By this we are plainly taught, that all be it the successors of Peter Christs Vicars in earth, be found blame worthy for their evil life, yet we ought not to dissent from them in Doctrine, nor sever our selves from them in Faith. For as much as, notwithstanding they be evil, by Gods providence for the surety of his people, they be compelled to say the things, that be good, and to teach the truth: the things they speak, not being theirs, but Gods, who hath put the doctrine of verity, in the seat or chair of unity: which singular Grace cometh specially to the See of Peter, either of the force of Christs prayer, as is said before, or in respect of place, and dignity, which the Bishops of that See hold for Christ,1 as Balaam could be brought by no means to curse that people, whom God would have to be blessed. And Caiaphas also prophesied, because he was high Bishop of that year, and prophesied truly, being a man otherwise most wicked. And therefore the evil doings of Bishops of Rome, make no argument of discrediting their Doctrine. To this purpose the example of Gregory Nazianzene may very fitly be applied, of the Golden, Silvern, and Leaden Seal. As touching the value of Metals, Gold and Silver are better, but for the goodness of the Seal, as well doth Lead imprint a figure in wax, as Silver or Gold. For this cause that the See of Rome hath never ben defiled with stinking Heresies, as Theodoretus saith, and God hath always kept in that Chair of Unity, the doctrine of Verity, as Augustine writeth: For this cause (I say) it sitteth at the stern, and governeth the Churches of the whole world: For this cause Bishops have made their Appellations thither, judgement in doubts of Doctrine, and determination in all controversies and strifes, hath been from thence always demanded.
By this we are plainely taught, that al be it the successours of Peter Christes Vicares in earthe, be found blame woorthy for their euil life, yet we ought not to dissent from them in Doctrine, nor seuer our selues from them in Faithe. For as muche as, notwithstandinge they be euil, by Gods prouidence for the suretie of his people, they be compelled to saye the thinges, that be good, and to teache the truthe: the thinges they speake, not beinge theirs, but Gods, who hath put the doctrine of veritie, in the seate or chayer of vnitie: whiche singular Grace commeth specially to the See of Peter, eyther of the force of Christes prayer, as is saide before, or in respecte of place, and dignitie, whiche the Bishops of that See holde for Christe,1 as Balaam coulde be brought by no meanes to curse that people, whom God woulde haue to be blessed. And Caiphas also prophesied, bicause he was high Bishop of that yeere, and prophesied truely, beinge a man otherwise most wicked. And therefore the euil dooinges of Bishops of Rome, make no argument of discreditinge their Doctrine. To this purpose the example of Gregorie Nazianzene maye very fittely be applied, of the Golden, Siluerne, and Leaden Seale. As touchinge the value of Metalles, Golde and Siluer are better, but for the goodnesse of the Seale, as wel dooth Leade imprinte a figure in waxe, as Siluer or Golde. For this cause that the See of Rome hathe neuer ben defiled with stinkinge Heresies, as Theodoretus saithe, and God hath alwaies keapte in that Chaire of Vnitie, the doctrine of Veritie, as Augustine writeth: For this cause (I saye) it sitteth at the sterne, and gouerneth the Churches of the whole worlde: For this cause Bishops haue made their Appellations thither, iudgement in doubtes of Doctrine, and determination in al controuersies and strifes, hath bene from thence alwaies demaunded.
- 1M. Harding compareth the Pope with Balaam and Caiaphas.M. Harding compareth the Pope vvith Balaam and Caiphas.
