The peace of Rome Proclaimed to all the world, by her famous Cardinall Bellarmine, and the no lesse famous casuist Nauarre. Whereof the one acknowledgeth, and numbers vp aboue three hundred differences of opinion, maintained in the popish church. The other confesses neere threescore differences amongst their owne doctors in one onely point of their religion. Gathered faithfully out of their writings in their own words, and diuided into foure bookes, and those into seuerall decads. Whereto is prefixed a serious disswasiue from poperie. By I.H.

DECAD. V.

First, Bellarmine against some Catholikes namelesse.

THat particular Councels confirmed by the Pope cannot erre in faith,* 1.1 and man∣ners, there are some Catholickes that de∣nie: which as yet are not by the Church condemned for Heretickes: But surely it is rash, er∣roneous, and neare to heresie, to affirme that parti∣cular Councels confirmed by the Pope may erre. Bellarmine, l. 2. ch. 5. p. 114.

Secondly, Alanus Copus against Bellarmine.

IT is a very vncertaine thing,* 1.2 what was decreede of Images in the Councell of Francford; for the an∣cient authors agree not with themselues: by reason of this confusion, Alanus Copus in his fourth and fift Dialogue, teaches, that in that Synod of Francford the hereticall Councell of Constantinople was one∣ly condemned: the Nicene not onely not condem∣ned, but confirmed: which opinion I wish to be true, but I suspect it to be false. Bellarmine ibid. chap. 8. pag. 137.

Thirdly, Bellarmine against Vega.

SOme answere,* 1.3 as Vega in the Councell of Trent [b. 3. c. 39.] that any Councell is lawfull, if held by the faithfull, not for that Historians witnes so, but because the Councell it selfe defineth so of it selfe; for they vse euer in the beginning of their act, so to determine their meeting lawfull, and in the Holy Ghost. But sure this answere is not found; for first the auncient Councels had not wont to witnesse so of themselues. Secondly, eyther it appeares to vs, that the Councell is a lawfull one; or it appeares not: if it do appeare, such a Decree is in vaine, if it doe not appeare, we shall as well doubt of that De∣cree, as of the Councel. Bellarmine same booke, cap. 9. pag. 148.

Fourthly, Parisienses against Caietane: Turrecre∣mata and Bellarmine against Canus.

OF generall Councels there are diuers opinions amongst vs.* 1.4 First the Diuines of Paris, and all those which teach, that the Councell is a∣boue the Pope, thinke that lawfull generall Coun∣cels cannot erre, euen before the confirmation of the Pope. Contrary to these, teach others, as Caietane [in Apolog.] Io. Turrecremata,* 1.5 [lib. 3. cap. 32.33, 34.]

But when Councels define something with the consent of the Popes Legates, not hauing had full in∣struction: what authority they haue, is stil in contro∣uersie. But I thinke such a Councell may erre, be∣fore the popes owne confirmation. Canus and others hold the contrary. Bellarm. l. 2. c. 11. p. 153.

Fiftly, Bellarmine against Gratian.

GRatian dist. 19. affirmes,* 1.6 that the decretall Epistles of popes ought to be numbred amongst the Ca∣nonicall Scriptures, and Di. 20. he saith, that the Ca¦nons of Councels are of the same authority with Decretall Epistles; and pope Gregorie in his first B. Epist. 24. saith, he reuerences the foure first Coun∣cels, as the foure Euangelists. I answere first, that Gratian was deceiued by a depraued copy, which he followed, &c. As for Gregorie, I answere that his (As) doth not signifie equality, but similitude. Bellarm. l. 2. c. 12. pag. 161.

Sixtly, Three rankes of Popish Diuines dissenting.

IN this question,* 1.7 Whether the pope be aboue the Councell, I finde three opinions of our Do∣ctors. First, that the Councell is aboue the pope: so affirm al the hereticks of this time: and the same is taught by Card. Cameracensis, Io. Gerson, Iacob. Almaine, and some others: Also Nicol. Cusanus, Card. Panormi∣tanus,

and his Master the Cardinall of Florence, and Abulensis in cap. 18. of Matthew, q. 108. This opini∣on hath two grounds.

1 That the Pope is not properly the head of the whole Church, gathered together.

2 That the supreame power of the Church is as well in the Councell, as in the Pope; but in the Councell principally, immediately, and immoue∣ably: And in the defence of this point, these Au∣thors againe differ from themselues, whiles some hold this power formally and subiectiuely in the Pope; and finally in the Church. Others will haue it formally and principally in the Church; and in∣strumentally in the Pope.

Second opinion is of some Canonists, which will haue the Pope aboue the Councell, and that he cannot vpon constraint be iudged by any; but that he may subiect himselfe (if he will) to the Councell. So teacheth the Glosse. in Canon. Nossi, &c.

The third is the more common opinion, That the Pope is so aboue the Councell, that he cannot sub∣iect himselfe vnto the iudgement thereof; if we speake of a coactiue sentence: So al the old Schoole∣men hold; Albert, Thomas, Bonauenture, Richard Palu∣danusa 1.8, so b 1.9 Antoninus,c 1.10 Turrecremata, d 1.11 Al. Pelagius, Iacobatius, Caietane, Pighius, Turrianus, and Saunders, and many other there mentioned. Bellarmine, l. 2. c. 13. pag. 166.

Seuenthly, Councell of Basill against Eugenius, and Leo, Popes.

THat which the Councell of Basill defined of the authority of the Councell aboue the Pope,* 1.12 was neuer by any Pope allowed. Pope Eugenius first did professedly reiect it: then Pope Leo the tenth, in the last Councell of Lateran. Sess. 11. as also the whole Church, which euer held Eugenius (who by the councell of Basill was deposed) for the true Pope. Bel∣larm. lib. 2. cap. 19. pag. 186. where Io. Gerson is by him confuted.

Eightly, Driedo against Bellarm. and Canus.

THe Author of the booke de Dog. Eccl. c. 74. openly saith,* 1.13 that Nouices in Religion dying before their baptisme cannot be saued: but this seemes o∣uerhard: Melchior Canus holds they may be saued; because though they be not of the christian Church, yet they are of that Church, that comprehends all faithfull ones, from Abel to the end of the world. But this satisfies not: I answere, that this rule, No man without the Church can be saued, is to be vn∣derstood of those which neither indeede, nor in de∣fire are of the Church. Bellarmine, lib. 3. cap. 3. pag. 159.

Ninthly, Bellarmine against Alphonsus de Castro.

ALphonsus de Castro [in his second booke of the iust punishment of heretickes,* 1.14 chap. 34.] teaches that heretickes and Apostates, if once baptized are members and parts of the Church, although they o∣penly professe false Doctrine: which opinion, as it is plainely false, so may easily be refuted. Bellarm. l. 3. c. 4. p. 196.

Tenthly, Alphonsus and others against Bellarmine.

* 1.15SOme Catholiks doubt concerning Schismaticks, whether they be of the Church: yea Alphonsus de Castro flatly affirmes them to be of the Church; but it is easie to shew the contrary out of Scriptures and traditions of the Fathers. Bellarmine, l. 3. c. 5. where also he holds the definition which pope Nicholas giues of the church to be imperfect. p. 200.203.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Concilia par∣ticularia, &c.
• * 1.2

  Rem esse incer∣tissimam, &c.
• * 1.3

  Respondent quidam, vt Ve∣ga, &c.
• * 1.4

  De Concilijs vn∣uersalibus, &c.
• * 1.5

  P. 2. c. 21
• * 1.6

  Gratianus dist. &c.
• * 1.7

  De proposita quaestione tres &c.
• a 1.8

  In 4. d. 19.
• b 1.9

  3. p. tit. 22. c. 10.
• c 1.10

  L. 2. c. 93. &c
• d 1.11

  De planctu Ec cle. l. 1. c. 93.
• * 1.12

  Quae autem definiuit.
• * 1.13

  Author libri de Eccl.
• * 1.14

  Haereticos & A∣postatas baptiz. Alphonsus, &c.
• * 1.15

  Deschismaticis, &c.