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…

But if any man desire to here some singular thing of S. Peter: he is always set first in the register of the holy Apostles. But all men know that this formershyp of Peters, is not in over ruling, but in order: for according to the doctrine of the Gospel, all the Apostles were endued with like dignity and power, and the Churches were governed by their travel in common. In the mean while it was requisite that there should be order both in speaking and doing for the avoidance of disordered confusion: & they that had obtained greater gifts were more honoured and had in more estimation and authority than the residue. Like as Paul speaking of James,¹ Peter, and John, saith that they seemed to be pillars in the Church. Not for that they were preferred afore all the rest, or had obtained a larger Commission: but because that having obtained greater gifts, they did more luckily and easily go through with all points of their charge (wherein otherwise, the residue had as good part as they) and therefore were had in greater price and estimation among the faithful. So also were the Apostolic Churches which were first founded by the Apostles, worthily had in great price and estimation in old time. For their authority was of great credit with other Churches: not that they were believed to have superiority over them, but because that being the first that were converted ⟨p. 27⟩to the faith, they kept still unimpaired, the faith which they had once learned of the Apostles, and gave light to other Churches, by their pureness and constancy. These things are set forth more at large by a very ancient writer called Tertullian in the prescriptions of heretics. In which place also he not only calleth Rome an Apostolic Church, but Ephesus also, and Corinth, and Thessalonica, and other Churches founded by the Apostles. And it is not to be doubted but that the men of old time called Peter and Paul the princes of the Apostles: not that they were secular or worldly princes, or that they had dominion over the rest, or that they had obtained a larger commission: but because that being endowed by God with most excellent gifts, both in their sayings and doings, yea and finally in their writings and virtues they shined as most bright Cressets among the rest of the Stars.

But if any man desire to here some singular thyng of S. Peter: he is alwayes set first in the register of the holie Apostles. But all men know that this formershyp of Peters, is not in ouer ruling, but in order: for accordyng to the doctrine of the Gospell, all the Apostles were indewed with like dignitie and power, and the Churches were gouerned by their trauell in common. In the meane while it was requisite that there should be order both in speakyng and doing for the auoydance of disordered confusion: & they that had obteined greater giftes were more honored and had in more estimation and authoritie than the residew. Like as Paule speaking of Iames,