A17167:134
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 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 ⟨p. 40⟩Iudge hath geuen sentence, not as a Iudge, but as a tyraunt, and Antichrst.
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.
Surely her Majesty (like as also her brother of most blessed memory King Edward the vi. did) opened a Sanctuary to outlaws,1 I mean men that fled their countries, and banished men, that is to wit which were driven out of the Popish common weals, not for committing wicked crimes, but for casting away of Idolatry, and for professing the healthful Gospel of Jesus Christ. I grant that these folk are enemies or angry in their hearts, howbeit not against Christ and his most holy Gospel, but against the Pope and his most lewd practises, & cursed superstitions. I grant that the pope termeth these men heretics, howbeit wrongfully, for in very deed they be right Catholics, abhorring all heresy & fighting against it. He that receiveth these receiveth Christ, according as Christ himself witnesseth, who also promiseth most ample reward to such as give entertainment to his outcasts. Therefore let that gracious Queen rejoice, let her rejoice I say, in opening refuge to the miserable outcasts that are driven out of their country for the true Religion:2 for she shall assuredly receive those most ample rewards at the Lords hand. And let not her Majesty pass at all for that abominable barbarousness and cruelty of Rome, which both persecuteth the innocents most outrageously it self, and also cruelly commandeth others to persecute, oppress, and murder them. That these men should so do, S. Peter hath foretold in his Epistle, where he matcheth them with wild beasts. Let that virtuous Queen then shun these cruel and beastly examples,3 and let her rather hearken to Isaiah the holy Prophet of God, speaking in the name of his God and ⟨image 48⟩saying: Set thy shadow as a night, in the midday hide the chased, and bewray not them that be fled. Let my banished people dwell with thee. Moab, be thou their refuge against the destroyer. To impeach the right of hospitality hath always ben reputed as one of the heinousest crimes that could be, even among the heathen. But to give harbour to the afflicted, and to the Church of Christ, it hath always (and specially in Christs Church) been reckoned among the chiefest virtues, and allowed of all good men.
Surely her Maiestie (like as also her brother of most blessed memorie Kyng Edward the vi. did) opened a Sanctuarie to outlawes,
Anon after, among the heinous offences never able to be purged with any sacrifice, and which most of all moveth the choler that boileth inwardly in the breast of the universal bishop, and sovereign Lord (as he him self will seem to be) as well in cases spiritual as temporal, because that power can abide no partnership: the foresaid thing is bitterly recited in the Bull, even in these words. Which will have her self acknowledged alone for sovereign Lady in cases spiritual and temporal, by usurping monstrously the place of supreme head. And finally which hath presumed to dispose parsons of churches & other Catholic Priests, and to make constitutions in cases Ecclesiastical deposing and oppressing the Catholic Bishops, and advancing or restoring wicked preachers and ministers of ungodliness to the rooms of those that be deposed &c.1 This (ye may see) is the fair Helene, for the winning of whom, the Romish Bishops have made war in Christendom now these certain hundred years against all Christen Kings and Princes. This is the ground of all their grief, verily this is the only cause for which they have turmoiled the whole world, and cease not to turmoil it even at this day, that is to wit in so great light of the Gospel, ⟨p. 43⟩which now shineth bright, and triumpheth through the whole world: a most assured proof of invincible shamelessness and wilfulness. For the Lord without any parable and most manifestly in the Gospel saith to the pastors of Churches, The kings of the Gentiles reign over them: but so shall not you. Nevertheless the Bishop who will seem to be the Prince of pastors, despising or rather trampling that so manifest commandment of the Lord under his feet, is not ashamed to take upon him all power as well in spiritual as temporal matters. And what else is that, but to wipe away all shamefastness, and openly and wickedly to rebel against God, and to outface him, with saying to him, but we will do so, and not simply, but also far further, yea and more to. But I have showed evidently enough afore, that all pastors of Churches are called and ordained by Christ, not to bear rule, but to serve in all things.
ANone after, among the haynous offences neuer able to be purged with any sacrifice, and which most of all moueth the choler that boyleth inwardly in the brest of the vniuersal bishop, and souerein Lord (as he him selfe will séeme to be) as well in cases spirituall as temporall, bycause that power can abyde no partnershyp: the foresayd thyng is bitterly recited in the Bull, euen in these wordes. Which will haue her selfe acknowledged alone for souerein Lady in cases spirituall and tēporall, by vsurpyng monstruously the place of supreme head. And finally which hath presumed to dispose parsons of churches & other Catholicke Priestes, and to make constitutions in cases Ecclesiasticall deposing and oppressing the Catholike Byshops, and aduauncing or restoryng wicked preachers and ministers of vngodlinesse to the roomes of those that be deposed &c.
Monstrously therefore doth the servant of servants which is excluded from all Lordship,1 and appointed only to do service, usurp to him self the thing that is peculiar only to sovereigns, whom God hath set in authority. For if the thing be said to be done monstrously, which is done either against nature or Gods express ordinance: I pray you what can be devised more monstrous, than that he whom the Lord of all things, of whom cometh all power and dominion, hath cast down as the basest servant of all, and put far underneath the footstools of all Lords, should not only take upon him the chair of estate which God hath granted only to kings: but also moreover, devise himself a throne which he will have seem to be exalted above the thrones of all kings: and mounting up into the same without remembrance of his own base estate, devilishly vaunt himself to the whole world, not now as a King or Emperor only, but also as chief Bishop that obtaineth both the swords and all power both in heaven and in earth? Here is that double shaped monster, here, here is ⟨image 49⟩seen that deadly and detestable, that horrible also and wonderful monster, which is blazed in the holy Scriptures by the title of the great whore which fitteth upon many waters,2 and upon the scarlet coloured beast full of names of blasphemy. But for a king or a Queen to be called a head as well in spiritual as temporal matters within their own Realm, it is no monstrousness at all, because the Lord hath so ordained it, & in Gods word Princes be called the heads of the people, & so the thing can not be said to be done monstrously against nature,3 which is done according to Gods will & word. With Kings I join Queens also, and not without cause, least the Pope perchance might surmise, that women are excluded from reigning, or that it is a monstrous thing if a woman should reign. For we know that the things which the Apostle speaketh concerning the obedience of wives and the silence of women in the congregation of God, are not to be wrested unto reigning. For it is certain that the Lords Apostles impeached not the successions in kingdoms, nor disordered not the accustomed manner of inheriting in kingdoms. Also we know that mention is made in the Bible, of the noble Queen of Saba to her great praise for her much conference with Solomon.
Monstruously therfore doth the seruaunt of seruauntes which is excluded from all Lordship,1 and appointed onely to do seruice, vsurpe to him selfe the thyng that is peculiar onely to souereines, whom God hath set in authoritie. For if the thyng be sayd to be done monstruously, which is done either agaynst nature or Gods expresse ordinaunce: I pray you what can be deuised more monstruous, than that he whom the Lord of all thinges, of whom commeth all power and dominion, hath cast downe as the basest seruaunt of all, and put farre vnderneath the footestooles of all Lordes, should not onely take vpon him the chayre of estate which God hath graunted onely to kynges: but also moreouer, deuise himselfe a throne which he will haue séeme to be exalted aboue the thrones of all kinges: and mountyng vp into the same without remembraunce of his own base estate, deuilishly vaunt himselfe to the whole world, not now as a King or Emperour onely, but also as chief Byshop that obteineth both the swordes and all power both in heauen and in earth? Here is that dubbleshapped monster, here, here is ⟨image 49⟩séen that deadly and detestable, that horrible also and wonderfull monster, which is blased in the holy Scriptures by the title of the great whore which fitteth vppon many waters,2 and vppon the scarlet colored beast full of names of blasphemie. But for a kyng or a Quéene to be called a head as well in spirituall as temporall matters within their owne Realme, it is no monstruousnesse at all, bycause the Lord hath so ordeined it, & in Gods word Princes be called the heades of the people, & so the thing can not be sayd to be done mōstruously agaynst nature,3 which is done according to Gods will & word. With Kyngs I ioyne Quéenes also, and not without cause, least the Pope perchaunce might surmyse, that women are excluded from reignyng, or that it is a monstruous thyng if a woman should reigne. For we know that the thinges which the Apostle speaketh concernyng the obedience of wiues and the silence of women in the congregation of God, are not to be wrested vnto reigning. For it is certein that the Lords Apostles impeached not the successions in kyngdomes, ne disordered not the accustomed maner of inherityng in kyngdomes. Also we know that mention is made in the Bible, of the noble Quéene of Saba to her great prayse for her much conference with Salomon.
