If this reverence and submission was wont to be given to Bishops, how much more ought they to submit their heads to me, being superior, not only to Kings, but Emperors, and that for two causes: first, for my title of succession, that I Pope of Rome have to the Empire, the room standing vacant. Also for the fullness of power that CHRIST King of Kings, & Lord of Lords, hath given to me tho unworthy in the person of Peter. 21. By reason whereof, seeing my power is not of man but of GOD, who by his celestial providence hath set me over his universal Church; master and governor, it belongeth therefore to my office to look upon ⟨p. 18⟩every mortal sin of every Christian man. 22. Whereby all criminal offences as well of Kings as all other be subject to my censure. 23. In such sort that in all manner of pleading, if any manner of person at any time either before the sentence given or after shall appeal to mce, it shall be lawful for him so to do. 24. Neither must Kings and Princes think it much to submit themselves to my judgement, for so did Valentinianus the worthy Emperor: so did Theodosius, and also Carolus. 25. Thus ye see must be all judged by me, and I of no man, yea, although I Pope of Rome, by my negligence or evil demeanour be found unprofitable, or hurtful, either to my self or others: Yea if I should draw with me innumerable souls by heaps to hell, yet no mortal man be so hardy, so bold, so presumptuous to reprove me. 26. Or to say to me, Domine cur it a facis? Sir why do ye so? 27. For although ye read that Balaam was rebuked of his Ass, by the which Ass our subjects, by Balaam we Prelates are signified: Yet that ought to be no example to our subjects to rebuke us. 28 And though we read in the Scripture, that Peter, who received power of the Kingdom, and being chief of the Apostles, might by virtue of his office, control all others, was content to come and give answer before his inferiors, objecting to him his going to the Gentiles, yet other inferiors must not learn by this example to be check-meat with their Prelates, because Peter so took it at their hands, showing thereby rather a dispensation of humility, then the power of his office: by the which power he might have said to them again, It becometh not sheep, nor belongeth to their office to accuse their ⟨p. 19⟩shepherd. 29.
If this reverence and submission was wont to be given to Bishops, how much more ought they to submit their heads to me, being superior, not only to Kings, but Emperours, and that for two causes: first, for my title of succession, that I Pope of Rome haue to the Empyre, the rowme standing vacant. Also for the fullnesse of power that CHRIST King of Kings, & Lord of Lords, hath given to mee tho vnworthie in the person of Peter. 21. By reason whereof, seeing my power is not of man but of GOD, who by his celestiall providence hath set mee over his vniversall Church; maister and governour, it belongeth therefore to my office to looke vpon ⟨p. 18⟩everie mortall sinne of everie Christian man. 22. Whereby all criminall offences als well of Kings as all other bee subject to my censure. 23. In such sort that in all manner of pleading, if any manner of person at any time either before the sentence given or after shall appeale to mce, it shall bee lawfull for him so to doe. 24. Neither must Kings and Princes thinke it much to submit themselues to my judgement, for so did Valentinianus the worthie Emperour: so did Theodosius, and also Carolus. 25. Thus yee see must bee all judged by mee, and I of no man, yea, although I Pope of Rome, by my negligence or evill demanure bee found vnprofitable, or hurtfull, either to my selfe or others: Yea if I should draw with mee innumerable soules by heaps to hell, yet no mortall man be so hardie, so bold, so presumptuous to reproue mee. 26. Or to say to mee, Domine cur it a facis? Sir why doe yee so? 27. For although yee read that Balaam was rebuked of his Asse, by the which Afse our subjects, by Balaam wee Prelats are signified: Yet that ought to bee no example to our subjects to rebuke vs. 28 And though wee read in the Scripture, that Peter, who receaved power of the Kingdome, and being cheife of the Apostles, might by vertue of his office, controle all others, was content to come and giue answere before his inferiors, objecting to him his going to the Gentiles, yet other inferiors must not learne by this example to bee check-meat with their Prelats, because Peter so tooke it at their hands, shewing thereby rather a dispensation of humilitie, then the power of his office: by the which power hee might haue said to them againe, It becometh not sheepe, nor belongeth to their osfice to accuse their ⟨p. 19⟩sheepheard. 29.
