In Defense of the True Church of God, Treatise · Section 3 – Section 5
Synodes or Councels.
The ſame doo I ſay touching Synodes or Councels:Examples. How Syno… or Councels …re to be heard. That they are alſo too bee hearde▪ which, when they doo diſpute touching the worde of God, doo teache and admoniſhe vsus: but thereunto let iudgement bee adioyned, & when they deliuer vntoo the worlde thinges which are true, let vsus giuegive credit vntoo them, for the woorde of God: As the Nicene Councel taught both godly and profitably, and admoniſhed al poſterity, of the ſonne of God. But we beleue the article, not for the Synode or Coū cell, but bicauſe wee ſee it ſo expreſſed in the woorde of God.
The other thinges, which are without the Scriptures are not ſo wel to be embraced, As the Councel of Nicene, inſtituted Canons of repentance, which are mās traditions, beſides the ſcriptures, and hauehave beene the ſeedes of many ſuperſtitous opinions.
Sampſons gueſtes coulde not expounde the ridle which was proponed at the feaſt, but that his wyfe was firſte aſked the queſtion: Wherefore,…udicum, cap. 14. … compariſon …or triall too …now where the …urch of God …. Sampſon ſayde vntounto them, except you had firſt plowed with my heckfer you ſhoulde not finde out my queſtion. So lykewyſe, muſte wee diligently looke about and make inquiry where the Church is, which hath the woorde of GOD, and wee muſt ſee which multitude of the fathers or of Councelles is the purer & vncorrupt: that is, which of them hauehave the leſſe opinions beſides the word of god. Theſe things doth the church teache, admoniſh and teſtifie. But we muſt ſee whether thoſe things which ſhee proponeth or decreeth, hauehave the firme teſtimonies of Gods woorde, yea or no.
And truly it becommeth the godly too acknowledge and confeſſe that the fathers hauehave deſerued well of their poſterity,The godly muſt acknowledge that the fathers of the Churche hauehave wel deſerued of their poſterity. which with ſharpe and earneſt contentions hauehave defended and retained godly doctrine: that benefit is not ſmally to be accompted vponupon. Heerevnto pertaineth that ſaying of S. Auguſtyne, I woulde not beleeue the Goſpel, were it not but that the autority of the Churche mooued mee therevntoo. Auguſtynes opinions touching the Church.Auguſtyne dooth not heere thinke that the autority of the Church is greater, thā of the woorde of God, or that the churche can aboliſh articles expreſſed in the word of God: but he thinketh that the church is the teacher, and Teſtimony of thoſe articles. Wee woulde not beleue the Goſpel, but that the church doth ſo reach vsus, and that it did teſtify, that this doctrine was deliuered vsus from the Apoſtles.
And this ſaying is of force to confounde ſtraunge opinions. which were neuer ſeene in the Churche, lyke as the Manichees hauehave inuented newe doting opinions.
For, the doctrine neceſſary too edify in godlineſſe, muſt needs bee ſeene in the beginning by the preaching of the Apoſtles. Therefore, ſtraunge and altogither vnknowne opinions not vſed in time of the apoſtolic at Church are to bee reiected. But concerning the ſaying of Auguſtyne, in other places more amply it i… diſputed vppon.The Churche hath none autority to ordayne any thing contrary vntounto the word of God. Surely hee dooth not grau… that the Churche hath or may hauehave any autoritie of ordayning any thing contrary too the expreſſe word of god: or of aboliſhing articles deliuered in the woorde of GOD: eyther elſe of making new or ſtraunge articles of the faith.
A Reſytal of Teſtimonies by the Autor.
I wil collect a fewe examples of the councels, and Fathers,Teſtimonies of Councels. as it appeareth, that in them there is matters of teſtimony in ſome of them, differing from others ſome, leaſt (without difference made) all the ſayinges of all men, or al the ordinaunces of auncient fathers, ſhoulde bee reputed and taken as neceſſary.
Lyke as truely the fooliſhe and ignoraunt people are ſo in louelove with antiquity that they wil hauehave al ancient traditions of men to be reſtored in the churche,The common ſort hauehave alwayes held antiquity in great eſtimation. euen as if nowe they of Sparta would hauehave al ancient ordinaunces reſtored vntounto the ſtate of their common wealth at this day: ſeeing that ordinaunces deuiſed by men, are partly faulty, and partly allowable: yet notwithſtanding they are not agreeable vntounto al times and ages.
The Councel called Neocaeſarienſe, forbad, that Prieſtes ſhoulde not come too banquettes at the ſeconde marriages,Concilium Neoceſar. vnderunder Couſtantinus. Anno. 315. Preſent thereat Germanus, Leontius, Baſilius, Longinus & aliis leaſt they ſhoulde bee ſuppoſed of others to allow them. Such like foliſh conſtitutiōs very many hauehave beene entermingled with good ordinaunces: wherfore, choiſe is to bee made in ſuch caſes, and wee muſt not raſhely reioyce or take encouragement a…eueryevery ſaying of the auncient fathers, or Councels.
Anno Domini 324. The Councel of Nicene was called togither by Conſtantyne the Emperour,Nicene Councel vnderunder Conſtantyne, Anno. 324 Preſent there at 268. biſhops. wherein Euſtathius biſhop of Antioche was chiefe. In this Councel, therewere very greate and grieuous controuerſies of opinions diſcuſſed and deryded, and the errours of Samoſatenus, and of Arrius were of good right condemned.Nicene Count. Alſo the errours of thoſe called Cathari, which denied that ſuche as had ſwarued from the Churche, were to be receaued again, and denied that ſuch could hauehave forgiuenes of their ſinnes.
Afterwards,Policies for the gouernment of churches deuyſed at the ſaid Councel. there were certaine policyes ordained touching gouernement of churches: That the biſhoppe of Alexandria ſhoulde gouerne the Churches of the eaſt▪ and the biſhop of Rome thoſe Churches of the nations adiacent. Alſo that biſhoppes ſhould bee conſecrated of the other biſhoppes which dwelt nea…e vntounto them. Theſe policies, although they are profitable, yet they which conſtituted theſe, would not hauehave them too bee taken for the articles of the fayth.
Thirdly,Ceremonial inſtitutions were cauſes of ſuperſtitions. they alſo ordained certaine ceremonial inſtitutions: namely, Canons of penance, as they termed them, which at the firſt, were not ſo difficulte, and peraduenture were leſſe ſuperſtitious.
But afterwardes it grewe to an intollerable yoake, and ſuperſtition therby increaſed, and the free remiſſion of ſinnes, was by meanes heereof obſcured and darkened. Wherfore; in this matter, the fathers of this Councel were not circumſpect ynough: And ſeing that the euent ſo manifeſted afterwards,Fathers faulty. that ſuperſtitions did hereby encreaſe, let vsus not in his behalfe ſo maruel at the dooing of that Councel,Canons of repentance. that wee wil eyther allowe, or reſtore theſe Canons as profitable for the Churche.
Neither, doo wee therefore differ in opinion from the ancient Churche: we retaine in our Churche the articles of the Councel, touching doctrine, which properly belong vntoo the churche. As for the other ceremonies, which eyther are beſide, or againſt the worde of God, they doo nothing at al pertaine vntoo the church.
Anno Domini 383. The councel of Conſtantinople was called togither,The councel of Conſtantinople ſecundum Pantaleonem vnderunder Gratian. Anno 383. Preſent thereat 180. Fathers. Controuerſies. Heretikes. of Theodoſius the Emperour, wherein was chief the biſhop of Conſtantinople: there was a greate controuerſy diſcuſſed vppon and dreyded as concerning The holy Ghoſte, That he is a perſon proceeding from the father, and the ſonne and that hee is God: And for their contrary opinion therein, was Eunomius, and other Heretikes of right condemned.
And there were alſo certain pollicies here decreed,Pollicies. as this one: namely, that no biſhops ſhoulde hauehave any thing to deale in other dioceſſes than in their owne.
Anno 433.The 3. Councel of Epheſus ſecund. Pantal. Romanis ducibus inter ſe de imp… rio diſciptantibus 433. Preſent thereat 200. fathers. Hereſies of Neſtorius. The Councell at Epheſus, was called of Theodoſii…s, the younger, Emperour, wherein was cheef, Cyrillus, biſhop of Alexandria. This Synode by good right condemned the heretike Neſtorius, who denied in Chriſte the worde vnited vntounto humane nature, by a ſubſtantial vnion, but that the word is onelyonly preſent, and (as it were a gueſt in …) doth dwel in humane nature, that it might there bee effectuall.
This controuerſy was of greate efficacy. For in Chriſte,Twoo natures in Chriſt truly aud ſubſtantially vnited. there are twoo natures vnited, truely & ſubſtantially. Neither is it onelyonly true, that the humane nature alone is Chriſt, and the dwelling place of the worde aſſiſtent, or vnited. Therevpon hauehave the godly vrged theſe kindes of ſpeach, touching the vnity of the perſon, That God was borne, that hee ſuffered, &c. And although Neſtorius, denied that hee helde like opinion as Samoſatenus helde, yet notwithſtanding I ſuppoſe that in deede hee helde all one opinion, but that hee hath after aforte propounded an olde doting opinion, darkly ſhadowed or cloked.
Anno 452. The Councell of Calcedon,The 4. Councel of Calcedon vnderunder Martian. 452. was called together of the Emperor Martian, wherein Eutiches was rightly condemned, which alſo denied the two natures in Chriſte; and contended that the ſame nature of the woorde was ſente from GOD, that it was brought foorth by the Virgin, neyther that there were two natures vnited: and here hee ſeemeth to hauehave renued the doting madneſſe of Samoſatenus, but propounded by ſome other ſleyght or cullour. This iudgement of the Councell, is to be commended.
But now there had increaſed in the church mans traditions,Mans traditions increaſed in the Church. therefore this Synode brought foorth corrupt conſtitutions, not touching opinions, bnt touching ceremonies, & woorſhipping of God, otherwiſe then the ſcriptures allowe, and notwithſtanding theſe ordinaunces, were more within the limites of modeſty, then other which ſprang vpp afterwardes. In this Synode, was firſt an order decreed which forbad the marriage of Monkes, and of Virgins which had made vowes:Monks forbidden to marry & virgins which had made vowes. and excommunicateth ſuche as contrace matrimony, out of that ſociety, although it addeth ſome mitigation, and that this may be graunted by the iudgement of the Biſhoppe.
But many pollitike ordinaunces were at this time profitably decreed:Politike ordinaunces for the Church decreeed in the Councell of Calcedon. Namely, That the Biſhoppes ſhoulde not themſelues, holde the adminiſtration of eccleſiaſticall faculties, but that Churches ſhoulde hauehave theyr ouerſeeers. That no one perſon ſhoulde hauehave moe functions then one. That no man ſhoulde be admitted without the order of Miniſtery. Alſo that Biſhops in theyr ſeueral Prouinces ſhoulde yeerelymeete together, and conſtitute Connenticles concerning the preſent controuerſies in the Churche.Aduerſaries charged with diſſimulation. Theſe profitable decrees, of the Synodes, the aduerſaries doe diſſemble with, and in meane time doe bring foorth other lighter matters, in the ende they woulde ſeeme to oppoſe vntounto vsus the autority of the auncient church.
There were alſo in the meane time other Synodes in other places, eyther prouincials, or more often aſſembled: wherin the Biſhops of the next prouinces abiacent, did alſo meete together,Th…. Council of Antioch vnderunder Foelix the B…ſhop of Rome there holden about the yeare 274, Touching the heriſie of this Paule Samoſatenus. looke in Pantaleon page 22. Such a one was the Synod of Antioche (before that of Nicene aforeſayde) called againſt Samoſatenus: which godly & rightly condemned the wickednes of Samoſatenus. Alſo the like Synode beyng auncient vncorrupt, called Gangrenſis in Galatia, ordayned verye good decrees agaynſt the ſuperſtitions of marriages, of meates, and of Monkery. And it is manifeſt that this Councell was gathered too condemne thoſe two Heretikes. Montanus & Martion, with others ſuch, which woonderfully augmented thoſe ſuperſtitions.
Since that, there enſued other Councelles more later, as that called Auchiranum, which decreed this conſtitution worthy of memory: ìf Deacons in theyr ordinaunce had not promiſed a ſingle life,Vowes of Dea…tons touching mariage or ſingle life fondly allowed of. they were ſtill too bee retayned in theyr miniſteries, althoughe afterwardes they had married wiues: but if they had promiſed vowes of ſingle life, and afterwardes indeede married: they were then too bee remoued and diſplaced out of the miniſtery. The ſame Synode hath alſo other daungerous & ſuperſtitie us Canons, of the yeeres of penaunce.The Councel of Laodicia vnderunder Valeut … Anno 368.
The Councell of Laodicea in Anno Domini 368. called together) did rightly confounde the Nouatian Heritikes.Lay men axacted vponupon, which had married 2 wiues. Concil. Laodicenum. But it erred in exacting vppon thoſe Lay men, which already hauehave had two wiues: it willeth them firſt to be puniſhed before they be admitted to the Communion. It doeth alſo forbid baptizing 14 dates after the beginning of lent:Error of Baptiſing forbidden for 14 dayes after beginning of lent. the other politike ordinaunces there decreed, are good, as namely this one, when it forbiddeth matrimony and marrying with Heretikes.Marriage forbid with Heretikes. This Synode followed that of Nicene not long tyme betweene.
VnderUnder Honorius the Emperour was the firſt councell of Toledo called,The Councell of Toledo vnderunder Arcadius & Honorius. Anno 395. which containeth many profitable arguments of doctrine. For it godly reciteth the articles of the Diuinitie and natures of Chriſt,Articles of diuinity and humanity in Chriſt. and certaine other articles. Afterwardes it adioyned vntoo this certayne pollitike conſtitutions and ceremonies, touching the maner of their annoynting, and touching vowes.
This Synode forbiddeth the preferring of Deacons vntounto the office of Prieſthoode, if they doe not abſtayne from lawfull wiues.Dea…ons. Alſo it doeth excommunicate thoſe Parentes which louelove theyr daughters with affection of parents if they do marry after they hauehave once bound them ſelues wt bowes.Excommunication of Parents. Alſo, this coūcell doth not admitt them once,A great and vnmeete abſurdity. beeing marryed, to come to the communion, e…cept they departe away from their huſbands. Pantaleon writeth that this was ratified in Anno Domini. 399.
The 5. Councel of Carthage which was held Anno Domini 438.The 5. Councel of Carthage vnderunder Aurelius Biſhop. Anno 438. forbiddeth Biſhops, Prieſts,Preſent therat 74. Biſhops. and Deacons to hauehave the vſe of lawfull wyues. And ſo by a little and a little the prohibition here of augmented. Before, that it was lawfull for Deacons to liue with their wiues, as the Synode called Anchirana Synodus both teſtifie. Afterwardes followed a prohibition hereof.Preſent therer… 74. Biſhops. Marriage of eccleſiaſticall perſons forbidden. And theſe ordinaunces touching ſingle life, were therevpon eftſones repeated in all Synodes and Councelles, and more ſharper puniſhments were adioyned them, as a certaine Councell holden at Toledo ordayned, that the riches or ſubſtaunce of women ſhoulde be ſoulde away if they returned agayne vntounto theyr huſbandes.
For,A conſtitution concerning Chappels and Aulters of Sayntes. this Councell now holden at Carthage contayneth alſo another conſtitution woorthy of memory concerning Chappels, and Aulters of Saintes, where as theyr bodies were not buryed. Theſe Aulters and Chappelles, did the Biſhop commaunde ſhoulde bee throwen downe, or if they feared any inſurrection of the people, he biddes them exhort the people in their Sermons, that they come not to thoſe places. It appeareth that there were ſome at that time which woulde prohibit and withſtande the ſuperſtition of woorſhipping Sayntes euen when it was firſte ſpringing vp.Superſtitiouſe woorſhipping of Saintes withſtood and diſanulled.
Pantaleon reciteth that this was ratified in the time of Clodoueus ſonne of Pharamund Duke of Franconiain Germany.
The Councell of Carthage in Anno Domini 457.The 6. councel of Carthage vnderunder Aurelius Biſhop there. Anno 457. touching the appeale of Biſhops therin the biſhop of Rome required ye appeale to the ſea of Rome might be graūted,Preſent thereat, 217, Biſhops. whēceſoeuer any man had appealed vntounto the Biſhop of Rome.Apeale to the See of Rome. laboured for by the Biſhop there. And bicauſe he would obtain this, he played a falſe part, hee alleadged a counterfaite decree, which hee affirmed was eſtabliſhed in the Nicene councel too that purpoſe: afterwardes by originalles or copies fetcht from Conſtantinople, Auguſtine was preſent at this Councel.the vanity heereof was founde out: and the demaunde of the Biſhop of Rome was vtterly reiected.Note. The impudent forgery of the Biſhop of Rome. At this councel was Sainte. Auguſtine preſent. By ſuch cunning ſleights hauehave the Romiſh biſhoppes made themſelues a way and meane to obtaine the ſupremacy. This example admoniſheth vsus, that wee ſhoulde not bee ſo farre in louelove with antiquity, that wee altogither acquyte it of al faultes there.
Pantaleon teſtifieth that this Synode was ratified for the 6. by Aurelius the Biſhop of Carthage.
The 4. Synode there, contained a decree made,A Relation vntounto the 4. Councel… holden there Touching Prayer, and offering for the dead, in theſe woordes: Thoſe that repent thē of their ſinnes, which hauehave diligently obſerued the canons of repentance, A decree touching repentaunce.if they happen too dye before they communicate, let the memory of them be commended in prayers, and offeringes. That age had not as yet any priuate Maſſes, but yet by a little and a little, ſuperſtition had encreaſed. This Canon doeth not allowe of the dead, except they had obſerued diligently the rites of penaunce. Alſo, it addeth a kinde or maner of offringes.
Pantaleon reporteth that this Synod was ratified in Anno 436. vnderunder the ſame Biſhop Aurelius.
The Councell called Mileuitana Synodus in Affrica handled a moſte weighty cauſe,The Councell called Mileuitana about the time that Hilarius entred againe into Rome. …n. 420. whereat Saynt Auguſtine was preſent, and did rightly defende this godly doctrine of originall ſinne, of Grace, and of iuſtification: the ſame Councell had alſo certeyne politike conſtitutions, amongſt which, namely, theſe are woorthy of memory, it forbiddeth ſute of appeale vntoo the Biſhoppes of beyonde the Seas.S. Auguſtine was preſent thereat with a great nūber of Biſhops. But indeede this decree, woulde not the Biſhoppe of Rome nowe admitte or receaue.
It alſo forbiddeth Iudges,Sute of appele to the See of Rome forbiddē. but not Byſhops to be required of the Emperor. That was agreable vntounto thoſe dayes. Now it were very harde too bee obſerued:Diuorcements Moreouer touching Diuorcements it decreed that the innocent or faultleſſe perſon ſhoulde not againe contract matrimony with any other.
And it moreouer addeth that requeſt is to be made, that the Emperour would eſtabliſh a lawe to that end and purpoſe. And that thing was alſo more grieuous. For Fabiola, as it appeareth by the teſtimonie of Saint Hierom contracted an other marriage after her firſte deuorce at Rome.
That Synode alſo confirmeth the ſuperſtition of vowes,Superſtition of vowes confirmed. Virgins to be couered before the age of 25. yeeres. it alloweth virgins to be couered before fiue & twenty yeeres of age contrary to the auncient Canons. Although therfore touching doctrine it pronounced thinges which were very well to be borne withall, yee afterwardes, notwithſtanding, were added ſome ſtubble: and ſuperſtitious conſtitutions.
Wherefore, not all the decrees of the Coūcels without choyce, are to be well allowed of: And yet notwithſtanding we muſt confeſſe and acknowledge that godly Councelles hauehave wel deſerued to be borne with and allowed: bicauſe they hauehave retayned and conſerued ſome Articles of Chriſtian doctrine. And concerning theſe things, it is profitable to retayne the Teſtimony of Councelles, and of Antiquity.
Of auncient Eccleſiaſticall writers.
THeſe alſo hauehave well deſerued of,Auncient eccleſiaſticall wryters ſo farre foorth as they are witneſſes of the auncient and firſt church of the Apoſtles hauehave wel deſerued to be allowed of. eſpecially ſo farre foorth as they are witneſſes of the Auncient and firſt Church of the Apoſtles. For, they confirme vsus with their teſtimony as touching the Trinity, of the natures in Chriſte, of baptizing infantes, of the vſe of the Lordes Supper, of ordayning miniſters, touching marriage of miniſters, touching the vſe of thinges indifferent, touching repentaunce of thoſe which hauehave tranſgreſſed. As concerning all theſe articles, there are recited examples worthy of memory, frō the Apoſtles, which doe mainteyne and defende our doctrine.
But ſome of them hauehave ben more diligent in ſome matters,Other writers oftentimes er…ing by admoniſhment hauehave amended. & as it is the nature of man they doe often raſhly and vnaduiſedly powre out abſurde and falſe opinions, whereof if they had beene admoniſhed, they woulde vndoubtedly hauehave corrected them. Oftentimes when they thought not amiſſe, yet coulde they not ſo perſpicuouſly or plainly declare their opinions, as they would. Oftētimes by reaſon of the cuſtom of times and ages they did more obſtinately defende their preſent traditions: And they hauehave alſo nowe and then falſe opinions.Without choice be made al writing or teſtimonies of the fathers may not be allowed. Wherefore without choyce to be made all writinges or teſtimonies of the Fathers, may not be allowed, and oftentimes they thē ſelues doe contende amongſt themſelues, neither is it a thing ſeldome ſeene, that a man diſagreeth from him ſelfe. Wherefore the iudgement ought to be giuen according to the writing and ſaying of the Apoſtles. But I now ſet downe examples.