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. V. That divers Councels have beene called either without the Popes, or against them.

1 WE said before that Councels have beene called without the Popes consent, yea even against them. As for such as have beene holden without the Popes, we have pre∣sidents in store; the Councels of Aquileia, Africa, France and Spaine. Those which are reckoned in the Canon, prima adnotatio, and others of like nature; wher∣of though some were nationall, some Generall, (that is, consisting of Bishops out of divers Countries) yet notwithstanding they were holden without the knowledge or consent of the Popes.

2 It may bee said peradventure that the Popes slighted these petty Coun∣cels, and that they only stand for their authority over such as are Generall. But there is no such matter; for the very same prerogative which they pretend to have over General and Oecumenical Councels, they stickle for it over others also. Pope Symmachus tels us ••o very roundly. The Councels of Priest••, which by the Ecclesiasticall Canons ought to bee holden every yeere through the Provin∣ces, have lost their force and power, inasmuch as the Pope is no longer present with them. It is true indeed that Gregory the thirteenth, when hee purged Grati∣ans Decrets, puts those words upon Damasus's adversaries, and (to helpe them for a shift) the ensuing words upon him, Silly fooles that you are, did you ever read of ought that was determined in them but by appointment from the See Apostolique, and without having constant recourse to that See to consult when any matter of importance was in hand?

3 Yet still this makes the validity of these Councels to depend upon the Popes authority: And Pope Gelasius is in the same tune, saying, That it is not lawfull to assemble any particular Councell; nor was it ever permitted so to doe: but when any question was to bee resolved either touching some doubtfull passages in Generall Councels, or touching salvation, recourse was wont to bee had unto the See Apostolique. The severall Acts of Councels both Provinciall, nationall, and Generall holden in divers Countries, may easily convince these domestique testimonies of falsity: in asmuch as it is plainly evident from them that those Councels were holden without the presence, authority, or consent of the Popes; and yet withall they made some Canons whereof the Popes af∣terwards served themselves; and were well content they should be enrolled in their books.

4 Wee have also divers presidents of sundry Councels holden against the the Popes: as that of Rome called by Otho the Emperour against Pope Iohn the 12, about the yeer 956: Another called about 1040 by the Emperour Hen∣ry the 3, against the Popes, Bennet the 9, Sylvester the 3, and Gregory the 6. That at Sutoy a town in Tuscany, called by Henry the 4 Emperour, against Bennet the 10, ann. 1058: That at Brixine called by the same Emperour a∣gainst Gregory the 7. about the yeere 1083: As also the first and second at Pisa, the one against Gregory the 12, and Bennet the 13, the other against Iulius the second. There is not one of all these which was either called

or consented unto by them at first; and I am much deceived if ever they were confirmed by them after.

Notes

• Councels cal∣led ag••inst Popes
• Vid Can. prima adnotatio dist. 16.
• C••••. Concii. dist. 17.
• Can. nec lichit. et Can. multis cadem dist.

  Lu••tprandus de ••. bus per Euro∣pam gestis lib: 6. c. 6. et seq.

  M. Adamus in hist. Eccles c 55 Plat••n•• in. Io∣anne 1••. ••n Benedicto 9. in Sylves••ro 3. in Clement 2.

  Otho F••i••ingen∣sis lib 1. de ge∣stis Fred rici. Et Radenicus in appendice. Benno de vita et gestis Hilde∣brand.

  Platina. in Gregorio 12. V. Acta Conc••∣l•• Pisani 2.

  Et Arnoldum ••••rronium in I••••dov co 12. N••ucl••rum to. 2. g••n••rat. 47.
• The Popes au∣thorities an∣swered.