ure they will say, it was treason to attempt these matters
without a sacred general council; for in that consisteth the whole force
of the Church; there Christ hath promised He will ever be a present
assistant. Yet they themselves, without tarrying for any general
council, have broken the commandments of God, and the decrees of the
Apostles; and, as we said a little above, they have spoiled and
disannulled almost all, not only ordinances, but even the doctrine of the
primitive Church. And where they say it is not lawful to make a change
without a council, what was he that gave us these laws, or from whence
had they this injunction?

Truly, King Agesilaus did but fondly, who, when he had a determinate
answer made him of the opinion and will of mighty Jupiter, would
afterward bring the whole matter before Apollo, to know whether he would
allow thereof, as his father Jupiter did, or no. But yet should we do
much more fondly, when we hear God Himself plainly speak to us in His
most Holy Scriptures, and may understand by them His will and meaning, if
we would afterward (as though this were of none effect) bring our whole
cause to be tried by a council; which were nothing else but to ask
whether men would allow as God did, and whether men would confirm God's
commandment by their authority.

Why, I beseech you, except a council will and command, shall not truth be
truth, and God be God? If Christ had meant to do so from the beginning,
as that He would preach or teach nothing without the bishop's consent,
but refer all His doctrine over to Annas and Caiaphas, where should now
have been the Christian faith? or, who at any time should have heard the
Gospel taught? Peter verily, whom the Pope hath oftener in his mouth,
and more reverently useth to speak of than he doth of Jesus Christ, did
boldly stand against the holy council, saying, "It is better to obey God
than men." And after Paul had once entirely embraced the Gospel, and had
received it, "not from men, nor by man, but by the only will of God, he
did not take advice therein of flesh and blood," nor brought the case
before his kinsmen and brethren, but went forthwith into Arabia, to
preach God's Divine mysteries by God's only authority.

Yet truly, we do not despise councils, assemblies, and conference of
bishops and learned men; neither have we done that we have done
altogether without bishops or without a council. The matter hath been
treated in open Parliament wi