Counterfeit Canons of the Apostles defended by Binius. A Glympse of his Pretences, Sophistries, and Contradictions. A Forged Council of Apostles concerning Images, defended by Binius and Turrian.

Severinus Binius, a late Collector of the Councils, is grown so famous, that his Voluminous Tomes have been Printed thrice; he is approved by an Epistle of Pope Paul v. inserted among other Instruments before his Work, and so highly esteemed, that he is exactly followed by Labbe and Cossartius in 17 Volumes, and taken in, word for word, by the COLLECTIO REGIA; lately published by the care of a King in 37 Tomes.

The reason why they follow Binius so exactly, the Collectio Regia giveth in these words, set next to the Title-page of the Book, for our better information. We thought fit to follow the last collection of the Councils put forth by Binius, and illustrated with his Notes; and to Print it wholly, as that which of all others is most richly stored. Wherein they have done Binius as great Honour as one can well imagine: for it shews his Notes to be the best and most convenient that can be gotten in the Church of Rome, and that all the Collectors since (which were very many) have not been able to devise better.

Hereupon it followeth, that in one Work we may the more concisely treat of Binius, Labbe, Cossartius, and the Collectio Regia together.

I once intended to give you a Copy of the Popes approbation, with the other Authorities by which Binius is approved; but as the case standeth it is superfluous.

He pretendeth in Prefaces and Promises, to justifie all the Canons, Councils, and Decretal Epistles, and maketh a glorious shew, setting them down afterwards with great Titles of Splendour and Majesty; in such sort, that a man would take them all for Authentick Records: But when he cometh to his Notes, he many times deserteth his design, and confesseth the Imposture. But his Notes are Pen’d in more obscure and inconsiderable Letters, and those his acknowledgments hidden from a [Transeunt] Eye in little room.

In his Letter to Paul V. he layeth all his Labours at the Popes Feet. So that we are like to have good on’t, when the Malefactor (accused) is made sole Lord and Judge of the Witnesses.