A46876:356
The apology of the Church of England, and an epistle to one Seignior Scipio…
The apology of the Church of England, and an epistle to one Seignior Scipio a Venetian gentleman, concerning the Council of Trent written both in Latin / by ... John Jewel ... ; made English by a person of quality ; to which is added, The life of the said bishop ; collected and written by the same hand.
London: printed by T. H. for Richard Chiswell, 1685
Letter: AN EPISTLE Written by the Reverend Father in God JOHN JEWEL, Lord Bishop of SARUM, TO S…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
12. For the Pope indeed does but dissemble with the World (that you may not be deluded) he intends no Council: nor are you to think that he acts any thing sincerely and truly. He that knows not how to dissemble (said Lewis the 11th. to Charles the 8th. his Successor) knows not how to Reign: And much more he that knows not how to dissemble, and conceal his Counsels under the Gravity of his Looks, as things go now, will never be able to act the part of a Pope, for that See is supported merely by Hypocrisy; and is forced to supply the Defects of a natural Strength with pretended Colours and Shows. For if the Popes did indeed think that a General Council was of such wonderful efficacy for the suppressing Schisms, why did they so very long delay so necessary a means of it? Why did they sit still thirty years, and suffer Luther's Doctrine to take root? Why did they ⟨p. 158⟩not presently call a Council? Why did they at last call the Council of Trent with great unwillingness and reluctancy, and more by the Impulse of Charles the Emperor, than by their own free Wills? and when the Council had sit almost ten years at Trent, why after so tedious a Consultation, was nothing brought to an Issue? Why did they leave their Business undone? Who hindered them? Who withstood them? Believe me in this my Brother, the Pope has no design now that a Council should meet, or Religion be reformed, which they perfectly despise. All their Business, Desires and Contentions, aim at nothing but the deluding the Minds of Religious Men, and the whole World, with the Expectation of a General Council.
12. For the Pope indeed does but dissemble with the World (that you may not be deluded) he intends no Council: nor are you to think that he acts any thing sincerely and truly. He that knows not how to dissemble (said Lewis the 11th. to Charles the 8th. his Successor) knows not how to Reign: And much more he that knows not how to dissemble, and conceal his Counsels under the Gravity of his Looks, as things go now, will never be able to act the part of a Pope, for that See is supported meerly by Hypocrisie; and is forced to supply the Defects of a natural Strength with pretended Colours and Shews. For if the Popes did indeed think that a General Council was of such wonderful efficacy for the suppressing Schisms, why did they so very long delay so necessary a means of it? Why did they sit still thirty years, and suffer Luthers Doctrine to take root? Why did they ⟨p. 158⟩