Upon the sixt leafe M. Doctor saith that the Pope taketh the sworde from Princes, but our Bishops take it at their handes, and giuen of them: as though challenge were not made against the Pope for vsing the materiall sworde, and not only for vsing it against the wil of the Princes. For by that reason if Princes would put their swordes in his hande, as sometimes they haue done; he might lawefully vse them. And wheras he saieth that our churchmen meddle not with all ciuill causes, or exercise all ciuill iurisdiction, but such as helpeth to discipline, and the good gouernment of the church, & the estate. What sayth he, that is not truly sayd of any ciuill magistrate in the realme. For no one doth meddle in all causes. And further I would gladly knowe what ciuil iurisdiction is in this realme, which helpeth not vnto the good gouernment of this church and estate. For if they medle with al that, there is none which they haue not to do with.
The thing it selfe declareth and the practise of this church is euident, in what sorte and condition such ciuill offices are cōmitted to ecclesiasticall persons: and that they do not rule as kinges, but as subiectes to kinges, nor that they challe〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ge not this of any other authoritie, but from the Prince, and that they vse it to no other end than the good and godly gouernment of the churche: whereas the Pope ruleth as Emperoure and kyng, not as subiecte: challengeth his authoritie of dutie, and by the word of God, not by the graunte of Princes, and vseth it moste Tyrannically, euen to the placing and displacing of kinges and Empereurs at his pleasure. And this is that vsurped iu∣risdiction which all good men crye out of, and mislike, and not the other which is ordi∣nary, vsuall and lawefull. When I saye that Bishoppes haue that ciuill iurisdiction which helpeth to discipline, and the good gouernment of the churche and state: all men may vnderstande that I meane suche ciuill iurisdiction, as is