A counterblast to M. Hornes vayne blaste against M. Fekenham Wherein is set forthe: a ful reply to M. Hornes Answer, and to euery part therof made, against the declaration of my L. Abbat of Westminster, M. Fekenham, touching, the Othe of the Supremacy. By perusing vvhereof shall appeare, besides the holy Scriptures, as it vvere a chronicle of the continual practise of Christes Churche in al ages and countries, fro[m] the time of Constantin the Great, vntil our daies: prouing the popes and bishops supremacy in ecclesiastical causes: and disprouing the princes supremacy in the same causes. By Thomas Stapleton student in diuinitie.

The 2. Chapter: Of other kinges of Spayne, and of the Toletane Councels holden in their raignes.

Stapleton.

WE are yet ons againe come to Spayne: and we haue nowe seuen councels summoned there, by theis foure kings, that M. Horn here nameth. But surely there is nothing, wherby to fasten this primacy vp∣pon them. But here are manie playne and open things, that do so blemish and spotte M. Horn, and his Madge and their childrē with a most shamful reproche of perpetual infamy, as theis coūcels here by him alleaged, may seme to remayne in this his boke lyke the salt Stone, wherinto Lothes wyfe was turned: that is,* 1.1 as a perpetual monumente of his shame and dishonestie for euer. For where is the clericall crowne that theis fathers require, in M. Hornes head? What a nomber of decrees appeare in theis councelles by M. Horne rehersed againste the filthie fornication and ma∣riage of such persons both men and wemen as had profes∣sed chastytie?* 1.2 For the which Potamius the bishop of Bra∣carie is deposed: as was before Saphoracus (whome as ye heard, M. Horne browght in for an example of his proufe) in Fraunce. And here haue yowe, that not onlie Mai∣stres Madge shall be a slaue, but her children to, thus in∣cestuously begotten, shall be made bond men. I praye yow then what doe all theis Councells so muster here: onlesse yt be to represente to vs, and to all that shall reade and see M. Hornes boke hereafter, that he can alleage no Coun∣cells, but suche as make against him? For beholde howe manye thinges these Councells decree, of whiche M. Horne, and his pewfelowes obserue neuer a white.

Els where are the hallowed tapers to be vsed in the vigils decreed in those Councels?* 1.3 Where is the Masse so expres∣ly in those Councells mentioned? Where is the order and discipline decreed there against renegate Nonnes? But to let these things passe, what hath M. Horne, in al those Coū∣cels to iustifie his primacy by? Verely in the first Councell by him alleaged Sisenandus the kyng entring in to the Sy∣nod,* 1.4 began his talke to the bishops, Coram sacerdotibus Dei humi prostratus, lyenge flat groueling on the ground before the priestes of God. And in al that Councel he only exhor∣ted the bishoppes to make some decrees for reformation of the Church. In the second Councel by him alleaged, wher he saieth the Synod was confirmed by the princes commaunde∣ment and decree, the wordes of the Councel write expres∣ly the contrary.* 1.5 For the bishops there of their conclusion in that Synod do say. Ex praecepto eius, & decreto nostro sanci∣mus. This we ordaine by the kinges precept, and our de∣cree. It is their decree M. Horne not the princes. And so in the next Councell folowing,* 1.6 this Synod is called, the bishops constitution or decree: not the kinges. In the third Councell by you alleaged, the bishops confesse they were there assembled,* 1.7 Regis salutaribus hortamentis absque impe∣dimento: by the holsome exhortations of the king without let, signifiyng that by the kinges meanes they were quiet∣ly assembled,* 1.8 and nothing els. As also in the next Councell folowing they saie Studio serenissimi Regis & caet by the en∣deuoure or fauoure of our most gratiouse kinge. Nay in the next Councel by you alleaged the kinge and his nobles confesse them selues subiectes to the bishops in such mat∣ters.* 1.9 The king speaking to the bishops saieth. En Reuerendi patres excelsiori mihi venerationis honore sublimes, coram vo∣bis

aduenio &c. Beholde Reuerend fathers, highe to me in a more higher degree of honour, I come before you &c. And touching his nobles (of whome, as M. Horne noteth, there sate in the Synod a greate Company) he chargeth them,* 1.10 vt nihil à consensu praesentium patrum sanctorúmque virorum a∣liorsum mentis ducant obtutum: that in no point they should direct their intention from the consent of the fathers and holy men there present. In which words you see M. Horn, his nobles were not there to gouerne, to direct, or to ouer∣rule the bishops: but rather to be gouerned directed, and instructed of the bishoppes. And then as I saied, what is there in all these Councells that may any waies furder this vehement imaginatiō of your supremacy? And how much is there that ouerturneth the same, and establisheth the Clergies supremacy, in such causes to them apperteyning? For beside all this,* 1.11 lo what the Fathers in this very Coun∣cell do yet farder protest. They saie, that Christ is the head, and the bishops the eyes. They say, that they being of the hi∣ghest doe rule by the highnes of theire order: and doe gouerne the multitude of people,* 1.12 vnder their subiec∣tion. And therevppon they say that Bisshoppes a∣monge other their vertues, must excell in kepinge of chastitye. And they further doe declare, that such as be faultye therein, shalbe thruste oute of theire bisshoprikes. Yet one thinge there is, that semethe colowrablye to serue Maister Horne, that is, that the nobility also subscribeth. Which should seame to imploye a voyce and a consente.

Vnto the which our former answer may serue wel enough, that the Bisshops decreed and ruled, not the Nobles. Again this may serue,* 1.13 that here in al these Councels, was no new matter of faith determined: but most of all this I am assu∣red will serue, to say that many thinges were in those Coū∣cels, enacted for the assurance and succession of the Prince and of other cyuill and polityke matters, to the whiche noble men may subscribe wel inowghe.

M. Horne. The .82. Diuision. Fol. 49. a.

* 1.14Vitalianus beinge chosen Pope, sente his messengers vvith Synodicall letters (according to the custome, saith Gratian) to signifie vnto the Emperour of his election. In this Popes time (saith the Pontificall) came Constantinus the Emperour to Rome, vvhome this Pope vvith his cleargy,* 1.15 met sixe myles out of the City, and did humbly receiue him. It is vvonderfull to consider (although the Historians, being Papistes for the most part, (.240.) couer the matter so muche as may be) vvhat practises the Popes vsed to catche (.241.)* 1.16 from the Emperours to them selues, the su∣periority in gouerning of Churche matters: vvhen they savve, that by stovvte and braue presumption, their ambitious appetites could not be satisfied, they turned ouer an other leafe, and coue∣ring their (.242.)* 1.17 ambitious meaning vvith a patched cloke of humility and lovvlinesse, they vvan muche of that, vvhich vvith pride and presumption they had so often before this tyme attemp∣ted in vaine.

VVith this vvily lovvlinesse, Donus the next sauing one to Vitalianus, (.243.)* 1.18 brought vnder his obedience the Archebis∣shop of Rauenna. There had been an olde and (.244.)* 1.19 continual dissention betvvixt the Archebisshop of Rome, and the Arche∣bisshop of Rauenna, for the superiority: The Rauennates ac∣compting their sea (.245.)* 1.20 equall in dignity, and to ovve none obedience to the sea of Rome, for they vvere not subiect there∣vnto: To finishe this matter, and to vvinne the superiority, Do∣nus

first practised vvith Reparatus the Archebisshop of Ra∣uenna, to geue ouer vnto him the superiority,* 1.21 and become his o∣bedientiary, and that (as it may appeare by the sequele) vvithout the consent of his Church. After the death of Reparatus, vvhich vvas vvithin a vvhyle, Theodorus a familiar friend to Aga∣tho the Pope, and a stoute man, (vvhom (.246.)* 1.22 Agatho did ho¦nour vvith his Legacy vnto the syxth general Councel at Cōstā∣tinople) because his Clergy vvoulde not vvayt on him on Christ∣mas daye, solempnely (.247.)* 1.23 conducting him vnto the Churche as the maner had been, did geue ouer the title, ād made his sea subiect to the Pope for enuy ād despite of his Clergy, (saith Sabellicus) vvherevvith the Rauennates vvere not con∣tent, but being ouercome by the authority of the Emperour Con∣stantin, vvho much fauored Agatho, they bare it as patiently as they might. And Leo the seconde, successour to Agatho, made an ende hereof, (.248.)* 1.24 causing the Emperour Iustinian to shevve great (.249.)* 1.25 cruelty vnto the vvhole Cyty of Rauenna, and to Felix their Bisshop, because they vvould haue (.250.)* 1.26 recouered their olde liberty. And so this Pope Leo by the commandement and povver of the Emperour Iustinian, brought Rauenna vnder his obeisance, as the Pontifical reporteth. These Popes through their feyned humility and obedience vnto the Emperours, vvhich vvas but duty, vvan both much fauour and ayde at the Emperors hādes, to atchieue their purpose much desired.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tol. 4. ca. 40.
• * 1.2

  Tol. 6. c. 6. Tol. 8. c. 4. & 5. & 7 Tol. 9. c. 10 Tol. 10. c. 5.
• * 1.3

  Tol. 4. ca. 8 Tol. 7. ca. 3 Tol. 10. c. 5
• * 1.4

  Tol. 4. in praefat.
• * 1.5

  Tol. 5. in. praefat.
• * 1.6

  Tol. 6. c. 2.
• * 1.7

  Tol. 6. in praefat.
• * 1.8

  Tol. 7. in praefat.
• * 1.9

  Tol. 8. in praefat.
• * 1.10

  Ibidem.
• * 1.11

  Tol. 8. c. 4.
• * 1.12

  Nam dùm secun∣dum Carnis assump∣tae mysterium, Ec∣clesiae suae fuerit dig∣natus caput existere Christus, meritò in membris eius in∣tentio Episcoporū, of∣ficia peragere cerni∣tur oculorum. Ipsi enim de sublimiori∣bus, celsitudine ordinis regunt & disponunt subiectas multitudines plebium. Tol. 8. ca. 4.
• * 1.13

  Vide Cōc. 5 & Con. 8.
• * 1.14

  Distin. 631. cap. 21.
• * 1.15

  The .242. vntruthe Slaunderous.
• * 1.16

  The 241. vntruth. The Emperours neuer had it.
• * 1.17

  The 242. vntruthe Slaunderous and Rayling.
• * 1.18

  The .243. vntruth. He brought it not, but restored it &c. As shal appeare.
• * 1.19

  The 244. vntruthe Notorious and fa∣cing.
• * 1.20

  The .245. vntruthe. Their first strife vvas not about the Superiority: but about Tria capitula. Pontificall.
• * 1.21

  Anno. 620.
• * 1.22

  The 246. vntruth. It vvas not that Theodorus, but an other, as shal ap∣peare.
• * 1.23

  The 247 vntruthe as shal appeare.
• * 1.24

  The 248 vntruthe grosse ād impudēt, as shal appeare.
• * 1.25

  The 249. vntruth. It vvas because thei vvould maintayne their olde disobe∣dience.
• * 1.26

  The 250. vntruthe. It vvas Constantin not Iustinian.