CANONS OF THE SIXTH GENERAL COUNCIL 263 oppose their constitutions; [nay,] they anathematize whoever does not anathematize Theodorus.' But Pope Vigilius refused to approve their doctrine and sentence; and therefore (which was the caseof many other bishops, as Baronius himself confesses and argues') was driven into banishment, wherein he expired.3* Yet posterity has embraced this synod as a legitimate and valid general synod, and the popes following professed the highest rever- ence thereto, equally with the preceding general synods;' so little necessary is the pope's consent or concurrence to the validity of synodical definitions. Upon this Baronius has an admirable reflection. "Stay here, reader," says he, " and consider the matter attentively," (ay, do so, I pray!) " that it is no new thing that some synod, in which the pope was not even present by his legates, but opposed it, should yet obtain the title of an oecumenical synod, while afterward the will of the pope acceded that it should obtain such a title."' So, in the opinion of this doctor, the pope can easily change the nature of things, and make that become a general synod which once was none, yea, which, as it was held, did not deserve the name of any synod at all' O the virtue of papal magic! or rather, O the impudence of papal advocates! The canons of the sixth general council, exhibited by the Trullane (or Quinsext) synod, clearly and expressly condemn several doc- trines and practices of Rome ;7 I ask whether the pope confirmed them? They will, to be sure, as theyare concerned to do, answer, "No ;" and indeed Pope Sergius, as Anastasius in his Life reports,' re- 'fused them; yet did they pass for legitimate in the whole church: Si quis defendit ... et non anathematizat eum ... anathema sit.Ibid. 2 Baron., ann. 553, § 223. s contra ipsius (pontificis Rom.) decreta ab ea (synodo) pariter sententia dicta. Baron., ann. 553, § 219. Non consentientes depositi in exilium missi aunt. - -Lib., cap. 24. " The author has committed a slight mistake here. Pope Vigilius may be said, indeed, to have died in exile; for though he had embarked, after seven years' absence, for Rome, he only got the length of Syracuse. But before he was permitted to return, he had formally approved of the sentence of the council at Constantinople, condemning Theodorus andTheodoret, and " the three chapters." Bower'sHist. of the Popes, vol. ii. 415. En. 4 Greg., Ep. i. 24. Quintana quoque synodum pariter veneror, &c., i. 24.Pelag. IL., Ep. ; Agatho. Syn. vi. Act. 4; Leo. Syn. Act. 18; Hadrian adNectar. 7 Hiesiste, lector, atque rem attente considera; non esse hoc novum, ut aliquasynodus, cui nec per legatos ipse pontifex interfuerit, sed adversatus fuerit, titulum tarnen ob- tinuerit (ecumenical ; cum postea ut hujusmodi titulum obtineret, Romani pontificia vo- luntas accessit.Baron., ann. 553, § 224. e Si ad numerosmimes, &c. Piene consenties ipsam nod cecumenicse tantum, sed neo privatse synodi mereri nomen.Ibid, ann. 553, § 219. Can. 2, 7, 13, 36, 55, 58, 67. 9 - in quibusdiversa capitula Romance ecclesite contraria scripta liserant. A nest. in Vit. Joh. VII.
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