An Exact CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY AND FULL DISPLAY OF POPES Intollerable Usurpations Upon the antient just Rights Liberties of the Kings Kingdoms Clergy Nobility Commons of ENGLAND and IRELAND THE design of this Chronological History and Display being principally to remonstrate to the world by irrefragable Testimonies and Records the manifold unsufferable Vsurpations of the Bishops and See of Rome from time to time upon the antient indubitable just Rights and Liberties of the Kings Churches Nobles Commons of England and Ireland whiles they continued under their Foreign Jurisdiction More especially by Excomâ—unications Interdicts absolving Subjects from their Oathes of Allegiaâ—ce raising Rebellions dethroning our Kings enforcing them to resign their Crowns to become their sworn Vassals Tributaries exempting Bishops Clerks from their Homage Judicatures collating Bishopricks Monasteries Ecclesiastical Dignities Benefices by Provisions to Aliens or others translating swearing Bishops Abbots to them and their Papal See vacating due Elections at their pleasures Appeals to Rome Dispensations Tenths Procurations First-Fruits Bribes Symony Crossadoes varieties of Extortions Oppressions by their Legates and other Instruments To discover their originals progresse growth revivals suppressions with the manifold memorable Complains Letters Oppositions Writs Prohibitions Declarations against them both in and out of Parliament and the frequent Treacheries Usurpations of our Popish Prelates Spiritual Courts Officers upon our Kings just Rights Prerogatives Regalities Courts Subjects Liberties to the extraordinary dâ—â—ger mischief of the Crown Realm Church Christian Religion and peoples grievance And what Soveraign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction our Kings as Gods Vicars have exercised from King Lucius his Conversion Anno 183. till the total extirpation of the Popes usurped Authority by King Henry the 8. and Edward the 6. by Histories and memorable Records in the Tower and Rolls for the most part unknown to our greatest Clerks Antiquaries worthy publick view yea adding much light to our Ecclesiastical and Political Histories very defective in these Transactions of grand Importance I apprehended it absolutely necessary by way of Introduction like a Wise Builder to lay a deep sure Foundation whereon to bottom this Weighty Structure that so if any Floods shall hereafter come or Windes blow and beat upon it from Rome or other Quarters they may not be able to shake or overturn it because it is founded upon a Rock To this end I shall by Gods assistance in one intire Book Chronologically and Historically remonstrate and where necessity requires Polemically examine discusse the Original of Soveraign Jurisdiction in what Persons God himself hath setled the Primitive Right and Exercise thereof as well over the Churches Militant as Civil State from Adams Creation till Christs Ascension and from thence till this present age And irrefragably demonstrate by Scripture Heathen Philosophers Fathers Councils Ecclesiastical Histories Imperial Laws Edicts Popes own Epistles Decretals Bulls Archbishops Bishops Popish Divines School-men Canonists Protestant Writers Testimonies and Presidents in all ages That the Supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in governing protecting reforming the Church and people of God maintaining propagating the Orthodox Christian Faith the true publike worship of God suppressing all Heresies Errors Blasphemies Idolatries Schisms sinnes against both Tables in all Persons as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal taking care of the souls and salvation of men is originally vested by God himself in Kings Emperors or Soveraign Princes as Gods Vicegerents and Christs Vicars upon Earth as the principal part of their Royal Authority Office Trust not in High-Priests Priests Apostles Popes Patriarchs Archbishops Bishops or any other Ecclesiastical persons whatsoever who are all Subjects to and subordinate Ministers under them in the Churches Militant within their respective Empires Kingdoms Dominions as all inferiour Civil Magistrates Officers of Justice are in their Civil States Kingdoms Courts And that the received Distinction of two supreme Jurisdictions Powers specifically different from and independent on each other in their very essence nature by Divine Institution and at least ever since our Saviours Ascension immediately vested in two distinct callings professions of men to wit the Soveraign Civil Jurisdiction in and over all secular persons affairs in Emperors Kings and Temporal Powers alone the Supreme Ecclesiastical or Spiritual Jurisdiction in and over all Churches Militant Bishops Priests Church-Members Divine and Ecclesiastical affaires only in Popes or Patriarchs not Emperors Kings Secular Princes States is but a meer Popish Imposture Forgery Fancy Stratagem to cheat rob deprive all Christian Emperors Kings Princes of the richest Pearl Jewel chiefest Branch and Flower of their Diadems to exempt the Clergy from their Jurisdictions under this pretext and to subject both their Persons Crowns Kingdoms Subjects to the Antichristian Usurpations Tyrannies Exorbitances Oppressions of Ambitious Popes Prelates Priests as Ecclesiastical Histories evidence ever since this Heresie of two distinct Soveraign Authorities delegated by Divine Institution to two several Functions was first broached in the Christian Church being the same in substance with that of Duo Principia condemned by Popes themselves and the greatest Champions of their Universal Soveraign Monarchy as a most dangerous Heresie invented first by Marcion Manes Hermogenes and other Hereticks against whom Tertullian thus long since argued Quid erit unicum singulare nisi cui nihil adaequabitur Quid principale nisi quod super omnia nisi quod ante omnia in quo omnia Haec Deus solus habendo est solus habendo Deus est Si alius habuerit tot jam erunt Dii quot habuerint quae Dei sunt Quod summum sit Deus est summum autem non erit nisi quod unicum fuerit Unicum autem esse non poterit cui aliquid adaequabitur Veritas autem sic unum Deum exigit defendendo ut solius sit quicquid ipsius est Ita enim ipsius erit si fuerit solius Et ex hoc alius Deus non possit admitti dum nemini licet habere de Deo aliquid Ergo inquis nec nos habemus Dei aliquid Imo habemus habebimus sed ab ipso non à nobis Nam Dii erimus si meruerimus illi esse de quibus praedicavit Ego dixi vos Dii estis stetit Deus in Ecclesia Deorum sed ex gratia ipsius non ex nostra proprietate quia ipse est solus qui Deos faciat I may most aptly apply it to Emperors Kings who are Earthly Gods made such by God in their own Kingdoms as his Vice-roys The Soveraign Power Jurisdiction over all persons Churches causes as well Civil as Ecclesiastical within their respective Realms must be but one inâ—ire indivisible Soveraign Authority incommunicable unto any other subject or person whatsoever but by subordinate derivation and delegation by from or under them else they should presently cease to be Earthly Gods had Popes or Bishops a distinct Supreme Ecclesiastical Power within their Realms coequal with underived from or independent on them Whence St.
propugnacula And Jacobus Crucius Rector of the Jesuites Novices at Landsperg An. 1584 writes Miles esse debet nostrae Societatis pater as Ignatius a fiery Souldier was quia ut Militis est totis viribus in hostem irruere nec desistere donec victor evadat ita nostrum est in omnes irruere qui Pontifici Romano resistunt illosque consiliis dictis et scriptis vocato etiam seculari brachio hoc est ferro igne tollere et abolere sicut Pontifex et nostra vota contra Lutheranos suscepta volunt et mandant Nay Edmond Compian the English Jesuit in his Dissertatio Ecclesiae Catholicae or Letter to Qu. Elizabeths Council printed Treveris Anno 1583. p. 22. proclaims to all the world Quod ad Societatem nostram attinet velim sciatis omnes nos qui per totum orbem longè lateque diffusi sumus quorum est continua succesâ—io magnus numerus sanctum faedus iniisse nec quamdiu vel unus nostrum supererit studium consilia nostra de salute vestra that is as his own Treasons against Queen Elizabeths person shew to destroy her and her Kingdoms together and as Ludovicus Lucius and Hospinian truly interpret it id est Religionis Reginae et Regni vestri eversione aut sub Papae iugum reductione intermissuros Iampridem inita ratio est et inchoatum certamen nulla vis nullus Anglorum impetus superabit And this whole Society as Watson a secular Priest in his Quodlibets informs us have long since boasted That they were the men miraculously constituted by God who should turn all things in England upside down and make such an universal dismal change in Church Lawes Parliaments in such sort as from the beginning of the world the like was never heard of before and turn our Kingdom into a Japonian or Helvetian Commonwealth which they lately effected Therefore it cannot consist with the safety of our King kingdoms Church State Religion to tolerate any of this spreading Desperate order of Jesuites amongst us banished out of most forraign Popish as well as Protestant Kingdoms States for their manifold Treasons seditions against their Kings Magistrates Government and who made very many attempts to destroy the sacred persons of Queen Elizabeth King James were the principal contrivers of the late horrid Gunpowder Treason to blow up our King Queen Prince all the Royall Issue Lords Commons Church Kingdom Religion Parliaments at once had a principal hand in the unparallel'd murder proceedings against our late King Charles of glorious memory and had no small influence in the late metamorphosis of our Hereditary Kingdomes into the confused Chaos of a new Free Commonwealth Having as the General of the English Jesuites confessed to a Noble English Lord in their Colledge at Rome Anno 1653. in England above 1500 of their Society able to work in several trades which the Buâ—l of Pope Gregory the 13th inables them to exercise as well as to preach without Orders They having a Consistory and Council that ruled all the affairs of the Kings in England into which they never came over in those swarms as they did during our late confusions as Cromwell himself relates in his printed Speech Sept. 4. 1654. p. 16 17. and being the Heads and Lay-preachers to most of our New sects as well as Soldiers in our late Armies and Garisons Their 5th Title whereunto all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and that by divine right is now pretended to be annexed as inseparable incommunicable to Kings Temporal Magistrates or to ordinary Priests Presbyters Ministers is that of Bishop or Overseer and their office a Bishoprick or good work Acts 20. 28. Phil 1. 8. 1 Tim. 3. 1. Tit 1. 7. To which I answer first That if the Supream Titles offices of Apostles Disciples Evangelists have no such Jurisdiction included in or conferred by them as is pretended then this of Bishop or Overseer inferior to them can have none at least none greater or so great as they 2ly It is only a Title of Ministry not of Dignity of Labour not Honor of Operation not Denomination of Watching not Lording or loytering as Fathers and Councils in all ages have defined I shall present you with a short view of their resolves herein to abate that Timpany of Ambition pride superciliosnesse luxury which Popes others challenge only from this Title of Bishop Origen within 220. years after Christ resolved Qui Principatum desiderat Ecclesiae debet fieri omnium servus in humilitate servili ut obsequatur omnibus in his quae perrinent ad salutem haec docet nos sermo divinus Ecclesiarum Principes Principum mundalium imitatores esse non debent sed imitari debent Christum accessibilem mulieribus loquuentem pueris manus imponentem discipulis suis pedes lavantem atque tergentem exemplum eis dantem ut ipsi similiter faciant suis fratribus Neque enim ad Principatum Ecclesiae venit qui salvari vult etsi praeest sed ad servitutem Ecclesiae Et si oportet discere de Evangelio Principes quidem Gentium dominantur eis qui potestatem habent in illis Magistratus vocantur vos autem non sic Qui vocatur ergo ad Episcopatum non ad Principatum vocatur sed ad servitutem totitius Ecclesiae Si vis credere de Scripturis quia in Ecclesia servus sit omnium qui praeset Propter quod ait Apostolus Ita nos existimet homo ut ministros Christi dispensatores mysteriâ—ram Dei. Peccat autem in Deum quicunque Episcopus qui non quasi conservis servus ministrat sed quasi Dominus Frequenter autem et quasi amarus Dominus dominans per vim similis constitutus Egyptiis qui affligebant vitam filiorum Israel vi c. St. Ambrose resolves Nisi bonum opus amplecturis Episcopus esse non potes a Bishoprick being not a Dignity or Dominion but a good work c. St. Chrysostom Hom. 11. in Ephesios Non dominamur ait fidei vestrae thus resolves O Dâ—lecti nec Domini more haec imperamus Doctrinae verbi praefecti sumus non est nobis mandatus Magistratus nec data Auctoritas Consiliariorum admonentium locum tenemus Opus Imperfectum in Matth. Hom. 35. Principes Gentium dominantur eis c. Christus fructum humilitatis terrestris posuit primatum caelestem et primatus terrestris fructum posuit confusionem caelestem Quicunque ergo desiderat primatum caelestem sequatur humilitatem terrestrem quicumque autem desiderat Primatum in terra inveniet confusionem in coelo ut jam inter servos Christi non sit de Primatu certamen nec festinet unusquisque eorum quomodo aliis major appareat sed quomodo omnibus inferior videatur Conversatio igitur melior est desideranda non dignior gradus Principes autem Ecclesiae fiunt ut serviant minoribus suis et ministrent iis
Antichristian Pride actions and Kings villain service It is St. Bernards instruction to Pope Eugenius Bonus fundus humilitas in quâ—â—mne aedificium spirituale constructum crescit in Templum sanctum in Domino Nulla splendidior gemma in omni praecipue conatu Summi Pontificis Quo enim celsior caeteris eo humilitate apparet illustrior in seipso And it is the determination of Thomas Waldensis a great Patron of the Popes Supremacy Petrus sicut in Apostolatu primus erat sic etiam in humilitate I wish Popes who pretend themselves to be St. Peters successors disclaiming all their premised Luciferian Ceremonies Services Exorbitances with all other Bishops and Clergy-men may from henceforth demonstrate themselves to be Christs real Disciples Apostles successors exceeding all others in humility by preaching diligence in the Ministry not in the usurpation of such Ecclesiastical Authority for which they have neither precept nor president in the Gospel as the premises demonstrate I shall cloze up this Chapter with St. Bernards words to Eugenius which I cordially desire all ambitious Popes and Prelates seriously to consider En quis es sed noli oblivisci etiam quid Quid desinas intueri quod non desiisti esse Hoc ergo consulo consideres maxime quod maximus es hominem videlicet quod natus es Tolle ergo nunc haereditaria haec perizomata ab initio maledicta Dirumpe velamen foliorum celantium ignominiam nec plagam curantium Dele fucum fugacis honoris hujus malae coloratae nitorem gloriae et unde es nude nudum consideres quia nudus egressus es de utero matris tuae Nunquid infulatus nunquid micans gemmis aut floridus sericis aut coronatus pennis aut suffarcinatus metallis Si cuncta haec veluti nubes quasdam matutinales velociter transeuntes cito pertransituras dissipes exsuffles a facie considerationis tuae occuret tibi homo nudus pauper miserabilis Homo dolens quod homo sit erubescens quod nudus sit plorans quod natus sit murmurans quod sit Homo natus ad laborem non ad honorem Homo natus de muliere ab hoc cum reatu brevi vivens tempore ideoque cum metu repletus multis miseriis ideoque cum fletu vere multis quâ—â— corporis animae simul Proinde si consideras quantus es cogita etiam qualis maxime Haec te sane consideratio tenet in te nec te avolare sinit nec ambulare in magnis neque in mirabilibus super te In te consistito non infra dejici non attolli supra non evadere in longius non extendi in latius Tene medium si non vis perdere modum Locus medius tutus est Medium sedes modi modus virtus Omnem extra modum habitationem sapiens exilium putat BOOK I. CHAP. V. That Gods principal end and intention in ordaining Kings and Supream Civil Magistrates in the world was not the bare external administration of Justice between man and man the protection of their Subjects from violence oppression the preservation of them in wordly peace plenty prosperity the punishment of Malefactors rewarding of well-doers encouragement of Arts Virtue Trade industry or fighting their battels in times of War against Invading Enemies though considerable parts of their Regal Office and Soveraign Authority But the advancement of Gods Honor Worship Service Glory and spiritual Kingdom whose Vice-royes they are the suppression of all Idolatry blasphemy sinne wickedness the promotion of the eternal salvation felicity of their people and to be Kings for the Lord their God by advancing his interest all they can Vpon which ground in order to effect these ends God himself as well under the Gospel as Law hath delegated the Supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction only to Kings and other Soveraign Temporal Potentates not to Popes Bishops Priests who are subordinate to them as their Subjects not Copartners with them in their soveraign Ecclesiastical Authority in point of Interest nor yet in its actual execution no further then they are pleased by their Laws and Commissions to delegate it to them as their Substitutes With a specification of the chief particulars wherein this Supream Ecclesiastical Power of Christian Kings and Emperors consists THE Grand Engin by which Popes and Popish Prelats have robbed Christian Emperors Kings Princes Magistrates of their Supream Ecclesiastical Authority and monopolized it to themselves alone is this grosse Paradox and Imposture That God and Jesus Christ under the Gospel have committed to their trust care only the Administration Government of the Commonwealth and Secular not of the Church and Religious affairs of the bodies temporal estates of their Subjects not of their Souls for which they are not to give any account at all to God That the Government care reformation of the Church Religion divine Worship and their Subjects souls are by Christs institution wholly and solely delegated to Popes Bishops Priests and other Ecclesiastical persons not to Emperors Kings or Supream Civil Magistrates Upon which notorious Forgery and Mistake they have First usurped engrossed to themselves alone the Title of The Church when as the definition of a Church whether Militant Triumphant National or Provincial accords not with them but their flocks people rather and is no where given to them in Scripture and the stile of Churchmen Ecclesiastical sacred persons Clergy-men which Titles they deny to all others not in sacred Orders stiling them The world secular persons the Laity popularity prophane vulgar unconsecrated persons as if they were no members of the Church when as the Scripture stiles them the Church Members of Christs body the Church and so Church-men Ecclesiastical persons as well as Bishops Priests Saints sanctifyed holy consecrated persons yea an holy Priesthood being made such by their very calling the Sacrament of Baptism and the Lords Supper their internal sanctification by Gods holy Spirit and washing away of their sins by the bloud of Christ far nobler consecrations then their bare Clerical Orders which no Protestants esteem a Sacrament and St. Peter himself defines them to be Gods Clergy Heritage as well as much as any Popes Prelates Priests how great soever 2ly They have forged two distinct incompatible Swords Jurisdictions The one Ecclesiastical peculiar to Popes Bishops Priests and those they stile Ecclesiastical persons not belonging to Emperors Kings or secular Princes The other Temporal exercised about secular things and affairs belonging only or principally to Emperors Kings and Secular powers yet subordinate to the command of Ecclesiastical persons when they shall require or desire its protection or assistance to enforce their Ecclesiastical censures 3dly That every Pope Bishop Priest as he is an ecclesiastical person is as far above all Emperors Kings Secular persons of what quality or dignity soever as the soul is above the body heaven
above the earth gold above drosse the Sun above the Moon and God himself above man 4ly That the Ecclesiastical Sword Iurisdiction Lawes and Constitutions are paramount and may controll the Temporal not the Temporal command or restrain the Ecclesiastical 5ly That Popes Prelates Priests may interdict excommunicate judge censure depose dethrone Emperors Kings Princes and all Secular powers persons but they have no power nor commission to judge censure deprive them for any Temporal or Ecclesiastical crimes 6ly That not Emperors Kings but Popes Prelates Priests and other Ecclesiastical persons have the sole power of summoning Councils Synods and voteing in them as Members framing promulging Ecclesiastical Lawes Canons Injunctions punishing Ecclesiastical persons and offences so stiled reforming abuses corruptions in matters of Religion Worship Doctrine Discipline Church men and Church-Government 7ly That Emperors Kings are made only by men but Popes Bishops Priests immediately and directly by God himself and Quantum Deus praestat Sacerdoti tantum Sacerdos praestat Regi 8ly That Papa est summa virtus creata That Papam nullus mortalium iudicare potest Quod Synodus etiam universalis in eum praesertim corrigibilem jurisdictionem non habet nec in eum sententiam depositionis profert etiam in haeresi sed dicit Ore tuo judica causam tuam Quod nullum crimen privat Papam ipso jure Papatu 9ly Quod qui Romanae Ecclesiae vel Papae Jurisdictionem vel Primatum subtrahit vel denegat haereticus est censendus Rebellis 10ly Quod Politia Christiana est una et ejus est unus Princeps regens eam et quod iste primus et supremus Princeps est Summus Pontifex qui est Monarcha Ecclesiasticus The clearing of this Proposition will give a fatal and final overthrow to all these Papal Pontifical Sacerdotal Paradoxes and Pretences In Order thereunto I shall desire you to take special notice of what Alvarus Pelagius confesseth asserteth Quod Politia unius Civitatis est Politia unius Principatus nec possunt esse plures Principes Regentes in una Civitate Quod omnes illi qui eodem signo charactere consignantur eisdem legibus eiusdem Legislatoris subjiciuntur ad eundem Principem pertinent Quod omnes Christianae Religionis sunt eiusde Principatus c. Quod Principatus civilis non distinguitur a Principatu Ecclesiastico sicut una species ab alia sed sicut partes integrales unius Principatus c. Nec potest dici quod Christiani sunt unius principatus quantum ad spiritualia alterius quantum ad corporalia temporalia quia nullus Princeps vel Subditus Christianus potest aliquid licâ—â—è possidere vel acquirere nisi in eo qui militat sub Principatu Christiano Ex quo liquido patet quod civilitas Christiana et politia et quantum ad spiritualia et quantum ad temporalia ad eundem Principatum pertinet Et hoc clamat tota sacra scriptura quod sumus omnes Christi fideles una communitas et unus populus nos et nostri profecto qui nos sectantur una enim fides unus Principatus et una Ecclesia collectio fidelium Eph. 4. Viâ—o autem quod politia Ecclesiastica sit 〈◊〉 una tunc facile est videre quod unus est Princeps regens et dirigens eam quia pluralitas Principatuum non est bona ut dicitur 13 Metaphysic In una ergo politia unus Princeps ut preca in apibus quia diversitas Principatuum divisio regni et politiae est â—t materia guerrae et divisionis Mat. 12. Lu. 11. Omne regnum c. Caus 25. qu. 2. Si ea Nec poteit dici quid sit unus Princeps in ratione 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in ratione agenus et moventis quia â—icut declaratur 2 Metaphys in quoâ—â—â—â— genere causae oporter unum primum dare ad quod omnia posteriora reducantuâ— Et ita oportet in Principatu Christiano esse unum priorem Principâ—m regentem et moventem sive gubernantem totam politiam Praeterea pouere plures Principes non subalternos regentes et moventes eosdem subditos unum videlicet ratione spiritualium et alium ratione temporalium est facere ordinem illius politiae incounerum et non stabilem quia interdum contingit Principem corporatium praecipere pugnare Principem spiritualium prohibere illum pugnam ut tota die contingit inter Christianos Ista ratio opâ—me probatur 19. Dist ita Dominus Contingit etiam illos duos Dominos et Principes eodem tempore pracipere diversa ut unus praecipâ—et 〈◊〉 ad agrum alius ad ecclesiam quae in eodem tempore non possant fieri quia nemo potest duobus dominis servire Mat. 6. Luc. 16. â—â—ubaudi contrariis Quare sequitur ordinem talis politiae esse inconnerum et non stabilem quod est inconveniens Hoc etiam potest manifestari eâ— unitate finis Omnes enim de civilitate Christiana ad eundem finem et sub eadem ratione ordinantur scilicet ad gratiam charitatem unitatem quae sunt vincula perfectionis in via Col. 3. Eph. 4. Et ad finalem beaticudinem in patria ubi est illa unitas de qua Psal 121. de que Augustinus non erit ibi aliqua invidia disparis claritatis ubi in omnibus regnat unitas charitatis â—e qua Gregorius Tanta vis charitatis omnes sibi ibi assâ—ciâ—â— ut bonum quod quisq â—e in se non accepit in alio se gaudeat accepisse Sed cuilibet uni sini correspondet unum ageâ—â— dirigens in finem illum plura enim agentia distincta specie et natura non habentia ordinem ad manum non possunt dirigere ad unum finem sub una ratione Ergo in civitate Christiana debet esse unâ—â— primus Princeps dirigens emnes ejusdem politiae ad finem proprium ejus Et sicut unus homo secundum Augustinum primo creatus est ut in eo et ex eo constitueretur una creatura ut Caus 33. qu. 5. Ita unus rector principalis totius illius naturae qui cam deducat ad unum Deum qui creavit eum Gen. 1. Thus far his reasons are solid evidencing the Supream Government of Christ over the whole Church whereof he not the Pope is the head to be incommunicable the government of every particular visible Church on earth in each kingdom to be vested only in one King Soveraign Prince not in the Pope Prelats Clergy â—or divided between them both and quite subverts his conclusion thence Quod 〈◊〉 primus supremus Princeps est Summus Pontifex especially if compared with his Passages in another Article defining the greatest good eternal happinesse and be 〈◊〉 not wordly glory wealth greatnesse to be the chiefest end aim and reward of all good Kings where he thus describes the
all the Bishops of Germany France Aquitain and other places met in this Synod to the Bishops and Clergy of Spain reciting their Summons by King Charles Domini Regis nostri praecipua pietate et laudabili sapientia adsedente et auriliante Nobis by whose direction and assistance they had read debated and refuted Elepandus his Epistle Then follows this Kings own Epistle to Elepandus and the Clergy of Spain with this inscription Carolus Gratia Dei Rex Francorum Longobardorum ac Patricius Romanorum Filius Defensor Sanclae Dei Ecclesiae c. Wherein he refutes Elepandus his Opinion makes a large pious Orthodox Consession of his faith in imitation of Constantine the Great adding Hanc igitur fidem orthodoxam ab Apostolicis traditam doctoribus ab univerâ—ali servatam Ecclesia Nos pro unione nostrarum partium utique in omnibus SERVARE PRAEDICARE PROFITEMUR quia non est in alia aliqua salus nisi in illa Exhorting them to return to the Church and embrace this faith Habetote Nos cooperatores salutis vestrae Catholicae pacis auriliares c. In this Council he likewise condemned the adoration of Images against the Epistle and resolution of Pope Adrian and the Council of Nice which this Council revoked as neither oecumenical nor as any thing ut nec septima nec aliquid diceretur quasi supervacua ab omnibus abdicata est writes Abbas Uspergensis Our famous Country-man Flaccus Alchuinus Abbas Scholar to our Venerable Beda and Tutor to the Emperor Charles the Great thus defines describes the Office duty of a King with the care he ought to have of the Orthodox Faith Church Religion and Ecclesiastical affairs asserting the Emperors Supremacy over the Church and Pope himself Regis est omnes iniquitates pietatis suae potentia opprimere c. Ecclesiarum Christi sint defensores et tutores ut servorum Dei orationibus longa vivant prosperitate In his Epistola 1. to King Charles the Great to whom he usually directed his Epistles under the stile of a Deo dilecto atque a Deo electo David Regi powring out many fervent thanksgivings and prayers to God for him both in Verse and Prose he writes Tota sancta Dei Ecclesia unanimo charitatis concentu gratias agere Deo omnipotenti debebit Qui tam pium prudentem justum his novissimis mundi periculosissimis temporibus populo Christiano perdonavit clementissimo munere Rectorem et Defensorem qui prava corrigere et recta corroborare et sancta sublimare omni intentione studeat et nomen Domini Dei excelsi per multa terrarum spatia dilatare gaudeat et Catholicae fidei lumen in extremis mundi partibus incendere conetur Haec est O dulcissime David gloria laus et merces tua in judicio diei magni c. Epist 11. he writes Tres Personae altissimae in mundo fuerunt Apostolica sublimitas quae beati Petri Principis Apostolorum sedem Vicario munere regere solet Alia est Imperialis dignitas et secundae Romae secularis potentia Terna est Regalis dignitas in qua vos Domini nostri Iesu Christi dispensatio Rectorem Christiani populi disposuit caeteris praefatis dignitatibus potentia excellentiorem sapientia clariorem regni dignitate sublimiorem Ecce in te solo tota salus Ecclesiarum Christi inclinata recumbit Tu vindex scelerum tu Rector errantium tu Consolator merentium tu exaltatio bonorum Nonne Romana in sede ubi religio maximae pietatis quondam claruerit ibi extrema impietatis exempla emerserunt Ipsi cordibus suis excaecati caput suum excaecaverunt Nec ibi timor Dei nec sapientia nec charitas esse videtur Then relating sundry abuses fit to be redressed both in Rome and elsewhere he infers Ex his omnibus tibi plena scientia data est a Deo ut per te sancta Dei Ecclesia not by the Pope in populo Christiano regatur exaltetur et conservetur Epist 12. he useth these expressions of this Charles O dulcissime decus populi Christiani O defensio Ecclesiarum Christi consolatio vitae praesentis Quibus tuam beatitudinem omnibus necessarium est votis exaltare intercessionibus adjuvare quatenus per vestram prosperitatem Christianum tueatur Imperium fides Catholica defendatur justitiae regula omnibus innotescat Ecce quid actum est de Apostolica sede in civitate praecipua Roma in dignitate excellentissima quae omnia vestro tantummodo servantur judicio not to the Popes nor Synods ut prudentissimo consilio sapientiae vobis a Deo datae temperata consideratione corrigantur quae corrigenda sunt et conserventur quae conservanda sunt et quae clementia divina gessit pietas extollentur in laudem illius qui salvum fecit servum suum Epist 13. Vestra clarissima voluntas in hoc omni laboret studio ut Christi nomen clarificetur ut ejus divina potentia per fortitudinis vestrae triumphos multis terrarum regnis innotescat quatenus non solum magnitudo potestatis te Regem ostendat sed etiam instantia seminandi verbi Dei in laude Domini nostri Iesu Christi PRAEDICATOREM EFFICIAT Ideo divina gratia his duobus mirabiliter te ditavit muneribus id est terrenae foelicitatis imperio et spiritalis sapientiae latitudine ut in utroque proficias donec ad aeternae beatitudinis pervenias foelicitatem Parce populo Christiano et Ecclesias Christi defende c. Epist 14. He adds Sanctae religionis fervore omnibus praecellis Felix populi qui tali Principe gaudet cujus solium dissipat iniquitatem Nam quod olim Apostolici Patres suis scriptis in confirmationem Fidei Catholicae diversis mundi partibus peragerunt hoc vestra sanctissima sollicitudo implere non cessat Hoc mirabile et speciale in te pietatis mi Domine praedicamus quod tanta devotione Ecclesias Christi a perfidorum doctrinis intrinsecus purgare tuerique niteris quanto forinsecus à Paganorum vastatione defendere vel propagare curaris His duobus gladiis the two swords then by Gods appointment belong to the Emperor not the Pope venerandam excellentiam dertra levaque armavit divina Potentia In quibus Victor laudabilis et Triumphator gloriosus existis His Epist 24. to the same King Charles hath this Exordium Gloria Laus Deo Omnipotenti pro salute prosperitate vestra Dulcissime mi David atque pro omni honore sapientia in quibus te speciali gratia omnibus supercellere fecit Perpetua gratiarum actio resonet assidua sanctarum intercessio orationum ad Deum dirigatur quatenus longaeva prosperitate feliciter vivas valeas et regnes ad correctionem et exaltationem sanctae suae Ecclesiae ut sub protectione tuae venerandae potestatis secura quiete Deo deserviat After which craving his favor in two
contra te in testimonium erit sed ipsi Apostoli Martyres tui stabunt in magna constantia adversus eos qui se angusti verunt qui abstulerunt labores eorum Sed jam finem loquendi omnes pariter audiamus Annunciavi justitiam praenunciavi periculum veritatem non tacui hortatus sum ad meliora superest ut aut de vestra citius correctione laetemur aut de justa imminenti damnatione certi inconsolabiliter lugeamus arescentes tabescentes prae timore expectatione quae supervenient universae Vrbi The Romans notwithstanding this Letter persisting obstinately in their Oppositisition against Eugenius to cast off his Papal Usurpation over them this Pope thereupon veterum Pontificum exemplo in Franciam ire constitutit ut absentia desiderium sui Romanis efficeret accordingly he retired into France to avoid the fury and treachery of the Romans and that principally by St. Bernards perswasion who gave him this black Character of them Quid de populo loquar Populus Romanus est Nec brevius potui nec expressius tamen aperire de tuis Parochianis quod sentio Quid tam notum seculis quam protervia et fastus Romanorum Gens insueta paci tumultui assueta Gens incivilis et intractabilis usque adhuc subdi nescia nisi cum non valet resistere En plaga tibi incumbit cura haec dissimulare non licet Rides me forsitan fore incurabilem persuasus Noli diffidere curam exegeris non curationem Denique audisti curam illius hab non cura vel sana illum Verum dixit quidam Non est in medico semper relevetur ut aeger c. Quem dabis mihi de tota maxima urbe qui te in Papam receperit precio seu spe precii non interveniente Et tunc potissimum volunt dominari cum professi fuerint servitutem Fideles se spondent ut oportunius fidentibus noceant Ex hoc non erit consilium tibi à quo se arcendos putent non secretum quo se non ingerant Si stante prae foribus quoquam illorum moram vel modicam fecerit ostiarius ego tunc pro illo esse nolo Et nunc experire paeuciâ— noverim ne ego vel aliquatenus mores gentis Ante omnia sapientes sunt ut faciant mala bonum ante facere nesciunt Hi invisi terra coelo utrique iniecâ—ere manus impii in Deum temerarii in Sancta seditiosi in invicem aemuli in vicinos inhumani in extraneos quos neminem amantes amat nemo cum timeri affectant ab omnibus omnes timeant necesse est Hi sunt qui subesse non sustinent praesse non norunt superioribus infideles inferioribus importabiles Hi inverecundi ad petendum ad negandum frontosi Hi importuni ut accipiant inquieti donec accipiant ingrati ubi acceperint Docuerunt linguam suam grandia loqui cum operentur exigua Largissimi promissores parcissimi exhibitores Blandissimi adulatores mordacissimi detractores simplicissimi dissimulatores malignissimi proditores Excurrimus usque huc plenius te atque expressius ad monendum putantes horum quae circa te sunt in hac parte jam ad ordinem recurramus St. Bernard perceiving the Romans to persist obstinately in their Rebellion against Eugenius whom they forcibly expelled without hopes of any amicable reception of him by Letters or mediation endeavoured to stirr up the French King and other Princes to restore him and reduce the Romans by force of arms to obedience both to the Pope and Emperor to which end he writ this memorable Epistle to Conrade King of the Romans evidencing the Emperors and Kings Supremacy in causes Ecclesiastical that the defence care of the Church and Religion belongs primarily to them not the Pope and that Rome was the head Inheritance of the Empire though the See of the Papacy Ad Conradum Regem Romanorum Nec dulcius nec amicabilius sed nec artius omnino Regnum Sacerdotiumque conjungi seu complantari in invicem poterunt quam ut in persona Domini ambo haec pariter convenirent utpote qui factus est nobis ex utraque tribu secundum carnem Summus Sacerdos Rex non solum autem sed et commiscuit ea nihilominus ac confederavit in sue corpore quod est populus Christianus ipse caput illius ita ut hoc genus hominum Apostolica voce genus electum regale Sacerdotium appelletur In alia quoque scriptura quotquot sunt praedestinati ad vitam Noâ—ne omnes Reges Sacerdotes nominantur Ergo quae Deus conjunxit Homo non separet Magis autem quod divina sanxit authoritas humana studeat adimplere voluntas jungant se animis qui juncti sunt institutis Invicem se foveant invicem se defendant invicem onera sua portent Ait Sapiens Frater adâ—uvans fratrem ambo consolabuntur Quod si alterutrum se quod absit corroserint momorderint nonne ambo desolabuntur Non veniat anima mea in consilia eorum qui dicunt vel Imperio pacem et libertatem Ecclesiarum vel Ecclesiis prosperitatem et exaltationem Imperii nocituram Non enim utriusque institutor Deus in destructionem ea connexuit sed in aedificationem Si hoc sâ—â—is quousque vos communem contumeliam communem dissimulatis injuriam Nonne ut Apostolica sedes ita et caput Imperii Roma est Ut ergo de Ecclesia taceam num honor Regi est truncum in manibus tenere Imperium Et quidem ignoro quid vobis super hoc consulent Sapientes vestri Principes Regni sed ego in insipientia mea loquens quod sentio non tacebo Ecclesia Dei ab exortu suâ— usque ad haec tempora pluriâ—s tribulata est pluries liberata est to wit by Christian Kings anâ— Emperors Denique audite quid ipsa de se loquatur in Psalmo Ipsius enim vox est Saepe expugnaverunt me à juventuâ—e mea etenim non potuerunt mihi supra dorsum meum fabricaverunt peccatores proloâ— gaverunt iniquitatem suam Certus esto O Rex quod nec nunc quâ—que relinquet Dominus Virgam peccatorum super sortem justorum Non est abbreviata manus Domini nec facta impotens ad salvandum Liberabit hoc tempore absque dublo sponsam suam qui suo sanguine redemit eam suo spiritu dotavit donis caelestibus exornavit ditavit nichilominus terrenis Liberabit inquam Liberabit sed si in manus alterius viderint Regni Principes id ne honor Regis regnive utilitas sit non est utique Quamobrem accingere gladio tuo super femur tuum potentissime et restituat sibi Caesar quae Caesaris sunt et quae sunt Dei Deo Vtrumque interesse Caesaris constat et propriam
Pontificians will conclude with Ennodius his censure of them Successores Petri una cum Sedis privilegiis peccandi quoque licentiam accepisse It is the memorable saying of Prosper Aquitanicus That as it was the will of God ut Evangelium Christi totus mundus audiret in eas gentes quae remotiores sunt longe lateque percurreret To effect this design Ad cujus rei effectum credimus providentia Dei Romani regni latitudinem praeparatam ut Nationes vocatae ad Vnitatem corporis Christi prius jure unius consociarentur Imperii most of them turning Christians when Constantine the Great and other Emperors embraced and propagated the Christian faith quamvis gratia Christiana non contenta sit eosdem limites habere quos Roma multosque â—am populos sceptro Crucis Christi illa subdiderit quos armis suis ista non donavit Qua tamen per Sacerdotii Apostolici principatum amplior facta est arce religionis quam Solio Potestatis And elsewhere De Obsequiis Debitis Principi he thus determines Mitibus et Sanctis nulla est Spernanda Potestas A Equum servire est Regibus ac Dominis Vt Christi famulis ad veram prosit honorem Dilexisse bonos tolerasse malos Socrates Scholasticus his Contemporary hath this passage thus Englished by Bishop Hanmer his Translator We have therefore throughout our History made mention of the Emperours because that since they began to embrace the Christian Religion the Ecclesiastical affairs seemed much to depend of them so that the chiefest Councils were in times past and are at this day summoned by their consent and procurement not the Popes And he there further observes how when the Commonwealth hath been tossed and turmoyled with troublesom dissention and discord the Church of God likewise as infected with the same contagious disease hath been altogether out of quiet For whosoever with diligent observation will remember the aforesaid times without doubt he shall perceive as our selves have lately done that when the Commonwealth was in an hurliburly the Church in like sort was shaken with the storms of adversity for either he shall find that both at one time were out of quiet or that the ones misery ensued immediately after the others misfortune and sometimes when the Church began to vary about Religion the Commonwealth immediately followed after with Rebellion and some other times on the contrary Therefore Godly Christian Emperors are the principal means under God to preserve the peace and advance the felicity of Church and State by having the Supream Jurisdiction in and over both and endeavouring the defence propagation of the true orthodox faith and spiritual as well as temporal happinesse of their Subjects as he proves throughout his Ecclesiastical History and Sozomenus too his coaetanean and fellow Historian in his History Pope Leo the 1. flourishing about the year of Christ 450. with all the Churches Clergy under him earnestly besought the Emperor Theodosius the younger with Epistles and Tears That he would command the General Council to be held within Italy which he would not grant but summoned the Council at Ephesus and them to appear thereat A clear confession of the Emperors and disclaimer of his own Ecclesiastical Superiority especially if compared with his 24. 25. Epistles to the Emperor Theodofius where he writes thus Ecce ego Christianissime Imperator consacerdotibus meis implens erga reverentiam Clementiae vestrae synceri amoris officium cupiensque vos per omnia placere Deo cui pro vobis ab Ecclesia supplicatur c. In his 59 Epist to the Emperor Martian he writes thus Unde ineffabiliter Deo gratias ago qui eo tempore quo oboritura Haereticorum scandala praesciebat Vos in Imperii fastigio collocavit in quibus ad totius mundi salutem et regia potentia et Sacerdotalis vigeret industria Epist 60. to the Empress Pulcheria he thus expresseth himself Per quam significationem Clementiae vestrae absolutè me gaudere et incessabilibus a Deo precibus postulare ut vos et Romanae Reipublicae et Catholicae Ecclesiae in omni prosperitate conservet In his Epist 74. to the Emperour Leo he writes Non desinimus gratias agere et providentiam Dei in fidei vestrae fervore benedidicere qui sancto et Catholico Spiritu ita Haereticorum impudentiae restitistis In his 78. Epistle to the same Emperor he begins thus Multo gaudio mens mea exultat in Domino et magna mihi est ratio gloriandi cum Clementiae vestrae excellentissimam fidem augeri per omnia donis gratiae celestis agnosco c. Epist 99. to the same Emperor Leo he writes thus Sciat igitur Clementia vestra omnes Ecclesias Dei cum laude vestra exultare pariter et laetari Inveniemur impares in gratiarum actione si nostri tantum oris angustiis Vniversalis Ecclesiae gaudia celebremus c. Yea this Pope himself in these and other his Epistles exhorts all these Emperors to defend the Christian saith against Hereticks defined in the Councils of Nice Ephesus and Chaelcedon against all Hereticks that opposed their Creeds by their Imperial Edicts to disannuall all Constitutions of heretical Councils Bishops and represse all Hereticks or Heresies contrary to them and not suffer them to redebate the Articles of faith established in them The same Pope Leo in his 7. Epistle highly commends Theodosius the Emperor for his most pious care of the true Christian faith and religion Ne scilicet in populo Dei aut Schismata aut Haereses aut ulla scandala convaleseant And Epistola 33. writing of the Priscillianists and their Heresies first breaking out in the world he thus relates the zeal and Edicts of Princes then made against them Quando mundi Principes ita hanc sacrilegam amentiam detestati sunt ut Authorem ejus ac plerosque discipulos legum publicarum ense prosternerant Videbant enim omnem curam honestatis auferri simulque divinorum jus humanumque subrui si hujusmodi hominibus vivere cum tali professione licuisset Et profuit diu ista districtio Ecclesiae lenitati quae etsi Sacerdotali contenta judicio et cruentas refugit ultiones severis tamen Christianorum Principum constitutionibus adjuvatur ut ad spirituale nomumquam recurrant remedium qui timent corporale supplicium What stronger clearer evidence then these of this Pope Leo can we desire to prove the Supremacy of Christian Emperors Princes in divine and Ecclesiastical affairs and over Popes themselves and that they ought to take speciall care to preserve propagate the true Christian faith and suppresse all Heresies Schisms and scandalous crimes repugnant thereunto Primasius Bishop of Utica in Africk in his Commentary on 1 Tim. 2. Orate pro Regibus c. thus descants ut cognoscant Deum sive ut subjectas habeant Gentes in illorum enim pace
beata quiete dignatur oft stiling him holy blessed divine happy semper eum qui in sanctis est Justinianum dicunt 17ly Learned Dr. Crakenthorp gives this testimony of him There cannot be found in all Scripture more fair evidence nor a more authentick Charter for the happy estate of any one in particular that lived since the Apostles times then is for this Justinian For what were the works which did accompany and follow him Truly the works of sincere faith of fervent zeal to God of love to the Church and children of God the works of piety of prudence of justice of fortitude of munificence of many other heroical vertues with these as with a garment and chain of pure gold Justinian being decked was brought unto the bridegroom Every Decree made or ratified by him for confirming the truth every Anathema against Heresies and hereticks particularly those against Vigilius and all that defend him that is against Baronius and all that defend the Popes infallibility in defining matters of faith every Temple or Church every Monastery and Hospital every City and Town every Bridge Haven and Highway every Castle Fort and Munition whether made or repaired by him tending either immediately to the advancing of Gods service in strengthening the Empire against his and Gods enemies Every Book in the Digest Code and Authenticks every Title yea every Law in every Title whereby the Christian faith or Religion or preaceable order and tranquillity have been either planted or propagated or continued in the Church or Commonwealth all these and every one of them and many other the like which I cannot either remember or recount are like so many Rubies Chrysolites and Diamonds in the costly Garment or so many links in the golden chain of his faith and virtues Seeing they who offer but one mite into the Treasury of the Lord or give but one cup of cold water to a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall not want a reward O what a weight of eternity and glory shall that Troop of Vertues and Train of Good works obtain at his hands who rewardeth indeed every man according to their works but withall rewardeth them infinitely above all the dignity or condignity of their works I have the longer insisted in clearing Justinians Ecclesiastical Supremacy in matters of faith worship over all Ecclesiastical persons and Popes themselves with his piety as well as Regality in making collecting the forecited Ecclesiastical Laws because they are most punctual to my present Theam and most oppugned by Baronius Agapetus a famous learned Deacon of Constantinople in his Admonitorium to the Emperor Justinian hath these memorable passages Honore quolibet sublimiorem quanto habeas dignitatem O Imperator honora supra omnes qui hoc te dignatus est Deum quoniam juxta similitudinem caelestis Regni tradidit tibi sceptrum terrenae potestatis ut homines doceas justi custodiam Super omnia praeclara quae regnum habet pietatis cultusque divini corona regem exornat Sceptrum Imperii quam a Deo susceperis cogitato quibusnam modis placebis ei qui id tibi dedit quumque omnibus hominibus ab eo sis praelatus therefore above the Pope and all other Prelates magis omnibus eum honestare festina porro id ipse honestamentum arbitratur maximum si quasi te factos a se tuearis atque ut debiti solutionem benefaciendi munus adimpleas c. And he positively asserts Essentia corporis aequalis cuilibet homini Imperator potestate autem dignitatis cunctorum praesidi Deo nec enim habet in terris se quenquam altiorem oportet igitur ipsum ut Deum non irasci ut mortalem non efferri c. His Imperator non habet in terris se quenquam altiorem making much against the Popes Supremacy recited by Antonius Abbas in his Melissa the Roman Censurers in their Index Expurgatorius Romae excus Anno 1607. p. 200. and the Spanish Inquisitors in their Index librorum prohibitorum expurgand excus Madreti Anno 1612. in Agapeto p. 797. not deeming it expedient totally to expunge it are contented to yield the Emperors Supremacy in Temporals by adding this exposition of them in the Margin of future Impressions Intellige de Potestate politica seculari enough to subvert the Popes Secular Monarchy asserted by them and their flatteres when as Agapetus meant it of his Supremacy in Spirituals as well as Temporals as his precedent and subsequent words assure us against this false new marginal Glosse He adds Imperator ut est omnium Dominus therefore the Popes ita cum omnibus Dei servus existat his whole Admonitorium tends to prove that the advancement of Piety Religion and Gods Worship is and ought to be all Kings Emperors chiefest study care as well as honor and safety Pope Pelagius the 1. in his Epistle to King Childebert writes We must endeavour to declare the obedience of our succession unto Kings quibus nos even us who are Popes as well as others etiam subditos esse sanctae Scripturae praecipiunt to wit Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. Chilpericus King of France accused Pretextatus Bishop of Rhoan for Theft Treason against him and divers other crimes for which he declared se de jure in eum agere potuisse but yet he summoned a Synod to examin and hear the cause because he would not seem to crosse the Canons whereupon a Synod being called at Paris Gregorius Turonensis Episcopus though a great favourer of Pretextatus thus ingenuously professed and told the King Si quis de nobis Episcopis O Rex Justitiae tramitem transcendere voluerit a te corrigi potest but if you transgresse them who shall punish you We speak unto you If you be willing you obey but if you be unwilling who can condemn you but he only who hath pronounced that he is iust Not the Pope nor a whole Synod of Bishops as this Bishop confesseth Pretextatus being convicted of the crimes by his own confession was thereupon apprehended imprisoned and afterwards banished by this King but recalled and restored by King Gunthram his Successor This King Gunthram summoned a Synod at Lyons against Salonius Ebredunensis Episcopus and Sagittarius Vaxiensis Episcopus who being complained against for drunkennesse whoredom and other crimes and convicted thereof were deprived of their Bishopricks and thrust into a Monastery as Prisoners by the King for a time Afterwards complaining to the King that they were unjustly injured by the Synod they petitioned him sibi tribui licentiam ut ad Papam urbis Romae accedere debeant Whereupon Rex annuens petitionibus eorum datis Epistolis eos abire permisit When they came to Rome and compâ—â—ined to Pope John of their misery and unjust removal he writ to the King desiring him to restore them which he did After which they falling into new crimes by bearing arms murdering and oppressing
inciderunt Deo dilecttissimam omnium eorum qui ubique sunt sanctissimorum Episcoporum Synodum necessariam esse duximus verum cunctatores per molestiam pietatis ipsorum improbitatem facti sumus At urgens jam necessitatem cum Ecclesiasticarum tum publicarum disceptatio et summe profuturam et irrecusabilem illam esse ostendit Quapropter ne quae tam utilium rerum quaestionem concernunt si negligantur in pejus dilabantur id quod a temporum nostrorum est pietate alienum curabit pietas tua ut post imminens sanctum Pascha volente Deo circa Pentecostes diem ad Ephesiorum Asiae Civitatem adveniat et paucos et quos probaverit ex Provincia sibi subjecta sanctissimos Episcopos ad eandem Civitatem convenire faciat ut nec qui sanctissimis Provinciae tuae Ecclesiis sufficiant nec qui concilio sint accomodi desint Sunt enim Exemplaria a nostra Majestate de praedicta sanctissima Synodo Dilectis per Vniversas Metropolcis Episcopis scripta ut hoc facto et perturbatio quae ex controversiis istis accidit secundum Ecclesiasticos Canones dissolvatur et quae indecenter committuntur corrigantur sitque et pietati erga Deum et publicis rebus commoda firmitudo nec aliquid quacunque in re ante Sanctissimam Synadum et futuram illius communem sententiam a quoquam seperatim innovetur Et persuasi quidem sumus unumquemque Deo Dilectissimorum Sacerdotum ubi resciverint cum Ecclesiasticarum tum Publicarum rerum gratia hac nostra Sanctione percitum ad Sanctissimam Synodum diligenti studio properanter accursurum rebus ita necessariis atque ad beneplacitum Dei pertinentibus pro viribus consulturum Nos autem multam harum rerum curam gerentes neminem desiderari leviter patiemur nec ullam sive apud Deum sive apud Nos excusationem habebit si quisquam non confestim ad praedictum tempus loco determinato sedulus comparuerit Quisquis enim ad Sacerdotalem vocatus Synodum non prompte accurrit esse se Conscientia non bona Declarat Deus te multo tempore custodiat Pater Sanctissime ac Religiosissime A most pregnant Testimony that Emperors have and ought to have a principal care of Religion to preserve its purity suppresse all Heresie contrary thereunto to convene Synods when there is occasion to enjoyn all Bishops to resort to them and to examin ratifie their Votes when approved by their Edicts all which the Epistles written to these Emperors from the Bishops assembled in this Synod will more fully demonstrate The famous General Council of Ephesus thus summoned by the most Religious Emperors Theodosius and Valentinian to suppresse the Heresie of Nestorius then infesting the Church writ several Epistles to them wherein they render them an account of all their proceedings therein clear the scandalous reports raised of them extoll those Emperors Zeal and Pietie for Defence of Religion desire their Confirmation of their Votes Suppression of Heresies hereticks and powr out prayers for and Petitions to them The Titles of their Epistles to them are Pientissimis Religiosissimis ac Deo dilectissimis Theodosio Valentiniano Victoribus triumphatoribus ac semper Augustis Sancta Synodus per gratiam Dei et Dominationis vestrae nutum Ephesi congregata The 1. Epistle to them begins thus Jam inde à progenitoribus pietas vestra Christi amantes ac pientissimi Reges rectam est consecuta fidem et hanc quotidie evehit multumque curarum veritatis impendit dogmatibus Quorum gratia cum perturbatio non solum in magna illa Civitate sed in universo terrarum orbe per ea dogmata fieret quae a Nestorio sunt praedicata de Sanctorum Patrum sanctorumque Apostolorum Evangelistarum traditione non contempsit vestra Dominatio perturbatas Ecclesias et adulterata fidei ac verae pietatis dogmata sed ex universo orbe pietas vestra Metropolitanos pientissimos et aliorum quoque quarundam Civitatum Episcopos congregari jussit sufficiens ad eam rem temporis determinato spacio After which they render them an Account of their proceedings in the Synod Among other things they relate Commentariis actorum authoritatis gratia pientissimos pietatis vestrae literas praemiserunt post quas fidei expositionem subiecimus proposita primum ea quae a sanctis est â—radita Apostolis deinde et ea quae per sanctos trecentos decem et octo Patres Niceae quondam a beatae memoriae Constantino congregatos est facta expositio cujus fidem dominatio vestra illustriorem reddidit And concludes it thus Oramus autem vestram Dominationem ut universam ipsius Nestoris doctrinam et sanctis Ecclesis tolli et libres ejus ubicunque inventi fuerint igni tradi jubeat quibus gratiam Dei qui benevolentiae gratia homo factus est reprobare conatur Quod si quis sancita vestra contempserit denuncietur illi timendam ipsi esse dominationis vestrae indignationem not their Anathema They thus begin their Fourth Epistle Dominatio quidem vestra ad confirmandam pietatem sanctae Synodo diligentiorem dogmatum examinationem facere praecepit quam et fecimus veteri Patrum imo et sanctorum Apostolorum et Evangelistarum et trecentorum decem et octo qui Niceae congregati fuerunt traditioni obtemperantes quam et concorditer interpretati sumus et animo uno vestrae pietati manifestam in Commentariis actorum exhibuimus et in quibus et Nestorium diversa sentire depraehensum deposuimus After which they inform the Emperors of Candidianus his favouring Nestorius and indirect proceedings in the Council of which the Emperors made him President desiring the Emperors to send for him and what Bishops they pleased qui res gestas coram vestra sancta pietate tueantur In the beginning of their 5. Epistle they write Quae sanctae sunt Synodo a dominatione vestra mandata ad competentem deducta sunt effectum id quod pietati vestrae notum fecimus Relating the particulars at large they conclude pray Quae a sancta aecumenica Synodo ad pietatis subsidium contra Nestorium et impium illus scripta sunt dogma suum habere robur per pietatis vestrae nutum et assensum confirmata Their 6. Epistle to them thus begins Deus ille omnium Christi amantes Imperatores qui curam vestram ac diligentiam quam pietati impenditis gratam ac acceptam habet etiam Episcoporum qui per occidentem sunt animos zelo ad vindicandum Christum contumelia affectum excitavit c. And thus concludes Quoniam itaque causa haec finem consecuta est cum Dominationi vestrae optatum tum Ecclesiis omnibus securissimum qui fidei suam adferat similitudinem Pietatem vestram oramus ut jam nos alios paupertate obrutos alios morbis detentos alios seniogravatos et peregrinationem hanc
amplius ferre non valentes ita ut et aliqui ex nobis Episcopi et Clerici jam sint mortui ab hac cura et perigrinatione liberet ut ista sedata sollicitudine magnae Civitatis Ecclesiae curam geramus Supplicamus etiam ut ad eos qui singulis sint locis literas comminatorias mittat ne denuo alia suscitetur Ecclesiis molessia ac perturbatio sanctissimis Episcopis in ipsorum regionibus oriatur Etenim facta jam pietatis declaratione Vniverso Orbe consonum de illa sententiam ferente paucis demptis Nestorii amicitiam pietate praeferentibus gratiam hanc haud immeritam petimus dominationi vestrae supplicantes ut nos cura ista deinceps liberet ut ordinationi futuri Episcopi incumbamus et in fide jam et Pietate confirmata nos Oblectemus purasque ac synceras pro dominatione vestra Preces omnium Domino Christo destinemus Their 8. Epistle to them is thus prefaced Regia quidem vestra et Christi amans Majestas Pientissimi Reges a pueris Zelum circa fidem et Canones declaravit cujus etiam gratia Orbis Episcopos ad Ephesiorum Civitatem concurrere pia Sanctione praecepit verum literae Serenitatis vestrae jam nobis per magnificentissimum et Gloriosissimum Comitem Johannem sectae haud modicam attulere perturbationem innuentes imposturam quandam et mendacium pro veracibus quosdam vestris auribus objecisse c. And thus they conclude it Sublimitati vestrae supplicamus ut a sancta Synodo quos dominatio vestra probaverit vocentur ut coram regia vestra et Christi amans Majestas de omnibus certius instruatur Their 9. Epistle hath this Exordium and Progress Non est quidem Dominatio vestra passa rectam fidem quasi cuniculis quibusdam suffodi per Nestorii doctrinam c. Ob hanc causam Vniversi ad pietatis vestrae dominationem confugimus supplicantes ut quae contra Nestorium et illi consentientes sunt gesta robut suum habeant quae vero ab illis qui Nestorium vindicant eo quod cum illo sentiunt contra Synodi nostrae Duces illegitime facta sunt inefficacia et irrita maneant ut neque convenienter neque canonice sed contra eos qui de nullo sunt delicto convicti sola ulciscendi libidine ab illis sunt gesta qui contra sanctam Synodum cum Nestorio sentiunt All depending upon their Imperial Edicts Orders Ratifications St. Cyril and Memnon begin their Book against Nestorius presented to this Council in this manner Divum Imperatorum decretum et nos et vestram Sanctitatem in Ephesiorum Metropoli convenire jussit ut et rectam Apostolicae fidei determinationem communi sententia confirmemus et haeresim a Nestoro recens inductam probemus These Emperors commanded all the Bishops summoned to appear in this Council not to depart thence til all things were concluded And because the Bishops there assembled were incensed against each other each of them endeavouring to maintain his opinion party by indirect means the Emperors declared all things thus obtained to be nulled sent his Secretary of State some of his own Palace together with the most famous Earl Candidianus to this Council to preside therin see they acted nothing but what they by their Letters enjoyned them not to depart thence as this clause in the Emperors Letters to the Council evidenceth Et obeam causam quisquam è nostro palatio una cum preclarissimo Comite Candidiano missus fuerit qui quaegesta sunt secundum nostram jussionem cognoscat et quae sunt inconvenientia prohibeat neque abscedat quisquam congregatorum Episcoporum ab Ephesiorum Civitate neque ad Majestatis nostrae veniat exercitum nec in Patriam suam revertatur ita ut ista nemini quacunque spe ducto transgredi liceat Sufficiant quidem istae literae ad denunciandum vestrae pietati ne quid aliud praeter nostram jussionem iis quae facta sunt adjiciatis Sciat tamen Sanctitas vestra etiam illustrissimis provinciarum primoribus esse scriptum ut neminem prorsus sine nostra jussione in patriam ac civitatem suam reversum recipi sinant Oportet enim ut omnia primum jurta id quod Deo placiturum est sine contentione et cum veritate examinata tum demum a nostra pietate corroborentur neque enim Majestas nostra hominum jam aliquorum neque sanctissimi ac pientissimi Nestorii neque cujusquam alterius sed ipsius Doctrinae ac veritatis curam gerit Finally these Emperours made their chief Secretary of State and privy Counsellor Register in this Synod in their Epistles to the Bishops in this Council expresse their great care of Religion and towards the cloze thereof sent the most glorious John Count of Sacred Things to know what they had done concerning the Faith that they might do what he should deem profitable for that end Celestino Ruffo Augustiniano reliquis religiosissimis Episcopis Quantum zeli circa pietatem et progenitorum nostrorum fidem ostenderimus multis quidem ut arbitramur praecedentibus Judiciis perspicue declaratum est non minus autem illud et in eo quod Synodum vestram nuper convocavimus Vniverso Orbi manifestatum esse credimus c. Sciat etiam Sanctitas vestra quod praeclarissimum et Gloriosissimum Johannem Comitem Sacrorum ob eam causam misimus ut ubi ille pietatis vestrae circa fidem scopum cognoverit quae ipsi videbuntur utilia faciatis By all which passages of this famous General Council the Emperors Supream Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Judicature care of the true Faith and Religion is most fully and clearly demonstrated beyond contradiction Pope Coelestine himself was summoned to it and excused his absence but did not substitute St. Cyril to supply his place therein as some Romanists fable The Oriental Bishops assembled in this Council favouring Arrius and Nestorius by faction opposed Cyril and Memnon making a Relation of their proceedings therein to Callimot King of Persia who commanded the Bishops under him to appear at this Council to incense him against them thus praying his assistance against their actings Pietas vestra quae benefaciendo orbi et Ecclesiis Dei clarescit jussit nos in Ephesio congregari ita ut inde lucrum et pa◠Ecclesiae accresceret non ut omnia confusione et deordinatione implerentur et haec vestrae Majestatis edicta apertè et manifestè piam vestram et pacificam pro Ecclesiis Dei indicabant mentem Atqui Cyrillus Alexandrinus ad perniciem Ecclesiarum ut videtur natus educatus assumpto cooperatore Memnonis Ephesiorum audacia primum quidem placidum et pium vestrum edictum transgressus est per omnia se illi non subditum declarans Nam cum vestra Majestas praeceperit de fide diligens examen et
perâ—nnis memoria et frequens oratio pro sospitate triumphalibus ac perfectis victoriis concedendis ante Christum Dominum cujus causa est effundantur quatenus supernae majestatis terrore perculsae Gentium nationes sub sceptris vestri robustissimi Principatus humiliter colla prostervant et piissimi regni vostri continuetur potentia dum temporali Imperio aeterni regni succedit perennis felicitas Nec enim poterit aliud simillimum inveniri quod vestrae invictissimae fortitudinis divinae Majestati commendat Clementiam quam ut repulsis a regula veritatis erroribus Evangelicae atque Apostolicae nostrae fidei ubique illustretur et praedicetur integritas c. Obsecro itaque piissime Auguste atque una cum mea exiguitate Omnis anima Christiana suo flexo genu suppliciter deprecatur ut etiam hoc ad redintegrationem perfectae pietatis conregnatori Christo Domino hostiam acceptibilem offerre jubeatis verbum impunitatis concedentes et liberam loquendi facultatem unicuique loqui volenti verbum impendere pro fide quatenus omnes unanimiter pro tanto tam inestimabili bono per cunctum vitae suae spatium divinam Majestatem glorificent pro incolumitate atque exaltatione fortissimi vestri Imperii unanimiter incessabiles Christo Domino preces effundant Piissimorum Dominorum imperium gratia superna custodiat eisque omnium gentium colla substernat Moreover this Pope Agatho and the Synod of Rome begin their Epistle to these Emperors and Instructions to their Delegates in this General Council thus Piissimis Dominis ac serenissimis Victoribus ac Triumphatoribus dilectis filiis Dei Domini nostri Jesu Christi Constantino magno Imperatori Heraclio Tiberio Augustis Agatho Episcopus Servus servorum Dei cum universis Synodis subjacentibus Concilio Apostolicae sedis Omnium bonorum spes inesse praenoscitur dum Imperiaâ—e fastigium ejus a quo se coronatum et hominibus praefectum ad salubriter gubernandum dignoscit veram de eo confessionem qua sola prae omnibus muneribus delectatur inquirit fideliter et vivaciter amplecti desiderat After which they stile Rome a servile City to the Emperor Concilium quod in hanc Romanam urbem servilem vestri Christianissimi Imperii c. Subjoyning Praeterea satisfaciendum est nostro exiguo familiatui apud Serenissimorum Dominorum nostrorum clementiam pro tarditate missarum ex Concilio nostro personarum quas dirigi per suam Augustissimam sacram vestrum piissimum fastigium jussit For which they render a satisfactory reason Then pray that the Confession of the faith they had sent by their Delegates might be confirmed Obsecrantes ut à Deo coronato vestro imperio favente haec eadem omnibus praedicari atque apud omnes obtinere jubeatis ut Deus qui veritatem justitiam diligit omnia prostera vestra serenissimae dignitatis temporibus donet in quibus Apostolicae praedicationis pietatis veritas fulgeat meliori ac prospero successu rerum fortissimae tranquillitatis imperium laetari de hostium subjectione concedens Suscipere itaque dignamini piissimi Principum à nostra humilitate directos Episcopos cum reliquis Ecclesiasticis ordinis viris atque religiosis servis Dei cum solitae tranquillitatis clementia quatenus exipsorum testimonie cum gratiarum actione in propria revertentium apud omnes Nationes laus Clementiae vestrae celebrescat sicut magni illius Constantini cujus post obitum ladabilis fama nihilominus viget cujus insigne non tantum potestatis est sed pietatis cum quo illud sacratissimum Concilium 318. Antistitum in Nicea civitate in defensione consubstantialis Trinitatis convenit sicut Theodosii magni cujus inter alias ejus virtutes singularis pietas praedicatur quo advitente per sancti Spiritus gratiam 250 Patrum sententia qui eis inspirabat Spiritus sanctus consubstantialis Patri Filio praelicatus est sicut egregii veritatis amatoris Martiani Principis qui primum Concilium Ephesinum utpote Catholicam Apostolicam fidem praedicans a sancta Chalcedonensi Synodo suscipi fecit et errores qui accreverant de Dei Ecclesia repulit Et sicut extremi quidem praestantissimi tamen omnium magni illius Justiniani cujus ut virtus ita et pietas omnia in meliorem ordinem restauravit cujus instar fortissimae vestrae clementiae Principatus virtutis quidem conatibus Rempublicam Christianam tuetur et restaurat in melius pietatisque studiis Catholicae succurrit Ecclesiae ut in Vnitate verae ac Apostolicae confessionis perfectius copuletur quam nunc usque nobiscum sancta Romana servat Ecclesia quatenus syncerae pietatis arcanum tuba clarius per totum Orbem praedicetur et ubi hujus verae confessionis synceritas pii Vestri Imperii favoribus obtinet laus simul ac meritum Serenissimi vestri Imperii praedicetur ut cum pietatis laudibus etiam regni eorum Deo annuente dilatentur insignia quosque verae pietatis invitat Confessio impietatis fortitudo possideat All these expressions of this Pope and his whole Council resolve 1. That they all in most humble and dutifull manner acknowledged these Emperors to be their Soveraign Lords and that they owed all humble chearfull obedience to their Summons and commands even in matters of Faith Religion and Church-affairs 2ly That the right of summoning General Councils and ordering examining confirming the Votes Confessions of Faith made by them belonged to Emperors not to Popes who were both summoned and came in person or sent their Proxies to them in obedience to their Summons 3ly That the principal care defence propagation preservation perpetuation of the Orthodox faith and true worship of God belongs to Christian Emperors not to Popes or Bps. 4ly That God had specially advanced them to the Empire for this very end That this was the principal part of their charge office care and that God himself had made Constantine Theolosius Martianus Justinian and these present Emperors not Popes and Bishops the principal Instruments of establishing propagating preserving the Christian Orthodox faith suppressing Heresies Schisms advancing true piety and Christian peace Unity throughout the Churches of Christ c. All which are since reputed Heresie and Sacrilegious encroachments like King Uzziahs on Popes Bishops Priests Hierarchies Offices by ambitious Popes and Prelates In the 14. Action the frauds and impostures added and thrust into the Acts of the 5. General Council concerning Pope Vigilius and others were examined by the Original parchment copies there produced upon Oath by George a Deacon Library-keeper to the Archbishop of Constantinople where the Emperor Justinian Glorisissimi Judices Sanctum Concilium dixerunt directed the proceedings in this Examination And the Council often cry out Sancti Quinti Concilii sempiterna memoria Multos annos Imperatori Constantino Magno Imperatori multos annos