A17167:13
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.
¶To the most reverend, godly, and vigilant Bishops of the noble Realm of England, L. Edmund Grindall Archb. of York, L. Richard Cox Bishop of Ely, and L. John Jewell Bishop of Salisbury, my right honourable Lords and most dear brethren in Christ, the Preface of Henry Bullinger, Elder.
¶To the most reuerend, godly, and vigilant Bishops of the noble Realme of England, L. Edmund Grindall Archb. of Yorke, L. Richard Coxe Bishop of Elye, and L. Iohn Iewell Bishop of Salisbury, my right honourable Lordes and most deare brethren in Christ, the Praeface of Henry Bullinger, Elder.
Right reverend fathers in Christ, my right honourable lords and most dear brethren, I acknowledge my self greatly bound unto your goodness, that whereas we be set so far a sunder, you dwelling beyond the sea in England, and I living here in Switzerland not far from the Alps: yet nevertheless you of your goodness do by your often writing earnestly maintain, preserve, yea and by daily increasing, more and more advance the friendship and brotherhood long ago begun betwixt us. In respect whereof I ought of right to show my self by all means thankful & serviceable unto you. And whereas now of late, by sending to me the Bull of Pius the fifth, bishop of Rome (which I had not seen nor heard of afore) you have ministered occasion unto me, to do, or at least wise to attempt somewhat for the glory of Christ our only redeemer, and for the welfare of his Church which is among you in England, against the Romish Antichrist: behold, I ⟨image 6⟩dedicate unto your Lordships this confutation of mine set against the Bull: submitting the same to your most exact judgements, wholly to stand or fall according to your good pleasure. Nevertheless I beseech you to accept in good worth this endeavour and good will of mine, most desirous both to further so good a case, and also to pleasure your Lordships. Otherwise I freely confess mine own ability to be very small, and your learning to be right great, so as ye could have handled this matter far better than I, if it had pleased you. Notwithstanding forasmuch as I have perceived, that by this my simple travel I shall pleasure your Lordships: I would not that you should find any want in me. Christ our Lord grant that my treating thereof may be abundantly fruitful unto many. I beseech you vouchsafe to salute my right reverend Lords & most dear beloved brethren L. Rob. Horne Bishop of Winchester: L. Edwin Sands Bish. of London: L. John Parkhurst Bish. of Norwich: L. James Pilkington Bish. of Durham: and also M. John Aelmer, M. Sampson, M. Humphrey, M. Lever, M. Fox, and the residue, sometime companions of your exile in Switzerland and Germany: to the prayers of all whom I commend my self. And all the Ministers and brethren that be here, wish all prosperity to you all, in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus bliss the Ministry of your good Lordships, and preserve you from all evil.