A counterblast to M. Hornes vayne blaste against M. Fekenham Wherein is set forthe: a ful reply to M. Hornes Answer, and to euery part therof made, against the declaration of my L. Abbat of Westminster, M. Fekenham, touching, the Othe of the Supremacy. By perusing vvhereof shall appeare, besides the holy Scriptures, as it vvere a chronicle of the continual practise of Christes Churche in al ages and countries, fro[m] the time of Constantin the Great, vntil our daies: prouing the popes and bishops supremacy in ecclesiastical causes: and disprouing the princes supremacy in the same causes. By Thomas Stapleton student in diuinitie.

Stapleton.

ALM. Hornes force is now sodenly remoued from Constantinople to Spaine, where he now bloweth a larme againe. But God be thanked for all this great fighte, there is litle hurte donne. Yea after all this tos∣sing and turmoiling, and after all his great sturre and broile againste the pope and the clergy, he is vppon the soden be∣comme suche an entiere and so well affectioned frende to them, that (but I trowe vnwares, and therfore worthy the lesse thanke) he transporteth the supreame authority as well in temporall as spirituall matters from the king to the clergy. For I beseache you M. Horne, are not dyuers of

the maters specified in the twelueth and thirtenth Coun∣cell at Toledo plaine Ciuile and Temporall? As con∣cerning the confirmation of King Ernigius royall Autho∣ritie succeeding to Kinge Bamba being shorne a Monke? Concerning the release and exoneration of the people from certaine grieuouse payementes and exactions? Concer∣ninge also the goods of certaine Traytours with such like? Dothe not the Kinge praye the Prelates to discusse his re∣quests with their iudgementes? Doe not they confirme his royall Authoritie with their Synodicall Decree? Doth not the Kinge in his booke offred to the Councell saye, that he moste humblie and deuoutlye lyeth prostrate before their Reuerente assemblie? Coram caetus vestri reuerentia humilis deuotusque prosternor? Dothe he not desire them cōcerning his other ciuil ordināces, to put to their strōg and helping hand? Doth he not plainly say, that what so euer the holy assemblie of Bisshops decreeth to be ob∣serued, is by the gift of the holy Ghoste established for euer? Let me now, Gentle Reader, play Maister Horne his parte, and make for me his accustomable conclusion. The King requireth of the Clergy the confirmation of his Decrees and ordinaunces, as wel concerning matters of Faith and Religion, as cōcerning Ciuil maters: Ergo the Clergy hath the Superioritye in bothe. And with this Argument, dothe Maister Horne lappe vppe here his Spannishe matters. Sauing that he telleth vs of three other Councels holden at Toletum vnder Egita their King, which in all the vo∣lumes of the Councels appeare not, this vnder Eringius, the .13. in number being the last: and therefore till he tell

vs, where those Councelles may be founde, seing he hath so often belyed the knowen Histories, I will make no curtesie to note this for an Vntruth also, this being a mater so vtterly vnknowen.

And nowe farewell Spaine for this time. For Maister Horne hath manie other mightie, large, and farre Coun∣tries to bring vnder his conquest and Supremacie: as wel truely, as he hath already conquered Spaine: which will be to leese the fielde and all his matter, gladde to escape with body and soule: with small triumphe, and shame enough. Goe to then Maister Horne, and take your iourney when and whither it pleaseth you. Yow will wishe, I trowe, when you haue all sayed and done, that you had taryed at home and let this greate enterprise alone.

Notes

• Tolet. 12. Vide Tom. 2. Concil. Fol. 417. &. Tolet. 13. fol. 425 Votorum meorum studia ve∣stris iudi∣cijs diri∣menda cō∣mittēs. pa. 425. & 417.

  His votorū meorū in sinuationib. quaes•• vt fortia paternitatis vestrae adiutoria pro∣rogetis. Luce enī cla∣rius constat, quod ag∣gregatio sancta pōti∣ficū quicquid censue∣rit obseruādū per do∣nū spiritus sancti, oīo est ad aeter¦nitatem praefixum. Tol. 13. fol. 426. c. 1. b M. Horne vnawares maketh the Clergie Supreme Iudges in Ciuile causes.