M. Hardinge. The .26. Diuision.
That the Bishoppes of Rome by accustomed practise of the Churche had auctoritie to approue or disproue Councelles, I nede to saie nothinge for proufe of it, seeinge that the Ecclesiastical rule (as we reade in the Tripartite storie) commaundeth (111)* 1.1 that no Councel be celebrate and keapte,* 1.2 without the aduise and auctoritie of the Pope. Verily, the Councelles holden at Ariminum, at Seleucia, at Syr∣mium, at Antiochia, and the seconde time at Ephesus, for that they were (112.)* 1.3 not summoned, nor ap∣proued by the auctoritie of the Bishop of Rome, haue not ben accoumpted for lawful Councelles: but as wel for that reiected, as also for their Heretical determinations. The Fathers assembled in the Councel of Nice,* 1.4 sente their Epistle to Syluester the Pope, beseechinge him with his con∣sent to ratifie, and confirme, what so euer they had ordeined. Isidorus witnesseth, that the Nicene Councel had set forth rules, the whiche (saithe he) the Curche of Rome receiued, and confirmed. The seconde general Councel holden at Constantinople, was likewise allowed and approued by Damasus, specially requested by the fathers of the same, thereto. So was the thirde Councel holden at Ephesus ratified, and confirmed by Coelestinus, who had there, for his Vicares, or deputes, Cyrillus the famouse Bishop of Alexandria, and one Arcadius a Bishop out of Italie. As for the fourthe Councel kepte at Chalcedon, the fathers thereof also in their Epistle to Leo the Pope, subscribed with the handes of .44. Bishoppes, made humble request vnto him, to establishe, fortifie, and allowe, the Decrees, and ordi∣nances of the same. This beinge founde true, for the fower first chief Councelles, we nede not to saie any thinge of the rest that folowed. But for the suer proofe of al this, that chiefly is to be alleaged, that Constantius the Arian Emperour made so importune, and so earnest sute to Liberius the Pope, to confirme the Actes of the Councel holden at Antioche by the .90. Arian Bishoppes, wherein Atha∣nasius was depriued,* 1.5 and put out of his Bishoprike. For he beleued, as Ammianus Marcellinus writeth, that, what had ben done in that Councel, sholde not stande, and take effecte, onlesse it had ben approued, and Confirmed by the Authoritie of the Bishop of Rome, whiche he termeth the Eternal Citie.