Above all others, the Subscription, and Confirmation of the four Principal Patriarchs was specially required, for that both their charge, and also their Countenance, and Credit was greater then others. Among which four, the Bishop of Rome was ever the first, and therefore his consent seemed to bear greatest weight.1 And for that cause the Emperor Martianus required Leo the Bishop of Rome, to write unto the Council of Chalcedon, and to declare, that he gave his consent to the Rule of Faith, that was there determined.2 And in like sort the Emperor Theodosius requireth all Bishops, to Subscribe, and to give their assent to the Council of Nice. For it is a rule agreeable unto Law, and Reason, Quod omnes tangit, 3ab omnibus debet approbari. The thing that toucheth all, ought to be allowed by all. And therefore Julius being Bishop of Rome pronounced, that all the Acts of the Council of Antioch were void, and of no force, for that he, being one of the four Patriarchs, was not called thither, as well as others. For it appeareth by Eusebius,4 Theodoretus, and others, that to all General Councils, all Primates, and Metropolitans were specially summoned. And this seemeth to be that Canon,5 that Julius allegeth, that it was not lawful to make rules, and orders for the whole Church, without the consent of the Bishop of Rome, being one of the four chief Patriarchs, and having in his Province one great portion of the Church. And therefore Leo Bishop of Rome testifieth his consent to the Council of Chalcedon by these words,6 Fraternitas vestra novit, me definitionem ⟨p. 287⟩Sanctae Synodi toto corde complexum esse. Your brotherhoode knoweth, that I have embraced with my whole heart the Determination of that holy Council. And likewise unto the Emperor Martianus he writeth thus,7 Constitutionibus Synodalibus libens adieci sententiam meam. Unto these Constitutions of the Council, I have gladly given my assent. The end hereof was not to show his Sovereign Power above all others, but that the Decrees so ratified by him, & others, might be had in more estimation. So Leo him self writeth,8 Clementia vestra arbitratur, malum faciliùs delendum, si per universas Ecclesias, Definitions sanctae Synodi Apostolicae Sedi placuisse doceantur.
Aboue al others, the Subscription, and Confirmation of the foure Principal Patriarkes was specially required, for that bothe their charge, and also their Countenance, and Credite was greater then others. Emonge whiche foure, the Bishop of Rome was euer the first, and therefore his consent séemed to beare greatest weight.1 And for that cause the Emperour Martianus required Leo the Bishop of Rome, to write vnto ye Councel of Chalcedon, and to declare, that he gaue his consent to the Rule of Faith, that was there determined.2 And in like sorte the Emperour Theodosius requireth al Bishoppes, to Subscribe, and to geue their assente to the Councel of Nice. For it is a rule agréeable vnto Law, and Reason, Quod omnes tangit, 3ab omnibus debet approbari. The thinge that toucheth al, ought to be allowed by al. And therefore Iulius beinge Bishop of Rome pronounced, that al the Actes of the Councel of Antioche were voide, and of no force, for that he, being one of the foure Patriarkes, was not called thither, as wel as others. For it appeareth by Eusebius,4 Theodoretus, and others, that to al General Councels, al Primates, and Metropolitanes were specially summoned. And this séemeth to be that Canon,5 that Iulius allegeth, that it was not lawful to make rules, and orders for the whole Churche, without the consent of the Bishop of Rome, beinge one of the foure chiefe Patriarkes, and hauinge in his Prouince one greate portion of the Churche. And therefore Leo Bishop of Rome testifieth his consente to the Councel of Chalcedon by these woordes,6 Fraternitas vestra nouit, me definitionem ⟨p. 287⟩Sanctae Synodi toto corde complexum esse. Your brotherhoode knoweth, that I haue embraced with my whole harte the Determ•nation of that holy Councel. And likewise vnto the Emperour Martianus he writeth thus,7 Constitutionibus Synodalibus libens adieci sententiam meam. Vnto these Constitutions of the Councel, I haue gladly geuen my assent. The ende hereof was not to shewe his Soueraine Power aboue al others, but that the Decrees so ratified by him, & others, might be had in more estimation. So Leo him selfe writeth,
- 1Leo Epist. 60.
- 2Inter Acta Con• cil. Chalcedon.
- 3Regula juris.Regula iuris.
- 4Euseb. Oratio. 3. de Vita Constan.Euseb. Oratio. 3. de Vita Cōstan.
- 5Theodoret. li. 1. ca. 7. [Greek or Hebrew].Theodoret. li. 1. ca. 7. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- 6Leo Epist. 61.
- 7Leo Epist. 59.
- 8Leo Epist. 59.
