This is an other of M. Hardinges reasons agaynst the authoritie of the ciuill Magistrate in Ecclesiasticall matters, and he vsed it against the Apologie, but the answere made to the same in the defense of the Apologie, by that reuerende Father* 1.1 the Bishop of Sarisburie, is learned and true, the summe whereof is this. The Emperour Ualentinian at that tyme when Ambrose wrote this Epistle vnto him, was very yong, he was not yet baptized, he knewe not the principles of Christes* 1.2 Religion, he was an Arian Heretike, he woulde haue thruste out the Christians, and placed Heretikes in their Churches, he thought it was lawfull for him to do what him listed &c. For this cause Ambrose refused him to be his iudge, so that he did not mislike his authoritie in causes Ecclesiasticall, but onely his wilfull ignorance and his tyrannie: for that he knewe his iudgement was corrupted and not indiffe∣rent. And if you had marked the beginning of his Epistle, you might haue per∣ceyued that he alleageth for his chiefe defense, and excuse for not appearing, the de∣crée of Theodosius the Father of Ualentinian, so that in not comming or appearing at the Emperours summon, he did but challenge the priuiledge graunted before of godly Emperours vnto the Cleargie.
And it is euident that the learned and auncient Fathers, haue committed the* 1.3 deciding of matters of controuersie to Emperours, as it appeareth in Athanasius his seconde Apologie, where he committing himselfe and his cause to the Emperour, sayeth thus: VVe require that the Emperours moste godly and most religious Maiestie, may haue the hearyng of the same matter, before whome we may open both our churches right, and also our owne: for we hope that his godlinesse vnderstanding our reasons, will* 1.4 neuer condemne vs.
Likewise S. Augustine Contra Epist Parme. Lib. 1. speakyng to the Donatistes,* 1.5 sayeth. Is it not lawfull for the Emperour or his deputie to giue sentence in a matter of religion? wherefore then went your Ambassadoures to the Emperour? why made they him iudge of their cause?
Sozomene Lib. 4. Cap. 16. sayeth that the Emperour commaunded that tenne Bi∣shops* 1.6 of the East, and ten of the VVeste, chosen by the Councell, shoulde repayre to his courte and open to him the decrees of the Councell, that he might not only consider whe∣ther they were agreed according to the Scriptures: but that he might further determine and conclude what were best to be done.
Socrates Lib. 5. Cap. 10. sayeth that Theodosius the Emperour for the appeasing* 1.7 of contention cōmaunded an assemblie of Bishops, & best learned to appeare before him, and eche parte to write a confession of their faith and religion: the which being done at a day appointed, they came to the Courte and deliuered vp their writinges to the Emperour, who after earnest praiers made, perusing the writings that were de∣liuered, rent in pieces the confessions, made by the Arians, and Eunomians, and al∣lowed onely and receyued the confession of the Catholikes.
The practise therefore of the authoritie of Princes in Ecclesiasticall matters, euen in determining and iudging controuersies in Religion, you might haue learned by these examples in Ambrose tyme.