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 IV. of Braga.

THE same Year, and under the same King, was held a Council in Braga. The Bishops having recited the Nicene Creed, with the Addition of the Holy Ghost's proceeding from the Father and the Son, do condemn some Abuses which had crept into the Celebration of the * 1.1 Holy Mysteries: Some offered Milk, others Grapes instead of Wine; some gave to the People the Eucharist dipt in Wine: Some Priests would make use of the Sacred Vessels to eat and drink in; others said Mass without a Stole on: Some hung about their Necks Relicks of Mar∣tyrs,

and then made themselves to be carried about by Deacons, with their AAbes on. Seve∣ral Bishops companied with Women, and some misused their Clerks; Simony was a common thing. They made Canons against all those Disorders.

By the 1st they forbid offering Milk and Grapes, in lieu of Wine, and dipping the Eucha∣rist in the Wine.

The 2d prohibits putting Sacred Vessels and Ornaments to prophane and common Uses.

By the 3d it is ordered, That Priests shall celebrate the Holy Mysteries with a Stole only, which shall cover their Shoulders, and go down, cross-wise, over the Stomach.

By the 4th Ecclesiastical Persons are forbidden to dwell with a Woman, excepting their Mother only, but not their very Sisters, nor any other near Relations.

The 5th declares, It belongs to the Deacons to carry the Relicks of Martyrs; and that if the Bishop will carry them, he shall go afoot, and not be carried by the Deacons.

The 6th forbids Bishops to cause the Priests, Abbots or Deacons under him to be beaten.

The 7th. prohibits Simony, and for that purpose renews the Canon of the Council of Chalcedon.

The last forbids Bishops to take more Care of their own Patrimony than of the Church's; and if this happens to be embezel'd by their Negligence, whilst the other is improved, they shall be bound to make up the Loss out of their own.

This Council is signed by 8 Bishops.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Council IV. of Braga.