The Third Council of Valence.
IN January 855. the Emperour Lotharius called a Synod at Valence, of Fourteen Bishops belon∣ging to the Province of Lyons, Vienna and Arles, over whom their Metropolitans pre••ded, * 1.1 and Ebbo Bishop of Grenoble, to judge the Bishop of Valence, who was accused of several Crimes. In this Council, the Decisions about Grace above mentioned, were made, which make up the first six Canons of this Council. The Seventh is about the Election of Bishops. They declare in it, that to prevent, that ignorant and unfit Persons be not preferr'd to Bishopricks, they would petition the King, that the Bishop of every Diocess shall be chosen by the Clergy and People who shall be obliged to choose a Person out of the same, or a Neighbouring Church, fit to fill the See, and that if the Emperour shall send any of his Officers to be Bishop, they shall examine his Life and Doctrine carefully, that the Metropolitan shall have a care, that the Bishop who is ordained, be a person fit for that Charge. The Eighth is against those who invade the Revenues of the Church. The Ninth is against those that take the Revenues of Chapels. The Tenth orders, that they pay the Ninth and Tenth of the Revenues of alienated Churches, and condemns Usury. The Ele∣venth forbids taking the Oaths of both parties in justice, and excommunicates him that doth the contrary. The Twelfth forbids the Combats, which were in use to prove Mens Innocence. The Thirteenth imports, that such as are disobedient to their Bishops, shall do Penance, and such as are excommunicated in one Church, shall not be received in another. The Fourteenth forbids all vexatious Troubles, and commends Union and Love in Clergy-men. The Fifteenth enjoyns the Bishops to live an Exemplary Life. The Sixteenth orders them to preach and instruct their People. The Seventeenth commands them to visit their Diocess, without being a charge to any Man. The Eighteenth requires, that Schools be set up for Learning and Singing. The Nine∣teenth imports, that the Metropolitans and Bishops should take care that the Clergy live orderly. The Twentieth enjoyns, that the Ornaments of Churches be preserved, and used only according to the Canons. The Twenty First says, that Church Revenues shall not be alienated. The Twenty Second says, that a Bishop shall not receive the rights of the Visitation, when he doth not Visit. The Twenty Third is in Favour of the Arch-Deacon of the Church of Vienna, whom they had redeemed from Slavery. They assert he was not a Slave, and threaten Excommunication to them, who shall persecute him upon that account.