confirm,

787. firm the flock committed to his charge; let him separate the to preach, incestuous, coerce soothsayers, fortune-tellers, enchanters, and exer- diviners, wizards, and sacrilegious ones, and suppress all vices. cise disci- And let no man affect to feed the flock committed to him pline. for filthy lucre's sake, but in hope of an eternal reward; Bishops and clergy and what he has freely received let him freely give to all, as

to avoid worldli

ness and

to be true shepherds.

Canons,

the apostle protests (2 Tim. i. 1), and as the prophet says (Isa. xl. 9), that so he may excel in merit as he does in dignity. And that he may not be cramped by fear whilst he is teaching, let him hearken (Isa. xl. 9). Jeremiah also says (Jer. i. 17). Alas for this lamentable lukewarmness. As many thoughtful men say why will ye be involved in the love of secular things, or be dismayed by crime and confounded in opening the word of truth? If the prelates of the Church are silent through fear, or worldly friendship, and do not reprove sinners, or run away like false shepherds who care not for the sheep, when they see the wolf coming, why are they not more afraid of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords? who reprehends shepherds by the prophets saying (Ezek. xiii. 5). Lastly, as the watchful shepherd guards the sheep against the wild beasts, so the priest of God ought to be solicitous for the flock, lest the enemy spoil, the persecutor annoy; lest the ravening of the powerful disturb the life of the poor; since the prophet says (Ezek. iii. 18); for 'The good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.' Endeavour, my fathers and brethren, that ye bear these things in mind, lest it be said to you, as to the shepherds of Israel, 'Ye feed yourselves,' &c., but that ye may deserve to hear, 'Well done, good and faithful servant,' &c.

4. That bishops take great care that canons live canonmonks and ically, and monks and nuns behave themselves regularly, nuns to live and dress both as to diet and apparel, that there be a distinction regularly between canon, monk, and secular. Let the monks use according to the con- the habit that the Easterns do, and the canons too, and not ciliar garments dyed with Indian colours, or very costly. But let

decrees.

bishops, abbots, and abbesses give good example to their subjects as Peter says (I. v. 2). Therefore we advise that the synodical decrees of the six general Councils, with the decrees of the Roman Pontiffs, be often read with attention, and that the state of the Church be reformed according to the pattern described therein, that no novelty be introduced, lest there be a schism in the Church of God.

787.

tion of

5. That if an abbot or abbess depart this life, which The elecoften happens, religious pastors of approved life be chosen monastic from among themselves in the Lord to take care of the souls superiors. committed to them, with the bishop's advice within whose diocese the monastery is situate. But if such a person is not to be found in that convent let such an one be sent them from another, to govern them in the Lord, that they may with humility and obedience be employed day and night in performing the vow they have made to God, 'having their loins always girt about,' &c.

of ordination and

6. That no bishop presume to ordain a man priest or Conditions deacon unless he be of approved life, and sufficient for the full discharge of his office; and let them continue in that title. title to which they were consecrated; so that none presume to receive a priest or deacon from the title that belongs to another, without a reasonable cause, and letters commendatory.

7. That all churches have their course publicly at the The hours canonical hours with reverence.

of church

service.

8. That ancient privileges conferred on churches by the PreservaHoly Roman See be preserved by all. But if any have tion of been granted contrary to the canonical decrees, in compliance privileges.

with wicked men, let them be cancelled.

ancient

siastic to eat in

9. That no ecclesiastic presume to eat in secret unless No eccleon account of great infirmity; for this is hypocrisy and the way of the Saracens [Sarabattæ or vagrant monks?]; there- secret. fore they advise that we be not 'whited sepulchres,' &c., especially since our Saviour says: 'Take heed that ye do not

787.

The celebrant's

attire for

material of

the bread

and

vessels.

Bishops

your justice before men.' From hence we may see how little it means to fast before men but to swallow down beef or horseflesh in secret, since our good works are commanded to be done in secret, that we may be rewarded by Him in whose name they are done.

10. Let no minister of the altar presume to go and celebrate mass with bare legs, lest his nakedness be seen and God mass; the be offended. For if this was forbidden in the Law, we know it ought to be more carefully observed in the Sacrament of Christ. Let bread be offered by the faithful, not crusts. We have also forbidden the chalice or paten for sacrificing to be made of ox-horn because they (sic) are of blood. We have also there seen bishops in their Councils judging secular matters, and we forbad them with the apostolic saying (2 Tim. ii. 4); we have also entreated that prayers be assiduously made for the Church of God, that God and our Lord Jesus Christ may exalt, corroborate and protect, defend and preserve her without spot, to the praise and glory of His name for ever and ever. Amen.

not to

judge secular matters.

Interces

sion for the Church.

The duty

rulers and

obedience

to the bishops,

11. Our address to kings is that they administer their of kings as government with caution and discretion, and that they judges in judge righteously, as it is written, 'Take hold of discipline' (Ps. ii. 12). Further, as we have above directed bishops to speak the word of God with a Divine authority, faithfully and truly, without fear or flattery, to kings, princes, and all dignities, never declining the truth, sparing no man, condemning no man unjustly, excommunicating none without cause, and to show the way of salvation to all, both by word and example-so we have also admonished kings and princes that they from their heart with great humility obey their bishops, because the kingdom of heaven is committed to them, and they have the power of binding and loosing, as it is written (Deut. xxxii.). And the apostle elsewhere (Heb. xiii. 17). Our Saviour Himself says to doctors (Luke x. 16). The lips of the priest preserve knowledge,

787.

ference to

for he is the angel of the Lord of Hosts. If the priests are called angels, they cannot be judged by secular men, as and in dethe apostle says, 'For me it is a very small thing that the dignity I should be judged by you.' Also it is said by the Psalmist of the priesthood. (Ps. cv. 14). And the apostle says (1 Cor. vi. 3). For as kings are above all dignities, so are bishops in things pertaining to God. Therefore we exhort with all earnestness, that all do indeed honour the Church of God, which is the spouse of Christ; and not put on her an unrighteous yoke of servitude, nor wax proud with secular power, nor oppress others with violence, as it is written (Ps. xciv. 4). Let every one of them consider how he expects that his spouse should be honoured by his subjects, and let him see in this earthly example how much the spouse of the King of Heaven ought to be reverenced, lest it be said of them (which God forbid) that 'they have reigned but not by Me' (Hos. viii. 4); but that they may rather deserve to have it said (Ps. lxxxix. 19-21), that God may grant them the eternal glory of the kingdom which is to come. And let Of the kings have wise counsellors, fearing the Lord, of commend- king's able manners, that the people being instructed and reformed lors. by the good example of kings and princes, may improve to the glory and praise of Almighty God.

counsel

and due

12. That in ordaining kings none permit the voices The conof wicked men to prevail; but let kings be lawfully secration chosen by the priests and elders of the people, not such choice of as are born in adultery or incest, for as in our times, kings, according to the canons, none can arrive at the priesthood who is of adulterous descent, so neither can he who is not born in lawful marriage be the Lord's anointed, king of the whole kingdom, and heir of the country, since the prophet says (Dan. iv. 17). We have admonished all in for whom general that with unanimous voice and heart they pray to prayer is the Lord, that He who elects him to the kingdom would give him the spirit of discipline for the governing of his

to be made.

787.

to them

and

people; and let honour be paid him by all, since the apostle Behaviour says (1 Pet. ii. 17). Let none be guilty of detraction towards the king, since Solomon says (Eccl. x. 20). And let none compass the death of the king because he is the Lord's anointed. If a bishop or any of priestly degree consent to such a crime let him be thrust out, as was Judas from the apostolic degree. And whoever approves of such sacrilege shall perish in the eternal chain of an anathema, the fate of and being a comrade of Judas shall burn in everlasting fire, as it is written (Rom. i. 32). The two eunuchs who desired to kill King Ahasuerus were hanged on a gallows (Esth. Apoc. xii. 3). Observe what David did (1 Sam. xxiii. 5, 7; 2 Sam. 1). It has been proved by many examples among you that those who have been the authors of killing their lords have shortly ended their own lives and been without benefit of either law.

regicide clerks.

The re

rich and great in judging.

13. That the great and rich judge righteously, and accept sponsibili- not the person of the rich, nor despise the poor, nor decline ty of the from right, nor take bribes against the innocent, but act according to truth and justice, since the prophet says (Ps. lviii. 1). Also elsewhere (Lev. xix. 15), as also (Isa. 1. 17), and at another place (Lev. viii. 6). The Lord says in the Gospel (Matt. vii. 2), nor shall you by violence take from another that which belongs to him, as it is said (Ex. xx. 17), for the prophet threatens saying (Isa. v. 8). Again a prophet cries saying (Ps. lxxxiv. 2). deserves who causes a little one to receives one of these receives Christ. have it said to you at the Judgment My Father,' etc.

Of security

and the

just limits

Remember what he stumble; but he who May you deserve to 'Come ye blessed of

14. Let fraud, violence, and rapine be abhorred, and let not unjust tributes be imposed on the Church of God, nor of taxation. greater than those allowed by the Roman law, and the custom of former emperors, kings, and princes, and let them endeavour to keep themselves wholly free from this vice or