The friar disciplind, or, Animadversions on Friar Peter Walsh his new remonstrant religion : the articles whereof are to be seen in the following page : taken out of his history and vindication of the loyal formulary ... / the author Robert Wilson.

A NIMADVERSION 2. Whether the general Councells of Ephesus and Chalcedon, as also the Prouincial of Afrik of 217. Bishops allowed as much to the Emperor and no more spiritual autho∣rity to the Pope, than the Oath of Supremacy doth?

BUT in the name of God Mr. Walsh, how com you to quote for the lawfull∣ness of the Eglish Oath of Supremacy, the general Councells of Ephesus, and Chaltedon, as also the Prouincial of Afrik, with S. Augustin? was not Nestorius and his heresy, as also that of Pelagius, condemn'd in that Councell of Ephesus by Pope Celestinus spiritual authority, residing in his Legat Cyrillus of Alexandria? Doth not S. Prosper say, that all the Eastern Churches were purg'd of two plagues by Celestinus, when the most glorious defender of the Catholik Faith Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria was helpt by the Apostolik sword? Did the Emperor Theodosius the yonger, pretend to any spiritual iurisdiction, or authority in that Councel? He sent indeed his Domestik Candidia∣nus to it, not to act therin (as the Emperor himself writes to the Synod) but with an express caution and condition, that he should not haue any thing to do with mat∣ters of Faith; (because saith he) it is not lawfull for one that is not a Bishop, to intermedle in Ecclesiastical buisness, or con∣sultations. Why then was Candidianus sent by Theo∣dosius the Emperor? Mark well, Mr. Walsh, the rea∣son.

That he might remoue buisy Monks, and others from Ephesus; because it is not lawfull (saith he) for such people to hinder by any tumult the examination of holy Tenets &c. I feare most men will be apt to iudge that you are more concern'd in these words and reason of Theodosius, than you are aware of. T'is a wicked world, Mr. Walsh, we can not bridle ill tongues; men will talke idely, let vs be neuer so circumspect. I hope you do not buisy yourself in these matters of the Church without your Superiors approbation, or commission from the Bi∣shops, to whom such matters apertain properly. And yet I know not what muttering there is, that if any you had, its recall'd long since, because you acted quite contrary to it. Yourself doth confess (page 5. of your first Treatise) that your commission was to procure for Ecclesiastiks the benefit of the peace of 48. wherof the principal article or end was freedom of conscience, and that a the Roman Catholiks should not be required

to take any oathes but one specified in the 8. article, of the same peace. How came you then to act (as their Procurator) quite contrary to this, and to your com∣mission? Realy Mr. Walsh, if this be true, you are wors than the buisy Monks of Ephesus. At least you are very vnfortunat in your allegations of Councells: they alwayes seem to make against yourself. You bring against the Popes spiritual supremacy the exam∣ple of the Emperor Martianus, in the case of Anatolius, and make the 28. Canon of the Councel of Calcedon the ground of your obiection; wheras you know in your conscience (if you know or read any thing) that there are admitted but 27. Canons of the Councell of Calcedon; and Theodoret, who was present at it, testifieth there were no more; the clandestin Decree, which Anatolius and som Greeks made and foisted into the Canons, is reiected as ridiculous, and forged; as you may see at large in learned Cardinal Perons answer to King Iames lib. 1. cap. 34.2. That though the 28. were admitted as a genuine Canon, yet what is that to your purpose, against the Bishop of Rome his spiritual supremacy? That 28. Canon pretends only preceden∣cy of Constantinople before Alexandria; not before Rome.

But its much to my purpose (and I hope it will be for your profit) to mind you how the Emperor Mar∣tianus, after that the Catholik Faith had bin confirm'd by the Bishops subscriptions, did propose somthings in fauor therof to the Fathers; thinking it decent (saith he) to haue them rather form'd or regularly framed,

by their Decree, than by his own Imperial law. And the first point of the intended Reformation was, that to hinder heresies and the disorders of irregular Monks, which of late had so disturbed and infected the Church of God, it might be decreed, that they should be sub∣iect to the Bishops, and not medle with Ecclesiastical or ciuil affairs, but serue God, and keep within their Monasteries. Well Mr. Walsh, I see, let your friends do all they can to excuse or extenuate your faults, you are resolued to lay yourself and them open to your Aduersaries. Did not I but iust now aduise you, as your best friend, not to medle with ecclesiastical affairs, which are aboue your capacity, and learning; especialy these general Councells? You see what this of Calce∣don and the Emperor Martianus think of irregular reli∣gious men, and how the generality of people take you to be one of that kind, a disturber of the peace of the Church, and a broacher of heresies. Lord God! could not you be quiet? what made you name at all this Councell of Calcedon? Did you not know how se∣uere it is against such men as you are reputed to be? I wish with all my heart you had neuer com out of your Conuent, and that you were retired in your cell. For God's sake quote no more general Councells; they are very opposit to your wayes and doctrin. This of Calcedon consisting of 630. Bishops at least, own'd S. Leo Pope for Head of the vniuersal Church; and in his name and by his authority Dioscorus was con∣demn'd and deposed. See Leo his epistle (47.) to the Councel, sent by his Legats to reside therin, saying, In these Brethren a Paschasinus and Lucentius Bishops, Boniface and Basil Priests, directed to you by the Apostolical see your Fra∣ternities may belieue that I preside in your Synod. And the Synod answers, Truly you did preside as Head to the Mem∣bers.

And the Legats sentence against Dioscorus was, Sanctissimus ac Beatissimus Papa, a Caput vninersalis Ecclesiae, Leo, per nos Legatos suos, S. Synodo consentiente, Petri Apo∣stoli praeditus dignitate, qui Ecclesiae fundamentum, & petra Fidei, & coelestis regni Ianitor nuncupatur, Episcopali dignitate Dioscorum nudauit, & ab omni Sacerdotali opere fecit extorrem. Mr. Walsh, doth the Oath of Supremacy allow the Pope to be Head of the vniuersal Church, or allow him so much spiritual iurisdiction as this Councel of Cal∣cedon? If not, why do you quote it to that purpose?

Perhaps you may haue better luck with Prouincial Councells. Let us see. You alleadge S. Augustin and 217. Bishops of Afrik against Appeals to Rome in the case of Apiarius, and you apply the same to the Oath of Supremacy. Mr. Walsh, if I be not mistaken, Belar∣min hath cleerly answer'd that obiection which you borrowed from Caluin, as you do most others (in your tedious volume) from heretiks; and Baronius in the very yeare and place quoted by you (though you con∣ceal it) proues that S. Augustin and the Bishops of Afrik owned the Popes Supremacy, and spiritual au∣thority ouer them, instancing the case of Antony Bi∣shop Fussalensis of Numidia, deposed from his Episco∣pal administration and reuenue by the Bishops of that Prouince. He, obtaining a letter of his pretended in∣nocency from his Primat to Pope Boniface, appeald, to his Holiness. Boniface dying, his successor Celestinus fauored Antony, yet with this caution, and Prouiso in his letters, if the matter of fact was true, and Antony his narration not subreptitious. Antony boasted much of

this sauor, and writ to his friends, that the Pope not only gaue sentence for him, but also would command the same to be executed by his Executors with military power. Wherupon S. Augustin writ a letter to the Pope, informing him of the truth, and desired him to giue sentence for the people of Antony's Diocess (which was the other party) because the right was on their side; and not to think vpon that violent way, wherwith Antony threatned the poor people. Permit not (saith the Saint) these things to be don, I beseech thee, per Christi sanguinem, by the bloud of Christ, by the memory of Peter the Apostle, who admonisht the Prelats of Christian people, not to domineer violently amongst the bre∣thren. Heer you see Mr. Wash, S. Augustin and the African Bishops admitting of Appeals to Rome; nay admitting in the Bishop of Rome right to a coerciue power for executing his sentence in Afrik; though in∣deed they aduise him not to make vse of it in that case; so did Ireneus aduise S. Victor the Pope, not to excom∣municat the Asian Churches, albeit he doubted not of his power to excommunicat them. Doth the oath of Supremacy, allow the Pope such a Supremacy, or such a latitude or extent of spiritual jurisdiction out of his temporal estate? Let me once more intreat you Mr. Walsh, per Christi Sanguinem, not to betray your igno∣rance so manifestly, not to expose your-self to the Cen∣sure and laughter of all who read Councells or Fathers. Had it not bin much better for you, not to haue in∣termedled with these matters, wherof you vnderstand so litle, than to be look't vpon as a vain ignorant he∣retik? we your friends can not but be concern'd, though we can say but litle for you.

Notes

• a

  Vt saltem procuret nobis eas conditiones, fauores, & gra∣tias quae in articulis Pacis & Reconciliationis, An. 1648. com∣positae, ratae. & confirmatae inter Excell••ntissimum Dominum Marchionem Ormoniae & Confederatos Catholicos, pactae & promissae nobis fuerunt. These are words of the Commission giuen to Friar Walsh by those few that employd him, as you may see pag. 5. of his r. part. 1. Treatise.

  The same Friar sets down pag. 49. of his Appendix in the 8. article of the peace 1648. this enfuing Oath as the only to be exacted of Catholiks.

  I. A. B. do truly acknowledge, profess, testify, and declare in my conscience before God and the world, That our Soueraign Lord King Charles, is lawfull and rightfull King of this Re∣alm, and of other his Majesties Dominions and Countries, and I will bear Faith and true Alleigance to his Majesty, his Heirs and successors; and him and them will defend to the vtter∣most of my power, against all Conspiracies and attempts whatsoeuer, which shall be made against his, or their Crown and Dignity; and do my best endeauor to disclose and make known to his Majesty, his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and successors, or to the Lord Deputy, or other his Majesties Chief Gouernor, or Go∣••ernors for the time being, all Treasons, or Trayterous Con∣pi••acies, which I shall know; or heare to be intended against his Majesty, or any of them; and I do make this Recognition and a knowledgment heartily, willingly, and truly vpon the true Fa••••h of a Christian. So help me God, &c.
• a

  The most holy and blessed Pope Leo, Head of the uniuer∣sal Church, by vs his Legats, with consent of the holy Synod, being endow'd with Peter the Apostles dignity, who is the foundation and rock of the faith, and call'd Porter of the hea∣uenly Kingdom, hath depriued Dioscorus of Episcopal dignity, and of all priestly functions.