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

4. BUT Sir, we have much greater reason to wonder, that when the Pope hath beforehand condemned us, and publicly pronounced us excommunicated as Heretics, without ever hearing us make our Defence, or alleging any thing against us, he should afterwards call us to the Council; for to condemn and punish men first, and then to call them to Judgment, is a very absurd way of Procedure, a mere [Greek or Hebrew], a Cart before the Horses. But Sir, I would very gladly be informed if the Popes Intentions be to consult with us concerning Religion in this Council, whom he has condemned for Heretics, as I said, or if he intends we shall stand at ⟨p. 149⟩the Bar, and be obliged forthwith to change our Minds, or be immediately condemned again? one of these things is new or without Example, and stiffly denied to those of our Persuasion, by Pope Julius the third; and the other is ridiculous, if he thinks the English so silly, as to come to the Council for no other purpose but to be accused, and make their Defence as well as they can, and before his Holiness especially, who is long since accused himself, not only by us, but by his own party, of many great Crimes.

4. BUT Sir, we have much greater reason to wonder, that when the Pope hath beforehand condemn'd us, and publickly pronounc'd us excommunicated as Hereticks, without ever hearing us make our Defence, or alledging any thing against us, he should afterwards call us to the Council; for to condemn and punish men first, and then to call them to Judgment, is a very absurd way of Procedure, a meer 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a Cart before the Horses. But Sir, I would very gladly be inform'd if the Popes Intentions be to consult with us concerning Religion in this Council, whom he has condemn'd for Hereticks, as I said, or if he intends we shall stand at ⟨p. 149⟩the Bar, and be obliged forthwith to change our Minds, or be immediately condemn'd again? one of these things is new or without Example, and stiffly denied to those of our Perswasion, by Pope Julius the third; and the other is ridiculous, if he thinks the English so silly, as to come to the Council for no other purpose but to be accused, and make their Defence as well as they can, and before his Holiness especially, who is long since accused himself, not only by us, but by his own party, of many great Crimes.