to the selfsame thing, which they themselves these
very last years (and the remembrance thereof is yet new and fresh), in
their own general council that they had by order called, have decreed and
commanded to be devoutly kept. In the last council at Trent, scant
fourteen years past, it was ordained by the common consent of all
degrees, "that one man should not have two benefices at one time." What
is become now of that ordinance? Is the same too soon worn out of mind,
and clean consumed? For these men, ye see, give to one man not two
benefices only, but sundry abbeys many times, sometimes also two
bishoprics, sometimes three, sometimes four. And that not only to an
unlearned man, but oftentimes also even to a man of war.

In the said council a decree was made that all bishops should preach the
Gospel. These men neither preach nor once go up into the pulpit, neither
think they it any part of their office. What great pomp and crake then
is this they make of antiquity? Why brag they so of the names of the
ancient fathers, and of the new and old councils? Why will they seem to
trust to their authority whom when they list they despise at their
pleasure?

But I have a special fancy to commune a word or two rather with the
Pope's good holiness, and to say these things to his own face. Tell us,
I pray you, good holy father, seeing ye do crake so much of all
antiquity, and boast yourself that all men are bound to you alone, which
of all the fathers hath at any time called you by the name of the
"highest prelate," the "universal bishop," or the "head of the Church"?
Which of them ever said "that both the swords were committed unto you?"
Which of them ever said "that you have authority and right to call
councils?" Which of them ever said "the whole world is but your
diocese?" Which of them "that all bishops have received of your
fulness?" Which of them "that all power is given to you as well in
heaven as in earth?" Which of them "that neither kings, nor the whole
clergy, nor yet all the people together, are able to be judges over you?"
Which of them "that kings and emperors, by Christ's commandment and will,
do receive authority at your hands?" Which of them with so precise and
mathematical limitation hath surveyed and determined you to be "seventy
and seven times greater than the mightiest kings?" Which of them that
more ample authority is given to you than to the residue of the
patriarchs? Which of them that yo