A17167:252
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.
Certain princes therefore which had conspired among them selves chose Rafe of Rhynefild duke of Sweveland,1 yt Emperors own sisters son, and crowned him at Mens. Notwithstanding the townsmen keeping themselves true to the Emperor, were very sore grieved at the treason that was wrought against him: wherefore arming themselves in hast, and rushing into the church, they slew as many as they met of Rafes partakers, and set the church on a swim with blood. Afterward they flew also to the palace, and set fire upon it: and they followed the matter so hotly, that the King, and the Bishop of Mens had much a do to escape and save them selves by flight.2 Anon after there ensued so great a broil through all Germany, that no pen is able to express worthily, the sorrowfulness of these times. They that kept themselves true to the Emperor, were by the Hildebrandines, Gregorians, or papists, called heretics, schismatics, simoniacs, traitors, Nicholaites, and fornicators, that is to wit, because the priests took wives, which thing the pope forbade them to do. Yea truly all places were filled and overfilled with injuries, railings, murders, burnings, uproars, betrayinges, ravishings, and all manner of horrible and unspeakable wickedness. Furthermore, religion was brought into utter contempt almost with all men. Of all which things, the stories of these times bear witness most abundantly. And this was the fruit of the fullness of that popish power, whereby he deposeth kings, transposeth kingdoms, and dischargeth subjects of their faith and obedience. They that kept themselves faithful to the Emperor, were fain to thrust their Bishops out of their cities, as rank traitors to the Emperor. And the preachers in many parts of Germany,3 maintaining the Emperors part, inveighed very sore against the Bishop, affirming him to be Antichrist, and Rome to be Babylon: whereof whoso desireth more, let him read the fifth book of the Germane history, of John Aventine, in the leaf 426.
Certeine princes therfore which had conspired among thē selues chose Rafe of Rhynefild duke of Sweueland,1 yt Emperors own sisters sonne, and crowned him at Mens. Notwithstanding the townesmen kéeping themselues true to the Emperor, were very sore gréeued at the treason that was wrought against him: wherefore arming themselues in hast, and rushing into the church, they slew as many as they met of Rafes partakers, and set the church on a swim with blood. Afterward they flew also to the palace, and set fire vpon it: and they folowed the matter so whottely, that the King, and the Bishop of Mens had much a do to escape and saue them selues by flight.