A68595:326
A Brief and Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith
A brief and pithy sum of the Christian faith made in form of a confession, with a confutation of all such superstitious errors, as are contrary thereunto. Made by Theodore de Beza. Translated out of French by R.F.A briefe and piththie summe of the Christian faith made in forme of a confession, vvith a confutation of all such superstitious errours, as are contrary therevnto. Made by Theodore de Beza. Translated out of Frenche by R.F.
London: printed by Richard Serll, 1565
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
16. Who ought to pressed or be chief in the council.
16. Who ought to presede or be chiefe in the councell.
IF it be needful to know who ought to pressed in this assembly, for together the voices, and to govern all the whole action of the council. It is well known what order was set among the bishops, at the first council at Nice, abut it appeareth by the history that at that time there was no certainty of this preeminence to preside or be chief, but voluntarily the bishop of Alexandria did pressed among the bishops, as it appeareth by the acts of ⟨image 111⟩the first council of Nice, and of the first and second Council of Ephesus. And as concerning the Bishops of Rome, his Vicars had not out the fourth place in the Council of Nice. And where as he pressed in the Council of Chalcedon, it was of favour. As it appeareth by the request, which Leo bishop of Rome made to Martion the Emperor, and yet the successor of Leo, s••yned not for the first place, in the fifth council of Constantinople, against Menas Bishop of the said place. And also at the Provincial Council of Carthage, Aurelius presided without contradiction. There being present the Vicars of the bishop of Rome, who at the same council was condemned of falsehood, in the presence of Saint Augustine. But notwithstanding, Reason and Experience teacheth, that to give this degree to one certain place, without respect of the person, is a thing of it self most unreasonable. Although it were that the elections of the eccl[…]sticall pastors were done in ⟨p. 90⟩such order as appertained. For as it ought to be he who is most meet as far forth as man may judge, ought to be preferred before all others, as we see y in the general council of Aquileia, S. Ambrose governed without any mention making of the Bishop of Rome. Who shall assure us y the greatest towns hath always the best learned Pastors although they had respect (in choosing them) to learning and godly life? If reason do not content us, come to experience, yea, namely in a time far better without comparison then this our time. Let them read the Acts of the four first synods, and they shall find what disorders be happened of such Prelators of high pontifical s ges, let them join to it the falseho of Boniface the. xl. Bishop of Rome, discovered & revealed in the third council of Carthage, about the year of God. iiij. C xxi.