The apology of the Church of England, and an epistle to one Seignior Scipio…

9. FOR although Popes have not as yet at any time been at leisure to think attentively and seriously of these things; or although other Thoughts may now hinder and distract them, or they may think these things light, and beneath the Dignity of the Popedom; is our Cause therefore to be thought ever the worse? or if perhaps they will pretend not to see what indeed they do see, and that they choose rather to oppose the Truth, even then when they are convinced of it; are we therefore presently to be reputed Heretics, because we cannot comply with their Wills? If Pope Pius the IIII. had been such a Person as his Name speaks him, and as he so much desires to be thought; nay, indeed if he had but been so good a man, as to have ⟨p. 12⟩esteemed us as his Brethren, or as MEN, certainly he would diligently have considered our Reasons, and what could have been alleged for and against us, and not with so rash and blindfold a precipitancy have condemned without hearing our cause, or allowing the Liberty of a Defence so considerable a part of the World, so many learned, so many Religious men, so many Commonwealths, so many Kings, and so many Princes as he has sentenced in his Bull, concerning his late pretended Council.

9. FOR although Popes have not as yet at any time been at leisure to think attentively and seriously of these things; or although other Thoughts may now hinder and distract them, or they may think these things light, and beneath the Dignity of the Popedom; is our Cause therefore to be thought ever the worse? or if perhaps they will pretend not to see what indeed they do see, and that they choose rather to oppose the Truth, even then when they are convinced of it; are we therefore presently to be reputed Hereticks, because we cannot comply with their Wills? If Pope Pius the IIII. had been such a Person as his Name speaks him, and as he so much desires to be thought; nay, indeed if he had but been so good a man, as to have ⟨p. 12⟩esteem'd us as his Brethren, or as MEN, certainly he would diligently have considered our Reasons, and what could have been alledged for and against us, and not with so rash and blindfold a precipitancy have condemned without hearing our cause, or allowing the Liberty of a Defence so considerable a part of the World, so many learned, so many Religious men, so many Commonwealths, so many Kings, and so many Princes as he has sentenced in his Bull, concerning his late pretended Council.