why then Manasses succeeded
David, and Caiaphas succeeded Aaron. And it hath been often seen, that
an idol hath stand in the temple of God. In old time Archidamus the
Lacedaemonian boasted much of himself, how he came of the blood of
Hercules. But one Nicostratus in this wise abated his pride: "Nay,"
quoth he, "thou seemest not to descend from Hercules. For Hercules
destroyed ill men, but thou makest good men evil." And when the
Pharisees bragged of their lineage, how they were of the kindred and
blood of Abraham: "Ye," saith Christ, "seek to kill me, a man which have
told you the truth, as I heard it from God. Thus Abraham never did. Ye
are of your father the devil, and will needs obey his will."

Yet notwithstanding, because we will grant somewhat to succession, tell
us, hath the Pope alone succeeded Peter? And wherein, I pray you? In
what religion? in what office? in what piece of his life hath he
succeeded him? What one thing (tell me) had Peter ever like unto the
Pope, or the Pope like unto Peter? Except peradventure they will say
thus: that Peter, when he was at Rome, never taught the Gospel, never fed
the flock, took away the keys of the kingdom of heaven, hid the treasures
of his Lord, sat him down only in his castle in S. John Lateran, and
pointed out with his finger all the places of purgatory, and kinds of
punishments, committing some poor souls to be tormented, and other some
again suddenly releasing thence at his own pleasure, taking money for so
doing: or that he gave order to say private masses in every corner: or
that he mumbled up the holy service with a low voice, and in an unknown
language: or that he hanged up the Sacrament in every temple, and on
every altar, and carried the same about before him whithersoever he went,
upon an ambling jannet, with lights and bells; or that he consecrated
with his holy breath, oil, wax, wool, bells, chalices, churches, and
altars, or that he sold jubilees, graces, liberties, advowsons,
preventions, first fruits, palls, the wearing of palls, bulls,
indulgences, and pardons; or that he called himself by the name of the
head of the Church, the highest bishop, bishop of bishops, alone most
holy: or that by usurping he took upon himself the right and authority
over other folk's churches; or that he exempted himself from the power of
any civil government; or that he maintained wars, and set princes
together at variance: or that he sitting in his chair, with his t