Rome is a Sanctuarie of al Heresies: Lyra saithe, that many Popes haue fallen
into Heresies: you know, that Pope Hildebrande, as he was charged by the Coun∣cel
of Brixia, was an Aduouterer, a Churcherobber, a Periured man, a Man∣killer,
a Sorcerer, and a Renegate of the Faithe: That Platina calleth the
Popes sometimes in scorne, Pontificulos, Litle Petite Popes: sometimes Monstra,
& Portenta, Monsters, and Vnnatural, and il shapen Creatures. Pope Adrian the
fourthe was woonte to saie, Succedimus, non Petro in pascendo, sed
Romulo in Parricidio: VVee Succede, not Peter in Feedinge, but
Romulus in Killinge. And to leaue Dame Iohane the woman Pope, with
many others moe of like Vertue, and Holinesse, as hauinge no pleasure in this
rehersal: And, for as mutche as M. Hardinge began this mater with Sarisburie, to
ende it with the same, Iohannes Sarisburiensis saithe, In Romana Ecclesia sedent
Scribae, & Pharisaei: In the Churche of Rome (by Succession) sitte the Scribes, and the
Phariseis.
This is M. Hardinges holy Succession. Though Faithe faile, yet Succession
muste holde. For vnto sutche Succession God hath bounde the Holy Ghoste. For
lacke of this Succession, for that in our Sees in the Churches of Englande, wée
finde not so many Idolaters, Necromancers, Heretiques, Aduouterours, Church∣robbers,
Periured Personnes, Mankillers, Renegates, Monsters, Scribes, and
Pharisies, as wée maie easily finde in the Churche of Rome, therefore, I trowe,
M. Hardinge saithe, wée haue no Succession: wée are no Bishoppes: wée haue no
Churche at al.
But S. Paule saithe, Faithe commeth (not by Succession, but) by hearinge: and
hearinge commeth, (not of Legacie, or Enheritance from Bishop to Bishop, but) of the
Woorde of God. They are not alwaies Godly, that Succede the Godly. Manasses
succeded Ezechias: and Hieroboam succeded Dauid. By Succession the Turke
this daie possesseth, and holdeth the foure greate Patriarkal Sées of the Churche,
Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioche, and Hierusalem. By Succession, Christe
saithe, Desolation shal fitte in the Holy place: and Antichriste shal presse into the
roume of Christe.
It is not sufficient to claime Succession of place: It behooueth vs rather to
haue regarde to the Succession of Doctrine. S. Bernarde saithe, Quid prodest,
si Canonice eligantur, & non Canonicè viuant? What auaileth it, if they be chosen in Or∣der,
and liue out of Ordere So saithe S. Augustine, Ipsum Characterem multi, & Lu∣pi,
& Lupis imprimunt: The outwarde marke, or right of a Bishop manie geue to Woulues,
and he Woulues them selues. Therefore the Ancient Father Irenaeus geueth vs
this good Councel: Eis, qui sunt in Ecclesia, Presbyteris, obaudire oportet, qui Suc∣cessionem
habent ab Apostolis, qui cum Episcopatus Successione, Charisma Ve∣ritatis
certum, secundum beneplacitum Patris, acceperunt: It becommeth vs, to obeie
those Priestes in the Churche, whiche haue their Succession from y• Apostles: and togeather
with the Succession of their Bishoprikes, accordinge to y• good wil of God the Father, haue
receiued the vndoubted gifte of the Truthe. S. Cyprian beinge likewise charged
for dissentinge from his predecessours, answeareth thus: Si quis de Antecessoribus
meis, non hoc obseruauit, & tenuit, quod nos Dominus exemplo, & Magisterio suo do∣cuit,
potest simplicitati eius venia concedi: Nobis ver•• ignoici non potest, qui nunc à
Domino admoniti, & instructi sumus: If any of my Predecessours haue not obserued, and
kepte the same, that our Lorde hath taught vs bothe by his example, and also by his Com∣maundemente,
his simplicitie maie be pardoned. But wee (if wée doo the like) can hope for
no pardonne, beinge nowe admonished, and instructed of our Lorde.
Compare the vse, and order of our Churches, M. Hardinge, with the Primi∣tiue
Churche of God, and ye shal easily see the right of our Succession. S. Cyprian