Paragraph 21.1

1. Generall Councells may not be gathered together, but by the commandement, and will of Princes.

2. Generall Councells may erre.

3. Generall Councells haue erred, euen in things pertaining vnto God.

4. The things ordained by generall Councells, are so farre to be embraced, and beleeued, as they are consonant to Gods holy word.

The proofe from Gods word.

Great is the power, and authoritie of Kings, and Princes by the word of God. For as the defense of Religion is committed vnto them: so must they see that all men doe their duties. That these things the better may be performed, they are, as iust occasion is offered, not as men vnder the power of others, to Simon, but as Supreame gouernours, within their own terretories, and dominions, to command all sorts of men to meete together, and that either to the implanting of the truth where it is not; or to the suppressing of sinne, errors, idolatrie, and superstition, where, or in whomsoeuer it doth arise, or is rooted. Such Councells were holden, both in the time of the Moisaicall gouernement, by the commandement of the most godly Kings, Dauid,^a* Salomon,^b Asa,^c Ezekiah,^d and Iosiah,^e and since the Gospell hath bin receiued into kingdomes, and Commonweales, by Christian Princes, kings, and Emperours, who gathered Councells both Generall, as the Nicene was by Constantine the great,^† the Councell of Constantinople, by Theodosius the elder,^‡ the Counsell of Ephesus, by Theodosius the younger,⁴ the councell of Calcedon, by Marcian,⁵ & Nationall, and Prouinciall, so the Counsell at Frankford, Rhemes, Taron, Arelot, and Moguntia, by the will, and commandement of Charles the great,⁶ at Matison, by Gunthranus,⁷ at Paris, and Orleance, by the direction, and appointment of Childebert,⁸ were kept, and holden.

And neuer yet hath there bin a councell, either Generall, or nationall, or whatsoeuer (I only except the councells held by the Apostles, and Apostolicall men in a troublesome state, and time of the Church, there beeing then no Christian Princes, & Emperours to countenance the truth) either begun or ended, to the glorie of God, but it hath bin, I say not called onely, but confirmed also by some godly Emperour, King, or Queene. This in effect is granted by all reformed Churches.⁹

The Errors, and adversaries vnto this truth.

This assertion hath bin oppugned, and that diuersly both by the Papists, and Puritanes, For the Papists they say,

Emperours, and kings be the Pope his Summoners, but of themselues are no absolute, and powerfull commanders, and callers of Councels.¹⁰

There ought no councel to be kept without the determinate consent of the Bishop of Rome.¹¹

No councell euer yet had firme, and lawful authority, which was not confirmed by the Bishop of Rome.¹²

The Popes of Rome, (and not Christian Princes) haue the authoritie, and power of making lawes ecclesiasticall, and of calling Councells.¹³

And the Puritanes do thinke, that priuate persons without the leaue, or priuitie of Princes, may summon assemblies about Church causes at their pleasures, and consult about the publike affaires of the Church. Of this minde was Beza,¹⁴ and be the disciplinarians both of South,¹⁵ and North Brittaine.¹⁶

Others (aduersaries to both Puritanes and Papists) are of minde, that were the Pope a good man (as he is nothing lesse) he might, and hee being wicked, other good Bishops (though subiect vnto Kings, and Emperours) may summon Counsells at their discretions. An error of Seluererus.¹⁷

The Muscouites haue a fancie that since the seuenth generall Counsell that was, neither Prince, nor Pope, nor any other men els haue power to call a generall counsell.¹⁸

The proofe from Gods word.

Generall Councells, consisting, first of men, who may erre, nothing more easily (for all the imaginations of mans heart are onely euill continually,^f euen from his youth,^g but God onely is true, and all men are,)^h yea, and euery man is a Liar.ⁱ

Next, of men differing in yeares, riches, learning, iudgement, calling and authoritie: whereby distractions of opinions often doe arise.

Thirdly of many mē, wherof the wicked be for nūber commonly the maior part, and the better in outward countenance of the world.

Lastly of men, not al, nor alwaies either gouerned with Gods holy Spirit, and word; or gathered together in the Name of Christ: none of sounde iudgement in Religion, do doubt but they may erre.

If Paphmitius had bin absent at Nice, that Councell had erred.¹⁹

If Hierome had bine away at Calcedon, that Councell had erred.²⁰

At any time (if some be beleeued) be the Pope of Rome not present at such meetings, either per se or per Legatum, by himselfe, or his Legate, no Councell but must erre.²¹

Therefore Councells may erre.

That which one Counsell doth establish, another will disanull. They will not (wee must thinke) reuoke, that which is well decreed. Therefore councells may erre.²²

The adversaries vnto this truth.

Therefore erre doe the papists which say, that the holy Spirit is the director of all Councells, and

That councells cannot erre.

The proofe from Gods word.

Councells both generall, and particular haue erred, and that in matters of Faith.²³

For in the holy Scriptures wee finde, that it was ordained, If any man did confesse that Iesus was the Christ, hee should be excommunicate,^j which could not be but by a Councell.

A councell was gathered to suppresse Christ, and his doctrine.^k

A councell consulted how they might take Iesus by subtilty, and kill him.^l

A councell sought for false witnesse to put him to death.^m

By a counsell Iesus was bound, led away, and deliuered vnto Pilate.ⁿ

A councell iudged our S. Christ to be both a deceiuer,^o and a blaphemer.^p24

A councell corrupted the Souldiers, and willed them to tell a Lie.^q

A counsell withstood Peter, and Iohn: and commanded them that in no wise they should speake, or teach in the name of Iesus.^r

A councell both caused the Apostles to be beaten, and commanded them also that they should not preach in the name of Iesus.^s

In auncient writings of credit, wee may read, how (contrarie to Gods word), by Councells, Arrianisme hath bin confirmed; as by the Councell at Ariminum.²⁵

By councells the traditions, and bookes of foolish men, haue bin made of equall authoririe with the word of God; as by the counsell of Trent.²⁶

By councells hath bin established both the adoration of images, as by the second councell of Nice; and the Inuocation of creatures, as by the Tridentine councell.²⁷

By councells the authority of princes hath bin empaired, & the Pope, and Clergie, advanced aboue all earthly Princes; as by the Councell of Lateran.²⁸

The consideration of the premises, and the like, mooued S. Hilarie to call the Synode of Mediolane, The Synagogue of the malignant,²⁹ and

S, Augustine to write vnto Maximinus: Neither ought I to obiect against thee the Synode of Nice; nor thou against mee the Synod of Ariminum,³⁰ and

Nazianzene openly to pronounce, that Hee neuer sawe any good end of a Councell,³¹ and

The French king his Embassadour to say vnto the chapter of Trent, that scarsely any good at all, or very little, came by Councells vnto the state of Christendome,³² and

Cornelius Bishop of Bitonto, to breake out into these words in the face of the Councell at Trent; I would that with one consent wee had not altogether declined from religion vnto superstition; from faith vnto infidelitie; from Christ vnto Antichrist; from God vnto Epicures.³³

Aduersaries vnto this truth.

This notwithstanding the Papists doe continue in an opinion that councells cannot erre.³⁴

The proofe from Gods word.

Generall councells we simply condemne not: yet doe wee not ground our faith vpon any councell, but onely vpon the written word of God.

Therefore in generall Councells whatsoeuer is agreeable vnto the written word of God, we doe reuerendly embrace; but whatsoeuer is contrarie vnto, or besides the will of God, reuealed in the holy scriptures, wee doe carefully auoid.

And so are wee commaunded to doe euen by God himselfe.

Whatsoeuer I command you, take heed you doe it: thou shalt put nothing thereto; nor take ought therefrom.^t

Walke ye not in the, ordinances of your fathers; neither obserue their manners &c. I am the Lord your God: walke in my statutes, and keepe my iudgements, and doe them.^u

Though that wee or an Angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise, then that which wee haue preached vnto you, let him be accursed. As wee said before, so say I now againe, If any man preach vnto you otherwise, then that yee haue receiued, let him be accursed.^v

And so thinke the Churches reformed with vs.³⁵

The adversaries vnto this truth.

Contrarie hereunto are the opinions of the Papists. For of them

Some doe thinke, that the decrees of Councells doe binde all nations; as Pope Hormisda decreed they should.

Some, as Pope Gregory the great, supposed that some coūsells, and namely the councell of Nice, of Constanstinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon,³⁶ some, as Campian,³⁷ thought that all councells were of equall authoritie with the word of God.

Others, as the Guisiā faction in Frāce, be resolued in matters of religion to follow the footesteps of their ancestors, though (Gods word, and) a thousand councells decree to the contrary.³⁸