the Communion of the Cup but much more because those Iesuites howsoeuer they were the first would bee excepted both from the generall orders with so much petulancie They called to minde the stirres raysed by them in the Session and Torre was particularly noted by Simoneta for hauing written against Catharinus in fauour of residence that it is de iure diuino with insolent termes as the Cardinall sayd Therefore the Congregation beeing ended hee told his Colleagues that it was fit to represse this boldnesse and giue example to others and they agreed so to doe vpon the first occasion In the discussions of the Diuines all were vniforme in condemning the The discussion of the Articles Protestant opinions of heresie in the Articles proposed and did quickly dispatch the others The discourse of euery one was long in prouing the Masse to be a sacrifice in which Christ is offered vnder the sacramentall elements Their principall reasons were That CHRIST is a Priest according to the order of Melchisedec but Melchisedec offered bread wine therefore the Priesthood of CHRIST doeth require the sacrifice of bread and wine Moreouer the Paschall Lambe was a true sacrifice and that is a figure of the Eucharist therefore the Eucharist also must bee a sacrifice Afterwards the prophecie of Malachie was alleadged by whose mouth God reiected the sacrifice of the Iewes saying his Name was holy great amongst the Gentiles and that in euery place a pure oblation is offered to him which cannot bee vnderstood of any thing else which is offered in euery place and by all Nations Diuers other congruities and figures of the old Testament were produced some grounding themselues vpon one and some vpon another In the new Testament the place of Saint Iohn was brought where CHRIST sayth to the woman of Samaria that the houre is come in which the Father shall bee worshipped in Spirit and in trueth and to worship in the holy Scripture doeth signifie to sacrifice as appeareth by many places And the woman of Samaria asked him of the sacrifice which could not be offered by the Iewes but in Ierusalem and by the Samaritans was offered in Garizim where CHRIST then was Therefore they sayd the place was necessarily to bee vnderstood of an externall publike and solemne adoration which could be no other but the Eucharist It was proued also by the words of CHRIST This is my body which is giuen for you which is broken for you This is my blood which is shed for you Therefore there is a breaking of the body and an effusion of blood in the Eucharist which are actions of a sacrifice Aboue all they grounded themselues vpon the words of Saint Paul who putteth the Eucharist in the same kind with the sacrifices of the Iewes and of the Gentiles saying that by it the body and blood of CHRIST are participated as in the Hebraisme he that eateth of the hoast is partaker of the altar and one cannot drinke the Cup of the LORD and eate of his Table and drinke of the cup of Deuils and bee partaker of their table But that the Apostles were ordayned Priests by CHRIST they prooued plainely by the words spoken to them by CHRIST our LORD Doe this in remembrance of me For better proofe many authorities of the Fathers were adduced who doe all name the Eucharist a sacrifice or in more generall termes doe testifie that a sacrifice is offered in the Church Some added afterwards that the Masse was a sacrifice because CHRIST offered himselfe in the supper And they brought this reason for the most principall and prooued the ground thereof because the Scripture saying plainely that Melchisedec offered bread and wine CHRIST could not haue beene a Priest after that order if hee had not done the like and because CHRIST sayd that his blood was a confirmation of the new Testament but the blood which doeth confirme the old was offered in this institution therefore it followeth by a necessary consequence that CHRIST himselfe also did offer it They argued also that CHRIST hauing sayd Doe this in remembrance of me if hee had not offered we could not doe it And they sayd the Lutherans haue no other argument to prooue the Masse to be no sacrifice but because Christ hath not offered and therefore that opinion was dangerous as fauouring the hereticall doctrine It was also more effectually prooued because the Church singeth in the office of the body of our LORD CHRIST a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedec hath offered bread and wine And in the Canon of the Ambrosian Missal it is sayd that instituting a forme of perpetuall sacrifice hee hath first offered himselfe as an hoast and hath first taught how to offer it Afterwards many authorities of the Fathers were produced to prooue the same On the other part it was said with no lesse asseueration that CHRIST In which the Diuines are much diuided in the supper hath commanded the oblation to bee made for euer in the Church after his death but that hee hath not offered himselfe because the nature of that sacrifice did not comport it And for proofe heereof they sayd that the oblation of the Crosse would haue beene superfluous because mankinde would haue beene redeemed by that of the supper which went before That the sacrifice of the Altar was instituted by CHRIST for a memoriall of that which hee offered on the Crosse but there cannot bee any memoriall but of a thing past therefore the Eucharist could not be a sacrifice before the oblation of CHRIST on the Crosse They alleadged also that neither the Scripture nor the Canon of the Masse nor any Councell euer sayd that CHRIST offered himselfe in the supper and added that the places of the Fathers before alledged ought to be vnderstood of his oblation on the Crosse They concluded that hauing to define the Masse to bee a sacrifice as indeed it was it might most effectually bee done by proofes out of the Scriptures and Fathers without adding such weake reasons This difference was not betweene many and few but diuided aswell the Diuines as the Fathers into almost equall parts and occasioned some contention The former went so farre as to say that the other opinion was an errour and required that it should bee silenced by an Anathematisme condemning of heresie those that say that CHRIST hath not offered himselfe in the supper vnder the sacramentall elements The others said it was not a time to ground ones selfe vpon things vncertaine and vpon new opinions neither heard not thought of by antiquity but that one ought to insist vpon that which is plaine and certaine both by the Scripture and by the Fathers that is that CHRIST hath commanded the oblation All the moneth of Iuly was spent by the seuenteene who spake vpon the first Articles the latter they dispatched in a few dayes rather with iniurious tearmes against the Protestantes then with reasons It is not fitte to relate the particulars but onely
the Legates knowing how much it concerned the reputation of the Councell entertained them partly by saying they had not power to giue leaue and partly by giuing hope that the Councell should begin within few dayes Caesars Ambassadour returned to his Ambassage at Venice vpon pretence of indâ— position leauing the Legates doubtfull whether it were by the Emperours commission vpon some tricke or for being wearâ— to bee idle and incommodated Hee promised a speedie returne adding that in the meane while the Ambassadours of the King of the Romanes remained there to assist the seruice of God and yet hee desired the Councell should not bee opened vntill his returne But in the end of the next moneth the greater part of the Bishops moued some by pouertie and some by incommoditie made grieuous complaints and raised as it were a sedition among themselues threatning that they would depart and had recourse to Francis Castel-Alto gouernour of Trent whom Ferdinand had appointed to hold his place together with 〈◊〉 Gineâ—a This man came before the Legats and desired them in the name of his King that now at last they would begin it being plaine how much good would ensue by the celebration and how much euill by temperizing thâ—â— The Legats held themselues offended herewith because they thought it was to shew the world that which was contrary to the trueth and to attribute to them the delay which proceeded from the Emperour And though they among themselues resolued to dissemble and to answere in generall termes yet the Cardinall Monte could not bridle his libertie but in making answere concluded in the end with perswasion to expect Don Diego who had more particular commissions then hee It was hard to entertaine and comfort the Prelates who ill endured that idle delay and especially the poore ones who wanted money and not wordes Wherefore they resolued to giue at the Popes charge fortie Ducats a yeere to the Bishops of Nobili Bertinoro and Money is giuen to the poore Bishops Chioza who complained more then the rest and fearing that the munificence might giue pretence hereafter they declared themselues that it was for a subsidie and not for prouision They gaue the Pope an account by letter of what they had done shewing him the necessitie to assist them with some greater ayde but telling him withall that it was not good to giue it as a firme prouision that the Fathers might not seeme the stipendaries of his Holinesse which would cherish the Protestants excuse not to submit themselues to the Councel because it was composed only of those that depended on and were obliged to the Pope At the same time the Emperor in Wormes cited the Archbiship of Collen The Archbishop of Collen is cited by the Emperour in Wormes to appeare before him within thirtie dayes or to send a Proctor to answere to the accusations and imputations layd vpon him commanding him in the meane space not to make any innouation in Religion and Rites but to reduce the things innouated to their former state Hermannus Bishop of Collen desiring to reforme his Church in the yeere 1536. called a Councell of the Bishops his Suffragans where many Decrees were made and a booke printed composed by Iohn Groperus a Canonist who for seruice done to the Church of Rome was after created Cardinall by Pope Paul the fourth But whether the Archbishop and Groperus himselfe were not satisfied with the reformation or whether hee changed his opinion hee assembled the Clergie and Nobility and chiefe men of his state in the yeere 1543. and established another reformation This though it were approoued by many pleased not the whole Clergie yea the maior part opposed it and made Groperus their head who before had giuen counsell for it and promoted it They entreated the Archbishop to desist and expect a generall Councell or at the least an Imperiall Diet which not being able to obtaine in the yeere 1545 they appealed to the Pope and to the Emperour as supreme aduocate and protectour of the Church The Archbishop published by a writing that the appeale was friuolous and that hee could not desist from that which belonged to the glory of God and amendment of the Church that hee had not to doe either with the Lutherans or others but that hee obserued the doctrine agreeable to the holy Scripture The Archbishop going on in his reformation and the Clergie of Collen insisting vpon the contrary the Emperour receiued the Clergie into his protection and cited the Arch-bishop as hath beene said This newes comming to Trent gaue matter to passe the time at the least with discourses The Legates were much mooued and amongst the Prelates which were present those that were of any vnderstanding blamed the Emperour for making himselfe Iudge of faith and reformation the most gentle word they spake was that the Emperours proceeding was very scandalous They began to know they were not esteemed and that to bee idle was to be scorned by the world Therefore they did discourse that they were constrayned to declare themselues to be a Councel lawfully called and to be beginne The Emperor is blamed for the Citation by the Fathers of Trent the worke of God proceeding first against the foresayd Archbishop the Elector of Saxony the Landgraue of Hassia and likewise against the King of England They grew into so great spirits that they seemed not the same who a few dayes before thought themselues confined in prison The Ministers of the Archbishop of Mentz abated this heat putting them in minde of the greatnesse of those Princes and their adherents and the danger to make them vnite themselues with the King of England and so to make a greater fire in Germanie and the Cardinall of Trent spake in the same forme The Italian Bishops thinking it a great matter to meddle in such eminent subiects said it was true that all the world would be attentiue at such a processe yet that all the importance was to begin and ground it well They incited one another saying it was necessary to redeeme the slownesse past with celerity hereafter That they should demand of the Pope some man of worth to perorate against the accused as did Melehior Baldassino against the Pragmatique in the Laterane Councel beeing perswaded that to depriue Princes of their States had no other difficultie then to vse well the formes of Processes But the Legates as well for this as for other occurrences knew it to be necessarie to haue such a Doctor and wrote to Rome to be prouided of one The Pope vnderstanding the Emperors action was astonished and doubted The Pope was wonderfully distasted with the Citation whether to complaine or be silent To complaine when no effect would succeed he thought friuolous and a demonstration of his small power And this mooued him exceedingly But on the other side considering well how much it imported him not to passe ouer a matter of that moment hee resolued not to giue words
for greater reuerence to receiue it againe and examine it and make answere afterwards These things being done according to the rite of the Roman Ceremoniall all kneeled downe to pray softly as the vse was in all the Sessions and then they sayd aloud Adsumus Domine c. Sancte Spiritus c. Which the President spake with an high voice in the name of all The Letanie being sung the Gospel was read by the Deacon Si peccauerit in te frater tuâ—s c. And lastly the hymne Veni Creator spiritus beeing sung and all sate downe in their places the Cardinall of Monte pronunced the Decree with interrogatorie words reading whether it pleased the Fathers for the praise of God extirpation of heresies reformation of Church and people depression of the enemies of Christ to determine and declare that the holy Tridentine and Generall Councel should begin and be begun whereunto all answered first the Legates then the Bishops and other Fathers by the word Placeâ— He then added whether in regard of the Feasts of the old and new yeere it The decree for opening the Councels and holden the next Session pleased them that the next Session should be the seuenth of Ianuary and they answered likewise that it pleased them This being done Hercules Seuerallo Speaker of the Councel desired the Notaries to make an instrument of all The himne Te Deum laudamus was sung and the Fathers putting off their Pontificall habits and putting on their common accompanied the Legates the Crosse going before These ceremonies being vsed in the Sessions following shall be repeated no more Germany and Italy were very curious to know the first actions of this assembly which was begun with so many difficulties the Prelats in Trent and those of their family were charged by their friends to aduise them of it Therefore immediatly after the Session a copie of the Legats admonition and of the oration of Bitonto was sent into euery place which were quickly printed Whereof that I may the better tell what was commonly spoken it is necessarie to relate briefely the contents of the Oration It began with shewing the necessitie of the Councell because it is an hundred yeeres since that of Florence and because things of difficultie belonging to the Church The contents of the oration made by the Bishop of Ritonto cannot well be handled but in it For in them the Creeds haue beene made heresies condemned manners amended Christian Nations vnited armies sent to conquer the holy land Kings and Emperours deposed and schismes rooted out And that for this cause the Poets introduce the Councell of the Gods And Moyses writeth that they were conciliarie voyces the Decree to make man and to confound the tongues of the Giants That Religion hath three heads Doctrine the Sacraments and Charitie and that all these three call for a Councell Hee declared the corruptions entred into them for restauration of which the Pope by the fauour of the Emperour Kings of France of the Romanes and of Portugall and of Christian Princes hath assembled the Synod and sent his Legats He made a long digression in commendation of the Pope and another not much shorter in praise of the Emperour then he praised the three Legats deriuing their commendation from the name and surname of each of them and added that the Councel being assembled all ought to meet in it as in the Troian horse Hee inuited the woods of Trent to sound foorth through the world that all should submit themselues to that Councel which if they doe not it will be iustly sayd that the Popes light is come into the world and men haue loued darknesse better then the light He lamented that the Emperour was not present or at the least Don Diego who represented him He congratulated the Cardinall Madruccio that the Pope had assembled in his City the dispersed and wandering fathers Hee turned to the Prelats and sayd that to open the gates of the Councel was to open the gates of Paradise from whence would descend liuing water to fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord. Hee exhorted the fathers to amendment and to open their hearts as dry ground to receiue it adding that if they doe it not yet the holy Ghost will open their mouths though their mindes bee possessed with an euill spirit as hee did the mouths of Caiphas and Balaam lest if the Councel should erre the Church should erre also Hee exhorted them to lay aside all passion that they may truely say It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to vs. Hee inuited Greece France Spaine Italy and all Christian Nations to the Marriage In fine hee turned himselfe to Christ praying him by the intercession of Saint Vigilius the turelarie Saint of the valley of Trent to assist that Councell The Legats admonition was accounted pious Christian modest and The censure of the oration worthy of Cardinals but the Sermon of the Bishop was iudged farre otherwise His vanitie and ostentation of Eloquence was noted by all But men of vnderstanding compared as an holy sentence to a wicked those ingenious and most true words of the Legats that without a good inward acknowledgement the holy Ghost would in vaine be called on with the saying of the Bishop quite contrary that without that their mouth should bee opened by the holy Ghost though their heart remained replenished with a wicked spirit It was thought arrogancy to affirme that in case those few Prelates erred all the Church would erre as if other Councels of seuen hundred Bishops had not erred and the Church refused their doctrine Others added that this was not conformable to the doctrine of the Romanists who grant not infallibilitie but to the Pope and to the Councell by vertue of the Popes confirmation But to compare the Councell to the Troian horse an insidious inuention was noted of folly and reprehended for irreuerence To haue retorted the words of the Scripture that Christ and his doctrine the light of the Father is come into the world and men haue preferred darknesse before the light making the Councell and doctrine thereof to bee the Popes light appeared to the world which if it were not receiued it should be said men haue loued darkenesse more then light was esteemed a blasphemie and it was wished that at the least hee had not taken the formall words of the holy Scripture that hee might not haue shewed so openly to haue disesteemed it But in Trent the beginning being made neither the Prelates not Legats The Legates not knowing how to proceed write to Rome themselues knew what should bee handled nor what order obserued Therfore the Legates wrote to Rome a letter worthie to bee repeated at large to giue an account of what was done before First they said they bee appointed the next session the day after the Epiphanie as a terme which could not bee taxed neither of too long delay nor too much breuitie that in the
keeping from them any Faculty that the manner of liuing vntill the Councell began might be set downe by their aduice and the Clergie reformed that he would haue consideration and determine if the Sea were vacant during the time of the Councell whether the Fathers thereof or Cardinals should elect the Pope that in case it should happen no new stirres might arise This third The Pope is put in mind of his old age point was added to put the Pope in minde of his old age and approaching death and so to make him condescend more easily that his posterity might not inherite the displeasure which the Emperour tooke at 〈…〉 The Pope in answere of these propositions commended the Emperors good will and his paines for publique seruice of the Church concluding hee would haue such consideration of these propositions as they deserued and resolue as GOD would inspire him The Cardinall hauing in diuers priuate audiences assayed in vaine to haue some good resolution from the Pope leauing the instruction to Don Diego di Mendoza whom the Emperour had caused to The Card of Trent retureth leauing Don Diego in his roome goe for that purpose to Rome from Siena where he was to accommodate the differences of that Republique hee departed and returned to Ausburg Don Diego in publique Consistory assembled to giue the cap to the Cardinall of Guise where all sorts of men might be present presented himselfe before the Pope and expounded vnto him the same things which the Cardinall had done adding that he had commission in case his Holinesse did interpose any delay or excuse to protest that the Synode of Bolonia was not lawfull The Pope answered that he would first vnderstand the opinion and the reasons The popes answere concerning the returne of the Councell of the Fathers of the Councell of Bolonia and impart the proposition to the Kings and Princes of Christendome that he might resolue maturely for the seruice of God and satisfaction of all The Cardinall of Guise made a publique discourse in the same Consistory The discourse of the Cardinall of Guise in the consistory in the name of the French King and spake thus in substance That King Francis had neuer spared any cost or danger to maintaine the liberty of other Princes In conformity whereof Henry not degenerating from the vertue of his ancestors so soone as he left to mourne for his Fathers death was willing to declare his obseruance towards the Sea of Rome That the merits of the Kings of France towards the Pope were famous and exceeded all those of other Nations but this was aboue all which the King now doth promising all his forces to preserue the Papall dignity now when it is so contemned He prayed the Pope to receiue the King for his sonne and to promise to himselfe all assistance from him and to take care that the Church should receiue no dammage or shame in regard that from small beginnings great factions haue risen which haue brought the Popes into great calamities He exemplified in many Popes afflicted who were defended and raised by the Kings of France concluding that the present King will not yeeld to his ancestors in preseruing the dignity of the Apostolique Sea Many did thinke that the Pope made Guise speake so to encourage the Cardinals his dependants and to daunt the lofty spirits of the Imperialists and to make them see they could not enforce him And to execute what he had said to Don Diego he wrote to Bolonia to the Cardinall of Monte the proposition made vnto him and his owne determination giuing him order that so soone as might be inuocating the holy Ghost hee should deliuer all to the Fathers and when he had vnderstood their opinion should write backe what the Councell thought The Legate the Fathers being assembled declared The manner how the spirit did worke in this Councel the Commissions and gaue his owne voice first which all the others followed For the spirit which was wont to mooue the Legates to thinke as the Pope did and he Bishops to beleeue as the Legates did worke as formerly it had done The voices being collected the Cardinall by the consent and is the name of all answered that the Synode when the lawfull decree was made to translate it from Trent to Bolonia hauing admonished all to put themselues into the iourney and after that they were arriued in Bolonia vnderstanding that some remained in Trent hauing againe louingly exhorted them to part from thence and ioyne with the body of the Councell they made none account thereof continuing still in that Citie with contempt of the Councell and scandall of many as if they pretended to bee a lawfull Councell or were not bonnd to obey this and therefore that the Fathers The answere sent from Bolonia concerning the returne of the Councell did not know how the returne to Trent could bee treated of with the honour and reputation of the Synode if those who remaine there doe not first goe to Bolonia to vnite with the rest and acknowledge the power of the Councell When this is done the returne in contemplation of Germanie may bee handled if that Nation will giue sufficient securitie to obey the Decrees as well to be made as made already He added that there was a fame spread that when the Councell returned to Trent the proceeding should bee popular and licentious Therefore the Fathers thought it necessary to haue good securitie that the order continued in the celebration of Councels from the Apostles time vntill this age should be obserued desiring also caution to stand secure and to be able to depart and translate also the Councell when it shall seeme fit to the maior part and to end it when they shall iudge that they haue attained the end for which it was called desiring his Holinesse not to compell them to that which would bee against the honour of God and libertie of the Church The Pope hauing receiued these letters when the Masse was ended on Which the Pope doeth communicito to the Cardinals in Consistory to the Emperours Ambassador Saint Iohn the Euangelists day beeing returned to the Chamber of the robes with the Cardinals did communicate the Councels answere vnto them which beeing approoued by the maior part he caused Mendoza to bee called and related vnto him the opinion of the Synode approoued also by the Cardinals adding that there was nothing that he was not willing to doe for Germanies sake that the Emperour was a good witnesse hereof that he was sure that the demand which he the Ambassador had made in the name of Caesar Ferdinand and the Empire had a condition annexed that is if it may bee with the peace and profit of other Nations and liberty of the Church which being assembled in a generall Councell seeing it hath iudged otherwise and that the Colledge of Cardinals was of the same opinion he could not choose but repute it iuridicall and
desired it should bee better yet they would bee content when they saw all was done All being in order the foure and twentieth day the generall Congregation The Protestation of the Councel concerning the admission of the Protestants was made in which the Electors and all the Fathers met in the Legates house as also the Ambassadours of the Emperour and of Ferdinand who were not wont to be present in such kinds of Congregation The Legat began breifly and said they were assembled to beginne an action the most doubtfull that euer happened to the holy Church therefore they were to pray GOD for good successe with more then vsuall deuotion and hauing inuocated the name of the holy Ghost as the custome is in the Congregations the Protestation was read by the Secretary whereunto all the Fathers hauing giuen consent the Speaker desired it should bee registred in the actes and a publique instrument made of it The tenour whereof was thus in substance That the holy Synode not to hinder the progresse of the Councell by the disputes which would arise when it should be duely examined what sort of persons should appeare in the Synode and what sort of Mandats and Writings bee presented and in what places men should sit doth declare that if any be admitted for himselfe or as a deputie which ought not to bee receiued by the disposition of the law or vse of the Councels or set not in his right place or if Mandats Instruments Protestations or other writings which doe or may offend the honour authority or power of the Councell bee presented it shall bee vnderstood that the present or future generall Councels shall not bee preiudiced it being the Synods meaning to restore peace and concord vnto the Church by any meanes so that it bee lawfull and conuenient Afterwards the Saxon Ambassadours were brought in where beeing entred Badehornus one of the Saxon Ambassadours maketh an oration in the generall congregation and hauing made their obeisance to the assembly Badehornus spake vsing these titles Most reuerend and most worthy Fathers and Lords The substance of his speach was this That Maurice Electour of Saxony wishing them the assistance of the holy Spirit and a happy issue of the action did let them know that hee had long since resolued that if euer a generall free and Christian Councel were celebrated where the controuersies of Religion might be decided according to the holy Scripture and all might speake securely and a Reformation bee made in the Head and the members to send his Diuines thither That now thinking they are assembled to this end hee hath called his Theologues together commanding them to choose some to carry their Confession to that Synod which was not yet done in regard of a certaine constitution of the Councell of Constance that faith or safe Conduct giuen by the Emperour Kings or others to heretiques or persons suspected ought not to bee obserued and of the example of the Bohemians who would not goe to Basill without securitie from the Councell Therefore that the Elector desired that such a safe Conduct should bee giuen to his Diuines Counsellors and their families that not long since a certaine forme of safe Conduct was presented to him much different from that of Basil so that the Diuines thought it dangerous to come hither with it because by some Decrees made in Trent and already printed it did appeare that they are accounted heretiques and schismatiques though they neuer haue beene either called or heard Therefore the Prince demaundeth he sayd that his men may be excused and a safe Conduct granted in the forme of that of Basil and that vnderstanding that they would proceede to the conclusion of the controuersed Articles it seemed vnto him a thing preiudiciall and contrary to all law of GOD and Man in regard his men were lawfully hindered for want of a safe Conduct Who therefore prayeth them that all may be deferred vntill his Diuines be heard who be but sixty Dutch miles distant That afterwards it being related to him that the Protestants may not be heard concerning the controuersed Articles defined the yeeres past the greater part of which containe grieuous errours the Prince desireth that they may be reexamined and his Diuines suffered to speake and that determined which shall bee conformable to the word of GOD and beleeued by all Nations of the Christian world For the things determined haue beene handled by very few of those who ought to assist in the generall Councell as doeth appeare by the printed Catalogue it beeing essentiall to a generall Councel that all Nations should bee admitted and freely heard That the Prince also doeth remember that many controuersed Articles doe concerne the Pope and the Councels of Constance and Basil hauing determined that the Pope in points of faith and which concerne himselfe is subiect to the Councell it is fit the same should be done in this place as also which was constituted in the third Session of the Councell of Basil that all persons of the Councell should bee absolued from the oathes of Obligation to the Pope as farre as concerneth the causes of the Councell Yea that the Prince is of opinion that without any further declaration by vertue of the constitutions of those Councels all are free from those bonds Therefore prayeth the assembly that they would first repeate approoue and ratifie the Article of the superiority of the Councell aboue the Pope especially in regard the Cleargie hath need of reformation which hath beene hindered by the Popes For the abuses cannot bee amended if the persons of the Councell depend on the Popes nod and bee bound by vertue of oath to preserue his honour state and power and if it might bee obtained of the Pope to remit the oath willingly it would be praise-worthy and gaine great fauour credit and authority to the Councell because the Decrees would bee made by free men who might lawfully treat and iudge according to the word of CHRIST That in conclusion the Prince desireth that his propositions may be taken in good part being moued to tender them for the zeale of his owne saluation charitie towards his Countrey and peace of all Christendome Hauing this discourse in writing he presented it and it was receiued by the Secretary and the Speaker said in the common name that the Synod would consider of it and make answere in due time After these those of Wittenberg were heard who presented the Mandate of And so do the Ambassadors of the Duke of Wittenberg their Ambassage Which being read they briefly said that they were to tender the Confession of their doctrine and that Diuines would come to defend it and handle the same things more at large so that iudges might be indifferently chosen by both sides to take knowledge of the controuersies For their doctrine being repugnant to that of the Pope and the Bishops his adherents it was vniust that either the Plaintife or the defendant should be
some fewe that are most notable In the Congregation of the â—4 of Iuly in the afternoone Georgius di Ataide a Diuine of the K. of Portugall sought to ouerthrow all the grounds The discourse of Georgius di Ataide of the other Diuines layd to prooue the sacrifice of the Masse by the holy Scripture and said first that it could not be doubted that the Masse was a sacrifice because all the Fathers haue said it in plaine words and replyed it vpon euery occasion and hee began with the Latins and Greekes of the ancient Church and with the Martyrs and came from time to time vntill the present age affirming that there is no Christian writer who hath not called it a sacrifice Therefore it must certainely bee concluded that it hath beene so taught by an Apostolicall tradition the force whereof is more then sufficient to make Articles of faith as this Councell hath maintained from the beginning But this true and solide foundation is weakened by those who would build in the ayre seeking to finde in the Scriptures that which is not there giuing occasion to the aduersaries to calumniate the trueth while they see it grounded vpon such an vnstablesand And hauing thus spoken hee proceeded to examine one after another the places of the old and new Testament alledged by the Diuines shewing that no expresse signification of the sacrifice could be drawen from them To the fact of Melchisedec he answered that CHRIST was a Priest of that order as hee was the onely begotten eternall without predecessor father mother or genealogie And this is prooued too plainely by the Epistle to the Hebrewes where Saint Paul discoursing at large of this place doeth handle the eternitie and singularity of the Priesthood and maketh no mention of the bread and wine He repeated the doctrine of Saint Austine that when there is a fit place for any thing to bee spoken and it is not spoken an argument may bee drawen from the authoritie negatiuely Of the Paschall Lambe he said that it could not be presupposed for a thing so euident that it was a sacrifice and perhaps to him that would take vpon him to prooue the contrary the victory would necessarily bee yeelded and also that it was too hard a metaphor to make it a Type of the Eucharist and not rather of the Crosse Hee commended those Theologues who hauing brought the place of Malachie added that of Saint Iohn To worship in Spirit and trueth because indeed the one and the other did formally speake of the samething and were to bee expounded alike that no difficultie might be made concerning the word Adorare which certainely doth signifie also a sacrifice and the woman of Samaria tooke it in the generall signification But when CHRIST added That God is a Spirit and will bee worshipped in Spirit no man that is not willing to expound all things in an vnproper sence will say that a Sacrament which consisteth of a thing visible and inuisible is purely spirituall but composed of this and the Elementary signe Therefore he that will expound both those places of internall adoration cannot be conuinced and shall haue probability on his side the application being plaine that this is offered in all places and by all Nations and is purely spirituall as God is a pure Spirit And he proceeded and said that the words This is my body which is giuen for you and the blood which is shed for you haue a more plaine meaning if they be referred to the body and blood in their naturall eslence then in their Sacramentall as when it is said CHRIST is the true Vine which bringeth foorth the wine it is not meant that the significatiue vine doth bring foorth Wine but the reall So this is my blood which is shedde doth not signifie that the Sacramentall and significatiue blood was shed but the blood naturall and signified And that which Saint Paul saith of taking part of the Sacrifice of the Iewes and of the table of Deuils is vnderstood of the Rites which GOD did institute by Moyses and of those which the Gentiles did vse in sacrificing so that it cannot hence bee prooued that the Eucharist is a sacrifice that it is plaine in Moyses that in the votiue sacrifices the oblation was all presented to GOD and a part burnt which was called the Sacrifice and that which remained belonged partly to the Priest and partly to him that offered which they did eate with whom they pleased neither was this called to sacrifice but to participate of the thing sacrificed The Gentiles did imitate the same yea that part which was not consumed vpon the Altar was sent by some to bee sold and this is the table which is not the Altar The plaine meaning of Saint Paul is that as the Iewes eating the part belonging to him that offereth which is a remainder of the sacrifice doe partake of the Altar and the Gentiles likewise so we eating the Eucharist are partakers of the sacrifice of the Crosse And this is it which CHRIST said Doe this in remembrance of mee and which Saint Paul said As often as ye shall eate of this bread and drinke of this Cup you shall professe that the Lord dyed for you But whereas it is said that the Apostles were by the words of the Lord ordained Priests to offer sacrifice when hee saith Doe this without doubt it is vnderstood of that which they had seene him to doe Therefore it must be manifest first that he hath offered which cannot be because the opinions of the Diuines are various and euery one confesseth that both the one and the other is Catholique and those who denie that CHRIST hath offered cannot conclude by those words that hee hath commanded the oblation Then hee brought the arguments of the Protestants by which they prooue that the Eucharist is not instituted for a sacrifice but for a Sacrament and concluded that it could not bee said that the Masse was a sacrifice but by the ground of Tradition exhorting them to rest vpon this and not to make the trueth vncertaine by desiring to prooue too much Then hee came to resolue the Protestant arguments and gaue his Auditors ill satisfaction therein for hee recited them with force and good appearance and answered weakely so that hee did rather confirme them This was ascribed by some to the shortnesse of time which remained vntill night and others thought he was not able to expresse himselfe better and Giueth bad satisfaction to the Prelates the most intelligent were of opinion that those answeres did not satisfie himselfe The Fathers murmuring hereat Iacobus Paiua another Portugall Diuine repeated in the next Congregation all his arguments and resolued them with satisfaction of his hearers saying in excuse of his Colleague that he was of the same minde and the testimonies of the Ambassadours and Prelates of Portugall of his honestie and soundnesse of doctrine caused the Legates not to be offended with him Notwithstanding hee
Churches by a nationall Councell 31 For wee know that the spirit of God is tied neither to places nor to numbers of men Tel it to the Church saith Christ not to the whole Church spread ouer the world but to a particular which may easily meet in one place Wheresoeuer saith he two or three shall bee gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them When Paul would reforme the Churches of the Corinthians and of the Galatians he did not command them to expect a Generall Councell but onely wrot vnto them that what error soeuer or vice was amongst them themselues should presently cutt it off So in times past when Bishops did sleepe or intended by-matters or did defile and pollute the Lords Temple God did alwaies extraordinarily rayse vp some men of great spirit and courage who made all well and sound againe 32 For our selues wee haue done nothing but with very good reason nothing but what wee sawe to bee lawfull and to haue beene practised by the Fathers of the primitiue Church without any reprehension at all wherfore wee called a full Synod of Bishops and by common consent of all sorts purged our Church as it were Augeus his stable of those excrements which either the negligence or the malice of men had brought in wee haue restored all things as much as possibly wee could to the ancient puritie of the Apostolicall times and the similitude of the primitiue Church This was iustly in our power to doe and because wee could doe it wee did it boldly 33 Here I thinke it fit that you should heare what Pope Gregory the first hath written concerning this matter which pleaseth mee the more because hee wrote it to Augustine Bishop of the English about the institutiō of the Church of England Hee exhorteth him not to call a Councell but to ordaine that which he himselfe in his own wisdome did thinke would most promote pietie and religion Your brotherhood sayth hee knoweth the Custome of the Romane Church in which you haue been brought vp It pleaseth mee to heare that you haue beene carefull to make choyce of as many things as you can finde acceptable to GOD either in the Church of Rome France or of any other that you may bring them into the English Church which is as yet but new in faith and as it were but now to bee framed For things are not to bee valewed because of the place where they are found but places are to bee valewed for the things that are in them 34 So the Fathers in the Councell of Constantinople write to Damasus Bishop of Rome and to the other Westerne Bishops You know say they that the old Decree and definition of the Nicen fathers concerning the care of particular Churches hath alwayes been in force that the husbandmen of the Lord's vineyard in euery Prouince taking their next bordering neighbours vnto them if they please should bestowe Ecclesiasticall honours vpon those whom they thinke will vse them well The Bishops of Africa wrote thus to Celestinus Bishop of Rome Let your Holinesse as becommeth you take away all wicked euasions of Priests and inferiour Clergie-men because none of the Fathers haue denied this to the Church of Africa And the Decrees of the Nicen Councell doe most plainely referre not onely meane Clergie men but euen the Bishops themselues to their Metropolitans For businesses are best ended in the places where they are neither is the grace of the Holy Spirit wanting vnto any Prouince Let this equitie be wisely obserued and constantly maintained by the Ministers of CHRIST 35 Eleutherius Bishop of Rome writeth to Lucius King of Britannie much better and more appositely to our present purpose You haue saith he desired that wee should send you the lawes of the Romans and of the Emperours that you may make vse of them in the kingdome of Britannie These lawes wee may abrogate when we will but the lawes of God we cannot You haue receiued by God's mercie into your kingdome of Britannie the law and faith of CHRIST you haue there the Old and the New Testament from them take through the grace of God lawes by a Councel of your owne kingdome and God permitting you instruct your kingdome of Britannie by them For you are Gods Vicar in that kingdome according to that of the Psalmist The earth is the Lords 36 What should I say more Victor Bishop of Rome held a prouinciall Synod at Rome Iustinian the Emperor commandeth that Synods if there were occasion should be held in euery Prouince protesting to punish them if they did not doe it Euery prouince saith Hierom hath peculiar maners and rites and conceipts which cannot be altered without a great deale of trouble What should I repeat those old prouinciall Councels at Eliberis Gangra Laodicea Ancyra Antioch Tyrus Carthage Mileuitum Tholouse Burdeaux This is no new inuention The Church of God was so gouerned before the Fathers met in the Nicen Councel men did not presently run to a general Councel Trophilus held a prouinciall Councel in Palestina Palmas in Pontus Irenaeus in France Bacchylus in Achaia Origen against Berillus in Arabia I omit many other National Councels held in Africa Asia Graecia Egypt without any order from the Bishop of Rome which Councels were godly Orthodox and Christian For Bishops in those times vpon the sudden if any occasion had been offred did prouide for the necessity of their Churches by a domesticall Councell and somtimes craued ayd from their neighbor Bishops so that they mutually helped one the other Neither did Bishops onely beleeue that the cause of Religion belonged to them but euen Princes too For to passe ouer Nabuchadnezar who commanded vpon paine of death that the name of the God of Israel should not be blasphemed to omit Dauid Solomon Ezekias Iosias who partly built partly purged the Temple of the Lord Constantius the Emperour put downe Idolatrie without a Councell and made a most seuere edict that it should be capitall to sacrifice to Idols Theodosius the Emperour caused the Temples of the heathen Gods to bee pul'd to the very ground Iouinian so soone as he was created Emperour made his first law for the restoring of banished Christians Iustinian the Emperour was wont to say that hee had no lesse care of Christian Religion then of his owne life When Iosua was made ruler of the people he presently receiued command concerning religion and the worship of God For Princes are nursing Eathers of the Church and keepers of both tables Neither is any greater cause that hath mooued God to erect politique States then that alwaies there might bee some to maintaine and preserue Religion and pietie 37 Princes therefore now a dayes doe more greiuously offend who indeede are called Christians but sit idly follow their pleasures and patiently suffer impious worships and contempt of God leauing all vnto their Bishops whom they know to make but a mocke of Religion as if the care of the