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

Peter, the Vicar of Christ, and the Head of the Catholic Church, and in spite of all, retained his former ⟨p. 171⟩Dignity, and was born as before on the shoulders of Noble Men magnificently and loftily. And Amideus, a simple man, like one unhorsed, walked upon his Feet, and thought himself happy enough, that of a Pope he was become a Cardinal. The late Council at Trent made a Decree, that the Bishops should teach the People, and that no one of them should at the same time have two or more Bishoprics: they on the other side, contrary to the Canon of their own Council, enjoy Pluralities, and teach nothing, and so they make such Laws as they will not be bound by but when they please; at this rate have they ever valued their own Councils and Decrees.

Peter, the Vicar of Christ, and the Head of the Catholick Church, and in spite of all, retaind his former ⟨p. 171⟩Dignity, and was born as before on the shoulders of Noble Men magnificently and loftily. And Amideus, a simple man, like one unhorsed, walked upon his Feet, and thought himself happy enough, that of a Pope he was become a Cardinal. The late Council at Trent made a Decree, that the Bishops should teach the People, and that no one of them should at the same time have two or more Bishopricks: they on the other side, contrary to the Canon of their own Council, enjoy Pluralities, and teach nothing, and so they make such Laws as they will not be bound by but when they please; at this rate have they ever valued their own Councils and Decrees.

22. AND now (Sir) what reason have we to expect at this time a better Event of things? for, for what cause, upon what hope and Expectation is the Council held? be pleased Sir, to consider with your self but this one thing, what kind of Men they are, upon whose Fidelity, Learning and Judgment the weight of the whole Council, the debating all those great Questions, and the sum of the whole Affair depends? they are indeed called Abbots and Bishops grave Men, and great Names, and, as it is thought, of great account in the Management of the Church of God; but if you strip them of the Names, Robes, and Personages of such Men, what have they that is at all like a Bishop or an Abbot? for they are no Ministers of Christ, no Dispensers of the Mysteries of God; they do not attend the reading, nor teach the Gospel, nor feed the Flock, nor till the