Chap. 3. the. 3. Diuision.
And heere by the way it is to be obserued of the Reader, howe neere a kinne the pope and the Archbishop be. For this office is confirmed by the same (a) 1.1 places that the (b) 1.2 popes is. The places and arguments which are brought agaynst him are soluted with the same solutions that they vse which maynteyne the Papacie. For these places of Cyprian be alleadged for the popes supremacie, and (c) 1.3 in deede they make as muche for the pope as the Archbishop. For althoughe they be two heads, yet they stande vpon one necke, and therefore the reformed Churches whiche cut righte dyd strike them both of at one blowe.
This argueth eyther wilfull ignorance, or professed malice: for you can not but knowe that Cyprian meaneth of the subiection that ought to be giuen to Cornelius in his owne Prouince, and that the Papistes wrest the same to proue his vniuer∣sall iurisdiction ouer all Christendome. Nowe if a man maye not alleadge that truely, according to the true sense and meaning of the author, whiche the Papistes abuse to serue their turne, then muste we abstayne from alleadging diuers places of the Scripture.
It is true that the Papistes vse this place for the Popes supremacie, but falsly: for Cyprian onely meaneth of the superioritie of a Metropolitane or Bishop in his Pro∣uince or Diocesse. And the Papistes them selues haue giuen ouer their holde, that they tooke of those places of Cyprian, confessing that he ment of euery seuerall By∣shop in his owne Diocesse or Prouince, as appeareth in Dormans & Hardings latter bookes, and others. And is this kinde of reason so neare a kinne to the Papists, which vtterlye ouerthroweth one of their strongest argumentes? Surely I mar∣uell that your desire is so muche to write agaynst the person, that in the meane time you neglect the common cause, and giue strength as muche as lyeth in you to the rea∣son of the aduersarie, whylest you say, that this place maketh as muche for the Pope, as it dothe for the Archbishop. But the truthe of this your Replie shall appeare, when I haue answered your other cauilles.