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.

The Council of Mentz.

THis Council was called by King Arnoldus at that time, when Germany was much afflicted by * 1.1 the Inroads of the Normans. The Arch-bishops of Mentz, Cologne, and Treves were at it, with several of their Suffragans: In it, after they had declared, by way of Preface, the misera∣ble condition that Germany was reduced to, they made the following Canons.

The First obliges, to Pray continually in the Church for King Arnoldus, his Queen, and all Christians.

In the Second, they give the King a short Abridgment of the chief Duties incumbent on him.

The Third shews him, that he is obliged to Administer Justice impartially both to great and small.

The Fourth says, that they who are Founders of Churches, should leave the disposal of the Re∣venues they give, to the Bishops, according to the Nineteenth Canon of the Third Council of Toledo.

The Fifth enjoyns, that no Priests be put into any Church, without the permission of the Bishop.

The Sixth requires, that those shall be punished as Murtherers of the Poor, who detain the Re∣venues of Churches, Monasteries, or Hospitals.

The Seventh declares, that those, who do any injury to Clergy-men, shall be put out of the Church, till they have made a proportionable satisfaction.

The Eighth orders, that they who had cut off the Nose of a Priest of the Church of Wirtz∣burg, should be Excommunicated.

The Ninth commands, that Masses shall not be celebrated in all places; but either in such places as are consecrated by the Bishop, or are allowed by him for that use. That in the places, or Churches Burnt by the Normans, Mass may be celebrated in the Chapels, till they are Re-built; and that in a Journey, if Men can't find a Church, they may say it in the open Field, or in a Tent, provided they have a Consecrated Table for an Altar, and other things necessary for that Service.

The Tenth enjoyns Clergy-men absolutely to have no Woman to co-habit with them.

The Eleventh says, that all that Invade the Lands of the Church, shall be Excommunicated and Banish'd.

The Twelfth is a Canon falsely attributed to Pope Silvester, about the Accusations of Clergy-men.

The Thirteenth imports, that ancient Churches shall not be deprived of their Tythes and Re∣venues to Endow New Chapels.

The Fourteenth holds, that no Bishop can retain, ordain, or judge a person, that belongs to ano∣ther Bishop's Diocess.

The Fifteenth asserts, that he that doth so, shall not be received at a Council, till he hath had a Reproof.

The Sixteenth imposes a severe and long Penance upon him that shall kill a Priest.

The Seventeenth orders the Payment of Tythes.

The Eighteenth is against a person that had Marryed his God-mother, and being divorced from her, had taken her again.

The Nineteenth revives some old Laws against Unchast Priests.

The Twentieth is against them, who, by their Petitions, get the Revenues of the Church into their possession by a precarious Title.

The One and twentieth revives the Prohibitions made by Charles the Great, to hold Meetings about Secular Affairs in the Churches, or Church-porches.

The Two and twentieth is against those, who defraud the Church of part of their Tithes.

The Three and twentieth ordains, that Ecclesiastical Causes shall be judged by the Bishop, ei∣ther according to the Deposition of Witnesses, or by the Oath of the Accused, and none shall be admitted for a Witness, unless they be 14 years of Age.

The Four and twentieth recommends Peace, Unity, and Loyalty to their Prince.

The Five and twentieth orders those, who have the Patronage of Monasteries committed to them, to place such Superiours over them as may doe their Duty, and will govern such as are subject to their power, as they ought.

The Six and twentieth forbids, that Widows should be easily admitted to the Veil; and de∣clares, that they ought to be left at liberty, either to Marry, or embrace a single Life, till their conversation be approved. If they embrace a Single Life, it orders, that they be put into the Monasteries, where they shall live regularly with the Nuns. If they violate their •…•…sion, they shall be punished Canonically: They renew the Canon of Elvira, made concerning Virgins de∣voted to God, which violate their Virginity.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Coun∣cil of Mentz.