The Council of Clermont in Arvernia, in the Year 535.
HOnoratus Bishop of Bourges, and fourteen Bishops of France, being assembled at Clermont in Ar∣vernia▪ by th•• permission of King Theodebert, on the seventh of November in the Year 535. after they had pray'd to God upon their knees for the King, and for the prosperity of his Reign, thought fit to renew some ancient Canons, and to add to them some new ones.
First, They thought fit to ordain, that all Councils shall begin with what concerns Manners and Discipline, before they propose any other business.
Secondly, They declare that one ought to rise to the highest degree of Promotion, not by his Am∣bition, but by his Merits; that Holiness of Life, and not Riches, did render them worthy of this Sacred Ministery, and that they ought to be advanc'd to this high Dignity, not by the favour of some few, but by the Suffrages of all: That singular care should be taken to choose such Persons as are blameless: That he who is a Bishop must be chosen by the Clergy and the People, and ordain'd by the Metropolitan of the Province, or with his Consent: That it is unlawful to use the Interest of Grandees, Craft, Promises, Presents, Threatnings, and that those who use such ways shall be depriv'd of the Communion of the Church, whereof they would be Bishops.
Thirdly, They forbid to cover dead Corpses with the Altar-Cloth, or any other Linen which is used at the Altar.
Fourthly, They ordain that Clergy-men shall not be supported against their Bishop by the Civil Powers.
Fifthly, They Excommunicate those who desire of Kings the Possessions of the Church, declaring at the same time that the Gift which the Prince makes of them is null.
Sixthly, They order those Persons to be excluded Communion and Civil Society, who espouse Jewish Men or Women.
Seventhly, They forbid to cover the Body of a Priest with the Veil which covers the Body of Je∣sus Christ.
Eighthly, They forbid to lend the Ornaments of the Church for Marriages.
Ninthly, To make Jews Judges of Christians.
Tenthly, They forbid Bishops to invade the Parishes of their Brethren.
Eleventhly, They forbid them to receive and ordain a Clerk of another Diocese, without the leave of his Bishop.
Twelfthly, They re-inforce the Penalty of Excommuuication against any Persons who marry within the forbidden Degrees, which are, the Widow of his Brother, his Wive's Sister, her Cousin-German, or the Issue of her Cousin-German, and the Widow of his Uncle.
Thirteenthly, They oblige Priests and Deacons to live in Celibacy; and in case they be found to keep Company with their Wives, after they are promoted to these Dignities, they ordain that they shall be depriv'd of them.
Fourteenthly, They Excommunicate those who shall retain Goods that are given to Churches.
Fifthteenthly, They enjoyn Priests and Deacons, who are neither in Country-Parishes, nor in the City, but dwell in Country-Houses, or serve Chappels, to come and celebrate the principal Festi∣vals of the year with their Bishop in the City, and chiefly the Feasts of Christmas, Easter, and Whit∣suntide. They exhort also Lay-men that can to come.
Sixteenthly, They renew the Canon so often repeated, whereby Clergy-men are forbidden to keep strange Women in their Houses.
After they had made these Canons, they wrote a Letter to King Theodebert, praying him to suffer the Subjects of another Prince to enjoy peaceably the Lands and Goods which they had in his King∣dom.