel, if may not obtain any credit and authority with you: let us at the least •rie t•e matter by the testimony, and judgement of the grave Fathers, and learned Doctors of the primitive Church. Amongest all the which, what one did ever endue you (Sir Pope of Rome) with this abominable, I woul•e say, honourable title of the universal head of all Christians, wheresoever upon earth? who ever did yield unto you, the jurisdiction of both swords? who ever granted unto you that special prerogative of summoning Councils? who ever limited all the wor•de to be your peculiar Diocese? who ever subscribed to that fullness of your absolute power over all other ⟨image 31⟩Bishops? who did ever pronounce, or so much as dream, that you should not only be greater, and better than all other Patriarchs and Kings, and all and every humane creature, but also far above all councils?