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

15. FOR it is worth the while to consider their Arts and Stratagems; how often have Councils been called, and yet have not met? how often has a small flying Rumour defeated all their Preparations, and other mens Expectations? How often have the Purple Dons slipped home, without doing any thing, and adjourned the next Session to the ninth or tenth year? How often has the Weather, Provisions, the Place, or the Time not suited with their Humours? For the Pope alone calls the Councils, and dismisseth them when he will: if any thing doth not please him, or things begin to go cross to his Interest, presently you hear his Valet & Plaudit, Clap your Hands and farewell. A Council was called at Basil, great numbers assembled from all Places, many things were seriously debated: Pope Eugenius is condemned as an Heretic and a Simonaical Prelate by all the Votes; and Amideus, Duke of Savoy substituted in his place. Eugenius, as he had reason, takes this ill, as a thing of bad example to Posterity; his Power being very much above all Councils: no Council can meet (said he) but by his Order, nor determine any thing against his Will, therefore it is a lewd thing to search into his Life in a Conventicle of Bishops. So without delay, he calls the Council first to Ferrara in Italy, and then translates it to Florence. What is the matter I pray? did Pope Eugenius think the change of Air would produce a change in their Minds, or that the Holy Ghost would give Answers more wisely in Italy, than he had in Germany? No, he did not seek Christ in all his Changes, but his ⟨p. 163⟩own dear Interest; he saw that in Germany, Sigismund the Emperor was his Enemy, and that his authority, and the Favour he had there, was too great; and he thought that if these Fathers were transplanted from those cold Climates into Italy (they might like trees removed) become more mild, and their Fruit more pleasant: for (O immortal God!) that is not now any part of the Business of a Council to find out the Truth, or suppress Falsehood; the only Business of Popes in Councils in these latter Ages, has been the confirming the Roman Tyranny, the promoting Wars, the embroiling the Christian Princes, and engaging them one against another; the Levying Money, sometimes for Expeditions into the Holy Land, at other times for the building St. Peters Church;

15. FOR it is worth the while to consider their Arts and Stratagems; how often have Councils been call'd, and yet have not met? how often has a small flying Rumour defeated all their Preparations, and other mens Expectations? How often have the Purple Dons slipt home, without doing any thing, and adjourn'd the next Session to the ninth or tenth year? How often has the Weather, Provisions, the Place, or the Time not suited with their Humors? For the Pope alone calls the Councils, and dismisseth them when he will: if any thing doth not please him, or things begin to go cross to his Interest, presently you hear his Valete & Plaudite, Clap your Hands and farewell. A Council was call'd at Basil, great numbers assembled from all Places, many things were seriously debated: Pope Eugenius is condemn'd as an Heretick and a Simonaical Prelate by all the Votes; and Amideus, Duke of Savoy substituted in his place. Eugenius, as he had reason, takes this ill, as a thing of bad example to Posterity; his Power being very much above all Councils: no Council can meet (said he) but by his Order, nor determine any thing against his Will, therefore it is a lewd thing to search into his Life in a Conventicle of Bishops. So without delay, he calls the Council first to Ferrara in Italy, and then translates it to Florence. What is the matter I pray? did Pope Eugenius think the change of Air would produce a change in their Minds, or that the Holy Ghost would give Answers more wisely in Italy, than he had in Germany? No, he did not seek Christ in all his Changes, but his