History of the First Ten Persecutions, History 4 · Chapter 4

History of the First Ten Persecutions · History 4 · Chapter 4

p. 62CHAP. IIII. Of Councils.

COUNCILS may bee diuided in Generall, Nationall, or Prouinciall, and particulare Councils. Generall were called Oecomenik Councils (foreign in the Greeke language signifies the World) because from all quarters of the World whereinto CHRIST was preached commissioners were sent to these Councils, and they were gathered by the authoritie of the Emperour. Nationall or provinciall Councils were such as were gathered by the authoritie of the Emperour in one nation with asfistance of other neere approaching nations for suppressing of Heresies, desyding of questions, pacifying of schismes, and appointing Canons and constitutions for decent order to be keeped in the Church. The p. 63third sort of Councils were particular Councils, by Bullinger called foreign, or foreign. Such as the Councils of Gangra, Neocaesaria, & many others, gathered vsuallie by Patriarchs, and Bishops in a corner of a countrie, but for the like causes as nationall Councils were assembled. Let no man expect a recital of particular Councils, except at such times as some matter of great moment enforceth me to speake of them.

Ancyra is a towne of Galatia. In this towne were assembled The Coun cill of Ancyra. Tom. 1. Concil.Bishops of diuerse prouinces about the yeere of our Lord 308. as is supposed. The principal cause of their meeting was to constitute a forme of Ecclesiasticall discipline, according to which, they, who either willingly or vnwillingly had sacrificed to idols in time of persecution, should bee receiued into the bosome of the Church againe, when they were found penitent. There were many rankes of persons, who had defiled themselues with Heathnicke Idolatrie: such as Libellatici, Thurificati, Sacrificati, & Proditores. The Council of An…yra tooke order chiefely with those who were called Thurificati and Sacrificati, that is, with them, who either had casten vp incense vponupon Idolatrous Altars, or els had eaten of meates sacrificed to Idoles: to whom it was injoyned to testifie the r repentance, a long time before they were receiued to the communion of GODS people, some one yeere, some two yeeres, others three or foure yeeres, some fiue or sixe yeeres, and aboue, according to the heauinesse of their transgression. In this Councill it was ordained, that Deacons, who in time of their ordination did protest, that they had not the gift of continencie, but were disposed to marry, if they married, they shoulde remaine in their Ministrie: but they who in time of imposition of hands by their silence had professed continencie, if afterwarde they married, they shoulde bee remoued from their Ministrie. Also it was ordained, that Chorepiscopi (these were Countrey Bishops, in the Latine language called Vicarit-Episcoporum) These, I say, were commanded to absteine Canon. 13from ordination of Elders and Deacons, and from usurping of domination ouer the preaching Elders, who were in Cities. Likewise it was ordained, that whosoeuer did absteine from Canon. 14eating of flesh, as from a creature in itselfe vncleane, he should be depriued of his dignity. This Council was subscribed by 18. Bisshops.Tom. 1. Concil.

p. 64In the yeere of our LORD 330. and in the 20. yeere of the reigne of Constantine, as Eus…bius reckoneth (others referre it to The generall council of Nice.the 333. yeere of our LORD, for there is great diuersitie in this counting) The Councill of Nice in Bithynia was gathered not by Silvester, nor by Iulius, but by the authoritie of the Emperour. The name of the towne answered to the successe of the E…seb. de vita Const…t. lib. 3.Councill, for foreign in the Greeke language signifieth victory: and when the veritie encountered with the lie in this Councill, the veritie preuailed and got the victorie. The matter entreated in the Councill, was concerning the opinion of Arrius a presbyter in Alexandria, who denied that the SONNE of GOD was consubstantiall with the FATHER, but affirmed there was a time whereinto the SONNE was not, and that hee was created of thinges not existant. This opinion was so vnquoth and abominable to the Fathers conueened in the Councill of Nice, that they vtterly damned and anathematized the opinion of Arrius. OnelyOnly 17. Bishops adhered to his blasphemous opinion. The Emp. liked well the determination of the Councill, Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 5.and threatned to punish them with banishment, who did refuse to subscribe the determination of the Councill: for they had concluded, that the SONNE of GOD was foreign, that is, consubstantiall with the FATHER. Of the number of 17. who were fauourers of Arrius, onelyonly two, to wit, Secundus a Bishop of Ptolemaida in Aegypt, and Theonas bishop of Marmarica, adhered Sozom. lib. 2. cap. 16.to Arrius vntill the end of the Councill, with a fewe moe, whom the Fathers conueened at Nice, deliuered vntounto Sathan, & Theod lib. 1. Cap. 7.the Emp. banished them: the rest for feare of punishment subscribed to the deposition of Arrius with their handes, but not Socr… lib. 1. cap. 14.with their hearts: such as Eusebius B. of Nicomedia, Theogonius of Nice, Menophantus of Ephesus, Patrophilus of Scythopolis, Narcissus of Neronias, otherwise called Irenopolis of Cilicia: These (I say) and some others, subscribed the summe of Faith set downe by the Nicene Councill, and the deposition of Arrius.

Anent the controuersie of keeping the festiuitie of Easter day, a conclusion was taken, that it shoulde bee kept vponupon the LORDES day, and not vponupon the 14. day of the first monethmonth of Exod. 12. verse, 2.Exod 12the Iewes called Nisan. And this was done for keeping of unitie and peace in the Church: for it was expedient, that that thing, p. 65Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 6.which was uniuersally done, should also be uniformely done, for auoiding of schismes in the Church. Neuerthelesse Socrates granteth, that it is but an ancient custome, not authorized by any Apostolicke commandement.Socrt. lib. 5. cap. 22.

Anent Mariage many were in the opinion, that Bishops, Elders, and Deacons, who were married before their ordination, shoulde in time to come absteine from the companie of their wiues. But Paphnutius a B. in a towne of Thebaida, a chaste man, who neuer companied with a woman, entreated the Councill, that they should absteine from making such an ordinance, because Socra…. lib. 1. cap. 11.Marriage is honourable, and the cohabitation of a man with his married wife, is chastity. Likewise it was a difficil matter to be performed, and it opened a doore to vnchaste liuing. Yet Paphnutius inclined too much to this opinion, That Bishops, Elders, and Deacons, who were vnmarried, should absteine from Sozom. lib. 1. cap. 31.Marriage. The Councill woulde make no constitution anent such matters, but remitted marriage as a thing indifferent to eueryevery mans free arbitriment.

The Canons of the Nicene Councill pertaining to matters of discipline, in number 22. (reade them in the history of Ruffin.) Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 6.The appointing of three Patriarches, one in Rome, another in Alexandria, the thirde in Antiochia, with power to conuocate within their owne boundes particulare Councils, for timous suppressing of Heretiques: It was like vntounto a faire morning, presenting vntounto the worlde the countenance of a faire day, but at Euen, the face of the Heauen is couered with blacke cloudes, troubling the earth with the tempest of changed wether. Euen so, these Patriarches, for the moste part, became in end the chiefe propagators of notable Heresies, as the historie following, GOD willing shall declare.

The Nationall Councill of Tyrus was gathered by the commandement of the Emp. Constantine, in the 30. yeere of his reigne. The councill of Tyrus. Euseb. lib. 4. de vita Constant. Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 23.Eusebius by ouer-passing with silence a due commemoration of the malice & falsehood of the Arrians against Athanasius, giueth occasion to Socrates to suspect, that Eusebius Pamphili was not a sounde follower of the Nicene Councill. To this Nationall Councill conueened threescore Bishops, from AEGYPT, LYRIA, ASIA, and EUROPE. The moste part of them were p. 66Arrians, who had solde themselues to iniquity, of purpose, with faise accusations to oppresse the innocent seruant of CHRIST Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 27.Athanasius. The crim…s laide vntounto his charge, were fornication, the sl…ughter of Arsenius, and cutting off of his hand, the ouerthrowing Theodor. lib. 1 cap. 29.of the holy Table, the breaking of the holy Cup, and the burning of the holy volumes. No assembly was so full of partialitic, confusion clamour, and vnrighteous dealing, as this assembly at Tyrus: in so much that Paphnutius a B. in Thebaida, arose, and left the Councill of vngodly men, and drew with him Maximus B. of Hierusalem, fearing lest his simplicitie shoulde hauehave beene circumueened by the subtiltie of deceitfull Arrians.

How Athanasius fled to the Emp. and declared the vnrighteous proceedings of the Councill of Tyrus, it hath beene declared already. In this assembly Potamion B. of Heraclia, a man full of spirituall libertie finding Eusebius Pamphili sitting as a Iudge, and Athanasius standing, outbraided Eusebius, as a man who in the persecution of Dioclesian was enclosed in that same prison Hist. Magd. Cent 4. Cap. 10.with himselfe: but Eusebius escaped out of prison without the marks of the rebuke of CHRIST, which Potamian and other faithfull Confessors could not get done. In like maner, Athanasius refused to compeare in Caesarea Palestinae, where Eusebius Theod lib. 1. cap. 27.was Bishop, as a place suspect for fauour carried to Arrians. All these things brought the name of Euseb. Pamphili in some disliking. The issue of the Councill of Tyrus was this: the Arrians in his absence deposed him, and amongst the rest Arsenius was one of them, who subscribed the deposition of Athanasius with that same ha…de that the Arrians had alleadged was cut off by Socrat. lib. 1 Cap. 32.Athanasius: so effronted are Heretiques, defenders of a false & lying doctrine. The Emp. Constantine commanded the bishops assembled at Tyrus, to addresse to Constantinople: but when they came thither, they durst make no mention of the fornication of Athanasius, of the hande of Arsenius, of the Table, Cuppe, and bookes aboue mentioned: but they forged newe accusations Theod. li. 1. cap. 30. Theod. lib. 1 cap. 35.against him, whereunto the Emp. gaue too hastie credite, and banished Athanasius to Triere. Immediately after the Councill of Tyrus many bishops were assembled at Hierusalem, for the dedication of the Temple, which the Emp. Constantine had builded Euse. lib. 4. de. vita Constant.at the place of the LORDS sepulchre.

p. 67Anent the Councill of Antiochia, wherein the Arrians deposed Eustatius, and the Councill of Arles, wherein Cecilianus was absolued from the accusation of the Donatists, no further discourse is needefull then is conteined in the historie of the liues of these two Bishops.

Gangra is a towne of Paphlagonia. In this towne were assembled certaine Fathers, to the number of 16. about the yeere of The Coun cil of Gangra.our LORD 324. The occasion of their meeting was the Heretique Eustatius, who admiring the Monasticke life, or (as others affirme) fauouring the Heresie of Encratitae, and the Manicheans, he spake against Marriage, against eating of fl…sh, & he damned the publicke Congregations of GODS people in Temples: and said, a man could not be saued, except he forsooke all his poss…ssions, Tom. …. Concil.and renounced the wo…lde after the forme of monkish doing. These opinions were damned in the Councill of Gangra. The subscriptions of the Fathers of this Councill after their Canons, are worthie to be remarked. These things (say they) hauehave we subscribed, not vituperating them, who according to Scripture chooseth vntounto themselues an holy purpose of a continent life: but them onelyonly, who abuseth the purpose of their minde to pride, extolling themselues against the simpler sort: Yea, and damne and cut off all those, who contrary to Scripture and Eccl…siasticall rules, bring in new Commandements. But we admire humble Virginity, and wee approue continencie that is vndertaken with chastity and Religion: And wee embrace the renounciation of seculare businesse, with humilitie: And we honour the chast band of Mariage: And we despise not riches joined with righteousnesse, and good workes: And we commend a simple and cou…se apparrell, used for couering the body without Hypocrisie. Likewise wee reject loos and dissolute g…rments: And we honour the houses of GOD, and assemblies that are in them, as holy and profitable, Not debarring men from exercises of pietie in their owne priuate houses. But places builded in the name of the LORD, wee honour, and Cong…egations assembled in the same places for the common utilitie we approue: And good workes, which are done to poore brethren, euen aboue mens habilitie, according to the Ecclesiasticall traditions, we blesse them: And we wish all things to be celebrated p. 68in the Church, according to holy Scriptures, and the ordinances of the Apostles.

In the time of the reigne of Constantine in Eliberis, a towne of Spaine, were assembled 19. Bishops, and of preaching Elders 36. The council of Eliberis.The ende of their meeting was to reforme horrible abuses, both in Religion and maners, which in time of the tenne Persecutions had preuailed in Spaine: And nowe in time of peace such enormities and festered maners co…lde hard…ly bee amended. Manie Ecclesiasticall Canons were made in this Synode, to the number of 81. Whereof wee shall rehearse but a fewe, and such as clearely pointeth out the principall ende of their meeting.

They ordained, that Heathnicke sacrificing Priests (called Canon 4.of olde Flamines) if they were content to absteine from sacrificing to Idoles, and to learne the groundes of Christian R…ligion, after three yeeres repentance, they shoulde bee admitted to baptisme.

Likewise they ordained, that Christian Virgines shoulde not Canon 15.bee giuen in marriage to Pagans, lest in the flou…e of their youth they should bee entangled with spirituall whoredome.

In like maner, that Bishops should receiue no rewarde from Canon 2….men that did not communicate with the Church.

They ordained, that nothing that is worshipped, shoulde be Canon 36.pictured on the wall.

And that in priuate houses no Idoles should be founde: And incase the maisters of houses were afraide of the violence of Canon 41.their s…ruantes, at least, they should keepe themselues pure and cleane: which if they did not, they shoulde bee counted strangers from the fellowship of the Church.

And that if any man happen to bee slaine, in the action of Canon 60.breaking downe images, his name shall not bee enrolled in the catalogue of Martyres, because it is not written in the history of the Gospell, that the Apostles used any such forme of reformation: whereby they sig…isie, that by wholsome doctrine images should be castē out of the hearts of mē, rather then broken with popular violence & with the tumultuary attempts of priuate men. Any judicious man may perceiue by these Canons both the time when, and the cause wherefore this Council was assembled.

p. 69They who count the first Councill of Carthage, to bee that Councill whereinto Cyprian, with aduise of many other bishops The first Councill of Carthage. Tom. 1. Concill.of Numidia, Lybia, and other partes of Africke, ordained men who were baptized by Heretiques, to bee rebaptized againe: they commit a great ouer-sight to recken the first Councill of Carthage to bee holden vnderunder the reigne of Constantine, whereas it is certainely knowne, that Cyprian was martyred, in the dayes of Valeriane the eight persecuting Emperour. But the first Hi…. magd. Cont. 4. cap. 9.Councill of Carthage, that was kept in CONSTANTINES dayes, was that Councill whereinto the Donatistes condemned Caecil…anus Bishop of Carthage, whose innocencie afterwarde was tryed by manie Iudges. In it there was no matter of great importance concluded, and therefore I ouer-passe it with few wordes, as an assemblie of li…tle account. All these Councils aboue mentioned were assembled in the dayes of CONSTANTINE the Great. Now followeth Councils gathered in the dayes of his sonnes.

The cause pretended for the gathering of the Councill of A…t ochi…, in the dayes of Constantius the sonne of Constantine, The first Council of Antiochia holden by Arrians vnderunder the reigne of Constantius Socra…. lib. 2. cap. 8. Sozom. lib. 3. cap. 5. Hist. Magd. Centur. 4. cap. 9.was the dedication of the Church of Antiochia: which albeit C…nstantine had builded, yet fiue yeeres after his death, and in the seuenteenth yeere after the foundation of this Temple was laide, CONSTANTIUS his sonne finished, and perfected the worke. And vnderunder pretence of dedication of this Temple (as saide is) this assemblie of Antiochia was gathered, ANNO 344. but indeede of purpose to supplant the true Faith. To this Assemblie resorted manie Bishops, to the number of 90. But Maximus Bishop of HIERUSALEM, and …ulius Bish…p of Rome, neither came they to the Councill, neither sent they any me…enger in their name, fearing as the trueth was, that they were gathered for euill, and …ot for good. At this time Placitus, the s…ccessour of Euphronius, gou…rned Antiochia. Now when they were met together, many accus…tions were heaped vp against Athanasius: First, that hee had accepted his place againe, without aduise of other Bishops: Secondlie, because at the time of his r…turning backe againe to ALEXANDRIA, there fell out great commotion amongst the people, and some were slaine, others were contumeliouslie p. 70beaten, and violently drawne before justice seates. Mention also was made of the decrete of the Councill of Tyrus, against Athanasius. It was an easie matter for the Arrians to imprint into the vlcerate mind of Constantius, an hatred against Athanasius. In this Councill they set downe diuers summes of Faith: Sozom. lib. 3 cap. 5.first secretly cou…ting the venome of their Heresi…, but afterward, as it were repenting, they manifested themselues more clearly in their owne colours. After this Councill followed terrible earth-quakes in the East, wherewith many townes were shaken, especially the towne of Antiochia, with continuall earthquakes was shaken for the space of a whole yeere. The principall H…st. mag. Cent. 4, cap. 9designe of the Councill was to eject Athanasius out of his chaire, and to alter the summe of Faith set downe in the Nicen… Councill: as euidently appeared, by sending of Syrianus to destroy Athanasius, and to place Gregorius in his roome: but Athanasius escaped the danger by the great prouidence of GOD, and fled to Iulius Bishop of Rome: and the Arrians displaced againe Gregorius, and appointed Georgius a man of Cappadocia, and mo…e fit for their purpose, to bee bishop of Alexandria.

The fauour that Iulius bishop of Rome shewed to Atha…asius Other two Councils holden in Antiochia by the Arriaus.b. of Alexandria, Paulus b. of Constantinople, Asclepas b. of Gaz…, and Lucius b. of Adrionopolis, was the cause mouing the Arri… to hauehave so frequent meetings in Antiochia: Very sharpe l…tters passed betwixt Iulius and the Orientall bishops: Iulius blamed them, because they had both rashly and vnrighteously deposed the fore-named bishops. They on the other part expostulated with Iulius, because he had receiued to his f…llowship men deposed Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 15.by them, whereas none of the East Church had admitted Novatus to their communion, whom the bis…op of Rome had excommunicated.

After the issue of three yeere, another Councill was conueened in Antiochia, about the yeere of our LORD 348. whereinto S…crat lib. 2. cap. 19.the Arrians set foorth a newe summe of their Faith in very ample and prolixe maner, and different from all other formes s…t downe before: the copie whereof they sent to the bishops of Hist. magd.Italie by Eudoxius b. of Germanicia, & Martyrius, and Macedonius: but the bishops of Italie woulde not receiue it, contenting themselues with the summe of Faith set downe in the Nicen… Councill.

p. 71In the y…ere of our LORD 351. by the commandement of Constantius, and his brother Constans, a great Nationall Councill The council of Sardica.was gathered in Sardica, a towne of Illyricum, of olde D…cia. Many Bishops of the West, to the number of three hundreth, resorted to this assemblie, but from the East onelyonly 76. They who Soc…at. lib. 2. cap. 20.came from the Easterne parts, would not vouchsafe to bee present in the Councill, except Protogenes b. of Saraica, and Osius b. of Corduba, had separated from their fellowship Paulus b. of Constantinople, and Athanasius b. of Alexandria. But the cause of their absenting themselues from the Councill indeed, was this (as Theo. lib. 2. cap. 8.Theodoretus prudently recordeth) because the forgers of false accusations against the men of GOD, whose cause was appointed to be judged in this Councill, they durst not abide the trial of honest judges, and men of vnsuspect credite. The Councill finding that the Arrians conuicted in conscience, durst not compeare to accuse Paulus and Athanasius (whom notwithstanding they had deposed in the Councils of Tyrus and Antiochia) proceed to the triall of their cause: and find…th all the accusations of the Arrians ag…inst Paulus, Athanasius, Asclepas, and the rest, to be but a masse of forged calumnies and lies: Arsenius was found to bee aliue, whom the Arrians alleadged Athanasius had slaine: As concerning the ouer-throwing of the holy Table, and breaking of the holy Cuppe, by Macarius (whome Athanasius had employed, and therefore the blame was laide vponupon him) it was found to be a notable lie: because when Macarius entered into the Church of Mareota (where this fact was alledged to bee done) foreign were present in the Church And such kinde of persons were not permitted to be present at the celebration Theod. ibid.of di…ine mysteries. Ishyras also, who was the principall forger of all the fore-mentioned calumnies, was found to hauehave bene tyed to the bedde by infirmitie, at that time, when Macarius was alledged to hauehave done these thinges. And finally, it was founde, that …shyras had receiued a Bishopricke, as the wages of iniquity from the Arr…ans, before he had bene admitted presbyter in any Chur…h. Also the supplicant billes of Paulus, Asclepas, Marcellus. &c were read tryed, and examined, and they were all found honest & vpright men, and they were all recommended by the letters of the Councill of …ardica, to their owne flocke….

p. 72On the other part, the Bishops, whom the Arrians had intruded in the places of the fore-mentioned brethren, they deposed them, and abhorred their memorie: such as Gregorius in Alexandria, Basilius in Ancyra, and Quintianus in Gaza: of whom they decearned, that they were not worthy of the name of common Christians, let be to be called bishops: commanding all people, to forsake their fellowship, and neither to send letters to them, …. ibid.nor to receiue letters from them. The like sentence they pronounced against Theodorus of H…raclea, Narcissus of Neronias, Acacius of Caesarea Palestinae, Stephanus of Antiochia, Ursatius of Sigidun in Mysia, Valens of Myrsain Pannomia, Menophantus of Ephesus, and Georgius of Laodicea, principall patrons of the Arrian Heresie.

The Arrians on the other part assembled themselues in Philippopolis, a towne of Thracia, and there they damned of new againe Paulus and Athanasius. Likewise they damned Iulius B. of Ro…, Osius b. of Corduba, Protogenes b of Sardica, Maximinus b. of Trie…, Sozom. lib. 3 cap. 11. & 12and many others, whom they cursed also, because they had admitted to their fellowship those Bishops whom they had deposed. Sozomen…s is in that opinion, that the Councill of Philippopolis preceeded the Councill of Sardica. From 35. Prouinces did Bishops resort vntounto the Councill of Sardica. From this time forward, there was added diuersitie of affection, vntounto diuersitie Athanas. …pist. ad s…litar. vitam a…entes. Th…d. lib. 2 cap. 8.of opinion: and these who dw…lt in the East, did not communicate with them who dwelt in the West. Some Arrian Bishops dwelt in the West, such as Auxentius b. of Millan, and Ursatius & Valens: But by the vigilant trauels of the b. of Rome, and other godly Bishops of the West, it came to passe, that these S…minaries of errours did not preuaile much in the W…sterne partes. This is that Councill, whereinto Iulius B. of Rome, for his good carriage & good deseruings, was appointed to be Iudge of Appellations, when the like case fell out, that righteous men were Canon, 4.oppressed with the vnrighteous de…ling of Heretiques. But remember, that this is a constitution of the Councill of Sardica, and not of the Nicene Councill: And this was a priueledge both persona'l and temporall, for extraordinary causes conferred to Iulius: but not to bee extended to all his successors, nor yet to continue at all times.

In the yeere of our LORD 356, and fiue yeeres after the p. 73The Coun cill of Sirmium.Councill of Sardica, by the commandement of the Emp. Constantius a Councill was gathered in Sirmium, a towne of Illyria, (Bullinger calleth it a towne of Panno…ia) Photinus b… of Sirmium had renewed the Heresies of Sabellius and Samosatenus. A disputation Bullinger de C…tiliis. Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 29.was instituted bitwixt Basilius b. of Ancyra, an Arrian Heretique, and Photinus a Sabellian Heretique: in which disputation Photinus was thought to be ouercome, and was damned by the Councill as an Heretique, and banished by the Emperour. In this Councill they set downe summes of Faith, one in Greeke, and two in Latine, whereinto albeit they absteined from the worde foreign: neuerthelesse they gaue great glorie Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 30.to the Sonne of GOD. But in ende they repented, and by the Emperours authoritie woulde hauehave recalled backe againe the coppies of the summes of Faith set foorth at Sir…ium: But the mandates of the Emperour commanding in moste rigorous forme to deliuer backe againe the coppies that were pas… abroade, coulde not bring to passe, that that thing which was once diu…lgated, should be againe suppressed. The weakenesse of Osius b. of Corduba kythed in this Councill, hath beene touched in the historie of his life.

After that the Emperour Constans was slaine by Magnentius, the whole Souereignitie both of the East and West, was in the The Coun cill of Millan.handes of Constantius alone. The Arrians moued him to assemble a Councill at Millan, partly for ratification of the sentence pronounced against Athanasius in Tyrus, and partly for subuersion of the Nicene Faith. The Occidentail Bishops to Theod. lib. 2. cap. 15.the number of 300. at the Emperours command assembled at Millan. But neither woulde they ratifie the deposition of Socrat. lib. 2. Cap. 36Athanasius, nor yet alter the summe of Faith. And some of them with libertie and freedome accused the Emperour of vnr…ghteous Sozom. lib. 4 cap. 9.dealing. For this cause manie worthie Bishops were banished, such as Liberius bishop of Rome, Paulinus bisshop of Triere, Dionysius bi…op of Alba, Lucifer bishop of Cala… in Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 20.Sardinia, Eusebius bishop of Vercollis in Liguria. If in this Councill Osius bishop of Corduba was banished, as Theodoretus recordeth, it woulde appeare that the Councill of Millan preceeded the Councill of Sirmium, because that Osius immediatelie after hee was reduced from banishment, was compelled to p. 74Sozom. lib. 4. Cap. 6.addresse to the Councill of Sirmium. But I hauehave followed the order of Ecclesiasticall Writers.

In the yeere of our LORD 363. and in the 22. yeere of the reigne of Constantiu…, the Arrians hauing a great vantage of the The Councill of Ariminum. Socrat. lib. 2 cap. 39. Theo. lib. 2. cap. 26.flexible minde of Constantius, moued him to appoint a place wherein a generall Councill shoulde bee gathered, for confirmation of their Faith. Whether this place was the towne of Nicomedia, or Nice, alwayes it was shaken with earth-quake, and the GOD of Heauen hindered the purposes of their mindes.

The next course was, that two Nationall Councils should be conueened, one at Ariminum in Italie, as a meete place for the Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 37.Bishops of the West to conueene into, and another in Sele… of Isauria, as a meete place for assembling of the Orientall Bisshops. To the Council of Ariminum more then 400. Bishops So…on. lib. 4 Cap. 17.did resort. In this Nationall Councill compeared Ur…atius and Valens, with Germanus, Auxentius, and Caius, and Demophilus, desiring that the wordes foreign and foreign, as wordes not found in Scripture, and grounds of vnsupportable contention in the Church, shoulde bee cancelled, and rased out of the summe of Faith: and that the Sonne of GOD should be called foreign, that is, of like substance with his Father. The fathers conuecned at Ariminum, altogether disliked this proposition of Ursatius, Theodor. lib. 2 cap. 19.and Valens, and adhered for the most part of them closely to the Nicene Faith, & excluded from the fellowship of the Church Ursatius and Valens, with their complices aboue mentioned as …om. lib. 4 cap. 18.the letter of the Councill, written to the Emperour, clearelie beares. With the letter the Council sent twenty Ambassadours, chosen and selected men, who shoulde giuegive further instruction to the Emperour anent the matter of Faith. But Ursatius and Valens preueened the Ambassadours of the Councill, and by sinistrous informations hindered them from accesse to the Emperour: onelyonly their letter was read, whereunto the Emperour returned a differring answere, bearing, that for the present, he was busied with weighty affaires of his kingdom… but when he So…om. lib. 4 Cap. 19.should find any braithing time, hee should hearken vntounto them. The Councill sent the seconde time to the Emp. desiring they might hauehave liberty before the winter season to returne to their p. 75owne flockes: And herewithall they assured the Emp. that in the matter of the Faith they woulde adhere to that which was comprehended in their former letter. To this second message no answere was returned. Therefore the Bishops wearied with long attendance, returned cuery man to his owne flocke: the Sozom. ibid.Emp. counted this dissolution of the Councill, without warrande of his authoritie, to be a contempt of his Soueranitie: Therefore hee gaue charge to Valens to publish the summe of of the Arrian Faith read in Ariminum, albeit it was both disapproued and rejected: with power also to Ursatius and Valens, to …ject those bishops out of their places, who would not subscribe to the Arrian Faith, and to ordeine others in their rowmes. Ursatius and Valens beeing strengthened with the Emp. commandement, not onelyonly troubled the Churches of the West: but also went to Nica, a towne in Thracia, where they gathered a number Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 37.of Bishops of their owne faction, and approued the summe of Faith read by Arrians in Ariminum (being first translated into the Grieke language) and this they called the Ni…ene Faith, deceauing themselues with vaine hopes, as if men had beene so senselesse, as to be altogether deceaued by the similitude of the wordes, Nica in Thracia, and Nice in Bithynia, Mor…ouer Athanasius was as yet aliue, who could hauehave discouered both the blasphemie of the Arrians at Sirmium, and the falsehood of the Arrians at Nica: for at Sirmium in the first Session of the Councill it was written by the Clarke of the Councill, Presente Constantio Sozom. lib. 4. cap 17.semp…rno; & Magno Augusto, Consulibus Eusebio & Hypatio. Loe saith Athanasius, writing to his friendes, the Arrians will not call the Sonne of GOD euerlasting, but they say there was a time, whereinto he was not: but they call the Emp. Constantius, being a mortall man, euerlasting Emperour.

Selencia is a towne of Isauria, or Cilicia, from whence Paul and Barnabas sailed to Cypr…s. Isauria lyeth betwixt Lycaonia and Cilicia, The councill of Seleucia. Act. 13. verse. 4. Socrat lib. 2. cap. 39. Sozom. lib. 4. cap. 22.Acts 13:4and in an ample signification it comprehendeth Cilicia. In this towne conucened 160. Bishops of the East, in the monethmonth of December, of that same yeere of our LORD whereinto the Councill of Ariminum was assembled. Leonas one of the Princes of the Emp. cou…t, and Lucius, otherwise called Lauritius, Captaine of the bandes of souldiours in Isauria, were app…inted p. 76to attend the peace of the assemblie, and that all things should bee done decently, and in order. The Emperour gaue commandement, that the matter of Faith shoulde bee first intreated: but afterwarde hee gaue commandement, that the liues Socrat. lib. 2 cap. 39.of them who were to bee accused, shoulde first bee examined: Whereupon arose contention in the assemblie: some urging the matter of Faith to bee first entreated: others crauing that the liues of such as were accused or deposed, shoulde bee first examined: and both parties grounded themselues vponupon the warrande of the Emperours letters. The principall ring-leaders of the one faction were Acacius bishop of Caesarea Palestinae, Georgius bishop of Alexandria, Uranius of Tyrus, Eudoxius Socrat. ibid.of Antiochia, and their followers exceeded not the number of two and thirtie. On the other side were Georgius bishop of Laodicea in Syria, Sophronius of Pompeiopolis in Paphlagonia, and Eleusius of Cyzicus: and the greatest number of the Councill followed the opinion of these Bishops. So it came to passe, that the moste parte thought it expedient, that the matter of Faith shoulde bee first entreated. After this the Councill was of newe againe diuided into three factions. Acacius, and his complices, thought meete, that the forme of Faith shoulde bee altered. The moste parte were in a contrarie opinion, that the summe of the Nicene Faith shoulde bee kept, onelie the worde foreign shoulde bee left out. Silvanus bishop of Tarsus was in the thirde opinion, that the summe of Faith compiled in ANTIOCHIA, at the dedication of the Temple, shoulde bee kept. Pluralitie of voyces preuailed, that the Sonne of GOD shoulde neither bee called foreign, nor yet foreign, but rather foreign, that is, like vntounto his Father, because in Scripture he is called the image of the inuisible GOD. And they consented to excommunicate all those, who called the Sonee of GOD foreign, that is, vnlike vntounto the Father. Nowe Acacius, and his complices, who were indeede Anomaei, woulde hauehave seemed to accorde with the rest of the Councill: But when it was demanded of them, in what sense they counted the SONNE alike vntounto the FATHER? They answered, Socrat. lib. 2. …ap. 4.that hee was like in will, but not in substance. After that much disputation and little aggreement had beene, Leonas a secrete p. 77fauourer of Acacius dissolued the assemblie. Neuerthelesse, Sozom lib. 4. cap. 22.the Fathers of the Councill conueened, to judge the cause of Cyrillus Bishop of HIERUSALEM (whome the Acacians had deposed) and warned the Acacians to bee pre…ent, but they woulde not compeare. Therefore the Councill proceeded to the deposition of Georgius bishop of Alexandria, Acacius bisshop of Caesarea, Uranius bishop of Tyrus, Patrophylus bishop of Schythopolis, and Eudoxius bishop of Antiochia, in whose place they substituted Avianus a presbyter in Antiochia, others call him Soz…. ibid.Adrianus. The Acacians laide handes on Avianus, and deliuered him into the handes of Leonas and Lauritius, and they banished him. The Councill protested against Leonas & Lauritius, & the Acacians, that they had violated the Decrete of the Councill: and without further delay, they addresse to Constantinoplc, to giuegive information to the Emperour. But the Acacians preuented the rest, and misinformed the Emperour, & accused the Councill, and perswaded him to reject the summe of Faith aggreed vponupon in Sele…cia.

The wrath of the Emperour against the Fathers of the Councill of Seleucia, made the rest to bee dispersed: onelyonly the Acacians A Council of the Acacians at Constan tinople.remained still in Constantinople, and they gathered together fiftie Bishops, out of Bithynia and other neere adjacent places. In this Synode they confirmed the summe of Faith read by Ursatius and Valens in Ariminum. It is judiciously obserued by Socrates, that after the Councill of Nice the Arrians in the multiplied Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 41.conceites of their wauering mindes, set foorth nine diuers summes of Faith, to wit, In the dedication of the Church of Antiochi… two formes. The thirde by those who adhered to Narcissus, was exhibited to Constantine in FRANCE. The fourth was sent by Eudoxius to Italie. In Sirmium three formes were indited, whereof one was read in Ariminum, with noting the names of the Consuls, in whose time it was written. The eight was the summe of Faith set foorth in the Councill of Seleucia. The ninth was the summe of Faith set downe in Constantinople, with this addition, that the wordes foreign shoulde bee silenced when Preachers spake of GOD. Thus we see, that there is no end of wandering, when men hauehave once forsaken the narrow path of the …rueth of GOD.

p. 78The Emperour Constantius, and the rest of the Arrians, were like vntounto a troubled sca, that cannot take rest: yet another The fourth Council of Antiochia, gathered by Constantius.Councill must be gathered in Antiochia, for abjuring both the word foreign, and the word foreign, so that in time to come no man shall call the Sonne of GOD consubstantiall with the Father, nor yet of a different substance from the Father. The Bishops conueened thought expedient, before they intreated concerning the Faith, that the chaire of Antiochia, vacant at Theod. lib. 2. cap. 31.that time without a Bishop, should first bee prouided: Choise was made of Meletius, some time bishop of S…bastia, in Arm… nia. He receaued ordination by Arrians, who subscribed also to his admission, and their hand-writs were deliuered into the custody of Eusebius Samosatenus. But when Meletius disappointed the expectation of the Arrians, they procured his banishment, and that Euzious shoulde bee placed in his stead. Likewise Eusebius Theod. lib. 2 cap. 32.Samosatenus for no minassings and threatnings of the Emp. would deliuer backe againe the subs…riptions of the Arrians: so that the Emp. both commended and admired the magnanimous courage of Eusebius. This Councill was holden in the 25. yeere of the reigne of Constantius. In it the Arrians coulde not perfect their intended purpose anent a new summe of faith, which woulde hauehave made out the tenth forme of faith indited by them, because Constantius got knowledge of the seditious attempts of Iulian, and he lest the Councill to preueene the interprises of Julian, but he fell sicke by the way, and died at Cilicia.

VnderUnder the reigne of Iulian & Iouinian some particulare Councils were assembled, such as a Council in Alexandria, gathered by Hist. magd.Athanasius & Eusebius Vercellensis, for damning olde Heresies, and confirming the Nicene Faith. Another in Palestina, for ordaining Sozom. lib. 5 cap. 3.a bishop in Maiuma. Another in Antiochia, by the Acacians, vnderunder the reigne of Iouinian. These wandering starres, accustomed to accommodate themselues to times, places, and persons, to Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 25.gaine sauour at the Emperours hands, they subscribed the Nicene Faith. But I set forward to the rest.

Laodicea is the Metrapolitane towne of Ph…ygia, and one of the seuen Churches of Asia, to whom the Apostle Ihon, when he The council of Laodicea. Apocal. 3.Rev 3was banished in Pathmos for the worde of GOD, did write his Epistles. This description I hauehave premitted, to distinguish Laodicea p. 79of Syria, a citie neere approaching to Antiochiae, and whereof frequent mention is made in the Ecclesiastical History, from Laodicea of Asia. In this towne Laodicea of Asia a Synode was gathered, after the death of Iovinian, about the yeere of our LORD 368. Nothing was determined in this Councill concerning Hist. Magd.matters of Faith: but onelyonly constitutions concerning Ecclesiasticall policie were made in number 59. In this assemblie Gratian. distinct. 16the worshipping of Angels is damned, as horrible idolatry, and a forsaking of CHRIST. And the bookes of holy Canonicke Scripture which are to be read in time of holy Conuocations of Canon 35.people, are particularly reckoned out, both of olde and new Testament. And in this catalogue of Canonicke bookes, no mention Canon 59.is made of the bookes of the Machabees, of Ecclesiasticus, and other Apocreeph bookes.

VnderUnder the reigne of the Emperours Valentinian & Valens, and about the yeere of our LORD 370. With aduice of both the A Councill in Illyricum.Emperours a Councill was gathered in Illyricum, wherein the Nicene Faith had confirmation and allowance. The Emp. Valens was not as yet infected with the poison of the Arrian heresie.Sozom. lib. 4. cap. 8. 9.

Lampsacum is a towne situated about the narrow passages of Hellesp…ntus. The Macedonian Heretiques sought libertie from The council of Lāpsacum.the Emp. Valens, to meete in this towne, who granted their petition the more willingly, because hee supposed, that they had accorded in opinion with Acacius and Eudoxius: but they ratified Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 6. Sozom lib 6. cap. 7.the Councill set foorth at Seleucia, and damned the Councill holden at Constantinople by the Acacians. The Emp. Valens being d…ceiued of his expectation, commanded them to be banished, & their Churches to be giuē to the fauourers of the opinion of Socrat. lib. 4 cap. 11. & 12.Eudoxius. This dash constrained the Macedonians to take a newe course, and to aggree with Liberi…s b. of Rome. But these Chame…ions, when they had changed many colours, they coulde neuer be white, that is, sincere and vpright in Religion.

VnderUnder the Emp. Valentinian in the West, Damasus b. of Rome, The council of Rome Theod. lib. 2. cap. 22. Sozom. lib 6. cap. 23.gathered a Councill in Rome, wherein he confirmed the Nicene Faith, and damned Auxentius b. of Millan, with Ursatius, Valens, and Caius. Likewise hee damned Apollinaris, and his disciple Timotheus.

p. 80In the yeere of our LORD 383. or as Bullinger reckoneth, 385. in the thirde yeere of the reigne of THEODOSIUS, a The second Generall Councill.Generall Councill was gathered at Constantinople, consisting of 150. Bishops, of whom 36. were entangled with the Heresie of Macedonius, who called the Holy Spirit a creature, a minister, Theod. lib. 5 …ap. 8.and seruant, but not consubstantiall with the Father and the Sonne. In this Council the Macedonian Heretiques were louinglie admonished to forsake their errour, and to embrace the true Faith, & that so much the more, because they had once already sent messengers to Liberius, and professed the true Faith. But they continued obstinately in their errour, and departed from the Councill. The Heresie of Macedonius was damned, the Ni…en Faith confirmed, with amplification of that part of the Symbole which concerned the Holy Spirit, in this manner; I beleeue in the Holie Spirit our LORD, giuer of lise, who proceedeth from the Father, and with the Father, and the Sonne, is to bee worshipped, and glorisied. They ordeined Nectarius b. of Constantinople, and that Constantinople shoulde hauehave the prerogatiue of honour next to Rome. Great care was had of Prouinces, that they shoulde T…od. ibid.not of new againe be infected with Heresies. For this cause the name of Patriarches in the Councill of Nice appropriated to a fewe, in this Generall Councill is communicated to manie. To Nectarius Megapolis and Thracia was alloted: …ontus to Helledius, Cappadocia to Gregorius Nyssenus, Meletina and Armenia to T…od. ibid.Otreius. Amphilochius attended vponupon Iconium and Lycaonia, Optimus vponupon An…iochia and Pisidia, Timotheus vponupon the Churches of Aegyt. Laodicea was recommended to Pelagius, Tarsus to Di… dorus, and Antiochia to Meletius, who was present at the Councill, and ended his life in Constantinople. To other Bishops a care Sozom. lib. 7 …p. 7. 8. 9.and sollicitude of their owne boundes was committed, with this caueat, that no man should inuade the bounds belonging to another, but if necessitie so required, Synodes should be assembled, and eueryevery one beeing desired, shoulde mutuallie assist his neighbour.

The great affaires of the Church, and the care of their brethren Another Council at Constan…nople. T…od. li. 5. Cap. 9.in the West, compelled them to meete againe in Constantinople, where they wrote a Synodicke letter to Damasus bishop of Rome, to Ambrose, B…itto, Valerianus, Acholius, Anemius, Basilius, p. 81and to the rest of the Bishops conueened at Rome, Wherein they declare the manifolde troubles they had sustained by Heretiques: and now alb…it in the merciemercy of GOD they were ejected out of the sheepe-folds, yet like vntounto rauening wolues they were lurking in woods, seeking oportunitie to de…our the sheepe of CHRIST. They excuse their absence, because the infirmitie of their Churches newly recouered from the handes of Heretiques, coulde not permit manie of their number to journey to Rome. Alwayes they sent their beloued brethren Cyriacus, Eusebius, and Priscianus, to countenance the assembly at Rome. In matters of Discipline they recommended vntounto them the Canons of the Councill of Nice: namely, that Ecclesiasticall Theod. ibid.honoures shoulde bee conferred to persons worthie, and that with the speciall aduice and consent of the Bisshops of that same Prouince, with assistance of their confining neighbours, if neede required. After this maner was Nectarius Bishop of CONSTANTINOPLE, Flavianus Bishop of ANTIOCHIA, and Cyrillus Bishop of HIERUSALEM, ordained. Heere marke, that the consent of the Bishop of Rome was not necessarie to the ordination of the Bishops of the East. And the usurped authoritie of the Bishop of Rome smelleth of Noueltie, and not of Antiquitie. This Synodicke letter sent from Constantinople, woulde seeme to import, that the Councill which Damasus gathered at Rome, was assembled in the dayes of Theodosius, or els that hee had gathered two assemblies in Rome at diuers times, and yet for one purpose.

Godly Emperours and Kinge…, such as Constantine, Theodofius, and Dauid, were very carefull of the unitie of the Church, The thirde Councill, ho…den at Constantinople, vnderunder the reigne of Theodosius. 2. Sam. 5 Psalm, 1222 Sam 5that it might bee like vntounto a compact Citie, as Hierusal…m was when the toure of Iebus was conquised, then the people worshipped one GOD, were obedient to one Law, and subject only to one Sou…reigne. Theodosius in the fifth yeere of his reigne, c… ring for the peace of the Church, conueened a great Nationall Councill at Constantinople, not only of H…mousians, but also of Arrians, Eunomians, and Macedonians, hoping that by mutuall conference possibly they might in end accord. The good Emp. p. 82consulted with Nectarius Bishop of CONSTANTINOPLE, Socrat. lib. 5 cap. 10.N…ctarius with Agelius a Bishop of the Novatians, Agelius with Sis…nius, an eloquent man, and a mightie Teacher, and a reader in his Church. This man considering, that by contentious disputations, schismes were increased, but not quenched, gaue Sozom. lib. 7. cap. 12.this aduice to Nectarius, that hee shoulde counsell the Emperour to demande of Heretiques, in what account they had the holie Fathers, who preceeded their time. The Heretiques at the first spake reuerently of the Fathers: but when they were demanded, if in matters of Faith they woulde giuegive credite to the testimonie of the Fathers, the Her…tiques were diuided amongst themselues: Therefore the Emperour rent in pieces the summes of the Arrian, Eunomian, and Mac…donian faith, and ordained the Homousian Faith onelyonly to hauehave place.

The seconde Councill of Carthage was assembled vnderunder the reigne of Theodosius, neere vntounto the time of the Generall Councill The second Council of Carthage.holden in CONSTANTINOPLE. In it, first the summe of the Nicene Faith is confirmed. The continencie of Bishops, Elders, and Deacons is recommended, with abstinence euen Tom. 1. Concil.from matrimoniall societie: so earlie began men to bee wis…r then GOD: But in the twelfth Canon of the thirde Council of Carthage, it may bee perceiued, that this constitution (as d…sagreeable from GODS worde) was not regarded, because Bishops in AFRICKE married, and had sonnes and daughters: and these are inhibite to marrie with Infideles and Heretiques in the Canon fore-saide. The making of Chrisme, and con…ecrating of holie Virgines, is ordained onelyonly to belong to Bishops. The Canons of this Councill, for the moste …, tende to this, to aduance the authoritie of their owne Bishops, fore-smelling (as appeares) the usurpation of preheminence in the Bishops beyonde sea.

The thirde Councill of Carthage was assembled in the yeere of our LORD 399. Aurelius Bishop of Cart…age seemeth to The thirde Council of Carthage.hauehave beene Moderatour of the Councill. AUGUSTINE Bishop of Hippo was present. Manie good constitutions were p. 83accorded vponupon in this Councill: as namely, that the Sacramentes Canon 6…shoulde not bee ministred to the dead.

That the sonnes and daughters of Bishops, and others in spirituall offices, shoulde not bee giuen in marriage to Pagans, Canon 12Heretiques, or Schismatiques.

That men in spirituall offices shoulde not be intangled with seculate businesse, according to the precept of the Apostle, Canon 152. Tim. 2. verse, 4.

That men of the Cleargie should practise no kind of usurie.Canon 16

That no man shall bee ordained Bishop, Elder, or Deacon, Canon 18before hee hauehave brought all persons of his owne familie to the profession of Christian Religion.

That Readers, who are come to perfect yeeres, shall either marrie, or els professe continencie.Canon 19

That in the ministration of the Sacrament, or Sacrifice, (to wit, Eucharisticke) nothing shoulde bee offered, except bread Canon 24and wine mixed with water, of the fruites of the Cornes and Grapes.

That the Bishop of Rome shoulde bee called the Bishop of the Canon 40first seate, but not the high Priest, nor the Prince of Priestes.

That nothing, except holy Canonicke Scripture, should bee read in the Churches, vnderunder the name of holy bookes.Canon 47

About the yeere of our LORD 401. vnderunder the reigne of Honorius, The fourth Council of Carthage.was assembled againe a great nationall Councill in Carthage, of 214. Bishops. Augustine Bishop of Hippo was also present at this Councill. Manie Canons were set downe in this Councill, almoste equall with the number of conueened Bisshops.

That persons married, for reuerence of the bl…ssing pronounced to the marriage, shoulde not companie together the Canon 1…first night after their marriage.

That the Bishop shoulde hauehave his dwelling place neere vntounto the Church, his house-holde-stuffe shoulde bee vncostly, his Canon 14 and 15fare shoulde be course, and vndelicate, and that he should conquiese authoritie vntounto himselfe by fidelitie and vprightnesse of an holy conuersation.

p. 84That a Bishop should not spende time in reading the bookes Canon 16of Pagans: the bookes of Heretiques if necessitie required hee might reade.

That a Bishop entangle not himselfe deepely with household businesse, to the end hee may attend vponupon reading, Prayer, and Canon 20Preaching.

That a Bishop admit no man vntounto a spirituall office, without Canon 22aduice of the Cleargie, and consent of the people.

That a Bishop without aduice of his Cleargie, pronounce no sentence, els it shall hauehave no force, except they confirme it.Canon 23

That a Bishop sitting, shall not suffer a presbyter to stand.Canon 34

That an assemblie of Heretiques conueened together, shall Canon 71not bee called Concilium, but Conciliabulum.

That hee who communicateth with an Heretique, shall bee excommunicate, whether hee be of the number of the Laikes, Canon 73or of the Cleargie.

That such as refuse to giuegive vntounto the Church, the oblations of defunct persons, shall bee excommunicate, as murtherers of Canon 95the poore. Heere marke what is meaned by Oblationes Defanctorum, not Soule-masses, said for the defunct, but the charitie, which they hauehave left in testamentall legacie to the poore.

That no woman shall presume to baptize.Canō 100

p. 85TREATISES, BELONGING TO THE fourth CENTURIE.