A17167:103
A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two years ago…A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two yeres agoe…
A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two years ago against Elizabeth the most gracious Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and against the noble realm of England together with a defence of the said true Christian Queen, and of the whole realm of England. By Henry Bullinger the Elder.A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two yeres agoe against Elizabeth the most gracious Queene of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, and against the noble realme of England together with a defence of the sayd true Christian Queene, and of the whole realme of England. By Henry Bullinger the Elder.
London: printed by John Day, 1572London: printed by Iohn Day, 1572
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
¶That the first Bishops of Rome usurped not any sovereignty at all in the church, but were lowly shepherds, teachers and ministers of the Church of Rome: yea and besides that, also Martyrs of Christ.
¶That the first Bishops of Rome vsurped not any souereintie at all in the church, but were lowly shepeheardes, teachers and ministers of the Church of Rome: yea and besides that, also Martyrs of Christ.
I Will not now dispute whether Peter came at Rome or no. Whereof I see learned men to doubt, not without cause. Surely it may be proved by substantial arguments, that Peter sate not in that seat, at that time ⟨image 34⟩and so long a time as he is commonly said to have sit continually together. If he came to Rome at all, certes it was late ere he came, and peradventure not long afore his death. For all the old writers, even those that were near the Apostles time, do agreeably and steadfastly affirm, that Peter was crucified at Rome under the Emperor Nero for preaching Christ and his Gospel, the same time that Paul was beheaded. Which thing I can easily grant. But from this Peter unto Sylvester there be registered 33. Bishops or pastors of Rome. Of whom notwithstanding none took upon him any sovereignty either over the City it self, or over the Church of Rome, and therefore much less advanced they them selves over kings and kingdoms. Yet am I not afraid to say thus much more of them, that if they might be found to have attempted any whit of this preeminence, or to have sewed for sovereignty, it is certain that they started aside from the way of their predecessors, yea and from their master Christ, and grew out of kind from their own Peter. Wherefore their sayings and doings being against the express testimonies of Christ and the Apostles above rehearsed, could prove nothing.
I Will not now dispute whether Peter came at Rome or no. Wherof I sée learned men to dout, not without cause. Surely it may be proued by substantiall argumentes, that Peter sate not in that seate, at that tyme ⟨image 34⟩