A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

John IX.

JOhn the Ninth has left us four Letters, and the Acts of two Councils. The first of these * 1.1 Letters is directed to Harvey, Archbishop of Rheims, who sent to know of him how he should deal with the Normans, who, after they had been baptiz'd, had led lives wholly Pagan, and were transported to that degree of Extravagance, as to kill the Christians and Priests, to sacrifice to Idols, and to eat of such things as had been offered in sacrifice to them. John IX. after he had congratulated the Archbishops happiness, in the con∣version of Normandy, returns him this Answer, that the persons he mention'd being but newly converted, and not fully instructed in the Christian Religion, ought not to be dealt with according to the rigor of the Canons, but with some sort of gentleness and moderation. That however, if there were any among them, who would submit to all the severities of Pennance, he ought to proceed against such according to the Canon. Agreeable to this Letter, Harvey sent to Guy, Archbishop of Roan, a Memorial containing * 1.2 the institutions of Councils and Popes, the Authorities of the Fathers, and the Example of Saints, concerning the Mercy and Moderation which ought to exercis'd towards the greatest Sinners upon their sincere conversion and repentance.

John's second Letter is directed to Stilian Bishop of Neocesarea: He congratulates his stedfastness to the Church of Rome, from whose communion nothing was able to sepa∣rate him, and declares to him, that he hopes that by his Prayers he would prevail upon God to put an end to the Schism, which was of 40 years continuance. He likewise de∣clares, 'tis his intention that the Decrees of his Predecessors against Photius and his Adhe∣rents, should continue in their full force, and exhorts him not to act contrary to them.

The third Letter of John is directed to the Clergy and Laity of Langres in France, who had petitioned his Authority for re-establishing of Argrin, their Bishop, who had been turn'd out of his Bishoprick by the Sentence of Stephen the Predecessor of Pope John. He being well informed that this Bishop had been elected canonically, that he was turn'd out upon false grounds, and that there had been never another put in his place, re-establishes him by this Letter, notwithstanding the decree of Stephen, wherein he tells them,

That he did not revoke what was done, but that he altered it for the better, for the benefit of the Church, and out of pure necessity, as his Predecessors had done upon several occasions.

He wrote the very same Words at that time to Charles the Simple, and prays him to re-invest Argrin in his Bishoprick, which is his fourth Letter. We have two Let∣ters likewise of Pope Benedict on the same subject, wherein writing to the Bishops of * 1.3 France, to the Clergy and Bishop of Langres, he confirm'd the sentence of his Predecessor in favour of Argrin, and very earnestly presses for his Restitution.

We have likewise two Letters of the Bishops of Germany directed to this Pope. The first is writ in the name of Hatto, Archbishop of Mayence, and his Suffragans. After pro∣testation * 1.4 made, that there were no Churches more submissive to the Holy See than Theirs, nor any Bishops paid greater deference to it than they did, they acquaint him that the Emperor Arnulphus being dead, his Son Lewis had been elected in his place, by the Advice of the Princes, and with the consent of the People, according to the An∣cient custom of continuing the Kings of France always in the ••••me Line. They told the Pope, that the reason why they did it without his permission was, because all the Passes that open'd from Germany to Italy, were in the possession of the Barbarians; so that they could not send Deputies to Rome, nor could the Pope send his Legats to them: that having at last found an opportunity of conveying this Letter to his hands, they pray'd him to confirm by his Benediction the choice which they had made. After this they inform'd him of the Complaints which the Bishops of Bavaria made, upon the account that the Solavonians, who had possess'd themseves of Moravia, and were declar'd Rebels against the French, pretended that they were out of their Jurisdiction, and would have a distinct Metropolitan of their own; and they accus'd the Bavarians of entering into Alli∣ance with the Pagans, and partaking of the disorders which they committed. They assur'd the Pope, that this accusation was a malicious calumny, and gave him to under∣stand, that i•• he should grant the Moravians a Metropolitan, and permit them to withdraw themselves from the Jurisdiction of the Bishops of Bavaria, he would be the cause of great di••ord••rs; for this would give them an occasion of rising against the powers to which they ought to be subject, and of making a new War with them. They added, that they gave him this caution with somuch the more freedom, because they thought themselves oblig'd to inform him, when ever any thing happen'd to the Church of Rome which deserv'd correction, that so some speedy and necessary Remedy might be apply'd thereto.

The Letter of Theotmarus, Metropolitan of Bavaria, and of the other Bishops of that Province, upon the same subject is as strong. 'Tis written not only in the name of the Bishop, but also in the name of the Clergy and peo∣ple * 1.5 of Bavaria. They remonstrated to the Pope, that having learn'd from his Predecessors, and the Holy Fathers of the Church, that the Bishop of Rome, had al∣ways taken care to maintain the Peace, Union, and Discipline of each Church, they could not tell how to believe what they had notice of every day, that there was issued out of the Apostolical See (the Origine of the Christian Religion, and the source of their sacerdotal Dignity) a Decree unjust, and contrary to the Doctrine and Authority of the Church: but that an Archbishop called John, and two Bishops who gave out that they were sent by the Pope to the Moravians, had given occasion for this Report. That these People were formerly Dependants on their Prince, and on their Bishops, who had con∣verted them: That the Bishop of Passaw had always liberty of entring among them, and of holding Synods there, till such time as they rose up in Arms, and renouncd Christianity. That of late indeed they boasted that they for a summ of Money had prevail'd upon the Pope to send three Bishops, who, in the Bishoprick of Passaw had undertaken such a thing, as they could not believe proceeded from the Holy Apostolical See, being so di∣rectly contrary to the Intention of the Canons; namely, to canton that Bishoprick into five parts, and to place an Archbishop and three Bishops into that Diocess, without the consent of the Archbishop and Bishop. They cited two Canons of Africa, and several passages out of the Letters of Pope Leo and Celestine, wherein this very thing was pro∣hibited. They add, that his Predecessor had consecrated Wichinous Bishop, at the instance

of the instance of the Duke of Zutphen, but withal, had sent him not into the Dutchy, of Passaw, but into a Conquer'd Country. They likewise complain'd, that his Legats giving credit to the Stories of the Sclavonians, accus'd them of several falsities. They likewise took notice that their Prince was descended from the House of the King of France, who were Christians, whereas the Moravians and Sclavonians were originally Pa∣gans and Enemies to the Christian Religion. They prais'd their King Lewis, and ob∣serv'd how zealous he was for Religion and the Holy See. They refuted the Reports which the Sclavonians had rais'd of their entering into a prophane Alliance with the Hunns, and of their supplying them with money to go into Italy. They said that the Sclavonians were the persons who were in confederacy with the Hunns, when they pillag'd, burnt, and ravag••d all before them. That for their parts, they design'd to have oppos'd their entering Italy, and to have march'd to the Assistance of Lombardy; and that they might be in a condition to do it, they desired a Cessation of Arms from the Sclavonians, but could not obtain it. They concluded by conjuring the Pope not to give credit to the calumnies which the Sclavonians cast upon them, nor suffer such a division in their Church.

One of the two Councils held under John IX. conven'd at Rome, and the other at Ra∣venna. The Institutions of the former are divided into twelve Articles.

The first condemns the Proceedings of the Synods held under Stephen VI. against the Body of Formosus, which they had dug out of his Grave, cited and judg'd in a full Synod, which was an Action without all Precedent. In this Article is forbidden all such usage for the future, because a dead body cannot be cited into a Court of Judicature, since 'tis impossible he should answer the Accusations laid to his charge.

The second grants a full pardon to the Bishops, Priests, and other Clergy-men, who out of fear of being ill treated themselves, assisted at that; And Orders that for the future no such constraints shall be used, but that the Bishops when they convene shall be left to a perfect Liberty and Freedom.

The third imports, that since Formosus had been translated from the Bishoprick of O∣porto to that of Rome, purely out of necessity, no person could make it a Precedent for the future, and it shall not be allow'd to promote any person to any higher degree of Digni∣ty, who has been declar'd to have forfeited an inferior Order, unless he has been re-esta∣blish'd canonically; as the people had done in advancing Boniface I. who had been de∣pos'd from the Subdeaconship, and afterwards from Priest's Orders.

The fourth restores those Clerks to their Orders, who were ordain'd by Pope Formosus, and had been depos'd in a passion.

The fifth renews the Canon of the African Council against Re-ordinations, Re-baptizations, and Translations; and prohibites the ordinary Bishops in those Churches, which were provided with Bishops, unless those who were in possession had been depos'd according to the Canon.

The sixth confirms the consecration of Lambert for Emperor, and condemns that of Berenger.

The seventh condemns the Acts of the Council of Rome against Formosus, to be burnt.

The eighth declares Sergius, Benedict, and Marinus Priests; and Leo, and Pascal, and John Deacons, to be lawfully condemn'd and separated from the Church, and anathema∣tizes those who should acknowledge them as Clergy-men, or should endeavour to re-establish 'them.

The ninth excommunicates the persons, who had dug up the body of Formosus, and cast it into the Tiber.

The tenth, for the prevention of those Violences, and that scandal which sometimes happen'd in the Election of Popes, ordains that for the future, none should be made, but what were elected by an Assembly of the Bishops and Clergy, in pursuance to the Desires of the Senate and People, and in the presence of the Emperor. This Canon likewise for∣bids the exacting of unreasonable Oaths and Promises.

The eleventh is levell'd against an abuse very prevalent at that time, of robbing the Pope after his Decease, not only of his Patriarchal Seat, but of all others which belong'd to him in Rome, or thereabouts.

The twelfth was against another abuse which prevail'd at Rome. The secular Judges apprehended such Women as were suspected to be bad Livers, and by the severity which they us'd to them, oblig'd their Masters or their Relations to redeem them at a dear price: and afterwards those who had redeem'd them, whether Clerks, or Laicks, thought they might freely enjoy them without the fear of a Reprimand, since the publick censure was pass'd upon them; which was the cause of a very great disorder. The Council to put a stop thereto, granted the taking cognisance of and passing Judgment on these offences to the Bishops, with a power of citing the Refractory before the civil Magistrates.

Some time after, the Pope being come to the Emperor Lambert at Ravenna, they there conven'd a Council of 74 Bishops, who confirm'd what had been done

in the Council of Rome, and approv'd of the ten following Institutions.

By the first it is ordain'd, that the Canons of the Holy Fathers, and what is contain'd in the Registers of Charlemagn and his Successors concerning Tenths should be ob∣serv'd.

Afterwards the Emperor propos'd two Articles. By the first, all persons whatsoever are forbidden to arrest, or offer any injury to those who should make their Appeals to his Imperial Majesty.

By the second, the Emperor confirms the Ancient Priviledges granted or confirm'd by his Predecessors to the Church of Rome.

The Pope afterwards propos'd the following Articles.

First, A confirmation of what was enacted in the Council of Rome, in favour of For∣mosus.

Secondly, The punishing of the Outrages committed on the Territories of the Church of Rome, which had oblig'd him to have recourse to the Emperor.

Thirdly, A Renewing of the Treaty made between the Holy See, and the Emperor Guy, Lambert's Father.

Fourthly, That the Edicts which were not conformable to the conditions of this Treaty should be repeal'd.

Fifthly, That the Estates granted by the Letters Pattents of the Prince, to the prejudice of that same Treaty, should be restored to the Church.

Sixthly, That the Emperor shall break off the Leagues which the Romans, the Lombards, and the French had made together, contrary to the Interests of the Holy See and the Empire.

Lastly, That the Emperor shall protect the Church of Rome, prevent its being di∣sturb'd, and use his utmost care to restore to it its ordinary Revenues, which were now wasted.

These Articles being approv'd by the Bishops, the Pope recommended to them the Appointing a Fast and solemn Litanies upon their Return to their Respective Dio∣cesses.

[The four Letters of Pope John IX. and his Acts of the two Councils are extant Concil. Tom. IX. p. 483.]

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Letters of John IX.
• * 1.2

  Harvey Archbishop of Rheims.
• * 1.3

  The Letters of Benedict IV.
• * 1.4

  The Letter of Hatto Archbishop of Mayence to John IX.
• * 1.5

  The Letter of the Bi∣shops of Ba∣varia to John IX.