greater power, let him be of more wisdom than all his; and, in spite of
Hierom's head, let the authority "of one city be greater than the
authority of the whole world." How, then, if the Pope have seen none of
these things, and have never read either the Scriptures, or the old
Fathers, or yet his own councils? How if he favour the Arians, as once
Pope Liberius did? or have a wicked and a detestable opinion of the life
to come, and of the immortality of the soul, as Pope John had but few
years since? or, to increase his own dignity, do corrupt other councils,
as Pope Zosimus corrupted the council holden at Nice in times past; and
do say that those things were devised and appointed by the holy Fathers
which never once came into their thought; and, to have the full sway of
authority, do wrest the Scriptures, which, as Camotensis saith, is an
usual custom with the Popes? How if he have renounced the faith of
Christ, and become an apostate, as Lyranus saith many Popes have been?
And, yet for all this, shall the Holy Ghost, with turning of a hand,
knock at his breast, and even whether he will or no, yea, and wholly
against his will, kindle him a light so as he may not err? Shall he
straightway be the head-spring of all right; and shall all treasure of
wisdom and understanding be found in him, as it were laid up in store?
or, if these things be not in him, can he give a right and apt judgment
of so weighty matters? or, if he be not able to judge, would he have that
all those matters should be brought before him alone?

What will ye say if the Pope's advocates, abbots and bishops, dissemble
not the matter, but show themselves open enemies to the Gospel, and
though they see, yet they will not see; but wry the Scriptures, and
wittingly and knowingly corrupt and counterfeit the Word of God, and
foully and wickedly apply to the Pope all the same things, which
evidently and properly be spoken of the Person of Christ only, nor by no
means can be applied to any other? And what though they say, "The Pope
is all and above all?" or, "that he can do as much as Christ can?" and
"that one judgment-place and one council-house serve for the Pope and for
Christ both together;" or, "that the Pope is the same light which should
come into the world;" which words Christ spake of Himself alone: and
"that whoso is an evil-doer hateth and flieth from that light;" or that
all the other bishops have received of the Pope's fulness? Shortly, what
t