A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

CHAP. II. (Book 2)

The History of the Council of Constance, and of the Schism of the Popes, until the Election of Martin V.

JOHN XXIII. seeing himself pursu'd by King Laodislaus, who had made himself Master of * 1.1 Rome, and of the Neighbouring Cities, and was preparing to Besiege him even in Bononia, concluded with himself, That the only means of Deliverance and Safety that remain'd, was to put himself under the Protection of the Emperor Sigismund, and to call a Council by con∣sert with him. His Predecessor, when he Prorogu'd the Council of Pisa, had ordain'd, That another should be held within three Years after: John XXIII. had pro forma, appointed it in the City of Rome, and had afterwards Prorogu'd it without appointing a place, or prefixing a time. Sigismund wrote to him to do nothing without Communicating it to his Ambassadors, whom he should send unto him. These Ambassadors found the Pope at Florence, and made divers Pro∣posals to him about holding of a Council. The Pope on his part, to expedite this Affair the more speedily, sent two Cardinals, and Manuel Chrysoloras to Sigismund, with Power to agree with him, as to the Place and Time of the Council; As to the Place they agreed upon the City of Constance; and as to the Time, that it should be the 1st of November, in the next Year 1414. After this, the Pope having conferr'd with the Emperor, ratified what was agreed upon by his Legates, and call'd the Council to meet at Constance, November 1st, 1414. by his Bull dated at Lodi, November 2d, 1413. inviting the Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, and Prelates of all Christendom to be present in Person, or by their Deputies. Then he return'd to Bononia, where he rais'd Troops to oppose Laodislaus, who was coming to Besiege him; but this Prince was seiz'd with a Disease which oblig'd him to return to Naples, where he died, leaving his Kingdom to Joan, the second of that Name, his Sister, the Widow of William of Austria.

This News was very joyful to Pope John XXIII. and his Court, who being now deliver'd from so formidable an Enemy, gave Orders for the securing of Bononia, and then set forth

for Constance, October 1st, where he arriv'd on the 20th of the same Month. He open'd the Council November 16th, on which Day he held the first Session, wherein after Reading of the Bull, by which they were call'd all together, Officers were appointed, and the next Session was put off to the 17th of December, but it was not held till the next Year, because a great number of Prelates and Princes, or their Ambassadors were expected.

The Emperor Sigismond arriv'd there on Christmas-Eve, and some time after, the Deputies of Gregory and Benedict, among whom there were some Anti-Cardinals. It was disputed, whether they should be receiv'd with their Red Hats; and for Peace sake it was allow'd. The Ambassadors of the former offer'd in their Master's Name the way of Resignation, but without having any Power in Writing to make it good: Those of the latter spoke not so clearly, and presented only an Agreement made between the Emperor, and the King of Arragon, to meet at Nice, in the Month of April, to confer together upon this Subject. Louis, Duke of Bavaria, who adher'd to Gregory's Party, arriv'd also at the Council, and there declar'd, That Gregory, and those of his Obedience, were ready to embrace the way of Cession, and that they would no ways hinder or delay the Union, nor any Endeavours for the Reformation of the Church in the Council, provided that John XXIII. should not preside in it, offering upon this Condition to submit to the Judgment of the Council, whether Gregory consented to it or no.

After these Proposals, the Fathers of the Council consulted among themselves, and without * 1.2 Communicating the Matter to John XXXIII. concerning the means of putting an end to the Schism, and reforming the Church in its Head and Members; They all agreed, as to the Le∣gality of the Council of Pisa, and yet the greater number were of Opinion, That John XXIII. should renounce the Pontificat as well as Gregory and Benedict. Those who were not of this Opinion, said, That this was to impeach the Authority of the Council of Pisa, to treat a Law∣ful Pope, who was never suspected of Heresie, like depos'd Schismaticks; That no body could force him to renounce a certain Right, and he himself could not abandon his Right, without doing injury to his own Reputation, the Authority of the Council of Pisa, and the Church, whereof he was the Lawful Head; That there was another way of procuring Union, by con∣demning his Adversaries, and their Adherents, and reducing them to Obedience by a War. To this it was answer'd, That altho' the Council of Pisa had been lawfully celebrated, and the Election of Alexander V. was Canonical; yet because those of the two other Obediences had not agreed to it upon the account of the difficulties about Right and Fact, it was expedient for avoiding these Disputes, and procuring speedily the Peace of the Church, that the three Competitors should receed from their pretended Rights to the Pontifical Dignity; That this Cession would no ways prejudice the Authority of the Council of Pisa, but rather establish that which was the end and design of the Fathers of that Council; That altho' the Adversaries of John XXIII. had been condemned, yet we might hearken to what they should propose for pro∣moting Peace; That altho' a lawful Pope, which had not been accus'd of any Crime, could not regularly be oblig'd to renounce the Pontificat; yet in the present Case, considering the diffi∣culty there was otherwise to procure the Peace of the Church, he might be constrain'd to do it by the Universal Church, or by the Council which represented it; That the War which was propos'd for reducing the Competitors, was a means contrary to the Spirit of the Church, which would retard the Peace, and render it almost impossible.

It was also debated among the Fathers of the Council, who they were that had Right to give a Vote in the Council. Some maintain'd, That none but Bishops, and other Prelates or Abbots, ought to be admitted to give a Vote: Against whom the Cardinals of Cambray, and St. Mark gave in Memorials, to prove, That Curates, Doctors, the Deputies of absent Prelates, ought to be admitted to give their Votes, and even the Ambassadors of Princes, as to what concern'd the Schism, and the Peace of the Church, because they were Interessed in it, and the Execution of their Decrees depended upon them.

After this, it was consulted, whether Opinions should be reckon'd in the Council by each single Person, or by Nations: The Right and Custom seem'd to be, to reckon Suffrages by the Poll, but because there was almost a greater number of poor Bishops from Italy alone, than of Prelates from all other Nations; it was also resolv'd, That the Fathers of the Council should be distributed into Five Nations, viz. Italy, France, Germany, England and Spain; that the things which were to be propos'd in the Council, should be examin'd and determin'd by the Plurality of Voices in each Nation, and by the Cardinals in their College; and that afterwards they should be reported to the Council to be there Decreed, according to the Plurality of the Votes of Nations.

John XXIII. being advertis'd of the Consultations which were made among the Fathers of the Council, endeavour'd by all means to divert them, and to sow Division among them; but notwithstanding his Attempts, the way of Cession was decreed with the unanimous con∣sent of all the Nations. While these things were under Deliberation, an Italian Bishop gave in a Memorial, containing many Heads of all sorts of Crimes, of which he accus'd John XXIII. and desir'd that the Information might be kept secret. The Nations of Germany, England and Poland, were of Opinion, That these Articles should not be publish'd, and that this Information should not be given in, which could only serve to disgrace the Holy See, to scandalize the Church, and throw it into Confusion, by giving occasion to doubt of the validity of the Pro∣visions and Promotions that had been made. Others maintain'd, That it was convenient to in∣form

the Council of these Facts, and that it was easie to find Proof of them, so much the rather because the greatest part of them were notorious. John XXIII. knowing what had past, was mightily perplex'd, and at first resolv'd to go in Person to the Council, and there to own those things whereof he was accus'd, (if we may believe Theodorick de Niem) but still to main∣tain that the Pope could not be depos'd, except for the Crime of Heresie. His Friends having remonstrated, That it was not convenient to take this Method, he chang'd his Opinion; and the Fathers of the Council did not enter upon the Examination of these Accusations, but resolv'd to propose to him the way of Cession. John XXIII. knowing the Resolution which they had taken, sent for them on the 16th of February: And as to the Proposal which was made to him to Sign the Papal Dignity, because the other Competitors would make the same Cession, and * 1.3 there was no other way to procure the Peace and Union of the Church, he answer'd with Gra∣vity, and in appearance with Joy, That he would voluntarily do what they desir'd, provided the two other Competitors were willing to do the same: And on a sudden he causes the Car∣dinal of Florence to read a Writing, wherein he declares, That altho' he was not oblig'd by any Vow, Oath or Promise to make the following Cession, yet he was ready for the Repose of Christendom, voluntarily and freely to restore Peace to the Church by the way of Resigna∣tion, if Peter de Luna, and Angelus Corarius, condemn'd of Heresie and Schism by the Council of Pisa, and depos'd from the Papal Dignity, would sufficiently and validly renounce the Right which they pretended to it; and that in such a manner, in such circumstances, and at such a time, as should be declar'd and determin'd, between him or his Deputies, and the Deputies of the Council. These Offers gave great Joy to the Fathers of the Council, but having examin'd them, they found that they were not sufficient, because they were made upon a Condescension which depended upon the Will of the two Competitors; and if it should happen, That one of the two would once resign, the Council would have labour'd in vain: They demanded there∣fore from ••ohn XXIII. another Declaration more precise than this, and he gave them a second express'd ••fter the same manner, with a Promise to make a Bull of it; but he added to it, That the Process made in the Council of Pisa, against Peter de Luna, and Angelus Corarius, should be renew'd and aggravated, tho' the Execution of it should be suspended, until time were given them to make a Resignation; and that the King of the Romans, the Princes present in Council, the Ambassadors of King's absent, and the whole Council should engage to assist him with Spiritual and Temporal Weapons, in case the two Competitors would not resign. This second Declaration was judg'd yet more insufficient than the former, because he did not offer to renounce unless the others did so, and he would have the Process against the two others renew'd. The Nations therefore having examin'd these two Declarations, and found them insufficient, did earnestly importune John XXIII. to give another more full and punctual; but he put them off from Day to Day, and endeavour'd in the mean time to persuade the Mem∣bers of the Council to espouse his Interest, treating these even with reproachful Language that spoke to him upon this Subject. At last, one was drawn up which was approv'd by three Na∣tions, and presented to him by Sigismund, which he took time to consider of, and resolv'd at last to accept of it. After he had taken this Resolution, the Prelates of four Nations came to him the 1st of March, in the Year 1415. in his Palace, where the Emperor was present, and offer'd to him in the name of the Council, by the Patriarch of Antioch, the Declaration they had drawn up, which they pray'd him to accept of. John XXIII. having taken and read it, told them, That his Design was always to give Peace unto the Church, and that he was come for this end to Constance, that he had always voluntarily and freely offer'd the way of Re∣signation; and after that he pronounc'd the Declaration which was conceiv'd in these Words.

I John XXIII. Pope, do acknowledge, promise, vow and swear to God, to the Church, and this Holy Council, That I will voluntarily and freely give Peace to the Church, by the way of my mere Resignation of the Pontificat; and this I will do, and effectually per∣form according to the Determination of this present Council, so soon as Peter de Luna call'd Benedict XXIII. and Angelus Corarius, call'd Gregory XII. in their Obedience, shall resign by themselves, or their lawful Proctors, the Right they pretend to have to the Papal Dignity; and also in all other Cases of Cession, or of Death, or otherwise; wherein my Resignation may procure the Union of the Church, and the Extirpation of the Schism.

When he had finish'd this Declaration, the Emperor thank'd him in the Name of the Council, for his good Resolution, and a Session was appointed on the Morrow, that he might solemnly renew it in the Council. This was done in that Session, wherein John XXIII. repeated the former Declaration in the same Words, swore to put it in Execution, and order'd it to be drawn up in the form of a Bull.

The Fathers of the Council having drawn this Declaration from John XXIII. consider'd of the means how to reduce Peter de Luna; and for this Reason pray'd the Emperor, That he would confer with the King of Arragon, when he should have full Power to do it from John XXIII. who refus'd to grant it him, offering to go himself in Person into that City, where Peter de Luna should be present, to treat and agree with him upon the Conditions of Union. The Council foreseeing plainly, That this was only a pretence to elude the Execution of the promis'd Resignation, and that it was to be fear'd, lest the absence of the Pope should cause the Dissolution of the Council, and the Enterview between the two Competitors would be

of no effect, did therefore oppose it stoutly. In the mean time, Frederick, Duke of Austria, came to Constance, pretending that he was to go further; and said nothing of the League he had made with John XXIII. or that he was come upon his account. Nevertheless the Report spread immediately in the City, That he was come to favour the Escape of John XXIII. But he, the better to cover his Design, told the Emperor, That the Air of this City was disagree∣able to him; The Emperor answer'd him, That he had Houses in the Country round about the City, where he might reside; but pray'd him, That he would not go away until the Coun∣cil was ended, or if he had a mind to do it, that he would not fly away secretly and indecently, for his Design was to observe the safe Conduct he had given him, and even to accompany him where-ever he would go. John XXIII. promis'd him, That he would not retire until the * 1.4 Council was ended; but did not keep his Promise, for he went out of Constance in a Disguise on the 21st of March, and retir'd to the Castle of Schafhausen, which was distant only four Leagues, belonging to the Duke of Austria, who had given him his Protection. The Cardi∣nals of Pisa, Plaisance, Challant, Brande, Bar, and some others retir'd also from Constance on Palm-Sunday, and came to John XXIII. with many of his own Officers.

Notwithstanding this Retreat, the third Session of the Council was held on Monday the 25th of March, at which the Cardinal of Cambray presided, and the Emperor was present in his Imperial Robes. After Mass, and the usual Ceremonies, the Cardinal of Florence read a De∣claration in the Name of the Council, containing the following Articles. First, That this Council was justly and lawfully call'd, open'd and celebrated. Secondly, That the Retreat of the Pope, and some other Prelates, whosoever they be, does not at all dissolve it, but that it continued in full Authority, whatsoever Ordinance might be made to the contrary. Thirdly, That this Council ought not, and shall not separate, until the Schism be Extirpated, and the Church Reform'd in Faith and Manners, in the Head and its Members. Fourthly, That it shall not be translated from one place to another, except for a reasonable Cause, approv'd by the Advice and Determination of the Council. Fifthly, That the Prelates, and other Persons who ought to be present at the Council, shall not retire before it be ended, except for a reasonable Cause, which shall be examin'd and approv'd by the Deputies of the Council, with the permission of those who have Authority; in which Case, they shall transfer the Power to those who remain. All these Articles were approv'd by the Assembly, and an Act was made of them.

On Wednesday following, four of the Cardinals, who went to Schafhausen, return'd to Con∣stance; and on this Day there was a general Congregation in presence of the Emperor, in which six Cardinals maintain'd, That the Council was dissolv'd by the Absence and Retreat of the Pope. They were answer'd in the Name of the Council with freedom and boldness, by many Persons of great Authority and Understanding, that the Pope was not above the Council, but inferior to it, which rais'd a great Dispute among them. After this, there was found a Placard fix'd upon the Gate of the great Church of Constance, by which all Officers of the Pope were enjoin'd, under Form of Excommunication and Deprivation of their Offices, to come within a Week to Schafhausen. This Placard was brought into the Council, and rais'd great Complaints of the Bishops against the Cardinals, who accus'd them of returning to disturb the Peace. The Cardinals said, That they had no hand in this Placard, but that they knew it was to be publish'd to Morrow at the same place; nevertheless they prorogu'd the Time appointed in this Citation.

On the Morrow, being the 28th of March, the Emperor propos'd to the Prelates, the Rea∣sons which John XXIII. alledg'd for hindring the continuance of the Council, which were rejected as frivolous and insufficient; and they all cry'd with one Voice, That notwithstand∣ing this, the Session does hold, which caus'd new Disputes between the Cardinals and the Nations.

On Friday, being the 29th of the same Month, the Nations of Germany, France and Eng∣land, having resolv'd to hold a Session on the Morrow, and rang'd the Articles in order which they were to determine; the Cardinals Assembled in the Episcopal Palace of Constance, and having consulted among themselves, they offer'd to the Emperor in the Pope's Name to appoint a Proctor, together with the Cardinals, for the Resignation of the Pontificat. So that two Car∣dinals, by agreement with the Emperor might resign, even against his Will, and that his Court should not be translated from Constance, without consulting the Council. They promis'd to be present at the Session which was to be held on the Morrow, provided no other Regulations were made there. The Emperor having receiv'd these Offers, told them, That he would Communicate them to the Nations that were Assembled in the Cloister of St. Francis. At the same time the News arriv'd, That the Pope fearing to be Besieg'd by the Emperor in Schafhausen, had re∣tir'd by himself alone to the Castle of Laufemburgh, (the Cardinals that were with him remaining still at Schafhausen) and that he had made Protestations before a Notary, against all that he had promis'd, and sworn at Constance, as being forc'd to it by violence and fear. The Emperor having receiv'd the Answer of the Nations, reported to the Cardinals, That they had refus'd their Proposal, that no Resolution should be made at the Council upon any other Articles, than what the Cardinals had propos'd; but that he had prevail'd for delaying the Session till Ten a Clock, and so between this time and that, they might see if they could agree.

On Saturday the 30th of March, the Emperor, the Cardinals, and the Nations being come into the Episcopal Palace of Constance, there was a great Dispute about the Articles which were to be determin'd in the Session. The University of Paris pray'd the Emperor, That he would not make War upon the Duke of Austria; which he would not agree to. Altho' the Cardinals and the Nations had not agreed, yet Mass was said for holding the Session, and the Prelates of the Nations were preparing to hold it alone, when the Cardinals of St. Mark and Florence desir'd to have a Conference with the Deputies of the Nations; and at last agreed with them upon the following Articles, which were read in the Council by the Cardinal of Flo∣rence. First, That the Synod being lawfully Assembled in the name of the Holy Ghost, which constituted the General Council, and represented the whole Catholick Church Militant, had its Power immediately from Jesus Christ; and that every Person of whatsoever State or Dig∣nity, even the Pope himself, is oblig'd to obey it in what concerns the Faith, the Extirpation of Schism, and the General Reformation of the Church in its Members and its Head. Thus is the first Article express'd in the greatest part of the Editions of the Acts of the Council of Constance. In some, these Words, As to what concerns the Faith, are not to be found; and in some Manuscripts of the Vatican Library these are omitted, For the Reformation of the Church in its Head and Members; but they are found in many other Manuscripts, even those that were written at the time of the Council, in all the Manuscripts of the next Session; and Ger∣son relates it in the same Words, in two Discourses which he spoke in the Council; from whence it appears to be a Calumny in Schelstrate, to accuse, as he does, the Fathers of the Council of Basil, of being the Authors of this Addition; and, besides, it is not necessary to prove that the Council of Constance has determin'd, That the Pope is inferior to the Council, since the preceding Words, That every Person of whatsoever State or Dignity he be, even the Pope himself, is oblig'd to obey it, are alone sufficient to establish this Doctrin. In fine, tho' there were some difficulty in this Session about this Clause, that is fully taken away in the next, where this Decree was read again, and repeated with this Addition, as Schelstrate agrees, and which is prov'd by the Manuscript Acts which he himself has produc'd.

The Second Article publish'd in the fourth Session, contains, That John XXIII. cannot change the Officers of the Court of Rome, nor constrain them to follow him without the leave and consent of the Council, and that all which he can do against them upon this account shall be Null.

The Third, That all Processes made, or to be made by the Pope or his Officers, to the prejudice of the Council shall be Null.

The Fourth, That three Deputies shall be chosen out of each Nation, to examine the Causes of those who shall have a mind to Retire, and to proceed against them who shall depart without leave.

The Fifth, That the better to promote the Union, there shall be no new Creation of Car∣dinals, and to prevent the Antedating of any such Creation, none shall be acknowledg'd for Cardinals, but those who were publickly known to be such, before the Pope Retir'd from Constance.

These Articles were approv'd by the Cardinals and the Prelates of the Nations, by the Em∣peror, the other Princes present, and the Ambassadors of those that were absent. Towards Night, Renaud de Carnet, Archbishop of Rhemes, reported to the Council, that being sent by the Ambassadors of France to Schafhausen, to enquire of the Pope the reason of his Retreat, the Pope had told him, That he would not return until he had receiv'd an Answer by the Cardinal of Challant, who came to him some time after; and he gave him four Briefs, the first address'd to the Emperor, the second to the Cardinals, the third to the Ambassador of France, and the fourth to the Deputies of the University of Paris; That upon his return to Constance, he had put them in the Hands of those to whom they were address'd; and at the same time told them, That the Pope had order'd him to declare, that he was not forc'd to Retire from Constance by violence or by fear, or by any fault of the Emperor, but only upon the account of his Health, and that he offer'd to perform what he had promis'd in the Council; That he had a love for the Emperor, and desir'd to have a Conference with him, if he would go to Nice, and meet Peter de Luna, to consider of the means to promote Peace; That 'twas true he had not receiv'd this Order from the Pope's own Mouth, but the Cardinal of Challant had deliver'd it to him in the Pope's Name. This Cardinal being present, acknowledg'd the thing to be so, and that the Pope had given him this Order; but that he was to tell him, That the Pope did not retire for fear of any Violence from the Emperor, but for fear of some great Men in his Court.

The Saturday following, being the 6th of April, if we may believe the Manuscript Acts publish'd by Schelstrate, there were some Debates between the Cardinals and the Nations, concerning the manner in which the Articles of the fourth Session were drawn up; but at last they came to an Agreement upon this Point. Only some Cardinals absented themselves, and others made a Protestation, because they hop'd that John XXIII. would in good earnest make a Resignation, and they thought it would be convenient to wait some time longer, until the Intention of John XXIII. were more fully discover'd. But notwithstanding this Remonstrance the Session was held, and many Cardinals were present at it; The Cardinal of Ursins presided at it, and the Articles decreed by the four Nations, were read by Andrew Bishop Elect of Posnania: The

first is a Repetition of the first Article of the preceding Session. The second imports, That those who would not obey the Ordinances and Statutes of this General Council, or any other, whatever State, Condition or Dignity they were of, even the Popes themselves not excepted, shall be put under Penance, and punished according to Law. The third and fourth are a Repeti∣tion of the second and third Articles of the fourth Session. The fifth is a Declaration that the Pope and the other Prelats of the Council had been, and were now perfectly free. The sixth, That the Pope was bound to renounce the Pontificate not only in the Cases express'd in his own Declaration, but in all other Cases, wherein his Renunciation might bring great Benefit to the Church, and procure the Union, and that in such Cases the Pope was bound to agree to the De∣claration and Definition of the Council. The 7th, That if the Pope, being requir'd by the Council to Renounce the Pontificate for the Peace of the Church, would not, or should delay to do it, he ought to be look'd upon as one that had faln from the Pontifical Dignity, to whom no Obedience was due. The eighth, That the Retreat of the Pope from the City of Constance was unlawful, and prejudicial to the Peace and Union of the Church, and that he ought to be summon'd to return and perform his Promise, with a Declaration that if he did not return within the time appointed by the Council, they would proceed against him as a Favourer of Schism, and suspected of Heresy. The ninth, That if the Pope would return and effectually perform what he had promis'd, Assurance should be given him, That he should neither be arrested nor imprison'd, nor molested in his Person or Goods, before or after the Renunciation, but that he should enjoy perfect Freedom and Security.

After this some preparatory Articles were read concerning the Errors of John Huss; and then it was resolv'd to write to all Princes in the Name of the Council, concerning the Flight of John XXIII. and that the Emperor should be entreated to endeavour his Return to Constance, that he might perform what he had promis'd to the Church and Council, provided still that he were left at Freedom and treated with Honour. The Emperor answer'd, That he knew the Pope was in the Castle of Laufemberg, in the Hands of the Duke of Austria, but he did not know whether he would return, or if the Duke would permit him to come; that however it might happen, he was ready to do what the Council desir'd, to write unto him and pray him to return, and send to him a safe Conduct; or if that would not do, to go himself in Person and bring him to the Council, either with his consent or against it. The Council approv'd this Resolution. The Emperor added, That he had sent some Troops to the City of Schafhausen, and order'd them to offer safe Conducts to the Cardinals and Officers of the Court of Rome that were there; who made Answer, That they would not return, nor follow John XXIII. but they would return to Rome, and that the Cardi∣nals who were of Constance were of the same Opinion. Then the Cardinal of Florence declar'd, That 'twas true they had resolv'd, in case the Pope would resign, to defend him; but if he would not, they would abandon him and continue at the Council; That having no certainty whether he would hold to the Resolution he had made, they had always taken care to preserve his Honour, but that they knew nothing of the Cardinals design to return to Rome. In fine, it was concluded, That the Emperor might stop those who should endeavour to retire from Constance in a disguis'd Habit.

The Decree made in these two Sessions concerning the Authority of the Council above the * 1.5 Pope, did plainly decide the Question, and subjected the Pope, as well as to Faith as Manners, to the Judgment of a General Council. And this ought not to be understood only of a time of Schism, or in case the Pope were doubtful, but generally in all other Cases; 1. Because the Words of the Council are general; 2. They import that all the World, even the Pope himself, is oblig'd to obey the Council, not only as to what concerns the extirpation of the Schism, but also as to the Reformation of the Church in its Head and Members, as well in Doctrin as Manners; 3. Because they speak not only of this particular Council, but of any other Council lawfully assembled; 4. Because they contain general Penalties against all that should not obey the Coun∣cil, of whatsoever Dignity they were; 5. Because they deduce the Authority of the Council above the Pope from its representation of the Church, and from its Infallibility, and this agrees to all general Councils at what time soever they were celebrated; 6. Because the Council acknow∣ledges John XXIII. for lawful and undoubted Pope. From all which it appears, That there can be no place to doubt but this Decree was General.

The Authority of this Decree cannot any longer be disputed, since it was made in full Council, after the Matter was resolv'd upon by the Nations, and with the unanimous consent of all the Fathers; for the Protestation of the Cardinals did not concern this Article, but had a particular Regard to the Person of John XXIII. In fine, all the Decrees of the Council of Constance being approv'd by John XXIII. in the 12th Session, and by Martin V. in the 44th and 45th, without any exception; it cannot be doubted but this which was one of the principal Articles was com∣prized in the general Approbation, and consequently that it has the force of a Law. And even in the Bull of Martin V. against the Errors of Wicliff, there are Articles wherein this Decree is particularly referr'd to; and in the 41st the Authority of the Universal Church is distinguish'd from that of the Pope, and there it is ordain'd, That the Universal Church, or the General Council, have a Sovereign Authority indefinitely; whereas 'tis only said of the Pope, that he hath a Primacy over other particular Churches, which amounts to the same thing with the Deci∣sion of the Council.

The 6th Session was held on the 17th of April, and there an Instrument of Procuration was read, which they would have Pope John XXIII. to grant for renouncing the Papal Dignity; and

Deputies were nam'd, viz. two Cardinals and two Prelats of each Nation, to summon him to come to the Council, that he might perform what he had promised, or to name the Proctors whom the Council should appoint him, for executing the Procuration whereof the Council had sent him a Model, with a Power, in case he should refuse, to cite him to the Council. One of the Depu∣ties of the University of Paris, read in this Session some Letters written in the Name of the Uni∣versity to the Pope, and to the Nation of Italy, wherein they exhort the Pope to return to the Council, and voluntarily to resign the Pontifical Dignity. The Deputies of the Council went to meet John XXIII. at Fribourg in Swisserland, whither he had retir'd, and executed their Com∣mission by summoning him to name Proctors for renouncing the Pontificate, and declaring that otherwise the Council would proceed against him and Depose him. He answer'd them sharply, That he would send his Instrument of Procuration to the Council, which he did: But that which he sent was not judg'd sufficient. In the mean time he propos'd divers Conditions which he de∣sir'd they would engage to make good in case of Resignation, viz. That he should be Legat a Latere, to the Pope that should be chosen in Italy; That he should have a Sovereign Power over the County of Bolonia, and receive a certain Revenue from the Cities in it, and that he should not be subjected, nor oblig'd to give an Account of his Conduct to any Body.

The Council perceiving that John XXIII. design'd nothing else, but how to find out ways to avoid the Resignation, and that he refus'd to come to the Council, or give a sufficient Procura∣tion, began to proceed against him in the 7th Session held the 2d of May, wherein it was resolv'd, That John XXIII. and his Favourers should be cited by a publick Proclamation to appear within 9 Days, to answer to the Crimes of Heresy, Schism, Simony, wasting of the Ecclesiastical Re∣venues, and other Crimes whereof he was accused; and it was ordain'd, That his Flight from Constance should be declar'd prejudicial to the Church, scandalous and odious, to be a Means of disturbing the Union and Peace of the Church, and confirming the Schism, and to be contrary to his Promises and Oaths. This Citation made the Cardinals return to Constance, and the greatest part of the Officers of the Court of Rome who were at Schaffhausen, or in the Retinue of John XXIII. Frederick Duke of Austria, seeing himself pursued by the Forces of the Emperor Sigis∣mund, who had invaded his Dominions, return'd to Constance on the last Day of April. He begg'd Pardon of the Emperor on the 4th of May in the 8th Session of the Council, and promis'd him, That he would make the Pope return to Constance, and submit to all that he should be decreed by the Council, on condition that no Violence should be offer'd to his Person, or his Goods; and consented to remain in the mean time an Hostage, until the Pope should come to Constance, or to any other place that the Emperor should appoint. The remainder of this Session was spent in proceeding to the Condemnation of the Errors of Wicliff.

In the ninth Session, which was held the 13th of May, the Proctors of the Council demanded, That in pursuance of the Citation which had been made to John XXIII. and his Adherents, the Process should go on against him, and Commissioners should be nam'd to give Instructions for it. The Cardinal of Florence rose up and said, That the Pope had sent a Bull to the Cardinals, in which he nam'd for his Proctors three among them, viz. Peter of Cambray, William of St. Mark, Cardinal-Priests, and himself Cardinal-Deacon, to appear in Council, and answer the Accusations propos'd against him. That these Cardinals being unwilling to accept of this Procuration, he had publish'd a Brief exhorting them to do it; but notwithstanding they would not be his Pro∣ctors, and for his own part he renounc'd it: The Cardinal of St. Mark made the same Declara∣tion; whereupon the Sollicitors of the Council remonstrated, That the Citation being Personal, he ought to appear in Person, and not by a Proctor. They desir'd, That two Cardinal-Deacons and five Prelats should be sent to the Gate of the Church, to know whether John XXIII. and his Adherents were there, and would appear. The Cardinals refus'd to go, but the other Prelats went thither and summon'd three times John XXIII. who appear'd not. An Act was made of these Citations, and the Council nam'd Commissioners to draw up the Process. Towards the end of the Sessions the Emperor and the Deputies of Five Nations, presented the Copy of a Bull granted by Angelus Corarius, call'd Gregory XII. to Charles Malatesta of Rimini in his Obedience, wherein he gave him Power to consent in his Name to what should be done in the Council: The Emperor gave it to the Deputies to be examin'd, that if it were any ways defective or insufficient, they might return it to Charles, who should cause it to be amended, as the Council should judge convenient.

In the 10th Session, which was held the 14th of May, after they had again call'd for John XXIII. the Commissioners reported the Depositions of the Witnesses, and told the Council, It was sufficiently prov'd that John XXIII. had wasted the Revenues of the Church; that he was a Simoniack, a scandalous Person, and a Disturber of the Faith, and that as such he ought to be declar'd suspended from the government of the Church. Upon this Demand, which was made by the Sollicitor and the Deputies of Nations, the Council declar'd him depriv'd of the Admi∣nistration of the Revenues of the Church, as well to Spiritual as to Temporal Affairs, and forbad any to obey him, reserving still the Process against him to Depose him entirely. This Sentence of Suspension was read by the Patriarch of Antioch, and approv'd by all the Fathers of the Council.

On Saturday the 25th of May the 11th Session was held, wherein the Sollicitors of the Council presented in writing the Heads of an Accusation they had to propose against John XXIII. con∣••aining an infinite number of Crimes, that were either notorious or prov'd by Witnesses, as Lewd∣ness

and Disorders in his Youth, the purchasing of Benefices by Simony, his advancement to the Dignity of a Cardinal by the same means, his Tyranny while he was Legate at Bononia, his Incests and Adulteries while he was in that City, his Poysoning of Alexander V. and his own Physician, his Contempt of the Divine Offices after he was Pope, his neglecting to recite the Canonical Prayers, and to practise the Fasts, Abstinences and Ceremonies of the Church, his denying Justice, and oppressing the Poor, his selling Benefices and Ecclesiastical Dignities to those that bid most, his authorizing an infinite number of dreadful Abuses in distributing of Preferments, and committing a Thousand and a Thousand Cheats; his selling Bulls, Indulgences, Dispensations, and other Spiritual Graces, his wasting the Patrimony of the Church of Rome, and mortgaging that of other Churches, his Male-administration of the Spiritual and Temporal Affairs of the Church; and lastly, his breaking the Oath and Promise he had made to renounce the Pontificat, by retiring shamefully from Constance, to maintain and continue the Schism. At the end of each Article, the number and quality of the Witnesses that prov'd it was express'd, and a Remark was made from time to time of the Advice that had been given him to amend, notwithstanding which he had still continu'd in the same Disorders.

While the Process was carry'd on against John XXIII. in the Council, the Pope having fled from place to place, and being abandon'd by the Duke of Austria, was conducted from Fri∣bourgh, by Order of the Council, to the Castle of Celle, two Leagues distant from Constance; from whence he wrote on the 26th of this Month a very submissive Letter to the Emperor, and sign'd a Writing, wherein he promis'd to submit to what should be ordain'd by the Coun∣cil. The next Day, the Deputies of the Council went to meet him, and having repeated to him the Heads of the Charge that was given in against him, they requir'd him to declare, Whether he would oppose the Continuation of the Process, or answer these Accusations; he declar'd, That he had always labour'd for the Union of the Church, in the time of the Coun∣cil of Pisa, and ever since that time, that he was heartily sorry for his shameful departure from Constance; That he had no Defence to offer against what was objected to him; That he was ready to perform the Promise he had made and sign'd the Day before, and to conform in every thing to the Determination of the Council; That he approv'd and ratify'd the Process made against him by the Council; That he would make no other Defence against the Heads of his Charge, but by acknowledging that the Council of Constance was most Holy, which could not Err; and that it was a Continuation of that at Pisa, which he would never contradict, tho' he were at Bononia, or in any other place; That he confess'd he had no Right to the Pontifical Dignity. The Depositions of the Witnesses were read to him, to which he made no other An∣swer, but that the Council should be his Defence. He was cited to appear on the Morrow at Council, there to hear his Sentence; he said, That he approv'd and confirm'd it befor-hand, only he recommended himself to the Council, and threw himself wholly upon them, both to take care of his Reputation, and provide for his Subsistence.

The Bishop of Lavaur, who spoke in behalf of the Deputies, to Pope John XXIII. made * 1.6 his Report to the Council in the 12th Session, held on May the 29th, of the Answers he had receiv'd; and afterwards, upon the Demand of the Proctor the Bishop of Arras read a De∣cree, in which the Council declar'd, That in case the Holy See should be vacant, none should proceed to the Election of a Pope, without the advice and consent of the General Council; and that if any were chosen otherwise, no Body should obey him. After this Declaration, the Definitive Sentence of the Council was read against John XXIII.. wherein it was declar'd, That the Clandestine Retreat of the Pope out of the City of Constance, was unlawful, scanda∣lous, tending to the disturbance of the Peace and Union of the Church, and to continue the Schism, contrary to the Vow, Promise and Oath he had made to God, to the Church and the Council; that he was a notorious Schismatick, a waster of the Revenues of the Church, a bad Administrator of Spiritual and Temporal Revenues; that he had brought a Scandal upon the Church by his Disorders; that because he had not amended after Admonition, he ought to be depriv'd of his Papal Dignity and depos'd, of which now the Council did actually deprive him and depose him; and declar'd, That all the Faithful were absolv'd from their Oath, and the Obedience due to him; forbad him to acknowledge or call him Pope; condemn'd him to be confin'd to a certain place, under the Guards of Sigismund, King of the Romans and Hungary; and reserv'd to themselves a Power of imposing other Penalties which his Crimes de∣serv'd, as should be agreed upon either according to the rigor of Justice, or the mitigation of Mercy. In a third Decree, the Council forbad to choose any of the three for Pope, who now pretended a Right to the Pontificat, and in case any of them should be chosen, it de∣clar'd the Election Null, and forbad all Persons to obey him, of whatsoever Condition they were. After the reading of these Acts, Cardinal Viviers, President of the Council, enquir'd if any one would contradict this Sentence; and no Body offering to oppose it, it was approv'd in the name of the College of Cardinals; and afterwards the Deputies of the five Nations, and generally all those who were present at the Council, declar'd, That they approv'd it. The Car∣dinal of Florence had a mind to read a Writing, which appear'd to be some Protestation, but all the rest oppos'd it, and he was forc'd to hold his Peace. After this, the Seals of Balthazar Cossa were broken, being presented by the Archbishop of Riga, Vice Chancellor.

In the Thirteenth Session, held June the 15th, a Decree was read, wherein the Heresie of those was condemn'd, who blame the Custom of giving the Communion to the Laity in one

kind only; and it was ordain'd, That this way shall be observ'd, and obtain the force of a Law, which cannot be rejected or alter'd without the Authority of the Church, and that all those who disobey'd shall be proceeded against. In this Session, Commissioners were appointed, to proceed against Hereticks.

In the Fourteenth Session, held July the 4th, at which the Emperor presided, the Cardinal * 1.7 of Ragusa, and Charles of Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, presented to the Council a Bull of An∣gelus Corarius, call'd by those of his Obedience Gregory XII. wherein he approv'd and au∣thoriz'd the Council, and all that it should do; together with an Instrument, whereby he Em∣power'd Charles Malatesta to Act in his Name, and to do whatever he should judge conve∣nient; and another Instrument Authorizing all that the Council should do. These Instruments being read by the Cardinal of Ragusa, the Council approv'd them so far as was needful, uni∣ted the College of Cardinals of Gregory XII. to that of the Cardinals of John XXIII. and or∣dain'd, That in the Acts which should hereafter be pass'd in the Council, no mention should be made of the Pope or Holy See, but only of the Years of the Emperor Sigismund. After∣wards was read a Bull of Gregory, containing expresly, That he Empower'd Charles Mala∣testa to renounce or resign up his Right to the Pontificat: In pursuance whereof, Charles Malatesta ask'd the Council, whether they thought it convenient, That this Renunciation should be made at Constance, or that some should first be sent to Nice, to meet Peter de Luna. The Council answer'd by the Archbishop of Milan, That it was useful and expedient for promot∣ing the Peace, That this Renunciation should be made at Constance, before any were sent to Nice, to know whether Peter de Luna would renounce or no. Afterwards the Council re∣new'd the Decree, prohibiting to proceed to a New Election of a Pope, but with the consent of the Council, and after such a manner as it should prescribe; and that the Council should not be dissolv'd until a Pope was chosen. The Emperor was entreated to take care of this Matter, and to publish Declarations to this purpose, which he did. Then the Council confirm'd all that had been done Canonically by Gregory in his Obedience; declar'd the Processes to be Null, which were made for the cause of Schism; and that the Prohibition they had made to choose Gregory a-new, was not upon the account of his Incapacity, but only to promote the Peace, and avoid Scandal and Suspicion. The Council reserv'd to themselves also a Power, without doing wrong to any of the two Obediences, to take care of the Cardinals who had the same Title, and receiv'd the Cardinals of Gregory XII. confirm'd them in their Offices and Privi∣ledges; and lastly, pray'd the Emperor to provide for the safety of the Council, who imme∣diately publish'd a Declaration upon this Subject. Afterwards, Charles Malatesta, as Proctor of Gregory, after a long and eloquent Discourse, made a pure and simple Renunciation and Resignation of the Pontificat, and dismis'd all his Right which he might have to it. This Re∣nunciation was accepted by the Council, who caus'd an Instrument to be drawn up, wherein they gave Power to the Proctors of the Council, to require Peter de Luna to Renounce within Ten Days his pretended Right to the Papal Dignity; and if he should not do it, they de∣clar'd him a notorious Schismatick, Incorrigible, Obstinate, Heretical, a breaker of his Oaths, and unworthy of all Honour, and of all Pontifical Dignity, depos'd, depriv'd of all Right, which he had or could have, to the Pontificat; forbad him to assume the Title of Pope, and all the Faithful of whatsoever condition to obey him, or to harbour him; enjoyn'd them to shun him, and treat him as a Schismatick, and a Disturber of the People of the Church, and a Heretick, and to do the same also to his Favourers. This Resolution was approv'd by Four Nations, by the Cardinal, and by the Emperor.

The Fifteenth Session, held July 6th, was spent in making a Process against John Huss.

The Sixteenth was held the 11th of the same Month, in which the Council deputed Fifteen Commissioners to go into Arragon, and treat with Peter de Luna by consert with the Emperor. After this, several particular Regulations were made concerning the Persons of the Prelats, and the Acts of the Council.

In the Seventeenth Session, July the 15th, the Council congratulated the Emperor upon the Journey he undertook into Arragon, to confer with King Ferdinand, and agree with him about the Means of finishing the Peace of the Church; and ordain'd Prayers to be made for the suc∣cess of his Journey, and thunder'd out Excommunications against all those that should cross his Design. In the same Session, the Council in Consideration of the generous manner of Gregory's Renunciation, and the better to entice Peter de Luna to do the same, confirm'd him in the Dignity of Cardinal Bishop, granted him the first place in the Sacred College, saving to the future Pope, in case that Benedict should also Renounce voluntarily, the Power of ordering which of the two should have the precedency; declar'd him Legate to the Holy See for his whole Life, in Marca de Ancona, and in the Country of Farse, with the Jurisdiction annex'd to this Dignity; confirm'd all that he had done, even where there was some Default, and for∣bad any for ever to molest or accuse him, or prosecute him either Criminally or Civilly upon any account whatsoever.

In the Eighteenth Session, August the 17th, the Council made some provisional Orders, and nam'd Ambassadors for Italy, who were to regulate what was to be done in that Country, with Angelus Corarius, who had approv'd and confirm'd the Renunciation made in his Name in the Council by Charles Malatesta, and laid aside the Pontifical Robes.

In the Ninteenth Session, September 23d, after they had treated of the Affair of Jerom of Prague, and some other Hereticks, two Orders were made; First, That the Beneficiaries who were present in the Council should enjoy the Revenues of the Benefices; and Secondly, That the Provisions of Benefices granted by John XXIII. should be confirm'd until the Day of his Suspension.

In the Twentieth, on November 21st, they treated of the Difference between the Bishop of Trent and Frederic, Duke of Austria, concerning some Lands belonging to that Bishop which the Duke had usurp'd the Possession of; and the Council granted a Monitory under pain of Ex∣communication, Suspension and Interdict, against those that should detain any Profits of Places belonging to that Bishop.

While these Things were transacted at the Council, the Emperor went to Narbonne, and * 1.8 waited there some time for the King of Arragon, who was fal'n Sick at Perpignan, whither the Emperor went to meet him with the Ambassadors of the Council. The other Princes and De∣puties of the City of the Obedience of Benedict were present, and Benedict himself came thither also after they had waited a long time for him; but notwithstanding the earnest Prayers of the Emperor, the Kings, the Princes, and the People, he would not resolve to resign the Pontificat; and for fear lest he should be forc'd to do it, he retir'd secretly from Perpignan. After his Departure, the Princes and the People of his Obedience resolv'd to abandon him, and sent their Ambassadors to meet the Emperor and the Ambassadors of the Council, who were return'd to Narbonne, to treat with them. This Treaty was concluded on December the 13th at Narbonne, on the following Conditions: First, That the Prelates of the Council of Constance should call those of the Obedience of Benedict, by Circular Letters sent by the King of Arragon to the Princes of that Obedience, to be given to their Prelates, to meet at the Council, within three Months after these Letters were deliver'd to the King of Arragon; and that the Kings and Princes of the Obedience of Benedict should write also Circular Letters to call the Prelates of the other Obedience to meet at the Council of Constance at the same time. Secondly, That in these Letters, the reason of the Councils meeting should be express'd only in general terms, viz. For the Extirpation of Schism and Heresies, for the Union of the Roman Church, for the Reformation of the Universal Church in its Head and Members, for the Election of one sole Pastor, and for other causes the cognizance whereof did of right pertain to a General Council: But that the Em∣peror and the Ambassadors of the Council should promise by a particular Instrument▪ that nothing should be Ordain'd contrary to the Interest of the Kings, Princes and Prelates of the Obedience of Benedict. Thirdly, That the Prelates of that Obedience should be receiv'd into the Council assoon as they should come, and then should proceed joyntly with the rest against Benedict, if he would not voluntarily renounce the Pontificat; that his Process should be form'd Juridicially, and with∣out any regard to what was done in the Council of Pisa; and that another Pope should not be cho∣sen until his Deposition was first pronounc'd. Fourthly, That so far as was necessary, all the Pro∣cesses, Judgments, Decrees, &c. made by Gregory, John XXIII. or their Predecessors should be declared Null, and even those made by the Council of Pisa, against Benedict and his Adherents, and that they could not any ways proceed against them upon the account of the past Schism. Fifth∣ly, That all the Provisions and Graces granted by Benedict to the Princes, Prelates, and others of his Obedience, should be approv'd and confirm'd. Sixthly, That the Cardinals of his College should enjoy all the Dignities and Priviledges of their Cardinalship. Seventhly, That Provision should be made for the Officers of his Court. Eighthly, That in case Benedict should happen to Dye before his Renunciation or Deposition, the Princes of his Obedience should not suffer another Pope to be chosen in their Dominions; and that if one should be chosen they should not acknowledge or allow him, but remit the Election to a General Council, and own him whom they should approve. Ninthly, That the Cardinals of the different Obediences, who shall be found to have the same Title, shall retain it while the Council continues; and that before the end of the Council, Provision shall be made for the Honour and Maintenance of both of them. Tenthly, That Passports and Securities shall be given to Benedict, and all those of his Obedience, who have a mind to come to the Council. Elev••nthly, That the Emperor and Ambassadors of the Council shall be oblig'd by Oath to cause the preceding Articles to be approv'd and perform'd by the Prelates of the Council. Twelfthly, That the Dispatches of this Instrument shall be deliver'd to the Parties as there shall be occasion.

This Treaty was brought to Constance by the Ambassadors of the Council, and read in a Ge∣neral Congregation held January 30th, in the Year 1416. at which it was approv'd and sign'd by the Cardinals and other Prelates of the Council.

In the Twenty First Session, on May 30th, they treated of nothing but the Affair of Jerom of Prague, who was there condemn'd.

In the Twenty Second, held on the 15th of October, the Ambassadors of Alphonsus King of Arragon, who had succeeded his Father Ferdinand, took their Seats in the Council, and after reading the Letters of the Prelates at Constance, directed to the King of Arragon, for calling them to the Council, the Ambassadors of this Prince on their Part made a Convocation of the Council, which was accepted by the Prelates, who desir'd they should proceed to conclude the Union according to the Tenor of the third Article of the Treaty sign'd at Narbonne. The Am∣bassadors answer'd, That they would unite themselves to the Council, which Union the Council accepted of, and then they took their Seats on the same Bench with the Ambassadors of

the King of France; after such a manner that the Count of Cardone, first Ambassador of Ar∣ragon, had his Seat next to Gerson, who was chief of the Ambassadors of France, and the others were plac'd alternatively; but not till those of France had first made their Protestations, that this should not prejudice the Right of Preference which belong'd to the Ambassadors of the French King, nor give the Right of an Alternative Seat to the King of Arragon; which Protestations were admitted by the Ambassadors of the King of Arragon and the Council. The Ambassadors of Arragon were allow'd the Right of giving their Suffrages in the Name of all the Prelates, not only of their own Kingdom, but also of their Obedience, until the Ambassa∣dors of other Princes of the same Obedience should arrive; and after this, the Council approv'd, allow'd and confirm'd the Articles of the Treaty of Narbon.

In the Twenty Third Session, on November the 5th, the Process against Peter de Luna was Commenc'd, who had retir'd to the Castle of Paniscole, a strong place of Arragon, by the Sea∣side, near to Tortose; and for that end Commissioners were nam'd to go and inform summarily against him at these places which were nearest to Paniscole; and in the Twenty Fourth Session, held the 28th of the same Month, a Citation was read, which was to be given him to appear before the Council.

The Ambassadors of the Count of Foix were receiv'd in the Twenty Fifth Session, held the 14th of December, and those of the King of Navarre in the Twenty Sixth, on the 24th of the same Month.

In the Twenty Seventh, Feb••uary the 20th, and the Twenty Eighth, March the 3d, in the Year 1417. they proceeded against Frederick Duke of Austria, who had Possess'd himself of the Reve∣nues of the Bishop of Trent, and had detain'd him Prisoner,

In the Twenty Ninth, on March the 8th, the Council nam'd Officers for instructing a Pro∣cess against Peter de Luna; and the Proctor demanded, That the Hundredth Day being come, on which he was to appear, he should be summon'd at the Church-gate, which was done; but he not being present, the Proctor requir'd that he should be declar'd Contumacious, the Conside∣ration whereof the Council put off to a further Day.

In the Thirtieth Session, held the 29th of the same Month, the Commissioners of the Council reported after what manner they had cited Peter de Luna, and the Answer he had given them, and caus'd to be read the Instrument which they had drawn up about it. The Council ap∣prov'd the Subtraction of Obedience made by the King of Arragon, and revok'd a Bull publish'd to the contrary by Benedict.

In the Thirty First Session, held the last Day of the same Month, nothing was done about the Affair of Peter de Luna; but a Monitory was decreed against the Count of Vertus, who kept the Bishop of Aske Prisoner; and the Difference was determin'd between the two Bishops of Baionne, one of the Obedience of John XXIII. and the other of that of Benedict XIII. in favour of the latter, on condition nevertheless that if he should Dye, the Chapter of Baionne might supersede it at a New Election, as they should agree about it with the King of Arragon.

In the Thirty Second Session, held the 1st of April, Peter de Luna was summon'd again three times; who not appearing, nor any Body for him, Commissioners were nam'd to instruct his Process, and to take the Depositions of Witnesses against him.

Peter de Luna was again cited in the 33d Session held the 12th of May, and in the 34th held the 5th of June, the Commissioners made their Report of the Articles and Depositions of the Wit∣nesses.

The Ambassadors of John King of Castile and Lyons were received in the 35th Session, held on the 18th of the same Month, with the same Ceremonies that had been us'd to those of the King of Arragon, and the Subtraction of Obedience from Benedict, made by the King of Castile, was approv'd. The Count of Armagnac being the only Person of all the Princes of the Obedience of Benedict who had not sent to the Council, the Proctor enquir'd if any Person was there in his Name; whereupon Gerson rose up and said, That the Ambassadors of the King of France had a Writing, by which it appear'd to be the Intention of this Count to follow the Example of the King: The Proctors remonstrated, That this was not sufficient, and protested publickly against him.

In the 36th Session held the 22d of July, the Council order'd, That a new Citation against Benedict should be fix'd up, whereby he should be summon'd to appear the 26th of July, to hear the Definitive Sentence pronounc'd against himself: All the Processes made and Judgments given by Benedict XV. against the Princes, or others who had withdrawn their Obedience, were made null and void.

Lastly in the 37th Session on the 26th of the same Month, at which the Emperor Sigismund was * 1.9 present, Peter de Luna was declar'd contumacious, and condemn'd as a perjur'd Person, who gave Scandal to the Universal Church, favour'd an old Schism, and disturb'd the Peace of the Church, as a Schismatick, Heretick, and unworthy of all Title, Honour and Dignity, depriv'd of all Right he could have to the Pontificate, separated from the Church; and lastly, depos'd by the Council, who forbad all the Faithful of whatsoever Quality and Condition to obey him, or harbour him; and declar'd all the Sentences, Processes, Prohibitions, Censures and Constitutions contrary to this Decree, to be null and void.

In the 38th Session held the 28th of the same Month, the Council revok'd severally the De∣crees made against the Ambassadors of Henry the Infant of Castile, and gave the Ambassadors of Castile, Portugal and Navar, the same Right of giving Votes for their Nations, which had been granted to those of Arrag••n. Towards the latter end of this Session there were great Contests between the Cardinals and Nations of Italy and Spain on the one side, and the Emperor and the Nations of Germany on the other side, concerning the Matters which were to be treated of in the Council. The Germans endeavour'd with all their Might, That the Council should take care to make Decrees for the Reformation of the Church in its Head, before they proceeded to the Ele∣ction of a Pope; and the Cardinals on the contrary, had a Mind to begin with the Election of a Pope, who should afterwards take care of the Reformation of the Church. This Contest lasted almost three Months, and the Cardinals made a Protestation against the German Nation; but at last it was agreed, That the Council should draw up the Articles for reforming the Head of the Church and the Court of Rome; and that it should be ordain'd, That the Pope who should be chosen, should make this Reformation before the Dissolution of the Council.

In the 39th Session on the ninth of October, the Council considering that the frequent celebration of General Councils was a means most proper to extirpate Schisms and Heresies, and to reform Abuses and Disorders, made a Decree, by which they ordain'd, That another General Council should be held 5 Years after the end of this, a third 7 Years after the end of the second, and for the future one should be held every ten Years, in such Places as the Pope should appoint at the end of each Council, with the consent and approbation of the Council it self: That his Holiness with the advice of the Cardinals might shorten this time, but not prolong it, and that he could not change the place without necessity; in which case he must give notice, and appoint another place a Year before-hand: That in case of Schism, assoon as any two Persons appear'd who took upon them the Title of Popes, the Council should be held the next Year, and all those who were wont to be present at the Council should immediately resort thither: That the two Competitors should be suspended from all Administration and all Power, assoon as the Council was open'd: That in case any Election of a Pope should be made by Violence or a considerable Fright, it should be null; but that the Cardinals could not proceed to a new Election, until the Council had judg'd of the Validity of that which had been made; and that if they should proceed to do it the Election should be null, and they should be depriv'd of their Right to choose, and be degraded from their Dignities. The Council after this prescrib'd a Form of Faith which the Popes should be bound to profess for the future after their Election, and added to it two Constitutions; one by which they forbid to translate Prelats against their Will to other Churches, and the other by which they abolish'd the Right which the Pope assum'd to himself of receiving the Revenues of deceas'd Pre∣lats, and the Exactions of the Rights of Visitation and Procuration.

In the 40th Session held October the 30th, a Decree of the Council was publish'd, wherein they ordain'd, That the future Pope shall join with the Council, or with those that shall be deputed by the Nations, in taking care to reform the Church in its Head and Members; and also the Court of Rome, according to Equity, and as was necessary for the good Government of the Church, before the Council should be dissolv'd, upon the Articles presented by the Nations, which are, 1. Concerning the number and quality of the Cardinals. 2. About Reservations made to the Holy See. 3. Concerning Annates. 4. About the Collation of Benefices, and the Promises of them when they shall be vacant, and about Confirmations of Elections. 6. About Causes which ought to be pleaded at Rome or elsewhere. 7. About Appeals to the Court of Rome. 8. About the Offices of the Chancery and the Penitentiary. 9. About Exemptions and Unions made dur∣ing the Schism. 10. About Commendams. 11. About the Profits of vacant Benefices. 12. Against the Alienation of the Revenues of the Roman Church. 13. About those things for which the Pope ought to be punish'd or depos'd. 14. About the Extirpation of Simony. 15. About Dispensations. 16. About Provisions in the Name of the Pope and the Cardinals. 17. About Indulgences. 18. About Tithes.

All these Articles were disputed between the Nations and the Cardinals, but that about An∣nates * 1.10 was longest debated, for most Voices among the Nations carried it, That Annates were not at all due, and that this claim of Right ought not to be suffered; and that so much the rather because John XXIII. had abus'd it extravagantly, by exacting many Annates of vacant Benefices several times in the same Year. The Cardinals on the contrary were of Opinion, That these Abuses ought to be reform'd, but the Right of Annates and mean Services should be maintain'd, and caus'd an Article to be drawn up after the following manner: That the Tax set down in the Registers of the Apostolick Chamber shall be paid for vacant Churches and Monasteries, to fur∣nish the Pope and Cardinals with Means for their Maintenance; That if any of these Taxes were exorbitant they should be reform'd; That they should be paid but once for one Church or Mo∣nastery, in case it should happen to be vacant twice in one Year. This Project being communi∣cated to the Nations, they consulted about seven Days, and at last concluded, That Annates ought to be wholly taken away for the time past, the present, and the future. The Cardinals defended this Right by John de Scribanis their Proctor, who appeal'd from this Conclusion to the future Pope. The Nation of France, who had the greatest Hand in this Affair, gave a large Answer to this Appeal, wherein they gave a Reason for the Resolution of the Nations, and maintain'd that the Annates cannot be defended by any Priviledge, Custom or Prescription; that excepting the Bene∣fices vacant in Curia, there is no Rule of Law which favours these Annates; That the original of

them came from a Reservation which John XXII. made of one part of the Revenues, of Digni∣ties and Benefices, except Abbies, for a certain Journey beyond Sea, and other urgent Occasions; That upon this account the Church pays nothing for Abbies in England; That this Pope also ex∣cepted the Bishopricks, and made divers Restrictions to his Ordinance; That since his time many Popes had made the like Reservation for certain Causes which they express'd; That the Clergy, Princes and People, had sometimes endur'd them, but being at other times found too chargeable, they had refus'd to pay them, as they had done in England, and that they might do it with Reason and Justice, especially, because the Causes for which they were at first establish'd had now ceas'd: That the granting the Revenue of one Year of Prelacies and vacant Abbies, was introduc'd by the voluntary and free Oblation which some of those whose Election was confirm'd, made to the Holy See; That it had the name of Common Service, because it was divided among the Officers of the Court of Rome, and that afterwards a Law was made to oblige Men to do it under pretence of Custom; That a Valuation had been made of Benefices; That this Exaction was Simoniacal, or at least suspected of Simony, and therefore could not be authoriz'd by any Custom or Prescription; That altho' Annates might lawfully be exacted, yet it was convenient to abolish them upon the account of the Complaints, Violences, Scandals, Oppressions and Quarrels they had caus'd, and did cause every Day; That France had been forc'd to take them away by Provision; That it had demanded the Supression of them from the Pope, who had promised it, and did still demand the same at present of the Council. Afterwards they answer'd the Reasons alledg'd by John de Scri∣banis, to oppose the Resolution of the Nations, and justify the Annates. He objected as to the manner in which this Resolution was made, that they had not proceeded to a Scrutiny, nor pro∣pos'd the thing to the Deputies of the Nations. To this it was answer'd, That there was no Law made for deliberating always by the way of Scrutiny, and that there were many Affairs about which they had consulted only viva voce; but that this at first had been carried to the Deputies of the Nations, according to Custom. As to the Matter it was alledgd, That it must needs be granted, that the inferior Churches, which were descended from the Church of Rome, should furnish the Pope and the Cardinals with Necessaries. To which it was answer'd, That the Bi∣shop of Rome had Revenues sufficient for his Subsistence as well as other Bishops, and in case they were not sufficient, the Clergy of his own City and Diocess, and even those of other Churches, might grant him Annates, by way of charitable Relief, for a time, and with regard to his present Necessities, but not as a Debt of perpetual Obligation: That moreover, altho' the Church of Rome was the chief, and the Mistress of all other Churches, upon the account of the Virtues and Merits of St. Peter, and those who had been her first Bishops, (for as to the latter Bishops they did not at all resemble the Primitive) yet it was not true that it had preceded all others, since the Greek Church was the first in order of time: That as to the Cardinals, they might be consider'd either as Curates and Bishops of their Titles, (and in this quality they ought to discharge the Function of Curates and Bishops) or as Counsellors to the Pope; but that they were by no means Coadju∣tors to the Pope: That this Title belongs to the Bishops, who are above the Cardinals by Divine Right, altho' these at present are advanc'd above them, and despise them; That they are rich and powerful enough upon their accounts to maintain their Dignity; That as to the Possession which Scribanis alledg'd and pretended the Pope and Cardinals had even in the Kingdom of France, it was answer'd, That they never had a Title to establish that Possession, and that if at any time they receiv'd Annates, it was only by Permission and Sufferance: That the Sums which the Pope exacted by means of Annates were excessive, since they amounted, according to the Taxation of the Apostolick Chamber, for the Bishopricks and Abbies of France only, to the Sum of 697750 Livres of Revenue, which would make up almost 7 Millions for all the Nations; That the Pope and Cardinals had Revenue enough without this; and that by other ways the Nation of France paid them betwixt 60000 and 70000 Livres of Revenue: That if this Nation concerns it self more in this Affair than the rest, it is because there is none that is tax'd higher; for the Apostolick Chamber takes nothing in England but the Revenue of the Vacancy of some Bishopricks, which are but few, and the Cardinals are not suffer'd to possess any Benefices there: That nothing is receiv'd from all Spain; That the Benefices of Italy are of small Value; That when the States find themselves tax'd too high, they forbid to give any thing, as was lately done by Florence, which depriv'd the Holy See for 5 Years of the Collation of Benefices in that▪ State, upon the account of the Abuses committed by John XXIII. in the Collation of an Abby. Lastly, That in Germany there are only some Churches from which the Apostolick Chamber receives any thing, and that in others nothing is given to the Pope; That even the Apostolick Letters are not receiv'd there, but only so far as the Bishops please, who do often refuse their Vidimus; That there is no Nation but France that is over-charg'd, because it has been obedient and well-affected. After this, they discover'd the weakness of John de Scribanis's Answers to their Objections against Annates, and particularly confuted the Reasons he made use of to excuse them from Simony. From whence they concluded, That the Appeal of Scribanis, and the other Appeals of the Cardinals to the future Pope upon this Head, ought not to be admitted; that no respect of Persons ought to be shew'd in this case; and that the Nation of France did not mean to shew any, nor to change their Resolution in any thing, but to endeavour the reception of it in the Council, and in all other places, as oc∣casion should require.

Notwithstanding this Opposition, the Article remain'd in the same Form that it was drawn up by the Cardinals; but no more was spoke of it after the Election of the Pope: And this Article,

as well as the greater part of those which concern'd the Reformation of the Court of Rome, were never publish'd, nor confirm'd by Pope Martin V. tho' the contrary was agreed upon in this Session.

The Council ordain'd afterwards, That they should proceed to the Election of a Pope, not∣withstanding the absence of the Cardinals of Peter de Luna, on condition nevertheless, that if they should come before the Election was finish'd, and unite themselves to the Council, they should be admitted to give their Votes: And to the end that this Election might be the more so∣lemn, it was order'd, That for this time only, 6 Prelats of each Nation should be join'd to the Cardinals; and that he who should be chosen by two thirds of the Cardinals, and by two Deputies of each Nation, should be acknowledg'd for Pope.

In the 41st Session held November the 8th, Deputies were nam'd, who were to be join'd to the * 1.11 Cardinals to Elect a Pope; the Articles were read to which they were to Swear, and the manner of their Behaviour in the Conclave wes settled. They entred into it the same Day, and on Thursday following, which was the Festival of St. Martin, they did all with one Voice choose for Pope Odon Colonna Cardinal-Deacon, having the Title of St. George, who assum'd the Name of Martin V. upon the account of the Day of his Election; he was enthron'd the same Day, and crown'd the 21st of the same Month.

He presided in the 42d Session, which was not held till the 28th of December, and there he caus'd to be read a Bull, by which he discharg'd the Emperor Sigismund and the Duke of Bavaria, from the trouble of keeping Balthazar Cossa, and oblig'd them to deliver him into the Hands of those whom he should name to receive him.

In the 43d Session held the 21st of March, in the Year 1418. Pope Martin V. publish'd some Constitutions for the Reformation of the Church; The 1st. About Exemptions, wherein he recalls all those that had been granted by the Popes since the death of Gregory XI. The 2d, Concerning the Unions which he order'd to be examin'd anew. The 3d, About the Revenues of vacant Churches, which he forbad any to apply to the Benefit of the Pope, or the Apostolick Chamber. The 4th, about Simony, which is committed in Elections, Postulations and Collations. The 5th, Whereby he annull'd all the Licenses granted by the Popes to possess Benefices which re∣quire one of the Holy Orders, without being oblig'd to take it. The 6th, Whereby he forbad to impose Tenths, or other Taxes, upon Churches or Ecclesiastical Persons, except for some great Advantage which concern'd the Universal Church, with the consent of the Cardinals and Prelats of the Places. The 7th, Wherein he renew'd the Laws about the modest Habits of Clergy-men. The 8th, Wherein he declares that by the preceding Constitutions, and by the Concordats made with each Nation, he had satisfy'd the Decree concerning Reformation, made in the Session of the 30th of October last, by which means he eluded the Reformation of the Cardinals and the Court of Rome, which had been decreed in the Council.

The News of the Election of Martin V. being carried into France, and Louis de Flisque being * 1.12 sent to communicate it to the King, this Prince held an Assembly of Prelats, of his Counsellors, his Court of Parliament, and the University, wherein it was resolv'd, That the Edict of the Year 1406, should remain in Force; and that for the future in Cathedral, Collegiate and Conventual Churches, and other Elective Benefices, they should be provided for by the Election or Postula∣tion of the Chapters, Colleges and Communities, as well Regular as Secular; and that as to other Benefices which were not Elective, they should be provided for by the Presentations, Collations, and Institutions, of those to whom it belong'd of common Right, or by Custom or Privilege, notwithstanding and without having regard to any general or special Reservations from any Per∣son whatsoever. On the 26th of February 1418, the Dauphin coming to Parliament, forbad the University to acknowledge or obey the Pope chosen at Constance, until the King and his Council should order it. Nevertheless he was acknowledg'd for lawful Pope; but because the Council, in spite of the pressing Sollicitations of the Ambassadors of France, would not take care to reform the Court of Rome, the Regulation made in 1406. concerning the Collation of Benefices, was confirm'd anew in France.

There remain'd no more to be done by Pope Martin V. for satisfying the Decrees made by the Council before his Election, but to appoint the Place where the future Council was to be held; which he did in the 44th Session, April the 19th, wherein he read the Constitution for appointing the future Council at Pavia.

In fine, on the 22d of the same Month the last Session of the Council of Constance was held, * 1.13 wherein, after the Mass of the Holy Ghost, Umbaud Cardinal-Deacon, by the Order of the Pope and the Council, said, Sirs, Go in Peace; and those who were present answer'd Amen. The Ambassadors of Poland demanded the Condemnation of a Book of John de Falkemberg, which con∣tain'd most cruel Errors and Hersies, and had been condemn'd by the Deputies of the Nations. Whereupon Martin V. made Answer, That he approv'd whatever had been determin'd, concluded and ordain'd, in Matter of Faith by the Council; that he approv'd and ratified what was done in it Conciliarly, and not what was done in it after another manner, i. e. That which had been concluded only by the Nations, and had not been approv'd in the General Assembly of the Council, as the Decrees of Reformation proposed in Session 40th, the Condem∣nation of the Errors of John Petit and Falkemberg. Gerson remonstrated, That there were yet many Articles to be decided in the Council, about Matters which had been already debated, and chiefly about divers Errors, that if they were not condemn'd some would impute this Omission to

an affected Negligence, about Things which require a very particular Care and Attention, and which are of the greatest Consequence, such as the Error of John Petit, that every Tyrant might lawfully be killed; That others would believe it was through Ignorance that they would not decide some Propositions which are not of the first Principles of Faith, whether they are False or True, Holy or Impious, and whether they ought to be receiv'd or rejected; Others would pretend that they us'd respect of Persons, or were mov'd by the fear of Man, which would make these murmur against whom they had proceeded in Matters of Faith, as the Bohemians; Others would say, there was a denial of Justice in Matters of Faith and Man∣ners, or at least a blameable Dissimulation; a great many would impute it to the Covetousness of the Prelats, who sought nothing but their own profit in the Reformation of the Church, and not the Spiritual Good of others: Some would observe that it was a Contempt of Kings, Princes and Universities, as of the King of France, of Poland, and the University of Paris; Others would imagine, That they intended nothing but to weaken the Power of Ordinaries in their Diocese, and commit all Authority to the Court of Rome: Others would impute it to the Corruption of Manners in the Prelates of the Council, or to the negligence of the Ambas∣sadors of Princes and the Universities, who had not done their Duty: Many would maintain, That this would weaken the Authority of what the Council had done; That it would expose the Truth, and those that Preach'd it to Danger; That it would give occasion to Murders, Perjuries, Seditions; That it would be so far from procuring the Conversion of Hereticks, That it would confirm them in their Errors; That this would give occasion of slackning Obe∣dience to the Pope newly chosen, and afford Matter of Derision to Infidels, and the Partizans of Peter de Luna, who would laugh to see that in the presence of the Council Errors were suffer'd or over-look'd; and lastly, That this Silence might pass for a tacit Approbation of the Error. Gerson made these Protestations and gave them in Writing; but no Answer was made to him, nor any regard had to what he said. The Ambassadors of Poland insisted upon the Demand of the Con∣demnation of the seditious Book of Falkemberg, which at least warranted the Massacre of all the Polonians without hearing them; and when they saw that no Satisfaction was given them, they appeal'd to the future Council. The Pope oppos'd this Appeal with a Decree, wherein he de∣clar'd, That it was not lawful in any Case to appeal from the Judgment of the Pope, which, as Gerson remarks, destroy'd a Decree of the Council, and subverted the Fundamental Maxim upon which it was establish'd. However, the Bull of Martin V. containing the Prohibition of appeal∣ing to the Council, was not read, nor approv'd in this Session of the Council, but publish'd in a private Assembly of the Cardinals.

In the mean time, Pope Martin V. without any regard to the Remonstrances of Gerson, or the Demands of the Ambassadors of Poland, put an end to the Council, by causing to be read a Con∣stitution, wherein he gave leave to all who had been present in the Council to return to their own Houses, with plenary Indulgences for them and their Domesticks. Thus ended the Council of Constance, which seem'd to have wholly extinguish'd the Schism; yet it was not so fully done, but there remain'd still some Sparks of it. And as to what concerns the Reformation of the Church in its Head and Members, which was another end of the Council, it was scarce begun but it was put off to another time.

Gregory XII. and John XXIII. held to that which was decreed in the Council; the former * 1.14 died at Recanati, even before the Council was ended; the second having brib'd his Guards with Mony, deliver'd himself out of Prison, and came to Florence to cast himself at the Feet of Mar∣tin V. and implore his Mercy: The Pope receiv'd him very courteously, made him Cardinal and Dean of the Sacred College, and gave him a Place more eminent than the rest. He enjoy'd but a little while this Consolation, for within six Months after, being weary of leading a private Life, he died at Florence, where a sumptuous Funeral was made for him.

There remain'd now only Benedict XIII. who was shut up in the Castle of Paniscole, where he * 1.15 preserv'd still the Name and the Ensigns of the Papal Dignity, being accompanied with four Cardinals. Martin V. sent the Cardinal of St. Eusebe a Florentine, his Legat in Arragon, to en∣join him, under the Penalty of Ecclesiastical Censures, to resign. The Cardinals that were with him remonstrated to him, That he ought to do it for the Benefit of the Peace. He answer'd them after his usual manner, That he would personally confer with his Competitor, to see what he would do about it. Upon this Answer two of his Cardinals forsook him, and there remain'd only two with him, whereof one was a Carthusian, and the other was call'd Julian of Obla. Then all Spain acknowledg'd Martin; the Scots quickly follow'd the Example, and at last the Subjects of the Count of Armagnac, so that all the Authority of Benedict was confin'd to the Castle of Pani∣schole. Nevertheless some time after King Alphonsus being exasperated against Martin the Pope, because he had invested Louis III. Duke of Anjou in the Kingdom of Naples, had a mind to revive the Pretensions of Benedict, and sent an Ambassador to the Council which was to be held at Siena, to endeavour that Benedict might be own'd, and Martin rejected; which was one Cause where∣fore Martin put off the Council to another time. At last Benedict dying in his Contumacy, in the * 1.16 Year 1424. the Cardinals that remain'd about him, chose for Pope Gillio de Munian, a Canon of Barcelona, a Spaniard, who took upon him the Name of Clement VII. created Cardinals, and did all the Acts of a Pope: But some time after Martin V. having accommodated the Difference * 1.17 with the King of Arragon, and appointed the Cardinal of Foix for his Legat in Spain, Clement was forc'd to resign into his Hands all his pretended Rights; and that he might do it with some Show

of Germany, that he would refer the Choice of it to the Pope's Legates. Philibert, Bishop of * 1.18 Amiens, said as much in the name of the Deputies from France, who were six in number. Ri∣chard, Bishop of Lincoln, consented to it also in behalf of those from England, who were a much greater number; and declar'd, That for the present he would approve of that place which should be chosen by the Legates. There were no Deputies from the Nation of Spain, nor any other Italians but the Pope's Legates. The next Day, Andrew, Bishop of Posnania, having said Mass, the Archbishop of Toledo read a Writing, which contain'd, That the General Council being lawfully Assembled at Pavia, chang'd this City because of the Pestilence which was there, and in its room made choice of the City of Siena, as a place fit and sufficient for the Continuation of this Council. The Archbishop of Crete answer'd in the name of the Nation of Italy, That he lik'd it well, altho' he had no Power over it. The Deputies of the Nations of Germany and England consented also to it. There is nothing said of what was done by those of the French Nation, but only 'tis observ'd, That they had not seen the Writing which was read by the Bishop of Posnania.

By Vertue of this Decree, the Council was adjourn'd to Siena, by the same Prelats, and * 1.19 some others who came thither. They began there with making a Decree, wherein they re∣new'd the Penalties of Law against those who should give any assistance to the Wiclevites and Hussites; and a Plenary Indulgence was granted to all those that would prosecute them, and labour to ruin this Heresie. By a second Decree the Sentence of Condemnation was confirmed, that had been given in the Council of Constance against Peter de Luna; and the Fault of all those was aggravated who should continue or maintain the Schism after his Death. By a third Decree, the Ordinaries and Inquisitors were enjoin'd diligently to intend the seizing, condem∣nation and punishing of Hereticks, or their Favourers, under the pain of Suspension for four Months, in case of Negligence. Afterwards the Affair of the Greeks was treated of in the Council, and the Relation of the Embassy of Antony Massanus, was read there; the Proposals he had made to the Emperor of the Greeks, and the Answer that was given to them. Before the Council took any Resolution in this Affair, and consider'd of the Reformation of the Church which had been propos'd, Martin V. fearing lest the Ambassador of the King of Arragon should attempt something against him, and lest the Council should make Orders about the Reforma∣tion contrary to the Interest of the Court of Rome; contriv'd to adjourn the Council to ano∣ther Time and Place, under pretence of the small number of Prelats that were come to the Council, of the Wars wherewith the Emperor was distracted, and the Disputes which had been between the Prelats of the Council.

Pope Martin had given a Power to his Legates to translate the Council with the Advice of * 1.20 the Prelats: By Vertue of this Power they resolv'd to put an end to the Council at Siena, and to appoint another, and caus'd some Deputies of Nations to be nam'd to agree about the place. These Deputies after many Debates, made choice of the City of Basil, for holding the Council seven Years after, according to a Decree of the Council of Constance, by their Consultation on the 19th of February, 1424. which was afterwards approv'd in full Council; First, by the Pope's Legates, and after them by the principal Prelats of each Nation, ex∣cept the Archbishop of Toledo, who would not consent to it in behalf of his Nation, because, as he said, he had no Power, but only as Archbishop and Primate of Spain. This design'd Dis∣solution of the Council displeas'd the greatest part of the Prelats, who complain'd loudly, That the Pope hindred the Reformation of the Church, which oblig'd his Legates to Protest, That by this Translation the Council of Sienna should not be accounted wholly dissolv'd, but that the Presidents of the Council should labour with the Deputies of the Nations in the Reformation of the Church. The Presidents of the Nations made also the same Protestation, and after this, the Decree of the Dissolution of the Council of Siena was publish'd on the 26th of the same Month of February, and on the 7th of March, the Presidents of the Council order'd the Prelats to retire to their Diocesses, and forbad them to make any Assembly, which might pass for a Continuation of the Council of Siena. The Pope by his Bull dated the 12th of March, con∣firm'd the Translation of the Council from Siena, and renew'd the Prohibition to continue it; and by another Bull dated the same Day, he appointed three Cardinals to receive and examine, the Informations, Instructions and Memorials that should be given in for the Reformation of the Ecclesiastical State.

In the mean time, the Affairs of the Greeks declining daily, the Emperor John Palaeologus, * 1.21 who succeeded his Father, was oblig'd to renew the Negotiation of Peace with the Latines; and sent Ambassadors to the Emperor Sigismund, who entred upon a Conference with the Car∣dinals, delegated by the Pope. These propos'd to determine the Differences between the two Churches, by appointing three famous Persons on one side and the other, and had a mind to engage them to come to Italy: But the Greeks answer'd, That they would write about it to the Emperor, and the Patriarch of Constantinople▪ and if they judg'd it convenient they would go thither; but withal, That their Voyage would be very costly: The Latines demanded of them what the Expence might amount to; They ask'd 75000 Florins, without reckoning the Expence of the Emperor's Voyage. The Pope having promis'd them this Sum, they went into Italy, where they saluted his Holiness; who exhorted them to push forward the Execution of this Design, to the end that a Council might be held, and the Union made while he was Living. The Ambassadors of the Greeks return'd into Greece, with Andrew of Rhodes, and Eudemon Jo∣annes,

and reported the News to the Emperor, who sent to the Pope Marc Jagaris, Genera•• * 1.22 of his Troops; and Macarius the Long, an Abbot, who took Measures with the Pope for com∣passing the Union. In fine, the Emperor having held a Council about these Points, which were to be concerted with the Patriarch, sent to the Pope a third Embassy more numerous than the former, which arriv'd in Italy, after the Death of Pope Martin V. who died on the 20th of February, 1431. The Ambassadors address'd themselves to Eugenius IV. his Successor, in whom they did not find the same sweetness of Temper, nor the same meek Disposition as were in his Predecessor: He wrote nevertheless to the Emperor and the Patriarch, that if they pleas'd he would translate the Synod, which was assembl'd at Basil, into Italy; but the rest of his Letters were full of Words of Contempt, which were no wise agreeable to the Greeks.

The Year 1431. was the time appointed for the Meeting of the Council of Basil; and Mar∣tin V. from the beginning of that Year, had nam'd Julian the Cardinal of St. Angelo, to pre∣side at this Council; with Power to propose, consult of, and ordain there what should be agreed upon for the Preservation and Encrease of Religion, of the Faith of Jesus Christ, and the State of the Church, for the Reformation of the Clergy, for the Re-union of the Greeks, and of other Persons divided from the Church, for the maintenance of Ecclesiastical Liberty, for the benefit, the Peace and Tranquility of States and Princes: The Bull by which he gave this Power is dated F••bruary the 1st, 1431. and he died the 20th of the same Month. The Cardinals chose in his room Gabriel Condolmier, a Venetian, a Son of Gregory XII's Sister, who had been advanc'd to the Bishoprick of Sienna, and after that to the Dignity of Cardinal: He was chosen the 4th of March, and Crown'd the 11th. One of the first things that he did after his Election, was to confirm the Dignity of President of the Council of Basil, to Cardinal Julian. He or∣der'd him by his Letter dated the last of May, in the same Year, to repair to Basil, there to preside at the Council, till the Affair of the Bohemians should be finish'd; judging it need∣less to send thither another Legate, because there were yet but a few Prelates come to Basil.

This Cardinal, by Vertue of the Power which the Bull of Martin V. gave him of Substi∣tuting other Persons, in case he could not be present at the Council, sent thither John Polmar, Chaplain to the Pope, and Auditor to the Sacred Palace; and John de Ragusa, Doctor in Divinity of the Faculty of Paris, and Proctor General of the Order of Friars Predicant, to preside in his Name at the Council. They arriv'd at Basil the 19th of July, and open'd the Council the 23d of the same Month; but because few Prelates were come, they kept only pri∣vate Congregations until the Month of December. But when Cardinal Julian arriv'd himself, he made a Decree on the 7th of December, by which he appointed the first Session of the Coun∣cil on the 14th of the same Month; and on that Day it was held, at which, after the usual Ceremonies were over, the Decrees of the Councils of Constance, and Siena, and the Letters of the Popes, Martin and Eugenius, about appointing of the Council, were read. Then it was declar'd, That the General Council was lawfully Assembled in this City; First, To dissipate Errors; Secondly, To procure Peace; Thirdly, To reform Abuses. The Prelats were ex∣horted to give their Votes with freedom and sincerity, in the Spirit of Peace, and to observe there the Modesty prescrib'd in the Eleventh Council of Toledo; and to prevent the Contests which might arise about Ranks and Degrees, it was ordain'd, That the place which any one should have in the Council, and the quality which he should take upon him there, could not serve for the Title of a new Right acquir'd, nor prejudice any Body. In fine, Decrees were made against those who should disturb the Council, hinder the Prelats from coming thither, abuse them, or rob them on the Road. A Right was granted to all who should be there pre∣sent to receive the Profits of their Benefices, altho' they were absent; and the Officers of the Council were then appointed, which was as follows.

The manner after which they treated of Affairs in the Council was thus. All its Members were divided into four Classes, or equal Deputations in number, in which they plac'd, as near as was possible, an equal number of Persons of each Order, and each Nation. The first was call'd the Deputation of the Faith, the second of the Peace, the third of the Reformation, and the fourth of common Affairs. Each Deputation had its President, its Proctor, and its Officers; these met apart three times in a Week, and consulted about the Matters which were propos'd to them: Each of them had three Deputies, which met to examine and prepare Affairs, and then sent them back to that Assembly of the Deputations, to which the Cognizance of them of right belong'd. When they had consulted about it, the Sentence which prevail'd was carried to the three other Deputations; and after it was approv'd by all the Deputations, or at least by three of them, it was reported in the General Congregation, where the President concluded in the Name of the Council, according to the Plurality of the Votes of the Deputations; and then this Conclusion was publish'd in a Solemn Session, which was held in the principal Church of the City of Basil. The President was present there in his Pontifical Robes, and was plac'd in an Episcopal Chair near the Altar; his Face was turn'd towards the Fathers of the Council, who were fitting on their Seats in Pontifical Robes on both sides of the Quire. The Ambassadors of Princes were in the middle, upon Benches, their Faces being towards the President, and behind them were the Generals of Orders, the Doctors, and other Ecclesiasticks. The usual Prayers be∣ing ended, one or two Prelats mounted into a Pulpit, read the Decrees, and ask'd if they approv'd them. The President of the Council, and those of each Deputation answer'd in the Affirmative, and so the Session ended.

The Second Session was not held till the 15th of February, 1532. The Council for confirming and establishing its own Authority, and hindring Pope Eugenius from attempting to dissolve or translate it, renew'd two Decrees of the Council of Constance; the First, whereby it was declar'd, That the Synod being Assembled in the Name of the Holy Spirit, which compos'd the General Council, and represented the Church Militant, has its Power immediately from Jesus Christ; and that every Person, of whatsoever State or Dignity, even the Pope himself, is bound to obey it in what concerns the Faith, the Extirpation of Schism, and the general Reformation of the Church in its Head and Members. The Second, by which the Council declares, That all those, of whatever Dignity or Condition, not excepting the Pope himself, who shall refuse to obey the Ordinances and Decrees of this General Council, or any other, shall be put under Penance and Punish'd. In pursuance of these Decrees, and of that which order'd the Holding of General Councils, the Council of Basil declar'd, That it never could, nor can be dissolv'd, translated, or Prorogu'd by any Person whosoever, nor even by the Pope himself, without the Consent and Decree of the Assembly: They declar'd every thing to be Null, which the Pope or any other should do to hinder the Holding of the Council, or to summon to another place those who were or should be present at it; and they were forbidden to depart upon any account whatsoever, without the leave of the Council.

When certain News was brought, That Eugenius had publish'd a Decree for the Dissolution * 1.23 of the Council, the Prelats appointed the Bishop of Lausane, and the Dean of Utrecht to go to the Pope and the Cardinals in the Name of the Council, and to desire of them earnestly the Recalling of this Decree. These two Deputies executed their Commission, and the Emperor also join'd his Prayers with theirs; but they could not prevail with the Pope to grant this Re∣vocation. When therefore they return'd to Basil, and brought thither his Answer, the Council in the Third Session, held the 29th of April, having renew'd the Decrees of the former Session concerning the Authority of a General Council, declar'd, That they had entreated, requir'd, and advertis'd the Pope to recal the pretended Dissolution of the Council; and to publish his Revocation to all the World, not only that he should not hinder, but also that he should give all manner of Assistance for holding the Council, and that he would be there present in Person within three Months, if his Health would permit; or at least that he should send thither some Persons with full Power to Act in his Name; and in Case he should neglect to do it, the Council protested, That they would provide for the Necessities of the Church, as the Holy Spirit should dictate to them, and that they would proceed in the ways of Justice against him. They exhorted also, and advertis'd the Cardinals to be present at the Council within three Months, except those who had some Canonical impediment, and particularly the Cardinal of the Cross, who was Mediator of the Peace between the Kings of France and England; but as to the Cardinals of Plaisance, of Foix, and St. Eustache, who were nearer to the Council, they limited the Time to two Month. In fine, they ordain'd all Prelats to publish this Decree, to notifie it to the Pope, if it could be done, and to cause it to be fix'd up in Publick Places; and declar'd, That from the time it should be read, publish'd, and fix'd upon the Gate of the Church of Basil, it should be reckon'd to be signify'd to the Pope.

In the Fourth Session, held June the 20th, after the safe Conduct had been read and ap∣prov'd, and the Letter of the Council to the Bohemians, divers Decrees were made for the Continuation of the Council. The First, That if the Holy See should be vacant during the holding of the Council, the Cardinals could not choose a Pope, but in the place where it was held: The Second, That no Person should be dispens'd with for not coming to the Council, under pretence of an Oath, Promise or Engagement made to the Pope or any other Person; all which are declar'd Null, as well as all Processes made for this cause. The Third, That a Leaden Seal should be made for Sealing the Acts of the Council. The Fourth, That the Pope could not create Cardinals while the Council was Sitting. In the same Session, the Government of the City of Avignon, and the Countship of Venaissin, were given to the Cardinal of St. Eustache.

The Fifth Session, held the 9th of August, was spent in appointing Officers and Judges for the Council.

In the Sixth Session, held the 6th of September, the Proctors of the Council came to some Conclusions against Pope Eugenius, and requir'd that he should be declar'd Contumacious: He was cited three times at the Gate of the Church, and at last the Archbishops of Tarente and Colosse, the Bishop of Magalone, and an Auditor appear'd, and call'd themselves the Pope's Nun∣cio's; but not being able to justifie their Power, the Proctor requir'd that they should not be heard; nevertheless upon their Remonstrances, the Consultation about this Matter was put off. After the same manner the Cardinals were cited, and the Proctors of some of them ap∣pear'd.

In the Seventh Session, held the 6th of November, the time given to the Cardinals for entring into the Conclave after the vacancy of the Holy See, was enlarg'd; and it was order'd, That if the Holy See should be vacant, they should not proceed to the Election of another Pope till Sixty Days after.

In the Eighth Session, held the 18th of December, the Council publish'd a new Decree against Pope Eugenius, wherein it ordain'd, That he shall revoke within Sixty Days the Dissolution of the Council, notwithstanding any delays, or other times prefix'd, and that otherwise they

would proceed against him without a new Citation: All the Provisions and Collations of Be∣nefices which he might grant between this time and that, are declar'd Null; all Officers and Prelats are enjoin'd to forsake him within Twenty Days after the Expiration of this Term. After this, another Decree was made, wherein they declar'd, That there cannot be but one General Council, and forbad all Prelats to go to Bononia, or any other place; or be present at another Council, under pain of Excommunication and Deprivation of their Benefices: They declar'd also those to be fal'n from any Right to their Benefices, who shall desire or obtain of Pope Eugenius, the Deprivation of those who are present at the Council. Lastly, they forbad Pope Eugenius to alienate the Castles and Lands of the Church of Rome, as he had projected; and to lay new Taxes upon the City of Rome, or other places; and in case he should do it, they declar'd whatever shall be done to be Null.

The Emperor Sigismund was present at the Ninth Session, held the 22d of January, 1433. wherein all Processes were made Null and Void, which Pope Eugenius might make against this Prince, against William Duke of Bavaria, and any other Person, upon the account of the Prote∣ction they afford to the Council.

The Term of Sixty Days allow'd to Eugenius for recalling the Dissolution of the Council being expir'd, the Proctors demanded in the Tenth Session, held February the 19th, That he should be condemn'd as Contumacious; yet the Council order'd him to be summon'd three times, and put off the Consideration of it to another Day.

In the Eleventh Session, held April the 27th, the Council renew'd the Decree of the Council of Constance, concerning the Celebration of General Councils; Ordain'd, That it shall be free for all Prelats to be present at it, and that the Pope himself could not hinder the Cardinals, and those of his Court from coming to it; That the Council being Assembled, could not be dismiss'd or translated but with their own Consent, and with the Advice of two Thirds of the Prelats; and lastly, That a Month before the end of the Council, they shall be oblig'd to ap∣point a future Council. It was ordain'd also, That the Electors of the Pope when they enter into the Conclave shall swear to observe this Decree, and that it shall be publish'd.

In the Twelfth Session, held July the 14th, the Council made a third Decree against Euge∣nius, wherein they requir'd him the third time to revoke the Dissolution of the Council of Basil; to declare that it was lawfully begun and continued, and that he approv'd it; and to draw up a Bull to this purpose within the Term of Sixty Days, otherwise they would declare him to be Contumacious, Incorrigible, one that gave Scandal to the whole Church; and who was sus∣pended from all Administration of the Papal Power, as well in Spirituals as Temporals, which the Council declar'd to be forfeited in this Case; made Void all that Eugenius should do, forbad any to obey him, and enjoin'd the Prelats to come to the Council. In the same Session, the Council made another Decree, wherein they abolish'd the Reservations of Benefices, and ordain'd, That they should be provided for by the ways of common Right; that's to say, by Election, whereof the Council prescrib'd the Form, and declar'd the Duty of the Electors.

In the Thirteenth Session, held the 11th of September, the Term of Sixty Days allow'd to Pope Eugenius, being ready to expire, the Bishops of Spalatro and Cervia appear'd in the As∣sembly on the Pope's behalf: The Cardinal of St. Angelo enquir'd of them in the Name of the Council, if they had brought an Instrument of Approbation of the Council by the Pope; They had nothing but a Bull of Credit, and gave no formal Consent to the Holding of the Council: But the Duke of Bavaria, and John of Offemburg, who had Letters of Credit from the Empe∣ror, said in his Name, That he had sollicited Eugenius to adhere to the Council, and to be Personally present at it, and that hearing the News of a Decree of an Admonition made against him, he had us'd all diligence to oblige him to obey what the Council had order'd; That he had made Answer to him, That he could not be ignorant of all that he had done and suffer'd for the Peace of the Church; That he pray'd the Council to remember it, and to allow him Ten Days further; That the Emperor wish'd they would grant him this delay, and that he would cause the Princes and Prelats of Germany to come to the Council; That if the Pope in the mean time should use any Proceedings against the Council, he would consent that the Council should annul them. This Delay was granted upon the Emperor's account, and another Decree was made against any thing that might have been done to the prejudice of the Prelats of the Council.

While these things were a doing at Basil, the Pope's Affairs had suffer'd various changes in Italy. Eugenius, after his Advancement to the Papal Dignity, being advertis'd, That his Pre∣decessor * 1.24 had left a great Treasure behind him, and that Poccius, his Vice-Chamberlain, knew where it was, gave order to Stephen Colonna to Arrest him. Stephen executed this Order, Ar∣rested Poccius with much Violence and Noise, but did not rob him of his Treasure. Eugenius having declar'd himself discontented with Stephen, he retir'd to Palestrina, towards the Prince Colonna, and exhorted him to drive Eugenius out of Rome; because he persecuted the Colonna's, and stirr'd up Persecution against the Creatures of Martin V. The Prince of Palestrina came with some Troops to Rome, and entred it; the Battel was fought in the City, where he and his Men were beat back; nevertheless the War continued, but at last Eugenius made a Peace. Some time after, Philip, Duke of Milan, having made Peace with the Venetians and Floren∣tines, sent Francis Sforza, and Nicolas Forcebras, with some Forces against Eugenius; they ra∣vag'd the Campagne of Rome, without any opposition from Eugenius: The Romans took this

in great Indignation, and being stirr'd up by those of Colonna's Party, revolted from him, drove * 1.25 away his Magistrates, and created new ones. Eugenius made his Escape in the Habit of a Monk, and retir'd to Florence. The Romans having try'd in vain to take the Castle of St. Angelo, return'd to their Obedience about five Months after, and received the Magistrates created by the Pope. During these Transactions Sigismund came into Italy, and having made his Entry into Rome, he there received the Imperial Crown from the Hands of the Pope, from whence he return'd to the Council, and was present in his Imperial Robes at the 14th Session held on the 7th of November, in the Year 1433. At this Session a further time of 90 Days was granted to Pope Eugenius, and there the Forms of the Bulls were drawn up, which he was to publish for Revoking those he had made against the Council, for Approving what had been done in it, and for its Continu∣ation.

In the 15th Session held November 2••th, the Council fram'd a Decree for holding of Provincial Councils.

In the 16th held February the 5th, 1434. the Bishops o•• Tarente and Cervia presented to the Council a Bull of Pope Eugenius, dated December 15th. containing, That altho' he had null'd the Council of Basil, which was lawfully assembled, yet to avoid the Dissensions which had happen'd upon the occasion of this Dissolution, he declar'd and ordain'd, That the General Council of Basil had been lawfully continued since its first beginning, and that it ought to continue for the future as if it had never been dissolv'd; That this Dissolution was null, and that he approv'd and favour'd the Council of Basil; That for this end he revok'd two Bulls of Dissoluton which he had pub∣lish'd; (for as to the third it had not been publish'd by his Order nor under his Seal; yet it is in∣serted with the other two in this Revocation;) That he did also make void every thing that had any ways been attempted against the Authority of the Council, and all Processes made or com∣menc'd against the Members of it, and promis'd to desist and depart from every thing that might be any ways prejudicial to it. The Council accepted this Bull of Revocation, and declar'd that he had fully satisfy'd the Admonition that had been given him: It incorporated his Legats into the Council, on condition that they should swear they would approve the Decrees of the Council of Constance, concerning the Authority of a General Council.

They were received as Presidents in the 17th Session held April the 26th, on condition that * 1.26 they should have no Coactive Jurisdiction, and that the Forms of Proceeding, and the Orders hitherto made in the Council, should be observ'd; That one Congregation only should be held in a Week every Friday, unless the contrary were concluded upon by three Deputations, and that all Instruments should be expedited in the Name and under the Seal of the Council.

The Decree of the Council of Constance concerning the Authority of General Councils, even above the Pope, was again publish'd and confirm'd in the 13th Session held the 25th of June, after the Emperor's departure, who had been present the 14th, 16th and 17th Sessions.

The Council had sent Ambassadors into the East with Letters for the Emperor and Patriarch of * 1.27 Constantinople, to invite the Prelats to come to the Council, giving them hopes, That the Union might be concluded there more easily and more advantagiously, because many Princes, and parti∣cularly the Emperor Sigismund favour'd it, from whom they might expect greater Succors than from the Pope, whose Affairs were in a bad condition. The Greek Emperor being persuaded by these Reasons, sent a famous Embassy to the Council, which was made up of Demetrius Paleo∣logus Grand General, of Isidore an Abbot, of the Lord John who was now Consul the second time. They set forth before Jagaris, who had been sent to the Pope, had return'd, and were received in the 19th Session of the Council held the 7th of September. There they presented the Letter of the Emperor their Master, wherein he promised to perform what his Ambassadors should agree to, and another Letter from the Patriarch Joseph, who signify'd to the Fathers of the Council his great Joy; That they desir'd the Peace and Union of the two Churches; That for this end it was necessary to call an Oecumenical and Free Council, whose Decisions should be embrac'd unani∣mously by all the World. They propos'd to the Deputies of the Council of Basil, That an Oecume∣nical Council should be held at Constantinople, and that in this case the Greek Emperor would con∣tribute to the Expences of the Latin Prelats who should be there present, whereas if they would have the Greeks to come into the West, it was but just, that it should be at the Expence of the Latin Church. The Deputies had a mind it should be held at Basil; but the Ambassadors of the Greeks said, That they had a Paper in which the Places where the Council might be held were set down, and that the City of Basil was none of them; That the Places noted were Calabria, Marca d'Ancona, and the other Ports; Milan, or any other City in Italy; and if out of Italy, Buda in Hungary, or Vienna in Austria, or any City of Savoy: They added nevertheless, That the Council might send Deputies to the Emperor and the Patriarch, to propose to them the City of Basil. At last it was agreed between them, 1. That the Emperor of the Greeks, the Patriarch of Constantinople, and three other Patriarchs, the Greek Archbishops and Bishops, should come to the Council, with sufficient Power in behalf of their Churches. 2. That the Council should send Ambassadors with 8000 Ducats to pay the Expences of the Assembly which shall be held at Constantinople. 3. That the Western Churches shall pay the Expences of the four Gallies, which were necessary for transport∣ing the Greeks into the West; That they shall furnish 15000 Ducats to the Emperor for the Ex∣pence of his Voyage from Constantinople to the Port where he shall land, and that they shall de∣fray his Expences, and maintain 700 Persons in his Retinue while he shall be in the West. 4. That the Council shall send within Ten Days two heavy Gallies and two light ones, to transport into

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Greece the Ambassadors who have the Charge of the 15000 Ducats for the Expence of the Empe∣ror, the Pa••riarch and the Greek Prelats, and that they should have 10000 more ready by them to be employ'd for Succors ••o the City of Constantinople, if it should be necessary during the absence of the Emperor; That they would furnish also two Gallies and 300 Archers for the Defence of the City, besides the Mo••y necessary for arming the two heavy Gallies. 5. That they would name to the Emperor, before his Departure from Constantinople, the Port where he should land, and the Place which the Council should choose among these above-nam'd, but that they would use their Endeavours with him for making choice of the City of Basil. 6. That during this time the Council should continue assembled at Basil, and shall not separate but for just and urgent Rea∣sons; That if this Case should unhappily fall out, then the Council should translate it self to ano∣ther Place, to be continued there, as was order'd by the Canon of the Council of Constance; That if the Emperor was not satisfy'd with the City of Basil, or the place where it should be, the Council should be bound to transport it self, within a Month after the Arrival of the Emperor, to one of those places above-nam'd. They demanded of the Greek Ambassadors what they meant by the Terms of an Universal Synod? They answer'd, That it was a Synod where the Pope, the Patriarchs and other Prelats, were present in Person or by their Proctor; That the Emperor of the Greeks and the Patriarch of Constantinople would be personally present at this Synod which was to be held▪ That every one should have liberty to speak his Thoughts without Contention, but that ••his did not exclude such Conferences, as were necessary, fair and peaceable. Lastly, That they should make a Report to the General Council of the Method wherein they were to proceed; That the Emperor of the Greeks and the Greek Church should demand no other Honours, but what they had when the Schism commenc'd, without any prejudice to the Rights, Honours, Priviledges and Dignity of the Sovereign Pontiff of the Roman Church, and of the Emperor of the Romans; and in case any Disputes should arise about them, they would refer them to the De∣cision of the General Council. The Council approv'd this Agreement, and because the Greeks desir'd that the Pope would consent to it, they pray'd him to approve of it, and to ratify it by a Bull in fo••m.

At the same Session a Decree was made concerning the Jews, wherein the Ordinaries were ex∣horted to send able Men, to preach in those. Places where there were Jews and Infidels; and to the end they might be made fit for this Office, it was order'd, That according to the Constitution of the Council of Vienna, there should be in all the Universities two Professors of the Hebrew, Arabick, Greek and Chaldee Tongues. The Decree was renew'd prohibiting to converse with Jews, or to sell or pawn to them the Books of the Church, the Chalices, Crosses, or other Orna∣ments of the Church; and it was ordain'd, That they should wear a particular Habit to distinguish them from others, and that they should dwell in separate places as much as may be. Lastly, Pro∣vision was made for instructing and maintaining new Converts.

Pope Eugenius being inform'd of the Articles agreed upon between the Council and the Greeks, made a shew of approving them, and at least declar'd, That he would by no means oppose them, nor hinder the execution of them. The Council on its part, sent into the East three Deputies (who accompanied the Ambassadors of the Greeks) one of which was, to return to bring the News of what was resolved upon in the East; and the other two were to remain there, to distribute the Mony which was necessary, and to furnish the Expences of the Transport. When they arriv'd at Constantinople, they found the Patriarch unwilling to undertake a Voyage beyond Sea. Some time afte••, the Deputies whom the Greeks had sent to the Pope, return'd into the East with Christophilus de Corona, who were Commanded to make a shew of consenting to the Agreement made with the Council of Basil, but had secret Orders to cross it: To compass this Design, he made Answer, That the Fathers of the Council of Basil, did neither agree among themselves, nor with the Pope. This notwithstanding, the Emperor resolv'd to Treat with the Legats of the Council, and made the Patriarch consent to do the same. Commissioners were appointed to take paths in this Negotiation: But when they saw the Decree of the Council, which contain'd, That the Fathers after they had abolish'd the new Heresy of the Bohemians, would also extinguish the antient Heresy of the Greeks; these Words so offended the Greeks, that they would not hear of any Proposal, until this Decree was amended. The Deputies of the Council promis'd, that ano∣ther Decree should be made, the Model whereof was drawn up. The Greeks demanded at the same time, that the Pope should be present in Person at the Council, that a safe Conduct might be given them in good form. And lastly, that they should be oblig'd to carry them back again, at the expence of the Council, whatever the event might be of this Negotiation. One of the Deputies of the Council was sent back to Basil, to carry thither the Project of this Decree, and persuade them to agree to the Demands of the Greeks.

While these things were negotiating in Greece, the Fathers of the Council were hard at Work to make the Decrees for the Reformation of the Church in its Head and Members. In the * 1.28 twentieth Session, held the 22d of January, 1435. a Decree was made against Clergy-men who kept Concubines; another, wherein they declare, That none is oblig'd to avoid those who are Excommunicated, or to observe an Interdict, unless they be Denounc'd, or openly Excommuni∣cated and Interdicted; a Third, wherein they forbad to put a Place or a Community under an In••erdict for the Fault of a particular Person, unless they keep him two Days, after they have been admonish'd to drive him away by the Judge's Authority; and a Fourth, whereby they forbad any Person to appeal a second time from an Interlocutory Sentence.

The twenty first Session held June the 9th in the same Year, the Council proceeding still in the Reformation. First, Forbad every Person, either to give or exact any thing in the Court of Rome or elsewhere, for the confirmation of Elections, Admissions, of Postulations, Presentations, Provisions, Collations, Elections, Institutions, &c. of all sorts of Benefices or Ecclesiastical Offices, any more than was done for the receiving of Orders, Benedictions, or the Pallium, up∣on any pretence whatsoever, such as the Expedition of the Letters, the Right of the Seal, the Annates, Mean-Services, First-Fruits, or any other, under the pain of incurring by the Disobedient the Penalties enacted against Simoniac••••s; and that in case the Pope should disobey, he shall be delated to a general Council. The Second Decree of this Session is a Law, whereby it is or∣der'd, That those who have a colourable Title to a Benefice, and have been in peacable Possession of it for three Years, cannot be molested. The other Regulations concern the method of cele∣brating Divine Service, as well in publick as in private: Whereby 'tis Ordain'd, That in Cathe∣dral and Collegiate Churches, Divine Service shall be read distinctly by Clergy-men in their Sur∣plice, who shall observe the Gravity and Modesty which becomes the Place and their Office; That they shall not keep Silence, nor repeat their Office privately, while others are Singing; that none but those that are present shall have a share in the Distributions; That those who are Benefic'd or are in Holy Orders, being oblig'd to repeat the Canonical Prayers, ought to do it privately, with Devotion; That they shall never neglect to Sing at Mass, the Creed and the Preface: The Canons are forbidden to oblige themselves to pay others Debts, under pain of Suspension from their Office, or to hold a Chapter in the time of grand Mass, or to suffer any Scenes to be Acted, or to ••ing profan•• Airs in the Churches.

In the twenty second Session, held the 15th of October, the Book of Austin of Rome Arch-bishop of Nazaret was condemn'd, (which is divided into three Treatises: The First, of the Sacrament of the Unity of Jesus Christ and the Church. The Second, of Jesus Christ as he was Head, and of his Dominion. The Third, of the Charity of Jesus Christ to his Elect, and his infinite Love) as containing a Doctrin erroneous; and particularly this scandalous Proposition, That Jesus Christ sinn'd every Day in his Members; an•• those other Propositions condemn'd in the Council of Con∣stance, That the Elect only are the Members of Jesus Christ and his Church; That to make a Man a Member of Jesus Christ it was not sufficient to be united to him by Charity, but there must be another Union; That the Human Nature in Jesus Christ is the Person of Christ; That the Personality is not really distinguish'd from the Nature it self, and some other Propositions which are deduc'd from this.

In the twenty third Session held the 25th of March 1436. the Council publish'd their Regula∣tions concerning the Election of the Pope, the Profession of Faith which he is bound to make, his Duty and his Conduct, the number of Cardinals which they reduc'd to twenty four, and their Titles, the manner of choosing them ••y the Votes of the College Cardinals, their Obligation and Duty, the restoring of Elections, and abolition of Reservations, and of all Promises of Bene∣fices * 1.29 when they shall be vacant.

In the twenty fourth Session on the 16th of April, the Project between the Ambassadors of the Council and the Greeks was propos'd and approv'd, the safe conduct which the Council granted to them was read, and the Bulls of the Emperor and of the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Council, and the Decree wherein the Council granted Indulgences to all those that should labour for the Re-union of the Greeks.

These In•…•…ents being carried to Constantinople, the Greek Emperor obtain'd Procurations of * 1.30 the Patriarchs and Metropolitans of the Eastern Churches, for sending Persons in their Name to the Council in the West; and in the mean time the Council on their part put things in a readiness for performing what they had promis'd the Greeks, by treating with Nicolas de Montana, who lent the Sum of 30800 Ducats and oblig'd himself to equip four Gallies, and 300 Archers that were pro∣mis'd to the Greeks. All the difficulty, was to agree upon the place where the Council should be held, which they consulted about in many Congregations, and at last in a general Congregation, it was decreed by the Votes of more than two thirds of the Prelats, that the Council should be held at Basil, if the Greeks would accept of this City; but if not, that all endeavours should be us'd to make them agree to the City of Avignon; or whatever happen'd, that they would con∣fine themselves to Savoy, which was one of the Places which the Greeks had propos'd. The Coun∣cil sent two Ambassadors to Pope Eugenius to communicate to him this Resolution, and observ'd to him that he himself had propos'd the City of Avignon, and conjur'd him to come in Person to the Council, that they might Labour by consent in expediting the Indulgences, and imposing the Tenths for furnishing the necessary Expences. Eugenius would not make a Bull about these Things, but he said, that he would signify his Intentions to the Council, by the Arch-bishop of Tarente, who was to be there present the first Day. At the same time two other Deputies of the Council concluded a Treaty with those of Avignon, who had already advanc'd 6000 Ducats to the Commander of the Gallies, and agreed with them, that before they furnish'd the other 70000 which they had promis'd, the Council should make a Decree for fixing the place where the Coun∣cil was to be held at which the Greeks should be present, and that they should be permitted to name Receivers of the Profits that should arise as well from Indulgences as from the Imposition of Tenths, to whom they should be made over, until such time as they were wholly reimburs'd the S••ms they should advance.

The Greek Emperor being resolv'd to come into the West with the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Eastern Bishops, sent back his Ambassador John, to give the Pope and the Council assu∣rance of his Intention, that they might get ready the Gallies. This Ambassador came to Basil at the beginning of February, 1437. and desir'd that the Council would agree of the place, and furnish the Gallies they had promis'd. The President of the Assembly answer'd him, That the Council had nam'd a Commander to conduct the Gallies, and that they had chosen for the place of the Assembly the City of Basil, or that of Avignon, or the Savoy. John made many Difficulties about this Choice, and said that when he propos'd the Savoy, he meant only those Places which the Duke of Savoy had in Italy; and insisted upon this, That the Pope must be present in Person at the Council. When they shew'd no regard to his Remonstrances, he made Protestation as well in writing as viva voce; notwithstanding which it was resolv'd, That Ambassadors should be sent into Greece, who should pass by Avignon; and that in case this City could furnish within 30 Days the Sums agreed upon, the Council should make a Decree 8 Days after for confirming the choice of the City of Basil, Avignon, or the Savoy; That the Council would authorize by a De∣cree the Imposition of Tenths for the Security of the Sums that should be lent; That Power should be given to the Ambassadors to agree upon a Port in Italy where the Greeks should land; and that in case the Greeks would not come into the West, those of Avignon should be reimburs'd the Sums they had advanc'd. This Instrument was agreed upon by Plurality of Voices, in spite of the opposition of the Pope's Legats.

Some Days after the Archbishop of Tarente being sent by Eugenius▪ to the Council, declar'd, That the Pope intended not to grant Indulgences, nor the Imposition of Tenths, until they had agreed upon a City in Italy, which started another Dispute in the Council; but the News being brought that the City of Avignon had furnish'd 30000 Ducats, and was ready to furnish the rest, more than two thirds of the Prelats remain'd firm 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their first Resolution, insomuch that in the 25th Session held the 7th of May, the Decree was read by order of the Council in the place where Decrees were wont to be read; but at the same time the Legats and some other Prelats caus'd to be read in a lower place a private Decree, wherein Florence or Udine were nam'd for holding of the Council, which was repeated with much Precipitation, and was not heard at all. When the Session rose, the Question was put concerning sealing the Decree, the Box in which the Seal was kept being in the Hands of the Cardinal of St. Angelo, and the Keys in the Hands of the four De∣puties of the Council. These had a mind that the Decree should be seal'd, but the Cardinal of St. Angelo being unwilling, this rais'd a Contest, which by Agreement was referr'd to the Cardinal of St. Peter at Lyons, principal Legat to the Pope, Alphonsus Bishop of Burges Ambassador to the King of Castile, and the Archbishop of Palermo Ambassador to the King of Arragon, who were entrusted to regulate what concern'd the Seal, and the sending of the Letters and Instruments in question. These Commissioners caus'd to be seal'd the De••eee made by plurality of Voices, and refus'd to seal the private Conclusion, and the pretended Decree made by a small number. They caus'd to be seal'd also the Instrument of Security granted to the City of Avignon, and the Letter written to the Emperor and the Patriarch of Constantinople, and sent these Dispatches to Avignon: But some Days after a Secretary and another Domestick of the Cardinal of St. Angelo, having taken away the Lock of the Box where the Seals were kept, caus'd the other Decree to be seal'd, and other Letters for the Emperor and the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Council being inform'd of this Trick caus'd a Process to be made against those who were the Authors of it, arrested Bishop John, one of the Pope's Legats; who was accused of being a Complice in it, who disco∣ver'd that this Accusation was not groundless, by making his Escape out of the City when he was to be try'd.

In the mean time the Pope, who minded nothing so much as to hinder the Council from con∣tinuing to sit at Basil, where it was held in a City out of Italy, confirm'd the Conclusion of those who would translate the Council to Florence or Udine, by his Constitution publish'd at Ravenna, May 29th; and to be before-hand with the Council, he caus'd 4 Gallies to be speedily equipp'd at Venice, on which the Ambassadors of the Greeks, who were entirely gain'd by the Pope, em∣bark'd, with three Bishops whom the Pope sent into the East in the Quality of Legats. These Ambassadors being arriv'd before those of the Council, inform'd the Greeks, That the Prelats of the Council by concert with the Pope, had consented that the Council for the Re-union should be held in Italy. Whereupon the Emperor, the Patriarch and the other Prelats, who were to go into the West, prepar'd to depart in the Pope's Gallies; when at the same time they were surpriz'd to hear, That other Gallies were arriv'd from the Council. The Captain Condelmier, who com∣manded those of the Pope, had Orders to fight them; and he had done it if the Greek Emperor had not forbad him: But the Gallies of the Council being arriv'd, the Bishops who came on their behalf, presented to the Greek Emperor and the Patriarch, the Bulls and safe Conducts which they had brought, assuring them that they were come to execute the Treaty made with them, and importun'd them to embark in the Gallies of the Council. The Emperor, who was pre-engag'd on the Pope's behalf, answer'd them, That they came now too late, for he could not make use of their Gallies: They remonstrated to him, That it was not their fault but his Ambassador John's, who had told them it would be sufficient if they should arrive in the Month of October. When they saw that the Emperor persisted in his Resolution, they pray'd him to send, before his De∣parture, Ambassadors to the Pope and Council, assuring him they would continue there, until he could determine, according to the Answer they should bring him, whether he would depart or no

At the same time a Courier came from Sigismund, to dissuade John Palaeologus from his Voyage * 1.31 into the West: But this Prince persisted in his Resolution, notwithstanding this Discouragement, and having made choice of those who were to accompany him and the Patriarch, he Embark'd November the 24th, 1437. The Names of those whom he brought with him are as follow; Mark Eugenius, a Learned Monk lately advanc'd to the Dignity of the Archbishoprick of Ephe∣sus, Denys, Archbishop of Sardes, and Bessarion of Nice, who were made choice of to speak in the Name of all the Greeks; Dorothy, Archbishop of Trebizonde, Anthony of Heraclea, Metra∣phanes of Cyzicum, Macarius of Nicomedia, Ignatius of Tornobe, Dositheus of Monembasus, Doro∣thy of Mitylene, Joasaph of Amasea, Damianus of Muldoblach, Nathaniel of Rhodes, the Arch-bishops of Lacedemone and Stanrople, Matthew of Melenique, Dositheus of Drama, Gennadius of Ganna, Callistus of Distra, Sophronus of Anchiala, with Isidorus, Archbishop of Kiovia, Me∣tropolitan of Russia, in all Twenty one Prelats of the first Rank: Of the second Theodorus, Xantopulus a Deacon, Grand Sacrist of the Church of Constantinople, Michael Balsamon, Grand Master of the Rolls, and Archdeacon of the same Church, Sguropulus, or Syropulus, Grand Ec∣clesiarch, George of Cappadocia, Grand Protector, and many other Officers of the same Church. Among the Monks, Gregory, the Emperor's Confessor, who was made Protosyn∣celle at Florence, Gerontius, Abbot of the Monastery of the Almighty, and the * 1.32 Abbots of the Monasteries of Cale and St. Basil, Moses, a Monk of the Laurel of the Holy Mount, Pacomus, Abbot of St. Paul, Dorotheus, a Monk of Ba∣topede, Athanasius, a Monk of Periblet, the Learned Gemistius, Master to Bessarion, and Mark of Ephesus, and the Philosopher Ameruntra, George Schola∣rius, and some others, with the Prince Demetrius, Brother to the Emperor, and many Officers of the Empire. The Emperor took care to obtain Deputations from the Patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, which he entrusted with such of the Prelats as he pleas'd, to represent them in the Council.

While these Things were transacted in the East, the Council of Basil in the West proceeded * 1.33 against Pope Eugenius. He was accus'd of being refractory to the Decrees of the Council con∣cerning Elections, Reservations and Appeals, of using Simony, of having ruin'd the City of Palestrina, and that he had wasted many other places of the Patrimony of St. Peter, on purpose to hinder the Re-union of the Greeks; of breaking the Oath he had made at his promotion to the Papal Dignity, and abusing his Authority many other ways; whereupon the Council thought fit to cite him to appear within Sixty Days, in Person or by a Proctor; and to declare to him, That if he did not appear there, they would proceed against him; and to order the Cardinals to be present there also at the same time. This was resolv'd upon, and publish'd in the Twenty Sixth Session, held the last Day of July, 1457.

In the Twenty Seventh, held the 27th of September, the Council declar'd the Promotion to be Null, which was made by Eugenius, of John, Patriarch of Alexandria, to the Dignity of a Cardinal; and all other Promotions which he might have made, or should make against the Decrees of the Council. It was declar'd also at the same Session, That the Decree by which Florence or Udine was appointed, was forg'd, and had been surreptitiously Seal'd. In fine, by a third Decree, the Alienation was prohibited, which the Pope had a mind to make of the City of Avignon and the Countship of Venessin, and the Council took them into their Pro∣tection.

The time allow'd the Pope by the Council for Appearing, being expir'd on the 1st of Octo∣ber, the Proctors of the Council demanded in the Twenty Eighth Session, held the same Day, That he might be declar'd Contumacious. He was summon'd according to Custom at the Church-gate, and afterwards declar'd Contumacious, and it was order'd that he should be further proceeded against.

Eugenius, for his part, had publish'd Twelve Days before a Bull, whereby he translated the Council of Basil to Ferrara, in case the Bishops should continue to proceed against him, and as soon as the Greeks should arrive, allowing them only the space of Thirty Days for treating about the Affair of the Bohemians, and declaring any other Translation to be Null, which was or should be made but by his Authority. At the same time he sent to all parts the Bulls for calling the Council at Ferrara.

The Council of Basil oppos'd a Decree to this Bull, wherein they declar'd the Translation of the Council to Ferrara to be Null; enjoin'd the Pope to recal it under the Penalties ordain'd in the Eleventh Session, and confirm'd the Decrees they had made concerning the Collation of Be∣nefices. This Decree was publish'd in the Twenty Ninth Session, on the 2d of October. The Council did nothing more this Year, but only made a Decree in the Thirtieth Session, held the 22d of December, concerning the Communion in both kinds, wherein they declar'd, That it was not necessary by a Divine Command. The 2d of the same Month the Emperor Sigismund Died.

Eugenius look'd upon the Decree of the Twenty Ninth Session, as a Contradiction to the * 1.34 Prohibition he had made of proceeding against him, and by his Bull of the 1st of January, 1438. he declar'd the Council translated to Ferrara, where it should begin the 8th of January. And in effect, Nicolas, Cardinal of Santa Croix open'd it on this Day, with some Italian Bishops, and held the First Session the 10th of this Month, wherein the Translation of the Council to Ferrara was approv'd; and the Council of Basil, and all that it had done since the Translation▪

and all that it should do for the future, was declar'd Null, except what they might have or∣dain'd concerning the Affair of the Bohemians. At the same time the Cardinal Julian, who had always continued till that time in the Office of President to the Council, notwithstanding the Translation the Pope had made of it, retir'd from Basil, and carry'd away with him only four Prelats of the Council, while all the other remain'd as well as the Ambassadors of Princes, and continu'd to Assemble, to make Orders, and to proceed against Eugenius; having for their Head Louis Allemand, Cardinal, by the Title of St. Cecil, commonly call'd the Cardinal of A••les, from the name of his Archbishoprick, who continu'd President of the Council, and maintain'd it to the end with all possible Prudence and Vigour.

In the Thirty First Session, held the 25th of January, 1438. they made at first a Decree about Causes, whereby they ordain'd, That they shall all be determin'd upon the place, except the * 1.35 great Causes, or those about Elections for Cathedrals and Monasteries; and since that their imme∣diate Subjection made them devolve to the Holy See, they do therefore forbid them to appeal to the Pope, Omisso medio, or to appeal from any Interlocutory before the Definitive Sentence; at least they ordain, That the Injury done by the Interlocutory Sentence cannot be repair'd in the Definitive Sentence; and that in case of Appeal to the Holy See, the Judges upon the place shall be commission'd; and lastly, That while the Council sits, all Causes of the Members of the Council which shall be carried to the Pope, shall be try'd in the Council. After this, they * 1.36 revok'd by a second Decree all Promises of Benefices before they were vacant, which were granted, or should be granted for the future: Yet they left to the Popes a Power of providing for one Benefice in the Churches where there were ten Prebends, and for two in the Churches where there were fifty of them: And to the end, that Benefices may be fill'd with fit Persons, they ordain'd, That there shall be a Professor of Divinity in all Cathedral Churches, and that Col∣lators shall be bound, so soon as occasion offers, to name a Doctor or a Batchelor in Divinity for a Canon, who had studied ten Years in some priviledg'd University, that he may read Le∣ctures twice a Week; That besides this, in each Cathedral or Collegiat Church, the third part of the Prebends shall be given to the Graduates, Doctors, Licentiates, or Batchelors in any Faculty; so that the first vacant Benefice in each Church shall be given to a Graduate, and then that which shall be vacant after the two next, and so onwards; That the same Method shall be observ'd with respect to Dignities; That the Curates of wall'd Cities shall at least be Masters of Arts; That all those who have the requisite Qualifications, shall be bound to give in their Names every Year, at Christmas, to the Collators of Benefices, that thy may have a Right to them, otherwise their Promotion shall be Null; Lastly, That the Benefices of Regulars shall be given to Regulars that are fit for them. The Council of Basil having made these De∣crees, declar'd Pope Eugenius suspended from all kind of Administration of the Papal Power, as well in Spirituals as Temporals, which had now devolv'd to the Council; Decreed, That all he did should be Null, and forbad all sorts of Persons to obey him under pain of Ex∣communication.

The Pope Eugenius, who had been at Ferrara ever since the 24th of January, called a Meet∣ing * 1.37 of the Prelats who were there present, on the 8th of February; and held a Session, wherein nothing was concluded, but that the Pope should remove these pretended Mischiefs which the Continuation of the Council of Basil occasion'd. Afterwards they consulted about some Preli∣minaries of the Council, and particularly as to what concern'd the Annulling of the Council of Basil, and the Calling of this New Council at Ferrara; and it was resolv'd, That not only all that had been done in the Council of Basil since the Translation should be declar'd Null, but also that the Prelats should be treated as Schismaticks, who had or should attempt any thing to the prejudice of the Pope, and all their Benefices should be declar'd vacant; That the City of Basil should be put under an Interdict, if it did not drive them away within a Month; That the same Penalty shall be enacted against all the places that shall receive or favour them; That Princes shall be inform'd of these things, and invited to send their Ambassadors, and the Prelats of their Dominions to the Council of Ferrara; That all the Sums shall be stopp'd which had been gather'd to contribute to the Union of the Greeks. This Resolution past in the Congrega∣tions of the 11th and 14th of February, and was read and approv'd in the Session, held on the 15th of the same Month, at which the Bishop of Foro Julio read and publish'd the Decree made in the Name of Eugenius, with the Approbation of the Council; whereby he declar'd, That the Prelats which remain'd at Basil had incurr'd the Penalties of Excommunication and Depri∣vation of their Dignities and Benefices enacted in the Bull of Translation; Null'd and made Void all that they had done since the Translation, or should do for the future; enjoin'd the Prelats to depart from Basil within Thirty Days, and the Magistrates and Inhabitants of the City to force them away under pain of Excommunication, and an Inderdict; and in case they should not do it, he forbad all sorts of Persons to enter within that City, under the same pains, and enjoin'd all Merchants to withdraw from it. This is what was done at Ferrara before the Arrival of the Greeks.

On the other side, the Council of Basil understanding what had been decreed in the Second * 1.38 Sessions of the Synod of Ferrara, oppos'd to this Decree a Synodal Answer, publish'd the 17th of March, and in the Thirty Second Session, on the 25th of the same Month, they declar'd the Calling of the Council of Ferrara to be Null, and all that had been done there, or should be done there for the future; enjoin'd all the Prelats who were at Ferrara, and all the Officers of

the Court of Eugenius, to come within 30 Days to Basil, and excommunicated all those who * 1.39 should directly or indirectly hinder or molest those that would come to Basil.

The Greeks arriv'd at Venice on the 8th of February. The Emperor John Emmanuel Palaeologus was there in Person, with Joseph the Patriarch of Constantinople, and the other Prelats whom they had brought with them. They consulted for some time, whether they should go and meet the Pope at Ferrara, or expect News from the Council at Basil; but at last being resolv'd to go right to the Pope, they parted from Venice the 28th of the same Month, and arriv'd at Ferrara the 7th of March. At first there was some Difficulty as to the manner how the Patriarch and the Greek Bishops should address themselves to the Pope. He had a mind to require of them that they should prostrate themselves before him and kiss his Feet; but they refus'd it with so much Reso∣lution, that the Pope was forc'd to recede from his Pretension, and to receive them without this Ceremony. The Patriarch and the other Greek Prelats enter'd six apiece into the Chamber where he was, and saluted him by embracing him. But he order'd none but the Patriarch to sit down in the place of Cardinals, and suffer'd the rest to stand; and he would not allow the Patriarch to carry his Cross, and give the Benediction in the City. Some Days after they began to talk about Affairs, and the Emperor sollicited the Pope to call an Oecumenical Council, and to invite to it the Kings and Princes of the West, or their Ambassadors. The Pope answer'd him, That it could not be done at that time because of the Wars: But they agreed to be satisfy'd with the opening of the Council at Ferrara, and to adjourn it for four Months; and that the Prelats might have time to come thither, they fix'd the Day of opening to the ninth of April.

In the mean time there were several Disputes concerning the Seats of the Pope, the Emperor, * 1.40 and the Patriarch: But at last it was agreed, That the Pope should be seated on a high Chair in the first place on the right Hand; That a Step below him a vacant Throne should be plac'd for the Emperor of the Latins; and below him, on the same side, should be plac'd the Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops of the West: That the Greek Emperor should have a Throne on the other side, opposite to that of the Emperor of the Latins; That below that should be plac'd the Chair of the Patriarch, and then the Bench of the Vicars of the other Patriarchs; and next to them the Greek Archbishops and Bishops; and that the Prince Demetrius, Brother of the Emperor, should sit on a Seat beside him. The Gospel was plac'd in the middle of the Church before the Altar. These Things being thus order'd, the opening of the Council was made in the Church of St. George, on the 9th of April. The Patriarch of Constantinople could not be present because of his Indisposition; but there was read a Declaration which he made, wherein he approves the calling of the Council at Ferrara, and consents they should allow the space of four Months; That the Bi∣shops who were still at Basil, and all others who ought to be present there, might come, as well as the Kings and Princes of the West. After this the Decree of the Pope was read, by which he declares that the Oecumenical Synod shall be held at Ferrara. This Resolution was approv'd by the Latins and the Greeks; and thus ended the first Session of the Council of Ferrara.

The Pope sent this new Bull of Convocation into all Kingdoms, and sollicited earnestly the Princes to send to the Council of Ferrara; but not to lose any time, he press'd the Greeks to enter upon a Conference with the Latins about the Differences between the two Churches. The Greeks had a mind to put it off till such time as the Council should be assembled. But at last after many * 1.41 Contests it was agreed, That on each side ten Persons should be appointed who should meet three times a Week in the Church of the Monastery of St. Andrew, and confer together about the Con∣troversies. The Greeks, on their part, appointed Mark of Ephesus, the Bishops of Monembase, Nice, Lacedemon and Anchiala, together with the Grand Master of the Rolls, the Grand Ecclesi∣arch, two Abbots and one Monk, to whom the Emperor join'd Jagaris. The Latins appointed on their side the Cardinal Julian, the Cardinal of Ferme, Andrew Bishop of Rhodes, John a Doctor of Spain, and six others. Mark of Ephesus, and Bessarian Bishop of Nice, were entrusted to speak in behalf of the Greeks, and to them it was recommended that they should not enter upon the principal Controversies, but reserve them to the Council. The Conference began with several Discourses on both sides, concerning the Benefits of Peace and Union. The Cardinal Julian would have had the Greeks enter upon the principal Question about the Union; but they shunn'd it in this first and the second Conference. In the third the same Cardinal said, That there were four Heads of Controversy between the Greeks and the Latins; The 1. Concerning the Procession of the Holy Spirit. The 2. About Unleaven'd or Leaven'd Bread in the Sacrifice. The 3. About Purgatory. And the 4. About the Primacy of the Pope; and he enquir'd of the Greeks with which of these Controversies they thought it convenient to begin their Conferences. They refus'd to Treat about the Procession of the Holy Spirit; and gave no Answer about the other Articles until they consulted the Emperor, without whose Orders they would do nothing. In the fourth Conference they offer'd to treat about Purgatory, or the Primacy, and left the Latins at liberty to choose which of them. The Cardinal Julian chose the Article of Purgatory; but they did not begin to debate this Matter until the fifth Session, held June the 5th. Upon the demand of the Greeks, That they would expound the Doctrin of the Church of Rome about this Point, Julian told them, It believ'd that the Souls of the Just, which were pure and without Stain, and free from mortal Sin, ascended streight into Heaven, and enjoy'd eternal Repose; but that the Souls of those that had faln into Sins after Baptism, tho' they had done Penance for them, if they had not perfectly accomplish'd the Penance impos'd upon them, nor brought forth Fruits worthy of Repentance to obtain an entire remission of their Sins, pass'd through the Fire of Purgatory; and

that some are there a longer, and some a shorter time, according to the quality of their Sins; and that at last being purified, they enjoy'd perfect Happiness; but that the Souls of those who died in mortal Sins, or in original Sin, were sent immediately to the place of Torments. Mark of Ephesus answer'd, That the Doctrin of the Greek Church was not different from this but in a very small Matter, and that he hop'd 'twas easy to rectify it by an Explication. This Difference was expounded in the sixth Conference, and the Greeks made it to consist in this, That the Latins said the Purification of Souls was made by Fire, whereas the Greeks believ'd that the Souls of Sinners went to a place of Darkness and Sadness, where they were for some time in Affliction, and depriv'd of the Light of God; but that they were purified and deliver'd from this place of Affliction, by Sacrifices and Alms; That they believ'd also that the Damn'd should not be perfectly miserable, nor the Saints enjoy a perfect Happiness till after the Resurrection of their Bodies. The Latins demanded, That this Declaration of the Greeks should be put in writing. When they were about to do it, Mark of Ephesus, and Bessarian of Nice, could not agree among themselves, and each of them drew up a different Writing; the former being persuaded that per∣fect Happiness was delay'd until the Day of Judgment; and the other believing that they wanted nothing to perfect their Happiness but to receive their Bodies. This Contest embroil'd them one with another, and from this time they acted no more by consent, and there was no good under∣standing between them. After this the Conferences degenerated into Heats, and ended about the end of the Month of July, without treating upon any other Points but that of Purgatory, and even about that they could not agree.

When the time appointed for the sitting of the Synod drew near, the Greeks began to be un∣easy, and the Pest was then in Ferrara. All these Considerations should have mov'd both of them to wish for a Conclusion of this Affair, but it was not easily to be compass'd. The Princes sent neither Prelats nor Ambassadors to the Council; those who were at Basil remain'd there still; the Greek Emperor would not have the Synod begin until there were a considerable number of Pre∣lats. Nevertheless the Pope, by his Importunity, made him resolve to hold the Council; telling him, That where the Pope, the Emperor and the Patriarch were, there was the Synod: But a new Difficulty happen'd; for the Greeks reflecting upon the smalness of their number, concluded, That if Things were carried in the Council by plurality of Votes, they must needs lose their Cause, and therefore they remonstrated, That the Case was different in this Council from what it had been in former Councils, wherein the Greek and Latin Church were at agreement; where∣as in this the Difference which was to be determin'd was between them, so that the Judges them∣selves were divided; and therefore they propos'd, That the Voices of each Party should not be reckon'd by the Party, but in proportion to the number of which each Party consisted, so that if there were 20 on one side, and 200 on the other, the 20 Votes should be reckon'd as equal to the 200. The Emperor took upon him to make the Pope agree to this Proposal, and he agreed with him about some things; but he did not otherwise explain himself to the Bishops, but by telling them, That they should be content, and that the Pope had granted them what they desir'd. After this a Resolution was taken to begin quickly the Sessions of the Council. The Emperor having sent for the six principal Archbishops, the Grand Master of the Rolls, the Grand Ecclesiarch, * 1.42 with the two Abbots who had been present at the Conferences, and three Doctors, acquainted them that the time of the Synod was now approaching, that they must consult where they should begin the Question about the Procession of the Holy Spirit, which consisted in two Points: The first was, to understand whether the Doctrin of the Latin Church, upon this Subject, was Orthodox and agreeable to the Sentiments of the Greek Church. The second, whether they had reason to add to the Creed, That He proceeded from the Son. They were divided in their Opinions, but the greater number thought that they must begin with this last Head. The Greeks and Latins appointed each of them six Persons to maintain the Dispute: Those who spoke on Be∣half of the Greeks were Mark of Ephesus, and Bessarian of Nice; on the Latin's side, the Cardi∣nal Julian, Andrew Bishop of Rhodes, the Bishop of Forio-Julio, and a Spanish Doctor nam'd John, were chosen with two others, to Answer the Greeks. The Emperor having the consent of his Clergy, for beginning the Council, sent Jagaris and Scyropulus the Grand Ecclesiarch, to ad∣vertise the Pope of three Things; 1. That the Greeks were ready to begin the Synod, and waited only for the Day which he would appoint. 2. That they desir'd to be the Aggressors, and that the Latins would answer them. 3. That the Sessions should be held in the Cathedral, or at least in some of the principal Churches. The Pope granted them the two first Articles, and fix'd the first Session of the Council for the 8th of October: But he would never consent to the third, and caus'd all the Sessions to be held in the Chappel of his own Palace. The Places there were or∣der'd very near after the same manner as they had been in the Church of St. George at the begin∣ning of the Council.

The Session began with a long Discourse made by Bessarian about the Advantages of Peace; * 1.43 after which Mark of Ephesus having spoke of the Charity that was to be preserv'd in Disputes, gave them to understand that he would begin with discoursing about the Addition made to the Creed. Andrew of Rhodes answer'd on behalf of the Latins, by praising the Design of main∣taining Charity, and would immediately have enter'd upon the Matter about the Addition: But Mark of Ephesus stopp'd him, and told him, That it was not yet time to answer about this Ar∣ticle; and having remark'd, That the Church of Rome had neglected in times past that Peace which she desir'd at present, he said that she could not obtain it but by removing altogether the

Principles of Discord; and demanded, That before any thing was done, the Decrees of former Councils should be read.

In the next Session held the 13th of October, Andrew of Rhodes having a mind to begin a Dis∣course about the Addition to the Creed, was interrupted by the Greeks; and this Session was spent in Contests about the manner in which they should proceed: The Greeks insisting always upon it. That it belong'd to them to propose, and that in the first place the Decrees of former Councils must be read.

After much Dispute the Greeks carried it so far, That in the third Session held the 10th of October, they read the Prohibition made by the Council of Ephesus, to add any thing to the Creed; upon which Mark of Ephesus made some Reflections, and confirm'd it by the Testimony of Saint Cyril and Pope Celestin: They reported also the Definition of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th General Councils, which would have nothing added to the Creed. The Latins produc'd a Manuscript of the 7th Council, where they pretended it would be found, That the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Son; and assur'd them that this Manuscript was very ancient: But the Greeks reply'd, That if this had been so, Thomas Aquinas and other Latins, who were Defenders of this Addition, would not have fail'd to relate this Testimony as decisive in the Case.

In the 4th Conference on the 20th of the same Month, after it was agreed, That nothing out of Synods should be alledg'd for or against Photius, that both Sides should be bounded by the 8th General Council, Andrew of Rhodes begun a long Discourse to shew, That what the Greeks pre∣tended to be an Addition, was a meer Explication, which was not forbidden to be made. He founded this Proposition particularly upon the Example of the second Council, which had added Words to the Nicene Creed to explain more clearly its Doctrin; That there was the same Reason as to the word Filioque, added by the Latins, which was only an Explication of what was in the Nicene Creed; That the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father, because the Son having all that is natural and essential to the Father, when 'tis said that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Fa∣ther, it must necessarily be understood that he proceeds also from the Son.

Andrew of Rhodes continu'd the same Discourse in the next Conference held the 25th of October, and undertook to answer the Authorities produc'd by Mark of Ephesus, grounding always upon the same Principle, That they did not forbid to add Explications or Declarations of the same Faith, but only such Things as were contrary to, or different from the Doctrin contain'd in the Creed. He related many Passages of the Greek Fathers, to prove that the Holy Spirit proceed∣ed from the Son as from the Father, and insisted particularly upon the Authority of St. Cyril and Maximus. But the Greeks maintain'd that the Passage in this latter was falsified. He alledg'd also the Authority of Tarasus the Patriarch of Constantinople, and an ancient Manuscript of the 7th Council where the Addition was found. He laid some Stress upon the Silence of Photius, who had never objected this Addition to the Latins * 1.44; and lastly, he and the Cardinal Julian con∣cluded this Conference with the Testimonies of St. Cyril and Agathon, who acknowledg'd that the Roman Church had Power to explain and establish the Doctrin of Faith.

The Greeks having conferr'd among themselves about the Discourse of Andrew of Rhodes, ap∣pointed Bessarion of Nice to answer him: He made a long and learned Discourse in the Session held the first of November, wherein he undertook to prove, That all Additions to the Creed were for∣bidden, and so it was needless to examine whether that made by the Latins was an Explication or no; That there was sufficient ground to reject it, because it was an Addition; That it was not forbidden to explain the Faith, but to insert these Explications into the Creed; That until the time of the second Council this might have been allow'd, but the third had absolutely forbid∣den it; That this Prohibition had been needless, if they had only forbidden to add any thing contrary to the ancient Faith, since that was always forbidden; That the Fathers of this Council had judg'd it not convenient to add to the Creed the Term of Mother of God, altho•…•… seem'd ne∣cessary to do it; And that these Words were only an Explication of the Doctrin contain'd in the Creed; That the following Councils would not add their Definitions, tho' they were only an Ex∣plication of the Doctrin of the Creed.

Bissarion having not finish'd his Answer to Andrew of Rhodes in this Session, continued it in the next held the 4th of November, and maintain'd that St. Cyril and Agathon did not only forbid to add any thing contrary to the Creed, but also disallow'd of any kind of Addition: And as to what they had advanc'd in favour of the Church of Rome's Prerogatives, he said, That the Greeks knew very well the Rights and Priviledges of that Church, but that they knew also the Bounds of them; and that when they deny'd the Universal Church and an Oecumenical Council a Right to add to the Creed, they had much more Reason to deny it to the Church of Rome, or rather they were persuaded that the Councils by their Decrees forbad it. When Bessarion had finish'd, Andrew of Rhodes undertook to reply, but being unprepared he wander'd from the Subject, and after he had said many impertinent Things, at last he came to the chief Points of the Doctrin.

John Bishop of Foro-Julio was made choice of by the Latins to answer Bessarion, in the Session held the 8th of November. After he had alledg'd many Reasons to prove that the word Filioque,

was not an Addition but a meer Explication, he maintain'd not only that there was no Law for∣bidding to add any Explication to the Creed, but also that none could make such a Prohibition to the Church, and that it could extend only to private Persons, who would make this Addition without Authority.

The Cardinal Julian finish'd this Dispute in the Session on November 11th, with many Remarks upon the Prohibition of the Council of Ephesus. 1. He observ'd, That this Law was to be under∣stood with respect to the occasion on which it was made, which was the false Creed of the Nesto∣rians, that the Council had condemn'd, and not that of Charisius, which was Orthodox. 2. That this Council did not only forbid to Add, but also to make any new Exposition of the Faith; and therefore if this Prohibition were extended to the Church or a Council, it would follow, That the Church could not make a new Exposition of the Faith; which the Greeks did own to be false. 3. That the Council of Ephesus having spoken only of the Nicene Creed, it would follow, That it must disapprove the Additions made to the Creed by the Council of Constantinople. 4. That the Councils of Ephesus and Chalcedon, St. Cyril and St. Leo, had no other design, but to hinder the teaching or introducing of any new Doctrin. When he had finish'd these Remarks, he said it was now time to come to the principal Question, viz. Whether it were true that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Son; and in •…•…se the Greeks should prove that he did not proceed, then it would follow that the Roman Church had made a prohibited Addition to the Creed; but if on the contrary it should be prov'd, That this was sound and true Doctrin, then it must be confess'd that the Roman Church had Power to add this Explication to the Creed. Nevertheless Bessarion said, That he would answer in the next Conference, to what the Cardinal Julian had now ad∣vanc'd.

On the 15th of November, Mark of Ephesus and Cardinal Julian conrested among themselves, concerning the Creed of Charisius, and the Explication of the Prohibition of the Council of Ephe∣sus. Towards the conclusion the Cardinal Julian observ'd, That there were Manuscripts of the Creed of Constantinople, in which these Words are not to be found, Descendit de Caelis, nor these, Secundum Scripturas; and that the Latins had added these, Deum de Deo, about which the Greeks made no opposition, as they did about the word Filioque. Andrew of Rhodes had also said in his Discourse, That the Phrase Desoendit ad inferos, was an Addition. Mark of Ephesus would have enter'd upon the Question, viz. Whether the Roman Church and the Pope had Power to add to the Creed: But the Cardinal would not enter upon it, and persisted in demanding importunately, That they would come to the principal Question, concerning the Truth of the Doctrin.

The Ambassadors of the Duke of Burgundy were receiv'd in the 12th Session held the 27th of November, saluted the Pope, presen••••d him a Letter from their Master, and made a Discourse in the Assembly: But because they had not shewn the Greek Emperor the Respect that was due to him, nor presented him with a Letter, he would not allow them to take their Seat until he had receiv'd Satisfaction; which they gave him in the next Session by presenting him with a Letter in their Master's Name, and doing him Reverence; but after such a manner as did not perfectly satisfy.

In the mean time the Conference continu'd, and was reduc'd to a private Contest between Mark of Ephesus, and the Cardinal Julian, about the Addition to the Creed.

Another also was held on the 8th of December, which dwindled also into Heats, upon the same Subject, without the Agreeing of the Parties in any thing. The Latins would have them to en∣ter upon the principal Point in Question; and after that was explain'd, if they should find it true, That the Holy Spirit did proceed from the Person of the Son, then the Addition should continue in the Creed; but if they should find this Proposition false, then it should be rejected. The Greeks, on the contrary, asserted, That they must begin with cutting off the word Filioque, from the Creed, and after that examin the main Question; That if the Doctrin of the Latins should be found to be true, it should be decreed, but if it were false it should be condemn'd. This Contest was the Cause why the Conferences ceas'd for some time; but at last the Greek Emperor made the Greeks resolve to enter upon the Dispute about the Truth of the Doctrin. The Pope propos'd afterwards to translate the Council to Florence, because he could no longer conveniently furnish the necessary Expence for continuing it at Ferrara; and it was agreed with the Florentines, That they should raise him a considerable Sum, provided the Council were held at Florence. The Patriarch of Constantinople and the Greek Prelats oppos'd mightily this Proposal, but at last the Necessity to which they were reduc'd oblig'd them to accept of it, and to consent that the Synod might be translated to Florence; and this Translation was publish'd in the last Assembly held at Ferrara, January the 11th, 1439. The pretence that the Pope alledg'd in the Bull, was the Pestilence which had been at Ferrara, and it was to be fear'd it would break forth again in the Spring. One part of what was owing to the Greeks was paid them. Some Relief of Mony was sent to Constantinople, and the Greeks were promised, That the Expence of their Voyage and of their living at Florence should be defray'd, and that they should be carried home again, whether the Union were concluded or no. The Pope and Emperor, the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Latin and Greek Prelats, parted after this for Florence, and arriv'd there at the beginning of February. After they had repos'd themselves for some Days, they agreed upon certain Measures concerning the Method of continuing their Conferences: And the Emperor was of Opinion, That they should be held in private. The first was held the 26th of February. The Cardinal Julian and the Emepror who were the only Persons that spoke at it, came to an Agreement, That some

Expedient should be search'd for by both sides, to unite them together. The Patriarch being * 1.45 grievously Sick, was not present at this, nor the following Sessions. The Emperor and Greek Prelats being present at his House, consulted about this Proposal which had been made, to search after some Means for uniting them together; but they all said, That they had none to offer, and that they were ready to answer the Latins; That they would meet in Private the next Saturday, and then enter upon a Conference. The Pope seeing that they would not propose any Expedient, but Dispute on still, put off the Meeting to Munday next, being the 2d Day of March.

In this Session, and the five following, John the Theologue for the Latins, and Mark of Ephesus for the Greeks, disputed earnestly concerning the Procession of the Holy Spirit; and after they had long contested concerning the Sense of divers Passages of the Greek Fathers, each remain'd of his own Opinion without agreeing in any thing. The Greek Emperor perceiving plainly, That these Disputes were so far from procuring Union, that they rather serv'd to ex∣asperate their Spirits, call'd his Prelats together to engage them to find out some Temper, by means of which an Union might be concluded; and he believ'd that he had found out an Ex∣pedient, by remarking that John the Divine had said, That the Father was the sole Cause of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Greeks having search'd for divers Expedients, thought at last they had found one in a Letter of St. Maximus, who says, That the Latins by affirming that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son, do not pretend that the Son was the Cause of the Spirit, and that they know very well, that the Father is the sole Cause of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; of the Son by Generation, of the Holy Spirit by Procession; but they mean only that the Holy Spirit proceeds by the Son, because he is of one and the same Essence. All the Greeks, except Mark of Ephesus, and the Archbishop of Heraclea, agreed, That if the Latins would approve this Letter, the Union would easily be concluded. The News of this was car∣ried to the Latins, who promis'd to give their Answer in the first Conference, which was to be held March the 21st. The Emperor would not have Mark of Ephesus, nor the Archbishop of Heraclea to be there present, so that John spoke alone in this Session, and in the next which was held the 24th of March. The Greeks were divided among themselves, some were Enemies to the Union, others on the contrary desir'd it, and sought out means to compass it. The Emperor supported the latter, and desir'd them earnestly to conclude an Union at any price whatsoever. He caus'd them therefore to resolve in the Assembly, that a Message should be sent to the Pope, to tell him, That Disputes were useless, and they must find out some other way for Union. The Pope made answer, That the Greeks must acknowledge, That the Latins had prov'd very well, That the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Son, or else they should have brought Testimonies of Scripture expresly contrary to this Doctrin. If they did not, That an Assembly must be held, wherein they must make Oath upon the Gospels, to speak the Truth. That after this, every one should give his Opinion, and that Doctrin should be embrac'd which had a Plurality of Voices. This Answer being reported to the Emperor, he caus'd tell the Pope, That this was not the way to procure an Union, That this would end in a Dispute, and then they must come to a Decision of it, which is what they would avoid; and therefore they must pray his Holiness to find out some other way. In the mean time, Bessarion made a Dis∣course concerning Union, wherein he justified the Doctrin of the Latins. The Emperor hav∣ing a Mind to put an end to this Affair, held after Easter a Meeting in the Patriarch's House, where the Cardinal Julian was present, who endeavour'd to persuade the Greeks to resume their Conferences; but the Emperor would not hearken to this Proposal, and therefore went himself to meet the Pope, and agreed with him, That Ten Persons should be appointed on each side, who should meet, and give their Opinion, one after another, of the Means which they thought convenient for obtaining an Union. Bessarion propos'd in the first Conference, That the Latins and Greeks should approve the Letter of Maximus to Marinus, without any Expli∣cation; but the Latins gave it a Sense which was not agreeable to the Greeks. Mark of Ephe∣sus, propos'd after this, That the Addition made to the Creed should be struck out; others of∣fer'd for a Model, the Profession of Faith made by the Patriarch Tarasus, wherein 'tis said, That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father by the Son: In fine, divers Expedients were pro∣pos'd in five Conferences, which were held on this Subject; but not one of them was agreed upon by both Parties. After this, the Latins drew up a Profession of Faith, wherein they declar'd, That they would not admit two Principles, or two Causes in the Trinity; but one only Principle, which is the Action of the Father and of the Son, and their Productive Power, and that the Holy Spirit did not proceed from the Son, as from another Principle, or another Cause, because there is but one Cause, one Root, and one Fountain of the Divinity which is the Father; That notwithstanding this, the Father and Son are two Persons, tho' they Act by one and the same Operation, and that the Person produc'd of the Substance and Subsistence of the Father and the Son is one; That those who say the Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father, must acknowledge that there was a time when the Son was not, or else separate the Substance from the Subsistence, which is absurd. This Profession of Faith was sent to the Greeks by the Latins, April the 29th. The Greeks not being satisfy'd with it, the Latins sent them ano∣ther, which contain'd also the Procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and from the Son; yet in such a manner that 'twas said, the Father was the sole Cause of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Greeks after this gave one from their side, wherein they declar'd, That the

Father was the Fountain and Root of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit came forth from the Son, and was sent by the Son. The Latins desir'd they would explain these Terms, and that they would tell in what Sense they took them, if they meant them of the Eternal and Substantial Procession of the Holy Spirit, or only of a Temporal Mission. The Greeks made a Difficulty of doing this. At last, a Profession of Faith was drawn up, conceiv'd in these Words,

We the Latins on one side, do Affirm and make Profession, That when we say, the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son we intend not by this to deny that the Father is the Principle and Fountain of all the Divinity of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, or that the Son proceeds from the Father, or to admit two Principles, and two Pro∣ducti•…•… of the Holy Spirit; but we assert and believe, That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, as one sole Principle, and by one sole Production. And we the Greeks on the other side, do acknowledge, That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, and that he appertains to the Son, that he came forth from him, and proceeds substantially from these two, viz. from the Father by the Son; and we are all united in this unanimous Profession of Faith.

This Profession of Faith being read in the Assembly of the Greeks, was approv'd by some of them, and rejected by others: But at last, having pass'd by Plurality of Voices, it was sent to the Pop•…•… who demanded still several Explications. The Greeks were divided among themselves. 〈…〉〈…〉 of Nice, and the Archbishop of Russia maintain'd that it might be said, That the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father and from the Son, as the Latins said; or from the Father by the Son, according to the Expression of the Greeks; provided it were acknowledg'd, That he proceeded from the Father and the Son, as one only Principle and Cause; That this was a means of reconciling the Sentiments of the Fathers which seem'd to contradict one another, and of coming quickly to an Union. Mark of Ephesus, the Archbishop of Heraclea, and many others were of a contrary Opinion, and maintain'd, That there was a great deal of difference, between saying that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father by the Son, and that the Holy Spirit poceeded from the Father and the Son. After they had for a long time disputed both on this Subject in the private Congregations, the Emperor call'd them all together to give their Opinion on the 2d of June. The Patriarch said, That since the Fathers taught in some places, that the Holy Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son; and in others, That he proceeded from the Father by the Son; and that these Terms, from the Son, or by the Son, were equivalent, without making use of this Expression, That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son; he said▪ That he proceeds from the Father by the Son Eternally and Substantially, as one sole Principle and one sole Cause, the Preposition, by, signifying in this place, that the Son is the C•…•… the Procession of the Holy Spirit. He added, That he would receive those of the West, who said, That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and from the Son, provided they would not add it to the Creed, and that the Greeks would unite with them, without changing their Rites. The Emperor said only in general, That he did not believe this Council inferiour to other General Councils; That he would follow its Decision, being persuaded that the Church cannot Err; provided the Latins would not oblige the Greeks to add any thing to the Creed, nor change any thing in their Rites. After the Emperor, Isidore, Archbishop of Russia, who represented the Patriarch of Antioch, said, That he believ'd also, we must approve the Doctrin of the Occidentals, That the Holy Spirit receiv'd his being from the Son, and that the Father and the Son were one sole Principle of the Holy Spirit. Bessa∣rion was of the same Opinion, and made a long Discourse to prove it. But Anthony, Arch-bishop of Heraclea, one of the Vicars of the Patriarch of Alexandria, was of another Opinion, for he plainly rejected the Procession of the Holy Spirit from the Son. But the * 1.46 Protosyncelle, second Vicar of the same Patriarchat, was of a contrary Opinion to him, and approv'd the Union with the Latins, altho' some Days before he had maintain'd, That the Baptism of the Latins was of no validity, because it was done by Sprinkling. Mark of Ephesus, Dositheus Bishop of Monembase, Vicar of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Sophrone of Anchiala, would not acknowledge, That the Son was the Cause of the Holy Spirit in the Sense that the Greeks took the Word, Cause, for a Principle; and deny'd that it might be said, That the Holy Spirit pro∣ceeds from the Father and the Son, as one only Principle. Scyropulus, Grand Ecclesiarch, was of the same Opinion, altho' he gave not his Vote for it. Dorotheus, Bishop of Mitylene, and * 1.47 the Bishops of Lacedemon, of Rhodes, of Nicomedia, Distra, Drama, and Melenique, approv'd the Procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son, and concluded for the Union; and so did Gregory the Penitentiary, and the Abbot Pacomus. All the Ministers of the Emperor applauded the Union, except Prince Demotrius, the Emperor's Brother; who would not give his Opinion, because he was contrary to the Union. The Ambassadors of the Princes and Peo∣ple of Greece, who were then present, approv'd also the Union, except those of the Iberians: The Bishops of Cyzicum, Trebisonde, Heraclea and Monembase, came over at last to the Opinion of the others; so that there were not any among the Bishops who persisted in a contrary Opinion, but only Mark of Ephesus, and Sophronius of Anchiala.

The Emperor having thus dispos'd Matters towards an Union, thought it now high time to treat with the Pope about the Succors he wanted. He sent to him the Archbishop of Russia, to enter upon the Negotiation, and this Archbishop brought to him three Cardinals, who agreed upon the following Articles. First, That the Pope should furnish to the Greeks the Expences of their Return; Secondly, That he should maintain every Year 300 Soldiers, and two Gal∣lies

to Guard the City of Constantinople; Thirdly, That the Gallies which carried the Pilgrims to Jerusalem, should go to Constantinople; Fourthly, That when the Emperor had occasion for 20 Gallies for six Months, or for 10 for a Year, the Pope should furnish him with them; Fifthly, That if there was occasion for Land-Forces, the Pope should earnestly sollicit the Christian Princes of the West to furnish him with them.

The next Day, being the 3d of June, the Emperor caus'd all the Greeks to come to the As∣sembly, and to repeat their Suffrages: The Patriarch said, That since the Latins did not say of their own Heads, but according to the Scripture, That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father by the Son; he was of their Opinion, and that he thought this Preposition, by, denoted, That the Son was the Cause of the Holy Spirit; and thus they would unite with them, and embrace their Communion. All the Greeks, except Mark of Ephesus, follow'd the Opinion of the Patriarch, and acknowledg'd, That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and from the Son, as one Principle and one Substance; That he proceeds by the Son, being of the same Na∣ture and the same Substance, and that he proceeds from the Father and the Son, by one and the same Spiration and Production.

On the 5th of the same Month, the Definition was put in Writing, and three Copies were made of it; the first which was carried to the Pope, the other to the Emperor, and the third to the Patriarch of Constantinople. The next Day it was carried to the Pope and Cardinals, who agreed to it, and there were Ten Persons appointed on each side, to put the last Hand to it: This being done on the 8th of the same Month; it was read in Greek and Latin, and approv'd by the Greeks and Latins.

The next Day, the Archbishops of Russia, Nice, Trebisonde and Mitylene, being deputed to wait upon the Pope, he said unto them, God be thanked we are now agreed about the Principal Doctrin in which we differ'd; Ye must presently treat of the Questions about Purgatory, the Primacy of the Pope, and the use of Leavened and Unleavened Bread in the Eucharist, and about the Divine Sacrifice; to the end, That all occasion of Discord may be remov'd, and after that an Union be immediately settled; for the Time is short. They begun with the Question of Unleavened Bread, and it was determin'd, That they might use indifferently either that which is Leaven'd or Unleaven'd, provided it were made of Bread-Corn; That the Minister had re∣ceiv'd Orders, and that the place of Celebration was consecrated. As to Purgatory; it was determin'd, That the Souls of Saints had obtain'd in Heaven a perfect Recompence, as they were Souls; That those of Sinners were punish'd to the highest degree, and that the Souls of those who were in a middle State between these two, were in a place where they endur'd Punishment; but it was not material, whether it be said, That this was done by Fire or by Darkness, by Tempest, or after any other manner. Concerning the Primacy of the Pope, it was decreed, That he should enjoy all the Privileges which he had at the beginning of, and before the Schism. In fine, the Latins demanded concerning the Sacrifice, why the Greeks, af∣ter they have pronounc'd these Words, This is my Body, This is my Blood, repeat this Prayer, Make this Bread the precious Body of your Christ, and what is in this Chalice his precious Blood, in changing them by your Holy Spirit. The Greeks answer'd, That they confess'd the Bread was consecrated, and made the Body of Jesus Christ, by these Words, This is my Body, &c. But that as the Latins, after they have pronounc'd them, say, Order, O Lord, that these Gifts may be carried by the Hands of your Holy Angel unto your sublime Altar, so likewise the Greeks do pray, That the Holy Spirit may descend upon them, that he may make this Bread, the Body of Jesus Christ; and that which is in the Chalice his Blood, to purifie the Souls of the Communicants, and forgive their Sins; and that it may never be the Cause of their Judgment and Condemna∣tion. The Greeks were also ask'd, what they thought of the Essence and Operation of God; they answer'd, That their Sentiment about it was the same with that of all the East; That moreover they would go and give an account of all these Things to the Emperor. The same Deputies being return'd the next Day, the Pope told them, That they were at present agreed, and that there remain'd only some small Questions, about which they must explain themselves; That they were noted down in a Writing which he had, and which he gave them to read. It contain'd four Heads. First, That the Holy See, and the Pope Vicar of Christ should enjoy their Privileges, and that they should acknowledge, he could add to the Creed what he had added unto it. The Second, That there were three kinds of those that Die, the Saints, Sin∣ners, and those who are in a middle State; i. e. Christians who had sinn'd, and done Penance, but had not perfectly made satisfaction, for whom Prayers were made, and Alms given; That the first did see immediately the Essence of God, that the second were in Eternal Torments, and that the third were in the Fire of Purgatory; That after they are purified, they are plac'd in the number of those who see the Essence of God. The Third, That they might indifferently make use of Bread Leaven'd or Unleaven'd, provided it were made of Corn, and were conse∣crated by a Priest, and in an Holy Place. The Fourth, That the Questions concerning the Essence and Operation of God should be examin'd in the Council. The Deputies replied, That they had no Power from the Emperor to answer these Questions; but that in their own Name, and as Private Persons, they would declare what they thought about them. As to the first Head, That it was altogether unreasonable; for how said they, can we acknowledge, That the Pope has Power to add to the Creed without consulting his Brethren the Patriarchs; and that therefore, tho' an Addition should be permitted, yet it could not be made without the

consent of a Council: And they agreed to the second and third Head, but would give no an∣swer to the last. It was propos'd that they should take the Writing, but they would not charge themselves with it, and only told by word of Mouth to the Emperor and Patriarch what had been propos'd to them. The same Night the Patriarch, who had been Sick for a long time, Died, having written some Moments before his Death a Profession of Faith, wherein he de∣clar'd, That he died in the Sentiments of the Roman Church. The next Day he was Interr'd, and the Greeks pray'd the Pope to conclude quickly the Union, because they could continue there no longer, having no Patriarch. The next Day, the Pope sent for the Archbishops of Russia, Nice and Mitylene; and having made them his Complements of Condoleance, he pro∣pos'd a-new the Questions of Unleavened Bread, of Purgatory, of the Pope's Supremacy, of the Addition to the Creed, and the Words of Consecration. The Greek Prelats answer'd, That they had no Power from a Synod of the East, but as Private Persons they said, That it was indifferent to make use of Bread Leaven'd or Unleaven'd: That it was needless to speak of Purgatory, since the Greeks had not divided upon this Subject, and that the Question between them and the Latins about it was not material: That as to the Supremacy, the Pope should enjoy all that of Right belong'd to him: That as to the Addition to the Creed the Eastern Churches would never admit it: That they would only permit those of the West to make use of it, and acknowledge that this was not another Faith, but an Explication of the Creed. Lastly, as to Consecration, they confess'd that it was made by the Words of Jesus Chirst, tho' they added after them a Prayer, wherein they desir'd that the Eucharist might be made the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. These Things being reported to the Emperor, he held an Assembly, wherein it was resolv'd, That in the Treaty of Union, they should speak of Unleavened Bread, the Supremacy of the Pope, and the Addition to the Creed; without saying any thing of Pur∣gatory or the Consecration; but the Latins insisted upon Purgatory. Three Days after, the Emperor and Greek Prelats went to wait upon the Pope, who having exhorted them to admit the Article of Purgatory, caus'd two Discourses to be spoken before them, one concerning the Pope's Supremacy, and the other concerning the Unleavened Bread. The Emperor requested, That they should presently make an end, because he must return home, and pray'd the Pope to cause prepare what was necessary for their Voyage.

He said, That he had already taken care, and that he had sent a Captain to Venice, to take up some Gallies there. After he had said this, he would have given a Writing to the Empe∣ror, who refus'd to receive it. The Pope being angry at this Refusal, withdrew; but he caus'd tell the Emperor by the Cardinal Julian, that after the Affair was concluded he might return; that he would defray his Charges as far as Venice, and give him assistance to go to Con∣stantinople. The Greek Prelats having examin'd a-new the Articles propos'd by the Latins, found them reasonable, and pass'd even the Article of Purgatory.

On the 17th of June, the Emperor call'd together the Greek Prelats, who were all found to be of the same Opinion about the Union, except Mark of Ephesus, who remain'd unmoveable. The next Sunday, they examin'd the Privileges of the Pope, and approv'd them all, adding to them two Conditions: First, That the Pope could not Call an Oecumenical Council without the Emperor and the Patriarchs; Secondly, That in Case of an Appeal from the Judgment of the Patriarchs, the Pope could not call the Cause to Rome, but he must send Judges to sit in the Places where the Fact is committed. The Pope being unwilling to pass these two Articles, the Emperor was ready to break off the whole Negotiation; but the Greek Prelats some Days after drew up the Article concerning the Pope, in these Words: As to the Pope's Supremacy, we confess, That he is the High-Priest and the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the Pastor and Teacher of all Christians, who governs the Church of God, saving the Privileges and Rights of the Eastern Patriarchs, viz. of Constantinople, who is next after the Pope, and then of Alexandria, of Antioch; and lastly, of Jerusalem. This Project was agreed to by the Pope and Cardinals, and all Parties consented to labour from the next Day in composing the Decree of Union. The first Difficulty which presented it self was to fix upon the Name that should be put at the Head; the Latins would have it to be that of the Pope, and the Emperor pretended to the contrary that it should be his. At last, it was order'd, That the Pope's Name should be put there, but then it should be added, with the Consent of the Emperor, the Patriarch of Constanti∣nople, and the other Patriarchs. There was another Difficulty about the manner of expressing the Pope's Privileges. The Latins would have it put thus, that he should enjoy them as was determin'd in Scripture, and the Writings of the Saints. This Expression pleas'd not the Em∣peror, for, says he, If any Saint has made honorary Complements in a Letter to the Pope, shall this be taken for a Privilege? And therefore he said, That he would not pass this Article as it was thus express'd. The Pope consented, but with Difficulty, that it should be amended, and that in stead of saying, according to the Writings of the Saints, it should be put, according as was contain'd in the Canons. The Archbishop of Russia and Bessarion, would have an Ana∣thema pronounc'd against those who did not approve this Decree; but the Archbishop of Trebi∣zonde, and the Protosyncelle oppos'd it, and the Emperor was of their Opinion. At last, all the Words of the Decree having been for a long time weigh'd and examin'd on both sides, it was fairly written out in Greek and Latin; and a Day was set for Signing it, and then concluding solemnly the Union.

The manner of expressing this Decree is as follows. The Title of it is,

The Definition * 1.48 of the Holy Oecumenical Council celebrated at Florence, of Eugenius the Servant of the Ser∣vants of God, to serve for a perpetual Monument, with the Consent of our dear Son John Palaeologus, the Illustrious Emperor of the Greeks; and of those who supply the place of our most venerable Brethren the Patriarchs, and of the other Prelats representing the Greek Church.

The Preface is a kind of an Hymn which contains the joyful Thoughts and Thanksgivings for the Union of the two Churches; after which the Definition is express'd in these Words.

The Greeks and Latins being Assembled in this Holy Oecumenical Council, have us'd all Care to examine with the greatest exactness possible the Article which concerns the Holy Spirit; and after the Testimonies of Holy Scripture, and the Passages of Greek and Latin Fathers were related, whereof some import that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son; and others, that he proceeds from the Father by the Son; it was acknowledg'd, That they had all the same Sense, tho' they make use of divers Expressions; That the Greeks, by saying that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, did not intend to exclude the Son; but in regard the Greeks thought, that the Latins by affirming, The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, admitted of two Principles, and two Spirations; therefore they abstain from saying that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son: The Latins on the contrary affirm'd, That by saying the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, they had no design to deny that the Father was the Fountain and Principle of the whole Divinity, viz. of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; nor to pretend that the Son does not receive from the Father, that wherein the Holy Spirit proceeds from him; nor lastly, to admit two Principles or two Spirations; but that they did acknowledge, there was one only Principle, and one only Procession of the Holy Spirit, as they had always held: And forasmuch as these Expressions came all to one and the same true Sense, they did at last agree, and conclude the following Union with unanimous consent. Therefore in the Name of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, by the Advice of this Holy Oecumenical Coun∣cil Assembled at Florence, we Define that the truth of this Faith be believ'd and receiv'd of all Christians; and that all profess, that the Holy Spirit is eternally from the Father and the Son; that he receives his Substance and his Subsisting Being from the Father and from the Son; and that he proceeds from these two eternally as one only Principle, and by one only Procession; declaring, That the Holy Doctors and Fathers, who say, That the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father by the Son, have no other Sense; which they discover by this, That the Son is as the Father, according to the Greeks, the Cause; and, according to the Latins, the Principle of the Subsistence of the Holy Spirit; and by this, That the Father has Communicated to the Son in his Generation all that he has, except that he is the Father, and also has given him from all Eternity, that wherein the Holy Spirit proceedeth from him. We define also, That this Explication, and of the Son, was added lawfully and justly to the Creed, to clear up the Truth, and not without necessity. We declare also, That the Body of Jesus Christ, is truly consecrated in Bread-Corn, whether it be Leaven'd or Unleaven'd, and that the Priests ought to make use of one and the other according to the usage of each Church: That the Souls of true Penitents, dying in the Love of God, before they have brought forth Fruits worthy of the Repentance of their Sins, are purified after their Death by the Pains of Purgatory, and that they are delivered from these Pains by the Suffrages of the Faithful that are Living, such as Holy Sacrifices, Prayers, Alms, and other Works of Piety, which the Faithful do for the other Faithful, according to the Orders of the Church; and that the Souls of those who have never Sinn'd since their Baptism, or of those who hav∣ing fal'n into Sins, have been purified from them in their Bodies, or after their departure out of them, as we were just now saying, enter immediately into Heaven, and see purely the Trinity, some more perfectly than others, according to the difference of their Merits. Lastly, That the Souls of those who Die in actual Mortal Sin, or only in Original Sin, descend immediately into Hell, to be there punish'd with Torments tho' unequal. We define also, That the Holy Apostolick See, and the Pope of Rome hath the Supremacy over all the Earth; That he is the Successor of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, and the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the Father and Teacher of all Christians; and that Jesus Christ hath given him in the Person of St. Peter, the Power to Feed, to Rule and Govern the Catholick Church, as it is explain'd in the Acts of Oecumenical Councils, and in the Holy Canons: Renewing on the other Hand the Rank and Order of the Holy Patriarchs appointed in the Canons, so that he of Constantinople is next after the Holy Pope of Rome, he of Alex∣andria the third, he of Antioch the fourth, and he of Jerusalem the fifth, without infringing any of their Privileges and Rights.

This Definition was Sign'd July the 5th. The Emperor subscrib'd first, and after him the Archbishop of Heraclea, and the Protosyncelle, Vicars of the Patriarch of Alexandria; the Arch-bishop of Russia, Vicar of the Patriarch of Antioch; of Monembase, Vicar of the Patriarch of Jerusalem; of Cyzicum in his own Name, and in the Name, of the Archbishop of Ancyra; of Trebizonde in his own Name, and the Name of the Archbishop of Caesarea; Bessarion of Nice in his own Name, and the Name of the Bishop of Sardes; of Nicomedia in his own Name; of Tornobe in his own Name, and the Name of the Bishop of Nicomedia; of Mitylene in his own

Name, and the Name of the Archbishop of Sida; of Muldoblach in his own Name, and the Name of the Bishop of Sebasta, of Amasia and Rhodes; and lastly of Distres, Ganne, Melenice, Drame and Anchiala; together with the Grand Sacrist, the Grand Keeper of Records, the Grand Ecclesiarch, the Grand Protector, and the Arch-Priest of the Church of Constantinople, the Ecclesiarch of the Royal Monastery of the Holy Mount, and four Abbots. When the Greeks had Sign'd in the presence of the Cardinals, Ten Greek Archbishops went to wait upon the Pope; and Bessarion having made a Discourse to him, wherein he declar'd, That the Greeks were of the same Judgment with the Latins, concerning the Words of Consecration, the Pope Sign'd it, and after him Eight Cardinals, and about Sixty Bishops, and many Generals of Orders as well as Abbots.

The next Day, the Ceremony was perform'd of publishing this Definition, and the Union in the Grand Church of Florence. The Pope, the Emperor, and the Greek and Latin Prelats were there present: After the Singing-men of the Greeks and Latins had sung some Hymns of Thanksgiving, the Cardinal Julian, and the Archbishop of Nice ascended into the Pulpit, and read the Definition of Faith, the one in Latin, and the other in Greek; and demanded, the one of the Latins, and the other of the Greeks, whether they approv'd it? Having all answer'd, Yes, they embrac'd one another. After this, Mass was solemnly celebrated, and the Ceremony being ended, every one retir'd.

The next Day, the Emperor caus'd to be demanded of the Pope, That the Greeks might celebrate in the same Church, and that the Pope, Cardinals, and other Latin Prelats might be there present. The Pope made them answer, That he must know before-hand the Order of the Liturgy. The Archbishop of Russia having explain'd it to the two Cardinals, who spoke to him in the Pope's Name, they gave an account of it to him: But the Pope thought, That before he was present at their Ceremonies, it was necessary, That he should see them perform'd in private by some Greek Priest; or that the Cardinals should be present at a Mass of the Greeks, that he might be assur'd there was nothing in their Rites but what he could approve of. The Deputies having brought this Answer to the Emperor, he demanded this no more of the Pope. But the Pope continu'd still to put several Questions to him: As, Why do the Greeks divide the Bread into parts before the Oblation, and unite them into the Divine Bread of the Lord? Why do they bow the Head when they carry the Oblation before it is consecrated? Why do they mix warm Water in the Chalice? Why do not the Bishops, but the Priests confer the Unction of the Holy Chrism, it being reserv'd as peculiar to the former? Why do they anoint the Dead before they Bury them? Why do not the Bishops and Priests confess themselves before they say Mass? Why do they add after the Words of Consecration this Prayer, Make this Bread the precious Body of Jesus Christ, by changing it with the Holy Spirit? Why do they separate Married Persons? And lastly, why do they not choose a Patriarch, but will return home with∣out * 1.49 a Head? The Archbishop of Mitylene satisfiy'd all these Demands, except those which con∣cern the Dissolution of Marriage, and the Election of a Patriarch. The Pope desir'd of the Emperor, That he would send him some able Prelats to answer these Questions. He sent him some that were very Ignorant, who gave him only this Answer, That they would propose them to the Emperor, that he might answer them. On the 14th of July, the Pope call'd together the Greek Prelats, and made the following Proposals to them: First, That all the World complains of them, that they separate Married Persons, which is a thing that needs Reformation. Second∣ly, That they must call Mark of Ephesus to an Account for separating from the Synod, and punish him for his Disobedience. Thirdly, That they should choose a Patriarch before they departed. The Prelats said, That they could not give an Answer about these Articles without consulting the Emperor and the other Prelats; That as Private Persons they answer'd, They never order'd the Dissolution of Marriages but for just Causes; That Mark of Ephesus should be judg'd by the Greeks upon the place, if he continu'd to be refractory; but that the Patri∣arch should not be chosen except at Constantinople, because this was the Order of their Church. The Pope insisted upon the last Article, but he gain'd nothing; for the Emperor made him the same Answer. Nevertheless to satisfie the Pope in another way, they caus'd his Name to be recited in the Dyptichs, altho' this had not been demanded. These Things being thus con∣cluded, the Greek Prelats desir'd to return home; but before their departure, the Emperor made them demand of the Pope the Restitution of the Churches which formerly depended upon them, as those of Crete, of Corfu, and the other Isles, which the Latin Archbishops were now Possess'd of; and that he would make some other Provision for the Latin Prelats who had these Churches, that the Greeks might place there some of their Country-men. The Pope made answer, That it was not just to turn out the Latins from the Churches they were in Possession of, but that things must continue in the same Condition wherein they were; Yet he granted, That in these Churches where there were two Bishops, one Greek, and the other Latin; if the Latin Bishop should Die first, that the Greek should remain the sole Possessor, and those who succeeded him should be Greeks; but if the Greek Bishop should Die first, the Latin Bishop should enjoy the Church alone, and after his Death the Pope of Rome should provide for that Church for ever. The Pope had a mind to see Mark of Ephesus, and to speak with him; and this Bishop went boldly to wait upon him, and was no ways dash'd with his Menaces.

At last, the Greek Prelats demanded importunately their Liberty to return, and the Payment * 1.50 of the Months that were due to them; but they were oblig'd before their departure to Sign yet

four Copies. After they had done this, the five Months that were due were paid them, and they went with speed for Venice, whither the Emperor followed them some time after, and ar∣riv'd there the 6th of September. The Greeks did solemnly Celebrate the Divine Service in a Church of the Latins, and Embark'd the 11th of October, in order to their return to Constantinople, where they arriv'd the 1st of February, 1440. The Emperor and his Brother found after their arrival, that the Princesses their Spouses were dead.

The Clergy which remain'd at Constantinople being prejudic'd against the Union, would not ad∣mit * 1.51 those who return'd from the West after they had sign'd it, to perform the Ecclesiastical Fun∣ctions. The Emperor having a mind that they should do it, the others retir'd and left them alone. In fine, things were push'd on with so great heat, that the Emperor's Name was struck out of the Dyptichs in the greatest part of the Churches. This Prince having a mind to put an end to this trouble which lasted for three Months, resolv'd to give order for the Election of a Patriarch. In the Assembly which was held upon this occasion, the Archbishop of Heraclea declar'd, That he was troubled for having consented to, and subscrib'd the Union, so that the other Prelats who has sign'd it, durst not propose him to be their Patriarch; the three whom they made choice of, were the Archbishops of Trebizonde, and of Cyzicum, and the Abbot Gennadius; the Names of these being carried to the Emperor, he sounded the Archbishop of Trebizonde, but finding him an enemy to the Union, he made the Lot fall upon Metrophanes Archbishop of Cyzicum, who was engaged by a Writing to maintain the Union. He was enthron'd the Eve of Assumption-day, but the greatest part of the Clergy and People of Constantinople continued to declare against the Union, and upon that account divided from the Patriarch, who for his part, us'd all his endeavours to make them receive the Union, not only in the City of Constantinople, but also thro' all Greece; He punish'd the Disobedient; He drove some away from their Bishopricks, and Substituted others in their room who submitted to him. The Emperor also had a mind to maintain his own Work, but his grief for the death of the Empress his Wife rebated his heat at the beginning, and the b••••ils he had afterwards with his Brother Demetrius, who raised a Civil War, hindred him from taking care of this matter.

In the mean time Mark of Ephesus, the Archbishop of Heraclea, the Philosopher Gemistius, * 1.52 the Recorder of the Church of Constantinople, Scuropulus the Grand Ecclesiarch, and ma∣ny others, who had been present at the Council of Florence and sign'd the Union, set themselves to declaim against it by word of mouth and by writing, and drew into their Party most of the Greeks. At last the Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia having gone to Jerusalem, complain'd of the troubles and scandal which he pretended were caused by the Union of Florence, which approv'd the Doctrin of the Latins concerning the Procession of the Holy Spirit, the Addition to the Creed, and the usage of unleaven'd Bread in the Celebration of the Holy My∣steries; and of Metrophanes; That he had usurp'd the See of Constantinople, and had embrac'd the Doctrin of the Latins; That he joyn'd with the Emperor in persecuting those who retain'd the ancient Doctrin of the Greeks; That he advanc'd to Ecclesiastical Dignities those who were of his sentiments, and had already fill'd the Archbishopricks and Bishopricks depending upon the Church of Constantinople with persons devoted to the Latins, and had also Ordain'd four Metro∣politans in Asia; Philotheus Patriarch of Alexandria, Dorotheus Patriarch of Antioch, and Joacim Patriarch of Jerusalem; whereupon they published a Synodical Letter, wherein they pronounce a Sentence of Deposition against all those whom Metrophanes had Ordain'd, and of Excommuni∣cation if they should continue to discharge the Ecclesiastical Functions contrary to their Prohi∣bition, and gave the Archbishop of Caesarea Power to put it in execution. This Letter was dated in the Month of April, 1443. At the same time they wrote another to the Emperor, wherein they threaten to Excommunicate him, if he continu'd to protect Metrophanes and adhere to the La∣tins. The Emperor being provok'd by these Menaces, and by the Remonstrances of Metrophanes, took up a Resolution to hold a Synod at Constantinople, that he might make the Union be received there; but the death of Metrophanes▪ happening the first of August, 1443, broke all his measures. After his death Gregory the Protosyncelle and Confessor to the Emperor was chosen Patriarch. John Palaeologus died in the Year 1445. without being able to establish among the Greeks the Union which he labour'd so much for. Thus God permits sometimes for reasons un∣known to Men, that the Projects which are most just and legal should fail of that success, which one would think might be expected. It is reported, That his Successor Constantine held a Coun∣cil in the Church of Sancta Sophia at Constantinople, wherein Gregory was deposed from the Patri∣archat, and Athanasius put in his room; That the Greeks who sign'd the Decree of Union at Florence retracted there; That this Council condemn'd all that had been done by this De∣cree, rejected the Doctrin of the Latins, concerning the Procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and from the Son, the Addition made to the Creed, and the other Points about which the Latins differ'd from the Greeks; That he accused also the Latins of many abuses, which he pre∣tended they were guilty of in the Ecclesiastical Discipline. The Acts of this Council were sent from Greece to Allatius, of which he published an Abridgment in an Appendix to his Book about the Consent of the Greek and Latin Churches; but he proves by good reasons that these Acts could not be true, and that they contain divers Things contrary to the History of that Time. How∣soever this were, 'tis certain that the Greeks continue still firm in their Adherence to the ancient Doctrin, and in their Schism from the Latins.

To return now into the West, The Council of Basil had all this while continu'd with the * 1.53 consent of the Emperor, the King of France, and other Princes, who had not approv'd its Tran∣slation to Ferrar••, nor sent Ambassadors to Florence (except the Duke of Burgundy) altho they had not receiv'd the Decrees of the Council against Pope Eugenius, but continu'd still to acknowledge him for Pope, and so observ'd a kind of Neutrality. From the Twenty third of January, 1438. Charles the seventh King of France caused to be publish'd an Edict, wherein he forbids the Prelats. of his Kingdom to go to Ferrara; but at the same time he declares that he would not depart from his Obedience to the Holy See. In Germany the Electors of the Empire Assembled at Frank∣fort after the death of Sigismund to choose an Emperor, and there made a Decree the Eighteenth of March▪ wherein they declare, That they do equally acknowledge Eugenius and the Council, * 1.54 and that ••••ey do not receive the Decrees made by the Council against Eugenius, or by Eugenius against the Council, and took six Months time to consult what they should do, during which time they Ordain'd, That the Church should be Govern'd according to the usual Laws. At the same time they sent Deputies to the Council of Basil, to perswade the Fathers to stop the Prosecution of their Process against Eugenius; which was also demanded by the Ambassador of the Duke of Milan, and maintain'd by the Italian and Spanish Prelates. But Louis Cardinal of Arles, Presi∣dent of the Council, and the greatest part of the Fathers, would have the Process go on without any stop. Hereupon a general Congregation was held the Twenty eighth of May; at which, in spight of the opposition they met with from the Ambassadors of the Kings of Castile, Arragon, and of the Duke of Milan, they receiv'd the Accusations that were fram'd against Eugenius, and it was order'd that proof of them should be made by witnesses. Albert of Austria, who had been chosen Emperor in the Assembly of Frankfurt the Twentieth of March, appointed for his Ambassa∣dors to the Council, the Bishop of Lubeck, and George Wischel; the same that had been in Sigis∣mund's time; approv'd the Council, and renew'd the Securities his Predecessor had given to the Prelats there Assembled: And they in requital for this, granted him the Sums that had been gather'd in Austria for the Voyage of the Greeks: But being press'd by the Legats of the Coun∣cil to cause the Decrees made against Eugenius to be observ'd in Germany, he referr'd this Affair to the Assembly of the Princes of Germany, which was to be held the Twentieth of July. In the mean time the Electors having a mind to cure the Division that was between the Council and the Pope, sent Ambassadors to Eugenius, to persuade him, that he would appoint a third Place in Germany for the holding of a General Council. Eugenius made them answer, that he waited for the Ambassadors of the new Emperor, and that in the mean time, he thought it convenient, That an Assembly should be held in Germany to which he would send his Legats, wherein an Accommodation might be treated of, and declared to them, That if any other place should be thought more expedient for the good of the Church, wherein to hold the Council, he would consent to it. The Princes of Germany having obtain'd this promise from Eugenius, sent their Ambassadors to Basil, to pray the Fathers of the Council to delay the Process against Eugenius until the time of that Assembly. Fifty Persons were made▪ choice of to examine the Proposal, and to consider what was fit to be done; Some were of opinion, That, they should wholly su∣persede all kind of Prosecution against Eugenius for the space of three Months; the Cardinal of Arles on the contrary thought, That tho they might stop the Sentence of Deposition for three Months, yet in the mean time they must receive the Depositions of Witnesses against Eugenius, That he might no longer glory of his Innocence, and that he did not believe the Council had ac∣cus'd him falsly; That this would Facilitate even the Accomodation, because Eugenius would ••e more pliable, when he knew that his Crimes were prov'd.

In the Month of July the Cardinal of Tarragona, and the Ambassadors of the King of France, arriv'd at the Council of Basil. The latter brought thither the Pragmatick Sanction drawn up a little while before, and received the seventh of the same Month in the Assembly held at Bourges, and compos'd of Twenty three Articles drawn from the Decrees of the Council of Basil, and chiefly from those concerning the Authority of a General Council, about Collations, Elections, Promises of Benefices when they shall be vacant. Appeals, Annates and other Exactions, about the Celebration of Divine Service, Interdicts, &c. whereof some are nevertheless modified or explain'd. They were commanded to desire the Confirmation of it, from the Fathers of the Council, and at the same time to pray them to stop their Proceedings against Eugenius, upon assurance which the King gave them that he would labour for Peace. The Council thought no•• ••it to delay, and therefore in the next Month of August declar'd in a General Congregation, That all those who were in the Retinue of Eugenius, or at Ferrara, under pretence of a Council, and all those who opposed the Council of Basil in any manner whatsoever, had incurr'd the Pe∣nalties Enacted by the Council.

The Assembly of the German Princes being held at Nuremberg about the end of July, the Council sent thither its Deputies; those from the Emperor and the Princes propos'd to them, * 1.55 That they should appoint Mediators of the difference between the Council and the Pope, which they refus'd. Some time after, the Proceedings against Eugenius were renew'd; and notwithstand∣ing the Opposition of the Ambassadors, and the Prelats of Spain, Navar and Milan, it was resol∣ved in a General Congregation held the 16th of October, That Eugenius should be cited to an∣swer what had been produc'd against him.

Another Assembly was held towards the end of the year at Nuremberg, to which the Pope sent the Cardinal of Sancta ••••uze, the Archbishop of Tarente, John de Turrecremata, and Nicholas Cu∣sanus

to act there on his behalf; the Council of Basil sent thither also, the Patriarch of Aquileia, and other Deputies. There it was propos'd, That a third place might be made choice of, where the Prelats of Basil and Ferrara might Assemble. The Deputies of the Council having maintain'd, That this Proposal was not reasonable, made answer; That they had no Commands about this from the Council. They desired on behalf of the Council, That the Princes of Germany would receive its Decrees, and provide for its Security. To which it was answer'd, That the Empe∣ror and Princes would make known their thoughts to the Council by their Ambassadors; while those from France advis'd the Fathers of the Council to hold to the three places they had made choice of, Basil, Avignon and the Savoy, if they could make the Pope and the Greeks agree to them; if not, to name many Cities, among which there should be some which the Pope could not reasonably refuse. The Ambassadors of the Emperor and the Princes of Germany being arriv'd at Basil, declar'd to the Fathers of the Council, That the Germans did acknowledge the Council for General; That the Emperor meant that all those who were Assembled should have security in that place; but that the Neutrality had been accepted by all the Prelats, Princes and People; That they honour'd the Council and Eugenius both together; That they were of Opinion it was necessary for promoting Peace that the Fathers of Basil and Ferrara should meet in a third Place. The Ambassadors of the other Princes joyn'd with those of Germany, and desired the same thing: At last after much Dispute, a Project was set on foot, whereby the Fathers of the Council were to name the Cities of Strasburgh, Constance, or Mayence; That the Emperor should communicate this choice to the Pope and the Greeks within a Month, and that a Month after he should be bound to accept one of these Cities; That the Pope▪ should confirm the Decrees of the Council, and the Council should take off the Suspension enacted against the Pope. This Pro∣ject was neither acceptable to the Council of Basil, nor to Pope Eugenius; and so these matters re∣main'd in the same state in which they were.

In the year 1439, the Council sent Deputies to the Assembly which was held at Mayence in the Month of March. The Ambassadors of the Princes who were at Basil came thither also, and some persons came thither secretly on behalf of the Pope, among whom was Nicholas Cusanus. The Deputies of the Council urg'd earnestly. That he should be oblig'd to receive its Decrees; and the Ambassadors of the Princes; That they would ••urcease the Decison of the Process a∣gainst Eugenius. After much contest the Assembly receiv'd the Decrees of the Council, except those that were made against the Pope; and the Deputies of the Council promised that it would consent to the desire of the Emperor, the Kings and Princes, on condition that they would engage to continue the Council after its Translation upon the same foot, according to the same Laws, the same Or∣der and Customs which were observ'd at Basil, and that in case Eugenius did not acknowledge the Truths establish'd by the Council within the time that should be prefix'd, nor execute what the Council had Ordain'd, they would abandon him and assist the Council, and adhere to its Decision. The Bishop of Quensa said, That the Pope could not accept these Conditions, and that the Princes would never consent to them: And thus the Deputies of the Council retir'd without making any agreement. After their departure two Deputies of the Pope's Legats arriv'd at Mayence, and would have them revoke the Resolution of the Assembly about the Decrees of the Council of Basil; which not being able to Compass, they oppos'd them, and made great Complaints, That the Princes maintain'd the Fathers of Basil to the prejudice of the Pope's Au∣tority

During this Negotiation at Mayence, the Divines which were at Basil disputed this Question, * 1.56 viz. Whether Eugenius could be declar'd a Heretick, upon the account of his Disobedience, and the Contempt he had shewn to the Orders of the Church? Some held the Affirmative, and others the Negative, and among them who maintain'd the Affirmative, some held him simply Heretical, and others an Apostate; at last after much Dispute, they drew up eight Theological Propositions or Conclusions express'd in these words. First, It is a Truth of the Catholick Faith, That the Holy General Council has Power over the Pope, and every other Person. Second∣ly, The General Council being lawfully Assembled, cannot be Dissolv'd, Translated, or Adjourn'd, by the Authority of the Pope without its own consent: This is a Truth of the same nature with the former. Thirdly, He that does obstinately resist these Truths ought to be accounted Here∣tical. These three Propositions are about Law; the other five concern the Facts and Person of Eugenius, and are as follows. Fourthly, The Pope Eugenius the 4th has opposed these Truths, when he attempted to Dissolve, or Translate, the first time, the Council of Basil, by the plenitude of his Power. Fifthly, Being admonished by the Holy Council, he hath revok'd the Errors con∣trary to these Truths. Sixthly, The Dissolution, or Translation of the Council, attempted the second time by Eugenius, is contrary to these Truths, and contains an inexcusable Error in the Faith. Seventhly, Eugenius renewing his attempt to Dissolve, or Translate the Council, has relaps'd into the Errors which he had revok'd. Eighthly, Being admonish'd by the Council to re∣voke the second Dissolution, or Translation which he attempted, and persisting in his Disobedience after he had been Contumacious, and holding a Conventicle at Ferrara, he has discover'd his Obstinacy.

These eight Conclusions, being read in the Assembly, rais'd great Disputes among the Fa∣thers of the Council, some meaning to approve, and others to reject them. The Archbishop of Palerma, who had formerly been one of the great Adversaries to Eugenius, having receiv'd Or∣ders from the King of Arragon, was at the Head of those who would have them rejected.

He acknowledg'd this Truth, That the Council is above the Pope, but he maintaind, That this Doctrin ought not to pass for an Article of Faith: He confess'd, That Eugenius had done wrong, but he did not believe that he ought to be look'd upon and treated as a He∣retick.

Dr. John of Segovia maintain'd on the contrary, That this Truth was a matter of Faith, and that Eugenius by opposing it had fall'n into Heresy. Amedaeus Archbishop of Lyons Ambassa∣dor from the King of France, accused also Eugenius of Heresy; on the contrary the Bishop of Burgos Ambassador from the King of Spain endeavour'd to excuse him. An Abbot of Scotland and Thomas of Curcellis maintain'd what the Archbishop of Lyons had advanc'd, and defended the Conclusions. The Grand Almoner of the King of Arragon oppos'd to them divers Difficul∣ties. At last after many Deliberations, the eight Conclusions, were approv'd by the three first Deputations. The 4th would receive only the three first; and to hinder the matter from passing by plurality of Voices, they delay'd to give their Opinion. On the day of the General Con∣gregation, the Contests were renew'd; the Italians and Spaniards opposed stoutly the reception of these Articles, and made Protestations. The Cardinal of Arles President of the Council, was of opinion, That the three first Articles should be receiv'd which concern the Doctrin, and that the Publication of the last which concern the Person of Eugenius should be put off. The Archbishop of Aquileia, the Archbishop of Lyons, and John of Segovia supported his Opinion. At last, notwithstanding the noise made by the Italians, and Spaniards, the Cardinal of Arles concluded for the reception of the three first Articles. After these Transactions the Ambassadors return'd from the Assembly of Mayence, and were to oppose this Conclusion: The Cardinal of Arles caused it to be read in the Congregation before they entred upon it. This reading rais'd new Complaints and Contests; but the Cardinal of Arles being no ways terrified, caused it to be read a second time at the end of the Assembly, and appointed in the next Congregation, the Session to be held on the 16th of May.

This was the 33d Session of the Council of Basil, wherein the three first Conclusions which * 1.57 establish'd the Doctrin of the Authority of the Council above the Pope, as a matter of Faith, were publish'd. The Ambassadors of the Princes demanded, That the Deposition of Eugenius should be put off for four Months, which was granted them; but when they demanded also that nothing should be Decreed but the first Conclusion, this was refus'd; upon which refusal they withdrew. None of the Prelats of the Kingdom of Spain and Arragon were present at this Session, and there were but two Bishops of Italy; but the Doctors of these Nations were present, with 20 Bishops from the Nations of France and Germany. The Decree was read by the Bishop of Marseilles, and the Bishop of Albenga read a Protestation against it. At last the Ambassadors of the Princes, and particularly those of Germany and France, in the General Congregation May the 22d, approv'd the Decree made in this Session. All the Bishops almost came over also to the same Opinion, and many more of them came to the Council, chiefly from the Dominions of the Duke of Savoy. The Ambassadors of the Princes demanded in the Congregation held May the 23d, That they should delay to make any Process against Eugenius, and that the Council should agree in the choice of a third Place. Both the one and the other were refus'd by the Assembly, which confirm'd the five other Conclusions, and cited Eugenius to appear at the Session held the 26th of the same Month, which the Ambassadors could not hinder.

In pursuance of this Citation which was affix'd upon the Gates of the Church, the Council consisting of 39 Prelats, and almost 300 Ecclesiasticks of the second Order, pronounc'd in the 34th Session held the 26th of May, the Deposition of Eugenius, by declaring him notoriously Contumacious, and Disobedient to the Commands of the Universal Church, one that persists in his Rebellion, a violator and contemner of the Holy Synodical Canons, a Disturber of the Peace and Unity, one that gives open Scandal to the whole Church, Simoniacal, Perjur'd, Incorrigi∣ble, * 1.58 Schismatical, Heretical, Obstinate, a Destroyer of the Rights and Revenues of the Church, a bad Administrator of the Roman Papacy, and Unworthy of all Title, degree of Honour and Dig∣nity; They forbad him for the future to take upon him the Title of the Bishop of Rome, or to execute the Functions belonging to it, and prohibited all Christians, of whatsoever Quality or Condition they were, to obey him, declaring all that he might have done or ordain'd contrary to this Decision to be Null and Void. The Fathers of the Council resolv'd after this to send De∣puties to all the Princes of Christendom, to acquaint them with the Deposition of Eugenius, and perswade them to execute this Decree. Sometime after they received Letters from the King of France, who complain'd that the Council had not delay'd, upon his Request, the Proceedings against Eugenius, whereby they seem'd to refuse that Peace which the Princes so ardently desir'd. They answer'd him, That his Majesty should know by the Deputies of the Council the Reasons they had, and that they doubted not but he would approve them, and so much the rather, because they could not give Peace to the Church to any good purpose, but by restoring it to Liberty, and that they would pray him to send the Prelats of his Kingdom to the Council, to consult about the Ecclesiastical Affairs.

The Fathers of the Council deliberated for some time after this, whether they should proceed im∣mediately to the Election of a new Pope, upon the account of the Pestilence which was then * 1.59 very violent ••n the City of Basil, or whether they should wait 60 days longer, as the Council it self had order'd. It was thought to be more convenient to wait the ordinary time. In the mean

time a Session was held on the 13th of July, wherein it was resolv'd, That they should remain in the Council until the matters for which they were assembled should be finish'd, and that the Council could not be Dissolv'd upon any pretence whatsoever, but by the advice of two Thirds of those who had a Vote in it; That in the mean time they should consider of the Election of a Pope, which should be made 60 days after the Deposition of Eugenius; That until that time all those who had adher'd to the Party of Eugenius and the Council of Ferrara might have liberty to come over and joyn with those at Basil.

The Pestilence continuing carried off many Members of the Council, and among the rest the Patriarch of Aquileia, the Bishop of Lubeck. the Apostolical Protonotary, the grand Almoner of Arragon, and many others of the first and second Order, insomuch that the Cardinal of Arles propos'd on the 22d of August to Adjourn the Assemblies until the end of September, and to put off the Election of a new Pope until the 1st of November: When they had consulted about this Mat∣ter, they were of Opinion to continue the Sessions without interruption. This resolution being taken, the Council chose Deputies to be sent to an Assembly, which was to be held at Frankfurt on the 1st day of August, and others for the Provincial Council which was to be held at Mayence on the 15th of the same Month, and others for the Assembly appointed at Bourges by the King of France, and others to be sent to the Emperor and the King of Spain. On the last day of August the Council revok'd all the Grants of vacant Benefices, and the Nominations to Benefices made by Eugenius. On the same day a Physitian coming in the Habit of a Hermit to Basil, brought thither some Propositions extracted from a Book, Of the simple Soul, accusing Eugenius of main∣taining them, and of hindring any person to oppose them.

The Deputies of the Council of Basil who went into Germany, caused the Decree of the De∣position of Eugenius to be fix'd upon the Gates of the Churches of Strasburgh, Spire and Worms; but having done the same at Mayence, the Decrees fix'd up were torn in pieces, and they were forbidden to set up any more. They could not after this cause the Decree of the Council against Eugenius to be receiv'd in the Assemblies of Frankfurt and Mayence; and tho they spoke against the Neutrality, yet they had no other Answer, but that for the present nothing could be chang'd; and those who made up this Assembly, fearing lest they should make use of the Censures Enacted by the Council against them, declar'd, That they Appeal'd to a more General Council, to Pope Eugenius, to the Holy See, or to those to whom of Right it belong'd.

On the 17th of September the 36th Session was held, wherein it was declar'd, That the Opini∣on of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary was a pious Opinion, agreeable to the Wor∣ship of the Church, to the Catholick Faith, to Right Reason, and to the Holy Scripture; That all Catholicks ought to approve it; That no Person shall be permitted to Teach or Preach the contrary, and that the Feast of the Conception shall be Celebrated on the 8th of December.

While these things were a-doing at Basil, the Pope who remain'd all this while with his Car∣dinals * 1.60 and some Prelats at Florence, renew'd the Decree which he had published at Ferrara against the Assembly at Basil; declar'd all those who had been present there after his Prohibition, to be Depriv'd of all Dignities, Honours and Benefices; treated them as Schismaticks and Rebels, and Null'd all that they had Ordain'd and defin'd in the two last Sessions. The Fathers of Basil made an Apology against this Decree which they call an Invective, wherein they shew, That the Propositions which they have defin'd are true, and that they had Reason to depose Eugenius. It was also proposed, That they should condemn his Decree as Heretical; but this was put off to another time.

In the Month of October, some Prelats came to Basil, and the Emperor caused it to be demanded * 1.61 of the Council, That the Election of a new Pope should be stop'd; but notwithstanding his desire, the Cardinal of Arles caused three Persons to be appointed on the 14th of October, to make choice of those who should give their Votes in the Election of a Pope; these three Persons were an Abbot of Scotland, John of Segovia, and Thomas of Curcellis; and because the Germans had made a scru∣ple of approving this choice, these three Persons joyn'd to themselves a German Doctor accord∣ing to the permission that was given them. They took an Oath that they should choose no per∣sons but such as were capable of making this Election, and engaged themselves not to declare to any person whatsoever, those that had been chosen, until they were oblig'd to make publica∣tion of them in the Conclave, and they made choice of 28 Persons who were to proceed to the Election together with themselves, on condition, That there must be two Thirds of the Voices to to make a Pope.

In the 37th Session held the 24th of October, divers Orders were made about the future E∣lection of a Pope.

In the 38th held the 30th of the same Month, a Decree was made against the Invective of Eu∣genius, forbidding to publish or approve it, and in it the choice of the Electors of a future Pope appointed by the four Deputies was confirm'd. The Cardinal of Arles was one by Law, and was not comprehended in this number; which consisted of 11 Bishops, 7 Abbots, and 14 Bene∣fic'd men or Doctors, drawn forth equally from the Nations, besides the Officers of the Con∣clave, the Nomination of which was also approv'd in this Session.

These Electors entred the same day into the Conclave, on which it was built for them in the * 1.62 City of Basil, after they had taken the usual Oaths, and chose for Pope 6 days after Amedaeus Duke of Savoy, who had retir'd into the solitude of Ripaille in the Diocess of Geneva, where he liv'd as an Hermit, and had the Title of Dean of the Militia of St. Maurice. The Fathers of

the Council confirm'd their Election in the Thirty Ninth Session, held the 17th of November, and ordain'd, That he should be acknowledg'd for Pope. They sent to him a Deputation of Twenty five Persons, and the Cardinal of Arles at the head of them, to acquaint him with his Election, and to pray him to consent to it. They arriv'd at Ripaille the 20th of December, and having laid open before him their Commission, he made some scruple of taking the Oath that was requir'd of him, of leaving off his Habit, and changing his Name; yet he did not long demurr upon it, but took upon him the Name of Foelix V. receiv'd the Pontifical Robes, and wrote about his Election to the Council of Basil, and the Christian Princes.

In the mean time, the Emperor Albertus of Austria dying on the 27th of October, the Ele∣ctors * 1.63 of the Empire promis'd their Protection to the Council, but they would not approve of their Decrees against Eugenius, and continu'd still in the Neutrality. These assembling af∣terwards at Frankfurt, chose for Emperor on the 2d of February, Frederick Duke of Austria. The Deputies of the Council of Basil, who were present at that Assembly, desir'd that they would acknowledge Foelix for Pope; but the new Emperor and the Princes would alter nothing of their Resolution, and said only that they would so manage Things as to procure the Peace of the Church. Foelix, that he might come to Basil with the greater State, created four Car∣dinals, who were approv'd by the Council, and the consent which they had given to his Ele∣ction was read and confirm'd in the Fortieth Session, held on the 26th of February, in the Year 1440. whereby all those were Excommunicated which would not acknowledge him for Lawful Pope; the Decrees made against Eugenius were renew'd, and all the Acts by him were declar'd Null. It was propos'd in the Council, That some Provision should be granted the Pope and the Court of Rome in lieu of Annates, but the French oppos'd this Proposal. The Letters where∣in Foelix continu'd the Legatship and the Presidency of the Council to the Cardinal of Arles were read, and because they did not please the Assembly others were drawn up. At last, Foelix came in Person to the Council, and arriv'd at Basil the 24th of June.

Eugenius, to advance his own Party, and set up such Creatures as might oppose Foelix and * 1.64 the Council, created Seventeen Cardinals; among whom there were many worthy of Com∣mendation for their Learning. At the same time, there arriv'd at Florence Deputies on behalf of Constantine, Patriarch of the Armenians, whom the Pope had sollicited by the Consul of Caffa to send, to make a Re-union of the Churches of Armenia. These Deputies presented their Credential Letters to the Pope, on the Month of November; and after some private Con∣ferences with three Cardinals, and some Doctors, they receiv'd the Instruction; Entitled, the Decree for the Armenians, which was publish'd in the Assembly of Prelats, held on the 22d of November: It contain'd the Creed of Constantinople with the Addition, the Definition of the Council of Chalcedon, and of the sixth Council; an acknowledgment of the Oecumenical Coun∣cils celebrated since that of Ephesus; an Explication of the seven Sacraments, which treated of their Matter, their Form, their Minister, their Necessity, and their Effects; the Creed attributed to St. Athanasius, the Decree of the Union made with the Greeks, and an Order to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin, on the 25th of March; the Nativity of St. John, on the 24th of June; the Feast of Christmas, on the 25th of December; the Circumcision on the 1st of January, the Epiphany on the 6th of the same Month, and the Purification on the 2d of February; and in fine, an Approbation of all that was held and taught by the Holy Aposto∣lick See, the Roman Church, the Doctors and Fathers whom it Honoured, and a Condemnation of the Doctrins and Persons which it rejected. There came also the next Year a Deputy on behalf of the Patriarch of the Jacobites, to Alexandria, whom Eugenius caus'd to be invited to the Council; at which he gave a long Exposition of Faith, wherein is inserted a Catalogue of the Canonical Books, which includes such as the Jews do not acknowledge; an Explication of the Doctrin of Oecumenical Councils, and the Decrees for the Greeks and Armenians. This Instrument was not finish'd and publish'd till the 4th of February, 1441. There appear'd also at Florence in this Year, a Man who call'd himself Abbot of the Ethiopians of Jerusalem, en∣trusted with Letters from the King of Ethiopia, call'd Prester-John, who gave hopes, That he would come in Person into Italy; but it does not appear what Issue this Negotiation had. When Eugenius return'd to Rome, he made also Constitutions in the Year 1444. for the Syrians, the Caldaeans of Cyprus, for the Nestorians and the Maronites, who follow'd the Doctrin of the Monothelites, which he gave to some Persons who call'd themselves Deputies on their behalf; insomuch that he would have re-united all the Sects of the East to the Church of Rome, if these Decrees had been receiv'd in these places; but by Misfortune they had not that Effect, and all these Sects remain still no less addicted to their own Errors, nor less contrary to the Roman Church than they were before.

To return now to what concerns the Affairs of the West: Assoon as Pope Eugenius under∣stood the Election of Amedaeus, he did not fail on his part to proceed against him; to declare * 1.65 him Heretical and Schismatical, and to Excommunicate his Electors, Favourers or Partizans, if they did not forsake his Faction, within fifty Days, by a Decree dated the 23d of April; but the Fathers of the Council of Basil gave him a Rowland for his Oliver, by nulling this De∣cree, and forbidding to bring it there, by another Decree publish'd in the 41st Session, held the 23d of July. The next Day, Foelix was Consecrated and Crown'd Pope, and to the end, * 1.66 he might have where-withal to maintain his Dignity, while he could not yet touch any of St.

Peter's Patrimony; it was resolv'd in the 42d Session, held the 6th of August, that for five Years, the Tenth Penny of the Revenues of Bene••ices should be granted him.

It was not enough to create a Pope, but he must be acknowledg'd by the Princes, for with∣out * 1.67 that he was but a vain Phantom without Authority; and therefore the Fathers of the Coun∣cil be••tirr'd themselves very vigorously to this purpose; and Eugenius on his part forgot no∣thing which might divert this Storm: Both the one and the other sent Deputies to the Assembly which Charles the 7th, King of France, had appointed at Bourges. The Legats of Eugenius, who were the Archbishop of Crete, the Bishop of Digna, of Grenada, and the Abbot of Cernai desir'd four things of the King: First, That he would reject the Council of Basil, since its Translation to Ferrara, and that he would approve the Council of Ferrara, and what was done in it. Se∣condly, That he would not approve the Deposition of Eugenius, nor the Election the Council had made of the Duke of Savoy, but on the contrary reject it. Thirdly, That he would send no Ambassador to the Assembly which was to be held at Mayence, without the consent of Eu∣genius. Fourthly, That he would suspend and abrogate the Pragmatick and then Eugenius would provide for the Benefices of the Kingdom as he should desire. The next Day, the En∣voys of Foelix, and the Council of Basil, who were Gerard, Bishop of St. Pons, the Abbot. of Vezelai, Hugo Archdeacon of Mets, and Thomas of Curcellis, Doctor and Canon of Paris, were heard. The last made a long Discourse to prove, First, That the Doctrin of the Council of Basil, about the Authority of General Councils is true and certain; Secondly, That it was just to condemn Eugenius, who oppos'd this Doctrin, and that the Sentence given against him is well-grounded and legal: Thirdly, That they had duly proceeded to the Election of another Pope, that it was made after a Canonical manner, and that there was just and sufficient Cause for choosing him to this Dignity. He concludes his-Discourse with shewing, of what Conse∣quence it would be to maintain what had been done by the General Council, and how beneficial to the Church, the Union and good Understanding of Foelix and the Council would be; and that the only Means to put an end to the Schism, and procure the Peace of the Church, was to acknowledge the New Pope.

The Assembly having consulted for six Days about this Affair, made Answer: First, The Most Christian King Protested, That he following the Foot-steps of his Ancestors, was always ready to hear the Church being lawfully Assembled: Secondly, He had always held the Coun∣cil of Basil to be lawful; That he had sent his Ambassadors to it; That this Council had made many good Constitutions which he approv'd; and that he never had own'd, nor did own the Assembly of Ferrara for a Council: That as to the Deposition of Eugenius, and the Election of Foelix, because many Persons of Probity and Authority, doubted whether his Suspension and Deposition, and the Election which follow'd upon it, had been done justly, canonically and law∣fully; and whether at such time as this was done, the Congregation did sufficiently represent the Universal Church, to do so considerable Acts as these, which concern the whole Church; therefore the King not being sufficiently inform'd about these things, did still persevere and re∣main in the Obedience of Eugenius; but if he should be inform'd of the Truth of this Cause by the Oecumenical Council, or by another General Council, or even by a more numerous Assembly of the Gallican Church with its Dukes, Barons and other Lords, or in an Assembly of all the Christian Princes, that then having known and examin'd the Truth, he would ad∣here to it; and therefore he pray'd, That Pope Eugenius would call together and celebrate a Council, and that he would be there himself in Person: Thirdly, That he would consider what was to be done at a convenient time and place about the Embassy of Mayence: Fourthly, That as to the Pragmatick Sanction he would have it to be inviolably observ'd, That if any thing in it appear'd too rigid to the Council of Basil, it might be moderated. He advis'd also the Ambassadors of the Council of Basil, That they would endeavour the Celebration of ano∣ther future Council. This Answer was given in the Assembly of Bourges, in the presence of the King, assisted by Charles, Duke of Anjou, and the other Princes of the Blood, on the 2d of September, 1440. and accompanied with a Discourse which the Bishop of Clermont made, wherein the King testifies his Displeasure against the Heats and Animosities which were between the Pope and the Council; That he should have been glad, if it were in his Power, to favour the Duke of Savoy, who was his Kinsman; but that he could do nothing against Justice; that * 1.68 he exhorted the Fathers of the Council to seek after Peace, and not to trouble his Subjects with Censures; Lastly, That he hop'd the Duke of Savoy would accommodate this Affair by his or∣dinary Prudence.

The Deputies of Basil were not well satisfy'd with this Answer, which lower'd the Expe∣ctations of Foelix's Party; but they were rais'd again by the Letter they receiv'd in October, from the King of Arragon, wherein he gave the Title of General Council to the Council of Basil; by the Letter from the Queen of Hungary, Sigismund's Widow, to Pope Foelix; and yet * 1.69 more by the acknowledgment of Albert, Duke of Bavaria, and Albert, Duke of Austria, Kins∣men to Frederick. Foelix, to make himself more Creatures depending upon him, created Eight Cardinals in the Month of October, and Six others that were French-Men in November, among whom was John of Segovia, and Nicolas Archbishop of Palerma.

The University of Paris, the Universities of Germany, and that of Cracovia, wrote in Defence of the Authority of the Council above the Pope, and acknowledg'd Foelix. He was also own'd by the Carthusians, and by a Party of the Order of Friars Minors.

Many Prelats and Princes of Germany favour'd also his Party; but in the Assembly which was held at Mayence, in April 1441. the Deputies on both sides being heard, no other Resolu∣tion was taken, but that a General Council should meet the next Year in the Month of Au∣gust, in another place than Basil and Florence, and in a City of Germany or France, and that the Emperor should invite the Competitors to be there present. But this Proposal had no Effect, for the Emperor referr'd the Affair to the Assembly of Frankfurt, which was held in the Month of May, the next Year, where the Emperor was present in Person; and having heard the De∣puties of the Council, and Eugenius, confirm'd the Resolution that was taken to call a Council, and in the mean time to remain in the Neutrality. In pursuance of this, he sent Ambassadors to Eugenius, and the Council, to persuade them to yield to the Celebration of a Council, and he himself came to Basil. The Fathers of the Council agreed upon the Translation of the Council, and to name many Cities, whereof the Emperor should choose one. But Eugenius, after he had consulted a long time, made answer, in the Year 1445; That it was no ways ne∣cessary to call a New Council, since there was one already call'd; That in the mean time, to satisfie the Emperor, assoon as he should come to Rome, he would call together in the Palace of the Lateran, whither he had translated the Council, a great number of Prelats, with whom he would consult whether it were expedient to call another. The Emperor Frederick, seeing that neither the Fathers of Basil, nor Eugenius would consent to what he desir'd, wrote a Letter to all Chri∣stian Princes in June, 1443. wherein he desires their Consent for a General Council which he would appoint, and prays them to send their Ambassadors to the Diet, which was to be held at Nuremburg, at the St. Martin, that they might there consult together of the Means for put∣ting an end to the Schism. This Assembly was not numerous; Foelix sent thither his Legats; but there was no treating about this Affair, which was put off to another time. In the mean time, Alphonsus, King of Arragon, the Venetians, the Florentines, the Siennese, and the other Peo∣ple of Italy sollicited the Emperor to consent, That a General Council should be held in the Church of St. John of Lateran; and some time after, the Emperor also sent Aeneas Sylvius to Pope Eugenius, to promise him to take off the Neutrality. England had no great share in the Transactions at the Council of Basil, there being no Prelats in the Council from that Nation. The Council had sent Deputies into this Kingdom before the Election of Foelix, to whom the English gave almost the same Answer with the French, That they honoured the Council, and ap∣prov'd its Decrees, except those which had been made against Eugenius, whom they acknow∣ledg'd for lawful Pope. The Fathers of the Council sent thither also other Deputies after the Election of Foelix; to whom some hopes were given, but they had no positive Answer. Scot∣land, except some Lords, declar'd for Eugenius, and the Prelats of this Kingdom being Assembled in a Provincial Council, Excommunicated Foelix, and the Fathers of the Council of Basil. Poland promis'd to acknowledge Foelix, if he would give to their King the Title of King of Hungary, and remit to the Lords the Mony which had been gather'd by Indulgences granted for the Union of the Greeks. No Body thought that he had Power to grant these Desires; yet this prov'd favourable to Foelix, and the King of Poland forbad any to obey Eugenius. Italy continu'd firm to Eugenius, except Piemont and Savoy. The Duke of Milan begun a Treaty with Foelix, and seem'd to have agreed with him upon Conditions; but it was not concluded. Ferdinand, Duke of Calabria, sent an Ambassador to the Council, who was order'd to promise Obedience to Foelix. Francis Sforza caus'd great Promises to be made, which came to no Effect. Alphonsus, King of Arragon, perceiving that Eugenius would favour Charles of Anjou, in the Pretensions he made to the Kingdom of Naples, declar'd for Foelix in the Year 1441. and promis'd by a Letter written in October to the Council, That he would cause him to be own'd in his six Kingdoms, and gave hopes also of doing something more if a Legat were sent unto him. But he made these Offers for no other reason, but only to engage Euge∣nius in his Interest; for after he had treated with the two Competitors, he declar'd himself for the latter, who gave him more advantageous Conditions, and was better able to perform them; and when the Treaty was Sign'd, he caus'd to be published a Declaration, June the 20th, 1443. importing, That after he had been a long time doubtful about the Affairs of the Church, God at last had discover'd to him that Eugenius was the true Pope, and that he revok'd the Decla∣rations he had made in favour of Foelix, and the Council of Basil: At the same time he gave Order to the Archbishop of Palerma, the Bishops of Tortose and Vic, who had been promoted to the Dignity of Cardinals by Foelix, and to the other Bishops of his Dominions, to retire from Basil, and go into Italy, or to their own Diocesses.

While the Deputies of the Council being sent to all Christian Princes, us'd their utmost En∣deavours * 1.70 to make them acknowledge him for Pope, whom the Council had chosen, which was the grand and principal Affair; the Prelats that remain'd at Basil, continu'd their Meetings, and held their Sessions from time to time, tho' they were less frequented than before. Foelix presided in the private Congregations held in 1441. in the absence of the Cardinal of Arles, who was sent into Germany, and there made the following Orders: First, That the President of the Assembly should always be the most ancient Prelat: Secondly, That no regard be had to the Collations of Ordinaries, unless it be evident, That there was Time enough from the Death of the last Incumbent unto the Date of the Collation, wherein the Collator might be inform'd of his Death, and that the Acts of Collation were not pass'd before by a Notary: Thirdly, That the Doctors or Nobles who have a Benefice of 300 Livres or more in Revenue, cannot

obtain a Dispensation to possess two incompatible Benefices; and that those who are not of this Quality, and have a Benefice of 200 Livres, cannot have two Cures, two Dignities, or two Canonries. Fourthly, That the Doctors or Nobles can have but two Prebendaries in the Me∣tropolitan Churches, three in the Cathedral, or four in the Collegiate; and that those who are not of that Quality, can have but one in the Metropolitan Churches, two in the Cathedral, and three in the Collegiate; that the former can have but eight simple Benefices, and the latter but three. Fifthly, That the Cardinals who have 6000 Livres of Rent can have no Benefices in Commendam, nor the Patriarchs who have 4000 Livres, nor the Archbishops who have 3000, nor the Bishops and Protonotaries who have 2000, and the Abbots who have 1000. Sixthly, That Ordinations shall not be made too lightly in the Council, but Persons shall be chosen to examine those who present themselves to be Ordain'd. Foelix having desir'd that the Reserva∣tions of the Benefices of Savoy might be granted him, was deny'd.

There was a long Consultation about the Celebration of the Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin, which was Instituted by Boniface IX. in the time of the Schism: At last, a Decree was drawn up, and publish'd in the Name of the Council, and not in the Name of the Pope, as some would have it, in the Forty Third Session, held the 1st of July 1441.

In the Year 1442. the Pope Eugenius translated the Council from Florence to Rome, in the * 1.71 Church of St. John of Lateran, by his Bull dated May the 3d. The Council of Basil on its part publish'd a long Decree in the Forty Fourth Session, held the 10th of August, for securing the Instruments and Persons of the Council, and voiding and nulling all that might be done against them, or to their prejudice. Towards the end of the Year Foelix retir'd to Lausane, with a part of his Cardinals; In the mean time, the Council continu'd to make Congregations at Basil, and in them to regulate several private Affairs: It condemn'd many Propositions ad∣vanc'd by the Friars Mendicants against the Rights of Curates, and particularly this, That those who die in the Habit of St. Francis, remain in Purgatory but one Year, because St. Fran∣cis descends thither once every Year, and brings forth all those of his Order. The Council invited Foelix to return to Basil, but whatever importunity they us'd, he would not return; and he created four New Cardinals. At last, the Wars of Germany, the departure of the Bi∣shops subject to King Alphonsus, the Importunity of the Emperor for holding of another Coun∣cil, the Absence of Foelix, and the small assistance the Prelats could expect while they stay'd at Basil, oblig'd them to break up after they had appointed the future General Council to be held three Years after in the City of Lyons; and they continu'd this of Basil, if it could be done, in that City, or the City of Lausane, by the Decree publish'd in the Forty Fifth Session, the 16th of May 1143.

Thus ended the Councils of Basil and Florence, rather weary'd with the Struggle than over∣come, for neither the one nor the other would yield; and they found a way to put an end to their Disputes without making Peace or any Accomodation, by translating themselves in ap∣pearance to another place, where scarce any thing more was done: Nevertheless the Schism con∣tinued still until upon the Death of Eugenius IV. (which happen'd February the 23d, in 1447.) Nicholas V. was chosen in his room March the 6th, who was a meek Man, and of a peacea∣ble Temper; and readily comply'd with the Proposals of Accommodation which were made to him by the Christian Princes, and chiefly by the French King, who did with great Vigor pro∣mote the Peace of the Church, by making application both to this Pope and Foelix, and the Prelats Assembled at Lausane: For altho' Savoy had been given to Nicholas V. who had granted Indulgences to those who would assist him to conquer it, and upon this account Politick Reasons should have prevail'd with him to push Things to extremity against Foelix; yet he preferr'd Ju∣stice and the Peace of the Church before his own Interest, concluded an Accommodation upon Conditions very advantageous to both Parties, which were, That Foelix should renounce the Papal Dignity, but he should be the first of the Cardinals, and Perpetual Legat to the Holy See in Germany; That they should revoke on both sides all the Excommunications, Censures and other Penalties, enacted by the Councils, or by the Contending Popes, against those of the opposite Party; That all those on both sides should be maintain'd, who were in Possession of Dignities, Benefices and Ecclesiastical Offices, and that to this purpose all the Collations, Pro∣visions, Postulations, Elections, &c. made in each Obedience should be confirm'd; That like∣wise the Dispensations, Indulgences, and other Graces granted by the Councils, or the Popes of the two Obediences, as also the Decrees, Dispositions, and Regulations they had made should be confirm'd; That the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and other Beneficiaries, should remain peaceable Possessors of the Benefices they were in Possession of, and all Sentences, Judgments and Processes to the contrary should be made Null and Revok'd; That the Cardinals of both Obediences shall remain in their Dignities, and Provision should be made for those who had one and the same Title, as was done at the time of the Council of Constance; That the Officers of both Courts shall remain in their Offices, and where there shall be found two promoted to the same Office, he shall be recompens'd who shall be oblig'd to Resign; Lastly, That Ni∣cholas V. shall engage to Call a General Council in France seven Months after the Accommo∣dation. * 1.72

All these Conditions, except the last, were granted and executed; and Foelix after he had confirm'd the Collations, and other Acts he had done during his Pontificat, and revok'd by his Bulls dated April the 5th, 1449, the Censures past against Eugenius, Nicholas and their Adhe∣rents,

Renounc'd on the 9th of the same Month the Papal Dignity, and all the Right which he could pretend to it: The Fathers of the Council of Lausane approv'd of his Demission, re∣vok'd also the Excommunications and other Censures enacted by the Council of Basil against Eugenius, elected and acknowledg'd Nicholas V. for Pope: And after this, Nicholas V. on his part revok'd by his Bulls publish'd the 18th of June, all the Censures, Excommunications, and other Penalties enacted against the Fathers of the Council of Basil and Lausane, against Foelix and their Adherents, confirm'd all the Collations and Dispositions made by these Councils, and by Foelix; maintain'd in their Dignities, Prelacies and Benefices all those that Possess'd them in that Obedience, and appointed Foelix to be the first Cardinal, and perpetual Legat to the Holy See in Germany. Thus a full end was put to the Schism, and Nicholas V. was acknowledg'd by all for Lawful Pope. He spent the rest of his Pontificat in allaying the Commotions in Italy, and died the 25th of March, in the Year 1455.

From this time to the end of this Century, nothing considerable was transacted about Eccle∣siastical Matters in the Church of Rome; and the Popes were more taken up with the Wars of Italy, the Projects of Designs against the Turk the Cares of aggrandizing their Temporal Power, and Settling their Families than with Ecclesiastical Affairs. Nevertheless, many Letters and Bulls were written in their Name, about the Affairs which are commonly carried to the Court of Rome, as the Canonizations of Saints, the Privileges of Monasteries, the Affairs of Religious Orders, of Dispensations, Processes between Churches, &c. the greatest part of which has been collected by Rainaldus, and the other Annalists, and in the Bullarium. I shall only add the Names of the Popes, who succeeded Nicholas V. together with the time of their Advancement to the Pontificat, and of their Death.

Alphonsus B••rgia of Catalonia, a Cardinal of the Promotion of Eugenius IV. in 1440. was * 1.73 chosen in the room of Nicholas V. on the 8th of April, in the Year 1455. and was call'd Cal∣listus III. He declar'd War against the Turks, and establish'd the Festival of the Transfiguration of our Lord. Being very old when he was advanc'd to the Papal Dignity, he did not govern long the Holy See, but died August the 6th, in the Year 1458.

To him succeeded Aeneas Sylvius Cardinal, of the Family of the Picolomini, who was chosen * 1.74 the 19th of August, in the same Year, and nam'd Pius II. We shall have occasion to speak of him among the Writers of this Century, among whom he holds a considerable Rank. He died August the 14th, 1464.

Paul II. a Venetian, Nephew by his Mother's side to Eugenius IV. who was nam'd before * 1.75 Peter Barbo, succeeded Pius II. and govern'd the Church of Rome, from the beginning of Sep∣tember, in the Year 1464. till the 25th of July, 1471. and then died of an Apoplexy. Some hold that he was the first Author of that Institution, that the Cardinals should wear Red Hats. In the Year 1467. he created Cardinal Francis of Rouere, a Monk of the Order of Friars Mi∣nors, and Vicar-general of his Order in Italy, descended of an Illustrious Family in Savonna, who succeeded him under the Name of Sixtus IV. This Pope made two Decrees about the * 1.76 Conception of the Virgin, one wherein he grants Indulgences to those who shall celebrate the Feast of the Conception, and say the Office compos'd by Nogarol, a Canon of Verona: The other wherein he forbids under pain of Excommunication, the Sentence being reserv'd to the Pope, to treat with Hereticks, or accuse those of Mortal Sin, who believ'd or maintain'd. That the Virgin was conceiv'd without Sin. He ordain'd, That for the future a Jubilee should be granted every Twenty five Years. Before he was made Pope, he had written some Trea∣tises, viz. a Book of the Blood of Jesus Christ, a Treatise of the Power of God, printed at Rome in 1471. an Explication of the Treatise of Nicholas Richard, about the Indulgences granted for the Souls of Purgatory, printed with the Treatise it self in 1487. He died the 12th of Au∣gust, in the Year 1484.

His Successor was Innocent VIII. a Genoese, who had been made Cardinal in 1473. and died the 25th of July, 1492. Theodorick Borgia, Nephew to Callistus III. procur'd his own Election * 1.77 in the room of Innocent VIII. by his Canvassing, his Mony and the Promises he made to the Car∣dinals, to give them Benefices and Lands, and took upon him the Name of Alexander VI. He disgrac'd his Dignity by his Ambition, his Avarice, his Cruelties, and his Debaucheries, and died on the 18th of August, in the Year 1503. having taken by a mistake that Poison which he had prepar'd for poysoning the Cardinals whom he had invited.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The appoint∣ing of the Council of Con∣stance.
• * 1.2

  The opening of the Coun∣cil of Con∣stance.
• * 1.3

  John XXIII. his Renuncia∣tion of the Papal Dig∣nity.
• * 1.4

  The flight of John XXIII.
• * 1.5

  A Defence of the C••un∣cil of Con∣stance con∣cerning the Authority of a Coun∣cil.
• * 1.6

  The Depo∣sition of John XXIII.
• * 1.7

  The Renun∣ciation of Gregory XII.
• * 1.8

  The Agree∣ment be∣tween Sig∣ismund and the King of Arragon, about Ben••∣dict XIII,
• * 1.9

  The Dep••si∣tion of Be∣nedict XIII.
• * 1.10

  The Con∣tests about Ann••tes.
• * 1.11

  The Electi∣on of Mar∣tin V.
• * 1.12

  The Regula∣tion made in France about the Discipline of the Church.
• * 1.13

  The end of the Council of Con∣stance.
• * 1.14

  The Sequel of the Council.
• * 1.15

  The obsti∣nacy of Be∣nedict XIII
• * 1.16

  The death of Bene∣dict.
• * 1.17

  The Election of Cle∣ment VII.
• * 1.18

  The Open∣i••g of the Council of Pavia, and i••s Transla∣tion to Sie∣na.
• * 1.19

  The Council b••gun at Siena.
• * 1.20

  The Disso∣lution of the Council ••t Siena, and the Ap∣pointment of that of Basil.
• * 1.21

  New Nego∣tiations with the Greeks.
• * 1.22

  The Op••n∣ing of the Council of Basil.
• * 1.23

  The Decree of Eugeni∣us, for dis∣solving the Council re∣jected.
• * 1.24

  The State of the Pope's Affairs in Italy.
• * 1.25

  The Appro∣bation of the Council of Basil by Eugenius;
• * 1.26

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.27

  Th•• Nego∣tiations of the Council with the Greeks.
• * 1.28

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.29

  Gratiae ex∣pectativ••.
• * 1.30

  The Nego∣tiations of the Council and the Pope with the Greeks.
• * 1.31

  The Dep••••∣ture of the Greeks for the West.
• * 1.32

  i. e. Magnus Primicerius, as Bishop Creighton tran∣s••••••es it in the Version of Scyropulus's History of the Florentine Council; perhaps, the Principal Secretary.
• * 1.33

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.34

  The Council of Ferrara.
• * 1.35

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.36

  Gr••tiae ex∣pectativae.
• * 1.37

  The Council of Ferrara.
• * 1.38

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.39

  The arrival of the Greeks.
• * 1.40

  The opening of the Coun∣cil of Fer∣rara.
• * 1.41

  The Confe∣rences of the Greeks with the Latins, about Pur∣gatory.
• * 1.42

  Charto-phylax.
• * 1.43

  The Confe∣rences of the Greeks and La∣tins about the Addi∣tion to the Creed, held at Ferrara.
• * 1.44

  [But this is notori∣ously false, as appears from his Encyclical Epistle to the Patriarchs of the East, which is inserted into the 10th Book of Baronius's Annals, wherein be charges the Latins with corrupting the Nicene Creed, that they might the more freely propagate the Doctrin of the Procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son.]
• * 1.45

  The Confe∣rences of the Greeks and Latins at Flo∣rence.
• * 1.46

  Magnus Primiceri∣us.
• * 1.47

  The Arch-bishop of Trebizon∣de being Sick, would not send his Vote.
• * 1.48

  The Decre•• of Union between the Greeks and the Latins.
• * 1.49

  Conferences after the Publication of the De∣cree of U∣nion.
• * 1.50

  The Depar∣ture of the Greeks.
• * 1.51

  The Divi∣sions of the Greeks a∣bout the Decree of Union.
• * 1.52

  The Union rejected by the Patri∣archs.
• * 1.53

  The Comn∣••llo•• Basil.
• * 1.54

  Regulations made in France and Germany, concerning the Council.
• * 1.55

  The Resolu∣tions of the Assemblies held in Germany about the Neutrality.
• * 1.56

  The Dis∣putes of the Divines at Basil abou•• the Autho∣rity of a Council.
• * 1.57

  The Coun∣cil of Basil.
• * 1.58

  The Depo∣sition of Fugenius.
• * 1.59

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.60

  The Decr•••• of the Coun∣cil of Flo∣rence a∣gainst that of Basil.
• * 1.61

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.62

  The Electi∣on of Felix. V.
• * 1.63

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.64

  The Consti∣tutions of Eugenius for the Ar∣menians, Jacobites, &c.
• * 1.65

  The Cen∣sures of Eugenius against Foelix.
• * 1.66

  The Council of Basil,
• * 1.67

  The Ass••m∣bly of Bourges.
• * 1.68

  How Chri∣stendom stood affe∣cted to∣wards Eu∣genius and Foelix.
• * 1.69

  The Resolu∣tions of di∣vers Assem∣blies of States about the Diffe∣rence be∣tween Foe∣lix and Eu∣genius.
• * 1.70

  The Council of Basil.
• * 1.71

  The Tran∣slations of the Councils of Basil and Flo∣rence.
• * 1.72

  The end of the Schism under the Pontificat of Nicolas V.
• * 1.73

  Callistus III.
• * 1.74

  Pius II.
• * 1.75

  Paul II.
• * 1.76

  Sixtus IV.
• * 1.77

  Innocent VIII.