aNamely, did not he witness that it is by the commandment of the Emperor, that he was Bishop? Much less then did the Pope make the Emperors. In the time of Constantine, in the cause of2 a Bishop of Carthage named Caecilian, was not the Bishop of Rome with other Bishops Delegates, as Judges appointed by the Emperor? And afterward, because there was an appeal from his judgement, the Bishop of Arle was he not sent as Delegate by the Emperor, for to know the cause of the appeal? When aLeo the first would extol his preeminence, by his Ambassadors ⟨p. 166⟩in the council of Calcedon, although that which he pretended was a small thing, in respect of that which is done since: was it not put back and denied quickly by the Council? Was it not expressly forbidden in the counsel Milevitane (where as Saint Augustine4 was) that from Africa they should not appeal over the Sea? And when three Popes one after another, to wit, Zozinius, Boniface, and Celestine, alleged in the sixth council of Carthage, a false Canon of the council of Nicene, for to usurp jurisdiction over Africac, this falsehood was it not discovered and condemned by express letters? In the which it is also declared to Celestine, that he hath not to do to send, neither Legates, nor other of his part into Africa, for as much as it was not so ordained in the Church, nor in no wise to be received. Now these testimonies being most true and certain, by what title doth he call himself, successor of Saint Peter, and head of the Church, under the shadow of ordinances, which they ⟨image 180⟩alleged notoriously false, and attributed unjustly to thrice whom they list. As hath heretofore been said, and partly also made by them selves, after their own appetite, against God and all the ancient decrees, of whom they would seem to be the defenders. Or shall it be for that about the year. 607. Boniface the fourth, did bye first of this horrible monster Phocas, (murderer of Maurice the Emperor his Master) the title of universal head or Bishop, which Gregory his predecessor so earnestly did refuse, saying that it was the very manifest title of Antichrist? Or shall it be because that Zechariah and Steven the second (for the reward of their cruelties,6 and infamous treasons) received the seigniory of Italy, which they afterward did call the patrimony of saint Peter?
aNamely, did not he witnes that it is by the commaundement of the Emperour, that he was Bishoppe? Much lesse then dyd the Pope make the Emperours. In the tyme of Constantine, in the cause of2 a Byshop of Carthage named Cecilian, was not the Bishoppe of Rome with other Bishops Delegates, as Iudges appoynted by the Emperour? And afterwarde, because there was an appeale from his iudgement, the Byshop of Arle was hée not sent as Delegate by the Emperour, for to knowe the cause of the appeale? When aLeo the first would extoll his preheminence, by his Embassadours ⟨p. 166⟩in the counsell of Calcedon, although that whiche he pretended was a small thing, in respecte of that which is done since: was it not put backe and denyed quycklie by the Counsell? Was it not expressely forbydden in the counsel Mileuitane (where as Saynte Augustine4 was) that from Affrica they should not appeale ouer the Sea? And when thrée Popes one after another, to wéete, Zozinius, Boniface, and Celestine, alleadged in the sixt counsell of Carthage, a false Canon of the counsell of Nicene, for to vsurpe iurisdyction ouer Affricac, this falsehood was it not dyscouered and condempned by expresse letters? In the whiche it is also declared to Celestine, that hée hath not to doo to sende, neyther Legates, nor other of his parte into Affrica, for as muche as it was not so ordayned in the Churche, nor in no wyse to be receyued. Now these testimonies being most true and certain, by what tytle doth he call himselfe, successour of Saint Peter, and heade of the Churche, vnder the shadowe of ordynaunces, which they ⟨image 180⟩alleadged notoriously false, and attributed vniustly to thrise whom they lyst. As hath heretofore bene sayde, and partlie also made by them selues, after theyr owne appetyte, agaynst God and all the auncient decrées, of whome they woulde seeme to be the defenders. Or shall it be for that about the yeare. 607. Boniface the fowrth, dyd bye fyrst of this horrible monster Phocas, (murderer of Maurice the Emperour his Maister) the tytle of vniuersal head or Bishop, which Gregorie his predecessour so earnestlye dyd refuse, saying that it was the verye manifest tytle of Antichriste? Or shall it bee because that Zacharie and Steuen the seconde (for the rewarde of theyr cruelties,
- aEpistle. 5. of the first book.Epistle. 5. of the fyrst booke.
- 2Augustine expoundeth at large against the Donatists.
- aLook the. 6 lesson of the counsell of Calcedon.Looke the. 6 lesson of the counsell of Calcedon.
- 4b Canon. 22. of the counsell Milevitane, more there. 1100.b Canon. 22. of the counsell Mileuitane, more there. 1100.
- cThe epist. is in the end of the counsell of Africa.The epist. is in the end of the counsell of Affrica.
- 6This was done about the year. 752.This was done about the yeare. 752.
