The same is by later Papal Synods decreed'. The words of Synesius are remarkable: he, having excommunicated some cruel oppressors, doth thus recommend the case to all Christians: Επὶ τούτοις ἡ Πτολεμαϊδος ἐκκλησία τάδε πρὸς τὰς ἀπανταχοῦ γῆς ἑαυτῆς ἀδελφὰς διατάττεται Ei δέ τις ὡς μικροπολῖτιν ἀποσκυβαλίσει τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ δέξεται τοὺς ἀποκηρύκτους αὐτῆς, (proscribed by it) ὡς οὐκ ἀνάγκη τῇ πένητι πείθεσθαι, ἴστω σχίσας τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, ἣν μίαν ὁ Χριστὸς εἶναι βούλεται, &c. Upon which grounds I do not scruple to affirm the Recusants in England to be no less schismatics than any other separatists. They are, indeed, somewhat worse; for most others do only forbear communion, these do rudely condemn the Church, to which they owe obedience; yea, strive to destroy it: they are most desperate rebels against it. 8 It is the duty and interest of all Churches to disclaim the pretences of the Roman court; maintaining their liberties and rights against its usurpations: for compliance therewith, as it doth greatly prejudice truth and piety; (leaving them to be corrupted by the ambitious, covetous, and f Sanctorum quippe Canonum sanxit auctoritas, et ea passim Ecclesiæ consuetudo servat, ut a quolibet juste excommunicatum Episcopo, alius absolvere non præsumat.-P. Urb. II. Epist. xx. [Mans. Conc. Tom. xx. col. 665 c.] A suis Episcopis excommunicatos, ab aliis Episcopis, Abbatibus, et Clericis in communionem recipi procul dubio prohibemus.-Conc. Lat. I. (sub P. Calixto II.) Can. IX. [Mans. Conc. Tom. XXI. col. 283 E.] Qui vero excommunicato, antequam ab eo qui eum excommunicaverit absolvatur, scienter communicare præsumpserit, pari sententiæ teneatur obnoxius.-Conc. Lat. II. (sub Innoc. II.) Can. III. [Mans. Conc. Tom. XXI. col. 526 E.] Epist. LVIII. p. 203, Edit. Petav. voluptuous designs of those men ;) so it doth remove the genuine unity of the Church, and peace of Christians; unless to be tied by compulsory chains (as slaves) be deemed unity or peace. 9 Yet those Churches, which, by the voluntary consent or command of Princes, do adhere in confederation to the Roman Church, we are not, merely upon that score, to condemn or reject from communion of charity or peace; (for in that they do but use their liberty). ΙΟ But if such Churches do maintain impious errors; if they do prescribe naughty practices; if they do reject communion and peace upon reasonable terms; if they vent unjust and uncharitable censures; if they are turbulent and violent, striving by all means to subdue and enslave other Churches to their will or their dictates -if they damn and persecute all who refuse to be their subjects: in such cases we may reject such Churches as heretical or schismatical, or wickedly uncharitable and unjust in their proceedings. h Cuicunque hæresi communicans merito judicatur a nostra societate removendus.-Gelas. Ep. 1. ad Euphem. [Mans. Conc. Tom. vII. col. 7 D.] An communicare, non est consentire cum talibus? P. Sym. I. Ep. vi. [Mans. Tom. viii. col. 214 c.] |