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. 3. Diuision. 6.

And accordinge to the iudgement of the Nicene Councel, wee saie, that the Bishop of Rome hath no more iurisdiction ouer the Churche of God, then the reste of the Patriarkes, either of Alexandria, or of Antioche haue.

M. Hardinge.

If it be a shame to belie the Deuil, accordinge to the olde Prouerbe, what is it to belie the Churche of God represented in the Nicene Councel?

The sixth Canon amonge al others of the Nicene Councel is that you grounde your surmise vpon,* 1.1 I knowe wel. For that hath benne wreasted to your purpose by certaine of your side. And the same rightly construedA 1.2 maketh moste againste you. For it seemeth to acknowledge the Bishoppe of Rome his Supremacie and Soueraigntie of iudgement ouer other Patriarkes. These be the woordes of the Canon rightly Englished hed. Let the Auncient custome continewe in force whiche is in Egypte, Ly∣bia▪ and Pentapoli: so that the Bishop of Alexandria haue Power ouer them al. Quandoquidem etiam Episcopo Romano hoc consuetum est.* 1.3 For asmuch as the B. of Rome hath thus vsed. Likewise in Antiochia also, and in other Prouinces let the Churches keepe theire Prerogatiue. VVhat can be gathered of the woordes of this Canon, but that for ratefiynge the iurisdiction of the Patri∣arkes of Alexandria, and Antiochia, the Fathers of the Nicene Councel thought good to alter no∣thinge: but to folowe the Auncient custome of Olde time vsed and allowed by the B. of Rome? For it is asmuche to saie, as this: In asmuche asb 1.4 the B. of Rome hath benne wonte from the beginninge to graunt to the B. of Alexandria iurisdiction ouer Egypte, Lybia, and Pentapoli: thec 1.5 Nicene Councel folowinge his authoritie and rule, or at the least his vsage, willeth and graunteth, that the saide Bi∣shop retaine and keepe his auncient right. For if the B. of Alexandria had not receiued sutche iu∣risdiction by Auctoritie and graunt of the B. of Rome of olde time, what reason shoulde haue mo∣ued those Fathers, for confirmation thereof to alleage the custome of the B. of Rome? And in that case, D 1.6 whereto perteined the additiō of the cause, Quia Episcopus Romanus hoc consueuit, bicause this was the Bishop of Rome his custome? If this had not benne theire meaninge, they would neuer so haue spoken. For what was his custome other,E 1.7 then to allotte those Prouinces to the B. of Alexan∣dria? If any other thinge be alleaged to haue benne his maner and custome, besides that the woordes of the Canon beare it not, what had that benne to the purpose, what so euer it be, for cause and confir∣mation of the B. of Alexandria his iurisdiction ouer Egypte, Lybia, and Pentapoli? Alleage you, De∣fender, for olde custome of the B. of Rome, what elles you liste, so that you make no violence to the Canon, and thereupon make your argument, inferringe of your allegation the Conclusion, (Ergo, the B. of Alexandria ought to haue iurisdiction ouer Egypte, Lybia, and Pentapoli): and you shal finde it to be suche an argument, as any Sotte woulde be ashamed to make.

Against this if it shal like you to Replie, wee warne you before, that neither ye take aduantage of a doubteful interpretation, as we knowe that Canon to be founde in diuerse Bookes not so plaine∣ly Translated, and therefore we require you to stande to the Original, as it is in Greeke: neither that ye defende your lie with the wrested Exposition of Theodore Balsamon,* 1.8 who hath written Greeke Commentaries vpon the Canons of the Councels, sithens the schisme of the Greekes, him selfe beinge a Schismatike. For he beinge a Greeke borne, and prick•• with the hatred of his Nation against the Latine Churche, and specially the See of Rome: in thexposition of that sixth Canon of the Nicene Councel swarueth bothe from learninge, and also from reason.

The B. of Sarisburie.

In déede it is a shame to belie any creature: for that lieinge is shameful of it selfe. And therefore, M. Hardinge, ye mighte doo mutche better, to vse it lesse. You haue brought vs here an Exposition of the Councel of Nice, sutche, as I thinke, from that time vntil this time hath seldome benne hearde of. You saie, The

Bishop of Romes Custome was,* 1.9 to geue Iurisdiction to the Patriarkes of Alexan∣dria, of Antioche, and of Hierusalem: and that thei had none Authoritie of Gouern∣mente, but onely so mutche, as was limited, and allowed by him. And this, you saye, was the onely, and vndoubted meaninge of that Councel. This fantasie is not here auouched by any Auncient Doctour, or Learned Father. Therefore wée muste thinke, what so euer it be, it is your owne. And weighinge the strangenesse of the same, I muste needes saie of yow, as S. Hierome saide sometime of one Rhe∣ticius in the like case,* 1.10 Rheticius eloquens quidem est, sed ineptus Interpres: Rheti∣cius is an eloquente man in deede: and yet but a fonde Interpreter. For it is certaine, and knowen euen vnto Children, that the Bishop of Rome, before the Councel of Nice, had neither sutche Custome of Superioritie, nor sutche dealinge of Iurisdi∣ctions. Pope Pius Secundus saithe,* 1.11 Ante Nicenam Synodum vnusquisque sibi vi∣xit: & paruus respectus ad Romanā Ecclesiam halebatur: Before the Councel of Nice, e∣uery Bishop liued to him selfe: and there was then smal regarde had to the Churche of Rome.

As for our sortishe Argumentes, sutche as by your iudgemente any sorte would be ashamed to make, I maye leaue them wel to you, M. Hardinge; not for that ye lacke them greately, but for that, as it appeare the by your Bookes, ye knowe beste howe to vse them.

Touchinge the sixthe Canon of this Councel, whiche, you imagine, is so darke, and doubteful, I truste, it shalbe plainely, and clearely opened, by them that were neuer hitherto accounted sottishe.

The woordes thereof are plaine yenough. The sense is this. The whole Body of Christendome was diuided into foure Patriarkshippes: wherof the First was Rome: the Seconde Alexandria: the Thirde Antioche: the Fourthe Hierusa∣lem. And eche of these was limited, and bounded within it selfe: Alexandria, to haue the ouersight ouer Egypte, & Pentapolis: Antioche, ouer Syria: Hierusalem, ouer Iurie: Rome,* 1.12 ouer Italie, and other Churches of the Weaste. And herein wée haue the Exposition of Theodorus Balsamon, that liued fiue hundred yeeres agoe, and was Patriarke of Antioche, and, as somme of M. Hardinges trendes haue thought, a man of greate Learninge. Yet for as mutche as M. Hardinge here vt∣terly refuseth him, not onely as a Schismatique, but also as a man bothe of Lear∣ninge, and Reason, let vs therefore sée somme others.

Nilus, a Gréeke Authour, hereof writeth thus: Sed vt etiam liquidiùs appareat,* 1.13 Papam non imperare alijs omnibus Episcopis, legatur Sextus Canon Synodi Nicenae: quo Disertè praecipitur, vt alijs Ecclesijs alexandrinus, alijs Romanus, alijs Antiochenus praesit: vt non liceat alteri alterius prouinciam inuadere: That it maie the more plainely ap∣peare, that the Pope hathe no Gouernment ouer al other Bishoppes, reade the Six the Canon of the Councel of Nice. There it is expressely Commaunded, that the Bishop of Alexandria shal haue the rule ouer certaine Churches: and the Bishop of Rome ouer certaine: and the Bishop of Antioche likewise ouer certaine: and that it be not lawful for any one of them to inuade an others Iurisdiction. Farther he saithe, Quòd si quis suis non contentus, aliena appetit, ille san•• meritò & Consuetudinis, & Sanctorum Canonum violator haberi debet: Yf any one (of these Patriarkes) not contented with his owne, craue Dominion ouer others, (as doothe the Pope) he ought of right to be called a breaker bothe of the Custome, and also of the Holy Canons.

If M. Hardinge wil yet saie,* 1.14 this Exposition is sottishe, let vs sée, in what sorte Others haue expounded the same. Rufinus openinge the same Canon saithe thus: Statutum est in Concilio Niceno, vt apud Alexandriam, & in V••be Roma Vetusta Cōsue••udo seruetur:* 1.15 vt vel ille Aegypti, vel hic Suburbicarum Ecclesiarum solicitudinem gerat: It was decreed in the Councel of Nice, that in Alexandria, and in Rome the Olde Custome should be kepte: that the Bishop of Alexandria should rule ouer Egypte: and the Bi∣shop

of Rome (not ouer al the world, but) ouer the Churches of his Suburbs.

Likewise it was afterwarde ordred in the Councel holden at Constantinople: Definimus Sedi Cōstantinopolitanae Paria Iura,* 1.16 & Priuilegia cum Sede Veteris Romae: Wee Decree, that the See of Constantinople shal haue Rightes, and Priuiseges Equal (and one) with the See of Olde Rome.

Therefore Nicephorus saithe, Romano, & Constantinopolitano Episcopo Ex Aequo Paria sunt, & Dignitatis praemia, & Honorum iura: The Titles of Dignities, and rightes of Honour, geuen to the Bishop of Rome, and to the Bishop of constantinople, are One, and Equal.

For this cause Athanasius saithe,* 1.17 Roma erat Meeopolis Romanae Ditionis: Rome was the Moother Churche (not of the Whole Worlde, but) of the Romaine Iuris∣diction. In like sorte the Emporour Iustinian saithe, Ecclesia Vrbis Constantino∣politanae Romae Veteris Praerogatiua laetatur: The Churche of Constantinople enioieth the Prerogatiue, or Priuilege of the Churche of Olde Rome. So likewise S. Augustine, and other Learned, and Godly Bishoppes in the Councel of Aphrica, vnderstoode the same Canon. And therefore they called the Popes Presumption, crauinge Vniuersal Iurisdiction ouer al the Worlde, Fumosum saeculi Typhum, The smoky Pride of the world. To conclude, Nilus saithe thus, Nunc, cùm aliae Regiones as∣signa••ae sint Romano, aliae Alexandrino, aliae Constantinopolitano, non magis hi sub illo sunt, quàm ille sub hisce: Seeinge there be certaine Countries appointed out for the Bishop of Rome, certaine for the Bishop of Alexandria, and certaine for the Bishop of Constantinople, they are nowe nomore subiecte vnto him, then he vnto them.

But al these perhaps were Sottes, and theire saieinges S••ttishe: and noman is hable rightly to vnderstande these maters, but he that can saie, Consuetudo, is Latine for a Commission: or, Mos parilis, for Vniuersal Iurisdiction.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The sixth Ca∣non of the Ni∣cene Councel declared to make againste the Defenders,
• A 1.2

  Vntruth: For the ex∣presse vvordes are plaine to the contra∣rie.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.4

  Vntruth Vaine and childishe.
• c 1.5

  This Ex∣position is like a sick•• mannes dreame.
• D 1.6

  O folie. The vvor∣des are plaine: Quia Epis∣copo Ro∣mano pari∣lis mos est.
• E 1.7

  Vntruthe: For the B. of Rome neuer had Povver, to allotte Pro∣uinces: but him selfe had his pro∣uince allot∣ted him, as vvel, as o∣thers. A Ne Reci∣piatur.
• * 1.8

  Theodore Bal∣samon.
• * 1.9

  TheConn cel of Nice
• * 1.10

  Hieronym. ad Marcellam.
• * 1.11

  Aeneas Syluius. Epist. 288.
• * 1.12

  Lipomanus in Praefatione. Copus Dial. 1. 16•• Balsamonem Vi∣rum cerie doctē
• * 1.13

  Nilus, De Pri∣matu Romani Pontificis. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.14

  Ruffinus Eccle. Historiae Lib. 1. Cap. 6.
• * 1.15

  Suburbicaru Ecclesiarum
• * 1.16

  Concil. Constan∣tinopo. 2. Cap. 36. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Nicepho. Lib. 12. Cap. 13.
• * 1.17

  Athanas. ad So∣litariam Vitam agentes. Cod. De Sacro∣sanctis Ecclesijs: Omni innoua∣tione. Concil. Aphrica. Cap. 105. Nilus, De Pri∣matii Papa.