The fourth conclusion.
* 1.1The fourth generall councel of Chalcedon against Eutiches, who affirmed Christ to haue but one onely nature after the hy∣postaticall vnion, although hee granted him to haue had two before the coniunction thereof; was called by the commande∣ment of the emperour Martian, in the yeare of our Lord, 454.
Socrates hath these words, Passimque in historia impera∣torum mentionem propterea fecimus,* 1.2 quod ex illo tempore quo Christiani esse coeperunt, ecclesiae negotia ex illorum nutu pen∣dere visa sunt, at{que} adeo maxima concilia de eorundem senten∣tia & conuocata fuerunt & adhuc cōuocantur. I haue therfore made mention of the emperours in euerie place of my hystory, because since that time in which they became Christians, the af∣faires of the church depended vppon their good wil and plea∣sures: in regard whereof, most famous councels were then cal∣led by their appointment, and are so caled euē to this day. Out of these words I note first, that Socrates was a famous greeke Historiographer. I note secondly, that hee liued aboue 400. yeares after Christs sacred incarnation. I note thirdly, that the end for which he made mention of the Emperours, was to de∣clare that the chiefest matters of the church did depend on their good pleasures. I note fourthly, that councels were euermore appointed by authoritie of the Emperors, euen to the dayes of Socrates, which was 400. yeares after Christ. These obser∣uations