A discourse of the religion anciently professed

IT now remaineth that in the last place we should consider the Popes power in disposing the temporal state of this Kingdom: which either directly or indirectly, by hook or by crook, this grand Usurper would draw unto himself. First therefore Cardinal Allen would have us to know, that^c the Sea Apostolic hath an old claim unto the sovereignty of the country of Ireland; and that before the Covenants passed between King John and the same Sea. Which challenges (saith he) Princes commonly yield not up, by what ground soever they come. What Princes use to yield or not yield, I leave to the scanning of those, unto whom Princes matters do belong: for the Cardinals ⟨p. 118⟩Prince I dare be bold to say, that if it be not his use to play fast and loose with other Princes, the matter is not now to do; whatsoever right he could pretend to the temporal state of Ireland, he hath transferred it (more than once) unto the Kings of England. and when the ground of his claim shall be looked into; it will be found so frivolous and so ridiculous, that we need not care three chips, whether he yield it up or keep it to himself. For whatsoever become of his idle challenges: the Crown of England hath otherwise obtained an undoubted right unto the sovereignty of this country; partly by Conquest, prosecuted at first upon occasion of a Social war, partly by the several submissions of the chieftains of the land made afterwards. For^d whereas it is it free for all men, although they have been formerly quit from all subjection, to renounce their own right: yet now in these our days (saith Giraldus Cambrensis, in his history of the Conquest of Ireland) all the Princes of Ireland did voluntarily submit, and bind themselves with firm bonds of faith and oath, unto Henry the second King of England. The like might be said of the general submissions made in the days of King Richard the second and King Henry the eighth: to speak nothing of the prescription of divers hundreds of years possession; which was the plea that^e Jephthah used to the Ammonites, and is indeed the best evidence that the Bishop of Romes own^f Proctors do produce for their Masters right to Rome it self.