A view of a seditious bull sent into England, from Pius Quintus Bishop of…A viewe of a seditious bul sent into Englande, from Pius Quintus Bishop of…

Sed impiorum numerus tantum potentiae inualuit, ut nullus jam in orbe locus relictus sit, quem illi pessimis doctrinis corrumpere non tentarint: But, the number of the wicked hath increased so much, that there is now no place in the world, which they have not sought to infect with corrupt doctrine. Now at length it breaketh from them. Here is the matter of all their grief. When the Scribes and Pharisees ⟨p. 24⟩perceived the passage and glory of the Gospel of Christ, and could not stay it, they said among themselves,¹ Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world goeth after him. And again, What shall we do? ²if we let him thus alone, all men will believe in him. Our credit is gone,³ his doctrine is received, and ours is forsaken. The Priests and Sadducees took it grievously that Peter and John taught the people, and when they saw the boldness of them, they conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do to these men? let us threaten and charge them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. So they called them, and commanded them, that in no case they should speak or teach in the name of Jesus. So did Annas the chief Priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high Priests, gather themselves together, to resist the trueth then: so did the Pharisees then devise, that the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ might ⟨p. 25⟩not shine, and be known to the world. And so doeth Pope Pius now for the like cause, rage, and storm, and speak his pleasure of us. They are wicked (sayeth he) their number daily increaseth, their doctrine spreadeth far and wide: it doth much harm, it hath prevailed in most places: they are a wicked rabble, their doctrine is corrupt, it hath infected the world. Belike his Holiness is much disquieted, else he would write more modestly, and make more advised reports of such with whom he is not acquainted. A man would think he hath to do with Turks and Infidels: with such who neither believe in God, nor keep his laws, nor dread his Judgements. That he hath made out Commission against Outlawries, who rob, and spoil, and murder, and destroy, without mercy: against such, who have no regard of honesty, but being paste shame, maintain Stews, and Harlots, even as his Holiness liketh