An answer made the fourth day of September a thousand five hundred sixty [and]…Ane answer made the fourth day of Septembre a thousand fyue hundreth syxtie [and]…

There resteth therefore to consider the hole Church in an universality but in what sort? For considering it in the estimation of an universal Council, first of all there is no great appearance to judge that all the virtue that the holy Ghost, employeth upon the Church is restrained to an certain number of Prelates the which be not always the most learned nor the best, yea although they represent the hole multitude that shem death them. For how often times will it come to pass that a simple man, shall have more understanding at an instant then the most wise of an hole company? And therefore was it said by Gerson that more credit ⟨image 23⟩ought to be given to one private, faithful man, then to an hole Coū cell and to the Pope,¹ if he have better authority or reason. And namely in the great Council of Niece by whom was it stopped that the law of single life, which afterward, haeth brought so great filthiness into the Church, was not then established? By one Paphnutius only, as sayeth the history. And moreover, when was there ever assembled a Council so general but that a great part, not only of the most wise and most holy men, but also of the Prelates have remained be hind. And who may than assure, but that they that were absent some times, had greater revelation then they that were present.

There resteth therefore to cōsider the hole Churche in an vniuersalitie but in what sorte? For cōsidering it in the estimation of an vniuersall Councell, first of all there is no greate apperance to iudge that all the vertue that the holy Goste, employeth vpon ye Churche is restreyned to an certen nombre of Prelats the whiche be not alweys ye most learned nor ye best, yea althogh they represent the hole multitude that sē deth them. For how often tymes will it come to passe that a simple man, shall haue more vnderstanding at an instant then the moste wyse of an hole company? And therefore was it said by Gerson yt more credit ⟨image 23⟩oght to be giuen to one priuate, faithfull man, then to an hole Coū cell and to the Pope,¹ if he haue better authoritie or reason. And namely in ye great Councell of Nece by whome was it stopped that the law of single lyfe, whiche afterwarde, haeth broght so great filthynes into the Churche, was not then established? By one Paphnutius onely, as sayeth the historie. And moreouer, whē was there euer assembled a Councell so generall but that a greate parte, not onely of the moste wyse and moste holie men, but also of the Prelates haue remayned be hinde. And who may than assure, but that they that were absent some tymes, had greater reuelation then they that were present.