Ellis on Article XXI: Of the Authority of General Councils

Obj: 2. Princes have only Authority in Pott- tical Matters, and Christian Princes are nat set over Christians, as tiey are Christians, but as they are Men: For Princes rhemselves, as they are Christians, are the Sheep, and for that rea» fon must be Subjef to the Shepher ds.

Anss. Princes have Authority in Ecclesiafti»

Cal Marrters, not ro officiate in Holy Things,

but ro take care thar they be done. Christian

Princes are set over Christians as such: be-

eause altho’ Princes are the Sheep in respect of such Actions which relate ro an inward Ecclesiastical Government ; such as the Preaching of thg Word, and Adminiftratzoa of rhe Sacraments ; yet in respect of rh. ours .. ward (Government of the Church, Princes are the Paitors of all rhei ole. Kings are under Ministers in some tastical Martcers, bur Ministers are tubject ro Kings in all Civil Concerns.

Obj. 3. It is said, that where two or three” are gathered tozether in the Name of Christ, they shall always ob:ain what they desire : Muci more then shall Bishops, praying in @ Council, ovtain

all tmings necessary to determine whatsoever re» lates to the Church, D dikw.

FO A Defence of the

Answ. The Faithful do nor always obrain whar they desire, and if they did obrain ir, they do not always use it with the best Wif- dom and Discretion, therefore they often Err : And altho* Christ be with us, yet in this Lite we know bur in part. |

Obj. 4. The whole Church cannot err in Faith, Mar. 16. 18. but a Council does represent the Church, and the whole Authority of the Church is forma ‘y in the Bishops, as the Sight ts in the Eye.

Ansv. Tho’ a Council do represent the Churcb, yer its Legares and Ministers may err, Whilit the whole Body of the Church does nor. Councils are but a part of the Church, and the same Privileges do not bes long to the Parr as to the Whole. They thar are not in Councils, have sometimes particu=- lar Gitts, by which Councils themselves might be mended : Neither are all the Eyes of the Church in rhole Biltops that are mer in Coun- cil, whereas there are many Biitkops out of the - Council. that lee as well as the other : Nay, all single Christians do in some mealuresee ; And their Gifts are not ro be defpiied neither.

Obj. 5. If the Frdament of Councils was not

[…]

whether allthe ancieznt 1 condemned or not.

Ans»., Heresies were not such, because Councils declared them to ; bur because they were declared so trom the Word of Gud : From whence u may be ceriain and unquestt- enable, which’Hereties bave been righcly cons | demned. |

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Thing Nine Articles. Fl

ART. XXII. Of Purgatory.