arch of Constantinople, was unjustly condemned and deposed by a Synod of 36 Bishops, held in a Church at Chalcedon, called the Synod at the Oak; where Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, presided. St. Chrysostom wrote to Pope Innocent, entreating him to declare null and void, all that had been done, as no injustice could be more notorious. His letter is conceived in these words: “I beseech you to direct &c. See page 153.–Surely this appeal from this illustrious Patriarch of Constantinople to the Pope, was a strong testimony of the Authority of the Tribunal of the Apostolic See, and of the superior jurisdiction of the Bishops of Rome over even the Patriarchs of the East. The ancient custom of appealing to Rome had been confirmed by the 3d, 4th, and 7th Canons of the general Council of Sardica, in 347.-See the passage at p. 86.
COUNCIL OF MILEVIS, IN AFRICA.-When this Council had, in 416, condemned the Pelagian errors, St. Augustin wrote a letter to Innocent I. in the name of the Council, in these words: “Since it has pleased God, &c.” See the passage at p. 88.
Could Innocent have exercised his Apostolical Authority in the Churches of Africa, in suppressing the Pelagian errors, if he had not been the supreme Pastor of the whole Church? Could St. Augustin, and the Bishops of this African Council, have declared that this Authority, which they invoked, was derived from the Authority of the sacred Scriptures, if they had not acknowledged it to be of Divine institution, and Divine right? In his answer, Innocent says: " that all ecclesiastical matters throughout the world, are, by divine right, to be referred to the Apostolic See; that is, to Peter, the Author of its name and honour.”—He commends the Bishops of this Council for so doing : “following” he says, “ the ancient rule, which you know with me, has been always observed, by the whole world.” Ibid. p. 1287.
The confirmation given by St. Innocent to the Council of
