Truth Triumphing Over Falsehood, Treatise · Section 3 (1 of 3)

Truth Triumphing Over Falsehood · Treatise · Section 3 (1 of 3)

p. 33SECT. 3.

Of Confirming, Ratifying the Canons, Decrees, and Reſolutions of Councells, Synods, by Christian Princes, Peers, Parliaments, before they become valid or obligatory: Of the Preſence and Power of Chriſtian Princes, Nobles, and other Lay-men, in Councells. That many, or moſt Councells, Synods, in ancient and latter times (eſpecially in England) were in truth meere Parliaments; wherein Chriſtian Princes, Nobles, Senators, and Lay-men met and voted, as well as Biſhops, and other Eccleſiaſticall perſons. And that no Canons, Lawes, Articles, concerning Gods Worſhip, Religion, Church-Government, Ceremonies, were ever lawfully preſcribed, or impoſed on any Subjects of our Realme, but by Parliament only.

THirdly, As Biſhops and Clergy-men have no power at all to ſummon Councells, Synods, or Convocations, nor yet to treat, or conclude of any Eccleſiaſticall Canons, or Conſtitutions in them, &c. without the ſpeciall licences of Kings, under their Great Seals authorizing them; ſo I ſhall next manifeſt, that when Councells, or Synods have, by vertue of their licenſe, agreed on, and compoſed any ſuch Articles, Canons, Conſtitutions, Orders, Ceremonies, &c. they cannot print, publiſh, promulge, impoſe, execute, or put them in ure, nor are they **See Mar…lius Patavinus, Defenſoris Pacis, pars 2. cap. 21. 28.of any binding force or authority, till they are approved, ratified, confirmed by Kings, and Chriſtian Princes Subſcriptions, Imperiall Edicts, Patents, Acts of State and Parliament; and that moſt ancient Councells, Synods, were but Parliaments: wherein Kings, Nobles, and Lay-men were preſent, as well as Clergy-men. This I ſhall manifeſt by ſome Preſidents, both abroad and at home, in all ages.

To begin with Scripture Teſtimonies. ccIoſh. 24. 24, 25, 26, 27.Josh 24:24Josh 24:25Josh 24:26Josh 24:27When all the whole Congregation of Iſrael, aſſembled by the ſummons of Joſhua, had in their Convocation at Shechem made a Covenant, Ordinance, and Statute, that they would ſerve the Lord, and obey his voyce, Joſhua being then their chiefe Governour, confirmed the ſame, by writing it in the Book of the Law of God, and erecting a great ſtone in the place, for a witneſſe thereof. When thedd2 Chron. 30. 1. to 7.2 Chr 30:1–7 Princes, and all the Congregation in Jeruſalem, aſſembled by King Hezechiah, had took counſell together, and concluded to keep the Paſſeover in the ſecond MonethMonth, becauſe they could not doe it on the firſt, the King eſtabliſhed their Decree, by his Proclamation and Letters. When the Jewes, upon eeEſther 3. 20. to 32.Esth 3:20–32Mordecai his Letter to them, had in a publike Convocation ordained, and took upon them and their ſeed, to keep the feaſt of Purim throughout every generation, family, province, and city, in remembrance of their great deliverance from Hamans conſpiracy againſt them, Queene Eſther and Mordecai wrote with all authority, and confirmed this Feaſt and Decree, by their Letters, & the Decree of Eſther. Yea, we read, that when theffDan. 6. 5. to 11.Dan 6:5–11 Preſidents, Governours, Princes, Counſellours, and Captains of King Darius, to entrap Daniel, moved him to eſtabliſh a royall Statute, p. 34and make a firme Decree, that whoſoever ſhould aske a petition of any god or man for thirty dayes, ſave of the King, hee ſhould bee caſt into the Lyons denne: they brought this Decree to Darius to eſtabliſh and ſigne, that it ſhould not bee changed, requeſting him to ſigne it, who did it accordingly; elſe it had not been obligatory. And wee likewiſe find in ggIonah 3. 5, 7.Jonah 3:5Jonah 3:7Scripture, that when as the King of Nineveh and his great men, upon Jonah his preaching, had made a Decree for a publike Faſt, the King confirmed, and publiſhed it to bee obſerved, by his Proclamation.

To come to Councells, under Chriſtian Princes, and Emperours. The firſt famous Synod of Nice, with the Conſtitutions, Canons, and Decrees therein compiled, werehhNicephor. C…iſt. Eccl…ſ. Hiſt, l. 8. c. 7. 25. Euſebius Pamph De Vita Conſtartini, l. 3 c. 12, 14, 15 16, 17, 18. confirmed by the Imperiall Edicts of Conſtantine the Great, who ſate Preſident in it. Edictum quod quidem pondus habebat & autoritatem, cum hac Epiſtola Imperator in ſingulas miſit Civitates; writes iiIbid c. 19. See Ni…ephor. l. 8 c. 26.Euſebius: Who records further of him, kkEuſeb. De Vi…d Conſtantini, l 4 c. 17.That hee confirmed, and conſigned, by his authority, the Canons made by Biſhops in publike Councells, that ſo it might not bee lawfull for the Princes of other Nations to abrogate the things which were decreed by them: Which had been invalid, without his Imperiall confirmation. **Subſcripſerunt & Auguſtus Conſtantinus & mater ejus Helena Surius Tom. 1. p 362. cap. 2….The Councell kept at Rome, under Pope Sylveſter, was confirmed by the ſubſcription of Conſtantine, and Helena his mother. The ſecond generall Councell of Conſtantinople, after they had finiſhed their Decrees and Canons, ſent them with this Epiſtle to Theodoſius the Elder, deſiring him to ratifie them;llSurius Co… cil. T. 1. p …17 6. Sozo… Eccleſ. Hiſt. l 4. c. 13. Centur. Magdeburg 4. col 851. In the beginning, verily, of our writing to your Piety, wee give thanks to God, who hath conſtituted the government of your Majeſty, for the common peace of the Churches, and the CONFIRMATION of the true Faith: But giving God due thanks, wee likewiſe referre to your Majeſty thoſe neceſſary things which are acted in the ſacred Councell; to wit, that from the time wee aſſembled at Conſtantinople, by your Majeſties command, wee have firſt of all renued our mutuall concord between us; and after this, we have preſcribed, and pronounced, as it were, certaine Concluſions or Canons, in which we have confirmed, and approved the faith of the Fathers aſſembled at Nice, and have rejected, with extreme execration and deteſtation, the preverſe hereſies, and wicked opinions which have ſprung up againſt it. Moreover alſo, for the right ſetling and ordering of the ſtate and diſcipline of the Churches, wee have enacted, and preſcribed certaine Canons, all which wee have annexed to this our Writing. Wee therefore beſeech your Clemency, (ƲT PER LITERAS TƲAE PIET ATIS RATƲM ESSE IƲBEAS CONFIRMES QƲE CONCILII DECRETƲM,) that by your Majeſties Letters you would command the Decree of the Councell to bee ratified, and confirme the ſame; and, as you have honoured the Church with thoſe Letters, by which you have called us together, ſo you would likewiſe CORROBORATE WITH YOƲR DECREE AND SEALE, THE SƲMME AND CONCLƲSION OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE DECREED. And hereupon (writes mmEccleſiaſt. Hiſt l. 12 c. 13. Surius Concil. Tom. 1. p. 48…, 484. Socrates Scholaſt. Hiſt. …. 5. …. 8, 10.Nicephorus) CONSTITƲTIONE QƲO QƲE IMPERATOR SANXIT, the Emperour enacted by his Conſtitution, that the authority of the Nicene Creed ſhould bee firme and perpetuall; and that all Churches in all places ſhould bee committed to thoſe who profeſſed one Divinity of the Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt, in the ſubſiſtence of three Perſons, of the ſame honour and glory: And likewiſe made a Law, that thoſe who abhered from the profeſſion of this faith, ſhould not keep any Eccleſiaſticall p. 35aſſemblies, nor ſhould not preſume thenceforth to preach concerning the Faith, nor have power to elect or conſecrate any one: that they ſhould bee baniſhed out of the City and Country, fined, and have no communion with other Citizens, &c. Which Edicts of his are Regiſtred verbatim by nnCodicis l. 1. Tit. De Haereticis. Lex 2. 136 fol. 23. Tit. 4. de Summa Trinitate Lex. 2.Juſtinian. The Synod ooSozomen Ecc…eſ. Hiſt. l 4… c 13. Centur. Magdeburg 4. Col. 538.of Ancyra ſent Legates to Conſtantius, informing him, that Eudoxius did ſtudy to deprave the Faith, requeſting him TO CONFIRME THOSE THINGS which were decreed at Sardice, Syrnium, and in other Synods. So the Catholike Biſhops in the Councell of Ariminum, ppSurius Tom 1. p. 434, 435. Niceph. Eccleſ. Hiſt. l. 9 c. 40, 41. Socrates Scholaſticus Eccleſ. Hiſt. l. 2. cap. 37.write to the ſame Conſtantius, beſeeching him to heare their Orators, who ſhould declare unto him the Sentence of that their Councell in writing, and not to permit any innovation or change, but to ſuffer them to reſt in thoſe things which were lawfully defined, and decreed by their Anceſtors; and that nothing might be added to, or detracted from their Conſtitutions; but that they all might remaine untouched and intire, as they were preſerved by the piety of his Father, till that time.qqSurius Concil. Tom. 1. p. 577, 578, 579, 581, 582. The Councell of Africk, Can. 25. to 32, 34, 42, 51, 59, 60. and the Biſhops therein aſſembled, make divers petitions and requeſts to the Emperor Honorius, and the temporall Judges and Magiſtrates, to reforme Idolatry, ſuppreſſe the Donatiſts, and reform many abuſes, by them complained of, by their Lawes and Edicts, and to ratifie their Canons againſt them, ſending their Legates to the Emperor for that purpoſe.rrSurius ibid. p. 616, 617. The Biſhops in the third generall Councell of Epheſus, write to Gallimar King of Perſia, ſupplicating, and beſeeching his Majesty, to ayd Religion, which was impugned, and ſpeedily to correct their madneſſe and tyranny that inclined to hereſie: Yea, theyſſWillets Synopſis Papiſmi, 3. Generall Controverſie, Queſt 4. p. 136. beſeeched Theodoſius the Emperor, that by his godly Letters hee would ratifie and confirme the Decree of the Councell: and Theodoſius, of bleſſed memory, CONFIRMED ALL THINGS BY A GENERALL LAW, that were determined in that generall Councell; ſaith the ttSur Tom. 2. p 19. 134, 135. B…ſhop Jewels Reply to Harding. Artic. 4. p. 213.firſt Action of the Councell of Chalcedon. Martianus the Emperor, in the fourth generall Councell of Chalcedon, ſpeaks thus, uuSur. Tom. 2 p. 10. 14.Wee, after the example of Conſtantine, have thought good to bee preſent in this Synod, TO CONFIRME THE FAITH, not to ſhew our power. Yea, this Emperor, in the cloſe of that Councell, ſaith, xxAct. 3. Sur. ibid p. 134.Acts 3SACRO NOSTRAE SERENITATIS EDICTO VENERANDAM Synodum CONFIRMAMƲS, By the holy Edict of our Majeſty Wee confirme that Reverend Synod: Which hee ratified with this Edict, yySur. ibid. p 133, 134. Jull…ian Codici…. l. 1. Tit. 4. de Summa Trinitate, Lex 3…. Surius Tom. 1. p. 85, 86, 87, 134, …36, 215, 216, 219, to 274, ſparſim, are the like Decrees and Letters of theirs, confirming this Councell.Let no Clergy-man, Souldier, or any of any other condition, endeavour to treat of the Chriſtian faith henceforth publikely, in aſſemblies met together, and hearing them, ſeeking from hence an occaſion of tumult or perfidiouſneſſe; For hee doth injury to the judgement of the moſt reverend Synod, if any ſhall ſtrive to debate againe things once judged, and rightly ordered; when as thoſe things concerning the Chriſtian faith, which are now controverted, are known to be defined by the Prieſts which met together at Chalcedon, by Our Precepts, and decreed according to the Apoſtolicall Expoſitions and Inſtitutions of 318. holy Fathers, and of 150. more in this Royall City: For puniſhment ſhall not bee wanting to the contemners of this holy Law; becauſe they not onelyonly goe againſt the Faith, truly expounded, but alſo prophane the holy myſteries to Jewes and Pagans, by this contention. Therefore, if hee be a Clerke, who ſhall publikely adventure to treat of Religion, let him be removed from the fellowſhip of Clergy-men: but if a p. 36Souldier, let him be ſpoyled of his Girdle: likewiſe others who are guilty of this crime, if they be Free-men, let them be baniſhed out of this Royall City, and alſo by the Judiciary Power ſubjugated to competent puniſhments: but if they be Servants, let them be corrected with moſt ſevere chastiſements. The Emperors Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodoſius, by this Imperiall Edict, confirmed the Decrees of the firſt generall Councell of Nice, long after they were made, as Conſtantine the great had done at their enacting. zzJuſ…iniani Codex l. 1. tit. 4. De Summa Trinitate. Lex 2. fol. 3, 4.Ʋnius & Summi Dei Nomen ubique celebretur Niceneae Fidei dudum à majoribus traditae, & divinae Religionis teſtimonio atque affertione firmatae OBSERVANTIA SEMPER MANSƲRA TENEAT, &c. Yea, Pope Leo himſelfe, in aaEpiſt. 7, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 31, 33, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 62, 67, 68, 71, 72, 73, 95.ſundry Epiſtles, exhorts Theodoſius, Leo, Martianus, the Emperors, and Pulcheria the Empereſſe, to defend the Catholike Faith, concluded and defined in the Councells of Nice, Epheſus, and Chalcedon, againſt the Heretiques that oppoſed them: to ratifie and maintaine the Decrees of theſe Councells, by their Imperiall authority, to repreſſe the Heretiques, and diſanull the Conſtitutions of the 2. Councell of Epheſus, contrary to them, and not to ſuffer thoſe things to be redebated, which their Fathers, according to the Apoſtles Doctrine, had confirmed; nor yet to ſuffer thoſe Hereſies to ſpring up again, which they had condemned. A cleare Evidence that the Canons and Determinations of generall Councells are no wayes obligatory, and altogether invalid, unleſſe ratified by Imperiall Edicts. In the bbSur. Tom 2 p. 25, 38, 55, 58 66, 67, 95, 106.Councell of Chalcedon, Action 1. when ſome would have added an Explanation to the Canon of the Councell of Nice, the Egyptians, Orientalls, and the Biſhops that conſented with them, cryed out, Nemo ſuſcepit adjectionem, nemo diminutionem: Quae in Nicca conſtituta ſunt, teneant, Catholicus IMPERATOR HOC JƲSSIT. After this, upon another occaſion, the whole Synod ſaith, Quod Impertalis praecepit autoritas, omnibus modis obſervandum eſt: Juſtum eſt quae à piiſſimo Principe praecepta ſunt, effectus mancipari. Et neceſſe nobis erit, in omnibus Imperatoris Chriſti amici cedere juſſioni. Omnia referantur ad cognitionem clementiae Imperialis. Poſtulamus ejus referri clementiae: Et ſi juſſerit criminali cauſa alterum pro altero decertare, & hoc ſuſcipimus, praecipuè quia univerſalem praecepit fieri Synodum. Et neceſſe eſt majores cauſas in eum reſervare Concilium. The ccSur. Concil. Tom. 2. p. 462, 491, 494, 496, 497, 500, 502, 521, 529, 530.firſt generall Councell of Conſtantinople, with the Decrees and proceedings thereof, were ratified by the Imperiall Edicts of Juſtinian the Emperor, who ſummoned it, yea, ſwayed, and directed it what to doe, and how to proceed; cauſing Pope Vigilius to give an account of his Faith therein, and ratifying the Faith, and Canons of the foure firſt generall Councells. In the third Councell of ddSur Concil. Tom. 2. p. 668, 669, 670, to 677.Toledo, King Reccaredus, who ſummoned it, ſate Preſident therein, making two Orations to the Biſhops aſſembled in it, exhibiting to them a Confeſſion of the Chriſtian Faith, ſubſcribed by himſelfe and his Queene Badda, with their owne hands, in theſe words, Ego Reccaredus Rex, fidem hanc ſanctam & veram Confeſſionem, quam unà per totum orbem Catholica confitetur Eccleſia, corde retinens, ore affirmans, mea dextra, Deo protegente, ſubſcripſi. Ego Badda glorioſa Regina, hanc fidem quam credidi & ſuſcepi, manu mea de toto corde ſubſcripſi. This Confeſſion of the Faith, to which was annexed the Creeds of the Councells of Nice, Conſtantinople, and Chalcedon, the King commanded to be publikely read in the Councell, to the end that it might be examined, and confirmed therein; which was done accordingly, all the Biſhops in that Councell ſubſcribing it; and p. 37not onelyonly they, but likewiſe the Presbyters and Deacons; yea all the Nobles, Senators, and Elders of the whole Gothiſh Nation; among whom were Guſſinus, Fonſa, Afrila, Achila, Flavius, with other Noble-men, ET OMNES SENIORES GOTHORƲM, ET TOTIƲS GENTIS GOTHICAE (who were preſent and had voyces in that Councell) ſubſcripſerunt. After which Subſcription of this Profeſſion of the Faith, the King made another Oration to the Councell, commanding them to make certaine Canons for the Government of the Church, and Reformation of Manners; De caetero autem prohibendis inſolentium moribus ME A VOBIS CONSENTIENTE CLEMENTIA, ſententiis terminate diſtrictioribus, & firmiore diſciplina, quae facienda non ſunt, prohibete; & ea quae fieri debent, immobili conſtitutione firmate. Whereupon they compiled 23. Canons; the ſecond of them, for the reciting of the Creed in all Churches every Lords day, hath this clauſe in it, CONSƲLTƲ piiſſimi & glorioſiſſimi Reccardi Regis conſtituit Synodus: The eighth this, Jubente autem & conſentiente Domino Reccaredo Rege, id praecepit Sacerdotale Concilium: The tenth this, Annuente glorioſiſſimo Domino noſtro Reccaredo, hoc ſanctum affirmat Concilium: The fourteenth this, Suggerente Concilio, id glorioſiſſimus Dominus noſter Canonibus inſerendum praecipit: The ſixteenth this, Hoc cum conſenſu glorioſiſſimi Principis ſancta Synodus ordinavit: The eighteenth this, Ex Decreto Reccaredi Regis, ſimul cum Sacerdotali Concilio: All badges, that thoſe Canons were made by the Kings Direction, Counſell, Decree, and Command: Who ratified them all with this publike Edict, bbSurius Tom. 2. p. 676.Glorioſiſſimus Dominus Reccaredus Rex univerſis ſub regimine noſtrae poteſtatis conſiſtentibus: Amatores nos ſui faciens divina veritas, noſtris principaliter ſenſibus inſpiravit, ut cauſa inſtaurandae fidei ac diſciplinae Eccleſiaſticae Epiſcopos omnes Hiſpaniae noſtro praeſentari culmini juberemus. Praecedente autem diligenti & cauta deliberatione, ſive quae ad fidem conveniunt, ſive quae ad morum correctionem reſpiciunt, ſenſus maturitate & intelligentiae gravitate conſtant eſſe digeſta. Noſtra proinde autoritas id omnibus, ad regnum noſtrum pertinentibus jubet, ut ea quae definita ſunt in hoc ſancto Concilio, habito in urbe Toletana anno regni noſtri feliciter quarto, nulli contemnere liceat, nullus praeterire praeſumat. Capitula enim quae noſtris ſenſibus placita, & diſciplinae congrua, à praeſenti conſcripta ſunt Synodo, in omni autoritate, ſive Clericorum, ſive quorumcunque omnium, obſerventur & maneant. Then followes a Recapitulation of all the 23. Canons, and after them this clauſe, Has omnes Conſtitutiones Eccleſiaſticas, quas ſummatim breviterque perſtrinximus, ſicut plenius in Canone continentur, manere perenni ſtabilitate ſancimus. Si quis ergo Clericus aut Laicus, harum ſanctionum obediens eſſe noluerit, ſi Epiſcopus, Presbyter, Diaconus aut Clericus fuerit,NOTA. ab omni Concilio excommunicationi ſubjaceat: ſi verò Laicus fuerit,A Coercive Law under ſevere penalties. & honeſtioris loci perſona eſt, medietatem facultatum ſuarum amittat, fiſci juribus profuturam: ſi verò minoris loci perſona eſt, amiſſione rerum ſuarum mulctatus, in exilium deputetur. Flavius Reccardus Rex hanc deliberationem, quam cum ſancta definimus Synodo, CONFIRMANS SƲBSCRIPSI: Then followes the Subſcription of the Biſhops and others: A pregnant teſtimony, that Biſhops in Councells have no power at all to debate and determine any matters of Faith, or make any Eccleſiaſticall Conſtitutions, but by the Princes Licenſe; that all their Conſtitutions, Canons, and Determinations, without his p. 38Confirmation are invalid, and not binding: That Lay-men have definitive voyces in Councells, and have confirmed them with their Subſcriptions; and that Councells in ancient times were no other but Parliaments; wherein the King, the Clergy, Nobles, and Elders of the people (not the Clergy onelyonly) aſſembled, to make Lawes and Conſtitutions, and conclude of matters of Faith: Of which more anon, in its due place. The ccSur. Tom 2. p. 686, 687.Decrees and Canons of the firſt Councell of Matiiſcon were ratified by the Royall Edict of King Guntramnus, who ſummoned it; which begins and concludes in this manner, Guntramnus Rex Francorum omnibus Pontificibus, ac univerſis Sacerdotibus, & cunctis judicibus in regione noſtra conſtitutis, &c. Cuncta ergo quae hujus Edicti tenore decrevimns, perpetualiter volumus cuſtodiri; quia in ſancta Synodo Matiſconenſi haec omnia (ſicut noſtis) ſtuduimus diffinire, quae praeſenti autoritate vulgamus. Subſcriptio Domini Guntramni Regis, data ſub die 4. Idus Novemb. 24. Regni ſupra ſcripti Regis. The ddSur. Tom. 2 p. 727.fourth Councell of Toledo, after it had decreed Church affaires in 73. Canons, by King Siſenandus his command, who ſummoned his Biſhops to Toledo, Aera. 681. ƲT EJƲS IMPERIIS AT QƲEjƲSSIS communis ab ipſis agitaretur de quibuſdam Eccleſiae diſciplinis tractatus; and entred into the Synod, cum magnificentiſſimis & nobiliſſimis viris, exhorting the Synod to pray for him, and to be mindfull of his Fathers Decrees, and to doe their diligence to confirme to him the Eccleſiaſticall Lawes, and to correct thoſe things, which, whiles they have come into uſe through negligence, have by uſurpation procured a licenſe to themſelves againſt Eccleſiaſticall manners: Which Synod rejoycing at theſe his admonitions, according to his and their owne deſire, having made ſo many Canons concerning Religion and Church Diſcipline, cloſe up their Conſtitutions with a Canon of State, concerning the Oath of allegiance of Subjects to their Prince, and their loyalty towards them in the carriage; eſtabliſhing the Title of Siſenandus, as lawfull, againſt all others claimes. Now all thoſe Canons, as they were made by the Licenſe and Direction of this King, eeIbid. p. 727(cujus tanta devotio erga Deum exta…t, ut non ſolum in rebus humanis, ſed etiam in cauſis divinis ſolicitus maneat, ſay this Councell, to his honour;) ſo they were likewiſe ratified by him, as appears by this cloſe at the end of the Canons, ffIbid p. 738Definitis itaque his quae ſuperius comprehenſa ſunt, ANNƲENTE RELIGIOSISSIMO PRINCIPE (cujus devotio nos ad hoc decretum ſalutiſerum convocavit) placuit deinde, nulla re impediente, a quolibet noſtrum ea, quae conſtituta ſunt, temerari, ſed cuncta ſalubri conſilio conſervari: The ggIbid. p. 728.fourth Canon of this Councell ſhewes, that Judges and Lay-men may and ought to be preſent in Councells. In the **Surius ibid. p. 739.fifth Councell of Toledo, King Chintillanus, who ſummoned it, entred into the midſt of the Synod, with the Nobles and Elders of his Palace, atque hanc inſtitutionem, quam EX PRAECEPTO EJƲS, & decreto noſtro ſancimus, divina inſpiratione PRAEMISIT; ſcilicet, ut in c…ncto regno à Deo ſibi conceſſo, ſpecialis & propria haec religioſa omni tempore teneatur obſervantia, &c. ſaith the Prologue and firſt Canon of the Councell: So that hee both preſcribed and ratified the Canons of this Councell; the 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Canons whereof concerne the State, the King, his Crowne, Title, and Succeſſion. The Canons of the hhSur. Tom. 2 p. 741, to 746.ſixth Councell of Toledo, were ratified by King Chintillanus, with the aſſent of his Nobles and great men, who were preſent in it, as appears by the words of the 2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Canons, p. 39which determine of State affaires, touching the King and Crowne, and confirme the Canons formerly made and ratified by the Kings conſent, Cui omnium gubernatio ſuperno conſtat delegata judicio; but moſt apparently by the third Canon, Inſpiramine ſummi Dei Excellentiſſimus & Chriſtianiſſimus Princeps ardore fidei inflammatus, cùm regni ſui Sacerdotibus praevaricationes & ſuperſtitiones Judaeorum eradicare elegit funditus, nec ſinit degere in regno ſuo eum, qui non ſit Catholicus: ob cujus fervorem fidei gratias Omnipotenti Domino coelorum agimus, &c. Quocirca conſonam CƲM EO corde & ore promulgamus Deo placituram ſententiam, SIMƲL ETIAM CƲM SƲORƲM OPTIMATƲM ILLƲSTRIƲMQƲE VIRORƲM CONSENSƲ ET DELIBERATIONE SANCIMƲS: (A cleare evidence that the Nobility and Gentry were preſent, and had voyces in that Councell, which was in nature of a Parliament, as the State Canons of it manifeſt.) Ʋt quiſquis ſuccedentium temporum regni ſortitus fuerit apicem, non ante conſcendat regiam ſedem, quàm inter reliqua conditionum ſacramenta pollicitus fuerit, hanc ſe Catholicam non permiſſurum eos violare fidem, &c. In the iiSur Tom. 2. p. 854, 855, 857 863, 864.eighth Councell of Toledo; King Receſſuinthus, who called it, entred into the Synod in perſon, and made an elegant, pious Oration to the Prelates, and Nobles aſſembled in it; after which hee exhibited a Roll of thoſe things and Canons which hee deſired to be publikely ratified in that Councell, written in his Royall name, compriſing therein the confeſſion of his faith, and ratifying the Faith and Conſtitutions of the foure firſt generall Councells; which hee thus ſubſcribed, In nomine Domini, Flavius Receſſuinthus Rex, hanc fidei & bonae voluntatis meae deliberationem manu mea ſubſcripſi. The twelfth Canon of this Councell concernes State buſineſſes: and all thoſe Canons were publiſhed, and ratified in the Kings name, as theſe words at the end of the twelfth Canon evidence, Hujus quoque ſententiae fortitudine vel vigore decreti noſtri ſeriem, quam in ſereniſſimi Domini noſtri Receſſuinthi Regis EDIDIMƲS NOMINE, pro rebus à divae memoriae Patre ſuo quolibet titulo conquiſitis, decernimus omnino conſtare, &c. Yea, divers kkIbid. p. 864.Earles and Nobles ſubſcribed their names, in ratification of the Canons of this Councell, as well as Biſhops, as Odoacer, Oſilo, Adulphus, Babilo, Ataculphus, Ellae, Paulus, Euuntius, Rucchila, Afrila, Venedmus, Faudila, Euredus, Cunſredus, Froila, with other Earles. This Councell publiſhed a Decree in the Kings name, concerning the right of the Crowne, and State Government, (which manifeſts it to be a kind of Parliament, compacted as well of the Temporalty as the Clergy) and King Receſſuinthus, himſelfe, promulgated a Law therein, in ratification of that decree of theirs; both which are at large recorded by llIbid p. 864 865, 866.Surius. The mmSur Tom. 2. p. 867, 870, 872, 873, 874.ninth and tenth Councells of Toledo were called and confirmed by the ſame Receſſuinthus, for whom the Prelates in theſe Councells oft-times give thanks to God; doing all things by his direction, aſſent, and in his name, Opitulante miſeratione divina, & glorioſiſſimi Receſſuinthi Principis inhoerente voluntate religioſa. The eleventh Councell of Toledo was ratified by King Ʋvambanus,nnSur. Ibid. p. 880. 887. Cujus hortatu aggregandi nobis facultas data est, & oportuna corrigendis praeparata eſt diſciplina. Iste eſt ergo tenor fidei noſtrae, qui & à capite copiosè profluxit, & à membris probatus gloriosè emicuit, ſaith the Prologue of the Biſhops aſſembled in that Councell, and the ſixteenth Canon of it. Conſtantinus Pogonatus, as hee called the ooSurius Concil. Tom. 2. p 899 to 940. ſparſim.ſixth generall Councell of Conſtantinople, p. 40by his writs, ſo hee ſate Preſident therein, with divers of his Nobles, Princes, Senators; ordered, ſwayed, directed all things in it; ratifying the Acts and Decrees thereof both by his Subſcription and Imperiall Lawes. Hence wee ſo ppIbid. p 902 904, 906, 907, 908, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 934, 935, 936, 939, 944, 945, 947, 964, 965, 966, 967, 980. 981, 983, 984, 987, 990, 991, 992, 993, 998, 1000, to 1013 1016, to 1030.often read in that Councell, theſe and the like paſſages, Praeſidente eodem piiſſimo & Chriſto amabili Imperatore Conſtantino. Piiſſimus Imperator Conſtantinus dixit: ſancta Synodus dixit. Quod & nunc à veſtra ſerenitate piè juſſum eſt, fiat: Conſtantinus piiſſimus Imperator, & ſancta Synodus dixerunt. Conſtantinus piiſſimus Imperator dixit; Sufficiunt & quae hodierna die relicta ſunt; reliqua verò in ſequenti ſecretario religantur. Meminit veſtra pietas & haec ſancta Synodus. Reſidentibus quoque glorioſiſſimis Patriciis & Conſulibus, ex latere venerandiſſimi, piiſſimi & Chriſti amatoris Imperatoris noſtri Conſtantini. Glorioſiſſimi Judices dixerunt. Diverſis vicibus in praeſentia piiſſimi noſtri Domini & magni Imperatoric & cuncti noſtri Concilii interrogatus fuit. Glorioſi Judices dixerunt; Sufficiunt, quae hodierna die acta ſunt: Releguntur iſta, &c.qqIbid. p. 1021 1022. Subſcriptio piiſſimi & Chriſto dilecti Conſtantini Imperatoris, legimus, & ſubſcripſimus. Conſtantinus piiſſimus Imperator dixit. Edicat ſanctum & univerſale Concilium, ſi cum conſenſu omnium Epiſcoporum promulgata est definitio, quae ad praeſens relicta eſt. Sanctum Concilium exclamavit. Omnes ità credimus; Ʋna fides; Omnes idipſum ſentimus; Omnes conſentientes & amplectentes ſubſcripſimus: Orthodoxe omnia credimus. Multos annos Imperatori, &c. Sancta Synodus exclamavit. Multos annos Imperatori; Chriſto dilecto Imperatori multos annos. Pium & Chriſtianum Imperatorem Domine conſerva. ORTHODOXAM FIDEM TƲ CONFIRMASTI. Aeterna memoria Imperatori, aeternum permaneat veſtrum Imperium. At the rrIbid p. 1025 to 1031.end of the 18^th. Action of this Councell follow two Imperiall Edicts of Conſtantine Pogonatus, ratifying the Actions and Determinations thereof, under ſevere penalties: in the later of which he ſaith thus of his owne Subſcription and Ratification of that Synod, In qua & Imperium noſtrum ſubſcripſit, & per pia dicta noſtra COMPROBAVIT EAM. Pope Leo the ſecond, in ſſIbid. p. 1031 1032, 1033.his Epiſtle to this pious Emperor, highly approved and applauded this his piety, zeale, and princely care for advancing Religion, ſuppreſſing hereſies and ſchiſmes, and for his Acts and proceedings in this generall Councell, teſtifying his aſſent thereto, as to a generall Councell, worthy to bee ranked with thoſe other famous generall Councells held before it; exhorting the whole Church of God ſecurely to rejoyce, that God had raiſed her up ſuch a Defender and Benefactor, cujus ſtudio orthodoxa fides recollecto ſplendore toto orbe irradiat, fideles omnes gratiam referentes exultant, infideles moeror atque dejectio comprimit & confundit, Eccleſiae Chriſti de cunctis oppreſſionibus liberatae reſpirant, donis Imperialibus confoventur, principali praeſidio muniuntur: So farre were Popes in thoſe dayes from carping at Emperors proceedings in matters of Religion, and their Preſidentſhip and preſence in generall Councells. Neither did this Conſtantine onelyonly, but likewiſe Juſtinian the ſecond, his ſonne, and Succeſſor in the Empire, confirme the Decrees and Canons of this generall Synod, viz. thoſe Canons in Trullus, with his Imperiall Edict; cauſing all his Nobles, Senate, Biſhops, Captaines, Souldiers, and others, to ſubſcribe it, as himſelfe records in his Letter to Pope John;ttIbid. p. 1034 In nomine Domini Dei & Salvatoris noſtri Jeſu Chriſti, Imperator Caeſar Flavius Juſtinianus, fidelis in Jeſu Chriſto, pacificus, pius, perpetum p. 41petuus Auguſtus, &c. Magnum ſtudium, magnam ſollicitudinem nos habentes pro ſtabilitate immaculatae Chriſtianorum fidei, &c. Quia Synodalia geſta, eorumque definitionem, quam & inſtituere noſcitur ſanctum ſextum Concilium, quod congregatum eſt in tempore ſancta memoriae noſtri Patris, in hanc à Deo conſervandam regiam urbem, apud quoſdam noſtros Judices remiſerunt. Neque omnino praevidimus alterum aliquem apud ſe detinere ea, ſine noſtra piiſſima Serenitate; eo quod Nos copioſos miſericordia noſter Deus cuſtodes conſtituit immaculatae Chriſtianorum fidei: ſed mox adduximus noſtros Patres ſanctiſſimos ac beatiſſimos Patriarchas, &**Note. ſacratiſſimum Senatum, verum etiam Deo amabiles Motropolitas & Epiſcopos, qui hîc in regia urbe commorantur; & dcinceps Militantes incolas ſancti Palatii, necnon & ex Collegiis popularibus, & ab excubitoribus: inſuper etiam quoſdam de Chriſto dilectis exercitibus, tam ab à Deo conſervando Imperiali obſequio, quamque ab Orientali Thraciano, ſimiliter & ab Armeniano, etiam ab exercitu Italiae, deinde ex Cabariſnianis, & Septenſian…s, ſeu de Sardinia atque de Africano exercitu; qui ad noſtram pietatem ingreſſi ſunt, & juſſimus praefatas Synodaelium geſtorum chartas in medium adduci, & CORAM SƲPRADICTIS OMNIBƲS LECTIONEM EORƲM FIERI, OMNESQƲE DILIGENTER AƲDIENTES SIGNARE IPSAS FECIMƲS: quorum auditorum univerſitas in noſtris manibus eas praebuit chartas, ut debeamus nos tenendo inviolatas conſervare ipſas, ut non licentia fuerit in quolibet tempore his, qui timorem Dei nolunt habere, aliquid corrumpere aut ſubmutare ab his, quae inſerta ſunt in praenominatis Synodalibus geſtis; quas totas chart as benè definitas in temporibus ſanctae memoriae noſtrae Patris, ex probabilibus ſanctis Patribus, qui propriae linguae & manuum fidem apud Dominum noſtrum Jeſum Chriſtum verumque Deum exiſtentem, confirmaſſe dignoſcitur, & conſitentes eam docuiſſe, nos ſperamus clementiſſimum noſtrum Deum: quia uſque dum noſter ſpiritus ſtatutus eſt ex Deo eſſe, in nobis ipſas chartas illibatas & incommutabiles ſemper conſervabimus. Theſe Canons, which were compiled by his command in that Synod after his Fathers deceaſe, the Biſhops ſent unto him to peruſe and ratifie, as appears by the laſt clauſe of their Oration to the Emperor, prefixed before them by way of a Preface; qqSur. Tom. 2 p. 1039.Propterea ergo tuae pietatis juſſu in hac Dei obſervatrice & imperante urbe congreſſi, ſacros Canones conſcripſimus. Quamobrèm tuam Pietatem rogamus, eas quae prius in hac Dei obſervatrice Civitate à congregatis ſub bonae memoriae Imperatore noſtro Patribus editae ſunt, voces tibi adducentes, ut quemadmodum Eccleſiae ſcriptis Eccleſiam bonoraſti, ſic & eorum quae per viros pios & ſynceros decreta ſunt, finem obſignes. The reſolution therefore of this generall Synod was, That they could make no Canons but by the Emperors licenſe and command, nor promulge any but ſuch as hee ſhould firſt approve and confirme. The 12. and 13. Councells of Toledo, aſſembled by King Eringius, were in verity nought elſe but Parliaments: for firſt, the temporall Governours, Nobles, and Magiſtrates of all Spaine were preſent in them, rrSur. Tom. 3. p. 2, 10.Praesto ſunt religioſi provinciarum Rectores, & clariſſimorum ordinum totius Hiſpaniae Duces, & illuſtres aulae regiae viri; quos intereſſe huic ſancto Concilio delegit noſtra Sublimitas; & clariſſimi noſtri Palatij Seniores, ſublimiumque virorum Nobilitas, ſaith the Kings Inſtructions in both Councells; and theſe had deciſive voyces. Secondly, ſſSur. ibid. p. 1. to 12.the King in thoſe Councells made two p. 42ſeverall Speeches to them both, and gave to them ſeverall writings, concerning ſuch things as hee deſired to have enacted; commanding both the Nobles, Senators, Captaines, Courtiers, and Councells, as well as the Prelates in thoſe two Councells, to draw thoſe Scrolls hee gave them into ſeverall Heads, Lawes, and Canons; expunging every thing that was abſurd, and correcting all things contrary to juſtice, both in thoſe Scrolls, and in his Lawes; preſcribing them in generall Heads what Lawes to make, but referring the particular forming and penning of them to them. Thirdly, In thoſe Councells hee deſires them to rectifie and confirme the Lawes hee delivered them in Writing, (many of which are meerly of State affaires, and temporall matters, concerning the Kings title to the Crowne, and the like:) and when thoſe Councells had made Lawes, Canons, and Conſtitutions, according to his directions in writing, hee then confirmed them both by his Royall Subſcription and Edicts, in this manner, ttSurius ibid. pag. 2. 9.In nomine Domini, Havius Eringius Rex: magna ſalus populi gentiſque noſtri ac regni conquiritur, ſi haec Synodalium decreta geſtorum, ſicut pie devotionis noſtrae ſtudio acta ſunt, ita inconvulſibilis legis noſtrae valido oraculo confirmentur: ut quod ſercuiſſimo Celſitudinis noſtrae juſſu venerandis Patribus & clariſſimis Palatij noſtri Senioribus diſcreta titulorum exaratione eſt edictum, praeſentis hujus legis noſtrae edicto ab aemulis defendatur. Eſt enim haec ipſa definitio Canonum, ſub iſto notata ordine titulorum. Then follow the Acts, Canons, and Conſtitutions of the Councells, (made by the Kings direction and aſſent, as moſt of the Canons, and the two Scrolls delivered by him to theſe two Councells manifeſt,) with the Subſcriptions of the Biſhops and Nobles; and then the Kings Edict of confirmation, which recites them, proceeds thus, Quibus omnibus Synodalibus gestis decretis atque peractis, & debitam reverentiam honoris impendimus, & patulum autoritatis noſtrae vigorem his innectare properamus. Ideo praemiſſas has conſtitutiones Synodicas à praeſenti die vel tempore, id est, ab octavo Calendas February, anno primo regni noſtri, nullus audeat contemnere, nullus etiam praeterire, nemo earundem conſtitutionum audeat jura convellere, nullus temerator haec decreta ſubvertere. Nemo illicitator vel contemptor vigorem his inſtitutionibus ſubtrahat, ſed generaliter per cunctas regni noſtri provincias haec Canonum inſtituta noſtrae gloriae temporibus acta, & autoritatis debitae faſtigio praepollebunt, & irrevocabili judiciorum exercitio, prout conſtituta ſunt, celebria habebuntur. Si quis autem haec inſtituta contemnat, contemptorum ſe noverit damnari ſententia; id eſt, ut juxta voluntatem neſtrae gloriae & excommunicatus à coetu noſtro reſiliat,NOTA. & inſuper partem decimam facultatis ſuae ſiſci partibus ſociandam, amittat. Quod ſi nihil habuerit facultatis, unde praedictam compoſitionem exſolvere poſſit, abſque alia infamia ſui, quinquaginta oportebit eum ictibus verberari, ut ſemper infamis permaneat. Edita Lex in confirmatione Concilij Toletani ſub die octavo Calendas Februarij, anno felicitèr primo regni gloriae noſtrae. In nomine Domini Flavius Eringius Rex, hoc legis noſtrae Edictum in CONFIRMATIONE HƲJƲS CONCILII PROMƲLGATƲM, SƲBSCRIPSI. The Paſſages and Canons of both theſe Councells, duly conſidered, will manifeſt, That the Councells of Spaine, and others in thoſe dayes, were nought elſe but Parliaments; conſiſting as well of temporall Lords, Great men, Councellors, Magiſtrates, as of Biſhops: That Princes then could not make Eccleſiaſticall Canons and Conſtitutions to bind p. 43their Subjects, but in Parliament: and that the Biſhops alone could not then make any ſuch Canons or Lawes but in Parliament, with the concurrent conſent and direction of the temporall Lords and Governours, the Kings licenſe for that purpoſe firſt gained; nor yet promulge them, without the Kings Letters Patents firſt obtained for their ratification. The uuSur. Tom. 3 p. 39, 40.Canons of the Synod of France under Charlemain, An. 742. were ratified by his Edict, and ſet forth by him, in his owne name, being compiled by him in Parliament, (as it ſeemes, his Nobles being preſent) CONSILIO Sacerdotum ET OPTIMATƲM MEORƲM, with the counſell of his Prieſts and Nobles. The Conſtitutions and Canons of the Synod of ffSur. Tom. 3. p. 40, 41.Soyſſons, made by Prince Pepin, Conſenſu & Concilio Epiſcoporum ſive Sacerdotum, & Comitum ſeu Optimatum Francorum, with the conſent and counſell of the Biſhops or Prieſts, and of the Nobles or Great men of France, were publiſhed by him in his owne name, with his Royall confirmation in writing, which concludes thus: Si quis contra hoc decretum, quod 23. Epiſcopi cum aliis Sacerdotibus vel ſervis Dei, unà cum conſenſu Principis Pepini, vel OPTIMATƲM FRANCORUM CONSILIO CONSTITƲERƲNT, tranſgredi, vel legem irrumpere voluerit vel deſpexit, judicandus ſit ab ipſo Principe, vel Epiſcopis, vel Comitibus componat, ſecundum quod in lege ſcriptum eſt, unuſquiſque juxta ordinem ſuum. This Synod being no other but a Parliament, the temporall Lords having, voyces in it as well as Biſhops. The Councell held at the Palace of Vernis, under the ſame King Pepin, Cap. 6. decreed by his conſent, That there ſhould bee two Synods kept every yeare; the firſt of them in March, ggVbicun que Dominus Rex juſſerit, IN EIVS PRAESENTIA. Sur. Tom. 3. p. 42.Whereſoever the King ſhould command, and in his preſence: The King therefore was then Preſident in their Synods, both to order them, and to controll, correct, or confirme their Canons, as hee thought meet. In the ſecond Councell of hhSur. Tom. 3. p. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 56, 60, 61, 64, 65, 70, 71, 72, 78, 79, 80, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 127, 128 13…, 138, 140, 182, 183, 187, 188, 189.Nice, aſſembled by the Edict of Conſtantine and Irene his Mother, Petronius the glorious Proconſul, Theophylact an Earle imployed in the Emperors ſervice, John the Kings Chamberlaine, and Treaſurer of his Army, with other magnificent and illuſtrious Senators, ſate as chiefe Auditors and Directors: The Emperor and his Mother likewiſe directed the Councell both what to treat of, what to read, and how to proceed; and ratified the Decrees of that Idolatrous Councell; the Synod craving their Imperiall aſſiſtance for the defence of truth, the ſuppreſſion of hereſies, ſchiſmes, reformation of abuſes, and ſetling the peace of the Church, by their publike Lawes and Edicts yea, they deſire their Majeſties, to incline their eares to their moſt humble ſupplications, Ipſaſque ſacratiſſimas Imagines in priſtino gradu conſtituere, ut omnes Chriſtiani in univerſo mundo exultent, & magno laetantur gaudio; Pope Adrian himſelfe making this requeſt unto them, in his Epiſtles Supplicatory, acknowledging the right both of ſummoning, ordering, and confirming Councells, to bee in them, not in himſelfe. iiSur. Tom. 3…. p. 232, 238, 247 to 252.Charles the Great and his Nobles were preſent in the Synod of Frankford; ſummoned by his Writ and Edict; yea, Charles late Preſident in it; Congregatis nobis in unum charitatis conventu, praecipiente, ET PRAESIDENTE piiſſimo & glorioſiſſimo Domino noſtro Carolo Rege, write the Fathers of that Synod to the Prelates of Spaine, to whom Charles in this Synod writ an Epiſtle, and a profeſſion of his faith, exhorting them to reforme their Errors and embrace the Truth. The Canons of the Synod of Theodon were kkSur. Tom. 3. p. …70.ratified by the Imperiall Edict of Charles the Great, p. 44Ludovicus Pius ET IMPERATORES, ET PENE OMNES GALLIAE PRINCIPES SƲBSCRIPSERƲNT, ſinguli ſingulas facientes cruces: The Emperors and almoſt all the Princes of France ſubſcribing the Decrees of that Synod, after all perſons in it had three ſeverall times conſented to them, by crying out a Placet; and Te Deum being ſung by the Clergy, after this ſubſcription, the Synod diſſolved: which was no other but a Parliament; thoſe Emperors and their Nobles being preſent, and having the chiefe voyces in it. The fourth Synod of Arles, under the ſame Charles, having drawn up 26. Canons, ſubmits them to his Royall cenſure, to correct, diſapprove, or ratifie them at his pleaſure; ooSur. Tom. 3. p. 27. Bochellus Decreta Eccleſ. Gal lib. 5. Tit. 20. cap. 19. p. 901.Haec igitur ſub brevitate, quae emendatione digna perſpeximus, quàm breviſſimè adnotavimus, & Domino Imperatori praeſentanda decrevimus; poſcentes ejus Clementiam, ut ſi quid hîc minus eſt, ejus prudentia ſuppleatur; ſi quid ſecus quàm ſe ratio habeat, ejus judicio emendetur; ſi quid rationabilitèr taxatum eſt, ejus adjutorio, divina opitulante clementia, perficiatur: (A memorable Submiſſion) All being nothing without his Royall confirmation. The Synod of Towers, ſummoned by the ſame Emperor, was commanded by him, both what Conſtitutions to make, & what things to conſult of; which they thus expreſſe, and ſubmit to his cenſure, in the Prologue, and cloſe of their Canons, ppSur. Tom. 3. p. 274, 278. Bochellus Decr. Eccleſ. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 20. cap. 20. p. 901.Quantum piiſſimi Imperatoris noſtri excellens animus, divinae ſapientiae fulgore ſit irradiatus ad gubernandum rerum praeſentium ſtatum, ipſius Imperij ſibi à Deo dati, liquidò teſtantur negocia: quae tanta ſunt induſtria adminiſtrata, quantaque prudentia ordinata, qui ſapiens ac intelligens eſt facile perſpicere poteſt; & eô praecipuè, quod hic toto animo invigilat, inveſtigando quae ad pietatem & veram Religionem pertinent, quorum fructus hominem in bono beatitudinis collocat. His igitur intentus pios ac religioſos Dei Sacerdotes, Eccleſiae gubernacula in regno ſibi divina largitate collato tenentes, ſaluberrimis exhortationibus admonuit, ut operam darent, & actionibus eminerent, quibus & ſe bene operando, & ſibi commiſſos, verbis & exemplis inſtruendo regerent. Diſſinitum itaque de locis & tempore, quando & ubi coadunari opus fuerit, & quod A TANTO PRINCIPE NOBIS INIƲNCTƲM EST, ad ſtatuta loca convenimus: ſiquidem urbe Turonis congregati Epiſcopi, Abbates, & venerabilis Clerus, pro parvitate noſtra, pauca quae ad tantum opus pertinere animadvertimus, & quae ſecundùm Canonicam regulam emendatione indigent, diſtinctè per capitula adnotavimus, SERENISSIMO IMPERATORI NOSTRO OSTENDENDA. Primò omnium, admonuimus generalitèr cunctos qui noſtro conventui interfuêre, ut obedientes ſunt Domino excellentiſſimo Imperatori noſtro, & fidem quam ei promiſſam habent, inviolabilitèr conſervare ſtudeant, orationes quoque aſſiduas intentè fundere pro ejus incolumitate ac ſtabilitate, omnes ſe velle ſecundùm noſtram admonitionem unanimitèr profeſſi ſunt. &c. And then they cloſe up all their Canons with this Epilogue, Haec nos in conventu noſtro ità ventilavimus: ſed quomodo deinceps piiſſimo Principi noſtro DE HIS AGENDƲM PLACEBIT, NOS FIDELES IJƲS FAMƲLI, LIBENTI ANIMO AD NƲTƲM ET VOLƲNT ATEM EIƲS PARATI SƲMƲS. The ſecond Councell of Cavaillon, under the ſame Charles, thus preface their Canons, which they ſubmit to his correction and approbation; qqSur. Tom. 3 p 278, 279. Bochel…us Decreta Eccleſ. Gal. l. 5. Tit …0. cap. 21. p. 901.Auxiliante Domino noſtro Jeſ… Chriſto, atque imperante fereniſſimo atque inclito Auguſto Carolo, convenimus Epiſcopi p. 45& Abbates totius Galliae Lugdunenſis in urbem Cabilonenſem, & de quibuſdam rebus in quibus nobis emendatione neceſſaria videbatur, quaedam capitula quae ſubter inſerta ſunt EIDEM DOMINO IMPERATORI PRAESENTANDA, ET AD EIƲS SACRATISSIMƲM IƲDICIƲM REFERENDA adnotavimus; quate…s EIƲS PRƲDENTI EXAMINE EA, QƲAE RATIONABILITER DECREVIMƲS, CONFIRMENTƲR: ſicubi minùs aliquid egimus ILLIƲS SAPIENTIA SƲPPLEATƲR. Then follow the Canons made in that Councell, by the Emperors direction and command, as is evident by the third Canon; rrIbid. p 279.Oportet etiam, ƲT SICƲT DOMINƲS IMPERATOR CAROLUS PRAECEPIT, ſcholas conſtituant, in quibus & literaria ſolertia diſciplinae, & ſacrae Scripturae documenta diſcantur. And then they thus conclude their Canons, Cap. 67.ſſIbid p. 284, 285. Haec itaque pauca de pluribus, quae neceſſaria perſpeximus, cum magna brevitate DOMINI IMPERATORIS PRƲDENTI IƲDICIO PRAESENTANDA, ADNOT AVIMƲS. Caeterùm quid generalitèr in omnibus & ab omnibus ſequendum ſit, quidvè vitandum, qualitervè intra Eccleſiam ſanctam ſit vivendum, qui plenius noſſe deſiderat, ſanctarum Scripturarum prata percurrere non deſiſtat. The Councell of Mentz under Charles the great, ſummoned by his command, was no other but a Parliament; ttSur. Tom. 3. p. 285.conſiſting of Biſhops and Clergymen, who …ate together in one company; of Abbats and Priors, who ſate together in a ſecond Claſſe; of Earles and Judges, ſitting together in a third Claſſe; Convenit nobis de noſtro communi Collegio Clericorum ſeu LAICORƲM TRIES FACERE TƲRMAS, ſicut & fecimus, &c. Intertia denique turma SEDERƲNT COMITES ET IƲDICES IN MƲNDANIS LEGIBƲS DECERTANTES, vulgi juſtitias terminantes, &c. ſaith the Prologue of that Councell to the Emperor. The Eccleſiaſticall Canons and Lawes concluded on therein, were made and approved by all three Companies; IN HIS ITAQƲE OMNIBƲS PRIMO DECREVIMƲS, &c. are the words of the ſame Prologue. And having finiſhed the Canons, they thus ſubmit them to the Emperors correction and approbation, with this Preface, uuSurius ibid. pag. …85.In nomine Patris & Filij & Spiritus Sancti: Glorioſiſſimo & Chriſtianiſſimo Imperatori Carolo Auguſto, verae Religionis Rectori, ac Defenſori ſanctae Dei Eccleſiae, unà cum prole ſua, ejuſque fidelibus vita & ſalus, honor & benedictio, cum victoria ſine fine manſura. Almificae reverentiae veſtrae patefacimus nos humilimi famuli ac miſſi veſtri, &c. In his itaque omnibus primò decrevimus, &c. De his tamen omnibus VALDE INDIGEMƲS ADIƲTORIO VESTRO ATQƲE SANA DOCTRINA, quae & nos jugiter admoneat, atque clementer erudiat, quatenus ea quae paucis ſubter ſubſtrinximus capitulis,**I wiſh our Independents would be ſo ſubm…ſſive, and tractable in words and deeds, as thoſe in theſe and other Councells were. A VESTRA AƲTORITATE FIRMENTƲR, SI TAMEN VESTRA PIETAS ITA DIGNƲM ESSE IƲDICAVERIT. ET QƲICQƲID IN EIS EMENDATIONE DIGNƲM REPERITƲR, VESTRA MAGNIFICA IMPERIALIS DIGNITAS IƲBEAT EMENDARI: ut ità emendata, nobis omnibus, & cunctae Chriſtianae plebi & poſteris noſtris proficiunt ad vitam & ſalutem, & ad gloriam ſempiternam, VOBIS QƲE inde merces, & honor & laus & benedictio, ac beatitudo permaneat in omnes aeternitates ſeculi. Amen. This Councell therefore knew full well, that they could neither make, nor promulge any p. 46Canons or Conſtitutions, but by the Emperors licenſe and conſent; and that all they did without his confirmation was invalid, and nothing worth. The Councell of Rhemes, Anno 813.xxSur. Tom. 3. …. 291. (A Domino Carolo piiſſimo Caeſare MORE PRISCORVM IMPERATORVM CONGREGATO, ſaith Surius,) made ſeverall Canons and Conſtitutions, which they intreat the Emperor to ratifie; Witneſſe the yyIbid p. 193.33, 41, 42, 43, 44. Canons, wherein wee have theſe paſſages, Domini Imperatoris miſericordia imploranda, ut victum & neceſſaria à ſibi praelatis conſequi poſſunt ſanctimoniales, & vita illarum & caſtitas, ſecundùm fragilitatem ſexus, diligenter proviſa tueatur. Vt Dominus Imperator ſecundùm ſtatutum bonae memoriae Domini Pepini, miſericordiam faciat, nè ſolidi qui in lege habentur, per quadraginta denarios diſcurrant: ut in ſua eleemoſyna ſirmiter ſtatuat, nè quilibet in ſuum pergentibus ſervitium, ullatenùs prohibere audeat manſionem, neque aliis quibus neceſſitas incumbit: Vt ejus magnificum & cuncto imperio ejus ſuis & futuris temporibus firmetur capitulum, ſive ab anno 30, à quo adhuc teſtes haberi poſſunt, ſeu etiam ab illo, à quo feliciſſimum ejus ſumpſit exordium, qualiter omnes lites & jurgia in ſua miſericordia terminum habere potuiſſent. Vt de falſis teſtibus, ejus ſimili modo piiſſimum firmetur capitulum, qualiter & hoc quod ille Bonomae ſtatuit, firmiſſimum habeatur: & adhuc quaerantur, quatenùs in ſua piiſſima miſericordia, SI QVA NECESSARIA SVNT AVGEANTVR. All which Canons, ſtanding at the Emperors courteſie to ratifie, prove undeniably, that without his approbation and confirmation they were meere nullities. Wherefore Aiſtulfus Archibiſhop of Mentz (as zzEccleſiae Gallicanae Decretorum Additamenta. ad tit. 20 l. 5 p. 1371.Bochellus informs mee) ſpake thus in that Synod, SI PRINCIPI PLACVERIT ALIISQVE FIDELIBVS SVIS, ROGEMVS, VT CONCLAVDETVR ET SVBSCRIBATVR; If it ſhall pleaſe the Prince and other his Nobles and Liege people, wee intreat that it may bee joyntly applauded and ſubſcribed: ET CONLAVDATVM EST, ET SVBSCRIPTVM EST, **Suri…s Tom. …. p 372.TAM A PRINCIPE QƲAM A CAETERIS OMNIBVS; And it was applauded and ſubſcribed, as well by the Prince as by all others, So that the conſent and ſubſcription both of the Prince, the Peeres and Nobles, as well as of the Prelates, was requiſite to confirme the Canons of Councells. The firſt Councell of Orleans, under King Clodoveus, thus proſtitute their Canons to his cenſure and approbation; aaBochel…us Decreta Eccleſ. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 20. cap. 17. p. 901.Domino ſuo Catholicae Eccleſiae filio Clodoveo glorioſiſſimo Regi, omnes Sacerdotes quos ad Concilium venire juſſistis; quia…tanta ad Religionis Catholicae cultum glorioſae fidei cura vos excitat, ut Sacerdotalis mentis affectu, Sacerdotes de rebus neceſſariis tractaturos in unum colligi juſſeritis, SECVNDVM VESTRAE VOLVNTATIS CONSVLTATIONEM ET TITVLOS QVOS DEDISTIS, ea, quae nobis viſa ſunt, definitione reſpondimus, ità ut ſi ea, quae nos ſtatuimus, ETIAM VESTRO RECTA ESSE IVDICIO COMPROBATVR, TANTI CONSENSVS REGIS AC DOMINI MAJORIS AVTORITATEM SERVANDAM (majori autoritate ſervandae, ſaith Surius) tantorum FIRMET SENTENTIA Sacerdotum. This Councell therefore deemed not their Canons firme and valid, unleſſe ratified and confirmed by the Prince. The Councell of Paris, under Lewes and Lotharius, and all the Prelates in it, in their Epiſtle to theſe Princes, commend their Canons to their correction and ratification, in this manner, Nos fideliſſimi as p. 47devotiſſimi ſalutis veſtrae procuratores, juxta parvitatem ſenſùs noſtri, prout brevitas temporis permiſit,bbSur. Tom. 3 p. 402, 415. SECVNDVM SANCTAM DEVOTIONEM ET ORDINATIONEM VESTRAM, de cauſis ad Religionem Chriſtianam, noſtrumque miniſterium atque periculum pertinentibus; necnon & de his quae ad noſtram correctionem & emendationem pertinere perſpeximus, ſive de his, quae populis generaliter annuncianda & admonenda praevidimus, capitulatim in praecedentibus adnotavimus libellis, VESTRAEQVE SERENITATI LEGENDA, IMMO PROBANDA, OBTVLIMVS, &c. Et quanquam de his, quae praemiſſa ſunt, veſtro ardentiſſimo deſiderio priùs ſatisfacere elegerimus, nequaquam tamen haec quae ſpecialiter ad veſtram perſonam, miniſteriumque pertinere cognovimus, oblivioni tradimus, ſed potiùs veſtrae ſaluti proſpicientes, nonnulla capitula neceſſaria in ſecundo hujus operis libello, ad nomen miniſteriumque veſtrum pertinentia, periculumque cavendum, ſolerti ſtudio congeſſimus, & vobis familiariter admonitionis gratia, porrigenda devovimus; ut ea diligenter inſpiciendo, legendo & audiendo, apertè atque diſtinctè Veſtra cognoſcat Celſitudo, de quibus & pro quibus in memoratis conventibus noſtris, ſecundùm virium noſtrarum poſſibilitatem fideliter ſalubriterque egerimus. Hence this Councell humbly beſeecheth theſe Princes, to eſtabliſh divers things and Canons they propound unto them, in theſe ſupplicative words; ccIbid p. 405, 406, 407, 408.l. 3. c. 8. to 27. Petimus humiliter Excellentiam veſtram. Illud etiam ſpecialiter neceſſarium Veſtra ſuggerere Pietati duximus. Similiter etiam obnixè ac ſuppliciter veſtrae Celſitudini ſuggerimus. Similiter & hoc à Veſtra Pietate neceſſarium duximus expetendum. Illud quoque à veſtra Pietate ſuppliciter flagitamus. Illud etiam obnixè Veſtram ſanctam piiſſimamque Devotionem ſuppliciter monendo depoſcimus. Iterùm ſuppliciter admonendo veſtrae ſuggerimus Serenitati. Poſtulamus etiam, ut Celſitudo veſtra. Iterum monendo, Magnitudini veſtrae ſuppliciter ſuggerimus. Similiter depoſcimus. Rogamus etiam veſtram Pietatem. Et hoc humiliter obſervando admonemus.ddIbid. p. 385 And lib. 1. cap. 50. De obſervatione diei Dominicae. Quapropter ſpecialiter atque humiliter à Sacerdotibus Imperialis Celſitudo flagitanda eſt, ut ejus à Deo ordinata poteſtas, ob honorem & reverentiam tanti dici, cunctis motum incutiat, nè in hac ſancta & venerabile die mercatus, & placita, & ruralia quaeque opera, necnon & quaſlibet corrigationes ullius conditionis homines facere praeſumant. And it concludes thus, eeIbid. p. 409. 420.lib. 3. cap. 27. Porro de Epiſcopali libertate, quam, Deo annuente, VESTRO QVE ADMINICVLO SVFFRAGANTE, adipiſci ad Dei ſervitium peragendum cupimus, ſuo in tempore VOBIS DICENDA, ATQVE VOBISCVM CONFERENDA RESERVAVIMVS. By all which it appeares, that this Councell could decree nothing but by the Emperors Licenſe; and that all their Canons and Decrees were vaine and abortive without his ratification of them. The Synod of Aquiſgran (or Aix) under Ludovicus Pius, Anno 833. hath almoſt the ſelfe-ſame words and paſſages; being directed by this Emperor both what to treat of, and petitioning him to ratifie and put in execution what they decreed, as theſe paſſages manifeſt; ffSurius ibid. p 409, 410, 415, 417, 419, 420, 421.Ibi de ſtatu ſanctae Dei Eccleſiae AD MONENTE Sereniſſimo atque totius religionis devatiſſimo praefato Imperatore, tractare coepiſſemus. Revolutis igitur A VESTRA NOBIS benigniſſima devotione, COLLATIS TRIBVS CAPITVLIS, id eſt, VT VENTILARENTVR, &c. Veſtrum ſiquidem nihilominus ſupplici admonitione & p. 48affectu charitatis excellentiam, admonente, ſi quae ſunt Eccleſiaſtici juris VESTRA PIISSIMA GVBERNATIONE ERIGENDA, VT PER VOS, VESTROSQVE Chriſtianae Religionis commilitiones SVBLEVENTVR, &c. ggPars … c 15, 16. p. 415.Haec nos fideles & devotiſſimi famuli & Oratores veſtri, juxta parvitatem ſenſus noſtri, SECVNDVM SANCTAM ORDINATIONEM VESTRAM, de his quae ad noſtram, & conſacerdotorum ſubjectorumque noſtrorum correctionem & emendationem pertinere perſpeximus, &c. Sed nunc quia de his quae praemiſſa ſunt, VESTRO ARDENTISSIMO DESIDERIO prius ſatisfacere ſtuduimus: illud tamen quod ad veſtram ſpecialiter perſonam miniſteriumque pertinere cognoſcimus, nullatenus oblivioni tradidimus; ſed potius veſtrae ſaluti proſpicientes, nonnulla capitula neceſſaria fideliter collegimus, & VOBIS familiariter admonitionis gratia devoteque PORRIGENDA devovimus. Similiter quaedam ad filios veſtros pertinentia, quaedam verò ad commilitones veſtros non minùs pertinentia: Which Canons commonly begin thus, hhPars 2. c. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 16 25 Ibid. p. 417, 419, 420, 421.Petimus humiliter veſtram Excellentiam. Illud etiam ſpecialiter neceſſarium veſtrae ſuggerere Pietati duximus. Rogamus etiam veſtram Pietatem propter divinam miſericordiam, veſtramque ſalutem. Et hoc humiliter admonemus. Innoteſcimus vobis, quod ea, quae IN CAPITVLIS VESTRIS NOBIS TRACTANDA COMMISISTIS, &c. Veſtram intereà Deo amabilis Auguſtè petimus clementiam. Similiter eſt poſtulandum. Meminimus in poſteriis conventibus nonnulla capitula ab Epiſcopis VESTRA ADMONITIONE FVISSE TRACTATA ATQVE STATVTA, pro neceſſitate & communi ſalute utrorumque ordinum Eccleſiaſticorum ſcilicet & ſecularium, ſed neſcimus quibus impedientibus obſtaculis quaſi oblivioni tradita. Ideoque affectu devoto, ſupplici admonitione admonemus, & admonendo precamur, ne iſta, quae nunc, licèt perpauca, praelibavimus ad ſtatum ſanctae Dei Eccleſiae, ſimili modo oblivioni tradantur, ſed pro ſpeculo omnibus inconvulſa habeantur atque conſerventur, &c. The Synod of Mentz, under Rabanus Maurus, aſſembled by the command of Lodovicus Pius, ſent all their Canons, with a Preface before them, to this Emperor; wherein they have this notable paſſage touching Princes Juriſdiction Eccleſiaſticall, iiSur. Tom. 3. p. 422.De Chriſtianis verò Regibus & Imperatoribus non neceſſe eſt aliqua exempla ponere; cùm omnes qui rectae fidei & ſani dogmatis fuerint, à Conſtantino Imperatore, qui primus Imperatorum Chriſtianum Religionem defendere, atque honorem Eccleſiarum Dei amplificare coepit,NOTA. uſque ad nos, ſemper in hoc ſtudio ſolerter laboraverint, ut Eccleſia Dei pacem, & tranquillitatem haberet, quatenus cultus Dei incontaminatus foret, & ſervi ejus ſine impedimento Deo delectabiliter deſervirent. And at the end of their laſt kkCap. 31. Ibid p 428.Canon, they conclude with this Petition to the Emperor, Haec verò quae VOBIS TRANSMISSA SVNT, PETIMVS, VT VESTRA AVTORITATE FIRMENTVR: Et ſi quis adverſarius illis exiſtere voluerit, praevalere non permittatur. Dei enim cooperatores vos eſſe debetis, & adjutores ſanctae ejus Eccleſiae, quatenus Religio-Chriſtiana incontaminatae temporibus regni veſtri uſque ad finem ſervetur. The Synod of Aix, under King Pepin,llSur Tom. 3. p. 4…1, 492, 493. ſent the Canons and Admonitions they had made unto him, to read, approve, and execute, as the Preface and cloſe of them, directed to him, manifeſt at large: Yea, lib. 3. cap. 27. they deſire him, on their bended knees, that hee would look upon them with a favourable and acceptable p. 49eye, and that they might through his approbation bee profitable to himſelfe, his ſubjects and people. The Synod of Melden, under Charles the younger, Anno 845. in the Prologue before the Canons, recites, That the Synod of Aredon was confirmed with the Subſcription of King Charles, and of all the Clerks and Lay-men preſent in it; mmSur. Tom. … p. 453, 454.Quod idem inclytus Princeps & caeteri quique tam Eccleſiaſtici quam EX LAICALI ORDINE QVI ADFVERVNT VIRI MANV PROPRIA FIRMAVERVNT. That not long before, in the Synod of Meaux, divers Canons, there recited, were decreed by the King, the Clergy, and Nobles: Nuper ab eodem devotiſſimo Principe, unà cum ſacro Eccleſiaſtico Ordine, ET ILLVSTRIVM VIRORVM NOBILITATE DECRETA SVNT. Theſe two Councells were in nature of Parliaments, the King and his Nobles being preſent, having voyces in them, and ſubſcribing them as well as the Prelates. In the nnSur. Ibid. p. 455, 457. 459, 460, 461, 467, 468.2, 5, 12, 26, to 44. 76, to 83, 88, 89. Canons of the Synod of Melden, wee find nothing but Supplications and Petitions to the King, to decree, and ratifie the things compriſed in them: Petimus, ſuggerendum eſt, ut Regia magnificentia liberiorem libertatem Epiſcopis ad ſuum peragendum in corum parochiis miniſterium, quàm hactenus habuiſſent, tribuat. Vt Principes juxta decreta Canonum per ſingulas provincias ſaltem bis aut ſemel in anno à Metropolitanis & Dioeoeſanis Epiſcopis SYNODICE CONVENIRI CONCEDANT: (Therefore they cannot doe it without their licenſe.) Vt Regia Majeſtas obſervare praecipiat, &c. Vt jus Eccleſiaſticum & legem Canonicam nobis ita conſervetis ſicut Anteceſſores veſtri. Vt Praecepta quae Avus & Pater veſter Eccleſiis nobis commiſſis fecerunt & firmaverunt, ſtabilia conſervaverunt, ETIAM VOS CONFIRMASTIS ET de caetero RATA CONSERVETIS. And they thus ſubmit their Conſtitutions to the King, cap. 80.ooIbid. p. 468. Haec veſtrae Chriſtianae Devotioni verbis & ſcriptis protulimus: Vt autem Capitula, quae Domino Mediatore communiter decreviſtis ET MANV PROPRIA CONFIRMASTIS, & nunc obſervatores VOS VERBIS PROMISISTIS, ut opere plentièr conſervetis & adimpleatis, nunc etiam admonemus. Et Capitula Patris veſtri fine rèfragatione de caetero conſerventur, ac Capitulis veſtrae Religioni, ab exiguitatis noſtrae miniſterio oblatis, HOC DIPLOMA, SI COMPLACET, ADNECTATVR. All which, are ſo many Synodall reſolutions, that Canons made in Councells without Princes ſpeciall ratifications, by their Subſcriptions and Charters, are no wayes obligatory. In the Synod of Medardum, under Charles the ſonne of Lodovick, who ſummoned and ſate Preſident in it, this King humbly and prudently propounded many things to bee defined and diſcuſſed therein, himſelfe ſitting there in perſon among the Biſhops; there being Lay-men likewiſe preſent in it; The Canons in this Synod were made by this Kings direction and aſſent, and confirmed by his and the others voyces and Subſcriptions. All which, theſe Paſſages of that Synod evidence: ppSur. Tom. 3. p. 469, 470, 474.Ipſe quoque Rex adeſſe dignatus eſt, ut non ſolùm devotione Eccleſiae ſe filium eſſe oſtenderet, verum etiam ſicubi opus eſſet, protectorem Regia poteſtate monſtraret. Cum itaque Praeſules diverſarum Eccleſiarum PIO REGE MƲLTA humiliter & prudenter PROPONENTE, tractaſſent potiùs quaedam quàm diffiniviſſent, &c. Parte Cleri quae praeſens erat AC LAICORVM, bonum ei teſtimonium perhibente, &c. Statuit p. 50qqIbid. cap. 4, 8, 9. p. 470.ſancta Synodus ANNƲENTE PIO PRINCIPE, ut idonei Legati dirigerentur, qui ſingulorum locorum ſtatum ſolertiſſimè perſcrutarentur; & quae ipſi per ſe non valerent corrigere, judicio proximè futuri Concilij ET POTESTATI REGIAE REVELARENT. Obtentum eſt etiam à devotiſſimo Principe, ut inceſti & quilibet alij perditi examen Epiſcoporum refugientes, per Judices publicos ad corum praeſentiam deducantur, nè alterius illicebram peccandi nutriat impunitas vitiorum. Poſtremo praefixum eſt ab omnibus generaliter cuſtodiendum; NE VILLAE RES ECCLESIASTICAE ABSQVE REGIS COHIBENTIA COMMVTENTVR. (A ſtrong Canon in the behalfe of the Kings Eccleſiaſticall Juriſdiction.) Et ſic cunctis ſecundum regulam Eccleſiaſticam canonicè & diligentèr patratis, decretum & judicatum eſt à ſancta & venerabili Synodo, ASSENTIENTE ET FAVENTE Chriſtianiſſimo & glorioſiſſimo REGE DOMINO CAROLO haec omnia GESTIS INSERI, & in conſpectu Synodali relegi, ET RATA OMNIA JVDICATA CVNCTORVM MANIBVS ET SVBSCRIPTIONI CANONICA, PERPETVO inconvulſae & inviolabiliter permanſura FIRMARI. The Councell of rrSur. Tom. 3. p. 475.Valens, Anno 855. ſummoned by the Mandate of Lotharius the Emperor, cap. 23. thus prayes his confirmation of the Canons therein compiled; Quod judicium noſtrum tàm neceſſarium & publicae diſciplinae Eccleſiaſticae defenſioni omnino ſuppliciter poſtulamus, EJƲSDEM PII PRINCIPIS AVTORITATE MVNIRI: Under which they annex the Edict of Conſtantine for the confirmation of the Judgements and Conſtitutions of Biſhops. In the Synod of ſſSur. Tom. 3. p. 480, 482, 483.Ticinum (or Pauy) under Lodovick the ſecond; this King ſent both by word of mouth and writing, an Exhortation and Monition to the Synod, that was publikely related, and read in it: which the Synod drawing up into Canons, humbly deſired him to ratifie, and to correct ſundry abuſes which they complained of: Which the King, PRAESENTIBVS OPTIMATIBVS SVIS, in the preſence of his Nobles, ratified, both by word of mouth, and Royall Sanctions, beginning with a Statuimus, Sancimus; and concluding thus: Haec olim ſaepe inculcata ET AVGVSTALI SANCTIONE NOSTRA PROMVLGATA, quia ex parte in aliquibus videntur neglecta hactenus, acriori ulciſci debuerant examine, &c. This Synod being in truth a Parliament, as the relation of it manifeſts. The ttSur. Tom. 3. p 486, 489.Councell of Piſtis, Anno 863. under King Charles the Bald, is thus prefaced, Carolus gratia Dei Rex, & Epiſcopi, Abbates quoque & COMITES, ac caeteri in Chriſto renati FIDELES ex diverſis Provinciis, &c. convenimus: Which proves, that Nobles and other Lay-men were preſent at it. Beſides, it makes mention, that the Conſtitutions of the Councell of Valens were made with the conſent of that Councell, by the Kings Precept, and by him commanded to bee proclaimed and kept by his Subjects, and to bee read and ratified in this Councell: the Conſtitutions whereof are made in the Kings, and publiſhed in the Kings and Councells names; who both ſubſcribed and ratified them, as this cloſe of the Acts of that Councell witneſſeth, uuIbid. p. 491.Vt autem haec quae obſervanda ſupra ſcripſimus ac praenominavimus, nunc & de caetero certiùs & expreſſiùs à Nobis atque à Succeſſoribus inconvulſa ſerventum; PROPRIIS MANIBVS HIS SVBSCRIBERE COMMƲNI CONSENSV DECREVIMVS, ea conditione ſervatà, ut omnis in cunctis Ordinibus Lex Juris debiti, & honor ab p. 51omnibus obedienter & fideliter cooperante Domino conſervetur, Poſt haec omnia relicta & collaudata COMMVNI CONSENSV DECREVIMVS, &c. The Councell of Wormes, Anno 868. aſſembled by the command of King Lodovick, applaudes this Princes great devotion, and care for Religion, in theſe termes, xxSur. Tom. 3. p. 520.Cujus tanta erga Deum devotio extat, ut non ſolùm in rebus humanis, VERVM ETIAM IN CAVSIS DIVINIS MAXIMAM SEMPER SOLLICITVDINEM GERAT: The Acts of which Councell were approved by him, The eighth generall Councell of Conſtantinople was yySur. Tom. 3. p. 538, 539, 543, 544.confirmed by the Subſcriptions of the Emperors, Baſilius, Conſtantine, and Leo, whoſe Princes and Nobles were preſent, and ſate as chiefe Directors and Judges in it: And at the cloſe of the Councell, Baſilius himſelfe, there preſent, demanded of the Synod, if they all conſented to the Acts and Decrees of this Councell, and whether any of them did ſtick or doubt of any of them? whereto they replyed, Omnibus placent quae lecta ſunt: Omnes eiſdem ipſis concordamus, omnes ita praedicamus; omnes concinentes & conſentientes prompte ſubſcribimus▪ After which they all ſubſcribed; and then the Emperors in the laſt place ſubſcribed in this manner, Baſilius, Conſtantinus, & Leo, perpetni Auguſti, in Chriſto Deo ſideles Principes Romanorum, & magni Imperatores, ſanctam hanc & univerſalem Synodum SVSCIPIENTES, ET OMNIBVS QVAE AB IPSIS DEFINITA ET SCRIPTA SVNT, CONCORD ANTES, SVBSCRIPSIMVS MANV PROPRIA. In the Councell of Friburg, Anno 895.zzSur. Tom. 3. p. 555, 556, 558. Arnulphus the Emperor ſate chiefe Preſident: In which were preſent not onelyonly Biſhops and Abbats, but likewiſe all the Princes and Nobles of the Empire, with innumerable troops of Clergy-men and Lay-men, who all confirmed the Acts and Decrees thereof with their Subſcriptions: Haec Subſcriptio ſacro-ſanctae venerabili profeſſione & condigna reſponſione innumerabilium circumſtantium Presbyterorum ac Diaconorum, necnon & NOBILIVM LAICORVM CONFIRMATA ET LAVDABILITER APPROBATA; as Surius relates it. In the great aaSeſſio 4. to 37. Surius Tom. 3. p. 774, 775, 776, 777, 778, 787, 788, 789, 794, 798, 802, 817, 821, 823, 830, 831, 833, 852, 923, to 930.Councell of Conſtance, the King of Romanes in his Imperiall Robes ſate as Preſident, accompanied with his Nobles, with the Ambaſſadors and Orators of all Nations, who had voyces in that Councell, and confirmed the Acts and Seſſions thereof, both with their Suffrages and Subſcriptions. Yea, Sigiſmund King of Romanes, upon the Petition of the Councell, by his Letters Patents and Proclamations under his Seale, tooke upon him the patronage and protection of the whole Councell and their Actions; and juſtified and ratified all their Proceedings; as the Fourteenth Seſſion manifeſts, and ſundry Paſſages in that Councell prove at large. In the Councell of Baſil, not onelyonly bbSeſſio 1. Surius Tom. 4. p. 2, 5. Seſſ. 8, 9. p. 27. Seſſ. 13, 14. p. 39, 40, 41, 42. Seſſ. 19. p. 56 Seſſ 24. p. 70, 71, 72, 153, to 262. 325. to 364.divers Ambaſſadors and Nobles were preſent, but likewiſe Sigiſmund King of Romanes, Hungary and Bohemia, tooke the ſaid Councell into his Protection againſt Pope Eugenius the Fourth; the Councell likewiſe protecting him, and vacating all the Proces and Proceedings of the Pope againſt him and William Duke of Bavaria, another of their Protectors. Yea, the Decrees of this Councell were made, Aſſiſtente Domine Imperatore, in habitu Imperiali, by the aſſiſtance of the Emperor, who ſate in that Councell in his Imperiall Robes, and confirmed the Acts and Decrees thereof with his golden Bulls and Edicts. In this Councell, many Epiſtles of the p. 52Emperor and other great Princes, both ordering and ratifying their Proceedings and Decrees, which were read publikely; yea, the Determinations and Conſtitutions both of the Councels of Constance and Baſil, were ratified by King Lewes of France, by Act of Parliament, 25. Januarij, Anno 1475. and after that, by another Act of Parliament at Paris, 25. Junij, Anno 1512. and by them enjoyned to bee ſtrictly obſerved: both which Acts are recorded at large by ccDecret. Eccleſ. Gal lib. 5. Tit. 20. cap. 38, 39. p. 905, 906.Bochellus, where hee who liſteth may peruſe them. In the Councell of Ferrara, ddSur. Tom. 4 p 366, 369, 370 373, 374, 376, 378, 383, 386, 392, 407, 418.Joannes Palaeologus Emperor of Conſtantinople, ſate as chiefe Preſident, and divers Nobles with him; yea, hee ſwayed and directed moſt things in it; and moſt that ſpake therein directed their Speeches to him; as every Page almoſt of the Acts of that Councell, and every Seſſion, manifeſt: ſpeaking and diſputing; Impetrata priùs ab Imperatore facultate dicendi: Imperatoris juſſu. Si Sereniſſimo Imperatori placuerit, ea nunc libenter aggrediar. Imperator Sereniſſime vobis dico. Mitiſſimi Imperatoris juſſu Orationem noſtram proſequemur. eeSeſſ. 7. Sur. ibid p. 392.Imperator. Quiſnam eſt Autor hujus voluminis? And. Hermeus. Imper. Eſtne rationi congruum …t in Synodo hiſtoriae innitantur? And. Ad cognoſcendum res geſtas Sereniſſime Imperator, Hiſtoria uti debemus. Imp. Hiſtoriam illam in noſtra Religione debemus ſuſcipere, quam majores noſtri probaverunt, aliam verò minimè. And. De Romanorum, aut Graecorum, aut Regum bello Hiſtoria, Mitiſſime Imperator, in Synodo nequaquam uti debemus, &c. Sed (ut lubet) Humaniſſime Imperator, omiſſis his, unde digreſſi ſumus, revertamur.ffSeſſ. 11. ibid. p. 404. Imper. Dicat Cardinalis.ggSeſſ. 14, 16. Ibid. p. 413, 414, 415. Imperator juſſit ut diſſertores electi negocium proſequerentur. Epheſius Imperatoris juſſu longam Orationem habuit. Conſentiente Imperatore, &c. This Councell being adjourned to Florence, Julius the Cardinall there began it with this Oration, hhSeſſio 17. Ibid. p. 413. to 419.Quoniam Imperator Mitiſſime, &c. after which followes a large Dialogue, in open Councell, between him and the Emperor; in the cloſe whereof, Imperatorem rogarunt, &c. Cui quidem ſententiae Imperator acquieſcens, voluit, ut ſtatim diſputatores ipſos ſeligerent, &c. In the 22.iiIbid p. 442, 443. Seſſion of this Councell, the Emperor oft times ſpeakes; Haec ad propoſitum nequaquam ſpectare videntur, &c. Vt tibi Pater Epheſius morem gereret, huic queſtioni P. R. reſpondit. Verum in poſterum ne verbum quidem de ea faciet, quandoquidem non tot de cauſis huc convenimus. De propoſita Queſtione, neceſſe eſt, in praeſentia diſputare, de hac verò forſan alias. Ita quoque Nobis videtur. De hac Queſtione ſuo loco videbimus. Seſſion 23. John the Popes Diſputant ſaith, kkIbid. p. 448. 449, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457.Superiori Seſſione Imperatoris Sereniſſimi juſſu convenimus. Non ego, ſed Sereniſſimus Imperator tibi legem imponere poteſt, ſaith hee to Marcus. The, Emperor in this Seſſion ſpake oft, and gave the rule of the Synod, and commanded another Seſſion to be held: Juſſit ut iterum Seſſio haberetur. And in the llIbid. p. 457. to 470.laſt Seſſion hee orders all, and rules the Roſt among his Greciaus; brings them to a unity with the Weſterne Churches, concerning the point of the Proceſſion of the Holy Ghoſt both from the Father and the Sonne: hee informes them, that hee being by Gods grace their Emperor, after the cuſtome of his Predeceſſors, would reſt ſatisfied with the Determination of this Councell; and what it, or the major part of it ſhould conclude, hee would to the uttermoſt of his Imperiall power ratifie, and defend: But (ſaith hee) I will p. 53not bee conſtrained by the Latines to adde any thing to our Sacred Creed, or to change any of the Ceremonies of our Church. And when the Greeks and Latines had accorded, and drawn up Letters of union, both in Greek and Latine, to which both parties ſhould ſubſcribe; this Emperor, firſt of all for his party, ſubſcribed in this manner: Ego Joannes Palaeologus, fidelis in Chriſto Rex, & Imperator Romanorum, ſubſcripſi: And five Letters of Union being thus ſubſcribed by him and the whole Synod, they were further ratified by the Popes and Emperors Seales. In the firſt mmSur. Tom. 4. p. 366.Seſſion of this great Councell of Ferrara, the Pope would have placed the Emperor with his Greeks on the left hand, the Latine Clergy on the right, and himſelfe would have ſate in the midſt; but the Emperor withſtood it, ſaying, Locum ipſum ſibi potiùs quàm ſummo Pontifici convenire: That that place did rather belong to him than to the Pope: But after many conteſtations, they all accorded at laſt, that the Pope and his Clergy ſhould ſit on the right ſide, the Emperor and his Greeks on the left of the Church, one right over againſt the other, and neither Pope nor Emperor in the midſt. In the Councell of Lateran, under Leo the tenth, there were divers nnSur. Tom. 4. p. 542, 543, 551, 553, 562, 571, 584, 585, 595, 596, 597, 598, 623, 624, 647, 653, 668, 689, 690, 691, 694, 695.Ambaſſadors, Princes, Nobles, and Lay-men preſent in every Seſſion: Sigiſmond King of Poland had his Ambaſſadors and Orators there, choſen by himſelfe, his Princes, Lords Spirituall and Temporall, Nobles, and Commons in full Parliament; who gave them full Power and Commiſſion for them, and every of them, (Pro Nobis ac Regnis, Dominiis, Principibus, Spiritualibus & Secularibus, Proceribus & Populis ditioni Noſtrae Subjectis, (ſaith their Commiſſion under the Kings Seale, 10. Aprilis, Anno 1515.) to treat of, handle conclude, agree, and determine of all things in their names and ſteads, that ſhould bee propounded or handled in that Councell, concerning Religion, or the Church: Etiamſi talia forent quae mandatum exigerent magis ſpeciale quàm praeſentibus eſt inſertum: Promiſing that they would ratifie, grant, confirme and eſtabliſh whatever ſhould be there done and acted by their Orators. Maximilian Duke of Millain, Francis Marqueſſe of Mantua, Staniſlaus and John Dukes of Mazovia and Ruſſia, ſent Orators and Ambaſſadors to this Councell, with like Commiſſions under their Seales, to ratifie all things therin concluded in their ſteads; recorded at large by ooIbid. p. 595. to 599. 607. to 611, 624, 653, 662, 691, 692.Surius, in the third Seſſion of that Councell. And the like Commiſſions had the Ambaſſadors of Lewes King of France, Joachim Marqueſſe of Brandenburge, William Marqueſſe of Montferrat, Emanuel King of Portugall, Charles Duke of Savoy, and Maximilian the Emperor; the Conſtitutions of Councells wherein the Pope ſate Preſident being not obligaotory, unleſſe the Emperor, with other Chriſtian Kings and Princes ratified them, by their Ambaſſadors, Orators, and Proctors, if abſent from; or by their Subſcriptions and Seals, if preſent in them. In the ppThomas Walſingham Ypodigma Neuſtriae. An. 1245 pag. 60.Councell of Lyons, Anno 1245. foure Noble-men choſen and ſent by the King and Parliament of England, were preſent as Ambaſſadors: And the Biſhops ſent by the Church of England to the generall Councell of Piſa, Anno 1409. were elected and choſen by the whole Clergy of England, in their Convocation. qqIdem An. 1409. p. 173. See Roger Hoveden. An. 1179. p. 581. Eadwer. Hiſt. Novorum. l. 5. p. …24 & Jo… Seldeni Notae Ib p. 213, ….In the Councell of Baſil, King Henry the Sixth of England had fourteene Ambaſſadors, Orators, Proctors, to whom p. 54and to the major part of them, hee gave as well a generall as ſpeciall power and Mandate, in his name and ſtead, to bee preſent in that Councell, and therein to treat, conferre, and conclude, as well of thoſe things which might concerne the Reformation of the Univerſall Church, in the Head, and in the Members; as of thoſe things which concerned the Supportation of the Orthodox Faith, and the Pacification of Kings and Princes; as alſo of, and concerning a perpetuall Peace from Warre, between him and Charles of France, his Adverſary: and alſo to treat, commune, and appoint, and moreover to aſſent, and, if need were, to diſaſſent to thoſe things which ſhould there happen to bee decreed and ordained, according to the determination of the ſaid Councell: Promiſing that hee would, bona fide, ratifie, approve, and confirme, all and every thing that ſhould bee done, acted, or effected in the premiſes, or any of them, by his ſaid Ambaſſadors, Orators, and Proctors, or the greateſt part of them; and that when hee ſhould bee certified thereof, hee would ſee them duly executed, as farre as belonged to him, and to a Chriſtian Prince. The Letters Patents themſelves, dated the tenth of July, are recorded verbatim by rrAd Eadmerum Notae. p. 214.Maſter Selden, out of the Tables of France, 12. H. 6. memb. 2. A ſufficient Teſtimony, that it belongs to Chriſtian Princes, by themſelves, their Ambaſſadors, Orators, or Proctors, to ratifie the Decrees of all Councells and Synods, and to diſapprove and damne them, if they ſee cauſe. Whence King Henry of France, and the Parliament and Synod of Paris, Anno 1593. damned and diſavowed divers of the Canons of the Councell of Trent, as prejudiciall to the Crown, Royall Juſtice, and liberty of the Church of France; as ſſDecreta Eccleſ. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 20. cap. 43, 44, 45. p. 907. to 918.Bochellus relates at full. To conclude with Forraigne Preſidents: The Concluſions, Conſtitutions, and Determinations of that late famous Synod of Dort, were ratified by the generall approbations and Edict of the Eſtates of the Low-Countries, under their hands and Seale: ttActa Synodi. pag. 325, 326, 327.Viſis, cognitis, & maturè examinatis atque expenſis, praedicto judicio & ſententia Synodi (ſay they, in their Charter of Approbation,) iſta plenè in omnibus approbavimus, confirmavimus, & rata habuimus; approbamus, confirmamus, & rata habemus per praeſentes. Volentes & ſtatuentes, ut nulla alia Doctrina de quinque praedictis Doctrinae capitibus Eccleſiis horum regionum doceatur aut propagetur, praeter hanc, quae praedicto judicio ſit conformis & conſentanea, &c. Actum ſub noſtro Sigillo, Signatione Praeſidis & Subſcriptione noſtri Graphiarij, Hagae Comitis, 2. Julij, Anno 1619. All theſe, with ſundry other Forragine Teſtimonies, abundantly demonſtrate, That the Conſtitutions, Canons, and Decrees of Councells, are of no binding force and power at all, unleſſe confirmed by Emperors, Kings, Princes, Nobles Subſcriptions, Edicts, Patents, Proclamations, and Acts of Parliament: and that moſt ancient Councells in forraigne parts were in truth but Parliaments.