and an archibischop be to bischopis, neither [The construction requires and.] a pope be to archibischopis; but oonli aȝens the seid politik gouernaunce in this, that a preest be ouerer to the lay peple, and a bischop be ouerer to preestis, and an archibischop be ouerer to bischopis, and the pope be ouerer to archibischopis.
Aȝens this answere mai be argued sufficientli thus: Sithen a bischop, in that [Probably we should read in that that.] he is bischop to a preest, is not euen with the preest; (forwhi thanne the preest were a very bischop to the bischop, as he is bischop to the preest; and the bischop, in that that he is bischop to a preest, is not ouerer [ouere, MS. (but words have been erased and transposed).] to the preest, as now it is supposid these ij. textis so wole;) it muste needis folewe bi the seid answere the meenyng of these ij. textis to be this, that a bischop in that that he is bischop and the [the is interlineated by a later hand: a might seem a more probable correction.] preest in that that he is preest to the lay peple ben the netherers to hem; and sithen these textis weernen not bischopis be to preestis, and archibischopis be to bischopis, folewith bi lijk skile these ij. textis forto wilne that if bischopis be, thei as in that ouȝten be netherers to preestis, and archibischopis, if thei be, ouȝten be netherers to bischopis. But this is vntrewe, forwhi Poul bare him silf so anentis the Corinthies, that he punyschid hem; and also in an other tyme he comaundid hem to be punyschild [punyhid, MS.] of othere; and in an othir tyme he thret|ened hem that he wolde come to hem in ȝerde, that is to seie, in peyne. And so it is, that these deedis ben not deedis of a netherer to his ouerer. Wherfore Poul bi his preesthode or bischophode bering to the lay peple vsid in that ouerte upon hem, and not
