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 Apologie, Cap. 12. Diuision, 5. & Ca. 13. Diui. 1.

And, although the modestie, and mildenesse of the Emperoure Fer∣dinando be so greate, that he can beare this wronge, bicause perad∣uenture he vnderstandeth not wel the Popes packinge, yet ought not the Pope of his holinesse to offer him that wronge, nor to claime an other mans right, as his owne.

But hereto somme wil replie: The Emperoure in deede called Councelles at that time, yee speake of, bicause the Bishop of Rome was not yet growen so greate, as he is nowe: but yet the Emperour did not then sitte togeather with the Bishoppes in Councel, or once bare any stroke with his Authoritie in theire consultations. I an∣sweare, nay, that it is not so. For, as witnesseth Theodorete, the Emperoure Constantine, sate not onely togeather with them in the councel at Nice, but gaue also aduise to the Bishoppes, howe it was best to trie out the mater by the Apostles, and Prophetes vvri∣tinges, as appeareth by these his owne woordes. In disputation (saithe he) of maters of Diuinitie, vvee haue set before vs to fo∣lovve, the Doctrine of the Holy Ghoste. For the Euangelistes, and the Apostles vvoorkes, and the Prophetes saieinges shevve vs sufficiently, vvhat opiniō vve ought to haue of the vvil of God.

M. Hardinge.

For the sittinge of Emperoures in Councelles, you treate a common place not necessarie. No man euer denied, but Emperoures maie sitte in them. we acknowledge two sortes of settinge: one for the assessours, an other for the Iudge* 1.1 No Emperoure euer sate as a Iudge in Councel: but many, both Em∣peroures in person, and their Lieutenauntes for them haue sitten, as being ready to assiste and defende that,* 1.2 whiche the Bishoppes had Iudged and decreed.

VVhat maner a seate greate Constantine had in the firste Councel at Nice, Eusebius in his life, and Theodoritus doth declare. After that al the Bishoppes were sette in their seates, to the number of 318 in came the Emperoure last with a smal companie.‡ 1.3 A lowe litle chaire beinge sette for him in the middest, he would not sitte downe, before the Bishoppes had reuerently signified so mutche vnto him, and as Theodoritus writeth, not before he had desired the Bishoppes to permitte him so to doo. Nowe thinke you that the Supreme head of the Churche should haue* 1.4 comme in last, and hane sitten* 1.5 be∣neath his subiectes, and haue staied to sitte, vntil thei had as it were geuen him leaue?

Neither consulted he with the Bishoppes,* 1.6 but required them to consult of the maters, thei came for, as Theodorite witnesseth. Neither spake he there so generally as you reporte, nor framed his tale in that sorte as you faine,‡ 1.7 vniuersally of the wil of God, ‡ but of the Godhed, saieinge, that the bookes of the Gospels, and of the Apostles, and the Oracles of the Prophetes doo plainely teache vs, what we ought to thinke of the Godhed, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. For the cōtrouersie about whiche the Arians made so mutche adoo, was touchinge the equalitie of Godhed in Christe, and his consubstantialitie with God the Father. And by those wordes and other, whiche there he vttered, he tooke not vpon him to define, or Iudge, but onely to exhorte them, to agree together in one Faithe. For amonge those Bishops certaine there were, that fauoured the Heresie of Arius. Suche examples you bringe for defence of your parte, as make mutche against you. Not that you delight in making a rodde for your selfe, but bicause you haue no better: and somwhat must you needes saie, lest the stage you plaie your parte on, shoulde stande stil.

The B. of Sarisburie.

Emperoures, ye saie, sate in Councelles, as Assessours onely, but not as Iudges: That is to saie, thei sate by the Bishoppes, & helde theirpeace, & tolde the clocke, & saide nothinge. Yet youre Doctours saie, Assessor Episcopi non potest esse Laicus: The Assessoure of a Bishop maie not be a Laieman.* 1.8 But, touchinge the mater it selfe, Eusebius, that was alwaies neare aboute the Emperoure Constantine, & wrote his life, and was presente at the Councel, saithe thus: Constantinus, quasi Com∣munis quidam Episcopus à Deo constitutus, Ministrorum Dei Synodos conuocauit: Nec dedignatus est adesse, & considere in medio illorum, consors{que} fieri ipsorum, &c. Con∣stantine, as if he had benne a Common Bishop appoited by God, called togeather Coun∣celles of Goddes Ministers: and disdeigned not him selfe to sitte in the middes emongest them, and to be partetaker of theire dooinges.* 1.9 Againe, Constantinus him selfe saithe thus: Ego intereram Concilio, tanquam vnus ex vobis: I was presente at the Councel emongeste you, as one of you. Againe Eusebius saithe, Vnus, & Vnicus Deus instituit Con∣stantinum Ministrum suum, & Doctorem Pietatis omnibus terris: The One, and Onely God hath appointed Constantine to be his Minister, and the Doctoure of true Godlinesse vnto al Nations. And Theodoretus saithe, Laudatissimus Rex Apostolicas curas suscipiebat animo suo:* 1.10 At Pontifices, nō solùm non ae dificare Ecclesiam, sed etiā illus fun∣damenta labefactare conabantur: The good Emperoure hadde Apostolique Cares in his harte: But the Bishoppes did not onely not builde vp the Churche of God, but also ouerthrew the fundations of the same.

And againe Eusebius saithe:* 1.11 Constantinus erat Vocalissimus Dei praeco, & quasi Seruator, ac Medicus animarum: Constantine the Emperoure was a moste Cleare Preacher of God, and as it were, the Saueoure, and Physicion of Soules. In this sorte Nicephorus writeth vnto the Emperoure Emmanuel Palaeologus: Tu es Dux Professionis Fidei nostrae, &c. Youre Maiestie is the Captaine of the Profession of our Faithe: youre Maiestie hath restored the Catholique, and vniuersal Churche. Your Maiestie hath refourmed the Temple of God from Marchantes, and Exchaungers of the Heauenly Doctrine, and from Heretiques, by the woorde of Truthe.

Yee saie, When the Bishoppes were sette, in came the Emperoure laste with a smal companie.* 1.12 Whereof yee would haue vs to geather, y• he came onely as somme inferioure personne, and not as a Iudge. Howe be it, Theodoretus saithe, Constantinus iussit Episcopos ingredi: Constantine Commaunded the Bishoppes to goe in.

And Eusebius saithe: Sedit tota Synodus reuerenter, vt par fuit, cum silen∣tio expectans aduentum Principis: The whole Councel sate in reuerent, and comely order, quietely, and in silence lookinge for the Princes comminge.

This is no good proufe, M. Hardinge, that the Emperoure in the Councel

was inferioure to the Bishoppes. Nay, the Bishoppes were commaunded to take their places, to sitte in silence, and to waite for the Emperoures comminge, as his Subiectes. Againe he saithe: Signo, quo aduentus Imperatoris indicatus est,* 1.13 dato, omnibus exuergentibus, ipse deinde ingressus est medius, tanquàm ali∣quis Dei coelestis Angelus: When the watche woorde was geuen, that the Emperoure was comme, the Bishoppes stoode vp from their places, and his Maiestie past along through the middes of them, as if he had benne an Angel of God.

But the Emperoure, yee saie, sate vpon a litle lowe stoole, and therein shewed him selfe inferioure to the Bishops. Yea, M. Hardinge, but Eusebius saithe, that the same litle lowe stoole was made of whole beaten gould:* 1.14 And therein, I trowe, he was som∣mewhat aboue the Bishoppes.

Yee saie, he sate alowe, and in the middes of the Bishoppes: and hereof yee conclude, he was theire Inferioure. So Iulius Caesar, notwithstandinge he were the Empe∣roure of Rome, yet, when he came into the College of Poetes, he was wel contented, to be placed in the lowest roume: And yet was he not therefore thiere Inferioure.

But, touching the Emperoure Constantines place in the Councel, Eusebius saithe thus:* 1.15 Accessit ad summum gradum ordinum: He went vp to the highest rising of al the benches. Sozomenus saithe: Imperator peruenit ad Caput Concilij: & sedit in Throno quodam, quem ipse sibi fecerat. Erat autem Thronus ille Maximus, & alios omnes superans: The Emperoure went vp to the headde, or highest place of the Councel: and sate downe in a Throne of estate, that he had prepared for him selfe. But this Throne was very greate, and farre passed al the rest. In the meane sea∣son, the Popes Legate sate, as it is saide before, neither in the First place, nor in the Seconde, nor in the Thirde, but in the Fourthe. Hereby it seemeth, to appeare plainely, that Constantinus the Emperoure had his place in the Councel aboue the Bishoppes.

Notwithstandinge, sithence that time the Pope hathe determined, it muste nowe be otherwise.* 1.16 His order is this, as it hath benne alleaged before: Sedes Imperatoris parabitur, &c. The Emperoures Seate shalbe prepared nexte vnto the Popes Seate, and shal haue twoo steppes ioined vnto the same: but neither so broade, nor so longe, as bee the Popes. It shalbe apparelled with clothe of golde: but Canopie euer the heade it shal haue none.* 1.17 Howe be it, this thinge is specially to be marked, that the place, whereupon the Emperoure sittethe, maie be no higher, then the place, where the Pope setteth his Feete. Thus wee see, the Emperoure is allowed, to sitte at the Popes foote stoole: but in any case to mounte no higher.

The Emperoure, yee saie, stoode stil (no doubte, with Cappe in hande) and durste not sitte downe without leaue: And thereby testified, him selfe to be Inferioure to the Bishoppes. These colde Conclusions wil hardely serue. For Traianus, beinge the Emperoure of Rome, was contented him selfe to stande afoote, and, for honours sake, commaunded the Consulles to sitte downe. Yet was he not therefore Infe∣rioure in dignitie to the Consulles.

Helena the Empresse,* 1.18 apparelled her selfe like a Seruante, and ministred vnto the Holy Virgines, and gaue them water to theire handes, as if in deede she had benne theire Seruaunte: yet was shee not therefore Inferioure vnto the Virgines.

The same Emperoure Constantine at the time of the Sermons,* 1.19 stoode vp∣right, and woulde not sitte: for the reuerence, that he bare to the VVoorde of God. Yet was he not Inferioure to the Preacher. This was that good Empe∣roures modestie, and Humilitie, M. Hardinge: but not his dewtie. It were wise∣dome

for Princes, to take heede, they committe not ouermutche to youre handes. For, what so euer they once yeelde of meere Courtesie, streight waie ye claime it, as youre owne.

Howe be it, touchinge the Emperoures Sittinge in the Councel, it was farre otherwise, then you reporte it. Sozomenus saithe: Imperator resedit in Throno, qui illi paratus fuerat: & Synodus iussa est sedere: The Emperoure sate downe in his Chaire of estate prouided for him:* 1.20 and (then) the Councel was Commaunded to sitte downe. Hereby it appeareth, the Emperoure needed not the Bishoppes leaue: but rather gaue leaue to the Bishoppes.

No doubte, that Godly, and Milde Prince, beeinge in that Reuerende assem∣blie, bare him selfe with mutche Reuerence. And therfore Eusebius saithe, He sate not downe,* 1.21 before the Bishoppes had beckened vnto him. But he addeth withal, Post Imperatorem, idem fecerunt omnes: (Not before, but) After that the Emperoure was sette, they sate downe al togeather.

Now, M. Hardinge, if he that sate Firste in the Councel, were the Heade of the Churche, as you seeme to saie, then maie I reason thus: The Pope, or his Legate in that Councel sate not First: Ergo, the Pope then was not Heade of the Churche.

Againe, The Emperoure in that Councel sate Firste: Ergo, by youre owne Conclusion, the Emperoure was the Heade of the Churche. Certainely, the Pope him selfe saithe plainely, The Emperoure Constantine vvas the Presi∣dent, or Ruler of the Nicene Councel. His woordes be theise: Constantinus Praesidens Sanctae synodo,* 1.22 quae apud Nicaeam congregata est: Constanti∣nus the Emperoure, beinge Presidente of the Holy Councel, that was keapte at Nice. These be not our woordes, but the Popes, registred euen in his owne Recordes. Therefore, I truste, yee wil not refuse to geeue them credite.

But you saie, The Emperoure determined, and defined nothinge. Yet the Em∣peroure him selfe,* 1.23 contrarie to youre saieinge, saithe thus: Ego suscepi, & per∣feci res salutiferas, persuasus Verbo tuo: O Lorde, I tooke in hande, and broughte to passe vvholesome thinges, beinge persvvaded by thy VVorde.

And againe, writinge hereof vnto the Bishoppes of sundrie Churches, he saithe: Ego vobiscum interfui, tanquàm vnus ex vobis. Non enim negauerim, conseruum me vestrum esse:* 1.24 Qua de re mihi maximè gratulor: I was presente at the Councel with you, as one of you. For I cannot denie mee selfe to bee youre Felovve Seruante. In whiche thinge I moste reioise.

Likewise againe he saithe: Ego Nicaeam contraxi magnum numerum Episcoporum:* 1.25 Cum quibus, cùm essem vnus ex vobis, & Conseruus vester vehementer esse cuperem, etiam ipse suscepi inquisitionem Veritatis: I caused a greate companie of Bishoppes to come to Nice: with whome togeather I tooke in hande the Examination of the Truthe, beinge mee selfe one of you, and mutche desieringe to be therein youre Felowe Seruante.

Likewise saithe Eusebius, Imperator, quasi Iuculentam facem accendens, ne quae occultae Erroris reliquiae superessent,* 1.26 oculo Regio circumspexit: The Emperoure, as hauing enkendled a greate flame, lookte wel aboute with his Princely Eie, that no priuie remnantes of erroure shoulde reaste behinde.

The Bishoppes in the same Nicene Councel, beinge at variance emongeste them selues, offered vp theire Bookes of accusation, not vnto the Pope, or to his Legates,* 1.27 of whom they had then no greate regarde, but vnto the Emperoure. Neither did the Emperoure put ouer theire quarelles vnto the Popes Iudge∣mente, but vnto the Iudgemente of God.

Againe, the same Emperoure Constantine saithe, If any Bishop vvicked∣ly offende, by the hande of Goddes seruante, that is to saie, by my hande, he shalbe pounished.

To be shorte,* 1.28 Cardinal Cusanus saithe: Sciendum est, quòd in vniuersalibus octo Concilijs, vbi Imperatores interfuerunt, & non Papa, semper inuenio Im∣peratores, & Iudices suos cum Senatu Primatum habuisse,* 1.29 & officium Praesi∣dentiae per interlocutiones, & ex consensu Synodi, sine mādato, conclusiones, & iudicia fecisse. Et non reperitur instantia in octo Concilijs, praeter quam in tertia Actione Concilij Chalcedonensis: Wee muste knowe, that in the Eight General Councelles, where the Emperoures were present, and not the Pope, I euermore finde, that the Emperoures, and theire Iudges, with the Senate had the Gouernemente, and Office of Presidence, by hearinge, and conferring of maters: and that they made Con∣clusions, and Iudgementes, with the consente of the Councel, and without any further Com∣mission. And there is no manner instance, or exception to be founde in the firste Eight Councelles, sauinge onely in the thirde Action of the Councel of Chalcedon.

Here yee see plainely, by the Authoritie of Cardinal Cusanus, one of youre owne special Doctours, that in the Eight firste General Councelles, the Empe∣roure was Presidente, and not the Pope.

Where as the Emperoure willed the Bishoppes to conclude theire maters by the Apostolical, and Prophetical Scriptures, He speaketh not, saie you, so gene∣rally, as wee reporte him, nor frameth his tale in that sorte, as wee saine, vniuersally of the vvil of God, but of the Godhedde. For, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in your fansie signifieth onely the Substance, and Nature of God, and not Goddes VVil, or his Religion. Here, M. Hardinge, it were somme pointe of Learninge, to knowe, what skilful Greke Reader told you this tale.* 1.30 Verily, Cassiodorus, in plaine wise, trāslateth it thus: Euangelici, & Apostolici libri erudiunt nos, quid de Sacra Lege sapiamus: The Bookes of the Euangelistes, and Apostles, teache vs, what wee ought to thinke (not onely of the Substance, and Nature of God, but also) of the Holy Lavve.

Therefore Theodoretus addeth further these woordes: Accipiamus Expli∣cationes quaestionum nostrarum ex dictis Sancti Spiritus:* 1.31 Let vs take the resolu∣tion of our questions, out of the woordes of the Holy Ghoste. And immediately be∣fore he saithe: De rebus Diuinis disputantes, praescripram habemus Doctrinam Sancti Spiritus: In our Disputations (not onely of the Godhedde, but also) of Godly maters, wee haue laide before vs the Doctrine of the Holy Gospel. In like sense S. Hilarie saithe: Non est relictus hominum eloquijs de Dei rebus alius, praeter∣quam Dei Sermo.* 1.32 Omnia reliqua & arcta, & conclusa, & impedita sunt, & ob∣scura: In maters, touchinge God, there is no speache leafte vnto menne, but onely the woorde of God. Al other Authorities be shorte, and narrowe, and darke, and troublesome. Beleue them not hencefoorth therefore, M. Hardinge, that tel you, that, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifi∣eth onely the Substance, and Nature of Goddes Diuinitie. For, as yee maie easi∣ly see, your Glose is vaine, and fighteth directely againste the Texte.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vntruthe For Cusanus saith, Inuenio Impe∣ratores in Cō∣cil••••s iudicia fec sse. Reade the Ansvveare.
• * 1.2

  In vita Cō∣stant. lib. 3. Theodorit. Lib. 1. ca. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• ‡ 1.3

  Vntruthe en∣closed. For this lovve litle Chaire vvas al of beaten golde, and vvas lette in the hi∣ghest place of the Councel.
• * 1.4

  Vaine folie. For the Prince neuer commeth into the Parla∣ment House, be∣fore the Lordes b•• sette
• * 1.5

  Vntruthe. For S••zomen saith, ••••at thro••u••, ille ••••ximus, Salios omnes superaus.
• * 1.6

  Constan∣tine in the councel of Nice.
• ‡ 1.7

  Vntruthe eui∣dent. For Cas∣siodorus expoū∣deth it thus, Quid de Diuina Lege sapere de∣beamus.
• * 1.8

  De Rescriptis. Statutum. §. Assessorem. Ge∣minianus. Euseb. In vita Constant. Ora. 3.
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Euseb. eodē loco.
• * 1.10

  Theodoret. lib. 1. cap. 24.
• * 1.11

  Euseb. In vita Constanti. Ora. 1. Nicepho. in prae∣fatione ad Em∣manuelem.
• * 1.12

  Theodoret. li. 1. cap. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.15

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.16

  Ceremoniarium. li. 1. Sect. 14. ca. 2.
• * 1.17

  Et aduertendum, quo'd locus, vbi sedet Imperator, non sit altior lo∣co, vbi tenet pe∣des Pontifex.
• * 1.18

  Ruffinus. li. 1. ca. 7.
• * 1.19

  Euseb. In vita Constant. Ora. 4.
• * 1.20

  Sozome li. 1. ca. 19. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.21

  Euseb. In vita Constanti. Ora. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.22

  12. Quae. 1. Fit∣turam. Gregor.
• * 1.23

  Euseb. In vita Constant. Orat. 2.
• * 1.24

  Euseb. In vita Constan Orat. 3.
• * 1.25

  Socra. li. 1. ca. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.26

  Euseb. In vita Constan. Orat. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.27

  Socrat. li. 1. ca. 8.
• * 1.28

  Theodoret. lib. 1. cap. 19.
• * 1.29

  Cardinal. Cusae. De praesidentia.
• * 1.30

  Tripar. Histo. lib. 2. cap. 5.
• * 1.31

  Theodoret. li. 1. cap. 7. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.32

  Hilari. De Tri∣nitat. li. 7. De rebus Dei. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.