The suruey of popery vvherein the reader may cleerely behold, not onely the originall and daily incrementes of papistrie, with an euident confutation of the same; but also a succinct and profitable enarration of the state of Gods Church from Adam vntill Christs ascension, contained in the first and second part thereof: and throughout the third part poperie is turned vp-side downe.

CHAP. XIII. Of the authoritie of summoning councels.

OF the force & validitie of late popish councils, I haue spo∣ken sufficiently in my booke of Motiues, Now, where the papists chalenge to their Pope, a great prerogatiue aboue the Emperour; because (as they say) he euer commanded generall councels to be holden euery where; this doctrine in this place, I purpose briefly to disproue.

The first conclusion.

* 1.1The first general councel of Nice, (in which Arrius denying the consubstantialitie of the son of God, was condemned,) was not celebrated by the Popes appointment, (who in those daies was reputed but as other bishops;) but by the flat and expresse commandement of the Emperor Constantinus surnamed the Great, in the yere 327. This I do not barely say, but I will prooue the same after my wonted manner, by the expresse testi∣monies of approued Historiographers.* 1.2

* 1.3Al the fathers assembled in the sacred councel of Nice, wrote to the church of Alexandria, and to the inhabitants of Egypt, Lybia, and Pentapolis, in this expresse maner: Quoniam dei gratia & mandato sanctissimi Imperatoris Constantini, qui

nos ex varijs ciuitatibus & prouincijs in vnum congregauit, magnum & sanctum concilium Nicaenum coactum est necessariū videtur, &c. Because through the grace of God, and by the commandement of the most holy Emperor Constantine, who hath gathered vs together out of diuerse cities, and prouinces, the great and holy councel of Nice is assembled: it seemeth necessary, that the whole councell send letters to you; by which ye may vnderstād, aswel those things that were called into que¦stiō, as the things that are decided & decreed in the same. Thus writeth Socrates. Out of these words I note first; that this te∣stimonie [ 1] is of greatest credit without al exception, as which was not published by one or two, but by more then three hun∣dred bishops as writeth Nicephorus,* 1.4 who were the most vertu∣ous & learned priests in the christian worlde. I note secondly, [ 2] these holy fathers, of this famous councel, doe not once name the Pope in their letters; so far were they in these daies, frō as∣cribing the chiefe prerogatiue in councels, to the B. of Rome. I note thirdly, that al the councel confesseth in their ioynt let∣ters [ 3] as we see, that the councel was called by the emperor, and that they all were assembled together by his commandement. Where I wish the reader, to obserue diligently the word (Cō∣mandement:* 1.5) for if the emperor did not cal coūcels together by his own authority, but by the popes, as the papists prate; then could not this holy councel truely say, as al the fathers thereof constantly do say, to wit, that they came thither by the Empe∣rours commandement. I note fourthly, that none in the world [ 4] can better tell how the councell was called, then the fathers of the councel, who were the persons called; and yet do they ioyne the emperors commandement with the grace of God, and ex∣clude the Pope altogether.

Theodoret▪ hath these words: Ʋerum vbi spes eum fefellerat,* 1.6 celebre illud Nicaenum concilium cogit, & publicos asinos, mu∣las, & mulos, quinetiam equos episcopis & comitibus suis ad iter faciendum vtendos dat.

Sozom. hath these words: Verū vbi contra quàm expectabat,* 1.7 res succederet, & contentio reconciliationem concordiae, &c. But after the matter succeeded otherwise then he expected, & reconciliation was hindered with contention; and Hosius also sent to make peace, returned leauing y^e thing vndone; y^e empe∣ror

appointeth a councel at Nice a city in Bythinia, & writeth to the presidents of al churches to be presēt at a day appointed.

* 1.8Niceph. hath these words: Infectis reb. ad imperatorē rediit, qui ad pacem componendam missus fuerat, Hosius. Ita{que} impera∣tor, &c. Hosius that was sent to make peace, returned to the Emperour, not hauing accomplished the matter. Therfore the Emperour perceiuing the mischife to grow to a head, doth pro∣clame the famous councel of Nice in Bythinia, and by his let∣ters calleth al bishops thither at the day appointed. Thus wee see euidently by the vniforme testimonie of foure graue Histo∣riographers, whereof three liued more then a 1100. yeares a∣go: that the bishop of Rome had no more to do in general coun∣cels, then other bishops had. First, they tel vs, that the Empe∣rour sent Hosius the bishop of Corduba,* 1.9 to bring the contenti∣ous to vnitie. Secondly, when that would not take place, that hee proclaimed a councell to bee holden at Nice in Bythinia. Thirdly, that he cōmanded al bishops to come thither at a cer∣tain day apointed. But of the B. of Rome, neuer a word at al.

The second Conclusion.

The second generall councell of Constantinople, holden a∣gainst Macedonius and his complices, for denying the diuinity of the holy ghost, was called by the commandement of the em∣perour Theodosius the first,* 1.10 about the yeare of our Lord 389.

Socrates hath these words, Imperator nulla mora interposita; concilium episcoporum ipsius fidem amplectentium conuocat;* 1.11 quo tum fides concilii Nicaeni corroboraretur, &c (The emperor Theodosius) with al expedition calleth a councel of bishops em∣bracing the right faith, that aswel the faith of the Nicene coun∣cell might be confirmed, as that a bishop might be appointed at Constantinople, & because he was in hope to make the Ma∣cedonians, to agree with the bishops that held the right faith, he sent forthe bishops that were of the Macedonian sect.

* 1.12Sozomenus hath these words; Breui deinde concilium episco∣porum sibi consententium cōuocauit partim vt Nicaeni concilii decreta confirmarentur, patrim vt ordinaretur aliquis qui Con∣stantinopolitanae sedis episcopatum administraret. Then shortly after (Theodosius) called a councel of Bishoppes that agreed with him, partly that the decrees of the Nicene councell might be confirmed, & partly that one might be appointed B. at Con∣stantinople.

Sigebertus writeth in this maner;* 1.13 Secunda synodus vniuersa∣lis 150. patrum congregatur Constantinopoli, iubente Theo∣sio & annuente Damaso papa, quae Macedonium negantem spi∣ritum sanctum Deum esse condemnans, consubstantialem patri & filio spiritum sanctum esse docuit. The second general sy∣node of an hundred and fifty bishops is assembled at Constan∣nople, by the commandement of Theodosius, Damasus agree∣ing thereunto; in which councell Macedonius, who denied that the holy ghost was God, was condemned, & the consubstan∣tialitie of the holy ghost with the father and the sonne was con∣firmed in the same.

Nicephorus, Theodoretus and Prosper,* 1.14 teach the same doc∣trine, whose words for breuitie sake I here omit.

The third conclusion.

The third generall councel, being the first Ephesine; of two hundred bishops, was proclaimed by the commandement of the Emperour Theodosius the yonger, against Nestorius denying the virgin Mary to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.15 and affirming Christ to haue two persons, prouing that two natures did subsist in one onely per∣son of Christ Iesus, in the yere of our Lord 433.

Euagrius hath these words;* 1.16 Haec nefaria Nestorij dogmata cum Cyrillus episcopus Alexandria vir, &c. When Cyrillus the bishop of Alexander, a man of great renowned, had distinct∣ly confuted the wicked opinions of Nestorius, and Nestorius for al that gaue no place to his writings, neither obeyed Cyril∣lus nor the councell of Caelestinus the bishop of old Rome, but licentiously powred out his poyson against the church:* 1.17 then Cyrillus made sute to Theodosius the yonger, who at that time was Emperour in the East, that by his will and authortie a councell might be called at Ephesus. The Emperour vppon this sent his letters to Cyrillus, and to the other presidents of the churches, appointing the assembly to bee vppon Whitsun∣day, at what time the holy Ghost came downe vnto vs.

Nicephorus hath these words;* 1.18 Theodosius imperialibus lite∣ris suis in metropoli Ephesi locorū omnium episcopos conuenire iussit, sacram▪ &c. Theodosius commanded by his imperiall letters that all bishoppes should meete in the metropolitaine church of Ephesus, at the day of Pentecost (which wee call Whitsunday;) for on that day, the holy ghost came vppon the

Apostles. He added this to his letters, that no man shoulde ex∣cuse himselfe either before God or the worlde; but that euerie one should be there present at the day appointed.

* 1.19Cassiodorus hath these words; Non multo post tempore, iussio principis episcopos vndi{que} Ephesum conuenire praecepit. No long time after the commandement of the Emperor (Theodosius) charged the bishops to come from euery place to Ephesus.

* 1.20Sigebertus hath these words, Tertia synodus vniuersalis E∣phesina prima, ducentorum episcoporum, iussu Theodosii iunioris Augusti aedita est, quae. Nestorium, &c. The third general councel the first Ephesine of 200. bishoppes, was celebrated by the commandement of the emperor Theodosius the yonger, which councell iustly condemned Nestorius affirming Christ to haue two persons, shewing that two natures in Christ did subsist in one person.

The fourth conclusion.

* 1.21The 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,* 1.22 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

well marked, this Corollarie followeth of necessitie, that the vsual practise of the ancient Christian Apostolike and Catholike church, doth flatly ouerthrow all Poperie, and late Romish abhomination.

Nicephorus hath these words: Earum rerum gratia,* 1.23 impera∣torum literis, locorum omnium episcopis conuocatis, synodus Chalcedone est coacta. In regard of these matters, a councell was called at Chalcedon, and all bishops sent for thither, by force of the Emperours letters.

Sigebertus hath these words;* 1.24 Instantia Leonis papae iubent imperatore Martiano, congregata & habita est quarta vniuer∣salis synodus sexcentorum & triginta episcoporum apud Chal∣cedonem. The fourth generall councel of six hundreth & thirtie bishops,* 1.25 was holden in Chalcedon by the commandement of the Emperour Martian, at the request of Pope Leo. Loe, the Pope could but request; to command was in the Emperours power. Euagrius in the second booke and second chapter of his hystorie, teacheth the selfe same veritie.

The 5. conclusion.

The Emperor euermore had the chiefest place in councels, which thing is an euident confirmation of the former conclusi∣ons.

Sozomenus hath these words; Vbi autem venit praestituta dies,* 1.26 in qua, &c. And when the day appointed came, that they shuld decide the cōtrouersies, the bishops come together into the pa∣lace, as the emperor had decreed,* 1.27 that he might consult with them of the matters. And when he came to the place where the priests were, he passed by to the highest roome of y^e assemblie, and sate downe in a chaire prepared for him, and commanded al that were present in the councell to sit downe.

Out of these words I note first, that all the bishops came at the emperors appointment, to attend his maiesty at the time & [ 1] place by him designed. I note secondly, that he consulted with them, for and concerning the controuersies of religion; as who [ 2] knew right well, that the vnitie and peace of Christs church pertained to his charge. I note thirdly, that he had the highest place in y^e councel. I note 4. that bishops did not sit down vntil [ 3] [ 4]

the Emperour commanded them so to do.

The famous popish archbishop and Cardinall Panormita∣nus, hath these golden words, to the great comfort of all true Christians,* 1.28 & the confusion of al papists: Ipse autem Imperator repraesentat totum populū christianum, cū in eum translata sit iu∣risdictio & potestas vniuersi orbis: loco ipsorū hoc ergo popu∣lorum▪ &c. But the emperour representeth al christian people, because the iurisdiction and power of all the world is imposed vpon him. Therefore in steede of the people, the Emperor cal∣leth councels; and for this purpose is it, that the calling of councels was euer done by the emperor, as is alreadie said; but afterward it was reserued to the Pope.

[ 1] Out of these words I note first, that the testimonie of this Panormitaine must needes be forcible against the papists, be∣cause he was their owne popish Abbot, their Canonist, their [ 2] archbishop, their Cardinal. I note secondly, that the Emperor hath the chiefest iurisdiction ouer all the christian world, euen [ 3] ouer the Pope of Rome. I note thirdly, that in respect of his vniuersall and supreme iurisdiction, hee hath authoritie to call [ 4] councels. I note fourthly, that in the primitiue church al coun∣cels were called, by the authoritie of the Emperour. I note [ 5] fiftly, that in processe of time, the Emperour of Rome yeelded vp his authorittie of calling councels, to his bishop of Rome: by which grant and the like, the Pope at length abused all the world.

The veritie and infallibilitie of this conclusion is so manifest and irrefragable, that the Iesuite Bellarmine cannot denie the same. And therefore he is enforced to excuse the Popes ab∣sence from councels, because he could not sit aboue the Em∣peror: his words are alleaged in my booke of Motiues. By this testimonie, the Popes humilitie doth sufficiently appeare; and for affinitie sake, I will adioyne the testimonie of an other Monke, for his tyrannie.

Sigebertus a Monke, and therefore must bee of good credit with monkish Iesuits and other papists, after he hath discour∣sed largely of the popes tyranny, and namely of the monke Odo alias Otto, who aspiring to the Popedome named himselfe Vrbanus the second,* 1.29 addeth these words: Vt pace omnium bo∣norum dixerim, haec sola nouitas, non dicam haeresis, nondum in

mundo emerscrat, vt sacerdotes illius qui regnare facit hypocri∣tam propter peccata populi, doceant populum quod malis regibus nullam debeant subiectionem, & licet ei sacramentum fidelitatis fecerint, nullam tamen debeant fidelitatem, nec periuri dicantur qui contra regem senserint: imò qui regi paruerit, pro excom∣municato habeatur, qui contra regem fecerit noxâ iniustitiae & periurij absoluatur. To speake by the fauour of al good men, this sole noueltie, I will not say heresie, was not yet knowne in y^e world; that his priests, who causeth an hypocrite to raigne for the sinnes of the people, should teach the people, that they owe no subiection to wicked kings, and that although they haue ta∣ken the othe of fidelitie, yet doe they owe them no allegeance, neither are they periured that think any thing against the king: Yea, hee that obeyeth the king is reputed an excommunicate person, and hee that taketh parte against the king, is absolued from iniustice and periurie. Thus we see poperie to be heresie, and the Popes to be heretikes and wicked men, as their owne Monke Sigebertus teacheth vs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vide Epiphan. contr. Andianos, libr. 3. tom 1. pa. ••67. haer. 70.
• * 1.2

  Ann. Dom. 327
• * 1.3

  Socrat. lib. 1. ca. 6
• * 1.4

  Niceph. li. 8. c. 1••.
• * 1.5

  The Emperour commaundeth councels to be holden.
• * 1.6

  Theodoret. lib. ••▪ cap. 7.
• * 1.7

  Sozom. li. 1. c. 1••
• * 1.8

  Niceph. lib. 8. ca. 14.
• * 1.9

  The Bishop of Rome reputed as a common man.
• * 1.10

  Ann. Dom. 389
• * 1.11

  Socrat. li. 5. cap. 8
• * 1.12

  Sozom. lib. 7. cap. 7.
• * 1.13

  Sigeb. in chron. anno 386.
• * 1.14

  Vide Niceph. lib. 12. ca. 10. Tripart. hist. lib. 9. c. 12.
• * 1.15

  Ann. Dom. 433
• * 1.16

  Euagrius li. 1. c. 3.
• * 1.17

  Loe, the graue bishop Cyrillus made sute to the emperour, not to the pope, to haue a Councill called in his name.
• * 1.18

  Niceph. lib. 14. cap. 34.
• * 1.19

  Cassiodor. in tri∣part. hist. lib. 12. cap. 5.
• * 1.20

  Sigebert. in an∣no 4••3.
• * 1.21

  Euagr. lib. 1. ca. 9.
• * 1.22

  Ann. Dom. 454
• * 1.23

  Niceph. lib. 15. cap. 2.
• * 1.24

  Sigebert. in an∣no 452.
• * 1.25

  The pope reque∣sted, but the em∣perour comman∣ded the thing to be done.
• * 1.26

  Sozom. lib. 1. ••••. 18.
• * 1.27

  Loe, the emper•••• had the highest place, and the bi∣shops sate no•• downe till ha•• commanded them.
• * 1.28

  Panormit. de e∣lect. cap. signifi∣casti, prope fin.
• * 1.29

  Sigebert. in anno 1088.