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.

Council VI. of Toledo, of the Year 638.

THIS is a National Council composed of above Sixty Prelates of Cinthila's Kingdom. They begin with a Confession of Faith pretty long, which is contained in the first * 1.1 Canon.

The 2d, Confirms the use of the Litanies, or Publick Prayers, appointed in the preceding Council.

In the 3d, They give the King thanks for driving the Jews out of his Kingdom, and for suffering none but Catholicks in it. They order, That the succeeding Kings shall hereafter be bound to take Oath, That they shall Tolerate no Infidels, and pronounceth Anathema against those that shall break that Oath.

The 4th, Delareth, That persons guilty of Simony are unworthy of being advanced to Holy Orders, and those that shall be found in Orders, to be fallen from their Degree, as well as those that have Ordained them.

The 5th, Decrees, That those that shall receive any thing of the Church Revenue, shall hold it but by a precarious Title, and shall subscribe an Instrument testifying the same, that they may not plead prescription.

The 6th, Is against Men, Maidens, and Widows, leaving the Religious Habit, to lead a Secular Life; they are ordered to be shut up in Monasteries.

In the 7th, the same thing is ordered against those who submitted themselves to publick Penance.

The 8th, Explains a Constitution of S. Gregory's, whereby they suppose he gave leave to a Young Man, who underwent Penance upon fear of Death, to Cohabit with his Wife, till he was come to an Age in which it were easier to live Chastly. They say, that if he, or she, who hath not received Penance, Dieth before he, or she, which submitted to Penance, have pra∣ctised Continence, it shall not be lawful for the surviver to Marry; but if he, or she, that was not put to Penance survive, he may Marry again.

The 9th, Ordains, That such as are made Free by the Church, shall at the Death of every Bishop renew the Declaration, that they depend on the Church.

The 10th, That these Free-Men shall do Service to the Church.

The 11th, Forbids receiving Accusations, before Examination had, whether the Accusers be persons to be allowed of as such.

The 12th, 13th, and 14th, Are against Rebellious Subjects, and in the behalf of the good Loyal Servants of the Prince.

The 15th, Maintains the Donations of Princes to Churches.

The 16th, Provides for the Security of the Life and Estate of King's Children.

The 17th, Provides for the Safety of the Prince himself, and forbids all attempts against his Person and Crown, as long as he lives; and orders, that after his Death none shall in∣vade the Kingdom by Tyranny, and none but a Noble Goth, and worthy of that Dignity, shall be advanced to the Sovereignty.

The 18th Canon does yet renew the Inhibition of attempting against the person of the Prince.

The 19th, Is but a Conclusion of the Council.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Council VI. of To∣ledo.