A
TREATISE
OF
the
Popes
primacie
by
Nilus
Archbishop
of
Thessalonia
.
THe
adherentes
of
the
Romishe
churche
affirme
,
Fyrst
,
that
S.
Peter
was
made
chiefe
of
th
apostles
by
Christ
hym selfe
,
and
therefore
had
the
keies
of
heauen
worthily
deliuered
vnto
hym
:
and
that
the
churche
was
buylded
on
hym
,
agaynst
the
whiche
the
gates
of
hell
shulde
not
preuaile
,
forasmuche
as
Christ
had
praied
for
his
faith
,
and
had
commanded
him
bothe
to
strengthen
his
bretherne
,
and
also
to
feede
his
shepe
.
They
heape
togither
also
muche
more
,
wherby
they
thynke
that
the
primacie
of
Peter
may
be
proued
.
Secondarily
they
hold
,
that
the
Pope
is
Peters
successour
,
and
that
he
hath
by
succession
all
his
preeminence
,
and
therfore
may
doo
in
matters
of
religion
,
all
thynges
after
lyke
sorte
and
fashion
as
he
might
haue
doone
.
And
therfore
they
saye
,
that
it
is
vnpossible
for
the
Pope
to
falle
frome
the
true
faith
,
for
if
that
shuld
happen
,
the
christen
religion
and
the
whole
church
whyche
is
buylded
vppon
hym
,
muste
needes
perisshe
.
To
the
prose
whereof
they
alledge
a
testimonie
of
their
own
,
out
of
Pope
Agathon
,
whiche
in
a
certaine
Epistle
affirmeth
,
that
the
churche
of
Rome
was
neuer
entangled
with
any
erroure
,
neyther
hathe
any
tyme
swarued
frome
the
true
waie
of
veritie
.
And
therfore
they
say
,
that
the
Pope
hath
had
his
supremacy
always
sence
the
Apostles
tyme
.
Also
they
saye
lykewyse
,
that
other
Metropolitanes
and
Archebyshoppes
are
subiecte
to
hym
in
lyke
maner
,
as
the
Byshoppes
and
Prelates
,
whyche
are
vnder
the
Arcebyshop
of
Constantinople
,
are
subiect
to
the
sayd
archbyshoppe
.
Theu
they
saye
,
that
the
Pope
hathe
appellation
.
They
affirme
moreouer
,
that
he
may
iudge
all
menne
,
and
that
none
maye
iudge
hym
,
neyther
in
his
manners
,
neyther
in
faythe
,
or
doctrine
.
Besydes
this
,
they
hold
that
the
pope
is
byshop
of
no
certayne
place
,
neither
is
he
so
called
as
other
are
,
but
simply
without
circumscription
,
he
is
named
a
Bishoppe
.
To
the
profe
wherof
,
they
brynge
the
Pope
hymselfe
to
wytnes
:
who
neuer
in
his
letters
,
termeth
hym selfe
Byshop
of
Rome
.
Also
they
affyrme
,
that
Rome
onely
hathe
been
called
the
sea
Apostolike
,
because
that
Peter
the
Apostle
,
bothe
ledde
his
lyfe
there
a
longe
tyme
,
and
also
dyed
there
.
Item
they
affirme
,
that
the
Pope
only
hath
authoritie
to
call
a
counsell
.
Their
last
assertion
is
,
that
no
lawe
can
be
made
without
the
consent
of
the
pope
,
neither
any
thynge
ordeyned
in
the
churche
.
Then
they
conclude
that
the
Pope
hath
all
the
aforesayde
rightes
and
priuiledges
of
Peter
,
and
that
therfore
,
all
men
owe
hym
obedience
,
and
no
man
ought
to
gaynesay
any
of
his
commandementes
.
All
these
thynges
the
adherentes
of
the
Romysshe
churche
,
alledge
for
the
mayntenaunce
of
the
popes
dominion
and
authoritie
.
Vnto
the
whiche
assertions
of
theirs
,
I
nothynge
doubte
what
to
aunswere
,
but
afore
whom
I
may
pleade
.
For
yf
I
should
make
answere
before
the
Latins
themselues
,
and
adherentes
of
the
Romishe
church
,
what
rightful
iudgement
myght
I
loke
for
,
in
submyttyng
my selfe
to
the
iudgement
of
myn
enemies
?
But
yf
I
shuld
pleade
afore
our
Grekes
,
then
myght
the
Latines
haue
iuste
cause
to
complayne
of
me
,
where
as
I
make
the
Grecians
,
iudges
ouer
them
,
whom
they
thinke
to
be
their
aduersaries
,
in
matters
Ecclesiasticall
.
What
then
must
we
doo
?
FYRST
therfore
,
concernyng
the
primacy
of
Peter
,
after
what
sorte
he
was
chiefe
of
that
holy
congregation
,
or
what
priuilege
was
geuen
or
ought
vnto
hym
:
I
thinke
it
not
now
so
nedeful
to
be
reasoned
of
.
For
be
it
after
suche
sorte
,
and
so
great
,
yea
as
it
lyketh
any
man
to
deuyse
:
yet
neuer
truely
shall
it
therby
be
proued
,
that
the
Pope
hath
suche
right
of
Peter
,
where
by
he
may
rule
all
other
byshops
,
whiche
is
our
aduersaries
seconde
position
.
For
,
concernyng
the
Pope
,
two
thynges
must
be
consydered
:
the
one
,
That
he
is
Byshop
of
Rome
,
by
the
whyche
title
the
sacred
Synodes
terme
hym
.
The
other
,
that
he
would
be
chiefe
and
hyghest
of
all
byshops
.
The
fyrst
truely
he
hathe
of
Peter
,
that
is
to
wete
,
the
byshoprike
of
Rome
But
the
other
his
primacie
,
he
hath
of
certayne
fathers
and
kynges
,
whiche
for
desyre
of
good
order
,
gaue
it
hym
many
yeares
after
th
apostles
tyme
.
And
to
proue
this
to
be
true
,
I
wyll
bryng
forth
wytnesses
not
two
or
three
,
or
twise
so
many
,
but
sire
hundred
and
thirty
,
yea
and
chose
holy
fathers
.
Rede
the
xxviii
.
Canon
of
the
fourth
holy
Synode
or
councell
of
Calcedonia
,
where
are
these
woordes
:
We
folowyng
the
decrees
of
the
fathers
,
and
waying
the
Canon
euen
now
rehersed
of
the.
150.
Byshoppes
gathered
togyther
at
Constantinople
,
called
newe
Rome
,
in
the
tyme
of
the
moste
holye
Emperour
Theodosius
,
the
same
also
doo
we
ordeyne
&
decree
,
concernyng
the
honoures
and
prerogatiues
of
the
said
church
of
Constantinople
,
or
new
Rome
.
For
vnto
the
sea
of
old
Rome
,
the
Fathers
gaue
worthyly
the
chiefe
honour
and
primacy
,
bycause
that
Citie
then
ruled
all
the
worlde
,
the
same
cause
moued
the.
150.
foresayd
byshops
to
geue
the
lyke
honoure
and
preeminence
to
the
sea
of
new
Rome
,
iudgyng
it
reasonable
,
that
this
Citie
condecorate
with
the
empire
,
and
senate
imperiall
,
and
equal
in
dignitie
with
the
old
imperiall
seate
,
should
as
muche
excell
in
matters
ecclesiasticall
,
seyng
that
it
is
the
next
vnto
it
.
Then
what
may
we
lerne
hereby
?
Verily
nothyng
els
,
but
that
the
Superioritie
ouer
other
churches
,
was
geuen
to
the
pope
,
not
by
the
Apostles
,
But
for
the
more
apparaunt
truthe
,
let
vs
reade
the
hundreth
newe
decree
of
Iustinian
to
the
ende
,
that
it
maye
appeare
,
that
the
truthe
hath
wytnesses
on
euery
syde
.
We
ordeyne
,
sayth
he
,
accordynge
to
the
Decrees
of
the
Synodes
,
that
the
moste
holy
Byshop
of
olde
Rome
,
is
the
chiefe
of
all
priestes
,
and
that
the
moste
blessed
byshop
of
Constantinople
,
or
newe
Rome
,
is
nexte
vnto
hym
,
and
aboue
all
other
:
Do
you
not
heare
that
the
Emperoure
sayeth
,
That
the
primacye
of
the
Pope
of
Rome
,
is
gyuen
hym
by
the
Decree
of
holye
Councelles
?
If
that
the
Pope
dooe
holde
his
Supremacye
onely
by
the
Decree
of
Councelles
,
I
beseeche
,
you
howe
may
it
be
trewe
,
that
somme
menne
affyrme
,
that
he
hath
it
by
succession
of
Peter
.
But
here
som
man
may
lay
,
Furthermore
Peter
made
one
byshop
at
Antioche
,
an nother
at
Alexandria
,
and
an
other
in
an
other
place
.
but
the
〈◊〉
may
doo
nothyng
like
:
Besydes
〈◊〉
,
Peter
may
ordeyne
the
byshop
of
〈◊〉
,
but
the
Pope
can
not
so
doo
.
〈◊〉
conclude
,
Thirdly
wheras
they
saye
,
that
it
is
not
possible
,
that
the
pope
shoulde
falle
from
the
truthe
,
that
truely
passeth
all
the
gyftes
and
vertues
of
Peter
hym
selfe
,
Beholde
,
here
we
heare
,
that
he
whose
conscience
is
wounded
,
Certaynly
Honorius
the
Pope
fell
frome
the
syncere
doctrine
,
Honorius
the
heretike
:
Cursed
be
the
heretike
Pirrhus
:
accursed
be
all
that
fauoure
heretikes
.
But
for
the
more
euident
truthe
,
lette
vs
brynge
toorthe
an
other
testimonye
out
of
the
oration
of
the
holy
Synode
to
the
Emperour
:
We
remoue
,
sayth
the
Synode
,
frome
the
lymittes
of
the
churche
,
and
worthyly
accurse
all
new
and
vayne
sermes
,
with
theyr
inuenters
,
suche
as
are
,
especially
,
Theodorus
Pharanites
,
Sergius
,
Paule
,
Pirrhus
,
and
Peter
,
who
sometyme
ruled
this
churche
of
Constantinople
,
and
also
Cirus
the
prieste
of
Alexandria
,
and
Honorius
bishop
of
Rome
.
If
that
Honorius
bishop
of
Rome
were
an
heretike
,
possible
it
is
then
,
Here
also
we
may
playnly
see
,
that
it
was
not
sayde
of
the
sea
of
Rome
,
that
the
church
of
God
was
theron
builded
For
that
were
to
hard
and
not
indifferent
from
the
seruilitie
and
bondage
of
the
Iewes
,
to
bynde
the
congregation
of
God
to
Rome
.
For
Christ
buylded
his
churche
himselfe
vpon
the
doctrine
and
confession
of
Peter
,
In
the
fourth
place
,
where
as
our
aduersaries
say
,
that
the
pope
is
after
the
same
sort
and
fashion
superiour
to
the
Bishop
of
Constantinople
,
as
the
saide
Bishop
is
to
the
Byshop
of
Cesaria
,
or
to
any
other
Byshop
vnder
hym
:
that
truelye
as
it
is
manifestelye
false
,
so
maye
it
in
no
wise
be
suffered
:
for
certaynly
the
Bishop
of
Rome
is
therfore
called
first
,
because
the
Bishop
of
Constantinople
,
in
respect
to
hym
is
second
in
order
and
worthynesse
.
But
the
bysshop
of
Constantinople
,
in
respecte
of
the
bysshop
of
Cesaria
,
is
not
called
fyrst
,
neyther
the
sayd
byshop
,
neyther
any
other
of
these
that
are
vnder
hym
,
hath
the
seconde
degree
or
place
of
dignitie
,
as
nexte
vnto
hym
.
But
he
is
so
fyrst
of
them
that
ar
vnder
hym
,
that
as
though
he
were
alone
,
he
hath
none
adioyned
to
hym
,
that
maye
in
anye
poynt
as
seconde
in
degree
be
compared
with
him
in
worthines
.
The
bishop
of
Cesarea
,
is
not
called
seconde
,
Alexandria
,
and
others
.
And
also
to
the
bishop
of
Alexandria
,
who
is
named
thirde
,
authoritie
ouer
the
bishop
of
Antioche
,
and
to
the
byshop
of
Antioche
,
who
is
fourthe
,
power
ouer
the
byshop
of
Ierusalem
,
who
hath
the
.v.
place
in
noumber
and
order
.
But
this
were
neyther
iuste
,
neyther
any
thyng
els
but
a
disturbance
of
the
churche
of
God
.
And
hereby
maye
we
perceyue
,
that
the
byshop
of
Rome
is
not
superiour
to
the
byshop
of
Constantinople
,
in
lyke
sorte
as
the
sayd
byshop
is
to
the
byshop
of
Cesarea
,
for
asmuche
as
the
bishoppe
of
Constantinople
ordeyneth
bothe
the
bish.
of
Cesarea
,
and
al
other
subiecte
to
hym
.
But
the
byshoppe
of
Rome
ordeyneth
neyther
the
byshop
of
Constantinople
,
neyther
any
other
Metropolitan
.
But
that
it
may
more
euidently
apere
,
that
the
Pope
hath
no
power
ouer
all
other
byshops
,
let
vs
rede
the
.vi.
canon
of
the
Nicen
counsell
,
wher
it
is
playnly
commanded
,
that
the
Byshop
of
Alexandria
,
shulde
rule
somme
churches
,
the
byshop
of
Rome
other
,
and
other
the
byshop
of
Antioche
.
Neither
maye
any
of
them
medle
in
others
proince
.
And
yf
any
manne
not
contente
with
his
owne
,
desyrethe
an
nothers
,
he
trewely
oughte
to
bee
counted
a
breaker
of
custome
,
and
of
the
decrees
of
holye
Fathers
,
for
as
muche
as
the
decree
of
Nice
,
doothe
straightly
forbydde
it
,
and
wylleth
the
olde
vsage
herein
to
bee
folowed
.
If
the
Canon
hadde
deuyded
the
worlde
,
betweene
other
Metropolites
,
and
hadde
geuen
nothynge
vnto
the
Bysshoppe
of
Rome
,
but
onely
haue
sayde
,
That
he
oughte
to
rule
the
reste
,
then
myghte
a
manne
of
lykelyhoode
haue
gessed
,
that
he
oughte
all
togyther
to
rule
all
congregations
of
the
whole
worlde
,
and
that
all
other
,
as
welle
Byshops
as
Metropolitanes
are
vassalles
and
subiecte
vnto
hym
,
euen
as
to
the
Bysshoppe
of
Constantinople
,
other
Bysshoppes
of
his
prouynce
,
that
ar
his
inferiours
.
Nowe
seeynge
that
sundrye
countreyes
are
appoynted
to
the
Bysshoppe
of
Rome
,
other
to
the
Bysshoppe
of
Alexandria
,
and
other
to
the
bysshop
of
Constantinople
:
no
more
are
they
subiect
to
hym
,
then
he
is
to
theym
.
Then
our
aduersaries
say
,
that
the
Pope
hathe
prouocation
in
matters
ecclesiasticall
,
and
that
therefore
he
is
chiefe
of
all
other
.
The
same
prouocatione
hathe
the
byshop
of
Constantinople
,
and
yet
therby
hath
he
neyther
authoritie
,
neither
iurisdiction
of
other
Metropolitans
.
Therefore
neyther
the
Pope
oughte
to
let
or
hynder
the
iurisdiction
of
other
Metropolites
.
And
that
it
may
appeare
,
that
I
haue
sayde
truely
,
that
the
byshop
of
Constantinople
hath
prouocation
,
I
wyl
alleged
the
.ix.
canon
of
the
.iiii.
Synode
or
counsell
of
Calcedonia
.
If
one
clerke
haue
an
action
against
an
other
,
let
hym
not
leaue
his
owne
bysshop
,
and
runne
to
the
secular
iudge
,
but
lette
the
matter
be
fyrst
debated
afore
his
owne
bishop
,
or
at
the
least
by
th
aduise
of
their
owne
byshop
,
let
theim
take
suche
a
iudge
as
bothe
the
parties
shall
bee
contented
with
.
If
any
doo
otherwise
he
shall
bee
in
daunger
of
the
decree
.
If
any
clerke
haue
an
action
agaynste
his
owne
byshop
,
or
any
other
,
lette
the
matter
bee
tried
afore
the
Synode
of
the
same
prouince
.
And
yf
any
byshoppe
or
clerke
haue
a
complaynte
agaynst
the
Metropolitane
,
let
hym
go
to
the
magistrate
of
the
diocesse
,
or
elles
to
the
sea
of
the
chiefe
citie
Constantinople
,
and
there
lette
hym
be
iudged
.
So
also
sayth
the
xvii
.
decree
of
the
sayd
Synode
.
Moreouer
the
.xx.
and
.xxxvi.
canon
of
the
.vi.
Synode
,
gyueth
in
all
poyntes
as
muche
dignitie
and
prerogatiue
to
the
one
as
to
the
other
,
as
muche
to
the
sea
of
Constantinople
as
to
the
sea
of
Rome
,
wherby
they
declare
that
prouocations
may
be
made
to
the
byshop
of
Constantinople
.
Then
where
as
our
aduersaries
babble
that
the
Pope
maye
iudge
all
men
,
Hereby
it
playnly
appereth
that
the
byshoppe
of
Rome
may
and
ought
to
be
iudged
,
as
well
in
controuersies
of
doctrine
,
as
in
all
other
his
dedes
and
matters
,
if
he
commytte
any
thynge
agaynst
ryght
and
equitie
.
Taratius
,
Moreouer
,
yf
the
Pope
contempne
decrees
,
he
despiseth
his
owne
authoritie
:
for
he
hymselfe
hathe
made
many
,
and
so
by
the
testimonye
of
Paule
,
he
maketh
hymselfe
an
offender
.
But
we
haue
shewed
and
declared
,
that
he
is
bounde
to
gyue
accompte
bothe
of
his
doctrine
,
and
also
of
his
other
gouernance
and
regiment
ecclesiasticall
:
so
that
he
is
of
necessitie
subiecte
to
the
constitutions
of
the
fathers
and
counsels
.
Certainly
it
were
not
right
,
that
any
man
shuld
reuerence
the
Pope
as
a
Father
,
Nowe
the
Popes
adherentes
saye
,
that
he
is
not
byshop
of
any
one
place
,
but
that
he
is
symply
a
Byshop
,
that
is
to
say
,
Byshop
of
all
the
world
.
Wherin
truely
they
speake
against
the
truth
.
For
fyrst
we
haue
proued
already
,
that
he
is
of
one
degree
with
other
bishops
,
and
as
a
man
woulde
say
in
one
order
with
theym
.
Besyde
that
,
the
synodes
when
by
occasion
they
make
mention
of
hym
,
as
it
oftetymes
happeneth
,
alwaies
they
call
hym
Byshop
of
Rome
.
So
that
yf
he
be
byshop
of
Rome
,
he
is
out
of
doubt
a
bishop
of
some
determinate
place
,
For
where
as
he
nameth
hymselfe
by
the
vsed
name
of
the
common
dignitie
,
But
what
shall
we
say
of
those
whiche
leaue
out
the
title
of
a
Byshop
,
and
vse
onely
their
owne
proper
names
?
Shall
we
saye
that
they
are
no
byshoppes
,
or
that
they
haue
a
greatter
dignitie
then
an
vniuersall
byshoprike
?
for
as
muche
as
the
Pope
of
Rome
wyll
be
an
vniuersall
byshop
,
bycause
the
place
is
not
named
whereof
he
is
bishoppe
.
There
may
many
suche
inscriptions
and
subscriptions
be
broughte
out
of
bokes
of
authoritie
,
wherin
the
name
of
the
bishop
is
plainly
omitted
.
Furthermore
our
aduersaries
affirm
that
the
name
of
apostolike
agreeth
only
to
the
Pope
,
whiche
surely
is
very
vntru
.
For
it
is
common
to
other
with
him
as
it
appeareth
by
the
.xi.
session
of
the
vi
.
synode
,
where
we
rede
in
this
wise
:
Constantine
the
moste
holy
archdeacon
,
of
this
holye
catholike
and
apostolike
churche
:
and
again
,
in
the
subscriptions
of
the
same
synode
,
we
rede
,
Peter
an
elder
,
and
one
that
supplieth
the
rome
of
the
apostolike
sea
Alexandria
,
I
George
the
least
of
the
elders
,
&
one
that
occupieth
the
place
of
Theodorus
Theophilactus
,
an
elder
and
vicegerent
to
the
apostolike
throne
of
the
holy
sea
,
and
citie
of
our
god
,
Hierusalem
,
haue
subscribed
.
And
again
,
loke
in
the
first
session
of
the
.vij.
synode
,
which
beginneth
in
this
maner
.
In
the
name
of
the
lord
Iesus
Christ
our
tru
god
.
&c.
wherafter
the
rehersall
of
them
,
that
wer
sent
frone
Rome
,
foloweth
mention
of
the
byshop
of
Constantinople
,
in
this
sort
.
Iohn
and
Thomas
the
mooste
holye
elders
.
Monkes
by
profession
,
and
suppliynge
the
place
of
the
apostlike
seas
of
the
easte
.
This
shall
ye
fynde
in
the
beginnyng
of
euery
acte
in
the
.vii.
synode
.
Also
in
the
subscriptions
ye
shall
reade
:
I
Iohn
by
the
grace
of
God
an
Elder
,
and
assistant
to
the
Patriarke
,
substitute
of
the
.iii.
apostolike
seas
,
Alexandria
,
Antioche
,
and
Hierusalem
folowyng
the
doctrine
of
the
fathers
,
and
tradition
of
the
churche
,
geuynge
finall
sentence
haue
subscribed
.
Also
I
Thomas
by
the
grace
of
God
an
elder
and
primate
of
the
habitation
of
the
holy
father
Arsenius
,
whiche
is
in
Egypt
beyonde
Babylon
,
substitute
to
the
.iii.
apostolike
thrones
,
Alexandria
,
Antioche
,
and
Hierusalem
,
folowyng
the
doctrine
of
the
fathers
,
and
tradition
of
the
churche
,
geuyng
finall
sentence
haue
subscribed
.
The
lyke
shall
ye
fynde
in
all
their
subscriptions
.
Here
ye
maye
playnely
see
,
Agayne
the
Popes
secte
holde
,
that
it
perteyneth
by
ryght
to
the
Pope
only
,
to
call
togyther
generall
councels
,
wherin
they
striue
agaynst
a
manyfest
truthe
.
It
is
a
wonder
to
see
,
that
the
Pope
is
not
ashamed
to
aduance
hym selfe
,
and
to
lyfte
vp
his
combe
in
the
churche
,
for
a
matter
wherof
Kynges
myght
boast
them selues
.
I
speake
not
this
,
as
thoughe
I
esteemed
not
the
excellency
of
Kynges
.
For
vnto
them
we
owe
bothe
honour
and
obedience
.
But
bycause
the
ecclesiasticall
dignitie
,
settyng
at
naughte
all
earthly
glorye
and
rychesse
,
shoulde
desyre
and
seeke
for
a
heauenly
preeminence
and
renoume
.
Therefore
I
wylle
proue
,
that
this
right
pertayneth
rather
to
kyngs
,
then
to
bishops
.
For
so
hath
the
Actes
of
the
fyrst
holy
counsell
of
Nice
.
To
the
holy
and
greate
churche
by
the
grace
of
god
of
Alexandria
,
and
to
the
learned
brethern
whiche
are
in
Egypt
,
Lybia
,
and
the
fiue
cities
,
the
byshops
assembled
,
and
holdyng
a
great
and
holy
synode
at
Nice
,
sendeth
gretyng
.
For
as
much
as
vnto
vs
that
are
gathered
togyther
oute
of
dyuers
cities
and
prouinces
by
the
grace
of
God
,
&
our
most
godly
prince
Constantine
.
&c.
Also
in
the
third
or
Ephesine
councel
we
rede
,
To
the
moste
holy
emperours
and
beloued
of
god
,
Theodosius
and
Valentinian
most
mighty
and
victorius
conquerours
,
the
holy
Synod
by
the
grace
of
god
and
the
authoritie
assembled
,
in
the
citie
Ephesus
.
Also
in
the
ende
of
the
counsel
of
Calcedonia
,
ye
shal
fynd
in
the
inscription
of
the
holy
Synode
.
The
holy
great
and
vniuersal
Synode
assembled
,
by
the
grace
of
God
and
the
decree
of
our
moste
holy
emperours
at
Calcedonia
in
Bythinia
to
the
moste
holy
and
blessed
archbysshop
of
Rome
Leo.
That
therfore
it
appertayneth
to
the
dignitie
of
christen
kynges
to
calle
generall
councelles
it
may
sufficiently
appere
,
by
the
places
nowe
alledged
.
But
lette
vs
brynge
foorthe
that
also
,
where
byshop
Leo
wrytyng
to
the
emperour
Theodosius
,
humbly
desyreth
as
a
great
benefyte
,
that
he
wolde
prouyde
a
prouinciall
Synode
,
to
bee
gathered
in
Italy
.
Which
truely
he
wold
not
haue
craued
with
suche
humilitie
,
if
he
had
thought
before
that
it
was
his
owne
right
.
The
wordes
of
his
epistle
are
these
:
All
our
churches
and
all
our
priestes
,
moste
humbly
with
teares
beseeche
your
clemency
,
that
accordyng
to
byshop
Flauians
booke
,
ye
vouchesafe
to
commande
a
prouinciall
councel
to
be
assembled
in
Italy
.
If
it
moue
any
man
that
Peter
ended
his
lyfe
at
Rome
,
he
ought
muche
more
to
be
moued
with
that
the
Sonne
of
God
suffered
at
Ierusalem
his
passion
,
most
holsom
to
mankynde
.
But
peraduenture
somme
manne
wyll
saye
,
that
the
Fathers
dydde
attribute
muche
vnto
the
Churche
of
Rome
,
Last
of
all
,
our
aduersaries
say
,
that
no
decree
may
be
made
in
the
Church
,
without
the
Popes
consente
,
whyche
in
dede
they
may
very
well
lay
against
vs
,
but
we
shall
repaye
oure
aduersaries
with
the
same
measure
.
For
neyther
the
Pope
,
yf
wee
beleeue
the
canons
of
the
apostles
,
maye
constitute
any
thyng
in
the
Churche
,
without
the
aduise
of
other
.
For
so
sayth
the
.xxxiii.
Canon
of
the
Apostles
.
The
bysshops
of
euerye
nation
muste
knowe
who
is
chiefe
amonge
them
,
and
count
hym
in
manner
as
theyr
heade
,
neyther
maye
they
doo
any
newe
thynge
without
his
consente
,
lette
euery
man
handell
suche
matters
by
hym selfe
,
as
appertayn
and
belonge
to
his
Diocesse
,
and
the
places
vndernethe
hym
:
neyther
may
he
that
is
chiefe
amonge
theim
doo
any
thynge
without
the
consent
of
the
reste
.
For
so
shall
concorde
be
mayntayned
,
and
god
shall
be
glorified
through
our
Lorde
in
the
holy
ghoste
.
If
our
aduersaries
say
,
that
the
Canons
of
the
Apostles
ar
not
theyrs
,
neither
of
authoritie
sufficiente
,
but
Apocriphe
:
we
may
lay
vnto
them
agayne
the
authoritie
of
the
fathers
in
the
firste
,
thirde
,
fourthe
,
sixthe
and
seuenth
synode
,
whiche
defend
the
authoritie
of
the
Apostles
cannons
.
For
the
fyrste
Synode
in
the
fyfth
cannon
therof
,
maketh
mention
of
two
of
the
apostles
cannons
,
the
.xii.
and
the
.xxxii.
Also
the
same
Synode
,
in
the
.xv.
canon
,
speaketh
of
the
.xv.
canon
of
the
apostles
.
The
thirde
Synode
or
Ephesine
councell
,
writyng
to
Theodosius
maketh
mencion
of
the
.lxxiii.
canon
of
the
apostles
,
wherwith
the
sayd
synode
was
armed
agynste
Nestorius
,
and
condempned
hym
,
lyke
as
the
fowerth
synode
with
the
same
condemned
Dioscorus
.
Moreouer
the
same
fourthe
synode
,
in
the
.v.
canon
thereof
,
wryteth
in
this
wyse
worde
for
woorde
,
of
the
.xii.
xiij
.xiiij.
and
.xv.
Canon
of
the
Apostles
.
As
for
suche
bysshoppes
as
wander
from
one
citie
to
an
other
,
and
often
chaunge
theyr
mynistery
,
it
seemeth
good
to
this
Synode
,
that
they
shall
be
in
daunger
and
punysshed
,
by
the
Canons
of
the
Apostles
.
Furthermore
the
Decrees
of
the
syxte
Synode
doo
shewe
the
full
number
of
the
apostles
canons
.
For
so
hathe
the
seconde
Decree
of
the
sayde
Synode
.
It
seemeth
to
this
holy
Synode
,
that
it
were
most
expedient
,
that
the
.lxxxv.
canons
in
the
Apostles
name
receaued
and
allowed
by
the
holye
Fathers
,
and
delyuered
to
vs
by
tradition
,
shoulde
also
from
hencefoorthe
remayne
fyrme
and
stedfaste
,
that
they
maye
be
wholsome
medicines
for
the
sowle
,
and
remedyes
for
dyuers
dyseases
in
the
Churche
.
The
seuenthe
Synode
in
the
fyrste
Cannon
thereof
,
rehersynge
the
lawes
of
the
Churche
,
beefore
all
other
mencioneth
the
Cannons
made
by
the
Apostles
,
adioynynge
oute
of
Moises
,
Shall
we
therefore
condemne
as
fayned
and
vnprofytable
those
Cannons
that
are
so
muche
commended
and
approued
of
so
many
holye
fathers
?
No
trewely
.
But
lefte
this
bee
the
summe
and
chiefe
of
all
our
talke
and
disputation
,
that
so
longe
as
the
Pope
doth
keepe
the
coneuniente
order
in
tymes
paste
ordeyned
,
so
longe
as
he
holdeth
and
maynteyneth
the
veritie
celestiall
,
and
so
longe
as
he
cleaueth
and
stycketh
faste
to
Christe
,
These
thynges
haue
I
spoken
accordynge
to
my
abilitie
of
the
Popes
primacye
,
as
that
whyche
I
iudge
to
bee
manyfeste
and
trewe
.
If
they
be
otherwyse
,
I
desyre
to
be
better
enfourmed
.
For
I
also
praye
and
syng
vnto
the
Lorde
,
FINIS
.