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…

or that the Pope and Christ have one chair of state to give judgement in, and one consistory? or that he is that same light that came in to the world, the which, Christ pronounced only of himself, and that he that is an evil doer,¹ hateth and flieth that light? or that all other Bishops have received of his fullness? To conclude, what if they should, not colourably or darkly, but evidently and flatly make a decree contrary to the express word of God? Trow ye that whatsoever these men say, that shall be straight way the Gospel? Trow ye this shall be gods army? trow ye Christ will be present there? Trow ye that the holy Ghost will swim in these mens tongues? or that they may say truly of themselves: It hath seemed good unto the holy Ghost and to us?² For so the Petrus a Soto and his pewfellow Hosius, are not afraid to affirm, that the very same council wherein Christ was adjudged to death, had the spirit of prophecy, the holy spirit, the spirit of truth: and that it was not false nor a lye, that which those Bishops said. We have a law, & according to the law he ought to dye: and that they judged (for so Hosius doth write) the truth of the judgement: And that the same decree, wherein they pronounced that Christ was worthy of death, was just to all respects: It is surely a marvellous case that these men can not plead for thenself, & maintain their own cause, onlesse withal they become the patrons of Annas and Caiaphas. For they that will say that the very same council, wherein the son of God was most despitefully condemned to the Cross, was a lawful and an upright council: what council I pray you will they allow to be corrupted? But their councils, in manner all of them, being such as they be, ⟨image 55⟩it was necessary for them, to give this sentence of the council of Annas and Caiaphas. But suppose ye that these men will restore us the Church again? the self same being judges that are themselves accused? Will these men abate their ambition and pride? will they cast out themselves, or give sentence against themselves, that Bishops shall not be unlearned, or that Bishops shall not be sluggish bellies, or shall not heap benefice upon benefice, or shall not take upon them to be Princes, or shall not make wars? Think you that Abbots the Popes dear children, will make a decree, that a Monk that seeketh not to get his living with his own labour, is a thief?