Abridgment of Ecclesiastical Laws, Treatise · Chapter 41
CHAP. XLI.
Of Councils, Synods, and Convocations.
1. The ſeveral kinds of Councils and Synods.
2. What Canons in force in the Realm of Primo. Ed. 6. Alſo how the Canons entituled Reformatio Legum Eccleſiaſticarum became abortive.
3. That part of the Canon Law, is part of the Law of England.
4. Convocation in England, what how, and by what Authority, and for what ends conven'd; alſo of what Members it doth conſiſt; with the Authority thereof.
5. Convocations and Provincial Synods of very great Antiquity in England; have been ever call'd by the Kings Writ; their Priviledges.
6. The Canons and Eccleſiaſtical Conſtitutions may not be repugnant either to the Kings Prerogative, or to the Laws, Statutes, or Cuſtomes of this Realm.
7. Lindwood's Method of Provincial Synods in this Realm, and under what Archbiſhops.
8. The four ſeveral kinds of Councils and Synods in general.
9. A compendious Catalogue thereof, when and where held, by and under whom conven'd, with the principal matters therein treated and determined.
(1.) OF Councils or Synods there are four kinds, viz. (1) Oecumenical, as being called out divers Nations. (2) National, as out of divers Provinces, both theſe kinds of Councils or Synods were ever aſſembled by Imperial, Regal, or Papal Authority. (3). Provincial, as out of divers Dioceſes, conven'd by Metropolitans or Patriarchs. (4) Dioceſan, as out of one Dioceſe onelyonly, aſſembled by the Biſhop thereof. The frequent celebration of Synods the Council of Baſil calls praecipuam agri Domini culturam Touching Synods vid. Duar. de Sacr. Eccl. miniſt. et benefic.
(2.) In the Reign of King Hen. 8. the Biſhops and Clergy in the Convocation an. 1532. oblig'd themſelves neither to make nor execute any Canons or Conſtitutions Eccleſiaſtical, but as they were thereto enabled by the Kings Authority; it was by them deſired, by him aſſented unto, and confirm'd in Parliament, that all ſuch Canons and Conſtitutions Synodal and Provincial, as were before in uſe, and neither repugnant to the word of God, the Kings prerogative Royal, or the known Laws of the Land, ſhould remain in force until a Review thereof were made by 30 perſons of the Kings appointment; which Review not having been made from that time to the firſt year of King Edward 6. All the ſaid old Canons and Conſtitutions ſo reſtrained and qualified, did then ſtill remain in force, as before they were. For this conſult the Act of Parliament of 25 H. 8. c. 1. And in the Third year of the ſaid King Edward 6. there paſſed an Act in Parliament, For enabling the King to nominate Eight Biſhops, and as many Temporal Lords, and Sixteen Members of the Lower Houſe of Parliament, for Reviewing of ſuch Canons and Conſtitutions, as remained in force by virtue of the Statute made in the 25th year of King H. 8. and fitting them for the uſe of the Church in all times ſucceeding. According to which Act the King directed a Commiſſion to Archbiſhop Cranmer, and the reſt of the Perſons whom he thought fit to nominate to that employment; and afterwards appointed a Sub-Committee of Eight perſons to prepare the Work and make it ready for the reſt, that it might be diſpatch'd with the more expedition: which ſaid Eight perſons were the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, Dr. Goodrick Biſhop of Ely, Dr. Cox the Kings Almoner, Peter Martyr Dr. in Divinity, William May and Rowland Taylor Drs. of Laws, John Lucas and Richard Goodrick Eſquires; by whom the Work was undertaken and digeſted, faſhioned according to the method of the Roman Decretals, and called by the name of Reformatio Legum Eccleſiaſticarum, &c But not being Commiſſionated hereunto till the Eleventh of November in the year 1551. they either wanted time to Communicate to the chief Commiſſioners, by whom it was to be preſented to the King, or found the King encumber'd with more weighty Affairs, than to attend the peruſal thereof. And ſo the King dying before he had given life unto it by his Royal Aſſent and Signiture, the deſign miſcarried:Dr. Heyl. Hiſt. Eccl. de Temp. Ed. 6. p. 19. & 83. and never ſince thought fit to be reſumed in the following Times by any of thoſe who have had the Government of the Church, or were concerned in the honour and ſafety thereof.
(3.) It is aſſerted by good Authority,Caſe Edes verſ. the B. of Oxford, in Sr. Jo. Vaughan's Rep. & Arg. That if the Canon Law be made part of the Law of this Realm, then it is as much the Law of the Land, and as well, and by the ſame Authority, as any other part of the Law of the Land. Likewiſe in the Caſe of Shute againſt Higden, touching Voidance of a Former Benefice by being Admitted and Inſtituted into a Second, and that by the Ancient Canon Law received in this Kingdom, This (ſays the ſame Authority) is the Law of the Kingdom in ſuch caſes And in the Caſe of Hill againſt Good the ſame Author doth further aſſert, That a *Lawful: it muſt alſo be ſuppoſed to be received into uſe and practice.Lawful Canon is the Law of the Kingdom, as well as an Act of Parliament: And whatever is the Law of the Kingdom, is as much the Law, as any thing elſe is ſo; for what is Law, doth not ſuſcipere magis & minus aSr. J…. Vaughan's Rep. & Arg.Which Premiſſes, though they may ſeem, yet are not inconſiſtent with what Sr. Ed. Coke ſays, viz. That the Laws of England are not derived from any Forein Law, either Canon, Civil, or other, but a ſpecial Law appropriated to this KingdombCo. Inſt. p. 3. …. p. 36.; That it may be ſaid of its Law as of its ſituation, Et penitus toto diviſos Orbo Britannos.
(4) Convocation is the higheſt Eccleſiaſtical Court or Aſſembly, called and convened in time of Parliament by the Kings Writ, directed to the Archbiſhops, conſiſting of all the Clergy of both Provinces, either Perſonally or Repreſentatively preſent, in the Upper Houſe of the Archbiſhops and Biſhops, and the Lower Houſe of the other Clergy or their Proctors, choſen and appointed to appear for Cathedral or other Collegiate Churches, and for the Common Clergy of every Dioceſs, with a Prolocutor of each Houſe, and Preſident of the Convocation for the Province of Canterbury, to conſult of matters Eccleſiaſtical, and thereon to Treat, Agree, Conſent, and Conclude (as occaſion requires) on certain Conſtitutions and Canons Eccleſiaſtical, to be ratified and confirmed by the Royal AſſentcF. N. B. 269. b. Co. Inſt. …. Sect. 133. 21 H. 8. 1. 32 H. 8. 23. 33 H. 8. 31. Co. Inſt. p. 4. …. 74.. They were Anciently called Church-gemote. Int. Leges H. 1. c. 8. The Convocation is under the power and Authority of the King, 21 Ed. 4. 45. b. Aſſembled only by the Kings Writ. 13 Ed. 3. Rot. Parl. M. 1. vid. Stat. 25 H. 8. c. 19. The King having directed his Writ (therein aſſigning the time and place) to each of the Archbiſhops to the effect aforeſaid, the Archbiſhop of Canterbury doth thereupon direct his Letters to the Biſhop of London, as his Dean, Lindw. Provin. Sec. 1. de Poenis. ver. Tanquam in Gloſſ. Firſt Citing himſelf peremptorily, then willing him to Cite in like manner all the Biſhops, Deans, Archdeacons, Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, and generally all the Clergy of his Province to the Place at the day in the ſaid Writ prefixed, withal directing that one Proctor for every Cathedral or Collegiate Church, and two for the other Clergy of each Dioceſs may ſuffice. In purſuance whereof the Biſhop of London directs his Letters accordingly, willing them to certifie the Archbiſhop the Names of all ſuch as ſhall be ſo Moniſhed by them, in a Schedule annexed to their Letters Certificatory; whereupon the Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, and the other Churches having Elected their Proctors, it is certified to the Biſhop, who makes due Returns thereof; which method is likewiſe obſerved in the other Province of York. It is ſaid, That theſe Proctors anciently had Place and Vote in the Lower Houſe of Parliamentd21 R. 2. c. 2. & 12. Cow. Inter. ver. Proctors.; a good expedient for the maintenance and preſervation of the Liberties of the Church. The Prolocutor of the Lower Houſe of Convocation, is immediately at the firſt Aſſembly by the motion of the Biſhops, choſen by that Lower Houſe, and preſented to the Biſhops as their Prolocutor, by whom they intend to deliver their Reſolutions to the higher Houſe, and to have their own Houſe ſpecially ordered and governed: His Office is to cauſe the Clerk to call the Names of the Members of that Houſe, as oft as he ſhall ſee cauſe; likewiſe to ſee all things propounded to be read by him, to gather the Suffrages or Votes, and the like. Trin. 8 Jac. It was Reſolved by the two Chief Juſtices, and divers other Juſtices at a Committee before the Lords of Parliament, concerning the Authority of a Convocation, (1) That a Convocation cannot Aſſemble without the Aſſent of the King. (2) That after their Aſſembling, they cannot conferr to conſtitute any Canons without Licenſe del Roy. (3) When upon Conference they conclude any Canons, yet they cannot execute any of them without the Royal Aſſent. (4) They cannot execute any after Royal Aſſent, but with theſe Limitations, viz. (1) That they be not againſt the Kings Prerogative: (2) Nor againſt Statute Law: (3) Nor againſt the Common Law: (4) Nor againſt the Cuſtomes of the Realm. All which appears by 25 H. 8. c. 19. 19. Ed. 3. Title Quare non Admiſit, 7. 10. H. 7. 17. Merton, cap. 9.—By 2 H. 6. 13. a Convocation may make Conſtitutions to bind the Spiritualty, becauſe they all in perſon or by Repreſentation are preſent, but not the Temporalty. Q. Q. Trin. 8 Jac. Convocation Caſe. Coke lib. 12.And 21 Ed. 4. 47. the Convocation is Spiritual, and ſo are all their Conſtitutions. Vid. The Records in Turri, 18 H. 8. 8 Ed. 1. 25 Ed. 1. 11 Ed. 2. 15 Ed. 2. Prohibitio Regis ne Clerus in Congregatione ſua, &c. attemptet contra jus ſeu Coronam, &c. By which it appears, that they can do nothing againſt the Law of the Land, or the Kings Prerogative.
(5.) The word [Convocation] and the word [Synod] are rather words of two Languages, than things of two ſignifications; for although, they have different derivations, the former from the Latin, the other from the Greek, yet in effect they both center in the ſame thing. Convocation à Convocando, becauſe they are called together by the Kings Writ. It is of very great Antiquity according to Sir Edward Coke, Co. Inſt. p. 4. cap. 74.who mentions out of Mr. Bede and other Authors and ancient Records, ſuch as were nigh a thouſand years ſince, and more expreſly of one great Synod held by Auſtins Aſſembling the Britain Biſhops in Council, An. 686.dN…wburgh, l. 2. c. 13. Bract. l. 3. fo. 173, 124. 6 H. 3. Hol. 203. Rot. Par. 18 Ed. 3. nu. 1. & Rot. Par. 2 H. 4. nu. 29 F. N. B. 269. 8 H. 6. c. 1. Co. Inſt. pag. 4. cap. 74.. And affirms, That the Clergy was never Aſſembled or called together at a Convocation, but by the Kings Write18 Ed. 3. nu. 1. 13 Ed. 3. Rot. Par. 16. 24 Do. l. Cla…. 17. Ed. 3. nu. 30, 31. 25 H. 8. 1.. And in the year 727. there was a Convocation of the Clergy, called Magna Servorum Dei frequentia fInt. L…ges … An. 727. Co. ubi ſupr.. It was by the aſſiſtance and authority of Ethelbert, the firſt Chriſtian King of Kent, that Auſtin called the aforeſaid Aſſembly of the Britiſh Biſhops, and Doctors, that had retained the Doctrine of the Goſpel, to be held in the borders of the Victians and Weſt-Saxons, about Southampton, as ſuppoſed, to which reſorted (as Mr. Bede ſays) Seven Biſhops, and many other Learned Divines; but this Synod or Convocation ſuddenly brake up without any thing done or reſolvedgBede Hiſt. l. 2. c. 2. Galfrid. l. 8. c. 4.. This Aſſembly was conven'd for determining the time for the Celebration of Eaſter; touching which the Controverſie continuing no leſs than 90 years after, was at laſt concluded at another Convocation purpoſely called at Whitby by the Authority of Oſwy King of Northumberland, and whereof the Reverend Cedda, newly Conſecrated Biſhop, was Prolocutor, and King Oſwy himſelf preſent at the AſſemblyhBede Hiſt. lib. 3. cap. 25.. Likewiſe about the year 1172. at Caſſils in Ireland a Convocation was held by Authority of King H. 2. ſoon after he had Conquered that Iſland, which Convocation was for the Reformation of the Iriſh Church, where amongſt many other Conſtitutions it was Decreed, That all the Church-Lands, and all their Poſſeſſions, ſhould be altogether free from the Exaction of Secular men, and that from thenceforth all Divine things ſhould be handled in every part of Ireland in ſuch ſort, as the Church of England handleth them iGiral. Cam. l. 1. Hib. c. 31. & 34.. Likewiſe about the year 1175. at London a Synod or Convocation was held, at which King H. 2. was preſent, where among other Canons and Conſtitutions, it was both by Authority of the King and Synod decreed, That every Patron taking a Reward for any Preſentation ſhould for ever loſe the Patronage thereof kHoved. in H. 2. fo. 310.. Which together with other Canons then made for the better government of the Church of England, were Publiſhed by Richard Archbiſhop of Canterbury, with the Kings AſſentlGervaſins. Rog. Hoved.. Likewiſe a Provincial Synod was held at Oxford by Stephen Langton Archbiſhop of Canterbury under King H. 3. about the year 1222. for Reformation of the ClergymWalſingh. in Ypod. Ranulph. Ceſtr. l. 7. c. 34., with many others, in ſubordination to the Laws of the Land. One ſpecial Priviledge of the Convocation appears by 8 H. 6. cap. 1. All the Clergy from henceforth to be called to the Convocation by the Kings Writ, and their Servants and Familiars ſhall for ever hereafter fully uſe and enjoy ſuch liberty and Immunity in coming, tarrying, and returning, as the Great men and Commonalty of the Realm of England, called or to be called to the Kings Parliament, have uſed or ought to have or enjoy. 8 H. 6. In Parliamento Statutum eſt, ut Praelati atque Clerici, c…rumque Famulatus, cum ad Synodos acceſserint, iiſdem Privilegiis ac Immunitatibus gaudeant, quibus Milites & Burgenſes Parliamenti. Ant. Brit. fo. 284. nu. 30.
(6.) The Juriſdiction of the Convocation in this Realm, though relating to matters meerly Spiritual and Eccleſiaſtical, yet is ſubordinate to the eſtabliſh'd Laws of the Land; it being Provided by the Statute of 25 H. 8. c. 19. That no Canons, Conſtitutions, or Ordinances ſhall be made or put in execution within this Realm by Authority of the Convocation of the Clergy, repugnant to the Prerogative Royal, or to the Cuſtomes, Laws, or Statutes of this Realm. To the ſame effect was that of 9 Ed. 1. Rot. Parl. Memb. 6. Inhibitio Archiepiſcopo, & omnibus Epiſcopis, & aliis Praelatis apud Lambeth Conventuris, ne aliquid ſtatuant in praejudicium Regis, Coronam, vel dignitatem. For although the Archbiſhop and the Biſhops, and the reſt of the Clergy of his Province,20 H. 6. 13. Newton. Aſſembled in a Synod, have power to make Conſtitutions in Spiritual things, yet they ought to be Aſſembled by Authority of the King,St. 25 H. 8. c. 19. and to have (as aforeſaid) his Royal Aſſent to their Conſtitutions; which being had and obtained, the Canons of the Church, made by the Convocation and the King, without Parliament, ſhall bind in all matters Eccleſiaſtical, as well as an Act of Parliament, as was Reſolved in Bird and Smiths CaſenBird verſ. Smith. Mores Rep.. Although the Saxons, who founded and endowed moſt of our Churches, and made many good Laws in reference to the Juriſdiction power, and priviledges thereof; yet the Royal Prerogative, with the Laws and Cuſtomes of the Realm, were ever ſo preſerved, as not to be invaded thereby: King AEthelbert the firſt Saxon King, King Ina, AEthelſtane, Edmund, Edgar, and King Kanute, all theſe made Laws in favour of the Church, but none of them ever entrenched on the Prerogative of the Crown, or on the Laws, or Cuſtomes of the Realm; nor any of thoſe ancient Church-Laws ever made without the Supream Authority to ratifie and confirm the ſame.
(7.) The Laws and Conſtitutions whereby the Eccleſiaſtical Government is ſupported, and the Church of England governed, are the General Canons made by General Councils, alſo the Arbitria Sanctorum Patrum, the Decrees of ſeveral Archbiſhops and Biſhops, the Ancient Conſtitutions made in our ſeveral Provincial Synods, either by the Legates Otho and Othobon, or by ſeveral Archbiſhops of Canterbury. All which by the 25 H. 8. are in force in England, ſo far as they are not repugnant to the Kings Prerogative, the Laws and Cuſtomes of England. Alſo the Canons made in Convocations of Later times, as Primo Jacobi Regis, and confirmed by his Regal Authority: Alſo in ſome Statutes Enacted by Parliament touching Eccleſiaſtical affairs; together with divers Cuſtomes not written, but in uſe beyond the memory of Man; and where theſe fail, the Civil Law takes place. Among the Britain Councils (according to Biſhop Prideaux his Synopſis of Councils, Edit. 5.) thoſe amongſt the reſt are of moſt remark, viz. At Wincheſter, in King Edgars time under Dunſtane: at Oxford, by Stephen Langton Archbiſhop of Canterbury: at Claringdon under King Henry the Second. The Council under King Edward the 6th. in which the 39 Articles of the Engliſh Confeſſion was concluded and confirmed. The Synod under the ſame King, from which we receive the Engliſh Liturgy which now we have, compoſed by Seven Biſhops and Four Doctors, and confirmed by the publick conſent of the Church, which (as alſo the ſaid 39 Articles) the ſucceeding Princes, Queen Eliz. King James, and King Charles, ratified and commended to Poſterity. At London a Synod, in which 141 Canons or Conſtitutions, relating to the pious and peaceable Government of the Church, preſented to King James by the Synod, and confirmed by his Regal Authority: and at Perth in Scotland, where were Articles concerning Adminiſtring the Sacrament to the Sick, Private Baptiſm where Neceſſity requires, Confirmation, admitting Feſtivals, Kneeling at the Receiving the Sacrament, and an allowance of Venerable Cuſtomes. But de Concil. Britan. vid. D. Spelman. The Ancient Canons of the Church and Provincial Conſtitutions of this Realm of England, were according to Lindwood the Canoniſt (who, being Dean of the Arches, compiled and explained the ſame in the time of King H. 6.) made in this order or method, and under theſe Archbiſhops of Canterbury, viz. The Canons or Conſtitutions
1. Of Stephen Langton, Cardinal, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, in the Council at Oxford, in the year of our Lord 1222, who diſtinguiſh'd the Bible into Chapters.
2. Of Otho, Cardinal, the Popes Legate in Anno 1236. on whoſe Conſtitutions John de Athon Dr. of Laws, and one of the Canons of Lincoln, did comment or gloſs.
3. Of Boniface Archbiſhop of Cant. 1260.
4. Of Othobon, Cardinal of St. Adrian, and Legate of the Apoſtolical Chair; on whoſe Conſtitutions the ſaid John de Athon did likewiſe Gloſſematize. His Canons were made at London in Anno 1268.
5. Of John Peckham, Archbiſhop of Canterbury; at a Synod held at Reding, An. 1279.
6. Of the ſame Peckham, at a Synod held at Lambeth, An. 1281.
7. Of Robert Winchelſe, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, An. 1305.
8. Of Walter Reynold, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, at a Synod held at Oxford, An. 1322. Theſe Conſtitutions in ſome Books are aſcribed to Simon Mepham, but erroneouſly; for the date of theſe Conſtitutions being An. 1322. the ſaid Walter Reynold (according to the Chronicle) died in An. 1327. and was ſucceeded by Simon Mepham.
9. Of Simon Mepham Archbiſhop of Cant. An. 1328.
10. Of John Stradford, Archbiſhop, An. 13...
11. Of Simon Iſlepe, Sudbury, L. Chancellor, he was Beheaded by the Rebels of Wat. Tyler. Arundel, Lord Chanc. Chichley, Cardinal.Archbiſhop, An. 1362.
12. Of Simon Sudbury, Archbiſhop, An. 1378.
13. Of Tho. Arundel, Archbiſhop, at a Synod or Council held at Oxford, An. 1408.
14. Of Henry Chichley, Archbiſhop, An. 1415.
15. Of Edmond, Archbiſhop of Canterbury.
16. Of Richard, Archbiſhop of Canterbury.
The Dates of the Canons or Conſtitutions of theſe Two laſt Lindwood makes no mention, by reaſon of the uncertainty thereof; but withal ſays, it is clear, That Richard did immediately ſucceed the foreſaid Stephen Langton, and the ſaid Edmond ſucceeded Richard. Lindw. de Poen. c. ad haec. & infra, in verb. Mimime admittatur. If ſo, then it was moſt probably Richard Wetherſhed, who was Archbiſhop of Canterbury, An. 1229. And St. Edmond Chancellor of Oxford, who was Archbiſhop of Canterbury, An. 1234. rH…yl. Hiſt. verb. Canterbury..
(8.) Councils were either General, or Oecumenical from foreign, whereunto Commiſſioners by the Emperours Authority were ſent from all quarters of the World, where Chriſt hath been preached: Or National: National, are ſuch as comprehend the Provincials of every Metro ſitan or Dioceſan Biſhop within their own Limits.or Provincial: or Particular, by Bullenger called foreign; ſuch were the Councils of Gangra, Neo-caeſarea, and many others, commonly Aſſembled by Patriarchs and Biſhops in ſome particular place of a Countrey. The ends of theſe Councils chiefly were, either for the ſuppreſſion of Hereſies, the deciſion of Controverſies, the appeaſing of Schiſms, or the Ordaining of Canons and Conſtitutions for decency of Order in the Church. Vid. AElfrici Canones ad Wulfinum Epiſcopum. Can. 33. where it is ſaid, That there were Four Synods for the defence of the True Faith againſt thoſe Hereticks, who belched out their Blaſphemies againſt the Holy Trinity, and the Humane Nature of our Saviour; the Firſt whereof was at Nice: another after that at Conſtantinople, conſiſting of a hundred and fifty Biſhops: the Third at Epheſus, of two hundred Biſhops: the Fourth at Chalcedon, where many hundreds of Biſhops were preſent; and they all with an unanimous Conſent confirmed all thoſe Decrees which were made in the Nicene Council. Theſe Four Synods (ſays the ſaid Canon) are ſo to be obſerved by the Church of Chriſt, ut Quatuor Chriſti Codices. There were many other Synods about the ſame time, but theſe Four were of the beſt Authority.
At Jeruſalem in the Firſt Century the Apoſtles,At Jeruſalem, Cent. 1. Elders, and Brethren held a Council againſt ſome Phariſees touching Circumciſion, in the Fourth year of the Reign of the Emperour Claudius. The Apoſtles celebrated alſo certain Councils for the ſubſtituting of Matthias in the place of Judas, Act. 1. For the Election of Seven Deacons—Act. 6. For not preſſing the Ceremonial Law, Act. 15. 11 For the toleration of ſome Legal Obſervations only for a time, Act. 21. 18. To theſe ſome will have to be added a Meeting by the Apoſtles, wherein was compoſed the Apoſtles Creed. Alſo another Aſſembly of the Apoſtles, which did obtrude to the Church 85 Canons under the notion of the Apoſtles Authority, concerning which there are various Controverſies. In this Century there were alſo Two Synods ſummoned in Aſia, for the Reformation of the Churches, and Conſecration of Biſhops, at which John the Evangeliſt was preſent. Euſeb. lib. 3. cap. 20.
At Ancyra in Galatia in the Second Century was Aſſembled a Synod of divers Biſhops,At Ancyra, Cent. 2. wherein the Figments of Montanus were confuted. In this Synod Montanus was Excommunicated, and his Hereſie condemned. Euſeb. lib. 5. cap. 14. In this Century, viz. An. 195. Six ſeveral Synods were held about the Obſervation of Eaſter, viz. At Rome in Victors time: at Caeſarea in Paleſtina: at Pontus: in France, where Irenaeus was chief: in Oſtroena and at Epheſus. In all which Synods it is obſerved, That the Biſhop of Rome had no more Authority than the other Biſhops. Euſeb. lib. 5. cap. 23.
In the Third Century there were Eight or Nine Synods of Remark, viz. Euſeb. l. 6. c. 32. At Boſtra, Cent. 3.At Baſtra, where Beryllus was confuted by Origen: at Rome in the time of Fabianus, where the Schiſm of Novatus was removed: another at Rome in the time of Cornelius, wherein Novatus the Heretick was condemned:Ibid. cap 42. Ibid. c. 45. Id. lib. 7. c. 3. Ibid. c. 6. at Antioch, where Novatus was condemned again: at Carthage, which erred about the Re-baptizing of Hereticks: at Iconium, for receiving of Hereticks after Repentance: at Antioch again, where Samoſatenus was condemned; this was about the Twelfth year of Galienus: Another at the ſame place under Aurelianus, Ibid. cap. 26, 28, 29.where he was condemned again, and deprived of his Church. And at Sinueſſa, conſiſting of 300 Biſhops, where Marcellinus Biſhop of Rome was condemned for denying Chriſt, and ſacrificing to Idols. Tom. 1. Concil.
At Ancyra in the Fourth Century,At Ancyra, Cent. 4. An. 308. about the year 308 were aſſembled Biſhops of divers Provinces, to conſtitute a form of Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline, according to which they who had Sacrificed to Idols in time of Perſecution, were to be received again upon their Repentance. In this Council alſo it was Ordained, That Chorepiſcopi, that is, Countrey-Biſhops, or Vicarii Epiſcoporum, ſhould abſtain from Ordination of Elders and Deacons, and from uſurping of dominion over the Preaching Elders, who were in Cities. This Council was ſubſcribed by Eighteen Biſhops.
At Nicea in Bithynia, The firſt, at Nice, An. 330, or 333.Aſſembled by the Authority of Conſtantine the Great, a General Council, conſiſting of 318 Biſhops: The exact time when it began Hiſtorians do not agree, ſome conceive it was A. D. 325. So Hillar. Socort. l. 2. c. 29. Others, 359. So Baron. N. Euſeb. de vita Conſtant. lib. 3.27. Others, 330. and others referr the year to 333. But Euſebius computeth it to be in the Twentieth year of Conſtantines Reign. It was alſo in the time of Julius the Firſt, and Silveſter, Popes. Three things eſpecially are reported to be condemned by this Famous Council. 1. The Arrian Hereſie, Blaſphemouſly denying to Son to be Co-eternal and Co-eſſential with the Father. 2. The diſſent of the Eaſtern from the Weſtern Chriſtians about the celebration of the Paſſover, in a manner different from the Jewiſh Cuſtome; and it was concluded in this Council, That the Feaſt of Eaſter ſhould be kept on the Lords Day, and not on the Fourteenth day of the Firſt Month of the Jews called Niſan. Ruffin. l. 1. c. 6.3. The Schiſmatical diſſentions of the Melitians and Novatians. In this Council the Emperour burnt all the Accuſations which the Biſhops brought againſt each other, as unworthy to be ſeen. Of this Council it is anciently Recorded, That Conſtantinus Imperator congregavit in Nicaea Civitate 318. Epiſcopos ex omnibus Nationibus ad Confirmandum fidem Catholicam. Ita in Tertio Can. AElfrici ad Wulfin. Epiſcop.
At Tyrus in the Fourth Century was conven'd a National Council by Conſtantine the Emperour,At Tyrus Cent. 4. in the Thirtieth year of his Reign, wherein were 60 Biſhops from Egypt, Lybia, Aſia, and Europe; the major part whereof were Arrians, who charging Athanaſius with falſe Accuſations, depoſed him in his abſence; whoſe Depoſition Arſenias ſubſcribed with the ſame hand,Socrat. which the Arrians alledged was cut off by Athanaſius.
At Gangra in Paphlagonia about the year 324.At Gangra. An. 324. were aſſembled about Sixteen Fathers; in which Council were damned the heretical Opinions of Euſtathius, who admiring the Monaſtick life, or favouring the hereſie of Eucratitae and the Manichaeans, ſpake againſt Marriage, and eating of Fleſh, and damned the publick Congregations for the Service of God in Temples, ſaying, a man could not be ſaved unleſs he forſook all his Poſſeſſions.
About this time there was a Council at Antiochia, At Antioch.wherein the Arrians depoſed Euſtatius. As alſo a Council at Arles, wherein Cecilianus was abſolved from the Accuſation of the Donatiſts.At Arles.
At Eliberis in Spain in the time of Conſtantines Reign,At Eliberis. were aſſembled 19 Biſhops and 36 Presbyters. Among the 81 Canons made in this Synod, it was Ordained in the 36 Canon, That nothing that is worſhipped ſhould be Pictured on a Wall; and that in Private Houſes no Idols ſhould be found.
At Carthage, At Carthage.the Firſt Council there (wherein St. Cyprian, with the Advice of many other Biſhops of Numidia, Lybia, and other parts of Africa, Ordained thoſe who were Baptized by Hereticks, to be Rebaptized) was not held under the Reign of Conſtantine, for that St.Concil. To. 1. Cyprian was Martyred in Valexians daies, the Eighth Perſecuting Emperour; but the firſt Council of Carthage held in Conſtantines daies, was that wherein the Donatiſts condemned Cecilianus Biſhop of Carthage, whoſe innocency was made afterwards to appear.
At Antioch, At Antioch, An. 340, or 344.the Firſt Council there was held by Arrians under the Reign of Conſtantinus, Son of Conſtantine, in the year 340 or 344. This being one of the Councils, which either determine Heretical Opinions, or raiſe up Schiſms and Troubles to the diſperſing of the Chriſtian Flock, doth not undeſervedly paſs under the name or notion of one of the Rejected Councils. To this Aſſembly reſorted 90 Biſhops, under pretence of Dedicating the Church of Antioch, built by Conſtantine, when in truth their principal deſign was to eject Athanaſius out of his Chair, and to ſubvert that Syſteme of Faith, which was ſet down in the Nicene Council. This Council of Antioch is to be diſtinguiſh'd from Five others which Bellarmine reckons; Longus alſo doth name this, and mentions other Councils of Antioch. But this Council is referr'd to the time of Conſtantinus, and Julius the Firſt. Athanaſius being reſtored from Baniſhment by Conſtantine, the Son of Conſtantine the Great, the Arrians declare it to be unlawful, becauſe the ſame Authority which did eject, muſt reſtore: This matter therefore being referr'd to Pope Julius, he Summons the Synod to appear at Rome. But the Euſebians, chief of the Hereticks, that they might avoid this, did without much difficulty ſeduce Conſtantius to be at the Conſecration of the Magnificent Temple built by Conſtantine the Great at Antioch: where were met about 90 Biſhops, as aforeſaid, 30 whereof being Arrians, the favour and Authority of the Emperour, againſt the double Suffrages of the Orthodox procured the condemning of Reſtored Athanaſius. It is ſaid of this Council, That they did ſet forth a Form of Belief ſo intermixed with Truth and Error, that he which is heedful leſt he be deceived,Socrat. l. 2. c. 5. in his greateſt warlneſs can ſcarcely be ſafe; for by the omiſſion of what might eſtabliſh the Truth,Sozom l. 3. c. 5. they weaken that which they undertake to maintain. To this Council probably may be referr'd Two other Councils,At Antioch. An. 348. which ſome report to have been held alſo at Antioch about the year 348. the former whereof was occaſioned by the favour, which Julius Biſhop of Rome ſhewed to Athanaſius Biſhop of Alexandria, and other Biſhops. In the other the Arrians did ſet forth a new Sum of their Faith, which being ſent to the Biſhops of Italy, was refuſed by them, adhering to that of the Nicene Council.
At Sardis in Illyricum in the year 351.At Sardin, An. 351. by the Command of Conſtantius and his Brother Conſtans a great National Council was Aſſembled, conſiſting of 376 Biſhops, whereof Three hundred were from the Weſt, and Seventy ſix from the Eaſt, from Thirty five Provinces in all. The Three hundred Weſtern Biſhops confirmed the Nicene Creed, to this end, That Athanaſius, who was Baniſhed Rome for the ſpace of Three years, ſhould be reſtored to his Place at Alexandria; but the other Seventy ſix Arrians meeting at Philippolis confirmed Arrianiſm under the Title of the Council of Sardis. In this Council by reaſon of the Arrian Faction, and from thence forward, were added different Affections to different Opinions.Vid. Biſh. Prideaux Synopſ. of Councils. In this Council, which is commonly called an Appendix to the Firſt Nicene Council, were ratified 21 Canons under Pope Julius.
At Sirmium in Illyria in the year 356.At Sirmium, An. 356. by Command of the Emperour Conſtantius a Council was held, where were preſent beſides Eaſtern, Three hundred Weſtern Biſhops and upwards for the hearing and deciding the Cauſe of Photius, who complained to the Emperour that he was unjuſtly condemned at the Synod of Sardis, although he had preached that Chriſt was meer man, and inferiour to his Mother.dict. Synopſ. This Council at Sirmium ſo groaned under the Arrian Tyranny of Conſtantius, that the Supremacy and Preſidentſhip of Pope Liberius dared not to appear; Photius Biſhop of Sirmium having renewed the Hereſies of Sabellius and Samoſatenus: Vid. Socrat. l. 1. c. 24.Of this Council (ſaith Longus) there is nothing extant beſides Three Forms of Belief, S…zom. l. 4. c. 5, & 6.which are found in Binius. In this Synod there was a hot Diſpute between Baſilius Biſhop of Ancyra, Epiph. Haer. 7.an Arrian Heretick, and the ſaid Photius a Sabellian Heretick.
At Millain in the year 355.At Millain, An. 355. at the inſtance of the Arrians a Council conſiſting of Three hundred of the Occidental Biſhops at the command of Conſtantius was Aſſembled,Socrat. l. 2. c. 36. who (after that the Emperour Conſtans was ſlain by Magnentius) had the whole Sovereignty both of the Eaſt and Weſt in his hands. This Council was conven'd partly for ratification of the Sentence pronounced againſt Athanaſius at Tyrus, T…eed. l. 2. c. 15.and partly for ſubverſion of the Nicene Faith, but prevailed in neither. In this Council the Emperour himſelf was Preſident, Liberius being Pope; I (ſaith the Emperour in this Council) am an Accuſer of Athanaſius. The Weſtern Catholick Biſhops there preſent (for there were few Eaſtern) promiſed to conſent to the Arrians, if they would firſt ſubſcribe to the Nicene Creed. But Valence and Vrſacius, the chief Leaders of that Faction withſtood them. Then followed the degrading of the Biſhops, and the corrupt Eccleſiaſtical determination. This was effected eſpecially that they might allure Liberius Biſhop of Rome, either by Gifts or Threats to their way, who is reported thus Heroically to have Anſwered the Emperour (who had judg'd him to be Baniſhed to Thrace, and offered him the charge of his Journey) viz. Thou haſt robbed the Churches of the Earth, and now offereſt to me Condemned an Indigent an Alms; Go firſt and become a Chriſtian thy ſelf.
At Ariminum in Italy about the year 363.At Ariminum. An. 363. was held a National Council, conſiſting of more than Four hundred Weſtern Biſhops, under the Emperour Conſtantius in the 22d year of his Reign, at the motion of the Arrians, to whoſe Opinions the ſaid Emperour was flexible enough; but the major part of the ſaid Biſhops rejecting the motions made in favour of the Arrian Error, touching the Son of God, adhered cloſely to the Nicene Faith. This Ariminum is (it ſeems) Famous for Two Councils; the one Orthodox, and lawfully called, which is that aforementioned. The other Heretical and Tyrannical, craftily called by the Arrians under the notion of the Council held at Ariminum, that this Falſe one might extinguiſh the True one; whereof the greater part determined the Nicene Creed punctually to be obſerved, and the Sons equality with the Father in Eſſence to be aſſerted: The Decrees of the Synod at Sirmium to be rejected: and Vrſacius and Valence with the Arrians, their Followers, to be Excommunicated.
At Seleucia in Iſauria, At Selencia, An. 363.which lies between Lycania and Cilcia, whence Paul and Barnabas ſailed to Cyprus, Act. 13. 4. was a Council of 160 Oriental Biſhops, held the ſame year wherein the ſaid National Council of Ariminum was held, viz. An. 363. The buſineſs of this Council, procured (as the former) by the Arrians, was much prevented by a Conteſt ariſing touching precedency of Debates, as whether the matter of Faith, or the Lives of ſuch as were to be accuſed, ſhould firſt fall under Examination. At this time there being Convened at Ariminum 600 Biſhops (according to Bellarmine out of the Chron. of Jerome) of which the Eaſtern Heterodox being overpowr'd both in Number and Arguments by the Orthodox, the Emperour Conſtantius removes them unto Seleucia in Iſauria aforeſaid. Here the Acatians altogether reject Conſubſtantiality, the Semi-Arrians admit it in their ſenſe: In this diffention the Semi-Arrians prevail, and determine, That the Form of Faith compoſed at the Dedication at Antioch, ſhould be retained and ſubſcribed unto; but they ejected the diſſenting Acatians or Arrians from their places.
At Conſtantinople, At Conſtantinople.where the Acatians remained after the Council at Seleucia, were Aſſembled by them about 50 Biſhops out of Bythinia and other adjacent parts. In this Synod they confirmed the Sum of Faith read in the Council of Ariminum.
At Antioch in the 25th year of Conſtantius his Reign another Council was Convened,At Antioch. with deſign or ordering matters ſo, that for the time to come no man ſhould call the Son of God Conſubſtantial with the Father, nor yet of a different ſubſtance from the Father; but neither in this Council could the Arrians perfect their intended purpoſe of inventing a new Sum of Faith.
At Laodicea, At Laodicea, An. 368.not that Laodicea nigh Antioch in Syria, but at Laodicea the Metropolis of Phyrgia, and one of the Seven Churches of Aſia, to which John in his Baniſhment wrote from Patmos, At this Laedicea a Synod was aſſembled about the year 368. wherein nothing was determined concerning matters of Faith, only the Worſhipping of Angels was damned as an horrible Idolatry, and a forſaking of Chriſt; alſo the Books of the Canonical Scriptures were particularly ſet forth, wherein no mention was made of the Books of the Machabees, of Eccleſiaſticus, or other Apocryphal Books.
In Illyricum about the year 370 under the Emperours Valentinian and Valens, In Illyricum, An. 370.not yet infected with the Arrian Hereſie, was held a Council, wherein the Nicene Faith had confirmation and allowance.
At Lampſacum nigh the Helleſpont under the Emperour Valens was a Synod of Macedonian Hereticks,At Lampſacum. who ratified the Council of Seleucia, Socrat. l. 4. c. 6.and damned that of Conſtantinople by the Acatians.Sozom. l. 6. c. 7.
At Rome under the Emperour Valentinian in the Weſt,At Rome. Theod. l. 2. c. 22. Damaſus Biſhop of Rome Convened a Council, wherein was confirmed the Nicene Faith.
At Conſtantinople in the year 383 under Theodoſius the Emperour, was a General Council held,At Conſtantinop. An. 383. conſiſting of 150 Biſhops, whereof 36 were infected with the Macedonian Hereſie, which blaſphemouſly held the Holy Ghoſt to be a Creature,Theod. l. 5. c. 6. a Miniſter and Servant, not Conſubſtantial with the Father and the Son. From this Council the ſaid Hereticks having withdrawn themſelves; they which remained in Council damned the Hereſie of Macedonius, and confirmed the Nicene Faith, with ampliation of that part of the Symbol which concerned the Holy Ghoſt, in this manner, viz. I believe in the Holy Spirit our Lord, Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father, and with the Father and the Son is to be worſhipped and glorified. This Council was held under Gratian and Theodoſius the Great, and Damaſus. They condemned and diſcharged Macedonius Biſhop of Conſtantinople, Longus ex Lombard 1. …em. D. 11. Bonavent. & aliis. Theod. Hiſt. l. 5. c. 6. & c. 10.for his perfidious oppoſing the Deity of the Holy Ghoſt, together with Maximus Cynicus by reaſon of his Doctrine againſt Diſcipline. The Emperour null'd all Confeſſions, except that of thoſe who acknowledged Chriſt Coeſſential with the Father, which our preſent Liturgy retains under the name of the Nicene Creed. It is thought that Gregory Nazianzen compiled it, according to the ſenſe of the Synod.
At Conſtantinople under Theodoſius another Council was held,At Conſtantinople. whence a Synodick Letter was ſent to the Biſhops then Conven'd at Rome, Theod. l. 5. c. 9.declaring the troubles they ſuſtained by Hereticks; and as to matters of Diſcipline recommended unto them the Canons of the Council of Nice.
At Conſtantinople in the Fifth year of Theodoſius his Reign,At Conſtantinople. a great National Council was again Conven'd, wherein the Hereticks were divided among themſelves touching what Credit they ſhould give in matters of Faith to the Fathers that preceded their time; whereupon that good Emperour rent in pieces the Sums of the Arrian, Eunomian, and Macedonian Faith, and Ordained the Homouſian Faith only to take place.
At Carthage the Second Council was aſſembled under Theodoſius, At Carthage.nigh the time of the foreſaid General Council held at Conſtantinople, wherein the Nicene Faith was confirmed, abſtinence from Matrimonial Society with Infidels and Hereticks recommended to Eccleſiaſtical perſons.
At Nice there was another Council An. At Nice, An. 181.181. under Conſtantine, which wholly reſtored the Images and Statues of Irene, together with the Reliques formerly broken in pieces by Leo Iſaurus his Grandfather, and Conſtantine Copronymus his Great Grandfather, the buſineſs being chiefly promoted by Gregory the Second and the Third, together with Adrian the Firſt, and Taraſius Patriarch of Conſtantinople. There met at this Council (which is one of the Greek or Eaſtern Oecumenical Councils) 350 Biſhops, who with the ſaid Taraſius Preſident of the ſaid Council, by 22 Canons condemned Image-breakers for Hereticks. Bellarmine and Baronius imagine, that this Synod was condemned by the Fathers at the Council of Franckfort under Charles the Great, which yet is denied by Binnius, Surius, and others, according to Longus, pag. 632.
At Carthage a Third Council was Aſſembled in the year 399,At Carthage, An. 399. at which Auguſtine Biſhop of Hippo was preſent, wherein it was (inter alia) Ordained,Can. 40. That the Biſhop of Rome ſhould be called the Biſhop of the Firſt Seat, but not the High Prieſt, or the Prince of Prieſts.Can. 47. Likewiſe, That nothing except the holy Canonical Scriptures ſhould be read in Churches under the notion of Holy Books.
At Carthage a Fourth National Council was held under the Reign of Honorius about the year 401.At Carthage, An. 401. conſiſting of 214 Biſhops, at which Auguſtine Biſhop of Hippo was alſo preſent, and wherein were nigh as many Canons made as were Biſhops aſſembled; wherein among other things it was Ordained, That a Biſhop ſhould admit no man to a Spiritual Office without Advice of the Clergy; Can. 22, 23. 95.nor pronounce any Sentence without ſuch Advice: That Refuſers to pay unto the Church the Oblations of perſons Deceaſed, ſhould be Excommunicated. Whereby it appears, That Oblationes Defunctorum were not Soul-Maſſes ſaid for the Dead, but Charity by way of Teſtamental Legacies.
At Cyprus under the Reigns of Arcadius and Honorius was Aſſembled a Council by Epiphanius. At Cypru:And at Alexandria by Theophilus, under pretence of damning the Books of Origen. Alexandria.Alſo at Conſtantinople by the malice of Eudoxia, Conſtantinople.the Wife of Arcadius the Emperour, to depoſe John Chryſoſtome Biſhop of Conſtantinople.
At Carthage about the year 419. a Fifth Council was held,At Carthage, An. 419. wherein the Opinions of Pelagius and Coeleſtius were damned as Heretical; and whereby it was Declared, That the Adoration of Reliques was at this time the Cuſtome of Ethnicks, and Appointed, That Supplication ſhould be made to the Emperours; That ſuch Reliques as were found in Images, Groves, and Trees, or elſewhere, ſhould be aboliſhed.
At Toledo in Spain under the Reigns of Arcadius and Honorius, At Toledo.was a Council aſſembled for Confirmation of the Nicene Council, and refutation of ſome Errors.
At Melevitum in Numidia was Aſſembled under the Reign of Arcadius a Council,At Melevitum. whereof St. Auguſtine was Preſident; which was Aſſembled chiefly to finiſh the work begun at the Fifth Council of Carthage, in condemning the Hereſies of Pelagius and Coeleſtius, concerning the power of Mans Nature,Can. 22. not ſupported by the Grace of God, and Free Will of Man to do good of it ſelf; as alſo to inhibit Appeals to Biſhops beyond Sea, on pain of being ſecluded from the Communion of all African Biſhops.
At Carthage in the year 402 under Honorius and Theodoſius the Second;At Carthage An. 402. a National Council of 217 Biſhops was aſſembled, which continued for the ſpace of Six years: The buſineſs of this Council was prevented by a Controverſie happening between them and the Biſhops of Rome, who ſucceſſively endeavoured (but not ſucceſsfully) to perſwade the African Biſhops,Hiſt. Magd. Cent. 5. cap. 9. that they were under the Sovereignty and Juriſdiction of the Biſhops of Rome; to whom this Council would not allow of any Appeal from the Biſhops of Africa.
At Bagaia in Africa about the year 433.At Daga…a, An. 433. certain Donatiſts to the Number of 310 aſſembled themſelves in Council, chiefly for the depoſition of Maximinianus, Biſhop of Bagaia, whom they Depoſed and Accurſed, becauſe he had renounced their Hereſie, and had recovered many others from the Error of that way.
At Epheſus in the year 434.At Epheſus, An. 434. and in the Eighth year of the Reign of Theodoſius the Second, by ſome called Theodoſius the Younger, was a General Council aſſembled againſt the Heretick Neſtorius Biſhop of Conſtantinople; which Council conſiſted of above Two hundred Biſhops, by Command from the Emperour: By which Council Noſtorius, for his Hereſie in denying the Son of the Virgin Mary to be God, and conſequently the Perſonal Union of the Divine and Humane Nature of Chriſt, was Baniſhed to Oaſis. This was the firſt General Council of Epheſus, promoted by Celeſtine the Firſt, wherein Two hundred Biſhops (as aforeſaid) condemned Neſtorius together with Cariſius his flattering Presbyter, who inſtead of Two Natures acknowledged divers Perſons in Chriſt, and therefore pleaded that the Bleſſed Virgin Mary ſhould be ſtyled foreign only,The Mother of Chriſt, not The Mother of God. and not foreign. In this Council Cyrillus of Alexandria is recorded Preſident, whom Neſtorius, being piouſly and brotherly invited to a better Opinion proudly contemned, and having craftily allured John of Antioch to his party, Anathematiz'd him and the Council, who had formerly Anathematiz'd him. The matter being related to the Emperour, and throughly underſtood, Cyrillus and his are cleared, but Neſtorius with his party is Baniſhed (as aforeſaid) to Oaſis, a Sandy Habitation, where like another Cain (ſays a Modern Hiſtorian) roving here and there, Blaſpheming, at length his Tongue being conſumed and eaten up by Worms, he breathed out his laſt. There are (it ſeems) two Copies of this Council,Vid. Liberat. in Breviar. cap. 11. the Firſt obſerving Eight, the Second Thirteen Canons, which are comprehended in the Anathema's of Cyrillus. The Maſſilianites, termed alſo Euchites and Enthuſiaſts, were condemned by this Council, and thereby the integrity of the Nicene Creed confirmed.
At Epheſus under Theodoſius the Second was likewiſe a Particular Council aſſembled by Flavianus Biſhop of Conſtantinople, At Epheſus. an. 440.who condemned Eutyches an Abbot of Conſtantinople, for Affirming, That in Chriſt, after the Union of the Divine and Humane Natures, there were no longer Two Natures; which abſurd Opinion Flavianus damned as Heretical. So that the occaſion of this Second Council of Ephiſus, An. 449. was this Eutyches, an Archimandrite of Conſtantinople, who after Manes and Apollinaris denied the Fleſh of Chriſt to be like ours, but affirmed, that falling from heaven like the Rays of the Sun, it penetrated the Virgins womb. And ſo he denied that Two Natures were in Chriſt Incarnate; but aſſerted, that his Fleſh was changed into his Divinity: for which he was (as aforeſaid) condemned by Flavianus Patriarch of Conſtantinople, and Euſebius Biſhop of Doril, and others their Aſſociates; yet by the help of Chryſaphius the Eunuch, and Eudoxia the Empreſs, whom he had ſeduced, he prevailed with Theodoſius, that the matter might be determined by a Famous Synod; for which reaſon this at Epheſus by the Emperours Authority was called, where 128 Biſhops met, Dioſcorus of Alexandria being Preſident, one ſo full of Eutychianiſm, Vid. Liberat. in Breviar. cap. 12. Evang. l. c. 9. 10. Niceph. l. 14. c. 57.that Eutyches is abſolved, and the reclaimers forced (ſays the Hiſtorian) to ſubſcribe by Club-Arguments. Flavianus oppoſing it, was ſo ſuriouſly trodden upon, that three days after he died; beſides, many very Learned Biſhops diſcharged of their Places; yet not long after all this was daſhed in pieces by the moſt Famous Council of Chalcedon.
At Berytus in Phoenicia was held a Council about this time,At Berytus. where in the Cauſe of Ibas Biſhop of Edeſſa, whom Dioſcorus had depoſed, was revived, and himſelf juſtified and abſolved.
At Agatha in France was a Council held,At Agatha, wherein nothing was more remarkable, than that they had liberty to meet together by the Command of Alaricus King of Gothes, who at that time had the Sovereignty in that parr of France called Gallia Norbonenſis; whence it appears, That Councils both General and National, were in all Countreys Convened by the Authority of Sovereign Princes.
At Chalcedon in Bythinia in the year 455.At Chalcedon, An. 455. and in the Fourth year of Marcianus the Emperour was a General Council, at which was preſent in perſon the Emperour, and 630 Biſhops and Reverend Fathers from moſt parts of the World. In this Council Dioſcorns Biſhop of Alexandria, together with Eutyches and Juvenalis Biſhops at Jeruſalem, was condemned as an Heretick, for abſolving the Heretick Eutyches in the Council at Epheſus, and acting other Crimes, whereof he was then accuſed. In this Council it was Ordained, That men ſhould believe, that the Natures of Chriſt, albeit that they were united, yet were they not confounded, as Eutyches had Heretically affirmed. Alſo in this Council it was Ordained, That Anatelius Biſhop of Conſtantinople and his Succeſſors, ſhould have the chief Dignity next unto the Chair of Rome. This Council was called by the ſaid Emperour Martianus againſt the ſaid Eutyches, Abbot of Conſtantinople, and his Champion Dioſcorus of Alexandria; the ſuppoſitious Acts of the Council held at Epheſus were condemned by this Council, thoſe of Epheſus being in favour of Eutyches, who affirmed one only Nature to be in Chriſt, viz. his Divine Nature, after his Incarnation. It is not clear or certain, who was Preſident of this Council of Chalcedon, excepting the Emperour, and Judges Moderators: The matters thereof were for the moſt part by favouring parties between Leo the Firſt of Rome, and Anatholius Patriarch of Conſtantinople.
At Ravenna in the Sixth Century,At Ravenna, Cent. 6. was a Council Aſſembled by occaſion of the Schiſm happening on the Election of Symmachus to the See of Rome, whoſe Competitor was Laurentius, afterwards made Biſhop of Nuceria. In Symmachus his time were no leſs than Six Councils held at Rome, all Convened by Authority of Theodoricus King of Gothes, who then Reigned in Italy, and all of little importance, otherwiſe than the Endeavours that then were for the Supremacy, whereat they aimed.
At Valentia in Spain were aſſembled Two Councils,At Valentia. called Herdenſe and Valentinum, both very obſcure Councils, there being in the one but Eight Biſhops preſent, and only Six in the other. In the Firſt of theſe, Marriage was prohibited the time of Lent, and three weeks before the Feaſt of St. John the Baptiſt, and during the time between Advent and Epiphany.
At Sidon in the Twentieth year of the Emperour Anaſtaſius a National Council of 80 Biſhops was Aſſembled,At Sidon. by the procurement of Xenaeas Biſhop of Hierapolis, for undoing the Council of Chalcedon, which as far as in them lay, they did accordingly.
At Aurelia, that is,At Orleance Orleance in France in the 22d year of Anaſtaſius, and under the Reign of Clodoveus King of France, were convened 32 Biſhops, on purpoſe to ſettle ſome Order in Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline, which by reaſon of the irruption of Barbarous people into the Countrey of France, had been brought into great diſorder.
At Gerunda and Caeſarauguſta in Spain were Two Councils under Theodoricus King of Gothes then Reigning in Spain. At Gerunda, At Caeſaranguſta.In the former of theſe were only Seven Biſhops convened, who made ſome Conſtitutions, chiefly about Baptiſm: In the latter were Eleven Biſhops, and they in oppoſition to Superſitition and the Manichaean Hereticks, prohibited Faſting on the Lords day.
At Rome in the Sixth Century,At Rome, Cent. 6. by the Mandate of Theodoricus King of Gothes, Reigning in Italy, a Council was Aſſembled by Hormiſda Biſhop of Rome, wherein the Error of Eutyches is damned de novo, and Ambaſſadours ſent to the Emperour Anaſtaſius, and to the Biſhop of Conſtantinople, to divert them from that Error.
At Conſtantinople in the ſame Century under the Emperour Juſtinus was another Council convened,At C…ſtent. Cent. 6. wherein many great Accuſations were exhibited againſt Severus Biſhop of Antioch, who was then condemned of Hereſie, and afterwards Baniſhed by the Emperour.
At Toledo in the ſame Century was a Second Council aſſembled,At Toldo, Cent. 6. partly for renewing Ancient Conſtitutions, and partly for making New in order to Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline. By the firſt Canon of this Second Council of Toledo, Marriage was tolerated to ſuch of the Clergy, as on their initiation to that Function proteſted that they had not the gift of Continency.
At Conſtantinople in the year 532.At Conſtantinople, An. 5…2 under Juſtinian was another Council conſiſting of One hundred Sixty five Biſhops, Menes being Preſident, or rather his Succeſſor, Eutychius Patriarch of Conſtantinople; but Pope Vigilius, who came to Conſtantinople to Summon the Emperour, yet would not himſelf be preſent at the Council, leſt a ſeeming yielding to Eutychius might be prejudicial to his Supremacy. The Emperour endeavoured to reconcile the Eutychians and the Orthodox for the Publick Tranquillity, and therefore would have revoked the Articles concerning the condemning of Theodorus of Mopſueſta, and of Theodoret againſt Cyrillus that was Anathematized. But the Weſtern Churches with Pope Vigilius conſtantly oppoſed it, and confirming not only the Decrees Anathematizing thoſe Hereticks with their Hereſies of former Councils,Vid. Niceph. l. 17. c. 27. Gregor. l. 1. Ep. 24. Evag. l. 4. d. 34 Liberat. in Brev. c. 23, …4. but alſo of Chalcedon. The Errors of Origen alſo expunged, which either denied the Divinity of Chriſt, or the Reſurrection of the Body, or affirmed the Reſtitution of Reprohates and Devils. Conſult concering this Council, Zonar. in vit. Juſtinian. If this be that Council which ſome report to have been at Conſtantinople under the Emperour Juſtinian in the year 551. there appears above Twenty years difference in computation of Time. This Council is ſaid to have been occaſioned chiefly for pacifying the Controverſie between Euſtochius Biſhop of Jeruſalem, and Theodorus Aſcidas Biſhop of Caeſarea Cappadocia, touching Origens Books and Tenets, as alſo for the determination of other Contentious Diſputations. In this Council a Queſtion was moved, Whether men that were dead, might lawfully be Curſed and Excommunicated? To which it was Anſwered, That as J…ſias not only puniſhed Idolatrous Prieſts while they were alive,2 Kin. 23 16. but alſo opened the Graves of them that were dead, to diſhonour them after their death, who had diſhonoured God in their life time: Even ſo, the Memorials of men might be accurſed after their death, who had diſturbed the Church of Chriſt in their life.
At Orleans under Childebertus King of France were frequent Meetings and Aſſemblies of Biſhops,At Orlean. the 2, 3, 4, 5 Councils, whereby many Conſtitutions were made prohibiting Marriage to Prieſts; and in the Fourth Canon of the Second Council Simony was damned.
At Overnie in France under Theodobertus King of France, At Overnie.the Biſhops who were preſent at the Councils of Orleans, did aſſemble and Ordained, That no man ſhould preſume to the Office of a Biſhop by Favour, but by Merit.
At Tours under Aribertus King of France a Council was held,At Tours. wherein Proviſion was made againſt ſuch Poor as wandered out of their Pariſhes. In this Council ſeveral Conſtitutions alſo were made relating to Biſhops and the other Clergy in reference to Marriage.
At Paris a Council was held,At Paris. wherein order was taken concerning the Admiſſion of Biſhops to their Offices, and that not to be by favour, but with the conſent of the Clergy and People.
At Toledo Aſſembled a Council of 62 Biſhops,At Toledo. where Recaredus King of Spain, and the whole Nation of the Weſt-Gothes in Spain renounced the Arrian hereſie.
At Conſtantinople under the Reign of Maruitius a Council was held,At Conſtantinople. Hiſt. Magd. Cent. 6. cap. 9. for trying the Cauſe of Gregorius Biſhop of Antioch accuſed of Inceſt, but declared to be Innocent, and his Accuſer ſcourged with Rods, and Baniſhed.
At Matiſcon about the time of Pelagius the Second, At Matiſcon.a Council was held, wherein Command was given, That none of the Clergy ſhould Cite another,Can 8. having a Spiritual Office, before a Secular Judge. And that ſhe who is the Wife of a man that becomes a Biſhop or a Presbyter, ſhould after ſuch Dignity become his Siſter, and he be changed into a Brother.
At Matiſcon another Council was Convened under Gunthranns King of France in the 24th year of his Reign,At Matiſcon. wherein it was Ordained, That Children ſhould be Baptized at Eaſter and Whitſontide;Can. 3. 12. and that Secular men ſhould reverence the Clergy.
At Rome in the year 595,At Rome. An. 595. and in the Thirteenth year of the Reign of the Emperour Mauritius, was a Council aſſembled of 24 Biſhops and 34 Presbyters, wherein the firſt Four General Councils were confirmed; and that for Ordination of men in Spiritual, no Reward ſhould be given or taken.
Before the Concluſion of this Sixth Century, and precedent to the Councils laſt mentioned, there were ſome other Councils of leſs moment, ſuch as Concilium Gradenſe, Braccarenſe, Lataranenſe, Lugdunenſe, Pictavienſe, & Metenſe, which being for the moſt part employed chiefly in damning Old Hereſies, and in contentious Diſputations, are here omitted.
At Rome in the year 607.At Rome, An. 607. under Phocas the Emperour, a Council of 72 Biſhops, 30 Presbyters, and 3 Deacons, was Aſſembled. In this Council the priviledge of Supremacy given by Phocas to the Roman Church was publiſhed. And in the Eighth, that is, the laſt year of Phocas, Boniface the Fourth aſſembled another Council at Rome, wherein he gave power to the Monks to Preach, Adminiſter Sacraments, hear Confeſſions, to Bind and Looſe, and aſſociate them in equal Authority with the Clergy.
At Braga or Bracara in Portugal,At B…acara, An. 610. An. 610. under the Reign of Gundemarus King of Gethes aſſembled ſome Biſhops of Gallicia, Luſitania, and of the Province of Lucenſis, whereby it was Ordained, That every Biſhop ſhould viſit the Churches of his Dioceſs; That they ſhould receive no Rewards for Ordination of the Clergy; And that a Church builded for Gain, and Contribution of the People, redounding to the advantage of the Builder, ſhould not be Conſecrated.
At Auxerre in France, At Auxerre, An. 613.An. 613. aſſembled a number of Abbots and Presbyters, with one Biſhop and three Deacons. In this Synod they damned Sorcery, made many Superſtitious Conſtitutions, as touching Maſſes, Burials, Marriages, Prohibition of Meats, &c.
At Hiſpalis, At Hiſpalis, An. 634.commonly called Civil La grand, in Spain, in the year 634. and in the 24th year of the Emperour Heraclius, a Council was aſſembled by Iſidorus Biſhop of Hiſpalis, at the Command of King Siſebutus, for ſuppreſſion of the Hereſie of foreign, a Branch of the Eutychian hereſie, and for the deciſion of ſome Queſtions touching the Bounds of their Dioceſes.
At Toledo in Spain, At Toledo, An. 639.An. 639. under the Reign of Siſenandus King of Spain, by the Kings Command were more than 70 Biſhops and Presbyters Conven'd upon occaſion of diverſity of Ceremonies and Diſcipline in that Kingdom. This was the Fourth Council at Toledo.
At Toledo in the Firſt year of Chintilla King of the Gothes, At Toledo.about the time of the Emperour Heraclions Reign, a Fifth Council was held, conven'd by Eugenius Biſhop of Toledo. In this Council nothing conſiderable was done, but in reference to Annual Letanies, and the appointment of Supplications for the King.
At Rome in the year 652.At Rome, An. 652. was a Council convened by Martinus Pope, conſiſting of more than 100 Biſhops, occaſioned by the Error of the Monothelites, obſtinately maintained by Paulus of Conſtantinople, and countenanced by the impious Edict of the Emperour Conſtans. The Conſtitutions and Decrees made in this Council tended to condemn thoſe that denied the Trinity, the Divine Unity in the Divine Nature, the Manifeſtation of the Second Perſon of the Trinity, and his Sufferings in the Fleſh.
At Toledo in the year 653.At Toledo, An. 65…. a Sixth Council was held, conſiſting of Fifty two Biſhops, whereof Eugenius Biſhop of Toledo was Preſident. The occaſion whereof was the Renovation of Old Hereſies, and Contradiction to precedent Councils. The Fourth Canon of this Council is againſt Simony, and the Eighteenth is againſt Rebellion.
At Toledo in the year 662.At Toledo, An. 66…. a Seventh Council is held, of 4 Archbiſhops, 50 Biſhops and many Presbyters. The Firſt Canon of this Council is againſt Sedition and Treaſon. By the Fourth Canon it is forbidden, That Biſhops in their Viſitations ſhould extort, or oppreſs their Churches.
At Quiniſext (ſo termed by Balſemon) the ſame year,At Quiniſext, A…. 662. viz. 662. was held a Council, which by Bede and many others is accounted an Erroneous Synod; it was convened under Juſtinian the Second and Pope Sergius, wherein the Fathers thought fit to ſupply the defect of the Fifth aud Sixth precedent Synods in reference to manners and Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline, for which reaſon they ratified 102 Canons, in the†Trullo, that is, a vaulted Cloiſter in the Emperours Palace. Trullo of the Imperial Palace, whence they are called Trullans. Theſe are rejected by ſuch Latins, whoſe conſent went not to the ſtabliſhment thereof, ſpecially not empowr'd and authoriz'd thereto by the Pope. In the 36th Canon thereof the Patriarch of Conſtantinople is equalled to the Roman, and in the 13th Canon Matrimony is granted to the Clergy.
At Chalon in Burgandy by the Command of Clodoveus K. of France a Council of 44 Biſhops aſſembled,At Chabillanum, or Chalon. wherein the Canons of the Nicene Council had great approbation; And it was Forbidden, That Two Biſhops ſhould be Ordained in one City; and Decreed, That no Secular work ſhould be done on the Lords Day.
At Rome in the time of Conſtantinus Pogonatus Emperour under the Popedom of Agatho was held a Council,At Rome. wherein it was Declared by the Suffrages of 125 Biſhops, That Two wills and Two operations were to be acknowledged in Chriſt; and the Defenders of the Hereſie of the Monothelites were condemned.
At Toledo in the year 671.At Toledo, An. 671. an Eighth Council of 52 Biſhops was aſſembled, wherein were high Debates concerning Perjury; At laſt it was Reſolved, That no Neceſſity obligeth a man to perform an unlawful Oath. In this Council Marriage was utterly forbidden to Biſhops, and eating of Fleſh in Lent.
At Toledo in the year 673.At Toledo. An. 673. and in the Seventh year of Receſuvindus King of Gothes, and by his Command, were convened 16 Biſhops, which was the Ninth Council at that place; and in which ſeveral Canons were made touching the Diſcipline of the Church.
At Toledo in the Eighth year of the ſaid Kings Reign was the Tenth Council,At Toledo, An. 674. conſiſting of 21 Biſhops, who made ſome Decrees touching certain Feſtivals, and others relating to the Clergy, and removed Protamius Biſhop of Bracara from his Office, being convict of Adultery.
At Toledo in the Seventh year of Bamba King of Gothes 19 Biſhops and Seven Abbots were aſſembled by the Kings Command, wherein ſeveral Canons were made concerning Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline.
At Bracara a Second Council was held (the firſt according to Caranza,)At Bracara. wherein many old Opinions of the Priſcilianiſts and Manichaeans concerning Prohibition of Marriage and Meats are condemned, together with the Hereſies of Samoſatenus, Photinus, Cerdon, and Marcion: And in the 30th Canon of this Council it was Ordained, That no Poeſie ſhould be Sung in the Church, except the Pſalter of the Old Teſtament.
At Bracara in Spain in the time of Bombas King of Gothes another Synod of Eight Biſhops was aſſembled,At Bracara. wherein the Nicene Faith is again rehearſed. In the Fifth Canon of this Synod it is Ordained, That upon Feſtival days Reliques encloſed in an Ark, ſhall be born on the Shoulders of the Levites, as the Ark of God in the Old Teſtament was accuſtomed to be born.
At Conſtantinople in the year 680.At Conſtantinople. An. 680. in the Twelfth year of the Reign of Conſtantine Pogonatus a General Council was held, Pope Agatho procuring it by his Legates. In this Council were convened 150 Biſhops (they who reckon 270 or 286 do compute the Abſent Romans, and others conſenting thereto,) the Emperour himſelf was Preſident. In this Council was diſcuſſed the Queſtion touching the Wills and Actions of Chriſt: Here were condemned the Monothelites, Sergius, Cyrus, Pyrrhus, Peter, Paul, Theodorus, together with Pope Honorius; who in the defence of Eutychianiſm pleaded, that there was one only Will in Chriſt. This Council confirmed the Canons, not only of General, but alſo of Particular foregoing Synods, as of Antioch, Laodicea, and others. It alſo added, what was to be approved in the Orthodox Writings of the Fathers, as appears by the Second Canon of this Council. Vid. Paul. Diacon. in vit. Conſtant.
At Toledo the Twelfth Council,At Toledo. conſiſting of 33 Biſhops with ſome Abbots, and 13 of the Nobility, aſſembled the firſt year of the Reign of Euringius, to whom Bombas King of the Gothes reſigned his Royal Authority, chuſing rather to be Shaven than to wear a Crown, and to enter into a Monaſtery than to fit on the Throne of Majeſty. This Council (as to the Confeſſion of Faith) adhered to the Council of Nice, and confirmed the Acts made in precedent Councils againſt the Jews. Other Councils there were at Toledo under the Reigns of Euringius and Egiſta, but not of ſuch Remark, as needs any apology for their omiſſion.
At London in the year 712.At London, An. 712. under the Saxons Reign a Council was aſſembled, at which the Popes Legate Bonifacius, and the chief Prelate of England Brithwaldus was preſent. The two grand Points treated in this Council, were concerning the Worſhipping of Images, and Prohibiting Marriage to perſons in Spiritual Orders.
At Conſtantinople about the ſame year of 712.At Conſtantinop. An. 712. a Council was called by the Emperour Philippicus, for the undoing or the Sixth General Council, wherein the Error of the Monothelites was condemned.
At Rome in the year 714.At Rome, An. 714. a Council was Aſſembled by Pope Gregory the Second, whereat two Biſhops of Britain were preſent, Sedulius and Ferguſtus. Moſt of the Canons made at this Council did concern Marriage, Maſſes, S…rceries, and the Mandates of the Apoſtolick Chair.
At Rome a great Council of 903 Biſhops was aſſembled by Pope Gregory the Third,At Rome. having received a Mandate from the Emperour Leo for the Aboliſhing of Images. In this Council was the Emperour Leo Excommunicated, and deprived of his Imperial Dignity, becauſe he had diſallowed the Worſhipping of Images. Now is the Popes Banner diſplaied againſt the Emperour, which is the Forerunner of that Enmity which enſued between the Pope and the Emperours.
In France in the year 742.In France, An. 742. under the Reign of Charles the Great, Zacharias the Firſt being then Pope, a National Council of the Biſhops, Presbyters, and Clergy of France was aſſembled by Bonifacius Archbiſhop of Mentz, according to the Mandate of King Charles. This Council was called for Reformation of Abuſes in that Countrey, or rather to reduce it to a conformity unto the Rites of the Roman Church.
At Conſtantinople in the year 755.At Conſtantinople, An. 755. and the Thirteenth year of the Emperour Conſtantinus Copronymus a General Council of 338 Biſhops was Aſſembled by the Emperours Command. In this Council the Worſhipping of Images was damned, and the placing of them in Oratories and Temples, as a Cuſtome borrowed from the Pagans was forbidden; yet in the 15th and 17th Canons of this Council the Invocation of Saints is allowed.An. 730. Bell. de Council. l. 1. c. 6. The Council of Conſtantinople is by ſome accounted two, which others contract into one, but the diſtinction (it ſeems) is manifeſt, becauſe the firſt is ſaid to be celebrated under Father Leo Iſaurus, An. 730. The Second by Conſtantius Copronymus in the year 755, as aforeſaid. The one oppoſeth the Worſhipping of Images and Reliques, on which account both may be eſteemed as one, or at leaſt united. The firſt under Leo diſcovers Interceſſion of Saints to be imaginary, and the Worſhipping of Images meer Idolatry. Germanus Patriarch of Conſtantinople, and John Damaſcene, and others, too much inclined to Images, are deprived of their Dignities. Gregory the Third intercedes for Images in a Roman Anti-Synod, in which he Excommunicated the Eaſtern with the mark of Heretical Imagebreakers; but this did not terrifie the ſaid Conſtantine Copronymus from declaring himſelf to be an Image-breaker; but aſſembled 338 Biſhops at Conſtantinople, as aforeſaid, over whom himſelf was Preſident, and perſecuted the Maintainers of Images. Some will have This and the Seventh Council as Occumenical; but the Romans ſo abhorr'd it,Vid. Paul. Diac. l. 21, 22. Re…um Rom. & Zonar. in Annal. that for this Controverſie about Images they denied their Subjection to the Greek Emperours: whenc afterwards enſued the Weſtern and Eaſtern Diviſion, never to be reconciled. How well the Nicene Council corrected the Errors of this, appears by the Decrees thereof.
At Francfurt in the year 794.At Francfurt, An. 794. a Council was convened, but it is not agreed, whether it was an Occumenical or Provincial Council; the more Ancient Writers will have it to be Oecumenical, becauſe it was called by Charles the Great, and Adrian the Firſt, and it conſiſted of at leaſt 300 Biſhops; yet the latter Writers will have it Provincial, becauſe it ſeems not to favour Images. The Reaſon of the convening of this Council was, becauſe Elipardus Archbiſhop of Toledo, and Felix Vrgelitanus Biſhop of Aurelia or Orleance in France, preached, That Chriſt was only the Adopted Son of God, which Aquinas refutes 3. part. q. 23. art. 4. But Binius with Longus and others will have it, that this Council or Synod confirmed the Opinion of the 2d Nicene Council concerning the Adoration of Images, which Bellarmine will not believe, though he wiſhes it to be true.
At Nice in Bythinia in the year 788.At Nice, 783. a Council of 350 Biſhops was aſſembled; in which it was Ordained, That the Image of Chriſt, the Bleſſed Virgin Mary, and of the Saints, ſhould not only be received into places of Adoration, but alſo ſhould be adored and worſhipped.
At Frankford in the year 794.At Frankford, An. 794. a great Council was aſſembled by Charles the Great, King of France, partly by reaſon of the Heretick Felix, who called Chriſt the Adopted Son of God in his Humane Nature, and was condemned in a Council at Ratisbone, An. 742. partly alſo by reaſon of great Diſputes that were in moſt places concerning the Worſhipping of Images, diſallowed in the Council of Conſtantinople, but allowed in the Second Council of Nice.
At Mentz in the year 813.At Mentz, An. 813. by the Command of Carolus Magnus, was Aſſembled a Council of 30 Biſhops, 25 Abbots, with a great number of Prieſts, Monks, Counts, and Judges, about Reformation of the diſſolute manners of Eccleſiaſtical and Layperſons.
At Rhemes in the ſame year 813.At Rhemes. An. 813. a Council was Aſſembled by the Command of Charles the Great, who not only called that Famous Council of Frankford, An. 794. in which the Adoration of Images was condemned, but alſo about one and the ſame time, viz. An. 813. appointed Five National Councils to be convened in divers places for Reformation of the Clergy and Laity, viz. at Mentz aforeſaid; this at Rhemes; another at Tours; a Fourth at Chalons; and a Fifth at Aries. In all which no oppoſition was made to the foreſaid Council of Frankford, nor was the Adoration of Images avowed in any of theſe Councils.
At Tours, At Tours, An. 813.An. 813. at the Command (as aforeſaid) of the Emperour Carolus Magnus a Council of many Biſhops and Abbots was aſſembled, for the Eſtabliſhing of Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline in Tours.
At Chalons, At Chalons, An. 813.An. 813. was the Fourth Council convened the ſame year under Charles the Great, and by his Command, for the Reformation of the Eccleſiaſtical ſtate; the Canons whereof for the moſt part are conſonant to thoſe made in the ſaid former Councils under Charles the Great.
At Arles the ſame year of 813.At Arles, 813. wherein the Four preceding Councils were held, another was convened by Command of Charles the Great, wherein as to matters of Faith, Church-Diſcipline, Regulation of the Clergy, Reformation of Manners, &c. the Canons generally agree with thoſe of the ſaid Four preceding Councils.
At Conſtantinople in the year 871.At Conſtantinople, An. 871. in the Third year of Baſilius Emperour of the Eaſt, and under the Reign of Lewis 2. Emperour of the Weſt, a Council was Aſſembled by Baſilius the Emperour againſt Photius the Patriarch of Conſtantinople; in which Council he was depoſed and Excommunicated, and the Books he wrote againſt the Biſhop of Romes Supremacy above other Biſhops, commanded to be burnt. At this Council the Ambaſſadours of Pope Adrian the Second were preſent, and great endeavours uſed to have all things therein framed to his content. In this Council the Worſhipping of Images was again allowed; and it was Commanded, That the Image of Chriſt ſhould be held in no leſs reverence than the Books of the Goſpel.
At Acciniacum in France a Council conſiſting of Ten Biſhops was convened by Carolus Calvus. At Accinicum.In this Council Hincmarus Biſhop of Laudunum was deprived of his Office, and his eyes thruſt out; but Pope John the 9th. under the Reign of Carolus Craſſus, reſtor'd him to his Office, becauſe he appealed from his own Biſhop and a Synod in his own Countrey, to the Chair of Rome.
At Strasburgh in the year 899.At Strasburgh, An. 899. and in the Eighth year of the Emperour Arnulphus, 22 Biſhops of Germany were aſſembled. Many of the Conſtitutions of this Synod (according to Caranza) are in effect the ſame with the Canons of former Councils. In the 46th Canon of this Synod it is Ordained, That a man, whoſe Wife is Divorced from him by reaſon of her Adultery, ſhall not marry again during her life.
At Ravenna in the year 903.At Ravenna, An. 903. a Council of 74 Biſhops was convened, whereat was preſent Carolus Simplex, King of France. In this Council the Acts of Pope Formoſus had allowance, and the Decrees of Stephanus the Sixth were condemned and burnt.
At Rhemes under the ſaid Carolus Simplex a Council was aſſembled for correcting the abuſes of Church-Rents, At Rhemes.a great part whereof under pretence of the Kings neceſſary occaſions, was converted by ſome Courtiers to their own uſe, againſt which Fulco Archbiſhop of Rhemes declaring his mind freely in Council, was ſlain by Vinemarus one of the Oppreſſors at Court; the like not having been known ſince the Second Council of Epheſus, called a Council of Briggandry, wherein Flavianus Biſhop of Conſtantinople was ſlain.
At Rome in the time of Otto the Firſt a great Council was aſſembled againſt Pope John the 13th. At Rome.or as others affirm, Pope John the 12th. In this Council the Pope was accuſed of Ordaining a Deacon in a Stable, of Simony, of Adultery, of making the Sacred Palace like a Baudy-Houſe, of Murthering Benedict his Spiritual Father, of Gelding John an Archdeacon, of raiſing Fire, of drinking to the Devil, of diſtributing the golden Croſſes and Chalices to his Harlots, of imploring help from Jupiter and Venus in his playing at Dice, and of his not Signing himſelf with the Sign of the Croſs.
At Canterbury in the year 975.At Canterbury. An. 975. a Council was Aſſembled, when Dunſtanus was Biſhop thereof. The Queſtion that was moſt in debate at this Council, was concerning Marriage in relation to ſuch perſons as were in Spiritual Orders, the which Dunſtanus (whether his Crucifix ſpake True or Falſe, if it ſpake at all) declared his Judgment againſt.
At Conſtantinople under the Reign of Nicephorus Phocas Emperour of the Eaſt was a Council convened,A Conſtantinople. by reaſon of Nicephorus his taking to wiſe Theophania the Reflict of his Predeceſſo… Romanus, having been Witneſs in Baptiſm to Theophania's Children; the which ſo diſpleaſed Polyeuchus Patriarch of Conſtantinople, that for the ſame he debarr'd the ſaid Emperour from Holy things, and ſo in effect Excommunicated the Emperour of the Eaſt.
At Rhemes, At Rhemes, An. 992.An. 992. in the Ninth year of the Emperour Otto, and in the Fourth of Hugo Capeto King of France a Council was convened againſt Arnulphus Biſhop of Rhemes for countenancing Duke Charles, who claimed the Crown as next Heir, being Brother to Lotharius. Whereupon Arnulphus was depoſed, and denuded of his Epiſcopal Dignity, who yet afterwards was reſtored to it again by another Council at Rhemes, call'd by Pope John the Thirteenth.
At Arles in the year 1026.At Arles, An. 1026. and under the Reign of the Emperour Henry the Second, a Council was aſſembled in order to the appeaſing of the wrath of God and his indignation at that time manifeſted againſt the greateſt part of the whole World.
At Halingnuſtat in the year 1023.At Halingnuſtat, An. 1023. under the Emperour Henry the Second a Council was Aſſembled, wherein great endeavours were uſed to make a Conformity and Unity in obſervation of Eccleſiaſtical Rites and Ceremonies in Germany; wherein Laws were made concerning the degrees of Conſanguinity.
At Triburia, At Triburia, An. 1030.An. 1030. under the Reign of the Emperour Conrade the Second a Council was Aſſembled, at which the Emperour was preſent, wherein were made ſome Conſtitutions concerning Faſting.
At Sutrium in Italy, At Sutrium, An. 1046.An. 1046. under the Reign of the Emperour Henry the Third was an Aſſembly by the Emperour for the pacifying that grand Schiſm in the Roman Church, when Three Popes at once contended for the Popedom, viz. Benedict the Ninth, Silveſter the Third, and Gregory the Sixth, all which the Emperour and the Council diſpoped, and choſe one Sindigerus Biſhop of Bamberg to be Pope, whom they called Clemens the Second.
At Rome about the year 1050.At Rome, An. 105. Leo the Ninth aſſembled a Council at Rome againſt Berengarius Deacon at Angiers, who diſapproved the Opinion of Tranſubſtantiation, viz. [That after the words of Conſecration the ſubſtance of Bread evaniſhed, and the ſubſtance of the Body and Blood of Chriſt was in the Sacrament, under the Accidents of Bread and Wine;] whoſe Letters touching this matter, not finding Lanfrankus Biſhop of Canterbury (to whom they were directed) in Normandy, were delivered to ſome of the Clergy, who opening the ſame, ſent them to Pope Leo the Ninth, whereupon this Council at Rome was aſſembled, wherein the ſaid Letters of Berengarius being read, they condemned him (though abſent) as an Heretick.
At Vercellis the ſame year Leo the Ninth aſſembled another Council againſt Berengarius.At Vercellis, An. 1050.
At Tours in the year 1055.At Tours, An. 1055. Pope Victor the Second Aſſembled a Council againſt Berengarius, who there anſwered, That he adhered to no particular Opinion of his own, but followed the Common Doctrine of the Univerſal Church.
At Rome in the year 1059.At Rome, An. 1059. Pope Nicholaus the Second aſſembled a Council of 113 Biſhops againſt Berengarius, who ſubmitting himſelf to the Pope and Councils Correction, they preſcribed him a Form of Renunciation of his Error, ſo there called, which he accepted and recanted, yet afterwards publiſhed a Refutation of the ſame Doctrine. In this Council it was Ordained, That the Election of the Pope ſhould belong to the Colledge of Cardinals.
At Millan, At Millan, An. 1060.An. 1060. Pope Nicholaus the Second by Petrus Damianus held a Council, wherein the Two chief points debated were touching Simony, and the Error of the Nicholaitans, whereof they counted ſuch Prieſts guilty as had married Wives, though they did not (as the Nicholaitans) make them Common.
At Mantua, At Mantua, An. 1066.An. 1066. the Emperour Henry the Fourth aſſembled a Council for pacifying the Differences in the Roman Church, between Alexander the Second, and Candalus, called Honorius the Second, wherein Alexander was declared Pope, and Candalus pardoned.
At Wincheſter Pope Alexander the Second by two Cardinals ſent into England, At Wincheſter.Aſſembled a Council to appeaſe the Troubles of the Church in this Kingdom; wherein they depoſed certain Biſhops and Abbots, among whom Stigandus Biſhop of Canterbury, becauſe he had poſſeſſed that Chair, Robert Archbiſhop thereof being then alive, and becauſe he poſſeſſed another Biſhoprick with it, viz. the Biſhoprick of Wincheſter.
At Friburgh (anciently called Tributia) the Biſhops of Germany aſſembled themſelves in a Council,At Friburgh, or Tribu…ia. in which they declared the Archbiſhop of Bremen to be an Enemy to their Countrey, except he delivered up the young Emperour Henry the Fourth, to be educated according to the Covenant made between the Princes and Biſhops of Germany during his Minority.
At Mentz, At Mentz. An. 1069.An. 1069. a Council was aſſembled in order to a Divorce of the Emperour Henry 4. from his Wife, from which he was diſſwaded by the Arguments of Petrus Damianus the Popes Nuncio for that purpoſe.
At Erfurd, At Erfurd, An. 1074.An. 1074. the Biſhop of Mentz aſſembled a Council, in order to an obſervance of a Command from Pope Gregory 7th. touching a ſeparation of the Prieſts within the Biſhoprick of Mentz from their Wives, or elſe to depoſe them from their Offices. By reaſon whereof, as alſo by reaſon of the Biſhops exaction of Tithes from Turingia, this Council roſe in a tumult and great confuſion re infecta.
At Mentz, At Mentz, An. 1075.An. 1075. the Biſhop thereof (being commanded by Pope Gregory 7th. to ſeparate the Prieſts from their Wives) convened a Synod, but the married Prieſts ſo terrified the Biſhop of Mentz, and the Biſhop of Chur the Popes Nuncio, that this Council alſo, as the former, was diſſolved, and nothing done.
At Wormes the Emperour aſſembled all the Biſhops of his Kingdom in order to a depoſing of Pope Gregory 7th. At Wormes.otherwiſe called Hildebrand, accuſed of Perjury, Ambition, Avarice, and Pride. The determination of this Council was, That he ſhould be removed from the Popedom, which was Subſcribed by all the Biſhops preſent at the Council.
At Friburgh, At Friburgh, An. 1076.An. 1076. another Council was aſſembled, wherein the Princes of Saxony and Sweve appeared in favour of the See of Rome againſt the Emperour Henry the Fourth.
At Rome by order of the Pope a Council was aſſembled in Lent, wherein the Emperour Henry 4th was not only Anathematiz'd,At Rome. but alſo denuded (as far as in them lay) of his Imperial Dignity.
At Brixia in the year 1080.At Brixia, An. 1080. the Emperour Henry 4th aſſembled 30 Biſhops of Germany and Italy, together with many Princes of the Empire: All which conſented, That Hildebrand ſhould be depoſed from the Popedom, and Gilbertus Biſhop of Ravenna placed in his room.
At Rome, At Rome, An. 1081.An. 1081. the Emperour Henry 4th. with the Advice of the Roman Senate appointed a Council to be Aſſembled, wherein Hildebrand was depoſed, and Gilbertus, otherwiſe Wigbertus, to ſucceed in the Papacy. This Council was called by the ſaid Emperour ſoon after he had beſieged and taken the City of Rome.
At Beneventum a Council was Aſſembled by Pope Victor the Third,At Beneventum. who before his Election to the Papacy was named Deſiderius, Abbot in Caſſinates, choſen by the Romans, not regarding Gilbertus whom the Emperour had made Pope. In this Council Victor the Third Anathematized Gilbertus Biſhop of Ravenna.
At Clermont in Overnie of France in the year 1095.At Clermont. An. 1095. Vrbanus the Second convened a great Aſſembly, wherein it was Ordained, That an Army ſhould be raiſed for ſupport of the diſtreſſed Chriſtians in Jeruſalem, and recovery of the Holy Land out of the hands of the Infidels: The which was likewiſe Ordained in the Council of Placentia, and other Councils of the leſſer concern here omitted for Brevities ſake. In the next, viz. the 12th Century, there were above 115 Councils: To inſtance in the moſt material of them may ſuffice for this Abridgment.
At Paris Vrbanus the Second,At Paris, the 12th Century. at the complaint of Alexius Emperour of Conſtantinople againſt the rage of the Turks, aſſembled a Council of moſt Nations, and was preſent himſelf thereat. In this Council were appointed 100000 Men out of the Weſtern Kingdoms for the Holy Land.
At Florence Pope Paſchalis the Second convened a Council,…. Florence, An. 1110. wherein the Biſhop of Florence was called to an account for Preaching openly, That Antichriſt was already come; for which he was ſharply rebuked, and commanded, That for time to come he ſhould utter no ſuch Doctrine.
At London in the year 1102.At London, An. 1102. in the Third year of the Reign of Hen. 1. King of England. Anſelmus Archbiſhop of Canterbury aſſembled a Council, for prohibiting the Marriages of Prieſts; and the year following was conſtrained to convene another Council at St. Pauls in London, to make Conſtitutions for the puniſhment of ſuch as defiled themſelves with Sodomitical Luſts.
At Mentz, At Mentz, 1106.An. 1106. a great Council was aſſembled againſt the Emperour Henry 4. whom they condemned of Hereſie, which was Simony, becauſe he would not reſign the Right of Inveſture of Biſhops into the Popes hands, and having Excommunicated him, took off his Imperial Crown.
At Troyes in France in the year 1107.At Troyes, An. 1107. Pope Paſchalis the Second convened a Council, which treated concerning the Inveſture of Biſhops, not to be in the power of Lay-perſons.
At Triburia in Friburgh in the year 1119.At Triburia, An. 1119. the Biſhops of Germany aſſembled concerning the Inveſture of Biſhops, and in oppoſition to the Emperour Henry the Fifth.
At Senon a Council was called againſt Abelardus by reaſon of his Hereſie:At Senon. He was alſo accounted an Heretick in the Council of So…ſſon.
The Firſt Four Lateran Councils are comprehend under one and the ſame Title,1. Laleran, An. 1123. as more favouring the Roman Diſſentions than the Doctrine and Diſcipline of the Church: The firſt under Henry the Fifth, and Calixtus the Second, which had 300 (or according to Bellarmine, 900) Biſhops, and 22 Canons. In this Council Burdinus the Anti-Pope was laid aſide, the veſtures with the Ring and Staff were taken from the Emperour and given to the Pope; who abſolved the Emperour and gave him power of electing German Biſhops. In this Council there were appointed Croſſes for the … War, by means whereof Pardon of Sins might be grant … them that undertook that War, and to their Families.
The Second Lateran Council was under Lotharius the Emperour,2. Lateran, An. 1131. and Innocentius the Second, which increaſed to the number of about 2000 Biſhops. This Council omitted Thirty Canons lately publiſhed by Gratian from the Vatican Library, which Bellarmine is ſaid to reject: It diſcharged Peter uſurping the Roman See after Leo, under the name of Anacletus the Second; branded for Hereticks Peter of Bruis, and Arnaldus of Brixia the Diſciple of Peter Abullard, who rejected Pedobaptiſm, Church-buildings, and the Adoration of the Croſs: It proclaimed theſe Lay-perſons to be Sacrilegious, and incurr the danger of eternal damnation, who receive Tithes; and deprived Uſurers of Chriſtian Burial, and Curſed them to Hell.
The Third Lateran Council was under Frederick the Firſt and Alexander the Third,3. Lateran. by an aſſembly of 30 Biſhops, who made up the difference between this Alexander, and one Octavianus and his Succeſſors Gindon and John, a German taking up the quarrel with him; which Diſſentions divided Europe into parties. Alſo the Albigenſes under the name of Cathari, Publicans & Paterini, taking their Riſe from the Waldenſes, were here condemned; Lombard, who affirmed that Chriſt according to his Manhood was nothing, was Cenſured; Ordinations made by Schiſmaticks wholly abrogated, Private Oratories and Prieſts for Leprous perſons appointed, and the manner of Viſitations by Archbiſhops, Biſhops, and Deacons preſcribed.
The Fourth Lateran Council was under Frederick the Second,4. Lateran. and Innocentius the Third, with 400 Biſhops and 80 other Fathers. This Council rejected the Book of Joachimus the Abbot againſt P. Lombard; eſtabliſhed Tranſubſtantiation, Auricular Confeſſion, and the Papal Abſolution of Subjects from their Allegiance: It exacted an Oath from Secular Magiſtrates to expel Hereticks nominated by the Pope. This Council by Indulgencies encouraged thoſe that went with Croſſes for recovery of the Holy Land under Godfrey of Bulloigne; prohibited Plurality of Benefices, and Sale of Reliques.
At Papia in the year 1160.At Papia, An. 1160. the Emperour Frederick the Firſt convened a Council, occaſioned by the difference between Alexander 3. and Victor the 4th. for the Popedom after the death of Adrian the Fourth. In this Council Victor the Fourth was declared Pope. Whereupon Alexander the Third convened a Council at Cleremont, in which he Curſed the Emperour, Pope Victor, and their Adherents.
At Rome in the year 1180.At Rome, An. 1180. a Council of One hundred and eighty Biſhops was convened by the Popes Authority. Their Conſultations and Canons were touching the Form of Electing Popes for the future, alſo touching Eccleſiaſtical Dignities and Diſcipline, touching Excommunication, Reſidence, Continency, Plurality, Patronage, Preſentations, Feſtivals, Uſurers, Jews and Sarazens, and the like.
At Rome in the year 1215.At Rome, An. 1215. Pope Innocentius the Third Convened a General Council, wherein the Doctrine of Tranſubſtantiation was ratified. This was another of the Lateran Councils.
At Lions Two Councils,1. At Lions, An. 1244. the Firſt called by Frederick the Second, and Innocentius the Fourth, about the year 1244. In this Council the Emperour that deſerved ſo well of the Chriſtian Church againſt the Infidels, was after Four Excommunications depoſed by the Pope, prohibiting that any ſhould name him Emperour: Being thus Depoſed, he defends his Right by his Gibilines againſt the Guelphes of the Papal party. In this Council appears no other Preſident than the Pope himſelf, who with 140 Biſhops and Abbots, endeavoured under colour of recovering the Holy Land, by the Fifths of the Church to redeem the Eaſt. By this Council new Feſtivals were inſtituted for the Canonizing of Roman Saints. The Seventeen Inſtitutions aſcribed to this Council, are ſaid to be rather Political and Polemical than Eccleſiaſtical, and (according to Bellarmine) are to be found in the Sixth of the Decretals.
At Lions the other of theſe Two Councils was under Rodolphus the Firſt at Haſpurge, 2. At Lions.procured by Gregory the Tenth, conſiſting of at leaſt Seven hundred Biſhops: In this Council was preſent Michael Paleologus the Greek Emperour. Aquinas ſent for to this Council dies in his way thither, where Bonaventure, after his being created Cardinal, died alſo. In this Council the Pope in behalf of the Holy Land requires a Subſidy, the Tenth of all Eccleſiaſtical Rights for the ſpace of Six years. In this Council alſo it was ordered, That there ſhould be Bowing at the Name of JESVS. There were 31 Conſtitutions or Canons made by this Council, which though omitted by the Summuliſts, may yet be found in the Sixth of the Decretals.
At Vienna in the year 1311.At Vienna. An. 1311. under Henry the Seventh, Clement the Fifth being Pope, a General Council of above Three hundred Biſhops was convened. In this Council was ſet forth a Book of Papal Decrees, called Liber Clementiarum, which was Ratified by this Council. In this Council alſo it was, that Corpus Chriſti Day was Ordained to be a Feſtival, and the Order of Templers to be quite aboliſhed;Antonin. Hiſt. Par. 3. Titat. 3. for the Jeruſalem-Expedition being ſtrongly urged in this Council, the Templers are removed out of the way for murdering of the Abiſſins Ambaſſador, and other Impieties and Hereſies. Whether Trithemius did hit the mark or not, it matters not; Notorious it is, That the Templers were very Rich, but if that were a ſufficient pretence for Hereſie and Expulſion (as ſome conceive) then there would be no ſuch thing as the Church of Rome, at leaſt not Orthodox. In this Council the Clergy are permitted to take an Oath of Allegiance, not of Subjection to Lay-Magiſtrates; alſo Peter John, the Dulcimiſts, the Fratricelli, the Begwards and Begwins, together with the Lollards were condemned. Peter John was condemned for denying the Soul to be the Form of Man; a new piece of Hereſie againſt Natural Philoſophy. The Conſtitutions of this Council under the name of Clementine, are extant in 5 Books for a Supplement of the Canon Law; in which is that Famous Decree of Conſtituting Profeſsors to be maintained by a competent Stipend at the Court of Rome, at the Vniverſities of Paris, Oxford, Bononia, and Salamanca, …lem. l. 5. Tit. 1. Gal. l. 7.for the inſtructing in Hebrew, Arabick, and Chaldee Languages, whereby the Jews and Mahumetans might the more eaſily be converted to the Faith.
The Fifth Lateran Council in the year 1311.5. Lateran, An. 1311. Vid. Prideaux his Synopf. of Councils. Edit. 5. Oxon. under Maximilian the Emperour, Pope Julius 2. Preſident thereof. It is ſuppoſed this Council was called for diſannulling another at Piſa, where ſome Cardinals were met againſt the Pope. There were convened at this Council 114 Biſhops, and it had Twelve Seſſions, Five whereof were under Julius, the other Seven were finiſhed by Leo the Tenth. Suarez, Cajetan, and Navarr profeſs this to be a rejected Council. The pragmatical Decree made at the Council of Baſil, in defence of Eccleſiaſtical Liberty againſt Popiſh Uſurpations, is here diſcuſſed and exploded. The Immortality of the Soul is here alſo defended, concerning which many at that time doubted it, others wantonly diſputed it, and others heretically denied it. By this Council a reſtraint is laid on ſuch as in Preaching wreſt the Scriptures at their pleaſure to uphold and diſperſe ſome ſtrange Opinions; which reſtraint extended alſo to the impreſſion of Books not Orthodox, nor Licenſed as ſuch.
At Piſa in the year 1409.1. At Piſa, An. 1409. was (as ſome call it) a General Council, conſiſting of Twenty three Cardinals, Three Patriarchs, Three hundred Archbiſhops and Biſhops, Twenty eight Governours of Monaſterics, and a very great number of Divines, and Ambaſſadours of Princes. The great Diſſention between Benedict the Twelfth, and Gregory the Thirteenth was the occaſion of this great and Firſt Council at Piſa. Both which having been Summoned, are Depoſed by this Council, and Alexander the Eighth placed in St. Peters Chair, which yet removed not the ſaid Diſſention; notwithſtanding Alexander thus Elected, is reckoned in the Catalogue of the Popes. There were Twenty three Seſſions of this Council, the Acts thereof Printed at Paris, An. 1612. are extant. They that conceive this to be a Headleſs Council (as Antonius and others) becauſe called in a tumult by the Cardinals,3 Part. Tit. 22. c. 5 ſect. 2, 3. without the Popes Authority, do not conſider, that at this time the Head was troubled with a double Impoſtume, and could not be conſulted in the caſe.
At Piſa the Second Council was called by Maximilian the Emperour,2. At Fiſa. and Lewis the French King againſt Pope Julius the Second, who (it ſeems) had obliged himſelf by an Oath to have a General Council within Two years next after his Election to the Popedom; but this not being performed, ſome of the more eminent Cardinals, under the protection of the ſaid Emperour and French King, meet at Piſa, and Summon the Pope to make his appearance there; inſtead whereof he Excommunicates them, the French King and all, the Emperour himſelf ſcarce eſcaping that Thunderbolt, and calls a Lateran Anti-Synod at Rome, before whom he excuſes his Oath, clears himſelf, and dies. Leo the Tenth ſucceeds, continues the Council, and ratifies many Decrees; whereupon the Piſan Cardinals upon their Submiſſion are reſtored to their former Dignity.
At Conſtance in the year 1414.At Conſtance, An, 1414. a Council with great difficulty was convened by the Emperour Sigiſmond and Pope John the Twenty third, conſiſting of about a Thouſand Biſhops and Doctors, for the removing of the Popiſh Schiſms out of the Weſtern parts, and pacifying the Difference which happened between Three Popes, all ſtriving for the Popedom, viz. Pope John, whom the Italians ſet up: Pope Gregory, whom the French ſet up: and Benedict, whom the Spaniards ſet up. This Council continued Four years; in which all the ſaid Three Popes were Depoſed, and Martinus elected Pope. Others relate it ſomewhat otherwiſe, As if after Gregory the Eleventh, ſome Cardinals exalted Vrban the Sixth, Others, Clement the Sixth. The Nations are divided into parties, our Engliſh (as reported) with the French and Spaniard adhering to Clement; but Vrban dying at Rome, Boniface the Ninth ſupplies his place, but Angelus a certain Venetian ſucceeds him under the Title of Gregory the Twelfth. Clement alſo being removed, had for his Succeſſor Peter de Luna a Spaniard, under the name of Benedict the Thirteenth. To quench this Flame the Cardinals and Biſhops meet at Piſa, where they exalt one of Creet unto the Papal dignity, under the Title of Alexander the Fifth, who ſickening ſuddenly by an Intoxicating clyſter, was ſucceeded by John the 23d by Election of the Piſan Cardinals, who by the perſwaſion of the ſaid Emperour Sigiſmond called this Council at Conſtance, and being preſent at the ſame, was firſt accuſed of many Crimes, then depoſed, and Martin the Fifth exalted by the Council to the Papal dignity. There were 45 Seſſions of this Council, in the 8th whereof the Doctrine of John Wickliffe was condemned, and his Bones ordered to be taken out of his Sepulchre and burnt. In the 13th Seſſion thereof it was Ordained, That no Prieſt under pain of Excommunication, ſhould Communicate unto the People under both kinds of Bread and Wine. In the 15 Seſſion the Sentence of Condemnation of John Huſſe was read and publiſhed, and himſelf delivered to the Secular power to be Burned. In the 21 Seſſion, the Sentence of Condemnation was pronounced againſt Jerome of Pragus, who was alſo delivered to the Secular power to be Burned. In this Council it was concluded, That the Council is above the Pope; and that an Engagement with an Heretick is not to be kept.
At Baſil in the year 1431.At Baſil, An. 1431. was a General Council aſſembled, procured by Sigiſmond the Emperour of Pope Martin the Fifth, and afterwards of Eugenius the Fourth, in which Cardinal Julian of Arelatum was Preſident, and which continued high 18 years. This Council had 45 Seſſions, and therein it was alſo concluded (as in that of Conſtance,) That the General Council is above the Pope, and that all perſons ought to be ſubject to the General Council, as Children are ſubject to the Authority of their Mother. Pope Eugenius confirmed this Council by his Apoſtolical Letters, whom notwithſtanding this Council Depoſed, and in his room choſe Amedeus Duke of Savoy to be Pope, whom they called Foelix the Fifth. For this Pope Eugenius the Fourth, being Cited and not appearing, was depoſed for his Contempt, and the ſaid Amedeus Duke of Subaudis, who lived an Hermites life in the Mountains of Ripalia, by the Cardinals is exalted to the Popedom, and ſtyled Foelix the Fifth. Beſides the Delaring here, That the Council is above the Pope, it was alſo Confirmed, That the Pope cannot diſſolve, prolong or remove the Council, being lawfully called. Yet after this the ſaid Eugenius conſtituted an Anti-Synod at Ferraria, which afterwards removed to Florence, where he acted with the Greeks, the Emperour being preſent. They of Baſil mean while confirmed the pragmatical Decree, condemned Popiſh Baſtardy, ſuppreſſed Concubines, and ordered how the Jews might be brought to Chriſtianity. They declared alſo the Bleſſed Virgin to be free from the contagion of every ſin, indulged to the Lay-Bohemians the uſe of the Cup in the Euchariſt, and by reaſon of a raging Peſtilence betake themſelves from Baſil to Lauſanna, where the Emperour Frederick perſwaded Duke Amedeus to renounce the felicity of Pope Foelix,
At Florence in the year 1431.At Florence, An. 1431. a Council contrary to that at Baſil, yet fitting and undiſſolved, was held by Pope Eugenius, in which Council the Emperour and Patriarch of Conſtantinople with many others of the Greek Church were preſent, and were prevailed with to yield to many points of the Roman Church, but could never be prevailed with to believe their Doctrine of Tranſubſtantiation. This Florentine Council began at Ferraria, under Albertus Emperour, and Eugenius the Fourth, whence by reaſon of a Peſtilence did remove to Florence, and was there finiſhed. In this Council were 141 Biſhops, the Pope himſelf Preſident, who depoſed the Council of Baſil at the ſame time by the Germans. There were preſent at this Council John Paleologus, with the Patriarch Joſeph, and the Greek Doctors. In this Council were debated certain Articles concerning the Proceeding of the Holy Ghoſt, with the Addition to the Nicene Greed [and from the Son,] Purgatory, the Power of Suffrages, and Sacrifice to the Dead, Tranſubſtantiation, the Adminiſtring unleavened Bread in the Euchariſt, but eſpecially the Popes Supremacy.
At Trent in the year 1546.At Trent, An. 1546. was a Council held under Charles the Fifth and Ferdinand the Tenth, Paul the Third, Julius the Third, Pius the Fourth, Marcellus, and Paulus the Fourth; for this Council continued no leſs than Eighteen years: At the Firſt Meeting whereof were Seven Seſſions in the Two firſt years thereof. The Second Meeting was in the time of Pope Julius the Third, An. 1551. which had only Three Seſſions, by reaſon of Wars happening in Germany: At this Second Meeting the French King proteſted againſt this Council. The Third Meeting whereof was Nine years after the Second, it being appointed by Pope Pius the Fourth; there having been in this interval, ſince the Second Meeting, when Julius the Third was Pope, two other Popes, viz. Marcellus and Paulus the Fourth. At this Third and laſt Meeting there were Nine Seſſions, the Laſt whereof began the Third of December, An. 1563. The chief Points treated of at this Council were concerning the Scriptures, Original Sin, Juſtification, the Sacraments in General, Baptiſm, the removing of the Council, the Euchariſt, Repentance, Extream Unction, Communion of Lay-perſons under one kind, the Sacrifice of Maſſe, the Sacrament of Order, Matrimony, Purgatory, Worſhipping of Reliques, Invocation of Saints, Worſhipping of Images, Indulgencies, the choice of Meats, Faſtings, and Feſtivals. The Hiſtory of this Council of Trent is extant.
Of National Councils there have been many more than what are before mentioned, as here in Britain, and in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, the Eaſtern, and African. In Italy it is ſaid, that there are to be found 115 ſuch Synods, as it were National, which go under the Name of Roman Councils. But ſuch as are of the moſt Remark in each of theſe Countreys, and the principal things they determined, you may find a touch of (and no more) in the Learned Biſhop Prideaux his Synopſis of Councils, in the Eighth Chapter, Edit. 5. Oxon. 1672.