An apology, or answer in defence of the Church of England concerning the state…An apologie, or aunswer in defence of the Church of England concerninge the state…

But some man will say: true it is that in those days the Emperor called the councils, because the Bishop of Rome was not yet come to this greatness: yet neither at that time did he sit together in council with the Bishops, nor intermeddle his authority with any part of their consultation. Yes truly the Emperor Constantine,¹ as Theodoret saith, did not only sit amongest them in the council of Nice, but also admonished the Bishops how they ought to try their controversy out of the books of the Prophets and of the Apostles. In disputation, saith he, of matters of divinity, we ⟨p. 59⟩have the doctrine of the holy Ghost set before us, to the intent we should follow it. For the books of the Evangelists, of the Apostles, and of the Prophets, doth sufficiently declare unto us what we ought to think of gods will.² Theodosius the Emperor, as Socrates saith, did not only sit amongest the Bishops, but also was chief judge of the controversy, and did both tear the writings of the Heretics, and also allowed the judgement of the Catholics.

But some man will say: true it is that in those daies the Emperour called the councels, bicause the Bysshop of Rome was not yet come to this greatnes: yet neither at that time did he sit together in councell with the Bysshops, nor entermeddle his authoritie wyth anye parte of their consultation. Yes truely the Emperour Constantine,¹ as Theodoret saith, did not onely sitt amongest them in the councel of Nice, but also admonished ye Bishops how thei ought to trie their cōtrouersy out of the bookes of the Prophets and of the Apostles. In disputation, saith he, of matters of diuinitie, wee ⟨p. 59⟩haue the doctrine of the holy Ghost set before vs, to the intent we should folowe it. For the bookes of the Euā gelistes, of ye Apostles, and of the Prophets, doth sufficiētly declare vnto vs what we ought to think of gods will.²