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 third Council of Toledo.

THe King Beccaredus order'd the Bishops of Spain to meet at Toledo in the beginning of the Month of May, in the Year 589, to restore the Catholick Faith and Discipline. After he had made a short Harangue to them, he caus'd to be read the Confession of Faith, the Creeds of the Coun∣cils of Nice and Constantinople, the Decision of Faith made by the Council of Chalcedon, sign'd by himself and the Queen. There were also read the Declarations of the Bishops and Priests of the Nation of the Goths, which contain'd the condemnation of the Errors of the Arians, and the Ap∣probation of the Creeds of the Councils of Nice and Constantinople, and the Decree of the Council of Chalcedon.

After they had thus re-establish'd the Faith, the Council renewed the ancient Discipline, restor'd the ancient Canons and the Synodical Letters of Popes in their vigor, and forbad to promote those who are excluded by the Canons to holy Orders. This is contain'd in the first Canon of this Coun∣cil.

The second ordains, that the Creed of Constantinople shall be repeated in all the Churches of Spain.

The third forbids Bishops to alienate the Possessions of their Churches, yet it leaves to Monasteries and Churches what had been given to them, and permits them also to provide for the Necessities of Strangers and the Poor.

The fourth permits the Bishop to erect a Parish in a Monastery.

The fifth renews the Law of Celibacy for Priests and Deacons.

The sixth is in ••••vour of Slaves set at liberty.

The seventh ordains Bishops to cause to be read the Holy Scripture at their Table. * 1.1

The eighth forbids, with the consent of King Reccaredus, to demand any Persons belonging to the * 1.2 Familia fisci, that were given to the Church.

The ninth ordains that the Churches of the Arians shall belong to the Bishop in whose Territory they are situate.

The tenth leaves Widows and Maids at liberty to marry or keep Celibacy, and excommunicates those who shall hinder them from observing their Vow of Chastity.

The eleventh Canon is against an Abuse which begun to spread in Spain concerning Penance. The Christians desir'd to be reconcil'd every time, and as often as they sinn'd. The Council renews the ancient Discipline about Penance, and ordains that Penances shall be impos'd according to the anci∣ent Canons, that the Penitent shall be excluded Communion, and receive oftentimes Imposition of Hands. That he shall not be restor'd to Communion until the time of making Satisfaction be ex∣pir'd. And lastly, That those who relapse shall be sentenc'd according to the severity of the ancient Canons.

The twelfth ordains, That the Priest shall grant no Penance until he has cut off his Hair who de∣sires it, if he be a Man; or if it be a Woman, till she has chang'd her Habit.

The thirteenth forbids Clergy-men to drag their Brethren before Civil Magistrates.

The fourteenth forbids Jews to have Wives or Concubines that are Christians, and to keep Slaves that are Christians.

The fifteenth ordains, That if the Emperor's * 1.3 Slaves shall cause Churches to be built and endow'd, the Bishop shall endeavour to get this Donation confirm'd by his Authority.

The sixteenth enjoyns Judges to hinder Idolatrous Practices.

The seventeenth is against the Fathers or Mothers who put their Children to death.

The eighteenth ordains, That every year a Council of the Province shall be held, and that the Receivers of the Treasury shall be oblig'd to be present there; that so the Bishops may examin whether they burden the People too much.

The nineteenth forbids to build a Church, and to keep in their own hands the management of the Possessions given to it.

The twentieth forbids Bishops to domineer and tyrannize over the Clergy and Priests of their Diocese.

The one and twentieth is against Judges and Receivers who burden the Slaves of the Church.

The two and twentieth forbids to recite any thing but the Psalms at the Funerals of Chri∣stians.

The three and twentieth forbids profane Dances and Songs which are us'd on Festival days.

These Canons are confirm'd by the King's Edict, and sign'd by sixty two Bishops, and the Depu∣ties of five more.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Coun∣cil of Narbo in the year 589.
• * 1.2

  [Familia fisci, signi∣fies the meeting of those who took care of the Af∣fairs of the Church, and ma∣nag'd its Revenue. Labbee Tom. 5. p. 1025.]
• * 1.3

  [Servi fiscales, were such Slaves as were part of the per∣sonal estate of the Em∣peror. Id. Ibid.