The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 4 · History of century 7

The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ · Book 4 · History of century 7

p. 594CENTVRIE VII.

A Councell at Rome by Bonifacius the third. Pl…in. in vit. Bonif. 3.IN the yeere of our Lord 607. and vnderunder the raigne of the Emperour Phocas, a Councell was assembled at Rome of 72. Bishops, 30. Presbiters, and 3. Deacons. In this councell the priuiledge of supremacie giuen by Phocas to the Roman Church, was published. Likewise it was ordained vnderunder paine of cursing, that during the life-time of a Bishop, no man should talke of the election of another: That no man by largition of money should purchase vntounto himselfe a spirituall office, and that no man should consult concerning the election of another Bishop or Pope before three dayes were expired, after the death of the defunct: and that the Bishop should be elected by the Clergie & people, and their electiō should be ratified by the Magistrate of the Citie and the Pope: by these words, Volumus et iubemus, that is we will and we command, otherwise the election shall be voyde, and of none effect.

Another assemblie holden at Rome by Bonifacius the fourth. Note.Bonifacius the fourth gathered another assemblie in the eight (that is in the last) yeere of the raigne of Phocas: wherein he gaue power to Monkes to preach, to minister the Sacraments, to heare Confessions, to bind and loose, and associated them in equall authoritie with the Clergie.

The first Councell of Bracara counted the second by Caranza.BRacara or Braecara, vulgarly called Braga, is a towne in Portugall. In the yeere of our Lord 610. and vnderunder the raigne of Gundemarus, king of Gothes, raigning at that time in the countrey of Spaine, assembled some Bishops of Gallicia, Lusitania, and of the Prouince called Lucensis of olde. It was ordained, That eu…rie Bishop should visit the Churches p. 595of his diosie, and see that baptisme was duly ministred, and that Catechumeni twenty dayes before their baptisme should resort to the purifications of Exorcismes,Canon 1. and should bee instructed in the knowledge of the Apostolick Symbol, and that the people should bee exhorted to beware of Idolatry, adultery, murther, periury, and all other deadly sins.

That Bishops should not lift vp the third part of the oblations of the people,Canon 2. but that it should remaine in the parish Church, for furnishing light, and for repairing the fabrick of the Church: and that the Bishop should compell noue of the Clergy to attend vponupon him in servile workes.

That Bishops,Canon 3. for ordination of the Clergy, should receiue no rewards.

That neither a little balme,Canon 4. nor yet the price thereof should be exacted from the people for their baptisme, in any time to come: lest they should seeme (with Simon Magus) to sell the gift of God for money.

That Bishops,Canon 5. before the dedication of Churches, shall see a charter, containing a sufficient maintenance for them, who shall serue in the Church, and for a substantiall furniture of lights thereunto.

A Church builded for gaine,Canon 6. and contribution of the people, redounding to the vantage of the builder, shall not be consecrated.

Parents,Canon 7. who are poore, and present their children to baptisme, if they offer any thing voluntarily, it shal be accepted: but they shall not be compelled to pay any thing, neither shall a pledge be required from them, left poore people fearing this, with-hold their children from baptisme.

If any of the Clergie bee accused of fornication,Canon 8. let the accuser proue his accusation, by two or three witnesses, according to the precept of the Apostle, else let the accuser be excommunicate.

That Metrapolitane Bishops,Canon 9. shall signifie to others of the Clergie, the time of the observation of Easter, or Pasch day: and the Clergie, after the reading of the Gospell, in like manner intimate the day vntounto the people.

p. 596Canon 10.That whosoever tasteth meat or drink, before he consecrate the oblation of the Altar, shall be deposed from his office.

The Councell of Altissidorū.IN the yeere of our Lord, 613. assembled in a towne of France, called Altissidorum, otherwise Antissidorum, vulgarly Auxerre, a number of Abbots and Presbyters, with one Bishop, and three Deacons. In this Councell they damned Sorcerie, and the seeking of consultation at Sorcerers, in the first, third, fourth, and fift Canons: wherby it appeareth, that Sorcery hath been in frequent vse in France. Many superstitious constitutions were set down in this Synod, concerning the number of Masses, prohibition of tasting meate before Masse, concerning buriall, prohibition of Baptisme before the festivity of Easter-day, except vponupon necessity, and feare of approaching death, prohibition of Matrimoniall copulation with their owne wiues, to Presbyters and Deacons, after their blessing and consecration; with prohibition of marriage also, to the widowes of the defunct Presbyters, Deacons, or Sub-deacons: this was a yoke of Antichristian subiection indeed.Canon 31. Brothers and sisters children are forbidden to marrie.

Canon 34.It is not lawfull for a Presbyter to sit in iudgement, when any man is condemned to death.

Canon 35.It is not lawfull for a Clergie-man to cite another of the Clergie before a secular Iudge.

Canon 36.It is not lawfull for a woman with a naked hand, to touch the holy Eucharist.

Canon 38.It is not lawfull to take refreshment of meate, with an excommunicate person.

Canon 39.If any of the Clergie receiue an excōmmunicate man, without the knowledge of him who did excommunicate him, he shall receiue the like sentence, that is, he shall likewise be excommunicated.

Canon 40.It is not lawfull for a Presbyter in banqueting time, to sing or dance.

Many Canons, to the number of 45. were concluded in this Councell: but I hauehave determined not to over-lade a p. 597little booke, with commemoration of an heape of vnprofitable, vnnecessary, and superstitious Canons.

IN the yeere of our Lord,The Councell of Hispalis, vnderunder Sisebutus. 364. and in the 24. yeere of the raigne of the Emp. Heraclius, a Councel was gathered in Hispalis a towne of Spaine, vulgarly called Civill la grand. It was gathered by Isidorus Bishop of Hispalis, at the command of King Sisebutus, who was both present & President, in this Councell. For two principall causes was this Synod convened: namely, for suppressing the heresie of foreign, which was a branch of the heresie of Eutyches: secondly, for decision of questions, which arose amongst Bishops, concerning the marches & bounds of their dioceses, with some other Ecclesiasticall causes. They had 13. Sessions, or meetings, as is declared, 2. Tom. Council.

In the first action Theodulphus Bishop of Malaca, complained, 1that by iniury of warres an ancient parish Church was separated from his towne, and possessed by others. It was concluded, that he should be repossessed againe into his ancient priviledges, and that prescription of time should hauehave no place, if it were knowne, that hostility and war-fare had hurt a man in his rights.

In the 2. Session, the controversie betwixt Fulgentius B. of 2Astigita, and Honorius B. of Corduba, concerning the marches of their dioceses, was debated: and men were chosen to visite the bounds, and to decide the controuersie.

In the 3. Session compeared Cambra B. of Italica, a towne 3of the province of Spain, of old called Baetica: he cōplained against one of his Clergie, named Passandus, that hee being brought vp frō his infancy in the Church of Italica, yet had fled without any iust cause to Corduba. It was ordained, that whosoever fled from his owne Church vntounto another, should be sent back againe, and be put into a Monastery, & should be devested of his honor for a time, to the end, that the sharpnesse of discipline might correct the licentious liberty of vagring and wandering.

In the 4. Session, it was complained, that some were consecrated 4to bee Levites in the Church of Astigita, who had p. 598maried widowes: This ordination was annulled; and it was ordained, that none of these Leuites should be promoted to the honor of a Deacon.

5In the 5. Session, a Deacon of the Church of Agabra complained of the ordination of three persons in that Church: one was ordained to bee Presbyter, and two to bee Levites. The Bishop being blind, laid his hands vponupon them, but one of the Presbyters pronounced the blessing: Now the Presbyter who had pronounced the blessing, was dead before the Councell of Hispalis, therefore they remitted him to his owne Iudge: but the three persons afore-said admitted to Church-offices, they deposed them from their offices, as persons vnlawfully admitted.

6In the 6. Session, it was found, that Fragitanus, a Presbyter of the Church of Corduba, was most vniustly both deposed and banished, by his Bishop. For remedy, that the like mis-order should hauehave no place in time to come, it was statuted & ordained, that a Bishop, without advice of his Synode, should not presume to depose a Presbyter.

7In the 7. Session, Chore-episcopi, & Presbyters are debarred frō the high priviledges of the Episcopal office: namely, from the consecration of Presbyters, of holy Virgins, Churches, & Altars, from laying hand vponupon men converted from heresie, & conferring vntounto them the holy Spirit, frō making of Chrisme, & signating with it the fore-heads of them who are baptized, from absolving publickly in time of Masse, any penitent person, and sending testimonials to forraine parts, called Formatae epistola: and finally, from baptizing, consecrating the Sacrament, blessing the people, and teaching them, receiving penitents, when the Bishop was present.

8The 8. Session intreated concerning Heliseus, a servant, whom the Bishop of Agabra had set at liberty, and hee on the other part abused his liberty, so farre, that he presumed by Magicall Art to cut off the Bshoppe who had beene so beneficiall vntounto him: he was ordained to be redacted againe to his former servile estate, that hee might learne obedience to his superiours, by the heavie yoke of servile subiection.

p. 599In the ninth Session, it is forbidden, that Bishops should 9hauehave Leke-men to be masters of their house, but onelyonly some of their owne Clergie, should be dispensators of their houshold affaires,Deut. 12.10.Deut 12:10 because it is written, Thou shalt not plow with an Oxe and an Asse together. By the way marke, that nothing was so miserably abused at this time, as testimonies of holy Scripture.

In the tenth Session, the Monasteries lately builded in 10the Baetike Province, were allowed, and confirmed.

In the eleventh Session, the Monasteries of Virgins are recommended 11to the over-sight of the Abbot governing the Monastery of Monkes, with caveats, that all appearance of evill should be providently eschewed.

In the twelfth Session, one professing the heresie of Acephali 12compeared, who denyed the distinction of two natures in Christ, and affirmed, that the divinity of Christ did suffer vponupon the Crosse: but he was seriously dealt withall, and convicted by testimonies of holy Scripture, and Fathers: so that hee renounced his hereticall opinion, and embraced the true faith; and the whole Councell gaue thankes and praise vntounto God, for conuersion.

In the thirteenth Session, there is a prolix refutation of 13the opinion of those who supposed, that the two natures of Christ were confounded, and that the divinity suffered. Isidorus seemeth to be the compiler of this Treatise, against Acephali, given into the Councell of Hispalis: and many do thinke,Hist. Magd. cent. 7. cap. 10. that hee collected into one volume the Councels that preceded his time: for he was a man more learned than his fellowes, in his dayes.

IN the yeere of our Lord,The 4. Councel of Toledo. 639. and vnderunder the raigne of Sisenandus, King of Spaine, by the Kings commandement, moe then 70. Bishops and Presbyters were convened in the towne of Toledo, vponupon occasion of diversity of ceremonies and discipline, in the countrey of Spaine.

First,Canon 1. they set downe a short confession of the true Faith, which they ordayned to be embraced and kept.

p. 600Canon 2.Secondly, that there should be an vniforme order of praying, singing of Psalmes, solemnities of Masses, Euen-song, seruice, throughout al Spaine & Gallicia, like as they all professed one faith, & dwelt in one kingdome, lest diuersitie of ceremonies & rites should offend ignorant people, & make them to thinke that there was a schisme in the Church.

Canon 3.It was statuted and ordained, That at least once in the yeere prouinciall Councels should be assembled: and in case any controuersie should fall out in matters of Faith, a generall Councell of al the prouinces of Spaine should be assembled. Here let the judicious Reader marke, that in processe of time almost all thinges are subject to alteration; and Councels, of old called Nationall, now abusiuely begin to be called Generall. The order of incomming of Bishops to the Councell, sitting in the first place, and of the Presbyters after them, and sitting in a place behinde the Bishops: and of Deacons, who should stand in presence of Bishops and Presbyters, is described at length in the third Canon.

Canon 4.That the Festiuitie of Easter, or Pashe day, should be kept vponupon the day of Christes resurrection.

Canon 5.Concerning the diuersitie of rites vsed in Baptisme, some vsing the ceremonie of thrise dipping in water, others one dipping only. It was thought most expedient to be content with one dipping, because the Trinitie is so viuely represented in the name of the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost, that there is no necessitie by three dippinges in water to represent the Trinitie: and for eschewing all appearance of schisme, and lest Christians should seeme to assent vntounto heretikes who diuide the Trinitie: For all these causes it was expedient to keepe vniformitie in the ceremonies of Baptisme.

Canon 6.It was statuted and ordained, That vponupon Fryday immediately preceeding Easter day, the doctrine of the suffering of Christ, of repentance, and remission of sinnes, should be clearely taught vntounto the people, to the end, that they being purged by the remission of sins, might the more worthily celebrate the feast of the Lords resurrection, and receiue the holie Sacrament of the Lords bodie and blood.

p. 601The custome of putting an ende vntounto the fasting of Lent,Canon 7. vponupon fryday at nine a clocke, as damned, because in the day of the Lords suffering, the Sunne was couered with darknesse and the elementes were troubled: and for honour of the Lords suffering that day should be spent in fasting, mourning, and abstinence: and he who spendeth any part of that day in banqueting, let him be debarred from the Sacrament of Christs bodie and blood on Pashe day.

That the Tapers and Torches,Canon 8. which shined in the church in the night preceeding the day of the resurrection should be solemnly blessed, to the end, that the mystery of the holy resurrection might be expected with consecrated lights. Such voluntary seruice inuented by the braine of man, had great sway at this time.

That in the day lie Church-seruice the Lords prayer (vulgarly called Pater noster) should be rehearsed,Canon 9. because it is vsually called Oratio quotidiana, that is, a daylie prayer.

That Alleluiah be not sung in time of Lent,Canon 10. because it is a time of mourning, and humiliation, vntill the dayes of resurrection be celebrated, which is a time of ioy and gladnesse.

That after the Epistle a part of the Gospell should bee read.Canon 11.

That Hymnes and spirituall songes,Canon 12. not contained in holy Scripture, may be sung in the Church.

The song of the three Children shall be sung in all Churches of Spaine and Gallicia.Canon 13.

In the end of Spirituall songes it shall not be simply saide,Canon 14. Glorie to the Father, and to the Son, &c. but, Glorie and honour to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, to the end, that hymmes sung in earth, may be correspondent to the song of the Elders in Heauen, foreign, foreign: Apocal. 4.11.

In Responsories,Canon 15. if it be a matter of gladnesse, the ende shall be, Gloria, &c. and if it bee a matter of sadnesse, the end shall be, Principium, &c.

The booke of the Apocalyps of Saint Iohn, Canon 16.is declared p. 602to be a booke of Canonicke Scripture, and to be preached in open audience of the Church, betwixt Easter and Whitsonday.

Canon 17.It is forbidden, that the holy Communion should be celebrated immediatly after the saying of the Lords Prayer: but let the blessing bee first giuen, and then let the Priestes, and Leuites communicate before the Altar, the Clergie within the Quire, and the people without the Quire.

Canon 18.No man shall be promoted to the honour of Priesthood, who is infamous, who hath beene baptized in heresie, who hath gelded himselfe, who hath married the second wife, or a widow, who hath had concubines, who is in a servile condition, who is vnknowne, Neophycus, who is given to war-fare, or an attender in Court, who is vnlearned, or hath not attained to the age of thirtie yeares, who hath not proceeded to honour by ascending degrees, who by ambition, or bribes, hath presumed to honour, who hath been elected by his predecessor, who hath not beene elected by the Clergie and people of his owne citie: He who is approved, shall be consecrated on the Lords day, by all the comprovinciall Bishops, at least by three of them.

Canon 19.Let Levites be of the age of 25. yeeres before their admission, and Presbyters of 30.

Canon 20.Let Bishops be vnreproveable, according to the precept of the Apostle, 1 Tim. 3.

Canon 21.Let Bishops not onelyonly hauehave the testimony of a Good conscience in the sight of God, but also the testimony of an vnruproueable conversation amongst men.

Canon 22.Presbyters & Levites, whom infirmity of old age permits not to abide in their secret chambers: yet let them hauehave witnesses of their honest conversation and remaining places.

Canon 23.Youth-hood is prone and bent to evill: therefore let them that are young, be all brought vp in one conclaue, vnderunder the instruction and government of some well approved Senior. But they who shall be found lascivious and incorrigible, let them bee thrust into a Monastery, to the end, that stricter discipline may correct the proud minds of insolent youths.

p. 603Seeing that ignorance is the mother of all errours,Canon 24. it becommeth Presbyters, who hauehave vndertaken the office of teaching, continually to meditate vponupon holy Scripture, according to the words of the Apostle, Take heed to reading, exhortation, and doctrine, 1 Tim. 4. for by meditation of holy Scripture, and the Canons of the Church, men are made able to instruct others in knowledge, and in precepts of good manners.

Presbyters shal receiue from their owne Bishops an officiall booke,Canon 25. to the end, that through ignorance they doe nothing amisse, neither in celebration of the Sacraments, nor in their Letanies, nor in their forme of comming to Councels.

When Presbyters and Deacons are admitted to their offices, they must vow chastitie,Canon 26. and binde themselues to their Bishops, to lead a continent life: and after such profession, let them retaine the discipline of an holy life.

A Bishop,Canon 27. Presbyter, or Deacon, who shall happen to be vniustly deposed, if they bee found innocent by the tryall of the Synode, let them be restored to their former dignities before the Altar, by the hands of Bishops, in this manner. If hee bee a Bishop, let him be restored to his Orarium, with Staffe and Ring: If hee be a Presbyter, to his Orarium and Planeta: If he be a Deacon, to his orarium and Alba: If he be a Sub-deacon, to his Plate and Chalice: and other orders, let them receiue in their restitution, that which was given vntounto them in their ordination.

If any of the Clergy be found to hauehave cōsulted with diviners & sorcerers,Canon 28. let him be deposed from his dignity, & put into a Monastery, to make cōtinual penance for his sacrilege.

Church-men who dwell in borders, confining to a Nation that is vnderunder hostility with their owne countrey, let them neither receiue from the enemies of the countrey, nor direct any secret message vntounto the enemies.

If any Church-man sit in iudgement,Canon 29. or be iudge in a sentence of blood, let him bee depriued of his dignity in the Church.

Let Bishoppes hauehave a care of such as are oppressed,Canon 30. to reproove p. 604the mightie men who oppresse them:Canon 31. and if the word of wholesome reproofe profite nothing, let them complaine to the king, to the ende, that by regall authoritie impietie may be subdued.

Canon 32.Seeing auarice is the roote of all euill, let Bishops so gouerne their dioceses, that they spoyle thē not of their rightes: but according to the determination of anteriour Councels, let them hauehave the third part of Oblations, Tithes, Tributes, & Cornes: the rest let it remaine vntounto the Paroches free, and vntouched.

Canon 33.That thing which one Bishop possesseth, without interpellation, for the space of thirtie yeeres, let no man in that same Prouince be heard in an action of repetition: But as concerning them who dwell in diuerse Prouinces, the case standeth otherwise, lest while Dioceses are defended, the boundes of Prouinces be confounded.

Canon 34.A Church newly builded, shall appertaine vntounto that Bishop, in whose diosie it is knowne that spiritual conuentions hauehave beene kept.

Canon 35.A Bishop shall visit yeerelie all the paroches of his diosie: and in case he be hindered by infirmitie, or by weightie businesse, he shall appoint faithfull Presbyters and Deacons, to take inspection of the fabricke of the Churches, and of their rentes.

Canon 36.Whatsoeuer reward a Prelate promiseth to a man who vndertaketh any worke tending to the vtilitie of the Church, let him faithfully performe his promise.

Canon 37.Seeing that a part of Church-rentes is bestowed vponupon sustentation of strangers, and of poore and indigent people, if it shall happen at any time, those persons, or their children, to be indigent, who hauehave rendered any rent to the Church, let them render a just deserued retribution to their bene-factors, in sustaining them, to whose beneuolence they are addoted.

Canon 38.The Deacons are decerned to be inferiour to Presbyters.

Let the Leuites be content to be cloathed with their Orarium onelyonly vponupon the left shoulder,Canon 39. and not vponupon their right p. 605shoulders: and let it neither be beautified with colours, nor with gold: Platina in the life of Zosinus, calleth it Linostima.

Let Clergie-men hauehave the vpper-most part of their heads bare and shauen,Canon 40. and the lower-part rounded, not following the example of the Readers of Gallicia, who did shaue onelie a little of the vpper-most part of the haire of their head:Note. conforming themselues, in so doing, to the custome of some Heretikes; which dishonour is to bee remoued from the Churches of Spaine.

No strange women shall cohabite with Church-men,Canon 41. only their mother, or sister, or her daughter, or fathers sister, may dwell with them, amongst which persons the bandes of nature permitteth not to suspect any sinne, according to the constitutions of auncient Fathers.

Some of the Clergie,Canon 42. who are not married, are intangled with the forbidden lust of strange women, let the Bishop separate them, sell the women, and redact the men infected with their lust, for a space, vntounto penance.

If a man of the Clergy marrie a wife,Canon 43. or a widow, or a deuorced woman, or an harlot, without aduise of his Bishop, let the Bishop separate them againe.

Clergie-men,Canon 44. who hauehave cloathed themselues with armour voluntarilie, and hauehave gone to warre fare, let them be deposed from their office, and bee thrust into a Monasterie, there to remaine all the dayes of their life.

Church-men,Canon 45. who are found spoyling the sepulchers of persons departed, let them be deposed, and be subject vntounto three yeeres penance.

By the commandement of king Sisenandus, Canon 46.Churchmen are exempted from all publike indictions and labours, to the end with great libertie they may attend vponupon spirituall seruice.

Let Bishops have some of their owne Clergie to be rulers of their house-holde-affaires,Canon 47. according as the Councell of Chalcedon hath ordained.

A man is made a monke either by his parents deuotion,Canon 48. Note. or by his own profession: but whether he be embarked into p. 606the Monasticke life, the one way or the other, there is no redresse againe vntounto a secular estate.

Canon 49.Persons of the Clergie, who are desirous to enter into a Monasterie, and to leade a contemplatiue life, let not their Bishops hinder the purpose of their minde,Note. because they hauehave intention to enter into a better trade of living.

Canon 50.Bishops hauehave power to constitute Abbots, to governe Monasteries, and to correct enormities, that shall happen to fall out amongst them: but not to redact them to servile offices, nor to convert the rents of the Abbie to their owne vse, as a possession duly belonging to themselues.

Canon 51.The Monks who leauing their Monastery, returne againe to a secular life, and marrie wiues; let them be brought back againe to their owne Monasterie, there to doe penance, and to lament for their by past sins.

Canon 52.Religious men, who wander vp and downe in a Nation, and are neither members of the Clergie, nor Monkes of any Monasterie; let the Bishops restraine their licentious libertie, and appoint them either to serue in the Clergie, or in a Monasterie, except such as through infirmity, or age, hauehave gotten an exemption.

Canon 53.They who hauehave confessed the committing of any deadly sinne, cannot be promoted to Ecclesiasticall honors.

Canon 54.Secular men, who in receiving their penance, hauehave been content to be shaven, and to put on a religious habit, if they revolt againe, and will needs become Laickes, and be incorrigible, then let them be counted apostates, and excommunicate from the fellowship of the Church.

Canon 55.Widowes who hauehave put on a religious habit, and vowed chastitie, if they marrie, they hauehave damnation, according to the wordes of the Apostle, 1 Tim. 5.12.

Canon 56.Iewes are not to bee compelled to receiue the Christian faith: but these who already by constraint, hauehave received it in the dayes of the noble King Sisebutus, seeing they hauehave been already partakers of our Sacraments, let them be compelled to persevere, left the Name of the Lord Iesus bee blasphemed, and the Faith, which they hauehave embraced, p. 607bee counted vile and contemptible.

They who receiue the bribes and rewards from the Iewes,Canon 57. to cloake their vngodlinesse, and to foster them in their infidelity, let them be accursed, and counted strangers from the Church of Christ.

Iewes,Canon 58. and 59. after their conversion to the Christian faith, if they be found to hauehave circumcised their sonnes or servants: by the commandement of the most religious King Sisenandus, it is ordained, that the circumcised children of the Iewes, shall be separated from the fellowship of their parents, and the servants shall bee set at liberty, for the iniury done vntounto their body, by circumcision.

Iewes,Canon 60. who are punished to death for any contempt done by them against Christ, after their baptisme, this punishment shall not preiudge their children from right to enioy their goods, if they be faithfull, because it is written, The sonne shal not beare the iniquity of the father, Ezech. 18.20.

Let not Iewes,Canon 61. after their conversion, haunt the company of other superstitious Iewes, as yet addicted to the abolished law of ceremonies, left they be perverted: if they transgresse this ordinance, such of them as hauehave professed Christianity, shall be given in service to Christians, others shal be appointed to be publickly scourged.

Iewes,Canon 62. who hauehave married Christian women, if they will not embrace Christian religion, let them be separated from their wiues company, and let the children be brought vp in the faith of their Christian mothers.

Iewes,Canon 63. who hauehave once professed Christian Faith, and hauehave sliden backe againe from it, shall not bee admitted witnesses before a Iudge, albeit they professe themselues to be Christians, because like as their faith is suspected, so in like manner, their humane testimony is to be doubted of.

Let no Iew be preferred to any publique office,Canon 64.

Let no Iew presume to buy a Christian servant,Canon 65. which if hee doe, the servant shall be taken from him, and shall be set at liberty.

Bishops,Canon 66. who hauehave not benefited the Church, by any proper p. 608donation of their owne goods, they should not impoverish their Church, by setting at liberty Church-servants, which thing if hee presume to doe, his successour shall reduce those servants againe to the possession of the Church, whom iniquity without any iust right hath absolved.

Canon 67.A Bishop, who setteth a servant at liberty, having first by permutation set another of the like worth, and merit, in his place, shall deny liberty to the fore-said servant, either to accuse or to beare witnesse against the Church, wherein hee was a seruant; else he shall forfeit his liberty, and bee reduced to his former servile condition, in that same Church, which he would hauehave harmed; and in the meane time, the permutation afore sayd, shall stand firme and stable.

Canon 68.Hee who hath augmented Church-rents, either by conferring, or accquiring some augmentation vntounto it, hath some liberty to set Church-servants at liberty, prouiding alwayes, they abide vnderunder the patrociny of the Church.

Canon 69. and 70. and 71.Because the patronage of the Church never dieth, let those servants, whom the Church hath set at liberty, and their posterity, be obedient to the Church, & depend vponupon their patrociny. If they be vnthankfull, let their liberty bee forfeit, and let the Church defend them, from all insolency and wrong.

Canon 72. and 73.Servants, who are set at so full liberty, that their patrons hauehave kept no band of subiection over their heads, if they be vnspotted, and vnreproueable, they may bee promoted to Ecclesiasticall offices. But it is vnseemly, that any man shal be received into a spirituall office, who is bound vntounto the servile subiection of an earthly Master.

Canon 74.In the end, earnest supplications are ordained to be made to God, for preservation of King Sisenandus, and the Nation of the Gothes: and many Anathenus are pronounced against them, who shall presume to violate the oath of allegeance, made to the King. In the end, the Acts of this Councell are subscribed, by Isidorus, Bishoppe of Hispalis, and seventie other Bishops.

p. 609IN the first yeare of Chintilla, The 5. Councel of Toledo.King of the Gothes, and about the time of the raigne of the Emperour Heracleon, convened with Eugenius Bishoppe of Toledo, twenty other Bishops. In this Councell nothing was entreated, except a mandate was given, concerning the yeerely Letanies that should be made, three dayes immediatly following the Ides of December; and if the Lords day intervened these three dayes, Letanies should be deferred, vntill the beginning of the next weeke. In these three dayes, pardon for sins should be humbly begged at the hands of God, with teares. The rest of the ordinances of this Councell, appoint supplications to be made to God, for the preservation of the King and his children: and that they shall be accursed, who dare presume to seeke the kingly authority, without the consent of the whole countrey of Spaine, and the Nobility of the nation of the Gothes: and that no man shal raile vponupon the King, or lie in waite for his life.

IN the yeere of our Lord,The Councell of Rome in the dayes of Pope Martin. 652. or as others reckon, 650. Pope Martinus gathered a Councell at Rome, of moe then an hundred Bishops. The errour of the Monothelites, obstinately defended by Paulus Bishop of Constantinople, was the occasion of this Councell, together with the impious edict of the Emperour Constans, set out in favour of the heresie of the Monothelites.

In this Councell, over and besides an ample confession of Faith, many decrees and constitutions were made; all tending to damne those who denyed the Trinity, or the divine vnity in the divine nature, or the manifestation of the second person of the Trinitie, and his suffering in the flesh, or the perpetuall virginity of the Lords mother, or the two nativities of Christ, one before all times, and another in time, by the operation of the holy spirit, or the distinction of the two natures after the ineffable vnity, or the distinction of wils, and operations in Christ. In like manner, all were damned who made opposition to the fiue preceding generall Councels. In particular, Theodorus of Pharatrita, Cyrus p. 610of Alexandria, Sergius Pyrrhus, and Paulus, Bishops of Constantinople, were condemned, as patrons and obstinate defenders of the heresie of the Monothelites. There is more frequent mention of Fathers, than of Scriptures in this Councell; a perilous example to the posterity.

The 6. Councel of Toledo.IN the yeere of our Lord 653. and in the third yeere of Chintilla, King of the Gothes in Spaine, the sixt Councell of Toledo was assembled, of 52. Bishops, Eugenius Bishop of Toledo, being President. The occasion seemeth to hauehave beene the renovation of old heresies, and contradiction to preceding Councels. After a confession of the Faith, Letanies are ordained to be said,Canon 2. as was appointed yeerly, for preservation of the King.

Canon 3.It was ordained, by the advice of the Councell, with consent of the King and his Nobles, that no man should be tolerated to dwell in the kingdome of Spaine, who did not professe the Catholike Faith, and that Kings in all time to come, before they were placed in their royall seate, should be bound by the obligation of a solemne oath, to interpose their authority, that this act might bee obeyed: Otherwise, let the King, refusing to put this act in execution, be counted accursed, and be a faggot of the flames of everlasting fire. What Ferdinandus, King of Spaine, did, in driving out of his dominions, the Iewes, and the Saracens; some alledge, that it was done vponupon the ground of this act: but now it is not a fit time to examine that question.

Canon 4.No man shall presume, by Simony or largition of mony, to attaine to Ecclesiasticall offices.

Canon 5.If any of the Clergie obtaine a pension, out of the Churchrents, let him possesse it vnderunder the title of Praecaria, lest by long possession, the Church rents be diminished.

Canon 6.If any person be cloathed with a religious habite, which hee hath voluntarily accepted, if afterward hee forsake it, let him be excommunicated, if hee returne not againe vntounto his order.

Canon 7.The seuenth Canon, is a renewing of the foure and fifty p. 611Canon of the fourth Councell of Toledo.

A married man,Canon 8. who voweth chastitie in time of sicknesse, if he recouer health, and hauehave not the gift of continencie, let him cohabite againe with his wife: but if shee die, he is debarred from the second marriage, which notwithstanding is permitted to the wife, if shee hauehave not vowed. This Canon is not set downe by precept and commandement, but permissiuely, through indulgence, and a consideration of humane infirmitie.

Seruants,Canon 9. whom the Church hath set at libertie, when one Prelate dieth, and another succeedeth, they are bound to renew the charters of their land which they possesse; else their charters shall be voyde, and of none effect, if they be not renewed within the space of a yeere next after the election of the new Prelate.

The children of them whom the Church hath set at libertie,Canon 10. if their parents bring them vp in learning, they shall be brought vp in that same Church from which their libertie did arise, and shall serue the Bishop of that Church, alwayes without prejudice of their libertie.

Let no man,Canon 11. vponupon occasion of an accusation, be punished, vnlesse his accuser be presented: and in case he be a vile and infamous person, let no sentence be giuen out vponupon the ground of such accusation, except in an action of treason against the life of the King.

He who hath committed hainous offences,Canon 12. and fearing punishment, fleeth to the enemies of his countrey for refuge, let him be excommunicated.

Let young men honour them who are in great credite and fauour with Princes:Canon 13. And let Seniors louingly cherish the younger sort, and present vntounto them profitable examples of a good conuersation.

The 14. and 15. Canon intreate of the reward due to themCanon 14. and 15. who are found faithfull seruants to the King, in whatsoeuer estate, especially in the Church: and that rentes and landes bestowed vponupon the Church, shall abide firmely in their possession without reuocation.

p. 612Canon 16. and 17. 18. and 19.In the 16.17.18. and 19. Canons, there is a commemoration of the bountiful kindnesse of king Chintilla toward the Church, a prouision, that no Church-men should be allured by no deceitfull perswasion, to take a course against the king: A protestation before God, his Angels, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and whole Church. That no man should enterprise any attempt against the King & his Noble estate: And they who shall presume to doe to the contrarie, are appointed to eternall damnation. In the end, prayers are made to God to giuegive a good successe to their meeting: and thankes are giuen to the King, by whose authoritie they were assembled. So it is manifest, that by the authoritie of Princes, Nationall Assemblies were conueened at this time.

The seuenth Councell of Toledo.IN the yeere of our Lord 662. as Functius reckoneth, and in the 6. yeere of Chindasuvindus, king of Spaine, the 7. Coūcel of Toledo was assembled, consisting of 4. Archbishops, 30. Bishops, and a great number of presbyters, and messengers from them who could not be present. The occasion of this meeting was Theodisclus Bishop of Hispalis, a Graeciā borne: He had corrupted the bookes of Isidorus, and dispersed many errours in his Church: & he contended for supermacie with the Bishop of Toledo. In this Councell Theodisclus was remooued from his office. The prioritie of dignitie was conferred to the Bishop of Toledo.

Canon 1.In the second Tome of Councels, six Canons are referred to this meeting: First Laickes, and men also in spirituall office, are forbidden to attempt any thing against the estate of their countrie, either by sedition or treason.

Canon 2.Secondlie, it is appointed and ordained, That in case any man, ministring the Sacrament of the Lords holy Supper, be hindred by any superuenient sicknesse, that another shall bee readie to finish the worke which hee hath begunne.

Canon 3.Thirdly, That the Presbyters, and the whole Clergie shal be present at the funerall of a bishop.

Canon 4.Fourthly, It is forbidden, that Bishops in their visitation p. 613should extort or oppresse the Churches which they visite.

Fiftly,Canon 5. That men inclosed into a Monasterie, should first receiue instruction in their Monasteries, before they presume to teach others.

Sixtly,Canon 6. A commandement is giuen, That the Bishops in neare adjacent places, should bee obedient to the Bishop of Toledo, and at his commaundement they should appeare in the towne of Toledo.

CAbillonum,The Councell of Cabillonum. vulgarlie called Chalon, is a towne in Burgunnie, not farre distant from Matiscone. In this towne, by the commandement of Clodoneus king of France conueened 44. Bishops. Gandericus Bishop of Lions was President, and Laudilenus Bishop of Vienne. Theodorus Bishop of Arls, because hee refused to appeare before the Councell, was suspended from his office, vntill the next Councell.

In this Synode the Canons of the Councell of Nice had great allowance. It was forbidden, that two Bishops should be ordained in one towne: That no man should sel a Christian seruant to a Iew: And, that two Abbots should not be chosen to gouerne one Monasterie: That no labouring of the ground, or other secular worke, should be done on the Lords day: with many other Canons, coincident with the Canons of other Councels.

IN the dayes of the Emperour Constantinus Pogonatus, A Councel at Rome.and vnderunder the Popedome of Agatho, a Councell was gathered at Rome, about the question of the willes and operations of Christ: wherein it was decerned, by the suffrages of 125. Bishops of Italy, France, Lombardy, of the nation of the Gothes, of Britanes, and Sclauonians, That two willes and two operations were to bee acknowledged in Christ: And the opinions of Theodorus, Cyrus, Sergius, Pyrrhus, and Paulus, defenders of the heresie of the Monothelites was damned. The vaunting words of the letter of Agatho, written to the sixt generall Councell, wherein he braggeth, that the Bishops of Rome neuer erred in matters of Faith, I p. 614lay them aside at this time, for they are false, and vntrue, as I hauehave alreadie prooued, and shall prooue hereafter, if it please the Lord.

The eigth Councel of Toledo.IN the yeere of our Lord 671. and in the fift yeere of Recesuvindus King of Gothes, the eight Councell of Toledo was conueened.

To this Assemblie resorted two and fiftie Bishops: Great disputation was in this Councell, concerning perjurie. In end it was resolued; That no necessitie bindeth a man to performe an vnlawfull oath: For Herod and Iephthah sinned, in making vnlawfull oathes, but they sinned more grieuouslie in performing vnlawfull oathes.

Canon 4. 5. 6. and 7.Marriage is vtterlie forbidden to Bishops: and places of Scripture are miserablie abused to confirme this interdiction of marriage. Be yee holy, as I am holy, 1 Pet. 1.16. And in another place, Mortifie your members which are on the earth, Coloss. 3.5. Miserable ignorance in this age counteth marriage to bee foreign, that is, vncleanenesse, a member of the bodie of sin, which the Apostle commandeth to mortifie. Yea, and the sub-deacons, who pleaded for retaining of their wiues, in regard that in their admission, no such condition was required of them, are in most seuere manner interdited from the companie of their wiues, or else to be thrust into a Monastery, to suffer penance vntill the last period of their liues.

Canon 8.Vnlearned men are not to be admitted to the celebration of diuine misteries, especially such as are not well acquainted with the Psalter.

Canon 9.Eating of flesh is forbidden in Lent, for three principall causes: First, Because the fourtie dayes of Lent are the tithes of all the dayes of the yeeres, and the tithes should be consecrated to God: Secondlie, because that Christ, by fasting fourtie dayes expiated the sinnes of mankinde: Thirdly, because it is conuenient, that a man, made of the 4. elementes, for breaking the ten precepts of the decalogue, should afflict his bodie foure times ten, dayes.

p. 615In the 10. Canon, Canon 10.the vertues where with the king shall be indewed, who shall be chosen to raigne in Spaine, are rehearsed.

In the last Canon,Canon 11. the ordinances of preceding Councels are to be obeyed:Canon 12. and the Iewes are to bee deale with, according to the actes of the 4. Councell of Toledo. Can. 56. 57. 58. 59. and 60. &c.

IN the yeere of our Lord 673. and in the 7. yeere of theThe ninth Councel of Toledo. raigne of Recesuvindus king of Gothes, by the commandement of the King, 16. Bishops conueened in Toledo, and made these ordinances following:

First,Canon 1. That founders of Churches, and bestowers of rentes vponupon the Church, and their posteritie should hauehave a sollicitous care, that Church-rents be not abused with misorder; if it shall happen to fall out, let complaint be made to the Bishop, to the Metropolitane, or to the king of the countrey.

Founders of Churches,Canon 2. during their life-time, hauehave power to appoint men who shall attend vponupon the fabricke of the Church or Monasterie which is builded, that it decay not.

If any Church-man bestow any part of Church-rent,Canon 3. vnderunder the colour of prestation, let the cause be clearely contained in an euidence, or else it shall be voide.

Let the goods of the defunct administrator of the Churchaffaires,Canon 4. be equally diuided betwixt his heires and the Church.

If a Bishop build a Monasterie,Canon 5. let him not bestow aboue the fiftie part of the rent of his prelacie in the charges of building: and in case he build a paroch Church, for honour of his buriall place, let him not bestow aboue the hundreth part of his rent for charges of building.

To the Bishop belongeth the third part of rent of eueryevery paroch Church in his diosie,Canon 6. and whether he leaue that third part to the Church it selfe, out of which it is raised, or to any other Church, his gift shall stand firme without reuocation.

Let no man,Canon 7. vnderunder pretence of propinquitie, and because p. 616he is heire intromet with the goods of the defunct Bishop, without the fore-knowledge and consent of the Metropolitan, and in case the Metropolitan depart this life, let no intermeddling with his goods bee made, without the foreknowledge of is successour, lest by fraud and deceit the Church be damnified.

Canon 8.If any man ministring in a Church-office, alienate a part of Church-rents, the supputation of time shall begin to bee reckoned from the houre of his death, and not from the time wherein the charter was subscribed: and so after his death, let the prescription run on.

Canon 9.The ninth Canon measureth the commodity which a Bishop shall receiue, who hath taken paines to burie another Bishop.

Canon 10.Children procreated by Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, &c. shall not onelyonly be deprived of the heritage some time belonging to their parents: but also they shall be mancipated to perpetuall service of those Churches, wherein their fathers served. Let the reader marke, that there is a greater businesse in Councels to procure obedience to one Antichristian precept, concerning prohibition of marriage; than to all the ten Commandements of Gods law.

Canon 11.Let not a servant be accepted to serue in the Ministery of the Church, before he be first set at liberty.

Canon 22.When servants are set at liberty, let the supputation of time begin at the death of him, who set them at liberty, and not at the time when the charter was made.

Canon 13.14.15. & 16.Servants set at liberty, shall neither marry a woman of the Romane, nor of the Gothes blood: and they shall be subiect to the Church that set them at liberty: and if necessity compell them to sell lands, let the land be first offered for a competent price to one Minister in that Church, from which their liberty did arise.

Iewes, who are baptized, shall in time of solemne feastes attend vponupon the Bishop of the parts where their dwelling is,Canon 17. to the end, that hee may beare testimony of the integrity of their faith: If this cōmmandement be… ansgresed, the Bishop p. 617shall ordaine the Iew either to be scourged, or to be subiect to such abstinence, as he thinketh most fit.

In the end, thanks being rendered to God for their meeting, and for the vnitie of their iudgements: and supplications being made to God for the weale of the King Recesuvindus, in soule and body, the Councell was dissolved.

IN the eight yeere of the raigne of Recesuvindus, The 10. Councel of Toledo.King of Gothes, assembled in Toledo one and twenty Bishops: They decerned concerning the Feasts of the nativity of our Lord, and of the Lords mother, at what times they should be kept. Punishments are appointed for men of the Clergy, and Monkes, who are not found dutifull to the King, and the Countrey: That men vnmeet for spirituall offices, should not bee intruded into the Church, neither for propinquity of blood, nor for hope of lucre and gaine: That widowes, professing a religious order, shall receiue an habit convenient for that order: And that women, who depart againe from their professed order, shall be punished: That Parents shall not render their children to religious orders, before they be eighteene yeeres of age. Finally, Protamius Bishop of Bracara, being convict of adultery, was removed from his office, and Fructuosus was placed in his roome.

IN the seventh yeere of the raigne of Bamba, The 11. Coū cel of Toledo.King of the Gothes, ninteene Bishops, and seven Abbots were assembled in Toledo, by the Kings Commandement, Quiricus Bishop of Toledo, being President. In the beginning, after a protestation of a decent order to be kept in their Assembly, that no tumult nor contentious disputation, nor indecent laughter should disturb the comely modesty of their Assembly: they set downe a prolixe confession of Faith, and Canons belonging to Ecclesiasticall discipline, in the forme following:

1. That Bishops should bee well acquainted with Scriptures, and apt to teach. 2. That Metropolitan Bishoppes should try how the Pastors of their Dioces increase in p. 618knowledge…. That the forme of singing, vsed in the Metropolitane Church, shal be likewise vsed in other inferiour Churches. 4. That persons who hauehave discorded, shall not stand at the Altar, vntill the time they bee reconciled againe. 5. That Church-men shall not judge in actions of blood. 6. That Bishops should not giuegive sentence before a sufficient triall of the cause. 7. Bishops, who commit adulterie or murther, shall be deposed, and excommunicated, beside the punishment to be inflicted by the secular Iudge. 8. No reward shall be taken for ministration of the Sacramentes. 9. Bishops, before their ordination, shall giuegive their oath that they hauehave not acquired that dignitie by rewards either giuen or to be giuen. 10. He who is to be preferred to any Ecclesiasticall office, let him first sweare that hee shall continue constantly in that true Catholicke faith, and that hee shall be obedient to Ecclesiasticall Canons. 11. Let no man refuse to receiue the Sacrament of the Supper when it is offered by him who hath a lawfull calling to ministrate it. 12. Absolution should bee pronounced when perill of death impendeth, albeit complet satisfaction be not made. 13. The holy Sacrifice shall not be ministered by persons possessed with deuils, or transported with the passions of madnesse. 14. He who ministreth at the Altar, shall hauehave other concurring with him, to the end, that if he be suddenly oppressed with any infirmitie, the other assistant brother may supply his place. 15. Councels are ordained yeerely to bee kept.

The second Councell of Brac.IF order of time be not precisely kept in commemoration of the Councels of Bracara and Toledo, let no man maruell, some regard must be had to the memorie of the Reader: and it is not meet… that the Councels of Toledo, being many in number, and so frequently conueened, following vponupon the necke of another (except the eleuenth Councell, conueened twelue yeeres after the 10) should be miserably disioyned: if such things be not comported with, by the fauorable Reader, it will bee hard to abridge this head of p. 619Councels to the contentment of a learned Reader.

This Councell of Bracara, by Caranza, is called the first Councell of Bracara. In it many old opinions of the Priscillianists, and Manicheans, concerning prohibition of marriage, and meates, are condemned, together with the heresies of Samosatenus, Photinus, Cerdon, and Marcion. Canons set forth in this Councell, are so coincident with the Canons of other Councels, that there is no necessity to make rehearsall of them.

In the 30. Canon of this Councell, it is ordained; That no poesie shall be sung in the Church, except the Psalter of the old Testament.

IN the 4 yeere of Bambas, The 2. Councell of Brac.King of Gothes, eight Bishops were assembled in Braga. In the beginning of the Councell, for confession of their Faith, they made a new rehearsall of the summe of the Nicene Faith. After this, they set downe eight ordinances, in manner following:

1. That all superstitious opinions being reiected, bread and wine mixed with water, onelyonly should be offered in the Sacrifice, and not the liquor of milke, nor pure vnmixed wine, nor bread dipped in wine. Here marke, that the giving of vnmixed wine to the people, in the Sacrament or Sacrifice, is called superstition: such bitter fruits do ensue vponupon magnifying the traditions of men, that Christs owne institution, is called superstition.

2. That vessels dedicated to God, bee not abused, and imployed to secular and humane vses.

3. A Presbyter, when he sayeth masse, let him bee cloathed with his Orarium on both his shoulders, and be signated on his brest, with the signe of the Crosse.

4. Let no person of the Clergy cohabit with women, no not with their owne sisters, without witnesses of their conversation.

5. VponUpon Festivall dayes, reliques enclosed in an Arke, shal be borne vponupon the shoulders of the Levites, as the Arke of God in the old Testament was accustomed to bee borne, p. 6201 Chron. 15.15. and not about the necke of a Bishop: and in case the Bishop will needs carry them himselfe, then shall he walke on foot with the rest of the people, and not be carryed in a coach by his Deacons. Here marke how mens traditions are equalled to the commandements of God.

6. Presbyters, Abbots, and Levites, for the dignity of their calling, shall not bee punished with stripes by the Bishoppe, lest in dispersoning the principall members of his owne body, hee bring himselfe into contempt of his subiectes.

7. Let no honour be sold for promise of rewards.

8. Let governours of Churches hauehave a greater regard to the weale of the Church, then to their owne particular affaires.

In the end, thankes is given to God, and the King, for their meeting▪ & they subscribe the fore named ordinances. Here marke, that in the country of Spain, the King still keepeth in his owne hand, power of convocating Councels.

IN the yeere of our Lord, 681. and in the 12. yeare of the raigne of Constantius Pogonatus, The 6. Councell holden at Constantinople.a general Councell was assembled at Constantinople, by the authority of the Emperour, and not by the commandement of Pope Donus, nor Agatho his successor, nor of Leo the 2. the successor of Agatho, as the Divall letter of Constantine, directed to Pope Donus and received and obeyed by Pope Agatho, cleerly testifies. As for the number of Bishops convened, there is an infinite discrepance betwixt the authors, who make rehearsall of their number: the least number reckoned, is 150. The question discussed in this Assembly, was about the wils and actions of Christ. Macarius Patriarch of Antiochia, and Stephanus his disciple, pertinaciously defended the errour of the Monothelites: confirming also their opinion by the testimony of Honorius, sometime Bishop of Rome, whose letters written to Sergius, sometime Bishop of Constantinople, being read in the open audience of the Councell, made it cleerly knowne, that he also was infected with the erour of p. 621the Monothelites. For this cause Honorius Bishop of Rome, Sergius, Pyrrhus, and Paulus Bishops of Constantinople, Cyrus Bishop of Alexandria, and Macarius Bishop of Antiochia, were all excommunicated: likewise Polychronius, a ridiculous Monke, and his complices were excōmunicated, and with great shame and ignominy, reiected from the fellowship of the Church: For he offered to proue the opinion of the Monothelites to bee the truth of God, by writing the summe of that opinion in a paper, and over spreading it vponupon a beere, wherein a dead man was laid, hee put the Councell in hope, that hee would raise the dead man to life againe: but after tryall, hee was found to be a lying and a deceitfull fellow, and he likewise was excommunicated.

This Councell made no Canons and Constitutions concerning Church-discipline, as other Councels had done before: For this cause Iustinian the 2. the son of Pogenatus, gathered these same Fathers, who had beene in the preceding Councel, to perfect the worke which they had begun.

They made many Constitutions, but two in special, which displeased the Romane Church: First, they annulled the doctrine of the Church of Rome, concerning prohibition of marriage to men in spirituall offices. Secondly, they ordained the Patriarch of Constantinople, to bee in equall authority with the Pope of Rome. These Constitutions and Canons, Pope Sergius refused to subscribe, albeit his ambassadors in his name had subscribed them in Constantinople.

BAmbas King of the Goths,The 12. Councel of Toledo. resigned the title of his royall authority to Euringius, and he was content to be shaven, and enter into a Monastery In the first yeere of the raigne of Euringius, 33. Bishops, with some Abbots, and 13. Noblemen of the Court, convened at Toledo. The King, amongst many other things, protested, that he was content, that whatsoeuer thing in his lawes seemed repugnant to reason, it should be corrected by the prudent advice of this Councel.

The Fathers of this Councell, for confession of Faith, adhered vntounto the Councell of Nice. After this, the hand-writings p. 622and seales of Bambas, and the Nobles of his Court, and the testimony of Iulianus, ArchBishop of Toledo, are presented: whereby it is knowne, that Bambas, had resigned his government in favour of Euringius, willing them to chuse him to be his successor. So it came to passe, that Euringius was solemnly proclaimed to be King, and the people were assoyled from the oath of allegeance made to Bambas, and were astricted to the obedience of King Euringius.

In this Councell it was forbidden, that new Bishoprickes should be erected in villages: and the Bishop of Emerita begged pardon for this, that he had ordayned a Bishop in a certaine village, being compelled so to doe, by the commandement of King Bambas. They who stand at the Altar, and sacrificeth, are commanded to eate of the sacrifice, as often as they offer it. The acts, made in preceding Councels, against the Iewes, were renewed and amplified in this Councell: and thankes was given to God, and the King, for their meeting.

Other Councels of Toledo, vnderunder the raignes of Euringius, and Egita, seeing there is little written of them, worthy of Commemoration, I over-passe with silence.