The By-Way, Treatise · Section 15
SECT. XV. Councels, which our aduerſaries pretend, as a chiefe bulwarke of their faith, giuegive no ſupport at all to the Romiſh Religion as it is prooued by particular obiections made againſt ſeuerall Councells, in all ages by the Romaniſts themſelues.
CArdinall Bellarmine, who formerly told vsus, the Church of God might ſafely ſubſiſt without Councels, giues vsus likewiſe to vnderſtand by way of preuention,Libri Conciliorū negligenter conſeruati ſunt, & multis vitiis ſcatent. Bel. de Concil. l. 3, c. 2. that the Bookes of Councells, being negligently kept, doe abound with many errours: and heereby we may gueſſe what is like to be the doctrine of thoſe Councells that are guiltie of ſuch errours; and what will bee the iſſue of that doctrine that depends vponupon ſuch Councels. Whether errors hauehave crept in by the negligence of the keepers, I cannot tell, but ſure I am, many generall and particular Councels hauehave erred, many Decrees and Canons of Councells, which are produced for the Romane Religion, are acknowledged by themſelues to bee ſpurious, & counterfet: and many true Canons and Councels, which make againſt their Trent faith, are condemned by our aduerſaries as fallible and erronious, as ſhall appeare by their owne ſeuerall confeſſions in all ages, from the time of Chriſt till the dayes of Luther.
The firſt Age, to 100 yeeres.In the firſt Age.] The Councell at Hieruſalem, gathered vnderunder the High Prieſt, wherein Caiphas was Preſident,Marke 14. ſought testimonie againſt Ieſus: and excommunicated thoſe who confeſſed Ieſus to be Chriſt. Errauit in fide pernicioſiſsime Caiphas cum v…iuerſo Cō cilio cū iudicauit Ieſum blaſphemaſſe. Bellar. de Conc. auth. lib. 2. c. 8.Bellarmine tells vsus, Before the comming of Chriſt, the Councels of the Iewes could not erre; but (ſaith hee) Caiphas with the whole Councell did erre most pernitiouſly, when they adiudged Christ a blaſphemer. And this may ſerue for a leading caſe, to ſhew that Councels may erre, as they hauehave erred in the firſt Age.
In the ſecond Age.The 2 Age, Ann. 100. to 200.] In the yeere 102, the Councel of Antioch is cited by Gretzerus, by Turrian, by Baronius, for the Worſhip of Images: yet neither Merlin, nor Crabbe, nor Surius, nor Nicholinus, Co…e cenſura Patrū. pag. 237.publiſhers of the Councells euer mention it; and Binius who produceth it, doeth acknowledge to hauehave receiued it from Baronius, and Baronius returnes his Author for the Ieſuite Turrian, and Turrian profeſſeth that Pamphilus found it in Origens Librarie. And this may ſerue to ſhew, that ſome Councels are deuiſed to proue the Trent doctrine, and the ra…her, becauſe worſhip of Images requires Antiquitie, and Conſent of Biſhops, to proue it an Article of Faith.
The 3 Age. Ann. 200. to 300.In the third Age] In the yeere 258, the third Councell of Carthage had foureſcore and ſeuen Biſhops; but ſaith Binius: Huius ProuincialisThe Catholique Church doeth not receiue the Decrees of this Councell. Concilii decreta non recipit Catholica Eccleſia. Bin. in marg. Concil. p. 149.And the reaſon is pregnant, This Synod toucheth the Popes Supremacie: for when as Stephanus Biſhop of Rome called himſelfe Epiſcopus Epiſcoporum, The Biſhop of Biſhops, Saint Cyprian and the whole Councell oppoſed that new Title. And this may ſerue to prooue that ſome Councels rightly called, are diſcarded by our aduerſaries, when they make againſt their Trent faith.
In the fourth Age] In the yeere 317,The 4. Age Ann. 300. to 400. the Councell of Sinueſſa is pretended to conſiſt of 300 Biſhops, beſides Presbyters and Deacons; and this Councell is cited eſpecially for the Popes Supremacie: yet Binius, the publiſher of the Councels profeſſeth:Doctiſsimorū plurimi hac Acta ſpuria & nullius ponderis eſſe, validis ſanè argumentis probare conati ſunt. Concil. Sinueſſ. Bin. p. 184. that this Councell Although it deſerue great credit for the Martyrologies of the Church, yet very many learned men account the Actes to bee ſpurious, and of no force and validitie. And this may ſhew the faith of their Supremacy is grounded vponupon vncertain & doubtful Coūcels.
The firſt Generall Councell of Nice was called in the yeere 325, and is cited by Bellarmine in the 69 Canon,Bellar. de Vnct. li. 1. cap 4. to proue Extreame Vnction a Sacrament, and Mr. Hart ſaith, This Councell hath 80 Canons, and in thoſe Canons the Patriarkes are ſaid to rule their ſubiects, as the Pope is head of all the Patriarkes, like Peter. Yet 60 of theſe Canons were denied by Alipius Biſhop of Tagaſta, by Cyril Biſhop of Alexandria, by Atticus Biſhop of Conſtantinople, and by St. Auſten, and the Councell of Africa, who allowed only twentie; and,Raynold. & Hart. cap 9. Diuiſ. 2. p. 575. ſaith Contius their Lawyer: Their bastardie is proued euen by this, that no man, no not Gratian himſelfe durſt alleadge them. And this may ſerue to ſhew, that ſome counterfet Canons by their owne confeſſions, are produced for their doctrine of Faith and Sacraments.
The Councell of Eliberis] In the yeere 328 decreed,Placuit picturas in Eccleſia non debere. Canon 36. Suſpicor in illo Canone impoſturam Bar. An. ad an. 57. nu. 121. Bell de Imag. l. 2. c. 9 That no Images ſhould bee ſet vp in Churches: Baronius anſweres: I ſuſpect ſome iugling in this Canon. Bellarmine anſwers: It was a Councell conſiſting but of nineteene Biſhops, & a Prouinciall Councell, not confirmed, (by the Pope) and it ſeemeth to hauehave erred in other Decrees. Heere one Cardinall ſeemes to allow the Councell, but not the Decree againſt Images; the other diſallowes the whole Councell as fallible, both in that and other Decrees. Howſoeuer this may ſerue to ſhew, that there were Proteſtant Biſhops in thoſe dayes, who made publique proteſtation againſt making and worſhipping of Images, and yet neither Canons nor Councels muſt be allowed, if they make againſt an Article of their new Creed.
The Councell of Millan was cited in the yeere 355, and was vniuerſall, and conſiſted of three hundred and more Biſhops: and yet this Councell did erre in the cauſe of Athanaſius: Dyoniſius. Euſebius. Paulinus. Lucifer. Rodanus. Zozom. l. 4. c. 8.for (ſaith Zozomen) Whereas 300 of the Weſterne Biſhops had conſented that Athanaſius ſhould bee depoſed from his Biſhopricke, there were onelyonly fiue against fifteene ſcore that withſtood it.
The Councell of Ariminum was cited in the yeere 360, and was vniuerſall, and conſiſted of 600 Biſhops:Multis paucorum fraude deceptis. Aug. contr… Maxim. lib. 3. cap. 14. but (ſaith Auſten) Hereticall impietie vnderunder an hereticall Emperour aſſayed to ouerthrow the trueth, the multitude being deceiued by the ſubtiltie of a few. And ſaith Hierom: Nomine vnitatis et fidei infidelitas ſcripta eſt. Hier. adverſ. Lucif.In the name of vnitie and faith, Infidelitie (was decreed) and written. And theſe are Euidences, that generall Councels hauehave erred, & may erre.
In the fift Age] In the yere 455,The 5. Age Ann. 400. to 500. the generall Coū cell of Chalcedon was called; it conſiſted of 630 Biſhops, and decreed,Conc. Chal. Can. 28. that the Church of Rome ſhould hauehave the primacy, becauſe the city of Rome was the Empire of the whole world. This reaſon was ſo vnpleaſing to Pope Leo at that time and the Romaniſts in theſe daies,Bellar. de Rom. Pont. l. 2. c. 17. that C. Bellarmine cō plaines: It was the Decree of a great Councell, but not lawfully made, and therefore of no force and authoritie: for (ſaith he) not onelyonly the Popes Legates reiected that Decree in the Councell, but Pope Leo himſelfe, who confirmed the rest of the Decrees, condemned it. And this may ſerue to ſhew that the reaſons and decrees of 630 Biſhops, are no decrees, no reaſons, if the Pope or his Legats doe not allow them.
The 6. age Ann. 500. to 600.In the ſixt Age] The fift Generall Councell of Conſtantinople was called, in the yeere 553, wherein both Pope Vigilius himſelfe,Crak. def. Eccl. Angl. cap. 12. and three Chapters of his Decrees, were condemned as hereticall, and accurſed. Lege Liberati Breuiarium ca. 22. & Pont. ficale in vitâ Vigilij.And this may ſerue to ſhew, that the Pope may bee an heretike, that a Coūcell is aboue the Pope, who hauehave authority to condemne him or his Decrees, as they find occaſion; and that the Decrees of former Councels may be corrected by the latter; and conſequently, there is no certaintie, no infallibilitie in Pope or Councels.
In the ſeuenth Age] The ſixt Generall Councell was called at Conſtantinople, The 7. Age. Ann. 600. to 700.in the yeere 681, and is pretended by Crabbe & Surius to hauehave nine Canons, whereof the ſeuenth is cited by Bellarmine for Inuocation of Saints,Bel de fact. Beat. l 5. c. 19. & l. 2. de Confir. cap 40. Surius Candid. lectori. yet their owne Surius tells vsus: Thoſe nine Canons are falſely aſcribed to the ſixt Synod; yea, thoſe Canons are falſe and counterfet, Caranza Sum Conc. in Concil 6 Conſtant.ſaith Caranza. Againe, this Synode condemned Pope Honorius for a Monothelite. Put ſaith Bellarmine, wee may ſafely ſay, Tutò dicere poſſumus. Bel de Pōt. lib 4. c. 11.the Fathers did vndeſeruedly reckon Honorius amongst heretikes, being deceiued by falſe reports, and not vnderſtanding the Epiſtles of Honorius. Hence we may obſerue, that ſometimes an Article of Faith, (as namely, Inuocation of Saints) is confirmed by our aduerſaries, from the authoritie of a generall Councel, when it is knowne and confeſſed by themſelues to bee counterfet: and ſometimes the Pope himſelfe is adiudged an heretike by a Generall Councell, when as for the honour of the Popes Supremacie and Infallibilitie, the whole Councel muſt bee condemned. Laſtly, if from the Decrees of this Generall Councel, we ſhall note the errours of Councells in generall: Albertus Pigghius a learned man (ſaith Canus) doeth demonstrate by many arguments, Canus loc. Theol. li. 5. cap. 1.that the Acts which beare the name of the ſixt and ſeuenth (Generall) Councels, containe many errors.
In the eight Age] The ſecond Councell of Nic…, The 8. Age Ann. 700. to 800.called in the yeere 788, and termed (the Seuenth General Councell:) pronounced Anathema againſt Pope Honorius. What anſwere therefore can bee made to this Councell?Bell. de Pōt. lib. 4. c. 11. Bellarmine replies: This Councell was deceiued by the Preſidents of former Councels. This generall Councell then did not onelyonly erre, but by this rule wee hath no certaintie, that other Councells are free from errour. And to ſpeake plainely and truely, this accurſed Councell, that by blood and vſurpation firſt ſet afoot the worſhip of Images: This Synod (ſaith Vſpergenſis) was reiected in the Councel of Frankford, Vſperg. an. 793. & …ig. de Act. 6. & 7. Syn. ad Lectorem.as vtterly void, and not to be named the Seuenth, nor any thing elſe.
In the ninth Age] In the yeere 867,The 9. Age. Ann. 800. to 9…0. the Eight Generall Councell of Conſtantinople decreed with the conſent of 383 Biſhops, that whomſoeuer Photius, Turrian. li. de 6. 7. & 8. Synod p 93Patriarke of Conſtantinople did depoſe or excommunicate, the Pope might not reſtore nor abſolue; and whomſoeuer the Pope did depoſe or excommunicate, Photius might not abſolue nor reſtore. Touching this Synod,Bellar. de Conc. auth. lib. 2. c. 11. Bellarmine anſwers: This Councell did erre, becauſe the Popes Legates did contrary to the Popes inſtructions. He that ſhal read the Decrees & Canons of a Generall Councell, ratified and declared by almoſt 400 Biſhops, would thinke it ſtrange, that they al could erre in a point of faith, viz. touching the Popes Supremacie; and it is no leſſe to be wondred, that the Popes Legats, (either through ignorance or wilfulnes) ſhould ſo much digreſſe from the Popes inſtructions, as to determine things contrary to his command: but the truth is, as the former Councell (by the Cardinals confeſſion) was led by the Preſidents of other Councels, to oppoſe the Popes Supremacy: ſo likewiſe this Coū cell had power and authoritie in their dayes, to create and confirme their Decrees and Canons againſt Head and members, notwithſtanding the Pope or his Legats had impoſed contrary inſtructions.
In the tenth Age] In the yeere 963,The 10. age Ann. 900. to 1000. a Roman Councell vnderunder Otho the Emperour was called, wherein Pope Iohn the twelfth was depoſed, and Leo the eighth was ſubſtituted in his room. This Synod (ſaith Binius) was vnlawfull, Bin Not. in Conc. Rom. ſub Ottone. p. 155.becauſe the Biſhops aſſembled without the Popes authoritie. And thus one Coū cell did erre, being miſled by the preſidents of others; a ſecond, for want of good Inſtructions; a third, for want of a right calling: yet all tend to this, rather to condemne all Councels of errours, then ſuffer the Popes Supremacie, and an Article of Romiſh Faith, (which almoſt all Councels did condemne) ſhould bee violated, and infringed.
The 11. age Ann. 1000 to 1100.In the eleuenth Age] In the yeere 1059, a Councell at Rome was called vnderunder Pope Nicholas the Second, Conc Rom. ſub Nich. 2.where it was decreed: Not onelyonly the Sacrament of Christs body, but the very body of Chriſt, was handled, broken, and chewed with the teeth of the faithfull. This decree was thought very doubtfull, and dangerous by the Romaniſts themſelues; inſomuch as the Gloſſe vponupon Gratian giues this caueat:Grat de Conſcer. d…ſt, 2. cap. Ego Berengarius. Vnleſſe you rightly vnderſtand theſe words of Berengarius Recantation, you will fall into a greater hereſie then Berengarius himſelfe. And hence wee may learne, that a Councell confirmed by the Pope, (which Bellarmine ſaith, cannot erre) decreed that doctrine of faith, which neither the Pope, nor his Church dare avow for Catholique Doctrine at this day.
In the twelfth Age] In the yeere 1120,The 12. age Ann. 1100. to 1200. the Councell of Turon decreed, That the Euchariſt giuen to ſicke folkes,Burchard. lib. 5. c. 9. ſhould bee dipped in the cup, that the Prieſt might truely ſay, The bodie (and blood) of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Bellarmine ſaith,Bellar. de Euch. lib. 4. cap 26. that this Decree was amended: for in the third Councell of Bracara, the bread was forbidden to bee dipped; and it is obiected, that Christ did giuegive it in both kinds distinctly, the bread apart by it ſelfe, and the cup by it ſelfe, although the Councell did not therevpon conclude it ſhould bee giuen in both kinds. Idem. Ibid.Heere wee ſee Councell againſt Councell, and by Bellarmines teſtimony, neither of both decreeing an Article of Faith according to Chriſts Inſtitution.
The 13. age Ann. 1200. to 1300.In the thirteenth Age] In the yeere 1215, the Councell of Lateran was called, and many things (ſaith Platina) were conſulted vponupon, Venêre multa tum quidem in conſultationē, nec decerni tamen quicquid apertè potuit Plat. de vitâ Innocent. 3.but nothing plainely defined, by reaſon of ſome wars which Pope Innocentius ſought to compoſe, and died at Peruſium. But Math. Paris, who was liuing at that time, profeſſeth plainly,Conciliū illud generale qà more Papali grā dia fronte primâ praeſetulit in viſum et ſcō mam deſiit. Math Par. Hiſt. Min. That the ſame Generall Councell, which made a great flouriſh at the firſt, ended in ieasts and laughter, whereby all the Arch-biſhops, Biſhops, Abbots, Deanes, Archdeacons, and all commers to the Councell were deluded. And hence wee may learne what certaintie of faith the Romaniſts are like to hauehave for their grand poynt of Tranſubſtantiation, (where it was firſt decreed for an Article of beliefe) when as (by the teſtimonie of their owne Writers) there was nothing plainely defined, and the whole Councell concluded in ieaſts and laughter.
In the fourteenth Age] In the yeere 1302,The 14 age Ann. 1300. to 1400. Pope Boniface the Eight called a Councell at Rome, where he excommunicated Philip the French King, and about the ſame time, the King ſummons a Councell at Paris, and therein appeales from the Popes ſentence, and incites his Prelats and Barons againſt him,Naucl. An. 1300. & Parir. Maſ. in vita Bonif. 8. and withall publikely declares, That the Pope was worthy to bee depoſed, for hereſie, for ſymonie, for murther, and other capitall offences. This is witneſſed by their owne Nauclerus, and Papirius Maſſonus in the life of Boniface. Here you may ſee Councell againſt Councell, the one contending for the Pope, the other for the Emperour, the Biſhops of Italie maintaining Appeales to the Pope, the Biſhops of France cōmanding Appeales to the Councell; the one withſtanding the Supremacie of the Biſhop of Rome, the other obeying it as an Article of Faith, yet both members of one body, and profeſſing one and the ſame Faith, vnderunder one Head, the Pope. And hence we may obſerue, there is no Vnitie betwixt Head and Members, no conſent among the Biſhops, to rely vponupon Councels.
In the fifteenth Age] In the yeere 1409,The 15. age Ann. 1400. to 1500. the Councell of Piſa was called by the Pope, but is now condemned by the Inquiſitors in their Catalogue of bookes forbidden: and the reaſon is giuen by their owne Authors, Gregory the twelfth, Index Expurg. Madrid. p. 22. Platin. in Greg. 12.and Benedict the thirteenth were depoſed, as Heretiques and Schiſmatiques: nay more, when Gregory, (who was a true and lawfull Pope by the teſtimony of Binius) had commanded his Cardinals,Anton. 3. part. ca. 5. & Bin. in Conc. Piſa. & Gobe. Pader. de hoc Conc. & exeo. Bin. that they ſhould not attempt it: they, not regarding the Popes Supremacy, appealed from the Pope to a Generall Councell. And hence wee may obſerue, that neither Councel, nor the Popes Cardinalls, receiued the Popes Supremacie for a point of Faith, (as it is now taught & beleeued) for then certainly, as they would not hauehave oppoſed him, ſo they could neuer hauehave depoſed him. And as concerning the validitie of Councels, it is manifeſt, that as two Popes were condemned by a Councell, ſo likewiſe that Councell (and the like may befall any Councell that tends to the preiudice of the Popes prerogatiue:) is reiected by the Inquiſitors with a Deleatur, not to bee named amongſt Councells. Briefly, there is no infallibilitie, no certaintie in Councels, nor in their Decrees & Canons; when they may be receiued or reiected at their pleaſure, accordingly as they make for the Pope and his doctrine or againſt it, as may appeare by the enſuing teſtimonies of this Age.
The Councell of Conſtance] was called in the yeere 1414, by Iohn the 23 This Councell (ſaith Bellarmine, touching the firſt Seſſions, where they define the Councell aboue the Pope) was reiected by the Councell of Florence, Bellar de Concil. & Eccleſ. lib. 1 c. 7.and the last Councell of Lateran: but touching the laſt Seſſion, (wherin the Communion in one kinde contrary to Chriſts Inſtitution) was decreed: Ab omnibus Catholicis recipitur, Pope Martin the Fift, and all Catholikes receiue them. And herein, if you pleaſe, you may likewiſe credit their owne Gregory de Valentia, who affirmeth vponupon his credit, that the Decrees of the Councell of Conſtance, Greg. Analy. Cath. l. 8. c. 7.hauehave no certaine authoritie, but thoſe onelyonly which were approued by Martine the Fift.
The Councel of Florence] was called in the yeere 1430, whereby it is pretended, that the Chriſtians of Armenia and India, conſented to the Roman Church: but Binius the compiler of the Councels tells v…t is doubtfull and vncertaine, Whether the Armenians continued at the Councell of Florence; Bin. Tom. 4 Conc. p. 503or whether after the departure of the Grecians, and Armenians, there were ſome other Seſsions of the Councel continued, which hauehave not been recorded, or whether there had beene an other Synod gathered the ſame yeere. Heere is nothing but certaine vncertaintie in this Councell.
The Councell of Baſil was called in the yeere 1431, and is reputed Generall, yet it is neither generally approued nor receiued: For the Dominicans obiect it was no lawfull Councell; the Minorites on the other ſide, anſwered it was true and h…ly, and called the Dominicans Heretikes for ſlandering the authoritie of the Councell: Iud. Viv. in Aug. lib. 20. de Civit. Dei c. 26.(and ſaith Viues) the matter had come to a ſhrewd paſſe, if Pope Sixtus had not forbid that diſpute any longer. And for a concluſion of this poynt, Albertus Pigghius confidently affirmeth;Piggh. in Hierarch. That both the Councell of Conſtance, & Councell of Baſil erred ſhamefully: they decreed against the order of Nature, againſt the manifeſt Scriptures, againſt the authoritie of Antiquitie, and againſt the Catholike Faith. Conc. Conſtant. Seſſ. 4.And if you require a reaſon how they fell into this ſhamefull errour,Conc. Baſil Seſſ. 33. the reaſon is pregnant: They decreed the Councell aboue the Pope.
Thus if wee reflect vponupon the Decrees and Canons of Councels, many counterfet and ſpurious Acts are ſuggeſted and forged in behalfe of their Romane Doctrine.Aquin. in opuſc. cont. errores Graecorum ad Vrbanum 4. Pont. Maximum. The Councell of Sinueſſa is cited by Bellarmine, to proue the Pope aboue a Councell, yet this is condemned (ſaith Binius) by many learned Writers. The Councel of Chalcedon is cited by Aquinas, to proue the Pope vniuerſal Patriarke of the world; yet there is no ſuch Decree extant in the Councel. The Councel of Nice, in the 69 Canon is cited by Bellarmine, to proue Confirmation a Sacrament, yet that Canon is reiected by Baronius. The Councell of Conſtantinople, in the ninth Canon is produced for Invocation of Saints; yet this Canon is reiected as counterfet (ſaith Caranza.)
Againe, looke vponupon the true Canons and Decrees of Councels, if they be found to make againſt the Roman faith and doctrine, they are reiected or condemned as erronious. The Councel of Eliberis decreed againſt the making and worſhipping of Images: what ſaith Baronius to this Councell: I ſuſpect ſome iugling in this Canon. The Councel of Piſa is condemned by the Inquiſitors amōg the forbidden books: why? the cauſe is euident, it toucheth the Popes Supremacie: for Gregorie the twelfth, and Benedict the thirteenth, were depoſed, ſaith Platina. The Councell of Laodicea is corrupted, and inſtead of Angels, they hauehave inſerted the word Angles: why? the reaſon is pregnant: it forbids Inuocation of Angels. The General Coū cel of Conſtantinople did erre, and the Popes Legats did contrary to the Popes Inſtructions; why? the reaſon is euident, the Councell decreed, that the Pope ſhould not abſolue whom the Patriarke did depoſe. The Councell of Constance is condemned of errour, onelyonly in the firſt Seſſions: Why? they decreed the Councell aboue the Pope. Againe, their Canons are receiued in the latter Seſſions: Why? they decreed the halfe Cōmunion which is now receiued for an Article of Faith. And thus ſome Canons and Councels are forged, ſome true and Orthodox are condemned, ſome Seſſions are approued by the Popes Legats, others reiected by the Popes Cardinals and Prelates, inſomuch it was rightly obſerued by Ludouicus: V…v in Aug. de Ciuit. Dei l. 20. cap. 26.Then the Councells are of account with them, when they make for them, but if they make againſt them, they make no more account of them, then of a Couent of women, pratling in a common bath, or a Weauers Shoppe.
I proceed to the ſixteenth Age, wherein the Grand and admired Councell of the Papall world; I meane the pretended Generall Councell of Trent ſhalbe examined.