If a man should ask you, where that word of God is, that maketh a temporal Prince Supreme head of that part of the Church, which he hath government of in all civil matters, I am sure you can bring forth* no other word of God. then that, wherein S. Peter,2 and S. Paul willeth all men to obey the Superior powers, especially Kings. Which thing was written to all Christian men, whiles they lived under Heathen Princes, and Infidels, as Claudius Cesar, and Nero were, whom, I suppose, ye will not say to have been heads of the whole Church, as they were Monarchs and ⟨p. 643⟩Princes of the whole world.3 If then by those Scriptures which cannot prove Nero (being a* persecutor of Christs Church) to have ben head of the same, you will now prove, that other Princes are supreme heads of the Church: it seemeth that either you make Nero head of the Church with them, or give more unto them, then the word of God will bear. And as for examples of good common weals, show us but one since Christs ascension, wherein before Luther's time, any Emperor Christian, or other Prince did attribute that title unto him self: and we will say, that, when you speak of common weals in the plural number, you make but one lye: but in case you show us no one common weal that hath so done, then you lie in the plural number. Yea further, if at this day the common weals in Christendom, not only that are Catholic, but the best also of those, that are Lutherishe, and newfangled, do abhor from that strange, and unheard title of‡ supreme head of the Church, why do you say, that ye have, either word of God for it, or example of approved common weals?
If a man shoulde aske you, where that woorde of God is, that maketh a temporall Prince Supreme head of that parte of the Churche, which he hath gournement of in al ciuil matters, I am sure you can bringe foorthe* no other woorde of God. then that, wherein S. Peter,2 and S. Paule willeth al menne to obeie the Superiour powers, especially Kinges. VVhiche thinge was written to all Christian men, whiles they liued vnder Heathen Princes, and Infidels, as Claudius Cesar, and Nero were, whom, I suppose, ye wil not saie to haue benne heades of the whole Churche, as they were Monarkes and ⟨p. 643⟩Princes of the whole worlde.3 If then by those Scriptures whiche cannot proue Nero (beinge a* persecutour of Christes Churche) to haue ben heade of the same, you wil now proue, that other Princes are supreme heads of the Churche: it semeth that either you make Nero heade of the Churche with them, or geue more vnto them, then the word of God wil beare. And as for examples of good cōmon weales, shewe vs but one since Christes ascension, wherein before Luthers time, any Emperour Christian, or other Prince did attribute that title vnto him selfe: and we wil saie, that, when you speake of common weales in the plural number, you make but one lye: but in case you shew vs no one common weale that hath so done, then you lie in the plural number. Yea further, if at this daie the common weales in Christendome, not onely that are Catholike, but the beste also of those, that are Lutherishe, and newfangled, do abhorre frō that strange, and vnheard title of‡ supreme head of the Churche, why do you saie, that ye haue, either worde of God for it, or example of approued common weales?
- *Untruth. For we allege many other places besides, as it may soove appear.Vntruthe. For vvee allege many other places bisides, as it maie sooue appeare.
- 21. Pet. 2. Rom. 13.
- 3Supreme Head. Supreme Governor.Supreme Heade. Supreme Gouernoure.
- *Then cannot the Pope be Head of the Church: For he hath persecuted the Church as much, as Nero.Then cannot the Pope be Heade of the Churche: For he hath persecuted the Church as mutche, as Nero.
- ‡Much a do about nothing: For our Prince hath not this Title. But Queen Mary had, and used the same title of Supreme Head: as many ways it may be proved.Mutche a doo about nothing: For our Prince hath not this Title. But Queene Marie had, and vsed the same title of Supreme Heade: as many vvaies it maie be proued.
