Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

CHAP. III.

The Council of Nice, and some following it.

§. 1. XXX. WE come now to the first General Council: General only as to the Roman World or Empire, as the History and Subscriptions prove, and not as to the Whole World, as the Papists with notorious impudence affirm: which I have elsewhere fully proved. This Council was called, as is probably gathered, Anno 325▪ in the 20th year of Constantine (though others assign other years.) That they were congregate about the Arian Heresy and the Eastern Controversy is commonly known: As also what wisdom and diligence Constantine used to keep the Bishops in peace: Who presently brought in their Libels of accusations against each other; which he took and burnt without reading them, earnestly exhorting them to peace, and by his presence and prudent speech repressing their heats and contentions; whereby the Synod was brought to a happy end as to both the controverted Causes: And Eusebius Nicomed▪ and Arius were brought to counterfeit repentance and consent to the Nicene Faith; which Constantine perceiving, being set upon the healing of the divided Bishops and Churches, he commanded that Arius should (as reformed) be received to Communion; which Athanasius refusing caused much calamity afterward.

§. 1. XXX. WE come now to the first General Council: General only as to the Roman World or Empire, as the History and Subscriptions prove, and not as to the Whole World, as the Papists with notorious impudence affirm: which I have elsewhere fully proved. This Council was called, as is probably gathered, Anno 325▪ in the 20th year of Constantine (though others assign other years.) That they were congregate about the Arian Heresie and the Eastern Controversie is commonly known: As also what wisdom and diligence Constantine used to keep the Bishops in peace: Who presently brought in their Libels of accusations against each other; which he took and burnt without reading them, earnestly exhorting them to peace, and by his presence and prudent speech repressing their heats and contentions; whereby the Synod was brought to a happy end as to both the controverted Causes: And Eusebius Nicomed and Arius were brought to counterfeit repentance and consent to the Nicene Faith; which Constantine perceiving, being set upon the healing of the divided Bishops and Churches, he commanded that Arius should (as reformed) be received to Communion; which Athanasius refusing caused much calamity afterward.