the validity of their respective elections, they reciprocally denounced each other. Where, then, did Infallibility reside before the Gothic King, Theodoric, gave it a supposed habitation in the person of Symmachus? Theodoric, an Arian, that is, a Heretic in the eyes of Mother Church, awarded the keys of Peter to Symmachus, and invested him with the *Pontificate :a circumstance, that must have vitiated the boasted Apostolic succession in the Bishops of Rome, and consequently have destroyed their title to Infallibility!

The Lights of the Christian Church in this century were Chrysostom, Jerome, Augustine, Cyril of Alexandria, St. Patrick, Pelagius, Sedulius, Socrates, and Sozomen;-—the Historians, and the two Gelasius's. Among those, who wrote with greatest acrimony against Christianity, both in this and the Arian age, were Libanius, Julian the Apostate, Ammianus Marcellinus, and Olympiodorus.

* With what consistency, can the Romish Church of the present day, refuse a VETO to our GRACIOUS KING, GEORGE IV., in the appointment of its Bishops; when such a fact stares it in the face?

THE

EUTYCHIAN AGE, OR SIXTH

CENTURY.

CHAPTER X.

THE FIFTH GENERAL COUNCIL HELD AT CONSTANTINOPLE, A. D. 556.

THE Monophysite doctrine, which, as we have seen, was broached by *Eutyches in opposition to the Nestorians, who maintained the opinion of the two natures, infected the Church throughout the entire of this century. Its professors also, although they assumed different titles, and entertained different views of it; yet so generally agreed in their defence of the Eutychian Principle, that the sixth century, in which it was upheld, has not been inaptly called the EUTYCHIAN AGE.

The Cabals and intrigues for the election to the Popedom, disgraced the commencement of

* See page 71.

this century. Their future prevention, however, was decreed, and certain Rules, having in view the peace and order of the Western Church, were laid down by two Synods convened at Rome about the same time. From this period, to the middle of the century, upwards of twenty local meetings of the Clergy were held in different parts of Europe: in Asia, there were fifteen, and only four in Africa. The regulations for the married Clergy, which, here and there, present themselves to view, prove that celibacy was not a general regulation at the time; while Communion in both kinds appears to have been an established usage. Numerous as were the Canons, which were framed, up to the middle of this century, they present nothing remarkable, if we except some Ordinances of the Council of Orange, touching Monasteries, Nunneries, Consecrating Altars with Chrism, and the right of Sanctuary :-Ordinances, which shew how early the popish leaven began to affect the simplicity of the doctrine and discipline, handed down by the primitive Church.

The metaphysical errors about a plurality of Worlds, the pre-existence of Souls, the animation of the Heavens, and others equally ridiculous, might have continued in the same oblivious repose, in which they had slumbered for the preceding three centuries, were they not called forth by the disputatious spirit of this age.

Bishops, Priests, and Monks were ranged at either side; some condemning, and others defending the same principles, according as their taste, or prejudices inclined them. So violent did the controversy become, that an imperial mandate seemed alone adequate to its suppres sion. Gratified with the opportunity, which presented itself, of acting as a Judge in ecclesiastical matters, Justinian issued an Edict, A. D. 541; and after having enumerated, and refuted the errors, against which his zeal was directed; he ordered the person, who gave them birth, to be anathematized by the Church of Constantinople. After having thus persecuted the memory of Origen, he afforded a further proof of his orthodoxy, in his Confession of Faith against the *THREE CHAPTERS :-the title given to certain writings, in which were found passages of a Nestorian character. The authors of those writings, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret of Cyrrhus, and Ibas of Edessa, although, like Origen, insensible to either his praise, or his censure, removed as they were from the enjoyment of an earthly existence; were like him condemned, and anathematized: while precedents were adduced from the practice of the African Church, for proceedings like these against the +dead.

*DUPIN, vol. i. p. 710.

+ May we not suppose, that the pious Fathers, who, at the

Vigilius, Bishop of Rome, who happened to arrive about this time in the Byzantine Capital, betrayed the most marked inconsistency, by his alternately assenting to, and condemning this sentence. Ashamed, however, of his vacillation; or rather, apprehensive of the consequences, which might result from his opposition to Justinian's wishes, he took refuge in a Church to avoid his anger; but yielded, after a short struggle, to the proposal made him for a general Council, that should consist of an equal number of Eastern, and Western Bishops.

This, which has been denominated the FIFTH ÆCUMENICAL, or GENERAL COUNCIL, was held in the Prætorium of Constantinople, A. D. 553, (according to some, in the year 556,) and consisted of one hundred and sixty-five Bishops. It is remarkable, that while the Patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antioch, occupied the FIRST places, not the least mention was made of Vigilius, although on the spot at the time. The subject, to which the attention of the Council was directed, referred to the old dispute of the THREE CHAPTERS, in the adjustment of which, the peace of the Church was deeply involved.

Council of Constance, ordered the exhumation, and burning of WICKLIFFE's bones, for having translated some of the Scriptures into the English, then spoken; after they had excommunicated him: defended their act, by the authority referred to in this place?