A17167:130
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.
But least in this behalf I may seem to yield to affection or to speak these things upon malice, or to feign never so little: go to, let us stand to the trial, let inquisition be made upon the lives of the Bishops, and read the lives of John the twelfth, of Sylvester the second and Sylvester the third, of Bennet the ninth, of Gregory the sixth, and Gregory the seventh, of Urban the second, of Paschal the second, of Calixt the second, of Honorius the second, and Honorius the third, of Innocent the second, Innocent the third, & of Innocent the fourth, of Adrian the fourth, of Alexander the third, of Gregory the ninth, of Clement the fourth, and here I am fain to stop, least I might make a beadroll over long and wearisome to the reader, for I could name yet more of the bishops that ensued, few better then these, but too many worser. But in this behalf it is best to hear the judgement of some Bishop, yet will I not allege the testimony of Cardinal Benno and certain others, but of Eberhart Earl of Abensperg, who being bishop of Salzburg, did in the council that was held at Regensburg the year of our Lord 1240. make a meetly long oration against the tyranny of the Roman bishops, which oration John Aventine hath copied out whole into his history of yearly affairs in the seventh ⟨p. 37⟩book, the 683. leaf. Among other thing, Christ our Saviour, Lord and God, leaving (saith he) his heavenly throne, became mortal and poor, that he might make us immorand rich. And when he had conquered hell and was returning triumphantly into heaven, he gave us his peace, he left us his peace, and he assigned concord and mutual love to be as it were the badge and cognisance whereby his citizens might be discerned from the soldiers of the infernal Jove. And he gave us earnest warning to beware of false Christs and false Prophets, namely men that should seek to reign over us, and to mock us under the Christian name and byshoply title. If we be not blind, we see a most cruel wolf in a sheep's skin, under the title of the chief bishop.
But least in this behalfe I may séeme to yelde to affection or to speake these thinges vppon malice, or to fayne neuer so little: go to, let vs stand to the tryall, let inquisitiō be made vppon the liues of the Bishops, and read the liues of Iohn the twefth, of Siluister the second and Siluester the third, of Bennet the ninth, of Gregorie the sixt, and Gregorie the seuenth, of Vrban the second, of Paschall the second, of Calixt the second, of Honorius the second, and Honorius the third, of Innocent the second, Innocent the third, & of Innocent the fourth, of Adrian the fourth, of Alexander the third, of Gregorie the nynth, of Clement the fourth, and here I am fayne to stop, least I might make a beadroll ouer long and wearisome to the reader, for I could name yet mo of the byshops that ensued, fewe better then these, but too many worser. But in thys behalfe it is best to heare the iudgement of some Byshop, yet will I not alledge the testimonie of Cardinall Benno and certayne others, but of Eberhart Erle of Abensperg, who being byshop of Salisburg, did in the counsell that was helde at Regenspurg the yeare of our Lord 1240. make a méetly long oration against the tyranny of the Romane byshops, which oration Iohn Auentine hath copied out whole into hys history of yearly affayres in the seuenth ⟨p. 37⟩booke, the 683. leafe. Among other thing, Christ our Sauiour, Lord and God, leauing (saith he) his heauēly throne, became mortall and poore, that he might make vs immorand rich. And when he had conquered hell and was returning triumphantly into heauen, he gaue vs hys peace, he left vs his peace, and he assigned concord and mutuall loue to be as it were the badge and cognisance whereby his citizens might be discerned from the souldiers of the infernall Ioue. And he gaue vs earnest warning to beware of false Christes and false Prophetes, namely men that should séeke to raigne ouer vs, and to mocke vs vnder the Christian name and byshoply title. If we be not blynde, we sée a most cruell woolfe in a shéepes skinne, vnder the title of the chiefe byshop.
The Romish flamens have war against all Christians, being grown great by adventuring, by deceiving, and by sowing war upon war, they kill the sheep, they slay, they drive peace and concord out of the world, they bring up civill wars, and household debates from hell, and they weaken all mens strengths daily more and more, that they themselves may leap over all mens heads, devour all men, and bring all men in bondage. They provide not for their flock like byshoply shepherds, but rather make havoc of them with outrageous licentiousness like tyrants. Justice waxeth scant: ungodliness, covetousness, desire of honour, love of money, and lechery wax rise. Christ forbiddeth us to hate our enemies, and commandeth us to love them. Contrariwise the Romish sort under great pretence of holiness, command men to break steadfast covenants, to abuse Gods holy name to deceive men withal, to be unkind to such as have deserved well, to recompense good deeds with evil deeds, to make war, to quarrel, to beguile, and to betray. Hildebrand (the same is Gregory the seventh) a hundred threescore and ten years ago laid first the foundation of Antichrists kingdom, under pretence of Religion. He was the first that began this horrible war, which ⟨image 43⟩is continued unto this day by his successors. First they thrust out the Emperor from the election of the bishops, and conveyed it to the people and the clergy. After they had given them a mock also and hist them out of doors, now they labour to bring us also under coram and bondage, that they may reign alone. Moreover being nuzzled in custom of bearing rule, and having throughly weighed the power of themselves and of their adversaries, they will use the beautiful colour of stablishing the liberty of the Church, as an occasion to pluck the sovereignty to themselves and to oppress Christian liberty. Believe me (I speak of experience) they will not cease till they have gotten all into their own hands. The Pope imagineth new devises in his breast, to the intent he may stablish his own Empire, he altereth laws, he stablisheth his own, he defileth, he filtheth, he spoileth, he defraudeth, he killeth.
The Romish flamines haue warre against all Christians, being growen great by aduenturing, by deceiuing, and by sowing warre vppon warre, they kill the shéepe, they slea, they driue peace and concord out of the world, they bring vp ciuill warres, and household debates from hell, and they weakē all mens strēgthes dayly more and more, that they themselues may leape ouer all mens heades, deuour all men, and bring all men in bondage. They prouide not for their flocke like byshoply shepheardes, but rather make hauocke of them with outragious licenciousnes like tyrantes. Iustice waxeth skant: vngodlinesse, couetousnesse, desire of honor, loue of money, and lechery waxe rise. Christ forbiddeth vs to hate our enemies, and commaundeth vs to loue them. Contrariwise the Romish sort vnder great pretence of holinesse, commaund men to breake stedfast couenauntes, to abuse Gods holy name to deceiue men withall, to be vnkinde to such as haue deserued well, to recompence good déedes with euill déedes, to make warre, to quarrell, to beguile, and to betray. Hildebrand (the same is Gregory the seuenth) a hundred threscore and tenne yeares agoe layde first the foū dacion of Antichristes kingdome, vnder pretence of Religion. He was ye first that began this horrible warre, which
That lost man whom men are wont to call Antichrist, in whose forehead is written a name of blasphemy, that is to wit, I am God, and I cannot err, even that lost soul I say sitteth in Gods temple and reigneth far and wide. These and many other things like these, did that holy bishop discourse with great boldness and constancy. Neither was this Prelate altogether a vain Prophet, considering that within threescore years after, Boniface the eight of that name, a most filthy and ungracious wight is reported to have been puffed up into so devilish and brazen fast pride, that openly in the Jubilee (which he himself first invented and ordained contrary to the Christian faith) he durst vaunt himself as highest bishop and chief Emperor, before a great assembly and press of people of all nations under heaven. For the first day he came forth in his byshoplike apparel, and gave the foolish people his Apostolic blessing as they term it. And the next day wearing an imperial crown, and being clothed in robes of estate, he commanded a naked sword to be borne before him, and sitting down in a throne, cried out, Behold here be ⟨p. 38⟩the two swords. And being not satisfied with this Luciferlike gaze, he durst yet further at the same time most spitefully reject the Ambassadors of the Princes Electors which gave him to understand that they had chosen Albert Prince of Habsburg and Austria, the son of king Rodolphus, to be king of Romans: yea and also to make a law in all respects tyrannical, and Antichristian, which is extant in the extravagantes, in the book of majority & obedience, beginning with unam Sanctam. &c. In that law, after he hath attributed all power both spiritual, & temporal to the Pope: in the end he concludeth the same and saith: moreover we declare, avouch, determine, and give sentence that it is utterly of necessity of salvation, that all men be subject to the bishop of Rome. Whereas there is commonly blazed abroad of the same bishop this commendation of his, that he entered as a Fox, reigned as a wolf, (others have as a Lion) and dyed as a dog: And whereas Phillip the fair king of France appeached him of heresy, murder, simony, and all manner of most heinous crimes: yet are not the Papists ashamed to allege still the said stinking law of this rank varlet for the maintenance of their monarchy.
That lost man whom men are wont to call Antichrist, in whose forehead is written a name of blasphemy, that is to wit, I am God, and I cannot erre, euen that lost soule I say sitteth in Gods temple and raigneth far and wide. These and many other thinges like these, did that holy byshop discourse with great boldnesse and constancie. Neither was this Prelate altogether a vayne Prophet, considering that within thréescore yeares after, Boniface the eight of that name, a most filthy and vngracious wight is reported to haue bene puffed vp into so diuelish and brasenfaste pride, that openly in the Iubilie (which he himselfe first inuented and ordayned contrary to the Christian fayth) he durst vaunt himselfe as highest byshop and chiefe Emperour, before a great assembly and prease of people of all nacions vnder heauen. For the first day he came forth in hys byshoplike apparell, and gaue the foolishe people his Apostolike blissing as they terme it. And the next day wearing an imperiall crowne, and being clothed in robes of estate, he commaunded a naked sword to be borne before hym, and sittyng downe in a throne, cryed out, Behold here be
Hereunto pertaineth it, that the Bull of John the xxij. published against Lewis the 4. Emperor of that name, (which Bull Aventine rehearseth whole in his vii. book of Chronicles) saith among other things: When the chief Empire happeneth to be without a head, the sovereign power of it is in the hands of the highest Bishop, whole benefit the same is, &c. This durst he write the year of our Lord. 323. So greatly were their courages increased since Boniface dyed in prison, which was within xxiij. years space. But the Emperor Lewis answereth the Bull at large by a proclamation, which is to be read copied whole by the same Aventine into his book of histories. In the same proclamation, among other things, The Bishop (saith he meaning John the xxij) thirsteth, after Christian ⟨image 44⟩blood, and soweth every where the mischief of discord and seditions among Christians. Neither can the Christians keep the peace given them of God, by reason of this Antichrist. So great is the madness of that man, or rather of that fiend, that he preacheth his own wicked doings as if they were good deeds, in open audience. When Christian Princes (saith he) are at variance one with an other, then is the Romish Priest the highest Bishop in deed, then reigneth he, then is he in his ruff. And so the debate and discord of the Germans is meat and drink to the Bishops of Rome. Therefore it stands the high prelate in hand to weaken the Empire of the Almains. And a little after the Emperor saith. Look who soever keep their allegiance to the Emperor, and to Christ our Saviour which commandeth them to obey: Them for so doing and for none other cause, doth he brand with the mark of heresy. What soever he listeth, he deemeth it lawful. How shall I therefore deal with him? He mindeth not to execute or to know any right, any equity, any good. He seeth nothing, he doth nothing, but what he listeth himself. He taketh to him the spirit of Satan, and maketh himself like the highest. He suffereth himself to be worshipped (which thing a certain angel forbade John to do unto him) and his feet to be kissed, after the manner of the most cruel tyrants Diocletian and Alexander, whereas Christ our Lord and king washed the feet of his Disciples being but fishermen, to the intent that his messengers should do the same again to those that they were sent to: & so forth.
I have rehearsed these things, to the end that the manifest record and judgement not only of a famous Bishop, but also of a most glorious king or Emperor, concerning this latter unhappy and ungracious Bishops, might remain in record.
I haue rehearsed these things, to the end that the manifest record and iudgement not onely of a famous Byshop, but also of a most glorious kyng or Emperour, concernyng this latter vnhappy and vngracious Bishops, might remaine in record.
In the same time of Lewis the iiij. about the year of our Lord .1330. that is to say, two hundred and forty years ago, flourished the renowned and sage Lawyer Marsilius of Padua, who wrote a singular book for the Emperor ⟨p. 39⟩Lewis the 4. against the Bishops of Rome, and entitled it the defence of peace. In the same book Dict. 2. Chap. 4. he showeth by many and those most evident reasons that neither the Bishop of Rome, no nor any other Bishop, or Priest hath any sovereignty over any man, either clerks or layman: and that by the example of Christ, if any such be offered them they ought to refuse it: and that all Bishops and Churchmen ought to be subject to the sovereign that ruleth them. Again the same man in Dict. 2. Cap. 25 saith thus: They have taken to them the title which they make their boast of, namely The fullness of power: which they say that Christ gave peculiarly unto them in the person of S. Peter, as to the successors of the same Apostle: & they endeavour to make it the instrument of this naughtiness. By which cursed title, & by sophistical speech, they labour to bring all Princes, people, and persons politic and several, in bondage to them. And again, Although the Evangelist said true in avouching Christ to be king of kings, and Lord of Lords: yet notwithstanding he that hath avouched any power of sovereignty at all & much less any full power, to be granted to the Bishop of Rome, or to any other Bishop, in the person of S. Peter, or of any other Apostle, hath spoken and written a false and an open lye against the manifest opinion of Christ, and of his Apostles Peter, Paul, & James. But such power is, was, and shall be forbidden by Christ unto the Bishop of Rome and all others in the person of any of the Apostles, according as we have undoubtedly certified you by the Scripture and the authorities of holy men in the 4.5. & 9. Dist. hereof. This far Marsilius.
In the same tyme of Lewes the iiij. about the yeare of our Lord .1330. that is to say, two hundred and forty yeares ago, florished the renowmed and sage Lawyer Marsilius of Padua, who wrate a singular booke for the Emperour ⟨p. 39⟩Lewes the 4. agaynst the Byshops of Rome, and intitled it the defence of peace. In the same booke Dict. 2. Chap. 4. he sheweth by many and those most euident reasons that neither the Byshop of Rome, no nor any other Byshop, or Priest hath any souereintie ouer any man, either clerks or layman: and that by the example of Christ, if any such be offered them they ought to refuse it: and that all Byshops and Churchmen ought to be subiect to the souerein that ruleth them. Agayne the same man in Dict. 2. Cap. 25 sayth thus: They haue taken to them the title which they make their boast of, namely The fulnesse of power: which they say that Christ gaue peculiarly vnto them in the person of S. Peter, as to the successors of the same Apostle: & they indeuer to make it the instrument of this naughtinesse. By which cursed title, & by sophisticall spéech, they labour to bring all Princes, people, and persons politike and seuerall, in bondage to them. And agayne, Although the Euangelist sayd trew in auouchyng Christ to be kyng of kynges, and Lord of Lordes: yet notwithstandyng he that hath auouched any power of souereintie at all & much lesse any full power, to be graūted to the Bishop of Rome, or to any other Bishop, in the persō of S. Peter, or of any other Apostle, hath spoken and written a false and an open lye agaynst the manifest opinion of Christ, and of his Apostles Peter, Paule, & Iames. But such power is, was, and shalbe forbidden by Christ vnto the Byshop of Rome and all others in the person of any of the Apostles, accordyng as we haue vndoubtedly certified you by the Scripture and the authorities of holy men in the 4.5. & 9. Dist. hereof. This farre Marsilius.
But to what purpose serveth so deep repeating of these things will some man say? Surely all these things serve to this purpose, that it may appear manifestly by them, yea & be perceived even of the most simplest sort of all, that this fullness of power & sovereignty over all kings & kingdoms, which the said Pope Pius the fifth braggeth of in his Bull, to be given unto himself and to all Bishops of Rome, is nothing else but Bulling or Bubbling, that is to say nothing else but a most vain forgery, or rather a devilish and cursed lye devised, found out, and forced upon the people of God, by the Popes themselves and by flattering clawbacks of their own stamp. For Christ never gave any such thing either to Peter or to the other Apostles. Neither did Peter leave any whit thereof to his successors: so as I may well say, that the Popes are nothing less than the successors of Simon Peter, but rather the successors of Simon Magnus. Moreover the Lord in his Gospel not once nor darkly, but most openly commandeth bishops to obey kings, and not to reign over them. And therefore the Apostles and the first bishops of the Roman Church, were ministers of the Church, yea and martyrs, but not Princes of nations: and they yielded due obedience unto Princes. What manner of men the latter bishops of Rome be and have been, who stepping aside from the footsteps of the fathers, have both unjustly usurped and cruelly executed, the said fullness of power, whereof they now make their boast, they are known to all men, not by their virtues but by their unspeakable outrages. What else remaineth then, but that the sentence of Pope Pius the fifth (who as he saith himself is mounted up into the throne of Justice to give judgement) which he by the fullness of his power hath given and pronounced definitively by publishing it against the most virtuous Queen of England and the noble Realm of England, is utterly nothing and of none effect, because it is but a vain, a feigned, and counterfeit power, by force whereof this disguised ⟨p. 40⟩Judge hath given sentence, not as a Judge, but as a tyrant, and Antichrist.
BUt to what purpose serueth so déepe repetyng of these thinges will some man say? Surely all these thinges serue to this purpose, that it may appeare manifestly by them, yea & be perceiued euē of the most simplest sort of all, that this fulnesse of power & souereintie ouer all kings & kyngdomes, which the sayd Pope Pius the fifth braggeth of in hys Bull, to be giuen vnto himselfe and to all Byshops of Rome, is nothyng els but Bullyng or Bublyng, that is to say nothyng els but a most vayne forgerie, or rather a deuilish and cursed lye deuised, found out, and forced vpon the people of God, by the Popes themselues and by flattering clawbackes of their owne stamp. For Christ neuer gaue any such thyng either to Peter or to the other Apostles. Neyther did Peter leaue any whit thereof to his successors: so as I may well say, that the Popes are nothing lesse than the successors of Simon Peter, but rather the successors of Simon Magnus. Moreouer the Lord in his Gospell not once nor darckely, but most openly commaundeth byshops to obey kinges, and not to raigne ouer them. And therefore the Apostles and the first byshops of the Romane Church, were ministers of the Church, yea and martyrs, but not Princes of nacions: and they yelded due obedience vnto Princes. What maner of men the latter byshops of Rome be and haue bene, who stepping aside from the footsteppes of the fathers, haue both vniustly vsurped and cruelly executed, the sayd fulnesse of power, wherof they now make their boast, they are knowen to all men, not by their vertues but by their unspeakeble outrages. What els remayneth then, but that the sentence of Pope Pius the fift (who as he sayth himselfe is mounted vp into the throne of Iustice to geue iudgement) which he by the fulnesse of his power hath geuen and pronounced definitiuely by publishing it against the most vertuous Quéene of England and the noble Realme of England, is vtterly nothing and of none effect, because it is but a vayne, a fained, and counterfet power, by force wherof this disguised
Therefore O England (happy even in the same respect) when thou seest the Romish thunderbolts which the Bull spreadeth into the whole world, to be thrown and darted against thee: thou must think it is but a new Italian Cacus that puffeth out again his vain flashes of fire, from those his shady dens of meant Aventine blinded with much mist, and dazzleth the sight of blearied folk with black fogginess and darkness mixed with fire. They that have received their eyesight by the grace of God, know well enough what that fond Salmonean lightener is, namely even the man of sin, & the child of damnation, as the Apostle saith, which is lifted up against all that is called God or the power of God, in so much as he sitteth in the temple of God, boasting himself to be God. Therefore the godly and those that be enlightened believe that God blesseth their curssages and curseth their blessings▪ and therefore that his excommunications are nothing to be feared.
Therefore O England (happie euen in the same resspect) when thou séest the Romish thunderbolts which the Bull spreddeth into the whole world, to be throwen and darted agaynst thée: thou must thinke it is but a new Italian Cacus that puffeth out again his vaine flashes of fire, from those his shadie dennes of meant Auentine blinded with much mist, and dazeleth the sight of blearied folke with black fogginesse and darcknes mixt with fire. They that haue receiued their eysight by the grace of God, know well inough what that fond Salmonean lightener is, namely euen the man of sinne, & the child of damnation, as the Apostle saith, which is lifted vp against all that is called God or the power of God, in so much as he sitteth in the temple of God, boasting himselfe to be God. Therfore the godly and those that be enlightened beleue that God blesseth their curssages and curseth their blessinges▪ and therefore that his excommunications are nothing to be feared.
Surely from the time that these men executed that unmeasurable power of theirs in the Church, they have been so far from holding Gods people together in the unity of the spirit, or from bringing them to their Saviour, that they rather dispersed them & pulled them away from them their Saviour. Which thing the matter it self bewrayeth.
Surely from the time that these men executed that vnmeasurable power of theirs in the Church, they haue bene so farre from holding Gods people together in the vnitie of the spirit, or from bringing them to their Sauiour, that they rather dispersed them & pulled them away from them their Sauiour. Which thing the matter it self bewrayeth.
Now let us also come down to the chief points of the accusation which Pius the fifth the bishop of Rome bendeth against the most virtuous Queen of England. For by confuting them, and by maintaining the godliness and innocency of that virtuous Queen and her ⟨image 46⟩noble Realm, it will appear again to the whole world, that the Popes curse is but a very flimflaw and a film of a nutshell as they say in the proverb. Least he might not resemble the reviling & blasphemous mouth of Antichrist, he beginneth these things with railing and slandering, for he termeth the noble Prince king Henry the eight, father of this good Queen, an Apostate, as who turned away the Church of England from the Church of Rome, & he termeth his daughter Elizabeth by the grace of God now Queen of England, a thrall of wickedness, as who (by his saying) hath plucked back and called again into miserable destruction, the Realm of England which had been brought to the catholic faith by Queen Mary lately deceased: and also is become the refuge of heretics. If the beast should not speak so, he could not be believed to be the same that he is. For so doth he trimly fulfil the things that are written of Antichrist. For Saint Peter speaking of Antichrist, and of Antichrists household, saith that God knoweth how to reserve the wicked to be punished at the day of judgement, and specially such as following the flesh (that is to say, such as being led by lust of the flesh, and not by inspiration of the spirit) walk in unclean concupiscence and despise Lordship (that is to say, the order of dominion & sovereignty) & such as malapertly standing in their own conceit (that is to wit, such as being stubborn & overwilfull in their own opinions) are not afraid to rail & revile the higher powers: whereas the very angels (which are greater in power and strength than they) give not railing sentence against them before the Lord: and so forth as followeth in the second chapter of Saint Peters second Epistle. Herewithall agree the things which the blessed Apostle Judas Thaddaeus hath left written concerning the same matter, saying: these defile the flesh, despise rulers, and rail upon them that be in authority. But in the law of God, commandment is given that thou shalt not rail upon the Gods,1 nor blaspheme the Prince of thy people.
NOw let vs also come downe to the chiefe pointes of the accusation which Pius the fift the byshop of Rome bendeth against the most vertuous Quéene of England. For by confuting them, and by mainteining the godlinesse and innocency of that vertuous Quéene and her
A man may see that the Bishops of Rome make great account of these things, when they rail upon Princes openly. But what (I pray you) have kings committed whereby they should deserve to be overwhelmed with so many & so great reproaches and with so foul railings?
A man may sée that the Byshops of Rome make great account of these thinges, when they raile vppon Princes openly. But what (I pray you) haue kinges committed whereby they should deserue to be ouerwhelmed with so many & so great reproches and with so foule raylinges?
In deed, that wise Prince king Henry the viii. turned the Church that is in England away from many Romish superstitions that were very foul. And what offended he therein? Nay rather, he deserved praise, and his falling away is counted among wise men, a virtue, and not a vice. Moreover the renown of this Prince is so famous among all good and godly men, as it can not be defaced by the railings of these rascals of the Romish sink. He was of singular learning, of notable wisdom and experience, of excellent courage, and adorned with all heroical virtues and feats meet for a Prince. And it is not I alone that think thus of this King: there be other grave personages which have commended the same things in him. This Prince departing blessedly out of this life in the xxxviii. year of his reign about the end of January in the year of our Lord .1547. and having erst by his will entailed the succession of his Crown first unto his son Edward a young child of ix. years of age, and successively after him, unto his daughters Mary and Elizabeth: was succeeded by the said Edward, the vi. of that name, whose ample commendations that notable Historiographer Sleidan hath comprised in few words in the xxv. book of his Commentaries, saying: Edward the vi. the king of England, doubtless a Prince of singular towardness, departed out of this life the vi. day of July in the year of our Lord. 1553. being about the age of xvi. years, truly to the grief of all godly men. For after his decease there followed a very great alteration of things in England. Surely Europe hath not had any king of so great hope now these certain hundred years. Being very well trained up in godliness and instructed in learning even from his tender years, he was seen not ⟨image 47⟩only in the Latin tongue, but also in the Greek & the French tongues, and he had an earnest love to the doctrine of the Gospel, and gave entertainment and defence to all learned men, Germans, Italians, Frenchmen, Scots, Spaniards, and Polonians. Thus much saith he furthermore John Bale Bishop of Ossoria in Ireland, reporteth that this King did also exercise himself in writing, and among other things wrote a Comedy of the whore of Babylon.
In déede, that wise Prince king Henry the viii. turned the Church that is in England away from many Romish superstitions that were very fowle. And what offended he therin? Nay rather, he deserued prayse, and his fallyng away is counted among wise men, a vertue, and not a vyce. Moreouer the renowme of this Prince is so famous among all good and godly men, as it can not be defaced by the raylinges of these rascals of the Romish sink. He was of singular learnyng, of notable wisedome and experience, of excellent corage, and adorned with all heroicall vertues and feates méete for a Prince. And it is not I alone that thinke thus of this Kyng: there be other graue personages which haue commended the same thinges in hym. This Prince departyng blessedly out of this lyfe in the xxxviii. yeare of his reigne about the end of Ianuary in the yeare of our Lord .1547. and hauyng erst by his will intayled the succession of his Crowne first vnto his sonne Edward a young child of ix. yeares of age, and successiuely after hym, vnto his daughters Marie and Elizabeth: was succeded by the sayd Edward, the vi. of that name, whose ample commendations that notable Historiographer Sleidan hath comprised in few wordes in the xxv. booke of his Comentaries, saying: Edward the vi. the kyng of England, doutlesse a Prince of singular towardnesse, departed out of this lyfe the vi. day of Iuly in the yeare of our Lord. 1553. beyng about the age of xvi. yeares, truly to the grief of all godly men. For after his decease there folowed a very great alteration of thinges in England. Surely Europe hath not had any kyng of so great hope now these certein hundred yeares. Beyng very well trayned vp in godlinesse and instructed in learnyng euen from his tender yeares, he was séene not
1Concerning the governance of Queen Mary, and her bringing of the Church back again to the Sea of Rome: I will say nothing at this present, because the declaration thereof would be very sorrowful and lamentable, and (to say truth) it sticketh yet still more fresher is all mens minds, thou that it needeth to be ripped up again. This only will I say further, that the Bishops of Rome were even then also heavy friends to the Realm of England as they had ben oft afore: according as they had always wrought mischief unto other kingdoms also in Christendom for these five hundred years and more. But God will judge them when he seeth time.
1Concernyng the gouernaunce of Quéene Mary, and her bringyng of the Church backe agayne to the Sea of Rome: I will say nothing at this present, bycause the declaration therof would be very sorowfull and lamentable, and (to say truth) it sticketh yet still more fresher is all mēs myndes, thou that it néedeth to be ripped vp agayne. This onely will I say further, that the Bishops of Rome were euen then also heauie frendes to the Realme of England as they had ben oft afore: accordyng as they had alwayes wrought mischief vnto other kingdomes also in Christendome for these fiue hūdred yeares and more. But God will iudge them when he séeth tyme.
1After Queen Mary, succeeded Queen Elizabeth in the kingdom, not a thrall of wickedness as the Popes railing mouth doth slanderously revile her, but the servant, yea and the faithful servant of Jesus Christ our redeemer and Lord, as by him set at liberty from the thraldom of sin, and made his freewoman, so as she is now the daughter of God, and an enemy of all wickedness, yea even of the Popes for their wickedness sake. For she cleaveth entirely to her only Redeemer Christ: to him only doth she with singular faithfulness and diligence endeavour to knit the people of her Realm and the subjects that be under her charge: Her own self liveth a life beseeming a Christian princess, commending holy and honest conversation to all folks through her Realm, and (as much as in her lieth) forbidding & restraining all wickedness. Which thing truly, is not to draw back her subjects to destruction, ⟨p. 42⟩but to pluck them from destruction, and to restore them to assured salvation. They that know this Queen, know also that I feign nothing here to curry favour. And I touch these things the more sparely, least I may seem to purpose in any wise to flatter. Neither hath her majesty any need of my defence considering that her own godliness and innocency defend her.
1After Quéene Marie, succeded Quéene Elizabeth in the kyngdome, not a thrall of wickednesse as the Popes rayling mouth doth slaunderously reuile her, but the seruaunt, yea and the faithful seruaunt of Iesus Christ our redemer and Lord, as by him set at libertie from the thraldome of sinne, and made his fréewomā, so as she is now the daughter of God, and an enemie of all wickednesse, yea euē of the Popes for their wickednesse sake. For she cleaueth entierly to her onely Redemer Christ: to him onely doth she with singular faithfulnesse and diligence indeuer to knit the people of her Realme and the subiectes that be vnder her charge: Her owne selfe liueth a lyfe beséemyng a Christian princesse, commendyng holy and honest conuersation to all folkes through her Realme, and (as much as in her lyeth) forbidding & restreining all wickednesse. Which thing truly, is not to draw backe her subiectes to destructiō, ⟨p. 42⟩but to plucke them from destruction, and to restore them to assured saluation. They that know this Quéene, know also that I feyne nothing here to curry fauour. And I touche these things the more sparely, least I may séeme to purpose in any wise to flatter. Neither hath her maiestie any néede of my defence considering that her owne godlinesse and innocencie defend her.
Hereunto perteineth it, that the Bull of Iohn the xxij. published agaynst Lewes the 4. Emperour of that name, (which Bull Auentine rehearseth whole in his vii. booke of Chronicles) sayth among other thinges: When the chief Empire happeneth to be without a head, the souerein power of it is in the handes of the highest Bishop, whole benefite the same is, &c. This durst he write the yeare of our Lord. 323. So greatly were their corages increased since Boniface dyed in prison, which was within xxiij. yeares space. But the Emperour Lewes aunswereth the Bull at large by a proclamation, which is to be read copyed whole by the same Auentine into his booke of histories. In the same proclamation, among other thinges, The Byshop (sayth he meaning Iohn the xxij) thristeth, after Christian ⟨image 44⟩bloud, and soweth euery where the mischief of discord and seditions among Christians. Neither can the Christians kéepe the peace giuen them of God, by reason of this Antichrist. So great is the madnesse of that man, or rather of that féend, that he preacheth his owne wicked doynges as if they were good déedes, in open audience. When Christian Princes (sayth he) are at variance one with an other, then is the Romish Priest the hyghest Byshop in déede, then reigneth he, then is he in his ruffe. And so the debate and discord of the Germanes is meate and drinke to the Byshops of Rome. Therfore it standes the high prelate in hand to weaken the Empire of the Almaines. And a little after the Emperour sayth. Looke who soeuer kéepe their allegeance to the Emperour, and to Christ our Sauiour which commaundeth them to obey: Them for so doyng and for none other cause, doth he brond with the marke of heresie. What soeuer he listeth, he déemeth it lawfull. How shall I therfore deale with him? He mindeth not to execute or to know any right, any equitie, any good. He séeth nothyng, he doth nothyng, but what he listeth himselfe. He taketh to him the spirit of Sathan, and maketh himselfe like the highest. He suffereth himselfe to be worshipped (which thing a certaine aungell forbade Iohn to do vnto him) and his féete to bée kissed, after the maner of the most cruel tyrantes Diocletian and Alexander, whereas Christ our Lord and kyng washed the féete of his Disciples beyng but fishermen, to the intent that his messengers should do the same agayne to those that they were sent to: & so forth.
