Touching the Reconciliation of Alexander the Bishop of Antioch, M. Harding for the better furniture of the tale, hath woven in, and interlaced many words of his own. For in all that is written thereof by Innocentius, there is no manner mention, neither of Solemn Instrument of Repentance: nor of accepting of Penance: nor of Subjection, or humble Submission. In deed this Alexander at his first entry into the Bishopric of Antioch, finding his Church full of Division, by mean of one Eustathius, by his wisdom, and Godly exhortations, brought the whole people there unto unity:1 and afterward wrought the like Godly policy in other Churches,2 and ceased all the strife that had long continued for the condemnation of Chrysostom: and caused his name, that his enemies had razed out, to be enrolled again among other Catholic Bishops: and likewise wrote unto the Emperor Theodosius the younger, and to the Bishops of other Countries, to do the like. In the end, having appeased all contentions, in token, not of subjection, as M. Harding surmiseth, but of full consent, and agreement, he desired that his Church might be joined in Communion, and fellowship with the Church of Rome, and other Churches of the West, from whence before by reason of their Dissentions, they had been divided. Which thing also appeareth by the words of Innocentius him self unto Alexander touching the same. Gratias agens Domino Communionem Ecclesiae vestrae ita recepi, 3ut prae me feram, Apostolicae Sedis Condiscipulos primos dedisse caeteris viam pacis: I gevin•e God thanks, so received the Communion, and fellowship of your Church, that I profess, that you being our Schoolfellows of the Apostolic See, have first opened unto others the way of piece. Here Innocentius calleth Alexander his Schoolfellow, not his Subject, or Underling. And therefore he calleth him his Schoolfellow of the Apostolic See, for that S. Peter sate first at Antioch, and after that in Rome, and for that cause, both these Sees of Peter the Apostle, were called Apostolic.
Touchinge the Reconciliation of Alexander the Bishop of Antioche, M. Hardinge for the better furniture of the tale, hathe wouen in, and interlaced many woordes of his owne. For in al that is written thereof by Innocentius, there is no manner mention, neither of Solemne Instrument of Repentance: nor of acceptinge of Penance: nor of Subiection, or humble Submission. In déede this Alerander at his firste entrie into the Bishoprike of Antioche, findinge his Churche ful of Diuision, by meane of one Eustathius, by his wisedome, and Godly exhortations, brought the whole people there vnto vnitie:1 and afterwarde wrought the like Godly policie in other Churches,2 and ceased al the strife that had longe continued for the condemnation of Chrysostome: and caused his name, that his enimies had rased out, to be inrolled againe amonge other Catholique Bishops: and likewise wrote vnto the Emperour Theodosius the yonger, and to the Bishoppes of other Countries, to doo the like. In the ende, hauinge appeased al contentions, in token, not of subiection, as M. Hardinge surmiseth, but of ful consent, and agréement, he desired that his Churche might be ioyned in Communion, and felowship with the Churche of Rome, and other Churches of the Weast, from whence before by reason of their Dissentions, they had béene diuided. Whiche thinge also appéereth by the woordes of Innocentius him selfe vnto Alexander touchinge the same. Gratias agens Domino Communionem Ecclesiae vestrae ita recepi, 3vt prae me feram, Apostolicae Sedis Condiscipulos primos dedisse caeteris viam pacis: I geuin•e God thankes, so receiued the Communion, and felowship of your Churche, that I professe, that you beynge our Schoolefelowes of the Apostolique See, haue firste opened vnto others the way of peece. Here Innocentius calleth Alexander his Schoolefelowe, not his Subiecte, or Underlinge. And therefore he calleth him his Schoolefelowe of the Apostolique See, for that S. Peter sate first at Antioche, and after that in Rome, and for that cause, bothe these Sees of Peter the Apostle, were called Apostolique.
- 1Theodoret. li. 5. Ca. 25.
- 2Nicephor. li. 14. ca. 26.
- 3Innocentij Epist. 17. ad Alexandrum.
