An apology, or answer in defence of the Church of England concerning the state…An apologie, or aunswer in defence of the Church of England concerninge the state…

Forsooth they will commit all things to the Pope,¹ who can not err. But that, to begin withal, is a foolish devise: that the holy ghost should fly away in haste from the holy Council to Rome, to the intent that if he doubt or stick in any thing, and not be able to wind him self out, he might take counsel of some other spirit I wot not who, better learned than him self: For if the case stand so, what needed it that so many Bishops should in this time at so great charges and through so long journeys be summoned to come to Trent? It were yet a much more wiser & better way, sure I am it were both shorter and more commodious for them, rather to put of all things to the Pope: and to repair at the first dash, to the heavenly determination of his sacred breast. Moreover it is against equity, to put over our cause from so many Bishops and Abbots to the judgement of one man, specially of him, who standeth accused by us of most weighty and grievous offences: and as yet hath not brought in his answer: who also hath condemned us ⟨p. 53⟩without judgement before we were once called to be judged. What? trow ye that these be things of our own devise? Or is not this the order of their Councils at this day? Or be not all things committed over from the holy Councils unto the Pope alone, in such sort, that as though so many voices and subscriptions served to no purpose, he alone may add, change, diminish, take away, allow, release, and again restrain what him lifteth? Then I pray you, of what manner of men were these words spoken? Or why did the Bishops and Abbots not long ago in the last Council of Trent decree after this manner at the end of their constitutions: Saving always in all things the Authority of the Apostolical seat?² Or why doth Paschal the Pope write of himself so arrogantly? As though, saith he, any Coū cels had prescribed a law unto the Church of Rome, whereas all Councils both are made by authority of the Church of Rome, & by the same authority have their power & strengths: and also in their statutes, the Popes authority is plainly and manifestly excepted? If they think good to allow these things, to what purpose are Councils called? But if they determine to make them of no force, wherefore be they left uncancelled in their books?