747. should at the canonical hours of prayer, not only for them- 787. The legates report the VIII. SYNODS HELD AT CHELSEA AND ELSEWHERE, THE following document is a report sent by the legates George and Theophylact to Pope Hadrian I. It was originally printed by the Magdeburg Centuriators from a MS. which has not since been verified. There is no reason to doubt its authenticity, as the internal proofs of this are very strong. See H. and S. iii. 447-461. It occurs in the Centuries, viii. p. 575. [Johnson's tr., compared with H. and S.] We have written a capitular of all the particulars, and rehearsed them in order in their hearing, who, with all humble success of submission and evident willingness, embracing your admonition and our poor selves, promised in all particulars to obey. Then we delivered to them your letters to read, enjoining their mis sion. them that they would see that the holy decrees be observed both by themselves and their subjects. Now these are the heads which we produced to be observed by them: 787. to hold and Councils, 1. That the holy, inviolate faith of the Nicene Council be The clergy faithfully and firmly held by all that are devoted to the holy teach the service; and that the priests of every church who are to faith of the teach the people be diligently examined by the bishops every six general year in their synodical assemblies, concerning the faith: so and to be that they may profess hold and teach the apostolic and examined yearly. catholic faith of the six Councils which is approved by the Holy Ghost, and not fear to die for it if there be occasion; and that they receive all such men as the general Councils have received, and reject and condemn all those, heartily, whom they have condemned. tions of responsi 2. That Baptism be administered according to the canon- The season ical statutes, and not at any other time except in great and condinecessity; that all in general know the Creed and the Lord's Baptism, Prayer; that all who receive children from the font know and the that they are sureties to the Lord, according to their under- bilities of taking, for the renouncing of Satan, his works, and pomps, sponsors in example and for the believing of the faith; that they teach them the and inLord's Prayer aforesaid and the Creed, while they are coming to ripeness of age: for if they do not, what is promised to God on behalf of them that cannot speak shall be with rigour exacted of them. Therefore we enjoin that this be charged on the memories of all the people in general. struction. annual duct visita 3. That there be two Councils each year according to the Bishops to canonical decrees, that the briers and thorns may be cut off have two from the hearts of all offenders as spurious branches are by Councils, good husbandmen. And let every bishop go round his and to condiocese once every year, carefully appointing places of meet- tions, ing at convenient distances; that all may meet to hear the word of God, lest any, through the neglect of the shepherd, ignorantly going astray, be victims to the bite of the roaring lion. Let him with watchful care preach to and con D 787. to preach, confirm, and exer firm the flock committed to his charge; let him separate the incestuous, coerce soothsayers, fortune-tellers, enchanters, 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. monks and nuns to live 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 canonically, and monks and nuns behave themselves regularly, 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 elec often 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 ordina 6. That no bishop presume to ordain a man priest or Conditions deacon unless he be of approved life, and sufficient for the tion and 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 [Sarabatta 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 Interces- 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. not to judge secular matters. sion for the Church. The duty rulers and judges in obedience to the bishops, Amen. 11. Our address to kings is that they administer their of kings as government with caution and discretion, and that they 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, |