A17167:211
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.
But it hath been showed in many words already, that the Queen is a catholic and Christian princess, and not guilty of any heresy or crime. Whereupon it followeth, that the pope by his condemning of so guiltless and right believing a Prince, bewrayeth and uttereth himself what he is, namely even one of those of whom Peter hath said,1 They despise higher powers: presumptuous are they and stubborn, and fear not to speak evil of them that be in authority &c. A few years past, the reverend Bishops of England did set forth a godly and learned Apology: in the third chapter whereof chiefly they show how the Realm of England hath no alliance at all with heretics, or heresies. In the same they plainly and steadfastly profess their faith, and openly declare themselves to be of a sound and christian religion, eloquently and truly washing away all the accusations and slanders of the papists. It is more manifest, then that it needeth to be reported with many words, what the Doctors,2 divines, & ministers of the Church of Christs time have thought to be heresy, and whom they have deemed to be heretics. As for the law of Lucius the third, concerning the suppressing of heresy (which is registered by Gregory the ninth, in the third book of decretals, & the seventh title concerning heretics) whereby the popes devise, and shape all their judgements and condemnations. Wise men and godly men have always deemed it tyrannical, contrary to the judgements of holy and religious antiquity: and therefore we think it not worth the naming, and we esteem all the decrees that be formed and pronounced according to the same, to be tyrannical. Yet notwithstanding I can not stay my self, but I must needs at this present rehearse the opinion of the ancient writer Tertullian concerning this matter. In his book of the veiling of Virgins, Heresies (saith he) are overcome, not so much by newness, as by truth. What so ever favoureth otherwise than of truth, the same is heresy, yea though it be even ancient custom. And again in Prescriptions of heretics. ⟨image 68⟩Heresies (saith the same author) are termed of the Greek word, as in respect of the choice which a man useth either in the maintaining, or in the receiving of them. And therefore he saith that an heretic is condemned in himself, because he hath chosen the thing wherein he is condemned.