under the rule of the rash inconstant people and unlearned multitude;
that we have seditiously fallen from the Catholic Church, and by a wicked
schism and division have shaken the whole world, and troubled the common
peace and universal quiet of the Church; and that, as Dathan and Abiram
conspired in times past against Moses and Aaron, even so we at this day
have renounced the Bishop of Rome without any cause reasonable; that we
set nought by the authority of the ancient fathers and councils of old
time; that we have rashly and presumptuously disannulled the old
ceremonies, which have been well allowed by our fathers and forefathers
many hundred years past, both by good customs, and also in ages of more
purity; and that we have by our own private head, without the authority
of any sacred and general council, brought new traditions into the
Church: and have done all these things not for religion's sake, but only
upon a desire of contention and strife; but that they for their part have
changed no manner of thing, but have held and kept still such a number of
years to this very day all things as they were delivered from the
Apostles and well approved by the most ancient fathers.

And that this matter should not seem to be done but upon privy slander,
and to be tossed to and fro in a corner, only to spite us, there have
been besides wilily procured by the Bishop of Rome certain persons of
eloquence enough, and not unlearned neither, which should put their help
to this cause, now almost despaired of, and should polish and set forth
the same, both in books, and with long tales to the end that, when the
matter was trimly and eloquently handled, ignorant and unskilful persons
might suspect there was some great thing in it. Indeed they perceived
that their own cause did everywhere go to wrack; that their sleights were
now espied, and less esteemed; and that their helps did daily fail them;
and that their matter stood altogether in great need of a cunning
spokesman.