The apology of the Church of England, and an epistle to one Seignior Scipio…

34. After the same manner the Fathers in the Council of Constantinople wrote to Damasus Pope of Rome, and the rest of the Western Bishops. Ye know the ancient Sanction and Definition of the Council of Nice, was ever in force; that as to the Care of the Administration of particular Churches, the Clergy in every Province taking their Neighbours, if they thought fit, should confer Ecclesiastical Dignities upon those they believed would manage them profitably. And the African Fathers wrote thus to Pope Celestinus. Your Holiness may be pleased to reject the unjust Appeals or Recourses of our Presbyters, and the inferior Clerks of our Church, as becomes ⟨p. 192⟩you; for this was never denied to the Church of Africa by any Definition of the Fathers; and the Decrees of the Nicene Council have most plainly committed both all inferior Clerks, and also all the Bishops to their own Metropolitans: for all Affairs may be most prudently and justly ended in those places where they began, nor will the Grace and Assistance of the Holy Ghost be wanting to any Province. Let this Equity be •ver of great esteem with all Christian Priests, which hath been constantly retained.

34. After the same manner the Fathers in the Council of Constantinople wrote to Damasus Pope of Rome, and the rest of the Western Bishops. Ye know the ancient Sanction and Definition of the Council of Nice, was ever in force; that as to the Care of the Administration of particular Churches, the Clergy in every Province taking their Neighbours, if they thought fit, should confer Ecclesiastical Dignities upon those they believed would manage them profitably. And the Affrican Fathers wrote thus to Pope Celestinus. Your Holiness may be pleased to reject the unjust Appeals or Recourses of our Presbyters, and the inferior Clerks of our Church, as becomes ⟨p. 192⟩you; for this was never denied to the Church of Affrica by any Definition of the Fathers; and the Decrees of the Nicene Council have most plainly committed both all inferiour Clerks, and also all the Bishops to their own Metropolitans: for all Affairs may be most prudently and justly ended in those places where they began, nor will the Grace and Assistance of the Holy Ghost be wanting to any Province. Let this Equity be •ver of great esteem with all Christian Priests, which hath been constantly retained.