" These words spake Bernard of that bishop who
named himself the highest bishop of all, and of the other bishops
likewise which then had the place of government. Bernard was no
Lutheran: Bernard was no heretic. He had not forsaken the Catholic
Church: yet nevertheless he did not let to call the bishops that then
were, deceivers, beguilers, and Pilates. Now when the people was openly
deceived, and Christian men's eyes were craftily bleared, and when Pilate
sat in judgment-place, and condemned Christ and Christ's members to sword
and fire, O good Lord, in what case was Christ's Church then? But yet
tell me, of so many and so gross errors, what one have these men at any
time reformed? or what fault have they once acknowledged and confessed?
But, forsomuch as these men avouch the universal possession of the
Catholic Church to be their own, and call us heretics, because we agree
not in judgment with them, let us know, I beseech you, what proper mark
and badge hath that Church of theirs, whereby it may be known to be the
Church of God. I wiss it is not so hard a matter to find out God's
Church, if a man will seek it earnestly and diligently.
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