A defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande conteininge an answeare to a certaine booke lately set foorthe by M. Hardinge, and entituled, A confutation of &c. By Iohn Iewel Bishop of Sarisburie.

M. Hardinge.

The callinge or summoninge of Councelles maie be donne* 1.1 either by waie of auctoritie, whiche the caller himselfe hath: or by waie of auctoritie, whiche he taketh of an nother. If Constantine, the two Theodosians, and Marcian called the foure firste generall Councelles by their Auctoritie onely, then were they no generall Councelles. Neither coulde their decrees binde the whole worlde. For al∣though they were greate Emperours, yet was not the whole Christian worlde vnder them. And therefore those Christian Bishoppes, who liued in Persia, in Ethiopia, in Scotland, in Scythia, or in any other lande not subiect to the Emperour, were neither bounde to come, nor bounde to obey the Lawes made by them, who were not their Superiours. But if it be farre from reason, that a generall Coun∣cell shoulde not binde all Bishoppes and all Christians, it is also farre reason, to saie, that Empe∣rours called generall Councelles by their owne onely auctoritie. In deede they called them by the assent of the Bishop of Rome‡ 1.2 VVho beinge the generall Shepeherde of Christes stocke, and therefore also of all Bishoppes, might commaunde* 1.3 all his Sheepe to come togeather, excepte they were reaso∣nably to be excused: and they were bounde to be heare his voice, and to obey his decree. So that, although

ye proued the Emperours to haue summoned and called the foure firste Councels, yet were ye not able to proue, they did it‡ 1.4 without the assent of the Bishoppes of Rome, which for the time sate in Peters chaire. And by the force of that assent the deede must take effecte. And this muche generally.

Now to prooue vnto you, that* 1.5 S. Syluester assented to the callinge of the firste Councell at Nice, it is to be considered, that he onely hath auctoritie to ratifie, who hath auctoritie to commaunde, and to geue assent and strength from the beginninge. For none other difference is betweene commaundinge, assentinge, auctorizinge, and ratifying, but that assentinge is common to them al, commaundinge is a thinge that goeth before the facte, auctorizinge is the makinge of a thinge good by present agreeinge to it, whiles it is donne, ratifyinge is the allowinge of it, when it is donne. If then I shewe, both that the Pope did ratifie the callinge of the generall Councels, and auctorize them: I shewe muche more that he assented to the callinge of them. The auctorizinge is proued, by reason he sente his Legates to euery of them. As‡ 1.6 S. Syluester sent Osius Cordubensis of the prouince of Spaine vnto Nice, with Vi∣ctor and Vincentius, Pr••estes of the Citie of Rome. Of which the last twoo, beinge them selues no Bi∣shops, yet for that they were Legates of the chiefe Bishop, did in* 1.7 the firste place put vnto the decrees of that councell their consent and names, writinge after thus sorte: Pro venerabili vito Papa & Episcopo nostro Syluestro subscripsimus: VVe haue subscribed for the reuerent man our Pope and Bishop Syluester. And at the very‡ 1.8 same time, that the generall councell was kepte at Nice, S. Syluester called an other Councell in Rome, at the whiche two hundred seuenty and fiue Bishops were assembled. And it is expressely written in the same Councell, Syluester collegit vniuersam Syno∣dum Episcoporum cum consilio Augusti, vel matris eius: Syluester gathered together the whole Synode of the Bishoppes with the Counsell of the* 1.9 Emperour or * his mother. VVhy his counsell was needeful, it appereth there. Because the Emperoure bare the charges of their diete, and carriage. So that his counsell was necessary, not chiefely for Religion, but rather for supportation of the charges of so greate a iourney. For then neither was the Bishop of Rome, nor other Bishoppes en∣dewed with so large possessions, as they were afterwarde.

Now to retourne to the Councell of Nice. The Emperour was in deede the cause of their comming togeather, aswel for that him selfe persuaded that meane of concorde, as also for that liberally, he de∣fraied the charges. Yet called he not the Bishoppes of his owne head. And that these men might haue seene in the Ecclesiasticall Historie,* 1.10 where Rufinus writeth: Tum ille ex Sacerdotum sententia apud vrbem Nicaeam Episcopale concilium conuocat: Then the Emperour calleth together a Councell of Bishoppes accordinge to the determination of the Priestes. He did it accordinge as it see∣med ‡ 1.11 good to the Bishoppes. ‡ And shall we thinke the Bishop of Rome was none of them that con∣sented to the callinge? ‡ Ye as verely he was the chiefest of al. How can it otherwise seeme? For when all the decrees were made,* 1.12 Placuit vt haec omnia mitterentur ad Episcopū vrbis Romae Syl∣uestrum: It was thought good, that all those actes, and decrees should be sente to* 1.13 Syluester Bishop of the Cittie of Rome. If he were the last, that had the vewe and confirminge of all thinges, there is no doubte, but he had a voice and great auctoritie in callinge the Councell.

VVhat other is that, which Socrates in his Ecclesiasticall Historie witnesseth, sayinge, Cum vti∣que regula Ecclesiastica iubeat, non oportere‡ 1.14 praeter sententiam Romani Pontisicis ‡ concilia celebrari: VVhereas the Ecclesiasticall rule commaundeth, ‡ that no councels ought to be kepte besides the determinate consente of the Bishop of Rome? VVe knowe (saithe Athanasius, and the Bishoppes of Aegypte assembled in Councell at Alexandria) that in the greate councell of Nice of 318 Bishoppes,* 1.15 it was with one accorde by all confirmed there, that without the determination of the Bishop of Rome, neither councels should be kept, nor Bishoppes condemned. I omitte here as a thinge well knowen, how Constantine the Emperour refused in expresse woordes, to be iudge ouer Bishoppes, saying, that God had geuen them power to iudge of him: much lesse did he arrogate to him selfe onely and chiefly auctoritie to summon councels, or to iudge Bishoply affaires. As for me (saithe Valen∣tinian the Emperour) in asmuch as I am but one of the people, it is not lawful to search suche matters: (he speaketh of the Heretikes Doctrines) but let the Priestes, to whome this charge belongeth, be ga∣thered together within them selues, where they will, &c.

Concerninge the seconde Councell, whiche was the firste of those that were kept at Constantino∣ple,

it may be, that Theodosius called it, as Constantine called the firste at Nice. But what auctori∣tie Damasus bare in the same, it appeareth partely by that he had his* 1.16 Legates there, partly also by that Photius Patriarke of Constantinople writeth in his Epistle to Michael Prince of Bulgaria. VVhere hauinge declared the comminge together of the Patriarkes of Alexandria, and Ierusalem, he saithe thus:* 1.17 Quibus haud mult•• post & Damasus Episcopus Romae eadem confirmans, atque idem sentiens accessit. To whiche (Patriarkes of Alexandria and Ierusalem) not longe af∣ter, Damasus the Bishop of Rome ioyned him selfe, confirminge‡ 1.18 and determininge the same matter. This much saithe Photius of the seconde Councell, the confirmation whereof he dothe attribute, not to Theodosius the Emperoure, but to Damasus the Pope.

But what did Theodosius then? (will some man saie). Did he nothinge? yeas verely he did very muche, as in the saide Epistle Phot••us recordeth. Then did greate Theodosius (saithe he) in deede woor∣thy of great praise rule the Empire, who was him selfe also a defender, and a mainteiner of God∣linesse. Beholde what the Emperours parte was, not to sitte in iudgement of matters of Religion, and* 1.19 determine, whiche was the true Faithe, but to defende it, and mainteine it. And that thou maist see, reader, plainely, what Theodosius thought of Religion, whome these Defenders woulde make a iudge in causes of Religion:* 1.20 I aduise thee to reade the ninth Booke of the Tripartite Historie, where appeare many greate argumentes of his owne Faithe: VVhiche he publisheth to the worlde from Thessalonica, in a publike lawe, to be suche, as Peter had taught the Romaines,‡ 1.21 and as Damasus who succeded Peter, taught at that daie, requiringe all his subiectes to beleue the same. He required not them to folow his owne Priuate Faithe,* 1.22 but Peters Faith, and the Popes Faithe. And whereas there were two Bishoppes of Alexandria at that time, the one, whose name was Peter, holdinge with the Bishop of Rome, the other named Lucius, not so: Theodosius commaunded his subiectes to beleue, as Pe∣ter did, who folowed the firste Peter, and Damasus the Bishop of Rome.

Touchinge the thirde generall Councell, it was kepte in deede vnder Theodosius the yonger at E∣phesus. But he was not supreme head there. Yea rather who knoweth not, that Cyrillus being him selfe Patriarke of Alexandria, yet was president at Ephesus, bearinge the steede, and person of Pope Celestine? If Cyrill was in steede of the Bishop of Rome there president,* 1.23 who maie doubt, but that he was Supreme Head of the Churche, in whose name the President sate? Dothe the President of the Queenes Maiesties Counsell vse to sitte at her counsell in the name of any other inferiour person? If Theodosius were supreme and chiefe, why sate not Cyrill in his name, as president? But seinge that Photius writeth,* 1.24 and Nicephorus also, that Cyrill Archebishop of Alexandria sate in the steede of Ce∣lestine Pope of Rome ouer that Councel kepte at Ephesus, vndoubtedly it can not be denied, but that Ce∣lestine was supreme head, as well of the Churche, as of the Generall Councell.

It is not therefore onely to be considered, that Theodosius sente abroade his messengers to summon the Fathers to the Generall Councell, but also it is to be considered,‡ 1.25 by whose auctoritie it was donne. If in our time it had pleased the Emperoure Ferdinande of Famouse Memorie to haue sente his Messen∣gers to the Kinges and Princes of Spaine, Fraunce, Englande, Hungarie, Bemelande, Pole, and to the Estates, and Dukes of Italie, and Germanie, to summon them to the Councell, whiche the Pope thought good to indict at Trente: I thinke verely the Pope woulde haue thanked the Emperoure for it, and him selfe should haue saued so muche charges, as men of experience know, suche an enterprise to re∣quire. But now, sith the Pope hath of his owne sufficient to beare the charges of suche affaires, he asketh not any more of the Emperoure suche expenses, as in olde time to that necessarie pourpose by the Emperours were allowed.

Laste of all Martian (saie you) called the fourthe Generall Councell at Chalcedon. VVe answeare. He called it not in suche sorte as ye meane, to witte, as supreme Head and ruler thereof, but as one hable to sende messengers for the Bishoppes about the worlde, and to susteine the charges, also wil∣linge to see peace, and concorde in the Churche of God. VVho liste to reade the Epistles of Pope Leo to Pul••••eria the Emperesse, to Martian himselfe, to Theodosius, to Flauianus Archebishop of Constan••••no∣ple, to the Synode firste assembled at Ephesus, afterwarde for certaine causes at Chalcedon: in the same Epistles he may see bothe the cause of the councell, and what* 1.26 conference was had thereof with the saide Leo Bishop of Rome, who sente firste to Ephesus, Iulianus a Bishop, Renatus a Prieste,

and Hilarius a Deacon:* 1.27 and afterwarde to Chalcedon, Paschasinus, and Lucentius Bishoppes, and Bonifacius a Prieste, to represente hius personne. In one of the saide Epistles written to the Seconde Synode at Ephesus,* 1.28 Leo saithe thus: Religiosissima Clementissimi principis Fides &c. The moste religious Faithe of our moste element Prince knowinge it to perteine chiefely to his re∣••me, if within the Catholike Churche no branche of errour springe, hath deferred this reuerence to Gods ordinaunces, as to vse the auctoritie of the see Apostolike, to achieue the effect of a Holy purpose. as though he were desirous by the moste blessed Peter himselfe, that to be declared, whiche in his con∣fession was praised. By whiche woordes It is plaine, that in matters of Religion the Emperoure proceeded not vpon his owne Head, but* 1.29 was directed by the See of Peter. VVhat shal I saie more?

If the Emperoure first Christened the Pope, let the Emperour be superiour in thinges to Godward. But if the Pope Christened the Emperour, (as‡ 1.30 Syluester did Constantine) let the spirituall Father in that degree of rule be aboue the spirituall Childe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A discrete Di∣stinction: As if the Emperour receiued his Au∣thoritie from the Pope.
• ‡ 1.2

  Vntruthe ma∣nifeste, as it shal appeare.
• * 1.3

  Al the Bi∣shoppes throug∣out the vvhole vvorlde are the Popes Sheepe.
• ‡ 1.4

  Vntruthe. For the Emperoure maie summone Councels vvhe∣ther the Pope vvil, or no.
• * 1.5

  Vntruthe. For Syluester vvas dead longe be∣fore the sum∣moninge of the Councel.
• ‡ 1.6

  Vntruthe, vaine, and vnad∣uised. For nei∣ther vvas Hosi∣us Syluesters Legate, nor vvas Syluester then aliue.
• * 1.7

  Vntruthe im∣pudente. For they had the fourthe place in the Councel, and subscribed after Eustathius.
• ‡ 1.8

  Vntruth. On∣lesse a dead man maie Summone Councelles.
• * 1.9

  By the Coun∣sel of the Empe∣roure, or of his Mother: vvisely: He vvoteth not vvhether. And yet the Empe∣rours Mother vvas dead before: Sozom. Lib. 2. Ca. 2. &. 3.
• * 1.10

  Lib. 10. ca. 1. Marke, ex sacerdotum sententia.
• ‡ 1.11

  Ful Clerkely proued. For Ruffinus saithe, The Emperoure herein folovved the aduise of A∣lexander the Bishop of A∣lexandria, &c. But of the Pope there is no mē∣tion.
• * 1.12

  In summ. Nice. Cōcil.
• * 1.13

  Vntruthe sōd∣ly forged. For Syluester vvas dead longe be∣fore.
• ‡ 1.14

  Vntruth, stan∣dinge in plaine corruption of the vvoordes. See the An∣svvear.
• * 1.15

  Hist. trip. li. 4. ca. 9. Epistola Aegyptior. pōtificum. Ruf. Li. 10. cap. a. Hist. trip. Li. 7. ca. 12.
• * 1.16

  So had sun∣drie other Bi∣shoppes.
• * 1.17

  Photius in Lib. de con∣cilijs.
• ‡ 1.18

  Other Bishops likevvise gaue their Cōsentes, and Confirmed &c. Yet had thei no Authoritie to Summone Councelles.
• * 1.19

  Vntruthe ma∣nifeste. For Theodosius the Emperoure expressely deter∣mined, vvhat shoulde be hol∣den for Chri∣stian Faithe.
• * 1.20

  Cap. 7.
• ‡ 1.21

  Vntruthe, guilefully en∣closed. For The∣odosius vvilled his Subiectes, to folovve as vvel the ••aithe of sundrie other Bishoppes, as the Popes.
• * 1.22

  Ruf. Lib. 11. Cap. 3.
• * 1.23

  A fonde folie. For the Bishop of Rome had euermore the Firste Place in Councelles: Yet vvas he not therefore the Heade of the Churche.
• * 1.24

  Li. 14. c. 34.
• ‡ 1.25

  No doubte by the Authoritie of the Pope. And so vvas the Emperoure onely the Popes man.
• * 1.26

  Vntruthe. For the Councel vvas summoned to Chalcedon, quite contrarie to the Popes vvil. Reade the Ansvveare.
• * 1.27

  The Sum∣moninge of Coun∣celles.
• * 1.28

  Leo Epist. 15.
• * 1.29

  Vntruthe most manifeste: Reade the An∣svveare:
• ‡ 1.30

  Vntruthe. For he vvas Christe∣ned by Eusebius the Bishop of Ni∣comedia, longe after that Syl∣uester vvas dead.