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

6. BUT now if they shall pretend that all these things are antiquated and worn out of use, and so are in a sort dead, and do not concern our times, yet that men may see what Faith is to be given to these Men, and with what Hope they call Councils, let us consider in a few instances, how well they observe those things which have been ordained of late years, and which are fresh in Memory, by Councils which they pretend were lawfully called, and in which they themselves decreed those things I shall mention, to be Religiously observed. In the last Council of Trent, ¹not much above fourteen years since, it was decreed by the common Vote of all Orders there present,² that two Benefices should not be committed at one time to the same Person. Where is that Sanction now? Is that so soon antiquated and dead too? for they do frequently give not only two Benefices, but sometimes also several Monasteries too, and sometimes two, three or four Bishoprics to one Man, and he too sometimes not only unlearned, and consequently thereby unfit for them, but a Soldier. In the same Council it was decreed, that all Bishops ought to preach the Gospel; but they never Preach, nor ever come in a Pulpit, nor do they think it in the least any part of their Duty. What then is the meaning of all that show of Antiquity? Why do they glory so in the Names of the Fathers, and of the ancient and modern Councils? Why would they so fain seem to rely upon their Authority, whom, as occasion serve, at their Pleasure they despise?

6. BUT now if they shall pretend that all these things are antiquated and worn out of use, and so are in a sort dead, and do not concern our times, yet that men may see what Faith is to be given to these Men, and with what Hope they call Councils, let us consider in a few instances, how well they observe those things which have been ordained of late years, and which are fresh in Memory, by Councils which they pretend were lawfully called, and in which they themselves decreed those things I shall mention, to be Religiously observed. In the last Council of Trent, ¹not much above fourteen years since, it was decreed by the common Vote of all Orders there present,²