The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members…

R. B. Reply. Qu. 3. Reply. Here you are fain to hide your self instead of answering; and show indeed that a Pope (that's made an essential part of the Church; subjection to whom is made of necessity to salvation) is indeed but a mere name, or a thing unknown; and so can be certainly believed or acknowledged by none. For either Election of him (by some body) is necessary, or not. If not, then you or another man unchosen may be Pope, for ought I know, or any man else. If yea; then it is either any bodies Election of him that will serve turn, or not. If it will, then you may be Pope, if your Scholars choose you, and then you have had three true Popes at once; for so many were Elected. But if it will not, then it must be known who hath the Power of Election, before it can be known who is indeed the Pope: But you are forced here by your answer to intimate to us, that the Power of Election cannot be known: and therefore the Pope cannot be known. For, ⟨p. 334⟩1. Here are no determinate Electors mentioned; and therefore it seems none known to you: And no wonder: for if you confine it to the people, or to the Cardinals, or to the Emperors, or to Councils, you cut off all your Popes that were chosen by the other ways. 2. Nor do you determine of any particular discernible note, by which the Electors, and power of election may be known to the Church: But all these patches make up your description. 1. It must be those that are esteemed fit for the charge. 2. And that by those to whom it belongs. 3. And that by custom. 4. And that approved. 5. And the Church must be satisfied with the election. O miserable body then that hath been so oft headless, as Rome hath been! 1. Will esteeming them fit, serve turn though they be unfit? then it is not the fitness that is necessary, but the estimation, (true or false.) 2. But why did you not tell us to whom it is that it belongs to esteem the Choosers fit? Here you were at a strait. But is not this to say nothing while you pretend to speak? and to hide what you pretend to open? 3. And who knows what custom, and of what continuance you mean? Primitive custom went one way; and afterward custom went another ⟨p. 335⟩way; and later custom hath varied from both; and hath the power of Election changed so oft? 4. And who is it that must approve this custom? and what approbation must there be?

R. B. Reply. Qu. 3. Reply. Here you are fain to hide your self instead of answering; and shew indeed that a Pope (thats made an essential part of the Church; subjection to whom is made of necessity to salvation) is indeed but a meer name, or a thing unknown; and so can be certainly believed or acknowledged by none. For either Election of him (by some body) is necessary, or not. If not, then you or another man unchosen may be Pope, for ought I know, or any man else. If yea; then it is either any bodies Election of him that will serve turn, or not. If it will, then you may be Pope, if your Scholars choose you, and then you have had three true Popes at once; for so many were Elected. But if it will not, then it must be known who hath the Power of Election, before it can be known who is indeed the Pope: But you are forced here by your answer to intimate to us, that the Power of Election cannot be known: and therefore the Pope cannot be known. For,