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

8. BUT now no man need wonder, when none of us are permitted, not only not to sit, but not so much as to be seen in their Council, so far are we from being freely heard, when the Popes, Legates, and all the Patriarchs, Arch-Bishops, Bishops and Abbots are in a Conspiracy, and united by their ⟨p. 115⟩common Crimes, all sworn in the same Oath, only sit, and have alone the Power of voting: and as if all this were not enough, have submitted all their Judgments to the Will and Humour of the Pope alone: That he who ought to answer for his own Faults, shall give Sentence in his own Cause upon himself, when that ancient Christian Liberty, which it is absolutely necessary should be very great in Councils, is totally taken away. (I say) after all this, wise and good Men ought not to wonder, if we do now, that which they have seen done before in the like case, by so many Fathers and Catholic Bishops: That is, that seeing we cannot be heard in the Council, and that the Ambassadors of Princes are had in Contempt and Scorn there; and that as if the thing were already determined and agreed, we are condemned before we are heard: if after all this we had rather sit at home and commit the business to God, than to go thither, where we shall have no place nor effect any thing. But tho we can patiently and quietly bear our own Injuries; yet why should they shut Christian and Pious Princes out of their Councils? Why do they so rudely and insolently put them out, and not suffer them to hear the business of Religion debated; or to understand the State of their own Churches, as if they were not Christians, or could not judge well of it; or if these Princes interpose their Authority, and do that which they may, are commanded, and ought to do, and which we know David and Solomon, and other good Princes have done; that is, if they restrain the Luxury of ⟨p. 116⟩the Priests, and compel them to do their duty, and keep them to it. If they pluck down Idols, extirpate Superstitions, and restore the Worship of God to its ancient Purity. Why do they presently make an Outcry, that these Princes disturb all things, break in upon other Mens Offices, and do act ill things and immodestly? What Scripture (I pray) hath excluded Christian Princes from hearing these Causes? Who besides these Men ever decreed any such Laws?

8. BUT now no man need wonder, when none of us are permitted, not only not to sit, but not so much as to be seen in their Council, so far are we from being freely heard, when the Popes, Legats, and all the Patriarchs, Arch-Bishops, Bishops and Abbots are in a Conspiracy, and united by their