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.

Of the COUNCIL of Carthage held in the Year 398, call'd the Fourth.

THere are 104 Canons which contain the Ordination and Manners of Bishops, Priests, and other * 1.1 Ecclesiasticks, which are attributed to a Council of Carthage call'd the Fourth. The Preface de∣clares, That it was held under the Consulship of Honorius and Eutychianus, that's to say; in the Year 398, and that Aurelius Bishop of Carthage presided in it. But there is some difficulty about the truth of these Canons; they are neither in the Code of the African Church, nor in the Collection of Canons entitled, The Council of Africk, nor in the Collection of Ferrandus, nor in that of Dionysius Exiguus, and there is not so much as one of them cited in these places. In a Manuscript of Cardinal Barberini, these Canons are entituled Ancient Statutes of the Eastern Church; but this cannot be the true Title, because the Ceremonies of the Ordination of the lesser Orders, as they are described in the Canons of this Council, are agreeable to the Practice of the Western Church, who gave them by delivering the Holy Vessels, and is not agreeable to the practice of the Eastern Church which never made use of this Ceremony, but conferr'd them by Imposition of Hands. In other Manuscripts they are entituled, Ancient Statutes of the Church. They agree well enough to the Church of Africa, as appears by the First Canon, where it is Ordain'd, That a Bishop shall be interrogated, about the Errors common in Africa, whether he believes the Consubstantial Trinity; if he believes the Resurrection of this Flesh; if he believes that 'tis the same God who is the Author of the Old and New Testament, of the Law and the Gospel; if he held that the Devil is not wicked by Nature, but became so by his own Will; if he did not condemn Second Marriages; if he did not find fault with those who eat Meat; if he believed that Baptism pardoned all Sins, Original Sin as well as the other actual Sins: Lastly, if he held that a Person may be saved out of the Church. These are the Errors of the Manichees, Do∣natists, and Pelagians which were common in Africk. As to the Article which concerns Original Sin, it is something surprizing that it should be found so expresly set down in a Synod held in 398, since Pelagius did not publish his Error in Africa till 411, and was not condemned till 412. But it may be this Error was already known, tho' Celestius was not yet come into Africa; and there is no doubt but the Church of Africk from that time maintained Original Sin. Howsoever this be, this discovers that these Canons belong to the Western Church, and even to the Church of Africa. I see no reason strong enough to convince me that this Preface is supposititious. The other Canons agree well enough with the Discipline of the African Church. The Reason why they are not found in the Ancient Collections, may be, because they made a Body of Canons a-part by themselves for Ec∣clesiasticks. They are cited under the name of the Council of Carthage, by Isidore, by Hincmar, by Burchardus, by Ivo Carnutensis, and by Gratian.

The 1st. of these Canons ordains, That he who is to be promoted to the Episcopal Dignity shall be examined as to his manner of Life, his Learning and his Faith. As to his manners, it commands that Enquiry be made, if he be Prudent, Teachable, Moderate, Charitable, Humble, Affable and Merci∣ful: As to his Learning, if he be Enlightned and Instructed out of the Law of God, if he be Skilful in the Understanding of the Scriptures, and Vers'd in the Knowledge of the Dogmes of the Church: As to his Faith, the Canon requires that he be examin'd whether he believes the Consubstantial Tri∣nity; whether he believes that the Son of God assum'd real Flesh and a Soul, and that there are two Natures and one Person only in Jesus Christ; and whether he affirms, That he was really dead, and shall rise again to judge the Quick and Dead. It adds, That he who is to be ordained must also be ask'd, If he believes that the same God is the Author of the Old and New Testament; If he believes that the Devil was not wicked by Nature, but became so by his own Free-will; If he believes that the same Flesh which we now carry about with us shall be rais'd again; If he be persuaded of a future Judgment, of future Punishments and Glory; If he does not condemn Marriage and second Mar∣riages; If he does not blame the use of Meats; If he communicates with Penitents that are recon∣cil'd; and if he holds that Baptism blots out Actual and Original Sin. These are the things about which the Fathers of this Council would have him to be examin'd who is to be ordain'd; and they add, that if he be found well-instructed in all these Points, he may be ordain'd Bishop with the Con∣sent of the Clergy and the Laity, in the Assembly of the Bishops of the Province, by the Authority, and in the Presence of the Metropolitan. That after he has received the Holy Orders of Bishop, he ought not to govern himself according to his Passion or Fancy, but according to the Canons of Coun∣cils. They add, That Care should be taken, that none be ordain'd but such as are arriv'd at the Age which the Holy Fathers require for the Ordination of a Bishop.

The 2d. ordains, That when a Bishop is ordain'd, two Bishops ought to lay the Book of the Gospels upon his Head and Neck, and hold it there, and that while one of the Bishops who are present, pro∣nounces the Blessing upon him, all the other Bishops who are present, must touch his Head with their Hands.

The 3d. That at the Ordination of a Priest all the other Priests should lay their Hands upon his Head, while the Bishop Consecrates him, and lays Hands upon him.

The 4th. That none but the Bishop shall lay Hands upon a Deacon, when he is ordain'd, because he is not ordain'd for the Priesthood, but for the Ministry.

The 5th. That the Sub-Deacon who does not receive Imposition of Hands at his Ordination, ought to receive the Pattin and Chalice empty from the Hand of the Bishop; and the Flaggons with Water, and the Bason and Towel, from the Hand of the Arch-Deacon.

The 6th. That the Acolyth at his Ordination ought to learn from the Bishop after what manner he should behave himself in his Ministry; That he receive from the Archdeacon a Candlestick with a Wax-Candle, to instruct him, that he is design'd for lighting the Wax-Candles in the Church; and that he also receive an empty Flagon to give Wine for the Eucharist of the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The 7th. That the Exorcist receive at his Ordination from the Hand of the Bishop a Book wherein are written Exorcisms, and that the Bishop speak to him these Words; Receive these, and get them by heart, and have thou the Power of laying hands upon the possess'd and Catechumens.

The 8th. concerns the Ordination of a Reader, which was made in Africk, by giving him the Book of the Gospels, and saying to him, Be thou a Reader of the Word of God.

The 9th. concerns the Ordination of a Porter, to whom the Bishop gave the Keys, saying unto him, Behave your self as one that must give an account to God of those things which are lock'd up under these Keys.

The 10th. commands, That Virgins who would be consecrated by the Bishop, should present them∣selves in Habits agreeable to their Profession and Vocation, like to those which they are to use for the future.

The 11th. declares, That Widows and Nuns who are employ'd about the Baptism of Women ought to be capable of instructing others, and giving an account of their own Faith.

The 12th. That those who are contracted, and present themselves to receive the Benediction of Mar∣riage, ought to be accompanied with their Kindred, and to abstain from the use of Marriage the Night after the Benediction.

The 13th. That the Bishop ought to have a Lodging near the Church.

The 14th. That his Houshold-Stuff should be of little worth, his Table and Diet mean, and that he ought to acquire Authority by his Faith and his Merit, and not by external Pomp.

The 15th. That he ought not to read the Books of Pagans, nor those of Hereticks, but in case of neces∣sity, and when occasion requires it.

The 16th. and 17th. That he must not take upon him the Care of Widows, of Orphans and Strangers, but that he discharge this Care upon his Arch-Priest, or Arch-Deacon.

The 18th. That a Bishop ought not to be Executor of a Last Will and Testament.

The 19th. That he ought not to plead a Cause.

The 20th. That he ought not to trouble himself with Domestick Affairs, but apply himself wholly to Reading, Prayer and Preaching of the Word of God.

The 21st. That he ought not to dispense with his going to the Synod, unless there be great neces∣sity; and that if he does not go, he must send a Deputy to approve every thing that shall be ordain'd by the Synod, without prejudice to the Truths of Faith.

The 22d. That a Bishop shall not ordain Ecclesiasticks without the Consent of his Clergy, and that he shall desire the Testimony and Approbation of the Laity.

The 23d. That he shall hear no Cause but in the presence of his Clergy, and that the Sentences which he shall give in the absence of his Clergy shall be null and void.

The 24th. That he shall be excommunicated who goes out of the Church in Sermon-time.

The 25th. That if the fear of God does not reconcile the Bishops, they ought to be reconciled toge∣ther by the Synod.

The 26th. enjoyns Bishops to exhort the People of their Diocesses to live in Peace.

The 27th. forbids the Translations of Bishops which are made through Ambition; and as for those which are made for the Good of the Church, it says, they ought to be made upon the Request of the Clergy and People by Order of the Synod: Neither does it permit Clergy-men to remove unto ano∣ther Church without the leave of their Bishops.

The 28th. declares, That the Synod may examine a-new the Condemnation of a Bishop.

The 29th. That a Bishop who accuses a Clergy-man or Lay-man ought to exhibit his Information against him to the Synod.

The 30th. forbids Ecclesiastical Judges to judge in the absence of the Party accus'd.

The 31st. declares, That Bishops ought to use the Goods of the Church, not as their own proper Goods, but as such of which they have only the use.

The 32d. declares all Sale or Exchange of Ecclesiastical Goods to be null and void, which is made without the Consent of the Clergy.

The 33d. declares, That the Bishops and Priests who are forc'd to go into their Neighbour's Churches, shall be received, and that they shall be invited to Preach and to Celebrate the Eucharist there.

The 34th. That a Bishop being seated shall not suffer a Priest to continue standing before him.

The 35th. That a Bishop shall sit on a Seat rais'd on high in the Church, or in the Assembly of his Priests; but in his House he shall converse with them as his Collegues and Brethren.

The 36th. That the Priests who govern the Churches, shall send for the Holy Chrism before Easter.

The 37th. That the Deacon should look upon himself as the Minister of the Priest as well as of the Bishop.

The 38th. That he may give the Eucharist to the People in the presence of the Priest, if necessity enforce it, and the Priest be willing.

The 39th. That he shall not sit down but with the Priest's leave.

The 40th. That in a Meeting of Priests, he must not speak but when he is ask'd.

The 41st. That he shall not make use of a Surplice but at the time of Oblation.

The 42d. That a Minister who discharges faithfully his Ministry ought to be preferr'd to a higher Dignity.

The 43d. That Christians who suffer for Religion, ought to be honoured, and their necessities provided for.

The 44th. forbids Clergy-men to suffer the Hair of their Heads or Beards to grow.

The 45th. exhorts them to make known their Vocation by their Modesty in their Apparel and Coun∣tenance, and forbids them to distinguish themselves by their Habit or their Shooes.

The 46th. forbids them to co-habit with Strange Women.

The 47th. and 48th. forbids them to walk in publick Places, and appear at Fairs.

The 49th. deprives them of their Rewards who are not present at Vigils.

The 50th. declares, That those Ministers should be depriv'd of their Ministery who do not do their Duty, or do it negligently.

The 51st. 52d. and 53d. require all Ministers, how able soever they be, to earn their living by an ho∣nest Trade, yet without failing in their Duty.

The 54th. forbids the Advancement of those Ministers higher, who envy the Prerogative of others.

The 55th. commands Bishops to excommunicate those who accuse their Brethren unjustly, and for∣bids the admitting of them into the Clergy, even tho they should amend.

The 56th. ordains those Ministers to be degraded who are Traytors or Flatterers.

The 57th. obliges Slandering Ministers to make Satisfaction.

The 58th. declares, That his Testimony is not to be received without Examination, who often goes to Law.

The 59th. That the Bishop ought to reconcile those Ministers that are at difference, and that he who will not obey him shall be punished by the Synod.

The 60th. declares, That a Minister ought to be remov'd from his Ministry, who speaks lascivious words.

The 61st. That those Ministers ought to be reprimanded who Swear by the Creatures, and if they continue to do it, they must be excommunicated.

The 62d. That the same severity must be us'd to a Minister who sings at Meals.

The 63d. is against those Ecclesiasticks who break a Fast without inevitable necessity.

The 64th. declares, That he ought not to be accounted a Catholick who fasts on Sundays.

The 65th. That the Feast of Easter ought to be celebrated on the same day.

The 66th. That an Ecclesiastick who believes that his Bishop has condemned him unjustly, may have recourse to the Judgment of the Synod.

The 67th. That seditious Persons, Usurers and revengeful Persons, ought not to be Ordain'd.

The 68th. That those must not be ordain'd who are in the Rank of Penitents, and that if a Bishop has ordain'd any of them through mistake, they ought to be deposed, but if he knew their condition, he shall be deprived of the Power of Ordination.

The 69th. makes a Bishop liable to the same Penalty, who shall ordain a Widow, or a Woman divorced.

The 70th. enjoins Ecclesiasticks to shun the Society and Feasts of Hereticks and Schismaticks.

The 71st. Ordains, That the Name of a Church shall not be given to the Assemblies of Hereticks.

The 72d. That none shall Pray or sing with them.

The 73d. That those shall be Excommunicated who shall Communicate or Pray with them.

The 74th. That the Bishop shall impose Penance upon him that desires it, without respect to the Quality of the Person.

The 75th. That negligent Penitents shall be later received.

The 76th. declares, That if a Person having desired Penance, perceive himself to be seiz'd with a Disease, and lose his Understanding before the Priest can come to him, Penance shall be granted him upon the Testimony of those who affirm that he desired it, and if it be thought that he will quickly die, he shall be immediately reconciled, and the Eucharist shall be put into his Mouth; but yet if he recover his health, he shall be put under Penance.

The 77th. That Penitents who fall sick shall receive the Viaticum, that's to say, the Eucharist.

The 78th. That those who are thus receiv'd, ought not to think themselves absolv'd, if they recover their health, without Imposition of Hands.

The 79th. That if Penitents die in a Journey or at Sea, before the Communion can be given them, yet they shall still be commemorated in the Prayers and Oblations.

The 80th. That Imposition of Hands shall be given to Penitents during all the times of Fasting.

The 81st. That Christian Burial shall be given to Penitents.

The 82d. That Penitents ought to use Kneeling even at those times when the Faithful are exempt from it.

The 83d. That the Poor and Aged must be honoured.

The 84th. That the Bishop ought not to hinder any Person to enter into the Church, whether he be a Heretick, Jew or Pagan, until the Mass of the Catechumens begins.

The 85th. That the Catechumens who would be baptized, ought to give in their Names, and after that be prepar'd for Baptism by abstaining from Wine and Meat, and by Imposition of Hands.

The 86th. That Novices, or those who are newly baptiz'd, ought for some time to abstain from Feasts and Shows, and to live in Continence.

The 87th. contains the Sentence of Excommunication against a Catholick, who carries his Cause, just or unjust before a Judge of another Religion.

The 88th. excommunicates him who forsakes the Assembly of the Church to be present at Shows.

The 89th. casts those out of the Church who practise Sooth-saying or Enchantments, and who are addicted to Jewish Superstitions.

The 90th. declares, That the Exorcists ought every day to lay Hands on the Possess'd.

The 91st. charges the Possess'd to take care that the Churches be swept.

The 92d. declares, That the Exorcists shall feed the Possess'd who continue in the Churches.

The 93d. That Oblations shall not be received from the Brethren that are separated from the Church.

The 94th. That their Presents shall be rejected who oppress the Poor.

The 95th. blames those who refuse to give, in Memory of the dead, wherewithall to feed the Poor.

The 96th. says, That in judging a Cause, the Faith and Conduct of the Accuser and Accused must be inquired into.

The 97th. That the Superiour of Nuns ought to be approved by the Bishop.

The 98th. That a Lay-man ought not to teach in the presence of Priests, unless they command him.

The 99th. That a Woman how Skilful and Holy soever she be, ought not to take upon her to teach in an Assembly.

The 100th. That she ought not to take upon her to baptize.

The 101st. That the young Widows which are weak ought to be maintain'd at the Expence of the Church to which they belong.

The 102d. declares. That it is the fault of the Bishop or the Curate of the Parish, if the Widows and Nuns, are forced through necessity, to have too much familiarity with the inferiour Ministers.

The 103d. That the Widows who are maintained at the Expence of the Church, ought to be very diligent and constant in the Service of God, that they may edify the Church by their Prayers and Works.

The 104th. excommunicates Widows who marry again, after they have made Profession of Ce∣libacy.

Baluzius has added yet one Canon more to these, which is against those who cause Schisms and Di∣visions in the Church of Jesus Christ, which is the Pillar and Foundation of the Faith of Christians. There were many Bishops at this Council, and they all subscribed, but there are none now extant, be∣sides the Subscriptions of Aurelius of Carthage, of Donatianus of Talabreca, or Telepta, and of St. Austin.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of Car∣thage, 398.