COUNCIL

In Church History, an a embly of prelates and other spiritual persons for the regulation of ecclesiastical matters. Such councils are either national, or oecumenical; the latter being those in which the whole body of the clergv throtighout the world is represented, and are convened for the settling of points of universal interest. The Roman Catholics hold that the decision of cecumenic or general councils are infallible, and for the most part allow their superiority to the popes themselves. This superiority was first a erted at the Council of Pisa, in which the two reigning anti-popes were deposed; and confirmed by the proceedings of those of Con stance and Basil. Since that time the popes have been very tmwilling to convene a general council, and that of Trent is the only one that has a embled in later times. '■ The Protestants allow the authority of general councils I in matters which do not contradict Scripture, and attach! great importance to the four first councils; viz. of Nice, i Constantinople I., B;phesus, and Chalcedon. But they I maintain that a general council can only be called by a! [s. 305]