The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 4 · History of century 13 – History of century 14
CENTVRIE XIII.
Concilium Lateranense.ABout the yeere of our Lord, 1215. Pope Innocentius the third, gathered a generall Councell at Rome, wherein the doctrine of Transubstantiation was ratified. Also the Grecians were ordayned to turne to the obedience of the Church of Rome,The conclusions of this Councell. to the end there might be one shepheard and one sheepfold, and that they should desist from detesting the Priests of the Latin Church, whom the Grecians so abhorred, that they would not say masse vponupon the Altar which the Latin Priest had touched, vntill it had beene cleansed and washed. Also that they should not rebaptize such as were baptized by Latin Priestes, and that all these things should be observed vnderunder paine of cursing. And finally, it was concluded, that an army should bee sent vntounto Syria, for reliefe of the Christians there, and the recouery of the holy Land, and that processions, supplications, and fastings, should be kept monethly, for the more easie obtaining of it.
Concilium Lugdunense.LIkewise in the yeere of our Lord, 1273. Gregorius the tenth, gathered a generall Councell at Lions; where Michael Paleologus Emperour of Constantinople, was present, who by the slaughter of Theodorus Luscaris sonne, committed to his custody,Note. had vsurped the Empire. This Michael (I say) being present at the Councell, acknowledged the superiority of the Church of Rome, wherevnto the other Grecians were so farre from condiscending, that they abhorred the said Emperour, and would not suffer his body to be buried amongst other Christians.
In this Councell also was concluded, that the tenth part of all Ecclesiasticall rents for the space of six yeeres, should be payed, to furnish out an army to fight against the Infidels, for recovering of the holy Land; and a full remission of sinnes, was promised to all them who would vndertake a part of this war-fare.
CENTVRIE XIIII.
The Councell of Vienna.IN the yeere of our Lord, 1311. Pope Clement the fift bearing rule, a generall Councell was assembled at Vienna, wherein he set forth a booke of Papall decrees,Liber Clementiarum, received by the Councell. called Liber Clementiarū, which was received, allowed, and ratified, by the Councell. And albeit (as Nauclerus witnesseth) Clemens himselfe before his death, repented the setting out of this booke, and commanded it to be burnt; yet the Popes succeeding him, and namely, Iohannes the two and twentith,The contents of this booke. confirmed and authorized the sayde booke againe, together with the Decretals of Gregorius, and Bonifacius; because these bookes most highly advanced the seat of Rome, exeeming the Bishop of Rome from subiection to generall Councels, and attributing power to him, to receiue, or to reiect the Emperour, after hee is chosen; comparing the Pope to the Sunne, and the Emperour to the Moone: finally, counting it a thing necessary vntounto eternall life, that every person bee subiect to the Bishop of Rome.
The feast of Corpus Christi ordained.In this Councell it was ordayned, that the feast of Corpus Christi should be kept, with many indulgences granted vntounto them, who should celebrate this feast.
Likewise it was Decreed, that the way to reduce Infidels to the true faith, was not by armour and shedding of blood,Note. as the preceeding Popes had done, for the space of three hundred yeeres, though in vaine; but by preaching of the Word of God, to gaine their soules to the Lords Kingdome. And for this cause it was ordained, that Schooles should bee erected, and forraine tongues should bee learned, namely, the Hebrew, Chaldaicke, and Arabique languages. Finally, it was ordained, that the name and remembrance of the order of Templaries should be rooted out,The Templars rooted out. and this Decree was put in execution, by all Christian Princes, who in one day vtterly rooted out the sayd order of Monkes, as formerly hath beene declared.