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.

M. Horne telleth vs a tale after his olde wonte, that is without head or taile, to abuse his ignorant reader with a confuse heape of disordered and false wordes. Pelagius was sente by the Romans to King Totilas to entreat of peace, and that he would for a time ceasse from warre, and geue them truce. Saying that if in the meane whyle they had no succour,* 1.1 they would yelde the citye of Rome to him. Pelagius coulde wynne none other answere at his hands, bu•• that they should beate downe the walles, receiue his army, and stand to his curtesy and mercye. Totilas being afterward in possession of the City▪* 1.2 and fearing warres frō the Emperour Iustinian, sent Pelagius to Iustinian, to tra∣uaile with him for peace: sending him withall worde, that in case he would inuade Italye, he would destroye Rome, and plucke it downe faste to the ground. Totilas toke an othe of Pelagius and hys other ambassadours to doe hys message faythfullie, and to returne againe theyre ambassa∣de exployted. Pelagius most pitefullye and withe manie teares layethe before Iustinian the miserable state and the vtter destructiō and desolation of Rome impedente, onlesse he woulde forbeare warre with Totilas: yea he ād hys fel∣lowes fell vpon theire knees most humblye beseching him to haue compassiō of the citye. But in fyne Iustiniā would

not relent. Wherevpon sone after their returne, Rome was set al on fier by Totylas, and no lyuing creature, man, wo∣man, nor childe suffered there to inhabite. Prye nowe M. Horne and pycke out here what ye can to establishe your primacye: your folye is to open to be in this matter withe many words refuted. Here is no one matter Ecclesiastical, and that ye see wel inowghe: and therefore your selfe as faste as ye can wou••de steale away from yt, and proue your matter otherwise. But Sir ye shall not so steale awaye, but beside the note of extreme folye, to busie your selfe and your Readers with that, which your self can not deny, no∣thing to towch spiritual matters, but that ye shal carry with you a lie or two. Els tel vs why you wil haue vs to note the Popes subiection to Totylas,* 1.3 seing that neither Pelagius was then Pope, Vigilius yet liuing at Cōstantinople, neither was he any other way subiect, then as to a Tyrant. For Totilas (who for his rage and crueltyes was called Flagellum Dei, the Scourge of God) at that tyme tooke Rome, and entred with the conquest. Pelagius did that homage to him, to ob∣tayne mercy for his poore Cytyzens. And when Totylas seing him coming towarde him, said: What meaneth this ô Pe∣lagius? comest thou to me as a suppliant? Pelagius answered, sayinge. Yea Sir I come to you, seing God hath made you my Lorde. But haue mercy, I beseche you, vpon ••our seruaunts, haue mercy vpon the poore Captiue Cytie. And this lo was the sub∣iection of Pelagius made to Totylas, which you wishe to be noted M. Horne, as though it made any thing for the Popes subiection in spiritual matters. Tel vs also whye ye write, that he departed with reproche. What reproche had he at Iustinians hand? Your authour Sabellicus sheweth of none. But see the mans folish wilynes. In dede Sabellicus writeth

that Pelagius was noted as a fauorer of Anthimus: but then saith he withall, that Pelagius did detest it of all thinges to seme to fauour him. Wel, to supply this defect of his super∣fluous liyng talk of Pelagi{us} be brīgeth forth a decree against symony, made by Pelagius and Narses th'Emperors deputy. This is no mater of faith, M. Horne, no, nor no new decree of maners, but such as had bene decreed long before. And therefore but an execution of the old Canons: which Nar∣ses might medle withal wel inoughe. There is then to make vp the mater yet ones againe a declaration concerning the interest of the Emperour in the election of Bishoppes and Popes too: wherevnto at this time we nede not greatly to say any thing: so much hath ben said hereof before.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sabellic. Aeneld. 8. lib. 4.
• * 1.2

  cōcernīg pope Pe∣lagius set Ambassa∣dour to thempe∣rour.
• * 1.3

  Platina in Pelagio. 1. Sabell. Aenead. 8 lib. 4.