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consulship_n there_o be_v civil_a war_n in_o rome_n betwixt_o constantine_n himself_o and_o maxentius_n who_o have_v set_v up_o himself_o as_o a_o usurper_n in_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n through_o the_o aid_n of_o the_o praetorian_a soldier_n by_o reason_n whereof_o consider_v that_o maxentius_n be_v a_o great_a enemy_n to_o the_o christian_n and_o have_v on_o his_o side_n a_o infinite_a number_n of_o the_o great_a man_n within_o the_o city_n it_o do_v well_o appear_v that_o that_o time_n be_v utter_o unmeet_a for_o constantine_n to_o advance_v pope_n silvester_n and_o the_o roman_a clergy_n so_o great_o as_o this_o pretend_a donation_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v and_o true_o in_o the_o very_a same_o year_n of_o this_o four_o consulship_n the_o senate_n of_o rome_n do_v canonize_v and_o inrowle_v
still_o spite_n of_o all_o the_o corruptinge_n and_o darckninge_n of_o this_o world_n and_o of_o the_o maintainer_n of_o they_o and_o in_o very_a deed_n god_n who_o govern_v the_o do_n of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n by_o his_o providence_n have_v reserve_v still_o in_o this_o miserable_a world_n a_o great_a number_n of_o good_a and_o honest_a man_n and_o of_o such_o as_o love_v virtue_n and_o like_o as_o in_o the_o foresay_a time_n of_o the_o civil_a war_n among_o the_o roman_n tacitus_n say_v that_o that_o age_n be_v not_o so_o barrayn_a of_o honest_a man_n but_o that_o it_o bring_v forth_o some_o good_a example_n so_o also_o may_v we_o say_v that_o even_o in_o this_o age_n of_o we_o how_o much_o soever_o it_o be_v infect_v and_o corrupt_v yet_o have_v god_n of_o his_o gracious_a goodness_n reserve_v many_o still_o which_o to_o follow_v the_o pure_a religion_n and_o virtue_n have_v constant_o endure_v poverty_n loss_n of_o their_o good_n the_o cruel_a murder_n of_o their_o child_n kinsfolk_n and_o friend_n banishment_n out_o of_o their_o country_n absence_n from_o their_o house_n and_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o other_o adversity_n and_o inconvenience_n which_o thing_n give_v we_o assurance_n that_o our_o lord_n god_n will_v always_o maintain_v a_o certain_a number_n of_o good_a man_n here_o below_o which_o shall_v embrace_v virtue_n by_o maintain_v good_a law_n and_o discipline_n and_o follow_v the_o light_n of_o the_o truth_n which_o abide_v invincible_a for_o ever_o and_o shall_v scatter_v the_o mist_n and_o cloud_n that_o set_v themselves_o against_o it_o 4._o the_o worthy_a judgement_n of_o that_o great_a monarch_n darius_n king_n of_o the_o mede_n and_o persian_n will_v never_o slip_v out_o of_o the_o remembrance_n of_o man_n for_o this_o king_n have_v upon_o a_o time_n make_v a_o royal_a feast_n to_o all_o the_o governor_n captain_n and_o other_o officer_n of_o his_o dominion_n which_o be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o extend_v over_o a_o hundred_o and_o seven_o and_o twenty_o province_n be_v content_v to_o hear_v a_o disputation_n between_o three_o young_a gentleman_n of_o jury_n that_o be_v attendant_a upon_o his_o own_o person_n of_o who_o the_o one_o maintain_v that_o nothing_o be_v strong_a than_o wine_n because_o that_o common_o it_o overcome_v aswell_o the_o great_a as_o the_o small_a another_o say_v that_o nothing_o be_v strong_a than_o a_o king_n because_o that_o with_o one_o only_a word_n of_o his_o mouth_n he_o can_v make_v man_n to_o be_v slay_v city_n to_o be_v raze_v and_o fortress_n to_o be_v beat_v down_o when_o he_o list_v and_o the_o three_o name_v zorobabel_n a_o gentleman_n of_o the_o blood_n royal_a descend_v of_o the_o line_n of_o david_n uphold_v that_o truth_n be_v strong_a of_o all_o thing_n because_o it_o continue_v in_o force_n everlasting_o and_o shall_v reign_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o darius_n have_v hear_v this_o disputation_n and_o know_v well_o how_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o truth_n be_v the_o thing_n of_o great_a strength_n and_o of_o long_a continuance_n in_o all_o the_o world_n give_v the_o prize_n to_o zorabable_a as_o to_o he_o that_o have_v be_v of_o best_a opinion_n and_o give_v he_o great_a gift_n and_o privilege_n aswell_o for_o himself_o as_o for_o all_o his_o whole_a nation_n command_v that_o from_o thence_o forth_o zorobabel_n shall_v be_v call_v the_o king_n cousin_n which_o judgement_n of_o this_o great_a king_n aught_o to_o be_v well_o consider_v of_o all_o person_n and_o special_o of_o king_n and_o prince_n that_o they_o may_v geve_v themselves_o earnest_o to_o the_o seek_v out_o of_o the_o truth_n in_o all_o thing_n as_o well_o in_o case_n of_o religion_n as_o in_o civil_a and_o worldly_a affair_n and_o esteem_v it_o more_o strong_a and_o invincible_a than_o any_o force_n of_o man._n for_o certain_o there_o be_v neither_o king_n nor_o emperor_n fire_n nor_o sword_n pain_n nor_o torment_n that_o ever_o can_v quench_v the_o truth_n or_o overcome_v it_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o in_o these_o day_n many_o man_n be_v doubtful_a in_o the_o case_n of_o religion_n where_o they_o shall_v seek_v the_o truth_n i_o will_v not_o here_o forget_v the_o rule_n which_o the_o great_a emperor_n of_o rome_n constantine_n do_v set_v down_o at_o the_o cosicell_n of_o nice_a in_o bithynia_n 5._o for_o the_o decide_n of_o the_o point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o be_v to_o be_v handle_v and_o treat_v of_o there_o for_o have_v assemble_v the_o council_n together_o to_o determine_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n that_o arrius_n have_v sow_v at_o that_o time_n when_o he_o have_v make_v the_o bishop_n to_o take_v their_o place_n every_o one_o in_o his_o degree_n which_o be_v to_o the_o number_n of_o 318._o beside_o the_o elder_n and_o deacon_n that_o accompany_v they_o who_o be_v above_o 500_o he_o sit_v he_o down_o among_o they_o in_o a_o low_a chair_n and_o make_v this_o oration_n to_o they_o well_o beseem_v his_o majesty_n and_o godliness_n my_o lord_n and_o father_n quoth_v he_o forasmuch_o as_o god_n have_v vouchsafe_v to_o put_v down_o the_o cruel_a prince_n by_o my_o hand_n and_o to_o geve_v peace_n to_o the_o world_n under_o my_o reign_n it_o be_v meet_v that_o you_o also_o in_o this_o holy_a assembly_n shall_v do_v your_o endeavour_v to_o set_v a_o stable_a unity_n and_o concord_n in_o the_o church_n for_o it_o be_v to_o evil_a a_o example_n if_o after_o the_o overcome_v of_o our_o enemy_n the_o public_a peace_n shall_v now_o be_v disturb_v by_o the_o controversy_n and_o disagreement_n of_o the_o shepherd_n of_o the_o church_n a_o thing_n that_o will_v minister_v occasion_n and_o matter_n to_o the_o ungodly_a to_o mock_v our_o religion_n &_o to_o laugh_v it_o to_o scorn_v now_o then_o sith_o we_o be_v to_o treat_v here_o of_o divine_a matter_n we_o must_v take_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n for_o our_o rule_n and_o resort_v to_o the_o book_n of_o the_o evangelist_n apostle_n and_o prophet_n which_o teach_v we_o what_o opinion_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o concern_v god_n holy_a law_n therefore_o set_v aside_o all_o stoutness_n of_o contention_n let_v we_o seek_v the_o resolution_n of_o our_o question_n in_o the_o word_n that_o be_v inspire_v by_o god._n after_o this_o short_a and_o notable_a speech_n make_v by_o that_o great_a emperor_n the_o council_n be_v hold_v and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o arrius_n be_v thorough_o debate_v by_o the_o only_a word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o end_n just_o condemn_v by_o those_o holy_a father_n as_o utter_o contrary_a to_o a_o number_n of_o express_a place_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o avow_v unto_o we_o the_o godhead_n and_o everlastingness_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n which_o thing_n arrius_n do_v wicked_o deny_v but_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o by_o the_o way_n that_o in_o this_o speech_n of_o constantine_n we_o have_v three_o duty_n to_o mark_v which_o do_v well_o beseem_v a_o great_a prince_n the_o one_o be_v to_o be_v incline_v to_o public_a peace_n and_o tranquillity_n and_o to_o procure_v the_o maintenance_n thereof_o by_o all_o lawful_a mean_n another_o be_v to_o love_v the_o truth_n above_o all_o thing_n chief_o in_o case_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o three_o be_v to_o seek_v the_o same_o truth_n in_o the_o scripture_n inspire_v by_o god._n now_o i_o beseech_v god_n of_o his_o gracious_a goodness_n to_o make_v your_o majesty_n virtue_n &_o godliness_n to_o shine_v forth_o daily_o more_o and_o more_o in_o those_o holy_a duty_n and_o to_o cause_v your_o royal_a highness_n to_o grow_v great_a and_o great_a in_o all_o his_o heavenly_a gift_n and_o in_o all_o honour_n and_o felicity_n date_v the_o 15._o day_n of_o february_n the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n 1578._o the_o author_n of_o this_o apology_n his_o song_n the_o pope_n of_o rome_n a_o thousand_o canon_n bend_n against_o the_o church_n which_o do_v god_n word_n embrace_v and_o stout_o forth_o his_o own_o decree_n he_o send_v the_o sovereign_a lord_n commandment_n to_o deface_v or_o rather_o quite_o and_o clean_o away_o to_o chase_v presume_v proud_o for_o to_o bear_v chief_a sway_n in_o man_n salvation_n every_o kind_n of_o way_n he_o think_v ere_o long_o that_o noble_a fort_n to_o win_v and_o triumph_v aforehand_o in_o despite_n of_o heavenly_a truth_n he_o set_v he_o down_o within_o god_n temple_n boast_v even_o in_o open_a sight_n himself_o as_o god_n and_o strive_v with_o all_o his_o might_n to_o maintain_v still_o his_o lordly_a sovereignty_n aswell_o above_o as_o underneath_o the_o sky_n but_o thou_o oh_o christ_n our_o king_n omnipotent_a reach_v out_o thine_o arm_n and_o with_o thy_o skilful_a hand_n lay_v hold_v upon_o the_o canon_n that_o be_v bend_v against_o thou_o by_o the_o romish_a tyrant_n band_n and_o turn_v they_o back_o at_o he_o that_o have_v they_o
amongst_o the_o roman_n catholic_n the_o pilgrimage_n to_o jerusalem_n to_o visit_v the_o holy_a sepulchre_n be_v high_o esteem_v as_o most_o holy_a devout_a painful_a and_o meritorious_a and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o a_o certain_a canon_n say_v 2._o it_o be_v nothing_o worth_a to_o have_v be_v at_o jerusalem_n but_o to_o have_v live_v well_o there_o these_o be_v the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o canon_n take_v out_o of_o s._n jerom._n it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n worthy_a praise_n say_v he_o to_o have_v be_v at_o jerusalem_n but_o to_o have_v live_v well_o at_o jerusalem_n and_o as_o touch_v contemplation_n whereby_o the_o monk_n will_v colour_n and_o maintain_v their_o idle_a life_n 5._o their_o own_o canon_n do_v open_o condemn_v they_o say_v that_o monk_n ought_v to_o exercise_v themselves_o in_o till_v the_o land_n in_o dress_v of_o garden_n in_o graft_n of_o fruit_n tree_n in_o make_v of_o net_n to_o catch_v fish_n in_o copy_v of_o book_n and_o final_o in_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o bee_n which_o never_o cease_v to_o be_v do_v of_o somewhat_o and_o the_o same_o canon_n do_v also_o witness_v that_o in_o the_o monastery_n of_o egypt_n they_o never_o receive_v any_o moonk_a but_o upon_o condition_n that_o he_o shall_v labour_v not_o so_o much_o for_o his_o own_o necessity_n that_o he_o may_v have_v whereof_o to_o live_v as_o to_o keep_v their_o mind_n from_o wander_v about_o evil_a imagination_n in_o so_o much_o that_o we_o read_v that_o in_o old_a time_n there_o be_v in_o egypte_n a_o good_a abbot_n name_v serapion_n 1._o which_o have_v under_o his_o charge_n ten_o thousand_o monk_n which_o be_v so_o little_o allow_v and_o like_v of_o poverty_n as_o that_o they_o be_v very_o full_a of_o husbandly_a ordinance_n for_o the_o well_o govern_v of_o the_o good_n and_o riches_n belong_v to_o the_o monastery_n insomuch_o that_o there_o be_v a_o canon_n which_o condemn_v a_o certain_a kind_n of_o people_n for_o heretic_n which_o term_v themselves_o apostolical_a as_o follower_n of_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o make_v profession_n to_o have_v nothing_o private_a of_o their_o own_o and_o therefore_o by_o this_o canon_n a_o man_n may_v say_v that_o all_o beggar_n be_v heretic_n and_o who_o do_v not_o see_v the_o infinite_a number_n of_o abuse_n which_o be_v creep_v into_o the_o order_n of_o monk_n in_o prote_n of_o time_n against_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o canon_n for_o 1._o say_v the_o canon_n if_o thou_o desire_v to_o be_v a_o monk_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o solitary_a person_n as_o thou_o do_v name_v thyself_o what_o do_v thou_o in_o the_o city_n which_o be_v no_o place_n for_o solitary_a people_n but_o for_o such_o as_o shall_v haunt_v company_n and_o another_o canon_n follow_v say_v thus_o let_v the_o monk_n be_v content_v with_o his_o cloister_n for_o like_a as_o a_o fish_n do_v die_v as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v out_o of_o the_o water_n even_o so_o do_v a_o monk_n when_o he_o be_v out_o of_o his_o cloister_n therefore_o let_v he_o be_v solitary_a and_o hold_v his_o peace_n for_o he_o be_v dead_a to_o the_o world_n but_o alive_a unto_o god._n but_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o do_v we_o not_o see_v how_o the_o monk_n be_v plant_v in_o the_o best_a and_o great_a city_n and_o in_o the_o fair_a place_n of_o they_o and_o in_o exceed_o princely_a and_o stately_a house_n whereas_o in_o ancient_a time_n they_o be_v content_v to_o dwell_v in_o wild_a field_n and_o forest_n and_o in_o little_a cabonet_n build_v in_o the_o corner_n of_o some_o rock_n shall_v not_o a_o man_n meet_v they_o now_o at_o all_o hour_n in_o every_o street_n in_o market_n and_o plead_v place_n in_o inn_n in_o field_n in_o town_n and_o in_o castle_n in_o stead_n of_o be_v within_o their_o cloister_n furthermore_o the_o monk_n in_o old_a time_n of_o what_o sort_n so_o ever_o they_o be_v do_v eat_v no_o flesh_n flesh_n at_o all_o but_o follow_v the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o canon_n which_o say_v thus_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o monk_n either_o to_o eat_v or_o to_o taste_v of_o flesh_n not_o for_o that_o we_o esteem_v the_o creature_n of_o god_n to_o be_v ill_a 5._o but_o for_o that_o we_o judge_v it_o meet_v and_o necessary_a that_o monk_n shall_v abstain_v from_o flesh_n except_v only_o those_o which_o be_v sick_a now_o then_o if_o it_o happen_v that_o any_o monk_n break_v the_o ordinance_n of_o this_o ancient_a rule_n and_o custom_n dare_v presume_v to_o eat_v flesh_n let_v he_o be_v shut_v up_o and_o keep_v as_o a_o close_a prisoner_n by_o the_o space_n of_o six_o month_n to_o do_v his_o penance_n see_v now_o how_o the_o monk_n be_v bridle_v by_o their_o own_o canon_n but_o the_o most_o part_n of_o they_o have_v since_o that_o time_n break_v their_o bit_n for_o now_o there_o be_v none_o but_o the_o monk_n of_o the_o charterhouse_n the_o celestine_n and_o these_o new_a come_v capusme_n and_o smoke_n monk_n which_o will_v observe_v that_o canon_n and_o yet_o their_o observe_v of_o it_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n but_o in_o outward_a show_n and_o hypocrisy_n true_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o but_o this_o to_o be_v find_v fault_n with_o in_o the_o order_n of_o monkery_n the_o matter_n be_v not_o great_a for_o christian_n liberty_n give_v every_o man_n leave_v to_o use_v all_o kind_n of_o meat_n which_o god_n have_v create_v for_o man_n use_n so_o that_o he_o take_v it_o moderate_o with_o thanks_n give_v but_o the_o cause_n that_o lead_v i_o to_o speak_v of_o this_o point_n among_o the_o rest_n be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o monk_n of_o these_o day_n do_v not_o observe_v their_o ancient_a canon_n and_o by_o the_o canon_n also_o nun_n in_o ancient_a time_n it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o any_o nun_n to_o take_v the_o veil_n and_o to_o profess_v herself_o a_o nun_n unless_o she_o be_v above_o forty_o year_n of_o age_n but_o in_o these_o day_n they_o be_v force_v to_o take_v it_o upon_o they_o be_v but_o thirteen_o or_o fourteen_o year_n old_a whereof_o the_o world_n see_v what_o good_a housewifery_n ensue_v and_o as_o touch_v the_o poul_n of_o their_o head_n when_o they_o cause_v they_o to_o take_v the_o black_a veil_n it_o be_v not_o so_o small_a a_o fault_n as_o many_o esteem_v it_o to_o be_v for_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n 11.6_o woman_n be_v command_v to_o preserve_v their_o heir_n in_o token_n of_o subjection_n and_o according_a hereunto_o it_o be_v forbid_v by_o a_o canon_n take_v out_o of_o the_o council_n of_o gangra_n that_o any_o woman_n shall_v paul_n her_o head_n under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o canon_n 30._o if_o any_o woman_n cause_n her_o head_n to_o be_v poul_v in_o respect_n of_o religion_n curse_a be_v she_o as_o a_o breaker_n of_o the_o law_n of_o subjection_n because_o long_o hear_v be_v give_v unto_o woman_n to_o cover_v they_o withal_o and_o to_o put_v they_o in_o mind_n of_o their_o subjection_n and_o whereas_o in_o these_o day_n it_o be_v think_v so_o strange_a a_o thing_n amongst_o the_o romish_a catholic_n that_o a_o monk_n or_o a_o nun_n shall_v marry_v marry_v because_o it_o seem_v that_o in_o their_o so_o do_v they_o break_v the_o vow_n of_o virginity_n which_o they_o have_v make_v unto_o god_n they_o declare_v herein_o that_o they_o have_v not_o well_o read_v their_o own_o canon_n by_o the_o which_o such_o marriage_n be_v allow_v namely_o by_o one_o canon_n take_v out_o of_o s._n augustine_n as_o a_o witness_n of_o the_o council_n 27._o which_o say_v thus_o some_o say_v that_o those_o which_o marry_v after_o the_o take_n of_o the_o vow_n be_v adulterer_n but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o those_o do_v sin_n right_v grievous_o which_o do_v separate_v such_o marry_a folk_n yet_o notwithstanding_o we_o have_v see_v many_o law_n here_o in_o france_n which_o have_v disannul_v the_o maryage_n of_o priest_n monk_n and_o nun_n and_o constrain_v they_o to_o return_v to_o their_o cloister_n a_o thing_n quite_o contrary_a to_o this_o canon_n the_o self_n same_o doctor_n s._n augustine_n do_v also_o show_v marriage_n that_o they_o have_v do_v great_o amiss_o which_o have_v so_o high_o commend_v virginity_n as_o to_o prefer_v it_o before_o marriage_n say_v that_o virginity_n do_v fill_v the_o heaven_n and_o marriage_n the_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o sound_n of_o so_o many_o nunnery_n for_o he_o excuse_v s._n cyprian_n and_o s._n ambr._n of_o their_o so_o great_a praise_v and_o exalt_v of_o virginity_n say_v thus_o whereas_o cyprian_n the_o martyr_n have_v write_v of_o the_o behaviour_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o virgin_n he_o do_v it_o not_o to_o entice_v they_o to_o make_v vow_n of_o virginity_n but_o ambrose_n the_o bishop_n
in_o the_o university_n procure_v not_o the_o utter_a deface_v &_o dissanul_v of_o all_o the_o ancient_a canon_n there_o gather_v together_o see_v they_o be_v so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n prince_n but_o it_o be_v the_o providence_n and_o will_n of_o god_n that_o it_o shall_v so_o be_v now_o than_o you_o must_v first_o of_o all_o understand_v that_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v often_o use_v this_o name_n of_o pope_n which_o signify_v a_o father_n and_o in_o ancient_a time_n be_v indifferent_o use_v to_o all_o bishop_n aswell_o mean_a as_o great_a but_o in_o the_o end_n the_o boshop_n of_o rome_n appropriate_v the_o same_o to_o himself_o alone_o and_o from_o that_o time_n forth_o this_o name_n of_o pope_n have_v ever_o be_v take_v as_o it_o be_v still_o in_o these_o day_n not_o for_o a_o father_n but_o for_o a_o supreme_a head_n and_o universal_a bishop_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o the_o world_n which_o title_n of_o universal_a be_v reprove_v by_o all_o the_o ancient_a canon_n &_o so_o consequent_o the_o estate_n which_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n do_v take_v upon_o he_o at_o this_o present_a be_v condemn_v for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o he_o name_v himself_o the_o universal_a shepherd_n or_o bishop_n and_o that_o he_o challenge_v authority_n over_o all_o church_n and_o counsel_n now_o harken_v to_o the_o very_a word_n of_o a_o canon_n which_o put_v he_o to_o his_o neck-verse_n let_v no_o patriarch_n at_o any_o time_n use_v the_o name_n of_o universal_a 99_o for_o the_o patriarch_n which_o name_v himself_o universal_a take_v the_o name_n of_o patriarch_n away_o from_o all_o other_o but_o godforbid_v that_o any_o of_o the_o faithful_a shall_v challenge_v honour_n to_o himself_o to_o the_o derogation_n of_o his_o brethren_n be_v it_o never_o so_o little_a wherefore_o we_o beseech_v you_o of_o your_o charity_n let_v none_o of_o you_o from_o henceforth_o in_o his_o letter_n geve_v the_o title_n of_o universal_a to_o any_o man_n any_o more_o lest_o you_o take_v away_o the_o title_n due_a unto_o yourselves_o by_o attribute_v the_o same_o unduely_a unto_o orher_n the_o next_o canon_n follow_v do_v sing_v the_o same_o song_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o so_o much_o the_o more_fw-it force_n among_o the_o romish_a catholic_n for_o that_o it_o be_v take_v out_o of_o a_o epistle_n of_o s._n gregory_n send_v to_o the_o patriarch_n of_o allexandria_fw-la thus_o therefore_o do_v he_o say_v in_o express_a word_n behold_v even_o in_o the_o very_a preface_n of_o your_o letter_n which_o you_o write_v unto_o i_o you_o go_v about_o to_o cast_v the_o proud_a name_n of_o universal_a pope_n upon_o i_o even_o upon_o i_o i_o say_v who_o have_v forbid_v other_o man_n to_o use_v it_o wherefore_o i_o beseech_v your_o holiness_n even_o of_o your_o courtesy_n to_o do_v so_o no_o more_o for_o you_o take_v from_o yourself_o to_o geve_v to_o a_o other_o without_o cause_n why_o i_o seek_v not_o to_o advance_v myself_o in_o title_n but_o in_o manner_n neither_o think_v i_o that_o i_o ought_v to_o purchase_v honour_n to_o myself_o with_o the_o loss_n of_o the_o honour_n of_o my_o brother_n for_o my_o honour_n be_v to_o honour_v the_o universal_a church_n and_o to_o behave_v myself_o upright_o towards_o my_o brethren_n and_o i_o think_v myself_o then_o most_o honour_a when_o every_o of_o they_o have_v his_o due_a honour_n yield_v unto_o he_o but_o if_o your_o holiness_n name_v i_o the_o universal_a pope_n then_o in_o attribute_v the_o whole_a unto_o i_o there_o be_v nothing_o leave_v to_o other_o which_o god_n forbid_v wherefore_o let_v we_o drive_v away_o these_o term_n far_o from_o we_o which_o inflame_v we_o with_o vanity_n and_o hurt_v charity_n the_o reason_n of_o these_o canon_n be_v very_o evident_a namely_o for_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o one_o man_n to_o govern_v the_o universal_a church_n and_o to_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n see_v that_o even_o they_o which_o be_v best_a able_a do_v find_v themselves_o great_o cumber_v in_o the_o govern_n of_o one_o only_a bishopric_n well_o beside_o this_o the_o title_n of_o universal_a bishop_n be_v to_o stately_a and_o proud_a to_o be_v match_v with_o the_o true_a shepherd_n of_o god_n church_n which_o ought_v to_o walk_v in_o humility_n void_a of_o all_o pride_n and_o ambition_n the_o same_o thing_n be_v verify_v by_o a_o canon_n in_o these_o express_v word_n whosoever_o desire_v supremacy_n upon_o earth_n shall_v find_v confusion_n in_o heaven_n eschew_v and_o he_o that_o speak_v of_o primacy_n shall_v not_o be_v number_v amongst_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n let_v every_o body_n therefore_o study_v not_o how_o he_o may_v seem_v great_a them_z other_o but_o by_o what_o mean_v he_o may_v most_o embase_v himself_o for_o he_o be_v not_o the_o most_o righteous_a which_o amongst_o man_n be_v most_o honour_a but_o he_o be_v most_o honourable_a which_o be_v most_o righteous_a hereunto_o agree_v well_o the_o canon_n which_o say_v that_o all_o church_n be_v equal_a in_o authority_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v no_o superiority_n over_o other_o church_n this_o canon_n be_v take_v out_o of_o s._n jerom_n and_o say_v thus_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o think_v that_o there_o be_v any_o odds_n between_o the_o church_n of_o room_n &_o the_o church_n of_o any_o other_o place_n of_o the_o world_n 93._o in_o france_n england_n africa_n persia_n the_o east_n and_o the_o indies_n and_o all_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n do_v honour_n christ_n and_o observe_v one_o rule_n of_o truth_n if_o regard_n be_v to_o be_v have_v of_o authority_n the_o world_n be_v great_a than_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n wheresoever_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n authority_n be_v it_o at_o rome_n be_v it_o at_o eugubium_n be_v it_o at_o constantinople_n be_v it_o at_o rhegium_n be_v it_o at_o allexandria_fw-la be_v it_o at_o thebes_n or_o be_v it_o at_o garmace_n it_o be_v all_o of_o one_o worthiness_n &_o of_o one_o self-same_a degree_n of_o priesthood_n the_o greatness_n of_o riches_n or_o the_o meanness_n of_o poverty_n set_v not_o a_o bishop_n in_o high_a or_o low_a degree_n to_o be_v short_a all_o of_o they_o be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n now_o than_o it_o appear_v plain_o by_o these_o canon_n that_o the_o pope_n who_o in_o all_o his_o bull_n do_v name_v himself_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v no_o great_a than_o another_o mean_a bishop_n &_o that_o neither_o he_o nor_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v claim_v to_o themselves_o any_o authority_n over_o other_o bishop_n and_o church_n otherwise_o than_o by_o tyranny_n and_o usurpation_n and_o true_o beside_o the_o forealleage_v canon_n take_v out_o of_o s._n gregory_n 78._o who_o so_o will_v read_v his_o epistle_n shall_v find_v that_o he_o utter_o detest_v this_o title_n of_o universal_a shepherd_n or_o bishop_n from_o his_o heart_n as_o a_o wicked_a title_n not_o meet_v for_o any_o but_o for_o antichrist_n or_o for_o his_o forerunner_n in_o one_o of_o his_o epistle_n he_o complain_v great_o to_o the_o emperor_n maurice_n that_o john_n bishop_n of_o constantinople_n do_v trouble_v the_o church_n of_o god_n by_o seek_v to_o usurp_v the_o title_n of_o universal_a bishop_n for_o to_o the_o intent_n you_o may_v understand_v the_o very_a root_n and_o original_a beginning_n of_o this_o discourse_n you_o must_v consider_v that_o in_o those_o day_n and_o long_a time_n before_o constantinople_n be_v call_v new_a rome_n and_o the_o other_o in_o italy_n be_v call_v old_a rome_n and_o because_o the_o emperor_n of_o rome_n do_v most_o common_o keep_v his_o residence_n at_o new_a rome_n and_o old_a rome_n be_v at_o that_o time_n great_o vex_v with_o the_o barbarous_a goth_n &_o lumbards_n which_o war_v upon_o italy_n and_o destroy_v it_o without_o doubt_v the_o new_a rome_n be_v then_o a_o more_o flourish_a city_n and_o in_o high_a estimation_n than_o old_a rome_n or_o any_o other_o city_n in_o all_o the_o whole_a empire_n whereupon_o the_o say_a bishop_n john_n be_v of_o a_o ambitious_a disposition_n and_o mind_v to_o advance_v himself_o by_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o city_n whereof_o he_o be_v bishop_n begin_v to_o preach_v and_o persuade_v the_o people_n and_o diverse_a of_o the_o bishop_n that_o like_o as_o the_o emperor_n extend_v his_o dominion_n over_o all_o the_o province_n and_o country_n of_o the_o empire_n even_o so_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o new_a rome_n which_o be_v then_o in_o more_o estimation_n than_o old_a rome_n aught_o to_o extend_v his_o power_n and_o autooritie_n over_o all_o the_o province_n and_o country_n of_o christendom_n and_o true_o this_o bishop_n john_n do_v so_o much_o by_o his_o continual_a travel_n that_o he_o cause_v himself_o
take_v out_o of_o s._n ambrose_n 7._o s._n peter_n and_o s._n paul_n have_v pre-eminence_n above_o all_o other_o apostle_n by_o special_a prerogative_n but_o yet_o be_v it_o uncertain_a whether_o of_o they_o two_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o other_o for_o i_o think_v that_o they_o be_v both_o equal_a in_o desert_n &_o likewise_o in_o their_o death_n and_o passion_n and_o also_o that_o they_o live_v in_o like_a devotion_n of_o faith_n and_o final_o come_v both_o together_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o martyrdom_n and_o i_o believe_v that_o it_o happen_v not_o with_o out_o some_o cause_n that_o they_o both_o suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o one_o day_n in_o one_o place_n and_o under_o one_o persecuter_n for_o they_o suffer_v in_o one_o day_n that_o they_o may_v go_v together_o in_o company_n to_o christ_n and_o in_o one_o place_n to_o the_o end_n that_o rome_n shall_v not_o want_v either_o of_o they_o both_o &_o under_o one_o persecuter_n that_o both_o of_o they_o may_v be_v partaker_n of_o one_o cruelty_n the_o day_n therefore_o be_v ordain_v for_o their_o desert_n the_o place_n for_o their_o glory_n and_o the_o persecuter_n for_o their_o virtue_n and_o they_o both_o suffer_v martyrdom_n at_o rome_n the_o sovereign_a lady_n and_o head_n of_o all_o nation_n to_o the_o end_n that_o where_o the_o head_n of_o superstition_n be_v there_o shall_v rest_v the_o head_n of_o holiness_n &_o where_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o gentile_n dwell_v there_o shall_v remain_v the_o prince_n of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o canon_n it_o may_v easy_o be_v judge_v church_n that_o s._n peter_n be_v in_o nothing_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o s._n paul_n &_o that_o both_o be_v equal_a in_o all_o respect_n which_o show_v plain_o that_o s._n peter_n be_v never_o head_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o in_o respect_n of_o nature_n nor_o in_o respect_n of_o ministration_n for_o if_o he_o have_v be_v they_o shall_v as_o much_o have_v be_v say_v of_o s._n paul_n according_a to_o the_o canon_n and_o so_o by_o consequence_n we_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o church_n have_v then_o two_o head_n like_o a_o monster_n a_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o absurd_a &_o strange_a i_o know_v well_o that_o such_o as_o imagine_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v like_o the_o government_n of_o a_o kingdom_n canon_n do_v think_v it_o meet_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v one_o supreme_a head_n and_o governor_n and_o that_o the_o same_o shall_v have_v cardinal_n as_o great_a prince_n of_o his_o court_n &_o archbishop_n somewhat_o in_o low_a degree_n than_o the_o cardinal_n and_o bishop_n as_o inferior_n to_o the_o archbishop_n and_o so_o consequent_o abbot_n prior_n channon_n and_o curate_n each_o in_o degree_n under_o other_o and_o in_o good_a sooth_n this_o order_n of_o holy_a government_n have_v a_o fair_a outward_a show_n but_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n that_o mar_v all_o which_o be_v that_o it_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o do_v not_o teach_v that_o there_o be_v any_o inequality_n amongst_o the_o shepherd_n but_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o govern_v their_o church_n with_o one_o common_a consent_n by_o god_n word_n make_v assembly_n or_o meeting_n which_o be_v common_o call_v synod_n or_o counsel_n for_o the_o same_o purpose_n if_o need_v require_v and_o moreover_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o submit_v themselves_o to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o the_o very_a canon_n themselves_o do_v agree_v herewith_o special_o one_o canon_n which_o be_v take_v out_o of_o s._n iherom_n see_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n there_o be_v no_o difference_n betwixt_o a_o priest_n or_o a_o elder_a and_o a_o bishop_n and_o that_o the_o church_n be_v then_o govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o the_o elder_n let_v we_o hear_v the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o canon_n 95._o in_o old_a time_n a_o elder_a and_o a_o bishop_n be_v all_o one_o thing_n till_o schism_n and_o parttaking_n creep_v into_o religion_n by_o the_o devil_n inspiration_n and_o that_o folk_n begin_v to_o say_v i_o hold_v of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n and_o i_o of_o cephas_n until_o this_o time_n the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o common_a advice_n of_o the_o elder_n but_o after_o that_o every_o man_n begin_v to_o brag_v of_o his_o own_o disciple_n who_o he_o have_v baptize_v and_o not_o of_o christ_n than_o it_o be_v ordain_v that_o in_o every_o church_n one_o of_o the_o elder_n shall_v have_v authority_n over_o the_o rest_n to_o take_v away_o the_o seed_n of_o scizme_n wherefore_o like_a as_o the_o priest_n know_v that_o by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n they_o be_v put_v in_o subjection_n to_o the_o party_n that_o be_v set_v in_o authority_n over_o they_o so_o let_v the_o bishop_n know_v also_o that_o whereas_o they_o themselves_o be_v of_o more_o authority_n than_o the_o priest_n it_o be_v not_o by_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n but_o by_o custom_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o govern_v the_o church_n by_o common_a advice_n which_o canon_n in_o very_a truth_n be_v very_o notable_a special_o for_o that_o it_o do_v evident_o show_v that_o all_o the_o degree_n and_o dignity_n which_o be_v infinite_a at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o ground_v upon_o the_o express_a ordinance_n of_o god_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o positive_a law_n of_o custom_n for_o look_v what_o the_o canon_n speak_v of_o bishop_n be_v much_o more_o by_o all_o reason_n to_o be_v speak_v of_o cardinal_n patriarch_n archbishop_n and_o other_o dignity_n see_v that_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n whereof_o the_o holy_a scripture_n make_v mention_v be_v institute_v long_o time_n before_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o cardinal_n and_o the_o other_o and_o hereupon_o it_o follow_v that_o man_n shall_v not_o make_v so_o great_a reckon_n of_o any_o of_o these_o great_a and_o pompous_a dignity_n which_o be_v found_v but_o only_o upon_o custom_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v of_o any_o or_o at_o least_o wise_a of_o very_o little_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n as_o shall_v be_v declare_v more_o at_o large_a in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o this_o book_n tyme._n as_o touch_v the_o residue_n if_o it_o be_v allege_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v in_o old_a time_n and_o still_o ought_v to_o have_v chief_a authority_n and_o pre-eminence_n at_o the_o least_o wise_a in_o the_o assembly_n of_o counsel_n and_o synod_n the_o answer_n be_v that_o he_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o matter_n for_o the_o ecclesiastical_a history_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o ancient_a counsel_n 1._o as_o that_o of_o nice_n hold_v in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o emperor_n do_v witness_n unto_o we_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v so_o far_o of_o from_o overrule_a the_o counsel_n that_o he_o take_v his_o place_n in_o sit_v but_o as_o four_o in_o degree_n which_o be_v a_o good_a way_n offe_z from_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a place_n as_o he_o do_v at_o the_o general_a 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