Jones on Article XXI: Of the Authority of General Councils

” There is a certain rant of men which in manner of a worldly kingdom doth obtain a certain dominion and avaunteth itself for the true church ; when for all that, there is nothing farther from the true church than it. This church oftentimes gathereth together councils and congregations of men : many- times it judgeth of religion, either of some things contro versed. But because it followeth not in judging the sincere doctrine of Christ, as already I have said, but her own commodities, her own riches, and her proper power ; it cometh to pass that she falleth into huge and felonious errors : right as it came to pass in the time of Elias, when Jezabel and Ahab waxed cruel upon

good folks What, in the troublesome time of Arius did not

the east and south parts almost all agree together with the bishops of Rome and Constantinople, and also the emperor himself, unto the wicked doctrine of Arius ? At the which time, only five bishops being vexed and exiled, therefore did judge aright ; and were deemed of that church, which then was

falsely called catholick, heretick, ungodly and seditious folks.”

— Translation of Curio’s Defence.

” They ” (the doctors and prophets of the Pope) ” turn upside down unto their own opinion and sentence (as Austin saith,) by allegories whatsoever is contained in the holy bible that might supplant their errors. Neither that may be de- spised of the Pope which the Priscillanists had in their institu- tions. Swear, forsware — the thing which, in the council of Constantine was openly practised, where the Pope persuaded the emperor to break his open promise to the intent he might put to execution Jei-ome of Prague, with other holy men and faithful witnesses of Jesu3 Christ.” — Ibid.

” So far as either general council or the doctor’s writings do agree with the body of the holy Scriptures, we do not only reverendly and willingly receive them, but diligently, so far forth as we may, practise them. They crack much of the authority of a general council, and blear the people’s eyes with so glorious a name, and also with the reverend name of the fathers, doctors and ancienty, where indeed they make more for us than them. If they considered what Gerson and Panormitanus write, which were ancient fathers, and not new protestants, and were at the council of Basil, where it was disputed what authority a council has, they would not so stiffly stick to so weak a staff : ’ we must rather believe one simple layman,’ say they, ’ alleging the scripture, than the whole council to the

the contrary.’ De Elect, ca. Significasti They allege much

general councils, when indeed very few of them be general : if it be but a provincial council, they themselves grant that it may err. Now then look how many may be called general in

their own books, and ye shall find very few There is no

creed made at any general councils, nor Athanasius’ creed, but we willingly embrace it, receive it, and believe it. Seeing then we openly profess and teach all things contained in the

holy scriptures, and all the articles of any creed determined in general council, or written by Atlianasius or any catholic father, how can it be that we be out of the faith.”. ..Burning of St. Paul’s, fc.

” But now that councils have sometime erred it is manifest. How many councils were there in the east part of the world

which condemned the Nicene council ? I will recite one

place only out of St. Augustine, which, (in my judgment) may suffice in this matter instead of many, ’ Who knoweth not,’ saith he, ’ that the holy scripture is so set before us, that it is not lawful to doubt it, and that the letters of bishops may be reproved by other wiser men’s words, and by councils ; and that the councils themselves which are gathered by provinces and countries do give place to the authority of the general and full councils: and that the former general councils are amended by the latter, when as by some experience of things, either that which was shut up, is opened, or that which was hid is known.” — Conferences with Latimer.

” And by the scripture we may come alone unto all perfec- tion, confute all heresies and false doctrine, though there had never doctor written, ne never decree made by any general council, as Paul teacheth. 2 Tim. iii. 2 Pet. i.” — Answer to Winchester’s Book.

” Though that in old time, when the empire of Rome had his ample dominion over the most part of the world, the first four general councils, which at all times have been of most estima- tion in the church of Christ, were called and gathered by the Emperor’s commandment, and for a godly intent, that heresies

might be extinct, schisms put away, good orders and manners in the ministers of the church and the people of the same

established Yet now, forsomuch that the empire of Rome

and the monarchy of the same hath no such general dominion, but many princes have absolute power in their own realms, and an whole and entire monarchy ; no one prince may by his authority call any general council.” — State Paper.

” ‘A simple layman bringing forth the scriptures is to be believed rather than a whole council. For a council may err, as it hath aforetimes erred.’ ” (Gerson) ” As did the council of Melchidense and Aquisgi-anum of contracting of matrimony. The council of Constance among other articles of John Hus, and Hierome of Prague unjustly condemned, condemned also this article for heresy : that the two natures, that is, the divine and humanity be one Christ ; which is a necessary article of our faith expressed in the creed of Athanasius, called Qui

[…]

of the Arians, lib. iii. cap. 4. ’ But now neither ought I to allege the council of Nice, nor than the council of Arimine to take advantage thereby ; for neither am I bound nor held by the authority of this, nor than of that. Let matter with matter, sense with sense, or reason with reason, try the matter by the authority of scriptures, not proper witnesses to any of us, but indifferent witnesses for us both.” — Confutation of Unwritten Verities.

” Neither let them lay in any councils, either national, or general, either private or public. For neither have these any authority except they be confirmed and established by the word of God, although they be never so greatly garnished with the presence of most noble princes and with the company of pope,

cardinals, &c Of men’s councils St. Hierome speaketh on

this manner, ’ The doctrine of the Holy Ghost is that which is expressed and set forth in the canonical letters, against the which, if councils determine any thing, I count and judge it

wicked.’ A council may not enact anything against the word of the Lord ; for it is a plain error whatsoever is determined against the Scripture. For we may not give heed to the trifles of men, but to the doctrines of the Holy Ghost.” — Comparison, §c. to Uie godly reader.