A revievv of the Councell of Trent VVherein are contained the severall nullities of it: with the many grievances and prejudices done by it to Christian kings and princes: as also to all catholique churches in the world; and more particularly to the Gallicane Church. First writ in French by a learned Roman-Catholique. Now translated into English by G.L.

CHAP. VIII. A refutation of those reasons which Pope Leo with his Councell of Lateran urgeth to prove his authority over Councels.

1 IT is not enough to have laid open the lightnesse of Bel∣mines reasons; wee must answer those of the Lateran Councell. Leo then and his Conventicle after they have set downe this rule, That the Pope is above a Councell, and that by virtue of this power hee may call, change, and dissolve it at his pleasure, he under∣props it with divers reasons: The first is this;

That the Councell of Alexandria where Athanasius was present, writ to Felix Pope of Rome, how the Synod of Nice had decreed that Councels ought not to bee kept without the authority of the Pope of Rome.

2 This authority is taken out of the Epistle of the Egyptian Bishops writ∣ten to Pope Felix, which is suspected for supposititious by all those that have any cleare insight, and which know how they can tell to forge things at Rome, where instead of al other miracles they have kept this of making dead mē speak. But granting it be genuine, our answer is, that there can nothing be concluded from thence, but onely that Generall Councels cannot bee valid, unlesse the Pope of Rome be summon'd thither; seeing hee hath as much to doe in them as other Patriarchs: which is particularly mention'd of him rather than others, because of his remotenesse; by reason that generally Councels were most com∣monly holden in the East. For this very reason he had power to chuse for his ordinary Legats the Bishops of Athens, Corinth, Crete, and others of those Countries, notwithstanding that they were beyond his bounds, and not sub∣ject unto him, as a Patriarch of Antioch hath it. But we have spoke sufficient∣ly of this in another place.

3 The next reason is, because Pope Leo removed the second Synod of E∣phesus to the City of Chalcedon. We reade indeed that Pope Leo complained

of the second Synod ofa Ephesus: that hee entreated the Emperour Theodosius to call another in Italy, to have an account of the former: that hee imployed b Valentinian, the Emperesses, yea all the world to obtaine that request of Theo∣dosius, who plaid the deafe man, and would not hearken to it •• c that after his death the Councell was called by Valentinian and Martian, not in Italy, as he desired, but at Nice in Bithynia: that the same d Leo having intreated that it might be deferred, could not obtaine so much at those Emperours hands: e that they afterwards translated that Councell from Nice to Chalcedon. But how should we beleeve another man that Leo translated it from Ephesus to Chal∣cedon, when he himself saith the contrary? Who could better know than him∣selfe? What can be more authentique than the very letters of the Emperours that were the authors of the translation, which are joyned with the Acts of the Councels? But grant that hee transferr'd the Councell from one place to another: it is a very weake consequence to say, therefore he is above it. The Emperours will have as much authority as he, who transferr'd them from one place to another; yea and made them come all in corps after them from one countrey to another, to render a reason for what they had done, as wee have proved elsewhere.

4 Let us come to the third reason. Pope Martin the fift gave his presi∣dents at the Councell of Siena power to remove the Councell, without any m••ntion made of the consent of that Councell. If Leo and his Councell will make us beleeve that, they must abolish the memory of all those other prece∣dent Councels. It was decreed in the thirty ninth Session of the Councell of Constance, That Councels should bee kept from ten yeares to ten yeares, in such places as should be nominated by the Pope within a moneth before the end of every Counc••l with the approbation and consent of the Councl, or in case of his default by the Councel it self. It is further said, that the place being once appointed, it shal not be altered by the Pope without apparent necessity; in which case he may do it with the consent of the Cardinals, or two parts of them. According to this Decree, this Pope Martin, of whom wee speak before the breaking up of the Councell•• did nominate the City of Padua for the holding of the next Coun∣cell that should be called. Which he did with the consent and approbation of the said Councell, as it is affirmed in expresse termes. When the question was a∣bout going to keepe that Councel, the same Martin sent forth a Bu•••• contein∣ing the creation of his Presidents to assist there; declared the nomination which he had made with the consent and approbation of the Councell; and gave them power upon lawfull cause, to translate it from one city to another, to prorogue it, dissolve it, preside at it, make Decrees, and other such like things. But with this clause, which relates to all the things aforesaid, Eodem approbante Conci∣lio, with the approbation of the same Councell.

5 But this is not all yet. When the Councell was assembled at Siena, he was earnest with the Fathers thereof to change the place: they consulted upon it, and resolved to goe to Basil: So say the Acts, The Presidents convoked the Deputies for all the nations of the present Councell of Siena, about chusing the place for the future Councell. And anon after: They did nominate and chuse the City of Basil unanimously and with one common consent. And yet after, it is said, That the Presidents assented to the nomination which was made by the Deputies. Now how shall we beleeve this alteration was made, or that Martin did at∣tempt to doe it without the consent of the Councell? Hee, I say, who appro∣ved the Decrees of it, which is more, as it hath beene demonstrated in ano∣ther place.

6 The fourth reason is, That divers Synods have given a great deale of re∣verence to Popes, and have obeyed their injunctions and commands with all humility. There was no necessity of saying so much for fear it should be denied.

For reverence sake a great deal of honour was ever done to the See of Rome: it was acknowledged to bee the first in degree and dignity, but not in power and authority. Besides, the Pope was put to wrestle for honour with the Pa∣triarch of Constantinople, and the Archbishop of Ravenna, by reason of the translation, the one of the Imperiall seat, the other of the exarchat into their Cities, pretended that they had got the prerogative of honour. The other Pa∣triarches had scarce any lesse than he; sometimes more was done unto them, and sometimes lesse. The Popes for their part ever made good use of it: they were never ashamed to proclaime their owne praises, and they lost nothing for want of challenging. They have often turned the faire proffers which were made unto them into strict obligations; and have monopoliz'd to themselves what was common to all. But to doe them a courtesie, let us grant them some speciall favour and prerogative. From all these honours and respects there can bee nothing concluded: as for authority and power, we have no more to doe, but set up our staffe there.

7 The last is more pressing, which speaks of the humble obedience which Generall Councels have done unto them. Let us therefore examine those ex∣amples which are urged upon us. The first Councel of Ephesus granted it to Pope Celestine in obeying his Decrees. What a ly is this! Pope Celestine in a Synod which he held at Rome of the Westerne Bishops, condemned the o∣pinion of Nestorius Bishop of Constantinople: gave notice of the determina∣tion of his Synod to Cyrill Patriarch of Alexandria: and before hee speake of the Generall Councell of Ephesus, hee entreats the same Cyrill to cause that to bee put in execution which had beene defin'd at Rome: from whence an argument for his presidence is drawne, as much to the purpose as the rest. Being advertised of the Councel of Ephesus, hee sends his Legats thither; of a truth they speake some magnificent things tending to the Popes advancement, but of which they can make no great booty; saving only that the Councel was glad that the definition of the Westerne Bishops was found conformable to that which had beene made by the Easterne. And to this intent The Synod decreed, Considering the Legats of the See of Rome have spoken such things as are conformable to what had beene formerly determin'd, they would subscribe to their Acts, that they might continue constant to their promises. And presently they sent letters to the Emperours, Theodosius and Valentinian, wherein they say, That God hath touched the hearts of the Western Bishops with a godly zeal•• for although the length of the journey did not permit all that multitude of Bi∣shops to come to Ephesus, notwithstanding being all met together in one place. the most holy and most devout Celestine Bishop of Rome, being present and presiding amongst them, they have determined in point of faith conformably to what wee had defined; and have declared those that are of a contrary opinion unworthy of Priesthood, and of all Ecclesiasticall honours and degrees. And Celestine the most holy Bishop of great Rome had signified by his letters this opinion of his, and of those that were with him, before ever there was any mention of holding a Councel at Ephesus: and had sent to Cyrill the most holy Bishop of Alexandria, and wel-beloved in the Lord, to prosecute and performe what had been concluded upon at the Synod of Rome, substituting him in his place. And not content with that, he hath now repeated the same things againe by other letters directed to this Synod assembled here at Ephesus by your command, which he hath sent by his Legats, which doe represent at this present his person in the Councell. All this they in∣forme the Emperours of, to let them see that the condemnation of Nestorius was concluded by the common consent of the Church Vniversall.

8 Now if they call this obeying the Popes Decree, we may say as well that the Pope obeyed the Decrees of the Councel of Alexandria holden by Cyril, in as much as when he had notice of them from Cyril, hee wholly conform'd

himselfe unto them. The Councell of Chalcedon did strictly examine the con∣fession of faith which was sent them by Celestine; yea and mended something which did not run well; gave leave to any that would to contradict it; cast him in the case of honour•• which he tooke in great disgust. In that answere which was made unto him this piece is indeed to his advantage, That hee was to the Councel as the Head to the members in the person of his Legats. But this is in regard they were as a head to the rest of the Clergy, as having the first de∣gree of honour, yet without presiding there; as wee have exprest at large in another Chapter. As for the humble obedience in question, they must seeke it elsewhere: for there is no more spoke of it here than is to Pope Agatho, Hadrian and Nicholas in the sixt and eight Councels.

9 The Councel that yeelded the most to the Popes was the eight Generall, holden at Constantinople, which granted Hadrians Legats the Presidence, (which the rest never did) and which decreed with a great deale of respect concerning the accusations of Popes. But it never came so farre as to doe him humble obeysance, or to acknowledge him for its superiour, as is pre∣tended.

10 The fifth reason is the declaration which the Bishops of Italy made to the Bishops of Illyrium touching the Councell of Ariminum, which they said was invalid because it wanted the Pope of Romes consent: and Pope Leo's de∣claration to the Bishops of Sicily, wherein he pretends the very same reason. Wee have an epistle of those Bishops extant at this day, by the meanes of that learned French man, to whom all Christendome is so much beholding, which discovers unto us the Popes cunning to manage their designes. They condemne indeed the Councel of Ariminum: But why? that they tell us,

We do just∣ly reject the Decrees and determinations of the Councell of Ariminum, with the consent of all the Provinces, as having beene corrupted by the prevari∣cation of some body. Wee send you the copy hereof, to the intent that there may bee no difference neither in retaining the same saith, nor in reject∣ing the Councel of Ariminum.

As for Pope Leo wee make no question but hee might have done that which is put upon him, although the letter which hee writ to the Bishops of Sicily make no mention of it. For hee onely tels them that they must send every yeere three Bishops to Rome, to assist at the Synod which shall bee holden there. Which cannot bee referred to a Gene∣rall Councell. And for the rest, no body denyes but the Pope hath the same power in respect of the Churches which depend upon him, which the other Patriarches and Metropolitans have,

11 But let us grant what they say of him. There is nothing got by it; it is a domestique testimony, and of one that is himselfe a party. Hee that hath at other times disputed the presidence of Councels, is now in question himselfe in his owne cause and his successours. Besides, wee have spoken sufficiently elsewhere of the approbations and subscriptions of the Acts of Councels which were desired at the Popes hands; that they desired as much of other Bishops to mantaine the union and intelligence of the Church, from whence no advan∣tage will accrue to the Pope: and yet•• for all the Councel of Lateran makes this a strong ground: as neither from that which the Councell of Constance did, which our Lateran Fathers have put in the list too, thereby tacitly approving it. Of whom I demand lastly, Why then do they not observe its decrees touch∣ing the power of a Councell, seeing they can finde no flaw in them? They take at nothing but the Councel of Basil, and this poore Pragmatique; and that by reason of the sawcinesse of them, as they intimate unto us by those words,

Which was likewise observed by the Fathers of Constance: which laudable custome if those of Bourges and Basil had observed, without doubt we should never have all this adoe.

This for the point of approbation which

Councels required at the hands of Popes. Let us then leave our Bourgeois and Basilians there, and confesse they were to blame to exempt the Pope from trouble. But what had the Councel of Constance to doe with it, that the De∣crees thereof must be abrogated for this? Besides, is it not a fine argument, to conclude that the Pope is above a Councel, because that of Constance deman∣ded the approbation of their Decrees at his hands, whereas by the same De∣crees they make the Pope inferiour?

12 See here all their reasons, saving that they urge the abrogation of our Pragmatique made by Lewes the eleventh, and consequently of the Councell of Basil. To which wee cannot answer but to the shame of Pius the second, who having wrought wonders against the Popes at the Councell of Basil, ha∣ving even writ the history of all that passed there with exceeding approba∣tion thereof, when hee came to be Pope urged King Lewes with the perfor∣mance of a promise which he had extorted from him when hee was Dolphin, of repealing that pragmatique as soone as he should come to the Crowne; and he never gave over solliciting of him by letters and Legats till hee had his de∣sire. So then the pragmatique was repeal'd by this Prince with the advice of a few: but was set up againe presently after with the consent of many, having perceived the prejudice done to France by him. We must confirme all this by good witnesses.

13 M. Iohn le Maire relates many things about this particular; it is fit we heare him. Forasmuch (saith he) as the Popes are not content that the prag∣matique Sanction be in force, although it bee founded upon the holy Canons, and authorized by the Councell of Basil: But it derogates from the insatiable cove∣tousnesse of the Court of Rome, and therefore they say it is a pure heresie. Pope Pius the second imagined by all meanes to perswade and put it in King Lewes his head to abrogate and put all downe: under colour, as the Pope pretended, that the said Lewes when he was then but Dolphin had promised the Pope, that when hee came to the crowne he would abolish the said Pragmatique. And to bring this about, presently after the Kings coronation Pope Pius sent the Cardinall Monke D'Arras for his Legat into France. The Legat being arrived in France put the King in minde of fulfilling his promise: and the King being willing to conde∣scend to the Popes desire, at least making a show of so doing, dispatched his letters patents in ample manner, directing them to the Parliament of Paris, and sent Car∣dinall Balue thither to have the Decree of the Lords of the Parliament thereup∣on. But when the ••ase was discussed, the auditory of the Court being present, the Kings Atturney, called Iohn de Rome, a sharpe man, of great eloquence and courage, straight opposed himselfe against it; boldly affirming and maintaining that a law so holy, so redoubtable, and of so great benefit to the kingdome, ought not to be repealed. In like manner the Vniversity of Paris joyned with the Kings At∣turney, and appealed from all the Popes attempts to a future Councell. At which things Cardinall Balue, a wary, malicious, and stout man, was much offended and used big words: but all this notwithstanding hee returned to the King againe without doing any thing. And so our Pragmatique continues still in force, save that the King did afterwards bestirre himselfe to cause his letters patents to be verified.

14 Now that he made this repeale without counsell, we prove from Pope Pius, out of his letters gratulatory which he sent to him thereupon.

Meane while we commend that (saith hee) that you have determined to disanull this Pragmatique without the assembly or advice of many, as the same Bishop hath given us to understand. Certes you are wise, and you bewray a great King, to governe and not to be governed.

See here the good counsell of the Pope•• but which did not thrive very well with him: for this default made all be cancell'd. Malum consilium consultori p••ss••mum. Let 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heare yet his other

elogyes concerning that repeale. You were reserved till these times to restore her liberty to the Church of Rome, by abolishing errours, that is, the Pragma∣tique. And in another passage. You doe what is meet, knowing that the Prag∣matique is godlesse, you have resolved to abolish it out of your Kingdome. The rest may be seene in the authour himselfe.

15 But let us here observe the inconstancy of this Pius, who saith in his Commentaries of the Councell of Basil, that every one held the conclusion of the Bishop of Arles (who presided there) in admiration, concerning the au∣thority upon a Councel against the Pope: as undertaken by the speciall favour of the Holy Ghost, saith he. In another place hee extols the integrity and devo∣tion of those Fathers with exclamation, O most sincere fraternity! O the true Senat of all the world! What a deale of beauty, and sweetnesse, and devotion was there! to heare the Bishops celebrating in one place; the Abbats at their prayers in another; the Doctours reading divine Histories in a third: to see one writing by candle-light, another meditating upon some weighty matter •• Now our Prag∣matique is nothing else but the marrow and substance of the Councell of Basil, yea but the very Decrees of it. Now we demand of him, Cur tam va∣riè? as our Practitioners speak. Hee will give us King Francis his answer, It is not for a King of France to revenge an injury done to a Duke of Orleance: But rather it is for a Pope to defend the Popes cause. That when he writ that (as well as that which hee writ against the Donation of Constantine) he was but one of the Councel of Basils frogs: but this he pronounceth as Pope, that is, as one who is now better advised; having all wisedome both divine and humane in his pantos••e, and all law in his budget.

16 I will not now spend time upon answering the arguments which Bel∣larmine brings out of holy Scripture, to make the Pope above a Councel. As Thou art Peter; Feed my sheep. Ergo the Pope is above a Councel. Item, The Pope is the Head, the Steward, the Shepheard, the husband or spouse of the Church. Therefore he is above a Councell. Part of which have been con∣futed by the Councell of Basil, in the Acts collected by AEnaeas Sylvius; and part by many other Doctours which writ since. Besides the solution of them may bee gathered out of those places which wee have here above transcribed out of the opinions of the Vniversities of Germany and Poland.

17 We have also made answer alreadie to that which is urged of the Coun∣cels of Sinnesse and Rome: That the Primier See, that is, the Pope, cannot bee judged by any man: and we have shewed that this is meant of particular per∣sons, or of Provinciall Councels at most. Besides that, wee have divers exam∣ples of their judgements, in which this maxime was never determined. Adde further, that we have made it evident by an infinite number of examples; that divers Popes have beene judged even for other crimes than heresie.

18 But the most pressing argument of all is that which hee collects out of the letters of certaine Easterne Bishops writ to Pope Leo the first, and the Councel of Chalcedon joyntlie, and that during the celebration of that Coun∣cell; in the inscription whereof they put the Popes name before the Councels; and yet the Fathers there assembled, to whom these letters were presented, never complained of it, saith Bellarmine: Hee had great dearth of good argu∣ments when he flies to such as these. By the very same reason the Archbishop of Constantinople must bee above the Councel, whose name is put before the name of the Councel in the letters of Eusebius Bishop of Doryleum: To the most holy and most blessed Archbishop Flavian, (saith hee) and to the holy Councel. See here the Patriarch of Constantinople as good as the Pope; and by conse∣quent Pope Leo, who pleaded the contrary in that very Councel, hath lost his right by Bellaermines judgement. If he should have said so much in his time it is a hazard hee had never beene Cardinal: so highly was the Pope displeased at

the judgement of this Councell. Another Bishop puts the names of the Pope and of the Patriarches of Constantinople and Antioch all before the name of the Councell in a letter of ••is. The Councell of Chalcedon writing to Pope Leo, puts it selfe before him; and on the contrary writing to the Emperours Valentinian and Marcian puts it self after them: all in the same Session. Bel∣larmine knowes also very well that the Emperour Iustinian writing to Pope Iohn, puts his name of Emperour before that of Pope: and that Iohn also puts it before his in his answer. It is true, the glosse spoiles all, which saith, This would not be so now adayes. Wee know Pope Adrian the fourth had a great quarrell with the Emperour Frederic about it, who had beene so bold as to put his owne name before the Popes, in the letters which he writ, whereof wee have spoken elsewhere. But our predecessours went not so precisely, but in writing one to another they put their owne names sometimes before, some∣times after; as wee could make it appeare by many examples, if it were worth the while.

19 Bellarmine addes, that the Councell of Chalcedon it selfe hath acknow∣ledged this for true, when they call the Pope their head, and themselves his members. Yea but they were to blame to put the head under the feet in that inscription which we urged. Wee have said before in another place that hee is called the head, because hee was the first in degree of honour amongst the Clergy, because he sate in the first place amongst the Bishops. Others say because hee is the head of particular Churches, but not of the Vniversall, re∣presented by an Oecumenicall Councell. All the other arguments which hee brings are refuted by us in divers places, saving only those which are drawne from the authority of Popes; whom wee desire to forbear aswell from giving evidence as from passing sentence, seeing their owne cause is in question.

Notes

• Concil Lateran. Se••sion. 10.
• V. Epist AEgyp∣tiorum ponti••. ad Felicem Papam.
• Theodorus Bal∣sam. in praesat. ad 6. Synod. in Trullo.
• a

  Leo Epist 23.
• Po••es ••••moved Cou••cels but with their con∣s••••••.
• b

  Leo Epist 24. vide etiam E∣pis••ol••s L••••e∣n••ae & ••aci∣diae ad Thendos. & Epist Theo∣d••sii ad Valen∣tinian. in prae∣ambulis epist. ad Synodum Chal∣ced.
• c

  Epist. Valenti∣nian. & Mar∣tian••

  Et altera ••jus dem Martiani a•• L••on••m & al••••ra ••orun∣dem ••mp ad Episc••pos in praeamb epist.
• d

  L••o ••pist. 41.
• e

  ••pist. Imp. Valent. & Ma••••i••n. a•• Concil. Ni••en. ••n pr••eam••.

  Epist. Concil. Const. Session. 39.
• Concil. Con∣stant, Sess 44.
• Extat haec Bul∣la in 1. Sessione Conc••l. Basil.
• Concil. B••sil. Session•• 1.
• Popes not o∣b••yed by Councels.
• V cap. 16. To. ••. Act. Conc. Ephes.

  Vid c 17. ibid.
• Conc. Ephes. To. 1. cap. 14. et 16.
• Councels not v••lid because confirm'd by Popes.
• Synod Chalced. in allocut. ad Marcian.

  Ib. Act. 16. Ib. Act. 23.
• V. F••agmenta D. Hilarii.
• Of the Prag∣matique San∣ction
• Extat Ludov••∣ci 12. Con∣stitutio in Se••sione 4. Con∣cil Lateran.
• Iean le Maire en a•• partie de la differ. des Schismes.
• Vid. etiam Ga∣guin. lib. 10. hist F••anc.
• Pius 2. Epist. 401 ad Ludo∣vicu••.
• Pius the 2. his inconstancy.
• AEnea•• Sylviu•• l. 1. de gesti•• Conc. Basil.
• Idem lib. 2.
• Quod AEneas laudavit Pius damnavit.
• Conc. Chalced. Action. 1.
• Pl••ceing of nam••s, o•• what forc••.
• Conc. Chalced. Action. 3.

  Lant••r ••la••as•• C de sum. tri∣nitate

  V. ep••stolas Leo∣nis.

  Item ••pist. ••∣d••••am ad Tara∣s••um in 2. Acti. Synod. Nic••n. 2.

  Epistolas diver∣so••um Ponti••. Roman. apud Willelm. Mal∣mesbur. lib. 3. de Pontisic. Anglorum.