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But according to Ruffinus, (a Roman, who lived not long after the Council of Nice) it was limited to the Suburbicary Cities; i. e. a part of Italy, and their Islands, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica: much less did it ever pretend to Brittain, either by Custom, Canon, or Edict of a∣ny of our Princes.
Consequently, we say, the Papal Power over us, was an after-encroachment and usurpation, and a plain violation of the general Council of Ephesus.
Our Argument is this; the General Coun∣cil of Ephesus declare, that no Bishop should occu∣py any Province, which before that Council, and from the Beginning had not been under the Jurisdi∣ction of him or his Predecessors; and that if any Patriarch usurped any Jurisdiction over a free Province, he should quit it; for so it pleased the holy Synod, that every Province should enjoy its Ancient Rites, pure and inviolate.
But it is evident, the Bishop of Rome had no Power in Brittain, from the Beginning; nor yet before that general Council; nor for the first six hundred years after Christ (as will ap∣pear when we speak of the next claim, viz. Pos∣session.)
Now, if the Pope had no Patriarchal Power in Brittain before the six hundredth year of Christ, he could not well have any since: for Pope Boniface, three years after Saint Gregorie's death, disclaimed this Power, by assuring an Higher Title: so that had we been willing to admit him our Patriarch, contrary to what Augustine found, time had been wanting to settle his Power, as such, in England.
From the whole, we conclude, either the Pope is none of our Patriarch: or if such; he stands guilty of Contempt of a general Council, and hath done so, many hundred years; i. e. he is no Patriarch at all, or a Schismatical one.
Brittain excluded.
Ruffinus.
Par, 2. Act. 7.
Pope Boni∣face.