Nestorianism; but they also gave a publick Testimony of their Aversion to the worshipping of Images, which the Popes asserted in Conjunction with those of the East.
The Judgment of these Diocesses concerning Images ap∣pear'd in Publick, when their Deputies assisted at the Coun∣cil of Francfort, which condemned the 2d Council of Nice, notwithstanding that it had been approved by the Pope. The 2d Council of Nice had in the year 787, ordain'd the Adora∣tion of Images, under the Penalty of being Anathematiz'd. The East was entirely over-run with this Superstition; and what we have already seen of Serenus Bishop of Marseille, makes it evident, that it had likewise made great Progress in the West. Charlemain and the whole Body of the We∣stern Churches, if we except Rome and some Partisans of the Pope in Italy, were desirous to stop this torrent: England con∣demned the Decrees of the Nicene Council, and censured them by the Pen of the famous Alcuin. His Writings were sub∣scribed by all the Bishops of England, and sent to Charlemain. This great Emperor thereupon, in the year 794, assembled at Francfort a Council of the Bishops under his Government; that is, those of Italy, Aquitain, and Provence, as well to condemn Elipandus Arch-bishop of Toledo, and Felix Bishop of Ʋrgel, as to make an enquiry into the Acts of the 2d Council of Nice. They were examin'd in presence of the Pope's Legats. And this Council finding that the 2d Council of Nice had Anathe∣matized all those who refused to render to the Images of the Saints, the Worship and Adoration which are only due to the Trinity; she denied the Service and Adoration of Images, despised the Nicene Acts, and condemned those who received them.
Now that we may exactly know the Opinions which obtain'd in these Diocesses, whose Bishops approved the Book of Char∣lemain; the Reader needs only consider carefully the Positions of Charlemain against several Opinions which have since pre∣vailed in the Church of Rome.
1. In his Preface, he expresly rejects Traditions; when he saith,
That as for themselves, they were content with Pro∣phetical, Evangelical and Apostolick Writings.