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.

His Works.

THere are yet extant, 287. Letters written by Ivo Bishop of Chartres, which, being full of remarkable Observations concerning the Discipline and History of the Church, and con∣taining many excellent Lessons of Morality, judicious determinations of several Cases of Con∣science and Law-Questions, proposed to him by others, are of no small value, and it will be well worth our while to give the Reader a short and exact abridgement of each of them.

The two First in the Collection, are from Pope Urban II. one to the Clergy and People of Chartres, the other to Richerius Bishop of Sens, in which, he advertises them of his having Con∣secrated Ivo Bishop of Chartres: at the end of them follows the Pope's advice to him after his Consecration.

The IIId. Letter is from Ivo to the Pope regreting his having been by him drawn from his solitudes and retirement to be made a Bishop, and recommending to him the Bishop of Beau∣vais.

In the IVth. he admonishes Bernard, Abbot of Marmoutier, not to entertain any Monks of his Diocess, and in particular, demands of him one Walter, who had been Abbot of Bonneval, and quitted his Station for that retirement.

The Vth. Letter to Adela Countess of Chartres, severely reprimands her for countenancing the Marriage of her Kinswoman Adelaida with William, and advises that they forbear having Carnal knowledge of each other, till the matter be determined in Consistory.

The VIth. is a Letter of Thanks for a Present he had receiv'd from Girard; (suppos'd to have been a Regular Canon of St. Quentin at Beauvais, and afterwards Abbot of the Monaste∣ry of St. Loup in Troyes) He gives him also some account of the contrivances of his Ene∣mies against him, and invites him to his House. He tells him in the Conclusion, that Geofry was forc'd to quit the whole Bishoprick, except a small corner of it, which he yet held by the Duke of Normandy's assistance.

The VIIth. is directed to Roscelin, a Priest of the Church of Compiegne, who had been Con∣demn'd of Heresie, in the Council of Soissons, and forc'd to a recantation, which he afterwards abjuring, was turn'd out of his Benefice, and not knowing, in that condition, where to find a retreat, had Address'd himself for relief to Ivo Bishop of Chartres. Our Prelate answers, that he would willingly grant his request and afford him entertainment, were he sure he had sincerely renounc'd his former errors; but having reason to believe the contrary of him, and fearing the People of Chartres would not endure him among them, must refuse what he asks of him; that the best advice he can give him is to bear his condition patiently, and to resolve on a publick and authentick abjuration of his errors in Religion.

The VIIIth. Letter of Ivo's is to Richerius Arch-Bishop of Sens, who had severely inveigh'd against him, in a Letter, by which he Cited him to appear and answer before him, for ha∣ving usurp'd the See from Geofry. Ivo, in this Letter, remonstrates to him, how injuriously he dealt, and what inconveniencies he would draw upon himself, by undertaking the cause of one who had been found guilty of the most notorious Crimes, and stood condemn'd by the Holy See: that for his part, he was so far from aspiring to the Bishoprick of Chartres, that after the Clergy of that Church had Elected him and forc'd him to take Investiture of the King, he had still declin'd entring upon that Charge, till he was fully certified of the deposition of Geofry, and that it was the Pope's pleasure he should succeed him: that upon the Arch-Bishop's refusing to

admit him, he had recourse to the Pope, who oblig'd him to accept the Bishoprick and Consecra∣ted him himself. He reminds the Arch-Bishop, likewise that the Pope had written to him, and commanded him to receive him as his Suffragan, that he had ever since endeavour'd to behave him∣self according to the respect and obedience due from him to his Metropolitan: he adds, that he is willing to attend the Council at Stampae, if a safe Conduct may be granted him, and that Stephen Earl of Chartres should be ready there, on the King's side, to answer to all that shou'd be objected against him, without prejudice to the Authority of the Holy See, before which this matter might one day be brought.

The IXth. Letter is Address'd to Philip King of France, and gives His Majesty an account how Ivo had Accommodated the differences between the Monks of Bec and those of Molesme, with which the King was not satisfied.

In the Xth. he gives several Instructions to the Nuns of St. Avita near Châteaudun, and advises them in particular, to take care of their Reputations.

In the XIth. he Congratulates Gonthier, upon his return to his duty, orders him to retire into the Church of Sancta Maria de Gournay, where he should have the Charge of some Monks, and exhorts him to live there peaceably and orderly.

In the XIIth. he consults Pope Urban, about an odd practice of some in his Diocess, who would live by the Altar, but not serve at the Altar, and offer'd Money to him for Altars, as they were wont to purchase them of his predecessors, under the title of Personnats: Of this matter, Ivo intreats the Pope's Opinion, and his Advice how to deal with these Traders. He informs him also, that the Arch-Bishop of Sens, assisted by the Bishops of Paris, Meaux, and Troyes, had pronounc'd his Consecration void, and intended to reinstate Geofry. He appeals therefore to the Holy See, and judges it necessary that the Pope write to them, and oblige them either to give him no farther disturbance, or else to appear at Rome, and give an account of their proceedings. Lastly, he delivers his Opinion, that 'twould be convenient the Pope should send a Legate into France, to endeavour the Reformation of the Churches: and prays the Pope, that if any persons banish'd out of his Diocess for notorious Crimes, shall repair to Rome, he will not decree any thing concerning them, till he have fully inform'd himself of the whole merits of their causes.

The XIIIth. and XIVth. Letters are to the Arch-Bishop Richerius, and the other Bishops in∣vited by the King to his Marriage with Bertrade, whom Ivo disswades from going to Court, and exhorts to do all they can to hinder that Marriage.

In the XVth. he freely declares his mind to King Philip, that he neither can nor will assist at his intended Marriage with Bertrade, till his former Marriage be pronounced void in a General Council.

The XVIth. is an Answer to Walter Bishop of Meaux's, upon this Question, If it be lawful for a Man to Marry his Concubine? He tells him that some Laws have forbid it, and others have permitted it, and leaves the whole matter to the discretion and judgment of the Bishops; after which, he exhorts the Bishop of Meaux, not to approve of King Philip's Marriage with Ber∣trade.

The XVIIth. to the regular Canons of St. Quentin, at Beauvais, does with a great deal of Eloquence set forth the troubles he is involved in, since he was made a Bishop; admonishes them to continue to observe the Rules of their Institution and to make choice of a Superiour in his place.

In the XVIIIth. Ivo highly blames Cardinal Roger, the Pope's Legate, for being inclin'd to Absolve Simon Count of Niofle, whom he had Excommunicated for Adultery. This Count, after the Death of his Wife, Marries one with whom he had formerly been too familiar, and now demands Absolution; Ivo absolutely refuses it, and sends him to the Pope with a Letter, setting forth the whole affair: the Count makes his suit to Roger, hoping to meet with more gentle treatment from him than at the Pope's hands; Ivo hereupon declares to the Cardinal that he cannot absolve him, nor will he admit him to the Communion, till he has an answer from the Pope, either in writing or by word of mouth.

The XIXth. Letter is written to William, Abbot of Fècamp, who had compar'd him to St. John and to Elijah, for his boldness, in declaring his dislike of the King's Marriage. Ivo acquaints him how great inconveniences that liberty of his had brought him under, and desires the Prayers of him and his Monks. He cannot grant the Abbot's request in behalf of a Canon Regular, who would have leave to quit his Rule and enter into the Monastery of Fècamp; he tells him, if he knew the Man, he would not be concern'd for him, that he is a proud and idle Fellow, that for ten years together he had never as he ought observ'd his week for read∣ing Mass, but was at any time for reading out of his turn, when there was an occasion of serving his vanity by it; however, if the Canons his Brethren, would consent he should leave their House, he would not hinder him, and gave him full leave to ask them.

Ivo being taken into Custody for opposing King Philip's Marriage, the Clergy and people of Chartres threatned to assault the Count, unless he would release him: to them, therefore Ivo writes, disswading them from all thoughts of taking Arms, which would be a means not of pro∣curing his liberty, but prolonging his Confinement, that it would moreover offend the Divine Majesty, that it was not fit for a Bishop to recover his Rights by violence, that he was resolv'd rather to Dye, than that any Man should lose his Life to rescue him, that that would much sooner be obtain'd by their Prayers, which was all he had to beg or expect from them. These are the Contents of his XXth. Letter.

In the XXIst. he pays his thanks to Hoel Bishop of Mans, for the Prayers he had put up to God for his deliverance. He desires of him the Relicks of St. Julian's Body, which had been lately translated to Mans.

The XXIId. to King Philip, acknowledges that having been by that Prince advanc'd to a Bishoprick, he owes to him under God the highest respect and observance: but that having had the misfortune to fall under his displeasure, for offering him as a true and faithful Servant necessary and wholsome advice, he had been ill treated, and the goods of his Bishoprick em∣bezled by his Enemies; that therefore he pray'd His Majesty to excuse his not coming to Court, and to allow him some time to breath, and to put his affairs into order again. He hopes God will one day convince him by experience of the truth of that Maxim of Solomon's, that the wounds and harsh usage of our friends who love us, are to be prefer'd before the kisses of our enemies and flatterers. He concludes with assuring the King, that he is ready to answer his accusers, when he may know what they have to object against him, and that he will defend himself in the Church, if his crimes fall under the Ecclesiastical Cognizance, or before His Majesty's Council, if he be charg'd with any against the State.

The XXIIId. is to Guy, Chief Master of the King's Houshold, who had interceded with the King, in favour of Ivo: he returns him thanks for his good offices, and assures him 'tis impossible they should come to any good terms, till the King have totally quitted Bertrade; that he had seen a Letter of Pope Urban's to all the Prelates of the Kingdom, Commanding them to Excommunicate him in case he continued to live with her, and that this Letter had been long since publish'd, if he had not conceal'd it out of the true love he bore His Majesty, and his unwillingness that his own people should rise up against him.

The XXIVth. is to Hugh, Arch-Bishop of Lyons; he acquaints him how great joy it was to him to hear that Pope Urban had appointed him Legate of France, in which employment he had so well acquitted himself under Gregory the VIIth. but, that he was now not a little griev'd to understand he had by the advice of several of his friends refus'd to accept of that Office again, by reason of the too great business which must lie upon him, at the present juncture of affairs, while the Church labour'd under such troubles as would not easily admit of being compos'd. Ivo tells him, he had been ill counsel'd, and ought not to be sway'd by his friends perswasions, that though in Italy a second Ahab was arisen, and France had another Jezebel, who endeavour'd to overthrow the Altars and kill the Prophets of the Lord, yet he should remember the saying of Elijah, that God had yet left him Seven Thousand Servants, who had not bow'd their knees to Baal: that though their Herodias should request the Head of John, and Herod should grant her what she ask'd, yet John should not be afraid to tell him, 'tis not lawful for thee to put away thy own Wife, and to Marry another Man's Wife or Concubine. These and the like instances are urged by Ivo, to induce Hugh to take upon him the Legatine Authority, which he hopes he will soon acquaint him he has yielded to, and desires to know where he may meet him about the beginning of Lent.

His XXVth. Letter is address'd to Pope Urban; and lays before him an account of the troubles and difficulties he was daily oblig'd to encounter with, which made him often resolve to quit his Bishoprick. He then intreats the Pope not to hearken to what should be alledg'd, in his own defence, by one of the Clergy of Chartres, who had been degraded for Simony, Money-Coining, and other irregularities.

The XXVIth. is to Walter, Abbot of St. Maur des Fossez, who had thoughts of leaving his Monastery, by reason of the great corruptions and disorders amongst his Monks. Ivo disswades him from pursuing that resolution, if he have yet any hopes of doing good upon and reforming but some of them; but in case they continue all incorrigible, thinks he may leave them.

The XXVIIth. is to Eudes, Chief-Justice of Normandy, who had ask'd his Opinion, how he ought to proceed against a certain Bishop; who, being formerly accus'd of Simony and other misdemeanours, had gotten himself Consecrated before the day appointed for his tryal. Ivo ad∣vises this Magistrate not to regard him as a Bishop, but to treat him as an Heretick and an Intruder; and that if he could not have Justice done upon him by the Bishops of the Province, he should Cite both him and his Judges before the See of Rome, without whose determination such causes were seldom brought to a due issue.

The XXVIIIth. to King Philip, carries his excuses for not appearing with his Soldiers at Pon∣toise, or Chaumont, according to the King's Orders. 1. Because Pope Urban having forbid the King to keep Company with Bertrade, under pain of Excommunication, he could not have for∣born publickly admonishing his Majesty of it. 2. Because most of the Guards and Militia of his Diocess lying under Excommunication for being concern'd in a Rebellion, he could not, till they had undergone a Penance, receive them into the Communion of the Church, nor send them against the Enemy while they were under her Censures; and 3. because he thought it not safe for him to be at Court, where he was hated by the Sex that seldom pardon even their best friends.

The XXIXth. Severely reprimands Roger the Priest, for his ill conduct and behaviour.

The XXXth. contains Ivo's advice to Fulk, Bishop of Beauvais, not to persist in opposing Hugh the Pope's Legate, and communicates to him the Letters sent him by the Pope, relating to King Philip's affair.

By the XXXIst. to the same Prelate, he resigns up into his hands the Provostship of St. Quen∣tin in Beauvais, conjuring him to see that his Successor be chosen by the majority and soundest

part of that society. And in the XXXIId. he sends his advice to them, to Elect a ••it and able person for their Governour.

The XXXIIId. and XXXIVth. Letters have nothing remarkable in them.

The XXXVth. is address'd to Richerius, Arch-Bishop of Sens, and the other Prelates assem∣bled with him at Rheims, and sets forth his reasons why he would not obey their Citation of him before that Council: 1. that he was Cited by Bishops of other Provinces, who had no power to be his Judges. 2. Because they intended to try him out of the jurisdiction of the Province he was under; and 3. because the accusations laid against him proceeded only from their ma∣lice and hatred of his person: that therefore he appeal'd to the Holy See of Rome, where he should be sure to meet with the favour allow'd to all others in his condition, of being heard by the Pope himself, or by his Vicars: that he did take this method to avoid a Tryal, being a∣ble enough to defend himself against their charge of Perjury, by bringing proof that he had not so much as taken any Oath, but that he did it to prevent his giving an ill example to others and exposing himself to apparent hazard of his Life, since he could not by any means obtain the King's Pass-port: that besides all this, he well enough foresaw he should not be allow'd liberty of speech in their Assembly, since they had already accus'd him of disloyalty to the King, and of being an Enemy to His Majesty, only for having had the courage to tell him his duty, as he thought all of them in Conscience bound to do; whereas His Majesty's real Enemies were those who dissembled with him, and dar'd not search his wounds with fire and sword; that the King might deal with him as His Majesty should think fit, but that he was firmly resolv'd never to approve of his Marriage.

In the XXXVIth. Letter to the Bishop of Beauvais, he shews him the reasons he had to com∣plain of him; particularly, that having requested him to send a Canon Regular to be pre∣fer'd to a vacancy in his Diocess, that Bishop would have had him put in a Monk, contrary to the constitutions of that Church ordained by the Pope. Hereupon, Ivo takes occasion to shew the dignity of the Regular Clergy above that of the Monks, and cites, to this purpose, a pas∣sage of St. Austin, wherein that Father says, he scarce ever knew a Monk prove a good Clerk, and some places out of St. Jerom, preferring the Clergy before the Monks. He protests however, that he does not intend all this to reproach and disparage the Monastick way of living, but to put them in mind that they ought to continue truly Monks, and be content to lead a re∣tir'd life.

We praise their Institution, (says he) and believe their state to be as perfectly hap∣py as any on Earth, while they confine themselves within the bounds assign'd them by their Founders; but we think them fitter to be Subjects than Governours, and would have them be humble and obedient, not proud and aspiring.

In the XXXVIIth. he exhorts a certain Canon Regular to go on as he had begun, in all due submission to his Superiours, and in the practice of vertue and Religion.

The XXXVIIIth. is a Letter of thanks to the Bishop of Winchester, for a Chalice he had made him a Present of, to hold the Holy Chrism.

In the XXXIXth, he acquaints St. Anselm, Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, That he had shewn what kindness he could to the Monks of Bec, in taking their part against those of Molesme, and that he had long since done them Justice, in their demands upon the Abbey of Poissy, if they had not resolv'd to wait first of all for the King's Consent.

There is nothing observable in the XLth. Letter.

The XLIst. Written to Geofry Abbot of Vendome, Treats of the following Question, viz. Whe∣ther a Monk taking the Vow upon him, and receiving the Benediction from another Monk, ought again to receive it from his Abbot? Ivo determines, that it may be either repeated or omitted, without any prejudice either to the one or the other of the parties, because the Benediction of a Monk is not by imposition of hands, nor the Administration of any Sacrament of Apostolical Traditi∣on, and that it has no other vertue in it than what is in the Absolution of a Penitent, or the Prayers of a Priest for his People; that a private Monk having no body but himself to take care of, may, by his own act, dedicate himself to that state of Life, without the Benediction of any Monk or Abbot, since that which constitutes him a Monk, is not any new Dignity conferr'd on him, but only his Contempt of the World and Love of God; that this is so, appears from consider∣ing the practice of the first Institutors of the Monastick Orders, who neither receiv'd nor us'd any Benedictions; that indeed, when the Communities of Monks began to be numerous, Vows were exacted of them, and they were admitted by Benedictions, which custom, was prudentially taken up, to oblige them the firmer and more solemnly, in the presence both of God and Men, to Diligence and Constancy in the way of Life they had chose and undertaken; which if they should afterward offer to renounce, they would have the more Witnesses to Condemn them; that these Ceremonies were the best security could be found out against the fickleness of Mens minds and resolutions; and that therefore, 'twere convenient it should be left to the discretion of eve∣ry Abbot to oblige his Monks, if he thought fit, to renew the Vows they had come under before Witnesses, and to repeat the Benedictions they had receiv'd from others, or wholly to omit them; since these were not Sacraments, which ought not to be repeated; but if the Benediction were look'd upon as such, it ought not to be administred a second time, as Bishops were not to Consecrate anew the Nuns that had been already Consecrated by Priests.

The XLIId is a Letter of Moral Advice, to the Bishop of Soissons.

The XLIIId, Congratulates Pope Urban, upon the Restitution of Peace to the greatest part of Italy; and acquaints him, that one William, a Clergy-man of his Diocess, was Elected Bishop of Paris.

The XLIVth. is an Admonition to all the Bishops of France, to put in Execution a Law which prohibits all manner of War, four days in the week.

The XLVth. forbids the whole Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Poissy to marry the Count de Meulan to the Daughter of the Count de Crépy, they being within the Degrees of Consanguinity, as he proves from the Genealogy of the two Families.

The XLVIth. Letter to Pope Urban, advertises him that the King of France was dispatching a Deputation of some Courtiers to him, to obtain from him, either by threatnings or fair offers, an Absolution; and exhorts him not to be prevail'd on by them to grant it.

In the XLVIIth. he tells Guy, the Chief Master of the King's Houshold, that 'tis in vain for that Prince to think of procuring a Dispensation of his Marriage with Bertrade, by his promises of bestowing great Endowments on the Church; that it can never be granted him, nor can he Attone for his great Sin by so good a Work, or ever hope for Remission of it, while he resolves to keep to her.

In the XLVIIIth. he acquaints Pope Urban with the promotion of Manasses IId, to the Arch-Bishoprick of Rheims.

The XLIXth. is Written to Stephen, Earl of Chartres and Blois, denying him the Exemption of the Cloyster of the Canons, from the Bishops's Jurisdiction, and refusing to Swear Homage to him, out of the bounds of the City of Chartres.

In the Lth. he makes his excuses to Richerius, Arch-Bishop of Sens, for not waiting upon him, without the King's Pass-port: He interposes his Advice, concerning the Dispute for Primacy, between the Arch-Bishop of Lions and Richerius, that if he have good Authorities to produce, he should do it, and desires he would send him the Copies of them; but, if no such can be found, thinks he had best refer the matter to the Pope's Decision: He acquaints him, that William is Elected Arch-Bishop of Paris, praying that he would Consecrate him before the Feast of St. Re∣my, letting him also know, that he had obtain'd leave for him of the Pope, to make use of his Pallium on this occasion, though otherwise, it had been forbidden him.

The LIst. Letter is written to Sanction, Dean of Orleans, who had been Elected Bishop of that Church, in the Year 1099. John, the Sub-Dean, had us'd underhand measures to get himself into that Bishoprick, and some of the Clergy of his Faction, had, by Letters to Ivo, accus'd San∣ction of Simony: Ivo, hereupon, endeavours to disswade him from aspiring after that Dignity, and from getting himself Consecrated, till he had the Pope's Order for it, and had clear'd him∣self of the Aspersion cast upon him. In the mean while, the Clergy and People of Orleans, had prevail'd on the Arch-Bishop of Sens, to Command Ivo to Consecrate him; he refus'd to do it at Châteaulandon, bordering on the Diocess of Sens, by reason of the difference between the Arch-Bishop of Sens and the Pope, about the Primacy of Lions; but the Clergy having interess'd the King to confirm their Election, Ivo sends forth his Citation for Sanction's Adversaries to appear at Chartres, which they not obeying, and Sanction having purg'd himself by Oath, of what they had alledg'd against him, he was Consecrated by Ivo Bishop of Chartres, William Bishop of Paris, and Walter Bishop of Meaux, as is fully related by Ivo, in his LIVth. Letter, written on this occasion, to Hugh Arch-Bishop of Lions. No sooner was Sanction settled in his new Dignity, but he began to abuse and insult over those of his Clergy who had oppos'd him, which drew from Ivo the LIIId. Letter in this Collection, wherein, he severely taxes him for his indecent Be∣haviour. The Arch-Bishop of Lions was highly displeas'd at Sanction's Consecration, and took care to let Ivo know how ill he resented it at his hands: To him, therefore Ivo protests, (in his LIXth Letter) that he had not taken any Money for performing that Office; that he knew no∣thing of the Crimes Sanction was accus'd of; that Sanction had denied them all upon Oath; that he did not give him notice of that solemnity, because 'twas not customary to do so; nor did he conceive that the Arch-Bishop could by vertue of his Legatine Authority, challenge such Juris∣diction over the Bishops of France, as that they should not have power of Consecration, without his leave and Licence.

In the LIId Letter, Ivo writes to Ganfroy, Dean of Mans, about one Everard a Canon-Regu∣lar, who had entred himself a Monk, in the Abbey of Marmoutier, and had a mind to return to his former Order, that he ought by no means to suffer him to quit his Monastery, nor receive him again among the Clergy.

In the LVth. he requests the Arch-Bishop of Lions to confirm the Election of one who had been chosen Bishop of Beauvais, notwithstanding some Objections he had against him.

In the LVIth, he Answers King Philip, that he could not hear, that Hugh Arch-Bishop of Lions intended to call another General Council this Year, the Pope having already held two within His Majesty's Dominions; and that if he should Summon one, 'twould be contrary to the Apostoli∣cal Institutions and the practice of the Church; that if the Pope's Legates shall after any reason∣able distance of time, think fit to Convene the Bishops, they are to obey their Orders; but, if they shall begin to impose a new and intolerable Yoke upon the Bishops, he hopes His Majesty will think it his duty to put a stop to their encroachments.

In the LVIIth, he tells Geofry, Abbot of Vendome, That he ought to deny the Rite of Burial, among his Monks, to one of them, who had four times quitted his Monastry; because, at his last Return thither, he had not brought back with him, the Goods he had sacrilegiously carried away from the Monastry.

Richerius, Arch-Bishop of Sens, dying in the beginning of the Year 1096, the Clergy elected Daimbert, and sent to Ivo, to Ordain him both Priest, and Bishop; who answers them, in the

LVIIIth Letter, That he could not do it, but within the Times appointed for Ordinations; and, that before his Election could be confirm'd, he must confer with the rest of his Brethren the Bi∣shops, about an Obstacle that offer'd itself. This Obstacle, was, the Opposition of Hugh, Arch-Bishop of Lions, who gave out, That no Bishops could be Ordain'd in France, without his Permis∣sion; and that he would, in particular, do all he could to hinder Daimbert's succeeding to the Arch-Bishoprick of Sens, 'till he should acknowledge the Primacy of Lyons. Ivo, therefore, in the LIXth Letter, demands of Hugh, If he may Ordain him? And prays his Answer with all speed. Hugh absolutely refusing to give him Leave to do it, Ivo lets him know by the LXth Letter, That he will obey his Pleasure therein, and had communicated it to the Bishops of his Province; but he intreats and advises him, to be more moderate, and reserv'd, for the future, in the Exercise of his Authority, and not to insist so rigorously, in exacting their Obedience, to all the Commands of the Holy See; least, by imposing on them Burdens too heavy for them to bear, he force them to dis∣own her Power, through an impossibility of performing what she lays upon them; or out of some necessity, and expediency, of acting contrary to it: That tho' they are all very well inclin'd to pay due Observance to the Orders, or Prohibitions of the Holy See, in Matters relating to Faith and Morality, either concerning the Defence of Religion, the Punishment of wicked Men, the prevent∣ing Dangers, and Evils, and the like; and tho' they are ready to suffer any thing, in Obedience to what she shall Command, and Appoint, to any such Good Ends and Purposes; yet, as to indiffe∣rent Matters, the observing, or not observing of which, has no Influence upon our Salvation: And as to the Endeavours of the Court of Rome, to alter ancient Customs, established by the Holy Fa∣thers, he intreats him to consider with himself, Whether they ought not rather to adhere to what they have established, than to receive her new Constitutions? The ancient Canons (he tells him) do constantly order, that Metropolitans be Consecrated by the Bishops of the Province; and there∣fore, he wonders, that Hugh should go about to introduce another Custom, and pretend to oblige the New-elected Arch-Bishop of Sens, to come to him before his Consecration, and to promise Submission, and Obedience to him; which is contrary to what was ever practised in the Province of France, or in any other Country; and, that since Daimbert had not been accused of any Crimes, and had been elected duly, and without Simony, he had no Authority to Cite him before him: And whereas, Hugh complains, in his Letter, that Daimbert had receiv'd Investiture from the King's Hands; Ivo tells him, he knew of no such Matter; and that tho' it were so, he could not see how that Ceremony should concern Faith and Religion, since, upon a Canonical Election, their Kings had always assum'd a Right of Conferring Bishopricks, and the Popes themselves had written to them, to give Investiture to such as had been duly Elected; and, sometimes, had sent Orders to defer the Consecrations of Bishops, who had not obtain'd the King's Consent. He urges, more-over, That Pope Urban oppos'd only the real Investitures, and did not exclude their Kings from Electing, or Confirming Elections: And tho' the Eighth General Council prohibited their being present at Elections, yet it allow'd them to admit the Person Elected, to the Possession of his Bishop∣rick; that it matters not, whether that Ceremony be administred by the Hand, or some other Sign; whether by pronouncing any Form, or giving the Pastoral Staff; since Kings pretended not to convey any thing Spiritual, but only to shew their Approbation of the People's Choice of a Pa∣stor, and to give him Possession of such Lands, and other Ecclesiastical Profits and Advantages, as the Churches were entituled to, from the Liberality of Princes; that the putting a stop to the Pra∣ctice of such Investitures, had occasion'd many Evils in the Church, which could not be prevented, or remedied, but by permitting again the Exercise of them: Not that he speaks this out of any Disrespect to the Authority of the Holy See, but to shew how much he wisheth, that the Ministers of the Church of Rome, would apply themselves to the Correcting the greatest Evils, and Distem∣pers, and not lay out themselves, so much, upon such small and insignificant Matters: And there∣fore, Ivo demands, again, with much Earnestness, That he, and his Brethren, may be permitted to Consecrate the Arch-Bishop of Sens; which, if Hugh will grant them, he promises to prevail on him, to own the Primacy of Lions; but if he deny this their Request, tho' they did not, at present, think of doing it without his Leave, yet, if a Schism should, hereupon, break out in the Church, the Blame would not lie at their Doors. Ivo ends this large Epistle, by letting Hugh understand, That he had Reason to demand Satisfaction of him, for the Wrong done to himself, and his Church, by those of Puiset, who lay under an Excommunication, which Hugh had taken off, without his knowledge; whereby they had been encourag'd to farther Sacrilegious Attempts, presuming to get off so again for the future.

But this was not the only Instance of the strange Carriage of Hugh, Arch-Bishop of Lions: For he pretended, also, to oblige the New-elected Bishop of Nevers, to wait upon him for his Conse∣cration, at Autun. And herein Ivo oppos'd him again, and tells him, in the LXIst Letter, That the Privilege he assum'd, was a Violation both of the Laws, and Customs, of the Church, by which Bishops were to be Consecrated by their Metropolitan; or, when that could not be, by the Bishops of the same Province.

Ivo, having accommodated Matters with Adelecia, Countess of Puiset, writes the LXIId Letter to Sanction, Bishop of Orleans, letting him know, That the Agreement made between them, did not at all meddle with the Difference that Bishop had with the Clergy, and Monks, of Puiset; that he may still execute the Sentence of the Canon upon them, for Celebrating Divine Service, while they lay under an Interdict from him; tho' he would advise him, not to meddle with them, but by the Arch-Bishop of Lions's Consent, without which he would not get Justice done upon them. He tells him also, He need not wonder at his having receiv'd Gervase, (Count of Chîteau∣neuf,

in Thimerais) into the Communion of the Church; being oblig'd so to do, out of Respect to the King, by the Canon, which enjoyns, That if the King admit any Excommunicated Person to cat at his Table, the Bishops are to restore him to Ecclesiastical Communion.

In the LXIIId Letter, he proves, That none but such as are in Holy Orders, can Consecrate, and Administer the Sacraments.

The LXVth, to Pope Urban, acquaints him, That the Bishop of Paris is on his Journey to∣ward Rome; recommends him to the Pope, and prays, he will give him so good Instructions, and wholesome Advice, that he may return wiser, and of a more manageable Temper, than he had formerly been: He petitions, also, in the same Bishop's behalf, for an Inhibition, to prevent the Abbot, and Monks, of Lagny, from withdrawing themselves from under his Jurisdiction; and lastly, intreats the Pope to determine what should be done, in the Affair of the New-elected Arch-Bishop of Sens, whom the Arch-Bishop of Lions would not Consecrate, 'till he would submit to his Primacy.

Sanction had not been long in possession of the Bishoprick of Orleans, before he was deposed by the Arch-Bishop of Lions, at the Request, and Instigation of the Arch-Bishop of Tours, to make room for John, one of his Creatures; but a very infamous Person, who had been Arch-Deacon of that Church, under Sanction's Predecessor: To bring this Matter about, the Arch-Bishop of Tours had Crown'd King Philip, at Christmas, and obtain'd his Grant, that John should be Consecrated Bishop of Orleans: But as soon as Ivo understood it, he wrote to Hugh, Arch-Bishop of Lions, conjuring him to put a stop to it, and accusing John of many notorious Crimes, particularly of having procured the Bishoprick by Simony. These are the Contents of the LXVIth Letter.

In the LXVIIth, Ivo writes to Pope Urban likewise, to interpose his Authority, that so scandalous a Wretch may not be suffer'd to get into the Episcopal Order: And in this Letter, he offers his Apology to the Pope, who was incens'd against him, on Account of what he had written to the Arch-Bishop of Lions, touching the Election, and Consecration of Daimbert, to the Arch-Bishop∣rick of Sens: Ivo protests, he had no other Design in it, but to induce the Arch-Bishop of Lions to cut off all occasion of those Complaints that were daily made against him, by the Bishops of France; and to take Care, that the Churches of that Kingdom be not oppress'd, and overbur∣den'd by the Regulations, and Decrees, of the Holy See; that if any thing he had said, relating to the Primacy claim'd by the Arch-Bishop of Lions, had been displeasing to him, he thought he might take leave to speak his Opinion freely upon that Subject, to one, especially, for whom no Man, on this side the Alps, had so entire a Respect, and by devoting himself to whose Interests he had been a great Sufferer: However, if his Holiness were offended at any Expression that had dropt from him, he would retract it, and would resign his Bishoprick, rather than bear his Anger, whether he had deserv'd it or not: And if by this Means he might make Satisfaction, for any thing his Holiness might have taken amiss, he would willingly stand to his Offer, and prays him to accept it: Adding, moreover, that if the Pope would not permit him to quit his Diocess, he fear'd he must shortly be constrain'd to do it, by the King's violent Hatred of him, and the miserable Contempt of God's Word, among the People under his Care. This Letter is dated nine Years after he came to his Bishoprick, which shews it was written in the first Year of this Twelfth Century.

Hugh, Arch-Bishop of Lions, making no Account of these Remonstrances of Ivo, Cites him to bring Proof of what he had to alledge against the Person, and Election of John: But, Ivo, in∣stead of obeying this Summons, answers him, by the LXVIIIth Letter, That the Crimes being so notorious, 'twas needless to search after farther Evidence; and if there were occasion for it, he could produce sufficient Witness, that John had already distributed Moneys among the Queen's Servants, and had promis'd them a farther Sum, to procure for himself the Bishoprick of Orleans: That, besides, his being Elected by the King only, made his Title void by the Canons; and, that however the Examination of this whole Affair, ought to be made in the Province, to which his Accusers were subject, and where the Evidence lay that was to be brought against him, and not in any other.

The LXIXth Letter, is, to the Provost of the Canons Regulars of Estreppe, in the Diocess of Limoges, who complain'd, That the Bishop had issued out a Prohibition against their taking upon them the Cure of Souls, and the Administration of the Sacrament of Penance. Our Prelate tells him he is of Opinion, That the Bishop had done better, if he had endeavour'd to bring all the Clergy to a regular Way of Living, rather than to have refus'd the Pastoral Office to those who were already oblig'd to it: However, they might make a good Use of this Exemption, in having the better lei∣sure to look after the State of their own Souls. The Regular Clergy, he thinks, ought not to be universally forbid undertaking the Cure of Souls; nor ought it to be permitted to all of them, since it would be an Injury to the Order it self, and tend to the Dissolution of it, tho' the Correction, and Instruction of others, may more safely be trusted in the Hands of such as have been long train'd, and carefully exercis'd, in examining, and well-ordering their own Lives and Manners; therefore that Charge is not to be impos'd upon, and enjoyn'd to all the Regular Clergy: For, by that means, their Discipline will soon be destroy'd; and instead of learned and able Champions in the Cause of Religion, the Monasteries will afford us but weak Defenders, and Betrayers of it: To prevent which fatal Mischief, the most prudent, and best approv'd among them, should be pick'd out for this weighty Employment, and be presented to the Bishop, as fit to be entrusted by him, with the Care of other Mens Souls.

The LXXth Letter, is an Admonition to the Bishop of Meaux, to Reform the Monastery of Marmoutier; which was scandalous for very great Irregularities.

In the LXXIst, he lays before William Rufus, King of England, the Reason why he had absolv'd Nivard, of Septeuil, from the Oath he had taken to that King, viz. Because it was contrary to the Obligations of his former Oaths, to his own natural and lawful Princes.

The LXXIId to Girard, Abbot of St. Vandrille, contains this Decision; That the chief Stone, or Altar-piece of an Altar that has been demolish'd, or pull'd down, tho' it had been formerly Con∣secrated, is to be Consecrated again, when laid upon another Altar: And whereas it is objected, That the Portable Altars do not lose their Consecration, by being carried from one place to ano∣ther, he answers, That there is a Difference between the moving these Altars from place to place, and taking the Stones from an old Altar, because the Stones of these Portable Altars are fastned upon a Plank of Wood, or some other Pedestal; and so to whatever place you remove them, they remain still as they were when first Consecrated.

The LXXIIId Letter is sent to Bernard, Abbot of Marmoutier, whom some of the Monks re∣fus'd to submit to, as their lawful Abbot; because, as they pretended, he had been Consecrated by an Excommunicated Bishop. Ivo, in answer to this, maintains, That the Promotion of an Abbot depends, rather upon the Election of the Monks, than the Bishop's Benediction; which, in the present Case, is not given by Imposition of Hands, nor is it properly a Consecration, but only a For∣mulary of Prayer.

The LXXIVth Letter is to Hildebert, Bishop of Mans; who is in a great Streight, Whether, or no, he shall put himself upon the Trial of Ordeal, or walking Blindfolded, and Barefoot, over red-hot Plowshares, to justifie his Innocence to the King of England, who accused him of having treacherously surrendred the Town of Mans. Ivo tells him, That the Ecclesiastical Laws having utterly condemn'd that Practice, he should endure any thing, rather than undergo it.

The LXXVth is to John, who was Consecrated Bishop of Orleans, notwithstanding all the Efforts of Ivo to prevent it. The Countess of Puiset, and her Adherents, continuing to give Disturbance to the Church of Chartres, Ivo was oblig'd to ask Leave of the Pope, to Excommunicate them; which was granted him: John, out of spight to Ivo, pretended, 'twas his own Right to pronounce the Excommunication against them, being of his Diocess, and offer'd to try the Matter with Ivo, at Or∣leans. Ivo insists upon the Pope's having Commissioned him to do it; and, that the Case ought to be decided at Chartres, not at Orleans; since it was the Church of Chartres that had received the Af∣front, and that all Differences ought to be tried upon the place where they began.

The LXXVIth Letter is written to Daimbert, whom the Pope himself had Ordain'd Arch-Bishop of Sens, (tho' Hugh, Arch-Bishop of Lions, had refus'd to do it) and who had thereupon submitted to the Primacy of Lions. Ivo lets him hereby know, That he intends to come and assist at the Provincial Council he had invited him to; prays him, to defer the Ordination of the Bishop of Nevers, (because of a Scruple about the Election) and to excommunicate the Lady of Puiset, her Son Hugh, and all that assisted, or belong'd to them.

The LXXVIIth is written to Hugh, Dean of Beauvais, and to the Chapter of that Church, upon occasion of a Trial they had had about a Mill belonging to them, but rendred useless, by some Bridges, and other Buildings, that cut off its Supply of Water: Ivo advises them to complain to the Metropolitan, or the Pope's Legate, in case the Bishop of Beauvais will not remedy that Incon∣venience.

The LXXVIIIth is a Letter of Advice to the Monks of the Monastery of Dol, in the Diocess of Bourges, to put an end to their Quarrels, and Divisions, about the Election of Bernier, (formerly a Monk of Bonneval) for their Abbot. Ivo assures them, he had had a very good Account of his Life and Conversation; that whereas some had thought ill of him, for quitting his Monastery without leave from his Brethren, he had been forc'd to do it by the Scandalous Irregularities that were there∣in, which had likewise occasion'd their Abbot himself and several others of the Monks who abhorr'd the Villainies of the rest to take the same course.

The LXXIXth Letter is written in the Name of Ivo Bishop of Chartres, William Bishop of Paris, John Bishop of Orleans, Walter Bishop of Meaux, and Humbaud Bishop of Auxerre, Assembled in Synod at Stampae, to Philip Bishop of Troyes, who was Summon'd to this Council, but had not made his Appearance: They tell him, they might have pass'd Sentence against him, but would allow him time, till the Sunday before Christmas, and then he must not fail to defend himself, if he could, for this Contempt of their Authority. This Letter appears to have been written in the Year, 1100.

The LXXXth to William Abbot of Fêcamp, confirms the decision of the LXXIId Letter, a∣bout the re-Consecration of Altars that have been remov'd out of their places.

The LXXXIst is a Congratulatory Letter to Pope Paschal II. upon his Elevation to the Pontifi∣cal Chair.

In the LXXXIId he Counsels Geofry, Abbot of Vendôme, to forbear his severities against a certain Monk of his Convent, and either to confine him to a Cell by himself, or else suffer him to retire to some other Monastery.

The LXXXIIId Letter is Address'd to the Bishops of the Province of Rheims, advising them, in regard to their own honour, and that of the Bishop of Soissons, not to suffer the insults of their Metropolitan; for that if the Arch-Bishops shall thus take upon them to do what they please in the Churches of their Provinces, and, without the Ordinaries Consent, to Judge and Suspend any of the Clergy, as they shall think fit; they will quite overthrow the Credit of the Episcopal Digni∣ty and the Orders in the Church, Establish'd by the Canons: That therefore, they ought to oppose

any such Innovations, and if the Clergy of Soissons are ready to justifie themselves by their Bishop, the Metropolitan has no power to Condemn them for Heresie or Sacrilege.

The LXXXIVth is to Manasses Arch-Bishop of Rheims, upon the same subject. He lets him know, that he thought his Letter a little too severe, and exhorts him to use gentler methods to bring the Church of Soissons to their duty, and to accept of the submission and satisfaction they tendred him.

The LXXXVth Letter to John, Priest, Cardinal-Legate for Pope Paschal in France, highly commends him for refusing to Communicate with the King, though some Bishops of the Belgick-Province had dar'd to put the Crown upon that Prince's Head, at Whitsuntide, contrary to the Pope's express prohibition to them all.

Ivo approves likewise his intentions of Assembling a Council in the Province of Aquitain, but wishes, he would defer it till the beginning of Autumn.

In the LXXXVIth he demands satisfaction of Stephen Earl of Chartres, for having abus'd some of his Clergy.

By the LXXXVIIth he advertises John and Benet, Legates of the Holy See, that Guarland, Elected Bishop of Beauvais, is an ignorant and debauch'd sot, altogether unworthy of that prefer∣ment; and observes to them farther, that the Church of Beauvais has a long time had the misfor∣tune to be govern'd by very ill Bishops.

By the LXXXVIIIth he acquaints Pope Paschal, that Hilgode, heretofore Bishop of Soissons, was not Depos'd for any Misdemeanours, as his Holiness had been inform'd, but that he volun∣tarily retir'd into a Monastery, to avoid the inconveniencies all Prelates are expos'd to, choosing rather to live in meanness and obscurity, to secure the state of his own Soul, than to hazard the Salvation of it, in the heights of Honour and Preferments: And whereas, some were now against his being made an Abbot, 'twas not out of any dislike of him, but because they thought it not seemly that a Bishop should come to receive Benediction from an Abbot, which Ivo thinks needs not be made a scruple of, but that the Ceremony may be well enough quite omitted, or may be us'd to one of his Character, without any prejudice, since it is not a Sacrament reiterated.

The LXXXIXth Letter is to the same Pope, and admonishes him not to give credit too easily to any complaints that shall be brought to him, against the Bishops, or any private Persons of France, not to proceed to censures against them, but upon good evidence given in by credible Per∣sons, and such as live near them: He acquaints him moreover; that the Bishop Elect of Beauvais is very undeserving of his Preferment, and that he had been already driven out of the Church, for his Scandalous Behaviour, by Hugh Arch-Bishop of Lions.

In the XCth to Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, he examines this case; if a Man who had kill'd another, excepted out of the Articles of Peace agreed and Sworn to, were to be deem'd a violater of God's Laws and subject to the Punishments due to such a one! and concludes, That though he be guilty of Manslaughter, yet, he has not thereby Offended God.

By the XCIst he Congratulates Adela Countess of Chartres, upon the recovery of her Health, and exhorts her to protect the Churches.

The XCIId Letter is written to Pope Paschal, at the request and in behalf of Stephen, Bishop Elect of Beauvais, praying his Holiness to confirm his Election, though he have not yet taken Orders, assuring him there is no other Objection can lie against him; that the Accusations that had been brought against him were found to be false and groundless; that Lisiard Arch-Deacon of Beauvais, the chief promoter of them has acknowledg'd as much, by being fully reconciled to Stephen, and vindica∣ting him on all occasions, and that if any be yet dissatisfied, he is ready to give them all full and Canonical satisfaction.

Notwithstanding this Letter, Pope Paschal would not allow of Stephen's Election, but severely reprimanded Ivo for offering one to him so unworthy of any favour or preferment as every body else represented him to be; at which Ivo was so far from being displeas'd, that he lets the Pope know, by the XCVth Letter, how glad he is that Stephen had miss'd of his aim; and assures his Holiness, he had extorted the former Letter from him, by his importunities, and that he did not think when he wrote it, 'twould prove a help to his desired advancement, or be taken for a se∣rious recommendation of him, by his Holiness, or any intelligent person that should observe the Stile of it. He likewise minds the Pope, that his Holiness had proceeded too far in approving of Drogo's pretensions to the Treasurership of Châlons, because the Merits of them having been examin'd in the Council of Poitiers, it appear'd that the late Bishop of Châlons had not power to bestow the place upon him, unless, as was required by the Ecclesiastical Laws, he were first Canon, (or Pre∣bend) of that Church; which Drogo could never pretend to, because he was Canon and Arch-Dea∣con of another: and that therefore they had decreed his Institution to the Treasurership of Châlons null and void, following therein the Opinion of his Holiness himself, and of his Predecessors, who have determin'd that no Man shall have preferment in two Churches at the same time: And there∣fore Ivo intreats the Pope to consider well of this matter, and the ill consequences that may ensue, if he do not revoke what he has order'd in it, contrary to the Opinion and resolution of the Coun∣cil.

The XCIIId Letter, after having Complimented Daimbert, (or rather, Dagobert) Patriarch of Jerusalem, recommends to him some of Ivo's Diocess, who were travelling to that City.

By the XCIVth Ivo Requests Pope Paschal to grant his Bull to the Clergy of Chartres, empower∣ing them to Excommunicate all such as should at any time hereafter pretend to renew the Claim which the present Earl had quitted, in his own and his Successor's Name, to the Goods and Houses

belonging to the Bishop and to that Church; and to proceed to the like severity against any Bishop of Chartres, who shall connive at, or consent to any Attempts of that nature.

In the XCVIth Letter, he asserts that Christian-Burial is not to be denied to any one who Dies in the Communion of the Church.

In the XCVIIth, he desires Lambert Bishop of Arras, and John Bishop of Teroilane, to write to the Arch-Bishop of Rheims, to take care that a new Bishop be Chosen at Beauvais, in the room of Stephen, whose Election Pope Paschal would not allow of.

The XCVIIIth is an Exhortation to the People of Beauvais, to choose for their Bishop one who is Eminent for Piety and Learning.

The XCIXth is the resolution of a Question propos'd to him by Gualon, Abbot of St. Quintin, in Beauvais, viz. if Children under Six years of Age, can be Contracted or Married with one ano∣ther, and in case there be only a Contract between them, and one of the parties die, whether the surviving party may Marry the Brother or Sister of the other? To which Ivo answers, that none can actually Marry till the Age of Fourteen, but that Children may promise Marriage to each other assoon as they are at years of Discretion, which he determines they are at Seven years of Age, and that a Contract agreed on at that Age shall hinder either Party, if one of them Die before they are compleatly Married, from Marrying with the Brother or Sister of the Deceased.

In the Cth Letter, he demands of John Bishop of Orleans, the restitution of an Altar, (or Church) which had been adjudg'd by the Council of Poitiers, to belong to the Diocess of Chartres.

In the CIst Letter, to Adela Countess of Chartres, he Complains of her having assum'd Authori∣ty to Cite before her Judges Ralph, a Chief Clergy-Man of his Diocess, to answer for his having seiz'd the Goods of a Counterfeit Nun: Ivo puts her in mind, that it has ever been the undisputed Right of his and of all the other Churches of France, that none but the Ecclesiastical Judges shall take Cognizance of, and inflict Punishments on disorderly Clergy-Men and Monks, unless their Crimes are such as deserve Death, in which case only, they are to be deliver'd over to the Justice of the Civil Magistrate.

In the CIId, he presses Manasses Arch-Bishop of Rheims, to proceed to the Consecration of the new Elected Bishop of Beauvais, without waiting any longer for leave from the King: The Election of Bishops (he tells him) is the Churches Prerogative, and has been yielded to them by the Capitu∣lars or Grants of Charlemain and Louis le Debonnaire.

By the CIIId, he acquaints Pope Paschal, that the Bishop of Senlis, who had been forc'd out of his Diocess for adhering to his Holiness's Interests, could not regain possession of it, though he had produc'd his Holiness's Letters in that behalf to the King, and to his own Metropolitan; but that moreover, the Dean of Paris had also seiz'd to his own use the Prebend this Bishop had in that Church.

In the CIVth, he advertises the same Pope, that the soundest and most judicious of the Clergy of Beauvais, having Elected for their Bishop one Gualon, a person of excellent Learning and Morals, some who were still zealous for Stephen, had slily insinuated to the King, that the other being a Disciple of Ivo and nominated by the Pope, his Majesty had reason to fear he would prove no very good Subject of his: upon which suggestion, the King absolutely refus'd to Consent to the Election of Gualon, and to give him Investiture. Ivo tells the Pope, he had e'er this been Petiti∣on'd on that occasion, but the Metropolitan kept the Clergy from it, under pretence of speedily com∣promising the matter, perhaps to please the King by delaying it as long as he can in hopes of ter∣minating it to his satisfaction; and therefore conjures his Holiness to interpose his Authority, for the Confirmation of what he has begun, and to stop his Enemies mouths. He acquaints him, that the King has declar'd he will go shortly to Rome, but he scarce believes it; though whether he go or send thither, 'twould be requisite his Holiness should be cautious of Absolving him, or do it only conditionally, for fear of a return to his beloved Sin, and should signifie as much to all the Chur∣ches of France.

In the CVth Letter, he farther informs the Pope, that the King had taken a Solemn Oath, that Gualon should never be Bishop of Beauvais, in his Reign; and humbly remonstrates, that if his Holiness take any notice of this Oath, and do not resolutely shew his power to the contrary, there shall never any more regard be had for Elections in France. Ivo concludes this Letter with Pray∣ing the Pope's direction what course he shall take, if the King after obtaining his Holiness's Abso∣lution, should re-assume his former ill practices, as he much fear'd he would.

The CVIth and CVIIth Letters are to Henry the I. King of England, and his Queen Mathilda, exhorting them above all things, to promote Religion, and take Care of the Churches in their Do∣minions, recommending also to their bounty the necessitous state of the Church of Chartres, of which they would be more fully inform'd by two of the Canons of it, whom he had sent on pur∣pose to their Majesties.

In the CVIIIth he gives Pope Paschal an Account of the Quarrels between Ralph Arch-Bishop of Tours, and the Abbot of Marmoutier, whom the former had accus'd of divers misdemeanours: Ivo thinks the Arch-Bishop ought not to be heard against him; 1. because he was not himself Le∣gally Ordain'd; 2. because the Abbot was never guilty of what is laid to his Charge; or, 3. if he were, the Arch-Bishop should then have Objected them against him, while he was concern'd in Church-Affairs, and not now he is retir'd into a Cloyster. 4. The ground of the Arch-Bishop's malice against him, is, that he cannot have leave to read Mass publickly, in the Church of Mar∣moutier, to insult over the Monks, and embezzle the Goods of the Monastery; and therefore, to show his spite against it, he had lately in Synod, Prohibited any of his Diocess from entring into that Abbey: 5. All the Witnesses he had to produce against the Abbot, were either his own Kin∣dred,

or Men of a Scandalous Reputation, or such as he had brib'd and suborn'd; all which, he prays his Holiness to take into his Prudent Consideration, and do what he thinks requisite thereupon.

In the CIXth Letter, to the same Pope, he intreats him to Constitute for his Legate in France, some Bishop whose Diocess lies on this side of the Alps; for that the Cardinals who were wont to be sent from the other side could not stay there long enough to put the Affairs of the Church in or∣der, which ministred occasion to the Enemies of the Holy See, to say that they were not sent to regulate abuses, but to scrape up Money for their own pockets, or the use of the Court of Rome: to prevent such clamours, Ivo proposes Hugh, Arch-Bishop of Lions, as the fittest person he can think of for this employment, in which he had heretofore acquitted himself with great applause, and done excellent service to the Church of Rome, and to those of France.

In the CX, he acquaints the Pope, that having almost resolv'd to resign his Bishoprick, by rea∣son of the excessive wickedness of his people, and his despairing of doing any good among them, he was got as far as the Alps, on his way towards Rome, to consult his Holiness on this occasion, when he was inform'd of a Treacherous design his Enemies had against him, which oblig'd him to return home and send Gualon, who could better pass unsuspected, and by whom he desires to know his Holiness's Opinion and Pleasure.

By the CXIth he requests Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, to Excommunicate Hugh, Lord of Pui∣set, as he had already done, for his violent and unjust practices against the Church of Chartres, and to interdict the use of Divine Service in the Village of Merville, which sided with him.

In the CXIIth he tells the Dean and Chapter of Paris, that they have power to Excommunicate any under their Jurisdiction, as has the Church of Chartres, and several others: But he blames them for receiving into their Church Hugh Earl of Puiset, and his followers, whom he had Excom∣municated.

By the CXIIIth, he sends word to Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, that he is glad of the Election of Manasses to the Bishoprick of Meaux, and is ready to assist at his Ordination, if it be at any place whither he may securely come, or obtain a Pass-port for his safety; otherwise, he would con∣sent and approve of it by Letters under his own hand. The CXVth Letter is to the same purpose.

In the CXIVth, he assures John Bishop of Orleans, that his Conscience cannot in the least accuse him of having done any thing that should Offend King Lewis; (the Son of Philip, Surnamed le Gros,) and as to Hugh Earl of Puiset, and his Companion, he cannot receive them into the Church, till they have given good satisfaction for their Offences.

In the CXVIth, he intreats Adela, Countess of Chartres, not to give credit to, nor encourage a∣ny malicious and false Stories that shall be brought to her against him.

By the CXVIIth Letter, he acquaints Pope Paschal, that he had publish'd the Injunctions sent him by his Holiness, for the reforming some abuses in the Church, which were so well receiv'd by his Brethren, the Clergy of his Diocess, that few show'd any dislike of them; but that some addi∣tions were thought necessary for the Honour and Liberty of the Churches, which he prays the Pope to confirm, that Posterity may be oblig'd to observe them.

The CXVIIIth Letter to Henry King of England, requests him again, to bestow somewhat on the Church of Chartres.

In the CXIXth, he tells Daimbert, that though the opposition made against the validity of Manas∣ses's Election was without any just ground, yet, to leave no room for suspicion or calumny, he thinks it convenient that some of the Clergy of Meaux vouch for him upon their Oaths, and that then he may proceed to Consecrate him publickly.

The CXXth Letter is to Robert Earl of Ponthieu and Bellême, whose Territories were put under an interdict, by the Bishop of Seés. This Earl had sent to Ivo for some of the Consecrated Chrism, which he tells him, he must be forc'd to refuse him, because the Canons absolutely forbid a Bishop's Communicating with any person Excommunicated by another Bishop: He assures him neverthe∣less, that he is heartily sorry for his sufferings, and should be glad if he might have an opportunity of doing him any service.

In the CXXIst, he expostulates with Adela Countess of Chartres, concerning the outrages com∣mitted by her Servants upon his Ecclesiasticks, and assures her, he is ready to assist them in obliging her to do them Justice, if she shall not think fit to endeavour it upon this third admonition from him.

The CXXIId to Volgrin, Arch-Deacon of Paris, asserts, that a Jewish Woman marrying with a Christian Husband, and afterwards returning to Judaism, is not freed from her Conjugal Vow, nor, though she leave him, can the Man marry with any other Woman during her Life.

In the CXXIIId to Gaultier, Library-Keeper of the Church of Beauvais, he gives his Opinion of a difficult case he had consulted him upon, viz. how he should proceed against a Priest, who had in a prophane manner, made use of other Ceremonies and words than are prescribed in the Form of marriage? Ivo tells him, he had never yet heard of so foul a Sacrilege, nor was there any pro∣vision against it in the Canons; and therefore, this being a Crime wholly new and unparallell'd, some more than ordinary punishment ought to be inflicted on the Author of it: However, not to deal too severely without Warrant and Authority from Scripture or the Ecclesiastical Laws, he thinks it sufficient that such Punishment be laid on him as the Canons order to be inflicted upon those that violate the Sacraments and holy things.

In the CXXIVth, Ivo acquaints Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, that Hugh Earl of Puiset having restored to the Church of Chartres their Goods he had detained, and given security for what he had taken from himself and his Domesticks, he desires he may be Absolv'd from the Excommunication he lay under: But, as to King Lewis (le Gros,) he tells him, that Prince will not be yet reconcil'd

to him, because he refuses to bestow Preferment on one who had begun a cruel Schism in the Church of Chartres.

In the CXXVth to the same Arch-Bishop, he gives his Opinion, that those whose Wives had Com∣mitted Adultery while they were absent in the Holy-Land, ought either to be reconciled to their Wives, or, remain unmarried to any others during their Lives.

In the CXXVIth, he returns his thanks to the same Arch-Bishop, for advising him to be reconcil'd with the Countess of Chartres, to which he tells him, he is very well inclin'd, but that he cannot release his Clergy from an Oath they had oblig'd themselves by, not to admit into their Church any but the Sons of Free-men.

By the CXXVIIth to King Lewis, he excuses himself for not waiting on his Majesty, because he was not in a condition to take a Journey, when His Majesty's Orders came to him: And besides, having agreed with the Countess of Chartres, to refer the difference between them to the Bishop of Albane, he thought it would look unfair or suspicious in him to go to Court before the Arrival of that Bishop.

In the CXXVIIIth, he sends word to Odon, a Regular Canon of St. Quintin in Beduvais, that he does not care to enter into Conference, or to have any thing to do with the person he was sending to him, who had been his bitter Enemy.

In the CXXIXth, he writes to Geofry, Earl of Vendome, not to marry with the Vicountess of Blois, whose first Husband was his Kinsman, and threatens him with Excommunication if he venture to do it.

In the CXXXth, he sends the same message to the Vicountess of Blois, and advises her to defer the Marriage, at least, till the scruple about their Consanguinity be cleared and tried before him.

In the CXXXIst, he advises Volgrin, Arch-Deacon of Paris, not to suffer a Priest who had resign'd his Benefice to him, to re-enter it again by force; and if he attempt it to Excommunicate him and all that shall dare to assist him.

In the CXXXIId, he prays Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, to punish a Priest of Stampae, in his Diocess, who had abus'd a Clergy-man of the Church of Chartres; and asks his Advice about a Dispute among the Clergy of that Church about Moneys that had been expended out of the com∣mon Stock, to defray the charge of a deputation to the King, to demand Justice against the bold enterprizes of the Countess of Chartres.

The CXXXIIId Letter is to Richard, Bishop of Albane, the Pope's Legate, who had accus'd him of conniving at Simony in his Diocess: Ivo clears himself from this Aspersion, and tells him, if the Dean and Chanter, and the other Church Officers demand a Fee of every one that is admitted to a Canonry, 'tis what he cannot prevent, and has endeavour'd to remedy, but a Custom they plead Authority for, from the Example of the Church of Rome, where the Chamberlains and the other Officers of the Sacred Palace, exact of the Bishops and Abbots that come for Consecration ex∣cessive Sums, under the Specious names of Oblations, or Benedictions; and that though he has en∣deavoured, with all his might, to Banish this wicked custom out of his Church, yet he is forc'd to yield to the practice of it by the iniquity of the Times.

In the CXXXIVth Letter, to Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, he asserts, and proves from good Authorities, that a Daughter promised in Marriage by her Father, to another Man's Son, is not bound thereby when she comes to Years of Discretion, though her Father be then Living. Ivo ac∣quaints the Arch-Bishop likewise, that William, Son of the Countess of Chartres, notwithstanding, the Accommodation between them, and without any provocation given, had himself Sworn, and compell'd others to take an Oath at the Altar, to destroy him and his whole Clergy, if they will not yield to his unreasonable pretensions; that, thereupon, he had refus'd to Celebrate Divine Service, when they are in the Church, and to give them the Episcopal Benediction, daily us'd; but that he defer'd pronouncing them Excommunicate, till he had the advice and assistance of the Arch-Bishop, and the rest of his Brethren.

The CXXXVth, is sent to Pope Paschal, by a Knight, who came from the Siege of Jerusalem: This Knight had caus'd a Priest of Bonneval to be Gelt, for detecting his Servants in a Robberry; for this unparallell'd presumption, Ivo had cashier'd him and enjoyn'd him a severe penance for Four∣teen Years; to which he readily submitted; but, his Enemies taking advantage of his misfortunes, and Beginning to be very troublesom to him, the Knight begs leave of Ivo to permit him to use his Arms again, in his own defence; Ivo, upon great intercession made for him, recommends him to the Popes mercy for absolution.

The CXXXVIth Letter is to Adela, Countess of Chartres, telling her that, if his inclinations were for War and broils, he had the offer of such potent succours, as might Enable him to create her great disturbance; but, Peace he had always desir'd, and thought it had been firmly setled between them, till he had the News of her Son William's rash Oath, to ruin him and his Church; that, out of re∣spect to her, he had, hitherto, forborn to Excommunicate him, and hoped she would contrive some means to prevent all such irregularities for the future.

The CXXXVIIth is to the Chapter of Beauvais, concerning one of their Canons, who was pro∣secuted by an Action of Law in the King's Court of Justice: Ivo minds them, that by the orders of the Church, no Clergyman is to be Cited before any but the Ecclesiastical Judges, and that if they have Courage enough, they ought to endure any thing rather than the loss of their Rights and Pri∣vileges; but if they cannot resolve to suffer in defence of them, he can only advise them to submit to what they cannot remedy, and assist them by his Prayers, for their prudent Behaviour and good Success.

The CXXXVIIIth Letter, to Volgrin and Steven, Arch-Deacons of Paris, is occasion'd by the great contests among the Clergy of that City, about the Election of a Bishop: Ivo declares, he will never consent to any Election that is not made by the unanimous consent of the Clergy, and People, and Confirmed by the Metropolitan and his Suffragans: he admonishes them not to be sway'd by hatred or Ambition, and wonders at their consenting to a hearing of this cause before the King.

In the CXXXIXth, he puts Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, in mind, that the contest, about the Election of a Bishop of Paris, ought to be determined by him in Consistory, and that he should Convene the Bishops his Suffragans, for that purpose, when and where he pleas'd.

In The CXLth, he Asserts, that no Man-ought to Scruple assisting at Divine Service, or receiving the Sacrament from the hands of a Priest suspected of Scandal, or notorious for an ill Life.

In The CXLIst, he assures Richard, Bishop of Albane and Legat of the Holy See, that he should as heartily rejoyce at King Philip's absolution, as he had griev'd at his being Excommunicate; if it might be for the Honour of God and of the Holy See, to grant it; that, though he somewhat doubts of the Sincerity of the King's Conversion, yet he will not oppose his being Absolv'd; but ad∣vises that the Ceremony be perform'd as publickly, and Solemnly as is possible, and rather at any other place than at Sens: He tells him, moreover, he would willingly appear at the Council he Summons him to, if he will obtain for him the King's Passport, without which he dares not venture abroad, his Majesty having been incens'd against him for these Ten Years past. This Letter was written in the Year 1104.

The CXLIId is a Letter of Thanks to Mathilda, Queen of England, for the Bells she had given to the Church of Chartres, and her promise of repairing and New-Adorning that Church.

The CXLIIId carries Ivo's acknowledgments, to Robert Earl of Meulan, for the kind reception he gave to Richard Abbot of Preaux, and Prays him to hasten the Restitution of the goods of his Monastery.

The CXLIVth informs Pope Paschal of what was done in the Assembly of Bishops, call'd toge∣ther at Baugency, by his Legat, Girard, Bishop of Albane, to be witnesses of the Separation of King Philip and Bertrade. He tells him, they were both ready to Swear, upon the Holy Evangelists, that they would Forbear all Carnal knowledge of each other; the Legate would have had the Bishops have given judgment upon them, but they declin'd it, and so the whole came to Nothing: Ivo therefore, prays the Pope to put an End to this matter and dispense with the King as far as he can. He ac∣quaints the Pope, also, that Gualon not finding it possible to get possession of the Bishoprick of Beauvais, because of King Louis's Oath against admitting him, he hopes he may be Transfer'd to the See of Paris, to which he has been also Elected by the Clergy and People of that City.

In The CXLVth, he intreats Manasses Arch-Bishop of Rheims, to determine, as speedily as may be, whether Gualon shall continue Bishop of Beauvais, or not.

In The CXLVIth, he acquaints Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, that the Clergy and People of Paris have unanimously Elected Gualon, for their Bishop, and that since no Bishop can be Translated to another See without Leave from his Metropolitan, and the Popes Dispensation, he prays him to use his interest at Rome, to obtain one for Gualon.

In The CXLVIIth, he intercedes with Pope Paschal to dispense with the Oath taken by the Chap∣ter of Chartres, not to admit into their Fraternity, the Sons of such as had been Servants to any one, so that they may hereafter be allow'd to admit the Sons of any of the Earl of Chartres Dome∣sticks, or the Officers of the King's Revenues; and assures his Holiness that without abating of the Ri∣gour of that Oath, the Church of Chartres could never enjoy any Peace.

In The CXLVIIIth, to Hildebert, Bishop of Mans, he determines, that a certain Man who (as he writes) had promised Marriage to his Concubine in her Sickness, was bound by the Law of God, to acknowledge her, afterwards for his Wife.

In The CXLIXth, he exhorts William Arch-Bishop of Rouen, to Expel out of the Diocess of Lisi∣eux the Sons of Count Ranulf Flambard, who had seiz'd upon it, and to substitute in their place the Arch-Deacon of Eureux.

In the CLth, he excuses himself to Pope Paschal, for not coming to the Council held by him in the Month of March, of which he had not Notice time enough before hand.

In The CLIst, he complains to Walter Bishop of Beauvais, of his having Consecrated Odo, Abbot of St. Quintin, in that City, without his consent, and contrary to the Opinion and desires of the Fraternity of that House.

In The CLIId, he Stirs up Ledger, Arch-Bishop of Bourges, to Vindicate a certain Earl of his Country, who had formerly shewn himself his true Friend, from the abuses he suffers under.

In the CLIIId, he Earnestly exhorts William, Arch-Bishop of Rouen, and Gilbert Bishop of Eu∣reux, to drive out of the Bishoprick of Lisieux, Ranulf, Bishop of Durham, in England, and his two Sons, who had possess'd themselves of that Diocess.

In The CLIVth, he advises Robert Earl of Meulan, to petition the King of England not to coun∣tenance the usurpations of Ranulf.

In the CLVth, to Odo, Arch-Deacon of Orleans, Ivo Treats of this Question; if a Woman who has commited Fornication, and is great with Child may Marry? and concludes that, in strict∣ness, no great Bellied Woman, ought to have Carnal knowledge of any Man; but considering the infirmity of the Flesh, St. Paul advises Men to use their own Wives, for avoiding Fornication, al∣though they are with Child; and therefore, by consequence, a Man may Marry a Woman in that condition.

In the CLVIth, to Ulric, he solves another difficulty, viz, if, in Confession to a Priest, a man have own'd himself guilty of a Crime deserving Excommunication, the Priest ought publickly to refuse him the Communion of the Church? to which Ivo answers, That unless the fault be publickly Known, the Priest is not to take Notice of it, before others, but only to abhor it in his own heart, and to give publick Notice to his People, in general Terms, that those who are guilty of such Crimes are already Excommunicate in the sight of God.

In the CLVIIth, he gives Pope Pascal an Account of what had hapned in the Diocess of Lisieux; that, after Ranulf Flambard was driven out, who had kept it several Years by violence, William, Arch-Deacon of Eureux, was Canonically Elected Bishop, who deferring being Consecrated, upon Account of his Metropolitan's (the Arch-Bishop of Rouen's) being under Suspension, Flambard had prevail'd with the Duke of Normandy to put one of his Clergy into that See. Ivo having, thereupon, Counsell'd William to appeal, in person, to the Pope, intreats his Holiness to Confirm his Election, and to Consecrate him at Rome.

In the CLVIIIth, he acquaints Hugh, Arch-Bishop of Lions, that King Philip and his Son are re∣solv'd to make void the Marriage of Constance, the King's Daughter, and Hugh Earl of Troyes, be∣cause of their being too nearly Related, and desires the Arch-Bishop to send speedily to all the Bishops, summon'd to Court on this occasion, the Genealogy of both Families.

In the CLIXth, he writes to Pope Paschal, that, when any complain to him of Judgments given against them in the Court of Rome, he advises them to have recourse again to the Holy See, for re∣lief, not thinking it fit to remove into any other Court a Cause that has been determin'd there: This Method he has perswaded the Monks of St. Maur des Fossez to take, who had been forc'd by the Council of Tours, held, by Pope Urban, to Surrender to the Earl of Angers the Jurisdiction they had held for 300 Years, over the Monastery of St. Maur de Glanfeuil; and prays the Pope to examine, again, the Rights of their pretensions.

The CLXth, to Odo, Abbot of Jumieges, prays him to receive kindly a Monk who had left his Mo∣nastery, and desires to be admitted into it again.

The CLXIst, to the Provost of the Church of Rheims, asserts, that, a Man, who promises Mar∣riage to a Woman, and afterward Marries another, ought to be Divorc'd and return to his first Engagement.

In the CLXIId, he prays John Bishop of Orleans, to degrade, in as publick and severe a manner as may be, a certain Priest, who profanely Treated the Sacraments of the Church, before a Womans Statue.

In the CLXIIId, he perswades Geofry, Abbot of Vendôme, not to suffer one of his Monks to hold a Benefice he was possess'd of.

In the CLXIVth, Ivo reprimands Geofry, Abbot of Blois, for repenting of his having resign'd his Abbey into the hands of the Pope's Legate, and giving his voice for Maurice to succeed him.

The CLXVth, is a Letter of Thanks and Friend-ship, to Sampson Bishop of Worcester.

The CLXVIth, is to Humbald, Bishop of Auxerre, acquainting him that Hugh le Blanc having made his complaint to Bruno, Bishop of Signi, that Pontius, Nephew to the Bishop of Troyes, had Married his Daughter Mathilda, by Force, who had been promised by her Parents to Galeran, the King's Chamberlain, and that the Legate having given Orders to the Bishop of Paris to cite Pontius and Mathilda before him, to answer for themselves, that Bishop had Summon'd them to appear before a Council held by him, for that purpose, at Paris: There, Mathilda affirm'd that Pontius Married her without her consent, or that of her Parents; Pontius could not answer any thing in his own De∣fence, but stole out of Court: Then, Mathilda brought Ten witnesses to Swear she had been espou∣sed to another Man, and was Married to Pontius against her will; upon which the Bishops declar'd the Marriage Null, and that she was free to Marry any other Man. Ivo acquaints the Bishop of Au∣xerre with these particulars, understanding that one of his Diocess had a mind to Marry her, which he assures him he may doe without Scruple. This Letter was written in the Year, 1106.

In the CLXVIIth, he writes to the Bishop of Mans, to hinder the Marriage of one who had al∣ready Engag'd himself to another Woman.

In the CLXVIIIth Letter, to Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, he speaks of the difference that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 been between the Viscount of Chartres and Count Rotroc, about a Farm, in the Diocess of Char∣•…•… The former of them had given it to Ivo, Lord of Courbeville, whom the party of R••troc seiz'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kept prisoner, though he were one of those appointed to go to the Holy Land: The Viscount of Chartres having complain'd of this matter to the Pope, his Holiness appointed the Arch-Bishop of Sens, the Bishops of Chartres and Orleans, Commissioners to settle it.

Ivo Bishop of Chartres, after he has, by this Letter, instructed Daimbert in the merits of the cause advises him to take care how he proceeds in it, and to consider if it will be most advisable for them to Excommunicate Rotroc, or to cite both parties before them: Daimbert is of opinion that they are oblig'd, by the Popes Letter to them, immediately to Excommunicate Rotroc; but Ivo, thinking this too hard measure, consults Gualon, Bishop of Paris, about it, in the 169th Letter; and in the 170th Letter, tells Daimbert, again, that he cannot joyn in so unjust an action, as cutting off one from the Communion of the Church, before he be found, upon fair Tryal, to deserve it, especially, since Rotroc is willing to stand to the Examination and Sentence of their Court, which his Adver∣saries decline doing as much as they can. In his Letter, also, he determines that a Woman that Marries her Husband's Murderer ought not to be separated from him, if she can justify her self from having a hand in the Murder, and the Man can offer reasonable proof, that he had never Carnal knowledge of her during her Husband's Life, nor contriv'd his Death, to have the enjoyment of her to himself.

In the CLXXIst Letter, he tells Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, that he scarce knows how to advise him to deal with some he had Excommunicated for stealing the goods of the Church, and

violating the observation of Holy-Days; if he receive them to the Communion again, before they have made restitution, 'twill be directly contrary to the Laws; if he persist in keeping them out, he must, of necessity, incur the King's displeasure: And though, if he have Courage enough, he ought to see that the Rigour of discipline be observ'd; yet, because such severity may occasion dis∣mal inconveniences, he advises him to use moderation; chiefly because the administration of tem∣poral Affairs naturally belongs to Kings, who are not, unadvisedly, to be exasperated, if they sometimes go beyond the bounds of their Authority, but must be left to God's Judgment, when they will not yield to the humble admonitions and Remonstrances of the Clergy. for his part, Ivo protests, that were he oblig'd, in obedience to his Superiors, to readmit an Excommunicate person in to the Church, without penance or satisfaction, he would do it by some such Form as this;

Do not deceive your Self; I admit you into the visible Church, notwithstanding the Crimes you are guilty of; but I cannot open to you the Gates of the Kingdom of Heaven, and therefore I absolve you, no farther than I have power to do it; those of more Courage and Piety, may find out bet∣ter methods in such cases. This seems to me proper enough; not that I hereby prescribe to others, but to prevent farther mischiefs to the Church, think it best to submit, thus far, to the necessity of the Times.

The CLXXIId Letter contains a judgment given by Ivo, in Favour of the Monks of St. Laurner at Blois, against the Abbot and Monks of Vendôme concerning a Chappel, near Baugency, which he adjudges to belong to the Jurisdiction of the former, notwithstanding the Abbot of Vendôme's having appeal'd to the Holy See.

In the CLXXIIId, he relates to Pope Paschal, what had pass'd at the Tryal of Rotroc, who, he tells him, has now appeal'd to his Holiness.

In the CLXXIVth, he assures Mathilda, Queen of England, that he will pray for the Soul of her Brother (Edgar, King of Scotland, who died, without issue, in the Year 1107.) for though he doubts not but his Soul is in Abraham's bosom; yet since we cannot be certain of the State of Souls in the other World, it is a piece of commendable Devotion to pray even for those in Heaven, that their happiness may be augmented; and for those in Purgatory, that their sins may be forgiven them.

In the CLXXVth, he excuses himself to Pope Paschal, for not appearing at the Council he cites him to, (held at Troyes, Anno 1107.) by reason of his being very much indispos'd; but tells his Holiness, he has sent his three Arch-Deacons in his stead.

In the CLXXVIth, to the same Pope, he prays him not to oblige Volgrin Chancellor of the Church of Chartres to accept of the Bishoprick of Dol, to which he was Elected by the Deputies of that Church in the Council of Troyes; and.

In the CLXXVIIth Letter, he acquaints the Clergy of Dol, that Volgrin will not accept of that Bishoprick.

In the CLXXVIIIth, he Counsels Geofry, Bishop of Beauvais, to punish one of his Clergy, who had admitted to Divine Service and consorted with an Excommunicated person.

In the CLXXIXth, to Adela, Countess of Chartres, he complains of her denying the Clergy of his Church the privileges of Travelling the Roads and of buying Bread and Wine, and threatens her, in case she do not Revoke the Orders she has publish'd to this Effect, that the whole Clergy of the Province shall dayly curse her at the high Altar.

The CLXXXth Letter gives Ledger, Arch-Bishop of Bourges, advice to abate sometimes the Rigour of justice; and not to be so wholly govern'd by some of his Clergy, as not to doe any thing but ac∣cording to their Pleasures, even in judicial matters; as hapned lately, in the case of Arnoulf of Vierson, who was so exasperated by his hard usage, that he was forc'd to appeal to Rome, upon the very first hearing before them.

The CLXXXIst is to Richard, Bishop of Albane, the Popes Legate, upon a dispute between the Monks of Vezelay and those of St. Lucian at Beauvais, about a Church they both of them laid claim to.

The CLXXXIId is to Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, concerning a difference between Ivo and the Chapter of Chartres, who had oppos'd and violently affronted him, for conferring the Office of Sub-Dean upon Fulk: The Arch-Bishop is agreed upon to be Judge between them, and Ivo prays him to appoint the day and place, where their cause shall be heard, which he wishes may be at Chartres.

In the CLXXXIII, to William, Bishop of Paris, he asserts, that if a Man challenge a Woman for his Wife, upon pretence that her Father promis'd her to him, he must bring witnesses of such pro∣mise, and that the Tryal by single combat is not to be allowed in cases of this Nature.

The CLXXXIVth, to Walter, Library-Keeper of Beauvais, maintains, that all Actions about Goods belonging to the Church are to be brought before Ecclesiastical Judges.

In the CLXXXVth, he gives answer to what William, Arch-Bishop of Rouen had written him about one who had gottten himself Ordain'd Sub-Deacon, before he had pass'd the inferior degrees of Holy Orders: In strictness of Law, Ivo acknowledges, that he should not be permitted to exercise the functions of the Order he has obtain'd, nor to Rise to the higher Orders; however, if his Life and Conversation be unexceptionable and the good of the Church require it, he thinks the Arch-Bishop may give him the Clerical Benediction, and let him assist at Ordinations, not to be Re-Ordain'd, but to Confirm him in his Orders.

In the CLXXXVIth Letter, he Answers several Questions propos'd to him by Laurence, a Monk of the Monastery of Charity: 1. He asserts that we are oblig'd to avoid only those that are Ex∣communicated for the most notorious and abominable faults; 2. That of such we are not to receive any thing, but in extream necessity, nor, are we to give them any thing but for their relief, in utmost

want and misery; 3. That those of the Clergy who buy of Lay-men, goods that formerly belong'd to the Church, or receive such from them by way of Gift, are much to blame, if they doe it with any other design but of restoring them to the Church: 4. That, they who, in private Confession, discover themselves to be guilty of the greatest crimes are not, therefore, to be Excommunicated, nor put to publick penance, as publick offenders; however, they are to be admonish'd to abstain from the Sa∣crament, and from the Functions of their Orders, if they are Ecclesiasticks: 5. That the Sacraments are not the less profitable for being administred by wicked Priests, nor (6.) by Simoniacal ones, or such as are Married: 7. That the People ought not to abandon their Prelate, nor fail in their obedi∣ence to him, though in many respects blameable, till he is publickly Condemn'd or Excommunicated: 8. That Confession of common and small sins may be made to any Christian, but that great faults are to be confess'd only to those who have the power of binding and loosing: 9. That one may entertain an Excommunicated Person, provided he doe not Eat with him, nor salute him.

In the CLXXXVIIth, he admonishes the Countess of Chartres, to leave troubling the Abbot and Monks of Bonneval on Account of the murder of Hugh the Black.

In the CLXXXVIIIth, to Ralph, Arch-Bishop of Rheims, he delivers his opinion, That a Woman who is deliver'd of a Child within two or three Months after her Marriage, is not to be divorced from her Husband.

The CLXXXIXth contains Ivo's answer to the complaints of the Arch-Bishop and Clergy of Rheims, against the Arch-Bishop of Sens, for having Consecrated King Louis le Gros: Ivo remonstrates that the Consecration could not be longer deferr'd, that it could not be perform'd at Rheims, because Ralph was not then fully possess'd of that Archbishoprick, and the City of Rheims was under an Interdict; that, besides, he knows no Law that Orders that Office to be perform'd there, but can prove that several of the Kings of France have been Consecrated elsewhere, and by the Bishops of other Cities.

In the CXCth, Ivo gives Pope Paschal an Account of the Accommodation agreed to between the King and Ralph Arch-Bishop of Rheims, on condition that Ralph take an Oath of homage to the King for his Archbishoprick: This he says they were oblig'd to consent to, not as a thing necessary in it self, but to procure Peace, and prevent farther distraction in the Nation.

In the CXCIst, he intercedes with Hugh Abbot of Cluny in behalf of one of his Monastery, whom he had degraded, upon an accusation brought against him of having procur'd abortion to a Woman great with Child, before he took the vow of a Monk upon him. Ivo thinks his punishment too severe, and that though the fact were clearly prov'd against him, as it is not, he should not suffer for ever, for a fault he may have long since repented of.

In the CXCIId, to the Monks of Colombs, near Nogent le Roi, he disswades them from hearkning to the advice somebody had been giving them of quitting their Monastery, because their Superiors had taken away some Tithes, belonging to the Bishop's Jurisdiction; he shews them, that they ought ra∣ther to remain in subjection to their Superiors, and live upon such Tithes as the Church shall in Cha∣rity allow to the Monasteries, as she does to Hospitals, than turn Sarabaites and live upon the goods of the poor, or the gain of usury: nevertheless, he blames the Abbots and Superiors of Monasteries for buying Tithes of Lay-men for their own uses, to the damage of the Church, though this be no reason for the Monks to withdraw themselves from the Monasteries and the Subjection they have sworn to them: he approves well enough of the Lives of such Anchorets as, after having been train'd up in Monasteries, retire wholly into Solitudes; but highly blames those who make it their business to run from Town to Town to be admir'd at themselves, and proudly despise all that are not of their profession, desiring to be thought Masters, before they have been Scholars.

In the CXCIIId, he advises Geofrey, Bishop of Beauvais, not to infringe the Privileges granted to the Monastery of St. Quintin, by the Bishops his predecessors, and confirm'd to them by the Authorities of the Holy See and the King's Majesty.

In the CXCIVth, he sends Notice to Hugh Dean of Orleans, and Volgrin, his Arch-Deacon, that he has Excommunicated Chenard, belonging to his Diocess, and therefore, according to the direction of the Canon, they are not to entertain him.

The CXCVth, is a very severe Answer to a displeasing Letter he had received from Geofrey, Abbot of Vendôme, with whom, for the future, he renounces all correspondence, till he behave himself better.

In the CXCVIth, to King Louis le Gros, he begs that Prince not to order process against the Abbot of St. Denys for what he is charg'd with by a certain Monk, who having own'd himself a Criminal, his Testimony against the innocence of others is not to be receiv'd.

In the CXCVIIth to William Abbot of Marmoutier, he agrees with him that a Priest, who, to fright his Enemies, set fire to his own house, and thereby unhappily Burnt a Neighbours Child, ought to un∣dergoe the penalties appointed by the Canons.

The CXCVIIIth, the CXCIXth, and the CCIst Letters are about a difference, between Gislebert, Nephew to the Arch-Bishop of Tours, and Geofrey Canon of that Church, concerning the Government of Sy••urre, the determination of which matter the Pope had put into the hands of Ivo Bishop of Chartres, and the Bishops of Paris and Soissons: By the two first Letters, he cites Gislebert, to appear before them and by the last, he acquaints the Pope, that, upon his refusing to own their Authority he had sent Geo∣frey to his Holiness for justice.

In the CCth Letter, he admonishes Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, to correct two Scandalous practices in his Church; one, of the Chaunter's holding another preferment, contrary to his Oath; the other, in one of the Chapter's keeping in his house two Women of very ill fame.

The CCIId Letter is a notable instance of the Liberty us'd by Ivo, in dealing with the greatest Prin∣ces King Louis had sent to him for some Outlandish Furrs; Ivo tells him, 'tis not decent for a King to

ask such vanities of a Bishop, nor is he bound to obey any such Orders from a King; that he could not believe, at first, the Letter came from his Majesty, and sends this Answer, that he may not any more, make such requests to him, or any other Bishop, if he desire they should retain a due esteem for his Majesty.

In the CCIIId, to Lisiard, Bishop of Soissons, he shews him, from good Authority, that he has a Right to demand of the Arch-Deacons of his Diocess, part of the profits due to the Bishop, which they have taken upon them to receive for themselves, both before and since his accession to the Bishoprick.

By the CCIVth, he informs Pope Paschal, that he had Excommunicated Guy of Puiset, for his Sacrilegious and outragious attempts against the Church of Chartres, and petitions his Holiness to Con∣firm the Excomunication, and to Order the Arch-Bishop of Sens and the Bishops of Paris and Orleans, to publish it in their Churches: he informs the Pope, likewise, of a difference between the Dean and Sub-Dean of Chartres, and prays him to compose it.

The CCVth Letter is written to a Knight, who suspected his Wife to have been with Child by ano∣ther man, because he had been absent from her seven days longer than is usual between the times of con∣ception and bringing forth, and because the person whom he suspected of being too familiar with her had been Burnt in passing the Tryal of Ordeal: As to the computation of Time, Ivo tells him, that ought not to sway him, since many Women goe much longer with Child, and, for the Tryal by fire, no heed is to be given to it, so that these two Reasons prove nothing against the honesty of his Wife, whose Oath and the good word of her Neighbours and Acquaintance ought fully to suffice in Vindica∣tion of her.

In the CCVIth Letter, to Hildebert, Bishop of Mans, he Examines, by what Method an Eccle∣siastick accus'd of Crimes or Misdemeanors is to purge himself; and says that, heretofore, his single Oath was sufficient, but that for better Security, the Oaths of six or seven other Clergymen have been re∣quir'd, together with that of the party's.

The CCVIIth is a Letter of Thanks to the Bishop of Worcester.

In the CCVIIIth Letter, Ivo reproves Geofrey, Abbot of Vendome, that, having quitted that place and retir'd into a private Cell, he entertains there Monks that are disobedient to and abuse their Abbot, and that he hinders those who hold Estates of the Abbot from doing homage to him.

In the CCIXth he represents to Hugh, Earl of Troyes, that the Consultation intended to be held at Sens about the validity of the King's Marriage with the Marquess Boniface's Daughter, the Earls Kinswoman, will neither be honourable, nor of any advantage to her: It will be to no purpose, because the Marriage will certainly be declar'd Null by the Bishops and Lords of the Realm; nor will it be for her honour, because it will occasion the illegitimacy of her Birth to be talk'd of; so that, Ivo ad∣vises the Earl to hinder, if he can, all debates about that matter.

In the CCXth he writes Pope Paschal word that Odo, Bishop of Cambray, complains of his Holi∣ness, for turning out of the Arch-Deaconry of his Church, one who was a zealous friend of the Holy See, and putting in one who is an Enemy to it.

In the CCXIth, to Ralph, Arch-Bishop of Rheims, he deduces the Genealogies of the Earl of Flan∣ders, and the Daughter of the Earl of Rennes, to shew they are nearly Related.

The CCXIIth to Geofrey Bishop of Beauvais, is about the validity of a Donation granted to the Monastery of St. Simphorien.

In the CCXIIIth, to John Bishop of Orleans, he proves that the Regular Clergy may have Cure of Souls and Parishes committed to them.

In the CCXIVth, to Bruno, Arch-Bishop of Treves, he bemoans the sad State of Religion, under the unhappy divisions between the Church and the Civil Government.

The CCXVth is a Letter of compliment and friendship, to Thomas, Arch-Bishop of York.

In the CCXVIth, and CCXVIIth Letters, he give Richard, Bishop of Albane, Legate of the Holy See, an account of the dispute between the Monks of Bonneval and those of Blois, which he tells him he had us'd his best endeavours to accommodate, but could not yet effect it.

In the CCXVIIIth, he writes, to Gualon, Bishop of Paris, that the Canon of that Church, who had lately been Married, ought to loose his preferment and be degraded from being a Clergy-man, but that his Marriage must remain good and valid.

In the CCXIXth, he justifies himself, to Pope Paschal, for having divided part of a Prebend of his Church among the Canons, by dayly distributions, for the Encouragement of such as assisted, con∣stantly, in performing Divine Service.

In the CCXXth, to Hildebert, Bishop of Mans, he shews, that when an appeal is made from one Judge to another, the party concern'd is, within five days after he appeals, to get a Letter from the first Judge to the other he appeals to, who is not else oblig'd to take cognizance of the Matter. He asserts, also, in this Letter, that it is not in the power of any Bishop, to give up the Estate of a Reli∣gious Society to the sole disposal of the Abbot.

In the CCXXIst Letter, to John Bishop of Orleans, concerning a free-man's having Married a Slave, without knowing her to be so; Ivo says that, by the Civil Law, the Marriage is void, and he may quit her and marry another Woman; but that, by the Laws of God and of Nature, they ought to keep to∣gether, or at least, if he put her away he may not marry again.

In the CCXXIId, to the Clergy of Autun, he inquires, if a Woman that has been guilty of Adul∣tery, must necessarily be Divorc'd from her husband, and concludes that in strictness, she ought; but, by the wisdom of the Gospel, such a Temper was prescrib'd as may reconcile her to her husband.

In the CCXXIIId, to Owen, Bishop of Eureux, he perswades him to Excommunicate and deny Christian Burial, to such as embezil the Patrimony of the Church.

In the CCXXIVth, he tells Guy, Abbot of Molême, that one of his Monks having been with him and acknowledged with great Sorrow, that he took Orders for the sake of Temporal gain only, though by the Rigour of the Canons he ought for ever to be turn'd out of the Clergy, yet having ex∣press'd true Repentance for his Sin, he thinks he may be permitted to retain his Orders, and to Exercise the Functions of them.

In the CCXXVth, to Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, he delivers his judgment, that a certain per∣son who came and confess'd that, before he was Married, he had Carnal knowledge of his Wife's Sister, ought to be deem'd ever after, infamous, and his evidence not to be heard against any man; that he ought also to be Divorc'd from his Wife and live the rest of his Life unmarried; but that his Wife should have her Portion back again.

CCXXVIth, he requests Bernier, Abbot of Bonneval, to receive kindly one of his Monks, who was sorry for having left his Monastery, and beg'd leave to come into it again.

The CCXXVIIth is a Letter of Condoleance to Pope Paschal; and acquaints him that being desi∣rous of bestowing a Prebend, in his Church, upon Guarin, he is oppos'd therein by the Dean and Chapter.

In the CCXXVIIIth, to Gonhier, a Priest, Ivo answers a Scruple he had propos'd to him, viz. How to reconcile these words of the Prophet Ezechiel, (At what time-soever a sinner shall Repent, and turn from the Evil of his ways, he shall save his Soul alive, or be forgiven,) with the Sentence and discipline of the Ecclesiastical Canons, which suspends, for some time, even penitents from the Sacra∣ment of the Lords Supper? and how it comes to pass, that those whom Christ, who is the head, im∣mediately releases, the Church who is the body should detain under the Penalty of sin: This difficulty, Ivo says, 'tis Easie to solve, if we consider the manner of God's remitting sins and the frailty of Man∣kind; that God, who knows the heart, forgives the sin as soon as he sees the heart is converted, but that the Church, which knows not the inward thoughts of a Man, cannot absolve a sinner till his Conversion be made evident by Publick Signs of it.

In the CCXXIXth, to Lisiard, Bishop of Soissons, he declares that a Man who defames a Married Woman, to any of her Relations, by saying he had Carnal knowledge of her before her Marriage, ought not to be admitted in Court as an evidence against her, because he is criminal himself by his own Confession.

In the CCXXXth, to Hildebert, Bishop of Mans, he asserts that a Jewish Woman who turns Chri∣stian may not quit her husband, nor Marry another, at least unless her husband were her near Relation.

In the CCXXXIst, to Pontius, Abbot of Cluny, after giving some mystical reasons of the Elevation of the Chalice and the Host and the Signs of the Cross made upon those occasions, he delivers his opi∣nion that a Monk who was forc'd to make himself an Eunuch, to prevent Epileptick fits he was subject to, may notwithstanding be allow'd to take Orders.

In the CCXXXIId, to Hildebert, Bishop of Mans, he maintains that a Man who had been too fa∣miliar with his Wife's Mother before his Marriage, ought not to be Divorc'd from his Wife, but upon good proof of his having been carnally joyn'd to the Mother.

In the CCXXXIIId, to Henry Abbot of St. John d' Angeli, he declares that he adheres to the opi∣nion of the Popes, Gregory and Urban, touching Investitures given by Lay-men, and believes that they who allow them the power of bestowing Church-preferments are Schismaticks; nor is he affraid of hereby offending Pope Paschal, who has own'd in several Letters to him that what he had done with Relation to the Investitures, he had been constrain'd to do by the violence of others, but was still in his heart of another opinion.

In the CCXXXIVth, he perswades William, Abbot of Marmoutier, to end his quarrels with Ralph, Arch-Bishop of Tours; and in the CCXXXVth, he tells that Arch-Bishop, he is glad that the Bishops of Mans and Angers Labour to procure Peace between him and the Abbot.

The CCXXXVIth Letter is written in the Name of Daimbert, Arch-Bishop of Sens, and his Suffra∣gans, to John, Arch-Bishop of Lions, who had summon'd them to a Council, call'd at Anse, near Lions, to consult about matters of Faith and the dispute of Investitures. They assure him, though they have a great respect for him, yet they will not go beyond the limits set them by their Ancestors, and that the Holy Fathers allow'd no Authority to the Bishop of the Chief See to call the other Bishops to any Council, out of their peculiar Provinces, unless by the Express command of the Holy See, or that, upon some Controversy, which could not be Terminated within the Province, any of the Bishops of it should appeal to the Primate. As to the matter of Investitures, propos'd to be Treated of in this Council, they tell him it cannot be done without discovering the nakedness of their Father the Pope; and besides, 'twould be needless to have any thing prov'd against persons they dare not pass Sentence upon; that the Pope may be excus'd for granting Investiture since he did it only by force and in cases of necessity; that 'tis foolishly done of some to bestow the name of heresie upon Investitures, since here∣sie can be only in matters of Faith, not in the Practice and Discipline of the Church; or at most, those only can be reckon'd guilty of error who suppose some Sacrament or Grace conferr'd by the Investi∣ture, if ever any were so weak as to think so; that however, Investitures are an Invasion upon the Rights and Liberties of the Churches, and ought to be abolish'd in all places, where it may be Ef∣fected without endangering a Schism.

The CCXXXVIIth is the Arch-Bishop of Lions's answer to the foregoing Letter, wherein he protests he did not mean to force them out of their Province, to a Council, but only desir'd to Confer with them, and ask their advises about the State of the Church; not but that the Church of Lions has such Authority over the other Churches of France: As to the persons he would have Treated about, he says, there is not one of them but ought to submit to the pleasure of a Council, even Kings and Em∣perors being subject to the Authority of the Bishops; that he did not design to uncover, but to hide the nakedness of their Father the Pope; that no dangers nor obstacles ought to hinder them from cou∣rageously

defending the cause of the Church; that those who approve of Investitures remaining in the hands of the Laity are Hereticks in their hearts; that he will not usurp any undue Authority over the Diocess of Sens, but prays them to-remember, 'twas always Subject to the Primacy of the Arch-Bishop of Lions.

In the CCXXXVIIIth Letter, to Pope Paschal, Ivo endeavours to disswade him from constituting a Bishop over the Church of Tournay, and exempting it from the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Noyon, it has been under these 400 Years; least his Holiness, by so doing, create a misunderstanding between the King and the Clergy, and raise such a Schism as hapned in Germany.

In the CCXXXIXth, he Compliments King Loüis le Gros, upon his intended Marriage with a Niece of the Earl of Flanders.

In the CCXLth, he warns a certain Monk of the Scandal he occasions by his too great familiarity with a Nun.

In the CCXLIst he writes to Humbaud, Bishop of Auxerre, not to suffer a Cause, already determin'd in the Ecclesiastical Courts, to be brought again before the Earl, or any Secular Judge.

In the CCXI IId, to Owen, Bishop of Eureux, he explains himself concerning his having given his opinion that a Free-man, who had Married a Slave, without knowing her to be such, ought to be Di∣vorc'd from her; and adds that this is not dissolving a Lawful Marriage, but only declaring that 'tis unlawful for them to live together any longer, their Marriage being Null by Law.

In the CCXLIIId, to Gualon, Bishop of Paris, he says that a Marriage concluded on by the Pa∣rents, between two Children in their Cradles, is of no force.

The CCXLIVth is written to Pope Paschal, in favour of Hubert, Bishop of Senlis, accus'd by some of his Clergy, to the Metropolitan, of selling Holy Orders. He had met with hard usage from the Bishops of his own Province, and therefore appeals to the Pope, to whom Ivo recommends his Case.

The CCXLVth is to Hugh, Earl of Troyes, who having Listed himself for the Holy Land, design'd to put away his Wife and live in Celebacy. Ivo commends his Resolution, but advises him to do it with his Wife's consent and to lead a Regular Life.

In the CCXLVIth to Lisiard, Bishop of Soissons, he declares that 'tis not allowable for a Man to Marry two Sisters, successively, though the Marriage with the former of them were not consummated.

In the CCXLVIIth, to John Bishop of Orleans, Ivo highly blames him that, upon a quarrel between the Earl of Orleans and Ralph Lord of Baugency, he and his Church had consented that they should de∣cide it by single Combat: And,

In the CCXLVIIIth, he advises the latter to carry himself respectfully towards the Earl of Orleans.

In the CCXLIXth, to Gilbert, Arch-Deacon of Paris, he affirms, that those who had been assistant and consenting to an Adultery, cannot be receiv'd as witnesses against the Adulteress.

In the CCLth, he intercedes with Pope Paschal, that he will grant to Ralph, Bishop of Rochester, Elected to the See of Canterbury, the Confirmation of that Dignity, and also the Pallium which he is not able to come and ask in person of his Holiness.

In the CCLIst to Manasses, Bishop of Meaux, he tells him, he did well to refuse administring the Vi∣aticum (or last Sacrament) to a dying person, who was troubled with a constant vomiting.

In the CCLIId, he writes to Ralph, Arch-Bishop of Rheims, that he thinks it unreasonable that a Woman suspected of Adultery by her husband, should undergo the Tryal of Ordeal, but that it is suf∣ficient for her to purge her self upon Oath.

In the CCLIIId, he recommends to King Loüis's favour and protection Godfrey, Bishop of Amiens, who had met with ill usage in his Diocess.

In the CCLIVth, he vouches for Geofrey, Arch-Bishop of Roüen, to Pope Paschal, that it was not in his power to wait upon his Holiness at Rome, as he would otherwise have done.

The CCLVth is a Letter of Consolation to Ralph Abbot of Fusein, in his sickness; exhorting him to bear his afflictions patiently, and to see one chosen in his stead to govern the Monastery, if he find him∣self uncapable of doing it: telling him also, that the Extream Unction being a Sacrament needs not be Repeated.

In the CCLVIth, he disswades Rainaud, a Monk, from turning Hermite.

In the CCLVIIth, he gives Philip, Bishop of Troyes, an Account of the Accommodation made by the Regular Canons of St. Quintin, at Beauvais between Odo Prior of St. Georges, and some of his Canons.

In the CCLVIIIth, he recommends to Pope Paschal the Affairs of Hubert, Bishop of Senlis.

In the CCLIXth, he expostulates with Ralph, Arch-Bishop of Rheims, concerning a Judgment he had given against the Church of St. Quintin, at Beauvais with Relation to a Mill they claim'd Right to; and lays before him the wrong he conceives done to them.

In the CCLXth, he assures Steven of Guarland, the King's Chancellor, that he may with a safe Conscience, be Elected to succeed Gualon, Bishop of Paris, who is to be remov'd to Beauvais.

In the CCLXIst, he disswades Henry, King of England, from Marrying his Daughter to Hugh, an Earl in the Diocess of Chartres, there being too near a Relation between them.

In the CCLXIId, to Pontius, Abbot of Cluny, he shews him the reason, why in the Consecration of the Cup, at the Lord's Supper, the words [Mystery of Faith] are added, which were not us'd by our Saviour, at the Institution of this Sacrament? and says, (among other things) that this is done be∣cause we judge of the greatness of the Mystery contained in it not by the Senses but by Faith.

By the CCLXIIId, he represents to the Clergy of Beauvais, how much he is griev'd for their sufferings.

In the CCLXIVth, he intercedes with King Louis, for the Clergy and People of that City.

In the CCLXVth, he acquaints that Prince, how much he had been misinform'd by some, who had suggested to him that the Clergy of the Church of Chartres, do invade the Rights of the Chapter and represents to him, that they only hinder them from some exactions prohibited by the Holy See.

In the CCLXVIth to Conon, Bishop of Palestine, and Legate of the Holy See, in France, after gi∣ving him an Account of his having Excommunicated Hugh, for a breach of Peace, he prays him to make choice of wise and Religious Persons to be judges at the Tryal he is to have with the Monks of Mar∣moutier, for the Church of St Nicholas de Courbeville.

The CCLXVIIth Letter is to the same Legate, about the same Affair: Ivo, therein sends his ex∣cuse, that he could not wait on him in person to plead for himself.

In the CCLXVIIIth, he writes to the Bishops of Beauvais, Chalons, Amiens and Senlis, Commissioners for hearing this Cause, letting them know that judgment had already been given, in favour of the Bishop of Chartres, by Hugh, Bishop of Die, in a Council held at Issoudun.

In the CCLXIXth, he tells Bernier, Abbot of Bonneval, that he ought not to hinder one of his Monks from turning Hermite.

In the CCLXXth, to Turgedus, Bishop of Auranches, he advises him to submit to the decision of the Pope's Legate, or to send deputies to Rome, to plead there in his own behalf.

In the CCLXXIst, he thanks Pope Paschal, for granting to the Clergy of Chartres a Confirmation of their Privileges, to shelter them from the exactions of the Chapter: And whereas two of that body had disputed the Authority of the Popes Decree, and complain'd of it to the King, he prays his Holi∣ness to do what he thinks farther necessary to enforce the Execution of it.

In the CCLXXIId, he exhorts Reginald, Bishop of Angers, to be reconciled to one Mathilda, of his Diocess and to endeavour to reclaim her from ill courses.

In CCLXXIIId, he intercedes with Conon, the Pope's Legate, to moderate the Sentence of Excom∣munication, issued out by him against the Bishops of Normandy, in favour of the Bishop of Bayeux.

In the CCLXXIVth, he writes to Pope Paschal, concerning a Controversy he has with the Monks of Marmoutier, who to create him trouble, had appeal'd to Rome and cited him to appear there, though living at a great distance and very ill: he intreats the Pope to appoint some to judge between them at home, and wishes him not to grant any Clergy-man a dispensation to hold two Benefices.

In the CCLXXVth, he informs Conon, the Pope's Legate, that he has acquainted Count Theobald with the Sentence of Excommunication he had published against all that had a hand in taking the Earl of Nevers, and which would have its course against him, if he did not set the Earl at Liberty, by a time therein prefix'd him: He says the Count was somewhat surpriz'd that the King had referr'd this matter to the Ecclesiastical Judicature; since he is very ready to appear before the King's Judges, and doubts not but he can make it appear to them that not he but the Earl of Nevers is to blame, and offers, if they shall require it, to deliver him up to them.

By the CCLXXVIth, he recommends to Pope Pascal Turstin Arch-Bishop of York Elect.

In the CCLXXVIIth to Aldebert, Bishop Elect of Mans, he tells him, he hears he was guilty of several irregularities, while he was an Arch-Deacon, and that he was nor Canonically Elected to the Bishoprick. He refers him therefore to the witness of his own Conscience, and exhorts him not to take the Government of others upon him while he himself lies under any such guilt.

The CCLXXVIIIth is a Letter of Compliment, to Robert, Bishop of Lincoln.

In the CCLXXIXth to Lisiard, Bishop of Soissons, he perswades him to receive one of the Clergy of his Church, upon his submitting to Penance, or to give him leave to remove to some other Church.

In the CCLXXXth, to the same Bishop, Ivo determines, that a Married man may not be suffer'd to accuse his Wife of Adultery, upon suspicion only, nor to force her to pass the Tryal by red-hot irons.

In the CCLXXXIst, he writes to Ansehn, Bishop of Beauvais, that he is ready at any time to attest, that the Clergy of St. Peters, in Beauvais, had granted to the Regular Canons of St. Quintin, in that City, the inheritance of a piece of Land they now lay claim to again.

The CCLXXXIId is an Instrument in Form, by which Ivo takes into the protection of the Church of Chartres an Hospital for poor People, lying at Châteaudun.

The CCLXXXIIId is an Act, for Consecrating a piece of ground near Tiron, for a Church-yard and putting it under the Jurisdiction of the Church of Chartres.

The CCLXXXIVth is a Deed making over, for ever, to the Monastery of Bonneval the Church of St. Peter, at Châteaudun, which some of the Clergy had redeem'd from a Lay-man, in whose posses∣sion it was before.

The CCLXXXVth is a Confirmation of the Gift of the Church of St. Nigasius, at Meulan, by Robert Earl of Meulan, to the Monks of Bec.

The CCLXXXVIth is the Charter of the Foundation of the Abby of St. John du Val, in the Sub∣urbs of Chartres.

The CCLXXXVIIth is concerning the Eucharist, of which we have already given an Extract. It was written by Ivo, while he was a Regular Canon of St. Quintin at Beauvais.

The CCLXXXVIIIth is a Confirmation of a Grant, formerly made, to the Monastery of Marmou∣tier, of the Church of Hanc••e and a Chappel annex'd to it.

The Last is a Letter to the Abbot of the Monastery of Marmoutier, written in very pressing Terms, to perswade him and his Monks to stand to the Arbitration made by himself and the Earl of Chartres, of the difference between them and the Church of Chartres.