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…

For whereas some use to make so great a vaunt, that the Pope is only Peters Successor, as though thereby he carried the holy Ghost in his bosom & cannot err, this is but a matter of nothing and a very trifling tale. Gods grace is promised to a good mind, and to one that feareth God, not unto Sees and Successions. Riches saith Jerome, may make a Bishop to be of more might then the ⟨image 122⟩rest: but all the Bishops whosoever they be, are the Successors of the Apostles. If so be, the place and consecrating only be sufficient (why then) Manasseh succeeded David, and Caiaphas succeeded Aaron. And it hath ben often seen, that an Idol hath stand in the Temple of God. In old time Archidamus the Lacedaemonian boasted much of him self, how he came of the blood of Hercules, but one Nicostratus in this wise abated his prydes Nay, quod he, yu seemest not to descend from Hercules, for Hercules destroyed ill men, but thou makest good men evil. And when the Pharisees bragged of their linage how they whereof the kindred and blood of Abraham, Ye saith Christ, seek to kill me, a man which have told you the truth as I heard it from God: thus Abraham never did. Ye are of your Father the devil, and will needs obey his will.

For wheras som vse to make so great a vaunte, that the Pope is onely Peters Successour, as though therby he carried the holy Ghost in his bosome & cannot erre, this is but a matter of nothing and a very trieflyng tale. Gods grace is promised to a good mynde, and to one that fearith God, not vnto Sees and Successiōs. Riches saith Ierome, may make a Byshop to be of more might then the ⟨image 122⟩rest: but all the Byshoppes whosoeuer they be, are the Successours of the Apostles. Yf so be, the place and consecrating onely be sufficient (why then) Manasses succeded Dauid, and Caiphas succeded Aaron. And it hath ben often seene, that an Idoll hath stand in the Temple of God. In old tyme Archidamus the Lacedemonian boasted muche of hym selfe, how he came of the bloud of Hercules, but one Nicostratus in thys wise abated his prydes Nay, quod he, yu semest not to descende from Hercules, for Hercules destroied yll men, but thou makest good men euill. And when the Pharises bragged of their linage how they wereof ye kynred and bloud of Abraham, Ye saith Christ, seeke to kyll me, a manne whiche haue toulde you the trouth as I heard it from God: thus Abraham neuer did. Ye are of your Father the dyuel, and wil nedes obey his will.