A reply unto M. Hardinges answerA replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare

Neither was the Bishop of Rome, nor his legate in his absence, evermore the President, or Chief of the Council. For it is known, that in the Council of Nice, Eustathius the Patriarch of Antioch was the president, and the Bishop of Romes Legates, Vitus, and Uincentius sate in the fourth room beneath. In the Council of Constantinople Menna was the chief: In the Council of Sardica, Osius of Corduba in Spain: In the Council of Aquileia, S. Ambrose of Milan: In the Council of Carthage, Aurelius the Bishop there. In the Council of Chalcedon, Leo the Bishop of Romes Legate had chief room, but by way of entreaty only, and by the Emperors special grant, & not of dew right, or Universal Authority.

Neither was the Bishop of Rome, nor his legate in his absence, euermore the President, or Chiefe of the Councel. For it is knowen, yt in the Councel of Nice, Eustathius ye Patriarke of Antioche was the president, and ye Bishop of Romes Legates, Uitus, and Uincentius sate in the fourth roome beneath. In the Councel of Constantinople Menna was ye chiefe: In the Councel of Sardica, Osius of Corduba in Spaine: In the Councel of Aquileia, S. Ambrose of Millane: In the Councel of Carthage, Aurelius the Bishop there. In the Councel of Chalcedon, Leo the Bishop of Romes Legate had chiefe roome, but by way of intreatie onely, and by ye Emperours special graunte, & not of dew right, or Uniuersal Authoritie.

But (saith M. Harding) the Bishop of Rome allowed General Councils. This is not denied. So did others, not only Patriarchs, or Bishops, but also Civil Princes. In the Council of Chalcedon it is written thus,¹ Divae memoriae Theodosius confirmavit omnia, quae judicata sunta Sancta, & Universali Synodo Generali Lege. Theodosius the Emperor of godly memory, hath confirmed all things by a General Law, that were determined in the Universal Council. ²So likewise the Emperor Martianus, Sacro nostrae Serenitatis edicto, venerandam Synodum confirmamus. By the holy Edict of our Majesty we confirm that reverend Council. So Eusebius witnesseth, that the Emperor Constantinus confirmed the Determinations of the Council of Nice.³ So the Bishops in the Council of Constantinople wrote unto the Emperor Theodosius by these words,⁴ Rogamus tuam clementiam, ut per literas tuae Pietatis ratū esse •ubeas, confirmefque Concilij Decretum. We desire your favour, by your Highness letters to ratify, and Confirm the Decree of the Council.

But (saith M. Hardinge) the Bishop of Rome allowed General Councels. This is not denied. So did others, not onely Patriakes, or Bishops, but also Ciuil Princes. In the Councel of Chalcedon it is written thus,¹ Diuae memoriae Theodosius confirmauit omnia, quae iudicata sunta Sancta, & Vniuersali Synodo Generali Lege. Theodosius the Emperour of godly memorie, hath confirmed al thinges by a General Law, that were determined in the Vniuersal Councel. ²So likewise ye Emperour Martianus, Sacro nostrae Serenitatis edicto, venerandam Synodum confirmamus. By the holy Edicte of our Ma•estie wee confirme that reuerende Councel. So Eusebius witnesseth, that the Emperour Constantinus confirmed the Determinations of the Councel of Nice.³ So the Bishoppes in the Councel of Constantinople wrote vnto the Emperour Theodosius by these woordes,⁴ Rogamus tuam clementiam, vt per literas tuae Pietatis ratū esse •ubeas, confirmefque Concilij Decretum. Wee desire your fauour, by your Highnesse letters to ratifie, and Confirme the Decree of the Councel.

1. 1Concil. Chalcedon. Action. 1.
2. 2Concil. Chalcedon. Acti. 3.
3. 3Eusebius in vit• Constantini.
4. 4Inter Acta Concilij Constan. 5.

Now, seeing it was lawful for Princes, and Civil governors to confirm the Decrees, & Determinations of Councils, how can we doubt, but it was lawful for Bishops also,¹ to do the same? Therefore Theodoretus saith, The Conclusions of the Council of Nice, were sent abroad to other Bishops, that were away. And Uictorinus saith, That many thousands of Bishops allowed that same Council, and agreed unto it.

Now, seinge it was lawful for Princes, and Ciuile gouernours to confirme the Decrées, & Determinations of Councels, how can wée doubt, but it was lawful for Bishoppes also,¹ to doo the same? Therefore Theodoretus saith, The Conclusions of the Councel of Nice, were sente abroade to other Bishoppes, that were away. And Uictorinus saith, That many thousandes of Bishoppes allowed that same Councel, and agreed vnto it.

1. 1Theodor. li. 1. ca. 9. & li. 2. ca. 8. Victorin. li. 2.

1. 1Leo Epist. 60.
2. 2Inter Acta Con• cil. Chalcedon.
3. 3Regula juris.Regula iuris.
4. 4Euseb. Oratio. 3. de Vita Constan.Euseb. Oratio. 3. de Vita Cōstan.
5. 5Theodoret. li. 1. ca. 7. [Greek or Hebrew].Theodoret. li. 1. ca. 7. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
6. 6Leo Epist. 61.
7. 7Leo Epist. 59.
8. 8Leo Epist. 59.

Your Highness thinketh this •uil will the rather be suppressed, if it be declared throughout all Churches, that the Decrees of the holy Council be well liked of the Apostolic See.

Your Highnes thinketh this •uil wil the rather be suppressed, if it be declared throughout al Churches, that the Decrees of the holy Councel be wel liked of the Apostolique See.

But, that the whole ratification of Councils depended, not only of the Bishop of Rome, but also of others, no less then of him, it is easy to be proved. The Bishops in the Romaine Council in the time of Damasus,¹ condemned the Council of the Arians holden at Ariminum, for that, neither the Bishop of Rome, whose mind should have been known before all others, nor Uincentius, nor any of the rest had agreed unto it. Likewise the Council of Carthage, and of Africa are allowed for good, not withstanding the Bishop of Rome would not allow them. The Council of Chalcedon decreed, that the Bishop of Constantinople should be in dignity next unto the Bishop of Rome, and should Consecrate the Metropolitans of Asia,² Pontus, and Thracia. This decree Leo the Bishop of Rome very much misliked, and would never assent unto it: yet that not withstanding, it is in force, and continueth still.³ Liberatus thereof writeth thus, Cùm Anatolius consentiente Concilio Primatum obtinuisset, Legati verò Romani Episcopi contradicerent, à ludicibus, & Episcopis omnibus, illa contradictio suscepra non est. Et licet sedes Apostolica nunc usque contradicat, tamen quod a Synodo firmatum est, Imperatorio patrocinio permanet. When Anatolius by consent of the Council had obtained the primacy, and the Bishop of Romes Legates stood against it, their gain saying of the Judges, and Bishops there was not received. And all be it the Apostolic See of Rome even hitherto stand against it, yet the Decree of the Council by the maintenance of the Emperor standeth still in force. ⁴Which thing seemeth agreeable to that S. Hierome writeth, Maior est authoritas orbis, quàm urbis. The authority of the world is greater, then the authority of one City: meaning thereby the City of Rome.

But, that the whole ratification of Councelles depended, not onely of the Bishop of Rome, but also of others, no lesse then of him, it is easie to be prooued. The Bishops in the Romaine Councel in the time of Damasus,¹ condemned the Councel of the Arians holden at Ariminum, for that, neither the Bishop of Rome, whose minde shoulde haue béene knowen before al others, nor Uincentius, nor any of the reaste had agreed vnto it. Likewise the Councel of Carthage, and of Aphrica are allowed for good, not withstandinge the Bishop of Rome woulde not allow them. The Councel of Chalcedon decreed, that the Bishop of Constantinople should be in dignitie nexte vnto the Bishop of Rome, and shoulde Consecrate the Metropolitanes of Asia,² Pontus, and Thracia. This decree Leo the Bishop of Rome very muche misliked, and would neuer assent vnto it: yet that not withstandinge, it is in force, and continueth stil.³ Liberatus thereof writeth thus, Cùm Anatolius consentiente Concilio Primatum obtinuisset, Legati verò Romani Episcopi contradicerent, à ludicibus, & Episcopis omnibus, illa contradictio suscepra non est. Et licet sedes Apostolica nunc vsque contradicat, tamen quod a Synodo firmatum est, Imperatorio patrocinio permanet. When Anatolius by consent of the Councel had obteined the primacie, and the Bishoppe of Romes Legates stoode against it, their gaine saieinge of the Iudges, and Bishoppes there was not receiued. And al be it the Apostolique See of Rome euen hitherto stande •gainst it, yet the Decree of the Councel by the maintenance of the Emperour standeth stil in force. ⁴Whiche thinge séemeth agreeable to that S. Hierome writeth, Maior est authoritas orbis, quàm vrbis. The authoritie of the worlde is greater, then the authoritie of one Citie: meaninge thereby the Citie of Rome.

1. 1Sozomen. li. 6. ca. 23.
2. 2Leo Epist. 13.
3. 3Liberatus ca. 13.
4. 4Hieronym. ad Evagrium.Hieronym. ad Euagrium.

It may appear by that, I have thus shortly touched, that the Bishop of Rome had authority neither to Summon Councils, nor to be President, or chief in Councils, nor to ratify, and Confirm the Decrees of Councils, more then any other of the four Patriarchs: and last of all, that Councils may stand in force, although the Pope mislike them, & allow them not. I think it will be hard hereof together M. Hardinges Conclusion, That the Bishop of Rome was Head of the Universal Church.

It may appeare by that, I haue thus shortly touched, that the Bishop of Rome had authoritie neither to Summone Councelles, nor to be President, or chiefe in Councelles, nor to ratifie, and Confirme the Decrées of Councelles, more then any other of the foure Patriarkes: and last of al, that Councelles may stand in force, although the Pope mislike them, & allow them not. I thinke it wil be harde hereof togeather M. Hardinges Conclusion, That the Bishop of Rome was Heade of the Vniuersal Churche.

M. Harding. The .27. Division.

M. Hardinge. The .27. Diuision.

Now, what authority the Bishops of Rome have ever had, and exercised in the assoiling of Bishops unjustly condemned, and in restoring of them again to their Churches, of which they were wrongfully thrust out by Heretics, or other disorder: it is a thing so well known of all that read the stories, in which the ancient state of the Church is described, that I need not but rehearse the names only. Athanasius of Alexandria, and Paulus of Constantinople, deprived and thrust out of their Bishoprics by the violence of the Arians assisted with the Emperor Constantius, appealed to Rome, to Julius the Pope, and Bishop there, and by his 113¹ authority were restored to their rooms again.² So Leo assoiled Flavianus the Bishop of Constantinople excommunicated by Dioscorus. So Nicolaus the first restored Ignatius to the See of Constantinople, though Michael the Emperor wrought all that he could against it. Many other Bishops have been in all ages assoiled, and restored to their Churches by the authority of the See Apostolic, who have been without desert ⟨p. 288⟩excommunicated, deprived, and put from all their dignities. But to have rehearsed these few, it may suffice.

Now, what auctoritie the Bishoppes of Rome haue euer had, and exercised in the assoilinge of Bishoppes vniustly condemned, and in restoringe of them againe to their Churches, of which they were wrongefully thrust out by Heretiques, or other disorder: it is a thinge so wel knowen of al that reade the stories, in whiche the auncient state of the Churche is described, that I neede not but rehearse the names onely. Athanasius of Alexandria, and Paulus of Constantinople, depriued and thrust out of their Bishoprikes by the violence of the Arians assisted with the Emperour Constantius, appealed to Rome, to Iulius the Pope, and Bishop there, and by his 113¹ auctoritie were restoared to their roomes againe.² So Leo assoiled Flauianus the Bishop of Constantinople excommunicated by Dioscorus. So Nicolaus the firste restoared Ignatius to the See of Constantinople, though Michael the Emperour wrought al that he coulde against it. Many other Bishoppes haue been in al ages assoiled, and restoared to their Churches by the auctoritie of the See Apostolike, who haue been without deserte ⟨p. 288⟩excommunicated, depriued, and put from al their dignities. But to haue rehearsed these fewe, it may suffice.

1. 1The .113. untruth. For the Emperor restored Athanasius, and not the Pope.The .113. vntrueth. For the Emperour restoared Athanasius, and not the Pope.
2. 2Pope Nicolas died in the year of our Lord 868.Pope Nicolas died in the yeere of our Lord 868.

The B. of Salisbury.

The B. of Sarisburie.

Athanasius, and Paulus, saith M. Harding, being deposed by the Arians, assisted with the Emperor Constantius, appealed to the Pope, and by the Popes authority were restored. Here I Appeal unto the judgement, and discretion of the Reader, that can consider the state of that time: how likely it may seem, either that Athanasius should Appeal from the Emperor to the Pope: or that the Popes commandment should be of sufficient force, & authority against the Emperor. For neither was Pope Bonifacius the. 8.¹ yet borne, y• determined, That the Emperor should be inferior to the Pope: nor Pope Innocentius the. 3. or his Gloss, that rated the matter by good Geometrical proportion, & pronounced, that the Pope is fifty and seven degrees above the Emperor, even just as much, as the Sun is above the Moon: Nor Pope Alexander the third, that set his foot in the Emperors neck.

Athanasius, and Paulus, saithe M. Hardinge, beinge deposed by the Arians, assisted with the Emperour Constantius, appealed to the Pope, and by the Popes authoritie were restoared. Here I Appeale vnto the iudgement, and discretion of the Reader, that canne consider the state of that time: how likely it may seeme, either that Athanasius shoulde Appeale from the Emperour to the Pope: or that the Popes commaundement should be of sufficient force, & authoritie against the Emperour. For neither was Pope Bonifacius the. 8.¹ yet borne, y• determined, That ye Emperour should be inferiour to ye Pope: nor Pope Innocentius ye. 3. or his Glose, that rated the mater by good Geometrical proportion, & pronounced, that the Pope is fiftie and seuen degrees aboue the Emperour, euen iuste as muche, as the Sunne is aboue the Moone: Nor Pope Alexander the thirde, that sette his foote in the Emperours necke.

1. 1Me Major. & obedient. Unam Sanctam. Extra. de Maior. & obedien. Solitae. Et in Glosa.Me Maior. & obedient. Vnam Sanctam. Extra. de Maior. & obedien. Solitae. Et in Glosa.

Verily, the Pope then by his authority was able, neither to depose, nor to restore, nor to call before him any Bishop:¹ as appeareth by that I have already alleged of Pope Innocentius, and Pope Gregory, by their own Confessions.² No, Pope Leo him self confesseth, that he was not able to remove a poor Monk Abbot Eutyches from his Abby: but was fain to desire the Empress Pulcheria to see him removed.³

Uerily, the Pope then by his authoritie was hable, neither to depose, nor to restoare, nor to cal before him any Bishop:¹ as appeareth by that I haue already alleged of Pope Innocentius, and Pope Gregorie, by their owne Confessions.² No, Pope Leo him selfe confesseth, that he was not hable to remoue a poore Monke Abbate Eutyches from his Abbie: but was faine to desire the Empresse Pulcheria to sée him remoued.³

1. 1Carrion in Frederico.Carion in Frederico.
2. 2Epist. Decretalis Innocent. 27.
3. 3Gregor. li. 4.

As touching Athanasius,¹ it was the Emperor Constantinus the great, that by his authority removed,² and banished him, as it appeareth by Socrates:³ and therefore the Emperor Justinian saith, If any Bishop offend herein, let him be deprived by force of this Law. ⁴And as he was banished by the Emperor Constantinus the Father, so by his Son Constantinus the Emperor, and not by the Pope, he was restored:⁵ which thing is testified, not only by Socrates, that wrote the story, but also by sundry Epistles, and letters, taken out of the Emperors Records concerning the same.

As touchinge Athanasius,¹ it was the Emperour Constantinus the great, that by his authoritie remoued,² and bannished him, as it appeareth by Socrates:³ and therefore the Emperour Iustinian saithe, If any Bishop offende herein, let him be depriued by force of this Lawe. ⁴And as he was bannished by the Emperour Constantinus the Father, so by his Sonne Constantinus the Emperour, and not by the Pope, he was restoared:⁵ whiche thinge is testified, not onely by Socrates, that wrote the storie, but also by sundrie Epistles, and letters, taken out of the Emperours Recordes concerninge the same.

1. 1Epist. 34.
2. 2Leo Epist. 45.
3. 3Socrat. li. 1. ca 25.
4. 4De Ecclesiast. diver. capitul.De Ecclesiast. diuer. capitul.
5. 5[Greek or Hebrew]. Socrat. li. 2. ca. 3.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Socrat. li. 2. ca. 3.

First it is known, that the Emperor Constans, that ruled the West part of the world,¹ unto whom Athanasius being deposed, fled for aid, wrote in his behalf unto his Brother Constantius, that then was the Emperor of the East, & besought him, to see Athanasius restored unto his room.² Otherwise he threatened, that he him self would come with his power to Alexandria, & restore him.³ Upon the sight of which letters, the Emperor Constantius wrote unto Athanasius, and willed him to repair with speed unto his Court, that he might be restored unto his Country: and at his coming, he directed out his letters unto the Clergy, and people of Alexandria, commanding them to receive him with favour, and to abolish all such Acts, as they had before made against him. To report the whole letters at large, it would be tedious. Among other words the Emperor Constantius writeth thus,⁴ Recipiat voluntate Dei, nostroque indicio Patriā suum, pariter & Ecclesiam. And againe, Omnes Episcopū superno judicio, nostraque sententia destinatum, libenter, & pie suscipite. Let him both by God's appointment, and by our Decree recover both his Country, and his Church &c. Further saith Cassiodorus,⁵ His literis confidens Athanasius, redijt in Orientem. Athanasius upon trust of these letters returned again into the East. Likewise the Bishops in the Council of Jerusalem wrote abroad letters of gratulation upon his return, in this form:⁶ Debetis ergo etiā &c. You ought also continually to pray for the Emperors Majesties, for that, understanding your desires, they have restored Athanasius again unto you. And Theodoretus touching the same, writeth thus, Procerū Senatorumque Coniuges &c. ⁷The Lords, and Counsellors ⟨p. 289⟩wives be sought their husbands, to entreat the Emperors Majesty, that he would restore Athanasius unto his flock: and said further, onlesse they would so do, they would forsake them, and go to him.

Firste it is knowen, that the Emperour Constans, that ruled the Weast parte of the worlde,¹ vnto whom Athanasius beinge deposed, flead for ayde, wrote in his behalfe vnto his Brother Constantius, that then was the Emperour of the East, & besought him, to sée Athanasius restoared vnto his roome.² Otherwise he threatened, that he him selfe woulde come with his power to Alexandria, & restoare him.³ Upon the sight of whiche letters, the Emperour Constantius wrote vnto Athanasius, and willed him to repaire with speede vnto his Courte, that he might be restoared vnto his Countrie: and at his comminge, he directed out his letters vnto ye Cleregie, and people of Alexandria, commaundinge them to receiue him with fauour, and to abolishe al suche Actes, as they had before made against him. To reporte the whole letters at large, it woulde be tedious. Emonge other woordes the Emperour Constantius writeth thus,⁴ Recipiat voluntate Dei, nostroque indicio Patriā suum, pariter & Ecclesiam. And againe, Omnes Episcopū superno iudicio, nostraque sententia destinatum, libenter, & pie suscipite. Let him bothe by Goddes appointement, and by our Decree recouer both his Coūtrie, and his Churche &c. Further saith Cassiodorus,⁵ His literis cōfidens Athanasius, redijt in Oriētem. Athanasius vpon trust of these letters returned againe into the East. Likewise the Bishopes in the Councel of Hierusalem wrote abroade letters of gratulation vpon his returne, in this forme:⁶ Debetis ergo etiā &c. You ought also continually to praie for the Emperours Maiesties, for that, vnderstanding your desires, they haue restoared Athanasius againe vnto you. And Theodoretus touchinge the same, writeth thus, Procerū Senatorumque Coniuges &c. ⁷The Lordes, and Counsellours ⟨p. 289⟩wiues be sought their husbandes, to intreate the Emperours Maiestie, that he woulde restoare Athanasius vnto his flocke: and saide further, onlesse they woulde so doo, they woulde forsake them, and goe to him.

1. 1Sozomen. li. 3. Ca. 20.
2. 2Theodoret. li. 2. ca. 8.
3. 3Theodoret. li. 2. ca. 11.
4. 4Cassiodor. li. 4. ca. 31.
5. 5Cassiodor. li. 4. ca. 30.
6. 6Cassiodor. li. 4. ca. 36.
7. 7Theodoret. li. 2. ca. 17.

So likewise the Bishops, that the Arians had deposed with Flavianus, were restored again by the Emperor, and not by the Pope. For Pope Leo him self thereof writeth thus unto the Empress Pulcheria:¹ Vos Sacerdotes Catholicos, qui de Ecclesijs suis iniusta fuerunt eiecti sententia, reduxistis. Your Majesties have restored home again the Catholic Bishops, which by wrongful sentence were thrust from their Churches.

So likewise the Bishoppes, that the Arians had deposed with Flauianus, were restoared againe by the Emperour, and not by the Pope. For Pope Leo him selfe thereof writeth thus vnto the Empresse Pulcheria:¹ Vos Sacerdotes Catholicos, qui de Ecclesijs suis iniusta fuerunt eiecti sententia, reduxistis. Your Maiesties haue restoared home againe the Catholike Bishoppes, whiche by wrongeful sentence were thrust from their Churches.

1. 1Leo Epist. 39.

Pope Nicolas, as upon occasion I said before, was the second Bishop in Rome after Pope Joan the Woman, which was almost. 900. years after Christ. Wherefore his authority might well have been spared. It is well known, that as the Popes power increased, so the Empire abated. Therefore was Platyna forced to say:¹ Perijt & potestas Imperatorum, & virtus Pontificum. Now the Emperors have lost their Civil power, and the Popes have lost their holiness. In old times the Emperor confirmed the Pope: Now the Pope confirmeth the Emperor. In old times the Emperor called the Pope to the Council: now contrariwise the Pope calleth the Emperor.

Pope Nicolas, as vpon occasion I saide before, was the second Bishop in Rome after Pope Iohane the Woman, whiche was almoste. 900. yéeres after Christe. Wherefore his authoritie might wel haue beene spared. It is wel knowen, that as the Popes power increased, so the Empire abated. Therefore was Platyna forced to say:¹ Perijt & potestas Imperatorum, & virtus Pontificum. Nowe the Emperours haue lost their Ciuile power, and the Popes haue lost their holines. In olde times the Emperour confirmed the Pope: Now the Pope confirmeth the Emperour. In olde times the Emperour called the Pope to the Councel: now contrarywise the Pope calleth the Emperour.

1. 1Platyna in Adriano 2.