Anglican Communion -- Apologetic works; Church of England -- Apologetic works
But be it so: let the Bishop of Rome alone be above all councils, that is
to say, let some one part be greater than the whole; let him be of
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?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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