A17167:182
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.
¶The Queen of England hath justly commanded her subjects that they should not acknowledge the Church of Rome, or obey the laws thereof. Justly also hath she bound them by oath to abjure the authority and obedience of the Romish Bishop.
¶The Queene of England hath iustly cō maunded her subiectes that they should not acknowledge the Church of Rome, or obey the lawes therof. Iustly also hath she bound them by othe to abiure the authoritie and obedience of the Romish Byshop.
1The Bull proceedeth in his purposed accusation against the Queen, saying: She hath forbidden the Clergy and laity to acknowledge the Church of Rome or to obey the laws of it. Yea and she hath compelled them to renounce the authority & obedience of the Roman Bishop, by oath: appointing penalties and punishments to such as disobey: the which she hath executed upon those that have continued in the unity of faith and the obedience aforesaid. But the Queens Majesty even in this case also, hath done nothing but that the Lord God himself hath commanded her to do, & which all good Princes among the people of God have ⟨p. 54⟩done before her. For it is already manifestly enough showed and proved before, that by Gods ordinance it is lawful for Kings and Magistrates to take upon them the care and ordering both of cases and of persons Ecclesiastical. Therefore look what the Queen hath commanded her subjects in this behalf, she hath done but that she ought to do by virtue of her office. And whereas she hath commanded that they should not acknowledge the Church of Rome or obey the ordinances thereof, hath she not commanded that thing by the appointment of Gods word? for truly God commaū death his people in his law, that they should not give ear to such as teach things contrary to his law: also he commandeth the Magistrate that he give no place either to superstitions, or to false doctrines, but rather that he root up these,2 and restrain the others. Jeremiah (like as the rest of the Prophets also) inferreth and urgeth the same thing. Among other things (saith he) thus saith the Lord of hosts, hearken not to the words of the Prophets that prophesy unto you. For they teach you vanity, tell you the visions of their own hart, even their own inventions, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. But it is more clearer then the light of noon day, that the Romish Doctors and teachers are not only such, but moreover most cruel enemies to the sound doctrine of the Gospel, or rather persecutors imbrued with Christian blood. The Lord himself in his Gospel, but specially in Matthew the vij. and xxiiij. chapters, and in Luke the vij. chapter, hath forbidden us to give ear to false Prophets and false Christs, specially which shall come in this last perilous ago. He chargeth us that we should neither believe them nor follow them. And S.