ainst the wills of so many kings, in spite of the popes, and almost
maugre the head of all men, hath taken increase, and by little and little
spread over into all countries, and is come at length even into kings'
courts and palaces; these same things, methinketh, might be tokens great
enough to them, that God Himself doth strongly fight in our quarrel, and
doth from heaven laugh at their enterprises; and that the force of truth
is such, as neither man's power, nor yet hell-gates are able to root it
out. For they be not all mad at this day, so many free cities, so many
kings, so many princes, which have fallen away from the seat of Rome, and
have rather joined themselves to the Gospel of Christ.

And although the popes had never hitherunto leisure to consider
diligently and earnestly of these matters, or though some other cares do
now let them, and diverse ways pull them, or though they count these to
be but common and trifling studies, and nothing to appertain to the
Pope's worthiness, this maketh not why our matter ought to seem the
worse. Or if they perchance will not see that which they see indeed, but
rather will withstand the known truth, ought we therefore by-and-by to be
accounted heretics because we obey not their will and pleasure? If so
be, that Pope Pius were the man (we say not, which he would so gladly be
called), but if he were indeed a man that either would account us for his
brethren, or at least would take us to be men, he would first diligently
have examined our reasons, and would have seen what might be said with
us, what against us; and would not in his bull, whereby he lately
pretended a council, so rashly have condemned so great a part of the
world, so many learned and godly men, so many commonwealths, so many
kings, and so many princes, only upon his own blind prejudices and fore-
determinations--and that without hearing of them speak or without showing
cause why.

But because he hath already so noted us openly, lest by holding our peace
we should seem to grant a fault, and specially because we can by no means
have audience in the public assembly of the general council, wherein he
would no creature should have power to give his voice or to declare his
opinion, except he be sworn, and straitly bound to maintain his authority
(for we have had good experience hereof in the last conference at the
council at Trident; where the ambassadors and divines of the princes of
Germany, and of the free cities