A17167:147
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 it is no monstrousness at all for the Queen of England to be called supreme head of the Realm of England upon earth.
¶That it is no monstruousnesse at all for the Queene of England to be called supreme head of the Realme of England vpon earth.
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.