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.

The B. of Sarisburie.

No man coulde vtter so many Vntruthes togeather, with sutche assiance, without somme cunninge. Firste, M. Hardinge, yée beare vs in hande, that the Emperours of the Worlde, in those daies, summoned Councelles, not by their owne Authoritie, but by the Authoritie, & Warrante of the Pope: As if the Popes Authoritie at that time, had benne many degrees aboue the Emperoure. Not∣withstandinge, Pope Pius. 2.* 1.1 as you knowe, saithe thus, Ante Nicenam Syno∣dum vnusquis{que} sibi vixit: & paruus respectus ad Romanam Ecclesiam habeba¦tur: Before the Councel of Nice, eche Bishop liued seuerally to him selfe: and little regarde was there then had to the Churche of Rome.* 1.2 Pope Innocentius complaineth, that he had not Authoritie sufficient, to force Pelagius, beinge but one man, to comme before him: mutche lesse had he Authoritie sufficient, to commaunde, & calle the whole worlde. Pope Leo bothe was an humble suiter himselfe vnto y^• Em∣peroure Martianus, that it would please his Maiestie to commaunde a Councel, and also entreated other Bishoppes to promote the cause. Thus he writeth, Hu∣militer, ac sapienter exposcite,* 1.3 vt Pet••tiom nostrae, qua Plenariam indici Synodum po∣stulamus, Clementissimus Imperator dignetur annuere: Make suite with dis∣crete, and humble Praier, that our moste Gracious Emperoure woulde vouchesaue to graunte oure requeste, in that wee haue desired a General Councel. It is not likely, that Pope Leo woulde thus haue written, if his owne Authoritie had benne sufficiente.

Naie, it is the more vnlikely, that the Emperoure shoulde herein at any time vse the Authoritie of the Pope, for that the Pope him selfe was neuer hable to summone Bishoppes, as hereafter it shal appeare, but onely by the Authoritie of the Emperoure.* 1.4 Pope, Damasus commaunded the Bishoppes of the Easte, to comme to Rome: How be it, not in his owne name, for that had benne no war∣rante, but by the Emperours special letters. Eusebius saith thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Exemplar Regiarum Literarum, quibus iubet Romae Episcoporum Concilium celebrari: This is a Copie of the Emperours VVrite, whereby he commaunded a Councel to be keapte In Rome. As for the Pope, notwithstandinge al his Vniuersal Povver, he was commaunded by the Emperours Summone, to be presente at Councelles, as wel as others.

In the Councel of Chalcedon it is written thus: Eodem tenore à Pijssimis, & Christianissimis Imperatoribus,* 1.5 Sanctissimus noster Papa, Romanae Eccle∣siae praepositus Leo, vocatus est: By order of the same VVrite, Oure moste Holy Pope Leo, ruler of the Churche of Rome, was called to the Councel by the moste God∣ly, and moste Christian Emperours.

Sozomenus saithe,* 1.6 Constantinus scripsit ad omnes Praesides Ecclesiarum, vt ad diem adessent: Ad Episcopos Apostolicarum Sedium: Ad Macarium Hie∣rosoly mitanum: ad Iulium Romanum, &c. The Emperoure Constantinus sente out his Letters vnto al the Rulers of the Churches,* 1.7 that they should meete al at Nice vpon a da••e: vnto the Bishoppes of the Apostolike Sees: vnto Macarius y^• Bishop of Hie∣rusalem: and vnto Iulius the Bishop of Rome &c. But sulius excused his absence because of his age. Otherwise of Obedience, and Dewtie towardes the Emperoure, he was as mutche bounde, to haue made his appearance there, as the reste of his Brethren.

Yee saie, If the Emperoure shoulde haue summoned the Councel by his owne Authoritie, then the Bishoppes of Persia, and Scotlande, whiche Countries were not then vnder the Obedience of the Romaine Empiere, woulde not haue appeared vpon the Summone, and so had it benne no Ge∣neral Councel. This cauil wanteth bothe truthe, and sauoure. For proufe where∣of, I wil bringe foorthe your selfe, M. Hardinge, to reprooue your selfe. Yée should not so soone haue foregotten your owne Decree, specially conceiued, and publi∣shed in this selfe same Booke. Thus you saie: these be your owne woordes: A Councel is not accoumpted General,* 1.8 bicause Bishoppes of al Countries vnder Heauen be assembled: but bicause many be assembled, and al be lawfully called. Otherwise your Late Chapter of Tridente, with your woorthy number of Fourtie Prelates, whereof certaine were onely Maie Bishoppes, otherwise by you called Nullatenses, coulde neuer haue benne a General Councel.

Certainely it cannot appeare, that there was any Bishop, either of Scotlande, or of Englande, then called Britaine, at any of the firste foure Councelles, ei∣ther at Nice, or at Ephesus, or at Constantinople, or at Chalcedon. Yet are these Councelles neuerthelesse called General.

Touchinge the reste, the Emperoure was then the onely Monarke of the worlde:* 1.9 and, as Chrysostome calleth him, Summitas, & Caput omnium super terram hominum: The Toppe, and Heade of al menne in the worlde. No doubte, who so euer woulde then haue refused the Emperours Summone, mutche more woulde he haue refused the Summone of the Pope.

To quali••••e the mater, yée sate, the Emperoure did these thinges, although not by the Popes vvarrante, yet, at th•• leaste, by the Popes Consente, and neuer otherwise. Here likewise is an other Vntruthe. For the Emperoure com∣maunded Councelles, bothe when he woulde, and whither he would, whether the Pope woulde, or no, many times without any manner of regarde had to his plea∣sure. Pope Leo wrote thus vnto the Emperoure Theodosius, Omnes no∣strae Ecclesiae,* 1.10 Omnes Mansue••udini Vestrae cum gemitibus, & Lachrymis supplicant Sacerd••••es, vt Generalem Synodum iubeatis intra Italiam celebrari: Al our Churches, and al our Priestes moste humbly beseeche your Maiestie with sobbes, and teares, that yee wil commaunde a General Councel to be holden within Italie. In like sorte he caused the Cleregie of ••onstantinople, to be su••ters vnto his Maiestie for the same: yet neuerthelesse the Emperoure continewed stil in his pourpose: and, con∣trarie to the Popes humble petition, kepte the Councel, not in Italie, but at Chal∣cedon: where also, as it is saide before, Pope Leo him selfe was summoned to ap∣peare by the Emperours Commaundemente, with other Bishoppes.

Of sutche Authoritie was the Popes consente in Summoninge of Coun∣celles. He humbly craued it vpon his knees, with sighes, and teares: and coulde not geate it. Hereof Aeneas Syluius, whiche afterwarde was Pope Pius. 2, saithe thus,* 1.11 Ex hisce Authoritatibus mirum in modum se putant armatos, qui Con∣cilia negant sieri posse sine consensu Papae. Quorum sententia, si, vt ipsi vo∣lunt, inuiolata persistat, ruinam secum Ecclesiae trahit. Quid enim remedij

erit,* 1.12 si criminosus papa perturbet Ecclesiam: si animas perdat: si animas peruertat malo exemplo populos: si deni{que} contraria Fidei praedicet, Haereticis{que} Dogma∣tibus imbuat subditos? Sinemúsne cum ipso cuncta ruere? At ego, dum veteres lego Historias, dum Actus perspicio Apostolorum, hunc equidem morem non inuenlo, vt Soli Papae Concilia conuocauerint: Nec pòst, tempore Constantini Magni, & aliorum Augustorum, ad Congreganda concilia quaesitus est magnoperè Ro∣mani consensus Papae: By these Authorities they thinke them selues armed, that saie, no Councel maie be keapte without the consente of the Pope. Whose Iudgemente, if it should stande, as they woulde haue it, woulde drawe with it the decaie, and ruine of the Churche. For what remedie were there then, if the Pope him selfe were vitious, destroied Soules, ouer∣threwe the people with euil examples, taught Doctrine contrarie to the Faithe, and filled his Subiectes ful of Heresies? Shoulde we suffer al to goe to the Diuel? Verily, when I reade the Olde stories, and consider the Actes of the Apostles, I finde no sutche order in those daies, that onely the Pope should Summone Councelles. And afterwarde, in the time of Coustantine the Greate, and of other Emperours, when Councelles shoulde be called, there was no greate ac∣coumpte made of the Popes consente.* 1.13 Cardinal Cusanus saith, Negligente, aut Con∣tradicente papa, Imperator potest praeceptiuè Synodos indicere, ad prouidendum fluctuanti Ecclesiae: If the Pope be negligente, or, if he saie naie, the Emperoure, to staie the w••ueringe state of the Churche, maie commaunde Councelles by his ovvne Autho∣ritie. Thus y^e Emperoure Sigismunde called a Councel at constance: notwith∣standinge it stoode Pope Iohn mutche vpon, neuer to yáelde his consente vnto it. For in the same Councel he was depriued, and of a Pope was made a Cardinal.

Yee saie, y^• Pope had Authoritie to Confirme Councelles, Ergo, Mutche more he had Authoritie to calle Councelles. And here yée tel vs a very solemne tale, what is Cō∣maūdinge: what is Assentinge: what is Authorizinge; what is Ratifieinge: as if it had benne somewhat to the pourpose. But if your reason holde, then must General Coūcelles haue many Callers. For as I shal hereafter sufficiētly prooue, not onely y^• Pope, or the other principal Patriarkes, but also al other Bishoppes, y^• were pre∣sente, yea Emperours, Kinges, Lieutenantes, & Counsellers had Authoritie to Confirme Councelles.* 1.14 Sozomenus saith, Nec Romanus, nec Vicentinus, nec alij confirmarunt: This Councel was Confirmed, neither by the Bishop of Rome, nor by the Bishop of Vicentia, nor by the reste of the Bishoppes. And the Emperoure Martianus saith,* 1.15 Sacrosancto nostrae serenitatis Edicto venerandam Synodum Confirmamus: Wee Confirme the Reuerende Councel by the Holy Edicte of oure Maiestie. Yee saie, Pope Syluester sente that Famous Learned Father Hosius, the Bishop of Corduba, to the Councel of Nice, to represente his personne. This maie wel passe emonge the reste of your Truthes. For neither was Hosius there in the Popes behalfe, but in his owne: nor was Pope Syluester then aliue, or hable to sende him, duringe the whole time of the Nicene Councel: notwithsstandinge any thinge, that your Fabulare, Peter Crabbe, hath saide to the contrarie. As for Hosius, the Bishop of Corduba, of what Authoritie, and estimation he was in al Ecclesiastical Assemblies, it maie appeare by these woordes of Athanasius: In qua Synodo Dux ille,* 1.16 & Antesignanus non fuit? Quae Ecclesia istius Praesiden∣tiae non pulcherrima monumenta retinet? In what Councel hath not Hosius benne Chiefe, and Presidente? What Churche is without somme notable remembrance of his gouern∣mente? Certainely, M. Hardinge, it seemeth, he was a greate deale too good, to be sente so farre in a deade mannes errante.

Notwithstandinge,* 1.17 Iulius, beinge then Bishop of Rome, for that he was vn∣hable to trauaile, bicause of his age, sente thither twoo Priestes. Vitus, and Vin∣centius, to supplie his roume. Thus he did, not of pride, the better by his absence to maineteine a state, but onely for that he was forced of necessitie so to doo. For

if he had benne hable to trauaile so farre,* 1.18 he had benne forced to goe thither him selfe. Therefore Pope Agatho afterwarde thus excused his Absence vnto the Emperoure: Christianissimi Domini Filij, secundum Pijssimam Iussionem Man∣suetudinis vestrae,* 1.19 pro Obedientia, quam debuimus, praesentes confamulos nostros misimus: My moste Christian Lordes, and Children, accordinge to the moste godly Com∣maundement of your Maiesties, and accordinge to the Obedience, that wee owe of dewtie, we haue sente these presente oure Felowe Seruantes.

Other Bishoppes in like cases of age, or infirmitie, did the like. For example, Lucifer, the Bishop of Sardinia, sente Herennius, and Agapetus: and Paulinus sente Maximus, and Calemerus to the Councel of Nice, to be in their stéedes.

Yee saie, Vitus, and Vincentius, for that they were the Popes Legates, had therefore the Firste place in Subscription emonge the Bishoppes. Here is an o∣ther greate Vntruthe.* 1.20 For Theoderetus saithe, the Firste, and Chiefe of al that companie, bothe in place, & in speache, was, not Vitus, or Vincentius, the Popes Legates, but Eustathius the Patriarke of Antioche.

Touchinge these twoo the Popes Legates,* 1.21 Sozomenus placeth them onely in the Fourthe roume: Athanasius saithe, Subscripserunt, Hosius ab Hispania, Iulius Romanus per Archidamum, & Philoxenum Presbyteros: They Sub∣scribed their names to the Councel, Hosius that came out of Spaine, and Iulius the Bi∣shop of Rome, by Archidamus, and Philoxenus Priestes, that were his Legates: By whiche woordes he alloweth the Bishop of Romes Legates the Seconde place in Subscription: but not the Firste. And thus, yee see, Hosius the Bishop of Cor∣duba subscribeth before Iulius the Bishop of Rome.

In the Councel of Aphrica,* 1.22 Philippus, and Asellius the Popes Legates, had the Laste Place in Subscription after al others. In the Councel of Chalce∣don, Philippus, one of the Popes Legates, had a hundred, & seuen and fiftie others to Subscribe before him.

These Fathers, I trowe, woulde not haue benne so vnmannerly in their dea∣linge, if thei had taken the Pope for the Heade of the vvhole Vniuersal Churche,* 1.23 to haue placed his Legate behinde so many. Further, yee saie, At the very same time, that the General Councel was keapte at Nice, S. Syluester called an other Councel in Rome. This, I trowe, M. Hardinge, is an other Vntruthe: Onlesse yee haue power to raise vp deade menne, to keepe Councelles, For Syluester was dead longe before.

Sozomenus saith, Vitus, & Vincentius were sente to Nice, not by Pope Syl∣uester, who then was deade, but by Pope Iulius, y^• was y^• seconde after him. The like maie easily appeare by Athanasius,* 1.24 Theodoretus, Nicephorus, and others. Therefore, M. Hardinge, you muste néedes diuise twoo Councelles of Nice aboute one time: two Syluesters Popes: twoo VVriters of this one storie, the one true, the other false. Otherwise, this fraile stuffe wil neuer holde. Yee are ouer easy to credite Fables.

The Councel, that yee imagine, was holden in Rome by Pope Syl∣uester, is nothinge els but a heape of childishe Vanitises. The Holy dis∣crete Learned Fathers saie there, Nemo Presbyterorum Chrisma con∣ficiat: quoniam Christus à Chrismate vocatur: Praesul Summus non iudi∣cabitur à quoquam: Quoniam scriptum est, Non est Discipulus supra Ma∣gistrum. Ne{que} ab Augusto, ne{que} ab omni Clero, ne{que} à Regibus, ne{que} ab omni Populo Iudex iudicabitur:* 1.25 No Prieste maie make, or halowe the Chrisme: For Christe of Chrisme hath his name. The Higheste Prelate (that is, the Pope) more be iudged of nomā: For it is written, The Scholar is not aboue his Maister. The Iudge (that is, the pope) shal not be iudged, neither by the Emperoure, nor by al the Cleregie, nor by Kinges, and Princes, nor by the whole people. Sutche and other like good stuffe haue you in your Councel of Rome.

Notwithstandinge,* 1.26 of what credite so euer this Councel were, yet, M. Har∣dinge, it vtterly ouerthroweth your whole pourpose. For, if euer there were any sutche Councel summoned in Rome, it was summoned, not by Syluester y^• deade Pope, but by the Authoritie of the Emperour y^• thē was aliue. So Eusebius wri∣teth of the Councel of Rome, holden in the time of Pope Meltiades, as it is said before:* 1.27 Exemplar Regiarum Literarum, &c. Here is a Copie of the Emperoures VVrite, whereby he hath commaunded a Councel of Bishoppes to be keapte at Rome.

Likewise the Bishoppes assembled in the Councel of Constantinople, wrote vnto the Bishoppes in the Councel of Rome:* 1.28 Cùm indixissetis, &c. After yee had called a Councel to Rome, yée warned vs also to comme thither, as the Members of your owne Body, by the moste godly Emperours VVrite.

By these it appeareth, if there were any sutche Councel called to Rome, it was called by the Emperoure, and not by the Pope.

Yée saie, the Emperoure in sutche affaires was aduised euermore by the Bi∣shoppes. This is not vnlikely, and therefore easily maie be graunted. Notwith∣standing, for ought, that maie appeare, he was more aduised oftentimes by somme other Bishoppes, then by the Pope, as it shal appeare. Eusebius, touchinge the Emperoure Constantinus, writeth thus: Quasi Communis quidam Episcopus à Deo constitutus,* 1.29 Ministrorum Dei Synodos conuocauit: As if he had benne one Common Bishop appointed by God, he appointed Councelles of Bishoppes to assem∣ble togeather. Ruffinus saithe, The Emperoure was aduised hereto by Alexan∣der, the Bishop of Alexandria, and by other Bishoppes, and Priestes of Egypte. Here is no mention of the Pope. In the like cases of Ecclesiastical Affaires, A∣thanasius was an earnest suiter vnto the Emperoure Constantius: Dioscorus, vnto Theodosius: and so others, vnto other.

But of the Popes omnipotente consente, without which, yée telle vs, no Em∣peroure maie summone a Councel, there is noman that maketh mention.

Yee saie, There ought no Councel to be keapte without the determinate consente of the Bi∣shop of Rome. This also is an other of your Vntruthes, standing in the ma∣nifeste corruption of the wordes of Socrates: as in my Former Replie I haue de∣clared more at large.* 1.30 The woordes of Socrates be these, Non licet scribere Ec∣clesiastica Decreta praeter sententiam Episcopi Romani: It is prouided, that Ecclesiasti∣cal Lavves be not made without the consente of the Bishop of Rome: For that the Bishop of Rome was one of the Foure Greate Patriarkes, whoes assentes in al General Councelles were thought necessarie. But Socrates meaneth sutche Ecclesiastical Lavves, as perteine to the whole Churche of God. For this is a Rule agréeable to reason, That toucheth al, muste be allovved by al.

Nowe, whereas yée haue exchanged the Allovveinge of Canons, into the Summoninge, or Callinge of Councelles, it maie please you to remember, that Allovveinge of Canons was common to al the Members of the Councel, and spe∣cially to the Foure Principal Patriarkes, as it is saide before: But the Authoritie of Callinge Councelles belonged onely to the Emperoure.

That yée allege of Athanasius, is a vaine, and a shamelesse Forgerie: as I haue otherwhere declared more at large. Sutche Religion, sutche Doctours. Sutche Folie is woorthy no other answeare.

Valentinian the Emperoure,* 1.31 yee saie, accoumpted him selfe as one of the people: and therefore saide, It was not lawful for him, to Examine maters of Religion. Thus he said, either of humilitie, or els for wante of time. His foretne Enimies, his Warres, and his Ciuile Cares had filled his heade with other thoughtes. Nicephorus imagineth him thus to saie,* 1.32 Mihi negotijs occupatio, & Reipublicae curis disten∣to, res huiusmodi inquirere non est facile: For me, beinge thus occupied with Businesse, and

Publique Cares,* 1.33 it is not easy to enquire of sutche maters. Otherwise, that Ecclesiastical Causes bée within the Princes Charge, I doubte not, but hereafter it shal wel ap∣peare. Kinge Odoacer saide vnto Pope Symmachus, and vnto the Cleregie of Rome,* 1.34 as it is alleged once before: Miramur, quicquam tenratum fuisse sine no∣bis. Nam, viuente nostro Presbytero, sine nobis nihil tentari oportuit: Wee marueile, that any thing was attempted without vs: For without vs nothing should haue benne donne, so longe as Our prieste (he meaneth the Pope) was aliue.

After this yée fille the house ful with Patriarkes of Constantinople, Patriarkes of Alexandria, Patriarkes of Hierusalem, Princes of Bulgaria, and with other like great, & stately persons. The Conclusion hereof is this, That Pope Damasus gaue his consente to the Councel of Constantinople. Al this, M. Hardinge, yée might soone haue obteined with more fauoure, and lesse a doo. Howe be it, yee maie not hereof wel reason thus, The Pope consented vnto the Councel: Ergo, The Pope had Authoritie to calle the Councel: lest children woonder at your Logique.

In the meane while, yée saie, the Emperoure Theodosius ruled the Empiere: whereby yée gene vs to vnderstande, that he had no charge ouer the Churche. And thus yée continewe stil to enriche your self, & to heape your Reader w^t Vntruthes.

Certainely the Bishoppes in the Councel of Constantinople wrote thus in humble wise vnto the same Emperoure Theodosius: Obsecramus Clementiam tuam,* 1.35 vt, quemadmodum Literis honorasti Ecclesiam, quibus nos Conuocasti, ita fina∣lem Conclusionem nostrorum Decretorum corroboves sententia tua, & Sigillo: Wee beseeche your Maiestie, that, as ye haue honoured the Churche by your Letters, wherewith yee haue called vs togeather, so it maie please you, to Confirme the final Conclusion of our Decrees with your Sentence, and with your Seale.

Further, as it appeareth by your owne Allegation, the same Emperoure Theodosius tooke vpon him,* 1.36 to bounde, and to limite the Catholique Faith, & that euen in the Body of his Ciuile Lavves: whiche thing neither could he haue donne without Iudgemente: nor woulde he haue donne without Authoritie. But, if yée ineane, that by this Determination of the Emperoure Theodosius, that Faithe onely shoulde be taken for Catholique, that was then professed by Pope Dama∣sus, and should afterwarde be professed by others succeding in Peters Chaire, then haue yée secretely conueighed vs in an other Vntruthe. The place it selfe wil soone reproue you.* 1.37 The Emperours woordes be these, Cunctos populos in tali volumus Religione versari, quam Diuinum Petrum Apostolum tradidisse Romanis, Reli∣gio vs{que} nunc ab eo insinuata declarat: quam{que} Pontificem Damasum sequi claret, & Petrum Alexandriae Episcopum, Virum Apostolicae sanctitatis: Wee wil el menne to walke in that Religion, whiche Holy Peter the Apostle deliuered to the Romaines, as the Faithe firste enkendled by him, and stil contine wed vntil this daie, dooth declare: whiche Religion also it is plaine, that Pope Damasus foloweth, and Peter the Bishop of A∣lexandria, a man of Apostolique holinesse. Here the Emperoure Theodosius com∣maundeth his Subiectes to folowe, as wel the Faithe of Peter the Bishop of Ale∣xandria, as of Damasus the Bishop of Rome.

And yet in the nexte title folowinge, he openeth his owne meaning in this wise by other Eramples,* 1.38 more at large: Episcopis tradi omnes Ecclesias mox iube∣mus, quos constabit vti Communione Nectarij Episcopi Constantinopolitanae Ecclesiae, & Timothei, &c. Wee commaunde, that foorthwith the Churches be re∣stoared to al Bishoppes, of whom it shal appeare, that they Communicate with Nestorius the Bishop of Constantinople, or with Timotheus: or sutche as shal haue felowship, or agreemente in Faithe, with the Bishoppes of Alexandria in Egypte: and with Pela∣gius the Bishop of Laodicea: and with Diodorus the Bishop of Tarsus in Asia: and with Amphilochius the Bishop of Iconium: and with Optimus the Bishop of

Antioche: and with Helladius the Bishop of Caesaria: and with Otreius the Bishop of Melite: and with Gregorius the Bishop of Nyssa: and with Terennius the Bishop of Scythia: and with Marmarius the Bishop of Martianopolis. Euery of these seueral Bishoppes, M. Hardinge, by the Emperoures iudgemente, in trial of the Catholique Faithe, had as greate Authoritie, and weighte, as the Bishop of Rome.

But Pope Coelestinus, yée saie, desired Cyrillus the Bishop of Alexandria, to represente his persone, and to supplie his rouine in the Councel of Ephesus, that is to saie, to haue the Firste place in the Councel. For the Firste Place in al Eccle∣siastical Assemblies was alloted to the Bishop of Rome:* 1.39 The Seconde, to the Bi∣shop of Constantinople: The Thirde, to y^• Bishop of Alexandria: The Fourth, to the Bishop of Antioche: The Fifthe, to the Bishop of Hierusalem.

This packinge of places therefore bitwéene Coelestinus, and Cyrillus, was a Mysterie, pourposely canuessed, to kéepe the Bishop of Constantinople, whom the Pope euermore enuied, out of countenaunce. For by this Policie, the Bishop of Alexandria, that shoulde haue had the Thirde Place, was handsomely shifted in∣to the Firste: and the Bishop of Constantinople, whiche, in the Bishop of Romes absence, shoulde haue had the Firste Place, was remoued downe to the Seconde.

Howe be it, what auaileth al this, M. Hardinge, to further your pourpose, & to proue, that Councelles were summoned by the Pope? Verily it appeareth not hi∣therto, that either Coelestinus, or Cyrillus, or any other Bishop had any sutche Power, or Authoritie to summone Councelles. This is it, that yée shoulde haue proued. As for the Firste, or Seconde Place, wée moued no question.

Againe, yée séeme to saie, the Pope of righte was euermore Presidente in al Councelles. This, if yée knowe it, is an other Vntruthe: If yée knowe it not, it is an erroure.* 1.40 For it is plaine, that in the Firste Councel of Nice Pope Iulius was not Presidente, but Eustathius the Bishop of Antioche. The Popes Le∣gates, as it is said before,* 1.41 were placed beneath in the fourthe roume: In the Fifthe Councel of Constantinople, Menna the Bishop of the same Cittie, was Presi∣dent, & not the Pope.* 1.42 In the Second Ephesine Councel, Dioscorus the Bishop of Alexandria was Presidente. In the Seconde Councel of Carthage it seemeth Gennedius was the Presidente.

This Dignitie then passed not by Enheritance,* 1.43 or by Succession, as the Pope nowe woulde séeme to claime it: but, either by choise of the Councel, or by fauoure of the Prince. Thus Hosius the Bishop of Corduba in Spaine, not by right of his place,* 1.44 but for the woorthinesse of his persone, was appointed Presidente in the Councel of Sardica. And Athanasius speaketh of him in this wise with greate admiration, Cuius non fuit ille Concilij Princeps? In what Councel hath not Ho∣sius benne the Presidente, or Chiefe?

Yée saie, Pope Syluester Christened the Emperoure Constantinus, and therefore was his Spiritual Father. This maie passe emonge other your Truthes. For your Popes, by theire Omnipotente Power maie Minister Sa∣cramentes, being deade. And yet, notwithstandinge al this were true, M. Har∣dinge, yet your cause thereby were litle furthereo. Onlesse perhaps yée wil reason thus: Pope Syluester Christened the Emperoure: Ergo, The Pope hathe Autho∣ritie, to Calle Councelles. Howe be it, onlesse this Argumente be better dige∣sted, your very Sophisters of Louaine wil hardely allowe it.

But in déede, that whole tale, touchinge the Christeninge of the Emperoure Constantine,* 1.45 is nothing els, but a péeuishe fable. Constantius, the Emperours owne Sonne, vtterly denieth, that Syluester euer Baptized Constantinus his Fa∣ther. Eusebius saithe, Constantinus was Christened, not in the floorishing state

of his age, but onely a litle before he died: not in Rome, but at Nicomedia, in the Kingdome of Epirus: not in a corner, but in the presence of many Bishoppes: and, as S. Hierome saithe, not by Pope Syluester, that then was deade, but by Euse∣bius the Bishop of Nicomedia.* 1.46 For proufe whereof, S. Ambrose saithe, Constan∣tino in vltimis constituto, Gratia Baptismatis omnia peccata dimisit: The Grace of Baptisme foregaue Constantine al his sinnes, euen at the ending of his life. Therefore, M. Hardinge, wee must néedes saie, that, either your tale is vntrue, whiche is not strange: or els Constantine was twise Baptized, whiche is very vnlikely.

Cardinal Poole,* 1.47 séeinge the mater to passe so cleare, telleth vs roundely in one woorde, that Eusebius, and Constantius were Ariane Heretiques, and therefore refuseth the whole storie written by Eusebius,* 1.48 touching the Christening of Con∣stantine. But, sommewhat to soothe you in your tale, let a Fable stand for Truth: & let vs graunt you an impossibilitie,* 1.49 y^• Constantine was Baptized by Pope Sylue∣ster being dead. Yet wil you néedes geather hereof, that the Emperour is Subiecte to the Pope? Or, that the Pope hath Authoritie to calle Councelles? What wil you then saie, when the Emperoure is Baptized by somme other Prieste, or Bi∣shop, or by a Midvvife? Shal euery of these therefore require to haue, and to doo y^• like? Or, muste wée beléeue, that sutche a Prieste, Bishop, or Midvvife shal haue Authoritie to calle Councelles? In déede, this were a good shorte waie to geate Su∣premacie. But it might haue pleased you, to remember, that y^• Cardinal of Ostia vseth alwaies of Office to Consecrat the Pope. Yet, I trow, yée wil not therefore place him aboue the Pope. Elizaeus anointed King Iehu: yet was he not therefore aboue the Kinge.* 1.50 Your owne Doctoure saithe, Quòd hoc Argumentum non conclu∣dat, patet: quia in Veteri Lege, Sacerdotes, qui Reges inungebant, indubitanter Regibus Subdebantur: It appeareth, that this Argumente concludeth nothinge. For in the Olde Lavve, the Priestes, that anointed the Kinges, were vndoubtedly subiecte to the Kinges.

To conclude, what right Emperoures had in Summoninge of Councelles, by these fewe Authorities, and Examples folowinge, it maie soone appeare. Euse∣bius saith,* 1.51 Cōstantinus Synodū Oecumenicā Collegit, & Episcopos, vt Vndi{que} accelerarent, honorificis literis conuocauit: (Not the Pope, but) Constantine geathered a General Councel, and by honorable Writes called y^• Bishoppes of al Coun∣tries to repaire thither.* 1.52 Theodoretus saithe, A greate, and a Holy Councel was gea∣thered to Nice, by the Grace of God, and (not by the Pope, but) by the Godly Empe∣roure. Sozomenus saithe,* 1.53 (Not the Pope, but) The Emperoure Constantine wrote vnto al the Rulers of the Churches, that they shoulde be at Nice by a daie: to the Bi∣shoppes of the Apostolique Sees, to Macarius the Bishop of Hierusalem, and to Iulius the Bishop of Rome. In which woordes this also maie be noted, that y^• Pope then was vnder the Emperours Summone, no lesse then others.

In the Councel of Constantinople, the Bishoppes wrote thus vnto the Em∣peroure, Ex mādato tuae Pietatis Constantinopolim cōuenimus:* 1.54 Wee are comme to Constantinople, (not by y^• Popes Authoritie, but) by your Maiesties Commission. Athanasius saithe,* 1.55 Ab Imperatore, praefectis{que} Literae sequentes in omnem par∣tem missae sunt, eos, qui illuc ituri essent, conuocantes: These Letters, or Writes folowinge were sente out into al places (not from the Pope, but) from the Emperoure, and his Lieutenantes, summoning them, that should comme vnto the Councel. S. Chry∣sostome saith,* 1.56 Wee wente in, and humbly besought (not y^• Pope, but) the moste Christian Prince, to calle a Councel. S. Ambrose, speakinge of him selfe, and of other Bi∣shoppes, beinge then at the Councel of Aquileia, saithe thus: Nos conuenimus Aquileiam iuxta Praeceptum Imperatoris: Were are mette togeather at Aquileia, by the Commaundemente of the Emperoure, (and, not of the Pope).

S. Hierome saithe, Orientis, at{que} Occidentis Episcopos ob quasdam Ecclesia∣sticas dissensines Romam Imperiales Literae contraxerunt: To staie certaine Eccle∣siastical dissensions (not any the Popes Letters of Commaundemente, but) the Empe∣rours VVrites caused the Bishoppes,* 1.57 as wel of the Easte, as of the VVeaste, to drawe to Rome.

Of Pope Leo, wee haue saide before. Beinge Pope, and, as M. Hardinge ima∣gineth, hable to summone the world with a becke, thus he writeth to the Empe∣roure Theodosius:* 1.58 Dignetur pietas vestra supplicationi nostrae annuere, vt in∣tra Italiam haberi iubeatis Episcopale Concilium: We beseeche your Godly Ma∣iestie, to graunte vnto our humble requeste, that it maie please you to commaunde a Councel of Bishoppes to be holden within Italie.

Sozomenus saithe,* 1.59 The Arians besought (not the Pope, but) the Emperoure Constantius, to commaunde a Councel, to be holden at Antioche. The same Arians af∣terwarde besought (not the Pope, but) the same Emperoure Constantius, to summone an other Councel to Millaine. Againe sozomenus saithe, The Catholique Bishoppes sente Hypatianus theire Embassadoure, to entreate (not the Pope, but) the Emperoure,* 1.60 that, to redresse certaine Erroures, they might haue leaue to meete togeather. Pope Liberius saithe, A Councel is holden at Millaine (not by my Authoritie, but) by the Commaundemente of the Prince. Pope Leo saithe, The greate Councel of Chalcedon was sommoned (not by him selfe, but) by the trauaile of Martianus the Emperoure.* 1.61 The Emperoure Constantius Commaunded twoo seueral Coun∣celles to be keapte at one time: the one at Seleucea in Isauria in the East: the other at Ariminum in Italie in the VVeaste. Socrates saith, Sithence the Emperours were firste Christened, the state of the Churche hathe hanged of them: and the greateste Councelles haue benne,* 1.62 and be keapte by theire aduise.

Thus many Anciente Councelles wée are hable to shewe you, summoned by Emperours. Nowe shewe you, M. Hardinge, either that the Emperoure did al these thinges by the Authoritie of the Pope: or, that the Emperoure was onely y^• Popes Summoner, to calle to Councel sutche, and so many, as it shoulde like his Holinesse to commaunde: Or, that the Pope did euer sommone any one Ancient General Councel by his owne onely right, without further Commission from the Emperoure, then wil wée saie, yée haue saide somme thing. As for al, that ye haue nowe said, in good soothe, it is lesse, then nothinge.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Aeneas Syluius in Epist.
• * 1.2

  Inter ••pistolas Augustin. Epis. 96.
• * 1.3

  Leo ad Clerum & pleb••m Con∣stan. Epist. 23.
• * 1.4

  Theodoret. Li. 5. Cap. 9 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Eusebius. Lib. 10 Cap. 5.
• * 1.5

  Concil. Chalce∣donen. Actio•• ••. Pag. 748.
• * 1.6

  The Sum∣moninge of Coun∣celles.
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Lib. 1. Cap 17. Theodoret. Lia. Cap. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.8

  M. Hardinge. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 32. ••.
• * 1.9

  Chrysost. Ad Po∣pul. An••••othe. Homi. 2.
• * 1.10

  ••eo ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seon, ••pis. 24.
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Syluiu••. De ••••on••••l. Basi∣lien. Lib. 1.
• * 1.12

  The Sum∣moninge of coun∣celles.
• * 1.13

  Cusanus, De Con∣cordia Cathosi∣ca, Lib. 3. Ca. 15.
• * 1.14

  Sozomen. Lib. 6. Cap. 23.
• * 1.15

  Concil. Chalce∣don. Actio. 3. Pag. 804.
• * 1.16

  Athanasi. Apo∣logia. 2.
• * 1.17

  Sozomen. Lib. 1. Cap. 17.
• * 1.18

  The Sum∣moninge of coun∣celles.
• * 1.19

  Concil. Constan∣tinopolitan. Ac∣tio. 4. Ad Hera∣clium. & Tibe∣rium Imper. Pag. 288. Athanasi. ad Antiochen. to. 2.
• * 1.20

  Theodoret, Lib. 1. Cap. 7.
• * 1.21

  Sozomen. Lib. 1. Cap. 17. Athanasi. Apo∣logia 2.
• * 1.22

  Concil. Aphric. Ca. 100. Concil. Chalce∣don. Actio. 1. Sancta.
• * 1.23

  Sozom. li 1. ca. 17 Athanas Apolo∣gia. 2. Theodoret. Lib. 1. Cap. 7. Micephor. Lib. Cap. 14.
• * 1.24

  Tabula Her∣māni Contracti:

  • Syluester Papa mo∣titur.
  • Marcus Papa Vixit octo Menses.
  • Iulius Papa. Hoc tempore Constant••∣nus indixit Nice ••um Concilium.
  • Anno Domi. 324.
• * 1.25

  Co••c. Rom. Ca. 5. Ca. 3. Ca. 12.
• * 1.26

  The Sum∣moninge of Coun∣celles.
• * 1.27

  Euseb. Li. 10. ca. 5.
• * 1.28

  Theodoretus, li. 5 Cap. 9.
• * 1.29

  Euseb. Devita Constantini, Oratione. 1. Ruffin. li. 1. ca. 1.
• * 1.30

  Arti. 4. Diui. 26 Socrat li. •• ca. 17 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Cassiodor. Lib. 4. Cap. 19. Regula Iuris, Quod omnes tangit, ab omni∣bus debet ap∣probari.
• * 1.31

  Sozom. Li. 6. ca. 7
• * 1.32

  Nicephor. Lib. 1•• Cap 3.
• * 1.33

  The Sum∣moninge of Coun∣celles.
• * 1.34

  Concil. Roman. 3 Cap. 2.
• * 1.35

  Post Conci. Ephe∣sinum Primum.
• * 1.36

  The Empe∣roure limi∣teth the Ca∣tholique Faithe.
• * 1.37

  Cod. Theodosian. Lib. 16. Titu de Fide Catholic. Cunctos Populos
• * 1.38

  Cod. Theodosi. li. 16. Titu. 3. Sozom. li. 7. ca 9
• * 1.39

  Dis. 22. Renouā∣tes.
• * 1.40

  Theodoretus, li. 3. Cap. 7.
• * 1.41

  Euagri. Lib. 4. Cap. 38.
• * 1.42

  Nicephor. Li. 17. Cap. 27.
• * 1.43

  Concil. Chalced. Acti. 1. Dioscoro. Exactis Conci. Carthag. 2.
• * 1.44

  Sozom. li. 3. ca. 12. Socra. li. 2. ca. 20. Athanas. Apolo∣gia 2.
• * 1.45

  Inter Acta Li∣berij. Cap. 6. Euseb. De vita Constan. Orat. 4.
• * 1.46

  Socra. Anno Ae∣tatis suae. 65. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.47

  Hieronym. in Chronico.
• * 1.48

  Ambro. de obit•••• Theodosij.
• * 1.49

  Cardinal. Polus de Baptismo Cō∣stantini, Pag. 87.
• * 1.50

  Heruaeus de Po∣testat. Pp. Ca. 18.
• * 1.51

  Euseb. de Vita Constan. Orat. 3.
• * 1.52

  Theodor. Lib. 1. Cap. 9.
• * 1.53

  Sozom. li. 1. ca. 17.
• * 1.54

  Concil. Constan∣tinopoli. 1.
• * 1.55

  Athana. de Syn∣odis Artmin. & Seleuceen.
• * 1.56

  Chrysost. Epist. 1. Ad Innocentiū. Ambros. in Con∣cil. Aquileien.
• * 1.57

  Hierony. in Epi∣taphio Paulae.
• * 1.58

  Leo, Epist. 9. Ad Theodosium Im∣peratorem.
• * 1.59

  The Pope hūbly desi∣reth the Em∣peroure to summone a Councel.
• * 1.60

  Sozom li. 4. ca. 22 Socrat. li. 2. ca 8. Theodoret. Li. 2. Cap. 15.
• * 1.61

  Ruffi. li. 1. ca. 19. Sozom. li. 6. ca. 7. Inter Acta Li∣berij.
• * 1.62

  Leo ad Anatoliū. Socra. li. 2. ca. 37 Socrates, Lib. 5. in prooemio.