CHAP. XXI. Their pretense that the Greeks and all other Churches were once under the Pope
CHAP. XXI. Their pretense that the Greeks and all other Churches were once under the Pope.
D etect. 12. Another of the Roman frauds is this: They persuade men that the Greeks, the Protestants, and all other Churches, were once under their Papal sovereignty, and have separated themselves without any just cause: and therefore we are all schismatics; and therefore have no vote in general Councils, &c.— A few words may serve to show the vanity of this accusation. 1.
Abundance of the Churches were so strange to you, that they had not any notable communion with you. 2. The Greek Churches withdrew from your
Communion, but not from your subjection. If any of the Patriarchs or Emperors of Constantinople did for carnal ends at last submit to you, it was not till lately, nor was it the act of the Churches, nor owned, nor of long continuance. So that it was your Communion and not your subjection that they withdrew from.
2. And as for us of the Western parts, we answer you, 1. We that are now living, our Fathers, or our Grand-fathers, were not of your Church: and therefore we never did withdraw.
2. There were Churches in England before the Roman Power was here owned: And therefore if it was a sin to change, the first change was the sin, when they subjected themselves to you; and not the later, in which they returned to their ancient state.
3. And for the Germans or English or whoever did relinquish you, they have as good reason for it, as for the relinquishing of any other sin. If they did by the unhappiness of ill education or delusion, submit to the usurped
Sovereignty of the Pope they had no reason to continue in such an error.
Repentance is not a Vice, when the thing Repented of is a vice. Justify therefore your usurpation, or else it is in vain to be angry with us for not adhering to the usurper, and the many corruptions that he brought into the Church.