The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 4 · History of century 9
CENTVRIE IX.
IN the yeere of our Lord, 813. by the commandement of Carolus Magnus, in the Towne of Mentz, were assembled 30. Bishops 25. Abbots,The Councell of Mentz. with a great number of Priests, Monkes, Countes, and Iudges, about reformation of the dissolute manners, of Ecclesiasticke and Laicke persons. After three dayes abstinence and fasting, joyned with Litanies, publicke Prayers, and imploring the helpe of God, they diuided themselues into three companies: In the first company were the Bishops, with some Noters, reading the history of the Euangell, and the Epistles, and the Actes of the Apostles, together with the Canons and workes of ancient Fathers, and the Pastorals booke of Gregorie, to the ende that by the Preceptes contained in these bookes, the enormitie of mens liues might be corrected. In the second companie were Abbots and Monkes, reading the rules of S. Benedict, for the reformation of the liues of Monkes. In the third company were Lords and Iudges, pondering the causes of all men, who came to complaine, that wrong was done vntounto them.
The 1.2. and 3. Canons of this Councell, intreat concerning, Faith, Hope, and Charitie. 4. Concerning the Sacraments, to be ministred chiefly at Easter and Whitsonday, except necessitie & feare of death require preuening of these times. 5. That vnitie and concord should bee kept in the Church, because we hauehave one common Father in heauen: one Mother, to wit, the Church in earth: one Faith, one Baptisme, and one Celestiall inheritance prepared for vsus: Yea, and God is not the God of dissention, but of peace, according as it is said, Blessed be the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. The sixt and seuenth Canons, intreat of Orphanes, and poore people, whose weaknesse is to be supported: but no man should take vantage of their poore and desolate estate. The eight Canon recommendeth vnitie to be kept betwixt men in spirituall offices, and ciuill Iudges: a Canon indeede, if it had beene obserued, verie necessarie for the estate of this time. The ninth & tenth Canon, prescribeth to the Clergie, Preceptes of a modest and sober life, with abstinence from the delicate pleasures of the world, and from Theatricall Spectacles, from pompes, and vnhonest banquets: and to bee more readie to goe to the house of mourning, to comfort them who are heauie hearted, than to the house of banquetting. Vsurie, auarice, ambition, and taking of rewardes, for the benefites of God, such as vse to be taken for medicinall cures, is forbidden. To beware of deceit and conjurations: to flee hatred, emulation, backe-biting, and enuying, wandering eyes, and an vnbridled tongue: a petulant, and proude gesture are forbidden: filthie words, and workes, are altogether abhorred: chastitie is recommended: the frequent visitations of the houses of Widowes, and Virgines, is prohibited: due obedience is to bee giuen to Seniors: to take heede to doctrine, reading, and spirituall songes; as it becommeth men, who hauehave addicted themselues vntounto diuine seruice.
Precepts, concerning the behauiour of Monkes & Nunnes, and the fabricke of their dwelling places, I ouer-passe with silence, left I should ouercharge a short Compend with an heape of vnnecessarie thinges.
In the 32. Canon, the difference betwixt foreign, and foreign, is set downe. 33. The great Litanie or Rogations, to bee obserued three dayes, by all Christians, with fasting, fackecloath, ashes, walking barefooted, and all kinde of humble carriage. 34.35. and 36. Publicke Fastings, and keeping of Festiuall dayes is commanded. 37. The Sabboth day is to be kept holy. In it no Merchant Wares to be sold, and no criminall cause to be judged. 38. and 39. Tythes are precisely to be payed. And men, fleeing to Churches for safeguard, are not to be violentlie drawne out of their refuge. 40. In Churches, and the portches thereof, let no secular judgements be exercised. 41. Let no ancient Church be spoyled of tythes and possessions, for the building of new Oratories. 42. Concerning Church-rentes bestowed for reparation and vpholding of Churches. 43. and 44. That no Priest say Masse himselfe alone: for if hee hauehave no person present except himselfe, how can hee say, Dominus vobiscum, or Sursum corda, or such other passages? Also frequent offering of the Sacrifice of the Masse, and presenting of the Paxe, is recommended to Christian people. 45. That eueryevery person bee acquainted with the Lords Prayer, and the Beliefe: and they who can no otherwise comprehend these things, let them learne them in their owne vulgar language. 46. Drunkennesse is detested: and they who continue in this sinne, without amendement, are ordained to be excommunicated. 57. God-fathers shall attend, that their spirituall children bee brought vp in the true Faith. 48. Filthie, libidinous, songes are not to bee sung about Churches. 49. The cohabitation with women is forbidden to all the members of the Clergie. 50. Let all Bishops, Abbots, and Church men, hauehave such Aduocates and Agentes in their affaires, who are men that feare God, and are haters of all vnrighteous dealing 51. Let not the dead bodies of the Saincts be transported from place to place, without the aduice of the Princes of the countrey, or the Bishop, and Synode. 52. No dead bodie shall bee buried within the Church, except the bodie of a Bishop, or of an Abbot, or of a worthie Presbyter, or of a faithfull Laicke person. 53. Incestuous persons are to bee searched out, and separated from the fellowship of the Church, except they bee penitent. 54.55. and 56. Marriage, in the fourth degree of consanguinitie, is forbidden: and that no man shall marrie his spirituall daughter, or sister, neither the woman, whose sonne or daughter hee hath led to the Sacrament of Confirmation: and, in case they be found to duplicate page duplicate page be married, they shall be separated againe. And no man shall take in marriage his wiues sister: neither shall a woman marrie her husbands brother.
IN the yeere of our Lord 813. a Councell was assembled at Rhemes,The eigth Councel of Rhemes. by the cōmandement of Charles the great: for it is to be remarked, that he not only assēbled that famous Coū cell of Frankford, Anno. 794. in the which adoration of Images was condemned: but also, when he was now aged, & saw many abuses in the Church, hee endeuoured by all meanes possible, to procure reformation of the lewd manners of Church-men. Therefore, he appointed, at one time, to wit. Anno, 813. fiue National Coūcels, to be conueened in diuers places, for reformatiō of the Clergie & people: One was conueened at Mentz, as hath bin declared: Another at Rhemes: the third at Towrs: the fourth at Cabilone, or Chalons: & the fift at Arles. In all these Councels no opposition is made to the Councell of Frankford: neither was the adoration of Images auowed in any of these Councels. So much auaileth the authority of a Prince for suppressing of false doctrin and heresie. In this Councell at Rhemes, Wulfarius, Archbishop was president. 44. canons are rehearsed in the 2. Tome of Councels made in this Councell.
In the 1. Can. it was cōcluded, That eueryevery man should diligētly acquaint himself with the Articles of his faith. 2. That eueryevery man shuld learn the Lords Praier, & cōprehēd the meaning thereof. 3. That eueryevery man, promoted to Ecclesiasticall orders, shal walke worthily, cōforme to his calling. 4. The Epistles of Paul were read, to giuegive instructiōs to sub-deacons, how they shuld behaue thēselues. Yet is there not one word in all the Epistles of Paul of a sub-deacon. 5. The Gospell was read to giuegive instructiō to Deacons, to minister condingly in their office. 6. Ignorant Priests are instructed to celebrate the Seruice with great vnderstanding. 7. In like manner, they are instructed how to prepare foreign to the Sacramēt of Baptisme. 8. The holy Canons were read out of the Decretall of Innocentius, for ordering the life of Chanons. 9. The rule of Saint Benedict was read, to reduce Abbots, and their Conuents, to a remembrance of their order. 10. The Pastorall booke of Gregorius was read, to admonish Pastors of their dutie. 11. Sentences of diuers ancient Fathers were read, to admonish men of all rankes, both Prelates and subiects, to bring forth the fruit of a good conversation. 12. These things being done, they set downe a forme of receiuing of confessions, and prescribing of penance, according to the Canonicall institutions. 13. They reasoned about the eight principall vices, to the end, their diuersitie being distinguished, every man might know what vices he should eschew, and teach others to beware of the same. 14. That Bishops should take heed of the reading of the bookes of the Canonicke Scripture, and the bookes of Fathers: and should attend vponupon the preaching of the Word of God. 15. That Bishops should preach the Sermons and Homilies of holy Fathers, in such sort as all the people might vnderstand them. The 16. Canon is coincident with the 12. 17. That Bishops, and Abbots, permit no man to solace the company with filthy gesting in their presence: but let poore and indigent people be refreshed at their tables with lectures of divine Scripture, and praising of God, according to the Precept of the Apostle, that whether wee eate or drinke, let all things be done to the glory of God. 18. Gluttony and Drunkennesse forbidden to Bishops, and the Ministers of God. 19. Let not Bishops bee rash to iudge in things secret, which are to bee referred to the iudgement of God, who can manifest things hid vp in darknesse, and discouer the secrets of the heart. 20. Presbyters shall not transport themselues from a low place to a greater. 21. Whosoever by paying money, procureth a preferment in the Church, shall be deposed. 22. No Church-man shall cohabite with a woman, except it be with his mother or sister, or such like persons, by whose company no suspition of vncleannesse can arise. Precepts given to Monkes, and Nunnes, I passe by, as I did in the former Councell.
Canon 35. The Sabbath day shall be kept holy, and in it no servile worke shall bee done, according to the Lords commandement. 36. Let no man bestow vponupon the Church that thing which by vnlawfull meanes hee hath fraudulently with-drawne from others. 37. Nor yet by lies and deceitfull meanes, with-draw any thing duly belonging to the Church. 38. Let tythes be precisely payed. 39. Let no man presume to receiue rewards for his decreet and sentence. 40. Let prayers and oblations be made for the Emperour, and his noble race, that it would please God to preserue them in all happines, in this present life, and vouchsafe vntounto them celestiall ioyes in company of the Angels, in the life to come. In the 41. Canon, mention is made of a certaine rent, left by King Pipinus of Good memory; which they wish the Emperour Charles, Pipinus sonne, should not alter, nor transferre into another summe, in respect, that by so doing, many periuries and false testimonies might ensue. 42. And that no man should be remoued from his mansion, to whom the Emperours almes is distributed. 43. And that the statute may bee confirmed by his Highnesse allowance, whereby all contentions and strifes are ordained to hauehave a decision, and end. 44. And that the statute made in Bononia, concerning false witnesses, may be ratified and confirmed: with augmentation, if neede require, for eschewing of periuries, false testimonies, and many other inconueniences.
The Councell of Towrs.IN the yeere of our Lord, 813. and at the commandement of the Emperour Carolus Magnus, a Councell of many Bishops and Abbots, was assembled, about establishing of Ecclesiasticall discipline, in the towne of Towers.
In the first Canon, all men are admonished to be obedient to the Emperour Charles the Great, and to keepe the oath of allegeance made vntounto him, and to make prayers, and supplications for his prosperity and wel-fare. 2. All Bishoppes shall diligently reade, and frequently peruse, the bookes of holy Scripture, the histories of the Euangels, and the Epistles of Paul, together with the bookes of ancient Fathers written thereupon. 3. It is not lawfull for any Bishop to bee ignorant of the Canons of the Church, and of the Pastorall booke of Gregorius, in the which every man, as in a liuely mirrour might see himselfe. 4. Let every Bishop feede the flocke committed vntounto him, not onelyonly with doctrine, but also with examples of good conversation. 5. A Bishop must not be giuen to sumptuous banquets, but be content with a moderate diet, lest hee should seeme to abuse the counsell of our Lord, saying; Take heed, that your hearts be not surfeited with gluttony, or drunkennesse: but let holy lecture be at his table, rather then the idle wordes of flattering fellowes. 6. Let strangers and indigent people bee at Bishops tables: whom they may refresh, both with corporall and spirituall repast. 7. The delicate pleasure of the eare and eyes, are to bee eschewed, left by such pleasures, the minde be effeminate, and inchanted. 8. Let not the Lords servants delight in vaine gesting, nor in hunting, nor hawking. 9. Let Presbyters and Deacons follow the foot-steps of their Bishops, assuring themselues, that the good conuersation enioyned vntounto their Bishops, is also enioyned vntounto them. 10. Let Bishops hauehave a great sollicitude and care towards the poore: and be faithfull dispensators of Ecclesiasticall goods, as the Ministers of God, and not as hunters after filthy lucre. 11. It is lawfull for Bishops, with consent of Presbyters and Deacons, to bestow out of the Church treasure, to support indigent people of that same Church. 12. A Presbyter is not to be ordained vntill hee bee thirtie yeere old. 13. Let the Bishop make diligent inquisition in his owne parish Church, that no Presbyter, comming from any other parts, make seruice in his Church, without letters of recommendation. 14. Let a Presbyter, leaving a low place, and presuming to an higher, incurre that same punishment, which a Bishop, deprehended in the like fault, should incurre. 15. A Presbyter, who attaineth to a Church, by giving money for it, let him bee deposed. 16. Let tythes bestowed vponupon Churches, by advice of Bishops, be faithfully distributed to the poore, by the Presbyters. 17. The families of Bishops shall be instructed in the summe of the true faith. In the knowledge of the retribution to be given to good men, and the condemnation of people, and of the resurrection and last iudgement, and by what kinde of workes eternall life may be promerited: and that the Homilies, containing these instructions, shall bee translated into Rusticke-Latine-language: to the end that every person may vnderstand them. Marke in what estimation the Latine language hath beene at this time: that instructions in Rusticke and barbarous Latine, are counted better then instructions in good French language. 18. It is the dutie of the Bishop, to instruct his Presbyter concerning the Sacrament of Baptisme, what it is that they should desire the people baptized to renounce: namely, that they should renounce the divell, and all his workes, and his pomps. Now the workes of the Diuell, are murther, fornication, adulterie, drunkennesse, and other such like faults. But the pompes of the Divell, are pride, ostentation, swelling conceits, vaine-glory, loftinesse, and such other faults, as spring vp from such grounds. 19. Presbyters are precisely to be admonished, that when they say the masse, and do communicate, they doe not distribute the Lords bodie indiscreetly, to children, and to all persons, who happen to be present, who if they be entangled with great sinnes, they procure vntounto themselues rather damnation, then any remedie to their soules, according to the saying of the Apostle, Whosoeuer eateth this Bread, and drinketh this Cup unworthily, hee shall be guilty of the bodie and blood of the Lord: Let a man therefore try himselfe, and so let him eate of this Bread, and drinke of this Cup. Note.By this let the iudicious Reader marke, that even in the dayes of Carolus Magnus, priuate masses had no place: but they who were duly prepared, did communicate with the Priest. 20. Presbyters shall not suffer the holy Chrisme to be touched by every man. 21. Presbyters shall not resort to Tavernes, to eate or drinke. 22. Bishops and Presbyters, shall prescribe to sinners, who hauehave confessed their sinnes, penance, discreetly, according to the waightinesse of their fault. 23. Chanons, who dwell in Cities, let them eate in one Cloyster, and sleepe vnderunder one roofe, to the end they may bee ready to celebrate their Canonicall houres. From the 24. Canon vntounto the 32. are contained constitutions concerning Monkes and Nunnes, which I ouer-passe with silence, fearing to be prolix.
Canon 32. All men should studie to peace and concord, but especially Christians: forsaking hatred, discord, and envie. 33. Lords and Iudges should be obedient to the wholsome admonitions of their Bishops: and Bishops on the other part, should reverently regard them, to the end they may be mutually supported, every one with the consolations one of another. 34. Lords and Iudges are to bee admonished, that they admit not vile and naughty persons to beare witnesse in their iudicatories, because there are many, who for a contemptible price, are ready to make shipwracke of a good conscience. 35. Let no man for his decreet, receiue a reward: For divine Scripture in many places forbiddeth this, as a thing that blindeth the eyes of the blind. 36. Let eueryevery man be carefull to support indigent persons of his owne family and kindred: for it is an impious and abominable thing in the sight of God, that men abounding in riches, should neglect their owne. 37. Christians when they make supplications to God, let them in humble manner bow downe their knees, following the example of the Martyr Steven, and of the Apostle Paul: Except vponupon the Lords day, and other solemne dayes, on the which the vniversall Church keepeth a memoriall of the Lords resurrection: and at such times they are accustomed to stand and pray. 38. Faithfull people must be admonished, not to enter into the Church, with tumult and noyse: and in time of prayer, and celebration of the masse, not to be occupied in vaine confabulations, and idle speeches: but even to abstain from wicked cogitations. 39. Let not the Consistories and Iudgement-seates of secular Iudges be in the Church, or portches thereof, in any time to come: because the house of God should bee an house of Prayer, as our Lord Iesus Christ saith. 40. Let it be forbidden, that Merchandize be vsed vponupon the Lords day, or Iustice-Courts, because all men should abstaine from servile labours, to the end this day may be spent in praising and thanking God, from morning till evening. 41. Incestuous persons, parracides, and murtherers, are found, who will not hearken to the wholsome admonitions of Church-men, but persevere in their vitious conversation, who must be reduced to order by the discipline of the secular power. 42. Let the people be admonished to abstaine from Magicall Arts, which can bring no support and helpe to the infirmities of men, and beasts: but they are the deceitfull snares of the Divell, whereby he deceiveth man-kinde. 43. A frequent custome of swearing is forbidden, wherein men, vponupon eueryevery light occasion willing to purchase credit to that which they speake, they take God to be witnesse of the verity of their speeches. 44. Many free subiects, by the oppression of their Masters, are redacted to extreame pouerty; whose causes, if our element Soveraigne please to examine, hee shall finde, that they are vniustly redacted to extreame indigence. 45. A false measure, and a false ballance, is an abomination vntounto the Lord, as Salomon recordeth.
The 46. Canon containeth a regrate, that tythes were not duly payed to the Church: notwithstanding, that the Church had giuen in, their complaint to the civil Magistrate: whereby it came to passe, that not only lights in the Church, and stipends to the Clergie, began to inlacke, but also the very parish Churches became ruinous. 47. When generall Fastings are appointed, for any impendent calamity, let man neglect the fellowship of the humble Church, for desire to feed his belly with delicate foode. 48. Drunkennes and surfeiting are forbidden, as offensiue both to soule and bodie, and the ground of many other sinnes. 49. Lords and Masters are to be admonished, not to deale cruelly and vnmercifully with their subiects: yea, and not to seeke that which is due vntounto themselues, with excessiue rigour. 50. Let Laicke people communicate at least thrise in a yeere, vnlesse they be hindred by some grivous sinnes committed by them. 51. In the last Canon mention is made, that they diligently examined the cause of them who complained to the Emperour, that they were dis-inherited by th… donation of lands, which their Fathers and friends had bestowed vponupon the Church: and in their bounds they found no man who did complaine. Alwaies, in that matter, if any thing was done amisse, they humbly submitted themselues to be corrected by their Soveraigne Lord and King.
THe Councell of Chalons was the fourth Councell,The Councell of Chalons. convened in the yeere of our Lord, 813. by the commandement of Charles the Great, for the reformation of the Ecclesiasticall Estate. Many of the Canons of this Councell are coincident with the Canons of the former: therefore I shall be the shorter in the commemoration thereof.
1. That Bishops acquaint themselues diligently with reading the bookes of holy Scripture, and the Bookes of ancient Fathers, together with the Pastorall bookes of Gregorius. 2. Let Bishops practice in their workes, the knowledge which they hauehave attained vntounto by by reading. 3. Let them also constitute Schooles, wherein learning may be increased, and men brought vp in them, that may be like to the salt of the earth, to season the corrupt manners of the people, and to stop the mouthes of Heretiques, according as it is said, to the commendation of the Church, A thousand Targes are hung vp in it, even all the Armour of the strong, Cant. chap. 4 vers. 4. … 4. Let Church-men shew humility, in word, deed, countenance, and habite. 5. Let Priests bee vnreproueable, adorned with good manners, and not given to filthy lucre. 6. The blame of filthy lucre, wherewith many Church-men were charged, for this, that they allured secular men to renounce the world, and to bring their goods to the Church, they endeuour, with multiplyed number of words, to remoue. 7. Bishops, and Abbots, who with deceitfull speeches, hauehave circumvened simple men, and shauen their heads, and by such meanes doe possesse their goods, in respect of their covetous desire of filthy lucre, let them be subiect to Canonicall, or regular repentance. But let those simple men, who have layd downe their haire, as men destitute of vnderstanding, who cannot gouerne their owne affaires, let them remaine in that estate, which they hauehave once vndertaken: but let the goods given by negligent Parents, and received, or rather reaved by avaritious Church-men, be restored againe to their children & heires. 8. If Church men lay vp provision of come in Victuall-houses, let it not be to keepe them to a dearth, but to support the poore in time of need, therewith. 9. Hunting and hawking, and the insolency of foolish and filthy iests, are to bee forsaken of Church-men. 10. Gluttony and drunkennesse is forbidden. 11. The Bishop or Abbot, must not resort to civill iudicators, to plead their owne cause, except it be to support the poore and oppressed. Presbyters, Deacons, and Monkes, having obtained licence from the Bishop, may compeare in Civill iudgement-seats, accompanied with their Advocate. 12. Let not Presbyters, Deacons, or Monkes, bee farmers or labourers of the ground. 13. It is reported of some brethren, that they compell the persons who are to be admitted, in time of their ordination to sweare, that they are worthy: and that they shall do nothing repugnant to the Canons:Note. and that they shall be obedient to the Bishop, who ordayneth them, and to the Church, in the which they are ordayned: which oath, in regard it is perilous, we all inhibit, and discharge it. 14. Bishops in visiting of their Parishioners, let them not be chargeable vntounto them, but rather comfortable, by preaching the Word, and by correcting things that are disordered. 15. It is reported, that some Arch-deacons vse domination over the Presbyters, and take tribute from them, which smelleth rather of tyranny, then of due order. For if the Bishoppe should not vse domination over the Clergie, but by examplars to the flocke, as the Apostle Peter writeth: much lesse should these presume to doe any such like thing. 16. Like as in dedication of Churches, and for receiving of orders, no money is received: even so, for buying of Balme to make Chrisme, Presbyters (keepers of Chrisme) shall bestowe no money: but Bishops, of their owne rents, shall furnish Baulme for the making of Chrisme, and Lightes to the Church. 17. It hath beene found in some places, that Presbyters hauehave payed 12. or 14. pennies in yeerely tribute to the Bishop: which custome wee hauehave ordained altogether to be abolished. 18. The receiuing of paunds from incestuous persons, and from men who pay not their Tythes, and from negligent Presbyters, is forbidden, as a thing which openeth a doore to auarice: but rather let Ecclesiasticall discipline strike vponupon transgressours. 19. Let people giuegive their Tythes to those Churches wherein their children are baptized, & whereunto they resort all the yeere long, to heare Church-seruice. 20. Let peace bee kept amongst all men, but in speciall betwixt Bishops & Countes; whereby eueryevery one of them may mutually support another. 21. Ciuill Iudges ought to judge righteously, without exception of persons, and without receiuing of rewards: and let their Officiars, Vicars, and Centenaries, bee righteous men: least, by their auarice and greedinesse, the people bee grieued, and impouerished. And let the witnesses be of vnsuspect credite: for by false witnesses the Countrey is greatly damnified. 22. The Abbots and Monkes, in this part of the Countrie, seeing they hauehave addicted themselues to the Order of Saint Benedict: let them endeuour to conforme themselues vntounto his institution and rules. 23. The ordination of Presbyters, Deacons, and other inferiours, is to bee made at a certaine prescribed time. 24. Concerning Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, and Monkes, who shall happen to be llaine, let the Emperour giuegive determination to whom the satisfacton of blood shall belong. 25. In many places, the auncient custome of publicke repentance hath ceased: neither is the auncient custome of excommunicatiō and reconciliation in vse. Therefore, the Emperour is to be entreated, that the ancient discipline may be restored againe, and they who sinne publikely, may be brought to publike repentance: and eueryevery man, according as hee deserueth, may either bee excommunicated, or reconciled. 26. It is reported, that in some Churches there is contention and strife for diuidng of Church rents: It is ordained, therefore, That no Masse shall be said in those Churches, vntill they, who are at variance, be reconciled againe. 27. Neither the Sacrament of Baptisme, nor the Sacrament of Confirmation, should be reiterated. 28. Concerning the decrees of affinitie, and in what degree Marriage may be bound vp, eueryevery man is sent to the Canons of the Church to seeke resolution. 29. Seing that the man and the woman are counted in Scripture as one flesh, their Parentage is to be reckoned by like degrees in the matter of Marriage. 30. The Marriage of seruants is not to bee dissolued which is bound vp with consent of both their masters, euerie seruant remaining obedient to his owne master.Note. 31. It is rumoured, that some women by negligence, and others fraudulently, doe present their owne children to the Sacrament of Confirmation, to the ende they may bee separated from the companie of their husbandes. Therefore, wee statute and ordaine, that such women as either negligently or fraudulently present their owne children to the Sacrament of Confirmation, they shall bee compelled to doe penance all the dayes of their life: neither shall they in any wise be separated from their husbandes. 32. Let a sinner confesse vntounto his Father-Confessor, all his sinnes which hee hath committed either in thought, word, or deede: because that hatred, enuye, and pride, are such pestilentious botches of the soule: and the more secretly that they are couched, the more periculously they hurt. 33. Sinnes should not onelyonly bee confessed to God, according to the example of Dauid, who saith, I will confesse against my selfe my wickednesse vntounto the Lord, and thou forgauest the punishment of my sinne, Psal. 32. vers. 5. But also wee should confesse our sinnes to our Father-Confessor, according to the precept of the Apostle, Acknowledge your faultes one to another and pray one for another, that yee may bee healed, I at. 5.16.34. In pre…ibing of penance, let fauour and hatred of any person be laide aside, and let the injunctions be giuen according to the rule of holy Scripture, and according to the Canons and custome of the Church, following the example of the Physitions of the body, who without exception of persons doe adhibit cuttings, burnings, and vehement remedies, to perilous diseases. 35. Many in doing of penance, are not so desirous of remission of sinnes, as of the accomplishment of the prescribed time of their humiliaon: and beeing forbidden to eate flesh, or drinke wine, they hauehave the greater desire of other delicate meates and drinkes: but spirituall abstinence, which should bee in penitent persons, excludeth all bodily delightes. 36. Let no man sinne of purpose, to the ende hee may abolishe his sinnes by Almes-deedes: for that is all one as if a man should hyre God to grant vntounto him a libertie to sinne. 37. Seeing all Canons of Councels are to be diligently read, in speciall such as appertaine vntounto faith, and reformation of manners, should bee most frequently perused. 38. Bookes, called Libelli Poenitentiales, are to abolished, because the erroures of these Bookes are certaine, howbeit the authors of them be vncertaine: and they prepare pillowes to lay vnderunder the heads of them, who are sleeping in sinne. 39. In the solemnities of the Masse, Prayers are to bee made for the soules of them who are departed, as well as for them who are aliue. 40. Presbyters, who are degraded, & liue like seculare men, neglecting repentance, whereby they might procure restitution to their office, let them be excommunicated. 41. A Presbyter, who transporteth himselfe from his owne place, shall not be receiued in any other Church, except hee prooue, both with witnesses and letters sealed with lead, & containing the name of the Bishop, and of the Citie which he liued in, that he hath liued innocently in his own Church, and had a just cause of transportation. 42. Let no Church bee committed to a Presbyter, without consent of the Bishop. 43. In some places are found Scots-men, who call themselues Bishops, & they ordaine Presbyters & Deacons, whose ordination we altogether disallowe. 44. Presbyters must not drinke in Tavernes, wander in Markets, nor goe to visite Cities, without aduise of their Bishop. 45. Many both of the Clergie & Laickes, go… to holy places, such as Rome, & Turon: imagining, that by the sight of these places, their sins are remitted: and not attending to the sentence of Ierome, It is a more commendable thing to liue well in Hierusalem, than to hauehave seene Hierusalem. 46. In receiuing the Sacrament of the bodie and blood of Christ, great discretion is to be vsed: Neither let the taking of it be long differred, because Christ saith, Except yee eate the flesh of the sonne of man, and drinke his bloud, yee hauehave no life in you: Neither let vsus come without due preparation, because the Apostle saith, He who eateth and dri…keth vnworthily, eateth and drinketh his owne damnation. 47. The Sacrament of the body & blood of Christ which in one day is accustomed to be receiued of all Christians: let no man neglect to receiue it, except some grieuous crime doe hinder him from receiuing of it. 48. According to the precept of the Apostle Iames, Weake persons should be annointed with oyle by the Elders, (which oyle is blessed by the Bishop) these words inclosed in a parenthesis are added to the Text: for he saith, Is any man sicke amongst you, let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray for him, and annoint him with oyle, in the Name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shal saue the sicke, and the Lord shall raise him vp: And if he hauehave committed sin, it shal be forgiuen him, I am. cap. 5. vers. 14.15. Such a medicine as cureth both bodily & spirituall maledies is not to be neglected. 49. In the Councell of Laodicea it was forbidden, that Masses should bee said, and Oblations offered by Bishops, or Presbyters, in priuate houses. This question also was disputed in this Councell. 50. The authoritie of the Emperour, is to be interponed for reuerent keeping of the Lords day. 51. Because the Church is constituted of persons of diuerse conditions, some are Noble, others are ignoble, some are seruants, vassalles, strangers, &c. It becommeth them who are in eminent rowmes, to deale mercifully with their inferiours, knowing that they are their brethren, because God is one common Father to both, and the Church is one common mother to both. From the 52. Canon vntounto the 66. are contained precepts of chaste and honest liuing prescribed to Prioresses and Nunnes. which I ouer-passe, as I hauehave done in the preceeding Councels. 66. It is ordained, that prayers and supplications shall be made for the Emperour and his children, and for their well-fare both in soule and bodie. 67. These things hauehave we touched shortly, to be exhibited to our Soueraigne Lord the Emperour. Hee who desireth a more ample declaration of all vertues to be followed, and vices to be eschewed, let him read the volume of the holy Scriptures of God.
IN the same yeere of our Lord,The Councel… of Arles. wherein the preceding foure Councels were conueened, & by the mandate of the Emperour Charles the Great, another Councell was conneened at Arles. The Canons of this Councell were in number. 25.
1. They set downe a Confession of their Faith. 2. They ordaine, That Prayers shall bee made for the Emperour, and his children. 3. They admonish Bishops and Pastors diligently to reade the bookes of holy Scripture: To teach the Lords people in all truth: and, To administrate the Sacraments rightly. 4. Laick people are admonished, not to remooue their Presbyters from their Churches, without consent of their Bishops. 5. That Presbyters be not admitted for rewards. 6. It is ordained, That Bishops shall attend, that eueryevery person liue ordinately: that is, according to a prescribed rule. The 7. and 8. Canons belong to the ordering of Monkes and Nunnes. The 9. Canon pertaineth to the payment of Tythes, and first fruits. 10. It is ordained, That Presbyters shall preach the word of God, not only in Cities, but also in eueryevery Parochin. 11. Incestuous copulations are to be v…terly abhor…ed. 12. Peace is to blee… kep… with all men, according to the words of the Apostle, Follow peace, and sanctification, without the… which no man shall see God, Heb. cap. 12. vers. 14.1…. Let Lords, Iudges, and the rest of the people, be obedient to their Bishop: & let … judg…ment be vsed: and no bribes receiued, nor false testimonie be admitted. 14. In time of Famine, let eueryevery man support the necessitie of his owne. 15. Let all weightes and measures be equall and just. 16. Let the Sabboth day be kept holy, without Markets, Iustice Courtes, and seruile labour. 17. Let eueryevery Bishop visite his boundes once in the yeere: & if he finde the poore to be oppressed by the violence of the mightie, then let the Bishop with wholesome admonitions, exhort them to desist from such oppression: and in case they will not desist from their violence, then let the Bishop bring the cause to the eares of the Prince. 18. Let Presbyters keepe the Chrisme,Note. and giuegive it to no man, vnderunder pretence of Medicine. 19. Parentes and Witnesses, shall bring vp baptized children in the knowledge of God, because God hath giuen them vntounto Parents, and Witnesses hauehave pawned their word for their faith. 20. Ancient Churches shall not be depriued of Tythes, nor of none other possession. 21. That the constitution of ancient Fathers shal be kept concerning Buriall in Churches. 22. Ciuill Iudgment-seates shall not bee in Churches. 23. The goods belonging vntounto the poore, if they bee bought, let it bee done openly in sight of the Nobles and Iudges of the Citie. 24. Let fugitiue Presbyters and Church-men bee inquired, and sent backe againe vntounto their Bishop. 25. He who hath a benefice bestowed vponupon him, for helping the fabricke of Churches, let him support the building of them. 26. They who sinne publickely, let them make their publicke repentance, according to the Canons. These things hauehave wee shortly touched, to bee presented vntounto our Lord the Emperour, and to be corrected by his Highnesse wisedome.
The eight general Councell.IN the yeere of our Lord, …. and in the third yeere of the raigne of Basilius, Emperour of the East: and vnderunder the raigne of Lewis the second Emperour of the West… the Ambassadours of Pope Adrian the second came to Constantinople. Basilius the Emperour: gathered a Councell against Photius, the Patriarch of Constantinople. In this Councell great policie was vsed, to hauehave all things framed to the contentment of Adrian Bishop of Rome: Fo… no man was admitted to the Councell, except only they who had subscribed the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome, aboue all other Bishops. They who refused to subscribe the fore-saide supremacie, were contemptuously reject…d, and not admitted to the Councell. So did the authoritie of the Bishop of Rome proceede to further grouth, by flattering of Basilius, who slew his associate Michael: as it was founded in the flatterie of Bonifacius the third, who flattered that vile murtherer Phocas, who slew his master Mauritius. In this Councell Photius was deposed and excommunicated, & his bookes which he wrote against the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome were commanded to be burnt. Photius was accused for this, that he had accepted the office of a Bishop, before hee he receiued other Ecclesiasticall orders. Photius alleadg…d, that this was no sufficient cause of deposition, in respect that Ambrose, Bishop of Millan; Nectarius, bishop of Constantinople; and of late dayes Tarasius; with consent of the Bishop of Rome; of Laickes were made Bishops. The Ambassadours of Pope Adrian the second answered, that Ambrose was endewed with extraordinarie giftes, Nectarius was called at an extraordinarie time, to wit, when heresie was so ouerspred, that it was an harde thing to finde out a man who was not spotted with heresie: and concerning the aduancement of Tarasius to be Bishop of Constantinople, to whose admission Adrian the first gaue consent, they answered, That it was done for a speciall cause, in regard hee was a zealous maintainer of the adoration of Images. This answer declareth, that in case Photius also had beene a zealous maintainer of the adoration of Images, the Roman Bishop and his Ambassadours could hauehave dispensed with the want of Ecclesiasticall orders preceeding his admission to his Bishopricke, as they did in the person of Tarasius.
In this Councel also the Ambassadoures of Adrian, magnifying the authoritie of the Pope, affirmed, that the Bishop of Rome might judge of the actions of all other Bishops: but no man might judge of him. And albeit the Orientall Bishops in the sixt Generall Councell, cursed Pope Honorius after his death: yet it is to be marked (say they) that hee was accused of heresie: And in this case onelyonly it is lawfull for inferiours to resist their superiours, and to disclaime their peruerse opinions. In this point, also they said, That none of the Patriarches and Bishops proceeded against the defunct Bishop of Rome,Hist. Magd. cent. 9 cap. 9. Cara…za de Co…cil…s. without the consent of the Roman Chaire going before them. Now obserue (good Reader) with what fidelitie Onuphrius defendeth the name of Honorius the first: as free of all suspition of heresie: when as the Ambassadours of Adrian the second, for verie shame durst not presume to doe it.
More-ouer, the worshipping of Images in this Councell got a new allowance againe, and it was commanded, That the image of Christ should be holden in no lesse reuerence than the bookes of the Gospell.
The Bulgarians also were made subject to the Romane Bishop. And Ignatius Patriarch of Constantinople, in regarde he was restored to his place againe by the meanes of the Bishop of Rome, hee made no opposition to the contrarie. Neuerthelesse, this alteration continued but short time: for the Bulgarians droue out of their bounds the Latine Priests, and were serued with Greeke Priests againe.
Diuers Canons were constituted in this Coūcell, but so coincident with the Canons of other Councels, that it is a superfluous thing to make a rehearsall of them. In the subscription of the Actes of the Councel, great controuersie fell out: for the Grecians could not abide the name of Ludouicke, Emp. of the We…, because they thought, that the honourable name of an Emp. only belonged to their owne Soueraigne Lord, who was Emp. of Cōstantinople. More▪ouer, a number of them came to the Emp. Basilius, and requested him, that their subscriptions might be redeliuered vntounto them againe, wherein they had subscribed to the supremacie of the Romane Bishop, or else the Church of Constantinople would be in perpetuall subiection to the chaire of Rome. These subscriptions afore-sayd were restored againe, but with great difficulty.
CAarolus Caluus convocated a Councell in France,The Councell of Acciniacū. at Acciniacum, consisting of ten Bishops. The Bishops of Lions, Vason, and Trier, were chiefe Presidents in the Councell. Hincmarus Bishop of Rhemes, accused in this convention his owne nephew, Hincmarus Bishop of Laudunum, as a man disobedient to his Metropolitan, and a man who for private iniuries had excommunicated all the Presbyters of his Church, debarring them from saying masse, baptizing Infants, absolving of Penitents, and burying of the dead. And Hincmarus Bishoppe of Rhemes, proponed vntounto the Councell, 50. Canons, which he desired to be read, in the Synode: and they allowed all the Canons written by the Bishop of Rhemes. Also, they condemned Hincmarus Bishop of Laudunum, of petulancy, and compelled him to subscribe obedience to Charles his King, and to his Metropolitan: hee was also deprived of his office, and his eyes were thrust out. But Pope Iohn the ninth, vnderunder the raigne of Carolus Crassus, Hist. Magd. cent. 9. cap. 9.restored him to his office againe, being the more affectioned vntounto him, because hee had appealed from his owne Bishop, and from the decreet of a Synode in his owne countrey, to be iudged by the chaire of Rome.
IN the yeere of our Lord,The Councell of Triburium, or Strasburg. 899. and in the eight yeere of the raigne of the Emperour Arnulphus, in the Towne of Triburium, twenty and two Bishops of Germany, were assembled, who made many constitutions, a great number whereof, Caranza is compelled to over-passe with silence, lest he should make a superfluous repetition of Canons mentioned before.
First, it was concluded in this Councell, that excommunicate persons, if they repent not, are to be subdued by the Emperour. Canon 10. That a Bishop shall not bee deposed, before his cause bee iudged by twelue Bishops: and a Presbyter by sixe Bishoppes: and a Deacon by three Bishops. 11. A Church-man, who committeth slaughter, shall bee deposed, albeit hee hath beene enforced vntounto it. 12. Baptisme shall not bee ministred, except at Easter and Whitsunday, without necessity require. 13. Tythes are to be paid for the sustentation of the Ministery, the support of the poore, and the fabricke of the Church. 15. Let mens bodies be buried in that Parish, vntounto the which they payed their tythes. 16. No buriall place shall be sold for mony. 17. Let Laicke people be buried in the Church-yard, not in the Church: but if they be buried already, let not their bodies be remooved. 18. The vessels wherein holy mysteries are celebrated, are Challices and Platters: whereof Saint Bonifacius, a Bishop and Martyr, being demanded, if it was lawfull to celebrate the Sacrament in vessels of wood? Hee answered, that of old there were golden Bishops, and woodden vessels: but now by the contrary, saith hee; the Bishops are wooden Bishops, and the vessels are vessels of gold. And Sepherinus ministred the Sacrament in vessels of glasse. Neverthelesse, this Councell straitly inhibiteth the Sacrament to be consecrated in vessels of wood. 19. Let not wine without water be offered in the holy Challic…, because both blood and water flowed out of the side of Christ. 20. Priests are shaven, to the end they may carry vponupon their heads a similitude of the crowne (to wit, of thornes, wherewith the Lord was crowned) who is their lot and portion. 21. Let not Presbyters, who are called before Iustice-seats, be compelled to sweare, but let them bee put in rememberance of their holy consecration, in stead of an oath. 22. The tryall of persons defamed, by the burning iron is ceased: but let no man giuegive out rash iudgement in secret matters. 27. They who hauehave vndertaken a spirituall office, should not goe to war-fare, nor accept vponupon them ciuill offices, according to the seventh Canon, of the Councell of Chalcedon. 31. A theese, or a robber, who is slaine in the perpetration of his diabolicall fact, let no man pray for his soule, nor distribute almes for his reliefe. 35. Let no iustice-Courts be holden on the Lords day, neither of Festivall nor Fasting dayes. 39. A man who marrieth a woman of a strange countrey, but not of a strange religion, shall bee compelled to cohabite with her. 40. It shall not bee lawfull for a man to marrie a woman whom hee hath polluted in adultery, during her husbands life-time. 45. Hee who hath defiled two sisters, let him be subiect to penance all his dayes, and remaine continent. 46. A woman that hath committed adultery, and for feare of her husband, who pursueth her vntounto the death, shee fleeth vntounto Bishoppes to seeke reliefe: let them travell seriously for the safety of her her life: and if that can be obtained, let her bee restored to her husband againe: but if that cannot be obtained, let her not bee restored: but her husband during his life-time, shall not marrie another. 54. A forme of externall repentance is prescribed to them, who of precogitate malice, and of purpose, hauehave committed slaughter.