Anti-Mortonus or An apology in defence of the Church of Rome. Against the grand imposture of Doctor Thomas Morton, Bishop of Durham. Whereto is added in the chapter XXXIII. An answere to his late sermon printed, and preached before His Maiesty in the cathedrall church of the same citty..

SECT. IV. Doctor Mortons fourth instance of Theodosius and Valentinian, examined.

THe Emperors Theodosius and Valentinian (say you)(k) 1.1 in their letters to Cyrill, require all Bishops without exception, to be present at the Councell of Ephesus, as they meane to auoid the sentence of condemnation vpon themselues. Wherupon Pope Leo is glad to returne an answeare, excusing his not coming by the exigence of time, and his other instant occasions, within his owne Dioces, which would not permit him to be absent from his See, and therefore hopeth (his owne words) to obtaine so much pardon, and fauor, that his Le∣gates may be accepted of in his stead. These your words are full of ignorance and falshood: for first, the letters of Theodo∣sius and Valentinian to Cyrill were to call him, and other Bishops to the first Councell of Ephesus, which was held & finished in the tyme Celestine Pope, nine yeares before Leo was created B. of Rome. Is it not then palpable igno∣rance, to say, that, Leo is glad to returne an answeare excusing his not comming by the exigence of time, and his other instant occasions within his owne Dioces, when as the letters were written nine yeares before he had any Dioces at all, and were neither directed to him, nor any way concerned him?

2. If Theodosius and Valentinian called the Bishops to the first Councell of Ephesus, it was not by their owne authority, but by the authority of Celestine Pope.(l) 1.2

3. Howbeit Theodosius in the yeare 449. which was 19. yeares after the writing of that letter to Cyrill, by his

owne authority assembled the Piratioall Synod of Ephe∣sus in fauor of the Eutychian heresy; yet knowing, that no Councell can be valide, which is not celebrated by the consent and authority of the B. of Rome, he writ to Leo then Pope, inuiting him to it. And this letter it is, which you ignorantly confound with the other written to Cy∣rill, who: was dead siue yeares before the writing of this to Leo. But Leo knowing the error of Eutyches to haue bene condemned already in a Councell at Constantinople, and to be in it selfe so manifestly impious, that (as he writ to the holy Patriarke Flauianus(m) 1.3, another Councell might no way seeme necessary for the condemnation of it; and withall fore-seeing the great mischiefes that were like to ensue out of the Councell intended by Theodosius, endea∣uored to diuert him wholly from that purpose, or at least to perswade him, that if a Councell were called, it might be held in Italy. But seeing he could draw the Emperor to neither of these conditions, least on his part any thing should be wanting which might seeme auaileable for the destruction of Heresy, and peace of the Church, he sent Legates in his steed to preside in the Councell, at which himselfe could not be present for the reasons expressed in diuers of his epistles(n) 1.4: in which also he declareth that he sent them armed with his authority, either to restore Eu∣ches to the Catholike communion, if he would renounce his errors and aske pardon of them (as by libell presented to the See Apostolike he had promised to do) or els to pro∣nounce the last sentence of condemnation against him.

But wheras you to make good, that the calling of Coun∣cells belongs to Emperors, say(o) 1.5: Leo's owne words are, that he hopeth to obtaine so much pardon, and fauor, that his Legates might be accepted of in his steed, you speake not truly: for his words are: Because you know, that my presence at Rome importeth for the common good, so that, saluâ Clementiae Vestrae veniâ▪ by the good leaue of your Clemency, I might not deny my selfe to the loue, and requests of the Citizens, thinke me to be present in these my brethren whom I haue sent in my steed, and giuen them full instructions, what ought to be obserued. And it is to be noted, that these words are not

spoken by Leo to the Emperors (as out of your discourse it may seeme to our English reader) but to Pulcheria, a wo∣man, who (witnesse the Apostle(p) 1.6 may not speake in the Church, much lesse assemble Councells, or moderate Ec∣clesiasticall causes. Nor do they import any subiection to her in ecclesiasticall affaires; but are merely words of ciuill respect, and vrbanity, fit to be vsed to the person of so great a Lady. And your illation out of them, that Emperors haue power to moderate Ecclesiasticall causes, and assemble Councells, is a consequence, that suiteth not well with your iudgment, and learning.

Notes

• (k) 1.1

  Pag. 162.
• (l) 1.2

  See aboue Chap. 18. sect. & 2. & Bar. anno 430.
• (m) 1.3

  Ep. 1••.
• (n) 1.4

  Ep. 12.17.18.
• (o) 1.5

  Pag. 162.
• (p) 1.6

  1. Cor. 14.34.