A SYNOPSIS OF COUNCELS By JOHN PRIDEAVX late Regius Professour of Divinity at Oxford and Bishop of Worcester OXFORD Printed by A. L. LICHFIELD Printers to the University 1661. CAP. I. Of Synods in General 1. SYnodographie is that which so Methodically doth lay before our eyes a Synopsis of Councels and other Ecclesiasticall meetings that it may clearly appear to him that doubts how any case in them may be enquired after and what may be determined concerning it being found 2. A Councel is a free publique Ecclesiastical meeting especially of Bishops and also of other Doctors lawfully deputed by diverse Churches for the examining of Ecclesiastical causes according to the Scriptures and those according to the power given by common Suffrages without favour of parties to be determined in matters of Faith by Canons in cases of practise by Presidents in Discipline by Decrees and Constitutions Therefore 3. They are not to be called 1. For the deciding of Popish and political Controversies which more properly belong to Diets Parliaments and Assemblies 2. Neither is it an office appertaining to the Pope to Assemble much lesse except he be specially elected thereto by the Assembled to sit as chief over them 3. Neither may others unlesse Bishops or some otherwise Deputed by their Churches in them passe a determinative sentence 4. Neither may any sentence or decree be admitted as necessary unto Salvation unlesse it hath strength and Authority from the Word of God 5. Neither may publick decrees be rejected by private persons who consent unto them by their Deputies but they must acquiesse in them and suffer them until an Authority-frees equal to that which did bind 4. Such have been and frequently happen as 1. Judaical 2. Apostolical 3. Oecumenical 4. Controverted 5. Rejected 6. National 7. Conferences INQUIRIES Whether 1. Councels are of divine Authority and simply necessary Neg. 2. The Authority of convening Councels rests in the power of one person or some certain Prelates or Princes Neg. 3. Councels may be called to determine political affairs or private Controversies N. 4. Only Ecclesiastical Prelates have determinative Suffrages in them Aff. 5. A controverted place of Scripture may be more safely sought from Councels than from private Doctors Aff. 6. The Decrees of Councels contrary to the plain Texts of Scripture are of any validity Neg. 7. We must acquiesse in the Decrees of a Councel at least not publikely oppose them till the like Authority of dissenting men give us liberty so to do Aff. CAP. II. Of Judaical Councels 1. UNder the Title of Judaical Councels we comprehend not either 1. The Sanedrim Gedolah constituted of 72 Elders Num. 11.24 Or 2. The Sanedrim Katon a Consistory of 23 persons sitting at the Gates Deut. 16.18 Or 3. The three Dijanims the Decidours of Controversies in Smaller Towns Mat. 5.22 Because such as these were appointed for the preserving of Doctrine Worship and Discipline as well in the Common-wealth as in the Church but the more solemn meetings about extraordinary affairs for the confirming removing or reforming any thing as the matter required 2. Such meetings are observed to have bin 1. At Sichem under Joshua and Eliazer 1. Concerning prohibiting Society with the Gentiles 2. Concerning the rooting out of strange gods 3. Concerning the burying of Josephs bones in his own possession as he himself commanded Josh 24. 2. At Hierusalem the first under David Gad and Nathan being his assistants 1. Concerning the numbering of the Levites 2. The distribution of the Priests into 24 Classes 3. Concerning each of their Offices 1. Chron. 13. which Hezechiah restored 2 Chron. 29.25 3. At Carmelita under Ahab and Elias where 1. The worshipping of Baal was discussed 2. The true worship of God was miraculously confirmed 3. Severe punishment was inflicted upon the worshippers of Baal 1. Kings 18. 4. At Hierusalem the second under Hezechiah Concerning 1. The purging of the Temple 2. The instituting of true Worship according to Davids prescript Where it is probable was a Decree made concerning the transcribing of Solomons Proverbs according to the Title Cap. 25.2 Chron. 29. 5. At Hierusalem the third under Josiah and Helkiah in which 1. The Temple again was purged 2. Idolatry was rooted out 3. The Covenant with the Lord renewed according to the book of the Law found by Helkiah amongst the rubbish of the Temple 2. Kings 33. 2. Chron. 34. 6. At Hierusalem the fourth under Zorobabel and Ezra and other chief persons of the Jews that returned from the Captivity of Babylon in which 1. The Canonicall books were chiefly by Ezra set in that order as now we have them 2. The Fesukim Paraschim and Heptakim were added for the distinction and reading of the Text. 3. The Masoreth with the Tikkum Sopherim was begun and prosecuted for the preserving and transmitting to posterity the holy Language by Hebrew points and other marks Elias Levita Praef. 3. Masor Genebr Chron. l. 2. p. 183 7. That which is called the Synod of the Wise under John Hircanus 1. Concerning the receiving of the Pharises and Scribes with their leaders Sammei and Hillel 2. Concerning the condemning of the Sadduces with their Authors Sadoc and Bajethos who for that reason betook themselves to the Samaritans denying the immortality of the soul and that there is any reward in the world to come Where 3. Some suppose the books which we call Apocryphie were made Canonical by the third Canon of the Hebrews Genebrard Chron. l. 2. p. 197. INQUIRIES 3. Whether 1. The Tradition of the Cabala was enjoyned at the Synod of Sychem D. 2. Some of Solomons Proverbs were perfected and transmitted to posterity by Hezekiah's servants according to the Decree of any Councel or otherwise D. 3. The Masoreth and Hebrew points borrowed their authority from the fourth Councel at Hierusalem Probable 4. The writings which we call Apocriphal were brought into the Canon by any Synod of the Jews vid. Genebr Chron. l. 2. p. 190. 197. Improbable 5. The epicurism of the Sadduces or the proud and covetous hypocrasie of the Pharises was more intollerable to the pious and Orthodox or more pernitious to the Church D. 6. That meeting under Ptolomie Philometer concerning the antiquity of the Temple of Hierusalem and of Samaria mentioned by Josephus Antiq. l. 13. c. 6. Is rightly reckoned by some among the Jewish Synods N. 7. The convening of the Priests and Scribes by Herod only for inquisition of the place where Christ was born was rather an occasional consultation then a Councel Aff. CAP. III. Of Apostolical Councels 1. TO Apostolical Councels are referred those which are found to be celebrated either 1. Against the Apostles or 2. By them Against them were convented that the Gospel if it were possible should be smothered in the very Cradle 1. Annas Caiaphas John and Alexander with the whole Generation of Priests Act. 4.6 who ordained that none should speak or teach in the name of Jesus v. 18. 2. The same Persons were
Crosses for the Saracen War That by the means thereof 6. Pardon of sinnes might be granted to them that undertook that Warre and their Families This is not mentioned in Joverius and Caranza and Bellarmine himself confesses it is not extant so diligent were the Papists in searching into the secrets of General Councels The II. A.D. 1131 under Lotharius the Emperour and Innocentius the second increased to about 2000 Bishops 2. It gave out 30 Canons lately publisht by Gratian from the Vatican Library which Bellarmine rejects 3. It discharged Peter usurping the Roman Sea after Leo under the name of Anacletus the second 4. It branded for Heretiques Peter of Bruis and Arnaldus of Brixia the Disciple of Peter Abuillard rejecting Pedobaptisme Church buildings and the adoration of the Crosse 5. It proclaimed those lay Persons to be Sacrilegious and incurre the danger of Eternall damnation who receive Tithes 6. It forbad tourneaments and Titles whereby men endangered their lives And 7. It deprived Usurers of the Charge of Christian burial and cursed them to Hell The III. under Frederick the first and Alexander the third by a meeting of 300 Bishops made up the difference between this Alexander and one Octavianus and his successours Gindon and John a German taking up the quarrel with him which dissentions divided Europe into parties 2. The Albigenses under the name of Cathari Publicans and Paterni taking their rise from the Waldenses were here condemned 3. Neither did Lombard the Master of the sentences here escape the ferula who affirmed that Christ according to his Manhood was nothing but was delivered up to the Bishop of Seno to be chastised 4. The ordinations made by the Schismatiques were wholly abrogated 5. Private Oratories and Priests were appointed for those which had the Leprosie 6. The manner of visitation is prescribed for the meeting of Arch-Bishops Bishops and Deacons are not to exercise Episcopal Jurisdiction 7.27 Canons are supposed to be made by this Councel no where distinctly to be had yet they are collected and commended by Math. Parisiensis The IV under Frederick the second and Innocentius the third with 400 Bishops and 80 other Fathers yea saith Bellarmine with 1283 Fathers whereof 673 were Bishops attempted greater matters 2. It rejected the book of Joachimus the Abbot against P. Lombard it condemned 20 Follies of Almaricus especially his denial of Transubstantiation 3. It established Transubstantiation a Popish absolution of subjects from the bond of alleigeance towards superiours and auricular Confession 4. It exacted an Oath from secular Magistrates to expell Heretiques nominated by the Pope 5. It encouraged with indulgences and promises those that went with Crosses for the recovering of the Holy Land under Godfry of Bulloigne 6. It denyed plurallity of Benefices and sale of Reliques 7. There are extant of this 69 or 70 Chapters briefly contracted by Longus who sends the Reader to larger Volumes 5. A.D. 1244 The two Councells at LIONS follows The first called by Frederick the second and Innocentius the fourth 2. In this the magnanimous and pious Emperour well deserved of the Christian Church against the Infidels and after the fourth excommunication at least was deposed by the Pope from his own power and authority and a prohibition made that not any should name him Emperour 3. Being deposed heroically he defends his right with his Gibilines against the Guelphes of the Popish partie 4. Here was expected no President but the Pope who under a pretence of recovering the Holy Land drew 140 Bishops and Abbots to his side that by the fifths of the Church rights they might redeem the East whilst the West rather needed a freedom from the Popish Tyranny 5. Where the Scarlet Hat is designed for the Cardinals and among so many bloudy cruelties by this Antichristian impiety prevailing for above the space of 200 years new feasts are instituted for the cannonizing of Popish Saints 6. The Dominicans Franciscans Carmelites and Augustinians especially encouraged by the Pope do not weaken but rather enlarge and widen the difference 7. The seventeen institutions which are attributed to this Councel are rather Political and Polemical than Ecclesiastical and according to Bellarmines direction are to be found in the sixth of the Decretals The acts are mentioned by Abbas Stadiensis and Thrimerius in his Chronicles Palmerius Platina Onuphrius and others II. A.D. 1272 This Councel was celebrated under Rodolphus the first at Haspurg procured by Gregory the tenth famous for at least 700 Bishops 2. Here was present Michael Paleologus to the Greek Emperour who compelled by necessity brought in his Greeks to subscribe the thirteenth time with the Latines to the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son of which returning to their home after their manner they recanted so little availed a forced assent in sacred matters 3. Aquinas sent for to this Councel dies in the way and Bonaventure their created Cardinal having spent his utmost endeavours against the Greeks breathed his last 4. The Pope for a Subsidie in behalf of the Holy Land requires the tenth of all Ecclesiastical Rights for the space of six years which carefully collected were not an hairs profit to the Eastern Christians under oppression 4. Here was ordered the bowing at the name of Jesus 6. Of this there are 31 Constitutions which may rather be stiled the Popes pleasure than the Councels Determinations 7. They are omitted by the Summulists and are to be found in the sixth of the Decretals 6. A.D. 1311 The Councel held at VIENNA under Henry the seventh noted for 300 Bishops and upwards In this 1. Boniface the eighth perswading Philip the fair to blot him out of the Tables is freed from calumnies cast upon him 2. The Hierusalem expedition is more strongly urged the Templars being removed out of the way for the murthering of the Abissins Embassadour Intenin Hist 〈◊〉 3. Tit. 11. c. 3. and other impieties and Heresis Trithemius hits the mark the Templars were very rich a sufficient pretence for Heresie and their expulsion 3. The Clergy are permitted to take an Oath of Allegiance not of subjection to Lay Magistrates Peter John the Dulcimists the Fraticelli the Begwards and Begwins together with the Lolards are condemned Peter John for that he denied the soul to be the form of man harsh dealing that this should be accounted Heresie the others also though by no means to be born had Fictions laid to their charge Pag. 851. 6. In the sentence of Clement against the Templars mentioned by Longus the Pope challenges not to himself the power and right of Defining but the way of providing or Ordaining that none for the future should enter into that Order unlesse they yielded the goods of the ejected Templars up to the disposal of the Apostolical See 6. The Constitutions of this Councel under the name of Clementine are extant in 5. Books for a Supplement to the Canon Law 7. In which is that famous decree of
also the preceeding Articles the succeeding Princes Elizabeth James and Charles ratified and commended to Posterity 6. The London Synod in which 141 Constitutions relating to the pious and peaceable government of the Church presented to King James by the Bishops and others deputed by the Church met together are worthily confirmed by his Regall Authority 7. The Councell at Perth in Scotland where were Articles concerning administring the Sacrament to the sick 2. Concerning private Baptisme if necessity required 3. Of Confirmation 4. Of admitting Festivals and 5. Of kneeling at the Receiving of the Sacrament though the Sectaries snarl at it and is allowed of venerable customes If any desire more knowledge in these Brittan affaires that famous interpreter of Antiquity D H. Spelman will abundantly satisfy him there is extant a more full declaration and defence of the Synod of Perth INQUIRES Whether 1. Nationall Councels do more immediately oblidge the Subjects thereof than Generall Councels which are more remote 2. The infalibility of the Pope being granted there is no need of any Councell especially the Italian 3. Zsiomus Boniface and Celestine did fraudulently obtrude upon the Africans the Canon of the first Nicene Councel 4. S. Augustine and other dissenters in the six Carthagenian Synod did die excluded from the Communion of the Roman Church 5. The Synod of Brixia could lawfully depose the Pope 6. The decrees of a general Councel can for any pretence be abrogated by a particular Synod 7. The Laity have only a receptive not a preceptive Authority in commanding the rites of the Church CAP. IX Of Conferences 1. ECclesiastical Conferences are meetings of some Divines in which nothing is canonically determined but the opinions of dissenters are brought to tryal and discussed 2. And that either 1. By the order of some publique authority 2. By a private arbitrary convention of Learned men 3. Publique Conferences of the first Classis have been either with 1. The dissenting Brethren 2. The Papists 3. The Lutherans 4. The Anabaptists 5. The Remonstrants 6. The Anti-Trinitarians 7. The Disciplinarians 4. For composing the differences of the Brethren have been Conferences 1. At Marpurg concerning the removing the difference about the Eucharist Adamus in vit German Theol. pag. 30. 2. At Spira where the name of Protestants was first heard Alsted Chr. p. 192. 3. The Smalcaldican where were present the Britain Embassadours and others that the League of the reformed might be ratified Id. 4. The Interimistican concerning pacification in which is written the Conciliatory book of Augusta which by reason of the scope of the disputants raysed an indifferent war which was expired in the form of Passavius 5. At Altenburg among the Lutherans concerning justification Adam p. 613. as also afterwards performed among the same at Quidlingburg concerning Ubiquity Id. 622. 6. At Torge concerning divers Articles of Religion Id. p. 649. as afterwards in a Conference at Bipont Id. 780. and at Bades Id. 655. 7. At Hetzburg about the book of concord Id. 750. 5. The more eminent Conferences with the Papists are 1. At Wormes two the first A. 1541. Sled in that year Adam p. 338. The second concerning divese articles of Religion A. 1547. Adam p. 349. 2. At Ratisbone three the first A. 1541. The second 1546. concerning diverse Articles of Religion by the same The third concerning the Judge of controversies A. 1601. which is fully extant by many either approved or handled 3. At Possiace A. 1561. concerning diverse Ecclesiastical matters Sleid. Adam 4. At Saint Germains in the same year concering the same matters Adam 5. At Mompelgard concerning the Sacrament and the person of Christ A. 1586. where Beza is the chief disputant It is intirely extant 6. At Oxford in which Cranmar Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Latimer Bishop of Worcester and Ridley of London were invincible Champions of the truth and suffered Martyrdom Fox Martyrol 7. At London the first in the time of Q. Mary in which John Philpot excellently acted his part The second in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth where the Papists challenged as the armed Ephramites to a combat scarcely without laughter yeelded themselves 6. Between the Calvinists or Zwinglians as they say and the Lutherans there was a Conference 1. At Malbrun concerning the Lords Supper and the Majesty of Christ 2. At Wittenburg between Vrbanus Pierius and Hunnius and other Lutherans 3. At Francofurt Casimire the Palatine procuring it Alsted 7. Conferences with the Anabaptists frantick persons and Enthusiasts are these************ 8. With the Remonstrants especially is that Conference at the Hague published diversely by diverse as a prologue to which was the contest between Amesius and Grevinchovius 9. Conferences with the Anti-trinitarians are 1. At Geneva of Calvin with Servetus*********** 10. Private Conferences may be added to these as 1. The Vinarian Strigelius and Illyricus concerning free will Adam p. 474. 2. At Argento between Illyricus and Jacobus of Adrea concerning original sin 3. At Swalback between Pareus and Melhusius and other Jesuites 4. At Fontbellack between Peronius and Du Plessis 5. At Paris between Du Moullin and Guntyr 6. Of Fulk Hanmer and Chark with Campian the Jesuite Reinold with Hart which is full of Learning to which others which may be met with of the same kind may be added by the Studious An INDEX of CHAPTERS in the SYNOPSIS of COUNCELS Of COUNCELS 1. Of SYNODS in general pag. 1. 2. JUDAICAL p. 1. 3. APOSTOLICAL p. 8. 4. OECUMENICAL GREEK p. 11. 5. OECUMENICAL LATINE p. 21. 6. CONTROVERTED p. 31. 7. REJECTED p. 41. 8. NATIONAL p. 49. 9. Of CONFERENCES p. 55. A Catalogue of Councels CHAP. 2. Of Judaical Councels Such have been meetings 1 At Sichem pag. 5. 2 At Hierusalem the first pag. 5. 3 At Carmelita pag. 5. 4 At Hierusalem the second pag. 5. 5 At Hierusalem the third pag. 5. 6 At Hierusalem the fourth pag. 5. 7 The Synod of the wise pag. 6. CHAP. 3. Of Apostolical Councels Such Councels are commonly noted 1 For substituting Mathias in the place of Judas p. 9. 2 For the election of seven Deacons p. 9. 3 For the pressing the Ceremonial Law p. 9. 4 For the toleration of some legal Ceremonies for a time p. 9. 5 For the meeting wherein was composed the Apostles Greed every one of them contributing part p. 9. 6 For the Meeting which obtruded to the Church 85 Canons of doubtful Gredit under the notion of the Apostles Authority p. 9. 7 At Antioch p. 9. CHAP. 4. Of Greek Oecumenical Councels or Eastern The more famous of them were 1 The Nicene the first p 12 pag. 13. 2 Of Constantinople the first pag. 13. 3 Of Ephesus the first pag. 13. 4 Of Calcedon p 13. pag. 13. 5 Of Constantinople the second p. 15. 6 Of Constantinople the third p 16. 7 The Nicene the second p 17. CHAP. 5. Of Latine Oecumenical Councels or Western These runne parallel with the Greek 1 At Ariminum p 21. 2 The Laterane p 22 and 23. 3 At Lions p 24. 4 At Vienna pag. 26. 5 At Florence pag. 26. 6 The Laterane the fifth p 27. 7 At Trent p 28. CHAP. 6. Of Controverted Councels Of which sort are 1 At Constantinople the fourth p 31. 2 At Sardis pag. 33. 3 At Syrmina pag. 33. 4 At Quinisext p 34. 5 At Francofurt p 35. 6 At Constance p 36 37. 7 At Basil p 38. CHAP. 7. Of Rejected Councels Among these are noted above the rest 1 At Antioch p 41. 2 At Millaine p 42. 3 At Seleucia p 43. 4 At Ephesus the second p 44. 5 At Coustantinople p 45. 6 At Pisa the first p 46. 7 At Pisa the second p 47. CHAP. 8. Of National Councels They are distributed into 1 Italian p 49. 2 Spanish p 50. 3 French p 51. 4 German p 51. 5 Eastern p 52. 6 African p 52. 7 Brittain p 53. CAP. 9. Of Conferences Ecclesialtical Conferences are meetings of some Divines and such were 1 By order of publick authority of which Classis are those with 1 The dissenting Brethren for composing of their differences viz. 1 At Marpurge p. 56. 2 At Spira p. 56. 3 The Smalchaldioan p. 56. 4 The Intermisiican p. 56. 5 At Altenburg p. 56. 6 At Torge p. 56. 7 At Hetzburg p. 56. 2 the Papists the more eminent of which are 1 At Wormes p. 57. 2 At Ratisbone p. 57. 3 At Possiace p. 57. 4 At Saint Germians p. 57. 5 At Mompelgard p. 57. 6 At Oxford p. 57. 7 At London p. 57. 3 The Lutherans Calvinists Zwinglians among themselves 1 At Malburne 58 2 At Wittenberg 58 3 At Francofurt 58 4 The Anabaptists **** ibid 5 The Remonstrants especially that at Hague **** ibid 6 The Antitrinitarians as 1 At Geneva **** ibid 7 The Disciplinarians ibid 2 A private arbitrary disputation of Learned men to which may be referred the 1 The Vinarian p. 58. 2 At Argentor p. 58. 3 At Swalback p. 58. 4 At Fontbellack p. 58. 5 At Paris p. 58. 6 Of Fulke Hanmer c. with Campian the Jesuite p. 58. 7 Of Reinolds with Hart **** p. 58. FINIS
convened with the Sadduces where the Apostles designed for Massacre were freed by Gamaleel and their punishment was mittigated and they dismissed only with whipping Act. 5. Their 3d Councel judged Stephen to be stoned Acts 6.12 In the 4th Councel under Ananias Paul was beaten and welnigh torn in pieces between the Pharises and Sadduces Act. 23.10 The 5th is said to be called by Ananias the younger where James the brother of the Lord with some others were sentenced to death Joseph Antiq. l. 20. c. 8. 2. The Councells celebrated by the Apostles are commonly noted 1. For the substituting of Mathias in the place of Judas who betrayed our Saviour Act. 1. 2. For the election of seven Deacons Act. 6. 3. For not pressing of the Ceremonial Law seeing that justification may be obtained by the Grace of God alone in Christ Acts 15.11 in which may be observed an exact directory for the following Councels 4. For the toleration of some legal observations for a time that by such a condescention the weaker sortmight be gained and the Mother Synagogue honourably inter'd and abolisht Act. 21.18 5. For the meeting wherein was composed the Apostles Creed by the Apostles met together every one contributing his part 6. For the meeting which did obtrude to the Church 85 Canons under the notion of the Apostles authority concerning which there are various Controversies 7. For the meeting at Antioch were among nine Canons the eighth commanded Images of Christ to be substituted in the room of Heathenish Idols the other pious Canons being destitute of the Authority of the Synod vid. Bin. Tom. 1. p. 19. Longum p. 147. INQUIRIES Whether 1. The Apostles met together in any Synod for the composing of the Creed which we have D. 2. S. Clement the Disciple of Peter wrote them in Greek Dionysius the lesse did translate them into Latine The Canons commonly termed Apostolical be unjustly attributed to the Apostles A. 3. The Author Authority or number of them be certainly known vid. Joverium p. 2. N. 4. The Epitome of Apostolical constitutions found in Crete and published by Charles Kapellicus be of any moment Consult P. Crab. N. 5. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin at a convention of the Apostles hath any ground or foundation N. 6. The Councel held at Antioch concerning approbation of Images be altogether imaginary A. 7. That compleat Councel of the Apostles Act. 15. may be an example for all other Synods to imitate A. CAP. IV. Of Approved Oecumenical Councels SECT I. Of the Greek or Eastern Oecumenical Councels 1. OEcumenicall or Generall Councels are such wherein Bishops and other Learned men out of every Country may freely meet together for the discussing and determining of Ecclesiastical affairs piously prudently and orderly without favour of Parties according to the Word of God and the received Canons of the Church 2. Such are 1. Greek or Eastern 2. Latine or Western Of the Greek Councels as the more famous may be reckoned 1. The NICENE the 1. 2. Of CONSTANTINOPLE the 1. 3. Of EPHESUS the 1. 4. Of CALCEDON 5. Of CONSTANTINOPLE the 2d 6. Of CONSTANTINOPLE the 3d 7. The NICENE the 2d 4. A.D. 235 The first NICENE Councel so called because it was celebrated at Nicea of Bithinia where afterwards the Arians Hillar Socrat. L. 2. c. 29. Baron an 359. N. 27. Longus that they might make this void called another Councel by the Authority of Constantine the Great in the time of Julius the first and Sylvester Popes 2. It consisted of 318. Bishops Hosius of Carduba being President having for his associats Potomon of Heraclia Papnutius a Theban of whom each lost an eye for Christs cause together with Paulus of new Cesaria who for the same profession was compelled to carry an hot Iron in his hand and Eustachius of Antioch who in the name of the Councel entertained the Emperour with an elegant Oration with many more famous for Learning and Miracles 3. The Canons of it being only 20. nor is it sufficiently manifest how warrantable came to the hands of Posterity Perhaps this hapned by the power and subtlety of the Artans Some obtrude more lately found by the Jesuites Turrianus and Pisanus in some hidden places of Arabia which the more Judicious doe little esteem 4. Three things especially are reported as condemned by this famous Synod 1. The Arian Heresie Blasphemously denying the Sonne to be Coeternall and Coessentiall with the Father 2. The dissent of the Eastern from the Western Christians about the Celebration of the Passcover in a manner different from the Jewish Custome 3. Together with the Schismatical dissentions of the Melitians and Novatians by which they Created perpetual troubles to the Orthodox Bishops 5. In this Councell the Emperour burnt all the accusations which the Bishops brought against each other as unworthy to be seen 6. An illeterate Christian grapling with a proud boasting Philosopher who with his reproaches persecuted Christianity stopped his blasphemous mouth 7. In which also Paphnutius a single man did confute some who were earnest against the Marriage of the Clergy Consult about this with Gelasius Cycizenus Scultet Analysis Socrat. Hist Tripartit l. 1. c. 8. Ruff. l. 10. c. 1. Bell. de Consil l. 1. c. 5 13 Calvin Instit l. 4. c. 7. S. 1. Camerar Hist de Concil Nicen. 5. A.D. 313 The first of CONSTANTINOPLE under Gratian and Theodosius the great and Damasus 1. Consisting of 150 Bishops 2. It is not manifest who sate in this as chief unlesse it was Cyrillus of Hierusalem 3. They condemned and discharged Macedonius Bishop of Constantinople for his perfidious opposing the Deity of the Holy Ghost together with Maximus Cynicus by reason of his Doctrine against Discipline mentioned Can. 6. Of whose Canons Caranza reckons only 7. Longus 9. All which except the first concerning the receiving of the Nicene Belief and the banishing of the Heretiques are rejected by the Roman Church 5. The Emperour nul'd all Confessions except that of those who acknowledge Christ Coessentiall with the Father which our present Liturgy retains under the name of the Nicene Creed 5. It is thought that Gregory Nazianzen compiled it according to the sense of the Synod 7. These words and the Sonne which confirms the Holy Ghosts proceeding from the Father and the Sonne are known to be added to this Creed by Benedictus the seventh which Leo the first and the third his Predecessors dared not to attempt Longus ex Lombard 1. Sent. D. 11. Bonavent aliis Theodoret. Hist l. 5. c. 6. 10. A.D. 434 6. The first of EPHESUS was fortunately called under Theodosius the younger promoted by Celestine the first 2. In this 200 Bishops condemned Nestorius of Constantinople together with Carisius his flattering Presbyter who instead of two Natures acknowledged diverse Persons in Christ and therefore pleaded that the Blessed Virgin should be stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 only and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3.