Justitia Britannica

often derided by many: by which trade they would not only lead the common people into foul and old-womanish superstition, but would also attract them to approve the Bulls and other instruments of Pontifical confirmation, by which the Roman Pontiff is accustomed to confirm his own extraordinary and too petulant usurped authority over monarchs, kings, princes, and all other powers. With these most pernicious inventions, however, in such a short time, with the consciences of some ulcerated, it came to pass that unless, by His supreme providence, the most good and great God had immediately resisted, with the very fountains of these superstitions opened, it was necessary that not only horrible tumults and civil motions follow, but also that rivers of Christian blood and infinite slaughters be made without delay. For what is more open than that such a great and lost number, enticed by these aids and led to the point that it would approve Roman documents and instruments, not only in minds secretly and hiddenly, but also openly in the light, would soon be a criminal of treason and such a great crime? With their forces produced in battle—which, if harmful fortune had made them superior—what do you think would be lacking, either of crime or of cruelty, so that all things, which have long been in their desires, might be impiously transferred to the Roman Pontiff?