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.

ZACHARY Bishop of Rome.

POPE Zachary was raised to the Holy See in the Year 741. He was a Greek, if we may believe the Authors of the Popes Lives, and had the reputation of being most mild and * 1.1 courteous, and yet at the same time very valiant and courageous. At the beginning of his Popedom, Italy was in great Troubles, Luitprandus, King of the Lombards, being at War with Thrasimond Duke of Spoletum, and the Romans, who assisted the latter. Zachary made Peace between the Romans, and the King of the Lombards, upon condition that he should restore four Cities, which he had taken from them; and so poor Thrasimond being forsaken, was forced to give over his opposition. But the Lombard having obtained his design, was not careful to per∣form his promise, but Zachary went to him, obliged him to restore the Cities to the Romans, and make a Peace with him. This very Pope being consulted by the French, whither they should ac∣knowledge Pepin for their King, who had all the Authority already, and was enstated in the Go∣vernment of the Realm, or Chilperic, who indeed had the Name of King, but was not capable of a business of that weight; answered in favour of Pepin, of whose Protection the Romans and Popes had then great need, having so Potent an Enemy near at hand, as the King of the Lombards was.

Although these Matters were of very great consequence, yet those, which are spoken of most in Zachary's. Letters, concern the Churches newly founded in Germany by Boniface, who consulted him with much respect.

The first is an Answer to this Bishops Questions, contained in the foregoing Letter. They both begin with Compliments. Boniface tells the Pope, how great Veneration he had for the Holy See; and the Pope assures him, that he was extreamly glad at the receipt of his Letters, by which he was informed, that the Church of Jesus Christ was every Day increased by his Preaching. Bo∣niface tells him, that he had Ordained three Bishops in Germany, and divided the Province into three Diocesses; that he had placed one Bishop in the Castle of Wirtemberg, another in the City of Buraburg, and the third at Erford. He prays him to confirm what he had done, and to make these three places into Bishops Sees.

Zachary returns an Answer to this Article, that he approved what Boniface had done, and did accordingly make those three places Bishopricks. Nevertheless he desires him to see, whether these places are considerable enough to place Bishops in, because the Canons forbid to place them in Villages or small Towns, lest the Dignity of Bishops be thereby rendred vile and contemptible.

Boniface, in the second Article of his Letter, informs Zachary, That Caroloman, a French Duke, had desired him to hold a Council in his Kingdom, to restore the Discipline, which was almost lost because there had not been a Synod held in France for above Fourscore Years; and the Bi∣shopricks and Arch-Bishopricks by that means were fallen into the hands of Lay-men, whose Lives were very Scandalous, and Disorderly. He desires leave of Zachary to hold a Council, and this Pope grants him his Request in his Answer.

In the third Article he desires to know what he should do with those Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, who lived in many Disorders and Debaucheries. Zachary answers him, That he ought not to suffer them to perform the Functions and Offices that belong to their Orders and Degrees.

In the 4th Article, Boniface desires the Pope to appoint him a Successor, or give him leave to chuse himself one. The Pope denieth him this Request, it being contrary to the Canons to ap∣point a Successor to a Bishop while he is alive: Yet he grants him power to nominate one at the point of Death.

In the 5th he enquireth, whether it be true, that one of his Country had obtained a Dispen∣sation from [Gregory III.] Zachary's Predecessor, to Marry his Uncle's Widow, which had been his Cozen-German's Wife, and had received the Veil. The Pope answers him, That his Prede∣cessor did not grant such a Licence, because the Holy See allows nothing contrary to the Consti∣tutions of the Councils, and the Holy Fathers.

In the 6th, he asks him, whether it be true, That on New-Years-Day Heathenish Dances and Ceremonies are practised in Rome. The Pope answers, That there is no more any such practice there, and that that detestable custom was abolished by S. Gregory.

In the 7th he says, That some French Bishops, who had been Adulterers or Fornicators, af∣ter they had made a Journey to Rome, pretended, that the Pope had given them Power to per∣form their Offices; but he maintained the contrary, because the Holy See would do nothing a∣gainst the Canons. The Pope confirms him in this Opinion, and commands him not to believe them, but to punish them according to the Severity of the Canons. He adds, That he hath sent three Letters of Confirmation to the three Bishops constituted by Boniface; and also that he hath written to Carloman, to exhort him to a speedy Execution of his design. This Letter is dated on the 11th Indiction, that is, in the Year 742.

The second Letter of Zachary is a Copy of the Letter written to the three Bishops instituted by Boniface. By the Authority of the Holy See he confirms the Institution of their Sees. He de∣clares, that no body but the Apostolick Vicar, shall ordain Bishops for those Sees; and prohibits encroaching upon their Jurisdiction or Territory.

The third Letter of Zachary is that which he sent to the French Bishops, to Congratulate them for endeavouring the Re-establishment of Church-Discipline, and the Reformation of the manner of the Clergy, and to exhort them to do it effectually, and as becomes Holy Bishops.

By the 4th Letter directed to Boniface, Zachary gives the Pall to the three Metropolitans insti∣tuted by Boniface; Then he approves the Sentence which Boniface had passed against two French Men who had lived a Profane and Disorderly Life. This Letter is dated in June, in the 12th Indiction, that is, in the Year 743.

In the next Letter, directed to the same Person, he wonders, that Boniface having at first de∣sired of him the Pall for the three Metropolitans, he begg'd it then but for one. He complains, that he suspected him guilty of Simony. He commends him for giving no credit to a Bishop of Bavaria, who did falsly affirm himself to have been Ordained by the Pope. He exhorts him to hinder all them that do not live according to the Canons, from performing the Priestly Fun∣ctions. He confirms him in the right, granted him by his Predecessor, to Preach in Bavaria. This Letter is dated in the year 745.

In the 6th Letter, directed also to Boniface, Zachary answers a Question propounded to him by * 1.2 two Persons of Piety of Bavaria, about the Validity of Baptism, Administred by a Priest, who not understanding Latin, in stead of saying, In Nomine Patris, Filii, & Spiritus Sancti, had said, In Nomina Patria, & Filia, & Spiritu Sancta. Zachary answers, That if that Priest did not design to introduce an Error or Heresie, but committed this fault meerly out of Ignorance of the Latin Tongue, they ought not Re-baptize those whom he hath Baptized, but only Consecrate them by the Imposition of Hands.

The 7th Letter to Pepin Constable of Franee, and to the French Bishops or Lords, is only a Collection of several ancient Canons, touching divers Articles of Discipline, about which he had been Consulted by Ardobanius a Presbyter sent from Pepin.

In the 8th Letter he acquaints Boniface, that he hath sent those Canons, and enjoyns him to Examine a new the Matter of the three French Bishops, and to send them to Rome, in case they maintain their own Innocency. this is dated in January in the Year 747.

The 9th Letter, according to the date, was sent the Year before. Zachary commends Boni∣face's Zeal, exhorts him to continue in it, comforts him concerning the Irruption of the Barbari∣ans into the Countrys converted by him. He approves what he had done in the Synod held in France, and was mightily pleased that they had pitched upon a City to be made a Metropolis, that Boniface might be settled there. He blames them that opposed this design, and commends the French Princes for having countenanced it. He confirms his Sentence against disorderly Bishops.

He assures him, That he ought not to believe those that boast of being Established by the Holy See. He acquaints him, that the Condemnation of Adalbert and Clement was approved in a Sy∣nod held at Rome. He saith, He will deal with another Seducer, named Geolebius, who was in his Journey to Rome, as he deserves. He will have him to hold yearly a Council in France. He confirms him in the right of a Metropolitan, which he annexeth to the City of Colen.

The 10th Letter is directed to Boniface. He says that they ought to Rebaptize those who have not been Baptized in the Name of the three Persons of the Trinity; That Sacrilegious, Impure, or Heretical Priests or Deacons are to be Banished into Monasteries, and put to Penace. He rejects the Error of one * 1.3 Samson a Presbyter of Scotland; affirming, that a Man might be made a Christian, without being Baptized in the Name of the Trinity, only by the Bishops Im∣position of Hands. He approves a Writing of Boniface, about the Unity of the Faith, and the Apostolick Doctrine, directed to all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons; He refuses to send another Person to hold Councils in France; He approves also the Profession of Faith, sent to him by the French Bishops. He writes against Virgilius, who molested Boniface, assuring him, That he will write to the Duke of Bavaria, to send him to him, that he may judge him. Lastly, He answers Boniface's last Leter, that seeing the French did not keep their promise, to make Colen a Metropo∣lis in respect to him, he may dwell at Mentz, and gives him leave to chuse a fit Person to suc∣ceed him. This Letter is dated May 748.

The 11th Letter of Zachary is directed to some French and German Bishops; He congratu∣lates their Union among themselves and with the Holy See, and exhorts them to continue their labour for the Church, joyning with Boniface, Vicar of the Holy See.

The 12th Letter is to Boniface. He commends his Zeal and Piety. He likes well his Sepa∣ration from the Erring and Disorderly Bishops. He says, That if the French Bishops will re∣ceive the Pall, and perform their Promises, they will deserve Praise; That what he received freely, he gives freely. He grants a Privilege to the Monastery of the Benedictines founded by Boniface in a Solitude of Germany. Then he answers several Questions proposed to him in a Memoir, which Lullus sent by Boniface, presented to him. This is the Sum of these Answers. 1. That it is Unlawful to Eat Wild Beasts, yea Hares. 2. That on the Thursday before Easter, when the Holy Chrism is Consecrated, they ought to kindle three great Lamps full of Oyl, which may last till Holy Saturday, and to Kindle at those Lamps the Paschal Tapers, used at the Bap∣tismal Fonts. 3. That those that have the Falling-Sickness, if they have it from their Birth, or from their Parents, should be banished from the Towns; but if it happens to them accidentally, they ought to endeavour to Cure them; That in the mean while they are not to Communi∣cate, but after all the rest of the Congregation. 4. He approves the usage of Washing one anothers Feet on Holy Thursday before Easter. 5. He reproves some certain Forms of Blessings used among the French. 6. He says, it were to be Wished, that Presbyters were 30 Years old [before their Ordination,] yet, if need be, they may be Ordained at 25. 7. He informs him, that Milo, who had been put in Rigobert's place at Rheims, should do well to quit that Bishoprick. 8. He says, That he hath found no Decree about the time in which they ought to eat Bacon; yet he does not think, they ought to eat it before it be Dryed in the Smoke, or Dressed at the Fire; and if they will eat of it without Dressing, they must stay still after Easter. 9. He approves the Condemnation of a Bishop who bore Arms, and committed Fornications. 10. He says, That Ordinations ought to be Celebrated at Lawful times: Yet he excuses Boniface for performing them at other times out of Zeal. 11. He informs him, That he ought not to make any Scruple of taking a Penny a House for the Church Revenues. 12. He enjoyns him to put to Penance, and to Depose those Presbyters, who have been Ordained, being only Laicks, and involved in Criminal Matters, if their Crime comes afterward to be discovered. 13. He thinks one may fly to avoid Persecution, when it is fierce. 14. He forbids Communicating with an Excom∣municated Person who desires not Absolution. 15. He thinks that a Tribute may be taken of the Sclavonians who come to live in Christian Countrys. 16. Lastly, He tells him, that he hath marked in Lullus's Volume, in what places they are to make the Sign of the Cross in the Canon of the Mass. This Letter is dated November 751.

In the 13th Letter, written a few days after, he praises the unwearied labour of Boniface, who had for 25 years together, preached the Gospel in Germany, and holden Councils in France. He says, it is just he should have a Cathedral Church, and for that purpose, he confirms the right of Metropolitan to him and his Successors in the Church of Mentz, and gives him for Suffragans the Bishops of Tongres. Colen, Worms, Spire, Utretcht, and all the Countrys of Ger∣many.

The 14th Letter of Zachary is the Privilege granted * 1.4 to the Monastery of Fulda, Founded by Boniface, which imports, that this Monstery shall be Subject to the Holy See only; and that no Person shall say Mass, or exercise any Jurisdiction there, unless invited by the Abbot.

There is also a Letter of Boniface to Griphon, Pepin's Brother, wherein he recommends t•• him some Monks of Turingia, to protect them against the Pagans.

The 15th Letter of Zachary is directed to the Bishops of France. He sent it by some Monks, or Clerks, who were sent by Optatus Abbot of Mount Cassin, and from Caroloman, to procure Peace between Gripho and Pepin, and to demand a second time St. Benedict's Body, which they pretended had been stolen away from Mount Cassin. He exhorts the French Bishops to maintain the Justice of their Demand.

In the 16th, he exhorts the French to suffer no Ecclesiastical Person guilty of Murder or For∣nication; and advises them to assemble Councils every Year, to restore the Discipline.

The 17th Letter is supposititious, at least the Title and Date of it are false; for it is directed to Austrebert Bishop of Vienna, and there was no Archbishop of that Name in that Church under Zachary's Pontificate; and it is dated the 7th of March, of the first Year of Constantine, which is the Year 741, of the Vulgar Ae••a; at which time Zachary was not Pope.

The 18th is not more certain: 'Tis a Prohibition somewhat ill written, that a certain Person should not marry his Father's God-Daughter, because of the Spiritual Consanguinity.

[These Epistles are all of them extant in Tom. 8. of the Councils, p. 1498.]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Zachary.
• * 1.2

  Vigilius & Sidoni∣us. ut Uss. in Ep. Heb. Syll.
• * 1.3

  So much of this Letter as concerns Sampson and Vir∣gilius is printed in uss. Ep. Syll. p. 34.
• * 1.4

  The Name was, The Monastery of Our Savi∣our; but hath been in after Ages called, The Monastery of Fulda, because it was built in the City and near the River of the same Name, Anno. 742. by the care of Baufail, but charge of Charles the Great, and Pepin, Kings of France.