Roman forgeries, or, A true account of false records discovering the impostures and counterfeit antiquities of the Church of Rome / by a faithful son of the Church of England.

A TRUE ACCOUNT OF FALSE RECORDS ; Discovering THE FORGERIES OR Counterfeit-Antiquities OF THE CHURCH of ROME .

CAP. I. Of the Nature , Degrees , and Kinds of Forgery .

THe Sin of Forgery is fitter to be ranked with Adultery , Theft , Perjury , and Murder , than to be committed by Priests and Prelates : One Act of it is a Crime to be punished by the Judges ; what then is a whole Life spent in many various and enormous Offences of that nature ?

If a Beggar forge but a Pass , or a Petition , putting the Hands and Seals of two Justices of the Peace to it , he is whipt , or clapt into the Pillory , or marked for a Rogue , though he doth it only to satisfie his Hunger

If a Lease , a Bond , a Will , or a Deed of Gift be razed , or interlined by Craft , it passeth for a Cheat ; but if the whole be counterfeited , the Crime is the greater .

If an Instrument be forged in the Kings Name , or his Seal counterfeited , and put to any Patent , without his privity and consent , it is High Treason .

If any Records of Antiquity be defaced , or wilfully corrupted , relating to the benefit of men , it is like the Crying Sin of removing thy Neighbours Land-mark , which Solomon censures in the Proverbs . But if those Records appertain to the Right of Nations , the Peace of Mankind , or the Publick Welfare of the World , the Sin is of more mysterious and deeper nature .

If Counterfeits be shufled in among good Records , to the disorder and confusion of the Authentick , and a Plea maintained by them , which without those Counterfeits would fall to the ground , upon the deposition of False Witnesses ; Theft and Perjury are effectually couched , together with Lying , in the Cheat.

If the Records so counterfeited concern the Church , either in her Customs or Laws , her Lands , or the limits of her Jurisdiction , the Order of her Priests , or any other Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Affair , besides other sins contained in it , there is superadded the Sin of Sacriledge .

The highest degree of Forgery is that of altering the Holy Scriptures ; because the Majesty offended being Infinite , as well as the Concernment , the Crime is the more heincus .

The highest , next under that , is to counterfeit Rules in the Names of the Apostles , Oecumenical Councils , most glorious Martyrs , and Primitive Fathers , that is , to make Canons , letters , Books , and Decrees in their Names , of which they were not the Authors .

If the Church of Rome be guilty of this Crime , her Antiquity and Tradition , the two great Pillars upon which she standeth , are very rotten , and will moulder into nothing .

If Money be spent in promoting the Forgery , or any thing given , directly or indirectly , to its Fautors and Abettors , in order to the Usurpation of any Spiritual Priviledge or Power ; he that doth it , is guilty of Simony : And in many cases , Simony , Lying , and Sacriledge ; are blended together .

Finally , If they that make the Forgeries ather them upon GOD , or upon the Holy Ghost , the Sin of Blasphemy is added to Forgery ; for it maketh God the Father of Lies ; and being done maliciously , it draweth near to the unpardonable sin .

That some Popes have been guilty of Simony , cannot be doubted by them that are any thing versed in Church Antiquty . Hart , in his Conference with Reynolds , Confer . cap 7. Divis. 5. 〈◊〉 out of Dr. Genebrard , that the Popes , for the space of seven score years and ten almost , from John VIII . to Leo IX . about fifty Popes did revolt wholly from the vertue of their Ancestors , and were Apostatical , rather than Apostolical : and that some of them came not in by the Door , but were Thieves and Robbers .

That it is not impossible to forge Records for the Bolstering up of Heresies , those counter eit Gospels , Acts , Epistles , Revelations , &c. that were put forth by Hereticks in the Names of the Apostles , do sufficiently evidence ; which being extant a little after the Apostles decease , are pointed to by Irenaeus , condemned in a Roman Council by Gelasius , and some of them recorded by Ivo Cartonensis , in a Catalogue lib. 2. cap. 〈◊〉 . The Itinerary of Clement , and the Book called Pastor , being two of the number .

I note the two last , because S. Clement in his first Epistle to S. James , is made to approve the one , and Pope Pius in his Decretal magnifieth the other . Which giveth us a little glympse of the Knavery by which those Ancient Bishops and Martyre of Rome were both abused , having Spurious Writings fathered upon themselves ; for had those Instruments been their own , they would never have owned such abominable Forgeries . But of this you may expect more hereafter , Cap. 16. and Cap. 17.

These aggravations and degrees of Forgery we have not mentioned in vain , or by accident . In the process of our discourse , the Church of Rome will be found guilty of them all , except the first , which is beneath her Grandeur ; and in so doing , she is very strangely secured by the height of her impiety . For because it does not easily enter into the heart of man to conceive , that men , especially Christians , should voluntarily commit so transcendent a Crime , the greatness of it makes it incredible to inexperienced people , and renders them prone to excuse the Malefactors , while they condemn the Accusers .

But that the Church of Rome is guilty in all these respects , we shall prove not by remote Authorities , that are weak and feeble , but by demonstrations derived from the Root and Fountain . I will not be positive in making comparisons ; but if my reading and judgment do not both deceive me , she is guilty of more Forgeries than all the Hereticks in the world beside : Their greatness and their number countenance the Charge , and seem to promise that one day it shall pass into a Sentence of Condemnation against her .

CAP. II. Of the Primitive Order and Government of the Church . The first Popish Encroachment upon it , backed with Forgery . The Detection of the Fraud in the Sixth Council of Carthage .

IT is S. Cyprian's observation , that our Saviour , in the first Foundation of the Church , gave his Apostles equal honour and power , saying unto them , Whose soever sins ye remit , they are remitted unto them ; and whose soever sins ye retain , they are retained , Cyprian . Tract de Simpl . Praelator . The place has been tampered with , but unsuccessfully : For though they have thrust in other words into the Fathers Text , in some Editions of their own ; yet in others they are left sincere : As Dr. James in his corruption of the Fathers , Part. 2. Cap. 1. does well observe . But the most remarkable attempt of the Papists is that whereas they have set a Tract concerning the Primacy of the Roman Church before the Councils , containing many Quotations out of the Bastard Decretals , which they pretend to be extracted , ex Codice antiquo , out of an Old Book , without naming any Author ; closing it with this passage of S. Cyprian , they leave out these words of Scripture , Whose soever sins ye remit , &c. as rendring the Fathers Testimony Bin. Tom. 1. Tractat de Primat . &c. unfit for their purpose . You may see it in Binius his Collection of the Councils , &c.

When the Apostles had converted Nations , they constituted Bishops , Priests , and Deacons , for the Government of the Church ; and left those Orders among us , when they departed from the world .

It was found convenient also for the better Regiment of the Church , when it was much inlarged , to erect the Orders of Archbishops , and Patriarchs .

The Patriarchs being Supreme in their several Jurisdictions , had each of them many Primates and Archbishops under him , with many Nations and Kingdoms allotted to their several Provinces ; every of which was limited in it self , and distinct from the residue : as appeareth in that first Oecumenical Council assembled at Nice , An. Dom. 327. where it was ordained , Can. 6 that the ancient custom should be kept ; the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome being expresly noted to be equal to that of the other Patriarchs .

In the two preceding Canons they ordain : 1. That in every Province Bishops Concil. Nicen. 1. should be consecrated by all the Bishops Can. 4. thereof , ( might it consist with their convenience to meet together ; if not ) at least by three being present , the rest consenting ; but the confirmation of their Acts is in every Province reserved to the Metropolitan . 2. That the last Appeal should be made to Concil. Nic. 1. Councils ; and that the person condemned Can. 5. in any Province , should not be received , if he fled to others . Can. 4. and 5.

In the first of these Canons it was ordered , that the chief in every Province should confirm the Acts of his Inferiour Bishops , the Patriarch of Rome in his , and every other Patriarch in his own Jurisdiction . In 〈◊〉 last , if any trouble did arise that could not be decided by the Metropolitan , provision was made ( in words so clear and forcible , that none more plain can be put into their places ) that the last Appeal should be made to Councils , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉

But the City of Rome being in those days Queen of the World , and lifted up above all other Cities , as the Seat of the Empire , the Bishop thereof began to wax proud in after-times , and being discontented with the former Bounds , invaded the Jurisdictions of his Fellow-Patriarchs .

For though the Foundation upon which the Government was laid was against it , yet when persons were Immorigerous , if any Bishop were censured by his Metropolitan , or Priest excommunicated by his Bishop , or Deacon offended with his Superiour , who chastised him for his guilt ; though the Canon of the Church was trampled under foot thereby ( which forbad such irregular and disorderly flights ) the manner was , for those turbulent persons to flee to Rome , because it was a great and powerful City ; and the Roman Bishop trampling the Rule under foot , as well as others , did ( as is confessed ) frequently receive them . Nay , their ambition being kindled by the greatness of the place , it tempted them so far , as to favour the Delinquents , and oftentimes to clear them , for the incouragement of others , invited by that means , to fly thither for relief , till at last the Cause of Malefactors was openly Espoused ; and while they were excommunicated in other Churches , they were received to the Communion in the Church of Rome .

Hereupon there were great murmurings and heart-burnings at the first in the Eastern Churches , because Rome became an Asylum , or City of Refuge , for discontented persons ; disturbing the Order of the Church , spoiling the Discipline of other Provinces , and hindering the Course of Justice ; while her Bishop usurped an Authority , which neither Scripture nor Canon gave unto him .

It is recorded also , that they sometimes Concil. Carth. 6. Epist. ad Celestin. acquitted Malefactors without hearing Witnesses , and sent Orders for the Restauration of those , who made such irregular flights , into the Provinces of other Patriarchs that were Subject indeed to the Roman Empire , but not within the Province of the Roman Patriarch

Nay , when those Orders were rejected , ( if some of their own Collectors may be believed ) the Roman Bishops , through favour of the Empire , got Magistrates and Souldiers to see them executed by Plain force : which grew chiefly scandalous in the times of Zozimus , and Boniface ; of which you may read the three last and best Collections of the Councils , set forth by the Papists , Binius , 〈◊〉 abbè , and the Collectio Regia , unanimously consenting in their Notes on the sixth Council of Carthage . And that this was the cause of calling that Council , they confess in like manner .

For to stop these intolerable Incroachments , and to suppress the growth of an Aspiring Tyranny , this seasonable Council was called at Carthage , consisting of 〈◊〉 Bishops , among whom S. Augustine was one present in particular .

To this Council Zozimus the Roman Patriarch sent three persons , one of which was Faustinus , an Italian Bishop , to plead his Cause , with two Canons fathered upon the Nicene Council ; designing thereby to justifie his Power of receiving Appeals both from Bishops and Priests , but by the care and wisdom of that Council they were detected and confounded , the Fraud being made a Spectacle to the whole world .

For first , the Copy which Caecilianus , Archbishop of Carthage , brought from Nice , ( he being himself one of the Fathers in that Council ) was orderly produced , and the two Canons which the Roman Bishop sent were not there . Next , because it might be pleaded upon the difference of the Copies , that the Copy of Carthage must give place to that of Rome , Rome being the greater See ; they sent Messengers to the Patriarch of Alexandria , to the Patriarch of Antioch , and to the Patriarch of Constantinople , ( and admonished the Bishop of Rome to do so too , that he might see sound and fair dealing ) desiring the Records of the Nicene Council , from all the principal parts of the world , from the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria they received Authentick Copies , attested with their several known Authorities , which agreed exactly with the Copy at Carthage , but disagreed with that of Rome ; the Extract produced out of it , by the Name of a Commonitorium , being every word apparently forged .

Upon this the Bishop of Rome was condemned , his Arrogance and Usurpation suppressed by Canons , and his Pride chastised by Letters ; the Letters and Canons being yet extant . This was done about the year 420.

Zozimus dying , Boniface and Celestine successively take up the Quarrel , without any Dissent appearing in the Roman Clergy : nay rather all the Interest of that Chair was imployed to uphold the Forgery ; whereby it is evident , that it was not a Personal Act , but the guilt and business of the Church of Rome ; as appeareth further by all their Successors persisting in the Quarrel , by the multitude of her Members defending it and the Forgery both ; and by all the Popish Collectors conspiring together , to maintain the Spurious and Adulterate Canons .

Among other things which the Fathers Epist. Concil Carthag. 6. ad Celestin. wrote out of this Sixth Council of Carthage to Pope Celestine , they oppose the true Canons of the Nicene Council , against the false ones , noting that , which is alone sufficient to overthrow the Forgery , that these two Popish Canons were really contrary to the Canons and Decrees of the Nicene Council : For desiring him no more so easily to admit Appeals , nor to receive into Communion those that were Excommunicated in other Churches ; they tell him , he might easily find this matter defined in the Nicene Council : for if it seemed fit to be observed in the inferiour Clergy , and Lay-men , much more in Bishops . They tell him , that he should chastise and punish such impudent Flights , as became him : As also , that the Canons of the Nicene Council had most openly committed both the inferiour Clergy , and Bishops themselves to their own Metropolitans ; wisely and justly providing , that all businesses whatsoever should be determined in the places where they arose ; Nisi fortè est Aliquis , &c. unless perhaps there be some one who will say , that God is able to give Justice of Judgment to one , be he who he will , but denies it to innumerable Priests assembled in a Council . Which was in those days held so absurd and monstrous a thing to conceive , that ( however the case is altered since ) they thought no man impudent enough to affirm it . In these words they cut the Popes Arrogance sufficiently , for that he being but One , was so highly conceited of himself , at least so behaved himself , as if he had an extraordinary Spirit of Infallibility , and were fitter to determine the Causes of the Church , than a whole Council of Bishops assembled together . Finally , they charge him with bringing the empty puff of secular pride into the Church of Christ : And so proceed to their Canons against him .

Notwithstanding this , the Roman Bishops continued obstinate , contending so long , till there was a great Rupture made in the Church upon this occasion . And if some Records be true ; namely , those Letters that past between Eulalius and another Boniface , the Bishops of Rome grew so impudent , as to Excommunicate the Eastern Churches , because they would not be obedient to an Authority sounded on so base a Forgery . If they be not true , then there are more Forgeries in the Roman Church than we charge her with : For the Letters were feigned ( as Baronius confesseth ) by some afterwards , Baron . that were zealous of the Churches welfare ; to wit , for the better colouring of that Schism which was made by the pride and ambition of Rome .

These Epistles were set forth by the Papists , and were owned at first for good Records ; but upon the consideration of so many Saints and Martyrs that sprung up in the Churches of Africa , during that 100 years , wherein it is pretended by those Epistles , that they were cut off from the Church of Rome , it was afterwards thought better to reject them as Counterfeits , because the Roman Martyrologies are filled with the names of those African Saints : And it is a stated Rule , that no Saint or Martyr can be out of the Church . Lest the Eastern Churches therefore should out-weigh the Roman , by reason of the Splendour , Multitude and Authority of these Eminent Saints , these Letters are now condemned by some among themselves ; vid. Bellarm , de Rom. Pont. lib. 2. cap. 25. Baron . in Not. Martyrol . ad 16. Octobr. and Bin. in Concil. Carthag. 6.

This unfortunate Contest happening so near to the Fourth Century , was the first Head-spring , or Root of the Schism , that is now between us : And the matter being so , on whose side the fault lay , I leave to the Reader .

How the Roman Church proceeded in Daillè concerning the right use of the Fathers , lib. 1. cap. 4. this business , we may learn from Daillè , an able Writer of the French Nation : He tells us , that the Legates of Pope Leo , in the year 45 , in the midst of the Council of Chalcedon , where were assembled 600 Bishops , the very Flower and choice of the whole Clergy , had the confidence to alledge the sixth Canon of the Council of Nice , in these very words , That the Church of Rome hath always had the Primacy : Words which are no more found in any Greek Copies of the Councils , than are those other pretended Canons of Pope Zozimus : Neither do they yet appear in any Greek or Latine Copies , nor so much as in the Edition if Dionysius Exiguus , who lived about 50 years after this Council : Whereupon he breaketh out into this Exclamation , When I consider that the Legates of so holy a Pope , would at that time have fastned such a Wen upon the body of so Venerable a Canon , I am almost ready to think , that we scarcely have any thing of Antiquity left us , that is entire and uncorrupt , except it be in matters of indifferency , or which could not have been corrupted , but with much noise , &c.

He further tells us , ( in the place before-mentioned ) That whereas the Greek Code , Num. 206. sets before us in the XXVIII Concil. Chalced. Act. 16. Tom. 2. Concil. Canon of the General Council of Chalcedon , a Decree of those Fathers ; by which conformably to the first Council of Constantinople , they ordained , that seeing the City of Constantinople was the Seat of the Senate , and of the Empire , and enjoyed the same Priviledges with the City of Rome , that therefore it should in like manner be advanced to the same Height and Greatness in Ecclesiastical Affairs , being the second Church in Order after Rome ; and that the Bishop should have the Ordaining of Metropolitans in the three Diocesses of Pontus , Asia , and Thrace . Which Canon is found both in Balsamon and Zonoras ; and also hath the Testimony of the greatest part of the Ecclesiastical Historians , both Greek and Latine , that it is a Legitimate Canon of the Council of Chalcedon , in the Acts of which Council , at this day also extant , it is set down at large : Yet notwithstanding , in the collection of Dionysius Exiguus it appears not at all , no more than as if there had never been any such thing thought of at Chalcedon . He hath other marks of Dionysius Exiguus , which sufficiently brand him for a Slave to the Chair , but omitted here , as out of our Circuit . However , I think it meet to lay down the Canon as I find it lying in the Code of the Universal Church .

CCVI. Altogether following the Decrees Concil. Chalced. Can. 28. of the H. Fathers , and the Canon of those 150 Bishops , most beloved of God , which was lately read , which met under the Great Theodosius the Pious Emperour , in his Royal City of Constantinople [ called ] New Rome , we also define and decree the same , concerning the Priviledges of that most H. Church of Constantinople [ that is ] New Rome : For the Fathers justly gave priviledges to the See of Elder Rome , Quod urbs illa imperaret , because that City was the Seat of the Empire : And the 150 Bishops , most beloved of God , being moved with the same consideration , gave equal Priviledges to the most holy See of New Rome ; rightly judging , that the City which is honoured with the Empire , and the Senate , and enjoys equal priviledges with the Royal Elder Rome , ought in Ecclesiastical Affairs also , no otherwise then it , to be extolled and magnified , being the second after it , &c.

Upon this advantage , the Patriarch of Constantinople advanced himself above the other Patriarchs ; and his See being made equal to the See of Rome , by the Authority of the Church , upon the Interest he had in the Empire then setled in Greece , he arrogated the Title of Vniversal Bishop : Which Gregory , then Bishop of Rome , so highly stomacked , that he thundered out Letters against him , calling the Title a proud and prophane , Greg. lib. 6. Epist. 30. Lib. 4. Epist. 32. Lib. 6. Epist. 30. nay , a blasphemous Title ; denying that either himself , or any of his Predecessors had ever used it ; and plainly affirming , that whosoever used that Title , was the forerunner of Antichrist . And to this purpose , Greg. lib. 4. Epist. 34. in the 34. Epistle of his fourth Book , he asketh , What else can be signified by this pride , but that the times of Antichrist are drawing near ? For he imitates him ( says he ) who despising the Fellowship of the Angels in their common joy , endeavoured to break up to the Top of Singularity . This he spake against John of Constantinople , because he brake the Order of the Patriarchs , and despised the Equality of his Fellow-Bishops . Now whether it does not hit his own Predecessors , Zozimus , and Boniface , and Celestine , and Leo , I leave to the judgment of the Reader : They were not contented with an Equality in Power , but aspired , and that some of them by the most odious way , that of Lying and Forgery , as well as Pride and Ambition , to the top of Singularity .

Whether this Zeal of Gregory was according to knowledge , that is , whether it proceeded from integrity , or self interest , I shall not determine . All that I observe is this which followeth , when the Tyde turned , and the Emperour next sided with the Bishop of Rome , the very next Successor of Gregory but one , took up the Title , a little before condemned for blasphemous , which is claimed by the Roman Bishops to this day .

The Emperour sided with the Roman Bishop , because the Roman Bishop sided with him : For when Phocas had murdered his Master , the good old Emperour Mauricius , and usurped the Throne in his stead , the Title of Vniversal Bishop was given to the Patriarch of Rome by this Bloody Tyrant , to secure his own ; which had so great a Flaw in it , and needed the assistance of some powerful Agent .

Hereupon a Council was called at Helvic . Chronol. Rome by Boniface 3. wherein the priviledge of the Emperour Phocas was promulged , and the Bishop of Romo made a POPE , upon the encouragement of the Tyrant , by the consent of the Council : but his own , viz. a Roman Council .

Thus Boniface and Phocas were great Friends : The Imperial and Triple Crown were barter'd between them : Connivance and Commerce soiling them both with the guilt of Murder , Simony , Treason ; and if S. Gregory may be believed , with Sacriledge and Blasphemy : For being involved in a mutual Conspiracy , they became guilty of each others crimes ; to partake with Adulterers , and comply with Offenders , being imputed as sin , in the H. Scriptures .

Platina , an Eminent Writer of the Lives of the Popes , and a Papist himself , informeth us sufficiently of this business , in these words , Boniface 111. ( saith he ) a Platin. in vir . Bonif . 3. Roman by Birth , obtained of the Emperour Phocas , but with great contention , that the Seat of blessed Peter the Apostle ( which is the Head of all the Churches ) should be so called , and so accounted of all : which place the Church of Constantinople endeavoured to vindicate to it self , evil Princes sometimes favouring it , and affirming the first see to be due to the place where the Head of the Empire was .

In the Life of Zozimus the first Episcopal Forger in the Church of Rome , Platina mentioneth the foresaid business at Carthage ; but so briefly , that it is clear he did not like it . And to close up all , in the Life of this Boniface he endeavours to strengthen the Title of the Roman Bishop against the Patriarch of Constantinople , by the Donation of Constantine , another Forgery , of which hereafter .

The two counterfeit Canons contained in the Commonitorium , which the Roman Bishop sent to the sixth Council of Carthage , are these , as Faustinus the Italian Bishop delivered them in Greek , to be read by Daniel the Pronotary in the Council .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. We are pleased , that if a Bishop be accused , and the Bishops of his Country being assembled together , have judged him , and deposed him from his Degree , and he thinks fit to Appeal , and shall fly to the most blessed Bishop of the Roman Church , and shall desire to be heard , and he shall think it just that the Tryal be renewed ; then he [ the Roman Bishop ] shall vouchsafe to write to the B. shops of the adjoyning and bordering Province , that they should diligently examine all , and define according to the Truth . But if any one thinks fit that his Cause be heard again , and by his own Supplication moves the Bishop of Rome , that he should send a [ Legate or ] Priest from his side ; it shall be in his power to do as he listeth , and as he thinketh fit . And if he shall decree that some ought to be sent , that being present themselves might judge with the Bishops , having his Authority by whom they were sent , it shall be according to his judgment : but if he think the Bishops sufficient to end the business , he shall do what in his most wise counsel he judgeth meet .

Here the Roman Bishop , nay the meanest Priest he shall please to send as his Legate , is exalted above all Councils , Bishops , and Patriarchs in the world ; he may do , and undo , act , add , rescind , diminish , alter , whatsoever he pleaseth in any Council , when the Causes of the most Eminent Rank in the Church do depend in the same . All Bishops are by this Canon made more to fear the Roman Bishop than their own Patriarch , and are ingaged , if need be , to side with him against their Patriarch : the Gate is open for all the Wealth in the World to flow into his Ecclesiastical Court , which is as much above the Court of any other Patriarch , by this Right of Appeals , as the Archbishops Court above any inferiour Bishops , while we may Appeal to that from these at our pleasure . Thus Bishops and Patriarchs are made to buckle under the Popes Cirdle , and the Decrees of Councils are put under his foot : And all this is no more but half a Step to the Popes Chair .

The other part of the Step in this Commonitorium , was the following Canon concerning Priests :

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. I ought not to pass that over in silence , that does yet move me : If any Bishop happen to be angry ( as he ought not ) and be suddenly or sharply moved against his Priest or Deacon , and would cast him out of his Church , Provision must be made , that he be not condemned being Innocent , or lose the Communion . Let him that is cast out have power to Appeal to the Borderers , that his Cause might be heard , and handled more carefully ; for a Hearing ought not to be denied him when he asks it : And the Bishop , which hath either justly or unjustly ejected him , shall patiently suffer , that the business be lookt into , and his Sentence either confirmed , or rectified , &c.

What is the meaning of this , &c. in Binius , Labbè , Cossartius , and the Collectio Regia , I cannot tell ; but doubtless the Canon intends the same in the close with the former , that the last Appeal is reserved to the Roman Chair ; which made the Fathers in the sixth Council of Carthage so angry as we find them , to see things so false and presumptuous , fastned upon the first most Glorious Oecumenical Council , which decreed the clean contrary , in the 4 and 5 Canons . The substance and force of which , as we gave you before , so shall we now the words of the Canons themselves .

Can. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. It is fit that a Bishop chiefly be ordained by all the Bishops that are in the Province : but if this be found difficult , either because of any urgent necessity , or for the length of the journey , then the Ordination ought to be made by Three certainly meeting together , the absent [ Bishops ] agreeing , and consenting by their Writs : but let the confirmation of the Acts be given , throughout every Province , to the Metropolitan .

Can. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Concerning those that are Excommunicated , whether in the Order of the Clergy , or the Laity , by the Bishops in every several Province , let the Sentence prevail according to the Canon , that they who are cast out by some , be not received by others : but let it be required , that no man be excluded the Congregation , by the pusillanimity or contention , or by any such vice , of the Bishop . That this therefore might more decently be inquired into , we think it fit , that Councils should every year , throughout every Province , twice be celebrated : That such Questions may be discussed by the common Authority of all the Bishops assembled together : And so they , that have evidently offended against their Bishop , shall be accounted Excommunicated , according to to reason , by all ; till it pleaseth the community of Bishops to pronounce a milder Sentence upon such . But let the Councils be held the one before the Quadragesima before Easter , that all Dissention being taken away , we might offer a most pure Gift unto God ; and the second about the middle of Autumn .

The last Appeal , you see , is ordered by the Canon to Councils ; and , as they please , the Controversie is to be ended , without flying from one to another Bishop . These are the true and Authentick Canons of the Nicene Council , overthrown by the Forgery .

CAP. III. A multitude of Forgeries secretly mingled among the Records of the Church , and put forth under the Name of Isidore , Bishop of Hispalis : Which Book is owned , defended , and followed by the Papists .

THe Roman Chair being thus lifted up to the utmost Height it could well desire , care must be taken to secure its Exaltation . After many secret Councils therefore , and powerful Methods used for its Establishment ; for the increase of its Power and Glory , ( furthered by the Luxury and Idleness of the Western Churches ) of which Salvian largely complains in his Book De Providentiâ ( written to justifie the Dispensation of GOD in all the Calamities they suffered by the Goths , who sacked Rome Piatin . in 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . in the days of the forenamed Zozimus ) there came out a collection of Councils and Decretal Fpistles , in the Name of Isidore , Bishop of Hispalis , about the year 790. In which Book there are neatly interwoven a great company of forged Evidences , or feigned Records , tending all to the advancement of the Popes Chair , in a very various , copious , and Elaborate manner .

That the Bishop of Rome had a secret hand in the contrivance and publication of them , is probable , if not clear , from divers Reasons .

1. Before they were published , Hadrian 1. maketh use of the Tale of Constantines Leprosie , Vision , and Baptism by Pope Sylvester ; things till then never heard of in the world , but afterwards contained in the Donation of Constantine ; a Forgery , which in all probability lay by this Hadrian , but of his own preparing , when he wrote his Letter to Constantine and Irene ; which Letter was read , and is recorded in the 2. Nicene Concil. Nicen . 2. Act. Council , on the behalf of Images : being sent abroad like a Scout , as it were , to try what success it would find in the world , before he would adventure the whole Body of his Players to publick view : For if that were swallowed down without being detected , the rest might hope for the same good Fortune : if not , the first might pass for a mistake , and its Companions be safely suppressed , without any mischief following .

2. The Emperour and the Council having digested the first Legend , exposed by the Pope so craftily to publick view , the other Forgeries were a little after boldly published in this Book of Isidore , together with the Legend and Donation of Constantine : which when Hincmarus , Archbishop of Rhemes , ( upon its first Baron . An. 〈◊〉 . 5. nn . 6. publication ) set himself to write against , he was taken up so roundly for the same by the Authority of Rome , that he was fain gladly to acquit the Attempt for ever : And their tenderness over it , is , I think , a sufficient Indication of their Relation to it ; every Creature being naturally affectionate to its own Brood , and prone to study its preservation .

The Church of Rome was so tender of Isidores Edition , that , as some say , Hinemarus 〈◊〉 , ibid was forced to recant his Opinion ; and to declare , that he believed and received the Book with Veneration .

3. It is recorded by Justellus , that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . forementioned Hadrian was careful to give Charles the Great a Copy of the Councils and Decretal Epistles , drawn up ( as he affirmed ) by Dionysius Exiguus . Daillè accuses the Book of many faults ; but whether Hadrian or Dionysius were guilty of them , is little material ; only 't was done as a Pledge of Reconciliation , after several Bickerings between the Giver and Receiver . Charles the Great having several times invaded Rome , and now departing thence with Friendship : which makes me a little the more prone to suspect Dionysius too , for one of those Danaum Dona , which are given like Nessus his Shirt , when wounded by Hercules , to his Enemies Wife , for the destruction of her Husband .

Be it how it will , it shews that Hadrian I. was a busie man , that he understood the influence and power of Records , what force they would have upon the minds of Lay-men , and that his eyes and hands were sometimes busied in such Affairs .

But that which above all other Arguments discovers the Popes to have a hand , if not in the Publication , yet in the Reception of the Forgeries , is this ; that the Roman Canonists , Ivo , Gratian , &c. have digested them into the Popes Laws ; and they are so far countenanced by the Popes themselves , that almost from the time of their publication , throughout all Ages since , they have been received for Authentick in the apal Jurisdiction , and are used as such in all the Ecclesiastical Courts under the Popes Dominion , as the chief of their Rules for the deciding of Causes : So that they are not only fostered , but exalted by the Authority of Rome . The Glory which they acquired in the Throne of Judgment , advancing them for a long time above the reach of Suspition . The Veneration which is due to the Chair of Holiness was their best security .

By the influence of the Popes Authority they were received into the Codes of Princes , being ( as we shall shew out of Baronius , in the next Chapter ) introduced into the Capitular Books of the Kings of the Franks by Benedictus Levita ; and at his instant request , confirmed and approved by the 〈◊〉 Chair .

The Forgeries in Isidore being scattered abroad , it is difficult to conceive to what a vast Height the Roman See by degrees 〈◊〉 : The Splendour of so many Ancient Martyrs 〈◊〉 , together with so many Canons and Decrees in her behalf , so far wrought , that her Bishop came at last to Claim all Power over all persons , Spiritual and Temporal , to have the sole power of forgiving sins , to be alone Infallible , to be Cods Vicar upon Earth , the only Oracle in the world , nay , the sole Supreme and Absolute Monarch , disposing of Empires and Kingdoms , according to the Tenour of the Doctrines contained in those Forgeries ; wherein he is made the sole Independent Lord , without Controul , able to do what ever he lifted .

Some few Ages after this first Publication of Isidore , there were other Records put forth , though lately seen , yet bearing the countenance of 〈◊〉 Antiquitie ; which so ordered the matter , that ( according to them ) the Evangelists brought their Gospels to S. Peter to confirm them ; and several books of 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 84. S. Clement , S. Peter's Successor , were put into the Canon of the Holy Bible , the whole number of Canonical books being setled and defined by his sole Authority : Ibid. In token ( doubtless ) of the Power Inherent in all S. Peter's Successors at Rome , to dispose of the Apostles , and their Writings , as they please . S. 〈◊〉 own Canon , for that purpose , being numbered among those of the Apostles .

That the Pope was uncapable of being judged by any ; that no Clergy-man was to be Subject to Kings , but all to depend immediately upon the Bishop of Rome ; that he was the Rock and Head of the Church , was the constant Doctrine of all those Forgeries , when put together , with many other Popish Points , of less concernment , sprinkled up and down in them at every turning .

Cui bono ? Among the Civilians 't is a notable mark of Detection in a blind Cause , whose Good , whose Exaltation , whose Benefit is the drift and scope of things ; and 't is very considerable for the sure finding out of the first Authors . That they are Forgeries , is manifest : Now , whose they are , is the Question in hand ; and if Agents naturally intend themselves in their own Operations , it is easily solved .

How excessively the World was addicted to Fables about the time of Isidore's Appearance , we may see by the Contents of the 2. Nicene Council , Dreams , Visions and Miracles being very rife in their best demonstrations ; and among other Legends , a counterfeit Basil , a counterfeit Athanasius , a counterfeit Emperour , maintaining and promoting the Adoration of Images : As may perhaps in another Volume be more fully discovered , when we descend from these first , to succeeding Ages .

The Counterfeits in Isidore being mingled with the Records of the Church , like Tares among Wheat , or false Coyns among heaps of Cold , lay undistinguished from true Antiquities , and ( after Hincmarus his ill success ) were little examined by the space of 500 or 600 years . Some small opposition there was , made in particular by the Bishops in France , and 〈◊〉 . An. perhaps by some Doctors and Bishops , more sincere than ordinary , or by some Learned Lawyer that rarely appeared : but the general Interest of the Times , the Deluge of corrupted manners , the Ignorance of the Laity , the Luxury of the Priests , the Greatness of the Chair , and the Love of Superstition so far prevailed , that for a long time the Court of Rome luxuriantly fiourished in the Light of her own Glory , and to this Prodigious Sun-shine owed much of its Splendour .

For the Pope having wrought himself by his first Arts into that high Reputation , the Lustre whereof dazled the world , it concerned him much to keep the Earth in a Profound Quiet , and to cherish Ignorance , ( a Vertue highly praised in the Church of Rome ) that as the Tares were sown , they might be permitted to grow , and be fruitful , while men slept : In which , the want of Printing much assisted him , Monks and Fryars being the only scribes , or the chief ones , and all at his Devotion .

Written Copies were the only Books , which at most could be but few ; enough indeed to preserve knowledge by way of Record ; but being Chained up in Monasteries and Libraries , they came seldom abroad , unless by the report of such well-affected persons as had their Tutelage and keeping .

The Popes Indulgence , and the Sloth 〈◊〉 , made way for the Artisice of 〈◊〉 in after-ages ; which were not Bookish ones , as this is , neither were Lay-men addicted much to Reading .

But upon the Reformation , occasioned by nothing more than the notorious impiety and excess of Popes , ( unless the impudence and security of his Followers may contend for a share in it ) when Libraries fell into the Protestants hands , Inquisition was made , Archives were entered , Books opened , Records searched and diligently compared : Whereupon much fraud and shufling was found , and exposed to the world .

For as the Copies were enough , had they been sincere ; so , though they were not sincere , by the Providence of God , they contained Indications , wherby clear Judgments might easily discern between Records and Forgeries ; as I found my self , to my great amazement , without any Warning ! when I first set my self to read the Councils , and simply made use of none but Popish Compilers : For there is not more difference , for the most part , between a piece of Gold and an Oyster-shell , than between a true Record and a Forgery .

Upon this Inspection the Popes Power began to be questioned , and his Throne to shake , as if it had been founded on a Quagmire : He therefore furnisheth himself with Armies of Priests , as S. Gregory phraseth it , new Orders of Jesnites and Fryars , ( never before heard of ) being erected for the defence of his Tottering Chair : men devoted against the Truth , as those Conspirators were , that swore they would neither eat nor drink till they had slain Paul ; for the Maintenance of whom , he is at great expence unto this day . Above all other arts , that of providing Seminaries being the most costly , and the most mysterious : wherein they are secretly trained up , like Sappho s Birds ; of whom it is reported , that being ambitious to be thought a GOD , he privately cherished a multitude , and taught them by degrees to say , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : Sappho is a great God : which being let loose on a sudden with their Lesson , all the other Birds in the Forrest were quickly instructed in the same Ditty : Whereupon ( he withdrawing himself ) the people thought him gone to Heaven , and a Temple was erected to the God Sappho . Whether the Story be true , I shall not determine , I am sure it may pass for an Embleme of the Popes Atchievement , who by this means has made the World to ring of a Doctrine which makes him a God ; or if not that , at least Lord of all Councils , greater than Emperours , Head of the Church , &c. His Emissaries issuing forth from these mysterious Seminaries , and filling the Earth like Locusts , or like little fraudulent and simple Birds , chirping out the Ditty : and while all the Wood learning it one of another , the Earth is full of the Miracle .

All the late Compilers of the Decrees and Councils seem hence to flow ; James Merlin , Peter Crabbe , Laurentius Surius , Nicolinus , Carranza , Severinus Binius , Labbè and Cossartius , the Collectio Regia , &c. being his sworn Adjutants for upholding the Chair . The last is a Book of such State and Magnificence , that it consists of 37 Volumes , and is in price about 50 pounds : More or less , they all carry on the Forgeries with one consent , which were at first published in the name of Isidore of Hispalis ; though some had rather , upon mature deliberation , it should be Isidore Mercator , or Isidore Peccator , a Merchant , or a Sinner , rather than a Saint , and a Bishop .

This Narrative of the Forgeries being thus nakedly , and by way of History plainly given , it remains now , that the Forgeries themselves be proved to be such : In the detection of which , much light will reflect upon the foregoing passages : All which , if you please , you may take only for a fair Introduction .

Howbeit , I must close with two or three Observations . First of all , I do not content my self with any single Collector of Councils among the Papists , lest they should say , This is but one Doctors Opinion ; but I take the Stream of them together . Secondly , Detect not the Books of private men , but such as are adopted by the Church of Rome ; being dedicated to Popes , Kings , Emperours , and coming out cum summo Privilegio . Thirdly , that the first of these Compilers , ( excepting those that were imployed in the first publication and Promotion of Isidore ) did begin with that Service not much above 130 years ago ; all of them rising up since the times of Martin Luther , though their Names make a great noise and bluster in the world : For upon the Reformation of the Church , so happily wrought , and carried on by the Protestants , these Armies of Collectors were marshalled together , to help a little , and to uphold the Popes Chair by Forgeries : Which intimates a Dearth of Antiquities , since they are forced to fly to such shameful expedients .

Luther appeared in the year 1517. The first that appeared after him was James Merlin , in the year 1535. The next was Peter Crabbe , in the year 1538. After him Carranza , in the year 1564. Then Surius , in the year 1567. Turrian follows , not as a Collector , but as a Champion to defend them , in the year 1573. Whom Nicolinus succeeded as a Compiler of the Councils , in the year 1585. After him Binius , Labbè and Cossartius , and the Collectio Regia follow in their Order . So that it is an easie matter to discern what set these Voluminous Writers on work , to wit , the great and smart occasion they received by the Reformation .

Finally observe , that Isidore and Merlin , the first of the Compilers , whose Works are extant , lay down the Forgeries , simply and plainly , for good Records ; but Binius , and his Followers , by reason of the Arguments which they cannot answer , begin to confess some of them to be Forgeries : So do the most Grave and Learned Cardinals , Bellarmine and Baronius , though they still carry on the Design of the first Inventers , by some other Methods , which they hope will succeed better .

Nor is it any wonder , that a Secular Kingdom should make men more active than the love of Heaven ; since we daily see , how the Kings of the world expend vast Treasures of Gold and Silver , and run through all dangers of Death and Battel , for their own preservation , and the Conquest of their Neighbours . The same care which they take in building Forts and Cittadels , being taken by the Bishop of Rome , in maintaining Seminaries , Universities , Printing-Houses , &c. which depend absolutely on him , for the securing of all that Wealth and Empire , which he hath by his Wit and Policy acquired : It standeth him upon ; for if his Religion falls , his Glory vanisheth , and his Kingdom is abolished .

What men will do for Secular Ends , beyond all the belief and expectation of the Vulgar , we see in Hamor and Shechem , Gen. 34 . the first and most Ancient Myrrour of that kind in the world : who for the accomplishment of their desires , introduced a new Religion , troubling themselves and their Citizens unto Blood , meerly to get possession of Dinah , Jacob's Daughter .

〈◊〉 's Policy is about 2500 years 1 Kings . old , though much more late . When the ten Tribes revolted from the House of David , for fear lest they should return to their Allegiance , if they went up yearly to Jerusalem , according to the Law , he set up two Calves for the people to worship , and underwent a great expence ( besides the Gold in the Calves ) in erecting a new Order of Friests , that the people might be kept at home in their perverse Obedience . He very well knew those Calves were no Deities , yet for secular ends he promoted their worship , and was followed therein by all the Line of the Kings of Israel , several hundred of years together .

What Demetrius the Silver-Smith did for Diana of the Ephesians , and what an uproar he made , purely for Gain , in making her Shrines , all the Christian World understandeth : But the High-Priests , Scribes and Elders of the Jews , in acting against all the Miracles of Christ , and against their Conscience ; especially in giving Money to the Souldiers to hold their peace , when they brought the news of his Resurrection , their resisting of the Holy Ghost at his Miraculous Descent ; these are a sufficient instance of the incredible obdurateness of mans heart , and his obstinate 〈◊〉 allures his hopes , as the immediate Crown of his Labours .

The Diana of the Romans is much more prosicuous than the Diana of the Ephesians : The fattest places of the Provinces , and the greatest Empire in the World , are the Game they Play . This Dinah animateth all their Strength to impose on the people : And for the easing of their own Charge , it is a usual thing with Popes , to permit their Priests and Fryers , for their better support , to deceive the people ; which Dr. Stillingfleet , in his Book of Popish Counterfeit Miracles , does excellently open : in which , and in all other Arts and Tricks , they have a special connivance , provided they keep the poor simple Sheep within the bounds of their Jurisdiction , and contribute to the continuance of their Secular Kingdom .

This is the truth of the Story ; and these are the circumstances of the whole procedure , which remains now to be proved .

CAP. IV. James Merlin's Editions of the Councils , who lately published Isidore Hispalensis for a good Record , which is now detected , and proved to be a Forgery .

JAmes Merlin's pains was to publish Isidore , with some Collections and Additions of his own . He positively affirmeth him to be that Famous Isidore of Hispalis , a Saint , a Bishop , and a Father of the Church : though as Blondel and Dr. Reynolds accurately observe , S. Isidore of Hispalis was dead 40 , 50 , 60 years , before some things came to pass that are mentioned in that Book of the Councils .

Blondel in a Book of his , called Pseudo-Isidorus , or Turrianus Vapulans , Cap 2. observes , how the lowest that write of Isidores death , fix it on the year 647. as Vasaeus in his Chronicle : Others on the year 643. as Rodericus Toletanus Hist. lib. 2. cap. 18. Or on the year 635. as the proper Office of the Saints of Spain : or on the year 636. when Sinthalus entered his Kingdom , as Redemptus Diaconus , an eye-witness , De Obitu Isidori .

Brauleo Bishop of Caesar-Augustana , Lucas Tudensts , Baronius the great Annalist , Mariana , Grialus , and others , agree with the last ; which is eleven years sooner than Vasaeus . So that the general prevailing Opinion is , that Isidore of Hispalis died in the year 636. However , that we may deal most fairly with them , we will allow them all they can desire , and calculate our affair by the last Account , which is most for their advantage .

Admit Vasaeus in the right , that Isidore lived till the year 647. yet the Book which is Fathered upon him , can be none of his ; for it mentions things which came to pass long after .

It is observed by Blondel , that Honoratus , who succeeded Isidore in the See of Hispalis , is found in the sixth Council of Toledo ; whereas this pretended Isidore makes mention of the eleventh Council in the same place . He talks of the sixth Oecumenical Council , in the year 681. no less than 46 years after his own death , by the lowest account . He writes of Boniface of Mentz , slain as Baronius observes , in the year 755. which was threescore and sixteen years after Isidores death : Yet Possevin , upon the word Isidorus Hisp. and Hart in his Conference with Reynolds , contend the Author of this Book to be the true Isidore , Bishop of Hispalis , as Merlin who first published Isidore in print , and others did before them .

Among his Witnesses produced against this Counterfeit , the first which Blondel useth , is the Code of the Roman Church ; in which onely the Epistles of 13 Roman Bishops are contained , beginning with Siricius : Whereas there are in Isidore above 60. whereof five or six and thirty lived before Siricius , and were all unknown until the time of Isidore .

His next Testimony is that of the Bishops of France , about the year 865. who concluded , that Isidore's Wares then newly beginning to be sold , could not have the force of Canons , because they were not contained in the Authentick Code , or Book of Canons formerly known .

He next citeth the Council of Aquisgranum , An. 816. the Bishops of Paris , An. 829. Henricus Caltheisensis , Erasmus , Greg. Cassander , Anton. Contius , the famous Lawyer , Bellarmine and Baronius , the Learned Cardinals .

The Testimony of Baronius being more largely cited than the residue , I thought it meet to search the Author , and there I found these following passages .

Writing upon the Contest between Pope Nicholas and the French Bishops concerning Appeals , he beginneth to shew how they complained , that the Causes of Baron . An. Christ . 865. nu. 4. Bishops , which ought to be tryed in Councils by their Fellow Bishops , were removed to the Apostolick Chair : And they questioned in their Letters , whether those Epistles of the more Ancient Bishops , which were not inserted into the Body of the Canons , but were written in the Collection of Isidore Mercator , were of equal Authority with the residue ?

For the making of which Controversie the more plain , and to shew what they mean by the Body of the Canons , he tells us , It is certain , that the more Ancient Collection of the Decretal Epistles of the Roman Bishops , and the Canons of divers Councils , acquired such a name , that the Volum was called , The Book , or Code , or BODY of CANONS , increased by the addition of other Councils , which were afterwards celebrated . But the more ancient and full collection of the Epistles of Roman Bishops , and Canons of Councils , was that of Cresconius , of which I have spoken before , saith he : Which being increased by the addition of many Canons and Epistles , went under the name of the Book , or BODY of CANONS . and whereas there were many other Collections of Canons compiled , that which is the richest of all , made by Isidore sirnamed Mercator , containing the Epistles of the Ancient Roman Bishops , beginning from Clement , was Longè recentior , far younger than they all ; as Hincmarus , Archbishop of Rhemes , does testifie : Forasmuch as it was not brought out of Spain into France , before the times of Charles the Great , by Riculphus Archbishop of Mentz : For so he testifies in a Letter of his to Hincmarus Laudunensis , beginning , Sicut de Libro , &c. But he who first collected Canons out of the foresaid Epistles , published at first by Isidore , and inserted them into the books of the Kings of the Franks , was Benedictus Levita , as he testifieth of himself in his preface before the fifth book of those Canons ; who writ in the times of the Sons of Ludovicus Pins the Emperour , Ludovicus Lotharius , and Charles , as me shewed , where he saith , I have inserted these Canons , &c. to wit , those WARES of Isidore Mercator , which were brought , as thou hast heard of Hincmarus , into France out of Spain by Riculphus . Nè quis calumniari possit , ab Ecclesiâ Romanâ aliquid hujusmodi commentum esse : Lest any one should slander us , and say , the Church of Rome invented such a business as this .

I think here is enough : He looks upon it as a Commenium , a meer Fiction , and is 〈◊〉 left any one should have the advantage of Fathering such a dreadful Bastard on the Church of Rome . He calls them Isidore the Merchants Wares ; he does not refel the Bishops of France ; he dares not affirm they were in the Ancient Code of Epistles and Councils ; he acknowledgeth them far younger than the BODY of CANONS , and subscribes to Hincmarus Archbishop of Rhemes , citing him who writ against Isidore , as a good and Authentick Author . He confesseth that they were never known in France till the times of Charles the Great , that is 700 years after they first began to be written ; and that they were introduced into the books of the Kings of the Franks by Benedictus Levita , in the times of Ludovicus Lotharius , which was about the year 850. So that the Church was governed well enough without them , and about 800 years after our Saviours Birth they were first hateht as meer Innovations . This is too large a Chink for an Enemy to open ; but he proceedeth further .

That the same Riculphus , Bishop of Baron . An. 865. nu. 6. Mentz , did live in the times of Charles the Great , many Monuments of that Age do make it certain ; especially the Testament of the same Charles the Great , to which this Riculphus is found to have subscribed among divers others . We find that he was President also in a Council at Mentz , held in the year of our Redemption 813. &c. Since therefore the French Regions , which are nearest to Spain , knew not the Collection of Isidore before the times of Riculphus , much less Italy , it is a conjecture , that this Isidore did live and write not long before ; and so it was first published by Riculphus , who brought it thither ; then by Benedictus , who put it into the Capitular books ; and lastly , by Hincmarus Junior , Bishop of Laon , the last Collector unto this our Age : which Hincmarus of Rhemes , a man of a keener smell , reprehendeth in many things , defaming that collection of Isidore which the other used , for which cause he was accused . For Frodoardus , in his History of Rhemes , Cap. 16. near the end , saith of him , that being accused because he had condemned the Decretal Epistles of the Roman Bishops , he professed and protested otherwise , that he admitted , held , and approved them with the greatest honour . Vpon this occasion , to wit , it appears , he was branded with a mark , because he had signified himself not to have approved that Collection of Isidore in all things .

Baronius you see , who is one of the greatest Friends to the See of Rome , endeavours to remove the matter of Isidore as far as he can from the Roman Chair , being sore afraid , lest the guilt of so many Forgeries should too apparently be charged upon 〈◊〉 For which cause he will not have the book so much as known in Italy , nay not in France , which is nearer unto Spain , for 800 years time , but that it came out of Spain first , being brought by Riculphus . Perhaps Riculphus was never there . He doth not tell us that he went into Spain , for ought I can find , nor upon what occasion , nor in what City , nor of whom he received Isidore : which putteth me in mind of Cacus his device , who being a strong Thief , and robbing Hercules of his Oxen , drew them all backward by the Tail into his Den , that the print of their heels being found backwards , they might not be tracked , but seem to be gone another way .

But he fails in his design : for as it is strange , that Italy should not know the Decretal Epistles of its own Popes for 800 years , till Riculphus brought them out of Spain ; so is it more strange , that being such Forgeries as he would have them , Hincmarus Archbishop of Rhemes should be accused for condemning them , and ratled up , and Branded in such a manner , and compelled to recant by so powerful an Enemy ; for it seems he had no way to save himself , but by renouncing his Opinion . The jealousie of the Roman Church , and its tenderness over Isidore , appeareth most exceeding great in the hard dealing which Hincmarus met with , who though he did recant , was still noted with infamy ; as if to speak against Isidore , were a Crime not to be washed off by the Tears of Repentance in the Church of Rome . Perhaps the poor Bishop was an Hypocrite in that forced Confession , and for this was branded , because he confessed a lye , as men upon the Rack are wont to do , for his own deliverance : for that he knew still that Isidore was a Counterfeit , and must therefore be reputed a rotten Member of the Church of Rome . This Baronius observes , while he ascribeth Hincmarus his reprehending Isidore's Collection , to his keener scent ; whereby he was able , more readily than others , to smell a Rat , and discover the Cheat.

Baronius proceedeth further in condemning the collection of Isidore , thus ; But Nicholas the Pope seemed to abstain An 865. nu. 7. from it on purpose : for though he was often ingaged in these Controversies , concerning Appeals to the Apostolick Chair , and there were in it many , and those most powerful , Testimonies of most holy Popes , and they Martyrs too , whose Authority might be of highest force in the Church ; yet he wholly abstained from them ( which that he knew to be doubtful at least , is not to be doubted ) using only those , concerning which there was never any doubt in the Church of God ; because the Church did not want those adventitious , and late invented Evidences , because it might receive them abundantly from other places : but Benedictus Levita himself also , though ( as you have heard from Hincmarus , and as he himself testifies in the Preface before his books ) he took many things out of that same Collection of Isidore ; yet being conscious in himself , that the Authority of those Epistles was not so sure , but that it nodded exceedingly , he never cited any Author of them , as he did in the other Epistles of the Roman Bishops , Innocent , Leo , Gelasius , Symmachus , and Gregory ; naming the Authors of those , whose Faith was clear and certain . But further yet , with great caution , because he knew the Evidences taken from them not to be so firm , he took care , as he testifies in the end , to have them confirmed by the Apostolick Authority .

Is not here a merry passage ? Benedictus Levita knew the Decretal Epistles to be false , and therefore he got them to be made true by the Popes Authority ; at least to be confirmed as true , whereas they were doubtful before . It is the manner of sometimes , to get others to propose the matters , which they themselves design to be done ; that the business springing from the request of others , might appear more graceful in the eye of the people . We may justly enquire , whether Benedictus Levita were not ordered what to Petition , by private instructions from his Holiness , before he made his motion to the Chair : for it had otherwise been an extravagant impudence to have assaulted the Chair with such a request as that is , of craving a Confirmation of new-found Records , so feeble and suspected . Whatever the Intrigue was , the event is clear , Benedictus Levita got them confirmed , and so they were adopted for his Holiness Children , though Pope Nicholas was shy a little out of shame and modesty , and blushed to acknowledge his poor Kindred .

It is further observable , that these counterfeit Epistles were first brought in into the Records of the Franks , without naming their Authors : and that a little after their quiet publication , some Favourite of the Chair grew more bold , and added their names unto them ; this of Clement , that of Anacletus , &c. And that the work was thus perfected by degrees , Baronius shews us in the following passage .

But he who first published the Decrees Ibid nu. 7. extracted out of those Epistles , with the Title of the Roman Bishops , in whose names they are recorded , was that Hincmarus we mentioned , the Bishop of Laon , as appears by an Epistle or book written against him by Hincmarus of Rhemes ; who receiving that work of the Bishop of Laon , read it not without indignation , and in very many things reprovedit . But others have followed the Bishop of Laon , as Burchardus , who writ in the following Age , and others after him , who prefixed the names of the very Roman Bishops before all the Chapters , which Gratian also did the last of all .

But that those Epistles are rendered suspitious , by many things which we have said in the second Tome of our Annals , while we mentioned each in particular , is sufficiently demonstrated : Where we shewed withal , that the holy Roman Church did not need them , so as ( if they should be detected of falsity ) to be bereaved of its Rights and Priviledges , since ( though she wanteth them ) she is abundantly strengthened and confirmed by the Legitimate and Genuine Decretal Epistles of other Popes . But that the Chapters taken out of them by Benedictus Levita , were at first approved , as agreeable to the Canons ( as himself testifies ) by the Authority of the Roman Bishops , ( which was done also by the latter Collectors ) it happened rather by long use , than for any strength or firmness in themselves .

Thus Baronius in his Annals , An. 865. nu. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. all together .

In Notis Martyrol . ad 4. April . he saith , Vasaeus is convicted to have erred , who thought this Isidore Pacensis that Isidore who collected the Epistles of the Roman Bishops , and the Councils , &c. Hincmarus Laudunensis also , and Trithemius , and others err , who ascribe that collection to Isidore of Hispalis : That Opinion is refelled ; first , because Brauleus and Ildephonsus , who lived in those times , drawing up a Catalogue of his Writings , make not the least mention of that work . But further , all doubt is taken away concerning this matter , while the Author of that work , speaking there concerning the manner of holding a Council . recites the words of the first Canon of the eleventh Council of Toledo , and mentions Agatho the Pope in his Preface , since Isidore of Hispalis departed this life , long before the times of that Council , and Pope Agatho .

Had we time , we might make many curious reflexions upon these passages of Baronius : He afterwards talks of another Isidore , called sometimes Mercator , and sometimes Peccator ; but of what Parents , what Calling , what City , or what Country he was , he mentioneth nothing . So that this Child , among all those Isidores and Fathers that are found out for it , must rest at last in one that is unknown .

All that can be gathered from this whole discourse of Baronius , is this , That a new Book of Councils , richly fraught with Evidences for the Roman Church and Religion , came abroad under the name of Isidore , containing Decrees and Decretal Epistles that were never before heard of in the world : that this Book was falsly Fathered upon Isidore of Hispalis ; and that all those ancient Epistles of the Roman Bishops , from S. Peter down to Siricius , are justly suspected : Nay , he confesses them to be insirm , adventitions , and lately invented , or newly found , and to nod exceedingly : He opposeth them to those Records which are Legitimate and Genuine , though they are of late magnified , and followed by all the Collectors of the Decrees and Councils , being , though waved by some , cited and approved by other Popes , as well as Doctors , Jesuites , Cardinals , &c.

This is the last and best Story that can be made on the behalf of that Book , the Counterfeits in which , as we observed before , were , because they extol and magnifie the Popes Chair , received for good and Authentick Laws in the Church of Rome : For Baronius died not long since , about the year 1607. in this last Century ; and when he had seen the truth of those Arguments that are urged against the Forgeries , endeavours so to handle this matter in his History , as to clear the Church of Rome from the imputation .

Bellarmine , that saw not into this Mystery so clearly , takes another course ; which when we have intimated one or two Marginal Notes in Baronius , we shall declare . Baronius deals more fairly with us than Binius ; for the one in his Marginal Notes contradicteth his Text , sometimes to delude the Reader : but Baronius fairly notes in the Margin , Isidori collectio vulgata in Galliis . Isidori collectio ab Antiquis non adeo probata . Isidori collectio ut minùs sincera notata , &c. Soft words for a Treatise rejected , but strong Indications of a Desperate Cause . The Ancients approved not the collection of Isidore . It was not so sincere as it ought , &c.

Cardinal Bellarmine , to prove the Bellarm. de Rom. Pont lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 14. Popes Supremacy , draweth one Argument from the Popes themselves ; whose Testimonies he casteth into three Classes . The first , saith he , contains the Epistles of Popes that sate from S. Peter to the year 300. in which Calvin and the Magdenburgenses confess the Primacy to be plainly asserted ; and that those Bishops were holy men , and true Bishops ; but they say the Epistles are forged and new , and falsly Fathered on those Bishops . In this Class he affirmeth , These Holy Fathers do clearly assert the Primacy ; Clemens in his first Epistle , Anacletus in his third , Evaristus Epist. 1. Pius Epist. 1 , and 2. Anicetus Epist. 1. Victor Epist. 1. Zephirinus Epist. 1. Calixtus Epist. 1. Lucius Epist. 1. Marcellus in Epist. 1. Eusebius Epist. 3. Melchiades Epist. 〈◊〉 . Marcus Epist. 1.

After this he saith , Quamvis aliquos Errores , &c. Though I cannot deny , but that some Errours are crept into them , and dare not affirm that they are indubitable , yet I doubt not at all , but that they are very Ancient . As if an old Deed being called into question , and the matter of Fact made certain , that it was a real Forgery ; he that holds his possession by it , should say , It has been interlined indeed , and corrupted in many places , but 't is very old . Let us see however what his reason is for the Antiquity of it : He is rough with his Opponents , and telleth us , The Magdeburgenses do lye , when they say Cent. 2. Cap. 7. near the end , that no Author worthy of credit ever cited these Epistles before Charles the Great : For Isidore , who is 200 years older than Charles the Great , in the Proem of his collection of the Holy Canons , saith , that by the advice of 80 Bishops , he collected Canons out of the Epistles of Clement , Anacletus , &c.

Isidore did indeed begin to flourish near to the year 610. So that Bellarmine takes him right for the same Isidore Bishop of Hispalis . But had he well examined the matter , he would have forborn to give the Lye to men more in the right than himself , confiding in the rotten Antiquity of this Counterfeit Isidore . For Isidores Preface is a Counterfeit too , made on purpose to countenance the Forgeries ; not 200 years older than Charles the Great , things after the Death of Isidore , its pretended Author , being mentioned in the same .

Dr Reynolds in his Conference with Confer . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Hart , having smartly checked him for his fourscore Bishops out of one Isidore , asked him , About what year of Christ Isidore did die ? How doth Genebrard write ? ( because Genebrard was Hart's most admired Author . ) He answereth , About the year 637. as he proveth out of Vasaeus . Asking him , When the General Council of Constantinople , under Agatho , was kept ? He answereth , In the year 681. or 682. or thereabout Then Isidore was dead above 〈◊〉 years , saith Reynolds , before that General Council . He was , saith Hart , but what of that ? Of that it doth follow , that the preface written in Isidores name , and set before the Councils , to purchase credit to those Epistles , is a counterfeit , and not Isidore's : For in that Preface there is mention made of the General Council of Constantinople , held against Bishop Macarius and Stephanus , in the time of Pope Agatho and the Emperour Constantine : which 〈◊〉 it was held above 40 years after Isidore 〈◊〉 dead , by Genebrard's own confession , by his own confession Isidore could not tell the fourscore Bishops of it . And so the 80 Bishops which Turrian hath found out in one Isidore , are dissolved all into one Counterfeit , abusing both the name of Isidore , and fourscore Bishops . Hart was unable to answer him , and 〈◊〉 from the Point .

Harding , in his Book against Bishop Jewel , citeth these Forgeries frequently and briskly : Upon the failure of which , though Baronius pretends an abundant number of other Evidences ; yet in the loss of 30 or 40 Primitive Bishops and Martyrs , that were so long time , for the first 300 years after Christ together , thought to speak for the Supremacy of the Church of Rome , one of the fairest Feathers in the Popes Crown is placked away ; and the younger Evidences , in which Baronius trusts , being none but the Malepert and Arrogant Testimonies of Junior Popes , in their own Causes , will make but a slight impression in the minds of men , that have found themselves deluded with more ancient 〈◊〉 , of the grave and unspotted Authorities of Holy Men , that Sacrificed themselves for the Glory of God , and the good of the World , and sealed their Testimony 〈◊〉 their latest blood which the latter Bishops of Rome have been more Secular and Pompous , than to be doing like their Predecessors .

CAP. V. Divers Forgeries contained in Isidore's Collection , mentioned in particular .

Isidore , as he now standeth set forth by Merlin , has 50 Canons of the Apostles for pure and good Records ; many Decretal Epistles , made , as he pretends , by the first Martyrs and Bishops of Rome ; very long and full of Popery .

He has two Epistles of S. Clement written to S. James Bishop of Jerusalem , that was dead before S. Clement came to the Chair : one to the Brethren dwelling with S. James , and two others in his name .

He has four Epistles in the name of Anacletus , who lived in the time of Trajan , and sate in the Roman Chair , An. 〈◊〉 . In the last of which the Counterfeit Anacletus feigneth , That all the Primacies and Archbithopricks in the World were divided and fetled by S. Peter , and S. Clement ; that the Church of Rome is the Head and Hinge of all the Churches ; and that all the Patriarchal Sees were made such by vertue of S. Peter : Antioch , because he sate there , before he came to Rome Alexandria , because S. Mark came to sit there from S. Peter : but Rome especially the first See , because it is sanctified by the death of S. Peter , and S. Paul . As if our Saviours Death were nothing able to sanctifie Jerusalem , as S. Peter's death was to sanctifie Rome : though besides the Death of Christ , Jerusalem hath this advantage , that it is the first Church , and the Mother of us all .

That you may a little discein the dealings of the Papists , note here , that Anacletus his first and second Epistles are cited by Bellarmine for good Records , 〈◊〉 . de Rom Pont. 〈◊〉 . I. cap. 23. 〈◊〉 in the very same book where he confesseth them to be Counterfeits : For though in one little passage they be confessed for the present satisfaction of a stiff Oppanent ; yet where men are minded to be corrupt , they may serve the turn in an hundred other places , by a Pious Fraud ; and the Confession being over-skipped , they may still seem Authentick , especially if the place happen to be unseen where the Confession was made , as it often cometh to pass in voluminous writings .

〈◊〉 has besides these , 2 counterfeit Epistles of 〈◊〉 , 3 of Alexander , 2 of Sixtus , 1 of Telesphorus , 2 of Higinus , 2 of Pius , 1 of Anitius , 2 of Soter , 1 of 〈◊〉 , 2 of Victor , 2 of Zephirinus , 2 of 〈◊〉 , 1 of 〈◊〉 , 2 of Pontianus , 1 of 〈◊〉 , 3 of Fabian , 2 of Cornelius , 1 of 〈◊〉 , 2 of Stephen , 2 of Sixtus , 2 of Dionysius , 3 of 〈◊〉 , 2 of 〈◊〉 , 1 of 〈◊〉 , 2 of Marcellinus , 2 of Marcellus , 3 of Eusebius , 1 of 〈◊〉 . All laid down without the least 〈◊〉 of any Fraud : though the later 〈◊〉 of the Councils , having their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Century-Writers of 〈◊〉 , the care of other I 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 to acknowledge several of them to be Forgeries .

These Episiles have one common blast upon them they were first seen in a counterfeit book and never known to the World , 〈◊〉 hundred years after their pretended Authors were set in their Craves . They cannot all be 〈◊〉 at once ; the Reader therefore must have patience , till we meet with them in their places . In the mean time see what Bishop Jewel saith concerning them , a 〈◊〉 ever answered by any , especially as to these points , wherein he 〈◊〉 them with Forgery . Gratian sheweth , that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . De Epistolis . the Decretal Epistles have been doubted of among the Learned . Dr. Smith declared openly at Paul's Cross , that they cannot possibly be theirs whose names they bear : And to utter some reasons shortly for proof thereof , these Decretal Epistles manifestly 〈◊〉 and abuse the Scriptures , as it may soon appear to the Godly Reader upon sight . They maintain nothing so much , as the State and Kingdom of the Pope ; and yet there was no such State erected in many hundred years after the Apostles time . They publish a multitude of vain and Superstitious 〈◊〉 , and other like fantasies , far unlike the Apostles Doctrine . They proclaim such things as Mr. Harding knoweth to be open and known 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 , that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 was next after Peter , willeth and 〈◊〉 commandeth , that all Bishops , once in the year , do visit the 〈◊〉 of S. Peter's Church in Rome , which they call Limina 〈◊〉 ; yet was there then 〈◊〉 Church as yet built there in the name of Peter . Pope Antherus maketh mention of Eusebius Alexandrinus , and Felix , which lived a long time after him . Fabianus writeth of the coming of Novatus into Italy ; yet 't is clear by S. Cyprian , and 〈◊〉 , that Novatus came first into Italy in the time of Cornelius , who was ( next ) after Fabianus . One Petrus Crab , the Compiler of the Councils , complaineth much , that the examples from whence he took them , were wonderfu ly corrupted , and not one of them agreeing with another . Gratian himself upon good advice , is driven to say , that al such Epistles ought to have place , rather in debating matter of Justice in the Consistory , than in determining and weighing the truth of the Scriptures . Besides this , neither S. Hierom , nor Gennadius , nor Damasus , nor any other Old Father , ever alledged these Epistles , or made any account of them ; nor the Bishops of Rome themselves at the first , no not when such Evidences might have stood them in best stead , in their ambitious contention for Superiority over the Bishops of Africa : The Contents of them are such , as a very Child of any judgment may soon be able to 〈◊〉 them . Here he nameth St. Clement's writing to St. James when he was dead , Marcellus charging the Emperour Maxentius , an Infidel and a Tyrant , with the Authority of Clement ; with several things of this kind . In his Reply to Harding's Answer , Artic. 1. and 4. But I proceed with Isidore , or rather Merlin , that first printed him .

He has , besides all these Epistles , certain counterfeit Decrees of Sylvester , Bishop of Rome , in the time of Constantine the Great , and the Epilogus brevis Romani 〈◊〉 post 〈◊〉 celebrati ; which Hincmarus , Archbishop of Rhemes , is reported particularly to have excepted against , as absurd , because it ordaineth , 1. That no Lay-man ought to accuse a Clergy-man . 2. That no Inferiour Priest may accuse his Superiour . 3. That a 〈◊〉 may not be condemned without 72 Witnesses , a Cardinal Priest not without 43 , a Cardinal Deacon of the City of Rome not without 27 , a Sub-Deacon , an 〈◊〉 , a Reader , a Door-keeper , not without 7 〈◊〉 . It is further provided , that every one of these 〈◊〉 must be without any spot of infamy : no Lay-man at all , nor any inferiour Clergy man . So that upon the matter a safe Indemnity is prepared for all kind of Priests , especially the great ones , to swim in any Excess as himself listeth , provided he be not guilty of the Protestants faults ; that is to say , that he doth not touch the Popes Crown , or the Monks Belly .

This Decree is most solemnly put among the Councils by Isidore , and Merlin , by Peter Crabbe , Surius , Binius , Labbe , and Cossartius , and the Collectio Regia ; and as solemnly put among the Popes Laws , by Ivo an ancient Bishop , a great Civilian , and one of the Eldest Digesters of the Canon Law , before Gratian

This brief Epilogue set before the Council , giveth you to wit , that there were Cardinals in Rome in the time of Constantine , An. 〈◊〉 the first Christian Emperour . But if you please to examine Antiquities , you will hardly sind Cardinals so ancient .

Isidore in his Preface directed to one , whom he calls his Fellow-servant and Father of the Faith , mentioneth 70 Canons of the Nicene Council , somewhat too affectedly : You 80 Bishops , saith he , who have compelled me to begin and perfect this work , ought to know , and so ought all other Priests of the Lord , that we have found more than those 20 Canons of the Nicene Council , that are with us : And we read in the Decrees of Julius the 〈◊〉 that there ought to be 〈◊〉 Chapters of that Synod . Yet when he cometh to the Council it self , he forgets himself so far , as to lay down but 20 ; the 50 forged 〈◊〉 receiving a fair Countenance only , by that Preface or Epistle , set for shew before the work .

He has an Epistle of Athanasius , and the Bishops of Egypt , to Pope Mark ; wherein they tell him , that there were 70 Canons of the Nicene Council , and desire him to send them into Egypt from Rome , since all their own were burnt at Alexandria by the Arrians . Mark was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . in vita Marc. dead 9 years before the Burning happened ; howbeit , he sent them a Gracious Answer , with the 70 Canons . The 〈◊〉 of these was seriously cited to 〈◊〉 by a Learned Son of that Church , to prove the Bishop of Rome was called Pope ( to wit , by Athanasius , and all the Bishops of Egypt ) within the first 〈◊〉 years : But some of their latest Authors begin to blush at it , as Binius and Baronius do in particular .

Next to these he has three Epistles of Julius the Pope , as very Counterfeits as the former , yet generally cited by the Pseudo-Catholicks , as good Records .

After these , an Epistle of Athanasius , and the Bishops of Egypt to Liberius ; the oppression of the Church by the Arrians being the pretended Theme , but its real design is to magnifie the Popes Chair .

Liberius his Answer . Ejusdem 〈◊〉 . A lofty Brag like the residue .

An Epistle of the Bishops of Egypt to Pope Felix , concerning the cruel Persecutions of the Arrians : An humble Address , and very Supplicatory . Though Felix was an Arrian himself , and an Usurper of the Chair , thrust in by an Arrian Emperour , while Liberius the true owner of it was banished for the Faith ; yet the stile of the Epistle runneth thus , Domino beatissimo , &c. To our most blessed and most honourable Lord , the Holy Father Faelix , Pope of the Apostolical City , Athanasius , and all the Bishops of Egypt , Thebais and Lybia , by the Grace of God assembled in the Holy Council of Alexandria . A stile too too lofty for those purer times of humble simplicity : The usual Compellations of those days ( as may be seen by S. Cyprian's Letters to the Bishops of Rome , and some other good Records ) being far more short and samiliar ; such as Julio Vrbis Romae Episcopo , or , Stephano fratri , or , Cornelio Collegae & Coepiscopo ; that is , to Julius Bishop of the City of Rome , or to Stephen my Brother , or to Cornelius my Associate and Fellow bishop : Nor can we find any other , in undoubted instruments , for the first 300 or 400 years : But for an Vsurper to be called Most blessed and honourable Lord , an Heretick , Holy Father and Pope of the Apostolical City ; and that by a man who had rather die than be guilty of such a Flattery , was little suitable to the Spirit of Athanasius , that Great and Couragious Champion of the Church , being ( as God would have it ) one , that of all others was the most mortal hater of the Arrians .

Isidore and Merlin dote so exceedingly , as to make this Usurper a Pope , and to record his Decrees as lawful Canons .

After a little time Liberius was restored , but on very base and dishonourable terms , as Bellarmine himself testifieth out Bell. de Rom. Pont. lib. 4. cap. 9 Baron . An. Christ . 357. Liberii 6. nu. 32 , 33. of S. Hierom , and Athanasius . He fainted in his Persecution , and was restored by an Arrian Emperour , upon his Subscription to the Heretical Pravity . After this he writeth more Decretals ; and the Title of his Epistle is in Isidore thus , Epistola Liberii Papae , ut nullus pro Persecutionibus dum dur are potestatem suam relinquat Ecclesiam . It is Nonsense , and false Latine : but Binius about a thousand Bfn. in vit . Liberii . and three hundred years after Liberius his death , mendeth it thus ; Epistola XII . Liberii Papae , ad omnes generaliter Episcopos , ut nullus pro persecutionibus dum durare potest suam relinquat Ecclesiam : That no man should forsake his Church , for persecution sake , while he was able to bear it . By the Title it should be a compassionate Letter : For if any one be wearied with persecution , as Liberius was , by a tacit intimation , it seemeth to permit him to renounce the Faith , as Liberius did : for Bellarmine and Platina consent to this , Bellarm. ut supra that he subscribed to the Arrian Creed ; only the one saith , he did it in the external act , through fear ; and the other Sentiens , that he thought , or consented with them in all . Platin. in vit . Liberii .

Damasus his Epistle to Paulinus Bishop of Antioch follows . I fear an Imposture : Isidore and Merlin were not aware there was no such man : Their Followers are fain to mend it thus ; Paulinus Bishop of Thessalonida . As Binius , Labbe , &c. In vitâ Damasi .

Next the Epistle of Damasus to Hierom , and Hierom's Answer , both confessed to Bin. 〈◊〉 pist. 3. be a Forgery , there is an Epistle of Stephen Damasi . & in Epist , Hieron . ad Damas. the Archbishop , and of three Councils in Africa , to Damasus the Pope , concerning the priviledge of the Roman Chair . Doubtless the Bishops in Africa were very zealous for the priviledge of the Roman Chair , ever since the Oppression , and Cheat of Zozimus . The Title is somewhat suspitious : Beatissimo Damino , & Apostolico Culmini sublato , &c. Stephanus Archiepiscopus Concilii Mauritanii , &c. In English thus ; To our most blessed Lord , and the Apostolical Top highly lifted up , the Holy Father of Fathers , and the Supreme Bishop over all Prelates , Stephen Archbishop of the Council of Mauritania , and all the Bishops of the three Councils in the Province of Africa . Many men have stiled themselves Archbishops of Provinces , but no man ( as I remember ) Archbishop of a Council . There may be Archbishops in a Council , but not an Archbishop of the Council . Three Councils at once in the same Province were never heard of : One and the same Letter sent from three Councils is a strange thing : So is a Letter sent in the name of one Archbishop , as President of three Councils at a time .

After this we have 6 Epistles of Siricius , 2 of Anastasius , 19 of Innocent , 2 of Zozimus , 3 of Boniface , with feveral Answers : Among which there is inserted a Constitution of Honorius the Emperour sent to Boniface , That if there were two Bishops of Rome made any more , they should be both driven out of the City : Which shews how subject the Roman Chair is to Schismes , and the Power that did of old belong to the Emperour .

There are other Epistles of Celestine , Sixtus , Leo , Hilarius Simplicius Felix , Gelasius , Anastasias , Symmachus , Hormisda , &c. the most of which do much exceed our compass of the first 400 years , and are too late for our Cognizance : For since the Forgery of Zozimus , much credit is not to be given to the Roman Bishops : Not as if one mans fault had blasted them all ; but he leads up the Van of Forgets , and they have all persisted in his Guilt , no one of them making acknowledgment or restitution , and almost all of them guilty of the like , either by doing , or suffering .

Among the rest there is an Instrument , which the Collector calleth , Sacra Justini Imperatoris ad Hormisdam Papam : The Sacred Writing of the Emperour Justinus to Hormisda Pope . But the word POPE is not in the superscription : The Letter it self is , To the most Holy and blessed Archbishop and Patriarch of the Venerable City of Rome , Hormisda . Archbishop and Fatriarch we allow him ; but not that Typhus wherewith the Fathers in the sixth Council of Carthage charge Zozimus , that blasphemous Title which John assumed at Constantinople , and S. Gregory so declaimed against at Rome .

This Letter of Justin the Emperour was written more than 500 years after our Saviours Birth , yet I never saw true Record , in all that time , give a Title so high to the Bishop of Rome . But Justin was a man of low Descent , a Swineherd at first , a Carpenter afterwards , then a Souldier of Fortune , and at last an Emperour : He was the more solicitous therefore to complement so Mighty a Bishop with accurate expression .

Note well . Isidore has suppressed all the Canons of the sixth Council of Carthage , as too bitter and sharp for the Popes Constitution . And so has Merlin , though very foolishly : for in the beginning of the Book he hath a Preliminary Tract , called , An Annotation of Synods , the Acts where of are contained in this book . In which he giveth us this account : in the Aquitan Council , 18 Fathers made 24 Canons : in that of Neocaesarea , 16 Fathers made 14 Canons : in that of Gangra , 16 Fathers made 21 Canons : in that of Sardica , 60 Fathers made 21 Canons : in that of Antioch , 30 Fathers made 25 Canons : in that of Laodicea , 22 Fathers made 59 Canons : in the Council of Car th age , 217 Fathers made 33 Canons . I had a long time coveted a sight of these Canons , and finding them numbred in such an Annotation of Synods , the Acts whereof are contained in this book , I was much comforted with hope of seeing them : But when I turned to the place , I found them not ! Surely to slip out 33 Canons at a time , made by more Fathers than were in all the other Councils put together , is a lusty Deleatur : There was never Deed of more importance imbezelled in the World .

The Nicene Council had 318 Fathers , that made 20 Canons : for what secret cause therefore he skippeth over the account which he ought especially to give of this , is worth the enquiry . He mentions it by the by , and shuffles it off without an account , ( perhaps ) because he was loath to say , or unsay the story of 70 Canons in the Nicene Council . However he dealeth fairly with us in this , that having noted Aurelius to have been President in the sixth Council of Carthage , he confesseth , that S. Augustine , Bishop of Hipyo , is recorded to have been in that Council , in the Reign of Honorius . Ibid.

Binius , and all the Popish Compilers I could ever meet with before , clipped off that Council in the midst , without so much as signifying the number of its Canons . I was glad I had a sight of their number here , though I mist of themselves : and was confident , that however cruelly the Pope dealt with Aurelius Archbishop of Carthage , S. Aug. Bishop of Hippo , and other holy Fathers , in cutting out their Tongues , I should at last meet with them : And the Learned Justellus with much honesty and honour has made us satisfaction .

We acknowledge some true Records among these Spurious Abominations : but a little poyson spoileth the greatest Mess of the most wholesom Meat ; much more doth a Bundle of Forgeries that over-poyseth the true Records in size and number .

The method which he useth in the mixture of the Records and Forgeries is remarkable : For beginning with the Counterfeit Epistles of Clement , Anacletus , &c. he first seasoneth the Readers spirit with Artificial Charms , and prepossesseth him with the high Authority of the Roman Patriarchs ; and after he has given him those strong Spells and Philtres , composed of Roman Drugs , permits him boldly to see some true Antiquities , his eyes being dazled in the very Entry , with Apparitions of Popes , and such other Spectres .

Lest the Tincture should decay , he reserves some of the Forgeries till afterwards ; that the true Records might be compassed in with an Enchanted Circle , and the last Relish of Antiquity go off as strong as the first , and be as successful as the prepossession . Thus he cometh down with Forgeries to Melchiades ; and then he breaketh off the Decretal Epistles , to make room for the Councils , beginning with the Nicene , under pretence of its Excellency , and putting the Councils before it in time , after it in order that he might get a fit occasion to introduce them here , so running down in a disorderly manner , from Ancyra to Neocaesarea , Gangra , Sardica , Antioch , Laodicea , Constantinople , Ephesus , Chalcedon , among the Greeks , and then up again to the Latine Councils , many of which preceded divers of the other ; as the first , second , third , fourth , fifth , sixth Council of Carthage , all which were before the Council of Constantinople , Ephesus , and Chalcedon : From the seventh Council of Carthage , he runneth down to the thirteenth Council of Toledo , which happened long after Melchiades , Silvester , Pope Mark Liberius , Felix , &c. were dead : Then he cometh ( in the second part of his Work ) up again to Sylvester , and so downwards with more Decretals , that he might Husband his Forgeries well , and not glut us with them altogether . And remarkable it is also , that he doth not give us the least syllable of notice of any Fraud among them : Nay , even Constantine's Donation set in the Front before the Nicene , and in the midst between the first Order of Counterfeits and the Councils , passeth with him silently and gravely for a true and sacred Instrument , which is of all other the most impudent Imposture .

Let Baronius say what he will , it was impossible to debauch all Antiquity and Learning with so much Labour and Art , without some deep Counsel and Design . What use Merlin puts all these things to , and how much he was Approved in the Church of Rome , you shall see in the next Chapter , and how highly also he extolleth this Book ofF orgeries .

How plainly he fathereth it upon S. Isidore Bishop of Hispalis , is manifest by the Coronis of the first Part , where with it endeth

Give thanks to industrious and learned men , studious Reader , that now thou hast at hand the Acts of the Councils , as well as of the Popes ; which Isidore the Bishop of Hispalis collected into one Volume , &c. What shall we believe ? The first Edition of the Book it self , or Baronius his Testimony ? Old Merlin fathers it upon Isidore before Baronius was born , and all the World was made to believe the Bishop of Hispalis was the Author of it ; though now for shame , and for a shift , they fly to another Author . Now if Isidore were dead before the Booke was made , it must needs Ibid. be a Cheat ; which , as * * Clausule insuesa sus picionem 〈◊〉 . Merlin saith , honest Francis Regnault , the cunning Printer , ended at Paris , in the year of our Lord 1535 , which unusual form of Concluding , instead of allaying , increaseth the suspicion .

CAP. VI. What use Merlin makes of Isidore , and the Forgeries therein . How much he was approved in the Church of Rome . How some would have Isidore the Bishop to be a Merchant , others , a Sinner .

HOw false and fraudulent soever the Collection of Isidore be , yet its Title is very Splendid , and its Authority Sacred in the Church of Rome .

JAMES MERLIN'S COLLECTION OF THE Four General Councils ; The NICENE , the CONSTANTINOPOLITAN , the EPHESINE , and the CHALCEDONIAN :

Which S. Gregory the Great does Worship and Reverence as the Four Gospels .

TOM. I.

Of 47 Provincial Councils also ; and the Decrees of 69 POPES .

From the APOSTLES and their CANONS , to ZACHARIAS .

ISIDORE being the Author .

ALSO

The GOLDEN BULL of CHARLES IV. Emperour , concerning the Election of the KING of the ROMANS .

PARIS :

At Francis Regnault . 1535.

All we shall observe upon this Title , is this ; If Gregory the Great did Worship and Reverence the Four General Councils as the Four Gospels , they were the more to blame that added 50 Canons to one of them ; and they much more , that stain them all with the Neighbourhood , and Mixture of such hateful Forgeries .

But who could suspect that so much Fraud could be Ushered in with so fair a Frontispiece ? or so much Sordid Basene s varnished over with so much Magnificence ! I have heard of a Thief that robbed in his Coach , and a Bishops Pontificalibus ; of the German Princess , and of Mahomet's Dove : But I never heard of any thing like this , that a 〈◊〉 should trade with Apostles , Fathers , Emperours , Golden Bulls , Kings , and Councils : under the fair pretext of all these , to Cheat the World of its Religion and Glory .

His Grandeur is rendered the more remarkable , and his Artifice redoubted , by the Greatness of his Retinue : Riculphus Archbishop of Mentz , Hincmarus Laudunensis , Benedictus Levita , the Famous 〈◊〉 , and his fourscore Bishops , Ivo Cartonensis , Gratian , Merlin , Peter Crab , Laurentius Surius Carranza , Nicolinus , Binius , Labbè , Cossartius , the COLLECTIO REGIA , Stanistaus Hosius , Cardinal Bellarmine , Franciscus Turrianus , &c. Men that bring along with them Emperours and Kings for Authority , as will appear in the Sequel : Men who think it lawful to Cheat in an Holy Cause , and to lye for the Churches Glory : These augment the Splendour of his Train . Their Doctrine of Pious Frauds is not unknown : And if we may do evil that good may come , certainly no good , like the Exaltation of the Roman Church , can possibly be found , wherewith to justifie a little evil .

The Jesuites Morals are well understood : Upon their Principles to do evil , is no evil , if good may ensue . Perjury it self may be dispenced with by the Authority of their Superiour . An illimited Blind Obedience is the sum of their Profession . To equivocate and lye for the Church , that is , for the advancement of their Order , and the Popes benefit , is so far from sin , that to murder Heretical Kings is not more Meritorious .

It is a sufficient Warrant , upon such grounds , to James Merlin our present Author , that he was commanded to do what he did , by great and eminent Bishops in the Church of Rome : as he sheweth in his Epistle Dedicatory , To the most Reverend Fathers in Christ , and his most excellent Lords , Stephen and Francis , &c. the one of which was Bishop of Paris , and the other an Eminent Prelate , who ordered all his work by their care , and made it publick by their own Authority .

Conceiving nothing ( saith he ) more profitable for the Commonwealth , I have not dissembled to bring the Decrees of the Sacred Councils and Orthodox Bishops , which partly the blessed Isidore sometime since digested into one , partly you , most Reverend Fathers , having confirmed them with your Leaden Seal , gave me to be published in one Volume : For every particular appeareth so copiously and Catholickly handled here , which is necessary for the convicting of the Errours of mortal men , or for the restoring of the now almost ruined World , that every man may readily find wherewith to kill Hereticks and Heresies .

The Protestants being grown so dangerous , that they had almost ruined the Popish World , by reforming the Church ; nothing but this Medusa's Head of Snakes and Forgeries was able to affray them . The nakedness of the Pontisicians being discovered , they had no Retreat from the Light of the Gospel , but to this Refuge of Lies : Where every one may readily find , saith Merlin , wherewith to kill Hereticks and Heresies , to depress the proud , to weary the voluptuous , to bring down the ambitious , to take the little Foxes that spoil the Vineyard of the Church . By the proud and ambitious , he meaneth Kings and Patriarchs , that will not submit to the Authority and Supremacy of the Roman Church ; and by the little Foxes , such men as the Martyrs in the Reformed Churches ; the driving away of which was the design of the publication . That he meaneth Kings and Patriarchs in the former , you will see in the Conclusion .

And if any one shall hereafter endeavour 15 to fray , and drive away these Monsters from the Commonwealth , what can be more excellent , saith he , than the stones of David , which this Jordan shall most copiously afford ? If any one would satisfie the desires of the Hungry , what is more sweet and abundant than the Treasures which this Ship bringeth from the remotest Regions ? but if he desires the path and splendour of Truth , by which the clouds of Errour ( with their Authors ) may best be dispelled , and driven far away ; what is more apparent than the Sentences of the Fathers , which they , by the Inspiration of The Forgeries Fathered on the Holy Ghost . the Holy Ghost , have brought together into this Heap ? For here , as out of a Meadow full of all kind of Flowers , all things may be gathered with ease , that conduce to the profit of the Church , or the suppressing of Vices , or the extinguishing of Lusts. Here the most precious Pearl , if you dig a little , will strait be found , &c. Here the Tyranny of Kings and Emperours , as it were with a Bit and Bridle , is restrained . Here the Luxury of 〈◊〉 and Bishops is repressed : If Princes differ here peace sincere is hid : If Prelates contend about the Primacy , here THE ANGEL OF THE GREAT COUNCIL discovers who is to be preferred above the residue , &c.

Are not the Roman Wares set off with advantage here ? How exceedingly are these Medicines for the Maladies of the Church boasted by these Holy Mountebanks ? The stones of David that kill Goliah , the River that refresheth the City of God , the Food of Souls , the Ship , the very Argonaut of the Church , that comes home laden with Treasures from unknown Regions , are but mean expressions ; the Inspirations of the Holy Ghost , the Pearl of Price , Angelus ille Magni Concilii , the Angel of the Covenant are hid here ; and all ( if we believe this dreadful Blasphemer ) declare for the Pope against all the World . Here is a Bit and Bridle for Kings and Emperours , a Rule for Patriarchs , and what not ?

The Councils , and true Records , we Reverence with all Honour due to Antiquity : And for that very cause , we so much the more abhor that admixture of Dross and Clay , wherewith their Beauty is corrupted . Had we received the Councils sincerely from her , we should have blest the Tradition of the Church of Rome for her assistance therein : But now she loveth her self more than her Children , and the Pope ( which is the Church Virtual ) is so hard a Father , that he soweth Tares instead of Wheat , and giveth Stones instead of Bread , and for Eggs feedeth us with Scorpions : We abhor her practices , and think it needful warily to examine , and consider her Traditions

What provisions are made in Merlin's Isidore for repressing the Luxuries of Popes and Bishops , you may please to see in Constantines Donation , and the Epilogus Brevis . In the one of which so many Witnesses are required before a Bishop be condemned ; and in the other , care is taken for the Pomp. of the Clergy , even to the Magnificence of their Shooes , and the Caparisons of their Horses .

As Merlin , ( who was a Doctor of Divinity of Great Account ) so likewise all the following Collectors among the Papists , derive their Streams from this Isidore , as their Fountain . And for this cause I was the more desirous to see the Book , which is very scarce to be found ; and the more scarce , I suppose , because if the Fountain be unknown , a greater Majesty will accrue to the Streams . The Booksellers-Shops afforded me none : but at last I met with two of them ; the one with the Learned Dr. Barlow , Margaret Professor , and Provost of Queens Colledge in Oxford , the other in the Bodleian Library : The one was Printed at Collein , An 1530. The other at Paris before-mentioned . Either had all , and both affirm Ifidore Hispalensis to be the Author .

Though some afterwards are careful to distinguish Isidore Hispalensis from Isidore Mercator . The one failing , the other is obtruded as the Author of the Work : the latter Collectors unanimously leaving out Hispalensis , and calling him only by the Name of Mercator . But how the Name of Isidore Mercator should come before the Book , the Wisest Man in the World , I suppose , can scarcely Divine .

It is said , that Eulogius Bishop of Corduba Blondel , cap. 6. had a Brother , whose Name was Isidore , whose condition of Life Banishment , whose Nation Spain , whose Trade was Merchandize : And that this Spanish Merchant flying out of his Country , upon the account of Religion , chose rather to intrust this most precious Treasure , which he had saved from the Lust of Barbarians , to the care of the Germans , than to expose it to the Rage of those Wasters and Destroyers wherewith Spain was at that time infested , as the Monks of Mentz ; at least , who , upon his having sojourned there , took occasion to put his Name before the Book that was then in their hands , would have the World really to believe . This is Blondel's conjecture , which he raiseth from the real existence of such an Isidore . But he excuseth himself for conjecturing barely in such an affair , because the Work is a Work of Darkness , and they that did it , hated the Light , because their Deeds were evil : And the Patcher up of those Epistles coming forth in the Vizor of another Name , in such a business a conjecture may suffice . Let them that imposed the Name , give us a Reason why they did it : it is not incumbent on us to render an account of what other men are pleased without reason at any time to do .

It is not impossible , but a Knave , called Isidore , might be sent abroad with the Book , being pickt out on purpose , that the Famous Isidore , Bishop of Hispalis , might be believed to be the Author . He might come to Mentz , and sojourn there under the notion of a Spaniard , and give Riculphus , or the Monks , a sight of the Book , as a rare inestimable Treasure : For Sinon was let loose , with as little Artifice as this , to the Destruction of Troy . Thus , whence it came really , could hardly be discovered ; and the Thing too would be the more admired , because it came from the farthest Regions , as Merlin speaks , being saved so Miraculously from the hands of Barbarians . But where did this Traveller find it ? this Merchant , of whom did he receive it ? For morally speaking , it is impossible , that a Merchant should be the Author of it ; especially at that time , when the Records lay scattered perhaps in an hundred Libraries , and were all to be sought in obscure Manuscripts . An Ass may be expected to meddle with an Harp , as soon as a Merchant with the Mysterious Records of the Church . How come Lay-men to be so Judicious ? Had any Merchant so great a Skill as this imports ? It is improbable fourscore Bishops should know its much more that they should urge him to do that , which their own Learning and Function fitted them to do far better : Yet Isidore in his Preface writeth thus , You Eighty Bishops , who urged me to begin and perfect this Work , ought to know , as ought all other Priests of the Lord also , that we have found more than those 20 Chapters of the Nicene Council , &c. It is a shame to the Church of Rome , that a Lay-man should be the Fountain of all her Records ; and that in very deed , the greater part of them should be in no Manuscript nor Library in the World , being never seen , nor heard of , till Isidore brought them out of Spain : That no man can tell what Isidore made the Book , which is now the President , and the sole Store-house of all their Collections , is a 〈◊〉 infamous ; especially since they believed of old unanimously , that the Bishop Isidore of Hispalis was its ancient Author .

Baronius when he had irrefragably disproved him , puts nothing certain in his stead : but having a Wolf by the ears , and being willing to say something , raises a dust , and goes out in the Cloud .

In the ancient Manuscripts , saith he , Earon in 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . we find this Isidore , the Collector of the Councils , sirnamed Mercator ; as in those which we have in our Library : but in the Inscription of the Books lately Printed , he is stilled not Mercator , but Peccator , according to the manner of some of the ancient Fathers , who for Humility sake were 〈◊〉 to superscribe , and subscribe themselves so . I conceive it crept in by a mistake . that Mercator was written for 〈◊〉 ; but since the Author of that Collection reciting the General Councils in his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the sixth , it is evident that 〈◊〉 after the sixth Council , and before 〈◊〉 seventh .

〈◊〉〈◊〉 is here ? He had before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 detected the Collection for a 〈◊〉 , and yet he now gravely troubles his Brains , to know what Isidore this might be It is a blind Isidore , that has left no mark of his Life behind him , but only that which lies in this counterfeit Preface ; an Isidore that can no where else be found , by the great 〈◊〉 , Baronius . He has no other help to know the time about which he lived , but the Preface : Whether Peccator , or Mercator , is but a superficial Controversie ; whether any Isidore made the Book , is a deeper enquiry : The old Manuscripts of Baronius , are Books of yesterday , all written since the counterfeit Isidore was published . The variety shows , that the Papists can rest no where : And the liberty they take to alter what they see in Manuscripts , as they please , is an ill sign of a large Conscience , which studies not what is faithfully to be published , but conveniently . For because the Name of Mercator did smell too strong of the Wares , left the World should wonder how the Inscription of a Merchant should come out before the Councils , they thought it fit to strain the courtesie of a Letter , and ( because Peccator is an humble Name ) to turn the Merchant into a Sinner . That it was a Sinner , I dare be sworn , and a fly Merchant too ; lucky Names both of them : but the last is capable of a siner pretence , no Cheat being so vigorous and unavoidable , as that of a penitent weping Sinner . The Pride of Rome comes cloathed in Humility , after the example of her Supreme Head , who stileth himself the Servant of Servants , while he aspires ( by these very Records ) to be the King of Kings .

Isidore and Merlin being two of the first Collectors of the Councils among the Papists , I have taken the more liberty to be somewhat copious in them , that I may conveniently be more brief in perusing the residue .

CAP. VII . Of Francis Turrian the Jesuite : With what Art and Boldness he defendeth the Forgeries .

NOtwithstanding all the weakness and uncertainty of Isidore , Francis Turrian , the Famous Jesuite , appears in its defence , about 40 years after the first publication of it by Merlin . The Centuriators of Magdenburg having met with it , to his great displeasure , he is so Valiant , as not only to maintain all the Forgeries therein contained , but the whole Body of Forgeries vented abroad by all the Collectors and Compilers following , till himself appeared .

His Book is expresly formed against the Writers of the Centuries , and is a sufficient Evidence , that as soon as Isidore came abroad by Dr. Merlin's Labour , and the Bishop of Paris Command , it was sifted by the Protestants .

It is dedicated to the most Illustrious and most Reverend D. D. Stanissaus Hosius , Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church , and Bishop of Collein . Printed by the Heirs of John Quintel , and approved by Authority , An. Dom. 1573.

He defends all the Canons of the Apostles Vid. Turrian . which are recounted by other Collectors . That you may know the Mettal of the Man , I will produce but two Instances .

The last of those Canons , which he maintaineth to be the Apostles , is this which followeth .

Qui Libri sunt Canonici , &c. Let these Can. 84. Books be Venerable and Holy to you all : Of the Old Testament , five Books of Moses , Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers , Deuteronomy ; one of Joshua the Son of Nun , one of Judges , one of Ruth , four of Kings , two of Chronicles , Hester one , three of the Macchabees , one of Job , one Book of Psalmes , three of Solomon , Proverbs , Ecclesiastes , and the Song of Songs ; one of the 12 Prophets , one of Isaiah , one of Jeremiah , one of Ezekiel , one of Daniel : And without , let your young men learn the Wisdom of the Learned Syrach .

But of ours , that is , of the New Testament , there are four Gospels , Matthew , Mark , Luke , and John ; fourteen Epistles of Paul , two Epistles of Peter , three of John , one of James , one of Jude , two Epistles of Clement , and the Ordinations of Me Clement , set forth in Eight Books to you Bishops , which are not to be published to all , because of the Mysteries contained in them ; and the Acts of our Apostles .

This is the eighty fourth Canon , and in some Accounts the eighty fifth ; where you see the Episiles of Clement , and Eight Books of his Ordinations , put into the Body of the Bible : As for the difference of the Accounts , he sheweth you the way how to reconcile them .

If this be one of the Apostles Canons , then Clement was an Apostle , or had 〈◊〉 Power : But if it be a Forgery , then not only the Apostles Canons , but the very Text of the Holy Scriptures is interlined and forged by the same .

He maintains all the Decretal Epistles , and among the rest S. Clement's : Whose genuine Epistle to the Corinthians they leave cut , as making nothing to their purpose : but five Spurious ones they record ; the two first of them being written to S. James , and the last to the Brethren dwelling with him at Jerusalem .

It is good sport to see how like the shot of a great Gun , the Discovery of the Protestants comes in among them : Their keenness in detecting the time of S James his Death , shatter the 〈◊〉 ; and whereas before they were all united , they now fly several ways , every man 〈◊〉 for himself , as he is best able .

Baronius dislikes suen Arts of upholding In 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the Church , not as impious and unlawful , but as inconvenient and pernicious . 〈◊〉 . Bellarmine 〈◊〉 the Epistles to be Old , but dares not attest them ; Isidore , Merlin , Peter Crabbe , Nicolinus , Carranza , and Surius , own them freely without any scruple : For saying nothing of the Quarrel , they lay them down simply as good Records . Binius , Labbè , and the Collectio Regia , confess some of them to be false ; and in particular , that S James was dead seven years before S. Clement could write his first Epistle to him . And to salve the sore , they say , that it was not written to James , but to Simeon , who was also Bishop of Jerusalem , and Brother to our Lord ; and that the Name of James crept into the Title Mendosè , by Errour and Mistake , for that of Simeon . But honest Turrian maintains plainly , that S. Peter and S. Clement knew very well that S. James was dead before they wrote unto him ; yet nevertheless they did very wisely , both S. Peter in ordering the Epistle , and S. Clement in writing it . And his Reasons , as he bringeth the matter about , are pretty specious .

For my part , I protest , that such a High Piece of Impudence was to me incredible : But that you may see the rare Abilities of a Jesuite to argue well for the absurdest Cause , turn to his Book , and read his Comment on S. Clement's first Epistle , and there you shall see Wit and Folly equal in their height : Wit in managing , but Folly in attempting so mad a business .

For the sake of those who are not able to read , or get the Book , I will give you a Glympse of his Demonstrations . First he observeth , how Reason it self compelleth 〈◊〉 in Clement E. pist 〈◊〉 us , especially being confirmed by so many and so great Testimonies of the Ancients , to confess the Epistle to be S. Clement's , whose it is reported to be . He sophistically pretendeth here , that there were great Authorities of the Ancient Fathers extant to prove it : Whence , saith he it began to be had in every mans hand , to be read by the Catholicks , to be put among the Decretal Epistles , and produced and cited in Ecclesiastical Causes and Judgments . The latter part of which Clause is true : For ( as we before observed ) Gratian , Ivo , and the rest of the Popes Ministers , have brought the Decretals into the Body of the Canon-Law , which maketh the matter more fatal and abominable ; for being really cited in their Ecclesiastical Courts , and used both in matters of Controversie , and in cases of Conscience , they are forced either to defend them , or to pluck up their Customs by the very Roots ; and so further expose the Church of Rome to the shame of Levity or Fraud ; yet for this very cause , it is far more impious and wicked to retain them : So that not knowing which way is best , some of them retain them , and some of them renounce them . But you must wink at all this , and believe what Turrian says , for the Authority of the Roman Church ( which hath seated the Forgeries in the Chair of Judgment ) is a greater Argument , to them that believe her Infallible , than any one Doctor can bring against them : Neither was blessed Peter ignorant , when he commanded to write to the Dead , nor Clement , saith he , when he wrote by the Commandment ; but that the Readers would presently see , the Epistle to be written to him , whom all men knew to be dead before S. Peter ; they being about thereupon , to enquire diligently into the cause thereof , and seeking to find it : Nay , this was the design of the blessed Peter , and therein he imitated the Holy Scripture . Whether to counterfeit , or blaspheme the Scriptures , be the worse , I cannot tell : but of this I am sure , that they who think such courses lawful , ( as this fastned on S. Peter , and the Holy Scripture here ) will stick at nothing which they take for their advantage . For that it was lawful to counterfeit S. James his Name , he proveth afterwards very largely ; and now he is giving the reasons of it : One intention was to stir up all people to Enquiry ; their admiration at so strange a thing , being very prone to make them diligent to learn the cause of it : Another was , that all Bishops might see the more clearly , that they were taught in the person of James : For James being dead , and uncapable of receiving the instruction , it is evident , that he was not intended thereby ; and therefore it must be for others in his capacity . A third reason was the preventing of envy : for had S. Peter vouchsafed ( being our Saviours Vicar , and Head of the Church ) to write to any Bishop alive , the Honour done unto that Bishop had been so great , that all the rest had been tempted to maligne him shrewdly for that advantage : His intention was , saith he , to transfigure Ibid. these things in the person of James , after the manner of the Holy Scripture ; and that as well for other Bishops as especially those that should succeed him in the Church of Jerusalem , ( whence the preaching of the Gospel began , according to the Prophesie of Isaiah ) that they might thus think with themselves ; If the Prince of the Apostles commanded Clement to write these things to James the Brother of our Lord , whom Peter , James and John did first of all ordain , who now ceased to be a Shepherd and was rewarded with his Crown ; he certainly did not command him to write for his sake , but for us , to whom Solomon saith , Look diligently to the face of thy Cattel , and consider thy Herds , &c. Let this , saith he , be one cause of the Transfiguration , or counterfeiting a person in this Epistle . Having noted how S. Paul transferred a certain business on himself and Apollos by a Figure , he concludeth thus : Why therefore may we not think , that S. Peter for the same reason commanded Clement to transfer his Epistle concerning his Death and Doctrine , pertaining in common to every Bishop , by a Figure to S. James already dead ? lest if he should have commanded him to have written to Simon the Bishop of Jerusalem , who succeeded S. James , or to any other , as to Mark the Bishop of Alexandria , or Ananias of Antioch , or any other , he should then perhaps seem to love him , or honour him , more than the residue ?

Much more he saith to this purpose but all made vain , with one small observation : Whereas he pretends that Clement knew S. James to be dead , there is a 〈◊〉 Epistle written by the same Clement , To his most dearly beloved Brethren dwelling at Jerusalem , together with his dearest Brother James , his Fellow-Disciple . So that S. James after all , was still thought to be alive , by those that transferred this Epistle on S. Clement by a Figure .

S. Peter's influence over the Bishop of Jerusalem , and our Lords Brother , was thought a considerable Circumstance for the Establishment of the following Popes : And till the Protestants discovered the Fraud , let Turrian say what he will , there was scarce a person in the World , that thought not the Letter timed well enough for the purpose .

And whereas he pretendeth so many and so great Testimonies of the Ancients , confessing the Epistle to be S. Clement's ; he is not able , nor does he so much as attempt to name one , from S. Clement downward , till this Spurious Isidore , that affirmed any such matter . Howbeit , he quotes Origen , Theodoret , Gregory Nazianzen , &c. to prove the lawfulness of a Transfiguration , and makes great Ostentation of the Fathers , in shewing that S. Peter and S. Clement did wisely in the business .

CAP. VIII . Of Peter Crabbe's Tomes of the Councils : Wherein he agrees with , and wherein he differs from Isidore and Merlin .

BEsides the Forgeries that are in Merlin and the Bastard Isidore , Peter Crabbe , whose Tomes of the Councils were published eight years after the first Edition of Merlin , published more , of as great importance as the former ; not omitting those of Isidore and Merlin , but recording and venting them altogether .

He pretends to give an account of all those Councils that have been from S. Peter the Apostle , down to the Times of Pope John II.

He wrote before Turrian , as Carranza and Surius did , whom it is Turrian's business to defend .

The End being proposed before the Means , with what design these Editions of the Councils are so carefully multiplied , we may conjecture by a Treatise that is set in the Front of them , concerning the Roman Primacy . Almost all the Compilers , after Peter Crabbe , having prefixed the same with one consent before their Work , as the Aim of their ensuing Labours .

It is extant in Crab , Surius , Nicolinus , Binius , Labbe and Cossartius , and the Collectio Regia . Carranza hath it not nor Paul V.

Paul V. in his own Work , published at Rome , Anno Dom. 1608. touches the Forgeries but very sparingly . It does not become the Majesty of a Pope in his own Name to utter them : It is moreover a thing of hazardous consequence for him to appear in Person in such a disgraceful business : It besits his Holiness to act rather by Emissaries and Inferiour Agents , as all great Statesmen and Polititians do , being unseen themselves in matters that reflect too much upon their safety : that Method ( you know ) is more stately , as well as more Honourable and secure . Yet he approveth others at a distance , as his dear Son Severinus Binius in particular , who dedicated all his Tomes to Pope Paul V. in the year 1608. and has a particular Letter of Thanks from Pope Paul himself , as a Badge of his Favour before the Work . As for Carranza , he is but an Abstract , or brief Compendium .

This Treatise of the Primacy , thus put before the Councils , containeth a Collection of Testimonies out of Counterfeit Epistles of the Primitive Bishops and Martyrs of Rome , proving under the Authorities of most Glorious Names , that the Holy Apostolical Church obtained the Primacy , not from the Apostles , but from our Lord himself : that it is the Head and Hinge of all the Churches ; that all Appeals are to be made thereunto ; the greater causes , and the contentions of Bishops , being to be determined only by the Apostolical See : that she is the Mother of all Churches ; and as the Son of God came to do the Will of his Father , so ought all Bishops and Priests to do the Will of their Mother : that all the Members ought to follow the Head , which is the Church of Rome : that the first See ought to be judged by no man , neither by the Emperour , nor by Kings , nor by the People : that it was granted to the Church of Rome , by a singular priviledge , to open and shut the Kingdom of Heaven to whom she would : that none may Appeal from her to any other : that the Apostolical See may without any Synod unbind those whom a Synod or Council hath unjustly condemned . Of which Sentence she is to be the Judge , whether it be just ; for she may judge all , but none her : that the Church of Rome is the Foundation and Form of all the Churches ; so that no Church hath its Essence without that of Rome : that from her all the Churches received their beginning . Doctrines as true , as the Authorities by which they are confirmed ; and to say no more , as true as the last : For the Christian Churches received their beginning from Jerusalem , before the Church of Rome had any Being .

Consider it well , and you shall find this the removing of a meer stone of highest importance , an Encroachment upon the Territories of other Patriarchs , an 〈◊〉 of all Spiritual and Secular Power , to the subversion of Emperours , Kings and Councils .

For if all are to obey her , as Jesus Christ did his Eternal Father ; if it be granted to the Roman Church , by a singular Priviledge , to open and shut the Kingdom of Heaven to whom she will ; if no King , Emperour or Council , hath power to judge the Pope , while he hath power to judge all ; Kings , Emperours and Councils are made Subject to him , and nothing can escape the Sublimity of his Cognizance .

Besides this Treatise of the Primacy , Peter Crab has 34 new Canons of the Apostles more than Isidore and Merlin : So that Antiquities are daily increasing in the Church of Rome , and Records are like Figs , new ones come up instead of the old ones .

The last of these Canons is that of Clement , about the Canon of the Bible : a Forgery of more Scriptures , added to the former , in the names of the Apostles ; defended by honest Turrian zealously , and magnified by Nicolinus as the Coronis Vid. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Apostles Canons .

He has the Roman Pontifical , a Treatise of the Lives of Popes , fitted exactly to the Decretal Epistles , and accordingly , most richly stored with all kind of Forgeries and Lyes . It is a new Book Fathered upon Pope Damasus ; which Isidore and Merlin ( I think ) were ignorant of , for it is not in them ; and I admire where he had it . It is the Text on which he commenteth , as a Great Record ; he useth it as a great proof in doubtful matters , and according to it the Method of his Tomes is ordered . You will see more of it hereafter .

He has the counterfeit Council of Sinuessa , a new Piece , which I find not in Merlin : But I verily believe , he scraped it up some where else , and 't is not his own , 't is so full of nonsense : A Council sitting in the year 303. and defining from that Text , Ex ore tuo justificaberis , & ex ore tuo condemnaberis , that no Council can condemn a Pope , nor any other Power , but his own mouth : For because our Saviour has said , Out of thine own mouth thou shalt be justified , and out of thine own mouth thou shalt be condemned ; therefore no body can condemn the Pope but himself alone : for which purpose they repeat the Text over and over again , very 〈◊〉 and childishly , even unto nauseating : And the example of Marcellinus is made an instance in the case ; who being called to an Account for offering Incense to an Idol , could not be condemned by this Council , and was therefore ( because he was Pope ) humbly implored to condemn himself .

It is a Council of great value , because of the President we have in it , how Scriptures may be applied to the Bishop of Rome ; and how places that belong to all the World , must peculiarly be ascribed to him alone : Howbeit Crab makes a sowre face on 't , and is fain to premise this Premonition to the Reader .

By reason of the intollerable difference and corruption of the Copies , whereof the one was old and faulty , though written in the best Parchment and Character ; the other more old , but equally depraved ( as the Beholders might discern with their eyes ) so far , that what they mean sometimes cannot be understood , we have set both the Copies , without changing a syllable of them , in two Columns ; setting the Letter A over the first , and C over the other : but the middle Column over which B is placed , for its capaeity , or rather conjecture , endeavours as much as it is able , to reconcile the other two so very divers , and bring them to some sense .

He does not tell you plainly , that he made the middle Copy ; but 't is easie to conceive it , since he found but two , and they were so full of nonsense , that he added one , which is the third , to reconcile them . Yet Crabbe's Invention is now recorded by the Collectio Regia , and the two old ones , for their horrid Barbarismes , are thrown out of the Councils , and ( for very shame ) are cast away : for proceeding in his Apology , Crab a little after saith , Nemo ergo caput subsannando moveat , &c. Let no man therefore wag his Head in derision , who having either gotten more correct Exemplars , or being of a more Noble and clear apprehension , is able to mend these : but rather let him patiently bear with what is done , and reduce it himself into better form .

This is a sufficient Light , wherein to see the dissimilitude between Forgeries and true Records : For whereas the undoubted were made in great Councils of Holy Men , and are all of them clear and pure , and well-advised , full of Uniformity , Sense , Gravity , Majesty , Smoothness , Order , Perspicuity , Brevity , Eloquence and Verity ; it is the common Fare of these Instruments which we accuse as Forgeries , being made in a Dark Age , by men not so Learned as the Church of Rome could desire , ( and sometimes in a Corner by some silly Monk ) to swarm with Absurdities , Errours , Tautologies , Barbarismes ; to be rude and tedious , empty and incoherent , weak and impertinent : yet some of them we confess to be more pure in Language , and better in sense than others .

This Council of Sinuessa is more ridiculous than it is possible well to imagine , before you read and consider it .

He has the Counterfeit Edict of the Emperour Constantine for a good Record . It is more warily made than the other , and better Latine , but of Swinging Importance : ' I is but a Deed of Gift , wherein the first most Christian Emperour is made to give all the Glory of the Western Empire , with its Territories and Regalities , to the Bishop of Rome . We shall meet with it in others : for the Collectors of the Decretal Epistles , all of them , harp upon this String most strangely .

As Pope Paul V. so Peter Crab has but 20 Canons of the Nicene Council ; wherein he agrees with Isidore and Merlin , and differs much from some that follow him : Nay , he agrees and disagrees with Isidore at once , in this very thing : He agrees with Isidore in his Book it self , ( on the Nicene Council ) but disagrees with him in his Preface .

But then he maketh amends for the Omission , for he hath the Synodical Epistle of the Nicene Council , a new Record , which I find not in Isidore , or in any before him : It is an humble Address of the Nicene Council to Pope Sylvester , beseeching his Holiness to ratifie their Decrees : To shew that no Council is of any value , unless it be approved by the Bishop of Rome : And he has a Gracious Answer too by the same Pen , or I am sorely deceived ; for they are both alike so full of Barbarismes and false Latines , that another Dunce can hardly be found like the first to imitate them . In good earnest , they are the most feculent Forgeries that ever I saw . To speak much in little , is , they are worse than the Sinuessa Council .

They are without Greek Copies , which ( where all the rest is in Greek ) is an evil sign : But as they are , you shall have them , when we come to Binius , that the more Learned may judge of their Excellency .

He has a Pseudo-Catholick Council at Rome under Pope Sylvester , with the same Premonition to the Reader , word for word , which he set before the Sinuessa Council , Propter Exemplariorum intolerabilem nimiamque & Differentiam , & Depravationem , &c.

He has the other Forgeries of Isidore Mercator ; and among the rest , the Epilogus brevis concerning the number of Witnesses .

He defaces and suppresses the sixth Council of Carthage , as well as his Predecessor .

What with blotting out , and putting in , he so disguizes the Face of Antiquity , that unless it be to very clear eyes , the Primitive Church appeareth not the same .

Yet are his Voluminous Tomes dedicated to the Invincible Emperour Charles V. being Printed in the year 1538. by Peter Quintell . Cum Gratiâ & Privilegio tam Caesario quam Regio Colloniae . That is , At Collein by the consent and Authority both of the King and Emperour . So far even Monarchs are deluded sometimes with a shew of Piety , and the Light of Depraved and Corrupted Learning .

CAP. IX . of Carranza : his Epitome of the Decrees and Councils . He owneth the Forgeries .

CArranza , being but a short Compendium , was Printed at Paris , An. 1564. to wit , very fitly , for the more general sprcading of the corrupted Councils : All the other Collections being great Volumes , but this a little Informer , or Companion for the Pocket .

It was dedi ated to the Illustrious Dicgo Hurtado Mendoza , Orator in the State of Venice , and his Imperial Majesties Vicegerent in the Holy Council of Trent .

He lays down all the Apostles Canons for good Laws , even the last it self being not excepted ; and selects Decrees out of the Decretal Epistles for good and Catholick Canons .

The Decretal Epistles themselves would be too long for so short a Compendium ; and therefore he has not the Decrees themselves , but Excerptions .

He has the Pontisical of the Popes Lives , but more modesty than to ascribe it to Damasus : It is a part of his Text however .

He has but 〈◊〉 Canons of the Nicene Council , and skippeth over the Council of Sinuessa .

He omits the Epilogus Brevis , but owns the Council to which it is annexed .

He followeth Isidore , and exceeds him a little .

CAP. X. Of Surius his four Tomes , and how the Forgeries are by him desended . He hath the Rescripts of Atticus and Cyril , by which pope Zozimus was condemned of Forgery in the sixth Council of Carthage .

LAurentius Surius was a Monk of the Order of the Carthusians : He wrote four Tomes : He pretends to have all the Antiquities of the Church at large , and to mend and restore the defects of the Ancient Manuscripts . What their mending and restoring is , you begin to discern . He dedicates the whole Work to Philip King of Spain , Sicily , and Neapo lis , &c. and directeth it in another Epistle to the most August and Invincible Emperour Charles V. It was Printed at Collein by Geruvinus Galenius , and the Heirs of John Quintell , in the year of our Lord 1567.

He has the counterfeit Preface of Isidore Mercator , before detected ; The Treatise of the Primacy of the Roman Church , all the 84 Canons of the Apostle , and the Apostolical Constitutions of Pope Clement ( newly added to the Tomes of the Councils ) for good Records ; though Isidore Mercator , some of the Apostles Canons , and Clement's Constitutions , are rejected by some of the best of his most able Followers , ( as you shall see hereafter : ) not I suppose upon mature deliberation , but inevitable necessity .

The Liber Pontisicalis of Pope Damasus , that notorious Cheat , is the ground-work upon which he commenteth . It so exactly containeth the Lives and Acts of the Bishops of Rome , that when I first approached it , I apprehended every Life to have been recorded by some person contemporary with the Pope , of which he was writing : for it nominates the time of their Session to a Year , a Moneth , a Week , and a Day , from S. Peter downward : Which being done for no Episcopal Chair beside , it made the Roman See seem of more Eminent Concernment than the residue from the very first beginning ; such a peculiar and extraordinary care being no mean Indication of its High Exaltation above all other Chairs , that were not for a long time together so accurately regarded . But a little after , I found a shrewd sign ; for beside the errours and contradictions noted before , in the midst of all this exactness , he 〈◊〉 sometimes . 3 , 4 , 5 , 〈◊〉 , 9 years together . This shall be proved hereafter , with more than we yet say , when we come to Binius .

He has all the Decretal Epistles , and the Donation of Constantine for good Records . The Epistle of Melchiades concerning the Munificence of Constantine ; the Spurious Roman Council under Pope Sylvester , with the Epilogus Brevis ; the Letters between Athanasius and Pope Mark , concerning the number of the Nicene Canons : Those Letters tell us the Canons of the Nicene Council are 70. and yet he records but 20 of them .

The most of these Great Appearances are rejected afterwards , by Baronius , Binius , Labbè , and the Collectio Regia .

By good fortune he has the Rescripts of Atticus , and S. Cyril , the Patriarchs , concerning the true Records of the Nicene Council , sent to the sixth Council of Carthage , upon the occasion of Zozimus before related .

The Letter of that Council to Celestine the Bishop of Rome concerning that Controversie .

And a Scrap of the Council it self : but he omits the Decrees .

Did I follow them throughout all Ages , my work would be endless . We should find much foul Play in following Councils and Records of the Church : but for several weighty Reasons I have at present confined my self within the compass of the first 400 years next after the Death of our Lord , whose Name is not to be mentioned without praise and glory .

Note well : I go on thus , to observe particularly what Forgeries every Collector of the Councils owneth , and what Emperours , Kings , and Popes , their Books are dedicated to ; and what priviledge , in all the principal parts of the Popes Jurisdiction , they come forth withal ; and especially what a multitude of men have been encouraged to carry on this Design , that you might see the Conspiracy of the Members with the Head , and the general Guilt of that Church in so Enormous an Affair . To which we might add the innumerable Armies of Learned men that have cited them in that Church , and the Company of Captains that have defended them : But it had been better for them that they had never medled with the Protestant Objections , for they have made the matter worse than they found it , and bewraid themselves in all their Answers ; nay , they have made the Frauds more eminent and notorious , by disturbing the Reader , while they give him Warning by their Notes , though the intent be to defend them . This I speak especially upon the last , from Binius downward .

CAP. XI . Of Nicolinus his Tomes , and their Contents for the first 420 years . His Testimony concerning the sixth Council of Carthage .

NIcolinus is printed in five Volumes , Sixti V. Pont. Max. faelicissimis Auspictis , as himself phraseth it : I think he means , By the favourable Permission and Authority of Pope Sixtus V. He dedicates his Tomes to the same most Holy Lord Sextus , &c. which were printed at Venice , An. 1585.

Among other things in which I should sav he is peculiar , had not Merlin in his Isidore done the same , he sets a counterfeit Epistle of Aurelius , Archbishop of Carthage , to Damasus the Pope , and the Popes Answer , in the Front of his Work . The Epistle requesteth a Copy of all the Decretals that were made by the Bishops of Rome , from S. Peter downwards . The Answer intimates a Copy , commanding him to preach and publish the same .

In both these Collectors the Epistles are displaced above 〈◊〉 years out of their due order , meerly that they might face the Forgeries with the great Authorities of Aurelius and Damasus , who were both dead 300 or 400 years before the Counterfeits were made : Howbeit , the Pageant does well to adorn the Scene ; it entertains the Spectators as a fit Praeludium , to make the way more fair for these disguized Masquer's .

In the last of these Epistles , the Counterfeit Decrees are Fathered on the Holy Ghost , and whosoever speaketh against them , is charged with Blasphemy .

Yet for all 〈◊〉 , though the Epistles were desired by Aurelius , and sent by Damasus , and commanded to be preached and published throughout the world , they were never heard of by the space of 700 or 800 years after their first Authors , nor for 300 or 400 years after this Damasus and Aurelius ; though pretended to be the Canons of the Holy Fathers , so Sacred , and so Divinely inspired by the Holy Ghost .

This is that Damasus upon whom the Famous Pontifical is Fathered : He sate in the Chair An. 370. The Forgeries were unknown till about the year 800.

This Aurelius is he who tasted the Decrees of Zozimus , and had experience of their sincerity , when he resisted the Encroachments of the Roman Chair .

But to return to Nicolinus ; he has Isidore's Preface , The Treatise conceruing the Primacy of the Roman Church , containing so many Testimonies out of forged Bishops , Martyns , and Fathers : All the Apostles Canons , of which he maketh S. Clement's the Top and Coronis , concluding that Impious Counterfeit with this affected phrase , Coronidis ipsorum Canonum Apostolorum finis : The end of the Coronis of the Apostles Canons .

Francis Turrian is in so much esteem with him , that he hath Eight Books of Clement's Constitutions , with Turrian's Proem , and Explanatory Defences upon them .

The Liber Pontificalis , drawn from the beginning like a Vein of Lies , through the tedious length of 800 years , infecting all these Ages with Forgery : It is his Text in like manner .

He has all the Decretal Epistles without Exception ; the Council of Sinuessa , or condemnation of Pope Marcellinus , with the same Premonition you saw in Peter Crab to the Reader ; The Donation of the Emperour Constantine , which by this time one would think to be a sound and admirable Record , having so many Hands subscribing it , and so many Pens inserting it among the Councils , without the least note of any dubiousness or blemish in it .

He has threescore and eighteen Canons of the Nicene Council , and professeth Nicol. Epist Dedicatad Sixt V. himself to be the first which added them thereunto : And he had them of a certain man that brought fourscore of them in Arabick to Alexandria , as his Printer does witness for him to the Reader . But surely had there been so many , Pope Paul V. and all the Collectors before him , had not omitted them .

Some 40 years hence we may expect fourscore more : for as for those naked and vulgar Canons , ( as he calleth the Old and Authentick Records ) they will not serve the turn ; nor yet the old Seventy mentioned by Isidore , Athanasius , and Pope Mark : by which you may see they are always growing , and may come to a Million , if the continuance of the World permit it , and their need require it .

What say you ? In good earnest , methinks , the year 1585. is very late , for the finding of eight and fifty Canons of Nicol. 〈◊〉 . Lectori . the Nicene Council : That Council was assembled in the year 327. and made its Canons above one thousand and two hundred years before Nicolinus time : They were written in Greek , and these lay dormant in Arabick , so many Ages , no man can tell where . But the blessed Jesuites , or one of the same Society , luckily found Nicol. T. pogr . Lectori . them the other day .

Here and there he has a true Record , and among the rest a piece of the sixth Council of Carthage , though mangled too : where concerning the two Counterfeit Canons of Pope Zozimus , he saith , The African Fathers not finding any such Canons as these , in the Codes which they had of the Nicene Council , both in Greek and Latine , promised that they would keep them only so long , as the time would be , that they might get the true Copies out of Greece : Which when they had been sent for , and were brought from Cyril of Alexandria , and Atticus of Constantinople , they were found imperfect , as not containing but only those 20 Canons , which were extant also among the Latines ; in which nothing is contained concerning Appeals to the Roman Bishop : Nay , those African Fathers from the fifth and sixth of those Canons gathering the contrary , did earnestly beseech Celestine the Pope , that succeeded Boniface , who was the Successor of Zozimus , that he should not admit Appeals : which ( they said ) as it was most prudently and justly provided for by the Nicene Council , so they found it in no Synod of the Fathers , that any should be sent from the side of his Holiness . No Legatus à Latere . What Boniface and Celestine answered , it is not certain : Acta enim illa valdè concisa sunt , & mutila , For those Records are cut very short , and maimed ; and therefore the matter is the more obscure .

Who maimed those Records is worth the Enquiry : Some-Body that was concerned in them , and whose influence must be exceeding great for the attempting of such a thing , hath out them short , that Records so offensive and pernicious to him , might be made obscure . But as Thieves , by dropping some of the Goods by the way , are oftentimes detected , or Murderers by forgetting the Knife behind them ; so doth the Great and Just GOD infatuate the Pope of Rome , against whom this Council was asiembled , and smite his Agents with blindness here ; and at other times their heart faileth them , because of Guilt : so that not daring to make thorow work with the Councils , they faulter , and are detected .

Here is a rare case , all the Copies of the Nicene Council , throughout the World , were imperfect 1200 years ago , both among the Greeks , and among the Latines , only those at Rome were valid and Authentick . For the Councils of Carthage were reckoned among the Latines , as you may see by Isidore , and Merlin , placing them in that number , and that justly ; for the African Fathers that pertained to Carthage , wrote in Latine , as S. Augustine , Fulgentius , Tertullian , &c. They were Naturalized so far , that Latine was almost their Mother-Tongue , as Justellus observes out of S. Augustine : and yet these that were Allied to the See of Rome so near , were at one with the Greeks in the Records controverted : None were good at Carthage , Constantinople , or Alexandria , &c. but only those which the Pope produced in his own Cause : Nor were any like his upon the Face of the whole Earth besides .

At first I admired to see those Canons of Carthage so abruptly cut off by Binius , where I happened first to miss them : but when I afterwards found them , by the help of Justellus , I saw the reason : The Roman Bishop was curbed ; though that of Anacharsis concerning Laws proved true ; Laws are like Spiders Webs , they detain Flies , but Hornets break through them .

Nicolinus having intimated the lameness and obscurity of the Narration , goeth on thus : It is probable that Celestine wrote back sharply , and would have the Appeals of Priests , from their own , to the bordering Bishops , and of Bishops themselves to the Roman Chair established and valid . The Pope would have it so , notwithstanding all contradiction : Forasmuch as they were founded on Right and Nicol. ibid. cusiom , and upon the Nicene Canons , which were kept entire ( it is credible ) in the Roman See , as they were extant in the time of Mark.

It is credible : Was ever such Impudence known before ! They were not able to urge one Argument why it should be credible , and yet this credibility must overthrow all the Evidence in the whole World .

But they were kept entire in the Roman See , as they were extant in the time of Mark. This spoileth all ! for by referring you to Mark , he appeals to the Epistles of Athanasius to Mark , and of Pope Mark to Athanasius , concerning the number of the Nicene Canons . Which Epistles of Mark and Athanasius , by invincible reasons urged by Binius , as well as the Authorities of Baronius , Labbè , and the Collectio Regia , are evidently proved to be very Forgeries .

He gives you more of these audacious Guesses ; He says it is credible , that they were contained also among the Canons of Sardica which Celestine sent , it is probable , unto them : But that the Africans rested not satisfied , either because they suspected those Canons to be corrupted , or for some other cause ; it is shewn in the Epistle of Boniface the H. to Eulalius of Alexandria , concerning the Reconciliation of Carthage , which happened about 100 years after .

The more you stir this business , the more it stinks . The Epistles made in the name of Eulalius and Boniface , concerning the Excommunication of the churches of Africa for 100 years , past down so fair to Nicolinus , that he took them for good Records ; and doubtless he thought it well enough , that the African Fathers were Excommunicated for opposing the Popes Opinion : So that the Quarrel rose very high , or , what we before observed was very true , these Epistles of Boniface and Eulalius were invented to colour the Popes Cause , and disgrace the Fathers . Take it which way you please , it smells ill : Baronius and Bellarmine had rather they should be Counter 〈◊〉 .

His probability about Celistine's sending the Canons of Sardica to Carthage fares little better : Celestine knew very well the Canons of Sardica would not do in that Council : Nicolinus cannot produce one syllable in proof , to make it probable , that he sent them thither , and his flying to Sardica is in an evil hour ; for it is opposed by 〈◊〉 Bishops , so great , that they have frighted Rome out of her Excommunication , who altogether testifie , no less than twelve hundred years ago , that no Synod of the Fathers made any such Canons . And if Sardica were no Synod , what will its Canons signifie ? The Popes then living and concerned , never attempted so vain a shift , but positively affirmed and maintained still , that they were the Nicene Canons : only the Council of Sardica is pretended of late , and some new men , now the business is over , perswade us they did all mistake while the matter was in agitation , both at Rome and Carthage ; and that themselves have more clear and piercing judgments ( to see into a business so far off better ) than all the Fathers .

Admit those Canons were made at Sardica , it was a gross Errour to Father them upon the Nicene Council : for the Authority of Sardica is not to be compared with that of Nice . Sardica was unknown to all the Council at Carthage . S. Augustine thought it an Arrian Council ; as Binius in his Notes upon it observeth : and Bellarmine puts it among the partly 〈◊〉 . de Concil. & Eccles. lib 〈◊〉 cap 〈◊〉 . Reprobated . And that which induceth me to believe those Canons now extant in the name of Sardica to be forged , is , that they were first produced in Zozimus his Counterfeit , and Fathered upon Nice . And there being a Council once , it is now pretended that there were two there ; that these Bastards disowned at Nice , might have a Sanctuary somewhere , and find some Fathers . My conjecture is made considerable , because the Canons now Fathered upon Sardica are contrary to those of Nice : And it is not probable , that two Catholick Councils so near , should so suddenly Decree things contrary to each other ; nor that the same Fathers that were at Nice , when they came to Sardica , should change their minds with the place of their Session . That there were no Canons of Sardica known till the time of Dionysius Exiguus , is very probable , because they were not in the Code of the Vniversal Church , nor in the African Code , till Dionysius . Exiguns put them in ; as Jacobus Leschasserius most excellently proveth .

Whether Dionysius or Hadrian put them in , is to me uncertain : But Hadrian I. first gave the Copy of Dionysius to the Emperour Charles , whence the old Manuscripts were transcribed , which are now extant in several Libraries ; and in which the Dedication of Pope Hadrian is contained in Verse , To his most Excellent Son King Charles , &c. The first Letters of the Verses being put together , make this Acrostick , EXCELL . FILIO . CARULO . REGI . HADRIANUS . PAPA . The Verses are found in the Copies yet extant of Dionysius Exiguus .

This shews that some New Thing was put into the Book , and that Hadrian had a finger in it , which reached perhaps farther than the beginning . If the Book was as new as the Acrostick , Dionysius was far enough from being its Author . What Faith we are to have in the Papists , when they tell us who were the Ancient Compilers of the Councils , you may see by Baronius , who giving us an Account of In Nat. Martyrol . ad . 〈◊〉 . April . their Order , reckons Isidore ( a known Counterfeit ) for one ; Dionysius Exiguus for the first , Ferdinandus Diaconus for the second , Martinus Bracarensis for the third , Cresconius for the fourth ; and after all these , Isidore for the fift . As certain as Isidore was a Collector of the Councils , so certain is it that Dionysius was one , but further certainty yet I can see none .

Charles the Great , perhaps having never seen the like before , was pleased with the Acrostick ; and the putting of his Name in Capital Letters before the Councils was delightful to him . Syrens sing sweetly , while they deceive bloodily . Hadrian I. knew well , what was a Gift fit for a Scholar , and a Pope of Rome .

If I should produce but one passage which I found in it , the matter would be more effectual : For after he has done with the Councils , he lays down the Decretal Epistles of 13 Roman Bishops , beginning with Syricius , who lived in the year 385. In his Epistle to Himerius , there is this passage : Such is our Office , saith he , that it is not lawful for us to be silent , for us to dissemble , upon whom a Zeal greater than that of all others , of the Christian Religion , is incumbent : We bear the burdens of all that are oppressed : nay rather the blessed Apostle Peter beareth them in us : who as we trust , protecteth and defendeth us his Heirs in all the things of his Administration .

Of GOD he saith nothing here , but his confidence is all in Peter . There is not a word like it in all Antiquity : and those words protecteth and defendeth us , seem to relate to those Jars that had been before between Hadrian , and Charles the King , or Emperour .

These observations carry me to believe what I met with in Daille , since Dionysius is gone from under my hands : and having searched into the Book since , I am further confirmed .

About 74 years after the Council of Daille pag. 45. &c. Chalcedon , Dionysius Exiguus , whom we before-mentioned , made his collection at Rome , which is since Printed at Paris , cum Privilegio Regis , out of very Ancient Manuscripts . Whosoever shall but look diligently into his collection , shall find divers alterations in it ; one whereof I shall instance in , only to shew how Ancient this Artifice hath been among Christians . The last Canon of the Council of Laodicea , which is the 163 of the Greek Code of the Church Universal , forbidding to read in Churches any other Books than those which are Canonical , gives us withal a long Catalogue of them . Dionysius Exiguus , although he hath indeed inserted in his collection , Num. 162. the beginning of the said Canon , which forbiddeth to read any other Books in the Churches , besides the sacred Volumes of the Old and New Testament ; yet hath he wholly omitted the Catalogue , or List of the said Books ; fearing , as I conceive , lest the Tail of this Catalogue might scandalize the Church of Rome , &c. A little after he saith , the Greek Code represents unto us VII Canons of the first Council of Constantinople . which are in like manner found both in Balsamon , and in Zonoras , and also in the Greek and Latine Edition of the General Councils , Printed at Rome . The three last of these do not appear at all in the Latine Code of Dionysius , though they are very considerable ones , as to the business they relate to , which is the order of proceeding , in passing judgment upon Bishops accused , and in receiving such persons , who forsaking their communion with Hereticks , desire to be admitted into the Church . It is very hard to say , what should move the Collector to Gueld this Council thus : But this I am very well assured of , that in the sixth Canon , which is one of those he hath omitted , and which treateth of judging of Bishops accused , there is not the least mention made of Appealing to Rome ; nor of any Reserved Cases , wherein it is not permitted to any , save only to the Pope , to judge a Bishop : The power of hearing and determining all such matters being here wholly and absolutely referred to the Provincial Synods , and to their Dio cesans .

Another instance which he hath is this , After the Canons of Constantinople , there follow in the Greek Code VIII Canons of the General Council of Ephesus , set down also both by Balsamon and Zonoras , and Printed with the Acts of the said Council of Ephesus , in the first Tome of the Roman Edition : but Dionysius Exiguus hath discarded them all , &c. Daille in his Treatise of the Right 〈◊〉 of the Fathers . Cap. 4. pag. 45 , 46 , 47.

This being true , the Authority of Dionysius is very small , relating to the matter of the Council of Sardica . If any man hath any thing to say against it , let him , when he answereth this Charge of ours , produce what he is able in Defence of Dionysius , as to the points whereof he stands accused by Daille ; but we proceed to Nicolinus .

CAP. XII . Nicolinus his Epistle to Pope Sixtus . His contempt of the Fathers . He beginneth to confess the Epistle of Melchiades to be dubious , if not altogether Spurious . He overthrows the Legend about Constantines Donation .

THat you may know the Genius of the Man a little better , how much he was devoted to the service of the Pope , and how little he valued the Authority of Councils and Fathers , I have thought it meet to give you his Epistle ; and his Admonition to the Reader , recorded by him in the words following .

To our Most Soveraign Lord , Sixtus V. High-Priest .

It fell out conveniently for me , Most Blessed Father , in the Universal Joy of the Christian World , for your Elevation to the Sublimity of the Apostleship , that in so great a multitude flowing from every place to honour you , I also , among the Oldest Servants of your Holiness , had something near at hand , which is unworthy neither of the Masty of your Name , or Authority ; and yet very fit for my Occasions to offer at your feet , as suitable to the Office of my Gratitude and Veneration It is a new Edition of the Councils : for the Things put into the Councils of Nice and Ephesus 〈◊〉 Nicolinus . remarkable addition of two Councils especially , the Nicene and the Ephesine , never published so entire and full , as now .

For to whom may the Councils of the Church , aided by the Inspiration of the H. Ghost , according to the seasonableness of various times , for the repairing of her Ship , more fitly be Dedicated , than to her Chief Master , to whom it is given from Heaven to call and confirm them ? especially him , who is so well versed in all Scholastical Disciplines , and Ecclesiastical History !

I have used all diligence , according to my weak ability , sparing no cost , omitting no labour ; the most Catholick and Learned Divines of our Age , being assembled also from every Quarter , especially the most Excellent Father Dominicus Bollanus , a Noble-Man of Venice , of the Order of Preachers , never enough commended for his excellent parts ; who by his Industry , Care , and Learning , was a vast help both to me , and to the Work .

And that I may in one word signifie my study and pains bestowed thereupon , lest I should seem to draw the Saw backward and forward too often upon the same Line , I have taken care to perform whatever could be done by one man , and he a private person , that this Edition might come forth from me , and be offered to you , more Copious and Illustrious than any other Publications hitherto sent abroad : In which I trust , that as a just and knowing Judge , you will discern some Accomplishment : Wherefore I suppose I may affirm , that nothing is perversly , or too concisely exprest ; but all things most rightly and clearly , as far as was possible , according to their Primitive Candour .

This my Gift therefore , from which men may receive so great profit and benefit , since both those things that before were wanting , and those that have hitherto been dispersed , may be had together in it ; and this Work of mine , not of less cost in Printing ( the great expences of which may easily be proved by the magnitude of the Volume ) than labour : to which I was not so much present , as presiding ; earnestly desiring that it should come forth most free from Errour and Faults , for the benefit of the Studious , I doubt not but according to your Humanity , you will accept it with a willing mind , as some kind of Token of my will to serve you ; even as I desire with all my Soul , and humbly pray , that your Holiness may receive it . In the mean time , Holy Father , I desire that all things may fall out prosperously to your Blessedness : And I pray , that you may long be preserved in health , and more plentifully adorned with Heavenly Gifts , for the good of the whole Church .

Venice VI. Kal. Octob. M. D. LXXXV .

Here you see one of the Popes Old Servants laying down all the Councils at his Holiness Feet , boasting of additions to the Nicene and Ephesine Councils , never before published , ascribing the Councils to the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost ; and yet adding , for the good of the Roman Church , eight and fifty Canons to the most glorious of them all , ascribing the power of calling and confirming Councils , to the Pope , sparing no cost ( though he draws the Saw too often upon that point , which as if he were enchanted , he cannot leave , throughout all the Epistle ) assisted , as himself confesseth , with a confluence of the best Popish Divines , permitted to come forth under the Popes Nose , with all these Abominations . By which you may perceive , it is not the work of a private Doctor , but the Disease of the Church of Rome .

His Typographus Lectori .

His contempt of the Fathers appears in his Printer to the Reader : for by one of Turrian's Transfigurations , he covers that Admonition with the Printers Name , though too Learned for any Printer , and evident enough to be his own : for he there unfoldeth the matter , order and use of the Work , far above a Printers reach ; and especially notes its Corrections and Emendations to us : which he reduceth to four Heads .

1. To the observation of the time wherein Councils were held , and under what Pope . Whereupon we note , the manner of ordering the Councils under such and such a Pope , seemeth a new thing : Nicolinus else arrogates too much to himself , in ascribing this to his own Invention . Certainly the custom of computing times by the Popes Lives , is of no long standing , but an Artisice lately taken up by his Flatterers , to dazle the eyes of their Readers ; for it adds much to the Splendour of the Chair , to see Kings and Councils marshalled under the Reign , as it were , of this , and that , and the other Pope , down from S. Clement , throughout all Ages . But from the beginning it was not so .

2. To the truth of History and Actions : As when various Authors are often cited , either for the confirmation of Sentences , or to show the variety that is among Writers , or to reprehend some falsity , Quod interdam , parcè tamen , & timidé fecimus . In his Dedicatory Epistle he told the Pope , that he did nothing perversty , but all things most rightly and clearly , as far as was possible , according to their Primitive Candour : As you see before . But here he confesseth , the business of repieving falshoods to be a tender work , which he went about with great caution and trembling . Some he detected , but timerousiy and sparingly : he durst not meddle with them all .

3. To the consutation of some contumacious and rebellions persons ; who lay hold on the lightest occasions , and oftentimes wrest the plainest matters , to the disgrace of the H. Roman Church . As when from a slight contention of the African Fathers , about Appeals to the Church of Rome , they foreibly conclude against the very truth of the Acts , and the Faith of the History , that those Fathers did not acknowledge but refuse its Primacy over them . In the Body of his Tomes , he 〈◊〉 Epistles of Boniface and Eulalius , as good Records , testifying the Excommunication of all the African Churches by the Pope ; yet here he calleth it a light contention : Himself wresteth the plainest matters forcibly against the very truth of the Acts , and chargeth the fault on the Protestants : For in this very place he pretendeth that the African Fathers did not refuse the Primacy of Rome , but acknowledge its Supremacy , or its Primacy over them . Yet it all this but a Copy of his countenance , a common flourish in the Frontispiece of their work : For if they submitted to the Popes Primacy over them , why should they be Excommunicated ? He knows well enough , when we come close to the matter , that these Rebellions Protestants , and those Catholick Fathers , were of the same judgment , and acted the same thing . By way of provision therefore he addeth , that this was far from the mind of those Fathers ; but if they had conceived so , it would have redounded to their Infamy , and not at all have tended to the lessening of the Supreme Authority of the Roman Church , ordained and established by God .

Two hundred and seventeen Bishops in an ancient approved Council , even the sixth Council of Carthage , protested against the Popes Supreme Authority , to their perpetual Infamy ; as Nicolinus would have it : for should all the Bishops in the World joyn together , they would but dash themselves against that Rock , and do things to their Infamy , and there 's an end . This is the value which Papists have for the Councils and Fathers , when they stand in their way : And this Impudence comes abroad by the consent of Nicolinus , and the Pope , without Blushing .

His fourth Head is Addition . His Emendations are referred lastly to Addition , either by making those things perfect and entire , that before were imperfect and marred : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Canons of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Acts of that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a Greek Book 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 into Latine by 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 suite ; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Latine out of an Arabick book brought to Alexandria by another man of the same Society .

I once thought a certain man had had the Book at Alexandria ; but now it seems a Jesuite brought it thither . He does not tell you who , nor from whence . Jesuites are the Popes Janizaries , and fit to be so imployed : And the Vatican is an admirable Storehouse doubtless for the Greek too , a very Pit of Witnesses for the Popes Supremacy . As if Perkin Warbeck should have brought Evidences out of his own Closet to prove himself King of England . If no body but he must be believed , the veriest Cheat in the World must needs prevail . Greek and Arabick are strange amusements : else a Book out of the Vatican , in its Masters own Cause ; or another man without a name , that brought an Arabick Book to Alexandria , with fourscore Canons of the Nicene Council in it , would scarcely be regarded against the Evidence of the whole World ; especially in a matter so upheld by Forgeries .

Two things there are wherein he adventures to be a little cordial ; Licèt parcè & timidè : though seldom , and with fear .

1. Whereas Isidore , and Merlin , and Peter Crab , and Surius , &c. have the Epistle of Melchiades without any Note of its dubiousness , he 〈◊〉 it can be none of Melchiades , because mention is made therein of the Nicene Council , and of other things that were done after Melchiades Death .

2. Whereas Binius lays a Dreadful Reproach upon Constantine , the first most Excellent Christian Emperour , as if after all his Glorious Acts done for the Church and State of Christendom , he were an Apostate , a Murderer , a Tyrant , a Perecutor , a Parracide , smitten with Leprosie for notorious Crimes , for killing Licinius unjustly , and his own Son Crispus : And all , that he might uphold the Counterfeit Donation , Nicolinus begins the first Book of the Acts preceding the Nicene Council , ( translated out of an Ancient Greek Book in the Vatican ) thus .

De Gestis post sublatum impium Licinium , & de Imperio Regis Constantini , & de Pace Ecclesiarum Dei .

Constantine , when he had conquered his Enemies , shewing himself an Emperour by the Wisdom given him of God , took care to better the Affairs of the Christians day by day , more and more . And this he did several ways , having a most flaming Faith , and faithful Piety towards the God of all : And the whole Church under Heaven lived in profound peace . Now let us hear what Eusebius , that most excellent Husbandman of the Churches Agriculture , 〈◊〉 from the most Famous Pamphilus , speaketh here . In his tenth Book he saith , What Licinius saw long ago to befall wicked Tyrants with his eyes , he now suffered himself , like to them ; and that deservedly : for he would neither receive Discipline , nor be admonished at any time to learn wisdom by the punishment of his Neighbors , &c. But Constantine the Conqueror being adorned with all kind of Piety , together with his Son Crispus , the Emporour beloved of God , and in all things like his Father , reduced all the East into his Power , and brought the Empire of the Romans into one , as it had been of old , and obtained an Universal Kingdom , from the rising of the Sun , to the utmost borders of the West , and to both the other Regions of the North and South , in perfect peace : Then the fear of Tyranny wherewith men were before oppressed , was utterly taken away from the life of men ; then frequent Assemblies were held , and Festivals kept ; then all things abounded with gladness and joy ; then they that were before of a dejected 〈◊〉 , and sorrowful , looked with a pleasant face , and with joyful eyes ; then with Dances and Hymns , throughout all Cities and Fields , they proclaimed fast , that God was truly God , and the Highest King of all : next they magnified the Emperour and his Children , most dear unto God . 〈◊〉 there was no remembrance of the former evils ; then all Impiety was forgotten ; then there was a sweet enjoyment of present goods , and a joyful expectation of future : Then 〈◊〉 , not only the Decrees of the Emperour , the most Illustrious Conquerour , 〈◊〉 of Humanity and Clemency , but his Laws also glorious in Magnificence , and fraught with Tokens of true 〈◊〉〈◊〉 published in all places : So the 〈◊〉 Spot of all Tyranny being 〈◊〉 away , and wholly blotted out , Constantine alone , and his Children , thenceforth possessed the Helm of the Empire , which by Right pertained to them ; it being made secure by his Authority and Government , and freed from all envy and fear . Hitherto Eusebius Pamphilus , of all Ecclesiastical Writers most worthy of belief .

Thus their own Record in the Vatican justifieth Eusebius : and thus Nicolinus produceth it , who also defendeth Eusebius , though himself holdeth the Donation of Constantine firm ; not discerning how that History overthroweth the same . But Binius who saw the inconsistence better , crys out of Eusebius for a Lyar , a Flatterer , an Arrian , because he stands in his way . Thus all of them , here and there , serve the Fathers : For Eusebius lived in the time of Constantine himself , and was Honourable in his eyes : He was Bishop of Caesarea-Cappadocia , and an individual Friend of Pamphilus the Martyr , a Father in the Nicene Council , and one of those that disputed there , in person , against Phaedo the Arrian : As Binius also himself recordeth in the Disputation , extant in his Tomes . But of such Legends as this , and the Tragical Story of Constantine , we have more than good store in Popish Writers : As you may see at large in Dr. Stillingfleet his Book of Popish Counterfeit Miracles .

CAP. XIII . The Epistle of Pope Damasus to Aurelius , Archbishop of Carthage , commanding him to take care , that the Decretals of the Roman Bishops be preached and published abroad : Wherein the Forgeries of the Church of Rome are Fathered on the Holy Ghost .

DAmasus , to his mest Reverend Brother , and Fellow-Bishop Aurelius . We have received the Epistle of your 〈◊〉 with due Veneration : Wherein we understand how your Reverence and Prudence thirsteth , as is fit , for the Apostolical Decrees . Concerning which Affair , we have sent some of those which you desired , and desire to send more when you shall send unto us . Yet we have past by none of our Predecessors , from the Death of Blessed 〈◊〉 , Prince of the Apostles , of whose Decrees we have not sent somewhat to you under our certain Seal by Ammonius the Priest , and Falix the Deacon : Which we both desire you to keep , and command to be preached and published to others ; that they may inviolably be kept with due Veneration of all , and inviolably observed , and diligently reverenced by all future Ages .

Because the voluntary Breakers of the Canons are heavily censured by the H. Fathers , and condemned by the H. Ghost , by whose Gift and Inspiration they were dictated : Because they do not unfitly seem to blaspheme the H. Ghost , who being not compelled by any necessity , but willingly ( as was before said ) either do any thing perversly , or presume to speak against the same Holy Canons , or consent to them that will ; for such a presumption is manifestly one kind of blaspheming the H. Ghost : Because ( as was even now promised ) it acteth against him , by whose grace and impulse the same Holy Canons were set forth . But the wickedness of the Devil is wont to deceive many , and so doth very oftentinies delude the imprudence of some by a similitude of Piety , that he perswadeth them to take hurtful things for healthful .

Therefore the Rule of H. Canons which are made by the Spirit of God , and consecrated by the Reverence of the whole World , is faithfully to be known , and diligently to be handled by us ; lest by any means the Decrees of the H. Fathers should without A 〈◊〉 for the Popes : inevitable necessity ( which God forbid ) be transgressed : but that we walking most faithfully in them , may by their Merits , God assisting , deserve the glory of a reward , and the heap of our labour .

These therefore being rightly considered , and upon our deliberation brought to the knowledge of your Churches , it most highly becometh you to obey the Rules of the same H. Canons , lest the sloth of some should make them in any thing to walk contrary to them . But let your wise and wholesome Doctrine , which desires you in all things to please God , shew them these faithful Fellow-workmen in their Thrones , the coheirs and partakers of the Coelestial Kingdom . Dated XVI . Kal. Jun. Gratian and Cyricius being Consuls .

The close of the Epistle ( is not clear nonsense ) is very obscure . The meaning of it is , that Aurelius should shew men the Decretal Epistles of Clement , Anacletus , &c. those faithful Fellow-workmen in their Thrones , the coheirs and partakers of the Coelestial Kingdom , that are now in Heaven , to the intent they may obey them , and come to the same Eternal Glory . A goodly design doubtless . But we have a cross proverb , 〈◊〉 be to the Sheep , while the Fox Preacheth . This piety in the Close is but the Sheep-skin to cover the Fox , who needs not more cunning in Preaching , than concealing himself . We have a more sacred saying , In the Pit which he made for others , is himself fallen . And it is not impertinent : for while he chargeth others with the unpardonable sin , himself blasphemes the Holy 〈◊〉 . For to make the Holy Ghost the Father of Lies , is ( I think ) to blaspheme him .

Damasus , we confess , never made the Epistle ; but that makes the matter worse . Some other in Damasus his Coat , is guilty of this accursed business ; that while he Fathers the Frauds , which himself invented , on the H. Ghost , has not ignorance to excuse , but malice to condemn him . And whether the Forgeries are not so Fathered still on the Holy Ghost , may be a proper Question . Binius , I think , was afraid of these Epistles .

Nicolinus in his Printer to the Reader , pretendeth an exact observation of the time , under what Pope things were done : but for once he varies the method , and sets this in the Front of the Forgeries , to countenance all .

He knows them perhaps to be what they are , yet clearly owns them .

There is some Errour in the date of these Epistles ; an usual Symptom of the Disease in such Instruments . Instead of the XVI . Kal. Jun. Nicolinus putteth it the XI . Some hidden reason compels him , or he would never be so nice : for Cyricius , Siricius a small mistake : But the next is greater , for Gratian , Equitius . As if Damasus the Pope could not tell who was Consul at Rome when he wrote his Letter .

I wonder at Damasus for one thing much ; he tells us of the wickedness of the Devil , who deludes men with a shew of Piety , and forces in that expression of the Devils perswading men to take hurtful things for healthful so affectedly , that it would make one to think his Guilt put him in memory of such a saying . But his design in charging all that impugn them , with the dreadful and unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Ghost , was more clearly to deter men from writing or speaking against these pretended Canons . And perhaps he declaims against the wickedness of others , that delude the imprudence of some with a similitude of Piety ; and so loudly inveigheth against the Guilt of perswading men to take hurtful things for healthful , to remove the suspition from himself . Whatever t is , no man is more guilty of the Fraud in the World .

You may note a contradiction in the Letter : The Canons of the H. Fathers , and Bishops of Rome , were consecrated by the Reverence of the whole World ; and yet upon Aurelius his desire , were newly brought to the knowledge of the Churches , and now first ordered to be published and preached .

They past the deliberation of our present Damasus before they came abroad , being rightly considered , and upon due deliberation brought to the knowledge of the Churches . Doubtless they were well weighed , and what was most agreeable to the Roman Chair was pickt out , and chosen for the purpose .

CAP. XIV . Counterfeit Canons of the Apostles defended by Binius . A Glympse of his Pretences , Sophistries , and Contradictions . A Forged Council of Apostles concerning Images , defended by Binius and Turrian .

SEverinus Binius , a late Collector of the Councils , is grown so famous , that his Voluminous Tomes have been Printed thrice ; he is approved by an Epistle of Pope Paul V. inserted among other Instruments before his Work , and so highly esteemed , that he is exactly followed by Labbe and Cossartius in 17 Volumes , and taken in , word for word , by the COLLECTIO REGIA ; lately published by the care of a King in 37 Tomes .

The reason why they follow Binius so exactly , the Collectio Regia giveth in 〈◊〉 words , set next to the Title-page of the Book , for our better information . We thought fit to follow the last collection of the councils put forth by Binius , and illustrated with his Notes ; and to Print it 〈◊〉 , as that which of all others is most richly stored . Wherein they have done Binius as great Honour as one can well imagine : for it shews his Notes to be the best and most convenient that can be gotten in the Church of Rome , and that all the Collectors since ( which were very many ) have not been able to devise better .

Hereupon it followeth , that in one Work we may the more concisely treat of Binius , Labbe , Cossartius , and the Collectio Regia together .

I once intended to give you a Copy of the Popes approbation , with the other Authorities by which Binius is approved ; but as the case 〈◊〉 it is superfluous .

He pretendeth in Preface , and 〈◊〉 , to justifie all the Canons , Councils , and Decretal Epistles , and maketh a glorious shew , setting them down afterwards with great Titles of Splendour and Majesty ; in such sort , that a man would take them all for Authentick Records : But when he cometh to his Notes , he many times deserteth his design , and confesseth the Imposture . But his Notes are 〈◊〉 in more 〈◊〉 and inconsiderable Letters , and those his acknowledgments hidden from a 〈◊〉 Eye in little room .

In his Letter to Paul V. he layeth all his Labours at the Popes Feet . So that we are like to have good on 't , when the Malefactor ( accused ) is made sole Lord and Judge of the Witnesses .

He hath several Prefaces to the Reader , and to Persons of the Highest Rank and Splendour : in which he pretends to magnifie the Decrees and Canons following , as good Records .

He prefixeth Isidore's Counterfeit Preface before his Collection .

Over the Canons of the Apostles , in a Splendid manner , he sets this Title .

THE CANONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES WITH ALL VENERATION TO BE FOLLOWED .

According to The Ancient Edition OF DIONYSIVS EXIGVVS .

A man would think now there should no more Canons be laid down , than Dionysius Exiguus hath in his Ancient Edition : But as if he intended to bear the Mark of the Beast in his Forehead , he puts under this Title eighty four Canons of the Apostles , whereas Dionysius hath but 50. Certainly 't is not well done so to Cheat his Reader with a Lye ; but in some blind Corner or other he will make us satisfaction .

Over against this he puts a Note in the Margin , thus : Francis Turrian , of the Society of Jesus , hath published a very clear Book in Defence of the Apostles Canons . He approveth the Book , yet rejecteth two of the Canons which Turrian defendeth : but that is concealed till afterwards .

It is his custom , in the top of his Pages , Chapters and Margins , eminent and conspicuous places , to put Notes or Titles , defending those Counterfeit Antiquities , which in some little Gloss hidden in the Text , he really slighteth : For the Potentates of the World , with their Lords and Councellors , not having time enough to search into the bottom , may by such means as these neatly be deceived ; while they think no man so impudent , as in the same Leaf , to contradict his pretences . So that the very greatness of the Crime is their greatest security .

Another Artifice like this , is that of putting the Preface of Dionysius Exiguus before these Tomes of his own , the better to countenance the ensuing Frauds . Though Dionysius were dead 1000 years before he wrote them , and never intended , nor thought of the greater part of them .

But Lyars are intangled always in the 〈◊〉 : what is convenient in one respect , being inconvenient in another .

For in that his Preface , Dionysius speaking for himself , saith only this : In the beginning we have placed those Canons which are said to be the Apostles , translated out of Greek : which because the most do not easily acknowledge , I thought meet to acquaint your Holiness with the same .

He doubts them all you see ; yet speaketh only of his own fifty , which he hath in the Code which himself digested : He does not meddle with those that make up the number of 84. no more than Isidere and 〈◊〉 do : 〈◊〉 Binius , when he 〈◊〉 to his Notes upon the word Canones 〈◊〉 stolorum , speaketh thus , after his large Copy in three Columns of all the 84. These Canons made by the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 , and by Tradition from them delivered to us , Clement of Rome , S. Peter's Disciple , wrote in Greek ; and Dionysius Exiguus , an Abbot of Rome , translated them into Latine , in the time of Justinus the Emperour . An. 520.

He does not prove that Clement wrote them , unless by the last 〈◊〉 , which hath Per me Clementem 〈◊〉 : nor by that neither ; for that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Forgery . Dionysius 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 before Binius , does not say 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wrote them , but rather the contrary : He suspects them all , and knows Clement could not write them all ; since himself has but fifty , and those only by Rumour , not Tradition .

Nay Einius himself , you will see presently , rejected some ; and yet here he pretendeth the whole number to be written , both by Clement in Greek , and by Dionysius in Latine : For of all his Catalogue , he faith , These Canons , &c. Clement of Rome , S. Peter's Disciple , wrote in Greek , and Dionysius 〈◊〉 , an Abbot in Rome , translated them into Latine ; as if it were not sufficient to write a Lye in the Front , unless he closed up the Canons with a Lye in the Tail .

It would be worth the Enquiry to know where they had the 34. which were unknown to the Ancient Dionysius ? For after all this , he seems to reject them in the passage following .

Horum quinquaginta priores , &c. saith he , Only the first fifty of these ( the last of which is of dipping thrice in Baptism ) containing nothing but sound Apostolical Doctrine , and approved by Ancient Bishops , Councils , and Fathers , are received as Authentick , Cap. 3. Dist. 16. And according to that common Rule of the Holy Fathers , because the Author of them is unknown , they are rightly believed to flow unto us by Apostolical Tradition . The residue by Pope Gelasius , Can. Sanct. Dist. 15. are accounted Apocryphal , both because their Author is unknown , as also because by the 65 and the last Canon , it is evident , that some of them are craftily put in by the Grecians , and some of them corrupted by Hereticks .

This passage deserves one or two remarkable Observations .

1. If the Tradition of the Apostles , though committed to writing , be capable of corruption ; what security can we have of Oral Tradition , which is far more loose , and liable to danger ?

2. If the Church of Rome were unable to secure the Apostles Canons from the Leven of the Grecians , and other Hereticks ; or so careless , as not to keep one Copy , or Record sincere ; what assurance can we have of her care and ability in the residue ? This shews the weakness of these inconvenient Shifts , and pitiful 〈◊〉 .

But the reason why some are received as Authentick , and others accounted 〈◊〉 , is most fit to be marked . The reason why it is highly to be presumed , that the first 50 Canons should be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Because the Author of them is unknown : And the reason why the residue are rejected , is , Because the Author of them is unknown . So that the same reason ( as Fire hardens Clay , and 〈◊〉 Wax ) will prove contrary things . And by reasoning in such a Latitude , it will be easie to prove the Sun black , and the Sky a Molehill .

Howbeit for these reasons , Gelasius an Ancient Pope rejecteth some of them : But Binius takes the liberty to put his judgment in the other end of the Scale ; and outfacing us with a Counterfeit Clement , and Pretended Dionysius , will have all but two , to be Authentick Canons : All but two ; namely , the 65. and the last Canon ; by which it is evident , that some of them are craftily put in by the Grecians , and some of them corrupted by Hereticks . Some of them put in by the Grecians , must at least be two ; and some of them corrupted by Hereticks , must at least be two more ; yet they are all of them , except two , Authentick .

Let his reason be what it will , we observe , 1. That the Church of Rome is in a tottering condition , when a poor Canon of Collein shall take upon him to refel the Sentence of an 〈◊〉 Pope , and fourseore Bishops : for so many did 〈◊〉 use in 〈◊〉 the Apocryphal from Cennine Books ; and this Sentence was Desinitive by a Pope in his Council : So that 2. A Pope in his Council is not 〈◊〉 . 3. If Einius be right , Gelasius and fourscore Bishops did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in condemning the Code 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Canons , which S. Clement wrote from the mouth of the Apostles . 4. The Church of Rome is divided , the New and the Old Church of Rome are against each other . The New is all for Additions , and the very Apostles Canons , allowed in Gelasius his time , which was 1260 years ago , are not sufficient , unless more be added .

But let us now consider Binius his reasons . Quia tamen ex his posterioribus ferè omnes praeter praedictos duos , &c. But because all these latter almost , besides the two forementioned , are either by the Authority of the Roman Bishops , or by the Decrees of other Councils , or by the Sentences of some Fathers , confirmed and approved , as is manifest by these our Marginals and Annotations : ( So that it may not lightly or rashly he doubted , whether they were taken hence by the Bishops , Councils , and Fathers , or rather translated hither , and put here out of their Writings : ) Hereupon they may and ought rightly and deservedly all , except the two excepted , to be taken for Authentick .

How perplexed his discourse is , I suppose you see . His courage fails in the midst , and it becomes thereupon so rough and difficult , that it is scarce intelligible . The occasion of its Incoherence is that Parenthesis ( thrust into the middle . ) For Binius foreseeing a strong Obiection to the Discourse he was going to make , claps it Sophistically into the midst of his Argument ; hoping thereupon , that it would never more be retorted upon him : Which you may easily see , both by the Nature of his Argument , and by the resolution of his words . For his Argument is this ; which if you lay aside the Answer to it , runs smoothly . Almost all these latter Canons , besides the two forementioned , are either by the Authority of Roman Bishops , or the Decrees of other Councils , or the Sentences of some Fathers , confirmed and approved ( : ) hereupon they may and ought rightly and deservedly , all except the two excepted , to be taken for Authentick . Now the Answer is the Parenthesis in the midst . Certain Sentences like to these Canons are in the Fathers writings , but so contained there , that it may not lightly or rashly be doubted , whether they were taken hence by the Bishops , Councils , and Fathers , or rather translated hither , and put here out of their Writings . To doubt a thing rashly is nonsense ; but it may justly be feared , that these Canons are Sentences pickt out of other Books , and packt into a Body , bearing the name of the Apostles Canons . His Conscience did convict him , and he replieth not a word , though it be an important consideration in the case .

But there is a worse fault in his Logick ; he argues from Particulars to Vniversals : for having said , Fere omnes praeter praedictos duos , he comes to conclude , Omnes praeter praedictos duos . Almost all except two are approved , therefore all except two are Authentick .

Such Tricks as these he hath often : And sometimes affects an obscure kind of speaking , on purpose to blind the Reader ; especially when he is intangled with some difficult Argument : He then Clouds himself , like the Cuttle , in his own Ink , that he might vomit up the Hook in the dark , and scape away .

He might have produced a General Council , if he pleased , to confirm all the 84 Canons , and that under the Name of the Apostles too , which had been more to the purpose : but then he must have confessed the last Canon of Clement to be true , and consequently that his eight Books of Constitutions , and his two Epistles , are part of the Bible ; or else that the Decree of the Council , confirming these , was Spurious ; or else of necessity , that the Pope and Council did err . But he had more kindness for the Pope than so , and therefore perhaps let the Council alone .

He would inure you by his words to believe that Popes are equal to Councils . Because they are , saith he , either by the Authority of Roman Bishops , or other Councils , or some Fathers confirmed , they may and ought to be taken for Authentick . Some Fathers is a dwindling expression : He very well knows that 217 were rejected together in the sixth Council of Carthage . Roman Bishops , and other Councils , are words of some weight : But what can other Councils do , if the Roman Bishops please to reject them ? The Roman Bishops , and other Councils , are so put in contradistinction , that the Authority of Roman Bishops is set before that of other Councils : And perhaps the proportion being observed , the Roman Bishops must be thought as far above other Councils , as other Councils above some Fathers .

In other places they affirm a Pope with his Council to be Infallible : Here , that the Roman Bishop is a Council : Otherwise it is nonsense to say , The Roman Bishops , or other Councils . The Roman Bishop hath a Council in himself : And indeed it is requisite , that he of all other should be the greatest Council , when standing alone , he is to judge of a Council , and to determine , even whether an 〈◊〉 Council shall be approved , or disapproved .

This is a Tast of Binius , an Elephants Clee , a Scrap of five large Volumes , full of the same integrity and perverseness .

The swelling words which they talk of , approved and disapproved Councils , are all to be understood , of Councils approved , or disapproved by the Roman Bishop .

From his Canons we proceed to his Council : for Binius hath a Council of Apostles too , on a Prodigious Theme ! the setting up of Images . It is but a short one , and hath but one Canon , and that is the eighth . It is set forth in this form .

ANTIOCHENA SYNODUS 〈◊〉 .

Canon . 8. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Salvati ob Idola : sed pingant 〈◊〉 Opposite Divinam Humanamque manufactam 〈◊〉 Effigiem Dei veri ac Salvatoris nosire Jesu Christi , ipsiusque Servorum , contra Idola & 〈◊〉 . Neque errent in Idolis , neque similes siant Judaeis .

This is all : and sure it is old , for the Latine is very bare . If you construe it , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thus , but hath no Greek Copy .

A COUNCIL of the APOSTLES at ANTIOCH .

Canon . 3. Let not the Saved be deceived for Idols : but let them paint on the Opposite , the Divine and Humane unmingled Image of the true God , and of our Saviour Jesus Christ , made with hands , and of his Servants . Neither let them err in Idols , nor be made like the Jews .

The first Authority he hath to prove it , is the 2 Nicene Council , 800 years almost after the Apostles . And he collecteth it thence by a blind conjecture , not by any evident Assertion of theirs .

Besides this he citeth one Pamphilus , who testifieth that he found it in Origen's Study , as Turrian saith against the Writers of Magdenburg . So that all this resteth upon Turrian , an impudent Corrupter , as the World hath any . Where we first observe , that Origen had no Images himself , neither adored any . 2. That Images were forbidden in the H. Scripture , especially in the Old Testament . 3. The Apostles were wont to allure the Jews , and not to offend them . To the Jews , saith S. Paul , I became as a Jew , that I might gain the Jews . Whereas to set up Images , was the only way to drive them out of the Temple . 4. That all other Councils , Nice , Constantinople , Ephesus , Chalcedon , Arles , Eleberis , Antioch , Laodicea , Sardis , Jerusalem , Alexandria , Rome , &c. during all the time of 800 years , were silent of this Apostolical Canon .

Concerning which , I beseech you to consider further : 1. That admitting it were in the 2 Nicene Council , that was an Idolatrons Council , addicted to Fables , and full of Forgeries ; for which it is rejected by all the knowing and sounder part of the World . 2. The Apostles were not obeyed in this Commandment , neither in their own Age , nor in divers Ages after . 3. Binius himself seemeth conscious of its unsoundness , for he putteth it not among the Councils of the Apostles , which are before their Canons altogether , but in another place stragling by it self , in his own Notes , and after the Apostles Canons . 4. Since the Apostles wrote in Greek , this is rendered suspitious by wanting a Greek Copy . 5. No Collector produceth one word besides himself , in the whole Circuit of the first 400 years , on the behalf of Images . 6. The Fathers unanimously write against Images in the Church of GOD. 7. You may perceive by the dulness of the Sense out of what Storehouse this Fragment came , and by the horrid incongruity of making a Divine and Humane Image unmingled with hands : The Divinity and and Humanity being Natures infinitely distant , cannot be painted in the same Picture . But for want of a better , this Musty Evidence must serve the turn .

CAP. XV. Of the Pontisical Falsety Fathered upon Damasus , Bishop of Rome , An. 397. How the Popish Collectors use it as their Text , yet confess it to be a Forgery full of Lyes and contradictions .

THe Liber Pontifiealis is a Legend so stuffed with Lyes , that the very Title of it is notorious : The very first Inscription of the Book miscarries ; not so as to need , like the former Counterfeits , either those of the Apostles Canons , or their Council , or the Preface of Isidore , a long Circuit of Deductions to prove the Forgery ; Binius , Labbe , and the Collectio Regia , immediately confess it . It beginneth thus .

THE BOOK OF POPES , From Pope Peter down to Pope Nicholas of that Name the First ; in which their Acts are described : The Acts of the first Popes by Pope ** Damasus : The rest by other * Ancient Cunning honest men like Merlin's Printer . Men , and * worthy of credit .

Upon this Title Binius noteth , Hujus libri Pontificalis Damasus Auctor non est , &c. Damasus is not the Author of this Pontifical : but rather it is patched up of two divers Authors ; as may be proved by this , that almost in every Popes Life , it contains things fighting with themselves : And so no account can be given of Things and Writings clashing with one another . And for this he cites Baronius , An. Christ . 69. nu. 35. Au. 348. nu. 16. & 17. Anton. Possevin . Apparat. Sac. on the word Damasus .

Now a man would expect he should lay aside the Book , and refuse to make use of such an odious Pamphlet : But for want of a better he takes it in , as his most Learned Companions do ; and so they labour all under the miserable Fate of making a Forgery , the Text upon which their Notes and Volumes are the Commentary .

It is meet before I pass , to make some use of what is given us : for Observation is the Life of History , Reflexions digesting the Objects that are before us , and turning them into nourishment .

What is here said , concerneth not a Page , but a whole Book , stuffed with Legends , and Lives of Popes .

It was set forth as a Book made by Damasus , a Learned , Grave , and Ancient Bishop of Rome , that his name might give colour and Authority to the same .

Because it could not be believed that 〈◊〉 should write of Popes that followed after he was dead , part of it is ascribed to other ancient men , and worthy of credit ; naming no body , for the greater Reverence , and shew of Antiquity , and the more pious estimation of unknown persons .

How ancient , and how worthy of credit they are that 〈◊〉 such Cheats , and what a Mystery of Iniquity they make of Antiquity , you may easily conjecture .

Sometimes 〈◊〉 are thrown upon 〈◊〉 Greeks and 〈◊〉 : but here is one made and compiled by the more Famous Romans .

Binius knew it to be a Forgery by the baseness of the Stile ; Consarcinatus est , It was patched up . That is his word ; a Metaphor implying , the Taylors were but Botchers that made it . Secondly , By the contradictions that are in it , he knew they were divers Authors , because they jangle , and cannot agree . The parts of it are so irreconcileable , that the Story will by no means hang together .

It is a Vein of Lyes , reaching from S. Peter to Damasus , and from Damasus to Nicholas 1. containing the Lives of above 100 Popes , from S. Peter to the year 860.

About the time of this Nicholas 1. the Popedom was exalted above the Clouds , and was ( of necessity ) to be secured by as evil means , as it was gotten : When loe the Witch of Endor raises up Samuel in the good old Damasus , to tell the World that Peter was a Prince , and all his Successors Vniversal Heads of the Catholick Church .

Nicholas 1. began to sit about 50 years after the death of Hadrian 1. the Pope that is suspected by us to be the Father of the 〈◊〉 . So great an Impression therefore being made by the Publication of Isidore , a little before , it was thought good to follow the Blow by this Pontifical : and a more ancient Father than Isidore must be awakened out of his dust to justifie him . For as Light answered Light in Solomons Buildings , so do the Lives and Letters of the Popes ; their Lives in the Pontifical , and their Letters in the Decretal .

The Artifice shews contrivance , and the design of it a deep and hidden Correspondence .

The World has been cheated for so long a time , by the attempt of wicked and deceitful men .

Peter Crab , Carranza , surius , Nicolinus , the Elder Compilers of the Councils , use it boldly and freely , without warning their Readers to suspect it , or confessing it to be a Forgery ; though Binius , and the last Compilers , upon necessary Conviction , are forced to do it .

〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 have it not at all : we may justly wonder therefore where these latter 〈◊〉 got it .

The Forgery is not about mean matters , but things most Sacred , the Rights of the Church , and the Souls of men .

Here the 〈◊〉 are detected by their own confession ; and he that is once 〈◊〉 is still suspected .

The Works of Darkness are seldom 〈◊〉 , so that more are committed than 〈◊〉 known .

All these Forgeries that are now acknowledged , did pass about 200 years ago for good Records , excepting some perhaps that were since invented : And if the last two Ages brought so many to light , an Age or two more may , through Gods blessing , accomplish Wonders .

The Secular state and security of the Pope , with his Adherents , which Binius in his Epistle to Pope Paul V. calls Honor & Augmentum 〈◊〉 , was the end of all . And if men excogitate Titles to Crowns , and patch up 〈◊〉 with some Flaws , yet serviceable enough with the help of a Long Sword ; then a Chair so Politick is able to do it more neatly , having had the strong Holds of the Church so long in their hands .

Now we shall note some few of those many Errours that are in the Pontifical ; which , though it be a duty circumstance to have such a Text to gloss on , is the Basis of their Discourses , and the Rule of their Method , both in the Popes and Councils . It beginneth thus .

Peter the blessed Apostle , and Prince of 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 the Apostles , the Son of John , of the Province of Galilee , of the City 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Brother of Andrew , sate in the Chair of Antioch seven years . In the end it 〈◊〉 us how long S. Peter Reigned , just twenty five years , two moneths , and three days . Binius tells us with the consent of Baronius , it was rather twenty four years , five moneths , and eleven days .

The Pontifical saith , Peter was Martyred with Paul on the same day : Though Prudentius and S. Angustine say , It was not the same year . Binius reconcileth them , They were slain the same day indeed , but not the same year : Therefore say we , Peter was not Martyred with S. Paul .

The Pontifical says , It was 38 years after the Passion of our Lord . More truly the 35. saith Binius , in the 13 year of Nero , and the 69 after the Birth of Christ .

S Peter's Name is the Patron and 〈◊〉 of the Roman Church ; and therefore inserted like a Shield in the Front . Next his Notes on S. Peter's Life . Binius inserts the Treatise of the Roman Churches Primary , Ex antiquo Codice : out of an Old Book , without any name at all : Which puts me in mind of the Gibeonites old Bottles , clouted Shooes , and mouldy Bread , and the notable Cheat which thereby they put on the Israelites . All is Old and Ancient in the Church of Rome : and this Old Book of the Primacy set before the Councils according to the Rules of Art , because the End is to be proposed before the Means .

After this old Treatise of the Primacy , he cometh to S. Linus , Pope and Martyr . He is pleased to call him Pope , as well as Pope Peter ; not as if his Contemporaries called him so , but because the Modern Title will not sit well on the present Popes , unless it be given to S. Peter , and the first Bishops of that See . And ever and anon he begins with a known Lye in the top of the Chapter , formally set by it self , the more pleasingly to take the eye , after the manner of a Title , Ex Libro Pontificali Damasi Papae ;

OUT OF THE PONTIFICAL OF POPE DAMASVS .

This course he continues from Life to Life throughout all the Popes , so far as the Pontifical lasteth , intermixing the Decretal Epistles first , and then the Councils , in the Lives of the several Popes : or to use his form , under the pope in whose Life they happened . And all his Tomes being moulded into that form , it makes every Pope seem , to him that is not aware of the fetch , the Supreme over all Councils from the beginning . And with this Method he always goes on , Ex libro Pontificali Damasi Papae , hoping perhaps that in long tract of time , he should be at last believed .

In all the Book , there is scarce a Life , wherein there are not as many Errours , as in S. Peter's . As in example .

Linus sate eleven years , three moneths , An. 〈◊〉 . and twelve days , 〈◊〉 the Pontifical : Binius saith , It was eleven years , two moneths , and twenty three days . A days difference , where the exactness is pretended to be so great , shews all to be Counterfeit .

He saith , 〈◊〉 sate twelve years , one An. 〈◊〉 . moneth , and eleven days : Binius tails on him for the mistake ; though he agrees with him in the 〈◊〉 , that Linus and Cletus sate some twenty three years between Peter and Clement . So that on this account , S. James was dead above 27 years before S. Clement ( who wrote a 〈◊〉 Epistle to him ) came to the Chair : For before he was Pope he might write an Epistle , but not a Decretal Epistle .

Cletus ( saith Binius ) was by S. Irenaeus , Ignatius , and 〈◊〉 , called 〈◊〉 , which Baronius thinks was a mistake among the Greeks , 〈◊〉 by the Errour of Writers and Libraries . What shifts will a man be driven to by a desperate Cause ! Three of the best and most Ancient Fathers were cheated with the Errour of Writers and Libraries , concerning a mans Name that was alive , either not long before , or together with themselves . S. Irenaeus and Ignatius are extremely Ancient . Ignatius lived before Anacletus was Bishop of Rome , much more before his Name was put into Libraries , and much more yet , before it could be corrupted there by the mistake of Scribes and Writers . But such Errours of Writers and Libraries are a good hint , how capable they are of them , and how much the Church of Rome is acquainted with them .

Binius is at last terribly provoked with the nonsense of the Pontifical : for whereas it saith , Cletus was in the Church from the seventh Consulship of 〈◊〉 , and fifth of Domitian , to the ninth of Domitian , and the Consulship of Rufus ; that is , from the 78 year of Christ , to the 85. Binius speaking as if he were present , takes him up 〈◊〉 , Errorem igitur Errori addis , quisquis 〈◊〉 Pontificalis Authores , &c. Whoever thou be that art the Author of this Pontifical , thou addest Errour to Errour : For if Cletus began to sit in the forementioned Consulship , in the 78 year of Christ , how did he immediately succeed Linus , dying , as thou saidst , in the 69 year of Christ , Capito and Rufus being Consuls ? How wilt thou excuse a 9 years Interregnum in the Chair , made only by thy Authority contradicting it self ? How sayest thou that Cletus sate twelve years , whose continuance thou doest circumscribe by two Consulships , in the space of 7 years distant from themselves ? How , which is more intollerable and absurd , doest thou say , that Clement sate from the Consulship of Trachilus and Italicus , even to the third year of Trajan ; which is from the 70 year of Christ to the 102. and so to have administred the See 33 years , whom in his Life thou affirmest to have continued only 9 years ? Thus far Binius .

When Cato saw the Southsayers saluting one another in the Roman Market-place , he said , I wonder they can forbear laughing , to think how delicately they cheat the people ! Hence therefore , saith Binius , O Reader , thou mayest perceive on what Rocks he shall 〈◊〉 , whosoever shall suppose the writings of this Book to be taken up upon Trust , without any Inquisition ! Yet when the fit is over , in the very next line , he is at it again , THE LIFE , EPISTLES , AND DECREES OF CLEMENT , EX LIBRO PONTIFICALI DAMASI P. The Pontifical is ( afresh ) ascribed to Damasus : For Friends may quarrel , without falling out eternally . But if they are so angry , what make they together ? What have Scholars to do in so scandalous a Fellows Company ? Why of all Books in the World do they take this to follow ? All of them from Peter Crab to the Collectio Regia ? Why not the Grave , Sincere , and Learned ? Why not a true Record ? Why do they chuse a Counterfeit so full of lyes and contradictions ? It is the highest Symptom of a deadly cause , that they take such a Fellow to be their Copy to write after , their Text to gloss on , their Guide to follow . For all these gross mistakes are committed within the compass of some 30 or 40 lines , in four Lives of one hundred and six : And in every Life almost throughout , they are exercised in the same manner . If this be the best Record they can find for the purpose , and all their Antiquities be like this , they are as mouldy and rotten as can well be desired .

CAP. XVI . Of the Decretal Epistles forged in the Names of the first holy Martyrs and Bishops of Rome The first was sent ( as they pretend ) from S Clement , by S. Peter's order , to S. James the Bishop of Jerusalem , seven years after he was dead ; and by the best Account 27. S. Clement's Recognitions a corsessed Forgery .

TO stumble in the Threshold is Ominous : If the first of all the Decretals be a Forgery , it is a leading Card to the residue .

Binius his Title , and the Text of the Pontifical , is represented thus .

THE LIFE , EPISTLES , AND DECREES OF POPE CLEMENT I. Out of the Pontifical of Pope DAMASVS .

He made two Epistles that are called Canonical . This man , by the Precept of S. Peter , undertook the Government of the Church ; as by Jesus Christ our Lord the Chair was committed to him . In the Epistle which he wrote to S. James , you shall find after what manner the Church was committed from S. Peter . Linus and Cletus are therefore recorded to be before him , because they were made Bishops by the Prince of the Apostles himself , and ordained to the 〈◊〉 Office before him .

NOTES . ( After the Method of Binius . )

He made two Epistles called Canonical . ] These words are adapted to the 84th Canon of the Apostles , where two Epistles of Clement , and his eight Books of Ordinations , are made parts of the Canonical Scripture .

In the Epistle which he wrote to S. James ] Here the Pontifical openly voucheth his Epistle to S. James ; which Binius afterwards tells you was written to Simeon . If the Pontifical be right , Binius was overseen , in saying , the name of S. James crept by corruption into the Title of the Epistle , for that of Simeon . The Tales do not hang together .

They were made Bishops by the Prince of the Apostles , &c. ] You understand here , that S. Peter out of his superabundant care for the Church , made three Bishops of Rome in his own life time : So that Rome had four Popes at once , S. Peter , S. Clement , S. Linus , and S. Cletus . Some think that Linus and Cletus were S. Clement's Adjutants in External Affairs : Some , that they succeeded each other in order : Some , that they presided over the Church together . Some say , that Clement out of modesty refused the Chair , till he was grown older belike . It is a world to see , what a variety and puzzle they are at in this matter : The confusion springeth from two causes : The first is the obscurity of the State of Rome in the beginning : The second is the ignorance of the Forger that made S. Clement's Letter to S. James : For happening so heedlesly to Father it on S. Clement , he has made all the Story inconvenient . S. Clement saith not one word of refusing the Chair in his Epistle , nor of Linus and 〈◊〉 coming between him and it ; but 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 fair Hypocritical shew , 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 to S. James , that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by S. Peter , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Whereupon , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will have this Epistle to be a good and true Record , are forced of necessity to say , that S. Peter did himself ordain Clement , though they very well know that Linus and Cletus , or Anacletus , were both in their Order Bishops before him . For a sure Token , either that the Church of Rome was little considered in the dawning of the Gospel , or that their ignorance marred her Officious Impostors , nothing is more obscure and doubtful than the order and manner of her first Bishops . The Pontifical undertakes to reconcile all ; and does it luckily , were it not that it contradicts it self : For he saith of Clement , that he undertook the Government of the Church by the precept of Peter And yet of Linus and Cletus it saith , they are recorded to be before him , because by the Prince of the Apostles they were made Bishops before him .

Be that a contradiction or no , it was neither Linus nor Cletus it seems , but Clement who writ the Epistle to S. James about the death of Peter .

He made many books . ] Binius upon those words observes , that before his Epistles he wrote the Constitutions of the Apostles , &c. He did not make , but write the Apostles Canous in Greek , &c. It is much he did not make them , for the Coronis of them , as Nicolinus calleth it , hath by me Clement in it ; and for ought I know a Pope that hath the fulness of power Apostolical , may make Apostles Canons at any time . It is an odd observation , He did not make , but write the Apostles Canons .

Among his other Monuments ( saith Binius ) there are ten books of the circuits of Peter ; which by some are called , The Itinerary of Clement , by others his Recognitions : Which since they are stuffed with Loathsome Fables , and the Fathers abstained from the use of them , as Gelasius also in a Roman Council rejected them for Apocryphal ; all wise men will advisedly abstain from reading them . It is a Tradition , that Clement left the Rite of offering Sacrifice to the Church of Rome in writing . It is reported also , that many pieces are falsly published under the Name of Clement .

Forgeries are ( you see ) thick and threefold in the Church of Rome : but this of Clement's Itinerary , which Binius disswadeth all men from reading , even ten Books , Cum insulsis fabulis reserti 〈◊〉 , since they are stust with loathsome Fables , I desire you to take special notice of ; because this Confession of his will discover him to be either a false man , or a Fool. It is a delicate Snare , and will detect S. Clement , and S. Binius together .

As for Binius , who defendeth the first Epistle of Clement to S. James for a good Record ; if he did read the Epistle , and note what he read , he was a false man for defending it against his Judgment and Conscience . He that so mortally hated the Itinerary of Clement , could not but know the Epistle to be Forged , if he read it with any diligent observation : If he trusted others , he was an unwise man , to be so confident in maintaining it , upon the report of those that read and transcribed it for him : For their inadvertency hath deceived him .

For S. Clement himself ( if that Epistle be his ) owneth the Forgery of S. Clement's Itinerary , which Binius so extremely abhorreth . It must needs be a Forgery therefore , because in this case , nothing but a Forgery can defend a Forgery : no Author ( if a Saint ) acknowledging those Forgeries for his , which he never made .

After a long Oration which S. Clement fendeth to S. James , in that Epistle out of S. Peter's mouth , concerning the Dignity and Excellency of the Roman Chair , he has these words , speaking of S. Peter .

When he had said these things in the midst before them all , he put his hands on me , and compelled me ( wearied with shamefacedness ) to sit in his Chair . And when I was sate , again he spake these things unto me : I beseech thee , O Clement , before all that are present , that after ( as the Debt of Nature is ) I have ended this present S. Peter's order about the 〈◊〉 ary . life , thou wouldst briefly write to James , the Brother of our Lord , either those things that relate to the beginning of thy Faith , or those thoughts also which before thy Faith thou hast born ; and after what sort thou hast been a companion to me from the beginning , even to the end of my Journey , and my Acts ; and what , being a Solicitous Hearer , thou hast taken from me disputing through all the Cities ; and what , in all my preaching , was the order either of my words or actions : as also what End shall find me in this City , as I said ; all things being ( as thou art able ) briefly comprehended , let it not grieve thee to destine unto him : Neither fear , that he will be much grieved at my End , since he will not doubt but I endure it for piety . But it will be a great solace to him , if he shall learn , that no unskilful man , or unlearned , and ignorant of the Discipline of 〈◊〉 Order , and the Rule of Doctrine , hath undertaken my Chair : For he knows , if an unlearned or an unskilful man take upon him the Office of a Doctor without , the Hearers and Disciples being involved in a Cloud of Ignorance , shall be drowned in destruction .

Wherefore I my Lord James , when I had received these precepts from him , held it necessary to fulfil what he commanded , informing thee both concerning these things , and briefly comprehending , concerning those , which going through every City , he either uttered in the word of preaching , or wrought in the vertue of his deeds . Though concerning these things I have sent thee 〈◊〉 , and more fully described already , at his command , under that very Title which he ordered to be prefixed ; that is , Clementis Itinerarium , The Itinerary of Clement , not the preaching of Peter .

In these words he telleth us , how S. Peter taking his leave of the World , placed him in his Chair , and by that Ceremony installed him in the Episcopal Throne in the presence of them all : What a charge he gave him in that moving circumstance of time , just before his piercing and bitter Passion , to write to S. James : How he ordered him to make an Itinerary of his Circuits throughout the World , and furnished him at the same time with the Materials and Title of the Book ; The Itinerary of Clement , not the preaching of Peter . S. Peter's modesty ( as is to be supposed ) giving the Honour of the Title , not to himself that was the Subject , but to the Author : How S. Clement , according to this commandment , had sent to S. James , not only this Epistle , but the Book it self long before it ; wherein the Journeys and the Acts of Peter were more fully described : And the great care which S. Peter took , 〈◊〉 the dead man should be grieved , by the Solace he provided in the Tydings sent unto him , concerning the perpetual certainty of Skilfulness and Learning in all his Successors , securing at once both the Church , and his Chair , is very remarkable . All these things , out of the very Bowels of the Epistle , disgrace 〈◊〉 Chimera's of Binius and 〈◊〉 . For what Saint being well in his Wits , would tell the World , that S. Peter commanded him to make a Forgery , nay a putid Forgery , stussed with loathsom Fables ! S. James his Name is over and over in the body of the Epistle , not only in the Title . The Epistle was not sent to S. James by a Figure , but it plainly tells S. James , that he had sent him the 〈◊〉 before ; which consisting of ten books , must be some considerable time after S. Peter's Death in making , some time in going from Rome to Jerusalem , and some time must be 〈◊〉 in coming back with the Answer , that certified him of S. James his receiving it . After all which , this new Letter was written to S James , impertinently giving him an account of the same business : And yet all this while S. James was dead before S. Peter . For as Binius observes , S. Peter was put to Death in the thirteenth year of Nero , and S. James in the seventh .

The Compiler of this Epistle , finding S. Clements Itinerary extant in the World , several hundreds of years before himself , and being not aware of its unfoundness , took it up as a good Record , and so fitted the Epistle and Fable to the purpose in hand , being himself cheated with a Forgery , as many others are , and not expecting to be detected so clearly , as it hath since happened .

But to make the matter more absurd , they have a second Letter to S. James , De Sacratis 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 . Wherein he divides the Priesthood ( as Pius in his Decretal afterwards 〈◊〉 ) into three Orders , of Presbyter , Deacon , and 〈◊〉 : With what design I cannot tell , unless he would have us think the Pope the only Bishop . Wherein he also takes care about the Lords Body ; orders the Priests with what Ceremony of Fasting and Reverence it shall be consumed : Gives Commands about the Pall , the Chair , the Candlestick , and the Vail : speaks of the Altar , the Worship of the Altar , the Door-keepers , the Vails for the Gates , the covering of the Altar , &c. As if there were stately Temples , Attires , Ornaments , and Utensils , in those early days of poverty Persecution , when a Den or a Cave was both Sanctuary and Temple . Among other things , he orders that no man should through ignorance believe a dead man ought to be wrapt in a * * Clerke . Fryers Coul ; a Novel , superstitious Errour . All which he speaks out of the mouth of S. Peter , whom he calls the Father and Prince of the Apostles . In the end of the Letter , he denounces a Curse against all them that will not keep S. Peter's Commandments . So that Peter's Name , and Peter's Authority , is used for every thing appertaining to the Chair , and all the Apostles to be ordered by S. Peter's Successors , as S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of our Lord was .

CAP. XVII . Of Higinus and Pius , as they are represented in the Pontifical ; and of a notable Forgery in the name of Hermes : Where you have the Testimony of an Angel , concerning the Celebration of Easter , cited by no body , while the matter was in 〈◊〉 .

HIginus sate , saith the Pontifical , four years , three moneths , and four days . An. 184. Binius faith , He sate four years , except two days ; counterfeiting as much exactness as the other . If we should follow him in his Consuls , saith he , we should make Higinus sit twelve years .

But the Pontifical is guilty of a more arrogant and ambitious errour : The Hierarchy of the Church , it saith , was made by Higinus , to wit , the Order wherein Presbyters were inferiour to Bishops , Deacons to Presbyters , the people to Deacons . Binius mendeth it as well as he is able , interpreting it only of a Reformation of Collapsed Discipline . But it 〈◊〉 so exactly with the distinction before made in S. Clement's second Epistle , who will have the Priesthood divided into the Order of Presbyter , Deacon , and Minister , that the design seemeth deeper than so . He doth not say , the Hierarchy of the Church was corrected , but made by Hyginus : which strikes at the Root of Episcopacy ; as if it were not of Divine , but Humane Institution : and being made by the Pope alone , depended only on the Popes pleasure .

Binius is not able to name the time wherein the Discipline of the Church was ( in this respect ) corrupted so , as to need the Reformation pretended .

Next after Hyginus , the Pontifical An. 158. bringeth in Pius , an Italian , the Brother of a Shepherd . He sate nineteen years , four moneths , and three days , in the times of Antoninus Pius . Hermes his own Brother wrote a book , in which a Commandment was contained , given him by an Angel of the Lord , coming to him in the Habit of a Shepherd , that Easter should be observed on the Lords Day . This man ordained , that an Heretick , coming from among the Jews , should be baptized , & c ,

This Hermes , saith Binius , in his Notes on the place , is the same whom S. Paul mentioneth in his Epistle to the Romans . Salute Asyncritus , Phlegon , Hermas , Patrobus , Hermes , &c. He was at Mans Estate when S. Paul saluted him , and a very old man sure for a Writer of Books in the time of Pius .

Binius is not willing to have him so obscure as a Shepherd , but faith , He was called Pastor , either because he was of the Family of Junius Pastor , who in the third year of Aurelian was Consul , or more probably , because the Angel appeared to him in the form of a Shepherd . In this his Guess he is upon the brink of rejecting the Pontifical . Howbeit he quits it not of a Lye : for instead of nineteen years which the Pontifical giveth him , Binius faith , he sate but nine years . A small mistake in this Learned Pontifical .

Concerning the Book which Hermes the Shepherd wrote , he saith , It was almost unknown among the Latines , but very famous among the Greeks : Which was very strange , considering he was the Popes Brother : A Book made by so eminent a person , and so near home , unknown among the Latines ! But his meaning is perhaps , it was better known than trusted . For a little after he saith , The Latines esteemed it Apocryphal as Tertullian , Athanasius , and Prosper witness , and as Gelasius decreed ; Can. Sanct. Dift . 15.

Now because their unmannerliness doth refiect a little upon the Pope himself , who in his Decretal Epistle annexed , owns his Brother with an Honourable mention of the Angelical Vision ; Binius to display more Learning on the behalf of the Pontifical , and Pius his Decretal , tells you ; that the Book of the true Hermes Pastor , praised so much by Tertullian , Origen , Athanasius , Eusebius , Jerome , &c. is not now Extant . Which is evident ( he saith ) because in that we now have , there is no Mention at all of Easter . Nay the Author of it saith , he was admonished to deliver it to Clement the Pope , by whom it was to be sent to forreign Cities . They have as good Luck at Rome , as if they held Intelligence with Purgatorie . The Dead and they have as intimate a Correspondence , as if the Pope knew the Way to send his Bulls thither . Here is another Forgerie detected , by its Dedication to S. Clement who by no unusual Providence is served just in his own kind , for he disturbed S. James , and another disturbes him , in his Crave . Yet Binius is very much inclined to this Opinion , for from hence he gathereth , it was longè ante haec Tempora Scriptus , a Book written long before the time of Pius . As no doubt it must , if it be not the same that was praised by Tertullian , Origen , Athanasius , &c. For all Forgeries must be old and True , or they are not worth a farthing .

But how comes Tertullian and Athanasius , &c. to esteem it Apocryphal , and yet to praise it so much , in the same 〈◊〉 ? It is Binius his Breath , not theirs . They poor men are made like Stage players to say whatsoever the Poet listeth . Or else as Binius observes there were two Books of Hermes ( though it be double dealing thus to have two of a Sort : ) the one right , and the other Apocryphal .

But then Gelasius did very ill , there being two of a Sort , to condemn the one , and not tell us of the other . And so did Ivo . For this Pastor is one of the Catalogue we told you of in the Beginning .

But Binius has a fetch beyond this ; He teaches you a way , how to take both these persons for the same man : and what you may say in defence of your self , if you so do . However ( saith he ) if any one be disposed to take them for the same Author , Ex Sententiâ Illustriss . Card. Barona dicendum est , &c. He must necessarily say , as Baronius gives his Opinion , that they were two commentaries , written at divers times where of the first was more famous among the Greeks the later more obscure among the Latines . A brave Antithesis ! So that upon the point the Latines had none . The more obscure among the Latines was obscure every where ; the more famous among the Greeks and the more obscure among the Latines ! The Antathesis makes a shew of giving you some Solid matter , but when you grasp it in your hand , it turnes to Air. Unless perhaps you will learn thereby , that the more obscure among the Latines was a Book made in an instant , by a meer Conjecture and a pretty Mockery to gull the Reader , as a shadow at least of some proof that the Pontifical and the Decretals are not Lyars .

Among other Things their Allowances are considerable : for they are good honest reasonable men , and will let you think what you will of the Book , so you consent to the main , and believe the Popes Supremacy . And next that , their Art of Instruction is to be weighed , Whether it be true or no , no matter : If the Disciple can but defend himself by a Distinction , and escape the Conviction of an Absurdity , it is enough ; Bellarmine is at such Dicendums often . Though 't is a Secret among themselves , they teach their Disciples What to say , not What is True . But I thought we had been agreed before , that of these Hermes at least was a Forgerie .

It seems . by Pope Pius his Letter , that Hermes was a Doctor , and not a Shepherd , for in these Days , he saith , Hermes a Doctor of the faith , and of the H. scriptures shined among us . Not of old , but in these Days . Yet it is pretended , that the Book of old was by some order from on high , to be delivered to Clement the Pope , by whom it was to be sent to forreign Cities . Notwithstanding all their Contrivance , there Wit failes them sometimes , that are so accustomed to Lying . They have so many Irons in the fire that some of them miscarry , whether they will or no.

Nevertheless that Hermes received this Commandment from the Angel Tertullian witnesseth , in his third Book of verses against Mareion saith Binius . I have not heard much of Tertullian's Poetrie . I have his Works , put forth with the Notes of Beatus Rhenanus , and cannot find any such verses among them . If he hath ? all that Binius pretendeth out of them , is that Hermes spake Angelical Words ; Therefore he saw the Angel .

Pius in his Decretal Epistle applieth this Scripture , Not holding the Head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred , and knit together , increaseth with the increase of God , ] to the Pope of Rome . Whereupon , he saith , We instruct you all by our Apostolical authority , that you ought to observe the same Commandments , because we also observe the same . And ye ought not by any means to divide from the Head .

The Commandment was given to Hermes by an Angel . Whereupon Pope Pius after the first complement , beginneth very unluckily with forbidding the Religion or worshipping of Angels . Whereas upon this occasion some eminent matter ought to have been spoken concerning Angels . But because of the words following , he puts them together . Let no man beguile Colos. 2. 18 , 19. you of your reward in a voluntary humility of worshipping Angels , &c. Not holding the Head from which all the body by joynts and bands , &c. Where he taketh off the Eternal Head , and puts a New one on the Churches shoulders . For in these dayes Hermes a Doctor of the Faith and of the Holy Scriptures shined among us : And though we observed Easter on the foresaid day , yet because some doubted , for the confirming of their Souls , an Angel of the Lord appeared to the same Hermes in the shape of a Shepheard , and commanded him that the Passeover should be celebrated by all on the Lords day : Whereupon we also instruct you all by our Apostolical authority , that you ought to observe the same Commandments . ( Not because an Angel brought them , or GOD sent him ; but ) Because we also observe the same , and ye ought not by any means to divide from the Head . And because the business is to promote the Apostolical Authority above all the Angels , instead of extolling and magnifying them , which had been the natural method on such a Topick : as if he would enervate the evidence of the Angel , he biddeth them take heed , and that diligently , least any one seduce you , by any Astrology , or Philosophy , or vain Fallacy , according to the tradition of men : after the Rudiments of this World , and not after Christ's and true Tradition . As if no more heed were to be given to an Angel , than to an Asse , unless the Pope first approved the Vision : Nor is Philosophy , nor the Tradition of men , nor any thing else to be valued in opposition to him , and his true Tradition ; for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily : that ye may be repleat in him , who is the Head of all Principality and Power , and who bath commanded this Apostolical See , to be the Head of all Churches , saying to the Prince of the Apostles , Thou art Peter , and upon this Rock will I build my Church .

What it is to walk after Christ and true Tradition , you may see Cleerly , by this Glos , upon our Saviours Text. They that do not hold the Head , from which all the Body by Joynts and Bands having nourishment ministered , and knit together , increaseth with the increase of God , are in extream peril of damnation . And our Saviour who is the Head of all Principality and Power , hath commanded this Apostolical See to be the Head of all Churches ; Therefore , Whosoever holdeth not to this Head is in extream peril of damnation . For the Pope is not the Head of all Principality and Power in himself , but only by Derivation he is made the Head , &c. And consequently , 't is as necessary to cleave unto him as to Christ himself . Since he in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth Bodily , dwelleth in his Vicar , even as S. Peter does in like manner . So that all Angels and 〈◊〉 of men , Reason , Philosophy &c. 〈◊〉 but feeble Threeds for him that hath 〈◊〉 Potestatis , the fulness of Power , and may open the Kingdom of Heaven to whom he will

It is a Cross Observation to note the little Authority of the Popes Custome . For though it it was the Practice of all the Roman Church to Keep Easter in such a manner before , yet some doubted , that is , all the Eastern Churches were of another Easeb. Opinion : till an Angel came to teach them otherwise . Yet when he came , he must not be believed for his own sake , but the Popes : nor be obeyed for himself : so jealous was the Pope of his Apostolical Authority .

How weak both the Popes Authority and the Angels were , ( which thus mutually needed each others assistance ) appeareth by the Event , for notwithstanding the Testimony of Pius and the Angel , this Controversy was left undetermined till the Nicene Council .

It continued above 150 years after Pope Pius his days . Yet through all that considerable Tract of time , this Testimony of the Angel was cited by no Body . Only as Ovid makes use of the 〈◊〉 , and his Crowing in the Morning , to introduce the fable of Alector ; this wicked Pius maketh use of this Controversy , for the fable of the Angel . But it was a little Suspicious that the Angel should appear to no body but the Popes Brother , and the matter be published by no body but the Pope himself . It smelleth of the Forge out of which it came , being proved by the Pontifical of Pope Damasus

CAP. XVIII . A Letter fathered on Cornelius Bishop of Rome in the year 254. concerning the Removal of the Apostles Bones : giving Evidence to the Antiquity of many Popish Doctrines , but is it self a Forgery .

THe forgery made in the Name of Pius , is fitted to the year 158. You shall now see one made in the Name of Cornelius Bishop of Rome in the year 〈◊〉 54. 100. years after the former excepting four . Not as if there were no forgeries between this and that , there is scarce a year upon which they have not fastned something , but should we trace them all , through the weary Length of so many Ages , our Travail would be Endless . We have chosen one , or two , as Exemplars of the residue .

THE FIRST EPISTLE Of Cornelius the Pope . Concerning the Translations of the Bodies of Peter and Paul , &c.

〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 to his Dear and most Beloved 〈◊〉 , the Sons or the Holy Church of God , and to all them that serve our Lord in the right Faith .

Considering the 〈◊〉 of your Charity , because ye are Lovers of the Apostles and hold 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Doctrine , I determined 〈◊〉 write unto you , ( the Lord being the Author ) some of those things which are at this time necessary to be Known , and which the Lord assisting , by the Merits of the Apostles , were lately done among us in the Church of Rome , or are now in Doing . Because Charity patreniring , I believe with fatherly Grace , ye willingly receive 〈◊〉 Writings of the Apostolical See , and preform the Commandments of the same , and 〈◊〉 in the Increases thereof . Because whosoever engrasses himself in the root of Charity , neither 〈◊〉 of Greatness ,

( nec a fructibus inanes eis ) nor waxes vain from fruit , neither does he by Love lose the Efficacious Work of fruitfulness . For Charity it self does exercise the Hearts of the faithful , corroborates their Senses , that nothing seemeth Grievous , nothing difficult , but all is easy which is done ; while its property is to nourish Concord , to keep the Commandments , to joyn things disleyered , to correct Evil things , and to consolidate all other vertues by the Bulwark of its perfection .

Wherefore I 〈◊〉 you to rejoyce with us , because by the Entreaty of a certain devout Woman , and most noble Matron Lucina , the bodies of Peter and Paul were lifted out of the Catatumbae . And first of all , the Body of the Blessed Paul was carried with Silence and put in the Grounds of the foresaid Matron , in the Ostiensian Way , neer to that Side where he was beheaded . But afterwards we received the Body of the Blessed Peter , the Prince of the Apostes , and decently placed it neer the place where he was crucified , among the Bodies of the H. Bishops , in the Temple of Apollo , in the golden Mountain , in the Vatican of Nero's palace ; the third day of the Ca ' end , of July : praying God and our Lord Jesus Christ , that these his holy Apostles interceding , he would purge away the Spots of our Sins , and keep you in his Will all the dayes of your Life , and make you perseverable in the Fruit of Good works . But see that ye rejoice together for these things : Because the Holy Apostles themselves also rejoice together for your joy . Praise ye God alwaies , and he shall be glorified in you . For it is written , What shall I return unto the Lord , for all he hath returned to me ? I will take up the Cup of Salvation , and call upon the Name of the Lord .

In this first part of the Epistle concerning the Translation of the Bodies of the B. Apostles , Peter and Paul , the Pope does you to wit of his wonderful kindness and charity to the Dead , as also of his devotion and reverence towards the Relicks of such glorious Saints .

Wherein first of all , he would have his gratitude towards those blessed Founders of the Roman See made conspicuous , it being a thing meet to be published all the World over , as it is in most solemn manner here , by Decretal Epistle . 2. He does intimate the veneration due to Relicks , especially those of such glorious Saints , as Peter and Paul . 3. He gives us to know that the Translation of their Bodies from one Grave to another was a matter of such moment , that it was Quaedam ex his quae 〈◊〉 temporis necessaria 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , A thing , in these dayes , necessary to be 〈◊〉 . 4. That the merits of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God to assist and 〈◊〉 the Church of Rome in all her Doings . 5. That God was the Author of those things which he wrote unto them : 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 saith , Decrevivobis seribere , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 6. That all the World did even in Cornelius daies , and upward , to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 S Clement and S. Peter , Script 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apostolicae libenter 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Writings of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , obey its commands , and 〈◊〉 in its increases . For the Roman Church 〈◊〉〈◊〉 increasing in Tradition , Doctrine , Wealth , &c. 7. That Love is so excellent an ingredient , that like Salt it must 〈◊〉 all things , especially this Ppistle , Because it 〈◊〉 a multitude of faulrs : The 〈◊〉 of it otherwise comes in very 〈◊〉 , as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Story of removing the 〈◊〉 bones .

The Epistle 〈◊〉 many other 〈◊〉 even in this little part of it : As that 〈◊〉 Saints are to rejoice for any benefit done to the Church of Rome : That the bodies of the most blessed Apostles being too dishonourably buried before , turned to the greater joy of the Church , which otherwise had lost this occasion of Festivity . If you ask , how it was possible they should be interred so gloriously in the days of Decius a bloudy Persecutor ? It was at the intreaty of Lucina , a noble Matron , of which kind there are some alwayes that have a great influence in the Church of Rome . That Peter was buried in the Golden Mountain as a presage of his Successors glory . That the Bishops of Rome , were even in the Height of Paganisme ( and Idolatry ) buried in the Temple of Apollo : That Peter was buried in three or four places at once : among the Bishops of Rome , in the Temple of Apollo , in the Golden Mountain , and in the Vatican of Nero's Palace ; a little before Cornelius his Martyrdome , on the 3. of the Kalends of July .

If you will not believe this , consider yet further , the holiness of Cornelius affirming it . For while he was settling these Holy Bodies , he , and the Saints of the Church of Rome with him , prayed God and our Lord Jesus Christ , that upon the Intercession of those Holy Apostles , he would purge away the Sins of all them to whom he wrote ; the Merits of the Apostles , and especially the Intercession of those that sate in the Roman Chair being established 1450 years ago , by the Decretal Epistle of Cornelius : The Vision of the Apostles , and their knowledge of things done upon Earth is intimated sufficiently , together with the Principality and Piety of the Church of Rome , that was ever a Loyer of the Saints , and a Worshipper of their Relicks . Way is made too for Praying to Saints departed : 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . this Part of the Epistle ending with that notable Passage 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , What shall I give unto the Lord for all his Benefits towards me ? I will take up the Cup of Salvation , and call upon the Name of the Lord . Which shews the honourable use they make of the Scriptures .

Now if you enquire , Whether this Epistle be Authentick ? you sin against the Doctrine of Implicit faith , and highly Scandalize the Church of Rome . For can any man be so wicked , as to believe that Cornelius , or any other Pope should counterfeit COD to be the Author of a Counterfeit ; or return such Solemn praises for a feigned Deliverance ; or write Publick Admonitions to all the Churches in the World concerning a Lie ; or abuse the Holy Scriptures ; and make nothing of Love , but a pretext to patch up , and cover Forgery ? Yet let us hear what Binius and Baronius say concerning these Matters . For though the Epistle be never so formally set down , and a Lie written in the Top , both of the Epistle , and the Page , Cornelii Papae Epistola 1. And again , The sirst Epistle of Pope Cornelius : yea , though Binius saith in his Notes on this Epistle , that S. Jerom witnesseth Cornelius to have written many Epistles ; and that this therefore is undeservedly taxed for its faith and authority , which has gotten so famous a Witness as Jerom. Yet after all this , ( though ( among other Circumstances of Importance ) it hath been laid down as a Good Record by Binius his Ancestors ) he saith , That it doth attribute to Cornelius the Translation of the H. Bodies of Peter and Paus from the Catatumbae , ( which is , if I mistake not , from the meaner Graves of the Common people ) Id ex Libri Pontificalis Erroribus in Epistolam irrepsisse , probabile , &c. That that crept in into this Epistle , from among the Errours of the Pontifical , seemeth probable . For more truly that Translation happened in the first Age , a little after their Passion : As by the testimony of S. Gregory the Pope we demonstrated above .

Surely the feet upon which this Peacock stands , are very Black . The pride of Rome is founded like that of the great Whore , on the waters at least , if not in the mire .

If you examine What , or Where this Testimony of S. Gregory is , that overthroweth this Epistle of Cornelius , a Person much more Ancient and Authentick than himself ; and with what Circumstances , or with what form of words Binius maketh use of the same ? Let your patience turn to Binius his Notes on those Words in the Pontifical , Hic Temporibus , &c. in the Life of Cornelius , and there it shall be satisfied .

CAP. XIX . The ridiculous Forgery of the Council of Sinuessa , put into the Roman Martyrologies . How the City , and the name of it was consumed , ( though when , no man can tell ) by an Earthquake .

MARCELLINVS the Bishop of An. 296. Rome entered on his See about the year 296 in the dayes of Dioclesian . The Pontifical in the Life of Marcellinus telleth us , that he offered incense to an Idol , to escape the wrath of the Emperour .

Binius saith , When Marcellinus the Roman Pontisex was therefore accused , because in the Temple of Vesta and 〈◊〉 , he burnt incense , and offered Sacrifice to Heathen Images and Idols , to wit , that of Jupiter and Saturn ; 300 Bishops came together in the City Sinuessa , to pass their Sentence on the Fall of Marcellinus . The place of meeting was the Crypta Cleopatrensis , which fifty , one after another could enter , it not being able to contain them all , by reason of its straitness . After the discussion of the Cause , and condemnation of certain Priests , Marcellinus the chief Bishop , publickly confessing his Sin , 〈◊〉 Sackcloath , sprinckled with ashes , prostrate on the ground , acting Repentance , said , I have sinned before you , and cannot be in the Order of Priests : and so condemned himself by his own Sentence . ¶ After those of Magdenburg , the English Innovators reject this Convention of 300 Bishops , as if it were feigned by the Donatists . Because they think it improbable , that in this 20. year of Dioclesian , wherein the fiercest Flame of Persecution burned , and the Anger of the Emperours did rage more bitterly against the Christians , throughout all the Roman world , 300 Bishops should be assembled together , Bin. Not. in Vit. Marcellin .

By the way I must tell you , that the English do upon several accounts , besides that of the Persecution reject this Council of Sinuessa , however it pleaseth Binius to ease himself of labour , by mentioning only that . Neither do they fasten it on the Donatists , but the Papists . For though Marcellinus be made a Donatist in opinion , his Confession being founded on that Doctrine , that no man guilty of mortal sin , can ( though penitent ) continue in the Order of Priests : Binius himself puts the Doctrine into his mouth : while other Doctrines relating to the Popes Supremacy , and other Persons defending this Council , shew plainly enough whose it is , notwithstanding the present Mist which Binius putteth before our eyes . Hear him on .

But if no fear of the Persecution of Decius , saith he , could hinder them , but that about sifty years before this , as we said in our Notes of the Roman Council held in the Interregnum , many Bishops of the Remoter Provinces , and many others neighbouring on Italy , and living in hanishment , came together upon the Letters of the Roman Clergy , at Rome , and holding a Council there , ordained those things , which the present necessity of the Church did require : Why should it seem more distant from the truth , that by the most vigilant care of the Roman Clergy , the Bishops of Forreign Churches should be called together by Circular Epistles , and no fear or Danger of Life deterring them , meet at the time and place appointed , to transact and decide that cause , of all other the most deplorable , in which not only the Roman Church , but the whole Christian Religion was brought into the greatest Hazard , wherein the whole Foundation of the Church was shaken , in the first Bishop of the Catholick Faith , and almost utterly overthrown ?

Binius you see confesseth the Truth , that Mercellinus did offer Incense 〈◊〉 an Idol : and that the Gates of Hell had well nigh prevailed against S. Peters Chair , in the Idolatry of his Apostate Successor . That therefore they might imitate God , though the perverse way , in bringing Good out of Evil : the matter is so neatly ordered , that the Ball reboundeth higher by its Fall ; the Weakness of Marcellinus increases the Popes power , and his Disgrace is turned to his Greater Glory . His slip is made the establishment of all his Successors . For a Council of 300. Bishops is raised up , by the Invention of the Papists , which do all of them most humbly beseech the Cuilty Pope to condemn himself , and Decree with one Consent , that the Sovereign Bishop of the City of Rome can be condemned by no body . For out of thine own mouth thou shalt be justified , and out of thine own mouth thou shalt be condemned . It is an important Point : and no witness fit to be lost , that giveth Testimony thereunto .

Concerning this Council therefore , on the Words Act a Omnia . The saith , Though exceeding many among the most learned of men , have endeavoured to prove those Acts to be Spurious , and of no weight , truly by Strong Arguments , and would esteem it as no other than a Device of the Donatists , cunningly contrived that the Name of Marcellinus , well accepted of among all the Ancients , and had in great Esteem , should be defamed : We nevertheless conceive the same Acts , to be not only not Commentions , or forged , to be ascribed to the Donatists ; but rather to be had in great Veneration , both because venerable Antiquity it self fighteth Sharply for them , compelling a Reverence even from the unwilling by its majesty : and because by the Common Assent of all , being believed , it hath hitherto been received , and without all Controversy maintained in the Ancient Martyrologies and Breviaries both of the Roman , and other Churches . Baron . In Append. Tom. 10. Ad hunc Annum .

Note here , that as Surius , and Binius and Baronius , so even the Roman Church hath it self received this Council into her purest Records , her Sacred Martyrologies , and Mass-books , or Breviaries . Which is a reason above all other reasons , compelling Binius and his fellowes , Baronius , Labbe , and the Collectio Regia , to embrace this Council . For it cannot be rejected without Prejudice to the Authority of the Roman Chair . Which as it clears the Donatists from the pretended imputation , discovers plainly who are the true Authors of this Council .

For though it be more than probable , that some pitiful barren Head , void of all Sence and Learning , did at first compose it , out of the affection he had to the See of Rome : Yet as in Treason all are Principals , so here the Receiver is as bad as the Thief . The Roman Church by aiding and abetting this Abomination , hath made it her own : Be it forged in what empty Shop it will , she hath magnified it to the Stars , by fixing it in her Martyrologies : The Chair is defiled with the Forgery it hath adopted : and the Pope hath made it as much his , as if it had been the Issue of his own Brain .

Being therefore it cannot now be deserted , without discovering the shameful secrets of the Roman Church ; Binius like a good Son endeavours to maintain it : but with such ill success , that he shames her more by miscarrying in the enterprize .

First he saith , Exceeding many among the most learned of men , have endeavoured to prove those Acts to be spurious . By these most learned of Men he means the Papists , not the Protestants : So that exceeding many of the most learned Papists have rejected that Council ; lest the Chair should be too much disgraced with the reproach of Marcellinus . 2. He saith , They have endeavoured to prove these Acts to be spurions , truly by strong Arguments . He confesseth the Arguments to be strong against it . And here he varies a little from himself : for besides the Persecution of Decius , there are Arguments and strong ones to , against this Council ; which he before concealed . Nor do the English Innovators only , but the Papists also , and the most learned among them write against it . What Arguments then doth Binius bring to defend it ? His Opinion , Antiquity , General Consent , and all resolved into the Roman Martyrology . As for the first , his Nevertheless I conceive , will not do , against strong Arguments . Antiquity , which is the second , stands upon other mens Legs , and speaks by other mens Mouths : She may be painted like a Woman , but is of neither Sex : And though Binius would perswade us , that She fighteth in person very sharply for the Council , you can see nothing but her Name , and his Talk of her Majesty . She wanted the tongue of the Learned , and is a dumb Champion . His General Consent is disturbed by those exceeding many most Learned men , of which he had 〈◊〉 before , that endeavonred to prove these Acts to be spurious . They come out of their Graves with strong Arguments , to disorder the common Assent of all , by which it is beleived ; to defile the Majesty of Antiquity , by which it is asserted , and to reprove Binius for a Lyar , who faith , that it hath hitherto been received , and without all Controversie maintained . Nor is he a Lyar onely , but contradicteth himself , and foolishly bewrayeth his design , while he shufles and cuts upon all occasions .

But perhaps you will say his meaning is , It is without all Controversie maintained in the Roman Martyrologies and Breviaries . That reserve be keeps for a 〈◊〉 , then , but it will not do . He might say , it was put in without all controversie , because the Roman Martyrologies and Breviaries were works of Darkness , made in Secret by the Popes Authority : But is it maintained without all controversie , when exceeding many of the most Learned Men endeavour to prove its Acts to be Spurious by strong Arguments ? Does veneralle Antiquity it self fight sharply for them , compelling a Beverence from the unwilling by its Majesty ; or is it by the common Assent of all believed ; when exceeding many endeavour to refute it ? As for the Roman Martyrologies , it is no wonder it should lie quiet in then . None were by but the Actors only when the Council was put in and if by dissembling the fraud , it be maintained there , it is no great business . But there it is , and that is sufficient .

For my part I could not have believed , that Binius or any other Sober man , could ever reckon such 〈◊〉 piece of Barbarism for a Council 〈◊〉 I not seen it with my own eyes in the Author . It is so much against all reason , that a thing so absurd should be owned , to the disgrace of all Martyrs , Synods , and Councils . And were it not for the 〈◊〉 of the wonder , the Roman Martyrologies , whose credit must be saved , it would be my lasting amazement .

Binius is so stiffe in defending this Council , that in the next words he chargeth ignorance on S. Augustine for not understanding it .

Love and Hunger will eat through stone walls . His Zeal for the Church of Rome , and its Direful necessity , makes him to defend this Council in the Roman Martyrologies , against an apparent falsehood in the bottom of it , against very many most learned men , against all the barbarous intollerable Nonsence and Tautologies therein , against the Killing Circumstance , that there was no such City or Crypta at least in the World , as well as against the Impossibility of calling it , on his own Principles ; Besides all which , the vanity of its Design , and the Absurdity of its meeting on such an occasion , is sufficient to detect it .

The Lye in the bottom of it is in those Words , Cum 〈◊〉 in Bello Persarum . This Council was convened , as the Title sheweth , when Dioclesian was in his War with the Persians . Upon these words Binius saith , Haec 〈◊〉 emendentur falsa sunt , &c. These Words be false unless they be mended : for since Eusebius , and divers others witness , that Dioclesian in this 20. Years of his Reign devested himself of the Empire , and which is more , two years before triumphed at Rome with his Collegue Maximianus , for having conquered the Persians ; how I pray you could 〈◊〉 this year be going forth with his Army against the Persians .

This is one reason more , for which the Writers of Magdenburg , and the English Innovators , as he is pleased to stile them , reject that Council . Another is contained in Binius his Notes on the word Sinuessa , num. ] So called from the City Sinuessa in a certain Crypta whereof , called Cleopatrensis , they came together secretly to shun the Sword of the raging Gentiles . For whereas men doubt , whether any such City was ever in the World , he proceedeth to tell us , that it is not to be admired at al , that there is no mention made either of this City , or such a Crypta , in any other Writers , nor at least the smallest memory of this Place to be found : Since we know that by great Earthquakes , not only mountains and plains have lost their Situation and Name , but the Desolation of some most ample Cities hath bin also made

It is an unlucky Chance that this City should be swallowed up by an Earth-quake : As ominous almost as the Burning of the Nicene Canons by the Arrians . That other Place have been lost we know : but no man knoweth that this City was lost , nor is the least memory of it to be found . Whereas such Strange Accidents being the 〈◊〉 Themes for the Trumpet of Famous such a Rarity had made it more remarkable , than if it had continued until this Day : Since Marvels chiefly busy the Pens of Historians . That they should be Silent , or its Name be shaken out of 〈◊〉 Books by an Earthquake , is the greatest Miracle Story doth afford .

Inserting the Notes of Peter Crab and Surius , he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another reason for which we reject that 〈◊〉 . Be pleased to look back on Peter Crab , and there you shall see his Premonition beginning thus , Because of the intolerable and too too grievous Depravation of the Copies , & c The Collectio Regia hath rejected the old ones , and for the smoother Convevance of that Council hath left them both out , and recorded only the false one that was made in their Stead . So may it come to pass in time , that all the Barbarismes shall be forgotten , and the well-mended but Spurious Copy be taken for the true Record . They reject the old one for their Nonsence , and we theirs for its Novelty .

Surius , whose Premonition to the Reader Binius reserveth till after the Council , yieldeth us another reason whereupon we refuse it . It is pretty to see the Hypocrisy wherewith he admires the Care and Diligence of its first Compilers , notwithstanding the Depravations and Corruptions of the same . For he telleth us , It seemed not good to the * Collector , to pass over these things for the forementioned Peter Crab Trifles , which our forefathers have with so much Labour and Diligence left us . That is ( when you pull of the mask , which Peter Crab the Collector , out of some idle Monk or other set on work by the Church of Rome , was pleased to record , for the interest of that Chair ) though those little Trifles , The in tolerable Difference and Depravation of the Copies would otherwise have hindered him . The reason why he defendeth it , moves us to reject it . For they , who being Zealous for the Bishop of Rome , conceit these things to be 〈◊〉 by those who rival the Apostolical See , as if it were unworthy of the Apostolical Chur , that in great a Bishop should be brought to so 〈◊〉 a Pass , as to Sacrifice 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seem little to remember how Peter Denial did not hurt him ; or that there is joy among the Angeis over one Sinner that repenteth ; or that this very Marcellinus afterwards constantly met his Death for the sake of Christ ; and according to the Proverb , sought manfully after he ran away . However it be , O Reader , we would not have that concealed from thee , which we have found in the Monuments of the Ancients , leaving the Truth of this to the Records themselves , and not prejudicating any mans Sentence by our Opinion . His Reason why it may be held for a good and true Record , is the safety of the Roman Chair not with standing it should be thought so . And one of the Reasons why we so greatly suspect them , is that very behaviour : The advantage of the Roman See being the only Touchstone among them , of Records and Forgeries . By this very example you see , that men as wise as Binius leave the Council Doubtful ; and by his Testimony you find that many Romanists renounce it : So may you discern by the Crookedness of their Rule , that they are fit to be suspected . It is a very great Secret and warily to be discovered , and that to none but friends ! but they that are zealous for the Bishop of Rome , shape their Opinions by their Affections . Some that are zealous , conceit those things to be feigned , because they think it unworthy of the Apostolical Chair , that so great a Bishop should sacrifice to Idols . While some of them , that are zealous too for the Bishop of Rome , because they remember how Peter's denial did not hurt him , and know that the fear of the former might easily be removed with pretences enow , think it better to retain this Council . For there is joy among the Angels for a Sinner that repenteth ; and Marcellinus's Martyrdome is as glorious to the Chair , as his Fall was disgraceful . The one are afraid of the Popes Infallibility , and because they think the Fall of Marcellinus in that respect too dangerous to be recorded , would suppress the Council : The other are zealous of the Popes Supremacy , and because they would exempt him from all Superiours , and make him uncapable of being judged by any , record the Council . And which is the Wisest , that is the Question : Not what is true , but what is expedient ? While their Judgments are formed not according to Things , but conveniencies .

Another reason why we reject this Council is because it containeth a Doctrine , which no true Record of Antiquity teacheth : but where with the Forgeries before laid open do extreamly abound . And here the behaviour of Surius is a little further to be noted . He avers that he found these things in the Monuments of the Ancients , and yet is so dasht , that he leaves the truth of them to the Records themselves . What Records , what Monuments , what Ancients can these be , that are fit to be suspected ? He will not prejudicate any mans Sentence by his opinion . Which is a piece of Liberality in a 〈◊〉 . that implies some extraordinary Cause not to be uttered

Another reason of our opposing it , is because it so notoriously wresteth the H. Scriptures . That Place which is spoken of the general Account , which all men must give at the Day of judgement , being applied in particular , to shew that no man may condemn the Pope . Out of thine own Mouth thou shalt be justified , &c. Which being the Sole foundation on which they lay any stress , is with somuch ridiculous Babling repeated , that it would turn a mans Stomack , and make him sick to peruse it .

But the Impossibility of the Thing is an Argument ad Hominem , that may perhaps be more convincing . For as they hold that no man may condemn a Pope , So do they hold that no man , but he , can call a Council . And though for Form-sake they ascribe the Power of Calling Councils , in the Vacancy of the See , to the Roman Clergy ; yet when a Pope is Alive , they utterly deny it to them , orany else : Because the Pope is Supreme , and be he Good or Bad , can be judged by none . By what Authority then did the Roman Clergy call this Council , before the Pope was judicially deposed . If the Roman Clergy take upon them to condemn him before he is heard , his Condition is worse than that of other men . If they presume to call a Council before he is condemned , they usurp his Authority , and act independently to the prejudice of the Chair , in such sort as was never heard of ; there being no President or Copy but this , of such a Proceeding . Though the Pope were a Criminal , yet every one must not judg him . I suppose they will Confess there have been many wicked Popes , yet while the Pope is a Pope , no man without his Authority may call a Council . The thing is impossible therefore in it self . For he must First be condemned , before a Council could be called to condemn him ; and before he could be condemned , the Council must be called . Which would seem among Protestants a Contradiction .

The Absurditie of the Plot , is another reason why we reject it . Three hundred Bishops in a persecution adventure their Lives to meet together , upon an unwarrantable Call before the Pope was convicted as a Criminal , and without knowing whether he would come to Judgment ; though certainly knowing that none could compel him , convene him before them . They produce one Day 14. Witnesses , another Day 44. And care is taken , according to the Decree of the Epilogus Brevis : to compleat the number of 72. Witnesses : And when all is done , they confesse they have no Power to condemn him . The Absurdities are not easily fathomed . How gross was it for the Roman Clergy to call a Council for the Deposing of a Pope , whom they before knew nothing could condemn but his own Sentence ? How absurd , for them to judg the Pope , whom they continually teach no man can judg ? How much more absurd for the Council to meet to depose him , who if he were pleased to declare their Sentence null , all was in vain ? It is just as if a Rebellions Parliament should meet on their own Heads , to call their King to account , upon pretence of his Crimes . If this be admitted , all must be Disorder and Confusion in Kingdom .

If his Ingenuity had led him to depose himself , without giving all these Bishops the trouble , he might have done it at home . That he wanted Ingenuity , his denial , of the Fact ( before the Council ) testifieth . Whereupon I wonder what brought him thither , or what Miracle made him stand before the Bar , at his Tryal ? But had he not denied the Fact , the Ceremony had been lost of producing seventy and two Witnesses . Which relation to the putrid Forgery of the Epilogus Brevis , as yet unmade , utterly mars the business .

The Council it self is the greatest evidence against it self in the World . If you please to give your self the trouble of reading it , either in Peter Crab , or Surius , or Nicolinus , or Binius , and compare it with the Letters of Pope Sylvester and the Nicene Council , recorded afterwards , you will find reason to believe the very same Dunce made them all . Those three being the absurdest pieces , that ever were seen with learned eyes .

For a Taste of this , take but the beginning of the two old pretended Originals , A. and C. to let go the third , which being made by latter men , is nothing to the purpose .

A. C. Dioclefiano & Maximiano Augustis . Cum multi in vitá suâ asperse 〈◊〉 suae vacillitate mentiebantur , ori 〈◊〉 dicentes , quod 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 vanitas super se sentirent , & ad Sacrificandum 〈◊〉 tempore multi inducerentur per 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Diis . Marcellinus itaque , &c. Cum multi in 〈◊〉 suâ aspersu mentis suae vacillitate 〈◊〉 , origine , dicentes , quod de eorum Superstitionem vanis super sentirent , & ad 〈◊〉 codem tempore multi 〈◊〉 per pecuniam ut 〈◊〉 Di is . Marcellinus itaque , &c.

Take which you will , and try to construe it ; you will find it impossible : yet in this Diaject he holdeth from end to end . Many things more we might speak , but we study brevity .

CAP. XX. Divers things premised in order , first to the Establishment , and then to the Refutation of Constantine's Donation ; the first by Binius , and the latter by the Author . The Forgeries of Marcellus , Pope Eusebius , and Binius opened .

MArcellus a Roman sate five years , six An. 304. moneths , and twenty one days , saith the Pontisical . He succeeded Marcellinus . There are two Decretal Epistles aseribed to him , and both counterfeit : The one is coneerning the Primacy and Authority of the Roman Church : the Other is written to Maxentius the Heathen Emperour , and a Tyrant . Concerning which last , Binius ( in his Notes upon it ) saith , Hanc Epistolam , Anno 308. Scriptam , Additamentum aliquod accepisse , Res Scriptae hic parùm sibi cohaerentes indicant . He holdeth it for a good Record ; but there are so many things inconsistent in it , that he fears it has taken a Dose , and confesseth that some things were put in by way of Forgery .

This is an easy way of defending . There was never any Deed forged , wherein the larger half , being directed purely according to form of Law , was not Good . But if for that cause , when it comes to be Scanned , the forger at every Detectionshould say , This was forged indeed , but the rest is good ; the Court would laugh at him : And this is Binius his present Case .

In the time of Marcellus there was a Council called at Eliberis , An. 305. where they forgot Binius his Council of Apostles at Antioch ; and among other Canons decreed this for one , Placuit Picturas in Ecclesiâ esse non debere . Ne quod colitur & adoratur , in Parietibus depingatur . They think it unlawful to put any Picture of what is adored , in the Church on the Walls . He takes much pains to pick this Thorn out of the Popes foot : but we leave him at his work , and proceed to

THE LIFE , EPISTLES , AND DECREES OF EVSEBIVS POPE , Out of the Pontifical of Pope Damasus .

Eusebius a Grecian sate nine years , four An 309. moneths , and three days . Binius proveth , he could sit but two years , some moneths , &c. And whereas Eusebius saith , the Cross was found in his days , and Fathers the Invention of it upon one Judas , converted thereupon , and called ( at his Baptism ) Quiriacus ; though he names the day of the moneth exactly , the fifth of the Nones of May , and instituteth and Holy-day thereupon ; yet is all this rejected by Binius for a Fable . For by the consent of all Ancient Writers , saith 〈◊〉 , the Cross was found after the Nicene Council , by Helena the Mother of Constantine the Great . Howbeit , there is a very formal Epistle to the Bishops of 〈◊〉 and Campania , in the name of 〈◊〉 , devoutly abusing H. Scripture , exalting Piety , and the Popes Chair ; till at last it decrees an Holy-day for this happy Invention , solemnly enjoyn'd by the Authority of this Roman Catholick and Apostolical Bishop , though all this be as very a Cheat as any of the former . Binius has a cure for this too , but a very course one : This part of the Epistle we confess to be counterfeit . Vid. Bin. in loc.

Melchiades an African sate three years , An. 311. eleven moneths , and eight days . Binius saith , two years , &c. And reprehends the Pontificals Confusion , which I shall not 〈◊〉 to mention , having greater matters 〈◊〉 .

〈◊〉 his time Constantine the first Christian Emperour arose : Concerning whom the Pontifical is silent in the time of Melchiades , having need of him in that of 〈◊〉 : but Binius gives us this little Abstract of his History here .

After an Interval of seven days . Octob. 3. 〈◊〉 . Christ . 311. in the third year of the Emperour 〈◊〉 , Melchiades began to sit . In his time , six moneths from the return of Peace to the Church being searcely past , 〈◊〉 in the East , being Emperour with Licinius , stirred up a most grievous Persecution against the Christians , whom he called the Firebrands , and the Authors of all the Evils in the World . Euseb l. 9. c. 6. Maxentius in the West oppressed the Empire with a grievous 〈◊〉 : But Constantine his Fellow Emperour that Reigned with him in the West , as Licinius Reigned with Maximinus in the East , being stirred up partly by injuries , and partly by the prayers of the Romans , resolved to suppress the Tyrant . When therefore he designed the War , he despised the Aids of the Heathen Gods , and determined in himself to implore only the Creator of Heaven and Earth , whom his Father Constantius adored . It happened therefore that while he was praying for Prosperity , he saw at Mid-day the Sign of the Cross , made with Beams of Light , appearing in the Heavens ; in which these words were manifestly contained , IN HOC VINCE . The Explication whereof when he had learned from our Lord Jesus Christ appearing to him in his sleep , and from his Priests ; he undertakes the War against Maxentius , and happily conquers him . Which Victory being gloriouly gotten , in acknowledgment that it came from that One Invisible and Immortal God , he erected a Trophy of the Cross in the midst of the City , with this Famous Motto : HOC 〈◊〉 ARI SIGNO , VERO FORTITUDINIS INDICIO CIVITATEM VESTRAM TYRANNIDIS JUGO LIBERAVI . Under this Saving Sign , the true Mark of Fortitude , I freed your City from the Yoke of Tyranny . And as a man fest Token of his Liberality and Piety , he gave to Melchiades the Publick House in the Lateran , which heretofore was the Palace of Fausta the Empress . Opt. Mil. He restored the Goods of the Church , gave great Priviledges and Immunities to the Clergy , and made a Decree , that they should be maintained at the Publick Charge .

In the latter end of this first Tome , Binius has a long Record of Gelasius Cyzicenus , in fair Greek and Latine , who being a very Ancient Author , confirms all these things , shewing the madness of Maximinus , and his destiuction , the building of Churches , the evil manners of Licinius , the Victory which the Religious Emperour obtained against that Wicked man , the Peace of the Churches after Licinius his Death , and the several ways whereby the good Emperour promoted the Christian Affairs .

Yet as if all this were a Dream , the Scene is immediately overthrewn ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tyraat , a Murderer , an Oppressor , a Persecuter of the Church , and smitten with Leprosie from Heaven ! namely for his great abominations : Licinius is innocent , and unjustly slain ; but Constantine is made the Destroyer of peace . For in the Life of Sylvester the next Bishop after Melchiades , the Pontifical saith , he was banished into the Mountain Soracte . Upon which words , Binius further saith , that Sylvester searing the cruelty of the Emperour , fled from the City , as his own Acts , and Zozimus , and Sozomen do probably shew .

As for Sylvesters Acts so simply and freely cited here , meerly to cheat the Reader , he afterwards * * Bin. Not. in Constant. Edict . confesseth them to be a Forgerie . And as for Zozimus and Sozomen : those Words , [ Do probably shew . ] shew Binius to be a Sophister . He would fain have father'd the Story upon Zozimus and Sozomen : but his Courage sailed him : for they speak not expresly , but Probably shew ; that is , in his conceit , they give him colour enough to side with a Cheat , a Forger , a Lyar , a notorious Counterfeit , Damasus , against all the true Antiquities and Histories in the World . The positive Relation of Eusebius Pamphilus an holy Father in the Niceue Council , that lived in those times , the Records of Gelasius Cyzicenus that ancient Author , and Nicolinus , the late Compiler of the Councils , that commend Eusebius as the most faithful witness among Ecclestastical Writers , being palpably contradicted , while Zozimus the Heathen is favoured in some dark expression , wherein his Envy tempted him to carp at the Emperour ; because he was next under God , the Author of so much Peace and Felicity amongst the Christians . As for Sozomen he was a Christian indeed , but too late an Authot to contend with Eusebius and Gelasius 〈◊〉 . Neither does Binius say he positively avers any such thing , but probably shews either a 〈◊〉 or a Fernbush ; Some frailty perhaps which proves Consiantine a Man : but Binius should have produced clear Testimonies , as sound and authentick as the former , if he meant to swim against all Antiquity , in disgracing so glorious an Emperour , positively affirming him to be guilty of Murder , and Paricide , Apostacy , and Idolatry , Persecution , &c.

Binius acteth his part too far : for , is ( as he saith ) Constantine counterfeited himself to be an Heathen only to satisfic the People ; his great munificence , and kindness to the Christians having imbittered the Multitude , so far , that it almost brake out into a Rebellion : for the appeasing of the Sedition therefore , he dissembled his Religion , upon Temporal Considerations , for which God was provoked , Certainly he could never hope to be cured of his 〈◊〉 , by going in earnest to the Heathen Priests and their Idols , as Binius pretendeth , when he was so deeply humbled , and in danger of Destruction .

But this whole pretence is overthrown , and the Genius of the Man more clearly 〈◊〉 in the passage following .

In 〈◊〉 Life of Marcellus with which we began the Chapter , and which was some years before this pretended necessity , he telleth us that Maxentius , who studied to possess himself of the Tyranny of Rome , at his first entrance into the Roman Empire , feigned himself craftily to embrace our Faith ; thereby to please the Roman people , and to take them with his 〈◊〉 , for which cause he remitted the 〈◊〉 against the Christians : and put on 〈◊〉 a shew of Prety , that for a time he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Courtesie , Love , and Humanity . This he proveth out of 〈◊〉 . l. 8. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . But for a purpose of which 〈◊〉 was not aware : his design being hereby to justifie the Counterfeit Epistle of Marcellus , and to palliate the absurdities therein contained , the Popes ranting so foolishly out of the Bible , and threatning Maxentius the Heathen Emperour , with the Authority of his 〈◊〉 Clement ; While he was a Pagan 〈◊〉 . Now if Maxentius found it necessary to counterfeit himself a Christian , to please the People ; Constantine , who found the minds of men far more 〈◊〉 to Religion then Maxentius did , was by consequent , more engaged to appear a Christian , than 〈◊〉 was ; that so he might also please the People . But voluble Wits in partial Heads are bended easily to any Cause , they fancy for their advantage : Otherwise the Cross in the Heavens , the Trophies upon Earth , the prevailing glory of Christianity , the victories of Constantine , the joy and exultation of the people , and the general applause with which he was received throughout the whole World , would have taught Binius another Lesson , than Constantines necessity to counterfeit himself an Heathen , which is the meer Chymera of a lying Brain : for which he is not able to produce any one Author in the World , worth the naming .

He produces the Testimony of Eusebius concerning the necessity of Maxentius his counterfeiting himself to be a Christian , but Eusebius speaketh not one word of any necessity lying upon Constantine to counterfeit himself an Heathen : but the contrary , so far , that Binius , who had quoted Eusebius so gravely before , brandeth him with the Reproach of an Arrian , because he crosseth his design now about Constantines Donation .

For the Donation is founded on Constantines Cure , his Cure on his Leprosie , his Leprosie on his Apostacy , his Apostacy upon a Necessity to comply with the perverseness of the Heathen people , whose Power was of too great a sway for his Design in the Empire : All which is contradicted by the continual decaying of Heathenism that then was day by day , and the growth of Christianity , which had taken such root and possession in the People , that there needed nothing but the change of the Emperour , to turn the Empire into Christendom . But this Necessity must be invented : for else it would seem impossible that he should turn Pagan , after our Saviour had appeared to him in his sleep , after he had seen the Cross in the Air , after he had set it up in his Standard , aster all his Victories gotten under that glorious Banner , after he had erected its Trophy in the City , and made the World Glorious by his Munificence to the Churches .

For this Cause , a far off , and so long before the end could be discovered , to which it should be applied , does Binius take his Rise from the Fable in the Donation , and shape his Discourse to the 〈◊〉 of the See , by rooting the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Minds of men . For all 〈◊〉 is to no other purpose , than to 〈◊〉 the Donation of the Emperour , thereby to settle the Empire in the Chair : for the sake of which , he tramples upon the Emperour , wryeth Antiquity , wresteth Authority , citeth Forgeries and Heathen Authors , defaceth the History of the Church , and rewards the greatest of all Benefactors with the basest ingratitude .

All these Wars are commenced afar off : for the strength of Rome is alwaies at a distance : near at hand she is weak and feeble ; when he comes up close to the matter , though he makes a great semblance of its evident certainty , writing over head in Capital Letters , EDICTUM CONSTANTINI : And putting down the Donation under it at large , commenting on it also very formally , nay and writing in the Margin of his Notes , Constantini Donatio defenditur , and near the close of them , Constantini Donatio consirmatur : yet after all this , he confesses the Donation to be Spurious . His Design being no more , than to make a Shew , and cover that onfession ; which meer necessity , at greatest pinch , wrested from him . His Confession lies in little roome , and his Notes are made for the assistance of Confederates ; Such mighty Tomes for the Help of a sworn Party . As for the rest of men that are allured perhaps by the Magnificence of the Books to admire them , and to grace their Studies with them , such as Lords and Princes , he very well knows , they may feed their Eyes with Great Titles , and Glorious Shews afar off ; but they will never penetrate 〈◊〉 Stupendious Volumes . by reason of other Diversions , Labors , cares , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which call them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other secular Objects . So that they may easily be deceived with the outward Appearance and splendor of such great and learned Collections , which 〈◊〉 Design is the Mystery of the Popish Councils .

For in the Body of those Notes , Binius himself by many well studied Arguments sets himself strenuously to overthrow the Donation ; and Fathers it on the Knavery of Balsamon a Greek , who produced it ( as he pretends ) with an intent to dis race the Roman Chair ; by making the World believe , that the Popes Supremacy came not by Divine Institutions but the Grant of the Emperour : Which he abhors as sickle , weak , and humane , chusing rather that the Popes Right should rest on the Scriptures .

Labbe , Cossartins , and the COLLECTIO REGIA follow Binius exactly , even to those Cheats in the Margin . But now it is high time to see the Contents of this wonderful Donation .

CAP. XXI . The EDICT of our Lord CONSTANTINE the Emperour .

IN the Name of the Holy and Individual A Forgery beginning in the Name of the Father , Son , and H. Ghost . Trinity , the Father , and the Son , and the H. Ghost ; Flavius Constantinus , Caesar , and Emperour , in Jesus Christ , one of the same H. Trinity , &c. To the most Holy and Blessed Father of Fathers Sylvester , Bishop and Pope of the City of Rome , and to all his Successors about to sit in the Seat of blessed Peter , to the end of the World : And to all our most Reverend and Catholick Bishops , amiable in God , made Subject throughout the World to the H. Church of Rome , by this our Imperial Constitution , &c. It is too long to put it down formally , and at large : We shall therefore take only the chief Contents , as they lie in the Donation . It first contains a large account of the Articles of his Faith ; Secondly , the story of his Leprosie , Cure , and Baptism : wherein the Font is remarkably called Piseina , ( the Popes Fish-pond as it were ) then he cometh to the Gift it self .

While I learned these things by the Preaching of the blessed Sylvester , and by the benefit of the blessed Peter , found my self perfectly restored to my health , we judged it profitable , together with * * All the Nobles , and the Se nate , converted in a moment . all our Nobles , and the whole Senate , my Princes also , and the whole People Subject to the Empire of the Roman , Glory ; that as S. Peter upon Farth seemeth to be made the Vicar of the Son of God , the Bishops also that are the Successors of him , the Prince of the Apostles , may obtain the Power of Principality given from us and our Empire , more than the Earthly Clemency of our Imperial Majesty is seen to have had ; chusing the Prince of the Apostles , and his Successors , for our stedfast Patrons with God . And we have decreed that this H. Roman Church shall be honoured with Veneration , even as our Terrene Imperial Power is : And that the most Holy Seat of B. Peter be more gloriously exalted than our Earthly Throne ; giving it Power , and Dignity of Glory , and Vigour , and Honour Imperial . And we decree and ordain , that he shall hold the Principality , as well over the four Principal Sees of Antioch , Alexandria , Jerusalem , and * * Not built . Constantinople , as over all the Churches of God in the whole World . And by his Judgment let all things whatsoever , pertaining to the Worship of God , and the Establishment of the Christian Faith be ordained .

When Binius pleases to give Efficacy to a Miracle , all the World shall be converted in a moment . Notwithstanding all the Miracles and Victories before , Constantine was fain to counterfeit himself an Heathen for fear of the people : Now all his Nobles , and the Senate , are changed in an instant ; and his Leprosie upon Earth has done more than his Cross in the Heavens . So easie it is to blow mens minds with a Breath , when they are dead and gone . His Princes also , and the whole people subject to the Empire of the Roman Glory , judged it prositable , together with him , and his Nobles , to do that which they abhorred before , to give to Banished Sylvester , and his Heirs , the Glory of the Roman Empire : As it that one Miracle had in a trice for Virtue out-gone all our Saviours .

The last Clause contains something more than the Emperour had power to bestow . That a Lay-man should by Deed of Gift devise , and give away the power of determining all Controversies in Religion , to whom he fancieth ; may be put among the Popes Extravagants ( as some of their Decrees are called : ) yet with Constantinople , ( a City yet unmade ) this also is given to the Pope in the present Donation . But upon good reason : For it is just that the Holy Law should retain the Head of Principality there , where our Saviour , the Instituter of Holy Laws , commanded the B. Peter to undertake the Chair of his Apostleship .

A merrier accident follows , he bequeaths his Goods to the Dead ! It is true indeed he was allied to them , for he was dead when the Deed was made , as well as they . S Peter's Trustees having the management of his Pen , knew very well , that whatever he gave to his most blessed Lords , Peter and Paul , ( since dead men never want Heirs ) would fall to their share : and like our late Long Parliament , conspired to give large Boons to themselves , in form following .

WE Exhort and admonish all , that Ibid. with us they would pay abundant thanks to our God and Saviour Jesus Christ , because being God in Heaven above , and in Earth beneath , he hath visited us by his H. Apostles , and made us worthy to receive the H. Sacrament of Baptisme , and the health of our Body . FOR WHICH we grant to the H. Apostles themselves , my most Blessed Lords , Constanti e the Great gives his Cloaths to S Peter and S. Paul in heaven . Peter and Paul , and by them also to B. Sylvester our Father , the chief Bishop and Pope of our Universal City of Rome , and to all Bishops his Successors that shall ever sit in the Chair of B. Peter , to the end of the World , Our Diadem , to wit , the Crown of our 〈◊〉 together with our Mitre , as also 〈◊〉 Cloak on our Shoulders ; viz 〈◊〉 Breast-plate which is wont to compass our Imperial Neck , as also our Purple Clamys , and Violet Cloak , and all the Imperial Attires . The Dignity moreover The Popes Guard . of our Imperial Horsemen : Giving him also the Imperial Scepters , with all other Signs , Badges , Banners , and other Imperial Ornaments , with the whole manner of the Procession of our Imperial Highness , and the Glory of our Power .

WE Decree also and Ordain to the most Reverend Clergy-men serving that H. Roman Church , in their divers Orders , the Height in Singularity , Power and Excellency , with the Glory whereof our most ample Senate 〈◊〉 to be adored ; that is , that they shall be made Patricii , and Consuls . As also we promulgate Secular Power . it for a Law , that they be beautified with the other Imperial Dignities . AND as the Imperial Army is adorned , The Popes Army . so do we Decree the Clergy of the Roman Church to be adorned : And as the Imperial Power is adorned with divers Offices , as that of Chamberlains , Porters , and all Guards ; so we will have the Roman Church to be adorned .

AND that the Pontifical Glory may The Popes Horses . shine most amply , we Decree this also ; That the Horses of the Clergy of the said Roman Church , be beautified with Caparisons , and Linnen Vestures of the whitest colour , and so to ride . And as our Senate useth Shoes , cum Vdonibus , made bright and illustrious with fine white Linnen , so let the Clergy also do : And let the Heavenly , as the Earthly things are , be made comely to the praise of God .

BUT above all , we give License to our most H. Father Sylvester , Bishop and Pope of the City of Rome himself , and to all that shall succeed him for ever , for the Honour and Glory of Christ our God , in the same Great , Catholick , and Apostolick Church of God , by our Edict , Vt quem placatus proprio False Latine and Nonsense . Consilio clericali voluerit , & in numero 〈◊〉 Clericorum connumerare , nullum ex omnibus praesumentum superbè agere .

Binius for Clericali will have it Clericare , which he puts over against it in the Margin . Here are more Barbarismes than one : but I think the drift is that no man but he whom the Bishop of Rome pleaseth , shall be made a Priest : and that no man so made , shall behave himself proudly against the Bishop of Rome .

WE have Decreed this also , That the Ibid same Venerable Sylvester our Father , the High-Priest , and all his Successors , ought to use the Diadem , to wit , the Crown which we gave him from off our Head , of pure Gold and Precious Stones , and to wear it on his Head , to the praise of God , and honour of S. Peter . * BVT because the most The Popes Modesty . Holy Pope himself will not endure a Crown altogether of Gold on the Crown of his Priesthood , which he bears to the Glory of the B. Peter , we have with our own hands put the Mitre of Resplendent White , signifying the most Glorious Resurrection of our Lord , on his Head : * And holding the Bridle 〈◊〉 the Great the Popes Groom or Stirrup-holder . of his Horse , for the Reverence we owe to S. Peter , we served him in the Office of a Stirrup-holder : Ordaining , that all his Successors shall in single and peculiar manner use the same Mitre in their Processons , in imitation of our Empire .

The Popes Modesty comes off purely : Because he would not have his Shaven Crown profaned with a Crown of Gold ; therefore the Emperour must give him the Mitre too : because it was unlawful for him to wear the one without the other ; that is , his Conscience made a seruple at the one , unless he might have both . being so made exactly like the Heatheu Monarchs at Rome , Pontifex Maximus , and Emperour together .

The Regalities were affected , not for themselves ; Alas , Ornaments are but shadows , the Body and Substance is the thing desired .

WHEREFORE that the Pontifical Crown Ibid. may never wax vile , but he more exalted also than the Dignity of the Terrene Empire , and the Glory of Power : Behold , we The Popes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . give and leave as well our Palace , as was before said , as the City of Rome , all Italy , and all the Provinces , places , and Cities of the Western Empire , to our 〈◊〉 most B. High Priest . and Universal Pope , and to the Power and Tenure of the Popes his Suc cessors , by firm Imperial Censure , Per haue The Popes 〈◊〉 Divalem & Pragmaticum Constitutum ; By this our Divine and Pragmatical Constitution , we Decree them to be dispased , and grant them to remain under the Right and Tenure of the H. Roman Church .

Poor Priests are fain to cheat the people by witty Miracles , and small Devices , at Shrines and Images , for a little Silver and Gold . The best of them can attain no more than Lordships , and the Territories of Subjects : As the Manours evidence , which are given to our Lady of Loretto , and those Lands which Jesuites squeeze out of dying men with the fear of Purgatory . But the Pope and his Cardinals find it not suitable to their State and Dignity , to juggle for less than Empires and Kingdoms ; and therefore soar high , you see , in the present Donation .

Wherefore , saith the Emperour , we Ibid. have thought it convenient to change and remove our Empire , and the power of our Kingdom into the Eastern Countries , and in the best place of the Province Byzantium , to build a City after our Name , and there to found our Empire . Because where the * Head of the The Pope the Head of Religion . Principality of Priests , and of the Christian * Religion is ordained to be by the Coelestial Emperour , it is not just that the Earthly Emperour should there have any Power .

Here is a high Career of notorious He resie and Blasphemy together . S. Peter was called the Prince of the Apostles , but the Pope is the Head of the Principality ; nor Head of the Priests only , but of the Christian Religion : which I think none but our Saviour can possibly be . It smells rank of Blasphemy ; but that the Priestly and Imperial Power should be incompatible , is Rebellion and Heresie . It shews how incompatible Popish and Imperial Power is : Yet all these things are ratified by other Dival Sanctions , made by the Emperor , though recorded no where ; as you may see in the words following .

BVT all these things we also have decreed , The Sanction of the Decree and ratified by other Dival Sanctions , and we decree them to stand unblemished , and unshaken , to the end of the World . WHEREFORE we protest before the Living God who commanded us to Reign , and before his Terrible Judgment by this our Imperial Constitution , that it shall not be lawful for any the Emperours our Successors , nor for any of our Nobles and Peers , or for the most Ample Senate , or for all the people of the whole World , now , or hereafter , from hence in all Ages , lying under our Empire , by any means to contradict , or break , or in the least to diminish these things ; which by this our Imperial Sanction are granted to the Holy Roman Church , or to all the Bishops of the same . But if any Breaker or Contemner of these shall arise ( which we do not believe ) let him be knotted and ensnared in eternal Damnation , and find the Saints of God , and the Princes of the Apostles Peter and Paul , Enemies unto him , both in the Life present , and in that which is to come : and being burnt in the lower Hell , let him perish with the Devil and all the wicked .

The great Council of Chalcedon consisting Council . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . of 620 Fathers , lies under this Sentence ; because they made the Patriarch of 〈◊〉 equal with the Bishop of Rome : If Constantine the Great did make it , with the consent of all his Nobles and the whole Senate , before all the Princes and People of Rome , as is pretended in the Donation . It was too publick a thing not to be heard of , and too remarkable to be let pass in silence . Since therefore it is incredible , that so many Fathers should wilfully fall under the Curse , it is certain the whole Donation is a Counterfeit . Howbeit as the Substance of the Act , so the Ceremony is worth the observation .

But 〈◊〉 the Page of this our Imperial Decree , we laid it with our own hands on the venerable Body of the blessed Peter Prince of the Apostles , and there promising to that Apostle of God , that we would inviolably keep all these things , and leave them in charge to be kept by the Emperours our Successors , we delivered them to our blessed Father Sylvester , High-Priest , and * * Gregory the Great 's Blasphemous Title Universal Pope , and to all the Popes his Successors , the Lord God , and our Saviour Jesus 〈◊〉 allowing 〈◊〉 , for ever , and happily to be enjoyed . And the Imperial subscription . The 〈◊〉 keep you many years , 〈◊〉 and blessed Fathers . Dated in Rome , on the 〈◊〉 day of the Kalends of April . Our Lord Flavius Constantinus 〈◊〉 th fourth time , and Gallicanus being Consuls .

A NOTE .

No Emperour being ever accustomed , to stile himself Our Lord , &c. Those words Our Lord Flavius Constantinus , coming out of Constantine's own Mouth bewray the Donation , as made by some other , unless he were at the same time both his own Subject , and his own Emperour .

CAP. XXII . The Donation of Constantine proved to be a Forgery by Binius himself . He confesseth the Acts of Sylvester , which he before had cited as good Records , to be Counterfeit .

THose things ( saith Binius in his Notes ) which are told concerning the Dominion and Temporal Kingdom , given to the See of Rome , are manifestly enough proved to be likely , by what we said in our Notes upon the former Epistle ; as well as by the Munificence of the Emperour himself , never enough to be praised .

Observe here the modesty of the man ! He ought to prove the Instrument itself ; but that he throws by , and talks of the Dominion , and Temporal Kingdom .

2. Neither will he undertake to prove it certain , but likely , that the Dominion and Temporal Kingdom was given to the See of Rome .

3. He cites his Notes on a counterfeit Epistle , to make it likely : For the Epistle going before was the Epistle of Melchiades , which he confesseth to be a Forgery .

4. The Munificence of the Emperour makes it probable , that he gave away the Empire to the See of Rome . If you will not believe this , you are an hard-hearted man ; for Binius says it .

His Notes upon the former Epistle , to which he refers you , are these :

That the things which are written in this Epistle concerning the Donation of Constantine to Melchiades and Sylvester , are true , is proved not only from hence , but most firmly also by the Authority of Optatus Milevitanus , a most approved Writer . For he writeth , lib. 1. cont. Parm. that Constantine and Licinius being the third time Consuls , to wit , in the year of Christ 313. a Council of 19 Bishops was held at Rome , in the Cause of Caecilianus and the Donatists , in the Lateran , in the House of Fausta , which was the Seat of the Roman Bishop . Truly he doth not expresly write , that the House was given to Melchiades by the Emperour : but since no reason doth appear for which it is necessary , that the Convention of 19 Bishops should require larger Rooms out of the House of Melchiades , that wherein the foresaid Synod was assembled , to wit , the Lateran , or House of Fausta , can by no prudent person any more be doubted , to be given by the Emperour to Melchiades the Bishop of Rome .

The Lateran is not so much as named in the Epistle of Melchiades ; but that he left the Imperial Seat , which the Roman Princes had possest , and granted it to the profit of the blessed Peter , and his Bishops . Which considering what follows , is far more fit to be understood of the Emperours leaving Rome , and granting it to the Bishop : whence they pretend , he did go on purpose . So that the agreement between Optatus Milevitanus , and the Epistle of Melchiades , is very small , or none at all .

But admit that Melchiades and Optatus Milevitanus had said , both of them , that the Lateran was given to Melchiades ; what is that to the Dominion and Temporal Kingdom ? A single House , instead of an Empire ! Though , that the House was given , Optatus Milevitanus doth not affirm , even by Binius his own confession .

How the things in this Epistle should be concerning the Donation of Constantine to Melchiades and Sylvester , is difficult to conceive ; because Melchiades was dead before the Donation was made to Sylvesier . It is very unlikely therefore that Melchiades should make mention of that Donation .

His Epistle talking of Constantine his being President in the H. Synod that was called at Nice , is a manifest Imposture , Melchiades being dead before the Nicene Council ; as is before observed : Yet hence it is proved , that Constantine 〈◊〉 a Donation to Melchiades and Sylvester .

Binius holdeth fast the Donation , though he lets go the Epistle . Like a Lo gician , who lets go the premises , but keeps the conclusion .

For it is most firmly proved by Optatus Milevitanus . What is proved by him ? That Constantine the Great gave the Lateran to Melchiades . How is it proved ? Why he testifieth , that a Council of 19 Bishops met in Fausta's house in the Lateran . Truly he doth not expresly write , that the house was given to Melchiades . But it seemeth probable to Binius his imagination : And so it is most firmly proved by Optatus Milevitanus , a most approved Writer . Thus those things that are told concerning the Dominion and Temporal Kingdom given to the See of Rome , are manifestly enough proved to be likely by what we said in our Notes upon the former Epistle . But it is better proved , by the continual possession of those houses , by the space of thirteen Ages , until now ; as he afterwards observeth . Though the length of an unjust Tenure increaseth the Transgression .

Having first proved the Donation , he proceedeth thus . Hoc Edictum à Graecis persidâ Donatione ( quâ , juxta illud . Virg. 2. Aeneid . Timeo Danaos & Dona ferentes ; donare solent acceptum ) mutilum esse , ac dolosè depravatum , hae rationes evidenter demonstrant . These following reasons evidently shew this Edict of Constantine , by the persidious Donation of the Greeks , to be maimed , and treacherously depraved .

He enters upon the business gently , pretending at first ( as if the Donation were true ) that it was depraved by the Greeks . But afterwards , when he is a little warm in the Argument , and somewhat further off from his Sophistical Defences , he falls foul upon it as a Counterfeit , and rejects it altogether ; as in the close will appear to the considerate Reader . But here let us see what Arguments he produceth , to prove it maimed , and treacherously depraved .

1. Because it pretendeth the Primacy Bin. Not in Const intin . 〈◊〉 . of the Church to be granted by a Lay-man , which was immediately given to Peter , by God himself , and by our Lord Jesus Christ ; as is manifest by those words , Thou art Peter , and upon this Rock will I build my Church .

2. The Emperour , by this Edict , is made to give a Patriarchal Dignity to the Church of Constantinople : Which if it be true , how then could Anatolius , the Bishop of Constantinople , be said to take the Patriarchal Dignity to himself long after ; even after the Council of Chalcedon was ended , Leo , Gelasius , and other Roman Bishops resisting him ?

How could the Church of Constantinople be a Patriarchal See at this time , wherein even the name of Constantinople was not yet given to Byzantium .

3. This Edict was first published by Theodorus Balsamon , out of the Acts of Sylvester the Pope , falsly written in Greek under the name of Eusebius , Bishop Forgeries in the Name of Eusebius . of Caesarea : not that he might do any service to the Church of Rome , but that he might shew the Patriarchate of Constantinople to be the eldest . Which Acts of Sylvester were not known till a The Acts of Sylvester forged . thousand years after Christ , coming then forth in Eusebius his name , out of a certain Book of Martyrs ; but were now increased by the Addition of this Edict of Constantine .

His design is , if it be possible , to clear the Church of Rome of this too palpable and notorious Counterfeit : And for that end he would fain cast it on the Treacherous Greeks , that he might thereby acquit the more Treacherous Romans : Which he further pursues in the clause following .

The new found Hereticks that oppose this Edict of Constantine , translated out of Greek into Latine , with such great endeavour , and impertinent study ; let them know , that in this they rather further our Cause , than fight against us : Who do our selves , with Irenaeus , Cyprian , and other Holy Fathers , as well Greek as Latine , profess the Priviledges of the Church of Rome , not to be conferred and given of men , but from Christ to Peter , and from Peter to his Successors .

Where the 〈◊〉 are so great , we need not make a Remark on the common Cheat , his vain Brag of the Fathers . But this we may observe , that whereas the Popes Claim is somewhat blind to the Prerogative , which is pretended to be given to S. Peter , Binius hints at a proper Expedient to make it clear . For suppose our Saviour made S. Peter the Rock on which he built his Church : How comes the Pope to be that Rock ? Since S. Peter being an Apostle immediately inspired , and able to pen Canonical Scripture , some of his Prerogatives were Personal , and died with him ? He tells you , that the Priviledge was granted from Christ to Peter , and from Peter to his Successors . So that it was not Christ , but Peter that gave it to the Bishops of Rome . Now it would extremely puzzle him to shew , where Peter gave that power to the Bishops of Rome ; in what place , at what time , by what Act , before what Witnesses . All he can produce , is S. Clement's counterfeit Letter , and that miscarries .

But in opposing the Edict of Constantine , the Protestants further their Cause , rather than fight against them . Is not this a bold Aslertion ? Their Popes have laid Claim to the whole Empire of the Western World , even by this very Edict , or Donation of Constantine : And yet the Protestants did nothing , when they proved it to be a Forgery . This Donation is an old Evidence , proving the Divine Right of Peter's Primacy , and the Popes Supremacy : Did they promote their Cause , that proved it to be a Cheat ? Certainly they that have Fingers so long as to grasp at an Empire , and Foreheads so hard as to claim it by Frauds , will stick at nothing they can conceive for their advantage . Is it impertinent to discover Knavery in the Holy Roman Catholick Church ; or Imposture in the Infallible Chair ? And together with the Credit of Rome , to take away an Empire ? Besides the Spiritual Right of being the Rock , there are ample Territories and Cities claimed , with a Temporal Kingdom .

Let him therefore pretend what he will , the Authority of such Instruments is very convenient : And because he knows it well enough , he produces the Diplomata , or the Patents of other Kings and Emperours , to confirm the Churches Secular Right , extant , as he saith , in the Original , with their Imperial Seals ; as particularly those of the Most Christian Princes of France , restoring those things which the Longobards took away . But he does not tell you , by what Arts they got possession of those Territories at first , nor by what Ancient Evidences , Seals , or Patents , they held them before the Longobards touched them .

And because a Kingdom is of much Moment in the Church of Rome , he further saith , As for the Dominion of things temporal given to the Church , herself proves them by the Broad Seals of the very Emperours giving them , yet extant in the Originals , and she quietly enjoyeth them . How quiet her injoyment is , you may see by that stir and opposition she meeteth , and by all the clamour throughout the Christian World , that followeth her Usurpations . Which she defendeth here by the Seals of Emperours in general Terms , but what Seals they are , she scorneth as it were , to mention in particular . Which argueth her cause to be as Bad , as her pretence is Bold .

But as for the Rights granted to the same Roman Church , S. Leo , Faelix , Romanus , Gelasius , Hormisda , Gregorius , and other their Successors , that flourished famously from the times of Constantine , have defended them , saith he , not by the Authority of this Constantinian Edict , but rather by Divine and Evangelical Authority , against all the Impugners of them . The man is warily to be understood ; for some of these , whom he pronounceth as Defenders , violently oppose their claim , as Gregory in particular : who for himself and all his Predecessors , renounceth that Blasphemons Title , which John of Constantinople Greg. lib. first arrogated , but the Bishops of 〈◊〉 . Ep. 30 Rome acquired afterwards , by the Gift of Phocas , the bloody Emperour . So that all these are Mummers , brought in , as it were in a Masque , to shew their vizars , and say nothing . For of all these Roman Bishops mentioned by Binius , Gregory was the last : who testifieth , that none of his Predecessors ever claimed such a Title . Greg. lib. 4. Epist. 〈◊〉

We may further note , that he speak here with much Confusion , because he speaks of the Rights granted to the Roman Church ; but does not distinguish between the Divine and Humane Rights of which he is treating . For the Business he is now upon , is the Temporal Klngdom ; in desending of which these Popes down to Gregory did forbear to use the Authority of this Constantinian Edict , as he calleth it ( by way of scorn ) not because they had it not , but rather ( as he pretends ) because they had no need of it , having enough to shew by Divine and Evangelical Authority for the same . Which is another pretence as bold and impudent as the former . For , I think , none of his own Party will aver , that the Bishop of Rome can claim a Temporal Kingdom by the Holy Scripture .

As for any other Claim by this Constantinian Edict , or any Donation else of Emperours , before the Longobards , he slighteth all : especially the Authority of this Constantinian Edict , conceruing which , he saith , None of all those , who sate over the Church before the year 1000. many of which saw the genuine Acts of Sylvester recited , concerning which we spake above , is read to have made any mention of this Edict . For as much as the Counterfeit Edict was not yet added to the Acts by the Greek Impostors .

He does not tell us how he came to know , that many of the Roman Bishops saw the genuine Acts of Sylvester , before the year 1000. that being an Artifice or Color only , as if there were two divers Books of Sylvesters Acts , and the one a true one . He tells us not a word of the Contents that were in them : but he before told us plainly , that the Acts of Sylvester the Pope , were falsly written in Greek under the name of Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea , that they were not known till 1000. years after Christ , coming then forth in Eusebius his Name . And now he telleth us as plainly , that the Counterfeit Edict was not yet added to the Acts by the Greek 〈◊〉 .

The poor Greeks on whom he layes all the Load of Imposture , never injoyed the benefit of these Acts , nor ever pleaded the Imposture as the Latines did . And in all likelyhood they made it , that laid Claim and Title to the Supremacy by it . Since therefore the Question is come to this , Who were the Impostors ? we must define against him , that the Counterfeit Edict was added to the forged Acts , not by the Greek , but Latine Impostors .

For how Counterfeit to ever he will have it , Pope Adrian in his Epistle to Constantine and Irene , which remains inserted in the Nicene Council , recites this whole History almost in the same manner , and so confirmes it by the Truth of this Edict . As Binius himself telleth us on the words Ipse enim . ] So that the Edict was pleaded long before the Greeks added it to the Acts of Sylvester . For Pope Adrian died in the year 795 , and the Acts of Sylvester were unknown till the year 1000. Yet this Adrian founded his Epistle to the Emperour and Empress , in the second 〈◊〉 Council , upon the truth of this 〈◊〉 . And in very truth , the Story he telleth is the same of Constantine's Leprosie , &c. contained in the Donation . Which if 〈◊〉 had been pleased to remember , was published by the Latines in Isidore Mercator's Collection of the Councils , about the year 800. Where the Greeks in all probability first found it , and were cheated , ( as many Wiser men have since been ) with the appearance of it there . So that searching it up to the Fountain Head , it rests still among the Romans .

By the way , to shew you that Binius is his Crafts-Master , over against these words concerning Adrian before mentioned , he putteth down that Famous Marginal Note ; Donatio Constantini confirmatur , The Donation of Constantine is confirmed ; not by Binius , as the simple Reader would suppose , but by Adrian's Epistle , recorded in the 2 Nicene Council , and expresly containing the whole Fable of Constantine's Leprosie , Vision , and Baptism . So that the first that ever knew it in the World , for ought I can yet perceive , was this Adrian , of whom we have spoken somewhat before .

Now he comes to shew , how greedily the Popes received this Cheat of the Greeks . Among those who received the 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Acts of Sylvcster in good seoth , corrupted thus with the addition of this counterfeit Edict , by an evil Art , and by the sorry faith of the Grecians carried out of the East into the West , and that earnestly defended them as Legitimate and Genuine , and pure from all fraud and Imposture , the first is found , saith he , to be Pope * * Pope Leo. 〈◊〉 . citet ; the Donat on . Leo the Nineth : Who in an Epistle to Michael of Constantinople , and Leo of Acridanum , Bishops , in the year of our Redemption , 1054. makes mention of the Donation of this Constantinian Edict , made to Sylvester . From whence , I believe , it was , that much Faith and Authority being hereby added unto it , very many of the * * The Gravest and most Learned Doctors among the Papists use it without any suspition . Gravest and most Learned Doctors , without any suspition of Fraud or Imposture , with good Faith did read and receive it .

He makes a large Confession here ; wherein three things are fit to be noted . The first that ever used this Edict was a Pope : Pope Leo 9. 2. He used it immediately after it came forth : For Sylvesters Acts came forth about the year 1060. being afterwards increased with the Addition of this Edict of Constantine ; and some 54 years after , the Pope made use of the Donation in it . Wherein he is followed by many , very many of the Gravest and most Learned Popish Doctors ; which is the third thing to be noted . This fault of the Popish Doctors , who did read and receive this Donation of Constantine , without any suspition of Fraud and Imposture , being by Binius charged upon the Pope . The Shepherd went out of the way , and the Sheep followed him . The Captain , and the Herd , did all stray and miscarry : Leo 9. being somewhat like the Dragon in the Revelation , that threw down the third part of the Stars with his Tail .

Binius his Cure is but the shift of a Mountebank , to save his Credit . There are Errours and Heresies in the Donation of Constantine , which whosoever receiveth the Donation , he receiveth them in like manner : And to say , that the Head and its Members in the Church of Rome were deceived by the Evil Art and sorry Faith of the Grecians , while they licked up this Vomit of Balsamon , for the Popes advantage ; is but a sorry shift , a Corrosive that eats like a Canker . For it shews how the Holy Catholick Roman Church may be deceived ; Head and Members , Pope and Doctors , Priests and People . They were imposed on by an Evil Art it seems , and swallowed down Heresie in Constantine's Donation .

But that Binius lyes in his prevarication about the Greeks , and that the Greeks were not the Authors of the Donation , and that it did not intend to hurt the Popes Chair , is evident by this . The Donation was made not to overthrow , but confirm the Divine Right of the Popes Supremacy , point blank against what Binius pretends . He that made it had an eye both to the Temporal and Spiritual Priviledges of the Roman Chair . For the Donation applieth those Scriptures , on which the Popes build their Right , to S. Peter's Successors , and makes the Empercur to note , that the Will of our Saviour was the Root of all his Kindness to the Chair : nay it expresly throws all on our Saviours Institution . For it is just , that the Holy Law should retain the Head Constantin . Donat. of the Principality there , where our Saviour , the Instituter of H. Laws , commanded the blessed Peter to undertake the Chair of the Apostleship . Where you may note another fetch of the Papists : Lest what our Saviour did to S. Peter should seem too remote to concern Rome ; that they might make the Channel of Conveyance clear , these old Counterfeits record , that S. Peter did not come to Rome by chance , but being invested in so great an Hereditary power , our Saviour chose the place where it should rest : and that Peter came to Rome , and there undertook the Chair , of his Apostleship , by our Saviours Commandment . Which if they could make the World believe , their work would be half done . So that it utterly destroys the Interest of the Greeks , and the Donation is Root and Branch altogether Roman . Neither did the Greeks ever use it to disgrace the Roman Church , for ought I can find , though the Romans used it , to magnifie their Church above all other Churches .

CAP. XXIII . Melchiades counterfeited . Isidore Mercator confessed to be a Forgery . The Council of Laodicea corrupted , both by a Fraud in the Text , and by the False Glosses of the Papists .

THe Forgery put out at first in the name of Melchiades , concerning the Primitive Church , and the Munificence of the Emperour Constantine , hath now gotten a clause added to the Title , viz. Falsly ascribed to Melchiades : In Binius , Labbé , and the Collectio Regia . Upon those words , Falsly ascribed to Melchiades , Binius speaketh thus . That this Epistle was ascribed to Melchiades , appeareth Can. Futuram 12. q. 1. & Can. Decrevit . Dist. 88. which bearing the name of Melchiades , contain for the most part the things which are written here . It appeareth from hence also , that hitherto it was commonly put in the former Edition of the Councils , just after the Decrees of Melchiades the Pope . Thus was this counterfeit Epistle placed among their Laws and Councils . But Ibid. that it was noted with the false Title and name of Melchiades , appeareth from hence ; ( saith he ) because it maketh mention of the Nicene Council : which by the consent of all men happened after the death of Melchiades , and after the Baptism of the Emperour : not under Melchiades , but under Sylvester , in the year of Christ 325. being the 20 year of Constantine , as almost all Historians unanimously do testifie . Perhaps . therefore it is more true , that Isidore himself , being a Compiler , rather than a 〈◊〉 a Forger . Collector , was the Author of this Epistle : Which it is certain was made out of the third Canon of the Council of Chalcedon , and a certain fragment of the 24 Epistle in the 1. Book of Pope Gregory , and the History of the Nicene Council . Baron . An. 312. Nu. 80.

Here we come to know the manner how Decretal Epistles were made : Good passages stoln out of the Fathers , are clapt Artificially together , and a Grain or two of Interest , thrust neatly in , makes up an Epistle . This of Binius is plain dealing . Isidore is confessed to be a Compiler , that is , a Forger , rather than a Collector , or Recorder of the Councils .

* Note this well : because Isidore is the Fountain ( a muddy dirty one ) out of which they drink their waters .

This acknowledgment is the more considerable , because Baronius , Labbè , and Cossartius , and the Collectio Regia , herein do keep Binius Company .

Confessing it to be stoln out of S. Gregory , he acknowledgeth it to be made almost 300 years after it was pretended : Which draws near to the time of Hadrian the First , and sheds another Ray of Light on the Original of these Impostures .

In the time of Sylvester there happened many Councils . One Feather is finely thrust in , into that at Arles , to adorn the Papacy : The Pope is set before the Emperour . In that of Ancyra , the Marriage of Deacons is permitted . Can. 〈◊〉 Priests also were not compelled to leave their Wives , unless they were taken in Adultery . Can. 8. The Cup and the Bread were both given to the People . Can. 13. In the Council of Laodicea it is determined , that the Scriptures should be read on the Sabbath days . Can. 16. And that we ought not to leave the Church of God , and go and call upon Angels , and make Congregations which are known to be forbidden . If any one therefore be found observing this hidden Idolatry , let him be accursed ; because he leaves our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God , and gives himself over to Idolatry . Can. 35.

The Invocation of Angels , though they were known to be Angels , is by the Council of Laodicea called Idolatry : Which vindicates Dr. Stillingfleet , in his acceptation of the word Idolatry , from the cavils of his Adversary . The Council esteemeth the very calling upon Angels a forsaking of Christ , and an hidden Idolatry .

Many attempts have been made to overthrow the Canon : I should be tedious , should I give you all their several ways to evade it . That which lies under my Cognizance , is their corrupting of the place .

Angelus and Angulus , being two words in the Latine , near of Kin , though in the sense they differ much , the one signifying 〈◊〉 Angel , the other a Corner ; some have been so bold , as to turn Angelos into Angulos , Angels into Corners : making the Canon to run thus ; We ought not to leave the Church of God , and to go and call upon Corners . Though neither the sense of the place , nor the word in the Greek Tongue , nor the occasion of the Canon will bear it .

Binius indeed is not so bold as to put it into the Text , but as a various Reading he puts it over against the Text in the Margin ; to stumble the Reader , or make him obdurate .

Theodoret , an Ancient Father , living Theod. in Colos. 2. near the times of this Council , observes that by this Canon those Hereticks were condemned , who taught that Angels were to be worshipped : As Binius himself upon the place confesseth .

Epiphanius , among other Hereticks , Epiphan. Hares . 60. mentions the Angelici ; against whom , in all probability , this Canon was made .

Bellarmine defends Theodoret , and approves of his Exposition . For there is no Lib. 1. de SS. Beatcap . 20. doubt ( saith he ) but Theodoret was sound and Orthodox in his Opinion , concerning the Worship of Angels . But then he has a fetch to clear the Church of Rome : Not every pious Veneration of Angels is forbidden , but that only which is due to God . Doubtless Theodoret was willing to give a pious Veneration to Angels ; but neither he , nor the Council of Laodieea , knew of any pious Invocation of them .

But we leave these to come unto Binius . In his Notes upon Pius his Epistle before mentioned , he saith , The words of S. Paul , Colos. 2. are written , not as Hierom supposeth against the Jews , who believed the Stars of Heaven to be Angels ; nor against the Simonaici , as Bellarmine supposed ; but rather against the pernicious Doctrine of Cerinthus : who holding Christ to be a naked man , extolled all the Angels , as the Makers of the World , above him . Yet a little after he saith the clean contrary : That Cerinthus did not only not teach , that Angels were as Makers of the World to be adored ; but rather they were to be had in hatred , as the Authors of evil . For the one he citeth 〈◊〉 , Epiphanius , and Tertullian : Baronius for the other : And ( which is very strange ) himself sideth with all . Which 〈◊〉 must conceive to be a neat effect of clean conveyance : For by how much the more impossible the Operation is , the Juglers slight is the more to be admired . In very truth , his behaviour is such , that it makes me too justly to fear , they say any thing in every place , that will serve their turn , make Cyphers of the Fathers , and care not a farthing how much they contradict themselves , so they be not discerned in doing it : Nay , his contradictions are so palpable , as if long custom had made him careless of being seen too , and deprived him of his feeling : For Lyars , speaking truth and falshood indifferently , for a long time , at last note not themselves , nor well apprehend which of the two they are speaking . And they that make a Trade of contradictions , inure themselves , by long habit , till they become insensible : Which ( if need be ) we shall more fully and clearly shew , out of Binius himself , upon this occasion .

CAP. XXIV . Threescore Canons put into the Nicene Council after Finis , by the care and Learning of Alphonsus Pisanus . The counterfeit Epistles of Sylvester , and that Council . A Roman Council wholly counterfeited . Letters counterfeited in the Name of Pope Mark , and Athanasius , and the Bishops of Egypt , to defend the Forgeries that were lately added to the Nicene Council .

BInius hath the Code of the Nicene Council , fairly written in Greek , and at the end of it 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : or in Latine , FINIS .

After this , in another place , ( by it self ) under the name of Alphonsus Pisanus , with the Patronage of Francis Turrian , he bringeth in a whole Legend of Canons , to the number of fourscore , Fathered all upon the Nicene Council .

In the Code it self there are the Epistles of Alexander Alexandrinus , Constantine the Emperour , and the whole Synod , the Emperours Oration , the Recantation of Theognis and Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia , the Nicene Creed , and the 20 Canons of the Nicene Council . All curiously written in fair Greek .

Out of the Code , after 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , there is a counterfeit List of the Bishops Subscriptions ( but miserably depraved ) to put the better face on the rest of the Forgeries : and like many other of the Frauds , written only in Latine . Then there is an humble Letter , whereby the Council submitteth it self to the Popes Censure ; but in the Column on the other side ( for there are 2 Columns in the Leaf ) it is defaced with an empty Blank , for want of a Greek Copy .

For fear this Letter should not be seen often enough , he hath it again , with the Answer of Pope Sylvester thereunto ; both recorded in another place , near to the Arabick Canons ; detected by these marks : They are without any Greek Copy , are not among the Acts of the Council , are full of mistakes and Barbarismes , and clearly refelled by the Genuine Acts of the Council it self .

The Epistles are these .

SYNODI NICAENAE Epistola AD SYLVESTRVM PAPAM .

Beatissimo Papae Urbis Romae , cum om 〈◊〉 Reverentiâ 〈◊〉 , Sylvestro ; Hosius Episcopus Provinciae Hispaniae , Civitatis Cordubae ; Macarius Episcopus Ecclesiae Hierosolymitanae , Victor & Vincentius ex Urbe Romae , Ordinati ex directione tuâ .

QUONIAM omnia corroborata de Divinis Mysteriis Ecclesiasticae utilitatis , quae ad robur pertinent Sanctae Ecclesiae Catholicae & Apostolicae , ad sedem tuam Romanam explanata , & de Graeco redacta sunt , scribere confitemur , nuncitaque ad vestrae Sedis argumentum accurrimus roborari . Itaque censeat vestra Apostolica Doctrina , Episcopos totius vestrae Apostolicae Urbis in unum convenire , vestrumque habere Concilium , sicut docet mystica Veritas , ut firmetur nostra Sanctimonia , gradusque fixos , vel textus Ordinationis tuae Sanctimoniae nostra possit habere Regula . Quoniàm decet numerum dictorum tuorum Coepiscoporum à te discere gradus vel ordinis constituere Urbis . Quicquid autem constituimus in Concilio Nicaeno , precamur vestri oris consortio confirmetur . Oret Beatitudo tua pro universo Concilio . Data 〈◊〉 . Kalend. Julias . Accepta 13. Kalendas Novembris , Paulino & Juliano 〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

There are a great many faults in it , which Binius mendeth ; but he did not consider how accurate they were in Dating the time wherein the Letter was received : nor how much the Council condescended to the Bishop of Rome , while they wrote in Greek to the common people of Alexandria ; but translated their Acts into Latine , for the Popes understanding . Ad sedem tuam Romanam explanata , & de Graeco redacta . As if the Pope and his Clergy were unacquainted with the Greek Tongue .

RESCRIPTUM SYLVESTRI ad Synodum Nicaenam .

SYLVESTER Episcopus Sedis Apostolicae & Sanctae Catholicae Ecclesiae Reverendae Religionis Vrbis Romae , fratribus & Coepiscopis , qui in Nicaenum Concilium convenerunt in Domino Salutem .

GAUDEO promptam vos Benignitatem servare . Nam & confirmo figoque ad vestrae Doctrinae reclamantes de Mysterio vel unitate Trinitatis Chrysmatis vos secundùm Dict a & Doctrinam Evangelicam Sanctam accepisse Gratiam . De quo Examinationis probo vera fuisse & esse mansura , quae in vestrum nostrumque manavere Mysterium . Meum Chirographum & Discipulorum meorum offero in vestro Sancto Concilio , quicquid constituistis unà parem dare consensum . Atque in gremio vestrae Synodi parva propter Disciplinam Ecclesiae alligabo praecepta , propter Victorinum qui arbitrio suo quicquid vellet affirmabat , & Cyclos Paschae pronunciabat fallaces , & cum Episcopis 〈◊〉 Vrbis Italiae examinatam universitatis vestri Sancti Concilii dignetur accipere veritatem . Et 〈◊〉 manu , Oret pro nobis Beatitudo vestri Sancti Concilii Trecentorum Decem & Octo : ut Charitatis quae vobis data est Domini nostri Jesu Christi servetur Augmentum . Data 5. Kalendas Novembr . Accepta 4. Idûs Februarii , Constantino Septiès & Constantio Cafare Quarto Consulibus .

Though the Nonsense be the most horrible that ever was seen , the exactness is great : For in token of the Spirit of Prophecy , the Bishop of Rome telleth them at Nice , that they were three hundred and eighteen , and dateth the day on which his Letter was received : which I think was extraordinary .

But there is a contradiction in these Dull Letters , that mars all . They at Nice inform the Pope , that all the Bishops of the Apostolical City were assembled in one , and held his Council for him there : The Pope on the other side tells them of a Council at Rome of the Bishops of all the City of Italy ( assembled ) whence he sent the Truth examined by his Disciples there ( as he calls them ) for them at Nice , to receive : which he prayes them to accept , &c. I confess the nonsence so terrible , that it is difficult to construe it to any sense at all : but divers circumstances interpret the words so , that Praecepta signifie Canons , and Episcopi totius urbis Italiae , the Roman Synod under Sylvester : As those other words , Meum Chirographum & Discipulorum meorum offero ; his own Subscription , and the Subscription of the Bishops under him , whereby he confirmed the Nicene Council .

For the Legend goes , that while the Council was sitting at Nice of 318 Bishops , Sylvester called a Council at Rome of 267 Bishops ; where they made Canons as they did at Nice , and as good luck was , confirmed the Council there : Else all at Nice had not been worth a Rush. And to this Roman Council Sylvester relateth , when he saith , I send you mine , and my Disciples hands to give our joynt consent to all . that you have ordained . This is that Council which made the Epilogus Brevis , the commending of which to the Nicene Council , ( were there nothing in the Letter beside ) would disgrace it for Cosin-German to that putid Forgery , so often touched in the Epilogus Brevis .

This Council is set by Binius ( I know not why ) before the Nicene Council ; though it professeth it self to be held at the same time . Perhaps the reason is , that they could not be set down both together , and Priority was to be given to the Synod at Rome .

The Title of this Council is ,

CONCILIUM ROMANUM

Aliud , sub Sylvestro Papa Primo .

It immediately follows Constantines Donation , and dependeth on the truth of the same .

The Popes See is magnified therein above the Skies ; and for that reason it shineth among the Councils , as a Direful Comet among the Stars of Heaven .

The Proem set before it bears the name of the Epilogue , Epilogus brevis , &c. A short Epilogue of the following Roman Council . A Trip in the Threshold bewiaying the Author . A Learned Council it was , no doubt , that began with the conclusion : For the Epilogue is the close of any discourse , the Prologue is the beginning .

But this First is a small Indecency , we proceed to the matter . The Nicene Council has the good fortune of being full of smoothness , clarity and Majesty : But Binius finds this so rude and rough , that he is fain to clear the way by a Premonition to the Reader .

The following Canons were written verbatim , Bin. in Concil . saith he , out of two Ancient Copies , Rom. 〈◊〉 Sylvest. which in many places , by reason of the depravation of the Exemplars , can scarcely , or indeed not at all , be understood . Let the Reader censure favourably , and communicate , if he hath , something more certain .

You must touch it gingerly you see , or it will fall to pieces . Solecismes and Nonsense are like Rust and Cobwebs , signs of Antiquity in the Roman Church : Else certainly 〈◊〉 would never have dared to present such Mouldy Instruments to the Face of the World . * But such Councils 〈◊〉 are fit to support the Mystery of Iniquity , which is made a Mystery , by making and supporting such Councils .

Since the Canons are so rude , we will let them go , and come to the Epilogus , which beareth the force of the most Authentick Canon .

Therein it is recorded , that in the time of Sylvester and Constantine the most holy Emperour , while 318 Bishops sat in Council at Nice , by the Command of Sylvester ; on the thirteenth of the Kalends of July , there was a Council of 267 Bishops convened at Rome , by the Canonical Call of the Pope : That again condemned Callistus , Arrius , Photius , and Sabellius , before condemned in the Nicene Council , and ordained , that no Arrian Bishop returning , should be received by any but the Bishop of the place . In which also , by the consent and Subscription of all , it was ordained , That no Lay-man should accuse a Clergy-man , and that no Priest should accuse a Bishop , no Deacon a Priest , no Sub-Deacon a Deacon , no Acolythite a Sub-Deacon , no Exorcist an Acolythite , no Reader an Exorcist , no Door-keeper a Reader . It was further ordained , that no Bishop should be condemned but by the Testimony of at least threescore and twelve Witnesses , nor shall the Highest Priest be judged by any , &c.

This Decree is put among the Popes Laws by Ivo Cartonensis , &c. Doubtless to the very great ease and satisfaction of the Roman Clergy : For it reaches down , you know , to the lowest Orders of Readers and Door keepers . So that they may write as many Forgeries as they will : If it be a Pope , no man can condemn him : If it be a Bishop , no less than threescore and twelve Bishops , must on their Corporal Oath prove the Fact against him : forty four Equals , against a Cardinal-Priest , twenty six must depose against a Cardinal-Deacon of the City of Rome , and seven against a Door keeper ; all which must be at least his Equals . A Marvellous Priviledge for the City of Rome ! Which word Rome , though annexed only to Cardinal-Deacons , yet , for ought I know , the Judge will interpret its Extent , to all the other Orders ; or use it Equivocally , as himself listeth , or as his Superiour pleaseth . So that in Causes pertaining to the Interest of the Roman Church , other Priests perhaps , beside them in the City of Rome , shall enjoy the benefit of this Law ; but in Causes displeasing the Pope , and his Accomplices , none shall enjoy it , but the Priests of Rome . Many such Trap-doors are prepared in Laws , where Rulers are perverse and Tyrannical ; and whether this be not one of those , I leave to the Readers further Examination .

Mark succeeded Sylvester in the See of Rome : Between whom , and Athanasius , there were certain Letters framed , that stand upon Record to this day , to prove the Canons of the Nicene Council to be Threescore and ten . Heretofore they were good old Records magnificently cited : but now they are worn out : for Baronius and Bellarmine have lately rejected them ; who are followed by Binius , as he is by Labbe and Cossartius and the Collectio Regia , all concluding the Letters to be Forged . The three last have this Note upon that of Athanasius . Hanc Surreptitiam & ab aliquo confict am fuisse quinque rationibus ostenditur , &c.

That this Epistle is a Counterfeit devised Bin. in Ep: Ashan . ad Marc : by some body , appeareth evidently by five reasons . Whereof the first is this , In the Controversie between the African Churches , and the Roman Bishops , ( Zozimus and Boniface ) concerning the number of the Nicene Canons , this Epistle was unknown . 2. Athanasius , as is manifest by what went before , was at this time fled into France , and so it could not be written from Alexandria and from the Bishops in Egypt . 3. That Divastation fell upon the Church of Alexandria many years after these times in the Reign of Constantius , &c. As Athanasius himself witnesseth in his Epistle ad omnes Orthodoxos . 4. Mark died in the Nones of October this present year : Constantine himself being yet alive . 5. If Pope Mark had sent a Copy of the Nicene Council out of the Roman Archives , to them at Alexandria , surely the Roman Copy and that of Alexandria would have agreed thenceforth as the same : How then were those three Canons wanting in the Copy , which S. Cyril sent from Alexandria to the Africans , which were found in the Roman Copy ?

He pointeth to the Commonitorium sent from Rome to the Sixth Council of Carthage ; and verifies all the Story we have related ; by rejecting these Letters of Mark and Athanasius , made on purpose to defend the Forgeries there detected . For which he cites Baron . An. 336. nn . 59 , 60. and Bellarm. de Rom. Pont. lib. 2. cap. 25.

This Epistle was alledged by Harding against Jewel , and by Hart against Rainolds for a good Record . How formally it was laid down by the Elder Collectors you may see with your eyes : and may find it frequently cited by the most learned Papists . Such as these being their best and only Evidences .

After Mark Julius succeeded . The Epistle sent by the Bishops of the East to Pope Julius 1. is now confessed to be a Forgery . 〈◊〉 . in Epist. Julii . Veram & germanam non extare praeter authoritatem Baronii illud asserentis , ea quae supra in principio Epistolarum Julii annotavi confirmant : Saith Binius . Again he saith , This Epistle which is put in the second place , bearing the Names of the Bishops of the East , seems to be compiled by some uncertain Author , both by the concurrent Testimony of Sozomen , and Socrates , and because thou mayest observe many things to be wanting , and some in the words and things expressed to be changed ,

Rescriptum Julii ] The Epistle which Julius returned in answer hath the like Note upon it . Hanc mendosam , corruptam , & a quodam ex diversts compilatam , &c. That this Epistle is counterfeit , corrupt , and compiled by some body out of divers Authors , the Consulships of Felicianus and Maximianus evidently shew , &c.

The matter in these Epistles is the Popes Supremacy ; the unlamfulness of calling Councils , but by his Authority ; his Right of receiving Appeals ; with other Themes , which Ambition and self Interest suggest , and of which genuine Antiquity is totally silent .

Having so fortunately glanced upon that Sixth Council , I shall not trouble the Reader with any more : but bewailing what I observe , beseech him earnestly to weigh this Business walking in the Dark , and take heed of a Pope and a Church , that hath exceeded all the World in Forgerie . For let the Earth be searched from East to West , from Pole to Pole , Jews , Turks , Barbarians , Hereticks , none of them have soared so high , or so often made the Father of Lies their Patron , in things of so great Nature and Importance . Since therefore the Mother of Lyes hath espoused the Father of Lies for her assistance , and the accursed production of this adulterate brood is so numerous ; I leave it to the Judgement of every Christian , what Antiquity or Tradition she can have , that is guilty of such a Crime , and defiled with so great an Off-spring of notorious Impostures .