The Emperors Honorius,1 and Theodosius appointed over all matters of doubt arising within the Country of Illyricum, to be heard, and ended before the Bishop of Constantinople, and not before the Bishop of Rome. And the very Close upon the Decrees, expounding that same Law of Honorius, & Theodosius, hath these words,2 Imperator dicit, quòd Patriarcha Constantinopolitanus habet idem in suis subditis, quod Papa habet in suis. The Emperor saith, the Patriarch of Constantinople hath the same authority over the people of his Province, that the Pope hath over his. The Emperors words be these,3 Constantinopolitana Ecclesia Romae veteris praerogativa laetatur: The Church of Constantinople enjoyeth now the Prerogative of old Rome. And therefore, for more proof hereof, whensoever any Patriarch, in any of these four principal Sees,4 was newly chosen, he wrote letters of Conference, and Friendship unto the other Patriarchs: wherein every of them declared unto other their Religion,5 & consent of Faith. Thus did the Bishop of Rome unto others: and thus did others unto him. This is an unfallible token, that their authority was equal, and none of them had power, and government over his fellows. And therefore, when Eulogius the Bishop of Alexandria had written thus unto Gregory, being then Bishop of Rome, Sicut jussistis, as ye commanded, Gregory utterly shunned, and refused that kind of writing:6 for thus he answereth him. Hoc verbum Jussionis, quaeso, à meo auditu removete. Scio enim quis sim, & qui sitis. Loco mihi Fratres estis: Moribus patres. Non ergo Jussi, sed quae utilia visa sunt, indicare curavi. I pray you, have away this word of Commanding from my hearing. For I know, both, what I am, and also, what you are. Touching your place, you are my Brethren: touching manners, you are my Fathers. Therefore I Commanded you not: but only showed you what I thought good.
The Emperours Honorius,1 and Theodosius appointed ouer al maters of doubte arisinge within the Countrie of Illyricum, to be hearde, and ended before the Bishop of Constantinople, and not before the Bishop of Rome. And the very Close vpon the Decrées, expoundinge that same Lawe of Honorius, & Theodosius, hath these woordes,2 Imperator dicit, quòd Patriarcha Constantinopolitanus habet idem in suis subditis, quod Papa habet in suis. The Emperour saith, the Patriarke of Constantinople hath the same authoritie ouer the people of his Prouince, that the Pope hath ouer his. The Emperours woordes be these,3 Constantinopolitana Ecclesia Romae veteris praerogatiua laetatur: The Churche of Constantinople enioyeth nowe the Prerogatiue of olde Rome. And therefore, for more proufe hereof, whensoeuer any Patriarke, in any of these foure principal Sees,4 was newely chosen, he wrote letters of Conference, and Freendship vnto the other Patriarkes: wherein euery of them declared vnto other their Religion,5 & consent of Faith. Thus did the Bishop of Rome vnto others: and thus did others vnto him. This is an vnfallible tokē, yt their authoritie was equal, and none of them had power, and gouernement ouer his fellowes. And therefore, when Eulogius ye Bishop of Alexandria had written thus vnto Gregorie, beinge then Bishop of Rome, Sicut iussistis, as ye commaunded, Gregorie vtterly shunned, and refused that kinde of writinge:6 for thus he answereth him. Hoc verbum Iussionis, quaeso, à meo auditu remouete. Scio enim quis sim, & qui sitis. Loco mihi Fratres estis: Moribus patres. Non ergo Iussi, sed quae vtilia visa sunt, indicare curaui. I pray you, haue awaye this woorde of Commaundinge from my hearinge. For I know, bothe, what I am, and also, what you are. Touchinge your place, you are my Bretherne: touchinge manners, you are my Fathers. Therefore I Commaunded you not: but onely shewed you what I thought good.
- 1Cod. De Sacrosanctis Eccle. lege 6.
- 2Dist. 22. Renovantes. In GlosaDist. 22. Renouantes. In Glosa
- 3Cod. De Sacro. Eccle. lege. 6.
- 4Literae Synodicae.
- 5Greg. li. 1. epis. 24. 25. & li. 6. Epistol. 5.
- 6Gregor. li. 7. Epist. 30.
