As it has been thought material only to note such councils as are of some prominence in ecclesiastical history, and have left canons upon record, that of Illiberis was first selected. Neither the place, nor the time in which it sat, has passed unquestioned. The former, however, it is generally believed, was at a city, once episcopal, but now wholly ruined, built on Mount Elvira, where its traces are still discernible, about seven miles from Granada, in Spain. The date adopted is that given in Labbé and Cossart's Councils; which have been followed for all the other dates.

By Romish authors, the series of councils is made to begin with the Apostles themselves, three being actually recorded in Scripture; viz. that in

A. D.

305

314

314

314

320

which Matthias was elected in place of the traitor Judas; that in which the seven deacons were elected; and that which excused Gentile converts from observance of the ceremonial law. (Acts i. vi. xv.) Various notices in ecclesiastical history are made to supply a succession of others, but the first with all the regular appearances of a council is that of Illiberis or Elvira. This has also been rendered prominent by means of its thirty-sixth canon, which prohibits pictures in churches, lest objects of adoration should be found upon their walls. Protestants have naturally exulted in this ancient authority against Romish usage, while the Papal party has met it with embarrassment, and endeavoured to elude its force.