An apology or answer in defence of the Church of England with a brief…An apologie or answere in defence of the Churche of Englande with a briefe…

Well yet then, they will bring all matters before the Pope, who cannot err. To this I say, first it is a madness to think that the holy Ghost taketh his ⟨image 99⟩flight from a general Council to run to Rome, to the end if he doubt or stick in any matter, and cannot expound it of him self, he may take counsel of some other spirit, I wot not what, that is better learned then him self. For if this be true, what needed so many Bishops, with so great charges and so far journeys, have assembled their Convocation at this present at Trident? It had ben more wisdom and better, at least it had ben a much nearer way and handsomer to have brought all things rather before the Pope, and to have come straight forth, and have asked counsel at his divine breast. Secondly, it is also an unlawful dealing to toss our matter from so many Bishops and Abbots, and to bring it at last to the trial of one only man, specially of him who him self is appeached by us of heinous and foul enormities, and hath not yet put in his answer: who hath also afore hand condemned us without judgement by order ⟨image 99⟩pronounced, and or ever we were called to be judged.

Wel yet then, they wil bring al matters before the Pope, who cannot erre. To this I say, firste it is a madnes to thynke that the holy Ghoste taketh his ⟨image 99⟩flight from a generall Councell to run to Rome, to thende yf he doubt or sticke in any matter, and cannot expound it of him selfe, he maye take counsell of some other spirite, I wote not what, that is better learned then him selfe. For yf this be true, what neded so many Byshopps, with so great charges and so farre iorneyes, haue assembled their Conuocatiō at this present at Trident? Yt hadde ben more wisedom and better, at least it had ben a moche nearer way and handsommer to haue brought all thinges rather before ye Pope, and to haue come streght furth, and haue asked counsell at his diuine breast. Secōdly, it is also an vnlaufull dealing to tosse our matter from so many Byshoppes and Abbottes, and to bryng it at laste to the trial of one onely man, specially of hym who him selfe ys appeached by vs of hainous and foule enormities, and hath not yet put in hys aunswere: who hath also afore hand cō dempned vs without iudgement by order ⟨image 99⟩