A01130:86
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.
What could have been uttered by Gregory more distinctly, and more ap•ly for the purpose? of whose authority if you make any reckoning, as reason is you should: why may not we as lawfully use the same authority over you, and by the same words exhort you (ye brethren and fathers of Rome) as well as he? First that no vain opinion conceived of that S•agelyke state make you stand too much upon ⟨p. 28⟩the Slippers of reputation, as though the Chair of estate, which you challenge to be at Rome, should make a difference betwixt your brethren and you (for by the place (sayeth Gregory) you be all brethren. Moreover, that you esteem not so highly of your own honour, as that you become injurious to the rest which are joined with you in the same fellowship and equability of dignity: but injured they be, by the testimony of Gregory, when your advancement ariseth by the abasement of your brethren, and when as the general grace poured out upon all indifferently is abridged by you. Last of all, we do admonish you not without cause with Gregory's own words: That you exalt not your state so arrogantly above the Stars of heaven: that is to say, That ye extol not your selves so loftily with a presumptuous bravery of superiority above other Bishops, least the old Proverb may be verified of you at the length,1 whereof Solomon maketh mention: He that buildeth his house too high, seeketh the ruin thereof. But why do I vouch this one testimony of Gregory only, when as never any one so much of all Gregory's predecessors was ever heard of, which would take upon him the name of universal Bishop, or the head of the universal Church?
What coulde haue beene vttered by Gregorie more distinctly, and more ap•ly for the purpose? of whose authoritie if you make any reckoning, as reason is you shoulde: why may not wee as lawfully vse the same authoritie ouer you, and by the same woordes exhort you (yee bre•thren and fathers of Rome) as wel as hee? First that no vaine opinion conceaued of that S•agelyke state make you stande too much vpon ⟨p. 28⟩