ces, for that it was a
thing before then used by the west bishops no few times, and by the
bishops of Greece used oftentimes and commonly to be done. And so
Charles the Great, being emperor, held a provincial council in Germany
for putting away images, contrary to the second council at Nice. Neither,
pardy, even amongst us is this so very a strange and new a trade. For we
have had ere now in England provincial synods, and governed our churches
by home-made laws. What should one say more? Of a truth, even those
greatest councils, and where most assembly of people ever was (whereof
these men use to make such an exceeding reckoning), compare them with all
the churches which throughout the world acknowledge and profess the name
of Christ, and what else, I pray you, can they seem to be but certain
private councils of bishops and provincial synods? For admit,
peradventure, Italy, France, Spain, England, Germany, Denmark, and
Scotland meet together, if there want Asia, Greece, Armenia, Persia,
Media, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, and Mauritania, in all which
places there be both many Christian men and also bishops, how can any
man, being in his right mind, think such a council to be a general
council? or where so many parts of the world do lack how can they truly
say they have the consent of the whole world? Or what manner of council,
ween you, was the same last at Trident? Or how might it be termed a
general council, when out of all Christian kingdoms and nations there
came unto it but only forty bishops, and of the same some so cunning that
they might be thought meet to be sent home again to learn their grammar,
and so well learned that they had never studied divinity.

Whatsoever it be, the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ dependeth not
upon councils, nor, as St. Paul saith, upon mortal creature's judgment.
And if they which ought to be careful for God's Church will not be wise,
but slack their duty, and harden their hearts against God and His Christ,
going on still to pervert the right ways of the Lord, God will stir up
the very stones, and make children and babes cunning, whereby there may
ever be some to confute these men's lies. For God is able (not only
without councils), but also, will the councils, nill the councils, to
maintain and advance His own kingdom. "Full many be the thoughts of
man's heart" (saith Solomon); "but the counsel of the Lord abideth
steadfast:" "There is no wisdom, there is no k