Of such Authority was the Popes consent in Summoning of Councils. He humbly craved it upon his knees, with sighs, and tears: and could not get it. Hereof Aeneas Syluius, which afterward was Pope Pius. 2, saithe thus, 1Ex hisce Authoritatibus mirum in modum see putant armatos, qui Concilia negant sieri posse sine consensu Papae. Quorum sententia, si, ut ipsi volunt, inuiolata persistat, ruinam secum Ecclesiae trahit. Quid enim remedij ⟨p. 665⟩erit,2 si criminosus papa perturbet Ecclesiam: si animas perdat: si animas peruertat malo exemplo populos: si denique contraria Fidei praedicet, Haereticisque Dogmatibus imbuat subditos? Sinemúsne cum ipso cuncta ruere? At ego, dumb veteres lego Historias, dumb Actus perspicio Apostolorum, hunc equidem morem non inuenlo, ut Soli Papae Concilia conuocaverint: Nec pòst, tempore Constantini Magni, & aliorum Augustorum, ad Congreganda concilia quaesitus est magnoperè Romani consensus Papae: By these Authorities they think them selves armed, that say, no Council may be kept without the consent of the Pope. Whose Judgement, if it should stand, as they would have it, would draw with it the decay, and ruin of the Church. For what remedy were there then, if the Pope him self were vicious, destroyed Souls, overthrew the people with evil examples, taught Doctrine contrary to the Faith, and filled his Subjects full of Heresies? Should we suffer all to go to the Devil? Verily, when I read the Old stories, and consider the Acts of the Apostles, I find no such order in those days, that only the Pope should Summon Councils. And afterward, in the time of Constantine the Great, and of other Emperors, when Councils should be called, there was no great account made of the Popes consent. 3Cardinal Cusanus saith, Negligent, aut Contradicente papa, Imperator potest praeceptivè Synodos indicere, ad providendum fluctuanti Ecclesiae: If the Pope be negligent, or, if he say nay, the Emperor, to stay the wavering state of the Church, may command Councils by his own Authority. Thus the Emperor Sigismund called a Council at constance: notwithstanding it stood Pope John much upon, never to yield his consent unto it. For in the same Council he was deprived, and of a Pope was made a Cardinal.
Of sutche Authoritie was the Popes consente in Summoninge of Councelles. He humbly craued it vpon his knees, with sighes, and teares: and coulde not geate it. Hereof Aeneas Syluius, whiche afterwarde was Pope Pius. 2, saithe thus, 1Ex hisce Authoritatibus mirum in modum se putant armatos, qui Concilia negant sieri posse sine consensu Papae. Quorum sententia, si, vt ipsi volunt, inuiolata persistat, ruinam secum Ecclesiae trahit. Quid enim remedij ⟨p. 665⟩erit,2 si criminosus papa perturbet Ecclesiam: si animas perdat: si animas peruertat malo exemplo populos: si denique contraria Fidei praedicet, Haereticisque Dogmatibus imbuat subditos? Sinemúsne cum ipso cuncta ruere? At ego, dum veteres lego Historias, dum Actus perspicio Apostolorum, hunc equidem morem non inuenlo, vt Soli Papae Concilia conuocauerint: Nec pòst, tempore Constantini Magni, & aliorum Augustorum, ad Congreganda concilia quaesitus est magnoperè Romani consensus Papae: By these Authorities they thinke them selues armed, that saie, no Councel maie be keapte without the consente of the Pope. Whose Iudgemente, if it should stande, as they woulde haue it, woulde drawe with it the decaie, and ruine of the Churche. For what remedie were there then, if the Pope him selfe were vitious, destroied Soules, ouerthrewe the people with euil examples, taught Doctrine contrarie to the Faithe, and filled his Subiectes ful of Heresies? Shoulde we suffer al to goe to the Diuel? Verily, when I reade the Olde stories, and consider the Actes of the Apostles, I finde no sutche order in those daies, that onely the Pope should Summone Councelles. And afterwarde, in the time of Coustantine the Greate, and of other Emperours, when Councelles shoulde be called, there was no greate accoumpte made of the Popes consente. 3Cardinal Cusanus saith, Negligente, aut Contradicente papa, Imperator potest praeceptiuè Synodos indicere, ad prouidendum fluctuanti Ecclesiae: If the Pope be negligente, or, if he saie naie, the Emperoure, to staie the w•ueringe state of the Churche, maie commaunde Councelles by his ovvne Authoritie. Thus ye Emperoure Sigismunde called a Councel at constance: notwithstandinge it stoode Pope Iohn mutche vpon, neuer to yáelde his consente vnto it. For in the same Councel he was depriued, and of a Pope was made a Cardinal.
- 1[…] Syluiu•. De ••on••l. Basilien. Lib. 1.〈…〉 Syluiu•. De ••on••l. Basilien. Lib. 1.
- 2The Summoning of councils.The Summoninge of councelles.
- 3Cusanus, De Concordia Cathosica, Lib. 3. Ca. 15.
