That the Bishops of Rome by accustomed practise of the Church had authority to approve or disprove Councils, I need to say nothing for proof of it, seeing that the Ecclesiastical rule (as we read in the Tripartite story) commandeth (111)1 that no Council be celebrate and kept,2 without the advise and authority of the Pope. Verily, the Councils holden at Ariminum, at Seleucia, at Syrmium, at Antiochia, and the second time at Ephesus, for that they were (112.)3 not summoned, nor approved by the authority of the Bishop of Rome, have not ben accounted for lawful Councils: but as well for that rejected, as also for their Heretical determinations. The Fathers assembled in the Council of Nice,4 sent their Epistle to Sylvester the Pope, beseeching him with his consent to ratify, and confirm, what so ever they had ordained. Isidorus witnesseth, that the Nicene Council had set forth rules, the which (saith he) the Church of Rome received, and confirmed. The second general Council holden at Constantinople, was likewise allowed and approved by Damasus, specially requested by the fathers of the same, thereto. So was the third Council holden at Ephesus ratified, and confirmed by Coelestinus, who had there, for his Vicars, or deputes, Cyrillus the famous Bishop of Alexandria, and one Arcadius a Bishop out of Italy. As for the fourth Council kept at Chalcedon, the fathers thereof also in their Epistle to Leo the Pope, subscribed with the hands of .44. Bishops, made humble request unto him, to establish, fortify, and allow, the Decrees, and ordinances of the same. This being found true, for the four first chief Councils, we need not to say any thing of the rest that followed. But for the sure proof of all this, that chiefly is to be alleged, that Constantius the Arian Emperor made so importune, and so earnest suit to Liberius the Pope, to confirm the Acts of the Council holden at Antioch by the .90. Arian Bishops, wherein Athanasius was deprived,5 and put out of his Bishopric. For he believed, as Ammianus Marcellinus writeth, that, what had ben done in that Council, should not stand, and take effect, onlesse it had ben approved, and Confirmed by the Authority of the Bishop of Rome, which he termeth the Eternal City.
That the Bishoppes of Rome by accustomed practise of the Churche had auctoritie to approue or disproue Councelles, I nede to saie nothinge for proufe of it, seeinge that the Ecclesiastical rule (as we reade in the Tripartite storie) commaundeth (111)1 that no Councel be celebrate and keapte,2 without the aduise and auctoritie of the Pope. Verily, the Councelles holden at Ariminum, at Seleucia, at Syrmium, at Antiochia, and the seconde time at Ephesus, for that they were (112.)3 not summoned, nor approued by the auctoritie of the Bishop of Rome, haue not ben accoumpted for lawful Councelles: but as wel for that reiected, as also for their Heretical determinations. The Fathers assembled in the Councel of Nice,4 sente their Epistle to Syluester the Pope, beseechinge him with his consent to ratifie, and confirme, what so euer they had ordeined. Isidorus witnesseth, that the Nicene Councel had set forth rules, the whiche (saithe he) the Curche of Rome receiued, and confirmed. The seconde general Councel holden at Constantinople, was likewise allowed and approued by Damasus, specially requested by the fathers of the same, thereto. So was the thirde Councel holden at Ephesus ratified, and confirmed by Coelestinus, who had there, for his Vicares, or deputes, Cyrillus the famouse Bishop of Alexandria, and one Arcadius a Bishop out of Italie. As for the fourthe Councel kepte at Chalcedon, the fathers thereof also in their Epistle to Leo the Pope, subscribed with the handes of .44. Bishoppes, made humble request vnto him, to establishe, fortifie, and allowe, the Decrees, and ordinances of the same. This beinge founde true, for the fower first chief Councelles, we nede not to saie any thinge of the rest that folowed. But for the suer proofe of al this, that chiefly is to be alleaged, that Constantius the Arian Emperour made so importune, and so earnest sute to Liberius the Pope, to confirme the Actes of the Councel holden at Antioche by the .90. Arian Bishoppes, wherein Athanasius was depriued,5 and put out of his Bishoprike. For he beleued, as Ammianus Marcellinus writeth, that, what had ben done in that Councel, sholde not stande, and take effecte, onlesse it had ben approued, and Confirmed by the Authoritie of the Bishop of Rome, whiche he termeth the Eternal Citie.
- 1The .111. Untruth, Standing in the wilful falsifieing of the Text.The .111. Vntrueth, Standing in the vvilful falsifieing of the Texte.
- 2Lib. 4. Ca. 19.
- 3The .112. untruth. For in those days the B. of Rome had no authority to Summon Councils.The .112. vntrueth. For in those daies the B. of Rome had no authoritie to Summon Councelles.
- 4Quas Romana suscipiens confirmavit Ecclesia. In praefatione Niceni Concilij▪Quas Romana suscipiens cōfirmauit Ecclesia. In praefatione Niceni Cōcilij▪
- 5Li. •5.
