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.

The Council of London in the Year 1237.

HEnry III. King of England in the Year 1237, sent for Cardinal Otho Legate of the Holy See. At first the Clergy and Laity were alarm'd at his Coming, but that Cardinal behav'd himself with * 1.1 a great deal of Moderation and Prudence. He reconcil'd the Lords, refus'd part of the Presents which they offer'd him, and appointed a Synod to be held at London for the reforming the Discipline. The King of England shew'd him a great deal of Respect, which made the Grandees of the King∣dom to murmur. The King of Scotland was more reserv'd, and would not permit the Legate to en∣ter his Dominions, telling him that he had no occasion for a Legate in his Kingdom; that all was well enough there; that they had never seen any Legate there; that he would never suffer any; that be∣sides he would not do well to expose his Person by coming thither, because the People of his Coun∣try were Savage and Cruel, and might perhaps abuse him.

The Council Appointed to be Held at London by the Legate, was Held there on the next Day af∣ter the Octave of St. Martin, The Legate appear'd there seated on a Magnificent Throne, the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury on his Right-Hand, and the Arch-Bishop of York on his Left, who both of them made Protestations for the preservation of their Privileges. Afterwards the Legate made a Speech to the Prelates of the Council on the Prudence and Wisdom of Ecclesiasticks. On the Morrow the King sent Commissioners to the Council, who should warn the Legate, That he did nothing which might infringe the King's Prerogative; and one of them stay'd in the Council to take care of it. The Legate order'd the Letters of his Legation to be Read. On the third Day they made an end of Reading the Decrees, which the Legate propos'd in the Council, which began to be Read the first Day. They are Thirty one.

The First concerns the Dedication of Churches, and implies, That it deriv'd its Original from the Old and New Testament, and has been observ'd by the Holy Fathers under the New. That it ought to be Solemniz'd with greater Dignity and Care, since then they only Offer'd Sacrifices of Dead Beasts, whereas now they Offer on the Altar, by the Hands of the Priest, a Living and True Sacrifice, namely the Only Son of God: Therefore the Fathers have with Reason order'd, That so Sublime an Office, should be Celebrated only in Consecrated Places, at least, when no necessity requires its being done elsewhere, Having therefore seen and understood that a great many despise or neglect this Sacred Ministry, and having met with a great many Churches, even Cathedrals, which tho' An∣cient, have not as yet been Consecrated with the Holy Oyl; to remedy this Neglect, they order, That all Cathedral, Conventual and Parochial Churches which are compleatly Built, shall be Consecrated within two Years by the Diocesan Bishops, or by their Authority; and the same time is prescrib'd for those which shall be Built hereafter. And that this Stature may be observ'd, they prohibit the Celebra∣tion of Mass in those Churches which shall not have been Consecrated within two Years after they shall be Built. They forbid the Abbots and Curates to pull down old Consecrated Churches, under a pretence of making them finer, without the consent of the Bishop of the Diocess, who shall take care to see whether it be fit to be granted, or no; and if he grants it, he shall see that the new One be finish'd forthwith. As to Chappels, they order nothing in particular with respect to them.

The next Canons contain the Doctrine of the Sacraments: In the Second the number of them is determin'd, and 'tis declar'd. That they ought to be Celebrated with Purity and Gra•…•…tously.

The Third is upon Baptism, 'tis therein determin'd, That the time of Administring it Solemnly is Holy Saturday, and the Saturday in Whitsun-Week, that Infants ought to be Baptiz'd on those Days, and it enjoins Curates to Teach their Parishioners the Form of Baptism, that so they may Administer it in Case of necessity.

The Fourth is against those who require Money for, giving Absolution and the other Sacraments.

The Fifth imports, That the Bishops shall take care to Nominate in each Deanery Prudent and Wise Confessors, to Confess the Clerks who are asham'd to Confess themselves to the Deans, and that there shall be in Cathedrals a General Penitentiary.

The Sixth, That those who are to be Ordain'd shall be Examined, and that a Register shall be kept of those who shall be Approv'd, that so others might not mix themselves with them.

The Seventh prohibits the Farming out of Benefices, and especially Dignities.

The Eighth imports, That if any Churches be Leas'd out, it shall be only for five Years.

The Ninth, That they shall not Let out Leases for ever.

The Tenth, That the Vicars shall be Priests, and oblig'd to Personal Residence in the Churches which they are to Serve.

The Eleventh, That they shall not give away the Benefices of the Absent upon the Report of their being Dead, unless they are assur'd of it.

The Twelfth prohibits the dividing of Benefices.

The Thirteenth renews the Decrees concerning Residence, and against those who have Pluralities,

The Fourteenth regulates the manner of the Habits of the Clergy, and recommends to the Bishops to be the first in giving an Example to others.

The Fifteenth to prevent the Marriages which some Clerks contracted Clandestinely to save their Benefices, declares the Children born of such Marriages uncapable of holding Benefices.

The Sixteenth renews the Ecclesiastical Statutes against Clerks who kept Concubines.

The Seventeenth prohibits the Children of Clerks from Possessing the Benefices of their Fathers.

The Eighteenth is against those who Protect, and give Shelter to Highway-Men.

The Nineteenth prohibits, all the Monks from Eating Flesh, and orders, That their Novices shall be oblig'd to Profess at the end of their Year: Which is likewise extended to Regular Canons.

The Twentieth enjoins the Arch-Deacons to do their Duty with Diligence, and not to burden the Churches by excessive Duties of Procuration.

The Twenty first forbids the Ecclesiastical Judges to hinder the Parties from Agreeing.

The Twenty second exhorts the Bishops to Reside in their Churches; there to Celebrate Di∣vine Service on the chief Festivals of the Year, on the Sundays of Advent and Lent, and to see that their Diocesses be Visited.

The Twenty third imports, That Care shall be taken to Place able Judges, especially in Matrimoni∣al Causes; and that the Judges of Abbots who are in Possession, shall not pass a definitive Sentence, till after they have Consulted the Bishop of the Diocess.

The Eight other Constitutions relate to the various Forms of Justice, and the Conditions which make these Acts Authentick. These Decrees were Read in the Council, and the Prelates of Eng∣land hearkened to them very quietly. There was only the Bishop of Worcester who Remonstrated touching the Prohibition of having Pluralities, That this Law could not be observ'd in England, be∣cause there were a great many Persons of Quality that enjoy'd several Benefices, who liv'd honoura∣bly upon them, and bestow'd large Alms. He said likewise, That it would be very difficult to ob∣serve the Abstinence from Meat, according to the Rule of St. Benedict, in all Monasteries, and he de∣sir'd the Legate to send the Pope Word of these things. The Legate consented thereto, provided the other Prelates of the Council would join with him. Lastly, Because several gave out, That the Or∣ders which should be made by the Legate, should only be of Force during his Legation, he caus'd: Decretal to be Read which Authoriz'd them for ever.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Council of London 1237.