FOR AS MOCHE as it is wel knowen , almoste to the holle worlde , that we entende nothynge soo ernestly , as that the olde honour and pristyne dygnitie , whiche scripture in tyme paste was in , and so nowe oughte to be , maye at the laste , be fully restored to scripture ageyne : We thynke it moche appertaynynge vnto our dueties , bothe to let no occasyon slyp , wherby religyon myghte at the laste be truely restaured , and also to withstande all ingins , all assautes , made by the byshoppes of Rome , whiche neuer cesse to trouble trouthe , and cumbre religion . Amonges many , two thynges in especiall , make vs doo that we doo . Fyrst the feruent loue that we beare vnto trouthe . The seconde is , that we haue taken vppon vs , longe sythens , the defence of religion . Certes , seing that the bysshoppe of Rome , calleth lerned men from all parties , conductyng them by great rewardes , makynge as many of them Cardynalles , as he thinketh most mete and most redy to defende fraudis & vntrouthes , we could not but with moche anxietie caste with our selfes , what soo great appreparance of wittis shuld meane . As chaunce was , we gessed euen as it folowed . We haue ben so longe acquaynted with Romayne subtylties , and popysshe deceytes , that we well and easily iudged , the bysshop of Rome to intende an assemble of his adherentes and men sworne , to thynke all his lustes lawes . We were not deceyued . Paule the byshop of Rome , hath called a councell , to the which he knew wel , eyther fewe or none of the chrysten princis coulde come , bothe the time that he indicted it , & also the place , where he appointed it to be , myght assure hym of this . But whyther wandereth not these popysshe bulles , whether goo they nat astraye ? what kynge is nat cyted and summoned by a prowde mynyster and seruant of kynges , to come to bolster vp errours , fraudes , deceytes , and vntrouthes ? and to sette forth this feyned generall councell ? For who wyl not thinke , that Paul , the bysshop of Rome , gothe sooner aboute to make men beleue , that he intendeth a generall counsell , than that he desyreth oone in dede ? No , who can lesse desyre it , thanne they that do dispayre of their cause , except they be iudges , and gyue sentence them selfes ayenste their aduersaries ? we , which very soore ayenste our wyll , at any tyme leaue of the procuremente of the realme and common weale , nede neither to come our selues , nor yet to send our pro●●ratours thither , no nor yet to make our excuse for either of both . For who canne accuse vs , that we come not at his call , which hath no auctoritie to call vs. But for a season let vs , as a sorte of blyndlinges do , graunte , that he maye calle vs , that he hath auctoritie so to do , yet we pray you , may not all men see , what auayleth it , to come to this councell , where ye shall haue no place , except ye be knowen both wyllynge to oppresse truthe , and also redye to confyrme and stablyshe errours . Doo not all men perceyue , as wel as we , with what integritie , fydelytie , and religion , these men go about to discusse matters in controuersy , that take them in hand in so troublesom a tyme as this is ? Is it not playn , what fruite the common weale of christendome maye looke for there , where as Mantua is chosen the ●lace to kepe this councell at ? Is there any prince , not being of Italy , yea is there any of Italye , prince , or other , dissentyng from the pope , that dareth come to this assemble , and to this place ? If there come none , that dare speake for troden trouth , none that wyll venture his lyfe , is it meruayle , if the byshop of Rome beinge iudge , no man repynynge , no man ayensayinge , the defenders of the papacy obteyn , that popishe auctoritie , nowe quaylyng and almoste fallen , be sette vp ayene ? Is this the waye , to helpe thynges afflycte , to redresse troubled religion , to lyfte vp oppressed trouth ? Shal men this waye knowe , whether the Romayne byshops ( whiche in very dede , ar , if ye loke eyther vpon their doctryne , or lyfe , farre vnder other byshoppes ) ought to be made lyke theyr felowes , that is , to be pastours , in their own dios . & so to vse no further power , or elles , whether they may make lawes , not only vnto other byshoppes , but also to kinges and emperours ? O boldnesse , mete to be beten downe with force , & not to be conuynced with argumentes . Can eyther Paule , that nowe lordeth , or any of his , ernestely goo aboute ( if they alone , or at the leste without any aduersarye be thus in a corner assembled togyther ) to hele the syckenesses , to take awaye the errours , to plucke downe the abuses , that nowe are crepte into the churche , and there be bolstered vp , by suche councelles , as nowe is like to be at Mantua ? It is very lyke , that these , which proule for nothinge but profyte , woll right gladly pulle downe , all suche thynges , as their forefathers made , onely for the encrease of Money . Where as theyr forefathers , whan theyr honour , power , primacye , was called into question , wold either in spite of goddis law , mayntein their dignitie , or to say better , their itollerable pride , is it lyke , that these wol not trede in their steppes , & make naughty new canons , wherby they maye defende olde euyl decrees ? Howe be it , what nede we to care , eyther what they haue done , or what they intende to do hereafter , for as moche as Englande hathe taken her leaue , of popisshe craftes for euer , neuer to be deluded with theym hereafter . Romayne byshops haue nothynge to doo with englysshe people , the one dothe not trafycke with thother , at the leste , thoughe they wyll haue to doo with vs , yet we wolle none of their marchaundyse , none of theyr stuffe . We woll reteyne them of our councell no more . We haue sought our hurte , and bought our losse , a great whyle to longe . Surely their decrees , either touchynge thinges sette vp , or putte downe , shall haue none other place with vs , than all byshoppes decrees haue , that is , if we lyke them , we admytte them , yf we do not , we refuse them . But lest peraduenture men shal thinke vs , to folowe our sensis to moche , and that we moued by small or no iuste causes , forsake thauctoritie , censures , decrees , and popishe councels , we thoughte it beste here , to shewe our mynde to the hole worlde .

Wherfore we proteste before god , and all men , that we enbrace , professe , and woll euer so do , the ryghte and holy doctrine of Christ . All the articles of his faithe , no iote omitted , be all soo dere vnto vs , that we wolde moche sooner stande in ieoperdy of our realme , than to se any poynte of Christis relygion in ieoperdye with vs. We proteste , that we neuer wente from the vnitie of this fayth , neyther that we woll depart an ynche from it . No , we woll moche sooner lose our lyues , than any article of our belefe shall decay in Englande . We , which in al this cause , seeke nothyng but the glory of god , the profyte and quietnes of the worlde , proteste , that we can suffre deceyuers no longer . We neuer refused to come to a generall councell , no , we promyse all our labour , study , and fydelitie , to the settynge vp of troden trowth , and troubled religion in their place ageyne , and to doo all that shall lye in vs , to fynyshe suche controuersies , as haue , a great whyle to longe , vexed chrystendome . Onely we woll all chrysten men be admonysshed , that we can suffre no lenger , that they be estemed wyllynge to take away errors , which in dede , by all the ways theyr wittes woll serue theym , go about this alone , that no man , peyne of dethe , may speake ageynste any errour or abuse .

¶ We wolde haue a councelle , we desyre it , ye and craue nothynge so ofte of god , as that we maye haue one . But yet we woll , that it be suche , as christen men ought to haue , that is , franke and free , where euery man , without feare , may say his mynde . We desyre , that it be an holy councell , where euery man maye go about to set vp godlynes , & not apply all their study to oppressinge of trouthe . We woll it be generall , that is to say , kepte at suche tyme , and in suche place , that euery man , which seketh the glory of god , may be presente , and there frankely vtter his mynde . For thanne it shall seme generall , eyther whan no man , that dissenteth frome the byshop of Rome , is compelled to be frome it , or whan they that be present , are not letted by any iuste terrour , to saye boldly , that they truly thynke . For who wolde not gladly come to such a councell , except it be the pope , his Cardinalles , and popisshe byshoppes ? On the other syde , who is so foolyshe , where as the chiefe point , that is to be handled in this councel , is the popes owne cause , power & primacy , to graunt , that the pope shuld reigne , shulde be iudge , shuld be president of this councell ? If he , which in dede , can neuer think him selfe able to defende his cause , before any other Iudge , be euermore made his owne iudge , and so controuerses not decyded , but errors sette vp , what can be deuysed in the common welthe of Christendome more hurtfull to the trouthe , than generall councelles ?

¶ AND HERE to touche somewhat , their impudent arrogancye , by what law , power , or honest title , take they vpon them to cal kinges , to somon princis , to appere , where their bulles commaunde them ? In tyme paste , all councelles were appoynted by thauctoritie , consente , and commaundement of themperour , kinges , and princis . why now taketh the byshoppe of Rome this vppon hym ? Some woll saye , it is more likely , that bishops woll more tender the cause of religion , gladlier haue errours taken away , than emperours , kinges , or princis . The world hath good experience of thē , and euery man seeth , how faithfully they haue handled religious matters . Is there any man , that dothe nat se , howe vertuously Paul , that nowe polleth , taketh occasyon to set vp his tyranny ageyn ? Is it nat like that he , that choseth such a tyme as this is , to kepe a councel , moch entendeth the redresse of thinges that nowe are amysse , that he seketh the restoryng of religion , that now calleth a councell , the Emperour and the frenche kynge , two pryncis of great power , so bent to warres , that neyther they , nor any other christen prince , can in maner do any thyng , but loke for the ende of this longe warre . Go to , goo to bysshoppe of Rome , occasion longe wysshed for , offreth her selfe vnto you , take her , she openethe a wyndowe for youre fraudes to crepe in at , call your car dynals , your owne creatures , shew them , this is a ioly tyme to deceyue pryncis in . O fooles , we calle you fooles agaynst our wylles . O wycked men , we call you wycked with all our harte . Are you not fooles , whiche beinge longe suspected , not onely of princis , but of all christen people in maner , that in no case you coulde be brought to a general coū cell , playnly shewe the holle world , that by these your conciliables , your hutter mutter in corners , you take away al hope of a lawful catholike and generall councell ? Are you not wycked , which so hate trouth , that excepte she be vtterly banysshed , ye wyll neuer cesse to vere her ? The liuynge god is alyue , neyther trouth his darlynge , he beinge alyue , can be called to so great shame , contumely , iniurie . I lye , it maye well be called to all these , but yet it canne come to none of theym . Who is he , that greuously lamenteth not , men to be of suche shamefull boldenes , to shewe apertely , that they be enemyes vnto Christe hym selfe ? On thother syde , who wyl nat be glad , to see suche men as folyshe as they be wycked ? The worlde , good bysshop , is not nowe in a lyght suspition , as it hath bene , that you woll no reformation of errors , but euery man seeth before his eyes , your deceytes , your wycked myndes , your immortall hatrede that ye beare ageynste the trouthe . Euery manne seeth , howe many miserable tragedies , your pretense of an vnitie and concorde , hath brought into christendome . They see , your faire face of peace hath serued sedition , & troublid almost , al christen realmes . They se , ye neuer oppugne religion more , than whan ye woll seme most to defende it . They be sorye , to see , that great wyttes , a longe season , haue spende their hole strength in defence of deceytes : reason to putte his hole power , to the promotynge of pride , and vngodlynes : vertues to serue vyces : holynes to be slaue to hypocrysie : prudencye , to subtylitie , Iustice to tyranny . They be glad , that scripture nowe fyghteth for it selfe , & not ageinst it selfe . They be glad , that god is not compelled to be ageinste god , Christe ageinst Christ . They be glad , that subtilitie hathe doone no more hurt to relygion in tyme past , than now constancy doth good to trouthe . They se , the markes that ye haue shot at in all your councelles paste , to be , Lucre , Money , Gaynes . They se , you sought your profyte , yea , thoughe it were ioyned with the slaughter of trouthe . They se , ye wolde euer , that sooner iniurie shuld be done to the gospel , than that your auctoritie , that is to say , arrogant impudency , shulde in any poynte be diminished . And we pray you , what may Paule , the byshop of Rome , seme nowe to go aboute , whiche seinge all princis occupyed cupyed in greatte affayres , wolde steale , as he callith it a general councell , what other thynge than herby to haue some excuse , to refuse a generall councell hereafter , whan tune & place moche better , for the handelynge of matters of religion , shall be gyuen vnto princis of christendome ? He wol think he may than do , as princis nowe do . He wol thinke it laufull not to come than , bicause princis nowe come not ? we praye god , that we euer braule nat oone with an nother for relygion , no nor that where we dissente as moche as men may , we al say , we defende the better part , we be in the right way . We pray god , that the worlde maye enioye peace and tranquillitie , and that then we may haue bothe tyme and place to settle relygion . For except fyrste princis agree , and warre laide asyde , seke peace , he loseth his labour , that seketh a general councell . If the byshop of Rome , maye kepe his councell , whyle they thus be togyther , wol not there be made many prety decrees ? If they , whiche wolde come , if they had leyser , be absente , and we , whiche though we safely myght come , wyl not lose any parte of our ius , trowe you , in all our absence , that the bysshop of Rome , wyl not handle his profite & primacy wel ? Paule , howe can any of ours not refuse to come to Mantua , through so many peryls , a citie so farre set from Englande , so nigh your frendes , kynsmen , and adherentes ? Is he not vnworthye lyfe , that where he maye tarye at home , woll passe through so many ieoperdies of lyfe ? Can he , which cometh to Cremona , a citie not farre from Mantua , be safe , if he be taken not to be the byshop of Romes frende , that is , as the common sort of deceiuid people doth interpretate , an heretique ? And if there come to Mantua such a nombre , as wolde furnyshe a general coumsel , may not Mantua seme to litell , to receyue so many gestes ? Put these two togyther , al the way from Englande to Mantua , is full of iuste peryls , and yet if ye escape all those , the very place , where the councell is kepte , is more to be suspected , than all the way . Do ye not knowe , al cyuyle lawes , to compell no man to come to any place , where he shall be in ieoperdy of his lyfe al the way ? We haue no safe conducte to passe and retourne by the domynyons of other pryncis . And yf we had a saulfe conduct , yet shulde not we be charged with rasshenes , that where iuste terrour myght haue diswaded vs from suche a iourneye , commytted our selues to suche peryls ? Surely , he that , the tyme beinge as it is , thinges standynge as they do , wyll go from Englande to Mantua , may be careles , if he lack wytte , sure of his arryualle , or returne from thens , he canne not be . For who doth not knowe , howe oft the byshops of Rome , haue playde fals partes with them , that in suche matters haue trusted to their saufe conductes ? Howe ofte haue they caused , by their perfydie , suche men to be slayne , as they haue promised by their feith before , that they shuld both come safe , and go safe ? These be no newes , popes to be false , popes to kepe noo promyse , neither with god nor man : Popes , contrary to their othes , to defyle their cruell handes with honest mens bloudde . But we tarye to longe in thynges , that as well touche all men , as vs. We woll , these nowe layde aparte , tourne our Oration into such thinges , as priuately towche bothe vs , kynge Henry the eight , and all Englyshe men . Is it vnknowen , to any man , what mynde Paule the bishop of Rome , beareth to vs king Henry the .viii. to vs his nobilitie , to vs his gracis byshoppes , and to vs all his gracis subiectis , for the pullyng downe of his vsurped power , and proude primacy , for expellyng of his vsurped iurisdiction , & for delyuering of our realme from his greuous bondage and pollage ? Who seeth not hym euen inflamed with hatrede ageynste vs , and the flames to be moche greatter , than he can nowe kepe theym in ? He is an open enemy , he dissembleth noo lenger , prouokynge all men , by all the meanes the he can , to endomage vs and our countrey . This thre yeres he hath ben occupied in no one thinge so moche , as howe he myght styre vp the commens of Englande , nowe corruptynge some with money , some with dignities . We lette passe , what letters he hath writen , to christen princis , with howe great feruent studye , he hath exhorted men to sette vpon vs. The good vycar of Christe , by his doinge , sheweth , howe he vnderstondeth the wordes of Christe . He thinketh , he playeth Christis parte well , whan he maye say as Christe dyd , Non veni pacē mittere in terram , sed gladium , I come not to make peace in erthe , but to sende swerdes about : And not such swerdes , as Christe wolde his to be armed withall , but suche as cruelle manquellers , abuse in the slaughter of their neighbours . We meruayle lyttel , though they vexe other princis ofte , seing they recompence our fauour , shewed to theym , with contumelyes , our benefites with iniuries . We woll not reherse here , how many our benefytes , bestowed vpon Romayne byshoppes , be loste . God be with suche vngrate Carles , vnworthy to be noumbred amongest men . Certes , suche that a man may welle doubte , whether god or man hath better cause to hate them , But the we haue lerned to owe good wyl , euen to them that immortally hate vs , what coulde we wyshe them soo euylle , but they haue deserued moche worse ? We wysshe theym this hurte alone , that god sende them a better mynde . God be thanked , we haue made all theyr seditious ententes , soner to shewe theyr great malyce towardes vs , than to do vs moche hurte , yet they haue wel taught vs , euermore to take good hede , of our enemyes . Vndoutedly , it were good goynge to Mantua , and to leaue theyr whelpes amonges the lambes of our flocke , when we be wery of our welth , we wol euen do than , as they wolde haue vs nowe do . No no , as longe as we shall see his harte so good towardes vs , we trust vpon his warnyng , we shal wel prouyde to withstande his cruel malyce . No let hym nowe spende his deceytes , whan they can hurt none but suche as wolde deceyue , and at deceyued . They haue , by sundrye wayes , made vs preuy , howe moch we be bound to them . It went nigh their hartes , to see the iudgemente of Iuly , of Clement the seuenth , of Paule the thirde , nothing to be regarded with vs. They be affraide , yf we shulde susteyne no hurte , bycause we iustely reiected their prymacy , that other princis wolde begynne to do lykewyse , and to shase of theyr shulders , the heuye burthens , that they so longe haue borne , ageynste Scripture , all tyght and reason . They be sory , to se the way stopped , that nowe theyr tyrannye auaryce & pryde , can haue noo passage into Englande , whyche was wont to walke , to triumph , to tosse , to trouble all men . They can scase suffer priuileges , that is to saye lycence to spoyle our cytesins , gyuen them by our forfathers , brought in by errorfull custome , to be taken from them . They thinke it vnlaufull , that we require thinges lawfull of them that wyll be vnder no lawes . They thynke , we do theym wronge , bycause we woll not suffer them to do vs wronge any lengar . They see their marchandyse to be banysshed , to be forbydden . They se , that we wyl bie no lengar chalke for chese . They see they haue loste a fayre flese , vengiable soorye , that they canne dispatche no more pardons , dispensations , tot , quottes , with the reste of their baggage and tromperie . Englande is no more a babe , there is no manne here , but nowe he knoweth , that they do folysshely , that gyue golde for leade , more weyght of that , than they receyue of this . They passe not , thoughe Peter and Poules faces , be grauē in the leade , to make fooles fayne . No we be soory , that they shulde abuse holye sayntes vysages , to the begylynge of the worlde . Surely excepte god take awaye our righte wittes , not only his auctoritie shall be driue out for euer , but his name also shortly shal be forgotten in Englande . We woll from hensforthe , as ke counsell of hym and his , whan we luste to be deceyued , whan we couet to be in errour , whan we desyre to offende god , trouth , and honestie . If a man may gesse the hole worke by the fundation , where deceytes begynneth the worke , can any other than deceytes be buylded vpon this foundation ? What can you loke for in this Mantuan councel , other than thoppression of truth and true religion ? If there be any thynge well done , thynke as euery man dothe , byshoppes of Rome to be accustomed , to do a few thinges well , that many euyll may the better be taken at their handes . They , whan they luste , can yelde somme parte of their ryghte , they are contente , that somme of their decrees , somme of theyr errours and abuses be reprehended : but they are neuer more to be feared , thanne whan they shewe them selfe moste gentyl . For yf they graunt a fewe , they are many : yf they leaue a lyttell , they wylle be sure of a greatte deale . Scase a man maye knowe , howe to handell hym selfe , that he take no hurte at their handes , yea whan they blesse hym , whyche seldome do good , but for an intent to do euyll . Certaynly come who soo wyll , to these shoppes of deceytes , to these faires of fraudes , we woll lese no part of our ryght in comming at his call , that oughte to be called , and not to calle . We wolle neyther come at Mantua , nor sende thyther for this mattier .

¶ HYTHERTO we haue reasoned the mattier , as thoughe the councell shulde haue bene kepte at Mantua . Nowe wolle we speake somwhat of this last bull , that prorogeth the councell vntyll Nouembre , and appoynteth it to be kept no where . Is it not lyke , that nothyng shall be done amysse , in this councell , if it be kept no where ? As god help the pope and his , a matter wel handled . We proroge the councell , sayth the pope , bycause the duke of Mantua , woll in no case suffre vs to kepe any there , excepte we mainteyne a noumbre of warryours for the defence of his towne . Is not this a prety , or to say as it is , a spite full mockynge of all christen pryncis , to cal them to a place , where , in dede , he that calleth other , can no● be suffred to come hym selfe ? Dot● not he esteme the Emperour , kynges , princis , potctatis veray ligh● that woll soo rasshely calle they● from home , and thyther , as they ◇ no wyse can be permytted to come . If princis canne be moued for any thynge , we thynke , they must nedes depely stomake this so open a mock , this suche a contumely . For yf they had set forthe on their waye , at the fyrste bulles callynge , and thanne shulde haue mette by the way , this other bull , that dryueth them home ayen , myght they not haue thought their honour theyr maiestie , to moche despised , to greattely illuded ?

Can the popishe people blame princis , that owe vnto the bysshoppe of Rome none obedience , whiche also may commaunde the bysshoppe to come , whanne and whither it shall plese them . yea , can they blame pruicis , although they ought hym obedience , if in tyme to come , they come not at his calle , whiche he thus deceytfully and spitefully mockethe ? we thynke , they wolle venture no iourneye hereafter , where , in the myddes of their way , they may se , he dothe but trifle with them . They knowe nowe , that he mocketh , and that he meaneth no good faith . They may nowe se them selfes deceyued , that thought he intended to kepe a councel at Mantua , where he purposed to comme neuer adeale . For were they not more than than madde , that yf the byshop of Rome , shulde hyre an army of men to lie in garryson about Mantua , wolde come thither , to dispute ayenst his prymacy , to sette hym with other bishops , that nowe sytteth aboue all kynges ? wordes can not countreuayle weapons , reson is not harde , where souldiours are hyred to rage . Thus all men se , that woll se , if an army were there , that no wyse man wolde putte his lyfe in ieoperdye , to come thyther . On the other syde , yf there be none armye , that thenne councelle there canne be none . Soo that alwayes the pope and his , were sure , that there shoulde be no generall councelle . Nowe lette vs adde also this thynge vnto thother . If we , whiche dwell farre from Mantua , had intended to haue beue there , shulde we not haue bene at our iourneyes ende , before this laste bulle came to vs ? Shulde we not haue payd our greatte costes and charges , with a greatter losse of our labour ? The day was appoynted , the yere of our lorde . M. D. xxxvii . the .xxiii. daye of Maye . This newe bulle cometh to vs , in the later end of June , and to them , to whome it came soonest , it coulde not so soone come , but it myght iustely seme to come to late . But let other princis and prelates , if there be any , that prepared thytherwarde , chaufe with theym , we fele no damage , whiche sturred no foote that waye for this pourpose . All men may well see , that he is but lyttell sory , no , that he nothyng careth , for the Turkes inuadynge of christen princis dominions , whiche wolde princis to come nowe to councell , whan in dede they can scase , by all theyr study , industry , and wyttes , resyste his cruelle interprises . Nowe be it we woll not charge thē with it , all though we myght better laye it to their charge , than they be able to put it away .

¶ This last bull , procedinge wonderfull popishely , prorogeth the holy assemble vnto the month of Nouembre , vntyl that tyme we are not loked for . Than he commaundeth , specially patriarches , archbishops , byshops , abbottes , and other of the spiritualtie , by the vertue of obedience , and vnder peyne of cursyng , to be present . But where he wyl be , or to what place , we shall come , no man knoweth . No in very dede , he knoweth not as yet hym selfe . And what maketh it matter , as good no where , as where it can not be : aswel no place serueth hym , that intedeth no councelle , as all places : moche better to name none , than to name suche , as he purposeth not to come to . He breakethe noo promyse , if he make none . To mocke princis but ones , is a smalle faute in a pope . This we be assured of , eyther he woll appoynte one , yf he appoynte any , in some citie of his owne , ( we call those his owne , which his predecessours haue wrongfully extorted frome other pryncis , and those , whiche he nowe kepeth , contrary to equitie and iustyce ) or elles he wyll call vs to some other princis domimon . To the fyrst no man that wise is , and dissenteth from his opynyons , woll come . And if he call vs , where he without an hoste can not be suffred to entre , shall not they be iustly charged with folye , whiche ones deceyued , woll be deceyued ayene ? Is he not lyke to deceyue vs , that promyseth more than he canne performe ? But we dispute to longe in a thynge , that pertayneth lyttell to vs. For what place so euer he find , be it neuer soo sure , we wolle neuer come to any assemble at his calle . No , we wolle Paule and his adherentes vnderstand that , that we oft haue sayd , and no we say , and euer woll say , He nor his hath none auctorite , no iurisdiction in Englande . We giue him no more then he hath , that is neuer a dele . That which he hath vsurped ageinst goddis lawe , and extorted by violence , we by good ryght , take from hym ageyne . But he and his woll say , we gaue them a Primacy . we here them wel . We gaue it you in deede . If you haue auctoritie vpon vs , as long as our consent gyueth it you , and you euer more woll make your plee vpon our consent , than let it haue euen an ende , where it began , we consent no longer , your auctoritie must nedes be goone . If we beinge deceyued by alse pretense of yuell alleged scriptures , gaue to you that you ought to haue refused , why may we not , our errour nowe perceyued , youre deceyte espied , take it ageyne ? We princis wrote our selfes , to be inferiours to popes : as longe as we thought so , we obeyde them as our superiours . Nowe , we wryte not as we dyd , and therfore they haue noo great cause to meruayle , if we hereafter do nat as we dyd . Bothe the lawes cyuile , and also the lawes of god , be on our syde . For a free man borne do the not lese his libertie , no nor hurte the plee of his lybertie , though he write hym selfe a bonde man . Ageyne , yf they leane to custome , we sende them to saynte Cyprian , whiche sayth , that custome , if trouthe be not ioyned with hit , is nothyng , but erroris vetustas , that is , an olde errour . Christe said , Ego su● uia ueritas & uita , I am the way trouth and lyfe . He neuer sayd , Ego sum consuetudo , I am the custome . wherfore seynge custome serueth you on the one syde , and scripture vs , vppon thother , are ye able to matche vs : In howe many places , doth Christ monyshe you to seke no primacy , to preferre your selfe to no body , no , to be obedient vnto all creatures . Your olde title Seruus seruorum , euyll agreeth with your newe forged dygnitie . But we wol not tary in matters playne . We onely desyre god , tha Cesar , and other Christian princis wol agree vpon some holy councel where trouthe may be tried , and relygyon sette vp , whiche haue ben● hurte by nothynge so fore , as by generall not generall councelles . Errours , abuses growe to faste . Erudi mini , erudimini qui iudicatis terram . Gette ●ou lernyng , you that iuge the erth , & excogitate some remedy , for these so many diseases of the sycke churche . They that be wyseste , doo dispaire of a generall councell . Wherfore we thinke it nowe beste , that euery prince calle a councell prouincial , and euery prince to redresse his owne realme . We make all menne priuey , what we thynke beste to be done for the redresse of religion . If they lyke it , we doubte not , but they wyll folowe it , or some other better . Our truste is , that all princis woll so handel them selfe in this behalf , that princis may enioy their owne , and priestis of Rome content them selfis with that they ought to haue . Princis as we truste , woll no longer nourysshe wolues whelpes . They woll subscrybe no more to popisshe pride , to the papacy . &c.

¶ Fauour our doinges , O chrysten pryncis , your honour and ancient maiestie is restored . Remembre , there is nothynge perteynynge so moche to a princis honour , as to sette forthe trouthe , and to helpe relygyon . Take you hede , that theyr deceyte worke not more myschiefe , than your vertue can do good . And euerlastynge warre , we wolde all princis had with this papacye . As for theyr decrees , so harke to them , that yf in this Mantuan assemble , thynges be wel done , ye take them , but not as authorised by them , but the trouth , & thynges that mayntein religion , are to be taken at all mens handes . And euen as we woll admitte thynges wel made , so if there be any thyng determyned in preiudyce of trouth , for mayntenance of the euyll grounded primacy , or that may hurte thauctoritie of kynges , we protest vnto the hole world , that we neither allowe it , nor wyl at any tyme allowe it .

¶ YE HAVE CHRISTEN reders our mynde , concernyng the generall councell : we thynke you all see , that Paul , and his Cardinals , Byshops , abbottes , Monkes , Fryers , with the reste of the rablement , do nothynge lesse intende , than the knowledge or serche of trouth . Ye se this is no tyme mete , Mantua noo place mete , for a generall councell . And though they were bothe mete , yet excepte some other cal this councell , you see , that we neither nede to come nor to sende . You haue harde howe euery prynce in his owne realme , maye quiete thynges amysse . If there be any of you , that canne shewe vs a better way , we promise , with all harty desyre to do that , that shal be thought beste for the setlyng of religion , and that we woll leaue our owne aduyses , yf any manne shewe vs better . Whyche mynde of ours , we moste hartily praye god , that gaue it vs , not onely to encrease in vs , but also to sende it vnto all christen princis , all christen prelates , al christen people .

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