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 Colen in 1310. * 1.1

HENRY Archbishop of Colen, and his Suffragan Bishops met in the same City in 1310. and pub∣lished Twenty eight Decrees.

By the First, they revoke all Ordinances and Customs contrary to the Liberty of the Church.

In the 2d. they treat at large of the Punishments, which they incurr, who put to Death, Abuse or Imprison Clergymen, and they give many Cautions, that no Man does them any wrong.

In the 3d. they forbid Confessors of Churches to require any thing for their Services.

The 4th. and 5th. renew the Punishments denounced against them, who seize upon the Goods, which belong to▪ or are bequeathed to Churches.

In the 6th. they confirm the Statute of Suffridu concerning the Life and Manners of the Clergy.

In the 7th. they order the Deans of Chapters to oblige the Vicars to read Service in the ab∣sence of the Canons.

The 8th. imports that none shall be ordained Priests, but such as are 25 Years old.

The 9th. confirms the Punishments denounced against Clergymen, that keep Concubines.

The 10th. forbids, that Clergymen should do publick Penances.

The 11th. ordains, That none shall read the Epistles and Gospels in the Church, but such as are admitted into Holy Orders.

The 12th. appoints, That none shall be Curates, but such as are instituted by the Bishop, or his Arch-Deacon.

The 13th. is, That they that have the Pope's Provisions for any Benefices, shall provide for themselves within the Time, otherwise their Benefices shall be Vacant.

The 14th. That the Fruits of the Year of Grace of the Canons that die Suspended, shall belong to the Church, and not to their Successors.

The 15th. That Beneficed Persons cannot bequeath to their Bastards the Year of Grace (i. e. the Revenue of a Year of their Benefice after their Death) and that the Vicars of Churches shall be obliged to reside and take the Revenues.

The 16th. That Singers shall be able to read, and shall wear Albs during Divine Service.

The 17th. That Rural Deans and Curates shall take care to provide convenient Ornaments for their Churches.

The 18th. That the Revenues of Canons Suspended shall belong to the Chapter.

The 19th. That no Man shall found a Church, or Churchyard, who doth not endow it.

The 20th. That Parishioners shall receive the Sacrament of their Curate only.

The 21st. That no Man shall curse, or rail at any Man in the Churches, if it be not with a special Permission of the Bishops.

The 22d. That no Man shall be present at Clandestine Marriages, but the Banns of all Mar∣riages shall be published.

The 23d. That for the future, the Year shall begin at the Feast of the Nativity, according to the Custom of the Church of Rome.

The 24th. contains some Rules concerning Notaries.

The 25th. confirms the Decree of Siffridus concerning the Administration of Sacraments.

The 26th. commands, that the Holy Chrism and Holy Oil shall not be denied the Curates, and that it shall be given them gratis.

The 27th. renews the Rules made concerning the Chapters of Monks.

The 28th. contains divers Rules about Poverty, Retirement, the Cloisters of Monks, and a Pro∣hibition to require any thing for an Entrance into Religion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Coun∣cil of Co∣len in 1310.