Anonymous on Article XXI: Of the Authority of General Councils

S Civil Affairs are sometimes so weighty, as to require the Ad- vice of a National Assembly ; Ecclesiastical are frequently made so perplex’d and intricate , as to stand in need of the Truth Bishops and Pastors Deliberation and Counsel ; that the of the Gospel may be maintain’d, the Peace of the Church secur’d, and the Purity of Christianity continued to Posterity. Such

• wise Determinations are so necessary, that no sooner was the Gospel publish’d amongst the Gentiles, but it was thought requisite, for the Apostles and Elders to meet and consult about the Necessity of Cir-

eumcision. For certain Men came down from Juda, and taught the Brethren, that except they were circumcis’d, they could not be sav’d. Whereupon , the Apostles, and Elders came toge- ther, fo2 to consider of this Matter: And upon mature Deli-

beration determin’d against Circumcision. : | =, Which shows the Reasonableness of the Twenty First Article of our Church. General Councils may not be gather’d together with- out the Command and Will of Princes: And when these be gather- © ed together (forasmuch as they be an Assembly of Men, whereof * all be not govern’d with the Spirit and Word of God) they ma) err, and sometimes have erred, even in Things pertaining unto God. * Wherefore Things ordained by them as necessary to Salvation, have © neither Strength nor Authority ; unless it may be declar’d that the be taken out of Holy Scripture *. Upon which consider, |

I. The Prince’s Power in summoning and gathering General

Councils : They may not be gather’d together without the Commandment and Will of Princes.

II. The Fallibility of them when gathered: Forasmuch as they be an Assembly of Men, whereof all be not govern’d by the Spirit and Word of God, they may err, and sometimes have err’d, even in Things pertaining to God.

III. The Invalidity of their Determinations, when the Scripture is not for them: Wherefore Things ordain’d by them, as ne- cessary to Salvation, have neither Strength, nor Authority;

unless it be declar’d, that they be taken out of Holy Scri- pture. |

I. The

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Article I. The Princes of the Earth have Power to summon and gather XXI. General Councils, or the Bishops and Presbyters of the Christian vW— Church, to consider of the weighty Concerns of it. A General Council is a Congregation of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons, from all Parts of the Christian World, to advise about Matters of Religi- on, that are controverted or overgrown with Errors, to deliberate for the Conservation of the ‘Truth, and Unity of the Faith, and to determine for the Safety and Preservation of the Flock of Christ. Such an Assembly as this our Church declares, in Opposition to | Rome, may not be summon’d and gathered together, without the Consent, Authority, and Command of the several Princes of the Earth : For they are the Supreme Governors of their respective Do- ’ minions; and ‘tis fit there should be no Suspicion of any ill Design given them, by such a vast Confluence of People.

1. The Consent of Princes must be obtain’d for the Liberty of such an Assembly ; for they are the Supreme Governors of their re- spective Dominions, and must not be provok’d by any Concourse of People of other Nations and Languages : Besides, they are appoint- ed, if Christians, to be Nursing Fathers of the Church. And there- fore in Concerns of that vast Importance, *tis fit that they should have the Direction, as well to satisfy or remove the Scruples of their respective Subjects, as to lay a Foundation of Christian Peace thro’ the whole World: Thus © Asa gather’d all Judab, and Benjamin, 2 Chron. 15. 9. and the Strangers with them, out of Ephraim and Manasses, and Simeon, and made a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fa-

„ thers”. Thus Hezekiah gathered the Priests and Levites, and put them upon reforming the Abuses of the Divine Worship : Fosr- ah also made use of this Authority in summoning (as I may call it)

a Council * of the Wise Men of his Nation, to renew the Cove- Chron. 34. „ nant of the Lord ”. And the same Power, which the Kings of 2g. Israel and Judah had, in gathering the Governors of the Church,

advising about Means to restore or reform it, Christian Princes posless

in their several Dominions ; and their Leave must be obtain’d, their Summons must be issued out, and their Protection must be given to

all that meet in their Dominions, to consider and determine for the

Welfare of Christianity. We are taught, for this and other Reasons, _

to pray for Kings, and all that are in Authority under them; That * Tim. + 2 we may lead a quiet and peaceable Life, in all Godliness and Ho-

nesty.

2. It is fit that Princes shovld have the Direction of General Councils, that there may be no Umbrage or Suspicion 7 by such a vast Confluence of People of all Nations, in any of their Domi- mons; for when they are acquainted with the Occasion, approve of the Design, consent to the Proposal, and promise their Protection and Support to all concern’d in it; they cannot entertain any Jealousy, that some Conspiracy is carrying on, which may be detrimental to their Interest, or hazardous to = Powers or Government, 5 or

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Article this Reason were a General Council to be conven’d in the Domini-

XXI.

ons of a Prince of another Religion, I make no doubt but the Per-

Q sons concern’d, would petition for Leave and Safe Conduct, that

1 Pet. 2. 13.

Pal. 1. 1.

there might be no Jealousies entertain’d concerning the Design of such |

Meetings, in Prejudice to Christianity. For as we ate bound to sabwit to the Civil Powers of the World, we must give them noOc- casion for Misunderstanding. St. Peter’s Rule should be observ’d

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by Christians under any lawful Government; Submit yon selves to

every Ordinance of Man for the Lord’s sake, whethey it be to the

King as Supreme. IL General Conncils, when gather’d , are but fallible. They

may be 8 Means for the Security of the Faith, and Peace

of the Church; but after all, are fallible, and liable to mistake, to

overshoot themselves, and to act as Men; they may err, and have

erred. For such Assemblies are compos’d of Men, some of which are not guided by the Spirit or the Word of God.

1. General Councils may err, or mistake in that which they con- vene to determine. For since the Apostles Days, we have no Assu- rance given, that they are under the Direction of an infallible Spi- rit:“ They indeed spake as they were mov’d by the Holy Ghost”, and could not mistake the Point. But since their Decease, Men are left to the ordinary Assistances of Grace, and their own Judgments and Inclinations; and what by the Prevalency of Interest, and the Fondness they have for some Opinions ; what by the Desire to please

those that employ them, or the Predominancy of Paffion, it falls out often, that they bring their Infirmities with them to Councils,

and discover that 475 are but Men: Nay, when they are left to the common Rules of

balanc’d by Faction, or politick Designs, they may be but stately Tools for a Party, and the whole Assembly may be bat a pack’d

_ Congregation, set at Work to carry on Schism, to encourage Error,

and to recommend the most palpable Heresies, that ever were extant in the World. Unless therefore Men were secure from common Frailties, Passions, and Interests, there is a poflibility left for Gene- ral Councils to mistake, and err from the Truth: And such an As-

sembly may be but the Council of the Ungodly, which good Men,

as they expect a Blefling, should shun. Blessed is the Man, that wwalketh not in the Council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of Sinners, nor sitteth in the Seat of the scornful.

2. As such Councils may err, they have shown in Fact that they

can, and have erred, and determined contrary to the Word of God.

The Jews by a National Council, in which the High- Priest prefided,

sought how to ensnare and destroy Jesus; and at last condemned

and deliver’d him to Pontirts Pilutè to be crucified: After this by the Determination of the same Sanbeurim or Council, they caus d the Apostles to be beaten, and cotnmanded them, that they should preach no more in the Name of Jesus. In following Times, the dane

ouncils

Discretion and Wisdom, which may be over-

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Councils of Christians betrayed their Mistakes ; they decry’d the Article Divinity of our Lord, and established Arianism. In the last Ages, XXI. the Worship of Images was established, the Belief of Transubstanti ation, and other Popish Errors was decreed, and an Anathema pro- nounc’d against those that refus’d to admit them. These Instances are palpable Proofs, that General Councils have erred, and have en- gaged their Authority in commanding that which is erroneous, and corrupting the truc Religion, And as plain Fa& 1s evidence against them, our Church had Reason to declare that they have erred. And ad. , 18. they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in

the Name of Jesus.

III. The Reason is added why they are thus apt to be mistaken. They are but Men at best, are not always guided by the Spirit and Word of God. 5 | | |

1. General Councils are made up of Men which are short-sighted, and liable to judge amiss, who perhaps go up to the Council with the Prepossessions of Interest, and Prejudice of a Party, as the Axi- an Bishops went to their Assembly ; and as the Italian Bishops, that were sent to assist in the Council of Trent, who are reported to have received Directions constantly from Rome, and were always ready to give the casting Voice, according as might serve or promote the Pa- pal Grandeur. And as they discover’d the Weakness of Humane Nature; others, in succeeding Generations, may do the same upon the like Occalion ; or what was done then, may come to pals after- wards, whenever a General Council is thought necessary : For the most prevailing and powerful may resolve before-hand what to do, and procure Creatures of their own to defend, maintain, and decree the same. Men are too apt to hearken to Greatness, and to yield to the Directions of those, who are concerned for the Support of Er- rors : They seldom look farther than their own Advantage, and have a Vote for Interest, ready to serve a Turn, and to ingratiate with rising Powers. To prevent {such Inconveniences, St. Pauls Resolutions are to be taken, when he says, For do I now persuade Gal. 1. 10. Men or God 2 or do 1 seek to please Men ? for if I yet pleased Men, I should not be the Servant of Christ.

2. No wonder they are frequently betray’d by Weakness, and

byasled by Interest ; for all of the Assembly are not guided by the Spirit and Word of God. Generally it fo falls out, that some are more influenced by private Fancies, than the Spirit : Whereas could

we be certain, that every one was guided by the Spirit and the Word, such Councils might be depended upon, and their Authority might be more steddily obeyed ; but because it fo happens, that in such a vast Concourse of Men, some are not influenc’d by the Spi- rit, nor do they take the Word for their Rule; the Credit of such Councils must abate, and their Decrees may not compare with the Apoltohcal Canon. Not fo much as the Council of Nice was made 1p of infallible Men, though the miraculous Gifts had not 18 with-

: An EXPOSITION of the

Article XXI. ARS

2 Thefl. 3» 2.

Heb, 12. 14.

withdrawn for many Years, and many of the Bishops there present had been Prisoners for the Sake of Jesus, and had been Confessors in the Face of Danger; yet if it had not been for Paphnutivs, they were in Danger of Erring, in the Case of the Marriage of the Cler- gy. Andif that Council, made up of such excellent Pastors, who

had been try’d in the Furnace of Affliction, was in such apparent

Danger of mistaking ; we may suspe& any other that can be con- ven’d in following Ages. For all that profess Religion are not sin- cere ; some will dissemble with God and Man; and their Voices can be but of little Worth ; and their Word may not be taken in a General Council. We should join our Prayers in such a Case ; That we may

be deliver’d from unreasonable and wicked Men : For all Men have not Faith. | 8 |

3. Their Determinations are invalid, when the Scripture is against them : Or all their Decrees and Canons are of no Strength or Force, when the Word of God declares the contrary, Wou’d they speak for Christ, and warrant what they determine, by his express Will; they must be acknowledg’d excellent Expedients for the Compoling .

of Differences, securing Unity , and maintaining the Church’s

Peace. And they were ever conven’d for these Purposes, and have been of great Use in most Ages, as may be seen by the Historical Account that is given of them; and though it is pretended, that they have done Mischief, and establisn’d Error as by a Law, as must be confess’d, when Faction hath had the Precedency in them; and fo

all Civil Assemblies are as liable to such Heats and Contentions as Ec-

clesiastical : Yet when they have met with a good Temper, pursued Truth and Peace with Sincerity, they have been very proper to com- pose the World, and have been, and will be, of great Service to Christianity ; as we are directed, Follow Peace with all Men, and Holiness, without which no Man shall see the Lord. OO

By this Article we may learn, what the Presumption of Rome is, against which our Church determines ; how fit it is that we should understand the Errors of her General Councils ; And how proper it is for you to fix upon your Minds the Care which our Church takes, that ye may not be in Bondage to Councils ; which 1s a far- ther Obligation upon us to vindicate her from Contempt.

1. As our Church determines against the Presumption of Rome in this Article; it is but fit that we should consider it: For that pre- tends to Infallibility, and tells you it cannot be mistaken. Our Church assures you, that her Councils are fallible , and not wholly to be trusted : Nay, as Rome challenges the Power to summon Councils, to

appoint their Time and Place of Meeting, and to preside over them;

our Church being sensible of these Encroachments, and detesting the Pride and Vanity of Roman Power, declares that such Councils may not be gather’d together without the Command of Princes ; that the Pope hath no more Power to summon Councils, than any other Bishop ; that as Constantine summon’d the Council of Nice; Theodo- sius, that of Constantinople ; Theodosius the Younger, that of Ephe-

sus ;

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sus ; and Marcian, that of Chalcedon So all other Princes have the Article Power to assemble any other Councils; and that the Roman Church XXI. is injurious to Princes, when she undertakes that which is a Part of A their Prerogative. But we need not admire that she thus usurps the

Power of Princes, when she hath encourag’d Treasons, put forward Conspiracies, and canoniz d the ‘Traytors. So long as the Temporal

Power does not hinder the Spiritual, so long they are Friends to it;

but when once it opposes them, they can restram the Temporal by

any. Means which are thought necessary. The Pope can change Kingdoms, take from one, and give to another, if it be necessary for

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the good of Souls; can enact or can abrogate Laws for the fame

End, as Bellarmine determines. And because it was objected, that the Primitive Bishops exercis’d no such Power; he says, That the Reason why they did not depose Nero, Diocletian, and Julian the Apostate, was, because they had not Power and Strength enough to do it. So that there is the Original of all Treasons and Conspira- cies; and those amongst our selves, that entertain treasonable Princi- ples, receiv’d them at first from Popish Hands, and act but the Part, in other Dresses, of Jesuits and Emissaries. For our Religion allows Kings their Authority, and commands us to be suhject; declaring, IWhosoever refisteth the Power, resistethᷣ the Ordinance of Go; and Rom. 13. 2. they that resist, shall receive to themselves Damnation.

2. It is also reasonable for you to know the Errors of General

Councils, that you may not be impos’d upon by great Names, or

drawn from your Excellent Faith by Number and Voices. For what is a General Council to us, whether that of Lateran, or Trent, if it determines against God’s Word? They are but Men, and falli- ble designing Men. And if they vote for Error, we may not regard them; for it is the Word of God which is our Rule, the Christian Law, and the Prophets that we appeal to. And if General Coun- cils recede from them, be it to themselves; we are no way obliged to yield Obedience to them ; they must answer for themselves, and we must answer for our selves ; and ‘tis not their Decree that will fave us harmless, when the Word of God is expresly against us, and con- demns us. Stand fast therefore in the Liberty, wherewith Christ bath Gal. 5 1. made us free, and be not entangled again with the Yoke of Bondage;

nor yield to Councils when against Christ.

3. It is requisite for you to consider the Care our Church takes, that ye may not be ensnar’d by the Authority of Councils, and the great Veneration she always discovers for, and pays to the Holy Scri-

ptures. She prefers one Sentence of Scripture before the big Words

and high Rants of Councils; and discovers upon every Occasion how - willing she is, that the Word of God should be the Rule of Faith, and Guide of Conscience. If Bishops, assembled in Council, show themselves prudent and pious, and give the Preference to the Word of God in all their Determinations, and consult, as much as may be, the Tranquillity and Peace of the Church ; she approves of their Decrees, allows of them as the discreet Suffrages of Faithful Pa-

stors.

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An EXPOSITION of the

Article XI. ARS

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stors. But whenever it is visible, that Faction and Interest conspire, and vote against the Truth, she leaves them, and shews, that she va- lues not their Sanctions, but stands by the Word of God, in defi- ance to any other Spiritual Power. And this to her own Children, ought to be a farther Obligation upon them, to love her Interest, to promote it, as it lies in their Power; and as she deserves their Com- mendation, this should engage them effectually to vindicate her Ho- nour and Praise, which Popery or Fanaticism cast Contempt upon, and despise with Scorn. We mult think meanly of Religion, if we can endure that such an excellent Pillar of Truth shou’d be ilightea; and forget our Communion with her, when we can patiently hear

her Enemies Revilings, and entertain Jealousies against her: Let us

rather value her Advice, live up to her Exhortations, walk as by the Word she teaches, that we may be her genuine Children, and there.

. by the Children of God. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our

Spirits, that we are the Children of God.

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