nd killing of Leopoldus the
Duke of Austria, and restoring by force their country to liberty, that
was done, as appeareth plainly by all stories, for two hundred and
threescore years past or above, under Boniface the Eighth, when the
authority of the "Bishop of Rome" was in greatest jollity; about two
hundred years before Huldericus Zuinglius either began to teach the
Gospel, or yet was born: and ever since that time they have had all
things still and quiet, not only from foreign enemies, but also from
civil dissension. And if it were a sin in the Helvetians to deliver
their own country from foreign government, specially when they were so
proudly and tyrannously oppressed, yet to burden us with other men's
faults, or them with the faults of their forefathers, is against all
right and reason.

But O immortal God! and will the Bishop of Rome accuse us of treason?
Will he teach the people to obey and follow their magistrates? or hath he
any regard at all of the majesty of princes? Why doth he then, as none
of the old bishops of Rome heretofore ever did, suffer himself to be
called of his flatterers "lord of lords," as though he would have all
kings and princes, who and whatsoever they are, to be his underlings? Why
doth he vaunt himself to be "king of kings," and to have kingly royalty
over his subjects? Why compelleth he all emperors and princes to swear
to him fealty and true obedience? Why doth he boast that the "emperor's
majesty's is a thousandfold inferior to him:" and for this reason
specially, because God hath made two lights in heaven, and because heaven
and earth were created not at two beginnings, but in one? Why hath he
and his complices (like Anabaptists and Libertines, to the end they might
run on more licentiously and carelessly) shaken off the yoke, and
exempted themselves from being under a civil power? Why hath he his
legates (as much to say as most subtle spies) lying in wait in all kings'
courts, councils, and privy chambers? Why doth he, when he list, set
Christian princes one against another, and at his own pleasure trouble
the whole world with debate and discord? Why doth he excommunicate, and
command to be taken as a heathen and a Pagan any Christian prince that
renounceth his authority? And why promiseth he his "indulgences and his
pardons" so largely to any that will (what way soever it be) kill any of
his enemies? Doth he maintain empires and kingdoms? or doth he once
desire that commo