[34] Luther had discussed the whole subject of the power of the keys in a Latin treatise, _Resolutio super propositione xiii. de potestate papae_, of 1519 (_Weimar Ed._, II, pp. 185 ff.), and in the German treatise _The Papacy at Rome_ (Vol. I, pp. 337-394). [35] Pp. 66 ff. [36] Another contention of Prierias. In 1518 (Nov. 25th) Luther had appealed his cause from the decision of the pope, which he foresaw would be adverse, to the decision of a council to be held at some future time. In the _Epitome_ Prierias discusses this appeal, asserting, among other things, that "when there is one undisputed pontiff, it belongs to him alone to call a council," and that "the decrees of councils neither bind nor hold (_nullum ligant vel astringunt_) unless they are confirmed by authority of the Roman pontiff" (_Weimar Ed._, VI, 335). [37] i. e., A mere gathering of people. [38] The Council of Nicæa, the first of the great councils of the Church, assembled in 325 for the settlement of the Arian controversy. Luther's statement that it was called by the Emperor Constantine, and that its decisions did not derive their validity from any papal confirmation, is historically correct. On Luther's statements about this council, see _Schäffer, _Luther als Kirchenhistoriker_, pp. 291 ff.; Kohler, Luther und die Kg., pp. 148 ff. [39] Luther is here referring to the earlier so-called "ecumenical" councils. [40] i. e., A council which will not be subject to the pope. Cf. _Erl. Ed._, xxvi, 112. [41] i. e., They belong to the "spiritual estate"; see above, p. 69. [42] _Der Haufe_, i. e. Christians considered _en masse_, without regard to official position in the Church. [43] The papal crown dates from the XI Century; the triple crown, or tiara, from the beginning of the XIV. It was intended to signify that very superiority of the pope to the rulers of this world, of which Luther here complains. See _Realencyk._, X, 532, and literature there cited. [44] A statement made by Augustinus Triumphus. See above, p. 73, note 5; and below, p. 246. [45] The Cardinal della Rovere, afterwards Pope Julius II, held at one time the archbishopric of Avignon, the bishoprics of Bologna, Lausanne, Coutances, Viviers, Mende, Ostia and Velletri, and the abbacies of Nonantola and Grottaferrata. This is but one illustration of the scandalous pluralism practised by the cardinals. Cf. Lea, in _Cambridge Mod. Hist._, I, pp. 650 f. [46] The complaint that the cardinals were provided with incomes by appointment to German benefices goes back to the Council of Constance (1415). C. Benrath, p. 87, note 17.