A compendious history of the Catholick church from the year 600 untill the year 1600 shewing her deformation and reformation : together with the rise, reign, rage, and begin-fall of the Roman AntiChrist : with many other profitable instructions gathered out of divers writers of the several times, and other histories / by Alexander Petrie ...

CHAP. V. Of COUNCELS.

1. OF all the Councels in this Century (excepting these at Rome) it is said generally, that they were called by the authority of Princes with∣in their Dominions; as is plain out of the first words of each of them almost (but never any syllable to the contrary) where it is read, By command, or at the calling of the King; or, The King commanding, Of the General Councel at Constantinople (in this point) is spoken before. Concerning France, we see in Gregory the I. lib. 9. Ep. 52, 53, 54. the Bishop calleth not a Councel; but beseecheth the King to call one: his words are, Iterata vos pro vestra magna mercede aahortatione pulsamus, ut congregati Synodum ju∣beatis. In England a Synod, An. 694. beginneth thus, Withred the glori∣ous King of Kent, with the reverend Arch Bishop Brithwald, hath comman∣ded the Synod to be assembled in the place called Bacancelot; the most gra∣cious King of Kent Withred preceding [Nota] in the same Synod; and the same reverend Primate of Britan; and also Tobias, Bishop of Rochester, with Abbots, Abbotesses, Presbyters, Deacons, Dukes and Counts; to∣gether considering of the affairs of the Churches of God in England, &c. Sir Henry Spelman in Concil. & constitut. pag. 191. This is to be marked against the Papists who hold now, that a Synod cannot be convened, but by the au∣thority of the Pope. Bellarm. de conc. lib. 1. cap. 12.

2. About the year 610. was the second Councel, at Bracara or Braga in Portugal. 1. Out of the Greek Councels many Acts were read and ratified. Ca. 2. If any Bishop exercize not his calling, in the Church committed unto him, he ought to be excommunicated; and if afterwards, through com∣pulsion, he will obey, let the Synod use their discretion concerning him. Ca. 19. A Bishop, being called unto a Synod, should not contemn, but go; and if he can, he should teach things profitable to the good of the Church, and of others; or he should hear, if he be ignorant; but if he will not go, he should be guilty of censure by the Synod. Ca. 45. It shall not be lawfull to read or sing from the Pulpit, but to them who are approved by the Church. Ca. 84. If any man enter into a Church, and hear the word; and then with∣draw himself from the Sacrament, let him be excommunicated, till he shew the fruits of repentance.

3. The Authour of Catalog. test. verit. she weth out of Aventi. Annal. lib. 3. that under Lotharius was a Synod in Bojaria, against the new ceremonies of Columban and Gallus; but he declareth not what they were. But we have seen, that these two were Scots, and did not agree with Augustine nor Law∣rence, and did oppose their Ceremonies.

4. An. 618. Was the IV. Councel (called the Universal) at Toledo, of 70. Bishops. Ca. 2. It pleaseth all the Priests who embrace the unity of the Catholick faith, that from henceforth we have no variety nor contrariety of rites in the Church; lest any difference amongst us, seem unto strangers and carnal men, to savour of errout, and give occasion of scandal to any; there∣fore let one order of praying and singing be kept thorough all Spain and Ga∣licia, and no more diversity; because we are in one faith, and one King∣dom; although the old Canons heretofore, ordained each Province to keep their own tites. Ca. 6. Some Parishes are noted, who have no preaching on the Friday before Easter; now it is decreed, to preach of Christ's pashon that day; that people may be the better prepared to receive the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood, on the Feast of the resurrection. Ca. 7. Because the Universal Church passeth that whole day in sorrow and abstinence for the Lord's passion; whosoever on that day, except little ones, and old or sick persons, should interrupt the Fast untill the Church service be done, let him be debarred from the joy of Easter; and not be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood. Ca. 9. Because some Priests in Spain do omit to say the Lord's prayer, except on Sunday in publick service; therefore it is decreed, that every day both in publick and private worship, none of the Clergy omit the Lords prayer; under pain of Deposition: seeing Christ hath prescribed this, saying, When ye pray, say, Our Father—and it is called the daily prayer, by the Doctours and Fathers. Ca. 16. The book of Revelation sh••uld be read yearly in the Church, between Easter and Whit∣sunday. Ca. 18. A pernicious custom should not be kept; contempt of an∣cient statutes hath perturbed all the order of the Church; while some by am∣bition, and others by gifts, do usurp Priesthoods and Bishopricks; and some prophane men and souldiers, unworthy of such honour, have been admitted into the holy order; they should be removed: But lest great scandal arise in the Church (what hath been done is past) it is expedient to prescribe, who shall not hereafter be admitted into the Priesthood; that is, he who hath been convicted of any infamous crime; who by publick repentance hath confes∣sed gross sins; who hath fallen into heresie; who hath been baptized in he∣resie, or is known to be rebaptized; who hath married a second wife, or wi∣dow, or divorced, or corrupt woman; who hath concubines or whores; unknown men or young Scholars, who have been Souldiers or Courtiers; who are ignorant of Letters; who are not 30. years old; who ascendeth not by the degrees of the Church; who seeketh honour by ambition or gifts; who were chosen by their Predecessours; whom the People and Clergy of the City have not chosen, or the authority of the Metropolitan, and consent of the comprovincial Priests have not required. Whosoever is required unto the Office of a Priest, and is not found guilty in one of these, and his life and doctrine being approved, according to the Synodal Decrees; he should be consecrated by all the comprovincial Bishops, at least by three, upon a Sab∣both day; and the rest sending their Letters of approbation; and especially by the authority, and presence, of the Metropolitan. A comprovincial Bishop should be consecrated, in the place where the Metropolitan should chuse him; the Metropolitan should not be consecrated, but in his own See, when the Comprovincials were assembled. Ca. 24. Priests are commanded to read

the Scriptures diligently, that all their doings might serve for instruction to the people, in knowledge of faith, and good example of life. Ca. 35. Eve∣ry Bishop should visit his Diocy, once every year, in proper person; and if sickness or weightier business did hinder him, then by the most grave Priests. Ca. 46. At command of our Lord and King Sisenand, the holy Councel or∣daineth, That all Clarks for the service of Religion, should be exempt from all charges and labours of the Common-Wealth. Ca. 74. So great is the falshood of many Nations (as they report) that they keep not their Oath of fidelity unto their Kings; and in a word, they feign the profession of an oath, but retain in their minds the impiety of falshood; they swear unto their Kings, and transgress against their Oath, nor fear they the judgement of God against perjurers: What hope can such have when they War against their enemies? What faithfulness can other Nations expect in peace? What Covenant shall not be violated, since they keep not their Oaths unto their own Kings? If we will eschew the wrath of God, and if we desire him to turn his severity in∣to clemency; let us keep religious duty, and fear God, and our promised fi∣delity to our Princes; let there be no ungodly subtleties of infidelity amongst us, as amongst some Nations; let none of us presumptuously usurp the King∣dom; let none raise seditions amongst the Subjects; let none attempt the murther of Kings, but when the King is departed in peace, let the Nobles of the Realm, with the Priests, in a Common-Councel of the Kingdom, appoint a Successour; that when the unity of concord is kept by us, no dis∣sension can arise by violence or ambition; and whosoever among us, or of all the people of Spain, by any conspiracy or design whatsoever, should vio∣late the Sacrament of his promise, that he hath promised for the standing of his Country and Kingdom of Goths, or for safety of the King; or attempt to murther the King, or to deprive him of his Royal Power, or by presum∣ptuous tyranny shall usurp the Kingdom; let him be accursed in the sight of God the Father, and of the Angels; and let him be debarred from the Holy Church, which he hath defiled with perjury, and let him be estranged from the assembly of Christians, with all the complices of his impiety; because they all should be subject in the same punishment, who are guilty of the same fault. Which we repeat, saying again, Whosoever among us, &c.

5. About the year 616. was a Councel at Altisiodore or Autricum. Ca. 5. All vigils which were wont to be kept to the honour of God, are forbidden, as divinations. Ca. 18. It is not lawfull to baptize at any time, except at Easter; unless it be such that are neer unto death, who are called grabbata∣rij. Ca. 21. It is not lawfull for a Presbyter, after he hath received the bles∣sing, to sleep in a bed by a Presbyteress. Here they ordain not to put away the wives, nor forbid they cohabitation; but sleeping together. Ca. 40. A Presbyter should not sing nor dance at a feast. In this Councel 7. Abbots, and 34 Presbyters had decisive votes and subscribe.

6. About the year 650. was the VIII. Councel at Toledo, to the number of 52. Bishops; where first was recited, and approved a rule of faith (little differing from the Nicene Creed) as taught by the Apostles, allowed by the Orthodox Fathers, and approved by the Holy Councels; here is no mention of Christ's descending into Hell, and in the IV. Councel at Toledo, that ar∣ticle was not omitted. In many of all these Spanish Councels, the sleeping of Presbyters with their wives, is condemned as sinfull and execrable; but some would maintain their liberty, and would not obey, as is manifest in the sixth and seventh chapters of this Councel.

7. In the year 655. was a Councel of 45. Bishops at Cabella or Cabilone in Burgundy. Ca. 1. The fore-named Creed is approved. Ca. 10. When a

Bishop of any City dieth, another should be chosen, only by the Clergy and indwellers of the same Province, otherwise the election is nul. Ca. 17. If any shall move a tumult, or draw a weapon, in a Church, so giving scandal; let him be debarred from the Communion. Ca. 18. We not ordaining a new thing, but renewing the old, do ordain, That no manner of husban∣dry-work, be done on the Lords-day. Ca. 19. Many things fall out, that are lightly punished; it is known to be very unseemly, that on holy Feasts, women in tribes use to sing filthy songs; when they ought to be praying or hearing prayers; therefore Priests should abolish such things; and if such per∣sons continue in their wickedness, let them be excommunicated.

8. About the year 673. was a Synod at Hertford or Herudford in England; where it was decreed, 1. That Easter should be kept, thorow the Realm, on the Sunday, the 14. day of the Moon, in the first month. Hence it is clear, that then they did reckon March to be the first month, after the manner of the Jews; which was the custom in Scotland till the year 1603. and is still the custom of England; whereupon ariseth difference in computation of years. 2. No Bishop should meddle with the Diocy of another. 3. No Clark shall forsake his own Bishop, and go into another Diocy, without Letters of com∣mendation from his own Bishop. 4. Provincial Synods should be observed, at least, once a year. 5. Let no Bishop prefer himself before another, but by priority of their consecration. 6. Let no man put away his wife, except (as the Gospel teacheth) it be for sornication; and if he put her away, let him remain unmarried. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 4. cap. 5.

9. In the year 682. was the general Councel of 150. Bishops (or as some write 171.) at Constantinople, against the heresie of the Monothelites. Of this Councel somewhat was spoken before. Here the Emperour Constantine was present, and President, propounding, questioning, commanding si∣lence upon occasions, ruling, and dismissing in every Session; or in his ab∣sence, a Nobleman, whom he ordained. The Nobleman sate on his right hand; and on his left, were the Legates of Pope Agatho, George Bishop of Constantinople, Macarius Bishop of Antiochia; some Presbyters for the Bishops of Alexandria and Jerusalem (for then these two Cities were under the Sarazens) and the other Bishops. There they were accursed, who hold that there is but one Will in Christ; and a Confession was published against this errour, and they made no other Canons. George did confess his errour, and did receive the sentence of the Councel; but Macarius, and his Prede∣cessours Cyrus, Sergius, Pirrhus, Paul and Peter, were accursed; and The∣ophanius, an Abbot in Sicily, was made Bishop of Antioch. Beda de 6. aetat. In the 12. Session, the Epistle of Honorius, Bishop of old Rome, unto Ser∣gius, Bishop of Constantinople, was examined; he was anathematized, and his Epistle was condemned to the fire: this Councel sate 2. years. With∣in 4. or 5. years, by authority of the Emperour Justinian, the same Bishops were assembled, and about 100. more; they sate in the Palace, and there∣fore it is called Trullano, from Trullo the name of the Palace; also it is cal∣led 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because it was neither fifth nor sixth, yet they set in form the constitutions of both. Bellarm. de conc. lib. 1. cap. 7. In Gratian. decr. dist. cap. 16. Habeo librum, Peter Bishop of Nicomedia testifieth, that they made 102. Canons, which are not extant, but some are preserved. Mart. Kemni∣tius in examin. Conc. Triden. pag. 3. citeth from Nilus, Bishop of Thessalo∣nica, and the Greek Nomocanon; the thirteenth Canon in these words, Be∣cause we understand, that it is delivered in the Roman Church as a Canon, that they who are thought worthy of the Order of a Deacon or Presbyter, should profess, that they should not bed with their own wives thereafter, We

following the ancient Canon of Apostolical, genuine, and orderly constitu∣tion, ordain, That the lawfull cohabitation of holy men, with their own wives, from this day, in time coming, should be valid, ratified, and firm; no way dissolving their conjunction with their own wives, or depriving them of conjugal society, which is in due time; and therefore he who is thought worthy the honour of a sub-Deacon, or Deacon, or a Presbyter, shall not be hindered from that degree, because he dwelleth with his lawfull wife; nei∣ther shall it be required of him at his ordination; or shall he be compelled to profess, that he shall or should abstain from lawfull copulation with his own wife; and yet they shall not have copulation with their own wives indifferent∣ly, but shall abstain in time of their course: and therefore if any shall presume, contrary to the Apostolical Canons, to deprive Deacons and Priests (after ordination) of society with their lawfull wives; let him be deposed; and also they who are ordained, if they put away their wives, under pretext of piety; let them be excommunicated. Hence it appeareth, that the Coun∣cel did defend the marriage of Church-men to be Apostolical and orderly; and therefore the contrary constitution of the Roman Church, was not an∣cient, Apostolical nor orderly. And nevertheless the same Councel saith, Ca. 3. Because the Roman See, in respect of the marriage of Priests, hath observed the highest rigour; and the Constantinopolitan 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 meek∣ness or gentleness, let us set a middle between the two, &c. And so they or∣dain, that who is twice married, or who hath married a widow, or a divor∣ced, or a servant, or a whore, should not henceforth be admitted: and the liberty of Priests, which in Ca. 13. is called Apostolical; is denied unto Bi∣shops in Ca. 12. and the wife of a Bishop, is ordained to go into a Monastery, Ca. 48. And Priests, Deacons and sub-Deacons, are forbidden to marry from thenceforth. When they say, from thenceforth; they declare that it was law∣full before. These Canons are also in Gratian's Decrees, with great alteration; but the known practice of the Greek Church, sheweth the reality of these Canons. Likewise in Ca. 55. they say, Because we have found, that some in the Roman Church, in time of Lent, do fast on the Sabboth daies, contra∣ry to the received custom of the Church; it seemeth good unto this sacred Sy∣nod, that the Canon shall also bind, every way, the Roman Church: which [Canon] saith, If any Clark should be found to fast on the Lord's day or Sabboth, except one Sabboth only; let him be deposed: and if he be a Laick; let him be excommunicated. The Papishes in these daies do glory, saying, That the Roman Church is the Mother-Church, Judge of all Churches, and can be judged of none: But behold! In this Synod a Bishop of Rome, is con∣demned in two particulars. And in Ca. 36. it is decreed, That the See of Con∣stantinople hath (and should have) equal Priviledges with the See of Rome; and in Ecclesiastical matters be equally magnified Gratian. decr. dist. 23. Edit. Paris. an. 1585. where the gloss saith, that the Canon is amended from a manu∣script in Greek.

10. In the year 684. was the XI. Councel at Toledo. There first Quiricus the Metropolitan, lamenteth the long omission of National Councels, and the X. was held an. 674. Ca. 2. So far as one excelleth another in honour of preferment; so far ought he to excel in godliness, by having continually in his mouth the sword of Truth; and in his hand the work of Light; for we should at all times be mindfull of the degree of order, and manner of conver∣sation; seeing we have taken upon us the Office of preaching; and no care ought to distract us from reading the Scriptures: therefore who are advanced to eminent places, ought to take care that they who are within their charge, perish not by famine of the Word; also Metropolitans should watch over

their neighbours, and others subject unto them, and each Prelate over his inferiours. Ca. 4. As every one who loveth his brother, is born of God; so every one who hateth his brother, is of the Divel. Now it is dilated unto us, that some Priests love not their brethren; nor the Sun-setting (as Paul ex∣horteth) bringeth them from wrath; neither the yearly course of time hath brought them to the grace of love; to wit, the Sun of righteousness hath gone from their hearts: therefore we ordain, that such Priests presume not to come nigh the Altar, to receive the grace of communion, untill they be knit together in true reconciliation. Ca. 15. It pleaseth to ordain, that according to the determination of our Fathers, we should be ready to assemble, once in the year, at the time the will of the King, or the Metropolitan shall appoint; and if any Bishop absent himself, except at inevitable necessity; let him be punished with excommunication for a year. There also it is decreed, that no Bishop, or other Clark, should meddle with the judgement of blood; under the punishment of perpetual excommunication: That they who are ordai∣ned Bishops, shall give their Oath, before they be received into their Epis∣copal seat, that they neither have given, nor shall give unto any man, any reward for purchasing their dignity. Here many abuses of discipline in the Roman Church are condemned.

Notes

• Synodes were assembled by Kings.
• Synod at Bracara.
• Synod in Bo∣jaria.
• The IV. Synod at Toledo.
• Synod at Al∣tisiodore.
• The VIII. Sy∣nod at Tole∣do.
• Synod at Ca∣bilone.
• Synod at Hertford.
• The VI. gene∣ral Councel at Constanti∣nople.
• The XI. Synod at Toledo.