History of the First Ten Persecutions, Treatises 1 · Treatise 2

History of the First Ten Persecutions · Treatises 1 · Treatise 2

p. 105A TREATISE, Of the authoritie of COUNCILS.

IN the first three hundreth yeeres of our LORD, Councils were few in number, and verie obscure, and few of them had great authoritie, except the Councill holden in HIERUSALEM, Act. 15Acts 15by the Apostles: yet was the first age after CHRIST the golden age, whether wee consider doctrine or maners: in doctrine more sincere, in maners more vnreproueable then any age after following, in so much, that all the accusations forged against their doctrine and conuersation, were but calumnies and lyes. The banquets of Thyestes, and the chambring of Oedipus, perpetually objected to the Christians of the primitiue Church, what were they but, cauillations, in thinges whereof they had no vnderstanding? They knew not what the spirituall eating of the flesh of CHRIST did meane, neither knew they how necessary it was for Christians to keepe holy assemblies in the night time, when they had not libertie to doe it in the day time. And they spake euill of things they could not, nor would not comprehende, as the Gracians and Romanes counted the Hebrues Barbarians, because they had no regard to vnderstand their language. But out of all question, the first age was the golden age of the worlde, after it was renewed by the comming of CHRIST: in doing of good more willing, in suffering of euill more patient then anie age that followed the first 300. yeeres of our LORD: And that thing where into the primitiue Church seemeth to be inferiour to posteriour times, to wit, in number and splendor of Councils, in that same point it hath a prerogatiue, such as Iuda, had ouer Israel: there were more altars in Israel then in Iuda, but that one altar in Hierusalem was better then all their altars. And the Councill holden in Hierusalem, by the Apostles, in the dayes of the Emperour Claudius, was better then all the Councils either Generall or Nationall, that euer were gathered since those dayes.

p. 106Now before I speake in particular of th… necessitie of Councils, of their authoritie, of the abuse of Councils, and power to conuocate them, and who should hauehave vote in Councils, somewhat is to bee premitted concerning the name giuen vntounto G… nerall or Nationall assemblies. Gratianus busieth himselfe in manie Gratian dist…ct. 15vnnec…ssarie thinges, and in this also, to secke out the Etymologie of the Latine word Concilium: and hee deduceth it from the word Cilium, called in the Greeke language foreign, that is, the eye lid, and the compound word Concilium signifieth the companie of men, who agree in one minde, as the eye liddes doe, when they couer the eyes, they couer both together, and when they open againe to giuegive place vntounto the sight of the eyes, they open both at once. And so Gratianus thinketh, that Concilium Concil. Carthag. 4. Canon 71is Coelus consentientium, that is, a company of men, who agree in one mind. The fourth Councill of Garthage requireth, beside consent and agreement in one minde, a consent to the veritie and trueth of GOD: therefore they say, that the assemblie of Heretiques should not bee called Concilium, but Conciliabulum. But in acurate seeking out of Etymologies scarce can Plato himselfe in his Dialogue called Cratylus, escape the blame of curiositie: Plato Dial. Cratyl.the Greeke word foreign is plainer, and is borrowed by the Latinists, who usually call a Councill Synodus, and it is used in this sence to betoken a meeting of men in spitituall offices, for timous suppressing of corruptions, either in Doctrine or maners, springing vp into the Church.

The necessitie of Counc…ls may bee proued by these arguments following: First, those ordinarie meanes which the Prophets 1.and Apostles, who had their callin… and gifts immediatly from GOD, did use for suppressing of false doctrine and corrupt maners, should of necessitie continue in the Church: But so it is, that conuentions & assemblies was one of these ordinary meanes, ergo, they should continue in the Church. The seconde part of the argument is proued by the example of the great assemblie gathered at Silo in the dayes of Iosua, to suppresse the Iosua, 22apparent defection of the Reubenites, Gadites, and halfe tribe of Manasses, from the true worship of GOD, as seemed vntounto them. And this Assemblie had allowance of GOD, forasmuch as it was ordered with wisedome: the glory of GOD p. 107was onelyonly respected, and the ende of it was peace in ISRAEL.

Next the great assemblie of the ten tribes at mount Carmell, procured by Helias the Prophet, but gathered by the commandement of Achab the king of Israel, declareth, that assemblies 1. Reg. 181 Kgs 18of Church-men and others of chiefe authoritie, was an ordinarie meane to reforme abuses in Religion: albeit no reformation followed after this assemblie, yet the enemies of the true Religion were conuicted in their consciences, false teachers were disgraced and punished, and the zeale of Helias toward the glory of GOD had allowance by a miracle of fire from Heauen.

In like maner Samuel by gathering a great assemblie of all Israel 1. Sam. 71 Sam 7at Mizpah, procured a reformation, both in Religion and maners amongst them: Dauid, in transporting the Arke to the 2. Sam. 62 Sam 6citie of Dauid: Salomon, in the dedication of the Temple; both 1. Reg. 81 Kgs 8used the support of holie assemblies gathered to that effect.

And in the new Testament the Apostles, Elders, and Deacons met together in an holie assemblie at Hierusalem, and timouslie Act. 15Acts 15suppressed the doctrine of false teachers, who affirmed, that the Gentiles could not bee saued by faith in CHRIST onelyonly, except they had also beene circumcised, and kept the law of Moses. All these examples, and manie more, contained in holy Scripture, teach vsus, that the meeting of holie assemblies, was an ordinarie meane to suppresse corruption in doctrine and maners, and to aduance the kingdome of GOD.

Secondlie, that thing which godlie Emperours did for the suppressing of Heresies, following the examples of the Prophets 2.& Apostles (especiallie when no better meanes could be found out) is necessarilie to bee obserued. But so it is, that the godlie Emperours Constantine, Theodosius, Valentinian the third, and Theodosius the second the sonne of Arcadius, and Martianus conuocated Councils for suppressing of the Heresies of Arrius, Macedonius, Nestorius, and Eutyches: and no better meanes could be found out, neither as yet can bee founde out, for suppressing of Heresies: Therefore the custome of conuocating Councils at times requisite, is necessarilie to bee obserued.

Other arguments, albeit they hauehave not so necessarie a consecution as the former, notwithstanding they proue, that lawfull p. 1083.Councils are a terrour to the kingdome of the Deuill, and that …. lib. 5 …. …8the instrumentes of Sathan, such as Iulian the Apostate (who permitted no Councils to be assembled in time of his gouernement) are haters of free and lawfull conuocated assemblies. And incase good men fortuned to bee assembled together, by any occasion, as it happened in the Councils of Millan and Ariminum, in the dayes of the Emperour Constantius, the indeuours of the Emperour sometimes to circumueene, at other times to terrifie, or to wearie the honest mindes of vpright men, plainely testified, that hee was afraide of the sentence definitiue of a lawfull Councill. Therefore let vsus thinke with our heart, and say with our mouth, that lawfull assemblies are necessary for the furtherance of the Kingdome of GOD.

Concerning the authoritie of Councils (which is the principall subject of this Treatise) there are three diuerse opinions. Some with excessiue praises aduance Councils, and count them equall to holie Scripture: namelie, the foure first Generall Councils, The Councill of Nice, Constantinople, Ephesus, and Gratia…us, di…tinct. 15Chalcedon: and they compare them vntounto the foure Euangels, and to the foure Riuers of Paradise. Others doe vilipende Councils, and striue against them, for euerie light cause, as the Gr…g. lib. 1 r…est. epi. 24Arrians did against the Councill of Nice, for that one worde foreign, because it was not founde in Scripture. The third opinion is of those, who neither will vilipende Councils, nor equall them to sacred Scripture, because holie Scripture is absolutelie, and without all contradiction, to bee bel…eued: but Councils may bee cor…ected one by another, as namelie, Nationall Councils, by Generall Councils, and anterior Generall Councils, by posterior, at such times as thinges that were hidden from the vnderstanding of men before, are brought to a more manifest light and notorious knowledge. Augu…. d… Baptist. contr. Dona…. lib. 2 …ap. …And in this opinion is that holy Father AUGUSTINE, in his bookes written against the Donatists.

Now they who were in the first opinion, to wit, that the first foure Generall Councils were equall vntounto the writinges of the foure Euangelists, eueryevery one of them leaned vponupon an vnsure and deceitfull ground, and so it came to passe, that they were both deceiued themselues, and likewise they deceiued others: For p. 109Gratianus was the bolder so to speake, because Pope Gregorie had spoken the …ame before him: & Pope Gregorie spake so, because hee had a resolution in his owne minde, to bee obedient to the acts of the Councill of Nice. O, but after him there commeth in a succession of Popes, who will not bee content to bee ruled with the Canons of the Councill of Nice, albeit they spake as Gregorie spake, yet they did not as Gregorie did: for they usurped Ru…in. lib. … …ap. 6jurisdiction aboue all the rest of the Patriarches, expresse contrarie to the Canons of the Councill of Nice, wherein it is Canon 6.statuted and ordained, that the Bishop of Alexandria shoulde attende vponupon the Churches of Aegypt, and the Bishop of Rome should attende vponupon the towne of Rome, and the suburbicarie Churches, according to the custome ob…erued of old. What is this els, but a mocking of the world, in word to …ay, that the 4. first Generall Councils are like vntounto the 4. Euangelists, and in deed manifestly to transgresse the ordinances of the Councill of Nice? Are not the Bishops of Rome in this case like vntounto Theophilus B▪ of Alexandria, when a great number of Monks came from Socrat. lib. … cap. 7the Wildernesse of Nitria to Alexandria, of purpose to slay him? Theophilus met them, and with pleasant wordes mitigated their wrath: for hee s…id vntounto them, Brethren, I see your faces, as the face of God. This he said, not because he had a good liking of them, but rather to bee free of their danger. So doeth Gelatius, and other Bishops of Rome, speake reuerent…y of the Councill of Nice, to the end, that the sixt Canon foresaide, which they hauehave so manifestly transgressed, may bee ouer-passed with the more fauourable pardoning of the transgressours, because they speake good of the Councill. If this bee a good forme of dealing, let the wise Reade… judge. The Hypocrites also will praise the Lawgiuer, to wit, the eternal GOD, but they wil not be obedient vntounto his Lawe: yea, they will take his Holy Couenant in their mouthes, yet they hate to bee reformed. But the Romane Bisshops Psal. 50 ver. 16. 1…Ps 50:16Ps 50:1should doe well, either to bragge lesse of the Nicene Councill, or els to be more obedient vntounto the acts thereof. Moreouer if the 4. first General Councils be like vntounto the 4. bookes of the Euang…l, then is it as great a sin to falsifie the acts of the Coun. of Nice, as to falsifie the Gospel of IESUS CHRIST, according to S. Ma…hew. But so it is, that the Bishops of Rome for desire p. 110of preheminence, falsified the acts of the Councill of Nice, alleadging an act of that Councill whereby the Bishops of Rome were ordained to bee Iudges of appellation, whensoeuer anie man did appeale from his owne ordinarie Bishop, then shoulde his cause bee judg…d by the Bishop of Rome. But when all the principall Registers were sighted by the Councill of Carth…ge, no such constitution was founde in the Canons of the Councill of Nice (for it was but an act of the Councill of Sardica, and that Concil. Sardie.both temporall and personall, as wee hauehave before declared.) Therefore the sixt Councill of Carthage ordained such persons Concil. Carthag. 6to bee excommunicated, as should at anie time hereafter appeale from their owne ordinarie Bishop, to anie Bishop beyond sea, meaning inspeciall of the Bishop of Rome, because the question agitat in the late Councils of Carthage was concerning his authoritie.

The second opinion concerning the authority of Councils, is the opinion of Heretiques, who altogether vilipend the author…tie of good Councils, albeit they hauehave weyed mens opinions in the just ballance of the holy Scripture on…ly, and hauehave rejected no doctrine, but that onelyonly, which being weyed in that most perfect ballance, is found light, Concerning these men, it is superfluous to speake much, they are like vntounto dogges, whose friendship goeth by acquaintance, and is not ordered by reason, and therefore if a friend come to the house, hee barketh at Similitude.him, because hee hath not seene him before: but incase hee see a thiefe, and prodigall waster of all the substance of his maisters house, hee will not barke against him, if so bee hee bee familiarlie acquainted with him: euen so notable Heretiques, they raile against the trueth of GOD, euidently proued by Scriptu…e, and confirmed by authoritie of Councils, onelie because they are well acquainted with the lye, and they are strangers from the trueth of GOD.

The third opinion is best of all the rest, forasmuch as by it neither are Councils vilipended, nor yet honoured out of measure: but they are regarded in so farre as they speake that thing which GOD hath spoken in his sacred Scriptures before them. No greater honour did the Councill of all Councils conu…ened at Hierusalem, desire, wherein the Apostles were pres…nt, who were p. 111Act. 15Acts 15taught in all trueth by the holy Spirit, yet did they not pr…tende Ioh. 14 …6John 14:6the war…and of the Spirit, without the warrand of the writt…n word of GOD: and therefore their ordinances were worthie to bee obeyed, because the warrand of the Holy Spirit, and the warrand of the Holy Scripture and Apostolicke autho…itie, all concurring together, gaue a full grace to the Councill of Hierus…lem. For this cause, in the famous Councill of Nice, all their constitutions hauehave not a like reuerence: the sentence pronounced against Arrius, was well confirmed by testimonies of hol…e Scripture: but in appointing Patriarches, in attributing vntounto them jurisdiction, and power to conuocate Councils within th…ir owne bounds, for timous suppressing of Heresies, they bring no testimonie of Scripture, but in stead of Scripture they set downe foreign, that is, Let ancient customes hauehave place. The Councill of Nice in this point did as Iosua did, who … a couenant with the Gibeoni…es, but consulted not Iosua, 9w…th th…m … of the LORD: Euen so the Coun…ill of Nice in … …o g…eat pre…eminence to a few men, they consulted not with Holy Scripture, which warn…th Pastors to feede the flocke of GOD, which …ependeth vponupon them. And the issue declared, that 1. …. 5. …G…D gaue not such a blessing to the constituting of Patriarch…s, as hee gaue to the condemnatour sentence pronounced against A…rius: For whereas they imagined, that these Patriarches … great authoritie, shoulde timously gather Synodes, and suppresse H…reticall doctrine: it fell ou… by the contrary, that the Patriarches were the chiefe Here…iques themselues, and chiefe defenders of Heresie, such as Macedonius and Nestorius, Patriarches of Constantino…le, both damned for Heresie, the one in the Counci…l of Constantinople, the other in the Council of Ephesus: In like maner Honorius Patriarch of Rome, Cyrus Patriarch of Alexandria, Macarius Patriarch of Antiochia, with Sergius Pyrhu… and Paulus, Pa…riarches of Constantinople, were al condemned of Heresie, in the sixt Generall Councill holden at Constantino…le, ANNO 681.

O… this that I hauehave already spoken, it is euident, that the best way whereby Generall or Nationall Councils may maintaine t…eir authoritie, and bee reuerently regarded, is this, if in all t…eir determinations they set before them the bookes of Holie p. 112Scripture, and conforme all their definitiue sentences to the wisedome which they hauehave learned out of the volume of those holy bookes, following the example of the Church of Antiochia, who remitted the decision of harde questions, wherewith they Act. …5Acts 5were troubled, to the mouthes of the Apostles of IESUS CHRIST. And seeing wee hauehave not the Prophets and Apostles personallie present in our time, the next is to hauehave recourse vntounto the writinges of the Prophets and Apostles, whereby the LORD speaketh nowe to vsus, as hee spake of olde time by the personall presence of the Prophets and Apostles to our Fathers. And it is certaine, that these of Antiochia went vp vntounto Hierusalem, not for any prerogatiue the towne had, but because the Apostles were in Hierusalem. And wheresoeuer wee see the Apostolicke doctrine vnuiolably obserued, in that place let vsus seeke resolution of all our doubtes: and if the Apostolicke doctrine be departed from Hierusalem it selfe, it is but a denne of theeues, as CHRIST saieth, Matth. 21. 13. and if it bee departed from Rome, then is Rome it selfe spirituall Babylon, it is an habitation of Deuils, and the Hold of all foule spirits, and a cage of eueryevery vncleane & hatefull bird, and the constitutions that come from Rome are not Apoc. 18. 2Rev 18:2to bee regarded.

Notwithstanding of this, the Councils that hath casten the Apostolicke doctrine behinde their backe, they hauehave guarded themselues with another kind of armour, and they indeuour to hauehave credite and reuerence by the multitude of Princes, people, and learned Doctors, assenting to the determinations of their Councils, & by the multitude of Anathemaes (more in number then those that were pronounced out of mount Eball) whereby they deliuer to the Deuill, and that in most prodigall forme, all Deut. 27Deut 27those that will not assent vntounto their Decretes By these meanes (I say) & such like, they purchase authoritie, reuerence, and credite to their late Councils. Neuerthelesse there is one curse in Holy Scripture, more to bee feared then all the curses of the Councill of Trent, namely that which Paul pronounceth in these wordes, But though that wee, or an Angell from Heauen, preach Gal. 1. 8Gal 1:8vntounto you otherwise then that which wee hauehave preached vntounto you, let him be accursed. And like as Aarons rod deuoured the Serpents of the Sorcerers of Aegypt, albeit in number they were many, euen p. 113so this one curse swalloweth vp all their curses pronounced against innocent people, because they will not depart in a jot Exod. 7. 1…Exod 7:1from the rule of wholsome & Apostolicke doctrine. In like maner it is said by Moses, Cursed bee hee that confirmeth not all the words of this Lawe, to doe them. Consequently, blessed are they, who Deu. 27. verse, 26Deut 27firmely adhereth vntounto the Law of GOD. And by no authoritie of Princes, Nations, Councils, or Doctors, will bee withdrawne from the Law of GOD. And this BULLINGER hath wisely obserued in these wordes, Tametsi caeat totus hic mundus, minime tamen potest creatura qu…quam contra verbum creator is Bu…ing. … Concil….statuere, neque decreta DEI aeterni abrogare. Neque valet hic eruditio, aut multitudo, aut sanctitas, aut ulla denique authoritas, nam loquente DOMINO DEO universorum, merito conticescit omni… caro. SAMUEL certe dicebat, loquere DOMINE, quoniam audit servus tu…s: that is, albeit all the uniuersitie of this worlde shoulde bee assembled together, yet the creature can ordaine nothing against the worde of the Creator: neither can they abrogate the Decretes of the Eternall GOD, neither can learning, multitude, holynesse, or anie kinde of authoritie auaile in this matter: for when the GOD of all creatures speaketh, then justly all flesh shoulde keepe silence. SAMUEL indeede saide, Speake, LORD, for thy seruant heareth. Likewise 1. Sam. 3 verse, 101 Sam 3hee bringeth in a worthie sentence, of PANORMITANE, a famous Iurist, saying, that greater credite shoulde bee giuen to a Laike-man, speaking the trueth according to Holie Scripture, then to a whole Generall Councill, speaking a lye contrarie to Scripture.

Moreouer, albeit there were worthie Assemblies holden in SILO, MISPAH, and CARMEL, in the dayes of the Prophets, yet the Prophets are verie sparing to use argumentes t…ken from the authoritie of these Assemblies: but the Prophets leade the people continuallie to the Lawe of GOD, as to the right grounde and Fountaine of all lawfull Councils: so that their ordinarie speach is this: This saieth the LORD, and not, this saieth the Assemblie gathered at MISPAH, SILO, or CARMEL: they were so farre from equalling Councils to the Lawe of GOD, that whensoeuer they did desire reformation of the people, then they laide before them the p. 114Law of GOD, but not the authority of Councils, whose authority is nothing els but borrowed from the Law of GOD: and therefore whosoeuer aduanc…th C…uncils so high, that they would equall Councils to Holy Scripture, in my opinion, they are not well acquainted with the Scriptures of GOD. In the new Testament mention is made how Paul and Silas, visiting the Churches where Paul and Barnabas had preached before, they deliuered them the Decrees to keepe, ordained of the Apostles and Elders, Act. 16. 4Acts 16:4which were at Hierusalem. Heere mention is made of the Decrees of a most worthie Councill, but heerewith remember two thinges: First, the Decrees of such a Councill, whereinto many Apostles were present, who were taught in all trueth by the Holie Spirit, according to the prediction of CHRIST. Secondly, Paul and Silas were not now planting Churches in Asia the lesse, but they were wa…ing and visiting the Churches already planted: and no man denieth, but the authoritie of good Councils is profitable to confirme men in the trueth of GOD. But it is the doctrine of the Holy Scripture of GOD, that begetteth Faith in the soules of men. Therefore let the Holy Scriptures of GOD hauehave the first and principall honour, and no man will be offended, that good Councils be regarded in their owne ranke.

In the next head let vsus speake of the abuses of Councils, they are manifold: But the first and principall abuse of Councils, I thinke to bee this, when the very end wherefore they were wont to bee gathered is inuerted. Of old Councils were gathered to suppresse Heresies and Schismes: But when they are gathered to maintaine Hereticall doctrine, or to strengthen the handes of Schismatiques, directly or indirectly, this is a great abuse of Councils. Like as the Councill of Ariminum was assembled for confirmation of the Arrian Heresie, & the second Councill of Ephesus gaue allowance to the errour of Eutyches. The Councils of Tyrus & Millan indirectly in labouring to suppresse Athanasius, were in verie deede supplanting the true Faith which Athanasius professed. There is infinite difference betwixt Nimrod and Nehemiah, and betwixt Babel and Hierusalem. In Genes. 11Gen 11the re-edifying of Hierusalem there was a purpose to glorifie Nehem. 2Neh 2GOD: but in building Babell there was a farre contrarie intention.

p. 115Secondly, Councils are abused, when they take libertie to statute and ordaine any thing repugnant to the Holy Scriptures of GOD, whether it be in forbidding to doe that thing which the Scripture licentiateth to bee done, or in allowing thinges disallowed in Holy Scripture. This abuse began very early, euen in the famous Councill of Nice, wherein they forbid men, who are conuerted to Christian Religion, and are baptized in the Name of CHRIST, to returne againe to the warre-fare, as if these two thinges were repugnant to be a warriour and a Christian. Did not Dauid, Iosaphat, and Iosias, fight the battels of the LORD? and in so doing, they made not defection from the Couenant of GOD. Was not Cornelius both a Centurion and Act. 10Acts 10a Christian? And Iohn Baptist, when hee was demanded of the Souldiours, what they should doe, did hee command them to forsake their calling? and not rather to use it aright, that is, to doe violence to no man, neither accuse any falsly, and to bee Luc. 3. 14Luke 3:14content with their wages. And was it lawfull to militate vnderunder the banner of Augustus and Tiberius? And shall it be found vnlawfull to fight vnderunder the banner of Constantine, a most Christian Emperour? In my judgement this was too much libertie, that the Councill of Nice tooke vntounto themselues, to disallowe anie calling that in Holy Scripture is not disallowed, except onelie the abuse of it. And of olde the Iewes made no Conscience to fight vnderunder the banner of Alexander the Great, whome hee honoured also with foreign, that is, with equall honour and freedome of Burgeship with the Graecians, in the principall towne Iosephus, Antiqu. lib. 11 cap. 8of Aegypt, called Alexandria, builded by himselfe. But this constitution of the Councill of Nice might bee excused, because all thinges that are lawfull are not also expedient, & possibly they 1. Cor. 91 Cor 9hauehave seene at that time great danger to Christian mens saluation in warre-fare (vnknowne to vsus) and therefore they tooke boldnesse to forbid Christians to goe to warrefare. But manie other Councils, both Nationall and (called by the Romane Church) generall, hauehave allowed thinges expressely forbidd…n in the written word of GOD, such as adoration of Images, and the sapramacie of the Bishop of Rome, not only ouer all Pastors, but also a souereignitie in ciuill thinges, ouer the Emperour, and Princes of the earth, which is an vnsufferable disorder, to make p. 116the taile the head, & the head the taile. In particular I speake of the Councils holden at Rome, by Gregorius the seconde, and Gregorius the thirde, and Stephanus the thirde: and the seconde Councill of Nice, holden in the seuenth yeere of the Empresse Irene, with the consent and procuration of Adrian Bishop of Rome, ANNO 790. The vnhappie Generall Councill of Vienne, ass…mbled by Clemens the fift, ANNO 1311. whereinto it is statuted and ordained, that the Emperour shall giuegive his oath of alleadgeance to the Pope, to whom hee is no lesse inferiour, then the Moone is infinitely inferiour vntounto the splendor of the Sun. Can any thing bee spoken more repugnant to the seconde precept of the first Table, and the first precept of the seconde Table, then the Decretes of the Councils foresaid.

Therefore let euerie Christian man thinke of Councils as they thinke of Riuers of water, which are verie profitable so long as they hold themselues within the compasse of their owne accustomed bankes: but if they swell and by vntimous inundation Similitude.ouer-flowe their owne accustomed boundes, then are they verie hurtfull to the neere adjacent fieldes. Enen so Councils that take libertie to allowe any thing disallowed in Holie Scripture, are very pernicius and hurtfull.

Thirdly, Councils are miserably abused, when they are blamed vnjustly and without a cause. The Arrians moste vnjustly blamed the Councill of Nice, for the worde foreign, because this word is not found in Scripture: Neuerthelesse the matter it selfe expressed by this word is manifestly cōtained in Scripture: as namely, when the Apostie Iohn saith, There are three which bear… recorde in Heauen, the FATHER, the WORD, and the Holie Io…n. 5. 7GHOST: and these three are one. but the Arrians who blamed the Coun. most wrongfully, said, there was a time wherein the Sonne was not existant: and that Deuilish opinion neither in word, nor in matter, is to bee found in Scripture.

Moreouer, Councils are abused, when as their authoritie is impared not with solide reasons, taken out of the Scrip…ures of GOD, but rather with the railing speaches of contentious men▪ like as a number of Heretiques called Acephali, with tumultuarie murmuring and crying out against the Councill of Chalcedon, dispersed themselues heere and there, and left not off their p. 117vngodly courses, vntill a new Heresie of the Monothelites, an vngracious budde of the rotten and cutted-downe stocke of the Heresie of Eutyches did arise. But no man aught to contende against Councils, with pride of a contentious minde, but rather with humilitie of a modest minde search out, whether their Ordinances bee agreeable to the booke of GOD, or not.

Finally, Councils are abused, when they who are assembled together are transported with incertainetie of doubtfull opinions, so that albeit they bee met together, to settle others in the certainetie of the true Faith, yet they themselues are so wauering minded, that they can neuer bee at rest. Like as the Arrians, not content with the summe of Faith set downe at Nice, assembled themselues many times, & set downe 9. diuers formes of Faith, as Socrates recordeth: yet coulde they neuer agree vponupon Socrat. lib. 2 cap. 4…one certaine forme of Faith, which they woulde not alter. Likew…se in the affaires of Discipline, so great discrepance of opinion was founde, that neither Councill agreede with Councill, nor Bishop with Bishop, nor yet Bishops with Councils.

The Councill of Ancyra thought expedient for order taking with those who had sacrificed vntounto Idoles in time of persecution, Concil. A… cyr. an… 308that vntounto Bishops should bee adjoined Chorepiscopi, that is, Countrey Bishops, or Landward Bishops, to whom they gaue not power to ordaine Elders and Deacons, but onelyonly Readers, and Subdeacons. Damasus Bishop of Rome coulde not agree to this subordinate order of Bishops called Chorepiscopi. The Councils Gratian. … stinct. 98of Neocaesarea & Antiochia, liked of this forme of gouernament. Other Councils in not making mention of this name declared their misliking: so that this abuse likewise of diuersity of Hist. Mag… Cent. 4 Cap. 6opinions (frequently altered) both in Doctrine and Discipline, impaired much the authoritie of Councils.

Before I declare who hath power to conuocate Generall & Nationall Councils, something is to bee premitted concerning the assemblies vponupon the LORDS holy Sabboths. These assemblies of all other were counted moste holy: in so much, that when the Princes of the people of Israel were to conueene with Moses, Numb. 10 verse, 3. 4Num 10to consult concerning matters of ciuil gouernament, they were warned so to doe by the blowing of one of the siluer trumpets p. 118onelyonly: but when both the siluer trumpets did blowe, then the people were warned to conueene at the doore of the Tabernacle, for the exercise of diuine seruice, which as it was of all Conuentions most holy, so in like maner it was foresignisied in most solemne maner. These holy meetinges were warranded by the LORDES expresse commandement, Remember the Sabboth day, to keepe it holy, &c. And in the new Testament, Christians hauing E…o. 20. 9receiued power to meete together in CHRISTES Name, with promise that CHRIST woulde bee amongst them, they conueened secretely, to the hearing of the worde, and ministration of the Sacramentes, albeit they were most straitely inhibited so to doe, by the Edictes of persecuting Tyrantes: and these who were comprehended and put to death for their conuentions & profession, they died Holy Martyres, how soeuer the Pagans did put them to death as traitors, because they disobeyed the Emperours commandement, both in their conuentions and profession. Yet this ground beeing once laide, that they died Holy Martyrs, it wil follow that Christians hauehave power to conucene, to heare the worde preached (especially vponupon the LORDES day) albeit all the Princes of the worlde woulde forbid them to meete. And this libertie granted by CHRIST, and sealed vp by the blood of innumerable martyrs, Confirmed also by the lawes of Christian Princes, euer since the reigne of Constantine, it will continue vntounto the blessed appearance of the LORD IESUS, to judge the world, albeit all the enemies of the Gospell of CHRIST shoulde grinde their teeth, and fret against this libertie.

These fore-saide weekely conuentions are necessarie at all times, and in all ages, euen albeit there were no H…retique nor Scismatique in the worlde, to diuert people from the trueth of GOD, because euen the best of vsus all is but like vntounto a barren husbandrie, that hath neede continually to bee dressed, and laboured, and watered with the streames of the riuers of the Sanctuarie Psal. 46.Ps 46of our GOD, lest wee wither in the barrennesse of a corrupt nature. But Councils Generall or Nationall are not necessarie at all times, but onelyonly when the peace of the Church is troubled with Heresie and Schisme, or an uniuersall ouer-spreading scab of corrupt maners: and at such times it is meete that p. 119Pastors acquaint the supreame Magistrate with the danger, who hath not neede at all times to conuocate a Councill, except the maladie that hee would rem…die be vnsupportable. After this wise forme of dealing did Constantine send Osius Bishop of Corduba Socrat. lib. 1 cap. 7to Aegypt, to see if by his trauels the Heresie and Schisme springing vp in Alexandria, could bee timously suppressed: but when the good Emperour sawe that this Gangrene dayly increased, then there was no remedie, but to gather a Generall Councill for suppressing of Heresie, and for keeping of intestine peace into the Church of CHRIST.

Now to proue that Nationall and Generall Councils ought to bee gathered by Monarches and Princes: In the olde Testament the great Conuentions at Carmell, Silo, and Mizpeh, were assembled by Princes: and the assembly conueened at Mizpeh 1. Sam. 10 verse, 171 Sam 10by Samuel, hee gathered it, as a ciuill Gouernor of the land, and not in so farre as hee was a Prophet, for as yet Saul was not allowed by the people to bee king. The Conuention appointed at Gilgal, was with the expresse consent and allowance of King 1. Sam. 12 verse, 31 Sam 12Saul, who was also personally present at that Assemblie. In the new Testament the assembly of the Apostles at Hierusalem, albeit it was gathered without the knowledge and allowance of the Emperour Cluadius, in whose time it was assembled: Yet the Apostles had such extraordinary warrandes of the Spirite, such extraordinary giftes, and their painefull trauels fell in such an extraordinary time, when there was no Christian Magistrate fauouring the Gospel, that hee who furnished vntounto them courage to preach without libertie granted vntounto them by Princes, furnished also courage and grace vntounto them to meete at Hierusalem, for the well of the Church, without the fore-knowledge Act. 15Acts 15and allowance of the Emperour Claudius. But thinges done extraordinarily, leane vntounto their owne extraordinary warrandes, and are no impediment to vsus to proceede, and to speake of thinges that are ordinary.

And it is to be noted, that euen during the time of the 10. Persecutions, Christians neglected not to seeke the support of Emperours against Heretiques, whē it could be obtained, as clearelie appeareth by the ninth Persecuting Emperour Aurelian, who with his ciuil authority assisted the Synode of Antiochia, against p. 120Euseb. lib. 7 cap. 30Samosatenus, as hath beene declared in the thirde CENTURIE, and the Church had craued the support of the Emperours authoritie to that effect.

From the dayes of the Emperour Constanti…e, vntill the yeere of our LORD 1215. the Emperours were in use to conuocate Councils. But Innocentius the thirde, to whose tuterie Fredericke the seconde was recommended, by his father Henrie the sixt, more like to the successour of Iudas, then the successour of Peter, made Otto Duke of Saxon Emperour in prejudice of Fredericke, vntill the spirit of dissention fell betwixt Otto and Pope Innocentius the thirde. Then was Otto excommunicated, and the Empire was giuen to Fredericke the seconde, to whom it rightly belonged. Notwithstanding Pope Innocentius tooke vponupon him boldnes to conuocate the Generall Councill of Lateran wherein Popish Transsubstantiation did get allowance) the like whereof no Pope preceeding his time euer persumed to doe.

Now I demande of these, who defende the Popish Religion, and herewithall continually bragge of Antiquitie, whether or no this bee an ancient custome, that the Bishops of Rome should conuocate Generall Councils? The Historie is so euident and cleare, that hee who is not altogether effronted, will grant, that it was not an ancient custome, that the Bishop of Rome shoulde conuocate Generall Councils, and no Pope did it before Innocentius the thirde. Gratianus according to his foolish and flattering …. 17forme of writing, bringeth in the testimonie of Iulius the first, affirming that no Councill is or shall bee firme and sure without the allowance of the chaire of Rome. What shall wee then say of the Councill of H…erusalem, holden by the Apostles Act. 1 …Acts 1before there was any Bishop of Rome to giuegive allowance vntounto it? Notwithstanding, euen Pope Iulius himselfe, when hee writeth to the Bishops gathered in the Councill of Antiochia, hee blameth them with manie faultes, yet hee chargeth them not with this, that they had assembled themselues together without licence obtained from him, but rather for this, that they had not required him, or his messengers, to be present at their assembly, Whereby it is euident, that it was not an ancient custome, that the Bishop of Rome shoulde conuocate all Generall and Nationall … lib. 2 …. 17Councils.

p. 121With the like arrogancie the Bishops of Rome tooke vponupon themselues to bee Moderators of Councils, from thee yeere of our LORD 1215. vntill our dayes. And this is another noueltie, which the Romane Bishop coulde not bring in, vntill hee had troden the Emperours authoritie vnderunder foote. In the Councill of Nice Eustatius Bishop of Antiochia was Moderator. In the second Generall Councill holden at Constantinople, Gregorius Bishop of the great Towne at that time was President. In the third Coun. conueened at Ephesus, Cyrillus bishop of Alexandria was Moderator. In the fourth conueened at Chalcedon in Bithinia, Lucentius, Pascasianus, and Bonifacius, messengers sent from Leo Bishop of Rome, had the presidencie. This is the first time whereinto the B. of Rome, either in his owne person, or by his Agent, moderated any Generall Councill: And at this time who can say that the Counc. of Chalcedon was assembled by the commandement of Leo B. of Rome? When as in the very frontespice of the Councill it is written, Ex Decreto piissimorum & fidelissimorum Imperatorum Valentiniani & Martiani, &c. Moreouer Council. Chalcedon, act 1it is euident by reading the Epistles of Leo, that hee intraited for this fauour at the Emperours hand, that the Generall Councill might hauehave beene conueened in Italie, which hee needed not to hauehave done if by his owne authority he had power to conuocate Generall Councils. It is well obserued by that worthy and learned writer of France, Philip Morney that Baronius for excessiue desire hee hath to proue that Leo had power to assemble Generall Philip. Morney mystiniquis.Councils, he changeth the Orthographie of the Latine language, and in stead of Consilium Synodi Generalis indiximus, hee citeth Concisilium Synodi Generalis injuximus. It is true, that Leo B. of Rome gaue aduice and counsell both to Theodosius, and to Martianus, to gather a Generall Councill, but he had no power to appoint & command that it should bee kept. But this power belonged to the Emperour. Baronius will not proue his purpose so easilie, as by stealing in the letter C, in place of the letter S. The fi…t Generall Councill was assembled in Constantinople, by the commandement of the Emperour Iustinian, and not by the commandement of Vigilius B. of Rome, neither was Vigilius Moderator in this Councill, but Eutychius B. of Constantinople gouerned the Assemblie.

p. 122The sixt Generall Councill was assembled by the commandement of the Emperour Constantinus Pogonatus, and was perfected by the commandement of Iustinianus the second his sonne. Sergius Bishop of Rome, did not appoint this Councill to be keeped, neither woulde hee giuegive allowance to the determinations of this Councill, because in it the constitutions of the Romane Church concerning prohibition of Marriage, were disallowed: Notwithstanding his Agent, who was present in Constantinople, and compeared in his name, gaue consent, and subscribed the Acts of the sixt Generall Councill, but stolide (saieth Platina) that is, foolishly, writing with flattering stile pleasant things to Platin. de vit. Pontif.the Bishops of Rome.

For d…cision of the question concerning worshipping of Images 3. great Councils were gathered, one by Constantinus Copronymus, at Constantinople: another by the Empresse Irene, at Nice: the third by the Emperour Carolus Magnus, at Francf…ra: which of them soeuer shall bee founde the seuenrh Generall Council, alwayes none of these three was gathered by the commandement of the Bishop of Rome, neither was hee Moderator in anie of them.

The eight Generall Council was assembled by the commandement of Basilius Emperour of Constantinople: but the Ambassadours of the Bishop of Rome, Hadrian the seconde, had the gouernament of the assemblie: and they began early to manifest the portraict of their tyrannous gouernament. No man was admitted to giuegive vote in the Generall Councill, saue hee onelyonly, who woulde cons…nt and subscribe to the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome. Adoration of Images did get full allowance in this Councill: and this was a fore-running messenger of the tyrannie that followed heereafter, from the 1215. yeere of our LORD, vntill our time. Now the Bishop of Rome conuocateth Generall Councils, gouerneth them by himselfe, or his substitute, and maketh ordinances flatly repugnant to the written worde of GOD. No cause is so impious and vngodly, that euer wanted an aduocate: but this I repeat againe, that hee is verie impudent, who dare affirme, that the Bishop of Rome of olde time did conuocate Generall Councils, and was Moderator in them.

p. 123By conference with persons of the Romane Religion, I vnderstand, that they will not giuegive full credite to any Assemblie, but to such a one, as is lawfully conuocated, holden, and lawfully ended. They count it lawfully conuocated, when the Bishop of ROME by his Edict hath gathered it: lawfully holden, when the Bishop of ROME, or els his substitute, is Moderator of the Assemblie: and lawfully ended, when hee, who is Moderator, continueth in his office vntill the ende of the assemblie. Such deepe instructions Papistes of our Nation hauehave receiued from their teachers: and alas, an ignorant person is soone shooueled out of the way, but cursed bee hee, that make…h the blinde to goe out Deut. 27 verse, 18Deut 27of the way: and all the people shall say, So bee it. Are not these Doctors of lyes ashamed, at some times to commend the first foure Generall Councils, with excessiue praises, and againe to giuegive such instructions to their disciples, as shall make the fi…st foure Generall Councils to bee of no account, because none of them was conuocated by the Edict of the Bishop of ROME, but by the commandement of the Emperours, CONSTANTINE, THEODOSIUS, VALENTINIAN, and MARTIANUS. Moreouer, in none of these foure was the Bishop of ROME, or yet his substitute, Moderator, except onelyonly in the Councill of CHALCEDON. Who can giuegive credite to such teachers, who in one word build, and in another worde destroy that same thing which they hauehave builded. The Apostle PAUL saieth foreign: Gal. 2. 18Gal 2:18that is, For if I builde againe the thinges that I hauehave destroyed, I make my selfe a trespasser. And when they hauehave founde out newe distinctions, by these distinctions, the contradiction of their late Councils are the more inexcusable. The Councill of BASIL, g…thered by EUGENIUS the fourth, ANNO 1431. wherein it is decearned, that the B. of ROME shall bee subject to the Generall Councill, as a child to his mother, And the Council of FLORENCE, gathered by the selfe same Bis. ANNO 1439. wherein the contrarie is decearned, yet were both these Coun. according to their owne description lawfully conuocated, holden, & ended: and yet are they flatte contrary one to another, in a fundamentall point of Popish faith, for it leaneth not vpō scripture only, but also vponupon the authority of Generall Councils, and of the B. of ROME.

p. 124Before I speake of the last head, it is to bee considered, that in gathering of Councils diuers respects hauehave beene had, some times to the people, some times to the Pastors, and at some times also regard hath beene had to good men, who hauehave bene vnjustly accused. Regarde was had to the people, when Councils were conueened in those selfe same places whereinto the pestilent venome of Hereticall doctrine was chiefely ouerspred: For Novatus was damned at Rome, Samosatenus at Amiochia, Artemon in Bostra of Arabia, Eustatius in Gangra of Paphlagonia, and Arrius at the first in a particular Synode holden at Alexandria. In a…l these Councils regard was had to the people, that heresie might die as the grasse-hoppers die, to wit, in the fieldes whereinto they hauehave beene bread, and bee buried as the frogges of Aegypt were buried, to wit, in the riuer from Exod. 8.Exod 8whence they came when they ouer-couered the lande. At other times great regarde was had to Pastours, especially in assembling Generall Councils, that the place of meeting might bee commodious, whereinto the Preachers of Asia, Europe, and Lybia, either by sea or lande might moste conueniently resort: and without all question this was the cause wherefore all the Generall Councils preceeding the woefull Councill of Lateran were assembled, either in Bithynia, Ionia, or Thracia, places whereinto Europe and Asia doeth moste neerely confine, and the Nauigation is moste easie to the Bishops of Aegypt, Pentapolis, Lybia, and Mauritania. Some times a regard was had to innocent men, that they might resort to such places whereinto their cause might hauehave beene tried, without partialitie, as Sardica a towne of Illyrium was appointed for the triall of Paulus, Athanasius, Marcellus, and Asclepas: For it is no reason, that honest men shoulde bee journeyed to places whereinto the force of armour is more to bee feared, then the force of their aduersari…s arguments.

The last head had beene vnnecessarie to bee entreated, if that the ambition of the Bishops of the Romane Church had not compelled men to seeke out this question to the verie ground: for who can doubt but Bishops, Elders, Deacons, and wise and learned men, hauing commission from their owne Churches, should bee present at Councils, and vote according to the word p. 125of GOD, in such thinges as shall happen to be proponed in the Councill. Neuerthelesse the ambition of Bishops, fearing lest by pluralitie of votes matters shoulde frame otherwise then liked themselues best, they began to make distinction betwixt consultatiue and definitiue votes, minding thereby to appropriate vntounto themselues onelyonly definitiue votes, and the rest of the Councill, albeit Elders, Deacons, Doctors, and learned men, furnished with commission, their vote shoulde onelyonly bee consultatiue, and shoulde not bee numbered amongst the votes whereupon the definitiue sentence shoulde arise. This question was reasoned in the Generall Councill of Basil, …ssembled ANNO 1431. And recourse was had to Scripture, as the true ground whereby controuerted questions shoulde bee decided, and there it was founde in the definitiue sentence of the Councill of Hierusalem, foreign, &c. that is, Act. 15 verse, 28Acts 15For it seemed good to the Holie GHOST, and to vsus. Now this demonstratiue worde foreign sendeth vsus to the preface and superscription prefixed to the Epistle, wherein it is written, foreign: Ibi. ver. 23that is, The Apostles, and the Elders, and the Brethren, vntounto the Brethren, who are of the Gentiles in Antiochia, and in Syria, and Cilicia, sende grecting. In these wordes it is manifest, that the Elders and Brethren, who came to HIERUSALEM, furnished with commission, gaue such votes, whereupon the definitiue sentence of the Councill did arise.

But seeing that the Bishops of the Romane Church hauehave presumed to set themselues so farre forward, as if they should bee the onelyonly actors and do…rs of matters entreated in Councils, it were not amisse, if reason can afforde so much, euen to set them a soote abacke. Now therefore I affirme, that when any Councill, either Generall or Nationall is conueened, whereinto the question concerning the supremacie of the B. of Rome is disputed, In such a Councill (I say) no Popish B. should hauehave vote, neither definitiue nor consultatiue, because he commeth not to the Counc. as a free man, to vote according to the light of his conscience, but hee commeth as a bond-slaue to the Bish. of Rome, anticipated and preoccupied in the very time of his admission p. 126to his Bishopricke, and bounde by an oath to defende the supremacie of the Pope, together with the ordinances of the late Generall Councils. What to doe hath such a bonde-slaue to vote in a free Councill? except hee bee first loosed from the bandes of his oath, moste vnrighteouslie conceiued and ma…e: so that it is not possible for them to vote as free men in anie Councill, vntill that oath (made to the Anti-christ, and not to CHRIST) bee abjured, abrenounced, and vtterlie vndone.

Nowe to conclude, It were a wise course in all thinges that wee presume to doe, at least to set such a patrone before our eyes, which without all contradiction is perfect: and let vsus indeuour to approach so neere as possible is, to the similitude of that patron, to the ende that our doinges bee not altogether euill and reproueable. And if the men of our age woulde set before their eyes the perfect patrone of the Holie and Blessed Councill of HIERUSALEM, no doubt but the people of Act, 15GOD shoulde receiue greater comfort of their meetinges, then hitherto they hauehave receiued: But let the LORD worke this in his owne time, To whom bee praise for euer,

AMEN.