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.

CHAP. XIII. (Book 13)

Of the COUNCILS held in the Eleventh Century.

HAVING already given an Historical Account of divers Councils, treating of other Ecclesiastical Affairs transacted in this Century, we shall now proceed to do the same thing, in reference to those of which we have not hitherto had occasion to make mention.

The Councils of France.

IN the Year of our Lord, 1017. certain concealed Hereticks were discover'd, who spread * 1.1 abroad detestable Doctrins and committed no less infamous Actions; and this Discovery was first made by a Norman Lord nam'd Arefastus: He had a Clergy-man in his House, who going to Orleans to hold Conferences with the Learned of that City, met two other Clerks, one nam'd Stephen, Professor of School-Divinity in St. Peter's Monastery, and the other Lisoius, Clerk of the Convent of St. Croix, who were then in great repute for their Learning and Piety. He Convers'd with them for some time, till they communicated their Errors to him, and afterward returning to Normandy, acquainted his Patron with their Te∣nets, who disclos'd the matter to Duke Richard. Whereupon the Duke gave notice of it to King Robert, and at the same time sent Arefastus with his Chaplain in order to discover and convict the Hereticks. Arefastus pass'd through Chartres, to know of Fulbert what Mea∣sures were most expedient to be taken in this Case; but not meeting with him, he consulted Evrard, a Doctor of Divinity and Prebend of the Church of Chartres, who advis'd him to give himself up to Prayer, to receive the Holy Communion, and to fortify himself every Day with the sign of the Cross, before he enter'd into Conference with those Hereticks; not to contradict what he heard them say, and feigning to be their Disciple, to make a Discove∣ry of all their Errors. He follow'd this Advice, and having associated himself with them

several times, was inform'd by them,

That they did not believe that JESUS CHRIST was born of the Virgin Mary, nor that he died for the Salvation of Mankind, nor that he was bury'd and rose again: And that they maintain'd, That Baptism did not procure the remission of Sins; that the Consecration by the Priest did not constitute the Sacra∣ment of the Body and Blood of our Lord; and that it was unprofitable to make Prayers to the Holy Martyrs and Confessors.

Afterward Arefastus having interrogated them about the Salvation which they hop'd to be partakers of, they inform'd him, That at certain Hours of the Night, they were wont to meet together in a particular Place, every one be∣ing furnish'd with a Lamp, where after having invok'd the Demons, they perpetrated infa∣mous Villanies, and even burnt the Children born of their incestuous Copulations, whose Ashes they reserv'd to be given to sick Persons as a kind of Viaticum.

King Robert being arriv'd at Orleans with some Bishops, caus'd this Herd of Miscreants to be apprehended and Arefastus among them, by whose Testimony they were Convicted, and their Errors were refuted by the Bishops: But upon their refusal to abjure their Heresy, they were depriv'd of their Ecclesiastical Habits and all burnt in a House, except one single Clerk and a Nun, who were Converted. These Circumstances are thus related in an an∣cient History of the Council of Orleans, referr'd to by Father Luke Dachery, in the second Tome of his Spicilegium; and Glaber a Cotemporary Historian, relates them almost after the same manner as to the matter of Fact, except that he makes no mention of Arefastus; but he attributes to them some other Errors, viz.

That they deny'd the Holy Trinity, affirm'd the World to be Eternal, and believ'd that sensual Pleasures are not to be punish'd in the future State, and that good Works are unprofitable.

This Author adds, That the Persons burnt upon that Account, were thirteen in Number.

The Synod of Arras, held in the Year, 1025.

SOME time after there appear'd in Flanders another Sect of Hereticks, which was like∣wise Condemn'd in a Synod held at Arras, A. D. 1025. on the Festival of Christmas, by * 1.2 Gerard Bishop of Cambray and Arras; for both these Cities had then but one Bishop. Gerard residing some Days in the latter, News was brought him, that certain Persons were arriv'd from Italy, who introduc'd a new sort of Heresy, which ruin'd the Gospel Ordinances, and the Discipline of the Church; and that these Miscreants making profession of perfect Righteousness, gave it out, That that alone was sufficient for the Justification of a Person, and that there was no other Sacrament in the Church for the attaining of Salvation.

Upon this Report, Gerard caus'd a strict search to be made after those, who were suspected to be maintainers of this Heresy; insomuch, that they were apprehended by the Gover∣nor's Order, and even brought before the Bishop, who being taken up at that instant with other Affairs, after he had examin'd them for some time concerning their Doctrin, and per∣ceiv'd them to be in an Error, caus'd them to be confin'd during three Days, and order'd a Fast to be kept the next Day, by the Clerks and Monks who were there present, that Al∣mighty God might be implor'd to give Grace to those Miscreants to acknowledge their Er∣rors. On the third Day, being Sunday, he held a Synod compos'd of the Abbots, Arch-deacons, Monks and other Clergy, and caus'd the Prisoners to be brought forth in the pre∣sence of the People: Then, after having made a Speech to the Assembly, he demanded of the Prisoners, what their Doctrin was, and who were their Teachers: They reply'd, That they were the Disciples of an Italian nam'd Gandulphus, who had instructed them in the Commandments of the Gospel, and of the Apostles; that they receiv'd no other Scripture, but that they observ'd that very strictly. The Bishop having heard it reported, That they abhorr'd Baptism; that they rejected the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of JESUS CHRIST; that they gave it out, that Pennance was altogether unprofitable; that they despis'd the Churches; that they condemn'd lawful Marriages; that they did not acknow∣ledge any Eminency in the Confessors; and that they affirm'd, That none ought to be ho∣nour'd except the Apostles and Martyrs; he thought fit to interrogate them, and to give them Instructions about those Points. As to the first, they own'd,

That their Master had Taught them, That provided that they practis'd the Precepts of the Gospel; that they renounced the Vanities of the World; that they did not follow their Passions; that they got their Livelihood by the Labour of their Hands; that they did no injury to any; and that they exercis'd Charity toward those, who were animated with the same Zeal; it was not necessary to receive Baptism; that if the performance of these Duties were neglected Baptism would be unprofitable, and that altho' 'twere granted that it had some efficacy; yet it was now become altogether useless and of none effect for these three Reasons, viz. 1. Upon account of the irregular Practices and Conversation of the Mini∣sters. 2. Because the Sins which might have been remitted by Baptism, are committed again by Professours during the whole Course of their Lives. 3. In regard that Infants are Baptis'd, who have neither Faith nor free Will; who cannot desire Baptism, nor

know what is meant by Faith or Free Will; neither can the Profession of others avail them any thing.

The Bishop reply'd upon that Article,

That altho' JESUS CHRIST was perfectly Righteous, yet he condescended to receive Baptism from St. John; That he instituted it for the regeneration and the remission of Sins; That in this Sacrament the Holy Ghost ope∣rates invisibly in the Soul, what is done outwardly by the Water, on the Body: That altho' it be administer'd by worthy or unworthy Ministers, nevertheless it is always effectual; because it is the Holy Ghost who Sanctifies, and the Iniquity of a Man cannot hinder the effect of the operation of God: That whilst the Minister outwardly sprinkles the Body, the Soul is inwardly purify'd by the operation of the Holy Ghost: That afterward Holy Unction is administr'd to the Infant, for its farther Sanctification after Baptism; by reason that as Sin is remitted by Baptism, so Unction sanctifies the Person after Baptism: That the Imposition of Hands was also added, to procure the Descent of the Holy Ghost: That the necessity of Baptism is prov'd by the Doctrin of the Gospel and of the Apostles: That how Holy or Innocent soever, the Life of a Man may be, yet he cannot be Sav'd without receiving this Sacrament: That Baptism takes away both original and actual Sins, and re-establishes Man in the same State of Uprightness, in which he was created, altho' it does not render him immortal: That the Example of the Man Sick of the Palsey, whom our Saviour cur'd, having regard to the Faith of those Persons, who brought him into his Pre∣sence; and that of the Canaanitish Woman, who by Faith obtain'd a Cure for her Daughter, give us to understand, that the Faith of those who present an Infant to be Baptis'd, may stand it in some stead.

Lastly, he demanded of them, for what reason, they express'd so great contempt of the Sacraments of the Church, who were so punctual in observing the Ceremony of washing their Feet? Neither does he insist less on the second Article, con∣cerning the Mystery of the Eucharist, of which he explains the Effects, proving the real Pre∣sence of the Body and Blood of JESUS CHRIST, and answering the Objections that was made about the impossibility, that the same Body should be present in divers Places, to which purpose he relates a great number of Miracles.

These Hereticks being convinc'd by his Discourse, acknowledg'd their Error, and sued for a Pardon: The Bishop gave them some hopes of obtaining their Request, and proceeded to the other Points of Discipline, to which they had no regard, viz. those that related to the Churches, Altars, Sacred Orders, Unction, Exorcisms, Bells and Funeral Rites. After having vindicated the Customs of the Church as to these Matters, he endeavour'd to prove against them, the usefulness of Pennance for the Living, and that of Prayer, good Works and Sacrifices for the Dead. He shews,

That lawful Marriages is not forbidden by the Or∣dinances of the Gospel: That the Confessours ought to be honour'd as well as the Mar∣tyrs: That the singing of Psalms is not only allow'd of, but also commendable: That a due Veneration ought to be had for the Cross, by referring that Worship to JESUS CHRIST: That the use and adoration of the Images of our Saviour, and of the Saints is profitable; because the sight of them represents their Actions, and puts us in mind of their Vertues.

He concludes with discoursing of the usefulness and distinctions of Sa∣cred Orders, and about the necessity of the Grace of JESUS CHRIST.

Upon the conclusion of this Discourse, the Hereticks, who were present, declar'd, That they acknowledg'd the Truths, which the Bishop of Arras had explain'd to them; insomuch that a Form of a Confession of Faith contrary to the Errors which were refuted by that Pre∣late, was immediately drawn up and recited by him and the rest of the Clergy: Afterward they caus'd it to be explain'd in the Vulgar Tongue, by an Interpreter in favour of these Hereticks, who did not well understand the Latin: Then they approv'd and sign'd it, and were dismiss'd in Peace after having receiv'd Benediction from the Bishop. The said Gerard himself compil'd the Acts of this Synod, and Dedicated them to one of his neighbouring Bishops whose name is mark'd by the Letter R prefix'd at the beginning of the Epistle which he wrote to him, and who is apparently Reginald of Liege. These Acts were publish'd by Father Luke Datchery, in the thirteenth Tome of his Spicilegium, and may well be esteem'd as one of the finest Monuments of those times.

The Council of Bourges, held in the Year, 1031.

AIMO, Arch-bishop of Bourges, held a Council on the first day of November, A. D. 1031. * 1.3 in that City, in which assisted the Bishops of Puy en Velay, Clermont, Alby, Cahors and Mande, with the Abbot of Micy and several others. Pope John's 18th Letter was read con∣cerning the Affair of St. Martial's Apostleship; proper means were sought for, to put a stop to the Civil Wars and to establish Peace in the Kingdom, and the following Constitutions were rectify'd.

The First ordains, That the Commemoration of St. Martial shall be made among the Apo∣stles, and not among the Confessors.

The Second, That the Priest shall not keep the Body of Jesus Christ, consecrated under the same Hosts longer, than from one Sunday to another.

The Third imports, That the Bishops shall not receive any Presents upon account of Ordi∣nations, nor even their Officers, who were wont to take somewhat for Registring the Names of those Persons, who were propos'd for Ordination.

The Fourth, That none shall obtain an Arch-deaconry, who is not a Deacon.

The Fifth, That Priests, who cohabit with their Wives, shall only be Readers or Chanters for the future; and that Deacons and Sub-deacons shall not be suffer'd to keep either Wives or Concubines.

The Sixth, That the Bishops shall oblige them to take an Oath to that purpose, at their Ordination.

The Seventh enjoyns, That all those who are employ'd in the Ministerial Functions, shall have Ecclesiastical Tonsure; that is to say, their Beards shav'd, and the Crown made on their Heads.

The Eighth, That the Sons of Deacons and Sub-deacons, shall not be admitted into the Clergy.

The Ninth, That Slaves shall not be ordain'd Clerks, till they have obtain'd Freedom of their Masters.

The Tenth, That such Persons shall not be look'd upon as the Sons of Clergy-men, as were born after their Fathers quitted the Ecclesiastical State, and return'd to that of Laicks.

The Eleventh, That the Bishops shall declare at the time of Ordination, that they excom∣municate those who shall presume to present to them any Sons of Clergy-men or Slaves to be ordain'd, and that Persons under such Circumstances, who have got their Ordination by sur∣prise, shall be depos'd.

The Twelfth, That nothing shall be exacted for the Administration of Baptism and Pen∣nance, nor for burying the Dead; nevertheless that it shall be permitted to receive whatever the Faithful shall think fit to bestow Voluntarily upon those Occasions.

The Thirteenth orders, That the Priests shall have the Offerings, and the Funeral Torches, which are presented to them, but that the Paschal-Taper shall remain to give Light to the Altar.

The Fourteenth, That Linnen Cloths which have serv'd to cover dead Bodies, shall not be laid on the Altar.

The Fifteenth, That no publick Meetings shall be held on Sundays for the Management of Secular Affairs, unless they be call'd to perform Works of Charity, to oppose the In∣sults of Enemies, in case of danger, or to transact Business upon some other emergent Oc∣casion.

The Sixteenth ordains, That those Persons who leave their Wives, except upon account of Adultery, shall not marry others as long as the former are living, nor the Women other Husbands in the like Cases.

The Seventeenth, That no Man shall take to Wife a Relation to the sixth or seventh De∣gree of Consanguinity.

The Eighteenth, That none in like manner shall be permitted to Marry his Kinsman's Wife.

The Nineteenth, That no Man shall give his Daughter in Marriage to any Priest, Deacon or Sub-deacon, nor to their Sons.

The Twentieth, That none shall Marry their Daughters.

The Twenty first imports, That Lay-men shall not enjoy Ecclesiastical Benefices.

The Twenty second, That Laicks shall not put Priests in their Churches without the ap∣probation of the Bishop.

The Twenty third, That those Ecclesiastical Persons, who renounce their Clerkship or Ministerial Functions, shall be separated from the rest of the Clergy.

The Twenty fourth, That Monks, who quit their Habit, shall be depriv'd of the Com∣munion of the Church, till they have resum'd it; and if the Abbots or Monks refuse to re-admit them, they shall reside with the Clerks in Churches or in other Monasteries, wearing the Habit of Monks and observing the Monastick Rule.

The Twenty fifth, That neither the Canons nor Monks shall pass from one Church or from one Monastery to another, without a License from the Bishop or Abbot.

After the Session of this Synod, Aimo made a Declaration, That St. Martial should be stil'd an Apostle in all the Church-Offices.

The Council of Limoges held in the Year, 1031.

THE same Question was debated at large in the Council of Limoges, assembled eighteen days after in the Church of that City, where the greatest part of the Prelates who had * 1.4 assisted in the Council of Bourges, were present, with Jourdain Bishop of Limoges, Isambert of Poi•…•…rs, Arnold of Perigueux, Rohon of Angoulesme and some others. There were only two Sessions, viz. the first on the 18th day of November, and the other on the 19th. In the former after many Debates, the Apostolical Dignity was confirm'd to St. Martial.

In the second, after having observ'd, that different Customs might be in use in several Churches, the Constitutions made in the Council of Bourges were read; and the second con∣cerning the renewing of the Host every Sunday was alter'd, because 'twas judg'd sufficient that they should be renew'd Twelve times a Year. Afterward the Affair of the Abbey of Beaulieu was propos'd, which was possess'd by a secular Abbot: He was Summon'd to the Synod, and after he had consented that it should be reform'd according to the Rule, 'twas ordain'd that the Bishop of Limoges should place a regular Abbot therein, before the Festival of Christmas. This gave occasion to treat of the Monastick Regularity in the Council: The Bishop of Limo∣ges was very well satisfied with the Conduct of the Abbots and Monks of his Diocess, and only complain'd of one Abbot, who had suffer'd a certain Vicount, excommunicated by the Bishop and deceased without Absolution, to be interr'd in his Church: The Abbot vindicated himself; alledging, That it was done without his Knowledge by the Souldiers of that Vi∣count, who bury'd him themselves; but that as soon as he was inform'd of the Matter of Fact, he caus'd his Corps to be dug up, and to be laid without the consecrated Ground. The Bishop of Cahors related an Accident of the like nature, which happen'd in his Diocess. Then the Prelates of the Council proceeded to find out Means to oblige the great Lords and Noblemen to make Peace one with another, and Excommunication and Suspension from Di∣vine Service were propos'd to that end. The Monks of St. Martial had their Custom con∣firm'd of Administring Baptism on the Festivals of Easter and Whitsuntide; and the Abbots had a Privilege granted them to have a Chaplain and three Deacons assisting at their Celebra∣tion of Mass, on the solemn Festivals: The Canons against incontinent Clergy-men and Simo∣niacal Practices were reviv'd; and the time of Ordination was fix'd on the four Ember-Weeks. Upon a Remonstrance, that divers Persons excommunicated by their Bishops for notorious Crimes, went to Rome and receiv'd Absolution from the Pope; the Bishop of Puy en Velay reported, that some Years ago, the Count of Clermont being excommunicated by the Bishop, for leaving his lawful Wife to Marry another, made a Journey to the Court of Rome, where he obtain'd Absolution of the Pope, who had no notice of the Sentence of Excommunication pass'd against him: That the Bishop having made a Complaint, the Pope return'd for Answer, That he ought to blame himself for what had happen'd, by reason that he never gave him any Information that the Count was excommunicated; the Pope added, That if he had known it, he would have confirm'd the Bishop's Sentence, because he makes Profession to assist his Brethren in every thing, and not to oppose them; that he should be very sorry, to hear of any Schism or Mis-understanding between him and them; and that therefore he abrogated and made void the Pennance and Absolution, which he had granted to that excommunicated Person, by whom he was surpriz'd, and who ought to expect nothing but a Curse, till he has made Satisfaction and has been duely absolv'd by his Diocesan.

This Narrative makes it appear, That these sorts of Absolutions were often surreptitiously got of the Popes, as it may be further evinc'd from another Passage of the like nature, which happen'd at Angoulesme; where a certain excommunicated Person, who could not obtain Absolution, by reason that he was unwilling to make Satisfaction, presented to his Bishop a Letter from the Pope, in which he intreated him to admit the said Person to the Pennance which he had enjoyn'd: The Bishop, without being surpriz'd, reply'd, That he did not be∣lieve that that Order came from the Pope, and that it should not be serviceable to the Of∣fender, who should remain under the Sentence of Excommunication, till he had accepted of and done the Pennance, that should be impos'd on him by himself or by his Arch-deacon by his Order. Upon these considerations, the Bishops unanimously declar'd, That the Pope had indeed a Right to confirm, augment or diminish the Pennance enjoyn'd an Offender by his Diocesan, or even to impose it on those, whom the Bishops should nominate for that pur∣pose; but that he had no Power either to impose Pennance or to grant Absolution, in re∣spect of an excommunicated Person, without consulting the Diocesan. And that it was his Office, rather to confirm than to disannul the Sentences of the other Bishops; in regard that if the Members ought to follow their Head, the Head also ought to take care not to oppress the Members: The Acts of this Council are very large, and contain a great number of Matters of Fact, Authorities and Arguments, relating to the Affair of St. Martial, which are of no very great Moment.

Divers Councils held in France, A. D. 1040.

MANY other Councils were conven'd at the same time in divers Provinces of France, * 1.5 particularly in Aquitaine, Burgundy and Lyonnois for the re-establing of Peace and Church-Discipline. Effectual Means were chiefly sought for therein, to put a stop to the Civil Wars, publick Robberies and Outrages that were committed, more especially in reference to the Church-Revenues and Clergy. It was ordain'd in all these Councils, that the People should abstain from eating Flesh on Fridays and Saturdays, and from drinking Wine on Fridays; that those who were desirous to be exempted, for some lawful Cause, should be oblig'd to maintain their indigent Persons on those days; and that in consideration of this Abstinence,

Offenders should be discharg'd from other Pennances, provided that they bound themselves by an Oath to observe it. However some Bishops oppos'd this Constitution, and among others Gerard Bishop of Cambray, who maintain'd, That that Yoke ought not to be laid equally on all People, because there were some who were not able to undergo it, by reason of the weakness of their Bodies; neither perhaps did their Transgressions deserve so severe a Chastisement, and there were others, in respect of whom, this Satisfaction is not proportioned to the haynousness of their Offences: That it were more expedient to follow the Canonical Rules in the imposing of Pennances; and that much less ought the People to be constrain'd by an Oath to observe this Abstinence; since that were by such means to expose them not on∣ly to the hazard of breaking a Commandment, but also of incurring Perjury. The same Prelate did not think fit that the Bishops should be concern'd in Military Affairs, and the bearing of Arms; saying, That it is the Province of Kings to take cognizance of those matters, and not that of Clergy-men.

'Tis a thing very observable, that a great number of Bodies of Saints and abundance of Relicks were brought into those Councils, and that 'twas generally believ'd, that many Mi∣racles were wrought therein: There were also held at the same time divers other particu∣lar Councils, either for the dedicating of Churches, or for the granting of Privileges to Mo∣nasteries, or for the determining of private differences among the Bishops, about the limits of their Diocesses, or to put an end to other Contests, which are mention'd by the Writers of that Time, but do not deserve to be insisted upon in this Place.

The Council of Rheims held in the Year, 1049.

HERIMAR, Abbot of St. Remy at Rheims, having invited over Leo IX. to consecrate his new Church, that Pope arriv'd there in the Month of October A. D. 1049. accom∣pany'd * 1.6 with the Arch-bishops of Trier, Lyons and Bezanson, and the Bishop of Porto, and after having perform'd the Ceremony, and that of the Translation of the Body of St. Remy to this new Church, he held a Council therein, which continu'd during some Days: It was compos'd of the Arch-bishops of Rheims, Trier, Lyons and Bezanson; of the Bishops of Sois∣sons, Terouane, Senlis, Mets, Langres, Coutances, Lisieux, Bayeux, Auranches, Verdun, Ne∣vers, Angers, Nantes and Porto, and of a Bishop of England, with divers Abbots and other Clergy-men, to the number of Fifty. Peter Deacon of the Church of Rome open'd the Coun∣cil, declaring, That it was requisite to treat about the reformation of many Abuses which had crept into the Churches of France, particularly Simony, the seizing of Churches by Laicks, forbid∣den Marriages, the Apostacy of Clerks and Monks, &c. But above all things, he admonish'd the Bishops to declare under pain of an Anathema, whether they were ordain'd for Mony or otherwise: The Arch-bishops of Trier, Lyons and Bezanson, protested that they were not, but the Metropolitan of Rheims desired time to return an Answer: Among the Bishops there were only Four, who were not able to clear themselves, viz. those of Langres, Nevers, Cou∣tances and Nantes. The Abbots being ask'd the same Question, many of them protested them∣selves innocent, and others own'd their Fault by their silence. The Abbots of Poitiers was accused of Incontinency by the Bishop of Langres, and not having sufficiently clear'd himself, was depos'd. In the end of this Session, it was prohibited under the penalty of an Anathema to attribute the Title of Universal Primate of the Church to any but the Bishop of Rome.

The next Day, the Arch-bishop of Rheims after having had a private Conference with the Pope and some other Prelates, entreated the Bishop of Senlis to speak in his favour, who accordingly declar'd that the Arch-bishop was not guilty of Simony; but the Pope order'd that he should clear himself by Oath; whereupon he sued for longer time, which was grant∣ed, on condition that he should appear in a Council to be held at Rome in the middle of April in the following Year. The determination of the Cause that was depending between that Arch-bishop and the Bishop of Toul, about the Abbey of Monstier-Randy, was referr'd to the next Day. Afterward certain Clerks of the Church of Tours, brought an Accusation against the Bishop of Dol for assuming the Quality of Arch-bishop, and withdrawing himself with the seven Bishops of Bretagne from the Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan of Tours: It was order'd that he should be summon'd to the Council of Rome, in the Month of April follow∣ing. Then the Bishop of Langres was accused of Simony, of bearing Arms and committing Murders, of tyrannizing over his Clergy, and of perpetrating other more notorious Crimes: One of his Clerks depos'd that the said Bishop took away his Wife, whom he had whilst he was as yet a Lay-man, and after having abus'd her, made her a Nun: A certain Priest gave in evidence, that he caus'd him to be kept in Custody under a Guard and to endure much hardship, on purpose to extort Mony from him. The Bishop of Langres demanded Counsel, and made application to the Arch-bishops of Lyons and Bezanson: The latter going about to plead for him, falter'd in his Speech, and the other acknowledg'd, that the Bishop had ex∣pos'd the sacred Orders to Sale, and exacted a Sum of Mony of that Priest, but deny'd that he caus'd him to be misus'd.

On the third Day, the Bishop of Langres not daring to appear, and being summon'd thrice, and sought for to no purpose, was at last excommunicated. The Bishop of Nevers own'd, that his Relations had given a Sum of Mony for his Bishoprick, but that he was altoge∣ther ignorant of what they had done; nevertheless he declar'd, that he design'd to leave it, and even at the same time laid down his Crosier-Staff at the Pope's Feet, who caus'd him to take it up again, after he had taken an Oath, that that Mony was paid without his know∣ledge. Then an ancient Copy of a Privilege granted to the Church of Rheims was read, which made it appear, that the Abbey of Monstier Randy belong'd to its Jurisdiction, and it was accordingly adjudg'd to that Church. The Bishop of Coutances confess'd, that his Brother had laid out a Sum of Mony to get him advanc'd to the Episcopal Dignity; but having taken an Oath, that it was done without his knowledge, he was declar'd innocent. The Bishop of Nantes was not so favourably treated; for having own'd that he succeeded his Father in his Bishoprick, after having disburs'd a certain Sumn of Mony, he was depos'd, and only permitted to exercise the Office of a Priest. Lastly, a Sentence of Excommuni∣cation was denounc'd against the Prelats who were summon'd to this Council but did not ap∣pear, and the following Constitutions were agreed upon, viz.

1. That none shall be promoted to Ecclesiastical Dignities, but by the election of the Clergy and People. 2. That none shall buy or make Sale of the Sacred Orders, Ecclesiasti∣cal Offices or Altars. 3, That Laicks shall not retain Spiritual Livings. 4. That none but the Bishop or some Person deputed by him shall be empower'd to levy any Sums of Mony within the Precincts of the Churches. 5. That nothing shall be exacted for Burying the Dead, or for administring the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 6. That Clergy-men shall not bear Arms, nor go on Warfare. 7. That no Clerk nor Lay-man shall lend Mony upon use. 8. That the Monks and Clerks shall not quit their Profession. 9. That none shall offer violence to Clergy-men as they are Travelling. 10. That there shall not be suffer'd any manner of oppression of the Poor. 11. That no Man shall take to Wife any of his near Relations. 12. That it should be prohibited to leave a lawful Wife, in order to marry another. Lastly, all those Persons were excommunicated, who should protect or hold correspondence with the new Hereticks of France, the Sodomites and certain Lords, who had contracted forbidden Marriages and assaulted some Bishops and other Clergy-men.

The Council of Tours, held in the Year, 1060.

THE Custom being now introduc'd that the Councils for the reformation of Church-disci∣pline, * 1.7 should be held in the presence or by the authority of the Legats of the See of Rome; Stephen Cardinal and Legat of Pope Nicolas II. call'd one A. D. 1060. at Tours, in which it was ordain'd,

1. That all those Persons who give Mony for any Ecclesiastical Dignity, shall be depriv'd of it for ever.

2. That if any Bishop or Patron confer Benefices for Mony, the Clerks shall be allow'd to oppose their Proceedings and to have recourse to the Arbitration of the neighbouring Bi∣shops; nay, even to Appeal from them to the See of Rome.

3. That no new Benefice can be sold, nor any Church-Revenues alienated.

4. That none shall purchase any Spiritual Livings of Lay-men.

5. That the same Person cannot enjoy two Benefices in different Churches.

6. That the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, who knowing the Prohibition made by Pope Nicolas, do not forbear the Exercise of their Ministerial Functions, when they have been en∣gag'd in a scandalous Conversation with Women, or who shall refuse to desist for the future, after having receiv'd information of that Prohibition, shall be depos'd without a possibility of restauration.

7. That Clergy-men, who bear Arms, shall be depriv'd of their Benefices and Digni∣ties.

8. That Laicks, who presume to sell or dispose of the Church-Revenues shall be excom∣municated.

9. That those Men who marry their Kinswomen, or those Women who keep an unchast Correspondence with their Kinsmen, and refuse to leave them, or to do Pennance, shall be excluded from the Communion of the Faithful and turn'd out of the Church.

10. That those Monks who quit the Monastick State, shall likewise be separated from the Communion of the Church as Apostats.

The Council of Soissons, held in the Year, 1092.

ROSCELIN, a Clerk of the Church of Compiegne, and a very able Logician, gave it out * 1.8 in the end of the Eleventh Century, That the three Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity were three Things: This Opinion was condemn'd in a Council held at Soissons, A. D. 1092. un∣der

Raynold Arch-bishop of Rheims, and confuted by St. Anselm, by Ives of Chartres, and even * 1.9 by Abaelard, who is reputed to have been his Pupil. Roscelin was oblig'd to make an abju∣ration of his Error in that Council, but afterward he did not forbear to maintain it obstinate∣ly, and for that reason was banish'd from France and England. THEOBALD, a Clerk of the Church of Etampes likewise wrote a Letter against him, on another Subject, viz. to shew, That the Sons of Priests may be admitted into the Clergy.

Divers Councils held in Normandy. The Council of Rouen, conven'd, A. D. 1050.

MAUGIER, Arch-bishop of Rouen, held a Council in that City, A. D. 1050. with Hugh Bishop of Eureux and Robert of Coutances, in which he drew up a Letter directed * 1.10 to the Bishops and Faithful of his Province, containing the following Constitutions, viz.

1. That the Articles of Faith, compris'd in the Creed of the Catholick and Apostolick Church, ought to be firmly adher'd to.

2. That no Presents shall be made to Princes, nor to their Officers for the obtaining of Bishopricks.

3. That the Bishops shall not covet to be translated from one See to another, out of a Principle of Ambition.

4. That the Monks shall not cause themselves to be made Abbots for Mony.

5. That one Bishop shall not dispossess another, nor one Abbot another.

6. That the Bishops shall not exact any thing for Ordinations.

7. That their Officers, that is to say, their Arch-deacons or Secretaries shall not in like manner demand any thing upon that account.

8. That no Person shall be ordain'd who is not of a competent Age, and who has not made a sufficient progress in Learning.

9. That a Bishop shall not ordain a Clerk of another Diocess without the permission of his Diocesan.

10. That the Bishops shall not bestow the Revenues, Lands and Benefices of the Clergy on Laicks.

11, 12 and 13. That Clergy-men shall not endeavour to supplant one another.

14, 15 and 16. That nothing shall be exacted for the Holy Chrism, nor for the Consecra∣tion of Churches, nor for the Administration of Baptism.

17. That on the eight days, during which new Baptized Persons wear the † 1.11 Albe, they shall be obliged only to offer their Wax-Tapers and the Linnen with which their Heads were cover'd, by reason of the Holy Chrism.

18. That the Pennance impos'd on Offenders, shall neither be augmented nor diminish'd for Money.

19. That the new Baptized Persons shall spend eight days in wearing the Albes, and hold∣ing lighted Tapers in the Church, where they were baptized.

The Council of Lisieux, held A. D. 1055. and that of Rouen in 1063.

THE Arch-bishop of Rouen, under whom the preceding Council was held, was depos'd, A. D. 1055. in another Council conven'd at Lisieux, in the presence of Stephen Bishop of * 1.12 Sion in Switzerland, the Pope's Legat, which consisted of the Bishops of that Province. He was accus'd of having robb'd his Church, of consuming its Revenues in unprofitable Expen∣ses, and of dissipating part of them to Largesses only to satisfie his Ambition: He was also suspected to be guilty of infamous Crimes, and was censur'd for not shewing a due Respect to the See of Rome: He was apparently culpable, but that which chiefly brought up∣on him this Condemnation, was the Displeasure of Duke William his Nephew, who was in∣cens'd against him, because he had excommunicated that Prince upon account of his Mar∣riage with the Princess Mathilda his Kinswoman, the Daughter of Baldwin Count of Flan∣ders, and favour'd the Party of Duke Arques his Brother: Therefore the Duke banish'd him immediately after his Condemnation, to the Isle of Guernsey, and caus'd Maurillus, a Monk of Fecamp, to be substituted in his room. The latter was zealous in endeavouring to re-esta∣blish the Church-Discipline and to reform the Corruption of Manners: To which purpose he call'd divers Synods, and made some Constitutions. In that which was held by him at Rouen, A. D. 1063. for the Dedication of the Cathedral Church, the building of which was compleated at that time, he publish'd a Confession of Faith against Berenger's erroneous Opi∣nion, * 1.13 of which we have made mention elsewhere.

The Council of Rouen held, A. D. 1072.

MAURILLUS, dying A. D. 1069. Duke William caus'd John de Bayeux, Bishop of Auranches, to be chosen to supply his Place, and sent Lanfranc on purpose to Rome, to get that Election confirm'd by the Pope. This Arch-bishop held a Council at Rouen in 1072. * 1.14 with his Suffragans; in which after having reviv'd the Creeds of the Councils of Nice, Con∣stantinople, Ephesus and Chalcedon, they set forth Twenty four Canons, relating to Church-Discipline.

The First imports, That the Bishop shall perform the Consecration of the Holy Chrism and of the Oils, after the Hour of † 1.15 None, having at least twelve Priests for his Assistants.

The Second, That the Arch-deacons shall not content themselves, only with receiving some few Drops of the Chrism and consecrated Oil, to be mixt with the other Oil; as it is com∣monly practis'd in some Places by an Abuse, but that they shall present all their Chrism and Oil to the Bishop to be consecrated by him.

The Third, That the Deans, being cloathed with Albes, shall distribute the Chrism and con∣secrated Oil with Reverence, and keep them in well stopt Vessels.

The Fourth ordains, That none shall celebrate Mass without the Communion.

The Fifth, That the Priests shall remain Fasting and Cloath'd with the Albe and Stole, when they go about to administer Baptism, unless in Case of necessity.

The Sixth, That the Viaticum or Holy Water, shall not be kept above eight days; and that Hosts already consecrated, shall not be consecrated a second time.

The Seventh, That to confer Confirmation, 'tis requisite that the Bishop and those Persons who receive it should be Fasting, and that Tapers be lighted.

The Eighth, That sacred Orders shall be conferr'd in the Evening on Saturdays or Sunday Morning, if Saturday's Fast were not broken.

The Ninth, That the Fasts shall be exactly observ'd during the Ember-Weeks.

The Tenth, That Clerks who have caus'd themselves to be ordain'd by surprize, shall be depos'd.

The Eleventh, That those who have receiv'd Crowns with Benediction, and presume to quit them, shall be excommunicated, till they have made Satisfaction; and that Clerks who are desirous to be ordain'd, shall repair to the Bishop on Fridays for that purpose.

The Twelfth enjoyns, That vagabond Monks, or such as have been turn'd out of their Monastery for some Misdeameanour, shall be constrain'd by the Bishop's Authority to return to them; but if the Abbots refuse to re-admit those whom they have expell'd, they shall be oblig'd to give them Alms, and to maintain them.

The Thirteenth, That no Merchandise shall be made of Spiritual Livings.

The Fourteenth, That no Marriages shall be solemniz'd privately, nor after Meals; but that the Bride-groom and Bride being Fasting, shall be bless'd by a Priest in like manner Fast∣ing; and that before he proceed to marry them, enquiry shall be made, whether the Parties be not Relations in the seventh Degree of Consanguinity.

The Fifteenth declares, That Priests, Deacons and Sub-deacons, who are marry'd, cannot enjoy any Church-Revenues, nor dispose of them themselves, or by others.

The Sixteenth, That a Man cannot marry a Widow, with whom he is suspected to have convers'd scandalously, in her Husband's Life-time.

The Seventeenth, That a Man, whose Wife is vail'd a Nun, cannot take another, as long as she is living.

The Eighteenth, That a Woman cannot marry again, till she be certainly assur'd of her Husband's Death.

The Nineteenth orders, That Clerks who have committed enormous and publick Sins, shall not be restor'd to their Dignities, till after a long course of Pennance.

The Twentieth, That if any Clergy-man be guilty of a Crime, for which he ought to be depos'd, his Diocesan shall summon such a number of his Collegues, as is requir'd by the Canons; that is to say, six for the deposing of a Priest, and three for that of a Deacon; and that those who cannot assist in Person, shall be permitted to send their Deputies to supply their Place.

The Twenty first, That during the time of Lent, none shall take any Repast before the * 1.16 Hour of None.

The Twenty second, That on Saturday the Vigil of Easter-Festival, the Office shall not be begun before the Hour of None, by reason that it is the Noctural Office, which belongs to Easter-Sunday, and that no Mass ought to be said during the two preceding days.

The Twenty third, That if any Festival happens to fall on a day, when it cannot be ce∣lebrated, it shall be transferr'd to another within the Octave.

The Twenty fourth, That the solemn and general Baptism of adult Persons, shall be admi∣nistred only at Easter and Whitsontide, and not even on the Festival of the Epiphany, unless in Case of necessity; but as for Infants, they may be Baptiz'd at all times.

In the following Year, there happen'd a notable Quarrel between John de Bayuex the * 1.17 Arch-bishop, and the Monks of the Abbey of St. Owen at Rouen: It was a Customary thing for the Metropolitan of that City, to celebrate a solemn Mass in their Church on the Patron's Festival: Arch-bishop John having made them stay somewhat longer than ordinary, they be∣gan the Office without him; but he arriv'd when the Hymn call'd Gloria in excelsis was end∣ed; and being incens'd, because they did not wait for him, he excommunicated all the Monks, caus'd the divine Service to cease, and the Abbot of Sees, who was officiating, to depart from the Altar. By this means a great Tumult was rais'd, during which one of the Monks or one of their Servants got up into the Steeple, rung the Alarm-bell, and cry'd out from the top of the Tower, That the Arch-bishop was come to take away the Relicks of St. Owen: Whereupon the People were gather'd together; some with Hatches, and others with Staves; ran in crowds to the Church; and broke in furiously; whilst others climb'd upon the Vaults: The Arch-bishop terrify'd with the danger, retir'd toward the Church-doors, caus'd them to be shut, and made a Rampart of Seats and Benches against those who were in the Church. In the mean while his Attendants fell foul upon the Monks with Can∣dlesticks and Staves, and the Monks on the other side, defended themselves as resolutely; till at last the Sheriff of the City being inform'd of this Tumult and of the danger, to which the Arch-bishop was expos'd, came with his Guards and rescu'd him out of the Hands of the Rabble: The latter immediately wrote to King William about the Affair, and the Monks did the like on their side. This Prince order'd, that the Arch-bishop should reconcile the Church, and upon his refusal, caus'd it to be done by the Bishop of Auranches; nevertheless, to give Satisfaction to the Arch-bishop, some of the Monks were put into Prison, and others were dispers'd in divers Monasteries.

The Council of Rouen, held, A. D. 1074.

IN the Year 1074. the same Arch-bishop John, held onother Council at Rouen with his * 1.18 Suffragans, in which he publish'd Fourteen Canons.

The First imports, That to extirpate Simony, 'tis forbidden to buy or sell any sort of Benefice, whether it be an Abbey, Arch-deaconry, Deanery or Cure of Souls, and to exact any thing for admission into Orders.

The Second, That Abbeys shall only be bestow'd on those who are well vers'd in Mat∣ters of Church-Discipline, by the means of a continu'd practice of it for several Years.

The Third, That the ancient Constitution shall be observ'd, which prohibits to entertain any Clerk, without a Letter of recommendation from his Diocesan.

The Fourth, That several Orders shall not be receiv'd on the same day.

The Fifth, That the Sub-deacons, Deacons and Priests, shall not be ordain'd but upon making a solemn Profession, according to the Injunctions of the Council of Toledo.

The Sixth, That Monks or Nuns, who have fallen into any publick notorious Enormity, shall be excluded for ever from the exercise of their Functions.

The Seventh enjoyns, That the Monks and Nuns take care exactly to observe St. Bene∣dict's Rule.

The Eighth, That Clergy-men who are ordain'd, shall be instructed in those things which are express'd in the Eighth Canon of the Eighth Council of Toledo.

The Ninth, That Christian Burial shall not be deny'd those Persons who die suddenly, if they do not actually lie under the guilt of some notorious Crime: nor to Women with Child, or newly brought to Bed.

The Tenth, That no Credit shall be given to the Depositions of those Persons, who under a colour of a scruple of Conscience, declare that they have had to do with the Sisters or Re∣lations of their Wives, to have a pretence to leave them, unless they bring sufficient Proof of the Matter of Fact.

The Eleventh, That they shall likewise be oblig'd to the same thing, who give it out that they did not receive all the inferiour Orders, when they were ordain'd Priests, on purpose to get an opportunity to quit the Sacerdotal Functions.

The Twelfth, That Clergy-men degraded for their Misdeameanours, shall not have the liberty to lead a secular Life, as Laicks.

The Thirteenth, That those Persons whose Marriage is declar'd Null, because it was con∣tracted with near Relations, shall live continently till they be married to others.

The Fourteenth, That the Christians shall not have any Jews for their Slaves, nor any Jewish Women for their Nurses.

Some time after, this Arch-bishop of Rouen falling Sick of a Palsey, King William the Con∣queror demanded a License of Gregory VII. to substitute another Clerk in his room. This Pope gave orders to Hubert Sub-deacon of the Church of Rome his Legat, with the Bishops and Abbots of the Province, and the Clergy of the City of Rouen, to enquire whether John de Bayeux their Metropolitan were really capable any longer to perform the Episcopal Functions, and in case it appear'd so, that they should exhort him to consent to the Election of another

Arch-bishop; but if his Distemper hindred him from giving such Consent, they might proceed to the Choice of a Person worthy of being advanc'd to that Dignity. Upon mature deliberation, John being found uncapable was oblig'd to make a Resignation in due form, and retir'd to one of his Country-Houses: The King caus'd William Abbot of St. Stephen at Caen, the Son of Radbodus Bishop of Sees to be chosen to supply his place. Pope Gregory disapprov'd this Ele∣ction, because he was the Son of a Priest; but notwithstanding his Prohibition, William was ordain'd, A. D. 1079. whilst John was as yet living, who died some time after.

The Council of Lillebonne, held, A. D. 1080.

WILLIAM I. sirnam'd the Conquerour, King of England and Duke of Normandy, caus'd * 1.19 a Council of the Prelats of Normandy to be held at Lillebonne in his presence, A D. 1080. William Arch-bishop of Rouen presided in this Synod, and divers Constitutions were made therein, against those who married their Relations; against Clergy-men, who had Wives; to prohibit Simoniacal Practices and Exactions for the performance of Ecclesiastical Functi∣ons; concerning the restitution of Revenues usurp'd from the Churches; the Rights of Bi∣shops and Arch-deacons; the maintenance of Priests to serve the Churches that belong to Monks; and about the Punishments to be inflicted on Criminals and the Infringers of the Ecclesiastical and Civil Laws.

The Councils of the Province of Aquitaine. The Council of Narbonne, held in the Year, 1054.

GEFFREY, Arch-bishop of Narbonne held in that City, A. D. 1054. a Council consist∣ing * 1.20 of ten Bishops, and made a large Ordinance concerning the Laws of Peace and Truce; in which he marks the Days on which it is forbidded to make War, as also the Persons and Goods that ought to be free from Insults, even in the time of War, who are more especially Clergy-men, Husband-men and Merchants; with the Effects belonging to their respective Qualities,

The Council of Toulouse, held, A. D. 1056.

POPE Victor II. having given Orders to Rambaldus Arch-bishop of Arles, and to Pontius * 1.21 Arch-bishop of Aix, his Vicars, to call a Council for the extirpation of Simony, and the restauration of Ecclesiastical Discipline: They met together, A. D. 1054. at Toulouse, with the Arch-bishop of Narbonne, and divers other Bishops of France, and drew up thirteen Canons.

In the First it is Decreed, That those Persons who receive Ordination for Mony, shall be degraded from their Dignity, as well as they who ordain'd them.

In the Second, That a Bishop, Abbot or Priest shall not be ordain'd till the Age of thirty Years, nor a Deacon till he has attain'd to that of Twenty five.

In the Third, That nothing shall be taken for the Dedication of Churches.

In the Fourth, That nothing shall be given to obtain Ecclesiastical Benefices.

In the Fifth, That they who turn Monks with a design to get the Government of an Abbey, shall never be promoted to that Dignity.

In the Sixth, That the Abbots shall govern their Monks according to St. Benedict's Rule, and that they shall not suffer them to enjoy any private Estate, nor to hold a Provostship or Superiority without their consent.

The Seventh enjoyns Priests and Deacons to lead a single Life.

The Eighth, That Lay-men shall not have any Spiritual Livings.

The Ninth, That the Estates and Goods of deceased Persons shall not be pillag'd, but that they shall be dispos'd of, according to their last Will and Testament.

The Tenth ordains, That the Churches shall be oblig'd to pay the accustomed Duties to the Episcopal See, and that those that do not pay any, shall allot the third part of their Tithes and the Oblations, for the use of the Bishops and Clerks.

The Eleventh, That in the Churches which belong to the Jurisdiction of Noble-men, the third part of the Tithes, and the Offerings shall be reserv'd for the Priests and Clerks, who officiate therein.

The Twelfth denounces a Sentence of Excommunication against Adulterers and incestuous Persons, as also against those who are found guilty of Perjury.

The Thirteenth orders the like Sentence to pass upon those who hold Correspondence or Converse with excommunicated Persons, unless to reprove or admonish them.

The Councils of Germany. The Council of Dortmund, held in the Year, 1005.

IT is related by Dithmar the Historian, that a great Council was held at Dortmund in West∣phalia July 7. A. D. 1005. in which the Emperor Henry II. complaining of the Irregulari∣ties * 1.22 in reference to Church-Discipline, induc'd the Bishops to revive the Ecclesiastical Laws, and to endeavour to reform the Exorbitances and corrupt Manners of the Clergy and Laity, by making divers useful Canons: But the Acts and Constitutions of this Council are lost.

The Council of Selingenstadt, held, A. D. 1023.

ARIBO, Arch-bishop of Mentz, held in the Year, 1023. a Council at Selingenstadt, com∣pos'd of Burchard Bishop of Worms, Vernarius Bishop of Strasburg, Bruno of Augsburg, * 1.23 Eberhard of Bamberg and Meginhard of Wurtzburg, in which these Bishops made the follow∣ing Constitutions, viz.

The First ordains, That Abstinence from eating Flesh shall be observ'd fourteen Days before the Festival of St. John, as many before that of Christmas, and on the Vigils of the Epi∣phany, of the Festivals of the Apostles, of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, of St. Laurence and of all the Saints.

The Second fixes the Ember-Weeks.

The Third denotes the time, when the solemnization of Marriages is forbidden, viz. from Advent till after the Epiphany, and from Septuagesima till after Easter, as also on the above specified Days of Abstinence, as well as the Vigils of the solemn Festivals.

The Fourth imports, That a Priest who has drunk plentifully after the Cock-crowing in the Summer, or even in Winter, shall not be allow'd to say Mass the next Day, unless in case of necessity.

The Fifth prohibits Priests to celebrate above three Masses in one Day.

The Sixth forbids under pain of an Anathema that † 1.24 Corporals should be thrown into the Fire to put a stop to the Conflagration.

The Seventh ordains, That if two Persons suspected to have committed Adultery together, one confesses the Crime, and the other denies it, the Party who owns it shall be put to Pen∣nance, and the other shall clear himself by taking his Trial.

The Eighth forbids the carrying of Swords into the Church, except the Sword of State.

The Ninth prohibits Meetings in the Church-yards.

The Tenth condemns the Custom of some Laicks, and more especially of certain Ladies, who contented themselves only to hear every Day the Gospel In principio, or to cause the Masses of the Trinity and of St. Michael to be said in their presence; and ordains, That this shall not be done for the future, but in the proper time: Otherwise if any Persons be desirous to hear a particular Mass, being mov'd by a singular Veneration for the Holy Tri∣nity, and not by any superstitious Conceit; they shall hear a Mass for the Day, or one for the consolation and safety of the Living, or one for the Dead.

The Eleventh imports, That the first degree of Consanguinity shall be reckon'd from the Cosins German.

The Twelfth, That the Houses of Laicks which are contiguous to Churches shall be pull'd down, and that none shall be built in the Courts belonging to them, except those of Priests.

In the Thirteenth, Lay-men are forbidden to consign their Churches to Priests, without the consent and approbation of the Bishop or of his Grand Vicar.

The Fourteenth imports, That two Persons being accus'd of having committed Adultery together, which they deny; if either of the Parties desire that they may both undergo a Tri∣al, and if one be cast, they shall both be reputed guilty.

The Fifteenth enjoyns, That the publick Fasts appointed by the Bishops shall be observ'd, or else that they shall be redeem'd by allotting a certain Largess for the sustenance of poor People.

The Sixteenth, That none shall take a Journey to Rome, without a Licence from the Bi∣shop or his Grand Vicar.

The Seventeenth, That no Priest shall retrench any thing from the Forty Days Fast im∣posed on Penitents.

The Eighteenth is against those who being guilty of enormous Crimes, refuse to receive Pennance from their Diocesan, upon a presumption, that going to Rome, the Pope will for∣give all their Sins: The Council declares, That this Indulgence shall stand them in no stead,

and that they ought at first to receive a Penance proportioned to the heinousness of their Offences, after which they may go to Rome with the permission and recommendatory Letters of their Diocesan.

In the Nineteenth, Penitents are prohibited to Travel during the forty Days of their Fast.

The Twentieth forbids Priests to admit into the Church, such Persons as are not allow'd to enter therein, by reason of their Crimes, without having receiv'd an Order from the Bishop.

These Canons are follow'd with a Form of Ceremonies to be observ'd, and Prayers to be said during the Session of a Synod.

The Council of Mentz, held, A. D. 1069.

SIGEFROY or SIGEFRID Arch-bishop of Mentz succeeded Luitbold, A. D. 1059. and * 1.25 govern'd that Church till 1084. He held a Council in 1069. at Mentz, in which the Emperor Henry IV. made a Proposal to divorce his Wife, by reason that he could not have any Issue of her Body. Sigefrid inclin'd to his Opinion; but Peter Damien the Pope's Legat being arriv'd, and having prevented the Divorce, the Arch-bishop wrote to Alexander II. that he had prohibited the Emperor from divorcing his Wife, under pain of Excommunica∣tion; but that this Prince having alledg'd, that he could not have carnal Copulation with her, and the Empress having own'd her impotency, he found himself oblig'd to consult the Holy See, about so extraordinary a Case; that he was unwilling to pass Judgment on the Affair in a Council, which was call'd upon that occasion, till he had receiv'd his Answer; and that he entreated him to send his Legats to examine and decide the matter in Germany.

The Council of Mentz, A. D. 1071.

THE same Arch-bishop held another Council at Mentz, A. D. 1071. to enquire into the * 1.26 Ordination of Charles nominated to the Bishoprick of Constance: He was accus'd of Si∣mony, and the Pope forbid Sigefrid to ordain him Bishop; nevertheless the Emperor peremp∣torily requir'd it, and wrote to the Pope about the Affair, who referr'd the examination of it to the Arch-bishops of Colen and Mentz. Whereupon they summon'd a Council, but the Emperor would not suffer it to be held, and took a resolution to send Charles to Rome, to the end that the Pope might take cognizance of the matter and ordain him Bishop. Sigefrid pre∣vented the Pope, and entreated him not to consecrate Charles, but if he found him Innocent, to send him back to him and to his Collegues, to receive Ordination from them. The Pope refusing to determine this Affair at Rome, sent him back to be examin'd in his own Country, and it was referr'd to the Council which Sigefrid held at Mentz in the Month of August, A. D. 1071. The Arch-bishops of Saltzburg and Trier with nine Bishops of Germany assisted in this Synod, in which, Matters were debated during four Days between Charles and his Ad∣versaries, till at last Charles fearing lest he should not be able to carry the Point, declar'd that he would not be Bishop contrary to the Inclination of those whom he was to govern, and deliver'd up his Ring and Crosier into the Emperor's Hands. The Acts of this Council, which were sent to the Pope and Sigefrid's Letters are still extant.

The Council of Erford, A. D. 1073.

IN the Year, 1073. there happen'd a difference between Sigefrid and the Clergy of Thu∣ringen, * 1.27 about the Tithes of that Province, which this Arch-bishop claim'd as his Right, and which were contested with him by the said Clergy, more especially by the Abbots of Fulda and Herfeldt. The matter was debated in an Assembly held at Erford in the same Year, and determin'd by the Emperor to the advantage as Sigefrid, who wrote about it to Hildebrand, and to Pope Alexander. The History of this Council is written by Lambert, and we still have Sigefred's two Letters, in the last of which, he makes mention of the Out∣rages committed against the Arch-bishop of Trier, declaring that he was taken away by force, extremely abus'd, and at last shamefully put to Death.

The Councils of England. The Council of Aenham, held in the Year, 1010.

KING Ethelred call'd a Council about the Year, 1010. in which Elphegus Arch-bishop * 1.28 of Canterbury and Ethelred Arch-bishop of York assisted, and made a great number of Constitutions concerning the Reformation of Manners and Church Discipline; Rules

that ought to be follow'd by the Clerks and Monks; the Celebacy of Priests and other Clergy-men; against superstitious Practices and Incontinency; about the Rights of Churches, particularly St. Peter's Pence, the Tribute of funeral Torches, which was paid thrice a Year, that of Burials, &c. concerning the Festivals and Fa••••s that ought to be observ'd, viz. the great Festival of the Virgin Mary, preceeded by a Fast; and the Festivals of the Apostles in like manner preceeded by their respective Vigils, except that of St. James and St. Philip, when a Fast is not to be kept, by reason of the Paschal Solemnity; the Fast of the four Ember-Weeks, and that on all Fridays: Concerning the time, in which Marriages are for∣bidden to be solemniz'd, that is to say, the solemn Festivals; the Ember-Weeks; from Ad∣vent to the Octave of the Epiphany, and from Septuagesima, to the end of the Fortnight af∣ter Easter: About the Interval that ought to be observ'd by Widows before they marry again, which is the space of a Year: Lastly, concerning frequent Confessions; the receiving of the Communion; and divers other Points of Morality. For the Ordinances of this Coun∣cil contain many excellent Instructions and very prudent Exhortations: Forasmuch as it was held under Elphegus Archbishop of Canterbury, it must needs be between the Year of our Lord, 1006. and 1013. There are two different Editions of the Acts of the Council of Aenham.

The Laws of the Kings Ethelred and Canut.

THE same King Ethelred publish'd A. D. 1012. certain Laws, among which are some relat∣ing * 1.29 to Ecclesiastical Affairs; particularly, about the payment of Peter's Pence; to oblige all the Faithful to Fast three Days before the Festival of St. Michael; concerning the Prayers which ought to be said in the Churches for the State, and about Alms-giving.

King Canut in like manner in the Year, 1032. caus'd divers Laws to be proclaim'd which relate to Church-Affairs, viz. concerning the exteriour Religious Worship; the Peace of the Churches; the respect due to Clergy-men; unlawful Marriages; the payment of Tithes, Peter's Pence and other Tributes; the observation of Festivals, Sundays and Days of Ab∣stinence; the Functions and Manners of the Clergy and of the Faithful; and against Irregu∣larities, Abuses and Misdemeanours. These Laws are full of moral Maxims and pious Exhortations: There are also some others of the like nature enacted by King Edward III.

The Council of London, held in the Year, 1075.

'TWAS a long time since any Councils were held, or any Constitutions made relating to Church-discipline in England, when Lanfranc was ordain'd Arch-bishop of Canterbury, * 1.30 neither could such an Assembly be summond'd for some time after, because the King would not suffer any to be conven'd without his permission. At last he held a National Synod at London, A. D. 1075. in which Thomas Arch-bishop of York assisted and eleven Bishops of England, with the Bishop of Coutances, who was admitted to the Council, because he had a considerable Estate in this Kingdom: There were also present 21 Abbots in this Council, in which it was first ordain'd, That all the Bishops should take their Places according to the antiquity of their Ordination, except those who had a peculiar Privilege upon account of the Dignity of their Sees; and after having sought for those who might lay claim to such a Privilege in England, it was determin'd that the Arch-bishop of York should be plac'd on the right Hand of the Metropolitan of Canterbury; the Bishop of London on the left, and the Bi∣shop of Winchester next the Arch-bishop of York; and that in the absence of the latter, the Bishop of London should sit on the right Hand of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and the Bi∣shop of Winchester on the left. Afterward it was decreed, That all the Monks should live according to St. Benedict's Rule; that they should take care to instruct the Youth, and that they should not have any private possessions: Then three Episcopal Sees which were erected in Towns, were translated to Cities, according to the Tenor of the third Constitution, and the ancient Injunctions were reviv'd, which prohibited to receive a Clerk who was sub∣ject to the Jurisdiction of another Bishop, without Letters of recommendation from his Diocesan, and to marry a near Kinswoman. Simoniacal Practices, Witchcraft and Pagan Superstitions were likewise forbidden, and the Celebacy of the Clergy was strictly enjoin'd.

The Council of Winchester, held, A. D. 1076.

IN a Council held the next Year at Winchester, Lanfranc caus'd divers Canons to be * 1.31 drawn up against Persons guilty of Simony; for the celebration of Provincial Councils; the subjection of Clerks to their Bishops, and the payment of Tithes; concerning the admini∣stration of the Sacraments and divers other Points of Discipline, among which the following are more especially remarkable, viz.

That the Altars ought to be made of Stone: That the Mass cannot be celebrated with Beer or Water: That Divine Service shall not be perform'd in Churches till they be Con∣secrated by the Bishops: That none shall be bury'd in the Churches: That the Bells shall not be Rung during the Canon of the Mass: And that the Chalices shall not be made of Wax nor Wood. Constitutions were also made about the time of Penance for divers Crimes.

The Council of London, held, A. D. 1102.

ARch-bishop Lanfranc continu'd to celebrate divers other Councils in England in his Life-time, the Canons of which are not as yet come to our Hands; but after his Death, much time pass'd ere any could be conven'd, and St. Anselm his Successour in vain impor∣tun'd the Kings of England to that purpose, till at last he held a solemn Synod at London, * 1.32 A. D. 1102. the Constitutions of which were transmitted to us by Eadmer: The Arch-bishop of York and twelve Bishops of England assisted in this Council, and made the following Con∣stitutions.

By the first, they condemn'd Simony, and depos'd several Abbots, who were convicted of that Crime.

The Second forbids Bishops to exercise the Functions of Civil Magistrates, and enjoyns them to wear Habits suitable to their Profession.

In the Third, it is prohibited to let out Arch-deaconries to Farm, or to confer them on any other Persons than Deacons.

The Fourth revives the Constitutions about Celibacy.

In the Fifth, Clergy-men are forbidden to undertake the Management of secular Affairs, or to sit as Judges in Criminal Causes, and to drink in Victualling Houses or Places of publick Resort: They are also enjoyn'd to wear Habits of one single Colour, and to have their Crowns shav'd.

The Seventh declares, That Tithes ought only to be paid to the Churches.

The Eighth is a Prohibition to build new Chappels without the consent of the Bishops, and without raising a sufficient Fund for the Maintenance of the Priest and Church.

In the Ninth, Abbots are prohibited to bear Arms, and enjoyn'd to reside in their Mona∣steries, with their Monks.

The Tenth prohibits that Monks should administer Penance without the consent of their Abbot, and that Abbots should impose it on other Persons than those, who are under their Tuition.

In the Eleventh, Monks are forbidden to hold Farms; to stand as God-fathers; to get Churches into their Possession without the consent of the Bishops; or to take the Revenues of those that are granted to them, without allowing a competent Maintenance for the Priests who serve in them, and a sufficient Fund for the keeping them in repair.

The Twelfth declares the Promises of Marriage, made without Witnesses, to be Null, if it be deny'd by one of the Parties.

The Thirteenth enjoyns the Cutting of the Hair short, so that part of the Ears and the Eyes may be discover'd.

The Fourteenth prohibits Marriages, to the seventh Degree of Consanguinity.

The Fifteenth forbids to bury the Dead without the Bounds of their Parish, unless the ac∣customed Duties be paid to the Curate; and to honour their Memory, without the Bishop's Authority.

In the Sixteenth, it is prohibited to make Merchandise of Men, by selling them for Slaves as it was often practis'd. Lastly, Sodomy is forbidden under very severe Penalties, and this Case is reserv'd to the Cognizance of the Bishops. These Constitutions were confirm'd by the Authority of the See of Rome.

In the Year 1108. St. Anselm held another Council at London, in which he made Ten * 1.33 very rigid Canons against Priests and Deacons, who were marry'd or liv'd incontinently.

The Councils of Spain. The Council of Leon, held in the Year, 1012.

FEW Councils were call'd in Spain in this Century, by reason that part of that Kingdom * 1.34 was then under the Dominion of the Moors. However, King Alphonsus held a notable Assembly at Leon, A. D. 1012. in which the Bishops drew up Seven Canons.

The First imports, That Ecclesiastical Affairs shall be first treated of, at the opening of the Synods.

The Second, That the Churches shall peaceably enjoy such Revenues as are left them by last Wills and Testaments, and that the Clergy-men shall pass Judgment as to their validity.

The Third, That Abbots, Abbesses, Monks and Nuns, shall be subject to the Jurisdiction of their Diocesan Bishop.

The Fourth ordains, That none shall seize on the Church-Revenues.

The Fifth, That the King's Officers shall Prosecute those who have kill'd a Clergy-man.

The Sixth, That after having dispatch'd Ecclesiastical Affairs, the Bishops shall proceed to the Examination of those of the Kingdom.

The Seventh, That none shall buy the Estate of a Vassal of the Church, and he who has done it, shall lose the Mony he gave for the Purchase.

These Derees are follow'd with Forty others for the advantage of the State, some of which nevertheless have reference to the Preservation of Ecclesiastical Revenues.

The Council of Coyaco, held, A. D. 1050.

SINCE the time of King Alfonsus, we do not find that any Ecclesiastical Constitutions were made in Spain, till the Reign of Ferdinand I. King of Castille, who being desirous * 1.35 to revive the ancient Church-Discipline, which was for so long time disus'd, call'd a Coun∣cil in the Year 1050. at Coyaco, a Castle in the Diocess of Oviedo, where the Bishop of that City assisted, together with Eight other Bishops of Spain; and the following Constitutions were ratify'd by them.

The First ordains, That the Bishops shall govern their Diocesses, and perform their Eccle∣siastical Functions with their Clerks, according to the Order of the Church.

The Second, That the Abbots and Abbesses shall likewise govern their Monasteries accord∣ing to St. Benedict's Rule, and shall be subject to the Bishops; and that they shall not admit any Religious Persons of another Monastery, without the permission of their Abbot or Abbess.

The Third, That the Churches and Clergy shall be under the Jurisdiction of the Bishops, and not under that of Laicks: That the Churches shall not be divided, but that they shall be supply'd with Priests and Deacons, and furnish'd with Service-Books and Ornaments; so that there may be no need of Wooden or Earthen Chalices: That the Habits of the Priests during the Celebration of the Mass, be the Amict, the Albe, the Cincture, the Stole, the Cha∣suble and the Maniple; and those of a Deacon, the Amict, the Albe, the Cincture, the Stole, the Dalmatick and the Maniple: That the Altar be intirely made of Stone, and consecrated by the Bishop: That the Host be altogether of pure Wheat and without any Defect: That the Wine be likewise Pure, and the Water Clean; the Altar decently adorn'd and cover'd with a white Linnen Cloth, with a Corporal above and below the Chalice: That the Priests and Deacons shall not bear Arms; but that they shall always have the Crown of their Head and Beards shav'd: That they shall not keep any Women in their Houses; unless their Mother, Sister, Aunt or Mother-in-Law: And that they shall teach Children the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.

The Fourth imports, That Persons guilty of Murder, Adultery, or any other sort of Un∣cleanness, shall be oblig'd to do Penance; and if they refuse to submit to it, they shall be separated from the Church and the Communion.

The Fifth, that those whom the Arch-deacon presents for Ordination, in the Ember-Weeks, shall be well vers'd in the Psalter, the Hymns, the Canticles, the Epistles, the Gospels, and the Prayers: That the Priests shall not be present at Weddings to eat among the Guests, but only to give the Benediction: That the Clerks and Lay-men, who partake of the Funeral Ban∣quets, eating the Bread of the Deceased, shall do some good Work for their Souls, and that they shall invite the Poor and the Sick to these Banquets.

The Sixth, That all the Christians shall go to Church, on Saturday Evening and on Sunday Morning; that they shall assist on that day at the Masses and the whole divine Service; that they shall do no servile Work, nor undertake any Journeys except for Devotion sake, or to bury the Dead and visit the Sick, or to put in Execution some private Order receiv'd from the Prince, or to defend themselves against the Saracens: And that the Christians shall not keep any Correspondence with the Jews.

The Seventh, That the Counts or chief Magistrates shall govern the People with Justice; shall admit upon a Tryal, only the Evidence of Eye or Ear Witnesses; and shall severely punish false Witnesses.

The Eighth, That Justices shall be administer'd in the Kingdoms of Leon, Gallicia, Asturia and Portugal, according to Alphonsus's Law, and in Castille, according to those of Sanchez.

The Ninth declares, That the Triennial Prescription shall not take place, in reference to the Churches.

The Tenth, That he who has manur'd Land or cultivated a Vineyard, shall gather the Fruits with a Priviso, till the Point be debated by the Parties concern'd about the Pro∣priety.

The Eleventh imports, That all the Christians shall Fast on Frydays.

The Twelfth, That those who have taken Sanctuary in the Churches; nay, even within thirty Paces of the Church, cannot be taken away from thence by Force.

The Thirteenth, That the Subjects of the Kingdom shall be obedient to their Prince, as they were to Alphonsus and Sanchez. These Constitutions were made in the Presence, and by the Authority of King Ferdinand and Queen Sanchia.

The Council of Elna in Roussillon, held, A. D. 1065.

TO these Councils may be join'd an Assembly of Bishops and Counts, held in the Year * 1.36 1065. at Elna in the Country of Roussillon, where the Episcopal See of Perpignan was for∣merly fix'd: Divers Constitutions were made in this Council, for the Preservation of Church-Revenues, and more especially that which was call'd, The Truce of God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Coun∣cil of Orleans, 1017.
• * 1.2

  The Synod of Arras, in 1025.
• * 1.3

  The Council of Bourges in 1031.
• * 1.4

  The Coun∣cil of Li∣moges in 1031.
• * 1.5

  Divers Councils held in France, in 1040.
• * 1.6

  The Coun∣cil of Rheims in 1049.
• * 1.7

  The Coun∣cil of Tours in 1060.
• * 1.8

  The Coun∣cil of Sois∣sons in 1092.
• * 1.9

  Roscelin Clerk of Church of Com∣piegne. Theobald a Clerk of the Church of Etam∣pes.
• * 1.10

  The Coun∣cil of Rouen, in 1050.
• † 1.11

  A sort of Vestments worn by Popish Priests.
• * 1.12

  The Coun∣cil of Lisieux in 1055.
• * 1.13

  The Coun∣cil of Rouen, in 1063.
• * 1.14

  The Coun∣cil of Rouen, in 1072.
• † 1.15

  One of the Popish Canonical Hours.
• * 1.16

  One of the Canoni∣cal.
• * 1.17

  A Quarrel between the Arch-bishop of Rouen, and the Monks of St. Owen.
• * 1.18

  The Coun∣cil of Rouen, in 1074.
• * 1.19

  The Coun∣cil of Lil∣lebonne in 1080.
• * 1.20

  The Coun∣cil of Nar∣bonne in 1054.
• * 1.21

  The Coun∣cil of Tou∣louse in 1056.
• * 1.22

  The Council of Dort∣mund in 1005.
• * 1.23

  The Coun∣cil of Se∣lingen∣stadt in 1023.
• † 1.24

  A Conse∣crated Lin∣nen Cloth on which the Chalice and Host are set in the Popish Churches.
• * 1.25

  The Coun∣cil of Mentz in 1069.
• * 1.26

  The Coun∣cil of Mentz in 1071.
• * 1.27

  The Coun∣cil of Erford in 1073.
• * 1.28

  The Coun∣cil of Aen∣ham.
• * 1.29

  King Ethelred and King Canut's Laws.
• * 1.30

  The Coun∣cil of Lon∣don in 1075.
• * 1.31

  The Coun∣cil of Win∣chester in 1076.
• * 1.32

  The Coun∣cil of London, in 1102.
• * 1.33

  The Coun∣cil of London, in 1108.
• * 1.34

  The Coun∣cil of Leon, in 1012.
• * 1.35

  The Coun∣cil of Coyaco, in 1050.
• * 1.36

  The Coun∣cil of Elna in Roussillon.