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 VIII. of Toledo.

THIS Council of 52 Bishops of Spain, was called by an order from King * Receswinthe, in the year 653. Its Constitutions are in the form of Acts, very obscure, written in a barbarous Stile, and full of false Notions. They begin with King Receswinthe's Letter to the Bishops of the Synod, wherein he exhorts them to follow the Faith of the first 4 general Councils; to provide against the Disorders that would happen, if they should execute the Oath they had taken, of putting all those to death that should be found to be concerned in any Conspiracy, against the Prince or State; to re-establish the discipline of the ancient Ca∣nons; and to regulate those Matters that shall be brought before them. The Bishops obeying the King's Order, professed themselves to hold the Decisions of the Councils and the Fathers; they read the Creed, which was then recited in the solemn Service of the Churches of Spain, which is that of the Council of Constantinople, to which they had super-added, That the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father and the Son. Then they made a long Discourse upon Oaths, and cited many Places of the Scripture and the Fathers, to shew, that Men ought not to keep nor execute the Oaths, wherewith they have sworn to commit wicked Actions, and prejudicial to the State. The third Canon is against those that use Intreaties and Prayers, to obtain the Priesthood. They are declared Excommunicate, and those that do confer or receive Orders thus, are deprived of their Dignity; these last are likewise put to Penance in a Mo∣nastery. The three next Canons are made to keep the Clergy pure and chaste. The 7th is against an Abuse, by which some Persons ordained Bishops or Presbyters, did think themselves free to leave the Priesthood, under pretence, that in their receiving it, they had said that they would not receive it: The Council declares, That this cannot be done; and that, as Baptism conferred on Persons unwilling to receive it, and on Children who know nothing of it, is valid; so likewise Ordination ought to subsist, being as indelible as Baptism, the Holy Chrisme

and the Consecration of the A•••••••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who after thei•• Ordination, shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church, and shut up in a Monastery, to d•• ••enan•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ The 8〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ Constitution prohibi•••• ordaining, hereafter, any Cl•••••• that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the P•…•…, the Anthems, the Hymns in use, and the Ce∣remonies of Baptism; and that if any o•• them that are ordained, be ignorant of these things, they shall be constrained to learn them. The 9th forbids eating Flesh in Lent, and orders, That those that have need of eating of it shall ask the Bishop's Leave. The 10th. Constitution is concerning the Election of Kings, and the Qualifications they ought to have. The 11th con∣firms the ancient Canons of Councils. The 12th confirms the Decree of the Council of Toledo, held under King Sisenand, about the security of Kings. They conclude with pious Wishes for King Receswinthe, and with a general Confirmation of the preceeding Constitutions. The Acts are subscribed not only by 52 Bishops, but by 9 Abbots besides, and 10. Presbyters or Deacons, Deputies of Bishops, and 16 Lords. Moreover, there is another Decree of this Council, about the disposing of Kings Revenues, which is confirm'd by an Edict of King Receswinthe. The Jewish Converts presented a Petition to this Council, wherein they bound themselves, sincerely to renounce the Jewish Doctrine and Ceremonies.

Notes

• Council VIII. of Toledo.
• [At Rece∣suind.]