An answer to a certain book, writtenAn answere to a certeine booke, written

True it is that the Century writers in that Chapter do largely and plainly discover the mystery of iniquity,¹ that in those days did mightily work for the obtaining of that universal primacy, which afterwards with much endeavour was gotten. And as the Church of Rome was then in great estimation and authority, far beyond other Churches; so the Bishops of that sea used all occasion to increase the ⟨p. 158⟩credit and prerogative thereof, especially this Leo, and Gregory also not a little. All this, as it is in the Centuries discoursed, we confess, and withal justly mislike and condemn that ambition in those Bishops: but what gather you hereof M. R. for your purpose? doth this prove the Popes supremacy?² doth this disprove Master Jewels challenge? Do the learned Protestants also confess the same? what notable and shameless untruths are these? Not one of all these examples alleged, doth argue the Popes universal power or headship over Christs Church, nor cometh near unto it. That Leo calleth it the chiefest Church: that he requireth Anatolius Archbishop of Constantinople to make relation unto him, if any matter of controversy should arise: that he willeth Maximus Archbishop of Antioch to write to the sea Apostolic, how the Churches there increase: that he reproved other Bishops, if they did ought amiss: that he appointed in some places orders, and ceremonies, and did these and many other such things, as in his epistles is manifest, although he took upon him more then he might or ought, & for advancement ⟨p. 159⟩of his own seat, encroached much upon the liberty of other Churches, yet never meant he to make himself universal Bishop,³ and head of the Church, which your Pope claimeth, and M. Jewell denieth. This was his endeavour to lift his chair above the rest, to be accounted a chief Bishop, to be had in greatest regard, to procure to his seat a principal reverence, to obtain privileges, and prerogatives above others: but of this pontifical power, & universal jurisdiction, which afterwards your Popes usurped, he never dreamed, for ought that you have alleged, or can furthermore allege out of his Epistles. And though you could, what had you greatly gained against M. Jewell, who requireth a lawful and irrefragable testimony, his being partial, as in his own matter, and for his own commodity?