The ridiculous Forgery of the Council of Sinuessa, put into the Roman Martyrologies. How the City, and the name of it was consumed, (though when, no man can tell) by an Earthquake.

MARCELLINUS the Bishop of Rome entered on his See about the year 296 in the dayes of Dioclesian. The Pontifical in the Life of Marcellinus telleth us, that he offered incense to an Idol, to escape the wrath of the Emperour.

Binius saith, When Marcellinus the Roman Pontifex was therefore accused, because in the Temple of Vesta and Isis, he burnt incense, and offered Sacrifice to Heathen Images and Idols, to wit, that of Jupiter and Saturn; 300 Bishops came together in the City Sinuessa, to pass their Sentence on the Fall of Marcellinus. The place of meeting was the Crypta Cleopatrensis, which fifty, one after another could enter, it not being able to contain them all, by reason of its straitness. After the discussion of the Cause, and condemnation of certain Priests, Marcellinus the chief Bishop, publickly confessing his Sin, cloathed with Sackcloath, sprinckled with ashes, prostrate on the ground, acting Repentance, said, I have sinned before you, and cannot be in the Order of Priests: and so condemned himself by his own Sentence.

After those of Magdenburg, the English Innovators reject this Convention of 300 Bishops, as if it were feigned by the Donatists. Because they think it improbable, that in this 20. year of Dioclesian, wherein the fiercest Flame of Persecution burned, and the Anger of the Emperours did rage more bitterly against the Christians, throughout all the Roman world, 300 Bishops should be assembled together, Bin. Not. in Vit. Marcellin.

By the way I must tell you, that the English do upon several accounts, besides that of the Persecution reject this Council of Sinuessa, however it pleaseth Binius to ease himself of labour, by mentioning only that. Neither do they fasten it on the Donatists, but the Papists. For though Marcellinus be made a Donatist in opinion, his Confession being founded on that Doctrine, that no man guilty of mortal sin, can (though penitent) continue in the Order of Priests: Binius himself puts the Doctrine into his mouth: while other Doctrines relating to the Popes Supremacy, and other Persons defending this Council, shew plainly enough whose it is, notwithstanding the present Mist which Binius putteth before our eyes.