A reply unto M. Hardinges answerA replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare

But how doth this appear to M. Harding, that the Bishop of Rome had all the Bishops of the East in Subjection, to use, and command them, as his Servants? In what Council was it ever Decreed it should be so? who subscribed it? who recorded it? who ever saw such Canons?¹ The best Plea, that Pope Nicolas can make in this behalf, is, that Peter was first Bishop of Antioch, and after of Rome: and S. Mark his Scholar Bishop of Alexandria. Hereof, he thinketh, it may very well and substantially be gathered, that the Bishops of Rome ought to have all the world in Subjection. In deed in the counterfeit Charter▪ or Donation of the Emperor Constantine, authority is given to the Bishop of Rome over the other four Patriarchs, of Antioch, of Alexandria, of Constantinople, and of Jerusalem. But the Bishops of Rome them selves, and of them selves devised and forged this Charter, and that so fondly, that a very Child may easily espy the folly. For beside a great number of other untruths, at that very time, when it is imagined, that Charter was drawn, there was neither Patriarch, nor Bishop, nor Priest, nor Church in Constantinople, nor the City it self yet built, nor known to the world by that name. This notwithstanding, the Bishop of Rome upon this simple title, hath beset his Mitre with three Crowns, in token, that he hath the Universal power over the three Divisions of the world, Europa, Asia, and Africa. And so as the King of Persia in old times entitled him self, Frater Solis, & Lunae, even so Pope Nicolas² calleth him self, The Prince of all Lands and Countries.

But howe doothe this appeare to M. Hardinge, that the Bishop of Rome had al the Bishops of the East in Subiection, to vse, and commaunde them, as his Seruantes? In what Councel was it euer Decréed it shoulde be so? who subscribed it? who recorded it? who euer sawe suche Canons?¹ The best Plea, that Pope Nicolas can make in this behalfe, is, that Peter was firste Bishop of Antioche, and after of Rome: and S. Marke his Scholar Bishop of Alexandria. Hereof, he thinketh, it may verie wel and substantially be geathered, that the Bishops of Rome ought to haue al the worlde in Subiection. In déede in the counterfaite Chartar▪ or Donation of the Emperour Constantine, authoritie is geuen to the Bishop of Rome ouer the other foure Patriarkes, of Antioche, of Alexandria, of Constantinople, and of Hierusalem. But the Bishops of Rome them selues, and of them selues diuised and forged this Chartar, and that so fondely, that a verie Childe maye easily espie the folie. For biside a greate number of other vntruethes, at that very time, when it is imagined, that Chartar was drawen, there was neither Patriarke, nor Bishop, nor Priest, nor Churche in Constantinople, nor the Citie it selfe yet builte, nor knowen to the worlde by that name. This notwithstandinge, the Bishop of Rome vpon this simple title, hathe besette his Miter with thrée Crownes, in token, that he hath the Uniuersal power ouer the thrée Diuisions of the worlde, Europa, Asia, and Aphrica. And so as the Kinge of Persia in olde tymes intitled him selfe, Frater Solis, & Lunae, euen so Pope Nicolas