A19567:28
The copy of certain letters sent to the Queen, and also to doctor Martin…The copy of certain lettres sent to the Quene, and also to doctour Martin…
The copy of certain letters sent to the Queen, and also to doctor Martin and doctor Story, by the most reverend father in God, Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury from prison in Oxford: who (after long and most grievous strait imprisoning and cruel handling) most constantly and willingly suffered martyrdom there, for the true testimony of Christ, in March. 1556The copy of certain lettres sent to the Quene, and also to doctour Martin and doctour Storye, by the most reuerende father in God, Thomas Cranmer Archebishop of Cantorburye from prison in Oxeforde: who (after long and most greuous strayt emprisoning and cruell handlyng) most constauntly and willingly suffred martirdome ther, for the true testimonie of Christ, in Marche. 1556
Emden: printed by Egidius van der Erve, 1556
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.
Moreover as the pope taketh upon him to give the temporal sword, or royal and Imperial power to kings and princes, so doth he likewise take upon him to depose them from their Imperial states, if they be disobedient to him: and commandeth the subjects to disobey their princes, assoiling the subjects aswell of their obedience, as of their lawful oaths made unto their true kings & princes directly contrary to God's commandment, who commandeth all subjects to obey their kings, or their rulers under them. One Johan Patriarch of Constantinople in the time ⟨image 11⟩of saint Gregory claimed superiority above all other bishops. To whom Saint Gregory writeth, that therein he did injury to his three brethren, which were equal with him: that is to say, the Bishop of Rome, the bishop of Alexandria, and of Antiochia: which three were patriarchal seas, as well as Constantinople, and were brethren one to an other. But (sayeth saint Gregory) If any one shall exalt him self above all the rest, to be the universal bishop, the same passeth in pride. But now the Bis. of Rome exalteth him self, not only above all bishops, but also above all kings and Emperors, and above all the hole world: taking upon him to give and take away, to set up and put down, as he shall think good.1 And as the Devil having no such authority, yet toke upon him to give unto Christ all the kingdoms of the world, if he would fall down & worship him: in like manner the pope taketh upon him to give empires & kingdoms (being non of his) to such as will fall down and worship him, and kiss his feet. And moreover his lawyers and glossers so flatter him, that they feign he may command emperors ⟨image 12⟩and kings to hold his stirrup, when he lighteth upon his horse, and to be his footmen. And that if any emperor or king give him any thing, they give him nothing, but that is his own. And that he may dispense against God's word, against both the old and new testament, against saint Pauls epistles, and against the Gospel. And furthermore whatsoever he doth, although he draw innumerable people by heaps with him self in to hell: Yet may no mortal man reprove him: because he being judge of all men, may be judged of no man. And thus he sitteth in the temple of God,2 as he were a God, and nameth him self God's vicar: And yet he dispenseth against God.