Bishops 'in the primitive Church were of the same power as the Pope.'[1]
'It is ridiculous to say that a mortal man may claim to have power of binding and loosing sin, in heaven and on earth, while he is a son of perdition,' &c.[2]
'The Roman Church, the head of which is believed to be the Pope may err, and deceive and be deceived, and be in schism and heresy, and fail to exist.'[3]
'It appears that if the Pope … be wicked and incorrigible, the King or Emperor of the Romans … has to apply the remedy by convoking a Council.'[4]
'Bishops (oppressed by Popes) may reasonably carry their complaints, not only to the Pope and a General Council, which is the most fitting tribunal, but to orthodox Princes.'[5]
'Here is a foundation for the possible case of subtraction or suspension of obedience to any Pope rightly elected.'[6]
These are the first principles of the Anglican schism, which has always justified itself by such writers as Gerson, Peter d'Ailly, Nicholas de Clemangiis, and by their later followers, Dupin, Van Espen, and Febronius.
In quoting the opinions of Gerson, which every Catholic must lament and reject, it would be unjust
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